#he's too polite and courteous to everyone else lol | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

liannyeong · 4 years

Text

i think this is the end (we're different)

Summary: han jiyeon fell for park jinyoung in almost the same way as any other girl out there. what's so different about her, right?

Word count: 4795

Pairing: Jinyoung X OC

Warning(s): Mutual pining, fluff

A/N: Happy belated birthday to my bias wrecker (T_T) Park Jinyoung ~ Also, yay for a new completed fic since June 2020 lol. The title is from a line in DAY6′s Tick Tock because I’ve been listening to all their songs and covers non-stop and it seems fitting :’(

"rising actor park jinyoung has made the headlines for another hit drama in the year 2020--"

jiyeon thinks jinyoung has it easy. he has a pool of opportunities ready for him. he doesn't need to go through the trouble of uncertainty or instability. he's a star; everyone wants him.

jiyeon stares at the screen, the words from the reporter just goes over her head. she's happy for jinyoung, of course. she has always liked his mannerisms through the shows he appeared on. she always thought that anyone who dates park jinyoung is lucky. well, isn't dating a celebrity a kind of fantasy that one can only daydream? who wouldn't want to? the top star has the luxury to pamper her with gifts. whatever she needed, she just had to say it and he would get it for her.

but han jiyeon has never been a materialistic person. she is attracted to actor park jinyoung not because of his wealth or fame, but because of his personality. the way he was courteous to the people around him, the way he takes care of them even in the littlest of things. the way he pays his full attention on the ones who are speaking. or his calming voice. or the cute wrinkles around his eyes when he smiles. han jiyeon fell for park jinyoung in almost the same way as any other girl out there.

what's so different about her, right?

she reckons it's easy for him to move on too. jinyoung can easily find another girl to date. it’ll be easy for him to find another one to fill her space. he doesn't need a han jiyeon in his life. after all, what is she but a photographer who once worked with him?

---

jinyoung regrets the words he spat the moment he leaves her apartment. it has been a long day of filming. he's already struggling his work schedule with his lack of sleep. it's hard to control your emotions when you're dead grumpy and tired. it's no surprise that he lashed at the female with her unnecessary comments. but as he drives back to his own home, he can't help the ringing of her voice in his ears.

"you wouldn't need to choose between me or your career if i was the right one."

she looked so broken when she said it. why did jinyoung only realize it now? unless his memory fails, her body language showed how vulnerable she was. one arm crossed around her stomach, the other just dangling by her side. her voice was small, her eyes were looking at anywhere else but not him.

but he had to response in the worst way possible.

"then there's no reason for us to see each other anymore. we're done."

his tone was so cold, as if he had no emotions for her. jinyoung just spat those words and left. but now, regret blooms in his chest and he wishes he could turn back time.

he doesn't know what went down between them, or when exactly it all started. yet, he hasn't given himself the time to ponder over it. perhaps he gave himself the excuse that there is no time in his busy schedule. so he chucks it away, day after day, until it turns into weeks and months.

just like that, six months have gone since han jiyeon and park jinyoung broke up.

---

"rising actor park jinyoung is confirmed to be dating his co-star jeon sonee--"

jiyeon's heart hurts. the news channel shows jinyoung with the girl in tow. they are speculated to be on a date at night, smiling wide, looking great together. jinyoung truly has moved on. fairly easily too, just as she expected.

jiyeon reckons it makes sense. they spend a lot of time together on set. they get to know more about each other as the filming goes on. they've even worked on a few projects together, the casting staff finding their chemistry perfect. it is unsurprising that they could develop feelings for each other.

jiyeon shouldn't be jealous. how can she when she was the one who suggested their break-up?

"i'm only a threat to your career. maybe the person you were meant for is someone who wouldn't jeopardize your career."

she only said it because she couldn't bear living with a man who hadn't been around for her. she wanted jinyoung to placate her, soothe her. she wanted jinyoung to say that they'll work it out. but she didn't think of the possibility that maybe, he was sick and tired of her endless worries. that he could have been waiting for the right moment to end things, but never got the chance. she was the one who propose their relationship to end. she doesn't deserve to be jealous of jinyoung's new love interest.

still, jiyeon wonders. why does it seem that she is the only one still unable to move on? how is it possible for jinyoung to get on so quickly? did he love her at all? or were all those lies, disguised beneath his actor mask? or was jiyeon just another experience on his list, so that he can portray emotions better on screen

no, don't put yourself down, jiyeon scolds herself. whatever that has passed, let it stay as good memories.

she loves him dearly, but their story wasn't meant to last long.

---

jinyoung is dressed handsomely in a suit. it's an acquaintance's wedding that he is invited to -- one of the art directors he worked closely with in the past.

he sees familiar faces, greeting all of them politely. but upon setting his eyes on a particular person, his breath stops.

han jiyeon.

of course, she's invited to the wedding. how can he forget? it's her colleague's wedding.

jiyeon has her hair tied in a low ponytail, some strands intentionally left loose to frame her face. she's donned in a light purple cold shouldered dress. the chiffon material flows elegantly as she walks. the man watches as she congratulates the groom, her smile is still beautiful in jinyoung's eyes.

he once dreamt of proposing to jiyeon. he once dreamt of building a home for the both of them. he wanted to lead a life with her by his side. but perhaps, such dreams are not meant to be achieved. perhaps, such dreams are for another man, not him.

---

there is no mistaking that jinyoung is here, in the same room as her. jiyeon can recognize that eye crinkles, that unique hahaha anywhere in the world. she may have stiffened at the realization that they're the closest they've ever been since their break-up. but she tries to play it cool. she may not have been trained to act, but having dated an actor, she may have picked up a thing or two.

the guests prepare for a cascade of group photos, neatly categorized according to the type of connections that the newlywed couple has. coincidentally, jiyeon ends up a row in front of jinyoung and his plus one.

"jiyeon-ssi," he greets formally, in the midst of aligning themselves in an orderly fashion.

she bows politely. "hello, jinyoung-ssi."

right, this is how they are. this is how they've always been. something like strangers in the public, but intimate behind closed doors. they've always kept their distance whenever they're seen together, not even an inch close. they don't even do any car dates as popularized by other celebrities. that's the difference between her and sonee, she realizes.

"hello, jiyeon-ssi," greets jinyoung's plus one. it's only now that jiyeon turns to look at her directly.

how insanely pretty, jiyeon mutters grudgingly in her head. the actress' hair is swept to one side, a shiny silver pin clipped to her fringe. she wears a baby pink dress that ends just past her knee caps, a string tied around her small waist. jiyeon can't help but think that sonee just came straight out of a webtoon. god, she can't help but think that jinyoung and sonee make a good couple too.

jiyeon tries not to think about it too much. after all, it's over, and they've come here to celebrate another couple's joyous occasion. so jiyeon puts on her most friendly side.

---

"ah, so you're the jeon sonee," jiyeon smiles. "congratulations on your relationship." jinyoung feels his stomach churn. jiyeon's smiles are wide but he can't tell the real emotions behind it. is she genuinely happy for him? or is there spite beneath her words? "you do seem like jinyoung's type," she chuckles.

jinyoung hopes she knows it's not true. he's never had a type. he used to say that the person he likes is his type. but jiyeon is the one who changed it all. jinyoung has never felt at ease with a person as much as with her. they clicked instantly, and they are so similar in their tastes in music, books and movies. there's no way he can find another like han jiyeon.

sonee smiles abashedly, tugging onto jinyoung's arm out of embarrassment. the man doesn't miss the way jiyeon eyes that movement.

"everyone, look at the camera!" instructs the main photographer.

jiyeon turns back, making a quick fix to her dress and hair. jinyoung can't help but stare at the crown of her head. how is it possible that someone is so close yet so far away? how is it possible that the person he spent his days with is suddenly a stranger? what went wrong, really?

"one! two--"

jinyoung flicks his eyes to the photographer, just in time before the flash goes off. they take a couple more shots before they are allowed to go back to their seats.

jiyeon turns around. "it was nice meeting you, sonee-ssi. have a great night," she politely says. then she faces jinyoung, not quite meeting his eyes, "and you too, jinyoung-ssi.”

---

"i think we should cast celebrity couple park jinyoung and jeon sonee for our upcoming pictorial," jaebeom, a creative director and jiyeon's supervisor, suggests during a meeting.

jiyeon stiffens at the idea. but her silence goes unnoticed by the excited murmur of the team.

"looking at this month's concept, i do think this two celebrities match it perfectly," jaebeom further expands. "besides, they're a hot topic in the entertainment industry now. it would be a waste to not use the chance!"

that earns nods from various members.

"that's true..." jiyeon hesitantly responds.

"jiyeon-ssi," the said girl flinches when her name is suddenly called. jaebeom doesn't inquire about her zoning out. "we both worked with jinyoung before. surely, i can trust you to contact him?"

jiyeon nods slowly. "i'll do my best, sir."

"very well!" jaebeom claps his hands together. "let's confirm the concept now--"

jiyeon breezes through the meeting, heart heavy with anxiety at having to work with jinyoung. she lets out a sigh.

---

when jinyoung heard from his manager that jiyeon came forth with a photoshoot offer, he didn't know what to make out of it. was it a company decision? or did jiyeon suggest working with jinyoung again? or... did jiyeon wanted to see him again?

no, jinyoung scolded himself mentally. he shouldn't put weird ideas in his head. what they had is now a thing of the past. jiyeon would have moved on. she must have. why else was she able to maintain that cool composure when they met during the wedding? why else was she able to treat sonee that kindly? jiyeon must have gotten over him. there can't be any other explanation.

"sure, hyung. i should be able to accommodate to jiyeon-ssi's project," jinyoung answered finally.

but now, breathing in jiyeon's studio, jinyoung feels out of place. he used to frequent here, especially when jiyeon works late into the night, when all the staff has gone home. no one knew of their relationship, not even their close colleagues. heck, jinyoung even made sure to hide from his manager.

"are you okay?" sonee pipes up next to him, having done her make-up and changed into the model clothes. "you seem a little tense."

"my schedules have been a little tight this week," jinyoung lies smoothly, adding a tired smile as extra measure.

"you can do it, jinyoung," sonee smiles sweetly at him, pumping her fists in the air as a gesture to give him strength.

jinyoung can't help but laugh heartily. "how cute my sonee is," he coos at her, pinching her cheek lightly. she whines--

there'a clear of a throat and jinyoung's smile nearly drops when he sees jiyeon. she pretends as if she didn't see anything, only casts jinyoung a brief glance before bringing up a notepad, briefing the couple about the concept and the poses she'd like them to do.

"just be natural," jiyeon ends the conversation. "just like how you two are, in your own bubble."

jinyoung can only nod.

---

she says that so easily but she's the one who's suffering alone. directing her ex-lover with his new partner to pose in a certain way, watching them gaze at each other in such a loving manner... how can her heart not crumble in sadness? her heart can't bear the pain. the way jinyoung looks at sonee is the same as how he used to look at her: that pure happiness and love. why, oh, why does the universe want to hurt her like this?

yet, amidst it all, jiyeon has to maintain her professionalism. she can't crack underneath all these romantic shots. she can't drop everything and run off, no matter how much she wants to.

in one particular setting, jiyeon has jinyoung resting his head on sonee's lap, his legs dangling over the arm of the couch. they look at each other, eyes smiling along. jiyeon can't help but feel the swell in her chest. she has to consciously control her breathing, to even it out.

jinyoung used to lay on her lap as he goes through his drama script. in the meantime, jiyeon would sketch out a particular storyboard idea for her project on the arm of the couch. that was how they spent their free days together, in comfortable silence. when he's tired of the lines, jinyoung would bury his face into her stomach, craving for her attention. and jiyeon always ends up giving in, after which they would just spend the rest of the day cuddling on that small couch, watching whatever show they randomly pick.

but now, times have changed. such memories don't matter anymore, especially not to jinyoung. it would have been replaced with new ones. they no longer exist in his mind. any emotional attachment would have been long gone from his heart.

jiyeon shakes herself from such thoughts. she brings up her camera and snaps away.

---

"representatives for actor park jinyoung and actress jeon sonee have confirmed that the celebrity couple has parted ways--"

"actor park jinyoung releases a statement of hiatus. netizens react."

user jl***09:

lol a coward running away from the media

user st4njinn1e:

i'm so sad... i have been a fan of jinyoung and his acting is so good, i'm sad that he'll be on hiatus... i hope he has a good break :(

user se0nii:

i always felt that it was a one-sided relationship between jinyoung and sonee... it seems like sonee was the only one in love.

user ilypjy94_:

stop with all your assumptions. we don't know what went down between the two of them. let's just support them with the best we can!

jinyoung's phone doesn't stop blowing up: media outlets wanting to know the reason for the breakup, some tarnishing his reputation. some of his fans even turning their backs on him. the pressure from the society is too much for him to take. he tries to block it out, but it's too difficult when you're a celebrity. your privacy is always at risk, paparazzi and stalker fans camping near his home. he doesn't even feel safe in his own home, he can't be himself and let loose.

his screen lights up again, at another message. despite telling himself not to check his phone, it's a habit that is difficult to break.

from han jiyeon:

hello jinyoung, this is han jiyeon. i saw the news... just wanted to check if you're okay?

jinyoung stares at his screen. it's from jiyeon. they haven't contacted each other in person for so long. jinyoung didn't delete her number off. and from the looks of it, jiyeon didn't either. she must have assumed jinyoung did with the way she introduced herself first.

jinyoung bites his lip. how should he reply? he wants to spill out everything that has been contained inside, but it'll be too much for the listener. besides, as a high profile celebrity, there are only a handful of people he can trust. jiyeon is one of them.

a string of messages pops up on his lockscreen.

from han jiyeon:

it's okay if you don't reply. i just want you to know that it'll be fine. the media will leave you alone soon. take a mental break, or travel to somewhere, away from the media. perhaps it'll give you peace from all the noise. you're a strong person, park jinyoung. i believe you can get through this. you're not one to give up so easily. just look at how far you've come, the awards you received.

take your time to heal, jinyoung. we may not have been in close contact for so long, but... you listened to my problems back then. i can lend you a listening ear if you ever need one.

i hope you find happiness again, jinyoung. have a good night.

jinyoung tears up at the message. how can jiyeon be so kind to him? how is it that she knows the right things to say, the right words he needed to hear? it has been two years since their breakup, how is it that she still knows him well?

jinyoung shuts his eyes and sinks back into his bed, phone clutched to his chest. he empties his mind, pushes any thoughts away and sleeps away.

---

jiyeon held no expectations that jinyoung would reply. what is she, but a thing of the past for him? she knows this and yet, she goes out of her way to drop him a message. out of goodwill? out of worry? or out of pure concern, jiyeon doesn't know herself. jinyoung may not even read it. god, he might have even blocked her number.

which is why she was surprised when she received a message from jinyoung, asking if her address is still the same. an hour later, jinyoung appeared at her doorstep with food in hand.

and now, they're lounging at her dining table, talking as if no time has passed. as if nothing has changed. as if nothing happened between them.

"i'm glad you're feeling better," jiyeon says.

jinyoung smiles, though his eye crinkles doesn't show. "thank you, jiyeon, for listening."

"it's fine. we all need someone to listen sometimes," she reassures. "sonee must have meant a lot to you."

jinyoung blinks.

silence ensues. then--

"you must know that's not true," comes jinyoung's soft reply.

---

jinyoung didn't mean to say it out loud. but as he looks at hyejin, he needs to come clean. he has to be honest about his own self.

"no one can take your place," jinyoung admits. "sonee liked me a lot but i-- i dated her because i wanted to make you jealous."

jiyeon seems at a loss for words. she looks uncomfortable, fidgeting. but jinyoung has to say it out. he has to get it off his chest.

"but you seemed fine. you didn't seem to care if i dated another. you seem like you've moved on. so i tried to like sonee," he continues. "but i just couldn't return her feelings. it was unfair for her. i felt like i was doing something wrong. my conscience wouldn't let me go. so i had to end it before i hurt her any further."

"she knew, from the beginning, that i wasn't that interested in her. she was happy that i agreed to go out with her though she didn't understand why. she tried her best to appeal to me but we both realized that it couldn't work. in the end, we parted on good terms."

jinyoung fiddles with his fingers. he glances up, but he can't read jiyeon's expression. is she angry? does she find his words outrageous? jinyoung just can't figure out.

"why are you telling me this now?" her voice comes out soft.

why? jinyoung asks himself. he, himself, is not certain. what does he want from this? jiyeon's love? jiyeon's attention? or does he want someone to lean on, someone that can provide him comfort?

"i... don't know either," jinyoung answers with a slump in his shoulders. "i just wanted to get it off my chest. and i wanted to be honest, at least to myself."

jiyeon nods slightly, then she takes in a deep breath. "then i'll be honest too."

jinyoung's ears perk up.

---

listening to jinyoung pouring out his thoughts, jiyeon feels that it's only right for her to do the same too. it gives her the courage to express herself without fear of jinyoung's judgment nor her own feelings.

"i thought that you moved on easily," she begins. "you continued to star in many dramas, and in all your interviews, you were smiling wide as if you felt no pain. as if our break-up didn't matter to you."

"when the news broke out that you were dating sonee, i just felt..." she trails off, unsure of how to describe her emotion at the time. heartbroken? disappointed? jealousy? or was it envy that sonee receives jinyoung's attention?

"... lost," she realizes. "i felt lost because you were my anchor. even though i was the one who initiated the break-up, i thought we'd patch things up again. but you dated someone else and i felt as if i was cast aside."

"i tried to soldier on, but it breaks me every time i see pictures of you and sonee," jiyeon confesses. "but it also hurts me to see you this sad."

there's a slight pause. then jiyeon concludes, "i guess i haven't moved on from you."

---

jinyoung didn't even realize he was holding his breath at her words. is she meaning to say that-- "do you want to start over? with me?" jinyoung's tongue slips faster than his mind could stop.

jiyeon folds her arms, avoiding the actor's gaze. "i don't know..." she trails off. "i don't think it's the right time. you're still healing. i don't want you to make decisions without thinking through it."

"give it some time. i think we both need to figure out what we truly want," jiyeon adds.

jinyoung keeps mum, a little disappointment in his heart but he finds himself agreeing to that suggestion.

---

"the drama that actor park jinyoung starred in breaks the record for the highest ratings on national broadcast!"

jiyeon stares at the screen, the words from the reporter just goes over her head. she's happy for jinyoung, of course. jinyoung has regained the trust and the love of the nation after his six months long hiatus. initially, he wasn't given as many drama offers prior to the hiatus, but slowly, he worked his way up again. jiyeon is more than happy to watch the man rebuild his life.

the chimes in the cafe ring, and jiyeon turns to the direction of the door. jinyoung waltzes in, most of his face hidden by the black cap and the scarf wound around his neck. he pads over to her table and takes the opposite seat.

"sorry, i'm late," he says first, unwrapping the scarf around his neck but leaving his cap on.

jiyeon waves her hand. "it's fine. it's not easy to meet mr. top star," she jokes.

jinyoung laughs. they fall into easy conversation, the cafe not that busy yet. it's a weekday morning after all.

"so," jinyoung starts, after completing his plate of pancakes. "what is your answer?"

jiyeon has been waiting for this moment. it's nerve wracking as how she imagined it to be.

