#time to go listen to three wishes and reminisce again

[somethingwittyandweird]

It's that time again! What's your favorite game you played this year?

Hope you're ready for a response to rival last year's post. There are so many good games that I have so much yapping to do about. And, if I may say so, this year was an accomplished one: I made some notable progress putting long-standing backlog titles to rest, as well as some new games that won me instantly. So, let's dive in...

We started off VERY strong with converting one of last year's “I watched this game and it was cool” to “I played this game and it was cool”: Hi-Fi Rush. It absolutely captivated me throughout. It has everything- charm, style, writing and characters that are heartfelt, hilarious, and over the top all at once- and most of all it has an incredibly natural evolution of the high-style high-precision action genre into a rhythm-based brawler where the world moves to the beat. Do I even need to mention it has, not one, but two banger soundtracks? It's a game I look forward to replaying (a rare praise from me), and one I know I'll be in love with for a long time.

Around the same time I was working my way through Sea of Stars- I've talked more about that here but it also really had me engaged as a modern love letter back to the SNES JRPG era. Visually stunning, musically lovely, satisfying gameplay, and a story that I felt gave its well written characters the space they deserved.

Once those were out of the way, I had my mission for the rest of the year: get this backlog CLEARED. Throughout the year, I knocked out:

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia: a game beloved by many growing up that had passed me by. Experiencing it for myself years later, I could tell that I would have poured endless hours into this DS title as a kid, and even today I loved it enough to 100% its quests and Pokedex. Absolutely killer writing and fun gameplay that still holds up today. I am glad I played it as an older adult though for one reason: at this age I know how not to harm my DS’ screen when drawing endless loops.

NEO TWEWY: A sequel to a cult classic I never thought I'd see but I was so, so happy to see it come back. The new game massively shook up the gameplay (it had to, TWEWY for DS is very literally inimitable) but fully kept the spirit and updated it. As the OG wore its 2000s teen culture loud, this game carried the torch forward and gave us the same charm with modern Internet culture. It brought back old characters in excellent ways, added great new ones, had some of my favorite kind of time travel writing moments, and did it all with style, flair, and a rocking OST. In every way a worthy successor to the OG.

Indivisible: Another game I wrote about elsewhere, Lab Zero's sadly ill-fated entry into action platforming. As I said there, I'm glad I could give myself closure on it and I was glad to appreciate the parts of it that did clearly shine- the delicious visuals and combat gameplay. Hopeful to see where those devs end up and what they'll contribute their talent to now.

Triangle Strategy: In terms of strategy games this was a foray outside my usual Fire Emblem interest zone, but it is my friend’s favorite game of all time, so I had to give it a go. The differences took some adjusting, but I ended up enjoying my time with the game. Combat was engaging, visuals had me oohing and ahhing in places, I liked the characters (Julio and Jens my MVPs). But the standout was the story- as deep and politically thrilling as I was promised it would be. The narrative voting/negotiation system offered me some cool moments of choosing my path (or one time having it chosen for me) which culminated in a really really well set up three-way ending split; it wasn't just choosing a side but choosing an ideology, and the characters who wouldn't abide that choice felt completely justified in their refusal to follow you. I didn't get the golden route, but I may go back someday. Without a doubt my best narrative game of the year. (Plus, the final boss of the route I chose was really really tactically engaging and I loved it as much as i feared it.)

Along the way, a few non-backlog titles did sneak their way onto the list…

Case of the Golden Idol: a visually quirky detective narrative puzzle game that scratched the same deductive itch as Obra Dinn, I had a lot of fun deciphering its ersatz mystery. Each chapter is a death tableau and you use clues and logic to piece together who is who, what is what, and what has happened, with each scene leading to a bizarre overarching narrative that makes you want to keep going just to see how wild it gets.

Death’s Door: A little soulslite adventure title about a reaper crow working for Death and trying to straighten up some loose ends. The environments are really well modeled (though a map wouldn't have gone amiss) and the combat system had a satisfying loop with some unique twists. Its final boss impressed me by being a spectacle fight through multiple zones that showed off the boss’ powers thematically, let you learn what the boss was doing in each phase, and wasn't a drag to retry (the usual danger with set piece fights that keep shifting areas). 

Blasphemous: One of those “classics” of the modern indie metroidvania space, and one of the first to get overtly Soulsy with it, I finally got the chance to try it and it showed me just why it deserves its "classic" status. The writing was very Souls and the platforming very vania, both excelling in their own way. I really loved the sheer variety of collectibles, that's a strong point in my heart for any metroidvania. I absolutely adored the music, a masterwork of Spanish guitar tracks I still listen to. And visually the game’s strong Spanish Roman Catholic aesthetic absolutely oozed artistic passion, and it was clear that so much work went into its visuals… including the surprising amount of (well-animated) gore. Which leads me to…

Nine Sols: if I had a nickel for every soulslike metroidvania I played this year that turned out to be quite unexpectedly graphic, these would be my two nickels. But content warning aside, I can't sing Nine Sols’ praise enough. Its gameplay was thoroughly polished and at every turn designed to help you feel like a kickbutt martial artist warrior, running up walls and surviving lethal enemies with perfect parrying and a unique attack to give that iconic ‘dash past enemy, beat, they explode’ rhythm to the fights. Then it sells that mastery by making enemies increasingly lethal, requiring more and more skill, but the floor never ramped hard enough that I was frustrated (though the last two bosses had me baffled for a while). Exploration felt rewarding with a lot of cool and useful items to find, and seeing this game’s beautiful blend of "Taopunk" futuristic + traditional Oriental environmental designs was a treat unto itself. And lastly, there's a gripping story that unfolds as you get to know its characters- Yi, your mysterious protagonist, the friends he makes, and the enemies he ruthlessly cuts down.

Are we done yet? Almost, I promise. 

As of writing I'm in the middle of Echoes of Wisdom and Ghost Trick, so those, while both great titles, will I think be their own posts. All that's left then is to acknowledge the games I played that I didn't, or couldn't, “beat:” the multiplayer ones.

I played a bunch of MtG with my friends, and I played a lot of Civilization VI with other friends, and those both took up many happy hours. If this wasn't too long already I'd tell you about unstoppable bunnies and definitely not werewolves, or my friends and I allying to conquer the world. But I knew when I got my switch recap today that there's a clear standout in hour count alone: It's not a surprise to you or to me, it's Splatoon freshwater-freaking 3. 

How could I not give it the most love for this year where I fell harder into it than ever before? Where my elite Salmon Runner friend helped me climb to dizzying new heights of EVP rank 999? Where I appeared on so many friend’s multiplayer streams for Splatfests and Big Runs? Where I took it upon myself to fill out my weapon collection 100%? Where I did Side Order runs until I knew every floor by name? Every one of those things has given me a cherished memory… but none more cherished than attending an honest-to-goodness music festival in this game, with my friends, reminiscing on past triumphs, on the importance of living in the present, and with the thrill of looking to the future. I loved Splatoon 3, and with the Grand Festival, it felt like the game, the devs, and the community gave me that love right back. 

That, among all of these games’ memories and experiences, is the one I think I'll treasure longest.

Video games are cool. I'm so, so glad they're real.

[munsonsfairy]

I always see bbf abby but never sbf, so maybe older abby x friends little sister (of age of course, like about to graduate college) 🕺🏽 reader is visiting her sister and she sees abby type thing idk

Btw, your work is amazing 🙂‍↕️🩷

love me tender ✨🐚🤍🌸🐠

author’s note: thank you so much! i appreciate you for reading and sending in a request. i hope you enjoy! thank you for @katemartinis for proofreading. 🤍

abby wants say yes to heaven, say yes to you, and let fear she has fall away. you thought you were only a lost memory to abby until this summer. now, you’re standing in front of abby in the rain with shoes full of water staring at each other.

content: fluff with angst. summer before graduation. 18+ no smut. no specific descriptions of reader but is feminine.

word count: 2.2k

The salt air coming in from your open window cools your skin from the summer heat. You're lying on your bed watching season three of stranger things as you always do at the start of summer. Or at least you were watching it until your best friend, Jackie, came over. It's the summer before your senior year and you’re trying to soak up every bit of it before you graduate.

You and Jackie made a list of what you want to do this summer consisting of tanning to getting matching tattoos to trying out surfing. Luckily you live on an island making it easy to complete. today you wanted to check off going to the aquarium off your list. While you were going through your closet for an outfit, Jackie was talking about a boy she swears she’s in love with after knowing him for two weeks.

Finally, you found the dress you were looking for. You always felt your best while wearing it and thought your skin glowed with the color. you stood in front of the mirror in awe.

Downstairs, you hear the door slam and someone yell to your mom that they’re hungry.

It's your older sister, Sarah coming back from volleyball practice. You both might be lesbian, but someone was definitely dropped too many times as a baby. You hear your mom greet Sarah and someone else.

“Well look who it is. my favorite Anderson!”

Abby. Anderson.

She's your sister’s best friend and also plays in the same volleyball team. You've had a crush on since you laid eyes on her. The way she carries herself and listens to you always filled you with butterflies. making eye contact with her blue eyes made you dizzy. Her love for books makes you wish you didn’t get so flustered around her so you could ask her about what she’s currently reading.

There was something about Abby that had your heart wanting more. she always knew how to pull you in. Unfortunately, she was off limits. your older sister made you promise you wouldn’t complicate things and ruin her friendship, but it takes two to tango. the stolen glances and subtle touches can only last so long before Sarah gets suspicious. Neither you nor Abby have confessed any real feelings, but it was enough to raise red flags for Sarah.

You feel yourself getting nervous at the thought of seeing her again. You haven’t seen Abby since last summer since she wasn’t home for Christmas. the four of you camped out together at the beach since the weather was more tolerable compared to summer. Sarah and Jackie fell asleep, so the both of you laid down next to each other looking up at the stars. Abby was a nerd when it came to constellations. She pointed out every single one she found, then it got quiet letting you only hear the waves crashing.

You felt at peace and closed your eyes to take it all in. Abby turned her head and admired you as she always did. The next morning, you woke up to Abby holding you close to her chest; her breath tickling your neck. You look up to see the blonde deeply sleeping. Her eyes lashes so long and freckles covering her skin. Being an early bird has its perks when you wake up before your older sister sees you cuddling her best friend.

Your reminiscing is soon interrupted by your older walking into your room eating a sandwich and laying on your bed with Jackie.

Just in record time, Abby comes behind her but doesn’t go into your room. Instead, she leans against your doorway focusing on the one person.

Through your mirror your eyes made eye contact with the bluest eyes you’ve seen. her freckles covered her sun kissed skin. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest making her arms show off for you.

Abby’s eyes rake over your body, drinking in every curve before meeting your eyes again. She tried to be discreet but couldn’t help but admire you.

She thought you were glowing and couldn’t believe such beauty existed, but you always proved her wrong. She loved way your eyes crinkled with your laughed at her joke. Oh my god she thinks I’m funny. Those were one of the few times she saw your true personality.

SAY HI IDIOT. Abby’s mind screamed at her.

“Hi.”

Her voice filled with honey and softness. You feel your knees get week and feel a shiver run through your spine. Abby notices and smirks then looks away to let you breathe.

You mentally kick yourself for not evening answering. It's one word!! two letters!! stupid stupid stupid!!

Thankfully, your sister and Jackie were too busy in their own world to notice or so you thought.

“I’m sure it would be fun if Abby came with us!” you turn to Jackie with wide eyes who is smiling knowing what she’s doing.

𓆉⋆.˚ 333 °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

Since Sarah and Jackie went to the reptile exhibit, you and Abby stayed on a bench admiring the open ocean exhibit. Reptiles weren’t really your thing. The blue hues fill from the water paint the walls. It feels like the fish are moving in slow motion. You're in awe of the two stingrays swimming together it almost looks like they are dancing.

Although, the sea creatures were beautiful, Abby couldn’t focus when she felt your arm touching hers, or your hands brushing against each other when you were walking next to each other earlier. If only you knew how it took everything in her not to reach for your hand. she has been this close to you before but today felt different. The peace she was feeling was something she wouldn’t be able to put into words.

“Do you think seals have spots?” Abby asked as suddenly.

“Hm?” You missed her question when you turned to look at her. you feel a little embarrassed by how she can easily throw you off.

She laughs, “Do you think seals have spots? Owen swears up and down he saw one spotted. He says saw one and I haven’t heard the end of it. Not saying I want to prove him wrong but…” She trails off.

“Oh, definitely. Have you considered researching your question? I mean you do know how to use your phone, right or do you need assistance?” You laugh at her.

Abby playfully rolls her eyes, “You think you’re so funny, huh? I personally would love to see this seal in person.” She shrugs.

You laugh but this time Abby fully sees you. She wishes she could freeze time and just look at you forever. To make you laugh and smile every day.

“Do other people think you’re funny?”

Abby looks towards the fish tank shaking her head but still smiling, “No, they don't.”

For a moment you didn’t let your nerves hold you back, so you squeeze her bicep, “Let me be the first to tell you that you are very funny.”

You lay your hand back down to your lap, but Abby reaches for it and holds your palm up. She traces the lines on your hand and finally decides that it’s now or never.

It felt like she was on Saturn, and it was only the two of you. Nothing else mattered. All of her nerves were gone. It felt like a dream, but the warmth of your hand reminded her it was real.

“You're staring,” you whisper.

“I like looking at you,” Abby whispered back smiling.

Abby raises her hand reaching for your cheek. Her thumb gently rubbing your soft skin; scared to break you. She drags down her thumb to your lower lip sending a shiver down your spine. The world slowed down for the two of you. Abby admired every detail on your face just in case this was the last time she was this close. She could smell the coconut perfume you spayed earlier. She knew what color your eyes were, but they were so much better up close. Her eyes flickers from your lips to your eyes. Abby felt herself leaning towards you as if it was the most natural thing.

“Oh, are we interrupting something?” Jackie asked smiling.

Out of fear, Abby dropped your hand and pulled away from you. “N-no,” she stands up quickly and walks in front of you away from the group. Luckily, your sister didn’t see since she was walking a bit behind Jackie. The rest of your time at the aquarium Abby avoids looking at you after that. It's all gone.

𓆉⋆.˚ 444 °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

The car ride home was filled with tension. Abby had barely said a word to anyone. You sat in front while she drove back to your house staring at the raindrops that filled the window. Summer might be your favorite season, but hurricane season makes you wish it was over already.

You finally got the confidence to look at the blonde next to you and see nothing but an emotionless face. Her eyes aren’t the same blue you saw earlier. They look empty. Abby must have felt you staring because she sighed and made sure you heard it.

Your brain replays what happened earlier over and over like a record player. There was never a moment where Abby looked at you the way she did right now.

After what felt like hours, she drove into the driveway of your house. Your sister and Jackie quickly got out of the car leaving you alone with Abby. You felt a knot in your stomach and don’t feel words come out when you open your mouth. Out of habit you anxiously pick the skin on your fingers.

“Wanna come in? I think we’re going to order some pizza. Sarah always orders way too much food for us to finish,” you ask trying to break the tension.

Abby clears her throat, “Uh, I can’t tonight. rain check? I’m pretty tired it was a long day.” Her eyes never met yours since you were at the aquarium. You missed her blue eyes filled with love. Now you couldn’t tell what she was feeling.

“Oh sure! We have the whole-.”

“I think it’s getting late don’t you think? I’m sure they’re waiting for you,” she interrupts. You hear the irritation in her voice and almost leave, but you needed to ask her why she changed her attitude in a matter of seconds. You really thought today was the day you’d finally tell her what your heart feels. How you much you find her funny and think she deserves to have someone love her.

“What changed, Abby? I know it wasn’t only in my head what happened earlier, or did I imagine it?”

Abby sighs and looks towards her fingers, “You didn’t imagine it, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be together. We're just good friends and I don’t think it’s the best thing to do. I mean what will you sister think?”

Her heart beats for you but she could never admit it to you. She's watched you go from relationship to relationship to break up to break up. yet, she can’t get the words out to tell you.

You scoff, “Just good friends, huh? you’re so full of shit, Abigail. I mean you were there! was I the only one who felt the feeling?”

“What feeling,” Abby asked confused.

“You know! the feeling! The feeling you get before you kiss someone for the first time. The excitement, anticipation, and butterflies in your stomach. The way your heart flutters when you finally kiss the girl you love!” You were talking so fast and just ranting now that you didn’t even notice you confessed your feelings to her.

“Wait what?” Abby was shocked but knew she shouldn’t be. She was there and so were you.

“Honestly, I don’t know why I’m here explaining this to you and expecting you to understand. Just next time, don’t look into a girl’s eyes and say you like looking at her if you’re planning to be an ass.” You open the car door and start running to your front door without getting soaked by the rain.

It took Abby two seconds to finally realize the girl of her dreams is running away from her. Abby ran out of her car leaving the door open without a care.

“Do you really want to know how I feel?!” she yelled out.

“I’ve never loved anyone like you! I’ve never felt so much peace before in my life! Everything about you consumes my being it’s frightening. This love I feel for you is so beautiful yet so scary. If choosing you means that I am losing your sister as a friend, then fine!”

You felt like your heart was beating so hard as you stared at Abby trying to process everything.

“And you couldn’t say all of that in the car, Abigail!? I have water in my shoes, I’m cold, and we-.”

Abby grabs you with both of her hands and kisses you. It takes you a couple seconds to process and kiss her back. Your eyes fluttered closed and you felt everything happening all at once. Her lips are softer than you imagined and so familiar. Your hands move to her braid making her moan into the kiss and letting you slip your tongue inside. She wrapped her arm around your waist bringing you closer to her.

“Wow…” you were breathless with your eyes still closed. When you finally opened them, Abby was smiling and looking into your eyes. She leans in again and whispers, “Can I do that again?”

[lilimalia]

REMINISCENCE // zhongli

SYNOPSIS... to remember the friends you had once loved so dearly, and to cry away the feelings you had wished you had left behind.

CHARACTERS... traveller/aether,, zhongli/morax,, streetward rambler,, madame ping,, cloud retainer

DISCLAIMERS... angst, no comfort, fem reader, short series, Part II

BARISTA'S INTEL... If you had signed up for Taglist, please make sure you put the right tag/handle in! And if you’ve changed your handle/tag resubmit an answer! Thank you 🍓

TAG LIST... @neverlandlostchild , @yae-raidenmyloves , @inky-oni , @milkiemei , @seyboo , @shaneelyn , @lumpywolf , @i-heart-dainsleif , @dartheldur , @simpcreator , @rjreins , @chuusposts , @thelonelyarchon , @i-loveyou013 , @iiyumii , @gellitu , @patchi-chi , @almighty-raiden-shogunate

CAFE TUNE... Space Song // Beach House !

The sound of Liyue fireworks resonates within your heart, watching as the young children of this new age dance like lotuses to water.

Breathing in the scent of the festivities, you gaze upon the flickering yellow lights that adorn the new Liyue. Listening to the blissful beauty of mortal exchange as the smell of tea brews beside you.

"And so you go by Madame Ping now Streetward Rambler?..."

The women, eyes solemnly gazing at you, nods to your remark. Her fragile body bending forward to hand you the warm stone cup. Rim glistening with pools of reflection as the scent dances up towards your nose.

"Is this... Silk Flower tea?..."

"Only the finest batch Duànzào." Madame Ping smiles, bent posture leaning towards the railings of the pavilion as you both gaze outward.

"You have much on your mind Streetward... Please, do speak." you murmur, hands clasping around the smooth stone cup as you breathed down the aromatic clouds.

"... Why is it that you have decided to return now?"

Her words stung like glaciers. Your heart chilling as you glanced away from her watchful gaze. Instead finding interest in the stone steps below.

"It was... A change out of my control..."

You can feel her hand soothe your back, taking it's place as it rubs up and down in a comforting manner.

"Cloud Retainer has missed you... I am sure they will welcome your return..."

No one was suppose to know

"One has heard their name being spouted. Who dares to gossip about one without one's presence?!"

"Ah... Haha! Cloud Retainer, what a joy to see you here"

"One has been advised to come and visit the New Liyue... So one has decided to ask how you fare Streetward Rambler". The crane bellows, magnificent wings retracting as she lands.

And yet you refuse to turn around. To gaze at your greatest councilor.

"Who is it that you speak with Streetward Rambler? They seem quite rude! It is an Adepti that is present mortal! Turn your head, although we do not withhold the same business with Liyue as before, you are to still treat us with respect!"

"Haha... Now, now, Cloud Retainer. That is no way to speak to an old friend now is it?"

