#THERE'S NO OTHER THOUGHT IN THERE AT /ALL/ KOHA

[ultimaterealmofchaos]

"I am very sorry for hitting you, I thought it meant something it did not." Paused, making sure to stay out of range. "If I come over there to give you this ice pack, am I going to get hit again?"

Does she feel bad upon seeing Ryoka coming over with an ice pack? Maybe. Maybe slightly. But only because she's so damn weird. That's all. No other reason besides that.

None at all, dammit.

And besides, she'd had it coming! She'd gone and punched Koharu first, after all...!

"No, you're not gonna get hit," she finally answers with a sigh. "Fuckin' hell. Y'all think I'm gonna attack your dumb asses even if I so much as look at you. I'm not Tohomiko, for fuck's sake."

[t4tbedehopmar]

hey gays

[xulips]

HII IT'S ME AGAIN (the one with baby crib for akitoya plushies to eep) I DID SOMETHING GOOFY

so like what if vbs ever went on a road trip and i feel like toya would drive and koha would be in the passenger seat (it feels right idk) with the sillies in the back arguing every second

and then when they got to wherever they go toya and koha would scold them bc toya could not focus

sorry for yapping but it was 3 in the morning when I thought of it 😤

NO DON'T APOLOGIZE IT'S ALRIGHT!!

that's such a fun idea though, i feel like after so much fighting from the other two in the back kohane and toya would make them switch places, with an being at the front w toya and kohane + akito being at the back

why don't they just have the partners side by side? well if you put an and kohane at the back, it's fine, but toya's afraid that akito might distract him from driving (that will eventually led to all four of their deaths) so they must be seperated at all cost. in the car. if it's outside it's a different thing

[nasuverse-most-breedable-tourney]

i appreciate the time you put into this but if youre going to make a note that youre using older ushi you should be vetting character ages better, youve got mordred who says hes 16 during camelot and gareth whos his younger sister, the nobu whos in their early teens (changed to older teens in NA profiles but it still says early in JP and koha-ace), marie who says shes 14 in orleans...i hope this doesnt come off as weird im just concerned about the one note and dont know if you just dont know about the rest? or if i should just steer clear. and thought i should say something while round 1 is going on and its fixable...

I was going to make a post prior to the tournament but no one really reads my announcement posts especially once a poll round starts lol but this is a submission based poll from other tumblr users and my only rule was no children like Jack, prisma illya stuff, lily units, visual designs that are elementary, etc. I'm not denying there are other teenage submissions in this tourney, I'm very much aware.

Ushi has multiple different looking art for different looking ages (summer, avenger) and not every servant like Mordred has an official older looking self. If I can, I also wanted to have characters shown at their most well known design which is why I have 17 year old Rin, Shirou, etc for clarity sake for people not super familiar with the nasuverse so even they can be like "oh yeah that character I remember seeing them before". Mash and Guda are considered forever minors no matter how much time passes lol. Marie in fgo makes quite of few statements about her kids as a loving mom. Lasagna deciding to give her a 14 year old body was literally out of our control but I'm going to simply disregard Lasagna age canon and view her as the adult she died as and not be weird about it, please understand. For Ushi, it wasn't my intention to be weird about her. I winged it and made the conscious decision to have her as an adult since she does have so many different and good sprites and official art. I have a transparent Rider Ushi in her background for clarity for those that only do know her as Rider.

I run this blog with the assumption we're all responsible adults here and we're not going to be weird about fictional characters to the same severity that we treat irl people. Fate, Tsukihime, etc are porn works, there's nothing wrong with that clearly, but serious and non-serious sexual acts with characters under 18 do happen and some of the characters submitted in this tourney are under 18 but I'm choosing not to be weird or a creepy about it so please don't think I have sus intentions with this tourney. This is a silly tourney theme that was selected and voted for. I'm just hosting it to the best of my ability while being respectful and fair as I can (sorry avicebron for the queen medb matchup, literally somebody had to go against her ;n;).

[pharaohbean]

Hey, saw your Prsk Unit Shuffle AU and am very interested in seeing more.

In particular, I'm interested in hearing more about how the groups formed. It's always neat to see how these characters first meet and interact under different circumstances. And, as a little bonus, maybe what their "Untitled"/theme song is, because I feel like that's a very key part of a unit's identity that tends to be overlooked.

(Not sure if you're still interested in asks about this AU. If not, sorry for bugging you about it)

GASP HELLO I LOVE TALKING ABOUT MY UNIT SHUFFLE AU im so sorry this too forever to get u back on!! schoolwork is a pain and then i went SHOPPING (which takes forever :sob:)

okok so i haven't really thought about all the details of how they get together? so bear with me this is a rough draft lol

SSS: the idea at the core of this group is that its a family with different strengths coming together to make music. so tsukasa is the scriptwriter, saki is the lyricist, toya is the choreographer, and kanade is the composer! the group is headed by tsukasa, who's actually been putting on these shows for all of them since he was a kid. as he got older, he started taking stardom more seriously (leading into canon), but an incident in middle school ended up with the tenmas legally adopting toya, so that definitely shook things up for tsukasa (in a good way!). so i think that (+ l/n not reforming, which does happen in the SSS main story) allowed tsukasa and saki to consider banding their strengths together, since tsukasa loved putting on shows and saki loved seeing them, but she would also help put them on for toya (and later kanade, when she joins them not long after toya does). the two of them very quickly realize that they need more hands, and although recruiting kanade as composer is easy (bc 25ji never forms- dont ask why im still figuring that out lol) toya is a lot harder bc he's still active under BAD DOGS with akito. however, with akito picking up AWR around the same time (+ hatsune freaking miku appearing to toya), toya does join under their choreographer as for their untitled, their song is Wonderland and the Sheep's Song by Hachi, but I worked out their line distributions to this lovely KYO cover! you can see my color-coded lyrics for them here if you're interested :)

R/l: im gonna be 100% honest with you SSS and AWR are the only ones with any semblance of a plot rn LOL but here's the base idea around R/l: mizuki and rui both congregate on the kami school rooftop bc, yknow, loners (mizuki is never reached out to by kanamafu, so not 25ji on their part. tsukasa doesnt end up applying for phoenix so wxs doesn't have a chance of forming). at some point, i imagine they got talking about music, but never did anything concrete. but not long into the main story (probably the very start) an also joins them, her dream of surpassing rad weekend getting weaker as she struggles to find a partner (koha will be explained later) so she goes to hang with her friend on the rooftop. at some point, mizu and an both accidentally enter sekai, where they meet miku and len. those two tell them that there's still two others they need to find because they also made the sekai. mizu and an get.... maybe a little too excited over this. an takes this chance to invite her friend haruka over to kami (so she transfers) and join the group, but in their search for their fourth member they end up accidentally alienating rui (ironic). they fix that tho-- although HOW i dont know lol their untitled was one i went back and forth on (tbh only SSS and AWR i didnt lol), but i eventually decided on Untitled Hymn by shaito! their color-coded lyrics are here (i just realized you can barely tell where an is in lines but ehhh)

ATD: okay so. ATD is the group thats given the most gosh-darn trouble. ive revised their cast motivations like, TWICE now. but basically it goes like this: shizuku and mafuyu are both members of the archery club, with mafuyu trusting shizuku so much that her public mask slips a couple of times (against her will). shizuku's not dumb, but she doesn't say anything bc i think she understands that mafu has her secrets. after shizuku quits being an idol (on more of her own terms), she still wants to find a way to share the light she had before that seemed to reach mafu a few times. enter: accidental sekai trip! this trip both gives shizu the idea for an online group (which could sorta count as MMJ but i think the big distinction is they do more streamer/vtuber stuff and less purely idol stuff?? im still working on that) and lets her see mafu with her mask fully off. eventually, shizu drags nene into the business (nene never attends kami here, workin on that) bc shizu and mafu have no idea how streaming works and nene does, but nene likes hiding behind the camera but is still a part of the group bc who can say no to shizu? and hona joins at shizu's request bc they're both beautification members (and apparently hona+mafu are both honors students so i wonder if they have some overlap?? can you tell ive never attended public school lol) their untitled gave me SO MUCH TROUBLE. because ATD is supposed to be a weird mix of 25ji and mmj? but all of their songs get swiped by either R/l, AWR, or even SSS, so it was hard to find something that i thought could be specifically them. eventually, i finally decided on Common World Domination by PinocchioP! Their color-coded lyrics can be found here :)

MxC: oh boy this one's a doozy. so the idea here is like... there are underground music rings? which sounds wild but like if music is vaguely the lifeblood of this world i DONT CARE it can happen! i don't wanna make it life-threatening tho so its more like... you get blacklisted from everything. which for shiho--who got sucked into this world in an attempt to find bandmates--is VERY BAD. but shiho's given a little bit to find a band before their first performance, but with l/n definitely gone their separate ways (and she never wanted to involve them in the first place) she's kinda stuck. enter: airi and ena! both of them had been watching the music battles, unsatisfied with their current lives (airi having just quit idol/tv work, ena just frustrated over her art), but airi knows shiho thru miya, and when she heard about shiho's impending doom, she resolved herself to very quickly learn guitar and join her group, roping ena (who has a little bit of drum experience from akito and mom) into it as well. meanwhile, while all of this is going on, kohane (being the sweet soul she is) has been trailing shiho out of concern, but then is entirely horrified at the underground battles bc shes still pre-canon meek. but she really wants to help shiho, so she agrees to try and learn keyboard. after clearing the first battle, shiho and her group are safe--for now. they'll have to clear a lot more battles if they want to escape the underground their untitled is Hello Builder by UtsuP since i wanted them to have harsher rock songs than l/n (bordering on metal-ish)! color-coded lyrics here :)

AWR: funny story--all of the above units were made in the order listed! so i got to AWR and... i have ichika, minori, emu, and akito. and im like "NONE OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON". and then i went. "WAIT. THATS IT!" so here's how AWR goes: ichika still tries to reform l/n, but fails; minori is still trying to become an idol; and emu is still trying to revive the wonder stage. all three of them, all attending miya ofc, end up bonding over this and they start thinking. is there a way to satisfy all three of their dreams (band, idol, and show) at once? and at FIRST the answer is "no lol" so they go exploring. and somehow someway (workin on that) word finds out about this and some guy on vivid street dares akito to try and fix em into shape in a week. akito--being akito--accepts quite hotheadedly, then quickly realizes that maybe this wasnt a good idea?? because EVERYONE has a different music taste and its almost impossible to keep up with them all!!! but eventually they do figure it all out, and by the end none of them wanted to split apart or anything. AWR is i think the group that has the least amount of direction which might be on purpose. i think (again im rambling rn so) part of their story is figuring out what their direction is going to be! their untitled is Lip Sync by DECO*27, written as a part of holo*27 (hi no im not rlly into vtubers i just like their music) but i count it bc its written by a voca producer and this would not be the first time a non-vocaloid sung a unit song (cough cough mafumafu and tuyu). you CAN find my color-coded lyrics here.... but i did the translations. which means they're pretty much 98% google translated then bonked around to make sense. i dont know japanese please dont sue me

i hope you enjoy my indepth explanation!!! im always happy to talk about these guys :D

[re-re-redline]

(:

Now that’s a smile worth protecting!

This is my replacement for the adorable yet goofy looking Koha-ace Mehmed. It’s not necessarily finished yet as you can see be the unrendered section of Mehmed’s turban and the uncolored feathers. But all of the big parts are finished and I’ve drawn a fair few expressions for this handsome gentleman as well, so no need to worry about seeing the same expression all the darn time. Oh, and you’re unable to see it due to the framing of the image, but this is a full body portrait. The idea was originally as a little side thing to draw all three of Mehmed’s ascensions as like a cool hypothetical. The first two would be based of the paintings of Mehmed II and the second ascension would be his iconic attire from Himuro’s World. Don’t want to get too creative now.

The one you’re looking at right now is my hypothetical first ascension for Mehmed II. Since there’s been a running trend (last I checked) of servants wearing modern clothes on the JP side of things, I decided to try my hand at such a thing myself by having him wear this cool coat (that’s based off a painting of him I found on Google) with a few pins on it (inspired by Don Quixote from Limbus Company) and some sweats and crocs for the meme. It’s not something you’d see a sultan wearing at all, which makes it (in my opinion) a neat subversion by having the young conquerer here look somewhat like a college student. Due to his youthful appearance in Himuro’s World, I’d say that this Mehmed is 21 years old based on when he conquered Constantinople at—you guessed it—age 21. Y’know, his prime achievement in life. He does appear in Apocrypha as an older gentleman when he was fighting against Vlad in Wallachia, but one usually tends to think of this younger one, I’d think.

This is my second time trying to paint something digitally ever, so if the rendering looks wack then now you know why. Personally, I’d say this is miles better than my first time trying. Everything looks much more smooth, the textures are looking swell and the little hints of various other colors really spiced things up. Overall, it’s pretty neat by my standards.

