#what the heckie do i tag this as

[devildevotee]

It's totally ok if you don't plan to do this but would you ever be open to creating a post about your channeling methods? You're really good at it and it'd be cool to hear about what you do

i will have a small disclaimer that i've been doing channelings professionally for ~2 years and then tarot readings generally since 2019, so i just wanted to say that practicing has done me plentiful favours! i genuinely don't think channeling is a gift as opposed to a skill that you can develop, so i just want to put a small thing saying

this is something i have refined and gotten better at over time. i have never had a psychic gift or a particular different connection to spirits than your average bloke across the street, it is simply something i did regularly and practiced passionately. i continue to practice to this day, and before anything i mention here, i suggest you practice just as frequently and in turn, you will become more comfortable and overall more experienced.

but! to answer your question, my method is as simple as this (and i have to keep it simple, to an unsatisfying degree, due to my disability):

get an offering prepared. some spirits don't want offerings outside of my energy and time and if they don't want one, i don't give them one. how i can tell this is usually just a gut feeling or a lack of an urge to do something. sometimes pure attention and spending time with a spirit is a suitable offering in itself. but otherwise, i light some incense usually or melt some wax.

i do a very simple calling of the spirit, telling them about what i have prepared for them, and focusing on their name (sometimes i say it aloud) and shuffle my deck. notice how i say call, not summon. what that means is essentially i request their attention or energy, rather than their full presence. i never do a channeling without some kind of divination tool (i usually use cards just because i like the and connect with the art used), i just don't trust my accuracy without some kind of framework to work within.

i usually alert the spirit to how i'm going to draw my cards. i ask them to cause cards to jump out if they have a specific, obvious message. otherwise, i tell them "hey, i'm going to draw from the top/bottom/middle."

i draw my cards, as many as i feel are going to communicate a clear message to me. sometimes that's one card, sometimes that's ten.

i look up the meanings in my book. surprise! i don't have the cards memorised due to memory problems. i don't think that makes me less of a reader, nor do i think it makes anyone less of a reader! the meanings in each deck are slightly varied anyway - treating the lovers in one deck as the same as the lovers in another deck just doesn't give the subtle differences justice.

then, i write notes on what the cards say in the book - i usually keep the notes as small as possible, as i want wiggle room to draw my own conclusions.

then, i mesh the meanings together in a way that i feel will make who i'm reading for satisfied. sometimes that is one paragraph, sometimes, it's six. i try to give them their money's worth if they're paying me good dollars for their reading. i ask for lucifer's wisdom always during this stage, as i feel he will cause relevant card meanings and conclusions to pop into my head. due to this, from trusting my intuition, i trust lucifer's. lucifer has always helped me with my readings, so thus, i go to him.

if it's a demon i'm doing a reading for, sometimes i'll give them another offering afterwards and thank them for their time.

the important thing with channeling i think, besides practice, is to give some kind of incentive to the spirit you're wanting to channel. you want them to work with you here, and thus you need to have them want to work with you, too.

i always have an incentive and reward system in place, and from what i've seen from my clients, the spirits get DOUBLE the offerings because usually the reading makes them closer to the client WHICH THEN allows the client to give them their own energy and passion ON TOP of mine. what's not to love about that kind of attention?

also, last note, i trust myself and i trust the process. if you think you're gonna have a flimsy reading, you're more likely going to get a flimsy reading. that's where practice and experience comes in, you get more confident over time because of experience! i used to be SO self conscious about myself, and it was only until i started trusting 1. the spirit i was communicating with and 2. lucifer (you would trust whoever you work with in place of lucifer) that i started realising i just needed to relax and keep at it. sometimes, taking a breath and starting over is your best tool to use here.

okay i lied about that last note, sometimes i will ask for a gut feeling, additionally. thus, if i get a gut feeling that i haven't drawn the right card, i'll redraw. that's another thing i feel doesn't make you a bad reader. i'll reverse cards, unreverse cards, redraw, anything to make the reading seem right to me. the only thing i will never mess around with are cards that jump out (provided it wasn't me being a bad shuffler).

BUUUUUT that's everything i think! i hope my answer was satisfying. i tried to break it down into an understandable bit of info. if you have any other questions feel free to ask!

[detectiveaesthetic]

Oh gosh I've been away from tumblr for a few years and everything is so different 😆

[blueopalsystem]

Anon just called it MPD and said BPD and NPD should be it

Anon doesn't know how BPD or NPD work

Shouldn't BPD and NPD be simply called MPD? since each of these disorders have at least two or multiple personalities?

this ask confuses me greatly❓❓❓

BPD and NPD do not have multiple personalities, pwBPD and NPD often struggle with identity confusion/identity disturbance, but that doesn't mean we have multiple personalities. alters (the proper term for what i guess you mean by personality) are caused by a type of disssociation called identity alteration, which is different from identity confusion/disturbance and happens in CDDs (DID, OSDD-1, ect). BPD may be expliclity included in the theory of structural dissociation, but dissociative parts in BPD are often not autonomous enough to be considered alters.

someone can definitely experience both though, coming from a DID system with BPD and NPD.

[cherryblossom-chopper]

ღ Aftercare ღ

Content: Aftercare with Ace, Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro. Suggestive Content.

————— ୨୧ —————

~Ace is exhausted and sweaty; so sweaty. Fire powers are all fun and games until physical activity makes you sweat. He desperately needs a shower, and Ace insists you join him. ~ He’ll get a little handsy in the privacy of the tub, but Ace is barely keeping his eyes open once he starts to get clean. Getting a handful of your ass is just so satisfying that even a man barely staying upright can’t resist. ~ “Take a nap with me, babe. I gotta have my big spoon. How do you expect me to be comfortable without you?”

・‥…━━━☆

~ Oh, lords, bless him. Sanji is so happy. Sex instantly puts him in a good mood. He’s nothing but smiles and unending praise for you. How could he not be? Sanji has been blessed with your body; nothing can ruin his day now. ~ Sanji will feel guilty if you do anything for him. He wants to get you water or a snack and clean you up, not vice versa. Acts of service are a significant way for him to show love and gratitude for all the filthy acts you indulge in. ~ “Relax, darling, I already have everything taken care of. You’ve been so good to me; let me return the favor. Pretty please, my love?”

・‥…━━━☆

~ Usopp needs a minute to himself. You haven’t done anything wrong; he just needs to collect himself. He doesn’t mind if you stay in bed or start cleaning up, but after a few miniutes of silence, Usopp will start pawing for your attention. ~ He’s pretty clingy after the fact. Usopp feels great but needs to debrief with you, even for the most vanilla sex. It just doesn’t feel right not to check in on you. Besides, Usopp just likes to talk. Who is better to talk to than his beloved? ~ “Gods, I feel so good. Like all the stress just melted away. Must be your magic fingers.”

・‥…━━━☆

~ Zoro’s aftercare is not great. It’s something he’s working on. His instinct is to collapse and take a hard nap, but Zoro also knows he’s not the only participant. ~ His aftercare is mostly fetching you things. Zoro’s not sure what to say besides gruffly asking if you’re okay. It’s easier for him to check you for bruises and get you water before tapping out than having a long conversation about feelings. ~ “You look satisfied. Didn’t pull too hard, did I?”

————— ୨୧ —————

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[alpinelogy]

Fic Writer Interview

thank you for tagging me @13834. Hopefully the tag works <3

Under the cut cause I said so much help. This took like an hour?? Probably maybe even longer

How many works do you have on ao3? 16 posted as attraqtia + 6 posted on anon + 1 one I hid because I did not like it. And an extra one on my old AO3 but I'm discounting that one lmao. Also back in the day I posted on a further unspecified fanfic archive that is not AO3 (and is still around) as well as on Wattpad and ff.net but I've forgotten my username and login to all and I refuse to admit to those anyway so...

