#{ want to do a time-jump? I'll probably drabble the whole thing later on

[oxygen-masks-devblog]

Writing Progress Post #1

So I learned that people like, blog about their writing process sometimes. Maybe we should do that! I have come to learn that writing about writing sometimes makes it easier to write later, when you can't manage to jump into it right away.

It's definitely been harder to work on this project that I want it to be. At the beginning of the year I wrote us a schedule for 2025 that would have the storyboards for the comic done at the end of the year. We already have a pretty detailed plot synopsis of the whole thing finished, and it can be broken up into 10 chapters/scenes, so that's 1 scene per month plus 2 months buffer. Seems simple right?

Yeah well, we're somehow a month into the year already, and I only managed to finish 2 storyboard pages, which were really just cleaning up sketches we already finished. And mind you I anticipate each chapter to be 20-30 pages long. So that's not working.

Turns out this is just even less of a Discovery-Writing-style book than I already thought it would be and writing scenes sequentially just isn't the way it will go. Which means pacing it so that I'm done by the end of the year is just going to be a shot in the dark.

It's so strange how our workflow for every project is just totally different from all the ones before it. Something something being plural probably has something to do with it. The workflow for this project looks like this:

Scene brainstorming(loose storyboards on paper) -> Refined storyboards (digital text so beta readers can read it) (the stage I'm in now) -> Beta reading -> page thumbs (thought this would be optional, is not optional) -> final page production

No script step at all, maybe that's because this is an action comic. Also I thought I was experienced enough to skip thumbnailing but when I sketched out the test episode we're in the middle of I absolutely regretted not doing it. Again, maybe because this is an action comic.

Anyway I also thought this brainstorming step would be optional and it was just happening organically whenever I needed to write down an idea really fast. But no I think it just needs to happen for the entire dang story. And then once I have all these disconnected scenes finished I can piece them together like a jigsaw puzzle during the refined storyboards stage. (and i do think our writing process is always going to work like this now post-syscovery but that's a story for another post)

So all that is to say, how do I set a new goal so I can finish this comic before I die 2027? Well, I'm trying to sketch out at least one page of brainstorming sketches (which is roughly equivalent to 2 storyboard pages and 2.5 comic pages) per day (Saturdays are optional because they're our busiest days at work). I set that goal last week but was only able to do one page every other day, but I guess that's better than nothing.

The new trouble is just deciding what scene to work on next. The solution is just... Whatever scene is the easiest. It seems like there's just this queue of scenes in my brain getting cooked up in the background all the time. I'm able to just pluck out whichever seems to be the most refined, and sketch that out.

So I'm a little worried about working too fast and then running that queue dry. But I guess I'll solve that problem when I get to it. I also have a feeling the pace of this queue is actually controlled by how full it is, so as long as I'm freeing up space by putting it to paper, it will always have new ideas. But try convincing my Procrastination Logic of that.

Oh and I also discovered another thing holding me up was not understanding some characters in the supporting cast well enough. So I'm getting that worked out too. I couldn't really write their introduction if I didn't know what they were like or what impression I wanted the reader to have, so jumping ahead to scenes that were more development-y and about how they impact the plot has helped too. I've been experimenting with writing drabbles and throwaway scenes that take place before the events of the book. It's hard to write stuff that won't make the final cut because it feels like a waste of time, but if it's to help figure out how the characters feel and interact with each other, it's still valuable.

[cloudninetonine]

me back with another drabble? More likely than ya think >:3 no i wrote this while on 0 hours of sleep and will probably re-write it and or continue it later. Anyways hers an updated version/ prologue to my take of Mayu/Dame being with the player in youre lovely mess au. Enjoy! :3 --------

Panic and fear that's what Mayu felt in this moment. She's never been this scared before, not when the prince punished her , not when she upset Impa and not even when she fought her first lynel.No this was a new kind of fear and the worst part was she couldn't even tell the others around her what she was scared of. In all honesty she doesn't even know how she even got into this situation, everything was going just fine, nothing life threatening was happening at all she was was just walking around the castle grounds taking a small break for her traveling companions and next thing she knew she was in front of the castle again but something didn’t feel right. This led her to the current situation, walking with her were the nine previous heroes of hyrule and a person known as “the guide”. Now don't get her wrong, she thought the guide was a really sweet person and even felt some respect for them given how they had to deal with the chain's idiocy constantly but they weren't what was scaring her. What was making her feel this mass amount of fear was the chain themselves. Something wasn't right about them, they weren't the heroes she had previously traveled with, no this group had a darker feel to them not to mention how they glared at her every time the guide would interact with them.

