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#edit again: glad to see my villain is having some fun trying to hit the little clock with the magazine as if it's an insect
dreamescapeswriting · 2 years
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HI HI I'M AWAKE AGAIN!! it's 2:36pm now!! I read the new Jin Oneshot and man Jin was a bitch like- immature??? He called the reader immature?? what the fuck, i get not liking someone back but you dont have to be so rude and cruel about rejecting her. Reader better stay with yoongi for good. I typically watch whatever I come across that interests me, or i'll go back and watch edits/amvs/fmvs that I love that are on youtube. But some content creaters I watch typically are PointCrow, Smallant, Purplecliffe, PM7, MANDJTV(a good bit of poketubers especially with the new game comeing out this year) but I do watch Markiplier and Jackcepticeye whenever one of their videos catches my eye (I watched them play the stanley parable ultradeluxe), though there is this fish biologist youtuber I watch called ANVJ! There's also DougDoug(whom makes great and funny content, i reccomend the ai creates my linkden in profile video very funny) I'll be sure to remember that, and I'd love to really talk about them as well especially when the new seasons release! Plus I wanna be able to talk about moments in the show with someone. Good choices! For all of us are dead my favorites have to be Cheongsan, Su-hyuk, Nam-ra, gyeon-su(i have one more but im not even sure if i should like him) From Sweet home it has to be Sang-wook, Hyun-su, eun-hyuk , I also love ji soo and ja heon. (i'm honestly so conflicted I wanna like gwi-nam from all of us are dead but he's done some really shitty things but my villain liking heart keeps saying to favorite him as well, I have a bit of a type of either liking the villains, the cold characters or the most innocent they didn't do anything characters yet something happened to them) edits are addicting i tell you, I need to finish/catch up on stranger things but I have so many things I wanna watch at the moment so it'll take me a while. HISTORYYYY??? I guessed based on the thumbnail on netflix, BUT I LOVE HISTORY- This should explain why i'm becoming a history teacher in the future (hopefully). I'm a bit of a history nerd at times. Goblin has been on my list for a while as well as tale of the nine tails. It doesnt help one of my favorite actors has a role in both of the series and the fact a member of one of my ult groups sings one of the OSTs for tale of the nine tailed. You're welcome!! (I admit what gets me interested are who plays in the series or the clips i see in compilations) I'm glad i get my sleep as well, as I really never feel tired when I go to sleep so it takes me a good bit to do so! But hope you're having a great day/night!
Hiii! Hope you slept well!! Oh my gooossh! Jin was super rude haha I just really wanted to try and make the angst hit super hard haha
Ooo I'll have to check out some of the youtubers you spoke about, I'm always on the hunt for them. My go to's are usually Jacksepticeye, Markipler, CallMeKevin, DazGames, and a few others. I LOVED Jack's playthrough of the stanley Parable game, I couldn't stop myself from laughing T-T
For Real!! gwi-nam, I like the actor because he's so good at playing the villian but I don't think I'll ever like him for it 😭😭😂😂 My ass was rooting for him to die oh my gooossshhh! Which is weird because for me I usually LOVEEE the villian in stories
Oooo! A history teacher?! That's fucking awesome!!! History was always one of my favourite subjects and I think it was because I had such a great teacher! He always made the classes fun (well as much as he could in a super strict and tight school) I wish you all the best in becoming a history teacher!
OST's for dramas are always soooo good! I loved "Here Always" that Seungmin did for Hometown Cha cha T-T It always makes me smile
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redvanillabee · 3 years
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Ship Ask Meme: Peggysous Edition
I got a secret ask(?) from someone who should be on hiatus right now asking me to do this ask meme for Peggysous. So here we go!
Who accidentally pushes a door instead of pulling/vice versa
Hurricane Peggy stops for nothing and no one, let alone a measly little push/pull sign!
When Peggy is on a roll, she misses the push/pull signs. If anything, Peggy is very good at reading the design cues on a door. So when a door with no clearly visible pull bar has to be pulled? That’s on the door and the door designer, not her.
Who doodles little hearts all over the desk with their initials inside them
If anyone finds a bunch of old notes with <3 P+D distractedly drawn all over the back, they must be sorely mistaken.
Peggy is a doodler; it helps her focus, and sometimes they are secret little notes to herself. Once she settles into the relationship and when she gets lost in her thoughts, she would doodle, and her subconscious just takes charge and draws little hearts. Once she comes around though, she blushes furiously. Part of her wants to berate herself for behaving like a teenage girl, but really she likes it. That there’s someone who can make her feel all silly and giddy and in love like that again, after everything.
Who starts the tickle fights
Daniel. Both of them are repeat offenders with bringing work home, but Peggy in particular can’t shut off work stuff even by bedtime. To cheer her up and/or get her mind off work, Daniel tickles her. Here’s the thing: Peggy is very ticklish. The one weakness of the invincible and invulnerable Margaret Carter, future director of SHIELD, is that she cannot stand being tickled at all. A good tickle fight sends her laughing and squealing, and Peggy...
Who starts the pillow fights
...and Peggy will not hesitate to retaliate by turning it into a pillow fight. She loves the tickles; there aren’t that many people she allows to see her like that, and she enjoys the casual intimacy. And it’s just fun. But she also likes to win. So once Daniel gets a few innings, she will whack a pillow into his face.
Who falls asleep last, watching the other with a small affectionate smile
Daniel. It’s not that he is necessarily a night owl, he just really cherishes being one of the few—if not the only person—around whom Peggy lets her guard down. So to see that razor sharp mind relax for the night as she drifts off to sleep, the way her face relaxes, looking way younger and more open than the world would ever see...it’s something he will never take for granted.
(Peggy loves the way Daniel looks asleep too, but once she hits the hay at night, she falls asleep way too quickly. So instead it’s the mornings for her. The way he looks mussed up from sleep in the early morning glow, soft and pliant with tousled curls sticking up every which way...that is when she is glad she opened her heart up to love again after the war.)
Who mistakes salt for sugar
Neither. Their home is pretty well organised, so it’s not common for them to make that mistake. And as Daniel will insist to anyone who doesn’t believe them, salt and sugar look different.
(There are, however, a few hilarious incidents when a particularly groggy, sleep-deprived, and under-caffeinated Daniel unloaded spoonfuls of salt into his coffee. But no one needs to know about that.)
And if Peggy has claimed multiple times in NY SSR that she mistook something else for sugar...well, if they think she’s too stupid to identify sugar, they can make their coffees themselves.
Who lets the microwave play the loud beeping sound at 1am in the morning
Both are repeat offenders. They have had enough late nights that a snack at 1am is just a given, and is always welcome. Frankly, the loud beep is a good wake-up call.
Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines
Daniel. Peggy thinks they’re awful, but when it comes from someone she loves who just wants to make her smile, it’s hard not to crack up. And Daniel does love messing with her.
Who rearranges the bookshelf in alphabetical order
Neither. They will grumble about ‘doing it this weekend’ when they need to find a particular book but couldn’t, but really, it just makes more sense to arrange them by their own patterns than plain alphabetical (theme then preference for Peggy, old vs new then theme for Daniel).
Who licks the spoon when they’re baking brownies
Peggy is not patient enough to wait for brownies to be done before tasting them. And—as she frantically explains with a blush when Daniel catches her licking the spoon—she’s just cleaning the spoon!
(Daniel likes the taste of brownie batter, but thinks the texture is a bit meh. And if Peggy wants the spoon, well, he’ll gladly hand it over.)
Who buys candles for dinners even though there’s no special occasion
They both do.
Life’s too short to not sprinkle a bit of magic into everyday life. At the start of their relationship, they tried to mark all those special days. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays…but too often those have to be rescheduled thanks to a combination of work, injuries, and extremely rude villains who have no consideration of other people’s plans. And really, when you can never tell what might come up tomorrow, the best option is to seize the day and make every moment special.
Who draws little tattoos on the other with a pen
Peggy. I really see her as a doodler. It began with her tracing little patterns on Daniel’s arm with her fingers. But sometimes, say, on a carefree Sunday morning when they’re just relaxing in the living room, Daniel with a book (or a ridiculous tabloid magazine—see the last question), Peggy armed with a pen from doing crosswords, she starts doodling.
(Fun fact: apparently it is real that one of SOE’s tests for their potential recruits is whether they can solve crossword puzzles. The rationale behind is testing whether a potential spy/code breaker can guess at the crossword author’s intended message, as one would when piecing together a potentially jumbled, broken, or misspelt piece of intercepted communication.)
Who comes home with a new souvenir magnet every time they go on vacation
(I reckoned that these two predate souvenir magnets, so I had to go look it up. Apparently while magnets have been around for millennia, souvenir fridge magnets weren’t really popularised until the 1960s, which makes sense considering fridges as we know them didn’t become commonplace until post-war. So souvenir fridge magnets definitely predate the canon timeframe of these two. But headcanoning these two’s travels by the time of the 60s…)
Daniel. While I doubt their work leaves them much time for vacationing, they do travel for work. And when it takes him some place special, he likes to remember the trip with a fridge magnet. Peggy likes looking at them, but she wouldn’t really pay for one herself unless it’s very, very special—either because of the destination or the design. Anything other than that, she argues, is just tourist trap.
(Besides, it’s not common for Peggy to have to travel for work. When she has to be on the move, tourist souvenirs are usually pretty down low on her agenda.)
Who convinces the other to fill out those couple surveys in the back of magazines
Daniel, duh. I refuse to believe that someone who waves a magazine at Peggy to tell her that Whitney Frost is Agnes Cully doesn’t also read them on the regular. They are filled with made up gossips, yes, but sometimes the darnedest clues are buried in the ridiculous Hollywood speak. And while Peggy thinks they are an awful and ridiculous waste of time, Daniel definitely thinks they’re funny because they’re such an awful and ridiculous waste of time. So when Peggy’s biting her pen trying to figure out what 7-letter word should go into 3-down, he will nudge her to answer. ‘Peg, Peg you have to pick one. You—no it’s not a waste of time, this is crucial to the longevity of our marriage! Which is your favourite room in the house, the bedroom, the kitchen, or the living room? Come on-’
And much as she tries, she can’t help but crack up at those sincere puppy eyes. ‘Bedroom. And I can show you exactly why it’s my favourite.’
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theamberwriter · 3 years
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Bouncing Baby [4]: Sick Day
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Read the Series! [1] [2] [3]
Pairing: Shota Aizawa x Fem!Reader
Word Count: 5,613
A/N: Wow, hi guys! It's been a minute! I hope that you all like this next part! I'm so excited it's finally done after all this time. Hopefully you all still want to read it! This was a lot of fun to write. I hope you all enjoy!! Also, I hate editing on Tumblr Mobile, lol
~
You knew as soon as you woke up that morning, there was no way you were going to work. Your head was packed, your ears were stuffy and ringing, and your throat felt like sandpaper. You could barely open your eyes to shut off your alarm. You coughed, nearly puking as phlegm came up with it. You spit in the trash can next to your bed.
"Shota," you whined rolling over, and accidentally smacking him in the face with your hand. He grunted.
"You're not going to work today, are you?" he muttered, eyes still close. 
"Are you crazy?" You coughed and spit in the can again. "You know my quirk copies my physical state on other people. If I try to heal anyone, they'll all leave the office feeling like this."
"I figured as much, that's why I asked." 
Shota grabbed you, pulling your back to his front. You were worried about him getting sick. But you didn't protest the cuddles. They made you feel a lot better. You wished the two of you could lay there all day.
"I'll take Kohaku to work with me," Shota said as the third alarm rang. Reluctantly he sat up, placing his feet on the floor.
You rolled to face him, mostly asleep. Your head swam. "You don't have to. She's a handful."
"She'll be fine, nothing I can't handle."
"But your class - after everything that's happened...They still have so much left to learn. That's why I've been keeping her with me."
"Exactly, if they can't handle a child after this - there's no hope for them," your husband chuckled. You wanted to protest more. But your mind was getting dragged down into slumber.
You didn't hear them leave. Only waking to an empty house. For the first time in years, you were alone. No husband, no baby - it was unbearably quiet. But it was nice and serene. If only you didn't have a cold.
You glanced at the clock on the stove. Shota was three hours into work. You wondered how he and his class were faring. Little did you know, Kohaku would soon give them a run for their money.
Nobody had really questioned when Shota Aizawa walked through the halls with a baby that morning. A bag in his wife's favorite color was hung from his shoulder, and a black haired baby who was the spitting image of him on his hip. She was fast asleep against his shoulder. 
By that time in the school year, everybody knew he was married to one of the school's nurses and that the baby was theirs. The secret he'd been trying to keep, leaking out after only two weeks. All due to an incident where she phased through the walls, giving everyone a fright. 
It had been a regular occurrence after that that he'd watch the child in the classroom. Giving his wife a break to focus on her duties. So his class didn't much question the child either. Even though it'd been four months since they saw her last. The baby had grown much in that time.
Shota put his sleeping daughter in her playpen, then stood in front of his class. On his way to work, he'd thought of something fun. Something to give him a story to tell his sick wife to cheer her up when he got home. Maybe he'd even send her a video while the chaos ensued.
"Your morning classes will proceed as usual," he said. "However, your training later today will be different than normal."
Shota didn't answer any of his students questions. They would all just have to wait and see.
Their classes went by, lunch came and went. So far, Kohaku had been tame. He only had to erase her quirk a few times. Which she grew irritated at quickly. But she calmed down after All Might sat with her for an hour.
Kahaku napped after his visit. Shota right alongside her. He was glad she decided to sleep during the lunch period. He knew she was at her worst after nap time. But he wasn't concerned about it today. Today, her unruliness wasn't his problem. In fact, it worked great with his plan. It wouldn't have been as fun if she fell asleep in the middle of it.
Shota escorted his class to their training facilities once they all had changed. Kohaku was just beginning to wake up due to all the noise. She was still slumped against her father's shoulder. 
"Mr. Aizawa, what are we doing today?" Iida asked. "Is it some sort of special training?"
Shota smirked to himself. "Something like that. Today - you'll be taking care of my daughter."
There was a loud, collective WHAT?!
"We're not damn babysitters!" Bakugo growled.
"Don't curse around the girl, Bakugo!" Iida scolded.
Uraraka stepped forward. "She's only a baby, it shouldn't be too hard. Right?"
"Kohaku is very special. And not just to me and her mom. Kohaku is a year and seven months. However, as you may know, she already has her quirk," Aizawa explained. There were murmurs of oh yeah and shit, that's right. "My daughter can change the material her entire body structure is made of. Most likely to an atomic level. But, since she's only a baby, what she becomes and what she decides to do are totally unpredictable. 
"Your task is to watch her until the end of the day. I won't be erasing her quirk. Time out will only be called if Kohaku falls asleep or needs her diaper changed. If she's still in the facility at the end of the day, you've successfully completed the exercise. But if she gets out, even once, then I'm going to make you sit through sex education classes with Midnight for a week."
There was a collective shutter, aside from Mineta. He was way too into it. Nose bleed and all. Everyone else one could see them sifting through worst case scenarios. Shota knew Nemuri would be only too excited to show his class the ropes if BDSM. Quite literally.
Shota moved Kohaku's hair from her eyes. Checking if she'd gone back to sleep. But Kohaku leaned up, yawning as she rubbed her face. She grinned up at her father, then turned to look at everyone else. She leaned shyly back against his shoulder. There were a few aawwwws.
"You're playing shy now?" Shota chuckled. "You know them. They're going to play with you today. Would you like that? - I've brought a bag of her toys with us. Everybody take one. The first person she goes to gets to sit out a day of lessons if the class manages to fail. If the class succeeds, that person gets extra credit towards any class they're currently lacking in."
His whole class clambered for the bag. Pulling out cute little bunnies, and plastic rings, and soft books that crinkled when they moved. Bakugo was unlucky enough to get a teether that looked like a bowl of ramen that she'd recently chewed on. He turned white when her spit coated his hand. He seemed about ready to destroy it.
"I would like to note," Shota added. "That if any of the toys are ruined by a student, it's an automatic failure for the entire group."
Everybody turned to Bakugo. He glared them down, snapping an insult. Shota sat on the floor, and a few people followed. He put Kohaku on his knee, turning her towards the class. She seemed mesmerized by her selection of toys. 
"Do we have any questions before we start?" 
Iida's hand shot into the air. "Mr. Aizawa, could you please tell us what materials your daughter can turn herself into?"
Aizawa nodded. "I was wondering if any of you were going to ask. Lucky Iida did, so that you all can be warned. - So far, Kohaku has done four things. One, she can become a rubber-like substance. If she falls or jumps off something, she'll bounce. After each subsequent one, she will become faster indefinitely until she hits something she can't bounce off of.
"Two, she can become heavy metal. When this happens, Kohaku can't be picked up or knocked over. This is often how she pushes over her playpen. However, the metal is soft and scratches easily. Which means that, when she deactivates, she'll have cuts in her skin. Third, she can turn her skin into a diamond material. Unlike with the metal, she can't be hurt in this state. But she is light and can be moved. Finally, Kohaku has figured out how to make her matter permeable. You all have met Mirio, of the Big Three. It seems to be similar to his quirk.
"She may be a child. But children are unpredictable, and Kohaku is particularly rambunctious once she warms up to you. If you all can handle villains, I see no reason why you should have any trouble with my daughter. Does anyone else have anything to ask?"
When the class remained silent, Shota nodded. He bounced Kohaku on his knee for a moment while he spoke to her.
“Okay, Kohaku,” Shota started. “Which toy would you like to play with?”
He stood her on her feet, making sure she was balanced. She sucked on her thumb as she slowly started to wobble towards the class. Some began to shake rattles at her or crinkle books. A few started making the noise to call cats. Shota rolled his eyes, you couldn’t pspspspspsss at a baby.
Finally, she wandered over to Todoroki. He’d been sitting quietly, watching her. His eyes grew wide as she crawled in his lap, reaching for the rabbit in his hand. Todoroki froze as she pulled herself up to stand on his thigh. She held the rabbit closely, while gripping on to his shoulder for balance. Shota made sure to get a photo on his phone of Todoroki’s terrified face.
“Are you okay, Todoroki?” Asui asked. 
The corners of his mouth pulled down as he lifted up Kohaku and held her in front of him. She gurgled happily, jingling the chime in the rabbit.
“You scared of a stupid baby, Half and Half?” Bakugo snapped. He came over and took Kohaku from Todoroki’s hands, causing her to lose her grip on the rabbit. For once, Shota was glad when Kohaku started to cry. This was the beginning of the end.
Kohaku quickly turned herself into heavy metal. Bakugo cursed, trying to keep a grip on her. But she ultimately slammed to the ground. Kohaku gurgled happily, though Bakugo glared. She’d narrowly missed crushing his foot.
Shota watched on, laughing to himself, as Kohaku began to phrase through the large training terrain in the middle of the room. Students followed, leaping up into them. Trying to figure out where she might be in the structure. 
“There!” Kirishima called from the other side. 
Everyone followed, disappearing quickly, and Shota went to get a higher vantage point. Kirishima dove for Kohaku, but she went right through his fingers. He looked at his hands in disbelief, then watched as she teetered away. A few people tried to grab her, but she went through all of them.
“Oh, c’mon!” Kaminari whined. “She’s going to get out!”
“She’s not a dog, sweetie,” Ashido said, rolling her eyes.
“She’s still heading for the wall! Which means -” Kaminari paled, so did Ashido when she remembered what Kohaku’s escape meant.
“Todoroki,” Asui asked. “Where’s that rabbit you had?!”
Todoroki glanced over his shoulder. “I put it back in the bag.”
“That’s okay, I think I can replicate it.” Yaoyorozu flicked quickly through her book, then focused. Not long after a semi-perfect replication of Kohaku’s rabbit sat in her hands. She shook it, and the chime inside jingled. Kohaku stopped in her tracks, one hand held up to the wall. 
Kohaku searched for the sound, sputtering happily as she found the rabbit. She waddled over to Yaoyarozu , hands extending as far as her little arms could reach. Yaoyarozu picked her up, jingling the rabbit again. Kohaku seemed happy as long as made noise.
"That was way too close!" groaned Uraraka, slumping to the ground.
"I guess we gotta keep her entertained," Kirishima noted. "But how? Yaoyarozu can't keep making toys."
Aoyama butted in then, radiating sparkles. He grinned at Kohaku. "Allow moi to try. Prepare to be amazed, mon petit!"
However, Kohaku wasn't the least bit impressed by his belly laser. Even when he tried to make it flashy, like fireworks. Shota knew that'd never work on her. He chuckled at the display, taking a picture.
"She's just as mean as Mr. Aizawa," Aoyama whined. He curled into a ball, tears slipping out. The whole class groaned. 
Uraraka was next to try. She held out her arms, which Kohaku reluctantly went into. It took Yaoyarozu giving Kohaku the rabbit to hold.
"You wanna go for a ride?!" Uraraka grinned then activated her quirk. It was a moment before Kohaku could process what was happening. But when she realized she was floating high above the others she began to cry.
"Uraraka! Put her down!!" Ojiro yelled.
Uraraka panicked, flailing for a moment. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!"
When Uraraka released her, Kohaku fell right into Shoji's arms. Which she did not like very much. Kohaku wailed loudly, clearly not a fan of the multi-limbed hero. Mineta panicked and began trying to juggle some of his balls.
Ashido marched over, swiftly taking Kohaku. "Gimme her, you guys don't know anything about babies! It's okay, sweetie, Auntie Mina is here to save you from these idiots."
She sat down, Kohaku in her lap. Then started making faces at her. Kohaku's crying eased, and there was a moment of relief as she began to giggle. Though even that was short lived. Ashido decided to take Kohaku on a surf around the room. Only to have her goop splash and melt down Kohaku's newly made rabbit. That led to another bout of crying.
"And who were you just calling idiots?" Kaminari asked snidely.
Ashido whined. "Shut up, Denki! It was an accident! Here! - Tsu, you take her!"
"Me?" she asked, pointing to herself. But Kohaku was already in her arms. The two stared at each other. "You can definitely tell she's Mr. Aizawa's daughter."
Kohaku laughed as Asui's tongue hung out of her mouth. She reached for it, tugging, and catching poor Asui off guard. Kohaku stretched and pulled her tongue, gurgling in glee.
