#wondering again if my sister wants me to say out loud that i'm weaker than her or something

[statisticalcats2]

.

[theonlyonesora]

CH08: A Public Display of Frailty

The streets of Konoha were filled with whispers and curious stars as the Hokage, Tobirama Senju, held a crying Akari Uchiha in his arms. The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the scene, but the tension between the two figures made everything cold. Akari's emotions churned inside her: anguish, shame, confusion. She felt like a child—vulnerable and helpless.

The presence of the crowd around them was suffocating, like a noose tightening around her throat. People murmured,

"Madara's sister, crying in public?" Their gases weighed heavily on her, adding to the storm of emotions already raging in her mind. Akari's pride as an Uchiha demanded composure, but her heart defied her, making her feel weaker than ever before, even in battle—she had never felt this way before. The shame of her brother’s disapproval crushed her, reminding her of the many duties she was supposed to fulfill—duties she had strayed from.

'Can't you even try to understand?'

'Why don't you try to understand me, maybe a loveless marriage can work for you, but not for me, if you're okay with spending your life with a woman you don't love for the sake of the village's best interests, it's your choice, not mine— Would you really agree to be with another woman for the sake of the village? With the woman you love?'

 He suddenly realized that his guilt was getting much worse when he saw you asking that. Damn it, why did you make him feel like he was the bad guy for trying to keep the clan above his own selfish desires for once? He suddenly spoke in a slightly guilty and desperate tone

"Damn it, princess, you know I'm prepared to do anything for the village and the clan, I can't let my own selfish desires get in the way"

"So if someone better comes along, you'll give up on me" Suddenly, he found himself hesitating again.

What kind of question is that? His mind immediately thought of that woman from the Hyuga clan, but he found that he couldn't just say it out loud. He suddenly spoke in a conflicted and slightly guilty tone. "Damn it, don't even ask me such a thing, you know I can't answer that."

"So you have someone better in mind." He found himself suddenly frozen and speechless when you said that. Damn it, how can you be so perceptive and straightforward? He suddenly spoke in a conflicted and guilty tone,

"why are you asking about this? There's no one, why do you think I have someone else in mind?"

'Because you do, it's written all over your face, be a man and answer my question'

"do you really want me to be honest?"

'Yes.'

Tobirama whispered an apology as he held her close, his voice soft and regretful. His arms wrapped around her protectively, fingers gently brushing her hair.

“Please don���t cry… I’m sorry, Akari.” The tenderness in his voice should have soothed her, but instead it fueled her inner conflict. Her emotions spiraled, tangled between her family’s expectations and the forbidden connection she shared with the man she was forbidden to love.

Akari’s tears slowed, but her thoughts were no longer clear. Why does he make me feel so helpless, like an idiot? she wondered, biting her lip. Her feet felt like they were buried in quicksand—she needed to escape. The shame, the guilt, the overwhelming pain of caring too much about a man she was supposed to hate—it was unbearable.

Suddenly, Akari pulled away from Tobirama. The cold air hit her skin, and the absence of his warmth left her feeling empty, but she knew she had to leave. Without another word, she turned and ran, her heart pounding in her ears. Tobirama froze, guilt stabbing at his chest. He wanted to stop her, but he knew there was too much at stake—for both of them. He was the Hokage, and loving her could unravel everything. Watching her pull back was like ripping his soul apart, but there was nothing he could do. "Damn it," he muttered to himself, feeling like he had already lost her, he hoped she would understand, that there was a lot at stake and that nothing could be done so quickly without him thinking about all the consequences, he was the hokage, he had duties and he couldn't give them up for a woman, even if he loved her with all his soul.

[doctorstrangereview]

0008: Strange Tales #119

Cover Date: April 1964 On-Sale Date: January 10, 1964

We reach the first story to be released in 1964. Doc welcomes the new year with steps backward and forward. The cover blurb is less prominent than the previous issue. On the plus side, this is two stories in a row with new antagonist. And Doc's Asian manservant gets a name! He is officially Wong. However, he only appears in one panel and has one line. Character development for the dude will need to wait for quite a while.

As our story begins, Doc sits at his desk contemplating a giant gem inside a transparent globe that may have some purple smoke in it. While the exhausted magician stares at the big rock a couple of burglars find an open window and enter the Sanctum Sanctorum to steal stuff. Once again, the sorcerer class doesn't have the sense to install some security. ADT would have made a fortune marketing to magicians.

Doc hears the burglars and confronts them. Maybe it's the exhaustion or maybe he thinks he's too high and mighty, but Strange can't be bothered with any fancy magic and just throws them out through the wall! As is typical for this era, Doc's unwillingness to completely clean up his mess comes back to bite him in the posterior. Outside the burglars think that the reason the fuzz haven't been called is because Doc is also "on the lam" and make plans to come back the next night. Of course the do.

The next, Doc, still studying the sparkler, in full cloak tonight, gives Wong the night off. He takes the opportunity to be loud, curt and a bit rude. The burglars watch Doc retire to his study and proceed to find the gem. Hilarity ensues.

