#we'll stop eating your cake and pick another cake

[fauzhee10069]

Reading this thread, you’ll never know how sensitive some of your favorite authors could be.

Lesson learned; don’t comment anything if there’s nothing you really want to say to them.

Asking or encouraging them to write more? If you worded it wrong, it could rub them wrong and discouraging them instead.

Thinking again, I think we have this kind of paradox between writer-reader:

Authors’ writing fic, needs comment for encouragement to write more -> 

Readers comment to encourage -> 

Authors get offended by some of the comments, thinking they’re rude/pushy/demanding -> 

Said readers stop comment, worry that their favorite authors might dislike their comments again -> 

Authors’ wondering why readers rarely comment their fics, starting to lose motivation to write more -> 

repeat cycle 1.

Tbh, point 1!-Authors and point 3!-Authors could be different persons, but as a reader, how do we know which?

Easily offended point 3!-Authors don’t actually ask our motivation either.

Thus, the safest way (I think) is not to comment to their work if there’s really nothing you want to say and you just comment it for the sake of “telling them that we’re here”.

Or perhaps just drop this cheap emoticon 🙂👍 to tell them “we’re here, good, keep going.” (which regretfully why I didn't figure it out long ago).

Tbh, as a reader, I do love to have my favorite fics keep updating until the story is completed. Thus, the desire to motivate them arises.

Regarding the choice of words; sometimes we don't really think about it because we are busy (yes, this busyness is also the reason why we don't write our own fic).

Apart from that, another factor is that some of your readers (us) are not native English! Their words might not be rude in their language, but translated it in English… you might get what you considered rude.

I remembered an author who complained on twitter that a reader commented in Spanish on her English fic.

Have you ever thought that maybe the Spanish commenter once wrote their comment in English and was considered 'rude' by an author so s/he decided to use their own language to be safer?

As a writer myself (yes, I'm writing now); I don’t mind with how you worded an encouragement to me as long as the intention is positive. I don’t even mind with lack of comment as “I write because I love and want to do it.”

We may mutually agree that comments ‘like these’ are what should make us offended and demotivated.

Unpopular opinion, but I kinda wish AO3 has kudos feature per chapter (not just per story) and retractable kudos.

So I don't have to comment if they are the type of writer who demand recurring encouragement whenever they update.

TL;DR

The safest way is to assume that an author doesn't thirst your comments.

My mistake is assuming that authors who update for a long time is because they need motivation. Well, it could be because they're just busy.

Comment if you really have something to say that you like the story.

It doesn't have to be in every chapter, if there's nothing you want to talk about in that chapter, just be a silent reader or drop a positive smiley.

Random muse:

The first time I found AO3, I felt I found a more mature medium than FF.net.

Mature in quality and so on.

But speaking of sensitivity this time, I wonder if those Easily offended point 3!-Authors have ever been on FF.net before?

Remember that ‘reviews’ (yes, not ‘comments’) during FF.net era were on average harsher?

Complaints that your characters are OOC, your writing sucks, etc often happened there.

Worse, authors cannot reply to their insults (no ‘reply’ feature... back then).

We even had the term 'flame' for such reviews, and 'flamer' for those who write them.

Something that seems to be no longer used in the AO3 era. Even comments regarding OOC are rare todays (though I got one lol).

Yet, in every update from the authors, their A/N always included ‘R&R’, which means ‘Read & Review’, full of enthusiasm.

They don't bother with the flames they receive and keep doing what they love.

Your point? Not really there anyway, I'm just being nostalgic and contemplating the changing times.

[onestormeynight]

Birthday Boys

Sam started his morning the same way he did everyday; a solid line of special K off his dresser. Eyes watering he looked into the eyes of the pet frog his father had gotten him when he became a teen.

"Don't look at me like that, Augustus," he said, sniffiing. "It's just to take the edge off."

Ellie was checking out her new outfit in the mirror. She'd recently turned 13 and had entered her mean girl stage, or so Sam liked to snipe. So what? Heather Chandler and Regina George were iconic for a reason.

She was meeting up with Lily later that day to go shopping. It was also Sam's birthday, but everyone knew Lily probably didn't remember. Ellie couldn't help it that she was their mother's favorite. People had favorites and that's just how the world worked. She'd be nice enough to remind Lily what day it was, but what Lily did with that information was up to her.

"Happy birthday, son," Ricky said as Sam came out.

"Thanks, Dad."

"18. It's a big deal."

Sam shrugged. "I suppose."

"I got a cake from Penny for you. I thought we could go to Magnolia Promenade. While the girls are shopping I thought you and I could go pick up Rosie's newest book at Bhoarders. We'll meet back up with the girls for lunch."

Sam stopped for half a second, then continued getting his breakfast. He knew Lily wouldn't see him. Ellie choosing her over him was salt in the wound, but what could he do about it? Ellie was turning into their mother.

"Wouldn't Roz give it to us for free?" Sam said.

"Well, probably, but I'm not testing those waters. I have a lot of sucking up to do. Can you make sure that cat of yours is inside before we leave? I don't want her to get stuck in the rain."

It only took a few calls before Circe came running up to Sam. She was supposed to be for the house, but she played favorites. Circe slept in his room, sat on his lap when they watched TV and brought him little gifts.

"Good girl," Sam cooed, brushing her out before taking her inside.

Lily had not arrived yet when Ricky and crew had. Ellie texted her to see when she was coming.

"She's running late," Ellie said. "I'm going to the clothier's, I'll meet up with you when you're done."

"You don't want to see your sister's book?" Ricky called after her. She didn't stop walking. "I'll just get her a copy."

"Don't bother," Sam said. "She doesn't like her."

Ricky heaved a sigh. "Come on, Sam. Let's eat cake."

Penny has made him her iconic hamburger cake. He couldn't help but smile and feel a twinge of jealousy. Rosie got to grow up with such an amazing mother and he was stuck with fucking Lily.

"I want to talk to you about something, Sam," Ricky said. "I know I haven't exactly done a perfect job of raising you two. Penny makes it look so easy, but it's not always. Especially when you have someone who is choosing to make everything more difficult." Ricky rubbed his chin. "But you have weathered this better than I could have hoped for."

Another twinge of guilt. Ricky hadn't yet figured out Sam's extra curricular activity. The thought of seeing his dad disappointed in him made him sick for a few moments.

"I am so incredibly proud of you, son," Ricky finished, his voice catching a little. "You are a thoughtful and kind young man."

"Are you kicking me out or something?" Sam asked.

Ricky paused for a moment and then laughed. "No, no! You can stay home as long as you want to. That's your room forever. I'm not moving. I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you and that I love you."

"I love you, too, you sappy old man. It's your turn for candles."

((prev)) ((next))

[running2reanimation]

Birthdays

Happy Birthday, King!

King woke to the smell of something burnt. Not the best way to start a birthday, but still definitely not the worst way he'd ever started it. But that was almost another lifetime ago, or at least it felt like it.

He slid out of bed, making sure his feet thumped audibly against the floor and immediately heard, "NO! DON'T GET OUT OF BED YET! STAY PUT!"

King rolled his eyes and tucked his feet back under the covers. He settled back in bed, listening to his son scrambling in the kitchen for a few more minutes before finally appearing at his bedroom door, breakfast tray in hand and a bright smile on his face, "Happy Birthday, Dad!"

"Thank you, Gold," King looked down at the tray that had been set upon his lap. There was toast and two hard-boiled eggs, "So, what did you burn, and how bad was it?"

"Uh... the pancakes, but-but-but it's already cleaned up, which is good because we've got a big day ahead of us! After you finish breakfast we're gonna go to the park and fly a kite-"

"Aren't you a little old for that?" King asked between mouthfuls of egg.

Gold just shrugged, "Maybe, but I know you like to fly kites and it's your birthday. Moving on! After we get bored of that we're gonna take the train to the city, stop at Merlot & Lime's for lunch-"

"And where are you getting the money for that?"

"Don't you worry about that, I promise it's legal, that's all that matters. Anyway, after lunch, we're going to go to that used bookstore you like and you can pick out a book or two, then we're gonna check out the space exhibit at the museum and then supper at Coal's, then it's back home for cake - courtesy of Aqua, by the way - and presents. Sounds good right?"

"Sounds great, Gold, I'm impressed you planned this all yourself."

"Well, some of your planning skills had to rub off eventually," Gold grinned, collecting the dirty dishes, "Now, I'm going to wash these while you shower and get dressed and then we'll be off!"

And with that Gold practically skipped out of the room.

How did he get so lucky?

----

He hadn't even realized it was his birthday until he looked at the date on his phone after taking that call with Sky.

... It didn't really matter, the day was almost over.

Maybe he'd heat up one of the microwave dinners that had a dessert to celebrate. Gold... wouldn't like the idea that he'd done nothing special.

----

"Good morning, Baba!" King jerked awake at Purple's cheery voice, honestly grateful for the wake-up-call, "Happy Birthday!"

King blinked at him in confusion, "...How do you know when my birthday is? I don't think I ever told you?"

"Oh, I have my ways..." Purple smirked, coming in with a tray to place upon King's lap, a fruit, yogurt, and granola parfait and two blueberry pancakes with honey.

"After you're done eating, you need to get washed up and dressed up nice, we're heading to the city for lunch and a matinee concert, and then back here for a party later."

"A party?" King tried to keep the trepidation out of his voice, but he was sure Purple picked up on it based on the reassuring smile.

"It's just the Colour Crew, don't worry. Oh, and Aqua! She made the cake, said she knew what you liked and not to worry about it," Purple patted the big stick's knee, taking the dirty dishes, "Now, I'm going to wash these while you shower and get dressed and then we'll be off!"

And with that Purple trotted out of the room, clearly quite pleased with himself.

How did he get so lucky?

[kimhargreeves]

The Guys From Toman Find Out You're Secretly A Girl (Tokyo Revengers)

Summary: You've been a part of Toman for a while,on one of your gang fights you get yourself injured, soon enough they each find out that you're actually a girl.

This includes: Mikey x Reader, Draken x Reader, Mitsuya x Reader, Baji x Reader, Kazutora x Reader.

(This is way before The Bloody Halloween and before Takemichi is introduced, so he won't be mentioned here. More characters will be added soon too!!)

••••Manjiro Sano "Mikey"•••••••

"Let's beat their asses!!"

Half of the guys exclaimed and began to get into their own bikes. I quickly got on mine and followed them shortly, I picked up on speed, adrenaline already filling my veins with excitement over another fight.

I parked my bike and eagerly joined the guys to fight our opponents, around my hip I had a couple of daggers hidden just in case if I were to used them.

"Hey look! It's those weaklings we beat up a few weeks back." the leader from our rival group said, laughing to see us again

"We aren't just any weakling, we're the Tokyo Manji Gang. You may have beaten us once, but we'll make sure you'll all eat those words." I grinned wanting them to get angry.

This seemed to do the job since their leader scowled. Draken had a smile on his face and gave me a thumbs up, "You sure are getting them all riled up."

"Now this will be a piece of cake, huh, Kenny?" Mikey absentmindedly said chewing on a pocky I had given him earlier, since I know he loves sweets.

Draken growled and looked down at Mikey. "I told ya to quit calling me that!"

"Are you guys seriously figuring over that?" Mitsuya said tilting his head staring at both of them.

"Sounds pretty dumb to be fighting over that when we have those guys asses to beat." I heard Baji say.

"Will you guys stop arguing for once." Kazutora sighed from behind me.

Mikey smirked to himself and I watched shin rest hold hands inside his pockets. "Alright alright. Say, (Y/N)." I hummed and looked over at Mikey who isn't that much taller than me.

He winked and smirked at me. "If you manage to not get yourself hurt you'll be treating us all to a meal."

"He better not order the kids meal again." I told to myself. I hummed and was ready to take on that challenge.

"Enough talkin' and more fighting!" The rival group said and began running towards us. We did the same and each of us began fighting a couple of different members.

Now being in a gang I knew I would get beaten up often, growing up I always had a habit of taking down boys but this was no where near the fights I had. Forts few times were extremely rough, on my first fight all we used were our fists. To say the least, that day I received a black eye and had almost broken my hand and rib.

And this fight we were having was to prove ourselves, we aren't like any other gang around. We don't always use violence and don't do unnecessary things like robbing people for fun like other useless gangs do.

Toman gave me a second chance at life when I thought things were over for me. Mikey was the one who accepted me without question.

Right now while fighting I easily began to dodge the rivals attack and held their first and head butted them hard making them fall to the ground unconscious.

I felt a sharp pain on my cheek and the taste of crimson in my mouth when I realized I was hit by someone's fists. I spit out some blood and glared at the guy who did it

The guy began to shake when he saw my cold eyes on him, he shrieked and began to run away, but I had gotten easily distracted, from behind me s pair of arms held me tight and threw me against the pavement.

I groaned in pain and the guy was clearly stronger than me, i felt a tug on my hair and my face was met with the concrete beneath me. The man holding me down began to laugh. My face was stinging and i felt blood running down my face too.

"Not so strong now anymore are ya punk?"

My mind began to fill up with the many possibilities he had, my hand made it to my side and I realized my daggers were gone.

"Looking for this?" The man chuckled again and before I knew it I felt a sharp pain on my chest. Last thing I saw before blacking out was Mikey kicking the man down before he raced over to me.

**************

I had refused to go to a hospital, which meant that Mikey was the one to take care of my wounds. Luckily, I was conscious right when he was about to take me through those doors leading to those awful white painted rooms. The look Mikey had given me when I begged him to not take me in was actually a bit scary.

Without any arguing he took me over to Draken's place to patch me up. Luckily Draken was out with the guys buying some more bandages and alcohol even if they all wanted to stay to help me out, Mikey convinced them to go.

Leaving me all confused until I felt a few buttons of my shirt which had been undone, my secret was already out to Mikey. I had no idea what to say, he's one of the coolest and most attractive guys I know.

If he kicks me out and doesn't want to be my friend then I'll be heartbroken, he gave me s proper home and made me feel like I finally belonged to a group...

We were on our own in Draken's room. I had looked down at my shirt again and did see that my wound was clean and stitched up, meaning he must've been the only one to see me.

"So..You're a girl?..." He questioned slowly.

Mikey looked down surprised at my already clean chest wrapped in bandages, i just stared back at him, his stare didn't made me uncomfortable at all.

I did the first thing I thought was the best. i bowed my head in both being grateful that he tended me but feeling ashamed at hiding my secret from him.

"Yes..please forgive me, Manjiro Sano." I said using his full not wanting to disrespect him in case he doesn't want me to use the name I've been calling his for months.

"My time of being member of Toman had been nothing but life changing. I am respectfully asking you to leave the group and no longer worry you or the team-"

"Cool!" Mikey gave me a closed eyed smile and gave me a thumbs up. His pale cheeks turned to a light shade of pink.

"Ehh?" I tilted my head confused. And here I thought he would be angry or somehow beat my ass.

Mikey patted my shoulder making me flinch just a bit. "I think it's badass to know that a girl can defend herself. You had me fooled for months, though I do say I had some speculations."

He hummed thinking back to whenever it was that I had acted weird, or maybe a bit feminine. "The guys did say you didn't have a masculine voice, the others began to say that maybe you were gay."

I stared at him deadpanned and pouted. "Just leave the rough fighting to us, okay? You're already family to us." Mikey said continuing to smile.

This time I smiled back and felt my stomach flutter, just like it did earlier when Mikey saw me bleeding on the ground and picked me up to quickly bring me in here on his bike. Mikey had his speculations back then yet he continued treating me the same, no one else did.

"I'm so happy to know that I've already made all of you feel comfortable around me. This truly means a lot, Mikey."

I took a sharp breath in when I felt him wrap his hand around my uninjured one, since I had broken my other hand. Mikey smiled genuinely at me.

"Don't ever lie to me again, okay? I'm looking forward to knowing the real you behind-" We both jumped up when the door was harshly kicked open.

We stared back at Kazutora, Baji, Mitsuya and Draken. We all continued to just stare for a few minutes when we knew I was fucked, they all know my secret now, and Mikey and I are still holding hands!!

"What the fuck?" They all said staring at us.

I shrieked and tried pulling my hand away but all Mikey did was hold his tighter until he joined me on the bed and protectively wrapped and arm around me and pouted, slowly doing hid best to cling to me.

Kazutora and Draken were the ones mostly surprised, "(Y/N) is-"

"Why the fuck are (Y/N) and Mikey holding hands?!" Correction Baji is the most surprised one.

We all stared at him weirdly since we figured out that he was extremely slow, he began questioning us on why we're holding hands, his mind didn't seem to register what was truly going on.

"You really are a lost case aren't you?" Mitsuya disappointedly said while Kazutora ashamed hid his face from us

"Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?!" He asked digging his fingers into his black long hair.

"You truly continue to surprise me." Draken all deadpanned muttered.

"(Y/N) is a girl. Mikey and her are dating now." Kazutora said it, putting it simple. I glanced over to my side and saw the biggest smile on Mikey's lips.

•••••••Ken Ryuguji "Draken"••••••••

Right when we made it to fight a rival team was when the weather thought that it was the perfect time to rain heavily alongside with thunder. I took my position next to Draken and Mikey, i was by no far the strongest of the team but I did my best to always remain strong and pretend to be for the team.

I don't want to disappoint the boys and if they find out in really a girl, well my whole life will turn to worse. They won't treat me equally and will most likely kick me out.

"Hey, (Y/N). Stay next to my side, alright kid?" Draken told me with a smile.

That almost made me feel weak to my feet. I shook the thought of since the guys will notice the quick blush rushing up to my cheeks.

"R-Right!" I agreed and gave him two thumbs up. This made Draken continue to smile.

"You're an odd one, kid, but I like you." I heard him tell to himself.

"Enough chatting! More fighting!" The rival leader said and we all ran towards each other to best the living crap our of them.

I punched and kicked several of them until I was now face to face with the gangs leader. There's no way I'm going to let him hurt Mikey since he was charging towards him first. The man looks at me surprised before grinning maniacally.

"Didn't expect for the shorter one to have guts. I was thinking if sparing ya for a second there, you're kinda my type if you know what I mean." He said and stuck his tongue out.

That made me scowl at him and glare harder as I held my fists up. "Such a shame, well, guess I'm gonna best the shit outta ya. Haaaa!!" The guy began running towards me.

I did a backflip and ended up easily knocking him down on his feet, guess those ballet lessons from back then worked for me. The man quickly got on his feet and didn't look like he was giving up easily.

Bodies of his team began to hit the ground, making him look back at them then at me. I noticed and saw Draken had his fists covered in blood alongside his nose, he must've punched those guys very hard.

"Oh, so you gotta a boyfriend." He exclaimed and laughed loudly, "Let's see how long the teams let will remain on it's feet then!"

The man began charging at me and this time I began to fight as we should. He landed a harsh punch on me but I stumbled back up on my feet and kicked the guys balls, suddenly arms were wrapped around me from behind.

I looked back and was surprised to see that it was the man I was knocked out just a minute ago. "He's all yours boss!" the guy from behind me said.

The man held me tight while his leader wiped blood off of himself and came over to punch my stomach but right before he did a figure appeared in front of me blocking the attack.

"Draken!" I said surprised to see him. The man behind me began to shake when he saw Draken's glare and started to let go of me.

Both of us pressed our backs to each other and held our fists up, him to fight the leader while I take care of the weaker one.

"Pssh. I thought I told ya to stay close to me!" Draken shouted.

"I got distracted!" I argued back once we began to fight these guys. Draken easily began to fight the man while I was now struggling feeling too weak.

As I stood behind Draken I didn't notice another guy rounding up behind me. I helped when the man lifted me and threw me on the ground. Both men held me down and I screamed in pain when I felt the man above me press something cold to me, a sharp sensation of a knife.

The man I noticed he was the one who held a knife and was ready to attack Draken earlier.

"Hearing your screams are making me feel exci-" I screamed again and with all my strength I raised my head up and headbutted the creep.

