#Warrior Princess of the Saitamas | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

peachlover94 · 11 months

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Scrap Anime Series Idea Stockpile (Collection 1)

Here's something you might have probably not expected of me - ideas for potential new anime series both in long/continuing and short/near-OVA/ONA (Original Video Animation/Original Net Animation) form!

My question to you, is, which of the following has the most potential that would be deserving to be seen on television or online?

Hash it out in the comments below which ideas jump out at you the most and seem like they'd be fun to see.

1) Gaze Upon the Yandere Minds - In this dark josei/seinen story, Institute 47 gathers up in a massive boarding school environment ladies of the yandere type from all over the world and foist upon them one unlucky young unimpressive everyman of the dandere type whom they take an interest in. The administrators' official policy is stated not to encourage any sort of lethal violence between participants, but secretly revel in their carnage that will soon unfold. Whoever lasts the longest will get to keep the everyman named Akira for herself. Not wanting to be any woman's possession or a tool of the crooked system, Akira takes it upon himself to work through each of the ladies and see what makes them the way they are for good or even for evil. Five of these ladies, also not wanting to be pawns of Institute 47's ways, take it upon themselves to protect Akira and bring down Institute 47's wretched program from the inside.

2) Warrior Princess of the Saitamas - In this dark bishojo/josei isekai story about escaping a broken home and finding your own happily ever after, Princess Katerina of Ruritania was able to find her happily ever after with her Prince Karlos of Jerezon. But after the Undead Armies of Vanth laid waste to the two kingdoms, Katerina took it upon herself to take up a sword and shield to avenge those who have been hurt. Trying to undo Vanth's curse, Katerina is cast out of the past and into the unfamiliar future of 21st Century Saitama, Japan. A place now losing all hope and in need of a true hero to bring a happily ever after, Saitama now has on its hands a heroine looking to bring hope even when all seems lost. Starting small and realizing she has Vanth's magic within her, Katerina frees a young effeminate boy Pao Kagashima from a life of abuse and depression with his intolerant family and they try to make sense of a senseless city.

3) Underground Escape - A spotlight is shone on prostitution, human trafficking and therapy by drugs in this dark josei/seinen story about a young woman and her MTF transgender twin sister who have just been released from jail after a month inside on charges of prostitution. Released from jail and knowing they have to sell their bodies in order to support their family and get their father the drugs he needs in order to manage his trauma and psychoses, Mizuho and Natsuka decide to make a deal with a friend of theirs who is one of the last police officers trying to do actual good. The deal is the two will secretly record any interactions the two may have with certain pimps and madams suspected to be engaged in human trafficking as well as toxic drug movements and report them back to police under code names. The two siblings soon uncover a web of darkness and horror as they move to break the cycles of child poverty.

4) Valkyrie Squadron - In this epic bishojo/bishonen magical girl/boy space opera, the Black Empire of Apophis has returned to wreak havoc upon the nine planets of the Solar System as well as the four primary asteroids which are home to numerous colonies of humans, animals, plants, machines and alien life forms. The four effeminate Spartan princes of the asteroids all must leave their kingdoms to join forces with the Valkyrie princesses across the Solar System to create an elite force through which they can stop the Apophis attacks. Disguised as rather effeminate schoolboys; Spartans Ceres, Juno, Pallas and Vesta soon befriend the girls who in truth are Valkyries Helios (Sun), Hermes (Mercury), Aphrodite (Venus), Gaia (Earth), Artemis (Moon), Ares (Mars), Zeus (Jupiter), Cronus (Saturn), Caelus (Uranus), Poseidon (Neptune) and Hades (Pluto). With the powers of their arsenal, they fight back against Emperor Typhon.

5) Lone Vixen Tamaki - In this dark bishojo/bishonen drama, a troubled young trans girl who was born as Tamaki finds limited refuge from her cruel, terminally unhappy family in her few friends at school. When a Yakuza attack kills her parents and leaves her abusive siblings all in uncertain condition, one of the Yakuza agents takes pity on her and bequeaths her his sword, his gun and the money transferred from a raid on corrupt socialites to a credit card. Taking up the sword and gun to escape her destroyed home, Tamaki steals her father's car to evade the Yakuza and police determined to get her into foster families that worship conversion therapy to destroy and reforge her as the ideal man contrary to what she wants. On her journey over the Japanese islands to try and make enough for a one-way ticket out of Japan for Canada, a series of misadventures happens as she takes time to battle corruption and save new friends.

6) Revolutionary Girl Utena Reborn - In a spiritual continuation of Kunihiko Ikuhara's most groundbreaking masterpiece of shoujo, surrealist romance and magical girl drama as we first follow Anthy Himemaya as she scours the world trying to find the girl prince who truly cared about her in Utena Tenjou. On her journey, she meets a young hurting boy named Zenta who feels lost and alone in wanting the eternity of death to end his pain. Having survived her fall and gone into hiding knowing Akio may return to threaten her and Anthy again some time in the future, Utena while on the run comes across a runaway girl named Zuina trying to rescue her brother from his inner demons. Chased by various crooks and psychos wanting to possess either the kids that are tagging along with them or themselves, Anthy and Utena are on their course to reunion as they hope to break the cycle of death and heartbreak that Eternity uses.

7) Kio Kami: The Impossible Girl - The classic story of Sir James Matthew Barrie's children's novel Peter Pan gets multiple twists in this darkly comic, epic bishojo/bishonen fantasy isekai about a never-aging magical girl with extraordinary powers and a tiny dragonfly friend Gyoza Yukari who travels everywhere with her. Noticing several children including a femboy by the name of Doujin Washi in need of an escape from the horrors and humdrum of our own quite modern world, Kio and Gyoza whisk Doujin and some of his friends away to the vast paradise world of Arcadia. But terrors from both our world and Arcadia soon begin to seep across their frequent passageways - among such is the fierce yet voluptuous lady pirate Captain Quartney Sickle and the crew of her ship the Black Death. Kio and Doujin have to match wits and sword with Sickle to protect Earth, Arcadia and their inhabitants from the latter and all her beasts.

8) Recalling A Higher Ideal - In this alternate history epic drama for adult audiences, it is not Japan that joins the Axis Powers of World War II. Instead, the Axis consists of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperialist China. With their own sovereignty threatened by Yuan Shikai the Emperor of China, the Japanese imperial princess beseeches her father to renegotiate and or build trade and military alliances with Taiwan, the Southeast Asian countries and the Korean Republic to stand strong against Chinese aggression in the Pacific. In doing so, a Pan-Pacific Alliance is formed and its military fully integrated on gender and racial lines in order to stand tall. As an anthology, we follow the tests the Imperial Japanese Military must undergo if they are to be strong enough to protect and nurture the ideals they fight for even as they join the Allies of America, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union in battling the forces of tyranny.

9) The Cradles of Civilization - Inspired by disaster films such as The Poseidon Adventure or The Towering Inferno; this riveting disaster thriller for seinen and josei audiences follows the graduating class of a Japanese public high school aboard a vast solid Dyson Sphere built long in the past by Earth colonists around the white dwarf Beta Sirius. But with their star Sirius B now weakening and ready to implode and possibly destroy the Sirius Dyson Sphere, every last student of Yggdrasil Public High School has to gather the survivors of humanity in order for a last-ditch escape into space to begin. Various challenges include profiteering companies now working to undermine relief efforts for their own gain, military and civilians unprepared for a bevy of calamities, and the collapsing Dyson Sphere's natural disasters. Not every soul will be able to escape, but the students of Yggdrasil will try to save the cradles of human civilization.

10) Super Surfboard Cross - In this action-packed yet humorous josei/seinen sports story; as a result of global climate chaos, the World Surfing League (WSL) is established and makes its ultimate move to make the first ever surfboard cross racing events which get the attention of naturalists, scientists and engineers alike to create a sporting experience that will outdo the World Series of Major League Baseball and the Super Bowl of the National Football League in enthusiasm. We follow a group of competitive surfers from all walks of life as they take part in the first World Circuit of Super Surfboard Cross as they all race on many islands in surfing downhill across carefully constructed courses laden with water-bound rails, berms and jumps to perform nigh-improbable tricks and compete for the gold, silver and bronze. But can they come together to foil a psychotic team of corrupt fixers who have their eyes on the victories?

