#a3! reading club

[primeministerofantarctica]

A3! reading club: act one (chapter 1-6)

(cw: talking about parental neglect and abuse, orientalism, one mention of suicide)

Hey, ten out of twelve isn't bad, all things considered! This very well could have gone down in October. Also, since it's February (March if you wanna be generous), does that mean everyone in Harugumi's slightly younger than their Year One ages now? Ack, timelines are confusing.

Izumi casually talking about how Yukio neglected her and following it up with "well, it was probably because he loved this theater so much!" is. Oh, girl. No wonder she snapped when Sakyo suggested he'd abandoned Mankai, because if he hadn't loved it, then why did she have to go through with that?

I'm not versed enough in Japanese particles but I recognize "daijoubu" and Tsuzuru watching this trainwreck unfold and saying something along the lines of "are you guys, like, okay?" is extremely funny.

Then we get to Sakuya and Masumi's family situations, which. From a meta perspective, it makes sense to want to give your minor protagonists the freedom that having parents limits. That's why the trope of "young protagonist in kid's spec fic media is conveniently an orphan" is so common. (was? I think it's becoming less common now.) The problem lies in the lack of willingness to follow through with the emotional conflict it creates, or resolve said conflict in a satisfying manner. Sure, I'm assuming they weren't starved or physically abused, but being treated like a burden when you're a child is still fucking traumatizing! Basically I think Izumi Sakuya and Masumi should start a union. And I'm glad later chapters go the reasonably more toned-down route of "my parents have a reasonable amount of trust in me to make these kinds of decisions".

Also, can we talk about Sakuya and Masumi, because they're one of my favorite brotps here. The way Sakuya appoints himself as Masumi's surrogate big brother? He's so eager to potentially share a room with him ;-;. (personally I hc that Ms. Sakuma was expecting another child before the accident or whatever killed them, so Sakuya's been a big brother without a younger sibling all this time </3)

Wow, that doesn't sound like a metaphor for anything! You're right, Izumi, why would you go the easy route of taking something prepackaged and guaranteed when a bunch of wildly different spices can create a delicious meal if you know how to utilize them right?

Am I grasping at straws here. Probably.

The little ka-ching sound effect is adorable.

Tsuzuru, I'd think "antagonist" should be near the top of the list...also, there's plenty of plays that have been pulled off with two or three actors. Just put on "night, Mother" or something. (Joking. Don't look up night, Mother if you're sensitive to themes of suicide.)

"Tsuzuru, you picked this troupe because it had a dorm, right? ...Then maybe our best bet is to focus on more people in your shoes."

"People in my shoes? In other words...."

"The homeless?"

I CAN'T ASJHGSKSDSK

he's literally doing the 😔 face i'm on the floor.

HE'S HERE! Funny how Izumi's right about Citron not being a regular tourist right off the bat. He may not be from another troupe, but he's definitely "in character" right now.

Also, oof. Citron's my second fave in Harugumi after Sakuya, but it's glaringly obvious how much of his character is rooted in orientalism. Sure, maybe it's an act, but why is he talking about how "shameful" showing skin is when his top is (conveniently for us) THAT low-cut.

On another note, I know people have pointed out his distaste for pig's feet as evidence for headcanoning him as Muslim, but I haven't seen anyone point out how he calls Veludo Way a "mecca" of theatre. Like yeah, mecca can just mean hub, but...why didn't they just say hub? Words Have Connotations. I'm not saying this coding is good or bad, it's just a neutral observation.

AND HERE'S THIS BASTARD (affectionate)

Oh, Kasumi! (insert pointing reaction pic bc I've run out of photo space.) It's Kasumi, guys! :D

#astra rambles #a3! reading club

[arigatonamuse]

began re-reading the prologue and i'm having so many emotions already

i'm kinda obsessed with how Citron got the most verbose "i wanna bloom" line in the localisation

i love that we can see the seed of God-za not being that good of a community being planted just from the conversation after the street act

this was actually so fucked up from Izumi's mum, i think we don't talk about that enough

BACKHOE!

Sakyo mentions that Mankai did still put on plays and i'm so curious about those Did Matsukawa act in them? Was Kamekichi monologuing through them all? how tf did those work i need to know now

Kodai's voice acting was on point for the awkwardness and stiffness of being a first time actor, you can hear him trying to feel his place in it all and i love it

also, even though she's not the director yet, i love that you can see that Izumi already has the director brain in her like sure, they imposed that role on her, but it's also just something she was naturally doing inside her head already

do you think Sakyo was also thinking about himself and how he doesn't deserve to be in theatre with this line? because i am now thinking about it and i'm emo something something no matter how hard he works, he won't be "worthy" of the company or the stage (in his mind)

Yukio was truly haunting the narrative at this point

i love that you can tell from the start that both Matsukawa and Sakyo love Mankai, but while Matsukawa's holding on and wants it back, Sakyo doesn't want its legacy to be tainted (which, now that i think about it, reflects his hopelessness about himself as a person, and woah it's only when he dares to start having hope about Mankai that he dares have some hope for himself in this essay i will-)

genuinely confused about why Matsukawa didn't think about renting the theatre for other troupes to help with the debt a lil

it's funny now when Sakyo brings up the costs of the dorm because sir- sir a random old man (joking) has been paying for the services there for years do you mean the debt could've been way worse had they not had help from Syu?

Sir, you are a tsundere

i love how Sakyo KNOWS Izumi's bluffing but he still gives her a chance, a small window of time but still man wants to have hope despite his prickliness and general attitude at the point

y'know i was shocked when i first learnt about Matsukawa's age but re reading this... yeah this man is definitely in his mid to late 20s

not to sound like Tsuzuru but honestly if a rando offered me a room AND two meals a day in exchange for joining their theatre, i'd do it without hesitation (joking)

Izumi's acting is so endearing, i actually can understand why Massu liked it

("so, Cam, what you're saying is that you'd be the perfect person to rope into Mankai?" honestly, yeah i would be)

Matsukawa really said "we die like men" huh?

now that i've warmed up to Massu, his looking for reassurance during the first street act is actually kinda cute to me

Masumi, she's just getting warmed up, wait til Winter troupe comes around

Matsukawa is actually such a mood

#a3! reading club

[winterswhite]

Some of my thoughts after rereading the A3! prologue:

Resisting every urge to point out interesting things I'm noticing in A3EN's localization of the prologue with 3.5 more years of Japanese knowledge, this is a reading club, not a translation club

Why is this the only instance of pink text in the game? I think it's really funny how they highlighted important lines in pink here and then proceeded to never do that again

Logistically I know it was only done here as a way of introducing the player to things and it has no real place anywhere else in the story, but it's still funny

Tsuzuru not catching on about the street act is so cute www

I love how you can tell from this very first interaction between Tasuku and Haruto, and then between Haruto and Tsuzuru, that Godza is a kinda messy environment behind the scenes

In retrospect, this was so fucked up of Izumi's mom (I didn't think anything of it back then, but with the knowledge I have now... whew)

hE RECOGNIZES HER

"KYAAAAAAAAA"

BACKHOE

I think it's so interesting that Sakoda was able to get a permit for the backhoe? It's something so small but I think it's fun how we see here that he has the skill needed to safely operate heavy machinery even though he's often seen as someone who isn't good at much of anything, so it really just comes down to his life circumstances more than his actual ability (I mean the kid's just being taught to read at a third grade level, and it's not his fault)

Pictured: The moment it was over for me

This whole scene is such a mess

The way Sakyo implies there have been other plays recently?? If this is Sakuya's first show, how did those work?

Oh Sakuya sounds so awkward it's hard to watch. Shoutout to Sakai for achieving that

Izumi's thoughts as she watches Sakuya perform hit different knowing about her own failures and experiences with theater

This line always, always gets me. Hard work alone doesn't amount to crap in this world. It never did for him. His mother worked so hard and yet they were poor, he worked hard and could never achieve his own goals... hard work never earned him anything. If it did, maybe he could've stood on this stage, too. Maybe Mankai wouldn't have reached this point. Maybe we wouldn't be here.

Honestly, everything here shows how much Sakyo loves Mankai and how hurt he is too

This conversation between Sakyo and Matsukawa is so much, they both care so much about the theater but Matsukawa is so desperately latching onto it while Sakyo has resigned himself to its fate, he's all but given up (just like he has on himself lol <- in pain)

Oh boy Yukio mention (the way he haunts the narrative is so much)

It's funny that Sakyo takes that jab at Matsukawa for wanting to lean on Yukio and count on him to single-handedly save Mankai, considering what he just said about hard work. If Yukio can't be relied on as the "savior" of Mankai (all the actors need to come back and everything needs to be the way it was before) and hard work alone won't do it either... he really has lost hope

Sakyo you fucking tsundere

You're the boss, boss!

Something something Izumi about to lose the last connection she has to her father even if it's not one she ever really had much of a part in before

Oh Izumi you're so bad at this

Sakyo is Not taking this (meanwhile, Matsukawa...) I do appreciate how he still gave her a chance though, however small it was

Honestly I feel bad for Matsukawa here, knowing how he's been trying so desperately just to keep the troupe afloat for eight years even though it clearly hasn't been going well

Obviously there was no way to fit this into the English localization, but I love how Sakuya introduces himself and then tells Izumi how to spell his name in kanji because of the many different ways it can be written (花の咲くの咲也です！)

I also really appreciate Izumi as a character and how real she feels right from the very beginning, from her interest in theater to her hammy acting to her quick thinking skills

Matsukawa you've been at this for years... (also I'm curious about Izumi's old troupe)

I didn't care much for Sakuya when I first read this story, but knowing all that I do about him now, this is all so endearing... he's so sweet in how he's comforting Izumi and checking in on her (and his whole thing about not wanting to lose the troupe hurts)

"Might as well fail like men!" thank you for the encouragement Matsukawa

I honestly think there's so much to be said about Masumi's character right from the beginning, like with him repeatedly asking how his acting was

Tsuzuru the biggest "struggling uni student" mood

Oh Masumi's line about just taking anyone hits so different in Japanese... Maybe I'm just not as good at picking up on certain types of slang and innuendo, but his wording is so much more... questionable in Japanese, that double meaning cannot be ignored.

Oh god I'm thinking about the A3 timeline again. I will once again try to push it back into the furthest depths of my mind because there clearly is no such thing as "time" in this universe and trying to figure it out has given me headaches before.

#i talk a lot #a3! reading club #anposting a3!

[ippenx]

A3! Prologue Thoughts | Reread

I think most of us missed the incredible Kamekichi art on the flyer Izumi got. Did Matsukawa draw this?? Was it a self-portrait? Did Kamekichi approve the use of his image for promotional purposes? So many questions ...

I honestly forgot Tasuku is the LITERAL FIRST SPRITE WE SEE and was not expecting to swoon so early. I guess it really was love at first sight, fufu.

If working for the enemy, why hot?

I also think it's important to talk about just how strong Izumi is. If Tasuku Takato specifically came up to me to apologize, I would collapse.

For real though, I like Izumi. She is very funny.

I also like Mrs. Backhoe - she is also very funny.

When and where do we get akigumi cabaret play???

Izumi is, again, very funny.

I'd bonk this guy over the head with a cactus. How dare he.

I will allow Sakyo to give her a hard time because he does it lovingly.

This is how I imagine people reading my 50 chapter long fics where nothing happens and everyone just pines for years.

All things considered, I like how they've managed to portrays Sakyo in a way that seems mostly stand-offish and a little bit tsundere, but in hindsight you can see how deeeply he's invested in Mankai and how much he cares!

And Izumi's really amazing. I love her, absolute queen :)

Next: Act 1 Part 1 →

#a3! #prologue #izumi tachibana #tasuku takato #sakyo furuichi #a3! reading club

[emilycollins00]

Act 1 re-read! The show must go on!

. To be honest the show being next month is really insane given that they at this point didn’t even have a script

. And oh wow I didn’t expect that shout from Sakyo, it spooked me a bit

. 10 million yens I had to make the change and it’s like 63,602 euros holy molly no wonder Tsuzuru’s like fuck and Izumi like double fuck

. Question nº1 Why did Sakyo act like bad guy? Do we know what response he hoped to get? Trying to scare Izumi? 

. Enjoyed the slap. That was stepping WAY over the line with the tricks.

. Also this game might have been just a tiny bit funnier funny had they been allowed to swear ksdhk

. Last condition being Izumi as the director now I’m like ok but what if she you know, had a job?? Did Sakyo expect her to leave it?

. Izumi is too good for Yukio there I said it

. Sakuya’s situation again tho oof, the fact he didn’t even tell their relatives?? And the FACT that he was already 2 days in right? My heart. The "thank you for calling for me” felt devastating. Feels like Sakuya reeeally didn’t want to even try to take any chances with them (ALSO crashing with friends?!! DIDN’T REMEMBER THAT!! Oh that’s a lot to take in)

. First time having his own room, I might really cry

. Masumi mentioning dating at this point wow, his vision is so… narrow I really feel conflicted, how lonely must you be to reach this point with someone you met on the same day

. In another universe where Masumi got paper kdhkfh  Tsuzuru and Citron roomies waaah, I think it’d have worked but yeah, who better than to learn to take care of others for masu than tsuzuru

. LEGEND OF CURRY. Gotta love Izumi’s “what can I possibly with these leftover….?? Mmm I don’k know… oh wait?? CURRY!” <- has if that wasn’t your only option ma’am/j

. Can I just mention that this might have possibly been the first dinner both Masumi and Sakuya might have spent with others feeling this content? I cry

. “Our scriptwriter-“ misumi grandpa right? I love already knowing stuff

. “Paying my own rent on (place) is just scary” aint that true when you first begin to live alone

. MASUMI AGAIN BEING A SAVAGE NO HE DID NOT CALL TSUZURU HOMELESS

. IZUMI KEEPING AT IT AS WELL

. “With all due respect, are you nut” kissing location again

. Honestly they were lucky Citron and Itaru where there on their 1st day

. Tsuzuru my BELOVED, still I’d be with Izumi here, they took their chances but that was better than nothing. Making a 2-hour-play is A LOT in week what the- He’s so amazing pls

. ACTOR WHO WAS EXCELLENT WITH FEMALE ROLESGHJ KAZUMI (I still have to read about the story but-) I LOVE U

. Itaru felt scary talking so… like that and unlike him now that we know him more. I would have run away sdnk poor izumi

. “Tsuzu became one with his pc” help I can’t imagine the pressureee. Question nº2 I can’t help but think if he had done stuff like this before?? Or was this the start of him overworking himself?

