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[dartstarget]

How To Play Mulligan Darts

Mulligan darts is a simple but challenging game that can be enjoyed by anyone. Think of Mulligan versioned as an extreme version of the game of Cricket darts for dart athletes who want to play a challenging sport. This game is a good choice for players to practice hitting the perfect triples. Let’s start to learn  ” How To Play Mulligan Darts”.

  Mulligan darts is a game that you can play on your own or as part of a  competition with friends and siblings. The object of the Mulligan Darts gets, as close to the bullseye as possible.

[twnenglish]

Best Logistics Companies In India For eCommerce Businesses 2023

Logistics companies manage, store, and move goods from manufacturer to consumer. It is a cost-effective way to move and store goods from producer to buyer.

Logistics firms are growing rapidly. By 2025, they will generate 30% of logistics revenue. E-commerce relies on India-based 3PLs.

They manage most online company shipping and logistics. Logistic partners manifest orders, create AWBs, pick up and deliver products. Companies can store things before and during delivery.

Indian logistics and supply chain providers will solve all your industry's transportation problems. Logistics businesses used responsiveness and competence to meet rising demand. Here are India's Top eCommerce Logistics Firms in 2023.

You might discover it easier as your business expands to rely on many logistics suppliers or those that offer more specialised services, depending on the industry in which your firm operates. Understanding how to choose the best logistics provider for your business and who the leading supplier in India is is crucial. Your decision about a logistics partner could make or break your company's performance and rate of expansion.

So, it is always a good idea to be aware of who the company's main rivals are based on predetermined criteria. E-commerce logistics has developed into a vital link between businesses and customers in various parts of the nation. Over 100 million people in India utilise online stores, therefore eCommerce logistics companies need to step up and improve the range and calibre of services they offer.

Where possible, they must employ more cutting-edge technology and put customer satisfaction ahead of all other considerations. Stronger management systems must be implemented by businesses in order to handle unsuccessful deliveries, returned goods, and declining RTOs. With maintaining cheap prices and excellent client happiness, all of this is accomplished.

No matter the size of your e-commerce, you will need the assistance of an Indian eCommerce logistics company to provide services to your customers. According to the size of the logistics business, the services it delivers, and the resources it has, the top logistics businesses in India are mentioned below.

Indian Logistics Companies Overview

The number of logistics businesses has been growing and developing quickly. By 2025, they are projected to contribute an astounding 30% of the income in the logistics industry. E-commerce depends on Indian 3PL (3rd Party) logistics companies.

They manage the majority of shipping and logistics functions for online businesses. When an order is placed, logistics partners handle its manifestation, AWB (airway bills) generation, pick-up, and delivery to the customer. They may also be used by businesses to hold inventory both before and after processing orders.

As your company grows, you could find it more convenient to rely on a variety of logistics suppliers or ones that offer more specialised services, depending on your industry. Understanding the best logistics providers in India and how to select the right one for your company are therefore crucial. Your logistics partner could make or break your company, affecting how you develop and grow.

Because of this, it is always a good idea to be aware of the leading companies in the field. A powerful force that connects businesses on one side of the country with customers on the other is e-commerce logistics. eCommerce logistics companies have had to up their game and expand the quality and scope of their services given that over 100 million Indians shop online.

Wherever possible, they must use more cutting-edge technology, and they must put order fulfilment first. Also, businesses must have enhanced management practises for handling returned items, failed deliveries, and RTOs. keeping costs low and client satisfaction high.

2023's Top Logistics Companies In India For Online Stores

1. Blue Dart

Founded in 1983, has 275,000 employees worldwide and 12200 in India

A worldwide carrier, BlueDart has a huge network of resources both in India and beyond the globe. You can give customers the option to select their preferred delivery day and time using scheduled and slot-based delivery.

The Blue Dart API can also be used to request specialised services like delivering weather-resistant packaging or computerised, automatic proof-of-delivery updates. For delivery payments, they offer cash-on-delivery, online payment (both prepaid and postpaid), and a number of wallet options.

2. Delhivery

Founded in 2011 and employing more than 10,000 people

One of the biggest and most well-known logistics companies in India is called Delhivery. They oversee logistics for more than 7,500 Indian e-commerce businesses. They are well recognised for its on-demand delivery services, which include scheduled deliveries in addition to next-day and same-day delivery.

Delhivery also provides COD services, reverse logistics, and exchange logistics. They are prepared to handle a variety of goods, including hazardous, priceless, and bulky ones. The selection of the order, packaging, creation of the shipping labels, and delivery are all expedited by the Delhivery API connection.

3. FedEx

Was founded in 1971 and now employs 450000 people worldwide

Before extending its logistics services to eCommerce businesses, FedEx established a name for itself in the global market. FedEx is prepared to handle high-value commodities, large or lightweight goods, and even risky goods like dry ice and lithium batteries because to its qualified workforce and state-of-the-art transportation services. Also, they help with cross-border and intrastate customs clearance.

The FedEx API can be included into your business's systems to enable delivery to more than 200 countries across the world while keeping customers informed of the status of their orders in real time. The FedEx API description lists a number of wonderful features, such as returns management and expedited delivery. To understand how to connect FedEx with your current hardware and software, consult the FedEx API reference.

4. Ekart Logistics

Founded in 2009 and employing more than 500 people

Ekart started out as a Flipkart project and has now grown to offer logistical services to a variety of other eCommerce companies. They have become more well-known as a result of their affordable costs and quick delivery in some areas. In 13 sites across the country, same-day delivery is offered, and 50 locations nationwide offer next-day delivery.

E-commerce businesses can use the Ekart Tracking API to help them find complete logistical solutions. The Ekart Tracking API delivers real-time information on the whereabouts of all your items during their delivery route and enables automatic shipping label production.

This makes it possible for e-commerce businesses to determine the number of their delayed transactions, whether the SLA standards are being met, and much more. Ekart Logistics also aids in effective refunding and reverse logistics.

5. DHL

The corporation, which was founded in 1969, has 285,000 employees worldwide and 21,000 in India

Another well-known global logistics firm with a sizable presence in India is DHL. Due to their extensive distribution network, they can optimise supply chains and logistical options both domestically and internationally. Companies are familiar with DHL Logistics' warehouse services. They can minimise their environmental impact and eliminate waste during the distribution process thanks to its highly connected network.

Almost 800 fulfilment centres are operated by DHL globally. This suggests that regardless of where customers live, orders may be delivered to them more quickly than ever before. DHL supports online retailers in reducing logistics costs by choosing distribution centres and warehouses close to the client.

6. Ecom Express

 Founded in 2012 and employing roughly 36000 people

This reputable company provides comprehensive eCommerce logistics services to several significant online merchants. They offer additional protection and surveillance, making them a popular alternative for companies that deal with valuable goods like jewels.

Weekend and holiday hours are available at Ecom Express, which guarantees that orders for express delivery will be fulfilled 72 hours after manifesting. Similar to this, they offer doorstep QC (quality inspections) and a guarantee that the item will be returned within 72 hours when it comes to returned items and reverse logistics.

7. Shadowfax

Founded in 2015, with approximately 150000 employees

For hundreds of enterprises, both nationally and globally, Shadowfax coordinates logistics. They offer pickups from stores and warehouses in addition to in-transit storage for the first and last miles of delivery. Shadowfax provides hyperlocal and accelerated delivery options and is well renowned for its quick services.

Additionally, they provide cash-on-delivery (COD) services and accept cashless payments for doorstep deliveries.

8. XpressBees

Founded in 2015 and employing about 30000 people

In the logistics sector, XpressBees, which was established about the same time as Shadowfax, is still operational. To enhance delivery effectiveness, they have built over 100 distribution centres throughout India that collaborate with more than 2800 offices.

XpressBees provides expedited shipping for a variety of shipments and goods, including large items like machinery and prescription prescriptions. They can also help with cross-border delivery customs clearance.

9. GATI

GATI first entered the logistics sector in 1989, which was almost 40 years ago. Its corporate headquarters are in Mumbai. One of the first logistics companies in India, it provides service to more than 17,000 pin digits. You will also need to decide which of Gati's numerous packages you want to use if you choose them.

Different-priced bundles of several services are made available in order to appeal to various enterprises. Among the Gati services are express delivery, automated proof of delivery, scheduled and time-based delivery, delivery of heavyweight items, and specially designed weather-resistant packaging.

10. India Post

With 416083 employees worldwide and in India as of 1854, this company

India Post has played a vital role in providing global logistics services since 1854. Almost 100 countries are served by this government-run postal service in India. India Post has a long history of providing logistical support to specific clients.

However, with the growth of eCommerce, India Post has embraced the revolution in eCommerce logistics. As a well-known international carrier, India Post can help its clients navigate the import and export customs processes.

India Post is well-suited to carry heavyweight cargo like machinery, diamonds, and even HAZMAT like lithium batteries or dry ice because of the wide spectrum of industries it services, from medicines to aviation.

India Post is therefore a well-liked option for businesses that sell a smaller or more specialised range of goods. Your online store will be able to easily print shipping labels, show customers estimated arrival dates when they place orders, and help you handle refunds thanks to the India Post post office API.

11. DTDC

It provides services to 10,000+ customers throughout 17,500+ pin codes, with big eCommerce businesses making up 75% of its clientele. Customers have access to DTDC's storage, COD (cash-on-delivery), and other straightforward and adaptable payment alternatives.

For several orders at once, the DTDC Tracking API can offer real-time tracking updates. Additionally, it assists with managing Non-Delivery Reports (NDRs). Moreover, the DTDC API may offer thorough information on courier performance.

Express delivery, hyperlocal delivery, scheduled and slot-based delivery, same-day delivery, and next-day delivery are some of its popular quick delivery choices. The adaptability of DTDC is enhanced by its ability to transport a wider variety of goods, including big goods, high-value commodities, and even dangerous or risky materials (HAZMAT).

12. Dunzo

Well-known eCommerce companies like Titan EyePlus and Zhivame frequently choose it. Less than 3000 cities and more than 27,000 zip codes nationwide can receive deliveries.

The collect-on-delivery service allows customers to make a variety of payments at the time of delivery, including cash on delivery, demand draughts, and some forms of digital payment. For mid-to-heavyweight shipments, Dunzo offers higher levels of protection, as well as doorstep QC (quality inspections) for return orders.

Conclusion

You may begin by focusing on logistics companies offering express, scheduled, or hyperlocal delivery. Based on the prices charged, you may then further reduce the list. Establishing the details of how these unique quicker delivery services will be provided and at what rate in terms of service, ideally in the form of an SLA, is also crucial (service level agreement). 

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[seijorhi]

Outrunning Fate

As promised (though I am more than a little late for Shiratorizawa Week), the soulmate AU

Tendou x female reader x Ushijima

TW stalking, possessive behaviour, implied non-con

Soulmates were supposed to be a blessing.

It was a fairytale that you’d grown up hearing about. One person who was supposed to be wholly yours.

Your parents were soulmates, even if you hadn’t always understood the concept, the proof of that remarkable, unshakable bond was always right in front of you. It wasn’t in the big grand gestures, it was little things - the soft, adoring look in your father’s eye as your mother passed him his coffee every morning, the way she always sought out his touch when they were together, even if it was just to twine her fingers with his, or the way that they always seemed to be able to sense when the other was upset, and wordlessly found the perfect way to comfort them.

Your father never had to tell you that he loved your mother, but he did, every single day. He told her too, just to see her smile.

It seemed effortless, easy, as if their love for one another was as natural as breathing. How could you be blamed for looking at your bare wrist, waiting for the day that name would appear in scrawling black ink, feeling that excited fluttering in your chest because you knew one day you’d meet your soulmate and have that perfect, fairytale love all for yourself.

Except it wasn’t like that.

Something went wrong.

***

You’re fifteen and barely paying attention in class when your skin prickles uncomfortably. Your heart leaps into your chest as you tug up the sleeve off your blazer, watching wide eyed with bated breath as a name appears on your wrist.

Tendou Satori.

The beginnings of a smile start to curl at your lips, but it freezes in place as more inky black writing appears below the first.

Ushijima Wakatoshi.

A second name. 

And suddenly, it feels like your perfectly crafted world begins to fall apart. Two soulmates aren’t unheard of, but they’re incredibly rare and you can’t deny that there’s a certain… stigma attached to it. 

What kind of a person isn’t satisfied with just one? 

This is supposed to be some magical, thrilling moment for you, but instead all you can focus on is the pounding of your heart and the growing wave of nausea that rises in the back of your throat. Quickly you yank your sleeve back down and before you can even think to stutter an apology to your bewildered teacher, you’re out of your seat and sprinting down the hallway to the bathroom. You barely make it before hurling up your guts. 

After that, you start wearing long sleeves wherever you go.

It’s not that you’re ashamed, you tell yourself as you bite your lip and try your utmost to fade into the background whenever the topic comes up in conversation, it’s just that… other people aren’t always so accepting.

You’ve tried to get used to the disgusted looks, the invasive questions and the insults that follow you wherever you go, but it’s easier said than done. You hate that your cheeks still burn scarlet whenever you catch someone staring at your marks, almost as much as you hate the way you quickly duck your head in shame and race to fix your sleeve.

‘It’s okay, honey. I know it’s not what you expected but… it just means there’s one more person out there waiting to love you with everything they have. You’re twice as lucky as the rest of us,’ your father had told you on that horrible day. You just wished it hadn’t sounded like he was trying to convince himself at the same time.

***

You’re seventeen and the first boy who kisses you tries to shove your hand down his pants because he knows you’ve got two names on your wrist, and that means you’re up for anything, right?

You run home with tears streaming down your face and when you shower that night you scrub at the marks like you’re trying to erase them entirely.

What did having two names mean really? That one wasn’t enough? Would they be content sharing you? Would they even know of the other’s existence?

You could only imagine how horrifying it would be for them, spending months, years waiting for you only to realise that they didn’t really have all of you…

Would they hate you? Could you even blame them if they did?

Sometimes… sometimes you think it might be better if you didn’t have a soulmate at all, instead of this. It’s easier just to ignore it, pretend they don’t exist, pretend that you’re not gonna ruin their lives. Who knows, maybe you’ll be one of those few who never actually meet their soulmates. You can live with that, you think. You have a family who love you, a bunch of close friends who’d die for you - who needs stupid soulmates?

