#he's glad at least that he'll always be able to hear their voices </3

[can-of-pringles]

Sad headcanon: Copia listening to the older Ghost albums when he misses his brothers

[moodymisty]

Hiya! Could you possibly write headcanons with Crosshair,Hunter,Echo,Wrecker and Tech with a GN!S/O that suddenly faints one day out of nowhere?The reason for their collapse can be up to you. 💖

Author's note: Hello there! I decided to keep the reasoning relatively vague just for ease of reading, so I hope you still enjoy :3

Relationships: Crosshair/Gn!Reader, Hunter/Gn!Reader, Tech/Gn!Reader, Wrecker/Gn!Reader, Echo/Gn!Reader

Warnings: None really

✦ Tech ✦

Tech has noticed over the time that you've known him that you have a tendency to get lightheaded- be it from missing a meal or from any other reason he doesn't know.

It still catches him off guard however when one day while working on the ship you suddenly faint right over, Tech sending his tools clattering to the ground as he quickly moves to catch you.

Thankfully his strength helps him as he snatches you by the waist.

He sits you down on the ground and while he's worried, of course, Tech is able to compartmentalize and make sure to actually help you instead of just worrying.

When you soon after get up and ask him what happened and why he looks like he saw a ghost, he tells you that you fell right over, but thankfully he caught you before you ended up hitting your head.

'Do you feel disoriented still at all? Please don't lie, I'm rather worried.'

Tech keeps a close eye on you but is also soothing his mind by doing some research, as to make sure he'll be much more prepared that he was now in the future. Just in case.

✦ Hunter ✦

Hunter is a giant armored mass of stress.

He wasn't actually in your presence when you'd fainted, but he did end up getting a comm saying you had fallen, and he swears there hasn't been a time he raced back to the Marauder so fast.

By the time he got there you were already awake, sitting in the co-pilot's seat and shaking your head as you try to get your bearings.

You have a drink in your hand and you smile up at him, but he can hear your breathing and heart rate still sound a little bit off for his liking. He insists that you lay down and at least take it easy, at minimum.

When you do, as if isn't really an option judging by his very stern 'superiority' voice, he hovers around constantly making sure you're still ok.

His ears keep on pricking to your heartbeat, and if he hears it even slightly off, he makes sure to take a glance in your direction.

When you try and get him to bugger off, Hunter refuses.

'You scared the hell outta me; I'm not gonna just quit it.'

He inquires to Tech about it but doesn't really end up with anything conclusive, so he very hesitantly decides it was just a fluke.

Needless to say he continues to hover and fuss over you the rest of the day, even going so far as to break his own rule of sleeping in separate bunks in order to keep close. He tries to keep a bit of decorum even though the Batch all obviously know the two of you are close, but he'll let it slide this time.

✦ Wrecker ✦

You often times joke around with Wrecker, so when you'd fainted for a split second he'd thought you were pulling a joke; And he easily caught you as you fell into him.

Very quickly however he realized you passed right out and quickly picks you up and takes you to the first person he had in mind; Which of course was Tech.

You're beginning to wake up just as Tech begins to look you over much to Wrecker's relief, and he doesn't have to fill you in on much.

'Phew, I'm just glad you're ok. You really scared me for a second there.'

He does however instantly begin bugging Tech about it much to his dismay, even if you try and insist Wrecker he quit it.

You know what caused it and make sure to fill him in, even if just so to save Tech from being lambasted.

He's just as fussy as Hunter would be, so you have trouble getting a worried Wrecker off of your back for the rest of the day, despite reassuring him many, many times that you're fine.

In the future Wrecker always keeps a keen eye on you if you ever look a little more sluggish than usual, cautious to never have a repeat of that again.

He'd first and foremost never want you to faint like that again, but if you do, he wants to be there to catch you.

✦ Crosshair ✦

You actually end up fainting onto Crosshair, during a post mission sit down.

He was cleaning his rifle and you were munching on some spare rations as a snack, when you'd suddenly flopped right onto his shoulder. He gently tried to push you off, joking in his usual snarky way that you were suffocating him, until he noticed you were out cold.

Making sure you don't fall over he quickly tries to wake you up, even going so far as to asking one of his brothers for help.

But when you wake up you're now laying on his bunk, rubbing your forehead and moving to get up. Crosshair quickly pounces, watching you and making sure you don't pull a 'dumb move' and try to get up right away.

'What the kriff was that? You freaked us all out.'

You explain that it isn't the first time you've fainted like that, and probably won't be the last; As you were honestly surprised it had taken this long to happen.

Crosshair's nose wrinkles as he snips at you for not warning them sooner, though it's obvious it was because he was worried, than any of his brothers.

✦ Echo ✦

Echo remembers vaguely of a time when one of his 501st brothers had passed out before, but anything learned from that instance is almost instantly out the window when you end up fainting.

When you wake up, he gets up from where he was sitting on a supply crate right beside you, he must've moved it closer to have a place to sit and wait, and begins asking questions.

'Hey, hey? You good? You weren't lookin' too good then you fell over... You sure you're alright?'

Echo doesn't worry too much, as he tries to remain level headed while you get your bearings back. Not much good happens where you're panicking, he thinks.

He is the first one to suggest that maybe you go see the medic, just to make sure there isn't anything going on.

No matter if you do or not Echo is right there, keeping a careful eye on you.

'Just don't go scaring me like that again. I've had enough heart racer moments like that for a few lifetimes.'

[bteezxyewriter12]

ARMY/ 1

Pairing- Yoongi x Named Reader

Word count- 3.7k

Includes- fluff

This is an indulgent fic I wrote. It's everything I wish would happen anytime I go to a BTS concert. Alas I am so upset it hasn't happened at any of the concerts I've been to yet. But one day....😂😆

*gif is from Google

Part 2. Part 3 Part 4

J POV

I can't believe I'm so close to BTS

I was finally able to score a front row concert ticket in front of the small stage

It was like the Hunger Games trying to get that ticket for their Love Yourself tour

But I got it

I'm having a blast

BTS is my favorite group

They're the only kpop group I listen to so far

They're the best, so talented, hardworking and sweet

Plus they're all gorgeous

I've taken so many videos and pictures tonight

They really are incredible when they perform

They're so hyped and ARMY can't help but feed off their energy

So many members have come to where I am and I've taken amazing pictures

They're starting their next song and it's on the small stage

I sing along, waving my ARMY bomb and taking videos

Then he comes right in front of me, smiling at the crowd, dancing and having fun

My ultimate bias

Suga

Min, Yoongi

The love of my life

And he has no clue I exist

I want to call his name but I don't know if he'll hear me or even look

And even if he did, why would he look at me?

He wouldn't, not when there are so many gorgeous ARMYS around me

But if he does look then I can just see his face and that's enough for me

So, I take a breath and I scream, "YOONGI! YOONGI!", while waving my hand

He's never going to look

"YOONGI! YOONGI!"

He stops what he's doing and turns, looking right at me, his eyes locked with mine

Holy shit!

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

Yoongi POV

I'm having a good time performing for ARMYS

I love them

They're amazing

They give me so much energy, make me want to perform better for them

Their love is amazing and I'm so glad the guys and I have it

I walk to a section of the small stage where I haven't been in awhile

I'm dancing and smiling at the ARMYS in front of me

Then I hear my name being called so clearly

Yoongi

Not Suga

Not Agust D

Not lil meow meow

Yoongi

I turn to the voice and look at the ARMY who called me

She's waving at me

Holy shit

I do double take and have to hold my mouth from dropping

She's fucking gorgeous

Oh my god

I've literally never seen someone as stunning as her

She smiles at me, waving and she yells, "I love you"

I'm still shocked and can't tear my gaze from her

She keeps smiling and it takes my breath away

"Yoongi", I hear in my ear

I jump, startled and glare at Jungkook

"What?", I snap

"You're part is coming up. Pay attention. What's wrong with you?"

The music comes back into my ears and shit he's right

It's almost my part

I have to leave where I am but I don't want to

I want to stay by this ARMY

But I can't

'You can always come back", I tell myself

I smile at the ARMY then move away

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

J POV

Oh my god he smiled at me

Yoongi smiled at me

He looked at me and he didn't look away

My heart is exploding and I'm so happy

This is the best night of my life

Nothing can top this

My idol saw me and smiled at me

I could die happy right now

Well, after the concert

I didn't want Yoongi to leave but I know he has to go perform and see other ARMYS

At least I had that moment

At least he knows I exist

----------------------------------------------------

During the next song, I'm singing and dancing when Yoongi comes back

I look up at him to see him staring at me

Oh my god, he's fucking gorgeous

Every ARMY whose met them is so right

They are so much more handsome and gorgeous in person

He waves at me and my heart stops

My mouth drops open

'Wave back you idiot!', my brain screams

My arm reconnects to my brain and I wave at him

"Hi", he mouths

"Hhhh...hi", I stutter

He smiles and I die inside

I smile back at him

He starts rapping his part but he's looking at me

I have no words

I don't know what I'm feeling besides pure euphoria

He stays in front of me for the rest of the song and the next song

When he raps again, I take out my phone and record him

After he's done, I stop the recording

When I look back up, he's crouching down and motioning to me

I look at him confused

He points to my phone

He wants my phone?

I hold it out to him and he takes it

What the fuck is happening?

He holds the phone up and takes a picture of himself

Holy shit I got a famous Yoongi selfie

He walks away with my phone and I watch him take pictures with the other members

They all do silly faces and smile

I can't believe this

"You're so lucky", the ARMY next to me says

"Yeah seriously. I think he likes you", the one to my left says

Likes me?

No way

I'm nobody

I'm not even that pretty

No way he'd like me out of all people

He has millions of girls, idols and ARMYS who he could have, why would he want me?

"I don't think so. I think he just wants to be silly", I answer

"Oh please, he stared at you the whole time he was here. It's like he was rapping to you"

It did feel that way but I'm not letting that get to my head

"Nah. Besides the other guys have taken ARMYS phones before to take pictures and videos. I guess it's just Yoongi's turn"

"Girl take it for what it is. He likes you. You should be happy"

I don't know what to say so I don't say anything

I turn back to the stage and see that the guys are leaving the stage.

Yoongi leaves with my phone

Uh ok then

I mean I don't care but why does he want my phone?

The concert is only half over so I'm guessing he'll give it back eventually

Whatever he could do whatever he wants with it

I'm not complaining

A video on the screens starts and I turn my attention to it, waiting for BTS to come back on stage

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

Yoongi POV

I have her phone

I don't know why I took it

No, I do know why I took it

I want to put my number in her phone

What the fuck am I doing?

What's come over me?

I see millions of ARMYS all the time- at concerts, at performances, events and fan signs

But I never felt anything like I'm feeling now from seeing her

I don't even know what it is I'm feeling

I like her

I know that for sure

And I want to know her

Talk to her

Spend time with her

Like I said what the fuck am I doing?

Hobi or Tae are the ones mostly likely to do this shit

Not me

But I know I'm going to regret it if I don't try to get to know her

I don't know why I feel like that or why that feeling is so strong but I'm going to follow it

I don't want to regret anything

I have time

Jimin and Jin are doing their solos and then the vocal line is doing 'The Truth Untold"

Her phone doesn't have a password or lock on it

When I turn it back on, my eyes widen at the wallpaper

It's me

A picture of me during a performance, rapping in the mic

Why am I happy about that?

I go to her contacts

It's in English

She doesn't speak Korean?

