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4rticbolt · 8 months ago

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A Swordsman’s Love |Master-list|

GN!Reader, Fluff, angst if you squint, comfy comfort

First one-shot, too long for a Drabble! Basically a run down on Zoro’s love for you, yap sesh, and vulnerable moments with the lovable swordsman.

•-•-•-•-••-•-•-•-••-•-•-•-••-•-•-•-•

Zoro’s love language is quality time, maybe with a little mix of acts of service here and there, but regardless you couldn’t change my mind.

Despite how ‘cold’ and ‘rough’ he may be, he’s just a little more emotionally constipated than others. Zoro tends to be forward and blunt with his love, even if at first it doesn’t come across that way.

He is nowhere near as romantically inclined as the cook, and compared to Sanji, Zoro’s actions speak louder than words.

He doesn’t care for all that gushy, sweet, blabbering—it’s not really his style, nor his strong suit. However, he can still have his moments with you. Being unironically sweet, flirty or even splitting to a grumbling blushing mess the next, it’s just the way he is.

The time he spends with you is a whole ‘nother story. It’s incredibly important to him and the basic building blocks of your relationship. It’s what you both really tend to feed off of, even if a certain stubborn swordsman won’t admit it.

An often occurrence between you, is him dragging you for a nap, tossing you over his shoulder without a care. Hauling you to his bed.

•~•~•~•

“Come, I’m tired.”

“So—I was relaxing?”

“What? And you can’t do that with me?” He prompts, carrying you through the hall towards the men’s quarters. His arm was securely wrapped around your thighs as his left hand casually wandered to your end, gently gripping the hem of your shirt.

Zoro always made sure to keep a stable hold, as you often leaned up on his shoulder like now.

“Well yeah I can, but it’s different when I’m in the sun,” you grumble, softly glaring towards him. Trying and ever so failing to ignore his hand placement.

“Different? I’m plenty warm, I don’t see what your issue is.” he replies, effectively shutting you up. Your protests were a lost cause as he already made up his mind, tossing you up in the bunk with an incoherent mumble.

“What was that?” he asked, wrapping his arms around you—caging you in. Your head rested gently against his shoulder letting your legs tangle with his.

“Nothing.” you muffled.

“Thought so.”

•~•~•~•

Zoro isn’t the chatty type, so one of his favorite things to do is listen to you. Whether you’re sitting in his lap or resting by his side, you name it—talking about whatever your heart desires; he’s listening to you.

Your voice and presence soothes him in ways he can’t describe, like a coolant. Often, it eases his troubles, distracting him so he doesn’t have to do it himself—focusing all his thoughts to you.

Zoro tends to pick up on the things others don’t. Whatever you don’t like, he’s noted. Whatever you may fear—he’s quick to keep you away from it. Shield you, protect you, and if you’re sick or sad he knows what to do to make you feel better.

It’s like a second nature to him.

You’d think he wouldn’t have a clue what to get you for a gift or present—but he just somehow does.

Zoro knows how to pick up on silent cues, whether it’s emotional or physical he has a feeling. He can’t describe it, or exactly figure out why, he just knew.

Likewise, you’d gotten a nasty fever—bed ridden for days—and he’d stuck by your side (as most of the crew would). But, he figured you hated being alone. He had a hunch you hated silence, missing the company of your boisterous crew he hoped his presence was enough.

And it always was.

Yeah, he might have slapped a cold rag over your face, telling you to get better so he could train—but he meant well. He just had a gruff way of showing it.

He gave discrete affection, like brushing his hands through your hair to help you sleep, or holding you close so you felt like he wouldn’t leave—he wasn’t too awkward about it. It was causal for him, which led to him sticking by you—deftly tucking you into bed.

To put the cherry on top, Sanji had brought you in one of your favorite foods. Yet you hadn’t remembered mentioning it or telling anyone—but you ultimately suspected Zoro was the culprit.

Either that or you had run your mouth and someone else caught on, which…was probably also Zoro.

But regardless—he’d begrudgingly asked the cook to make it for you.

You didn’t ask him about it, but you did quietly thank him as he dozed off by your side. He’d been awkwardly leaned against you, making your legs go numb under the weight of his muscly chest.

He was an idiot, but he was your lovable idiot. So you’d take what you could get.

There was always so little but so very much of Zoro, and you cherished every second of it.

Zoro always looked out for you, sometimes in ways you couldn’t tell.

The way his eyes followed you as you climbed down from the crows-nest, exhausted or just in general—he made sure you made it down safe. Though if there was ever a moment you’d fall—he’d always catch you.

That includes you being clumsy, or stupid—tripping on a chair or stumbling down the stairs—he had an instinct. Which was also apart of his protective charm.

Zoro’s charm is quiet, but it’s safe. You always felt comfortable no matter the RBF he wore. Which left you questioning if he was frustrated with you or something else entirely.

But he was 100% your safespace.

And your guard dog

But no one would outrightly say that. He could be as brash and avoiding as he wanted to be, but he could never run from you, nor hide his feelings.

Well anyways.

His touch tended to be rough and calloused, you were usually manhandled—not that you minded, but expect being pushed against a wall and kissed senseless.

It was a deep love. The type of love where if someone asked you why you loved eachother, you wouldn’t be able to tell them. You were just drawn, like some gravitational pull, clicking like soulmates. Somehow drawn.

In the warm dawn of a long day, locked in his hold, limbs entangled with snoring bruisingly loud in your ear, he was still yours. Trusting you enough to be vulnerable like this, holding you sleepily in his arms, he loved you.

He never often said it, but when he did, he’d always meant it.

Zoro wasn’t one to beat around the bush, and miscommunication had never really been an issue between you two.

However, without being told you’re loved and that you’re important, overthinking can tend to flourish. Especially with someone like Zoro, which left you doubting your abilities, wondering if the time and effort he gave you was really worth it at all. Overall feeling like a chore…

It’d been a rough patch in your relationship, but it eventually passed. Even if it took a little breakdown and pure avoidance—he’d quickly caught on.

Once he’d figured it out, he wouldn’t be angry or frustrated, he’d just be confused.

Like I said, Zoro’s a little emotionally constipated, so you’d just have to be simple and straightforward with him. Even if it’s hard to communicate that.

He just couldn’t magically understand what the problem was, and you’d probably have to tell him. Ending in a method of heated discussion—or a pure ramble and breakdown of words.

He would be there for you regardless.

•~•~•

For a moment, Zoro would be stunned. A blank sheet, but the words would register and his gaze would slightly soften.

He would take it slow, coming closer, offering you a hug to let you decide what you wanted. As he never wanted to control anything, your relationship was a ship off balance, floating teetering—drifting free, it was simple.

He’d pull you close, letting his hands comfortingly wash over and sink beneath your turmoil, wiping away the very tears he didn’t mean to cause.

He didn’t really know what to think, he didn’t blame you, but he did silently blame himself.

Zoro jokingly said you needed to toughen up, but it had never been meant harshly. His crude humor had been used in the wrong setting and brain would fry as you cried more, feeling stupid.

His brain would fry, but he’d be quick to comfort you. This was probably one of the only times he’d apologize—and they’d chaotically fly and ramble out.

His stubborn heart just couldn’t stand your tears, as it was definitely one of his weaknesses.

“Hey, hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t—____ please, please don’t cry,” he’d mutter and shush, gently grabbing your face as he tried to wipe away your tears.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he murmured, pulling you in for another hug until you simply stopped. Guardingly, he’d pull you into his lap, attempting to ease your anxieties.

Zoro would internally curse the world and himself for being so dense, but no matter your anxieties it never affected how he saw you.

His motto, was that if you didn’t feel loved, then he’d simply have to remind you over and over again until you did.

Zoro would bring your tears eyes to look into his and he repeated the words he didn’t often say, determinedly.

“I love you, I. Love. You, you got that?”

He never idled you weak, but he wished you’d realize how important you were to him, and how much he loves you.

The literal Straw Hat to his Luffy, or the SUPER to his Franky, it simply wouldnt be the same without you. And he’d stand stubbornly by it no matter what negative thoughts you had to offer.

You were his to love, his to hold, and his cherish.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

•~•~•

Overall, a Swordsman’s Love like Zoro’s is indefinite. It honestly depends how you view him and his character, though out of all the odds he was just a kid forced to grow up too fast.

He serves as a first-mate on the crew, meaning his literal job is to protect and take care—meanwhile holding second charge. But in the real light, he’ll downplay it. He puts on a front, acting strong, letting no one see him so weak—but he can’t hide it from you.

The crew sees it sometimes, but it’s mostly with you in quieter moments.

Ever since Kuina died, he’d lost a lot. He’d lost his best friend, and he’d lost a challenge to further achieve his dream.

So he had to live for her, and achieve it himself.

That dream never wavered, but as soon as the crew came into play—they always came first. Including you.

His worry for you was strong, whether you could fight or not you’re always in sharp terms on his radar, and he can’t help it.

You’re not fragile to him, but in the moments where you’re injured, it’s like he has tunnel vision. He doesn’t want you to get hurt. He can’t stand seeing you in pain, or suffering, because it was his job to protect you in the first place.

You’re his.

Maybe, just maybe, he would be on the overprotective side. But, it comes from a place of heart. He’d constantly remind you to rest, to take it easy—and even haul you to bed if he had to.

When you’re hurt he doesn’t let you out of his sight, he watches you like a hawk—but he just needs to know you okay and you’re safe.

Because he never had that confirmation with Kuina, it’d been sudden, out of the ordinary—and he wasn’t taking that chance with you.

He’d tend to your wounds without ask and he’d always be gentle, even if you didn’t want him to do it.

You’d insist you’d be fine, but he’d never let up.

Zoro was a strong minded person, and when he had his mind was set on something, it was very hard to break.

•~•~•

“____, Can you just let me—?”

“No,” you said shakily, crossing your arms over your stomach. A bleeding wound with old bandages was hidden beneath, creating a slow decline in your energy. “I said it’s fine, you don’t need to, Chopper will be back in a bit.”

“Yeah, like I’m gonna wait and let you bleed out. Just C’mere and sit your ass down,” he scoffed, walking over to you.

“I’m not gonna bleed out—“

“If I don’t re-bandage it and put some pressure on it, yeah the hell you are,” Zoro snapped, carefully grabbing your upper sides as he pushed you to sit against the lounge.

It wasn’t long till he had a wad of bandages with antiseptics at either side of you, kneeled in-front.

Despite Zoro being a dummy, you often forgot how tender and smart he could be in situations so dire. He had a way of knowing, but never explaining.

He most likely learned the medical techniques by watching the injuries Chopper had treated on him.

You couldn’t find a word of protest, as you didn’t know how to talk to him when he was so brunt and focused. You weren’t used to being cared for, but Zoro exceeded at that—leaving bittersweet feelings to rest.

You had to look away as he rested between your legs, distracting yourself from the pain as he pushed you gently back.

As careful as he could be, he peeled off your shirt wrapping off the old and tending in with the new.

It was an uncomfortable burn, followed by sharp stabs and throbs leaving you breathless. You were painfully tense and quiet, but he picked up on that.

You quietly cursed, letting out a shaky groan as the antiseptic finally hit your skin. You closed your eyes, focusing on anything else, eventually finding the intricate grooves ceiling where made shaped out figures—creating them like your dignity depended on it.

A slight whimper followed and Zoro’s hand tightened on your thigh.

You sucked in a long breath, closing your eyes as you focused your attention to his touch—rather than the pain that was causing it, “You done yet?”

Zoro dabbed the cotton swab over the freshly cleaned wound, “Mhm, just relax.”

“You’re almost done. A bit longer ____.”

“I know.” you winced.

He hated hearing you like that, much less seeing it.

He quickly wiped over the wound before leaning up to grab the bandage, moving his hand to your lower back—leaning you up.

“I just need to wrap this up. Hold on to me, yeah?”

You nodded, letting him bring your arms to his shoulders. The pain suddenly intensified and you’d whimpered into his shoulder.

“I know, I know.” he whispered, bringing his hand to the back of your head.

Before you knew it, he successfully pulled you into his lap, finishing off the bandages with a gentle tie.

His hand gingerly combed through your hair as he kissed your temple, bringing his hand to your lower back, holding it there with soft motions.

“Rest pretty, I gotcha.” He mumbled, kissing the top of your head. Zoro lifted your legs over his lap, holding you there.

He leaned back against the lounge, resting securely with you in his arms, “I gotcha.”

•~•~•

#one piece x reader #zoro roronoa x reader #drabble #comfort #delulu #roronoa zoro x reader #one piece x y/n #one piece x you #onepeice #onepiece masterlist #zoro roronoa x you #zoro x you #zoro headcanons #one piece zoro #zoro roronoa x y/n #zoro x reader #pirate hunter zoro #Spotify

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misslycoris · 1 year ago

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PLATONIC

𐂂 Oh best believe he's not gonna take you seriously at the beginning of your so-called friendship, I don't even think he considers it as one.

𐂂 He just considers you as one of the many people he knows. He also definitely doesn't think of you as an equal or anyone significant.

𐂂 He'll probably acknowledge your existence if you were a part of the hotel, but if you were just a random demon off the streets then no, he has better things to do with his time. Not unless you do something that grabs his attention.

𐂂 Deliberately trying to be on his good side won't affect him in any way, he's used to that treatment, therefore what you're doing is nothing special.

𐂂 But what does grab his attention? Subtle things. Giving him his space, if you have a phone or any technology invented beyond the 1930s you generally try and avoid him, thanking him as he passes you your portion of the meal he cooks for hotel bonding nights that Charlie mandated. Stuff like that when added up makes Alastor generally more appreciative of your existence.