"Do you want me to take her, Tsu?" Midoriya offered. Kohaku has been playing with her tongue for five minutes at that point. Anyone could tell how uncomfortable she was.
Asui nodded. "Thanks."
"C'mere, little Kohaku," he cooed, trying to pull Kohaku off. She didn't want to let go. No matter how much he tugged and pulled. Asui even tried to retract her tongue.
Aizawa snapped a picture of the tongue of war.
Finally, Kohaku let go. But so did Midoriya. Everyone watched in horror as the baby went flying.
"What the hell, Deku, you dunce?!" Bakugo growled. 
Kohaku smooshed against the wall, then sprang back, careening towards the floor. She began to laugh and sprang off the floor as Sero and Kaminari hit heads trying to catch her.
"That's right!" Iida announced. "Mr. Aizawa said she can turn into rubber and bounce. - But she'll get exponentially faster. We have to catch her before she becomes too fast to see." 
"We better do it soon, look!" The sleeve of Hagakure's uniform pointed up at the training terrain. Kohaku was bouncing off one level then the other. Shota dodged expertly as she passed him, she was nothing but a blur.
A few went to catch her, but she even escaped Iida's swiftness. Soon there was nothing but ominous bouncing and maniacal giggles echoing. No baby in sight.
"We're too late," Tokoyami shouted. "It's going to be impossible to catch her now."
Jiro kneeled. "Not impossible. Hanta, when I signal -" 
Sero nodded, readying to shoot. Jiro plugged into the floor hearing every place she hit. The floor, the wall, the terrain, the ceiling…
"There!" she shouted, pointing to a space in the air.
Sero shot tape. To everyone's surprise, it wrapped around something. Kohaku appeared, pulling him with her velocity before she sprang back and hit him. Knocking them both to the floor. Kohaku cooed happily from her spot on Sero's chest. He gave a weak smile and a thumbs-up, trying to get the wind back in him. 
Kirishima went and picked her up. He grinned at her. But she seemed unsure of his pointed teeth. "That's an awesome power you got, little dude! Mine's not half as cool." 
He hardened himself up and Kohaku was instantly mesmerised. She turned herself into diamond. Clinking her hands against his hard skin, sputtering out happy gurgles. 
"Really? That's all it took?" Hagakure wondered.
Something strange began to happen the longer Kirishima played with Kohaku. She began to deform her skin. Eventually, it writhed and wriggled. Her whole body trembled. She took partial form once, twice - three times. Kirishima stared in awe as she settled on her final form.
"Oh wow!" He held Kohaku up to face his teacher. "Hey! Mr. Aizawa, look! She has a new ability!"
For the first time in over an hour, Shota joined his students. They all crowded around to what happened. In Kirishima's arms sat a baby that looked to be made of rock. Her skin was hard and rough, even crunchy! It had ridges, similar to Kirishima's when he hardened all the way up. Shota snapped a picture of the pair. 
Kohaku laughed, reaching for her father. Shota was surprised to find she was very dense. Not impossible to hold like the metal baby. But she felt like a small boulder. Very weighty and sturdy.
"Look at you," Shota chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "I'm very proud of you, Kohaku."
Kohaku went back to normal. Shota wrinkled his nose as soon as she did. He held her slightly away from him. Apparently all that effort to change made her soil her diaper. He wasn't the only one that smelled it. A few others were covering their noses. Some even gagging.
"I'm going to change her. I'll be back in a few minutes." Shota took her to a side room with the diaper bag. He decided it was time to give his wife a call.
"Hey," she croaked as the line crackled to life.
"You sound worse than this morning," he noted grimly. "Are you taking care of yourself?"
[Name] coughed. "Of course. I've had three glasses of water today. Plus I've been downing cough drops like candy."
"Drink more. I'll pick you cold medicine on my way home from work."
"I can go get it, you have Kohaku -"
Shota rolled his eyes. "I can handle her all on my own."
"Has she been good today?"
He grinned to himself. "Exceptional. I'm changing her now, so I thought I would call and check in on my lovely wife."
"I can't wait for you guys to get home," [Name] admitted. "It's unnerving how quiet it is. And I haven't been away from Kohaku this long before. I keep thinking I hear her crying."
"You need some rest." Shota frowned. "I'll call you again before we leave. We love you."
[Name] sighed in defeat, much too tired to argue. "I love you both, too. I'll talk to you later."
Shota hung up and finished changing Kohaku. He washed his hands, then took her back to the gym. "Are you ready to continue play time?"
All of his students had a new heir of determination. They'd seen what she could do now. Shota didn't know if they'd come up with a plan, or we're just being over confident.
"You have just over an hour until the end of the day," he announced. "So let's make this interesting."
"Wait - didn't Mina destroy one of her toys?" Midoriya asked. The class paled in realization. "Shouldn't we be out?"
Shota shook his head. "The toy Ashido melted down was made by Yaoyarozu. It wasn't one I brought with us. So you all haven't failed - for now. At the moment, only Todoroki and Kirishima are safe -"
"Why is shitty hair safe?!" Bakugo blazed.
"He helped her realize a new ability. I think that's a feat that deserves to be rewarded."
Kirishima grinned. "Awesome! Thanks, Mr. Aizawa!"
"Which leads me to the next part." This whole, honestly, couldn't have gone any better. This was better than he'd originally planned. "I want to see if anyone else can help Kohaku develop her quirk. As long as she isn't hurt, you can try to encourage her any way you see fit. The offer from earlier still stands. Anyone who succeeds is given extra credit, if you win. And gets to skip Midnight's, most likely elicit, sex education class, should you fail. - Your time begins now."
Shota put Kohaku down. She immediately went to Kirishima and rocked up. He hardened up himself as he picked her up.
"Maybe it isn't manly, but you're just so adorable," he said and gave her a little squeeze. 
"Oi, shitty hair!" Bakugo raged, marching over. "How is anyone else supposed to get a chance if you don't put the brat down?!"
"Insult my daughter again, Bakugo," Shota warned, eyes glowing. "And you'll wish Nemuri's class was the worst thing in your future."
Bakugo huffed. "Yeah, whatever."
"So…." Kirishima chuckled awkwardly. "Who wants to go first?"
"I'll give it a go!" Sato stepped forward, downing a thing of sugar. Kohaku was unimpressed as he powered up and flexed some. He gave up pretty quickly.
"It's okay, you tried your best," Ashido encouraged as he passed her. 
Kaminari stepped up next, flashing electricity in the palm of his hand. Kohaku seemed to enjoy the show, but there was no sense that she was trying to change. 
"Oh, c'mon," Kaminari groaned. "Don't you want to be an electric baby?"
"So she can fry herself and be as dumb as you?" Jiro teased. "I think not."
"Alright then, you give it a go!" Kaminari slunk away dejectedly.
Jiro and Kohaku exchanged a long glance. Then she extended her earphone jacks towards her. However Jiro retracted them immediately as Kohaku reached for them.
"Sorry, Kohaku," she said and jerked thumb behind her. "But you're not doing to me what you did to Tsu."
"You all aren't doing it properly," Iida scolded, stepping forward. "Allow me to demonstrate. Kirishima, put her down."
Kirishima did as he was asked. Kohaku was not very pleased. She went back to normal as she eyed Iida.
"Look here, little one," Iida instructed. He showed off his leg engines, revving them for show. Kohaku tilted her head. 
Iida took a sprint around the room. Then came to a stop in front of her again. Kohaku laughed at that, reaching her arms out. 
Iida shook his head. "Now you try."
Kohaku pouted. Kirishima laughed. "She wants you to pick her. Maybe if you took her on a run with you?"
Iida glanced between his classmate and the baby. Finally, he sighed and picked her up. He tucked her to his chest with one arm, then took off into a sprint. Shota had a feeling her hair was going to be a big knotted mess afterwards.
Kohaku looked slightly green as they came to a stop. Iida put her down, then gave her a small lecture on how his engines work. How she could incorporate them. But, honestly, she was a baby. So of course the whole thing was lost to her.
"You do know that's not how children work, right?" Uraraka asked.
Ashido crouched in front of her, conjuring a whole hand of grey mush. "How about you become a slime baby for Auntie Mina?"
"You sound stupid," Bakugo snapped. "Stop calling yourself that."
Ashido threw the slime at him. "Why don't you shut up?! Nobody asked you!"
It took a few people to cool him down. The sound as his hands began to pop got Kohaku's attention. She crawled right past Ashdio, who was still trying to coax out a slime baby. Kohaku sat staring up at Bakugo, watching as his hands crackled.
"What're you looking at?" he snapped, glaring at her. 
Kohaku stood as the popping stopped, and pulled one of his hands into her own. She looked closely at his palm and then flipped his hand over. She seemed dissatisfied. Kohaku made a soft pa, pa, papa, pa.
Bakugo frowned. "What are you doing?" 
"I think she wants you to use your quirk again," Sero pointed out. Kohaku continued to make the soft pa, papa, pa, pa, paap.
Bakugo sighed. But he did crouch to her height. "I need my hand back to make them pop."
Kohaku seemed to understand and immediately let go. Bakugo took a step away and lit his hands up for her. Kohaku squeezed in glee. She threw her hands up, making louder pa, papa, pa, pa!! She began running around again. Kohaku ran back through the terrain.
"Oh, way to go, Bakugo!" Mineta groaned. "You scared her. Now she's going to get out!"
"Shut it, extra," Bakugo snapped. "I didn't scare her."
"Not with his quirk, anyway," Kaminari snickered quietly. Bakugo turned to him, blazing.
Everyone went back up and over. Kohaku was nowhere in sight.
"Oh no, we lost her!" Ashido exclaimed. "I am not sitting through Miss. Midnight's class with you people!"
"She's not lost!" Midoriya exclaimed. "Look, over there!"
He pointed down by the far wall. Sure enough, Kohaku looked ready to go through it. 
"We won't reach her in time," Todoroki said.
Midoriya launched off. "I got her."
Unfortunately he went right through. Smacking face first into the wall.
"Idiot, Deku!" Bakugo took off after. "I'm not going to fail babysitting because of you!"
He landed, popping his hands again. Kohaku turned to him. She crawled over Midoriya, going to sit and watch the show.
"Wow, Bakugo is surprisingly good with kids," Ashido said, faintly.
Everyone dropped down to sit by Kohaku. There wasn't much time left. They just had to keep her entertained for a little while longer.
"Hey, Todoroki! Why don't you make some snow?!" Hagakure cheered.
Kaminari looked incredibly confused. "What?"
"Do you really think that will work?" Kirishima asked.
Hagakure nodded, even though no one could see it. "Sure, nobody can resist playing in the snow!"
Todoroki touched his hand to the floor. It iced up. Then a large flow started, not quite freezing all the way. Bakugo was not pleased as it crashed over him, dousing his flames. Kohaku's head popped out of the snow. She giggled happily as she looked around.
"What the hell, Half and Half?!" Bakugo yelled, melting the slush around him.
Kohaku crawled through the snow. She started taking chunks in her hand and compressing them. Everyone was a little confused when it congealed into ice. Until Kohaku started to tremble again. She stretched and jellied and shook. Then, finally, took form. This time, she looked to be made of ice. 
Shota snapped another picture. "Maybe we should let her see quirks in use more often."
"Aw, man, that's not fair!" Mineta whined.
"I mean, of course Todoroki would be good at this. He's good at everything." Hagakure shrugged. 
For the first time, Kohaku seemed to notice her. Just a uniform with no body seeming to be attached. Kohaku wandered over to her. She put her hands on where Hagakure's face should be. She was definitely surprised there was something there.
The disturbed look on Kohaku's face faded quickly. She patted Hagakure's face a few more times. Then began to shake again. She flickered a few times.
"This is amazing," Uraraka said in awe. "How do you think she's catching on to quirks so fast?"
"Observation, I suppose," Iida noted. "Look!"
Finally, Kohaku managed to flicker all the way out. Just a t-shirt and pants. She giggled to herself. Hagakure picked her up and hugged her tightly.
"I feel so flattered," she cried.
Bakugo grumbled. "She probably would've picked up my quirk, if you extras hadn't distracted her! Then she'd a real power!"
"No offense, Bakugo. But the last thing Mr. Aizawa and nurse [Name] need is another one of you," Kaminari said.
Bakugo was ready to argue again. A few people scrambled to cool him down. Shota admired the scene as they fought. Kohaku was coming along quite well. Better than he'd expected. He and [Name] had been afraid to let Kohaku around people while using their quirks. But he was starting to see how it's be beneficial to her.
Sure, there were things she'd figured out on her own. But she was very smart for her age. And her abilities with her quirk, the control, the range - it would make her something of a prodigy. He would have just to make sure to lead her down a good path. But not feel like she was being forced to do anything she didn't want to.
Shota wondered if any of the other hero courses would mind the exercise. That way Kohaku could be exposed to more, so she could learn. He'd have to have his wife take her to sit with the class beforehand. So she knew them. Then he'd take on the day of exercise. Just in case her quirk needed erasing.
"Enough of this," Iida yelled, finally. "We've nearly completed the exercise. Just a few more minutes, then you can argue about this outside."
Bakugo huffed. Kohaku became visible again and wriggled out of Hagakure's grasp. She went back to Bakugo. Pa, pa, pa!
"Yeah, pa," he groaned. He lit his hands up. But everyone nearly ran as Kohaku became an inferno. The flames were wild. Blazing and licking at people. She tottered from side to side. Melting the snow Todoroki had created.
As she tried to run off, fire still uncontrollable, Shota thought it was time to step in. He leapt down and joined his students.
"That's enough, Kohaku," he scolded. His eyes glowed and his hair flowed around him. Her flames were immediately doused. She tried to flick them back on a few times. But nothing worked. She wailed as she realized she couldn't do it anymore. "If you can't use your quirk responsibly, then you aren't going to use it at all."
Shota picked Kohaku up. She must've been getting tired from using her quirk, and playing so much the last few hours. She was getting cranky. But Shota knew she'd zonk in the car seat on the way home.
"We're calling it early, Kohaku is tired," Shota said. He wanted to add and so am I, to the end of it but refrained. "I'm proud of how each and every one of you did today. Surprisingly, you all passed. Congratulations. You're better with children than I thought."
"So - no Midnight?!" Ashdio asked excitedly.
Shota shook his head. "No, you saved yourselves. Barely."
"Uh, should someone take Deku to Recovery Girl?" Asui asked, leaning over his slumped form by the wall. "I think he knocked himself out earlier."
"Asui, you and Uraraka take Midoriya to the nurse's office while I finish up here."
Uraraka went and lightened up Midoriya, then her and Asui made their way out the door. 
"Todoroki, Kirishima, Hagakure, Bakugo - you all get extra credit. If you don't need, or want it, you're more than welcome to give it to someone else. Just let me know who."
"I know exactly what I'm using mine for!" Hagakure cheered.
"C'mon, man," Kaminari groaned, tugging at Bakugo's sleeve. "I know you have perfect grades! Give me your credit!"
Bakugo glared. "Get off me!" 
Kirishima awkwardly went up to his teacher. He grinned shyly. "Hey, Mr. Aizawa, if you ever want a babysitter, I'd be more than happy to watch Kohaku. Whenever you need."
"I'm sure she'd like that. I'll keep that in mind," Shota noted. And he would. Kohaku really seemed to like him, and he and his wife hadn't gone on a date in ages.
"Mr. Aizawa, is that all for today's exercise?" Iida asked. "Are we free to go?"
"Yes. But first - I just wanted to say thanks to all of you," Shota started. "You all did well handling her. There doesn't seem to be a scratch on her. She's learned a lot, but still has a long way to go. I know she'll keep today with her, even when she's older." Shota checked the time. They really had made it to the end of the day without an incident. "You're all free to go."
"Hey, Mr. Aizawa," Ashido started as the group left the facility. "Why did you bring Kohaku today?"
"Because even nurses have sick days." 
Kohaku slept on the way home, and while in the store. Shota couldn't wait to get home and tell his wife about his day. The one he'd planned all for her. He was sure she'd cry laughing so hard. It was all worth it if he could cheer her up, even a little bit.
The house was dark and quiet when they got in. He didn't bother flicking on any lights. Just in case it woke up Kohaku. Instead just setting down his things and going to look for his wife. She was curled up in their bed asleep in a mountain of tissues, some DVD rolling credits on her laptop. Shota laughed to himself. 
He moved everything and laid Kohaku down next to her mother. His stories would have to wait. For the time being, it was family nap time. That was truly the perfect ending to the day.
~
Taglist
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anasticep · 3 years
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Why Julie and the Phantoms is a masterpiece of a show. Part 2. Heroes and Villains or Let that foil shine
NOTE: Thanks again for your kind response to Part 1. I never expected that. It being my first tumblr post and a first meta in quite a long time I was blown away. I read all the tags, some were really hilarious. About having more than one brain cell xDDD I laughed so hard. It means a lot.
NOTE2: Please remember that the gifs are made by me, so don't crop, edit or give as yours.
Part 1.
Before diving into meta, I have to mention that the Villain of the story is actually one of the best in the decade. He’s cool, evil from the start, we understand his motives and we certainly are not supposed to love and make excuses for him. The writers made sure of that. So back to the main topic.
A foil is a character who contrasts with another character; typically, a character who contrasts with the protagonist, in order to better highlight or differentiate certain qualities of the protagonist
Foils in literature are not necessarily antagonists. A friend can be a foil or sometimes even a thing, a song. Whatever can make a good and real contrast to the protagonist. But it’s not very simple to use this author’s device and not fall down a deep hole. Because you have to make sure you did just the right amount of work to make it understandable for a reader, the things you want to contrast are definitely there and still you don't waste a character. On TV it can be even harder given limited air time. And, well, I don’t come across this device being used in full very often nowadays. It’s usually good and evil fighting for the plot. That’s why I personally appreciate JaTP so much.
Caleb is clearly a foil to Luke. As much as I’d love to say that Julie also has one, that’s not entirely true, at least not this season. Carrie is not her foil though it may seem so, and I really think that’s cool as Julie’s journey is being presented through her own demons and I'm going to cover that next. That being said, of course Caleb doubles as an antagonist plotwise, but I personally consider him being written more as a contract to Luke so we could see and appreciate his character and journey better.
1. Origins
Caleb and Luke have extremely similar backgrounds. They are both natural performers. They know how to deliver, because c’mon, “Now or Never” is something and so is “The other side of Hollywood”. Stage is their natural habitat, their element, power. Although they channel this power from completely different places.
Let’s start with our little ball of energy. It’s emphasized TWICE that he doesn’t care about the money aka the physical side of art.
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All Luke wants is to make music. Connect with people. He is so happy just to be heard despite him loving to perform. Making music is what makes him feel alive and basically that’s enough. I think if there was no “hologram” magic at all, Luke would have still been extremely happy to make music with and for Julie. Because that’s the way he is.
But Caleb doesn’t know that. He knows, and I’m standing by that, right away that Luke is the one to aim at. Because we always feel the similarity in people. If Luke said yes, Reggie and Alex would have followed. So Caleb recognizes the passion and shoots at them what he thinks is appealing. And, oh boy, he delivers.
“The Other Side of Hollywood” is a perfect song to emphasize Luke and Caleb being foils for each other. Follow me here:
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But these lines come from very different places. For Caleb the only thing that matters is himself. He owns the show, he IS the show. It’s about being famous, drowning in applause, admiration. Look at how he performs. Confident, yes, but still very much in control. He must keep his perfect face. No flaws, no real emotions, no real connection (Did you miss ME? I did too // This band is back). Whereas Luke is simply living the best time of his life each time he performs. Is it just jamming? Bring it on. Doing fun riffs? He’s all for it. He doesn’t care how he looks (though who could deny gorgeous sweaty Luke), he owns the show just because he is a natural.
So back to the business. Caleb immediately puts the boys in his own shoes:
On the other side we live like kings // Your soulprint on the walk of fame on the boulevard of your wildest dreams // I got your glamour, got your gold, got all you’ll ever need
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And, I mean, he is not that wrong. You can see the appeal on the boys’ faces. They are young, passionate, handsome, talented musicians. Of course they wouldn’t deny fame. Of course they would want all that to some extent. And Caleb is very sure he pulled the right strings.
Watch me make a move, I’m your number one choice
Also I have to mention, as we are talking about TOSOH (IKEA name again) and it being a foil for Luke, thy lyrics still don’t forget about what is important for Reggie and Alex (we’ll talk about that just a bit later):
Welcome to the brotherhood -> Reggie
Where you won’t be misunderstood -> Alex
Then again, lots of foreshadowing in the song, if you listen carefully the lyrics are stressing the true colors of the offer:
A tomb with a view
Man, what a metaphor. I would have run out of there the minute I heard this line. But our boys share one brain cell (I can’t get over how funny this is) and it’s currently taken by Julie, so I don’t blame them.
Disappointment is huge. Caleb read it all wrong. So we are moving to the next point in our Heroes and Villains essay.
2. Recruitment
It’s very cool that Caleb offers the boys to join his band right after Luke offers Julie to join Sunset Curve. They both are going out of their ways to get that (although have different budgets apparently. But look, they live in a garage). Luke made a hit with a bunch of Julie’s not very well structured lines (I love Flying Solo with all my heart as a song, but as a poem it just looks weird to me) to impress her, and we all saw the show Caleb had thrown to impress the boys. Plus food. And fancy dancing. But here is where contrast comes again.
Caleb offers to join the band, yes, but only as backup singers. It’s his show, remember? It’s only about him. He doesn’t care if they are even good. He wants their magic under control.
Share the spotlight with ME / How do you like MY new band?!
Luke offering Julie a spot in the band is a completely different story. He saw what she is capable of. He instantly knows she must be the key to a new sound, a new level. And he, a natural performer, frontman, lead guitarist, steps back and gives the spotlight to Julie. To think about it, he could have just got her magic under control by giving her simple lines, incorporating piano in the songs and that’s all. They would be visible, he would still be a center of attention, and Julie herself wouldn't mind that much. But that’s not who Luke is. Yes, there is a funny scene of “Hey, I’m your lead singer” and “you don’t have to be mean”, but it’s just messing around. Because right after that he finishes Flying Solo, writes several other songs with Julie, seeks her approval of Sunset Curve songs and basically follows her around like an adorable excited puppy.