She may not, she looks American

But she could be Korean

If she was born here

I don't know but I hope I can spend time with her to find out

I type in my name, phone number and save it

Then I go find Namjoon

----------------------------------------------------

"What?", he asks incredously

"Just write it so I can copy it"

"Yoongi what the hell are you doing?", he asked

"I don't know", I answer honestly, "I just saw her and I feel like I need to get to know her"

"Yoongi, she's an ARMY at a concert. You don't know her."

"I know Namjoon. I can't explain it"

"This is so not like you", he comments

"I know. But it is me doing it. So can you just write out what I'm asking?"

He sighs, "Fine"

"Do we have anymore tickets for the fan sign tomorrow?"

"You're going to give her one of those?"

I nod, "Yes"

"I don't know. Go ask the manager who's here"

----------------------------------------------------

I'm so nervous

I'm standing by the stage getting ready for 'Tear'

I have pockets so I have the girl's phone with the note I wrote and the ticket to the fanmeet

The manager managed to get another ticket and gave it to me

I wrote the note, copying Namjoon's

Now I just have to give it to her

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

J POV

Namjoon, Hobi and Yoongi come on the stage

The music for Tear starts

I love this song!

They spread out and Yoongi comes over to me

He's seriously going to kill me

He pulls something from his pocket then crouches down

He looks right at me, smiles and reaches out holding something

He nods at me to take it, so I do

Then he stands back up just in time for his first part

I look down at what he gave me

It's an envelope

Opening it, I see my phone in it

With paper too

I put my phone in my pocket then pull out the papers

There's a note on top of another piece of paper

I glance up at the stage

Yoongi is rapping his part but his eyes keep darting to me

Looking back at the note, I read it

And almost pass out

Hi. This ticket is for tomorrow's fan meet. Please come. My number is in your phone. Text me please.

Min, Yoongi

Holy shit, no way

I look at the other paper

Oh my god it is a ticket for tomorrow's fan meet

Then does that mean...

I pull my phone back out, going into my contacts

I scroll through it and holy fuck

It's there

He put it under "Yoongi Min"

I click on the contact and there really is a phone number there

My mouth drops

I look up at the stage, to see him standing by me again, watching me

I close my mouth and swallow

Is this really happening?

Am I dreaming?

His eyes glance down to my hand, to the ticket, then back to me

He raises his eyebrow

Is he....asking me if I'm gonna go?

I look at the ticket then back at him

I nod and he smiles at me

I can't fucking breathe

How is this happening?

Min, Yoongi from BTS wants me to come to a fan meet?

He put his number in my phonem

What fucking planet am I on right now?

I can't believe this

I really can't

I put the note and ticket in the envelope and in my bag

I look up, realizing I missed the whole song

The guys are all on stage while the music for Mic Drop starts

I can't tear my eyes away from Yoongi

I tried to watch the other guys during the whole concert when they did group songs

I love all the guys and I enjoy watching them all dance and perform

But now, I can't look away from Yoongi

My eyes follow him everywhere

And I'm so fucking shocked when I see him glancing at me over and over

When the song finishes, they all go off the stage

---------------------------------------------------

The guys just finished their little speeches they give

They're so sweet

Yoongi glanced in my area while he was talking and saying that he's happy to be here with us

I'm not stupid enough to think he's talking about me

He loves all ARMYS

We all make him happy

They sing a few more songs, then the concert is over

The guys are walking all over the stage, waving at ARMYS and playing with their phones and selfie sticks

Yoongi is on the other side of the small stage, waving at ARMYS

Tae comes over to my section and I take pictures of him

He waves and I wave back

Hobi comes over, with a cell phone taking pictures of us

Then he crouches down, puts the phone in my face and takes a picture.

What the hell?

Hobi looks at me and points to his smile

He wants me to smile

Uh sure I guess so

I smile and he takes another picture

He gives me a thumbs up and walks away

I'm so confused

"Jeez all the guys like you", one girl next to me says

"Uh no I don't think so"

"Are you kidding? J-Hope just took a close up of you. V waved at you.

And Suga was fawning over you the whole time. He kept looking at you. And he gave you something."

She sounds jealous

I mean I would be too but I didn't do anything

"And here he comes again"

I glance up to see Yoongi walking over

Hobi stops him and hands him the phone he took my picture on

Yoongi takes it, putting it in his pocket

It's his phone?

Oh my god

Yoongi waves at all the ARMYS at my section

Then he looks at me

He gives me a finger heart and a to-die for smile

I feel a huge smile burst on my face

He nods, then walks away

This has been the best freaking night of my life

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

Yoongi POV

I stare at my phone intently willing it to ring

I'm waiting for the girl to text me

I want her too so much

I don't have her number

I know I could of used her phone to call my cell but I don't want to be creepy

"Yoongi what the hell was up with you tonight?", Jungkook asks as he sits down

The rest of the guys come into the living room

"What are you talking about?", I play it off

"You were distracted and almost missed your part so many times.", Jimin answers

"It's because of the girl", Namjoon says

"What girl?", Jin asks

"Nothing", I say

"The girl Yoongi saw in the crowd. He has a thing for her. He took her phone."

"Namjoon..", I warn

He just looks at me and rolls his eyes

I'm going to murder him

"He put his number in her phone and asked me to write a note so he could copy it. Then he got one of the managers to get her a ticket for tomorrow's fan meet so he can see her again"

"What the fuck Namjoon?", I yell

"Oh get over it.", he snaps

"Was that the girl Hobi took a picture of?", Tae asks

"Yeah", Hobi joins in, "He asked me to take a picture of her. So I took a lot."

"That girl was hot", Tae answers

"What?", I snap, "You noticed her?"

Tae snorts, "Of course I noticed her. She was the only white girl in her section and she was in the first row"

"She's really beautiful Yoongi. I can see why you got distracted", Hobi tells me

I just glare at him

"Ok I need to see a picture of this girl", Jin announces

"Yeah really", Jimin agrees

"Why?", I growl

"Because she has to be drop dead gorgeous for you of all people to be distracted by her", Jin shrugs

"No. You can see her tomorrow at the fan meet."

"Seriously? No one is going to take her away from you Yoongi", Jin replies

"I will", Tae smirks

"Fuck off"

"Ooo look, he likes her a lot or he wouldn't have reacted like that", Jimin laughs

I look at Namjoon, "They're making fun of me. Happy now?"

"Not particularly", he shrugs

I'm about to tell him off but then my phone buzzes

I look down and it's a text from a number I don't know

"Is this uh Suga? From BTS?"

It's her

She actually texted me

In Korean too

"Yes this is Yoongi"

"Oh hi. I'm the girl from the concert tonight. You took my phone and put your number in it?"

"Who is it?", Jungkook asks

"None of your business", I snap

"It's her. The girl! She texted him!", Jimin squeals

I need to leave before I kill them all

I stand up, starting to walk away

"Where are you going?", Namjoon asks

"Away from you all"

"Aww Yoongi wants to be alone when he talks to his new girlfriend", Jungkook teases

"Shut up!"

I hear them cracking jokes and laughing as I walk to my room

"Yes I remember you", I type and send

I get to my room, close the door and sit on my bed

"I don't mean to sound rude or anything but how do I know it's really you?"

I didn't think of that

I guess she's right to second guess me

After all what idol has ever put their number in a fan's phone?

She could be thinking this is a fake number

"I could send you a picture?"

"Yeah but you can just download any picture of Suga and send it to me"

Uh ok, I didn't think of that either

I mean there's no real way for her to know unless I do a video call with her

"I can call you through FaceTime"

I wait a few minutes for her to answer

"I uh don't have FaceTime. I don't have an iPhone."

"I can do a video call on anything else you want. Just tell me and I'll download the app for it"

She tells me to just use Google's app

Which I have already

"I'm calling you", I text

I call her and it rings

I'm so fucking nervous

Why am I nervous?

She's just a girl

Yeah right

She picks up and her beautiful face fills my screen

"Hi", I breathe

"Holy shit", she gasps, "It is you"

"Yeah it's me", I repeat, noticing she's speaking Korean

Really well

Say something idiot

"Uh what's your name?", I ask

"Oh right. Uh Joanne. It's Kang, Joanne"

Kang?

But she's not Korean

She's not even Asian

I guess I'll have to ask her about that another time

If she agrees to talk to me again

"You're name is pretty", I say blushing

"Oh uh thank you", she answers

'Talk', I yell at myself

"So uh did you have fun tonight?"

She smiles

God it's stunning

"Yeah. I love you guys. I've been to every tour you've had but this was the first time I was able to get a ticket right in the front"

"You came to every tour?"

"Yeah from when you guys first started. I was there at your debut showcase too. I'm an O.G. ARMY", she says proudly

"Wow, thank you for your support"

She was there from the beginning with us

That means a lot

"Of course. You guys are awesome and so hardworking for us.", she smiles

Mother of god her smile is fucking gorgeous

I feel like I can't breathe

A silence falls and I don't know what to say

She's just looking at me then moves her eyes away, but then looks back at me

I can't tear my eyes away from her

'Talk', I scream at myself

"So you're uh coming tomorrow?", I ask

"Yeah of course. But uh...why did you give me a ticket? You could of gave it to anyone. Why me?"

Shit what do I say?

That she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen and I want to know her?

No

"Uh I....you look really nice and I wanted to meet you", I answer lamely

God I sound like a dork

"You uh don't have to come if you dont want to", I say

I didn't want to say that but I'm not going to force her to come

"Are you crazy? Of course I want to come meet you. That's like a dream come true", she exclaims

A dream come true?

Seriously?

Her eyes widen and she splutters, "I mean...meeting you and all of BTS...you know.....shit"

She puts her hand over her face in embarassment

She's so fucking cute

"No yeah I get what you mean", I answer, trying to make her feel better, "I feel the same way when I meet other celebrities I really like"

I smile at her

She just stares at me, biting her lower lip absentmindley.

Fuck me, that's so hot

I stare back at her until she breaks eye contact

"I uh don't want to take up much of your time. You gotta be so tired after the concert."

I am but I don't want to stop talking to her

But I don't want to creep her out either

And I'll see her tomorrow

"Oh yeah. And I have to get up early tomorrow for the fan meet."

"You do? Isn't it at like 3?", she asks

"No yeah for ARMYS. But we have to get ready and everything."

"Oh right. God I'm so dumb", she mutters

"No you're not. You just don't have to think about that, that's all. It's ok", I assure her

"I guess"

Fuck, I don't want her to feel bad

"So I'll see you tomorrow?"

I don't know why but I need more confirmation

I already like her a lot and I only spoke to her for fifteen minutes

What is wrong with me?

"Yeah Suga, definitely", she confirms

"Yoongi", I say automatically, "Call me Yoongi. Please."

Surprise fills her face

"Oh uh ok. Yoongi", she says

Shit, I like hearing her say my name

I'm a fucking goner

I already know I'm going to fall in love with her

I don't know how I know but it's such an overwhelming feeling that I have

It's definitely going to happen

I hope she can love me too

"Ok", I repeat

"I'll see you tomorrow", she repeats too, "Good night Yoongi"

"Good night Joanne"

She blushes, smiling, then hangs up

I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, a huge dorky smile on my face

I can't wait until tomorrow

[fanmoose12]

a little something for @bruciesnat :) i know i've promised it like a lifetime ago, sorry for the delay! oh, and i decided to combine it with a prompt i also received a long while ago <3

Mike doesn't know why he's doing this. Doesn't understand how he agreed to it, can't comprehend why Erwin would make him do it. Mike doesn't know what he had done to deserve this- this punishment.

He's- he's a good man. An honest one. He serves to ensure the future of humanity, he risks his life to give others a better one.