It was sunset on the fourth day of traveling when they decided to stop for the night and set up camp, and that's when everything started to go downhill for mayu.The whole day she kept her guard up, she stayed a safe distance away from the others but they never let her out of their sights. She knew they didn't like her , she knew they didn't trust her, and she knew they didn't like how much attention she was getting for the guide. The second they went to bed she looked at the nine who were still up and knew they were going to try to scare her off. Not once in the past four days has she spoken, and not once had she showed any emotion and not once has she spoken up nor let on she knew that the guide was starting to realize that something was wrong. “Why don't you speak, Dame? Are you unable to, that's a shame.” Sky spoke up (or rather that's who he looked like anyways) and all he got was a cold stare in response. "We won't bite, we just want to get to know you, that's all. We only know you're a holder of the triforce of courage , you're a knight and that you're a woman. Won't you tell us more?” He sent her a smile, to someone else it would look kind but she knew that smile. It was the same one as the disgrace a prince always gave her when she upset him in public, it wasn't kind. It was a warning.

Sending a small glare at the so-called hero she just took out a notebook and pen before writing that the nine already had all of the information they needed from the woman. The hero of the sky frowned but his eyes showed no sadness, no they were empty and unimpressed “i see. Well then I'll just try again tomorrow. Rancher, you're on watch duty with her.” The taller hero nodded in response , mayu just glared. This will ruin her plans if she wasn't careful, what plan? Well it was a plan to steal the master sword for these heroes and take they’re innocent guide to safety. She hated doing this kind of stuff but despite times call for despite measures especially since she could sense an darker version of an old friend around but unluckily for him she knew all of his tricks, and she was planning to use everything he taught her to get away from him and his new puppets.

It's been several hours and eventually the rancher left to do another perimeter check, and mayu well she hadn't moved a muscle until she knew he was out of sight and hearing range so as quickly ash she could she jumped into action quickly applying a potion to her skin to hide her sent she carefully did the same to the guide. Acting fast she took the master sword and stored her in shikah tablet she grabbed the guid and booked it. Keeping to the trees she had her eyes on a mountain west of where they were camped for the night. By the time sunrise hit they were hidden safely in a cave.Placing the guide onto a bedroll, mayu sighed and removed the mask that covered the lower part of her face. Taking a seat with her back against the wall she closed her eyes before speaking. “I know you're there, there’s no point in hiding. Besides, if you stand out in the open like that, there's no doubt they’ll find us.” Turning her head so she could face them before opening her eyes to look at the new group. “For someone who got caught kidnapping you're oddly calm. But then again you're dressed like a Sheikah so it makes a bit of sense.” The man's voice was deep and smooth yet it showed some age to it which made sense, To mayu this man was old. All of them were actually, letting out a small chuckle the woman grinned a bit “fair enough, now join us. I'll make breakfast for you ten after all, when will I ever have the chance to chat with every version of Gannondorf known to history.” Letting out a laugh the eldest of the gerudo king nodded “Very well , breakfast and questions it’ll be”

As the ten entered the cave , being careful to not disrupt the sleeping person , mayu smiled and got to work. Today will be better than the past few days have been she knows it and besides if things go well maybe her and the guide could travel with this group. After all Mayu just wanted fo the guide to be safe and how much safer could they be than traveling with ten of the most powerful men in all of hylian history? --------

I have more than this so be prepared >:3 -Lunar

OH MY GOD I LOVED LUNEY WE GOTTA LOVE PROTECTIVE MAYU! DON'T BE AFRAID TO SEND MORE OKAY!?

