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sweetchup · 3 years

Text

Bi•valve

Noun

an aquatic mollusk that has a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell, such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

AKA

The Most Common Seashell in the Ocean

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Vol. 2: Into the Deep // Ch. 10

Type: Poseidon x reader

Word Count: 3,500+

⚠️ Warning ⚠️: Mature Content

Masterlist

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“This is Triton’s schedule!?” You can’t help but shout out as you are handed the schedule from the butler. Astronomy, Literature, Human History, Mythology, Business, Sword Fighting, Seahorse Riding, The list seemed to go on and on. How could the boy think or even breathe with all of this on his mind?

“Thank you. That’s all for now.” You tell the butler with a sigh as you put the sheet down on the desk, right next to the other stacks of paperwork you had yet to deal with.

It’s been 3 weeks, 3 long and grueling weeks, since your meeting with Scylla. During that time, you have been busy. Not only from etiquette classes and paperwork but also with managing your survival plan.

Yes, a survival plan. You, at first, didn’t want a survival plan—it just didn’t seem that useful—But, after meeting Scylla and learning more, you decided one was absolutely crucial. After all, even in your protected manor, Amphitrite was still a huge threat. Not only just to you either.

With the butler now long gone, you reach down to the last draw of your desk and pull out a couple of sheets of paper. Pieces of paper that laid a simple rough draft of the plan.

So far, you had a Plan A and a Plan B.

Plan A seemed simple. It was to get Amphitrite kicked out of the palace but that was far from as simple it seemed. You thought Poseidon would be rushing to divorce the woman, He hated her after all, But he wasn’t. Working at snail pace was more like it.

“…It seems he needs some sort of push to get her out…” You mumble to yourself as you update a couple of things on the paper. It seemed you would have to come back to this plan later. “…Perhaps I should learn more about Poseidon….”

You quickly shake that idea out of your head. Not a chance. You felt bad for the guy but you weren’t about to become all buddy buddy with him just yet.

“Now as for Plan B…”

Plan B was a lot harder. Plan B was to get Poseidon and Triton to actually have a decent father-son relationship. You, at first, tried having Triton’s schedule free for the past three weeks in hopes Poseidon would stop by. Perhaps to check up on the child now that Amphitrite is gone. But, that was again a wrong guess on your part.

“What to do… I have to at least put one of these plans in soon. It’s not like I can continue ignoring the elephant in the room.” You groan to yourself as you lean back in the chair. On top of your survival plans not working, you had recently discovered that Hermes—who was stopping by a lot—was secretly relaying information to Zeus and the other gods. It seemed they were checking in to see how your progress with seducing Poseidon was going. “I have to kick out Amphitrite sooooon if I want to save myself from facing Zeus’ wrath or, much worse, getting married to Poseidon.”

As you whine to yourself at your bad luck, you miss the door opening as someone sneakily slips in.

“What to do… what to do…” You whine to yourself as you massage your temples, “I have to figure this out soon or—“

Instantaneously, you are cut off as something comes jumping up onto your stomach. Almost knocking you off your chair.

“Huh?” You choke out as you see the familiar head of gold leaning against your chest. His body is smooshed against you as he sits on your lap. Seeming to try to get as close as possible to you, “T-Triton?”

At your call, Triton’s head lifts up to look at you.

“Hello mom!” He says with a smile. A smile that seemed to instantly brighten up the room and your mood. Your depressing thoughts now long forgotten.

However, like everything in the world, things can’t last forever.

“Whatcha looking at mom?” Triton asks as he leans towards the desk to take a look, bringing you back to reality. Casually, well to the best of your ability, you grab a couple of papers and cover them just enough so that Triton couldn’t read them.

“Oh, just paperwork, Triton.”

Surprisingly, Triton seems to perk up at that, “Like what? I bet I can help. Is it finances? Party planning? Invitations? Wages? Fa—“

Quickly, you cut the boy off. “It’s fine, Triton. I don’t need help. Why don’t you go play instead? It looks like a nice day out.”

You are surprised at how Triton lets out a loud huff. Seeming displeased with your suggestion. Unsure of what to do, you sit there frozen. Was it something you said?

“It’s…” Triton mumbles under his breath, the rest of the sentence he mumbles you can’t hear, and you are forced to ask him to repeat. He seems to pause for a moment, seeming hesitant to repeat before finally doing so, “It’s not the same without you….”

“Oh, Triton…” You cood out as you rub the boy’s head, trying to console the boy. A pit of guilt settled in your stomach as you remember that you haven’t spent a lot of time with the boy recently. Especially with being busy and all. “Well…”

You pause as you take a look at the giant stack of paperwork. Could you even leave in the first place with all these things that still need to be done?

If only there was a way to spend time with Triton and get some of the work done at the same time…

As you scan the desk and room for ideas, it suddenly hits you.

“Well. How about you and I pick out your lesson plans?” You suggest to the boy as you reach across the desk and pick up the schedule. The giant scroll-like paper slightly unravels as you loosely hold it in a singular hand.

“Lesson plans?” Triton asks confused as he tilts his head slightly to the side. “Wouldn’t it just be the same as it was before?”

“Not a chance!” You accidentally shout out before catching yourself. Shit, you didn’t mean to raise your voice like that. “This is too much for a boy your age, even if you are god. We need to pick out a balanced schedule that gives you lessons to learn AND enough time to play or relax.”

“So I get to choose…?”

“Pretty much. I mean you would still need to take some classes that you wouldn’t like as some are needed to help you learn as a god. But, if there’s any unneeded classes we will just scrap it.”

…

“Aren't they all needed…?”

At Triton’s confusion, you can’t help but let out a sigh. Looks like there’s still a lot of work to go with helping this boy act and be happy like a kid his age.

“Not exactly. Here.” You grab onto Triton and lift the boy with you as you stand. “It's better to show you what I mean. Let’s go to each of the classes and pick them off one by one.”

“Ok!” Triton exclaims. His eyes wide and sparkly as he holds onto you, just happy to spend some time with you. Precious boy…

As you walk towards the door to leave, you can’t help but note that Triton felt lighter than usual. Had he possibly lost weight since he arrived? You did notice Triton had smaller portions of food compared to you at meal times. That wasn’t good for a growing boy…

“Seems like I’ll have to pay the chef and cooking staff a visit later…”

—.—.—.—.—

What a nice day, you can’t help but note as you stare up into the sea. Sea turtles and rays swimming high above as they make their way to their destinations.

You were currently standing in the empty grass field between the three manors. The same place you met Poseidon on the night you snuck out to find Triton.

Quickly, as the memory comes to mind, you shake it out of your head. That wasn’t important to you right now and that was because of one simple fact.

Today was Triton’s first day back at lessons. It had taken a lot of work and negotiation but you got the boy a healthy and balanced schedule. You honestly gave yourself a pat on the back once you were finished.

Though, on top of the schedule, you also pulled off another impossible stunt for yourself.

“Mom!”

You spin around as Triton comes sprinting over, books in his hands from his History lesson that just completed. You should tell the boy to slow down but you can’t find it in you to do so. Instead, kneeling down and opening your arms for the boy to jump into.

“Oof—“ You squeak out as you catch Triton, accidentally falling over on your back as you do so. You let out a loud laugh, too happy to even care that you embarrassingly fell over in front of some of the servants that travelled from manor to manor.

Triton didn’t seem to care either as his books were astrew all over the sea grass.

“I was so excited for our first lesson today, mom! It was so hard sitting still in the other classes.” Triton shouts out excitedly as he finally lifts himself off of you, allowing you to sit up.

That’s right. The impossible feat you did. You got your own taught class to be placed into Triton’s Schedule.

You called it “Humanity 101” but, in reality…

“Could we try playing kickball today? I saw a lot of human kids playing it down the street when I stayed at your place.” Triton asks excitedly as he looks through the bag of goodies you brought out.

…It was honestly just an excuse for you and Triton to spend time together with your ever so busy schedule.

“Of course we can play!”

Kickball… Soccer.. Board games… The days seem to fly by as you and Triton do your “classes” and before you know it a week has already gone by. Life is brighter during these days to the point that even the ever so plentiful paperwork doesn’t bother you. But, as you’ve learned in your time staying here many, many times, nothing is forever.

“S-Shit…” You mumble out anxiously under your breath as you attempt to distract yourself with the kickball in your hands. You were in the field yet again waiting for Triton to get out of class. The boy had mentioned yesterday as you walked him to sword practice that he wanted to play a simple game of catch for class the next day. But…

What in the world was this guy doing here?

Hesitantly, you shift your gaze over to Poseidon who stood a couple of feet away on the sidewalk. At first when you saw the male, you thought nothing of it. After all, he seemed to be passing through the area with a group of his attendees.

So, why did he stop? You can’t help but think as you quickly shift your gaze away from the male and back down towards the ground. You just didn’t understand why he dismissed his attendees and chose to stand there and watch you.

Well, he technically wasn’t watching you—His gaze was up to the sky—But, there was no doubt in your mind the guy stayed back for you. Could he perhaps be stalkin—

“Mom!”

Just in time.

You let out a sigh of relief as Triton came running over, just getting out of class. He seems to pick up on Poseidon’s presence, staring at his father for a little bit as he walks over, but chooses not to pay it too much attention. Instead, continuing to run up to you.

“Hello Triton—“ You freeze for a second as a shiver goes up your spine. What the hell? What was this nasty feeling… It felt like you had just been thrown in some sort of ice bath.

As you spin around to see what was causing you to feel this way, you almost instantly figure out why. Poseidon was now staring down at his phone, seeming to have gotten a text message or something, and you could tell he wasn’t in the brightest mood from it either. You could practically feel the blood lust from where you were standing.

“You better not take it out on me…” You grumble underneath your breath, instantly regretting it as Poseidon’s gaze shifts up to glare at you. He couldn’t have heard you… right?

However, you weren’t take any chances this time and turned your attention to Triton. Trying to make it seem that Poseidon accidentally heard something.

“Now. Why don’t we get started? I’ll stand about a few feet away and you—“ Your voice trails off at the end as you stare down at your hands. Your empty hands. Where did the kickball go? You just had it— “Ack!”

You couldn’t believe your eyes as you looked, a gasp, at the kickball that was held… in Poseidon’s hands. How did that fucker…

Actually, never mind, you should have realized before that Poseidon was clearly fast as he was not only a god but also, right in front of you, leaped a large distance to stop that jellyfish that tried to kill you.

“Mom, Are we going to play?” Triton blinks innocently up at you, pure puppy eyes that awaited the game of catch that he wanted to play. Shit, you can’t just allow Poseidon to keep the ball now.

“I-I’ll be right back.” You anxiously tell the Triton as you leave his side. Making your way over to Poseidon. You honestly felt like you were the sacrificial lamb approaching the big bad bully of the playground. Except this time, Poseidon wasn’t just a bully picking on you but an all powerful god that could literally snap you in half with his pinky if he so pleased.

“H-He—“ You don’t even get past the greeting to Poseidon before he grabs the back of your head. Holding you still with one hand and the Kickball in the other, Poseidon started to practically curse you out with god knows what. Honestly, it was just a spew of curses along with your name and other things.

However, across the field, what seemed terrifying to you was way different to someone else.

As Triton observes the scene in front of him, he gets even more confused. In Triton’s point of view, he didn’t pick up on your nervous clammy hands or anxious shifting as being something from Poseidon’s glare. He honestly didn’t even pick up on the fact his father was glaring, he just thought that it was his usual stare.

To him, it looked like you two were chatting as his father held the back of your head. Seeming to tease you as he held the stolen kickball away in his other. But… his father doesn’t tease. He doesn’t even joke around. So, what was going on?

Staring… Clammy Hands… Nervousness… Physical Touch…

Triton lets out a small gasp as a thought hits him. It can’t be true, Triton couldn’t believe it.

His mom and father…

were in love.

He didn’t want to believe it but the evidence was all there. If watching any of those cheesy romance movies taught him anything, it was to identify the signs of falling in love.

At any minute, they look like they could possibly ki…

Triton’s face blushes up at the thought. He just couldn’t believe it. Does this mean mom is now his real real mom?

Triton perks up at the thought. That would be awesome.

“I’ll help you, mom…” Triton mumbles underneath his breath as he looks determined up at you two. He will help you two just like how Uncle Zeus was helping you. Like….What do humans call it…? A wingman. Yeah, he would be your wingman.

“Father! Mom!” At Triton’s shout, it was then that Poseidon finally stopped his heavy train of insults. Oh, Thank goodness for Triton…

“I realized I have to go see one of my teachers for something. Why don’t you guys go play instead?”

You feel yourself choke at Triton’s words. What was he saying?! However, before you can even ask the boy, He was long gone. Leaving you and Poseidon alone, with a grip still on the back of your head.

This was a nightmare for you. Poseidon still looks like he wants to kill you at any moment.

“What a pain.” Poseidon grumbles out under his breath, sending shivers up your spine. You know what… Screw Plan A and B. You now have Plan C, worrying about Poseidon’s constant mood changes so he doesn’t kill you in a fit of rage.

“Hey… why don’t we talk thiS— Eep!” You are cut off as Poseidon picks you up. Instead of his usual hold, he throws you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. You just wished Poseidon knew you could keep up with him perfectly fine so he didn’t have to keep picking you up like this. “Where…Where are we going?”

Silence.

Well, at least he wasn’t angry at you anymore, you think with a sigh as you relax into Poseidon’s hold. Accepting your fate as there was no way to possibly escape from him.

Gods… any of them except Poseidon. Please… help…

—.—.—.—.—

“Oooo…” Triton lets out as he peeps from around the corner. His gaze trained to his father back as he left carrying you.

“I didn’t know father could be so romantic.”

“…Hmm? Triton?”

Triton feels himself jump slightly at the voice behind him. Spinning around, he expected to be caught by some sort of maid or teacher but instead, it was someone else.

“Uncle Zeus? Hermes? And…” Triton’s gaze trails over the third person, “Aunty Aphrodite?”

“Hello dear Triton. It’s been a while~” Aphrodite coos out at the boy in front of her. Slightly leaning down to fondle his cheeks. “Goodness me…Look at how much you’ve grown.”

“T-Thank you.” Triton chokes out with a blush, “I-Uh. W-What are you all doing here?”

Zeus can’t help but chuckle out at the nervous attitude of his nephew. Still ever so shy in front of women it seemed. “I apologize for the surprise visit but we are here to see (y/n).”

“See mom…?” Triton questions out as he looks back and forth between the three. He could understand why Zeus or perhaps Hermes was here to see you but, why Aphrodite?

“Ohh~, I’ve brought a couple of gifts for your mother.” Aphrodite explains with a coy smile as she shows Triton a lidded box.

“Really? What sort of—“ Hermes instantly grabs onto Triton as he attempts to check under the lid of the box. “Huh? Hermes?”

“It’s…It’s specifically for Lady (Y/n), Master Triton.” Hermes answers vaguely as Aphrodite and Zeus laugh at the funny moment that just occurred. That was a close one.

“Specifically for mom?”

Calming herself down, Aphrodite explains more clearly, “It’s women's clothes for your mother. Ones that…Oh Goodness, your father can only see.”

“Ohhhh… Ok.” Triton answers, even if he still doesn’t understand. “Well, Mom just left with dad.”

At this Zeus chokes and Aphrodite almost drops the box, Seemingly shocked at what Triton just said. Even Hermes was startled but he still, somehow, keeps a cool head and quickly hides his reaction.

“What do you mean by that Master Triton?” Hermes asks for an alaberation as the other two nod. Thinking they were simply misunderstanding something like Poseidon giving paperwork to you compared to you two actually hanging out.

“Well, Dad stole the ball from mom to tease her.” Hermes and the others feel themselves freeze at Triton’s words. Poseidon…Teasing a human? “So, mom walked over and they started talking… No, flirting with each other.”

“Flirting?” Zeus asks, surprised as he strokes his beard. He would usually take others' words with a grain of salt as they could perhaps be lying but, this was Triton. The boy has probably never even lied in his entire life.

“Yeah, so I decided to leave to give them some space and after I’m gone, I was actually hiding around the corner here, Father picks mom and throws her over his shoulder. They walked that way so… I think they are heading to father’s manor.”

“Oh, Isn’t Amphitrite out today…?” Zeus chuckles out, a nasty thought filtering into his brain. Could they possibly be going to do…

“A-Aunty Aphrodite?” Triton chokes out cautiously, catching Zeus’ attention.

“Oh ho ho. Be careful, Aphrodite. You are scaring the boy.” Zeus says, not exactly meaning his words as he reprimands the woman. Knowing that from how she was crushing the box in her hands and how hard she was biting her lip that she was too lost in her nasty thoughts to even listen.

“H-How Scandalous!” Aphrodite squeals out as she clutches the box to her chest, seeming to grow faint from all her excitement, “Zeus, I need your opinion on this. Could they possibly be—“

Triton’s hearing is instantly blocked off by Hermes as Aphrodite and Zeus continue to talk. The younger boy looks up at his cousin in confusion but doesn’t say anything. The only thought running in his mind being.

Why was Hermes' face turning so red?

Author Note: very Quick author note before I forget. Hahah this was kind of a messy funny chapter so I hope people still enjoyed this one. I wanted a fun moment of misunderstanding to help join into the next chapter thursday. Where Chapter 11 will pick up back with Poseidon and Reader. Also R.I.P Triton. Feel bad for putting my baby through meeting Aphrodite.

Taglist: @angeli-fucking-cat @marixxhq @sproutcorner @orophaea @anime-lover-forever-1127 @fortuna-stella @icy-spicy

#snv poseidon x reader #snv #snv poseidon #record of ragnarok #shuumatsu no valkyrie #shuumatsu no valkyrie x reader #bivalve

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mysterystarz · 3 years

Text

the romance checklist:

summary: a chance meeting with kageyama has you striking up a bet to see if one of you could fall in love with the other before the year was up. cue the romance checklist, a piece of paper that molded your fate and his.

pairing: kageyama tobio x g!n reader

word count: 3.2k

genres + themes: literally pure fluff, reader is a first-year karasuno student, reader is also kind of a romantic

warnings: none

a/n: so this is my first time writing for kageyama and i know he's probably pretty out of character, so my apologies!! this was inspired off some headcannons i wrote for one of my irl friends, and this wiki-how article which i used to structure the actual checklist! to all my lovely kags simps, this is for you <3 (also to all the people who hate angst, you lucked out bc i was about to add an angst part but got lazy)

You had never thought a trip to the vending machine could be so eventful.

It had been lunch break, and you found yourself wandering towards the machine, money in hand as your eyes trailed the snacks. It had become routine to sneak away during lunch hours for this, enjoying the fresh autumn breeze as you bought your snacks. It had always given you time to think and the time to recompose yourself when you didn’t have a clue what to do.

Usually it also provided you with time alone.

That wasn’t the case today though. Standing in front of the vending machines was Kageyama Tobio, frantically pushing the button for milk with a grumpy sort of scowl on his face. From the distance you stood, you could make out his height and the way he tapped his foot continuously, as if he didn’t have the time to wait for the milk to be dispensed from the spot.

Strolling up to the spot, you stood silently next to him, watching the way he retrieved the milk from the slot wordlessly as he walked away, not even a glance in your direction.

You knew full well who he was. In fact, you could barely walk through the halls of school without hearing a murmur about the prodigy setter and his closed off ways. The girls found him intriguing from afar, and while they never dared to approach him, they all wanted to.

You hadn’t really understood what they saw in him. He was average...if not below that in academics, and he seemed to dedicate most of his time to volleyball, not caring much for other people. He didn’t seem to have many friends, and was almost always grumpy.

All of this should’ve been reason enough to avoid him, and yet you couldn’t help but be intrigued. There was something about him that was different. You just needed to find out what that was.

The next day came around, and sure enough, he stood at the machine again, toe-tapping as his milk was dispensed from the slot. This time his eyes scanned the courtyard as if he was seeking something before they finally landed on you.

You weren’t prepared for the full impact of his gaze. It was calculated and pointed, with some sort of intent that was expressed in every inch of those dark blue eyes. You weren’t put off by it.

In fact, it was charming in its own way.