He's good at it too, he's excellent at fighting and slashing and scouting. He was the best one at it, before- before the annoying midget came.

The same annoying midget, who is insanely strong and easily irritated. The same annoying midget, who has a crush on their adorable Hange. Hange, who Mike has to seduce to test Erwin's theory that Levi, insanely strong, easily irritated Levi, truly has a crush on their Hange.

Mike swallows heavily as he sits next to Hange, just a little too close as Erwin instructed. He smells that it won't end well.

He cringes, as he puts his arm around her shoulders.

Mike likes Hange, a lot actually. Sometimes he feels like they're siblings that were torn apart by some bigger entity. So yeah, he likes Hange. But definitely not like that.

But, oh well, anything for the cause, right?

"Hey, Hans," he murmurs, adopting his most seducting tone. He hopes that his smile is charming enough to captivate their dear scientist. "Are you free tonight? I have two tickets to the theater perfomance," he leans in closer, lowering his voice to what could probably (Mike is an eternal optimist!) be called an enticing whisper. "They're showing the creation of the the Walls tonight."

Somewhere on his periphery, Mike can see a swift dark shadow that oozes the smell of detergent. That shadow, it grows closer, its aura becoming more menacing.

Mike can only hope that if Levi attempts to kill him, Erwin would intervene.

Although... knowing Erwin, he'd just write Mike's death off as a necessary sacrifice.

He takes his hand off Hange. The shadow retreats a few steps back.

"Sorry, Mike," Hange shrugs with a small, apologizing smile. "I showed that play to Levi a few weeks ago. I had my fill of religious propaganda for now. But if you're looking for someone to accompany you," she winks and turns around. Mike's heart sinks. "Levi really liked going to the theatre! He'll be happy to tag along, right, Levi?"

Mike meets Levi's eyes, and sees nothing but desire for murder inside.

Mike quickly scrambles to his feet. "You know, I'll just ask Gelgar to go with me. I'm sure he doesn't have anything better to do."

And they can get wasted afterwards. Mike really needs that after this conversation.

Just as he retreats, Levi takes his place, sitting down next to Hange, also just a little too close.

The mission had failed spectacularly, but, Mike consoles himself, at least he learned that Hange and Levi went to theatre together. And sometimes intel is more important than the victory, right?

Ah, if only Erwin would share his opinion on that.

***

Erwin's second attempt is even worse than the first one, but, at least, this time it doesn't directly involve Mike. Still, he's an unwilling spectator to it, and, just as the last time, he doesn't like where all of this is going.

He already feels bad for the poor guy Erwin hired to hit on Hange during the annual military ball. Where did Erwin get the money - did he take them from the Corps' funds or his own allowance, Mike doesn't know, and, frankly, he isn't sure which option is more disturbing.

At least, the actor is handsome, Mike doesn't know if Hange would like him, he doesn't know if she has a type, and if she does, he hopes it's not annoying midgets, but the guy is handsome, there is no denying that.

Hange has cleaned up fairly well too, the white suit looks excellent on her, bringing out all of her best assets, demonstrating her wide hips and lean, long legs. The hair, gathered in a neat bun, shows her long, gorgeous neck, and the light make-up make her even more gorgeous than usual.

When she and Erwin walked through the front door - him in his blue suit and Hange in her white, symbolising their Wings of Freedom, everyone had their breath taken away.

Even Mike was a little shocked to see Hange dressed up like this, and Levi, who stood right next to him, was completely blown away, staring at Hange with wide-eyed, lovestruck look.

Thanks to Levi's ridiculous expression, Mike now understands why Erwin goes to such length to bring their resident weirdos together. It is delightful to watch Levi behave like that, and Mike longs to see more of this side of him.

Soon after Hange and Erwin make their grand entrance, their guy makes the first move.

He approaches Hange, his eyes bright and smile so charming it makes Mike envious that Hange is at the receiving end of it. He kisses her hand, whispers something in her ear.

"He praises her recent experiment. I thought it was a good place to start," Erwin explains quietly to him.

"Ah," Mike nods. So Erwin thought every detail through? Not surprising at all. "Think this would have an effect on Levi?"

"It already does," Erwin says, pointing to a furious cloud of black hair and suit that is approaching them at a rapid speed.

"Has four-eyes lost all shame?" Levi practically growls, his eyes throwing flames. "Is she seriously flirting with a fucker from the MP?"

"He's not a soldier," Mike answers, reciting a legend Erwin created. "He's actually a wealthy merchant from the South. Heard he sells apples to the King himself."

"And since when Hange is interested in someone like him," Levi crosses hands on his chest, his glare turning even darker, as Erwin's actor takes Hange by the hand and leads her to the dance floor.

"You know, you can ask Hange to a dance," Erwin advices with a pleased smile. "Then she won't be able to flirt with others."

Levi scoffs. "I would rather fight a horde of titans than dance with stinky four-eyes."

Maria, Rose and Sina, Mike thinks. They're worse than children.

"Hange has taken a bath before coming here," he tells Levi.

Levi rolls his eyes. "And now she looks even more awful than usual."

Mike shares a look with Erwin. Does Levi prefer usual Hange, when she doesn't bath for days and her eyes water from the lack of sleep? It almost sounds cute.

"This is the last time I'm attending this shitty ball," Levi swears to Erwin. "Even wine here is shitty."

He marches away immediately after that, heading to the table with wine. Mike can barely stop his laughter, as he watches Levi take a glass of wine, drink a few large gulps of it, and then wince, his mouth moving as he probably murmurs violent curses. He doesn't take his eyes off Hange and her dance partner, and relaxes only when the song ends.

Both Mike and Erwin watch intently as the actor kisses Hange's hand once again. Hange blushes, and Mike almost coos. Levi grabs another glass of wine.

When the actor starts leading Hange away, in the direction of the balcony, Levi starts moving too. He intercepts them just at the edge of the ballroom.

Mike knows he should have expected something like that, knows that Levi doesn't exactly possess the best of manners, but pouring wine over someone? Over his own colleague and friend? Mike certainly didn't expect that.

He's delighted to see what happens next, though.

What happens is that Hange's gorgeous white suit is ruined and Levi wraps his hand around her wrist and drags her to the bathroom. He sports a unusually pleased expression and Hange is laughing herself silly.

Not a bad ending to this endeavor, Mike thinks.

"Another disaster," Erwin sighs.

***

Third time is a charm, or so Mike hopes.

This time Erwin decides to take matter in his hands, and that another sign that this plan will succeed.

The plan is simple, yet, hopefully, effective. Erwin is to whisk Hange away to some remote location, create a scene that would look like a moment between lovers, and Mike is to call Levi there and make sure he witnesses it all.

Erwin is a brave man, Mike thinks, as his Commander explains the plan to him. He would never dare to do something like that to humanity's strongest. To awaken his jealous streak... Mike is glad he's not in Erwin's place.

One sunny afternoon, the plan is set in motion. Erwin takes Hange, and Mike goes to find Levi.

He finds him fairly quickly, in the middle of cleaning Hange's room. Man, he could at least try to make his crush be less discreet. But that's beside the point now, because Levi is cleaning Hange's room and not watching Erwin and Hange. Mike confidently strides up to him.

"Levi! I've just been looking for you."

"What do you need?" he asks boringly. "And have you seen four-eyes? I can't find her all day."

Erwin prepared some legend, a reason why Mike needs Levi, but in the heat of the moment, Mike can't remember a single word. So he just yells "Come with me!" and hope that Levi follows.

Thankfully, he does.

Mike leads him to the stables, where Erwin is already at it. His palm is on the wall, next to Hange's head, and from Mike's point of view, it certainly looks like they're in the middle of... something naughty.

Next to him, Levi tenses, and Mike can practically hear his teeth grinding.

Mike prepares for something very ugly, but then...

"I- I didn't know that Erwin and four-eyes-" oh, fuck, it sounds like Levi is genuinely sad, like he's heartbroken or something. Mike feels a strange desire to hug the little guy and pat his head. But then he remembers that he and Erwin are the reason for Levi's distress right now, and... remorse starts kicking in.

"Levi, listen, it's not-"

"Levi!"

As always, Hange is the one to save the day.

She breaks free from Erwin and sprints to Levi, a wide smile on her face. "You won't believe what Erwin had just told me! He gave me permission to go in the town's library and bring back all the books I want! I'm in dire need of your muscles, humanity's strongest, you'll go with me, right?"

Levi still seems grouchy, but under Hange's sunny grin, his angry facade crumbles. "I don't know if Commander will allow it..."

He doesn't even try to hide his bitterness and irration. Mike disguises his chuckle as a coughing fit.

"Erwin!" Hange turns to him, eyes pleading. "Can Levi go with me?"

"Sure," Erwin nods. "Take all the time you need."

Hange yells in triumph, loud enough to make Mike wince. She grabs Levi by the hand and drags him away. Erwin watches them with a wistful smile.

"I don't think we should get involved in their relationships," Mike says, as he approaches Erwin. He stands close to his Commander, their shoulders pressing against each other. "We should let them figure it out themselves."

"Agreed," Erwin says. "I'm sure they'll manage well enough even without us."

Mike watches Hange wrap her arm around Levi, and is inclined to agree. They will certainly manage without them both.

Or, at least, Hange is able to manage.

And that should be enough.

[wornoutmouse]

@midoriyaprofessionalslut

I can't even begin to describe the ask I received so I'm just going to leave screenshots😅😅

Also in the new mha season, I thought Tsu was being petty when she called Mineta Grape-Juice and Shoji Tentacle. But nope, those are their hero names.

Side note: I feel like when Mineta gets old and knows how to work his quirk better, he'll be able to control if they stick or not.

Slight racism, usual smut.

NOT PROOF READ SO LET ME KNOW IF U SEE SOMETHING

 If you imagine Mineta as in the picture above and with a mature voice, this is more enjoyable. Or you can imagine someone else entirely.. Cause even as someone who's tolerant to Mineta I can't imagine him getting any hoes much less smashing (at least not on top). It would be like watching a chiwawa top a mastiff. 

"This is some bullshit." You shuffle through various papers on your desk, each containing the receipts of Pro-Hero Grapejuice's celebratory purchases. Most of it was random appliances that could in no way be used on a day-to-day basis, but there were others….a shiver goes down your spine, there were others that were just downright perverted. "What even is a nub tickler?" 

Being an accountant was something you were good at, the numbers came easy and it was interesting to see the income and ways of business that different people in power displayed. Planning meetings and getting the occasional phone call made everything a breeze, but it wasn't what you wanted to do. Or in better words, this was not whom you wanted to work for. Even being number 6 causes the workload to be higher than should be physically possible in the hero world. That's one of the reasons you never gave praise to the rankings because no matter how low in the chain, a hero’s work is always taxing. 

Shifting in your seat you look at the analog clock on your desk. 3:45, you were supposed to come to work at 5:30 which means you once again have no time to sleep. Having these late nights had increased 10 fold whenever Mineta went up in rank even by a little. His way of celebrating was spending his money carelessly and leaving you to fix the balance. Though you supposed it may be your fault for never objecting when he barged in your office showing his trinkets as well as leaving his credit card.

"Yeah, it's time to go." You muttered as you read the words, "Dwarf Cow in the left lot of Wisconsin."

 The next hour, you take a detour from your office for the first time in months. Heading down the hall you watch the walls go from the pale greys to deep purple and violet splotches splattered along the wall before it inevitably melds into solid purple walls as you get closer to the front door of his office.