𐂂 Only then you're upgraded from an acquaintance to an acquaintance that isn't as annoying to be around as the rest.

𐂂 That's when he strikes up random conversations with you, he appreciates it if you take the time to listen and add to it, even more so if you actually set aside something you were doing just to talk with him. It gives him a mini ego boost every time.

𐂂 Writing something while he talks about the hotel's structural problems? His smile widens when you close your notebook and join him by recounting the time you almost fell down the balcony.

𐂂 Eating breakfast and he talks about how he hunts the perfect deer for venison? There you are, chewing your food and nodding, listening to how he graphically describes the process while the rest of the hotel stares at him in horror.

𐂂 Another thing he does during this phase is popping out of nowhere and keeping up with what you're doing, call it interest, call it curiosity, or maybe it's boredom. Now that Alastor knows that you are more tolerant of him he'll fully use that to his entertainment.

𐂂 I can see him trying to get a deal out of you but it doesn't go anywhere, since I'm going to assume we are all smart enough to not hand our souls to Alastor on a silver platter.

𐂂 Survive his onslaught of impromptu shenanigans and move on to the next tier of actually being friends.

𐂂 Alastor treats his friends as his equals so there's that, also be ready to accept his invites to drinking coffee around the hotel and talking about the latest mess the hotel went through.

𐂂 The way he treats you compared to how he treats Angel or Husk is way different that it physically gives everyone a whiplash. I'm talking about something like this:

"Can you not scare off people, smiles? We're tryna bring in people into the hotel." Angel explains, Alastor only simpers as he feigns ignorance.

"Why, I don't know what you're talking about!" He laughs as he skips off merrily. Charlie and Vaggie then nod to each other and drag you into the conversation, whispering you something before they push you towards Alastor.

"Hey Alastor, I just wanted to ask if you could help me with something?" You ask, you haven't made up a chore to ask for help from him but you needed a reason to try and stop him from scaring any potential guests. Does Alastor know? I guarantee you he does. But does he let you do it anyways? Yes, absolutely he does.

"Anything to help a dear out, if you'll excuse us then!" Alastor bids goodbye for the both of you as you walk away, despite being the one to ask him, he was the one leading the way.

𐂂 Alastor also invites you to meet Rosie! Rosie finds you very endearing and if you had a penchant for cannibalism expect luncheons together with them.

𐂂 By this point everyone in the hotel notices how Alastor gravitates towards you, they have mixed reactions to it but the general consensus is to not disrupt your "bonding sessions" as Charlie puts it.

𐂂 Alastor oftentimes shares jokes whether or not you appreciate his humor. Side note, Alastor full-on cackles if you or Rosie say something outta pocket about somebody, and hangouts with both of them are generally a good time. He'll try to say shit like:

"Let's be nicer now." All the while he holds in a laugh after you and Rosie called Susan the wicked bitch of the West.

𐂂 This is also a silly thought of mine, but picture this:

You decided to stay up late one night after you decided to do whatever it is you were putting off and after a while, you decided to grab some coffee from downstairs.

Arriving at the kitchen you see, this eldritch abomination in the shadows looming over the cabinet where the instant coffee packets were kept. It then takes you a few seconds to register that it was Alastor and you were just left standing by the kitchen doorway, wondering what to say.

"Can I grab the coffee packets from that cabinet over there?" You point towards the cabinet, Alastor then quickly shifts back to his usual form and ushers you to the kitchen counter.

"Nonsense my dear! Why don't I make us some nice and hot coffee instead of consuming such tasteless things." Alastor insists and before you could even refuse he was already doing a French press.

𐂂 Though as you can imagine Alastor has his off days, he makes it clear to you when he isn't in the best of moods and you steer clear of him per his request. Then the fight with Adam happened. As the rest of the hotel was busy with rebuilding the hotel, you were balancing both looking for Alastor and helping paint the walls of the new hotel.

𐂂 This is when the remaining walls he had crumbled down as you find him at his lowest, basically defeated and while he was royally pissed when someone saw him in such a vulnerable state, you were the best option out of the ensemble that was currently singing outside of the ruins of his old radio station.

𐂂 Hesitant as he was, he let you dress his wound with bandages, he wasn't comfortable with anything else you offered, not with cleaning up the wound itself, not with telling the rest that he was alive, and definitely not asking for help from anyone either. So you stayed there for a while after you finished dressing his wound up, his blood immediately soaking through the bandage. But you didn't say anything and let Alastor be, and after a few more minutes in silence, he got up and offered you a hand as if he wasn't the one who needed it. The only thing he says is:

"We mustn't dilly-dally now, the rest are waiting for you." Not us, just you. It sounded bitter but you didn't say anything.

ROMANTIC(? AS MUCH AS ALASTOR CAN BE AT LEAST)

𐂂 Romantic isn't the right word for Alastor, I imagine him to be somebody who doesn't outright say his feelings but there's a gradual change, and then one day, before you know it people around the hotel will start asking you if you two were a thing. He's not going to acknowledge the change verbally, but he does notice it and acknowledges it in his own way.

𐂂 Don't get me wrong he's capable of being romantic, acts of service is his go-to, and on days that he feels like it he can be very vocal with his affections. But it's not an everyday occurrence.

𐂂 This only starts right after something like seeing him at his lowest, that for me is when I feel like he's more willing to be more open to you. I mean, you've already seen him at rock bottom, so why not?

𐂂 Go to him during your more vulnerable moments, he's done it to you so he expects the same. Trust goes both ways after all.

𐂂 It starts out small, if you were used to setting things aside just to listen to him ramble, wait until you start to notice that he's doing the same thing for you. Usually when you're discussing something he multitasks, of course he still listens but efficiency is of the essence. Eventually though, he starts to physically put aside anything he is doing, showing that you have his full attention.

𐂂 There are also times when you (and the rest of the hotel) notice that your portion in meals that he cooked has significantly more than what the others have on their plates. Anyone who complains gets told that they were only imagining it by Alastor.

𐂂 Alastor also gradually becomes more lenient with you, letting you get away with a lot more than you should. Steal his monocle? He'll wear his glasses as he searches for you in the hotel. Break something by accident? He'll be by your side telling you to be more careful as he picks up every broken piece before you hurt yourself.

𐂂 Adjustment is key, I can see the other party doing more of it but he also makes an effort to meet you halfway. Are you particularly touchy? He doesn't get it but he knows it makes you happy so he makes an effort to accommodate you.

𐂂 Words of affirmation? Since he gets to see you get all flustered he's up for it! He finds you adorable whenever you do.

𐂂 Alastor tries for you, tries to navigate all of those unfamiliar territories that he's never had the chance to explore to ensure that you don't feel like the only one in your relationship. It does feel like it sometimes, I won't sugarcoat it, Alastor at heart is a man cold and sharp on the edges, but he isn't Alastor if he wasn't and he still cares for you all the same even if he doesn't show it.

𐂂 I'd say the most romantic part of the day for the both of you would be reading together in his room, fire crackling as you sit on the floor (much to Alastor's protest) while you lean against Alastor's chair. Sometimes he sneaks a peek into your book just to see what you were reading out of curiosity, and you'd rather not tell him that you could see him doing it from his reflection through the small mirror he had hanging by one of his shelves.

𐂂 Pet names for days! Yes he does call you chere, next question please. Pet names become more frequent the closer you two become, although, the more personal nicknames would be said behind closed doors. The most he'll call you in public would be darling, he didn't need to air out every part of his life and you both were content at that. Also, call me crazy, delusional even, but hear me out here sharks:

You were sitting by the fire, with Alastor still complaining that sitting on the floor was nowhere near as comfortable as you said it was, you only laughed lightly at how much of a fuss he's kicking up.

"I won't die a second time just because I decided to sit on the floor Al. Besides, you're a lot closer if I sit here. I like it like that. So let me have this one, please?" You don't know why, but he stops in the middle of his tangent. Something about what you just said struck something in him that got him laughing softly, even going so far as to ruffle your hair ever so gently.

"Oh, you dear old thing. I suppose I can't stop you." He eventually takes his hand back and goes back to reading as he hums together with the faint melody of jazz in the air.

𐂂 Alastor helps you dress up if you ask, need help with a zipper you can't quite reach? Hold his staff for a moment while he does. Can't pick between two things? Ask him and he'll give you his opinion, he'll often say you'll look just as lovely wearing either one but he does have his choice.

𐂂 You don't sleep in the same rooms unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you see it, if you're a part of the rehabilitation program you both would have a separate room of your own. Neither of you made any plans of asking Charlie to move you to his room or vice versa either since you were both unprepared for whatever questions she may have so you both agreed to put it off, there really was no urgency or need to stay in the same room anyways.

𐂂 Letters! Events like Valentine's Day never interested Alastor, there was no one to spend it with so he never needed to worry about it. But with you in the picture he starts to think otherwise, you both rarely ask for anything from the other so gifts would have to be purely given by initiative, and now was the perfect time. It takes Alastor an almost embarrassingly long amount of time to settle on writing you a letter, a heartfelt one dedicated to thanking you for being a part of his afterlife, for being someone he can trust, and for making the days less monotonous for him. Imagine his surprise when he hands you a letter only for you to give one of your own. You both share a laugh and settle down by the fire, reading your letters together as Alastor sits down on the floor together with you just this once to humor you he says.

𐂂 All in all, it takes a while, but with time, patience, and I mean a lot of it, you'll get there.

╭┉┉┅┄┄┈•◦_•◦❥•◦_

Interested in hearing me yap even more? Give Signed, Alastor a go if you have the time. It's about a bat and a deer faffing around until they sort their feelings out.

#hazbin alastor #alastor #alastor x reader #hazbin hotel #alastor x you #writeblr #writing #headcannons #alastor headcanons #writers on tumblr #alastor/reader #alastor the radio demon

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hellsitedotcom · 9 months ago

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⋆⭒˚｡⋆ More Honkai Men & How They Kiss ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

featuring Jiaoqiu, Moze, ...

๋࣭ ⭑ Finished the Trailblazer Quest they appear in recently, and I...let's just say I get it now. I do apologize if it seems Out Of Character tho ๋࣭ ⭑

๋࣭ ⭑ warnings & info: none ๋࣭ ⭑ english is not my native language!

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ JIAOQIU ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

⤑ I believe that Jiaoqiu can be a sweet talker, a true gentleman when he's in love, which can be seen in the way he treats you, and thus, in the way he shows his affections to you.

⤑ He's the kind of person that has you practically melting at his touch, at the way he kisses you. He's gentle, sensual (not in an overly sexual way, but I lack a better word for it), and his kisses convey the deep love he feels for you.

⤑ Jiaoqiu is the kind of person that takes things slow, even after years of being together. He never gets...bored of what you have - it never becomes something he's so ''accustomed'' to that he feels the need to rush through it.

⤑ He'll hold you close, just shower you in compliments and sweet nothings before eventually leaning down to kiss you slowly, gently, taking your breathe away with each kiss.

⤑ Definitely the type to kiss your palm/hand, or kiss your shoulders when he walks past you from behind or while lying next to you. He's more on the affectionate side compared to some others, though he prefers keeping those affections private for many reasons.

⤑ When it comes to receiving kisses, I doubt he has much of a preference, since he prefers being the one to initiate kisses. And when you do end up being the one to kiss him, he'll probably be smiling just a tad more than usual, but only his closest confidants will notice.

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ MOZE ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

⤑ Don't hate me, but I do not necessarily see Moze be the most physically affectionate guy. Maybe I'm biased, maybe I'm putting him a box, but to me, he shows his affections differently.

⤑ But, when it does come to kissing you, I can see him be somewhat roughly initially. Not necessarily because he lacks the experience (though you can headcanon it that way, if you prefer), nor because he ''dislikes'' kissing you. It's just...It just used to be how he does it.

⤑ Moze's kisses weren't ''intense'', per se, but just...rough, his lips crashing against yours in a way that would make you stumble back if it weren't for the arm he wrapped around your waist. Those kisses were brief, as if rushed, before he departed again, and left you standing there trying to process what had just happened.

⤑ With time, as he felt more and more comfortable, his kisses became longer, the roughness turning into passionate, intense kisses. He's still not one to frequently kiss you, but maybe that makes his kisses all the more special.

⤑ Again, while I don't see him be overly physically affectionate, I believe he'd be the type to kiss the top of your head occasionally - say, when you are cuddling or sleeping together. It's...a rarity, though becoming more frequent or a form of routine. Still, it is kept behind close doors, as Moze is no fan of public displays of affection.

⤑ On the receiving end, I do think he'd be more...vulnerable? I believe he loves receiving physical affection from you (though he prefers it in private, again), and would probably be the time to secretly/quietly long for your kiss. He'd definitely love random pecks on the cheek; totally possible that it would make him blush!

#i wrote this while sick. just...bare with me. also I need to figure out how to work with these pics/banners/gifs for everyone...oh well.#i was gonna add welt and sunday but. i have no nice pics of welt. and i have no fucking idea how to characterize sunday yet.#...not had Jiaoqiu was much easier but hey. In my defense. I am sick and can barely keep my eyes open.#jiaoqiu x reader #moze x reader #hsr jiaoqiu #jiaoqiu #honkai jiaoqiu #hsr moze #moze #honkai moze #hsr headcanons #hsr x reader

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fandomapocalypse · 1 year ago

Text

Love and relationships in Hazbin Hotel

Episode 7 has something interesting and in the song that is called "Out for love" is sung by a character that is referring to a type of love different from a romantic or sexual one, Carmilla is openly talking about familial love. Vaggie of course relates this to her romantic feelings towards Charlie and how she wants to help her. But something else interesting happens in episode 7, Rosie is properly introduced as Alastor's bestie. This leads to showing another type of love: platonic love.