I know Player's gonna wake up pissed though. "WHERE THE FUCK AM I!?" Mayu may have to dodge some hands (Very easily tho)

[astrologista]

All the fic asks, if you dare

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha

1. approximately how many fics would you say you read in a year?

at least 30 (70 if skimming counts)

2. approximately how many fics would you say you write in a year?

1 or 2 (5-7 if drabbles count)

3. what’s one character that you write in fics or rp that has changed your life, one that you couldn’t do without?

timothy drake :)

4. what’s your favorite au premise?

i love domestic and deaging!aus very near and dear to my heart. or aus where some character(s) never died.

5. what’s the optimal wordcount for a fic? (it, of course, depends. but what do you like?)

i wanna say 10k

6. describe a fic that has or would bring you to tears. links appreciated.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30902738

7. describe a fic that has or would make you smile very hard and bury your face into your pillow / potentially scream a little bit. links appreciated.

any fic that features bruce wayne having vague well-meaning but overprotective tendencies tends to do this to me in spades lol

8. what kind of fic do you like to read at 3am? be as specific as you dare…

horror stories... >:) i like to be scared sometimes

9. what’s a fic you’ve thought of while you were drifting off to sleep?

lately i've been high on the whole somebody-wants-to-prove-theirself-so-they-run-off-and-get-into-a-dangerous-situation-whilst-trying-to-prove-theirself-necessitating-their-caretaker-and-or-boss-to-come-and-save-them trope. i think last night it was apollo justice lol.

10. what’s a huge fic project that you’ve always wanted to work on but never can find the time?

a series of fics sort of chronicling different stages in tim drake's time with the robin mantle and how he grew and changed. for flavor, a grander overarching plot involving tims from different universes working together.

11. what’s a fic you’ve thought of while showering/bathing?

something iddy probably, or i forgot :o

12. what’s your go-to plot bunny and/or trope when you’re daydreaming?

some form of domestic au!

13. make up a fic title for a brand new fic you’ve never thought of before.

"monstrous moonshine" <- this is a real term in advanced math, google it. never found a good place to use it but i would love to

14. tell us about a fanon misconception that often shows up in fic about one of your favorite characters, and why it’s completely wrong

tim drake does NOT cry easily. he's more likely to hide his emotions than not. although fics where he cries can be done really well. i don't think stress or pain alone would be enough to make him cry though, he is pretty tough. i just think too many fics portray him as a wilting lily when he so is not.

15. do you experience synesthesia when you write? what about when you read?

i get a very detailed mental image almost like a movie in my head whenever i read or write anything that i halfway care about. if it's something i'm required to read or write, then i don't get any image of it and usually retain nothing lol

16. have you ever written something fluffy that made you feel happy, then pulled back because you didn’t want to get comments about writing something ooc? any other situations similar to this come up?

yes, i do like to write a lot of deaging! fic for myself. it's a comfort thing. but, i keep most of it to myself not because i think it's bad writing but because i would rather avoid any kind of comments on it, good or bad. maybe i'll post some of it someday with comments disabled, lol.

17. if a 12 or 13 y/o approached you for advice on starting to write and publish fanfiction (whether for personal enjoyment or in a friendly, age-appropriate public/internet space), what would you teach them?

not worry so much about spelling and grammar. things like that are easily improvable later on and it can be really paralyzing when you're jumping in and proofreading manically. also you don't necessarily need your work to be beta read to post it, there's no rule about that anywhere.

18. what’s a very small headcanon that you have that could easily be a novel-length fic if you had the time?

idk i just want to see other people's answers to this

19. who’s that character and what is a specific canon moment for that character that you can talk about for centuries and just never ever get tired of it?

that moment in ace attorney dual destinies (which is admittedly a horrible game otherwise) where apollo mimicked kristoph gavin on the stand. WHAT WAS THAT. WHAT THE FUCK.

20. have you tried to get people in your life on board with your fanfiction or is it all super secret because they’d never understand?

no never. and never will lmao.

21. hurt/comfort specific: have you ever written a hurt/comfort fic that reflected something that you have personally been through in your life?

i've not written any specific moments into my fics but the wip i'm writing now has had me drawing on interactions i've had with certain narcissists in the past

[i-w-p-chan]

Miss- err, Mr. and Mr. Croft, Part 5/Angel of Darkness, Part 3

Important Author Note: Unless it is specified who says which part, the dialogue typically alternates between Tsuna and Hayato.

