#this manga is making me climb the walls

[theskeletonprior]

[my-great-big-book-of-fan-fiction]

Katsuki Bakugou X Reader - Fluffy oneshot about cuddling

My very first fanfic, so I'm open to constructive criticism! here goes nothing.

______________________________________________________________

"come here"

It was a text from Katsuki. That was odd, seeing as it was rather late for him. You yourself were just about to settle down for the night, switching off the lights in your dorm room and shimmying under the covers, only to get the text as you plugged your phone in. You texted him back, responding with "why?" 

The little dots signifying typing popped up, staying for a few seconds, disappearing, reappearing, and then leaving again. Finally, after what felt like ages but was really less than a minute, he simply typed back, "Because." How eloquent. It made you wonder what he really wanted to say and why he didn't want to tell you.

You lay there for a moment, contemplating whether or not to get up. It was a rare experience to have Katsuki ask for your presence so openly, but on the other hand…your bed was warm, begging you to stay, coaxing you with the many blankets and pillows. You sighed, reaching for your phone and texting him back, "You come here."

The sass was almost palatable. You set your phone back down, snuggling up under the covers and waiting for it to ping with a response. What you didn't expect was some heavy stomping from the room across from yours, Katsuki's room, followed closely by his door swinging open, then yours. He was standing in your doorframe, scowling at you.

"When I say come here, it means come here, idiot." He towered over your bed, his arms crossed over his most worn nightshirt in the winter, a plain black short sleeve.

He kept stern eye contact for a moment, using it as a way to silently assert dominance. Finally, after a few seconds, he scowled harder and walked around your bed to you. It seems like you won; he was going to get in bed with you and stay there, adding to the warmth and allowing you peaceful slumber. At least, that's what you thought, which made it all the more surprising when he ripped away the blankets, scooped you up, and tossed you over his shoulder. "Wa- Katsuki! Put me down," you ordered, kicking your legs a little as he walked back to his room nonchalantly.

You loved his room, almost as much as you loved your own. It smelled like him, like musk and burnt caramel, and it was neat and tidy. manga series' (in full, he hates missing books) and educational works lined his bookshelves, his desk had pens and pencils in little cups with workbooks open to the homework this week, his closet had clothes and shoes hung and set neatly on their respective hangers and shelves, along with mountain climbing gear, and most importantly, his bed was pressed into the corner of the room, with grey sheets and a navy blue blanket and pillows. It used to be just the one pillow, but recently he bought a second one because of how often you spent the night. not that he told you about it, that was information you had to figure out yourself. There was a lot of that with Katsuki.

"Fine," he huffed, a twinge of amusement in his voice as he tossed you onto his bed like a ragdoll. He had that malicious smirk on his face and a glint of playfulness in his eyes. "You seem proud of yourself," you said pointedly, making yourself comfortable in his bed. At least it was warm, still heated from him lying in it. The thought made you a little giddy—the idea that you'd be snuggled up with your perfectly imperfect boyfriend for the rest of the night.

"So what if I am?" He got into bed, pushing you out of the center and towards the wall. He lay between you and the door, his back to the "exit" of the bed, as if he were both protecting you and keeping you from leaving.

"You shouldn't be, kidnapping me from my room," you pouted sarcastically back. He grumbled, pulling you into him so that you were spooning tight against one another, and immediately responded, "If you didn't want to be here, you wouldn't be." While technically true, he also didn't give much of a choice. There was a moment of silence, his breathing and yours slowing calmly, his face pressed into your neck. You could feel his breath from his nose fan across your collarbone, his lips against the more sensitive area of your neck.

"…Kat, why'd you wanna cuddle tonight?" It was a simple question, but one he wasn't expecting you to ask. He didn't have an answer for you, not one that he was willing to give, so he dodged the question almost entirely.

"Can't you just enjoy it," he grumbled, his thumb gently gliding back and forth against the back of your hand as he engulfed it with his. His other hand slid under you, wrapping around your waist and under your nightshirt, so he could feel your stomach. His hands were so calloused, given his quirk, but the texture was kind of nice.

You decided to drop it this time, mumbling "whatever," because you didn't have the energy to force information out of him. All you knew was that he needed you, that he felt your presence was necessary for him in that moment. Right then, in the silence of the room, moonlight dripping in past the curtains and illuminating so little, he mumbled back, "I love you," against your skin, almost hoping you didn't hear it.

[disaster-writer]

Poison (Part 3/4)

Pairing: Alpha!Bokuto Koutarou x Beta!Reader

Summary: You loved love, but it wasn’t made for you… but maybe a certain Alpha could change your mind

Word Count: 6.4k

AU: Omegaverse

Part 1 Part 2

7am

”Take me to work with you again!” Ami pounced on you as soon as your alarm went off.

For the second day in a row.

”Amiiii,” you groaned, face down into your pillow, “Get off!” You threw an arm behind you to try and push her off but she easily caught it. “Why do you want to go again anyway,” you grumbled into your pillow.

”Because I want to watch all the hot alphas practice again!” She chirped. “It’s not fair you get to hog them to yourself!”

”I’m not hogging anyone! They’re my coworkers!” You yelled into the pillow, “Now will you get off!”

”Only if I can come!”

You sighed, blinking the sleepy blurriness from your eyes. “They’re doing weight training in the weight room today. I’m gonna be in my office organizing schedules and in meetings all day. You’re gonna be bored.”

”I won’t be bored!”

* * * *

“Im boreeeeed,” Ami whined, sinking into the chair she was in, almost falling off of it.

”That’s what I tried to tell you,” you all but growled while typing up a list of repairs that need to take place in the gym into a spreadsheet.

”I thought I’d be able to hang out with the Alphas.”

You rolled your eyes, stopping your typing momentarily, “Yeah cause that makes sense. The manager is gonna be hiding away in her office all day while her sister is ogling the Alphas while they’re supposed to be working. Makes perfect sense!” You scoffed.

She only grumbled something under her breath before climbing to her feet and dragging them over to your bookshelf.

Your office was so boring, she had thought.

At home your house was so colorful and loud in a way that was so aesthetically pleasing and thought out but here you had boring plain walls, with a boring plain desk, and boring plain chairs.

Honestly how Bokuto found any interest in you at all when this was how you presented yourself to the world was beyond her.

She pouted staring at the book case, “Even your books are boring— where’s the manga?”

”At home. Where you should’ve stayed.”

”What do you want to do after work today? What’s cool to do around here?”

”I’m five seconds away from kicking you out.”

”Alright fine, I’ll look for a fun place we can go eat at after— maybe we can catch a movie too!”

You exhaled a sharp breath through your nose and stood up, your seat sliding out from under you. 

You marched your way towards your sister and grabbed her upper arm, “I know this is a little vacation for you,” you dragged her to the door of your office, “But I have work to do.”

You swung the door open, about to toss her out when you came face to chest with Bokuto.

You looked up at your co-worker who had a fist poised that was ready to knock on your door.

”Bokuto-san?” You furrowed your brow, “We don’t have any scheduled meetings right now, shouldn’t you be in the weight room?” You asked, grip slackening on your sisters arm.

He grinned widely as usual, “Coach called lunch!”

”Right, so,” Ami started, pulling her arm from your grasp, “I need to use the restroom! Bye!” She chirped, scampering down the hallway.

You rolled your eyes at your sister— you were sure she thought she was being little miss matchmaker again like she was back in high school.

Well that wouldn’t work this time— you were determined it wouldn’t. In high school she knew all the Alphas and had each one of them wrapped around her finger but here you were the one in charge. If she thought leaving you alone with a coworker that you saw almost every day and have spent the last two years learning everything about was going to force you two to date, then she had another thing coming.

Besides… it simply wouldn’t be professional.

You shook your head slightly, shaking the thought of murdering your sister from your mind, “Anyway— what can I help you with Bokuto-san?”

”I brought something for you!” He exclaimed, holding a bag up.

Right.

This again.

”Bokuto-san I don’t know how else to explain it to you— is that mille fueille?” 

Your eyes nearly widened to the size of dinner plates at the sight of the cake Bokuto pulled out of the bag in a clear cake container.

Bokuto grinned at the sound of your sudden excitement. 

“It is! I made it for you!”

In reality Bokuto’s sisters had mostly made the cake while Bokuto ranted about everything Ami had told him about you to them. A similar routine as they had made every bento that Bokuto had given you to help their poor dense brother out while convincing him that he was truly the chef… or baker in this case.

You continued to stare at the cake, mouth already starting to water as you partially registered Bokuto’s words, “But uh— how— how’d you know this is my favorite?” You asked, still distracted by the cake. You reached out to grab the container. 

“Intuition!” He declared proudly.

It was the first dessert on the list Ami gave him. 

“I can have the whole thing?” You asked in wonder.

”Of course! It’s for you! I also got you something else.”

You looked up as Bokuto rifled through the bag and pulled something out for you, presenting them to you as he had with the cake.

”What are these?” You asked, picking up the fabric in his hands. You unfolded it, “Kneepads?”

”I got you a matching pair to mine! They’re extra long just like my kneepads!”

And suddenly multiple things hit you at once like a bag of bricks over the head.

You took in a shaky breath as an intense heat filled up your face and you just knew every drop of blood in your body decided to travel to your head.

You nervously cleared your throat, no longer able to look Bokuto in the eye, “And— and what exactly would I need kneepads for?”

“For your volleyball games!”

”…Right.”

You were going to wring Ami’s fucking neck.

But another thought overshadowed your desire to kill your sister in that moment.

Bokuto Kotarou was courting you.

You stared at the items that you held.

Your favorite cake that he made for you. A pair of matching kneepads for your volleyball games.

Bokuto gave you these.

An Alpha gave you these because he was interested in a relationship with you, a Beta.

And if that wasn’t enough, “I was told that I should finally come out and say it,” he sucked in a large breath of air, “I have been courting you for nine months now Miss Manager, I would like to take you out on a date.”

Your knees felt weak.

”Beta-chan?” Bokuto asked you curiously as you had suddenly gone so quiet, suddenly a little nervous now for your rejection even though Ami said there was no way you’d turn him down.

Your heart thundered in your chest as you slowly looked up from the gifts and at Bokuto.

It was like you were seeing him for the first time.

And you could practically see animated hearts floating around his head as an overwhelming anxiety came over you that you had never experienced in his presence before.

‘No, no, no, no, this is so fucking bad. I can’t pursue a relationship with him— he’s my coworker. And he’s an Alpha, we’re both simply incompatible. It would never work— I’m gonna fucking kill Ami when I see her- okay well maybe one date wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, Bokuto’s always been so sweet—‘

”Thank you for the gifts!” You suddenly shouted before slamming the door in his face.

Your back hit the door and you slowly slid down it in despair. 

“You’re welcome Miss Manager!” You heard him cheer from the other side, clearly not hurt in the slightest at having the door slammed in his face. “I’ll ask you out again tomorrow!” He added, clearly not dissuaded as you technically didn’t reject him and you did accept his gifts.

‘Why do I feel like I’m back in high school all of a sudden!?’ You cried in your head.

But this was the reality of the situation.

Bokuto was courting you.

And you suddenly had a crush.

You were pushed forward as Ami opened the door on you.

”What are you doing down there?” She asked, peering down at you from around the door, “Where’d Bokuto go—ah!”

”You bitch!” You shrieked, yanking on her leg and knocking her out from under herself before pinning her to the ground, “You’re playing matchmaker again! I told you to stop interfering with my love life!”

Ami managed to get you off balance, rolling you over and pinning you instead, “You needed the interference!” She yelled, “And I told you he was courting you! He just needed a push in the right direction!”

”And what am I supposed to do now!? It’s not like I can actually go out with him!”

”What? Why not?” She whined. 

“I work with him, that’s why!”

”Yeah, I looked into that and there isn’t a rule saying you two can’t date.”

”Wha— Yeah, well—“ you spluttered, “Just— stay out of my love life!— ah!” You yelped as your Apple Watch buzzed. Your eyes widened, “Get off! I have a meeting starting!” You managed to shove her off and scramble back into your office.

* * * *

Ami knew you were pissed when you refused to talk to her for the rest of the day— even when she was purposefully being annoying.

Hours upon hours of meetings had passed, hours of scheduling, hours of calling repair men and whoever the fuck else you needed to call… Ami lost track after falling asleep on your office floor.

And then Ami knew you were really pissed when you still didn’t talk on the way home.

In fact, you didn’t address her properly until you reached your house.

”Alright,” you scoffed the second the front door slammed closed. You turned to look at her, throwing your briefcase to the ground, “What did you tell him?”

She only grinned, her little canines poking out, “Mille fuille is your favorite isn’t it~” she lilted.

”Okay so you told him my favorite dessert and that I play volleyball. What else?” You crossed your arms.

She tilted her head as if to ponder what it was, before she snapped her fingers, “I told him you have a stripper  pole.”

”HAH!?” you shrieked, “You really told him that!?

”I did!” She chirped, “Along with a buncha other shit about you. I made sure that he got a full comprehensive view of you and I gave him pointers on how to court a Beta. And see how much better he did with my meddling!” She cheered.

You shook your head in exasperation, “Oh this can’t be happening.”

”But it is!” She exclaimed, jumping onto your back. “Isn’t that exciting! True love!”