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Moving on and back to the rejection. Again the writers are mirroring them. Julie quits the band & the boys decline the offer. What does Luke do? Well, he tries the way he knows: books a gig, makes Reggie and Alex sing in perfect harmonies and does his puppy eyes thing. And it doesn’t work. And Luke goes to reflect and then probably try to come up with a plan. But something tells me he would not have haunted Julie until she joined them.
What does Caleb do after the initial rejection? Puts a cursed stamp that leaves them no choice but to join HGC. You don’t need to say more.
But in fact the more I think about it, the more I suspect Caleb also not possessing enough mental capacity for a human being. Like, if it wasn’t for Willie, how would they even know? Has Caleb planned to simply show up one day and casually explain? Look, foils in everything.
“You’re in a tough spot… So, you wanna join the band?” | “Looked like it hurt… you know where to find me”
But we sidestepped a bit.
3. Pulling the strings
After the song Caleb comes out to consolidate his success. What he does is clever and, btw, that’s the only time he becomes Julie’s foil. They are stating basically the same thing.
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Again, Julie is concerned about the band and the boys, while Caleb is only concerned about having them under control. But they both are pulling basically the right strings.
What is interesting, Caleb actually impressed the wrong person (and that person is our sweet Reggie). Luke follows the string Julie pulled. Although the offer is tempting, he insists twice that they are in a band already directly to Caleb and then in Eats&Beats he says "It's like Julie said, we have a new band, a new sound». No matter what Caleb promised, Luke is not affected at all although Caleb’s offer is a very-very safe choice.
Speaking about using friends as foils, Alex and Reggie also serve as contrast characters for Luke at some points. Luke’s indifference to money is first stressed through Alex who is clearly the chief accountant for the band. His lines about not getting tips, living in a garage and «it’s a little bit about the money» are waved aside by Luke. Reggie is clearly the most affected by the whole Bobbie thing. His lines «I don’t care what Julie said, I’m glad we scared Bobbie», «So we’re gonna forget about getting back at Trevor?» are getting a clear contrast by Luke’s «It’s what Julie said, we have a new band, a new sound» and «He has to live with that guilt».
While editing the article I realised a very cool thing I haven't noticed before. How badly Luke wants to go on tour. And again that's another thing Caleb offers as if reading his mind. That's actually brilliant, to think about it.
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Caleb is a VERY good reader. He tests the waters with a speech about disappearing from stage and going around the world and all dreams coming true. Still he doesn’t know the boys and especially Luke, so his phrase “no real connection” doesn’t register that much.
But he learns. Remember the lines I’ve marked before?
Reggie is afraid they will not be together after they cross over. He is in desperate need of a family. So wouldn’t it be nice to spend the rest of your afterlife with your brothers? (Reggie's main insecurity is loneliness, feel of a broken family. That's why he is the most concerned about crossing over. Will his family stay intact?)
Alex is insecure, and not being understood by the people closest to him will always hit hard. So welcome to a place where you won’t be misunderstood. And actually we know there is a guy you like and find comfort in. (Alex's insecurity is growing up in times when he could not truly be himself even with his family and for sure not believing he would ever be able to find someone meant just for him)
That mirrors the whole Luke’s beach speech perfectly. Only comparing them we can truly appreciate why Luke is the leader. He shuts down his own demons to make Alex and Reggie remember that they are not alone (“and I believe in you”. sorry. Olicity fan).
Caleb makes them suffer to get what he wants. But this time he is careful with the words aimed at Luke. Yes, he repeats his words about vanishing and applauses BUT he makes sure that his words about CONNECTION are the key words for Luke. Intense look, calming voice, touching - these are all elements of hypnosis. And Luke is in a daze. (Continuing the parents' thing, for Luke the main insecurity is not managing to connect with his mom. Maybe that's such a big thing for him: through all these people he wanted to find that connection with her)
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4. The Hero’s journey
That’s the best part actually but I won’t be saying anything new or that you don’t know. Luke is made of lyrics and music. That’s his soul, heart, that’s the feeling running through his veins. He doesn’t need anything other than that in his life. Playing for eternity is “a gift no musician would ever turn down”. But he actually does turn it down. As well as his dream to go see the world with his band (is there covid in jatp universe?). He is the one who resists the hardest to the pull. Luke, who always has a guitar in his hands, doesn't want to play. Because it’s not only about the music now. He has this amazing girl in his afterlife who was willing to accept them for who they were, helped Luke battle his own demons, eased his pain and made him open up. And it doesn’t make sense any longer without her anymore. “And you’re a part of me now till eternity”.
Caleb, being Luke’s foil, completely misses the whole point of connection. It’s not in his nature. His house band are just recruits (Just so happens you’re in luck we’ve got a vacancy). For Luke his band is his family (We are the only family we ever gonna need). The Connection theme is one of the main in the show. And it’s so cool to show it focused through Luke whose best way of interaction is a touch. But not being able to touch Julie Luke has to find other ways, although it’s not that simple for him. And Julie backs that up: We connect in so many other ways. They literally touched each other's souls. Without knowing she put a stamp of her own on Luke, Alex and Reggie. They’ve never felt loved enough, appreciated enough, supported enough. They’ve only had each other. And Julie’s stamp is love. And for Luke (as well as Reggie and Alex) from now on this girl is worth dying for all over again.
_______
So yeah. I hope you enjoyed it, as I for sure enjoyed writing. There is gonna be a part 3 about Julie and a few honorable mentions of parallels of the Pilot and the Finale (I hope at least to do all that). I’ve also figured very very cool connections in the songs and I can’t wait to share.
Also as I was heavily speaking about The Other side of Hollywood, @catty-words has a wonderful meta on rain metaphors here (sorry for tagging, if you don't want to be tagged), check it out if you somehow missed it. It's super clever.
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tabbyclaw · 2 years
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A writing retrospective
2021 was a surprisingly productive year for me! I managed to finish six fics, which is a lot for me, and what better way to commemorate that than with a roundup? Below is a rundown of everything I posted in the past year, along with a little bit of writer’s commentary for each one.
Untitled Hitman ficlet - The Hitman games passed me by entirely somehow -- yes, even with as long as I’ve been subscribed to Outside XBox; I don’t know how that happened, either -- but once the teasers for 3 started trickling out to places where I actually noticed them it was a very short road from “Oh, this is a thing with enough meat on it to actually get fannish about?” to “Oh, I am invested.” I am all about weird and complicated loyalty and trust, and good lord do Diana and 47 deliver on that front. I like morally dubious characters being aware that their debts are going to come due one day, and I like intelligent people being wrong in unexpected ways, so this was a perfect confluence, and an idea that hit me at a time when I was very open to inspiration because I was in dire need of something quick and emotionally satisfying (see below). Whether or not inspiration will strike me in this fandom again remains to be seen, but I’m glad of the people it brought to my attention via bringing me to theirs, and I enjoy poking my head in occasionally and watching y’all have fun.
Valentorn - This right here? This is my current pride and joy. It’s the reason I only posted one short thing at the beginning of 2020 and the reason I needed that break that led to the Hitman fic, because it took all of that time to write this and then edit it. (Editing alone was three months. My beta has the patience of a saint. And also came up with the “polka-ball” pun, which is why I love him so much.) Valentorn was born from a lot of things, most notably Gabriel and Nathalie being my catnip -- see above re: ‘weird and complicated loyalty and trust’ and then add my love of both pining and cartoon villains in love -- and finding the perfect setup to make them the heart of a ‘monster of the week’ plot. (His whole thing is sensing wounded hearts. There’s a broken one standing next to him every single day. Come on, canon!) And it might not be obvious because I haven’t written one since Ex Libris, but I love supernatural monster of the week/”let’s make this feel like an episode of the show” fics, especially when canon’s ‘monsters’ are people. I love figuring out who caused this and why, what the rules are, and how to fix it. It’s just that Ex Libris also took me a whole year to write, so the idea for one has to really grab me by the entire heart and brain before I’m willing to dig in and commit to trying to finish it. And this one super did, and I do not regret spending as much time as I did on it.
Some little fun facts about this one:
Marinette is the only character of the main four not to appear in civilian form.
I chose a bird of paradise purely for reasons of aesthetic and vibes, but according to various flower symbolism sites it stands for freedom, joy, magnificence, and fidelity, which all fit perfectly.
There was a version of the story in which Chat Noir managed to talk Valentorn down and she surrendered her akuma willingly, but it felt both narratively unsatisfying and just unfair to Nathalie. She’s distressed enough at the end because she lost the fight; it would have been so much worse if she hadn’t fought at all.
There is also a scene in my head in which Hawkmoth decides he needs to deal with Valentorn in person and slams into that barrier between them so hard that it knocks them both back. I have considered writing it down and posting it somewhere as a sort of DVD extra, but it would almost certainly not go well. Neither of them is ready for that conversation, especially at the point in canon where the story is set.
Breathe Easy - My Drakken/Shego lobe can lie dormant for ages, but as soon as something kicks it awake it’s immediately firing on all cylinders again. And that fanart kicked it hard for both comfortable domesticity and a little bit of whump, which is a combination those two are well-suited for in my brain. And, much like the Hitman fic, this one brought a lot of positive attention in both directions because I forget sometimes that 90% of my contribution to the ship was pre-Tumblr and I don’t always know where to look for it anymore. There’s not a lot more to say about this one, which is deliberately short and simple, but Shego getting squeamish is a nod to a very old and half-joking headcanon of mine that she has a Thing about blood and gore, which is why she only ever reaches kids’-show-appropriate levels of violence despite how clear it is that she could do much worse if she wanted.
Gin and Bear It - The other crown jewel in this year’s collection. The drunken piggyback in “Sect Appeal” was one of the big “Oh, I guess I ship this now” moments, and it was because Corazon was so calm about it that it had to be something he was just used to by now. Which was fertile ground for any number of other ‘comfort the weepy drunk warlock’ shenanigans, and all of that flowed right into this story. It’s been a long time since I got to write ‘jerks having feelings and being really cranky about that fact,’ and these two hit that sweet spot by basically being my good old ‘cartoon villains in love’ despite being in the wrong medium and also the protagonists. There’s also not much to say about this one because it really did all end up on the page, but I will tease that there’s a sequel in the works because I couldn’t just leave it like that. It just might be a sequel that takes forever and a half to appear, because if these two are good at anything it’s adamantly refusing to make things romantically easy for themselves.
Protective Camouflage - This is in the same ‘saw the art, had to write it’ category as Breathe Easy, but obviously different because it’s a fandom that’s brand new to me rather than the oldest one of my heart and a narrative voice unlike my usual one. I am, overall, pretty damned proud of how I wrote Murderbot and its friends and I love the response it’s gotten so far, and if anyone who’s gotten this far in this post is now wondering what the heck this canon is I would love to shout at you about it some.
Backwards In High Heels - Who doesn’t love a good dance around the office? This really did just start with that mental image as something fun and cute, tied to my frequent wondering about just what their working relationship was like Before All Of This. And it probably would have stayed just a cute little mental image in my head if the title hadn’t come to me, and hit me with how perfect a metaphor for who these two are and how they relate to each other, and then I had to write it. It’s been on the back burner for a good while now, and I finally finished both it and Protective Camouflage in November and then let them sit for a while before editing. During November I got a kick out of the fact that I was writing stories for two canons about as far apart as they could be from each other, but with the common thread (hah) that I didn’t know enough about clothing design to write either story properly. There are times when choosing a viewpoint character who probably knows as little as you do is a tactical decision...
And that’s how I spent my 2021! On to the new year, and what absurdities will I pull out this time?
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popculturebuffet · 3 years
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Tex Avery Birthday Spectacular!
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Hello all you happy people! And welcome to a celebration of the only cartoon director I knew as a kid and one of the finest whose ever lived, Mr. Tex Avery. 
Avery is a legend in the animation industry and rightly so. Starting out at a few other studios, and loosing sight in one of his eyes due to some tomfoolery at one, Tex was annoyed with the restrctive enviorment and eventually found his way to Termite Terrace, the animated shorts wing of Leon Schislenger Productions, aka the future Warner Brothers Studios and the makers of Looney Tunes. And his impact on the franchise is vast, cannot be overstated and I only learned about just how much recently: The man created Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, created the prototype for Elmer Fudd, and created the design for Porky we’re all far more familiar with. 
Eventually though while he was happy there, his career when ended when he eventually got into a squabble with Leon schsinger over the ending of “The Heckling Hare” and left soon after. Given he got a four week unpaid suspension for it , a bit extreme given all he’d given the studio, I can’t blame him. He instead went over to MGM who badly needed his wacky energy, and thus got to go as nuts as he wanted, with creative control a better budget and the result was his peak and classic characters like Red and my personal faviorite and personal boy: Droopy. I will try and do a birthday thing for him next month, we’ll see if my rather packed schedule will allow for it. Point is I watched the guys cartoons a lot as a kid between looney tunes and his shorts being repacked for the Tex Avery show in the late 90′s, and until recently I had no idea the depth and scope of his career: The guy gave looney tunes it’s standard fourth walll breaking and made it a huge part of the industry, and he was the one to hlep htem break out of being a Disney knockoff and into what we know today. The guy has my utmost respect so today I honor him as the first animator to get one of my birthday specials: As is my standard ten shorts, my patreons get to pick one each (I now have two but she start’s next month so her benefits will too) if they so choose (Kev opted out of the porky pig one next week) and I went to my friend blah for a recomendation as he’s an avid fan of the golden age of animation and thus usually has a really good choice up his sleeve. Now that’s out of hte way join me under the cut for some shenanigans as old tex would want it that way. 
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1. The Gold Diggers of 49 (1935)
This was Tex Avery’s first short with warner and the first of his I could find, not ot mention his first time working with Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett, who he’d mentor and go on to be the heart and soul of Looney Tunes and define the characters Tex created. And since this is more significant than his earlier work i’m coutning it as his first. And as a start it’s.. ehhhhhhh. 
I don’t blame him for it though.  Most don’t hit it out of hte park their first time up to bat, and frankly the deck was stacked against him. He was saddled with Beans the Cat...
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No one brak no one. He was part of an attempt by warner to create a new star as part of a Little Rascals/Our Gang style group of kids debuting in the short “I Haven’t Got a Hat”. This short is notable not for Beans, who no one cares about, but for the debut of Looney Tunes first star: Porky Pig. Porky was just one of the various characters but the only one audiences really liked. It took some time for Warner to get the hint though, hence Beans starring here and Porky playing his girlfriend’s father.. and also now being much older than him for some reason. 
So instead of being a Little Rascals ripoff bean is now a mickey mouse ripoff, as the short gives me mickey mouse vibes.. but without the things that made those shorts actually good and feels mostly built on studios trying to make what they think audiences will like. There’s sparks of waht Tex would become.. but just not enough wiggle room for him to make something special. Also porky looks and sounds weird in this one and Bean’s girlfriend has a REALLY annoying voice. Oh and two horrible Asian stereotypes, because it was acceptable at the time but lord was it never okay. Then again I should be at least mildly greatful none of the shorts had blackface.. because tex apparently REALLY had a problem with that, something I obviously didn’t know as a kid as they edited it out but given most of his MGM shorts have “blackface edited out of x version”, yeahhh.... I may like the guy, quite a bit and feel those gags weren’t done out of malice.. but it dosen’t make them okay, they were never okay and he should’ve done better. 
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2. I Love to Singa (1936) Thankfully our next entry is 800% better, as we get a classic from my childhood and probably multiple childhoods. Admittedly part of the reason this one stuck in my head is the title song, sung by a young jazz singing owl whose dad doesn’t like that he sings Jazz instead of classical, enters a contest and nearly looses singing classical to please his dad only for his dad to intervene and finally accept his son. It’s a wonderful story of acceptance with some decent gags, beautiful animation and one hell of a title track that will probably never leave my head. The song is really what makes this short and sometimes that’s okay. Also just to note so someone else doesn’t: This short was a parody of the Jazz Singer one of the first talkie’s.. and also a film that uses blackface and whose 80′s remake bafflingly also uses blackface for some reason. Yes really. 
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3. Tortoise Beats Hare (1941)
One of Tex’s only four Bugs Shorts.. but given 3/4 of them are certified classics, and one of them involving a horrible stereotype.. to the point it’s part of the rightfully infamous “Censored 11″ and the ONLY one involving Bugs Bunny. 
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So as I said, Tex has a bad history with casual racism, and while it was the style at the time and I don’t THINK he was actively malicious towards black people.. it doesn’t make some of his work any less harmful. The rest of his bugs work though is remembered for the right reasons: his first appearance, and early classic we’ll get to next.. and this standout everyone who saw it as a kid or an adult fondly remembers. 
You all know the premise: Bugs finds out, in an utterly brilliant wall shattering bit at the start where he reads off the crew names and then the title, that this picture will have him beaten by a turtle and taking offense to that challenges the guy. This is honestly one of the few Bugs shorts where he’s the out and out villain of the picture. He’s doing this race purely out of ego, yells at Cecil whose perfectly nice in this one, and in general is the bully set up for a fall he’d later be famous for taking on. But it works, both because this si early in bugs career so it’s entirely in character, and because Mel just really sells the obnoxiousness while still being funny. 
This short also has one of Tex’s trademark setups as this is essentially a prototypical droopy cartoon: A meek, goofy voiced protagonist whose shorter than his large obnoxious enemy and who torments him by showing up every where he’s going to be and casually doing it. Cecil even does so using an army of fellow turtles with Droopy later using a similar trick in one of his shorts. As a big Droopy fan i’m clearly not complaining and while Droopy would do it better, this short’s still a classic for a reason with tons of great bits and is a fun break from the usual bugs setup, though in full fairness the usual bugs setup is still solid gold so take that how you will. 
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4. The Heckling Hare (1941)
Originally I was going to have Daffy in Hollywood in this spot as I thought it was on Max, it was not,  so I swapped it out with his final bugs cartoon. For the record his first, and Bugs, is being saved for Bugs birthday this summer. And honestly i’m glad I did because this was 7 mintues of pure joy that has another setup that Tex himself and other Looney Tunes animators would resuuse: Bugs being pitted up against a far dumber antagonist. One who often still fully deserves it but allows him to just have fun for several minutes at this dumb bastard’s expense. It works well here, with tons of clever gags, my faviorite being the two doing dumb faces with each other only for bugs to stop and pull out a sign as seen right above. 
It’s also an approriate capper to our warner made Tex shorts for the day, as this would be the one that got him fired. He and Schisnger argued over it and he got suspended as I mentioned and I found it again a bit fucking extreme. So did Tex and after a handful of shorts elsewhere, he’d move over to MGM, whose cartoons would ironically be bought up by warner. They needed a shot in the arm to compete with Disney and Warner and Tex was happy to provide hte needle filled with nonsense. And the results.. are pure gold. 
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5. Dumb Hounded (1943)
I’ll admit as a kid I didn’t know Tex’s MGM shorts were theatrical, or any shorts but somehow I knew they weren’t looney tunes. Besidds obviously having hteir own show they just had their own tone and pacing and style. While the Looney Tunes aren’t bad, at all honestly, Tex’s work here was in a class by itself with MGM gladly giving him a higher budget and even more creative freedom. And the results speak for themselves and one of those results is one of if not my faviorite classic cartoon character. And since I might not be able to get to his birthday with one of these next month, though i’m certainly going to try march is just VERY VERY FULL. Anyways point is our happy hero was introduced here. And given i’m frequently depressed and often withdrawn, not that you could tell from my reviews here, I related to this depressed bulldog who always won anyway despite being an outsider, finding love, sucess and always beating a much larger, much more assholish antagonist. But Droopy is good on his own merits as his shorts are just that funny. 
This was true from Day One as dumb hounded is fucking perfect: The Wolf that Avery always used in his cartoons escapes from jail and is hunted by bloodhounds including our boy, who charmingly introduces himself with “You know what, i’m the hero”. From there it’s a simple setup but a great one as Droopy finds the guy.. then chases him from here to enternity with one amazing gag after another. Simple, utterly hilarious and the dawn of a legend, with the ending having Droopy go a bit nuts after getting his reward money before returning to his usual demeanor “You know what? I’m happy” So am I bud, so am I. 
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6. Red Hot Riding Hood (1943)
Yup same year. Tex hit the ground sprinting. This one is his signature MGM toon and for good reason. Using his usual forth wall breaking style, both the wolf and red riding hood rebel when it opens with a typical telling, so it changes to a 40′s nightlife setting: Grandma lives in a penthouse and is man hungry, Red is a fanservicey night club act and the Wolf is a sexually harassing asshole who chases after here and has some over the top reactions to her that are iconic in some’s mind.
The short is gorgeously animated with Red’s dance sequence and Wolfie’s reactions being the highlight and the short isn’t as bad as it could be as the wolf is treated as a scumbag for hitting on her and generally being a creep. SO the first two thirds aren’t bad with nice touches like the narrator clearly improvising the new story. It’s just badly hampered by the last half where Grandma sexually harasses Wolfie and it just doesn’t work. This double standard stuff annoys me and “haha get it it’s funny when a woman stalks a man” isn’t funny. Wolfie stalking her really isn’t that funny either it’s just not you know an entire third of the film. So a classic for a reason.. but one that really has degraded with time. Still worth analyzing and what not, just not great. 
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7. Who Killed Who? (1943)
Yes still. It was a good year. This is another one off like Red Hot Riding Hood and as is tradition since the Tom and Jerry one, my patreons each get to pick one and Kev selected this one. And this.. was a great choice. 
Seriously I could not stop laughing with a great gag a minute, WAY too many to mention, a classic ending, and just nothing but net the whole time. I don’t have much to say really.. but because this one’s just good. The whodunnit genre hasn’t really gone away, it’s cliches are welll known even today and this is a lovely parody of it that hits the ground running after a live action intro and runs right through the wall across a lake and straight into droopy “You moved.”. 
The only real observation I have other than “This is fucking awesome watch it immediately” is that the villian looks exactly like the Phantom Blot. Who knew the Phantom Blot was a live action guy with a weird haircut the whole time huh?  Seriously this one is a masterpiece, an instant faviorite, and I highly recommend it. 
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8. Screwball Squirrel (1944)
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As you can probably guess by how I lead it in this one is not very good. It is tex TRYING to make a bugs or daffy type character again and somehow failing at it. He created them, he did plenty of shorts like theirs with other characters and got how the cat and mouse antics of the old theatrical shorts worked.. so I have no idea how this one happened. 