WARNINGS: OOC, Language (there is a lot of cursing), Violence, Indiscriminate Killing (Tomb Raider Typical Killing- applies to humans, animals, and mythical creatures), Dialogue Heavy, Set In The Tomb Raider Games 'Verses, So May Not Make A Whole Lot Of Sense If You Don't Know TR (unless you, like me, don't mind that), Uses Dialogue From The Game, Collection of Snippets/Drabbles/Scenes Featuring Tsuna's And Hayato's Adventures In The TR Games, Beware Of Unexpected Mood Whiplashes, Ship Teasing, Slight BoyxBoy (why do I even warn about this anymore?), Platonic 5927 (To The EXTREEEEEEEME!), Snark, Badass Tsuna And Hayato, Badasses In Dresses, Perverted Swords, Cute Hammers, And As Always: Shameless Self-Indulgence/Ridiculousness.

Disclaimer: Don't own TR or KHR.  

.

The moment Tsuna sensed Hayato's flames, he knew that something surprised Hayato more than usual.

When he didn't sense the flames get back under control a few minutes later, he worried. It was unusual that Hayato's calm was shaken so much that his temper reverted back to how it was back when Hayato was a teen.

Tsuna kept the flames in his mind's eye as he tracked its progress out of the Louvre until it was pulled back under control right outside of the museum. Tsuna headed there.

The moment he arrived, he halted in his tracks; Hayato was on his back, unconscious, with what looked like a strange blue and white dagger next to him on the ground.

Tsuna took a second to blink in shock at the scene before he rushed over towards Hayato. Tsuna picked up the dagger and started to shake Hayato.

"Hey, Hayato. Hayato. Wake up, Hayato. Hayatooooo."

With a groan, Hayato shook his head and opened his eyes. He blearily looked up and, at the sight of Tsuna above him with a dagger, gaped, "You really are going to kill me."

Tsuna looked, contemplative, between Hayato and the dagger, and then smiled. Hayato shuddered.

"Hmmm." Tsuna played a bit with the dagger. "Maybe some other time?"

Hayato sagged in relief.

"Now, how about you fill me in on what happened after we parted?"

Hayato stiffened, "Ah. That."

"Yes, that."

.

"What do you mean he groped you?! I'm going to kill him!"

.

Bouchard found them after Hayato successfully calmed Tsuna down and managed to get the dagger from him.

"What are you doing here?"

"No time now. Quickly!"

Tsuna and Hayato shared a look. It was time to get to Werner's apartment to find clues on what happened, and lucky them, they have a guy they can commandeer for a ride.

.

As the three piled into a car, Hayato took the chance to ask some questions, "What were you doing at the Louvre?"

"Trawling police short wave. You were attracting a lot of attention in there. I figured you might need some help."

"Thanks." Well, color them surprised. But Hayato was still suspicious; Bouchard probably had his own agenda.

Bouchard put his hand on Hayato's leg, just above the knee, "Wouldn't you prefer somewhere safer than your friend's apartment?"

Hayato stared blankly at the hand, the urge to violently rip it off rising in his chest. Tsuna leaned over, grabbed the hand and deposited it back in Bouchard's lap, all while he had a sickeningly sweet smile on his lips, "I found some leads in the Louvre that may link to his death. I have to check his apartment."

"We're almost there. There's something you should know. The police bands were full of details of another Monstrum killing- in Prague."

Prague? Hayato looked at Tsuna, wasn't that guy, Mathias Vasiley, mentioned in Werner's notebook staying in Prague?

"Would it be a dealer named Mathias Vasiley by any chance?"

Bouchard looked at them, "Yes. You knew him?"

"No." Tsuna opened the door of the car, and got off, closely followed by Hayato.

"I'll… wait here."

.

"What a mess." Tsuna looked around the apartment.

"Let's spread out and look around."

Tsuna side-eyed Hayato, but nodded his acquiescence.

.

Tsuna and Hayato had finished their search and were standing in front of the wall that held the red symbols all over it when a man with a rifle entered and took aim at them.