Now to the main point of this post: Alastor. It's canon that he is aroace and as an ace myself (I'm still questioning whether I'm aromantic or demiromantic but this post isn't about me lol) I'm extremely happy to see myself through him. Plus, the fact that the perfect Tumblr sexyman is aroace is genius and hilarious, you can't possibly top this type of humor.

Alastor for me has been a great ace representation and I've seen myself mainly in how he acts around his friends or other people.

When it comes to Niffty it looks more like a relationship between someone with their feral cat or their crazy little sister. But it's still a genuine connection and a fun chaotic one at that, he even lets her touch his hair and climb on him. In regards to Mimzy, he has shown he cares about her and welcomes her with open arms. He openly hugs her, which shocks everyone in the cast. This is extremely important because Alastor usually only starts physical contact to mock others or to pretend physical closeness as a manipulation tactic (like he often does with Charlie). When it comes to people he hates Alastor may touch them but will quickly wipe his hand on his clothes, like what he did with Lucifer. Personally, I don't like personal contact and only accept it if I start it and usually I use it as a way to show affection with close friends. Also, they have known each other since they were alive, so Mimzy probably knows a lot about Alastor that the rest of the cast doesn't. Mimzy also says that they used to dance together. But that doesn't exclude the fact that she uses Alastor's friendship and affection to save her own ass and taking into account how Husk reacted to Mimzy, this isn't the first time she does this. Also, the relationship between the two starts to crumble after what happened in episode 6 and Mimzy seems to be the kind of friend who will pretend that they are still on good terms and still ask Alastor for favors in the future.

Now jumping back to Alastor's true bestie: Rosie. They probably bonded at first over their cannibalistic natures but it's clear that it evolved beyond that. Personally, I don't ship Alastor with anyone, but when it comes to Rosie I headcanon they are in a QPR.

There are various reasons why this relationship is so great and wholesome, the first one being that there is no power imbalance, they are equals. Both are cannibalistic overlords and are on equal footing in terms of power. When Rosie first sees Alastor she is genuinely happy which is something new because most people react badly to him out of fear or hatred.

Alastor respects Rosie, he even compliments her, in her introduction he says she is "the most darling, delightful, and dangerous Overlord of this side of the pentagram". Considering how self-centered and narcissistic he can be, it means a lot. Alastor would rather die again than compliment another Overlord who isn't Zestial, which he respects but out of fear. Alastor respects Rosie as his close friend. When they stand next to each other they give an air of equals, something that never happens thanks to Alastor's ego and sadism towering over everyone else. With Rosie it's different and Rosie can openly tease Alastor with the "Look at you, so polite! Alastor you can learn a thing or two" when comparing him to Charlie when meeting her, or "I'm just kidding, I know you're an ace in the hole" to tease him about his asexuality. This is something that not a lot of people can do because Alastor is obsessed with control and respect. After all, we see how badly he reacted when Husk insulted him.

He also harmonizes with her, he willingly makes a duet with her in "Ready for this". He isn't interrupting her, instead, he agrees with her and they sing together in unison. This is the first time he doesn't openly hijack a song or fight for control over it, like he did with Vox and Lucifer (although this also happened because this is Charlie's song, but who cares the point still stands). Also, this is the first time we see him dance with someone, instead of forcing them to join his musical number (like he does with Charlie on various occasions). Alastor and Rosie are in perfect sync and it's so wholesome and precious to see him being so openly happy with her. Many have pointed out that the only times Alastor is genuinely smiling is when he is with Rosie and it shows by his expression in his eyes.

Finally, Rosie is the only one capable of bringing the most human emotions out of him, the most obvious one being confusion. In the scene of "ace in the hole" Rosie manages to confuse and surprise Alastor for a solid second, which is a huge change of his persona around everyone else of control and manipulation. Also, it's hilarious that Alastor doesn't know what being aroace is, he probably thinks he is above all that.

He is openly relaxed around Rosie and lets her touch him in an affectionate way, something that not even Mimzy can do. It may be because of the height difference but Mimzy only touches Alastor to hug him and to emphasize he is a "heartless son of a bitch" and Alastor clearly gets irritated by her touching him that way and even moves her finger away from him. This never happens with Rosie and he even welcomes her touching him by not having any walls with her. It's Rosie the one starting the physical contact and Alastor doesn't seem to mind and he never tries to use physical contact to take advantage of her like he does with other characters. Rosie is one of the few people who can touch Alastor without losing an arm and instead have a positive reaction out of him.

The most genuine relationship Alastor has is with Rosie, he even has the confidence and comfort to stop his elegant and reserved persona of not swearing. Which he only does when he is truly angry, like what happened with Lucifer. Or when he is threatening someone like he did with Adam. Or when he is shocked when his microphone breaks. He swears to insult Susan, which is someone they both despise equally. Something that you would only do with your closest bestie.

Finally, let's talk about Alastor's breakdown in the last episode. We've already seen that Alastor is capable of having friendships that aren't based on an end goal. Alastor knows this but he rejects it because he is at the hotel originally for selfish goals and doesn't want his emotions to get in the way. He is terrified of ruining his reputation as a sadistic killer and becoming an altruistic who cares about his friends. Alastor wants to stop himself from starting to care about the crew the same way he cares about Rosie, Mimzy, or Nifty to some degree. This is confirmed by his conversation with Niffty, where he admits he has grown accustomed to the main crew and perhaps he is growing feelings of affection towards them in his own way.

In regards to shipping him with Rosie, I see it as a platonic ship or a QPR. Some people have a headcanon that if they had known each other when they were alive they would have married for tax benefits and to avoid the social stigma, which is the only right answer. When they first met in hell they probably had dates in cannibal town where they ate human flesh while gossiping and trash-talked about the other overlords. Which is exactly what an ace person like myself wants from a close friendship.

As an ace, I really like Alastor not because he is the ultimate Tumblr sexyman or see him as hot but because he is an extremely fun character that I can relate to. I'm grateful for the crew and VA that take into account he is aroace and take seriously that aspect of his character. I don't mind that the aroace representation in Hazbn Hotel is a narcissistic psychopath, if you want a more wholesome ace representation you can check Todd in Bojack Horseman or Saiki in The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

I don't mind people shipping Alastor, after all, it's just people having fun, but you can't ignore that he is aroace and how this affects his relationships. So yeah have fun and respect and aroace community :)

ok thanks for hearing my rant bye

#hazbin hotel #alastor #rosie #hazbin hotel rosie #asexual #aromantic #aroace #aspec #radiorose

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bones4thecats · 1 month ago

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hey

please hsc for Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mikey TMNT2012

you will be mutated during the fight with shredder (mutation is irrelevant paste whatever you want) for some time you have to hide with turtles in hideout, you are more and more desperate and longing for your old life, how does your boyfriend react? how does he try to comfort you? does he blame himself for this situation?

Thanks

↳ The Turtle and the King Cobra.

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 2012 × Mutated! Reader.

Requester: Anonymous.

Characters Included: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo.

Possible Trigger Warnings: Physical mutilation - unwanted mutagen transformation, self hatred being shown, and possible depression - not explicit (all).

●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●

💙 Leonardo, when you both got together, pledged to keep you protected no matter what. And he meant that wholeheartedly. It was when you were mutated into a King Cobra that he felt the weight of the world land on his shoulders hard. 💙 When you were told by Master Splinter you needed to stay with them in the lair for the time being, you were crushed. You wanted to go home and see your family. Was that so bad to want?

💙 At first, he needed space of his own. His thoughts were racing. He swore he would protect you, yet he failed so badly at the first real danger. What kind of boyfriend does that? 💙 After a couple days of being often being apart so everything could settle, Leonardo asked Splinter if they could talk. The words that left his Master and Father's mouth just clicked in Leonardo's mind. He thanked the elder man and rushed to where he knew you were: his room.

"Sweetheart?" His called, opening the door carefully as to not disturb you. While things had mostly settled for him in this matter, he doubt they did for you. You were the one affected from the mutagen, after all.

A low hiss came out from his bed. A scaled tail then emerged from the blanket, hanging low like a cobweb in the main room when Michelangelo failed to dust.

"Can I come in?" He asked. A reply of the tail flicking upwards along with his sheets moving away from the door for him to sit caused him to smile and walk inside, shutting the door behind. Quietly, since he knew your hearing had upped slightly along with vibration senses.

Sitting down on the bed, he reached underneath the blanket. His three-fingered hand made your pupils narrow slightly and tongue flick out, as that was how you smelled.

Nuzzling your chin on his palm, you let out a relaxed breath. This was alright to happen, and boy was your boyfriend happy about that.

Taking his left hand, the mutant turtle untied his bandanna and laid it on the round table next to the resting place of you two. Now moving to lay on his side, he felt the blanket you burrowed under lift and lay on top of him. He smiled and opened his arm, to which you practically leaped into.

His warmth was wonderful. It felt like the suns rays were beating on you, but in such a gently way it could be compared to a breeze during autumn.

"I love you, Bluebird."

"Me to, my love. Me too."

❤️ Raphael, from the day you became best friends and beyond the day your relationship began, dedicated himself to always being there for you. His anger issues were something he'd work on to make your relationship work. He loved you, you loved him. That's what you do for the one you love: be the best you can be for them. ❤️ He protected you from everything he could. And when he failed and you were mutated by Shredder, he felt his breath get caught in his throat. Your screams, pained and fear-filled, echoed in his ears. In his mind. And when they stopped, his rage soared. ❤️ Running and jumping roof from roof, he rushed back to the lair. Surely Master Splinter had some way to help! Maybe he had something to wake you! He just had too! He... he can't live without you by his side... ❤️ When you awoke, you were upset. Who wouldn't be? You now had fangs that could deliver a mixture of toxins that could render someone to death via respiratory failure. You were... a monster... ❤️ And while you were bundled up in your pillow and blanket fort in the corner of the lair, Raphael was walking around his room. He was close to snapping, going after Shredder, and dealing with him on his own. But, you needed him. And while he wasn't there for you then, by god he was going to be now.

Walking through the lair, there was no light. Everyone had gone to bed by now, as it was as silent as an abandoned building. His steps were light, blending well with the occasional sound from the surface above coming through the cracks. Thank goodness for the training on stealth, he thought.

Making his way to the main room, Raphael took deep breaths to calm himself. He couldn't let his own feelings burst; you were the one who was affected the most, you were the one who came first.

Stopping at the blanket-door, he kneeled and lightly brushed it aside.

His green eyes moved around, adjusting to the various-ranged light on the inside. The fears you had of the Foot attacking at night must have gotten to you, as the little butterfly-shapes light was glowing softly. The light bounced off your scaled-skin beautifully, Raphael would think.

Moving inside, the red-ninja leaned his back against the wall and made sure the structure was going to stay up well while resting inside. While you may be a King Cobra mutant, you were surprisingly smaller than him. It was quite odd, normally mutants gained height.

Pushing his thoughts into the back of his mind, Raphael wrapped an arm around your shoulders and pulled you close to him. Your head rested on his plastron and nuzzled there before your eyes slightly opened, only to close when you heard a calming voice you recognized as your boyfriend speak.

"Keep resting. We can talk tomorrow.

...I love you."

💜 Donatello knew he wasn't the strongest among his brothers when it came to physical tasks, but he also knew he was the strongest when brains were applied. He took pride in this, and while others found it to be dumb, you adored his studious personality. 💜 It was when you became best friends he swore to keep you safe, and that only doubled when you started dating. He would put a tracker on your phone to make sure in case of an attack, he'd know if you were safe. That and if he planned a surprise, he'd know when to stop and hide it while the development process was happening. 💜 Because of his protectiveness and devotion to your safety, Donatello was heartbroken that you had gotten mutated. He watched as Shredder held you and laughed, speaking about how, since you loved mutants, how you would "love being just like them." 💜 After mutating, you hid away in his lab. Donatello was scared for your health, mental and physical. You weren't eating, drinking, or even taking care of yourself like you once did. So, after some time, he snapped. Walking inside his lab and locking the doors, he looked around for you.

Breathing in and out to calm himself, Donatello stepped inside. The sound of the door latching behind him made him slightly flinch. Nerves were beginning to wrack inside him, but he needed to stay calm. Not only for himself, but for you.

Your nerves were shaking ever since you mutated into a King Cobra. Isolated from everyone, not even speaking whenever the purple-ninja came in his lab to work. Silence was always around, the only words being his hushed mumbles.

"Honey?" He whispered, walking inside to find you. You tended to move around under your blanket in order to find a warmer spot. But that didn't stop him from worrying for you.

Eventually his eyes stopped looking around. There, in the corner of his two desks, was a large velvet blanket. The shape was enough for him to tell it was you. The chair was up straight and stiff. Must be their makeshift pillow... the concrete definitely isn't comfortable for their head.

Stepping up to you, his mind went silent. All that he needed to do now was comfort you, talk it out. Whispering your name, he poked the blanket lightly. When he heard a low hiss, he retracted his hand and sat down next to you.

"You wanna hear a fun fact?" He asked nervously.

A tiny nod moved the blanket and caused the intelligent mutant to nod. "Human babies are born without proper bone structures. Because of this, they have 300 bones, which fuse together as they grow, resulting in 206 bones in adulthood. Oddly enough, animals, such as turtles, are born with around 50 to 60, mainly from the shell on their backs. Combining numbers of both humans and turtles, my estimation is that my brothers and I could have up to 256 to 266 bones. Perhaps around 356 or 366 when we were young!