What’s your total word count? 238,447 words. Insane

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

ether strike (313 kudos)

galaxy collapse (somebody scream) (257 kudos)

home is only a town (you're just a guest) (224 kudos)

kicked out the stage lights (you’re still performing) (222 kudos)

system’s breaking down (there’s been a glitch) (214 kudos)+ because I find it funny, 6th place is shared between fill your drink with tonic gin (this is the american dream) and universum both at 187 kudos

Do you respond to comments? Why/why not? I try to (I say as if I have responded to a comment within the past several months) but I am not very good at it. Wish i could like a comment tbh, sometimes it is a idk what to say but your comment made me smile. Also I just get so much burnout I hate it here

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending? Uh... probably fill your drink with tonic gin (this is the american dream). Don't really write angsty endings but this is open ended so o7

What's the fic you've written with the happiest ending? Heckies there are several possibilities. Ignoring pwp cause I almost exclusively write established relationship so that is technically happy;

galaxy collapse (somebody scream) is a romcom that ends in loscar happy in a relationship. Happiest ending I've written. That being said

we found wonderland (you and i got lost in it) has a less happy ending but it is significantly angstier so it has a bigger range of emotions. Same goes for kicked out the stage lights (you're still performing). Putting them together cause they both have the roughly same setup of lost contact in an angsty way

same goes for now entering a world (from which you will never return) aka timeloop. Not a super happy ending but the amount of angst makes it feel more happy I think

finally maybe we got lost (in translation) and home is only a town (you're just a guest) are both getting together fics and they end in a happy get together. So adding those as well. They are not romcoms since there is plenty of drama and angst in both

Do you write crossovers? Uh... no rules (in breakable heavens) aka cycling au is a crossover right? I took guys from media A (F1) and put them into the universe of media B (cycling). Granted they are both sports that exist in the same universe but I think this should count as a crossover to me

Have you ever received hate on a fic? Nope. Thank fucking god. In all my close to a decade of writing never and I hope it stays that way

Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yeah. Mostly established relationship pwp so I am pleading to AO3 to please add tenderhorny as a tag, most of my smut involves some (mild) kinks but also the established relationship part is important!!

Only single thread of gold (tied me to you) has explicit smut and is not pwp lmao. And yeah... that also has domestic fluff as a tag so who tf knows

Have you ever had a fic stolen? Nope. Or at least no that I know of

Have you ever had a fic translated? Nope

Have you ever co-written a fic before? No... technically. Me and kiro have been floating an idea of co-writing a fic earlier this year but we never got around to it. Kiro come back from the war (US education system) I wanna co-write that fic 🥺

That being said I would love to cowrite a fic one day, it always sounds so fun!! Any writing mutuals (or non writing mutuals who even just need an emotional support writer or anything else o7) hmu I would love to co-write a fic <3

What's your all-time favourite ship? All time including previous fandoms? Bokuaka from Haikyuu!!

F1 only? Probably Piarles actually. Or Loscar or Lolex, been leaning a lot towards Lolex recently Honorary cycling mention: pogrog. The ideas people post and the few fics on AO3... Please these two intrigue me so much

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will? I am eternally scared I would never finish time travel George :(((. Really wanna write it, one of these days I will lock in I promise.

What I will never actually write? The original iteration of rbr!Oscar. Idk if I ever will write a version of it, I plotted the original version in August last year and my opinion of rbr has changed since then. I have replotted some of it few months bac but idk how I feel about rbr still lmao. But I am stealing a lot of the backstory for a Merc!Oscar AU so I suppose it works out :3c

Cycling AU also used to look very different. Tbh if anyones interested I'd love to yap about it, don't think it could ever work and it was the first thing I plotted but I have a soft spot for it :). Honestly I just really wanna talk about cycling AU, I have done so much worldbuilding for it and I adore it <3

More ideas from 2023 I will never finish: a Le Mans au for a further unspecified ship, several landoscar wips, several different takes on the pierresteban beef (one day I will write one. Just the ones I have rn will never make it out of the Google docs in their current state). Several different character studies of a driver I now hate so 😂😭

What are your writing strengths? Description I think. Being ESL and having a read a lot in English as a child means that my vocabulary is wide and messy and I am willing to stick three different words with the same meaning next to each other so lol and lmao

What are your writing weaknesses? Dialogue. Idk how to even talk with people irl, does anyone think I can wrote a dialogue of two people?

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic? Idk I'm not a huge fan unless it is to make a point? Like if you speak the language then I suppose but idk, dont vibe with it

That being said non-English pet names when relevant (ie Piarles using pet names in French) is cute :)))

What was the first fandom you wrote for? Refuse to admit to it. Second one was Naruto asdfghj

What's a fandom/ship you haven't written for yet but want to? PIERRESTEBAN. Like my second wip ever after cycling au was pierresteban. I have always had at least one pierresteban wip. I never managed to write one that I actually liked but one of these days they will be free. Lets see if I can finish my Brazil fic (also known as azincourt so if that spawns o7) or not

Also gewis. I always forget I have not written them yet lmao, time travel George truly lives rent free in my head :)))

And one of these days I will write a proper cycling fic, not an a with the F1 guys. I just... have a weird relationship with cycling rpf on account of growing up with the sport, but I respect the work yall do and I do have the cycling rpf tag opened in a tab on my phone. One of these days I will process my thoughts on it and then write a pogrog fic o7

What's your favourite fic you've written? Heck idk. Top 3 5 in no particular order:

galaxy collapse (somebody scream) - not that good cause its close to a year old but I adore the premise, I adore the vibes, I adore her so much. She is so fun and chill I think I could've done a better job on her in hindsight so she does not get to be No1 but my beloved

now entering a world (from which you will never return) - timeloop!! Probably if I had to say just one it would be her, a labor of love, I think some bits of my thesis of the fic (trust the people around you, it is okay to rely on them at times) are clumsily executed within the actual text and in hindsight there might be bits I wanna retcon but I do adore her a lot

we found wonderland (you and i got lost in it) - my dearly beloved first proper long fic. I still regularly think about the galex in this AU. Like no joke I have made up a very cheesy and idealized and probably lowk ooc future for them that I shall not yap on here about (re: the ooc bit) but honestly, if anyone wants to know it I am willing to yap in DMs o7

kicked out the stage lights (you’re still performing) - so fun to write!! wrote across like three or four sessions, feels like a very condensed version of wonderland and yes. I may or may not have thought of what happens after as well

home is only a town (you're just a guest) - I adore soulmate AUs a lot!! It was on my bucket list to write some day and I'm so glad I finally wrote it!! I vibe with the premise so much and the world building my beloved, so many bits to explore in just Alex and Logan's upbringing (bottom line consider the fact that Charles and Alex would have a fundamentally different relationship cause Charles' soulmate is also named Alex!! Just marinate on that) + honorary mention of no rules (in breakable heavens). I was (and still am lowk) working through a burnout so she is sorta ass but its cycling au. I adore cycling au. I don't think I can put it into words how much the cycling au means to me, one of these days I will write drabbles about the other guys. Bottom line George and Alex in that AU intrigue me

Sorry for the long ass yap asdfgh. Tagging uh... @landoisokay @lafaerie @weegreenbean @autumn816 @femmegeorge @racingliners and @kiroiimye if you by any chance open Tumblr in the next few days >:) come on come back to writing

[vacantgodling]

