#are very funny but another example of how the anime kind of. exagerates when they step away from canon

[mokutone]

okay bc the last post was a art post without naruto this is a naruto post without art ive been sitting on this topic for MONTHS so im just gonna share it, lets get ready to do a mild dive into The Yamato Pays For Lunch Scene!!!

this scene is funny and yamato being flattered and flustered is endearing, and kakashi is funny in this but a lot of the time this scene is used to characterize the bulk of kakashi and yamato's interactions in a way which kinda reduces yamato largely to just...kakashi's fool, Just A Moron Who Does What Kakashi Says Because He's Starstruck Stupid/ In Love/ A Sucker

and I'm not gonna lie, while that's a...possible...reading of the source material and all, it's not my favorite since it's. really entirely at the expense of Yamato's character, so I'm gonna try and provide a counter reading based on things I notice in the scene from the manga: warning. this is a very long post bc i am NOT good at being succinct

first i'd like to point this little bit out:

u can notice here that in that first panel in the top right, Kishimoto makes a point of including yamato in the shot in the background, not just eating his own noodles and minding his business but clearly paying attention to what Kakashi and Naruto are talking about, and Kakashi, in dialogue, pretty clearly states his intention to sweet talk Somebody. Additionally, In the anime if I remember correctly, Kakashi adds in something after the sweet talk line like "I promise, it'll be interesting," which clearly designates Naruto as Not being the one who is going to get the sweet-talk, since he will be Observing the Interesting Thing. This is important because Naruto, at first, thinks that Kakashi is referring to more Ninja Training, but this line makes it clear that he's Not talking about that. Anyway, put a pin in this whole thing.

then the funny little incident itself:

goofy and endearing. that's all i have to say. ANYWAY.

the most interesting part of this interaction is what happens afterward in my opinion; they go back to the training ground and kakashi gives naruto a little pep talk about how if Anyone can master this jutsu it is GOING to be naruto, because naruto has what it takes and will surpass the fourth hokage etc etc etc, which leads to this interaction,

this is really interesting to me because the "you really Are a sweet talker," first of all indicates that he heard and understood that kakashi intended to sweet-talk him, but it ALSO implies that there was doubt about kakashis ability to sweet talk at all by emphasizing the "are," which could lead to some interesting interpretations!

Scenario One: Yamato was Generally Aware of what Kakashi was doing, and actively and intentionally decided to play along.

This is the one I play with the most—I think Yamato is probably pretty good at reading Kakashi, and is aware that Kakashi is goading him into paying for the meal, especially since afterwards he turns Kakashi's words right back at him, essentially saying that he suspects the pep talk he gave Naruto is just as calculated (and possibly untrue) as the one Kakashi gave him at the ramen place, but a much better performance.

This also kind of accounts for the funny look he gives Kakashi right after Kakashi denies the accusation in the bottom right of the image above. The last time they worked together closely, Kakashi was trying to deaden himself emotionally, so seeing genuine and open expressions of pride and belief in other people's abilities probably represents a huge change from the Kakashi he knew, to the Kakashi he stands beside now. At once very much the same, and also a stranger, and I think that's a fun texture to play with in their relationship as they try to figure each other out again after a multi-year-gap of not interacting.

I like this reading the most for a couple reasons; I like that it shows a very cynical and suspicious side of Yamato's character, one which he has no reason to display around the kids. Making a crack at your teammate for being Very Fake to his wide eyed and genuine students is NOT a productive or useful behavior that you want to pass on, but a couple side comments to the Other dark and cynical dude who u went thru anbu with about how fake he is is surely fine TWO: Since it implies Kakashi was insincere and being performative, it also implies Yamato himself was doing the same in the ramen bar—essentially that Kakashi suggested a little game that would amuse their student, and Yamato didn't mind playing along—the only hitch in this reading is, why would either of them play this game? What Kakashi would get out of it is easy; a free meal and to show off a bit. What Yamato would get out of this is a little more opaque, however—

Obviously there's the reading that, being cynicism + misery poisoned repressed people, the only way they can express a feeling is thru at least 3 layers of insincere/sincere performance but. we'll get to that eventually. not what im interested in rn bc I'd personally lean more towards the idea that this is an opportunity for him to soften his image a little bit in general (Yamato is, after all, the disguise of a Just Some Guy Jōnin) but also, specifically in front of Naruto, to seem a little goofier and a little more fallible and affectionate, after all, Team Kakashi has only really seen him in Captain Mode, where he has said shit like "Kakashi might promise he'd never let you come to harm, but I can't, and I won't." and "Coddling is not compassion," etc etc, he's often got a very serious demeanor and this whole situation puts a funny little hitch in it. Why yes Captain Yamato is a Very serious man who is Very upfront about the possibility and in some ways the inevitability of death, but will let his dear friend goad him into paying the bill with a couple kind words.

and. also kind of a callback to him paying for the meal and inn, where team seven was like "wow this rocks! can you actually just replace kakashi??" but in a scenario where he's not just trying to put a tracker on sai—a performance to indicate there's truth within another performance, good god the complicated lives these ex-anbu lead.