While sitting in a dark room in an very ornate chair our friendly neighborhood magic user senses something is wrong. He enters his ethereal/astral/ghost form to check things out. Realizing the gem is gone he searches the city, and even though he is alone and in a form that the vast majority of the planet is unable to see and hear, he kindly narrates the situation. He finds the thieves, gets back into his physical body and heads to their hideout. We've seen magical characters pop across the world before so one wonders why Doc, knowing he is pressed for time, walked on over. His attempt to incorporate cardio into his rescue means he is too late and the gem has gobbled up the pair. Realizing he must rescue his unworthy charges, he allows the gem to gobble him up to. At least the mist and gem are my favorite color, purple. I'm not sure if it's the fault of Doc, Stan Lee or Artie Simek, but Doc calls on Mormommu. Perhaps we'll find out Dormammu has a secret twin brother that didn't escape from the Faltine with him and his promiscuous sister.

Appearing in the other dimension atop a hill and surrounded by colorful mists and watching a line of captured slaves being led by a pair of burly alien guards. They attempt to attack Doc, but he brushes them aside and they do the "take me to your leader" bit.

Presented before the ruler, Aggamon, he reveals that he knows what Doc has come for and says Nah! No one escapes thru the purple veil! You all must dig up gems for me!

Like so many villains, Aggamon can't resist a deal and offers to return the unworthy thieves if Doc takes their place. Doc says sure and in puff of purple smoke, the ruffians are back home. Doc is then "Hey Aggamon, I've got you on a technicality! I never said I'd stay a prisoner and proceeds to use the all-purpose amulet to burn through the chains. It's actually an impressive panel.

Doc waves a hand and sweeps away all Aggamon's guards (again.) Like the previous issue, the pro- and an- tagonists engage in a battle of wills (again.) Jeweled Demolisher Beam vs. All-Purpose-Amulet.

The minutes turn to hours and the beams for the magical MacGuffins grow steadily weaker. Finally the green guy gives up not wanting to die. Doc pretty much curses him to weakness until he frees all his prisoners. Aggamon sends him home in more purple smoke. As he arrives, Doc admits to himself that Aggamon was stronger than he and it was cowardice that caused him to lose. Once back, the Doc finally cleans up after himself making sure the ruffians surrender themselves to the authorities. Doc sits under his impressive attic window saying he will keep the gem in case he needs to kick Aggamon's tushie again. Despite the absence of the awesome armoire, it's another very nice panel.

There are a number of similarities between this story and the previous one. Green aliens from another dimension cause problems for the people of Earth. Instead of possessing humans for slavery, these aliens are kidnapping them. Both end with the leader of the opposition in a battle of wills with Doc. We do get more interior views of the Sanctum Sanctorum and Ditko lovingly populates it with lots of creepy artifacts and furniture. It's very dark. Was Ditko trying to keep things mysterious or attempting to save a few pencil strokes?

Aggamon isn't all that interesting. He's pretty much a one-note dictator. He appears a few more times than the possessors from the last story and will sadly meet an unfortunate end in the 21st century. Not the most satisfying story but we do learn Wong's name and that even Doc gets grouchy when he's tired.

[illyaana]

4 to 10 - Sugawara Koushi

credits to @kvsagi for the Suga art!

Tags: Timeskip! Sick Suga x Doctor! Reader, No Specific Gender for Reader, Angst

Synopsis: Suga has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis ever since he was 18, a few days after he graduated from high school. He works as an author in the hospital room he currently lives in. When he was 26, you entered the hospital as an official resident doctor and you were assigned to him.

In the beginning, it was just wheezing. After serving a ball to the ace, Suga just needed a few minutes to breathe air back into his system - nothing else.

It slowly became long nights of consistent coughing. It was just a dust allergy - nothing more. Almost all his family members had it - his allergic reactions were just stronger.

It became shorter hours of practice and any forms of exercise. His lungs were just weaker than the rest of the team's. It didn't mean that he was not as skilled as them - he just had to work more efficiently - more success, less time.

Then came the first lung infection.

Then the next.

Then the next.

Then the next.

It was no longer something he could just write off anymore.

Then came the tests; one sweat test and one genetic test.

The next time people saw him, he carried a bag connected to a tube that was in his nose.

He could still live his life normally - he just needed regular checkups. The only thing he needed to do was keep his distance, keep clean and not mess up.

That's all he needed to do, right?

The attacks got worse and worse.

His lungs became so fragile the slightest amount of dust or germ could kill him.

If he wanted to live, he needed to live in the hospital.

Until his clock stopped working, he needed to stay in the white walls of the Hospital of Tokyo forever - and that is what he did.

For the next 8 years of his life, he stayed in the hospital as a 'permanent resident' and lived peacefully.

His life consisted of college online, eating, studying, cleaning his lungs, talking with the other 'permanent residents' or just 'guests', playing with kids in the pediatric ward and sleep.

That was his life - and he didn't hate it.

He soon graduated from college and university and became an author - a well-known one, may I add.

He still talked to his friends from high school - Daichi and Asahi being common visitors with the occasional visit from Kageyama and Hinata.

This was his life until his life ended.

But all that changed when you came into the hospital for the first time.

Sugawara was never one to eye at the doctors or the nurses in the hospital - he believed that it was irrational and very wrong. Yet, you somehow changed his mind almost instantly.

