#ch31

[shysheeperz]

[osaragis-buzzsaw]

His whopping four contacts. And I love how Lu is drawn here.

[k423s]

HNNNNNNNN THE SIBLINGS EVER WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!

[en-qq]

tsukuyomi's so handsome, i can't help to just sigh so cool at every single panel he's in, help

[itachi86]

"“Holy fuck,” Hanabusa said, bending closer to examine it. Zero sat up straighter to accommodate him. “That’s from a sword. You were stabbed with a sword. Again.”

“It’s becoming a habit,” Zero acknowledge irritably. “But the sword was not the vampire-killing kind of sword, this time.”

“Oh, joy,” Hanabusa snarked, beginning to rummage through a medical bag dropped at his side.  “Give the man a gold star. Only a normal-killing sword, this time.”"

[arglebergle]

...there would be no better proof, indeed no better example of a primitive and badly ruled society than the fact that its leaders did not know what to do with this major responsibility other than to delegate it, and whom to delegate it to other than to those who, by their vocation, were most alien to such authority

-the betrothed, ch 31

[whatlurksbean]

What Lurks beneath- chapter 31 page 894

(Read WLB on Comicfury! Or read ahead on Patreon!)

[mighty-mepoe]

This is really metaphorical:

All Might on the top and fully into the light while Endeavor lingers in the shadows and gives him (All Might's ideals) his back.

[syndrossi]

tfw when you wanna write restoration au but you've gotta eat your resonant veggies first 😭

[bottominerights]

Some thoughts on Kagami Taiga: Ch. 31

I'll never know if Fujimaki really had a natural talent for retconning (read: bullshitting his story along the way), but the fact that so much of what Kagami is expressing here can be translated to things he must have felt at some point while growing up pretty much alone makes these two pages hit so hard in context.

I can't keep relying on Kuroko and the others.

Until I can win without their help.

Until I can win all on my own!!

All these are sentences that could exist in any other context of life and it makes you wonder, truly, how many times has Kagami have had these thoughts before, just for different reasons?

But the most interesting part to me is how up until this point in his life,

Kagami sees relying on others as an inherent sign of weakness.

The fact that he couldn't have managed on his own, that someone else's presence was needed for him to sort out the challenge that life put in front of him? It didn't make him feel connected, it didn't make him feel like he finally had someone he could fall back on if he ever needed to.

The first thing Kagami did after winning against Kise with Kuroko's help was training. Focusing on getting stronger—strong enough to not need Kuroko's help anymore when next time came around.

Because having—no, needing that help made him feel weak. It made him feel not capable enough.

Not capable of sorting obstacles on his own, of facing challenges on his own, of surviving on his own.

And that, coming from the kid that had to learn so young to cook for himself because mom is gone and dad is at work and he can't keep relying on others because what if one day he doesn't have dad anymore either?

That hits hard to read.

[asaichiban]

“They were going to rape me anyway so I told them to pay me first so it would feel less awful” hurt so bad

[shysheeperz]

[osaragis-buzzsaw]

Siblings for real.

[k423s]