I’m really not overselling it: The short is about Screwy, who hyjacks it from a cute widdle bunny clearly parodying bambi.. who he beats the shit out of, then decides to get things going asks a dumb dog to hunt him, then insults him to provoke him to attacking him. He then spends the entire short tormenting the poor dumb bastard who again HE PROVOKED. It feels like a poor imitation of dumb hounded, as while Bugs clearly outclassed the dog there, he’d die if he lost, so while he was punching down, he clearly didn’t have a choice and you can’t honestly blame him. Here, Screwy is fine, he just wants someone’s head to fuck with and spends a whole short torturing him. We don’t even get catarsis as while the dog does catch him at the end via  weird gag, they end up deciding to beat up the bunny instead. 
His voice is also just the worst, just utterly grating and making me wish an anvil woudl fall on HIM instead. Screwy would return for some other shorts but I have no idea why. This was easily the weakest of these ten shorts and I will probably not return to the guy next year.
9. Bad Luck Blackie (1949)
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This is one i’d forgotten till I got a ways in. It’s also weirdly one of the only MGM Tex shorts on HBO Max as this was included in the Tom and Jerry collection for some reason, the dog in it clearly isn’t the tom and Jerry verison of spike... though the dog Droopy fought a lot was indeed called spike. Yes that is confusing, no I don’t know why MGM thought this was a good idea. 
 As a result though I have been saving giving out about this till now but seirously , put the tex avery shorts on HBO Max. Their on Blu-Ray, their on boomerang, especially Droopys. I do not get why they aren’t on here. I’m tired of them holding things out for the boomerang app when not everyone subscirbes to that. Let me have my morose dog dammit. 
That giving out aside i’m glad this one caught my eye via i’ts weird name as it’s another masterpiece. It also does what one Tom and Jerry short I reviewed, the one where tom’s a millionare,  earlier this month failed to: properly make it’s antagonist loathsome enough to deserve the parade of abuse he gets. With that one Tom is tourturning jerry for like 30 seconds, but Jerry torments him for most of 5 minutes. 
Here we get about two minutes of our lead kitten getting torremnted by a mean bulldog. It’s not only still a bit entertaining to lessen the horror just enough to be watchable but not enough to make the bulldog likeable, but it makes what happens for the rest of the short oh so fucking satsifying. While the previous short today really didn’t get the karmic ballance neded for a good classic screwball comedy short this one overwhelmingly does.
Our kitten gets some help in the form of Blackie, a professional black cat who agrees to turn the tables, sauntring across to a wonderfully catchy tune. any time the little guy whistles. The result from there is 5-6 nonstop minutes of comedy genius, as Tex finds new and creative ways for the cat to come out of nowhere, and even shakes things up to keep it intresting towards the end iwth the dog getting the whistle.. only for it to still not work out, and for our little kitten to get his revenge at last by painting himself black after the bulldog paints blackie white. As should be obvious by now, it’s really good, showing Screwball Squirrel was the exception not the rule. In general Tex was this good during his mgm and when he was at his peak we got gems like this. Truly sensational, watch it if you have max it’s under the tom and jerry section for some reason. 
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10. T.V. of Tommorow A decent one I remember seeing as a kid. Not much to say though, it’s mostly a bunch of gags about “future” tv’s based on their viewer’s needs. Some good stuff.. not as good as most of what was here today but still better than the worst of it and still very memorable and part of a memorable tetralogy i’ll probably come back to when I do Tex’s birthday again next year. Not a bad note to end on though. 
Overall these shorts show just how strong a creator tex was, gleefully taking convention and ripping it to tiny pieces. As i’ve mentioned many times i’ll be coming back to his work next year.. and probably be watching a hell ofa lot more in the time between. Might even do a second special on him in between birthday ones. We’ll see how this does. The Tom and Jerry one sadly wasn’t quite the hit I hoped. 
Until then I have many other reviews. And since Today (This review is late) was supposed to be the 90′s tom and jerry movie but that turned out not to be on Max for some reason. I still plan to cover it some day i’ll just have to find it and buy it first. But tommorow if I have the time i’ll be continuing the Lena retrospective with an intresting little side trip. So until then, i’ts been a pleasure and you know what? Thanks for reading. 
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lycorogue · 3 years
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Latest Story: I Need Him Back
It’s Plagg Appreciation Day again!
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Well, actually, it’s now after midnight, but close enough to Plagg Appreciation Day (aka Friday 13th), right? It just kept me all day to write, edit, format for online publishing, and promote this story. It’s also the 1st thing I’ve written since LAST Friday 13th (back in March), so.. yeah. (This has been a trash year for my creativity along with just about everything else) I hope I shook off enough of the rust.
You can stay here to read my latest story, or you can find it on these other sites: on AO3, on FFN, or on DA.
I Need Him Back
**Contains Spoilers For ML NY Special**
Summary: Marinette has no clue what to do without her Chat Noir. All she wants is for her partner back. Plagg is just as distraught without his holder, but maybe he can find a way to get the ring back to Adrien. The trick is doing so without revealing who Chat Noir was to Marinette.
Rating: General Audience
Word Count: 5799
Status: Completed one-shot
**This story is an AU of the ending to the NY special. I wondered what would happen if the magic of the Miraculous transformations blocked enough of Uncanny Valley's scan (much like how she was having issues with Techclonizer) that it prevented her from deducing Ladybug's and Chat Noir's identities.**
“Please forgive me, my friend.”
It kept Plagg a second too long to realize what Adrien was doing. “No!”
“I renounce you, Plagg.”
He couldn't say anything. In a flash, Plagg was gone. Banished to his ring. He had never expected this. Never thought Adrien could ever abandon him like that. He was safe. He was home. Adrien was family.
“Plagg?” Marinette was holding his ring now. The Guardian was once more in possession of the Miraculous. Adrien truly was gone, wasn't he? “Plagg, what happened? Why? Why would he-?” She hid her face in her hands. “This is my fault! I chased him away.”
Plagg wasn't sure what to say. He was in too much shock himself. Tikki drifted over to him, grabbed his arm, and slowly drew him down into Marinette's purse with her so he could rest. At least, while the Guardian held onto his ring, he could be with Tikki. It was a small consolation, but it was all he had to hold onto at that point.
The rain drenched them the moment Marinette climbed out of the sewers. The teen didn't seem to notice, and Plagg certainly didn't care.
“This is all my fault,” he confessed with a quaking croak. “I should have stopped him from leaving.”
“He made his choice,” was Marinette's somber reply, “What were we supposed to do?”
She wandered the city aimlessly for a little while longer before realizing her classmates must be wondering where she was. Reluctantly, she made her way back towards the hotel. Out front, she met up with Adrien, but their reunion was interrupted when a car pulled up beside them.
“Adrien, get in the car at once,” Gabriel demanded through the video in the car.
“Adrien?” Plagg stirred in Marinette's purse, desperate to go to his boy. Tikki held him still.
“You can't,” Tikki whispered.
“But-”
“My owner is the one with the ring now, so you can't stay with him anyway, and you can't reveal that he was Chat Noir to her.”
“Tikki-”
“I wouldn't have minded being stuck here a little longer with a friend like you.” Adrien's voice nearly broke Plagg's heart. The kid had lost so much; gave up so much. He was broken, and it was all Plagg's fault.
“I should have never convinced him that it would be alright to leave Paris.”
Tikki's eyes widened. “You told him to come?”
“His father was sending him anyway, and you know how he has no say in his life when his father's involved. I just wanted him to have fun while he was here, so I came up with the plan to fly back to Paris when an akuma alert happened, and he'd press the communicator button to buzz for Ladybug while he was on-route. By the time Ladybug made it back to Paris she would never know he was gone. I didn't expect a supervillain here stopping him from getting back in time.”
“She knew about the akuma in Paris the same time he did. She wouldn't have been able to get away even if he had stayed at home. It's neither of your faults.”
Plagg hung his head. If only he could believe Tikki.
“Adrien!” Marinette bellowed, “Stay!”
Marinette's plea pierced through Plagg. He wanted to scream the same exact thing.
“I've already lost Chat Noir. I can't lose Adrien too.” She did lose him, though. Her mad dash in the rain ended with her wiping out into the street and softly confessing her love to the empty city.
She then wandered in the rain once more, completely lost in what to do next or where to go.
“What are you doing out here?” Uncanny Valley elegantly descended before them, her three eyes darting around to make sure everything was safe.
“I- uh-”
“Hawk Moth is in New York City. It is not safe for you to be outside right now. I will take you back to the hotel.” Uncanny scooped Marinette into a bridal carry and flew off before Marinette could refuse.
“Hawk Moth? He's here?” Marinette choked out.
“Yes. I am searching for Ladybug and Chat Noir to help. Have you seen either of them?”
“N- No. No, I'm sorry. I can't help you.”
“That's alright. I am sure I'll find them in time.” Uncanny landed on the hotel roof and put Marinette down. “Go hide inside until it is safe, okay? Don't worry, we will be victorious. I know it.” Before Marinette could say anything else, Uncanny Valley had flown away, looking for a superhero that no longer existed and one who didn't have the will to fight.
“Marinette! You have to transform! You know you're the only one who can stop Hawk Moth.”
“I- I can't. Not without him.” She opened her palm and looked longingly at the Cat Ring.
“I know this is tough, Marinette, but New York needs you. You can't repair what happened in Paris, but you can help here. Besides, if Uncanny Valley is looking for Ladybug then she's not helping to defeat the akuma. They're going to need as many heroes as they can get.”
Marinette nodded. “Tikki, spots on!”
It was a hard fight without her partner, but she was able to lean on Sparrow and Uncanny Valley for help. They managed to get the Miraculous away from the villain easily enough, but getting to the akuma was a different matter.
Plagg watched on from a distance, making sure Hawk Moth didn't spot him. It kept a little while, but he eventually saw an opening, snuck into the battle, and used his Cataclysm to help trap Techclonizer in the ground by the Statue of Liberty. It was then an easy task for Uncanny to break his handcuffs and for Ladybug to cleanse the akuma.
The rest of the class trip was uneventful. Everything more-or-less went as scheduled, and Plagg stayed cuddled in Tikki's arms. The three of them didn't have a moment alone to talk about Chat Noir or what to do next with the ring. If nothing else, Alya refused to let Marinette out of her sight for a moment.
On the plane, Marinette had debated sneaking away. It was a long flight, but she was also very tired. She ended up silently crying herself to sleep with her back towards her best friend so she'd never know. 
Plagg likewise curled around his ring, nuzzling it as he too tried to get some sleep. Both Marinette and Plagg tried to push New York into as distant a pained memory as possible as they flew home.
“Don't worry, Marinette,” Alya gave her best friend a tight hug before letting her off the chartered bus. “You'll see Adrien again in class tomorrow. You can make things right then.”
“Y-yeah,” Marinette forced a smile. “Thanks, Alya. See you tomorrow.”
“Try to get some rest, girl!”
Marinette collected her suitcase and waved Alya goodbye as the bus drove to the next student's home to drop off.
“Marinette!” Sabine burst through the bakery door and flung her arms around her daughter. Tom came sprinting out shortly behind and wrapped both women in his massive hug. “Sweetheart, we're so glad you're safe,” Sabine continued, “We saw that Ladybug had stopped a supervillain in New York City, and we were so worried.”
“But if Ladybug was there, we knew you had to be alright,” Tom interjected, slowly releasing his two favorite ladies from his grip. “Plus, we saw that sign you and your friends held up for that Adrien boy.”
“Still,” Sabine added, “it's such a relief to see for ourselves that you're okay.”
As Marinette's parents ushered her home, Plagg slumped in her purse, tail curled around him.
“Plagg?” Tikki whispered.
“What if Ladybug wasn't okay? What if me convincing my owner to go on the trip instead of finding a way for him to stay here was enough of a distraction that-?” He swallowed hard and pulled his knees in closer. “Tikki, my owner feels horrible about what he did, but it was my power that did it! What if that other superhero didn't step in the way? What if Chat Noir actually did touch Ladybug with my Cataclysm? She might have survived, like how Chat Noir did when Miraculer hit him with the Cataclysm, but what if Ladybug didn't because it was me that was powering it instead of some akuma? What if it somehow damaged your Miraculous? What if it had hurt you?”
“Plagg.” Tikki snuggled close to him, nuzzling her head against his cheek. “Plagg, that's exactly why your owner gave up the ring in the first place, because of all of those 'what ifs' he kept asking. It's not his fault though. It's not yours either. Poor decisions were made, but we've always learned from them in the past, haven't we? I know my owner has made a lot of mistakes as well, but we grow from them and make sure not to make them again.”
“Well, there won't be a chance to grow and learn with him. He gave me up, remember?”
Tikki shifted so she could meet Plagg's eyes; staring intently into them. “Do you honestly think that's what he wants?”
It didn't take long for Plagg to break contact with Tikki. He turned towards the side of Marinette's purse, keeping his back towards his fellow kwami. “Even if he wants to be Chat Noir again, he can't. Marinette doesn't know who he was, and she can't ask Master Fu anymore. I can't name my owner, and you're such a stickler for the rules that I doubt you'll tell her and reveal his identity.”
Tikki puffed and pouted at how Plagg snarled his final sentence at her. Exhaling her anger, she tried once more in a calming tone. “We can figure this out without my owner ever discovering his identity. I know we can. She's very good at solving puzzles like this, and-” Tikki rested a comforting flipper on Plagg's shoulder, “and you're pretty good at coming up with plans yourself.” Plagg shrugged her off him, but she persisted. “Yes, Chat Noir coming to New York City with us didn't work out, but, I must admit, it wasn't the worst plan in the world. I don't know if the AstroCat transformation would have been fast enough to get you back to Paris before anyone got suspicious about the delay. However, my owner also kept forgetting to carry the Horse Glasses with her, so she probably would have used the same tactic. And the plan to contact Nooroo would have worked if he wasn't powering Hawk Moth at the exact moment of hitting his cycle. You have good plans. Just-” She shrugged, “just poor luck?”
Plagg sighed a shaky breath and quickly wiped away his tears before turning back towards Tikki. “How do we fix this though?”
Tikki rested her flippers on each of Plagg's shoulders and her forehead against his. They both closed their eyes and just focused on their connection for a second. “We'll figure something out, Plagg.” She then pulled him closer into a hug.
A couple of hours later, a somber Marinette climbed to her bedroom, excusing herself from her overly doting parents by telling them how jetlagged she was. It wasn't an entirely false statement – something Marinette had grown quite skilled at – but her true exhaustion was due to the loss of her partner, and she still needed proper time to mourn that. The hours in the rain wandering New York City wasn't enough time. The long, nearly sleepless night after defeating Miraclonizer wasn't enough time. The eight-hour flight home wasn't enough time. Marinette was wondering if there would actually ever be enough time.
She pulled out the Cat Ring and rolled it around the tip of her index finger, studying every centimeter of its surface, as if that could give her some clue as to how to get her Chat Noir back.
Tikki and Plagg emerged from Marinette's purse, and exchanged a look. Plagg's eyes widened and he shrunk in on himself a little. Tikki, on the other hand, puffed herself up, squared her shoulders in determination, and gave a subtle nod in Marinette's direction. Plagg curled further into himself. His eyes darted between Marinette's inspection of his ring and Tikki's stern gaze and increasingly overt head nods towards her owner.
Exasperated with the pity-party around her, Tikki huffed before zipping down to Marinette's hand; catching her owner's attention.
“Tikki, I- I don't know what to do. Even if I have help like Uncanny Valley and Sparrow, or even if I find new bearers of the Miraculous here in Paris, it won't be the same. Even when I had Rena Rouge, Carapace, and Viperion helping me, it wasn't the same. No one- no one could ever replace Chat Noir. I can't do this without him, Tikki. I-” Marinette hid her budding tears with the heels of her hands, the Cat Ring dangling from her index finger still.
“Marinette, I think we- I think Plagg might have come up with a way to get Chat Noir back. Get your Chat Noir back.”
Both Tikki and Marinette turned to Plagg. He promptly started shaking his head and waving his arms, trying to get Tikki to abort the plan, but it was too late. The seed was planted.
“You- you do?” Marinette squeaked with a tiny voice.
Tikki gave Plagg an encouraging nod, and he settled. His eyebrows scrunched down in conviction, and then he drifted closer to Marinette.
“I-” he paused, startled a bit that his own voice was so soft and squeaky as well. Clearing his throat, he tried again in a more confident tone. “I want to go to him. I know how to get to his house from here, and he should be there at this time of night. Let me bring the ring back to him. I'll tell him how much you want him back, and how much I want to be his kwami. I'm sure he'll accept-”
“No.” Marinette walked away from the kwamis. “No, I'm sorry, but I can't chance letting the ring out of my sight. If Hawk Moth got it-”
“Then let me at least talk to him. I can still convince him to accept the ring again, and then I'll come back here to let you know where the two of you can meet up.”
“I can't know who he is!” Marinette gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth, praying her parents didn't hear her outburst. The room was silent for a long minute as all three occupants listened for Tom or Sabine. Luckily, her parents seemed to have called it an early night as well. Holding a finger to her lips, Marinette waved for the kwamis to follow her up to her balcony to make sure they weren't caught talking.
Once outside, Marinette hissed again, “How am I supposed to ever give him back his ring? We're not supposed to know who each other is. If any of the other bearers had known then any of them could have told Miracle Queen or Hawk Moth when they were under that spell. I can't chance knowing who he is or him knowing who I am.”
“You've worked together without being powered up before.” Plagg became more animated. For some reason, the more Marinette pushed against his idea the more he believed Tikki that it was actually a good one. “I'm sure he still has his Bananoir costume somewhere. Or he could wear something else to hide his identity, and you can just be Ladybug. It'll be fine.”
“What if Hawk Moth sees you going to him, or coming back to me? I can't have you leading him to either of us.”
“He can do this, Marinette,” Tikki interjected.
“Yeah. I was able to ditch Sandboy easily enough, and Hawk Moth never found out where Chat Noir was. He also never followed me when I want to Master Fu to let him know about Chat Noir losing his ring when Style Queen attacked. Or when I returned to Chat Noir. I'm a cat, remember? I can be sneaky.”
“I dunno. I can't chance it. There's no one else now. If Hawk Moth somehow finds me-”
“He won't! I promise he won't. I can do this. Please. The kid needs me. I know he does. And- Look. Not everyone can handle the power of destroying anything they touch. I've- let's just say not every Chat Noir is as good and kind as yours. He's special. Let me try to get him back. Please.”
Marinette glanced over at Tikki, who wore a proud smile and gave a simple nod.
“Alright.” Marinette flung her arms and began pacing her balcony. “Alright, you can go talk to him. I do want to get his ring back to him as soon as possible, but I also have to be careful about hiding my identity, so try to not have the meet-up when I have classes, okay? You do know when my school hours are, right? Oh, this can turn out so bad-”
“Marinette, it will be fine.” Tikki flew into her bearer's line of sight to try to calm the teen. “Kwamis can only be captured if we allow it, remember? And if Hawk Moth uses magic to try to capture Plagg like he did with Kwamibuster, you still have me and can become Ladybug to stop him. This is probably the best way if you don't want to fight without Chat Noir or have to pick a new one.”
“I can do this,” Plagg pleaded.
Marinette spun the ring around the knuckle of her finger, stopping to stare at the cat paw on the ring face. How could she see it on someone else's hand? How could she battle Hawk Moth alone? She needed him again.
“Okay. Go. Be careful.”
Plagg beamed and started off in a dash, only stopping a few feet from Marinette's balcony as he heard her call out once more.
“Plagg?” It was Marinette's turn to plead. “Bring him back to us.”
He nodded and zipped towards the Notre-Dame. He needed to throw Marinette off too if she were watching him. It was painful to meander around the city to make sure he wasn't being followed instead of racing to Adrien's room, but he promised he'd keep everyone safe. They were only in this predicament because of him. He had to make sure to get it right this time.
Bobbing underground, then popping back up, phasing through darkened buildings, and pausing long enough in trees to double check he wasn't being watched, Plagg wove his way through Paris for about ten minutes before nearing the Agreste mansion.
Home. Even after Adrien renounced him, this place felt like home. Specifically, Adrien felt like home. Checking once more that there was no one around to spot him, Plagg darted around the estate and made his way into Adrien's bathroom.
This was it. This was his chance to talk to Adrien again. This was probably his only chance to get his Chat Noir back. Plagg suddenly wished Tikki was still there to encourage him.
“Get in there, Stinky Sock,” Plagg imitated her in a high pitched voice that didn't remotely resemble Tikki's. “You're the kwami with the brilliant plans. You're our only hope of getting him back.”
“Well,” Plagg responded to himself with his own shaky voice, “When you put it that way, Sugar Cube, how could I disappoint? Right?”
“Now, don't screw this up like you usually do,” he replied in the high pitched voice before clearing his throat and awkwardly laughing.
“Yup,” Plagg said in his usual voice, “that sounds like her. Now to prove her wrong about being a screw up.”
He poked his head through the door to check that Adrien was actually there. He nearly burst into tears when he saw his former holder slumped at his desk. Pulling back into the bathroom, Plagg shifted to the far wall and again poked his head through, scanning for anyone else being in the room with Adrien.
All clear. The kid was alone. It nearly broke Plagg's heart all over again.
“Adrien?” Plagg cautiously floated into the room.
“Plagg?” Adrien jumped out of his chair, wide eyed and slack jawed. “Wh- what are you doing here? How? I gave you up!”
“I know,” Plagg mournfully replied.
“Aww, Plagg. I- I'm so sorry, my friend. I didn't- I just- I'm not the right person to be Chat Noir. I just screw so much up. You and Ladybug are so much better off with a new Chat Noir.” Adrien wouldn't look at the kwami. Instead he slumped back into his computer chair, keeping his eyes locked on his naked right ring finger.
“Don't say that!” Plagg flew closer. “I've already told you that you're the best Chat Noir I've ever had! No one could replace you. Ladybug has told you that before too.”
“There must be someone-”
“No! No one else, Adrien. We want you as Chat Noir. We need you as Chat Noir.”