You pushed her off, quickly spinning around and grasping her shoulders, “Okay, um,” you stammered, trying to organize the tornado of thoughts violently flying around your head, “Bokuto like— he actually likes me?”

”Duh.”

”No but like— he like likes me? Bokuto, an Alpha, not just any kind of Alpha but like top tier Alpha wants to date me? A Beta.”

Ami shrugged, “I’m just as shocked as you are.”

”Okay but why?”

”Oh right!” She suddenly slapped you.

You held your cheek, “What was that for!?”

”For not telling me a fucking Alpha scented you.”

”Huh?” You stared at her in utter confusion until it dawned on you. Last seasons final game. “Oh that? That was nothing.”

”Clearly not because the guys had an emotional hard on for you for nearly a year— and probably a physical one to if you think about it.”

”Shut up,” you shrieked, your face flushing, “Stop talking about Bokuto having a hard on!”

”Ohohoh,” Ami wiggled her eyebrows at you, “Does that make you embarrassed~” she teased, “You know both his stamina and power is at a 5?”

”Of course I know that, why do you know that?”

”I looked him up of course! Had to see what my baby sister was getting into! Or I guess who would be getting into her~” she wiggled her eyebrows again.

”Okay, stop it! That’s not funny!” You held your face which was now burning to the touch with your furious blush. “He’s really liked me since then?”

”Yup!”

”Oh God,” you started pacing back and forth again, “He probably thinks I’m an idiot!”

”Actually out of the two of you, he’s remarkably the idiot.”

”What do you mean?” You stopped your pacing to look at her, “I know he’s not exactly the brightest but I feel like with something like this—“

”No, he’s an idiot, trust me,” she said, “I don’t think I’ve ever met an Alpha so blindly loyal to someone without being in a relationship first. I gotta say, I’m a little jealous sis. That man is in deep.”

”You’re lying— I would have noticed—“

”Hellooo, anyone home?” She knocked on your head, “Of course you haven’t— he’s been courting you like you were an Omega. See, he’s sweet, but that man is stupid. But don’t worry about that, the dumb one’s are usually the best in bed.”

”No. This is ridiculous,” you shook your head, “I can’t possibly go out with Bokuto Koutarou— it’s Bokuto— professional athlete Bokuto— 6 foot 2 Bokuto… Alpha Bokuto…” you trailed off in a daze before rapidly shaking your head from that train of thought, “No it’s not happening.”

”Why nottttt,” she whined.

”Because it just can’t.” You said, “Now, I’m gonna take a long hot bath and when I come out we are putting all of that to rest and never speaking about Bokuto again, okay?”

Ami lifted a brow, staring at you unconvincingly. She knew her sister and she knew this subject would be beating a dead horse by the end of the night.

”Sure. Whatever you say~”

* * * *

You did well. You were proud of yourself.

You had managed to go the entire night without talking about the man that hadn’t left your mind.

But God, was that difficult.

You liked Bokuto. He was good energy to have around at work and he was always so sweet and friendly with everyone. The fans loved him for more than just his skills just because his personality was larger than life.

The man was truly a star.

But holy shit… he was a star that just so happened to want to take you out on a date.

You tossed and turned in bed that night. You stayed up for a while watching your favorite romance movies with Ami all the while refusing to engage with her and her teasing.

But now you couldn’t sleep.

Not when you pictured yourself in the lead role from your favorite movie and Bokuto as the love interest, determinedly pursuing her because he was so in love.

You sat up in bed. Your hair was a mess from all the tossing and turning and Mochi had abandoned you for the floor a while ago.

You quickly found yourself scrambling out of bed, grabbing your cat, and stumbling down the stairs to the guest room.

Quietly sneaking in and avoiding anything you could make out in the night, you found yourself in front of Ami’s sleeping form.

”Ami.” You whispered, “Ami— Ami— Hey!”

Ami shot up in a fright, spooking Mochi in your arms who clawed her way out of your hold, forcing you to drop her.

You frowned, staring at the thin, red scratches on your hand, “Ow…”

”What are you doing!” Ami panted, turning the night table lamp on. “You look crazy.” She said breathlessly, eyeing your wild hair and frantic look in your eyes.

”So uh—“ you started twiddling your fingers, hunched over your sister, “What has Bokuto said about me…?” You asked awkwardly, cursing yourself for sounding so high school.

A devious little grin grew on Ami’s face and she tugged you onto the bed.

”So you do want to date him!”

”I’m not saying that!” You yelped, “I just— I wanna know what he’s been saying.” You blushed. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed but guys don’t typically get crushes on me.”

Ami giggled such a girlish and excited laugh, you really did think for a minute that you’d been transported back to high school. “Well he seems to think you smell really good,” she giggled again as you blushed.

”If I knew he was scenting my shit I would’ve made sure to do laundry more often,” you groaned, “Or at least worn more perfume.”

”Oh don’t be silly, Alphas are more interested in natural scents anyway. Besides he’s been trying to decode yours for like ever it sounds like.”

”Decode?”

”Yeah dummy. He thinks there’s more to you that he doesn’t know about. Whyever he would think that is beyond me,” she remarked sarcastically, “You’re just oh so transparent with your coworkers.” She glared.

”I’m the perfect amount of transparent, thank you very much,” you crossed your arms.

”You don’t even go to team parties,” she deadpanned, “Have they even seen you outside of your pantsuits and tracksuits?”

”No, and they don’t need to. I have an entire team of Alphas that respect me.”

”Oh give me a break,” she rolled her eyes, “They’re not gonna lose respect for you by seeing you in a nice dress at a work party and letting your hair down a bit— and I mean that literally and figuratively— they haven’t even seen you with your hair down for goodness sakes.”

”I know that,” you huffed.

”Then what are you so afraid of!” She exclaimed in exasperation. 

You pouted, beginning to pick at your nail, murmuring something under your breath.

”What?” She asked with a confused expression, straining to hear you.

”It’s just—“ you stopped yourself, rubbing your suddenly clammy hands on your pajama pants, “Every time I try to be myself around Alphas or Omegas, I’m always let down… people don’t exactly like me, y’know.”

”That’s not true—“

”You don’t count,” you snapped, “It’s like there’s always been this divide between me and everyone else. I can’t relate to them and they can’t relate to me— it’s like we’re on completely different wave lengths. Why do you think my siblings are my best friends?”

”Well I thought it was because you liked us.”

”Tch.” You tsked, “I do… I guess I’m just tired and afraid of being rejected.”

“Then date Bokuto,” she said, clasping your hands now, a shine in her eyes as she leaned in, “I’m telling you, you guys are perfect for each other. You’re both so delightfully weird and fun to be around, and he genuinely likes you. He told me he thinks you’re really pretty and I can’t even begin to explain how excited he was to finally learn more about you. And he’s so nice—“

”You just met him,” you scoffed.

”Yeah and unlike you he actually is transparent. But it would be good for you! You deserve to be happy!”

You sighed, pulling your hands from hers to rake them through your hair, “I’ll— well I guess I already have been thinking about it. But this month is so fucking crazy already— we have a game against the Adlers this week and a huge press conference and those are always a nightmare to manage, not to mention all the sponsors that have been breathing down my neck—“

”I get it, you’re busy” she cut you off, “But you’re always gonna have something to blame putting your love life on hold, so will you actually think about it.”

”Yeah— Yeah I will,” you said, looking at her with determination now. 

“Good. Now go to bed, you have work in the morning.”

”Yeah. By the way, you’re banned from coming back,” you said, standing up.

”What? Why?”

”Two days babysitting you was enough. You don’t have to stay here but you can’t come with me to work, and I promise we’ll do something fun when I come back.”

Ami pouted, grumbling under her breath as you left the room.

* * * *

The following morning you had woken up to your alarm and just your alarm today. 

Fumbling for your phone in your bedsheets you quickly turned off the alarm, before laying back with a sigh.

That had to have been one of the most unproductive nights of “sleeping” you’ve had in a while.

You just couldn’t stop thinking about Bokuto and all his gifts and everything he told you yesterday— you were losing your mind.

It was funny too, back when you were a teenager you would’ve jumped head first into a relationship with an Alpha that so proudly declared his feelings for you. You wouldn’t have thought twice about it.

But you weren’t that young Beta anymore.

You’ve chosen to put your career before a relationship, so mixing the two was always out of the question.

On top of that, and more glaringly… you were a Beta. 

You two weren’t and would never be compatible biologically, hell, you hadn’t even noticed he was courting you for nine months.

But at the same time Bokuto was so sickeningly sweet and kind. Anybody would be lucky to have him as a mate.

You grabbed the pillow next to you, placed it over your head and screamed, spooking Mochi in the process.

You then pulled yourself out of your bed to start your day.

Standing in front of your closet, you had a conundrum. You had a few phone calls to make today but for the most part your plan was to watch practice.

On the one hand you could wear your tracksuit and spend the majority of your day in the gym like you planned or, you could wear a pantsuit and hide all day in your office like a little bitch just so you didn’t have to embarrass yourself in front of the team and Bokuto.

You knew yourself too well. Any professional facade you were able to maintain will be immediately crumbling upon talking or even seeing Bokuto for the forseeable future.

You grabbed your pantsuit.

It’s official, today would be the first you were shirking out on responsibility.

When you had opened your door after changing, you were immediately tackled to the ground.

”Amiiii,” you whined, “You’re gonna give me a concussion one day,” you glared at her grinning face above you.

”Soooo,” she dragged out.

”Whaaat?” You asked, mimicking her tone uneasily.

”Are you gonna go out with Bokuto!? Duh!?”

”I don’t know,” you huffed, “It’s all very confusing and we have a game tomorrow, I can’t get distracted right now!”

”I thought we talked about this last night!? Excuses!”

”Yeah, well, when the excuse is literally not even a day away then I’ll take that advice. Now off,” you wriggled beneath her.

”Booo,” she whined, rolling off, “Why do you make things so difficult.”

”I’ll stop making things difficult when life’s not difficult,” you stood up. “Now let me finish getting ready.”

You moved about your apartment as you readied yourself for the day, following your routine as always until you eventually found yourself at the doors to the gym.

Fuck— you don’t remember ever being this nervous going to work… not even on your first day.

You peaked through the windows of the doors. Some of the players were out stretching already but no sign of Bokuto.

Perfect.

You’d be in and out. You’d wave to the players, say good morning to coach and tell him you’ll be in your office all day, and you’ll be out.

A lump formed in your throat knowing you were about to lie to him.

But it was time to quit stalling, waiting any longer out here meant giving more time for Bokuto to finish getting ready in the locker room and coming out.

You braced yourself, walking into the gym. You waved to the players like you did every morning and walked straight to Samson.

”Morning coach.”

”Good morning Miss Manager,” he greeted, “Another day in the office huh?”

You cleared your throat awkwardly, “Yeah, I’ll try to stop by and watch practice later but I’m swamped today.”

He nodded in understanding, “No worries if you can’t though. It seems everyone’s busy with tomorrow’s match.”

”Right, well I’ll let you get to it, call me if you need anything.”

”Same goes for you.” 

You nodded, turning to walk away.

Alright. Okay. Everything was fine. 

You managed to lie straight through your teeth without any suspicion. And still no sign of Bokuto.

A sigh of relief escaped your parted lips as your hands came into contact with the cool metal of the door handle.

”BETA-CHANNN!!!”

Your heart plummeted.

As expected, a second later you were being swept off your feet and cradled in two very large arms.

And shit— it actually felt nice this time.

Your brain felt like mush all of a sudden.

”Did you like the mille fuille?” He asked excitedly.

“I-I did,” you stammered— was it always hot in here? Did you need to find a repair man for the a/c too? “It was very yummy.”

Yummy? What the fuck were you saying?

Bokuto cheered excitedly, “I made you something else today too, but I’ll give it to you later. Ami told me you don’t like public attention,” he ‘whispered’.

Speaking of which… your eyes glided over the gym full of Alphas all staring at you both.

”The knee pads fit nicely too,” you murmured shyly.

Why the fuck did you say that?

You literally opened your mouth to tell him to let go of you but instead that fucking word vomit came out.

”Bokuto-san, put her down and start stretching,” Samson suddenly shouted.

Oh God.

”Okay!” He answered before placing you down gently to your feet. “I’ll see you later Beta-Chan.”

You nodded, not trusting your voice, and nearly stumbled out of the gym. 

Bokuto ran into the gym giddily, joining Atsumu, Hinata, and Sakusa in their stretches.

Bokuto grinned, humming to himself as all three men stared at him in shock.

”Ami really is Kamisama,” Atsumu said in complete shock.

”What the fuck just happened?” Sakusa deadpanned, complete and utter disbelief dripping from every word.

”That was the first time she didn’t tell you to put her down!” Hinata added, clapping Bokuto on the back.

”Ya know I’ve been tellin’ ya from the start to just fuckin’ ask her out, but nooo. A little Omega comes along and tells ya to do it once and he does it. That’s ’Mega privilege right there.”

”Oh let’s not get started on Omega privilege,” Inunaki groaned, tired of Atsumu’s rants on said topic.

“He’s not even listening,” Sakusa said, watching as Bokuto continued to hum in his own little world.

* * * *

You were sitting underneath your desk.

Why?

You had no fucking clue as to why, all you knew was that you needed to be in a small space or the world was going to end.