"what was your question?" she counters, a smile tugging at her lips.

jinyoung exhales. then he leans forward, face serious. "back then, i wasn't the best at prioritizing. i couldn't effectively manage my time. and because of that, you suffered. we suffered. now, i believe i'm better able to manage my life properly. so, han jiyeon, would you give me another chance? to start over what was between us?"

"yes," jiyeon replies without hesitation. "let's try again. and this time, i'll be more understanding too."

jinyoung smiles wide, the crinkles around his eyes appearing.

---

they walk in the bustling streets of seoul side by side, but never touching. jinyoung knows jiyeon is trying to keep a distance between them in public places. but he wonders how long will they be a secret from the world. as long as they hide themselves from the eyes of the world, they can never achieve total freedom to date freely in public. there'll be no way they can be like any other couple out there.

so jinyoung halts in his tracks and pulls off the scarf that has been wrapped around his neck to cover his face, along with his cap and sunglasses. people stop to stare, some of them gasping to see the top actor in the streets of seoul.

"han jiyeon!" he yells after her. she hadn't noticed that jinyoung wasn't walking with her. when she hears her name being called, she flinches and turns around hastily. her eyes go wide at the sight of the actor with his bare face shown in public. she strides forward and tries to cover him with the scarf.

"what are you doing?!" she hisses, worried for the actor's safety.

"i'm in love with you, jiyeon-ah!" he declares out loud, enough for the people around them to hear. "you were there for me when i was going through tough times! you made me who i am today, the top actor that i am today!"

"jinyoung, you can't do this in public!" she hisses again, haphazardly still trying to cover his face.

but jinyoung's adamant on staying at that spot, on exposing his face to the world. he grabs her shoulders.

"i'm not shying away anymore! i want the world to know how much i love you, jiyeon," jinyoung confesses.

then he brings his hands to his mouth and yells at the top of his lungs, "han jiyeon! i love you!"

jiyeon just stares at him, stupefied. darting her eyes left and right, she tries to stop him, "yah, you can't just--"

"i love you, han jiyeon!!" the man screams again.

"yah!!" she steps forward, pressing her palm against his mouth.

"i know," she says softly, a fond look on her face. "i know."

the hand around jinyoung's mouth loosens and he matches her smile. then he cups her face and connects their lips, uncaring about the bystanders. if they gasp, or there's a series of snapshots being taken, jinyoung doesn't hear it. because in this moment, there's only the two of them in the world.

---

"actor park jinyoung wins the daesang in 2025 seoul drama awards!"

jiyeon swoons over how handsome jinyoung looks in a suit. his hair purposely tousled to make him look even younger. she watches on the screen as the man receives the grand prize and a bouquet of flowers. he bows politely to the audience before saying his speech.

"first and foremost, this award is for the drama staff who had worked hard to put out such a great drama that is loved by many. i'm grateful to the director who brought out the best in me and my fellow co-stars who helped me be a better actor. to my fans, thank you so much for your constant support and love. i will work harder to become a better actor who deserves this prestigious award."

then jinyoung stares right at the camera, and jiyeon feels as if he's looking right into her. her heart pounds. "finally, to my dearest wife, han jiyeon, who is at home. thank you for being there for me throughout, for comforting me whenever i feel low. thank you for being my pillar of support, for encouraging me and supporting my dreams. i love you."

jinyoung blows a kiss to the camera and jiyeon smiles wide. she repeats the same action, uttering a soft "i love you too" in the quietness of their apartment. she makes a mental note to truly kiss him later, when he gets back home.

#got7 #got7 jinyoung #got7 park jinyoung #got7 scenarios #got7 jinyoung scenarios #got7 park jinyoung scenarios #jinyoung #park jinyoung #park jinyoung scenarios #jinyoung scenarios

56 notes · View notes

makeste · 5 years

Text

some asks about BnHA 241 and 240 and then some random other asks

I agree with this completely, anon (especially given his attitude throughout the rest of the chapter), but I didn’t edit my initial response since I think there’s a good likelihood that he still deadpanned the line despite being 100% sincere. one could say he was Accidentally Sarcastic. anyways yeah, Todoroki Shouto is a disaster more at 11.

(but also, he’s totally right and Bakugou is in full-blown denial over their blossoming friendship. because he already decided that they’re Not Friends, and thus he has to actively work to maintain that status now. which Todoroki is making very difficult these days! can you fucking do your part to keep the fucking rivalry going, Icy-Hot?? can you at least try?? why does he have to do all the work. sometimes he forgets for a moment and Todo catches him off guard and he responds normally without thinking and doesn’t realize it until later, and god. why is everything and everyone so stupid.)

I have not forgotten (though I did mix up Pixie-Bob with Mandalay though woop)! and that annoyed me too. we only have like six female pros out there as it is. why do half of them (looking at you too, Midnight) have to be mildly sex-crazed. I know it’s not serious and they’re not actually being serious, but still, is it really asking so much to get some female pros whose eccentricities are less specifically tailored to common male fantasies. you’re a fucking hero Pixie-Bob! you’re a fucking earthbender and you’re hot as heck. why are you so worried about not being able to Get A Man. with Mt. Lady it at least fits more with her general personality from what we’ve seen, I guess. anyways, y’all know I love like 98% of this series, but this is part of the 2%, so. it is what it is.

Tomura is Endgame Thanos, a.k.a. the most sinister and most genuinely frightening of the Thanoses. this really isn’t on track to end well sob.

ah, my bad. (regardless, it was still dramatic af.)

I think she’s a six-year-old (?? she seems six-ish, idk) girl who was terrified of her father and trying to stay under his radar (which was frankly the smart thing to do based on what we’ve seen), and was trying to teach her younger brother how to do the same, and I don’t blame her at all for throwing Tenko under the bus (if that’s indeed what happened); I’m sure she just panicked and didn’t mean it. she’s just a kid. -- was just a kid. anyways she was super cute and would have made a fucking awesome hero, and her death is easily the one I’m still the most raw about out of that whole fucking nightmare. I’m not getting over that. I want her to still be alive; at one point I was convinced of a conspiracy theory that AFO had secretly spared her too (because two Shimura heirs to manipulate are better than one), and Tomura only believed that she was dead due to his fragmented memories. but that seems less likely post-chapter 236.

so yeah, I’m still very upset about this. she was good and kind and loved her brother and had a lot of spirit and she did not even remotely deserve what happened to her.

thank you so much!! one of the best parts of fandom is interacting with other people and reading everyone’s different takes and theories. lord knows I miss a lot of stuff when I read, even when I’m trying very hard to pay attention. so I love when other people point stuff out and bring up ideas I hadn’t thought about.

also! without exception, every single person I’ve ever interacted with in this fandom on tumblr has been polite and courteous and civil as fuck, even on the occasions when we disagree, and I absolutely can’t take credit for that. people are just cool. so thank you everyone. (and particular shoutout to @thequietmanno1, who for some reason I can’t tag, but whom this ask is almost certainly referring to specifically.)

lmao anon this made my fucking day. thank you!!

all right, here goes!

a) this is possible for sure in that as a rule, I never put anything past AFO, and I don’t doubt for a second he’d be capable of this. but, it would kind of suck though. specifically it would suck for Tomura, who’s only just starting to come into his own at long last, and who has gone through quite a lot to get to this point. like, that would be devastating to see him reduced to a literal puppet after all of that. and if it did happen, I don’t know what the odds would be of him actually being “saved” after that (All Might at least would try, but I can’t see anyone else being concerned enough to bother. well except for the rest of the League, come to think of it. that could be interesting), and I’d be really sad if that ended up being how he went out. these things usually don’t end up working out too well for the body snatchee.

plus, this also hinges on whether or not AFO is capable of transferring his quirk to Tomura’s body. if not, there’s no way he’d take the tradeoff, regardless of how powerful Tomura’s own quirk has become at this point. that would just be a really bad deal. like trading the cow for beans, except these ones aren’t even magic beans, just like. normal beans. but if he does have a way of transferring the AFO quirk, then yeah. although he could take anyone’s body then if that was the case, and I can think of a few targets who just might be even more tempting than his protege. All Might’s protege, for one. ...you know what, this line of thinking is starting to get a little too horrifying so let’s move on to the other theory lol.

(b) a few people have mentioned the Shimura Momo theory to me, but to be totally honest, I can’t see much of a logical basis for it other than them bearing a slight resemblance and having similar hairstyles. Inko has also been brought up as potentially being related to Nana for the same reasons. it’d be cool, no doubt, but for me, I need more evidence than just that. I just don’t see how this would advance the plot or the characters’ storylines in any meaningful way. I guess it could potentially tie Momo in more to the central plot, but it’d be kind of a weird way to do it, idk.

then again I’m one to talk, because until fairly recently I was on board with Hagakure of all people turning out to be a Shimura (Hana, to be specific). she’s the traitor, she’s invisible, we never did find out what Hana’s quirk was, and this would mean that Hana was still alive this whole time which would be GREAT, because seriously fuck you Horikoshi!! but yeah that doesn’t seem likely now either. dammit.

anyway, so I’ll just say that both of these theories are possible, but for me personally, in order to be sold on a specific theory I need to be able to see how it logically fits within the storyline and how it moves the story forward. like, Dabi being Todoroki Touya is something I’m 100% on board with, because that’s an established mystery in the series (who is Touya, what happened to him, who is Dabi, etc.), and Dabi fits into place with the evidence we have, and it gives us a lot of Todoroki drama and gives Endeavor and Shouto a personal connection to the Leagu... Pliff. but for something like the Momo theory, I would need there to be some indication that there’s a third sibling we don’t know about, and some hinting about there being more to Momo’s past than we know, and right now I don’t see either of those things, so it’s hard to get on board. hopefully that makes sense.

anon I really like that you phrased this as an inevitability lol. (and I am 100% on board.)

assuming this happens at the very end of the series, I like to think Tomura and the rest of his gang will manage to “escape” the heroes (“oh no... Tomura... he’s getting away... this is awful... somebody stop him” meanwhile no one is making even the slightest effort to move lol), at which point they will live the rest of their lives happily ever after as Lovable Outlaws and All-Around Scamps. like, maybe they’ll still commit some crimes, but they won’t be like serious crimes or anything. they’ll have more of a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe, maybe. I want them to be happy and I don’t want them to go to jail even though they’re teeeeeeeechnically murderers, I GUESS (look, nobody’s perfect!!). but maybe they steal the occasional priceless artifact and inadvertently wind up saving the world. seems like the best compromise.

lol I don’t know what this means either. like in the way a Youtuber has their own brand?? or like Frito-Lays. idk all I really do is talk a lot about an extremely popular manga, so I don’t think that’d really count?? I’m fine with this just being a little tumblr discussion blog haha.

so I’ve gotten like a half dozen asks and messages about this lol. (someone actually told me a very specific detail about said past! so just to remind everyone, I’m spoiler-free on Vigilantes right now guys, I’m sorry. I know it’s no fun.) I regret to admit that I still have not yet gotten around to it. I don’t know what it is, but I’m having a lot of trouble reading new stuff right now. I tried to start the other new BnHA spin-off which @temperatezone told me about (and btw no I did not know about it, so thank you!!) (and also! BnHA has THREE SEPARATE FUCKING SPIN-OFFS right now, how fucking crazy is that. like, I don’t want to accuse a manga series of literally trying to take over the world, but!! seriously that’s just insane), which has an amazing premise, but I haven’t had time/been in the right mindset to start that yet either. it sucks. I’m sorry. I’m working on it. ;;

press f to pay respects to what could have been, guys. they literally had it all. class, an ironic acronym, you name it. and now it’s just PLF. the Iron Patriot of villain organization names.

#bnha #bnha 241 #bnha 240 #shigaraki tomura #all for one #yaoyorozu momo #shimura hana #todoroki shouto #bakugou katsuki #bnha spoilers #makeste reads bnha #asks #anon asks

35 notes · View notes

xaz-fr · 5 years

Photo

A Manor in ATLAS

@deadpool-scar-bro @hikayelastoria @cornsnoot-fr @redlion-fr @mushroomdraggo @murdoch-fr @tales-around-sornieth @frxemriss @rainhearts-hatchery @rexcaliburr-fr @starry-ampelope @plainstriderbard @reanimatedfr @ally-fr @golden-lionsnake @rookfern @khadjin-fr (let me know if you’d like to be added to the lore pinglist) Dragons are anthro. I really love all the bbys who’ve been born in the Manor, mostly bc they’re all ultra rare eyed babies bc I’m like that lols

Everyone was supposed to come to dinner together. Usually that didn’t happen. Vernay certainly rarely ate with the rest of the Manor. Usually she and he mother stayed in the kitchen and ate there after putting meals out for the rest of the Manor. But tonight she’d been taken by her aunts Sanya and Zurina and dressed up, her hair done prettily and in light make up they said really extenuated her eyes. Of course… it was impossible to not extenuate her eyes. They gave off wisps of Wind. They’d also put her in a pretty dress and several old pieces of jewelry from the Master’s collection she was terrified of losing. When they were

finished with her she was told to stay in the dining room for dinner. The only others there were the babies who were in high chairs already and Sunshine who was reading a book.

“Do you know what’s going on?” she asked Sunshine. Sunshine was a few years younger than her but a real smarty pants.

“I dunno,” Sunshine said, shrugging and not looking at her. Vernay frowned at her but didn’t get up. You didn't do something when aunty Zurina told you not to do something.

Her legs didn't quite reach the floor as she kicked her legs back and forth, waiting. She didn't have to wait terribly long before some of the adults started trickling in. Zurina was first with her newest baby who had eyes like Vernay and she sat with the other babies to entertain them. Then came Leon and aunty Anael and Laudwine and uncle Seenur and the rest of her aunties and uncles. They weren’t really her aunts and uncles of course. They were just people who lived in the house with them but she called them her aunts and uncles because that was what they were.

Her eyes widened when the Master came in. She hardly ever saw him and she wasn’t allowed to bother him in his office. When she was younger she’d seen him a lot more. She remembered him being so nice to her and doting on her sweetly and reading her books from his collection. He was a kindly older looking skydancer with a well manicured beard and sharp eyes. Uncle Nephilim was hanging off his arm and sat next to him as he stood at the head of the table.

“Everyone,” he called and everyone at the long table quieted down. “I am happy to announce that we are officially moved in!” There was some quiet cheering around the table. “I know this has been a very stressful time for everyone but that time is behind us. This is our new home, a new chapter in our life-” after that Vernay zoned it out as the Master kept talking. Speeches were boring. She knew they were boring because her daddy would give her speeches sometimes when she misbehaved and she never listened. Mostly because she knew her daddy was also stupid. Or that’s what her mommy and uncle Nephilim said and they knew her daddy differently than she did.

While the Master was talking she looked across the table and over aunty Candlestone’s shoulder to the open doorway where several dragons were standing in the hallway. It was two pretty lady dragons and a dragon who looked just a bit older than her. She started to wave when her father sitting next to her noticed and lightly grabbed her hand to put it down. “Pay attention,” he told her in a quiet, stern, voice. She rolled her eyes and looked back at the Master.

“So now it is a great pleasure to fully welcome our two benefactors in this move from our old lives to our new home: Setekh, and Empress,” and he started to clap. The other adults all politely clapped as well and Vernay did too though she wasn’t quite sure why she needed to. Down the table the babies squealed loudly to be shushed gently by aunty Zurina.

Vernay sunk down in her chair a little when an elegant sky dancer with eyes like a lightning storm and an elegant ridgeback walked into the room. They were both beautiful and sort of terrifying? They both just exuded control and grace and she hoped they didn't notice her. They didn’t seem to and walked right up to the Master, grabbed his hand in turn and kissing him on both cheeks as he did to them. Were they allowed to do that?! Her mouth opened a little in shock. She thought Nephilim was the Master’s favorite and only he was allowed to kiss the Master!

She was so distracted and sort of upset someone else was kissing the Master she missed a lot of what Setekh was saying. When she tuned back in she heard, “-It is a great pleasure that your cooperation with the Windsteppe Alliance allows us access to an otherwise unobtainable asset,” and she motioned. The other Skydancer she’d seen out in the hall came out. He was a bit older than her by the looks of it, his plumage dark but around his snout and the end of his hands and the joints of his wings were brilliantly colored like they were full of blue fire.

“Everyone please welcome Pera to our home,” the Master announced.

“Ah, hi,” Pera waved awkwardly at everyone else.

“Oh honey don’t be shy, you’re fucking gorgeous, you’ll fit right in,” someone called from down the table and several others chuckled.

“Pera will be staying with us for the undetermined future as part of the Alliance’s cooperation with ATLAS,” the Master continued. “He is our guest and I expect everyone to be kind and courteous to him until the time that he returns home to the Steppe.” There was some head bobbing of yes and some muttered ‘of couse’s around the long table. “And do your best to keep Pera out of your business. I don’t need him going home traumatized,” he added.

“Yeah, Nephilim,” someone called and everyone laughed.

“Oh, come off it,” Nephilim sighed.

“I believe that is everything to say. Our talented Tanduay has crafted us a delicious dinner tonight, so please, if you three would be seated and we may enjoy,” he beckoned to to the three new dragons. Setekh sat on the Master’s other side followed by the Empress and Pera sat on Nephilim’s other side.

“I hope everyone finds something they like,” her mommy said brightly and with some perfectly coordinated wind magic caused plates from the kitchen to float out and land down the middle of the table, everything still slightly steaming if it was cooked or perfectly cold if not. Vernay looked at her daddy before helping herself.

#flight rising #fr lore #fr lore share #lore share #amia

10 notes · View notes

365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

Text

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Thirty-Two: Wonder Woman ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

To him, she’s like a real life superhero. It doesn’t matter that - in terms of brute strength - he’s leaps and bounds above her. It’s hardly a fair comparison, anyway. The only one who can hold a candle to him now is Naruto. No, what matters to Sasuke is all his wife is capable of beyond the typical shinobi concern of “how many faces can you beat in before you get tired?”.

While Hinata isn’t a pushover - she has the largest Byakugan range of current Hyūga, and created her own jutsu when only sixteen - Sasuke considers her real strengths to be of her character. Her actions. Especially considering how...lacking he himself can be in those same regards.

When he first returned, she was kind and courteous. Nothing like how pretty much everyone (beyond his family, at least) treated him. Even his teammates were more standoffish than her...though, they also had reason to be.

Hinata didn’t shy from his reputation. She knew it, and his reasons. Instead, she - more boldly than the rest - stepped up and tried to offer him friendship. Help him settle back into Konoha after all that had happened.

And in tandem, she was one of those who first offered her aid. Granted, it was also part of the Hyūga alliance orchestrated by Hanabi (though there were certainly other hands at play in the background). But Hinata made it abundantly clear she was personally involved as well. The friendship she’d developed while under the care of who would become Itachi’s wife after her chūnin exams (and Neji’s beatdown) meant becoming involved earlier than most...whether she wanted it or not.

But she handled it all gracefully. Was dutifully secretive, and unerringly supportive as the Uchiha tried to pick up their pieces.

...it helped she was the only Hyūga that, in Sasuke’s eyes, wasn’t stuck up and snobbish. But he got that impression mostly from Neji. Maybe a bit from Hiashi. And just a smidge from Hanabi, but...that was mostly because of her puppeteering behind the scenes of the elders. In reality, he likes her spunk...even if she can be a bit coy for his tastes.