Turning, your grey pupils lay eyes upon her own. Black beauties that glisten in the moonlight.

"It is good to see you again... Old friend"

Upon the Liyue night. Lanterns blazing, festivities murmuring joy into the air.

A god and her advisor meet once more.

If only it had been on more joyful terms.

"And so you had returned on account of the Adeptal Sealing breaking away at your power?"

"Yes... Unfortunately, it seems... that no Adepti creation will be able to handle a god's strength..."

"One believes it is a fortune that no such thing can! How dare you leave one all those years ago?!" Cloud Retainer chides, her voice raising in mocking irritation.

It raises a smile out of you, to see your old friend still the same as ever.

How long had it been since the three of you had stood on that balcony? An hour perhaps?... Or two? To think you had missed so much.

"One had begun to believe Duànzào had forgotten about ones self!"

"Oh really? Is that so? Hmph! Perhaps I should have! You always did spend your time going on and on about your sucesses instead of drinking Streetward- I mean Madame Pings tea! What a waste..." you smile, giggling as you held up the steaming tea to your lips.

Watching as your old friends gossip about good times, your heart stings.

It could have been three... had you been there faster.

Had you not have been stricken with jealousy.

Several hours pass, and with each, you are introduced with the new representatives of Liyue... A child, and two remarkable Adepti that seem glowing with youthful energy. And a traveler... One who's hair shines as bright as midnight stars. He seems to study you from afar.

Ever so often, he glances at his smaller companion, murmuring secrets you fail to understand.

But his eyes are ever so watchful, kept on you like a hawk, as you try your best to remain poise.

Alas, the night must end, always. And to that, you give your goodbyes and good thanks, strolling away in deep thought.

Your steps echo from the stone stairs, descending down from the patio. The sound of fireworks resounding across the midnight skies.

You aren't alone. You can feel.

"Is there something you would like to ask me Traveller?... It's quite rude to follow a lady without her acknowledgment you know..." You chuckle, turning your head around.

"One is offended that you Duànzào have mistaken one for a mortal! Hmph!"

"Ah.... Cloud Retainer... My apologies, I did not mean to offend you" you smirk, watching as the regal human walks towards you; arms folded.

"I suppose you have many questions...."

"Indeed, one does. One will not let this opportunity pass one. So, speak." It feels as though her voice is laced with venom.

Was it directed towards you?...

"I am sorry Cloud Retainer. It wasn't my intent to have to leave you that way." Your hands are rubbing up against each other uncomfortably. Yet that deceitful smile adorns your complexion.

"You know just as well as one does that this has nothing to do with your encaging years ago. One may appear to be noble and arrogant to some, but one is also watchful." Her words sting like a scorpion's tail, piercing your chest.

Like a dull punch. One you can't seem to cover up and hide away...

Maybe it's the falter in your act that gives her the hint. The way your turning your head away from her, refusing to face her directly.

" Duànzào, please. It was never your fault."

She's begging now. What for... You can't seem to determine. For you to face her directly? Or to break through your mental fortress...

She's stepping closer, her heels echoing. Blue eyes, solid and cold. Her hands suddenly clasp around yours. Enveloping them in warmth. A silent reassurance.

"One knows, it was never your fault, Duànzào."

You won't cry. You won't let it happen, not in front of her, and not infront of anyone.

Your efforts to run away, were pathetic, undeserving of forgiveness. You didn't deserve her remorse nor forgiveness...

But, the way that her arms wrap around your body, caressing you.

It's too tempting.

"One has decided."

"One will never let Duànzào fear the emotions that plague Duànzào's mind..."

"Your safe little one, safe by ones side."

Zhongli feels as though he's forgotten to breath.

It feels sinful listening in on them.

Why does his chest hurt so much? Why is it that, of the two women in front of him, one is his advisor.

His greatest weapon, weakness, and friend.

"Duànzào....? Your alive?"

Never before, has Zhongli been so grateful for his years of honing his voice. The confidence that it emitted, was far different from the feelings that come from his chest.

She hasn't turned around. And Cloud Retainers arms have wrapped around her harder.

"[Y/n]?...]"

SPECIAL BREWS... none available, sorry customer!

BARISTA'S INQUIREMENT... This was really hard for me to write... I feel like I didn't do as well this time around. I'd love your feedback!

word count. 1195

Tag List Form !

Previous // Next

©-FUTURIST... Please do not plagiarize, themes are edited by me, reblogs allowed, do not repost on any other platform!!

banner credits: @IllaOhara

[astronomical-bagel]

I wanna hear you talk about chilchuck the most that sure is a guy ever

YAY I GET TO TALK ABOUT MY GUY THANK YOU BELOVED MUTUAL KYSOOT 

(Warning for lots of spoilers from chapter 30 of the manga (right after the red dragon))

Anyways fun fact! The thing that made chilchuck my favorite character was actually when he was trying to convince senshi to lie to the Laios and Marcille in order to get them to turn back and give up on finding falin. I made a whole post about it too, i LOVE cowards. I was reading in my car waiting my twin to get off work and i was screaming my head off the whole time because it was such a good revelation about his character.

And it’s not that i love scared guys (i do, absolutely, but chilchuck doesnt apply here), and its not that i love disloyal people (i also do, but once again, not the point), its the whole character arc where it goes:

1. Once he reaches a limit for how much danger he is willing to be in he will break any moral code of his to keep himself safe. He will lie, he will abandon his friends, whatever, so long as he makes it out alive. 

2. But THEN, he realizes that his want for safety isn’t just for himself, this time. He realizes that he wants his friends to survive as well. (and that he has gotten way more attached than what was in his job description)

(look how fond he is!!!! Look how fond he is!!!!!! Im banging my head on the wall AWUGHH!!!!)

So 3. He is forced to go against his own nature of secrecy and being reserved and has to tell the team outright that he doesn’t want them to die.there is just something sooo *vague waving of hands* about a guy who absolutely hates talking about his feelings being forced to do so auughhhh. And he did it to convince Laios to not be reckless and get himself killed!!!!

That entire chapter had such a good journey through chilchuck’s emotional state. From him beign 100% ready to trick them in order to turn around (even contemplating breaking marcille’s staff!), then reminiscing on the fun or brave moments that theyd just had, then remembering that he was mad at them for being idiots and doubling down on his decision. When talking to that orc woman (Leed), he was trying to convince himself that his actions were justified, not just her. 

And I also quite like the moment when Leed realizes that Chilchuck isn’t angry at the others for putting him in danger, but for putting themselves in danger. Chilchuck didn’t realize this himself yet! Him saying that he wished the others would give up, even when he was removed from the equation, makes Leed realize that he is unselfishly wanting them to turn back so that they would be safe.

And when she points this out, Chilchuck is absolutely gobsmacked and barely even talks for the rest of the trip because he’s too busy thinking over this revelation. Love a guy who keeps to himself being forced to reconcile with the fact that he has actual friends he cares about now. Look at him!! Hes so shocked he doesn't even know what do to with himself !!! I love him!!!

And also, another part i really liked abt this chapter is when chilchuck is trying to convince Laios to go back and he’s like “LISTEN i know you are absolutely terrified for your sister but I have THREE PEOPLE TO WORRY ABOUT AND IM NOT USED TO THAT IM GOING TO VOMIT” its just so silly and endearing to me because he really isn’t used to caring about so many people at once – he’s a reserved guy who has been living alone for multiple years! – and its just so important to me because he’s been forced to acknowledge that he cares about his team so hes like “if you guys put yourself in mORE danger im going to scream and cry and throw up SO YOU BETTER TURN BACK NOW PLEEEAASEE”

Anyways, chapter 30 was so well done and was an absolutely fascinating insight into his character and I was instantly obsessed. There’s a lot of other reasons why I like Chilchuck, but this chapter is the definitive reason why he’s my favorite. (I also just like seeing a guy when he’s terrified, sue me.)

[damn-stark]

Chapter 32 Our last goodbye

Chapter 32 of Sugar

A/N- Fun fact i had planned that Choso and y/n were barely going to hold hands in this chapter, when Satoru went to fight Sukuna 😂 good thing that didn’t happen lmao

Warning- Swearing, ANGST, talks of pregnancy, fluff, cigarettes, SPOILERS!! long chapter! Don't listen to this song while reading the goodbye scene at the beginning, it’ll make it sadder….

Pairing- Choso x Gojo!fem-reader, Suguru Geto x Gojo!fem-reader

Episode and or chapters- chapters 222-225 of the manga

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

*A DAY BEFORE THE 24th*

Being outside your house wishing your daughter goodbye is reminiscent of last year when the twins were here, your family was strongly bonded, and Suguru was alive.

Now a year later, Suguru is dead, the twins are gone too, and the family you built with Suguru is distant. Now you’re talking to your brother, hoping once again that you all make it back alive.

“You’re not feeling sick today are you?” You tease your daughter.

Albeit she looks at you lost, going completely unaware that you’re recalling last year when she pretended to be sick so you and Suguru could stay behind.

“No,” she deadpans and shoots you a weird look. “Now why can’t you come with me?”

You sigh and crouch down to be at her level. “Because I have to stay here and fight because I’m strong and I can do something to help.”

Satori looks down with a pout so you quickly grab her hands and tilt your head down. “But you know what? I’ll see you before you know it.”

Satori gently kicks away some dirt and mumbles, “that’s what daddy said and I never saw him again.”

Shit, shit.

“I know honey, I know this is hard, and it’s okay to feel sad, tomorrow is a year since we lost your dad. But I will make it back okay? We will see each other again, I promise.” You try to assure her, but she keeps her eyes down, causing you to feel a pang of anguish in your heart but for an idea also pop into your head. “I have something I want to give you.”

Satori’s eyes flicker up and you let her hands go to pull something cold out of your pocket.

“I wanted to give you this later on,” you let her know and grab her hand again. “But I think right now is more fitting.”

You open her palm and place a necklace with three rings hanging from it. “This,” you continue while a smile finally breaks onto her features. “Is the rings your dad and I used to wear. This,” you point to your engagement ring. “Is the ring your dad gave me when he asked me to marry him, next to it is the ring he put on me when we got married, and that one,” you point to a thicker gold ring. “That one is your dad's wedding ring. You get to keep that now. So when you get older you get to size it so it fits you or turn it into something else. The same goes for my rings.”

Satori picks up the rings and holds them up to take a better look at them.

“But what about you?” She asks and tries to slide on your old engagement ring, but her fingers are still too small. “Won’t you miss it?”

You laugh breathlessly. “No, I have one, don’t worry about me.”

Satori hangs the necklace around her head and tucks the rings in her shirt before offering you a smile. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, now come here, so I can give you a big kiss…” you trail off the moment you capture her in an embrace and press kisses on her cheeks.

Satori giggles and squirms in your embrace. “No, no!”

You pull back and cup her cheeks. “Listen to me Satori, if you are ever in danger you can use your cursed technique okay? You can use any sword you make, okay?”

A flash of fear passes through her eyes, but you’re quick to push that fear away. “No, it’s okay; it doesn’t mean anything will happen, your uncles will be with you the entire time, and the community will too, so don’t worry I’m just letting you know.”

Satori lets out a deep breath and you caress her cheeks before giving her a sweet and assuring smile. “I love you,” you tell her from the bottom of your heart. “I’ll call you in the morning.”

“I love you too,” she redirects and grabs your cheeks too.

“I’ll call you before bed.”

You nod in agreement and then glance at Satoru in the distance before you lean in and whisper in your daughter's ear. “Go say goodbye to your uncle, and Choso.”

Satori nods eagerly before she breaks away from you and runs over to Satoru. “Uncle Satoru!” She exclaims. And like expected Satoru crouches to be closer to her level and waits with open arms.

When Satori gets close to him she jumps over to him, knowing for certain that she’ll be caught and not lose balance.

“You know what?” She interjects as Satoru stands up to his given height with her secured in his hold. “I know a secret.”

“Hm?” Satoru probes with a curious smile.

You watch them from a distance and Choso approaches you from behind to wrap his arm around your shoulders.

“You will win,” Satori lets Satoru know. “With your fight against Sukuna, you’ll win and bring Fushiguro home.”

Satoru blinks and his face slowly loses that teasing look that had been playing on his features, and a soft look slowly takes over.

“Oh? You think so?” He asks.

Satori nods. “Yes, because you’re strong. My Mommy and my Daddy always said you were the strongest sorcerer. And I believe you are strong too. That’s why I know you’ll win.”

Instead of smiling Satoru sighs and frowns before he brings up a genuine question. “And if I lose? Sukuna is strong too, what if I lose?”

Satori hums and averts her gaze for a moment before she grabs his cheeks and assures him. “Then you can all try again.”

Satoru’s lips pull to a smile and Satori whispers loudly. “But either way I will still think you’re strong, and I will still love you.”

Satoru’s eyes water and all he can do is nod in comprehension.

“I’ll miss you when I’m away,” Satori admits. “Don’t tell my friends but I think you’re my greatest friend.”

Satoru chuckles. “Your secret is safe with me.” He assures her and caresses the side of her head. “And you know what? When you miss me just look at the sky and remember that me and your mother are under the same sky, we see the same moon and the same sun.”

Satori lifts her head to look at the white clouds covering the blue sky with a smile she then shows off to her uncle. “Cool. Will you call me when the fight is over?” She asks.

Satoru sighs and doesn’t let her see his worry. “I'll try,” he assures her before he presses her against him to hug her tightly. “I love you Satori.”

Your daughter giggles and doesn’t hesitate to say it back. “I love you too, Uncle Satoru. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Bye, Sugar.” He says sweetly before he puts her down, letting her walk to Choso, and letting you exhale deeply and then turn to face your family waiting for Satori to say her goodbyes to leave.

“We’ll take care of her,” Larue says as you approach him and the others.

“Okay,” you mumble and look at him, Miguel, Manami, and Toshihisa with a look you can’t keep hardened, no matter how unresolved your feelings are towards your family. “But call if something happens,” you tell them. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”

“You don’t have to worry,” Larue interjects. “You focus on winning this fight…I know we may not be close right now but we are still family,” he clarifies to you and the rest gathered behind them. “We will always be family no matter what.”

You can’t say you disagree with that. No matter how upset you still are you can’t forsake them.

“I would like to say I wish you could all stay,” you finally drift the subject away from formalities. “But I’m glad you’re all leaving. That way everyone is safe.”

“Careful or I'll think you’re caring about us,” Toshihisa blurts, making you scoff.

“We’re family above all else, idiot.” You snap back. “I care. But…I can’t forgive just yet. However, there’s no one else I trust to take care of Satori than all of you…” you pause and offer them a genuine smile. “So please keep her safe.”

Miguel grabs your shoulder and assures you. “They will. They’ll keep everyone safe.”

You let out a deep sigh and nod softly. “You’ll come back right?” You ask him after some plans changed.

Miguel nods. “I’ll just accompany them to where they’ll layover and come back right away.”

You wish he’d stay with them too, but this is how things have to be with strong sorcerers like him. “All right,” you mumble and glance at the others. “I'll call when the fight is over to say if we won or lost. If I don’t call in a week then…please always remind Satori why I had to stay back and fight.”

Larue frowns and wants to contradict you so you don’t worry, but you’ll fight harder to get your point across so he agrees.

“Goodbye everyone, and be careful, and don’t let Satori watch the broadcast, okay?”

Miguel and Larue offer you an assuring nod, and Manami and Toshihisa give you a small wave. You turn to face Satori and meet her gaze right away.

“Goodbye, Choso, goodbye Uncle Satoru!” She throws out over her shoulder as she comes running over to you followed by her Tiger cursed spirit companion.

When she reaches you you give her one more hug. “Listen to your uncle okay? And pick up the phone when I call. I love you, my chipmunk.”

Satori squeezes you back. “I love you too Mommy.”

You keep her in your arms for a moment longer and when you feel her start to squirm you pull back and grab her cheeks to stare at her for a lingering moment before you let her go.

“Bye, Satori.” Your voice quivers, but she doesn’t catch it.

“Bye Mommy,” she says back over her shoulder when she turns to head to the car. “Bye, Uncle Satoru! Bye, Choso!”

“Bye Satori!” Satoru shouts whilst Choso returns the goodbye in a quieter tone.

“Bye Satori.”

You watch with tear-filled eyes and a weight laying heavier on your heart as Satori loads up in the car with the rest of your family. When she’s no longer seen and the car starts to roll away you can't handle the anguish or hold that weight, your heart sinks, and tears stream down your eyes, revealing your anguish upon seeing your daughter having to leave once again because of the dangers happening in your world.

Once again your daughter has to leave with the fear of not knowing if she'll see you again. She doesn’t express it, but you know it’s something that creeps inside her, and it became a much more terrifying fear after she lost Suguru.

And once again you have to live apart and say goodbye without knowing how long you’ll go without seeing your daughter, you have to live with heightened self-loathing for having to send her away once again. However, once again Choso is here with you. The last time you said goodbye to your daughter it was through the phone, and Choso and you were simple allies. Now he’s your husband, and now he’s holding you against him as you watch the cars' view get blocked by buses carrying the rest of the people from your community.

The moment the last bus leaves the grounds and the gates close more streams of tears fall down your cheeks. Choso can’t see your face, but he knows you well, before he can even hear you sniffle or before you can say a single word he turns you around to face him.

“She’ll be safe,” he tries to assure you. “She’ll be far away, but she’ll be safe.”

You meet his gaze and only cry harder at the feeling of his comfort. Choso then wastes no time to press his hand over your heart and tilt his head down to meet your gaze.

“My love,” he whispers. “You’ll see each other again.”

You slowly raise your hand and gently cup the back of his hand.

“I don’t want her to hate me,” you share a deep fear. “If I somehow lose I don’t want her to think I left her on purpose.”

Choso shakes his head. “You won’t lose,” he sets the record straight—or really he manifests that you won’t die tomorrow if Satoru somehow loses.

“…and she won’t hate you. You’ll reunite,” he says softly. “She’ll only hear how brave her mother was.”

You share a breathless laugh and then let out a deep breath that helps you relax your shoulders.

“Come here,” he whispers and pulls gently on your arm to wrap you in an embrace.

——

*LATER*

“I didn’t want to send her away, I hope you know that,” you whisper to the hibiscus plant to indirectly talk to Suguru without being heard or seen from those inside the house.

You’re not embarrassed, you’d just prefer to talk to your dead…husband? Ex-husband? What would he be now that you’re married?

Hm.

Nevertheless, you’d prefer to talk to him without anyone listening in.

“…But I also can’t risk letting anything happen to her,” you continue and feed the plant more water. “I hope that doesn’t upset you. I know we told ourselves we wouldn’t let Satori spend too much time without us. That’s not the parents we’d be, but…” you pause and sigh deeply. “It’s hard now with all this mess going on. I’m sorry.” You drop your head and hopelessly wait for a response. You knew you wouldn’t get one, but in the back of your head, you still leave silence to wait.

When the silence prolongs you lift your head and stare at the hibernating plant with longing to see Suguru in front of you instead of a mere plant so he can talk to you. So he can tell you that you’re stressing yourself out too much. Choso tells you, he gives you comfort and you appreciate it and him, but he’s not Satori’s father, he agrees with every choice you make about her. He doesn’t have the same wisdom, he won’t argue against you about the choices you make about sending your daughter away, he’s…not Suguru.

“…I’ll leave you be now,” you whisper. “Wish me luck.”

You get off the floor with the equipment you were using. When you reach the corner of the greenhouse you put away the equipment and take your gloves off to put them away before you wash your hands. You had brought your horse out so she could roam while you were outside; so you look out the window in search of her. And much to your surprise she’s not far, but you catch Kashimo watching her from up close.

So if Kashimo is here that means Hakari, Kirara, and Shoko are here too, and they didn’t bother to come looking for you.

Whatever!

You walk out after you change back into your riding boots, and immediately catch Kashimo’s attention.

“Oh wow,” he interjects nonchalantly. “Did he bore you already?”

You shoot him a pointed look and roll your eyes before you snap back. “Well, considering what we’re going to do tomorrow there’s no time for an actual honeymoon.”

Kashimo scoffs and shocks you by smirking at you. “You know I like—no,” he says. “I bask in all of the doubt you all have on Gojo.”

You lift a brow and tease him. “Which Gojo?”

He shoots you a dirty look before remarking. “You know who. Anyway, I’m glad you all doubt your brother's inability to win it means I will get to—”

“Kill yourself fighting your true love,” you mock him and touch your chest to feign swooning. “How romantic. You know I wish someone would let a lunatic bring them back after 400 years just to see me.”