“Are you looking for something Kageyama?” You asked as you walked towards him, pulling a few yen out of your pocket. “You’re staring.”

“I’m not.” He deadpanned, his eyes still trained on you as you selected a snack from the machine’s buttons. “I see you everywhere. Who are you?”

You hadn’t expected that. You knew he was observant...when it came to volleyball specifically, but never realized how it translated anywhere else. “I’m Y/L/N Y/N.”

You weren’t sure what else to say to him. Gently grabbing your snack, you politely nodded at him before leaving him behind, the thoughts rapidly accumulating in your brain. Did he notice you the entire time? Why did he ask? Did he know something? Was he planning to use you as some example to the other girls who wanted to know him?

You wish you had an answer.

Unfortunately, you couldn’t think of any.

It had been two weeks since you had met Kageyama by the vending machines. It had now become routine to expect him there during your lunch breaks, milk box in hand as he regarded your very presence with something that felt a whole lot like curiosity. Every now and then he’d offer commentary on the mundane happenings of Karasuno, or ask about you, but you weren’t sure how you could hold a conversation with just these things.

“Kageyama.” You nodded, strolling towards the machine as you always did. He whipped around almost immediately, offering a solemn nod in return, clutching his milk box.

“Y/L/N.” He murmured, taking a sip of his box.

“Have you ever thought about love?” You found yourself asking, internally screaming at the word choice. Great, now he was going to think that you were some crazy person.

“I think so…?.” Was what he offered in response. His features seemed to soften at this question though as he scrunched his brows in thought. “What type of love?”

You raised a brow at him in question. “Kageyama...what type of love are you talking about?”

“Well...I love volleyball and milk.” He shrugged. “That counts.”

“That...wasn’t the type I was referring to.” You said, suppressing the laughter that bubbled into your chest. “I was talking about the other kind.”

“The other kind is stupid.” Kageyama replied instantaneously. “There’s nothing special to it.”

You felt confusion seep into your system before you quieted it, letting your mind wander. With Kageyama’s status, you assumed that he’d at least thought of the concept at least once, although it seemed that he’d never even pondered the idea altogether!

“You’d have to feel it to come to that conclusion,” you countered, “Have you?”

“No,” he scoffed, “It’s still stupid.”

“Why?” You asked, feeling the curiosity surface. “Any specific reason?”

“Why would anyone want to dedicate all their time to another person?” Kageyama asked straight back, his gaze unwavering. “I just don’t see the point.”

You stared back at him, feeling the challenge bubble in your veins. “I bet...I can make you fall in love with someone by the end of the school year.”

At that moment, the boy in front of you looked thoroughly surprised, throwing his empty milk box at the garbage can nearby. He seemed speechless to some extent, as if he wasn’t able to process the words that had just left your mouth.

“And what happens if you can’t?” He asked, hesitantly bringing his gaze to your face. “What then?”

“I’ll buy you milk for a whole month.” You placed your hands on your hip as you kept your glare firm. “I stick to that.”

“Okay then,” he sighed, “Game on.”

With a shake of your hands, you cemented your fate.

You would win that bet. That much was certain.

“What’s this Y/L/N?” Kageyama asked, pointing at the piece of paper you held at him. “How are you going to win a bet with this?”

The two of them stood in the courtyard of Karasuno, the fresh autumn breeze rippling the paper you held in your hand. It had been a good day so far, and Kageyama had surprisingly stuck to his resolve, meeting you at the vending machine when he could’ve easily avoided you.

It was always more fun to challenge a competent opponent.

“This is the romance checklist.” You grinned proudly. “This has all the things we need to get you to fall in love.”

“How is it fair if you don’t do the checklist’s things too?”

“Well, that’s why I’m doing them with you.” You responded, already anticipating these types of questions. “I drafted the checklist off of the things I’ve observed over the years that should totally lead to feelings of love!”

“Whatever.” Kageyama said, his blue eyes scanning the paper’s contents. “How do you plan to do this?”

“We follow the steps.” You nodded. “Since I’m doing this with you, it’ll be foolproof.”

“Y/L/N...what if we competed against each other?” He mumbled. “We follow the checklist and use it against each other. Whoever falls in love first loses.”

“Do you really want to risk that?” You smirked, “That’s a bold move you’re making.”

Kageyama stood up straighter at this, the challenge burning deep in his eyes. “I’m going to win, so it won’t be an issue.”

“Suit yourself,” you grinned. “I’ll be winning this anyways.”

He simply smirked as he looked down at the paper, the promise of a challenge fresh and bright between them.

STEP ONE: MEET SOMEONE

After a long time, you had finally gotten some free time away from schoolwork and the obligations that pinned you down. It was a rare occurrence with the amount of pressure that the college prep class placed on you, and you intended to make the most of it.

You found yourself on the pathway of a cafe you used to frequent in the summer with your friends. It had always been a place to collect your thoughts and let your worries float away with every sip of one of the immaculately crafted beverages that they offered there. You felt your lips twitch in an involuntary smile at the memories.

“Y/L/N?” You heard a voice call out, a shocking contrast to the normal chattering you heard within the shop. Looking up, you were met with Kageyama’s eyes, narrowed and confused as you sat at the table frozen. “What are you here for?”

“It's a break for me,” you shrugged, “I come here all the time. I haven’t seen you here before.”

“They have good drinks,” Kageyama replied bluntly. A few beats of silence passed between them, with neither of them knowing what to add to the conversation.

“You can sit down with me.” You offered, gesturing to the empty seat across from you. “The more the merrier.”

He didn’t question this as he slid into the seat, fingers drumming on the table as he looked at the window. From your point of view, it was almost picturesque the way he managed to appear. His blue eyes were focused on the trees outside, and his posture was ever so casual and relaxed as he sat there, as if he had no other care in the world.

It was unfair how model-like he managed to appear, even despite the fact he wasn’t trying.

Ah. Perhaps this is what the girls at school noticed.

Once the drinks arrived at your table, the two of them drank in comfortable silence, admiring the flavors on their tongues as their surroundings continued on as normal. You didn’t feel the need to contribute anything to the silence, finding it calming in its own right.

“So Kageyama, are you feeling anything yet?” You teased, setting down your half-empty cup.

“No.” He admitted, setting down his drink as well. “I am supposed to?”

“Well technically no, but it’d be good if you did.” You chuckled, finding amusement in the cluelessness of his ways. “Step one of the romance checklist: meet somebody.”

“We already met though.” He countered, “How does this count as anything?”

“Well, we just encountered each other out of nowhere.” You smiled, “That counts as a meeting in my book.”

He wrapped his mind around this information, nodding solemnly. “I guess so then. I still don’t feel anything.”

“Neither do I.” You said, willing the slight butterflies in your stomach to subside. It was really nothing. This was simply a chance meeting, nothing more than luck and fate that had you encounter each other today of all days.

You shouldn’t have been affected this quickly. You felt far too warm, far too...fuzzy, for a meeting of chance. It was simply far too intimate.

Well, it seemed that Kageyama had gotten the one upon you at this stage.

You’d beat him next time. You knew you would.

STEP TWO: FLIRT

“You look good today Kags,” you smirked, feeling a sense of satisfaction creep up in your veins at his flushed cheeks,

Over the course of the weeks spent together, you had been able to learn more about the mysterious boy in front of you and had even formed a friendship of sorts. For starters, he was flustered very easily, which is why you decided to make your move so early in the morning.

“I look like how I do every day, dumbass!” He growled, the red deepening in his cheeks when you merely winked in response.

Ah yes. He tended to insult those he befriended. That was yet another endearing thing about the boy in front of you.

“No, something is different today,” you commented, “Did you do something with your hair?”

“No,” he frowned, the flush never subsiding from his cheeks. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“I’m just saying genuine things you know.” You laughed, punching his shoulder casually. “Besides, I think I’m succeeding so far.”

“Succeeding? This is that stupid checklist again, isn’t it?” He sighed. “Step two: flirting. What is the point of this again?”

“It’s to show interest.” You remarked. “Besides, if you want me to fall for you, you’re going to at least have to act like you’re interested in me. I know it’s working on you so far.”

“No it’s not!” He yelled, although the defense was half-hearted. You knew he was merely putting up a front. You could tell it from his body posture alone.

You had the upper hand right now.

You waved him goodbye as you entered the Karasuno grounds, climbing the stairs to reach your class as he walked in the opposite direction. Even if you had the upper hand right now, you knew that you had to be on-guard the rest of the day.

If there was one thing you knew very well in the time you had spent with Kageyama, it was that he was extremely competitive. There was no way he’d ever go down without a fierce fight, especially when a month’s worth of milk was on the line.

You had been absolutely right to doubt him.

When lunchtime rolled around, he stood at the vending machine like he always did, leaning against it casually as he waited for you, his focus placed on the entrance.

The first thing you noticed was how calm he was. There was none of his usual frantic energy or the practiced insults that you threw back at one another. He simply stood there, content, as he watched you make your entrance.

The second thing you noticed was how an unconscious smile crept onto his face when you waved at him and slipped away the minute your eyes darted to his mouth. He sipped his milk casually, although you knew that internally, he was definitely scheming.

He could be a gremlin if left untapped.

You were about to purchase your snack in silence, thinking about all the ways he could win against you when you felt his hand on your shoulder. Turning around, you saw him holding out a container of your favorite snack, handing it to you wordlessly.

What?

“I thought I would get it today,” he shrugged, taking a sip of his milk. “You’ve bought me milk sometimes. It’s only fair.”

He didn’t consider it much of a big deal, but you felt your heart begin to accelerate in its pace at the thoughts that came flying into your head.

He had paid attention to your favorite snack? He had actually cared about when you bought him milk?

He noticed all of this?

“You...have a nice smile.” He mumbled, a flush rising onto his cheeks once again. You felt yourself fluster a bit at the compliment, not used to hearing it that often.

“Uhhh thanks.” You exhaled, not knowing how to respond to such an out-of-the-blue remark. “Your smile looks a lot like the Cheshire cat you know.”

For a moment his face was contorted into an expression of horror before he laughed a bit, the low chuckles sending heat straight to your cheeks.

Damn it. His laugh was adorable.

It was a low chiming sound, but it still managed to uplift your spirits in the brief time that you heard it. It was absolutely perfect.

You’d like to hear it again if you could.

A small smile was on his face as he looked to the ground, thinking about something while you took the time to really look at him. Behind the stone exterior, was someone talented, clueless, and amusing in every way you could possibly imagine.

You noticed how his posture mirrored yours, and the way how he smiled when your eyes finally met his own.

Damn it! He got the one-up on you. Again.

STEP THREE: GO ON THRILLING DATES

“Tobio! Let’s go on this one!” You yelled as you dragged him towards the large rollercoaster that caught your eye.

It was a beautiful Saturday with the most perfect weather. Sunny skies met a fresh breeze as you dragged Kageyama around the amusement park you had insisted on going to together. He kept with your quick pace as you went from ride to ride, never once letting go of his hand.

If anything, you were more confused why he didn’t comment on the fact that you had been holding hands that long. Rather he silently followed you from ride to ride, occasionally commenting on how small it looked for them.

From where you stood, the rollercoaster looked positively incredible with the multiple loops and drops in its track. This certainly fit the bill for thrilling. Maybe Kageyama could finally agree to ride this one.

“Y/N, do we really have to do this one?” He asked, his gaze not tearing away from the ride. “Doesn’t it look a bit too small for us?”

“Well if it’s too small, then we can still ride it as a joyride, don’t you think?” You grinned as you shoved him into the line of the coaster. Soon enough, it was your turn as you were ushered into the seats while the employees strapped you and Kageyama into the rollercoaster.

The wait was excruciating, with every second that passed sending a wave of anticipation and adrenaline through your system. Looking to your side, you saw Kageyama’s face, which was composed, even though his fingers drummed rapidly on the bar.

Was he nervous?

Hesitantly, you reached to clasp your hands together, relishing in the feeling of your palm on his as the rollercoaster suddenly began moving, bringing you up the tall lift hill.

“Tobio, are you okay?” You questioned as you neared the top, the grip he had on your hand tightening ever so slightly.

“I’m fine!” He yelled, just as the roller coaster fell over the lift hill, sending them into a plummeting drop.

You felt the exhilarating feeling of soaring as the ride propelled you forward, shouts of glee leaving your mouth ever so often. On the other hand, all you heard from Kageyama was the occasional shout of horror when they encountered yet another drop on the track, the grip he had on your hand deathly tight.

“Tobio! You’re afraid of rollercoasters?!” You shouted as you were guided into a loop.

“No I’m not!” He shouted back, shutting his eyes when he was finally upright again. “They just make me feel like I’m about to die!” When he opened his eyes, they first found yours in a look that was both petrified and fond. “I think I lost the bet!”

“You did what?!” You yelled as the wind rippled in your ears again.

“The bet Y/N! I think I’m in love with you!” He yelled. “I thought I should tell you before we die!”

You felt your heart soar at the words that had just been exchanged, a testament to the budding feelings you had felt for months around him.

“We’re not going to die.” You sighed as the ride finally slowed, feeling exhilarated as you smiled at him. “I love you too.”

Stepping off the rollercoaster, Kageyama was more silent than anything, red flush adorning his cheeks as you massaged soothing circles onto his hand. “We both lost it in the end.” You laughed.

“I think it was worth it,” he chuckled, the beautiful chime, showing you that he meant every word.

taglist (bold cannot be tagged): @moi-bunni @kousukii @littlecatfairy @iwasunshine @kawaii-angelanne @haikyuutothetop @dearkousei @catchmewiddershins @perqabeth @sunarinluvr @elektrosonix @milktyama

reblogs are very appreciated <3

#nova scribbles <3 #kageyama x reader #hq kageyama #hihqnetwork #kageyama fluff #tobio headcanons #tobio scenarios #kegayama tobio #tobio x reader #tobio x y/n #kageyama x y/n #reader x haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu scenarios #haikyu imagines #haikyuu #tobio fluff

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drabbles-mc · 3 years

Text

Fight Night

EZ Reyes & Angel Reyes & Sister!OFC (Mariella Reyes)

Request by @cherieann-2001: 43 for the kiss prompt with Angel/EZ and baby sister Reyes who stands a cute 5 ft 3! (Prompt is from This List)

Warnings: language, alcohol, Angel being a sore loser

Word Count: 1.3k

A/N: For whatever reason, this request made me remember This Fic that I wrote forever ago where I actually drafted up an OC to be a younger Reyes sibling. The two stories aren’t related at all but I just thought that would be a fun fact lol. Hope you enjoy!

Angel/EZ Taglist: @helli4nthus @starrynite7114 @queenbeered @sincerelyasomebody @sadeyesgf @thesandbeneathmytoes @appropriate-writers-name @tomhardydallasstarsgirl @kelpies-shed @beardburnsupersoldiers @louisianalady @gemini0410 @paintballkid711 @chibsytelford @yourwonkywriter @sesamepancakes @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @plentyoffandoms @georgiaaintnopeach @twistnet @themoonandthewicked @garbinge @bucky-iss-bae @enjoy-the-destruction @withmyteeth @encounterthepast @lilacyennefer @rosieposie0624 @mylittlelonelyappreciationtoo @mijop @xladymacbethx @blessedboo @holl2712 @lakamaa12 @luckyharley1903 @masterlistforimagines @kkim120 @toni9 @shadow-of-wonder @black-repunzel99 @crowfootwrites @redpoodlern @punkgoddess-98 @lexondeck @mrsstevenbuchananstark @lovebishoplosamiguelgalindo @amorestevens @angelreyesisdaddy04 @mijagif @frattsparty @winchestershiresauce @bellisperennis0 @mveggieburger @thanossexual @xeniarocks @choochoo284 @littlekittymeow @beardsanddetectives @ly--canthrope @noz4a2

The silence of her street was disrupted by the roar of motorcycles. A smile broke out across her face as she sat on the couch, waiting for when her two brothers would come crashing into her house like a couple of frat boys. It had been a while since they had some time with just the three of them, and she was glad that they caught enough of a break to come over for dinner and to watch the fights. She’d contemplated making a club-wide invite, but the more she thought about it, the more she really just wanted some time with just the three Reyes siblings.

The clamor of bikes went from nearly deafening, to nonexistent as they cut their engines. Mere moments later, the door swung open and Angel came striding through making a ruckus upon entry as usual. EZ was a couple steps behind him, laughing and shaking his head as his brother’s antics.

“Let’s fuckin’ go!” Angel strode into her living room.

Mariella laughed, shaking her head at him from her spot on the couch, “I think you’re more ready than any of these guys are,” she gestured towards the television.

“Psh, nah,” Angel shook his head as he collapsed on the couch next to her, “My boy AJ has got this in the bag. No doubt.”

“He can’t hear you, you know,” EZ chuckled as he kicked off his boots and wandered into the kitchen, “you don’t gotta back him up if you don’t mean it.”

Mariella watched at how differently her two brothers handled themselves. She’d always been a bit more like EZ than Angel, on the quieter side, always more of an observer. But all three of them had very similar senses of humor which made for an extremely fun time when they all got together. She could see it in Angel’s eyes that he was about to turn the conversation into a shit-talking match. And, as much as she loved sitting back and watching those happen, she also didn’t want it getting too out of hand before the fight even started.

“Can I help you find something over there, EZ?” she asked with a laugh as she watched her brother poke around the stove, being nosey as to what she’d pulled together.

“Just checking to see if I should call and get something delivered or not,” there was a smirk on his face.

Rolling her eyes she stood up off the couch and went over to him, playfully shoving him away from the stove, “Never once have you complained about my cooking,” she tapped the side of his head, “Play back the tapes—you know I’m right,” she turned and looked over at Angel, who was texting someone on his phone, “You on the other hand.”

He looked up, eyebrows raised, “What? I don’t complain.”

Both Mariella and EZ laughed, and shook their heads. She started pulling plates down out of the cupboard, “You definitely do. Which is fucking ironic considering how you can’t boil water without burning the house down.”

He flopped back onto the couch, hand over his heart in a dramatic display of pain, “That hurts, Mari. That fuckin’ hurts.”

“Here,” she walked over and handed him a plate full of food, “this should dull the pain a bit.”

He sat up, eagerly accepting the plate but still trying to play it cool, “I’ll be the judge of that.”

The main event was about halfway through, and Angel and EZ had been relentless. Mariella had sat back, thoroughly enjoying listening to the two of them. Truthfully, it was better than listening to the actual commentators of the fight. She drank her way through another beer, setting the empty bottle onto the table with the others.

For whatever reason, despite the fact that Mari and EZ had both put their empty plates on the coffee table with everything else, Angel’s was still resting in his lap. Every time he waved his arms around, or went to jump up off the couch and stand up, he’d have to fumble and catch it before it fell to the ground. A couple times she tried to get it from him, and was met with him swatting her away saying that he was going to go back for more after the next round was over. It never happened, of course, and the balancing act continued. Mari chuckled, shaking her head at herself just as much as him—she always told herself that she should start using paper plates whenever they came over.

Somehow, they made it through the twelve rounds of the fight and no one accidentally broke any plates or spilled any beer. There were a couple close calls, and Mariella made sure to remind her siblings that any stains on her carpet or couch would have to be taken care of, or paid for, by them. It was just enough of a threat to keep them cautious.

“Pay up!” Mariella held her hand out to her brother, “Told you he wasn’t gonna pull this off.”

“Wait,” EZ looked back and forth between his brother and sister, “you guys had money riding on this?” he turned to Angel, “You said you weren’t betting this.”

“Yea,” he dug his wallet out of his pocket, pulling out a few bills for his sister, “not with you.”

“He thought it’d be an easy bet to win against me,” Mariella chuckled as she swiped the bills from him, “Sucker.”

“Bro,” EZ shook his head with a smile, “You’ve never won a sport’s bet against her. Ever.”

“Figured tonight would finally be my night,” Angel shook his head as he shoved his wallet away, “Apparently not.”

“Here,” Mariella took one of the bills and handed it over to EZ.

Both the Reyes boys looked at her with confusion on their faces. EZ took the money hesitantly, “What’s this for?”

“Compensation for all the ranting and bitterness you’re gonna have to listen to when you guys leave. Plus, you called the fight same as me,” she laughed as she tucked the money into the back pocket of her jeans.