Finally, I just wanted to share this with everyone since I was flicking through the expressions I already made and saw this one and I was like: “Man… I’ve made a really cute sprite! That’s a million dollar smile right there. I didn’t even know I could do that,” and I then thought it’d be nice to put this out there so that you all can find at least a modicum of the enjoyment I had when looking at this lil’ guy. Now, that’s all from me tonight and have a good one everybody!

—Redline, over and out!

[honeybeewhereartthee]

PINK KKOMAS KOHAKU OUKAWA 50

Spoiler for my stories

Doll look at Cheshire cat who's still carrying the wounded cat and back to mad hatter who's laughing at some jokes someone told them.

Doll: >.>

Cheshire cat: (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡???

Doll: >.> What?

Cheshire cat: (´･ᴗ･ ` )??

Doll: (￢ ￢) I don't understand shit what you mean.

Cheshire cat reach out with his free hand to pat Doll head. Doll thought nothing of it but somehow he realize something strange.

Cheshire cat: you can understand me now. (^˵◕ω◕˵^)

Doll who's now a cat:...

Doll: WHAT THE FUCK!! ヘ（。□°）ヘ

Cheshire cat: what a cute Egyptian mau. (´･ᴗ･ ` )

Doll: (︶︹︺)why most you turn me into a cat. So embarrassing.

Cheshire cat: don't you wish to understand what others from my au speaks about? (^˵◕ω◕˵^)

Doll: (︶︹︺)hmmp.

Cheshire cat held doll by the nape as they move away from the group to a free space putting him down on one spot. Before long a Maine Coon which 2 times larger than normal appear where Cheshire cat it. Cheshire cat put down the kitten he was holding by the nape on his front paws as he lay down to the ground.

Doll: (︶︹︺) is that even classified as a normal cat? That look like a fucking wild cat

Cheshire cat: (´･ᴗ･ ` )your really different from him.

Doll: (￢ ￢)are you talking about that Hatter.

Cheshire cat: yup, I'm talking about Blood.

Doll: (︶︹︺) what. Don't tell me he have more senseful name than mad hatter? Blood? That's more easy to say than fucking mad hatter when he stayed without hat for so long.

Cheshire cat; (^˵◕ω◕˵^) your quite sassy one.

Doll: everyone around me are stupid. (￢ ￢)

Cheshire cat: (´･ᴗ･ ` ) how so?

Doll: (︶︹︺) none of your business.

Cheshire cat: do you think, your other self, Bee who went far to do such fit for Love is stupid ?

Doll: no comment. (￢ ￢)

Cheshire cat: or the fact reaper who search far too long for his important friend to only failed at some point and don't realize the person beside him was that friend his looking for? That the person he search have long died and reincarnated.

Doll:(︶︹︺) why the fuck do you know those. Wait never mind. Your from that place, people of those place seems to know it all.

Cheshire cat:... (´･ᴗ･ ` )oh, my precious is awake.

???: W-where... Mamcat??

Cheshire cat licks the wounded cat face who look surprised they aren't nowhere familiar place of their room

??? Panicking: ｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡ w-why am I outside??? W-wha... I-i don't like this!!!

Doll: (`ー´) whats wrong with your world mc. What's wrong with being outside?

??? Stares fearfully at doll thinking it's Blood: (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀) i-i don't go out o-on m-my own... P-please... F-forgivr m-me...*hic... Huhuhu.

Doll: ...

Doll suddenly went sprinting toward the direction of mad hatter and jumps on his face and start clawing his face: (YOU BASTARD WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR MC. FUCKING BITCH WHEN IM DOWN WITH YOU, YOU WILL BE UGLY KOHAKU!! ))

but to others its nothing but meows.

Reaper: who's that lost cat? (• ▽ •;)

Mad hatter who just remove doll off his face: it's doll. (´･ᴗ･ ` )

Dollmaker:(( D-DOLL? KOHA?! WOAHH SO CUTE!! ))

Mad hatter gives the angry doll to dollmaker: here you go. (●´u`●)

Doll mewing at mad hatter: ((YOU BASTARD I WILL KILL YOU!! ))

Dollmaker: koha what's wrong? (◕દ◕)

Doll mewing: ((THAT BASTARD DID SOMETHING TO YOUR OTHER SELF. EVIL BASTARD!!))

Dollmaker who don't understand but put the reason to dress up the kitty: ehh. You want to wear dress ?(ʃƪ＾3＾）

Doll: ((*GASP. NOOOOO. (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)))

Mad hatter quietly leaves and went to the place where the large Maine coons is.

Mad hatter: we it seems you awake, kitty.

Kitty:(( ₍ᐡඉ ̫ඉᐡ₎ *hic... B-blood I don't go out on my own... N-not my fault. ｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡))

Mad hatter: (ㆁωㆁ)

Kitty: (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ (( s-sorry.. ))

Kitty reach out to mad hatter who sigh hopelessly as he held his stupid cat: (◍•ᴗ•◍)

Cheshire cat: (ㆀ˘･з･˘) (( stop bullying them, Blood))

Mad hatter; (´･ᴗ･ ` ) bullying huh.

Kitty: (｡•́︿•̀｡)

Mad Hatter held kitty up and kiss their forehead: my silly cat since you wish to spend outside for a while. Then have your way.

Kitty: ₍ᐡඉ ̫ඉᐡ₎ *hic. N-no.

Mad hatter: since your being a nice kitty, it's only best to award you don't I?

Kitty: can I have a hard pass? ₍ᐡඉ ̫ඉᐡ₎ *hic.

Mad hatter: nope. Time to dress you up too! (ʃƪ＾3＾）

Kitty: ｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡ b-but--.

Mad hatter chuckle as he brought kitty with others to ask for a cute dress too. Dollmaker happily give the cloths to them too.

.

[typellblog]

top 10 non stay night servants?

This sort of question always fucks with me because . . . Actually let me just walk you through my thought process here

So the obvious starting point is to go 1 fate work at a time and pick out my fave servants

Hollow ataraxia has Angra there's one

Zero has Iskandar that's two

Apocrypha has a few I like actually, Siegfried, Astolfo, Amakusa I guess

And now I'm already starting to run out of fate series

I don't really feel comfortable ranking strange fake characters when it's unfinished although I do like Richard

I havent actually played any of the extra games oopsie

Prillya doesn't have new servants

Fate prototype? Brynhildr was alright in fragments I suppose

There's a servant in case files at some point I think but I didn't read that far?

Haven't picked up type redline yet . . .

Fate/requiem??? Maybe when meteo gets off his ass and writes another volume I'll start caring about any of the characters

And YES I'm fishing for dregs instead of talking about FGO because I play the japanese version

I have not read any of it

I do like a lot of the characters from it but I do feel as though there is a fundamental difference between appreciating a character for cool design, voicelines, lore etc. and appreciating them for their role in a story lol

But regardless here's a list of top 10 fgo blorbos

1. Katsushika Hokusai

2. Morgan

3. Tezcatlipoca

4. Qin Shi Huang

5. Melusine

6. Kiyohime

7. Kiara (also the other fucked up thing about fgo is that you can use it to smuggle non servant characters onto the list lmao like my top 3 could just be illya if I wanted to but I do have some standards. Except as previously mentioned I never played any extra games so Kiara is a servant to me sorry)

8. Draco (Sodom's Beast) (also barely a servant)

9. Nemo

10. Nobu (she's a fgo character to me idk what the fuck a koha ace is)

In conclusion I would probably struggle to think of 10 good non-FSN characters at all let alone favourite servants this franchise fucking sucks lmao

[rulletywriting1412]

story 1

The mysterious detective

??? Pov

Didn't you hear ?

Hear what ?

The detective cracked the case again !!

Woah for real ?? How do they know.. isn't that person who ever it is Anonymous ? We don't even know if their human !

But that's if you believe in mystical creatures of course !

Ye I guess so

Hey don't we have class right now ?

Ye oh god let's run for it

As I heard those two girls talk I chuckled and walked away looking at my watch

Huh ? Oh well it's Time to go home

I thought walking back home

Time skip

Home sweet home

I thought as I put the food in the kitchen

I then went to the living room and opened the tv

It seems that our mysterious detective solved the case again ! Just who could it be

The news reporter said shocked

Oh come on I couldn't help but solve it

I thought smirking as I closed the tv and started reading the news

Case solved

A other day shopping in the tiny neighborhood

As I walked around I saw someone unconscious from far a way

The closer I got the more blood

That’s when I saw a dead lady , with blood pouring out of her stomach

What's happing

I heard someone run towards me it sounded like an old lady but not too old maybe she's in her 50-60 most likely

Hello , there I was just walking by and happened to see her do you know her by any chance ?

I asked unfazed

U-h oh yes I do but let’s call an ambulance

She replied looking at me in an unsure way

Yes if you want I can check on her I know a bit about medicine and the human body

Ah yes

I then went to feel her body

still it's a new kill ? But who knows what are the chances for her to survive

A gun ? If it was some kind of knife it would have been hidden here somewhere or taken by the killer but this is also hard if she fell from a window hence a Suicide one of these windows should be open I thought as I looked around as I felt her pulse

Miss could you call the ambulance there might be a chance so I wouldn't bet on it in the mean time I'll check the building there the windows you see

I said pointing my finger

Once the woman left to call the ambulance I quickly went to the building it seemed old and abandoned

I then went towards the first window closed it was even dusty which proved how long it's been sense people came here

I then checked the other windows till the last one none of them were open they were all locked and dusty

Time skip

Once the Emergency came taking the woman away the lady had to go with them I decided to get that lady's number using a random phone and number I had and I added her

*₊˚✺ home ✺*₊˚

I decided to search about that location and houses near it from what the dead woman was wearing she didn't seem rich but she could afford at least a tiny apartment for a living I couldn't find her Id or anything like that in her bag but oh well

There's only one shady apartment near that rundown place and that's the koha

There aren't much members so it was easy spotting her

A woman who was a part of this really rich family they had connections to a lot of good people tho it seems she went on a different path ending up pregnant and living in that rundown apartment

Although what I'd like to ask is who hates her that much to want to kill her I suspect it wasn't a gun if it was that lady she would have come earlier to her once she heard the gun

If it was a knife or something like that ... ah but it could be …I thought researching

Time skip

I then opened the tv seeing the lady's death was announced

Finally

More info I thought.

Nvm I already found all that hours ago I thought a bit pissed oh well what ever now then I know who the killer is

Once The news finished I wore my jacket and started walking towards my friends business he lets me work there so I can get some money for living expenses basically and Internet caffe but there are also private rooms if you Wana use the computer by yourself with out people sitting around u or like near u

Time skip

I decided to start a new account and text the lady from there telling her I am the detective and that I've cracked the case I'll send you everything so if I were you I'd go show this right now

The killer : lucas tamal

His connections to the lady are too complicated before she reached this state I suspect he’s the father of the kid even tho he's young

its definitely him for one the woman's family cared to much about their family name and once he found out he was the father his family's reaction was definitely not accepting what he did and hating him who knows what more they felt or did to him but it made him reach to the point of hating and resenting that lady to the point he killed her off hiding his face scared but carefully

Case solved !

If you want more info press this for detail + but I’m sure you already know the details don’t you ?

I sent as I deleted the account and the app completely

I then left the room sense it was cleaning duty

Time skip

*₊˚✺ home ✺*₊˚

This was easy I thought tired

News report : the case solved again

News report : Lucas tamal thrown in jail for murder

That was quick

I thought

Who ever the hell that other detective is that's supporting my theories is quite the quick one

the new case !

?????pov

Sir the lady she came ! She wants to show u something

Someone said stuttering as they called for me

Sure I'm coming

I replied as I packed my book full of info of this case

A woman found dead in front of a rundown building , a former important person at that how unexpected

Time skip

Once I reached to the location and saw the lady she gave me her phone telling me to read what was written I looked at it a bit bothered they solved my case again

I then searched the name and did some of my researching to prove this and hell this mysterious detective who ever it is

is smart

Who ever that was that solved this case before me their right

I said as I stared at the building and then at the body trace

owen here's your part our criminal is in-fact lucas do what you can to get in him in Jail using my name or even this mysterious detective after all that we have a case to solve

I said smiling

Right of course detective arthur

Owen replied smiling

My trust worthy friend with an actual important name

we've been friends ever sense I wanted to become a detective with nothing else in mind he was there with me saying he'd be my side kick in a way

Once I crack a case , which isn't happening much now a days due to that mysterious detective

he spreads it using his power , and when it isn't something I solve and that annoying human solves it I have to put it out for the world that who ever it is that solved it

Now then time to crack this case after all it will be worth it

*₊˚✺ home ✺*₊˚

Now then our mysterious detective what could catch your attention

... the location normally people wouldn't be there would they ?

I then grabbed my phone calling Owen

Owen I have an idea let's go to the scene it's self no one would walk there unless ...