***

It’s the morning after your 18th birthday, your head is still pounding from the alcohol and bad decisions from the night before when your curiosity finally gets the better of you. It’s the modern age, most people live their lives online, you figure you’ll find a facebook page, a twitter account maybe.

Instead, the first item that comes up in your search is a video. It’s a news segment about a volleyball game - some high school team that you’ve never heard of, but you listen to the commentator talk and your heart leaps into your throat because they mention the Ace by name and suddenly there he is. Tall, dark haired and imposing - Ushijima Wakatoshi.

But you don’t even have a moment to breathe, to focus on the absolute beast that is your second soulmate and his terrifying spike because the camera shifts and suddenly there’s another player in focus. Tall, gangly with bright, spiky red hair and a too-wide grin, “-not the only player in the spotlight after today’s match; Shiratorizawa’s middle blocker, the so called ‘Guess Monster’ Tendou Satori-”

You close the browser window and slam your laptop shut.

They’re… friends, or teammates at the very least.

It feels like a bad dream you can’t wake up from. This whole thing is already messy enough, but you can’t get in the middle of that, you refuse to make everything worse for them just because the fates have decided to play a cruel joke on you.

If there were any lingering doubt left in your mind that you’re better off burying your soulmates, they’re well and truly put to bed.

That night, you dream of a cheering crowd, the thwack of a volleyball ricocheting off a vinyl floor and two menacing figures looming over you.

With your final exams around the corner, it’s almost too easy to put the video and your soulmates out of your mind as you throw yourself into studying. Months pass in the blink of an eye and suddenly you’re dressed in black robes and holding your high school diploma. You celebrate with your friends, dancing wildly with a care-free grin long into the night because you know you’re finally getting out of there for good. Tokyo’s a big city, you’ll lose yourself there and nobody, not a single damned soul, will know about the two names that grace your wrist. It’s as close to freedom as you’re ever gonna get - and god that makes you so fucking happy.

Your bags are packed and you’re holding your parents as they sob and then, like that, you’re gone. 

Tokyo awaits.

***

It’s not that easy to outrun fate.

Living in Tokyo ain’t cheap, even for the shitty little shoebox apartment you rent while you’re studying. You manage to find a job at one of the Americanised diner style cafes just down the road from where you live two weeks after moving in. It’s popular with students because it’s open till late, the coffee’s good and the waffles are exactly what the doctor ordered after a long night of drinking with your friends. You’re just happy because the pay’s pretty decent and your boss lets you bring in your laptop and textbooks so you can study when it’s not too busy. You’re not nearly as thrilled about the short, revealing blue dress that serves as your uniform, but you know when to pick your battles.

It’s a little after one o’clock on a slow Tuesday night, the cafe’s almost empty and you’re propped up on your elbows along the countertop, absentmindedly thumbing through one of your assigned readings for class tomorrow when you hear the tell-tale chime of the door opening.

You hastily shove your books aside, plastering a wide if not a little artificial smile across your face, you glance up to greet the customers, only to freeze in place.

Your heart skips a beat.

Of all the cafes in the sprawling city, of course your soulmate has to walk into this one.

With his wild, spiked red hair and easy, sloping grin, Tendou’s unmistakable as he strides through the cafe with two other guys you can only assume are his friends. You suppose you should be a little relieved that he barely spares you a glance as the threesome make a beeline for one of the corner booths, but it’s hard to feel anything other than blind panic at the sight of your soulmate only a few feet away. It’s purely out of habit that you reach for your wrist and the skin coloured bandage hiding your traitorous marks, and you allow yourself to breathe the tiniest sigh of relief when you feel it still in place.

A loud cackle bursts through the quiet atmosphere of the cafe and you dart a glance over to see Tendou with his head thrown back laughing at something one of the others has said. There’s an uncomfortable fluttering in your stomach and your cheeks redden just a touch. It’s not an awful sound (not at all), but your pulse is racing and you think you just might be sick because this is all… too much.

You’d left them in the past along with whatever fairytale fantasies you thought having a soulmate would bring. You… you’re happy being alone and coping just fine without either one of them! They were a dream - a distant possibility you’d long since locked away, you weren’t supposed to ever actually see them!

At least it’s only Tendou, you think you might actually combust if they were both here. Still, there’s a faint tremor in your hand as you brush a lock of hair out of your face and try to regain control of your breathing.

As much as you’d like to run, or preferably, have the earth suddenly open up and swallow you whole, you know you can’t. For one, you’re the only server left until close and your boss might be easy going but somehow you doubt he’d let you keep your job after a stunt like that. More importantly, you have a sinking suspicion that causing a fuss will only draw his attention and that’s the last thing you want. He doesn’t know who you are, your mark is safely tucked away under your bandages, this will be fine.

It’s an hour and a half until close, he and his friends will get some food, eat, drink and chat amongst themselves and then you can kick them out and it’ll all be over. You barely have to interact with him. For all he knows you’re just a server in a random cafe - this will be fine.

Robotically you force your legs to move, carrying you towards your oblivious soulmate. You’re pretty sure that your smile’s a little off and you haven’t quite managed to quell the shaking in your hands as you reach for your notepad, flipping it open.

It’s the best you can do, especially when there’s a voice inside your head that’s all but begging for you to turn around and pretend this whole thing never happened. 

Tendou appears to be thoroughly engrossed in whatever story he’s telling his friends, waving his arms around wildly when you reach their table. Normally you’d clear your throat politely and wait for them to settle down before introducing yourself and asking for their order, but when you open your mouth - nothing comes out. It’s like your whole throat has suddenly dried up and you’re just standing there gaping like an idiot, but Tendou hasn’t even noticed.

The ashy blonde to his left, however, does. His eyes flicker to you and you swear that you can see the faintest trace of amusement as he takes you in. He smirks, quickly shoving an elbow into the redhead’s side and jerking his chin in your direction. 

“Hey loudmouth, pipe down would you?”

Your breath catches as he turns around to look up at you and grins, “Ah, sorry. Didn’t see ya there!” 

The other two have picked up their menus again, but for whatever reason just as Tendou’s gaze starts to slide off of you, something catches his attention and stops him in his tracks. Like a magpie spotting something shiny in the distance, those big, droopy red eyes suddenly widen and zero back in with unnerving interest. Frozen with that fake, half hearted smile painted across your lips you feel strangely like a bug caught under a microscope as Tendou studies you - there’s really no other way to describe it. His head tilts to the side and he makes a low noise from the back of his throat that almost sounds pleased.

He can’t know, there’s no possible way, but if he doesn’t then why the hell is he staring at you like that?

It’s all you can do to remain rooted in place, your heart hammering so loudly against your ribs that you’re sure they have to be able to hear it too. Whatever he’s searching for he apparently finds because his grin widens and he leans back in his seat and chuckles. “Why’d you look so nervous, we’re not gonna bite - promise!” 

The other guy at the table rolls his eyes, “Tendou, don’t scare the pretty waitress, she’s just trying to do her job,” he chastises, offering you an apologetic smile that does little to ease your nerves. “Don’t mind him, he’s an idiot, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

You swallow and hum in faint acknowledgment, and he takes that as a sign to begin his order. 

You were hoping that they were just going to get some drinks and be out of your hair, but as he starts listing off various snacks and appetizers to share and the ashy blonde throws out a few more, it looks like your nightmare is only just beginning.

You nod dutifully, writing it all down. The cook is just going to love you for this, but there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. “Anything else?” you ask in a voice that just barely passes for what your boss deems ‘customer service appropriate’, decidedly not looking towards the redhead who is still staring at you.

He hasn’t looked at the menu once since you walked over, actually you doubt he’s looked at the menu at all, but it doesn’t seem to matter because he pipes up regardless, “Yep, one of those thickshakes, you know - the really good strawberry one, annnd-”

“Y/N, order up!!”

Your soul leaves your body at the exact same moment that Tendou’s pupils dilate and snap to your wrist.

The pen in your hand is shaking, your grip so tight that it’s a wonder the flimsy plastic doesn’t shatter as you turn to glance over your shoulder. The cook is leaning out across the overpass, staring at you with a scowl and vaguely you register the hot plate of food in front of him which can’t have been sitting there for more than a minute at the most. You give a weak nod, earning you a dismissive grunt in response, before turning back to the table.

All three of them are staring wide eyed and open mouthed at you. 

Fuck. 

They know. They have to know.

You should have legged it when you had the chance.

Breathe. Smile. Play dumb. This is fine.

“A-anything el-”

“Somethin’ wrong with your wrist?” Tendou asks slowly, eyeing the bandage like he wants nothing more than to snatch it up and rip it away from you. His fingers flex and you don’t even have time to brace before they’re shooting out towards you-

A hand catches his forearm before he can touch you - it’s his friend, the dark haired one with the crew cut, who’s currently staring down the erratic redhead with a distinct frown. 

It’s the blonde who speaks up, “Sorry, he’s had a few drinks tonight. The idiot sometimes forgets his manners in public.”

The music is still playing in the background, somebody laughs at the table a few down from theirs, but in this little pocket, trapped between the three of them with the tension thick enough to slice with a knife, the silence is oppressive.

And then Tendou’s attention shifts back to you and your stomach flips - it’s like the floor has disappeared beneath your feet and you’re suddenly careening through the empty air with no hope in hell of slowing down.

He looks… well, mad is the wrong word. Tendou is technically smiling, but his grin stretched slightly too wide, his eyes a little too intense. There’s an emotion you can’t name etched across his pale features, and it’s unsettling… it scares you a little, if you’re being honest.

You swallow and take a tiny, shaking breath. “I-it’s fine. I tripped last week and sprained it.”

“Clumsy, are you?” he asks, prying himself free of his friend’s grip.

A laugh forces its way out, grating and too sharp to be believable. “Yeah, I guess. Your food won’t be too long, if you need anything else, just- just let me know.”

You don’t give them a chance to respond as you all but flee the table. You’re shaking and almost in tears by the time you reach the kitchen, the cook takes one look at you, a grumpy admonishment on the tip of his tongue, and falters.

They stay until close, and you avoid them like the plague.

Hours later, lying tucked up in your bed your skin still prickles from the thought of Tendou’s piercing stare. Maybe if you’d kept some kind of a level head through it all instead of acting like a flustered school girl, he might have just passed it all off as a coincidence. 

But you hadn’t, had you?

It wasn’t just that he knew who you were to him (and to Ushijima) but that after all your blushing and stammering, the pitiful attempts at hiding your soulmate marks and the way you all but ran from him the very first moment you could, he had to know that you knew as well. That despite coming face to face with your soulmate, you lied - you rejected him.

You mom once told you that the first time she laid eyes on her soulmate the world stopped spinning and all she felt was joy. Maybe there’s something wrong with you after all, because despite the insistent tug in your heart, you just feel sick. Despite being exhausted after your long shift, sleep that night doesn’t come easy.

It’s two days later that you find yourself back in the cafe, working a rare day shift on your only week-days off from classes. You keep glancing up at the door every few minutes, half dreading the possibility that any moment, Tendou and his friends are going to walk in, but they don’t. 

Ushijima does, a little after the lunch rush dies down.

He looks so out of place against the vibrant backdrop of the 50’s style diner, all serious and stoic, that if he were anybody else you might think he was lost. 

But he isn’t lost, because he’s staring right at you.

You don’t notice one of your co-workers sliding up to you until they laugh and playfully nudge your side. “Ah, I see the eye candy is back. Try and pick up your jaw, Y/N,” they tease.

Back?

Instead of finding an empty table to sit himself down at (and give you a minute to mentally prepare) Ushijima is making his way straight over to the counter, unsmiling and huge. How was he even bigger in person?! He could crush you with his thighs alone!

“He’s been here before?” you ask quietly, unable to draw your gaze away from him. 

Your co-worker snorts. “Yeah, he came in last night, he even asked for you by name. Seemed kinda disappointed when I told him you weren’t on until today. You holding out on me, Y/N? I thought we were closer than that. You know you’re supposed to tell me when you start dating a hot ass dude!”

They slip away with a wink before you even have a chance to respond and you’re left floundering as Ushijima approaches. Your mouth is dry, your pulse racing. Just like with Tendou, you have no escape, nowhere you can run or hide.

He asked for you by name.

Fuck. You should have quit when you had the chance.

Ushijima isn’t smiling. Where Tendou had been beaming with chaotic energy from the moment he walked in, your second soulmate seems almost stony as he stares at you with serious olive eyes. You honestly can’t tell if he’s frowning or if that’s just the way his face is, but it makes your gut twist regardless. 

It might also be the fact that he’s towering over you without even trying to. He has to be at least 6’3” but it’s not just his height that’s imposing - he’s brawny and muscular and, yeah, huge. Briefly you remember the news clip you’d seen of him, the terrifying brute force behind his spike. 

He seems to be waiting for you to speak, so you swallow down the lump in your throat and try to remember how to breathe like a normal person. “Hi, can I get you anything?”

Something briefly flickers across his face, but otherwise his expression remains distressingly neutral. “… I would like some tea.”

You nod - it’s like pulling teeth. “Yeah, sure. We uh, we actually have a few different kinds…”

He makes a rough noise of acknowledgement and then… pauses. Instead of the menu, Ushijima studies you. His lips twitch into the faintest hint of a… smile? You can’t quite tell, but it looks out of place regardless. “I will have whichever you recommend.”

You can’t seem to be able to form words, so you settle with nodding, gesturing for him to take a seat while he waits. 

His eyes don’t shift from you, nor does he make any attempt to mask the fact that he’s staring right at you. When his tea is ready, you all but beg your co-worker to take it to him. 

“Trouble in paradise?” they ask, waggling their eyebrows.

“It’s not like that,” you mutter, but they take the tea regardless, and you busy yourself in wiping down tables and pretending that you can’t see the scowl from the volleyball player burning across the diner. 

It really isn’t. 

Even after tucking any thought of meeting your soulmates away there was always some tiny part of you - a part you were always so desperate to ignore - that wondered how it would feel to meet them, to be loved by them…

But while your heart squeezes with every glance, it’s not warm, dizzying bliss that floods your system and sends blood rushing to your cheeks. You don’t know what the feeling is that curls in your stomach and claws its way up your spine, but it’s nothing good. 