Hesitantly you knock on the door and wait until a muffled "Come in." Rings through the thick wood. The room itself was just as flamboyant as the walls leading to it. A beautiful fuchsia carpet on the floor made you realize that calling in your two weeks would have been better than walking into the Willy-Wonka factory that was this office. Various spherical decorations hung from the chandelier, and even something as simple as the legs of his desk was made up of crystal spheres.

The man himself sat perfectly balanced on a large purple ball most likely of his own creation, meanwhile, various children sat around him slipping and sliding on smaller balls in an attempt to copy him. "Ah, here is my beautiful assistant!" The compliment made you cringe as you fiddled with the end of the sleep-wrinkled white blouse you had worn for 2 days straight. "Can we talk sir? It is important." Mineta raised an eyebrow at your formal speech before shrugging. 

In an extravagant display of balance, Mineta does a handstand on the ball with one hand before flipping to the other side. "Well kids it's time for me to get done as a hero’s job is never over and blah blah blah the gift shop is giving out free plushies and you can keep your ball." The teacher does her best to usher out her students and the sound of childish screams resound down the hallway even though the door was shut. "How can I help you Y/n?" Mineta offers you his ball to sit on and you reluctantly take the offer as you grate in multiple directions in order to stay afloat. 

Mineta watches you with hidden interest as he interlocks his hands underneath his chin. "I didn't know you even knew my name?" Mineta Laughs exposing his annoyingly perfect teeth. It was hard to associate this face to the pictures you see when you search for his early years. "Of course I know your name, I stole your nameplate off your desk 2 months ago." Ah, so that's where it went  "What was it you wanted to talk about?"

You sighed, "I would like to put in my two weeks." Mineta goes slack-jawed before composing himself "Why?" Mineta looked at you earnestly, completely confused on why you'd want to abandon your post as his secretary- I mean assistant. "Working for you has become a hassle with your lack of financial maturity." Mineta mock shivers, "Oo big words, me no likey." Mineta hops onto his desk as if he weighed nothing more than paper and squats in front of you, "How about this, you don't quit and instead help me learn how to...how did you say it? Be financially mature." You lean back in your chair unconvinced that he was taking this seriously.

With the final nail ready to be hit, Mineta adds, "How about I give you a raise of 10 percent and a promotion?" You stand up in your chair with an eager grin, "That sounds great!" Mineta smirks to himself but you did not pay any mind to it. "Great, how about we discuss this over food, dinner date?" Your internal celebration screeches to a halt, " Dinner Date-" Mineta looks at you shocked, "Dinner date? Great idea, why didn't I think of it myself!?" A firm hand slides you towards the door as Mineta starts a complimentary speech giving you no room to object, "This is why I need you, you're so smart, I wish I was like you, tomorrow at 11?" You sputter trying to slip past his arms, "11 but I-?!" Mineta loudly gasps again, "There you go doing it again I'm so lucky to have you, tomorrow at 11 my treat!"

The door is shut in your face and the sound of the lock clicking seals your fate. What did you get into?

Cut to 4 years later and you are still not sure of that answer. Simply being bis accountant you had a glimpse of his perverted tendencies, but as his girlfriend, it was further exposed to depths you never could have found yourself imagining. You shuffle papers in the printing room as you do your best to ignore the faint tingling sensation in between your legs. Yet another whim you found yourself following on Mineta’s behalf despite the ever-present fear of being caught. The vibrator comes to life before going back down as quickly as it came. You toss a middle finger to the camera in the top corner of the room knowing he was watching.

"Miss L/n, can I ask you something?" You slap your arm down to your side in embarrassment. I hope he didn't see that.  Your coworker walks up to you holding a small stack of papers. "Yes, how can I help you?" The man shows you various forms as he talks, for once you were thankful for Mineta not embarrassing you in front of others. "Oh I see where you went wrong, this right here would be a 20% increase, not 18%." The man applauded you and graciously wrote down your explanation. "Thank you so much, my name is Kaminari by the way." 

"Ah hello, Kaminari, and no worries I'm always glad to help!" You turn back as your papers finally scan through but can't help notice Kaminari lingering. "Say Y/n?" You open your mouth to respond only to close it again as the vibratory comes back to life strongly. "Hmmm?!" Kaminari peers at you, your reaction was strange but he couldn't figure out why. "Um, never mind, have a nice day Miss. Y/n, maybe we can get together over coffee or something?” You shrug turning away from Kaminari in fear of your eyes rolling up. The man sways from foot to foot awkwardly before leaving the printing room. 

Snapping out of your personal flashback, you look over at your fiance signing autographs for his adoring and objectively feminine fan base. While it was extremely unnerving how unknowingly close they were to your home, you weren't resentful of their gushing.

Your engagement and your overall relationship had not been made public in fear of your personal life being exploited by paparazzi. That doesn't mean, however, the next thing you witness doesn't get your blood boiling.

A girl, no older than maybe 22 waltzes up to Mineta with the confidence of Muhammad Ali in a ring match. Her raven black hair fell flawlessly down her back with not a single split end. Almond eyes decorated with precise coal blink rapidly to draw attention to her seemingly natural eyelashes. With 4 inch wedges. a black halter top, and cuffed jean shorts, it was clear she was someone on a mission. She effortlessly pushes past the nearby fans as they stop to quack at her rivaling beauty. A smirk draws itself with her soft pink lips as she hears people muttering around and about her.

"Wow she's so pretty"

"They would look good together just look at them."

"Ugh, such an attention whore, not giving the rest of us a chance!"

"I bet a 20 she's his type."

"Is she famous?"

The chatter comes to a close as the girl hands Mineta a notebook, "Can you sign right here?" Mineta flips open the book and his eyes widen a fraction before he puts on his heroic voice, "Wow it looks like you got all of Japan's heroes in this book!" The girl smiles as she watches Mineta scratch his signature, "Don't be afraid to leave your number in there too Mr. Minoru." Mineta pauses at the statement for continuing his elaborate handwriting, "I don't think that would be very plus ultra of me so I'm gonna have to pass." Smug pride fills your chest as you watch the annoyance cross the girl's face.

Mineta finishes signing and hands her back her book, she, in turn, forces a small piece of paper in his hand before holding his chin and kissing him. At that moment nothing else mattered but beating that bitches ass as you yanked her black hair and dragged her to the ground. "This ain’t Wattpad bitch get your hands off of him!!" You turn to Mineta making him flinch with a sharp glare as you yank her hair again, hopefully pulling a few strands out. "You just gonna let her kiss you and not do anything!?" Mineta stretched his hands towards you cautiously, "Y/n calm down, if you would have given me a chance I would have settled it-" "No, settle it now!"

Your rage is diminished by the judgmental looks coming from the fans and you realize your brazen display was out of order.

"Who is she"

"I think she's the secretary l, so why is she so mad"

"Delusional just cause you're with him all the time doesn't mean you're together"

"I hope he fires her."

"This is why we shouldn't let them in Japan"

The girl whose hair you have in a chokehold stands up unbalanced before pushing your hands from her hair. Satisfied at the disheveled look of her previously perfect strands, you turn to walk back to Mineta, your anger having been sated, "Black Bitch." You turn around and go charging towards the girl again grinning when she flinches. Your rampage is stopped as Mineta wraps his arms around your waist and picks you up, "Sorry for the disturbance, we deeply apologize!"

It's almost comical how your mouth spews vulgarity that would make a sailor blush as Mineta drags you behind your apartment building. He ushers you through the back door leading to the washroom, "I can't believe she'd do that in front of me, and you let her!" Mineta shuts the door quietly, leaning his ear against it to listen out for any lingering fans. You sit on top of a washer still ranting as your blood cools down. "The nerve of some of these people is outrageous, even if she doesn't know about us that is still sexual harassment!"

Mineta doesn't look at you and instead peeks through the blinds lining the washroom windows. "I think they are gone, come on." The two of you sneak out the door and walk at a moderate speed all the way back to your front door. In hindsight, you knew that causing a scene like that was a bold move on your part. If anyone was recording the whole ordeal you knew Mineta’s name and possibly yours would be in the headlines by later this evening. 

As the last one entering, you lock the door behind you, forehead scrunched together with apprehension. "Mineta I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me. I just saw her touching you and saw red." You face away from the door with an earnest look on your face. Mineta has a cheeky look on his face that can only mean trouble. Despite your similar slim build and height, Mineta easily corners you against the door. "I know exactly what got into you." Mineta’s pointer finger taps your nose. "Jealousy."

You sighed, putting your head down nodding, "Yeah, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just-" "shhh." Mineta lips your head back up with a hand under your chin. "It's fine Y/n. It's not like I expected a perfect little cocksleeve like you to be okay with sharing." You stare blinkingly at Mineta. 'Oh, he's in one of those moods huh?' As expected from such a fiend like Mineta, he was quite possibly hard the whole time he was watching you beat that girl's ass, and for some reason that irked you even more. “Mineta I’m being serious.” The words leaving your mouth did not phase Mineta, he holds your hips and pulls you close to him in order for you to feel his bulge. 

“Oh come on, after seeing you be so possessive for me, how can you not expect me to be a lil turned on?” Mineta’s hands circle your ass before slapping it, “Made me feel special.” Rolling your eyes you lean into the lingering kisses he begins to leave on your shoulder. His grip tightens as he shuffles you to the nearest surface. “Makes me feel all giddy inside to know that you do this only for me and no one else.” Minoru unbuttons your dress pants and removes your belt, “But doing that in front of all those people was stupid.” A shiver travels up your arms from the feeling of lips caressing your ear. Mineta dips his hand into your cotton panties and immediately draws attention to your clit.

“Look at me, Mineta Minoru with a girl like you that would fight for me. Who would have thought?” You ball your fists on the table, hanging your head low. “You’re not going to make this easy for me are you?” Mineta slips his other hand beneath your blouse to cup your breasts. Short l  rub down your slit collecting your slick. The feeling was warm and buzzing just underneath your skin, the bastard was well trained on how to slowly but surely bring your pleasure to its peak and hold you there. Your muscles begin to feel more and more like jelly, you sigh “Oh God..” Mineta pushed his body further on yours, rutting against your body. Up until now, his other hand was simply resting on your skin but once impatience overcame him, he used it to pull down your pants. 

“You know this will be in articles tomorrow right?” Two fingers curl inside of you making you squeal, “Y-Yes!” Something hard and slick smacks against your bare ass as Mineta removes the bottom half of his hero costume. “So how are you going to compensate me for what I’ll have to deal with tomorrow?” You turn your head to the back with a small pout on your face, “She shouldn’t have touched you.” Mineta coyly smiles before pressing your head down against the table. “You should have let me handle it.” 

Mineta was an average of 5 inches in length with conservative girth. But so far he’s been the only man that really added proof that size doesn’t matter. Mineta pulls away from you and leans down to riffle through his pants. You hear a crisp pop of a cap being opened and a slick splatter is heard afterward. A shaky breath leaves Mineta’s lips as he lubes his cock up. Penetrating is a struggle at first, the longer it takes for him to push it in the more both of you become frustrated until he finally pulls your waist back against himself. “S-So good!” The pleasure causes his childhood lisp to slip through as he waits for you to acclimate to the stretch. 

You shift your feet when Mineta refrains from moving. "Tsk, you really don't understand the meaning of patience do you?" Your hands suddenly become cool to the touch as Mineta covers them with medium sized spheres temporarily gluing you to the table. "Mineta this isn't fair! Please just a little bit to the left!" Now having you helpless Mineta puts one hand on your back while stroking the base of his cock. "It's not about being fair, it is about teaching a sneaky brat like you to know their place." Mineta begins to move but it's not right, he needs to go more to the left, "Mineta what are you even talking about!?!" 