"Another fun fact; A cloud can weigh over a million pounds, and a tomato has more genes than a human. Tomatoes can actually have up to 34,727 to 35,004 genes when compared to the 20,000 to 25,000 humans have. Interesting, right?"

Feeling a pressure on his thigh, Donatello looked down as he spoke. His eyes widened slightly and lit up as he saw your scaled hand lay on his leg and grip it slightly. Figuring he should continue, he continued his rants, but this time, his three-fingered hand was intertwined with your own.

🧡 When you started dating, you were in love with how joyful and energetic Michelangelo was. He would jump around and tell so many jokes that it could take your breath away. From dad jokes to knock-knock jokes, they each never failed to make you smile. Well... until the day you mutated. 🧡 He felt terrible. He knew that it wasn't smart to have you go with him on patrol, and this incident was the result of his bad decision. He didn't necessarily blame himself fully. He felt responsible, sure, but he also felt that it was the Shredder's fault for mutating you. Without him throwing you in the container of it, you'd be fine. You'd be happy. 🧡 Michelangelo saw how destroyed you were when you retreated from the dojo after talking with Splinter. Your eyes were empty, no sparkle left in them. He wanted you to be happy, but after he tried making you laugh and you snipped at him, he stayed away in order to give you space. 🧡 The brothers and Splinter began to see how down the youngest turtle was. Because of the concern, each of them sat alongside him in the main room, asking what happened. It shocked them all, yet didn't at the same time. They knew you loved him, but also knew you were going through something harsh. After speaking to him, they convinced him to talk to you.

Standing at the foot of your bed, Michelangelo tapped his foot. Was it out of anger that you were ignoring him and curling upwards on the bed? No. Rather, it was out of fear of upsetting you further. He knew he wasn't the smartest person, so he didn't want to unknowingly upset you.

Saying your name and reaching out, Michelangelo took a step closer. His hand was open and slightly tense, giving him the feeling of needing to pop his knuckles.

"Jellybean? Are you... okay?"

Popping your head out of the sheets, your brows furrowed in frustration. "What do you think?"

"Did I... upset you? I'm sorry that I failed to protect you! I knew I shouldn't have brought you with us on patrol! I didn't listen and I failed you... I'm so sorry..."

"Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, that cheese grater rip-off needs to apologize."

Michelangelo's eyes widened as you hopped off the bed, your long serpent-tail moving like your legs would as you strolled up to him. Your arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him close in a hug.

"You did nothing wrong. Well, unless you wanna keep staying away and not cuddling me."

His blue eyes widened and sparkles filled them. Picking you up and spinning you around, your boyfriend jumped backwards onto the mattress. His arms stayed strong as you both laid on your opposite sides, your face in the crook of his neck as he chuckled and rested his eyes.

"I love you, Sugarplum." He said, nuzzling deeper into your neck.

"I love you too, 'Angelo."

#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #TMNT #TMNT 2012 #Hamato Clan #Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Reader #TMNT x Reader #TMNT 2012 x Reader #Hamato Clan x Reader #S/O! Reader #GN! Reader #Mutant! Reader #TMNT 2012 Leonardo #TMNT 2012 Leonardo x Reader #TMNT 2012 Raphael #TMNT 2012 Raphael x Reader #TMNT 2012 Donatello #TMNT 2012 Donatello x Reader #TMNT 2012 Michelangelo #TMNT 2012 Michelangelo x Reader

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sst4rdst · 4 months ago

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I’m just wondering how yan! Xiao would react to his darling being an escort/entertainer. darling does engage in physical contact with clients and Xiao just has to watch from the window. Does he pick off clients one by one? How does he deal with watching his darling entertain clients from outside the window? Does *he* ever end up requesting his darlings services when all other clients are gone? Just so much to think about!!

warnings : yandere themes, unhealthy relationships, mentions of reader having sex with others but no describing sex scenes. author's note : SORRY FOR THE WAIT NONNIEEEE 😭 my job consumed my soul these last days T.T don't recommend being an adult, 0/10. but i made this one a little longer than usual, hope that's a great apology :']

the first time he sees it, truly sees it, something inside him shatters.

it is one thing to know what you do. to hear it murmured between passing travelers, to catch the lingering traces of perfume on their clothes, to watch the way they return to their inns with a dazed, satiated sort of stupor, as if their time in your company has rendered them whole. he has always known, always suspected, but knowing is different from witnessing.

and now, here he stands, just beyond the glow of your lantern-lit window, the scent of incense curling in the air, thick and cloying, wrapping around his lungs like a suffocating chain. he sees the way you smile, soft and inviting, sees the way your fingers ghost over the wrist of the man before you—no, not a man. a client. one of many.

xiao has slaughtered creatures for lesser sins than the one unfolding before him.

his hands curl into fists at his sides, nails biting into flesh, but the pain is distant, inconsequential compared to the fire searing through his veins. his body is rigid, a silent force of barely restrained violence, watching as you lean in, laughter soft against the shell of another man’s ear.

his stomach twists.

he tells himself this is normal. that this is your job, that there is no affection in the way you let your fingers skim over another’s thigh, no meaning in the way you let them cup your chin, trace the line of your jaw. and yet, his mind betrays him.

does your touch linger like that when you are alone? do your smiles hold the same softness when there is no one to see them? do you ever speak his name in the dark, whisper it like a secret meant for no one but yourself? or is he only ever a shadow, something you will never notice, never choose?

the thought gnaws at him, festers beneath his skin like something diseased.

the rational part of him—small and weak in the face of the hunger clawing at his ribs—knows that this is not something he can change. that you are not his to claim. that you are a free, mortal thing, meant to weave in and out of lives like drifting petals on a breeze, untethered. but xiao has never been good at wanting without taking.

the disappearances are slow at first. a client here, a client there—nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would immediately raise suspicion. after all, men with loose morals often meet unfortunate ends in liyue’s underbelly, swallowed by debts they cannot repay, by enemies they do not see coming. it is easy for the city to forget them, easy for their absence to be written off as consequence.

xiao does not think of them beyond their final gasps, beyond the moment their bodies collapse into the dirt, empty, discarded. they are nothing. they have always been nothing. but you—you are different.

you still smile when new clients come. you still let them brush their lips over your skin, still let them press coins into your hands, unaware that the man before them is rotting beneath the earth. and he hates you for it.

hates the way you continue as if nothing has changed. hates that he can never be the one you turn to, the one you choose to hold, to whisper to in the dark. hates that, no matter how many bodies he leaves in his wake, you will never belong to him.

but if he cannot have you, then no one else should either.

it happens in the quiet of a late evening, when the streets are empty and the lanterns light flicker weakly against the wind. you are alone. finally, finally, you are alone. no clients, no lingering hands, no laughter that is not meant for him. just you. and him.

he does not enter through the door—he never does. the window is open, curtains shifting with the night breeze, and it is easy for him to slip inside, easy for him to cross the space between you in a breath, a heartbeat, less than that.

you do not flinch when you notice him. you never do. you have grown used to his presence, his silent appearances, his tendency to linger at the edges of your world like a specter you cannot exorcise.

"you're here again," you murmur, voice soft, lacking surprise. your fingers trace the rim of a porcelain cup, half-finished tea still warm within it. "it's late."

he does not answer. he only watches, gaze burning into the curve of your throat, the slope of your shoulders, the places where others have touched, where their fingerprints still linger like something permanent.

you sigh, setting the cup aside, tilting your head slightly. "something's wrong."

he exhales, slow and controlled, as if he has not been unraveling at the seams since the moment he first saw you with another. "i don’t like what you do."

it is not an accusation. it is not even anger. just a fact, laid bare between you.

you blink, quiet for a moment, before a ghost of a smile tugs at your lips. "you don’t have to like it, xiao."

but he does. he does have to like it, because if he doesn’t, if he lets this feeling fester any longer, he knows he will not be able to stop. he will not be able to stop at just a few disappearances. he will not be able to stop at only watching.

your eyes hold something knowing, something almost pitying, and it makes his blood burn, makes his fingers twitch at his sides. but then, you shift, leaning forward slightly, just enough to close the space between you, and for the first time in what feels like forever, your touch is meant for him.

your lips are warm against his, a fleeting thing, a moment so insignificant that it should not matter. and yet, it does. because now, you have touched him. and xiao has never been good at letting go of things he has touched.

xiao’s breath is shallow, barely there, as if the weight of your warmth against his skin has stolen the air from his lungs. he does not move. he does not blink. he does not even think. he only feels. feels the heat seeping into him, feels the sharp, electric buzz beneath his skin, feels the unbearable, suffocating knowing—

that this will never be enough.

your touch is fleeting. it always is. you do not hold onto things the way he does, do not cling to moments as if they are the last lifeline in a raging current. no, you let them slip through your fingers, let them pass without hesitation, without meaning.

just like now. because you release him as easily as you had reached for him, pulling away with a sigh, unaware of what you’ve done, of what you’ve set into motion.

xiao stands there, still as death, his mind blank save for the feeling of your lips against his, the ghost of warmth still lingering on his own. it should be enough—it should be more than enough. but it isn't. it's nothing. a scrap tossed his way out of pity, a meaningless moment that you will forget by morning. but he won’t. he can’t.

his fingers twitch at his sides, aching with the urge to grab, to pull you close, to demand that you understand—that you see him, choose him, the way he has already chosen you. but you only exhale softly, gaze dipping toward the floor, a distant sort of exhaustion clinging to your features. you think this is done. you think this conversation has ended. it hasn't.

because xiao has spent too long on the outside, watching, waiting, enduring—and now that your touch has seared itself into him like a brand, now that the fragile thread of his restraint has finally snapped, he cannot go back to standing in the shadows, to watching you let others touch you, kiss you, take from you what should be his.

his vision blurs, heat licking up the back of his throat, something monstrous stirring in the depths of his chest. it is not jealousy—no, jealousy is too human, too small, too weak. this is something greater, something worse—a hunger that cannot be reasoned with, a possession that has no name.

"you don't understand," he murmurs, voice barely above a whisper. it is not a plea, not a request for you to see what he sees. it is a fact. a finality. you don’t understand—because if you did, you would never let others near you. if you knew the depth of what he felt, you would never push him aside so easily, never let your affections be bought like they mean nothing.

but he will make you understand.

your brows knit together, the first flicker of wariness appearing in your gaze. "xiao—"

he moves before you can finish, before you can even think of pulling away. his hand finds your wrist, fingers wrapping around delicate bone with a grip that is not yet bruising, but firm enough that you freeze beneath him. a warning. a promise.

your lips part slightly, the breath caught in your throat, and for a moment, just a moment, something flashes through your expression—something like fear, like realization. and yet, you do not fight him. you should.

you should struggle. you should demand he release you, should shove at his chest, should scream—should beg. but you only look at him, wide-eyed and silent, and the way you do nothing sets something vicious alight in his chest.

because this means you know. somewhere, deep down, some part of you has always known that you belong to him.

that no matter how many men come and go, how many coins exchange hands, how many nights you spend wrapped in the arms of strangers, you were never theirs to claim. that in the end, you have only ever belonged to him.

his grip tightens just slightly, just enough to make your breath hitch, to make your pulse hammer against his fingers. and he leans in, slow, deliberate, until his lips ghost over the shell of your ear, until his voice—low, quiet, certain—spills into your skin like something inescapable.

"you don't have to do this anymore." a statement, not a suggestion. because this is no longer something you get to choose.

"you’re always like this," you murmur, shaking your head. there is no bite in your voice, only something small, something resigned. "i don’t know what you want me to say, xiao. i told you before—this is my job. you don’t have to like it, but it’s not something you can change."

your words should hold finality. they should put an end to whatever this is, should set a boundary between you that cannot be crossed. but they don’t..

he clenches his jaw, forces himself to look at you, to meet your gaze without letting the heat behind his eyes bleed through. "it can change." the words taste foreign on his tongue, heavy and unfamiliar, but the intent beneath them is not.

your lips press together, your expression unreadable. "xiao." his name is softer now, almost warning. but you do not understand. you never do. because xiao has already changed things.

the men who touched you are gone. the ones who whispered promises in your ear, pressed their lips against your skin, left their scent on you like a mark—none of them will return. he has already altered the course of your life without you knowing, has already started reshaping the world around you to fit his own image of what it should be.

and now, standing in front of you, with the lingering heat of your touch still burning against his lips, he knows this is the next step. the only step left.

"you won’t have to do this anymore."

you exhale sharply, shaking your head. "that’s not your decision to make."

"but it is."

you freeze. just for a moment. just long enough for something wary to flicker across your face. and then, you laugh, short and breathless, as if the weight of this conversation has settled over you all at once. "you don’t get to decide that for me."

but the thing is—he does. he already has.

xiao is not a man who asks for things. he does not beg. he does not plead. he does not bargain with the world in hopes that it will grant him something in return. he takes. and he will take this, too.

because he cannot watch any longer. cannot stand beyond the glass, shrouded in shadow, forced to endure the sight of you letting strangers have what should be his. cannot keep swallowing down the sharp, acrid taste of jealousy until it curdles into something deeper, something unrecognizable.

no, he will not let this continue. he will not let you continue. not like this. not when you belong elsewhere. not when you belong with him.

#xiao x reader #yandere xiao x reader #xiao x you #genshin impact x reader #yandere genshin impact x reader #yandere x reader #genshin impact #genshin x reader #yandere x you #yandere genshin #yandere genshin impact #yandere genshin x reader #yandere #genshin #˗ˏˋ꒰ writing ꒱

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autumnmobile12 · 11 months ago

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Endeavor: Physical Strength vs Emotional Strength

Or The Total Mess that is the Todoroki House.