11) God Mars Re: 2999 - In this reboot of the shonen mecha drama from 1981, humanity is part of a galactic civilization in the year 2999. But young Takeru Myoujin AKA. Mars and his few friends discover the former was meant to destroy the Earth that adopted him on orders from the evil Emperor Zuul of the planet Gishin if Zuul is to conquer space. Hoping to stop the evil planet Gishin as well as to save his own life, Takeru and his friends must join the Earth Defense Forces to combine Earth and Gishin technologies to combat the Zuul invasion forces. Whenever Earth is in danger, Takeru (pilot of the robot Gaia) is able to summon the five other secretly created units to combine with Gaia to assemble the titular Six-God Combination God Mars. The five other robots are Sphinx (piloted by Namida Akagi), Uranus (piloted by Naoto Ijuin), Titan (piloted by Rose), Shin (piloted by Mika Hyuuga) and Ra (piloted by Akira Kiso).

12) Song of the Amazons - In this eclectic (both in demographics and genres) story, college-age girls Ayame, Ikumi, Umeko, Erika and Ompu by day form the pop rock band the Amazons wowing swooning fans with power anthems and love ballads to challenge a cutthroat world in which youth and virginity are commodified. By night, however, the Amazons use the magical energy they gained from their audience's enthusiasm as well as five colored diamond rings to generate powered armor out of thin air and become the Amazon Claymores. As the Amazon Claymores, they ride through the mean streets of Tokyo to battle a most fiendish assortment of criminals and monsters with limited assistance from the police. Their battles also can be of a psychological from trying to avoid fame making them entitled and snobby brats by day and by night trying to avoid turning into the absolute monsters threatening all the five fight for.

13) Promise You Won't Forget Me - This dark josei/seinen story opens with the shocking and heartbreaking suicide of one Zenjin Mushou, the classmate and crush of Ichiko Yumori. In her search for answers, Ichiko turns to all the social media presences and materials Zenjin left for her over the 7 CDs he recorded telling why he killed himself including a spherical die through which she is able to venture into the digital worlds and back. Meeting with Zenjin's few online friends and completing the quests he left unfinished, Ichiko pieces together the main reasons for and inciting events leading up to his suicide and the deaths of his social media presences before he could rebuild himself. Both online and in the real world, Ichiko unravels the cultures of abuse, intolerance, assault, and pain that broke her boyfriend's heart. With her friends also getting involved and wanting revenge, Ichiko must remember Zenjin and save someone else.

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buggyandthebartoclub · 6 months

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10 Fandoms/ 10 characters/ 10 tags

Thank you for the tag @mandiemegatron !!! (OG post here - sorry started a new one bc of length of post!!)

No particular order… it’s def mroe than 10 characters tho sorry everyone 😭

One piece- Penguin & Shachi, Barto, Buggy, Franky, Sanji (Yamato too but I’m not all the way through that arc yet so 🥹 I feel like a fake adding him)

That time I got reincarnated as a slime- VELDORA!!!! Rimiru!!!

Miraculous- the kwamis, all of them

Fairytail- THE CELESTIAL SPIRITS!!! loke!!!! Lucy!!!

Unicorn warriors eternal- Emma, Melinda, Alfie

One punch man- Saitama, Genos

Dr stone- Senku, Gen

Demon slayer- inosuke, Tanjiro, shinobu

My hero- Mirko, Toga, Shigi, Twice, Aizawa, AllMight, Shoto

Cupid parasite - Allan, Ryuki, Raul

Honorable Mentions

Stardew Valley - Sebastian, Robin, Harvey

Horizon (zero dawn) - Aloy, Erend, Talanah

Amnesia: memories - Ukyo, Shin, Toma

Dragon ball (w baby goku not any of the others)- Goku, Krillin, Bulma

Legend of Zelda (the series): link on all of them, from Twilight Princess: Midna, from BOTW: Sidon, Revali

Bleach- Sado, Shunsui, Yoruichi, Toshiro, Jushiro, grimmjow

Tagging: anyone who wants too!! But also @kikouku 💕 editing to tag @cebwrites too bc we’re besties now

#tag game #I have too many favorites 😭 sorry

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fluffyotters · 2 years

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My favorite animes list

My favorite animes that i’’ve finished/plan to that don’t include the big ones (Bleach, Naruto, Dragonball, One Piece, etc which haven’t ever really appealed to me)

1. Yugioh Original and all series including Zexal, Vrains, and Sevens.

The true classic anime and I absolutely love all the protaganists, Also everything will be solved by awesome card duels.

2. Gurren Lagann

My first non yugioh anime that wasn’t a Ghibli movie. Absolutely incredible. Kamina is one of the most inspirational people and so is Simon

3. Saint Seiya, Saint Seiya Omega, Saint Seiya the Lost Canvass, Saint Seiya Knights of the Zodiac,

Warrior Astrological saints fighting the gods? Yes please. Also I love all the spin offs and Omega and the new Kotz are wonderful and unfairly hated on.

4. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures

Its in the title. Each different Jojo is wonderful and unique and they’re all amazing and this stuff is just wild.

5. Tiger and Bunny

I think the first modern superhero anime that lead to My Hero Academy and Such. I absolutely love Kotetsu and Barnaby’s becoming partners and also the being a hero versus hero celebrity and advertisement capitalism.

6. My Hero Academy

I love superheroes and powered people and them wanting to be a hero. Kirishima and Izuku are absolutely incredible and Kirishima is just one of the greatest inspirational characters ever.

7. Fire Force

Fire powers, cults, religion, the threat of people spontaneously going infernal and bursting into flames, heroism, it is just one of the best things I’ve ever seen.

The only thing that really keeps it from being a great on the level of masterpiece (which it is in literally everything else) is the sheer female “fanservice” cringe. A lot of anime tend to do have at least some to appeal to the more perverted folk but Fire force has some of the worst I’ve ever seen which is saying something, Not on the levels of Bastard!! (I’m amazed that was something that was ever printed in a general audience let alone recently animated) or Enemy Combatants will be dispatched but definitely up there which is honestly really disappointing since Fire Force is not that type of story.

On the other hand the male fanservice is glorious.

8. Sk8 to Infinity

Skateboarding and Love. Reiki and Langa are Love as are Joe and Cherry. Adam is also one of the coolest most theatrical messed up people.

9. Love After World Domination

Super sentai parody. Just think power rangers except less focused on the battles because Red Gelato and Reaper Princess are on opposing teams and just doing a secret relationship. It is completely ridiculous, awesome, and so adorable I’m just screaming. I wish there was more and even could do complete anime original material I wish for because even the set up is something you can make multiple entire seasons worth .

10. Tomodachi Game

Yuuichi is something else. It’s all a friend game which is more important friends or money and the twists keep coming. He’s one of the scariest protaginist “hero’s” i’ve ever seen that were actually the (more or less) good guy mains.

11. Kaguya-Sama: Love is War

Also one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Both adorable and I want to also friendly choke the life out of them too to get them to admit because they’re all so adorably stupid smart people and just Shirogane and Shinomiya circling around totally in love and trying to make the other admit it. Also the narrator is just glorious funny as heck and the openings are incredible lol.

12. Disastrous Life of Saiki K

Saiki is God. Utterly amazing one of the funniest greatest animes haha breaks the fourth walls, sheer comedic brilliance, incredible characters, Saiki’s logical going under things, and being complete tsundere in the actual way of how much he loves his friends lol.

13. One Punch Man

It’s One Punch Man. Utterly hilarious and funny and just awesome characters and how one can still have an awesome story when Saitama can one punch everything except for like the final boss which doesn’t last two and be victorious. His power is so phenomenal he has to be nerfed by his complete oblivious apathy for well obvious reasons. People need to stop ranking power levels that involve Saitama though: there is no scale he either always wins in his universe or would probably get his butt kicked in other universe if he doesn’t have his one punch. It just doesn’t work.