From there, he got to know her kindness. She wasn’t much like the other girls from their class. Ino was always so forward and...obnoxious. Sakura too pushy and aggressive...and affectionate in shallow ways. But Hinata was quiet. Unobtrusive. Polite, kind, and yet not without her limits.

It made him wonder if, back then, they would have been friends. She wasn’t the sort that would have annoyed him...but between his narrow focus, and her own gaze being so locked on Naruto (let alone her wallflower nature), they just...never converged.

Unfortunate.

Then Naruto and Sakura got together. Which left the pair of them as rather awkward third and fourth wheels. Even more pushed together, Sasuke just...found himself getting closer to her. Sure, it was unavoidable given their circles and the alliance, but...he started seeking her out. Missing her company. No one had ever really...done that before.

Consider him impressed.

When he brought forth his plan to create a new police force, she was among the fore to support the idea...and one of the first to volunteer. Her path, she told him, was diverging. She’d given up on being heiress long before then. She’d decided to become strong for herself. No one else. Not Hanabi, not Hiashi, not even Naruto. Just for young Hinata: the one who needed someone to lean on...and had only herself.

...he’d admired that, and accepted.

She was a natural. Her patience meant dealing with people was far easier than if he’d gone it alone. After all, he hadn’t been known for his well-kept temper or willingness to wait. But in the same breath, she was firm when necessary, and a worthy opponent for anyone they had to get rough with. Her balance of justice, kindness, and tough morals was perfect for her new line of work, and she blossomed.

...and he noticed.

Between their alliance, their friendship, and then their partnership...it was all but assured that things would progress further...despite Sasuke’s misgivings. Uchiha were still mistrusted, and in some cases still hated. He didn’t want to bring her into that by involving himself romantically. And yet...he also knew what diamond in the rough he’d found in her. After so long of being alone - after pushing so many people away, and putting up walls - he’d found someone that fit to his edges: was firm where he needed it, but...soft when necessary too.

In his mind...she was his only chance. At love, at a family, at happiness.

And she wasn’t about to let his reservations stand in her way. When they talked it over, she insisted: she loved him, and wouldn’t be put aside so easily. If it was what he truly wanted, she’d oblige...but she’d know he felt for her just as ardently.

Her bravery in the face of taking on their enemies was humbling.

Things weren’t easy at first. She was mocked. Publicly harassed. Even pushed at times. But she handled it all with grace...and with force, when necessary.

...of course, it only got worse from there.

But so too did their lives move forward. A few years after they married, they had their first child: a boy, Tenkai. Their earth. Hinata was a perfect mother from the get go. Patient as always, soft, doting...but not a pushover, either. And when their daughter Chikyū - their heavens - joined their little family, she managed it like a champion.

He could hardly fathom how she kept it all straight. The house, the children, and eventually her job once she was able. Sure, their lives weren’t perfect, and nor were her days. But Sasuke was nevertheless always blown away at how well she handled it all.

Especially as the threats and violence mounted.

Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui wasted no time in investigating and confronting whatever threat they could find...but it was always just out of reach. Tricky and conniving, they were being prodded from deep shadows even their eyes couldn’t see through. Between the two families, the five children were kept safe by not only protective uncles and fathers...but by fearless, fear-inspiring mothers. Both of them had moments of maternal ferocity and action, as much as their husbands clearly hated the idea.

But Sasuke couldn’t help but be proud of her when they passed.

Even now, everything about her is awe-inspiring. A true wonder woman in her own right.

“Kāchan, look! I drew you something!”

“You did? Let me see, Tenkai.”

The family is gathered in the living room of their home, Hinata surrounded on both sides by her children. Sasuke sits in an armchair nearby, arms loosely crossed as he lounges and watches with a soft smile. It’s Mother’s Day, after all - this is more about her, and the kids.

...they’ll celebrate their own way later.

For now, she’s being showered with gifts mostly made by the pair. Drawings, some origami, and a bouquet of flowers (picked from her own garden, but it’s the thought that counts). The trio even worked together (rather messily) to craft a cake for her.

She beams in the attention, clearly overjoyed at simply being with her kids and seeing their creations for her. No enthusiasm is spared as she reacts to each gift, setting them all in plain sight to be enjoyed. And the cake is received with the biggest grin on her face.

“Thank you, my dears - everything is perfect. I’m the luckiest mom in the world…!”

Come evening, with the kids in bed and the parents cleaning up the festivities’ aftermath, Sasuke offers, “So, how does the luckiest mom in the world want to celebrate now that it’s just the two of us?”

Glancing to him from the sink, she gives a modest smile, head ducking shyly. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve got ideas.”

He just smiles at her. “Well...you might be the luckiest mom...but I’m the luckiest husband.”

“Oh, are you?”

“Well yeah - have you seen my wife?” he can’t help but tease.

“Mm...I know her.”

“And?”

“And she better count herself just as lucky.”

Well, it's not Mother's Day here anymore, given the hour...but I tried xD Today was our own celebration in my family, as well as just a day to...decompress, aha~ Just some Sasuke appreciating his wonderful waifu alongside their adorable kiddos. Not much more a mama can ask for on such a day! Hinata's got it made, lol Anywhooo, I'm...v tired and it's late, so I'll stop there - thanks for reading n_n

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #a light amongst shadows [ canon verse ]#365daysofsasuhina

11 notes · View notes

cutegirlmayra · 5 years

Text

Jenna Commission Receipt

@aoi-hina Commission for Hero Academia Story

Time: Took me some time because I was graduating, but was able to write it in about a month or so. I did some research and wrote up a summary based on her requests, then I wrote it all out! :Db

Review: @aoi-hina : I finally finished reading it and w o w i’m so impressed??? Like bakugou is such a hard character to write for but you did it so well omg,,, and the ending made me so happy, he’s so cute 😂🥰 Thank you so much!! And i’m definitely interested in commissioning a sequel, when you open them again of course!!

Note: Absolutely! My pleasure ^^ I worked hard, lol! Thank you! I'm really happy!!!! xD I'm so glad! I worked hard trying to make sure it was well done!

Paid Amount: 15$ which was about 37 or so pages, but I ended up giving her around 50 pages, so more for her money XD (I care about the story lol)

Product Preview: With premission from @aoi-hina, here is the ROUGH DRAFT of the product.

A Spark to The Match

Commission for Aoi-Hina

By: Cutegirlmayra

“You’re going to love it in Japan! UA is the best hero’s school there is. I know it’s hard to adjust to a new culture and people, but just think of all the adventures you can have there!” It was a loving voice, but one Jenna had learned to turn off and on when she needed to.

If she needed it…

She sat with her arms crossed, wearing her favorite, oversized jacket that let her curly brown hair drape over like curtains. It was comfy, that’s all.

Her uniform was ordered with the wrong size due to Japan’s normal measurements, so she was getting it resized, but her hero’s attire was just fine. She brought it all the way from America.

Saying goodbye to everyone wasn’t the hard part, it was knowing she couldn’t call them without paying extra that ticked her off.

Her hazel eyes scanned the classroom, simply out of boredom. Her acute attention to detail saw the scrapes made by the chairs on the floor, the ceiling punctures, and the chipped wood and plastic along the desks and doors.

She had to introduce herself, didn’t she?

How annoying is that?

She stuck her arms into her jacket’s pockets that connected to each other, picking at her nails a moment and looking down until someone in the class noticed her.

“Oh, are you new here?” Well, duh.

Jenna just gave her a sarcastic smile, perfectly crafted after so many years of practice. She leaned just enough down that her glasses drooped a little to her nose, “How can you tell?”

“I’m the president of class 1A, it’s my job to know the wellbeing of my class and each individual by name. As class president, I should also properly introduce myself to you as you are new here.“ the girl rambled on, but there was something genuine about her overly exerting herself to make a good impression and do what was considered ‘polite’.

Jenna smiled, though half-listening, and noticed another girl walking by her to sit down. This one had ear jacks connected to her ear lopes.

Sick.

“-and so I’m Momo Yaoyorozu. My quirk is-“ Momo suddenly realized that Jenna was distracted, and immediately cleared her throat. “My apologies. How incredibly rude of me. I haven’t even properly asked for your name yet.” She held her hand, balled gently near her mouth before lowering it to just below the neck.

She actually did look really sorry, which made Jenna’s attention turn back to her. She didn’t want to disappoint her, it wasn’t like she was being fake, she just wanted to make Jenna feel included and noticed.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “And you are?”

Jenna watched as the world shone with a radiant shine around Momo, who extended her hand and bent down to kindly give a warm greeting to her.

Jenna was stubborn though, and just looked at the hand for a moment.

Freakin’ trust issues…

It was hard for Jenna to bring herself, even for this kind girl, to accept the friendly offer right away.

Momo’s eyes rounded and Jenna could see the sweat starting to fall down the sides of her face in fear. It was cute, seeing her struggle, but Jenna wouldn’t tease her for long.

She sighed, deciding to let her issues go and took her hand, “Jenna Everett.” She stated, nonchalantly.

“Oh! Your accent! Are you, by chance, American?” Momo’s eyes seemed to light up again at the prospect of a new transfer student.

“Yeah, how oddly romantic of a scene, huh?” Jenna wondered how she couldn’t tell, or maybe she blended in too well for her own good. It was her skills to be untraceable, undetected, and basically—all around sneaky.

Jenna played it cool and nodded towards Momo’s enthusiasm; knowing that foreign students, even in America, were somewhat a fantasized delight for the local students.

“Did you happen to come here because…“ Suddenly, there was another boy, nervously shaking as he approached the conversation. However, it only made her slightly suspicious of him, ‘Who the heck is this twerp?’

“B-Because of All Might?” his entire demeanor was portraying shyness and uncertainty, which made Jenna nervous and uptight. She sat up a bit in her chair, scanning him with her eyes and noticing his trembling hands clutching each other as the poor boy’s nerves got the better of him.

“This is Izuku Midoriya.” Seeing Jenna not respond, Momo spoke up first, making sure Midoriya remembered his manners. “Please introduce yourself, first.” Momo scolded him, closing her eyes and gesturing very proper-like to Midoriya, who tensed up and immediately bowed repeatedly at lightning speeds.

“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I was just curious, that’s all!”

“Deku!!!”

The earphone jack girl unplugged something next to me and clamped her hands against her ears. Was she listening in on her?

‘Rude.’ Jenna thought before turning to the abrupt distraction in front of her.

A boy had stood on a chair, pounding his foot down on the back of the seat’s top rim with his hands in his pant’s pockets. “Dang it!!! You’re so loud and annoying, nerd!”

“I-I-I’m sorry, Kacchan!”

“Whaaat??? Stop calling me that, Deku!” The boy tsk’d and then turned to look at Jenna from the corner of his eye. He stuck his head up all high and mighty. His attitude made Jenna give him a quick death glare, she didn’t like being looked down upon…

Her keen eye could already see thousands upon thousands of openings, where an arrow could hit. Easy. Where to puncture a vital organ or cause intensive bleeding. A walk in the park. If needs be, she readied herself to find which avenue to direct her attacks to first.

It was natural for her to think rather dark, but she lost track of how long they stared at each other, eyeing the other with a threatening presence, when Momo spoke up again.

“U-uh, Umm… W-what’s your quirk, E-Everett-san?” she tried to redirect Jenna’s eyes… but Jenna was hyper-fixated on the possible danger in front of her.

She was trained to read situations, but wasn’t the best at the social aspects of them…

“…You can find out.” She rudely spat out without a lick of emotion, just continuing her long stare down with the annoying loudmouth.

Momo just laughed awkwardly, noticing the two weren’t going to be easily distracted from the other.

“K… Kacchan, please don’t be so scary to the new transfer student.” Midoriya attempted to motion his hands up and down to try and calm the boy back down to his senses, but the boy completely ignored him. He raised his head up, scowling at her.

His eyebrow twitched and he finally spoke, “What are you staring at, Pipsque-?”

“Your enormous mouth.” She spoke back so rapidly quick that he barely had time to finish his first sentence.

“Darn it, what did you say!?” He spread his arms out, like a puffer fish trying to look larger than his foe. His voice grew louder at her brash response, “Want to speak that in plain Japanese for me!?”

“Wow, I can smell your breath from here. Make out with any skunks lately?” She barely blinked her eyes. ‘I just want this kid to shut the heck up.’ She thought to herself, ‘I don’t care if others think I’m rude for it. Maybe it’ll teach them not to talk down to me.’

The whole of the students around the area of the classroom seemed to hush up then.

They all looked nervous, turning to the boy as if waiting for a fight to break lose.

“…Tsk.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m Lord Explosion Murder.” His tough-guy expression didn’t change but the entire class spoke up with mumbled voices, all sewed together like a choir—“No you’re not.”—then he angled his head down with a tilt and smiled at her, masking his anger with another sharp question. “And who are you supposed to be? A hot-shot American who thinks they’re better than everyone else? Go back to your second-best landmass with whatever lame quirk you have. We don’t need you or your ‘free speech’.”

Now, Jenna liked America, but she wouldn’t exactly say she was a patriot. But when this boy talked… It was like a bald eagle rose with a sharp cry behind her.

“We have All Might and the best Hero’s School in the world. I don’t care what kinda rep you got back in America, but here? It’s a lot different. You’re a nobody. I’m gonna be the ultimate hero and kill anyone who tries to stand in my way!” He swiped his upper-torso and head back to leaning towards her and looking down on her, showing no fear. “So if you dare to stay, just know that I’m the only loudmouth around here that’s taking out dumb hero-wannabes like Deku here… and you.” His stink eye only made her blood boil more with the colors red, white, and blue.

“Now listen here, you punk.” She lifted a leg to her seat, using it to push up and sit a little straighter in her chair. A moment ago, she was relaxing back down, but now…

“You’re acting so arrogant compared to all these chumps who at least know to suck-up to someone new. Heck, they’re actually being courteous, something I found rather amusing and appropriate for the time being… But then there’s you. I was minding my own lazy freakin’ business, but then…” she lifted her head up, angling her eye to him and smirking with a creepy intensity that pierced like an arrow through his soul. “Don’t make the excuse that I’m the problem just because I’m American! You’re just as loud and obnoxious as any one! You wanna stare and dare make fun of me when you were just seconds ago calling this twerp a nerd!? Explode on me, why don’tcha, but keep your little smart-alek, tough boy fantasy act to yourself! Cry me a river next time you have something to say!”

Even the boy was a bit thrown off, leaning back from her naturally louder voice than even Japanese people were accustomed too.

When he seemed to mutter some curses under his breath and look away, she took that as a sign of backing down and sat loosely relaxed in her chair again. “Darn kids.” She spoke in English that time, then looked to Momo. “Sorry about all that. I just really can’t stand injustice when I see it… Especially from a blonde firecracker with no self-control.” She purposefully muttered the last part to tick off the guy further, making sure to side-mouth the comment enough that he would hear. Just for laughs and giggles.

“You-!” the boy turned abruptly back to her, but Momo’s chest flashed bright colors and a flag popped out from her skin. Jenna stared a second as Momo motioned the flag between the boy’s eyesight and herself.

His eyes twitched through the sheer fabric, looking crazed as fire seemed to burn in his eyes…

“That’s enough, Bakugo. You’ve embarrassed us all long enough!” she spoke with authority. Jenna watched as the boy, apparently named Bakugo, sparked the palms of his hands and tensed up.

“Darn, bratty, girl…” he twitched and hunched over as though ready to strike at her. Jenna slowly moved her hand out of her pockets and towards her quiver…

“K-Kacchan, wait!” Midoriya stepped in front of the flag, waving his arms around and desperately trying to calm Bakugo down again, using a more direct approach. “S-she’s new! We should be nice to transfer students!”

Bakugo leaned his head up, staring down at the three of them, “She called you all chumps too. Don’t say I blame her, but you all are really acting like idiots!” he blathered out, but there was something about pride mixed in on that. Was he racist? Probably not, just super hot-headed. Jenna frowned at that behavior, slightly wishing she hadn’t called them that before another voice spoke up.

“Look, she’s actually pretty cool for standing up to you like that.” Jenna turned around to see the girl tap her earphone jacks together above her head, gesturing a hand out like a shrug to further state her point. “Just drop it, dude. She’s obviously not a pushover. Whatever her quirk is, she’s not one to mess around with it like you are. Quit picking fights with the new girl before sensei walks in.”

‘Okay, this girl is pretty chill.’ Jenna thought to herself.

“She’s probably on edge being in a new country and you just added wood to the fire. Quit taking out your anger on her and just let the volume in this room simmer down, alright?” she winked to Jenna as Bakugo about-faced, grinding his teeth together in agitation.

Jenna, after seeing the boy begrudgingly back off, then asked the girl behind her, “And you are?”

The girl smiled warmly, tilting her head, “The name’s Kyoka Jiro. I’m all about sound, and boy, can you project your voice or what?”

“Heh,” Jenna smirked, “You could say I’m all about range.” She joked, looking down at her quiver. “I don’t conform well, so forgive me if I overstep something culturally. However, dealing with bullies is kinda my thing.”

Bakugo jumped down from his chair and sat properly in it, seeming to have an aura of darkness around him. ‘Heh, was he feeling beat?’ she was put in a happier mood because of that little display of aggression turning to utter defeat.

“Anyway, who’s sensei?”

“Oh, that’s Japanese for-“ Deku began but she stopped him.

“No, no. I get the term. But who is he? A retired hero, or..?”

“Oh, he’s Eraserhead!” Deku went off on a ramble about all his feats and successes, his history and fame, so on and so forth.

But as Jenna half-listened again, she looked over to see Bakugo making small sparks in his palms again, hunched with fury. Twitching in rage, he seemed to be channeling his power and withholding it in, it looked painful from this distance, which only made her stifle a chuckle into her hand.

She was thinking it kinda funny to see someone so upset at being told off. He snapped at her first, what was he expecting? For her to lay down and die?

“What’s with Lord Explosion Murder over there?” She whispered back to Jiro while Midoriya continued without realizing the conversation had shifted elsewhere. Jiro lifted her half-drooped eyes at her question, turning her gaze from Midoriya’s rambles now conversing with her.

“Hmm? Oh, he’s a popular prodigy here. Or so we’re told…” she looked back at him. “See those sparks? One touch from his sweat and suddenly he’s a walking grenade. Best not to trigger him, you know?”

‘But when you tell me not too…’ she looked back at him, ‘it only makes me want to even more.’ She thought to herself, snickering.

“So, he’s blastboy? Talk about working up a cold sweat.”

Jiro, plugging her earjacks into her head and placing her hand over her mouth, tried to stop the sound of her laughter from escaping her body. She was perfectly muted, moving as though laughing, but no sound escaped her.

She unhooked her earjacks and winked to Jenna, “I’d keep that one between us.”

Jenna knew that her and Jiro would get along then… but Bakugo? A different story…

‘He seems… very interesting though… very interesting…’ she lowered her head to her hand, watching him from behind and completely ignoring the green and black hair boy explain more about their teacher’s status.

----

Later that day, after the slightly interesting lesson on firearms and hostage situations, Jenna was excited to hear that the class activity was going to feature one of the famous UA training fields. However, this one looked familiar…

“Isn’t this the same place where the exams to get into the school happen?” One of the students stated, having a massive scar across his face.