*Note: The following is not a defense of Endeavor nor is it excusing his actions. It is a deep-dive analysis into the complexities and nuances of his behavior and how it affected his life and everyone else in that family based on observations I’ve made throughout the series. There are also comparisons with other objectively violent characters from other series.

Trigger Warning for domestic and child abuse.

...

We're gonna start out by looking at what happened to his character over the available time frame. Endeavor did not start out as a violent person to his family. We can see that in the flashbacks of the family's early days.

Starting here, note that he’s not cold toward Rei in this scene. The way they’re walking around out here in the garden gives the impression that negotiations between him and Rei’s family are going well so far, but they’re out walking and talking in private just to make sure this arrangement is going to work and making sure further negotiation isn’t going to be a waste of everyone’s time. I say this because if he was dead set on ice powers for this Quirk marriage, Rei probably wasn’t the only option.

It's also important to remember Rei did choose this. She chose for her family rather than herself, but it wasn't her parents' end all be all decision. (And maybe there was familial pressure on her side, but it's not explicitly stated in canon so exactly how much free will Rei actually had is up for interpretation.)

However what I think shows here is they weren’t really talking all that much. Specifically, he is not ‘talking down to her.’ He is not treating her with any particular disrespect or putting her down as inferior. He doesn’t have the arrogance he later exhibits. This also isn’t him being aloof and ignoring her either. Look at his face, specifically his eyes. That is the same blank, deer in the headlights, “I have one brain cell dinging around in my head that is struggling to find a way to interact with people,” stare he shares with Shouto.

He has no idea what to say to her.

So finally, Rei turns off to the side to admire the garden, and he asks, “Do you like the flowers?” It’s a small thing, but it does show that in some capacity, he did show some interest in Rei and making her happy. He’s just stupidly awkward about it at this point. (Even if his ultimate goal was…well, we’ll get into that.)

But this trait of never knowing what to say is a massive defining part of Endeavor’s character that has manifested in a myriad of disastrous ways throughout his entire arc.

Now I don’t think there’s enough shown about Endeavor and Rei’s relationship that we can conclusively say they ever loved each other at any point, but I do think they were, at the very least, cordial in the beginning. They got along, they loved their children, and that in their minds was good enough for them. If you look at the scenes that are Touya and Fuyumi's early childhood, the family seems content. There's no sign of the abuse we see later.

The other big indicator that Endeavor was not originally a violent person to his family is the two very different ways he approaches training with Touya and Shouto. His motive for training them hasn't changed, but compared to the warmth and pride extended toward Touya we see in the above picture, Shouto’s experience with training in the second screenshot is harrowing and traumatic.

So why the difference?

A big reason is it has to do with age. When Rei defends Shouto, telling her husband that, “He’s only five!” and Endeavor is still pushing their son to achieve the standards of an older child, yes,��this does show his impatience. However, the other unspoken sentiment here is he himself is not getting any younger. When Touya was born, Endeavor was twenty-two and had his whole life, career, and all his hopes with it ahead of him. His kid has a greater Quirk than his, his legacy is secure, nothing to worry about. But then they learn about the genetic issue with Touya’s Quirk. He can’t use his fire safely, he’ll never be able to use it safely, and he will never be a hero in the way Endeavor can.

Touya: Failure

Fuyumi: Failure

Natsuo: Failure

Shouto was probably viewed as his last chance. Endeavor was getting older and running out of time. If Shouto didn’t work out, then this legacy was dead in the water. At least, I hope Shouto was the last chance, otherwise he might've tried getting another kid out of Rei, divorced Rei and married someone else for the same reason, or attempted securing his successor through a grandchild.

Which is some freaky medieval way of thinking.

Anyone else getting Henry VIII vibes here?

Remember what I said about him never knowing what to say? The most obvious example of this is his complete and total inability to control the situation with Touya.

The tragedy of both Touya and Fuyumi's characters is they are the only two kids in the house who remember the happier childhood, and they both cling to that in their own way. It's why Fuyumi is so determined to 'fix things.' She's trying to regain the family they lost. For Natsuo and Shouto, things have always been bad in the house, hence why Natsuo bailed as soon as he could.

Then we have Touya. His flashbacks start with him at a toddler age. It is very common and normal for a child that young to prefer one parent over the other, but usually it's the parent they're most familiar with: The one that stays home with and takes care of them. Remember, to a toddler, everything is new and potentially scary, and that can also include a parent that is not always present: The parent that's working. In the Todoroki house, Endeavor has his career as a hero, so we have the indication that Rei was the parent who stayed home. In that situation, the probability of Rei being the 'familiar parent' was more likely, so for Touya to prefer his father over his mother shows just how close he was to Endeavor. Or because Fuyumi was the new baby and needed more attention, he could have gravitated away from Rei and gone to his father instead. He didn't see his father's ambitions for him. He didn't see that he was a successor as opposed to a son.

What he, through a child's innocence, saw and understood was that his father loved him and wanted to spend time with him.

Cue the genetic disparity of his Quirk: Where Endeavor failed as a parent was him never talking to Touya about what had happened. He didn't sit down with him and explain it wasn't safe for him to use his Quirk.

The My Hero world has a social problem of Quirks defining one's worth. It's not just the PLF's philosophy. Having no Quirk is viewed with pity and having a Quirk that can't be used could be viewed as a disability by this society, regardless of the fact it's completely possible to live a healthy life without having a Quirk. So Touya's 'issue' required compassion and understanding, especially from a parent. What Endeavor needed to say and what Touya needed to hear was, "This is a path that is blocked to you, it isn't your fault this happened, and I will love you regardless."

Instead, he just dropped him completely. (Given his character, I doubt he's even the one who broke the news to him.) In Touya's eyes, he didn't have the adult nuance to understand why he was being ignored; he just had the child innocence of, "I don't want to hang out with Mom and Fuyumi, I want to be with Dad. Why is he ignoring me? Why won't he train me anymore?"

What Touya learned from this is he only has value in his father's eyes as a hero. So he began training himself to be a hero because he was desperate to get that love and affection back. When Endeavor discovers the fact he's been training and burning himself, Touya never apologizes for disobeying him. He just repeatedly says variations of, "I can do this, then maybe you'll finally be proud of me."

Fuck, dude, just tell the poor kid you're already proud of him. That's all he needed to hear.

And Rei does call Touya out on this. She asks him, "Do you want to be a hero because you want to be a hero or are you doing this because it's what your father wants?"

In order words: "Are you doing this because you think it will make your father love you?"

And we come full circle to the 'death' of Touya where he realized, "I was never a son. I was a product."

...

Endeavor never addresses the problem going on under his roof. He handed the problem off to Rei. He didn't know what to say, he didn't know (and still doesn't) how to be a parent, and instead of confronting that lapse in his character, he instead made a coward's retreat back into the safe and familiar territory of being a hero.

This was the catalyst for his violence to his family.

Being a hero means fighting villains.

Fighting villains is often solving problems with violence.

Because he never knows what to say, he didn't know how to properly navigate a complex emotional situation, so he resorted to the only method he knew that worked:

Beat it into submission.

And since we have the previously mentioned signs they were once a happy, normal family, I have a feeling the violence began very suddenly and without warning.

...

To back this up, I'm gonna give a little personal insight here. I used to work in an orthopedic clinic and a lot of injuries that came through were hand injuries due to someone punching a wall out of anger/frustration. You may think this is fine since they didn’t hit another person and only hurt themselves, but the issue with taking your aggression out on even an inanimate object is you are unwittingly training your brain to associate anger with violence and make it all the more likely for you to lash out violently against another person.

Throughout his career, Endeavor has conditioned himself into this same mindset of repeatedly forging and reinforcing the physical connection of violence with the mental/emotional connection of anger.

Look at this scene from Arcane.

If you haven't seen this series yet, 1.) Get on that. You're missing out. (Don't worry, there's not too many spoilers below.) and 2.) This is Vi and this screenshot is from a scene where she, in a moment of anger and grief, strikes her little sister hard enough in the face to knock her to the ground.

Look at the horror in her eyes when she realizes what she’s done.

Now before and after this moment, we see Vi undoubtedly loves her sister and would die for her. (Season 2 pending...) The first thing she does when they're reunited is hug her and tell her how sorry she is. But Vi has also been a fighter all her life. The sisters grew up in the rough part of town, they had to fight to survive, and they've experienced a violent atmosphere from a young age. We also see that when Vi gets frustrated or angry, she punches/slaps inanimate objects, so she too subconsciously associated violence with intense emotions, and in a moment of blind rage/grief, she failed to dissociate and she hurt her sister.

It wasn't a conscious decision, but it happened nonetheless.

What follows is she walks away from Powder. She doesn't go far, she just puts some distance between herself and her sister to calm down and process what's happened and hopefully find a way to move forward. Only, for unrelated reasons that don't pertain to this topic, she is apprehended by authorities and spends the next 6-7 years in prison, obsessing over her regrets and finding her way back to Powder.

She is never going to forgive herself for this.

I bring this scene up because as far as fiction is concerned, we as the audience do often excuse a character losing their temper and hitting a loved one once. What Vi did was not okay, but because it only happened that one time, nobody is labeling Vi as 'abusive.'

...

So consider the first time Endeavor hit Rei. We don't see it in canon, but with all the indicators of a relatively happy home, I believe that first act of violence was the culmination of these factors:

Endeavor's ongoing inferiority complex with All Might and the frustration in his inability to surpass him, and then projecting that frustration onto his family.

The career of solving problems with violence.

The subconscious association of anger with violence resulting from that career.

I'm also going to throw out the possibility of multiple head injuries incurred from his career playing a role. Traumatic brain injuries can and often do lead to behavioral changes where an individual has trouble managing emotional responses, experiences anxiety, has a shorter temper, etc.

Obviously, none of the above should be treated as excuses (not even the TBI possibility because there's therapy options for that), but they are potential contributors to the pivotal moment of frustration and impatience where Endeavor, like Vi, failed to dissociate and did something he couldn't take back.

Striking Rei is his tea kettle incident. Think back to the awkward moron who didn't have a clue what to say to her when they first met. That young man never thought he would do something like this. That first moment when he hit Rei, I really don't think it was a conscious decision and it may have taken him off guard as much as it did Rei. Like Vi, he probably acted out of blind anger and may have been just as horrified by what he'd done, and I can imagine Endeavor walking away from that to calm down and process that he crossed a line he thought he would never cross.

Unlike Vi, who was going to return to Powder after calming down so she could apologize, beg forgiveness, and move forward, Endeavor is an emotional coward who never knows what to say or how to confront a complex emotional hurtle. So he did the same thing he did with Touya: He retreated from the problem and pretended it didn't exist, and because it was never addressed and he was never held accountable, it only got worse. The lid was off and there was no getting it back on.

I'm not saying there was a definite chance he could have come back from that (that ball was in Rei's court as much as it was Powder's) but Endeavor had a choice:

He could have addressed what he'd done and made amends by submitting to whatever consequence Rei set down for him.

Or he could have rationalized his own twisted justifications for what he did.

He chose wrong.

For another comparison of the violence aspect, I’m also going to bring up Shizuo Heiwajima from Durarara!!, a character who I think flies off the handle far more frequently than Endeavor does.

If you haven't seen Durarara!!, same as above with Arcane.

The nuance of Shizuo is the intense rage he experiences, the violence that follows, and his own inner turmoil. He associates violence with anger, but these are traits that he fully recognizes as detrimental to himself and his personal relationships with other people. He has a temper, he gets violent, he lashes out with abnormal strength and has seriously injured many people.

But the people he's attacked are usually people who provoked him, whether it's thugs who opted to harass him on the street or he heard that a friend was in trouble and rushed off to help them. Not that violence is the answer, but they were people who arguably deserved a beating. More importantly, though, is the way Shizuo treats his relationships with caution. He's a loner by choice. He does want to connect with other people, but he keeps his distance because he legitimately fears harming someone he cares about. Because of his caution and self-awareness, he is a complicated and likable character that I think anyone with a short temper who has said or done things they regret can relate to.

If he didn’t have that level of control on himself and was violent with everyone regardless of who they were to him, he would be despised by the fandom as much as Endeavor is.

This is how Durarara!! can get away with presenting a violent character in a comedic fashion. Shizuo, despite his temper, is an absurdly strong guy, a little bit of an idiot, and fiercely loyal to his friends. All three of those are endearing qualities.

And in the right framing, Endeavor's violence is also presented as comedic.

This scene is funny, but grabbing Hawks like that and lifting him off the ground is technically assault and it is intimidation. Replace Hawks with Rei and this scene changes drastically from funny to very unsettling. Replace him with Touya and it's a fight.

...

Where Endeavor really differentiates from Vi and Shizuo is marked by two important factors:

Shizuo, for all his claims at being unable to control his anger, has it very much under control around the people he cares about. He really only lets loose against a perceived threat.

Vi mostly has that same control even though she lost it for a moment, but she was also separated from her sister in an indirect punishment for her actions.

Endeavor does not have Shizuo's restraint nor did he face any immediate consequences like Vi.

Which brings us to Rei.

I have mixed feelings when it comes to Rei, and the absolute harshest opinion I have of her is that she is pathetic and she failed her children. And I know that's a very black and white, cold-hearted view, but hear me out because it's a lot more complicated than that.

Endeavor is ultimately responsible for his own actions, but Rei also had the option to deal with the problem when it started. When he started hitting her, she could and should and have taken the kids and run as fast as she was able and not looked back. No amount of financial security, family appearance, or whatever justification one finds in this scenario is worth it. She should not have tolerated that abuse against herself and she definitely should not have subjected her children to that. While there's nothing conclusive to say Endeavor was physically harming any of the kids aside from Shouto, not fighting for her autonomy/safety was inadvertently teaching all four of them this is how men treat their wives, women are supposed to tolerate this treatment, and a marriage like this is 'normal.'