A sigh leaves Mineta's lips, "Don't think I forgot about that slick shit you tried to pull with Kaminari." Mineta watches your ad shake and bounce everytime your hips meet. Your arms twitch and pull at themselves wanting to find purchase on the flat surface. Groans leave your lips as Mineta comes closer to hitting your spot,  "Slick shit?! Y-You're the one that wanted to do that stupid little piano in the first place!" You couldn't see it but Mineta had a deep seated glare on his face. He loops his fingers underneath his yellow scarf and rolls it around long ways. 

"I'm really tierd of your mouth. What you think because I let you beat that girl out their I'll let you beat me?" The middle of the scarf is put in your mouth and your head is pulled back by it. Mineta holds both ends of the scarf to slam into your cunt. "Just a greedy little bitch aren't you?" You scream into the cloth as Minetas cock finally hits your spot just right. The constant pulling on the corner of your mouth burned everytime the fabric rubbed against the sensitive flesh. Your feet rise to your toes in a fruitless attempt at getting a break from the pleasure. Mineta holds his scarf in one hand and pushes down your waist. "Didnt you want this? Don't run from it now."

Your pussy squelched around his cock the faster he went making you go cross eyed. "Fuck you feel so damn good.  The table rattled and scraped across the floor with every thrust. "oh fuck, I'm gonna cum!" Your nails scraped the table as you closed your fist, had you had claws it would have been a whole different story. You beared down on his cock, trying, begging to feel more inside of your walls as he moved faster. Suddenly your argument fel worth it.

Mineta knew many things about himself. He knew his birthday, he knew where he was in life, and he knew he had come 6 minutes ago and was bordering hysteria as he pumped his overestimated cock into your wet heat. Each drag made years collect in his eyes.  Tiny whimpers left his lips and his hands squeezed your sides harder and hard.  "So fucking warm. Squeezing down on my dick like that." 

He bowed his head and rested on your back,  kissing the sweaty skin as he pushed through the painful pleasure.  "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Mineta slaps your ass  before pulling out and shoving his fingers inside your pussy. "Cum for me, Y/n. That's it cum on my hands." Mineta's fingers were the only thing that never really grew on him. They were relatively short but thick so even three of them were able to stretch your hole the way you needed. 

"Y-Yes, right there shit!" Your cum drips down his arm soiling the fabric there as you squint around him, "That's it give it to me." Mineta buried his face in your pussy licking you clean like a man starved. It wasn't until you whined did he stop and pull his fingers out. 

Luckily for you, his spheres were just about coming close to their time constraint. You stand up rubbing your wrists and drinking some water Mineta brings you. A snort captures your attention and Mineta holds up his phone, "Not even an hour." Writing in thick bold words read. 

"Obsessive Secretary Snaps on Camera!"

You snort, "I'm the obsessive one huh?" It was going to be a long day tomorrow 

[aros001]

Going in blind: Watching season 1 for the first time. Random thoughts.

This show is kind of nice because I have no memories of the original She-Ra show, or even any of He-Man, honestly. I'm not sure if I ever watched the original, so I have no frame of reference for how the series is "supposed" to be. I can just take it and judge it as is.

Of the bat, all I know is that supposedly She-Ra and Catra get together as a romantic couple later, but I'm also a huge My Hero Academia fan and the fandom around me ships every character with every other character, so for all I know that might just be shipper wishful thinking I've been seeing and hearing. Given fandoms for Gravity Falls, Thor, and Supernatural ship even siblings together, I've learned not to trust anything except for what I see in the series for myself.

By the way, this isn't a review, just random thoughts and comments I'm having as I'm going through season 1 for the first time.

Episodes 1 and 2: Right off, I really like Catra's "No duh" response to Adora about the truth of the horde. She knows they've been lying to them and have been doing terrible things, she just doesn't care. If she and Adora play their cards right they could end up being the ones in charge and then they'd have all that power. Not necessarily to make things better but enough to where they could do whatever and live however they want. That's a good build for an antagonist. Not ignorant to the fact what they're doing is wrong, just simply so selfish that they don't care.

Episode 3: It really feels like there was no good reason why Glimmer didn't just outright introduce Adora to her mother and every reason she should have known it was a bad idea to try and hide her for a surprise. Being a former horde soldier she'd probably get treated with hostility if Glimmer brought her to the front gate but you'd almost guarantee Adora would get arrested or outright killed if she got caught while no one else knew she was there.

On the other side, we have Hordak being pretty intelligent in promoting Catra. He probably knows Shadow Weaver already doesn't like him, so it's not like he's losing anything making her upset with him, and it's clear she favors Adora way more than Catra, so that little bit of advancement towards Catra probably goes a long way in earning her loyalty to him and a person on the inside with Shadow Weaver.

Also, I'm not the only one who saw Madam Razz and immediately thought Adora had found her Yoda, right?

Episode 4: I don't know how it was in the original She-Ra and He-Man series but I kind of like She-Ra being this title from legend. Adora is not the first She-Ra, given what Razz was talking about with a Mara, so instead of being something new, impressing everyone with abilities they've never seen before, and creating the legend, Adora is placed in a position WAY over her head where she's having to live up to what came before her.

Episode 5: Calling it now, as long as her personality is genuine I think Scorpia is going to be one of my favorite characters in this show. She's...endearing, I think is the best word. She's like a mix of Kronk and a nicer Shego.

For a little bit I thought Mermista was voiced by the same actress who played Poison Ivy in the Harley Quinn animated series. She's not but they do have the same kind of Daria-ish inflections, thus by confusion. Given the prom episode, Sea Hawk feels kind of like her Kite Man.

Episode 6: Okay, now it's between Scorpia and Entrapta who are likely to be my favorites by the end of this. She's fun and quirky.

Episode 7: Quite the lore drop. Shadow Weaver was once a Mystacor sorceress known as Light Spinner. I like to imagine we'll get more on that later. Her haunting Adora reminded me of the Teen Titans' episode where Robin was similarly haunted by Slade. This didn't go as far as that but that's probably for the best, since TT had two and a half seasons to build that dynamic up with Robin and Slade while we're only now halfway through the first season.

Episode 8: Well dang. Again, I don't know for sure if Adora and Catra do end up together but boy do I buy why they're shipped together after that dance. Also, good on Bow for standing up for himself. It's clear that he'll always be Glimmer's friend and this won't change that but that doesn't mean he has to just accommodate her. I understand where her issues stem from but I am still glad he gave her a reality check. It helps him feel a little more like his own character.

Also, another nice little bit of lore and worldbuilding. Scorpia's a princess, the horde landed where her people lived, and they seemed to join them willingly.

Episode 9: Surprisingly don't have a lot to say about this other than I don't buy for a second that Entrapta is dead (EDIT: She's not). This was mostly action.

Episode 10: Not going to lie, this one kind of annoyed me a little, at least the first half. The conversation between Glimmer and her mother saved it a bit. It was a bit of a trifecta. You have the alliance breaking apart, saying that the loss of Entrapta only happened because they were all together...even though Entrapta only "died" because of her own machine obsession that caused her to deliberately walk back into the purging chamber. You have Entrapta who might be turning to the horde's side because she feels abandoned by the other princesses...even though they thought she was dead, and again it was her fault they got separated. And you have Glimmer refusing to tell her mother that Shadow Weaver's dark magic has caused her powers to go on the fritz and is causing her great pain. It just feels like none of this would be an issue if most of these people would stop being self-absorbed for three seconds and talk like any normal person would. It feels very CW drama, like something I'd see in a bad season of Arrow or The Flash. The only person whose issues I buy is Adora, who is basically a soldier who was never properly raised to deal with emotion or loss and is already struggling with the burden of being She-Ra, the legendary savior. I get why she's beating down on herself for not being able to do more even if nothing that happened was her fault.

Episode 11: JEEEEEEEEEZZZZ, that was such a good episode! Focused entirely on Adora and Catra and their past together. Like, just showing someone this episode alone could probably get them to want to watch the series. That was everything you needed to know about their dynamic and history together.

Also, that moment when Catra and her past self are looking at each other, while obviously Catra takes the opposite lesson, it reminded me of this fanart I'd once seen of Jason Todd, the Red Hood, looking at his past self as Robin. The past says to the future "You ruined everything". Catra could be happy but, ironically for someone who hates Shadow Weaver, she's probably going to be a lot like her, sacrificing everything for power and ambition.

Given the way she looked, I'm guessing Shadow Weaver is either addicted to the power of the Black Garnet or she suffered some kind of past injury and its power is the only thing keeping her going. Or both.

Episode 12: I'll be honest, Swiftwind being able to talk kind of gobsmacked and I needed a moment to recover. What a great voice they chose for that character.

So She-Ra is kind of like the legendary heroes from Rising of the Shield Hero, coming from a long line of people chosen to wield the sword. I tend to dislike chosen one types of stories because I think prophecy takes a lot of weight out of the character's actions, so this and Avatar are more what I like. The MC is special but not the only one who's ever been special and they can still easily fail. Their destiny was only to be able to use the weapon, not that they would succeed in any specific purpose.

And dang, Catra's turn against Shadow Weaver happened faster than I thought it would but I'm not complaining. That great "This is what you've really been preparing me for" speech and Hordak, again, being an intelligent villain. "Oh, this experiment could net me a MASSIVE gain and all it could potentially cost me is this rock I already gave away to someone who lately hasn't been producing any results and has been consistently disobeying me. Yeah, I'm going to let this play out."

Episode 13: That was kind of a brutal fight between Adora and Catra. Not the worst I've ever seen even in other shows for this age range (Samurai Jack, for example) but those punches are connecting and those claws are leaving marks.

Also, maybe I'm just misunderstanding the exact situation but shouldn't the good guys' side be called the Resistance instead of the Rebellion? Being a rebellion would imply they are rebelling against an established power or rule over them, but the actual conflict we are shown is the established power and rule that is the kingdoms of Eternia resisting an outside force that wishes to establish a new order over them.

Season 1 verdict: I'm into it. I'm definitely more invested in the villains' side of things but that's not a fault of the series, that stuff is just way more geared towards me than the current princess stuff. I actively am at attention whenever the horde main characters are on screen. For the good guys it's mostly Adora and the She-Ra stuff I'm invested it. That isn't to say I have any real dislikes for that side. Bow especially I'm liking much more than I thought I might. He has kind of this gravitational pull around him. You will be his friend regardless of how much you might want to resist. He's definitely the rock for everyone else to hold onto.

Minor side note, kind of like Korra in Legend of Korra, I love how even when her powers aren't active Adora is shown to still be pretty strong physically with how easily she was lifting people up at the prom.

And I was right, Scorpia is my favorite side character.

On to season 2!

Original Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PrincessesOfPower/comments/nyll2e/going_in_blind_watching_season_1_for_the_first/

[margarethelstone-2]

Our Sleeves Were Wet With Tears | Chapter 1

“They both knew that it wouldn’t last, that, come tomorrow, the so undesired feeling of awkwardness would take over them again, to some degree at least. They would pass each other in the corridors and a nod and a smile would be all they might expect; they’d meet at the train station occasionally but fail to exchange more than a few words.

And yet somehow, it was fine. Because for the first time since Taichi’s confession, they could hope that the distance they had built was not that of resentment and sorrow, but of mutual respect and readiness to wait.

It was an agreement.”

A Taichihaya story set directly after the end of season 3. Based on the anime, not the manga.

Read under the cut and on AO3!

Chapter 1

Suddenly, like an explosion, the words Taichi said to me in our first year came back to me.