“It is…” Midoriya stated, looking a bit nervous.

“I wouldn’t know.” Jenna muttered under her breath.

Jiro turned to her but Momo asked first, “Did you not go through the Entrance Exam?”

Jenna tilted her head and chuckled a little, sticking a bored finger into her ear and scratching around as though she didn’t care about the question. “Nah, I got here through recommendations. My parents were pretty stoked when I was permitted in.”

“Wow… You must be amazing!” Midoriya’s eyes lit up, his hands bundled in excitement near his chest.

She shrugged, but smiled to the kid. He seemed pretty innocent enough.

“That gives us home field advantage.”

She glared back at the explosive boy, seeing him smirking with his eyes closed and head down. “You don’t stand a chance in this class, American.” He rose his head up, squinting one eye at her. “Better run home before you get trashed and thrown away.”

She tensed up, “If you target me…” she threatened, “I’ll hunt you down.” She narrowed her eyes, “I like playing games… but I can’t stand a bully.”

“Heh. Let’s see what America has to offer then!” he taunted, pulling out his hands and kicking one leg forward, stomping on the ground and having mini-explosions lighting up on his hands. He hunched down, “I’m gonna win anyway, so might as well tell ya I’m coming for you first!”

She fully faced him without a shred of fear, “Bring it on, hotshot.” She laughed inwardly at her own pun.

“The objective is quite simple. Eliminate the threat.” Eraserhead pointed to a few students, who then were assigned dots on their hero uniforms.

She had wondered if she would get to try on her UA school outfit, not that it wasn’t tacky enough to make fun of while wearing it, but because it was a new experience, after all. She was still excited to show off her hero’s attire, though. A tight body suit made of a deep purple with inky, black streaks of smooth stripes to show off more of her silhouette. It was meant to make it easier to blend into shadows, but it was still stylish. She had requested special-made belts that she slung around her arms, legs, and even one to hold her quiver tight so it didn’t jingle around while sneakily getting into position. Hero work required a lot of running, she couldn’t be detected, not by sound or sight. Her feet had extra, technologically enhanced padding and her prescription goggles resembled a thin mask like the design from the olden days of heroes. Each piece of material was made to be slightly flame, shock, and freeze proof; this was simply because she worked with different types of enhanced arrows. If one exploded from her quiver? Yeouch!

The material was thick and wide, but smooth like leather against her body. It allowed for her to breathe, and that’s what was important. ‘Durable, flexible, and the right amount of sexy. Just how I like it.’ She smiled, fixing herself up a little bit for the rogue operation.

She strapped a dot on over her logo, where an ‘A’ with her support friend’s insignia for Jenna’s hero name was at. It kept the line that dashed through the middle of the ‘A’ like a speeding arrow, ending near her collarbone.

“What’s that?” Momo had asked, seeing where Jenna had slapped the dot on.

Slyly, Jenna lowered her eyelids and clicked a stick out to reveal a long, slender bow that arched with its tips out like fine cursive. “It’s nothing.” She winked. “If you get knocked out first, you can watch and see.”

“Such a mystery.” Jiro teased, looking away and shaking her head. “Man… I hope this isn’t too much of a hassle.”

Eraserhead continued, “Enough chatter. I want to see the villains move quickly through these stages. Your objective is to defend yourself. You’re trying to distract the heroes from finding what you’re protecting. I’ve given you a dot to identify yourselves, but you’ll have to use your location devices to see what exactly you’re defending. All the heroes know is that you’ve planted bombs. The exercise is over when the heroes have all successfully defused the bombs, or all the threats explode.”

“Wait, you want us to combat the villains and take out the bombs?!” A purple headed guy started sweating and shaking in his knees. “That’s way too much to ask of us!”

“You’ve been through worse.” Eraserhead narrowed his eyes on him, but it was hard to tell exactly how he was feeling with such an exhausted tone in his voice. Half his face was covered too… it made Jenna wonder… ‘Should I also wear something to conceal my face?’

She touched her mask, but then noticed at the corner of her eye that Bakugo character staring at her again.

She turned to him, pretty annoyed, but stuck her tongue out and smiled. ‘This should be fun and interesting…’

He seemed to flinch back at her, but then tilt his head and curve the side of his mouth down in a frown for a millisecond.

‘Ohh?’ her intrigue at him peaked just then, ‘Does someone not like all his attention taken away?’

“Go!”

She took off. Bakugo watched her the entire time, but she tried to ignore him.

‘Is he really going to follow me?’ She looked slightly behind her, tracking his footfalls with her ears since she dared not alert him. Although, he was being so obvious about it… ‘Really? Any direction I take?’ she thought that silly of him as she switched roads and he continued to pursue with his eyes locked on her. ‘Well, if he’s gonna talk smack, he better have a bite to go with that bark.’ She joked to herself, smiling at the prospect of a fun rivalry.

“We’re defending the diamond store!” A pink skin girl cried out, charging for it as Jenna looked up to the rooftops.

“Keep your voices down!” Jenna almost hissed out through gritted teeth. Yes, they were away from the starting line where the heroes were, but that doesn’t mean you shout! She had to lose Bakugo’s sight. He was waiting for her when she appeared out of alley ways, scanning… but he seemed to not care about the random, muffled shouting across the distance. No one seemed to understand what the girl had said from this range. Bakugo was only focused on tracking her down and not losing her.

She had to wiggle lose of his watchful gaze, so she side-stepped into the shadows and began scaling the buildings by hooking her bow on windowpanes and railings to climb to the top. Seems the shadows off the tall, white buildings were in her favor.

“I’ll target the heroes.” She stated quickly to the girl with the horns that had called out earlier, passing her upon the rooftops. “You just keep the area secure. And stay silent.” She muttered the last part, but was deeply serious as she spoke. All business, no fun. But… maybe some fun, if you can wittily sneak some humor in there somehow… which was something Jenna liked to do, specifically.

“W-what?” The girl looked confused but Jenna didn’t have time to compromise anything.

She had blastboy to deal with…

He had made a fuss after she turned a corner, “Where is she!?” he had cried out so loud that it made her hum a small chime of satisfaction. She had lost him!

It only made her giddier to glance behind and see his frustrated expression. It had a kind of… charm to it. Made her all fuzzy inside!

The flare to show the heroes it was time to attack and not just watch was sent through the sky, lighting it up in a dazzling red. Jenna immediately stopped scaling the rooftops, her eyes widening with red as she shoved her back against the corner wall of a building, staying out of sight as she tucked herself inside a nook. ‘Herrreeee, Baky, Baky…’ She teased, not daring to make an actual sound, but watched as soon—darting into the streets—were countless heroes taking the scene.

‘Right in the open? How stupid can these guys get?’ she blinked in puzzlement, but decided to let those slide and get to the second ring of defenses they had organized.

There, a girl with gravity powers levitated some loose road and brought the battle up to the skies.

“Got’cha.” She slipped up, speaking out loud in her excitement as she pulled out an ice arrow and began firing near their feet.

Trapped, until the ice exploded and they were all sent spiraling downwards toward the broken up, artificial highways of the UA Entrance Exam. Although, she wondered why they were using this as a test today. Was she… perhaps, being watched by the higher ups? She took a second to look for cameras, but then remembered her mission and stayed on her easy targets.

‘Too simple, but at least it’s a clean kill.’ She puckered her lips, ‘That’s no fun…’

But where was he..?

“Move it!!!” A familiar, loud, deafening voice broke through the silence as Bakugo jumped and blasted through the floating pieces of road.

The gravity girl ducked out of shot, but now there were just pieces of gravel flying aimlessly around in the air.

The dust caught Jenna by surprise. She coughed a moment into her arm, sweating…

‘Dang it! I can’t breathe now! But if I make anymore sound, he’ll spot me!’ she decided to suck in air from her arm, blocking most of the tiny debris from entering her lungs and then held her breath.

Her long fingers skimmed the arrow’s feathers… each was designed so she could easily identify which was which; her unique brand of destruction towards her enemies depended on the particular feel of each feather. Bomb? Shock? Ice..?

‘Ice is weak to fire… but it should slow him down for a moment or two.’ Unable to see through the dust, she knew she had to jump.

‘There!’ she leaped up, above the floating mass of dirtied cover, finding him using his hand explosions to stay afloat in the air over it all.

“You need to cool off!” She pulled back and ripped her ice arrow, the metal arrow parting in three sections to reveal a cooling blue goo that shone white in the light of the blaring sun. Bakugo instinctively turned one hand of his grenade arm to block the attack, but by doing so, hard-banked left with just one hand making constant explosions.

Instead of getting his leg stuck to the building like she had planned, his arm—spreading up to his shoulder—was hit. The goo spread out instantly in the air, forming an icicle that latched onto him.

“3…2…1…” she counted in a hushed whisper as she felt her body begin to dive back into the littered, rocky air. Gravity naturally took over, and she began to fall. She hoped to see it though, the moment it shattered.

The ice began to crack at each count, ready to explode as Bakugo reached for it—“Don’t!”

“Huh?” Bakugo looked over to see the boy with the scar jump through the floating pieces of ground and grab the ice.

“W-what?!” She was still free-falling at this point, unable to see fully what was going on, but the boy seemed to use some sort of fire attack to bring the cooling agent back to its goo form.

‘Darn it!’ she bit her lip, upset by an interruption in her fun. The vision of the two faded behind the deep floating dust that blinded her goggles. She dipped into back, the light brown fog with mini-pieces of earth pelting into her hide.

-------

The cold stung at Bakugo, but he raked it off with his oversized gloves and grenade wrist accessories. “What was that for?! Did I ask for a babysitter!?” the two disappeared under the fog as Shoto Todoroki used his ice to scale them safely down, sliding along the smooth surface till they could see the bottom.

They both coughed, but saw Ochaco Uraraka getting caught by Deku, and taped up by Hanta Sero.

She had a cute look of ‘I’m caught’ on her face and just let them do their job, but Bakugo quickly turned his attention to Todoroki and gripped him by the front of his shirt’s neckline. Cussing loudly, he hollered in his face, but Todoroki seemed to take the assault in matured patience. “What’s with the big hero act!? I didn’t ask for your help, Todoroki! Going for a good grade through me will have you killed!”

“That was liquid ice with enhanced reactors. It instantly hardened and exploded. If you had exploded it before then with your hand, the force of the heat and the coolant would have scattered your shoulder in the chemical aftermath.” He stressed through gritted teeth, declaring his peace. “I did nothing wrong. I was just protecting my fellow classmate.”

Bakugo held him in that hold a moment, his anger depleting somewhat at hearing Todoroki’s explanation and begrudgingly let him go. “I don’t care if you care about me, Scar-face. I’m going to be the top hero. I don’t need your support.“ Bakugo turned away from him, pounding his feet onto solid ground and looking back at Todoroki with less hostility now.

“I don’t want to hear it.” Todoroki adjusted his attire. “What I want to know is…” He gave a piercing stare back to Bakugo, “Why you backed down from fighting her when she confronted you.”

“…Tsk. Now you want to ask?” Bakugo was judging up the situation, knowing she was around here somewhere…

He caught a floating piece of earth and held it in front of him and Todoroki for some added protection, “She’s a freakin’ loud American, and to boot a stranger. It’s just in their nature. They’re nosy. Proud. I don’t like to deal with anyone’s crap. But mostly,… I didn’t feel like it.”

“I don’t believe you.” Todoroki quickly called his bluff, not even bothering to change his tone as he stated it. “I don’t think it has anything to do with her nationality. I think you know better than that. You just got surprised by her. Not her particular culture.” He knelt down, seeing if he could spot anything from under the piece of earth Bakugo was holding and looked up at the buildings. “Plenty of places to hide. If she’s an archer, she’s most likely used to ranged combat.”

“So get in hot and heavy. Got it.” Bakugo was ready for melee, but Todoroki just let a small, frustrated sigh escape from his nose.

He got back up, staring straight ahead, “You looked like you were putting on a show at one point. What were you trying to do? Give a good impression?”

“I don’t care about who someone is, or what blasted nation they come from, alright?” Bakugo admitted, getting heated as he didn’t like standing around for so long. “I just didn’t like her standing up for Deku…”

“She called you a bully.”

“Yeah, well. Figures.”

Suddenly, a barrage of arrows with radiating red flickers of sparks and flames rose up in a swift aligned manner, as if fired one right after the other. Like clockwork, they began exploding more debris into the air.

“She’s trying for cover.” Bakugo shielded himself but quickly detached from the now blasted earth and jumped into the air, blazing forward. “Come’ere!!!” he cried out, hitting randomly at the buildings, trying to flush out a mouse.

Todoroki watched him, worried before seeing a faint streak of purple and black trail right behind Bakugo, a loud explosion behind her as she expertly twisted herself in the air, shooting him from behind with a bomb arrow.

“Dang it!!!” Bakugo swung around, just narrowly getting her with some distant fire from his explosions.

“Ugh!” she rolled on the ground, toppling a bit before quickly getting up and firing a multitude of arrows at him. ‘She was flame proof!?’ he looked ticked at that realization, “You scum! Fight me!”

He dodged her arrows, burning some of them to ash before they could even reach him. “Oh, now you’re silent!?” He was waiting for a comeback, but she was trying desperately to discipline herself to remain stealthy and silent while engaged in battle. “I’ll kill yoooouuu!!!” he blasted off after her, singling her out as she continued to look for cover and distance between them.

“Why does he always pester the strong ones? To be honest, it’s incredible that he can pick them out of a crowd in seconds.” Todoroki noticed her skill, and also acknowledged Bakugo’s recognition of that.

“Is this his form of respect?” He scoffed at that, but quickly touched both hands to the ground and had spikes of ice flying up towards her, creating a path of jagged, icy spikes her way.

Bakugo looked back, seeing Todoroki’s icicles scale up after her and shouted even louder, hitting his chin to his chest to see below him. “Heeey!!! I thought I told you to stay out of this?! Augh! I’ll kill you too!!!”

She turned her long, curly hair towards the sound of protruding ice and quickly shifted her attention to jumping quickly out of its way, hoping to avoid contact. She aimed straight below her, firing fire arrows that melted the ice before it could fully form into a sharp object and stab her through in the air.

“How did she..?” Todoroki’s eyes shook as Deku waved him from afar.

“Shoto-san!” he called, “She’s got different arrow feathers! Watch to see which one she’s aiming for!”

“Midoriya?” Todoroki turned to him, “Why is he spouting this out now?”

“Todoroki-san!” Deku leaped forward, changing tactics, and pushed Todoroki out of the way of a Shock Arrow that created a rigid line of electrical power surging intensely to immobilize him.

“Mi-Midoriya!” Todoroki watched in horror as Deku strained against the shock arrow’s affect. He took the arrow that had opened and latched itself onto him and summoned some of his power to break the arrow off him, ripping some of his uniform to do it, and then held his hand out in front of her.

“If one of those fire arrows… hits Kaachan… He’ll explode on himself.” He muttered through the pain, squinting as he aimed a finger at Jenna.

She had slid down the ice and was trying to get away, completely unaware that Midoriya was aiming for her. For someone so stealthy, her awareness at who was targeting her seemed slightly flawed. She didn’t pay attention to a lot of people, only what was right in front of her.

That would be her downfall, her weakness in her armor as Deku put it, and he had figured it out in only a couple of minutes.

“I’ll give you this one shot… she’s vulnerable in the air.” He shot out a blast from his finger, stunning Todoroki as Bakugo strained against the power, “Her character weakness… is that she doesn’t look at what’s happening around her. Only at what’s crucial to her and her alone. That’s why Bakugo distracting her by calling her out is so unnerving to her. She hates to be targeted. She can only deal with one thing at a time.” Then, something strange happened. Bakugo saw her and dived for an attack, but didn’t notice Deku’s One For All until it was too late.

Todoroki stood up and leaned towards the two, stranded in the air, “She’s not the only one with the character flaw!!!”

The two shouted out as they were sucked into the windblast, getting pushed back, far away from the rest of the students and activity grounds they were on.

“Dang it! Dekkkkku..!!!” Bakugo cried out while him and Jenna were blasted out into the open air. However, the effects of the windblast also pushed the cloud of dirt away, and they were able to convince Uraraka to let the floating road pieces finally go down.

It was all playing well into the strategy though, and to help Jenna out too, Uraraka kept it up.

When they finally pleaded with her enough, she conceded and placed her fingers together, “Release.” And looked up with one eye shut and an innocently, cheeky smile. “Hehe~ But that new transfer student is still doing great without my-“ she couldn’t finish her sentence as she suddenly looked up to see Jenna and Bakugo being flung out of the current combat zone. “Uhh… I spoke too soon.” She fell limp in a comical fashion, a sweat drop on the side of her face.

“Who is this transfer student… And does she know about Bakugo’s quirk?” Todoroki watched as the two of them disappeared from eyesight over the large skyscrapers in the distance.

----

The two rolled as Jenna quickly fought through the pain, grinding together her teeth a moment to force herself up and get her bow and arrow in place.

She was huffing, bending her legs to keep a crouched stance, looking to Bakugo’s rolling body.

‘He’s gotta be sweaty by now.’ She told herself, holding a fire arrow in place.

She could light it with her finger, the two that were covered in a fire-starting oil and designed to scrape against the arrows hide where a dipped string lit the head.

“Hmm? Oh, he’s a popular prodigy here. Or so we’re told… See those sparks? One touch from his sweat and suddenly he’s a walking grenade. Best not to trigger him, you know?”

But that’s precisely what she wanted.

When he got up, she could tell by how the dust stuck to the side of his masculine face that he was getting worked up. The sweat was almost visible, causing his face to shine in a oily way… and his deep breathing, intense stare…

She suddenly shook her head, finding her thoughts strange. ‘Focus, Jenna! What’s wrong with you!? He’s just a stupid boy!’

Bakugo wiped some the sweat off his face, “You’re no joke…” His hair bent and swooped with the hand’s motion. “This is even more annoying than that darn Deku ever was…” He breathed hard, and with her keen vision, noticed his finely toned chest moving up and down, the strain it had on his shirt, now wetted with sweat; How he reeled himself up from his hunched position, using each notch on his spine to slowly stand up straight, and stare her directly on.

“Quit comparing me to him!” she pulled the string back, lighting the fire with a swipe of her finger-guard that also worked as a match.

“Heh,… Yeah, you tick me off just as much, or even more so, then he did…” he smirked, liking seeing her lose her silent demeanor. Was he egging her on?

She was shaking, but why? Why was she so upset at being compared to the boy he was bulling earlier? She felt… was it jealousy?

“Keep your attention on the fight at hand, blastboy! I’m no nothing!” she mocked his cruel nickname for the other boy, but also found herself losing her composure.

Maybe it was from the shock of the blast? That green-hair kid sent her flying with one finger flick.

Why were her hands unable to remain still? She should be breathing naturally still, but her breaths were all over the place, just as much as her aim was.

Her bow shook in different directions as he stood before her, locked on without a inch of movement. Her balance was off. Could she not take a hit?!

‘That Deku guy… how powerful is he!?’ she squinted her eyes through her googles, trying to steel her mind again and focus against the pain in her joints and the strain on her muscles from such a blow.