And in the end, she straight up abandoned her children. We see from Shouto's point of view right before she attacked him with the tea kettle. She's talking to her mother on the phone, saying she 'can't take it anymore' and she just wants to 'run away from this life.' Well...considering she goes on to spend the next ten years in a psych ward and left her children to her abusive husband...she did get what she wanted. Ten years and she really didn't put any more effort in trying to get back to them? She knew Endeavor was hurting her youngest. Going home and protecting her babies should have been her priority. For a long time, I legitimately thought she was in Fujiya because she was considered unsafe to rejoin society whether she was a danger to herself or to others. When she shows up in Endeavor's hospital room, I stared at the screen and thought, "The fuck? She could discharge herself at any point?"

All right, now that I've gone over my hard-line point of view, let me dial back the judgment and consider what else is going on here:

Rei is a refrigerated character.

She has very little characterization beyond her abuse and being the victimized mother in Shouto's story, so we don't know all that much about her. In all fairness, her oldest son suddenly dying while she was hospitalized certainly would have contributed to her downward spiral and account for her prolonged hospitalization.

She tolerated her abuse longer than she should have, but it is possible:

She learned that from her own parents. Tolerating abuse is often a byproduct of generational trauma. Maybe her father treated her mother the same way and she grew up thinking this was normal.

Maybe the first time Endeavor hit her, she rationalized it into a point of acceptance where she told herself that everything was fine and that it was only the 'one time' and it wouldn't happen again, a sentiment she kept repeating every time it happened.

Maybe she was raised to believe ‘the man of the house is always right,’ and that is a mindset that is hard to break if instilled from childhood.

Her parents certainly didn’t seem all that supportive with what was going on, but we also don’t know how much she told them. We don't even know if that one phone call she had with her mom was the first time she reached out for help after years of pretending everything was fine or if this was was something she was repeatedly updating her parents about and those parents chose to be aloof to it.

Maybe she really did grow up in a loving home and just didn't know what to do when confronted with the violent relationship she found herself in.

Maybe she was gaslit into believing it wasn't abuse.

Maybe she really did report the abuse and the godforsaken, root-of-all-evil Safety Commission told her, "Your husband's a hero. Stay quiet and don't ruin that public image." Basically told her to suck it up. That is also a possibility, and one I think could be the most likely, but the series doesn't really go into just how corrupt the Commission was, so we're in headcanon territory.

Maybe she did try to take the kids and run but failed to get away. (Unlikely since it’s never mentioned in canon.)

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have an upbringing that instills the belief, 'if your partner hurts you, they are dead to you' and not everyone has the good fortune of a reliable support network that can help them recognize a bad situation and get them out of it.

Given how well-known Endeavor is to the public, maybe Rei was afraid no one would believe her about the abuse. "A hero would never do such a thing. She's making it up for attention. Her family was poor, so she must be a gold-digger trying to screw over her hero husband in the divorce proceedings."

There is also the important fact that Japan has a social stigma against divorce. Persevering for the sake of family stability and maintaining an ideal appearance is a deeply ingrained cultural norm, which does introduce a troubling power imbalance between a husband who works and a housewife who doesn't have her own independent income. We also have to remember that Rei and her family were financially dependent on Endeavor, so she may have feared the monetary fallout at the prospect of leaving him. Also, with the popularity of the hero ranking system, the No. 2 Hero's wife divorcing him would have been very public and potentially humiliating for all involved.

And we can’t ignore the fact that Endeavor systematically broke her down into a shell of a person who couldn't see a way out of her situation and was tormented to the point she had a psychotic episode and attacked Shouto, the very child she tried to protect. And this too could have contributed to her prolonged hospitalization if this was the final straw and she viewed herself as a failure of a mother.

Maybe it was a combination of two or several of the above factors.

At the end of the day, abuse is a multi-faceted beast, and just as the abuse comes in many forms, the victim can have any number of reasons for staying in their situation.

So even though I have my harsh opinion of Rei and I think she should have done more to protect her children, I do 100% sympathize with her. She is a victim and she in no way deserved what she went through.

But while her inaction wasn't the cause of the crisis in her family, it was definitely a contributor to how badly it got out of hand because whatever the reason Rei didn't expose Endeavor or try to take the children and leave him, that lack of accountability opened up the opportunity for him to rationalize his own twisted justifications for his actions. “It’s fine. She deserved it because ______. She was 'acting out.' She was overreacting. She doesn't know what she's talking about.” Whatever he needed to tell himself to believe he didn’t do anything wrong even though he knew he wasn’t fooling himself or anyone.

She didn't stand up to him. Their children couldn't stand up to him.

So he continued the physical abuse unchecked.

...

Moving on into the redemption arc.

After the Kamino Incident, Endeavor finally, finally, finally got that vaunted No 1. Hero spot he'd been chasing for two decades. But he didn't earn it the way he wanted to by proving he's the best of the best. All Might retired, so he won by default.

And then he finds it's just one spot further up on a ranking system that means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. So he looks back at what's really important and he sees the charred skeleton frame of a house he burned down.

One institutionalized wife

One dead son

One daughter who clings to the memories of a happier home

One estranged son

One son who only has a use for him as a teacher and not a parent and will probably drop him the second he no longer needs him

In spite of everything, I do genuinely think the man deserves some credit for at least being willing to make an attempt at reconciliation. Not a lot since he dug that hole himself, but let's face it, a lot of lesser people would have looked at that mess and thought, "Fuck it, no going back now," and continued business as usual. So the question becomes:

Is Endeavor trying to redeem himself out of a need to make himself feel better about everything he's done or is he truly doing it for the benefit of the people he's hurt?

I tentatively think/hope could be a mix of both--I believe there is a part of him that cares about his children--but it definitely skews more toward making himself feel better because there's never a moment before the redemption arc begins where he's isolated, thinking back on everything, and just has the appropriate, "What have I done?" revelation. If his remorse was genuinely all about his family, we would have had that 'crying in the hospital scene' a whole lot sooner.

I think if Horikoshi wanted to portray Endeavor's redemption as genuine remorse for what he did to his family, I think he would have put more of a focus on Endeavor actually seeing the impact of what he'd done and feeling the inner turmoil and regret. Not just Natsuo's anger but also seeing firsthand Shouto's isolation and complete lack of social skills as a result of his training or having a conversation with Fuyumi where she admits she never wants to marry or have children because she doesn't 'want to risk ending up like Mom.' Seeing the effects of his behavior, realizing it's his fault.

So no. While there may be a part of Endeavor that loves his children (or he tells himself that he does), his wanting to atone is inspired mainly by his self-worth. He realized the ends did not justify the means and he tries to fix it.

But either way, how does he go about it?

The biggest change he makes toward earning forgiveness is to his hero career, which tracks with his character. That's familiar territory, so it's easier for him to navigate. He takes a significantly gentler method of teaching/mentorship with Shouto and he tries a kinder approach with his fans. That's progress, but it's still avoidance of the main issue that is the rift he caused with the other members of the family.

His relationship with Fuyumi doesn't have much friction. Fuyumi clings to their family's happier memories. With Touya gone, she was the only child who could remember a childhood without fighting parents, abuse, and suffering siblings. In a twisted way, this is something she and Touya have in common. So it makes sense that she would be the one who's the most receptive to Endeavor's attempts to be a better father. She sees this change as their best chance at being a normal family again. Like Touya, she wanted her father back.

Natsuo is different. He was 3-4 years old when the toxicity in their household really began to spike and when the violence started. Incidentally, this is also when memory cells in the brain start to fully develop and form concrete memories. Compared to his older siblings, the abuse is all he knows and that is why he's the child who left and went low-contact. The only thing Natsuo's really done wrong is start family drama when there's company over for dinner. I mean, c'mon. That's just rude. Don't do that in front of guests.

While Endeavor makes attempts to better his training methods/fan interaction, what he doesn't do is call a family meeting to discuss things, not that this would have resolved anything by a long shot, but it would have established a baseline of where everyone in the family was at and whether or not forgiveness was even on the table at all. It is an extremely arrogant thought for Endeavor to think forgiveness for something of this magnitude is possible, and if he wanted to seek forgiveness (or to atone, whatever the hell that means) for the lifelong mistreatment of family, he should have been more prepared for the most abject, humble groveling to the people he wronged that he could manage.

He should have admitted to his mistakes and faults, laid out everything he'd done wrong, apologize for that as best he could, then express he wanted to repair their relationship and be a family again while also acknowledging that he understands if that is not possible. Lay down that groundwork, maybe be open to family therapy so that a professional third party can act as a mediator and provide impartial guidance, figure out where the boundaries are, acknowledge he can't give them back their ruined childhoods but he can *insert anything Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shouto ask as recompense, even if it's just leaving their lives forever*, and listen for once to what his family is saying.

Instead, he tries to have normal conversations with his children as if nothing bad ever happened. He offers to come watch Shouto's remedial training like that's a totally ordinary thing for him to do. He tells Natsuo during the family dinner that he would like to try his cooking some time. That is a good olive branch! There is nothing wrong with saying that, but without that prior baseline conversation, it comes off as contrived and that's how Natsuo interpreted it. He sends flowers to Rei, also a good signal to send, but he should have done the the uncomfortable thing and contacted her through her physician to see if she's open to meeting with him for a conversation or sending her a letter she could choose to open at any time (or send back unopened.) That would have established that same baseline and helped move forward towards the atonement he wanted.

But he does the same thing he always does: He pretends the real issue just doesn't exist and he tries to control the situation to suit him.

Why?

Say it with me: He never knows what to say! He can't navigate complex emotions!

He doesn't try to find out if his family is even willing to forgive him, frankly because he's an emotional coward who doesn't want to hear the answer.

However, we cannot say he has no character development at all.

There is one thing worth noting around this point in the plot that I think is important to recognize. If Endeavor ever had any character development that was in favor of his redemption, it was when Natsuo was kidnapped and nearly killed, and it's not because he ran and hugged him in the street.

In this scene, he admits to Natsuo that his actions might as well have killed Touya.

This is a small thing, but it's also huge because you have to consider that up until this time, Endeavor has been gaslighting himself into believing it was Touya's fault for getting himself killed or Rei's fault for not doing as she was told and watching him. He could even have been irrationally blaming All Might for just being a barrier to his goals. Any warped excuse and justification he could think of to escape the blame.

It's not a lot, but he did finally give voice to the guilt that he is the reason he failed and his child died. He finally acknowledged that the blame lies squarely with him and no one else, and acknowledging he drove Touya to his own death means way more than just talking about his intentions to atone.

He took accountability here, at least within the family.

That is one point he's earned. We as the audience can begrudgingly concede that one.

But this progress is again stalled when Endeavor makes the decision that it would be best for his family if he distances himself from them. He chooses to build another house for them where they can all live together with their mother and away from his shadow.

The initial reaction I had to this decision was, "Okay, your solution is kicking them out of the only home they've ever known?" But then I considered that having those kids leave a house where they lived through a traumatic and stressful childhood was a good call. Natsuo already bailed, after all. And then there's Fuyumi... Yeah, you know what, maybe a conversation would have been appropriate here. Instead of finding out what they want, he goes and decides it for them like he always does.

Touya has a genetic disparity that prevents him from using his Quirk safely? Endeavor decides he shouldn't be a hero, disregarding any possibility of finding a potential workaround.

Shouto finally uses his fire at the Sports Festival? Endeavor has his whole speech that pretty much shows he has Shouto's entire life planned out after graduation.

He wants to do what's best for his family? He decides what's best for them.

And we're back to the big dumbass never knowing what to say and still running away from the main issue by making assumptions and decisions without actually considering the thoughts/opinions of the people around him and controlling the situation to his benefit.

He may have his intention to do better, but he has no idea what he's doing. He doesn't know how to relinquish his authority role.

And then we have Touya with his, "Bitch, you thought!" grenade. Or is it a nuke?

It's important to note is that failure to articulate emotion in a healthy way is a trait that is shared by all of the Todoroki family members.

Endeavor - the emotional coward who resorts to violence when confronted with an uncomfortable situation

Rei - the passive mother

Fuyumi - the peacekeeper and people-pleaser

Shouto - the child who was systematically deprogramed into an angry husk imitating his father that he has only recently started to recover from

Touya and Natsuo are the only two who actually have some pushback against the bullshit in their family. Touya's a whole kettle of insane fish who's warped psyche deserves a character analysis of its own, but the point is, even as a kid, he doesn't creep around his father or try to make peace with him. Natsuo also has no problem calling out Endeavor for everything that went wrong in his childhood, plus he moved out and went to college as soon as he could.

Touya - the unstable sociopath who shares his father's tendency to violently lash out while stuck with the mental fragility of his mother

Natsuo - the traumatized avoidant

Neither of them have a functional way of dealing with their issues. (In fact, Touya is so unhinged about it that the door has peaced out and is halfway down the street.)

Endeavor wanted to atone for what he did...by burying and not actually taking any real accountability until the unavoidable moment Touya is screaming down to him, "Is it because you became No. 1 that you finally paid attention to your family?"

Touya has a warped view of the world brought on by years of trauma, but he hit the nail on the head.

Endeavor's main motivation for atonement is for the self-satisfaction.

So we have the symbolism of Endeavor, who has always used his physical strength to solve his problems by beating them into submission and used his intimidating height to glare down at everyone beneath him, and then we have Touya standing on top of a mountain, shouting down. Endeavor's in a position where he's looking up at his dead child, who is arguably the broken bough, elephant in the room, core unavoidable reason a full atonement was never going to be possible, bringing about a twenty-year overdue reckoning.