“Can’t believe you bet behind my back,” EZ shook his head at Angel, “I expected that from her, but you?”

“Just out here tryna make a buck, Boy Scout,” Angel replied with a shrug.

“And yet,” EZ flashed the money in front of his brother’s face, “you’re the only one who didn’t make any.”

Angel shook his head slightly, “I’ll snatch that money right outta your fuckin’ hands, EZ.”

“Only if you’re quick enough,” EZ joked as he tucked the money into his pocket.

As EZ and Angel got ready to head out for the night, Mariella couldn’t help but to stand back and listen to the two of them bicker and joke with each other. Things had been stressful for them lately, and she knew that free time for them was difficult to come by, but she enjoyed having them over when they had the time.

“I’ll bring leftovers to the clubhouse tomorrow,” she leaned against the doorframe as they made their way out onto her front steps, “Since neither of you have smartened up and learned to bring the truck.”

“Pops only lends it to you all the time, you know,” Angel replied with a shake of his head.

“Actually, I think you’re the only one he doesn’t lend it to,” she laughed and gestured to EZ, “I see him cruising around all the time.”

“Fuck both you guys,” Angel laughed as he pulled her into a hug, squeezing her a little tighter than necessary before kissing the top of her head, “Love you, Mari. Talk to you tomorrow.”

She laughed, nodding as he made his way down the steps, “Love you too.”

“Thanks for dinner,” EZ kissed right where her hairline met her forehead, “Love you.”

“Love you too,” she gave him a playful nudge towards his bike, “I’ll let you get the good bets next time.”

He turned around and smiled, “You better!”

#mayans mc #mayansmc #mayans fx #angel reyes imagine #mayans mc imagine #ez reyes #ezekiel reyes #my writing #fanfiction #drabblesmc #oc mariella #oc mariella reyes #oc mari

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purecantarella · 3 years

Text

My Ball of Sunshine

my tags and posts are still blocked, but i hope that the people who see this still enjoy❣️also, BELATED TZUYU DAY! also, i live for clichés so leave me be HAHAHAHA highschool AU : nerdy!chou tzuyu x athletic!reader disclaimer : some hate speech and curses, just be wary and don't do this to other people.

Since you were a freshman, you were the school's golden student. Perfect grades, linebacker for the school team even a candidate for captain, running for team captain, healthy social life, and it helped that you were easy on the eyes for both men and women. Everyone wanted to either be you or be with you. There was no in between.

You were the sunshine of the entire school.

So it came to the surprise Chou Tzuyu, the resident quiet average student, when she caught your eye.

The both of you had gone to the same school since you were in elementary school. You'd always briefly passed one another while never actually acknowledging each other's existence. But even so, both your eyes were on each other when neither of your attention was on the other.

It had been one of those serendipitous moments. The rain had started coming down hard, cancelling your team's practice, when you'd formally met Tzuyu for the first time. You were driving home when you saw her fallen over, picking up her soaked textbooks, scratched up knee, dirtied uniform, and wiped away the tears that had had melded in with the rain the chilled her to the bone.

You pulled over hastily and got out the car to help your peer. You covered your head with your hand, squatting down to help her collect herself. Her eyes went wide seeing you of all people. You looked up at her surprised face, a laugh bubbling up through your chest as you picked up her books.

"Come on, let's get you out of the rain, yeah?" You offered, beckoning her to the car.

Once inside, safe from the rain. You reached into the back to grab one of the many hoodies that you had stashed there in case of emergencies. Carefully, you placed the jacked around her, brushing the wet hair from her face. A blush coated her usually pale features as you fussed over her.

When you were sure that she was at least relatively dry, you offered her your usual bright grin. Tzuyu's heart jumping at the sight of your warm smile. As for you, upon seeing her curious brown eyes, pink lips, and her soft and adorable aura, butterflies erupted in your stomach. You bit the inner layer of your cheek gently before saying, "Uh, hey, I'm Y/F/N."

A her lips quirked up into a fleeting but blush-educing smile. She shook her head. "Yeah, I know who you are." Tzuyu leaned back shyly, in attempts to hide the blossoming color that had begun to stain her cheeks. "I'm Chou Tzuyu."

From then on, it wasn't like you could ignore her any longer. The Taiwanese girl was in every one of your classes and even on some occasions you caught her eyeing you during lunch when before her friends giggled at her broken demeanour.

Not long after that, you gave into your desire and began courting her in secret. It was often that Tzuyu would find notes in her locker talking about how amazing she was or how you were happy to be there for her if ever you were needed. Of course the apex came when you were both partnered together for a project.

Like what was previously mentioned, it'd felt like serendipity.

"Chou!" You called, running down the busy school hall. The tall girl had looked back to you, the flutters in her stomach appearing at the sight of your familiar smile. "How about I drive you home again today? So we can work on the project today." You offered, the sparkle in your eye mirroring that of a pup seeing their favorite chew toy.

She tilted her head to the side curiously. "Don't you have practice today?" Tzuyu asked softly

Again, you chuckled softly. The aura around you remaining the warm and welcoming one that brought the other girl so much comfort. "As important as football is to me, I want to give time to other things that are valuable to me." Your teeth snagged your lower lip softly. Thinking for a moment. "That is, of course, if you'd want me to."

Tzuyu controlled the urge to coo at your adorable blushing face, the way your head tilted down in a way it never did usually. You were confident and it took a lot to faze you. So seeing the way you played with your fingers, shifted from side to side, the warmth from your aura had seeped so far into her chest. She could only nod, making your eyes light up like stars.

"Great! Here let me..." You trailed off, taking her books in your hand before leading her to your car in the lot. Catching the eye of almost all the by standing students. You walking some random girl out, holding her books, and most especially, driving away with her was a huge deal.

In a matter of hours, people were texting both of you non-stop, which did trouble Tzuyu a little but she couldn't dwell too much on that with you being a mere table away. Your eyes were dedicatedly trained on the laptop in front of you. Typing away, researching everything you needed for the project. A smile graced her lips, you really were the golden student everyone praised. As you craned your neck, seeking some relief from the tension, your eyes landed on the tall girl startled and her gaze shooting back down to the references before her.

You made an attempt to conceal your smile as you stood up to sit beside her. Wordlessly continuing your work. After a while, both of you gradually scooted each of your seats closer to the other until both your hands were flushed against one another. Tentatively, you moved your hand slowly to intertwine your fingers with hers.

Tzuyu honestly had no complaints, she sat there, reading the same page over and over again. Her focus long gone from the books in front of her. Then again, the soft tapping from your side had ceased a little bit ago as well.

The two of you just sat there, feeling the warmth of each other's hands. Letting the memory mark in your minds. Not long after that your mom had called, prompting you to come home. Tzuyu didn't hesitate to walk you to your car.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" You asked, opening the car door slightly, your bag lazily slung over your shoulder. She nodded, a wide smile gracing her lips. You mirrored the smile and fully swung the door open. She stood there, silently waiting for you to say something more while you hesitantly entered the vehicle. The tall girl disappointedly and slowly made her way to their house door.

Your vision lingered on your classmate before you thought, 'fuck it.' Your fingers thumped the wheel briefly before you rolled down your window. "Hey Tzuyu?" You called as she whipped back to face you hastily. You bit back the smile that had wanted to erupt onto your lips. "Would you, uh, maybe be okay for me to pick you up before school tomorrow? We get some coffee and get to know each other?" You asked, your head sticking out the window.

The smile on her face returned, eyes turning to crescents before she nodded enthusiastically. "I would love to, Y/n." Your blood rushed at the sound of her voice saying your name. You bit your lower lip before nodding and driving away, leaving the tall girl to place a hand on her forehead. Her cheeks hurting from the growing smile on her face. Meanwhile you your gaze flicked from her form in the rear view to the street, your lip caught under your teeth.

"Oh sweet Lord." You whispered to yourself, running a hand through your hair.

The next morning you stood there nervously tapping at your bag quietly. The cold morning air blew against you and made you shudder despite the thick varsity jacket that you had draped over your shoulders. You were spacing out, listing out the potential things that could go wrong.

A door quickly opening and closing snapped you out of your daze. You looked up and saw the Taiwanese beauty in all her glory. You could tell that there was a little more effort in the light make-up she usually had on but you didn't mind. You pushed yourself off of your car to help her once again with her books.

"Good morning, miss Chou!" You greeted her with a small yet still gleaming smile. She responded with a soft, "Hello." To which the grin on your face grew into a toothy one. You moved to open the car door for her before placing her belongings carefully in the back.

She quirked a curious brow upon seeing your clean backseat. "No piles of hoodies this time?" You laughed softly eyeing the now free space. "That day was an exception. Had I known I would pick you up that day, it would have been clean." You said making her giggle softly.

"Sure," She said rolling her eyes and leaning into the seat.

You looked at her ensemble. It was the school's standard uniform but you noted that she had no way to cover herself from the draft that circled the South Korean air. You slipped off the jacket that you wore and offered it to her. Her brown eyes went wide as she stared at it.

"It's not a big deal, I promise. It's just that it's extra chilly today and I don't want you to get cold." You explained quickly, hand still out waiting for her to take the school jacket. Tzuyu took it quietly before pulling it around herself, savouring your earthy scent that lingered on the fabric.

"Let's go?" You asked before starting the car and pulling out of the driveway.

After you'd gotten some coffee, you'd realized there was little to no time for you two to sit and chat. So you decided to get to school and hang out during lunch. You pulled up and helped her out of the car. Both of you could feel eyes on you both the moment you walked out. Not only did you both exit the same car together, but she was clad in the jacket with your last name embroidered on the back.

She shied away from the glances of the other students. Seeing her unease, you took her free hand in yours. "You're fine...Okay? I've got you." You assured her quietly before she offered you a shy smile.

Once her books were in hand you both made your way into the school, hands still tightly intertwined together. Her locker was already swarmed with jealous girls and cocky looking jocks that you didn't particularly like too much off of the field.

"Y/n!" One of the jocks called, a dumb smile on his face as he eyed Tzuyu. You maintained your composure and gave him a warm smile. "Hey, what's up?" You greeted meekly in attempts to keep the interaction short.

"Just didn't know you were with Chou Tzuyu." He paused to whisper in your ear. "Fine piece of ass don't you think." Your jaw immediately clenched at his crude words. You felt the shorter girl beside you flinch only doubling your anger yet your expression still stayed the bright and cheery one.

There was no need to get involved with any drama.

"We aren't together, man. I invited her to coffee 'cause I wanted to get to know her better." You tightened your smile. "No fuss in that right?" Tzuyu looked up at you, seeking some form of safety from the jocks and mean girls who surrounded her locker. You glanced down at her, trying to bring her some comfort.

"You could do better if you'd ask me, Y/n..." A snarky girl said, checking her nails. With her words, Tzuyu shrunk under everyone's gaze. Even yours. That's when your gaze shot to the girl who'd spoken. The aura around you immediately changed. The hallway went quiet as they saw your expression darken. Once warm and welcoming eyes turned hard and bore holes into the shocked girl's.

You pondered for a moment, releasing Tzuyu's hand briefly to shove your hand in your pocket. Your stance adjusting so you towered over all of the student's. "But I didn't ask you did I?" You sneered at her.

"What I do or who I hang out with is none of your business. In all honesty, I don't even know any of you all that well." You looked around. "But you have no right to speak to anyone, much more her, that way and if you think that I'll take all of this lying down, you've got another thing coming. You've got me coming for you." You said lowly but it resonated in their ears.

"Do I make myself clear?" You asked, your expression cold and unnerving.

Everyone nodded and dispersed at the loud ring of the bell. Once everyone had left, your shoulders fell as well as a held breath released. You turned back to a stunned Tzuyu. Your expression softened as you saw her still petrified.

"I'm sorry about them...and about that whole scene." You said softly, almost remorsefully. The silence hung over you both. While she was surprised you had that side to you, she couldn't help but feel giddy that it was because of her that that side came out at all.

Tzuyu offered you a small smile before leaning up to peck your cheek quickly. "Thank you for trying to defend me." A heat rushed up to your cheeks before you cleared your throat awkwardly. "Uh, can I walk you to class?"

She wordlessly took your hand and leaned into your touch. Your ears pricked up at the action and you both made your way to her first class.

'This is going to be different than I thought...' She thought to herself as she looked up at the little ball of sunshine that was you.

okay this was kinda messy but bare with me HAHAHAHAHA in any case though, i hope you all enjoyed this! again, this wasn't my best but after every revision this went though this was one of the best. i'm working through some stuff HAHAAHH anyway, requests are open and criticism and opinions on my work are completely accepted. i think some of my functions are working as early as when i post this but my tags i believe are still broken. uh anyway, keep safe everyone and i will see all of you very soon 💖 taglist: @labrachrosite

#twice #twice imagines #twice fluff #twice tzuyu #twice x reader #tzuyu imagines #tzuyu x reader #kpop girl group #kpop x reader #gxg #girl group imagines #highschool au

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yellowsuitcase · 3 years

Text

Bliss // Draco Malfoy

Request: i was thinking it would be really cute if the plot is like it’s draco and y/n 1 year anniversary and they’ve never ya know and so they both decide they’re ready before their anniversary rolls around so on their 1 year he makes the day special and all romantic and the room with rose petals and everything and is super loving and careful and sweet with her since it’s their first time

A/N: This sat in my drafts half-finished for so long and I fINALLY got around to finishing it, thank god. Hope you enjoy!

Summary: It’s Y/N and Draco’s one year anniversary and they have big plans.

Warning(s): SMUT!!! Loss of virginity (male & female), swearing, (pretty) soft sex.

Word Count: 2.9k

{Not my gif}

Y/N’s leg was jumping up and down as she sat in her last lesson. She’d been anxious the entire day. It was early March, the second to be exact. This happened to be her and Draco’s one-year anniversary, and the pair had big plans for that night. A few days ago, Draco had asked Y/N if she was ready. It wasn’t hard to figure out what he was implying. They had agreed early into their relationship that sex wasn’t a must-have for them. But after a year of being absolutely infatuated with one another, they decided their anniversary would be the perfect day.

Now that the day had come, though, Y/N realized she was terrified. She feared it wouldn’t be good that she wouldn’t be good. However, she also knew she loved Draco and that if he truly loved her too, she had nothing to worry about. Her anxious thoughts were interrupted by the bell. Without hesitating, Y/N dashed from Flitwick’s classroom and started making her way towards the library. Draco had explicitly instructed her not to come to the common room until after dinner, so she had quite some time to kill. What better to do to distract her than burying herself in her schoolwork?

Y/N took a seat at a desk in front of the far-end bookshelves. Snape had assigned yet another essay. With a sigh, she pulled out parchment from her school bag as well as her quill and got to work.

-------

Y/N woke with a start. She found herself lying on top of her essay, a bit of drool had dribbled onto it. Hastily, she wiped her mouth and took in her surroundings. She was still in the library. “Fuck,” she muttered. The sun wasn’t in the sky anymore; the only light in the library was from the sparsely placed candlesticks. Y/N sighed and began packing up her things, ready to take a nice shower before bed. However, as she was stuffing her quill back into her bag, she remembered Draco. A steady stream of cuss words flew from her mouth as she jumped up from her seat and ran out of the library. Fuck, I’m gonna be late. Will Draco be upset with me? Fucking hell, how did I even fall asleep? She asked herself as she dashed down the dungeon steps.

Soon enough, however, she arrived at the door to the Slytherin common room. She uttered the password and practically threw herself through the entryway, causing some Slytherins to look at her. Y/N paid them no mind; she made a beeline for the boys' dormitory, not stopping until she reached Draco’s room. It was only then that she was able to take a deep breath and prepare herself for what was to come. She was feeling so many different emotions all at once; excitement, anxiety, eagerness, fear. Yet, despite all that, she placed her hand on the door handle and turned it open.

She was expecting to see Draco sat at his desk, but what she saw instead brought tears to her eyes. The room was dark, only lit by candles. Soft music was playing from a record player, and upon looking at the floor, Y/N saw scattered rose petals that led all the way to Draco. He was standing across from her dressed in a casual yet charming green sweater, his hands behind his back. “Hi,” he said. Y/N, whose hand was over her mouth, shook her head.

“Draco, this is...you didn’t have to do this,” she replied as she began walking towards him. He, too, started walking until both of them met halfway. Y/N looked up at him and saw him smiling at her fondly. Then, he drew his hands from behind his back and presented her with a red rose. She gasped and gently took it from his hand. “Draco, I don’t know what to say. I didn’t have time to grab your present, I fell asleep in the library, and I thought I was gonna be late, so I—”

Draco placed a finger over her rambling mouth, silencing her. “You are all I need. And I don’t care that you’re late, you’re here, and that’s what matters,” he whispered, pulling her close to his chest. Y/N released the tension in her shoulders as Draco began stroking her head, his arms wrapped around her, making her warm. She felt so unbelievably lucky to have a boyfriend like the one cuddled against her. Of course, she’d heard about romantic gestures such as this, and she’d definitely seen them in movies, but never ever did she think someone would do it for her.

Slowly, Y/N felt Draco pull away. She looked at him expectantly and watched as he gulped. He looked nervous. “Are you ready, love?” he asked, his voice barely audible. Y/N could see that he was afraid. She nodded and took his hand into hers.

“Okay,” he breathed. “I must admit I am a bit...afraid, I guess.” Y/N was shocked that he had just confessed this to her. Typically, it would take hours of poking and prodding to get Draco to admit he was fearful of anything. Yet, he’d just willingly declared it to her. She planted a soft kiss onto his knuckle.

“I am too. But I trust you,” Y/N assured him. He couldn’t fight the toothy smile that appeared on his face.

“I trust you too,” he replied. Y/N held her breath as Draco leaned in close. She closed her eyes and felt herself melt as he pressed his lips against hers. Her arousal had been growing all day, and despite her nerves, she couldn’t help but moan when he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She felt him smile as his hands found her waist. A shiver ran down her spine as his cold hands slid upwards beneath her school shirt. Y/N kissed him eagerly, but Draco retained his slow pace. His hands caressed her body as they searched for her bra. She gasped into his mouth as his nimble fingers found it and shakily unhooked the clasp. He dragged her bra off her shoulders and down her front, pulling away to toss it elsewhere.

Y/N found herself growing confident; she reached for Draco’s sweater and yanked it upwards, successfully untucking it from his pants. He laughed as she pulled it up and off his body, leaving his chest bare. Giving in to her temptations, she put her hands on his chest, feeling his heated skin.

Draco pulled her against his body and dove his head forward, connecting his lips with Y/N’s neck where he began sucking. She closed her eyes and started rubbing her thighs together, desperate to hurry things up, but Draco wasn’t having it.

“Slow down, darling. We have all the time in the world,” he told her, his voice sweet and comforting. Y/N groaned as he reached behind her and grabbed her ass, squeezing it playfully. He ignored her pleas for him to touch her and instead began undressing her further. Her shirt went first, and Draco immediately felt her breasts, kneading gently.

"For a virgin, you are quite eager, aren't you?" he teased, making Y/N blush.

Y/N loved the feeling of his hands on her, and she found it pretty funny how his eyes gleamed at the sight of her tits. But then his hands traveled downwards, fondling the hem of her skirt. Y/N looked down, waiting for him to pull the fabric off her, except he didn’t. Instead, his finger guided her face upwards. He laughed at her confused expression.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked as he tapped her clothed hip, a smirk on his lips. Y/N nodded, she knew what was coming, and even though she was afraid, she knew Draco was gonna make her feel good. With her permission, her boyfriend slipped his fingers into the waistband of her skirt and her panties. He kissed her gently as he slowly pulled the fabric down her hips, her thighs, and all the way to the floor. Y/N blushed; she was now acutely aware of her nakedness and couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

It seemed as though Draco noticed this since he hastily reached for his belt, undoing the buckle and shoving his pants down, letting his cock spring free. Y/N bit her lip when she saw how hard he was, how hard she made him. Now that he was naked, Draco reached for her hand. He gripped it firmly as he led her towards the bed. Y/N crawled onto it and laid on her back, immediately crossing her legs. Draco tutted as he, too, got on the bed.