Kashimo exhales through his nose out of frustration, so you chuckle whilst you walk past him to take your horse's lead and walk her back to the barn.

“Coming to fight the King of Curses is not a joke, I have reserved my cursed technique to use on the only opponent worthy of it.”

You peer at him over your shoulder and notice that he’s following you so you scoff at him and shake your head before you don’t hold back from sharing what you’re thinking. “Wasting your whole life chasing after death is pretty stupid. Did you even live your life?”

“I died an old man,” he grumbles.

You shrug and shake your head once again in disapproval. “And I admire you for it, I want to die old and wrinkly too, but what did you do throughout it? You spent your life unsatisfied because no one measured up to that monster…that sounds pretty pathetic…” you trail off in a whisper and let go of your horse's lead to pet her mane while she follows at your side.

“Oh please,” he retorts. “You sound just…” he trails off and you of course get curious over what he didn't say, but you’ve gotten to know him and he won’t budge and say anything even if you plead, so you just leave it be.

Even if not knowing will probably bother you.

“I had a life,” he throws out to try and prove you wrong. “I had a wife…she was dull though.”

You glare at him over your shoulder and shake your head. “How typical of you to say that,” you mutter between gritted teeth.

Kashimo shrugs with nonchalance. “What?” He retorts. “It was an arranged marriage. She was dull. Don’t tell me that you wouldn't say that about someone. I bet you’ve met some pretty dull woman in your line of work.”

You scrunch your nose and counter immediately. “No! All the women I’ve met in my line of work are hard-working, you don’t know what they have to go through to run down those runaways or pose for those photoshoots. They don’t all have the privilege of having money like me. Asshole.”

Kashimo doesn’t flinch at the insult and just crosses his arms over his chest and frowns deeper. “Okay then…” he trails off and mumbles something under his breath you don’t catch or get to question before he’s interjecting. “You're a Gojo, I’m sure you were arranged to someone.”

A smile tugs on your lips and you slow down to fall by his side and share about the man that almost was your husband. “Actually yes, Naoya Zen’in. He was misogynistic, and he liked to belittle me.”

Kashimo huffs and looks at you with pride. “Exactly so you can’t say shit.”

You smirk at him and hesitate showing off. “I actually beat him up with the help of Choso. We jumped him, and I shut him up.” You say proudly and bounce your shoulders. “And, I’m proud to say this, I sent a picture of him to his brothers looking all pathetic on the ground.”

A smirk flickers on the corner of his lips but he doesn’t show it for more than a second. “Why didn’t you just kill him?” He remarks.

You sigh dramatically. “It would be too much work. It was after Shibuya, I was hiding and going through different emotions so I didn’t want to deal with Zen’in’s seeking revenge.”

“You’re special grade though,” he points out. “You think they would’ve given you trouble?”

You meet his gaze and shake your head. “No. But again, I was going through stuff, and we were dealing with a hundred other things, so, it would’ve just been an inconvenience.”

Kashimo hums and you add on. “Naoya is dead so it doesn’t matter anymore either way.”

You reach the barn so you slide the lead off the horse and watch her walk into her stall before you reunite with Kashimo outside by the fence.

“I’m not doubting my brother by the way,” you make yourself clear since you couldn’t defend yourself before. “I just know tomorrow will be hard. I don’t want to build some illusion and only get hurt more if something bad were to happen, so I’m just preparing myself, everyone is.”

Kashimo keeps his eyes on the other horses grazing on the large field, but you both then glance at your beautiful black and white horse walking out of her stall to join the others.

“But it also doesn’t mean we’re not hoping you won’t fight,” you add and let your lips pull on a smile for him. “If you want to live out your dream and show off your technique then I’m excited to see what you’re hiding. So if you tag in for Satoru to let him take a break then that will be pretty cool.”

Kashimo turns his head, and when you see his gaze on you from the corner of your eyes you lean forward to fold your arms over the wooden fence before you slowly turn your head to look at him.

“I’m still hoping you’ll win though so I don’t have to fight him,” you continue in his silence. “But please if the fight does fall on you, kill Sukuna after we have killed Kenjaku, okay? That way we catch him by surprise like we want to.”

Kashimo sighs and shakes his head in disapproval. “If you’re not fast then I don’t know what to tell you,” he says bluntly, making you groan and push yourself off the fence to turn and face him.

“You know what? I hope my brother wins and you're left salivating over a what-if scenario with Sukuna,” you quip and shoot him a feigned sweet smile before you turn on your heels and start to walk back inside.

Kashimo doesn’t want to be left alone since your community is deserted now and slowly tows behind you.

“Don’t get disappointed when Sukuna rejects you,” you tease Kashimo, making him kick a small rock at your back.

Instead of being bugged by the action you laugh mockingly for too long before you join his silence.

Eventually when you get inside you walk to the parlor room where everyone seems to be. You can hear laughs and conversations, however, before you can turn toward the room you spot Shoko and Satoru outside. And the decision is clear, you join them on the back porch whilst Kashimo joins the others.

“Where have you been?” Satoru asks the moment you step outside. “Did you make my dinner yet?”

You raise a brow and scoff before you sit down by Shoko on the bench. “What are you doing outside?” You ask.

Shoko shrugs. “Just letting the students be and reminiscing about our youthful past.”

You laugh softly and pull your boots off before you tuck your feet under her thighs to keep them warm.

“It’s good when you’re around,” Shoko adds while she kills her cigarette. “It keeps me from smoking.”

You yawn and lay back on the cushions under you. “It’s good I’m pregnant that way I can stop smoking.”

“I have a name for one of your babies,” Satoru interjects. “Satoru the Second.”

You loll your head to the side and shoot him a pointed look. “I am not naming my child Satoru the Second. Satori was only given her name because Suguru liked it so much. I was going to name her Fumiko, which means hibiscus and beautiful child.”

Satoru puts his thumbs down and you ignore him to add another comment. “I’m actually not naming my children after anyone. I already told Choso that. We have too many people to choose from and I don’t want anyone to feel left out, so we’re not honoring anyone.”

“Well,” Satoru adds lazily as he lays back on the hammock. “Half of those people are dead so no one will know.”

“I’ll know,” you quickly rebuttal. “So if you have any name suggestions besides Satoru the Second, I will Iove to hear them. Choso and I will take it under consideration.” You smile sweetly at the ceiling.

“Is it okay if I name my cat Satoru the Second?” Shoko interjects “I want to get a cat after all this, someone to keep me company while I work. And I think cats with funny names are the cutest.”

You snort and Satoru remarks. “Hey!”

“The barn cat just had a litter of kittens,” you mention and wrap your arms over your chest to hug yourself as you feel a chill go down your spine and spread little goosebumps everywhere. “Take one when they’re big enough.”

Shoko pats your leg as a thank you before she says it. “Oh really thanks, that saves me a thousand bucks.”

“What?” Satoru teases. “You were going to get a thousand-dollar cat?”

“Yes,” she agrees right away. “I wanted one of those hairless cats to go with the funny name.”

You chortle and point at Satoru.

Your brother notices and swings the hammock towards you to slam the side of your thigh with his foot.

“You're so gross,” you snap back. “Your foot stinks.

“Untrue!” He quickly rebuttals. “I take good care of my feet.”

“Do you guys remember that game we used to play before you all went on big missions,” Shoko cuts in before Satoru and you can start going on and on just arguing. “The one where we told the worst thing that could happen and something we want to do after?”

You think for a moment to recall back to your high school days.

However, just as the memory hits you before you can say a thing Satoru blurts. “Yes, I remember! You made it up even though you hardly went on missions.”

“Hm, I know, but it was cool for you guys, no?” She asks.

You nod and hug yourself tighter before you take your phone out as you respond. “Yes, it was, so let’s play it now. You go first.”

You then text Choso since you don’t want to suffer through this bitterness any longer.

You to Choso: Could you bring me a blanket? I’m out on the back porch.

“Okay, well, the worst thing that could happen to me,” Shoko muses and lays back to tilt her head over the headrest. “Maybe lose my sense of taste.”

You laugh and check your phone as a message comes in.

Choso: Of course. Do you want a specific one?

You: no, any, please and thank you xoxo

“Sense of taste now how could you—”

“Eh!” Shoko cuts him off sharply. “No you don’t get to judge, remember?! Now I will answer your question.” She says and lets out a small breath before sharing her reasoning. “I would hate to lose my sense of taste because how am I supposed to drink? Tasting is a huge reason why anyone drinks, I mean if I can’t taste it I’d just get drunk on nothing-tasting liquid. It wouldn’t be fun.”

You chuckle and can’t help but agree. “That’s true I mean, especially when it comes to tropical drinks. I love those.”

“Exactly!”

Without saying anything Satoru just groans in a very specific judgy way.

“And you already know what I want to do after so Satoru go on,” Shoko encourages him. And without a moment to think about his response he blurts.

“I'd hate to lose my ability to speak, I have so much on my mind, and how could I bless people with my voice if I don't have it?! Oh and karaoke?”

You roll your eyes and snicker before you quip. “I would for one wouldn’t mind a mute brother. No more nagging voice.”

“Yeah,” Shoko agrees thoughtfully. “Silence at work would be wonderful.”

“Whatever, whatever,” Satoru doesn’t let either of you bother him. “Now what do I want to do after?” He trails off humming, and the door then opens.

You sit up and when you look back you see none other than Choso with a blanket.

“Here,” he says and walks over to hand you the blanket.

“Thank you,” you tell him with a sweet smile.

Choso nods and just as he’s about to turn to walk back inside you grab his wrist and pull him back to you. “Stay,” you suggest—or demand more like. “Leave the kids to…do whatever amongst themselves.”

Choso glances at Shoko and then at Satoru before letting his eyes fall back on you to express clear distress. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude,” he says, making you flash him a grin.

“Yes, I'm sure, we’re just hanging out,” you assure him.

Choso still seems unsure, and as Shoko sees that, she interjects to ease his concern. “You’re family now Choso, you don’t have to worry about intruding anything, plus this is your house now too, so you’re more than welcome.”

Choso still glances back at your brother with hesitation.

“He’s working out his mind by thinking of a response, you have to give him a minute,” you let Choso know. “But he won’t mind, now sit.”

Choso meets your gaze and holds it for a moment as he debates with himself before he decides to turn and sit down beside you, letting you lay down to rest your head on his lap while you cover your legs and Shoko’s lap with the blanket.

“Okay, Cho, we’re playing a game,” you let him know. “It’s something we’d play back in high school, just before we’d go on missions. You have to say the worst thing that can happen to you in that mission, but it can’t be anything depressing. And then you have to share something you want to do after, again nothing too depressing. It's just for fun.”

“Okay,” Choso rolls out as he thinks about the concept of the game.

“Shoko said that the worst thing for her would be to lose her sense of taste, and she wants to get a cat after this ordeal is over,” you share so he can understand better and have no questions. “And Satoru said something stupid like losing his ability to speak, he’s thinking of the next response, which!” You direct at Satoru loudly now. “He needs to hurry up and do!”

“No,” Satoru finally says. “Come back to me. I can’t make up my mind. You put me on the spot. You go next.”

You sigh and roll your eyes back to look at Choso. “You go,” you drift the attention to him. “I’ll go after. Remember, you don’t have to think too hard.”

Choso holds your gaze and lets out a deep breath before he spares a short glance at the others. “Well, I suppose the worst thing would be losing my sight. I wouldn’t be able to see the ones I love.”

You grin and nod. “Sweet,” you compliment him.

“A lot more humble than Satoru over there,” Shoko teases.

“Mhm-mm.”

“It's true, I can’t lie,” Satoru simply says.

“Whatever,” you interject and look back at your husband. “Now the next question.”

Choso nods softly and drops his head to hide the blush furiously growing on his cheeks. “Well this will be sappy, but I would like to make it to the twin's appointment scheduled in January. I want to hear their heartbeats, and I want to see if they’re growing okay.”

You flash him a toothy grin and can’t help but grab his arm to extend it out over you so you can nuzzle against it. “I love that response.” You coo, making him look at you and smile.

“Now you,” Shoko nudges your legs.

You smirk at the ceiling and immediately respond to the first question. “The worst thing that could happen is losing my hair. I love my white hair,” you share. “And I enjoy maintaining it.”

“Now how—”

“Shut up,” you cut your brother off before he can say some judgy remark. “Now, something I want to do, easy, ice skate!” You exclaim. “The lake freezes to the point you can ice skate on it in the winter, so that’s something I hope I can do.”

“If only you had the ability to do that,” Satoru mutters.

You sigh and nod. “If only. I’m a good Ice skater.”

Who are you kidding? Suguru would always need to hold your hand. But you like to pretend you can ice skate like those figure ice skaters on TV!

“Choso,” Satoru calls out, causing said man to stiffen and snap his eyes across from him—“I have an idea for a baby name. If there’s a boy, name him Satoru the Second!”

You pass Choso an amused look and just smile to wait for his response.

“Well,” Choso lets out slowly. “Y/N and I already decided that we aren’t going to name the twins after anyone we know.”

“And he doesn’t like it,” you interject for him.

Satoru looks over with a pointed gaze and Choso nods. “And I don’t like it,” he admits, making you laugh.

Satoru stays quiet so you nudge Shoko with your toe to remind him of who will take that name. “Plus Shoko’s cat will be named that.”

In Satoru’s silence, he chooses to take off his sock and throw it over at you. And since he doesn’t miss, the sock hits your face.

“What the—”

When you realize what hit you you start gagging dramatically, causing Satoru to burst out laughing. Which does trigger you, so you swiftly climb off the bench.

“Here we go,” Shoko mutters and watches you get ahold of Satoru’s hair and arm to drag him off the hammock so you can start hitting him.

Rather than trying to defend himself, Satoru starts laughing maniacally.

“Don’t worry,” Shoko tells Choso as he watches you and your brother with concern over the way you both act—“he usually doesn’t fight back. When he does it’s just playful.”

“Hm.”

“I told you I hate when you do that, why do you have to be such a boy!” You remark as you start shaking him.

The back door opens without you realizing and Yuji, Hakari, Kirara, and Kashimo walk out to see what’s going on.

“My money is on y/n,” you catch someone say. And when you look over your shoulder you see that it was Hakari.

“There’s nothing to bet on,” you say and let Satoru go to step back. “I’m done.” You huff and straighten out your sweater before you turn on your heels. “Now why don’t we go start dinner? And maybe watch something in the meanwhile.”

You walk off and Yuji mumbles, “that’s why I’m glad I don’t have a sister.”

Satoru chuckles. “She’s just easy to piss off.”

How is it easy to avoid thinking about the bad things that are going to happen? Is it because you’re already anticipating it and you know there’s no way around it?

Is that why it was so easy to enjoy the rest of the evening as if the next day you aren’t going to watch Satoru fight the strongest Sorcerer in history, or even participate in fighting that enemy yourself too?

Because it was easy, forgetting, making good memories with Kirara and Hakari, bonding with Choso and Yuji, and mending your relationship with Shoko and Satoru—oh, and forming a new friendship with Kashimo.

It was great, sweet, and for a minute, for a while, for a sweet moment you started to believe that nothing was going to happen, but then when the silence intervened while you were in bed it all came rushing back.

However, you keep trying to avoid it. “What will we tell the twins, or any of our other potential children when they ask how we met?” You can’t help but ask Choso while you get your gaze lost on the ceiling, and he closes his eyes.

“Oh yeah we met in Shibuya,” you pretend to quote lightheartedly. “Your father tried to kill me?”

“You were in my way,” he deadpans, making you pick your head off the pillow to turn it and look at him with an amused smile.

“Oh really? How romantic,” you coo. “But we can also say it this way; I saw your father when he was facing your uncle Satoru, he looked back at me and I said wow what a handsome man. It was love at first sight.”

Choso scoffs and peels one eye open to look at you with a slight smile.

You shrug and lean towards him to rest your hand on his chest and start caressing his skin under the blanket. “What?” You probe. “It was either you or volcano head. But he had anger issues, so maybe your father.”

Choso now peels both eyes open and shoots you a faint pointed look.

You laugh and go on messing with him. “Albeit considering his last choice in a romantic partner I think I wouldn't be his type—Ah!” You snap your fingers. “My brother could’ve been his type, he could’ve lived out his gay fantasy with Suguru’s body.”

Choso snorts.

“Should we send your father a card that says “congratulations you’re going to be a grandfather?” You ask Choso as a joke.

However, he can’t see it so lightheartedly. “No,” he mutters. “I won’t tell him anything. I won’t tell our kids about him either unless they ask. He deserves no recognition from me or my family.”

Your smile turns faint and you slither your hand up to cup his cheek and tilt his head your way. “After tomorrow he hopefully won’t be a problem anymore. I’ll bring you his brain so you can burn it or squish it, I don’t know. But tomorrow all he’ll be is a bad memory. I swear.”

The corner of Choso’s lips tug to a smile and he grabs your hand and plants a kiss on the heel of your hand before he whispers. “I know you’ll take care of it.”

He didn’t say it but you knew his father still being alive stresses him out because of the babies you’re expecting. Neither of you know what to expect from Kenjaku, especially if he were to find out his eldest son was expecting twins, and Choso fears that his father would somehow hurt you and in turn hurt your twins just to hurt him.

“Now,” you smoothly change the subject. “What will we tell our kids?”

Choso smiles softly. “The truth about how we met. I am not ashamed to say that I lost against you.”

You giggle and lean in closer to talk against his lips. “I told you I did not want to kill you, and good thing I didn't. Look at us.”

“Hm,” he coos softly. “Albeit Shibuya isn’t when we met for the first time. We met last year when you picked up my capsule.”

You hold his gaze and feel your smile soften as you grow enamored. “That’s right,” you whisper.

“But I suppose we can keep that story to ourselves,” he says and presses his forehead against yours.

“Choso,” you murmur as you’re lost in the intimacy of the moment. “I'm scared for tomorrow. I…don’t want to lose my brother, or you, or anyone else. I don’t want to go into tomorrow because it means we’ll have to face that unavoidable battle.”

Choso sighs and keeps you pressed against him. “I’m sorry I can’t reassure you that everyone will live because I don’t know tomorrow, but…doesn’t it make you feel better to know that everyone, especially your brother, will fight bravely to bring some form of peace?”

“I don’t want to be used to losing people,” you admit with a stinging throbbing in your throat. “I don’t want to be alone.”

You pull back and face him with your eyes gleaming with tears and your lips formed into a soft frown. If he could explain this expression he’d say it was a beautiful sadness, one poets would write sonnets about, a beautiful sadness artists would paint on their canvas.

“You won’t be alone,” he whispers to try and assure you.

“Do you swear?” You make a stupid promise out of fear. And he hesitates knowing he should let you down and not feed into your illusion, but he can’t help it when you look at him with those eyes full of tears.

“I swear.”

Choso wipes away the tears that slip down your cheeks and leans in to press a gentle kiss on your lips.

You kiss him back slowly to cherish that sweet taste of his lips before you try to sleep.

Will it come easy though?

Considering your current state you do feel that sometimes you get more exhausted a lot sooner so it lets you fall asleep fast, but what about this night?

You can feel your mind racing. It’s loud and annoying, and it makes you toss and turn, so you try and find the best position.

But you can’t!

So after a while, you open your eyes. However, instead of waking up in your room and looking at the ceiling, you wake somewhere else, but not somewhere strange….

You’re looking out some windows watching the rain fall, and hearing its gentle melody as it hits the earth outside the cozy and warm room you’re in. You don’t hear Choso’s gentle snores or the silence of the night outside your bedroom windows.

So where are you exactly?

You’re almost too afraid to look around, but you can’t stay in the dark forever so you slowly start turning your head, but you come to a quick stop when you see your long-dead best friend Haibara.

“This rain ruins our plans, but staying here and just hanging out is a good alternative,” he interjects and startles you. “Good thinking, y/n.”

You part your lips to respond but only a small gasp of air comes out.

“Staying indoors drove her insane,” Nanami, yes, that’s Nanami, he quips. And when you snap your head in the direction where his voice comes from you see him too, young in appearance just like Haibara, and wearing only part of his school uniform. He’s lounging indoors so his coat is off.

“Nanamin,” you mutter in disbelief.

Said man shoots you a pointed look and snaps back. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

You share a breathless laugh and stare at him for a lingering moment before someone else steals all your attention.

Suguru. He’s young Just like the other two. His hair is short and in a bun, he also isn’t as muscular. He’s his high school self. They all are.