.

Hayato leaped at the man, grabbed him and threw him off the railing to the stairs below. Tsuna ran after him, gun raised and trained on him, but the man was unmoving.

And his phone was ringing.

Tsuna proceeded to search the body for anything useful while Hayato who just joined him pulled out the dead man's phone and answered.

"Is she taken care of yet?" Came Bouchard's voice from the other end. "Hello? Is she dead yet? We have to get back to Prague."

"No, Bouchard, she isn't. But your little friend is. I'll take care of you later." Hayato ended the call and threw the phone away.

Tsuna raised a blue card, "It's time to go to Prague."

.

"Well, look. It’s Bouchard." Tsuna mouthed to Hayato, then took out his gun and used to it knock out Bouchard.

"Time for some Q&A."

.

"He's dead? What the heck?"

"More importantly, how?"

"Let's get out of here."

.

"We've got an Obscura engraving and the pass. Off to Strahov."

"You're so excited to storm the place."

"Well, why wouldn't I be?"

.

"This reminds me of that one time at the Russian base."

.

"Tsuna?"

Hayato stared worriedly at Tsuna who was stock-still in front of him. The two had just watched Eckhardt murder someone in front of their very own eyes. The smell of burning flesh wafted up to the ventilation shaft, where the two were hiding, and into their noses.

Tsuna turned to look at Hayato with orange eyes, "I don't know why, but it feels like that bastard is mocking us. I want to burn him to cinders."

"Well." Hayato paused momentarily, what should he say to that? "That's the spirit. Now, let's keep moving."

.

"I can't believe that babbling wacko gave us the slip!"

"'Babbling wacko'?"

"Hush."

.

"Not only crazy plants, but also crazy creatures! Just what the heck?!"

.

"What the heck is that thing swimming in the water?"

"I take back every bad thing I ever said about crocodiles."

.

"I never thought I could feel so murderous, Eckhardt is teaching me new things about myself."

"The guy just rubs you the wrong way, doesn't he?"

.

"It's locked?" Tsuna uselessly pushed at the door.

The guy from the Louvre walked in front of the transparent part of the door. Tsuna's features immediately blanked. Hayato sighed.

"You really have made a mess of things, haven't you?"

A self-satisfied smirk crept over Tsuna's face. Hayato sighed louder.

"Who for? The stalker who stole my painting?" Tsuna scoffed.

"What do you need with the painting?" Hayato interjected, if he let Tsuna lead the conversation, he'd just rile the guy up.

"Maybe I'll explain later, miss Croft, but for now I need to go and turn the power back on." The guy just wasn't endearing himself to Tsuna.

"Leaving me here." With a progressively more annoyed Tsuna? Scratch that about the guy not endearing himself to Tsuna, he wasn't endearing himself to Hayato.

"You've caused enough problems over the last two days." Yeah, just stroke Tsuna's ego over that some more, it won't help your case though.

"Safer for everyone if you stay in one place for a while."

Now that, Hayato couldn't fault. Except for the part where Hayato himself is stuck with an annoyed Tsuna.

"You'll be okay in there."

Yeah, Tsuna would be. But Hayato wouldn't be. He'd have to listen to Tsuna's whining. Tsuna had a lot of things to whine about, and as long as he and Hayato kept moving and working towards an objective, Tsuna didn't have time to whine. But now…

Tsuna snapped Hayato out of his horrified speculation by slapping the dagger he picked up outside of the Louvre against the door while keeping it in clear sight of the guy on the other side of the door.

"And this?"

"My Periapt Shard! You…"

Periapt Shard? They heard that name before. From that woman that was eaten by that strange creature (or plant, they didn't really know or want to know).

"Picked it up at the Louvre, yes. After you stole my painting." Hayato winced at that.

"All this can wait. I know where you'll be. Take a breather from damaging things why dontcha."

Hayato leaned his forehead against the wall; that may as well incite Tsuna to damage more things.

The guy saluted them and left.

Hayato groaned.

"'Take a breather from damaging things' huh?" Tsuna squared his shoulders, his flames springing forth to surround his body. "This measly chamber is nothing; I'll tear it down and chase after you. Easily."