He couldn't muster the bravery to even welcome you on your first day by himself, despite everyone who knew him literally pushing him to do so.

He begged all of the nurses to introduce him to you, but they all wanted him to do it by himself.

"Staring at our newest doctor, huh?" said Sugawara's doctor, Hizashi Yamada from behind him.

"You want me to introduce you to them?" He asked, smiling deviously.

Soon, Suga's doctor brought him to meet you, despite all of Suga's resistance to it.

"Hello, Y/N-sensei. Welcome to the Hospital of Tokyo. It is a pleasure to have someone so well-versed in our hospital as a permanent doctor," said Hizashi-sensei.

He placed his hand out, only for you to shake it. "No need for the praises, Yamada-sensei. The fact you recognized me is a privilege itself."

"This," Yamada-sensei pulled Suga forward, "Is Sugawara Koushi. He has been admitted to our hospital ever since he was eighteen."

Suga blushed furiously.

He wasn't ready to meet you up close so quickly. He wanted to admire you from afar for at least another two more days so that he could learn about your interests, but fate wasn't on his side this time.

Not to mention, you were a doctor, too! One of the younger ones, too... and hotter...

Suga awoke from his daze when he saw your gloved hand reach out to his to give him a handshake. "Pleasure to meet you, Sugawara-san. I believe you are an author? My sister loves your books!"

Suga was internally thanking Daichi for telling him to become an author.

Suga raised his hand to meet yours in a handshake. "The pleasure is all mine."

"As you both know, I am retiring this year," Yamada-sensei said, making both you and Suga face him.

"I've discussed with the board. Y/N-sensei, you'll be in charge of Suga starting tomorrow. I will send all the information about his condition soon," He ended off with a smile.

Wait - you were in charge of him?

Suga was shaking even more now.

It would no longer be Yamada-sensei seeing the uglier side of him but the very person he was developing a crush on.

"Fate works in mysterious ways, huh?" you said, breaking Suga's train of thought.

"I guess it was good I met you today then, Sugawara-san," you ended with a cheerful smile.

"I leave myself in your care then, Y/N-sensei," Suga said while bowing to you.

"Just call me Y/N. I think you're older than me, anyway," you said, laughing a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

You walked towards the nurses that were calling you, leaving an extremely red Sugawara in the middle of the foyer.

The next day stood as a challenge for the silver-haired male.

He was going to act as good as he can so that your job could be as simple as it can be - no cheeky comments, no playful jokes.

Just being a boring, normal patient for the few hours you'd be in his room.

Well, that resolve almost failed immediately when you came in and begged for a conversation with him.

"It's too quiet for me to work properly, Sugawara-san. I know you think that keeping the room quiet helps, but the tension in the room is a bit too strong for me to work normally," you said, aching for some noise to come out of him.

But he didn't say anything - not even a noise.

"If you don't say anything in the next few minutes, I am going to begin talking a bit too much and trust me, you don't want that."

You turned to prepare the machine to remove the excess mucus in his lungs.

"You can call me Suga-san if you want," Suga whispered, scared to speak as loud as he usually does.

You chuckled and turned to face him. "I was going to call you Koushi-kun, whether you liked it or not."

"So, Koushi-kun," you started, "where and when does this author's life begin?"

He chuckled softly. "I was actually born in Miyagi. I was a replacement setter for the volleyball team in my school. Then again, I played a few times even when our main setter was there."

"What school?"

"Karasuno."

You opened your eyes in shock. "Wait - you were part of the Karasuno's volleyball team that went to nationals back then!"

He stared at your wonder-filled eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I was."

"So you know Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio? The Japan players?"

Pride swelled in him when he heard those two names. "Yeah, I do. I actually taught Hinata the basics."

"You've done well, my friend," you said, earning a laugh from the 26-year old.

And that small conversation began the long conversations you both had when you were doing long hours in the hospital.

After handling other patients, you'd often spend time with Koushi in his room with the pretence of 'I'm his doctor - it's my duty to be with him most of the time.'

But that was far from the truth, wasn't it?

You were developing feelings for your own patient.

How could you not fall for him?

Behind the beautiful exterior of his was a man of true beauty itself.

He was a hard worker - spent most of his time working on his new project.

He was kind - helped the nurses with managing the kids in the pediatric ward when they went for their lunch break.

He was the ideal man for anyone.

Time passed and you had been taking care of the former setter for the past two years.

He introduced you to his friends - Asahi, Daichi, Kageyama and Hinata, if you remember correctly - when they came over.

They soon became close friends of yours too - despite your fangirling over the Japan volleyball players. They often spent hours on end with Suga in his room.

All of you enjoyed the small talks you all had together and talked about the things happening in the outside world - be it a small injury or someone's wedding.

"Y/N-san, what about you? Are you in a relationship?" the orange-haired man asked, a small yet beaming smile on his lips.

You instantly blushed and looked at Sugawara. His eyes focused solely on you, taking you in.

"I've been single my whole life. I don't think I'd be getting into a relationship soon, too. The doctor's life doesn't really revolve around romance, despite all the TV shows and movies," you ended, earning snickers from almost everyone in the room.