Mysterious detective pov

This guy owen Bardot he's the one who called for this or at least seems like the ones with the strings but apparently he works with this detective tho I assume due to my existence that detective isn't solving anything anyway

I thought slightly proud of my self

Well I'm guessing after 4 cases I've solved this man's gonna start looking for me

I don't care if he finds me honestly but I'm still unsure if I should trust him

is he even that good he's been covering up for me and actually giving me credit but does that prove he’s worth it

until he finds me I'll solve what comes my way and stay a bit alerted more then the usual

Found out red handed

Excuse me wake up now

Who could that be

I thought as I lazily wore my jacket and washed my face walking towards the door

Oh hello there granny

Yes , hello Lucia I need you to fix this for me I'll pay you but please do fix it

She said handing me her old laptop

Heavy as usual I thought tired

Alright what's the problem ?

I asked looking at her as I let her in the tiny apartment of mine

There's this weird button that keeps popping up .....

She then continued talking about the issue and what she tried to do

Time skip

Thanks for coming again

I said smiling

Of course and don't forget to pay your rent

She said slightly smiling

Ah darn it my rent I forgot

I mumbled falling on my couch

Hello is anyone there ?

I heard a man's voice say knocking my door

Ah yes just a second please

I said in a happy loud voice as I was wearing my shoes

Once I reached to the door I opened it to end up being met by two men

owen bardot?

And some random guy I've never seen before

Owen Bardot looked at me with his green emerald eyes as he was smiling

The other behind Owen staring at me with his dark black eyes and black air giving me somewhat of mixed signs

Do you mind if we talk for a bit ?

Owen asked looking at me smiling

Oh yes of course I said smiling letting them in

So sorry about the mess I just woke up

I said as I prepared seats for them

Please sit here

I said smiling

I then brought them some sweets and made some tea

Here for you

I said smiling as I handed them both a cup

Would you like some tea ?

Sure

Why not

Well anyway what brings me the honor of meeting the both of you ?

I asked being polite

Well actually we can't give you the specifics but I'm sure you have heard of the mysterious detective.? Yes ?

Yes I have they sound like quite the clever one I said smiling

And I'm sure you heard the latest case they solved it’s somewhere near here

Oh .. yes I have although I didn't tune in on the specific location so that's news

I replied being careful about my words

It's quite a sad story but it was solved so quickly I'm still shocked at how quick they were

I replied

If I May ask why are you here at my apartment can't be because the location was close I mean who ever that detective is that solved the case I can’t be them nor the murderer

Ye your not the murder but we were thinking maybe ....

Your the detective

The other man continued

Me why's that ?

I asked keeping my laugh in

A lot of clues

The man replied

Look let's be cooperative about this we've got you surrounded

They figured me out so that's the detective aye

I thought as I looked at the man next to Owen

You sir may I ask your name ?

I asked looking at the black haired man

Of course miss my names Arthur adler Nice meeting you and finally although I wasn't expecting the mysterious detective her self to be a girl

He said smiling

So what's your plan with me now

I replied

What do you do for a living

What ? I I'm a free lancer 

Ah I see great then consider becoming a detective you've solved plenty of cases even ones I couldn't solve until I found ur answer

The man said excited looking at me

What ..??

I mumbled stuttering

Your kidding I don't want my name out there I need to do plenty of stuff to become one so it ain't worth it

I replied looking away

You have already solved so many cases covered by my friend Owen here as well as my self , we gave you credit you know

He said looking away sighing

Yea thanks

I replied smiling

Well okay how about we make a deal

Owen said intervening

I shivered a bit feeling as though I had no choice

Years later

Hey Arthur are you there ??

I asked calling out for him using my phone

Yes I am what's up ?

He replied a bit tired

This case it sounds perfect

I said smiling

Agreed !

Arthur replied I could tell he was smiling from the other side and so we started investigating

This was my first story I’m still a working writer for fun :) btw if your reading you should prob follow the order so read this first

[kym2020]

Shuffle × The Numbing Noir Neige

La Mort chapter 5

Ritsu

"......!"

(Ah, I'm scared....When Anija glares at me, he knows it's acting but why is he absorb at it.)

<The next day>

Kohaku

"Thank you for coming all the way to the town, Hardy.

"Today was fun. The gloomy winter sky looking radiant is like a lie."

Rei

"This is one will say thank you. It's the first time in a while I forgot about work and was able to relax like this."

"I'm tired today. It's about time I'm going home.

Kohaku

"Ah. See you tomorrow at church”

Ritsu

"............"

"... No way, he's wearing a human name and putting his shoulders on him."

Rei

"Did you see it, 'Grim Reaper of Eternity'——”

"It's a bad hobby to eavesdrop in others. In addition, dictating the work-contrary to the unspoken rules of the Grim Reaper."

"I'm surprised that you who aren't interested in others is sticking to this. I will not tolerate you anymore if will follow me again."

Ritsu

"Yeah. Was it good to argue so much? ”

"But the rule violation is the same. It is clearly against the rules of the god of death to feel emotional to humans."

"If you stray away from the rules, you will be covered by the god of death's sickle...you know."

Rei

"I don't have any feelings in that human. My main job is to give that boy the despair and then take his life."

"If your in my way, I won't keep silent."

Ritsu

"......!"

(Ah, I'm scared....When Anija glares at me, he knows it's acting but why is he absorb at it.)

(But it looks like it's OK now. It seemed like we would both get sick if we took a long time to shoot in the sun, so I'm relieved.)

Rei

......Hmm. When I act like a devil, my shoulders get stiff.

Ritsu

You're tired Anija

It was a better performance than I expected. It's my first time seeing such face?

I wasn't feeling better than usual today, so I wondered how are you.

Rei

...........

......Oukawa-kun. I want to talk about the

scene this next shooting, is it alright.

Kohaku

Ah, yeah.  I'm good

Rather than that, is Rei-han in fight with Ritsu-han? It's awkward ignoring him in front of you?

Rei

Oh. I didn't mean to ignore him.

It was my bad, Ritsu-kun. I had so many thoughts in my head and didn't hear you talk.

Ritsu

It alright. If you couldn't hear it, that's fine. My voice is too low, no one would ever notice it.

(Well, ignore me again !?)

(Even though I walked up to him, why is he reacting that...?)

(I don't know what you're thinking about, but if that's what you're thinking about, I too―)

Nagisa

......hmm. It's kind of disturbing

... I hope it doesn't cause any trouble during shooting. Mayoi What did you think of them?

Mayoi

Wow, does you say it's a shame that you ask me the opinions of others? It's a heavy load to leave Nagisa-san and asking me an opinion...!

Nagisa

... But we should exchange more words, you know.

... I think Mayoi has already heard that teamwork has become an issue in the previous "shuffle planning".

....... Not only the Sakuma brothers, but you and Koha-kun are also newcomers. You should communicate more to know each other.

Mayoi

But. Isn't it annoying...?

Nagisa

...acting is a special skill. It seems that both of them worked well to grasp the role, but the completeness of the acting is hidden in the detailed actions.

.......I will teach you what I learned in "Dramatica"

Mayoi

Oh, thank you very much

I also felt unpleasant about this shooting, so it's best to deal with it.

If I had noticed, I should have said it earlier...excuse me.

Nagisa

......No. It is important that human thoughts are usually hidden. No one can forbid thoughts. But it's because it gives birth to compassion for others that it happen.

......Let's ask them when they come back in the location tonight

........Sakuma-kun and Rintsuki-kun. Let's see what each other thinks about each other

←previous 𑁍 next→

[tatsumology]

1-cm High World

Location: Seisou Hall Courtyard

Mitsuru: Sniff sniff… Just as I thought, the scent of bread is coming from over here!

They gotta be sweet buns~☆ It smells like the ones you can get at the supermarket!

Ah, found it! So it really was here!

But why is it hanging from a tree branch? It kinda looks like a bread-snatching race.[1] Hmm?

Well, anyway. The bread will go bad if it stays here. I should bring this to the dorm supervisor[2] right away! Dash dash, ju~mp!

Uwaah!? I got stuck in a net and now I’m hanging in the air!

So basically, this is a trap someone set up? Maybe it was the mischievous Hinata-chan? Or could this have been one of Shinobu-chan’s ninjutsu tricks?

When I move my body it feels like I'm shaking like a yoyo, it's fun! Bounce Bou~nce♪

Kohaku: ...It actually caught him.

Mitsuru: Ah, Koha-chan. Hello!

Kohaku: Though this isn’t a situation to be greetin’ each other so casually…. Good day.

Ya certainly look like you’re utterly hog-tied. I'll get ya down, so don't move.

Mitsuru: Okay! I'm bad at staying still, but I'll control myself♪

Kohaku: (Even in such a situation he’s not fazed in the slightest... sorta like Madara-han.)

(Although we’re doin’ activities together as Double Face an’ I know about the ”Mikejima” name, I still don’t know Madara-han’s true self real well.)

(Even if it’s just for a short while, I feel mighty anxious bein’ in the care of someone like him.)

(I was tryin’ ta figure out one or two weaknesses o’ his, an’ then I pieced together that I needed ta go to the Track & Field Club.)

(In order to not stir up any unnecessary trouble, I can’t touch Narukami-han, who’s real close ta bon[3]. An’ as fer Otogari-han...I can’t quite grasp his physical strength just yet.)

(Rulin’ those out, I had ta choose Tenma-han.)

(Although ‘t was me who set the trap, I didn’t think he would come. Yer run-of-the-mill folks wouldn’t get caught up in such an obvious trap, right?)

(Just how much does this dude like bread?)

(Well anyhow, it’s all dandy that I’ve been able ta get him while Madara-han ain’t around.)

…. Now yer loose. ‘M sorry that I set out a trap like this, but there’s just somethin’ I hafta ask ya.

Mitsuru: Not at all! It felt like an amusement park ride, so it was fun! I’d welcome a trap like this any time!

Kohaku: I- is that so? Well, nothin’ better than a good mood right? Here, have some bread as an apology.

Mitsuru: Yaay, I scored another piece of bread! Yesyes~!☆

Munch munch…. So, what was it that you wanted to ask me?

Kohaku: Y’see.. Y’know Madara-han? The one from the Mikejima household? I pretty much only know ‘bout how he is as an idol.

Tenma-han is also in the Track & Field Club with him, right? Can’t ya teach me what kind of person he is?

Mitsuru: I got you! Then let’s change into our tracksuits and meet up in 5 minutes!

Kohaku: Thanks a lot, ya really saved me there~

…. Eh, tracksuits?

5 minutes later

Mitsuru: Okay, first of all, let’s have a match! Get ready to dash! ☆

Kohaku: (So basically, we’re gonna run? I haven’t got a clue what this has gotta do with Madara-han, though.)

(In order ta gain his trust, it’s best ta just go along with him.)

Mitsuru: Dash dash~!

Kohaku: Hollup, how far are ya plannin’ on goin’?!

Mitsuru: Thanks to the bread I’ve just eaten, I’m all fired up! It’s just so much fun to run!

It’s the first time that I’m running together with Koha-chan. You’ve gotta show how much you can run!

I’ve become a proper oniichan now that I’m in my second year. I’m not a child that you can just baby all the time!

Kohaku: Haaa… huff..

Mitsuru: Koha-chan, are you okay? Please eat some bread and jazz up!

Kohaku: Are ya serious?! If I were to get anythin’ in my stomach right now, I’d totally throw it all up.

Mitsuru: It’s gonna be fine if it’s bread! I have some …

Huh, I don’t have any bread on me?!

Let’s go to a bakery to get some! So dash dash with all I got~!

….Not with all I’ve got. I should match up to Koha-chan’s pace, then dash dash at half power~☆

Location: Time Street

Mitsuru: Munch munch… Bread is super duper tasty when you eat it after running!

Kohaku: Yer right...it’s tastin’ better than usual ‘cause we just worked up a sweat.

Mitsuru: ....

Kohaku: ? What’s the matter? Yer starin’ like a rock...

Mitsuru: I just always got the idea that you practically don’t have any friends, so I’m happy that we’re hanging out together! Ehehe♪

Kohaku: “Practically don’t have any friends”...you don’t beat around the bush, huh. Compared ta you, I don’t have heaps, but I do have some.

(‘s all well. Although Tenma-han looks like he’s got his head in the clouds all the time, he’s real aware of his surroundings. It’s kinda surprisin’.)

(.... This ain’t the time for admirin’! I totally forgot about my objective.)

(I could keep goin’ along with him, but with bread and dashin’ I won’t make any progress. Let’s cut to the chase now.)

Tenma-han. This is about Madara-han, I don’t really understand what all this runnin’ around has got to do with him. Could ya explain it so that even I can understand?

Mitsuru: Okey-dokey! Up you go~☆

Kohaku: Waah?! What are ya doin’! Don’t carry me on yer shoulders! Egh, I can’t get down if ya grab me so tightly!

Mitsuru: Mike-chan-senpai loves festivals! He carries me like a mikoshi[4]— gives me a ride on his shoulders and all. He’s a super nice person!