Hi, I hate to be a bother but is chapter 1 of Paramour (hope I'm spelling that right) the only chapter you've shared or are there more posted? your writing is so good and I've fallen in love with the story after seeing your anniversary art. Also, do you post it anywhere outside of Tumblr? unfortunately, the color scheme of your blog and the size of the font makes it hard for my poor eyesight to read (No hate to you btw I just zoom in real close)

hello hello!! firstly you are not at ALL a bother <3 (also you're spelling it right lol) regarding my desktop blog, i bumped up the font size so i hope that's helped it be a bit more readable? i'm planning on changing up color schemes and the like at the end of this year, but i hope the size change makes it more bearable ;3;

secondly, hearing that people like my writing enough to want to seek more of it has me giggling and kicking my feet so THANK YOU for enjoying chapter 1 and the art so much--there's some details that may or may not get added in whenever i eventually make a third pass at writing this behemoth and i spent 6 hours slaving over that drawing LMAO SO i really appreciate you reading it AND telling me you enjoyed it im so EEEE

at this time, i'm not formally publishing / putting out paramour because its still very much a work-in-progress (essentially, i'm working on draft 2 right now bc i'm doing some major outline renovating, but tbh i'm thinking that when i DO feel like i'm at the point that i want to publish it, i'm kinda leaning towards a serial style like @/stjohnstarling's what manner of man... but those are details for several years from now, i'm just rambling at this point) BUT FEAR NOT!! its my main obsession at all times and i have posted a TON about it on my blog. but for your convenience, i've compiled all the 'main' writing bits that i've posted on this blog over the past several years into this ask so that way if you wanna just read the 'main' meat and potatoes that i've decided to release from the vault so to speak... then here they are.

but, if in general you want to peruse my main wip tag, i talk about paramour so much its Ridiculous lmao -> s: paramour and you can check out the overview powerpoint intro i made for it here, just to get a clearer picture of what the heckie is going on lol -> powerpoint intro

anyway though, the list of main writings, broken into a couple of sections. i will also preface, that chapter 1 doesn't make it too apparent--but there is a LOT of sex, kink, and romance involved in this story. so proceed at your own disgression dear anon since i'm not sure how you feel about that lol.

MAIN WIP WRITINGS (in chronological story order)

paramour draft 2 chapter 1: pre-wedding

paramour (title drop 👀 but this scene is gonna end up slightly different in draft 2)

midnight query (amon and erecia talk in some undetermined chapter)

the bird & the worm (flashback to amon at 12)

but i am not (a bit from chapter 9 of draft 1)

masquerade (the first time hya and amon fuck—there is smut proceed with caution. also the latter half of chapter 9 draft 1)

an invitation (excerpt from chapter 10 draft 1)

displeasure (a relationship snippet from an undetermined chapter)

nervous (just hya and amon being kinky)

ties that bind (kink interrupted by feelings from some undetermined chapter)

divine (some sappy shit from an undetermined chapter)

hiccup (excerpt from chapter 20 of draft 1)

AUS & JUST FOR FUNZIES (meaning not in the main wip)

jealousy (amon & hya slums au—where both of them grow up in central halifax)

pleasure (amon’s birthday present 2023-> this is sex/smut so proceed with caution)

a fool’s errand (role swap au—aka the au where amon is rich and hya is the butler)

laundry (role swap au)

wedding invitation (role swap au—amon being friends with myrtus makes me insane actually)

i know what you’re saying (amon & hya slums au)

[doublegoblin]

OC Smash or Pass

Omg this is such a fun concept thanks for the tag @tisiphonewolfe

Rules: pretty self explanatory. include physical descriptions or pics, and propaganda. the “other” label can be used for “sexuality misalignment” (ie: oc is femme and you’re gay, vice versa or you aren’t into smashing but a specific thing you wanna do with them like perhaps hug or study them under a microscope idc)

Alex, Manager of Auditing

Artwork by the lovely @transscrina

Wordy description:

Alex's primary form is that of a robbed figure. Their robes are made of a material that is similar in texture and feel to a cross between cotton and silk. The robes are normally a deep purple (they can freely change the color but it can respond to stronger emotions like chameleon lol) with golden trimming around the edges of the hood and sleeves. This trimming is made of two thicker lines (one on the very edge and the other about an inch up) with cuneiform like symbols between them.

From out of the sleeves are the "wrists and hands" which are more like voids in the shape of humanoid hands.

Under the hood is their "face" a black void mostly but their facial features (eyes and mouth) are visible as these sort of illustrations in a saturated teal, wrinkles and bags under the eyes are also visible. Their features are neither masculine nor feminine, they present androgynous.

Some of that basic bio stuff-

Race: Dreamer

Height: Variable but maintains around 7'(2.13m)

Age: N/A, the place they are from is not bound by time.

Gender: N/A, lol so Dreamers do not have a defined concept of gender since their bodies are fully changeable.

Pronouns: They/Them

Sexuality: What I would call Pan+ (I will not elaborate (: )

5 Pros and Cons~

Pros:

Full changeable body and immortal~ So I'll let you use your imagination.

Despite the demeanor they do enjoy having fun and being social, and if the vibe is right can be pretty easy going and down for anything.

Enjoys keeping an orderly existence so they will be down to help you organize and sort in a heartbeat.

Been around a real long time so they have some fun stories and funner facts.

Their job is to fix problems, so you can count on them to hear you out and help with what bothers ya.

Cons:

Their job is the top most and could fill this entire list lol. They are overworked and overtired. Their boss has an obsessive interest in them and them doing well so could try and break things off between you. Because of what their job requires they can be cold and distant, if not snippy and short when overwhelmed.

They are naturally a kind of blunt person, not trying to be rude but their not one to beat around the bush for more serious matters (idk that could be a pro).

Despite wanting to be social they do struggle with some of the finer cues, comes from being away from people a lot.

They are immortal and you are not lol

They can become obsessed with the small details and fixate on those, real miss the forest for the trees kinda deal

No pressure taggies foooooor: @asterhaze @tailoroffates @stanrendipity @mysticstarlightduck @garthcelyn @myancientmars @angie-j-kay @lola-theshowgrl and whoever the heckie else

[digitalgate02]

Digimental Weapons with Fanmade Digimentals!!

Read more about the concept here. • Unused Digimental Weapons. • Golden Digimental Weapons • Extra details!!

OF COURSE I’D USE MY OWN FANMADE DIGIMENTALS IN THIS CONCEPT!! Well, this time they were made without new Armor digimon, sorry sorry. I attempted designing Morphomon + Digimental of Wish evolution BUT I couldn’t get a decent design for this…

But I’ve been wanting to draw Menoa and Meiko for this. I also added Rina because why the heckie not? (Also I love Rina so hard, you’re aware of that already)

The idea came with this Rui doodle where I just imagined him wielding a sword and shield based on Iutismon’s design. EXCEPT! 02TB didn’t release yet, so we don’t know who Rui’s partner is (actually, it’s very suspicious that the 02TB website has a separate profile for both Rui and Ukkomon…) – so I ended up designing a Digimental Weapon based on the Digimental mostly. Remember? The Digimental of Fairness’ motif is knights, so its Digimental Weapon could be more in that sense.

Also, like I said before, they can take the shape of many other weapons/objects as long as the user’s intent is to protect the others/themself! So what if, in a scenario, Rui found this Digimental and it turned into a Digimental Weapon!? Well, it’s just some delusional idea…

As for the others, they were also designed without an Armor Digimon design, so it’s basically stuff based on the Digimental themselves.

With this, each of them are related to their motif:

Wish → its Digimental Weapon is based on magic, so a spell book for Menoa here.

Happiness → based on music, so a keyboard for Meiko.

Determination → based on fighting, so Rina got boxing gloves.

Fairness → based on knights, thus a Sword + Shield for Rui, as explained before.

Y’know, this concept is my sweet baby… But I don’t mind if peeps make their own Digimental Weapons with their own fanmade Digimentals. Look, it’s very fun! So I totally encourage doing it – Tag me if you do them please 😙

[atangledfate]

Tangle couldn't deny that Lanolin had really come into her own. Who would have thought that only months ago she was just a grunt! She guessed the outbreak really changed her. Really that was true for all of them though wasn't it? The Lemur sure wasn't that sweet girl from her home town anymore. She'd become a real soldier! But she was still learning but Lanolin? she really took it all so seriously! always reading those books and taking advice from the new General!