The guy immediately fell down unconscious. I tiredly looked up and saw everyone distracted, fighting on their own. Just up ahead I saw Draken grinning to himself and punching a guys face and easier avoiding the attacks.

Silently I began to cry and began to apply pressure to my wound when I noticed the other man was taken down.

I looked over and saw Mikey had easily kicked him, "You alright?" He asked

I simply nodded my head and made sure none of the guys would noticed that they had stabbed me.

"Damn it." I muttered and saw my hand covered in blood.

Almost no men were left, only the one Drake was still beating up. From behind me i heard Baji wanting to fight the man himself and Mitsuya trying for him to not get even more hurt.

My vision began to get blurry when I looked back at Draken's figure. "Draken." I whispered fearing the worst, wanting to call him loudly but failed to do so. I felt myself growing weaker as I reached my hand out but gave in.

I fell down on the ground on a puddle of my own blood. "(Y/N)!" I heard the guys shout my name. This made all of them run over to me.

Baji and Kazutora gently turned me around and it was Draken who looked down at my open bleeding wound. "Shit! (Y/N)'s not gonna make up, he's barely conscious."

I began to shiver and felt my entire body grow cold. "Fuck, (Y/N). Did you really continue fighting like this?!" I heard Draken's voice.

"Now's not the time for arguments, Ken. My bike is faster, take him to the hospital right now." I heard Mikey's voice.

I groaned in pain when I was lifted from the ground and was in Draken's arms, he easily had lifted me up and in a hurry was driving us down our way to the nearest hospital.

Draken told me to keep hold onto him righting while he was driving, my head lazily on his shoulder and i felt my breathing behind to shorten.

"(Y/N)! You better keep your eyes open, don't fall asleep!" He ordered me. I tried to do as told but it was too hard.

"I'm sorry.." I whispered and that's when I closed my eyes. The last thing I heard was Draken cursing to himself and swearing to kick my ass if I were to die.

***********

"(Y/N), is completely stable. She's a lucky girl to have someone like you, if not who knows what would have happen." I furrowed my eyebrows when I heard the doctor speak.

I'm not dead then? That's a huge relief.

Not wanting to have s confrontation I continued to have my eyes shut. Are any of the guys here? What time is it?

"Quit faking that your asleep, brat." I opened my eyes and saw Draken glaring at me. "Pssh you idiot! Did you seriously want to get yourself killed?!" He angrily shouted glaring down at my injured self.

I looked up and saw his eyes beginning to water. I looked down at myself and realized that the nurses had gotten rid of my blood shirt, meaning Draken must've figured it out that I'm a girl by now.

"Do you have any idea how much of a fool I looked when the doctor told me you're not a guy?!"

The door bursted open and in came Mikey. "Yo!" I shrieked beginning to rise the sheets up and Draken who quickly raised his hand up to try and cover me.

Mikey hummed and stared at us weirdly. "What's up with that look, Kenny?" He asked holding onto a bag of clothes.

"How'd you get in here?!" Draken shouted annoyed by him. "Don't you know of knocking before entering?!"

Mikey stared at him and smiled at him then turned to me. "(Y/N), I brought you some clean clothes for you to wear." Mikey said holding me the bag.

I opened it up and took the article of clothing out, a dress. I stared at it surprised and so did Draken both of us with our face completely turned red.

"You know about this?!" We both shouted at him surprised.

Mikey didn't even seemed fazed by it. "Of course. I mean the signs were there all along, maybe I'm just the only smart one of the group along with Mitsuya."

What?! Is Mitsuya the one responsible for this dress then?!!

"Pssh bastard." Draken muttered under his breath and glared at me. "You better not have anymore secrets from me, (Y/N)." He said would a clear blush across his pale face.

I held my hands up and made sure to let him know that I don't have anymore secrets. He hummed nodding his head, "Good."

Draken held his hand out for me to grab, I gently held his hand and felt how warm they actually feel. "Glad to know I wasn't actually losing my mind thinking I might've been attracted to a guy..."

I tilted my head and stared at him weirdly, "What?!"

•••••••Takashi Mitsuya•••••••

Ever since I had gotten into Toman we've had to get our uniforms fixed or updated in just minor things, but I always refused to have Mitsuya take my measurements.

"He's just shy that's all!" Mikey would say with a smile. I have a feeling that he secretly knew that I'm a girl, since he's the one who's always spoken gently to me and has made some hints.

School has ended for the day but we decided to join Mitsuya to watch him sew, the guys would make dumb comments and fool around while I always kept to myself only talking when necessary.

A girl who was helping Mitsuya with a few things sweat dropped and forced a smile on her lips. "You know I have seen (Y/N), wearing skirts before."

The room fell silent and I felt all eyes on me. I felt my throat getting tighter and felt my legs shaking.

"Fighting the system, nice! It's the 21st century after all." Baji smirked to himself and roughly smacked my back.

The girl continued to smile and hummed to herself. "I'm not against it..but I have heard some classmates right about it. What's your opinion, Mitsuya?" She asked him.

My heart leapt growing nervous of his answer. Would he be fine with it? Even if he doesn't know that i am actually a girl disguised as a boy?!

I've grown feelings for Mitsuya for months now and I would hate to hear him feel disgusted in the slightest by me.

When this whole journey started I grew nervous thinking everyone would hate me, elementary school was when I dressed up in the usual dress for girls, middle school happened and I decided to wear the boys uniform.

Because it was more comfortable and because my parents couldn't afford another uniform, do they made me wear the one my older brother left before heading to college. Not to mention having long hair was such a drag to have and maintain.

"W-Why don't we change the subject!" I tried to say clinging to the new and improved uniform Mitsuya patched up for me.

He remained deep in though before speaking up, "I don't think there's nothing wrong with, (Y/N)." He answered shrugging his shoulders.

"Maybe he's just one of those guys who are too self conscious because of their body."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, (Y/N)." Draken said joining in.

"Even if he does have the body of a noodle." Baji absentmindedly said making me glare daggers at him. How dare you call me that.

I fought back with myself to not say anything and I simply sighed to myself and defeatedly went to get myself changed.

"I still don't get why, (Y/N). Liked their clothes to be a bit too baggy."

"They look like a bag of potatoes." Draken said glancing back at me.

"You're right. I'll make some adjustments since there's no way (Y/N) will properly be able to fight." Mitsuya said making his way closer to me until I started to take a step back.

Baji tilted his weird looking at me weirdly. "Dude what's gotten in ya all of the sudden?"

"Nothing! I'm just tired. We can do this tomorrow I got an important..umm meeting! See ya!" I shouted and ran past all of them and out of the school building.

"Look who we have here Tomans pet."

"Huh?!" I scowled and froze when I saw one of the rival groups whom we had beaten their asses last week.

"And he's on his own too!" Crap! I'm gonna die. "Grab him boys!!" I screamed and started running as fast as I could

*************

It was the next morning and I was all bruised up and felt extremely weak. I made it earlier to school to be able to talk to Mitsuya, I put on my best smile and stepped into the empty classroom, i dont want him or any of the guys to know I was beaten up yesterday.

"(Y/N)? What are you doing up do early?" Of course thank god Mitsuya was here.

I smiled wide at him. "Is that anyway to speak to a friend?"

Mitsuya sighed and smiled looking back at me. "Sorry, didn't mean to sound rude. It's just surprising to see you up since usually the guys and I have to pull you out of bed."

That's usually right. I stepped closer and saw him putting his needles down and a piece of black material he had.

"What can I do for you then?" He yawned but a smile remained on his face.

"I would like to get my measurements done correctly."

This seemed to surprise Mitsuya since I don't let the guys touch me, only when necessary. "This is something, are you sure you didn't bump your head?" He joked.

I shook my head and decided to tell him the truth. "Well, you see. Ask soon as I left the building I was attacked, it my fault I tripped because of the long pants." I began to chuckle do he wouldn't feel bad.

When I looked back I saw a frown on his face, he seemed a bit scary when all serious. "This isn't funny, (Y/N). What would've happened if this were something more serious."

He sighed stepping out of his chair and told me to step closer, he took out his measuring tape and got a notebook to right down.

For the first time I let Mitsuya take my measurements, he began to measure my legs and arms. "If I would've known this earlier, i myself would've had a talk with those guys who hurt you."

I shivered when I realized that only my chest area was missing from being measured. I decided to speak some more to distract him. "S-So, Mitsuya. How are your sister doing?"

He hummed surprised and went back to smiling. "They are growing each day, they never stop surprising me."

Mitsuya had always been an amazing older brother to hid sisters, he cleans the house, washed the dishes, makes them dinner and leaves them at school since his mother is always busy.

He'll genuinely make an amazing and adoring father. I blush at the image in my head and once again him him chuckle.

"You know? They always ask me about you. For some reason they seem to really like you, it's like you understand them."

His sister's weren't dumb at all, from the very minute they say me they said I was a girl, and asked why I was dressing up all funny. That was out small little secret.

"Yeah..I wonder why." I said not wanting to talk about this now. Damn it.

I blushed when I met Mitsuya's lavender colored eyes. "Do you mind me doing the last measurement, since I know you hate people touching you."

That's not it at all.

I stared at him and slowly nodded my head. Good thing I'm all covered up as usual. I confidently stood up straight and let the man do his own work.

Mitsuya wrapped the measuring tape around me and froze, he looked down at the tape in his hands and saw the numbers. "...(Y/N), you're secretly a girl aren't you?"

Shit. I forgot to wrap my chest up...

We stared at each other not knowing what to say, that's until I noticed his pale face turn red like a strawberry.

He quickly moved back and hid his face in his notebook and scribbled down something. "Umm..I guess your uniform will be ready in a few hours or so. Do take care, (Y/N)."

Suddenly the classroom started to fill up and i stood by the door just watching Mitsuya being hidden behind his book. He looks adorable.

"Thank you for understanding, Mitsuya!" I waved. I watched him slowly lower his notebook until he looked at me again, he shakily raised his hand up and smiled.

•••••••Keisuke Baji•••••••••

"Pssh can't believe we're the ones having to pick up some gasoline." Once again I heard Baji complaining, through months I learned to not complain if he were to give me orders or argue with him, not like the first time.

I shiver at the memory that I almost had my ass beaten by Baji when I muttered how much of an ass he was. Mitsuya was the one to step in and calm him down.

"He's the new guy he doesn't know what he's saying!" The guys began to defend me, since I am way shorter than them and no where near as strong.

Baji scowled and glared at me. "Can't believe you guys would recruit a pipsqueak."

And that did it for me, I began to tell him off which lead to me to run away from the meeting and back safely into my home. Those were done good times.

"Hey, where's your head at today kid." Baji voice sounded making me turn my full attention to him when he handed me the gasoline.

"Sorry I just got distracted." I admit and yelped when Baji got down a bit and stared at my face, nerves got the best of me by how close he was to my face. Seeing him this close only makes him look more handsome! His long black hair really suits him too.

I pushed those thoughts aside and looked to my side, he seems like a wolf ready to pounce on its prey, literally.

I groaned in pain when he had poked my head a bit too hard. "Come one, we don't want Mikey complain on why his treats are taking so long." I did notice Baji grabbing a couple of candies for Mikey along with a few chips, which he didn't pay.

"Umm soooo...did you finish today's homework?" I asked not knowing what to say to not make out walk awkward.

Baji hummed with his hands in his pockets. "Are you joking?" He sounded so serious.

"R-Right! I should know better. The great Baji doesn't do homework."....I do it for him..I sigh remember on why I slept so late yesterday too.

"You're a really weird guy, ya know? Sometimes you act too cherry like a girl."

"You mean cheery." I corrected him.

He blushed hard and shouted, "That's what I meant now shut up!"

Now that made me laugh hard completely ignoring the heavy gasoline I was carrying, he's stronger than me I don't get why he isn't carrying anything

Our relationship did eventually grow a bit, he hated me but started getting used to me whenever Toman would have meetings or to simply hang out. Thing is I knew Baji before back in my first year of middle school, he doesn't recognize me because I used to wear the normal girl school uniform and he kept to himself in class.

I would simply stare at him from time to time and admire how handsome he looked.

He used to talk to my brother who also shared the same class, so because my brother had to transfer from school, Baji wasn't there to say his goodbye so in a way I decided to take my brother's place to try and be friends with him.

I was afraid I still looked feminine but Baji was oblivious as ever and didn't notice.

"Look at these punks having a good time." Baji and I stopped to see a random biker gang laughing at us who were just passing by.

This made me look up at Baji who didn't seem happy at all, already having his fists clenched. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"Damn it not another fight." I mutter to myself. Just half an hour ago he picked up a fight on someone who simply stared at us weirdly, on s guy who complimented on my clothes. The poor guy was left unconscious but not badly hurt.

I placed the set of gasoline aside knowing where this would be going. "Baji, why don't we sit this one out." I whispered getting closer to him and had grabbed his arm.

Baji shivered and glared down at me. The other biker gang began laughing at us, "They almost look adorable!"

"Yeah, notice how the smaller dude is clinging onto the other one."

I jumped back when Baji without a word began attacking the rivals, i noticed his long hair tied up to not get it in the way. Quickly he began punching them one by one having his fists already covered in blood, grinning like a maniac. He really is bloodthirsty.

"Damn it, Baji! will you stop picking up on fights!" I complained and only heard him tell me to stop being a pussy and right alongside him.

I did as told and ran forward to join him on the fight. I held my fists up and didn't hesitate to punch one of the guys mouth, while I punched the other guys balls and kicked one in the stomach.

It's still surprising for me to know that Baji and the rest of the team are between 14 to 16 years old. These idiots grow like trees and love to fight older men.

"Damn, for being small this one has fire!" I heard one of them day making Baji smirk when he spit a bit of blood out.

"Just how we like it at Toman. He's our most valuable member."

My eyes widened since I never expected to hear that from Baji. He was the only one to complain on how small and fragile I looked to be a member of their team, I proved them otherwise. But since them he started joking that I was Tomans pet since I looked like a chihuahua.

I was never the one to like picking up fights and getting hurt but with Baji I started feeling an adrenaline to it, making my life a bit more exciting.

I was confident in my moves and did my best to hit hard and make the other rival members fear us, but not everything goes as planned. Right when I turned around to punch the other guy was when I felt a sharp pain, my shirt being sliced and blood drawing from it.

"(Y/N)!" I stood still and my eyes widened when I realized I'm bleeding. My hand began shaking at the sight of my own blood.

Baji ran towards me and easily knocked the guy who sliced me down. "Shit! You alright, kid?!"

Tests began to fill my eyes until they started flaking down my face. "Am I gonna die?!" I whined and began to cry loudly.

Which made everyone stop fighting and stared at me weirdly. "The guy had a weird cry." I heard then mutter between themselves. I couldn't help but begin to cry, I'm still young and don't want to die.

"Hey, quit moving you're fine it's not a deep wound!" Baji began shouting so I could hear him. "If we stay any longer I know Mikey will have my head, let's go."

Baji grabbed onto my wrist and we both began running away with the guys behind us calling us cowards, even thought Baji knocked their lesfer unconscious.

"Quit crying! We'll patch up your wound and you won't feel a thing right after." Baji continued to say.

We made it to what I assume was his place, thankfully no one was home. He made me sit on his bed and left some alcohol and bandages, he ran downstairs to get some cold water.

I looked around and knew that he would take his time. I was ready to tend to my own wounds before he could get here.

Getting rid my black long sleeve shirt was wheb I saw the door was pushed wide open. "I already got some-"

Baji stopped talking and simply stared down at me, I stared back feeling no emotions at the moment the shirt I had on was now past my shoulders, showering my chest all wrapped up.

Few moments of silence passed until Baji began to stutter, "What the h-hell?"

It took him a long while to process what was happening at the moment. "You're a-a..a.." he couldn't finish the sentence. He covered his mouth making the tools he had fall down along with the water

His once worried and angered face changed completely. Baji was now a stuttering mess and his face had gotten completely red.

I opened my mouth to speak but he bets me to it. "No one will know about this, okay?" He bit his lip and I still noticed a blush across his lips.

"Sit your ass on the bed, I'll clean ya up." The entire time he began to do so he looked away to not look at me or my chest.

I couldn't help but smile and began to laugh at his unexpected reaction. "Hey! Quit moving or I'm gonna make this worse.

"You're a great friend, Baji." I blushed as well and saw his eyes widen before he muttered a few things to himself and gave me a new pair of shirt to put on.

••••••Kazutora Hanemiya••••••

I was wincing in pain and held onto my leg, one of the idiots we were fighting grabbed me and seemed to have snapped my leg. The guys had finished up beating the other guys asses and were calling for an ambulance.

I was beyond excited earlier to fight a rival gang stronger than us, since I had gotten quite strong and hsd practiced a lot with Mikey and Draken. But I'm still a girl so there's no way I was walking out of this unharmed

"This is stupid! I wanted to beat his ass!" I cried more of not being able to fight than my leg.

Kazutora sighed as he stood above and patiently we waited for the ambulance to arrive. "He hasn't even the leader, he was the weakest on the team."

Well, Kazutora did just hit his neck and the man fell.

I pouted and looked up at the completely uninjured man. "How come you always are unharmed?!"

"Because I know when exactly to strike, you're always rushing things, (Y/N). You gotta learn to know when."

"Hey! Come back here!" We looked up ahead and saw Baki chasing someone who was running from him. Kazutora smiled to himself and fought back a laughter.

His golden eyes seemed to look down at my tired ones due to amount of training I did which worked for nothing. "Once you are all healed up, i can maybe teach you a few things. Look."

Kazutora pointed out at Mikey who wasn't even doing much and easily knocked down a couple of guys. "You'll never be like Mikey, let's be honest. But you gotta have the same mentality as him when the time is right."

We watched Mikey easily knock a guy out with his famous kick, his dark eyes met ours and gave me a thumbs up before he went back to fighting. Draken always remaining by his side.

I heard a yawn behind me and looked back up since I was sitting on the ground. "And here I thought we would today get your famous dinner. It's a shame, I was looking forward to it."

Whenever the guys would have a major victory I would volunteer and prepare many tasty things got dinner, they each really seemed to love it when I cook.

"Now this is how you properly cook! Whoever marries, (Y/N) will be a lucky girl." One of them said while I was cooking. That made me spit the bit of wine I had in my mouth.

"H-Hey don't say things like that!" I felt extremely embarrassed. Kazutora remained quiet and watched me and Bajos argue about it. He simply smiled to himself and continued eating while Mikey began leaning onto his shoulder almost falling asleep.

The guys screaming in anger made me look back at Kazutora in an apologetic way. "I'm sorry, I promise to cook you your favorite once I'm all healed.

He huffed and smirked down, "You better."

We heard the ambulance arrive so Kazutora helped me up to my feet until we reached the car and he accompanied me all the way.

*************

About a week later I started feeling a lot better, i could do s few minor things but not much since my leg was indeed broken. Kazutora volunteered to look after me in the time being since my parents weren't home. They work outside of Japan which means I'm always home alone.

The guys were watching tv but not really paying attention since they kept joking around. I was cooking up what I had promised them and saw Kazutora walk into the kitchen with me and brought in the bottle of wine I told him to cook up the meat.

"You sure you can do this?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest and looking at me in the eye, not happy that i wasn't completely recovered.

"Of course! I'm feeling a lot better and want all of you to have a great time. Now go out and have some fun!" I tried waving him off.

"(Y/N), there's no need for you to wear those many layers of clothing, it's hot in here."

"O-Oh but I'm feeling a bit chilly." I continued to lie.

I heard a sigh come from him until he stepped closer. "I know your a girl."

My eyes widened and the bottle of wine almost fell from my grasp, thankfully Kazutora easily grabbed it. I looked back and didn't see him angry at all, he had his eyebrows furrowed and genuinely seemed worried.

"You could've gotten yourself killed out there."

I gulped and couldn't believe that he knows about this. "W-When did you figure it out?"