Whenever I’m in a fix, he helps me out. He’s a good guy. But I’ve also become bigger too, I'm already a second year!

I wanna go from being helped to being someone who helps out others!

So if you’re ever troubled about anything, Koha-chan can also come to me for advice!

Kohaku: …. Right. If I’m in a pinch, I’ll count on ya.

(His eyes are sparklin’ when he’s talkin’ ‘bout Madara-han.)

(“A super nice person” huh … So he appears like that to a kid who knows nothin’ of the face beneath the mask.)

(Though I didn’t quite get the information I was hopin’ for, I still spent a meaningful day like this.)

Mitsuru: Sniff sniff … I can smell freshly baked bread!

It’s coming from that bakery! Dash da~sh … ☆

Kohaku: Whaah?! Put me down first~!

Proofreaders

JP: Anonymous

EN: Amagiiz

Translation Notes

A bread-snatching race in Japan is mainly done during school events. Bread is hung on a string, then children need to grab it with their mouths and carry it over a course to the finish line. You can see an example of this in Mitsuru’s bloomed 2015 Sports Festival 4* card ↩︎

The dorm supervisor is Keito. ↩︎

This is how Kohaku refers to Tsukasa. ↩︎

A Mikoshi is a Japanese portable festival shrine that you carry on your shoulders. ↩︎

[akampana]

im the anon who asked for obscure artoria ships - tysm for answering! i knew you liked kojiro/artoria from early tpof, but ozymandias/artoria was unexpected! ozytoria sounds interesting from the way you describe it - ive always sort of seen it as an almost-giltoria dynamic minus the hostility and antagonism. i think that modern au idea sounds incredibly sweet 😭 honestly i like the idea of them but there is virtually no fancontent OR canon content of them (besides that one lartoria comment in ozy's interlude?) so its a half-built ship for me as of now. and yes, please talk about kojiro/artoria for the ship game! i'd love to see more of your thoughts on them. on nobu/artoria - YES nobu is incredibly beautiful its crazyyy. i got into shipping them because of mastoria/nobu in koha-ace, interactions in fgo and a user's thoughts on them here on tumblr (you can find them if you search up nobutoria).

Hi, @glowingarchive! good to see you in the inbox. :)

Oh, no way, really? Thought I was being subtle with Kojirou apparently not XD. And your thoughts on Ozy and Arturia, I totally agree. If you want, I made art for them a while ago, but didn't end up posting it.

*cracks knuckles* Alright, let's go.

Kojirou Sasaki X Arturia Pendragon - SHIP IT

What made you ship it?

This is gonna sound strange, but do hear me out.

My love for this ship evolved from the first time it caught my attention, but to be completely honest it all started with another ship: Diarturia.

After re-watching and re-reading FZ, FSN, and UBW, something kept coming up for me. We all know FZ is an incredible prequel sequel, created with stunning precision to fit the already existing narrative, which is why, even when consuming the series as a whole based on the timeline of events, Arturia's character still makes sense.

Their expert craftmanship made the fact that the 5th HGW is Saber's second attempt a lot clearer. Why? because it brings to the table a theme that was already there and yet not too fleshed out:

Deja vu. Or, in Saber's case, a double deja vu.

For example, this line:

Before Zero, it only means 'oh cool so she's fought spearmen before.' but after Zero, you finally know exactly who she's talking about.

But why do I say it's a double deja vu for her?

Let's begin with the obvious one. The parallels between Cú and Diarmuid are pretty clear. Like you just know Zero Lancer's character was patterned after the existing Lancer, but given another purpose. There are gifsets all over Tumblr that illustrate their similarity too.

BUT Cú and Arturia (ooh it kills me to say this) only just fall short of the borderline flirtatious "I wanna have a glorious fight to the death with you because you're worthy" energy. Furthermore, they meet only briefly.

So where did they get that?

Kojirou bloody Sasaki

More below the cut.

It's parallel time. (there are a few more but hnggg tumblr limits)

THEY PROTECC. THEY ATTAC. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY WANNA FIGHT HER BACK.

No, but seriously. I don't think this is a coincidence. Diarmuid must have been some sort of amalgamation of Kojirou and Cú, the best of both. And that is also why the previous deja vu point hits harder.

Honestly, when that realization came, I was totally not expecting it. I was supposed to be looking for Diarturia crumbs and instead I found myself another whole-ass cookie. And one that unjustly has barely anything in the fandom, even if we have more straightforward lines like this:

Which is, by the way, one of the answers to the next question.

What are your favorite things about the ship?

So, now that you know how I got into shipping this, unorthodox as it seems, I think it's time to move past the parallels and into more solid ground.

Unlike other relationships that are more ambiguous and rely on potential, Kojirou's attraction to her is so in your face, it's refreshing.

Their banter is *chef's kiss*

It's only overshadowed because he so quickly became a gag servant, and ofc because the focus of the anime was Shirou. (Why did they do him like that though, he's actually so cool??? I mean, did Saber truly even beat him?? like???)

Saber comments on his skill with the sword, going so far as to say he outclasses him in swordsmanship. bruh, you can't take that lightly

They both see each other as worthy opponents. She literally tells him he's worthy of her full attention.

Kojirou sees her as the fulfillment of his wish, and Saber bloody actually gets to grant him the fight of his 'life' (FSN and UBW, not HF ;n;) when she couldn't do the same for a certain former rival. She even promises their fight's resolution because it is so important to her to see it through (UBW).

Kojirou really wants that fight, and fairly, without interruption. Which is why in FSN he goes as far as to stop the fight before Rider can spy on Saber's sword. And then later on, literally tells Shirou and Rin he doesn't give a shit about them, he just wants to fight Saber.

When he calls her out on holding back, especially since they're both running out of time, she apologizes and reveals Excalibur so they can fully face each other at full strength. UGH THE CHEMISTRY HGNGNGNGNGN. Also, since he knows this is their last fight, he's giving off "look at me, focus on me, don't think about anything else" vibes.

Also, man, Kojirou Sasaki really be out here serving up blatant eye smex every time they share the screen I swear to god.

Like let me give you a line from UBW 23, 19:08, right after Assassin notices she's damaged his katana

Arturia: Our positions...Assassin...are you... (that's what the subs say but Saber says "kisama" so I read it as "you bastard")

Kojirou, smirking: Is it wise to pull your blows? In this position, I could send you flying.

*Kojirou steps forward pressuring their locked swords and causing her to shuffle back a bit*

Arturia: Is that why you deliberately entered my range?

Look, Sasaki, we all see what you're doing, ya ain't slick.

Taken out of context and heck even *in* context that's sexual tension right there.

You better bet if he had the chance he'd be sticking that long-ass sword in-

Is there an unpopular opinion you have about your ship?

It's...baffling how unknown this ship is like...look at all that material. I mean of course it's going to be trounced in popularity by Shirou x Saber, GilArt, and Diarturia , but it should at least have accumulated enough of a following like Cuturia, for example.

Thank you for the ask! Hope you enjoyed the read as much as I enjoyed constructing this. :) feel free to share to gain more fans mwahahahahah join the dark side we have cookiessss

[shirokodomo]

[Kohaku/Hakudoshi | Vulnerability]

This small text involves the OT3 pairing created between me and @withagentleheart​: Kohaku/Rin/Hakudoshi; however this in particular focuses on a Kohaku/Hakudoshi moment. 

The whimpers and occasional cries reached Hakudoshi’s ears, awakening him from his, until now, deep slumber. Blinking slowly, the half-demon then opened his eyes and the sound became more clear to him telling him that he hadn’t been dreaming with anything that involved a similar sound. Raising his head, Hakudoshi noticed Kohaku’s familiar figure pacing around their house, humming something that he couldn’t understand to the small bundle in his arms.

The source of the whimpers and cries was from there.

His eyes then moved towards the third adult within the hut. Rin, his and Kohaku’s wife and also the mother of the little bundle in the other male’s arms. It surprised him that Rin wasn’t awake, it made him wonder how tired she actually was.

Uri had just been born a few days ago.

❝ Kohaku. ❞ he called the young man while sitting up, pushing aside just a little the blankets. A lock of his hair fell forward with his movement, only then Hakudoshi noticed.

Black

His hair had gone black. He sighed, knowing what that meant. The 9th day of the month, his human day. No wonder that he didn’t wake up sooner with Uri’s cries, usually Hakudoshi was a light sleeper but whenever his human day happened it was the reverse. His sleep became much heavier and he hated it, it cut off his senses in case an enemy was nearby.

❝ I’m sorry, Hakudoshi, I didn’t mean to wake you up. ❞ Kohaku’s voice stopped his train of thoughts, bringing him back to reality. His husband didn’t look surprised by his appearance, Hakudoshi could only guess he had already seen that his transformation had happened.

❝ ...Why are you apologizing over your child crying? ❞ Kohaku sweatdropped at the statement, Uri’s soft whimpers made him look back at the child and restart the rocking ❝ I’m surprised Rin isn’t awake. ❞

❝ I...might have had to force her to go sleep. It didn’t take much though, she is exhausted. ❞ Hakudoshi nodded, kicking off the rest of the blankets before standing up and walking towards the Demon Slayer. Kohaku was taller than Hakudoshi, not by much but enough for the half-demon to have to stand on his toes if he wanted to look his husband in the eyes. ❝ I admit, I too am a little tired but I can’t sleep until Uri calms down. ❞ 

Hakudoshi raised an eyebrow, he couldn’t really give much of an advice...babies were not really his best area  ❝ Maybe Uri just wants to sleep between you two instead of just next to one. ❞ 

Kohaku sighed  ❝ Maybe... ❞ his brown eyes then moved from his child to his husband, his expression made the half-demon raise an eyebrow ❝ Why don’t you hold Uri? Maybe they need to know you too. ❞

Hakudoshi’s, now, indigo eyes widened ❝ No, Kohaku n-oh..! ❞ before he knew it the newborn was in his arms, all he could do was adjust them so that the small head was properly held. He glared and lightly pouted at Kohaku who just smiled in return. 

 ❝ This is the first time you are holding the baby. ❞ Hakudoshi didn’t answer, he just nodded moving his arms very lightly to rock the child ❝ Why are you so afraid of holding them? ❞

❝ I am not. ❞ he didn’t look him in the eyes.

Kohaku raised an eyebrow ❝ Hakudoshi. ❞ his fingers reached and gently touched Hakudoshi’s pale skin, locking them under his chin before forcing the head to turn in his direction. Over the years he had learned to read Hakudoshi’s eyes when wanting to understand his emotions, his husband was not an expressive person on the outside. 

Hesitation. Doubt. Unspoken words.

❝ Koha- ❞ with no time for reaction, Hakudoshi’s eyes widened once more when the sudden feeling of Kohaku’s lips over his own took over him. Warm and cold. The different temperatures of their bodies caused a shiver to run down the half-demon’s spine, his legs shaking but he sustained his ground.  It was always the same thing, whenever he had these intimate moments with either Kohaku or Rin or even both at the same time, he always responded the same way. When the kiss came to an end, his pale cheeks held a very noticeable warmth and Kohaku chuckled at the sight of it.

Sometimes he hated it, all the emotions that came through him because of his now human heart. They could be overwhelming at times but...no, not once did he regret feeling them. It only increased when the time for his human day came.

❝ ...You are an idiot, you know that? ❞ 

❝ Mhmm...this idiot here will gladly continue to be one if it means I can bring you back to your senses when you start having doubts. ❞

❝ As- ❞ his mouth was sealed by one of Kohaku’s fingers but the chuckle was still there ❝ Watch your mouth, there is a baby present. ❞ Kohaku’s brown hues moved back to his child, a soft smile replacing the chuckle from before  ❝ Will you look at that...they fell asleep. ❞ 

Hakudoshi too looked down at the baby. It was true. Uri had fallen asleep with one tiny fist holding a lock of Hakudoshi’s hair while the other fist was half inside his mouth, sucking on it lightly. 

❝ They feel safe with you around. These hands... ❞ Kohaku touched his husband’s hands. Again cold against warmth. ❝ Your hands aren’t just for killing anymore, Hakudoshi. ❞  

❝ ...It’s overwhelming...these feelings. ❞ when he was resurrected, never once did he think that he would have been able to find love, let alone a family. Not him, a former incarnation of Naraku...a former...evil being... ❝ I just... ❞

❝ You want to protect this baby but you don’t know how? ❞ He didn’t answer this time, just nodded. Very slowly. ❝ That is part of parenthood. Of loving someone else other than ourselves and it’s different from what you, me and Rin feel for each other. ❞

Kohaku reached and touched Hakudoshi’s hair ❝ That is part of being human. Which you now partially are and there is no shame in that. ❞

Hakudoshi was silent for a while, pondering carefully on his words ❝ Not shame. It’s... ❞ he sighed, he would have to admit that ❝ It’s fear...of not being strong enough to protect you all. ❞ this time it was Kohaku who didn’t speak, he understood how Hakudoshi felt because he too felt that way...Leaning forward, the leader of the Demon Slayers rested his forehead against Hakudoshi’s.