Hayato knew it.

Then Tsuna did something unexpected, he dispersed his flames and mused with a smile on his face, "Maybe I should actually just stay here."

Hayato was shocked, what?

"Let him come to me."

Ah. Hayato relaxed, all was right in the world again.

.

The two laid in wait for the guy on the ceiling of the chamber, right above the door. They were rewarded when he entered and looked around but didn't look up.

Tsuna was the first one down, disarming him and training his gun on him. Hayato jumped down just in time to see a mutated human-like creature behind the guy. Tsuna's flames sprung forth, devouring the strange creature and reducing it to ashes. Tsuna's flames retreated but didn't go away, they merely draped themselves across Tsuna's shoulders and down his back.

"Thanks." The guy was blatantly staring at the flames. Hayato's eyes bore into him, he was more perceptive than any other person Tsuna and Hayato met (heck, he was more perceptive than gods Tsuna and Hayato faced off against).

Tsuna didn't respond, even though it was a perfect opportunity for him to say something snarky to the guy, he merely stared at the guy.

"Name's Kurtis." Kurtis (and what a relief it was to have a name for a face, Hayato got tired of referring to him as 'the guy' in his head) offered his hand for a handshake, while his eyes were still trained on Tsuna's flames.

Wow, so brave of him.

Tsuna still didn't respond so Hayato did instead, "Lara. And this is business."

Hayato grabbed Kurtis and pushed him towards the wall, searching him in a style similar to the one Kurtis used with him in the Louvre. So, okay, Hayato still held a tiny grudge over what happened in the Louvre.

Tsuna, the current unflappable bastard, still kept his gun trained on Kurtis.

"I owe you one." Seriously? Hayato wanted to punch him.

"You owe me a painting." Yes, a tiny grudge.

"Sorry. That went AWOL at the Louvre."

Didn't even have the decency to hold onto it, gah.

"What brings you here from Paris?" Hayato asked as he threw the metal disk with retractable blades away. The sound it made as it hit the ground felt satisfying.

"Eckhardt. We have business that only one of us will walk away from. You?"

Kurtis turned around to face Hayato. Hayato looked at Tsuna, then back at Kurtis, "Personal reasons."

Kurtis stared at him, and proceeded to spill to him and Tsuna what he knew about Eckhardt's plans. So, he really was willing to explain things.

"Eckhardt is the original Black Alchemist-" The retractable blades on the metal disk on the ground sprang forth, the disk in itself was surrounded by an orange glow as it began to spin. "-and now he's very close to finding the last painting."

The metal disk flew into the air and began to circulate around the people in the chamber.

When it came close to Tsuna, Tsuna's flames reached out and engulfed the disk, then they yanked.

Kurtis stumbled back in shock.

"You-!"

The flames retreated from around the disk to return to their position wrapped around Tsuna, they sparked in metaphorical satisfaction. The disk itself was still rotating in mid-air, except that this time, the orange light was different, instead of creating an aura around the disk it surrounded it like an extra layer, and the edges of the blade sparked with Tsuna's flames.

Well, Hayato observed the disk, that was new.

Kurtis stared at them in shock- wait. He actually was staring at them. His eyes flitted between the two of them, as opposed to how before he stared at their general area.

"You… you are not Lara Croft…"

He could see them!

Tsuna's eyes bore into Kurtis, who was staring at Hayato with a gaping mouth, "You're the one from the Louvre."

Hayato propped his chin on his fist, "You remember which of us you saw where now?"

"Yes. You, at the Louvre. Him, exiting the tunnel. Both of you before at the café, the club-"

Tsuna holstered his gun, effectively cutting off Kurtis. Tsuna narrowed his eyes at Kurtis, and put his hands on his hips.

Hayato huffed in amusement, "Looks like you won't be killed any time soon. I'm Hayato, this is Tsuna."

"You said," Tsuna interjected, "That Eckhardt is very close to finding the last painting. Does he know where it is?"

Kurtis stared for a moment before he answered, "Yes. It's hidden in the Lux Veritatis Vault beneath the Strahov. That painting must be destroyed, and to do that I need the Shard you picked up at the Louvre."

"There should be three Periapt Shards."