Narrator: In the past, whenever she stood in front of the graves of fallen companions with tributes, this sentiment would begin haunting her for no reason. Pardofelis: Everything’s perfect here. This is all I’ve ever wanted. Why… Why can’t I accept it? … Alright… alright, if only I can do it… Just this once! This is the last time! Kevin, don’t rush it out there… Just gotta use Cosmic Juggernaut from there to guide Kevin’s attack and I’ll be free! This should do it! Ah! Gotta run, Kevin’s attack… its blast wave alone can kill me. Huh?! It’s too big to sustain itself, huh… … I don’t care… I don’t care! I just want an easy life! Is asking for sunbathing and napping too much? Why do I have to put my life on the line again and again for things like that? Narrator: Yet she still kept going. There was no doubt that without human maintenance, that path would not last. As for the maintainer in the attack’s trajectory, what would become of her was painfully obvious. Pardofelis: Vill-V, did you know this would happen all along? No way… I… I don’t want to die! Heroic business is for heroes. I… I’m a nobody. Narrator: Imagining being devoured by that fire made her smell her own ashes. She shuddered uncontrollably and quickened her pace. Pardofelis: The real me… must’ve made the same choice, huh?Flying to the moon to battle the Final Herrscher? That’s way out of my league! Besides… I’m… the best at running away. I couldn’t have died there! That’s right… The real me must be alive… I know she’s basking in the sun somewhere. If so, why must I get myself killed here… Narrator: Indeed, her good luck was unparalleled. She could get out of any danger if she wanted. Indeed, she never dreamed of greater things. Her desires were too simple to warrant a heroic death. Indeed, she played many tricks just so she could see the sun rise again. To find a reason for someone like her to voluntarily choose death when she could live… Pardofelis: That’s impossible! Why would I just give up my life? This is just insane! But, but… Narrator: But why did her feet, which should be taking her to safety… Take her back to that path? Pardofelis: … But… being mortal means… I can do stupid things… Ellie, you know I never operate at a loss. You… gotta come back. Narrator: She stretched out a hand. It was still trembling, but it stopped the path from fading into darkness. Pardofelis: I know… if I weren’t so lucky, I wouldn’t have been picked by you… And I wouldn’t be here with everybody. So… Ellie… the thing is, I can’t let you regret your choice. I don’t know… if I can do it, but I’ll do my best. After you come back, don’t forget to… praise me. Narrator: She ultimately made the same decision, even when she had no way to convince herself. Meanwhile, the attack that had been waiting for its moment was almost ready. She felt the air around her climb to an unbearable temperature. Pardofelis: It’ll be… excruciating. Narrator She shuddered even more at the thought of the blaze sweeping in. But she did not back off one bit.

— Für Elysia, chapter 31

[genderqueer-miharu]

Read Kemutai Hanashi

[anoutlandishfanfic]

Chapter 31: Two of a Kind.

Happy Father’s Day, everyone! 

Click Here to find the Chapter 30 or Here to find an updated index of chapters on Tumblr. You can also Click Here to find Metamorphosis on AO3.

Still February 22nd, 1744; Afternoon. Claire.

“Jamie?” I looked up, a horrible thought having just come to mind.

“How the hell are we going to make sure we don’t switch them?”

He blinked at me and tipped his head to one side in thought, then leaned towards the heap of my discarded clothing as he reached for something.

Plucking up a hair ribbon, he dangled it from between two fingers and suggested, “Can we tie it to one of their wee feet?”

It took me a moment to register what color it was, but then it hit me.

“Blue!” I blurted, eyes wide. “For Brian!!”

Jamie beamed at this and promptly set about finding our firstborn’s feet. He ever so carefully placed Brian on the mattress before him, his brows knitting together in concentration as he tried to keep the upper portion of the baby’s wrappings in place while loosening the bottom. It all fell apart the next moment as Brian began to squirm and his foot poked free.

“Tapadh leat, mo ghille beag,” Jamie thanked him dryly.

My stomach clenched as I watched him struggle to tie the ribbon in place, the barest hint of a flush creeping up his neck as the midwife’s assistant took pity on him and quickly finished the task. His fingers had gained a significant range of motion in the weeks we’d spent at the abbey, but this was still too much of a request of them.

I reached out and stroked Brian’s cheek. He turned his face into my hand, his nose nudging my fingers as I asked the young woman in French, “Please… will you help me?”

Her face lit up as she nodded, skillfully lifting Brian out of his swaddling and laying him on my chest next to Henry. They turned their heads towards each other as we settled them more comfortably against me and draped the blanket Brian had used around them both.

I tucked my chin and kissed them atop their head, my soul finally anchored by their weight in my arms.

Henry sighed as his elbow bumped against his brother and his tiny fist relaxed as he inched even closer to falling asleep. Brian made a small noise, his eyes still wide open as his arm pushed against Henry’s.

“A dhia, mo ghraidh,” he murmured low as he bent over us and kissed my brow

He didn’t have to say anything else.

My heart echoed the same sentiment.

Mystified praise.

My hand cupped the curve of Brian’s head, then traveled down the flat plane of his back, and crossed over to Henry’s… then made the same journey over and over again.

They’re here… both of them.

I tipped my head back against the pillows, sliding my eyes shut with a weary smile as I held my sons close.

But my relief was short lived as the next moment a band of intensity wrapped itself about my waist and stole all of the air in my lungs.