❝ Let’s go back to sleep, alright? ❞

❝ Is it...alright if Uri sleeps next to me tonight? I don’t want to wake them up. ❞ that was not the sole reason...and Kohaku knew that. Smiling, the young man nodded, helping then Hakudoshi lay down with Uri back on his futon. 

Kohaku kissed his child’s head before moving to do the same to Hakudoshi and then to Rin, before settling down back inside his own futon, next to his wife.

❝ I love you all. ❞ 

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

A Family of Five- Part 4: Games and Surprises

Calum and Harlowe’s marriage hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been filled with love. This is a collaborative experience with In Sorrow and In Joy. Dad!Calum. Black OC.

CW: Over the course of this series, there are mentions of pregnancy, therapy, and postpartum depression. There is also 18+ Content (Smut). 

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Calum shouldn’t be this mesmerized by the way her skin looks. But he swears she used some kind of sparkly body oil. The glitter sparkles in the sun, her skin looks heavenly. Much more than it normally does. Brown glistening with gold flecks. He wants it coating his tongue. He shifts a little in his seat; he can already feel the strain in his pants. Calum should be concentrating on the menu in front of him. They already spent all morning in bed. She got in late last night from her reading, due to a delay. By the time she home, the last thing she wanted to do was fool around. Calum understood. Harlowe and he snuggled up in bed and she passed out pretty soon after curling into his chest. 

However, the moment she woke up, Calum couldn’t keep his hands off her. She didn’t seem to mind either. It was slow, soft, lazy sex. Calum buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling the faint sweet smell of her products, a mixture of something floral and coconut. He loved it. He wants to smell it again. He wants to be gentle in the beginning this time. Her moans are so sweet against his ears, but he also wants more. He wants to hear the pleasure ripping over her throat, he wants to see her eyes roll back into her head. Her wants to see her let go. Calum should’ve offered to cook. But Harlowe wanted to try this little brunch spot that just opened and he couldn’t say no to her pout. 

She’ll only be free for a couple more days. Then it’ll be back to school for her, the end of her spring break. With the release of her new book of poetry, she got invited to a book fest. So they didn’t get to spend nearly as much time together as they both anticipated. The kids are with his parents. Moving back to Australia had its perks for sure. Though, Ashton took them for part of a day. Calum received a video of Esha and Ashton competing in DDR. Ashton’s message attached to the video was I got my ass beat by a nine year old. 

Should the entire two days they have together be spent solely in the bedroom, or whatever part of the house they happen to be in? No, Calum knows that. So he shifts again and pulls his gaze to the orange menu in front of him. It’s enough contrast to the blue shirt of his she’s wearing. She stole the royal blue button up form his side of the closet and he can’t say anything. Especially not with the way she’s left a couple top buttons undone and tied it up at the bottom. Slivers of her chest and stomach poke out. He desperately wants to run his fingers over the stretch marks he knows so well already. She looks like a fucking goddess in front of him. Going on a decade of marriage should make things stale. But things have started to heat up for them. She’s off the meds with a doctor’s approval and Calum’s enjoying the way her new energy. 

Calum glances up at her once again. She’s resting her head on the flat of her knuckles, squishing the fat of her left cheek, gaze zeroed on the menu. “You’re thinking about something,” Harlowe grins before lifting her eyes. 

The moment feels like slow motion for Calum. He can see every lash as her lids lift, her dark brown eyes landing on his. “You,” he says softly, “I’m thinking about you.”

“Well I suggest you start thinking about what you want to order. Because you got three seconds before our server comes up.”

Calum’s fucked. He has no clue what’s on this fucking menu. He doesn’t care. When the server shows up, he lets her order first and then takes the same thing. “If I told them to bring me toast and one lemon, you would be so fucked.”

He exhales a laugh. “No, I wouldn’t be. You would be though.”

“I blame the fact that I had two kids. I can eat a house and home.”

“You talk about Te Koha’s appetite, but you’re the real culprit,” he grins.

She levels a finger at him. “You shush!”

“Make me,” he laughs. Harlowe doesn’t miss the teasing lilt to his voice, the small smirk that lifts half of his lips. She’s noticed him shift in his seat several times while she was debating what to order. She knows what he wants. She will not give in that easy. He’ll have to work for it. 

“What are we? 23 again?”

The smile falls again, he exhales a chuckle. He doesn’t like being reminded of that age, much. It’s nothing against her. It’s everything against him. It was him that tried to end what they had. She had just moved to California for her master’s in poetry. They had been something a step above friends with benefits and a step below a real relationship. It didn’t seem to matter much what the label was, but Calum felt himself, dying to call her about every little thing. She was the first person he wanted to talk to in the morning and the last one he wanted to hear at night. He nearly ruined all that too. Over text message. Stupid fucking text message. 

“Hey,” Harlowe says softly, reaching for his hand. 

Calum shakes his head, sniffling. He doesn’t want to talk about it. He doesn’t want to mention how stupid he was in that moment, how terrified he was of fucking it up with the best damn person for him that he did nearly fuck it up. “It’s nothing,” he whispers.

“Nothing my black ass,” she counters, tightly holding onto his fingers. “What’s up, baby?”

He’s doing it again. The same behavior that nearly lost her sixteen years ago. “I love you,” he exhales. “A whole fucking lot. Sometimes I guess it scares me what I nearly did; I’m still so sorry about that. I know I was young, and scared, and a whole bunch of other adjectives, but I was so utterly in love with you, I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t want to fuck it up. I still don’t want to fuck this up. I’m scared I will.”

Harlowe fights to keep the sigh from escaping her. She’s forgiven him. She knows getting Calum to open up requires more patience than she sometimes has. But God, does she wish he’d stop beating himself up over it. What words are left for her to say? “I’ve forgiven you, Calum. It’s time you forgive yourself. You’re human. You’re going to fuck up. I don’t think less of you.”

He nods. She’s right. He really ought to forgive himself. But the words to that message are burned into his retinas some nights and days. We shouldn’t do this; I shouldn’t do this. I can’t do this. You’re too good for me and I’m no good for you. I’ll ruin you. “But how? How do I forgive myself for something like that?”

“You admit it was a mistake. One mistake, amongst a lifetime of them. One you learned from. Clearly. Because we did it. We’re doing it. We’re literally married.”

Her inflection, her laugh, makes him crack a shaky smile. He looks down to the diamond ring. They made it, they are making it each and every day together. “Sorry for bringing it up. I just...sometimes I really get hit with how much of an idiot younger me was.”

“You live; you learn. Younger me was an idiot too. The girl I told off on twitter--yeah, not my most shining moment.”

Calum chuckles, head dropping a little remembering the rant she went on. “You didn’t exactly paint a pretty picture about me either.”

“Look, I was literally months pregnant with Koha and exhausted. The last thing I wanted to do was sit back and have thousands of people judging me-us- for not marrying sooner.”

“Valid. But you didn’t have to mention the one night I partied too hard and got sick, now did you?”

“Okay, but who cleaned up your vomit that night too? Off your own fucking floor? Me. Who took Duke to the vet the next day because you literally were lying under your sheets in the dark? Me.”

Calum groans. It wasn’t a shining moment for anyone. He was only going out for a few hours. He hadn’t had a drink in a while, keeping it out of the house while Harlowe was pregnant. It was a guy’s night tradition and Harlowe told him he should go out for just a little fun. So he did. He promised to have his phone on him, volume at it’s max and on vibrate incase she needed him. She was about six months pregnant, so it she wasn’t terribly far along. Just one night out with one beer, turned in a quick too many shots in succession, a woozy Uber back home and Calum promptly vomiting on the kitchen floor trying to get some water in his system. 

Harlowe heard him from the bedroom, pushed herself out of bed and wordlessly cleaned it up. Calum can’t remember much after that but as Harlowe recounts, he almost cried because she was pregnant and he was the one acting like a child. Every other word out of his mouth was sorry because he hadn’t intended for it to get like this. Harlowe couldn’t carry him like before to the bedroom, so she shushed him and got him on the sofa. He made it only to the bed later, after waking with a killer headache. 

The server returns with their food before he can defend himself. As Calum dunks a piece of french toast into the syrup, he speaks, “Still, it didn’t need to be put on social media.”

“Well, what do you want me to do, go back in time? That science hasn’t exactly been perfected yet,” she huffs. “Besides, we didn’t have to be married at that particular moment either. All the shit we had been through, we were living at our own pace. It still makes me mad to think that some people thought you had even proposed because you felt obligated to.”

 Calum takes a strawberry off his plate and holds it out to her. “Eat this. Clearly I didn’t marry you out of obligation.”

“Strawberries aren’t going to make me calmer,” Harlowe retorts. 

Pulling up from his chair, Calum stretches across the table and drops the berry into her mouth. “Just shut up and eat. Food will make you calmer, second only to my cock,” he adds the second sentence in a whisper. Just loud enough for her to here. 

It doesn’t even shock her. Instead she smiles around her chewing. “So that’s how it is?”

Calum raises an eyebrow. “That’s how it is.”

Harlowe nods. She won’t let this go. She was going to go grocery shopping tomorrow. But now, she’s going to make him suffer a trip. Two can play this game. She plays just a little bit better too. 

Brunch finished, and bill paid, Harlowe taps her fingers on the table. “We should probably get some groceries.”

“You mean tomorrow?” He trails his fingers up the skin of her forearm. He’s waiting to see that shake of her spine, hear the chatter of her teeth. 

“I mean we’re already out now.”

Calum doesn’t let up, dragging his nails over the skin of her elbow joint. He watches her carefully, but he gets nothing. Though he can see a rigid line across her shoulders. She’s tensing, so she won’t give him a reaction. “You’re playing dirty,” he spits. It’s some pretend offense, but some of it is real. How dare she?

“Let’s go while we���re out, yeah?”

He nods. “Yeah, let’s go while we’re out.”

The actual grocery shopping goes by smoothly. Calum stirs the basket while Harlowe takes charge. It’s routine, especially if they bring the kids. Both of them like to bounce around and ask about items not on the grocery list. Sometimes they cave on the small things, but it works much faster when one of the takes lead over the trip. It’s as Harlowe browses through the choices of rice that Calum seizes his opportunity. He slips a hand into the back pocket of her jeans, resting his chin on her shoulder. 

“Can I help you sir?” Harlowe grins. Calum doesn’t miss her sharp inhale before speaking. She keeps a good game face, but he knows her buttons. 

“Just enjoying the view,” he mutters, kissing her cheek. 

A giggle escapes her before she shrugs out of the embrace. She tosses a box into the basket. Calum sighs and starts behind her again. He looks over the produce, onions and bell peppers before finding ones that satisfy him. While he ties off the bag, Harlowe walks up behind him, patting his butt and giving it a squeeze. Calum jolts before looking over his shoulder to the bright grin on her face. “You’re so proud of yourself, huh?” he asks as she scurries away. 

He catches her on the wine aisle. Initially he thought she might be down the candy aisle. But when faced with the severe lack of blue shirts and his beautifully brown wife down the aisle, he knows wine is the second place to check. She’s not drinking right now, but she still likes to keep a bottle in the house for guests. He finds her holding up two different bottles. “I can’t choose. Help, please,” she whines, a pout pulling down her pouty lips. 

“How long have you been holding those bottles?”

“For a while, waiting for you to find me.”

Calum’s laughter hits the empty air of the grocery store loudly. He inhales sharply before his laugh leaves him again. “Are you serious? Put both of them in the cart you fucking goof.”

She sets the bottles down, with a sigh. “Thanks. They were getting heavy.”

Walking around the cart, Calum holds his arms out. Only his wife, only Harlowe. They embrace and Calum still vibrates with his laughter. Before releasing the hug, Calum kisses her forehead, sliding his arms down her waist, resting on the curve to her ass. He lets his hands linger there, kneading softly, fingers playing at the loops of her jeans. 

She shoves his hips. “I’m not going to cave, not here,” Harlowe mutters. She sounds a little breathless and that’s all the reaction Calum needs. 

He grabs her chin gently, silver bracelet sliding down his slender wrist. “Oh yes, you will,” he commands. Harlowe bites down her lip, fighting her throat to keep the moan down. She can swallow it, keep it at bay. The grip tightens. He needs this. He needs her to cave, because God is he seconds from caving himself, seconds from falling to his knees in the middle of this fucking grocery store to beg for her, for her body, for her sighs, for her moans, for her hands on his skin. 

She wrestles her chin away, exhaling hard. Defying him isn’t going to end well for her. Normally defying means punishments. But he hasn’t dished out any of those in a long time. Harlowe’s toying to see if he will. Calum probably won’t. Not after her spiral from Esha, he’s been extremely gentle during sex. She’s been good too with it, except for now. Now she’s tired of it. She wants to let go finally. 

The walk to the check out is silent. As they load up all the bags into the trunk, it’s silent. It’s not until both doors are closed and seat belts are on does anyone speak. Calum starts the car, before turning to Harlowe. “What was that?”