“Don’t hide from me, love. You’re beautiful, and I want to see all of you, please." Y/N could tell his words were genuine, so she slowly spread her legs, exposing her bare pussy to him. “Bloody hell, Y/N. I’m so glad I get to be your first.” Y/N felt the urge to close her legs again, his words sending butterflies to her stomach. But instead, she reached up and pulled his face close to hers. They kissed sweetly, softly. Draco was nearly dizzy from the anxiety running through his veins, but her kiss helped calm his nerves. When she pulled away, he inhaled deeply.

“What?” Y/N asked worriedly. Draco shook his head, dismissing her concern.

“Can I...can I touch you?” he asked, his voice cracking. He had been confident when Y/N first came to his room, but now that they were actually about to do the deed, he felt ten times more afraid.

Y/N felt her heart speed up, but she gave him a nod and watched as he positioned himself between her legs. What she wasn’t prepared for was the shock of pleasure when his fingers stroked her labia. “Holy shit,” she breathed shakily. Draco glanced up at her in panic, ceasing his movements. However, when Y/N bucked her hips against him, he continued stroking. He kept his steady motion until he felt his finger brush up against something. Hesitantly, he placed his fingertip on top of it and gently circled it.

“Oh!” Y/N gasped. She closed her eyes and grabbed Draco’s forearm, holding him still. He stopped his finger and, with his other hand, began stroking Y/N’s thigh.

“What’s wrong? Did it hurt?” he asked, feeling panic return. But then Y/N shook her head.

“No, that’s my clit. Do it again, please,” she begged, her muscles tense. Draco did as she asked and began rubbing his finger against and around her clit. He watched in amazement as she bucked her hips and began squirming, soft breaths falling from her lips. Draco switched his finger out for his thumb. While still stimulating Y/N, he slowly slipped his pinkie finger inside her.

“Oh my god,” she whimpered.

“You’re so tight,” Draco told her as he began sliding his pinkie in and out, slowly but steadily prepping her. After a few minutes, he gradually added another. A sharp hiss from Y/N, however, stopped him in his tracks. “Are you alright? What’s wrong?” he asked frantically.

“It hurts-”

“We can stop; it’s okay,” Draco quickly cut in. But Y/N shook her head adamantly.

“No, I want to do this. The pain has already started to fade just...just go slow, okay?” Draco leaned forward and pressed quick kisses all over her face, not stopping until a smile appeared on her lips.

“I’ll go as slow as you want me to darling, I’ve got you,” he assured her as he started rubbing her again. Y/N nodded and bit her lip as the tingly feeling returned. She couldn’t help but roll her hips, wanting more friction. Draco took this as a hint to add another finger, so he slipped his middle digit inside. He had to take a moment to close his eyes when he saw Y/N’s pussy clench around his fingers. “That feels good, love?” he asked.

“It’s starting to. Keep going,” Y/N replied. He heeded her words and slowly began expanding his fingers within her, stretching her out. Y/N continued rolling her hips and breathing heavily. In and out, in and out. When Draco deemed her properly prepared, he withdrew his fingers, causing Y/N to whine. He laughed lightly as he reached towards his nightstand and reached into the drawer. Y/N’s eyes watched as he pulled out a condom and ripped the paper, but just as he was about to roll it on, she grabbed his wrist.

“Let me,” she whispered. Draco had to hold back a moan as she slipped the condom from his hands and placed it on the head of his dick. He gripped the bed sheets and watched his girlfriend gently slide her hand down his cock, bringing the condom with it. Draco thought he might lose himself just from that, but he quickly closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. When he opened them again, he found Y/N laying on the bed again, legs spread. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking if she was ready. She replied by making grabby hands towards him.

Excitedly, Draco grabbed her thighs and pulled her body towards him until her pussy touched his dick. Y/N gasped and, before she could control herself, bucked her hips. “Shit, if you keep doing that, I won’t be able to hold back,” Draco warned. Y/N completely ignored him and proceeded to grind on him, letting her body give in to her urges. Her boyfriend groaned and savored the feeling before pulling away. He then rubbed his fingers against her. “You’re so wet,” he remarked as he used her arousal to lube up his cock. Once he finished, he looked up at Y/N.

“You ready?” he asked, checking in once more just to make sure.

“Yes, please. I want to feel you,” Y/N whined. That was all Draco needed to hear. He aligned the tip of his cock with her entrance and, while taking a deep breath, pushed himself inside, not stopping until all of it was swallowed by her cunt.

“Motherfucker, you’re so big, oh my god,” Y/N cursed, her eyebrows scrunched together as she waited for her body to adjust to his size. Draco gripped her thighs, trying to hold himself back from pulling out and slamming back into her. She felt so good around him. He could feel her walls pulsing against his cock; it was beginning to drive him wild. But then Y/N started wriggling and moaning.

“Move,” she demanded. Draco wasted no time; he pulled his hips back until only his tip was left inside her, then he slowly pushed forwards, groaning as his dick was once again enveloped in her hot pussy. “You feel fucking amazing, Y/N, shit,” he cussed, continuing to fuck into her steadily. Y/N didn’t reply; she felt breathless as he slid in and out of her. And when his hand returned to her clit, she nearly screamed. The room filled with sweet sounds of moans and pants as the couple made love.

“Faster Draco, please,” she begged, reaching for his hand. Draco quickly intertwined his fingers with hers and gripped her tight. He began to pick up his pace, watching as Y/N arched her back and moaned. “I think I’m getting close,” she whimpered. This made Draco go even faster, her words egging him on.

“So tight around me, baby. So fucking good,” Draco babbled, his teeth gritted as he slammed inside her. Y/N lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, allowing him to get a deeper angle into her pussy. She let out little yelps each time his cock hit that spot inside her. She knew her orgasm was approaching. With the way Draco was rubbing her clit and pounding her cunt, there was no way she’d last long.

Draco took notice of Y/N’s desperate moans and clenched fists. “Let go, darling. Cum for me, cum on my cock, baby,” he husked, encouraging her. Y/N shut her eyes and squeezed Draco’s hand as her body jolted, and her orgasm washed over her. The pure blissed-out look on her face sent Draco into a frenzy. He clenched her hand tight and sent a few more sloppy hard thrusts into her before he too reached his high, moaning loudly as he did.

Each of them halted their movements, desperately trying to catch their breaths. Eventually, Draco pulled out and disposed of the condom. Then he flopped down onto the bed beside Y/N, gently pulling her into his arms where he hugged her tight and pressed soft kisses to her nape.

“I love you so much, that was...fucking insane,” he whispered, smiling when he heard her giggle.

“It was way better than I ever could’ve expected. I love you too, Dray. Thank you.”

Y/N turned around in Draco’s embrace and faced him. She reached up and stroked his face, completely enamored by him. Never had she felt so safe, so blissful. There was nobody else she would’ve wanted to lose her virginity to, and she was so glad he had lost his tonight as well. Sure, it was sweaty, awkward, teenage sex. But it was loving and gentle, and most importantly, it was with the love of her life. Sleep soon started to overtake her, and her thumb stopped rubbing Draco’s cheek. But Draco was drifting away too. The couple entered dreamland peacefully, their still sweaty limbs entangled with one another's.

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#draco malfoy #draco fanfiction #draco malfoy x yn #draco lucius malfoy #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy imagines #draco #draco malfoy x you #harry potter fanfiction #draco fluff #draco x you #draco smut #draco malfoy smut #draco x reader #draco malfoy fluff

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tsunonotarou · 3 years

Text

Torn

— Leona Kingscholar —

— Malleus Draconia —

notes — Inspired by @tri3tri ’s amazing Draconia Family Series! When I first found it I gave up sleep just to binge read all of them 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

— This is actually a Leona centered fic but it was inspired by Malleus fics so I’m putting him there (´∀｀*)

— I didn’t write what exactly happened so you guys are free to interpret it however you guys want to!

— I deleted the 4k+ words draft that I worked on back and forth in exchange for this I hope it’s the right choice (´･_･`)

: female reader

wc: 1216

*Malleus is a yandere in this piece.

Your eyes searched for one among the crowd. One man. Hoping to meet summer green eyes and chocolate brown hair. Does he still have his braids on? Is his hair still long? Does he have a spouse now? Like you? Is he even here?

You doubt it. This isn’t something Leona would attend—willingly, anyway—but he said he invited the Kingscholars. Your husband had said so, which explains why you weren’t allowed to go anywhere alone in this party. You were glued to the king’s side, his hold on your waist was secure, tight enough to give you a constant reminder but not enough to raise suspicions as to how rough and possessive Malleus Draconia was of his queen.

For an instant, you thought you saw someone familiar drift through the crowded area, heading towards one of the doors, the doors that led to the outdoor garden. You would’ve convinced yourself that it was your eyes playing tricks on you but that person’s destination tells you otherwise.

Of course, he wouldn’t be the only one to want to go to a garden—out of this suffocating place—but you were too impatient to care. You wanted to see him.

Besides, who else would give up a chance to meet and talk to the king of the Valley of Thorns? Only he would. People were surrounding the two of you and it was uncomfortable, hearing loud chatters and high pitched laughs.

The king is in need of urgent businesses, you heard one of the guards muttered, and your heartbeat quickened at this information. Secretly hoping for his arm to drop and leave your side.

It did, and you immediately took off to find that person after making sure Malleus was out of the room. Lilia was busy with guests, too. You have no eyes on you currently, it was a relief.

You hadn’t known how exhausted and out of breath you were until your footsteps halted, standing on healthy green grass instead of marble floors and having the evening breeze caress your skin. Your heart was hammering in its cage and you could feel how fast it was beating, how frantic it was. How your hands shook no matter how you try to calm them by clenching and unclench.

There was no one.

You were ready to head back but just a little more, just a little more of searching after all these years. After all that’s happened. You don’t need a conversation, you don’t need to reminisce, just one look, one look and you’ll be satisfied to know how he’s doing—

A surprised sound left you—it was ugly and embarrassing—as you instinctively stepped back, you could still feel the softness of— whatever it was that you stepped on just now.

What has gotten into you? You weren’t this clumsy before but you have been a mess ever since this day came.

“Tsk...getting forced to come to this stupid party and then having my tail stepped...what is wrong with today?”

Huh?

Clammy hands clenched the front of your dress, gaze slowly cast down, seeing a swishing tail and you followed them, seeing familiar Afterglow Savannah robes.

“Oi, woman. You’ve got some nerves stepping on my tail and not apologize.”

Isn’t this a little familiar?

You sucked in a deep breath, not realizing you were holding them in. Leona took it upon himself to step back a little after he stood to his full height, you’re a little close and you don’t look like you want to get away any time soon.

Weird. Leona thought. Have I met her?

Nonetheless, he was still annoyed at your behavior. Standing there doing nothing but gaping at him like he’s some—

“Leona.”

There was something about the way you called his name. Something that made him pause in his place, feeling something but never getting enough information on just what it is.

Your lips trembled and your head quickly bowed, refusing to stare any longer, couldn’t bear to stare any longer. Leona thinks you’re gripping the fabric of your dress a little too tight. Are you alright?

“I’m sorry for stepping on your tail.” The words were out quick but Leona never misses the shakiness in one’s voice, his hearing is exceptionally good, after all.

This doesn’t look normal. This whole situation doesn’t. Leona feels like he’s missing something but he doesn’t know what, and this feeling frustrates him to no end.

He scoffed. “You know me?” He was surprised that someone even knows his name. “Of course I know you.” You said it matter-of-factly, a little too quick.

Leona hummed, shifting his weight to one side as he rested his hand on hip, raising a brow at the lady before him, your eyes hesitantly came up to observe.

He was still the same. You wanted to smile but you probably shouldn’t. You kept them in and for a moment you two enjoyed the silence shared. Leona doesn’t know why he haven’t walked away.

He wants to ask something. Should he? It would be weird, wouldn’t it? No, who cares? He wants answers so he’ll get them.

“Have we—”

“My love.”

Leona growled at the interruption, by him, moreover. His eyes followed Malleus’ arm that snakes around your waist, pulling you close and sending a smile your way.

Malleus turn to face him and Leona could feel his eye twitch in annoyance, he wanted to not meet him, despite being in his territory, he just wants everything to get over with.

Suddenly he doesn’t feel the urge to ask you anything anymore.

“And what business do you have with my wife, Kingscholar?” Malleus emphasized the word, as if fearing his intimate actions towards you weren’t enough to show signs. Leona rolled his eyes.

“Nothing of your concern.” He retorted. Leona had to conceal his surprise at the news. As far as he knows, the Valley of Thorns doesn’t seem to fancy talking about their queen a lot—unlike Afterglow Savannah where both are mentioned and deeply respected.

He also heard rumors that the queen was once a magic-less human being forced turned fae, hence receiving disapproval. How absurd.

“I’m leaving. You’re ruining my mood.” Leona directed the words to his former schoolmate before casting one last glance at you. He walked away, you were silently pleading him not to.

The coast was clear. No one to bother, no one to eavesdrop, no one to interrupt.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Malleus questioned coldly, staring down onto your trembling form on the ground as tears flowed uncontrollably. It’s been a while since he’s seen you being this emotional. It ticked him off, knowing that another man was able to make you feel this much. “Get up, we still have guests to entertain.”

You didn’t move, so Malleus kneeled on one knee beside you, leaning close to your ear before whispering: “I hope you hadn’t forgotten what happened three years ago, and what I am capable of.”

That seems to do the trick, as you have stopped your childish tantrums and finally took his hand to stand back up. Malleus wiped the tears from your cheeks tenderly, his touch ever so cold to you.

“I will discipline you regarding your behavior later. Now, come. Do not make me use force.”

#leona kingscholar x reader #malleus draconia x reader #yandere malleus draconia x reader #leona kingscholar #malleus draconia #twisted wonderland

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godofdystopia · 2 years

Text

Sasha Waybright: Massive Weeb

So this is my first attempt at a semi-fluffy Sasharcy story.

This was pretty much born from 'Mother Olm.' the minute that Sasha called the Calamity powers ' Cool anime powers' I pretty much decided then and there that this girl was a massive anime nerd.

I also wrote this because The Beginning Of The End just straight up murdered me. I am dead, this was written by the ghost of a Marcy kinnie.

I tried to make this as angst free as I could and yet here we are.

So this is a story where Sasha slowly becomes a massive Anime nerd. There'll be hints of Sashannarcy here and there, but this story will primarily be Sasharcy.

i had thought i had posted this story this mnorning, turns out i just saved it as a draft so whoops!

Potential TW: talk of divorce, unresolved issues about divorce, pre-amphibia Sasha being pre-amphibia Sasha.

With that out of the way, sit back and relax with chapter one of Five Times Sasha Nerded Out Over Anime.

and the one time they nerded out together.

Sasha tried to be a good friend, really she did.

She kept a tight control over Anne and Marcy, making it so that whatever they did it would be for all three of their best interests. She’d seen what a collapsed relationship looked like and the thought of Anne, Marcy, and her ending up like her parents frightened and sickened her.

Almost as much as the thought of Marcy, Anne, and her being married made her feel… strange. Happy, for some reason, but strange.

So Sasha, out of the kindness of her heart, made sure that Anne and Marcy were at their best at all times. That anyone who looked at either of them, even when she herself wasn’t around, would say to themselves ‘Those are two very popular girls, I should probably leave them alone cause I'm not cool enough to talk to either of them.’

Truly, Sasha was a good friend, and she certainly tried.

“... meaning that the entire time, there were colossal titans inside the very walls themselves! Can you believe it, Sash? Of course we don’t know the real reason for that until later, when it’s revealed that the walls are- oh, what am i saying? I was about to spoil the big twist for you! I mean, I guess I already spoiled the wall thing but…”

Sasha tried, she really did.

Sasha tried to retain as much info as she could, but keeping up with Marcy when she was in full infodump was a completely futile effort. Especially when it was about something that she didn’t know about.

Sasha wasn’t really into anime all that much. She’d never really watched much of anything animated to be honest. She was a reality show girl who enjoyed watching messy people cause drama on screen.

“... still can’t believe the shape of the world! I mean, it’s just our world but upside down. A lot of people theorize that it’s a symbolic representation about how the world is, metaphorically, upside down with the Eldian Empire and the Marleyan Empire but i think…”

What was Marcy even talking about?

Sasha had maybe followed when she was talking about german people living behind big walls who flew through the air with cool devices. But then Marcy started talking about her fan theories every five minutes and quickly she got lost as Marcy went down the rabbit hole of tangent after tangent.

Sasha tried, she really does.

“Mar-mar, could you maybe slow down?” She asked as the girl jumped in surprise.

“Sorry Sash! Just wanted to try and convince you to watch it. I mean, it’s a great show and-”

“And you’ve been talking about it for almost half an hour now.” Sasha tried to say it as gently as she could, but she could hear a little frustration leak into her words.

She winced as she saw the moment of hurt on marcy’s face.

“Sorry, i just- sorry.”

The two girls sat in awkward silence as they waited for the third of their trio to show up.

The silence lasted only a few minutes.

“Sooo, are you going to watch it” Marcy asked hesitantly. Looking at Sasha out of the corner of her eyes.

“Probably not, sorry. Got other shows to watch, you know?” She replied, tapping her foot against the sidewalk.

There they waited until Anne finally raced out to join them, and all awkwardness was forgotten. And Sasha forgot all about the show.

**********

Sasha was so bored.

She’d pretty much abandoned her homework (Algebra, yuck) in favor of texting to her friends. Anne and Marcy seemed to be clogging up the groupchat by talking about something to do with the Thai Go. So Sasha went over to the cheerleader groupchat to drill them over practice and upcoming performances.

But that was done with, so she was left with nothing.

The homework was basically done at this point (thanks to the wonderful Mar-mar, who got A’s without trying at all) so there was nothing left to do.

The blonde sighed and began mindlessly scrolling through Netflix, waiting for something to pop out. She checked the movie section but nothing appealed to her. Well, Netflix did just acquire streaming rights for War of the Warlocks, but Sasha only ever watched that movie with Anne and Marcy and it would feel wrong to do it alone without the other two.

And so she had nothing.

She kept scrolling through when her eyes fell upon the sight of a particularly eye-catching logo: an angry brunette with twinblades, yelling and charging forward on some old timey rooftop.

Attack On Titan.

‘Isn't that what Marcy was infodumping about on the walk home?’ She thought to herself. She vaguely remembered the word Titan thrown around a lot so it seemed to be right.

Sasha glanced at the time on her phone. Her dad wouldn’t be home till later, probably drunk, and her friends had gone offline to do whatever. So she really had nothing better to do.

‘Fine, I'll give it a shot I guess.’ She thought to herself as she got up to grab some chips to eat while she watched. She’d give it an episode or two to see what was what and then tell Marcy she’d watched an anime.

It 's not like i’m going to like it or anything’ she thought to herself as she sat back on a beanbag and pressed play. She nuzzled into the plush chair and sat ready.

A goose flew across an orange sky as dramatic music played in the background. A group of children looked horrified by this.

“At least the animation is good.’ She thought to herself as she watched.

“And on that day, humanity received a grim reminder.”

**********

“Get through the gate already! It’s coming!” She yelled at the screen as the garrison troops rushed to try and close the gate while a giant armored titan sprinted towards the closing doors like a Quarterback.

The big armored titan crashed through the gate, sending splinters of wood and rubble flying everywhere before coming to a stop.

‘Man, if anyone on the football team ran that fast, maybe we wouldn’t be losing this season.’ Sasha thought to herself as she watched the big titan blow hot steam out of his jaws.

Okay, maybe this show was cool.

**********

Maybe this show was awesome actually!

The new recruits of the 104th had just finished their training (And holy shit Mikasa grew up hot!) when the colossal titan showed up, kicked down the door like it was Shiganshina, and then disappeared.

Now everyone was ready to go out and slay titans pouring through the new wall opening. Sasha was breath taken as she saw them fly through the air on 3DM gear, looking like superheroes as they did.

These were the heroes who would save the world, and Sasha felt herself get caught up in the excitement. She cheered them on as they flew across Trost, prepping to face down the titans.

Then the massacre began.

**********

“What? No! Not you Annie! You were my fave!”

Sasha was furious and sad. Annie, her favorite girlboss, just turned out to be a traitor. She could turn into a titan just like Eren could. And helped massacre squad Levi.