“I saw the news report. After I gave you up the city was attacked again by that supervillain, and it was so much worse that time. I had abandoned Ladybug when she needed me most, and she still managed to save the day. The whole world could have been destroyed, and that was when I gave up my powers. How could I be a hero after that? How could she possibly need me when she was able to stop that from happening without me? I appreciate the thought, Plagg, but, seriously, you two don't need me. No one does.”
“Shouldn't that be my decision? Or Ladybug's? Or the Guardian's – who happens to also be Ladybug, but nevermind that.”
“Plagg-”
“You made a mistake. I did too. I was the one who told you not to warn Ladybug that you were forced to leave Paris. It was because of me that she got so mad at you. It was because of me that she lost faith in you like that. And it was because I made her lose that faith that you got so distracted with Cataclysm active. You are never that careless! That isn't you as a superhero. That was all me.”
“I don't think it works that way.”
“Either way, you didn't lose her faith permanently. She was just mad and shocked and didn't know how to feel. She does miss you. She needed you in New York, and only managed to win because she had to. She even allowed me to use Cataclysm by myself! You know how bad things have to be for me to bring that baby out!”
“Even if she did forgive me for leaving Paris, and for what I could have done with my Cataclysm if she wasn't there to fix it, how could she forgive me for abandoning her when she needed me most?”
“It was a tough fight. I'll admit that. And it was harder because you weren't there. I can't lie about that either. But that wasn't when she needed you most. Now is. Now that she's back in Paris and has time to think about everything. Now that she has to face Hawk Moth alone and fully understands how alone she is in this. She knows she's going to need a new Chat Noir, but she hates the idea of having anyone besides you. You are special to her. She's told you before that you're irreplaceable. Believe her, Adrien. You have faith in her about everything else, so why not have some faith about this?”
“Has she really forgiven me? Could she really?”
“Why not ask for your ring back and find out?”
“Plagg, I just can't.” Adrien pushed himself away from his desk. He walked over to his wall of windows and leaned against them.
“Why do you think I'm here? Ladybug wants you to ask for the ring back. She wants to meet up with you again. She told me to get you back.”
“How can I-?”
“Pick a time and place where you can sneak out. I'll go back to Ladybug and let her know when to meet up. Then all you have to do is find a way to hide your identity and show up.”
Adrien turned back to his former kwami, his eyes were glossed over with unspilt tears. His eyebrows where knitted as they begged for Plagg to be right about all of this. They stood in a stalemate for a minute or two.
Then Adrien sprinted over to Plagg, scooped him up in his awaiting hands, and pressed the little cat to his chest.
“Plagg, I've missed you so much. I'm so, so sorry for ever renouncing you,” Adrien cried.
“I know. I've kinda missed ya too.”
“Let's make this right.”
Plagg softly purred against Adrien's hands, ignoring the fact that he'd have to leave his home again in a little bit. Right now it was just him and this kid and he could milk this for a little longer, couldn't he?
He hoped the last thirty hours would be the longest he'd ever be away from Adrien. At least, for many, many, many years to come.
“There he is!” Tikki chirped out as Plagg zig-zagged through the terrace houses leading towards Marinette's balcony.
Marinette strained to catch sight of him, and any time she thought she did, he vanished again. “Huh. I guess he can be sneaky enough to lose anyone who could follow him.”
“I told you it would be alright.”
“Psst.” Plagg hissed from between Marinette's feet, startling her has his head poked through the floor boards.
“Plagg!” Marinette caught herself on her balcony railing. After a couple of breaths to try to steady her heartbeat, she waved for everyone to go back inside. Nestled on her bed, she nodded for Plagg to continue. “Did you get to talk to him?”
“He'll sneak out tonight. He can get to the school by one A.M. He figured it was a place the two of you fought akumas at enough that you'd know where it is, but there wouldn't be any lingering tourists, so you should be safe to talk. It would also be easier to single him out that way.”
Marinette glanced at her alarm clock. She had a little less than five hours to kill. She figured she should get some rest, but was terrified of oversleeping and Chat Noir thinking she had Plagg set up the meeting as a cruel joke. It was only with both Plagg and Tikki swearing to wake her up at midnight did she agree to get some sleep.
She tossed and turned nonstop the first two hours, barely getting any rest as she worried about the exchange; about the possibility of him standing her up or them getting captured. She was also nervous about what she was going to say to him. How could she ever apologize to him for being so cruel as to tell him she couldn't trust him anymore? She was upset about Paris being left undefended, but to say something so hurtful to him?
Tikki fussed over Marinette's restless sleep, but couldn't think of anything to help her holder. Plagg hated doing so, but he knew something that might help. It was something he only ever really did for Adrien. And even then, only when Adrien was his most distressed, and when the kid was asleep and couldn't know that Plagg did it at all.
Curling up in Marinette's hairline by her ear, Plagg started purring in a low, nearly inaudible hum. Marinette relaxed almost instantly. Relaxing herself, Tikki snuggled next to Plagg, and whispered, “Thank you.”
Plagg waved her off, and kept doing whatever he could to soothe Marinette. The entire time, he wondered how Adrien managed the night before without him, and if Adrien needed him that night as well.
The hours ticked by quickly, and it became time to rouse Marinette. The trio was tense as she got ready for her meet-up. When the clock neared one, Marinette transformed into Ladybug.
“You ready, Plagg?”
“Let's get my boy back.”
“Plagg. Return.” Ladybug held up the ring, and Plagg gladly allowed himself to be sucked into it; once more locked within his Miraculous until a wielder claimed him. Tucking the ring away, Ladybug jumped up onto her balcony, and scanned the streets. It didn't take long for her to see a mop of blonde hair rush silently down the empty sidewalk between her family's home and the school. She watched him turn towards the front steps, and break into a sprint as he raced towards the school's front doors. The moment he reached them, she swung down, scooped him up, and flung both of them to the roof of the Collège Françoise Dupont. As soon as their feet touched the rooftop, the boy scurried away.
“Ladybug!”
Startled at how shocked he sounded, Ladybug studied the boy. He had the same shaggy blonde hair, and he had dressed entirely in black. Even at such a late hour, he had on thick sunglasses to obscure his face. He had also made a point of heading towards the school entrance at one A.M. precisely. This had to be her Chat Noir! Right?
“Chat Noir?” she whispered, afraid that he was going to tell her no; that she had made another horrible mistake.
“You- you actually came!” The boy's legs shook, and Ladybug was afraid he was going to collapse. “I- Plagg said that-”
Before he could say a syllable more, her arms were around him.
“Is it you?” she sobbed, “Is it really you?”
He held her close, pulling her even closer with every shaky breath she took. “I'm sorry. I am so beyond sorry for everything this weekend.”
She abruptly pulled away, hurriedly wiped her eyes dry, and punched him playfully in the arm. “Yeah, you better be! Don't you ever do something as stupid as giving up your powers like that again! Do you hear me?”
He rubbed where she punched him, but smiled. “Does that mean you really have forgiven me?”
“Chat Noir,” she pulled him right back into the hug, “Of course I forgive you. You know I can't do this without you. I can't be Ladybug if you aren't by my side.”
“I'll never abandon you like that again. I promise.”
“You better.”
The two gave one last, tight squeeze, before releasing. Ladybug then took a couple of steps back and unlatched her yo-yo from her hip. Opening up the magical pocket, she pulled out the black Cat Ring, and held it in her outstretched palm for her companion.
“Chat Noir? I believe this is yours.”
Timidly, he reached out for his ring. His hand hovered above it, but he didn't take it back.
“Chat Noir?”
“I'll do better. I promise I'll do better. I'll be the partner you deserve.”
Ladybug's face fell, and she took a step closer. “Don't you realize you already are?” Her eyes drifted to the ring, then back up to him. “It's yours. It always was and always will be. I don't want anyone but you by my side. Please know that.” She snatched up his right hand before he could react, and she gave it a squeeze. “I'm sorry I told you I couldn't trust you. I was hurt, and I just wanted to hurt you back. I didn't mean it, and I never should have said it. I know I can always trust you.” Turning his hand over, she placed his ring on his palm. “This weekend showed us things we need to work on, but it doesn't have to mean our partnership is over, right?”
He stared at the ring for a long while before picking it up and sliding it back on his right ring finger. The moment he did, the ring turned silver as it camouflaged itself, and spat Plagg back out.
“Plagg! Welcome back, buddy!” Chat Noir reached up to scratch his kwami on the back of his head.
“Yeah, well, welcome back to you, too.” Plagg leaned into the scratches, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the great feeling of being pet by his holder again.
“How about we make this official then? Plagg, claws out!” Plagg was once more sucked into the ring, and the black clad boy was transformed into a proper Chat Noir.
Ladybug wiped new tears from the corners of her eyes. “It's definitely a good look for you. Don't lose it again, okay?” She held up her fist.
“Never again. I promised, didn't I?” Chat Noir bumped her fist with his own.
The two spent the next hour coming to terms with what happened over the weekend. How were they going to help repair Paris? The citizens knew why Ladybug wasn't there to protect them, but what were they going to say about Chat Noir? How were they going to keep Paris safe the next time one – or both – of them needed to leave the city again? They also swore to never again keep secrets from each other, as long as it didn't involve their identities.
Completely wiped and borderline passing out against each other's shoulders, Ladybug and Chat Noir parted ways and headed to their respective homes.
“Plagg, claws in.” Adrien grinned madly -  albeit sleepily – as the kwami drifted into his awaiting hand. “Welcome home, buddy. I'm glad I couldn't bear to get rid of any of this yet.” He walked Plagg over to the fully stocked mini-fridge of Camembert. The magical being greedily gobbled up a wheel before returning to Adrien. The teen had already changed for bed and slid under the sheets.
“Adrien?”
“Yeah, Plagg?”
“I'm glad you're my Chat Noir again.”
“Thank you for making it happen.”
Plagg curled up on Adrien's head and began lulling his friend to sleep with his purring. He didn't care that Adrien knew about it anymore.
A few blocks away, Marinette tried falling asleep as she wondered why Chat Noir's silver ring looked familiar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you enjoy this? Check out my other Plagg Appreciation Day stories.
Breaking Monotony  Summary: Plagg’s days are all starting to feel exactly the same. As he goes through yet another school day with Adrien, he wonders if he can do something to start shaking up the status quo. At the same time, though, he reflects on how great it is that his life is fairly predictable.
Forever in Darkness  Summary:  Plagg has always been in darkness. It had become all he knew. Then he got a ray of sunshine, and it helped save him. There was a reason he believes Adrien is the best Chat Noir ever.
The Truest of Friends  Summary: It's the second day of the new school year, which also means it's been a year since Stoneheart first attacked Paris. Adrien wonders how he could best celebrate the anniversary of becoming Chat Noir, and how to properly showcase how much he cares for someone very special in his life.
Alternatively, I JUST started up a series (I still don’t quite understand the collections set-up) on AO3 that will also house all of my Plagg Appreciation Day stories.
The next Friday 13th isn’t until August 2021. Here’s hoping that’s plenty of time to get a story done earlier than midnight... Anyway, who wants to join me in showing Plagg some love? Did you post any Plagg appreciation today? Please send me a tag! I’d love to see what you did. :D
@discoveringmiraculouswriters​
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calocera · 4 years
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SPOILERS FOR CATS 2019, here’s my hot takes and opinions
be warned, THIS IS LOOOONG
First off my overall opinion, i LITERALLY cannot say whether it was good or bad, like lots of critics say it just...is beyond that. It’s VERY fun and that’s all I can bring myself to say, I have LOTS of problems with it but I can’t even say that they make the movie bad. It is definitely worth watching
OPINIONS ON CHARACTERS:
Victoria: she’s good! I appreciate that they kinda left her personality blank other than her innocence since that’s pretty much how she always was, still not super thrilled with her as a main character but franchesca did the best she could
Munkustrap: I loved him! he was more of a main character than I would have expected, but they STILL cut all the charm from his lines... why do I love him then? Robbie fairchild did AMAZING background acting, whenever he was in frame he was always doing something SUPER munkustrap-y and making cute dad faces. he was dealt bad lines but he worked around it best he could. Also his legs were normal so...epic fail
Mistoffelees: 😒😒😒😒😒🤢🤢🤮 disappointed but not at all surprised...he was just a Woobie, a softboy uwu nice guy. I felt like I was seeing fanon 2013 loki in cat form. THEY MADE HIS SONG A SADBOY PITY PARTY SONG...WHY WOULD YOU MAKE THE 11 O’CLOCK NUMBER SLOW AND SAD???? Where is the smug little shit who’s vague and aloof yet confident and joyous? He was murdered by his evil homophobic shadow clone. I’m not even gunna indulge the fact that him and Victoria were a thing, I’ll go over that later. He also just constantly looked like the crying cat meme his eyes were so red and watery it was horrifying, yet somehow he wasn’t the worst character , that leads us too.....
tugger: what.the.fuck.did.you.do.to.this.boy. HE GOT THE TREATMENT I EXPECTED FOR MUNKUSTRAP! HE WAS DEMOTED TO BACKGROUND CHARACTER! not only did he not sing mr. mistoffelees, he literally did nothing other than his song, he never interacted with ANY characters besides jenny in 1 scene. I know cats has no set main characters but he’s undoubtedly one of the most important characters and he’s like...the least important named character in the movie. ALSO Jason Derulo was not sexy at all. There was NO hip thrusting NO sexy meowing NO glamrock, he was just an asshole and if I hadn’t already seen the original I would have either completely forgotten about his character or though he was the worst character. I’m so fucking angy I cannot express.
Girzzabella: ngl I expected better. Her acting was great but with the horrible effects I couldnt get invested but I’ll touch on the effects later. Her singing was good, but I expected it to carry the movie and it wasn’t at all the best song in the movie, I’d say she’s about as good as I expected she’d be but the movie itself was more enjoyable than I expected so she was less significant
Old d: she was fine, she LOOKED the part definitely, she didn’t have as large a presence as ken page but I wouldnt expect that of her. Her singing wasn’t the greatest though, her voice is fine by it’s just NOT suited to old d’s songs. I would have preferred she play a female gus bc her voice is very sweet and frail, not at all built for belting like her songs required.
Macavity: he’s just...eh. He’s basically a comic relief villain which sucks. He does practically nothing besides kidnap people, say a cheesy line, and act like a caricature of a 90s cartoon villain (and not one of the fun ones) like theres a scene where he poofs away and when he does it he goes, MACAvityyyyyyy and fades away its so unintentionally funny but it just makes him so lame as a villain. not to mention he doesnt even die at the end or get any satisfying conclusion he just gets stuck on top of a statue and his powers suddenly stop working (for some reason??)
Bombalurina: fuck that, I am simultaneously glad she only was in the macavity number bc fuck off Taylor Swift but also disappointed bc she deserved so much better.
Bustopher: 😟 never in my darkest nightmares did I think I’d see bustopher Jones deepthroat multiple crayfish but here we are. Somehow THIS was the most sexual song, I cannot begin to name the fetishes checked off by this performance bc itd hit word limit. Let me just say that I said multiple times out loud, “damn bustopher kinda a freak with it 😏😏” like I CANNOT stress how weirdly sexual it gets. And ofc its all otherwise just haha funney fat guy eat food and burp and fall down. He also breaks the fourth wall a few times which like, fuck you
Jenny: exactly what was shown in the trailer. Unfunny fat jokes and slapstick humor. Also they focused WAY too many shots on her cat pussy and I wish I was making that up. Also of note is that the cgi on the rats and cockroaches are drastically worse than the rest of the movie, like not just bad designs the effects are BAD. also they translated they whole gumbie cat fur-shedding as her wearing fake skin over her outfit which would be fine but UHH the fake fur is skin tight??? so it literally looks like shes ripping off her skin and she does it multiple times its fucking terrifying
Mungojerrie and rumpelteazer: meh, they are fine as characters, not quite as energetic as I would have liked but they didn’t massively fuck anything up? The song was horrible, they went against the beat for...some reason? Like it’s a song with a very distinct rhythm and they split up the lyrics so weirdly. I liked that they followed through with the lore of them working for macavity
Skimbleshanks: YES YESSSSSSSSSS HOLY FUCKING SHIT 💗💕💖💞💜😳😳😳😳😳😳😳💜💛🧡💚💖❤️💗 i absolutely CANNOT express how good skimbleshanks made me feel. He looks like a leather daddy with his chains and suspenders and hat and stache, I hate that I’m saying this but uh...mr skimbleshanks sir😳 we were actually screaming it was so fucking good. Watching this movie was worth it just for skimble. Unironically. I’m listening to the song as we speak. It was kinda weird that they moved the tap dancing to this song but that’s more of a detractor from Jennie’s and a plus side to skimbles since it’s good tap
Gus: good! Ian did a good job of course, no one doubted that he would.
Growltiger and griddlebone: not racist but still absolutely horrifying. One of the worst parts of the movie, I actually got squeamish looking at griddlebone a few times that’s how bad she looks
Everyone else: not that good. I couldn’t tell who was who, all their personalities were annoying, I’m on imdb as we speak trying to figure out who even was supposed to be who. Demeter is completely butchered and jemima just isn’t there, doesn’t sing her part, it all sucked man.
Tech talk:
CGI: okay so here’s the thing, the effects are good. GREAT even, the issue is how fucking horrible the designs are. The lack of cat nose, mouth, and hairy cheeks makes them all look disgusting. Also the feet. Holy fuck why do they have feet. THERES A FUCKING SCENE WHERE TUGGER GRABS VICTORIAS FOOT AND SNIFFS IT. IT LASTS LIKE 5 SECONDS. Old Deuteronomy, Gus, and Cassandra (bc she was already bald) are the only characters I’d say look anywhere close to decent, grizabella looks okay in profile but head on it’s all horrible again. its really such a shame bc the sets are gorgeous! i really hope this movie gets some form of recognition for its sets.
the editing and directing was DOGSHITTTTTTT there are SO many scenes where characters just teleport or parts where people are singing and no ones mouths are moving its really distracting
Other things:
it’s OBVIOUS that the critics calling this movie horny have never seen the original. I’d definitely say the movie is LESS HORNY than the play. It IS however waaaaaaay more uncomfortable with its hornieness, so I’d say in that regard YES, the horny stuff is much more gratuitous and off putting despite there being an overall smaller amount than the play. ie everything bustopher jones does
They changed a BUNCH of lyrics for some reason?? Like they cut verses which I understand but there are like a handful of lyrics in almost every song they just...change. like...okay? All changing lyrics is gunna do is make people who knew the songs frustrated when they can’t sing along
the dancing was incredible! shame the cg just fucking invalidates all of it bc your mind doesnt register it as real people doing real moves
OKAY THE FUCKING CATNIP SCENE so when taylor swift showers everyone in catnip they all just fucking start moaning and go FULL HORNY its TOO MUCH like misto full on does an o face like eyes rolled back mouth open  and munkustrap is like ass up panting i still havent processed it im fucking terrified to encounter it again. they cut the orgy? yet added THIS??? k
WHY did they take 2 of the most iconic characters who FREQUENTLY interact and just
a. Never even have them make eye contact
b. Make 1 a background character
c. Completely change the personality of the other one
On the topic of Victoria/misto: I am just still at a loss as to why they thought it’d be a good idea? They completely removed Plato and for what? This? Pathetic. It’s worth noting the weirdly munkustrap has WAYYY more chemistry with both Victoria AND mistoffelees then they did with each other (there’s a part where it looks like misto and munk are about to kiss for some reason?? munk ALSO gets all touchy feely with skimbleshanks???) anyways munkustrap king moments
tldr; its worth watching, the best parts were the sets, the dancing, skimbleshanks, and munkustrp fucking CARRIES the weight of the world with his face acting. the worst things were a big fat tie between bustopher, tugger,misto,jenny,growltiger and griddlebone, and the godawful design choices
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eagesoldartblog · 4 years
Note
Not sure if you remember but you reblogged a post a while back (and tagged it #antagonist au if that helps) and talked in the tags abt Lewis trying and failing to be a villain and like. I'd love to hear more abt that
Ay! So fun fact! I accidentally mish-mashed a bunch of aus together so have fun~ 
EDIT: ALSO! Please be sure to check out the tags for the Trigger warnings!
Antagonistic Lewis 
I can be a villain, Lewis reassures himself, taking quick, long paces as he circled the dark, Stoney room. You’ve done this plenty of times before! Sure that was on stage, everyone knew their part- but you can do this…!
If he still had a neck, a throat, he’d be gulping back his worry. But unfortunately that form of him hardly came up and right now, he wasn’t sure how to deal with the ordeal that would have been needed to bring up his face. 
Unless. Lewis pauses for just a moment, eyes snapping over to a chair in the middle of the room. Well, not just a chair, it just so happened to be holding the very man who forced Lewis into a position such as this. Killed him, snatched a life of opportunity away. If it was to show him, then maybe. Maybe he could shove aside the swamped feeling of despair, inturn for the reward of watching his killers face becomes contorting with the knowledge that his victim was back. Then Arthur would know. He would be able to comprehend just how serious he was.
Bitterness almost drips from the ceiling and clings to his clothes and skull like glue, fueling his thoughts to spiral and grow restless and angry, how He wanted to be a father and have a family, Kingsmen. A family where you were in it.
His fist tightens, glare honing in so much he could see the hairs on the back of Arthurs neck stand on end. How his shoulders shake and tremble and rise with shallow breaths. Earlier Lewis had been worried he had restrained too tight. But now? Lewis wanted to grab the knotted ends of the rope, and pull and pull until he could watch Arthur’s organs come up his throat. 
No. No… not yet. Lewis hisses to himself, shoving his rage and making it subside into something more manageable. Disdain. Sure, annoyance and hatred threatened to climb up his body and consume him entirely in a sheet of flame. Flash out and have the roar echo against the walls. But he forced himself to stay silent, calm. It was better to keep his bitterness hidden for now.
Not yet. Lewis reminds himself, echoing it through his head like a mantra and Lewis takes slow, careful steps. Relishing the click, click, click of his heels. Each one marking the smallest jolt in his captives’ shoulders, who slowly began to sir.
Wait until he was conscious. And show him the true meaning of fear.