"Eckhardt has the last one. If all three Shards are united, they can destroy him permanently, so he keeps it safe."

"Oh?" Tsuna put his index finger to his lower lip, "I can't just… reduce him to nothing via fire?"

Kurtis subtly swallowed. Hayato waved a hand in front of Tsuna, "Ignore the pyro. Tell us about the Shards."

Kurtis refocused on Hayato, "They're ancient weapons of the Lux Veritatis. Two of them were entrusted to my father. Eckhardt murdered him to stop them passing into my hands. He failed."

"So Eckhardt went after your father. And you want revenge."

"Justice!"

"We should work together." Hayato looked meaningfully at Tsuna. Tsuna rolled his eyes and threw the Shard to Kurtis and let the disk drop into Kurtis, fire gone and blades retracted.

"You're… trusting me?"

"How can they be used to kill Eckhardt?" Hayato gestured towards the Shard in Kurtis' hand.

Off to the side, Tsuna sniffed; Hayato ignored him.

"He must be stabbed with all three Shards."

"We can divide the forces against us if we split up." Tsuna looked sharply at Hayato at that. Hayato raised a placating hand, "Not like that Tsuna. You know it's useless anyway." Hayato refocused on Kurtis. "They won't be affected by me and Tsuna going after them as two separate people, the two of us are still considered 'Lara Croft', a single person. Kurtis, you need the third Shard so you should go after that. Tsuna and I will find the last painting and destroy it."

"Okay. Eckhardt guards the Shard in his old Alchemy lab in the lower regions. I can find my way there."

Hayato pulled out the engraving and beckoned Kurtis closer as he held the engraving between them, "The engraving shows the painting hidden in something called the Vault of Trophies. Here. The entrance is underwater. No problem."

Tsuna turned around and headed out of the chamber, Hayato followed after him as Kurtis went the other way.

.

End chapter 5

[demonsrunningwithangels]

Then I'll "can't" with you

A/N: just a little steve rogers x reader Drabble. I’m having a really bad anxiety day. Captain America and Wonder Woman were my only friends as a kid and when I would be on edge then I’d pretend they would help me. Guess what I’m saying is maybe Steve ruined me for all men. He’s always been my comfort. So here’s what’s my noisy brain cooked up.

——————

I don’t even remember why I’m in here. I guess I always felt safer hiding in closets. That’s where I went as as kid when I was scared of my dad because he hit me again or if I just couldn’t do anything anymore. Old habits die hard.

I sat in my walk in closet. My phone beside me face down. I can’t bear to even look at it. It’s like the words will hurt me. Wrapped up in my blankets hoping that it will help me pull it together. I can’t let him see me like this.

I keep telling myself he doesn’t need this mess. Steve Rogers is a good man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was so scared to even consider dating me because he knew it would mean danger for me. I guess my awkward charm won him over.

And how do I thank him for being so open and taking that chance? Ignoring the fifth call no doubt from him, wrapped up like a human burrito, crying because I’m too scared to leave my house. What a catch.

The tears rolling down my face are so hot. It’s getting harder to breathe. I know what this is but it’s like I can’t stop.

“He’s going to be here. You not answering him will get him worried. Then he’ll see what you really are. A scared little girl. He doesn’t have time for that. You’re not worth the effort.”

It’s on replay. Silent tears. I close my eyes and try to remember to breathe. It’s so hard. I’m such a mess.

It’s probably why I didn’t hear the door. Or him calling out to me. I jumped when I felt him touch me.

“Hey now….you had me worried when you didn’t answer. What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. I can’t even look at him. I think I said nothing.

His thumbs wipe the tears from my cheeks. “These aren’t nothing.”

“Please Steve” my voice doesn’t even sound like me. “I just can’t.”

He lifts my chin and I see the worry etched into that handsome face I don’t deserve, “ then I’ll just can’t with you.”

What little will I had goes away and I break. Why does he care so much. The tears and the broken sobs that come from me pull and tear at me. It’s hurts so much. I’m falling into it and I can’t stop.

Then I realize that I’m not. I’m pressed against him. His arms wrapped around me, rocking me like an upset child. I try to push him away but he won’t let me go. It makes me sob even more. Why won’t he let me go?