"Arata will come back someday for sure. Let's get stronger and wait for his return."

Let's get stronger.

Let's wait.

No matter how long it might take or how hard it might be, let's work, let's fight, let's be patient.

That's what Taichi had said, two years ago, as they’d sat on that train and gone home after their meeting with Arata, which only could have been called disastrous at the time. She'd had trouble believing him at first, so big her disappointment had been – so overwhelming the shock she'd felt when their childhood friend had as much as thrown them away from his house, despite all the effort they had put into coming there in the first place. And yet, she couldn't have disregarded his words completely, not with the sight of Arata riding his bike like a madman on the other side of the road and with the calm certainty echoing in Taichi's own voice.

It was his confidence that had made her regain her faith; his quiet presence and stubborn persistence that had prompted her to believe again, to follow the advice she surely would have disregarded if it had been nothing but words.

In a way, she was convinced that even if Arata hadn't shown up on his bike, or if she hadn't seen him for herself, it would have been enough to hear Taichi's comment to make her keep going.

After all, Taichi was never wrong.

She didn't always understand him – in fact, the last few months had shown her how little she did, how many things there were about him that she still couldn't comprehend, or things she had been too blind to notice. His confession to her a few weeks prior had been a blow, only made more painful by the following distancing that had led him all the way to giving up on karuta and their club.

The club they had built from scratch.

Had he really expected her to stay after that?

Her eyes welled up again, as she stared at the photo Arata had sent her – sent them both, she assumed, since it would have made no sense for him not to send it to Taichi as well. No matter how Arata felt about her, or how all of the sudden her two dearest friends had become rivals in more fields than karuta, the fact remained that Arata and Taichi were still friends to one another.

Or at least, she desperately hoped they still thought of each other in those terms.

More tears came and ran swiftly down her cheeks, the bright screen of her phone doing nothing to make her eyes sting any less, but then again, she could hardly bring herself to care. Vaguely aware of the other students standing around her as well as the glances they were currently giving her, she kept looking at the device, at the bright smiles Arata and his new teammates were giving her. They were so glad, so hopeful, so extremely enthusiastic...

They were everything the Mizusawa team had been in the photo she'd sent after they'd qualified for the nationals for the first time, even though she was pretty sure that she'd been crying of happiness in that one.

He will come back someday for sure.

The words came back to her again, once again proving that Taichi's guess hadn't been an incorrect one... Except this time, it was Arata's voice she was hearing and Taichi's name that was being pronounced. It was naive, foolish, even. For all she knew, Arata wasn't even aware that they had left their precious club and therefore, had no intention of going to Omi Jingu like he expected them to.

And yet... There was something about that message, or maybe about the way he looked in the photo that made her nearly certain that he did know, and that this particular email was not sent out to brag. It was meant to remind them of something – to prompt them to take action, just like their visit in Fukui had prompted him to do it before.

He had come back. And so would Taichi, in due time.

And she would let him, without nagging him or pressuring him, without begging him to come back for her sake. Right now, they both needed time to heal; and time she would grant him.

Right after she talked to him one more time.

She was back on her feet in no time, and running towards the library as if her life depended on it. She burst through the door with a force that was as unfitting to the place as it was characteristic of herself, a perfect reverse of her abnormally quiet behaviour that week. She came over to her desk with no hesitation, no waver in her step, and took the bag she'd left there before leaving right after. She missed the amused look the Empress gave her, as well as the proud twinkle of recognition that sparkled in her eyes.

Three minutes later she was out of the room, out of the school, racing towards the train station that was bound to take her to Taichi's home. She made it just in time, red and sweaty, and barely able to breathe, and yet, feeling more glad with herself than she had in the course of those miserable few weeks.

The satisfaction only made her push harder after she'd left the train – she had travelled that distance thousands of times by now and still, she was sure she had never covered it in such a short span.

She had no doubt that Taichi would have called her an idiot for straining herself so badly.

Smiling against the new lump that rose in her throat, Chihaya wiped away the tears that threatened to fall down from her lashes once more and took a deep breath, hoping that her eyes weren't as red as she was afraid they were. After all, the task she was about to commence was not an easy one; she didn't need her appearance to betray her inner state when she tried so hard to keep it concealed.

Especially as she still couldn't be sure who would answer the door this time.

Bracing herself, she took the final step and rang the bell, while simultaneously summoning all of her strength and will in order not to spin on her heel and run away at this most crucial point. She had been determined before, and that particular thing had not changed; however, the longer she waited on the steps of Taichi's house, the more she wondered why she was being made wait in the first place.

If Taichi was home... if he knew it was her and decided to ignore it...

Well, that would have been enough to discourage the fiercest soul, while at the time, Chihaya couldn't feel anything but the opposite of that.

She was vulnerable and she knew it; and the more time had passed, the more afraid she became of how – and when – her weakness might take over her eventually.

Right when she was about to give in to her anxiety and run away for real, the door opened to reveal none other than Taichi's dauntless mother. The sight made Chihaya's head spin a little, but she pulled herself together quickly, for once feeling that her quest was more important than any of the glares or remarks she may receive in return.

Bowing low before her host, she choked out desperately, "Please forgive me for the interruption. I need to see Taichi. Is he at home?"

She knew it was not a perfect greeting and certainly not judging by Mrs. Pressure's sky-high standards. Still, she could not afford more; every word she pronounced made her come closer to breaking apart again, and the last thing she wanted was to make a spectacle of herself before any of the Mashima family members.

She supposed it was inevitable when she finally stood face to face with Taichi, but that was no reason to let herself crumble before that time.

"Taichi is at the cram school, preparing for his exams." Reiko's cold, impassive answer roused her from her musing. "He'll be going there regularly this year. Has he not told you that?"

"I-" Chihaya stuttered ineloquently, which obviously earned her another stern look from Taichi's mother. She shook her head and straightened up, intent on not bringing even more confusion into this already difficult conversation. "I suspected he might be doing that. I know how serious he is about medical school... But the last few weeks have been a little chaotic for us all, so we didn't get to talk much."

Reiko raised an eyebrow at her.

"Chaotic, you say?"

"Yeah – yes."

"And that's what you need to talk to him about?"

Chihaya felt her heart speed up – the feeling all the more unexpected as at the same time, she could swear her blood had run ice cold in her veins – however, she remained unmoved. Gathering her courage once again, she raised her gaze to look the other woman directly in the eye and replied, "It is. So if... If you could tell me when you expect Taichi to be back home, I will be most grateful."

She waited breathlessly, her whole body itching to flee. Taichi wasn't there; he wouldn't be there for some time, hence, there was literally no point of her staying any second longer than absolutely necessary. She didn't expect his mother to be particularly helpful, either, given the kind of attitude she had always displayed towards her...

...and yet, she stuck around anyway.

As long as Reiko didn't tell her to give it a rest and go home, she would not retreat. As long as there was the tiniest spark of hope to hold onto, she would not back down.

"I don't know that," she heard her answer at last. "He was supposed to return more than an hour ago, however, he called me to say that he would be staying longer. Apparently he has found his tutor to be extremely competent, so he wants to make the most of it before regular school work kicks in too hard. I asked him when he intended to return, but even Taichi couldn't tell me that. I would not expect him for another hour, however, maybe more... So I'm afraid you won't be able to see him at all today."

"I... I see," Chihaya stammered in response, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for telling me. I'll be on my way then. Have a good night, ma'am."

She bowed again and turned around at last, quiet and stunned, her whole posture slumping under that unwelcome new development. She shouldn't have been surprised – shouldn't have been upset. She had assumed that Taichi might not be at home before she'd even reached his household, and the view of his mother opening the door for her had only confirmed her suspicions. The fact that Taichi had decided to stay at the cram school and study longer was hardly astonishing, either – she'd known him long enough to expect nothing less from him.

He could be the most ambitious, most stubborn person she'd come across, if only he chose to be – and, while her own ambitions made her hot-headed and inattentive, her greediness always making her spread herself too thin... Taichi could still remain organised and composed, setting up plans and following them despite the many obstacles that came in his way.

And given how determined he seemed to burn all of his bridges and cut all the ties now...

Focusing on cram school seemed like the most obvious choice.

And yet, as unsurprising as it was, learning that particular bit of information still managed to leave her feeling empty, as if all hope, all expectations she had built up so far had been sucked out of her by the use of one simple statement. Up until the very last moment, Chihaya had hoped that she might still be able to speak to him that day – even if it meant wandering around the place for the next hour, waiting for Taichi to return, even if it meant going to her own home and then coming back after she received the news of him arriving.

Now, it was clear that neither was possible.

Behind her, she could hear the sound of a door closing. She had to bite her lip to stop it from trembling, but refused to show the signs of resignation that were slowly but surely taking over her. She told herself that it wasn't much of a deal; after all, she and Taichi still attended the same school so if she tried hard enough, she should be able to reach him without that much trouble. It would be difficult and awkward, what with all those people around them... But it wasn't impossible.

If they could reach Arata and get him to respond, then approaching Taichi surely had to be possible as well.

She was mere feet away from the pavement when she felt her phone buzz. It was more of a reflex than anything else, but she pulled it out anyway, not even bothering to guess who it was that was messaging her now. It could have been her mum, or Chitose, or maybe one of the karuta club members wanting to learn how she was faring – after all, just because she'd taken a break from the game and left the club didn't mean that they had stopped being her friends. It could have even been Arata, for all she cared, sharing more information about his own brand new team or asking about why she'd decided to leave hers...

Any other time, she would have had a million ideas as to who might have been the sender and responded enthusiastically to each and every one of them.

Right now, however, there was only one person from whom she wanted to hear.

Sadly, he was also the one person who sure as hell wouldn't have contacted her.

Only after turning the corner did she stop to look at the device in her hand, while silently praying that the message would not require her immediate response, and certainly not a lengthy or particularly eloquent one. She stopped short at the sight of an unfamiliar email address and the message that demanded no reply at all.

It was an address.

"But who would..." she whispered, bemused, her eyes once again glued to her phone screen and a message she'd had no reason to expect. Her question lingered in the air, unfinished as she reread the message, once, twice, three times. She knew the name of the street; the name of the institution mentioned also rang a bell, even if she couldn't quite put her finger on it yet. She nearly jumped when the device vibrated again, announcing the arrival of another message, and from the same person no less.

Taichi's cram school isn't far off from here, you should be fine going there on foot. I take it you can find your way there.

Chihaya's eyes were wide as she skimmed that most recent email, now more than ever astonished with what she was reading. Who could have sent her the address of Taichi's school and with a commentary so direct and – in a way – casual? And now, after she had just talked to his mother and was sent on her merry way? Was it Rika, Taichi's little sister, who had overheard the conversation and decided to help her out behind her mother's back? They weren't exactly friends, if anything, Chihaya would have said that Rika's attitude towards her was just as haughty and belittling as that of Reiko... However, if not her, then who?

Surely, it couldn't have been...

"Mrs. Pressure?!" she cried abruptly, and so loudly that the passer-bys on the parallel streets could be seen startling at the noise. As for Chihaya, her brow rose even higher when she'd shifted her gaze back to the enigmatic email address which under closer inspection proved to be that of Mashima Reiko, indeed. The sudden turn of events made her head go dizzy, just like the sight of the aforementioned woman had just a few minutes earlier.

So she doesn't completely hate me... Chihaya thought, a weak but warm smile blossoming on her overly tired face. Or at least, she doesn't think it would be harmful for me to see Taichi now, which on its own is a big thing. Or does she...

Does she realise how unhappy Taichi is right now and thinks I can help with that?