Well perhaps that was a tad too dramatic but sitting under here did make you feel a little more sane even if the optics showed otherwise.

You just couldn’t stop thinking about the coach having to tell Bokuto to put you down.

You had been held in his arms long enough for the coach to see you weren’t doing anything about it and having to tell him to put you down himself.

You were going to get fired at this rate.

You haven’t even agreed to anything yet and you were already making a fool of yourself.

You wish you had work. You wish you had anything else to do in your office other than sitting underneath your desk.

He was going to come by here and give you more presents today. 

He said he was going to ask you out again.

What were you going to say.

If you’re already acting like a lovesick idiot how the fuck are you going to continue to be professional in the workplace.

There was that and then there was also… Ushiwaka.

You cursed.

Maybe you wouldn’t be so freaked out about dating Bokuto if he hadn’t gotten in your head all those years ago. 

Alphas and Betas are not compatible.

That’s what he had told you after you asked him out.

And yeah, of course you knew that. You were pretty sure the percent of Alpha/Beta relationships being successful was only like 1.2%. Even then those alphas in those successful relationship had higher omega hormone levels than an Alpha such as Bokuto would have.

Which was why it was even a miracle in and of itself that Bokuto was even interested in you at all.

But that fact wasn’t what deterred you from pursuing Alphas, it never was. 

What did deter you was the rest of what he had said.

You sighed sadly.

You weren’t cut out for this. Of course you wouldn’t be able to give Bokuto what he needs, which is a perfect little omega that he can dote on and take care of. Someone that needed that protection only a strong Alpha such as him could provide.

You couldn’t scent him. You knew he could scent you but that was always an intensely intimate act between two mates and… you can’t do your part. He’d be missing out on a bonding ritual that you knew strong Alphas like him, especially ones who ran purely on instinct, needed.

And as embarrassing as it was, it was also an undeniable reality. What the fuck could you do to help him when he starts to rut.

You already knew the conditions these Alphas worked under. Their off season was hellish.

Taking them off their rut suppressants made for violent and dangerous ruts that even some of their own Omegas told you that they couldn’t help them through it to the end.

You heard Atsumu had to replace every piece of furniture in his bedroom.

You heard Hinata broke down his door when he could smell his Omega neighbor go into heat due to his own rut.

You really weren’t cut out for this.

Maybe if he wasn’t as strong as he was, maybe if he was a lesser Alpha, it’d be different.

But he wasn’t. He, along with the rest of the players, were the top of the pecking order. He went anywhere and other Alphas were submitting to him, recognizing him as the Alpha.

That’s just the way it fucking was.

You didn’t wait for him to come during lunch break. 

You needed more time, this invisible pressure weighed on you like a ton of bricks. You thrived off of having deadlines and schedules, and the fact that you didn’t have a deadline when it came to giving Bokuto your answer was deeply fucking with you.

He’d probably ask you out until he got a straight answer from you for another nine months and that just felt so evil to do— to make such a pure hearted Alpha wait like that all because of this fucking inferiority complex you had. 

You decided to eat out instead when you knew coach would be calling a lunch break. Just a few more hours to think and you’d give him an answer, a real answer so he wouldn’t be wasting his time courting you anymore.

But you already had a feeling you knew what you were going to tell him.

There was a cute little café you went to on occasion. It reminded you of a café back home you used to go to after being rejected and wanting to be alone to wallow in your own self pity.

You just never thought you’d ever go there before contemplating whether or not you’d reject a perfectly suitable and sweet Alpha.

You were grateful for the familiarity of solitude as you sat inside, staring out the window and watching all the passerby’s on the sidewalks… most of which being happy couples, you noted bitterly. 

You had been by yourself like this for so long. You don’t even know what kind of person you’d be in a relationship. 

You couldn’t do it.

Bokuto deserved better.

By the time you finished lunch and made it back to the gym the boys were already hard at work again.

And speaking of work, you had some of your own to actually get to now.

You made the few phone calls you had penned down in your ‘To Do’, gathering details for tomorrow’s match and finalizing the plans.

By the time you were finished it was time to go home.

Packing your bags, there was an eager knock at your door.

You knew who it was.

You sighed, “Come in!”

”Beta-chan!” Bokuto exclaimed, throwing your door open.

He was in such a good mood you finally noticed how dramatically your own mood changed from the flustered, bashful Beta you were this morning.

”Hi Bokuto-san,” you gave him an uneasy smile, trying not to give away how unstable you had felt all day.

”You weren’t in your office for lunch.” He said, coming up to your desk as you packed up your bag.

”Yeah, I… kinda forgot to pack one today,” you lied, your bento was still full, “So I went out for lunch.”

”Oh,” he frowned, “I would have given you mine— I can go back to making bentos for you everyday!” He lit up suddenly at the prospect of caring for you in a way Alphas typically cared for their Omegas.

“No, no, that’s alright,” your voice sounded strained. “Thank you though.”

”I brought the gifts,” Bokuto then said, rifling through his duffle bag. “Here!” He found what he was looking for and gave it to you.

”Dangos?” You bit back a smile, heart fluttering.

”Yeah! And this!” He handed you a box.

Your jaw fell to the floor. It was a rare figure from one of your favorite anime, you looked up to him and stammered, “H-How—“ your stomach dropped.

”Kenma helped me!”

You looked back down to the box and then to the dangos.

”I,” God your heart was fucking pounding, “I can’t accept these,” you murmured, “I’m sorry.”

”But I brought those for you,” he suddenly seemed to deflate, “I want you to have them and I want to ask you out on a date again.”

”But that’s,” you groaned, slumping in your seat, “I can’t date you Bokuto-san.” You stared hard into the floor— you felt like such a fucking bitch, you couldn’t even look at the man that had been pursuing you for nine months while you rejected him.

”Wait— but why,” he pressed both hands against the top of your desk, leaning over it, “You don’t like the gifts?” He asked sadly. “I can get better one’s— I can make you something else—“

“Oh Koutarou,” you murmured sadly.

Bokuto became stiff, all too aware that that was the first time you had ever called him by his first name, without an honorific no less.

“You’re so sweet. You’ve always been so sweet and kind towards me and I want to say yes to you— I want to say yes so bad—“

”Then say yes!” He insisted, lighting up again, “I already have it planned out. There’s that new rom-com coming out on Valentine’s Day that we can go see. Then I’ll take you to a bakery— we can have cake for dinner! Then I’d walk you back home and kiss you at the doorstep just like in the movies— hey, why are you crying?” He lost the boyish excitement in his voice.

He ran around your desk and kneeled in front of you, grabbing both armrests on either side of you. You wiped at your tears furiously, “I’m sorry,” you tried to laugh through the tears, “‘m just emotional I guess.”

It was kind of silly. A few days ago you never even considered that dating Bokuto Koutarou was a possibility, and now here you were, crying over him.

“You’re such a sweetheart Koutarou and I am so sorry for not realizing you liked me sooner. I would have never let it drag on for that long if I had known.”

God, he was just staring at you with these big puppy eyes that just stabbed your heart. 

“Because-Because you like me back?” He sounded so hopeful.

”Because I think this part would have hurt less. I’m not—We’re not compatible,” you said, staring into those puppy eyes, “I can’t give you what you need. You’re such a strong Alpha Koutarou, you need an Omega that’ll know how to take care of you the only way an Omega knows how to. I can’t do that as a Beta.”

”But… I don’t care about things like that. It’s never bothered me that you’re a Beta, I can still be a good Alpha to you— we can figure out how to make it work,” he replied sadly, hand inching towards your own on the armrest. “Does this have to do with Ushiwaka. Ami told us he said something to you back then. She said you stopped pursuing a relationship after his rejection.”

You sighed, of course she told him.

”Yes,” you admitted, “He said some things that at the time really hurt but I think… he was right.”

”How can he be right when what he said is making you so sad.”

You sniffled again, wrapping your arms around Bokuto in a hug, to which he followed suit. You figured professionalism was out the door the moment he asked you out yesterday. “Thank you Koutarou. If… If I was an Omega or even if we met a few years earlier I wouldn’t have even hesitated going out with you. But I just can’t.” 

It hurt knowing that the first man that was offering something you’ve wanted for so long was someone you’d also have to turn down.

”Then I’ll wait until you can.”

“I’m begging you Koutarou, for both our sakes…” you murmured into his shoulder, ”Please don’t.”

You loved love.

”I…” His arms tightened around you, voice dripping in a sadness you hadn’t thought he was even capable of, “Okay, if that’s what you really want then… I’ll stop.”

But it wasn’t meant for you.

————————————————————————

Part 4

Taglist: @staygoldsquatchling02 @tillyt04 @/niiiya @/silverhairsimp

[moralesmilesanhour]

if you believe in me - 04.2

summary: a very brief intermission. between aaron and his father, miles wonders who he takes after more. wc: 1.5k a/n: this chapter is me trying to get back into the swing of things before the next major plot point (!!!) so this might feel a little slower and more introspective. thanks for reading! (reblog with ur favorite comic or manga if u want idk) taglist: @shuna-boin @aloraangelix @vhstown @sillykirb @proudgojofucker @weirdducky17 @milesandcorysupermacy prev. next

BOOM!

Miles hits the ground shoulder-first with a dull thud, the storage building bursting into flames behind him.

I’m gonna feel that one later, he thinks as he rolls to his feet and back into a sprint. But Oscorp’s gonna feel it, too.

With a leap and a shot of his grappling hook, it’s not long before he’s back on the sidewalk, with Aaron waiting around the corner. The older man has completely retired the Prowler suit now.

“Not bad for your first solo run,” he nods. “Could still be a lil’ quicker, but you’ll pick it up.”

Miles twists the joints of his metal claws. The steel is still shiny and new, save for a bit of soot from the explosion. The purple glow disappears as they power down with a quiet whir and detach to reveal the human flesh underneath. They work like a charm so far.

It’s been two weeks, but he hasn’t gotten to use them - Aaron has yet to send him on a mission where he’d have to. He wants to ask his uncle about it, ask why he let him do all that welding and tinkering if the claws were just for show. But Miles knows that if he does, the man’s brows would furrow and he’d get a stern speech about not getting too eager about that sort of thing. And he’d be right. 

So, like every other night, Miles says nothing but “thanks”.

“And what’s this one about?” 

You pointed at a comic sitting on the far side of Miles’ bed. On the cover stood a man wearing what looked like some imagined version of an “African” headdress. He was shirtless and dressed in nothing but shorts and brightly-colored boots, like the costume of a wrestler. The upper half of his face was obscured by a mask with white eyes tied around his head. The flat colors and dark lines make it look old, likely from the 80s or early 90s. Above the man on the cover was the title in bold graphic font: Anansi.

“You don’t know ‘Anansi’?” Miles asked with wide eyes before shaking his head. “Nah, we gotta fix that.”

He threw what he was reading aside, hovering his hand over the pile of comics until he located the very first issue. 

“So Anansi is like, this spider that gets turned into a human who has the abilities of a spider. Y’know, climbing up walls and shit.”

“Does he shoot webs out of his ass?”

“That’s not how that works, and no. Anyway, he’s got spider powers and he beats the bad guys by being a trickster instead of just brute force.”

You took the comic from him and began leafing through the worn pages, frankly more interested in the art than the plot. The sharp lines and crosshatching remind you of Miles’ sketches. You turned to Miles and held it up once you were finished looking at it.

“Can I borrow it?” 

There’s a shadow of uncertainty that crosses his face for a moment as you await his answer. 

“Mmm…I dunno. I’ve had that thing since I was ten. You gonna be careful with it?”

You place a hand over your heart. 

“Promise.”

He snorts, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I’ll let you have it for a week, sound good?”

“Good.”

Miles remembers that he’s supposed to ask for his comic back on the way home, the two metal claws tucked safely into his backpack.

He sneaks a glance at his uncle, and tries to copy his stride when he walks. It looks easy, but there’s a rhythm to it. Miles keeps his gaze low, but his steps lively. The key is not to show the sweat, as they say. All of one’s effort goes into making it look like there’s no effort at all. 

Aaron looks over at his nephew, and chuckles.

“Remind me of your old man when you walk like that,” he says. 

Miles grins good-naturedly. Guess the sweat shows. But it’s fine, for now.

“What’s that mean?”

“When we was young, we used to watch the older kids walk out the corner store and try to copy ‘em. The way your pops did it…”

The man’s shoulders shook with laughter at the memory.

“He kinda looked like, like he was marching almost. Just stomping down that sidewalk!”

Aaron began to demonstrate, making his steps quicker and heavier.

“I look like that?” 

Miles wrinkled his nose and began to tone down his swaying.

“Exactly like that. Shit’s kinda amazing, really. Genetics.”

“I don’t think that’s how genetics work.”

“Oh yeah?” Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Then how come I got you stealing like my pops and me, and in my colors?”

Miles laughed, “But this is good stealing!”

“You got a point there.”

Aaron lifted his gaze upward towards the skyline. The moon was out in full tonight.

“Did y’all make good money, at least?”

“Sure did. Sometimes it was the only money that came in, that’s why we ain’t stop.”

There’s a beat of silence. Miles pats his left pocket to make sure the wad of cash is still there, and wonders if his uncle had to do the same thing, or if he kept it in a fanny pack or briefcase.

“So what made you finally give it up?”