However hearing where they were going the Lemur couldn't have been more upset!

OTHER WORLD ADVENTURE WITHOUT HER!!!!

" ... das just.;.. and i... and what the heckie! save everyone from eggman and i get left behind... "

She grumbled but mostly accepted she wasn't going! but deep down she was SUPER upset! Still she couldn't do a thing about it, not like she could just sneak off and join them anyway--- OR COULD SHE! Her thoughts broke as Lanolin and whisper exited the bunks in the back with the wolf and her wisps tagging along close behind.

" Alright, let's go Reyna--- Tangle you stay here, and work with Duo on his combat skills. We'll be back as soon as we can... ready to go whisper? "

The Wolf nodded as she placed her rifle on her shoulder, and gave Reyna a gentle nod. before patting Tangle on the head, clearly knowing she was upset. though none of them had any idea what she was plotting.

Reyna watches as Tangle falls over from her little handstand. She giggles, even if Lanolin seems more annoyed than anything. It was a little accident, nobody was hurt. Though, Lanolin is more of a Commander than anything. Perhaps Sadan could give her some advice when they go visit her world? She then turns back to Tangle as she asks her questions.

"Yes, I've enjoyed it very much so far! The Restoration is quite a sight, and I look forward to working with you all! Out of everyone I've met so far, I think Lanolin has been the most interesting truly. She really has a good head on her shoulders, and I wish to help her grow as a leader." She says, smiling.

"Unfortunately, you likely won't be joining. Lanolin is coming over to my world to check it out, and she has the final say on who is coming. You can ask her, but I don't think she'll agree to allow you on this mission." She says a bit sadly. She would love to take Tangle along, but she does agree with Lanolin's point. Tangle is already showing she's too excited to not run off.

[moonshroooms]

Keep Away

Summary: Kisshu wants to get a closer look at Ichigo's Mew pendant and Ichigo quickly finds that was a really annoying decision.

Pairing: Kisshu/Ichigo

Rating: T for Mild Language

Warnings: A few curse words, that’s about it!

[AO3 Link]

-

“Give it back you jerk!”

Ichigo let a growl slip through her teeth as the arm she reached out to grasp disappeared just as her fingers closed around the now-empty space. She startled as a chuckle sounded just behind her, a warm breath tickling her cat ears.

“You’re gonna have to be faster than that, kitten.”

“Grr-!” Another swipe at once again empty air. This is what you get for letting him look at it, stupid.

It had been an innocent enough request. Team Mew was back at the café, most of the girls having already gone home after stopping another chimera attack. Just as Ichigo was about to power down Kisshu asked to get a look at her pendant. The request was casual, Kisshu laying down the air, arms behind his head as he looked at her sideways, like his request wasn’t all that important. After studying the alien for a second, looking for any hint of mischief in those golden eyes, Ichigo gave her go-ahead.

Kisshu floated in close, fingers reaching out to feel the trinket still attached to her uniform’s choker. Her pink eyes crossed a little as she looked down at Kisshu’s face, suddenly feeling nervous about her decision. Isn’t he a little too close? she thought nervously, as she subtly fingered the frills of her dress. She did her best to keep her breathing even as cool knuckles rested against the hollow of her throat as Kisshu ran his thumb across the pendant.

Ichigo wondered what he was thinking as she pointedly looked away from that intense gaze of his. She knew he and Ryou had started working on Mew tech down in the lab. Maybe Ryou had shared how the pendants worked? Heck, even she wasn’t entirely sure how it worked. Not the technical of it, at least. Most of her charge was fighting, with Ryou and Akasaka doing most of the behind-the-scenes work. She and the other girls knew how to activate the Mew Aqua in her pendant through their emotions and will. No science or tech needed, just intuition. From what she could understand from Ryou’s initial explanation (not long after she’d first transformed) the pendant helped her channel the Mew Aqua’s energy through her body more steadily, not that she knew how he managed to do that. Though, she supposed, she didn’t really need to know the ins and outs to do her end of the job. 

 Still, it had been exasperating at times (especially in the beginning) when Ryou wouldn’t explain things in less techy terms, opting instead to wave her off and tell her she just needed to focus on kicking chimera butt. Kisshu on the other hand was much more forthcoming with that information - as well rewording things when she didn’t understand. With him and his willingness to share what he and Ryou were working on now, she’d slowly started understanding more of the Aqua’s in-depth workings. She’d never really told him much that she appreciated that. I should do that soon, she thought.

 The Mew was torn away from her thoughts like the pop of a bubble, suddenly aware of Kisshu’s knuckles lightly grazing the side of her neck as he thumbed the fluff on the side of her choker, nowhere near her pendant.

 “It’s a cute design, isn’t it, kitten?” He hummed.

 Ichigo swallowed thickly as his light touch went from her neckband to tracing the tops of her shoulders. She was keenly aware of her tensing muscles and nervous heartbeat and absolutely certain it was loud enough for him to hear. Kisshu kept his eyes locked on her pendant (despite his fingers wandering far away from it), expression appearing relaxed and nonchalant, though there was a certain mischievous glint in his eye that Ichigo could spot from a mile away.

 Dumb jerk. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. And absolutely on purpose!

 Then there was a subtle little click and a slight tug at her neck. Ichigo blinked a few times in confusion as her ears swiveled at the sound. Kisshu was suddenly out of her space and floating away from her and Ichigo noticed a small golden-something resting in his palm. Her hands flew to her neck and she found it unusually bare.

 “I- you? Did you just steal my pendant?”

 Kisshu let out a gasp, hand going to his chest in mock offense. “Steal? I would never! I’m simply borrowing it. I want a better look – you’ll get it back tomorrow.” And he went back to toying with her fluffy neckband as though nothing was off.

 “I didn’t SAY you could borrow it! I didn’t even know that could come off!” The pink Mew quickly lunged for the alien only for him to fly up and out of her reach.

 “Since when has that ever stopped me?” he snickered, stretching out in a relaxed position. The cat-girl made a leap for the alien, fingers only just grazing his ankle as she missed her mark. He gave a few tsks and teleported to the other side of the room, feet landing softly on the floor. “Oh c’mon, I know you can do better than thaAA-”

-

Kisshu gave an oof! as Ichigo suddenly crashed into him, stumbling back as he tried to keep them from toppling over. One arm quickly looped around the back of his neck while the other reached out for the pendant he held out at arm’s length, face squished tightly against her. He pushed against her with his free arm, struggling to escape her grasp to no avail.

 Damn, she’s stronger than she looks, he thought through gritted teeth. He knew he wouldn’t be able to teleport away with her clinging to him and he did not fancy trying to race her for the pendant, even if he could make a good throw. She was faster than she looked too and was getting startlingly good at predicting his teleports.

 “Can’t breathe, kitten!” he tried as he strained against her arm, now dangling the pendant by just two fingers as Ichigo steadily closed the distance.

 “Good. If you pass out I get my pendant,” she grunted back.

 Damn. Well that trick didn’t work. Alright, plan B.

 There was an odd charge to the air suddenly - a buzzing kind of electric feel – and in just one breath and a strange tilting feeling the two were suspended up in the air, just beneath the café’s ceiling. Ichigo yelped, the sudden change startling her, and quickly wrapped both arms around Kisshu’s neck. Kisshu grinned wickedly as he reached behind him, fingers tangling tightly in hers and her fuchsia eyes quickly snapped up to his gold. Her pupils shrunk as she parsed Kisshu’s expression, ears quickly flattening and growling out a “don’t. You. Dare-” just a Kisshu pried off her hands and planted a boot firmly against her stomach, kicking the cat-girl away and sending her tumbling to the floor.

 “Whoops!”