I mean, when she actually thought about it, she supposed it made sense because Once Eren could turn into a titan she thought about if anyone else could.

Still, it stung.

Almost as much as it stung to admit Annie was still a badass.

Her and Eren battled it out in the streets of Trost, pretty much wrecking the place as they did so. It was like that Godzilla movie that Marcy and Anne had begged her to go see with them, the one where the human characters took up way too much screen time.

Was still a fun movie, especially since her and Anne mocked the poor choices of the characters all throughout like old timey movie critics or those old muppets who lived in a theater box.

“Come on, Eren! Kick her ass!” She cheered. She barely noticed the soft rays of noon shining on her.

Spending hours and hours watching something throughout the night well into morning, and then past morning, would do that to you.

**********

Markus Waybright hadn’t seen his daughter throughout the entire weekend.

She’d come home on Friday, said she’d do some homework but would be down later, and had only ever come down since then only to acquire food or go to the bathroom. From the look of it, she had been up for hours and hours, not even changing her clothes.

Markus wouldn’t admit to being the best father, but he was at least better than what that horrid she-beast claimed in the divorce proceedings so he was starting to get worried.

He stood in front of the oven, waiting for his leftover pizza to finish reheating so he could go back and start watching the Sunday night game. Looked to be a good one, he wondered if he could convince Sasha to come down and-

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” A voice wailed from the floor above him and Markus launched into action: He sprinted towards the stairs and took them three at a time as he all but flew towards Sasha’s room, his worry growing to near fatal amounts as he heard sobbing coming from behind her door.

He all but tore the door off his hinges as he leapt into the room. “Sasha! Are you alright? Are you okay! What’s… going… on?”

His voice trailed off as he finally took in the scene and just felt, well, confused.

Sasha was still in her pajamas, sitting on a beanbag in front of her tv. A number of empty chip bags and soda cans were littered around her as well as a tissue box. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were red rimmed. she blew her nose and sniffled as she turned a teary gaze onto him.

The screen showed one of her friends' weird japanese cartoons. Some weird hunched over giant creature that looked like a naked mutant was galloping away into the sunset while a blonde girl in a brown military jacket cried for someone named Ymir, probably the monster, to come back.

It cut to a japanese girl carrying some weird brown haired boy with deep eye lines away on her back.

“So uh, you’re fine the- oof!” Markus braced himself as his daughter got up and launched herself at him, wrapping him in a teary hug as she babbled about something that went right over his head.

“Dad! Ymir turned out to be a titan but her and Christa were still in love with each other except she got kidnapped by the traitors and now she’s going off with them and Christa is so sad and, and, and-” She kept crying as on screen, some giant armored man ran off with another, different, brown haired boy in his weird skinless hands.

“You, um.” He swallowed and tried to think about what he was supposed to say about all of that. He wracked his brain for some sort of answer and found none. Finally, he simply just awkwardly patted her on the back. “Why don’t we go down and watch some football?”

Sasha just stared at him disappointedly through her tears. At least she wasn't crying anymore. She kept watching him before sighing and, walking back to the tv, put her weird japanese cartoon thing on pause.

‘Huh, didn’t know Netflix carried things like that.’ He wondered as he saw the logo.

He and Sasha walked back downstairs and Markus put the weirdness out of his mind.

**********

Sasha laughed as Anne made another strawlrus. She knew it looked lame, and she’d definitely need to nip whatever jokes came from this in the bud before they came back to Anne, but she just enjoyed herself.

“Hi girls!”

Sasha and Anne looked up at Marcy’s voice, watching the taiwanese teen run up to them through the lunch crowd. She beamed at them, bouncing on her heels as she stared.

“You okay Mar-mar?” Anne asked her.

“DidyouguyswatchAttackOnTitanyetcauseireallywanttotalkabouteverythingwithyouguysbutidontwanttoannoyyouifyouhaven’tyet!” Marcy said in such a rush that it was near impossible to separate the words from themselves.

Sasha and Anne worked it out in their heads, putting sounds to different words so they could respond.

Sasha wouldn’t lie, she’d actually been hooked by the get go. She hadn’t thought she’d enjoy it but my god was she wrong! The plot was gripping from episode one and she loved every minute of watching Eren and his two friends fighting in a world out against them.

Maybe she did sometimes picture Her and the girls in their places, it would be fun as hell if not for the man-eating monsters.

But the twists. Oh, the twists! Reiner and Bertholdt were the traitors alongside her girl Annie!? She’d felt as betrayed by that as Connie was! Ymir was a titan and also maybe from somewhere else? And her and Christa were maybe gay!

Sasha couldn’t explain why, but she felt weirdly invested by the relationship between the blue eyed blonde and her darker skinned friend and whether or not they were gay for each other. She couldn’t figure out why though.

Either way, Sasha was hooked like a fish.

Which made her feel extra bad about blowing it off before.

Sasha had made her lack of interest clear. She had tried to be somewhat kind about it, but she probably failed. She’d told Marcy she hadn’t planned on watching it.

She couldn’t go back on that now, it’d make her look weak! The girls would needle her over caving and then things would start to go wrong, arguments would rise, and before she knew it they’d be sleeping in separate rooms!

… Okay, maybe she wasn’t as over her parents' divorce as she liked to believe.

“Eh, didn't get around to it.” Sasha lied, scrolling through her phone notifications… and trying to ignore the white hot spike of guilt she felt from Marcy’s incredibly brief look of disappointment and sadness.

Whatever, Marcy knew how much Sasha cared for her.

She’d get over it.

#amphibia #amphibia spoilers #sasha waybright #marcy wu #sasharcy #fanfic #i needed some semblance of this #of sasha enjoying marcy's interests

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deus-ex-mona · 3 years

Text

The Case of Yamamoto Kodai

Happy Birthday Kodai!

This is one of the stories from the Koiiro ni Sake novel, namely Kodai’s one moment of fame!

pdf version

Yamamoto Kodai was unable to forget that incident, which had happened in Middle School.

“Yamamoto-kun, lend me your glasses!”

Before he could respond, fingers much thinner than his reached out and grabbed his glasses. Despite Kodai’s confusion, the girl put on his glasses.

“Whoa! Everything’s so blurry…”

“I would think so. The lenses have a degree.”

“Hmm, I guess I really shouldn’t mess around with glasses,” the girl had said, quickly returning the glasses to Kodai. He wondered why she had even decided to try on his glasses.

“Truth is…” the girl continued, as if she had noticed Kodai tilting his head in confusion. “I was just curious about how the world looks like to you, Yamamoto-kun! Just kidding.”

“...I think it’s rather normal, though.”

“That’s not true. You’re a bookworm, and you always pay attention to the people around you, Yamamoto-kun! That’s why I wanna figure out how to reach the heart of a casual bystander like you.”

Kodai had been stunned into silence. The “Yamamoto Kodai” that the girl had spoken of did not seem to resemble him in the slightest. Reading certainly was a hobby of his, though he did not think it gave him any useful skills thus far. And while paying attention to others around him did sound like a good thing, he really just liked to observe people. A “casual bystander” was just a term that she had used for the fun of it.

(And you can just say words to reach another person’s heart, anyway…)

But, if the girl had said so, it must have been so. After all, her words had the power to bring smiles to the people around her, so Kodai was inclined to believe in those words of hers.

“The world I see is always changing around me.”

“Eh, really? Why? And how?”

The person who had changed Kodai’s world was completely oblivious to it.

Kodai just laughed ambiguously in response to the girl’s questions.

“It wouldn’t hurt to tell me,” she had puffed her cheeks, before laughing as well.

She had a dazzling smile, just like the midsummer Sun.

~✿~

After school, a fragrant scent filled the Japanese Language department room, the source of which seeming to be a silver mass atop the stove.

Kodai snorted, and Akechi-sensei, who was checking a draft, looked up at him. “Yamamoto, do you like roasted sweet potatoes?”

“I don’t hate them, but…”

“But?”

“I’m wondering why roasted sweet potatoes are being cooked in the department room.”

“It’s fine, I’m keeping the room well-ventilated.”

No, that was not the problem at hand.

Kodai wondered if he should respond with a punchline, before eventually nodding hesitantly with a sigh. “Haah.”

(Akechi-sensei really is a free-spirited person as always, huh?)

Even though he taught Classical Literature, he wore a lab coat for some reason. He was able to gain the support of his students, regardless of their genders, because he did not act like the other teachers, as seen from his casual words and mannerisms.

When Kodai thought about it, Akechi-sensei’s trivia-based lessons had a reputation for being easy to understand and not boring to sit through.

Kodai wondered if the phrase “hard to comprehend” was the best way to describe Akechi-sensei as a person. In that regard, Akechi-sensei was similar to Shibasaki Ken, also known as “Shibaken”, who was Kodai’s acquaintance from Middle School.

(Well, in Shibaken’s case, it’s easy to understand him if I hang around him for a bit.)

“By the way, about this article,” Akechi-sensei put the draft on the desk, seemingly having finished checking it over. He had written some comments on it with a red pen, though there did not seem to be any major corrections to be made.

“Thank you for your hard work.” Akechi-sensei’s facial expression had relaxed. “Only a few details need to be fine-tuned after this, so I’ll take it from here.”

“I’ll leave it to you. Thank you,” Kodai had responded formally, though he was secretly relieved in his heart.

The draft Akechi-sensei had been checking was the draft of the school newspaper, which was scheduled to be published the next week. It would not be published without the approval of the club advisor, so the publication must be revised repeatedly to prevent blank spaces throughout the issue. Worst case scenario, the blank spaces would be filled in with photographs and drawings.

Though, to be honest, there were cases when they had no other choice due to time constraints, but Kodai had no such excuse this time. It was due to the fact that the people that Kodai had interviewed were First Year students of different clubs, including Kotaro and the others.

(If that article gets published, I’m sure that the seniors will…)

“Ah! It’s Nacchan-senpai and friends!”

“Senpai, please drop by the club later.”

Kodai suddenly heard cheers from outside the room. Although they would not normally be audible, the windows of the room were opened slightly for ventilation, as Akechi-sensei had said earlier.

“Are Enomoto and her group still there?” Akechi-sensei, who had stood up from his chair without Kodai realising it, looked out of the window.

To put it simply, Third Year students were supposed to have returned home after their morning classes had ended. The only times when they would stay back after school would be to take elective lessons, or to attend either club activities or committee meetings.

“Oi, you Third Years over there!” Akechi-sensei opened the window before leaning out of it.

As a cold breeze blew in, Kodai escaped to the front of the stove in the centre of the room. Meanwhile, Akechi-sensei was conversing with the students outside.

“If you have some free time, why not stop by?”

“Huh? Why should we?”

(Ah. That voice sounded like Serizawa-senpai.)

The names Kodai had heard earlier were “Nacchan-senpai” and “Enomoto”, so he had assumed that Enomoto-senpai was with her close friends, Aida-senpai and Hayasaka-senpai.

However, if Serizawa-senpai was there, all of the members of their group were probably there as well.

There were many ways to refer to them, such as “The Year of Success”, or the “Golden Generation”. But in any case, the six of them were definitely a group of stars in Sakuragaoka High School.

Simply put, in terms of name recognition and general fame, no one could compete with Narumi Sena, who actively modelled for magazines, as well as appeared in television commercials. However, Enomoto-senpai, who was an “ordinary person” also had something that attracted others to her.

All six members of the group had such characteristics as well.

The first one that would come to mind was probably Serizawa Haruki-senpai. It was said that if he filmed a movie, he would definitely win an award for it. He was also called a “competition troll” by some groups. In addition, he was good at taking care of others, having the temperament of a big brother. He was also known to be popular amongst his juniors, especially the boys.

Hayasaka Akari-senpai, the Club President of the Art Club, as well as Aida Miou-senpai, the Vice-President, were both regular participants in art contests. They seemed to be commended at every school-wide assembly, and their works were often displayed on the walls in front of the art room and the reception office throughout the year.

Enomoto Natsuki-senpai, who was in the Art Club as well, had received fewer awards than the two of them. However, she was a mood maker, no matter where she went, and she had many fans amongst her juniors, regardless of their gender. She was also the older sister of Kotaro, Kodai’s friend since Middle School.

There was also the person who was rumoured to be dating Enomoto-senpai, Setoguchi Yu-senpai. Setoguchi-senpai excelled in both sports and studies, and was tall in height, so he was known to be a prince-like character amongst the girls. He was also selected as Mr. Sakuragaoka High School that year, as well as the year before that. Just like Enomoto-senpai, Kodai knew him to be the older brother of Hina, whom he called “Setoguchi-san”.

And the sixth member of the group was Mochizuki Sota-senpai. He had started the Movie Research Club with Serizawa-senpai and Setoguchi-senpai, and was the Vice-President of it. Along with Enomoto-senpai, the four of them were childhood friends, and Mochizuki-senpai was called “Mochita” by them. He was also known to be an easy person to talk to.

(But the truth is, Mochizuki-senpai is the one who maintains the balance of the group.)

At least, that was how it looked to Kodai. Mochizuki-senpai and his group of four childhood friends had attended the same Middle School as Kodai. He was two grades apart from them, so he had only attended school together with them for one year. Even so, they had left a strong impression on him.

“So anyway, please keep the roasted sweet potatoes a secret,” Akechi-sensei looked back, closing the window in order to leave just a small gap open. Since Kodai was in the same room as him, he had probably thought that Kodai was listening in on the conversation.

However, as Kodai had shut out external information when he was lost in his thoughts, he had no idea as to what Akechi-sensei had been talking about earlier. He briefly wondered how he should reply to Akechi-sensei, before ultimately deciding to just be honest with him.

“I’m sorry, I spaced out.”

“Ah, you didn’t hear me earlier? The Third Years are on their way over now, but I’m wondering when I should start to divide the roasted sweet potatoes into eight equal parts.”

What he had missed was more ridiculous than he had expected… Well, it seemed to have been a pointless conversation to begin with.

“Haah,” Kodai replied with a sigh, before beginning to point out the facts. “But, even if I’m silent, I think you’ll be able to tell based on the smell.”

“...Right, that’s how it is, right? Whoa, what should I do?!”

Whether he was being serious or if he was joking, Akechi-sensei raised his hands and flailed them around, as though he was performing a strange dance. As Kodai watched him blankly, he heard the sound of footsteps along the corridor.

“Oi Saku-nii, we’re here.”

“Pardon my intrusion! Ah, it smells good.”

“There are roasted sweet potatoes? Right?”

“What’s the fuss about roasted sweet potatoes these days?”

The moment the door opened, the seniors began talking all at once. In order of speaking were Serizawa-senpai, Enomoto-senpai, Mochizuki-senpai, and Setoguchi-senpai, namely the group of four childhood friends. Hayasaka-senpai and Aida-senpai were watching the fast-paced conversation with smiles on their faces.

(The seniors look like they’re on good terms as always…)

Such a scene, which he usually saw from a distance, was now happening right in front of him. Kodai felt a little strange about it.

“Ahem! Unfortunately for you guys, these roasted sweet potatoes belong to the Newspaper Club,” Akechi-sensei cleared his throat as he stood between the seniors and the stove. He wore work gloves on his hands as he removed the roasted sweet potatoes, which were wrapped in aluminum foil.

(I see, so that was the matter with his hands.)

Although he had his strange moments, Akechi-sensei was an adult after all.

“Eh!” Enomoto-senpai shouted, unable to come up with a good rebuttal.

“Then, sensei, what is the ‘good thing’ you were talking about?”

“Wait, Saku-nii, you said that these belong to the Newspaper Club. So why are you holding on to it?”

(Hm? Did Serizawa-senpai just say “Saku-nii”...?)

Kodai thought that he had misheard the first time, but he was now certain that Serizawa-senpai had called Akechi-sensei “Saku-nii”.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to call me “sensei” when we’re at school?” Akechi-sensei smiled in exasperation at Serizawa-senpai’s sassy remark.

Kodai wondered what the kind of relationship that the two of them had with each other was. As he pondered over it, his shoulder was grabbed by a hand that had extended out from the side.

“The only people of the Newspaper Club that are here right now are Yamamoto, a member, and me, the advisor. Got it?”

“Saku-nii is the advisor?! Is this for real, Kodai?”

“Yes. The teacher who was in charge of the club till last year was transferred out.”

“See, I told you so. Wait, the two of you get along with each other?” Akechi-sensei had a rather smug expression on his face for a bit, before his eyes began to sparkle in curiosity the next moment. Unlike Kodai, he seemed to be well-versed in managing his facial expressions.

“It’s cuz Kodai’s friends with Natsuki’s younger brother, Kotaro.”

“Natsuki and Yu are next-door neighbours, so we occasionally meet face-to-face,” Mochizuki-senpai added as a supplement to Serizawa-senpai’s words.

“I see,” the corners of Akechi-sensei’s mouth lifted as he listened to their explanation. “So is it similar to what it’s like between Haruki and me?”

“When you put it that way, the relations between me and Kotaro, as well as Hina, would be something like that, huh.”

(So that means that Serizawa-senpai’s sibling was friends with Akechi-sensei.)

Kodai was surprised, but he found that they had a pretty nice relationship. As he thought about that, he suddenly found Serizawa-senpai glancing at him.

“I don’t see Kodai that often, but he’s kinda like a nephew to me, right?”

“Huh, well.”

When Serizawa-senpai gave a lively reply to Akechi-sensei, Mochizuki-senpai huffed from his spot next to him. “A nephew…! Wouldn’t it be better to say that he’s like a younger brother?”

“Right? I’d rather be a big sister to him than my actual little brother,” Enomoto-senpai nodded enthusiastically, the bun atop her head shaking along with her movements.

“Speaking of that, shouldn’t you be more disciplined, like an older sister should be?”

“Hey, Yu, don’t say things like that even if you do think that way!” Enomoto-senpai whacked the shoulder of Setoguchi-senpai, who had poked fun at her with a serious expression on his face. That was a familiar sight to see as well.

“By the way, Akechi-sensei, what’s the ‘good thing’ you had mentioned?” Mochizuki-senpai asked, suppressing his laughter.

“Ah, right. Actually, the draft for the next issue of the school newspaper is ready.”

“Eh,” Kodai involuntarily blurted out. He was surprised to hear that the draft he had written was the ‘good thing’ Akechi-sensei had mentioned.

“This next issue will have lots of literary masterpieces. I have high standards as an advisor, you know?”

Ignoring the stunned students, Akechi-sensei hummed as he arranged the draft on his desk. When he placed a printed out photo next to the draft, Hayasaka-senpai gasped. “Wow!”

“Nacchan, your brother’s featured in this! Look, here.”

“Where, where? Ah, it’s true! And the photo’s really big too?”

“He’s the rising star, he’s amazing, isn’t he?”

“Right, right?” Enomoto-senpai nodded enthusiastically at Aida-senpai’s words.

(I’m glad. Enomoto-senpai looks so happy…)

“Yamamoto was the one who was in charge of this special feature.”

“Hey, Akechi-sensei…”

The eyes of the seniors all suddenly honed in on him.

“Amazing! So you’re the one who wrote this, Yamamoto-kun.”

“...It’s only because it’s my turn to do so this time around,” Kodai immediately looked down to the floor, blinded by Enomoto-senpai’s dazzling face.

Around the same time, he heard a mystified voice from Serizawa-senpai. “But it’s pretty unusual. Aren’t Third Year students usually featured in the school newspaper at this time of year every year?”

“Ah, that’s… Something like a parting gift, of sorts…”

“Parting gift? Wait, then what’s up with this special feature?” he had asked in confusion, though he received no response.

When Kodai looked up, he saw Enomoto-senpai and the other seniors looking at each other in wonder.

“Aah!” Mochizuki-senpai’s voice rang out, echoing through Kodai’s blank mind. “The special feature’s our juniors’ way of reassuring us that they’ve learned from us properly.”

“I see, that makes sense,” Serizawa-senpai agreed, him and the other seniors having been convinced by Mochizuki-senpai’s words, judging from the expressions on their faces.

When Kodai finally felt relieved that the awkward air had cleared, Setoguchi-senpai suddenly opened his mouth.