Something went wrong with you, this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

Ushijima stays for an hour, finishes his tea and makes his way back to the counter to pay. 

He's wearing a grey hoodie, running gear underneath, and when he hands you the money, passing it directly into hands, his sleeve rides up. There, plain as day, is his soulmate mark.

Your name, written in black ink on Ushijima's wrist, forever marking you as his.

You jerk, flinching away from him, but he doesn’t make a move to cover it. 

“You cannot run from us, Y/N. We are your soulmates, we’re bound together.” His voice is little more than a murmur, but there’s an edge to it, sharp and pointed. Not so much a statement as a fact, as undeniable as your name on his skin, on Tendou’s.

He says it like it’s a promise, staring into your eyes with that impenetrable gaze and for a moment you forget how to breathe.

“Why are you so determined to fight it?”

You swallow, taking the cash from his hand and punching it into the till. “I’m sorry, whoever you think I am…” you trail off, finally raising your eyes to meet his penetrating stare. You’re quietly proud of the way your voice doesn’t shake, even as your heart races like a hummingbird in your chest and your palms sweat. “I’m not.”

The only sign that Ushijima hears you at all is the subtle furrowing of his brow and a distinctly displeased hum from the back of his throat. 

“I hope you enjoyed your tea.” The cutting barb slips from your lips before you can stop them, but there’s a certain vindictive satisfaction you get in watching his eyes widen, the brief hurt that flickers across his face. 

Of course, it only lasts a fraction of a second before his features school into a blank mask and he nods.

“Perhaps I will try another the next time I see you.”

And with a short bow, he walks away.

You leave your apron behind when you finish your shift at the diner, and you don’t come back.

There will be other jobs.

***

It’s not enough. 

They start showing around campus. 

The first time you catch sight of Tendou, you’re running between classing, cursing the ridiculous schedule that has you attending two back to back lectures on opposite sides of the campus. It’s just a glance - a flicker of red in the corner of your eye. The only reason you stop at all is because you're so focused on not being late that you fail to see the crack in the path until you’re tripping over it. The books in your hand go flying as you sprawl across the pavement.

“Huh, you really weren’t kidding about being clumsy, were ya?”

A pale hand stretches out before you, and just like with Ushijima, Tendou doesn’t bother hiding the soulmate mark as he grins down at you with those wide, creepy eyes. 

You ignore it entirely, waving it away as you pick yourself up with a grunt. The skin on one of your palms is grazed, and you’re pretty sure that your knees are too, but all in all it could be worse. It’s more your pride that smarts, that and the fact that of all people to see you trip, it has to be him.

“Aw, don’t be like that, baby. I’m only try’na help you!”

You scowl, snatching your textbooks out of his offered hands. “I’m not your baby, Tendou,” you mutter.

You regret the words immediately. His grin slowly widens and he makes a sound, somewhere between a shudder and a moan - it’s almost pornogaphic and wholly inappropriate and it sends blood rushing to your cheeks, but you don’t have time to think about it. 

“I’m already late, just-” you break off with a sigh, readjusting the strap of your backpack, staring resolutely at the ground. “I’m not what you want, what… what either of you want. Just leave me alone, okay?!”

Tendou doesn’t say a word as you walk away, but just like always you feel the burning stare following you until you’re out of sight. 

Somewhat stupidly, you think that’ll be the end of it. The gloves are off - you might not have said it in as many words, but there’s no point denying it any longer. They are your soulmates and it doesn’t change a thing.

There is something wrong with your bond.

But they don’t see it like that. 

They figure out your schedule, take it in turns to wait outside your classes, ambushing you whenever you’re alone. 

“I have a game tomorrow,” Ushijima tells you on a rainy Thursday afternoon as he follows you home. “I would like for you to come.”

It doesn’t seem to bother him that you walk a few steps ahead (or try to at least - his legs are ridiculously long) with your head bent down, ignoring the steady rainfall that threatens to saturate you. Tendou usually fights for your attention, grabs at your hands, your waist, any part he can reach just to touch you, but Ushiwaka seems content to merely be near - so long as you stray too far.

“I have exams to study for.”

He hums noncommittally, “Tendou will be there.”

All the more reason not to go. 

The silence between you two is heavy.

“It would make me… happy, if you came,” he tries again.

Your eyes squeeze shut for just a moment. You hate it when he does this, when he acts like you’re the one being stubborn. Like you haven’t told him, told them both to stop a thousand times before. Like they haven’t ignored it at every turn, blatantly refused to acknowledge that you don’t want them like they want you.

Shouldn’t ‘no’ have been enough?

You’ve considered reporting it to campus security, or even the police, maybe trying to get a restraining order or something like that, but what would you even say - ‘Please Officer, sir, my soulmates are stalking me’? Yeah, that’ll go down a real fucking treat. 

“Why…” you trail off with a sigh, forcing yourself to stop walking.

This time he does reach for you, taking your hand in his. It’s warm and rough from years of volleyball and hard work, and you hate that it’s already so familiar. His expression is as stoic as ever, but there’s a quiet reverence in his eyes as he looks at you, as if he can’t quite believe you’re really there with him. You suppose in another light, it might almost look romantic, the two of you holding hands under his umbrella, lost in your own little world as the rain pours down around you.

He seems to be waiting for you to finish your thought, so you buck up whatever dregs of courage you still have and try again, “Why can’t you just… move on? I don’t want this- this thing, whatever it is between us.” You sigh, tugging your hand back, “I just want to be alone, why can’t you respect that?!”

He doesn’t answer for a long moment, staring at you, his thumb rubbing back and forth along the back of your palm.

But then he shrugs, easily, as if you’re merely discussing the weather and not their continued overbearing and unwanted presence in your life. “We love you. More than anything, and despite your… reservations, we belong together, what other reason does there need to be?” He pauses, his gaze softening just a fraction, “You’ll come around eventually,” he adds.

A tiny part of you crumples at that. What’s the use in arguing with a brick wall?

***

It’s a minor relief when you walk out of your last lecture for the day the following afternoon. It might be because it’s a Friday and you, for once, have absolutely no plans for the weekend, but realistically it’s more to do with the fact that you know no one is waiting for you outside. Ushijima has his volleyball game, and Tendou will be there with him, cheering from the sidelines. 

You should be happier, really, but there’s a pit in your stomach that’s been there since Ushijima left you at your door last night. 

They’re not going to stop. 

Instead of listening to the professor talk, you’ve spent the last three hours searching university transfers. You love Tokyo University, you love Tokyo - the big, bustling city you’d gladly lose yourself in again and again, but it can’t be your home, not when they’re here too.

There’s a University in Kyoto, it has a similar program to the one you’re already in. It’s a surprisingly easy process to change - your grades are decent enough, all you have to is apply. One simple click of a button. It’ll take a few weeks for it all to go through, which’ll give you enough time to figure out how you’re gonna upend your entire life without them realising - assuming of course that Kyoto university accepts the request.

If you soulmates won’t let you go, you’ll run, and you’ll keep running. Maybe you’re wrong, maybe one day you’ll look back at them and feel that same love for them that you’d seen in your parents instead of that black, cloying unease that twists at your guts, but so long as they don’t give the choice, what options do you have?

You’re not stupid, this… thing that they’re doing, the stalking, monopolising your time, trying to drive your friends away, it’s not the end game. What happens when they get tired of you ignoring them?

“Hey, Y/N wait up!”

For a moment your heart seizes, but it calms almost immediately when you realise the voice isn’t the one you’re afraid of. 

You turn to find one of the guys from your last lecture walking over. He’s kinda cute, in a lost puppy kind of way, and he’s nice, for the three conversations you’ve actually had with him. Honestly you’re a little surprised he actually knows your name (considering you’ve definitely forgotten his) but you smile back regardless. “Hey, what’s up?”

“You doing anything tonight?”

Netflix and crashing early, but you’re hardly about to tell him that, “Not much, why?”

He smiles, and for a moment you’re taken aback by just how utterly endearing it is. He really is cute. “Me and a few friends are having a party tonight, you’re uh, you’re welcome to come. Y’know, if you’re not doing anything,” he says with a laugh, throwing in a wink for good measure.

But his smile fades a little as he catches a glimpse of something behind you. You frown at the odd reaction, turning instinctively to see what drew his attention when a weight drapes across your shoulders and you find yourself being pulled into a sideways embrace.

“There you are, baby! I was starting to think you’d gotten lost,” a familiar voice drawls. “Who’s your friend?”

You can’t see Tendou’s expression as he rests his chin on your shoulder, but from the way your classmate blanches you can imagine that it’s not pleasant. Still you have to give him credit, he only falters for a second before he’s rubbing the back of his neck and offering a sheepish smile, “Oh, hey, uh… yeah, I’m-”

“Punching a little above your weight, dont’cha think?” Tendou cuts him off with a snort, nuzzling in just a little closer. You can feel the warmth of his breath against your neck as he tilts his head to whisper in your ear, “I thought Ushiwaka told you about the game tonight.”

You shiver, although whether it’s from his softly edged words or the kiss he presses against your cheek, you’re not entirely sure. “He did, I-I told him that I had to study…”

Tendou laughs, squeezing you tighter, “Psh, is that all? Baby, we can help you study later. C’mon, or we’re gonna miss the start of the game.”

And like that he’s tugging you away. With Tendou’s arm wrapped snugly around you, you don’t even have a chance to turn around and apologise to the guy. He’s done it purposefully, a reminder you suppose of who you belong to - though for your classmate’s benefit or yours you honestly don’t know. 

Ushijima’s already on the court by the time Tendou and you arrive at your seats (front row of course) but he glances over as you both settle down and his lips quirk into the faintest hint of a smile.

It would make me… happy, if you came, he’d said.

You don’t miss the razor sharp, anticipatory gleam in his eyes, though. 

He destroys the competition. You still remember that brief clip you’d seen years ago of his brutal spike - it seems like time has only served to make it more lethal. The rest of his team is undeniably good, you doubt Ushijima would join a club made up of anything less than the best, but still, he’s in his element and without a single doubt the strongest on the court. 

For every point he scores, Tendou cheers wildly. Halfway through the second set you can see that every player on the other side hates Ushijima - if the scowls and muttered snarls they’re shooting his way are anything to go by. You can’t exactly say you blame them for it either. They’re demoralised and angry, frustrated by the huge Ace and his indomitable force and even though he’s not a part of the team, Tendou revels in it. There’s a song he starts to sing, some inane jig that flows too naturally to have been made up on the spot. You can almost imagine him on the court beside Ushiwaka, singing it after stealing point after point from the other team. The two of them must have made a formidable team on the court.

They still do, you suppose.

You’ve never been one for volleyball, or sports in general, but even you can’t deny the sense of feral anticipation in the air as Ushijima steps up to serve on match point. Tendou has his hand wrapped tightly around yours, leaning forward in his seat to watch the spectacle. You can’t say you blame him.

You might hate him, but you can’t deny that his serves are a sight to behold. Your heart thumps as he throws the balls up, runs and launches himself into the air. His legs are arched, his form perfect and you still can’t quite believe how high he manages to get considering his size -

And then he hits the ball, palm slamming into the leather with a resounding smack - it flies over the net, damn near knocks the poor Libero off his feet as he tries to save it, but even that isn’t enough to stop it. The ball ricochets off his receive, spinning into the crowd and just like that - it’s all over. 

Ushijima roars in victory, and Tendou turns to you, red eyes wild and delighted. You don’t have a moment to breathe, much less prepare yourself before his lips are crashing against your own. 

The deafening cheers of the stadium fade out. 

You can feel his racing pulse as he clutches you close, the unrepentant enthusiasm that pours through him as his tongue dances across your bottom lip, begging for entry. You’re stuck still, frozen in place as your soulmate steals his first kiss.

Somehow when you pictured this moment as a little girl, you didn’t imagine that it would be fear that floods your veins, that the soft, breathless laugh that Tendou gives as he pulls away and rests his forehead against yours would scare you instead of making you feel safe and loved.

They walk you home together. It’s unnerving enough with just one of them, but with both your soulmates flanking you you’re more on edge than usual. 

Or maybe it’s the slightly weird energy you can sense between the two of them. Tendou hasn’t stopped grinning since he kissed you and Ushijima still seems a little wired from his win. He hasn’t said much since the three of you left the stadium, but he’s holding you closer than normal, an arm slung low across your back, his fingers brushing possessively along your hip. 

God, Kyoto can’t happen fast enough. 

There’s a lump in your throat as you reach your apartment. They’d offered to take you out for dinner after the game finished - to celebrate Ushiwaka’s crushing victory over ‘those poor assholes’ as Tendou had put it - but despite the pit of hunger in your stomach, you’d politely refused. The less time spent with them the better.

Surprisingly, both Tendou and Ushijima had taken it in stride without so much as a peep.

But now you’re at the front door, keys in hand and Ushijima still has his arm draped around you. It’s not like they haven’t been in this position before, but despite all their gentle cajoling (well, gentle is relative - Tendou whines petulantly and Ushijhima just seems to hover silently like an overgrown bat) they’ve never actually been inside your apartment. 

It’s your one sanctuary, and you very much want to keep it that way.

“Y’know, ‘Toshi and I’ve been thinking,” Tendou begins, snatching the keys out of your hand before you can stop him, chuckling and swatting at you when you try and grab them back. “Me ‘n the big guy, we really do love you, baby - head over heels, heart racing, butterflies in your stomach kinda love. It’s kinda sappy, actually. You have no idea how happy you’ve made us.”

The key slides into the lock and he twists it, pushing your door wide open. His eyes flash to yours and he grins, bowing as he gestures towards the open apartment. Your open apartment.

An invitation.

You blanch. “Um, I-I don’t think-”

Stupid of you to think you ever had a choice in the matter - Ushijima’s arm is an iron wall against your back, pushing you forward as he crosses the threshold. 

Tendou follows behind the two of you, and the click of the door shutting behind you echoes far too loudly in your small apartment. He tosses the keys into the little dish on the kitchen counter - where they always go when you’re at home - and winks at you.