Scenario Two: Yamato Does Not Generally Believe Kakashi Is So Honey-Tongued, But Has A Soft Spot For Him Anyway.

Pretty straight forward! The majority of the above analysis applies, but rather than Kakashi and Yamato seeing this as a game they are both playing, Kakashi and Yamato both know that Yamato's got a soft spot for some kind words from his senpai, even though he knows Kakashi is teasing him. In this reading the "Man, Kakashi. You really Are a sweet-talker," is still critical of Kakashi's ability to affect others, but with the admission that Yamato is a lost cause here, he's just self aware about it.

I think people who are going into readings of their relationship with a shipping angle generally prefer takes more along this line, because the idea of people having "exceptions" or "the only person i do this with" is generally considered romantic in a fashion.

This reading is fine and valid, as all readings of this scenario are, but it still plays into the kind of "I'm a fool, but just for you" trope which I worry kinda disrespects Yamato's character a bit! like, again, it's fine! just not the flavor of reading that i enjoy

That said, this all focuses mostly on Yamato's experience and point of view because he's my favorite and I love him, but there's also interesting stuff to be observed here about Kakashi—the whole chapter is called "Honey Tongued" or sweet-talking, so the two instances of Kakashi complimenting Yamato and Naruto are meant to be the focus, and meant to be compared!

Kakashi is very clear and very firm that the delivery and the sentiment behind the pep talk he gave Naruto was genuine.

Naruto does not enjoy nor does he have an easy time with Kakashi playing mind-games around him, and having taught Naruto at his greenest genin phase, Kakashi would know this. Hypothetically here if we wanna talk Kakashi character growth, for him this scene is more about settling into the role of teacher genuinely, how he's changed and adapted in the three years of missing his "adorable" students, and that he's willing to open up more and express more heartfelt and therefore more vulnerable feelings to the kids. That said, because of the chapter title and content, as well as because Yamato directly asks us to compare the scenarios, this point is in contrast with his complimenting Yamato, and there's two ways I can think of to read that:

1) Unlike the scene with Naruto, his complimenting was manipulative, either wholly or partially unmeant. I don't think many people would agree with this one! U can see based on their interactions in combat or other serious scenarios that Kakashi trusts and respects Yamato, and relies on his skill and intuition frequently, and even after years apart, they're very much still in sync with each other, which Kishimoto makes a point to show us (them saying words at the same time, communicating non-verbally or with a minimum of words).

2) The delivery was ironic, but much like the pep talk for Naruto, the sentiment was genuine. I typed up a whole thing about like, how repressed people who are scared of being vulnerable sarcastically express love for their friends, and how this situation could be considered in that vein, but essentially:

What I mean is; Kakashi is famous for his inability to open up. When he first meets the kids, he says he has no interests, no goals, and doesn't like to talk about himself. This whole scenario with the pep talk shows that he's making strides in being direct and complimentary (this feels like the wrong word. what i mean is that he's like...he's engaging with the people around him in a more genuine way, interacting with his students as people, letting them know that he sees how they've grown because he seems to better understand he can also have a positive impact on them, not just a neutral or negative impact) since then—but Yamato doesn't necessarily know that, and to Kakashi, Yamato could represent a kind of bridge between the person he was back in anbu, and the person he is now, delivering a cheesy description of their previous relationship to each other in a way that Yamato was meant to understand as fake or putting-him-on, while actually being more or less a direct and genuine acknowledgement of the importance of their previous friendship + working relationship...it's a way to ease the two very different versions of himself together.

god i think this post might be incomprehensible actually. when they call it brain rot theyre not kidding around.

#dear god i hope this makes sense to literally anyone aside from myself #there are alternate readings like ''kakashi genuinely is good at sweet talking'' which i disagree with vehemently #and also ''kakashi was lying and being manipulative to both naruto and yamato'' which i also disagree with vehemently #but like. if you want to read it that way i literally cannot stop u and more importantly have no interest in stopping you #i just have a lot of feelings abt this scene not because its a favorite scene but bc its used to characterize their relationship #so often #AND USUALLY IN A WAY THAT I DONT LIKE AT ALL KDGHSDKGHSJGH #so i offer up this reading #also usual disclaimer that like. obviously i do not hold the keys to naruto. i am not Right about naruto #i am in fact. only REALLY here for one character #so feel free to ignore my interpretation if u dont like it or dont agree with it—just as i ignore interpretations of this scene that #i think are. mmm. disagreeable to me #i sometimes feel like this manipulative read is why people think that it was kakashi who assigned yamato to watch orochimaru #even when putting people he cares about in dangerous or miserable situations is determinedly against his character #like fully i 100% believe yamato took that duty in an effort to reclaim himself postwar #NOT SAYING IT WORKED OR THAT IT WAS HEALTHY BUT. like. i get it. #also. the anime filler parts including the VERY funny bit where yamato gets drunk and just talks about how hes a pushover #are very funny but another example of how the anime kind of. exagerates when they step away from canon #like how they made hinata a little bit of an obsesser and stalker w/re naruto in filler. but the manga doesnt even imply this #like its a very funny goof and a joke but its not something i like to flavor all of yamatos interactions w/ kakashi u feel me #this is hopefully the last post Like This i think its a good idea to do bc talking abt this stuff in a concise way is not my strong suit