14. Kuroko no Basketball

The sports anime. Basketball with essentially superpowers in awesome ways but still played realistically. Everyone is incredible!

15. Hinomaru Sumo

I never thought I would be interested in Sumo until this. I’m not into sports in real life anyways but these animes are incredible. And Hinomaru Sumo is just supremely underrated also one of the best things I’ve ever seen. Tradition, Honor, Spirit, as well as differing body types and incredible characters. Gojo Yuma’s genuine repentance arc is also one of the best things i’ve ever seen and probably only just below Zuko the Avatar’s being on a smaller scale but he actually repents and atones and actually apologizes and works on himself which is rare. Lots of life lessons and characters, in addition to wrestling and it was just wow!

16. Kengan Ashura

Martial Arts, incredible bodies, and awesome characters!

17. Baki

Same though Kengan Ashura is more realistic power based.

18. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom

A political anime that was a good brevity of realpolitik while also being really enjoyable where its politics but wouldn’t get too stuck on it either. Of course some things would be a lot harder to get done realistically. It turns the normal hero from another world trope on its head and instead brought a leader who isn’t a fighter but a thinker and capable ruler. This is the ideal ruler and wow if only all politicians and leaders could work with such honor and integrity but he’s also not blind to those who don’t and outmanuevers them. It’s just so good!

19. Sword Art Online

Love it or hate it, deeply influential and fantastic. I love Kirito, Klein, Asuna and everyone.

20. HunterXHunter

One of the greatest series of all time. When you think about it the world is utterly horrifying truly but it’s cool ad wacky and utterly amazing characters.

21. Vinland Saga

OH my gosh my newest anime and one of the best things i’ve ever seen. Truly a masterpiece in every way, even before Part 2 comes out. It just has freaking everything: deep philosophy, religion, battles, politics, love, vikings, etc. Askeladd is one of the smartest, most ruthless, but most weirdly relatable villains ever, Thorfinn is how you do an angry feral blonde seeking revenge for the death of his father but also then starts to see Askeladd as his father figure etc, the sheer character developement that will go on in Prince Canute etc.

22. Jujitsu Kaisen

Magic and Martial arts, and demon spirits. Yuji is adorable and I love everyone!

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lesserfandomappreciation · 3 years

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do you think you could do Princess Looma Red Wind's reaction to facing a future human S/o in had to hand combat and this S/o had (saitama muscles build) and they fought for a long time taking up most of the day and in the end, they ended on a draw?

First Ben 10 ask, woo!

Princess Looma Red Wing vs. Saitama-level human s/o (Ben 10)

Challenges of every kind must be accepted. That is the way of her people. As Princess to the strongest of the universe Looma leads by example on this and does not turn away a challenge be it from a strong opponent or what is probably a very lost, very bullheaded human. A challenge to hand to hand? Very well then, prepare to be defeated!

Possibly. She’s not used to not winning within the first 5 minutes of a fight.

This fight attracts crowds no matter where it takes place. The princess of a warrior race fighting someone is a spectacle. The princess of a warrior race fighting someone who can actually stand up to her, a human no less, is jaw-dropping.

Looma herself finds whatever shock/awe she was feeling at the start turning into frustration and a bit of respect for her opponent. She’s not an easy enemy to fight. Yet here they are matching her blow-for-blow, hours on end, still standing up to fight. Her interest is piqued.

Hours drag by and by the end of it they’re both exhausted. It’s a third party judge who has to call the fight a draw - her pride and s/o’s stubbornness would easily kill the both of them, and there’s no honor in death by exhaustion.

The princess bows her head, clapping a strong arm on their back. “You fight good, for a human. Next time we’ll see who gets the upper hand!”

There’s going to be a next time, she’ll see to that. No way is she letting possibly the only human this strong leave her without a second brawl.

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garzasmonsters · 6 years

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Hanging out at a cafe today and I finished inking some of the sketches I did to figure out how the DnD group looked. I'll probly change their designs as we go along, get different gear, or I get new design ideas. I already want to give Joaquín a Dramatic Poncho and try drawing Kar'a in a helmet.

Design Notes! Kara's player mentioned Wonder Woman, and her name made me think of Supergirl, so I tried to draw from that sort of warrior princess feeling. She also made me think of Xena and She Hulk. The main visual traits that struck me about Glorian were the cloak, gloves, and bald head, so it took some work to make him not look like Saitama from One Punch Man. I looked at a lot of mummies to get his face looking kindof dessicated. Horizon's player already had a strong visual design idea, so the only difficulty was drawing his horns from different angles. Very Pirates of the Caribbean, and he's got this extremely impulsive personality, very fun to draw. Joaquín is mine and I've already drawn him before, but I don't know if I should design him another set of clothes for adventuring. He's not going to go fight giant toads in his performance clothes.

#inktober #dnd #dungeons and dragons

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batneko · 7 years

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The Charcoal Burner

Cinderella Saitama and Prince Genos.

6671 words

Rated T for some swears.

Fluff, fluff, cameos, and more fluff.

Prince Genos of the Z Kingdom deserved the best. Everyone could agree on that. He was young, handsome, strong even compared to a kingdom full of warriors.

And four years ago he'd lost everything, the royal family and much of the capital perishing in an attack. Rather than taking on the role of king at fifteen, he'd been adopted by the childless monarch of the neighboring kingdom, the two merging into the powerhouse Z Kingdom was now. By all accounts the small family was a happy one, Prince Genos fully accepting King Kuseno as a surrogate father, but to live through such tragedy...

Someone like that deserved to have all the best in the world.

The rumor going through the marketplace was that the ball tonight was meant to find the prince a spouse. Gender didn't matter, but he needed to be married off before the offers from various smaller kingdoms swamped the postal service out of operation. It didn't help that he'd been getting more handsome every day, or that he'd saved the lives of a trio of princesses passing through last month, or that he'd already made a public statement admitting he wasn't opposed to the idea.

That was the rumor, but there were rumors all the time. Saitama didn't trust them without verification. After all, the rumors had never managed to pick up that it was the charcoal burner living in the woods who kept the beasts within from attacking the city.

With the day's takings tucked away in his pocket and tonight's meal slowly losing heat in his bag, Saitama headed home and tried to ignore the thoughts swirling in his head.

Prince Genos was stoic. Prince Genos was courageous. Prince Genos was steadfast. These things were... more or less true, but they didn't fit Saitama's image of the young man he'd met a year ago half-gored by giant beetles. He'd been ready to throw his life away if Saitama hadn't come along. And all he'd cared about, even as Saitama was patching him up, was getting stronger.

Headstrong. Impulsive. Obsessed. Those were the words Saitama would use.

But...

He deserved the best. Everyone could agree on that.

“I'm home,” he called, ducking through the doorway of his hut. He was greeted by a scoff and a burst of cold air, which he waved away. “I brought you a pork bun.”

“Give,” a voice demanded, the air coagulating into a figure of a slim young man with wide hips and ink black hair. Saitama obligingly handed it over, turning away as the spirit shredded his food in order to ingest it.

“How's the burn going?”

“Fine, as always.” He liked to call himself Sonic for some reason, though from what Saitama understood he was a spirit of air and fire. Bits of meat and pastry were swirling around his body, but he didn't need his mouth to eat, so he could talk and do whatever he was doing with it at the same time.

“Will it be finished soon?”

“Yes. It's cooling now.” Somehow, the pieces of bun were growing smaller and smaller. “It'll be ready in a couple days. You should really pay me for all I do for you.”

“Yeah yeah. I'm feeding you, aren't I?” Saitama opened the shutters to peer through the trees back at the city. You could just barely make out the highest tower of the castle from here. “Besides, you're not doing anything I couldn't do myself. I just have more free time now thanks to you.”

“Yes thanks to me. So are you going to, you know, free me any time soon?”