“I mean we are your soulmates so I ‘spose it’s kind of a given.” He shrugs, leaning back against the countertop, folding his arms over his chest. “But we can’t help but notice that you seem a little… uneasy around us. And I get it, baby, really I do. You’re just a little shy - it’s cool.”

Your heart leaps into your throat as Ushijima’s fingers curl around your jaw and he tilts your face to the side to meet his intense stare, “You’re being unnecessarily stubborn,” he elaborates.

A flicker of amusement dances in Tendou’s eyes at his bluntness. “We tried it your way - taking it slow and steady, trying to ease you in but, well… I think we can all agree your way isn’t working all that great.”

Your eyes snap back to him, “What?”

His grin widens, “So we figured it’s time we try it our way. We’ve been so good, baby! D’ya have any idea how hard it’s been to hold ourselves back?”

Ushijima’s grip is unrelenting, but that doesn’t stop you from frantically trying to fight your way out of it as Tendou pushes off the counter and stalks over to the two of you.

“You’re so fucking pretty,” he murmurs, “Been waiting so long for this. Wanted to fuck you on the tables back in the diner in that cute lil’ uniform of yours.” He smirks down at you, his pupils blown wide and dripping with lust. 

No. No, no, no! You shake your head frantically as he closes in, “Stop, wait! Let me go, LET ME GO! I-I don’t want-”

Your panicked words are cut off as Ushijima suddenly spins you around to face him. His hand cups your cheek, enveloping it entirely, and his broad thumb strokes the soft skin gently. “We’re not going to hurt you, little one. You just need to see - to feel what we feel for you.”

Whatever retort you have is swallowed up as he closes the gap between you and kisses you. He’s demanding - unrelenting - forcing your mouth open so that his tongue can taste yours. Distantly you register Tendou slotting in behind you, the unmistakable bulge that presses against your ass as he attaches himself to your neck. “Shh, baby,” he murmurs between kisses, fingers sliding to the hem of your top. “Let your soulmates take care of you, hm?”

It’s not like you’ve ever had a choice in the matter.

[ryuji-ramen]

Phantom Thieves online school headcanons

Joker: Camera and microphone is always “broken” unless it’s for a grade and usually responds in chat- barely anyone has seen his face or heard his voice.

Ryuji: Dog barking and general chaos in the background when he unmutes, and the microphone quality is fucked. Once, he accidentally forgets to turn off his camera and the class could see him playing darts in the corner of his room.

Ann: Can be seen using chromebook camera to put on makeup in first period and eating pastries during the others.

Yusuke: Shares the wrong window during online critique and doesn’t know how to unshare, taking up a good chunk of time. Feels frustrated that he can’t experience the quality of his peer’s art on his cheap little school laptop.

Makoto: Keeps camera on and actually pays attention, and still wears uniform even though it’s not required. Always says good morning and goodbye to the teacher. When there’s an awkward silence after anyone asks a question she’s the first to speak up. 

Futaba: Likes using cryptic camera background filters, and knows how to do things like stream a VTuber model. Can easily hack zoom or microsoft teams to give herself admin rights. Joins calls she’s not supposed to be in (that her friends are in) when she’s bored, or just plays video games.

Haru: Same as Makoto, though she wears her silk jammies. Sometimes goes on her garden balcony with her laptop to attend class outside. When the weather’s nice, she makes a habit of doing her homework there too.

Morgana: Walks all over Joker’s keyboard 

[stubbedbakutoes]

Ignorance is Bliss

*TW: body image issues* (y/n) overhears Todoroki badmouthing a certain insecurity of hers in front of his friends.

pairing: todoroki x fem reader

genre: angst i guess

word count: 1.3k

masterlist

//

(y/n)’s the type of person who'll go "Holy shit I’m an irresistible human being" one moment and then she's going, "ha ha who am I kidding I've got zero attractive traits," but it’s all a part of growing up and slowly learning to accept herself, she suspected.  

She's progressively learning to love herself, because she's got Todoroki as a boyfriend, a man who’s the expert in telling her that she's "so, so perfect," and whenever Y/N says as much, she'd get a disbelieving scoff and then a list, almost, about why she's apparently so good-looking inside out whenever Y/N started to doubt herself, doubt him, doubt everything and anything.

Todoroki's the one who's been all "you're so sexy," and "I don't understand how you don't see it, baby," and "if I'm a six then you're literally off the charts". He's been the one to slowly but surely coax her into loving herself, to making her do things (like going on a diet, or to the gym) because she wants to – not for the sake of fitting into society's standards of beauty.    

One day Y/N entered his house whilst making sure that her presence remained unknown for the surprise visit to be successful. Then, the sound of some video game echoed around the house, followed by the voices of Todoroki's best friends.

"Not really, guys." She heard Todoroki scoff obnoxiously. "I mean, her legs though. Sometimes her thighs takes so much space, more than me, even when I'm manspreading since it flattens out to the size of an island, or something." He complained, and just laughed like he hadn't just said something insensitive and heartbreaking thing for (y/n) .  

Usually they'd be laughing with her – not at her – but shit happens and now they're too preoccupied laughing over her for them to have noticed her come in.

She can tolerate criticism from some strangers online or even face to face. (y/n) takes those words in her stride, beaming at them, even, as they spit out their insensitivity to her. When it comes from Todoroki, who was all cold on the outside but is dimpled grins and endless, selfless love for everyone around him – that. That she can't handle.

Y/N can't help but think if all his body positivity been a joke all along. Like a bad fan fiction, where Todoroki actually has a split personality wherein he's a massive playboy who'd lost a bet and had to be all lovey-dovey with her until a certain length of time. (y/n) hoped that in the process he saw through her flaws and fell for her, hard. But god damn, it seemed to far-fetched from how passionate Todoroki sounded while hating on her earlier.

If he did turn out to be a massive twat, then (y/n)'s made a grave mistake by falling for this asshole's cheap tricks, hasn't she? She'd been too blinded by love that she's never thought there would come a day where she would regret falling for him. Looking back at how she believed that Todoroki and her were going to last was too naive of her. This must be one of the most gut-wrenching feelings she's ever experienced. It's true when they say ignorance is bliss.

Y/N inhaled deeply. I've got to be logical about this. She contemplated, bringing a hand to her forehead. Can't just immediately jump to conclusions, right?    

She took a couple steps into the house, plastering on a grin. whilst hiding her thighs with the tote bag placed near the front porch, for some reason. With a glance to the wall clock, she realised that she's been gone far longer than she thought and that the guys he was previously chatting with are out of the picture.

"Hey," (y/n) greeted, almost nervously, before she yelled at herself internally because she's got to be all nonchalant about this, afraid of blowing up her cover. Didn't want to give her boyfriend more things to list about things he hated about her, did she?  

"(y/n)! Come here, baby." Todoroki called from the living room, head tilted back and lips immediately lifting into a grin as she came into his line of vision. He lovingly grabbed onto her hands and tugged her down to sit her on his lap like how they routinely do. But if he thinks that my thighs are big as fuck, he must also think that I'm, like, too heavy.   

So with a forced laugh, she refused his offer and sat on the sofa beside him, rushing to a rest a square pillow on her thighs as she gave him a tight-lipped smile, earning a small laugh from him.

"Cuddle." He demanded, almost, much like a greedy child, making grabbing hands towards her.   

Y/N poked her tongue out at him, "Not now," she said in a playful tone – so practiced and perfect. Normally she'd agree right away, but it's obviously different this time because she's cross with him and also doesn't want to accidentally squash him or something.    

Minutes later, he's clearly waiting for her to let her guard down and then come cuddle him. But it never came. He's frowning now, “Ok, what’s wrong?”

“What?” (y/n) asked, pulling herself out of her day dream. "Oh I’m just-”

“And don’t say you’re just tired, we’ve been together long enough for me to know there’s something bothering you.” He said, cutting her off from the usual excuse she would give to anyone.

(y/n) breathed in slowly, eyes darting to the pillow on her lap, "I, uhm. I heard you talking about me just now."  

"You were here earlier?"  

"Went in, then stayed there for awhile, 'cos I – doesn't matter. I was just a bit... I guess, hurt, is all. I'm fine now, though, honestly."  

"Why were you – " he started, then his shoulders are tensing and his eyes are widening as his eyes dart down to the pillow on her lap and he's instantly cursing. "You heard me say that thing about you – about your – fuck. Baby, I'm sorry. I'd take it all back in a heartbeat. I didn't mean it like that, I didn't mean it at all. I just — It just. I'm sorry, baby, please don't be dissapointed. I love you so much," He looked at her from head to toe, his eyes glimmering with adoration. "I love all of you. Every bit of you."  

"It's no big deal, anyway," Y/N mumbled quietly in response.    

"Ofcourse it is," Todoroki insistently shook his head and then scooted so much closer to her, literally hauling her into his lap. (y/n) choked out a squeal, trying to get out of his hold, but he held her down, hands on either sides of her hips like she's weighing nothing more than a leaf, or something. "Baby, please." His lips moved against her skin and she stopped struggling because he's so much stronger than her. "I'm so sorry. I'm a shitty boyfriend to even think that way about you, to my friends, too, but — I just." Todoroki sighed, dropping his forehead onto her shoulder.    

"This is some bullshit excuse but, but. I wanted to– pride. It was a pride thing 'cause they were saying shit like I was whipped, 'cause I kept praising you infront of them by going on and on about you being the epitome of beautiful and how I was insecure about you leaving me one day and how I don't think I'd be able to physically and emotionally cope with that. And I just... you get the gist. Fuck. Being a male is infuriating, honestly," Todoroki huffed out, pouting at the idea of his girlfriend in agony with a pained expression after hearing his insensitive words earlier.

He lifted his head up, placing a chaste kiss to her lips, "What I said – that thing about your thighs, or whatever, I don't even remember what I said 'cause they're right — I talk about you like you hung the moon and the stars and other sappy shit like that. Plus I literally find no fault with you. I love everything about you, baby. I bet I always will."  

She scoffed, then she's smiling, letting out a little laugh, this time it's genuine. I'm definitely in love with him. definitely don't regret it, either.   

[lala-ladybug]

Healing Hands: Chapter 6

Boss level, here we go!

Jasonette Sword Art Online AU

Read here on AO3

Tag list: @iloontjeboontje

First | Previous | Next

Chapter 6: Stranger danger!

It was a good thing Jason hadn’t taken his weapons or armor out of his inventory last night. He opened his inventory and donned a crimson cloak. Approaching the midtown news stand, he paid for a paper advertising the location of the first level dungeon and continued on his way.

Skimming the headline, it sounded like he had to go to the northeast mountains to find the entrance. The team hadn’t been able to justify buying horses yet, so he’d have to go on foot. Fine by him, more time to walk off his bad mood. And work out a plan.

He’d be in and out, just to see what type of a threat they were dealing with. He wasn’t stupid, but he wasn’t about to just wait around for Dick if he wasn’t going to make a move until they knew exactly what they were facing.

Jason put the paper away and pulled his hood over his head, the red fabric concealing his face. He had reached the road leading north out of town. He took a swig of water from his canteen, which he noted was half-full, and set out.

The walk was almost pleasant, if not for the number of travellers-- both players and NPCs alike-- that he ran into. He couldn’t be sure of their intentions, especially towards a lone player, so he’d duck into the nearest ditch or bush for cover until they’d passed.

The sun warmed his dark cloak, but not uncomfortably so. It felt like springtime here in the game, with tulips and wild daffodils blooming in small clusters by the road. Jason knew he should be back before dark, but that was a long ways away. He kept checking his compass to make sure he was heading the right way, but the path was very easy.

In the distance, he began to see mountains. Pulling out the paper he’d gotten from that morning, he checked that the dungeon entrance was along the slope of one of the mountains. When he reached a crossroads, he adjusted his course accordingly.

By then, his anger had all but faded. He still didn’t agree with Dick and he definitely still thought he was an ass, but he didn’t want to rip his head off over it. Literally. God, what a mess.

He stopped to buy some fresh bread from a family farm of NPCs a few miles before the base of the mountains. What a thorough game it was to have given the three children dimples. He wondered how much information their programming gave them. Did they know the players were forcefully kept here? Did they live the same, simple day-to-day lives? Or did they simply stop moving when players weren’t looking, like cheap animatronics.

Jason shook his head. Too much time alone with his thoughts was never a good idea. He almost missed the company of the others. He’d even settle for Garfield, that obnoxious green punk.

He sighed and continued on his way. It wasn’t even halfway, but there was no way in hell he’d turn around now. Every step he took was a step closer to getting out of this... admittedly pleasant hellscape.

A flock of birds lifted off from a field on his right. They swirled about in the sky, fluid as fabric. Each one moved on its own path and yet fit in as part of the whole. He stopped, watching the ebb and flow as they journeyed to find the next field to settle on.

That would never be him, a cog in the machine, no matter how beautiful. He had put his faith in people before and quite literally gotten burned for it. He scowled at the memory, a crowbar and a grin flashing through his mind. No, he was better off fending for himself. Always had been.

He decided to count his steps instead of face his thoughts for the remainder of the trip.

732 steps to the base of the mountain. He picked the leftmost path.

1056 steps until he needed to grapple around a rockslide.

409 steps before the mouth of a cave. The cave.

Jason confirmed one more time that this was the suspected entrance to the dungeon. He put away the paper, took a deep breath, and plunged into the darkness.

It was cold and damp. He didn’t want to risk a light, so he put a hand to the freezing walls as he walked. He tested every step with his toe, trying to avoid potential falls into the darkness in front of him.

Silence drew in around him, heavy and expectant. It dared him to light a torch and rush forward to face the boss himself. He knew it was a bad idea, but it called to the energy humming in his blood.

He breathed and pictured colors.

In and out, he would be in and out, just like his breaths.

It was hard to think of the cave as anything other than the grave he’d once been confined to, but stretching out both arms helped.

In and out.

He pictured blue.

The ceiling seemed to press down on him, nausea rising in his throat.

Blue skies and blue waters. He wasn’t trapped in here, he was free. Free as the birds in the fields.

Just when he thought he couldn’t stand it anymore, he glimpsed a faint light ahead. It flickered around a bend in the cave, and illuminated the stalactites that were over twenty feet above his head.