[i-need-air]

"Dude" — Bakugou Katsuki x Reader.

Summary: Your former bully, Midori, has confessed her undying love for one of the most famous guys at U.A.; you're just venting gossiping about it with Mei, not knowing Bakugou Katsuki is right around the corner, listening;

Warnings: None. Well, Bakugou Katsuki having various anger induced strokes > the normal > no warnings; light crackfic? subtle ending;

Word count: 4.5k;

[ Part 2 ];

"She confessed to him." You grinned, throwing a bunch of fries into your mouth like the absolute animal you were.

Mei on the other hand continued her work on whatever in the world her new prototype, or "baby", was. Still, you had the honor of having half of her attention, which was a compliment to say at least.

She just smiled, shaking her head, leading you to continue, not knowing a blond was quite literally behind the corner, just outside the door leading to the support department, frown on his face.

"She came to class giggling like an idiot saying she's got a plan." You made a face into the distance, remembering your classmate's obnoxious squeal. "Ugh, she started telling the Divas how she's gonna have The Bakugou Katsuki in the bag." An ugly snort left your body, which earned an amused chuckle from Mei.

Both of you were pretty well known to be very good friends, and as much as you hated to admit it, you were both quite the social pariahs too. She was a little bit strange or weird, as some called her, but not for a single second she cared, which was the reason you admired the girl so much in the first place. Meanwhile you've taken the role of the bitch of the whole school by far. Sadly, you were placed in the same class as your archenemy, only increasing your chances of being called said endearing term.

Middle-school was a nightmare to say at least, getting bullied for your looks, the way you spoke or dressed, anything really as long as you were the one being mocked. And who was the one doing the bullying? Midori. Stunning, graceful, baby-faced Midori. Petite yet elegant, a devil in disguise. Whoever crossed her path suffered her malice unless she had something to gain from them.

And now, sweet Midori was in the U.A.'s General Studies, coinciding with you in the majority but not all classes. It had to do with the tragedy that your quirk was so rare that the principal Nezu had to adjust a new schedule just for you. Just kidding, it was amazing. The actual tragedy was seeing her face every day.

Back to your heartbreaking backstory and origin; time made you tough, comments made you build a wall so tall and thick nobody could crumble it. Backstab after backstab made you learn that not everyone has good intentions, but in your loneliness you found Hatsume Mei. So honest and dedicated, so raw and passionate. A good person. The type of person your parents promised you'd someway cross paths with and gain such a strong friendship that nothing could tear it apart.

Becoming friends with her was easy, kinda. It took snapping back at Midori when she started her normal bullying routine on Mei, which ignored it without a care. You stepped in and the rest is history. It did feel good though, calling her a pathetic bitch before turning to the stranger with a cool gadget in her hands to compliment it. And, since she's a sucker for her babies, you had to deal with an hour of sparkly eyes and monologues about her plans and prototypes.

Funny girl, Mei. You remember thinking but the following day you passed by her usual spot to fill your curiosity, asking if she did solve the problem she was complaining about.

"He was the one she was planning to ask out?" She screamed at you, head inside a giant metal gauntlet and the reason you two started talking about said man in particular. News were extra-fresh anyway.

"Oh, yeah!" You shook your head, ashamed to exist in the same general proximity as a person like your former bully. "He's gonna be so rich and famous!" A high pitched squeal left your mouth as you tried to copy her voice. "Poor fucking guy, if only he knew."

"But people know she's a bitch!" She screamed again, repairing or adjusting something with almost all of her body inside the gauntlet. A smile, genuine and soft this time, formed on your face. The pink-haired girl wasn't one to talk bad about others or even care, but it was clear she wasn't particularly fond with Midori either, although the conversation was more for you to vent rather than gossip. Sure it was.

"Like the people from the Hero Department even care about us, the commoners." With a roll of the eyes, you followed. "If he's smart, he'll run away. If he's an asshole, he could use her too."

"What do you mean?" Pink flocks of hair suddently submerged from the gadget, eyes curious zooming on you. That probably got more than 50% of her attention and it was a new personal goal while she was at the workshop.