“Disobedience,” she answers, staring straight ahead. “Which means punishment.”

Calum exhales hard. “Baby, are you sure? I don’t-I don’t want you to feel rushed into anything. I’m okay with taking things slow.”

“I’m tired of slow.”

“We can’t do some of the stuff we used to. I-I can’t just yet. I’m worried.”

“I understand. I’m not asking to dive in head first. I just am tired of slow.” Harlowe watches as Calum nods, but runs his hands through his hair. He looks too hesitant for comfort. He won’t do it, she figures. “Never mind, forget I mentioned it.”

“Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa,” Calum lifts her chin. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to touch you or have sex with you. If you’re tired of slow, you’re tired of slow. You have every right to be.”

“But you said you were worried.”

“Worried, yes. Against, no. I’m cautious. It took almost a year to get back to where we are. I don’t want to push you too fast.” Undoing his seatbelt, Calum stretches over the middle console, brushing his nose over hers. “But you’re tired of slow. So we’ll ratched it up a notch.” He seals her mouth with his. She wastes no time, parting her lips for him. Harlowe is eager to gain more than just slow, and gentle. She wants something to set her skin on fire. 

Calum doesn’t slip his tongue into her mouth. Instead he pulls away. She whines, pushing forward even with the seatbelt pulling her back. He chuckles, patting her cheek. “This is what happens when you disobey.”

Even though a whine falls past her throat, Harlowe grins. This is it. This is the feeling she missed as her fingertips start to buzz. The drive home is silent between them, besides the low hum of the radio. Calum tries to keep his hands to himself, tries to punish her like she’s asking. He just can’t help himself anymore. “Unbutton your pants,” he orders at a red light. 

“What?”

“Unbutton your jeans and get them down as far as you can,” he states again before glancing over to her. 

Harlowe lifts her hips, slowly, popping the button her light denim jeans. She wiggles them down, suddenly very aware that a lot of people could be watching her in that moment. Her underwear selection for the day isn’t the most exciting, a simple pair of black cotton underwear with lace trimming. “What if people see?” she asks. 

“Then they shouldn’t be looking. No one is watching, though.” Calum looks over again. The denim is about half way down her thighs, though she’s struggling to get them down more. “That’s good. Now sit on your hands.”

“What are you doing?”

“Just do as I’m saying, baby.”

Harlowe pulls her hips again and settles down on her hands. The moment her hands are covered by her bottom, Calum slips hand over her thighs. There’s still some firmness to them, but two children have made her soft. The cellulite is harder to miss, but the ridges underneath Calum’s fingertips are enticing. He really wants to sink his teeth into her thighs. As the urge strengthens, he squeezes at her flesh. Not enough to cause pain, but hard enough to soothe the lust. She exhales next to him, shaky.

 “Scared?” Calum asks. 

“No, horny, turned on.”

Dragging his knuckles up her thigh, he brushes over her clothed sex. The thin material is soaked already. He hums at the feeling and pushes the cotton to the side. He can feel her dripping onto his hands. Calum presses the pad of his thumb to a clit. She jolts, a hiss falling from her lips. “Did I say you could move?” Calum asks. 

“Sorry,” she sighs. 

Calum removes his thumb, sliding two fingers into her. She clenches around him, but doesn’t move this time. “Good girl,” he praises, curling them up into her. Harlowe releases another shuddery breath. Calum works his fingers inside her slowly. They’re about two minutes form the house. But he’s going to milk this. Harlowe doesn’t move in her seat but her grip on the door is deadly.

All the color is starting to drain from her skin around her knuckles. She moans occasionally, but mostly tries to keep those sounds contained too. Calum turns into the driveway of the house, putting the car in park. He pulls his fingers out of her. Harlowe starts to whine, but before the sound can fully escape her, Calum’s unbuckled himself and leaning across the way. He kisses down her jaw, inserting his fingers again. 

Her breathe is ghosting over his cheek, and his exhales are blowing right over hers. “Cum for me.” Calum’s voice is strained, desperate. Almost pained, like he’s on the edge of breaking down too, watching Harlowe’s heaving increase. 

“Fuck, shit,” she cries. She’s getting there. Her pelvic muscles are tightening around him. Her hips are lifting, her curls are pressed so deep into the headrest, if she doesn’t leave an indent, he’ll be shocked. 

“You’re so close,” he coaxes, gently grazing his teeth over his skin. Right on the cusp of her orgasm, Calum considers pulling away, making her fall apart around nothing. He wants to ruin it. And that’s what he does, right on the edge of her cry, Calum pulls away from her completely. 

Harlowe swears, slamming her palms against the door handle. Her cry is mangled. When she opens her eyes, Calum can see tears on the falling down her cheeks. With his clean hand he wipes them away. “You motherfucker,” she heaves, turning into his touch. “I hate you, a tiny bit.”

“You okay?”

She laughs, “I mean on the one hand, that was on track to be the best orgasm of my life and on the other hand, you ruined it, so...you know I don’t know.”

Calum brings his coated finger to his mouth, sucking them clean. He pulls his digits from his mouth with a pop. “Clean yourself up. There’s still ice cream and sorbet to put up.” 

Due to two kids already, they keep the vehicles well stocked with tissues and wipes. Calum hands her the packet after taking one for himself. They’re baby wipes. Harlowe reaches behind Calum’s seat and unhooks the small plastic bag they leave in for trash. He is mindful to let her get her pants back up before opening his door. 

Calum grabs two bags from the trunk when Harlowe walks around and pushes on his shoulder. The smirk on his face let’s him know everything is good. “You asked for it,” Calum counters with a pause. “Don’t get mad at me, doll.”

Harlowe huffs next to him. Calum giggles, hurrying into the house with his bags. She hates that pet name. The first time he used it, she immediately ceased him from using it ever again. He only pulls it out in instances like this, just to annoy her, to rile her up. Harlowe storms after him, careful of the paper bags in her hands. “Calum Thomas Hood!” she bellows into the house. 

Pepper halts in her run to greet Harlowe. She knows that tone. “Pepper,” Harlowe coos. “I wasn’t talking to you angel. I’m sorry.” 

Harlowe drops her bags and holds out her hands. Pepper continues over, rubbing in close to Harlowe’s embrace. Sissy and Jack come trotting over too. She scratches at their heads too. Calum rounds the corner of the kitchen, prepared for her fierce gaze, but she’s too preoccupied by the dogs. He seizes this moment and brings in the last of the grocery before locking up the car and the house. 

“Don’t think I’m not still pissed about you calling me doll just because I’m playing with the dogs.”

“You know you love it,” he teases, his sing song cadence making Harlowe melt at the sound, but also grow a bit more frustrated. She hates the term, but somehow, it’s much less grating hearing it from his lips. It’s her more Southern upbringing. She is no one’s doll, no one’s play thing. She’s not plastic waiting to be structured. But for Calum she would be. For him, she would be a doll-the most perfect one too. 

“I love you babies. But Papa Bear will eat my sorbet if I don’t hide it,” Harlowe teases.

“I bought a separate pint for me, so you shush,” Calum shouts with a chuckle. 

Harlowe kisses the top of Jack’s head. “He’ll still eat some of mine.” She takes over putting away the last of the items, not even realizing Calum has disappeared until something cold touches her exposed stomach. She jumps into Calum’s chest, he snakes his arm even further around her waist. If he’s wearing rings, Harlowe swears she’s going to lose it. She glances down to see a bracelet. A new one in addition to the silver chain from earlier. Her gaze travels up from his wrist and sure enough his fingers adorn several of his favorite rings. His left hand slides up the back of her, the cold metal biting at her neck. 

“Fuck,” she whispers. The rest of her sentence dies on her lips as he brings his hand around to her throat. There’s no pressure, he’s just cupping the front of her neck, thumb ghosting over her skin. The paper towels fall from Harlowe’s slack grasp. 

“Pick those up, doll. Put them where they belong. I’m not doing anything.”

But he’s doing everything to make Harlowe turn into putty. She bends over, grabbing the  still wrapped paper towel roll from the floor, ass lined up with his crotch. Rolling up to stand, she pops onto her tiptoes to put the roll with the others on the shelf of the pantry. Her butt pops out as she leans forward, sliding it next to other waiting roll. The pantry door closes and before she can blink, Calum grabs her hips and spins her around. As he takes a step forward, she takes one back, pressing into the woodend door. 

His fingers trail across her stomach, pulling at the knot in his shirt. It falls open, her cropped camisole rests high on her waist. Calum presses his palm into her stomach, not too hard, but enough. She holds tightly to his wrist, tugging him even closer to her. “Tell me what you’re waiting on?” She asks, grabbing the back of his neck. Her lips ghost along his jaw, up to his ear. “You’re moving too slow.”

He doesn’t want to hurt her or scare her. Calum knows, however, he has to act fast. He pushes down the shirt from her shoulders, kissing across her shoulders. Once it falls into a heap at their feet, he pulls away, undoing his belt and pulling it from the loops. He pops the button on her jeans, pulling her back into him. “You won’t be saying that again,” he warns before turninf her back around. 

Harlowe braces against the pantry door. Calum unzips her jeans before pushing them down her hips. It’s not until he starts kissing the skin exposed as he undresses her that Harlowe suddenly finds her stomach filled with butterflies. Her body has changed so much since having kids. Nothing feels firm anymore to her. It scares her to think maybe she’s not as attractive as she used to be to him. 

Calum can sense something happening in her. He bites at her right cheek. “Stay with me, doll.”

“I’m jiggly though,” she sighs. Calum pushes up from his knees, standing at the back of her. His erection brushing against her. The sensation shocks her, her core clenches. Maybe she’s wrong. 

“You feel that?” he asks, pressing harder into her. 

“Yes,” she moans. He feels painfully hard against her. 

“Jiggly or not, you are my wife. You’ve blessed me with two children and three dogs. You are stunning and incredible. Besides,” he grins, running his hand over her ass. “I like the jiggle. A lot more for me to play with. But I can show you a lot better than I talk about how attracted I still am to you.”

Harlowe chuckles, turning her head to look at him. His pupils are blown, she can barely see the brown in his eyes. The beam to his grin makes ease some of her worries. “May I?” he questions, fingers trailing over the edges of her underwear. 

“Please,” she breathes. 

Calum sinks back to his knees, kissing over the back of her thighs, before pulling her completely of her jeans. Her panties are next to go before Calum settles between her legs. She pushes off the door some more. “Fuck,” he groans. “You’re so pretty, ya know? It’s a gorgeous sight you this wet for me.”

Harlowe can’t speak before his mouth is on her, sucking hard. “Ah, shit,” she shudders at the first contact, fist slamming into the pantry door. He hums at the curse. He grabs at her thighs to keep her stance wide enough for him. Her body quivers above him. Harlowe can barely get her breath. It’s taking all her core strength to stay upright as Calum laps at her. The sounds are lewd, the slurping, the swears, the moans. 

It’s a bad idea to take a hand off the wall, but Harlowe pushes up and looks down at Calum, his tongue swirling around her clit, flicking it. She grabs a fistful of his curls and tugs on them. He releases a moan, vibrating against her. Her stomach is on fire. “I-” she starts before her orgasm crashes over her. She groans, striking the door again with a closed fist. Finally, after what feels like forever, Harlowe exhales hard before gaining her breath. “Oh, fuck,” she heaves, resting her forehead into the door.

Calum teases her entrance with his fingers. Harlowe hisses above him. His palm is soft and warm against her thighs. “Shh, it’s okay,” one hand soothes her, the other still dancing around her opening. 

“I can’t. Please.”

“Okay,” he agrees pulling away from her. Sliding out from beneath her, Calum stands. Shedding his shirt and pants, he guides her upstairs. Harlowe watches the muscles of his back work beneath his smooth brown skin. Inside the bedroom before Calum and turn around, she drags her nails across his shoulders and down his back. Her lips leaves wet kisses over his skin. Calum shiver at the love bites she leaves. Snaking her arms around, she feels over his chest and stomach, fingers playing at the chains around his neck. 

“You’re moving too slow,” he teases. It’s mostly to prevent him from buckling right here. His knees are weak. With a laugh, she pushes him towards the bed. Calum climbs onto the mattress. As he settles and turns around, Harlowe’s already shed the camisole, arms now behind her back as she works to unhook the bra. “Should’ve let me do it,” he laughs, though it fades away as the cups fall away from her body. 

“Got anything else smart to say?” 

He shakes his head, watching her saunter to the edge of the bed. She crawls up his body, stopping occasionally to leave kisses on his thighs. He closes his has as his stomach tenses. Her lips and kisses are so soft, he swears he’s going to explode. His body feels like it’s buzzing. Her fingers curl into the band of his boxer briefs. He doesn’t refute the action, lifting his hips and letting her take them completely off him. 