The cold sweat that coated his back started to dry, the tightness in his throat loosening. Taking in a deep breath of stale air, he surged towards that light.

He rounded the corner, crossbow drawn and ready. The light came from a burning torch, barely a stub left. The sound of metal clashing on metal caught his trained ears and his head whipped up.

An enormous doorway stood in front of him, huge doors left ajar. He saw a flash of movement beyond them. The noises were also clearer now, shouting punctured by roars that shook the walls. Pulling the hood of his cloak further over his face, he silently advanced.

Peering through the gap between the doors, he made quick work of taking it all in. The room was a long hallway, lined with tall columns and lit by torches. There were some rocks scattered about, which would provide good cover from the massive beast before him.

The monster was about fourteen feet tall of ugly with a large, red belly. It wore armored greaves and wielded a huge axe and a round shield. Its face had a dog-like snout framed by a form-fitting helmet. Red eyes glowed from within the helmet, and slobber dribbled from pointed teeth.

So basically a medieval Killer Croc. This was doable.

Jason was about to leave and report back when he heard a shout. “Kitty, ‘Gami, cover me!”

Before he could unpack that hell of a battle cry, a figure in black armor darted out from behind a column. They blew a raspberry at the boss, then somersaulted and wove just out of reach from its enraged blows. At the same time, someone with red and gold armor drew a rapier and began slicing at the boss’s feet.

A slight person with red armor stood from where they’d been crouched behind a rock on the far side of the room. They fired a longbow with devastating accuracy, and Jason watched in profile as the arrow pierced the monster’s eye. They disappeared just as fast.

The boss roared and started swinging wildly. The red and gold fighter danced out of the way, but tripped over a piece of rubble. Jason’s eyes widened as the monster gleefully brought its axe down upon the felled player.

It never met its target. The black armored person dove over their friend and raised a shield. The blow sent the two flying back to the columns, where they quickly limped for cover.

From Jason’s vantage point, he could see a figure in blue armor dart over to the two injured fighters. They shook their head, then whistled a series of notes. Answering whistles came from the last place he’d seen the red archer, and the three people stayed put.

“Queenie, Maneuver 18!” The archer, a girl he now realized, yelled. A fifth person, this one in golden armor, leapt onto the monster’s head from the top of a column near the ceiling. They took a flail out of their inventory and bashed the boss’s good eye, then flipped down to find cover opposite of the archer. All the while, the archer ran along the length of the hall, firing shots into the monster’s gut.

She slid neatly behind the rocks in front of Jason and glanced at the boss behind them. It was blinded now, bellowing furiously. The girl’s chest heaved with the effort of running.

With three of their fighters out of commission, he didn’t like their odds. Well, so much for in and out. Dick was going to kill him for this.

Jason waved until the girl in front of him noticed the movement. Her mouth, the only part of her face that wasn’t covered by her helmet, parted in surprise.

He somersaulted to join her spot of cover and said quietly, “I can help.” The monster had quieted down now and seemed to be listening intently.

She nodded, then pointed at him and then to his right. Pointed to herself, then to the left. She looked at him to verify he’d understood and he gave a thumbs up. 

She picked up a handful of pebbles and tossed them in front of the rocks they hid behind. The monster pricked up its ears and began advancing towards their hiding spot. She held up a fist to have them wait. The boss grew closer and still she held. Jason could feel its hot breath through his cloak before she finally whispered, “Now!” and launched herself to the left. Jason dove aside just in time. He fired his crossbow at the monster’s chest and could see the girl doing the same on its other side. It had left itself open in burying its axe in the rocks they’d been at mere moments before.

Damn this girl was good.

He watched her exchange her bow for a pair of daggers. The beast’s arms still busied trying to get its axe unstuck, she flipped onto them and ran up its back. Jason fired more bolts into it, keeping its attention while she--

Oh damn. This girl was really good.

She flipped her daggers around and dragged them through its skin behind her as she slid down its back. Then she danced away behind a column, switching back to a longbow and firing arrows into its exposed arms.

Jason grinned, letting the thrill in his blood take over for a moment. He exchanged his own ranged weapon for a shortsword, and started hacking away at the monster’s legs. Where the red archer went high, he went low. They accommodated each other perfectly. He glanced up to see the boss’s HP depleting to nearly zero.

While he swung his sword and dodged out of the monster’s reach, he noticed how much more focused he felt, despite having freed the roaring in his veins. It seemed that the Pit didn’t have as much of a hold on him while he was in the game. A small victory, but staying in control was more than useful here.

The beast turned around just as Jason swung his sword, and it broke against the monster’s shield. A rush of movement beside him was the golden fighter, sinking their flail into the beast’s back. They wrenched it free only to whirl around and use the momentum to plant it in the monster’s stomach.

That blow did it in. It staggered backwards, wounds glowing bright red, and shattered into fragmented pixels. A menu screen popped up in front of him displaying his share of the loot, which looked to be proportional to how many blows he had landed.

Jason looked at the other two. The golden one had already rushed back to where their injured companions were, but the red one remained.

“Thank you,” she held out her hand to him with a smile. He took it and shook once. “It was my pleasure,” he rasped, still catching his breath. He raised his broken sword and asked, “You don’t happen to know a blacksmith, do you?”

She held up one finger, then ran off back into the rubble, searching for something. When she returned, she held the other pieces of his sword. “I can mend it, if you’d like,” she offered, almost shyly.

He nodded and handed his piece to her, hilt first. She assembled all the fragments on the ground, then placed both hands over it and inhaled deeply. As she breathed in, the pieces were pulled inward to their original positions as if magnetized to each other. She breathed out just as deeply, and the cracks between the pieces glowed blue.

The glow faded when she picked it up and handed it back to him. He twirled it around a few times just to be sure, but it felt as good as new. Maybe even better. “That was... amazing. Thank you,” he said, sincerely grateful.

She smiled and replied, “It’s the least I could do. It’s a type of magic I learned called Restorative Alchemy, if you’re interested!” That was definitely something worth looking into. “I also put a little bit of magic in it, so when it’s hit like that again, it--”

“Lady!” A girlish, high-pitched shout came from the player in golden armor. She ran back over to the two of them and tugged the girl away. “Stranger danger!” she muttered pointedly.

The red archer tried to respond, “Well we wouldn’t have won without hi--” But the other girl cut her off, “Shush, we don’t even know who he is!” The archer gave a long-suffering sigh.

Jason took the opportunity to leave while their backs were turned. He’d intruded enough, and he didn’t really care to learn their names.

As he disappeared back into the cave, he thought he heard someone say, “Oh! He’s gone....”

* * *

Marinette watched the doors in the boss dungeon, wondering why that strange man had left so soon. She blinked and turned her attention back to her injured friends. Adrien had taken that hit for Kagami, and even though it was to his shield, he’d need a lot of rest before his arm was in working condition again.

The fight was costly. Luka had run out of healing potions, putting more than half of the team out of commission. It had just been her and Chloe left fighting. She wasn’t sure if they would’ve made it, let alone won without that stranger showing up....

“How’s it looking, boss?” Adrien’s hiss of pain pulled her from her thoughts. She crouched down beside him while Luka treated the arm with what simple herbs he had on hand.

Luka finished tying a sling and stood. “You’re going to be fine. Keep it still for a few days. We’ll get you some health potions when we get back to the house. Kagami, can you stand?”

The girl in question used to column to get up on her feet, but kept her weight off her left. That must have been the one she’d tripped on. “I can stand, but I’ll need help to walk,” she said through gritted teeth.

A costly fight indeed. Marinette moved to slide her arm under Kagami’s and supported her. “We just need to make it back to the horses,” she murmured to her friend.

God, her friend. Her friends had gotten hurt because her plan failed. They had no idea what they were walking into, and she had almost gotten them all killed because of it.

They just needed more time. More training.

The five of them started to limp back to the cave where the light from their torch had almost died out, when a bright light flooded the chamber. It came from behind them, and as they turned to look they saw an open door.

“That must be to the next level....” Adrien said softly.

Marinette looked at her Order, broken as they were, and made a decision. “Another time,” she said. “We’ve done enough for today.”

They still had to make it back and spread the word to the other players. A small smile fell on her face. They could give them this news, give them this hope.

* * *

“You did WHAT?” Dick’s voice cut across the room. Jason had returned to their base after dark, but he didn’t have much choice in the matter. He was tired from walking the entire trip and even more tired from the battle, so his pace on the return trip was a little lacking. But that didn’t mean Dick had to yell about it.

“I helped some people beat the first boss,” Jason shrugged. “I don’t see what the big fuckin’ deal is.” He put his pack down and grabbed some food from the counter.

Dick looked him over and, finding no major injuries, rubbed his hand over his mouth. “What part of ‘wait for recruits’ did you not understand?”

Ah yes, this again. He decided to tactfully dodge that shit. “I only meant to get a look at the boss. You know, do some reconnaissance and then report back? But a group was already there and fighting, and they needed help.”

“So you jumped in to help them?” Tim asked incredulously. “You? Mister Lone Wolf?”

“For fuck’s sake, they could have died,” Jason was getting annoyed now.

Dick gripped his shoulders. “So could you.” He glared as Jason pushed off the touch. “Look Jay, I know we don’t always get along, but I don’t want to... I can’t....” Dick hung his head. “Not again,” he said softly.

“Look,” Jason raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not looking to die anytime soon. Repeat performances were never really my thing,” he gave a crooked smile. “But I was fine. The monster couldn’t hold a candle against us.”

Dick didn’t look convinced. “Can you just... tell us the next time you go off on your own?”

Jason barked a laugh. “Not a chance.”

“You’ll give me gray hairs by the time I’m thirty...” Dick rubbed his temples.

“Then we’ll match,” Jason winked and ran a hand through his streak of white hair. Tim snickered and rolled his eyes. Bastard.

[1doll-4u]

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐗: 𝐓𝐖𝐎 — 𝐁𝐍𝐇𝐀

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: everyone x fem! reader (basically)

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 1,403

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: angst, fluff

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: you download an otome game called, ‘paradox’ and become addicted to the game. the longer you play, the more you realize that the game isn’t as normal as it seems.

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: cussing, violence, gore, sexual situations/smut (not in this chapter), possible triggers, horrible writing, underage sex, rape/non-con, character deaths, sexual content, age differences, etc.

𝐀/𝐍: lowercase intended + sorry for the long wait, i was suffering from writers block, some chapters will be short because i’ll be adding choices/decisions mid story. at least that means i’ll update faster ~

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: i’ll be making a tag list for anyone who wants to be updated/notified of when i post! please comment or send an ask if you would like to be tagged!

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 | 𝐓𝐖𝐎 | 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 | 𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈 | 𝐁𝐍𝐇𝐀 — 𝐌. 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

𝐊𝐄𝐘:

[ ✉ ] - in game (chat requests)

[ 💌 ] - in game (narration)

[ 📨 ] - status notification

[ 🕊 ] - in game texts

[ ⌛️ ] - hourglass (more) — [ ⏳ ] - hourglass (less)

[ 🔮 ] - magic (given)

[ 🥀 ] - curse (given)

[ 🌺 ] - gift (given)

[ 💕 ] - like — [ 💞 ] - love

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎: 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐔

“i don’t know if we should trust him..” izuku whispers to you before giving bunny boy a quick glance.

-

what will you say?

‣ “he doesn’t seem harmful..”

‣ “yeah, you’re right..but he seems to know what’s going on.”

-

“yeah, you’re right..but he seems to know what’s going on,” you mumble back.

⁻ ˏˋ꒰ 📨 ꒱ ˊˎ⁻

izuku: 💕

you got a heart from izuku ~ !

you can collect more hearts from characters if you choose a favored choice! so do be careful when choosing because you can lose hearts too!

⁻ ˏˋ꒰ 📨 ꒱ ˊˎ⁻

as you continue to follow bunny boy, you take notice at just how many turns and corridors you guys walked through. it looks like you guys are in a mansion.

bunny boy wasn’t making it easy to follow him. he keeps walking in such a brisk way without stopping to check if you guys are even following.

after a few more minutes of walking all of you end up in front of two unusually large doors. bunny boy takes a minute to straighten himself before reaching a slightly shaking hand for the door knob. he slowly opens the door, obviously afraid of what lies beyond it.

bunny boy’s ears droop even lower when a smooth voice filled with irritation breaks the silence.

“ah, you finally came. what took you so long tamaki? you know how much i hate tardiness.”

bunny boy, now known as tamaki opens the door fully and takes a step aside so you and izuku can enter.

the room- or well dinning room, looks just as whimsical as everything else. a long dining table with numerous empty seats sat in the middle of the room. two plates on either end of the table lay untouched.

a blonde haired boy with blue eyes occupies one end of the table. he, like the whole mansion has a fairytale like touch to it. the clothes that cling to his form looks very fitting, like it was specifically tailored for him. it doesn’t look like those cheap looking costumes you can get online.

“i-i apologize, prince monoma, please forgive me. it won’t h-happen again,” tamaki stutters out, visibly shaking under the boy’s hard eyes.

the blonde clicks his tongue and looks away, his whole demeanor changing when his eyes lay on you.

“ah, so the angel has arrived, come, take a seat,” monoma motions to the other end of the table with his hand, a sly smile playing on his lips. it surprises you at just how quickly he can change his mood.

what does he mean by angel? storing that thought to the side, you take quick awkward steps towards your seat. izuku is just a few inches behind you.

“wait- who is that?” monoma gestures towards izuku, his face showing clear disgust.

you pause in your walk, exchanging a look with izuku. what’s his problem?

“this is my friend. is there a problem with him being here?” you stood somewhat protectively in front of izuku. some tone slipping into your voice.

one of monoma’s eyebrows tick up and he lets out a scoff, “yes, it is. your peasant friend isn’t allowed in my mansion.” he turns his attention back to izuku, “now, tamaki, escort this filth out.”

“my friend isn’t a peasant! if he leaves then i’ll leave too.” you don’t normally raise your voice at someone but in situations like these you can’t help it. this arrogant blonde just insulted your friend!

tamaki’s eyes jump from monoma to you, unsure of what to do. he looks even more nervous than before. (if that was even possible).

monoma gives you a hard look for a few seconds. he looks back at izuku then back at you. you keep eye contact, adamant about izuku staying. the blonde let’s out a sigh, irritation slowly making his head hurt.