"A long while ago, when you got flustered over that marriage stuff. I had my speculations, but I was proven right when I saw your top button was undone when I helped you up to get to the ambulance."

The fuck?! I looked back and saw him looking away from me with a very faint blush on his cheeks. "You almost fooled me there, (Y/N)." He smiled back to me and patted my head.

"Just take things easy alright? Whatever you need don't hesitate to ask me."

[fireflykaizoku]

Kid x Reader | Little Pirate King

i started writing this yesterday when i was bored at my grandma's house bc i sounded like a good idea :')

tw: pregnancy.

Shock. Desperation. Fear.

These were the things you felt when you saw the pregnancy test, showing the result you feared the most.

Positive.

How could you have a child being a pirate? How would you tell your boyfriend?

Walking around the island, you kept thinking of ways to tell him, but whenever you thought about it, you got even more anxious. Maybe you could approach him talking about kids, seeing how he'd react seeing a child running around.

Before you could enter a store, you spotted a young couple holding a baby. You smiled involuntarily at the sight.

Kid clicked his tongue.

— Having a baby fever now? — he asked.

Your heart started beating faster, was it the right moment?

— I… Don't know. Why? — you replied.

— We can't have a baby now, nor anytime soon. You know it'll ruin my goal. I can't be Pirate King having a child on board crying all the time.

Well, shit.

— And what if it happened by accident? — you asked, not looking at him afraid of his reaction.

— It won't happen.

— But what if?

— (Y/N), where are you going with this conversation? — he seemed impatient.

— I’m not going anywhere... It was just a thought.

Later that night, while the ship was still docked and the others were at a bar, you weighed all your options. You could face Kid’s fury, but what would happen next? You’ve been together for long, but it was still hard for you to predict his next step. He would be angry, that’s a fact. But would he make you leave the crew? Would he make you interrupt the pregnancy? Maybe he would eventually like the idea… But then he’d think about his dream, of course.

“I can’t be Pirate King having a child on board crying all the time”.

While packing your stuff, you wondered if it was a selfish decision. You were denying the right of him to at least know he was going to be a father. But you also thought he would most likely hate the news.

You stopped for a while, contemplating writing a letter. So you started writing a little note.

Dear Kid,

I know you’ll want to scream and break everything after reading this. I know you’ll be angry, you’ll blame me and might even hate me. But I know you’d hate even more if I had decided to stay. Believe me, I know.

I tried to think of every possible scenario of how the situation would go, and decided that leaving would be the best… For all of us.

I love you, and I don’t want to be on the way of your dreams. I know you can be the Pirate King someday, and know that I’ll be cheering when I see you achieve your goal. I hope you can forgive me someday. And maybe we'll find each other again.

Be careful out there,

(Y/N).

It has been five years since you left. You had to struggle a little, but eventually got a job, and then had your own store on another island, and got a little house. Your son, (S/N), was born and became a healthy child. Looking at him made you realize that you made a good choice.

— Mom! Look what I made! — your son said happily. He was holding a little robot he made himself with some stuff he found while playing outside.

— That's beautiful! You did an amazing job! You're improving each day. — you smiled. — When I close today, what about going to eat that cake you like so much?

He smiled and nodded.

Everyday you looked at your son and couldn’t help thinking about the life you left behind. Not just because he was your child with Eustass Kid, but because the resemblance was uncanny. The red mane, the smile, and how he liked trinkets and to build stuff. He was just like his father.

Sometimes you regretted leaving without at least seeing Kid’s reaction. Sometimes you wondered if he would’ve liked the idea later on, or maybe not. You spent many nights thinking about the “what if’s”. But it was too late to change the past now, you made your decision.

When you closed the store, you took (S/N) to the bakery. He picked the dessert and you both decided to sit on the tables outside to enjoy the sunny weather.

— Mom, did you know that a pirate ship docked today? — he said, while eating.

— Oh really? — every time pirates docked at your island, you kept thinking if it was your former crew. — So we need to be careful, then.

— Someday I’ll have my crew. — the boy said, resting his face on his small hands. — I want to go on adventures with my friends!

Another redhead in your life wanting to be a Pirate King.

While walking back home, you stopped to greet someone while your child kept walking without you even noticing. When you turned to look at him, the sight made your blood run cold. Your heart skipped a beat and you felt your body getting tense.

Eustass Captain Kid, the Pirate King, face to face with your child. They both stared at each other with a creeped out look.

Kid felt like looking at himself in the past as a child full of dreams, while (S/N) saw how he wanted to be in the future. It felt like looking in a weird mirror.

No one said a thing, they just looked at each other with eyes wide open. It has been five years, and Kid still looked as good as ever. It felt like he hadn’t aged not one bit, and the only thing that was different and caught your attention was his arm, which somehow was replaced with a metal arm. He was also stronger, but the rest was the same from five years ago.

When he noticed your presence, his jaw dropped. Was it an illusion? Maybe just someone who really looked like the woman he still loved, even years later.

— … (Y/N)? — he asked, still trying to understand what was happening, even though it was obvious at this point.

— Kid… — you whispered.

(S/N) tilted his head. Did his mom know this pirate? Not any pirate, but the Pirate King?! How awesome was that!

— I can explain everything. — you continued, biting your lip. — This is my son, he’s five.

Hearing the boy’s age, everything made sense.

You left because you were pregnant, what’s worse is that you left because you were afraid of him, of his reaction.

The day you left, when he went back to the once shared room, Kid broke everything after reading your letter. Killer had to hold him so he wouldn’t break the rest of the ship. And for a while he hated you, or at least tried to. He could never hate you, for some reason.

He thought of many possibilities. Were you with another man? Did he hurt you somehow, and it was so bad you decided to leave? Did you betray him and the crew? He even thought about you being pregnant, but ignored this idea since he never noticed any signs.

Turns out, this was the real reason.

Kid took you both to the Victoria Punk, and while Killer took care of your child, you and Kid talked. The first mate showed the whole ship to the child, who found it fascinating. Meanwhile, you looked around and noticed that nothing had changed. Heat and Wire couldn’t help seeing how… Bizarre it was. (S/N) was really a small copy of his father.

— I know… — Killer said. — I think it’s creepy too.

The room you once shared didn’t seem to be too different from before either.

— Why? — he asked when you closed the door behind you, sitting on the bed next to him, not even looking at each other.

— You know why. — you muttered. — I still remember your words. Having a child on the ship would ruin your dream, right? So what did you expect me to do? Stay and hear you yell at me for being pregnant even though it was your fault too? I was terrified! I know you wouldn’t hurt me, but what would you do? Kick me out of the crew? Drop me at the next island?

— No! — the redhead raised his voice, turning his face to look at you.

— Then what would you do? — you yelled too.

— I don’t fucking know! I was different back then! And sorry for making you believe that leaving and dealing with this on your own was better than telling me the truth!

— And I’m sorry for leaving!

You looked at each other, not saying anything now, just waiting for someone to do the next step.

— I want you to be part of the crew again. You and my son. — he whispered after taking a deep breath. — I want to be part of his life, I want you to be part of my life again. Killer can teach him some stuff so he can get an education, I don't know. And you and I can… Well, it’s up to you.

— I don’t know… — you thought for a while. — How can I even explain it to him? “Hey, let’s pack up because your father is a pirate, and we’re leaving with him now”.

Kid rolled his eyes hearing the sarcasm in your last sentence.

— We’re staying here until tomorrow. — he said. — Just… Think about it, alright?

You nodded. The conversation changed, you both had some catching up to do. When Kid opened the door and the of you left the room, you saw (S/N) running around the ship, talking to everyone. He seemed so happy, and to be honest, you missed being around the crew too.

While you were thinking about going home and starting to pack up, Kid looked at you, knowing that he had let you go once, he wouldn’t make this mistake twice. ღ

tag list: @undercoverweeeb - @slut4animedilfs - @starrybrujita - @the-witch-of-one-piece

[harold231]

It wasn't real

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Posted: 04/30/2021

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: None? Maybe a lil angst just a lel bet.

A/N: I think it might be good? Idk You let me know. But like frfr, don't just give me feedback in your mind, put it into words. Also I apparently have a thing for Bucky in a dotted apron soooo yeah.

FYI: time zone/era is open for interpretation. Bucky never became an avenger/soldat and steve isn't part of this one.

The wind that blew around you was warm and sweet with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers. Perhaps it was an act of kindness from some God trying to distract you from the cold bitterness settling into your bones. Closing your eyes you conjure the very memory that left you so desolate.

The sun snuck it's way through the curtains to illuminate the room, effectively disturbing the sleep that you always seemed to be craving. Waking up is always hassle but whenever you remember that you get to spend your day with the only person who tolerates you and you him, getting out of bed is the easiest thing. Bucky is crazy and the damn boy is never in one spot for to long and he always has something to say, but you can't imagine how boring your days would be if you guys had never met. well technically if your parents had never met.

When you were a child you parents had to move to new york for business and they decided that Brooklyn was the place to be. You had been Bucky's neighbor and the first day you guys moved in his mom had dragged him over with the most delicious angel food cake that he so proudly claimed to have made mostly on his own. He just loved cooking and baking since forever, he would tell you that he just liked experimenting with foods but you knew the truth was that the boy liked to eat and didn't have the patience to wait for his mother to come home.

Only a few years after your family had moved to Brooklyn you and Bucky had already built an unbreakable bond. You guys had found a beautiful cherry tree one day when playing tag and had deemed it to be your's and Bucky's spot. Whenever you had a bad day or needed time away from the world you guys would go to the tree and just pick cherries, in the winter time you and Bucky would lay under the tree and kick the trunk so that the snow would fall from the leaves. It was the place where at only 15 years old bucky swore he would open his own Bakery and to quote him "I'm serving my ma's food my way doll, It's gonna be the next best thing to hit New York."

You were laying on the ground with your hands crossed behind your head looking up at Bucky swinging upside down from a branch when he told you all this. You felt something you had never felt before at that moment, looking up at the wild haired boy who loved to eat, loved his family, and had the most ambition you had ever heard from kids your age. Your heart felt full and your cheeks grew warm as you looked up at the same blue eyes you had know for years now, only this time you notice the way they twinkle in the sunlight and how rosy his lips are. Now 7 years laters you and Bucky were preparing to open the very bakery he promised you he'd open. Banners were beautifully strung along the walls and cute retro china was set out, ready to be filled for opening day. There was no hesitation from you when Bucky had asked you to run the bakery with him, you were excited to spend your days with the person you hoped you would spend the rest of your life with.

At around 6:30 in the morning you had arrived at the bakery but it seemed that Bucky had beat you to it. The smell of fresh angel food cake and cocoa danced up your nose as soon as you opened the door. Closing your eyes you smiled at the memories that it brought back. Moving to the back you grabbed your Disney themed apron and placed your bag and coat in its place before scurrying over to the kitchen while trying (and failing) to tie your apron. There in all his dorkiness was Bucky wiggling around to the chordettes. He knew that you loved the 50's aesthetic so he found a way to incorporate it without going overboard, by adding little trinkets, a jukebox, and even those cute little dining tables. In fact at the moment he was wearing a ruffly red polka dotted apron as he frosted some cupcakes.

Apron tied, you were finally ready to get to work. You walked up to Bucky bumping his hip as you reached for some cupcake pans, "Whatcha doin here so early Buck, we don't open until 12" he looks at you with squinted eyes, "The hell are you doing here so early." "Woah,woah,woah completely unprovoked. I'm just saying cuz' you were the one complaining about the opening time being set at 8. Like damn." Breathing out a huff of air he wipes his forehead with a towel "I'm sorry doll, I'm just super nervous and I couldn't sleep so I came to start baking things. I already frosted the ice cream cakes and I just finished the pies, but I was thinking that maybe we needed some cupcakes too, even though we already baked so many pastries and stuff last night I'm worried it won't be enough."

Setting down the trays you move to hug Bucky from behind holding him close to you. "Buck I know we'll do great your food is too good to pass up on especially when it's free." You place a soft kiss to his shoulder " I promise you'll do great, everything you do is amazing you try your hardest at everything Buck, You've worked your butt off and made mine considerably larger to get here, don't start losing your mind on me now." A cute little laugh from Bucky lets you know that he's hearing you and he isn't so stressed anymore. "I just want this to be perfect ya know?" with your head still against his back you nod, "I just want it to be a special day for my special girl."

You couldn't stop the slight blush that rose to your cheeks or the way that your heart suddenly started beating three times faster. You had also wanted to make him something special which is why you had got here so early. Finally releasing your hold on Bucky you straighten your apron out before gathering everything you need for some red velvet cupcakes. Bucky loved your red velvet cake so you loved making it for him. After hours of mixing, baking, and frosting had passed, you guys were rewarded with a bakery that looked as great as it smelled. "Alright doll, I'm heading out, I gotta go get ready. Meet you back here at 12 , Love ya." He didn't even give you a chance to answer as he ran right out the door. "Love you too."

You had stayed behind just a little while longer as you perfected your secret project. Carefully you added snowflakes to some of the cupcakes because you knew how much he loved snow even if he hated winter, some cats, flowers that reminded you of bucky, and one extra special cupcake. When you finish you decide to clean up a bit more and prepare some drinks for later before heading home to get ready. As soon as you got home you took a shower and did the simplest of make up with a light pink lip. You had decided to wear a dress to match the blossoming flowers that spring had brought. Pink with a yellow lace trim and flowers embroided all over the dress, matching it with some yellow flats.

You had decided that it was a perfect day for a walk so you grabbed a light scarf and slung it over your shoulders, grabbed Bucky's cupcakes, and headed over to the bakery. You felt as if a Hundred pounds had been lifted from your shoulders knowing that Bucky had felt the same way about you. You had decided that you would tell him today with your special cupcakes. As you rounded the corner you felt giddy and you couldn't wipe the smile from your face no matter how hard you tried. As you reached the bakery you saw that a majority of the people had already arrived and you knew that it would put Bucky at ease to see all the people enjoying his food. You stopped at the window, closing your eyes to take a deep breath to prepare yourself to join the celebration.

Opening your eyes you reached for the handle only to stop at the sight on the other side of the door. Bucky stood there arms wrapped around a woman eyes locked on hers as he leaned in for a kiss. It must have all happened in about 30 seconds but it felt as if time himself had slowed it down for you to watch the way he tilted her head and ran his tongue along her bottom lip before finally uniting their lips. Your heart dropped as quickly as your smile did and suddenly you felt so stupid for thinking this could be real. You willed yourself not to cry as you allowed your legs to carry you anywhere but there.

That's how you found yourself sitting underneath a blossoming cherry tree. A tree that held only happy memories because it wasn't a place you could be sad... back then. With your back against the tree and box of cupcakes full of unrequited love in your lap you realize how much you over romanticized Bucky. Opening the box you decide it would be a shame to let them go to waste. The first one you grab has a big red heart frosted in the middle, you let out a deep sigh before breaking the cupcake right down the middle. You shove half of the cupcake into your mouth and only then do you allow the tears to fall. You sat there for hours crying eating cupcakes, watching the sunset, and thinking about everything that Bucky did for you, as a friend. You realize you had no right to be angry at Bucky, after all you never told him how you felt you just assumed that he would feel the same way after so many years. With every broken memory another cupcake vanished.

He was always there for you, when no one wanted to come to your slumber party Bucky did and he even did all the girly things with you. Painting your nails, doing your hair, watching chick flicks, and pillow fights. once he even asserted that no one could protect you as well as he could, when you had decided to go camping with your friend from class so he insisted on taking you himself. Your friend was most noticeably gay so you had assumed he wanted to spend time alone with you. But now that you think back on those memories these are things that anyone would do for their bestfriend. And that's what you realized 8 hours and 11 cupcakes later.

The moon floated above you and as it's white rays settled upon the lake you decided it might be time to go home now. You get up and dust your dress off before leaning down to grab the mostly empty box. Turning around you are stopped again by what's in front of you. Bucky stands there brows furrowed as his eyes flash from you to the box in your hands. "Where the hell have you been, I've been calling you all day." swallowing the lump in your throat you go to answer but are interrupted. " everyone's been asking me about you all night and I had no damn idea what to tell them, but apparently you were just out here being inconsiderate. You go and tell me I can do great tonight, that you'd be there for me, but you weren't." You try to answer him but are again interrupted. "You could have told me something earlier instead of leaving me there like a dumb-" "SHUT UP!" this time it was your turn to interrupt him.

Taking a deep breath you look into his eyes before explaining. "Of course I was ready to be there today, you think I wore this dress to sit under a damn tree? Well I didn't. When I left my apartment I was ready and I was excited, so excited. I couldn't even stop smiling on my way over, but then I got to the shop and I saw-" Immediately you stopped as you realized what you were about to say. He cocked an eyebrow and shook his head slightly as if to say 'Hello?' "You saw what? What did you see that would make you abandon ship just like that?" Shame flushed through your being and you could no longer keep eye contact. "Nothing, you know what, it doesn't even matter. I'm sorry I was being dramatic I should have been an adult and dealt with it on my own time. And I'm sorry I abandoned you all, but the night was about you anyways."

"The night was supposed to be about the both of us so it does matter if you saw something that made you want to leave. Just tell me doll, what did you see?" his voice is soft as he pleads with you. "I saw... well I saw you kissing that lady and I just wanted get away and ended up here okay!?" You said it all in a jumble hoping that he wouldn't be able to understand what you had said. But luck wasn't your friend so of course he did. "So seeing me kiss another person was so gross to you that you had to run away, what the hell? are you 13 again?" You hadn't admitted it outloud yet and it seemed that the dumbass in front of you was going to force it out of you.

Stepping around Bucky you pull your scarf tight around your body as you focus on not crying anymore until you get home. You distract yourself by thinking of all the love you saw in all the little things Bucky did for you. Dancing around the newly furnished bakery body against body as frank sinatra brought you heart to heart, watching rom-coms and ugly crying together, but by the time you get home you force yourself to face the ugly truth. The Love was always in your head. It wasn't real.

A new wave of tears blurred your vision as teardrops fell perfectly to the ground. "It's because I have feelings for you Bucky, and I now know you don't feel the same way." Sniffling you don't bother looking up because your heart is to broken for that right now. "I'm Just gonna need a little bit of time and I'll be back good as new like nothing even happened." Still unable to lift your gaze from the ground you decide to focus on the last cupcake left in the box. 'I Love You' is written in tiny light blue frosting letters. "I uhm, uhh." That brought your attention to Bucky, as embarrassment pulsed as strong as ever through your veins. " You don't have to say anything Buck, It's fine, I'll see you next week, on monday" you hand him the box as you go to pass him "I think you would have a better use for this than me I ate 11 others already so."

Divider credits: @firefly-graphics

[girl-in-the-tower]

CHAPTER I

Ramshackle Dorm - Birthday Party Venue

Kore: Woah, to think the ghosts would go all out like this just for today! Even though I told them that they didn't have to bother with it, they wouldn't listen, at all... It's... It's kind of embarrassing to be fussed over like this! If it was Grim I would have understood but this, uh...

Ah! And I'm supposed to have a guest over today as well! Hm, I guess some tea should be in order... maybe some cakes as well... I wonder if there's any sugar left...

Ace: Yo!

Kore: Ah, just a moment- Oh, it's just you, Ace.

Ace: Ha? What's that supposed to mean? 'It's just you'? It's super rude to greet your dear guest like this, you know?

Kore: Is that so? But calling you a guest is...

Ace: What's that?

Kore: Hm...

Ace: Well, doesn't matter because my feelings were hurt either way! So I'll help myself to this krumkake to make myself feel better! Let's dig in~

Kore: Hey, that- Aaah, that was meant to be for Grim. He kept complaining all day yesterday that he should have a cake all to himself too since it's a special day so I woke up extra early just to make it for him. Now he's gonna be mad...

Ace: Haa? A whole cake just for that furball? You've got to be kidding me!

Kore: What are you talking about? You know how much he likes krumkake.