“I'm thinking about it,” Saitama said seriously. Sonic's food was gone, so he turned back. “Remind me of how this djinn deal works again?”

“Oh my god.” Sonic, the djinni in question, rolled his eyes so hard he tipped backwards in the air. “I've only told you a hundred times!”

“Tell me again.”

He raised a skinny finger. Sometimes his nails were purple, sometimes black, once yellow. Saitama was pretty sure he could change his appearance any time he wanted, but he was vain and favored the long-legged youth look.

“One; I can make any physical object smaller than, say, a horse.”

“Can you make a horse?”

“Shut up. Any non-living object.” He raised a second finger. “Two; I can transform any object into any other object of around the same mass.”

“So, like-”

“Shut up! Three; anything I do make will only last from sunup to sundown.”

“Lame.”

“Do you want your wish or not?”

“Well you're pretty useful as an assistant, so...” Saitama leaned back against the windowsill. Faintly in the distance, the sound of bells were ringing out over the city.

“What's that? Is that the castle?” Sonic leaned over him, feeling like a swirl of hot air on his back. “Are they throwing a party?” He gasped in mock-surprise. “Do you want to go to the party?”

“I don't know, kind of,” Saitama admitted. “I mean, it's not like I'd ever get invited legitimately.”

“So, what, you want a fake invitation?”

Saitama raised an eyebrow. “Can you do that?”

“I can do everything.” The sun was sinking slowly in the sky. “For one night, at least.”

“Plus all those other limits you mentioned.”

Sonic raised his fingers in a claw shape, nails blood red. “Do you want this or not?”

“I'm thinking.”

Almost a year ago Saitama had met the prince not far from his home. It was only about a month after that he'd found Sonic the djinni and imprisoned him in the charcoal kiln to prevent him burning the whole forest down in petty rage. In that time they'd become... not friends, exactly, but used to each other. Saitama was pretty sure he could trust Sonic not to turn him into a pumpkin out of spite.

Pretty sure.

“You uh, you don't need precise instructions, do you?”

“To make a fake invitation? I'd have to go see what they look like, but-”

“No. I don't think I need that. I just...” Saitama gestured at himself. His clothes were worn, old, in good shape but with charcoal dust at the cuffs and elbows that never managed to wash out completely. “Can you make me look, you know, like I'd belong there?”

Sonic grinned. Saitama didn't like it.

“Don't make me look like you!”

He huffed and folded his arms. “You couldn't pull it off anyway.”

“Agreed. So just like, make me look like me. But if I was noble.”

Sonic swooped around him a couple times, taking in what he had to work with. “And once I do this, you'll let me go?”

“It'll last the night even if you leave, right?”

“Yes. Relax.” He raised his fingers. The nails were black again. “I'll do everything that's needed to get you in there. Fitting in is up to you.”

“Okay.” Saitama took a deep breath and spread his arms. “Hit me.”

It felt like a rush of superheated air, like opening the kiln before it was finished cooling. Saitama felt his clothes swirl around him and settle, and something warm and fuzzy on his head. Had Sonic given him a hat?

“What's-” He reached up.

“Don't touch it! I got it just right.” Sonic tweaked the thing on Saitama's head, brushing the fuzz away from his forehead. “I really outdid myself.”

“What is it?”

“Look.” He swirled his body around, a full-length mirror appearing where he'd stood. For a second Saitama couldn't decipher what he was seeing. The clothes were fine, looked right enough, but what was on his head?

It couldn't be...

“You gave me hair?!” He reached for it again, and this time Sonic slapped his hands away.

“It's just a wig! Don't touch it!”

“Why would you do this?”

“Uh, you asked me to?” He huffed again. “I try to be nice!”

“I don't want this! You think it's easy-” Saitama shook his head. The wig didn't shift. “I can't cover it up! If I do, how can I go back to...”

“Well too bad, you asked for it, and I did it, so.” Sonic dusted his hands, making little puffs of smoke. “I fulfilled my side of the deal. Now it's up to you to let me go.”

“Fine.” He could always take the wig off.

But there, in the mirror, stood a man Saitama never thought he'd see. Young, good-looking, dressed like a noble in white and gold. With a full head of hair, artfully styled in a way Saitama hadn't even managed when he had it growing from his scalp.

It would be okay for just one night. It wasn't like this was going to lead to anything. He just wanted to... to see.

Saitama went outside to the kiln, keeping his distance so he wouldn't get his clothes dirty. With one hand, he made the signs that would release the seal that had been placed on it for the last ten months.

Sonic swirled into being next to him and incinerated the seal with a flick of red nails.

“I want you to know,” he said, “from the bottom of my cold black heart. I hate you.”

“That's fair,” Saitama agreed. “I don't want to see you in my town again.”

“Oh, you won't!” Sonic drifted away. “I'll be too fast for you to see!” And then like a powerful gust of wind through the trees, he was gone.

Walking to the castle in his new finery was an odd experience. People kept looking at him, but not in the way they looked at the bald charcoal burner who lived alone in the woods and never managed to be entirely clean. These were admiring looks, shy looks, a couple time he even thought he got ogled. Maybe Sonic had made his trousers too tight.

The castle was lit up like a bonfire, the sounds of soft music and laughter filtering out onto the street. With a straight back and squared shoulders, Saitama walked up the broad stairs to the front door.

The men at the door didn't so much as sneer at him. Instead they put on polite smiles, and one reached for the door handles.

“Your name, my lord?”

Crap. Sonic said he'd take care of this too, didn't he? “Saitama.”

The doorman consulted a small scroll, and nodded. “Lord Saitama, welcome. We hope you enjoy yourself.”

Almost dizzy, Saitama said, “Thanks.”

He'd never been inside a castle before. Somehow he'd been picturing a lot of dark stone and smoke and tapestries, but instead he found oil lamps and flowers and paintings of the more picturesque views of the kingdom. He paused next to one, the forest where he lived, at sunrise, a wisp of smoke rising from just about where his house was. Had this been painted from life?

“My lord?”

Saitama nearly jumped. “Y- yes?”

A servant gave him an awkward smile. “May I take your cloak?”

“Oh, yes.” He hadn't realized it was meant to come off, but the servant would know, right? What about the gloves? They were russet, and matched his boots, but the servants wore gloves as part of their uniforms, and that was formal... right?

Now cloakless, Saitama followed the general flow of people toward a pair of huge doors standing open. A woman in green was being introduced, the Duchess Fubuki apparently, but other guests were just walking in so Saitama did the same.

Here was the real party. Food tables on one side, fancy chairs on the other, spinning dancers filling the floor. All around the edges people stood and chatted, and there, at the far end, stood the prince and his adoptive father in conversation with a couple more old men.

It was only the third time Saitama had seen him since they met in the forest a year ago. Even from this distance he stood out, the warm lights of the oil lamps bringing out the gold in his hair and fair skin. Once Saitama saw him on a horse passing through the market, but the prince hadn't looked his way, and that... was a good thing really. What could he say? Sorry I thought you were just a dumb kid? Sorry I thought you were as common as me?

He made his way to the food. He'd never eaten the dinner he bought at the market, but he could save it for breakfast. Without Sonic he'd have to start rising early and do all the charcoal cooking by himself again.

Only one night to enjoy this. Saitama had better make the best of it.

A few of the nobles tried to make conversation, but Saitama answered in monosyllables and focused on the food. He didn't take too much, but he kept going back, and he was pretty sure he could only keep it up for a little bit longer when he bumped into someone reaching over for the shrimp.

“Watch it!” the girl snapped. “The dancing is going to start soon. If you get sauce on my dress I will end you.”

She looked about ten, so Saitama let it pass. “Dancing? Everyone already is.”

“No, idiot, with the prince! He's got to dance with everyone who wants to.” She rolled bright green eyes. “Why'd you even come if you don't know anything?”

“You? And Prince Genos?” Saitama tilted his head, the unfamiliar sensation of bangs on his forehead tickling him. “Isn't there an age gap?”

“What?!”