She settles high on him, hovering right over her cock. Calum opens his eyes, watching the smirk on her face. The warmth and wetness slide right over him. “Shit,” he huffs, watching her slide up and down his length. “Don’t do this to me, doll. Please don’t.”

Harlowe stretches forward, gently taking the lobe of his ear between her teeth. “Call me doll one more time and see what happens.”

Calum runs his fingers up her back and sides. He’s silent, waiting for her to pull back in satisfaction. He knows she will if he remains quiet and then he can go in for the kill. Sure enough, she does, Harlowe tugs on his ear one last time before pulling away. That’s when he wraps his hand around her throat, squeezing. “What was that, doll?”

The hold isn’t too tight, but it stops Harlowe in her tracks. He was just going soft on her, just to give her some semblance of control to not freak her out. Calum watches her carefully, waiting for the gulp she usually does when she’s uncomfortable. But it never comes. She keeps her eyes trained on Calum. “Sorry,” she whispers. 

“Sorry what?”

“You might have to remind me. I forget.” The statement seems believable until she cracks a smile. That’s when Calum knows she’s acting out. He brings his second hand around her throat, and pulls her face down towards him. 

“I’ll remind you,” he growls. “You’re going to take my cock. Don’t breathe. Don’t think. Just bounce.”

Harlowe lifts up, lining him up to her entrance. For a brief second she considers maybe they should use a condom. Doctors have told her getting pregnant a third time isn’t impossible it’s just improbable. They’ve already agreed to try for a third child, even if the odds seem impossible. They go without condoms sometimes. It’s usually discussed beforehand. “Would you like me to put a condom on?” he asks, grip already loosening around her neck. 

Harlowe, with a rush of boldness, presses his hand back and slides down his length. “No,” she moans. “No, I don’t.”

Calum tightens the grip. “You’re still not addressing properly.”

Harlowe pulls herself up before taking him back in. She gives no verbal response, focused slowly on the bubble of heat starting. Calum watches her bouncing on his cock. It’s a sight to behold, the curls that shake with her moment, the way her breast bounce with her effort too. A moan slips over her lips, it’s tight and quiet from the pressure around her throat. Calum takes one hand away from her throat, wrapping it around her waist. He pulls her up and close to his chest, before driving his hips up into her. Harlowe braces herself above his hand, “Shit. God, don’t stop.”

“You will address me correctly, doll.” He gives a purposefully hard thrust, before slowly sliding out. 

Harlowe whines at the lost of her orgasm. “No, please, I’m sorry.”

“Then address me properly. Sorry, what?”

“I’m sorry sir,” she cries, eyes begging him. “Please don’t stop, Sir.”

“That’s more like it,” he smiles, thrusting back into her. The sound of relief that leaves her makes Calum almost cum. Harlowe sighs above him, the sound a little high in pitch. Calum removes his hand from her throat, slowing. Harlowe takes over, sliding up and down his length. With a nipple in his mouth, Calum moans. He’s missed this. He’s craved seeing her like this. A thin sheet of sweat covers her forehead, her knees pop just a little. But it doesn’t stop her, she chases down her orgasm. 

“Shit,” she groans, clenching around him. 

Calum runs his fingers over the side of her face, moans falling from her lips before he can catch them. “That’s right, just take all of it. Just bounce, baby.”

“I’m close, sir,” she warns. Calum’s own orgasm is still far down the line. He prays she can hold out for one last orgasm. 

“Cum for me, pretty girl. Let go.” 

“I want you to cum though. I need it,” she whines. 

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get there. Give me this one. Cum around my cock, pretty girl. Please.” Pressing his thumb to her clit, he rubs it in circles. Even though Harlowe has slowed the added sensation is too much. She cries out, spasming around Calum’s cock. 

Calum holds her close, rubbing her back through the haze. “God,” he whispers. “You ought to see how beautiful you are when you cum.”

Harlowe chuckles into his skin, though it’s hot and clammy, it smells like home. “Mirror’s right over there,” she points, still nestled onto his cock. 

“Don’t give me any ideas, pretty girl.” It’s silent for a minute as Calum gently scratches at her scalp beneath the coils wrapping around his fingers. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have one more in you?”

She might, it looks slim. Her legs already feel pretty unstable. “Would I be on my hands and knees?”

“No, we can arrange it so you’re not on your hands and knees.”

“Then, yeah, I got one more in me,” she laughs, sitting up.

“Lay on your back, baby.” Harlowe compiles. Calum hovers a for a second, drinking in the sight of her. “I know what you’re thinking. No, it’s not going to be slow. So strap in.”

His first thrust is easy, an adjustment. But three strokes later, her legs are on his shoulder, the bed rocking into the wall. Harlowe hisses a little, reaching up for him. Calum meets her with a kiss, still holding her thighs spread open. His thrust become so hard that her head falls ips over the edge of the bed. But she’s in direct view of the mirror. As the blood rushes to her head, she can see Calum’s gaze stuck on her, not even the reflection of her, just him gazing down at her. She chuckles until the pleasure catches up with her again. 

“What’s so funny?” he asks breathless as his hips continue to snap into her. 

“Someone’s working hard to put a baby in me.”

Calum grins, bending over again. He kisses her, even when he’s rough she’s still finding something to giggle about. He trails his tongue down her neck, tasting the salt of her sweat and the taste of juices still left from before mixing on his tongue. His stomach clenches. He’s not going to last much longer. But he’d like to give her that third true orgasm that he promised. So he slows a little, thrusting deeper, but slower. He circles her clit, watching as her voice comes out strained with her swear. “You gonna give me another one? You said you had one more in you,” Calum taunts.

“Faster, I need your fingers faster, please.”

He kisses on the underside of her chin. “Hmm, anything for you, baby.” Calum speeds up his fingers, feeling his own orgasm approaching faster. He won’t make it after her, but he can still make sure she sees her end. Harlowe grips tightly at his bicep, holding her head up from the edge. It hurts how close she is at this point. “God, fuck, Oh God,” she pants.

“It’s-fuck- it’s okay, baby.” Calum’s orgasm crashes over him. He knows his moaning pretty loudly in her ear, but the sound leaves him abruptly. He doesn’t still, still thrusting through the high. 

“Calum, fuck,” Harlowe growls, voice thick with something like pain and pleasure. She clenches around him, his name falling from her lips again and again like a prayer. 

Post clean up, Harlowe lays on her back, legs thrown over Calum’s waist. His fingers dance over her skin. He can see a few reddish purple marks blossoming on her skin. “Do they hurt?” he asks. 

“No. They don’t ever really hurt unless I repeatedly hit that area.”

“I know. I’m just making sure.” He takes her spoon and scoops himself some of the peach mango sorbet. 

“Hey!” she reprimands. 

“I’m too lazy to get mine from downstairs. It’s too many steps.”

“It’s a flight and a half.”

“Still too many.” Harlowe finishes the last few spoonfuls, setting the bowl on the nightstand. Calum rolls his eyes. “I only wanted the one spoonful.” As they settle back on the screen, Harlowe wraps one arm around her stomach. Something feels different. A good different. 

__

Harlowe’s hands shake. She ought to take this pregnancy test. That’s the only way to know for sure. But she can’t do it. She reschedules her OBGYN appointment too. Until next week. Next week she’ll have her bearings together. Her head will be on straighter and she won’t be thinking about what the hell she and Calum are going to do with a newborn. They’ve long gotten rid of the diapers, and the cribs. Does she really have it in her to have another baby this late?

Instead of going to her OBGYN, she ends up buying tampons and more sorbet. It’s a light period, but still a period. She should’ve known that she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant again. Part of her feels like an idiot for even thinking it was a possibility. Doctor’s told her chances would be slim. So why think that she would the special case? 

Calum knocks on the bedroom door. After work, Harlowe mentioned being exhausted, so she took a nap. “Babe, dinner’s ready,” he says softly shaking her awake. Harlowe stretches after sitting up. Calum looks at his wife. She’s mentioned being tired most days. Her appetite isn’t much of a strange from normal, though the last few weeks she’s been extra sensitive about the smeell of seafood. The same thing when she was pregnant with Esha. 

“You ought to go to that appointment, babe.”

“For them to tell me I’m broken. I know that already.”

“Maybe you aren’t. But you can’t stand the smell of seafood anymore, you’re craving nuts again. You’re tired. I think you might be pregnant.” He doesn’t want to talk to loudly, doesn’t want to give himself false hope. But the thought keeps nagging him. “You’re spotting as well. I don’t think they’re full on periods.”

Harlowe nods. Her silence speaks volumes. Calum doesn’t pushes it. He takes her hand and they walk downstairs to the dining room. “How was your nap?” Te Koha asks. 

She kisses the top of his head. “Good, very good.” She settles in at the table next to Esha. She presses several kisses to her cheek.

“Mom,” Esha huffs. Calum sits across from her, watching the way she devours her dinner. Something is definitely up. Over the weekend, Calum steals a moment to call his mother. Joy warn him he has to do something even if it means dragging her to the office. On Tuesdays, Harlowe’s classes are finished early. So he knows he has to schedule it then, but he feels horrible forcing her. Joy, on the other hand, does not feel the same way. 

Her office hours through, Harlowe starts packing her backpack when a knocks rings out. The door opens and Joy pokes her head through. “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise,” Harlowe grins, walking over to embrace her mother-in-law.

“I needed some help with something and figured I’d pop by to see if you were free.”

“Yeah classes are done, but Calum was coming to pick me up,” Harlowe states. “Let me call him, he might even be in the parking lot.”

“I didn’t see his car. But I’m not sure where he parked though.”

Harlowe gathers the last of her things and pulls out her phone. Calum answers on the second ring. “Hey, I’m leaving now. I know I’m late. Got hung up in the studio.”

“Hey. Don’t worry. Your mom’s here. She needs help. I’m going to go with her.”

“Okay. Tell her I said hi.”

“Calum says hi,” Harlowe relays moving the phone. Joy grins.

“So sorry again, babe. Lost track of time. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay. The kids catch the bus, so it’s all good.” They hang up shortly after and the two woman start towards the parking lot. Joy watches Harlowe closely as they walk to the car. She can feel it; Harlowe’s pregnant again. She’s not sure if it scares Harlowe to have another child and that’s why she refuses to believe it. But whatever the case it is, clearly the woman knows something is up. She avoids deli meats, she doesn’t drink alcohol, has quit caffeine all together, everything she should be doing in pregnancy. She knows. But why does she not believe?

During the ride, Harlowe notes the strange route. But feels a bit rude questioning Joy. When they pull up in front of the small beige brick building, Harlowe sighs. “I should’ve figured.”

“You need to know. It’s been nearing what ten, eleven weeks at this point? You’re starting to show.”

Harlowe snaps her head over to the older woman. “Show? I’m two ounces short of being a keg. I am not showing; it’s not baby fat.”

A soft grin plays over Joy’s lips, all too similar to Calum’s. She doesn’t mean weight wise. It’s written across the glow in her skin. She is showing without even realizing.  “Then let’s find out, yeah?” The women climb out of the car and Joy takes Harlowe’s hand. “I know. You are pregnant though.”

It’s not nerve wrecking when she signs in her appointment. It’s not nerve wrecking waiting for the nurse to call her back. Harlowe doesn’t have nerve, listing the symptoms. It’s only when they break out the sheet to protect her skirt that the nerves start. Harlowe clutches Joy’s hand when they doctor slips on the gloves. She is pregnant. She knows it. She just didn’t want to be wrong. She couldn’t stand the thought that she the test would come back negative. That all those things were just her brain thinking, wanting a baby so bad, it played this trick on her. Harlowe stares up at the ceiling. She can’t bare to watch a blank screen. 

Thump-thump, thump-thump echoes around the room. Harlowe’s eyes sting with tears. That’s all she needs to hear. “Call Calum, please?” she cries to Joy. “Please. He needs to hear. Can she please call my husband?”

The doctor grins and a nurse exits the room. “Give us one moment, okay?”

Harlowe wipes her tears, staring at the monitor. The door creaks open again. She turns to the sound to see Calum. He walks far enough inside and have the door close, but the heartbeat echoing makes him stop. That’s his baby’s heartbeat. Tears slip down his cheek and Harlowe laughs. “God, we’re both a hot mess of tears.”

“You’re pregnant?” he breathes. 

She nods, the stiff paper of the bed crinkles under her movement. “I am. That’s our baby.”

Calum rushes over, burying his face into her shoulder. His tears are hot even through the cotton off her t-shirt. Inhaling deeply, Calum looks to the screen again. That’s his baby. His miracle, his next little one. The joy coursing through his veins lights his bones on fire. Though the late nights are tortuous, and changing diapers are not ideal again, after nearly seven years of not having to do it, he is fucking ecstatic. 

Harlowe has been dying for a third baby and he wanted nothing more than to give that to her. It was out of his hands, it was up to the numbers, gods, and chances. But he prayed for it, he begged to the high heavens to give this to her. She needed a good thing in her corner after her long battle. He knew she didn’t take him for granted, but there’s nothing quite like knowing something is sort of within reach and never being able to reach it. Until now. 