With shrugged shoulders, your answer came nonchalant. "He could date her and dump her like she's nothing. Would serve her right for all the shit she's talking about him." But the only response you got was a short quizzical look, followed by your exagerated sigh. "She's talking shit about him constantly, but then says he's hot and that his personality doesn't matter anyway. Money, fame, looks. She has a whole fucking life-plan! Then calls him a rabid dog!"

"Woah—" that surprised her.

"Woah indeed! Insane. It's insane. I don't know the guy but no one deserves that shit." When you got no response, you continued your speech, munching in the food with passionate hunger, words coming out almost indistinguishable. "Doubt he'd play her though. He looks like a smart guy. I've seen the Sports Festival—" you picked up your burger, giving it heart eyes. "—and I've seen the news. He's probably a good guy too, the issue is people don't see that and... Well, I understand what's it to be judged... Not many have what it takes to be a real hero but he does. Hope he finds happiness in life." Much talk for someone that doesn't know shit about the guy in particular, but even so faint, your gut instinct was trained well enough to spot malice and he lacked that. "And a therapist." And there's the little shit in you that had to drop a cheeky comment.

Mei's gaze turned downwards and even if you could see her brain do mental gymnastics to solve whatever problem she had in front of her super-eyes, she also contemplated your words with great care.

"He comes here from time to time—" she grins, smacking the grenade looking gauntlet with her weird utensil. "I noticed you two are similar." Your face twisted, eyes wide towards the girl.

Similar how? He was loud, bold with a foul mouth, definitely needed a therapist for those unresolved anger issues... But he was also bright as in whenever he went, people looked in his direction, like he shined; obviously strong, also from what you've heard smart, popular, lucky to be surrounded by kind people. Example being that very nice pink girl that had a joyous conversation with you the very first day of school and, much to your surprise, continued greeting and having sweet small talks with you every single time you saw each other. Or the blond haired guy that showed off a little bit too much and made dumb flirty comments with no bad intentions, the same blond that waved at you with enthusiasm when you'd cross paths. There was the red-head, Kirishima, that was an absolute gentleman, opening doors for you even if you had two functioning hands and smiled so bright it made your corneas burn, or also the dark haired guy, Sero, that you've seen helping literally anyone in need around the school campus with an easy going attitude and gentle grins. Bakugou Katsuki was surrounded by good people, good heroes just as amazing as him and if they liked him, he must've definitely had some good in him, right? Another point appeared in your mental presentation about the brash hero in the making was that he was way too attractive but the wise burried deep inside of you made that particular point dissappear. No need to think about that. Overall you weren't even remotely similar. Not even close. Two completely different human beings from two completely different worlds that would never collide. With that being said, there was the small chance that Mei hinted for you to get a therapist too, who knows.

"How even—"

"I mean!" She screwed something in place. "I mean in your— determination?"

"I wouldn't know that." You muttered.

"He screams I'm gonna be the best every time he's here—"

"Cute..." You vomit that endearment without thinking, but thankfully it got ignored.

"—and it always reminds me of you." A small chuckle left your mouth.

"Don't make fun of me."

"You say it too~"

"I just heal, Mei, it's not the same." Principal Nezu's speech, the speech he gave your parents months into the first year as they found themselves aware of your power made you hold your words. You had it in you. The potential. If incredible people like your teachers, like Shuzenji Chiyo or Principal Nezu twisted things around for your quirk, for how rare and powerful it is, you'd accept it.

"But you're gonna be the best healer ever, aren't you?" She taunted.

"Of course. Which reminds me—!"

"Hmm?" Her attention faded away slightly, but it wasn't a problem.

She cheered, both at you and at her finished masterpiece and proceeded to eat too, passing through the lunch hour without interruption.

"Recovery Girl is putting me on active duty at the infirmary from now on. Finally!"

Innocent pale purple eyes stared into deep crimson ones, furrowed brows covering them.

—

Bakugou Katsuki wasn't one to enjoy being annoyed or surprised and this extra managed to make him feel both things in a short notice.

Everyone around him froze in fear or wonder, awaiting his response without breathing or moving an inch. Meanwhile Whoever-she-was held a pink envelope in front of him, a perfume too sweet coming from it making him want to literally gag in the spot.

Another thing the boy did not appreciate was to have someone bullshit him. His senses were telling him to back off, alarms ringing in his head and those purple eyes held hidden intentions; he wasn't having any of it.

"Fuck off." He snapped, yet his stance was casual as he refused to move out of her way since she was the one that had the audacity to run into him.

Some gasps, even coming from his so-called idiotic friends, could be heard and an indignant Bakubro behind him as he got slapped in the shoulder but he did not care. Not until her lips started to tremble as she retreated her confession letter towards her chest dramatically. His eyebrow started to twitch at the sight.

It was a spectacle for anyone surrounding him.

"What's going on?" Shushes and whispers.

"Bakugou Katsuki just got a confession!" Gossip.

"What!? Who?!" Confusion.

"You said Bakugou Katsuki?!" Shock.