And he once again doesn't know what to say.

As the story ends, this is where we leave him: Crippled, looking up at his dying child, and confronted by one of the lives he ruined. By choice, he's going to sit here and face what he did. These talks are not going to be pleasant. I doubt Touya is so burned out and exhausted that he doesn’t have the heart to spit out more of the lifetime of vitriol he’s built up.

I know a lot of fans were disappointed Horikoshi didn’t kill Endeavor off in the end, but I personally prefer to look at it this way:

Some characters deserve death.

But some deserve to live in despair.

...

To revisit Arcane, I think this quote neatly sums up Endeavor.

197 notes · View notes

inkpot909 · 2 months ago

Text

Fluff Alphabet: Leone Abbacchio

↳ Gender neutral reader with they/them pronouns. Is written as a Passione member.

A/n: I haven’t written for Abbacchio much, which is kind of funny to me since I’ve bought and worn purple lipstick because of him. Thank you for reading, and I hope y’all enjoy! <3

Warning(s): Canon-typical swearing. An innuendo.

(A)ffection - How affectionate is he? How does he show affection?

Subtly is key for Abbacchio.

He’s certainly not the PDA type, for one thing. Even around other members of Bucciarati’s gang, he’ll prefer to keep a certain degree of distance between the both of you.

Don’t get him wrong, he’ll constantly be at your side. If he’s not sitting next to you one can freely assume he’s rotting in a ditch elsewhere. But it’s hardly anything more than casually gravitating near one another. Sitting beside each other at a restaurant, or always walking close. He might not be physically affectionate in public, but he also likes keeping you within arms reach.

You could describe it as him following you around like a lost puppy, but he’ll deny it no matter how accurate the assessment would be.

Perhaps he may hold your hand in public (discreetly) every now and then, if the mood takes him.

But when the two of you are alone… he’ll be much more indulgent, in his own way.

Leone tends to stretch out his long limbs when relaxing. Laying back on whatever comfortable surface is available, hands propped up behind his head. Or instead he’s sitting upright with an exaggerated slouch; his legs obnoxiously spread.

No matter how he chooses to veg out, his lap seems like an invitation in of itself. Really- it is an invite.

Please, don’t make him directly ask you to perch there.

He especially likes lazy afternoons spent binge-watching trash television. Whether on the couch or in bed, he’s at his calmest when you’re sitting on his lap. Wrapping a casual arm around you as his eyes skim across the television screen absentmindedly.

And if you choose to rest your head on his legs instead of sitting in his lap, he’s sure to run his hand through your hair.

(B)eauty - What does he admire about you? What does he think is beautiful about you?

At first, he mostly appreciated your work ethic and knowing when to take things seriously. No matter how you express it, there’s a sense of responsibility behind your actions. You’ve never taken your position on the team lightly, and he quietly admired that.

It’s a low bar, but concerning the rest of Bucciarati’s team, it’s understandably a general concern of his.

Though, one can’t deny the clear favoritism at play with his initial lenience to your introduction. Leone’s own standards for the team’s performance is, at times, far higher than Bucciarati’s. Sure, there was distrust at the start, but Giorno swears he wasn’t so lenient when he first joined.

Then he started to get to know you even more… and grew attached. A really earth-shattering notion, he knows.

Leone was privately a total mess trying to come to terms with his feelings.

Emotional constipation aside, you’re flexible nature on the job turns from something he merely relies on, to something he finds impossibly romantic.

His respect molds into admiring a softer side of you displayed in calm situations. No matter how you choose to express it.

If you’re more outwardly gentle compared to him, it’ll enchant him as much as it does perplex. He’s never met someone so… unapologetically soft before. He may get on your case over it every now and then, but deep down, he almost envies that about you.

If you’re on the reserved side like him, it makes your moments of tenderness all the sweeter.

Leone just likes the contrast you provide; a light stubbornly peaking through his usual gloom. It’s not much, but it’s enough to warm his heart and make the future seem a whole lot less bleak.

That said, getting him to admit it out loud is like pulling teeth.

(C)omfort - How would he help you when feeling down/having a panic attack/etc.?

“… you need to be alone a while or-?”

Abbacchio had absolutely no clue what to do for a good while, depending on how prone you are to panicking. Either way, he won’t know how to approach it… what to say… or if it’s wise to intervene at all.

Wait, no. That’s not it.

You’re looking up at him with glossy red eyes, mouth hanging open as you try to control your breathing, and keep words unsaid as your eyes search his face. He should say something- you’re wanting him to, right?

Please, if not for your own sake, tell him what to do for the state of his blood pressure.

After a couple incidents where he fell short in the supportive-boyfriend-department, he asked you what you think would help. His head hung low, and spoke so quietly you nearly had to pull his lips close to your ear just to ensure you’d heard him correctly. Tilting your head downwards in attempt to better listen.

The sentiment was well worth straining your neck.

Leone appreciates a direct example of what he can do to help, if you can provide. He’s not the best with his words, especially not when put on the spot, but he can trust to remember what actions you may suggest him to take.

Rubbing your back, tucking hair behind your ear, or simply letting you hang off his shoulder while you sob- Abbacchio will do it all. He’s a little stiff, overwhelmed by the emotion overcoming your features, but the earnestness in what he does warms the chest.

Or perhaps physical contact is too overstimulating in the moment.

That’s quite alright; Leone is not at all the type to judge you for needing space. He’ll change the environment to your wishes as well, pulling you away from onlookers so you can let it all out privately.

To his surprise, you prefer to spend the worst of your most stressful moments in his bedroom.

The sun-blocking curtains covering the windows, muted dark colors, and his natural scent all over the bedsheets… it’s a calming space. Familiar, and darkly accepting in a way that encourages you let all your tears out.

The fact that you consider his room to be so grounding that you run to it before your own… that gets him feeling him a certain way.

It’s called affection, but trying to explain that to him is not suggested.

(D)ance - Does he like to dance with you? How good of a dancer is he?

“Sure, I’ll dance with you- if I’ve had a couple glasses of wine first.”

That’s what he’ll often say if you try asking him to dance. You’ve come to learn it’s his way of dismissing the notion entirely, given he’s never once stuck to his word.

Offer a ‘please’ coupled with pleading eyes, and he still won’t budge. He does find your attempts at getting him on his feet amusing, though.

And regardless of the context, he also gets a small kick out of watching you dance.

It won’t make the idea of him dancing any more enticing, but Leone won’t turn down sitting back and observing you in your element. If you really like dancing, he swears keeping an eye on you is a promise he fully intends to follow actually through on.

To his credit, he does.

Maybe you’ve got a good sense of rhythm and can pull off a display of skill. He cannot deny it; the sight goes straight to his ego. You’ll be the only person he boats to, as a means to compliment you while earning a laugh at the same time. Any kind of dancing you like, he’s happy to just watch.

Perhaps instead you’ve got two left feet and clumsily shuffle down the dance floor. That’s appealing too.

(E)xcitement - How does he act when he’s excited? What excites him?

You can tell he’s excited by a small, yet genuine grin reaching his lips. Depending on what it is that’s getting him internally eager, there’s also a certain degree of mischief in his gaze.

It’s not much, but for Abbacchio, it speaks volumes.

For a good while, the only thing you spot Leone getting excited over is matters concerning Bucciarati’s team.

It’s a sweet sight despite the rarity.

You recall times when the infectious joy the group displayed was rubbed off on him, and out of the corner of your eye, you saw a surprisingly pleasant expression on his face. Hefty successes, and anything that made the team feel like they were taking steps towards working up Passione’s daunting ranks, is what got him excited. Inspired, even.

Other than that, you missed anything else that could evoke such a reaction out of him for a while. Which was by design, because Leone gets excited because of you.

Any hint, any inclination given that you might have felt the same way, and his heart was flipping. It annoyed him for a good while, but to say letting hints of hope into his heart was unpleasant would be a grotesque lie.

And to this day, reassuring him that you’re his and his alone… it still puts him in a good mood. Just something as little as an offhanded comment from you can make his day.

(F)uture - What are his plans for the future? Does he see himself getting married, having kids?

He had seen his love life going a far different direction, but being with you makes marriage seem feasible for the first time in his entire life.

As far as the details go… Leone’s not picky.

A small wedding would be ideal, but you won’t get any pushback suggesting something larger. And as long as it’s not too traditional for your tastes, he’d like to get married in a church too.

He’s not in love with an idea of a wedding, though, because he loves you more than anything. So if you have different ideas in mind, he’s got open ears. In a way, it takes a good amount of pressure off him.

Bucciarati’s his pick for best man, no question.

But moving beyond marriage to discuss having kids…? Just the thought of it stresses him out. To be a father is such a massive responsibility his brain cannot yet fathom seriously considering it yet.

After all, he’s already got three kids. Two of which harbor fiery tempers that often escalate the most casual of conversations, and know exactly how to give Abbacchio a headache. The last one he could’ve honestly lived without altogether.

Maybe in a few years.

(G)ifts - What does he give you as presents? How often does he give gifts?

Leone’s not the biggest on giving or receiving gifts.

Special occasions, in his mind, are one thing. He won’t miss a single birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any anniversary. His calendar is always marked, and he always finds the time to get you something.

He’ll be extra diligent if you love receiving gifts. And if you don’t mind spoiling surprises, he’ll straight up ask you what you want.

This is because he’s not at all the best gift giver despite the hustle.

They’re either a home run, or a massive swing and miss. Gifts related to clothes and fashion he’s got a good eye for, knowing your tastes very well. But hobby-centered or practical gifts… he’s at a complete loss.

You have a little section of space in a closet dedicated to tucking away Abbacchio’s weirdest gifts. It’s like a terrible infomercial puked in the corner.

(H)old - How does he hold you? Cuddling, sleeping, holding hands, etc….

Leone holds you privately.

The difference between how he behaves around you in public or in private is close to night and day. At least in the physical sense, that is.

In public, he would like to maintain an air of professionalism. It was difficult enough for him to come to terms with how he feels about you. Displaying it in front of everyone to see…? He’d really prefer not to.

It’s not that he’s not proud of you- in fact, it’s the opposite. Leone cherishes what you’ve both built.

But what’s yours, is yours alone in his eyes.

He will hold your hand if you instigate the contact. Slipping your hand towards his beneath a tabletop or in the back of a group, and he’ll intertwine your fingers together without hesitation. That’s about as far as he’s willing to go.

In private, he prefers to be the one that holds you. The big spoon or cradling you in his arms- it brings out a protective side of him.

Not that he doesn’t mind being held. Hell, it’s probably good for him, all things considered. Leone won’t express his gratitude directly, but the lack of any sarcastic comments tells you it’s something he likes.

At night, he’ll spoon with you after laying down for the evening. It’s the perfect way to fall asleep in his eyes, but it doesn’t often last long.

Leone runs warm, especially in bed. By the time he’s drifting off, the heat forming beneath the comforter prompts him to spread out. Unconsciously, he’ll turn over and stretch his limbs. Unintentionally shoving you away, the blanket covering only a third of his snoring form.

(I)deal - What’s his ideal date like?

Staying home.

Realistically, neither of you have that much free time. Passione runs Bucciarati’s gang through the ringer on a good week. And because of Leone’s sense of following through on orders, a lot of responsibility is put on his shoulders.

So just getting to spend an evening with you- ordering food and acting as homebodies -he’ll just as happily consider that a date as any other outing.

That said, he will take you out to dinner every now and then.

Whoever picks the restaurant depends on who picked last, a sense of fairness and spontaneity that the both of you appreciate throughout your relatively relaxed relationship.

Leone’s picks are usually low-key with a sense of class. Since it doesn’t happen too often, if he’s taking you out, he’d like it to be a treat.

It’s expensive, but he’ll always insist on taking the check.

(J)ealousy - Does he get jealous easily? How does he handle it?

If you weren’t so stubbornly glued to his side, it may occur more often than it does.

Trust is a definite factor in the foundation of a relationship you both have developed. Abbacchio doesn’t get close with those who he deems untrustworthy, and he sure as hell will not enter a relationship without that necessary sense of common ground.

Whether or not you’re the type to hang off his arm, there’s no denying you’re the more outwardly affectionate compared to him. It’s a constant reassurance of your loyalty to him, leading to Leone feeling relatively comfortable in your relationship.

Insecurity hardly ever stems from your words or actions, but rather his own sense of melancholy.

And it’s because of that, he hardly ever grows jealous.

That said, it only takes one jerk who doesn’t know how to take ‘no’ for answer for Abbacchio to step in. Even then, it’s not so much out of jealousy, as it is out of protectiveness. Any chance to keep you from growing uncomfortable- he’ll take it.

Abbacchio will certainly play his attitude up for you if that gets you going. He’s not about to complain if merely the idea of him growing jealous makes you want to take him to bed.

(K)isses - How does he like to kiss you? How often does he kiss you?

When he wants to- that’s when he’ll kiss you.

Like with most aspects of the relationship, Abbacchio prefers to keep it out of sight. Sure, it leaves you hanging at times… but it’s worth the wait.

To you, it seems like it comes out of nowhere. But to him, it’s an idea that’s been growing steadily in his mind. Earlier on in the relationship, he’ll hold off longer than he does nowadays.

His kisses, whether or not he’s looking for something more, always start gentle.

The ghosting of his lips over yours, before plunging into a patient and passionate embrace. He’s not one for kissing you quick for the sake of it, so when he does kiss you, it’s heavy with purpose.