Before the girl could kick him in the shin, a servant blew a horn, and another announced, “Thank you for coming! If everyone who wishes to dance with Prince Genos would please line up to one side? We will begin shortly!”

Rather slowly, the party moved to the side, between the food and the wall. Saitama backed up out of the way, the girl going past him muttering that nine years wasn't that long, until fully two-thirds of the guests were in an orderly queue. Saitama drifted to the other side, with older folks and the tiny handful that weren't there to hit on the prince.

“Not interested?” a woman asked. Saitama recognized her as the duchess who'd been introduced when he walked in.

“He's out of my league. You?”

“Not interested,” she said firmly. “Anyway, my sister's trying. If I go too it'll start a fight.”

“Smart.”

Shortly they were joined by one of the other few representatives of their age group, a tall man with scars across his eye. He didn't say much, he seemed to just not want to stand out more than he inevitably did thanks to his height and appearance.

They talked about the food, the music, the decorations. It was a lot like any normal social gathering Saitama had been to, except for how expensive everything was, and no one was complaining about getting up early to go to work. Did nobles bother to get up in the morning at all?

“You're not married, are you?” the duchess, Fubuki, asked the scarred man who was still nameless.

“No. Not yet.”

“Tick-tock.”

He winced. “Don't remind me.”

“My sister's looking. She's about your age.”

“I'm afraid of her.”

“Good, means you're smart.”

Saitama looked back at the dance floor. He was trying not to too often, but there wasn't much else to look at. Genos was dancing with a muscular young man with long hair in a low ponytail, who was grinning at him in a way that made Saitama's fingers clench involuntarily. Genos, for his part, had no expression at all.

“Look at you,” Fubuki cooed, elbowing Saitama gently in the ribs.

Saitama felt too hot in his wig. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You said he's out of your league. What are you, just a lord?”

“Yeah,” Saitama said, vaguely.

“Doesn't matter. Everyone's open to court him. Even commoners.”

He swallowed around a suddenly bone-dry mouth. “Yeah?”

She nudged him again. “Go get in line. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't.”

Saitama shook his head. “I can't. There's no point. Even if he ended up liking me, he... deserves the best.”

“Oh...” There was pity in her bright green eyes. “You actually like him.”

Saitama pushed his fancy chair back. “I need some air.”

It took a bit of searching, but Saitama eventually found a balcony off on one side of the castle, stairs going down to what looked like a flower garden. It was all lit up for the night but no one was out here to appreciate it, waiting in line to dance with a prince who didn't want to be there.

Saitama sat down on the top step and closed his eyes. This was a stupid idea, and a stupid thing to waste his wish on. He should have wished for some rare food or something. It might not last, but it didn't need to as long as he got to taste it. Now he was here at this party, in this awful wig, with people who would hate him if they knew who he really was, and no chance of even getting close to the prince, much less-

A shadow fell across him and a shoe jabbed into his back. “Ah, sorry!”

Saitama leaned back, looking up into gold eyes.

“Uh. My fault. Sitting on the stairs and all.”

The prince looked at him oddly, though it was hard to tell upside-down. “What are you doing out here?”

“Needed air.”

“Me too.” The prince sat next to him. “You weren't in line. Are you someone's escort?”

Saitama snorted. “Nope. I'm uh, party-crashing.”

The prince's face lightened. Not smiling, but not scowling like he'd been while he danced. “Right.” He leaned back, bracing his hands against the floor. He was still wearing gloves too, so Saitama felt a little better about leaving his on. “Everyone's wearing cologne or perfume. It was making me sick.”

“Oh, uh.” Cautiously, Saitama sniffed his collar. Had Sonic thought of that? “I don't think I have any on.”

“Wouldn't you know?”

“I didn't dress myself, my friend picked this out.”

Genos looked him up and down. “They did a good job.”

“Thanks?” Yeah, this wig was definitely too warm.

“Do I... know you?” Genos asked. There was a little crease between his brows, visible tonight thanks to his hair being slicked back.

“We met once. About a year ago. It wasn't anything important.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I don't remember your name.”

“No, don't worry about it. I didn't introduce myself.”

The prince waited. Expectantly. Saitama didn't say anything. After a long moment, he snorted and stood up. “Fine then. Be mysterious.”

“It's... it's not that. There's just no point to you remembering me.” Saitama stood too. “I wanted to see you again. Talk to you. I don't know. I guess... I wanted to see if I was right about you.”

He frowned. “Right about what?”

Saitama took a step closer. “That you were lonely.”

The frown turned into a scowl. Genos backed away toward the door. “Is this your technique? Get me curious, get my defenses down, tell me you understand me?”

He stepped back again. “No, I wasn't-”

“Well if you want to court me you can get in line like everyone else.”

“Why would I do that? You deserve way better than,” he waved at himself, “this mess.”

“Now it's self-deprecation?”

“No! God, I'm not trying to play a game here! I just-” Genos was still scowling, so Saitama took another half-step away from him. “All right, fine, I like you. And you don't even remember me, and believe me, that is fine. I didn't expect you to. But I wanted to see you again, because... I'm an idiot. I had to try. I'd never forgive myself.”

Genos, who'd only gotten further out of Saitama's league in the last year, softened once again. “It's funny. You do look familiar, but I just can't remember.”

“It's okay.” Saitama sighed, sticking his thumbs in his belt and swaying back on his heels. “Honestly, getting to talk to you like this is better than I was hoping. And I'm making a shitshow of it, just like I thought I would.”

For the first time, Genos smiled. “Somehow this isn't the worst conversation I've had tonight.”

Saitama smiled back. “Really?”

Hope was beginning to dawn when he saw someone turn the corner toward them. They weren't particularly close, but Saitama still felt the guilty need to put more distance between them. Except, this time his foot came down on thin air.

“Ah-”

His arms went up in a windmill, his balance completely gone, and Saitama had just enough time to remember how long the staircase had been, when a solid hand grabbed the front of his jacket and yanked him back upright. He stumbled and fell into the prince's arms, holding both of them steady.

“That was close!” he said, breathless, and looked up at Genos.

“Careful!” the prince said. The worry on his face faded into another smile, even warmer. “You could have gotten hurt.”

“My hero.”

The person who'd startled him cleared their throat. Genos, fury etched on every line of his face, turned.

“Um... your highness... your guests are waiting.”

Genos' grip tightened around Saitama. “I'm with one of my guests. Isn't that the point?”

“Y- yes, but, the dance line is getting restless, so...”

Genos sighed heavily and let Saitama go with some reluctance. “Fine. I'm coming.” He looked back at Saitama. “You'll get in line, won't you?”

“Oh, uh. Sure. But I can't dance.”

“That's okay. We'll just talk for a song and spin around. That's all anyone does.”

Saitama nodded. “Okay.”

When he got back to the party Genos was already attached to a new partner, looking as scowly as before, as if their little interlude hadn't happened at all. He sunk into his old chair, where Fubuki and the scarred guy had been joined by the little girl from before and a couple others.

“You missed the prince storming off in a huff,” Fubuki informed him. “Not so cute.”

“Well, maybe he has a right to be in a huff?”

The little girl burst out, “He has guests! This whole party is about finding him a spouse! What's the point if he won't give anyone a chance?”

The song ended, and as if in unison, everyone turned toward the dance floor. It took Saitama half a second to realize they were looking at something in particular, and when he turned too he found himself staring into Genos' eyes once again.

“I thought you were going to get in line for a dance.”

“I, uh.” He nodded. “I was just... telling my friends.”

“Okay. See you in a few turns.”

Saitama watched him walk away, enjoying the view his cropped jacket gave, and when he pulled his eyes away he saw all other eyes on him.

“Um.”

Fubuki whistled. “I don't know what you did, but keep doing it.”

“I don't know either.”

The remaining guests in line were all grumpy, and only the little girl who'd followed him was willing to talk to Saitama while they waited. Apparently everyone was allowed to get back in for another dance as often as they wanted.

“It's not even a contest at this point,” the girl said. “You're the only one he's shown any interest at all in. I mean I'm gonna give it another go, but I think I'll take a shot at the king after this.”