“fine, but he is not going to be served. sadly, i only prepared a meal for two,” artificial sympathy drips from his voice as he flashes a wry smile your way.

you ignore him and take your seat, izuku opting to sit in the one on your left. monoma sighs quietly, quite displeased with your rather rude display. no one ignores him. he’s a prince after all!

the blonde rests a napkin on his lap and begins to eat, awkwardly staring at you as he does so.

you look down at your plate of food. it smells delicious..but there is something off about it. it just smells so..good? too good almost.

at first glance it looks pretty normal until you realize the whole meal is covered in some sort of rainbow glitter thing. there are transparent looking noodles, regular looking chicken, mushrooms, and some sort of sauce drizzled all over them. you aren’t sure if your eyes are playing with you but you think the mushrooms are glowing a dim yellow.

the drink to your right isn’t any less strange. it looks like water but the bottom has some sort of blue substance..that’s glowing.

“well, aren’t you going to eat? it’s rude to decline a meal i so generously made for you,” monoma continues to eat, already half way done with his.

“what..is this?”

“it’s food, what else do you think it is?” the prince gives you a face that just screams, ‘duh.’ he’s starting to get on my nerves.

monoma observes you, slightly offended by you not accepting his welcome meal. he didn’t really know what he expected when he was notified by tamaki that the gods from above sent him a letter.

on that day (yesterday actually), he feared that the gods wanted to bestow some sort of curse on him for..not being the most pleasant person.

in actuality the letter told him that the gods would like to gift the land people with an angel sense they have noticed the ground people have been having..many unsolved problems for centuries.

monoma isn’t so sure of how he feels about you. he imagined an actual angel, with pure white wings and all, a white beautiful gown, and the most kindest smile. all he’s got from you is disrespect and deep frowns. no where in the letter did it say that the angel would have a tag along with them too.

“is it supposed to be glowing? it doesn’t look very..normal.” you dart your eyes back down at the food, scrutinizing it. maybe he put poison in it?

“what do you mean, ‘not normal’ ? this is one of the finest healing meals i chose.” monoma gives you a puzzled look.

“what do you mean by healing?” maybe this guy is..crazy. it could explain a few things.

“do you not have healing meals up in the sky? perhaps you never do need one when among the clouds. you are after all an angel..so i won’t fault you for your lack of knowledge.” monoma waves his fork in the air as he begins to explain what healing meals are, “healing meals are just what they are, meals that heal. there are different kinds, some stronger than others. the one you have right now is considered a, ‘normal’ healing meal. the meat is from seren birds! if you eat them, they will calm you down. the mushrooms mostly help with keeping you youthful and refreshed. so now that i have so helpfully given you some insight on the foreign food, you may eat.”

everything he just said is total nonsense. you don’t understand anything. maybe he is crazy? did he put a sedative in your food? when you glance back at the blonde you realize he is waiting for you to eat. his eyes are solely focused on you.

looking down at your plate you will yourself to choose a random fork and pick up some of the noodles.

it..tastes good and it makes you feel..something. you feel..energized? you dig in more, tasting everything and even trying the unknown concoction. all of these new tastes you are experiencing is like..going to disney world with friends or tasting a delicious treat from a studio ghibli movie.

“is it..good?” izuku asks, a little perplexed by how eager you seem after the first bite. he wanted to stop you but you already ate it.

the food does smell really good, nothing he’d ever smelled or seen could compare.

-

what will you do?

‣ give him the fork

‣ feed him

-

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @honneymusterd @todoshotoki @yhellowchildren @kodzu-ken @officialtrashbusiness @anxiousgoddest

[letsjumprentals]

Let Let’s Jump Rental wow you with its amazingly thrilling inflatable collection

As a result of the global pandemic, various facilities and organizations have closed, restricted entry, or are running at reduced capacity. It is unsafe to congregate, and schools across the world have been forced to close in order to reduce the spread of the virus.

This, however, does not offer comfort to the millions of parents who will be unable to work through this tough time, whether at work or from home. Navigating the constantly evolving system of rules and closures is daunting enough, but it becomes exponentially more difficult when you have rambunctious children who don't understand why they aren't going to school or playing with their friends!

In such scenarios, you should focus on Let's Jump Rentals to keep your children entertained and busy during the day. Our diverse collection of jump houses, slides, and water units will captivate them like nothing else! All you have to do is visit our website, browse the whole collection, choose the inflatable rental that appears to match your specifications and expectations, and put a bid on it.

Let's talk about one of our most famous inflatables and party entertainers to give you a good sense of how much fun you'd be having by simply contacting us!

Bouncy Castles- Our fantastic selection leaves little to be desired. Consider our DJ Party bounce house with an in-built sound system and LED rope lights on what appear to be inflatable goggles, from where you get inside the head (yes, an inflatable head) wearing huge inflatable headphones. This themed bounce house is complemented by blinking lights, an inflatable floor to jump and dance on (the best mix ever), and sheer craziness. We also provide 24-hour service for your convenience. Reservations for rental cars can be made online. Simply click the link at the top of the page and enter your event dates and times, or use the menu to the left to browse our party rental inventory. We're confident you'll find enough to keep you occupied.

If you're looking for something more substantial than a bounce house, consider our combo house line, which promises to include hours of fun while also boosting your children's mood for weeks to come! For your convenience, we have divided our combo bounce houses into three categories: simple combo bouncers, decorated combo bouncers, and big combo bouncers!

Basic combo bouncers are very cheap and would be ideal for any company but casual parties, play dates, birthday events, or any other budget-friendly celebration. Themed combo bouncers, as the name implies, are combo bounce houses with themes! So you get a bouncer, as well as other surprising features such as a basketball hoop, log and pop up hurdles, a super slide, and thrilling themes! So you get all for one dollar, from Unicorn, Batman, Toy Story, Disney princesses, Disney cars, to Justice League and Mickey Clubhouse bouncers!

You can also participate in our carnival games! Let's Party Right Rentals offers a pleasurable atmosphere at an extremely competitive price. We have everything starting with mad Corn holes, Giant Connect 4, Giant wooden tower block game, Giant yard pong, Kan jam, Mega wooden tower block game, Carnival Ball toss with tent, Frisbee challenge, Football throw junior to Football toss, Spin art (double), Lucky Sucker, Anti-virus magnet dart game Basketball junior.

The third group- large combo bouncers- was specifically for larger groups and activities that will make them a huge hit! So go ahead and have a look at what we have to share and have a great time with our pretty and pretty big hop house rentals!

[alessandrapushaw-blog]

With the evidence of this last witness

Recently reported third quarter earnings saw Nike have double digit growth in revenue and earnings per share. Revenue grew to $5.8 billion, which was a fifteen percent increase from the prior year. Earnings per share grew eleven percent to $1.20. A man is gored by a Miura fighting bull during the sixth run of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, on July 12, 2009, in Pamplona, northern Spain. The festival is a symbol of Spanish culture, despite heavy condemnation from animal rights groups nfl jerseys, and attracts thousands of tourists to watch the bull runs or take part. ARRIZURIETA/AFP/Getty ImagesA man is gored by a Miura fighting bull during the sixth run of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, on July 12, 2009, in Pamplona, northern Spain.

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Get daily updates directly to your inbox+ SubscribeThank you for subscribing!Earlier today, Record Sport told you how the Ibrox side are considering their legal position after it emerged thousands of their replica shirts are due to go on sale without the club's permission tomorrow.A number of Scotland's leading high street sports shops have been taking deliveries of the club's new look Puma strips throughout the past 24 hours and are ready to start selling the jerseys from in store and online from Thursday morning.(Photo: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)But that has come as a surprise to Rangers who say they have no knowledge of any deal between Sports Direct, Puma and other shops Cheap Jerseys china.Greaves Sports confirmed on Twitter that they will not be selling any of the new home, away and third kits until they have discussed the matter with Rangers.The statement on the website read: "Since terminating the IP Licence and Rights Agreement with Rangers Retail Limited, the club has made its best efforts to engage with PUMA on an agreed way forward without the involvement of Sports Direct for the manufacture of replica kits and other merchandise to supporters.Rangers ready to launch legal bid as Mike Ashley prepares to sell the jerseys without club go ahead"During discussions it emerged that PUMA had manufactured some replica kit after receiving purchase orders directly from Sports Direct and without the prior knowledge or agreement of the club and its directors on the Rangers Retail Limited board, Paul Murray and David King."Despite requests to Sports Direct and PUMA we have not been able to ascertain full details of this arrangement or to reconcile it with the commercial contracts that were in place between the club and Rangers Retail Limited.(Photo: SNS)"The club has not been party to discussions on the launch of kit sales by PUMA this week. We were first notified of their intentions after close of business on Friday last week."We are surprised and disappointed by the lack of consultation with the club and/or supporters groups prior to the launch."Mark Warburton's side kick off the new Premiership season at home to Hamilton on Saturday but the players have already been wearing the latest Puma design in summer friendlies and in League Cup action despite its unavailability in the shops.Rangers supporters group, Club 1872, issued their own statement this evening and are urging supporters not to buy any of the kirs no matter what retailer has them on sale."It is absolutely clear from the statement issued by Rangers that the situation regarding official Rangers merchandise has not been resolved to their satisfaction," said Club 1872."As a result we would urge supporters not to purchase the official kit from ANY outlets where it goes on sale.(Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)"It has been clear for some time that Sports Direct continue to treat both our football club and our supporters with utter contempt. It is extremely disappointing to see Puma follow suit by making this season's kit available for sale without reaching a satisfactory agreement with Rangers https://www.cheapjerseys168.com."We have been used to this type of behaviour from Sports Direct and Mike Ashley but it now appears Puma are following suit Cheap Jerseys china.

[westmeath]

21 questions

@jazdivision tagged me!!! sorry for the delay I kept forgetting to do this DGIHFS I changed the formatting ever so slightly for no reason other than I like making work for myself. fool

Rules: answer these 21 questions and then tag 21 people.

1. Nickname? biz!

2. Name? jim!

3. Zodiac? saggy tarius.. year of the rabbit

4. Favourite musicians or groups? this question is always hell for me cus there’s too many and I find it hard to just choose a few.. I’ve been listening to foals a lot again recently but to name some others: the who, i hate pink floyd but they’re my most listened to band, steely dan, thundercat, joni mitchell, matthews southern comfort, 10cc, kate bush, gene clark 🥺

5. Favourite sports teams? whichever drunkards are playing darts in the pub

6. Other blogs? none that are active LOL kaiwave was my first and kkaisukemovedagain my second (which I only used for like.. a month..and what a turbulent month it was. I was very volatile in my mid teens) sideblog-wise I have dead blogs dedicated to ryoma hoshi and deltarune (the latter of which may revive when the game comes out.. we’ll see)

7. Do you get asks? no LOL maybe like 2 a year

8. How many blogs do you follow? 233

9. Tumblr crushes? all of my muchuals

10. Lucky numbers? 3.. it’s not very lucky but I like it

11. What are you wearing right now? t shirt and shorts that’re actually pjs cus it’s hot as fuck and they’re the only summer-y clothes I have rn KJSDG

12. Dream vacation? I LOVE how jaz corrected this to say holiday FDGKDGS but hmmmm.. If I had infinite money I’d love to visit every one of my online friends.. I’d love to see like every country ever but specifically I’d like to see scotland, russia, iceland, mexico, brazil, hong kong, japan, cuba, korea.... should I ever become rich I’ll go to every country ever

13. Dream car? I wish I could drive a lorry but it’d be quite cumbersome as a day-to-day car... I’d like a van that is also a house. fond of fiat 500s too. I’m going to become mechanically inclined and make kaisuke’s bike

14. Favourite food? not to be a stupid stereotype but I’m HUGELY fond of bacon and cabbage... recently become a liddle obsessed with pierogi too

15. Drink of choice? coke zero lmao. or chocolate milk. or if we’ve talking alcohol then like any spirit (guinness if I’m in a pub and feeling cheap but I don’t like any other beer)

16. Instruments? I play bass mostly and rudimentary guitar and drums.. learning the tenor sax too. I’d love to be a jazz pianist but I’m not able to have my hands doing two different things

17. Languages? hiberno english baby. and barebones irish...... I tried learning italian & russian a while ago but I only remember a few words lol

18. Celebrity crushes? I am looking away

19. Random fact? you are on the internet

20. Favourite ecosystem? ??? at the risk that I’m misunderstanding this question I’m going to say extremely deep sea

21. Favourite cat species? maine coon? I like massive cats

Bonus question: feminist text everyone should read? I literally can’t read I only read books about my very specific interests

21 people to do this (If you want): ok I usually skip over this cus I always feel bad bothering people but I might just- actually no I’m too shy still 👉👈 if you’re reading this pls just do this and say I tagged u please KJSBDG 

[chibinightowl]

Tuesday Nights - Chapter One

The story is now live on Patreon! Oh, man, I am so excited and nervous to share the adventures, misadventures, and trials of Jacob and Skye, two guys who should probably be very familiar to many of you. The original fic is already so much longer than the fanfic, so I hope you enjoy! 

https://www.patreon.com/chibinightowl

Teaser below!

---

Tuesday nights suck. They’re so goddamned slow Jacob often wonders why he even bothers to open the bar at all. With no major sporting events to drive business, all he has before him is one long stretch of seemingly endless summer nights, broken only by the weekend crowd who storm this place for whatever the fuck he comes up with in his small kitchen.

At least the only time he’s wasting right now is his own. There’s a reason his staff is only around on the weekends at this time of year; everything else he can handle without them.

Which is fine because he can use the downtime to catch up on his reading list after the busy first half of the year. No one ever believes a guy of his height and weight is a closet bookworm, but hey, appearances can be deceiving. He’s more than just muscle and a pretty face.

Jacob turns the page, taking a quick look around at the people present before diving back in. Two men sit over by the pool table watching a baseball game on the big screen. Diehard fans, both of them, and ones that he’s known since he bused tables back when Mike was still alive. The game is in the bottom of the fifth, so they’ll be a while, but as soon as they leave, he’s closing. No point in wasting any more money on his electric bill than he needs to.