“Oh, that one’s easy. Jeff did it for your mom. Hard to keep secrets with a baby on the way.”

Miles tried to picture a younger version of his father – less facial hair, no eye bags, better eyesight, probably – looking a pregnant Rio in the eye as she broke the news. He looks into her gentle face and…yes, there. Right there is when he decides it’s over. 

Even without the whole parenting thing, it probably killed him inside to have to lie to her every night about where he’s been. Miles gets it.

“What about you?”

Aaron shrugged.

“Couldn’t leave my nephew hanging.”

He had knocked on Miles’ door after a few weeks of radio silence and found the kid lying in bed, surrounded by dirty clothes and snack wrappers. The room smelt of stale sweat, the clothes piled up on the floor impossible to get through, so Aaron elected to stand just outside.

Miles looked up, and suddenly the man understood what had Rio so frantic on the phone. 

The boy’s gaze was…vacant. Like he was looking through him, at something far off in the distance. There were no words comforting enough to turn the lights back on behind those eyes. So Aaron had done the next best thing:

“Go wash up, we goin’ out.”

Miles doesn’t remember it that way. He hardly remembers anything from that period of time between the funeral and his uncle barging into his room. Just a long stretch of gray, and then the door cracks open, then he’s in the shower realizing how long his hair’s gotten, and soon he’s dodging the punching bag in Aaron’s apartment, carrying crates back and forth and maybe blowing some up on occasion. 

He knows in his head that he’s doing this to hurt the pockets of invisible men hiding in their glass skyscrapers and high-rise offices, and he’s as angry at them for sucking the life out of his neighborhood as he’s always been. 

But it had started with the door, cracked open just enough for his uncle’s face to poke through. Otherwise, Miles might’ve been content to lie there and become one with his mattress as he missed another week of school.

He wonders if his father went on those runs because he, too, looked into his future and hadn’t the slightest idea as to what he was looking at. 

Miles’ thoughts are interrupted when his phone buzzes in his pocket. You have his Anansi issue.

“So this is all you do in your free time, then? Comics and robots?”

Miles has his nose in another shounen manga.

“Is that a bad thing?”

You remember the helmet, and the parts set in neat little rows. And the tarp in Uncle Aaron’s car.

“Not for the most part. More interesting than what I do.”

Miles finally looks up, and squints. “What do you do in your free time?”

“I braid hair,” you reply with a bit of pride. “Pretty good at it, too.”

“Mm-hm, that’s what they all say before they fuck yo’ shit up,” he jokes, earning an issue of Jujutsu Kaisen to the face.

“Ow!”

“Shut up, with them fuzzy ass braids.”

Miles gasped dramatically. “You said they looked nice!”

“Looked. Past-tense.”

“Chill on me, my mom didn’t have time to re-do ‘em this week.”

Seeing an opportunity, your eyes lit up.

“Ooh, let me–”

“No.”

Miles narrowed his eyes at you.

“Aw, come on! You have so much hair, it could be fun! And you said you’d let me.”

You reached out to touch one of Miles’ overgrown braids but ended up swiping the air as he dodged your hand.

“I said ‘maybe’, and now the answer is no. You’re gonna ‘have fun’ in my hair? Like you ‘had fun’ with my t-shirt? I know you stole it, by the way.”

“I up-cycled it.”

“Cutting a shirt in half is not up-cycling, and you’re not touching my head.”

“You're so mean.”

[hymnserendipity]

It's hard to be your older brother- Chifuyu

Fluff, no gender mentioned

Chifuyu has often been forced to babysit you, his sibling, often since you were born. Since he is the eldest, he is 16 years old, while you are only 6 and are quite reckless. He often picks you up from school and takes you to the park. When he's not busy with his friends he also takes you out for ice cream, more than anything he's very protective even if he doesn't show it much. That day was a Saturday morning, around ten in the morning, and you had recently arrived at the municipal park where you were playing with some children your age while he read a manga on the bench with the wind blowing his hair on his face.

Suddently he hear you scream: "FUYU LOOK!"

Chifuyu raise his chin and look over to see that you were on top of a 40 meter wall in the park. “What the-“ Gasped Chifuyu in pure shock, eyes widening.

Fear began to take over him as he took a steps forward in a panic.

"I'M AT THE TOP!" A mix of shock, anger, and fear took over his expression as he continued to stare up at you and swallowed a huge lump, fear making his heart pound.

“Get down from there right now!” Shouted Chifuyu. "Uffff" you whine while starting to climb down. “Hurry up!” Yelled Chifuyu, his anger slowly rising as he kept an eye on you the stayed silent, eyes watching you’re every movement as he began to fidget with his hands nervously. As soon as you reached the ground, he walked over to you with a stern expression on his face.

“That was so dangerous… what were you thinking scaling up a building like that?” "I thought it was fun“ "Fun? Do you remember how scared i was looking at you?” Reminded Chifuyu, tilting his head over to the wall you climbed. "It was too high, i didn't see you“ "I don’t care about that part. You could’ve fallen and gotten seriously hurt”

He kneeled down so he could meet your eye level as he placed a hand on your shoulder.

“Don’t ever do it again, okay?”

"Okaaay" A sigh of relief left his lips as you agreed to never do it again.

“Please don’t scare me like that again..”

[lucysarah-c]

Levi and the first encounter.

A choice with no regrets (MANGA) may be one of my favourite pieces of Aot. I get a lot of requests and asks of Underground! Levi not only from my fic (Holy ground) that picks up right after he joins the scouts, but also because I write a lot about meta analysis about it. Therefore, I've decided to start a "mini series" about Levi's adventures in the underground as a freshly independent thug meeting Farlan. Isabel hasn't joined yet.

I would consider this as a sort of "Levi and Farlan, two young men trying to survive in the underground,". Like those sitcoms of them living together as roommates and, despite trying to make it big in the underground, also struggling as young guys who have no money and share a flat. lol Maybe I'll write other ideas that I've about them, maybe you can send in your ideas.

So far these stories won't be really "romantically orientated," more like the tales of two friends.

Hope you enjoy it!! 

Warnings! mentions of drugs, alcohol, prostitution, blood. This is the underground!

Word count: 3.4K

It was meant to be a trap, highlighting the part of “meant” because the plan never reached far enough to even begin with. Farlan was part of his own gang and the rumours of this “guy” parting ways with his own gang and being completely on his own reached to them, he was known to be strong and the gang he had parted with was one of the most powerful ones inside the underground. The underground was no place to be on your own, less to win the hate of your previous team.

Farlan had proposed the idea to the rest of his team and they all agreed to drag that guy to them. However…However the plan didn’t reach far when that guy beat the entire gang on his own without even sweating. Farlan soon realised that even if they had “only” that guy it would already be a good improvement, they had to get him at all costs.

“Hey! The military police is here!” Farlan shouted to the guy from over a roof, getting his attention “They heard about the movements here and they’re coming soon! If you stay there you’ll get caught!”

The rope hung from the wall and the guy observed with dead expression “Here! Use this rope to run from the roof!”

“Why would I want a suspicious-looking guy like you to help me” Levi said before climbing over a half rotten wall and leaving.

That was their first encounter. Farlan insisted to his own team that they should lure him there, to them. But his gang, far from wanting Levi in their team, wanted him to pay for what he did. Farlan's continuous insistence that they should invite him in instead of holding the struggle wasn’t winning him any support. Levi was new on the west district of the underground, territory that belonged to the gang that Farlan’s was part of and they were not going to stand the chance of a bratty dude to pop up at their place and make them look weak.

Unlucky for them, lucky Levi, even when he was outnumbered, he had easily won, once again. And the rumours on that side of the underground were quickly running on. First time, may be a coincidence and Levi “may have” stepped on other’s gang territory. The second one, he wasn’t going to let it pass. They had gone for him on full will and he was going to let them know that going for his blood was not gonna bring them any good.  Therefore when Levi infiltrated their main house to get his message across, not only he had found little, no nothing. But dirt, dirt everywhere. Levi grimaced in disgust until the noise of a distance room dragged him to that direction. Levi turned to his right where the sound of a beating taking place echoed. What seemed to be the boss was grabbing the guys that were kneedled on the floor by the grey hairs.

“You fuckin’ told him right? You unloyal rat,” the knuckles impacted on the pale cheekbone of the young guy as Levi observed uninterest.

The blue eyes of the guy opened up half-lidded and saw Levi uninterested “Please,” he begged. Levi had run away the last two occasions without much circumspection, never showing the slightly little bit of interest either on the people knocked on the floor by his strength or by Farlan’s insistence. However, right there when he was probably going to be beaten to death, Levi stood observant. 

“Please,” he insisted once again, making the older guy that was inflicting the pain turn around. The other two that were keeping the moribund guy standing up to take more hits, also looked up.

“Look at that, he came for his whore.”

The brass of their knuckles shone as they put them on. Levi remained unfazed but mentally raised an eyebrow.

“You fucking midget, I’ll paint the walls with your brain,”

As the three taller men abandoned Farlan, he hit his face with the muddy floor. Levi observed the walls after they had mentioned, frowning intensely as he murmured “Dirty,”

When Farlan was able to bring himself back to consciousness, he found a crouching Levi searching inside the clothes of the unconscious bodies. Trying to bring the young man attention to him, he groaned unknown words. Putting both hands on the floor to reincorporate himself but soon harsh pressure on his head pushed him downwards again.

“Ugh!”

“Oi, you are the same asshole from that time, aren’t you?” Levi’s voice demanded as he pressed the face of the other conscious man against the muddy floor “why the fuck they called you my whore? I did you a question is only polite to answer,”

“Mphh-”

“What?”

“MPhhh-!”

“Oi, answer before I kill you too,”

Farlan did his best to push his head to the side before spitting “Hard to answer when my face is pushed in the mud!”

The pressure withdrew and Farlan could finally catch his breath “I’d tried to convince them that fighting you wasn’t a good idea, that we should add you to the team. They didn’t listen to me-”

The beaten man had all this plan on how to lure the shorter man but before he could be back on his feet, Levi was slowly walking out of the place.

“Oi! Wait!” Farlan shouted but the thug didn’t mind him. He cursed under his breath, trying to quickly reincorporate as he grabbed his hurted chest and chased the other guy down the place. 

“I want to join the group you’re in!” Once he was finally at the same pace of the short man, Farlan tried to catch up despite being heavily wounded. Levi askance looked to his right where the other man was at and quickened his pace. At the state Farlan was in, he was no threat.

“I’m Farlan,”

No reply.

“You’re… very mighty for a small guy,” he added with an awkward smile, that made the addressed man stop abruptly.

“Here,” Levi slightly turned to his right, doing a “come here” motion with his fingers. When the other man curiously got closer, a quick and strong punch hit him right in the middle of his stomach. Farlan fell on his knees feeling how the air left his lungs.

“Get lost,”

On the ground, once again. His nose was bleeding, he felt the metallic taste of blood inside his mouth, swollen eyes hard to open and his entire body just felt broken. When he raised again, he raised slowly. Dragging his frame around the place, resting momentarily on the humid walls of the underground and then carrying on to, maybe, the only place he could find some rest or find his death. ‘It’s over,’ He thought, his gang, even if there were a few alive, would not trust him and there was no place to go on his own. ‘Maybe I bite more than I could chew’ Farlan cursed his ambition.

Finally at the doors of the only place with a source of light. The only somehow decent-looking building around. The bar had the door opened and a familiar female face was at the entry. Hands on her hips accentuated by her grey corset.

“I told you! I’m not selling you!” The young woman with a whitish blouse and brownish long skirt shouted, the edges of her skirt were dirty with mud and she had an apron on. Broom on hand as she frowned deeply to the guy at the bottom of the stairs.

“I will fucking pay you doubles!” 

Farlan’s bruised eyes looked at the other person involved in the conversation in disbelief. Levi was there, white shirt, black trousers and tall boots.

“I do not care! Selling to you means those fuckers burning my place to the ground. Get lost before I hit you with the broom,” The owner, a young looking woman, insisted.

Farlan quickly concluded that, despite all, Levi must not be a complete jerk because he could have beaten the woman up and took whatever he pleased but he didn't. All the opposite, the dark haired man clicked his tongue and turned around, defeated.

“What hell happened to you?!” This time, she addressed Farlan who was admiring the scene as a mere observant until that moment.

Farlan, pondering that his chances may not be completely  wasted, rushed to the girl's side and begged “Please, please take him in!”

“No way, get lost you too. Last time that I show you some sympathy” She was quick to turn around to go back inside.

“Please, Emma! Trust me on this!” He insisted.

“Trust you? The last thing I need is end up looking like you,”

Farlan kept insisting and insisting, quickly owning a hit with the broom the girl had in her hand. He contorted in pain and went back on begging as soon as he could. 

“Please, Emma! Believe me! That guy could solve your problems, just give me a chance with him!”

Farlan had always had a way around people and the young woman rolled her eyes exhausted. She placed two fingers on her mouth and loudly whistled in the direction the other guy had gone. Levi quickly turned, she moved her head and pointed to the door.

The place inside wasn’t crowded, but the source of light and slightly toasted place felt like heaven for the wounded body of Farlan that practically slacked against the attached seat that Levi took on the bar. The dark haired man dedicated a good death glance to his new companion.