"Or maybe she knows he hates me and wants me to find out for myself," she added under her breath, her lips curving in a grimace. "I can never tell what that woman really thinks."

She shook her head again, however, ashamed of the reaction she'd just displayed, and even dared to voice. Whatever her intentions were, the message Reiko had sent was a huge help, for which Chihaya decided to remain eternally grateful, regardless of how her talk with Taichi went in the end.

Plus, there was something about that email, something she couldn't point out but felt nonetheless, which seemed much more like a blessing than a trap to her.

Maybe she was being a naive airhead again, but that was what she chose to believe.

"Alright, it's time for action then!" she told herself and slapped her cheeks, this time bringing to herself the attention of the fellow human beings walking down the street. Focused on her goal, she remained ignorant to their reactions and continued in the same manner, without a trace of hesitation in her, "If I get this right, Taichi is about twenty minutes on foot away from here. I can make it ten. I will make it eight!"

She broke into a run right then and there, not even bothering to put her phone away, and not because she thought she might need to check the address again. She was already late; she couldn't afford a second more.

She'd already screwed up so badly: when Taichi had confessed his love to her and she couldn't have brought herself to answer him openly; when they still practised together but she was too overwhelmed to respond even to the tiniest of signals; when she'd missed the moment when he'd made up his mind about leaving the karuta club; when she had ran after him when she'd finally learnt that but instead of trying to help and understand him, she'd once again focused on her own selfish needs and begged him not to leave her.

Day after day she'd gone on screwing up even more, unable to find the right words she should speak to him, or maybe simply having been too much of a chicken to approach him with the ones she'd had in mind.

He'd called himself a coward, while the only one deserving of that name was her.

I won't mess up again, she repeated to herself in between her long strides. I won't let my fears take the better of me. I'll get to you, Taichi, I'll find you and talk to you and make sure you hear every single word this time. So wait for me! Don't go home just yet, don't make me miss you again! I will reach you this time!

Her eyes were full of tears again, and not because of the wind and dust that blew in her face. She wiped them hastily, again and again, but it was of little use; and yet, while the dark smudges marked her cheeks, her smile grew wide, once again mirroring the hope that seemed to have left her. The faster she ran, the more tired she was, the greater and more positive the emotions that filled her heart became.

Taichi's words resonated in her mind but they were no longer a threat; somewhere along her feverish race they'd turned into a dare, a challenge she had to rise to. It wasn't going to be easy – she still couldn't give him the reaction he wished for, but she could at least face the truth of his feelings towards her and respond to that truth with a clear, honest answer.

He was her best friend in the entire world. And even if he still needed her to step away for a time, she refused to call it anything but a temporary change.

She was willing to give him space and freedom, if that was what he wanted from her – but she could not imagine a scenario in which she let their friendship end without putting up a fight first.

She wasn't capable of letting him go like this.

She was way too greedy for that.

And she cared for him too much.

"I love you," he had said. "I love the fingernails that you never grow. I love your fingers and your hair, and the mouth you open wide like an idiot. I love your face when you laugh. I love you."

He'd found so many ways to tell her the same, single truth, when he could have easily backed off. Taichi was clever, there was no way that he couldn't grasp her reaction from the very first moments of that stunned, hollow silence that had come over them because she couldn't have uttered a single word on her part. He'd known that she would not respond in kind, that she would not accept him, no matter how long he might have waited for her.

She knew their friendship meant the world to him, too, and so he'd had every reason to retreat and turn the tables again. If he had told her it was a joke – if he'd said that it was just a dumb prank and she was silly to take any of it seriously, she would have believed him.

And yet, he hadn't. In fact, he'd done the opposite, pushing forward until it was all out in the open. Every feeling he'd suppressed, every ounce of affection he'd spent years hiding from her, it was there; even if it hadn't resonated fully in his words, it'd still been reflected in his body, his expression, in the way he'd looked at her. Those big, bright eyes so full of tenderness she'd never been allowed to see, or maybe simply had failed to recognise.

"I love you, I love you, I love you."

He had given himself up, made himself completely and entirely vulnerable. Hers to take, and hers to reject. He had offered her his heart, even though he must have known how slim his chances had been.

She had taken that heart and crushed it, and hadn't even had the guts to tell him why.

She arrived at the cram school, one full minute before her proclaimed eight. She stood there for a while, panting, gasping for air she couldn't take well because she kept choking on her sobs. Her hair was a mess, long locks sticking out in all directions while her face was smeared with the mixture of her tears and the dust that had accumulated on her cheeks when she'd dashed towards her destination, the result only made worse by her constant rubbing when she'd tried to wipe the tears away.

She sure was glad that she wasn't wearing any mascara that day – though on the other hand, she very much doubted that it would have changed much.

Focus, she chided herself, simultaneously reaching up to comb her hair with her fingers and contemplating whether or not she should bind it. I'd say it doesn't matter how I look – I'm not here to make an impression, only to talk to him. But Taichi is perceptive... he will notice that something is wrong. And I don’t want him thinking about me today.

She took a deep breath, then another. She straightened up and squared her shoulders, readying herself in the same way she had before ringing at the Mashima residence earlier on, her left hand still buried in the maze of fair strands, while she rummaged through her bag with her right. Somehow, she managed to find a – moderately – clean towel that she could use to clear up her face. She got to work right after, still unsure of how much time she actually had, yet determined not to waste a second.

She didn't have a mirror to look into and make sure that she was presentable enough. She was Ayase Chihaya, a pretty nitwit who never remembered to carry anything that girls like Chitose (her own sister) or Hanano (her surprisingly supportive friend) would have deemed indispensable in a young girl's bag.

A true beauty in vain who couldn't even make sure that she looked decent enough when it mattered.

She heard a noise coming from in front of her and raised her gaze instinctively. With her eyes fixed on the front door, she pricked up her ears, waiting for another sound to come and carry the information she was so eager to learn. Was it Taichi that had made the first one? Was it because he was close to the door, preparing to leave? Or was the sound a random one, and not an announcement of his departure? What was the chance that it had been him that had made it?

She waited impatiently but no other noise came. She supposed it was to be expected – the one she'd heard before was probably caused by some incident, like someone walking into a trash bin, so definitely not something people did every day. Besides, even if it had been someone readying themselves to leave, what reasons did she have to think it would be Taichi she'd see come out?

It was foolish to expect him right after she'd got there.

Timing like that didn't happen in everyday life.

And yet, as if to refute her scepticism with a miracle that should not have been possible, the door cracked open, and she saw Taichi standing in it. With one hand on the handle and one foot over the threshold, his body was still mostly turned to the inside of the building as he said his goodbyes to whoever was in charge. Posed like this, he obviously couldn't see her; but it was only a matter of seconds before he turned again and crossed the doorstep, and then he would have no choice but to face her.

For what seemed like a hundredth time that day, Chihaya felt her heart slow down so much that it seemed to have stopped beating at all, only to pick up its pace with double force a short moment later.

She wasn't ready to meet him and yet, all she prayed for was that he wouldn't run away from her before she could tell him what she had come to say.

Lost in her pleading, she instinctively closed her eyes and thus missed the very moment she'd been so anxious to come upon. It was right after her eyelids closed and her head lowered in a small bow that Taichi did turn around and saw her – and she was too busy clenching her fists and muttering wishes to witness it.

Too much of a mess to properly greet him.

She didn't see the shock that reflected on his countenance when he recognised her. His widened eyes and raised brow, the slight gap between his parted lips, the way his cheeks flushed against his knowledge and will – it was all lost on her, not because she didn't care but because she cared too much.

They stood like this for a while: he, unable to speak because of his astonishment and she, so determined not to miss her chance that she'd become unaware of the world around her. If Taichi had decided to walk past her, she wouldn't have noticed until he was a good few metres behind her.

She would have missed the chance the Heavens had granted her, and all because she was so afraid of that very thing happening.

And yet, the same Taichi who had done his best to ignore her at school – the same boy she'd expected to flee at the sight of her or at best, to say his 'hello' coolly and leave her behind right after – the same boy still stood at the top of the stairs that led to the building, eyeing her cautiously, unhurriedly, as if it was both the first and the last time he'd been given the chance to look at her like that.

His face showed a full range of emotions, from surprise to confusion, to anger, to eagerness, before he eventually managed to summon his trademark stoicism and successfully hide all of those feelings behind a mask of indifference he'd been forced to wear before her so many times before, for both their sakes.

Lost in her thoughts, Chihaya didn't see any of that.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. The simple question was enough to make her bubble pop and spatter into a thousand million drops, a soft, warm mist that now fell down around her. "Shouldn't you still be at school, studying? Or I don't know, at home?"

Unlike the burning feelings swirling inside her, Taichi's words were cold, icy even. His tone bore no emotion and his face was, yet again, an inscrutable mask, one that she'd come to hate so fiercely, because she now knew how much was hidden underneath.

"Why, Taichi? Why do you do everything alone?"

Why don't you trust us?

Why don't you trust me?

He hadn't trusted her before – how could she expect him to trust her now?

"I couldn't focus in the library," she replied, a little too fervently, just like she always did. "I tried for hours, but I wasn't learning anything."

Taichi turned his head away, huffing. "Nothing new there. But that hardly explains why you are here."

"You weren't at home. Your mum gave me this address."

"And why were you at my home of all places?" he asked again, his aloofness fading away a little in favour of genuine curiosity, although it was clear that he still wanted to keep some of his walls standing. "You haven't been there in ages, it's not like you've had a chance to leave something behind and had to pick it up. And no offence, but hell will freeze over before my mother invites you for a chitchat."

"I wasn't there to see your mum," Chihaya answered him. Her gaze was still locked with his and her chin was raised high, as if she'd wanted to prove that his frigid responses weren't enough to intimidate her... but her voice was quiet and certainly not as firm as she would've liked it to be. Still, she kept going. "I came to see you. And you weren't there."

"But why?" Taichi wouldn't give up. "Why didn't you just look for me at school today? Or, if it was more recent, why not tomorrow? Gosh, Chihaya, you could have called me..."

"Don't you act as if it was so easy to catch you between classes," she replied with annoyance, her usual fire kicking in again. "I barely see you at all. And it's not something I want to talk about on the phone, either."

Silence fell over them again, Chihaya's words still echoing between them. She was looking at Taichi now, and so this time, she could see the change in his features perfectly. The alterations weren't big: a slightly more focused gaze, the most insignificant narrowing of his eyes, the fingers that twitched as if they'd been about to curl into fists but were stopped violently at the very last moment.

Her own vision had never been anywhere near as good as her hearing; she wasn't the most observant person, either. In fact, most of the time, she was downright oblivious...

And yet, she hadn't missed any of his microexpressions this time.

"Stupid," he said eventually, thrusting his hands into the pockets of his trousers and fixing his eyes on the ground before him. "What could you possibly have to say that I need to hear in person?"

And there it was, the susceptibility he'd been trying so hard to conceal but failed to do so in the end, not because he hadn't worked hard enough but because Chihaya's senses made it impossible for her to fall for any pretence on his part. It wasn't just her hearing, or just the fact that she'd known him for years, or even that she was more concentrated now than she had been in the toughest, most demanding of matches – but the combination of all those, additionally supported by her own enhanced sensitivity, that had made it possible for her to see through his defences more clearly than when he had taken them down for her himself.

She did it against his will and against his wishes, and somehow, it worked miraculously.

"You're not a coward!" she exclaimed with as much passion as she could muster, loudly, confidently, despite the tears that were once again gathering in back of her eyes and the tightening of her throat that she couldn't have prevented. "You said you wanted to become someone who isn't one, but that would mean that you are a coward now, and must change to achieve that. And I refuse to believe that!"