‘How was he just fine!?’ Bakugo did look beat-up, but not beaten in the least. Her eyes kept darting to different parts of him as he advanced, walking menacingly over to her with his hands to his sides, facing up as though ready to blast whenever.

‘Then neither shall I.’ she closed her eyes… her body finding the strength and balance it needed to remain still once more.

She controlled her breathing, leaning her head down to breath out, and then breathing up with the rising of her head.

She opened her eyes.

He put one hand behind him as though ready to charge her until she shouted out,

“Blastboy!”

“W-What-?” He stopped his pursuit and blinked in confusion, completely taken off-guard by that name. “Why you-! I’m Lord Explosion Murder!” His eyes suddenly were filled with white, shaping into an arrow as he ‘whined’ loudly to her. At least, that’s how she interpreted it.

She felt a bit embarrassed for him, ‘That’s such a lame name.’ she teased inside her head and then found herself giggling to the side of her raised shoulder, still holding the fire arrow out in front of her. “You’re kinda funny, you know that? Haha…”

He suddenly stopped twitching his fingers and looked a bit shocked at her expression.

She… was laughing.

To any normal boy, they would have stared longer at how sweetly beautiful she looked as she serenely let go of reality and enjoyed a small bit of silliness in her day.

But Bakugo was far from normal.

He took in the scene, and then figured she was making fun of him.

“D-…” He lowered his head, “DARN YOU!!!” then blasted forward with a hand reaching out for her.

She continued to laugh a moment, swinging her head up and letting her brown hair fly over her face a moment. Then her eyes turned cold and serious, her breathing was exact, and her eyes honed in on the insides of his sweat-storage, deep within his grenade wristbands.

“Got’cha.” She winked, a new signature she was thinking of keeping as a last moment line and fired the fire arrow.

He went to dodge it, but she quickly took out another, lighting it with one hand, and driving her head into his hand, spooking him at her directness.

He could have blasted her head off at a direct shot, her goggles may have protected her eyes but the rest of her skin was bare and would have suffered burns from this sort of impact.

If her bodysuit was really flame proof, she would have been blown back and suffered broken bones, maybe less burns, but her face? Gone.

She leaned her head into his hand with a smirk on her face, no fear.

His amazement at this caught him completely dumbfounded, not firing his explosion as she feinted shooting an arrow but instead let his moving hand push her back as she shoved the newly lit fire arrow into a cranny of his attire.

“Idiot.” She watched as his other hand propelling him stopped firing out a constant barrage of explosions and let him fly a moment towards her.

His eyes and hers met, her cocky and his full of wonder.

“You-“ He was about to speak about how crazy she was,

But then…

BA-OOOOOMMMM!!!!

---

Who was the idiot?

It was hard to tell.

She had wanted to get a one-on-one with him—all alone. His attention solely on her and nothing else, but luckily she twisted her body just in time to where her bodysuit took most of the fire damage. However… she was still bruised up and deeply scarred from the injuries of the forceful blast, and the nurse had to use her ridiculously long lips to heal the rest of it.

“You’re lucky you didn’t get second degree burns on your pretty little skin, deary.” The nurse lifted Jenna’s arm up, looking over her suit and then bandaging her up when she was able to change back into her school uniform. “Might I ask what was so life and death that you willingly took the shot?”

“Honor..? Valor..? The thrill of the kill?” Jenna lied, looking away from the old woman as she saw the shadow behind the curtain… the other gurney had Blastboy laying in it, silent and still as a rock.

“Kill..?” the nurse seemed to pause in deep thought at that. She lowered her arm and placed her hands behind her back, “Well, you’re all fixed up. I don’t know about that last reason… but I hope you’ll be more careful with your fellow classmates next time.” She nodded after her light scold when Jenna lowered her head in respects for her help.

“Thanks.” She lightheartedly said and waited for the nurse to leave.

As the nurse departed, she looked back at Bakugo, having moved enough towards the door that she was beyond the curtain and could see him now. “Hmph. She’s just as feisty as you and that Midoriya boy you’re always barking at.”

Bakugo grunted in annoyance behind the curtain, which made Jenna really curious about what damages he took.

“Take care then… Rascals.” The nurse had closed the door with one final thought, and it sounded almost like a cuss word by how she stated it.

Jenna jumped down from her bed and threw the curtain out of the way, her face shining in triumphant victory.

“What cool scars did I give you!?” Her childish glee at examining him suddenly dropped when she noticed his arm in a cast. “Aww… was it fully healed?”

An anger mark twitched on his head. He was turned on his side, but quickly leaned up and shouted out at her, “Shut up, Deku!”

“Excuse me?” she blinked, growing annoyed that he slipped up again. “How many times do I have to tell you to quit comparing me to him?”

He flinched at his mistake, almost blushing too before sparking his good hand again, “Dang it all!!! I’ll kill you!”

“I did kill ya!” she cheerily responded, making him fall out of his gurney and have his leg twitch above him, comically taken-aback by quick quip.

“Hey… are you like, mentally disturbed or somethin’?” He rubbed his head when he sat back up, but Jenna didn’t take it to heart.

She jumped over the gurney, landing gracefully above him and sat down with her legs pulled tightly against her.

“I don’t really do well in conversations. Kinda more introverted.” She began talking, but Bakugo just looked more ticked off.

He got back up on the gurney and tried to shout her off of it.

“Oui! Who said you could sit by me and suddenly act like the whole world’s okay!?” He growled, but she continued.

“Deku didn’t do anything to you. I did.” She stared straight ahead, remembering it all. “I distracted you with a gutsy play, and then it was me who jammed my fire arrow into your hero’s suit.” She smiled giddily, as though everything she was saying was absolutely fine to talk about.

“Y-you…” he spoke through gritted teeth, his hand twitching to seize her neck, but he held it all back.

“But it looks like we beat each other up… I’m still the victor though! Hee!” She made a peace-sign with her hand and gave him the best close-eyed smile she could muster. “That was fun! Thanks for not exploding my face off!”

“Give it here and I will..!” he reached for her face, but the bell rang and she had already deflected it with some skill.

She kept laughing, so he moved back and tried to figure out what had just happened.

The motion was so smooth and fast. She had whacked his hand back, a light swat that held enough momentum to completely side-swipe his hand away from her face. She didn’t even seem to have looked, just did it.

He tried again to punch through her defenses, not planning to actually strike her, but get a reaction again.

Once more, she expertly locked his hand into a wrestling hold and then rolled to kick him over herself and smash backwards into a medicine cabinet located on the ground near them.

She continued to laugh as though that wasn’t even strenuous on her. “You’re funny.”

“You… You do know hand-to-hand combat! Todorokkkkki!!!” he almost looked like he was spewing fire out of his mouth, but Jenna was still upset he was crying out someone else’s name.

“Oui, the name’s Jenna. Hero name is Arrow. State one or the other but quit calling out somebody else’s name.” she puffed up a side of her cheek, annoyed again. “Darn, and you were actually making me laugh for real that time.”

“Quit laughing at me and fight!” he got up again, stomping his foot to the ground. “You and me! The Lakeside! Wear your hero’s attire so no one knows who we are!”

She pfft’d to herself, shaking her head. “Dummy. Did I smack your head too hard against that cabinet just now? Everyone, even over in America, knows about Class 1A in Japan’s UA. There’s no way people wouldn’t recognize you.” She raised an eyebrow, wondering if he even knew of his class’s reputation and fame.

“Grk..! You may be right about that…” His temper died down then, and for a moment, she saw his calmer side. He began to calculate as he put a hand to his chin and remained silent, which made her tilt her head and stare at him.

Once again her eyes wandered and she examined him. He was muscular, duh. He was, after all, training to be a hero. His wounds were completely healed, like her own, even though they both took an explosion almost head-on.

Heh, she chuckled lightly at her own pun again.

She covered her face and let her hair drape over her shoulders, ‘Why is he so fascinating to me?’ she thought before he once again spoke up.

“Hey, America.”

It took her by surprise, how calm and relaxed it was.

She looked up, seeing a serious expression on his face now. “I-It’s Jenna or-“

“Still meet me by the lakeside, but at night.” He clarified. “You’ll need some flame resistant, so suit it is.” He smirked as though dastardly planning something… He rose his hand up and let mini-explosions flare up on his hand. “I won’t hold back next time. You won’t trip me up with your daredevil acts. If I get the chance to take you down, I won’t hesitate like before! I’ll blow your blasted head off! No exceptions!”

She stared at him a moment… but soon her face matched his own and her ambition caused her to get up alongside him, reaching a hand out. “Then it’s a date.”

He flinched, “A rematch..!” he also offered his hand, not taking her own.

“Aww… that hurts my little feelings…” she whimpered, only enraging him more.

“Who would want to go on a date with a psychopath that puts her head directly into a bomb!?” He exploded in his words again.

She smirked this time, leaning her head directly up towards his face. “This gal.” she flirted, only slightly, before moving her face away and waving it off. “Just kidding.” She walked to the door, noticing her broken quiver and burnt-up arrows.

She frowned, but still managed to pick it up and sling it around her shoulder. She turned to look back at a frozen Bakugo, winking, “Got’cha.” She teased again, and then headed out the door.

He just stared at her… would this be a reoccurring theme?

Some time passed and she asked around for where the support class was, everyone wanted to ask about her and Bakugo’s injuries, but she just rudely pushed by them and kept asking the same question to other students nearby.

Finally, someone gave her some intel on a girl named Mei Hatsume. She was apparently another prodigy when it came to hero gear, but it was times like these that Jenna missed her inventor friend back in America.

“Hello?” Jenna used the back of her hand to knock on the inside of the room, already stepping in as a girl turned around.

Her eyes sparkled at Jenna’s quiver and arrows, “Oh! Babies!” She flung whatever she was working on away and bolted to Jenna, causing her to stand upright as though in the military.

“Umm…” Jenna’s gear was whisked away by the girl, who she assumed must be the famous Mei Hatsume she’s been hearing about. Mei began to tinker almost immediately with the devices after caressing them over to her worktable.

“Shush, shush… It’s okay, Auntie’s here~” Mei then indirectly spoke to Jenna while she worked. “So, you’re the girl who was picking on Bakugo, right?”

“Eh?” Jenna was distracted by all the inventions in the room, almost about to touch one when she heard Mei address her. “O-oh. I guess you could say that. Though… I would say he targeted me first.” She shrugged.

“Really?” Mei’s goggles shined a moment, “And would you say… you targeted him back?”

“I mean, I don’t back down from a challenge.” Jenna couldn’t resist, she poked something along the wall and three springs burst out, making her jumble around to catch them all before they startled the young inventor and got her scolded again. “Phew… I-Is our story that well-known already?”

“Hmm… No. I was just looking over the babies. They scream with melted steel and defective sockets. You must have triggered a bomb—Bakugo. You must have been in close range—a fight. What I can’t tell is who made these once exquisite darlings?” She held a now charcoal black arrow up and stared down it through its tip, measuring with her eye before placing it back down and pulling out some tools.

“My friend… from America.” She grew suddenly very sober. Her finger lightly skimmed the wood of the other tables as Mei stopped working to look back at her.

“You miss her? This friend?” Mei questioned as Jenna quickly shook herself out of it.

“It’s nothing. I mean, it’s everything! But… she was just a close friend… I don’t like goodbyes.”

“Yet, you love flirting with death.”

“What?”

“Go!”

Mei turned around and shoved her arms out in front of her, “I’ll need about a day to completely restore these busted up, bruised, and completely abused, precious little cuties without your interfering…” she started pushing Jenna out.

“H-hey! Don’t touch me! I can’t leave! What are you gonna do with my equipment!? Hey, wait!” the door was about to be shut on her, but Jenna was not one to be shoved around by anyone.

She jammed her foot into the door, wincing at the pain. “I need to know exactly what you’re going to do to my stuff!”

“…You gotta work on those trust issues.” Mei stated, but raised her head kindly to Jenna, “And… maybe be less hazardous on yourself and others.”

“H-huh?” Jenna raised an eyebrow.

“I did hear about you and the battle, but I also deduced you were in close combat with Bakugo… You should really think before you move.” Mei picked up a wrench from the wall and knocked lightly on Jenna’s wedged foot like a hammer, trying to get her to go away. “I’m only saying that to confront this demand of closeness is necessary in order to fulfill these babies desires of attacking to protect, not just for the thrill of the hunt.”

“H-how did you-!?” Jenna was then locked out and left to stand confused and upset outside the door. “I’ve been wronged!” Jenna protested, folding her arms before realizing… “I’ve been robbed!” her eyes widened, and she banged on the door, “Give me my stuff back! Hey! Hatsume!!! Ohhh..!”

It was all so interesting though… this new life, this new rematch…

She had swore she saw a faint blush of red when she leaned her face close to his. But a ‘demand for closeness’? That was absurd!

Then again…Would she kiss a bomb? Oh, absolutely… if kissing ever crossed her mind, which it didn’t. At least…

It hadn’t happened before…

---

“She’s late.”

Bakugo tapped his foot impatiently to the concrete sidewalk around the lake. He was leaning against the railing, hands in his pockets, feeling the nipping cold of the dusk as night set in.

“Late… Late… Late…” he kept repeating, growing agitated by the lowering of the sun.

“Tsk! Waste of my time!” he kicked a trashcan down,… thinking suddenly as he looked to his foot.

‘The pain is gone…’ he stared intently at his lifted foot, and then looked around the lake again.

Happy, stupid couples… all holding hands in the dark…

How irritating.

He looked away, spooking some kids who came by to scare the ducks and geese as he spoke out like a punk, hollering and thrashing about to leave the space open.

It wouldn’t be long before everyone was checking out for the night. Even the annoying freakin’ couples would pause in their mushy-gushy make-outs to look up and see it was time to head out.

“She’s late.” He growled out again, looking towards the sky. “…Or maybe I’m early.”

He took his bag with his hero’s attire in it and headed for the outdoor bathroom, “I’ll get changed…” he abruptly kicked another trashcan over.

After setting his attire on him just right, he burst the door open with a blast and walked out, “Everyone better be gone… or I’ll make you get lost!”

It was a Saturday, so most of the people were still walking around.

“Tsk.” He couldn’t challenge her again at the school, it wasn’t open Saturdays.

They may have dorms now, but he would get in trouble again if he got spotted. And he was threw picking up trash!

He kicked another trashcan down.

“Now she really is late!”

It was pitch black, everyone had seen the roaring kid and rushed off. He had gotten everyone to vacate the premises as if he owned the place.

Once it was perfectly quiet and he was completely alone, he sat up on the railing and looked around, chewing on a piece of tall, green grass.

He looked in one direction, chewed. …. Nothing.

He looked in the other direction, crunched a piece off. … Nothing.

He looked dead ahead, then gripped the bar of the railing and leaned himself all the way back.

His hair crashed into the water, spraying up a ripple effect that sent the almost sleeping birds flying.

He saw some flashlights. Probably the lake cops. He would have to lay low.

“Hmph, whatever.” He leaned back up and headed into the bushes and behind a tree.

Water sprayed up with him as he rose, dripping down his neck to his back as he raced off to avoid being detected.

He wasn’t going to give up. She was going to come. She was going to lose.

He was able to dodge them as they looked around, and then took off again.

“Come on, America… Where the heck are you?” he badgered as if she was right next to him. “You really think you can stand me up? What? Trying to hold on to your fluke of a victory? I’ll kill ya, alright. I’m gonna be the number one hero. A real somethin’…” he walked in the dark, muttering to himself and growing increasingly sorrowful.

He stared at the ground, his wrist grenades feeling weighted all of a sudden.

He slowed his pace…

And finally stopped.

He stared at his shoes… then spat the piece of grass out. “…She’s not coming.”

“Says who!? Ha…ha…”

His eyes rose up and he slowly turned around.

“…Brat girl?”

“Ugh, at least you’re trying to address me this time.”

She was clutching her knees, bending over and breathing hard as though she had run a marathon. “You know how many lakes there are? You could have been more specific! And besides that, my arrows and bow was broken. Didn’t you have to get your equipment fine-tuned or something? Oh, come on… it would hurt my feelings if you said they were fine.” She groaned, but he stared at her as if she was an apparition.

She finally got a hold on her breathing, arching her back and stretching a bit. “Boy… hooo… it took me a minute. I had to scale these buildings and figure out which lakeside you meant, but I finally made it! It’s dark and we’re isolated from causing any real damage. It’s actually kinda clever. Way to go, Blastboy! Let’s finish this!” she took out her stick that expanded into a slick bow and then looked ready to dart.

His eyes twitched as her naturally loud voice echoed over the lake and caused some birds to fly off, cawing.

“Stupid-! Get down..!” he let out a shouted whisper as he noticed the lights of the cops’ flashlights glisten over the water and head straight for their direction.

---

“Eep!” she was tackled down and thrown below the bushes. Bakugo was directly over her, leaning down but keeping his eyes up at the lights through the leaves…

She could smell him… she could feel the cool wind against his heated skin… was he always warm? Was that natural for him? ‘Heh, he’s hot. Quite literally.’ She joked to herself, trying to keep her mind off of unwanted ramblings on abandoned train tracks through her mind.

He was certainly powerful. She struggled under him a moment, her face growing red when she realized he was forcefully pinning her down.

“Quit shaking!” he whispered again, tightening his hold on her as she squeaked inside her head and freaked out. He was… holding her down.

When the light finally wandered off and disappeared, he still kept himself over her, waiting longer as she began to make small, broken noises of syllables that should have formed words to a cohesive sentence but didn’t.

He looked back at her, as though ticked off by her continual sound making, and covered her mouth.

“What part of lay low do you not understand?!”

His hand was whacked away as she maneuvered out from below him.

“The part where you didn’t say lay low, genius!” she rubbed the loose grass off her hero suit as he got up, straightening up but remaining on his knees to peer over the tall shrubbery.

“They’ll break to the other side soon… then we’ll be clear to brawl.” His eyebrow solidified heavily into a broad look of serious contemplating.

“Is that all you ever think-“ she looked up, and the expression made her stare a moment, getting the twigs and other little castaways of nature’s clippings out of her hair. “…About…”

She gulped and straightened herself out. Probably best not to let him know how she was feeling about that last ‘move’.

She started fixing her hair, “You know… people usually don’t brawl on their first date.”

“Shut up.”

“You take that too literally. It’s kinda funny.” She joked, pulling her hair up to get a better grip of it. She tried to look a little sexy, but he wasn’t even staring at her. She dropped the ruse and pouted.

“You’re the funny lookin’ one.”

She gasped in excitement, had he noticed?!

“I’m cute funny, you’re just funny.”

He actually let out a chuckle, which caught her off-guard and had her once again staring at him.

He got up and offered her his hand, “Come on, Ameri-… Arrow. We have some unfinished business to settle.”

“I’ll settle with you.”

“…What?” he flinched back.

“S-sorry!” she waved her hands about, “I talk dirty when I’m nervous!”

“…D…Dirty!?” he accidentally let his voice raise a little much, and bent down in a bit of surprise, “Shoot… we gotta keep our voices down till we know we’re in the clear…”

“You’ve said we’re in the clear a few times now…” she noticed he turned his head down, listening to her whispers and turned an ear to her.

It was too good to resist~

“…And I get loud at night.”

“…What?!” he once again tensed up and was shook by her words, but she again apologized.