Ace: Nah, I doubt there's really anything that guy won't eat... But that's not the point. You're spoiling him too much. He's gotten really fat, you know?

Kore: It's fine. I still make sure he exercises and he looks cute round like that too, so it's not a problem.

Ace: No, I definitely still think there's something wrong here. Mainly with your head.

Kore: Haaaaaaa, you wanna pick a figh-

Ace: Oh, I almost forgot! Here you go!

Kore: ... What's this?

Ace: Isn't it obvious?

Kore: Well... Huh? Wait a minute- That can't-!

Ace: Ta-da! It's a limited edition Griffons varsity jacket that's been all the rage with Magift meatheads like you~

Kore: No way!! This is- This is-

Ace: Cool, righ- Hey!! Don't jump on me like that! You almost knocked me off the chair!

Kore: Sorry, hahaha! I was so happy I just couldn't contain myself! To think that I would be able to actually get my hands onto something so valuable!

Ace: Yeah, we figured you'd like i-

Kore: This season has really been a blessing from above for them, you know? Everybody is in top shape and playing at their best! I heard their new manager actually made them go through this super difficult training regime that has been working wonders for them. Though it's only speculation so far!

Ace: Uh, Kor-

Kore: If you ask me, it's definitely also thanks to those new brooms that they ordered for the team. The wood is apparently from the Valley of Thorns and super-resistant so they go all out without worrying about breaking them. For the moves that the team is pulling, they really need that propulsion time! Even a second helps when you're in a headlock. I remember back in the vs Mandrakes game that they switched brooms in between-

Ace: Heeeeey! You Magift boar woman! Can you hear me?

Kore: Wh-Why are you yelling like that?! I'm right next to you!

Ace: Haaaa, when you start talking about Magift you might as well be in a completely different world... No wonder they all think of you as the Magift Encyclopedia. I bet you have hundreds of useless pieces of information like that stuck in your head.

Kore: You-! Huh? What's this?

Ace: A-Ah! That!

Kore: It's rice pudding- Ah! It's homemade from the Mountains!

Ace: Hm? Ah, ye-yeah... That came with the jacket...

Kore: Eh? They put pudding in jackets when they sell them?!

Ace: O-Obviously! Don't tell me you didn't know? Bwahaha, man, you sure are clueless...

Kore: ... It's my favourite flavour too...

CHAPTER II

Ace: Alright, next to the first question!

Kore: Eh?! Question?! Is this a quiz of some kind?!

Ace: I guess you could think of it like that, so anyway- Your first question as today's birthday girl issssss: "If you were stuck on a deserted island, who would you take with you?" Hm, here it says that you can't pick members of your own dorm, but given that you guys don't even have a dorm, I'm not sure that the restriction applies. Not that it matters since you wouldn't choose Grim anyway, right?

Kore: Huh? Why not?

Ace: You're serious?! You'd pick that furball?! Hey, we're talking about a deserted island here so think carefully! Don't you want to get off it?!

Kore: Well, obviously I would... But...

Ace: But?

Kore: I can do that on my own.

Ace: Huh?

Kore: Survival is all about securing shelter, food and formulating an escape plan. If it's a deserted island I assume there would be some fauna and animals too, so we could feed ourselves through fruit gathering and hunting. It might be hard if we don't have any tools, however, but I think Grim's claws would be sharp enough to cut through the skin and meat fairly easily. I make sure he takes good care of them after all.

Ace: I-I see...

Kore: If there's no drinkable water then we'll have to boil some from the sea in order to deal with the thirst. Grim's flames, when properly utilized, would be able to do such a thing. Not to mention that he could start fires to keep us warm at night and to cook food to sustain us! Also, it could be a great emergency signal if we end up at sea and need rescuing.

Ace: You want to use him as a flare?!

Kore: That sounds so mean! I would only do that as a last resort, however! Grim's pretty sensitive about having his belly scratched so I wouldn't do anything to make him uncomfortable like that!

Ace: Haaaa, I get it, I get it! So you're saying that the furball has his practical uses too. But I can't help but worry about some flaws...

Kore: Flaws?

Ace: No matter how much you feed that glutton, his stomach will never be full, you know! Whatever provisions you managed to gather, he's sure to inhale them with the first occasion!

Kore: Wah- That's a horrible thing to say! There's no way my Grim is so selfish!

Ace: My Grim?! What is he?! Your child?! And he's totally selfish, you know!!

Kore: HAAAAA?! ARE YOU REALLY PICKING A FIGHT WITH ME?!

Ace: Ca-Calm down!! I take it back, ok?! You can bring the furball with you!

Kore: Hmph.

Ace: Seriously, getting this angry over that cat...

Kore: Isn't that normal? Grim is my special person, after all!

Ace: SPECIAL PERSON?!

Kore: The person you care for a lot, like they're part of you, right? Like Cay-senpai said!

Ace: I-I see, so that's...

Kore: Being on a deserted island isn't ideal, but at the end of the day I know I can be ok on my own. Farmwork, housework - those are things that I'm used to from the Mountains. Life isn't so easy back home, but we all make do with what we can - magic or no magic. Even if I'm stuck in a bad situation, I can manage to get through so I don't need anybody else.

Well, that's what I thought before I came to this place anyway...

Ace: ...

Kore: Besides you're wrong about something!

Ace: Huh?

Kore: In order to survive it's not just physical attributes that are important, but mental ones as well. And in that case, Grim has the real trump card!

Ace: He-He does?!

Kore: Mm! You see, Grim, he... has the cutest paws and the fluffiest fur in the world!

Ace: HUH?!

Kore: Mm! Every time I feel like giving up or am reaching the end of the rope, all I'd have to do is give his paw pads a little squeeze or lay on his tummy and my mood would instantly clear up again! In a situation full of despair like that it would make a world of difference, you know?

Ace: SO HE'S THERE JUST FOR MORAL SUPPORT?!

Kore: Well, that too! It's important after all!

Ah, this pudding is really good actually...

CHAPTER III

Ace: Haaaa, I give up... Your boar mind is way too difficult to understand...

Kore: HUH?!

Ace: Anyway, let's get on with our next question and- Ah.

Kore: Hm? What is it? You suddenly stopped in the middle of the sentence. Did the falcon get your tongue, hehe?

Ace: It's a cat, not a falcon! And I only stopped because- uh...

Kore: What?

Ace: "You're offered the chance to pick another dorm, which one would you choose?"

Kore: ...

Ace: I swear, that Headmaster doesn't even think of these questions at all...

Kore: Yeah, there's no way I can answer that...

Ace: I figured. So instead! "Please share your opinions on the dorms!"

Kore: Ah!

Ace: Nice, right? You can definitely count on me when it comes to quick thinking, you know?

Kore: ... I guess.

Ace: You guess?!

Kore: I'll start with Diasomnia then!

Ace: Hey, don't ignore-

Kore: Hm, I'm not really sure about the atmosphere there but- Don't you think that their interior decor is pretty fancy? I haven't seen stuff like that in magazines for quite a while, so I feel like it's definitely something that must have required a lot of work! It's kinda dreary though, what will the windows not letting enough light and the greenery around it could stand to be looked after better, hm...

Ace: So you're only interested in the decor, huh? Alright, what about Ignihyde?

Kore: It's too technological.

Ace: Huh, I guess that you're right. For somebody like you, it would really be a struggle living there...

Kore: ...

It's even more depressing than Diasomnia, so I feel like I would be stuck in a bad mood without enough sunlight, you know? Though I must admit, it really is super clean inside! That's a very important detail! Clean homes are necessary for good health!

Ace: There you go again, sounding like a mom... Next is Pomefiore!

Kore: IT'S SUPER FLASHY!

Ace: I know~?

Kore: No, no, you don't get it! It's so flashy it actually scares me! All that pomp and glamour! The rugs themselves look like something from the fall collection that sold out about twenty years ago and the chandeliers are bound to be at least four times Theo's salary! Walking through those hallways is like stepping on opulence! A continuous loop of flashiness!

Ace: HEY! Get a hold of yourself! Let's go over to- Ah, Scarabia...

Kore: It's so hot there!!

Ace: Oh, yeah, you're super weak to heat so you'd definitely hate it there. Right?

Kore: Mm, hate is... I think that if it was the old me, I would never have even stepped in there. But now I feel like... Yeah! I definitely think that I can give it another try! Scarabia is pretty rich too, but it feels more homely? There's a lot of people gathered around and there are banquets and feasts pretty often too. It's always lively and warm... In a way, I imagine that's what a home would feel like...

Ace: ...

Kore: I can't say the same for Octavinelle however. Hmph!

Ace: Bwahaha, that's true. It really feels like you'd get scammed in there pretty quick.

Kore: Not even that! But building a dorm underwater? I admit the decor is pretty nice and classy, but the atmosphere is too cold! There's a lot of types that I can't get along with at all so it would definitely be a miserable time for me. No, I definitely don't want to set foot there ever again!

Ace: I totally get it~ All that commotion after the exams was enough for me too. Guess the same goes for Savanaclaw too, then?

Kore: ...

Ace: HA?!

Kore: I-I refuse to believe that anybody who loves Magift is a bad person!

Ace: There's that meathead in you talking again! Are you seriously that obsessed with it?! I feel like there's a sickness that applies in this case!!

Kore: He-Hey!! That's way too- I understand that what they did was bad, and I definitely haven't forgiven Kingscholar-senpai yet, but there are definitely good points to them as well! I think!

Ace: So you're not even sure?!

Kore: A-Anyway, as for Heartslaybyul-

Ace: Don't go changing the subject!

Kore: - if I had to pick that would be my favourite.

Ace: Huh?

Kore: I love Scarabia too, a lot, but at the end of the day all that rich atmosphere is scary. I really don't feel like I would belong there at all. I'd stick out like a sore thumb among everybody else - more than usual at the very least. But in Heartslaybyul, even if Rosehearts-senpai is strict, I feel like everybody is sort of content with the oddness. There's not much that stands out about it, but I think that's what makes it so appealing, you know?

Ace: ... So... what you're saying... Is that we're a shabby dorm full of weirdoes?

Kore: I-I wouldn't go that far...

Ace: But that's the gist of it, isn't it?!

Kore: Ummmmm...

Ace: ... Alright, I get it.

Kore: Huh?

Ace: You know, it just so happens that there's one more thing I have to tell you about.

Kore: One more thing?

Ace: Yup! You see, there's this tradition where the presenter has to give the 'gift of fortune' in order to make sure this ends up being a great birthday! And it just so happens that you're lucky enough to have me here today to deliver the goods~

Kore: Huh? What are you-

[SPLATTER]

Kore: ...

Ace: BWAHAHA, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JUST STOOD THERE LIKE THAT!

Kore: ...

Ace: Oh man, the look on your face is hilarious! Oh, let me take a quick picture to show the others too!

Kore: ...

Ace: Ok, so then- He-Hey! Don't- AUGH! MY FOREHEAD!

[equestrianwritingsstuff]

In recognition of 200 followers.....

I composed a list of 200 hero x villain dialogue prompts for you guys to ask me or reblog it and ask your own followers or if you take inspiration.

Thank you so much! It means a whole lot!

1. "I wish I had longer to love you."

2. "Sometimes being the greatest is being the worse."

3. "I will kill you if you die on me."

4. "Bury me... under a willow tree... with tulips and lilies to blossom in the spring and a small stream to keep me company."

5. "Villains aren't capable of love; yet, here I am crying over your grave."

6. "The kitten's name is Max."

7. "I'm going to get a beer."

8. "There is only one way to kill me, but you could never muster the strength to pull through."

9. "I'm dizzy with love for you."

10. "Hero, you are drunk not a toddler."

11. "I pledge to serve you willingly, butthead."

12. "Ride the waves with me." "You are a mermaid, no thanks."

13. "Stay awake for me; it's only a little farther."

14. "I can't carry you!"

15. "He isn't much, but we'll make do."

16. "I WANT TO SEE HER! LET ME SEE HER PLEASE. Please..."

17. "George Washington never told a fib, and I am greater than him, so trust me, Hero, when I say I am telling the truth."

18. "Eggs and butter make dough, knives and guns make death."

19. "You are insane."

20. "The bomb is going off in twenty seconds, Hero. Run now. I-I'm going to stop it."

21. "What is love?"

22. "I don't get the function of hugs."

23. "Mentally I'm good, but physically..."

24. "I only wished for happiness from that genie. I guess it was evil."

25. "Break him, shatter him, destroy him."

26. "Sing with me."

27. "Villain you are touch starved, not dying."

28. "What the heck did you do to your hair." "What? You don't like it?" "It looks like my cat's litterbox."

29. "Don't give me hope."

30. "I am not a disease or a parasite. I am a human. I am one of those millions you swore to protect."

31. "Kiss, marry, kill?" "Kill, kill, kill."

32. "You created me."

33. "Villain don't you dare pass out."

34. "I like the look of blood on you, compliments your eyes."

35. "I kinda dropped Hero through space."

36. "Power exhaustion sucks."

37. "Time to save the world. Yay!" *says in sarcasm*

38. "Let me feed you Hero."

39. "You do not have AC?!"

40. "Villain you have a fever."

41. "Am I drunk?"

42. "Movies. Nine o'clock. Don't be late."

43. "Lemme grab a beer and we are good to go."

44. "Don't. Look. At. Me."

45. "He just had his wisdom teeth out sooo." "How bad can it be? Villain has been shot with twenty tranq darts at one and didn't pass out... immediately anyway, took a good twenty minutes." "Well, you see-" "THE KITTEN IS TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!!"

46. "She needs surgery."

47. "It's a panic attack..." "KISS HIM!"

48. "Blood, gore, madness... this was made for me."

49. "Quit drooling on me and sit up."

50. "There's only one bed."

51. "He looks so cute when he sleeps."

52. "Of all the places to live, you had to choose a heavily fortified medieval castle two thousand years in the past?"

53. "You are a peacock Hero."

54. "Let's see who will drown first. You or me. One, two, three... let's go!"

55. "I wasn't always like this."

56. "Madness is for geniuses, not for me."

57. "It's just a sedative that's going to make you nice and docile."

58. "He's out." "Good, let him rest, villainy is hardwork."

59. "I love her, but she doesn't love me."

60. "If I had a choice to save you or me, I'd pick me."

61. "Gag her."

62. "They aren't made for this, give them mercy."

63. "Talk now or she dies."

64. "Broken ribs, broken jaw, broken arm... are you sure you want me to continue." "No." "Then tell me your name."

65. "Get me some thread and a needle. Just don't touch me."

66. "The police are coming."

67. "Tell me where she is. TELL ME WHERE IS SHE OR I WILL SLASH YOUR THROAT AND TOSS YOU IN THE SEWER!!!!!"

68. "I love you." "I don't."

69. "Hug me just one last time."

70. "Villain hey hey hey. Calm down. You've been in a pretty bad accident."

71. "They won't be able to walk again."

72. "Tell me... just tell if they made it."

73. "Can't you just poof me another arm?"

74. "If you saved all of them, you can save me."

75. "I'm really tired..."

76. "Sleep. I will stay with you."

77. "She is sixteen years old." "All musicians start young." "This isn't a concert, this is life. Stop ruining it."

78. "He"s been in an accident." "Where?" "Five minutes away from your place."

79. "I wish he wasn't unconscious, so I could talk to him. So I could thank him."

80. "It's been four months now. I have came everyday and, uh, I dunno what to say. Hero, I need you to wake up. I can't function knowing you are right here."

81. "I have a date." "Hmm with who?" "Supervillain." "When and where honey?"

82. "Shhhhhhh. Be quiet. We are still being hunted."

83. "Desert?" "What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

84. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." "I know, I know dear and I so sorry, but I need you to help me. I need you to help them."

85. "Villain just sleep. Allow the drugs to take you under. Don't fight it, don't resist... just sleep. In the morning, we will be safe."

86. "Being lost in the woods isn't ideal."

87. "An injection of valium will do it."

88. "There's no anesthesia."

89. "Wouldn't it be great if we never met each other?"

90. "Bless you." "I didn't sneeze." "Yeah right. Now go sit down, you're sick."

91. "It's called insomnia you dim-wit."

92. "Join me and we can be great."

93. "You didn't bring me here for the cake." "No, dear, but you are so gullible. I brought you here for a sacrifice." "My life?" "Why yes."

94. "I don't know. I never had someone collapse on my doorstep before."

95. "I have nothing to lose. No family, no friends, just my meaningless life."

96. "That's my daughter, not the villain's... so give me her back before I rip your eyes out."

97. "How long was I out for?!" "Ten minutes, but you were drifting. I don't think you had that good of rest." "Oh, I thought I was asleep for hours."

98. "I know, I know you are going to hate me after this, but trust me when I say it's for the best."

99. "I know everything about you."

100. "I think narcissism is contagious because after watching you for a couple hours, I think I may have developed a little crush on the mirror..."

101. "What did you give me?"

102. "Is she screams, I'm going to scream, and then we are going to die."

103. "No fighting today, my cat just died."

104. "How hard did you punch me?"

105. "Not gonna lie, being delirious was epic."

106. "I am cooking for you. You aren't my servant, so stop thinking it."

107. "My old masters made me into a weapon and called me Villain, but if you desire a lapdog I am going to need to be refurnished to fit your needs."

108. "What is his deal?" "I think he's just crazy."

109. "Love is not what I had in mind when I agreed to go on a date with you."

110. "Hugs are overrated."

111. "Are you too hot or too cold?" "Both."

112. "I wish we could turn back time."

113. "I lost the game." "What do you mean? Hero is dead." "Precisely."

114. "Make a wish." "That you live."

115. "Villain has been acting exceptional! Today we granted them a break from the machine. Go ahead Hero and take him for some ice cream."

116. (Sleepy murmurs) "Don't go. I neeeed you." "Yeah yeah I know Villain."

117. "Villain was the one who hurt me, not Hero."

118. "Supervillain is in danger!"

119. "If everyone is scared of me, I might as well be alone."

120. "My head is killing me."

121. "Don't call an ambulance. Just... hold me."

122. "You don't have to do this. It's going to hurt you more than me." "Anything for you dearest, anything at all."

123. "Hero, go wash your hands before dinner."

124. "You have PTSD?" "I don't know?"

125. "I have soap in my eyes!' "Rinse it out." "Mm no I'm permanently mortally blinded." "Uh huh."

126. "We need to cuddle to keep warm."

127. "Take care of them for me, will you?"

128. "When I'm gone, promise to tell my mother, please."

129. "Drug him and then bring him to me."

130. "Superheroes are for children. In all honesty, we are all villains."

131. "Oh my gosh, Hero, what happened?" "Poisoned."

132. "Wouldn't it be nice?" "I don't fancy prosthetics."

133. "Just shut up and listen!"

134. "There is a memorial parade for Hero tomorrow. They asked you to lead it."

135. "She turned it around... at the end."

136. "I wish that he understood how much I care for him."

137. "Civilian! He fell asleep in my lap last night, like totally zooted. It was so cute, but also very tempting. I stuck a french fry up his nose." "Wow. Did he wake up then?" "Yeah, I am sorta kidnapped right now..."

138. "The book, the sword... all pieces of the puzzle huh." "No, darling, all pieces of my game."

139. "Their death is my fault! Not your's, but mine, so quit trying to make me feel better."

140. "Once upon a time-" "Oh please, not another fairytale."

141. "If only it was that easy."

142. "We are stuck in a maze, how can you be so joyful?"

143. "Celebrate Hero, eat your cake, party into the night... but just know, I will be back."

144. "Call 911!" "Why?" "I stubbed my toe."

145. "Your jawline looks like it was gauzed over in lard." "It looks better than your hay for hair."

146. "You're my best friend." "Villain? Are you on drugs?"

147. "Lay him there and leave him. Let the rats dine on him."

148. "The point of the cow suit?" "Oh, uh, I was at a Halloween parade. You know, for children."

149. "I-i never wanted to hurt you." "I know, I wanted you to, so I allowed it."