Lewis’s smile stretches across his cheeks, listening to the smallest moan creeping out of Arthurs mouth. Able to watch that peaceful expression become one of confusion, disbelief, and slowly blink to awakeness. Lewis could almost commend himself on the dramatic timing, because just as Arthur lifted his head, he gasps, eyes snapping up to meet his expression. Fear and confusion taking hold of his body, covering his face like a rat stuck in a trap.
It fills Lewis with a glee so immense he could giggle with delight. Jitteriness taking hold of his entire body.
”Good evening, Arthur,” He hums, unable to make out the euphoric feeling of finally being able to speak these words for real now. No more reciting, no more imagining. Arthurs racing heartbeat was real and Lewis could feel its pound in every part of their small room, ”I’m so glad we could finally meet in person. No more running away, hiding away in that van of yours,” Oh yes, Arthur will pay handsomely, one for taking away his life and spitting on it with the pathetic excuse of a search, and two, for wasting all of his precious time. 
His smile tightens, teeth grinding and straining against his jaw. The noise grinding into his ears and making his body nearly convulse. Had he cared just a bit more for himself and his bony form, he would have paid it more mind. 
Instead. 
SLAM. Arthur screams, jerking his body like he was trying to leap away, only to be bound by the tight ropes around his chest and the hand gripping his shoulder. The fist- had it been lacking a glove- would be noticeably growing red. Knuckles would have bulged out from his skin. And if Lewis was being serious, he wouldn’t doubt it if the bone ripped through. That’s just how anger was. 
And, just like how he imagined, so many times before, it hurt.
When he grabbed it, Arthur had most likely gasped, tried to wriggle out. Now his shoulder was clamped to the chair and Lewis was inches away from his face. Unable to properly examine how Arthurs eyes snap from him to his shoulder, make out how he desperately tries to push and wriggle his arm out. So much that he slams his elbow against the chair to force it out. But to no avail.
Now to deliver his next lines, ”You know, I was thinking of how I should kill you ever since you trespassed onto my property.” he made sure to whisper, low and soft, to drive home just how little he cared, as if being quiet would show this despicable man how serious lewis is. 
His grip tightens. ”I’ve been imagining every possible death I could bestow upon you. Should it be the way I died? Should it be in a bathtub?” As he speaks, his hand latches to Arthurs chin and jerks his head to the side. The room shifted, morphed, the walls opening up and staining with water-damaged wallpaper. A single tub, covered in rust standing at the furthest wall. 
Drops of tears hit Lewis’s fingers, snatching his attention down before directing his gaze to Arthur’s face- his eyes were wide and his neck strains, breath coming out in shallow, panicky breaths. The severity of the situation finally hitting him. 
To think, Suddenly, A voice in the back of Lewis’s head whispers, you had to save him from many of these types of situations before.
…Huh? 
Lewis couldn’t help but blink, eyebrows screwing together as his mind suddenly freezes. Frozen- not like he’s been hit by a bullet, but instead watching a travesty occur and being unable to process any of it. And for a moment, Lewis can’t help but be shocked at the tone of it. Indifference? Boredom? Ple-
“P-please stop it-” Arthur chokes out. His eyes squinting shut as tears fill his eyes and begin to drip, rolling down his cheeks and- and suddenly Lewis’s thoughts stall. His plan, his- his script jumbled and losing itself in a wave of confusion and- 
What is he doing? Why are they there- ”Why should I? I’m dead, don’t you remember?”
Arthur throws his shoulder again. But to no avail. His eyebrows twist up, and he looks up at Lewis once more and a pleading look is all that Lewis can make out. Except instead of filling Lewis with rage, it throws him further into the murky depths of confusion. Is-is he seeing this right now? Why- 
He didn’t even notice, but his grip loosened. So much so that Lewis took a step back- floated away and he could barely make out his hand simply dangling there.
“I just- I just want to find my fr-friend.” Arthur chokes out, more tears rolling down his face as he dissolves into that awkward shuddery sob. Unable to breathe but with so much trying to leap out of your throat and there’s nothing else you can do to lock it up. 
It was… pathetic. Horribly pathetic. But- … 
Lewis shakes his head, reminding himself that there was no way this bastard is being honest! He lied for years- excellently crafted a lie beyond any logic that ultimately ended in shoving him off a cliff and to his doom- 
And he continues to lie? Even- even fucking now? 
But Arthur doesn’t stop crying, his shoulders shaking and the rest of his body beginning to tremble. The only thing preventing him from slumping over and really seal the deal of his supposive despair was the rope that Lewis was now seriously regretting.
…What was he thinking? Lewis demands of himself, tearing through his thoughts as he circles the side of Arthur and his fingers lace the ridges of the rope. 
”H-hey, I’m sorry, Arthur.. I didn’t mean to- fuck- I shouldn’t have done that-” He stumbles over his words, fumbling with the intonation, as well as whether or not he had the right to even apologize for- for kidnapping him! For threatening him with death-! Lewis should be ashamed of his actions. The rope unravels, and disintegrates. Arthur brings up his arms slowly, eyeing his palms in shock before he’s up and standing and turning to Lewis. Distrust covering his face as he backs away like a frightened cat and almost pressing himself against the wall behind him. 
Lewis, wasn’t exactly sure how to respond. Something about this scenario was off, it was wrong, and he couldn’t tell what exactly it was. Perhaps it was just the guilt that was already beginning to swell. 
He- he’s seen this before, hasn’t he? Lewis could only recall a faint image- when they were much younger. Lewis was trying to practice for his role in a play, and Arthur had come over to help. 
Lewis was a villain, and they were dangerous. He was dangerous. He only- took out his frustration through his roles.. And… 
Lewis faintly could remember the scream. Arthur begging him to stop because he was hurt.
How did Arthur ever forgive him for breaking his arm-?
“Wh-here’s the exit?” Arthur asked, his voice wavers and Lewis is once again forced to see the sorrow etched into his exhausted face, and Lewis had to remind himself that things were different now. He- 
Silencing his thoughts, shooing away the memories, Lewis sighs and nods to the door just a yard away from Arthurs feet, keeping his head down. ”Down the hall, then take a left and go up some stairs, the exit will be on your left.” 
He flicks his wrist, and several deadbeats fizz into existence, ”here, they’ll guide you out-
Click
BANG!
There’s an explosion. One that rocks through the room, and tears into him. Somehow Lewis was still standing, but that could have been the shock, as his eyes flicker down and peer at his chest… and make out.. A hole.
A small one, barely big enough to chip anything major- being his anchor and ribs- but… a hole. That’s for sure. 
Lewis blinks, slowly raising his gaze and…. Only able to make out… 
Arthur. Has a gun. A gun that is pointed directly at him now. Smoking lightly and shaking even more. Matching the look of complete, utter terror on his face. 
”Ar-”
Another bang, but this time Lewis was plunged into a world of black.
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mysterylover123 · 5 years
Text
BNHA “Rewatch”: Episode 58 “Special Episode! Save the World with Love!”
mysterylover123
So I’m breaking the established formula a bit here. First, I’m watching this ep out of order, since it’s supposed to be an intro for the movie and take place between Season 2 and 3. Second - I actually haven’t seen this episode before, hence the ‘rewatch’ in quotes. I have no idea what happens in it other than a vague plot outline, so here  you go: My unspoiled reactions to Episode 58!
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Why do I picture All Might and Deku’s Voice Actors saying these lines at producer gunpoint?
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Make my Story! While it’s not my favorite OP, the above image might be my favorite shot from any of the 5.
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“All Might, You’re on the Exposition Network! Let’s watch this stuff you already know!” Also why does Midnight take a catty dig at All Might’s age? That’s so mean!
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David Shield can effing get it. I’ll elaborate more in the movie but dayum.
Oh so that’s what’s going on. “Summer classes for those who want em”. So let’s see who’s acting OOC in order to appear in the ep, shall we?
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OK this ain’t so bad. Basically the Dekusquad + Bakugo. 
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LOL that look when he hears the words ‘capture villain’
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All Might’s fanboy trio aka the OT3!
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Why is Uraraka hitting on All Might all of a sudden? Holy crap she really is trying to be just like Deku!
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The Dekusquad + Bakugou have to figure out what’s going on. OK. We’ll see where this goes.
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Holy Crap Bakugo not freaking out about Deku taking the lead, now you know it’s filler. Also, Kacchaco shippers must love that calm and easygoing interaction there.
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Cutie!
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All Might plays a weirdly good bad guy. Also that’s his villain costume from the OVA!
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Hoo boy. Filler Bakugo is blowing up over being forced to wait around. Uh, Filler Kacchan, it was your idea to have Uraraka scope out the situation first! Matter of fact, why wasn’t that just Deku’s idea? Way more in character, and then Katsuki’s outburst would be more in-character for him too. 
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They go blasting and discover...duh duh duh...All Might Villain edition is dead? Uh, ok...
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So Bakugo is chastising Uraraka with ‘how could you miss the villain getting killed, scout?” and she’s like “your smoke got in the way”. I still feel like this exchange is a little odd...I guess I picture Uraraka being sassier if Baku ever pulled this line on her in canon.
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Deku points out that they need to conduct interrogations and for some reason this doesn’t piss off Bakugo.
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Inspector Todoroki is confused, as is the audience. Locked room mystery!
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So we proceed with CSI: UA as we learn that nobody could’ve escaped apparently so one of the three suspects must be the killer.
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Todoroki and Bakugou argue about who plays Good cop or Bad Cop for a while (obviously Kacchan is the latter). This feels like a freaking Scooby Doo episode.
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Detective Deku ponders. That big hero brain is thinking.  Go Deku!
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His foil meanwhile is as usual screaming about Bad Cop methods.
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Oh ho? A wild BKDK moment appears! “You’ve got an idea, don’t you?” Someone knows his S/O
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“Elementary, my dear Watson. Allow me to explain.”
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Apparently Deku has deduced the perp is Midnight. Where he’s pulling this out of I have no idea.
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Caption this.
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Why are they playing that super serious OST from Shoto Todoroki Origin over this doofy episode? That OST belongs with soul-shredding tragedy, not Deku’s Scooby Doo account of whodunit.
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WTF AM I WATCHING WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS BIG EMOTIONAL FEST OVER A FICTIONAL SCENARIO THAT DOESN’T EVEN EXIST WHY IS TSUYU CRYING WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?!?!
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I’m with you, Bakugo.
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Aizawa’s saying Deku did good; I’m assuming another shoe is about to drop, but in the meantime let me fangirl over how totes adorbs Deku is.
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Aizawa reveals All Might tricked em all and got away. OK whatever.
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Bakugo is so annoyed by this twist he screams loud enough to shatter glass. Once again I’m with him.
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Melissa sends AM an exposition email and he goes to fetch Deku for the movie.
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How is this not normal for him now?
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haha Deku would be so adorably annoying to live with. I love this visualization.
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“C’mon young Midoriya we’re gonna miss the movie!” “Hai!”
So that’s Episode 58. It’s about as silly as I thought it’d be, and there’s really not much you’re missing if you skip this one and go straight to the movie. There were a couple of fun moments, but it honestly feels like peak filler, everything that makes filler feel a little off and strange. I feel like there could’ve been a better way to setup the movie - tie it into the PLE perhaps? - and I probably won’t rewatch this one. Still glad to have now official seen all BNHA eps tho!  Tomorrow: DA MOVIE.
BKDK CORNER:
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So Filler BKDK and Filler Bakugou always feel a little bit off to me, mostly because either Bakugo doesn’t react to any of his usual Deku-related triggers, or becuase he’s just mad for no explained reason. I’ll talk more about that with the movie and Episode 39, but it’s present here too. Still, I did like them writing Baku as being like “Of course Deku has some plan.” That seems like something he might say, though in a much more begrudging way.
BEST GIRL OF THE EP: Melissa Shield!
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RANKER: Ranking the BNHA extra material
4. OVA 2: Training of the Dead
3. OVA 3: All Might Rising
2. The Movie: 2 Heroes
1. OVA 1: Jump Festa! Rescue Training!
(we’ll see where Movie 2 falls, it might be the best of them all).
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tyrustrash · 5 years
Text
Chapter 3 of Sibling Rivalry
RJ sat in his room playing his PS4. He has his own special gaming chair that was blue with gold accents. His headset and controller matched with the chair. His PS4 was the limited edition Spider-Man cover and it was in a protective case. RJ's even wearing his favorite dinosaur onesie because he's playing the new Jurassic Kingdom game. The super elite deluxe edition to be exact. People thought it was weird for him to coordinate outfits for whichever game he would play, but he loved to fully emerge himself. Right now, he thinks he's the mighty T-Rex. He, like always, is over exaggerating every moment. Even when it's simply moving to the side to avoid a fallen branch, he would swerve with his character and shout at the scream. Whenever an enemy appeared, RJ hyped up and started roasting them. The boss levels were really exciting as he drunk his Monster Energy Drink and went sicko mood with his roasts. When one of the villains took some health from him, even if it's only 1 HP, RJ would rage out and jump out of his chair and scream at the screen. His over the top emotions when playing games is the reason TJ doesn't play in the same room. TJ is laying on his bed, texting Cyrus. He monitored what he says carefully because he wants everything to be perfect for his even more perfect boyfriend. Their six month anniversary is coming up and TJ is trying to get Cyrus to say what he wants as a gift without explicitly asking. He's been planning an amazing date, but it can always be better. "DAMNIT!" The shout could be heard throughout the entire house. Luckily their parents were out getting groceries or else RJ would've gotten soap in his mouth. Although he was 18, he's still living under their roof. TJ hopped off his bed and made his way to his brother's room. He knocked on the door. The brothers have this rule where they don't barge in on the other due to what happened when TJ accidentally walked in on RJ. The door opened and a frustrated RJ stood in front of TJ. "What do you want? I'm busy." "Can you quite it a little bit? I'm trying to text." "Since when do you need silence to text?" "Please. I'm trying to think of what to say to Cyrus." "Leave. Go somewhere more quite if you can't handle me." TJ stomped his foot. He knew his brother is like this whenever he's in gamer mode, but it's always annoying. "Why don't you care about me?" RJ huffed and rolls his eyes. "I do care about you, baby bro. I'm in a really important match right now." With that, RJ slammed the door shut. TJ stood in the hallway, on the brink of tears. He stomps to his room and slams his door even harder. Once in his chair, RJ puts his headset back on. He resumes his game. "I'm back. My brother was just annoying me about some stupid shit about his boyfriend or something." TJ could still hear his brother through their thin walls. His mouth was open in shock and his hand gripped his phone. He tried to believe that his brother really did care about him, but these days seem to be changing. RJ has been spending more time on his games and less time with him. The day passes by and TJ finds himself in the kitchen, eating a whole bucket of strawberry ice cream. His phone keeps binging from the messages Cyrus sent. RJ enters the kitchen and opens the fridge. He grabs one of their dad's beers from the back and starts drinking. He walks to the back door and takes off his shirt. "I'm going to work on my tan. Come get me on forty-five minutes." TJ waves his hand and RJ walks out. TJ's eyes widened and ran off upstairs. TJ reaches RJ's room and went inside. He marvels at all the games he has. He's jealous that their parents only agreed to buy one console and placed it on RJ's room because he's older. Why they didn't put it in the living room was simply because their parents didn't want all that noise. He searched through all the games, which was more than 200. He found his favorite game: Dino Rumble Super Charge (Rainbow Edition). He ejected RJ's disc and put in his. He spent over an hour and a half playing since he got so caught up in the fun. When he finally checked the time, he quickly replaced the games to make it seem like nothing happened. He went full Road Runner mode as he ran downstairs and exited through the back door. He saw RJ laying in his stomach in the reclining lounge chair. TJ shakes him awake. When RJ gets himself together, he checks the time one his phone. Without missing a beat, his face turned red. "You had one job! Now my skin won't look great for my girl." "I'm so sorry! I forgot about the time." "What were you even doing?" "Jus-Jus-" RJ sighed as he walked towards the door. "Probably texting your little boyfriend." TJ followed him. "What's your problem with him?" "You seem to care more about him than me!" TJ's now in shock. He waited a second to process what he just heard. "Are you the pot or the kettle? You're the one who doesn't seem to care. You care too much about your games. I've tried to spend time with you and play some two player games but you always push me away! That's when I started spending more time with Cyrus." RJ stopped. He turned to his little brother. "At least I'm normal." With that, RJ made his way inside the house. TJ stood on the lawn, tears coming down his face. He kicked the chair and knocked the potted flowers off of the windowsill. He stormed inside and almost broke the door from how hard he slammed it. As soon as TJ entered the kitchen, all he could hear is screaming. The screaming increased, letting him know RJ is approaching. RJ reaches the kitchen, his face redder than humanly possible. "You little prick! What have you done!" TJ shook his head. "What're you talking about?" "When I went to play my game, the mission I was working on was gone! I've spent hours on that and now I have to start all over! I know you did something because your game wasn't in its usual spot!" "I'm so sorry, I don't now I did that! I just wanted to play one of my games since you've been hogging the PS4 lately. I'll do anything, please don't hate me." RJ noticed TJ's phone on the table. He picked it up, which made TJ freeze. "You're not going to have to do anything." "RJ, what're you doing?" RJ ran up the stairs, TJ following him. RJ made it to his room and locked the door. TJ ran into it and repeatedly banged on it. "RJ! Give me my phone!" "Not until I'm done!" RJ opened the messages app and went to Cyrus's section. He read through all the previous texts and chuckled. He started typing. Had so much fun last night. I didn't know your body could do all that. Oops, sorry. That was meant for Kira. RJ opens his door and TJ fell inside. He threw the phone down. TJ noticed what he had done and started crying harder than ever. "How could you! Do you not realize what you've done!" "I could ask the same thing!" "You can always get back to that point in the game! This might cause my relationship to end and have Cyrus hate me forever!" A bing rang through the room. TJ looked down and saw a new message from Cyrus. OMG!!!!! What the actually freak!! I knew I shouldn't have trusted her. Just like I shouldn't have trusted you! We're through!! I never want to see your cheating face again!! TJ cried as he tossed his phone to the side and started punching RJ's chest. RJ grabbed his fists to stop the blows, but he felt no difference because he was too buff to feel any of the hits. Overcome with emotion, TJ kicked RJ in the groin. The move causes RJ to release his grip and fall to his knees. This allowed TJ to make some more punches, this time at RJ's head. RJ covered his head. "Bro, chill out!" "Don't call me bro! You're no longer my brother! A brother wouldn't mess with the others relationship and wouldn't say that they weren't normal." The sounds they were making were so loud that they didn't hear their dad enter the room. He pulled TJ away and pinned him to the wall. "What's going on!" TJ squirmed around and tried getting out. "Him! He made Cyrus break up with me!" "Only because he deleted part of my game!" Their father grunted. "You two hug and apologize." "You think that's going to work?" TJ huffed. "Try again." Their dad let him go and walked out. "I tried." TJ stuck his chest out as he got in RJ's face. He tugged his shirt to pull him closer. "I never want you to speak to me ever again. You're dead to me." TJ shoved RJ and left. RJ stood up and went to the gaming case. He picked up the controller and threw it across the room. He found his phone and dialed a number. An hour had passed and TJ sat in the middle of his bed, crying his eyes out. He went through six boxes of tissues. He started to hiccup and shoved a pillow over his face. A knock from his door caught him off guard. "Go away, RJ!" The door slowly started to open, which alarmed TJ. He squared up with his pillow in one hand. As the door opened some more, the pillow started going down. Soon, TJ could see the full body of who was entering. He wiped away his tears as Cyrus entered his room. "What are you doing here?" TJ asked as he got off the bed. He tries to hug Cyrus, but stops himself. "I'm glad you are, but I thought you never wanted to talk or see me again." "That was what I wanted, but things change." "What happened?" "RJ happened." TJ growled and kicked his desk. "Don't mention him." Cyrus places a hand in his shoulder. "No need to be angry. RJ called me and explained the situation. He said things to me that he wanted to say to you, but he says you hate him." "I do! He texted you that and said I wasn't normal." "He wants to apologize, but he thinks he can't." “Good. He shouldn’t have said and did what he did.” “Just hear him out. For me?” TJ started into his eyes. He lifted his Cyrus’s chin and kissed his cheek. “For you, ill do anything.” TJ walked out of the room and went to RJ’s door. It’s closed. He raised his hand to knock, but instead grabbed the handle. He turned it and opened the door. He stepped inside, gently closing the door.
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bowiebond · 6 years
Text
Gil x Fem!Reader - Hurts Like Hell, Darling
Requested: Nope, I just love angst, soulmate AU’s and Gil. I wanted to make this into a edit with the song Hurts Like Hell, just then I realised I can’t :(
Warning: ANGST
~~~ You had always sought out wonder. Your mother, Wendy Darling, always remarked on how alike you were to her when she was young.
As a child, your most recurring memory had been a simple one.
A beach. Sand like white gold between your toes, wind caressing your (h/c) locks and yellow sun dress; ocean blue and vast and the Isle always on the edge the sky like the island would fall off the edge of the earth at any moment.
Lastly, a red string. Tied tight around your forefinger that you would use to point out at the ocean that drowned the line of red thread. That’s where you met your best friend, a honey brown haired boy with observant hazel green eyes. He would come up to the shore and sit by you, both of your parents chatting amongst themselves.
He called himself Ben, Ben Florian. Politely, just as your mother had taught, you replied that you were (Y/N) (L/N). Back then, you had simply been two little children looking out into the ocean for answers to who they would spend their life with.
Questioning why your soulmates, your other halves, were so painfully far away when you were supposed to have fairy-tale lives.
~~~ At sixteen years old, you met Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay. The most children of the most notorious villains. It was disheartening, yet at the same time, uplifting, to see Mal and Ben come together. To watch Jay and Lonnie dance around each other in a game of cat and mouse. To observe the blossoming love between Evie and Doug.
Even Carlos, who was born without a thread, seemed to find love in the form of a clumsy blue fairy who was also thread-less. They also shyly stepped around each other, Carlos trying to love a girl who was too oblivious. You hoped that they both had a happily ever after.
You had hoped that maybe one of the Isle kids that came along would be your soulmate, but you only got the bitter taste of disappointment.
At the end of the day, you did as you always did. You looked out your window, finger twirling around the red string absentmindedly and imagined what your soulmate would be like.
Who knew that Mal’s disappearance would give you the chance to find out.