“L-look! You were the one who invited me out here randomly!” She was half-faking her condition, but it seemed to make him react and that’s all she really wanted.

“For a rematch! Get your head in the game and quit it!” he bundled a fist as tightly as he could squeeze it, his eyes turning white again and forming into the shape of arrows.

“You’ve already lit the flame! My game’s on, where’s yours at?” She covered her face, “I’m so sorry…”

There was a brief moment of pause from Bakugo, his face shifted to normal and he spoke very seriously then.

“You are mentally disturbed, aren’t you?”

“Oui! It’s natural battle-talk for an intimate fight like this, right!?” She acted coy, pretending not to really mean anything she was saying.

“Since when do combatants talk dirty to-!”

He stopped himself a moment, “Wait… do you mean smack talking? Are you confusing the words around?” He face-palmed himself, “Your Japanese is so good,” he seemed to mentally scolding himself, “…I couldn’t tell.”

“I’m not confusing anything! Just ignore that and let’s go!” She wasn’t actually that sorry, she just wanted to see what she thought she saw in the nurse’s office. His face was red, wasn’t it? She couldn’t remember.

But… she seemed to be able to trigger him, and something inside her liked that.

Getting him flustered was a good way to see if she was right, but it was too dark, she’d have to find a way to make him glow red.

Besides, he deserved it… giving her all these random thoughts and whatnot!

As they approached the lake, Bakugo and her were silent… A moment stretched on as they gazed at the fading lights bouncing off the lake’s surface before Bakugo turned to her.

“Hey…” he looked pretty serious, but seemed to calm down quite a bit. She turned to show she was listening to him. “… Let’s just fight our hearts out. Winner is determined by-“

“Who doesn’t flinch?”

“You have a habit of cutting people off, you know that?” He scratched his hand through his hair, “But sure. Yeah. Whatever. Let’s get this over with.”

In the distance, flames and arrows, explosions and bright lights could be seen around the lake. But then, a brilliant blue as ice scaled the lake front and melted with Bakugo’s heat.

They both crashed into the lake, Bakugo swinging up and placing his hand on the grenade clip to his arms.

Jenna flung her hair up over her face and let it slap against her back, her bow ready, arm extended and grasping it tight while aimed at his heart. Truer than a headshot, it was the most accurate place to target.

When Jenna saw his mouth hanging open, water steaming around him, she realized that she was enthralled in the thick of this battle as well. She hadn’t ever met someone she could consider a rival, and it took longer for her to even consider someone a decent human being—worthy of being called a friend.

She froze a moment, ‘He’s really putting everything he has into this… I should too!’ She pulled out an arrow, not even looking back to see which one it was and fired straight.

His eyes widened as the arrow hit his chest but bounced off.

“B…Blunted?” he saw the arrow sink through the lake, which was about up to his stomach.

Slowly, he felt his pride sink with it. She didn’t fire a real, deadly one?

“What, do you think this is some kind of joke!?” he blasted his hands into the lake, causing it to get warm and boil around him.

Only, Jenna could feel the warmth and swished her hands around in it, giggling as the bubbles popped around her, “You’ve got me in a Jacuzzi already? Whatever will my parents think?”

Bakugo staggers back, the water lit by the glow of the moon. She saw, for a moment anyway, the faint pink spread across his uncomfortable face.

Once again, another opening.

She takes out another arrow, placing it like clockwork in its spot and shooting true. The blunt arrow whacks him again on the chest, “That’s two times I’ve killed you.”

“Tsk… You’re not fooling around…” Bakugo’s eyes twitch, looking at the arrow sinking again and then her smug little face. “What if that was-!?” he stopped. “You really want to kill somebody?”

She rose an eyebrow, confused. “Didn’t you want me to play rough?”

He ignored the flirty underlining of that comment and stood straighter, agitated at her. “I don’t think I like that…”

“What? If I killed you, then we wouldn’t be able to brawl anymore.” She lowered her bow, looking him over. “And honestly…”

---

She tilted her head, “This was a great way to go! I’ll miss you, Bakugo! Hahaha!”

“G-go?” His head jolted up. “What do you mean, American!?” He worriedly thought she was meant…

“Exactly that. I was only meant to train here for a couple of months. I have to return to America by this next week.”

His eyes shook, “S-so soon?” It was like a cave-in on his chest. It wasn’t what he thought, but it was still devastating to hear…

A true fatality.

“Gonna miss me?” she winked before turning away and folding her arrow back into its portable stick form. “I… can’t thank you enough. I’ve learned a lot here… even if it was short, I was only meant to study abroad for a little bit. I… wish I could have stayed.”

He heard the splashes and slush of the water as she trailed out of it, wringing out her hair and shaking off the water from her arms and legs.

He just stood there, a statue as though he didn’t hear her correctly.

“You’re… You can’t be serious!” he punched a fist up towards Jenna, “I still haven’t beaten you to a pulp yet!!!”

She turned with a little expression, but one he couldn’t read due to its subtlety.

“You always make me laugh, Blastboy… but really,” Was it the water? Or were those… tears?

She turned away, her tone growing sorrowful and something sounding like a block in her throat building up in her voice.

“This time, for real,… I don’t Got’cha.”

He walked away from the lake, soaking wet, with thoughts and a cold running through his body.

He looked like a drunk man, swaying his arms about as he wondered why it mattered so much. What did America have that he didn’t? Or well… that Japan didn’t!? They had All Might. They had UA. Why on earth would she leave-!?

He shook his head, “Darn bratt!” he punched a trashcan and exploded it’s lower-half, sending it flying over a house.

He watched in a bit of regret, his frown softening before he winced as he heard a- TANK TONK TANK! On the other side…

“…Why am I so worked up over this?” He looked at his hand, “I’ve never felt my heat this scorching before…” but what he didn’t know, he figured, was probably best left unsolved.

He rubbed his chest where the blunted arrows had hit, and then grumbled as he kicked some rocks on the corner of the sidewalk and headed home.

“I need to change…”

---

The next few months at school were followed by either loud arguments and having their heads pinned against the others, or long silent competitions where they never spoke but tried to out-match the other in any training event they had.

While working out in her UA clothes, down by the gym, Jenna punch a bag repeatedly in a built-up sweat. She was venting, secretly. She had noticed Bakugo was pulling away from her playful bickerings with him and wanted to know why.

Also, she thought about what Bakugo had said that night, in the lake.

She grew upset, her mind playing tricks on her as she imagined him coming up to her, wrapping an arm around her, pulling her close…

It disgusted her.

“Get your head in the game!” she mumbled to herself, knocking the bag around wildly as she swung at it. ‘Did he really think I might have actually wanted to hurt him?’ her anger spiked and she swung her leg high, striking through the bag on accident. “Whoops.” She tried to punch out of it, but the bag was torn. She hopped on one leg to try and free herself, deciding to practice multiple punch-strikes next but Bakugo stepped into the gym by then.

All lights fell upon him as Jenna’s senses and eyes honed-in on his appearance.

‘Thank goodness he didn’t see that.’ She gulped, glad she hadn’t suffered through his relentless laughing, pointing at her folly.

He seemed to not notice her, or pretended as much, heading towards some gear he could fire at.

She watched him workout, leaping through the air and scaling to dummies placed along the upper walls that he fired at. Practicing his aim?

She found herself staring at him again. So annoying! But at this point, it couldn’t be helped…

She noticed his calculated strikes, his expert timing, and the way he controlled the movement of his flailing body as it rotated and moved with each precise blast towards another dummy to attack. Before too long, he jumped down and was flexing his hands, massaging his arms a bit before finally acknowledging her presence and stare back.

Again, with the annoying silence…

“What do you want?!” She growled out, stomping over to him. Anything to break this unbearable silent treatment… “Quit staring!”

She stood right in front of him, demanding his full attention. A full explanation…

It was close to the time she had to leave, and when that was announced to the class, he had grown colder than Todoroki’s ice towards her…

She had warmed up to the class, gotten used to things, but not the fact that Blastboy wasn’t giving her any mind anymore.

That arrow pierced deep.

“Nothing. You stared at me first.” He was calm, which wasn’t completely normal for her.

‘Why wasn’t he responding with loud statement back!?’ she wondered, ‘Where’s my heated, pleasant arguing!?’

“I… I do a lot of things first… but you’re the first guy I ever couldn’t stand!” she threw her arms straight down in front of her, unable to fully control her rising emotions.

“Then sit down, you’re annoying me.” He smirked, which ticked her off even more.

She was flustered, how could she let this happen!? He must have been smirking because he knew.

That’s when she saw her reflection behind her in the mirror.

Her face was a bright red tomato!

She forced herself to pretend like she didn’t know it, attempting to frown but it only looked like a cute girl pouting in frustration.

‘Crap, Japanese boys love those types of girls, right!? What am I doing!?’ She wished she could take her short breaths to calm herself down to a normal shade of skin color, but at this point, he would notice her awareness of her current state in front of him and he’d have a field day with it.

But… at least he was teasing her. That’s better than him not reacting to her at all.

“Excuse me?! You picked a fight with me!” immediately, she threw an extremely accurate punch towards his face. He blocks it almost instantly, his hands still warm from his practice as she blinked up at how quickly he grabbed it.

“I learned a thing or two from you, America.” His eyes lowered a little, a look she hadn’t seen him pull off before. “I figured out how you strike. How you throw food at me when you notice I didn’t eat that day. When you pout, you’re really saying ‘Come at me’, and when you shout, you’re only asking for me to look at you. It took me a while, but I think I figured out how you blocked me that last time, in the nurse’s office…”

He suddenly bent the wrist, placing her in a lock as she almost fell to a knee and held her hand to her aching arm. “But honestly, none of that matters. If I wanted to fight you right now, I would have.”

“Grr…Grk… What? Afraid I’m too strong for you?!” she masked her heart racing, the words leaving her feeling weak. She wouldn’t dare let him know! It was against everything she stood for!

She tried to slide her foot under his leg and make him fall back, hoping to get another wrestling move off on him, prove him wrong about his observations but the act didn’t get passed him.

He caught her leg too and squeezed it beneath the arch of his knee, causing her leg to now be locked in a hold as well.

“Gah!” she cried out in frustration. “What is this!? Martial arts?!” He was balancing on one leg, and she couldn’t move!

“What are you!? A brick wall1?”

He scoffed at that, lifting his arrogant head up, “What’s wrong, America? I see the red on your face, the white of your eyes, but not the blue of a bruise.” What was he trying to do? Flirt with a threat!?

“What’s your problem, anyway!? You haven’t been the same with me sense the lake!” she blurted out, struggling to get out of his grasp, hitting his chest as he took the blows, one by one… “We were actually getting along, you get that, right!? What? All of a sudden I’m leaving and now you’re afraid to even speak to me!?”

He remained silent.

“You think all my arrows are blunted?!”

Silence… A continue stare of his intense eyes at her expression.

She had bent her head, gripping his shirt as the emotions spilled out.

She shook her head, shaking as she tried to laugh off her momentary breakdown, “Pfft! Come on, Blastboy… Scared I’ll forget you’re gonna kill me before I leave?” she tried to tease, but it was clear her voice betrayed her usual sense of dark humor.

He lets go of her hand and leg as she threw it down, trying to build her anger back up again. “I know my arrows!” she protested, but he just shook his head.

“Do they justify anyone killing a hero in America?” That really bothered her.

“N-no..?” She stepped back, ‘What’s wrong with him? He’s not exploding like his usual self at me anymore… Even when I’m trying to get him upset…’

It was nerve-wracking, seeing him acting so restrained… “What’s the matter?” she finally asked. “Why do you seem so… distant?”

He lowered his head so his eyes were in shadows, his hands moving to his pockets. “Not like I’d actually kill you, either.” He barely got the words out, the mumbling almost inaudible.

“Huh?”

“That’s against the law, dummy!” he cried out, shouting like his normal self for a second.

“…Did you really think I was gonna kill you?” She then asked, waiting a moment.

There was a metaphor here… but It was hard for the two of them to admit it.

He bent his head straight down again, not able to look her in the face.

“… I think you wouldn’t flinch to kill a man.”

She felt her breath slip at those words, her eyes shaking at his statement. “I.. I would never kill-“

“What? The innocent? The misunderstood? You barely hesitated. I don’t trust your arrows… you put too much faith in them.” He pointed to her quiver just inches from where she was training… “What if it wasn’t blunted, America? That night? The lake?”

She clamped her mouth shut.

“You claim to know all your arrows, but you insulted me by using a plain, ordinary arrow. You aimed for all my vital organs. What if you missed picking the right one? I don’t fear death, but a stupid guess.”

Was he really saying what she thought he was saying?

Did he really think they liked each other that much, that they’ve both been holding back everything? Or was it his pride? Saying that she should have gone all out instead of letting him and this experience go by as though a fling on a vacation?

She gripped his gym clothes, pulling him up towards her, “I never just guess. I know my arrows, more than I know anything else in this world… I would have never drew the wrong one. I would hesitate to hurt you…”

She wasn’t going to let him think wrongly of her. Her feelings were true. He wasn’t just a play thing on some foreign exchange program she ran into. Did he see her feelings and think that much of her..!? “If you knew then-! Then why didn’t you-?!”

“You didn’t last time.” He narrowed his eyes, recalling to her mind how she struck an arrow directly into his grenades which could have killed them both. “Did you hesitate then? Did you think?”

For the first time in her life, she actually felt horror at that. “I… I don’t think that would have happened but…” she let go of him, conflicted now.

She wasn’t that rash. Even if he was speaking literally, which she now questioned if he was, she had never actually planned to murder anybody. That was just ridiculous and if so, then she would be double-embarrassed by this predicament.

She really hoped he was on the same page with her… or this could be bad…

“Accidents happen?” She bit her lip, moving away from him as though she was asking him if he was actually speaking about the fight… or about her feelings for him. Maybe even… his possible feelings for her?

He waited till her grip loosened before taking his hands out of his pockets, his intimidating stare also softened somewhat. “I’m not asking for an apology. I’m just not used to someone who acts so rapidly that they forget about human life.”

“You’re always talking about killing-!”, ‘I do want to consider your feelings, Bakugo… Do you really think I haven’t?’

Though her words were harsh, her eyes were pleading for him to mean what she thought he was saying… but also to see how much she wanted him to care too.

“I’ve never killed anyone for real though.” He left nothing to be deciphered. Like an ancient ruin, his feelings were an enigma.

“That’s-!” She wanted to just grab his head and shake it off, pull open his head and find out what he was thinking. That was stupid, she knew it, but she was desperate to try anything at this point. “You’re so annoying! I-!”

“Now look, I’m cutting you off.” He chuckled, but she was even more confused now.

“W-what are you after? Why are you bringing this all up?”, ‘Tell me, darn it! Or I’ll look like a fool!’

He stepped up to her, holding a hand up to her face, sparking it directly at her, just inches from her nose and eyes.

The light of the yellow and red sparks didn’t frighten her though, it was strangely hypnotic to see his cocky smile through the crackling of sparks on his hands.

“I don’t want that to be our last match. I’m not afraid of playing dirty either.” He smirked, and for a moment, she saw the old Bakugo again. As though he had relit himself from within his eyes.

“Your face is pale. Let me heat it up for you.” Again with the threats, he was clearly trying to show her that with one drip of sweat, he could accidentally create a blast right in her face.

But again, he should have known this by now…

To prove her point, Jenna wasn’t scared. The warmth from his hand told a different story for her… “I haven’t felt sparks from you in a long time.” She flirted, stepping up to the bomb’s face and smiling with a calm confidence back at him.

It was a bit awkward, Bakugo flinching back and looking like he was going to get angry again, but then… a bit of red crossed his cheeks.

“Shut up, Jenna.” He stated.

“Hey! That’s my name!” she smiled, not even worried about his little stunt. She knew what he was trying to say now…

The flashes of light upon his grin made her feel something leap inside her heart, warming her up even quicker as a faint pink skimmed her own cheeks. “I care about you too, Bakugo.”

---

“…H-huh?” He pulled the hand away, but she quickly took it before he could.

Thikning she knew best, she nodded. “I wouldn’t want to accidentally hurt you, either. But the life of a hero is a dangerous one. I can’t stay in Japan,… but I trust you. I trust that even if you sparked your hands in my face, nothing would happen. I hope one day… you can trust me that I won’t pull the wrong arrow and betray our friendship together.”

He seemed completely floored by her words. A moment ago, he was proving a point by threatening an explosion in her face, but she took it the way he thought no one would interpret it.

Had she seen right through him?

“G-good…” he pulled his hand away, sweating at how close they were. When she kept smiling, he grew agitated, remembering she was leaving and threw his hand out of her grasp. “You-! You weirdo!” he cried out, racing off before calling back, “Goodnight, America!”

He wouldn’t look back. He couldn’t.

She had understood, how on earth could she have seen that much under all his deception!?

But she knew. She figured it out. What was really being said…

There was one more thing to do now. She confirmed it. Nothing was going to stop him from doing the heroic thing now.

---

“…Goodnight.” She lowered her eyes, gripping the spot where her heart was pounding heavily. “and… and good riddance!” she spun around and headed off the opposite direction.

However… she knew now.

She was leaving for America tomorrow… Momo and Jiro knew… but she didn’t have the heart to tell him what time.

The day and time came… she waved her new found friends off as she strolled her suitcase up with her into the loading area.

The plane took off not too long after, a short load really.

On the plane, she stared blankly out the window, sighing at the clouds and wishing she would have said something to him. Left him with her number or… or something!

It was making her upset just thinking about it… him fuming in class the next morning, unable to fully lash out like he could with her and not having a ‘playmate’ anymore.

She just couldn’t face him again. That red face of her betrayed her usual composure. She just wouldn’t do that to herself again.

So… did he care? Maybe. But it clearly wasn’t enough for him to ask her to stay in Japan. In UA…. With him…

She was making pictures with her finger, using the moisture on the window and drawing his angry face. Eyes as narrow and sharp as arrows, giggling to herself at her perfect memory of it. ‘Guess I’ll never meet a hothead like him again… Poor blastboy. You’ve got no one to be loud with anymore…’ she rested her head in her hand and leaned against it, slowly closing her eyes…

“Someone’s flying like a jet outside, Mom!” A boy’s voice cried out from behind her, on the other row.

“Deary, keep your voice down.” The mother seemed to protest.

“But, Mom! It looks like a boy!” The boy abruptly argued.

“She said keep your voice down, dear.” An older woman, looking like the kid’s grandmother, than quipped up too, patting his leg.

“But, Grandma! He’s that student from the famous class in UA!”

Jenna opened her eyes, slowly…

“He’s looking through on all the windows, he’s gonna blast the plane open!”

Then, all at once, a small dot scaled up next to her window. Like turbo engines, his hands were blazing with smoke trails as Bakugo, in his hero costume, looked in each individual window, terrifying the passengers who saw him. Finally, he spotted Jenna and with what looked to be a loud cry, not being heard from the sound of the plane, flew up and banged his head against the window. “…Yooooouuu!!!! You’re not going anywhere!!!”

Her heart took over her hand as it immediately touched the window with his squished-up face against it. She could hear him now at this close proximity. He was cursing loudly, calling her awful names, but each fiery word made her melt all the more. “You’re gonna leave just like that?! What about my rematch!?”