“Hmm, that’s pretty good! Ah, but this is also a secret from the Third Years in the Newspaper Club, right?” Setoguchi-senpai asked, speaking with confidence.

(They’re amazing, how did they find out?)

Kodai bowed his head to his seniors, as he tried to seek a favour from them. “Y-yes. So I’d appreciate it if you kept it a secret until it’s published…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on someone over here to ensure that she doesn’t accidentally let the information slip.”

“...Yu, why’re you looking at me? It’s rude!” Enomoto-senpai raised both of her hands in protest.

Without taking a step towards her, Setoguchi-senpai smiled as he spoke. “The day before yesterday, I wanted to surprise Hina and her friends, so I remember asking you to keep it a secret that I bought pudding from the Haniwa Store. Though, who was the one who blabbed about it to Kotaro?”

“People tend to let stuff slip when they panic. You have to be careful too!”

(I haven’t seen the seniors interact like this before.)

Speaking of which, Kodai was unable to feel the sweet atmosphere that tended to surround lovers from the two of them, who were bickering away like that. He wondered if it was because they were childhood friends, who had already known each other for a long time.

“Natsuki and Yu, that’s enough from you both.”

“If you want to continue to go at it, do it when you’re alone with each other.”

Serizawa-senpai and Mochizuki-senpai seemed to be mocking the two of them. However, even though Kodai noted that they “seemed to be” mocking them, as far as their facial expressions were concerned, they were only half-teasing them.

Though, at the next moment, Setoguchi-senpai and Enomoto-senpai started talking at the same time again. Heaving a sigh at the sight, Serizawa-senpai and Mochizuki-senpai began to snicker. Aida-senpai and Hayasaka-senpai also joined in, their bright laughter echoing around the room.

(...I wonder if I should get going soon.)

Kodai shifted his gaze around as he searched for the person he was looking for. Akechi-sensei had already moved from where he had been standing next to Kodai, having returned to sitting at his desk.

“Sensei,” Kodai called out softly, amidst the excited chatter of the seniors, who had already moved on to a different conversational topic.

Akechi-sensei looked up with a mildly surprised expression, though it quickly turned into his usual smile. “What’s wrong? Wait, is this about the roasted sweet potatoes?! Give me a sec, okay?”

“Ah, no…” Kodai paused as a roasted sweet potato was cleanly cut in half before his eyes. He accepted the roasted sweet potato, unable to correct Akechi-sensei in time, before returning to the main subject again. “I need to report to my seniors that my draft has your approval, so I’m done here.”

“I see. Ah, be sure to ask Takai-kun if he has edited the postscript.”

“Got it.”

Bowing a little, Kodai quietly left the Japanese Language department room. As soon as he closed the door, he heard a burst of laughter from within.

(Th-that surprised me…)

He pressed a hand to his shirt, where he could feel his rapidly beating heart beneath his palm, as he walked down the corridor. The lively area from earlier seemed like a lie, considering how quiet it now was.

(Ah. I wasn’t able to ask Mochizuki-senpai about his screenplay.)

~✿~

“By the way, guess what I heard from the class next door.”

The next day, as the three of them headed towards the school cafeteria, Shibaken spoke up as though he remembered something. Kodai wondered just what he was talking about. When he glanced at Kotaro, he was looking at Shibaken with a similarly suspicious expression.

“You heard something. So what?”

“There’s a queue to confess. You know, to that Third Year girl Hayasaka Akari-senpai.”

“A-a queue to confess? What the hell is that?” Kotaro’s eyes widened.

“Huh, you really don’t know about it?” Shibaken replied with a question.

“This is the first I’m hearing of it too. People who want to at least confess to Hayasaka-senpai before she graduates are lining up to do so… or something like that, right?”

“Kodai-kun, full marks to you!”

“So there’s such a thing. Hayasaka-senpai is crazy popular, huh,” Kotaro sighed.

Kodai nodded. “Well, it would be more troublesome if they ran up to her to confess.”

Unlike Enomoto-senpai, Kodai had not talked much with Hayasaka-senpai and Aida-senpai. He happened to meet them several times face to face, just like they had the previous day, though the only times when he made conversation with them had been when he was interviewing them for the school newspaper. But even so, those interactions were enough for him to know that the two of them were nice people.

He figured that having to turn down confessions would be a considerable burden on her.

“I wish Hayasaka-senpai would just accept someone’s confession already.”

“She’s not like you, Shibaken,” Kodai reflexively responded, before frowning in remorse.

Up till then, Shibaken had never refused being asked out by someone else, but he had become rather inactive in the dating scene as of late. Kodai did not know what had caused the change in him, but he knew that he should not have said that to Shibaken, who was known to be a playboy.

“Um, sor…”

“H-hey,” Kotaro opened his mouth, his words drowning out Kodai’s apology.

“What’s up?”

Turning around, Kodai saw that Kotaro had seemed to have stopped walking a while ago, as he was standing a distance behind them. His face was pale, as if he had suddenly fallen ill.

“Oi, Kotaro? Can you hear me?” Shibaken stopped walking as well, waving a hand at Kotaro.

However, Kotaro did not react to him, pointing towards the end of the corridor with a trembling finger instead. “Th-there’s something over there…?!”

“Where? Do you get him, Kodai?”

“Hmm, I don’t see anything…”

“There is, behind the pillar by the boys’ bathroom!”

“Ah! Whoa!” Kodai and Shibaken instinctively blurted out in unison.

The tip of Kotaro’s finger was pointed at Mochizuki-senpai, who was leaning against a pillar. He seemed to be muttering and mumbling to himself, as though his soul had left his body. His strength seemed to have been sapped out of him, and the thick brown envelope he held in his hand looked as though it was about to drop to the floor.

(Mochizuki-senpai never changes.)

It was the second time that Kodai had seen Mochizuki-senpai in such a state.

The first time that Kodai had seen it was before Golden Week, when he had been interviewing the Art Club for the school newspaper. As he left the art room after the interview, he had casually looked around, feeling a gaze from somewhere. Then he saw Mochizuki-senpai peeking from around a pillar in the corridor, much like he was doing at that present moment.

(It definitely has something to do with Hayasaka-senpai.)

“Sorry. I just remembered that I have something to do, so the two of you can go on ahead first,” Kodai said, immediately rushing over towards the pillar.

As he got closer, he could hear the words that Mochizuki-senpai was muttering.

“Confessions to Akarin? What’s more, they’re queuing up to do it…?”

“Did you not realise it? Aren’t the two of you classmates?”

Despite talking to him out of the blue, Mochizuki-senpai did not have any particular reaction. On the contrary, he had replied naturally, as though nothing had happened at all.

“I didn’t think much of it when she would leave the classroom for a short while when it was break time, but…”

“No, that’s not the point. You’re looking really suspicious now, you know,” Kodai rebutted mercilessly, as though he had been dealing with Kotaro or Shibaken instead. However, Mochizuki-senpai did not get angry with him, beginning to growl while clutching his own head instead.

(This happens as soon as Hayasaka-senpai gets involved.)

However, the moment Mochizuki-senpai picked up a pen, he would write stories that would amaze his readers. Kodai had realised this during an interview for the school newspaper.

The first issue of the school newspaper in September, following the Summer vacation, had a section that introduced each club activity in a relay format, including the Movie Research Club.

Basic information, such as the number of members and the schedule of the club activities, was written by Setoguchi-senpai, the Club President.

Other in-depth questions, such as “When did you first start to make movies?” and “Why did you decide to make movies?” were addressed to Serizawa-senpai.

(However, Serizawa-senpai’s answers were rather abstract and all over the place…)

The intentions behind Serizawa-senpai’s answers were conveyed, though it had been difficult to string them together into a coherent newspaper article. Even so, when Kodai managed to write it all down and went over to ask for a check, an “incident” occurred.

“Is it okay for me to make a few changes to this?”

“Ah, yes, it’d help.”

In truth, Kodai had been grateful for Mochizuki-senpai’s offer. He thought that, as an outsider, he would not be able to pick up on the detailed nuances in the answers given in the questionnaire, and that by having Mochizuki-senpai fix them, the number of checks required after that would be reduced.

Mochizuki-senpai rushed through the draft with a red ballpoint pen, and was done with the changes in less than ten minutes. Kodai had thanked him and received the modified draft, before starting to read it on the spot.

However, before he had even read it to the end, Kodai raised his face in amazement. The modifications to the draft were clearly written at a completely different standard from the original.

Mochizuki-senpai had seemed to be worried about Kodai’s reaction.

“I-I’m sorry! Was it really that strange? Should I undo my edits?”

“...No, I want to use this version.”

“Really? I’m rather concerned because I’m your senior…”

“You’re worried about such a thing?! Ah, there’s definitely nothing wrong with it, though,” Kodai had instinctively yelled, before mumbling his following words. Even so, his words seemed to have reached Mochizuki-senpai properly, which he was relieved about.

Ever since that day, Kodai had kept the red pen-modified draft with him in his bag. Whenever he lost his motivation to keep writing an article, or whenever it was difficult to get the approval from either the Club President or Akechi-sensei, he would reread the “model” of Mochizuki-senpai’s work. Of course, his own sentences would not improve suddenly, but his mood would change.

Kodai learned that Mochizuki-senpai, who had written such a “model” work, had been studying screenplays when they had met in the library by coincidence.

Kodai, who had run out of books to read on his way home, had dropped by the library after his club activities had ended. There had been few people in the library, as it had been a short while before the last of the students were supposed to leave the school.

Amidst the relative silence of the library, a chair suddenly fell down with a loud noise. Then, a mysterious loud voice suddenly rang out. “I’ve got it!”

When Kodai instinctively turned around, he saw Mochizuki-senpai standing there with a bright red face.

“Um, I’m sorry, I’ll be quiet now…” Mochizuki-senpai had apologised softly, sitting down in a chair and visibly wilting. However, at the next moment, he was writing with a mechanical pencil with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm.

Kodai was unable to keep up with the series of events. The stunned gazes of the surrounding people continued to look at Mochizuki-senpai, but he did not seem to care at all. Kodai was impressed by how focused he was.

However, a piece of paper fell off the desk when Mochizuki-senpai’s elbow hit it. He seemed to have been oblivious to it, and, in the worst case scenario, it may have been left as-is.

After a beat of hesitation, Kodai quietly walked over. He picked up the piece of paper from the floor and slipped it onto the edge of the desk.

“Ah, there’s a typo.”

“Eh? Where, where? Wait, whoaaaa!” Mochizuki-senpai shouted in surprise.

As it was the second time Mochizuki-senpai had yelled, the surrounding gazes, as well as the eyes of the librarian, hardened, and Kodai found himself being forced out of the library with him.

“I’m sorry, it’s because I suddenly called out to you.”

“It’s not your fault at all, Yamamoto-kun! If only I’d looked around more… Ah, right, thank you for picking it up. I didn’t notice it at all. It was a great help.”

“Not really… I only took a glance at it earlier, but are you writing a novel or something?”

“So you really saw it after all? This is actually a screenplay. It’s still just a draft, though.”

In truth, Kodai knew that it would have been better if he had pretended that he had not seen it. It may have been a topic that Mochizuki-senpai did not want to talk about, and he was not as close to the seniors as Kotaro was.

However, Kodai lost out to his curiosity, and he found himself bowing down before he knew it. “Please let me read it!”

As he had expected, the screenplay that Mochizuki-senpai had written was interesting. As it was romance-themed, Kodai had had his doubts before he had started reading it, but he could not stop turning the pages, as though he was reading his favourite mystery novel.

However, the screenplay was unfortunately incomplete. Therefore, Kodai had asked if he could be the first one to read it once it was completed, and he had been waiting ever since.

Judging from its thickness, the brown envelope that Mochizuki-senpai was holding probably contained a bunch of screenplays.

Kodai wanted to read it soon. He wanted to continue to read it.

Kodai gently called out, all while suppressing his urge to scream. “Um, Mochizuki-senpai.”

“Akarin really is cute, regardless of who’s the one looking at her, right?”

“Right? Aah, of course.”

“Y-you agreeeeed! Yamamoto-kun, I didn’t know that the feelings you felt for Akarin were l-lo-lo---”

“No, I just have respect for her. By the way, Mochizuki-senpai, have you completed the screenplay?”

“Eh? Huh, Yamamoto-kun…” Mochizuki-senpai blinked. He was probably thinking “Just when did you get here?”. It seemed that his amazing concentration was at play, even on an occasion like this.

“Kotaro spotted you, that’s about it,” Kodai said without further explanation, but it seemed to have satisfied Mochizuki-senpai.

“A-aah, so that’s how it is. I needed to find you anyway, Yamamoto-kun…”

“Is the script inside that brown envelope?”

“Yup, yup. I finally finished it last night, so I printed it out and brought it along. I’m sorry that it’s so bulky, but I’d be happy if you could read it when you have the time.”

“Thank you, very much…”

The envelope Kodai received from Mochizuki-senpai was heavier than it had looked. Its heavy weight spread across the palm of his hand, and his heart pounded in anticipation.

“I’ll be sure to read this immediately after.”

“I’m happy about it, but don’t you have to eat lunch first?”

“Then, I’ll read it as soon as I’m done with eating.”

“Ah, be sure to pay attention to your lessons as well.”

“...The moment school ends, I’ll read it all at once.”

“Ahaha! Yeah, please do.”

“I’ll be seeing you, then!” Mochizuki-senpai laughed shyly and began to walk, waving his hand. He was heading for the school cafeteria on the same floor.

(...I wonder if he’s looking for Hayasaka-senpai.)

To Kodai, the human heart, much less the feelings of love, was an unanalysable black box. He had always thought as such, which was why he tried not to show unnecessary interest in it. However, for some reason, he found himself concerned about such a thing at that time.

~✿~

On that day, Kodai hurried to the library the moment the bell that announced the end of the school day had rang. He secured the seat by the window, which was as close to the back of the library as possible, and opened the brown envelope to take out the screenplay.

“The Answer to Jealousy”

That was the only thing that had been printed onto the first sheet of paper.

They were the first words that he saw.

It seemed that the title was decided upon after the screenplay had been written to completion.

With bated breath, Kodai turned the page.

~✿~

When Kodai finished reading the last line, the fluorescent lights above were beaming down on him. Looking out of the window while rubbing his stiff neck, he saw that the evening Sun had already set, and the moon was drifting about the deep blue sky.

“I’m so happy that you’re already reading it.”

The moment Kodai took a breath, he heard a voice from his immediate vicinity. Still basking in the afterglow of the story he had just read, he turned around after a beat.

“...Mochizuki-senpai?! Ah, ow.”

Kodai’s neck cracked loudly, and pain began to spread along the area, though that was not the issue at hand.

“I’m sorry, I called out to you without warning…”

“No, it’s fine. Anyway, how long have you been there?”

Kodai wondered if Mochizuki-senpai had seen him reading the screenplay. He was struck by a strong, uncomfortable feeling of awkwardness, though fortunately, Mochizuki-senpai laughed it off.

“Just a while ago. I remembered that the deadline for returning my reference books was today, so I rushed over.”

“Is that so?” Kodai nodded. As if that was a signal, the conversation was cut off then. Mochizuki-senpai, who was sitting on a chair with a vacant chair between them, was staring at his hands with his head lowered miserably.

(One of the characters in the screenplay also had such a habit…)

Kodai slowly opened his mouth, feeling a little closer to solving the mystery. “I’ve already read the screenplay to the end.”

“Ah, yeah, thank you.”

“Senpai… Why did you write such a story?”

That question was the first thing that had come to Kodai’s mind once he had finished reading the screenplay. The screenplay that Mochizuki-senpai had written was a romance story set in a modern High School. On the other hand, it could also be read as a coming-of-age story of six boys and girls passing by each other, colliding with each other, all while coming to terms with their own feelings.

If Kodai had to give an overview for it, he’d describe it as a “common story”. However, he felt as though the screenplay had its own unique brilliance. All of the characters were realistic, and it felt as though they lived in the same world that he did. He really felt as though the characters physically existed close to him.

“The reason why I wrote this story, huh…” Mochizuki-senpai looked around as he groaned in thought. “Hmm.”

Before long, Mochizuki-senpai seemed to find his answer, and he spoke while scratching his cheek with his finger. “I think I was trying to project what I was feeling at the moment into the text. To be honest, I didn’t want to show it to anyone at first.”

“Eh…!”

It was the first time that Kodai had heard of this. As he was stunned speechless, Mochizuki-senpai continued.

“Haruki’s the movie director and Yu’s kind of the producer. They both have their own specialties, but I’ve always just been the odd-job guy! I didn’t have anything to call my own,” Mochizuki-senpai said, taking a clear file out from his bag. There were a few memos inside the file. The words on the printouts had been written over and over again with red, blue, and green ballpoint pens.

“But when I wrote my feelings into the script in front of me, I found it to be a lot of fun. That’s why I wanted to write even more…” Mochizuki-senpai muttered softly, tracing the words he had written with his ballpoint pens.

Having nothing to say in response, Kodai just nodded in silence.

“I wrote it however I liked for a while, but you told me that you wanted to read it, right, Yamamoto-kun? I was so happy about it. From then on, I became more aware of the readers, and changed the outcome and the plot of the story.”

(Aah, so that’s how it was…)

Kodai felt as though it was a work that could be read like an I-novel, but he was convinced by the spoken words all the same. It was as though Mochizuki-senpai had written himself into a character in the screenplay.

That was why Kodai dared to ask a follow-up question. “Senpai, would you confess to the person that you love?”

“Yeah. I’ve done it.”

“...Is that so?”

“But things like this are on a case-by-case basis,” Mochizuki-senpai huffed a laugh and extended his fingers out, as though he was counting something off. “Like practising confessing with the person one loves, and because they know that they have no hope, they do not confess for real so as to not burden the other person…”

Kodai had no idea as to who Mochizuki-senpai was thinking of. However, from the gentle expression on Mochizuki-senpai’s face, Kodai could tell that that person was important to him.

“It’s different for each and every person, and I think that they’re all handling it in the right way,” Mochizuki-senpai said in a clear voice. It sounded as though he was reassuring himself of such as well. “...Yamamoto-kun, somehow I feel as though you’re kind of like me.”

“Huh,” Kodai nodded semi-reflexively at the sudden change in topic.

“You like observing people, and you have the tendency to be a bystander as a result of that, right?”

“!”

“Huh, did that hit the mark?” Mochizuki-senpai grinned.

Kodai smiled awkwardly.

He had always been just a bystander. Reading was his hobby, he liked observing people, and he always spoke his mind. He also had a person who helped him to realise that he was also a person of value in this world. There was no other way to describe him other than a “complete bystander”, though there were people who joked that he was the main character in his own life.

Kodai wondered what he would be like two years from then.

He wondered what kind of person he wanted to become.

Kodai clenched his fists tightly.

~✿~

On the day of the graduation ceremony of the seniors, a pleasant blue sky extended across the horizon.

When Kodai was packing up the chairs in the gymnasium after the ceremony had ended, his phone vibrated in the pocket of his blazer. He had received a call from Mochizuki-senpai.

“Yamamoto-kun, bring your camera and meet us on the roof!”

Having said that, he hung up the phone.

Kodai wondered if they wanted him to take a group photo for them, though he then wondered why they had chosen him to take it out of all the people who could have done so. His curiosity getting the better of him, Kodai hurried to his club room to retrieve the camera he used for interviews.

When he got to the roof, Kodai found the usual six people there. Enomoto-senpai and Hayasaka-senpai had reddened eyes, but they immediately smiled when their gazes landed on the camera.

“Pardon me, but what kind of poses are you planning on making?”

“I want to link arms with Nacchan…”

“Geez, you’re so cute, Akari! Sure, sure, we’ll link arms as much as you want.”

As the girls loudly fussed over each other, Mochizuki-senpai had a depressed expression on his face. Without needing to ask him, Kodai could tell that he was envying Enomoto-senpai.

Setoguchi-senpai smiled awkwardly as he watched the different interactions before him.

“You have it easy, Yu. You have some leeway there. You can hold hands with Natsuki all you want.”

“No, that’s not…”

“What? Mochita, are you envious?” Enomoto-senpai laughed with a smirk.

Hayasaka-senpai clapped her hands as though she had just thought of something. “Why don’t Mochizuki-kun and Setoguchi-kun hold hands, then?”