"Oh, she's pretty!" Awe.

"He told her to Fuck off! What an asshole!" Outrage.

"Is that Midori?" Surprise.

"The nerve—" Anger.

"Midori from—" Disbelief.

"Oh, my God, she's really doing it~!" Giggles.

He frowned deeper. If people were to talk about him, they should be talking about all the crap he's been doing and all the lives he saved, not because of a fake bimbo decided to cross his path.

Bakugou wasn't stupid either. With time he knew these things would eventually come in his direction, stuff he'd have to deal with in the future as fame would take over, but not now. He did not have time to entertain this show anyway.

There was only one destination in his mind and she was keeping him in the middle of the whole school cafeteria with prying eyes on them both.

"Bakugou, do something, she's about to cry!" Dunce Face harshly whispered, but turned towards the white haired girl that looked devastated in front of them. "Ignore him! Ask me out, I would never make you cry!"

He rolled his eyes so back in his head it almost hurt. With a need to hurl the food he just ate, he made a step to leave the scene but small hands with claw-like fingernails gripped his arm and he looked at her in utter disgust.

"No, I would never! He—" she sniffled but had no tears in her eyes. He gave her a scowl, trying to take his arm out of her grip but she scratched him in place with her tiny rat hands. "You're the one I love! I—" her bangs covered her face as she continued her show.

"Bakugou! Dude! Do something!" Shitty Hair said, his dumb and blind trust in people buying the act. A vein almost popped on Bakugou's forehead.

"I fucking said—" he pulled his arm so hard she fell on her knees by his side. "Fuck. Off."

Another set of gasps filled the room.

"Bakugou!"

One thing he did not want, even if he could tell it was a foul theater, was to hurt somebody. His asshole act ended at that but his pride stopped him from saying anything.

Glancing to see if she's hurt, Pink Idiot was by her side, helping her up and asking way too many fucking questions.

"No, I'm fine..." she said with such a meek voice he scoffed, also hearing all the shit everyone around him was talking.

"He's such a brute."

"What a mean guy—"

"She's crying!"

"Fucking asshole."

He gritted his teeth.

After the disaster with the League of Villains in the first year, people started to respect him for who he was yet one single, minuscule shit like this and they were all at his jugular.

"I took Bakugou-san by surprise." She excused his behavior to Ashido, which then suggested they should eat lunch together sometimes to make up for the trouble after apologizing in his behalf.

"Yeah, we'd love to have you around! Isn't that right, Bakugou?" The apologetic and almost pleading voice of his blond friend, if he ever was going to call him that anymore, just made him bare his teeth. If they wanted to get played like fools it was their problem, not his.

And that's how he found himself eavesdropping on the weirdo and an extra.

And with a single "Whatever." he left the cafeteria, going to check if his gauntlets were ready, annoyance oozing off him, making the sea of people part from his path. Except he didn't notice you rushing away a little bit in front of him, holding a bag of food, all amused.

Why the fuck was everyone talking about him? Can't they fucking keep his pretty name outta their mouths? With time and without finding a reason why the hell he was glued in place, he listened attentively, his suspicions confirmed and his ego hurt, but whoever was talking about him calmed his nerves a lot. He just needed to put a face to that voice. Just to see who's gossiping about him, nothing else.

—

With a full belly and a whole afternoon to study by Recovery Girl's side, you marched towards the infirmary after you bid your farewell to Mei. There was still time to walk around, grab something sweet for later and save any poor soul that Midori decided to sink her teeth in. It was common at this point, you getting in between her and her victims and taking the hit, yet somehow also being called a bitch by everyone. That's how high-school worked. She did have friends and they spread any word she spat. Vultures.

It was fine though. Hero [Y/N] is there to save the day no matter what. You scoffed at your own stupidity, turning the corner just to step on a leg that was sprawled on the floor.

He clicked his tongue, getting up with no worry in the world, but made no action to leave, settling for observing and analyzing you way too intensely.

"Watch where the fuck you're going, idiot." The man of the hour, the guy you've defended in front of your friend just screamed at you as he dusted off the imprint of your shoe left on his pants. Meanwhile you just paled in place before regaining your composture.

"Why are you sitting on the floor?" You said, tilting your head with a frown, already knowing you will not apologize.

Unimpressed by what was going on, even if you truly couldn't point out what really was going on, you made an attempt to move past him towards the vending machines not far behind, but he caught your arm in a firm grip.

You blinked stupidly at the skin contact.

"Heard you were talkin' shit."

Your stomach dropped. Legs almost gave up too if it weren't for his iron grip holding you still. In the silence and at the satisfaction of the reaction you let out, he smirked and raised his chin, only Mei's singing voice coming from her workshop could be heard. Realization hit you. Hit you? Bitchslapped you in the face and left a mark for sure, because your cheeks started feeling heated, tingly.