"How about the rest of you? Is there a conquest of love happening in your lives?" you asked. Now my turn to grin.

Both Kageyama and Hinata stared at one another, faces beet red.

Koushi sighed. "Why can't you both just tell that you're a couple? We all knew ever since high school."

"How did you all know?" Kageyama shouted. You immediately shushed him, earning a small 'sorry' from him.

"You both aren't quiet in the storage room, you know?" Daichi said. Everyone except the couple began laughing hysterically.

"Damn, the money I'd get if I leaked this to the news," you jokingly said, teasing the two players.

When the clock showed 8pm, you pushed the four of the visitors out of Suga's room.

Their time had ended and they needed to head home.

Once they left, you felt a tug on your doctor's coat. You saw Koushi asking you back into the room, not ready for you to leave yet.

"Is everything okay?" You asked him, worried about his health.

"Do you feel like there isn't enough oxygen in your tank? I can always get you a replacement right now-" Koushi placed his finger on your lips.

"Please, just listen to what I have to say," he asked, his eyes begging you to listen to him.

You closed the door behind the two of you. He pulled you to sit beside him on his bed.

"I know I don't have much time left. I already had 10 years after diagnosis when the norm is 4," he said, chuckling.

You wanted to intervene - hell, the sentence was already prepared in your head - but you didn't. From what it looked like, he wanted you to just accept whatever he had to say.

"My drive to write is long gone - I can barely write a sentence I like anymore. I love playing with the kids, but I feel like I would just disturb them rather than entertaining them. I - I feel my life slipping away from my fingers, Y/N..." he said, tears forming around his eyes.

"Yet, when I see you walk along the halls of the hospital, I feel re-energized. I only met you two years ago, but I already am so dependant on you - and not just as a doctor. You are the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning. You are the only thing I think of when I fall asleep. You are..." he gripped on your wrist, "the only thing I want right now."

"Koushi-kun..."

"I love you, Y/N. I didn't want you to leave today without knowing this. I love you so much - as a doctor and as a person."

You hugged the male in front of you, letting his tears fall on your jacket.

"I know you can't reciprocate my feelings, but I just needed you to know."

You gripped on his shirt.

This was the only man you've ever wanted, but you could never have him.

You held your tears back as you walked out of his room.

The next day was just a blur.

The mucus in his lungs built up at an extremely fast pace.

A severe infection formed in his lungs.

You rushed from your apartment to the hospital to conduct surgery as fast as you could.

Luck, however, wasn't on your side.

In the midst of the surgery, the electrocardiogram flatlined.

Sugawara Koushi was pronounced dead at 3:45 am at the Hospital of Tokyo on the 19th of December in the year 2022.

I hope you enjoyed the fanfic! As always, if you have ideas or tropes you'd like me to try, don't hesitate to leave a suggestion here! Thanks for all the reblogs and the likes too! <3 If you want to learn about Cystic Fibrosis, I watched this video and it helped me in understanding the science part of it~

[smileyoongle]

Come Back Home (A Kim Taehyung Mafia AU) // Part 10

Summary: You were dead. Or at least that's what Kim Taehyung thought. But love never dies. A myth, yes. And maybe that's why when he finds out that you are alive, he may have already lost you.

Pairing: Mafia!Taehyung×Reader

As the three friends stepped inside their humble abode, the heavy silence dawned on them. You quietly helped Minho carry Yoona up the stairs and into her room, her unconscious self mumbling some incoherent words that you didn't care about. Your body ached, your muscles tensing while you tried your best to pretend that everything was alright. 

But was it?

As Minho laid Yoona down on her bed, you stood with your arms crossed by the door, holding yourself back from spewing a number of questions towards the young man. You knew Minho could probably not answer them, but you just had to ask. You bit your lip, eyes darting around the room as you tapped your foot out of anxiousness. Minho seemed to notice, his eyes falling on your hesitant expression. 

There was a pang of guilt in his chest. The incident at the club made him question the things his sister was doing. Tonight, Taehyung had almost lost you again. As much as Minho liked you, he also respected the fact that no one will ever be able to love you like Taehyung. Everyone knew that. So with a sigh, he stepped away from Yoona's bed and made his way towards you, halting right in front of you and staring at you with the most serious expression he could gather.

"There's something you need to know."

You frowned, standing up straighter on hearing the tone of Minho's voice. Whatever he was about to say, he wasn't very pleased with it. You slowly exhaled, nodding reluctantly as Minho nudged you outside Yoona's bedroom. You swallowed thickly, trudging towards the hallway and massaging your temple. Your head was beginning to hurt now. Whether it was because you needed sleep or because of the overwhelming surge of emotions, you couldn't tell. You turned around to face Minho, only to see him walking towards your bedroom without sparing you a glance. "Hey." You called out, following behind as he pushed open the door and let himself in. 

"What do you want from-" you stopped mid sentence, eyes widening as Minho swiftly pulled out your diary from beneath your pillow. Your headache grew stronger, your heart thundering in your chest with your lips parted in surprise. Minho's expression didn't seem betrayed or anything, neither was he surprised. You wondered if he was gonna take this away from you. 