“Suguru,” you whisper happily

Said man’s dark eyes fall on you and he looks at you perplexed before he raises the mugs in his hands. “Don’t worry It’s how you like it. I didn't forget. Now come on, sit with me before Satoru takes your spot.”

“Please refrain from fighting tonight,” Nanami already pleads in annoyance.

“Okay,” you go along with this…dream? Your surroundings aren’t clear, but they’re not too blurry either so that’s what makes it hard to tell. All you know is that this isn’t real. But you want it to be.

“…and I said that sounds stupid,” the voice of your brother begins to travel out the hall, so you stand up and quickly take a seat next to Suguru and let him hand you your cup of tea.

“What?” He asks as he doesn't need to ask you what you’re feeling. He sees your confusion and the anguish on your face.

“Where am I?” You have to ask.

However, Suguru laughs softly. “Here,” he retorts.

“Hm.”

Well, that wasn’t helpful whatsoever.

“…then please share any ideas you have,” you hear Shoko exclaim out of frustration before she and your brother walk into the room.

“Well,” Satoru stammers. “I will get back to you on that, but that beginning is stupid.”

Wait…you remember this now—or parts of this. This is some kind of memory. Only it’s a dream and memory hybrid, your mind is playing tricks on you while you sleep.

“Make some room!” Satoru exclaims and rushes over towards Suguru and you, but Suguru wraps his arm around you and pulls you towards him to close the gap between the two of you before Satoru can squeeze in between.

“No, sit by Shoko or Nanami—”

“No,” Nanami cuts him off before he can finish. “You move too much Satoru, sit somewhere else.”

You watch them all in awe, without saying a single word. You’re just too amazed by the power your mind holds as you try to avoid even thinking about what’s to come. It’s like it’s building you an escape.

“Y/N,” Satoru calls out and sits up with a smirk on his face. “Do you want to hear the start of our partner presentation?”

You make no remark like you did in that real day, years ago, this time you smile and nod. Even if your brother is alive, you still look at him and answer with starstruck wonder. “Yes, go ahead.”

Satoru parts his lips and draws in a breath to speak, but he then shuts his mouth and lowers his shades to narrow his gaze on you.

“No remarks?” He points out. “What's wrong with you?”

Your smile falls and that anguish is clear as day on your face for everyone to see.

“Is this about tomorrow?” Haibara asks the right question.

“Choso is right,” Suguru catches you by surprise by interjecting. “Isn’t it enough to know everyone will fight bravely for peace?”

You instinctively look down at your hand and see your engagement ring and your wedding band on your finger and think about the man you love beyond the tether of this dream. You think about forcing yourself to wake up to cuddle against him and find comfort in his presence, his warmth, and the sound of his heart beating, but as you take a look at all your friends, your brother, and Suguru, your sorrow heightens and you find a stronger need to stay.

But, you can’t hold in the truth hiding inside you a moment longer as you do stay in your fantasy dream. “I’m just…tired,” you confess and drop your head. “I’m tired of fighting, and I’m tired of grieving. I…don’t want to lose any more people I love. I don’t want to fight. I’m tired. Can’t I just stay here?”

“No,” Shoko immediately says back. “Not when people are relying on you.”

“And not when those relying on you are the same people you said you were fighting a future for,” Suguru interjects and steals your breath as you remember that truth.

Fighting for the future of the next generation was always present, but through your fear of losing the ones you love and ending up alone, your goals were clouded. Now though, it’s like getting splashed by cold water, but…you don’t want to let go of Suguru, Nanami, or Haibara now.

“But if I go I won’t see either of you again,” you share in a quivering voice and lift your head to look back at your friends, but as you do, you gasp when you see the top half of Nanami’s body is gone, like when you found him that night. And just like then it’s terrifying now. So you snap your head away, but then you come across Haibara gushing blood out of his giant gash on his torso, causing memories of his death to violently flash through your mind.

Memories that you don’t want to live through again so shut your eyes and turn your head away.

“Y/N?” Suguru asks and grabs your shoulder.

Albeit you don’t respond, you know better. You can’t look and relive the worst day of your life.

“Look at me, darling,” he tries to persuade you to open your eyes. “It’s okay.”

You just need to wake up.

Just wake up.

“Look,” Suguru calls out again and slides his hand up to cup your cheek. “It’s okay.”

It’s the softness of his voice, a voice you miss that makes you slowly open your eyes.

Alas just like before you’re struck with horror when you see Suguru’s arm missing and his wound bleeding, and half of his face covered in blood with one eye unable to open.

“This is fake!” You shout and shut your eyes. “This is a dream!”

It’s all fake, you keep repeating to yourself. It’s a dream.

You just need to open your eyes.

Open your eyes, open your eyes!

“Y/N?” A different voice calls, rougher than the rest, clearer too, so you slowly open your eyes and the first thing you see is Choso, and then you notice you’re in the dark in your shared room.

“Choso,” you say breathlessly.

A few beams of light from outside casts in so you’re able to see the deep concern on his face. “Are you okay? You were crying and jumping.” He says.

You process that you’re safe and no longer in your dream so you take a deep breath first before you nod and assure Choso. “Yeah, it’s just a bad dream. The anxiety of tomorrow got to me, sorry.”

Choso shakes his head softly. “It’s okay, just go back to sleep, okay? I’m here.”

You offer him a gentle smile and pull the blanket up to your chin. “Goodnight, Cho,” you whisper.

He smiles tiredly at you and redirects your comment. “Goodnight.”

You keep a distance since you know it’ll take a while to fall back asleep after your nightmare and you don’t want to disturb him. Which is annoying for you because you hate having a hard time sleeping. It just makes the night terribly long, and the shadows like to mess with you when you can’t fall asleep fast.

Albeit this time you don’t mind because you watch Choso sleeping on his side, and realize perhaps you were too quick to pick your dream over reality. The reality of your husband's soft and small lashes resting on his purple-tinted under eyes, his dark brown hair falling over his face, and his relaxed lips is better than any dream.

You honestly could stay up all night just watching him sleep, he looks beautiful just peaceful resting, but you can’t help anyone if you don’t get some shut-eye and dream anxiety-riddled dreams, so as your eyes get heavy you drag yourself towards Choso and slide your arms around him to nuzzle yourself against the warmth of his body.

He seems to feel you against him (perhaps because he’s a light sleeper) and slings his arm over your neck to cup the back of your head and press it against his chest to the point you can find comfort in the rhythm of his heartbeats, and fall asleep fast.

——

*THE NEXT DAY*

“Here,” you help your brother try and put his last robe on, but he turns back slightly and snatches it from your hand.

“Don't pamper me, I'm not a child,” he snaps and slides on a white robe that completes his outfit for the fight against Sukuna.

You raise your hands in your defense and step back whilst you mutter, “I’m sorry.”

Satoru sighs and turns to face you with a reassuring look. “Are you really doubting me that much?” He says.

You scoff and shake your head. “No!” You defend yourself. “I'm just worried that’s all. Can’t I?”

Satoru shakes his head and smirks as he rests his hand on his hip. “No, I’m strong. I’m the strongest, I will win.”

You hold his gaze and can’t get rid of the worry, it’s too deeply tangled in your heart. But his overconfidence does make you smile with some ease.

“Besides I plan to witness all nine months of your pregnancy, who knows, maybe me and Choso will become good friends,” he says lightheartedly. “And I do want to meet my nieces or nephews, or whatever comes out of you.”

You laugh softly at his comment, but you can’t stay comfortably reassured for long, your face falls and expresses your fear for his life. Satoru notices and no matter how hard he tries to ignore your anguish that made his heart hurt, he can’t when you look so fearful and worried. It’s the brother in him that can’t keep ignoring it.

“Look,” he whispers and closes the gap between you to grab your cheeks. “I’ll fight hard. I’ll give him all I got and make it back. I’ll win.”

“I have faith you will,” you make yourself known. “But…I get scared thinking of living my life without my brother.”

Satoru swallows thickly knowing he can’t genuinely promise he will live. And he most of all can’t make the same promise he made to you when you were little kids.

“I will fight hard to win,” he says because that's all he can offer you.

“You swear?” You ask in a shaky voice.

Satoru nods. “I swear.”

You muster a wobbly smile and then quickly throw your arms around him to hold him in an embrace. “I love you,” you remind him.

Satoru hugs you back and squeezes you gently as he whispers back. “I love you too.”

You hug him tighter hoping that by some miracle you won’t have to let go.

But you do, and when you pull away you do so slowly.

“Kill that bastard,” you say with more confidence.

Satoru smirks and nods. “I will.”

You draw out a deep breath as you hold his gaze as if trying to memorize every detail of his bright blue eyes, and his face for just in case.

“Y/N,” he mumbles with a soft smile. “Promise you’ll be happy. Live your life and don’t stop living it because of me. Be what our parents couldn't be to you, to your kids, and just be happy. That’s all I want for you.”

You draw in a shaky breath but you stop yourself from shedding tears and instead smile at him and nod.

“Now come on,” he adds teasingly. “I don’t want to be late.”

You huff and shoot him a judgy look before you walk out of the room, not realizing he had lingered behind with Utathime and old man Gakuganji until you reach the top of the stairs and realize that no one is behind you.

The room below you though doesn’t seem to care that you aren’t Satoru, they all fall silent and tense as they know they’re moments away from seeing the man who could defeat a great evil or be destroyed by him.

And knowing you have everyone’s attention, you don’t show your ever-so-growing anxiety and instead show your students below a serious confidence that only adds more tension to the already tense room.

Which is why the silence isn’t broken when you descend the stairs. Besides, your students and the others seem to be brainstorming hard about something. They almost look mischievous.

“What are they up to?” You ask Choso when you reach him.

Choso follows your line of gaze and shrugs. “I don’t know, they've been discussing something for a while now.”

“Maybe they’re planning their escape,” Shoko adds lightheartedly. “I wouldn’t blame them—Now how was it? Your face is not pampered in tears.”

“As much I did want to cry, I’m holding strong,” you tell her. “Oh, and my father called Satoru. He didn’t say I love you but he said he wished him the best which is pretty much the same thing in his terms.”

“Why isn’t your family here? Shouldn’t they be here to help?” Choso asks.

You scoff in amusement. “This is above the big families, you’ll hear from them when the winner emerges.”

“Gojo!” Yuji calls out and quickly turns your attention to him only to see your brother walking down with a serious mug on his face that is almost intimidating.

“Your cursed technique is in the way!” Yuji adds, making the corner of your brother's lips fall to a partial frown for a lingering minute before he laughs and grins.

“Give it your best shot!” He exclaims happily and points to his back.

Yuji runs up to Satoru and grins as he pats his back. The other students ease up and smile now that Satoru loses his serious mug and smiles with glee. They actually proceed to pat his back and encourage him to do his best now too, which only seems to make your brother happier. And it’s something you can’t help but smile at too.

And you keep a hold of that smile as your brother gets closer to leaving. As much as your anguish wants to display on your face, you don’t let it, you encourage Satoru one last time with your bright smile

“Win Gojo!” Someone yells out from the crowd of sorcerers which is then followed by more words of encouragement.

“If it gets too rough I’ll tag you out!”

“Salmon!”

“Prove to us that you’re more than just a pretty face!”

“Go get him stupid blindfold!”

Satoru grins brightly and responds to the crowd, “Roger that.”

A shaky breath escapes you, but you hook your arm around Choso’s and keep smiling, noticing that Choso even offers your brother a genuine encouraging smile

“We’ll be watching,” you take your time to chime in too. “So do your best to kill that bastard. We believe in you Satoru!”

Said man’s gaze drifts to you and he holds your gaze for a moment before he offers you a much more softer smile and then leaves.

Now it’s a matter of time before Mei-Mei’s ravens display him on the multitude of screens in the center of the room. And every second leading up to that moment the more you feel your chest tighten.

“He’ll win,” Choso tries to comfort you. “He’s strong.”

You swallow thickly and nod softly in acknowledgment.

“Y/N,” Shoko calls out and makes her way to you through the crowd gathering around the screens.

“Hm?”

When your friend reaches you you notice a travel cup in her hand. “This is for you,” she says and hands you the cup.

“Me?” You ask and tilt the cups top your way. “Is it alcohol? I could use some.” you snicker, making Choso side-eye you.

“I'm joking,” you tell him with a teasing smile before you look at your friend in confusion. “But really what is this?”

“Lemon balm tea. For the stress. You’re so early on in your pregnancy and stress will make your blood pressure spike which affects the babies, so I thought this could help relax just some nerves.”

“Oh,” you gasp softly and share a happy look with Choso before you can’t help but smile at Shoko.

“Thank you,” you tell her in return. “This is actually a great idea.”

Shoko returns a softer smile and then goes serious when her eyes fall on Choso beside you. “Choso, if anything happens and she’s distraught, being with her and helping her breathe will help, okay? I’ll be around anyway, but I wouldn’t want you to feel helpless at the moment.”

Your breath catches in your throat at the mention, but you can’t contradict her because it can happen. Besides, Choso seems to be relieved to have been given advice.

“Thank you, Ieiri. I appreciate it,” Choso tells her with a half smile.

“Of course.”

Now to sit around the screens. You feel like not watching all together, but you can’t avoid it so you sit in between Choso and Yuji in front of the bunch of screens and wait for the moment your brother appears.

Yet waiting is agonizing. The screens aren’t black, Mei-Mei has her birds flying around the abandoned city streets waiting for Satoru to make his first attack, but that does nothing to calm down your nerves. You actually don’t realize you have your jaw clenched and your fists tightened until a warm hand gently covers your fist. When you look over, Choso passes you a comforting look.

“I’m here,” he says softly and with so much endearment. “I’ll hold your hand for the entirety of the fight.”

Your heart swoons at his kind words, and your body quickly eases at the comfort of his touch, letting him intertwine his fingers with yours and pull your hands toward his lap.

“I’m glad you’re here,” you tell him from the bottom of your heart, making Choso smile before he interjects.

“If you start feeling bad, just let me know, we can go get some fresh air.”

You nod and then look over at Yuji beside you, noticing that he looks just as tense as you had been moments ago.

Now you won’t hold his hand like Choso is holding yours, but you try to be comforting. “One way or another Sukuna is going to die today and we will save your friend.”

Yuji’s eyes flicker to you and you now realize how similar his brown eyes are to Choso’s.

“I know, I believe that. Like I also believe today won’t be Gojo’s end,” Yuji rebuttals confidently.

“I like your thinking,” you compliment and then see his eyebrows knit with a flicker of concern.

“You’ll be okay, right? Watching this won't stress you out, or you know the twins?”

You smile wider with appreciation and honestly shrug. “I hope not, but Choso and I are taking precautions either way. Thank you for worrying.”

He flashes you a warm smile and before you can add anything else finally your brother starts to appear on majority of the screens.

“Nine points,” you hear him say with his eyes laser-focused, and his legs bent as he chants to use his technique. “Polarized light. Crow and Shomyo chant. The gap between and without.”

You swallow back nervously and tighten your hold on Choso’s hand.

A couple of fast seconds feel like an eternity as you wait for him to complete his chant.

“Hollow technique: purple,” Satoru finishes and puts one arm out to flick out his bright and powerful purple technique that blinds each and every screen, and deafens every sound with the immense power of his technique.

Minutes later when Mei-mei’s birds finally recuperate their sight all you see is dust and rubble cascading down, creating a mess on the street that Satoru walks down on to finally meet up with Sukuna.

Finally, the strongest sorcerer of the new era and the strongest sorcerer in history face each other and you don’t fail to notice that Sukuna is already healing his hands that had been destroyed by Satoru’s first attack. And seeing that makes you smirk.

“Seems you have the wrong idea here,” Satoru breaks the tense silence between the two sorcerers. “So let me just set things straight. You’re the challenger here.”

Sukuna’s gaze narrows before he spats. “Damned brat. I’m the challenger? You seem pretty pleased with yourself for only landing a surprise attack.”

Shouldn’t he be pleased that he caught the great Sukuna off guard and landed the first strike?

“You are but a fish atop my chopping board Satoru Gojo,” Sukuna continues and seems to just sound like a sore loser. “A bit fresher than others but still just a nameless fish. Let’s start off by peeling off those scales,” he says and imbues his hands with his cursed energy as he shifts one foot out to stand in his fighting stance.

“Let me ask you, why are you still wearing that face?” Satoru says back as he starts peeling off his scarf and his robe which leads you to mentally question yourself why he even bothered to dress so fancy if he was just going to take it off?

“You thought I’d hold back if you looked like that? Unfortunately for you, I’ve been doing some special training,” Satoru says and cracks his knuckles. “And since it’s Megumi, I know I can go all out,” he adds before his cursed energy explodes out and imbues his fists. “You’ve managed to survive death once already while you were in Yuji. So I’ve been thinkin’ I’ll worry about Megumi after I kill you.”

Your face flashes on a small smile before you frown as you catch Sukuna lunge at Satoru with a kick. However, Satoru blocks his first strike and counters with a swing.

Sukuna mirrors his action, but Satoru falls on his back to flick his hand out and send a strong hit that sends Sukuna through a wall.

The ravens broadcasting the fight don’t falter and catch Sukuna crashing through multiple walls until finally, he manages to land on a couple of stairs. But since your brother is fast he catches Sukuna off guard by appearing in front of him and kicking him back onto a bridge. Albeit since it wasn’t such a strong hit, Sukuna finds his footing quickly.

Satoru, though, doesn’t let him catch his breath, your brother jumps in the air and breaks off the piece of the bridge Sukuna is on with his technique before he sends it over to crash against a nearby building.

However, you catch Sukuna using his raw strength to push himself off the surface of the bridge and bounce onto the roof of a different building before zooming off and facing Satoru.

“Dismantle,” Sukuna announces and points his finger at your brother.

But, instead of his attack hitting your brother, the strike hits a building behind him and slices off half of it. Your brother gets surprised and looks back at what missed him and is now sending down half of a tower. Sukuna tries to catch Satoru off guard and pushes himself towards your brother when he’s looking back, but Satoru blocks his swing. Actually Sukuna’s fist doesn’t even hit him thanks to Satoru's technique, his fist only makes contact when Satoru grabs his fist and sends him through the falling building.

You then watch your brother follow after him, and the birds catch when Satoru grabs a floating door and hurls it at Sukuna to block the sight of him. You then wait for the next attack, but dust clouds the sight of every bird, and the sound of the building crashing booms out through every speaker, losing sight and sound of the fighters for a moment until you see Satoru and Sukuna walking out of the cloud of dust ever so casually, like if they aren’t trying to kill one another.

How odd.

“I’m gonna go ahead and pin this on you,” you hear your brother say as they watch the mess they’re already making.

“Who are you to say anything,” Sukuna mutters.

As if remembering that you’re all watching his battle, Satoru catches sight of one of Mei-Mei’s birds and looks surprised.

“Gojo’s limitless allows him to be completely untouchable,” Choso breaks the tense silence that filled the room, breaking your attention away from the screens to watch him as he spoke. “Sukuna is using domain amplification to neutralize his cursed technique. Domain amplification,” he repeats that last bit with what sounds to be surprise.

“I saw something similar in Mechamaru’s footage,” Okkotsu follows by saying. “That special grade cursed spirit used the same method in Shibuya to counter limitless.”

“It does seem that Gojo’s domain has been neutralized,” Hakari agrees before he follows up with a question. “But how?”

“It’s a more refined version of a simple domain,” Kusakabe answers. “By sheathing yourself in a domain without imbuing your own cursed technique, you allow your opponent's technique to flow into that empty space, thereby neutralizing it.”

“Can you do that Kusakabe?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, ‘course I can’t,” he spats back.

“The main drawback to domain amplification is that you can’t simultaneously use your own innate technique,” Angel interjects, making Panda cut in with a question.

“Wait doesn’t that mean Sukuna is fighting Satoru without a cursed technique?”

“Yes,” Angel responds. “Even Sukuna is no exception to this rule. So in other words, if Sukuna has some way to deal with limitless other than domain amplification Gojo will lose.”

You sigh and avert your gaze.

“If that’s the case,” Miwa shares her own thoughts. “Why isn’t Sukuna using Domain expansion?”

“It’s easy to say that,” you tell her and pull your eyes off the ground to look over at her. “But depending on the outcome of that domain battle, the fight would be over.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” She asks and briefly meets your gaze before you look over at Kirara as they cut in with worry.

“That’s true! Why isn’t he doin’ that?!”

“Doesn’t the domain's sure hit effect negate Satoru’s technique in the first place?” Kirara follows up by saying, making Yuji respond.

“He told me that himself when we were in a cursed spirits domain.”