His hand finds it’s way to your jawline often, guiding the tilt of your head and keeping you where he wants you. No matter the intensity, his lipstick is sure to smear on your face.

Leone won’t do it much himself, but it should be noted that he is weak for pecks to the forehead or cheek.

(L)ove - How does he show you he loves you?

How much he considers your opinions and ideals is a massive indication of his affection.

The first indication he valued you at all was his willingness to hear you out in tense situations. Because of how stubborn he is, it’s a clear sign he’s accepted you into his life.

Couple that with Giorno commenting how Abbacchio wasn’t so gracious to him when he joined, and the favoritism is quickly apparent,

More than that, Leone expresses his love by keeping you within arms reach. His protective streak should be studied.

In and out of missions, your well-being becomes something near and dear to him. It’ll take a good amount of time for him to digest it, but it won’t stop him from lunging straight into danger for your sake.

As long as you’re okay, he’ll endure anything.

(M)elt - What do you do that absolutely makes him melt?

Having spent a lot of time alone, so including him in domestic activities short circuits his brain. He’s never had someone there before, making even the simplest of tasks more bearable.

Simply cooking with him causes his mind to go haywire. Whether your having a conversation or cooking in comfortable silence, his days seem brighter with your constant presence.

Going grocery shopping isn’t a chore with you around. Menial tasks for Bucciarati and the gang aren’t nearly as frustrating anymore. Taking care of himself from day to day is far easier when he thinks of doing it for you. He hasn’t gone clothing shopping in years, maybe you could go with him too?

What gets to him the most is when you both shower or bathe together.

While it can be a suggestive offer depending on both of your moods, most of the time, it’s just another way to spend time embracing the mundane together.

It’ll take him time to get used to you wanting to wash him, but he won’t ever turn you down. Hypocritically, helping wash your hair or body is a no brainer. Just sit or stand comfortably, and let him take care of it.

He does prefer a bath with you over a shower.

He’ll keep you in his lap, turn on some music and soak with you for as long as you let him. Best you keep bathing together on your days off, since it prompts him to be lazy about actually washing up. Leone would much rather silently relax with you more than anything else.

(N)icknames - What does he call you, and what does he like being called?

Though he mainly refers to you by name, he does use a term of endearment here and there.

Keeping it simple, he usually goes for calling you ‘cara/caro.’ If he’s trying to lecture, he’ll throw in a ‘honey’ here and there in an attempt to soften the blow.

He will certainly use a nickname when he’s trying to get you on his side about something reckless he’s trying to do.

Resisting him when he gets like that is difficult, but completely worth it to see his huffy reaction. And keeping his ass out of unnecessary danger too; that’s also fairly relieving.

(O)bvious - How obvious does he make it that he likes you?

Not at all for a good while.

It was easy to assume he didn’t even like you in the slightest.

If that was what you believed, it meant his plan was working. Though, because he clearly plays favorites, you’d have to be a fool not to notice. Likely around five months after meeting him is when you do.

Worst of all, when true feeling are revealed, he teases you about not noticing he liked you for that amount of time. As if he didn’t pull every trick in the book to try keeping you (and himself) in the dark about how he actually felt.

Don’t cave to his revisionist behavior. Persist. Never let him forget just how stubborn he truly was.

And not to worry, the others on the team will happily help you with reminding Abbacchio.

(P)ets - Does he have pets? Does he want them?

He reveals it like some kind of life-altering secret, but if you ever bring up the idea of pets at all, he’ll admit he’s allergic to dogs. His tone will lower, and his eyes grow sharp.

He was nearly less tense the first time he showed you his stand.

Walking into a pet store alone gets his face red, and a sneezing mess. He doesn’t have the harshest allergic reaction out there, but it’s enough to make owning a dog impossible for him.

Owning a pet is out of the question in general anyway.

Neither of you have the time to take care of one, even with splitting responsibilities. Getting any kind of pet at this point in your busy lives would be downright irresponsible.

That said, if you’re really wanting one, be patient and wait until both your standings in Passione grow less overwhelming. It may take years for it to happen, but if you push him enough by then, he’ll eventually cave.

He’d prefer a cat, too.

(Q)uiet - How are the calm, quiet moments with him?

Those sorts of moments are in excess; practically the backbone of your relationship.

They’re usually accompanied with soft music playing in the background, especially if you like reading. Leone will sit across the couch with you, both of you silently reading without speaking for an hour or two. Cooking together can grow comfortably silent too, and Leone isn’t talkative watching the television either.

He especially likes taking you to a rooftop to waste time looking up at the stars, or people watching. All dependent on the mood. When you people watch, he’s got a snide remark about seemingly every person passing by and will happily share if you’re the type to find humor in it.

If you prefer a more lively or spontaneous air to the relationship, it’s all about the balance. He tries for you, sweetly enough.

(R)omance - How romantic is he? What is his go-to ways of being romantic?

Does being attached to your hip at all times count?

Usually, his displays of affection are rather subtle. But one thing is made very clear: Leone is staying at your side constantly. Like an ominous bodyguard that stays within arms reach, intimidating others you pass by with a single look.

Depending on how soft you may appear on the outside, the contrast is almost comical. That, or you both harbor glares than can make a baby cry.

He doesn’t fit the mold of a traditionally romantic man, but when it comes to protecting you, Abbacchio will put his money where his mouth is. A gentleman? Nah, he wouldn’t describe himself as such. But if he says he’s going to do something, you best believe he’ll do it.

His watchful eye is the clearest expression of how he feels for you, since he does not waste his energy on those he has no care for. Leone’s not shy about it, either.

It’s lead to a handful of bloody noses on his part, but you should go see the other guy.

(S)afe - What makes him feel safe and comfortable around you?

Being a reliable presence in his life helps him drop his guard, first and foremost. In and out of gang affairs, you’ve always been someone he can count on. That means to him more than he knows how to express.

With that foundation created, encouragement and reassurance calm him a lot more than he ever assumed they would.

Purely because you’re the one saying it.

You and Bucciarati are pretty much the only two people in his life he trusts on words alone. Mainly because your actions have long defined you as someone trustworthy in his eyes.

It’s a badge of honor he hopes you gladly wear.

You like to have conversations with him, rather than argue, and that also goes a long way. Your ability to do so without spiking his anger often is a skill that baffles him, as much as it gets him feeling safe. He’ll always be bluntly honest, but he doesn’t carry a defensive tone when talking directly to you.

And even if a disagreement arises, it doesn’t last long.

You’ve got this interesting trait called ‘knowing him well’, and it still confuses him to this day. With words alone, you manage to diffuse tension and prompt him to apologize without even explicitly asking for one if needed.

If you try teasing him over how comfortable he’s grown with you, it’s met with a raised brow. Impervious to the playful dig.

“I wouldn’t be with you if I wasn’t.”

(T)end - How does he act when you’re hurt/sick, and vise versa?

No matter the situation behind you getting hurt in any way, he has the tendency to jump into action.

When you’re hurt by another Passione member, stand user or not he’s not holding back. Even if you ask him to restrain himself, he won’t listen in the moment. No one gets away with hurting you.

No one, and nothing.

You swear, if you trip and skin your knee on concrete, Leone would seriously consider attacking the ground. A thought experiment Mista and Narancia in particular take enjoyment participating in.

Abbacchio, however, does not find it quite as amusing.

When you’re sick, he’ll leave you to your own devices. Unless you ask for help, he figures you know yourself well enough to take care of yourself. Absurdly hilarious, if you’re the type to not take care of yourself well while ill. He’ll check up on you every now and then, but even still, he’s not all that proactive.

Weirdly enough, he expected you to be the same. Prove him otherwise and you’ll be met with pushback.

He’s fine. You don’t need to be doting on him. Sure, the soup you prepared for him goes down pleasantly. Whatever, if the ice pack you place on his forehead feels refreshing.

And don’t you dare make a big deal out of him trying his hand at taking care of you a bit more thoroughly the next time your sick. He’s not above acting petty.

… just as long as you start feeling better, got it?

(U)nique - What’s an unusual thing about him that’s oddly charming?

For someone who acts and looks the way he does, Abbacchio really likes opera.

Is it elitist? Certainly. The class divide between people who go to opera shows versus those who see musicals, is sort of like the difference between people who will go to a horse race and those who go to a basketball game.

Both are impressive to watch, but the reputation between fans aren’t exactly the same.

Hell, the musicals he does enjoy often toe the line between musical theatre and operettas (he’s a big Stephen Sondheim fan). For example, he likes Les Misérables a lot.

If he manages to get his hands on tickets to go see one live, you’re the only person he’d think of asking to go with him. Even if live theatre isn’t your cup of tea, he hopes you’ll be willing to give it a shot for him.

“I’ll buy you dinner beforehand and I don’t care if you fall asleep- so think about it, alright?”

(V)ariety - Does he prefer to keep the same routine, or spice things up?

As much routine as you both can salvage, he’s happy to take.

Both members of Passione, it’s such an unpredictable lifestyle that having a degree of routine normalcy is always going to be valued by him.

Leone’s life wasn’t normal before joining Bucciarati’s gang either, so it’s genuinely new to him. And since you’re also on the team, it’s likely uncharted territory for you as well. Having a routine and holding onto a more civilian part of your time together is honestly healthy for both of you in the long run.

As much as he loves to stick to a routine, feel free to push him into spontaneity.

It will also be good for him, all things considered. Although he won’t immediately recognize it, spicing things up alongside you will only bring positive benefit. Even if he doesn’t know to express it out loud.

(W)ild Card - A random fluff headcanon

Leone sleeps far better with you at his side, and surprisingly, he’ll openly admit that.

Anything to keep you in his bed, or him in yours.

For years, sleep was an eager escape. Night after night, he would collapse onto his mattress as early as his schedule would allow. Rest would never come easy, but it’s the most peace he long assumed he would ever claim.

Then, you came along.

Eagerly, you accepted any invitation to lay at his side. Sinking into his large bed, covered by a comforter that smells like his usual musk, is too good an opportunity to pass up. There’s warmth just being there, regardless of whether or not you embrace while sleeping.

It’s a soft heat that reaches Abbacchio too.

Feeling natural, and correct. Calmer nights of rest are had at your side, as if his body instinctively knows it’s best for him. After all, anyone else at his side would make him feel sick to his stomach.

Abbacchio almost forgot what it was like to experience a dreamless, heavy slumber. But now that he’s experienced it, even better than ever, he doesn’t want to let that go.

He’s not shy about wanting you with him every night either. Not only does he insist you should feel flattered, but he also makes it be known you better not think of ever straying.

No, he won’t ever whine or complain when you’re not there, but he is clearly bitter days following nights without your company.

(X)OXO - Is he affectionate in public? How much PDA does he show?

Close to none.

The relationship is kept private for a long while, known only by the rest of the Bucciarati’s group.

You both have a reputation to uphold. Not for your sake, but for Bucciarati’s and the team as a whole. When Abbacchio’s out and about, most of the time, it’s on Passione related business.

Not only is refraining from PDA a personal preference of his, it’s also a means to keep you safe if he can. Leone won’t budge about it either; your status as a gang member doesn’t deter him in the slightest.

Putting you in immediate danger is something he refuses to do so. He would rather not take that chance of gaining unwanted attention from people with a grudge against Passione.

The most you’ll get is some light hand holding.

Your understanding of his boundaries and desire to keep you protected is deeply relieving to him. More than you know. No matter how many times he tells you, he doesn’t believe he can ever fully express how it touches him.

And after he finally opened up about the particular circumstances he joined Passione, the ‘why’ behind his protective streak clicks inside your head.

(Y)earning - How does he cope when he’s missing you?

He copes just fine, thank you very much.

… okay, no he doesn’t, and you best not let him lie to himself or to you.

Leone goes about his days as normal, most around him failing to notice any immediate difference in his behavior. Sure, he’s a bit testy, but that’s nothing to write home about. He’ll get like that on the best of days.

But it’s all a defense primarily you or Bucciarati distinguish accurately.

But with you absent, only the team leader is around to pick up on it. There’s a flicker of deep annoyance in Leone’s gaze. He’d stopped wearing his headphones so often with you around, but when your gone, it seems old habits die hard.

Yet, even if Bruno does bring up how much he must miss you, Leone shrugs it off. Insisting it’s no big deal.

Weirdly enough, there’s one individual outside you and Bucciarati who notices the change- Girono does as well. He’s far too observant to not see Leone’s grown slightly more irritable than normal. Hell, Giorno questioning you upon your return was your first inclination Leone tenses up without you around.

“Glad to see you returned home safe, Y/n. I’m sure Abbacchio feels the same, though, far more deeply.”

You could’ve shrugged it off as Giorno being kind; you almost did.

But Giorno always speaks with purpose. Never without meaning what he says; especially in regards to Leone. Considering the bitterness in their relationship, surely he wouldn’t speak of it if it weren’t something out of the ordinary.

(Z)eal - Is he willing to go to great lengths for the relationship? If so, what kind of?

With Abbacchio, the question isn’t what he will do for the relationship- but what he won’t. Best believe the latter list is quite short.

Abbacchio trusts his fists; putting an end to a situation with far more than harsh words. And unfortunately, he’s had his fair share of taking things that far in the past. He’s not as explosive as Narancia or Fugo, but one wouldn’t imagine calling him a doormat either.

It’s all often you, though, not just related to Passione politics.

He’s got absolutely zero hangups over defending you how he sees fit. No matter how you choose to express it yourself, he knows you’d do the same for him in return (and likely have done so).

He’s got someone important by his side… a duty more imperative to his allegiance to Bucciarati and Passione as a whole.

Abbacchio didn’t see it coming, but it’s a surprisingly rewarding calling.