The sixth inning has just started when the front door opens, letting in a rush of hot and muggy air that smells faintly of trash that isn’t getting picked up until tomorrow. Jacob looks up from his book and frowns. 

So much for closing early.

The guy who wanders in has his attention on his phone, looking down and then up like he isn’t sure this is the best idea. He’s a new face around here, young, probably a bit younger than Jacob, with black hair and blue eyes hidden behind some hipster looking glasses, and wearing a navy suit and tie that are way too nice for this neighborhood.

He also looks kind of familiar, but Jacob can’t quite place him, which mildly annoys him because he’s good with faces. This guy’s features are striking enough to stand out, not blend in with the crowd.

Navy Suit Guy sits down at the bar in front of the TV playing reruns of Adventure Time, looking like the old wood and cracked vinyl are about to bite him. Yeah, he’s definitely not from around here.

Jacob sets down his book and wanders over. “Welcome in,” he says by rote, not particularly meaning it tonight. “What can I get you?”

The question appears to startle the guy. “Uh, just water for the moment. With lemon.”

Seriously? This is a bar, not a restaurant, not unless there’s more of these guys on the way and this one is designated driver.

“Sure,” he replies instead. “One sec.”

Ice and water are easy enough, but the only time Jacob breaks out the citrus is on the weekend when he gets more orders for something other than a glass of beer. For shits and giggles, because he’s feeling especially petty at the moment, he finds a small bottle of lime juice in the small fridge behind the bar and squirts some into it.

“Don’t have lemons during the week,” he announces when he sets the small glass down on one of the worn out cardboard coasters he tries to reuse as much as possible. Already, the glass is sweating in the humidity his air conditioner can’t quite dispel. “Have to come back on Saturday for the real thing.”

This time, Navy Suit Guy does look surprised and he fiddles with his glasses as he takes in the slightly muddled water before him. “Uh, thanks.”

“Lemme know if you want anything else.” Jacob wanders away before the guy can reply. The last thing he wants right now is to deal with unpaying customers, especially ones who look like they can afford it and are just being cheap for the sake of it.

He barely has time to pick up his book when the door opens again, this time revealing a blonde woman in a black suit with legs that go on for fucking miles. Trying not to gape, because it’s not everyday someone as gorgeous as his waitress and best friend Wren appears in his doorway, he heads over to the end of the bar where Blondie has taken a seat closest to the door. 

Huh, apparently she’s not with Navy Suit Guy.

“Welcome in,” Jacob repeats, this time a little more polite because she’s giving him some serious cop vibes. “What can I get started for you?”

Blondie has brown eyes, which is strange to see on someone with what he thinks is natural blonde hair. It reminds him of Amber’s, his other waitress, just paler. “I’ll have a Shirley Temple.”

That is the last thing he expects her to order and he blinks in surprise. “Sure, be right back.”

The only time he makes these are when he’s babysitting Lisa, mostly as a bribe to keep her holed up in the booth at the back of the bar with all her ‘colors’ and books while he does his job. Amber always gives him shit for sugaring her up when she comes to get her after evening classes at the community college are over.

Not his problem. 

He returns with the drink and another worn coaster. “Anything else?”

“I’m good for now, thanks,” she replies, taking him in before returning her attention to the news headlines on the TV screen above.

Well, at least she’s a paying customer.

Still, it doesn’t escape his attention, even when Jacob returns to his book, that her eyes are constantly moving, darting all over the place with very little movement on her part. He thinks about the mob he’s mostly convinced are using the dry cleaners next door as a money laundering front and wonders if she’s here about them.

If she is, it’ll suck ass to try and find a new tenant for the business space. This area isn’t exactly a booming economy and rather than read, he starts mentally adjusting his budget.

After a few minutes, he gives up. Numbers aren’t his thing, they’re Wren’s and that’s what he pays her extra for, to balance his books each month. He heads over to his regulars to check on them and pours another beer for one of them, then makes his way over to Navy Suit Guy who’s still making sad faces at his barely touched water.

Unlike all the young suits Jacob’s met in his life who are so full of energy, drive and the desire to change the goddamned world, this one gives off a sense of weariness that is much more appropriate to someone twice his age. What brought him here tonight? He’s not from this area, that much is certain.

In his experience, the only people who wander in out of nowhere are foodies searching for what they like to call hidden gems, which always makes him laugh. This place isn’t hidden, it’s just on the wrong side of the tracks. At least once a week, some random foodie hipster wanders in, admitting they're here because of what they read online about the limited menu Jacob has developed over the years. Reviews are usually pretty good, even with that one asshole who gave him a single star because some enterprising soul stole his tires while he was in the bar. How is that his fault? The bar’s address is clear as day online, so he knew where he was going.

Moron.

Navy Suit Guy sticks out even more than those hipsters do, although this bar used to cater to the business type way back in the day, before the neighborhood started going to shit. Or so Mike had said when he started grooming him to take over. Mike was full of stories about what Jacob jokingly referred to as the good old days. Some were complete bullshit while others were so un-freaking-believable that they could only be true.

“Decide on anything else?” Jacob asks, leaning against the counter this time, which catches the guy’s attention. “The kitchen closes at ten.”

“Um,” he starts, then clears his throat before trying again. “I heard there are some really good fried pickles here. If I’m in the right place, that is.”

Jacob smirks. He called it, the guy's a foodie. “Yeah, you’re in the right place. Single or double?”

“Double. I haven’t eaten since lunch.” Navy Suit Guy ducks his head down a bit like he expects to be reprimanded for that admission.

“Sure you don’t want something else besides pickles then? The menu’s lean during the week, but I got chicken tenders that cook up fast.” If he’s turning on the fryer, might as well make it worth it.

The man looks thoughtful for a second and then his stomach rumbles so loudly Jacob can hear it from where he’s leaning against the bar. He can’t help the sharp laugh. “I think that answers that question.”

Navy Suit Guy nods, the tips of his ears turning pink. It’s a good look for him. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Better listen to my stomach tonight.”

Jacob shoots him a wink, which only makes the flush grow. Just how far down does it go? The guy’s attractive enough to make him curious. “Gimme a few minutes.”

The small kitchen at the back of the bar is Jacob’s pride and joy. After Mike died and left him with a surprise inheritance, he decided to put some of the newfound money he got back into the place that meant so much to him and the old man. New TVs, an upgraded cable package that included more than just sports channels - he’s a grown ass adult who doesn’t give a shit that he loves cartoons, okay? - with new lights out front because utter gloom just isn’t his thing. But the real work was done in the back where he converted a storeroom into a small industrial kitchen.

With the space to experiment to his heart’s content, Jacob took what he considered bar food mainstays and kicked them up a notch or six. His best friends, Wren and her fiancé Rory, were more than willing to be his guinea pigs. Still are, in fact.

He’s back in a few minutes with the pickles and the spicy aioli, which his odd visitor tucks into with gusto. The chicken takes longer to cook, so Jacob finds himself flipping through his book again, barely reading the words on the pages as he sneaks glances at him. The sense that he’s seen this guy before is growing stronger by the minute.

The small timer he keeps out front pings, so he returns to the kitchen to finish up the rest of the order. Jacob idly wonders what the guy will think of the doctored ketchup and mustard sauces that come with the chicken.

“Anything to drink?” he asks when he sets the basket on the bar beside the plate of half devoured pickles.

Wiping his fingers on the cocktail napkin that came with the pickles, Navy Suit Guy nods, swallowing a mouthful of pickles first. “Jack and coke.”

The order slides easily off the man’s tongue like he’s asked for this a million times, but Jacob is still a bit uncertain about his actual age. Jacob had easily been able to pass for twenty-one when he was still seventeen, thanks to a massive growth spurt and lifting all kinds of heavy shit for Mike. Regular meals and a safe place to sleep helped.

“Let’s see some ID first,” he says. “Those glasses make you look like you’re sixteen.”

A tired laugh escapes the man as he runs a hand through his disheveled black hair. At some point during the day, it may have been styled, but now it’s just a mess. “I get that all the time,” Navy Suit Guy replies and pulls out a wallet from inside his jacket. He slides out his driver’s license and hands it over.

“Then get a new pair,” Jacob states bluntly as he looks at the ID. It’s a bit worn, which makes it look more legit than the fake ones he’s confiscated over the years. But as he reads the birth date, takes a look at the picture, then the name he’s seeing, it finally dawns on him why the guy looks a bit familiar.

Skyler Duncan Rhoades-Dalton

---

For more, see my Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/chibinightowl

[canadiangold]

11 Qs

Tagged by @icameheretowinry​, thanks again Nikki!!

the game: Answer the 11 questions, then come up with 11 of your own and tag some friends to answer them

1. What countries have you traveled to? 10 so far, 13 if you include ones where I never left the airport. New Zealand, the Philippines, and Turkey are all high on my list.

2. If you found $100 on the ground, what would you do with it? If it was just cash or a gift card out on the street or something, I’d pocket it. California livin’ ain’t cheap. If it was in a wallet or at a house party, I’d find someone to turn it over to for safekeeping.

3. What was the last gift that you received? some Valentine chocolate from my parents. Lord knows there isn’t anyone else to get chocolate from these days, rip

4. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? hrmmm... depends on how liberally i can intepret “one food,” doesn’t it? Pizza is a strong contender. Tortellini is up there too. Toasted sandwiches... yeah, if I can fiddle with the fillings, toasted sandwiches.

5. What is your favorite holiday? I don’t care for most of them, truth be told. Maybe Halloween because candy gets interesting (and cheap the days after)

6. What qualities do you value most in a friend? I’ve never thought about this before but now that I try to, I’m drawing a blank... the only thing that comes to mind is when they show interest in whatever I care deeply about, or at least tolerate my nonsensical rantings about like my writing or some other hyperfixation.

7. What is the best thing that happened to you this week? I got paid. tbh nothing interesting or good really happens in my life these days, and i picked up a nasty bug from work on wednesday >~<

8. What do you do when you’re bored? Write, or daydream about my writings, or window shop online, or usually just scroll thru tumblr

9. What movies have you re-watched the most number of times? either the star wars original trilogy or the lord of the rings trilogy, not sure i’m not much of a movie guy

10. Have you read anything good recently? yeah, a friend of mine is chipping away at writing his original fantasy fiction, and it is brilliantly grim and eerie and so well written for how young and inexperienced he is. He just doesn’t have the confidence to share it much yet, but when he does I will trumpet it from the rooftops.

11. What is your favorite song of all time? how in the... I have no idea how to answer this. Spitfire by Go2 gets stuck in my head a lot these days. But I mean and equally fair response would be to just throw a dart at Disturbed’s new album, so idk.

OK, so my questions are: 1. What is your favorite color and is it the color of most things you own? 2. What do you tell people you do in your free time? What do you actually do in your free time? 3. What is one show or movie that you recommend to everyone? 4. What is your favorite game to play alone? 5. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? 6. What’s one thing you regret not doing? 7. Two guilty pleasures? 8. A clickbait title you would absolutely fall for? 9. Do you like or hate the “two weeks earlier” trope? 10. Do you enjoy writing? If so, what do you write? 11. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

the victims: @saxinpjs @ivarara @toga-himiko-fan69 @starwars-riley @xennariel @timetravelingshark @red-gyarados @dvckdvckbear

[scarabsi]

Match Cut (tododeku, BNHA Summer Exchange 18)

heyyyyyy so here’s the fic I wrote for the @bnhasummerexchange​ event, for @rutilatedho​! I hope it’s enjoyable in some way or other, and if not, at least it amused ME.

[Read it on Ao3]

Shouto liked to think of himself as a decently balanced person. He understood his faults, he paid attention in classes sometimes, he knew some of his classmates’ names. Perhaps sometimes he’s not the most composed or reasonable person in the room, not the brightest or the quickest on the uptake, but that was inevitable when you’ve grown up with a tyrannical abusive twit of a father and what could Shouto be expected to do about that?

He appreciated summer for the chance to freely exercise his right side. In other times of the year it concerned others if he maintained crystalized ice over an entire half of his body, potentially risking frostbite, but in the summer there was little anyone wanted to do about it but join in.

Not to mention, it’s ridiculous to entertain the idea of his right side causing frostbite. He knew better than to do that; it’s his own ice, after all. He would save the frostbite for a particularly annoying day of school he wants to skip and not a day sooner.

“Dathhhhs pitty neat Tododoki, but it don’t tchangth how it tasthe,” Kaminari mouthed into Shouto’s forearm.

“Natsuo insisted I’d done it before,” Shouto protests. “Swear on my pops, you keep your tongue there another five minutes and the froyo flavor I ate should come through.”

“That’s cheap as hell, Todoroki, you hate your pops,” Uraraka chimed in from her front row seat to the spectacle.

“I love my pops?” Shouto squinted at her, confused. “I can’t make them the same with my quirk. The new brand mixes in a smooth milk and creme with the strawberry to really bring out the tartness of the flavor. I would protect my pops with my life.”

“Eyy!” Kirishima cried from his position a little higher up Shouto’s arm than Kaminari, “I think I tasthed thomething dust dow!”

“Whaaat? Theriouthly?” Kaminari said.

“Eyah, thorta. . . thavory?” Kirishima guessed, eyebrow raised. “Ait, ait, no, ait. . . no, dat’s thweat.”

“Yeah, I asked them to discontinue that flavor,” Shouto scoffed. “Nasty as hell, catch me dead before I touch it again.”

“What’s going on?” said Midoriya from the living room entrance.

A shiver went up Shouto’s spine, and Kaminari and Kirishima fell to the ground with twin yelps as their tongues were suddenly thawed free.

“Todoroki says he can make his ice into different flavors if he eats something before,” Uraraka explained to a bewildered Midoriya, who absently dropped his schoolbag in the middle of the hall.

“Yeah, can you imagine Midoriya? Free icees?” Kaminari waved enthusiastically. He grabbed Shouto’s right arm and ran a hand up the length of it. “It’s too bad it takes so long! Does it take a lot of concentration?”

“Yeah,” Shouto replied absently out of reflex, which was wrong because it shouldn’t take much concentration at all. He watched Midoriya fumble his hands all around his hips.