~~~ Gil sat on the edge of the island he called his home, swaying legs dangling over the ledge as he stared out at Auradon. He looked down at his lap, smiling wistfully at the red string wrapped around his pointer finger as he pinched it between his fingers delicately. He can’t remember when this tradition started, but he knew he had been doing it ever since he was a young Isle boy trying to fit into his older brother’s shoes.
Gazing out at the future the string had promised him. A girl from Auradon. Maybe even a princess of his own he had been told about by rueful villains and disgruntled old hags. The idea made his chest swell with pride. Though he didn’t know her name, nor her face, he knew she’d be perfect for him.
Hopefully he’d be able to know soon, because at this rate, he’d never meet her.
“Gil!” Harry snapped Gil out of his trance, pulling the boy back up to stand. Harry’s red string was vibrant with connection, having already found his soulmate. The ruthless Captain and chilling first mate. It suited Uma and Harry.
“Seriously, out ‘ere again?” Harry rolled his black lined eyes, shaking his head in disappointment.
“I like it here. It makes me feel closer to her.” Gil smiled softly, brown eyes warm even as he took in the staggering distance between him and her.
“Give it up, Gilly. It’s for yer own good.” Harry waved away Gil’s fantasies with his hook. “It will lead ta nothin’ worthwhile, that’s for sure. Good just doesn’t love evil, Gils.” Harry said simply, though he did genuinely feel sorry for his friend. He’d be out of his mind more than he already was if he had never found Uma.
“Alright…Alright.” Gil sighed softly, taking one last look of longing toward Auradon before following Harry into the chaos of the Isle.
~~~ Gil was walking around the markets aimlessly. It was a usual occurrence for him. It’s not like big things happened on the Isle often anyway. The most fun Gil had in a week was poker with Gonzo and Jonas and arm wrestling with Lazar and Hans Jr.
Gil stumbled in surprise when a tug pulled on his finger. He spun around, expecting a random isle kid to be trying to snag one of his rings, but instead he found his string thrumming with a more vibrant red. He snatched the end and let it pass through his fingers as he followed it slowly. His eyes flickered about to every corner and hidey hole he could think of, which was a lot on a dreary place like the Isle of the Lost.
Gil’s heart jackhammered in his chest when his gut told him he was getting closer. He almost had her. His Auradon soulmate.
~~~ You huddled into yourself as you walked around the Isle streets, your dusty yellow leather outfit feeling tighter than it was in your anxious state. You’re on the Isle for ten minutes top and you’ve already lost your friends. Just great!
You felt a tug on your fingers and your heartrate skyrocketed just as you bumped into a broad man. You stuttered out a quick apology, stepping back in fear before you saw his face. He was handsome, with a boyish smile and golden curls, outfit dirty but flattering on his muscular body.
“I found you!” He broke out into a grin, making him look much younger than he had originally appeared. His words registered into your mind and you felt the air suck out of your lungs.
“You’re…”
“I’m Gil, your soulmate. I’ve been waiting for you since I was a kid, I’m so glad you’re here!” Gil said giddily, wrapping you in a strong hug without warning. You groaned in pain as his crushing grip and he instantly let you go. “Sorry. I’m just – I’m so excited. I never thought I’d meet you.”
“Me…Me either.” You breathed, looking up at him in awe. He was perfect, practically bursting with good vibes. “I’m (Y/N).” You put your hand out, the one wrapped in thread and he took it in his own. Instead of shaking, he bent down and placed a kiss on the soft skin of your hand.
“You’re a princess, right? I had always imagined what you’d be like.” He looked over your leather jacket and denim jeans. “Not exactly what I expected, but I like it.” He grinned, accepting the rough disguise with ease.
“I…I’m not a princess. Not really.” You licked your bottom lip nervously. “I’m just an ordinary girl from Auradon.”
“Either way, you’re very pretty.” Gil’s brown eyes were alight with happiness as he took in your features. Your cheeks heated at the compliment.
“You know, we don’t exactly know anything about each other, Gil. So…let’s start there, while I look for my friends?” Who were you to deny yourself a chance to get to know your soulmate?
“Oh, well, I really like eggs.” Gil hummed, one finger up as he began listing things. “I was raised a hunter, but I wasn’t very good at it, so my dad dropped me. I never finished Dragon Hall either, so I’m more strength than brains according to Uma.” You laughed, shaking your head in amusement.
“You’re very literal, huh?” You giggled. “Well, seeing as you told me a few things, I’ll tell you some things about myself too.” You looped your arm into his with a natural ease that almost surprised you. No wonder they were soulmates. They fit together like cream and jam. You began to walk with him as you spoken. “I was born in London but raised in Auradon. I spent most of my childhood by the shore of the coast. Searching for you.” You admitted with a giddy smile, leaning more into him. “My best friend happens to be the famous King Ben, and his lady, Mal, is the reason we met in the first place. He was also looking for her.”
“Wow, you know the King? Crazy. My dad hates the kid’s dad. Something about being a burly beast and wishing he had offed him when he had the chance.” Gil shrugged, throwing the comment aside. You paused, body freezing.
“Gil…If you aren’t a hunter, what do you do now?” You asked quietly.
“Huh?” He looked down at you curiously. “I’m a pirate, second mate actually. I know, I know, not what you’d expect of the son of Gaston. I get it all the time.” Gil waved his hand in front of him like it was nothing, but to you it was everything.
A son of Gaston and a pirate? You had been raised on the idea of pirates being brutes, cold and ruthless with nasty breath and pointy swords. Yet Gil was nothing like that. He was smiley and goofy, adorably honest too. To think you was a Gaston. Gaston was vain and brutish and cocky, yet Gil seemed the complete opposite.
You had to go. You had to find Ben and get Mal and go home. What would your mother think if she knew your soulmate was a pirate? What would Ben think if he knew your other half was a Gaston?
“I…I have to go.” You slipped your arm out from around his, backing away hesitantly, unsure of where exactly to go on an island you had no map to. “I’m sorry.” You turned onto the toe of your boot to make a run for it, but Gil grabbed your wrist before you could leave.
“Wait! Please, don’t go.” Gil begged. “I’ve always dreamed of meeting my soulmate. Of proving everyone who said you’d never come for me wrong.” Your heart fell through to your stomach, making you feel sick at the idea of pulling away from him. Gil slipped his hands off your wrist to cup your hand instead, kissing the uncovered flesh with warm lips. “Stay with me. Please.”
You swallowed thickly, biting your lower lip as you blinked back tears. You pulled your hand away from his, red string be damned.
“I can’t love a Gaston…Let alone a pirate.” You whispered, disappearing into the darkness of the Isle with soft thuds of boots hitting concrete and dirt. Gil’s heart plummeted in his chest, watching you go.
~~~ Gil walked around the markets slowly, dragging his feet sadly as he thought of your words, mulling them over in his head. It hurt every time he thought of it. “Sorry.” He said when he bumped shoulders with another, looking up. “Evie? Carlos? Jay? What’re you doing here?”
“Uh…”
“Come on, you remember me, right? Here’s a hint, my dads quick, he’s slick, and his neck is…” He gestured to his neck. “Incredibly thick?” He wanted to say it with more pep, but remembering his lineage wasn’t helping his mood right then.
“Gil. It’s nice to see you again…” Evie greeted tensely. Gil turned to the other guy with them, one he felt was vaguely familiar.
“Who’s this?” He looked at the brown-haired guy and noticed the yellow of a poster on the wall. He looked between the new guy and the poster, it clicking in his head suddenly. “You’re King Ben!” Gil said loudly. “Oh my god, you’re – you’re the king – “
“We have to go.” Evie pushed Ben ahead of her, Carlos and Jay following behind her on quick feet.
“Wait, you guys…” Gil frowned before he realised Uma would love this. “I’ve gotta tell Uma!” He jumped up happily, recent woes shoved aside as he raced to the fish and chip shop.
~~~ “Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay!” You called in relief as you ran up to them. “I’ve been looking for you guys everywhere. Where’s Ben?”
“He’s gone.” Mal huffed. “Uma took him.” Mal’s eyes glowed a fierce green.
“Uma?” You questioned in confusion.
“She’s the daughter of Ursula. She now runs her own pirate crew on the Isle with Harry Hook and Gil LeGume.” Evie explained, sighing.
“Gil LeGume…?” You breathed in shock.
“One of three sons of Gaston.” Carlos filled in. You let out a shuddered breath, sadness coiling in your chest.
Gil was really a pirate it seemed…It was just never meant to be.
~~~ It was hard to look at Gil, his crestfallen face, so you avoided looking at him at all. You simply stood behind Evie and Jay, eyes glued to Ben. Your heart pounded in your chest, breathing shallowly in anticipation. You would get Ben back. Mal had this. Once you had him, you could go…It sounded easier said than done when your eyes connected with Gil by accident.
You swallowed thickly, casting your gaze down to your feet in guilt. Suddenly, your string tugged on your finger.
“No, not right now…” You cursed under your breath as Harry led Ben over to them for the trade. Suddenly, like a hard pull of a rope, you were tugged in the direction of Gil just as he was too. You tried to pull back, but Gil only got closer until you were inches apart between Uma and Mal, fingers touching from where the string had shrunken length wise.
It was quiet as they stared at each other in shock, hearts pounding. You looked away from Gil, trying to deny what was obvious when you saw Ben’s wide eyes.
“…Please don’t be mad at me…I didn’t mean for my soulmate to be a Gaston.” You begged, Gil’s fingers twitching to curl into yours. You couldn’t deny how good it felt to have him in your grasps. Ben shook his head.
“I’m no – “ “Enough!” Uma huffed, taking the wand as Ben was shoved into Mal. “It’s time to take down this blasted barrier.” She rose the wand high and chanted her own spell. When nothing happened, she yelled in fury, breaking the wand. Withdrawing her sword, the battle was on.
Harry pulled Gil from you roughly, growling at him. “Your soulmate just had to be a Darling, didn’t she?” Was all you heard before Carlos lead you away to Lonnie for a sword. You defended yourself against a girl in a loose grey and green outfit, blocking her attacks instead of lashing at her.
You jumped down the dock towards Ben who had been wrestled down by Gil, kicking Gil in the back.
“Leave him alone, Gil!” Gil turned around in surprise, not daring to raise his sword to you.
“(Y/N) – Woah!” Carlos swung under the rail of the dock above them and kicked Gil into the water below, cutting off your sentence.
“Gil!” You cried out, looking over the rail in horror. Was he okay? Could he even swim?
Gil’s head broke the surface with a gasp. Relief flooded your senses. A tanned hand grabbed your arm and you were dragged towards your escape by Jay.
“Come on, we gotta go!”
“Wait – Jay, let me go, please, let me say goodbye – “
“We don’t have time, (Y/N)!” Jay snapped, and you shut your lips. Looking back, you saw Gil climb back onto the dock, wet hair curling around his face as he looked at you.
An explosion of purple blocked him from view as the darkness of the tunnel enveloped you.
“GIL!”
~~~ Gil can’t remember running his fast in his entire life. All he knew was that he had to get to her before she disappeared for good. He couldn’t let the best thing in his life, even if it was a few minutes, escape him.
He didn’t want to lose his soulmate.
Gil skidded to a stop as he got to the broken bridge of the Isle, fingers just brushing the limo’s back light as it drove across its magic bridge.
“(Y/N)! Don’t go!” He shouted despite his ragged breaths, staring out after his vanishing future.
You spun around in your seat, tears already in your eyes as you looked out the back window before Jay could stop you.
“GIL!” You pressed your stringed hand against the window, finishing you could reach out and touch him. You cried out in pain when the string suddenly pulled taunt and cut into your finger. Gil fell back onto his hind as he clutched his hand, the red thread tightening painfully.
Suddenly, the limo hits the barrier and the pressure eases on both their ends. The limo passes through and the thread severs.
“NO!” They both yelled, clutching their hands and the string that hung limply between their fingers.
“(Y/N) – “
You hit Jay, again and again as he tried to get you to sit back down and comfort you. Sobs wrecked your chest as Gil disappeared from sight, nails biting into the back seats just as your teeth did to your lower lip, trying to stifle your tears.
“Why did he have to be a villain?” You whispered brokenly, falling back into Jay in defeat.
~~~ It was like a hole in your chest, just getting bigger and bigger until it would swallow you whole. You knew the only thing that would fill that hole was Gil, but he wasn’t there anymore.
While everyone else was getting ready for Cotillion, you were hauled up in your room alone, curled into yourself as you touched the severed red thread delicately. Your tears had grown fewer since the limo, but they were still hot and painful as you took in what would once have been your future. It was now gone.
Forever. You would forever be without your other half. It was a cruel fate. What did you do to deserve this?
You jumped up from where you laid when the door opened, wiping your face clean of tears, but you probably still looked like a mess. Mal looked at you with pity, walking up to your bed to sit by you. She rubbed your back gently, and you threw yourself into the comfort of her arms to cry even harder. Your entire body shook as she squeezed you in a hug.
“I’m so sorry, (Y/N). I could never…I could never imagine losing Ben like that.” Mal petted your hair soothingly and you hiccupped a sob.
“I’m never going to see him again. Even the universe thinks so.” You sniffled pitifully.
“…Jay promised to take me back to the Isle if I couldn’t stand to stay another day.” You looked up in shock.
“You’re leaving? What about Ben – I – I can’t let you break your soulmate bond with Ben, I just can’t – It hurts so much, Mal, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before –“
Mal cut your words short with a soft ‘shh’.
“No, no, I’m not leaving Ben. I don’t think I ever could.” Mal admitted, taking your hands into hers. “I just wanted you to know that…That offer extends to you as well. If you really can’t stand another day with Gil…Jay will take you back to the Isle.” You hugged Mal tightly.
“Thank you. Thank you, Mal, thank you so much…”
“Just…Stay for the Cotillion at least. Like a goodbye party.” Mal looked sorrowful at the idea of you leaving, but you knew she would understand.
“Okay... I promise, I’ll come.”
~~~ As everyone danced along the soaked floor of the deck, you found yourself staring out into the dark ocean to the Isle of the Lost. Looking down at your red string, you knew you would take up Jay’s offer.
You loved your friends, but you knew your life wouldn’t be whole without the Gaston.
As the ruffled top of your loose yellow dress swayed with the breeze, you knew what your decision was. Across the sea, Gil was watching the TV, fingering his snipped red string. He saw her in the corner of the screen staring out at the Isle and smiled, hope filling his chest that he’d see her again one day.
~~~ “Are you ready to go?” Jay asked solemnly as you packed your things. You swallowed down your doubts and nodded slowly.
“This…This is for Ben and the others. To help them understand.” How could you say any of this without breaking? You had to write it down instead.
Jay took the note carefully, like it was a prized jewel, and nodded silently.
“Okay. I’ll keep good care of it.” He pursed his lips. “Let’s go, shall we?”
“We shall.” You stepped around him, bag over his shoulders as you both snuck to the limos. Once you were inside, you watched as your home rolled away. All your memories were disappearing behind you, and you couldn’t help but shed a tear.
To have what the universe promised you, you had to leave behind your history. It seemed like a twisted fate. You fiddled with your red thread, remembering why you were doing all this. Jay parked the limo on the Isle and you opened the door, breathing it the polluted air with a sigh. You wiped away your tiny teardrop with a finger and turned to Jay who leant against the limo, arms crossed and expression filled with sadness.
“Thank you, Jay. Really.” You hesitantly hugged him around the middle, letting him hold you close in one final goodbye. His thumb stroked the back of your head, cheek pressed against the top of your head. He turned his head just a fraction to place a kiss there.
“Be safe.” He murmured. “And if he ever hurts you, I’ll beat the hell out of him.” You pulled out of Jay’s arms and smiled up at him.
“I know.” You pressed a kiss of gratitude against his cheek, stepping back from him. “Goodbye Jay.”
“(Y/N), look!” Jay said in shock and you looked down at your hand. Before their eyes, the red string grew and disappeared behind a corner, bursting a brilliant vibrant red as it connected once more.
“Gil.” You breathed in awe, jumping Jay in one last giddy hug before running off to follow the string. Your feet pattered against the cold concrete ground, splashing puddles as you went. As you rounded your sixth corner, you saw him.
“(Y/N)!” You ran to Gil, the length of the string disappearing as you got closer. You jumped into his arms, the hole in your chest bursting with joy when he swept you off your feet, spinning you around in his arms in the middle of the market place.
As he placed you down, it was like everything had fallen into place.
When he kissed you, your hands cupping his face, you felt like the princess he originally thought you were.
You felt like his Darling.
I loved, and I loved, and I lost you. And it hurt like hell.
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AU Yea August 31 - The Spectacular Ladybug
@auyeahaugust
Day 31 - dealer’s choice
Decided to upload the beginning of my Ladybug is Spider-man AU. a silly idea which turned way more elaborate than originally intended. Might do a whole series. 
This is the end of Au Yea August, it’s been a blast. I’ve written a little over 80.000 words for this event which is SO wild, never written even close to that amount before. It’s been a little stressful but a lot of fun. I’m sad I missed about 10 days but still, awesome stuff.
”30 bucks” Gabriel Agreste stated coldly, reviewing the images on his desk.
“30!? But the ad said 100 for each!” Marinette protested, the photographs she’d taken were good, dynamic and perfectly framed, she couldn’t imagine what was wrong with them.
The serious looking man sighed deeply, lighting a cigarette slowly and looking up at Marinette from his chair.
“Maria was it?”
“Marinette sir”
He waved his hand in a ‘whatever’ motion. “Marinette, if I ask for pictures of Brad Pitt do you know what I want?” he asked coldly, pausing to inhale a breath of smoke, Marinette didn’t answer, figuring he was going to tell her regardless, which he did “I’m not looking for him smiling for a photographer with his wife, if I wanted that I would just take it from his Instagram. No, what I want Marinette…” the way he said her name was condescending and harsh. The blue-haired photographer wished she could look away from his stern, iron gaze, but he held her eyes with his. His cold stare threatening her to even dare look away from him. “- are pictures of him leaving the house of one of his seven mistresses at 4 in the morning; at a party with a nose full of cocaine; having sex with a sandwich.” Marinette almost smiled at the last line, but Agreste’s expression let her know he was dead serious.
He placed a hand on one of the pictures Marinette was proudest of, perfectly posed in mid yo-yo swing, he slid it forward towards her “I do not want pictures because I want to admire her costume choices. I need pictures because I need stories. Ladybug helping an old lady over the streets might make a nice fluff piece in the community papers, but here at the Daily Bugle, we expose the truth, our readers expect us to shine a light at the news and expose the naked, sinful facts.”  
Marinette felt her blood freezing as Agreste took another drag of his cigarette without ever breaking eye contact. She felt exposed, fearing that his glaring eyes could somehow see through her clothes at the red, dotted costume hiding just under her wrinkled suit. She’d faced several villains since she first jumped in spandex, but she’d rather face an army of superhuman lizard people than have to even think about what would happen if this man was somehow able to figure out her identity.
“But… what if there are no… sinful facts sir? Maybe she really is just a hero?” she half smiled at the unamused man in front of her.
Gabriel sighed deeply, putting out his cigarette “heroes don’t wear masks. There’s only one reason to hide yourself from the world, because you have something to hide. Even if Ladybug actually believes she’s a hero, she’s still inspiring any unstable person in New York to jump in their mom’s stockings and hit the streets with their father’s gun. If she really wanted to help she would join the police or stay out of it and leave it to the professionals.”
Marinette could feel herself shaking, she wanted to tell him off, to convince him how wrong he was. But if she tried to he might suspect something, it was already risky to start taking pictures of herself, she had to keep her identity secret no matter what. Agreste took out a notebook and started writing in it, breaking eye contact with Marinette for the first time since he looked up from her photos. It gave Marinette a chance to finally breathe, to find her confidence a little bit again.
“Maybe she has a reason!”
Agreste ripped the piece of paper out of his notebook and collected all but three of the pictures, then gave that to Marinette.
“Show this to Alya outside, she’ll pay you.”
Marinette took the things handed to her instinctually, she needed more money than this measly hand-out, but at least it was a start. She boiled with the need to tell the smug bastard off but she decided to swallow her pride and walk away like an adult.
“Oh and one last thing. Don’t meet your heroes. They will always disappoint you.”
Marinette closed the door to the office behind her then sighed heavily, she felt like she’d aged 5 years in the short conversation with the ruthless editor in chief.
She unwrapped a hard candy and popped it in her mouth, the sweet treat filling her mouth with strawberry and mellowing out her body. She’d always had a sweet tooth, but after she became Ladybug sweets had become like an addiction, she could influence her mood with candy, she could even get drunk off of it. She told herself not to overdo it, but it was hard to actually live by.
“First time meeting Gabriel?” a friendly amused voice rang out from next to her, Marinette hadn’t even noticed someone sitting so close to the office. The voice belonged to a brown and red-haired woman, she wore large glasses which framed her face, a dark brown lipstick to match her beautiful dark skin. She wore a women’s business suit and her long hair was partially braided, running back into a bun.
She looked like the type of woman who spends 3 hours getting ready for her shift at 6 am, the kind of woman who had her things in order. Meanwhile, Marinette spend her nights patrolling the city, slept until noon, threw on a t-shirt and pants and maybe remembered to brush her hair before putting it in the pigtails she’d worn since grade 4.
“uh, yea… he’s a little intense” Marinette smiled back at her.
“Don’t let him get you down if he bought your pictures that means he loves them, though he’d never admit it. Here, let me take care of it” she reached a handout and received Agreste’s note, reading it over quickly.
“Sheesh, you’re gonna have to take a lot more photos if you wanna afford that Lamborghini.” She smiled up at Marinette, handing her three ten dollar bills.
Marinette half smiled as she received the money, thanking the woman and turned to walk away dejected, knowing she wouldn’t be able to pay rent this month either.
“Hold on there girl, let me see your pictures” the wonder woman of the business world called her back. Marinette tried putting on a brave face as she faced her. She handed her pictures down to the woman who began inspecting them professionally. Looking at the workplace beauty Marinette couldn’t help but compare their age, she definitely wasn’t older than Marinette, she might even be younger, and she looked like she had her entire life together. Maybe she’d spend less time eating radioactive ladybugs, but it wasn’t like Marinette’s life had been on the fast track before then.