“Um. Whoa. King Kuseno?”

“What? No, ew! The one who came as a guest, of course! I think he's about my age.”

Saitama didn't remember seeing a little boy guest, but if he was as short as this girl he'd be easily missable.

The songs went on, the line moved, and before a single butterfly in Saitama's stomach had settled down he was taking Genos' hand and being pulled onto the dance floor. He didn't know enough about dancing to be sure, but he thought Genos was leading.

“You're not wearing cologne,” Genos confirmed.

“Ah, I guess not.”

He leaned in close. “You smell nice. Like wood smoke, or charcoal.”

“Oh... I... was in the woods. Hunting. Beasts, you know.”

“I know,” Genos nodded, a dark look crossing his face. “I still don't know your name,” he said, changing the subject.

“It's not important,” Saitama said, before he could stop himself.

“You keep saying that. But you came to this party after meeting me once a year ago. It must be important to you.”

Saitama slid his hand down from Genos' ribs to his hip. “This is important. Right now.”

To his gratification, Genos blushed a brilliant shade of pink.

They didn't talk about much that first dance. It was too much of a dream just to be there with him, dancing with the prince, envied by everyone in the room. Saitama wanted to blame it all on the wig, but he knew Genos wouldn't be interested if he didn't vaguely remember him from their meeting.

It was no wonder Genos couldn't place him. He'd been badly injured, and Saitama had been dirty with charcoal and sweat and beetle guts, and bald. He was sure he looked like a completely different person now. It was amazing Genos remembered anything at all.

After Genos left him, reluctantly, back at the end of the line, Saitama stood in a daze and ignored all the jealous muttering. That ponytail guy in particular was giving him a smile like a shark. If he wasn't noble, Saitama would have expected him to jump him in an alley on the way home.

The second dance, Saitama wanted to make conversation, and found himself saying, “So who's the most annoying?”

Genos blinked those honey-gold eyes. “What?”

“Come on, you know you want to rant about it to someone. I'm here. I'm listening.” He leaned in to whisper in Genos' ear, “Is it that ponytail guy? He looks like a douche.”

Genos let out a single bark of laughter, warming Saitama's chest. “He's not rude, but he acts like he expects me to choose him just for showing up!”

“Cocky, huh?”

“I guess confidence is attractive, but there's a limit!”

He let Genos talk throughout the song, and all the way back to the end of the line, which was slowly growing shorter as more and more people gave up. The next dance was the same, though Genos expanded his repertoire to his tutors and advisors, and the next dance after that Saitama had a few stories about his rivals in the market, keeping vague about who they were.

By their seventh dance, hours later, there was no one waiting at all.

“Let's go outside,” Genos said. Other couples were dancing now, the little girl with the green eyes having attached herself to the guy with the scars, and Fubuki with a young woman with a lily in her hair. “Since I think I managed to drive everyone away.”

“Sounds good.”

Back to the balcony where they'd met, down the stairs with no mishaps, and into the flower garden. Genos had a death grip on his hand as if he was afraid Saitama would run away. And he would have left hours ago if things hadn't gone so well. It was late, ridiculously late, at this rate he wouldn't get any sleep at all before he had to check on the charcoal. At this rate he was going to have to run so his clothes didn't change back at dawn.

“I had a really nice time,” Saitama said, trying to wind things down before Genos got his hopes up more than they already were.

“Me too,” Genos said, as he leaned closer. Too late.

Saitama was strong, but not strong enough to resist the way Genos was looking at him, bedroom eyes and a soft smile, lips parted in anticipation of-

The kiss was short, but in the process of it Genos' hands had found their way to his hips, thumbs tucked into his belt, and after they pulled apart Saitama was the one to close the gap and kiss him again. Among the natural perfume of flowers, with the sky lightening dangerously, Saitama kissed the prince a third time, and a fourth, and let himself melt into those arms and forget the cold hut and cooling charcoal waiting for him once this dream ended.

“I- I don't know if this is forward, but...” Their faces were so close Saitama couldn't see his expression, but he sounded nervous. “You came here, didn't you? So can I... Will you-”

Saitama kissed him one last time to shut him up. “I'm sorry.”

He pulled away, seeing confusion now in Genos' eyes. “You won't?”

“I can't. It's... I told you, you deserve better.”

“But you're who I want.”

Saitama shook his head. There was a patch of sweet peas near the end of the path through the garden, appropriately, so Saitama plucked one and handed it to him. “I am sorry. It was selfish of me to come here. Please just... forget this.”

Genos clutched the flower to his chest. “I don't want to.”

“It was never going to work out. I should have said so. I should have let you think I was a jerk.”

“Don't do this,” Genos said quietly. “Please, I don't care. I just want you to stay, I don't care about anything else. You...” He raised eyes filling with tears. “You made me feel... good. You made me laugh. Do you know how long it's been since...”

Saitama's chest ached. He stepped closer, reaching out, and with his free hand Genos reached up to cup his cheek.

“I don't even know your name.”

“You'll find somebody else. You're too perfect not to.”

“But-”

Somewhere bells began to ring out. The sky had kept getting lighter and lighter, and now the garden lamps were hardly needed.

A warm breeze began around Saitama's feet.

“Oh no,” he muttered. He looked down in time to see the russet boots change to plain brown ones, old and serviceable, permanently stained with charcoal.

“Please at least tell me-”

“I have to go,” he blurted. “I can't stay. I'm sorry, your highness.”

“Who are you?”

Saitama shook his head, stepping back-

And to his horror, Genos' fingers tangled in his hair took the wig with them.

Genos' mouth dropped open, just as Saitama felt his trousers turn back to the ones he'd worn to the market, almost a full 24 hours ago. At least his head didn't feel so hot any more.

“Shit,” he said. He'd never meant a swear more.

“You-”

“Sorry!” he exclaimed, and took off running.

The garden was surrounded by a low wall, enough to keep out deer but not to stop Saitama, back in comfortable clothes, from vaulting it. He kept up his pace across the rest of the castle grounds, through the city (startling a few people already up for work), and the entire forest road to his home. He collapsed in his own doorway, just in time to see the mirror Sonic had created dissolve away, along with his reflection.

He was Saitama the charcoal burner and unofficial guardian of capital, once again. He was nobody.

It had all been a dream, after all. Hopefully Genos would wake up from it soon.

Days passed. The rumor mill churned. Prince Genos was shut in his room moping. Prince Genos had been spurned. Prince Genos had snuck off from the party to have sex and had caught something.

Saitama didn't give any of them much attention. Prince Genos was nineteen, moping was his natural state of being. He'd get over it, he'd find someone... better. Saitama was the one who'd had a taste of something he could never have again.

A week went by. The last batch of charcoal Sonic had helped with came out perfect, and it was with double pockets full of money that Saitama packed up his things after the next market day. The rumors today said that Genos had kept a memento of the person who spurned him and was hunting for them. If he kept the sweet pea that was very touching, but it had only come from the palace garden, it wasn't like he could use it to find Saitama with magic. Saitama wasn't concerned.

At least, not until he noticed the spice merchant with his head shaved.

“What's that about?” he asked. “Your little brothers get lice?”

“Haven't you heard?” the merchant said. “The prince is looking for a bald guy.”

“Wh- what? Why?”

“Apparently that's who he fell for at the ball last week. He's got a wig the guy wore, so he's making people try it on. It was really well-fitted, expensive like, so it would only fit someone with no hair. You really haven't heard? I'd have thought he already questioned you, since you're, you know, natural.”

Already shaken up, Saitama was on edge when he got home. He hadn't thought to buy dinner, so he started going through what he already had to cook, when a whirl of hot air made him yelp and drop the pot.

“Yo.” The djinn Saitama had never expected to see again hovered in the middle of his kitchen area.

“Sonic? What are you doing here?”

“I'm hungry. Did you get pork buns?”

“No! And I'm not feeding you if you're not working for me.”

Sonic picked up the pot and started putting in onions and oil. “Well I wanted to hear how the party went.”