. The script is done awwwiieee!! A LOVED hearing him so happy!! His VA did such a good job seeming so relieved/happy for real

. This part was SO scary, somehow, his way of talking as well

. Did itaru just try to (I don’t know if I’m using the word correctly) gaslight izumi??

. Masumi was reaaally not having it with Sakuya, again you can see somehow the only-child/big bro in a huge family differences

. Sakuya knowing all that from Masumi it’s wow. He truly remembers stuff

. I’m curious that for all that Itaru seemed to be hiding, he didn’t seem that surprised when the rest found out he was a gamer. Or maybe he didn’t really hide but just, went on his business?

. Someone let Sakuya in the manzai duo, these 3 are hilarious (I had absolutely forgot that Yuzo was from the spring troupe?? Oh WOW that was something. Also he really went hard, it was needed tho)

. SLEEPOVER AWW

. FIRST PICTURE AWWWWWW!

. That situation felt like an asmr with little snoring noises ghjkl

. That the first thing Yuki does when he appears is to give each of them a nickname while taking note for the costumes is sending me

. OH citron, and this scene. Him being honest with his feelings about him probably not being the best choice broke me a bit.. and Izumi being like, “then ill protect you” SOB, first breathing moment for citron maybe in that aspect since he came to japan. I love their friendship so freaking much

. “When did this goofball start acting like a prince?” MMMM I don’t think he’s acting Izumi

. OH again bc the drama when Itaru says he’s leaving was skdjn. Izumi “WHAT, WHY??” (also me in my room knowing it was gonna happen: WHAT, WHY??”)

. Question nº 3 Itaru says something along the lines of wanting to say it now so they had plenty of time to change it before it was late but like, how far could they be? They had 1 month so 4 weeks, 1st week was for the script, let’s say this is somewhat by the end of the 2nd is when Yuzo comes and they sleep in the stage, in less than 2 weeks you want someone to change? A bit all over the place for my taste

. But also he’s just over the place himself look at him? And then the iconic family play kauhsdkjk this was the beginning. (I COULD STAND TRUSTING SOMEONE AGAIN I CRY)

. Related to Q3 I’m still so confused with chapter 20 bc they say they only have five weeks to go?? I need help understanding

. I have to say, have we ever seen Sakuya speaking like this later on? I feel there was so much at risk here too so maybe its bc of that but wow Sakuya so… raw, hit me more than I expected

. Chap 23 broke my heart, fav out of the episode so far I think. Sakuya is SO strong as a character. ALSO feeling the need to be loved in a place? Masumi can relate this time and citron as well with the family stuff

. SDFGHJK their fight with godza I was like, “Just u wait just u wait just u waiiiit”

. Tsuzuru is so freaking relatable, not just bc we all have our circumstances that sometime stop us from doing things but like, time passes by so so fast and I was told so many time as I grew up but like, it’s so true. More true than I think I understood. Each year passes by even faster and I blink and we are already in August oof

. KAZUNARI APPEARS AWW I loved his enthusiasm since the beginning (“He’s annoying” “Masumi I know. Quiet” FGHJKL)

. No but I have to say Kazunari saved half the spring play somehow. Aside from Itaru talking in his gameplays, because the fact that he informed this many people, helped with the TV… I love him

. I also loved Yuki buying one, he definitely saw how much the spring troupe put themselves out there

. I don’t really get what brought Masumi to suddenly act like that after hearing “don’t act for me” from Izumi… I mean I kinda do but mmm felt forced to bring up his situation?

. The fanclub always felt all over the place and toxic honestly

. Anyway I loved how they all gave their opinion on how they react with love to make Masumi see it’s not the end of the world.

. Ok I really, really liked how Masumi told her that it didn’t matter if her acting wasn’t good. It was about putting yourself out there and how much passion and work you gave. Good boy Masumi (also good for Izumi for mentioning a later talk about boundaries)

. First play IM SO EXCITED!! I also love that the main thing despite what’s at risk that Izumi wants them to have a good first experience above everything. I love her so so much for real. (Also Matsukawa sounds so pro on the intercom!) this is it

. “we can ditch this town and travel the world!” we’ve heard this 93849 times and I don’t say this in a bad way bc VA did an amazing job, you can truly see the differences up until the finale oof/pos

. Oh my GOD they did it oh my god im so freaking proud, I swear im so happy I got to experience this again they worked so freaking hard good job everyone!! (I forgot Masumi being speechless and it made me even more emotional if that’s possible bc I already sobbed when they thanked the audience)

. More asmr <3

. WE SOLD OUT LADIES GENTS AND NONBINARY FOLKS I'M SO HAPPY I LOVED THEM HUGGING ONE ANOTHER

. Now I forgot Itaru was hurt what a reality check. For someone who wanted to leave, hiding an injury to keep going is a lot. Also I adored Citron intervention and his tone of voice. He can see the change in Itaru but doesn’t want him to overdo it, I love him <3

. Sakyo you tsundereee

. Man chapter 34 is a sea of tears in here I don’t have the strength to talk about it.

. Sakyo yakuza with a heart of gold indeed!! And Muku and Tenma (snott-looking boy ajshkhdk) aw

This was a perfect 1sr episode!!💕💕💕

#a3! reading club #em speaks

[flipphone01st]

PLEASE write the mafia 141 idea you posted🥺I'm in love with the idea so much already!!!

Mafia 141/Bartender reader- Part one

Johnny🧼

Mostly Johnny/reader in this fic, because ive decided to split this up into different parts that will focus on different characters Like part 2 could focus of Gaz/reader.

Warning: not proof read, bad joke, swearing, alcohol and smoking, Johnny is a lil shit, and pushy, poorly written accents, (if I forgot anything that could have a warning let me know )

this is literally my first time actually writing a full fic so it's probably mediocre, FEEDBACK AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. Other then that I hope you enjoy :)

Stupid uncle, stupid debt, stupid bar. You hated this, but you suppose its your own fault. If only you had just closed the door when your uncle showed up at your door begging for help because he had gained massive debt to one of the most infamous crime bosses in the city... Johnathan Price...if only you had just said no and didn't drive your ass down to Price's club and demand to speak with him, didn't try and bargain for your uncle...maybe then you wouldn't be forced to work for the bastard...

Two hours...thats how much longer you'd have to spend standing behind this bar. You swear to god, if other drunk yells at you you'll shove a jigger down their throat, and your 'coworkers', if you could even call them that, weren't making your life easier. If anything they were hellbent on making it worse. "Yer lookin' a bit peely wally." Johnny chuckles while cleaning a margarita glass, it was just him today, said Kyle was off doing something for Price, you didn't want to ask what.

You glance up at him, eyes narrowing in confusion and slight annoyance "..huh?"

"Means you look like shite." He clarifies.

You sigh and stand up, nudging an empty box away with your foot "thanks... asshole." You grumble. He chuckles and raises his hands in mock surrender, "Awe come on, I'm just funnin' with ya. You look fine, a wee bit red in the face, but that's it." He grins, you didn't hate him, he could actually be quite hilarious sometimes... sometimes...You roll your eyes. He laughs and takes out a cigarette, lighting it up. "Ya want one?" He offers.

"no...I thought price didn't like us smoking around the drinks.."

"Aye, he doesn't." He shrugs, taking a drag of his cigarette. "but what ol Pricey doesn't know won't kill em."

"mm.." your nose scrunches in disgust at the smell. you take a small step away, not wanting the smoke to settle on your clothes. He blows smoke out the side of his mouth, away from you "yer no fun ya know that?" You scoff, "pft..I can be fun.", while crossing your arms, and leaning back against the bar with your lips shaped into a slightly grumpy pout. "Oh?" He chuckles again, leaning back against the bar himself "can ya? Let's see, tell me a joke."

you think long and hard "uuuuuuuuuuuh..ok I got one. What do you call a fake noodle?" Johnny squints his eyes "...what?"

"....an impasta..."

"..."

"..." You're both silent, completely silent.... just staring at each other...

"..." Johnny sighs "that joke was dogshite."

Your shoulders slump forward in defeat "I know." He chuckles, "Well at least yer aware." before taking another drag of his cigarette. before looking at you with the most smug grin you've ever seen "but that also just proved my point...yer no fun, pipsqueak."

"Pipsqueak?" You raise an eyebrow as your eyes narrow

"Yeah, you heard me. Yer a wee'un." He teased, god you wanted to whip that stupid grin off his equally stupid face. "you're not even that much taller than me."

"I'm seven inches taller than you." He points out.

"...nuh uh.."

"Fuck ya mean, nuh uh?" His eyebrows furrowed as he tries not to laugh, on the other hand, your brows furrow in annoyance. "I mean, nuh uh."

Johnny chuckles, and places his hand on top of your head. He then leans down, the tip of his nose almost brushing yours "dena it alllll ya want..." His eyes were locked with yours, the faint smell of cigarette smoke almost making you recoil in disgust. he leans even closer, you try and lean back but you're stopped by the bar. "...yer still a pipsqueak!" then ruffles your hair aggressively.

You slap his hand away, glaring at him while fixing your hair. "Jerk! Don't do that again." you grumble, and to make matters even worse, you feel your cheeks heat up a bit. "Awe, someone's all hot and flustered now." He smirks, giving you a small jab with his elbow "c'mon now, I was just joking around, relax."

You groan softly and roll your eyes, pushing him away and walking to the other side of the bar, trying to find anything that you could use to ignore him. Johnny grins, quickly putting out his cigarette and following after you "see! that's exactly what I'm talking about. Such a grump...don't tell me yer so boring that ya don't even like a bit of harmless flirting?"

"go away, Johnny." You don't look up from the drink you were pouring for a costumer "Aww, c'mon. I'm just tryna lift yer spirits." He wraps his arm around your shoulder "you like me don't ya?" He grins, not expecting a positive answer.

Your eyes widen and you move out from under his arm "no." Was your immediate response, your voice stern. Johnny grins wider and moves to stand right in front of you, leaning right up and practically invading your personal space. "Don't lie to me now. I bet ya daydream about me, don't ya? About all of us? Me and the lads, hm?"

Your face goes red "what?" He grins, almost deviously "you think I haven't noticed the way ya seem to float off into lala land while staring at me or Kyle work? When Simon's gotta rough up some jackass? Or even when price is literally just in the room with ya? Don't try to dena it, pipsqueak...just can't keep us all out of yer fantasies eh?" His hands slide their way onto your hips, he didn't seem to care about the bar patrons laughing and ooing, some even getting annoyed that the two bartenders were flirting with each other instead of enabling their alcohol addiction.

Your brain felt like it was short circuiting, it had become uncomfortably warm. If you were a truther..you'd admit that despite hating these four men...they were kinda hot. But you're a god damn liar and you'll be one till the day you die! "i-i!..no..no way!.. you're crazy! There's no way in hell id ever like any of you like...that.."

"Mm...sure... I'm definitely crazy." He leans even closer, his voice a whisper as he presses his body into you, the two of you basically chest to chest "...crazy about you." He leans down to try and steal a kiss, you're eyes widen comically large but thankfully before you could even react the gruff voice of Simon makes Johnny freeze just before his lips could graze yours "That's enough, you two 'er supposed to be workin, not swapping spit." He glares at Johnny, you didn't notice it but there was a slight hint of jealousy in his dark eyes... you didn't notice, but Johnny sure as hell did.

Johnny quickly backs up from you, and then looks at Simon with a smug grin on his face "Jeez... Yer no fun either, Si. We were just messin' around." Simon stares him down, not breaking eye contact with Johnny for a good two minutes, until finally letting out a deep sigh "just keep it outside of work..." then glances at you, "Price said you're free to go for today.."

You nod "uh..thank you." You awkwardly stutter, still trying to process what just happened and understand how it made you feel... were you embarrassed? Very. Were you necessarily uncomfortable?... strangely enough...no, you weren't uncomfortable. Simon nods then walks off into his little office behind the bar, Johnny watches him go, then his gaze wanders back over to you "Sooo, ya gonna head off then?"

"yeah.." you answer, somewhat shyly. Johnny nods, a quick look of disappointment on his face before he masks it with a smile "alright, then...have a good night, pipsqueak." He shrugs playfully, and begins walking off to serve a poor bastard that had been trying to order a drink for the past five minutes. ".. you too, Johnny.." you mutter while walking out from behind the bar to towards the break room to get your stuff and finally leave....what a weird ass day...

END OF PART ONE. Please let me know what you thought

#task force 141 #cod mw2 #john mactavish x reader #john soap mactavish x reader #eventual!gaz x reader #eventual!ghost x reader #eventual!price x reader #gaz x reader #ghost x reader #captain price x reader #mafia 141 #mafia au #soap x reader #soap mw2 #taskforce 141 #mw2 x reader #gn!reader

[the-himawari]

A3! Kamikizaka Reni - Translation [SSR] Us on April 1st (1/3)

*Please read disclaimer on blog

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Haruto: “Do you not realize it? That’s deceit.”

Shift: “No, it’s not!”

Haruto: “Try asking yourself. Did you truly wish him luck from the bottom of your heart? Can you say that there that is absolutely no jealousy or resentment within you?”