Emma cleared her throat from the other side of the bar, an unfriendly expression as she extended her hand to the shorter one of the two. Levi understood the situation quickly, he needed to pay first. He grabbed all the money he had from his trouser pocket and handed it to the girl.

“A warm souper and a beer,” Levi said, knowing that he had to at least pay for that.

“And you said you’ll pay doubles?” She insisted, making him frown and click his tongue.

“That’s enough,”

“Yeah, for you maybe, but you’re paying for him too,” She gave a quick glance to Farlan.

“Why the hell will I pay for him?” Levi shouted back.

“Because he is the one who let you in,” the girl announced and then moved to the back to prepare the meals.

Farlan had his head rested on the surface of the bar table and smiled softly to the deadly expression of the other guy. “Thank you for saving me back then,” it wasn’t a whole lie or a whole truth but enough to create a cheerful conversation.

“I didn’t do it for you, fucker,” Levi spit eachword with such despite.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were from the north district,” Farlan rejoined his seat as he saw Emma bringing the plates. Both rations of what could be a sort of stew was placed in front of both of them with haste and roughness. She wasn’t happy and she let it be known. One pint of ale for each was added and she sighed loudly.

Farlan was surprised how quickly Levi grabbed the glass and took big quick gulps, drinking half of it almost immediately and then went straight to eat. Farlan tried to begin another conversation but Levi was too busy eating to even give him unfriendly glances.  He also took a sip from his glass and grimaced when he realised it was mixed with water, making the taste washed and unpleasant. He wouldn’t complain though, it was obvious that none of the two could afford more.

“You better do what you told me, before the gang from the north kill me for listen to your nonsense,” Emma passed by as she was hastily working and insisted “Jimmy’s gang is behind his head and they made it clear; anyone who sells him anything would be fucking dead before the MPs can even show up,”

‘Ah… that explains the hunger,’ Farlan concluded, the guy had probably been kicked from one place to another. Jimmy was Levi’s former leader and it was, mainly, the information of him dropping the gang that lured Farlan to get the shorter man. Jimmy’s gang wasn’t only one of the most harsh districts in the underground, the north and the east, but also one of the biggest. Levi dropped them by beating up most of its important members in the process. Those were news that travelled fast. Anyone who was either suicide enough or strong enough to do that was worth a deal.

However, from what Farlan was quick to conclude earlier. Maybe Levi was both, stupid enough to be on his own and strong enough to drop Jimmy’s gang, but also not a full asshole if he was respecting Emma not to sell him (probably aware of the consequences).

“What does she want?” Levi finally talked as he cleaned the corner of his mouth. The dish was almost empty and he finished his drink, he seemed slightly disappointed when he realised that the bit left on his glass wasn’t enough to erase the thirst.

“Emma’s father died recently, the zone isn’t secure and a lot of tiny gangs are fighting to become the main one in the zone. She needs someone who beats people who come to steal,” Farlan was quick to explain, took a soft sip and countorned in pain as it burned his broken lip. Hissing before chuckling sadly “We wanted to drag you into our team to claim the west zone… now, well. I’m doomed,”

“The west is bullshit, assholes here don’t have money to even buy paste with cocaine,” Levi replied quickly as his hand dragged the piece of bread around the plate to gather was was left of his meal.

“That’s because Jimmy’s and the gangs from the south use the east entry to bring the merchandise, if we could use the one that’s here on the west-”

“Are you a moron? You’ll have to fight both of them off your ass before you would even start,”

“Well, that was the plan. Before you showed up and beat all the team up.” Farlan murmured quickly realising that his dreams had vanished in thin air “You left Jimmy’s, you may have a pla-”

“Save it, I left because that asshole did a deal with the MPs to have the exclusivity for trafficking in women and I don’t vibe with that shit. No intentions in forming a gang or whatsoever,”

Dead silence, Levi had the expression lost on the back of the bar, heavy dark circles decorating his pale features. He hadn’t slept in days since he had been on the run and with no place to stay, probably travelling from one district to another trying to stay alive. Farlan wasn’t in any better state, feeling the bruises burning his body.

“Think it-”

“I don’t need a team, I work alone,” Levi’s silver eyes locked with Farlan’s as he spat with hate. ‘Harsh words from a guy who risked his head just for the morals of not collabing with illegal prostitution,’

“Fine… but the west is no man's land and Emma really needs a hand. If you manage to control the zone a bit with those friendly eyes of yours, maybe you could land a place to stay,”

Levi didn’t reply right away, sighed loudly as he probably pondered around the idea. A short blond girl passed by, hasted as she went to serve another table. Farlan was quick to turn in her direction and smiled a bit.

“Rosie!” He called, the blond turned around and then ignored him completely.

“She’s head over heels for me,” Farlan commented as turned his position, leaving the bar behind and facing the room, paying attention to the girl.

Levi hummed a sarcastic reply as he didn’t even need to look into the girls direction to notice the guy was lying. Farlan, despite his state, appeared extremely happy. Somehow he had concluded that Levi was going to stay and that was his first step.

“You’re not very sociable, aren’t you? What’s your name, by the way?”

“Levi” he replied, uninterested, tired eyes enjoying the warmth of the place.

“I know a lot of people around here, you do your thing and I-”

“We are not a team.” Levi quickly insisted once again. But the greyish-haired dude didn’t listen to him, kept rambling about a house he knew that was somehow abandoned that they could usurp until they gathered more money. Endless plans that kept going and going.

Levi’s stoic eyes took a quick peek over his shoulder as the place grew noisy with the amount of people there and, in particular, a loud smack. One he knew well, a woman slapping a man because he was getting too handy or either too insistent. It was the blond waitress, loudly telling the tall bald man to let her go.

Emma appeared from the back, her dark brown hair whitish at some parts as she seemed to be baking.

“Oi, no touching my waitresses,” She quickly jumped into the scene but little could she do. The rest minded their own business, uninterested in something that happened more often than not.

“Aren’t you going to help her?” Farlan whispered to Levi that was, also, trying to mind his own business.

“I still haven't got rid of the last shit I saved,” Levi murmured while doing a quick heavy eye contact with his new self-declared business partner. However, despite his monotone expression, Levi slowly got off the high bar bench and with hands on his black trousers walked to the scene.

“The chick already told you to get lost, asshole,”

Quick, effective and clean (mostly clean) were Levi’s beat to the guy who was easily twice his size. He didn’t hurt the bar table, he didn’t create a mess for Emma to clean and the dude was already unconscious to be meek to handle out. Both women silently admired him as Farlan did a friendly pat on Levi’s back (who gave him a death glance). However, Farlan was fastly getting used to them.

“See, Emma! Told you he would be useful!”

Levi didn’t stay, he grabbed a cloth from the table and started to clean his hand that had a mix of blood and spit from the guy and walked away.

“Who is he?” The blond with dreamy eyes looked into the short guy’s direction and the soft blush in her expression and parted lips made Farlan curse inside his head as he smiled defeated.

“He’s Levi, he will be around now. Right Emma?”

The brunette rolled her eyes “whatever,”

‘A win is a win,’

“Oi! You idiot, are you showing me that place or not?” Levi shouted as he peek from the door’s corner.

Him finally agreeing to acknowledge any that Farlan had offered made the last one stand in shock for a couple of seconds. Finally back to his senses, he quickly rushed out to follow the short guy.

“Look at you, you’re popular with girls… not surprised with that strength… how old are you, by the way?”

Their conversation echoed in the empty dead hallways of the underground as they walked away. One of the two guys is obviously more talkative than the other.

“18,”

“Holy shit! You’re a baby!”

“Oh yeah? How fucking old are you, witness of the creation of the walls? Also, you call me that once again and you’ll get another royal salute from me,”

“20,”

[hikennosabo]

#tristampparty day 9, episode 9: millions knives

i've been forgetting to tag @tristampparty in my recent posts whoopsies

so. episode 9. going to just... climb into the microwave ahead of time. get nice and cozy in there. let's. go.

okay let's hit the start button on that microwave now mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm beep beep beep beep

uagh his fucking expressions in this scene... and him playing "his" side of the piano, then reaching to "vash's" side of the piano to play the dramatic part. it's a cry of loneliness!!! from his heart!!!! AUAHAHGHGH

i remember seeing a post a while ago pointing out that knives cutting off vash's arm means they can never play the piano together anymore and that fucking HURTS, man.

i think we need to take the time to pay extra attention to knives's expressions... the character acting in tristamp is really good all-around

overworking them "cuts them off"... i guess it makes them unable to maintain the connection...?

knives touching the glass... reminds me of just before he absorbs the first plant in the manga.

the contrast of the city lighting up beautifully with the horror of the last run... man.

wait... city...?? this... this isn't july, right? the platform/corridor they're standing on looks the same as the one meryl and roberto end up on in the second half of the episode, but the plant containers on the wall are different so i don't think this is the same place... but we started the episode in knives's piano room, which IS in (not-yet-)july, so this must be close by because the alarm went off, which i'm assuming is connected to the plants somehow...??

also wait, we don't see this level of development from the outside. like in the faraway shot when vash spots this place. am i misunderstanding. it's only been 5 years since the crash, so idk if this much development would be possible in that time BUT the guys who show up said they overloaded the plants to speed up "reconstruction," so... uhhhhh... am i missing something?! am i dumb?! 😭

me every time knives makes an expression that hurts me deep in my heart: look!!!! look!!!!

screencaps absolutely do not do it justice, the way his expression changes... horror, shock, grief...

the timing of vash arriving... the cruelty of the humans, the way they talk about the plants... knives's sadness, his grief and rage--wait one of the randos gets his arm cut off

lost arm count: 6

as always i feel like there's a lot more to say but the only thing i'm feeling is my heart hurting so bad :(

vash might be speaking for himself here, too.

hmmm, he says this, but knives dismisses it as if he doesn't believe it. i wonder... i don't think rem would lie about this... but i wonder if conrad would. lie to knives, i mean. like is knives dismissing this just because he's clinging to his own beliefs or did conrad - who i'd think would be more knowledgeable about plants than rem given his position - tell knives something else?

AGAIN, "SINNERS" WITH THE CAPITAL S!!!

i forget, do we see how vash got his gun in the manga? knives gave him his gun in 98, too. interesting that knives is the one who gives vash his weapon in at least 2 out of 3 canons...

hmmm. in the manga, this scene was when knives learned about the black hair thing and drastically changed his plan, deciding he needed to absorb plants. here, though, it seems knives was already planning the higher dimension connection stuff, although he hadn't put it into motion yet. because the plants here are just... being used normally (""normally""), not stored for future higher dimension connection purposes or absorption purposes. knives does still "change his plan," though, i think, when he realizes vash won't cooperate with him. i wonder if/when we'll get the black hair reveal in tristamp. i wanna see knives with his black streak.

conrad and luida know each other... luida DID mention conrad by name last ep, but considering his position it wouldn't be that weird for her to know of his existence without actually knowing him, but no, they actually know each other...

ugh, when knives tells vash to kill luida, he's asking vash to choose between humans and plants, and it just hurts because. knives and luida are both his family. he loves them both.

wait knives with the lace up knee high boots... the drip...

this is the face he makes right before he gives way to anger. man.

he sees rem in luida and lashes out... vash saw rem in her too... ugh. my heart.

going frame by frame again and knives has a bandage on his arm... why? it doesn't seem to be part of his outfit, he doesn't have one on the other arm. there's on on his right leg too, under the boot?? why...

also i like how knives rides the pull of gravity to get close enough to cut vash's arm off. that's a fun detail

lost arm count: 7

the difference in context of knives cutting off vash's arm in tristamp vs trimax... it's a canyon... a canyon of difference...

once again screencaps don't do the character acting justice, the microexpressions he makes... the disbelief, the shaky laugh... he's about to cry. vash couldn't point the gun at luida. but he points it at knives. and then he stands up and turns away, and the way his voice shakes?? dude. he's crying.

but also why does he say it'll take a century to build a world of plants? where is he getting that number from? later in the episode, zazie says that a century is nothing to plants, but knives is like. six. a century would probably still feel like it'd be a long time to him. is that his own personal estimate of how long it'll take to execute his plan? is it conrad's?

wolfwood doesn't react at all when brad says this. funny, but also why.

i hope they can. i hope they can make up. (<- crying screaming and throwing up)

reminds me of vash saying he'll save knives in 98. im gonna throw up

IM GONNA THROW UP!!!!!

it's so weird that ZAZIE is the one explaining earth. like they know a LOT about it, huh? what it looks like, what the life on it looks like (looked? should i be using past tense?)... who told them all this? knives? conrad? this isn't common knowledge either, even honors student meryl doesn't know anything about earth. but why? a lot of knowledge was lost when the ships crashed, and time has passed, but... why would the state of earth and the reasons for the colony ships not even be taught in school? the survivors from when the ships crashed were FROM earth. (well, i guess some of them might have been born in space, but...?) did they not teach their descendants about what happened? were they ashamed? or is this another thing that conrad/EoM/whoever is suppressing information about - and if THAT'S the case, why?

uuaaaghhh i'm writing this post late again and it's 3am and i can't think. sorry this was mostly incomprehensible screaming

[eleni-cherie]

among thieves ✨ || bts • pjm

- chapter 1.1

"what even am I to you? your rival, your lover, an obstacle or am I supposed to be your coffin?"

about two thieves who can't live with nor without each other. and a joint past that comes back to threaten them.