 Kisshu bit his lip as Ichigo fell, a shriek tumbling from her throat. He knew she’d be fine, but he couldn’t help the way his heart instinctively lurched as he watched her plummet. He’d seen her fall from bigger heights and land perfectly fine, so he forced his body to stay put. He was winning whatever game they were playing right now and there was no way he was gonna let his own damn love-sickness give her an edge.

 The feel of his heart in his stomach didn’t go away until she twisted herself midair, landing safely on all fours with a heavy grunt. He let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

 “I can’t believe you just kicked me off from like, ten feet in the air!” she snapped, hair falling haphazardly around her face.

 Kisshu waved her off, reassuming his reclined position from before their tussle. “Oh you’re fine, don’t be a sore loser,” he quipped.

 “Why won’t you just give me back my pendant?” she growled, tail lashing side to side as she stomped a foot.

 “Whhhy won’t you just let me borrow it?” He countered, spinning the choker around on one finger. “I’m not gonna mess with it. Maybe I just wanna carve our initials in it.” He sent Ichigo a wink, blowing her a kiss for emphasis, and laughed as she just gave him a deadpan look. “C’mon, I won’t break it. Stars know I don’t need blondie bitching at me.”

 “No!”

 Kisshu scoffed, flipped around to “lay” on his belly, still high up in the air, chin propped in his hands. “Y’know, sharing is caring, kitten. It’s just one night, it’s not like you need-” he broke himself off and in the silence you could almost hear his brain give a little click! as an idea popped in his head.

 Ichigo regarded him warily with a side-eye as he floated closer, chin turned away as a grin slowly formed on his face. He flipped around again, sitting upside down and cross-legged at Ichigo’s eye-level, hands holding his ankles.

 “You can’t transform back without this, can you, kitten?” It was a bit of a shot in the dark, sure. But logically since he’s seen she can’t initially transform without it then logic would dictate she probably couldn’t power down without it either.

 Ichigo’s eyes narrowed, dark spotted ears folding flat against her head and giving Kisshu all the confirmation he needed.

 “Ha! Oh, that’s beautiful!” He quickly zoomed out of reach as a gloved hand took a swipe at him, flipping back upright as he did. “What I’d give to see you trying to slink home in that-” he gestured to her ostentatious everything, “-without anyone seeing you. I can see the photos of the famous Mew Ichigo just sitting on the bus now, the only neon pink thing for miles. Why are your outfits so loud anyways? Doesn’t make for good camouflage, you know. Might wanna bring that up to blondie.”

 Ichigo threw up her arms. “Alright, fine, yes! I can’t power down without the pendant. Or power up for that matter! And this-” she spastically waved her hands in his general direction. Kisshu had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. “-is exactly why I didn’t tell you! Cuz you go out of your way to be a pain in my ass! There, now you know! So give me back my stuff!”

 Kisshu gasped out “language, kitten!” snickering at her subsequent eyeroll. He closed his eyes for a moment, tapping his chin as if in thought. “Hm. I’m thinking no.”

 Kisshu tried his best to not look amused as Ichigo’s tail puffed up twice its size, even the hair on her head seemed to be getting fluffier. “No?” She ground out slowly, as though she wasn’t sure she heard him right.

 “Correct.” Kisshu made a show of putting her pendant around his own neck and clipping it closed. “See, you’ve made the unfortunate mistake of keeping this thing away from you too much fun, I couldn’t possibly hand it back now.” He touched back down to the ground. His thumb hooked underneath the collar, giving it a tug and flashing a toothy grin. “So then, you want it? Come get it.”

-

Ichigo’s tail lashed as she stared at Kisshu.

Don’t do it, Ichigo. He’s baiting you. You KNOW he’s baiting you.

But what ELSE was she supposed to do? WALK? Go back home and pray her parents weren’t sitting in the living room asking why the hell a superhero just walked into their house? (And y’know, doesn’t she look just like our darling baby girl- WAIT A SECOND--)

 Yeah. Right.

 And she had school tomorrow! Even if she did manage to sneak into her room completely unseen she still couldn’t go to school like this. No way would she be able to get her lazy butt out of bed before daylight (with her nocturnal genes it was hard enough just being awake at 7am much less any time before then). She doubted Kisshu would be so kind as to return her pendant before morning. Knowing him he’d make me go on a scavenger hunt first, she scoffed internally.

 She could call his bluff perhaps? Make like she’d back down and just go back home. What fun was there in a game with only one player, right? Wait, no, no, Ichigo mentally shook her head. He wanted to keep the pendant overnight in the first place. If she ignored him that didn’t mean she got it back, it just meant he got a consolation prize.

Darn it, think, Ichigo!

“If you don’t give it back I’m gonna… tell Ryou!” she threatened.

 “Hah! If you think I’m scared of blondie then you haven’t been paying attention these last few months. Next.”

 Ichigo pointed a warning finger. “He’ll start bitching at you!”

 Kisshu just simpered. “Totally worth it to see you trying to sneak home in that.” He gestured to her outfit, looking smug as he did a little hop so he could sit cross-legged in the air. “Plus, if he actually tries helping you steal your little trinket back then I just get an extra challenge. You know I’m always up for that.”

 Ichigo narrowed her eyes, thinking fast. “I bet Akasaka-san would be disappointed you didn’t respect my boundaries and took something without permission.”

 That gave him pause and he pursed his lips. Ichigo’s internal cheering was short-lived though as Kisshu clutched his chest with an exaggeratedly pained expression. “Oh, a low-blow bringing Kei into this. Even using the therapy words, you wound me. I think I’m impressed!” Ichigo just gave Kisshu’s theatrics a deadpan stare. “Kei’s disappointment would hurt, but seeing as we’re not stabbing each other I think I can earn his forgiveness. That’s major progress, you know! What else you got?”

 Ichigo pressed her mouth in a hard line.

 That-

 -was all the ammo she had. Not even the threat of Akasaka’s disappointment was going to sway him. (And she’d seen firsthand how much that could get under Kisshu’s skin, as much as he’d tried to hide it). Threats weren’t gonna cut it this time.

 A bribe?

 It’d technically be rewarding him for being a brat, but she just wanted to go HOME, darn it! You can only pick so many battles, right?

 But what would she have that he could possibly want? Money wasn’t a worry to him – he just lived at the café now and something told her Ryou wasn’t exactly charging rent. She hadn’t heard him express anything he wanted that she could buy – she doubted he’d even walked into a store before. Food wasn’t much of a bribe either. Akasaka was a master chef and pâtissier and Ichigo burned her grilled cheese last week. So, what else could she bribe him with?

A kiss, her brain supplied.

She felt her ears burn.

No, no, no! Bad idea! Bad brain! As if her feelings towards the alien weren’t complicated enough, the last thing she needed was to add fuel to that particular dumpster fire.

She gave a resigned sigh.

Okay. It seemed like her only real option (or at least the option with the lowest amount of anxiety-induced headaches) was to play by his game and take her pendant back by force. She’s kicked his butt before – she can do it again.

Tail lashing, Ichigo crouched low, feeling the wildcat’s aura stir to life within her. Mew Aqua and feline finesse thrummed through her veins, fueling her tired muscles.

Kisshu grinned as he watched her posture change, catching sight of that fire in her eyes. “That’s what I like to see, kitten!” he said as he touched down again. A flicker of excitement passed through his expression as he readied himself. “Come on then, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Ichigo lunged.

The ends of her fingers just barely swiped verdant hair as Kisshu sidestepped her. Thinking fast she twirled around in the opposite direction, kicking her leg out to catch him by the ankles. Her foot connected and she felt the follow through as he was swept off his feet, but upon facing him again she was greeted with the alien catching himself in a clumsy midair float. Ichigo snapped forward without pause, fingerless gloves reaching out to latch onto his wrist in a death-grip. Before she could make a move however Kisshu’s free hand snatched her forearm and he whirled around, using both their momentums to spin and throw her to the ground.