Shift: “That’s not true. I’m supporting him, always. Even if our paths may differ, I—"

Reni: And cut. …There may be a little too much dialogue.

Haruto: Eh?

Reni: With Shift and Haruto as they are now, the sentiments of this scene can be conveyed without dialogue, and through your expressions and gestures. And so, I think this scene would make more of an impact if we cut some of the lines and presented some different expressions.

Shift: Does that mean our actin’ is getting better? Woo!

Madoka: I see… that’s a great learning opportunity! I will make a few adjustments to the lines!

Reni: And rework the lighting plan accordingly. Let us aim to focus on the emotional aspect.

Haruto: The image of the scene changes and it becomes a lot more memorable! As expected from Reni-san…!

Reni: Let us wrap up today’s rehearsal here. I have a meeting with the Fleur Award Committee after this.

Shift: Alright, I’ll do some practicing on my own after.

Madoka: I will stay back a little longer to revise the script!

Reni: Very well. I leave the rest to you, Haruto.

Haruto: You got it!

-pause-

Reni: (…Too many lines, hm?)

*flashback starts*

Yukio: Zzz, zzz…

Reni: …Wake up, Tachibana. Class is already dismissed.

Yukio: School’s over? Reni, we won’t make it in time if we don’t hurry!

Reni: What do you mean? Are we not heading to our club room?

Yukio: There’s a play that I absolutely want to watch with you today! It’s free for students! We definitely gotta see it!

Reni: You should have said so earlier. Actually, don’t doze off in the first place, and—.

Yukio: Hurry now, hurry now!

Reni: *Sigh*…

-pause-

Actor A: “I’m sorry.”

Actor B: “…”

Actor A: “…”

Reni: … (This deafening silence… it feels so strained, yet it draws you into the actors' performance. (I had no idea this kind of performance existed.) (I wonder what Tachibana thinks—)

Yukio: …

Reni: (He’s focusing. I suppose I am the only one who is struck by this part.)

-pause-

Yukio: So, what’d you think?

Reni: It was splendid from the very beginning. The production was astonishing. The lead actor was a given, but the supporting cast were also impressive.

Yukio: The direction approaching the climax was amazing, wasn’t it! I never would’ve thought of that.

Reni: I was also taken aback by the silent performance in the last scene.

Yuki: Yeah, right! Same here!

Reni: …The message was conveyed even without words.

Yukio: I feel like they left it up to the audience. It’s open to interpretation.

Reni: Very good point.

Yukio: That scene made me wonder what you were thinking. I was going to ask you afterwards.

Reni: (…So Tachibana was thinking the same thing.) I would love for us to create a play like that as well one day.

Yukio: You’ll be able to do it. That kind of performance. I’ll be sure to make you bloom just like that some day, Reni!

Reni: …Who do you think you are?

*flashback ends*

Reni: (However, I had no idea back then. How that man in front of me was going to act when he stood on stage—) (—I had no way of knowing until the day of that culture festival.)

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#a3! #a3! translation #kamikizaka reni #act! addict! actors!

[writer-in-theory]

Trust in The Time Warp Part 1: The Time Warp

Summary: After Steve loses both of his boyfriends in the span of a year, he's not sure how to recover. Luckily, the Upside Down seems to have other plans for him because suddenly, he's waking up on November 4, 1984…for the second time. Ship: Steve Harrington/Billy Hargrove/Eddie Munson Square: A3 - Time Travel Rating: Teen Word Count: 9.9k Major Tags: Temporary Major Character Death Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Divergence, Time Travel AU, Established Relationships, Implied/Referenced Abuse (Billy from Neil), more tags may be added Also Read on AO3: Here A/N: This is my first fill for @harringroveson-bingo !! A huge thanks to @serenity-lattes and @lcvingprentjss who beta read this whole thing and special thanks to serenity for helping workshop the title and brainstorming plot with me. Also, I know part one is very heavy on the Billy/Steve but Eddie is coming in the next part I promise.

series masterlist

JULY 4, 1986

Last year, while Steve Harrington had been trapped underground being tortured by Russians, there had been a fair. Nearly the whole town had shown up, the night sky full of fireworks while they’d lit up Starcourt with the very same. Apart from a ragtag group of kids who couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble and a couple of ice cream shop employees, the night had been filled with joy.

This year, there was no trace of that joy. There was no fair, there weren’t even any backyard barbeques to celebrate the nation’s day. There wasn’t much celebration of anything in Hawkins these days, not since the ground had opened up in a “rouge earthquake” that destroyed the entire town. 

If Steve closed his eyes, he could pretend the town was mourning with him. They were missing those blue eyes and denim jacket, singing their grief for curly dark hair and a Hellfire Club shirt. All of this was for them and the time Steve never got to have with either of them. He never even got the chance to introduce the two, never got to see all three of them in the same room. Billy would have liked Eddie, if only they had more time. 

But they didn’t have more time and the two people he loved more than anything were dead and buried, and Steve didn’t know how he was ever meant to move on from it all. Because he’d already done it once, had barely started to feel like maybe there was hope for him after all when he’d met Eddie. That sure, he loved Billy and would always love Billy, but he loved Eddie too and Billy would have wanted him to be happy. But both of them sacrificed themselves for a town that never even bat an eyelash at their deaths, and Steve was left attending two far too-empty funerals, crying for the two heroes this town would never actually know existed.

So maybe Steve would never be okay again, in the same way that Hawkins would never quite be free from the horrors of the Upside Down. People had fled in droves and never looked back, dropping the population from its already small number to minuscule. Steve’s parents were selling the house in Loch Nora—had told him to pack up whatever he wanted to keep with him because the house wasn’t a sound investment anymore. He’d spent all week tossing memories into boxes, including a well-worn basketball sweatshirt with Billy’s number and last name on it, and a denim vest that Steve had never gotten around to returning to Eddie. He boxed up pictures of his childhood spent running through the streets with Tommy and Carol, held onto the little stuffed lion he thought he’d lost years before. He emptied out the house And just like that, the Harrington line was ending its stay in Hawkins after generations of raising their kids there. Steve would escape Hawkins the way both of his boyfriends had longed to do, leaving them behind in the town that was far too small for either of them.

Robin tried to help him through it, she really did. She threw herself into volunteering at the shelter long after she wanted to stop because Steve needed to keep busy. And when the shelter was finally reverted back to the high school, she would spend nights in the house that was far too big for just him, both of them tangled up in his bed because he would never get used to sleeping without someone there beside him ever again. But she had her own parents who were actually around and who worried for their kid who never stopped having nightmares after the Russian interrogation, so Steve told her he was fine and she didn’t push because he asked her not to. The kids tried to help too, but Max was in the hospital and El had another bucket of trauma to unpack after Dr. Brenner somehow returned, and Steve couldn’t take adding to any of their worries.

Maybe that was why, on Steve’s final night in Hawkins, he found himself walking himself back to Lover’s Lake, sitting himself in the dirt beside one of the deep grooves in the ground. The eerie red light had long since faded from the splits, but Steve found himself wishing it would come back if only for a moment. Because they’d left Eddie in there, and there was a chance Billy was in there too, after spending so much time invaded by the Mind Flayer. And if he could just get another chance to talk to them, maybe everything would start to feel okay again.

“I don’t know why I’m here,” Steve finally sighed, running a hand through the hair he hadn’t bothered styling in days, weeks. “Both of you would hate this. You’d really hate it, and you’d never let me hear the end of it. God, and I’d let you. So come on, do it. Tell me I’m being a sappy shit and tell me to shove off, tell me you didn’t know King Steve had such a mushy heart. I know you want to.”

Only the crickets answered, chirping just loud enough that Steve couldn’t tense at every rustle of the leaves and sound from a nearby animal shuffling along. He sighed and hung his head low between his raised knees, hair falling forward into his vision. “Yeah, guess I should’ve expected that.”

“I’m getting out of here tomorrow,” Steve continued after a few minutes of pained silence. He’d found a little twig on the ground nearby and began idly digging in the dirt with it, prodding at the fissure in the ground as if he might dig his way to the Upside Down. “Mom and Dad want me to come with them to Chicago, but I think I need to go to California. Pack up the Beemer and just...drive, like we said we would. And Eddie, Wayne made me promise to go check out the music scene in Seattle, said you’d been talking about it since last October.

I don’t really know what I’ll do out there anymore, but maybe it’ll be good to get out of Hawkins. Robin keeps telling me this is a good thing, as if I don’t—Fuck this is stupid, I’m stupid,” Steve interrupted himself, stabbing the stick harshly into the ground as the crushing weight of losing both people he’d loved to the same fucking thing smacked into his chest. “I hate it! I hate it, I hate it!” he shouted, voice rough as it tore from his throat. His arm continued moving, smashing the stick down into the ground until the wood was shattered into too many splinters to be used as an outlet for all the anger, frustration, grief he’d been trying so hard to hold back for so long.

And as the stick snapped in half, so too did Steve’s body, curling forward so his forehead was pressed to the dirt that Eddie and Billy now called home, wishing only briefly that he might return home to them soon. “Please,” he pleaded with the ground, fingers digging in so harshly he felt his nails bend and strain with the pressure. “I’d do anything to have them back.”

Maybe Steve just wanted a miracle, or maybe he’d finally cracked under the grief of the anniversary of the worst year of his life, but the ground seemed to listen to him. It shook a little, the fissure widening only a little around the snapped-off end of the stick still pointing up from the dirt. The ground cracked and splintered around it, crumbling away to reveal not the glowing red Steve had come to associate with the Upside Down but an odd blue. Then, all at once, the ground stopped shaking, and the cracks stopped until the blue was just about the size of a dartboard. 

“This is stupid,” Steve huffed out again, head lifted to stare at the glowing blue that appeared because he’d asked it to. He knew he should walk back to the house and call someone. Dustin, probably, maybe Robin if he didn’t want to explain what he was doing out here in the first place. Eventually, the news that Steve had cracked open the thinly veiled peace would make it to the entire group, so it didn’t really matter who he told first. 

None of them had quite believed it was over. Sure they’d launched Vecna out a window but they hadn’t seen the body, and then Hawkins was split into quadrants just like the clock chimes warned, so they’d missed something. The Upside Down wasn’t done with them yet, but for once they had no idea what to expect next. So they’d all waited, watching as the fissures seemed to heal away and no Demogorgons popped out from the ground to steal away more children. It was almost like losing had given them the very thing they’d all been fighting for for years—an end, a chance to try and salvage what they could from the wreckage and move on.

No, Steve couldn’t ruin whatever sense of normalcy those kids found between March and now, he wouldn’t be the reason El risked everything again and another kid got hurt on his watch. Billy and Eddie had both died saving those kids, Steve couldn’t be the one to ruin that. 

So he reached out his hand, fingers shaking as they hovered over the glowing blue membrane in the ground. More likely than not, this was a trap and Steve would end up caught back in the Upside Down where those ashes seemed to cling to the inside of his throat for days after. It’s not like anyone would know either since he said he was planning on taking off early in the morning so he could avoid his parents coming back for the last check-through of the house. There would be no rescue mission, no desperate attempts to get him back as soon as possible. They’d all assume he was relaxing on a California beach and Steve couldn’t fault any of them for it.

That didn’t stop him from reaching forward, pressing fingers against the oddly fleshy membrane until his hand broke through the other side. The membrane burst with enough force that it broke Steve’s balance, sending him crashing forward into the hole the blue film had left behind.

It felt like he was falling for years. Steve opened his mouth to scream but no sound came out like someone had snapped a rubber band around his throat and pulled it tight. This was nothing like the Upside Down, where they’d immediately crashed through to the other side in a scary reminder that the dimension was far closer to their own world than Steve wanted to think about.

Where was he going?

Steve’s back smacked against the pavement so harshly he knew his bones should’ve shattered. Instead, all it did was rip his breath away like any time he was shoved over in a basketball match. He still gasped for air, relief rushing through him that it was clean, free of any Upside Down ash. Hands come up to clutch at his chest, feeling around for any kind of injury, any wetness to evidence the blood that was supposed to be locked away inside him. He kept his eyes shut, desperate not to see what this fall did to him.

“What, you try to walk and chew gum again, Harrington?”

Oh, God. 

It had been exactly one year since he’d heard that voice, longer since he’d heard it without the cruel edge of the Mind Flayer. It sent another wave of hurt flashing through Steve’s chest that he’d nearly forgotten what the other boy had sounded like already.

This wasn’t real. This was a trick by Vecna, the same way he’d made Nancy see the end of Hawkins and Max see, well, whatever it was that had given her such a haunted look after visiting Billy’s grave. Max said Vecna showed people their worst memories, the ones that made them feel the guiltiest. If that were true, it only made sense that he would show him Billy Hargrove, one of two people he couldn’t save no matter how hard he tried.

Steve’s eyes refused to open. He just laid there, hands coming up to press the base of his palms against his eyelids as if that might somehow convince his brain to wake up from whatever trance Vecna had him in. Because he couldn’t do this, he couldn’t hear that voice not on this day, not when he’d spent all morning wishing he could’ve done anything differently last year to let him and Billy watch the fireworks at the fair together. He hadn’t had enough time with either of them, and hadn’t really realized how much he wanted a chance with them until they were laying dead in front of him. He couldn’t take this reminder that once again he let down someone he loved, that in a few months’ time he’d do it again because apparently that was all Steve Harrington could do an—

“Seriously, if you’re dead I’m leaving you here for someone else to deal with.” A toe of a hard boot nudged into Steve’s ribs, just on the other side of too much force. “Harrington.”