© 2023 | eleni_cherie

»»»

masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, very flirty jimin, friends/rivals/exes to lovers (it's complicated, ok?!) f2l e2l ex2l all members play a role in this story!

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

After breaking into the evidence storage and finding his gun, Jimin found the staircase leading upstairs to the main building. He ensured no one was close by while peeking through the door.

If he remembered correctly from the previous times he had been there, there should be a visitor's lavatory on ground level. And that close to the staircase.

However, he stopped in his tracks and pressed himself against the wall when hearing voices coming from a corridor further away, footsteps echoing on the linoleum ground shortly before dying down. He exhaled relieved and reached the lavatory. Already spotting the small window up high. Too high for normal people but not for him. It wasn't any porblem to climb up the stalls and bent enough to reach the small margin and open it. He could literally climb on anything like a monkey.

He crawled through it, the frame just wide enough for him to fit. And since it was ground level, it wasn't too difficult to jump down.

Unfortunately, none other than Agent Blake turned around the building's corner just in that moment. Stopping in her tracks when seeing Jimin. Both staring at each other bewildered.

"Park Jimin, you're under arr-"

Before she could even finish her sentence and draw out her gun, he had already rushed behind her. Holding her arms behind her back and spreading her legs with his, just in case she thought about kicking him where it hurt, making it impossible for her to move.

"Nah, nah, love," he smirked, making her scoff.

"I'm Agent Blake, for you."

"Say, Agent Blake, can't remember anyone else smelling so lovely like you. Is that parfume?"

Skylar's lips parted, that comment coming out of nowhere took her off-guard. "Wh-"

"Let me guess," Jimin chuckled then from behind, "You're into your little colleague, agent Jeon, right?"

She frowned about this random conclusion. "T-that'd be highly unprofessional," she defended herself, huffing loudly.

"Aw, c'mon, you can tell me.."

The woman pursed her lips, feeling her cheeks flushing. She breathed in deeply then. Gathering all her energy. "Agent in danger! Hel-!" Her mouth got quickly covered by one of his hands. "Shhh, don't be so mean," he whined, "You know you ain't in danger. Don't get me in trouble just because I'm exposing your crush on the little guy."

"He isn't a little guy," she mumbled against his hand, "He could beat your ass with no trouble."

Jimin laughed out at this, amused about him having hit a nerve. As always. Analysing people and finding out their weaknesses was part of the job after all. "Aw, sorry for offending your crush."

"He isn't my crush!"

He grinned, knowing she couldn't see him. "Whatever you say, love." Before she could retort anything else or attempt escaping, he pinched the spot between her neck and shoulder.

And Skylar instantly succumbed, her body subsiding in his arms. "She's heavier than she looks," he mumbled and carefully sat her down. Leaning her unconscious body against the wall.

He grabbed her phone out of her jacket then and started running to the parking lot. Breaking into one of the few cars when hearing sirens going off inside the building.

"Well, those were exactly ten minutes," he said, looking at his watch, "Punctual as always, pops. But I'm not dumb." He took the little tracker from the coat's pocket that Seokjin thought he hadn't noticed him placing there, crushing it with his heal and got inside. Hot-wiring the car to get the motor to jump start instantly.

He floored the gas pedal and left, rushing down the streets of Seoul to the direction of an old hideout. On the way, he planned to stop in an alley and leave the car, as the cops would easily find the car tag from security footage, and change into a different one.

While overtaking another car he took Skylar's phone out of the pocket and started scrolling through her contacts. Pressing on one of them. 

As the dial tone started ringing, he coughed. Preparing his voice while he waited for the other person to pick up.

"Hello? Skylar?"

"Jungkookie, please help me!" Jimin said panicked in Skylar's voice. Immitating her perfectly. Even adding a pleading tone, to make it more believable.

"S-Skylar? Where are you?"

"At the east side of the building. Please, hurry." And with that he hung up. Tossing the phone out of the window.

"Thank me later, love."

»»»

3 minutes earlier

"Is everything alright? How did this happen?"Jungkook was looking with worried eyes at his supervisor. "Did he fake the amnesia after all?"

Seokjin shook his head, rubbing his wrists that were finally freed from the handcuffs.

"Sir, I-"

"It's alright," Seokjin waved off the guard who had failed to notice Jimin. He brushed past him and headed upstairs, leaving the cellblocks.

"I don't think he faked the amnesia part," he answered Jungkook who was trailing behind him. "He said someone gave him a pill and messed with his mind, ordering him to eliminate Valentine."

"Makes sense.. he'd never do this on his own.." the younger agent mumbled, earning an arched brow from Seokjin. "I-I mean, for all we know it'd be quite atypical of him."

"True," the older guy nodded and headed to his desk.

"And did he say who it was? The one ordering him to eliminate Arabella?"

"He didn't say that."

Seokjin's short replies only rose more questions in Jungkook's head. And Seokjin could tell by the deep crease betweem Jungkook's brows. "But why do they want him to kill her?"

Pursing his lips, Seokjin had to suppress a chuckle. "Not sure. He only said she had been part of them."

Jungkook nodded, still not entirely satisfied. Rubbing his forehead, his eyes fell on the whiteboard next to their desks. "Who's 'owl inc'?"

Seokjin hummed, glancing up from the papers in front of him confused. "Never heard of it. Why?"

"Because someone wrote it here." Jungkook pointed with his finger on the bulletpoint on the bottom.

The older agent furrowed his brows, walking up to him. Jungkook's phone rang then and he excused himself as Seokjin bent down, to reread the notes on Jimin and his gang.

Arabella Valentine

-no known alias

-thief/spy

-age: unknown, ca. 25-30

-birthplace/nationality: unknown

-background: kidnapped at 5 by 'owl inc', past member

-associate to PJ his lover!

Someone had wiped out 'unknown' under background and had added new info. Alongside 'his lover' under associate. And Seokjin knew exactly who that someone had been.

But what or who was 'owl inc'? Were they the ones Jimin had been talking about?

He heard hurried footsteps coming closet then. "Sir, that was Agent Blake. It seems she's in trouble," Jungkook said flustered.

Seokjin frowned. "Okay, but be careful. Perhaps it wasn't the real Blake after all."

Jungkook's eyes widened, eventually understanding what he meant. It wouldn't be the first time Park Jimin perfectly immitated someone's voice, even a female one. So he nodded, promising to be careful before rushing out.

Seokjin watched him disappear behind the glass doors before focusing his attention back to the white board.

"Don?" he called out for one of the other few agents there. The man instantly perking up when hearing his name. "Call Jung Hoseok from the organised crime department tomorrow morning, I wanna ask him if he knows anything about this 'owl inc'." The agent nodded and noted it down, when Seokjin called out for him again. "And also get Kim Namjoon from special victims department here. We might need him, too."

In the meantime. Jungkook had exited the building and headed to its east side. Looking around frantically for any signs of his partner. His gun in his hand, just in case as he carefully roamed the area and turned around a corner.

Catching his breath when seeing an unconscious body against the wall. "Sky!"

Her head was bent towards one side, eyes closed.

He instantly put his gun back into its holster and rushed towards her, getting down on one knee beside her. She didn't seem to have any external injuries however that would explain her unconsciousness. He brushed some strands of hair away, trying taking her pulse by pressing two fingers on her arteria carotis. A long sigh of relief leaving his lips, when he could sense her pulse. Although a faint one. He knew he had to take her to the hospital immediately.

So he heaved her from the ground, holding her close as he walked her to his parked car.

"Hang in there a lil' bit more, Sky."

»»»

Havana, Cuba

Three knocks on the door. Silence. Another three followed.

"Yeah, yeah, coming," Taehyung yawned. Hair tousled and strands flying around as he cracked open the door. Seeing Jimin standing there with a wide smile. "Oh hey!"

Taehyung instantly reached for his gun, eyeing Jimin suspiciously. "Wowhoho," Jimin chuckled, shoving the gun away from his face, "Is this how you greet your best friend?"

"Obviously," Yoongi appeared behind Taehyung and brushed past him. Holding his sword in front of Jimin, just in case. "So you're back to normal now?"

"Yep, good old Jimin!" he grinned, pushing his fists against his waist and boasting out his chest proudly. Taehyung eyed him suspiciously up and down. He wanted to be entirely sure before eventually nodding, lowering his gun. Yoongi followed, slowly. Very slowly, allowing him to enter. 

"So you won't try killing us again?" Taehyung arched a brow with a lopsided smirk, making Jimin huff. "I've never tried killing you."

"True, it was Arabella you were after," Yoongi corrected nodding, taking a seat on the couch, "You only attacked us because we tried holding you back."

Jimin sighed at the faint memory. It seemed rather like the memory of a stranger by now than his own. He was only glad his friends had been sane enough to keep him from getting to Arabella. He had been right after all when he had told her back in Mexico that they might not like her but they wouldn't let anyone harm her either. "Speaking of Bella, where's she?" he asked then, facing the two with a questioning look as he couldn't spot her anywhere.

Taehyung frowned. "Didn't you call her?"

"I assumed she'd be with you guys.. Why? Where's she?"

"Last time we heard of her she was with some multi-millionaire on a greek island," Yoongi shrugged. Causing Jimin to let out a loud groan. "This woman.. I told her it's not safe on her own.." He shook his head, exhaling deeply. "And you guys just let her?"

"She's an adult," Taehyung rolled his eyes, plopping down next to Yoongi, "It's not like we could force her to stay."

He groaned again. Getting more and more frustrated. "You should have."

"Jimin, chill. You out of all people should knew how headstrong she is. And it's not like she isn't able defending herself."

Folding his arms, he pouted and sat down. He knew Taehyung was right but couldn't help worrying about her. These guys were still after her after all. Whether to get revenge for her leaving or to get revenge for him for not finishing the job and crossing their current mission. Besides, he was the only one who could protect her, not some stupid 'multi-millionaire'.

He scoffed internally at the thought of that. 

"What happened to you anyway, why were you after her?"

"It was these guys," Jimin mumbled. "They got me and I don't know.. brainwashed me? They gave me some mind control drug and conditioned me into only seeing her as a target. I had completely forgotten everything else. Partially even you guys. I mean, I knew you, but I had forgotten what you're to me. And I forgot what she is to me. The only thing on my mind was that 'I had to eliminate her'."

Yoongi scrunched his nose at his narration. "Sounds like you were their puppet."

"Kinda."

"And explains why you attacked us," he pointed out. "But you seem fine now. Are you fine?"

Jimin shrugged. "Guess so.. I got memory flashbacks in the cell pops locked me into. And eventually it all came back."

"About that.." Taehyung said awkwardly, rubbing his neck, "Sorry I set him on you. But it seemed the only save solution back then. You were out of your mind after all."

Jimin waved him off quickly, shaking his head. "Don't worry, I get it. And I had missed pops anyway," he chuckled then, "Poor guy looked so offended when I couldn't remember him anymore."

Maybe that was why he had given him those ten minutes to escape. He had looked quite happy when seeing Jimin had gained back his memory and remembered who Seokjin was.

They might be rivals, like cat and mouse, but they did have a mutual respect and sympathy for each other. And he was the only cop Jimin genuinely trusted.

"Alright, anyway," he exclaimed suddenly, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "New plan then! First we get Bella back, then we'll proceed with the original plan."

"The original plan?" Yoongi repeated, "You mean-"

"Yep. Following your idea and hopefully finding the treasure."

The older guy peeked at Taehyung who had been silently looking at his hands laying flat on his lap. Jimin frowned, eventually understanding. "Oh, look, Tae, if you prefer staying here with Cas, it's totally fine. I'd understand."

Taehyung pursed his lips, a troubled look on his face. Even if it had been only for merely two weeks, it had almost felt like the good old days. He always knew, however, that sooner or later he'd have to say goodbye to her again. Mentally preparing himself for that moment to come as it was lingering in the air from the beginning, ever since he let himself indulge and enter her life again. He was just glad it came later than expected. But still too soon.

"No, it's okay," he shook his head then and glanced at his friends. First at Jimin, then at Yoongi who was giving him a quiet glance of empathy. He had been there after all. He had seen him and Cassandra together and how happy he had been. "T-that's the life I've chosen after all. The only thing I'm good at," he smiled It was a sad one, they could tell. Sitting up straight then he forced his lips to grow wider. "And besides, I can't let you guys hanging. You'd be stranded without me. Well, at least you, Jimin. I know Yoongi can handle himself just fine."

Yoongi couldn't help but let out a small laugh at this as Jimin rolled his eyes.

"Fine. But don't use me as an excuse."

"I'm.. I'm not."

They grew quiet before Yoongi cleared his throat, changing topics. "When are we leaving?"

"I'll leave tomorrow to get Bella. You guys can follow later, in 2-3 days. Except if you already got other plans for these days." His glance wandered to Taehyung who shook his head quickly.

"N-no, that's fine." He stood up abrubtly and headed to the door. "2-3 days is enough to.. to bid her goodbye."

"Alright," Jimin nodded with a soft smile, "See you then."

Taehyung gave them a nod and left. 

Jimin facing Yoongi then with a grin. "Alright, how about we go ea-"

"Sorry, already got plans tonight."

His eyes widened. "What plans?"

Yoongi shrugged and just stared into nothing. And Jimin knew he didn't even need to try. He wouldn't get any info out of Yoongi. Not if he didn't want to.