The next moment, silence fell.

Enomoto-senpai clutched her stomach as she laughed, and Mochizuki-senpai looked up at the sky without uttering a word.

“W-why?” Setoguchi-senpai asked Hayasaka-senpai with a forced smile on his face.

“I think it’ll be difficult for all six of us to line up in a row due to the camera frame. I think we’ll bend down a little in the front, while you and the others stand behind us, Setoguchi-kun.”

(I-I see. So she had a reason for it after all…)

Kodai secretly smiled to himself as he adjusted the lens of his camera.

When he was searching for a subject to match the exposure, he saw Serizawa-senpai and Aida-senpai, who were standing at a small distance away, reflected in the frame, though they were standing too far away for their voices to be audible. However, Kodai could see gentle expressions on their faces, and he naturally began to smile as well.

“Okay, let’s gather, everyone! It’s time to take the picture!” Enomoto-senpai called out, marking the start of the photography session.

Enomoto-senpai, Hayasaka-senpai, and Aida-senpai were lined up in the front row with their arms linked and their hands held. Setoguchi-senpai, Mochizuki-senpai, and Serizawa-senpai stood in the back row.

One picture, two pictures, three pictures…

The last picture was taken with Mochizuki-senpai’s phone, which thus concluded the photography session.

The seniors still seemed to be a little reluctant as they looked down at the schoolyard, and at the pictures they had taken.

Kodai had intended to pack up and leave without saying anything, but he noticed “something” that was left in the inner pockets of his bag and paused.

“Enomoto-senpai, may I have a moment? Please take this, if you’d like.”

“Wow, thanks! Is this an album?”

“Yes. It’s the one that was taken by the Newspaper Club.”

“Amazing, there’s so many…” Enomoto-senpai’s eyes sparkled as she looked through the album. Eventually, her hands stopped turning the pages. “Is this…”

“It’s you, Enomoto-senpai, and Setoguchi-senpai,” Kodai described the picture in front of him.

Enomoto-senpai huffed a laugh. “Pfft. Yamamoto-kun, that can’t be it~.”

“Yes. This is what I see. This is how you two always are when you’re together.”

“...I didn’t know that Yu and I looked like this.”

Kodai had brought a smile to her face with the picture he had taken, as well as with the words he had spoken. He thought that that was enough for him to be happy.

But, the truth was…

There were a lot of other things he wanted to say. Things that he had yet to tell her.

Kodai spoke in a loud voice, afraid of voicing his own thoughts. “Senpai, congratulations on your graduation.”

#honeyworks #yamamoto koudai #enomoto natsuki #akechi saku #mochizuki souta #setoguchi yuu #hayasaka akari #serizawa haruki #enomoto kotarou #shibasaki ken #koiiro ni sake novel #instant ramen instructions comprehensions

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arts-and-drafts · 3 years

Text

Nightmare (Hermit Tommy AU)

TW: Graphic description of injury and death, suicide mention, severe PTSD

(Hey folks! This one has been in the draft bucket for a while and I'm never going to stop fiddling with it, so I'm posting it now before I regret it. I'm not happy with the "final" product but it'll never get posted if I keep messing with it. Seriously, mind the TWs!! Otherwise, enjoy)

Tommy smells gunpowder.

He's standing in a crater, everything he's ever fought for blown to pieces in front of his eyes by the one he called once called brother.

He sees his father for the first time in 7 years, and his sword is dripping with Wilbur's blood.

He sees Technoblade from above, and at a motion of his hand and a scathing cry of "hero" from his lips, withers descend upon the smoking chasm that used to be Tommy's home.

Tommy looks down to see Tubbo in his arms, a hole blown clean through his best friend's chest. He is still and cold, and Tommy is numb.

Tubbo's corpse rises from his arms like a marionette on strings, sharp ram horns dripping crimson curving over his face. His eyes are open now, and they stare cruelly into Tommy's very soul.

"Selfish." Tubbo's corpse whispers in a raspy voice, torn to shreds from screams. Tommy can only watch in paralyzed horror as Tubbo procures a compass, Tommy's compass, and crushes it to dust in front of him.

Tommy's knees buckle, and he's falling, falling, falling off a tower made from his own hands that stretches to build height. Tommy's vision floods white with pain as his fall ends in a pit of lava, molten netherrack filling his lungs and burning him from the inside out.

A hand clasps his as he reaches for the surface, and he's pulled out of the lava lake by a figure with a smiling mask. Tommy winces as he feels a sharp pain in his abdomen, and looks down to see an arrow's tail sprouting from his flesh.

Tommy looks up, and Dream is ten paces across from him on the Prime Path, bow still raised from the fatal shot. As Tommy falls into the river, his disks spin wildly above him, caught by Dream's gloved hand out of midair.

Tommy's back hits the stone edge of the Pit, and he drops to the floor from a blow Techno landed that knocked him to his knees.

"You killed him," Tommy says desperately, choking as his own blood fills his mouth, rage and grief burning like fire through his veins.

"It stays in the pit." Techno replies coldly, and when Tommy looks up through hazing vision he sees the head of a rocket aimed right between his eyes.

Tommy jolts awake as soon as Techno pulls the trigger, disoriented and screaming. His arms are pinned, he can't escape, why can't he get out, help help help-

"--ommy! Wake up! Tommy!!" Joe's voice becomes clear, and Tommy's vision finally clears enough from his memories to see the poet's face, terrified and pale. Tommy stops screaming, though his trembling limbs and heaving chest are out of his control.

"Tommy, focus on me, look at me, okay? I'm here, I'm right here, it was a dream, it's not real, it's not real--" Joe's assurances tumble from panicked lips, shushing and comforting as best he can. Tommy blinks several times, his mind struggling to adjust to the waking realm as adrenaline continues to ravage his body.

"Hey, hey, that's it, I'm here," Joe says, and Tommy feels the man's delicate hand lightly slap his face. "Come back, Tom, it's not real, you're okay--"

Tommy gasps as if by command, and finally feels air fill his lungs. "There you go, there you go--" Joe says encouragingly, wiping Tommy's face of tears as his body's convulsing lessens. "Shh, shh--you're okay, you're safe. Come back, kid."

"Tubbo--" Tommy chokes, his mind still foggy with confusion and fear. "No," Joe says gently. "Joe Hills. You're in Hermitcraft, bud. Come back."

Tommy blinks again, and Joe can feel the tension ease in the boy's rigid limbs by a fraction.

"What--what--" Tommy whispers hoarsely, his senses gradually returning to him. His shirt is stuck to his back from being soaked in sweat, yet his skin feels cold and clammy. He blinks several times, his eyes adjusting to the dark of Joe's doghouse-turned-cabin.

"You were having a nightmare," Joe murmurs softly, and Tommy realizes the poet is rubbing soothing circles into Tommy's hand with his thumb. "It...it was a rough one, huh."

It's more of a comment than a question, but Tommy shakily nods anyways. He notices Joe seems like there's a weight on his shoulders that's crushing his posture.

"I couldn't wake you," Joe says, and he runs a tired hand through his hair as he settles to sit on the foot of Tommy's bed.

An apology sticks in Tommy's throat. He's learned to be better at that sort of thing since he came here, but Joe didn't seem to be expecting one. Tommy swallows the words and tries to focus on his breathing.

"I didn't want to bring it up," Joe says, and he doesn't look at Tommy. "I know you like your privacy, and I didn't want to pry, but...this is getting out of hand, bud." Joe's voice softens in weariness at the last of the sentence. Tommy unconsciously tenses.

"Who is Tubbo?"

Joe finally looks up with piercing blue eyes, and Tommy forgets how to breathe.

"Did they hurt you?" Joe asks, his tone gentle but demanding. "You've gotta talk about it, Tom, or the nightmares are never going to stop."

Tommy violently shakes his head until it hurts, putting his hands up. "No, no--he didn't, he--" Tommy's chest heaves with memories that rip open the scars of his heart, fresh tears slipping down his soaked cheeks.

Did he hurt him?

Tubbo exiled him. Tubbo damned him to a life 1000 blocks away that wasn't worth living. Tubbo didn't ever visit, Tubbo didn't care, Tubbo never came, even when he knew Tommy needed him.

No--no, no. He was--IS, he IS his best friend, Tubbo is his right hand man, he loves him, he'd never do that on purpose, he'd never put an empty hole of a nation above him--

But he did.

Joe sits patiently beside Tommy as he bitterly cries, keeping a hand on his back all the while. Tommy did better if he had physical contact, picked up from his past that Joe didn't know and didn't ask about.

Tommy's sobs gradually quieted. He barely notices he's leaning against Joe now, and the hermit has his arm over him in a sort of half hug. It's an act of compassion that Tommy takes for pity, but for once he doesn't care.

"...he did." Tommy croaks after what feels like an eternity. "But--h-he didn't--....i-it's complicated." The boy took a shuddering breath and closes his eyes.

"I miss him." He cries, his voice small and broken. "I miss him so fucking much, Joe," Tommy bites his tongue to suppress another pitiful sob. "H--He was my right hand man..."

Joe's chest rumbles with a sympathetic noise against Tommy's cheek. "It's...it's natural to miss what was. Letting go of the past is something that many never accomplish in their life." The poet comments solemnly.

Tommy squeezes his eyes shut tight and buries his face into Joe's shirt, a sob sticking behind a lump in his throat that refused to dissipate. Joe pulls him closer, and lets him shake in his arms.

"...It's hard to forgive. I've been there, kiddo. It's hard." Joe murmurs, and he leans his cheek against the top of Tommy's head.

The boy tenses when the hermit's hand moves to run through his hair, and his host stops abruptly at the movement.

"It's--it's okay." Tommy whispers, near imperceptibly, allowing himself this one moment of complete vulnerability when he needed it most.

Joe continued, hesitantly, but as soon as he touches Tommy's hair the kid melts into him. A look of pure serenity crosses the poor boy's face, and though it was sans a smile, he looked more at peace than Joe had ever seen him in his 7 months with them.

His expression soon fell into nothingness, and small snores filled the quiet air as Tommy went out like a light. Joe watches in slow realization as Tommy didn't twitch or whimper or cry as he usually did upon leaving consciousness; he was finally still and calm as he deserved to be in rest.

Joe presses his mouth into a thin line as he continues to run his soft fingers through the kid's yellow hair. Whatever happened to Tommy, it was worse than the poet could even comprehend, and that fact made bile rise in his throat.

Joe was not a vengeful man. His philosophy was that everything happened for a reason, that any cruel injustice that befell him or his friends was the cause of some greater force's plan far beyond his control.

Yet, how years of war and bloodshed and betrayal was a deserving fate for a child, Joe could not understand or excuse.

He believed that the passage of events was out of his control and part of a bigger design. But he also believed in free will, and if he had anything to do with how his story was written, he would ensure that this little boy who was so broken by the world he came from would get the life he should've had from the beginning.

Joe presses a light kiss to the boy's temple before slowly standing, lifting Tommy in his arms and setting him down on his bed.

"I promise you'll have it better here, kiddo." Joe whispers softly, settling the old blanket back over the sleeping boy. "I'll give you a good life if it kills me."

END.

#hermit tommy au #angst #tw abandonment #tw suicide mention #tw ptsd #meraki post

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imagine-darksiders · 3 years

Note

Just like. Head canons. For our lovely Dad Guys. Whoever you want. Whatever you want. I don’t care. Just. The Fluff Beast. 😫 Getting too strong...! Help! (I’m sorry 😂 Seriously, just do whatever you want. It’ll be beautiful and I’ll love it regardless)

Well, I’ve had this little Eidad fic on the back burner for a while now, sitting in my drafts and not doing a while lot. This seems like a good time to post it <3 <3 <3

It’s a sick fic. Nothing too drastic, just an old maker getting worried about his human friend.

---

Eideard has always been an especially unflappable maker, a trait that tends to come with the territory of being the village elder.

He never gets flustered, and he always maintains the poise and composure expected of him.

Unless, of course, one of his fellow makers is under threat. Only then, by his own admission, does decorum fly out of the proverbial window and little else but worry takes over him, mind, body and soul.

Recently, he's come to discover that the same rule applies to a very specific, little human.

----

“I'm cold.”

That ought to have been their first clue.

You're sitting in the maker's forge, seemingly content to remain still and quiet beside the roaring fire whilst Alya and her brother, Valus, are hard at work at their anvil.

“Cold?” the former twin laughs incredulously, glancing up from the sword she's forging to turn and fix you with a raised brow, “You're sittin' close enough to that fire!”

Her brother though, always the more perceptive of the siblings, ambles around her and makes his way towards you, tugging at the green cowl that sits around his neck. You may be vastly smaller than him, but even behind that visor, he can see the shivers you're trying to suppress. Blinking, you watch him as he bends onto one knee in front of you and holds his treasured garment out, uttering a low, almost undetectable whine.

“I'm okay, big guy,” you murmur, sounding far from it, “Think I've just got a bit of a chill.”

At that, Valus doesn't wait for you to reach up and take the cowl from his grasp and instead, with a huff, he leans forward to drape it around your shoulders, his thick fingers tucking it up underneath you as carefully as he can. Once he's finished, he sits back on his haunches to inspect you, satisfied when you snuggle further into the fabric and give him a shy smile.

“Thanks.”

Pacified, the burly maker returns your smile with a nod and pushes himself onto his feet, turning back to his sister and the anvil.

With their attention elsewhere, you allow your smile to fade, burying your face into Valus's scarf.

You're loathe to tell them the whole truth, that accompanying your chills is a raw throat that feels as though it's been rubbed tender by sandpaper, and an ache in your limbs that only grows worse and worse by the hour.

There's no denying it.

You've come down with something.

At the very least, the makers don't know a lot about human biology, so you're relatively hopeful that you'll be able to pass this off as a mundane occurrence – definitely not anything they should be worrying about.

There is an unspoken rule amongst the giants, one that came about the moment they first laid eyes on you – a small, cowering little thing whose world had been destroyed only a few days prior.

The rule, never spoken aloud, yet understood by all, is that you are a youngling – despite your insistence to the contrary – and younglings are to be protected, especially those who have yet to reach their first century of life.

It also doesn't help that you're a human, and consequently only stand about as high as the makers' knees.

But for as endeared to you as they all are, there are none who are quite so taken as Eideard.

The village Shaman, Muria, speculates that their elder has seen more younglings and friends die off over the centuries than any of them, and thusly, that's where his protective tendencies stem from.

Thane, on the other hand, attests that Eideard has always been enormously tender-hearted, long before grief softened his edges.

If he were to find out that you're sick, you can't imagine he'd take it well.

Bottom line? You'd hate to worry him.

Unfortunately for you, there are some things that can't be kept from a group of watchful makers.

It's impossible to hide glassy eyes, tremors that rattle your whole body and a sudden, explosive sneeze that causes both Alya and Valus to jump out their skin, tools clattering to the stony ground.

“Stone's blood! Bit of warnin' before you go makin' noises like that, please!” Alya exclaims, resting a hand over her heart whilst Valus hurries over to you again.

“It was just a sneeze,” you try to protest, but the forge brother isn't buying it. Without a word, which isn't unusual, he clenches his fists and heaves himself about on a heel, marching purposefully towards the forge's entrance, deaf to his sister calling after him.

“Oi, Valus? Where are you off to?”

It's hardly a surprise that she doesn't get a response.

He disappears through the doors and you share a look with his sister, who hesitantly asks, “You.. sure you're okay?”

The fake smile you plaster on your face is apparently as unconvincing as it feels, judging by the flat look you receive from Alya in response.

A few moments later, the doors swing open once again and your ears pick up two pairs of resounding footsteps thumping through the forge.

Valus appears first, lumbering up the short flight of steps onto the raised dais where he's soon followed by the second maker, a particularly concerned-looking Eideard.

As soon as the elder's pale, grey eyes lock onto you, you slump forwards in defeat, any hope of riding this illness out in privacy now dashed. Of all the makers in Tri Stone, Eideard is the most well-versed in anthropology.

Shooting Valus a glare for his betrayal, you swallow your cough and groan, “Valus, I told you, I’m okay. You didn't need to bother Eideard.”

“I for one, am very glad he did.” From underneath his bushy, furrowed brows, the old maker studies you closely until you duck your head, weighed down by the heaviness of his stare, the whole while, your throat burns with the need to cough. Then, in a blink, his eyes widen again and the fingers clutched around his golden staff turn white as he breathes, “You're sick...”

At once, Alya shoots upright from where she'd been leaning casually against the anvil. “Sick!?” she blurts, her gaze snapping between you and her elder, “Why didn't you say somethin'?!”

“Because!” you argue, hating that Eideard’s face now appears almost twice its age thanks to the worry lines permeating his forehead, “It's not a big de-” As fate would have it, the raw spot at the back of your throat finally chooses its moment, and before you can stop yourself, you're lurching forwards into a vicious cough that burns at the tenderness like acid, bringing tears to your eyes and shame onto your clammy cheeks.

You become vaguely aware of a vast hand coming to rest on your back and fingers that pat you gently until you can catch your breath. Even after you've hacked yourself silly, you push Eideard's silken, blue sleeve away and try to get to your feet, hoping that if they see you standing, they'll be less inclined to fret. But the moment you begin to move, the same hand is cupping around your trembling body and you find yourself being lifted up and nestled against a broad chest by a maker who is wholly undeterred by your feeble resistance.

“I'm not a baby, Eideard!” you complain, trying to wriggle free as the maker presses delicately on your chest, forcing you to lay across his forearm, “Put me down! I can walk just fine.”

“Easy, now. You'll only hurt yourself further if you keep that up,” he rumbles in a tone that's far too gentle for your pride to withstand.

Embarrassed, you wilt down behind his fingers when you hear Alya's stifled giggles, but the old maker doesn't pay her any mind, simply turns away from the anvil and begins to shuffle down the steps, heading for the entrance. Almost immediately, you miss the fire's warmth and Eideard feels your shivers turn violent, his heart seizing at the sound of your teeth chattering together like rapid gunfire.

“You – you're not going outside, are you?” you croak, pulling Valus's cowl up to your neck, “It's freezing!”

“The weather is perfectly mild. You, on the other hand, are burning hotter than forge-fire.”

You open your mouth to protest but find yourself cut off when he continues, “I’ll not have this sickness turning into something worse. We may belong to separate species, but I wasn't born yesterday. A little fresh air will do you some good.”

“Ugh. You sound like my mum.”

His reply comes in the form of an affectionate, rumbling chuckle that you can feel travelling up through his palm and into your bones. Letting out a final huff, you flop backwards and turn limp in his hand.

It isn’t as though you can fight your way out of the Old One's grip, after all. For such an ancient maker, Eideard is powerful, and his age does little to detract from that strength. The meagre resistance you put up is also proven ineffective by the silken softness of the fur trim on his sleeves that you run between your fingers.

Perhaps if you'd been looking at Eideard's expression instead of the doors as he pushes them open, you'd take notice of the disquiet lingering at the edge of his eyes.

He plans on taking you to see Muria in the hopes that she might have a remedy that can alleviate the fever spreading through your delicate body, and, failing that, he will sit with you in the peace of the night air and keep you still and safe until your tremors cease and his old heart stops trying to beat its way out of his ribcage.

You're more than welcome to resent him for this, he muses quietly, but after seeing so many of his people lost to corruption, it isn't such an easy feat to quell the pervasive anxiety that writhes like an impatient, snarling beast in his stomach, and he would much rather endure your resentment if it means keeping you out of harm’s way.

The village elder is supposed to protect his own, and glancing down at you and seeing that you've buried your face into the fabric of his robe to escape the cold, Eideard realises with a sudden surge of paternal drive, that you fall under the scope of those he considers 'his.'

The old maker clutches you possessively against his chest and hurries as well as his tired legs can carry him up towards the Shaman's gazebo, knowing that his soul will never know peace until you’re well once again.