Ichigo sucked in a breath as she braced for impact, her shoulder connecting to the floor as she was thrown to the side. She let out her breath and let herself roll, landing back upright on hands and feet. The sound of sharp nails scraping against hardwood sounded as she scrambled after Kisshu. Already the alien was floating away, trying to put some distance between them.

“Ohoh, going straight for the heart right away, huh? Want to end things quickly? How cutthroat, kittycat.” Kisshu snickered at the blatant look of exasperation he was met with. Ichigo was never much one for trash talk – until Kisshu came along anyhow. Even before they were allied she swore his battle taunts were never-ending. It only seemed to ramp up the more he trained with the Mews, quipping and jeering to get a rise out of them at every second. It certainly worked to distract them at times. Zakuro seemed to be the only one immune to his jibes.

“Oh my GOD you are so annoying right now.”

“It’s a gift~”

Ichigo struck out but felt her arm connect with nothing as Kisshu disappeared. She whirled around and spotted it almost instantly – that slight wave, that barely-visible distortion of air.

It was so slight – most people wouldn’t even register it if they weren’t looking for it. And even if they did notice they’d likely brush it off as their eyes playing tricks on them. But repeated exposure to it meant Ichigo learned. Her cat’s eyes were evolved to catch movement – something fast and small shooting across their vision could trigger that instinctual urge to chase. It was that hardwired advantage that allowed Ichigo to latch onto the shiver in the air that signaled the alien’s teleport location. If it weren’t for regular sparing matches against (and with) Kisshu she might never have noticed that little tell. But now she only got better and better at spotting and reacting to it. It only lasted seconds – that’s all Ichigo needed.

Delight shot through her as she swept up behind the distortion. She guessed his orientation correctly and watched – a little smugly – as Kisshu’s head whipped side to side as he failed to spot her in her last location. With a wicked grin she grabbed a wrist and yanked it behind him, pinning it behind his shoulder blade as he hissed with the pain.

“Hm! You’re gonna have to get some new tricks, I’m getting too good at predicting yours.” Ichigo simpered, quickly grabbing his other wrist before he could retaliate.

“I ain’t outta tricks yet, kitten- ack!”

Ichigo pressed her boot to the back of Kisshu’s knees and he quickly fell to them. He struggled for a moment but with him being at a disadvantage she easily managed to get him kneeling and hunched over.

“There, I win! Now give me back my pendant.”

Kisshu scoffed despite his compromised position. “You win when I can’t do this-”

Ichigo yelped as Kisshu pitched forward suddenly and she was thrown onto his back. On instinct she wrapped her arms around his shoulders to both keep from falling off and losing her captive and quickly found herself on an unexpected rodeo ride. With his hands free Kisshu made it to his feet again despite his extra baggage. Within moments of him standing Ichigo was bucked off, Kisshu’s fingers prying her arms from around his neck as she tumbled to the floor. She clumsily stumbled forward, trying to grab him before he could escape, but her eyes registered that shiver of air and she knew he was gone again.

Slitted pupils frantically flitted around before pinpointing Kisshu’s landing sight, way up near the café’s ceiling and far out of the Mew’s reach. He materialized and locked eyes with Ichigo for just a moment before disappearing. She spotted his next landing site (still too high for her to reach) and stared at him before he vanished again. He did this twice more, disappearing and reappearing randomly across the room, always too high for her to attack. Each time Ichigo's unwavering sight locked onto where he inevitably appeared.

Kisshu finally stopped, breathing heavily from his high post. Ichigo knew his teleporting took a lot of energy. Even just moving in those short bursts probably felt something like a sprint, especially back-to-back like that.

Kisshu chuckled. “Can’t escape from your eyes, huh? You’re getting too good at that.”

When Kisshu first started training with the Mews one on one it wasn’t uncommon for him to win. Where the girls were used to fighting with their teammates, Kisshu was used to fighting alone or with a significantly smaller group. Ichigo especially had the worst win ratio against him; she depended a lot on her teammates getting in faster, more versatile hits to set up for her Strawberry Bell. It had taken a while, but Ichigo definitely started making progress. She stopped leaving herself open quite as much and worked better with her body. Where Mint and Zakuro tended to be flighty or graceful, Ichigo’s strengths lied more in stocky force. She leaned into both her natural strength and the newfound muscle her cat genes supplied and could really pack a punch now, even without her Strawberry Bell. Now her matchups against Kisshu were much fairer – almost a game for both of them. A constant push and pull of learning and adapting to each other’s vastly different styles, a newfound challenge that was always evolving.

Ichigo grinned up, feeling a twinge of accomplishment at the praise. Where Kisshu’s jeering was common in battle, his compliments were decidedly less so. It felt good being recognized by her opponent.

“Come back to my level and fight fair then,” she called as she stood back up.

Kisshu’s lip quirked at the playful lilt in her voice. If Ichigo stopped to think for a second she might’ve realized her annoyance was fading and she was starting to have fun now. “Oh, very tempting, but no,” he replied. “I think I’m gonna have to level the playing field, actually. New rule: you want your prize? You’re gonna have to come find me.”

And with that, much slower than before – he’s tiring out, Ichigo thought – he disappeared. Pink locks bounced around as Ichigo tried spotting his new landing site, but nowhere in the room did she spy that telltale shiver of air. A few more seconds ticking by proved he hadn’t reappeared in the room.

“Kish?” Ichigo called – to no response. She swiveled her ears, straining to listen. Nothing. The tip of her tail twitched nervously. She didn’t want to just start screaming and disturb Ryou and Akasaka, wherever they were in the building. “Kisshu! That’s not fair, you can’t just run away!”

She heard it then: a quiet chuckle from the hallway.

She stepped lightly and quickly, making her way over. The hallway was dimly lit, illuminated only by the light spilling over from the main part of the café.

“Kisshu!” Ichigo hissed again. The deeper they went into the building the higher chance they had of running into Ryou. She wasn’t particularly interested in a reminder of how crabby the blond could be after a long day.

“Ichigooo,” came the quiet reply, singing from deep down the stairway to the lab.

Shoot, Ichigo cursed. She quickly made her way down, hand feeling against the railing. The descent down was dim and only got darker further in. Her fingers brushed against the cold wall as she reached the bottom, hoping to find a light switch. She groped blindly while she waited for her eyes to adjust, but to no avail. It wasn’t often she came down here – and when she did the lights were always already on. She wasn’t even sure if there was a light switch.

Thankfully her eyes adjusted quickly, pupils expanding to drink in what little light snuck in from upstairs. (Thank you cat genes). A cursory glance around revealed nothing to her. It looked like she was alone.

Ichigo stepped further in, head on a swivel and ears twitching at every creak and step. She knew she was playing right into Kisshu’s hands, but she had little choice but to venture further, seeing as he was still holding her prize captive. Once she reached the hall’s halfway point she stopped. Surely Kisshu wouldn’t go into the lab, right? Things could get a little  rowdy when they were too focused on beating each other. The last thing they needed was to break something expensive.

Too wrapped in her own thoughts, Ichigo recognized a second too late the electric buzz of Kisshu’s teleporting. Before she could react she felt lean arms wrap around her like a vice, pinning her arms to her side.

“Gotcha.”

A tingle shot up Ichigo’s spine as she felt warm lips press against the back of her neck. Her muscles instantly tensed and she could feel Kisshu’s grin against her skin. His grip tightened almost imperceptibly as he pulled her closer against him and her pulse skyrocketed. She forced herself to breathe. Don’t get flustered, that’s what he wants.

An idea popped in her head and Ichigo bit her lip to keep from smiling.