"Hmph. I'm gonna look for food on my own then."

»»»

Taehyung knocked on Cassandra's door with a heavy heart. Unsure of how to break it to her that he was leaving her. Again.

Her reaction wasn't something that scared him. He knew how understanding she was. He knew how she respected his life. No, her possible reaction wasn't scaring him. Rather tearing him apart. Because even if she was more understanding than he deserved, she had never been good in hiding her feelings. Her pain. Her big brown eyes always giving her away, as much as she tried hiding it.

So when Cassandra opened the door, seeing him standing there slouching and with a troubled expression, her wide smile instantly dropped. And before his lips could even part, she sighed. Giving him a sad smile. "You've got to leave, right?"

He simply nodded, unable to utter a word.

"When?"

"In three days."

She inhaled deeply. A stern expression spreading on her features then and she stood straight. "Don't you dare disappear on me again. Got it?"

Taehyung's lips fell agape and blinked, taken aback. "Cas, you know it's better wh-"

"-when you just dip and disappear like I've never mattered to you?"

He pressed his lips together, an equally serious look in his eyes. "You know I don't wanna drag you into the mass that's my life."

"Not this again, Tae," she groaned, her voice breaking despite her trying sounding stern and upset, "You know I don't mind it." She took a step forward then, placing her hand on his cheek. Caressing his warm skin with her thumb as a smirk tucked on her lips. "You know how cool I find my super hot master thief boyfriend."

He couldn't help but laugh at this. Even now she managed making him laugh. Her hand dropped down to his. Intertwining their fingers.

"Jimin's the master thief, I'm just the gunman."

"That's even hotter."

He shook his head amused, chuckling at her nonsense. "Doesn't that go against everything you stand for though? You save people's life while I-"

"I know you well enough," she interrupted him with a frown, tugging lightly at his hand, "I know you'd never intentionally hurt anyone and only shoot if necessary, to defend yourself and others."

He remained silent, staring at her in awe.

He honestly didn't believe he deserved Cassandra. She was too good of a person for a jackass like him. She deserved better. And yet, there she was, always sticking with him. Despite him hurting her over and over again in the attempt of protecting her.

"So?" Cassandra arched a brow at him. "Promise you'll come back after the job's finished? Otherwise I'll hunt you down myself. I might not have all you guys' skills but I will track you down on my own if you dare vanishing into thin air again. You hear me, cool guy?"

A smile appeared on his lips and he nodded. Squeazing her hand before pulling her into his arms and embracing her tightly. "You make it hard for me to protect you, but yes, I promise, angel."

»»»

next chapter: 1.2 here

[ecargmura]

Cherry Magic Episode 7 Review - Their First Date

Adachi and Kurosawa go on a date! Though, it ends a bit disastrously as Kurosawa went a bit overboard, but Adachi decides to take him out on a second, calmer date to make up for it. This whole episode was them getting used to dating, which I’m glad that Adachi is finally taking some initiative. Now there’s a bigger issue at hand: what will Adachi do about his magic? Will he tell Kurosawa?

The first date portion was cute, but in a cringe way. Like, I was gushing, but I was also cringing so hard. Kurosawa’s date song was the most HILARIOUS THING ever and it gave me secondhand embarrassment as well. How many times did Ryota Suzuki attempt to do this without laughing? I’d be laughing at the very first note if I was recording this. Also, am I the only one who thinks that getting a helicopter is going a bit overboard? While it’s nice to see how smitten and devoted Kurosawa is, he did do too much. I’m glad that he learned his lesson in a way and that he doesn’t have to go overboard next time. Speaking of his voice actor, I wonder how many takes it took for him to speak that fast at the part where Adachi held his hand.

I was a bit sad that the first date ended up with Adachi being a bit too self-conscious about people’s opinions about him dating Kurosawa. Please understand that this is Adachi’s first ever date and that Kurosawa is the first person he ever dated. It’s understandable that the first date would be awkward. In fact, I feel like Adachi’s behavior is a bit realistic in a sense. Fortunately, Adachi makes up for the messy end by taking Kurosawa out on a second date where they talk about their favorite manga, looking at merch and then eating at the bar Adachi regularly goes to. As an introvert, I think that chiller dates suit them a lot better than helicopter dates. Like, I also like the fact that Adachi took the initiative and asked him out on another date and even held his hand. I do like that he’s putting in effort for dates and that he does want to make this work out too.

I do like the transition from having a successful date to now wondering about if he should tell Kurosawa about the magic and what not. When one wall is climbed, another one shows up. I feel like Kurosawa’s not going to resent Adachi for having the magic; he’s too much of a simp to hate him. I mean, look at Kurosawa at the office after the first date ended in failure; he looked like he was going to erase himself from existence. I’m sure things will work out because they’re both surprisingly good when it comes to voicing out their thoughts.

Speaking of which, Asahina, Kurosawa’s superior who showed up last episode appears again. He’s voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto (Chad from Bleach, Germany from Axis Powers Hetalia). He’s been in BL before, so he’s no stranger to the genre. I was surprised when his name showed up in the credits like “Wait…”

Anyways, what do you think will transpire next episode? Will Adachi tell him or will it drag out? Will their next dates after today’s episode be good ones? What are your thoughts on this episode and about Kurosawa’s date song?

[littleplantfreak]

you could fill whole posts with your feelings about Ume, you say? why don't you prove it? 👀💖

Em, sweet pumpkin spice latte, i have a reputation (i dont actually) so it's going under the cut because no one should actually have to hear me scream about him for 10 years PLEASE if anyone here thinks im cool dont read this i wanna keep my nonexistent street cred

This is my second time writing about him so im sure its consolidated a bit which is preferred cause earlier it was like,,,,, ten paragraphs more than it is now

lets start with my favorite manga panel of him that i keep so safe and close to my heart because look! he broke the wall and his arm hangs over the panel and i looove it Satoru nii i can tell you were gonna make him the mc but im sooo glad you didnt because i love himmmm. though sometimes he reminds me of myself when i was younger way too much but this aint about him. ANYWAYS I FORGOT I DONT THINK ANY OTHER PANEL DOES THAT? its and important panel TO ME

When i first saw him with his hair down? instant heart eyes jesus christ ive never drooled over someone so hard which must be why my post with the most notes is me gushing about his hair. Ive always had a thing for hair tho im just a weirdo. Don't even get me started on the reading glasses!!!! i could just scream.

Also ive always had a thing for big guys esp gentle ones and once i learned more about him it was like bullseye bullseye bullseye- with how boxes he ticked but i just wanna climb him and maybe fight him for real but also fight him with my mouth. I wanna take care of him soooooo bad its not even funny. Like i know he's a big caretaker but i wanna pamper him i want that boy loves and cherished ill fight chika for him rn baby you dont have to lift a finger just sit over there right now.

Just heard a country song on the radio called must be doin something right by billy currington or whatever his last name is and went "i could dance with ume to that right now!!!!' also its a really sweet song though i love it.

Also he's hates needles...i hate needles.. we can take turns holding each other's hands for bloodwork and shots!!!

I started writing mainly for him and it was like....a "im not seeing enough content/the content i want" for this character so i put my pants on and did it myself. PRetty much my whole life i didnt like writing but now i do it semi-regularly and im pretty proud of that actually because ive begun to enjoy it? It probably helps that everyone's so sweet and the atmosphere is so chill but also nice and crazy and cool??? I dont have a lot of friends so im sooo soo thrilled to be able to gush with people its not even funny though sometimes im like "Girl you gotta be cooler than this you're not acting chill AT ALL calm down" so anyways i love him but i act like i really cant stand him he makes me so mad im furious at his existence

The scariest thing in the world to me is physically having kids? Like ive had nightmares about it i just dontttt wanna and i can tell he wouldnt push that like he'd be thrilled to adopt too it wouldnt matter but i think i would literally have his kids which is wild!!

Also? when i made that kissing picrew i actually flustered myself and that was crazy too because i don't fluster easy with boys at all but i physically turned red giggling kicking my feet about it every time i looked at it lmaoo you should see how red i get its baaaad im down baaaad

anyways ive alreasdy written too much have some more ume pics

[darkreconstruction]

Since this is a good space to go on and talk for a long time, i wanted to discuss my pieces for Art Fair 14C today.

The orange:

These three pieces are rooted deeply in eco-brutalism. The venom-like orange drips menacing and foreboding, equal parts inspired by soviet brutalist architecture and the chaos magic practice of sigil crafting.

The urge to create a symbol that manifests something into reality, a sign that MEANS SOMETHING, while not universal, is a common desire. It is a practice that, I personally feel helps me to connect to the past while planning for my future.

Many people find brutalist architecture to be boring, ugly, an eyesore. There will be photos of blank, featureless soviet buildings, with no inhabitants or surroundings,and all anyone can say is, oh, how ugly. However, to me, these don't exist in a vacuum. A granny will put a flowerbox on her balcony. Another neighbor will hang up the laundry to dry. Maybe you'll get moss or some green climbing thing growing. Maybe some seeds will take root in the cracks of the cheap, shoddily made concrete. People will be born there, live there, die there, and the echoes of their laughter and the stains of their tears will color the walls and the stairwells.

I felt the urge to bring brutalist architecture and chaos magic mysticism together, to symbolize that no matter how far forward we will push, how far away we will go from the organic shapes and colors of life, we will always feel the urge to look up at the sky to make a wish on a shooting star, to influence the world around us, to make a connection with a higher consciousness, to take a physical step toward making our dreams come alive.

I also was visually inspired by apocalyptic scenes, especially those from 90s anime and manga, where skeletons of ruined buildings rise up from dust and the abyss. Think X/1999, Evangelion, the Legend of Basara, or even more modern examples such as the gorgeous ruins in My Time at Portia.

The greenery also is meant to bring forth the organic, the natural, the growth and healing and our origins. The trees, the forests, the orchards. The things that grow, an easy and clear symbol of things that come from the earth.

Titles

The titles are jamais vu (a volatile system), deja vu (blood and apricots), and presque vu (the stars are afraid of you)

The titles are a two part equation - one half deals with the common human experience of unreliable nature of memory and the other half, with the much awaited apocalypse.

Jamais Vu (as you Disco Elysium folks may know) is the sensation of encountering a place /situation/moment you have lived through previously, and yet having no memory of it.

Deja Vu, the most easily explained, is the sensation of having been here before, though you have never been here previously.

Presque Vu is the sensation of almost, but never, remember what it is you've forgotten. It's at the tip of your tongue, you can almost taste it, but it just isn't coming to you.

These feelings have been experienced by every human who has lived, and every human who will come after.

The secondary parts of each title come from a certain conversation 🦗from the end of Disco Elysium. It is a conversation that discusses the end times.

Also - how many apocalypses have we humans lived through? Our worlds have ended a thousand times over. Yet here we still are, and here we'll remain.

During the process of coming up with the names of these pieces, I definitely had at least an hour long meltdown over what direction to take them in, so Uhh shout out to my Disco buds who were there for me in my darkest hour, when I actually had to name something.

I wanted to bring a bit of Disco to these pieces, because Disco has brought a bit of Disco into me.

The colors:

A soft sky blue, labeled at the store as "Aztec blue". So many native cultures, slaughtered in the name of expansion of empires and growth of wealth, and now in the paint aisle at the hardware store. It's a little weird. The blue was the prefect shade though, for what I wanted out of this.

Multichrome and metallic blues add dimension to an otherwise flat sky

The greens... I used about 10-15 different acrylic paints in various shades to create the depth and dimension of the leaves.

Orange - neon, vivid, acidic, venomous, vibrant, violent. The antithesis of a natural color. Glows ominously under blue lights.

All together

Together these pieces are a visualization of the past, present, and future of humanity. It contains the roots of our past, the promise of future apocalypses brought on by our own actions, and a hope for a future that we can build to our own imagination. It's a discussion of the unreliability of our memory, and the common things that bind us together.

If you have any questions let me know! Thanks for checking out my work!

[urprinceoflove]

A Club for Two

Pairing: Josuke Higashikata x Gender-neutral!Reader

Summary: You and Josuke Higashikata had been friends forever now and he finally brings up the courage to tell you that he likes you more than a friend…

Warnings: Just fluff

Word Count: 887

A/N: i tried with this one, i’m not so much attracted to josuke, but MY FRIEND MADE ME DO THIS

Fandom Masterlist | Full Masterlist

—

You and Josuke Higashikata had been friends since first year at this point. The two of you would spend a lot of your time together doing after school activities and what not. It was when Josuke came to you for a proposal of an after school program that had you intrigued.

He informed you that it would involve a club in which manga lovers could gather and share their favorite pieces.

Although this seemed like a nerdy idea to you, you agreed anyway and met Josuke in one of the classrooms after school.

Walking down the hallway, you checked the slip of paper Josuke had passed you after lunch, so you wouldn’t get lost. You shoved the slip of paper into your pants pocket and decided to head inside of the classroom.

You were amazed to see… absolutely no one was there.

“Y/N!” Josuke called, standing up from the desk he had been sitting in (waiting for more people to arrive at the club).

“Where is everyone?” You asked.

“About that…” He scratched the back of his head as he looked down at the floor a little embarrassed. “You see… I don’t think anyone is coming.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t see anyone here.”