#darksiders #darksiders 2 #Eideard #Eidad #super rushed #sorry #Sick fic #reader #g/t

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valkyrie420 · 2 years

Text

C.A.T Detective Agency 1 Draft Ch 1

So I’ve never done this before and I wanted to put this somewhere and wondered if people could give me tips? I don’t know how to write lol, but here’s my first draft and suggestions or pointers are much needed! Did you ever hear the one about the cat crossing the road? I always loved the night. I could get away from all those problems, and blend into the dark. It felt safe, like a blanket. But I’d never tell anyone else that. People had so many notions about who I was supposed to be, never mind what I wanted. Even now, as I slink out now in the dark, all I feel is excitement. I’m ready. In the alley I pass the familiar trash cans. Hear the barking of dogs, far and close. Ugh, so annoying. The cars and people and noise of the city has gotten louder at night as the years have passed, and despite them I still love it. I can smell the food from the restaurants in the bins, but I can’t stop now. Gotta be patient. The mice and rats scurry around and the smoke trails as I pass hurriedly through to the Meeting Place. I think the adults wanted it to be a bunch of houses at one time, or maybe offices, or shops. The adults I knew always hated it when I started something and left it undone, so I took a secret pleasure in meeting here. Where the concrete walls and metal rods hung open like a wound. An ugly, unfinished thing, staring and mocking all those adults for not being able to finish. And such a fun place to explore! But not now. Tonight is so much more important. As I come to my spot, I see Matthias already waiting at the edge of light from a street lamp. He’s the oldest, and makes sure everyone remembers. It annoys me how much of a know-it-all he is, but he also makes sure to take care of us when we first come here. Still, I don’t want to hear about his “responsibilities as the eldest, you couldn’t possibly comprehend” again, so I wait in the dark, and listen as the rest trickle in, one or two at a time. Next comes Deliah and Sarah, lithe and graceful, and I’ve seen them fight off some of the biggest and strongest others with barely a scratch! Ugh, and they’re wearing collars again. Deliah says she always loved wearing jewellery, but I’ve never seen her wear one for long. She’s been stuck-up for as long as I remember, and when Sarah came, Deliah was quick to become her mentor. I like Sarah. She’s smart, and kind, and she’s still young, so we have a gay time when we play. I hear a loud call, and see Alaistor following them close. He’s the second oldest, but he’s the one who showed me how to play lots of games; and how to be free. Anthony is with him too, bless him. I didn’t even see him until he peeked out from Alaistor’s leg. So young, and soft, and a true scaredy-cat. Anthony’s the newest, poor thing isn’t even 6. Those big eyes watching everyone and everything and so skittish! Was I ever like that? “Caught!” I jumped and twisted to see Sarah, grinning wildly at me. “Did not!” I said turning my head up to hide my fluster,“I just let you think you did. You’re gonna have to work a lot harder to sneak up on me!” Sarah and I padded knocking into each other playfully, to the light. “You should admit defeat gracefully,” Deliah purred, proud of her ward. I shot her a glare, and was about to say something witty when Matthias scratched the lamp post with a sharp noise.“Now that you’ve all decided to show up,” He started,“Perhaps we can finally get on with it?” We all shifted a bit uncomfortable, glancing at who wanted to be in the spotlight tonight. “If there’s no volunteers, we can always work on my case…” Matthias said and sighed. He wanted desperately to be done; but he’d been here for so long, the hopes of solving his case felt pretty impossible. We looked at each other, silently asking for anyone to step forward. I don’t mind leaving things unfinished, but I don’t see the point in starting something you know is impossible from the jump. “Look,” Alaistor spoke hesitantly, “What about little Anthony here? He’s so new, I’m sure there’s lots of clues around. And besides,” His green eyes slid to the quaking mass of fluff and eyes beneath him; “He’s not cut out for this; not really.” Everyone looked from Anthony to Matthias. He sat and eyed the little boy, and sighed again.“Fine. We will work on young Anthony’s case.” Silently, Matthias led us from the Meeting Place and to the Alley. None of us ventured to the Alley if we didn’t have to, except Matthias. He tried so hard, I must admit I pitied him, in spite of how he acted. We arrived quickly, and it was just as creepy as last month. So dark, and damp thanks to the dirty, swamp. The whole area smelled like death, and there was no sign of people save for the rough tire track unevenly cutting through the dirt. No attempts at paving though, as if everyone living in the city collectively decided it was safer to ignore it. Sarah was so close to Deliah they bumped together, and Alaistor was carrying Anthony. I brought up the rear now, since Adam left. I couldn’t shake the feeling though. It raised my hair, and despite myself I kept peering over my shoulder, as if there was some unseen force stalking us. We formed a circle on the cold dead ground, and watched as the moon rose high. It started slowly, and the ground shifted violently below me. My vision blurred and every bone in my body screamed. Shuddering, stunted breaths gasping as my ribcage made room for my expanding lungs. We all started to stretch and writhe, skin tearing and fur falling off in clumps. All at once, the change was over, and I dry heaved violently as my equilibrium balanced itself. Beside me I saw Alaistor curled and vomiting a few small bones. Deliah was already up, grabbing the clothes she’d stashed for herself and Sarah. Poor Anthony was crying, and Matthias grabbed him a coat. My legs felt gangly and off balance as my heels touched the ground, and I wobbled upright, reaching for my clothes. Everyone looked the same to me, whether they were cats or people. Matthias was sullen, with gray skin and pale hair. He looked about 15, but he always reminded me of an old town preacher, all black clothes and skinny with a rod up somewhere making him stand so straight, even as he was bent over, helping Anthony pull his shirt over his head. Alaistor was taller, and tan. He had freckles and red hair and it didn’t matter if he was a cat or a person, he had a sly smile and those eyes that made you feel like prey. Deliah’s sable hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her pretty dress danced around her knees as she twirled her long legs, while Sarah laughed and tied her auburn curls out of her face. I went to my stash, grabbed my favorite blue tunic, and cinched some loose grey pants around my waist.The longer I’ve been a cat, the less I like the way clothes feel against my skin, it reminded me too much of those nets some people try to use to catch you when you roam. “Don’t worry kiddo, it gets easier ev’ry time” Alaistor ruffled Antony’s fluffy blonde hair, and winked. “And don’t you look a picture t’night too, Mizz D,” He smiled toothily as Deliah turned up her nose in disgust. “And this Sarah, is exactly why we don’t get attached,” as she picked up her broken collar and looked at the shiny crystal heart. “{insert something witty and demeaning of Al.}” From behind her Sarah leaned over and stuck out her tongue and smiled at Alaistor. Matthias cleared his throat, “Well, now that that’s done, shall we begin?” “Ok, but let’s keep the kid gloves on,” Alaistor’s hand swallowed Anthony’s shoulder. Anthony lead the way to the edge of the tread, where it nearly kissed the swamp. There was a deeper divot here, the dirt still freshly impacted, less than a month old. “Here. I ‘member here. An’ then it was dark. And then I was here, but diff’rent.” His voice shook as he whispered, those impossibly big eyes staring at the holes. “Do you remember how you got here? Who you were with?” Matthias looked down with a deep furrow, arms crossed tightly around his wiry frame. “I…I remember Momma. ’N Daddy. And…” His voice trailed off as he looked down, deep in thought. “And?” Matthias strained. “Hey, kid gloves. He’s doin’ his best,” Alaistor shot back as he knelt down and wrapped his arms around Anthony.“Aren’cha, kiddo?” “Yeah…I. I remember the funny smell. And Daddy. He was…He was mad.” Anthony looked up, hopeful at Alaistor, and then Matthias. “Did I do it? Can I go now?” “Sure kiddo, you did great. You leave it to us, and then you can go.” Alaistor tousled Anthony’s hair as he stood back up. “Great, so we know he has a mom and a dad, and a smell.” Sarah clapped her hands, “The case is solved!” “Now, now, Sarah.” Deliah chided, “A lady is always courteous. And it is the duty of those of higher stations to aid the poor masses with their burdens. Noblesse Oblige and all that. Besides,” She smirked, “You get to showcase just how brilliant you are.” “We need to know where he’s from,” Matthias started. “And his last name, address, anything useful,” He continued as he towered over Anthony, and looked at Alaistor. “I get that, but we have to give him some time. Look’t him, he needs time—“ “Time we don’t have, not if we’re to have any hope of solving this!” Alaistor stood tall and puffed his chest out as he stared down Matthias. They always butted heads like two tomcats vying for territory. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m so hungry I could eat a whole bin!” I cut in. “Fighting like this isn’t going to help anyone, and besides, I know I think better on a full stomach.” “That’s a good idea Cat, a nice meal and we’ll have it solved in no time!” Sarah smiled again, and wreathed her arm around Deliah’s. “I do suppose I could go for a bite to eat.” Deliah said, blushing lightly. “If only to better investigate.” “I’m not hungry.” Anthony whispered. He was staring at the divots, thin arms wrapped tightly around his knees. “Oh, that’s perfect then! More for me!” Alaistor said with a laugh as he picked up Anthony and tossed him gently in the air. Anthony giggled and curled into Alaistor’s arms. “Nooo, it’s mine!” He put his palm on Alaistor’s mouth playfully trying to cover it. “Is it? I thought it was mine?” Alaistor held his hand, “Or is this mine?” He put Anthony’s hand in his mouth and pretended to bite it, while Anthony laughed and pulled away. “If we must,” Matthias sighed heavily. “Let us make haste.” I’d think his lungs didn’t grow in quite right, but he always sighed when he talked no matter which form he took. Maybe he just had naturally small lungs. We walked briskly out of the Alley. Matthias leaned forward as he pressed on with his lanky frame, always in a hurry, as if the faster we went the faster he would be free. Deliah and Sarah were arm in arm behind, close and smiling like they were sharing secrets. Alaistor easily followed telling Anthony fantastic stories. I walked a little behind, and we weaved our way through the maze of backstreets and into the city. As we got closer to people I could hear the hum of electricity, smell all the people and cars and food. We crossed the road and suddenly we’re in the middle of everything. I loved all of it. The city was so alive, it was only too bad that we weren’t.

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lysissisyl · 3 years

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A different world

This is the story I wrote for “The Goddess Messenger” zine.

___________________________________

The war had ended. Edelgard had only planned until then. Part of her probably didn’t even expect to survive it, at least not as Edelgard. Even if she won, even if she lived, the Emperor would have lived. She would have taken care of the reforms needed to truly reach her goals, she would have made sure no one ever faced what she had to face. She would have been the leader Fodlan needed, until she wasn’t needed anymore. Emperor and the justice they embodied. (She was born a rebel and she was now dealing with that herself, as ironic as it sounded.)

She was sitting in her study, a pile of unsigned documents to her right, the pile of the signed ones to her left definitely too high for the edge of dawn. According to her schedule, she was expected to sit there until lunch, reading letters, drafts of decrees and laws, spies reports, nobles’ complaints... She looked out of the window and sighed. It was such a nice day... In a different world, in a different life, she could have been having tea in the gardens with Byleth or seeing her laugh because she was putting too much effort choosing her outfit to go to the opera and wondering what flowers Dorothea would have liked the most. She shook her head. In another life she would have more probably been dead or in chains again. She shivered at the thought. Who knew, perhaps Dimitri would have ruled over Fodlan and people would have called her a tyrant. Byleth would have had a role in the church, under Rhea’s guidance. Another sigh. This wasn’t a different world, this wasn’t a different life. Luckily. She would have read and signed 3000 more boring papers to know she was going to see Byleth’s smile in the evening, the love in her eyes... She clenched her fists. What was wrong with her? She was prepared to walk that path alone, to fight alone, to sit in that study alone in the best scenario, to die alone in the worst. And now? Now she couldn’t stand an entire morning alone. No, she couldn’t stand an entire morning without Byleth. It wasn’t just about focusing. Of course her thoughts ran to her given the smallest chance. She was annoyed, but it was also comforting somehow. The problem was the tight knot in her stomach, the cold that made her shiver and shake sometimes, even with the fireplace just a few feet away. The problem was that painful feeling that made her crave for her voice, her smile, even just a moment of her presence. She felt like screaming. She signed another paper. Sure Ferdinand could call his school “the Von Aegir foundation for equal opportunities and enlightenment”. She took the paper back: maybe it would have been better to submit it to Hubert... Byleth would have found it funny. She laughed now. She wanted that laugh... She took the paper again, crumpled it in a ball and threw it in the fire. She could deal with one damn morning! But it was every morning. It had been every morning from the day she had realized Byleth had chosen to walk with her. And she rationally knew that didn’t mean they were going to be together all the time. She was totally fine with that. Each of them had things to take care of. She would have never asked anything like that. But...every time she wasn’t there, that feeling came back. And she hated herself for that. She could feel her eyes burning. Right, another thing that had changed. She remembered how to cry now. That didn’t mean she had any intention to. Luckily, because she heard the door opening a moment later. She hadn’t heard a knock, but she was...distracted. And Hubert didn’t always knock. Nor did Ferdinand. Or Caspar. Too many people didn’t fucking knock. But most of them weren’t up that early in the morning, except for Hubert, who could either be already up or not yet asleep. She sat straight on the chair, ready to discuss any urgency that had presented. To her surprise, it wasn’t Hubert coming in, but Byleth. “Weren’t you going to train? You love the training grounds at dawn, because they’re all yours. Did something happen?” But she was smiling. “Why are you here? We were supposed to meet for lunch.” Byleth slipped her weight on the other feet, pensive, then shrugged. “I missed you.” All the tears Edelgard had been holding came out, her solemn posture turned into stiffness, then breaking completely and letting her collapse on the chair and desk.

“El?” Byleth was confused. Emotions were still unfamiliar to her, something she struggled to unravel. She knew she had gotten better in those few months, but this reaction was something she couldn’t comprehend. Did she say anything wrong? Did she make Edelgard sad? She remembered crying when she was in pain, the day her father died and she remembered Edelgard crying when she thought she was dead. She moved carefully, sitting on the chair in front of her. “Did I cause you pain?” Edelgard’s eyes met hers, while she partially regained control. “No. No. You chase the pain away, my love. The pain and cold.” Byleth turned to the fireplace, already half standing, with the clear intention of starting a fire that was already going. Another small way to love her. But it wasn’t the sight of the fire that stopped her, it was Edelgard’s hand, grabbing hers. “Stay...” She was smiling, but there was a need in her eyes. She looked away an instant later and let go hesitantly. “Apologies.” “What for?” “I’m truly not myself today. Feel free to go back to your training and errands.” Byleth tilted her head in the way she often did when she was pondering something. “Why?” “Because it isn’t fair to as otherwise. It’s...selfish.” Byleth looked at her again, giving her another confused look. “But I want to stay.” Edelgard laughed, a small laugh, but her voice was clearly cracking again. No tears though, just her eyes sparkling for a moment. Then she looked at the papers and her attitude changed. Her posture stiffened, she grabbed the sheet on top and sighed. “Will you stay with me while I work then?” Byleth looked at her for a long moment. She was in control again, but she could see her lower lip tremble slightly from time to time, her grip on the paper a little too strong. In her mind she looked like an overzealous rookie who kept swinging their sword for days, until their hands were so in blisters they couldn’t even hold it anymore. “You need a break.” “I need to work.” “Is there anything urgent among those papers?” “If anything was urgent, Hubert would report it or bring the documents to me personally.” “Then you don’t need to work.” “I worked everyday from dawn to sunset since the war started. No, it’s been much, much longer.” “You definitely need a break.” “You’re not listening. I’m used to it. I know I can do it. I just need you here. I can’t waste an hour.” “I wasn’t thinking about an hour.” Edelgard smiled. “Then I suppose I can take a few more minutes.” “I was thinking about a day.” Edelgard froze. “A day?” Foolish. She couldn’t. She needed every minute to study and sign all those papers before the end of the day. She had responsibilities. She had...very intrusive thoughts of her and Byleth drinking tea in the gardens, eating cookies, chatting and smiling. It was such a nice day... Maybe it could be a different world, just for today... “El...?” It. Wasn’t. A. Different. World. “I wish it was...” “What?” “I wish it was a different world, a world I can spend the day with you, relaxing and having fun, drinking tea and laughing together. I wish, but I have to take care of it all, I must. I can do it now, so I must.” Another image came to Byleth’s mind. Edelgard dealing with reports during the war, messengers running back and forth, reports held by bloody hands, men and women and children risking their lives for words to reach her. She stayed up at night to read and study everything, send replies. Everyday she wasn’t fighting or studying strategies, she was reading and writing papers, the silent side of the war people always forget. Some days sleeping was a luxury she couldn’t afford, because someone else needed orders, because a new territory needed laws, because she had treaties and negotiations ongoing. She understood. “You can now, you can tomorrow. El, there won’t be a battle forcing you to postpone it, there won’t be an assassination interruption, a fire burning your documents down. “This is another world: the world you dreamed of, the world we fought for, the world we created together. The war has ended.” “The war has ended.” Edelgard repeated those words, as a reminder, as something to cling to. She felt lost. She had kept thinking, acting as it hadn’t, because she didn’t know what else to do. But the war had ended. “So...what now?” “Whatever we want.” Edelgard just stared back at her, the vastness in those words both beautiful and scary. Byleth could see it, she could feel it. “What do you want today, El?” An easier question. She still felt stupid answering. “I want to go to the gardens, enjoy the cool air, drinking tea and eating sweets with you.” Stupid. The first thing the mighty emperor could think of was tea and cookies, a child’s desire. “I’ll ask for everything to be prepared.” “Ask?” Edelgard raised her eyebrow. “This sure is a change. I was starting to worry a lot of people in the palace would have started complaining about not being able to do their job anymore.” Byleth giggled. “I usually prefer to do most things by myself, exactly like you do, but I told you, El: I want to stay.” She paused. “I’m still going to brew the tea myself, though. I have my limits.” Edelgard laughed.

Edelgard loved the way Byleth brewed her favorite bergamot tea. Ferdinand could go on rambling about times and temperatures as long as he wanted to (he sure did more than once), but Byleth had sort of a natural talent for making tea. If she wasn’t so rational, she would have said she could taste the love. She let her pour some in her cup, then watched her while she got some in her own. There was a calm, a comfortable calm in Byleth’s way of handling tea that had always fascinated her. There was a gentleness in her gestures so unusual for a mercenary... Now she knew that gentleness well. She smiled, a silent thank you, took a cautious sip. It was hot, but not enough to burn. She could feel the warmth spreading on her body, forcing her shoulders to relax. Byleth’s tea was the most similar thing to a hug she knew. Her voice was as gentle and warm now. It made her feel like purring. “I understand, El.” Byleth leaning forward, fingers gently caressing her cheeks, another kind of warmth. Soothing... Edelgard closed her eyes for a moment, absorbed by that lingering feeling. Then a serious note joined the sweet kindness in Byleth’s voice and she focused on it again. “New beginnings aren’t easy. Even when they are nice, even when things change for the better, even when there is hope and happiness awaiting, when you reach them after a long fight...new beginnings aren’t easy. Your mind has to learn to believe, it has to learn to let go, to relax. There is a difference between knowing that things will be alright and feeling it. “You saw me running to you, sword in hand, because I heard a noise, even if I knew the palace was safe; the other day I almost hit a kid playing a prank on me in the streets, then I had go back to the market, because I hadn’t bought anything that wasn’t dry and easy to preserve while traveling. My brain momentarily forgot I have a home now. And...sometimes, when my emotions are stronger than usual, when you smile to me in the morning and I’m still half asleep and my heart races... I freeze for a moment, because I forgot it bites now. I do understand, El.” She did. She always did... “Can we do this every day?” Childish. “A free day?” Byleth teased her. She blushed and stuttered. “You know that’s not what I meant. The tea. A moment for tea. A break. Sharing.” “We can, El. This or anything you desire. You don’t need to plan. You can, but you don’t need to. You can think about what you want everyday. Tea, walking in the gardens, a game of chess, sitting in front of the fireplace, hand in hand. Just something you want, every day, small precious things.” “Small precious things...and days off when I need them...reaching out when I need you...” She bit her lip: she didn’t mean to say it out loud. Byleth smiled. “Good girl, El. And remember that when you fought for everyone’s future you fought for yours too.” Edelgard wanted to say ‘thank you’, but it didn’t seem enough. She moved slowly, resting her head against Byleth’s chest, listening to that beating heart... A new beginning. Together.

#RedInk #Edeleth #Fire Emblem: Three Houses #FE3H #Edelgard #Byleth

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