It was a spark to a match.

“You’ve got it!” she grabbed her things and took off to the back of the plane, scaring countless passengers as she gripped the exit panel.

“Miss!” A flight attendant called, but Jenna just looked back at her with a closed-eyed smile, beaming brightly with joy. “He loves me!” she spoke so quickly and with such a gleeful high pitch that most couldn’t understand her. She jumped out the plane, feeling the wind whiplash her upwards before shooting her straight down like a weighted arrow. “Bakuuuuugoooo!!!!” she cried out.

Immediately, like a flaming rocket, he spun up and did an aerial maneuver to twist and fly backwards, arching himself in a loop in the sky to dive down after her.

She reached out for him, his head coming straight for her as she wrapped her arms around him.

“Did you honestly think I would let you go back? I still have to beat you up!”

Jenna knew what he was saying, ‘I love you, don’t go.’

She just laughed, feeling the warmth of his bombing hands creating smog in the sky. He smiled though, seeming to see she knew what he meant, and lowered his head to hers.

After a brief reunion, he sped up and blasted calculated burst to get her on his back, speeding along with the plane. “How could you not tell me?” He looked pretty mad, but that only made her more happy.

She hugged him close, “I knew you’d pull a stunt like this!”

“You did not, hag!”

“I did too, bomb happy hooligan!”

He landed on top of the plane, using his now free hands to help her sit as the wind beat against them. “You care!”

He ruffled a hand through his hair, “…Eh, maybe only a little. I needed someone to show me America, you know, since I’m now a tourist and what not.”

“Gosh, illegally sneaking onto a plane?” she lifted her hands in a shocked sarcasm up to her mouth. “What ever will we do if you get caught?”

“Guess I’ll have to blow up the jail.” He reclined back, smirking to her.

“Guess I’ll have to show off how American girls say I love you…” She leaned up to his face.

Immediately, he lost his grip on the plane and was rolled backwards across its spine.

“Bakugo!” she cried out, worried before she saw him hook a hand to the plane and cry out more curses to her name.

She just smiled, sighing in relief that he was alright.

While the plane cruised, they laughed and joked with one another about America. Jenna promised to get him a hotdog, and Bakugo said he wouldn’t mind seeing a baseball game there.

It was as though they had been best friends all their lives…

End.

#commission receipt #me commissions #jenna #aoi-hina #cutegirlmayra #my hero academia oc

1 note · View note

thebrothershardy · 6 years

Note

Can we do the opposite too? Most despised suspect in each game? (:

YES

secrets can kill: everybody here is EQUALLY ANNOYING

stay tuned for danger: and everybody here is as two-dimensional as their character models

message in a haunted mansion: ah, good ol’ louis chandler, the man with the voice like caramelized poison.

treasure in the royal tower: what still baffles to me to this day is that when i was younger i genuinely liked giant pissbaby jacques. NOT ANYMORE, PAL

the final scene: soz joseph, but i have NO SYMPATHY for your sad lil backstory. also, LOL at the game for trying to keep us from hating him by adding “at least he was kind and courteous to maya the whole time he kidnapped her” ????? he was going to kill her??? for a theater???? and even when it was obvious that the demolition was gonna happen no matter what he still stuck her in a fish tank and refused to budge?? NO

secret of the scarlet hand: i cannot forgive anyone with hands like taylor sinclar

ghost dogs of moon lake: red knott strolls around SALLY’S PROPERTY acting like he has ANY RIGHT TO BE THERE and BUILD HIMSELF A TREEHOUSE and then has the A U D A C I T Y to berate nancy for making noise even though he is T R E S P A S S I N G

the haunted carousel: joy trent, a disappointment to her name and to us all. she also has the morale of a defeated slug. if she doesn’t figure out miles’ riddle in a matter of seconds she thinks it’s HOPELESS. GIVE ME SOMETHING TO WORK WITH HERE, HER INTERACTIVE

danger on deception island: okay, yes, he is amusing, but how can anyone in this current american political climate actually do anything but flinch when holt scotto starts talking

secret of shadow ranch: there is no one unlikable in this game. i mean, even shorty, who is obviously Not The Best Person, has some truly stellar lines

curse of blackmoor manor: I LOVE EVERYONE HERE TOO

secret of the old clock: you know, i’ve wondered for many years if jane’s unwillingness to help us sew that dress was an intended culprit giveaway or just nancy drew characters having their useful penchant for being as unhelpful as possible so nancy can be forced to do ALL THE CHORES. that being said, there is just nothing likable about a woman stupid enough to explode a kitchen of a place she is trying to sell for as much money as possible. JANE, all the way

last train to blue moon canyon: I LOVE EVERYONE AGAIN

danger by design: everyone in this game is just Existing, taking up absolutely no space in my heart/brain. i’m tempted to say dieter is the most annoying because he has the audacity to try to make us sympathize with him because he is in love with a woman who is not interested in him. much sad. very hurt.

creature of kapu cave: is there a single redeeming quality about quigley??? also WHERE DOES NANCY’S FIERCENESS GO when she’s stuttering out answers while quigley grills her on where her clipboard is and HOW THIS IS A REAL SHAKY START TO THIS UNPAID WORK SHE’S DOING FOR HER

white wolf of icicle creek: there is just not enough understanding in my bones to have the patience for trap-happy gun-wielding ollie randall knocking down chantal’s door for a raise

legend of the crystal skull: i like the whole cast here!

phantom of venice: colin baxter

haunting of castle malloy: BYE, KIT

ransom of the seven ships: of all the brilliant villains we had at our disposal, and we got….. dwayne powers (with frank’s voice to boot)

warnings at waverly academy: am i SUPPOSED to like rachel and/or kim after they shovel all their homework onto us and yet still barely give us the time of day?????

trail of the twister: everyone is great! although man, do i wish debbie would stop yelling at us to HAVE FUN all the time

shadow at the water’s edge: listen i know everyone likes her and yes, she has some great dialogue, but i find yumi more annoying than anything else

the captive curse: everyone is great, no complaints here

alibi in ashes: toni scallari is the only person in this FANTASTIC ensemble to dislike, and even then, i kinda can’t because of how unbelievably REALISTIC she is

tomb of the lost queen: lily is just too obnoxious for me to enjoy her. also, it’s so painfully obvious that she and lukas from cap share a voice actor that it’s hard for me to even get through her dialogue

the deadly device: listen, i get that he’s super clenched up in his man pain but gray could be a LITTLE less terrible. he’s probably still better than victor, though.

ghost of thornton hall: i really WANT to like jessalyn, especially since we get such a build-up to her reveal, but damn girl, weren’t there easier ways to get to the bottom of your mom’s sordid past than kidnapping yourself, dressing up as your dead aunt, and torturing your entire family into thinking you were dead/held at gunpoint/being murdered somewhere? it also doesn’t help that she goes ape shit on nancy if nancy doesn’t immediately went to help her despite her very sketchy situation. or that she somehow finds it appropriate to complain about her family being a “hot mess” because they’re…… worried about her????

the silent spy: nope. nope, y’all, NOPE. everyone is stellar, a+, 10/10

the shattered medallion: if there is anybody out there who genuinely likes kiri…. gimme your location….. i just want to talk……….

labyrinth of lies: i really do like everyone, but if melina could’ve been a little less hot/cold with us, that would’ve been nice??

sea of darkness: okay, so i really do like everyone in this game, but there is one person i like just a liiiittle less. and y’know, i can already feel the backlash from this, but i really wish dagny would’ve been a bit less of a grumpy, brooding loner. i just remember way too many kids in high school who acted JUST LIKE THIS because they thought it was uber cool. i probably would’ve had more sympathy for this attitude if we would’ve gotten more about dagny’s backstory, but all we know is that she’s going through a divorce. which, that sucks, but it’s also VERY COMMON. if she would’ve un-iced herself a little more before the game’s end, i would’ve definitely liked her a lot more.

#asks #anonymous #I KNOW SOME OF THESE ARE POLARIZING BUT MY HEART IS SET

23 notes · View notes

rinnnyxr · 3 years

Text

One rule: bold everything that applies to you, then count the answers.

Aries Gotta go fast Independence Participant, always Fuck you, don’t tell me what do to *brooding intensifies* Good sense of humor I ain’t neva scared “I’m not competitive but I’m gonna win” Assertive Going first Running yellow lights

People are drawn to you even tho you don’t invite them Feelings = action Impulsivity Creative Leader Competent “I thought you didn’t like me”-everyone Accidentally hurting people’s feelings Shares everything with partner What if the pope blasted cigs? Starting shit you don’t feel like finishing “I guess that was rude” No. 11/24

Taurus Treat yo’self Underappreciated at work Loyalty Great tastes in art&culture Spoiled (or wishing you were) Robe appreciation A vice (alcohol, weed, or comfort food) Homemaking/nesting Continuing to do something you don’t love just because you’re resistant to change Affection via touch Easy going Perfecting a wardrobe that is both comfy and flawless Having good ass eyebrows Highkey sensitive Stubborn af Not even taking your *own* advice Gossiping Lady in the street but a freak in the bed Creativity Spooning Commitment Stressing out over a change in someone’s tone of voice Finishing what you started Lots of venting lol 14/24

Gemini Unpopular opinion factory Secret&diverse intellectual landscape “Oh I got really into *miscellaneous hobby or topic* for a while” Intellectualizing or ignoring feelings Cleaning maybe once a year Look, a distraction! Thinking faster than you can talk Restless without hobbies Talking faster than you can think Reading four books at once Tons of energy Teaching others what you know Trivia machine Moodiness Knowing everything but also forgetting everything Existential crisis “Sorry I forgot to text you back” So many interests so little time Accidentally talking too loud Young at heart Pretty good public speaker Endless scrolling Shitposting Unpredictable sleep schedule 6/24

Cancer Connecting with women “Guess I’ll have to love you with my whole heart and soul” Vegetarianism/veganism Fear of rejection Surrounding yourself with soft blankets and mood lighting Ferocious protector “I’m not going to dwell on it” *dwells on it* Takes child-rearing seriously Hardshell protecting soft ego Feeding sad friends Forecast: mood swings Heart of gold but still a badass Bad with boundaries Learning how to relax like it’s your job Lightweight drinker Yeah. Crying, ok? It’s not a big deal Mama trauma Food = comfort Nostalgia as a coping mechanism Identify built off memories Complaining Very emotionally intuitive of others Big fan of physical and emotional affection People telling you all their BS all the time 9/24

Leo Friendly Self-indulgence Never being able to tell if you’re the best or the worst People trying to compete with you lol Sensitive Decent at cheering people up Great hair Wardrobe swings between hot as hell and lazy af Interrupting Having a sense of honor Not doing something because you’re not good at it Talking too loud Finding dogs pretty relatable Creative talent Super supportive friend Enthusiasm Socializing like it’s your job&then needing to recharge Memes Priorities: eating and sleeping Boo hiss at rejection Looking good even when you feel like shit Drama Needing lots of love Loyal 6/24

Virgo Relating to Hermione Granger Gives great advice even when your own life is in shambles Flirting and running, an autobiography Petty Pretty damn intelligent Loving words/linguistics 8 hours of “studying” = 1 hour of real work Swings between clean and slobbish Indecision Splurging on food Mom friend A freak on the DL Peculiar eating habits Pretty good with words Good with pets and/or kids Known to schedule sex Multitasking af Cleaning as a coping mechanism “It me” Loves self-care but deprioritizes it 0 to hottie in 2 seconds flat Lowkey wood nymph All the receipts Bratty sub or service top 13/24

Libra If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all Pls no fighting Good judge of character Leadership roles in friendships Takes up less emotional space for the well being of others Art adoration Real glo up wizards Nature adoration Hates boredom Wholesome Keep it cute Emotionally braced for betrayal Lowkey running from problems with people Falling in love with people’s hearts/minds Investing in your appearance Loves all things cute Always the mediator Trust issues Charming Staying up to date on culture Taking the high road Always putting your feelings aside for others Aesthetics Mom friend 12/24

Scorpio Growing up early Being a new person every few years Black/dark wardrobe Pain is cool Interest in psychology/criminology/sociology Privacy Sexual but not promiscuous All or nothing thinking Intelligent Loner/lonely Taking care of everyone Would kill or die for loved ones Protective as fuck Bloodhound for truth Deep Fascination with death/insanity/occultism Love-hate relationships “idk I’m just feeling numb rn” Jealous or possessive Trust issues Loyal as fuck Secretly soft Gets shit done Boundaries 13/24

Sagittarius Long ass bucket list Prefers to mind their own business Unbothered Nice enough that people always think you’re hitting on them Fear of missing out Optimism Honest and upfront Your shit is lowkey not together Plenty of friends Snobby enough to have good taste Flirting your way into something you can’t finish Storyteller or philosophical preacher “Here for a good time, not a long time” “…rude” Free spirit “Films” Distracted Smarter than you look I’m just speaking my truth! “I’m just inviting a few people” Falls in love with your mind, then your body Blows up the aux cord Hedonism phases Horniness gets you into some shit lol 9/24

Capricorn On your grind Discipline dgaf attitude Stoic in the streets, softie in the sheets Planning ahead, way ahead Always prepared (Un)healthy coping mechanisms Likes structure Prioritizing self-mastery Loyal protector of friends, babies, and animals Basically born an adult Dark humor People being mad about your tough love Old soul Major procrastinator Kind of a know-it-all on the DL Major sadness and madness People thanking you for your tough love People think you’re responsible “Why was I programmed to feel pain” meme Parenting your parents “Lock that in the trauma vault” Either a loner or a socialite Giving advice like it’s your job 8/24

Aquarius Me, an intellectual: Needing to do things your way Superiority complex Gossip Conspiracy theories Skepticism Not even having the energy to tell people how wrong they are Courteous/considerate People love you but you hate people Lonely Outsider syndrome Relating to cats a great deal Hates being told what to do or when to do it Not trusting someone/something that’s popular Being accused of being emotionless Insightful Feeling like the only rational person in a room Existential crisis Devil’s advocate just to get people to think Rationalizing tf out of your feelings Hates small talk Vices You’re entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it is Interest in sociology, psychology, and politics 9/24

Pisces Empath Dramatic Poetry or music Lots of imagination, fluctuating identity Getting high on being outside Alone time “Idk I’m just a lil sad rn idk” Spiritual af Helping people heal Existential dread Pets love you Mommy issues Good with kids Cathartic crying over art, movies, or nature Knowing how people feel before they do Feeling misunderstood/alone “Go with the flow” Encountering spirits On life: “I’m just here for the ride” Drugs Forgiving others but blaming yourself Kindness Sorry, I was dissociating Exploring nature 11/24

I am most like a: Taurus I am actually a: Virgo

Have you today? Watched an animation? Pet an animal? Been grocery shopping? Talked to a sibling? Seen a spider? Had a stomach ache? Seen someone attractive? Played a musical instrument? Eaten meat? Brushed your teeth?

Have you in the last week? Paid for something with a credit card? Kissed someone passionately? Told someone you miss them? Read a book? Been to the gym? Broken a fingernail? Collected the mail? Been to work? Used something with batteries? Eaten cheese?

Have you in the last month? Been to a doctor? Packed a suitcase? Tried a new food you’d never eaten before? Taken a bubble bath? Chewed gum? Played a card game? Seen a movie at the cinema? Been on an airplane? Blocked someone on Facebook or other social media?

Have you in the last six months? Been in a hospital for any reason? Written a handwritten letter? Been on a train? Gotten a haircut? Broken up with someone? Eaten out at a restaurant? Stayed in a hotel? Been to a concert?

Have you in the last year? Been to a funeral? Held a newborn baby? Been to an amusement park? Dyed your hair? Been to the dentist? Smoked a cigarette? Been to a cemetery? Bought something over $500?

Shy Girl 1. You haven’t been in a lot of relationships. 2. People have asked you to speak up because they couldn’t hear what you were saying. 3. You get nervous when meeting new people. 4. You’re not good at talking to guys you like. 5. You have trouble making new friends. 6. With a group of friends, you are usually the one who doesn’t add much to the conversation. Total: 4

The Girl With Low Self-Esteem 1. You are not happy with your appearance. 2. You don’t think you’re good enough for any guy. 3. You don’t bother trying to get a date because you know you don’t have a chance. 4. You think people are lying when they compliment you. 5. You are not satisfied with your weight. 6. Sometimes you wish you were someone else. Total: 4

The Girl Who Is Too Obsessive 1. You like to know where your boyfriend is at all times. 3. You tell your boyfriend what he is and isn’t allowed to do. 4. Sometimes you message/text/call your boyfriend too much. 5. You’ve followed a boyfriend before because you thought he was cheating. 6. You have trouble keeping a boyfriend. Total: 1

Flirty Girl 1. You are obsessed with cute guys. 2. You have cheated or would cheat on a boyfriend. 3. You can’t be happy with just one guy. 4. You have been known to flirt a lot. 5. What your boyfriend doesn’t know won’t hurt him. 6. A lot of guys think you’re attractive. Total: 1

Confused Girl 1. Your relationship status is complicated. 2. You don’t know what kind of guy you want. 3. You’re not good at making decisions. 4. You’ve thought you were in love but really weren’t. 5. You get confused easily. 6. You are always changing your mind. Total: 2

The Needy Girl 1. You’ve been badly hurt after a breakup. 2. You depend too much on others. 3.You would do anything for a boyfriend if it meant making him happy. 4. Your boyfriend is a huge priority. 5. You can’t stand being away from your boyfriend. 6. You would accept anyone who asked you out. Total: 1

Playgirl 1. You have been in a lot of relationships. 2. You have hooked up with someone just for sex. 3. Most of your relationships weren’t serious. 4. You don’t really care if you break someone’s heart. 5. You are good at getting guys. 6. You are not a virgin. Total: 2

The Future-Seeking Girl 1. You have thought you found “the one” before. 2. You have imagined what you and your boyfriend’s kids will look like. 3. You want to get married. 4. You want kids. 5. You’d like serious long-term relationships. 6. You and a boyfriend have talked about your future together. Total: 3

The Attention-Seeking Girl 1. You love attention. 2. You have faked an illness or made a story up to get someone’s attention. 3.You love receiving gifts more than giving them. 4. You love PDA. 5. You hate it when your boyfriend pays more attention to someone else rather than you. 6. You would date someone even if you didn’t like them. Total: 1

The Dominator 1. You hate it when you don’t get your way. 2. You wear the pants in your relationship. 3. Your boyfriend would do anything for you. 4. You are spoiled or someone has called you spoiled. 5. You love to be in control of things. 6.You are usually the one to plan the things you and your boyfriend do. Total: 3

You are: Shy girl and The Girl with Low Self-esteem

The computer [] I spend hours at a time on the computer. [] Without the computer, life would not be the same. [] I depend so much on my computer, if it broke down, I would cry. [] I have sooooo many pictures, files, games and other things saved on my computer. [] I have my own computer, and it is in my room. [] I buy stuff online frequently. [] When I have homework or other responsibilities, I tend to go on the computer instead. [] I have been late to something because I couldn’t get off the damn computer. [] My parents always say that they’re ‘going to take away my internet’ because they know that would be the ultimate punishment. Total: 7