Steve’s eyes shot open at the huff of breath followed by the annoyed snap of his name that he’d come to know so well. When they’d grown closer, eventually that snap was preceded by a roll of the eyes and a little smile, like Billy couldn’t quite hide his affection for Steve no matter how badly he wanted to. Now though, it was the same as those odd months after November, when harsh tones met something strangely soft in the eyes. It had confused Steve before but when brown met blue he understood now what he should have a year ago—that softness was affection, a deep affection that they hadn’t uncovered until the summer.

“Billy,” Steve gasped, rocketing to his feet and ignoring the twinge in his back that told him the fall wasn’t quite as free from damage as he thought. He watched confusion cross Billy’s features only momentarily before they were schooled into that same neutral smirk that used to infuriate Steve. Now it only made him want to cry in relief—because how many times had he laid in bed wishing for any chance to see that smirk again? “You’re here.”

Before he could stop himself, Steve was launching toward Billy, wrapping his arms around the other boy’s body as tightly as he could. Within seconds Billy was sliding his hands between their chests and shoving as hard as he could, sending Steve stumbling back a few steps. 

“What the fuck, Harrington? You got some more brain damage I don’t know about?”

“I just-” Steve started, glancing around to see who was around. They were in the Hawkins High parking lot which, sure fine he supposed that made sense, but instead of seeing anyone else around, he caught sight of Billy’s Camaro. The Camaro which had been completely totaled outside of Starcourt mall one year ago, the car which Steve had desperately wanted to keep and repair but had been told was just too far gone, left to be abandoned just like its owner had been. “You got your car back. How’d you get it back? How are you here?”

Billy just watched him for a moment, expression equal parts confusion and frustration. Then he rolled his eyes like he hadn’t just risen from the dead, and said, “Whatever, man. Next time you wanna get high before school, stay the hell away from me.”

“I—what? Wait, wait, Billy!” Steve yelled, sprinting and grabbing a fistful of denim jacket to keep him from walking away. “You’re not weirded out by this?”

“I’m weirded out by you,” Billy returned, “what the fuck did Munson sell you?”

“Eddie?” Steve balked, eyes widening at the mention of the other man. How was it possible? This clearly wasn’t a vision created by Vecna to torture him, so what other explanation could there be for seeing Billy and hearing about Eddie now? “Am I dead? Did I die? I’m dead, aren’t I?”

Billy stared at him for a full second before he was grabbing onto Steve’s arm, tugging him harshly to the passenger side of the Camaro. Steve allowed himself to be manhandled into the seat, Billy reaching over and harshly snapping the seatbelt into place. All Steve could do was watch with wide eyes, head turning to track him as Billy rounded the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

“What are you doing?” Steve finally asked. He’d dreamed of a reunion like this before, of finding out Billy hadn’t actually died but had rather been trapped in the Upside Down by some miracle. When he’d been pulled into the gate under Lover’s Lake, Steve had allowed himself to feel the hope that when he opened his eyes, he’d see Billy standing over him. He’d imagined a million ways he’d see Billy again, but never this. 

“I’m taking you home, you’re fucked up as shit, Harrington,” Billy answered simply, eyes never leaving the road as he sped along in the direction of Loch Nora.

“I don’t live there anymore,” Steve croaked out, “we’re moving.”

“No, you’re not.” 

“Am too! How would you know anyway, you’ve been de—” The words died off in Steve’s throat as they crossed through the center of town. The center of town, which, for the past few months, had been well and completely destroyed by the fissures Vecna had torn through their world. Steve scrubbed his hand over his face, wondering when his current line of thinking had ever become a possibility. But they’d traveled to another dimension and fought monsters from said other world, so, could time travel really be out of the realm of possibility in Hawkins? “Billy, what’s today?”

“Sunday.”

“No, I mean, the date?”

“November 4th.”

“What year?”

“What the fuck did you take, Harrington?”

“I’m not fucking high, okay?” Steve exclaimed, heart racing faster than it ever had before. How was this possible? What had the Upside Down done to him? If he really was in the past, could he get back to where he was before? “Just, please, tell me what year it is.”

Billy stopped the car in the middle of the road. Normally Steve would be concerned, but on a Sunday morning, the majority of the town was tucked away at church and not on the road. Billy looked at him, blue eyes sharp as he tried to figure out what was going on with Steve. He wished he could tell Billy, too, but he’s pretty sure time travel wasn’t on the list of things a regular person would believe, not when Billy hadn’t even encountered the Upsi—

“1984. It’s 1984, Harrington. That help you out?”

November 4th, 1984. It was one of the few dates Steve had engrained in his memory along with the birthdays of all the kiddos, and the dates he’d lost too many people. This was the day that Steve Harrington’s life flipped on a dime because later that day one Dustin Henderson would rope him into searching for an escaped demodog. Later that night, he’d protect the Party from a whole pack of them and it would be the first time he truly thought he would die protecting them. Even later that night, he’d get into a fight with Billy Hargrove at the Byers house. 

“Yeah, yeah it does,” Steve returned. Because why else would the Upside Down send him here after begging for it to give him another chance with Billy and Eddie? This was his chance to save everything, to save everyone. It would’ve made sense to go back to the night at Starcourt, or even to whenever Billy had been taken over by the Mind Flayer in the first place, but he supposed going back to where it all began made sense too.

Because, at the end of the day, Billy died because he hadn’t known. Even when he and Steve had grown closer, when friendship began to feel like a little more, Steve still hadn’t let him into this dark secret that haunted Hawkins. He’d told himself it was to protect Billy, but maybe it was partly because he didn’t want to explain it. How could he possibly talk about all the times he’d nearly died when he’d willingly thrown himself into death’s arms simply because the other option was a middle schooler dying in his place? Billy had asked about the scars once, the ones decorating his left bicep and the back of his shoulder from sets of claws that had dug in too deep, but how could Steve possibly explain it?

Except now, maybe he didn’t have to explain at all. Maybe now he wouldn’t have to be the only one protecting those kids, either. Maybe now he could have someone by his side from the beginning, and Billy would survive and help him save Eddie too.

Steve could do this.

“Do you trust me?” he asked then, chest full of the same determination he’d felt all those times the Party had come up with a game plan to win the war against the Upside Down.

“Not a chance in Hell, Harrington.”

Well, fuck.

“What d’you mean ‘no’?” Steve exclaimed, shifting in his seat so he could face Billy better, back leaning against the door of the Camaro. “I can totally be trusted!”

“Totally?” Billy teased, that devilish smirk that always used to irritate Steve now making him want to sob with relief. Because it had been a year since he’d seen it, hadn’t realized how much he’d miss it until it was long gone. 

“Totally and completely,” Steve answered. “C’mon, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“Oh yeah, what could go wrong with following someone blasted out of their mind wherever he wants to fuckin’ go? I don’t see the problem with that at all.”

“I’m not high, Hargrove! This is really fucking important, okay? You have to trust me.”

That smirk widened, allowing Billy’s tongue to slip out and run over his lip in a way that had Steve staring. “Say please.”

“What?”

“I want King Steve to say please. You do know what the word is, right?”

Oh, fuck Billy Hargrove. Steve groaned, wondering if there might be another way to solve this after all. Could he really deal with this version of Billy again, the one who was desperate to prove himself at the top of the school? The one who, for whatever reason, had a vendetta against Steve?

He would have to because there was no other option. Steve couldn’t go back to how things were, couldn’t go back to leaving Hawkins alone. 

So he took a deep breath, then another, then closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose and didn’t open his mouth to speak again until his heart rate returned to something reasonable. “Please, Billy, trust me.”

Billy just stared at him. Steve stared back, taking in blue eyes and an expression that had always been good at hiding from him. It had been too long since he’d had to piece together the little clues hidden there—Steve had no idea what Billy was thinking and that irritated him to no end.

Then just as quickly as he’d shoved Steve into the car, Billy was shrugging and restarting the engine. “Sure, pretty boy. Where’re we going?”

“Just...just like that?” Steve asked, feeling heat rise to his cheeks as Billy gave him a side glance and absolutely grinned.

“Well, you did say please.”

“Okay, fine, whatever,” Steve returned, rolling his eyes and trying to cover up the smile he could feel tugging on his lips. He’d missed the banter, the easy way of talking to Billy that made everything in Hawkins so much more interesting. “But this is gonna be crazy. I didn’t believe it at first until Henderson showed me the t—”

“Harrington.”

“Right, okay, but you can’t ask any questions. You know where the junkyard is?”

“Why are we going to the junkyard?”

“What happened to no questions?” Steve exclaimed though he noticed Billy still turned down the right road to get to the junkyard.

“I didn’t agree to shit, Harrington!”

“Okay fine, you can ask questions! Jesus, you’re annoying,” Steve groaned, sure his hair was a mess with how many times he’s run his hands through it since starting this conversation.

“Why’re we going to the junkyard, dipshit?” Billy asked then, a little smirk on his face like he was proud of himself for the comment.

“If I tried to explain it now you’ll laugh.” There was no way to explain rough demodogs and middle schoolers who can move things with her mind and policemen that were somehow on their side of all this. “Just—”

“Trust you. Yeah, I got that part.”

The car lapsed into silence then. It wasn’t uncomfortable necessarily, or at least not like it could’ve been. It certainly wasn’t like it used to be, though, or rather maybe what it would be in a few months when Steve and Billy call a truce. When they start smoking together at the Quarry to get away from all of their troubles, when Steve can’t sleep and Billy can’t be in his own home. They’d grow comfortable together, talking and laughing and sharing stories until Steve wondered how they ever thought they were supposed to be enemies. 

“So why hang out in the Hawkins parking lot?” Steve asked, glancing over at Billy as the other drove. He noticed the way Billy’s hands clenched around the wheel though his face remained impassive, forever carrying that cool smirk.

“There’s nowhere better to waste my time.” That was the voice Billy used to use when he was hiding shit. Steve had grown used to picking it out and had learned that when that slightly hardened edge came out he shouldn’t keep pushing, not unless it was one of those rare days he itched for a fight.

“There’s plenty of better spots,” Steve contested lightly, “I’d rather not spend more time there than I have to.”

“King Steve really hates his kingdom that much?”

“Why do you call me that? No one uses it anymore,” Steve groaned, tugging a little at his hair as his hand passed through it. Now that he was a year removed from high school the whole thing felt ridiculous—cliques and gossip and kings—in the face of everything much darker he’d seen. At first, he’d been hurt to lose the crown, to see how quickly everyone deserted him the second he stopped pushing others around. But now? Now he couldn’t imagine spending his days lounging at his private pool with Tommy and Carol, shotgunning beers and laughing over whatever embarrassing thing someone with less influence in the school had done. 

“What? Hit a nerve, pretty boy?” Billy teased, “Remembering good times hurts?”

“Nah, it’s just annoying,” Steve countered, thankful when the junkyard finally came into view. “Okay, okay, so I’m supposed to be meeting up with this kid named Hen—”

“Steve! Steve, what are you doing? Is that Max’s brother? Why’d you bring him here?”

“Hey, I’m right here, you little shithead!” Billy barked out as Dustin sprinted up to the Camaro, screaming as Steve pulled himself out of the passenger seat.

“How could you bring him here?” Dustin pointedly ignored Billy, focusing instead on Steve.

“He’s helping,” Steve supplied, shrugging like it wasn’t a big deal. 

“I don’t know if you know this or not, but he tried to run us over with his car! His car, Steve!”

Steve turned to look at Billy then, one eyebrow raised curiously. He’d never known about this, either because Billy asked them to keep it quiet or because they’d all moved on from it naturally he wasn’t sure. “You tried to hit them with your car?”

“No,” Billy laughed, giving Dustin that smirk, patting the top of the Camaro, and adding, “I wouldn’t hurt my baby like that.”

“We cannot work with him,” Dustin protested.

“Yeah, and you said that about me too, so grab the bait and let’s get going. We need to be back here by sundown,” Steve answered instead, grabbing Dustin’s hat long enough to mess up his hair before replacing the hat back on his head. 

“What’re you baiting, Harrington?” Billy asked, jogging to catch up to Steve and Dustin, who at least had grabbed the bucket of meat he’d gotten and began walking toward the old railroad tracks. “All the bitches you still can’t land?”

Steve rolled his eyes, moving so he walked in the middle between Dustin and Billy. “You wanna take this one, Henderson? Don’t leave anything out.”

“A few days ago, I found something in my driveway. It was scavenging in the trashcan, so I brought it inside to do more research on it.”

“We’re baiting a fucking raccoon?” Billy deadpanned, and Steve had to hide his smile behind gloved hands as Dustin shot him the most shocked and horrified look Steve had ever seen on him.

“No, it’s not a raccoon,” Dustin clarified, “I found an entirely new species, one that I think could be—”

Dustin gave Steve a look, and immediately Steve knew what it was about. How much do they tell Billy? How much can be shared? Steve didn’t want to scare him off right away, and he was sure going into detailed explanations of interdimensional monsters and powers might just do that. So instead, Steve sighed and added, “—like last year.”

“Last year?” Billy predictably pressed, to which Steve only shrugged and said, “I’ll explain later?”

“Why’d you keep it then, if it was like last year?” Steve asked, turning his head back to face Dustin as they tossed meat scraps along their path.

“It wasn’t exactly like last year. It was smaller, I thought it was a new species of slug or snail at first, and I wanted to—” Dustin’s cheeks burned red then, head dipping lower as he finished, “I wanted to show this girl.”

“You kept that thing for some girl? You couldn’t find anything else to get her attention?”

“No, Steve, I couldn’t! She’s been around the Party more and I—”

“The Party? That some D&D shit?” Billy piped up, leaning his head forward so he could look at Dustin around Steve.

“How’d you know it was D&D shit, Hargrove?” Dustin snapped back, and Steve couldn’t help the howl of laughter that followed as Billy seemed stunned some middle schooler dared talk to him like that. 

“He has a point, Hargrove,” Steve laughed, nudging his elbow into Billy’s arm and grinning at the scowl he got in return.