She reached her hands up, grabbing tight where his arms crossed over her midsection, and spun. Kisshu yelped in surprise as he was suddenly taken for a joyride, his grip on her slipping as he was whirled around and slammed into the wall. Ichigo heard a low wheeze as the air was knocked from him and he stumbled sideways. As soon as he was disconnected from her she saw a quiver of air and he teleported away. It took her much longer to spot him again in the dark. She might have better night vision than a normal human, but the shadows still masked things just enough to make predicting his teleport impossible to spot before he reappeared.

“Actually? I think I got you,” Ichigo quipped. Despite the interruption from her attack, her chest still felt tight from moments before. Warm lips pressed against her neck, her back being pulled flush against him. She shook her head to clear the image.

“You are freakishly strong, you know that?” Kisshu coughed as he caught his breath.

Once again Ichigo felt a swell of pride at catching him off guard. In the back of her mind she wondered if throwing the alien around was easier because she was so used to fending off chimeras twice her size.

“Giving up?” she goaded.

Ichigo could just barely see Kisshu’s eyes flash in the darkness. “Not a chance.”

With that confirmation she advanced, though a spark of surprise hit her as he held his ground.

Ichigo’s strength lied in fighting things head-on (what with her having the strongest, but slowest, powers on her team). Kisshu tended to avoid and evade – opting instead to confuse and keep his opponent guessing on where he’d strike. It usually led to Ichigo throwing a lot of weak strikes or blocking him, waiting for Kisshu to give her an opening she could use to really capitalize.

Ichigo threw a half-closed strike, the kind always used in sparring matches, as Kisshu threw up an arm to block it. He struck out with his foot to catch her ankles but Ichigo reacted too quickly, raising her own to counter and hooking it behind his leg. With a twist of her hips she pulled him forward away from the wall. Her gambit worked and he tripped, falling back right on his butt. Ichigo swooped in, gripping his shoulders and shoving him to the ground in a pin. Kisshu gritted his teeth as he struggled, but it wasn’t much of a fight as Ichigo quickly wrangled him down. Still probably exhausted from teleporting, she thought as she kept him trapped beneath her.

“And here I always thought,” he took a large breath as he stopped struggling, pointedly glancing down to his hips where they were trapped between Ichigo’s thighs, “you’d be too shy to be on top.”

Ichigo blinked in confusion before pink quickly dusted her cheeks. “Oh- would you- shut up!” She smacked his arm in retaliation, ears folding against her head as she took in their position. It wasn’t her fault fights got a little… close sometimes! Still, she couldn’t help the stutter in her chest as the realization was brought to her attention. “Just give up. You lost this match and you know it.”

Kisshu’s eyes narrowed competitively, but she could see the fatigue in them. “Never. I still- still got one more trick.”

That familiar wave of distortion weaved around her.

He’s gonna try and teleport now? He’s exhausted! If she hadn’t won before, she knew it’d be a given now. Teleporting took twice as much energy if you had a passenger and he was clearly running low. She tightened her hold on his shoulders, just in case he did manage to move them.

When the world stopped distorting and that lurch in her stomach disappeared Ichigo glanced around. They were in the exact same spot, not having budged an inch. She heard a light thunk as Kisshu’s head dropped to the floor. Her raised his hands in surrender, saying “alright, alright, you win,” in between heavy breaths.

Ichigo hesitated before loosening her grip and lifting her weight off him through narrowed eyes, not quite trusting as Kisshu shuffled backwards to lean against the wall.

At seeing her distrustful glare he gave a tired, lopsided grin. “You win, I swear. No double-crosses.”

Ichigo pursed her lips, not quite sure if she believed him as she sat back on her ankles. Both were quiet as they caught their breath. The two stared at each other, both looking all sorts of unkempt. One of Kisshu’s hair ribbons had completely undone itself and was surely lying lost somewhere in the café. Ichigo pushed one of her armbands back in place from where it fell down to her wrist. Both of their hair was messy and sticking out all over the place from their whirlwind tumbling. Ichigo couldn’t help but think Kisshu looked like an edgy teen going through an emo phase as half his hair fell over one eye. She pressed her mouth closed harshly, trying to keep it together, but as soon as she heard a snrrk from Kisshu it was all over and they both doubled over laughing.

“You- are SUCH. A pain,” Ichigo wheezed out between giggles.

“I- I know.” Kisshu held his stomach, trying and failing to breathe between laughter. “Like- like I said: it’s a gift.”

The two took a few more long moments trying and failing to reign in their giggle fit. It never failed that they both ended up getting sucked into their own game (as often as Ichigo tried to resist it), and would end up going all out against each other – no matter how stupid it started out.

Kisshu pulled himself further up against the wall, wincing as he settled in. “Ugh, I think you pulled something on my side. Did you have to slam me into the floor and the wall?”

Ichigo shrugged. “You’re the one that asked me to kick your butt.”

He huffed. “Whatever eases your conscience. I hope the thought of me sobbing in pain keeps you from sleeping.”

“I will think of that but it will give me joy and sweet dreams.”

“Sadist.”

“You’re one to talk!”

Kisshu barked out a laugh. Ichigo rolled her eyes and gave a good-natured huff before holding her palm out expectantly. She pointedly eyed the choker still clasped firmly around Kisshu’s neck. He grumbled a bit as she gestured “give it” at him but relented, reaching back to unclasp it.

She busied herself with smoothing down her hair as waited for the feel of a weight dropping into her palm but instead let out a squeak as fingers closed around her wrist and yanked her forward. Her free arm shot out to catch against the wall and Ichigo found her face suddenly very close to Kisshu’s. She was posed awkwardly, one wrist still held hostage and half-leaning, half-falling over him, forearm propped along the wall next to his head. At her expression the corner of Kisshu’s mouth quirked and Ichigo felt her pulse spike.

Too close, too close, mayday, mayday.

On instinct she shuffled forwards to fix her awkward position and lean back only to find it just nestled her more squarely between Kisshu’s legs. Ichigo threw her best glare at him (as good as she could with her face surely on fire) and Kisshu just widened his smirk, crossing his legs behind her, trapping her in. He raised a brow and jingled the pendant in front of her, almost as if saying “don’t leave yet, you didn’t get this back.”

Ichigo didn’t move. Bright pink eyes stared unblinkingly, trying to reign in her nerves as she watched to see what he would do next. She liked to think she chose to stay put, but if she were being honest, she was completely frozen. The hand trapping her wrist tentatively released her and began a slow climb up her forearm. Ichigo suppressed a shiver at the tingling sensation and subsequent heat his trailing fingers left in their wake. Her eyes tracked as his knuckles slooowly dragged up her arm past her shoulder and traced along her clavicle. She looked back up to his face when she couldn’t track his hand anymore. He wasn’t looking back, instead gazing almost lazily as his hand trailed up her throat.

Calloused fingertips looped around to the back of her neck and gently tugged her forward. Ichigo bit the inside of her cheek, trying her best to get her breathing under control as it quickened, lest Kisshu feel it right against his cheeks. She was keenly aware of her waist and the slight pressure of his thighs against it. She resisted clenching her eyes shut as she felt his legs draw her in closer. They were already so close. (Yet somewhere the back of her mind insisted it wasn’t nearly enough).

The hand still holding her pendant reached up, gliding across her jaw before tilting her head up. Electricity crackled across her skin at the touch and the deep quietness of the hallway reminded her that they were very alone. No one around to hear. No one around to see. Throat exposed to someone who, in the past, had put daggers against it. Once upon a time, though perhaps not as long ago as it felt to her, this situation would’ve been reason to panic. And Ichigo was panicking, though not in the same way she might’ve when they were still enemies.

Her nerves felt numbed and on fire all at once. Her eyes drowned in the golden gaze in front of her. She felt both like it would take a mountain to move her and that she could bolt and run at any second. The moment was nerve-wracking and electrified. Terrifying. Addicting. She should move. She should stay put. Say something. Say nothing. Her mind frenzied in half-predictions of what would happen and what was happening in a flurry of thoughts that resulted in her absolute stillness.