"I had come looking for you when you were in the shower. You didn't hide it very... nicely." Minho explained, the book dangling from his fingers. Your chest began heaving, your hands growing clammy with nervousness. Minho noticed your state and led you to sit down on the bed, crouching down before you as he placed the book in your lap. "Hey, it's okay. I won't ask who gave you this but I'm glad you got it." 

You looked at him, his lips smiling at you in an attempt to calm you down. The situation wasn't bad or anything, it was just about your mind being weak. Minho didn't want to send you into a spiral of panic attack because of something Yoona did. But he also had to tell you, no matter the consequences. 

Your words seemed to be caught in your throat. You just couldn't say anything at all, mainly because you didn't know what to say but also because you didn't have it in you to talk. You were really exhausted and you also felt like crying. Taehyung's distant voice echoed in your head. You had managed to tell yourself it's okay but it wasn't. You felt like you had been rejected for some reason.

"Y/N, how much have you read?" Minho asked gently, gesturing to the diary. You glanced at it, shaking your head in response. "Just a page."

Minho sighed, closing his eyes and pursing his lips. That meant he was gonna have to tell you without you having much knowledge about anything. Minho was praying that maybe you were suspicious about Taehyung but no luck there. 

"Minho, what is it? You're worrying me." You stated, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at you with apologetic eyes and you knew something was very wrong.

"Y/N��Yoona lied to you."

💔🖤💔🖤💔🖤

The car was dead silent, Jungkook's occasional sniffles filling up the void. He couldn't see very clearly due to the tears brimming in his eyes again and again but he managed. The only thing on his mind was Taehyung. 

The fact that Taehyung was taking stupid decisions in the heat of the moment wasn't okay. Unfortunately, none of the members had any control over this situation, Taehyung had already made up his mind. Jungkook was the only one who got the idea of reaching out to you and bringing you back for a while. Yes, you didn't remember anything. But everyone saw that you still cared about the man who claimed to be your friend. 

Jungkook kept mumbling under his breath as he turned the steering wheel, navigating through the empty streets to get to Yoona's house. There were still questions about who those people were at the club but that was a problem for another time. 

The silence of Jungkook's car was cut off by the piercing ringing of his phone, his eyes flickering towards the illuminated object lying on the passenger seat. He quickly grabbed the phone and accepted the call on seeing Minho's contact flashing on the screen, putting the latter on speaker. He didn't actually want Minho's number but it was a precaution. For you.

"Hello, Jeon? I didn't know who else to call. Taehyung wouldn't pick-"

"What the fuck do you want? I'm coming over to take Y/N with me, by the way."

Jungkook snapped, eyes back on the road ahead. Minho's voice was a little off, strong vibes of distress coming Jungkook's way. Nonetheless, it didn't matter as long as it was nothing related to you.

"What? Wh- why are you coming to get Y/N?"

Jungkook clenched his jaw, assuming all sorts of things on hearing Minho's question. Did that guy actually think he was gonna keep you away from the people who cared about you?

"None of your business. She needs to stay with people who can actually protect-"

"Y/N ran away."

Three words. Self explanatory. Nothing too complicated. But words cut deeper than a knife. It's a saying that people don't believe unless they've been wounded themselves. Jungkook's blood ran cold, his foot hitting the break in a hurry. The car came to a halt, a little too abruptly, sending Jungkook lurching forward in his seat. His eyes were wide and hid breath was caught in his throat. With shaky hands, he brought the phone up to his ear. "What did you say?"

Minho gulped loudly before explaining himself.

"I told Y/N the truth about Taehyung. Sh- she ran away immediately. I don't know where she'd be going but I think-"

Jungkook couldn't listen anymore, his fingers tightening around the phone as he hung up and slammed his hands on the steering. A loud groan of frustration left his mouth, his teeth clenching in anger. Minho just had to mess this up.

Jungkook rested his forehead against the steering wheel in defeat, unable to stop the tears from falling.

"Y/N, where are you?"

💔🖤💔🖤💔🖤

"Taehyung is your boyfriend. You lived with him and not us. He loves you ...a lot more than Yoona or...me."

Minho's words were playing in your mind again and again like a broken record. Your lungs burned, as if you had inhaled too much smoke along with the prickly tears in your eyes. Your leg muscles felt weaker and weaker with every step you took. Certainly, running on the street in the middle of the night wasn't your ideal plan. 

A broken sob escaped your mouth as you stopped sprinting and held your diary close to your chest. You didn't even know where you were going, all you knew was that you had to go to see Taehyung. You could have waited until morning but Yoona's house was making it hard for you to breathe. The house wasn't the problem. Your inability to breathe was due to the fact that it was Yoona's.

The winter air nipped at your skin, goosebumps rising across the expanse of your skin as you caught your breath and continued to cry. You couldn't believe how many problems life was making you deal with, this definitely wasn't normal. Your heart ached when Taehyung's face flashed in your mind and you began to imagine how it must have felt to watch your lover go away with someone else. Taehyung was also on the wrong side due to how he didn't tell you the truth but he was the only one who could tell you the reasoning behind the said deed. 