“Return to your freaky nerd crush, please,” Billy huffed, and well, at least he had a point. 

“Yeah, Henderson, let me get this straight. You kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl...who you just met?”

“All right, that's grossly oversimplifying things,” Dustin protested.

“I mean, why would a girl like some nasty slug anyway?”

“A slug like last year? Because it’s freaking awesome.”

“Shithead has a point,” Billy piped up, earning two glares this time.

“I don't know. I just feel like you're trying way too hard,” Steve shrugged, trying to remember how this had gone down with Dustin last time. He didn’t want to change too much in the past. After all, he’d watched Back to the Future—albeit high on whatever experimental drugs the Russians had given him at the time—and knew far better than to change everything all at once. “Keep it simple.”

“Well, not everyone can have your perfect hair, alright?” Dustin snapped, looking more than a little embarrassed about the situation.

“It’s not about the hair, man,” Steve tried.

“It’s a little about the hair,” Billy added unhelpfully.

“It’s not. The key with girls is just...just acting like you don’t care.”

“So that’s why King Steve can’t get any girls!”

“What are you talking about, Hargrove? I’ve slept with nearly half the popu—”

“Guys? Can we reign in the cockfight?” Dustin asked, stopping walking immediately, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at them. “I need advice. Resume that.”

“You just pretend you don’t care, okay? It’s worked every time,” Steve continued, shooting a quick look of triumph to Billy before adding, “Then you wait until...you feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“It's like before it's gonna storm, you know? You can't see it, but you can feel it, like this, uh...electricity, you know?” Try as he might, Steve couldn’t help looking at Billy at that, remembering that first kiss pressed against the Camaro. It had been the middle of the night in early March when the air still bit harshly into his skin even as Billy’s touch sent fire through him. He hadn’t understood passion until that kiss when he was sure he’d burn up from the intensity of it. 

“Oh, like in the electromagnetic field when the clouds in the atmosphere—”

“No, no, no, no,” Steve interrupted quickly, “it has nothing to do with science, okay?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. You feel that electricity, then you make your move.”

“So that’s when you kiss her?”

“Henderson!” Billy laughed, clapping his hands a couple of times in amusement right as Steve yelled, “No! Whoa, whoa, slow down, Romeo.”

“You said to make a move!” Dustin protested, which yeah Steve supposed he had.

“Sure, okay, I did. And some people, yeah, they want you to be aggressive. You know, strong, hot and heavy, like a...” Steve began, waving his hand around as he searched for the right answer.

“Like a lion,” Billy piped up, giving Steve a look he was sure Billy had never once given him before now. He didn’t know what to make of it, how to decipher all of these changes, and if they would be enough to save Billy in the end. 

“Yeah, like a lion,” Steve confirmed, eyes meeting Billy’s blue ones and staring. He thought of the little stuffed lion he’d given Billy when they graduated, the one that Max had grabbed for him after everything was over and Neil started selling his son’s things. 

“Okay, be a lion,” Dustin repeated, shocking Steve right out of his thoughts and finally breaking the eye contact between them. 

“Yeah, but others, you know, you gotta be slow. You gotta be stealthy like a...like a ninja,” Steve supplied, smiling softly as he remembered climbing into Billy’s window in the middle of the night, and even earlier when he’d snuck into...

“What type is Nancy?”

“Huh?” Steve asked,  head whipping around to face Dustin. “Nancy?”

“Your girlfriend? It’s not a secret, everyone knows you’re dating her.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Steve corrected quickly, eyes burning as he fought the urge to look at Billy again. It would be too obvious, too much, even though he desperately needed to know what the other guy’s response to that was. 

“Hargrove,” Dustin piped up then, braving asking the loaded question, “how’d you get girls?”

Billy scoffed then, eyes turned to look at his boots as they continued walking. “Not like Harrington over here, I’ll tell ya that.”

“Okayyy, if Steve’s plan doesn’t work, what do I do?”

“I say don’t worry about it,” Billy answered instead. “Whoever she is, isn’t worth the heartbreak of dating in middle school. Wait ‘til you’re outta town and you can find someone more interesting.”

“She is interesting. She’s special. It’s just, like, something about her.”

“No one’s that special, kid,” Billy corrected, rolling his eyes at the affection. “You’ll find someone new next week.”

“I won’t,” Dustin protested immediately, “I can’t forget about her. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before.”

“Hold up,” Steve interrupted then, “you’re not falling in love with this girl, are you?” He remembered this was about Max and knew that Dustin had a crush on the girl before she found Lucas. He also knew that Max and Lucas would end up together, so continuing to promote Dustin’s crush would only hurt him in the end. 

“No, no I’m not.”

“Okay, good,” Steve answered, hoping that was true. “Don’t.”

“I won’t.”

“I just don’t want you hurt, okay?” Steve added.

“I get it, I get it! You two are such pessimists.”

“Just telling it like it is, Shithead,” Billy returned, that cool suaveness back in place on his features. 

When the trio collapsed into silence, Steve knew what had to come next. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he prepared to admit this in front of Billy. It was needed though, it was what had cemented his and Dustin’s friendship and he couldn’t risk losing that for anything. “Fabergé.”

“What?” Dustin predictably asked.

“It's Fabergé Organics,” Steve sighed. “Use the shampoo and conditioner, and when your hair’s damp...not wet, okay? When it’s damp...you do four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett spray.”

“Farrah Fawcett spray?” Dustin and Billy asked at the same time, both looking at Steve with wide eyes. Where Dustin was surprised, though, Billy looked downright amused. 

“Yeah, Farrah Fawcett. You tell anyone I just told you that and your ass is grass. You’re dead, Henderson, you understand?”

“Yep.”

Just as Billy opened his mouth no doubt meaning to say something incredibly irritating, Steve whipped around and poked Billy in the chest and said, “You too, Hargrove. You tell that to anyone and your ass is mine.”

It looked like Billy was trying to make his eyebrows disappear into his hairline, blue eyes wide and lips slightly parted. Steve smirked then, proud of himself for stunning him into silence. Steve kept walking then, grinning as Dustin kept up with him.

When Billy recovered, he shook himself off and jogged to catch up with Steve. Surprisingly, there was no harsh word on his tongue or aggressive shove. Instead, Billy nudged Steve’s arm with his elbow not unlike how Steve had done earlier, and asked, “So, Farrah Fawcett?”

Steve could feel the flush heat up his cheeks then, rolling his eyes and defending, “she’s hot, alright?”

“Eh,” Billy shrugged, winking and saying with a smirk, “not my type.”

And fuck, if Billy was already flirting with him then he was in for a long night. Steve groaned a little, trying to quicken the pace so Billy couldn’t see the pink spread across his cheeks. “Let’s just get this over with so we can get back to the junkyard, alright?”

Steve grinned at the sound of Billy’s laughter.

Considering the high potential for disaster, everything was going strangely well.

Even when Lucas and Max had strode up to the junkyard, when Billy and Max immediately shouted at each other for daring to be there, Steve had been able to split them up before anything got out of hand. Direct and divert attention away from the signs of tension, one of the few aspects of his father’s business training that still came in handy. 

They’d made it to sundown relatively easily, with the kids setting up the bus while Steve and Billy walked around setting the traps. 

“So what are we trapping, Harrington? You gotta give me somethin’,” Billy asked once they’d all piled into the bus to wait, Lucas and Max having disappeared to the top of the bus a while ago and Dustin scouting out for Dart.

Steve knew what was coming, he would never forget this night—he had a set of claw marks scarred deep across his shoulder blade from when the demodogs had cornered him the first time around. His heart rate began to pick up the second the sun dipped below the horizon, already preparing for the first fight of many that night. It was the second time in his life he ever thought he would die; when he had a fleeting thought of how he’d be remembered and shuddered at the answer because there hadn’t been enough time to do anything yet.

They could leave Billy in the dark. He didn’t need to know what he was fighting to be able to survive. Steve had proved that himself that night at the Byers's house when he’d picked up the nail bat and immediately swung at the nine-foot-tall thing chasing after his then-girlfriend simply because his body recognized the danger it posed to them. Robin had proved that too, when she’d run headfirst into the final fight against the Mind Flayer running on minimal explanations from him, both of them coming off of the worst drug trip he’d ever felt. But Steve had asked Billy to trust him and he had, with seemingly no good reason to, other than because Steve had requested it of him. There was no building friendship before this, no lingering stares and pressing touches, simply a rivalry over a crown neither of them really wanted or needed.

Steve sighed, nodding a little before beginning, “It’s crazy, you gotta know that.”

“This whole day’s been crazy.”

“Right, okay,” Steve said, a breath laugh on his lips. “Has anyone told you about Will Byers?”

“Sure, Zombie Boy,” Billy supplied, to which Dustin immediately called out, “We don’t call him that, you asshole,” and Steve groaned because he was really hoping they’d get along at least a little in this timeline.

“Yeah, well. Turns out when he went missing he went to this, uh, this other world? It’s under us and things are all flipped around in there so the little shits started calling it the Upside Down,” Steve explained quickly, not stopping for a breath so Billy wouldn’t have time to interrupt him. “There’s these monsters that come from there, they’re called, uh, they’re called demogorgons. Henderson found a little one that’s now not that little, so we have to trap it before it kills anyone.”

Billy didn’t react for a long moment, simply stared at Steve as if trying to determine if this was all some big elaborate prank or not. Then, he blinked, nodded, and said, “I’ve heard crazier.”

“You have?”

“Hell no,” Billy barked out, “that’s batshit. But it explains why you’ve been weird all day.”

“You believe me?” Steve pressed, raising an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected this to be so easy. He’s sure had he not had an actual run-in with a demogorgon first, he would have never believed anything Nancy or Jonathan told him. 

“Chasing monsters sounds a lot better than anything else I could do tonight, so sure. I believe you, Harrington,” Billy offered, simple as that. 

“Steve!” Dustin called out, seemingly in competition with himself to see how long he could pronounce the vowels in Steve’s name. “Dart’s not taking the bait. What do we do now?”

He knew what they did now. He knew because it was the same choice he made the first time, the only thing that could be done when he was the only near-adult in the group. There was Billy, of course, but this was new territory. Steve couldn’t risk losing Billy even sooner than before, lost to demodogs the way Joyce had mentioned the Radio Shack guy had gone out. 

No, this had to be him, and him alone.

“I got it,” Steve reassured him, picking himself up off the ground and readjusting his grip on the bat. “Stay on the bus.”

“What are you doing? Steve, where’re you going?” Dustin called out, “Those things are out there!”

“That’s kinda the point, Henderson,” Steve offered up, “they want live bait? They’ve got it.”

But then Billy was standing, grabbing the tire iron he’d kept stowed away in the Camaro for emergency use. “Hey, wait no, stay,” Steve protested, hand flying out to press against Billy’s chest to stop him.

“You want to have all the fun without me? C’mon, it’s rude not to share, pretty boy,” Billy answered, holding up his tire iron like proof of something.

No, no he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t send Billy out there with all those demodogs, surely that’s not what the universe meant to have happen when it sent him back to th—

—Except it hadn’t been the universe at all. It had been the Upside Down, the fissures that Vecna himself had created in their world, to send him here. What if all of this was an attempt to get in their heads more? What if this was Vecna’s next plan, to force them all to experience new horrors and Steve just happened to be the idiot to fall for it first?

What if Vecna sent him here to watch Billy die on a night Steve already still had nightmares about?

“Which one of us is the baseball varsity captain, Hargrove?” Steve tried to tease, hoping Billy somehow wouldn’t notice the way his voice wavered. “I need someone in here to protect the kids, or I won’t be in my right mind out there. Trust me, I can handle this.”

Trust me. Trust me even though he’d willingly crawled back through the Upside Down portal and risked everything. Trust me, even when he might have made Billy experience death twice with this one move, all because he couldn’t handle being alone. Trust me, even though the last time Billy trusted anyone it resulted in the Mind Flayer’s sharpened appendages spearing harshly through him. 

Billy stared at Steve like the world was on fire and this was their final chance at a goodbye. He stared like that last look he’d given Steve at Starcourt, a quick thing that had only been a second long. A haphazard glance over his shoulder before he’d charged the Mind Flayer, blue eyes shining as he shrugged, seemed to say, ‘what can you do?’, before sacrificing himself. He stared like he knew Steve cared about him in ways that he shouldn’t yet, and he stared like Billy might just feel the same, eventually.

“I’ll keep the Shitheads outta trouble,” Billy conceded, waving Steve off the bus like he was shooing him away.

Steve knew how this worked. Though other moments were fuzzy, this night was clear as day in his brain. His mind replayed it over and over again in his dreams, just one more near-death experience to play on a loop each night. He whistled as he did before, calling out for Dart to show up even knowing that it would attract more attention than he really wanted. And when Lucas screamed out the warning for the other demodogs sneaking up on him, Steve still swung the bat, rolling over the hood of a car to escape death, feeling those same claw marks dig in where he carried those scars once healed across his back.

“Steve!” Dustin screamed, opening the bus door to allow him the chance to barrel in.

But this wasn’t a dream, or a memory, because he distinctly remembered being able to make it to the bus. Steve didn’t remember being slightly too slow, out of practice after months of working at the Family Video rather than at basketball practice. He didn’t remember tumbling to the ground, face smacking harshly against it and sending blood pouring out of his nose. He didn’t remember turning onto his back and being met with the toothy maw of a demodog inches from his face, the slimy drool slipping and coating his shirt as the thing growled at him.

Steve reached his hand out for the bat but when he’d fallen, it had tumbled just out of reach. Fuck. Fuck this was bad, and there was no way out of it because he didn’t know how this new version was supposed to go. And now he would die, without having ever gotten close enough to the Party for them to remember him, without ever repairing and building a friendship with Nancy, without having even met Robin. 