“Told you I’ve got you no matter what come at us” I must have said that last part out loud. He runs his fingers through my hair. “ I’m right here. I’ve got you. Sssshhh.”

I know I screamed “I can’t,” over and over. He never stopped telling me that he was here, that he had me, and to shush. Why does he do it? I’m not worth it. “I can’t.” My chest hurts. I’m so hot.

“I know love. I know. I know one thing you can do. It’s easy, I promise.” He’s rubbing my back. “You can breathe. That’s all you need to do right now.”

I shake my head. I can’t even swallow.

“You can. I know it. We’re going to sit right here and we’re just going to breathe together. Just do what I do. Can you try for me?”

I sniffle.

“You don’t have to talk. Just breathe. Just really focus on doing what I do. I’m not going to talk. Just focus on matching up with me.”

It’s only then I realize how my chest is heaving; gasping for air. I close my eyes. My head is pressed to his chest and I can hear is the steady rhythm that has been my rock for the past few months.

I can feel myself trying. He’s showing me how to get air again. I can’t match up with him right away. But the more I just listen, just worry about breathing alone the easier it gets. I don’t know how long we’re like this or how long before we’re breathing together but I remember knowing we were.

“That’s my girl,” he presses a kiss to my temple.

I still can’t talk. I just want to be right here. I’m safe. Nothing bad is happening. I’m okay. He’s okay. We’re okay.

He touches me like I was made of glass. Soft but firm. Careful not to break me but also not to let me slip out of his grip.

“I’m sorry.” That’s all I can manage.

“Nothin to be sorry for.”

“I scared you.”

“You’re okay now. That’s what important. What scared me is you not answering my call. I had to be sure you were all right.” He strokes my hair and keeps rocking me.

“I’m not worth it,” I whisper, “ the weight of the whole world is on you and I’m a mess. I get so freaked out sometimes. You don’t….”

“None of that. I couldn’t love a worthless person. You’re strong. You’re important. You matter. I’ve got strong enough shoulders for the weight of it all.”

“But the burden isn’t yours Atlas.”

“But I choose to bear it.”

“I’m so fucked up. I’m broken and wrong.”

He pulls me away, while still keeping a hand on my back, “look at me. Please.”

My head feels like it weighs 100 pounds. I manage to lift my head and meet those deep blue eyes. Filled with concern, love and strength.

“You have an illness. Just like any other one on Earth except yours isn’t always visible. Right now, in these moments, I can see it. I see what it does to my beautiful girl. I can see you struggling. And your tears make me feel the hurt and pain and fear right along with you. Despite all of that, I know you aren’t defined by what you have. I know it attacks your soul and you go to war every day. I know what war does to you, how tired it can make you. But I also know that you won’t surrender. You’ll keep fighting.”

“How can you love this? This person I am.”

“Because you’ve fought every day of your life to become her. How could anyone not love a warrior.”

I felt the tears slip down again. “I do love you. The world and this anxiety makes it so loud that sometimes I can’t hear myself anymore.”

“Well then,” he kisses my forehead, “days when the world gets too loud. Days like today. I’ll just love you louder.”

I lean forward and snuggle myself against him again. I close my eyes and yawn.

He doesn’t say anything. Just stands with me in his arms and walks us to my bed. He lays me down and brushes my hair back.

“Stay with me.”

“How can I say no” he slips off his shoes and climbs over me. He slips an arm under my head and uses the other to pull me to him.

“Please be here when I wake up.”

“You got it,” he kisses one spot of my skin, “ just rest love. I’ll be right here.”

I can feel my eyes get heavier and I relax against him. Tomorrow we can talk. But right now, this is what I need. The man that loves me and can see me even in the grips of my anxiety. The man that can bring me back to life when all I want is to be gone.

And in that moment between awake and sleep I hear his voice.

“You look so peaceful like this. I hated seeing you so upset. I know when I’ve been away it makes you worry. And you’re alone. One day you won’t have to ask me to stay. It’ll be our bed in our house. You’ll never be alone again. Sooner rather than later. I just have to ask you. God, I hope you’ll say yes.”