Calum turns his gaze, though blurry and watery, down to Harlowe. He wraps an arm around her hair and head, kissing her forehead repeatedly. “I love you,” he breathes into her skin. “And this baby.”

Harlowe holds to his bicep, pressing her face into the flesh and dense muscle. “I love you too. I’m so sorry I didn’t go sooner. I am so fucking sorry.”

“It’s okay. You were smart about your diet. You knew. And now you can believe it. It’s okay. I’m here.”

“But what if I wasn’t. What if I fucked up.”

“Then it would be a mistake. One among a lifetime of many. We would’ve handled whatever came our way, together. Right?”

“Always together.”

Back in the car, Harlowe hold the print out of the sonogram, gently rubbing her fingers over it. She was smart and Calum would always be right by her side. “So, are we good on babies?” Calum asks. 

“God, yes. No more, please.”

Calum laughs, grabbing her knee. “I have a consultation next week.”

They’ve weighed their options. Calum’s against her going in major surgery. Though Harlowe’s response is that a vasectomy is still surgery too. “What if I wasn’t pregnant?”

“Then I would’ve cancelled it, unless we were done trying.”

“Well, I’m done trying,” she laughs. 

“Should I schedule before or after the birth?”

“Before,” she whispers. Though worry flashes through her veins, she feels like waiting won’t help her. She prays nothing happens in this pregnancy, but part of her is tired. If she’s not meant to have a third child, then she’s not meant to birth a third child. There are still other options. 

“You’re worrying again. None of that. That’s our little one growing in you. It’s all going to be okay.”

She nods, though he can’t see it. It’ll all be okay.

[canaryrecords]

Eleven songs that Mary Steele recorded between October 1919 and ca. May 1921 were released on discs. This collection includes seven of those along with two sides by her sometimes accompanists, the Antoniou Brothers. She was one of only only four women to have recorded in the Turkish language (the only one who wasn’t Greek, it turns out), the second woman to have recorded in Arabic, and the only Woman and in Albanian in the U.S during the 1910s and 20s. Phrases in both Armenian and Kurdish turn up in her recordings. Because of her broad linguistic capabilities and her Anglicized name, she baffled me for years - who was she? where was she from? - and I would not have known anything substantial about her had I not been contacted by her great-grandnephew Rob Steel. He has done a lot of research on her, providing a basis from which I could do some more investigation. What follows is an amalgamation of what we have learned. Mary Steele was born in Mersin, Turkey February 21, 1887, the sixth of eight children. Steele’s father was Hanna Luke Boulad, born July 15, 1856 in Aintab (now Gaziantep) in southern Turkey who came from a Melkite Catholic family. While attending a Presbyterian missionary college in Mersin he met Mary’s mother Freda, a fellow student, who had been born in Aleppo, Syria August 31, 1860. They were married and had their first child Phoebe in 1875 in Gaziantep. Over the next 25 years, Hanna took various teaching jobs back and forth from one city to the next, spending a few years in Mersin, a few in Gaziantep, then Tarsus, then back to Gaziantep, then Mersin, back to Gazientep, back to Mersin, then finally, by 1900, to Beirut by which time they had eight children, all boys except Phoebe, the oldest, and Mary, who was then 13. At the urging of a missionary neighbor in Beirut, an American Consul named Dr. Metheny, they sent their two eldest sons, Saul and Alex, to the U.S. In 1901, they sent two more sons William and John. By 1902, Freda Boulad was disconsolate at the breakup of her family, so, with sponsorship from the Presbyterian church, Hanna sold his possessions and packed up the family of including his wife, two small boys,15-year-old Mary, her older sister Phoebe, and Phoebe’s husband and two children, and they sailed from Beirut to Marseille to Philadelphia, arriving August 13, 1902. The family settled in south Philadelphia. By 1910 56 year old Hanna had left behind the life of a scholar and was working as an upholsterer, living on Glenmore Ave. with his wife, a 27 year old son Joseph (also in upholstering), his wife Christine and their two children, and an 11 year old son Benjamin (working in a soap factory). The family name Boulad (meaning, roughly, “strong” in Arabic) had been changed at the port to Steele, and Hanna was called John. His gifts for language were utilized periodically, including, according to family lore, consultation with Egyptologist Dr. Howard Carter (best known at the discoverer of Tutankhamen’s grave), but he resigned himself, unhappily it seems, to American life. While most of the family stayed settled in the working-class south Philly suburbs of Glenolden and Collingdale for decades, Mary Steele traveled. Family documents refer to her having been married at 14, but the first marriage we’re fairly sure of is to one William Gladstone Richardson in January 1912 in either Iowa City or Chicago, depending on which document can believed. Richardson was Mary’s age, 25 at the time, and a native of Farina IL. They apparently had a child and were still married and living together in St. Louis, Missouri in 1920. Richardson he died in 1958, now buried in Ronan, Montana. Steele seems to have spent the better part of 30 years living the life of a performer on the road. She turned up in in New York City at the age of 32 for six recording sessions for the Victor company from October 2 through December 24, 1919. Accompanied by a portly pair of cymbalom- and clarinet-playing Greek brothers from Samos (an island that remained a semi-independent Ottoman territory until it was repatriated to Greece in 1913 during the First Balkan War), she initially recorded four songs in Arabic. The first disc was given a write-up blurb in Victor’s Arabic catalog of the time: “The first selection ‘My Rose’ tells of a youth’s ardent admiration for his sweetheart whose beauty he compares to the rose. In the song on the reverse of the record, ‘Father I Want to Get Married,” a girl confesses to her father her love for a blind man and she tells him that even his misfortune will not detain her from marrying him. The composer, Mme S. Mary, a new Victor artist, sings these Syrian melodies to the accompaniment of cymbal and clarinet.” A few days later, the Antoniou Brothers made four instrumental sides which were released as part of Victor’s Greek series, two of which include Steele playing percussion (and on one of which she can be heard shouting encouragement to the players in the background). The trio returned to the studio every couple weeks over the next two months, cutting four songs in Greek and Albanian over and over again. Victor’s recordists must have thought they had something special in Steele as a performer to let her cut the song “Cuchawaki (The Gamblers)” a total of fifteen times, “Ismenyes” twelve times, and “Ardhi Koha A Bekuar” eleven times during a period when most immigrant musicians got only one or two takes to complete a performance for release. Only the latter of those three songs, translated from Albanian as “Hurrah for the Nation” was ever issued with “Flamuri (The Flag)” (completed in three takes) as its flip, likely as an attempt to salvage something salable from the sessions. The disc sold poorly, which is unsurprising given that the Albanian-speaking population of the U.S. numbered only a few thousand at the time. (Notably, Victor only ever issued four other discs in Albanian, all recorded in 1917-18 by Giuseppe Mauro with accompaniment by the house orchestra before trying one last time in 1924 when they issued five songs by Adreas Pappas-Athanas Mone.) Around March of 1921, she recorded again, this time with a new band for Columbia at their Woolworth Building studios. In two sessions, she knocked out five songs in a combination of Turkish and Arabic in one or two takes. One of the songs was issued as the flip side of a song by Marika Papagika (one of the rare instances of Papagika singing in Turkish). After her session in May 1921, she never recorded again. The 1930 census found Steele living with a Greek man named Stelianos Grigorlides at the New Jackson Hotel in Chicago’s Greektown, giving her occupation as “dancer” and her language spoken other than English as “Armenian.” May 1931, she married an Athenian named George Zamanos in New York City, but it didn’t last. By 1935, at the age of 48, she heeded the family call and moved to Jacksonville, Florida to take care of her then-widowed mother Freda. Her brother John (b. 1886) died that year; Alex (b. 1882) had died in 1915. While she was there, she filed her Declaration of Intent to naturalize as a U.S. citizen, having lived as an alien in this country for 35 years. She gave her race and nationality as “Armenian.” We can only speculate that as a Christian from Turkey, having lived among Greeks and Armenians in nightclubs, theaters, and coffeehouses for decades, her identification with those groups was stronger, or potentially easier for mainstream America to comprehend, than with her Arab family. Or perhaps her mother was Armenian? By 1940, Mary Steele had resettled closer to her remaining family in south Philadelphia at 2535 67th St. living with an Armenian rug cleaner named Harry Hachrian, who was listed as a lodger in a house she owned. She gave her marital status as “widow,” but in March 1944 she filed a summons for divorce against George Zamanos in Nevada, apparently the last place she knew that he’d lived. She apparently died in 1948, about age 60. Her younger brother Joseph, born Sept. 6, 1895 in Gaziantep, also wound up working in show-biz as Ingrid Bergman’s business manager. In 1959, he published a memoir titled Ingrid Bergman: An Intimate Portrait. He died in 1980.

[theoceanthatdrownthemoon-chaldea]

At first, Brynhildr's Beloved list only included Ushikawamaru as female hero. Nasu's usual trolling doesn't help in explaining it further. Right before LB2, Okita Alter is added to the list. After LB2, her list started to include more heroines. Will there be a patch to include Part 1 heroines to her list if that was developers' hindsight? The general question I have is why are there heroines in Brynhildr's list?

She's a hero killer. She's also bound to fall in love with heroes. That means she's bi. That's one explanation consistent with her material.

Both Ushikawamaru and Okita are originally male. Could that be why they're included? But so is Artoria. Yet her male counterpart is in there, not her. Ushikawamaru and Okita Alter have a mindset of devotion to higher authority who are close to them. Perhaps that what Brynhildr consider to be an attractive quality to have as a righteous heroine. She may have seen in them what they managed without as much trouble as she has - the absence of romance in their lives. After LB2, she's broken further. The heroines added to her list after that: Gareth, XX, Bradamante, Qin Liangyu. Three of them are knights, one is a king and one is a general. Bradamante has a similar fate to Brynhildr, to chase after her boyfriend as a Heroic Spirit. It is even defined as a crucial part of her concept. Gareth is a Lancer like Brynhildr. She however got killed by her idol Lancelot unlike Bryhildr who killed Sigurd. Gareth accepted that he may have killed her even if he had known. The common thing is they're betrayed by the object of their affection. Gareth is more focus on becoming the better/best knight now. Her liege still is Artoria - the one she considers a knight among knights. Qin Liangyu too is a Lancer and whether it's because of the age or because of disinterest, she stayed a widow after her husband died. What she has common with Brynhildr could be that her father was the one enable her to get education and trained in martial art. Further more she was one of the few to receive the title of Crown Prince's Guardian. She was remembered as a competent general. As for XX, I already said nothing about her makes sense as to why she's on the list. At least not by the heroic qualities similar to Sigurd. The one to beat Sigurd in Saber Wars 2 is X, not XX. My guest at the moment is Brynhildr choose the heroines based on herself while she choose the heroes based on Sigurd. The change in her list reflects the change in her Spirit Origins. Arguably, the new additions deal with their love-related issue in less destructive and suicidal ways could mean Brynhildr has started to accept those solutions as possibility. It could also mean her mentality is getting better.

Back to XX, she's still crazy. She shows her emotions easily and is a summer Servant, the opposite of winter Servants like Sigurd and Brynhildr. She put on an act to conceal her identity whereas those two are icy by their nature and circumstances. XX's selfishness is more apparent but her actions still ultimately meant to help as stated in her profile. Ooei and Hokusai died (not permanently) to XX's overzealous dedication to the job. She still prevented Summer BB from ultimately winning. Most of the time though she's heard complaining about her job and wanting a bonus. She's treated like a joke for presenting the struggles hero would face if they are living in modern age. None of the Nobus is in Brynhildr's list. But story demanded we brought summer Nobu along to deal with her anyway. The reason: fight poison with poison. That suggests she's more alike to Nobu than anyone else. There's aslo their partnership that started from Koha-Ace but it wasn't considered the main factor for the Gudas. So XX truly an odd one out. Arthur made it to the list while bearing many resemblances to Sigurd. XX on the other hand made it while being similar to a Demon King of Sixth Heaven of all things. XX is probably the special case, resembling neither Brynhildr nor Sigurd but is recognized as a heroine and earned Brynhildr's 'love' anyway. In addition to that, Brynhildr could have thought that it's heroic to live the way XX does and see that as another possibility she can accept herself to act like.

Then there's the fact her personal wish to kill Sigurd in LB2 while selfish still served to help the Proper Human History. It's somewhat familiar to XX at first. However, XX was about to wipe away the whole Singularity to hide her embarrassment. That's loop hole abuse on her part, using the higher purpose to serve her personal purpose. Totally different in possible casualties. Thanks for the save, Nobu! Yet what XX almost did is similar to Brynhildr's end - she acted according to a prophecy although the end result is her revenge accomplished. The main difference is XX didn't act on romantic love for another and Nobu was there to stop her. I could call self-love on Brynhildr's part. It's still something Brynhildr couldn't do due to fate plus circumstances. Maybe she finally is shaking off Odin's curse to start loving heroes that don't fit his descriptions anymore.