He dragged you away, maybe to have the privacy to murder you in peace, but your common sense kicked in and you came back from the land of the mortified.

Much like he did before, action you saw with your two own eyes and repeated, you pulled out of his strong grip and stared as he turned towards you, mouth already opened to probably eat you alive.

"I wasn't talking shit about you, dude." You quickly spoke first.

"You don't fucking know me." He growled back, taking a step towards you but like hell you'd back down.

"Don't need to be besties to say what I said." Without understanding why he was so agitated, the only thing left to do after this beautiful turn of events was to defend the honor remaining in you, so you raised your chin to be at par with him. The action clearly took him by surprise, making him glare more, if even possible.

"I don't fucking appreciate when extras talk about me behind my back!"

"I don't give a shit what you appreciate, dude." Your laugh was the complete opposite of his menacing loud voice, like ying and yang.

"Bakugou, the name's fucking Bakugou, you extra!" Bakugou recovered quickly at your snappy self, getting more bothered as you talked.

"Okay, dude." His hands fisted, shaking in place as he stared you down but did not continue.

Silence; the hallway was now filled with silence as he boiled in his own anger and as you raised your brows in confusion. Now what? Was it time to leave? You've never met anyone like him, this was peculiar—

"NOW IT'S WHEN YOU FUCKING TELL ME YOUR SHITTY NAME, YOU FUCKING DUMBASS!"

A second passes; two; at the third you're wheezing your lungs out, laughing at the ridiculousness of the scenario.

"What the fuck are you LAUGHING AT?!" His voice got louder just to top your howling. You did not expect that.

Through a sigh, regaining your breath, you say "It's [L/N] [Y/N].", seeing him retreat in his form and cross his arms. He was still seizing you up.

"If you have shit to say to me, say it to my fucking face, understood?"

"I—... Say what now?"

"I—." He copied in a mock, getting an incredulous look from you. "You stupid or what?" Your upper lip lifted, ready to cuss him to infinity and beyond but he continued. "Like about that bitch from before and shit—" even if he still was loud, he placed his hands in his pockets and looked more interested in the way the tiles on the wall were placed instead of your person. "An' like you told the weirdo—"

No time to be shocked at the implied; his last word enraged you, making your body shake with rage. "Don't fucking dare to call her a weirdo ever again."

Like a challenge, he snapped his face back at you, ready to take it.

"Or what?"

"Listen here, fucker—" now that was a nice surprised face he was pulling. "Just because I gave you a pat on the back in there doesn't mean you can disrespect people just because you think you're the shit. You're not. Now get out of my fucking way." With a final push to his shoulder, your mind was focused on going to the infirmary, steam almost coming out of your nostrils.

"Hey, extra!"

Ignore him, ignore him, ignore him. went through your mind, marching away without a glance back. Not until—

"[L/N]! You're a healer, hah?" That's interesting. He stood where you left him, watching.

"What's it to you?"

Someone sane would've left at your tone but this guy walked towards you then showed you his arms, recently scratched. Images came back to you about the cafeteria incident but did not underst—... did he want to get healed?

You scoffed.

"They're scratches, dude."

"They annoy me. Now heal." All the energy you had left in your body was channeled towards the slow blink you threw at him, at which he scoffed. But they did look nasty— and Midori did them. It was a curse by itself to look down at your own arms and remember that face, so the guardian angel in you decided to take control and be the better person.

Gentle fingers barely tapped his muscular arm. Smile crept up on your lips, feeling absolutely delighted at his obvious stiffness at the skin contact and the clear interest in his eyes, specially when the scratches started disappearing into nothing, leaving smooth silk skin under.

"Hey— Wha— Where the fuck do you think you're going?!" raspy voice got lost in the distance and one thought in your head.

"Want a lollipop for being a good patient too?" You mock and his face explodes in all shapes of red. It would've been great to mock him more, enthralled by his reactions, but with that you turned and left, ignoring the tingling under your fingers that should not be there and your stomping heart.

Did he wait all the lunchbreak to talk to you?

—

A long queue was ahead of you, earning the longest sigh out of your lungs. Life was pain sometimes. Mei couldn't hang out, food was too far away, the delicious croissants Lunch Rush made ran out as far as you could see. Pain. Just pure pain.

And disappointment. When you walked away with your food in a bag, maybe to sit under a tree and enjoy some peace and quiet, you saw her. Midori sitting at a table you did not expect. At the same table where Ashido Mina, Denki Kaminari, Kirishima Eijirou and Hanta Sero sat at. Good people. Honest, good people about to get bitten by a snake. If she was there, then Bakugou decided—

"You. Sit."

Thinking about the boy somehow summoned him behind you. Food in hand and bored expression on his face, he passed you not without giving you a stink eye. Indeed, disappointment.

You shrugged, trying not to pay much attention to the pang in your heart as you moved forward, but a voice— his voice stopped you in your tracks.