Just as your breathing started to grow normal, a faint sliver of light fell at your feet, your eyes looking up to see a car coming your way in the distance. You narrowed your eyes when it came closer, the headlights blinding you to the extent of you having to avert your gaze. You brought your hand up to shield your face, unable to move from your spot in the middle of the road. Maybe you were just too tired. Or you had lost every essence of will in your heart. 

You spotted the red colour of the car, it's shiny surface catching your attention when it came to a halt right in front of you. You watched as the driver got out of the vehicle and slammed the door shut, his dirty blonde hair ruffling in the wind. He had striking eyes with a gaze so intense that you had to look away for a second. He was wearing a black shirt with a few buttons unbothered. Your breathing faltered when the stranger came to stand before you, a very confusing smile gracing his lips as he looked at you with sympathetic eyes.

"Hello, Y/N. My name is Eunho and it's so great to finally meet you."

Taglist: @min-t-posts @that-random-gurl @bringitseijoh @kpopgirlbtssvt @jeonjello @shadowstark @bangtanniexxx @wendyiiwl @imlostindarkness @sinnersblogg @jazzytfw @lovestrucked-again @hopetookmysoul @angelwolfexorcist @taes-strawberry @ireallylikefoodandyoutube @annoyingpessimist @hajimaoppaa @atwoodscott @kawaiimusiccollection @byeolizzie @sleepysavya @sensiblebutch @maiden-mars @soundofwonderland @the-fangirl-lorax @btsarmysvtcarat @youthandtears @novelread000 @glitterytreephantom @chocolatemilk1221 @cookiemonstermusic258 @iamcrazyforkdramas @luckyzipperscissorsbat @kpop-is-life100 @entitledtolove @somewhereinthestarss @vertueuxeuse @anothermisspark @xanny91 @mayumioutloud @rulz0821 @bbangtan-ddaeng @got7-yeah-got7onmymind @kassandravictoria @flowersgirl02 @whateverfandoms @bl00bts

Obviously I'm unable to tag a couple blogs and that's totally not annoying. Also one of the blogs texted me that they were gonna start another blog but I don't remember the name anymore??FML.....AnYwAY, let me know if you wanna be tagged? Okay, love you!

-XX

[codango]

I'd love anything (100) with Aone! or 3. 'You don’t have to worry, I’m here.' with anyone from Haikyuu if you're not feeling Aone rn. I'm excited for the drabbles regardless of what you write!

EDIT: It occurred to me, Anon, that you might not have asked this because you knew about my Aone fic on AO3 (That’s not what he’s saying). Hence, a short explanation: I answered your prompt as Chapter 2 of a short fic about Aone falling in love with an OC of mine, Tatsu. Tatsu makes his first appearance in another Haikyuu fic of mine (Wingmen are supposed to be supportive).

I really hope this clears up any confusion I may have caused!

--------

You don’t have to worry, I’m here (2,432 words)

It began with breakfast.

Aone didn’t think anything of it beyond how the conversation was somewhat awkward. How could it not have been? Breakfast the morning after, with Tatsu and Tatsu’s sister and Tatsu’s sister’s boyfriend, who happened to be the best friend of one of Aone’s teammates, was plenty to be dealing with on its own.

Aone didn’t even realize Tatsu had paid for breakfast until Tanaka started protesting. Loudly, as was his nature.

“You aren’t paying for shit,” Tanaka insisted. He was behind the bar, cleaning up the last of the breakfast he’d made for the four of them in his father’s pub.

“Of course not. I’m paying for an excellent breakfast prepared by a professional chef.” Tatsu shrugged on his coat, not so much as glancing at the cash on the bar. He looked at Aone. “Ready?” So casual. Like friends leaving a once-a-month get-together.

Tanaka ran a hand over his shaved head, clearly exasperated. “Look, you can’t—I mean, I just—not when I—” He waved his hand helplessly at the tall blonde woman bringing the last dishes from their table.

Tatsu raised a delicate eyebrow at her. “I can’t pay for our meals because you’re banging my sister? Need a hand there, Shizuku love?”

Shizuku set the plates down on the bar with a touch more force than necessary. “Always lovely to see you, Tatsu, bye now.” Her face was staining pink.

“But he can’t—” Tanaka tried.

“Let him leave his entire goddamn wallet if he wants to!” Shizuku barked. She shot Aone a look, half pleading, half threatening. “Nice to meet you, Aone-san. Get him out of here.”

Aone did not think for a moment of disobeying. He cupped Tatsu’s elbow, bowed his gratitude to Tanaka, and walked Tatsu firmly out the door. Reaching for his back pocket, Aone opened his mouth to say something about paying his own way when Tatsu put a hand to his chest and stretched up for a kiss.

Visions of last night exploded behind Aone’s closed eyes, and his hand reached for that pale ponytail. He wanted to pull it loose again, wanted to feel it against his face like he had hours before.

Tatsu stepped back, hand still flat on Aone’s chest. His smile was pleased. “I have to get back to the gallery,” he said softly, gray eyes roaming Aone’s face at leisure. “I have a client meeting first thing tomorrow morning I have to prepare for.”

“Oh.” Aone willed his hand to drop from Tatsu’s hair. It wasn’t easy. Of course he had to go back. His work, his life, was two hours away from the college campus. Tatsu was an adult, with responsibilities Aone had yet to know. Of course he couldn’t while a Sunday away. Frankly, Aone couldn’t afford to either, there were exams to consider—

“I can hear you thinking,” Tatsu teased.