150. "Favorite movie?" "Your death." "Ooo never heard of it, let's watch it." "*groans* Oh my gosh, you are stupid."

151. "Being a flutist is my only superpower. And being modest apparently."

152. "Your head will join my collection if yoi don't watch out."

153. "Hey, hey! Wake up, buddy. It's just a nightmare."

154. "Meh head hurts." "Yeah, you hit it pretty hard."

155. "Let's go for a ride." "On that yellow miniature school bus?" "It's a ranger you idiot."

156. "No painkillers, no bandages, perfect environment for infection to settle... I'm just gonna leave you here Villain."

157. "I save you and this is how you repay me? A prison?"

158. "What are you doing?" "Climbing a tree? No Hero, I am breaking into your house to kidnap you."

159. "I formally apologize."

160. "Of all places, Hero, you had to teleport us to a desert. A DESERT."

161. "Supervillain won't stop unless we team up." "I don't think our alliance will stop them, I think it'll just make them angrier."

162. "Stop singing or I will blow this place until even the last atom is broken into itty-bitty molecules!" "That... that is scientifically impossible."

163. "I'm a genius! Yippee!"

164. "Life isn't perfect and nor is your morals."

165. "Control yourself before you kill everyone around you."

166. "Say your goodbyes."

167. "Of all the ways I've died, drowning was by far the nicest."

168. "Love the collar. Is it for fashion purposes?" "Uh, um, uh, er, no?"

169. "You look lonely. Want some hot coco?"

170. "It is negative million out there and you expect me to come in toasty warm after fixing your power?"

171. "Are you sick?" "Yeh." "Come on in then."

172. "Civilian, don't even bother trying to save him."

173. "We have a breach!"

174. "What makes a villain's life less important than your's?"

175. "Enjoy your soup." "You poisoned it." "And you're delusional, eat up."

176. "I hate 99% of the population." "According to a meme I found, you are therefore a cat."

177. "Don't overuse your powers."

178. "This is just an unfortunate event."

179. "You look so cute when you are sleepy and barely conscious."

180. "His fever is rising."

181. "Save her, leave me. I'll-i'll get out of this somehow."

182. "Sometimes self-sacrifice isn't noble, it's selfish."

183. "You are so funny that I need my inhaler to kill you with." "That sentence was so discombobulated that I am leaving."

184. "Just for your information, I hate oranges but love grapes."

185. "Walking down the stairs shouldn't be a momental effort." "You broke both your legs."

186. "You just destroyed my life's work, don't expect me to give you a huge bear hug."

187. "Is it true that you have telekinesis?" "Yes, why?" "Go steal me a donut."

188. "You are so incredibly touch starved, Villain." "Mmm." "Tired? Go ahead and sleep, I'm here."

189. "This is for your own good, I promise."

190. "I'm cold."

191. "I don't want to move and you can't make me."

192. "I AM RETIRED! YOU DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEND ME PAMPHLETS OF THE HOTTEST HERO OF THE YEAR!"

193. "He's unconscious." "That tired, huh." "No, he passed out from blood loss."

194. "I want a kitten."

195. "I'm no scared of you, so stop acting like I am."

196. "He isn't dangerous, just scared."

197. "They won't be going anywhere for a long, long time."

198. "Hero? Hero? Oh my goodness, please wake up."

199. "Life is too short for pleasures."

200. "I hope you are happy, in the end."

[mammonology]

Literally drawings⟨All 7 of them⟩

—A fem!MC that fangirls over anime/otome game characters

—WC; 1k

—A/N: First of, sorry for the inactivity for the last 2 days but here is a thank you for 300 followers! ily all sm, and I tried to pick anime/otome game boys that kinda have the same personality as them? So hopefully that was okay

❥Your husbando: Jumin Han

➷He looks at you as if you're literally deranged when you squeal at your phone

➷Can you be anymore annoying? You're literally talking to your phone as if someone was calling you.. oh shit someone was

➷He didn't know that it was a game okay! He was just listening in on the convo not really knowing what the guy was saying as it was in Korean

❝MC, who's that?❞

➷You start fangirling and roll all over his bed, hugging your phone, totally ignoring Lucifer, okay it was starting to annoy the hell out of him

➷You better stop or he'll bring out the red ribbon ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

❝It's nothing, just Jumin~❞

❝Who?❞

➷He'll have to confiscate your phone, he is not having any of that today, no sir. And if you disobey? It's the red ribbon for you kitten~

❥Your husbando; 707/Saeyoung

➷You're into jokesters? We'll get ready cause every group chat will be filled with Mammon's attempts of jokes that just ends up being super corny

➷ *Lucifer has left the chat*

➷Insecurities will start to creep up to him, is this your ideal type? Does he not meet the standard?

➷You'll have to convince him that No! You are enough! And you're just playing it for fun

❝Huh?! The great Mammon doesn't need reassurance! I already know you wouldn't leave me, I mean who would? You won't right?❞

➷Yeah, you would tell him that Mammon reminds you of 707 that's the reason why, and he'd be over the moon cause even with a fictional guy the person you think of is him!!

➷He'll still send you jokes and try to make you laugh tho! He's the only one who can do that, no 707 or other fictional characters

❥Your husbando; Levi Ackerman

❝Levi! You're so hot!❞

➷He'll blush cause he thinks it's him you were talking about, as he was gonna reply he turned around to you kissing the screen

➷With an anime character in the screen, he immediately recognizes it as Levi from AOT, he rolls his eyes as he sighs

❝Next time can you say their last name too? I'll get confused❞

➷He'll start sulking cause he really thought you were talking about him!! Say sorry >:(

❝Ahh, but Levi you're hot too~❞

➷You'd wrap your arms around him, peppering his face with kisses, he would blush but turn his face away

❝Hmph, you mean the other Levi

➷Jealousy cranked up to 1000, he thought he was the only Levi for you!

➷So with a lot of consultation and cuddles he'll forgive you, but whenever he sees Levi on the screen, he'll just scoff and look away cause MC likes him and only him

❥Your husbando; Bakugou Katsuki

➷You have a type for hot heads don't you? Is one hot head not enough?

➷Doesn't understand your attachment to these drawings, but vibes with it nonetheless

❝I don't get it, he's a blond angry boy? Me? It's like me? Y–You got me there❞

➷He finds Bakugou's screaming and constant swearing unbearable and just wants to shut him up, but his quirk to him was interesting, sweat that's explosive? That's hella cool

➷Would spend time watching the anime for 'experiments' but honestly he's just looking for what Bakugou has that he doesn't, surely not looks

➷It's quite adorable seeing passed out Satan with the TV still turned on, on the table he'd have a notebook open, 'Satan VS Bakugou' was written, what a dork

➷You'd kiss his forehead, thinking he was asleep but he just pulls your wrist to lay in the couch with him

❝Say I'm better than Bakugou MC then I'll let go❞

❝You're way better than Bakugou❞

❝Good girl, just kidding I'm not letting go, you're stuck here with me❞

❥Your husbando; Oikawa Tooru

➷You're calling another guy pretty? It should be him only! Would not stand for this slander

➷If he catches you watching Haikyuu and sees you fangirling about Oikawa, he will roast him, no mercy

❝He's not even perfect! Look he has no cake, how absurd❞

➷Would list off why Oikawa is not fit for you, mostly saying you're out of his league and you're better with him

❝Asmo, don't worry, they're just drawings besides you're right here with me❞

➷He's not the avatar of pride but he is very prideful with just that sentence, okay maybe Oikawa is pretty

➷After a while he'll be the one fanboying about Oikawa or any other Haikyuu character, you're not jealous or anything cause at least he knows how you feel

❝MC! Akaashi's super pretty too! Oh my! Also Kageyama!❞

❝He likes my diamonds and pearls, I said thank you I designed it ❞

➷Is what you'd say when one of the brother's ask why Asmo is fanboying over anime characters

❥Your husbando; Tamaki Amajiki

➷He thinks that his quirk is cool, whatever he eats gets to be superpower

➷He wants to have that kind of power too 🥺

➷He would watch BNHA with you cause it seemed interesting, his second favourite would be FatGum

❝So if Tamaki eats chicken wings, he'll gain wings? That's cool❞

➷He doesn't mind when you compliment Tamaki, he thinks it's quite cute actually

➷He has a soft spot for you that's why 😌

➷He usually eats whenever you two have a binge watching night, I mean what else should he be doing?

➷ (Sorry Beel's is so short ;;)

❥Your husbando; Todoroki Shouto

➷Another edge lord captured your heart?

➷Not in his watch nope. He would say things like

❝Wow, he doesn't even look that good that half and half hair looks stupid, and he has a grudge on his dad? Sounds like someone I know❞

➷You explain you like the quiet and mysterious type of guys, and he'll stay quiet, if that's your type then so be it

➷But do you really have to compliment Todoroki right in front of your boyfriend?? Are you trying to get a reaction out of him?

➷He'd rather sleep with you y'know, not waste energy on watching anime like Leviathan

➷He would cling on you at bed and try to make you sleep but you had to much energy, and he hates when you ignore him whenever Todoroki was on screen

➷He'll shut the TV off so quick, his mouth forming a small pout, you knew if you kept ignoring him he'll start ignoring you

➷So you gave in, knowing you'll just have to watch later, and dove right into Belphie's arms, which he gladly enveloped you into

❝Don't ignore me like that again, I'm way more important than that Todoroki guy❞

✧Lumi

[topsytervy]

Cupcakes ~ JJ Maybank and Rafe Cameron

Blurb: Rafe and JJ decide to do a bit of baking for you since you're on your period

Word Count: 1,399

Warnings: swearing, mentions of periods?, grammar/spelling mistakes, i think thats it.

I couldn't choose between the two so i did both and decided on the reader, JJ, and Rafe being a trio. The writing gets a tad dicey at the end but I never know how to wrap these little blurbs up so I'm not surprised.

~~~~~

You laid in your bed, fetal position, an unopened Midol bottle on your nightstand with a water bottle, a heating pad clutched to your abdomen as you clenched your eyes shut at the pain coursing through your stomach. 

If you were being honest, you were really fucking close to taking one of those knives from the knife block in your kitchen and cutting out your own uterus.

That sounded like it would hurt less than the absolute agony that your period was causing you.

Your phone buzzed and you winced as you flipped over, reaching across the bed to grab the device and hitting the accept button on the call.

"Hello?"

"Oh wow, you're up? She's actually up, Rafe. Anyway, Rafe and I are at the store right now but we were thinking since it's a beautiful day we either go to the beach or, if it's too crowded, we just hang by Rafe's pool. Oh, yeah,  pick up two bags of the flamin' hot Cheetos." JJ's voice rang through the phone.

You went to sit up but whimpered as your cramps punched you in the stomach.

"Y/N? You okay?"

You heard Rafe whisper a 'what's wrong' and JJ hushed him.

"Mhm. I just don't feel like going anywhere today. You know…girl issues." Silence filled the other side of the line and you exhaled sharply. "Period, JJ. I'm on my period."

"Oh!" He responded. "I'm sorry, Y/N/N. Do you need anything?" 

"Uh hello? Can I know what's happening or am I just the wallet around here?" You heard Rafe right next to the phone.

"No. I'm pretty much all set. I'm sorry that I can't join you two." You apologized, tears welling up in your eyes.

Stupid emotions.

JJ heard you sniff on the other side and he immediately started trying to make it better. "No, no, no. Please stop the tears."

"Now she's crying. Give me the damn phone, Maybank." You heard slight rustling before Rafe’s voice came over the phone speaker a lot clearer. "Screw talking to JJ. Talk to me. What's going on?"

"I hurt a lot and my periods ruining the plans you and J made and now I'm sad cause I can barely move so I can't hang out with you two today and I feel horrible."

Rafe walked towards the end of the aisle and looked at the signs above to aisles before finding the one he wanted and going towards it. "Y/N, it's not that big of a deal. It's okay to blow us off cause you're in pain. It’s like if you broke a leg. We're not mad at you for something you can't control."

"I'm sorry." You sniffed.

"And that's the other thing. Quit apologizing. You have nothing to apologize for."

"Okay."

"Now dry those pretty little eyes of yours and then close them to try and get some rest, okay?" 

Rafe’s eyes scanned over the boxes of cake and brownie mix until he finally found what he wanted and grabbed the box, throwing it into the cart that JJ was now pushing.

"Okay."

"Bye, Y/N/N. We'll talk to you later." 

"Alright. Bye, Rafe."

Rafe hung up, handed JJ his phone back, and continued down the aisle, grabbing two tins of frosting. 

"Cupcake mix?" JJ raised an eyebrow at the older boy.

"Yeah. We're gonna make Y/N/N cupcakes."

JJ picked up the box and looked on the back before scrunching up his nose. "What if we made them from scratch?"

Rafe turned to look at the blonde boy. "You think we can handle it?"

"As long as Rose and Ward aren't home to make a fuss, yeah."

Rafe grinned as he pulled out his phone and googled recipes for cupcakes. "Alright. Put the box back. We're getting the frosting premade though. And we obviously need the paper to put in the tins along." Rafe started listing, his eyes trained on his phone as he continued walking.

****

Two and a half hours later, Rafe and JJ were parked in your driveway, a box of cupcakes in JJ's arm and a bag containing Rafe's sweatshirt and JJ's sweatpants swinging from Rafe's hand. 

They carefully and quietly made their way upstairs and into your room, unsure if you were sleeping or not. You turned over, rather regretfully considering you had found the perfect position to keep the cramps somewhat at bay, when you heard a bag rustle. Your TV was on and playing How To Get Away With Murder, a slightly concerning choice your two best friends noted.

"Did we wake you?" JJ asked, worry written on his face.

You shook your head. "No. I haven't been able to fall asleep yet."

"Well, we made cupcakes." JJ grinned, holding up the box. 

"When you say we made cupcakes, do you mean from the box?" You shot the two boys a look.

"No. We made them, from scratch. By hand. Followed a recipe online. You can even check Rafe's search history."

Rafe grimaced. "Uh...maybe don't. Or let me clear a couple of things first." 

You ignored Rafe's sentence and sat up, immediately placing your head on your knees. 

"Have you taken any Midol?" Rafe asked, coming over to sit on your bed.

"No. I can't get the damn bottle open."

Rafe nodded before grabbing the bottle off of your bedside table and opening it with ease as JJ set the cupcakes on your desk.

JJ grabbed a water bottle from your mini-fridge and twisted the cap off, handing it to you while Rafe poured two pills into the palm of his hand. He placed them into yours, putting the cap back on the bottle into the little drawer of the table.

You popped them into your mouth and took a swig of water as Rafe spoke. "We also brought you your favorite shirt of mine you like to steal and your favorite sweatpants of JJ's you like to steal."

You nodded as you swallowed the water and pills in your mouth before grabbing the bag and heading into the bathroom to change. You always swore that their clothes were way softer than yours so you felt pretty grateful that they brought over their clothes for you to wear.

When you walked back out you saw, Rafe and JJ sitting on your bed, JJ holding a cupcake in each hand as Rafe held one in his.

"Alright. Get over here so we can try these bad boys." JJ nodded to the empty spot between him and Rafe. You climbed into the spot, Rafe setting the heating pad back on your stomach as you leaned against the headboard, taking a cupcake from JJ's hand.

You peeled off the paper, leaning across Rafe to throw it in the trash can, before taking a bite out of the treat.

You hummed. "I'm pleasantly surprised. When did you two become bakers cause holy shit? This is pretty damn good." 

Rafe shrugged as JJ beamed.

"Just call us whoever the hell the guy from Cake Boss is." JJ bumped his shoulder against yours as you snorted.

"Please. You're no Buddy Valastro. Yeah, these are delicious but that's like me making spaghetti and saying I'm Gordon Ramsey." 

"At least you like them and they, hopefully, made your day better." Rafe slung an arm over your shoulder.

"The cupcakes do make this slightly more bearable." You pressed a kiss to Rafe's cheek before turning and placing one on JJ's as well. "Aren't I lucky to have two baker boys as my best friends?" You grinned, not missing the smile on Rafe and JJ’s faces when you said that.

JJ rested his head on your shoulder. "You are pretty lucky to have us as friends huh?"

"Yeah, I am. Now if you could hand me the remote so I can put on a show that doesn't have an excessive amount of sex scenes in it, that'd be much appreciated. That’s the last thing I wanna watch with you two. Oh and grab the box of cupcakes. I have a feeling those are going to be my lunch.”

Rafe and JJ shot you a glare. 

“You can have another cupcake after you eat an actual meal,” JJ told you as Rafe stood up. 

“I’ll go see what I can whip up in the kitchen. You stay here and make sure she doesn’t snag another one.” 

~~~~

[hadjalterdoneanythingwrong]

Servants & Singularities

(3/?)

Artoria kept walking, but held out her fist.

Jeanne stared at it for a moment, before meeting it with her own.

The first of many, for sure.

But the sound of a large cart with an uncooperative wheel brought the Alters to whirl around and look behind them. Eli stood within the remnants of the giant cake, holding a rather large pizza box with a pair of envelopes on it as Cat awkwardly tried to wheel her toward the resident living nightmares of Chaldea.

"Jeanne! Artoria! Just the Alters I was looking for~"

Jeanne and Artoria just exchanged unamused glances as she drew closer.

"Listen, Jeanne, I know we've had our differences—" Eli stumbled a bit as the cart came to a sudden halt. Cat jostled the cart a bit before deciding to rely on her strength, which caused the cart to make a migraine-inducing sound as it moved. "—but I'm willing to—"

"What?" Jeanne raised her voice.

"...I said I'm willing t—"

"What did you say??"

"I SAID I—"

"JE NE PEUX PAS T'ENTENDRE!"

Artoria did her best not to laugh. Despite how aggravating the noise would have been to most people, it really wasn't that loud; Jeanne was just being an asshole.

"...Cat, you can stop."

"Woof~" The cart stopped moving.

"...Anyway, Jeanne, I know we've had our diff—"

"WHAT?? MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING!"

"I'M NOT THAT STUPID!!" Eli pouted.

Artoria just gazed down at the pizza. "Is that yours?"

"...Oh, this?" Eli opened the box just a bit, letting the scent of the pizza inside waft out from within. Artoria couldn't fight the sparkles in her eyes. She could tell just from the scent that there were probably at least three cheeses and seven kinds of meat in there. Eli's face suddenly gained a smug expression. "It could be yours, if you both accept the invitation that comes with it~"

Before Eli could blink, one of the envelopes was opened and the invitation was in Artoria's hands. Jeanne didn't budge.

"Don't tell me you preemptively got invited as an echo fighter."

"IT'S NOT SMASH!!!" Eli pouted again. "I'm inviting you both to D&D tomorrow night!!"

"D and... what?" Jeanne leaned over and tried to make sense of Artoria's invitation. It didn't help.

"A tabletop game." Artoria folded the invitation and stuffed it back into the envelope. "Often considered the tabletop game. This is the one where all those elves and wizards and whatnot come from, right? I vaguely remember Merlin once trying to explain the rules to the Knights. Didn't end well."

"Then you'll be glad to know that I have no intention of inviting him! Or Astolfo. ...Or— man, do I need to put together a banlist? Anyway, the game's tomorrow night. And if you two show up...~" Eli slowly waved the pizza around in circles. Artoria's eyes followed its movements. "Well, I've said what I need to. Hopefully this pizza will see you there~ ...Cat?"

Cat went around the cart and simply picked up the cake. "Woof." Artoria watched as her newfound beloved drifted out of her reach. Along with Eli and Cat.

"...We're going." Artoria stared at Jeanne with a look of determination.

"Are you shitting me? To their little nerd game?" Jeanne shook her sword, creating tinier splatters on the floor. "You can go if you want, but I want no part of it."

"She said both of us need to show up."

"Are you really going to fall victim to this petty bribery? It’s not even going to be a fresh pizza; either you’re hoping she’ll give in and eat it and have to get a second one, or maybe—just maybe—you’re just weaker-willed than I thought."