"You. Get the fuck out of my face." His growl made everyone around him turn to watch, you being one of them. There was no excuse to what came next, no way to run away past it and dissappear. He nodded his head at you out of all people and pointed at the seat still occupied by Midori; her purple eyes big, shocked, running between your frame and the blond's.

Do you know what it felt to be put in the spotlight without warning? Well, congratulations because that was your life now.

"Ba—Bakugou-san?" Her voice, now highed up and meek followed, then a small scream as Bakugou slammed his food on the table. His friends sat there, wide-eyed, but made no attempt to interrupt.

"Did I fucking stutter, bitch? Or want me to turn into a rabid dog for fucking real?"

You choked on your own spit, bag of goodies about to drop on the floor once you saw her horrified face. She knew that he knew. And when her pale eyes, filled with sudden malice, act dropped, turned to you it's when you realized she figured out where he found out from.

Not like you cared, really, but the little shit that always had to poke out every time she was in the same room as you decided to finally show up, making you wave and send her a wink.

"I said MOVE!" now— that growl, raspy and filled with anger startled her. The orange juice in her hands spilled all over her uniform and woke her up from whatever delusion she was in. With zero time to reconsider, every belonging of hers was picked up with trembling hands and she ran away to her group of cockroaches.

A smile was already settled on your face; your brain was storing that whole interaction deep within, ready to bring it back up whenever you needed a good laugh.

Life was pain and disappointment, you say? No. Life was great. Or more importantly, Bakugou was. Not like he needed to know. But he was a decent guy as he proved—

"THE FUCK YOU STANDING THERE LIKE A DUMBASS?! I SAID SIT!" —to be a pain in the fucking ass and the bane of your existence.

You gave him a face then turned to walk away, even rushing more when you heard his chair screeching on the floor. The exit was so close, so near, freedom never felt this great, the sunlight kissing your skin giving you a new hope to live. But not for long because he grabbed your hand and started dragging you towards his table.

Your hand was in his hand and he was dragging you—

Your hand— his big, warm, a little bit sweaty hand—

How could you ruin such a beautiful moment? Eyes on you two, shocked, silence, his adorable red ears being the only thing you could see as he was completely in front of you, still dragging you towards his friends...

"Did you wait all lunchbreak yesterday to talk to me?" You collided into him as you finished the sentence, his way taller form stiffened so much you felt you single-handedly broke Bakugou Katsuki for good.

But when he turned... Oh, when he turned. Biggest deer-caught-in-the-headlights eyes you've ever seen on anyone, cheeks painted so red you almost melted in the spot, lips trembling as his head worked a thousand miles per second just to find a retort. And you prepared yourself for—

"NO, I FUCKING DIDN'T! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU FUCKING EXTRA? I'D NEVER WAIT FOR SOMEONE LIKE YO— ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!" Mina's waving hand caught your attention and smiled at her. Your hand was still in his, gripped harshly as he still hasn't noticed it's still there.

"Hey! [L/N], long time no see!" She cheered, ignoring the living shit out of her screaming friend, like she's used to it.

"FUCKING LOOK AT ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU—"

"Hey, chill, dude. Now let go of my hand, I wanna talk to Ashido." You smiled sweetly, making extra effort to wave your linked hands arond until he finally noticed. He zapped his hand away so fast, like he's been bitten by a wild animal. Maybe even a rabid dog, if you will.

You couldn't ignore your own flustered state as you walked past him, giving him a one up, adding the absolute scandalized face he had into the back of your mind for safekeeping.

"Come sit with us!" The pinkette offered.

"Oh, hey, I know you! You're by Hatsume's workshop all the time!" Kirishima intervened with a surprised face that broke into a grin. "Nice to officially meet—"

"I fucking said." he appeared, sitting in front of you. "My name's Bakugou."

"Ok, dude, but I'm talking to someon—"

"BAKUGOU KATSUKI!" Could be heard from the stratosphere.

Note: I just realized Midori means Green [ fucking duh ] but I'm not gonna change the name or her description. I think her parents fucking up her name was the start of many accidents leading into the Midori we all know and hate. Also, I know you understand. We all know a Midori in our lives. Much love.

Note 2: I keep editing it but tumblr dot com slash Install App on Phone fucks my editing and switches paragraphs all around! If you find any PLEASE tell me, I'd really appreciate it!!!

#bakugou katsuki x reader #bnha #noire writes #bakugou x reader #bnha x reader #i just wanted to make myself uwu #reader is op

[mask131]

I watched Take me to your leader

... and it left me with a smile on my face.

SPOILERS AHEAD OF COURSE!

This first episode (well... seventh but first) was actually quite good, with a majestic first part and a funny second one. It doesn’t surprise me much because, again, no matter how shitty the season of AHS is, the first episode is always good. 

Given the story is clearly divided into two parts, I’ll see them one after another.