“My apologies, Tatsu-san.” Aone bowed his head. “I’ve kept you from your obligations far too long. I can show you the nearest station.”

Tatsu blinked. “I know I should be used to your abruptness by now, but I confess my ego is reeling.” He brushed the back of his hand against Aone’s jacket collar. “You want me away so quickly?” His voice was low, with a tone that sent shivers up Aone’s spine.

“It’s not what I want,” Aone managed.

Tatsu looked up at him. “Do tell?”

“I want…” to take you back to my room. To be lazy with you today. To forget what our Mondays will bring. “…to see you again.” Aone held his gaze firm. “If I may.”

Tatsu’s eyes went wide. “Well,” he said after a moment, “it has been quite some time since someone asked so sweetly for my company.” He slipped his arm through Aone’s, his lean frame pressed tight against Aone’s side. “Show me to that station?”

Aone might have been disappointed that Tatsu really did leave so quickly. If, that is, he hadn’t pulled Aone off to the side for a long kiss and some heavy breathing. If Aone hadn’t felt Tatsu get half hard against him. If Tatsu hadn’t whispered, “I’ll call you tonight,” with his lips against Aone’s ear. Then, yes, Aone might have been disappointed.

As it was, he was staring sightlessly into his textbooks that afternoon before he realized that he had never paid Tatsu back for breakfast.

———

A couple days later, a box arrived at the house. Kuroo delivered it to Aone’s door with his dinner balanced on top. “Kawatabi made curry and way overestimated how much. You can grab a bowl if you drop some cash in the jar next to the stove.”

Aone nodded but wasn’t really listening. He hadn’t ordered anything recently. His mother always sent him an email ahead of time if she was sending a package. He set it on his bed.

Inside the cardboard shipper was a sleek black box. It was stamped with silver in a brand name he didn’t recognize. The lid lifted to reveal, nestled in un-dyed tissue paper, the most beautiful briefcase Aone had ever seen. Soft-sided, it was made of leather worked over so finely as to feel like velvet. He took a moment, exploring the pockets, testing the zippers, admiring the tooled strap, before he noticed the small card in the bottom of the box.

A-To aid in your pursuit of knowledge. Best luck in your studies,T

Aone set the bag aside immediately and reached for his phone. Two hours later, Aone was staring red-faced at the ceiling of his room, wondering if he could make it to the shower or if he had to jerk off right there. He’d intended to make a simple thank-you call. Tatsu’s voice over the phone had a way of making more complicated things happen.

Aone clenched his eyes shut, bit into the flesh of his thumb, and slid a hand down his jeans. At least he knew he wasn’t as loud as Kuroo.

———

Spring came, and so did a selection of fine shirts from a brand Aone did recognize. His father favored the workmanship but only indulged in one a year.

A-Will you be viewing the cherry blossoms with friends?The blue one would be stunning against the flowers.T

Aone went with Kuroo, Azumane, Nishinoya, Tanaka, Shizuku, and two of Shizuku’s friends to a nearby park that weekend. He handed Shizuku his phone and asked her quietly if she could take a photo. She was a little less likely to tease than the others, and he wanted to look as relaxed as he could. Not an easy feat.

“Ohhh.” Shizuku cooed over the first photo. “That blue is amazing against the blossoms!” She held up the phone to take another, and Aone felt himself smile.

Aone sent the photo late that night. Tatsu texted him immediately after. Thirty minutes later, Aone sent another photo of himself wearing the blue shirt. Technically wearing the blue shirt.

———

During one late-night call, Aone confessed to nearly sleeping through a class.

“You’re not getting enough rest?” Tatsu sounded concerned.

Aone wiped a hand over his face. “Practice, workouts, end-of-year projects. It adds up.” He would not breathe a word about how his deplorable sleep schedule was mostly down to Tatsu and his sinful phone calls.

“Ah.” Tatsu apparently bought the excuse. “It’s important to stay organized with your time management in these situations.”

Kuroo raised an eyebrow when Aone wore his new smart watch to practice that week, but didn’t say anything.

———

The team’s house didn’t have a wine cellar. It would never have occurred to Aone to let Tatsu in on this fact. When the industrial wine rack showed up with an assortment of fifty vintages ranging from rare to trendy, Kuroo rolled his eyes and helped Aone clear out some space in the garage.

A- Would love to hear your opinion on the 2004 Kaesler shiraz.T

“Surprisingly floral for something so dry and smooth,” Aone said. He’d brought a bottle to Tanaka’s pub one night, with serious instruction that it was to be enjoyed with intentionality over a careful menu. Tanaka had risen to the occasion masterfully, and he and Shizuku had been fabulous to compare notes with about the wine. The three of them had gotten a tiny bit buzzed from finishing the bottle themselves that night, but what else was to be done really?

“Exactly what I thought. I wasn’t as put off by the bouquet as I thought I might be.” Tatsu laughed. “But perhaps it was where I had it? The Barossa Valley would make anything taste like heaven.”