But then the thing was tumbling off of him, flying off to the side with a pained whimper. Then there he was: Billy Hargrove standing over him, arms flexed as he held up the tire iron he’d just swung at the demodog, eyes alight with fire as he looked down at Steve. “You’re really takin’ the live bait thing to heart, aren’t ya?”

“Fuck off,” Steve gasped out, still grabbing Billy’s offered hand to allow the other man to pull him up. It was officially a worthy contender for the primetime spot in his nightmares, being so close to the jaw of a demodog that he could smell its moldy breath. 

Billy smacked him on the shoulder, the good one that hadn’t been clawed to shit by a demodog, and said, “Oh, I don’t think so, the party’s just gettin’ started.”

Steve laughed, shaking out his arms and picking up the bat so it would be a little less obvious that his entire body was shaking. “Hey, Hargrove, what’d you say w—”

“Steve! Billy! Look out!” Lucas and Max screamed from the top of the bus, just in time for Steve to swing his trust nail bat to the left of Billy where a demodog was trying to pounce at him from behind. 

“Shit,” Billy breathed out, looking at the spot the thing had been a moment ago. “Think that makes us even?”

“Are you really making jokes right now?” Steve yelled back as the two of them raised their makeshift weapons at the demodogs that were beginning to surround them. He ended up with his back pressing to Billy’s, both of them covering each others’ blind spots. The demodogs were ready to fight, pouncing and slashing, trying to snap a bite of one of them when their guard was down. Steve and Billy made a good team though, swinging their weapons and keeping the things held back long enough to survive, both panting from the exertion.

“What? Not into jokes, Harrington?” Billy laughed after he hit a demodog hard enough to send it sprawling to the ground and not get back up.

“Are you ever serious about anything?” Steve gasped out, trying not to think about the goop that covered the nail spikes of his bat. “We’re fighting—” Another swing, another crunch. “—fucking monsters from Hell and you’re talking about being even?” At least this, winning a fight against these things, made him feel powerful in a way hiding in the bus hadn’t.

The bus.

Steve looked over to the bus as one of the demodogs they’d knocked away seemed to remember it too. “Guys! Watch out!” he shouted, starting to sprint forward but knowing he wouldn’t get there in time. Billy seemed to realize it too, stood stock still as he watched the thing climb to the top of the bus where his sister was.

“Max!” he shouted out, sounding more distressed than Steve ever remembered him being. 

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Steve would rather he take every hit sent their way if it meant those kids were protected, if they never had to feel the fear of a demodog stalking them down and h—

Lucas fired off a rock from his slingshot straight into the head of the thing, stunning it enough for Max and him to drop down inside the bus and shut the hatch. The thing recovered quickly, letting out a scratchy noise that sent a chill down Steve’s spine and began to dig at the metal roof of the bus. But Lucas had saved Max’s life and given him and Billy enough time to make it to the bus, to climb to the top and fight the thing away from their ragtag group of kids.

And just like they had the first time, all of a sudden the demodogs stopped fighting. They grew calm, slinking away and taking off all in one direction away from the junkyard.

“Where the hell’re they going?” Billy asked from beside Steve.

Steve shrugged, knowing this had only been the first of many fights to come that night, swiping the back of his hand over his forehead to wipe away the sweat gathered there before saying, “they’re going home.”

Steve had to say, he wished they would’ve included Billy from the start. It was far easier to navigate the underground hub of vines when he wasn’t seeing double, and it was far more useful to have Billy’s punches thrown in defense of him rather than at his face.

They set fire to the vines in no time, leaving them with nothing to do but sit at the Byers’s house and wait for the sign that everything was well and truly over.

Well, until the Russians would decide to undo all of their hard work in a few short months. 

He let Billy shower first, instead choosing to stand over the kids to make sure they really called home to let their parents know where they were. He helped Max out even, making it clear that Billy had come by but that Mrs. Byers really appreciated having the kids over to support Will while he was in the hospital. That seemed to do the trick for the woman named Susan who’d picked up the phone, who asked him to wish Will well before she hung up. 

He let the kids all shower next, each one disappearing into Will’s bedroom the moment they were done. Soon enough it was just him and Billy in the living room, both of them picking up the papers that Will had drawn on and arranged around the room in silence.

What was there to say after saving the world? It wasn’t Steve’s first go at this, nor was he sure it would be his last, but Billy had never seen any of this shit before. He’d gone from just trust me, okay? to fighting back-to-back for his life in a few short hours, and sure he didn’t know how Billy would react but he knew how he’d reacted, after that night with Nancy and Jonathan against the demogorgon. 

“How often does this shit happen?” Billy was the first to break the silence, asking the question as the two dropped the last of the papers onto the kitchen table.

Steve shrugged then, considering it for only a moment before he answered, “Once a year? Hell of a Senior Year, right?”

“Yeah,” Billy scoffed, muttering what sounded like a “you could say that,” before he looked at Steve and pointed out, “You should clean that up.”

“Huh?” Steve asked, following Billy’s finger to look over his shoulder at the slowly bleeding gashes on the back of that shoulder. “Oh, it’s fine.” He hadn’t cleaned them up last time, his head had been swimming too heavily to do it himself. No one else had offered that night either, mostly because he’d excused himself and driven home the second Hopper and Joyce had come back, not wanting to be in anyone’s way while they cared over Will. He’d passed out and cleaned up the blood-printed sheets in the morning, making it through a half-day of school before Joyce Byers was dragging him to the hospital for a concussion evaluation.

“What the fuck? Get over here,” Billy demanded then, patting the back of one of the kitchen chairs before slipping out of the room. Though confused, Steve still sat backward in the chair, straddling it and crossing his arms over the top of the back of it. 

Billy returned several minutes later with a rather hefty first aid kit in hand, dropping it onto the table and picking out what supplies he’d need. “Shirt. Off,” Billy demanded again.

“This an excuse to see me shirtless?” Steve teased, forgetting for a moment that this wasn’t his Billy and jokes like that could be dangerous, if not spoken to the right person. Steve shook his head in what he meant to be an apology before slipping off his shirt and letting it drop over the back of the chair to the ground. He thinks he might have heard a ‘the fuck, Harrington?’ under Billy’s breath, but chose not to comment on it as Billy swiped an alcohol pad over the gashes.

In those few short months they had together, Steve had learned that Billy knew first aid well. Part of it was from his lifeguard job—having been trained in the basics even though the worst he’d ever seen was a scrape on the knee of some kid who was running around the community pool. Most of it, though, was from something far more sinister. Something Billy never outright said to him, but something Steve had been able to put together after one too many nights of Billy coming over with clean knuckles and a split lip.

“We could use more of this on the team, you know,” Steve offered when they’d lapsed into silence for a few moments.

“What’re you talking about now, pretty boy?”

“This,” Steve repeated, “the first aid. None of us know shit about anything.”

“Yeah, I can tell,” Billy bit back, rubbing his hand over the sticky pad on Steve’s shoulder blade before beginning to wrap gauze around his shoulder. “You were gonna leave this shit be? That’d be a worse idea than dating Wheeler.”

“Hey, if you’re gonna join the Party, you can’t be saying that stuff. You have to play nice,” Steve countered, turning his head and smirking playfully at Billy, who looked stunned, eyebrow raised as he began to focus on cleaning up the bandage scraps and bloody gauze he’d left behind.

“Who said anything about me joining the Party?”

“You’re still here, aren’t you?”

“Only ‘cause you’d probably get yourself killed if I left,” Billy countered, and Steve tried to ignore the way his eyes obviously flicked down to Steve’s lips as he stood close, with barely any space between them. And Hell, maybe they should’ve brought Billy into the loop simply for the fact that saving the world with him in one night made Steve feel what months of careful tiptoeing around each other had. Maybe this is how it should’ve gone all along, if Steve hadn’t been so concerned with a girl who never loved him back and Billy hadn’t been kept in the dark about the secrets Hawkins held.

“So you are staying then,” Steve grinned victoriously, patting Billy’s arm when the other guy didn’t protest. “You can take the couch, I’ll crash on Jonathan’s floor.” 

Steve crossed the house to the hallway leading to the bedrooms, stopping only once to toss over his shoulder, “Welcome to the team, Hargrove, thanks for saving my ass tonight.”

And as he laid down for sleep that night, despite the ache in his back he knew he’d feel from laying on the floor, he smiled because he knew he’d finally done it right. He didn’t know how this would change everything yet, but he did know the Upside Down didn’t send him back for no reason. Somehow, this would help him save Billy and Eddie. He just had to take the second chance.

#steddilly #harringroveson #steve x billy x eddie #stranger things #steve harrington #billy hargrove #eddie munson #jay writes in theory

[lcs-library]

Yes this is an A9! AU like most other A3! Selfshippers come at me if you must

Safeshiptember Day 11: Magic

Taglist: @dango-daydreams

Lu sighed, glancing over the spellbook again, trying to make sure she didn’t read it wrong for the upteenth time. Sure enough, the words were the same as always, she just couldn’t get it right.

The drama club needed this effect for their next show, and yet none of the members were in the Spring Dorm, meaning none of them could produce wind magic. Granted, neither was she, but that wouldn’t stop her from trying.

She grumbled, summoning her courage to try again, not caring how many people passed by her, no doubt curious, possibly even making fun of her. She was quite literally out of her element, given her affiliation with the Summer Dorm and its fire magic.

She chanted the incantation, making sure her hands were in the right position, took a breath, and… nothing. Well, nothing being a few sparks, as opposed to the short gust of wind she was hoping for. Lu waved them away, trying not to cry.

She covered her face as she laid in the grassy courtyard, hoping and praying she could actually get it right just once.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

“Are you okay?” It asked.

Lu dragged her hands off of her eyes, peering up to see who it was.

She was met with a fairly short boy, with reddish-pink hair, matching eyes that were as bright as stars, and a concerned expression. He looked somewhat familiar…

“I’m fine,” she groaned, more to reassure herself than him, “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re a Summer student, right?”

“Hm? Why do you ask?”

“That’s a Spring spellbook.”

Lu glanced back at the book she had abandoned.

“So it is.”

“So, what are you doing?” He asked, crouching down to her level, prompting her to sit up.

Lu let out a deep sigh, not sure she should really tell a stranger her plan, much less a Spring-affiliated one, given his uniform. And yet, she found the words spilling out faster than she could keep track of.

“The drama club needs a wind effect for our next show, but there aren’t any Spring students in there, so I asked my friend Masumi if I could borrow his spellbook and do it myself.”

Why did she tell him all that? Did he really need to know? How did she manage to deem him trustworthy right off the bat?

The boy giggled.

“That’s really kind of you. If you want, I’d be happy to show you.”

“Would you really?”

He nodded, offering her a hand to help her up, which she immediately took.

“Oh, I forgot to ask,” he started, “what’s your name? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

“Lucille. Just call me Lu, though, it’s easier.”

“Lu? That’s pretty! I’m Sakuya, the Spring Dorm leader.”

Leader? It’s true that she must have seen him around at events, maybe that was why he seemed so familiar.

“Sakuya… is Saku fine?”

“Sure! Now, how about we get started on that spell?”

“Okay!”

So, with that, Sakuya repositioned Lu’s body, making sure it was in the right spot, putting her fingers in the correct places, and let her recite the incantation.

As expected, nothing but sparks, though they did swirl around a bit this time, which was an improvement.

Sakuya decided to demonstrate first, seeing as it might not have been her fault things were going awry. Despite his awkward positioning, he managed to create a small burst of wind without even using an incantation.

Lu gawked, forcing a blush to rise on Sakuya’s face.

Another try from Lu, even with attempts at improvement, and nothing.

Two, ten, thirteen tries all turned to sparks, sometimes even full bursts of fire.

She chewed her lip, turning back to the book, re-reading every word as carefully as before, even if nothing changed. Sakuya couldn’t help but pity her.

“Lu?”

“Hm?”

“When is your show running?”

“About a month from now. Why do you ask?”

“I think I’d be able to make it! Would that help?”

“Are you sure? Don’t you have, like, leader duties or something?”

“I’m sure! Even if I do, I’d be happy to cancel, I’ve been wanting to check out the drama club for a while now!”

“Really?”

“Mhm! So, can I help out? In the meantime, I can help tutor you on that spell in case I need an understudy.”

Lu’s eyes lit up, a smile crossing her lips for the first time since they met as she trapped him in a hug.

“Yes! Thank you so, so, so much!”

Sakuya was taken aback, partly due to her nearly toppling him over, partly due to physical affection still being a newer concept to him, but mostly due to the sheer nature of the action, the amount of love it held, even if they barely knew each other. He gingerly placed his arms around her waist, trying his best to reciprocate the affection.

“You’re welcome…”

“Can you be there for rehearsal after school tomorrow?” She asked, pulling away from the hug to face him.

“I think so!”

“Great! So, I’ll see you at tomorrow’s rehearsal?”

Sakuya chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll see you then. It’s a promise,” he said, sticking out his pinky. Lu stared at it for a bit before bursting into another smile.

“Yeah! A promise!” She replied, linking her pinky in his, enjoying every bit of his warmth, a gut feeling telling her she’d eventually feel this way forever.

#fanfiction #yume time #acting angels #Safeshiptember #Safeshiptember 2023 #this was actually a lot of fun to write!!! despite being based on h*rry p*tt*r it’s a good AU #my fics

[illusioninteractions]

Hey! So, I've done some thinking and I think I've decided I'm okay with taking requests! Though, before I go through my rules, let me introduce myself to those who read this or follow me who don't know who I am!

My author's name is Illusion Interactions, and I started writing fanfictions about 2 years ago, but I've been writing my whole life. I started posting on Wattpad, which went well for my first fanfiction book. My account is still up, and I will continue to post multiple chapter-filled stories there. I am the author of "Shifting Souls" on Wattpad, "Love Never Discussed" on Tumblr, and "A Spark That Grows Into A Flame" which is also on Tumblr. I do plan to keep long stories on Wattpad and One Shots here on Tumblr, so I'm posting on both depending on what you're interested in!