The 1950s:

# I loved it. Truly I loved it. It felt majestic. 

I loved how it took back the codes and ideas of Asylum. I loved the homages and references to classic black and white horror movies and to alien movies. I loved the David Lynch references. The whole aesthetic is spot on! 

Acting so far is really good (but it doesn’t surprise me with such good actors). I love the opening credits - I knew upon seeing all those tentacles the aliens would have them, and the idea of the shell containing an octopus-like creature is wonderful. 

I do wonder if the use of white eyes is actually a reference to the “black-eyed kids” phenomenon? I feel it is. 

But one thing that bothered me was that the music was really loud... was it just me?

The 2020s:

# Okay, so on one side the transition did not surprise or shock me because the trailers and promos had warned me, and due to being a big AHS fan I am used to such transitions in genre, time, aesthetic. But I do recognize that to a less fanatic viewer the shock might be brutal, and the extreme shift might be disliked, so I’ll still consider this. 

# If the first arc seems to be Asylum-based, this one is definitively a throwback to the Coven era. The focus on young adults, characters stereotyped and exagerated just enough to be funny and carry a certain theatric feel to the story but not so much as the story can’t get realistic, the use of humor to ease in and prepare/play with the horror. 

# The humor and the characters, this light comedy-turning-into-horror style really pleased me and worked for me. Upon seeing the sequence begin I feared it would be “American Horror Stories” all over again, but here you have less over-working (or when things are a bit overdone they are clearly done purposely for the style and story), it feels more real though also exaggerated enough to be funny (and strangely realistic, you know it is this weird middle where something that looks a bit extravagant is actually more realistic than what fiction would show as “realist”. The “reality is unrealistic” trope. Anyway it’s just me).

# I was a bit bothered by the big focus on sex here (again, Stories flashbacks) but then I realized it actually worked damn fine. Not only is it again a way to bring back the topics of procreation, pregnancy and motherhood (very important to this mini-season), but it also helps setting a difference and clash between the two era, the conservative, well-dressed, very moral 50s versus the 2020s where sexuality is freedom, amusement, pride... 

# Again, the music was too strong. I think it was my video bugging. 

# I loved how throughout the episode they played with the tropes and core ideas of the USA ufology (though Double Feature is definitively NOT a season kind on animals, I think it has the highest number of animal dyings since Roanoke) - but they do not simply repeat it, they play with it. This is my main compliment for this episode: it is INVENTIVE! You feel a true inventivity here, it is crazy. The cow bit was beautifully disturbing. 

# Also just me or is the second part giving me some Mars Attack feels? I loved Burton’s Mars Attack.

# Note however that not everything is perfect, there are still small flaws here and there but they are mostly technical - for example when the four protags are in the car, and the light of the UFO flash in, you can notice that the actors react too fast, almost before the light appears. 

# It is quite interesting that they visibly did not take the same model as the aliens from Asylum. The current ones seem to have a more simplified design (the aliens of Asylum were giant-sized and with four arms and limbs allowing them to hang from ceilings and crawl on walls - though you saw this in deleted scenes and behind the scenes ; while these ones rather are human-sized and more humanoid in shape, if you don’t count the shell bit). Are they different kinds of aliens, or is this a reboot?

# Now, the final twist I knew already thank to the promo - I had guessed male pregnancy (and pregnancy in general, horror pregnancy) would play a part. Now, I know some people might be taking a step back from the idea all four of them are pregnant, because it has been used several times in comedy (and often poorly), but for me, again it worked. The last line was clearly a joke, and it worked as a joke, it was funny, but it also becomes unsettling in the context and the seriousness of it hits you at the same time you laugh. It is true definition of comedy-horror, where the horrific reveal work as such as much as a joke punchline.

I won’t lie, I am quite interested in which road they will take with these pregnancies - especially the male pregnancy stuff. I was always fascinated with alien reproduction system (some fictional works can get really creative), but the male pregnancy is very interesting in an horror perspective. You see, while mostly done in comedies, it was also done in horror a few times - and while it has a great potential it has rarely been done great. For example a recent example is “The Mortuary Collection”, which did a horror segment on male pregnancy, but it was just a lazy and gross story I want to erase from my mind. HOWEVER there is a very fascinating and interesting horror movie called “The Swimmers” that play with male pregnancy perfectly well, under the angles of vengeful ghosts and a protagonist descending into madness. (I also know there’s one example in Amulet but I haven’t watched it).

So yes it is a trope that has a lot of horror potential but has rarely been done well, so I am truly waiting to see how AHS will deal with it.

Anyway, overall, I would conclude with one word “inventive”. It feels fresh, it feels new, it feels majestic on one side and entertaining (in the good way) on the other. There is a true inventivity here that I felt was missing since a few seasons. 

So yeah I loved it. But so far I loved all openings of AHS so it doesn’t mean much X)

#ahs #american horror story #double feature #death valley #take me to your leader #male pregnancy #horror #aliens