“It must be gorgeous.” Aone had mixed feelings when Tatsu shared stories about all the places he’d been. It made him feel at once far too young for him and far too excited about all the wonder the world held for him to see.

“It was like nowhere I’d seen before.” Tatsu was quiet for a moment. “We should go someday.”

Aone caught his breath. The statement had been casual. Light. There was too little there to read into.

“Perhaps,” Tatsu went on. “After graduation of course? And if you’d rather go somewhere else first, we should talk about that.”

Aone’s lungs released softly. “The Barossa Valley sounds wonderful.”

Tatsu hummed, low and sensuous and just right for setting Aone’s skin on fire.

———

The last game of the season ended with a sound victory but at the expense of Aone’s shoulder. He’d come down from the winning block, slipped on a sweaty patch of floor, and the ligaments, overworked from three hard matches, let go on impact.

Through the ambulance, the ER, the manhandling required to set a dislocated shoulder, Aone had kept up his impassive face. Inside, his mind was a spiderweb, crawling with worry.

Dislocated joints are always weaker.

The scholarship is no good without volleyball.

The therapy will take time, but at least this happened at the end of a season.

Months of hard work and maybe I’ll be back up to everyone else’s level by fall.

I’m not ready to be done with volleyball.

I’m not ready for this to be over.

I’m not ready.

They sent him home with massive painkillers and dire threats about any activity remotely resembling athleticism for a month. Aone wanted to scream, but Kuroo kept shooting him looks as he drove them away from the hospital. He kept his mouth shut.

“Need anything?” Kuroo finally asked when they reached Aone’s room.

Aone didn’t turn around. “I’m fine.” He struggled to unlock the door with his left hand. Dropped his key on the floor. He stared at it, his throat getting tight.

Kuroo had the key in hand in a moment, pushing the door open, setting Aone’s phone and water bottle next to his bed, turning on a lamp. It was when he began fluffing a pillow that Aone reached out his left hand. “Kuroo.”

“Yes! Right, yeah.” He backed away from the bed, hands raised, grin sheepish. He was nearly out the door when he turned, chewing on his lip. “Um. Just so you know.”

Aone looked at him and tried to focus. It was probably time for another pain pill.

Kuroo ran a hand over his perpetual bedhead. “I called him. Your, uh, boyfriend? I looked up his number on your phone while you were…while we were at the hospital.”

Aone stared at him.

“Yeah, so, anyway, he’s coming? I guess?”

“You guess? What…what does that mean, you guess?”

“Ahahaha, okay, you’re right.” Kuroo edged farther out the door. “He’s totally coming. Said he’d get a train tonight. So. Yay?”

Aone’s mind latched onto something concrete to keep from spinning out of control. “Tatsu-san isn’t my boyfriend.”

Kuroo’s face lost its tension, his expression going flat.

Aone held his gaze and refused to give in.

“…sugar daddy?” Kuroo enunciated neatly.

Aone glared at him.

“Whatever he is, he’s staying in your room.” Kuroo walked out the door. Popped his head back in. “And I know that’s not gonna be a problem. I’m just saying I’ve gone through a pack of ear plugs.”

Aone walked calmly to the door and shut it in his face. If someone was going to lecture someone else about intimate noise, that someone had no business being Kuroo.

He’d had every intention of staying awake until Tatsu arrived. Unfortunately, the pain meds had other plans. When he opened his eyes, the room was dark except for the small lamp on his desk. His shoulder throbbed. His mouth was dry. He tried to sit up, groaning. How was everything in his entire body connected to his shoulder?

“Wait, hang on, what do you need?” A soft voice, a rustling sound.

Aone blinked sleep from his eyes, and there was Tatsu, getting to his feet from the floor. His jacket was folded neatly as a seat cushion against the wall, two or three overstuffed bags nearby.

“Tatsu…san?” Aone croaked.

Tatsu grabbed the water bottle on the desk. “Is this what you want? Do you need something for the pain?” He glanced over the desk, reached for a small pill bottle. “These?”

Aone watched him, silent and glowing inside. The lamp turned Tatsu’s ponytail gold. They’d seen each other a couple times since that night in Tanaka’s pub, always both of them impeccably dressed until they weren’t, both striving to impress the other until they forgot to. Never like this…Tatsu in jeans and a thin T-shirt that was probably never expensive. Aone incapable of dazzling anyone with his body at the moment.

Tatsu offered a pill and water. “You don’t have to move, I’ve got it.” Aone lifted his good hand, but Tatsu frowned. “Just open your mouth.” His voice was quiet. It lacked the tone that Aone knew was meant to arouse, but nonetheless his heart picked up the pace.

“You don’t have to worry.” Tatsu dropped the pill on Aone’s tongue with no sensuality, just care. “I’m here.”

Aone would speak. Eventually. He would get the words out that were crowding his throat. He’d ask the questions that refused to leave his brain—will you? do you want to? could we? am i? are you? do you? please? But for this moment, he scooted over on the bed. Patted the sheets next to him, never taking his eyes off Tatsu, glowing in lamplight.

The way Tatsu’s face softened was beautiful. He settled on the bed, every movement graceful, and curled into Aone’s side without a single jostle.

Aone leaned his head back and closed his eyes, smiling.

##