Now, here are my rules for requesting One Shots from me:

-Smut, lemon, etc, I will NOT do. I need more practice in the area before I'm completely comfortable writing such explicit stories, but the moment I am, I will make sure to update this post! I can do Lime, which is just mentioning's, yet not going in depth.

-Characters I don't know won't be written about, so here is everything I've watched/played/read: Genshin Impact, Obey Me, Attack on Titan, Black Butler, Banana Fish, Tokyo Ghoul, Fruits Basket, My Hero Academia, Backflip!!, Haikyuu!!, A Silent Voice, Fire Force, Kakegurui, Hunter x Hunter, Bungo Stray Dogs, Anohana: The Flower We Saw that Day, Charlotte, Horimiya, Komi Can't Communicate, Demon Slayer, Spy x Family, Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Ouran High School Host Club, High School Babysitters, Yuri! On Ice, Death Note, K, Kamisama Kiss, Erased, Stars Align, Devilman Crybaby, Howls Moving Castle, The Case Study of Vanitas, Claymore, Your Lie in April, Toilet Bound: Hanako-kun, Violet Evergarden, High Rise Invasion, Cheer Boys!!, A3!, Angels of Death, Skate the Infinity, March Comes in Like a Lion, Joker Game, All Out!!, Ikebukuro West Gate Park, Plunderer, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, 5 Centimeters Per Second, A Whisker Away, Flavors of Youth, Mirai, Your Name, Weathering With You, Drifting Home, Bubble, Belle, Akira, A Lull in the Sea, Stranger by the Shore, The Garden of Words, Given, Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel, Digital Circus, Boyfriends, Heartstopper, Our Life: Beginnings and Always.

-I'm totally okay (and love) doing Y/n inserts, but pronouns will be automatically set as Gender Neutral unless spoken of otherwise. If it's between two characters, or more, that's also perfectly fine!

-I can also do music One Shots, so if you're interested in that I can comply.

Hope you guys will enjoy my writing! If anything happens to change any of this, the post WILL be updated!

#writing requests #one shots #requests open #taking requests #anime #video games #reading #author #genshinimpact #attack on titan #helluva boss #digital circus #Heartstopper #our life: beginnings & always

[meowmeow422]

Ask and you may recieve

Hey, everyone!

I decided to open up 'asks' so yeeh!

Here are the guidelines—read 'em before submitting. Please and thank you

Acceptable asks

Doodle/art requests

(Fan)fic request

Hcs

Aus

Ships

Rps

Hard Nos

NSFW

Slandering

Religious stuff (if it's light, that's fine tho)

Fandoms/ characters I love and know about (and may or may not have aus/hcs for)

-PowerPunk Girls + RowdyRight Boys

Ino Yamanaka from Naruto

The Batfamily (mostly Bruce and the boys tho)

Pokemon Trainer Red from the games, anime and manga

Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Rengoku Kyoujuro from Demon Slayer

L (Lawliet) from Death Note

Mirio Togata from My Hero Academia

Beerus from Dragon Ball

Nico Robin from One Piece

Sir Crocodile from One Piece

Buggy The Clown from One Piece

Valt Aoi from Beyblade Burst

TMNT 2012

The Wariors of Hope from Danganronpa

The Vees from Hazbin Hotel

M&M from Helluva Boss

Fandoms/characters I really like but don't know much about

PowerPuff Girls

Uzumaki (Namikaze) Menma from Naruto

The Sound 5 from Naruto

The Akatsuki from Naruto

Saitama from One Punch Man

Genos from One Punch Man

Ben Tennison from Ben 10

Bobobo bo bobo

The 3 V's, aka Valentino, Vox and Velvet from Hazbin Hotel

Beyblade Burst

Obey Me!

A3! Act, Addict, Actor

Beerus from Dragon Ball

Might Guy from Naruto

The Lion Guard

Star vs The Forces of Evil

Peter Parker/ Spider-man

Dabi from My Hero Academia

My Little Pony

Ninjago

Winx Club

Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel

If the show/character you wanna ask about isn't here, you are still allowed to ask! Just know that I may not have heard of 'em

#ask me anything #ask game #ask blog #ask #anon ask #q&a #q&a time

[primeministerofantarctica]

A3! reading club: prologue

Starting off with a prolepsis is a nice technique, although I think it's interesting that only Harugumi gets spotlighted here. Probably to avoid spoilers from later troupes.... Either way, I love how Sakuya's observations serve as an introduction to the other members. Masumi's cool-headed, Tsuzuru won't rest until his scripts are perfect, Itaru's anxious about pulling this off successfully (he does care :')), and Citron's a man of mystery.

I never really thought about this before, but I like that the prologue establishes that Izumi has the experience and knowledge necessary to qualify as a theater director. She's not just diving in headfirst with no idea what she's doing.

Also, this whole "street act" thing sends me every time it's mentioned. Veludo Way has to be a tourist destination, surely Izumi's not the first person to freak out over someone faking an illness. You know those horror stories about comedians dying of heart attacks on-stage bc the audience thought they were doing A Bit; this seems like a disaster waiting to happen. What if you got into an argument with someone and a bunch of strangers started clapping.

At least Tasuku's nice enough to come over and make sure Izumi's alright. He's not going to be really relevant for a good long while, but we're already establishing that he does care about other people, despite Godza's "every man for himself" culture.

Oh, Tsuzuru, just be glad you're not a college student in the US. >_>

Sakyo, you JUST recognized the first and only person you had a crush on, the daughter of Yukio himself, and you're telling her to get lost? Why? Are you trying to save Izumi from the heartbreak of caring about something futile? Because if so, you absolutely suck at it.

Izumi's reactions are the best. Also, shout-out to Sakai-san for being able to pull off "bad at acting" without dissolving into the 100% flat monotone typical when actors try to play bad actors. You can tell Sakuya's trying, but his pauses are placed just randomly enough to be awkward. From an acting standpoint, that's got to be incredibly hard to pull off.

This makes me wince. In retrospect, it's so obvious how much Sakyo cares about this theater. He was willing to pause the demolition project for the absolutely miniscule chance that Matsukawa had somehow, miraculously, secured a bestselling performance. Of course he hasn't, but the fact that Sakyo was still willing to give him one more chance speaks volumes.

Unfortunately, he's also a realist, and he's right. People love touting "hard work" as the only thing an artist needs to succeed, but without money, most people simply don't have the financial stability to really dedicate themselves to their craft. It's harsh, it sucks, and it's unfair, but it's also true. I don't remember if we get Sakyo's backstory in the main story or a later event, but going off it it makes sense that this is the additude he's adopted.

This hits harder after finding out Sakuya basically ran away from home :(. Not like he couldn't go back to his aunt and uncle, but that's got to be crushing.

I love how Izumi is mentally pspspsing Matsukawa SO HARD to back her up, just like he did with her earlier. There is a single braincell ping-ponging between these two and Sakyo's just watching this trainwreck.

Sakuya's reaction to Matsukawa saying he cooks all the food is gold. Ofc he's too polite to say it outright, but the fact that even Sakuya feels the need to warn Izumi about Matsukawa's culinary skills is just. So funny.

Speaking of which, I think it's interesting how Sakuya's (known optimist and sunshine child) first reaction to realizing Izumi was lying is a despondent "Does that mean the troupe is going under after all?" He immediately cheers up and snatches the smidge of hope offered to him, but this little piece of character writing goes a long way in setting up his hopefulness as something that isn't based on naivety.

I'm running out of screenshots and too far in to consider making another post, but gosh. Masumi, I love you, but you are making it REALLY easy to remember why I didn't at first. I will concede that his blushing and not being able to look Izumi in the eyes is cute, though. If there was more of that and less of...this, I might have warmed up to him a lot earlier.

Also, Tsuzuru agreeing to join after finding out there's free food is an absolute Mood. Five minutes of screen time and he's already a voice for college students everywhere.

The last few minutes are pretty much what we'd expect - Tsuzuru (very conveniently) says he's a scriptwriter, Izumi eagerly accepts the free labor before he can join a union (I'm joking, I'm joking.), they run back to the theater and Sakyo says he'll give them one more chance. The conditions won't be revealed until the next chapter, but it really is a testament to Sakyo's love for Mankai just how lenient he's being. A month might be cutting it pretty close when prepping for a play, but Sakyo's a debt broker in the freaking Yakuza, and almost definitely acting as a middleman between this company and someone higher up. Ofc the Yakuza here are a lot more lighthearted than the ones in real life, but that's still got to be incredibly risky.

#astra rambles #a3! reading club

[arigatonamuse]

the re-reading continues time for:

Episode 1 - The Show Must Go On! (pt1)

CW: I will be talking about parental neglect in this (also i call Itaru names but it's all /lh i promise)

Chapter 1

Me, reading the prologue: i’ve given up on thinking about the timeline Me, in the very first chapter: what if i tried, anyway?

*Quietly converts yen to my currency* Oh whew That’s more than the money i’d need to pay off my student loans

Sakuya 🤝 me Being confused about the “tricks” comment (i was able to understand it from context later on tho)

Honestly? Good on Massu for slapping Sakyo for saying that

Izumi rationalising her being neglected as “my dad loved this troupe” and holding onto that because if it wasn’t that way then he was just a neglectful father, Yukio HAD to love the troupe because if he didn’t… then where would that put her? (Izumi, my beloved, we was still neglectful towards you, you don’t need to make excuses for him, he kinda WAS a piece of shit since before vanishing and that’s not your fault and responsibility bby)

Izumi calling Mankai, which was more or less Yukio’s favourite child, a “priceless treasure” makes me wonder… is she doing all these, at least in part, so Yukio will finally see her worth or something? Because Mankai is a priceless treasure but his family wasn’t worth his time, is this Izumi trying to show her importance to her dad too?

Damn, Izumi really has to heal from some shit, doesn’t she?

HE ABANDONED YOU, IZUMI HE HAD ABANDONED YOU SINCE BEFORE HE FLED JAPAN

Izumi wanting Sakyo to retract his statement really makes me feel like i’m onto something regarding Izumi wanting to prove her important and worth to Yukio

I should Adopt this mindset in my life tbh

Chapter 2

I really wanna recreate the dorms somehow but i’m just remembering how the map is not actually up to scale and i tried alr and it was Weird and aaaaaaaah

I love how Izumi shuts down or ignores Masumi while still being a caring adult towards him, that’s some model adult shit tbh

Sakuya’s parents ;-;

Izumi saying things about Sakuya’s parents without Knowing make my heart ache for him so much

Oh i had forgotten how much i cannot stand Sakuya’s relative from the phone call I’m feeling a bit violent at reading through her lines

I do wonder… Sakkun says he’s been crashing at his friends’ places but… how come we’ve never heard of his friends again?

Ngl now i’m wondering if the line about meeting his parents was just Massu trying to change the conversation topic away from… his family situation 

Again, tho, i love how Izumi is explicit in telling him no when it comes to those comments

She’s such a caring and generally Good Adult towards the younger members ;w;

Chapter 3

I wonder how Matsukawa’s food was bad in order for it to be salvageable through curry, bc i do know that Izumi’s a queen when it comes to making it but i doubt you can salvage like… overcooked food or just a weird food goop with it?

(I am now thinking about An’s rant about curry (i think about it often ngl))

Now that i think about it… i actually wanna listen to Izumi’s rambles about spices too, please and thank you

I would love to watch OG Harugumi’s romijuli

HAKAKU MENTION HOLY SHIT

Chapter 4

Massu and Tsuzuru questioning why actors need to exercise… meanwhile i’m having flashbacks at my hs theatre club’s “warm up” exercises including circus bs every now and then (no really, i learnt how to jump through a hoop and land in different ways)

I had forgotten Massu’s parents had their SECRETARY answer to Mankai regarding their son’s whole ass living arrangements

Izumi is so quick to point out when someone’s parents/tutors don’t care about their child and yet… *looks at her making excuses for Yukio*

Chapter 5

I love how Tsuzuru is already thinking like a storyteller even though he doesn’t have the scriptwriter role yet

That said, Tsusuru, you’re wrong, there are MANY things one can do with a limited cast, you just have to break away from the traditional theatre structure

THE HOMELESS

Same, Tsuzuru, same

DOGHOUSE

Something something Masumi's a sheltered rich kid

Note: ask An what Citron’s lines say in Japanese (idk exactly what they say but i think loc had to change them a lot based on the ham/daikon change)

IZUMI WAS ONTO HIM FROM THE FIRST MOMENT THEY MET SHE WAS ONTO HIM (and we have the seed of suspicion planted for understanding Citron’s character more in depth)

oh my god, Tsuzuru, you can't just ask someone why they're wearing a headscarf 

Citron i love you but you cannot talk about bare skin when your v neck goes that deep

“With all due respect, are you nuts?!”

The pleasure is all mine, Sir Citron (this is the part where i try and fail to convince people that i’m normal about my faves)

I feel so bad for Sakuya wrt the spinning around but also i cannot stop giggling

istg i read the way Sakuya literally stumbled on Itaru in more than one fic back in the 2010s

Itaru you fucking liar i see you

SARDINE CAN ROOMS Citron i get that you’re a prince and all but those rooms are actually pretty damn spacious 

Chapter 6

Have i mentioned that i love Citron? Bc i love Citron

Izumi’s right, Citron is very pretty and i think we need to talk about that more

This is the first time where Citron says something ridiculous, so far his grammar and vocab haven’t been anything outlandish (except for a “Manzai Company” mention last chapter) This could be proof that Citron does what he does on purpose as a mood maker, he waited for a bit, talking to the troupe more or less normally at first, before pulling this, and he does this the moment he sees people seem to be distressed (i should add this to the Citron essay)

Tsuzuru being so determined on what he wants to do makes you want to root for him so bad, i care he

Tsuzuru and Hakkaku parallels shown this early on! 