“Could it be that Sukuna doesn’t think he can win against Satoru Gojo in a domain battle?” Ui-Ui, Mei-Mei’s brother asks the crowd.

“No.” You shake your head, and Shoko bounces in to continue for you.

“If that were the case, Gojo would already be using domain expansion. I’d find it hard to believe that Gojo wouldn't be able to see that, with the six eyes and his shitty personality.”

You crack a soft smile whilst Choso crosses his arms over his chest and tucks your hand between his arms to keep your hand connected with his.

“What if their domains don’t actually clash?” Choso questions. “Based on what Inumaki and Yuji have said, I don’t think Sukuna’s domain expansion actually closes off a barrier.”

“Huh?!” Kusakabe gasps. “Bullishit.”

“I can't believe that,” Kashimo mutters.

“That’s insane,” Hakari says, and Okkotsu cuts in too.

“That’s absurd right?”

“Oh!” Miwa exclaims. “Is it that crazy?”

“Miwa toss me that water,” you hear Kusakabe order the girl around, and when she does toss him a bottle he stops her and complains.

Does he want the water in a cup with an umbrella on it or what?

It’s a good thing Miwa throws the water on his face, why is he being so picky about it?

“Expanding a domain without closing a barrier is just like that,” Mei-Mei uses what just happened as an example. “With no container, can water accumulate? Can you paint on empty air without a canvas? With no stem, roots, or leaves, can a flower bloom from a seed? It’s like using software without any hardware. At any rate, it’s completely impossible!”

“Megumi’s incomplete domain wasn’t enclosed within a barrier though,” Maki points out.

“I heard about that before the grade promotion assessment,” Kusakabe says. “Still, to do that he needed buildings or existing barriers to enclose his domain. That’s small potatoes compared to what’s going on now.”

“But Noritoshi Kamo—Kenjaku,” Choso corrects himself as he interjects to explain something. “…Managed to pull it off.”

You nod and chime in too. “We had planned for Yuki to counter his domain expansion with a simple domain while Tengen dismantled it from the outside.”

“However,” Choso bounces in. “The simple domain was torn apart in the blink of an eye, but if she had expanded her own domain.”

“It wouldn't have been a true domain battle,” you argue. “Though perhaps if she had expanded her own domain. There may have been a battle for Yuki’s sure-hit effect.”

“But what exactly would clash?” Choso asks.

You shrug. “Who knows.”

“Isn’t it literally against the sure-hit effect?” Miwa asks curiously.

“Given that the Sure-hit effect is imbued within the barrier itself,” you answer her. “It can only clash with another barrier.”

“You guys’re talking about their domains as if it’s a given, but that stuff devours an insane amount of cursed energy doesn’t it?” Ino breaks his silence to ask. “So shouldn’t they avoid usin’ it up thoughtlessly?”

“Fish flakes,” Inumaki says, and somehow Okkotsu understands him enough to bounce off his comment.

“It’s just as Inumaki says there’s no limit to Gojo’s cursed energy.”

“But that’s only because of how freakin’ efficient he is,” Ino continues to say. “His cursed energy consumption ends up being less than what he naturally replenishes overtime. But isn’t that working under the assumption he’s using it like normal? If he starts using domain expansion over ‘n over again consecutively, it’ll be a different story. And Sukuna?”

“He’s unreal,” Kashimo sneers. “The sharpness of his techniques activation, the way he can turn on a dime from using amplification to his innate technique…if Satoru Gojo didn’t have the six eyes, Sukuna would likely be winning in terms of efficiency in utilizing cursed energy.”

You sigh in frustration at all that’s being said, and Okkotsu interjects. “What's more, his total cursed energy is even more than mine. Going purely off intuition, I’d say by more than double. In other words, when it comes to these two, cursed energy is not the limiting factor for why they aren’t expanding their domains.”

“Maybe it’s just that nobody, not even the two of them, knows exactly how this is gonna play out,” Nishimiya says. “If Satoru Gojo and Sukuna Ryomen’s domains were to clash, who knows what would happen.”

“Hey,” Higuruma calls for everyone’s attention. “Here it comes.”

You look back at the screen after hearing the discussion and catch both Sukuna and Satoru doing a domain expansion at the exact same time, cutting off all sight of them as a large domain traps them both inside.

“They’re evenly matched,” you point out and stand up as if that would help you catch sight of your brother from within the domain. “Within the barrier, they are evenly matched.”

Nevertheless, parts of Sukuna’s domain literally starts branching out of Satoru’s domain.

“The barrier of a domain is weak against attacks from the outside!” Yuji yells out and moments later the domain explodes and all you see is Sukuna’s domain, and your brother facing him from the ground with shock.

“Come on,” you plead quietly and hold your hands together.

From one moment to the next a slash hits Satoru on his throat, right on his jugular! And you know most of all that any hit there can be deadly.

“Satoru!” You yell out with panic and fear for your dear brother's life.

.

.

.

.

.

A/N- Don’t worry we’ll have flashbacks and other stuff so it’s not just watching the fight lmao!

Tagged- @deniseabad1928 @secondary-character-25 @starlightanyaaa @notsaelty @d4rno @moonnime @kodzukein @yozora7154 @heijihattorisgf @elegantweirdorchest @natakina

[i-smoke-chapstick]

'DON'T BLAME ME, [PART TWO]

-GOTHAM!JERVIS TETCH X READER-

⋆ 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 ; You meet the man from the club again.

⋆ tags/warnings. GOTHAM!jervis x female reader. SLOW BURN!!! Not sure how many chapters this will be yet! LOTS OF PLOT SET-UP!! AGE GAP ROMANCE! (reader is Jim and Barbara's daughter) Jervis and reader are lowkey Hamilton and Burr parallels. She fell first, he fell harder. Writing this kind of artistically and as character studies for everyone. Reader's still reminiscing. Daddy issues. Jervis being an obsessive freak, per usual. More reader lore is dropped. I'm taking canon out back and beating it with a stick until it stops twitching. Jim Gordon is...Jim Gordoning.

⋆ tag list (tell me if you want to be removed!) @adalwolfgang @jervis-tetch-my-beloved @honestmrdual @moonlightnyx

⋆ 'PART ONE, - 'PART TWO, - ‘PART THREE, - ‘PART FOUR, - ‘PART FIVE, - ‘PART SIX, - 'PART SEVEN, - 'PART EIGHT, - 'PART NINE, -'PART TEN, - 'PART ELEVEN, - 'PART TWELVE, - 'PART THIRTEEN, - 'PART FOURTEEN,

♫ “Something happened for the first time, in the darkest little paradise.” Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift

Everything feels cold on mornings like these.

The light bleeds in through the venetian blinds, gray and gloomy. You huddle into the blankets, clinging to any warmth you can find. It's your dads house, or rather, apartment. You remember waking up in a king-sized bed years prior.

Your thoughts drift back to old memories again. You wish you could push them out.

"Dad, I'm scared." You say, seven years old, middle of the night, clutching a rabbit stuffed animal. Your mom rubs her face, still groggy and half-awake.

"Hey, hey. It's okay." He whispers through his own fatigue, stretching out his arms for you to join them on the bed. "Why are you scared?"

You hop on the bed, crawling into him. Your mother tosses, turning over with a lazy hum before drifting back to sleep. You squeeze your rabbit, Mr. Marbles, and bury yourself in the covers.

"What if they get me?" You ask, voice small. You can't see your fathers eyes soften through the darkness.

"Who?" He seems to sober up from sleep at your question, clearing his throat. His voice becomes a bit clearer.

"The bad guys." You say the words like they're sacred. It feels hard to get them out, and it feels swallowing salt-water.

Silence.

"I won't let them, I swear to you." Your dads voice speaks, and in his arms, you feel sleep slowly return to you. "I'm gonna protect you. And mommy."

"What about you?"

Silence.

"Go to sleep, Y/N. Everything's going to be okay."

You fell asleep that night, quiet, waking up to pancakes, and light that was much warmer than what you have now.

You sit up in your own bed, cramped. You heave a sigh, rubbing your temples. You're not tired like you should be. You stayed up the previous night, jumping roof-tops with Selina. It was a welcome distraction, the adrenaline that pooled in your blood at night. Mornings in Gotham were worse.

You hear whispers in the room over. Thin walls. You don't care to listen as you get dressed, but you do wonder who exactly your father could be talking too.

"How'd you find me?"

"Oh, you're famous, sir. You're names in the papers. The famous bounty hunter." You wince. Jim Gordon. Your father. The bounty hunter.

You walk to the room quietly, before stopping. You see the two men sitting down, and you piece together just who exactly is on the couch.

Both men turn to face you at the interruption, and Mr. Tetch looks equally as surprised as you are. His eyebrows pull together, and your dad looks like he's been caught doing something. He knows you don't approve of this bounty hunter bullshit.

"Ms. Y/N?" Mr. Tetch calls, and Jim picks his head up at this. He gives you a look.

"You two have met...?" Your dad speaks, sizing up the situation in concerned curiosity.

Before you can answer, Mr. Tetch does for you.

"Yes, sir. We've met at the Siren's club. Your daughter, I presume?" He asks, inquisitively. He looks as though gears are turning in his head. Jim simply nods, a bit uncertainly.

"Hi." You give a small wave. Mr. Tetch brightens up at this, somehow fascinated.

"Right." Jim says, slowly. He looks back between the two of you.

That familiar feeling of silence sounds out again. It tastes bitter.

"...I want you to find my dear friend." Mr. Tetch speaks up. "We're very close. But...her condition proved too much for me. I sought help, the worst kind, the fiend. Professor Strange." He hisses the insult with venom. You watch your dad raise a brow as he sips his coffee.

"Her condition?" He asks, and you marvel at the words. How odd.

"Some poison, in her blood." The man responds, like it's casual. "very rare, unique, in fact. He took her in. Said she needed constant supervision. He wouldn't let me see her."

There's an edge to his voice. The way he talks about this friend of his. Poisoned blood, you think, curious. For some reason it embitters you. You hate this fucking city sometimes.

"You go to the police?" Your dad asks. Of course he'd ask that.

"Useless." Mr. Tetch says, solemnly. "This is Gotham, after all."

You let out a soft chuckle at that, which makes both of them look at you. Both sets of eyes zone in on you. Your dad looks disappointed.

"Well, he's not wrong." You nip, and Mr. Tetch cocks his head up. "The GCPD is a shit show."

Mr. Tetch looks surprised at your audacity, and a bit amused. Your father reprimands you.

"Y/N." He says, and you bite back a retort. He sighs, dragging a hand along his face. "Indian Hill escapees get five grand from the GCPD. You able to top that?"

You remember when all the money in the world couldn't have swayed the famous Jim Gordon from his duty.

Mr. Tetch pulls out a wide wad of cash from his pocket, "I'll double it." He speaks. Woah. Did your mom give him that much for just one show? No way in hell. He must have gotten this money somewhere else.

"I'll see what I can do." Jim says, without question. You want to roll your eyes.

"Thank you, very much." The man responds. Polite, isn't he?

You watch as your dad pockets the money, and how he's handed a photo of a beautiful woman. In a strange way, it makes you feel a bit insecure.

"Leave your number-" Jim goes to speak, when Mr. Tetch interrupts him, handing a business card. Eager much.

The man leaves without a word, sending you a final glance before he turns. Those dark eyes...they startle you. He sends a small, intrigued smile. Again, it feels like the world stops. Your breath catches in your throat.

When he's gone, you stand on your toes to hover over your dads shoulder. You two stare at the business card in synonymous silence.

"The Great Jervis Tetch" Hah. So that's his first name. Jervis.

You suddenly feel warm. Maybe this house isn't that cold after all.

[leslutdepointedulac]

I was listening to the mamma mia soundtrack earlier and when slipping through my fingers played I thought of louis and lestat listening to it thinking of claudia. especially the lines: "the feeling that I'm losing her forever / and without really entering her world"... except they did lose her forever 😢

"do I really see what's in her mind/each time I think I'm close to knowing" loustat and claudia struggled to get on the same page

"when she's gone there's that odd melancholy feeling/and a sense of guilt I can't deny/what happened to those wonderful adventures?/the places I had planned for us to go/ well some of that we did but most we didn't" Like?! They miss her and feel guilty about making her. Loustat likely had things to do and see together.

"sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture/and save it from the funny tricks of time". Loustat wishing they could've pressed pause on those moments in New Orleans 😭

Feel free to ignore I just felt like telling someone 🫶

Hi!

Yes, yes and yes!! I completely see what you mean!

They did lose her forever and in more ways than one 😭 Of course there's the obvious, which is her death, but there's also the fact that both Louis and Lestat tried so hard to hold onto that image of their little girl. They lost her when she grew up and became aware of her situation and them trying to cling onto her childhood only pushed her away even more 😥 And re: 'and without really entering her world' specifically as well, they lost her in not being able to truly empathise with her situation, like, they couldn't enter her world, they couldn't know what it's like be be a prisoner in their own bodies. They as adults see a small girl and so they treat her as such despite knowing better. That whole pre-chorus is so reminiscent of Loustat's desperation to keep their little girl a little girl 🤧

Yeah! They had all that guilt for causing her suffering but there was nothing they could do about it, and even then, they would have done it all over again because they loved her too much not to. They might have changed how they did some things but ultimately they would choose to have her rather than not have her again and again. And had things been different, they may have visited different places together, at the very least I think they wished for it, even if it never happened for one reason or another.

And you're right, there are so many moments where Louis and Lestat wished they could've paused time, or found some way to capture it and keep it forever. Those first years together were so precious to them and that's what they try so hard to keep hold of further down the line. They were all in their own little world together and things seemed so tranquil, and as if they would be like this for good 🥲

I think those years at the beginning were so formative for all three of them in their own ways. Even later on after things went south, they were all growing and taking experiences from it with them through life. And I feel like it's a good thing to note as well, that even with all the mistakes Louis and Lestat made with Claudia, none of it diminished their love for her, or made it any less valid. They made some huge mistakes but I think they both took lessons from that to make sure it wouldn't happen again. I mean, take Lestat with Rose, he was a great father to her and I honestly believe he was as good with her as he was, because he learnt from the past and knew what went wrong before.

[presence-of-darkness]

Satosugo playlist and brief song analysis 1/3

So I made a Satosugo playlist and here I wanted to give a brief explanation for some of my favorite songs on it that I haven't really seen anywhere also in relation to them. Analysis is under the cut.

Are you still listening by Abbie Bosworth

I’m starting with what I think is the most heart wrenching song on this playlist. I imagine this song from Gojo’s (for y'alls info my computer keeps trying to correct ‘Gojo’s' ' to ‘God’s' ' and i find that very funny) perspective after everything that goes down in s2.

“I wish I could've buried you and laid down right beside

Your life stained my clothes

Oh, to hold you, I didn't mind”

“And you're not what you say you are

But you know that better than me”

“Your life stained my clothes” is just absolutely devastating and I find that it really resonates here.

Hyacinthus by Aidoneus

I have two Aidoneus songs on this playlist, one I imagine is from Gojo’s perspective and the other from Geto’s. This is the Gojo one. 

“Wish I had taken just one second more to memorize your frame

If I’m being honest, I’d do anything to see you

Maybe in another life the universe will let me keep you

Was there nothing I could do?”

“For so long we’d withdrawn from mortality but

I had loved you because you were nothing like me”

The wondering what he could have done, how their power led to them withdrawing from mortality in a way *chef’s kiss*

Devourer by Aidoneus

And here’s the Geto Aidoneus song. I think this song really aligns with Geto at the end the JJK 0 with all of his anger, grief, and bitterness.

“Grief has made me blind

Cruel, quick, hungry

Who could blame? For I had held

The sunlight in my arms”

“I, a curse, a plague on the Earth

Human in the end”

“Light the gloam, find my Achilles heel

I will welcome my mortality

Let me go”

I chose three quotes for this one because they’re all just so good and poignant. 

Classic j dies and goes to hell p.1 by Glass Beach

This is one of my all time favorite songs and while I think it can work from either perspective it really resonates with Gojo’s perspective in the immediate aftermath of Geto leaving. 

“How could I ever sleep at night?

When you left, you left me paralyzed

Tryna keep my head above the waves

Holding out for brighter, better days”

“And I will always be your friend

So grab my hand

Take my hand, I can't do this alone”

Two slow dancers by Mitski

Mitski never fails to bring some emotional devastation. In this case I interpret this song as their reminiscing of their highschool days.

“It would be a hundred times easier

If we were young again”

“And the ground has been slowly pulling us back down

You see it on both our skin

We get a few years and then it wants us back”

Human After All by Dirt Poor Robins

This song relates to the pressure both of them were put under as the strongest and how all that weight in part led to the shitstorm that happened, especially for Geto and the depression he experienced. 

“We’d cross the rope, but our balance is a joke

We're human after all, still there's no excuse to fall”

“This mortal will, more rust than flesh

Turned by the creeping bitterness”

“We were the cause, we are at fault

We cannot draw from empty vaults

With vacant hands, we're left to ponder”

I'll be posting the rest soon but I felt it was getting a bit long! Hope ya'll enjoyed!

[cherriegyuu]

seventeen as songs from folklore (ts)

this is also include songs from evermore

a/n: for this, i'll be giving songs and lyrics to each of the members, as well as small plots based on those lyrics. i don't plan to write all of these, but they are still my ideas (as basic as some of them might be). so if you are interested in writing one of them, you can message me about it. if you want to read one of them you can send in a request and i'll write for you

red | 1989 | reputation | lover | folklore | midnights

• Seungcheol ➝ Champagne Problems Your mom's ring in your pocket Her picture in your wallet You won't remember all my Champagne problems ↳ you watch from afar as Seungcheol moves on with his life after you broke his heart.

• Jeonghan ➝ Gold Rush I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch Everybody wants you Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you ↳ you always took pride in the fact that you aren’t very jealous of your boyfriend, mostly because you trust him blindly. But, sometimes, you need him to remind you that you’re the only one he loves.

• Joshua ➝ ​'Tis The Damn Season You can run, but only so far I escaped it too, remember how you watched me leave But if it's okay with you, it's okay with me ↳ it’s been years since you last saw Joshua. At the time, both of you had been desperate to leave and ready to start your lives in the big city, however, you were the only one who managed to escape. Years later, you came back for the holidays and things seemed to be the exact same, including your feelings for him.

• Jun ➝ Hoax Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in Don't want no other shade of blue but you No other sadness in the world would do ↳ you knew Jun had fallen out of love with you a long time ago but still you couldn’t bring yourself to let go, having him hate you was better than not having his at all.

• Soonyoung ➝ Mirrorball And I'm still a believer, but I don't know why I've never been a natural, all I do is try try try I'm still on that trapeze I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me ↳ Soonyoung is just tired of being the life of the party, of always being the one people go to when they aren’t feeling well because they know he will cheer them up. For once, he wished someone else did the listening and comforting.

• Wonwoo ➝ Seven Love you to the Moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs The love lasts so long ↳ never in your life would you have thought that you would be able to love someone but then you met Wonwoo, and he showed you just how great love could be with the right person.

• Jihoon ➝ Illicit Affairs Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else Look at this idiotic fool that you made me You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else ↳ Jihoon never thought that he would be the third person in a relationship and yet, there he is, looking at you from afar as you dance with your fiancé.

• Minghao ➝ Cardigan But I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss I knew you'd hunt all of my what-ifs ↳ as a college student, you had a one-sided crush on Minghao. even years later, when he's no longer in your life, you can't help but compare every guy you meet to him.

• Mingyu ➝ Right Where You Left Me Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen? Time went on for everybody else, she won't know it She's still twenty-three inside her fantasy ↳ you were never ready to move on after you lost Mingyu.

• Seokmin ➝ The One I persist and resist the temptation to ask you If one thing had been different Would everything be different today? ↳ you never thought you'd see Seokmin again, but when you're forced to change jobs you discover that he is your new boss you can't help but reminisce on the past.

• Vernon ➝ August Back when we were still changin' for the better Wanting was enough For me, it was enough To live for the hope of it all ↳ you always had hope that one day Vernon would see you as more than just a friend, so when he introduces you to his new girlfriend you feel your heart break into a million pieces.

• Seungkwan ➝ Invisible String Time, curious time Gave me no clue, gave me no signs We're there clues I didn't see? ↳ since you were kids, life always found a way to put you and Seungkwan together in the same room.