“Fascinating,” Midoriya said, retrieving a small notebook from his pocket and flipping to an empty page. “Can you give me more details? What kinds of flavors is it possible to replicate? Can you replicate foods not traditionally served in ice or can you replicate any flavor regardless of suitability? If the flavor is related to foods you take into your body, is the flavor secreted from your pores or spun out of the molecules of the air?”

Shouto shrugged.

Midoriya nodded, appeared to scribble something, and continued without missing a beat. “How were you able to discover such a property existed? Does the flavor contain traces of the food it comes from? Is it possible to recreate nutrients? This could be very useful in times of emergency and may be interesting to know for the future if we find ourselves in a situation short on food. . .”

Uraraka laughed. “Oh, Deku, there you go again.”

Kirishima groaned and Kaminari whined out, “Come on Midoriya, it’s way too hot for this right now.”

“Is it really that hot?” Midoriya asked, a surprise lilt to his voice. He laughed and ran a hand through his untidy hair. “I guess it is! I’m used to training my body through all weather conditions so I forgot to pay attention.”

Shouto could smell the fragrance of sweat and musk from Midoriya’s hair as he ruffled it, far overpowering whatever soap he might have put into it once upon a time, long before his training session. Now that he mentioned it, Midoriya had clearly been spending the day in the dormitory gym; the unfashionably plain clothes he was wearing clung to his skin when he moved and there were still small signs of condensation in parts of his face and hair.

“Wanna have a go?” Shouto found himself saying.

“I’m sorry?” Midoriya said.

Shouto blinked; he was a foot away from Midoriya, right arm proffered prominently under Midoriya’s nose. A droplet of sweat from Midoriya’s wild forest-green hair dripped into the palm of Shouto’s hand, and he thanked his luck that he hadn’t extended his arm prone like a noblewoman awaiting a kiss.

He could hardly believe what had just left his mouth. Perhaps the heat was getting to his head after all, despite his liberal use and abuse of his right side. He had to say something else to rectify his reputation with his friends at once.

“Wanna tongue up my arm?” Shouto corrected.

It took until English class the next day before Midoriya spoke to him again. He appeared by Shouto’s desk as soon as Present Mic left the classroom, his expression contrite but his body language strong and determined.

“H-hey, about yesterday,” Midoriya said, his voice shaky and his cheeks pink, “I’m sorry for running up to my room so quickly. It was just, uh. . .” he trailed off, cheeks flushing more, until his eyes seemed to glaze over.

Shouto waited, but Midoriya seemed to be done, so he shrugged. “I don’t mind. It did seem like you really needed to shower.”

“It-- it seemed like I needed to shower?” Midoriya squeaked.

“Yeah,” Shouto said, a little confused about the strange reaction. “You were covered in sweat. Like, everywhere. You literally dripped sweat onto me.”

Midoriya laughed strangely. “That’s right! I did do that! I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be sorry,” Shouto said with a soft smile. Midoriya definitely had nothing to apologise for. He could still remember the sensation of the warm droplet hitting the palm of his hand, something that had come out of Midoriya’s face and dribbled past his lips and fallen off his sweet little chin. Later in the evening he’d even found himself putting his palm against his mouth, as though he would be able to smell or taste some trace of Midoriya from it hours later. He felt his fingers tingle now from the memory of it.

He twisted his head to look back at Midoriya, who stretched an arm behind his head. There were some popping sounds as he stretched his right arm, and then he shook out his hands and picked his special All Might controller back up.

“You should never be sorry for needing to take care of yourself,” Shouto said, mostly to himself. Midoriya quirked his head over, his large eyes bulging out of his head.

“Wh. . . what?!” he croaked, and then his eyes darted around and he seemed to hit on a conclusion. “Oh, because we’re playing fighting games in this heat? It’s honestly fine! Even if you weren’t here,” he gestured to his room closet, where boxes of wrapped merchandise were stuffed to bulging, “I have a limited-edition All-Might electric fan that’s a great help when I start to get dizzy.”

Shouto frowned and put down his own (much more generic) controller. “I didn’t realize you let yourself get dizzy. I’ll take care of that.” He raised his right arm and focused on gathering a thin layer of ice onto it.

Midoriya watched Shouto’s arm in a slight daze, and gave no reaction to the incremental cooling of the room. He slowly moved toward Shouto until he was practically bent over Shouto’s right arm.

Shouto chuckled. “You’re hotter than I thought,” he said.

“I might need to take care of myself,” Midoriya mumbled. Shouto wondered whether he heard him correctly because he couldn’t make sense of it. “It’s really okay?” he asked.

“Course,” Shouto said, because he has never taken offense to his friends treating him like a walking climate control center, and takes pride in being able to provide such a necessary service that no one else can give, and then Midoriya leaned his head down and put his tongue on Shouto’s arm.

Instantly the room got a lot warmer.

Midoriya’s tongue darted quickly in small swipes, then travelled languidly up Shouto’s arm. One last lick leapt lightly off the top of Shouto’s shoulder, and then Midoriya hung there, his face beside Shouto’s, eyes lidded, tongue still peeking shyly from his lips.

As Shouto stared, Midoriya’s eyes focused onto his own, and then that tongue and those lips made a short reunion as Midoriya rolled them together.

“As promised,” Midoriya growled, his voice much deeper than before, “I’m not sorry.”

“I think maybe I am,” Shouto muttered frantically to himself through the watery echoes of the shower. He pressed both palms against himself and hissed from the shock of the conflicting sensations.

There was no way that ducking into the bathroom at full speed had been an appropriate or subtle reaction. It had taken him about five wet heart-pounding shower minutes to realize what had probably happened: Midoriya had taken him up on yesterday’s offer and had wanted to play the Flavour Ice game.

He let out a single bittersweet laugh as a novelty All-Might shampoo bottle made uncomfortable eye contact with him. It turned out his no-good father had been right all along and joking around with friends could indeed ruin his life, but in somehow the strangest most contrived way possible.

The others seemed to agree when Hagakure walked into the living room and found Kirishima teaching Bakugou a trendy new game he had discovered online. She prematurely screamed at the top of her lungs because she mistakenly thought something lewd was going on but, Kirishima assured, the strange way he had pinned Bakugou with his pelvis was a new wrestling move he was trying to perfect and the tongue-on-tongue contact was worth extra points.

Everyone else was loudly skeptical of this excuse, especially Bakugou himself who was so offended by the story he stormed out without saying a word, but Shouto was excited.

“What are the rules?” he asked Kirishima. “Is it fun?”

Kirishima’s eyes squinted and shifted from side to side. “Uh,” he droned. “Uhhhhh. I. . . yes? Yes.”

“It looks just like kissing. What makes it different from kissing?” Shouto asked.

Kirishima turned pale and laughed. “It’s. . . uh. . . crap, I know exactly how Bakugou would answer that. Oh, crap. For real.”

Shouto frowned and put his hands on his chin in thought. “Could you demonstrate the difference for me somehow?” he asked, and Kirishima almost turned blue.

“Todoroki, he was obviously lying!!” Uraraka said around her tears of laughter. “He made a really terribly-constructed excuse for him and Bakugou being nasty in public, and then doubled down on it because he never knows when to quit!”

“But what if that’s what he wants you to think?” Shouto insisted, leaning forward to give his table slam a little more dramatic weight. His Lunch Rush tray slid a centimeter in a suitably dramatic fashion. “I know what it looks like, but can you imagine how fun it would be if it was real? And he and Bakugou are hoarding the fun new game to themselves?”

“I regret enrolling in this school,” Midoriya whispered from beside Uraraka, his face nested into his arms.

Uraraka patted Midoriya half-heartedly, but her eyes were gleaming at Shouto. “So did you make him kiss you or something? Are you serious?”

“He refused,” Shouto sighed. “Hence, hoarding.”

Iida had dutifully moved Uraraka’s milk far out of her reach so that she would stop squirting it out of her nose throughout the conversation, and her hand was groping the lunch table subconsciously as she snorted. “You know what you could do instead?” she goaded, and Iida’s eyes flashed in alarm.

“What?” Shouto asked, a little warily if he were being honest.

“You know, I think maybe Deku would be interested in hel--”

In a flash of green lightning, Uraraka and Midoriya had vanished. A quick glance around found them balanced on a ledge close to the ceiling, where Midoriya seemed to be frantically shaking her.

Which Shouto hated, because what on earth did Hell have to do with Kirishima’s trendy new game Shouto still wanted to explore being real, and why on earth was Midoriya so bothered about it?

“No quirks in the school cafeteria!” Iida shouted dutifully at his dumb friends. “In addition, balancing on that ledge is highly dangerous and you’re setting a horrible example for the first years!”

“How are you like this and still friends with those two?” Shouto wondered.

“That is an excellent question that will no doubt be asked variously at the funeral for my early death!” Iida answered in the same dutiful voice, punctuating with a salute for good measure. Shouto raised his juice box, because he sure as hell could toast to that.

“Oh, thanks,” Midoriya said, reaching down to grab Shouto’s juice box. “I hate getting dehydrated in the middle of a set, these leg straps are a pain to get out of.”

Shouto smiled as Midoriya returned the juice box and continued his inverted sit-ups. Rather than deal with tucking in his shirt or having it fall into his face all the time as he hung upside-down, Midoriya preferred to circumvent the shirt altogether and it was a feast for the eyes. Each time Midoriya folded himself upward it was extremely clear which specific muscles were making it happen.

“And that’s roughly 200, I think,” Midoriya sighed as he lowered himself one more time, skin glistening in the dimmed gym lights. “Help me down?”

“Of course,” Shouto replied. He grabbed a small step stool and reached for the straps. “I’m steady.”

“Great,” said Midoriya, and wrapped his large, warm arms around Shouto. Shouto undid the straps on his legs and stood straight as Midoriya gracefully leveraged himself back to the ground.

“I think I get a big workout just from making sure I don’t drop you on your head,” Shouto laughed. “Is it really safe to exercise like that?”

Midoriya shrugged, then bit his lip with a small blush. “To be honest, I could easily do it by myself.” He gestured vaguely toward the juice box, and Shouto handed it to him. He sipped it with a sunny smile. “I like it better when you’re here, though. Everything is better when you’re around.”

Shouto felt like a boiling teapot, watching that smile, and fanned himself. “I. . . I need ice. Do you need ice?”

Those large round eyes lit up. “I would love to try one of your icees, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Ohhhh, that made Shouto even warmer.

He held out his right arm and Midoriya gripped it gently, pressing a cheek against it with a soft sigh.

“I. . . I think I should mention,” Shouto pushed through the embarrassment and the slight croak to this voice, “the whole thing about flavoured ice was a lie. I was pranking those guys into freezing their tongues and it got out of hand.”

Midoriya glanced up and their eyes met. Midoriya had a small smile on his face as he moved his face higher up Shouto’s arm, and they watched each other as Midoriya gripped Shouto’s shirt, turned his head and pressed a kiss to Shouto’s bared shoulder.

“I thought so,” Midoriya said, eyes soft, voice soft.

A warm shiver rushed down Shouto’s arms and made his fingertips dizzy. “I didn’t mean to trick you,” he said.

“You can’t trick me, Todoroki, how long have we been friends now?” Midoriya laughed. He put his hand over Shouto’s on his waist, and when had Shouto moved his hand there? “Did it get out of your hands, Hand Crusher?”

Shouto broke their heated eye contact to hide the dramatic flush to his face. “I’ll make that my hero name if you’re not careful. I’ll really do it. It will be legal and everything.”

Midoriya chuckled and put his forehead against Shouto’s. “It would suit you, since you’re so handsy.”

Shouto wrapped his other hand around Midoriya’s waist and they rolled on the ground, Shouto showing Midoriya just how handsy he could really be. They were halfway across the room when Shouto exhausted himself and settled for a hug, and Midoriya laid there and let him.

“Everything is better when you’re around too,” Shouto said.

Midoriya turned his head to smile sunbeams at Shouto. Shouto tightened the hug and buried his face into Midoriya’s neck.

“I’m glad you exercise with a spotter,” he admitted. “I’m glad you take care of yourself now. I hate seeing you hurt, and I hate even more when you hurt yourself.”

Midoriya tensed, and then put his hand into Shouto’s hair and stroked it gently. “I know,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Shouto said. It was hard for him to move his arms when they were wrapped around and under Midoriya’s body, but he rubbed Midoriya’s back with his thumb. “I’m not sorry so don’t you be. Be happy you’re healthy, like I am.”

“I’m happy that you’re happy,” Midoriya said. “That was always what mattered the most.”

It wasn’t reassuring to hear that, but the tremor in Shouto’s sigh wasn’t just from concern. He searched for something to say, but couldn’t find the words, so they lay there quietly for a while, listening to the hum of the fluorescent gym lights.

“Hey, Shouto,” Midoriya said.

Shouto hummed.

“Do you want to try figuring out how to get those extra points?” Midoriya said.

“I can’t believe you actually pulled off that crazy move at the last moment!” Kirishima cheered and whooped as Izuku made a perfect, cinematic superhero landing, green-lightning laced crater and all. “How did you figure out how to get us those extra points?”

“I noticed Kaminari had left himself wide open after his third discharge,” Shouto said proudly, clapping a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “But I can’t believe he understood what I meant when all I said was ‘Den’.”

“‘Den’ meaning Kaminari Denki, and also the conductivity between his quirk and the discharge from my quirk, right?” Izuku said, slinging his arm around Shouto. “Isn’t it obvious what I was supposed to do?”

“You guys cheated!” Kaminari called over from his team. “I should have poached Todoroki for my team! Who let you guys work together?”

Bakugou pushed Kaminari’s head down with a grunt. “We lost. They did a better job. Get over it.”

“Oh, that’s rich coming from Mister Muzzle!” Kaminari cried, clutching his head and surreptitiously checking his hair.

Kirishima glanced toward the other team and threw a thumbs up. Bakugou answered with a thumbs down.

Shouto rested his head against Izuku’s neck as he watched his classmates congratulate and complain about each other, feeling softly content. “Maybe it would have been more fair to join Kaminari’s team,” he said.

Izuku laughed. “You’re such bullshit, Shouto.”