“These are good! You’ve got a real way with framing. I’m Alya by the way” she extended her hand to Marinette who was all too happy to shake it and take the praise, it was nice hearing someone other than her parents complimenting her photography skills.
“How did you get these? Some of our reporters have been chasing that bug for weeks without getting a good shot like this!”
“oh uh… the trick is to let her come to you” Marinette chuckled awkwardly “I keep up with reports on where she currently is and try to guess which way she’ll leave, then sometimes I get lucky” Marinette knew someone would end up asking her about it, she was glad Agreste hadn’t been the one to do so, his intense stare would have made her forget the line she practiced at least twenty times in the mirror.
Alya whistled impressed “you’ve got a real sense for this!”
“according to Agreste a real sense for this would mean finding people f… having sex with… sandwiches” saying it out loud she felt so silly, how in the world could he have said something like that with a straight face, more importantly, how could she possibly have listened to it with a straight face!?
Alya burst out laughing “right that was a fun news week!”
“Wait! That actually happened!?” Marinette asked horrified.
“Oh Gods, no, but because of an editing mistake, two stories lay on top of one another in a way that made it read like that. Thankfully we caught it in time but we all use it sometimes, y’kno, workplace banter and such. Just glad no one was fired.” Alya smiled heartily at Marinette, giving her a sense that the wonder woman in front of her was actually really kind, she really was the whole package.
Alya tapped the pictures contemplatively “you need money right?”
“Of course but I’ll tell you now, butt-stuff is extra,” Marinette said jokingly making Alya laugh.
Alya got up and opened the door to Agreste’s office, Marinette swore she could feel a chill coming from inside the monsters den, she couldn’t believe Alya could just rip the door open without even knocking, wasn’t she afraid he’d eat her!?
“Hey Gabe, I’m taking pigtails to the gala, I need a good photographer k?” Gabe? The man sitting in that office could be called many things, but Gabe could not possibly be one of them.
To Marinette’s surprise, Gabriel walked over to stand in the door, taking in the two women.
She could feel his judging eyes sizing her up even more than before, an unhappy twinge at the corner of his lip. “It’s your call Alya. It might do you some good Marinette, to see what a real hero looks like. Though do wear something more appropriate, you’ll be there to record the news, not make them.”
Marinette wanted desperately to tell him off again, but she was painfully aware that she looked like a hobo that walked in off the streets; she didn’t have a leg to stand on.
“Yes, boss” Alya winked at him, making finger-guns playfully as he disappeared again into his office.
Alya smiled broadly at Marinette who could only chuckle back nervously.
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faeflowerfeline · 6 years
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make boys next door out of assholes
Day Four of @kiribakuweek2k18 Surprise Party | Free Prompt
Day Seven of @explodoweek Birthday | Free Day
Ao3 Version: https://archiveofourown.org/works/14303220
Edit (22/04/18): Sequels here and here
It’s over. Katsuki has been in the spotlight for three years, three long, gruelling years at Yuuei. Three years of attacks, of kidnappings and murders and fighting.
Three years of thinking, ‘this is what a hero is, this is what a hero does, they protect the people and that is what we will do’.
Three long years, he’s nineteen and alone and scared, and he doesn’t have to fight anymore. Three long years and he’s nineteen and seems older, is a pro-hero already. He’s nineteen and tired, nineteen and worried, nineteen and he’s seen more than people twice his age have.
“We shouldn’t have been in the middle of this,” Ochako tells him once, after all is said and done. After two kidnappings and watching Deku tear himself apart for them. After watching Deku take down Shiragaki, desperate and bleeding and alone with no one near enough, no one to help.
“We should have been doing normal teen things - getting drunk and having fun,” she says and she has a full bottle of wine in her hand. Katsuki points that out, and she pours him a drink.
“Why wine?” he asks.
“Higher alcohol content,” she replies, eighteen and getting drunk to forget. Katsuki shrugs, downs his glass and asks for another. Ochako laughs, obliges, and they get drunk together. Todoroki finds them the next morning, passed out leaning against each other in Ochako’s dorm room.
“You didn’t invite me?” is his only comment, as he wakes Katsuki and gets him to his room.
“Didn’t think you’d wanna get drunk,” Katsuki slurs back, tired and dead on his feet, the alcohol long gone from his system.
“You’d be surprised,” Todoroki says, dumps Katsuki onto his bed and leaves the room.
“I’m proud of you all,” Aizawa says in their last homeroom class of the year, “You faced things you should never have had to face at the age you are, and you defeated them. You guys will be the best heroes Japan has ever seen, I’m sure of it.”
Katsuki is twenty and still alone, living in an apartment paid for by his agency, saving people daily. Sometimes, he wonders what he would have been if he wasn’t a hero. He can never imagine it.
“Hey Deku,” he asks once, sitting together at his agency, “if you weren’t a hero, what do you think you’d have been?”
“I don’t know,” Deku responds, his voice soft and eyes downcast. “I’ve never thought about it. I’ve always wanted to be a hero.”
“Yeah,” Katsuki replies, “Same. Want to get drunk as fuck?”
“When have I ever not?”
They invite Ochako and Todoroki with them. Ochako brings Tsuyu, Todoroki brings Yaomomo and Jirou. They gather at a bar, get drunk and forget, nineteen and twenty and scared but not quite alone. They lean against each other, sing and laugh and cry and forget, drunk and tired and delirious.
“I’m cutting you off,” the bartender says, smiling soft and kind and understanding, “I don’t think the people would appreciate it if I let the top heroes die of alcohol poisoning in my bar.”
She calls them all cabs and they go home in groups - Todoroki and Deku, Yaomomo and Jirou.
“Want to come over?” Ochako asks him, leaning against Tsuyu, “I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Fine,” Katsuki replies, half-glad and half-irritated, because he hadn’t wanted to be alone, not now and not like this, but Ochako reads him like a fucking open book. She just smiles softly, gets in the cab and tells the driver the address, gesturing at him and her girlfriend. Katsuki lets Tsuyu go first, climbs in after her and settles against her side as the ride goes on. She lets him, leaning into Ochako until they’re a great big pile in the backseat of the cab. They leave the cab much the same way, the three of them in a great big pile. Ochako and Tsuyu drag him upstairs, to their room, and dump him on their bed. Eventually, Ochako ends up in the middle, Tsuyu on one side and Katsuki on the other.
“Are you guys sure you’re okay with this?” he asks, soft and unsure and drunk and scared, not wanting to leave and not sure if it’s okay to stay.
“You need sleep, Katsuki,” Ochako says, rapping his forehead, “So do I, and so does Tsuyu. Chill. Platonic sleeping together happens all the time.”
Katsuki gives her a dubious look.
“You didn’t have any friends in high school, so you wouldn’t know, ribbit,” Tsuyu informs him bluntly.
“If I knock you both off the bed, you invited me here,” he tells her, relaxing into sheets far, far softer than those he has in his apartment.
Katsuki falls asleep, twenty years old with warmth at his side and the knowledge that he is not alone.
Katsuki is twenty-one, no longer alone but still scared, because he was sixteen the first time he got kidnapped and given the option to be a villain, sixteen the first time he refused and tried to blow up those who had taken him, sixteen years old and traumas don’t always vanish with time.
Katsuki is twenty-one and in the top twenty, apart of the new generation of heroes that are slowly taking over the old. Katsuki is twenty-one and so is Deku, and Deku’s hit the top ten already, climbing faster and faster each year.
“So,” Ochako says beside him, leaning over his shoulder to get an eye at his phone, “when are you going to tell him?”
“Tell who?” Katsuki asks, looking for one person in particular’s name in the rankings.
“Kirishima, of course,” Ochako says and Katsuki chokes on his own spit. “Oh, look! I’m twenty-first - I’ll catch up to you next year.”
“What the fuck would I need to tell Kirishima?” he yelps, ignoring the dirty looks from people around him. “Also, you can fucking try.”
A mother covers her son’s ears. Katsuki gives her a mildly feral grin.
“That you like him,” Ochako replies simply, having retrieved her own phone to look at the rankings herself. “His was the name you were looking for, right? He’s at twenty-seventh this year; the whole class is doing pretty good. I think we all made the top fifty.”
“It’s been two fucking years,” Katsuki tells her blankly. Ochako shrugs.
“People like us,” she says, “And people like you, too, believe it or not.”
Katsuki is twenty-two, in the top ten with most of the class behind him. Endeavor is holding onto the number one spot by the skin of his teeth, but he’ll have to retire soon. If he doesn’t Todoroki will probably file a child abuse suit, just to get his boyfriend the number one spot.
Katsuki is twenty-two and it has been three years since they left Yuuei, three years since the battle and all that came with it.
“Ochako’s organising a reunion,” Deku tells him, “for the anniversary of our first day at Yuuei.”
“Next years?” Katsuki asks absently, scrawling his signature on another form.
“No, this year’s,” Deku replies, calm and quiet as always.
“In three days then,” Katsuki says, quiet.
“Yeah. Will you go?”
“Yeah.”
Katsuki’s seen Kirishima a few times since Yuuei, on T.V, in magazines and in passing, but he hasn’t actually talked to him for a while. He doesn’t even know why - they were friends, good ones, but…
He doesn’t know what happened. All he knows is that Ochako knows Katsuki’s liked Kirishima for a while, has been pestering him to talk to him and probably set this whole thing up. Katsuki isn’t sure whether he wants to punch her or kiss her.
Possibly the first.
Regardless, he’s sitting in a booth opposite Ochako, Deku and Todoroki with Kirishima shoved up right against his side, Tsuyu on the end. Food’s been ordered, everyone has drinks and Katsuki has Kirishima’s warmth pressed against his side for at least the next hour. Ochako winks at him from across the table and he narrows his eyes at her. She just laughs at something Deku said that Katsuki hadn’t been paying attention to and ignores him completely. He huffs, irritated.
“Hey, you alright man?” Kirishima asks, nudging him slightly, “I’m not squishing you, right?”
“If you were fucking squishing me I would have fucking told you,” Katsuki replies, turning his glare on Kirishima. Kirishima just smiles, all teeth and sunshine.
“Good to see you’re the same old Bakugou!”
“Who’d say it’s GOOD to see that?” Ochako asks from over the table. Katsuki sets off an explosion in her direction and she shrieks with laughter, ducking slightly. Katsuki almost laughs, almost carefree for once in his goddamn life.
“It’s good to see you so happy, too,” Kirishima says, nudging him again, “Happier than you were in high school, at least. Are you and Uraraka dating?”
“What?” Ochako snorts, Tsuyu bursting into laughter as well.
“The fuck, shitty hair?” Katsuki growls, but his heart his light and he knows he doesn’t sound into it.
“That’s a no, then?” Kirishima says, looking across the table at Todoroki for his answer. Todoroki shakes his head, shoulders vibrating with suppressed laughter.
“Kacchan and Ochako?” Deku says and he’s not even trying to hide his laughter, “They’d probably be great together, if they weren’t so gay.”
“Oh,” Kirishima says, almost sounding… relieved.
Katsuki’s 98% sure he managed to convey the embodiment of ‘???????’ at Ochako with just his eyes and that she managed to convey ‘go FOR IT YOU FUCKING LOSER’ back at him with just her own.
He waits until the end of the meal, until they’re leaving and going home in pairs, until it’s just him and Kirishima left.
“Hey, shitty hair,” Katsuki says, pauses. He doesn’t know what he wants to say. “Do you wanna get some fuckin drinks?”
“Just us two?” Kirishima asks, something hopeful in his voice and in his eyes.
“Yeah.”
“I’d love to.”
Katsuki is twenty-nine, sleeping with a warm body at his side each night, no longer alone. Katsuki is twenty-nine and it’s the anniversary of their win, the anniversary of alcoholism and nightmares and waking up in Ochako’s bed with Tsuyu in the kitchen making breakfast for three.
It’s the anniversary of good times and bad times, the anniversary of a classroom that took on the world and won.
The anniversary of nineteen teenagers who looked at the world and said ‘this is what a hero is, this is what a hero does, they protect the people and that is what we will do’.
Katsuki wakes up, kisses his boyfriend and goes to make breakfast. Checks his phone when it beeps to see a notification from Iida - a reminder that they’re meeting up at Yuuei.
Katsuki is twenty-nine and it feels like he’s finally okay again.
From: Ground Zero To: Class 3-A We’ll be there.
Edit (22/04/18): Sequels here and here
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lululululipop-blog · 6 years
Text
Ch. 1
Sweet Like Candy...?
Hmmm... first two chapters are done. I honestly had to do all the revision, and editing myself, so it took way longer than expected. But please enjoy and keep a lookout for new stories I’ll try to post faster. Haha
Just a Little Something~ 🌸
“She’s not talking to me,” blond hair and red eyes was what trademarked the hot tempered male that spoke.
His friend, Kirishima, saw that he was looking away towards the end of the lunchroom, admiring the small girl who would look back occasionally to give a grim look, only to turn away once more as if making a point.
Kirishima took some of his mate’s food, stuffing it in his mouth; his friend didn’t even pay much mind to it. He simply waved him off which showed immediately how much this ordeal was bothering him.
“Yo, Kacchan, what’d you do? She’s not usually like this,” Kirishima spoke through mouthfuls of Bakugou’s food.
Bakugou growled at his words, “Damn it if I know! I’ve been thinking since this fucking morning and nothing has come up that would be considered out of the ordinary! All I know, is we were fighting that random villain out in the streets, then she decided to stop talking to me! Didn’t even bother to visit me in the hospital, dumbass.”
Kirishima hummed in understanding, “Girls are confusing.”
Bakugou nodded at this, “No shit. And she’s making it rather obvious that she’s angry as well. That idiot.” His statement seemed gentler than his usual tone, showcasing how truly he was worrying about her.
Kirishima found this admirable, so he offered his own advice, “Why don’t you just ask her?”
Bakugou turned as if he had just been electroshocked by Kirishima’s sole words, “Huh? You’ve got to be kidding me. If she wants to solve whatever is going on, she’ll come up and talk to me first! I’m not going out of my way to talk over something when she’s the one angry about it.”
He took his water bottle and drank it quickly, extinguishing the flames that were starting to grow even stronger inside him. Water could only do so much, however.
Kirishima seemed to be taking a liking to playing around with Bakugou’s food, and he began building a large tower out of the sauce packets Bakugou had brought, “Then... how about you try acting sweet for a while?”
Bakugou seemed confused at this. How would one act sweet? Sweet was something quite out of his Kacchan-dictionary that consisted of specifically vulgar language with the addition of a few superhero terms and the occasional, “Stupid” and “idiot” added in. “Don’t look down on me,” would be the summary in the back of his dictionary.
Kirishima shrugged, “Nothing is gonna get solved if neither of you do something. Instead of talking it out, perhaps you could try different things until she’s happy again.”
Bakugou didn’t like the idea of that, “Why do I have to be the one to make the first move?”
“Hm, would you rather admit that you’d give in to her if she was the one who spoke first?” Kirishima spoke without thinking, but couldn’t take the words back. They were already out there, disintegrating into the very depths of Bakugou’s brain.
Standing up, he took a strong grasp of Kirishima’s shirt and pulled him to meet him face to face, the pile of sauce packets toppling over, “How the hell am I supposed to act sweet?”
Surprised that Bakugou seemed to actually be thinking of taking up the offer, Kirishima nodded, smiling a toothy smile, “Well... first...”
“Delivery for (y/n) (l/n)?!” A mailman called out from the class doorway.
Now, (y/n) wouldn’t be considered unpopular, she had her good number of friends and she was deemed as a promising hero, but she definitely wouldn’t be considered popular enough to have a secret admirer. And, from the large bouquet after bouquet that appeared behind the mailman, arranged with a variety of balloons, clearly someone had it bad for her. Or perhaps she had won a prize, which seemed like the more likely answer even though she hadn’t participated in anything that would call for a reward.
Her friends urged her up, so, hesitantly, she began walking up to the ever so happy mailman, as he handed her the pile of bouquets in a wagon, and a letter. “You’ve got quite the caring boyfriend,” the mailman finished, before moving to the side.
(Y/n) seemed bewildered. What boyfriend could he possibly be talking about? The one she did have would never do anything like this, clearly it was some sort of stalker.
She opened the letter, slightly nervous but trying to bite back the fear from showing on her face. The handwriting was perfectly printed and the scent that engulfed her was that of spicy peppermint; fresh. The only recognizable part of it that could possibly pinpoint the source of the letter, was the signed name at the bottom: Bakugou. She turned her head to the side to ensure that she hadn’t just imagined the name, and rubbed her eyes. Opening them again, she squinted at the paper, almost burning a hole through them with her sharp stare as if somehow the name would suddenly change. Nope, Bakugou’s print was still on there, making fun of her. This must be some sort of prank Kirishima or maybe one of the other guys were playing on her. There was no way—
Interrupting her thoughts, the mailman moved to the side and the balloons made way in the middle of the long school hallway. There, dressed in a delicious suit of crisp black with matching, polished, black shoes and a red undershirt, stood Bakugou, with an assortment of roses and yellow daffodils. (Y/n) covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Although he looked oddly stunning in that suit, it did not at all match his personality. And she didn’t want to attempt at embarrassing him after he did all this, but it was a very non-Bakugou sort of thing to do. He must have been forced by someone to do this. As he strolled up to her, it took all she had to keep back a silly smile while everyone else stared in complete awe of Bakugou’s sudden turnaround. Just as she was about to give up and just laugh out loud, Bakugou came up face to face in an incredibly suave and swift move, taking (y/n)’s waist and dipping her, that (y/n) couldn’t help but gasp out in surprise.
“Good morning,” he stated, handed her the flowers, kissed her cheek and then entered the classroom, not even shoving his way through the crowd of students.
(Y/n) stood with the letter in her left hand, the bouquet of flowers in her right, and a mailman and wagons of balloons behind her, eyes unbearably wide.
“Class is starting,” an unknown classmate whispered to her.
Slowly, so very slowly, (y/n) trudged towards her seat. The hot-headed, hard-to-maintain Bakugou... that was definitely not him.
It must have been a joke, a very odd and bizarre joke that, maybe once the punchline was thrown, she'd be able to understand. But there seemed to be more occuring, all in just the span of a single morning. She was probably going to have to take him to the nurse to make sure he hadn’t been hit by some very clearly powerful quirk.
(y/n) pulled out her notebook and began jotting down every bizarre occurrence that she believed would provide as useful information when asked what she deemed was wrong in her usually temperamental boyfriend. She did well hiding her spying glares towards his spot.
[8:00 a.m.]
A fellow classmate (Kaminari) came up to Bakugou and began making fun of his attire.
"Damn, red? Making some sort of fashion statement, are we?"
Kaminari then proceeded to tap the back of Bakugou’s head with his pointer finger. Bakugou simply continued trying to take notes that (y/n) would later have to ask for. This went on for a few more seconds until Bakugou grabbed the boy's finger, giving him a piercing glare. Perhaps this would finally break Bakugou into at least showing a little bit more of his original self?
"If you have enough time to be commenting on an outfit, perhaps you should have entered a fashion school. You're here to learn how to be a hero, act like it," With that statement, he let go of the boy's finger and returned to writing more notes.
Kaminari looked astonished, but ashamed and went back to his table, grumbling about how even heroes should know how to dress.
Bakugou caught (y/n) staring at this moment, and shot her a cute smile and wave. It was a double hit that would have worked if that were how he always acted, but it simply caused (y/n) to shiver and turn back around.
[8:40 a.m.]
"Everyone, turn to page 64 of your History of Heroes and fighting throughout the world. Raise your hand if you would like to read once you reach the page!”
And just like that, not only had (y/n) missed an entire forty minutes of notes but, now, she had even forgotten her book at home. Which meant she would not be able to go through that lesson that day either. And to make matters worse...
“All right, since no one’s participating how about.... (y/n)? Please read the first paragraph out loud.”
(Y/n) was positive the teacher must have some sort of radar that sensed distraught in her students and was glad to use that to her advantage.
Sadly, (y/n) stood from her chair and apologized, “I’m sorry, but...”
And just like that, a knight in shining flames appeared next to her.
“What she’s trying to say is, that, we haven’t been able to see each other lately, so is it all right if we sit next to each other today?” Bakugou asked, giving the teacher a sad sort of glance.
The teacher shook her head, not really being able to believe that Bakugou was genuinely asking and not screaming that he demands her obedience, “I’m sorry, but, seats are assigned and it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the alumni if you got to switch and they didn’t.”
Surprisingly, the teacher actually looked apologetic. Probably a sucker for romance.
Bakugou peered down, almost as if he was trying to keep from looking sad, “Ah, I see. No, I understand. You are a just and fair teacher after all, I wouldn’t expect less from you. But, you see, we’ve already been unable to see each other outside from school since we’ve been so busy preparing for our own futures that we’ve hardly had time to think of where she and I will be heading... together! I just fear that we’ll grow apart... after all, we’re already told by so many adults that,” Bakugou sighed and held on to (y/n)’s hand, “Romance... doesn’t exist in an adolescent’s heart. Could it end up being true?”
He ended the blow by giving the teacher a forlorn look straight into her eyes. The teacher seemed to be in tears and the whole class was silent.
Finally, she took a large, shaky breath and nodded, “Yes, I understand. I don’t wish for you to end up believing in what they say about you and,” she smiled joyfully at (y/n), “your girlfriend and end up giving up on a past love like me. NO! Please, take a seat next to her. And, what is this, are you sharing a textbook with each other? Ooh! Romance IS alive still! All right kids! Settle down, I think we’re going to do some partner reading instead.”
Of course there were grumbles, but the closet romantics were silently cheering the couple on.
The teacher came up, wrapped her hands around Bakugou’s, and smiled, “Stay strong!” With that, she disappeared to the back of her desk and pulled out her phone. Perhaps to make a call from a long forgotten lover... or something.
For the next twenty minutes, it was a k-drama of Bakugou leaning in so she could smell the sweet scent of cologne (which he’d never used before), and slight blushing coming from (y/n).
Something was definitely not right. She had seen something from Bakugou in the middle of his speech. Everyone else had seen him as proper and a romantic during it, he seemed incredibly sincere. But the real Bakugou would never dare even attempt to utter such sweet sonnets, and she knew this for a fact.
What made it even more clear was the slight twitch of his eyebrow that showed clear frustration. Bakugou was still in there somewhere.
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