She inhaled sharply and blinked in order to keep the annoying, salty drops from falling down too soon. Her golden irises shone with tears and zeal alike; captivated by the vision, Taichi failed to use his only chance to interrupt her speech this time.

"You're not a coward," she repeated, with the same tenacity ringing in her tone. "Even if that's what you think you are, or what you were back then... It doesn't matter anymore. It's all in the past, Taichi, because you have already changed. Without even realising it, you've grown, so much that sometimes I catch myself not recognising you, regardless of how long we've known one another. Just those last two years we spent together prove beyond doubt that you couldn't be further from giving in to your fears and giving up, which is exactly what cowards do. You're ambitious and determined, and you don't let failures get in your way.

"And if you still think this isn't enough," she picked up after another short pause. "If you still need evidence greater than that... Then know that telling me about what happened when we were in sixth grade – telling me about what really happened to Arata's glasses, and after all these years... That is the greatest sign of courage to me."

She didn't say anything else, letting her words reverberate, not expecting to receive an answer to her ardent, most heartfelt speech, but leaving it for Taichi to discern and interpret for himself. She hadn't come here to argue with him, after all. The subject was still too sore for them both and besides, she knew that no discussion could do them any good.

She'd come to meet him to tell him this one specific thing, because something in her had told her that it was important and that Taichi should be allowed to hear it as well. It was the one burden she could lift from his shoulders and therefore, she had to. She knew that, compared to all the misery she'd caused him, it was not even a beginning of repayment... However, she had to do something.

She wasn't going to do more, though. She wasn't wanted here anymore, she wasn't needed. She'd fulfilled her quest and was not eager to cross the boundaries again.

Slowly, attentively, she bowed her head and cast down her eyes, a silent 'goodbye' that was better left unsaid.

Then she turned and walked away towards the gate.

It took all of her strength not to break into a sprint again.

[colorfultyrantearthquake]

Can't help falling in love, with you.❤

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Words: 2276

Warnings: Fluff. (maybe?)

A/N: Hey everyone! This is the first time to write something for me here on tumblr, I hope you enjoy this, feedback is always appreciated.

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Snow fell heavily outside of the window. It was a cold morning on early November.

Footsteps echoed through the house as James made his way towards the kitchen, his feet hitting the floor softly as he made himself a cup of tea.

He looked out of the small living room window and noticed how the snow was heavier than the day before.

He despised winter.

One thing James was never able to fall in love with, was winter.

He knew nothing about winter but it being harsh and merciless, just like him.

It was only 6 in the morning, but he wasn't able to fall back asleep.

His nightmares still visited him more often and sometimes, he really couldn't do anything about it.

He stirred the components of the cup slowly as he felt his thoughts drift away to one dangerous place that he always tried to hold himself from, You.

James sighed as he remembered his therapist, you were beautiful.

To say that you are beautiful was an understatement, in his eyes, you were a masterpiece.

He couldn't help the beat that his heart skipped at the picture of your smile appearing in his head, or the sound of your laughter filling his ears.

He felt himself smile at the thought of your laugh. He always loved to hear it.

It was one of the many things that kept him sane all this time.

He wanted to be better and help himself just because of you.

He didn't really believe that he meant anything to this world anymore, except for Steve of course.

Steve was the one who brought up the idea of having a therapist, and he was more than glad to accept it when he first laid eyes on you.

James sighed as he brought a chair and sat directly in front of the window.

Despite hating winter, you always told him that he must learn how to embrace the things and always try to see the good in them, you told him that you loved the winter and it was your favourite season, and that was more than enough reason for him to sit down everyday in front of the window and watch the snow fall.

Even if he despised it, every time he felt like hating it and getting up, he would just picture you standing out there talking to him about the winter, and he'd instantly forget any thoughts of leaving the window.

His happy thoughts were soon crushed by a larger thought.

You weren't single, and it seemed like you weren't going to be anytime soon.

He felt disappointment crawl into his heart that was trying not to break.

He's always seen how your eyes would light up when you look at him, or the way you'd always share your favourite things with him. If your relationship wasn't like this with the man you're engaged to, then why bother ?

You've been engaged for 3 years, a year exactly before meeting Bucky.

His name was Dylan, and he was 31, while you were only 27.

James never liked Dylan, brushing the idea of your engagement aside, but James never saw Dylan as a man who'd be responsible for anything, he was selfish, he cared for no one, not even for you, he'd always want your interest and your attention but he'll never give you anything.

James remembered the first time you attended your session with your red, puffy eyes.

He never felt such anger and hate towards Dylan, if he doesn't love you, then why are you still there ?

Again, it wasn't his place to ask such questions or say such things to you, he could only offer you comfort and advice.

James wasn't the least bit disturbed by it, but every time you showed up tired and defeated, with the excitement faded from your eyes, his heart fell into millions of pieces and he'd just try to do nothing but lift your spirits and make you feel better.

He wanted to help you in the same way you helped him, but he also loved you deeply like no one ever did.

He noticed one of his favourite songs playing on the radio.

Elvis Presley's voice filled the room as the first melodies of 'Can't help falling in love' started.

He felt how much he related to this song.

A minute later, he was interrupted by a loud knock on his door, he placed his cup on the counter as he walked towards the door, the house still somewhat dark as he looked through the peephole.

You were standing outside of his house. This was not a session. it's only 6:30 in the morning.

James hurriedly opened the door for you.

He found you standing with your head bowed down and your small form shaking from the coldness, you only had a light blue sweater with a pair of jeans that were ripped in the knee where he saw dried blood.

"My goodness, Y/N. Are you alright ?" He shook his head as he took you by the arm gently and lead you into his house. Once your body hit the warmth of his house you sighed in relief as he sat you down on his black couch.

You couldn't speak. You were too tired and too shocked to speak.

You could do nothing but shake from the coldness and cry as you recalled what happened during the past hour.

"Y/N talk to me, love. What happened ?" James said as he looked at you closely, he saw bruises starting to form on your cheeks and a small cut on your right eyebrow, he saw your busted lip as small blood drops fell from it on his dark blue carpet.

You looked at the ground refusing to look at him, embarrassment filled you as you thought about telling him what happened.

You knew he'd never hesitate to kill Dylan.

His warm, flesh fingers moved to touch your chin softly making sure not to hurt you.

He brought your face up as he kneeled down in front of you.

You brought your eyes and looked at him only to find his face filled with different emotions you couldn't read him. You saw anger, sadness, worry, care, but most of all, you saw Love.

By now, you knew that your mind was making up things, you didn't care about anything as he pulled you into his hug and rubbed slow soothing circles on your back.

You broke down and started to cry heavily in his embrace, you felt every bit of strength leave your body as you leaned into him harder, wanting nothing but to disappear from everything.

"It's fine darling I'm here, I'm always here for you. Just calm down for me." James said as he felt his heart clench tightly at the feeling of your hot tears on his T-shirt, he felt his heart tighten and strain as he saw the bruises and cuts on your face.

You tried to calm your breathing as you focused on his soothing words and deep voice. You always felt safe around Bucky. You knew he was always capable of protecting you and taking care of you properly, he also treated you respectfully thanks to the 40's that he used to live in.

You felt your breathing start to slow down into even intakes and outtakes as you had a death grip on his shoulders.

You were afraid of letting him go feeling as if he was going to disappear.

You just wanted him here, all the time.

"That's it, love. Just breathe." He sighed as he pushed you back slightly so he could see your face.

"I know it's Dylan, Y/N. If it weren't for you, I swear this man would've been dead for so long by now." James said as anger flashed in his eyes. "I don't need to know what happened, you don't have to talk about it now. Just breathe." He repeated while looking deep into your eyes. He got up and walked inside only to come back a minute later holding a blanket and a first aid box.

He sat down cross-legged on the floor to be on the same level with your knee.

He started to clean the cuts on them and place bandages, all the while trying not to hurt you or push too hard with his metal arm. He wanted to make you feel comfortable and didn't want to cause you any form of hurt even if it was unintentional, he was always extra careful with you.

He finished cleaning your face as he looked at your knuckles to find dried blood there. He smiled a small, proud smile knowing that at least you punched him.

You watched him intently as he took care of you, you sure had been a mess the last couple of months. You knew that Dylan had changed a lot and you felt yourself slowly start to fall in love with Bucky.

Each time he took care of you and helped you through your worst times made you fall harder for him.

"Bucky ?" You said softly as you looked at his Azure blue eyes move rapidly to look into your own. You saw worry mask his face as he retreated his hands.

"Did I hurt you ? I am so, so sorry Y/N, are you hurt ? Did I wrap the bandage too hard for you ?" He said as he started looking at your bandages from a distance trying to see if it was too tight.

You leaned forward and caught his hands in yours, he struggled to take his metal one away from you but you only held it harder.

"No Bucky, you didn't hurt me at all." You smiled as you saw his face relax.

"You scared me, love." James sighed as he looked at your hands in his, he wished that you'd have the same feelings for him. He wanted to make you feel as special as you should always be. He wanted to show you how a man treats a beautiful lady like you.

James looked back at you as you kept your strong hold on his hands, he felt his heart skip beats as he felt himself get lost in your eyes. He gazed at you lovingly with so much softness that you felt like melting in your place.

James hesitated as he thought about telling you his true feelings towards you, he was scared of ruining what was between the both of you, but he couldn't help feeling that this was the right moment and everything was screaming at him to do it.

He was a man to take risks and never care, but when it came to you, he always slowed down his thoughts and took all his time to figure what you'd do.

He felt his palm sweat as he took a deep breath.

"Y/N, I have something to tell you, I have been wanting to say it for a while now but I never found the right moment, I don't know if this is it or not, and I don't know what the right moment of yours should be, but all I know is that I have a few words to say to you." He paused as he took a deep breath.

You nodded your head encouraging him to proceed, he looked worried but what he was going to say was really making him feel annoyed for not saying it earlier.

"I can't help falling in love with you, Y/N" Bucky said as he looked at your eyes.

Butterflies erupted in your stomach at hearing his words, his eyes held emotions that couldn't be described.

You felt your heart swell and bloom at the tenderness and love radiating from his eyes, light pink shade found its way to your cheeks tinting them.

"Give me an answer, Y/N. Please." His voice wavered slightly as his hands started shaking.

"James," you put one hand on his face when tears started welling up in your eyes, "I have never felt such happiness before, you are all I ever hoped for, yes I had Dylan, but I knew that we weren't made for each other. You are mine, James. I was made to be yours, nothing would ever change what I felt when my eyes landed on you for the first time. Fireworks lit up my world, butterflies erupted in my stomach, my heart expanded and swelled wanting to take all of your pain away and pour the love that's been kept safely all over you.

I have been falling for you since I saw you James, I don't think I will ever be able to stop falling for you.

I love you, James."

By the time you were done, James' was grinning widely with hot tears streaming down his stubbly cheeks.

He put both his hands on your face pulling you closer to him hugging you hard.

"you don't know how long I've waited for these words to leave your lips, Y/N. I believed this'd never happen but here we are, I will never love anyone as much as I love you, you are what holds me down, Y/N. You are everything."

Pulling back from him, you smiled tenderly in his direction, freeing all the love and care you held deep in your heart.

"James" you whispered softly.

"Y/N." he answered you, resting his forehead against yours while you rested your hand on his heart.

"how about falling together, just the two of us ?" You smiled widely at the way his face lit up.

"Always, my Y/N, always."

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