“You!” Saitama pointed at him. “You said the stuff you made would only last the night!”

“I did say that,” Sonic agreed. “Those were the terms of the wish.”

“Then why the hell does Genos still have that stupid wig?”

Sonic grinned, sharp as a knife. “I watched. A little. He liked you. I thought I'd throw you a bone.” He found a sausage in the ice box and made it float suggestively before he dropped it in the pan. “Literally.”

“I am not boning the prince!”

“Well not with that attitude.”

“Not with any attitude! I can't be with him, I'm a commoner!”

“So? He was only getting married to get the other nobles off his ass, right? So it doesn't matter who he picks.”

“But he deserves the best!”

Sonic wagged a finger at him. His nails were clear but shiny as glass. “You think he's the greatest thing since cinnamon bread, but if he's so great, shouldn't he just have whatever he wants instead of what you think he should want?”

Saitama shook his head. “Cinnamon bread?”

“I like cinnamon bread!”

“Everyone does! That's not the point!”

“Then what's the-” Sonic stopped, tilted his head. “Oops. Too late for you, I guess.”

“What?” After a second he could hear it too, the clopping of hooves and low voices. Someone approaching the hut.

He couldn't peer through the window, that would be too suspicious, but he rubbed the back of his hand across his face to smear some more charcoal on it before he went outside. His stomach sank as he saw exactly what he'd most feared. Prince Genos, on a gray dappled horse, and a servant in tow on a chestnut brown one.

The prince climbed down, his face carefully composed. “You're the charcoal burner?”

“I am,” Saitama said. It had been a week. Would Genos recognize his voice instantly? He couldn't put on a fake one, he was no good at it.

“What's your name?” The tone was already suspicious.

“Saitama,” Saitama said. It felt almost like giving up.

“Mr. Saitama...” Genos was carrying a velvet bag, and froze in the act of reaching for it. He looked up slowly, eyes wide. “We've... met before, Mr. Saitama.”

“Yes, your highness. Not far from here. You were attacked by-”

“Beetles, yes.” His voice was soft. “You saved my life.”

“I don't know about that.” Saitama rubbed his head. It was one hundred percent true, but the prince didn't need to know. “I was rude to you as well, I'm sorry about that. I didn't know who you were.”

“It's- it's quite all right, I deserved it.” He swallowed, Saitama watching his adam's apple bob above his collar. “Mr. Saitama, may I ask you to try something on?”

From the velvet bag he took a bundle wrapped in tissue paper. Saitama could see a few black hairs sticking out from it.

“No.”

Genos blinked. “What?”

“No. I'm sorry, your highness, I heard about your search, and I'm going to save you the trouble. I wasn't at your party. I was here, sleeping. I have to get up very early to cook the charcoal.”

“Oh...” He tucked the wig against his chest, carefully, reverently. “I...” Genos pressed his lips together. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I'm not who you're looking for, your highness.”

“I see. Thank you. Sorry for disturbing your evening.” He turned back toward his horse, and Saitama turned back toward his door, just in time to see Sonic in the doorway make a grabbing motion with one hand.

“Don't you dare-”

“What?” Genos turned back, the wig in one hand, as a strong gust of wind snatched it from his hand. He cried out, reaching for it, lunging forward, but the wig only traveled far enough to land, perfectly, on Saitama's head.

“Oh my god,” Saitama muttered.

Genos was gaping at him, mouth hanging open just as it had in the garden. Saitama snatched the wig off and held it out, but Genos made no move to take it.

“Please, your highness, I'm not-”

“It is you!” His face broke into a grin. “I knew it! You smelled like- like smoke and charcoal. I knew it as soon as man at the spice tent said- Saitama!”

Saitama's resolve was melting from the warmth of that smile. “Your highness...”

“Genos, please call me Genos.”

“I- I can't-”

“You saved my life! You danced with me all night.” Genos moved closer, close enough to take the wig, but still left it in his hand. “Saitama.”

Saitama gulped. “Look, it was- I made a wish. I caught a djinni a while ago, and he's a dick, but... It wasn't real! None of it. Not my hair, not the clothes. It was all fake.”

“You're not fake.” Genos, gently, cupped his cheek.

Saitama closed his eyes. “I'm nobody.”

“You're Saitama.”

He dropped the wig in the dirt as Genos wrapped his arms around him, turning his face up to meet the kiss. His fingers curled in the material of Genos' shirt, pulling him closer, drinking in his warmth.

“Marry me?” Genos said against Saitama's mouth.

Before Genos could kiss him again, Saitama pulled back. “But I'm gonna be a terrible noble!”

“That's okay. I'll do all the talking. You just stand next to me and look good.”

“You hardly know me!”

“You're not the only one who's been thinking about our meeting for the last year. If I'd recognized you at the ball, I wouldn't have waited until the end of the night to propose.”

“I...” Saitama was running out of excuses. “I'm the only person in town who makes decent white charcoal.”

“I wouldn't stop you from doing something that makes you happy. Besides, you stop a lot of the beasts from getting to the city, don't you? I don't think you'll be able to move into the palace and keep doing that.” Genos looked at his hut. “We can expand that a little and I'll move in with you.”

Saitama laughed in spite of himself. “I'm not getting rid of you, am I?”

“No, Saitama, you're not.”

He held out his arms and Genos moved into them. “Okay, Genos,” he said, running his fingers through golden blond hair. “I'll marry you.”

Genos sagged with relief. “Thank you.”

Saitama kissed him, softly, just a peck. “You sure know how to make a guy feel wanted.”

“How could I not want you, Saitama? You... you're...” Floundering for words, he finished, “the best.”