Artoria looked to the ground and thought for a moment. "...Ritsuka's likely going to be there."

Jeanne sputtered. "A-AND???"

"And I get the feeling you'll want to be there too."

"WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE THERE!?" Jeanne held her sword up to Artoria's neck again, going as far as to push her chin up slightly. "Vous allez vouloir choisir vos prochains mots très soigneusement, 'mon ami'."

"...Because it's going to be fun." Artoria replied, once again without so much as batting an eye. "And what better way to ruin Ritsuka's fun than to show up and corrupt everything with your presence?"

Jeanne's grip on her sword faltered slightly, but the blade did not lower. "Don't screw with me, Ice Queen. Shakespeare tried this same trick a few months ago. It took them weeks to get him back after what I did to him."

"But this time you won't be here to give anyone chocolate or do anything remotely pleasant." Artoria pressed a finger against Jeanne's blade and slowly moved it away, with little resistance. "Hear me out. You'll join their silly little game, but you'll make your character the most unpleasant and vicious bitch they'll ever have the misfortune of dealing with."

"You're risking your pizza, telling me to do this."

"I'm risking nothing. They invited me. They invited you. We can't be blamed for each other's actions. I'll make a character that's comparatively normal so they won't suspect I was aware of this. That means the spotlight will be yours." Artoria held the blade to the side and leaned closer to Jeanne. "All of their eyes will be on you. And all of their eyes will be filled with despair once they witness what you've done to their game."

Jeanne stared at Artoria. The two stood there for what seemed like forever.

"Um... Jeanne? Artoria?"

The two glanced over at Carina, who had apparently just arrived. Mash stood beside her, holding a bunch of books.

"...Did you guys seriously go dragon hunting without me again?"

Artoria looked back at Jeanne. "You in or not, Jeanne? This could finally be your chance."

Jeanne growled, and slowly sheathed her sword. "Fine. I'll play your stupid little game."

Mash squeaked. "S-Senpai, did... Do you think Eli invited these two...?"

"Ha!" Jeanne extended her arm out dramatically toward Mash. "What's the matter, Kyrielight? Afraid your little night of fun is about to go down in flames? ...You should be."

Mash whimpered. "S-Senpai, I don't think—"

"We'll be fine, Mash." Carina rested her hand on Mash's head. "Every group needs a bit of chaos. ...We'll be glad to have you, Jeanne."

Jeanne staggered back, as if someone shot her in the chest. "Y-Yeah, well... y-you say that now!! But I'm certain you'll regret it when the time comes!!!" Jeanne let out a rather high-pitched "hmph" and ran away, leaving a messy trail of dragon blood behind her.

"...She really can't handle a full conversation with you, can she, Senpai?"

"I guess not. Ever since that Christmas party..." Carina cleared her throat. "So I take it you'll be joining too, Artoria?"

"Eli bribed me with a seven-meat pizza. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."

"Glad to hear it~"

"W-Wait," Mash looked down at her books, "do they know the rules of the game already?"

"Like I told Jeanne, Merlin tried to teach the Knights once." Artoria looked back over her shoulder, in the direction Jeanne took off toward. "I bet if nothing else Blueberry might remember something. And if not, hey, that's what the internet is for."

"We'll see you there, then~" Carina was practically radiating sunshine at this point.

"That pizza better be intact by the time I show up." Artoria began following the blood trail, but stopped. "...Oh, and... another thing."

"...Yeah?"

"...The only way I managed to convince Jeanne to show up was to trick her into thinking that her presence would ruin everything. I'm no Shakespeare, so you won't need to worry about me afterwards, but... just a heads up, I guess."

"Good to know~"

Artoria allowed herself to smile. Not a smirk, not a smug grin, not a slasher smile after killing something. It was a small yet genuine kind of smile.

And then she walked away.

[hot-wiings]

It's My Birthday :)

The One Where Your Used To Getting Neglected On Your Birthday Due To It Being So Close To Christmas.

Edited: 12-13-2020

You didn't know what you expected. Upon waking up you had immediately checked your phone. You had thought there might've been something, anything. A sign that somebody remembered or cared. A sign that your life had left a significant impact on someone. A sign that you mattered. Per usual, like every year, there was nothing.

After setting your phone down on your bed, you scrambled to get dressed in your UA school uniform before you picked your phone back up and made your way downstairs to the kitchen. Your parents didn't give you much thought or attention as you settled down in a chair across from them and poured yourself a bowl of cereal.

You waited to see if your parents would say something about the day. Something, anything. You had thought that perhaps, even if your friends didn't remember and send their best of wishes, your family would've at least remembered. They didn't, they never did. Instead of even trying to say something that you incite them to remember you began to eat your breakfast in silence, watching your parents talk to each other about how they were going to afford Christmas gifts this year.

"[Sibling Name] wants an iPad."

"Those are really expensive, how are we gonna afford it?"

"I don't know. She didn't even ask for it, she said she was gonna ask Santa for it because she didn't think we could afford it. Santa has to bring one now."

"We'll both have to pick up extra shifts. We'll manage. We always do."

You bit your lip as you heard your parents stress about money. You knew your parents had a hard enough time managing to scrounge up money for Christmas gifts, you didn't need to burden them by making a fuss over your birthday. Rarely did you get presents on your birthday, and scarce was cake, just the words happy birthday would be enough. It was enough to make you were content. You just wanted to be acknowledged. Acknowledged, and appreciated on the one day a year you should have the right to receive it.

"Can one of you give me a ride to school?"

Your mother hesitated before looking at the clock on the stove, shaking her head adamantly back and forth, she gave you a non-verbal no.

"No, it's too far, we'll be late for work. You'll have to walk, if you leave now you can get there on time."

You sighed, upset that you had to walk through the horrendous weather on your birthday, as you quickly slurped down your cereal milk and bolted to slip your snow boots and jacket on. After you tightly tied your scarf around your neck you grabbed your house keys and made your way to the door.

"Bye, I love you both."

They didn't respond, and you tried not to be bothered. They had busy lives. They had to provide for you and your siblings, not to mention somehow create a great Christmas. They couldn't always remember your birthday. They couldn't always drive you to school. They didn't always have time for you. You couldn't be selfish, you understood that, but it still hurt. You closed the door and made your way to UA. The cold winter air making you shiver as you slowly made your descent.

"[Y/N]! [Y/N]! Wait up!"

You had barely heard the soft voice of a girl yelling out to you. It was so soft, barely above a whisper, but slowly getting louder. You could pick her voice out of any loud crowd. It was the voice of someone who always brought a smile to your face, the voice that made your heart palpitate and beat faster. The voice of your crush, the voice of your friend's girlfriend.

Your steps faltered and you turned your head to see Ochako Uraraka running after you. Her short brown hair flew around her and her cheeks were rosy as ever from the cold as she sprinted to you. She grabbed onto your coat, nearly pulling you to the ground as she began to slip on ice. You grabbed her hip and waist to help steady her, though it was cold and you both couldn't tell, there was a blush settled on both your faces before you quickly pulled your hands away, letting her stand independently.

"Good morning."

"Good morning and happy birthday!"

She giggled the sentence out, and the blush stayed on your face as a beaming smile took over your lips. You avoided her eyes and played with your hands nervously. Of course, the one person to remember would be your friend's girlfriend. Your friend's girlfriend, whom you, guiltily, yearned for. She remembered your birthday. She remembered you. Sadly, regrettably, it brought you great joy.

"Thanks, wanna walk to school with me? Or were you waiting for Izuku?"

"Nope! I remembered you mentioned you walk to school, and I wanted to walk with you. It's your birthday, after all, you shouldn't be lonely."

You walked with the bubbly girl down the sidewalk, avoiding the more frozen spots and avoiding the heavier parts of snow. Ochako, slipped her hand into yours, trying to create warmth and making your heart skip a beat. She shouldn't be holding you like this, she's dating Izuku, your friend. You should've pulled away, but you couldn't. She kept her hand there until you reached the gates of UA.

"I got you something."

"Really?"

Your words drowned on her ears as she stopped walking and rummaged through her old school bag with nervous shaking hands to find the box she wrapped up pretty for you. She thrust it into your hands with a pink face.

"Seriously, Ochako, you didn't have to. I don't need a gift..."

"[Y/N]. You have to accept it. I got it just for you."

You kicked the snow as you took a deep breath. Did you want the gift? Yes. Did you need the gift? No. You shouldn't get gifts for your birthday, it was just placed in an unfortunate time of the year. It was a fate you accepted. You wanted to accept your pretty friend's gift, but it didn't feel right. The lingering feelings you felt for her when she had a boyfriend wasn't right. It wasn't right, it wasn't fair.

"I-I know how stressful money can be around the holidays, you can return it, get something for Izuku for Christmas. He's your boy-boyfriend isn't he?"

"What? No! Izuku's my best friend."

As another giggle graced your ears you grinned. You couldn't lie that hearing her say those words brought joy to yourself. For so long you'd thought they were together. They ate lunch together, studied, sparred. They were practically attached at the hip, you were sure she was dating him. The knowledge that she could only ever be your friend hurt. Hearing her say the opposite was your ecstasy.

"Hey, I thought I was your best friend."

You teased her and she let out a little nervous laugh as you started to carefully peel off the wrapping from the gift, not wanting to ruin what looked so carefully put together with a bow. Your heart pounded with curiosity as she watched you intensely to see your reaction. You pulled out a gold necklace with a small gold ball on the end from the box and gasped in shock. It looked so expensive, by far the most regal gift you'd ever received. Ochako must have saved a fortune to get this.

"Ochako... This is so pretty, this must have been so expensive."

"It, uh, it opens too."

She ignored your statement of questioning that it must have been expensive as she murmured out her words. It was expensive, she saved and saved, and even borrowed money from Momo Yaoyorozu. You opened up the gold ball and pulled out a little piece of paper with her handwriting scrawled out.

I like you, like a lot.

"I was hoping we could be more than best friends."

"I'd like that, like a lot."

You grabbed Ochako's hand, guilt-free this time, and walked into UA together. It didnt matter that everyone forgot your birthday, it didn't matter that you never got gifts or a birthday cake. It didn't matter because it mattered to Ochako. It didn't matter because you received the best gift from Ochako.

[imayanderesimp]

Birthday troubles|three todoroki readers

Reminders:

Baby y/n (2)

Preschool y/n(4)

Teenage y/n(14)

warnings: baby cussing, arguments, angst,teenage y/n being edgy,and preschool y/n being the most annoying thing in the world

teenage y/n p.o.v

Of course this morning you woke up to yelling and baby screaming your stupid siblings were screaming because they had to wake up. Wait if their awake that means YOUR LATE CRAP. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN YOU THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO WAKE YOU UP. You ran into bathroom brush your teeth got dressed and opened your door. Then you realized it was Saturday and today was your birthday and your sisters birthday. "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY YOU ALL HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME." And there was the bane of your existence your first little sister. "BA HA BA GA."(SHUT UP YOU ANNOYING H*) "HEY STOP PULLING ON MY HAIR."

"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW GO TO THE TABLE."

"Sorry mom."

3rd p.o.v

So you all ate and your schedule went normal except the school part so you just played video games. When it was Finally time today ing happy birthday your parents bought THREE BIRTHDAY CAKES but yours came late so you just went to your room and played music.Meanwhile your. Parents were worried about you. You didn't interact with anybody but dabi and everyone knows dabi is a bad influence. He could convince you to run away or join the league of villains or kill you. (he's not gonna kill you)

So now it's time for platonic yandere todoroki fam to pull up yeah that's right 2 stories in 1

Of course the minute you came home from school youth little sister pounced on you. "Mom is letting us get mochi!" "You've had mochi before she's just holding you back by telling lies." "I know but moms never let us eat it because she says it's bad for usnd mother knows best." "Where did you learn that Rapunzel."You looked over to see your dad and your older sister trying to get your other sister to say Dada.

"Say Dada y/n say Dada." D-d-sissy....we'll get there soon little y/n.""SHE SAID SISSY I'M HER SISSY! "She points at the second older sister and says b*.everybody in the room gasps and you cover the second youngests ears." TOUYA! ""What do you want old man"." DID YOU TEACH YOUR SISTER THE B WORD"!" Oh she finally learned it huh well I believe when we went to y/n (5) and y/n (15) school to pick then up kids were mentioning the word. Your mother spoke up from the kitchen "were homeschooling you all from now on." "Do we still get mochi". "No." SON OF A B*.Everybody gasped again. That minute shoto had walked in with natsou. "Oh sh* and another gasp from everybody. What did we walk into i quit.

So no mochi and the end of the night which ticked y/n(5) off do she was screaming. Your little sister was screaming because she didn't want to take a nap. And you were screaming into a pillow because your family homeschooled you and you finally made friends who didn't want you for your brother in u.a or because your dads the 1 hero.

Again sorry writing for three non binary readers is hard and I suck at writing for three readers so

Yandere todoroki clan: @i-cant-sing

[rpmemesbyarat]

RP Meme from Oliver & Company

Now, it's always once upon a time in New York City.

It's a big old bad old tough old town.

Let me have one, please.

Right away, you're making time and making friends

If they pick you out, you're on your way.

Get out there and go and try.

Why does nightfall find you feelin' so alone?

Dreaming is still how the strong survive

Keep your dream alive.

Got to look out and open your eyes,

You're in the fast lane

What's the matter with you? I said get outta here.

I don't eat cats. It's too much fur.

I've been watching you, and I think you're in serious need of some professional guidance.

I'm an expert at these things.

All you gotta do is learn some moves.

This city's got a beat.

When are we gonna get those hot dogs?

I hate to break it to ya, but the dynamic duo is now the dynamic uno.

Our partnership is herewith dissolved.

You're not being fair!

Fairs are for tourists, kid.

Consider it a free lesson in street savoir faire

Hey, wait! I helped you get those! Half of those are mine!

Why should I worry? Why should I care?

I got street savoir faire

You can wear the crown!

Everything goes.

Everything fits.

They love me at the Chelsea, they adore me at the Ritz!

Stop that racket! I'm trying to watch this show.

Shut up, you little rodent.

Come on, let's watch some boxing. I wanna see some action

You think this place is big enough?

What we need is some good quality stuff

Oh, shredded leather.

You insulted my pride! That means death!

It was your turn to get the food today!

You remain our preeminent benefactor.

It was tough. Only I could have done it.

I love a story with food in it.

Enter the opposition.

Gang war! Gang war! Watch out! Here comes a gang war!

Take cover!

It's just a cat.

I followed this dog.

He's lying! He's lying! He's lying! He's lying!

Oh, boy! Dog pile!

Don't let me down!

What do you got?

Let's see what you got.

I was just on my way out.

Actually, I've got something much better than money.

Some luxury items that should make a considerable dent in my debt to you.

Oh, my! You waxed your car, didn't you? Did they use the buffer on it, because I can see myself.

I don't think you grasp the severity of the situation.

Now, I lent you money and I don't see it.

People like you get hurt.

I can't figure out why you'd rather hang around a dump like this when you could be living uptown with a class act like myself.

Isn't it rather dangerous to use one's entire vocabulary in a single sentence?

You bad, man.

Hey, you got something to say to me, fat boy?

Why don't you pick on someone your own size?

Oh, I'm having a bad day!

I like cats. I like to eat 'em.

Your master's calling.

Come on and say it to my face!

How am I ever gonna come up with all that money?

It's hopeless.

That took a lot of guts.

All right. Time for bed. We've got a big day tomorrow.

We've got two days to do or die.

You got a lot to learn. And if you don't learn, you don't eat!

But if you're tough, and always use your head, you'll be right at home, on the street.

When you got talent, everything is free.

You're gonna see how the best survive.

These are streets of gold.

You'll take the town, and you'll take it with style.

You're in charge of electronics.

Hey, but what about me? What do I do?

Ready? Go!

What have I done? Poor thing.

You oughta be ashamed of yourself!

Run along, little fellow. Go on, now. Shoo.

Be a lookout.

I only got one more wire, okay?

Oh, you poor kitty. Here. Let me help you.

Where's the kid?

We can't just take in a stray off the street.

Don't worry, kitty. I'll take care of you.

Your public awaits.

Girl, we've got work to do

Pass me the paint and glue.

Perfect isn't easy

When one knows the world is watching, one does what one must.

See how the breeding shows

Sometimes it's too much for even me!

But when all the world says "Yes", then, who am I to say "no"?

Don't ask a mutt to strut like a showgirl

Perfection becomes me, ne c'est pas?

I'm beauty unleashed!

So classic and classy

They're barking up the wrong tree!

I have your hearts, and you have my pity

Pretty is nice, but still it's just pretty!

I wouldn't go in there if I were you.

What is the meaning of this?

I guess I'll have to handle this myself.

And do you have any idea whose home this is?

Isn't he cute?

What in Heaven's name are we waiting for?

Alas, our beleaguered benefactor bearing the brunt of our futile endeavours.

Cool it!

Our mission begins at daybreak.

I don't hear any practicing.

Oh, you wanna practice too!

We two can be good company.

You and me, just wait and see.

I'll handle that ruffian.

Body slam! Body slam! Oh, come on, you fool! Hit him! Hit him!

Come back here!

Huh, this place looks pretty nice. I mean, how bad off could it be here?

Chagall. Matisse. These are all masterpieces.

Hey, man, if this is torture, chain me to the wall.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down.

Don't come any closer! I knew this would happen one day.

It's not you I'm after.

Not good enough for you?

I mean, do you even know who I am?

GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU LITTLE BUG-EYED CREEP!

Something's not quite right here.

Shh. Quick. Before he comes back. Follow me.

I mean, let's just forget the whole thing.

No, no, you can't do that! You don't understand. The poor dear's so traumatized.

What is going on here?

Hurry. Use the fire escape.

Ooh, I could've danced all night! I could've danced all night!

You were very good.

I was rather good, wasn't I?

You okay, kid?

I have another home now. And someone who loves me.

You're in the gang.

I just wanna go back.

You wanna leave? Fine! There's the door.

You lighten up!

Oh, it's hopeless.

Looks like you're doing all right for yourself

So that's where you've been!

Feel it. That's it. Very good.

This is an airtight plan

I'll even toss in a little extra for your patience.

It's my final offer. Take it or leave it.

I said, push!

No, you don't kill 'im yet.

Did we bring something green and wrinkly to make me happy?

I'm getting your money tonight! It's coming tonight!

Hey, I think there's hope for you yet.

Yeah, you're starting to think big.

It's creepy down here.

I drew a perfectly good map.

A child could read that map.

I didn't do it! I didn't do it! I was framed!

This is a tough neighborhood. You'd better go home.

I came to find my kitty.

You brought a piggy bank.

What kind of a person would steal a poor little kitty?

I'm so scared. I don't know what to do.

I found a little lost kitten.

No! No, wait! You can't do this!

Keep your mouth shut.

Stop! Stop! Time out!

There's gotta be some way in.

Peasants.

Well, it's nice to see that one of you has some manners.

After you, my little croissant

And remember, quiet.

Oh! I broke a nail.

Oh, balderdash.

Freeze!

I don't think you really appreciate the situation. Somebody could get hurt.

You smell that?

It's party time!

Where are those dogs?

I thought I'd never see you again.

What's the occasion? Come to rescue your little friend?

All right! What a woman!

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go

This has all been very entertaining. But the party is over.

Hey, man, you're ugly!

Aah! Save me!

Hey, get off my back, woman! I'm driving!

All right, anybody want some cake?

Murder him! Twist his arm!

The gifts were great.

We'll start with a bath.

You know, you're not so bad for a bug-eyed little creep.

You come back here this minute!

Tell me why should I care

What a delightful scoundrel.

[popculturebuffet]

*Goofy and Launchpad are hanging a banner*

Banner: CONGRADULATIONS SENIOR WOODCHUCK VIOLET!

Huey: Excellent work guys.. and it only took three hours, four broken lamps.. several jabs in the eyes.. some bloodloss but you did it.