Kisshu’s fingers continued their feather-light touches as he deftly looped her band back around her neck and clicked it closed. The pendant finally sat against her throat hollow with a comfortable weight and she felt her body sag in relief. That odd sense of nakedness with its absence finally lifted from her. She’d never noticed the small quiet pulse it gave off against her chest before. She wondered through muddled thoughts if that rhythm was the Mew Aqua within, resonating with her.

Kisshu quirked his lips as he stared at the pendant. From the outside he seemed entirely unperturbed by their current state. He leaned against the wall almost casually, head slightly tilted, shoulders relaxed. But from this close Ichigo could see the slight dilation of his slitted pupils (and some part of her was certain it wasn’t just from the darkness). She could feel the minor quake to his fingers against her neck. How his breathing fanned across her lips, shallow and fast. He swiped a thumb across the heart engraved on her pendant, pale skin a stark contrast to the saturated gold. He finally flicked his gaze to look up at Ichigo. As their eyes locked Ichigo felt the electricity in the air crackle and she held her breath. Anticipating.

He looped a finger into her neckband and pulled her into a kiss.

All at once the tension between them exploded. Cool lips pressed against warm ones. Chaste at first, unsure. Ichigo could feel the nervous tremble of his lips, even as his hand tugged at her neck to pull her closer. She felt herself caught between two wants. One was to pull away. Get distance. Get time. You haven’t thought this through. How could this possibly work out? What about Masaya, you still have feelings for him, don’t you? The second want was to stay, sink in. Feel what’s going on now. Who cared about all those worries when the person in front of her made her head swim and set her skin on fire? Her hand hovered over him as she short-circuited, indecision between clutching to him or pushing away leaving her frozen.

With enough hesitation, and the delicious feel of Kisshu squeezing her arm to pull her against him, she gave in to her second want.

Ichigo melted in the kiss, sighing as the hand holding her up against the wall slid down against Kisshu’s shoulder. Her other hand finally spurred to action and rested against his hip and supported her weight there. His hand ran up to tangle itself in her hair while the other rested against her back. She arched slightly as she sank into him, guided by the gentle press of his palm. Sharp teeth lightly nipped her bottom lip and was immediately soothed with the wet feel of his tongue gliding across it, almost an apology. Ichigo hesitantly opened her mouth. Her already blushing cheeks grew darker in color and she let out an undignified squeak as Kisshu wasted no time diving in. His tongue ran along the roof of her mouth before quickly finding hers to tangle with and Ichigo had to remind herself to breathe.

Kisshu only grew bolder as the seconds ticked by and Ichigo found herself coming further undone in his arms. Her worries? Her uncertainties? Her buts and what-ifs? Gone with the wind, swept away in a river separate from the one she was happily drowning in. As far as Ichigo was concerned they never existed.

With her chest pressed close against his she could feel the resounding beat of his heart right against her own. They thrummed one after the other, an echo and answer, a drummer keeping steady rhythm. Her hands at his shoulder and hip gripped tighter as his legs squeezed around her. He tightened his grip in her hair, nails running lightly against her scalp. Ichigo unconsciously let out a little noise of enjoyment and she vaguely registered Kisshu chuckling in response.

He pulled back for a moment, leaving her dazed and catching her breath. His hand untangled from her hair to cup her face, pushing her bangs back. As her glazed eyes refocused she found herself trapped in his sights again. She almost swore she could feel his heart rate pick up beside her own. Somehow, of everything done, she found looking into his eyes to be what caused her chest to ache the most.

He looked at her like someone who’d never seen the stars – full of awe and admiration and yearning to reach out and capture one for himself. An excitement and anticipation as finally the night sky was within reach. Ichigo felt almost burned by his gaze. A forest beset by a fire so bright and wild that it could do nothing but be consumed. Ichigo felt something curl low in her stomach, equal parts exciting and terrifying as she thought, I want him to.

And that thought is so sudden, so intense, that she feels all her previous worries come flooding back in. A rush of cold water dumped on her head.

What was she doing?? As if her feelings weren’t already complicated enough!

She felt herself being tugged forward for another kiss, Kisshu’s eyes dropping to her lips. His mouth pressed against hers, warm and inviting.

“I-”

Kisshu paused, lips just brushing hers, breaths mingling together. He didn’t push further, but didn’t pull away either. Just glanced up at her.

“I…” Ichigo started again, swallowing. Their mouths continued just barely touching as she spoke. “It’s… it’s late. My parents are going to get worried.”

Kisshu looked indecisive, like he wanted nothing more than to ignore her words and pull her into another kiss. Sear his mouth against her. Devour her. And he probably does, she thought.

A few moments of silence more. Kisshu’s eyes flicked between Ichigo’s stare and her lips. But finally, with closed eyes and a fortifying breath, he leaned away from her.

“Guess you better get back home then.”

Ichigo stayed silent for a moment as some part of her heart felt disappointed. Then she nodded, a little dumbstruck, and mechanically pulled away. The air felt cold against her cheek as Kisshu’s hand slipped away and she nervously twiddled her fingers as she stood. Ichigo took a few steps back and hesitated. Kisshu hadn’t taken his eyes off her, yet she couldn’t read his expression at all. She was overwhelmed by the need to say something, explain herself somehow? But she wasn’t even sure what to explain. She was having trouble understanding herself, let alone telling someone else. Instead she turned away, powering down as she headed for the stairway, staring unseeing at the metal flooring clanking beneath her shoes.

As she reached the end of the hall she mumbled, “see you tomorrow,” sure Kisshu heard her despite the quietness of her voice, and made her way up the stairs.

When she exited the café she was greeted by cool spring air that sent a shock to her system. Stark contrast to all the heated things that happened within the café’s cheery walls. A shiver passed through her as she bundled her arms together and made her way home.

When she uneventfully arrived home she collapsed in her bed. Her mind swam with so many things. About Kisshu. About Masaya. About her lingering feelings for her “old” flame and the sparking embers of her “new” one. About how good everything felt. And how guilty she felt about that. About facing Kisshu tomorrow. About what she would say – about what he would say. About, about, about.

She shoved her pillow over her head. All she wanted was to sleep and not think about today. She found herself restless and unable to do anything but.

[endlesscacophony]

Me: I defeated Signora!! Woo!!

@inanthesis: you need her boss drop materials to level Thoma's talents

Me: D:<

[theinkchild]

when i cant tell where to start sorting my thousands of photos on my phone taken from the last 3 years?? sort by name or date... it’s all the same but slightly altered either way.. which came first?? im having a lil brain hurty

[hahanoiwont]

well, 3ish hours later my brain is fried and the length of the first chapter has doubled. it’ll need at least 2 rounds of editing before I’m good to post it, but that might be what I post this weekend, if anything. Or I’ll get back to the scenes with Slim and polish those, because frankly that’s the part of the fic I’m most excited about rn. or I’ll take this weekend off. We’ll see!

[crustyy-loves-levi]

okay so im just gonna say this is the first one ive made and i know it may suck but hey get a little extra money anyway you can am i right? but if anyone would like a cute little iphone 7 phone case  well maybe check the first one ive made out? and if you by chance want something custom i would gladly do that!

[hooliganpearl]

TOP 6 SELFIES OF THE YEAR or something like that... Thanks to the wonderfully adorable @piper-mccool!!!!! Starting with the morning after I got my hair cut for the first time and ending with my personal favorite, the iconic jean jacket picture.

Anyone that wants to do this is welcome! I know I’m terrible at doing things I was tagged in, so I won’t explicitly mention anyone. Y’all are stunning and should do this because every time I see you it makes my day!!!

Bonus, my Halloween costume:

[meanderfall]

me, at like 10:30 pm: wow time for bed, i can’t believe i stayed up so late