• Chan ➝ This Is Me Trying I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here Pouring out my heart to a stranger ↳ Everyone always had high expectations for Chan, he was always the future of something. For once, all Chan wanted was to live in the moment, and with you, he found an opportunity to do so.

taglist: @wonwooz1, @ryuwonieebae, @sobun1est, @mirtaspace, @ho34gojo, @feat-sun, @wonvsmile, @mhlsymlysn, @swinterr, @immabecreepin, @uniq-tastic, @miriamxsworld

if you were tagged, please consider reblogging

if you want to be tagged in my next fics, please fill out this form

[your-world-with-nct]

polaroid love | njm (3)

THREE — thinking about you

<- BACK | MENU | NEXT ->

PAIRING | na jaemin x female reader (ft. nct dream + enhypen 02z)

GENRE | fluff, angst, college au

WARNINGS | intended lowercase, cursing, alcohol consumption

WORD COUNT | 3.8k

SUMMARY | inspired by enhypen’s ‘polaroid love’ — in his twenty-two years of living, na jaemin has never been in a proper relationship. after witnessing his best friends go through their fair share of complicated, devastating heartbreaks, jaemin decided he was better off investing his time and effort into his studies, rather than wasting his time falling in love. years of having fleeting crushes and being countlessly confessed to passed by and not a single person could tempt jaemin into the world of love. that is, until, he meets someone that he can’t get out of his head no matter how long he stares at his anatomy textbooks. someone that reminds him of the hopeless romantic he once was. someone that can show him that love doesn’t have to be so complicated to succeed.

FIC PLAYLIST LINK | click here to enhance your reading experience!

HEADER KEY | • REC -> a character’s point of view | ■ GALLERY -> a flashback from that character’s point of view

A/N | sorry for being so inactive lately! i’ve been busy preparing for uni and it was actually my first night last night 🙈 hope you guys enjoy this new chapter and feedback is always appreciated <3

Y/N CAM • REC

you stared at jake in silence, watching as he fiddled with his chopsticks whilst waiting for the food to come, “jakey?”

“hmm?” he answered, eyes fixed on the small tower he was making by stacking tiny, balled-up pieces of a napkin.

“you okay?” you asked, your voice laced with concern, “you didn’t even squeal when you saw the turtle-shell grill, is everything alright?”

jake let out a quiet giggle at your observation, putting his chopsticks down and abandoning his napkin tower, “yeah, everything’s fine, i’m just… tired.”

you raised a brow, not completely convinced by his answer. reaching across the table, you took his hand in yours, rubbing your thumb against the back of his hand, “hey, you know you can tell me when something’s bothering you, right? i’m not gonna force you to say anything if you don’t want to, but i’m here to listen, okay? i don’t like seeing you upset, what do i have to do to put a smile on your face, hm?”

you noticed jake’s lips curve upwards at your words, but the smile had yet to reach his eyes. he squeezed your hand and met your gaze, “thank you, y/n, really, but i promise i’m okay. i’ve just… had a long day, those morning classes are such a pain in the ass. ugh, i wish i’d taken up your coffee offer before.”

you still weren’t a hundred percent reassured by his answer, but you decided it was best not to push him for the truth. instead, you settled with the reply he gave, “ahh, okay, i’m glad nothing’s bothering you, but i’m still shocked you said no to free coffee.”

“i don’t know what got into me, i’ll be honest,” jake shrugged, retracting his hand from yours and running it through his hair.

“well, don’t you worry, i’ll buy you some coffee next time you take me to photography club,” you bit your lip, trying to hide your growing smile at the thought of seeing a certain someone again.

“next time? you wanna come next time?” jake cocked his head to the side, his face reminiscent of a confused puppy, “what’s with the sudden interest? don’t tell me you expect free food in return for helping me, you know i don’t have the funds for that!”

“actually…” you paused, inwardly debating whether to tell your best friend or not. “okay, can i tell you something and can you promise not to judge me? or tell anyone else?”

“judge you? i mean… depends how bad it is.”

“jake, i’m serious!”

“okay, okay, i promise! now, what is it, my dear?” he said, leaning in and placing a sympathetic hand on yours.

you pulled your hand out from under his, lightly smacking it, “i told you, you’ve gotta stop calling me that in public, people are gonna think we’re dating.”

jake shrugged, “so? you’re the one who held my hand before, hypocrite.”

the exaggerated pout on his face told you that he wasn’t being serious, but you didn’t want him to think that you were joking, “okay, that’s fair, but… it just— it can scare guys away! which i don’t have a problem with when it gets creeps to back off, but sometimes there are guys that i don’t want to scare off, y’know?”

your gaze trailed down to the grill on the table, unable to make eye contact with your best friend knowing your words were quite harsh. a few seconds went by with no reaction or reply from him, and although it seemed like you were too late, you scrambled to soften the blow.

“i-i’m not saying you have to stop doing those things, i still like the affection and the cute names but, maybe, i don’t know, you could save that for when we’re, uh, not in such a public place?”

“who is it?” jake asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

“wh-what do you— who… what?”

“hey, first things first, i’m not upset. if saving that stuff for when it’s just us or just friends is what you’re comfortable with, then ‘course i don’t mind doing that,” he shifted to lean his elbow on the table, relaxing his stance in hopes of relaxing you.

“what i meant was, well, i know you, y/n, and there must be a specific guy you don’t want scaring off, and, ah! that must be the ‘thing’ you were gonna tell me about, that’s why you didn’t want me to judge you or tell anyone. am i right or am i right?”

you blinked once, twice, in disbelief that jake was able to read you so well—it was a blessing and a curse. you opened and closed your mouth to speak, but nothing was coming out, earning you a loud giggle from the boy across you.

“your silence is telling me i’m right,” he said with a smug smile.

“okay, fine, yes, you’re right. i hate how accurate that was,” you sighed, trying to regain your composure.

“so… the guy?” jake asked, fed up from the anticipation.

“promise you won’t judge or tell anyone?” you held up your pinky in front of your best friend.

intertwining his finger with yours and placing his other hand on his chest as if he was swearing an oath, he declared, “i swear on my dog’s life, i won’t tell a soul.”

“good,” you nodded, “well, the guy is, uh, it’s someone you know well, he’s, hmm—”

“stop beating around the bush, who is it!”

“it’s jaemin!”

jake’s eyes widened as his jaw dropped, “jaemin? like na jaemin? like the med student jaemin, the photographer jaemin? the jaemin you met not even a few hours ago?”

“shhh!” you launched forward, pressing your hand against his mouth. “the whole restaurant does not need to know, and for the record, yes, it is that jaemin. and before you judge, which i’m pretty sure you already have, i’m not saying i like him or anything, i’m just, interested in him, let’s say.”

“interested? go on,” jake said to the best of his ability while your hand was still covering his mouth, prompting you to remove your hand and wipe it with your napkin.

“okay, ew. anyways, i-i don’t know, jaemin always sounded so sweet and funny whenever you told me about him, and, well, i saw that for myself today. he’s also, like, really really gorgeous, i couldn’t stop staring at him, and when he came up close to talk to me, i swear i almost fainted right there and then,” you paused to catch your breath, surprised at how easy it was for you to gush over someone you had, like jake pointed out, just met.

“but, like you said, i don’t even know him that well, which is why i’m glad he asked for my number so we can—”

“he asked for your number?”

“yeah, he asked for it so he could send the photos he took to me.”

“damn, i’m stealing that move from him, that’s smooth.”

“‘smooth’? ‘move’? y-you think he’s interested in me too? that he did it on purpose?” the mere idea of jaemin reciprocating your feelings had your heart rate speeding up.

“i-i don’t know anything! i mean, whaaat? what were you saying before i interrupted?” jake blinked rapidly, poorly covering up how suspicious he sounded.

you decided to ignore whatever it was he was hiding in case it gave you any false hope, and continued your point, “as i was saying, i’m glad he gave me his number, that way i can get to know him and stuff before jumping into anything. he was just… he was really nice and everything, i just wanna see how it goes, y’know?”

jake nodded, “ahh, okay, that sounds good. i hope it goes well for you, really. jaemin hyung’s a great guy, i can vouch for that, so no need to spend your early talking stage trying to figure out whether he’s a red flag or not.”

you laughed, cringing as the boy’s words reminded you of a past, failed fling, “oh, trust me, i don’t want a repeat of that. everything feels so much easier with jaemin, i have a feeling it’ll be different with him.”

JAEMIN CAM • REC

“get the drinks out, boys, we’re celebrating tonight!” haechan exclaimed, swinging the front door open and letting jaemin shuffle in behind him.

“it’s literally… thursday night,” jeno deadpanned, glancing up from the tv to give his roommate a look of concern, or was it confusion? jaemin was too preoccupied thinking about… someone else to tell.

haechan locked the door, passing jeno’s slumped figure on the sofa and making his way to the kitchen. scoffing, he muttered under his breath, “okay, when has that ever stopped you?”

unfortunately, he wasn’t quiet enough, as jeno shot up from the couch, ready to crush that little coconut head of his, but was quickly stopped by jaemin pulling him back down to sit and renjun interrupting the petty squabble.

“can you two shut the fuck up for a sec,” he looked up from what he was cooking, glaring as he pointed his spoon at jeno and haechan respectively. “you said we should be ‘celebrating’, right? that means… it went well with y/n! how was it then, jaem?”

haechan gasped, placing the cans of cider he’d retrieved from the fridge onto the counter, “oh my god, would you believe jaemin actually—”

renjun sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingers as he whipped round to face his infuriating friend, “sorry, is your name jaemin?”

jeno and jaemin’s (not so) muffled giggles broke through haechan’s silence, which spoke for itself.

nodding, renjun turned back to the boiling pot on the stove, “yeah, i thought so. go on, jaem.”

jaemin took a deep breath, trying to organise what felt like a million and one thoughts into coherent words, “to be honest, i-it felt… like a dream. i must’ve blacked out or something, it was like some super confident version of me took over. i still can’t believe that i winked at her, practically held her hand, asked for her number and got it. oh, and she even gave me her instagram without me asking.”

“sorry, what? you got her number and held her hand and you— my god, i need some time to process the fact that you did all of that,” jeno placed a hand on jaemin’s shoulder, before quickly turning it into a hug. “shit, man, i’m proud of you.”

“damn, you go, jaem!” renjun cheered from the kitchen, his face beaming with pride for his best friend’s multitude of successes, “so y/n’s definitely single then? ‘cause you’re in a good position right now to start getting closer to her if she is.”

“yup,” haechan answered, “i checked with her friend jake, and jaemin’s got the green light. jake even said he’d help him out if he needed, but as if our jaemin will need his help, right?”

jaemin’s eyes widened, looking frantically from jeno beside him to the boys in the kitchen, “uh, well, you’re kinda overestimating my skills, hyuck.”

“oh no,” he shook his head, chuckling. “no, no, no, i know you’ll need help but you’ve got us! y’know, since we’ve actually gotten this far with girls before.”

renjun’s stirring slowed to a stop as his jaw dropped, and jeno whipped around, burying his face in the couch cushions to suppress his laughter.

“yah!” jaemin stood up, pointing a threatening finger at haechan. on any other occasion, he would’ve found the teasing funny and laughed it off, but jaemin’s furrowed brows and stern tone told the boys otherwise.

“ah, i crossed the line, didn’t i? sorry, sorry,” haechan said, holding his hands up in surrender.

jaemin sighed as he slumped back down onto the sofa, burying his head in his hands, “no, i’m sorry. i really do appreciate your help and support, because, you’re right, i have no idea what i’m doing. i just— i really really don’t wanna mess up with y/n, and i’m grateful that you guys are willing to help me out, but it would be nice if you let me figure some things out myself too.”

jeno ruffled his best friend’s hair, giving him a supportive pat on the back as he replied, “of course we can do that! i know that sometimes we get involved in each other’s business without being asked, but we do it because we care, even though it’s not always the best way of showing it.”

“yeah,” haechan added, abandoning the drinks and joining his roommates on the couch. “we just want the best for you but we don’t wanna get there by overstepping your boundaries or anything.”

“i agree! with both of those things,” renjun shouted from the kitchen as he plated their dinner, “sorry, they kinda said everything i was gonna say. oh, by the way, food’s ready!”

jaemin chuckled, “thank you guys, honestly. uh, also, this might sound a little contradictory now, but i just realised that i never gave y/n my number. can you help me figure out how to word my first message to her? while we eat, of course, i’m not gonna let the food renjunnie worked so hard on go cold.”

“oh my god, yes!”

“i’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life, not even kidding.”

“at least someone appreciates my hard work!”

the enthusiastic squeals eventually died down and the next thirty (yes, thirty) minutes were spent meticulously drafting a message to you, with the occasional distractions of renjun’s delicious stew and debates over what your contact picture should be.

“okay, i’m pretty sure you can send it now,” haechan said and was met with nods of agreement.

“pretty sure?! pretty sure isn’t sure enough for me, i’m checking it one more time,” jaemin shook his head, placing his phone on the table and reading the text aloud.

“‘hey y/n, it’s jaemin, just letting you know since i didn’t get to give you my number before. by the way, i haven’t managed to start editing the pics just yet but i’ll let you know how they look once i do, smiley blushy face emoji’. are we sure it’s not too much?” his fingers hovered over the screen, prepared to alter the message for the umpteenth time.

“jaemin, my guy,” jeno placed his hands on jaemin’s in reassurance. “we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—it sounds fine. and it’s not too much either, the text isn’t dry and the fact that you mentioned the photos means she can start a conversation about it, so you’re less likely to be left on read.”

“plus, y’know, it’s too late now. jeno just sent the text,” renjun pointed out nonchalantly, directing everyone’s gazes to the blue text bubble on the screen and jeno’s hand stacked clumsily on top of jaemin’s… on top of the phone.

jaemin yelped, yanking his hands away and turning his phone off. he squeezed his eyes shut, not ready to accept what happened nor even think about getting a response any time soon.

“i-i’m sorry! i was just trying to make you feel better, i didn’t realise i was gonna press send. we can turn airplane mode on if you want so it doesn’t send! or we can—”

in the midst of jeno’s flurry of apologies, a small ding resonated through the kitchen, followed by another, as the screen illuminated, showing two notifications from messages.

“no. way.” jaemin breathed out, eyes now open and glued to the notification banner. a quick glance over at his wide-eyed friends with their jaws hanging open told him that they were all anticipating the same thing.

“open those notifications, open them right now, na jaemin!” haechan said, more of an encouragement than a demand.

jaemin quickly came to his senses, scrambling to unlock his phone, as the other boys leaned forward to get a closer look at your replies.

“my god, she’s quick,” renjun commented, shuffling closer to read the messages.

“‘thanks for letting me know, saved it now hehe smiley face’. mission accomplished, jaem, she has your number and she replied!”

“ooh, and it seems like your conversation starter worked,” haechan took over for the second, longer message.

“‘speaking of pics, jake never lived up to his ‘threat’ and he took some photos of me at dinner, wanna help me pick which ones to post?’ wait, is she talking about when jake said he would stop taking her instagram photos if she didn’t listen to him?”

jaemin couldn’t hide his wide grin as he nodded, remembering that he was the reason you were so preoccupied.

“well, don’t just sit there blushing like a tomato, answer! you don’t wanna leave her on read for too long, do you?” jeno lightly smacked jaemin on the arm, prompting him to type out a quick ‘sure!’.

once again, they all gathered around the phone, waiting to see the three dots pop up or hear another notification alert. moments passed with no dots nor dings, all that could be seen was a faint ‘delivered’ as the screen slowly faded to black from lack of activity.

“it’s fine, it’s fine,” jaemin shrugged, forcing out a laugh. “she’ll respond later… probably, right? you know what, doesn’t matter, i shouldn’t be so bothered about it, does anyone want another cider?”

before he could even leave his seat, renjun gently tugged his arm, sitting him back down, “jaem, stop stressing, and don’t say ‘i’m not stressing!’ because we know you well enough to know that you definitely are. how about you turn your phone off for the time being, hmm? i know you want things to go well with y/n, but try not to let yourself depend on her too much, okay?”

“he’s right, trust me, it’s awful—obsessively checking if you’ve gotten a notification from a certain someone and letting it ruin your day when you haven’t. y’know, just speaking from experience,” haechan added, earning a nod of agreement from jeno.

“yeah,” jaemin sighed, turning his phone off as renjun suggested. “you guys are right, thank you. you’re probably gonna need to remind me of that a lot, i just– the last thing i want is to get heartbroken.”

jeno placed a hand on jaemin’s shoulder, “we’ll do everything in our power to make sure you don’t get hurt, jaem.”

for the next few hours, jaemin decided to keep himself busy and distract himself from thinking about you. but it was as if the universe didn’t want him to get you out of his head.

washing the dishes reminded him of the lazy roommate you told him about earlier. showering with music on to block out his thoughts? the song that came on shuffle had played earlier while he was taking pictures of you. even reading through his stupid ‘ethics in medicine’ textbook reminded him of you and your passion for your major. before he knew it, the thought of you had infiltrated anything and everything that he did, whether he liked it or not.

“fuck it,” jaemin muttered to nobody in particular, finally turning his phone back on. impatiently tapping his finger against the side of his case, he watched, waiting for the screen to load.

as soon as it turned on, he rushed to unlock it, his hands shaking as he went to click on the messages app. he would be lying if he said his heartbeat didn’t speed up when he saw a ‘6’ hovering next to the icon. before even opening the app, jaemin took a few deep breaths, preparing himself for the worst.

those six messages could be from multiple people—it could be jaehoon sending the notes from the lecture he missed the other day, it could be his mum nagging him about not getting enough sleep, it could be renjun asking for more toilet paper because someone had forgotten to replace the empty roll earlier.

even as he considered all the completely rational possibilities, he still couldn’t come to terms with the idea that the messages could be from anyone but you.

he squeezed his eyes shut and tapped the icon, slowly opening one eye, and then the other to confirm what he thought he’d seen. you had, in fact, sent jaemin six messages almost half an hour ago.

the knowledge that his mental torture could have ended earlier only passed his mind briefly, as he was more bothered by the fact that he had ignored you for so long.

he opened the messages, smiling fondly at the short apology you sent for responding so late because your data wasn’t working. his eyes naturally drifted to the pictures you’d sent, the beat of his thumping heart rivalling that of a deafening drum as he looked closer.

it hadn’t been long since jaemin last saw you but the way your enchanting smile shone like the bright, blazing sun made him feel like he was being welcomed into a brand new day. a giggle escaped his lips when he swiped to the last photo, depicting you mid-laugh, trying to cover your face with your hands but failing to hide those adorably crinkled, sparkling eyes of yours.

‘as an extremely professional photographer, i personally think that they’re all great and you should post them all but i think you look prettiest in the last one,’ jaemin typed out and sent, exiting the app as soon as possible to stop himself from overthinking his response and stressing out about when you’d reply.

feeling the corners of his lips starting to curl upwards, he buried his face in his pillow in embarrassment, but even that couldn’t stop the massive grin from growing. the ring of a notification had him darting upwards, letting out a little squeal when he saw your name on the banner.

‘thank you, mr professional photographer na, the last one’s my favourite too, i’ll post them all with that one as the cover :) since ur such a pro, can you help me choose a caption too?’

never had a simple colon and closed parenthesis made jaemin kick his feet and giggle before, but the thought of you smiling so sweetly behind your screen as you messaged him had his heart racing and his cheeks reddening.

he quickly replied with an ‘of course!’ and, before he knew it, there was no longer that anxious wait between him sending messages and you replying. as the conversation went on, jaemin gradually felt at ease talking to you, his responses coming naturally rather than being carefully crafted and analysed. although the beating of his heart was still erratic, there was something so comfortable, so natural about talking to you that made his worries and everything else around him simply drift away.

that was the first of many late nights jaemin chose to spend with you.

© YOUR-WORLD-WITH-NCT, 2023

[fictionkinfessions]

My dear friend and old champion..

You chose the worst possible outcome. You could've just killed me, and yet you trapped me in a prison and removed our home from everyone's memory.

Or, an even better option, you could've /talked/ to me. We could've worked something out, and your guilt speaks volumes. I had discovered, invented, something revolutionary, yet you were scared... You wouldn't even come to an agreement or kill me like a man.

After all those years trapped away, you couldn't even come see me yourself. You let someone new take your place and end me in your stead. Cowardly.

I've grown to hate you, to despise you. All that time left to sit and wonder why I wasn't worth even talking to, all that time wondering why a lonely, hungry, and imprisoned exile was your best choice. You've hardened my heart and realistically I hope to never see you again...