#genosai #saigenos #saitama x genos #one punch man #opm #batfics

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crijoh · 7 years

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So. I play the game a little differently than everyone else (it seems). I LOVE the artistic design of the game, especially with the outfits, clothing options, dye options, and all the various combinations. Rather than going efficiency though, I always equip myself with whatever I think looks great and change my playstyle around that. I've have spent more hours than I care to admit dyeing different variations and options.As a result, I've put together my top 19 combinations (and some extras); click on the names for an Imgur gallery. And if you'd like to submit your own ideas please include screenshots and pictures.Here we go :)The PaladinThe Hoods color matches the armour's trimming and hopefully brings it all together. Paired with a Knight's Shield and Red pommel of the Knight's Sword (to match the crest on your armour) and you're good to go. Good for some classic righteous Knight-ing. Also, dye the armour crimson red and swap out the Hood for a Diamond Circlet for royal, princely look.Head: Hylian Hood (Light Yellow)Body: Soldier's Armor (Blue)Legs: Soldier's Greaves (Blue)Equipment: Knight's Sword + Knight's Shield[Alternative: The Royal Knight with a Diamond Circlet and Crimson Armor and Greaves)RoninA wandering Samurai of sorts, I love the look of this but remember: no shields. Samurai didn't have shields. The Eightfold Longblade's special charging strike really makes this one come alive.Head: Desert Voe Headband (Black)Body: Stealth Chest Guard (Black)Legs: Sand Boots (Black)Equipment: Eightfold Blade / Eightfold LongbladeHighlanderInterestingly enough, the brown Snow Boots' light blue trimmings match the Light Blue Armour perfectly. Coupled with a Ruby Circlet gives this a Conan the Barbarian-esque look. Grab a two hander and off you go with this all-or-nothing, battle-in-your-face, who-needs-a-plan class that practical speaks for itself.Head: Ruby CircletBody: Barbarian Armor (Light Blue)Legs: Snow Boots (Brown)Equipment: Claymore / Double Axe / Traveller's Sword + ShieldRangerProbably my longest used outfit (hence all the pictures). I love how this looks worn and practical but still very cool. No fancy bows, though - Rangers are hunters, survivalists and scavengers; their weapons are often of their own making and more often than not wood. They favour Quick Draw bows and use them even in close range combat. No metal, no shields or sword. They stay light, move quietly and fight from a distance with planning and strategy.Head: Hylian Hood (Brown)Body: Hylian Tunic (Brown)Legs: Hylian Trousers (Navy Blue)Equipment: Deku Bow, Wooden BowEx. KnightMy favourite outfit in the game; a retired, veteran knight. The white and blacks might seem pretty simple at first but with the bright blues of the Knight's Sword's scabbard and the Hylian Shield, it all comes together (along with the red highlights in the shield and on his vest). Very cool look, and high defensive rating as well. Tiny climbing boost to boot. An all rounder gear of a last knight in a world without knights. (Threw in some other color variations as well!)Head: Amber EarringsBody: Climbing Gear (White)Legs: Soldier's Greaves (Black)Equipment: Knight's Sword + Hylian ShieldDragoonInspired by the famous Final Fantasy series' class, Dragoons are elite soldiers with very distinct armour sets and who specialize in spears, lances and polearms and a piercing style of combat. Dragoons also benefit from slight lightning resistances and increased swimming speed, though they don't wield bows/arrows. The various colors represent the various brigades who each favour a particular kind of pole arm that (wouldn't you know) matches their outfit...Head: Rubber Helm (Light Blue)Body: Zora Armor (Light Blue)Legs: Soldier's Greaves (Black)Equipment: Spears, PolearmsGhibli HeroOne part a reference to Prince Ashitaka (from Princess Mononoke, one of the game's inspirations and references), one part civilian clothes. The blue in the shirt matches Link's eyes and offsets his hair nicely; it just oozes Ghibli. This has always been my go-to town-wear and the quiet white, blue and blonde seems to come right out of the hands of Miyazaki and his 3-color approach to simple, memorable character designs.Head: NothingBody: Old Shirt (Blue)Legs: Hylian Trousers (White)Equipment: None, Wooden BowOnion KnightA stoic (if somewhat bumbling) knight who's heart is in the right place but trouble seems to find him as often as adventure. He's not shy about using his patented retreat strategy (sprinting and screaming) but when he stands to fight, it's often for a noble cause. Unfortunately, we can't change the color of the Flamebreaker Helm's main components so I went with brown to draw everything together. An alternate version with a Brown Soldier's Armor also works, although it tends to slim him up a bit when I look him more Seignmeyer and...oniony.Head: Flamebreaker Helm (Brown)Body: Flamebreaker Armor (Brown)Legs: Trousers of the Wild (Brown)Equipment: Cobble Crusher, Boulder Breaker, Spring Loaded HammerBokoblin EnthusiastHead: Bokoblin MaskBody: Climbing Gear (Red)Legs: Trousers of the Wild (Red)Equipment: Bokoblin weaponsUndercover LizalfosHead: Lizalfos MaskBody: Radiant Shirt (Green)Legs: Radiant Tights (Green)Equipment: Lizalfos weaponsMoblitHead: Moblin MaskBody: Climbing Gear (Blue)Legs: Barbarian Leggings (Light Blue)Equipment: Moblin weaponsKing of the WildHead: Lynel MaskBody: Barbarian Armor (Purple)Legs: Snow Boots (White)Equipment: Lynel Weapons, FiercenessTime TravellerA lost time jumper who looks like he's straight out of an 80's movie and I wouldn't have it any other way.Head: Topaz EarringsBody: Rubber Amor (White)Legs: Rubber Tights (Blue)Equipment: Ancient Weapons, Guardian WeaponsBlue Tunic (Link to the Past)You know it. I didn't expect it to work so well but, surprisingly, these colors work together really nicely (though the red tunic colors don't translate quite so well.) Once I decided to give this a try, I haven't really gone back: I love the look. No Hylian Shield here; the Gerudo Shield (instead) looks closest to the kind of art design in the shields of that game and the Feathered Edge is short, wide and squat enough to make the outfit really feel like it should.Head: Cap of the Wild (Light Yellow)Body: Tunic of the Wild (Blue)Legs: Trousers of the Wild (Light Yellow)Equipment: Feathered Edge, Gerudo ShieldShinobiOne of my favourite looks; the Demon Carver rims the Soldier's Shield near perfectly and all the colors match a deep midnight and gray look that I just love. I never tire of unsheathing these weapons; the way Link just pulls apart what looks like a contraception into distinct weapons is just so cool. Plus, it's a Ninja in modern sneakers with a Tron vibe; what's not to love?Head: Stealth Mask (Navy Blue)Body: Rubber Armor (Navy Blue)Legs: Rubber Tights (Navy Blue)Equipment: Demon Carver, Soldier's ShieldThe Night's WatchRight out of Game of Thrones (warning: heavy GoT spoilers). And, like the men of the Night's Watch, they are underfunded, under equipped and overwhelmed. Weak bows, no shields, and very low defence on the outfit. Even the Warm Doublet isn't enough to stand the colds North of North. Luckily, our Hero here is Azor Ahai reborn, and his great flaming sword not only fells most cold enemies in one blow, but helps to warm him when things get really bad. This is a risky outfit that makes the world dangerous (your weapon is also what's stopping the cold from consuming you) and as the white walkers close in around you, all you've left to fend them off is a burning sword and the knowledge that you are the shield that guards the realm of men...Head: Hylian Hood (Black)Body: Warm Doublet (Black)Legs: Snow Boots (Black)Equipment: Flamesblade, Wooden Bow/Soldier's BowOne Punch HeroI don't think I need to explain this one. You either get it completely or you don't at all. And yes, the Stealth Mask could have also worked but it just doesn't feel as Saitama with his face covered...Head: Hylian Hood (White)Body: Radiant Shirt (Yellow)Legs: Radiant Tights (Yellow)Equipment: Spring Loaded HammerPostmanThe classic sprinting hero of Hyrule messaging. A red Zora Helm probably works better as a cap but the Ancient helm just feels more official. I tried a variety of spears to try and get that flag look and, in the end, decided the stem of the Guardian Axe just worked. Plus it matched the helm. I love this outfit because it gives me the urge to just start hand people anything and everything. And sprint. Lots of sprinting.Head: Ancient Helm (Red)Body: Climbing Gear (White)Legs: Trousers of the Wild (White)Equipment: Guardian Axe ++IcarusOr Hermes, if you like; you'll get the look I was going for when you see it. There's no other weapon to go for other than the Falcon Bow and the Lightning Rod (though the Thunderblade and Radiant Shield make sense too); you're a demi god after all. Just equipping this outfit makes the game feel different; like you're lighter, can move faster, shoot further, jump higher. I've experimented with a bunch of colors and felt these worked the best and I really like how it came out in the end.Head: Snowquill Headdress (White)Body: Desert Voe Spaulder (White)Legs: Barbarian Leggings (Light Blue)Equipment: Great Falcon Bow, Lightning RodBonus - ExtrasHyrule Warriors Link (Green Hylian Hood, Green Hylian Tunic, Standard Hylian Trousers) - meant to resemble Hyrule Warriors' version of LinkLinkson (Light Yellow Climbing Bandana, Standard Climbing Gear, Pink Hylian Trousers) - inspired by the lovely Dodson and Co. You can go Light Yellow Trousers and Pink Bandana if you like but it feels less prominent that way :PEl Capitano (Light Blue Radiant Mask, Light Blue Trousers of the Wild) - for when the only weapon you need against Calamity Ganon is a flying elbow.Researcher/Scientist (Thunder Helm OR Brown Flamebreaker's Helm, White Hylian Tunic, Navy Blue Flamebreaker Boots) - for when you need to study animal patterns, collect samples or fill out the Compendium.Classic (Updated) - (Green Cap of the Wild, Green Hylian Tunic, Standard Hylian Trousers) - for an updated, adult version of the classic look.Punk - (Standard Climber's Bandana, Standard Climbing Gear, White Hylian Trousers) - maybe not the most creative outfit but one I loved wearing; the colors work wonderfully and if you're going to equip a mop or go snowboarding/sand surfing, this is the outfit to do it with.Bonus 2 - The Stoic Guardian of HatenoEdit: Bonus 3! - /u/RafaSnows adds his own additions to the list! via /r/zelda

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crijoh · 7 years

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