Dewey and Louie: (Walk in)

Louie: So what's all this?

Huey: A party for violet.. I thought she deserved a celebration.. I mean her parents took her out after but you can't get enough and I got one even though I turned it down because I did a terrible thing to try and get it.

Della: And i'm proud of you sweetie... (Has been there thewhole time with boyd, both in uniform)

Huey: I also thought I should bring some of our fellow woodchucks.. but most were small children and our house is a deathtrap on a normal day so for obvious reasons I invited the nigh indescrutable robot who my best friend can repair and my mom who lives here. I mean mom still counts. She's also going to try and start corunning meetings since .. how do I put this nicely.

Della: Launchpad your a terrible Chuckleader

Launchpad: Entirely accurate. And you look hot in that uniform

Della: Also entirely accurate. And while throwing a party for the person who defeated you in compettition isn't MY style, I prefer to sulk and swear vengance, I am PROUD of you for being the bigger duck. Metaphorically she's not a duck and her hair gives her a slight advantage.

Boyd: I"m just happy to be invited. As was my brother.

Louie: HUEY NO HUEY WHY HUEY WHY

Huey: "A woodchuck always invites another woodchuck"..though thankfully the guidebook also says "A woodchuck always obeys restraining orders" so the most he can do is creepily lurk outside.

Doofus:(Breathing heavily and creepily into the closest window from outside)

Louie: Eugh... but we're not going outside for this? Please say no.

Huey: We were but for obvious reasons I cancled the outside portion. I also laid out the solicitor traps with picutres of goldie so HOPEFULLy he'll evnetually end up in one of those. Your my brother, I take your eneimies as seriously as I do my oath as a junior woodchuck. Plus he scares me too.

BOYD: Oh he's not so bad. He stopped holding a knife to my throat while I was powered down after mama and poppa told him to only three times!

Webby: (Riding in on a cartload of snacks and books ) I got the suplies for your party! Almonds like she likes, some salmon and some light reading. You are such a good friend.

Louie: Sure that's ALLL he wants to be.

Huey: (panicked) yeah of COURSE I do... why would you say that?

Dewey: Ohhh Huey's got a girlfriend, huey's got a girlfriend, come on eveyrbody!

Dewey and Della: Huey's got a girlfriend, huey's got a girlfriend!

Boyd: HUEY"S GOT A PARTNER TO SHARE HIS HOPES AND DREAMS WITH MOCKING TONE

Dewey: Your learning buddy

Boyd: We have never met before.

Dewey: We haven't have we? ... why haven't we? I always wanted a robot buddy to laugh at my jokes and do wacky hyjinks with.

Boyd: And I always wanted a third friend!

Della: Sorry son force of habit.

Huey: I do not like violet.. just because she's pretty.. and smarter than me.. and she smells nice.. which I only know because she flew me out of danger after I didn't do the same in a moment of weakness... and she's also awwkawrd with people... and fine I do.

Webby: EHHHH MY BROTHER LIKES MY BEST FRIEND... I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW. WE NEED A PLAN.

Huey: I have one it's called be nice and hope she notices.

Della: Oh baby child no. You have to actually make a move. Don't be like your uncle donald

Donald: (Burts in from the back) Stop telling the boys that! I mean it's probably true but it hurts.

Della: I was telling dewey to actually MAKE a move and not just wait for her to notice.

Donald: Oh... then your mother is absolutley right.

Huey: You taught me that!

Donald: And I was very wrong and i'm very much alone and i'll probably die alone aside from you guys. I'm okay with that.

Della: Okay i'm going to put a pin in that because your going to die alone over my dead body.

Donald: We talked scrooge out of us sharing a casket though.

Della: Again pin my baby needs me, Huey just be honest, be yourself... and just don't corner her.. just ask her nicely to go to a movie, or a library or an abandoned condo built on an native american buiral ground.

Webby: Thanks again for the date spot suggestion by the way. Lena loved it.

Della: your welcome. I have enoguh mom for all of you.. includingt he tiny robot and the grown man who misses his child.

Goofy: Awwww...

Louie: Wait why IS goofy here?

Donald: He's rooming with me. I still had the spare room and he has empty nest.. plus he needs a new house after the old one burned down.

Goofy: It's just like college!

Huey: But I"m.. scared okay? besides her being objectivley better than me, I had BOYD run the satstics.

BOYD: But your still great.

Huey: Thank you, what if she dosen't want that or dosen't feel that way?

Louie: Then you'll be awkard around each other for a while.. you were going to be ANYWAY if you don't tell her and either way the awkward goes away. You got this man. She's a nerd, your a nerd, your all nerds.

Launchpad: (Happily) hey!

Louie: You got this. We're all in your corner.

Doofus: (from outside still) Even me... though if you fail i'm going for that.

Webby: (cheerfully) If you even THINK about hitting on my best friend again I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and bury you where no will ever find you.

Doofus: Ohhhh I won't.. your much more intresting.

Webby: Ewwwww.. I have a girlfriend. Also your objectivley disgusting in every way shape or form.

Doofus: Well I (gun cocks) Am being threatned by your help. Good day to you. (Runs off)

Louie: MRs. b, did you ever know that your my hero?

Beakly: (beams proudly and then goes back to her gardening)

Dewey: Louie's right, while I will mock you constnatly you got this. Plus you got her best friend in her corner.

Webby: Yeah.. though if you ever hurt her i'll do to you what i'll probably have to do to doofus one day

Huey: That is entirely fair and I will accept my death without a struggle.

Webby: See you are good boyfriend material!

Huey: Though I doubt I mean she couldn't possibly...

MEANWHILE: not far from the house, Lena and Violet are walking

Violet: Feel the same way. I mean... for one your around.

Lena: I appricate the compliment but i'm dating his sister. And i'm also VERY gay. Like our dad's gay. Like huey's mom is turbo bi.

Violet: Yes i've read the "Bi as explitive" t-shirt she wore when we first met her. But besides a lack of better options why me? I'm stilted, I do not get people, and until a few months ago my only friend was learning.

Lena: Take out stilted and you just described him too. Your similar enough to really click but just diffrent enough it won't get boring.

Violet: But you nad webby

Lena: Are opposites. Yes this is true. But it's not ALL relationships. Sometimes you date someone just like you, sometimes you don't.. I mean our dad's aren't exactly the same either, but their amazing. And so are you. I may not belivie in most people, But I belivie in you. (they arrive at the gates, violet has been in uniform naturally) Now get in there and get that nerd, Nerd.

Violet: (has been tearing up slightly and hugs her sister) You are the best sibling I never asked for.

Lena: (Hugs her back) right back atcha

(Inside)

Dewey: (holding a cake shaped like violet's head and eating it directly with his mouth) I got the cake

Huey: This isa why I set up a decoy.. three of htem.

(Della and launchpad are also holding hteir own cakes)

Della: But i'd never...

Huey: You would if this wasn't so important to me, so I feel your behavior deserves to be rewarded. Now if you'll excuse me I need to hide my emotions. (Waves hand over face.. and still looks like a nervous mess) There no one will notice

Louie: Huey she's a nerd not blind. Look man, your amazing, you are a catch.. I mean not at our age or even in highschool but eventually scrooge will die and you'll be richer because you'll probably invent something that makes you rich before that. As I said just go for it man, just find an opportunity and cease it.. we're all backing you up. And if it fails, we'll be there to pick you up. Now go get that nerd.

Huey: Right.. i'm just going to pen the door and

Duckworth: Masters violet and lena... (Leads them into the foyer) Also nicely done.. and thank you for asking my permission though in the future as long as your uncle is uninvolved you need only give me a heads up so he can hide from it.

Huey: Thank you duckworth.. ahme... ta-da!

Violet: (blushes) It's wonderful... and is that a bookshelf? And.. is that terry pratchetts complete works? And a cake shaped like my head.. may I?

Huey: (Hands her a knife)

Violet: (Cuts in) And it's an exact repleica of my interior cranimum. I knew you wanted those x-rays for a reason b esides curosity you rascal

Huey: (Blushes) I uh.. thanks

Violet: (Blushes bakc) Uh any time)

Della: Awwww

Huey: Hey violet I was uh wondering,, I uh..

Violet: ... okay so he does feel the same wya tha'ts a relief. You were right Lena

Huey: Wait what?

Louie: You had to give her the pep talk too huh?

Lena: Yup.. I mean she is usuually confident

Louie: Not so true here...

Dewey: I"m fine with that.. it's what makes him loveable.. that and it means i'm not 100% teh donald

Della: Nah you got too much of my genetics for that.

Huey: Okay I can handle this okay..

Violet: Oh god you really aren't intrested

Huey: No I am I am but why me? I"m not even a senior woodchuck.

Violet: no but when given the easy out you didn't take it, you took the honorable path. YOu also are smart, adorable, and do not mind the fact I speak more roboticaly than our actual robot friend.

BOYD: 4 friends!

Huey: An dyou.. dont' seem bothered that I kinda sorta a little am nervous.

Violet: If you mean extremley yes but I find it cute.

Huey: I.. uh (Blushes0 uhhhhh... youralsobrillantandcuteandIlikeyourhairandthewayyousmellandIknowthat'sweirdbutIwasupwindofyousoicouldn'thelpitandiwnattobeyourboyfriendeventually

Louie:Wow just.. wow.. I mean I expected it to be bad but that is art

Violet: I accept (Smooches his cheek) Now let's dig into my head shall we? I call frontal lobe

Lena: I want a large portion of skull

Webby: I get the eyes.

(The two nerds hold hands and head for the cake)

FIN

[shardweavers]

Chapter Sixteen - Memories on the Tides

The trip from Lakeland had started out quiet. The fishing boat was a medium-sized ship, with a few cabins for a small crew. The trip would likely take the evening to navigate from the Source to Venmont Yards. Emet-Selch's money had gotten them closer to Eulmore, but that still meant going to the docks at the shipyard. The only way straight to the city was via an airship. While there had been talks of an airship route between the Crystarium and Eulmore, and visits from Chai-Nuzz to the Crystal Exarch, the implementation of the actual trip was still a ways off.

Emet-Selch had been first to board Dadfort's vessel. Shoto was next, then Yuki, and finally Sumire. The four split into two groups, each taking a crew cabin. Emet-Selch was assigned to share a cabin with Sumire, while Yuki would share a cabin with Shoto. The Viera stood firm on this arrangement, and took Shoto's bag from Sumire.

"We'll meet you in the kitchen where we can talk about what to do once we're in Kholusia. For now, go put your things away." Yuki directed, taking up a leadership role for the moment. Shoto let herself be led off to their cabin, not wanting to fight right now.

Sumire turned to look at the Ascian, only to wince and rub at his right eye. He looked away immediately, then headed toward the other cabin. "Come on, it's best to listen to Yuki when she's this insistent."

"I haven't anything I care to put away," the Ascian replied, not following after the Dragoon.

Sumire stopped, then looked back, making sure only his left eye could see him. "Then at least come choose your bed. I'll put my things on the other one and we can go meet them in the kitchen."

Hades looked to the Miqo'te, then gave a dramatic sigh as he moved to follow him. "Very well. I suppose you make a point."

* * * The kitchen, for what it was worth, was mostly just that; a table and chairs for crewmembers to eat while at sea. It served as a good meeting place, though, and Dadfort was currently making a bit of food and coffee for everyone. He had one crewmember with him for the trip, and had entrusted them with navigation above deck until everyone was settled. They had overheard Dadfort telling his First Mate that he'd take over once they'd left the Source and were into the Divide proper.

The four passengers sat silently around the table as the ship headed across the lake; Dadfort sat plates in front of Shoto and Yuki with a smile, then went back to get two more plates for Sumire and Emet-Selch. Shoto sniffed at the food before her, and her expression seemed to brighten instantly. It looked really fancy to her for a quick meal; crab cakes, with some quickly grilled mixed vegetables beside them. Yuki poked at her crab cakes with a fork as Dadfort gave the boys their food. Hades wrinkled his nose a bit at the simplistic meal, but Sumire looked impressed. His ears flicked and he moved to eat immediately. Shoto also dug in once the others had their food. Yuki sighed quietly and began to eat the vegetables; she watched the Ascian poke at the food as if uncertain.

"Venmont Yards isn't far from Eulmore," Dadfort broke the awkward silence. "It's the closest dock to the city, and the least distance you'd need to walk without an airship up." He brought a tray to the table with 4 cups of coffee, some cream and sugar. "We're heading straight there, but it will still take some time to cross the Divide to Kholusia. Whenever you get tired, feel free to sleep. Likely won't get there 'til morning."

"We're grateful for your hospitality, my good man," Emet-Selch smiled at the Galdjent fisherman.

"Least I could do is provide some food after making you wait longer for the ship than I meant to." He smiled and gestured to the coffee tray. "Please take your time eating. I'm gonna head above deck and trade off with my First Mate so's he can eat too." The captain headed off with another tray. It held two more plates and cups of coffee. He seemed a bit better now that they were on the water, though he had repeated that he wouldn't stay longer than simply dropping them off.

As soon as they were alone, Yuki used her fork to point at Emet-Selch. "What's wrong with your dinner? Not fancy enough for your exacting tastes?"

"You haven't touched the meat either, Viera."

"I'm still eating," she made a face. Sumire and Shoto silently looked to one another, then both reached for a cup of coffee; they'd eaten half of their crab cakes already. Yuki continued to watch the Ascian; he once again made an uncertain face, and used his fork to poke at what was on his plate... without eating any of it. Yuki ate the rest of her vegetables, leaving only the crab cake. She looked to Shoto, then to Sumire; both of them finished the crab cakes already, though Shoto was taking her time on the veggies. Sumire's plate was empty, and he held his coffee cup against him with both hands.

Yuki realized she'd never seen him turn down any sort of food, even if she felt unsure about it. She was also used to being last to finish... perhaps that was why she futzed about? There wasn't anything particularly odd about the crab cakes; she'd had them before in Limsa Lominsa. These did smell different, but they didn't smell bad.

'You're overthinking it, Yuki, just eat your crab! ' She silently yelled at herself. She started to eat her cakes with a frustrated pout.

Sumire blinked at her, then silently chuckled into his cup. His reaction drew Emet-Selch's attention; the Ascian raised an eyebrow as he looked between the male Miqo'te and the female Viera.

Shoto looked up from her remaining veggies, to Emet-Selch, then to Sumire, then to Yuki. She tilted her head; she didn't quite understand the look the Ascian was giving them.

"Did I miss something...?" Shoto bit her fork. Sumire looked over to her, then to Emet-Selch. He blushed a little as he looked back to Shoto.

"I just found Yuki's pouty eating funny, it wasn't really anything... vital."

"It isn't pouty, Sumire, I was just unfocused!"

"It also looked like a pout to me, Emet-Selch added, in a flat voice. Yuki glared at him, as she managed to keep herself from blushing too much.

The Ascian shrugged, then looked back to the food in front of him. It wasn't fancy, that was true, but neither was the sandwich he ate last night. He'd certainly eaten worse meals.

"You should eat too," Shoto pouted.

Emet-Selch looked up, then back to the food. No one else seemed to react to her words, and it had felt directed... maybe he'd just been distracted. He gave her a dramatic little sigh, then replied playfully, "Well, if you insist."

It had been an exchange out loud, but her feelings had pushed the point home. Yuki seemed focused on Sumire, who had finished his coffee and seemed to be staring at the cup. Emet-Selch made a show of forcing himself to eat, but it wasn't much of one; he found he liked the taste, and decided to simply finish the food.

The rest of dinner went on in mostly silence. When the Ascian finished, he stood up to leave. Sumire looked up, a bit of hesitance in his voice, “You heading back to the room then?”

Emet-Selch rolled his eyes at the question, “Fret not, the room is all yours.” The Ascian did not elaborate any further on his decision, he simply waved a hand as he wandered off.

Yuki frowned as she shook her head. The distrust of the Ascian was still clear on her face, but a tired look from Sumire caused her to frown. “Perhaps, it's best if we all retire to our rooms... we've got a long night ahead of us.”

Shoto nodded in agreement and scooted her chair back. "We should be sure to thank Dadfort for the meal and the ride in the morning." She smiled a bit, then turned to head off. Yuki and Sumire both made a sound in agreement.

The group moved back towards the crew cabins they were staying in. Sumire stopped at the one he was now staying in alone, as the two girls continued on to the further cabin. Yuki paused for a moment at their cabin door, then looked back to Sumire with concern. “If you need anything, you know where our room is…” A blush spread across her cheeks, “N-Not that you would... need anything from us. Whatever.” With a pout, Yuki stormed past Shoto, into their room. The female Miqo'te blinked, then giggled and waved good night to the male Miqo'te.

Sumire gave a tired smile in response, and pushed into the dark cabin. He barely got his door shut, then fumbled with his shirt as he stumbled over to the bed he'd picked earlier. He didn't so much crawl into bed as collapse onto it. Sleep encroached upon him quickly. His eyelids felt heavy as he almost instantly drifted off to sleep.

He could hear the ocean; at least, it certainly sounded like it; it was certainly a lot of water nearby. The smell was more enclosed, almost like a cave, but... drier. Sumire swore he had been in bed only a moment ago... he remembered crawling into it, barely managing to take most of his clothes off first. It felt like he was on something much more solid than that; a rock?

He could hear someone approaching wherever he was; hurried footsteps on solid rock, it sounded like. The person beside him moved closer to his ear, as their hand rested on his shoulder and arm.

"Theia, wake up."

I've heard that name before...

He felt hands on his arm gently shaking him, as the same voice repeated their call.

"Theia, you've been dreaming for a while now. It's time to wake up."

...dreaming...?

"Mmm, Khione, surely I couldn't have been away that long," Sumire heard a female voice answer. It had felt like he had spoken the words, but... he knew he hadn't. The male Miqo'te paused, as he felt someone help him sit up on the rock that he could feel beneath him.

This was so very strange... it was almost like the Echo, yet... it didn't feel right to him.

"Khione... did you happen to see my blindfold on the way here?" The female voice asked, as Sumire felt himself stand. "I lost it somewhere along the path here..."

"No, I hadn't. I'll help you find it on the way back, Theia." Khione replied, apologetically. "And if we can't find it, I'll just get you a new one."

"Thank you," Theia responded, as she took hold of Khione's arm.

This is... not... a dream... is it...?

Sumire realized he wasn't in control of the things he felt, heard, and said... yet... he felt conscious. It was very confusing. He quickly realized the sensations he felt were familiar to him; whoever 'Theia' was, she was blind.

He'd had to learn to sense the world the same way after he'd barely survived the dragon's attack. His right eye was completely blind for years, until he began training as a Dragoon. During that training, he had learned to sense aether and had regained a partial sight that vastly improved his reaction time. He then found he could also use the dragon's blood to see with his right eye more clearly, and that took moons to balance and adjust to.

...He hadn't thought about any of this in a long time.

His focus was pulled back as he felt hands running through his hair; makeshift combing. Yuki had done it to him before, when he'd made them late.

"Your hair is a mess , Theia." Khione's voice playfully scolded.

Sumire let out a breath, as Theia fidgeted, and he decided to relax, and see where this would go.

"That tends to happen," Theia reached up to fluff her own hair; short in the back, with two longer pieces in the front. She wore a slightly oversized robe, which she fixed, then pulled the hood of it up onto her head.

"We were to meet Persephone for tea, if you recall." Khione took Theia's hand to lead her forward. "She said she has someone for us to meet."

"Oh?" Theia perked up, and smiled, "Another star?"

"That's the impression she and Krystallos gave." Khione lifted her hands, and Theia cautiously tapped her foot to find a few rock steps down.

"I wonder what they're like."

"I'm sure they're as unique as we are," Khione said, her grin evident in her voice.

Theia chuckled as they headed along a stone path. She let go of Khione's arm, hurried ahead a few paces, then turned and slowly walked backwards. "I'm glad we were delayed in leaving again. I've almost memorized the whole city... it's such a big, wonderful place."