“One more contraction, dear,” the midwife coaxed apologetically as my eyes flew open, “and then I promise it will be over.”

The placenta.

I moaned as I realized this, following what she asked of me.

“There!” She rejoiced as I sagged back against the pillows.

My eyes searched Jamie’s face, hoping he’d find the words my lips couldn’t yet form.

One corner of his mouth twitched as he turned to ask the midwife, “Is it only one? Or two?”

“One!” came her triumphant reply and I groaned again, but for an entirely different reason.

Jamie’s shoulders began to shake in silent laughter as he raked his hand over his face and through his hair.

“Aye, well,” he wheezed, “mebbe we’ll need more than a bit of ribbon, then.”

I took a deep, shuddering breath and let it out again as the full weight of this revelation settled over me.

Identical.

Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.

But there was a small place in my heart — a far corner where the good moments of my pregnancy were kept — that wasn’t surprised at all.

Somehow, I always knew they’d be two of a kind.

… About an hour later.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

I jumped at the noise of a fist on the door, careening to one side and nearly dropping Henry.

Jamie’s hand shot out, steadying us for a moment before scrambling to his feet. My heart lodged in my throat as I reflexively curled inwards and clung to the tiny lives within my arms, watching in horror as my worst fears played out before me.

Murtagh was already in motion and nearly across the room when the captain bellowed, “Open th’ door!”

BANG! BANG!

My entire body screamed in protest at the tension I held within, my mouth gone completely dry as Jamie left my side and followed his godfather.

Murtagh turned back as he reached the door and commanded, “Stay there! Find yer blade!”

Jamie turned on his heel, his face white as he lunged for my open trunk — the nappies and swaddling for the babies having been retrieved long ago — and dug out the sword concealed at the bottom.

He hastily fastened its belt around his waist and offered his sgian dhu to the midwife. She pushed his hand away, reaching for her basket instead and coming up with a knife of her own.

“Do as you must,” she insisted, “I will keep them safe.”

Jamie hesitated, looking from me to the door and back again as he wrestled with his thoughts.

He wordlessly returned to kneel at my side and took my face in his hands, kissing me long and hard.

I love you, his soul reached out to mine. 

I will keep you safe.

I will return to your side.

He stayed for a moment longer, keeping my face near his. I tried to swallow my panic as I clung to him but utterly failed. My hands shook as he pulled away, his eyes now bright with fury as he stood and moved to stand guard at the foot of the mattress.

Brian began to howl in displeasure at my tight grasp and Henry quickly followed suit. I was tempted to join them, wanting nothing more than to cry out for Jamie to come back, but knew he was where he needed to be.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

The angry shouts of the crew tangled together, each rising higher to be heard over the other. I couldn’t make out their words but their message was clear — leave!

Hot tears began to stream down my face as the midwife took my hand. I clung to it, needing her calm, resolute strength as my children screamed in my arms and the room threatened to come crashing down around my ears.

The Lord is with thee.

Jamie began to pace before us, marking a line that none should cross. One hand hovered over the hilt of his sword and the other tapped an impatient tattoo as he anxiously waited for the menace to appear.  

“Suzette will return soon with my husband,” she reminded me of her companion’s prior departure, wrestling to pull my attention away from the dangers beyond our control.

Blessed art thou amongst women…

I shook my head as my heart sank, crashing through the floorboards beneath me. I knew the crew was beyond reason… that we’d been on borrowed time and that time had now run out.

“She will come,” she maintained, “and we will leave this place.”

The older woman squeezed my hand and I finally looked at her, meeting her gaze for the first time.

Her eyes were clear and bright, full of a confidence I did not possess.

“I promise you… they will be safe.”

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

The sound of metal on metal propelled my husband forward and out of sight, leaving us completely alone.

“Jamie!” I sobbed, my voice strangled and completely unfamiliar.

I let go of her hand, my fingers fumbling as I tried to find the rosary at my neck. It was looped around Henry’s arm and firmly grasped in Brian’s fist.

My eyes slid shut as I left it where it was, clasping my sons’ hands instead.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…

I dipped my head, burying my face in the tops of their heads as the noise beyond grew. A mighty crash sent a shiver up my spine and I couldn’t quell the trembling that shook me from head to toe.

Now… and at the hour of our death.