Yet, I still find myself missing you. I find myself reminiscing, longing to go back to those days of practicing three block and diagonal jumps, talking about different battle strategies, discovering new ways different blocks behaved in parkour battles, studying how to read parkour, sharing words late into the night and watching the stars drift through the void, dreaming about making our ways up the levels and becoming champions.

You threw it all away because you refused to listen, to see my side. /You/ are why I wished to destroy the entirety of parkour civilization. You tainted it, you proved to me that no mater who held the title of champion, they would still corrupt eventually.

I trusted you, and you threw it all out when you got your fancy pair of blue boots.

I hope god is treating you with kindness - a decency you never thought to offer me.

- Pierce (Parkour Villain. Fictive)

x

[kats-fic-recs]

The Best Daredevil Fics I read in 2022

How to Make a Family by Matt Murdock

Step 1. Have a dad.

Step 2. Lose your dad. Be miserable. Great job, everyone. We’re doing amazing so far.

(Matt's arduous journey towards being a functional person, with many stops and starts along the way.)

Candy Land

Matt is having fun with this, at least in some way. Sucking on Life Savers and smirking, and no guilt at all. If Matt could feel guilt, none of this would be happening. Things might be okay again.

But he doesn’t, and this is what Foggy is left with: a candy-stained mouth and a creature that’s more devil than man.

And Foggy still loves him

Invisible Ink

“Hello, welcome to Josie’s, I’m Foggy, what are you looking for?”

“Uh, nothing,” the guy replies, and Foggy is nonplussed for the nanosecond it takes to put together glasses, cane, and the way Hottie McHotFace is gazing absently over his shoulder.

“Oh, oh, you’re blind, dude, sorry. But, uh, this is a tattoo parlour?”

“I know.” The guy sighs. “I lost a bet?”

Or: The One Where Foggy Is A Tattoo Artist And Matt Is The Worst

Just to Listen to Your Breath

After the events of Season 2, Matt and Foggy aren't speaking. But that doesn't mean Matt's not hanging around.

Knock Three Times (On the Ceiling If You Want Me)

Matt's downstairs neighbor sings showtunes (badly) at all hours, eats weird-smelling food, and never stops talking.

Matt falls in love long before they actually meet.

Rowan and Red Oak

Foggy meets a man with a red oak wand and a sweet smile. Over the next eight years, Foggy makes a lot of coffee, reads a lot of tea leaves, breaks a lot of rules and casts a lot of charms. He also spends a good amount of his time pining over his perfect partner and trying to keep his wild outbursts of emotional magic to a minimum.

Stupid Cupid

Foggy plays karma bingo and wins a cupid.

His cupid is possibly the worst matchmaker in the world.

Other People's Blood

Foggy finds himself reminiscing on the ten years he's known Matt Murdock - son of and assassin for the Kingpin. The things they've learned about each other and the violence they've wrought together. Something sharp, and twisted, and beautiful.

A love story written in other people's blood.

The Constellation of Touch

Months after Fisk is put away, nothing's right between the partners at Nelson and Murdock. But Christmas is here, and Matt is still expected at the Nelson house.

darling you're stars

Matt wanted only Foggy’s purple flannel and if he could not have that, then he would have nothing. He would go cold.

(Foggy tries to understand the underlying causes of Matt's bizarre relationship with clothes.)

just meant to smile

“So we agree that Matt is still an Elle, though?” Foggy said.

The current working theory among their cohort was that there were Elles, Emmetts, Vivians, and Warners and if you weren’t one of them you were an extra and you were doomed to fail.

“Yeah, no. He’s still an Elle.”

“Okay, so at the risk of sounding desperate, does this make me an Emmett yet?” Marci gave him a pitying look. She reached over and squeezed his shoulder.

“It’s gonna be okay, Vivian,” she promised. “The plot will go on once we get our internships.”

(The Legally Blonde AU that no one asked for.)

Take All The Courage

When what should have been a straight forward mission in Hell's Kitchen goes pear shaped due to lack of communication, teaching his teammates sign language seems like a logical step to Clint. Communication when their comms are down - great plan! And including the local vigilante, who's been working closely with them on this, is a real no-brainer.

Until it turns out said vigilante is an asshole that thinks sign language is beneath him, judging by the way he's stubbornly refusing to learn it.

(Conversely - Matt's trying, he really is but damn it, those two signs are exactly the same... what do you mean they mean completely different things?!)

None So Blind

They say when you assume you make an ass of you and me.

Matt wishes that the Avenger's assumptions about his seeming inability to read the written word did something as benign as making an ass of him and them. Being called illiterate shouldn't hurt, not when he knows he's not, and it's not like he can tell them the truth.

Not that the truth would make much difference. He's just going to have to grin and bear it.

If he can.

Speyeria Cybele

Matthew's not the first Murdock to tell Father Lantom he had the Devil in him. Only Jack's Devil was nothing like the one Matthew sees in himself.

Jack's Devil was magic. Literally.

(Or a history of Father Lantom's relationship with magic, the Devil and the Murdock boys)

anthropomorphism

Matthew Michael Murdock was a person who had been taken, killed or next to killed, and turned into a droid.

Foggy sobbed as quietly as he could into the toilet.

Like a Handprint on My Heart

The day Foggy’s supposed to start working at Hogarth, Chao, and Benowitz, he wakes up, walks into the bathroom, starts to take a leak, glances down to check his aim, and freezes when he sees black letters on the inside of his right elbow.

His bladder forgotten, he brings his arm up, closer to his face and horizontal, as if he couldn't tell what the word was immediately. As if he'd somehow misread it, even though it's only four letters.

Matt.

Look Around, It's You I Can't Replace

Matt handles his separation from Foggy after the breakup of Nelson and Murdock a bit less well than he anticipated. As in he doesn't really handle it at all.

What All This Time Was For

On the rare occasions he reminisces about high school Foggy kind of wonders if he isn't just filling in the worst parts of teen comedies.

Foggy goes to his high school reunion.

[nearlyjaye]

through the dark

Sidurgu/WoL/G'raha | 1.3k | Mature

Sidurgu and G'raha reminisce on their relationship with the Warrior of Light.

CW for NSFW text and references to sexual content.

“Are you sure you’re doing alright, my love?”

He asks it with the utmost gentleness, sliding his head down on the pillow so he’s closer to Zala’s level. She hums sleepily into the mattress from her position on her belly, only turning her head when G’raha carefully nudges her cheek to catch her attention again. Though he’s already checked in while he took the warm, damp cloth between her legs and brought her a glass of water, he needs to hear her say it one more time.

“Mmhmm, Raha. I’m more than alright—there’s no need to fret about me.”

A smile breaks across his face at her words and the way her bangs cascade into her fluttering lashes. He brushes them away and sighs in small relief, biting back the urge to praise her again for how well she did tonight—his cock is already exhausted inside the shorts he pulled on, but even if it wasn’t, he doesn’t want to risk disturbing Zala’s much-needed doze beside him.

Instead, he merely cards his fingers through her tangled curls to settle on her bare shoulders, mapping the distance between old and new scars alike as he listens to her breaths even out. His heart is so full with her that it takes him a moment to register the door to their bedroom sliding open and the tall figure entering.

“Ahem—” Sidurgu’s voice clears lowly, eyes tearing away when they land on the bed in front of him. He’s cleaned and re-dressed himself in an undershirt and shorts, scratching at his neck while he gestures towards the direction of the living room outside. “...I’ll just be out here, if you still don’t mind.”

But G’raha frowns as Sidurgu turns to go retire to the couch they’d offered him to crash on before things had, well… Escalated.

“We don’t mind, but—” he whispers loudly, catching Sidurgu in the doorframe. “Y-you could also sleep here, if you’d like. With us. That sofa will not be kind to your spine, and our bed is large enough for three, anyways.”

He’s not sure what compels him to say it—Zala’s nearly completely asleep, and he’s only met this old friend of hers a few bells ago. Perhaps it’s the lingering taste of Sidurgu’s tongue on his lips, or the imprints of his nails on Zala’s waist, but somehow it just feels wrong to send him away for the remainder of the night.

Sidurgu hesitates, shifting awkwardly. “If it would not be intruding…”

“Oh, not at all!” G’raha encourages, reaching over Zala’s form to pull back the edge of their quilt. “Please. And I know for certain she’d say the same as well.”

The bed creaks after Sidurgu treads over to recline on the very edge, one leg attached to the floor as if he’s still contemplating fleeing. He glances over at the both of them from the corner of his eye, and G’raha gives him a reassuring smile. The air is different now that the intense fog of desire has settled and Zala is no longer facilitating conversation between them like she had at their impromptu meeting in Gridania, but something about the man’s steady gaze keeps him at ease.

Still, he’s surprised when Sidurgu’s the first to speak. “...She’s already asleep,” he notes as G’raha continues stroking her hair and shoulder blades.

It brings a wash of bittersweetness over him, memories of night after night of waking up to Zala reading or pacing or fiddling with her sword in an attempt to tire herself out. She’d had trouble sleeping since Silvertear—when he’d force himself to stay awake so she wouldn’t have to feel alone, pinching himself to keep his eyes open and keep researching with her. Moments he’d soon wish he’d tried harder at, wondering what tiny details he hadn’t been able to etch into his mind to pull out on the darkest, loneliest of nights.

But every aching second of missing her was worth the gift of soothing away her worries now, trailing his fingers down the curve of her back like he knows she loves so much. “I suppose much has changed since you two last spent time with one another,” he muses, a twinge of guilt forming in his chest at the way Sidurgu slowly nods. G’raha knows a summable portion of her pain and sleepless nights back then stemmed from his own actions, and though time and forgiveness has healed them both, he doesn’t think the reminder will ever not sting.

“I thought myself to be… different, especially over the last few years,” Sidurgu murmurs, “But…”

He rolls to his side, guardedness slightly slipping as he rests his head on a palm. “I’ve never seen her like this.”

It makes G’raha chuckle, cheeks feeling warm. “That is… in a positive way, I hope?”

Sidurgu’s lips quirk. “I’d say so. You have something very special with her.”

G’raha’s blush flares, and he ducks his head sheepishly at the implication. Even after all they’ve been through, the acknowledgement that what they have is real, that they’re together… it still feels like a dream. 

But he doesn’t miss the cloud that deepens seafoam eyes, the lower lip swollen and marked by multiple pairs of teeth curling into an expression G’raha can only place as wistful. Mayhap he’d feel a hint of jealousy if they were in any other scenario—but after witnessing the regard and trust Zala and Sidurgu hold with one another, watching the tension melt from their bodies as they whispered into horn and ear…

He can’t help but slowly slide his hand across the bed until it meets Sidurgu’s. Feeling the callouses, the scars, the worn skin of his knuckles, quelling a thumb over his scales until the larger hand relaxes into his. It’s only then that he guides them both to Zala’s back, hovering for a long beat before tenderly resting them on her. She sighs contently in her sleep, letting out a quiet purr as two hands splay across her, covering her, shielding her. As they’ve always wanted to do, even when they were apart.

“Thank you, Sidurgu. For taking care of her when I could not.” 

There’s a wave of unexpected emotion that forms a lump in his throat at the words, and he has to cut himself off before it overtakes him. He could go on all night about how much it means to him that he’d watched over her, made sure she wasn’t alone, comforted her in whatever way she needed. But for now, all he can do is smile as Sidurgu’s hand engulfs his, squeezing in recognition as his longer legs finally rise to the bed to tuck himself in next to them.

An incantation ghosts over G’raha’s lips as he dims the lights of the room, and oh, how the meaning of darkness has changed for each of them over the years. It’s something he now holds close to his heart, the same as every new memory he gets to make. With her. With the people he read and re-read about until the pages were worn and his fingers were trembling, never daring to believe he could mean something to them.

But G’raha’s growing drowsy as well, snuggling closer to his moon, his Zala, draping his tail over her for more coverage as he buries his face into her scent. The fluttering affection swells between his ribs as he feels Sidurgu shift to mirror him, fully sinking into her other side and holding onto him and Zala both.

He’ll find a way to properly thank Sidurgu later. For now, he’s content to merely soak in the shared intimacy of the dark.

[onthatbkdkbs]

bloodsport pt 1

bkdk x tlou crossover

warnings: dark themes, violence, bkg's mouth

At some point in his life, Katsuki must have known happiness. Simple things might have brought him joy. Chasing butterflies out in the fields, for instance. The trading of shiny Action Hero cards passed between sticky, chubby hands. A gapped tooth smile under a constellation of freckles and big green eyes that beamed at him like he was the brightest star in the galaxy. Like he was someone worth looking up to.

That was Then. This is Now.

The eye peeking up at him now through a careless tear in the funeral hood is dull and empty. No life left inside, another future snuffed out. Just a kid, tiny and broken in Katsuki's arms. A kid wearing white sneakers, the once-pristine fabric scuffed from impacts and streaked with blood. Maybe twenty years ago it would've been mud instead, shoes ruined running from other children on playgrounds instead of brain-dead monsters in alleyways. Maybe he would have smiled big and often, eyes bright instead of glassy with death. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Maybe, what if, could’ve been. It's all pointless. No sense in dwelling on it. 

"How old were you again when the outbreak hit?" Kirishima asks this of him after their late afternoon corpse disposal shift. They're out behind the gritty apartment complex situated near the ass end of the QZ shithole they call home, sitting pressed up against the cooling brick and passing a smoldering joint back and forth. Katsuki wishes the smoke would choke him, choke them both, just so he wouldn't have to answer. No such luck. His next hit passes smoothly, not even offering a cough of delay. Katsuki's head swims with the high, but his body still feels like lead.

Katsuki throws the body into the pyre without another glance and hauls the next from the backend of the pickup, his movements mechanical and thoughtless. He is as empty as that child's eyes as they boil inside their sockets. 

-x-

"Ten," he answers, flatly. He'd been too young to fully grasp the gravity of the changing world around him, but old enough to catch on quickly. "You?" 

He doesn't care. It doesn't matter. But he passes the joint back and listens anyway as Kirishima sighs out a puff of smoke and nostalgia and says, "same. Man, I wish we'd had more time. Back then, I used to think the world was such a cool place. Everything was exciting. Anything could be fun."

What he doesn't have to say is: now nothing is. Everything went to shit, about twenty years back. Everything changed, and now nothing will. All of humanity stuck, fucked, and out of luck. The two of them have their own ways of dealing with it, and one of Kirishima's favorites seems to be reminiscing on 'the good old days' like the old fogeys that brew hooch and spend their nights bitching over sour drinks in the complex basement.

Perish the fucking thought. Katsuki would honestly rather get bitten.

The dwindling joint is passed back to him. He pinches it off with two roughened fingers to pocket the roach for later, grumbling and eager to change the subject. Nothing good ever comes of talking about this shit. "Deal still going through tonight?" 

"Should be." 

"How much again?" 

Kirishima sighs, dusting off his work jeans without a word and climbing to his feet. Katsuki does the same, the two of them meandering side by side through the maze of alleys and back into the dilapidated lobby of their living quarters. With their reputations neither of them is particularly worried, but they still keep close-ranked as they walk, shoulder to shoulder, eyes sharp. Never know who might be waiting around the corner. Desperate people do desperate things, and if there's one thing they all have in common nowadays, it's desperation. 

Hence, their reputations. Hence, the deal. Hence, Kirishima crouching on the scuffed hardwood when they make it up three flights of stairs and back into their tiny, bare-bones studio apartment, pressing down on the hidden seam of their hidey hole to better take stock of their inventory the second the door is bolted behind them. The floorboards creak angrily in protest as they're cracked open. The distant part of Katsuki that still rages deep down inside wants to screech profanities in commiseration.

"The guy wants 15 of the oxy and a gram of kush. Says he'll meet us by the old outlet mall over on 10th at midnight."

Katsuki sucks an annoyed breath through his teeth. As if he doesn't have anything better to do at 12 AM during the work week. Maybe like actually fucking sleeping? The nerve of military shit-bags. Still, he doesn't get a vote. He mumbles out an affirmative and pads over to the sad, beige couch stuffed in one corner, plopping down with a soft huff.

"Dude, are you taking a nap?" 

Katsuki grinds his teeth but swallows a sharp response, like maybe how it should be perfectly fucking obvious that that's exactly what he's doing. None of this is Kirishima's fault. Ten years ago Katsuki might have taken his frustrations out on him anyway, but he's grown since then. Now he understands that there's no fucking point. Instead he throws a half-hearted glare at their water-stained ceiling and shuts his eyes, offering not a word. 

Too bad Kirishima is persistent. He doesn't even wait a whole minute before he's pestering him again, stressing, "the ration line is only open another half hour, man. We'll only get scraps but it's better than nothing. C'mon and let's go eat."

He grunts. "Not hungry."

"Dude." 

Katsuki cracks one eye open, some of his old ire peeking through. He's tired. He just wants to sleep. He doesn't want to argue, which is unusual for him in general but quickly becoming a familiar feeling. "Fuckin' go without me. I told you, I'm not. Hungry. Jesus. Can you hear anything past that thick skull of yours or do I need to repeat myself?" 

“Loud and clear, bro,” Kirishima answers with only a hint of hurt, thick-skinned enough that he takes Katsuki's bullshit with relative ease. It's something Katsuki usually appreciates about the guy, but today he almost wishes he'd pick a fight. 

No such luck. Kirishima gives him one last lingering look of concern and takes his leave, closing the door softly behind him. Katsuki sighs, rolls onto his side to try and get more comfortable on their ugly, misshapen couch, and falls asleep within minutes. He really was tired.

-x- 

When he wakes up some odd number of hours later, it's to the twist of the deadbolt sliding home. Katsuki hums and rolls towards the sound, blinking open his eyes just in time to be blinded by Kirishima flipping on the lights. His fuckin’ luck.

“Shit,” he hisses, pained and squinting at the bright red mess atop Kirishima's head that he calls hair as his eyes try to adjust to the abrupt and unwelcome assault against his retinas. “The hell? Are you just now getting back? Time’s it?” The world outside the windows is as literally dark as it is metaphorically, so he must've been gone for hours. Katsuki is groggy as all hell, but he still swings his legs over the couch and sits his ass up. The look he catches on Kirishima’s face when he can finally fucking see again tells him that it's almost time for business. 

He isn't nervous, not exactly. Kirishima is too steady for that. It's that he's wary. They're careful, but unless you’re an idiot, you know surviving out here is more about luck than skill. Any time they have to go out at night for a deal is a big risk, and one they don't take lightly. Kirishima is especially grave about it, eager for them to keep their lives. 

Katsuki, on the other hand, mostly thinks that as long as he's not coming back as one of those things, he probably wouldn't mind losing his. Not to say that he's reckless. He wouldn't risk Kirishima that way. 

“Sorry, man,” the idiot himself replies, grinning sheepishly with a telling flush on his cheeks, “got caught up at Mina's. It's half past 11, so we should probably get going if we wanna make it over there in time.”

Katsuki grunts, already hunching over to pull on his boots. He'd have preferred to be awake about a half hour ago, to feel more prepared for this bullshit, but he can't begrudge his partner time with his girl. At least, not after feeling a little guilty about being so shitty to him all the time. And knowing, despite that guilt, that he'll likely still be shitty to him tomorrow.

The next twenty-five minutes are studded with anticipation. They check their gear, pack their stash, check their gear a second time, and then sneak out. They're quiet as they move down the stairs and out the back door into the alley; they're silent as they make their way through the streets, only the dim building lamps and the light of the moon to guide them. They hold their breath and avoid one, two, three goddamn patrols, working their way around the southern edge of the city and up along the west center. And then the mall looms tall and ominous before them, their surroundings abruptly much darker than the more residential quadrant they'd just been skulking around in. It's obvious to anyone with eyes that no one is supposed to be here.

What's probably less obvious, at least to anyone that doesn't either guard the QZ or routinely creep along its underbelly, is that this area is hardly ever checked up on. It's an admittedly good spot to meet up for shady dealings since it's outside the residential zones and the Feds are understaffed as it is, nevermind how lazy a lot of those bastards are. But it being a smart place to meet doesn't negate the fact that all this is a huge pain in the ass. Katsuki would complain about the paranoid-as-shit guards if he wasn't just as bad himself. 

“10th is around the corner,” Kirishima whispers, just loudly enough for Katsuki to hear. He nods and they make their way over down a sidestreet, alert for any shuffle of soles along the pavement, or whispers of fabric behind the drooping fences lining the street. It's eerily silent, which should be assuring but is oddly the opposite. Something doesn't feel right.

Before he can relay this gut instinct to Kirishima, however, there's a yell. They both freeze, figuring they're caught out, but then the yell comes again, along with the sudden realization that it's echoing from inside the mall. 