"You've seemed happier lately," Khione hurried her pace to match Theia's. "Perhaps tonight we could take a walk somewhere you've yet to memorize?"

"I'd like that," Theia smiled, then paused. She turned her head towards a sound and scent that were familiar.

"Persephone, we were just coming to tea. Whatever is the matter?" Khione sounded concerned.

"I'm so sorry. The person I wanted you to meet ran off."

"Are they okay? We don't bite," Theia joked.

Persephone chuckled quietly, then took a moment to catch her breath before she continued. "I don't know. There was a terrible sound, and he panicked. Krystallos went after him... I came to find you both. Have you heard or seen anything?"

"I didn't see anything on the way here," Khione trailed off a bit, thoughtfully.

Theia frowned, "I smell brimstone... and there was a deep growl in the wind." She turned her head into the wind, "The wind is coming from the... park, if I recall my directions."

"We should go," Persephone moved even as she decided. "Carefully."

Khione took Theia's hand, and moved to follow her, "If we find whatever made the noise and scent you caught, I'll find you a safe place for you to stay before I go to help Persephone. Okay?"

"Okay." Theia shifted her hold to Khione's arm, and they sped up a bit.

They hadn't run long before Theia slowed, and coughed. Khione turned to check on her immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"The brimstone smell," she coughed, then reached a hand up to her mouth and nose, "it's mixed with a smoky smell... and it's really strong." Another cough into her hand was followed by a deep growl.

"That sound came from that way," Persephone said, worriedly. "I can't tell if it's coming from the city or heading towards it, though."

"Theia, stay here." Khione hurriedly led her to a large, sturdy tree, then placed her hands on the trunk. "We'll go see what it is making that sound and smell."

Theia nodded, as she coughed again, then frowned. She felt a silk cloth placed into her hand, then lifted her head a bit.

"Take this, it should help with the smell that's bothering you."

"B-But... Persephone... isn't this... your scarf?"

"If it helps you, then I don't mind." Persephone absolutely beamed, as she gently pushed Theia's hand with the scarf. "Stay here, we'll be right back, okay?"

"Th-Thank you." Theia nodded gratefully, then hurriedly tied the scarf around her face to cover her nose and mouth. The smell instantly muted, and she no longer felt the strong urge to cough. She shifted to hold onto the tree, and listened carefully for any signs of trouble or anything she needed to run from.

Her thoughts turned to dreams, and she frowned; her fingers gripped the trunk a little. She scrunched her nose a little, then shook her head. "That dream still haunts me. A city of fire. Alone in the flames. Why do I keep seeing it...?" Theia frowned, then quietly rested her head against the tree. She spoke quietly to herself after a thoughtful moment, "Khione, I worry... is it... because of what happened... then...?" Her thoughts trailed off as she caught the sudden sound of splashing in the distance, followed by faint crying, and a whimper. "I wonder... if that's who we were supposed to meet...?" She turned her head a bit, then sniffed. "Hm...?" She sniffed again, through the scarf...

"Wait... This is near the gazebo we've met at before! I can smell that odd tree from here... even over the brimstone scent." Theia smiled a bit at her recognition, then left the tree. She hurried forward; one hand reaching out for a railing she knew should be around.

It turned out to be further away than she had expected, but she reached the familiar gazebo, and hurried up the few stairs to sit on a bench. The sounds of snarling and items breaking made her flinch, but she took a deep breath and closed her eyes to focus. Her left hand came up to hold her right shoulder as her head lowered.

Sumire felt a sudden shift, and flinched as he suddenly saw the strange vision. He adjusted quickly, and felt Theia relax here.

Before them lay a vast field of colors and shapes. He realized these places and images were distorted to him, but to her, they were perfectly normal... He felt they were things that brought her comfort. She knew precisely where she was in the space, and precisely where to go.

I recognize... some of these colors. They're the unchanging shades of aether for flora.

He touched the scar over his right eye.

...She can see... aether...?

He felt confused. It was how he balanced his sight, and therefore used all the time since he learned it. The dragon's blood helped balance the cost of that method, but came with occasional unbidden visions from the dragon. He knew Y'shtola was permanently blind from her time in the lifestream, and she used that method now all the time. So he wondered, if Theia could do it as well, why wasn't she always using her aether sight to navigate...?

He was solely interested in what lay before him. He no longer wondered what this was nor why he was seeing it, but instead, what would happen. Once more his wandering thoughts were interrupted, as he felt Theia stand, then walk over to a large, dark shape. She calmly reached out to place her hands on its head, as she quietly hummed what he recognized as a sort of lullaby. He didn't remember hearing it before... but it still felt familiar.

The big shape growled, then slowly curled up on the ground, as it fell asleep. Once it had stopped moving, Theia turned to hurry back to her seat, just in time for Khione's worried voice beside her.

"Theia?"

"Hmm?" Theia shifted towards the voice. Her arm lowered onto her lap, and pulled the scarf off her face on the way. Khione put an arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her in.

After some hurried scuffling, Theia heard Persephone greet Hades, followed by a soft sigh and a snap. She heard crackling of a crystal substance she associated with a cage, or a prison the guards would use on stray creations.

"Where have you been, Hythlodaeus?" Hades asked, exasperated.

"I went to get people to help transport the escapee back!" His grin was evident in his barely held-back chuckle. "C'mon, I knew you had it, Hades." He moved towards the sleeping, crystal-prisoned creature with a flourish of his robe. "And you did!"

Hades sighed, then also moved towards the sleeping creature. "It's quite strange that a wild creature like this managed to escape from Lahabrea's lab... I'll have to have another talk with him about letting experiments get away."

"Th-That... That one... w-was mine," a new voice spoke meekly. "But... I-I don't know why... it would be... here."

"Is that why you ran from the sound, Asopus?" Persephone asked, as she turned toward the two boys.

"I-I'm sorry. It... It was instinct. Th-The sound... scared me," he whimpered, "I thought I'd screwed up again... I-It should have been sealed in Anamnesis!"

Krystallos frowned, concerned, then hugged the younger man comfortingly. "It's okay, Asopus."

"Why was it sealed there ...?" Hades mumbled. The guards shrank the large crystal prison to a more manageable size, then marked it with a caution symbol before transporting it away. It had happened before, Theia knew exactly what they did. She wondered why something that large and potentially dangerous had been loose in the city in the first place, but the danger was over for now; she could always ponder things later.

Hythlodaeus moved to follow the guards, "I'll handle your paperwork, dear friend~! You spend the afternoon with your beloved!" He then chuckled as he hurried off. Persephone ran over to hug Hades in greeting, as Asopus reassured Krystallos he was better now.

Theia blinked her eyes open, then leaned against Khione tiredly. The older woman ran her hand over the younger one's short, blond hair.

Khione spoke quietly, a slightly scolding tone to her voice, "You know how much that takes out of you, Theia. Why didn't you wait for me?"

"I was worried!" Theia leaned her head towards Khione's hand. "It's okay, I knew where I was. I could smell the strange tree that's always in the park."

Khione paused, then looked around, "The strange tree...? There's no odd trees in the park, Theia."

"Yes there is, I can smell it. It's always here when we're here. It's very distinct." Theia took in a deep breath. She then pointed over towards Hades and Persephone, "It's that way. That strange tree is always here, so I know I'm in the park."

There was a moment of silence as Khione looked between Theia and where she was pointing. After a few moments, Theia hadn't changed her position nor said she was joking... and Khione laughed. She drew attention to the two in the gazebo.

Theia pouted, "What's so funny?"

"Theia, you're pointing at Hades," Khione barely managed between chuckles. She hugged the younger woman, who blinked, then took another sniff of the air.

"Hades smells like a tree?"

"Apparently to you. Oh, Theia," Khione continued to laugh, as Theia blushed, then began to laugh with her. She laced her fingers with Khione as she did so, then leaned into her shoulder.

Hades, Persephone, Krystallos, and Asopus weren't able to hear anything but the girls' laughter from where they were, but Hades had seen her point at him. He sighed again, then hugged Persephone as he mumbled about her odd friends. She just snickered in response.

"Are you sure you're okay, Yuki?" Shoto asked, worriedly; her eyes drawn to the unconscious Dragoon on the Summoner's back. Yuki simply nodded and gave an affirmative sound. "Any ideas what's wrong?"

Yuki shook her head, "No... there's only been one other time I had to carry him like this, but he was very sick then." She just continued forward as she replied. Shoto frowned, then hurried on ahead to keep pace with Emet-Selch. Yuki looked to Sumire's violet hair, and mumbled to herself. "...I'm just... worried about you, Sumi."

He whimpered quietly, and shifted. Yuki looked surprised, then cleared her throat as Sumire reached up to his head.

"Oh good, you're finally awake," Yuki spoke, which alerted Shoto and Emet-Selch to the Dragoon's movements.

"Sumire! Are you alright?" Shoto asked as she hurried back. The Dragoon flicked his ears, then lifted his head to look at her.

"Wh... Where am I...?" He looked up a bit, then sounded confused, "Kho...lusia...? H-How long... have I been... out...?"

"Since whenever you fell asleep last night," Yuki replied for her.

Shoto nodded, "We couldn't wake you up when we arrived this morning. You had us worried!" Her tone was scared, yet he could tell she was relieved to be talking to him. Sumire blinked, then frowned as he lowered his head.

"I... I'm sorry," he flinched, then reached to cover his right eye; his chin dug into Yuki's shoulder a little. Shoto gently patted Sumire's head, then hurried forward to keep pace with Emet-Selch once more. She relayed the info to the Ascian as Yuki shook her head.

The Viera slowed a little, to put more distance between them and the Ascian. "Are you really alright, Sumire...?" Her voice shook a little as she asked, despite her best efforts not to.

Sumire frowned, "I'm... not sure. I don't... remember much about last night. I know... we were on the boat. I remember feeling tired after I ate. I had," he trailed off, then lowered his arm to half hug Yuki's shoulders. "...I had a strange dream."

Yuki frowned, then looked forward again, "Was it one of those dreams?"

"N-No," Sumire stuttered, as he shook his head. He had always told her his 'bad feelings' came from 'the dragon's dreams'. They were what made him wary of situations... and helped them avoid trouble sometimes. This hadn't been anything like that, though... He looked up, then flinched as he looked to Shoto and Emet-Selch, "No, it... I-I'm sorry... for making you... take care of me."

"It's fine," she shifted him a little on her back, "We couldn't very well leave you behind."

"Y-You can... let me off... a-at the aetheryte shard near the entrance. I don't... I don't think I can... make the trek up to it yet." He let go of Yuki's shoulders with one arm, and once again held his head, favoring covering his right eye.

She frowned in response, then lowered her head a little. "Don't be ridiculous. I'll take the stairs up. We'll find you a place in the parlor to sit and rest."

"But--"

"No buts. I won't have you passing out again because you used the aethernet while low on aether."

Sumire blinked, low on aether...? He hadn't thought that might be the problem... was that... what someone had noticed?

Yuki noticed his silence. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad...?" He lowered his arm, then looked down to the path. "I... I hadn't thought of that... being my issue. I should have listened to you when you noticed something was wrong... I'm sorry."

Yuki shook her head as they passed some familiar faces in Gatetown. Most people left them alone, though, even though they could see one of the group being carried. Things were still slow to change, but it didn't seem to bother the Viera. Shoto turned to look back at the two worriedly. Yuki simply nodded and gave her a small, reassuring smile to let her keep going. "Do you remember Ala Mhigo, Sumire?"

"Which... part?"

Yuki gave a nostalgic smile, then glanced at his face for a moment. She took a breath and looked up to the gates ahead of them, "I carried you for a long distance to keep us ahead of the Imperials. You were sick with that terrible fever, but we couldn't stay still. We were the last two left from our group, and they chased us all the way to Kugane."

"I... remember some of that... I was... very out of it then," Sumire mumbled, with a blush.

Yuki chuckled, then nodded, "I took care of you for a week, and didn't stop until we'd found a way to get to Doma..." She frowned, "I didn't want either of us caught... I was so grateful for the Doman Resistance. They didn't have to help us, but... they helped take care of your fever."

"I remember waking up to that Doman girl poking my arm," he mumbled into Yuki's shoulder.

"She was worried! You had been asleep for two days straight," Yuki chuckled, then trailed off. She looked down as they approached the steps up to the entrance of Eulmore. "I was... scared that would happen again. The way you've been acting lately... when we couldn't wake you after we arrived at Venmont Yards... all I could think of was that I had to get you to Eulmore. That Alphinaud might be able to help. Shoto couldn't find anything wrong with you." She briefly glanced up to the guards. They greeted the group as they passed through the door. Shoto and Emet-Selch headed off to head up the stairs, and they seemed to be caught up in a conversation. Yuki wasn't paying much attention to them nor where she was walking. She was distracted enough that she just kept going forward without stopping. Sumire didn't seem to notice either.

"Thank you... Khione," The Dragoon jerked as the name left his mouth. He reached up to cover his mouth, then sounded confused. "Wh... Why did I say that...?"

Yuki wanted to ask who Khione was, but she felt like she should already know that somehow, and never spoke the question. She stopped as she looked up to see they were by the elevator, and blinked. "Ah, I went too far. I wasn't paying attention." Sumire looked ready to be sick, with his hand over his mouth. Yuki looked a bit worn from their conversation.

"Good morning, ma'am! You seem to need the elevator," a Mystel guard spoke up, even as a Hume turned his head away. The Mystel turned to open the doors for Yuki, and gave her an apologetic smile. "This will take you the whole way up. Please relax."

Yuki heard the Hume grumble something, but it was incoherent.

The Mystel seemed to understand him though, then hissed, "Quiet. "

"Thank you," Yuki replied, quietly, and accepted the elevator trip. Sumire stayed silent until they were alone, on the way up.

"You can let me down."

"Sumire."

"I'll take my time walking, and I will sit in the parlor while you go find Alphinaud. If Y'shtola has arrived, I'm sure they're talking." Sumire shifted, and Yuki carefully let go of his legs. He caught himself on the elevator handrail, then leaned against the wall. "Thank you... Yuki. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"Nonsense," she crossed her arms, as she stared at the doors before them. "I don't mind making sure you're okay... Sumi."

The Miqo'te Dragoon fidgeted, his tail flick back and forth thoughtfully. Sumire then looked up to Yuki, but couldn't find any words to say. He felt guilty for the trouble he'd caused, and that he hadn't told Yuki how he truly felt. His eye was making him dizzy, he was having trouble focusing, and he had felt more exhausted than ever after they left. His ears pinned back, "I didn't want anyone to worry about me... and... instead, I made you all worry about me more. I hadn't thought that my problems could be aether-related, I just... I thought I was doing something wrong. I tried to push through it and take care of it myself, but... that hasn't worked. I don't know what to do now."

"We'll figure out what's going on. Perhaps Y'shtola might have an insight to your aether problem. I'll ask her after we've caught up on everything."

"Yuki... I passed out on you when I was asleep." Sumire stood up, his tail flicked in annoyance with himself. "That's... That's not just a simple problem. I can't just try to sleep more and eat better."

"Maybe it has something to do with your eye," Yuki frowned, but she stayed staring at the door ahead of her. Questions formed in her mind; what she could ask of Y'shtola.

"I feel like I want to sleep for days..." Yuki stiffened her shoulders at his admission. Her ear twitched as he continued, "There's a part of me that's not surprised you couldn't wake me... but... that dream I had while unconscious confuses me. I saw..." He trailed off. Yuki finally turned to look down to him.

"...You saw what, Sumire...?"

"I saw... nothing. Except... near the end. I saw what looked like a hallucination. It was just... colors and shapes then. Everything else was... sounds. Smells. Sensations."

"That's... an odd dream."

"Yuki..."

"Hm...?"

Sumire flicked his ears, then looked up to her, concerned. His right eye was closed, as if it bothered him. "It felt like when I was younger. Right after I was hurt."

"When you... lost... your sight...?" She looked to his right eye, and he nodded once.

"They weren't sure if I'd be able to see again, so they covered both of my eyes until the wound healed. I lived like that for a few years. They figured that I'd been completely blinded and never bothered to check... I just... accepted that."

Yuki nearly forgot where they were, and turned to look at Sumire fully. She only knew pieces of his past. He'd never hidden the fact that his eye was technically blind, but she didn't know that much detail. "They eventually learned you could still see then?"

"S-Sort of. The Matron wanted to see if I could get rid of the blindfold. My left eye was very sensitive to light for nearly a moon until it adjusted to being used again. I felt very lucky I had retained any sight, but... it took a long time to adjust..."

"This dream of yours felt like that, then...?"

"It was the dream of someone who had no sight. Everything else was amplified to make up for that. The pieces I could see anything in, were so fanciful and colorful, as if the person had never seen what anything was really like, but... I," he trailed off, his tail curled the other way, and he touched his chest. "I felt like I knew what everything was supposed to be... even if I don't quite remember every little detail now."

"Maybe it was just your mind remembering something from then. You were unconscious." Yuki explained. Sumire shook his head before he had a chance to think about her reply, but he took a moment to think.

"I... I heard..."

Yuki tilted her head as he hesitated. Even she could hear the bustle from the Canopy as the elevator slowed, and glanced to the doors. "You heard what, Sumire?"

"...Emet-Selch."

The doors opened with a ding, as the elevator stopped. Yuki couldn't respond, as Shoto called for them, worriedly. Yuki took Sumire's arm to help him walk out of the elevator. He accepted her help and let her choose what seat he would sit in.

"I was so worried when I looked back and realized you two weren't behind us. I was going to take the elevator back down. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Shoto. One of the guards down below let us use the elevator to come up. We took the offer. I'm sorry we worried you." Yuki smiled. Shoto shook her head and sat across from Sumire at the table.

"Sumire, are you feeling better?"

"I-I'll be okay. However, I promised Yuki I'd wait here for you to find Alphinaud. I won't go anywhere, I promise," he smiled at her, reassuringly.

Shoto pouted a little, then nodded and pointed a finger at him. "Okay, but I'll hold you to that!"

He blinked, then smiled a little and nodded, "If I don't behave, I expect both you and Yuki to let me have it." He gave Shoto a small chuckle, then looked out to the ocean. He seemed immediately distracted, and the female Miqo'te stood up to look at Yuki.

"Any idea where," Yuki paused, then glanced around, "...where our other... associate... is?"

"He... said he didn't want to cause trouble up here... in case someone recognized him." Shoto frowned, then crossed her arms, "So he went back down for a walk. That's how I realized you two weren't behind us on the stairs."

Yuki frowned, disapprovingly. "I feel like we shouldn't let him out of our sight."

"He won't leave." Shoto immediately argued, then blushed slightly. "That is. He promised me he'd stay around the area before he headed off..."

Yuki frowned more, then looked to Shoto for a moment before she gave up for now. She looked past Shoto, "Alright, alright... but do we have any ideas where Alphinaud might be?"

"He may be in a morning meeting with Chai-Nuzz upstairs. We could ask?"

"Hey. Come to think of it... that guard said the elevator would take us all the way to the top, but it stopped here..."

"That's probably just a habit. It's been a long time since anyone could freely go upstairs, remember?" Shoto turned to head off. She spied Alphinaud heading over to the parlor with Chai-Nuzz and cheered up immediately. "There he is! I was right!" She wiggled her ears proudly, then turned to look at Yuki. The Viera had looked back to Sumire in the moment of silence. Shoto pouted, then tugged her arm. "Yuki, c'mon. Let's go check in with Alphinaud."

"Eh?" She blinked, then looked away from the Dragoon, and spied Alphinaud; who had caught sight of them across the way, and waved. Shoto happily waved back and headed off. Yuki hesitated, but followed her a moment later.

None of us meant for this update to take over a month. @_@; It feels like the time literally just blew past. But! Here's Chapter 16 for all of you lovely starlings. Angel's computer is having issues, so the art of Theia that she'd been working on for the Amarout portion of this chapter got lost. :( As always, thank you all for your support and patience!