But also Tsusuru bby it’s been two days and you’re already trying to pile too many things on your plate

Izumi being so harsh with him (yet giving him this big ass chance) lowkey reminds me of Sakyo in the first chapter

“Abducted alien” something something Citron othering himself while still being "in character"

I am so emo about Izumi’s lines regarding being on stage She loved the stage so much she deserves to be kinder on herself and give herself more chances

KASUMI MENTION (no names but y'know) I am VERY curious about what the original Japanese says here Also i love that this seemed like a throwaway line back then, but now we know who it was referring to and we actually got to meet Kasumi? It means so much more now

Chapter 7

Oh Izumi you’re gonna be so disappointed

Itaru I’m onto you

ITARU I’M ONTO YOU

Dw Izumi, it’s not your fault, he took up your offer with the conditions you mentioned

“あめんぼあかいなあいうえお” -> *starts singing Citron no Tadashii Nihongo Kouza? In his head*

I love Citron so much (but also i’m onto you too y’know)

Chapter 8

Massu’s relationship with Tsuzuru has improved so much, it makes me so emo

HE WASN’T GOING TO UNI? TSUZURU PLEASE!

I’d forgotten how annoyed i was at Itaru at first but whew he sure annoys me with his disappearing, excuses, and not giving a shit outside the scheduled rehearsals

HE MADE IZUMI WORRY AND I FEEL SO BAD FOR HER

MASUMI PLEASE

I love how quick Sakuya and Citron are to care about their troupemates Idk if it is the same in the original but Citron calling Tsuzuru “my dear Tsuzuru” is actually so cute to me ;w; (I know he’s partly just being dramatic but still, it’s cute)

Chapter 9

I love how Massu just deadpans his question about if it’s a gay script

Citron, anything you wanna share with the class?

TSUZURU AND MIZUNO LORE (i’d forgotten they mentioned his inspiration this early)

Citron’s line about understanding Tsuzuru makes so much more sense knowing about his past (I wonder if he’s thinking about Guy here?) And him following the first time he opens up, ever, with a mistake is SO interesting to me it makes Tsuzuru focus on the mistake instead of Citron’s possible backstory, and his correction makes the audience follow along that path too and--

Tsuzuru’s so right to say that Sakuya represents what Harugumi stands for, he has no idea 

“No protein dayo”

Oho now we have two people onto Citron

Sakkun leader!

Tsuzuru so mean to Citron :<

ITARU GAMER REVEAL

Honestly i’d completely forgotten about how it took me some time to warm up to Itaru but i’m so excited to see that happen again now

Chapter 10

CITRON SOUNDS SO UPSET AT HIS NUMBER OF LINES I’M SORRY MY DEAR 

ITARU YOU DIRTY LIAR

Before Banri “Super Ultra Easy Mode” Settsu, there was Masumi

Sakuya is trying so hard i wanna cry from love

MASUMI PLEASE DON’T BE MEAN TO SAKKUN HE’S TRYING HIS BEST

Ngl tho i can’t be that upset at Masumi because his criticisms are right Like yeah he’s being a bit harsh and should’ve given everyone more time to feel their place with the script before making them but… he’s… not wrong Something something Masumi had a different experience with the script so he expects everyone to be similar

NOOOO SAKKUN DON’T SAY THAT

Massu that’s not what Tsuzuru said, that’s a whole new sentence

Citron to the rescue

sEE! SEE! HE MAKES MISTAKES WHEN THE MOOD IS TENSE TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD!

Itaru you bitch

Aaaaand i got to the max images i could add to one post alright see y'all in pt2

#a3! reading club #long post #cam's rambles

[sora227]

Intro + Commisions?

"I welcome anything as long as it's cute ♪"

...

Hello! I should've made this intro earlier, but oh well...

I'm Sora! I like writing and making theories about the fandoms I'm in. My main fandoms currently are: Danganronpa Despair Time, Project Sekai, and Genshin Impact. Other fandoms include: Komi Can't Communicate, A3!, Ouran Host Club, Omori, Honkai Impact 3rd, normal Danganronpa, etc etc

Kin List (sorry): Mizuki Akiyama (prsk), Xingqiu (gi), Albedo (gi), Emu Otori (prsk), Mafuyu Asahina (prsk), and Hero? (Omori) 💕 Rui Kamishiro and Mizuki Akiyama my beloveds 💕

DNI is just basic criteria. Don't be mean. Please.

Writing Commisions:

Status: 0/5 I'm gonna start doing these! I can write fanfics for YOU!!!! Yes you (maybe). I can only write 5 at a time, so if it's full, please do not ask me for any more...

Things I can write:

Fluff

Angst (personal fav)

Ships that aren't illegal

Headcanons

Wholesome self shipping things idk

Crackfics

Things in the fandoms I like (see above)

Things I will NOT write:

NSFW of any sorts

Long ass chapter things

Fandoms I do not know of

Thanks for reading, and have a good day/night!

(edits are by: @/virtuallidol !! go check them out!)

#intro #sora speaks

[ippenx]

A3! Act 1 Thoughts (1) | Reread

Ouch, Sakyo. Please, don’t torture Izumi like that! Like damn, he was rough.

Izumi’s room is on the 2nd floor – noted for fic purposes.

And Sakuya calling her ma’am, Imma cry!! So official.

*holds Sakuya gently* you poor traumatized child, I’m so sorry for your parents.

Lol, they settled this with rock paper scissors (they both threw rock).

TSUZURU! And Sakuya warning everyone about the food, but in vain ….

Birth of our bi-curry-ous queen. We stan.

The Yuzo-appeal at play, I see.

Adding bakery to list of places Tsuzuru worked at.

That is so me honestly, Matsukawa you go, don’t let them slander you.

Anyway, Tsuzuru has such gorgeous eyes, if his story had gone differently, I assume I would have been a massively down-horrendous Tsuzuru fan.

Lol, Izumi zoning in on the broke uni student demographic almost immediately! Girl should be in marketing.

Here he is accused of being homeless. Saving this as a reaction pic.

Izumi, that is an eloping ruler of a foreign nation whom your upcoming actions over the next year or so will save from a literal assassination attempt. Mind your words, lady!

Citron my love, given some of your subsequent fruity behavior, I would actually not be surprised if that was on your bucket list of things to do before you are dragged back to Zafra.

CitoIzu likers, all idk, two of you? Here’s your crumbs.

Tsuzuru really killing it with the reaction shots.

*checks notes* honey according to like half the fandom, that’s your future husband so mind your words. But also, you are so right. It’s a love-hate relationship, isn’t it? Hehehe.

Masumi, you weren’t even there when she ran into the hottest man in Veludo way and just casually exchanged words like it was nothing. When Izumi does hit on someone, I am pretty sure they would be dead on the ground. I know I would be!

And they picked up Itaru via Sakuya getting spun around by Citron and then bumping into Itaru? Something something SSR tier gacha pull, otsu Sakuya!

Itaru, you massive, massive weeb. I feel you. But also, sharing that with Chikage of all people … you are so cursed or *ship glasses on* so blessed.

CitoIzu crumb number two? Noted.

YAAAASSSS queen, put yourself out there bestie!

I would say “no” to that, Matsukawa. Sorry not sorry!

Spoken like a true writer! If my life’s dream depended on it, I too would get through 10k words a day and more.

*furiously taking notes for my upcoming TasuIzu fic that revolves specifically around getting Izumi back into acting*

Birth of Tsuzuru ‘Nothing a little gender-bend can’t fix’ Minagi.

Really though, Izumi makes me so happy with this, cause sometimes you just need A CHANCE to go crazy and being given that chance is everything.

Girl you are so easily swindled, I worry for you sometimes.

It’s kinda funny how this might be intended to set up a total demolition of our expectations, but in all honesty, she’s right. All my responsible adult circles are full of geeks with money funneled into hobbies, that’s the best brand of responsible adult in my opinion. Itaru just needs to learn to maybe do a little more room keeping.

I could open a special folder just for these.

Next: Act 1 Part 2 →

← Previous: Prologue

#a3! #spring troupe #act 1 #a3! reading club

[emilycollins00]

Act 2 re-read! A summer of overcomings!

Celebration time!! First otsu otsu from Itaru made me nostalgic sob

“Closing night was one of the happiest moments of my life” I know this is natsugumi time but this line from Saku hit me in the feels (also seeing Masumi’s sprite laughing like that was so sweet aw)

I like Yuki sm. I mean, I have always liked him but he’s so... frank? (mmm not the word but oh well) for his age and in the auditions you see the contrast between him and Kazu. Yuki IS somewhat interested after the show but I feel he understood it might take something more for him to be on board (after all there is a lot going on), on the other hand Kazu just went for it -which is fine- but it did feel as if he didn’t think that one too much (edit after the whole read: now im thinking that maybe it’s bc he saw the possibility of creating something similar to what spring troupe showed in like... a chance to find what he was looking for in a real friendship and i might cry)

Costume designer AND actor, tsuzuru pls don’t push the hand work to a middle schooler

“Mmm… You are pretty young” Tenma I’m tilting my head and raising my eyebrow that is not how I raised you (I forgot how he behaved at first help).

I loved how the audition went! Also props to Izumi for facing the big named actor and saying basically if you keep up this behaviour no matter how good you are you are out.

It's nice hearing the parents' voices as well! Yuki’s mom felt mmm idk didn’t expect it like that? Not that it was bad but it did feel how the house worked (also sakisaka papa crying bc of his son I swear this familyyyy/pos I love him)

“Where’s my gold star?” “Up your ass for all I care” Yuki really didn’t hold back oh my GOD once again kissing location

MISUMIIII (SDFGHJ Kazu really went “Rad it’s a ghost!” I wheezing) also the mechanic of the game to make it seem he was jumping all over the place by moving his sprite quickly from one side to the other hELP

There it is, the first catch em all from Izumi I love her kahsdkhkd

“Can I have another onigiri?” “Take it, my burglar friend” these combos I’m having so much fun?? (also the etudes where so nice to see!! tenma-misumi that was real cool)

OGtenma: I SHOULD be the leader bc blah, blah-

CurrentTenma whispering: You naive fool

Misumi being happy at kazu calling him bud I might cry

I like natsugumi ambition in all honestly regarding the play (also side note but kajshj strong muku unlocked I forgot he was like that since the beginning!)

First rehearsal was good for the exp they have. I’m happy Sakuya used his powers on Tenma to make him see you can be a good leader without needing to be complaining (whoever said that this might be bc Tenma was used to this harsh treatment during his jobs I second it)

The whole thing with kazu OH I wish I could hug him. That little flat laugh made me stop the story oof. Tenma really stepped over the line with everyone and I’m super glad Izumi had a talk with him

AW the firework scene!! (also known as, the beginning of tenma’s bullying/j) I think the natsugumi story is one of the most fun bc their dynamic as a full groupe are just so chaotic filled with nostalgia? I mean, they are the youngest troupe and I know it’s intentional but I still like it <3

THE BATH DMS I SWEAR THIS TROUPE I'M CACKLING (yuki’s was heads down the best I helpppp) glad the camp went well in the end!!

Yuzo and Sakyo attacking once again wow/j

Not Izumi getting teary at the vision of his dad AND misumi giving her a triangle they both deserve so much I swear (I’m also super curious about Og-natsugumi)

EVERYONE SILENCE WILD OMI APPEARED/j he was so sweet from minute 0 aw (I’m ignoring his angst up until akigumi main story <3 nope, not today)

I can’t wait to know about Reni in future jp stories bc SIR why

Anyway mukuyuki friendship ftw I adore how they hold one another and get strong together

Kazunari’s having a hard time siding with an opinion oh that was so close to home. I wish there was a way to help when someone is not able to voice or choose bc of pressure about their surroundings mm

OK SO If Igawa has 100 fans I’m one of them. If Igawa has 1 fan I’m them. If Igawa has no fans then-

Sumeragi dad I hope you kjdfknfjk I had to stop reading again. The thought of hitting tenma whether it was a one-time thing or… yeah, I can’t. I don’t like how this was handled so no more comment!

Sob. Can Izumi give me a pep talk as well. Just one? Please?

I love this troupe dynamic I swear. Good boys all over the place doing their best!!

I also wonder about hakkaku mmmmmm (“gramps is the only one who didn’t give up on me” that was so heavy… the protractor….. I need a minute)

Off that first camera dressing rehearsal I forgot…. Aw that must have been so harsh! Tenma really froze, him practicing alone in the theatre was something.

No but I’m asking BEGGING at this point can Izumi give me a pep talk??? (what a woman I love her and admire her SO MUCH UGH)

Spring troupe encouraging aww I love tenma-saku dynamic.

Man this play was everything!! I loved the full tale and that Muku really saved Tenma there!! (I’m proud of everyone but Muku somehow seeing the first audition and this one?? The boy worked so much and it SHOWS )

Tenma calling each of them before the last play without honorifics and everyone being so sweet ofc I cried all the way until the curtain call aw… all the adlibs brought so much force to the play and seeing them hugging and so happy oof, the whole thing was so fun I’m so glad! <33

Igawa coming to see Tenma? Nice Tenma’s parents coming to see him? MMM

MUKU’S PARENTS ARE JUST LOVELY WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THEM MORE

GASP the juza/banri fight was after the play oh wow I did NOT remember that happening!! Abstaining from commenting but ogbanri that was so rude of you, you cant just come up to someone and ask for a fight!

Not reni talking about taichi like an assassin kasdkh this man is such a drama queen

I loveeeed this ep. They didn’t focus much on each member but the interactions between them all as a groupe were adorable as time passed aw they are friends your honor 💕💕

#a3! reading club #em speaks