“Fuck this, let's go,” Katsuki says, already turning to bolt. This isn't his problem, and he isn't a hero.

The issue is, Kirishima doesn't seem to agree with the sentiment. He's rushing forward on fast feet before Katsuki even gets a goddamn step in the other direction. And even though it goes against every ounce of common sense Katsuki carries around inside his head (unlike SOME PEOPLE), and against all the instinct buzzing underneath his skin like a hive of angry, stinging wasps, Katsuki gives himself just a quarter of a second to think ‘holy motherfucking hell, I'm gonna to kill this hard-headed idiot’ as viciously as he can and then darts after him. 

They sweep into the building through a gaping hole in the concrete wall, sticking close and reaching to their belts for the weapons they hide along their waistbands. Katsuki feels a little steadier with the engraved grip of his gun pressing into his hand, but he's still buzzing with enough adrenaline and anger that he's trembling. If looks could kill, Kirishima would've dropped dead before they'd even made it inside. He can't believe they're doing this. 

But they're fucking committed now, and so Katsuki puts his all into finding this apparent damsel that Kirishima is convinced he needs to save from their distress. 

It doesn't take long. By the time they get a few dozen feet through the concourse they hear a thud and someone crying out from inside the trashed tech store on their right, which they creep over to as quietly as they can, crouching low. Katsuki peeks his head up over the busted windows, eyes wild and looking for trouble. His finger gently hooks itself over the trigger of his gun, itching to squeeze.

There. By the registers along the back. It's hard to see, the store lit only by a hastily placed oil lamp on one of the neighboring wall shelves, but he can barely make out the stark white FEDRA logo printed on the back of the guard's standard issue bulletproof vest, and then he sees someone else on the floor, lying supine with their hands up. The angle is fucked so he can't make out much of the person's face, but he thinks he sees dirt or something across their cheek in the imitation of freckles. The guard has the muzzle of his semi-automatic pointed right at them. 

“Spill it, shithead,” the FEDRA fuck is saying in a lazy drawl. He ain't worried. He thinks he has this in the bag, whatever he's trying to accomplish. That much is obvious. “Where're the rest of you rats hiding in here?” 

“N-nowhere,” the person replies, warbly and unconvincing. Sounds like a dude, albeit one with an oddly sweet voice. “It's just me, I swear!”

Of course, like Katsuki, FEDRA fuck doesn't buy it. “Right, okay. And I'm the Emperor of Japan.” His body lurches forward a little and the dude on the ground lets out a quiet grunt of pain. Stepping on him somewhere. A wound, probably. Katsuki cuts a glance to Kirishima and they both inch through the doorway on silent feet. This is gonna go south fast, so they need to make their move. “You wanna try that again, Freckles? I've got somewhere to be, so if you make this quick for me maybe I'll recommend they only throw you in prison, not in front of a firing squad.” 

Freckles blubbers something else, but Katsuki isn't listening anymore. He's lifting his weapon, lining up the shot with the back of FEDRA fuck’s stupid, unprotected head and squeezing the trigger. The silencer on the end of his gun muffles the shot to a soft hiss, and the guy drops like a sack of rotten potatoes. Freckles scrambles away with a low cry, trying to avoid being crushed by the body. 

“Nice shot,” Kirishima murmurs next to him. Katsuki grunts his thanks.  

“Oh, my god,” Freckles whimpers from his heap on the floor in front of them, hand to his chest and breathing hard. “I really thought I was a goner. Leader? Is that you back there? I'm sorry you had to save me.” 

Katsuki opens his mouth to answer, say he isn't anyone's fuckin’ leader, but he doesn't get the chance to. The door at the back wall that he assumes leads to the employee break room opens, and out walks his fucking brother. 

"Wasn't me," Kudo says. His eyes somehow meet Katsuki's identical ones dead on through the gloom, and he smiles. "Looks like you've got another hero on your side tonight. Stand up and say hello, Izuku."

Oh, fucking WHAT??

[thewittyphantom]

A new Shay episode happened, this time with Yuya!

Yuya: Shay... Shay: Yuya. I’ve been reminiscing about the past. I joined the Lancers to stop the interdimensional war. Believing that I’ll reunite with Lulu and Yuto someday...But in the end...What’s a stronger word than tragedy? [flashback] Shay: Who’s Ray? And what does she have to do with Lulu!? Yuya: Listen, Shay...Your sister’s not the only one who’s missing. Shay: What!? Yuya: It all goes back to the Professor’s daughter, Ray. When she sacrificed herself to defeat Z-ARC...The universe was split into four separate dimensions. And so was Ray. Into Zuzu, Rin, Celina - and your sister, Lulu. Sora: Now he’s trying to reunite the four girls back into Ray. Yuya: The only way to save Zuzu is to get Riley to smile again with my Dueltaining. So Duel me right now, Shay! Shay: No, Yuya. The man with all the answers is behind this door, and I want to speak to him first. Leo: That’s Ray...But then again, perhaps it is not. Things have changed this time around. Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri have not reappeared in each dimension. After Z-ARC’s defeat, only Yuya remains. Yuya: Yuto...Yugo...Yuri... Leo: It’s as if the universe decided that those three are no longer needed, erasing them from existence. Sora: That would mean Celina, Lulu, and Rin...They’ve also been wiped off the face of the universe? Leo: That is what I believe. As with Yuya, only one will remain. Zuzu Boyle. Shay: You’re saying my sister’s gone? I don’t believe you! Bring Lulu back! Or you’ll be sorry! Leo: That isn’t up to me. Even with all my technology, the impossible remains impossible. Shay: I don’t accept that answer! C’mon! Just save her! C’mon! Aaaahhhhh! I get that it isn’t fair...But it doesn’t mean I’m not furious. ...Yuya, this is all your fault. None of this would have happened if you hadn’t turned into Z-ARC. Yuya: !! Shay: Lulu and Yuto are no longer here because of you. Therefore, I will now get my revenge! Yuya: Look Shay- Shay: I haven’t finished yet! Yuya, you may be my friend...But with every bone in my body, I wish I had never met you. If you’re looking for mercy, mercy has left the building! Yuya: Fine then. Let’s go. [end flashback] Shay: There was no one I could direct my anger towards...except you, Yuya. Yuya: But after our Duel, you started smiling again. Because you had hope. Shay: Yeah...When I looked into your eyes, I saw Yuto. That’s when I knew that Lulu was alive inside Zuzu too. That’s what gave me hope. And in this world, maybe I can see Lulu again... Yuya: ....Let’s find out, Shay! Together! Shay: Yuya...

[virgothebest]

Mourning star.

ssHKK! I didn't even realize it fell. I couldn't hear it. But that's just the way the cookie crumbles I guess. Kinda hurts,now that I think about it. It REALLY hurts,actually. I hope it's an easy clean up at least. What am I saying,of course it won't be. My legs have been crushed,and my chest has been impaled. Well I hope I die soon. It was nice living.

Part one: The Empress.

After I moved out,my mom would send letters , what felt like everyday. Shame I never got to respond to any of them. I wish I could at least apologize. I was very ungrateful. I could probably trace it in blood,but that would really hurt. And she wouldn't want me to hurt anymore then I already am. If you can hear this,I miss you mom,and I love you. I remember all the times you took me to work with you,let me play with the cats that lived there. I remember everytime i scraped my knee or cut myself,and you would make me that herbal goop, I still think its quite nasty,but i appreciate it. If only that goop could help heal this,then I'd get to hold my loved ones once more.

Torthiel watched as her husband chopped wood, thinking still about her eldest. She could write another letter,but it would be a waste now. She couldn't get a response now or anytime soon. Probably never. She went to her lover,and held him gently. The youngest grave held the wind in its bowl, whistling as the two watched.SWSHHHHHH…they listened as it continued to whistle and whip around the stone bowl. The offerings may need to be changed soon. Little did they know another bowl would soon be beside it.

Part two: The Emperor.

Dad just stopped talking after I left. Really only greets mom and goes to work. Stays there until she's asleep, and comes back with the pay,sometimes groceries. He’d send a package or two to my place,make sure I ate well. I have to thank him for that. It really helped me pursue my career. I hope he talks to mom again soon.

Mangrove huffed,heaving the container of melons into the back of a wagon. Taking a second to rest after the labor,he got into the front of said wagon. With a crack of the whip,donkeys pulled his cart to the buyer. The cart suddenly stopped,a family running across the road. He called out,thinking he saw his lost child amongst them as they disappeared into the rows of crops. He sighed and continued driving to the customer as he reminisced about his lost kin. Watching the icy mountain where his loved one presumably resided.

Part three: The devil

I've always wondered what happens when we die. Is it like what christians say,if you're good you go up,bad ya go down? I've been ok,I guess? Maybe I just cease to exist. Or come back,like the light at the end of the tunnel is another birth? I guess I just hope I don't poof out of existence. I mean i'll never really stop existing,but i wanna be aware of it you know? But who knows,maybe by the end of this I don't care.

"̴̫̤̤̼͉̾̄O̶͈͚̟̗̺͋͋̆̕h̴̢̻́̚,̸̡͓̺̾͒͛̄ṇ̴͚͚̾͋̔̒ò̸̦̊̇͐͠,̴̠̥̐̇̅͝e̷̯̒̈v̵͖̮͌̊̚e̷͇̭͈͈͗̓͠r̵̡̜̙̓̂͠y̶̫͈̝̗̓̂o̸̘̫͎̙͆̆͝ͅn̷̳̙̩͙̊͋e̸͇̫̭̱͑ ̸̪̪͙̬͚̍g̷̹̊̔͝͝ò̸͕͋͋̚ě̷̦͎͆s̴̨͙̥̟͎̓̾̏͘͝ ̴̢̖̲̥͛͆̄̉ḧ̷̳̻́̐̾̀e̴̮̋r̴̗͕̼̱̄̌̄̚e̶̡͌͂̀̉̒,̴̨̨̝͚̯̌͛i̶̢̫͋͝t̶͓̐͝s̶̨̻͇̎͂̄̈́ ̴̼̥̜͙̎̀̾̕q̸̫̹͋̄ū̷͍̫̐͝ĩ̴̥̗̤̍̀̄t̶̫̼̓͗e̴̦̮̥͒̈̈̐̆ ̴̲͝n̸̤̮͌̃̎͝í̵̦̯͝c̸̖̈́̀̍̂ẹ̶̯̍ ̷̢̬̱̮̦̓̐͂͛ạ̶̡͕͓͓̓̋c̶͙͉̠̺̐̔t̸͚͇͒̈͆͘u̴͇͐́̽͋̚à̸̞̍̈́l̸̢̪̤̖̅̇̋̑l̵͍̼̇̌̃y̵̝̣̰̍̾͋̚.̸̖͔̥͇͕͆̄͝ ̶̹̭̜͙̈́̃̒͝ǹ̴̯͠͝õ̷̡̜̻͆́̅͝t̵̘̜̮͙̅̆ ̶̻̼̯̂͘a̴̯͓̣̭̰͂̈́̀l̴̦͍̀̈͗̿͘l̴̖̭̾̆̚͜ ̶͎̝̭́t̷̩̘̂ḫ̵̰̜̅̾͠a̷̮̹͂̈̄̆̋ț̸͔̺̊̾̿ ̸̟̩͍͕̹͌̌̌͒e̷̱̽̾̆ţ̷̲̪̼͐ͅè̸̡̘̀͆̑̉r̶̡̟͆̿̉̕̚n̶̜̂ȧ̶͇̟́͆l̶͖̰̟͙̃́͌͝ ̴̄��̧̺̼̜̊͛t̷̙̀̐͊̾o̷̮̗̭̊͂͊̀r̷͈̣̖̜͒͒͠ẗ̶͈́̎̏̋u̸͈͂͛͛̃r̷͙̃̑̐̐ẽ̵̠̓͘ ̶͚́s̵͉̍̐͘t̵̰̏̍ừ̴̟͉̗̎̿̄f̴̝̬̱̎͂f̷̜̻̙̮̪̎̎͐̇.̷͓̖̘̗̃͊̇̏͜

he watched from the side, nodding and slightly hovering above the ground.

Nić̵̟̳̻̥̼́͝e̶͈͛ ̷̱̖͔̈̐̐͗͝t̷̢̝̬̿̿o̵͖̟̔̋̉̓̾ ̵͇̈́̒͛̈́m̵̤̈́̉́e̷͔̬̋e̸̛̦̩̣̞͠t̶̝̂̍́̋̇ͅ ̷̫̰̖̌͊̇͜y̶̡̢̼̒̀̕ö̶̧̖̼͚̂ͅu̵͈̞̱̯͌̑̈́̒͛!̸̹̮̻͗ ̵̰̋ y̷̛͍̪̩̲̅ͅo̶͕̗͓̩̟̅͆̈́̅̚ṵ̵̬̓ ̸̧͓͛̊̎͝ͅc̶̡̩̼̫͓͐̿͝ǒ̴̰͍̲̾́u̶͇͉̓l̶̢̧͉̖̤̑̏͝d̸̨͇̱̭̂̿͜͝ ̷͓͌͜p̶̡͎̊̓r̷̗͍̊ổ̷̲̖̭̐̽b̴̬̆͝ã̶͎̜̺̙̒̄ͅb̴̧̡̈̃̑l̴̗̿͝͝y̶̘̘̆ ̷͍͖̼̘͐͜g̷̛̭̩̜̗̊͑ů̴̻̬̦͕͍͗ẹ̶̒̃͒s̴̝̺̈́͒̅͝s̴̺̓̋̈̎̉ ̶̧̰͇̭̝̕m̷̙̯͙͍̏̈́y̴̧̢̲͙͇̒͠ ̶̼̣̪̳͌͘͜͠n̵̯̥̫̦͗̉̒́͝a̸̮͝͝m̸̤͔̺̳̍̈͘͠ĕ̸̝̼͍̮̎̔ . Ỉ̵̖̆͐̌m̵̧̛͑ ̷̨̬̖̒̂͒̔͠V̴̜̠̹̋i̷͕̳̙͈̕͜r̵̬͍̜̞̈́͌͌g̸̖̑̈́̾̅o̸͉̗͉̟̊̑,̴̨͔̅ ̴̘̲̜̥͑͊̂́͝s̴̉̄͊͌ͅỡ̴͈̖͚̥͜͝m̷̖̘̽ẻ̵̖͎̈́̐̒̉ ̶̞̠̺̯͌͆̏͒̊c̵̪̅ä̸̭͂͂͐͜l̷̨̹̪͎̽ḽ̶̈͑̈́͂̅ ̶͚̱̉ṁ̴͚e̵͎̜͇͓̭̅̀̃ ̶̗̘͔͚̦̽t̸̝̿̀͑́h̷̻̠̓͛̇͠e̵̮̬̿́͌ ̸̩̀͗͝͠d̶̹̥̳̀͜ȅ̵̬̲̼̰̺̓͑͑̏v̷͔̞̠̔͂̔̀̈i̵̡͈͆l̶̼̗͚̠̥̋̉̓͠,̶̛͕͚̙̮̏̅ş̶̲̓͗̌̚͘ȍ̴̙̺̠̊m̸̡̛͙̥̪͊̾̎́ě̴̙̲̣̫́̈́ ̴̧̱͓̦̊͛͆̋͝c̸̢̬͍͂̆̀a̸̛̯̫͖̦l̵̤͆̑l̷̠̫̬̹͊̔́̄͘ ̵͙̲̹̉m̵̺̻̗̳̮͊̚e̵͍͈͔͔͝ ̵̡̭͈̫͍̌̅̉͝g̸͍̠̳͎͇̔ǫ̶̛̿d̵̡̻͇͛́̒̂͝ͅ,̸̭̅̑͐͠͝ͅ ̶̨̡̙̰̉͐b̵͍̈̓́͘͝u̸̩͙̬̽t̶̗͓̣̃͜ ̸͙͔̗̹̓̇̒i̸̧̘͇͂m̴̱̠̾͝ ̴̡̤͙̉b̴̼̯̟̏̀̈̑a̶̡̾̌͐́s̶̯͑̿ḯ̷̢͇̥͈̰c̸̹̲̀̓a̶̘͖̣̋͂͗̐l̸̼͆̋̈́ļ̵̦͉̅͆̌̈́̒y̸͍̽͛̀̈̾ ̷̳͚̃̚e̷̬̔͋v̷̻̳̣̕͜ḙ̵͖̥̄̇̓̃̈́r̷̖̦͇̗̪̈̅ÿ̵̪́͊̾̓t̵͓̲͆̔̈͆h̵͈͌̅́͑í̶̛̛̬̝̠̙̼̒n̸͍͈̘̼͆̒̄͘ͅg̸̜̎̈́͑͝

The ‘devil’ had many piercings,not earrings or such,but like the stigmata. Holes from arrows,or other weapons bleeding out with rotten sludge.

L̸i̶k̸e̸ ̴m̸y̸ ̷p̵i̵e̶r̴c̵i̵n̸g̸s̶?̵ ̴m̴a̸d̸e̴ ̴e̴m̶ ̵m̷y̸s̴e̸l̴f̴~

Wait,this is my story! Quit talking!

A̶w̴W̷ ̶i̶s̴ ̵t̸h̴e̵ ̸m̷o̴R̸T̷a̵l̴ ̸b̴e̷i̸n̷g̶ ̶o̴n̶ ̷t̷h̵e̴i̸r̷ ̶d̴e̷a̴t̸h̵,̶,̵,̶s̸c̵A̸F̵F̶O̵l̸d̵I̵n̶n̸g̶ ̸m̵a̵d̵ ̸t̸h̶a̵t̴ ̸i̴m̶ ̴m̸a̵k̶i̷N̶G̷ ̸T̴h̵h̸ ̶e̴m̶ ̷s̶e̶l̸f̴ ̴a̵w̴A̵R̸e̷?̵

Dammit quit, please.

F̶l̴n̵e̷

Now that the annoying…god? Demi-god? Hallucination? Whatever it is, it's done pissing me off now,so that's good. I guess death would be like just sleeping,and then never waking up? Maybe something more calming,like a big feast that never ends, constantly filled with my favorite foods. I don't know,I just hope it doesn't suck. Ugh,I can feel my lungs filling up with blood. It's really slow. This fuckin sucks, it’ll probably take a few hours.

i̶ ̵c̴a̶n̸ ̶s̴p̵e̷e̶d̸ ̵i̵t̸ ̵u̸p̸ ̵i̶f̸ ̸y̵a̷ ̸w̵a̵n̵t̷!̶

NO GAHDAMIT

f̸i̶n̶e̸e̷,̷y̵a̴ ̴w̵u̶s̵s̶y̶ ⛥

Part four: the Lovers

I remember when I first met them. It was like I was the mountain I live on,then suddenly I'm a volcano… they made everything better, everything was great after i found myself worshiping the ground they walked on. I wanted only to be intertwined with them. Soon finding myself on my knees in front of them after knowing them for a while,proposing. I love you, Woshia

a̵w̴w̸ ̵c̵u̶t̸e̶e̶~̴

I watched, seeing my lover arrive home from work that day “ I missed you!” I launched myself into their arms,holding them tightly “Dinners done,come in! It's your favorite :)” They smiled,holding onto me. “Thank you my dear I am exhausted,let's eat '' We went inside,sat down and got eating. I loved him so much,I kept spilling my food because I was staring at him instead. He held my mind in an iron grip,occupying every nook and cranny.

Part five: the world.

Guess it's time for some self reflection,now that I've covered everyone else. I’m virgo. I am a commissional worker,often fighting or helping rebuild after fights,like now. Except I should have been more careful,tied that pole up real tight. But hey,at least I'm dying helping someone. Maybe I'll get a memorial.

As I felt my body tighten around the pole,I watched as the person in front of me tried to comfort me,to make it less scary. “Thanks,hon.” “Of course.” I felt my brain slip into sleep, letting a sigh escape me as I passed. The last I heard was the scream of my lover,before I went. You’ve probably heard that your brain operates for however many seconds after you pass, that's a lie. Sad,but it is. A Lot of things are sad. You get born,you live your little insignificant life,then you die. Might keep going. Might not.

Part ̴̬̜̈̐͠ ̴̡̏ ̴̱̫̿ ̷̞̠̝̿̌̃̂́ ̴͍̯̥̰͇̏ ̷̭̺̔ ̸̞̏̎͝ : The star.

'I just wish we could have seen them one last time before it.'' Torthiel hugged Mandrake,and Woshia as they all stood in front of the second,larger bowl. they all sobbed and wept,mourning for the Lost Child of Stars.