“I’m here.”

Josuke chuckled, “I suppose you are right.” He concluded. “You always are…” He muttered under his breath. He perked up a bit making his way more towards you. “Do you at least have a manga here with you to share?”

You nodded. “Of course, I wouldn’t be here without it. It is a manga club after all. The whole point of this!”

A door slammed shut from behind and you turned around to see who was at the door. Josuke leaned to the side to get a better look. Koichi was standing nervously in front of the door that had just slammed behind him.

He gave a small wave. “H-Hey guys.”

“Glad you could join us, Koichi!” Josuke announced with a smile, now walking towards the shorter boy and giving him a pat on the head. “We now have one more member for today!”

“About that…” Koichi mumbled.

“What is it?”

“Well… I overheard a few of the girls from outside as I was coming in here to meet. They were all talking about how you were running the club and how exciting it would be if they could join.”

“That’s great!” Josuke mused, turning to look at you. You had a confused look on your face.

“Not entirely…” Koichi said at last, “You see, they all were betting that you would like a certain manga and whoevers manga you did like meant that you would marry them in the future… A fortune telling of sorts.

Josuke was dumbfounded.

“How does that make any sense?” You questioned.

Koichi shrugged.

Before anything else could be said, a mass amount of shoes walking… no, running down the hallway could be heard from outside the door.

“They are coming!” Koichi called out.

Josuke moved fast towards the windows of the classroom, he began pushing a chair up next to the wall and climbing on top of it.

“What are you doing, Josuke?” You asked suddenly, trying to avoid eye-contact with the door.

“We have to get to the rooftops.” He said finally, pushing open one of the windows. “Come on!” He held out his hand for you to grab. You instinctively took it and he pulled you up from off the floor and up on top of the desk. “After you,”

You dipped your head and climbed out through the window.

The last thing you saw was a nervous Koichi holding back a door with a bunch of girls banging on it to be let in.

You sighed as you sat on the rooftop of the school. Josuke crouched down next to you and stared out on the field.

“Sorry for this bizarre disaster.” Josuke held up his hand and clenched it. “I totally messed up this whole club. It was all supposed to be for you and–” Josuke paused. He had spoken too much.

“What do you mean it was all going to be for me?” You turned to him.

“Well… Y/N, there’s something I have been meaning to tell you for a while now. I like you. I like you more than a friend.”

You felt your heart begin to beat faster at his words. “Josuke–”

“It’s okay if you don’t like me back!” He said suddenly, throwing his hands up into the air innocently. “It was so sudden I know… We have been friends for so long I–”

“Shut up.” You hand moved to his chin and you pulled him closer to you. Both your lips collided. Josuke’s hands fell to his sides and he fell deep into the kiss. When the two of you pulled away, you noticed Josuke was as red as ever.

“Woah…” Was all he could mutter from the kiss.

You smacked him on the shoulder.

“Hey what was that for!?” He grabbed his shoulder instantly, leaning away from you.

“You're such a dork.” You laughed.

The two of you sat on the rooftops for the rest of your time together, sitting close to one another and taking in the school-like surroundings.

“Jooossukkkeee!” Koichi called from inside the building. “A little help pleeaaaseee!!”

[his-endless-rambles]

I’ve worked a lot of jobs in my life—many of them customer-facing—but I gotta say I’ve never had more of a blast interacting with the general public than working at a library. You get all sorts coming through and the exchanges are varied. Some are good, some are bad, but they are almost always memorable.

Here is one of my favourites.

By all accounts, it was a pretty average day. Scanning, shelving, reserving—the usual. Then here comes this brick wall of a man. And when I call him a brick wall I am not exaggerating. The thickness of his arms and the width of his shoulders would make a barricade blush. Fella straight up looked like this:

Anyway, he comes up to the desk, puts both hands on it, and leans forward. His face is now inches from mine. He’s breathing exclusively out of his nostrils, the heat of each breath cooking the air. Paired with the vacant look in his eye, he’s like a bull ready to charge. Then he lifts a meaty finger, unfurls his lips, and in a thick Eastern European accent asks:

“Do you have any One Piece?”

It takes a second or two for me to register what he said and a few seconds more to believe I heard it. Then, I try my best to do my job. I’m not 100% sure so I type it into the database. Until the search has loaded, I don’t break eye contact, and when I do, a lump climbs into my throat.

“No. I’m afraid the few copies we have are already borrowed. Do you want me to make a reservation?”

He shakes his head, then says. “What about Na-Ru-To.” He sounds it out just like that. Na Ru To.

I check the database. There are three copies available. “We have volumes 50, 51, and 61 accessible at this library.”

He doesn’t reply. He’s too busy aiming his burly body in the direction of the graphic novels section.

Less than five minutes pass before he comes back, and with him, he brings a veritable bounty of manga. His palms, wider than the shelves themselves, are stacked high with not just Naruto but everything from My Hero Academia to D.Gray Man.

He notices me eyeing his haul and clears his throat. “I like One Piece and Na Ru To,” he says. “They are my favourites. But, I have been told to read more If I am able.”

I ask the man for his library card. He shakes his head and says he will be paying with cash. This is not the first time I’ve served someone who’s assumed the need for money in a public library so I explain to him that he can get a library card and take books out for free. What happens next is one of the reasons I love being a librarian.

His eyes widen and a smile cracks across his face. “This is very good.”

I smile back and tell him that if he likes I can reserve some volumes of One Piece to be transferred to this library for him. A light dances across his gaze and his crack of a smile splits into a chasmic grin.

“You are a very good man!” he declares. “I give you big thank you!”

It takes no time at all to find the volumes he wants and even less to scan his pile. Soon enough, the man has his books, has his reservations, and to my joy, still has his smile.

“I come back for One Piece!” he says gleefully. “I see you soon, yes?”

Then he struts away swinging a canvas bag stuffed with manga like it weighs as much as it did empty.

It didn’t matter what happened during the rest of that day, or even the rest of that week. The genuine smile of that giant manga-loving man carried me through it all.

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 34

Chapter 34: “Action, Part 3”

Of course Emma knew about Ray’s crazy plan but she still let him have his moment to be all dramatic about it and that’s kinda hilarious. I know it was all for our sake though, to get all that context about the current situation and what those two were planning. And yeah she told the escapees about the farm’s secret but did she tell all of them about Ray’s hot idea too? Thoma, Lani & Anna had to know obviously because they helped prepare Ray’s replacement and I can understand if Don & Gilda knew as well since they’re the ones who gave Norman’s note to Emma. I dunno if Emma would’ve told any of the other kids though? I can see how she wouldn’t wanna keep secrets from them about something so serious like this but she also could’ve stayed quite about it as to not upset them. Hearing that one of your older siblings plans on giving his life in order to preserve yours isn’t an easy thing to take in, ya know?

I love Ray x fire jokes and fanart as much as the next person, but there needs to be more with the story’s true arsonist.

Imagine going about your days and knowing that in the back of your mind one of your best friends is planning to set themselves ablaze and you can do nothing but sit back quietly about it. The trio truly is too good at keeping secrets to themselves, but thank you again Norman for anticipating this pyromaniac’s plan and warning Emma about it.

 Good morning y’all, this is your local idiot speaking and she just wants to inform you that she’s slow as fuck for not realizing that the purpose of the key mold wasn’t to block the lock to Isabella’s secret room like she thought for all these years but instead to allow the kids to get inside the infirmary to acquire the scalpel and antibiotics they needed to take out everyone’s trackers. (shut up i can’t remember everything.)

I find it adorable that they put their names on everything like their backpacks. They do the same to her pillow as well in ch96.

Because I am that person to point out all the inconsistencies between the manga and anime (out of pure enjoyment, mind you), Anna does treats Emma’s ear here in anime but in manga it’s done after they climb the wall in the next chapter.

People always see Emma as this optimistic ball of sunshine and (while that’s completely true) she can be such a strategist when needed. How she used that conversation from Krone as an opportunity to inform other kids of the farm’s secret and later on give them instructions on the sly for two months, without any interference from Isabella, is so damn cool. She definitely lives up to that full-score reputation.

She mentions Nat to help her here in the anime instead. I dunno why. No offense to our sweet piano man, but Don definitely has more bulk in order to pull all the kiddos up that wall.

Despite that smile of Phil’s being so cute, the manga makes him look far too happy for this moment. The anime actually makes you feel bad for him because he looks so concerned and scared and then we start to freak out because how could you leave this precious boy behind? (in reality, it’s all false because he’s helping Emma here. Isabella needs to get paid for all this acting classes she’s been giving honestly).

Favorite panel/moment:

Emma slapping Ray. I love every bit about it and the anime animated it perfectly. There was just so much force behind it and the fear in Ray’s expression was priceless. (That’s how you handle a good slap! The second season handles Ray’s slap towards Norman feel so weak! It was such a disappointment for me!)

End of volume 4.

[ryndicate]

describe your moots in one word?

Oh shit here we go.

I scrolled down my following list so if we're moots and you're not here it's literally bc I probably don't believe you follow me bc I have set you on a pedestal of some kind. And if you're on here and we're not actually moots it's probably just because I really really like you and your blog 😅

@dark-mnjiro ~ psychic. Lee somehow knows what I like without me having to say anything, sends me manga panels that have me climbing walls when i’m on the cusp of zoning from boredom, and introduces me to characters that turn me into some kind of feral territorial creature howling to the gods about my love for a character ive literally seen two pics of. We went from non interactive moots not knowing each other to talking all the time on discord within a few conversations and now im like what would I do without this friendship? 

@knchins ~ supportive! We haven't been moots very long at all but you've been kind to me and my writing manic keysmashes despite the short time, but thats the vibe I've gotten! And you are responsible to turning my mind toward spoiled Reo brainrot, i dont think i will ever thank you enough for Renunion hehehe

@boosyboo9206 ~ safe. It's really easy to talk back and forth with you and i love the way my heart flutters when send me puppy pics and art of my favorite pairings because that alone tells me that you’re thoughful enough to be thinking of me, and I’m so grateful that you don't judge me for being so awful with communication lol.

@kingkatsuki / @kingkunigami ~ assertive. its like jo really has her own brand and always just seems so unshakable, has the patience to respond to the constant stream of blank blogs asking why they’ve been blocked like its not obvious already. i love knowing when i go to her blog that im going to see her being herself. on top of her fabulous writing of course, im on her blog more than its healthy to admit.

@killsaki ~ real. Every time i’m scrolling their blog i find something to either cackle or bite my fist about. Dal is my favorite blog for unfiltered thoughts about their faves and just their life in general. if we met in real life im dead certain they’d be a friend i could count on to call me on my bullshit

@cyancherub ~ vibrant. Everything cass does is done brightly with all of her love. Her interactions with her followers are so lovely and its easy to see how much she enjoys hearing from everyone. And I can trust her to put her whole pussy into any of her fixations, and her fixations are ~top~ tier. While you were sleeping is still easily my favorite thing she’s ever written, ive read it through like 4x and it still leaves me breathless with its characterizations, the descriptions that im not sure she was even breathing as she wrote them, the energy is so wild and intense, and yet how well thought out everything is on top of it! 

@iwaasfairy ~ talentedddd. Fairy is either making me wet with her writing or leaving me soaked with her art, living the life of being amazing at more than one creative outlet. I thank the universe that we’re friends and that she trusts me enough to send me the snippets that she’s working on and letting me howl at her in discord about how awesome her shit is. I get some of the first looks and I’m damn proud of that hehehe.

[thelreads]

And that's the end of the chapter, and at last, the end of the flashback...

Which now, after properly finished and with all the information provided by it I can finally say:

why in the fuck was it even included here

Like, holy shit, I was already questioning how anything that could've come up in the flashback could benefit the plot in the present, since Koichi was not even involved in learning about what we saw it was a cop revisiting an old file, and then the chapter ends with McBee killing said cop and erasing all evidence

Net zero information gain for the story. Could've added those last five pages to a chapter as footnote and it would've been just as effective, perhaps even more effective.

Like, no joke, what did we even learned there? And I don't mean that Hoodie and Mirko fought before or that Rappa and Mirko helped a pro hero before going their separate ways, I mean, what information here was meaningful for understanding the Vigilantes manga itself.

I can't think of a single thing. We know AfO was behind it all along, we know he stole O'Clock quirk, the only thing that changed here was a recontextualization that it wasn't mere chance, he was after the quirk for a long time.

This was, just like Aizawa's arc, a bad choice. Not because the contents of the arc were bad mind you, although they were a little bit too plot-holey for my tastes, but because they completely killed the momentum of the story to talk about things that are not even important for what's going on

holy fuck man make a short spin-off to talk about Knuckle's fight against Hoodie separated from the main spin-off, every time we start getting some speed the author just erects a wall so we slam face first, and only when we finally get around to climbing it he goes "there, that changed nothing in the plot, now you can continue where you left"

I try to not be overly negative and mean, but jesus christ, it is so fucking hard considering what Furuhashi does to this manga. I don't want to just keep kicking it down when I liked it so much at the start, but christ almighty

The only good thing out of this, besides Rappa's side glance, was that we're finally back to present past, and we can return to koichi. Especially now that McBee decided to McLose it and go full apeshit, that's gonna be entertaining to watch, and I swear to god if the next chapter dares to pull the breaks by showing me stuff that is not relevant to the story...