Online chat/phone [] I have spent more than 6 hours talking on the phone. [] My phone is practically attached to my ear. [] I have gone to sleep extremely late because I was up talking on the phone. [] My cellphone bill is too high. [] If my MSN/AIM/Yahoo, etc. won’t allow me to sign in, I go crazy. [] I have over 200 online buddies. [] I met good friends, or even my best friend, online. [] I meet people in person that I met on the internet, complete strangers. [] I spend more time in chatrooms than I do with my own family/friends. [] I’d rather chat online than by phone, e-mail, or in person. Total: 5

Magazines/books [] I am ALWAYS reading something. [] I have 100+ magazines. [] I buy more than 3 magazines every month. [] I am subscribed to more than 3 magazines. [] I am soon gonna run out of space to put all my magazines! [] When my mom threatens that she’s gonna thrown out my magazines, I yell and tell her that I’m keeping them forever! [] Reading is way more fun than TV, computer, music, etc. [] Books are my life. I even wanna write a book. [] I spend more money on books/magazines than I do on clothes every month. Total: 0

Music [] Without music, my life would be miserable. [] It seems that I’m always humming or singing something. [] I like every type of music. [] My mp3 player/iPod has over 1000 songs. [] Not to mention the huge amount of songs I have on my computer. [] I have 200+ CD’s. [] Music cheers me up, makes me happy, relieves my stress..kinda like a best friend. [] Whatever mood I’m in, I can always listen to some music. [] I am/want to be in a band. [] I lost count of how many concerts I’ve been to. Total: 3

Movies [] I see at least 4 movies in theatres per month. [] I have so many DVDs, I don’t know where all of them are! [] I have a DVD player in my room, that I use often. [] I buy every movie that I really like. [] I keep all my movie stubs. [] I am always quoting things from movies. [] I can list 20 of my favourite movies right now. [] I watch the Oscars religiously. [] Movies are better than TV shows and music put together. [] I have over 5 favourite actors and over 5 favourite actresses. Total: 0

Make-up, hair & other girly things [] I straighten/curl/crimp my hair every day. [] I don’t remember how my own natural hair colour looks unless I look at old pictures. [] I have so much make-up, I don’t even use half of it. [] I have more than 5 eyeliners, 5 eyeshadow palettes and 5 lip glosses. [] I wear bows, hairbands, ribbons, etc. in my hair. [] I get my hair cut more than once every 3 months. [] I LOVE pink, anything pink is good! [] Flowers are awesome, as well as chocolate, jewelry and designer clothes. [] Accessories are actually more important to me than my clothes! [] I have more than 5 purses. Total: 5

Television [] I watch at least 5 shows per day. [] I spend more than 5 hours watching TV every day. [] I am addicted to some shows. [] If I miss an episode of my favourite show, I’ll freak out. [] I watch TV before I go to sleep. [] My alarm clock is my TV. [] I have seen every MTV show at least once. [] I have more than 500 channels on my TV. [] I use picture-in-picture. [] During commercials, I flip to other channels to watch something else. Total: 2

Sports [] I watch sports every day. [] I have been on a sports team more than 5 times. [] I play sports any chance I get. [] I am very athletic and fit. [] I work out all the time. [] I also walk, run, bike, or swim on a regular basis (as a way of exercising). [] I have a favourite basketball, soccer, baseball, etc. player as well as favourite teams. [] I like to be outside waaayy more than staying inside. [] I don’t mind getting sweaty or breaking a nail. [] No, I’m not girly. Total: 1

Food [] I am in love with chocolate. [] I will eat anything once. [] I always eat when I’m bored, stressed, watching TV, etc. [] I don’t care about my weight, all I wanna do is eat! [] I have tried Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, as well as other kind of dishes. [] I don’t have many foods that I dislike. [] I like going to parties or other gatherings for the food! [] My friends say I’m a pig when it comes to food. [] I cannot go to the mall without eating something at the food court. [] Snacking is my favourite pastime. Total: 6

Going out/friends [] I go to tons of parties every year. [] I have more friends than I can count. [] If someone invites me to go somewhere, I don’t care what mood I’m in, I’m going! [] Movie theatres, amusement parks and malls are among my favourite places. [] I hate staying in, I’d rather be out 24/7. [] The computer is cool, but partying is so much better! [] My friends and I do crazyyy things! [] I cannot pay attention in class because I’m always chatting with friends or thinking about what I’m gonna do that night. [] Work? Who has time for a job when you can hang out with your friends instead! Total: 2

Shopping/clothes [] I go shopping at least twice a week. [] I don’t care how many shoes or accessories I have, I always need more! [] There’s always more room in my closet for more clothes. [] I follow fashion/trends. [] I have 10 or more pairs of jeans. [] I have 30+ shoes. [] The mall = best place ever! [] I spend money like nothing else. [] I can’t just ‘hang’ at the mall, I have to buy something! [] I want a job at my favourite store so I can get discounts and go shopping after work! Total: 2

Bad things [] I steal/shoplift frequently. [] I smoke cigarettes every day. [] I smoke something other than cigarettes regularly. [] I have gone to school/work high or drunk. [] I get drunk when I’m with friends and then do stupid things. [] I have done sexual things under the influence. [] I curse ALL the time. [] I fight with people constantly. [] I have been arrested. [] I am banned from 2 or more places.

Total: 1

My addiction is: Music, then Magazines/Books and Shopping/Clothes. True that :P

1 note · View note

frustrated-writer-skyeknight · 3 years

Text

My OCs I'm still struggling to rewrite in my original story.

Here’s the plot so far and in a hiatus lol

🔥

“Thank you for your patronage!” Kyl beams, accepting a payment. “please come again.”

The woman smiles back in response, giving her own thanks before leaving the bakery. As soon as she steps out the shop, the boy sighs in relief, thankful that the last customer he had to deal with today was a mild elderly.

Kyl lets his smile fall with a heavy sigh, massaging his jaw with a hand. He huffs, running a hand through his hair, still peeved about a particularly irksome situation from the morning. He does what he can to give courteous and fair treatment to all customers, but that didn't make it any less aggravating to be polite to the brutes who intentionally made his job difficult, just to mess with him, for spending most of his time inside the bakery.

He knew he was different from most boys his age. Even his friends back home has ambitions of becoming knights or mercenaries in guilds, any job that meant action and adventure. Some of them don’t necessarily have a goal, but are still keen on mastering a weapon of sorts to be able to see the world as a wandering explorer.

As for Kyl, it wasn't that he found it completely satisfying to be a baker, and while he does see the appeal of the excitement that comes with the lifestyle aspired by his friends, compared to his own repetitive routine as a baker, he considers the peace it brings comforting enough. Kyl figured that if he was going to settle with being a baker for the rest of his life, he might as well learn how to deal with a wider range of customers.

Right now, he was assisting his uncle Teodor in his branch.

Teodor was like any typical Hearth family man. He was devoted to his craft, which only came second to his family. Even if it means being short on help, he wouldn’t let his wife, Myrah, lift a finger when she wasn’t in the best condition to do so. He did his best to replicate Myrah’s special recipes for some of their regular customers, but he wasn’t having much luck. The next person who could come close to baking them was his youngest nephew, Kyl. That was why he was here.

Kyl has a lot of relatives and they handle their own branch in their respective hometowns. Although not famous to get nationwide recognition, each was doing well. This was the first time that he was away from home for a long period. Because of a recent brawl which resulted in Myrah’s bad back, they were short staffed. Even though they were just three, they got by well enough. And it wasn't like there were never instances in the past that only two of the three would be the ones working the shop. It was especially the case back when Dru was a young toddler and prone to fever every now and then. Teodor had his fair share of moments when his blood pressure was too high and he needed rest to relieve his stress. But that never took a while, and they'd recover in a few days. This was the first time there needed to be a full month of resting for recovery, and neither Teodor nor his son could compete with Myrah in baking particular products even if they follow her recipe. But somehow, Kyl can come close.

Asides from lending a helping hand, Kyl was curious to find out the different challenges his relatives here faced, since they reside in a larger town. In a way, it was a welcomed change of pace from his dull routine back home. Since his hometown seemed more like a small, remote village than anything else, with a grand total of twenty houses, everyone was a regular customer, and it seemed like they had a fixed time when it came to making a purchase. But Kyl could also see the downside working where business had to be fast-paced in some parts of the day.

On his first day working with them, Kyl was overwhelmed by the number of customers alone and how fast they expected him to serve them. The orders and deliveries almost made him break down. If it wasn't for his cousin, it might have actually happen.

Dru was older than Kyl, and to an extent, taller. His height wasn’t the only thing big about him. Because of the sacks of flour he regularly carried to and from the storage, plus the dough kneading he does daily gave him well-developed biceps and he maintained an admirable muscle tone. That, with his dark, brown hair, and warm chocolate eyes, reels in the young ladies into their shop, sometimes mostly to gaze upon him than to buy bread. With his gangly physique and awkwardly tousled light brown locks, Kyl was envious and can only hope to grow into the same built. His only noteworthy quality in terms of appearance were his green eyes.

Kyl wonders if body size affected temper because his dad had a similar large build, and they both tended to be a bit of a hot-head at certain times. Kyl figured it could also be due to because life in a bigger town being more stressful in comparison to remote villages like his own. His dad said that he used to live in a bigger town in his youth, and he had violent tendencies back then. His cousin wasn’t necessarily violent though, and was nice enough when it mattered. For instance, even when he made a show of how it peeved him to have to pick up after him, Dru made sure Kyl got some learning experience out of it and guided him through it so he could do better the next time around.

He had claimed, “I don't want to keep doing your workload for you, brat, so get it right next time.”

But Kyl realized that his cousin guided him during his entire time with them, at least more than Teodor even when he was present to take over anytime if Dru really didn't want to. Just like this morning with those troublesome guys. While he was given an idea what to expect from difficult customers they usually encountered, he didn’t think handling patrons like those guys would be as irksome as it had been. He almost snapped back at them before Dru showed up and took care of it himself.

His cousin didn't even go about lecturing him about proper work etiquette afterwards, didn't push the point about treating customers nicely at all times like Kyl expected him to.

“People can be jerks without being aware of it,” Dru had said, ruffling Kyl's hair. “don't let them win by showing them how affected you are.”

In the end, Kyl found that he enjoyed the experience in spite of the hardships and difficulties. Plus, he enjoyed spending time with these particular relatives again since the last time had only been a three day visit when he was a toddler. He was almost sorry that he would be returning to the repetitive routine of his small village life soon. But at the very least he would be comforted by how peaceful it was compared to all this.

“Good work today, boys.”

Teodor comes out of the kitchen with Dru, each carrying two small baskets of bread. One basket seemed to have more bread than the other. But while they differ in quantity, their contents remained similar. Both contained , flat leaven manchets, rounder oatcakes known as clapbread made by Dru who can bake them best with a little spicy flare to it, the usual staple white cockets and powdered biscuits, Kyl version, because it didn't exactly capture the taste Myrah manages and only came close. Still, the youngest Hearth felt accomplished that it still sold well, even if it wasn't sold out the way Myrah's batch would've been.

I'm still not done preparing the batch for the local orphanage, but I can take care of it myself. You two handle the priorities for today.”

At the end of each day, the Hearth family always make it a point to give out their leftovers to the less fortunate. It was what Kyl's great grandfather always believed in, that kindness and acts of it goes a long way.

Kindness is the most hopeful provocation, He used to say.

Teodor hands them two sheets of paper. One sheet had a family name written down along with the name of their members plus an address. Then as Kyl looks over his cousin's shoulder, he noticed that the other piece of paper was a slip more than a sheet. It wasn't constructed the same way the other was either. There was only a single word written.

Kean.

There were only two reasons why a person would not have a last name. Either he was a grown orphan, or beings called a Mana user. Humanesque creatures with a questionable place in society. Kyl has never met one before, but from what he can gather by the gossips heard at the town square and the opinions of his family was that they do not contribute much to society, but at the same time, they did not require anything from it either. They seemed to exist for the sake of existence itself. However, since society cannot get anything from them some people find it meaningless for them to exist at all. Until much recently, a law regarding no tolerance for discriminatory acts did not extend to Mana users. Closer study implies that most riots arise due to the instigators’ acts of reproach towards the mentioned Mana users. Therefore, for the sake of holding the peace, a proposal to revise this law was underway.

By this provocation, the instigators are making the most of the time left that they can mistreat the Mana users without consequences.

“Kean...” Kyl mutters, finding that the name was familiar. He mentioned his musings, ‘did he come to the shop recently?’ he wonders. “Did I write a receipt for him, or...”

Dru makes a look. “Yes, because Mana users carry money despite not having jobs.”

“Do they?”

Dru gapes, checking if Kyl wasn't just pulling his leg. He forgot that growing up in a small village had the tendency to make people ignorant of common knowledge in larger areas. Plus, this was Kyl. While he didn't live in the province and just at a small village he could be pegged for a country bumpkin with his level of ignorance.

Teodor smacks his son upside on the head in reprove. “Druant, be nice to your cousin.” he scolds, and Dru realizes he said that out loud by the way Kyl is glaring at him. “Anyway, the answer is no. They don't. It's unlikely because Mana users don't seem to need the same bare necessities that we do. That being said, they don't require money. And the name should be familiar because I mentioned him to you once when we talked about your aunt's case.”

“Oh yeah,” Kyl says. “You said there was a fight. Was this Kean guy involved?”

Teodor nods, “You could say that. While your aunt was the unintended victim, Kean was the targeted one.”

“Except mom seemed have gotten the worse of it.” Dru scoffs.

Theodore frowns at his son. “We don't know that for sure. The fighting stopped when they realized they’ve injured someone else as well.” He says. “We haven’t seen Kean after so we don't know how he came out of it. That’s why he's a priority tonight. It occurred to Myrah and she wants to have it checked out.”

“If we find him,” Dru quips. “Come on, Kyl. Let's get going.”

Teodor calls out after them, “Don’t stay out too long,” he says, “the last thing I need is to tell Myrah you guys were found dead on the streets chewed on by some wild animal.”

“Wait, what?” Kyl blinks, turning back. “what wild animal?”

Teodor laughs, and Kyl figured he was teasing him. He scowls while Dru snickers, “How simple.”

🔥

Once they were outside, Dru opens his mouth and tries to say something. But figuring out what it was, Kyl beats him to it.

“Yeah, I can take Kean’s basket.” He says.

“I, uh…” Dru blinks, his mouth moving wordlessly before he simply nods. “Yeah… okay, thanks.” He gives Kyl the basket with the lesser bread.

Kyl pauses, as if in thought, before speaking once more. “You don't happen to agree with those who beat up this Kean guy, do you?”

“H-huh? Oh…” Dru mutters, worrying his lower lip. “Um, well, of course I don't like it that they started that whole fight because of it. I mean, mom got hurt and…”

Kyl narrows his eyes, “You know that wasn't the question.” He says. “Do you hate their kind, too?”

Since he hasn't really encountered one yet himself, Kyl doesn’t have any real sentiments towards Mana users. However, if they weren’t actually hurting anyone he didn't see how it was justifiable to hurt them or anyone, generally speaking, just because they weren't actively involved in society. He can understand getting annoyed, but anger was a little extreme for him.

“I…” Dru starts before sighing, “look kid, don't get me wrong. I don't hate Mana users, if that's what you mean. At least… I don't think I do. But if you've seen one up close, with the blank look in their eyes as if they weren't even alive… I don't know. It's creepy.”

“I see. But you know, it's okay to be scared. Pretty sure even Knights get like that, I'd be surprised if they didn't.” Kyl says. “I don't think you’d be disqualified just for that.”

“Huh?” Dru's eyes widens. “what are you—”

Kyl rolls his eyes, “Dru, I'm not as simple as you think. I've seen you training late at night when you're supposed to be sleeping like the rest of us. And the bulletin board at the square mentioned needs for recruits.” He says. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure things out.”

“Kyl, you can’t tell dad or mom about this, you hear?”

Kyl frowns. “If I wanted to be a rat, I would’ve mentioned it the first time I saw you training after taking a piss. You really could’ve picked a better, more hidden place to do that if you didn’t wanna be caught, by the way.” He says. “but they’re gonna find out what you're up to anyway, especially once you sign up. And sure, maybe he'll be a bit sad that you're not interested in baking full-time, but I don't think uncle would forbid you if that’s what you really want.”

“Yeah. If. That’s the key word.” Dru sighs, shaking his head. “I’m not really sure what I want either. But I do know there’s more I want to do than be a baker for the rest of my life. I mean, maybe I wouldn’t mind retiring as one. But that’s definitely not all I want to do. You live in a small village, maybe you’re happy with how simple that is. But come on, you can’t tell me that you never thought about it.”

Kyl shifts his weight absently, not sure what to say. “We better get going, don’t you think?” He didn’t wait for a response, already turning and walking off.

Forgetting about one minor detail.

🔥

Kyl groans, berating himself. He forgot that he had no idea where to even look for this Kean fellow. These were the moments that Dru could be justified for calling him simple. Even having a vague description of this guy might’ve been helpful, seeing as those he was asking didn’t care much to give him any useful leads. All he got so far for his efforts were either questioning looks or scorn. He gave up asking when he got the latter, and settled for just winging it. Stopping once more to rest, he leans against a wall of some random home. He’s pretty sure he searched the entire town, at one point he even got lost because some of the houses look the same: two-storey, beige cedars with mahogany doors and red roofs. He had to back track towards the main square to get his bearings.

At the moment, all he can assume was that this guy was homeless with the lack of address, maybe even a hermit if he was the only Mana user in town—or out of town, if that were the case. Kyl definitely wouldn’t want to stay in a place where he was treated poorly. Earlier, somebody did suggest that he ask the last people to have an encounter with him, but the boy had suspicions that they were the cause for his aunt Myrah's condition in the first place and also made her concerned for the guy’s well-being and he definitely didn’t want to have a run in with those types himself.

Therefore, he settled for walking all over town and hoping he gets lucky.

The sun was setting and each step Kyl took was getting heavier. He wasn’t any closer to finding his priority assignment than he was hours ago and it was already passed supper. Certainly, he could’ve just taken some of the bread from the leftover basket but since it wasn’t meant for him, all the more for someone less fortunate than him, it didn’t seem right to Kyl to do that even if he was feeling rather unlucky at that moment. Yet he was exhausted. Still, he didn’t want the bread to go to waste but he wasn’t going to consume them himself. He figured he probably had time to search for someone else before it got too dark.

Just when he turns to the next corner, he finds himself falling forward. Kyl yelps as the contents of the basket were sent flying. The boy groans, pushing back brown fringes from his eyes. He huffed, brushing his hair back.

“Ow…” He winces, getting up slowly. He’s pretty certain he had a scratch or two. ‘I should really watch where I’m going.’ He thought. He gets back on his feet and pats what dirt he can from his trousers. ‘what did I even trip on? It felt thick…’ he muses. He scans the area and a scream catches on his throat. “AH!” Kyl breaks into a cold sweat under a second, and he was legs suddenly felt boneless. Nevertheless, he was about to make a run for it when his conscience caught up with him.

It was a dead body.

As much as he was tempted to do so, he couldn’t just leave it there. Slowly, he approaches the body, making sure there were actually no wild animal that, in hindsight, his uncle might not have been completely joking about. As he got nearer, he realizes that it wasn’t a corpse. At least, the body still felt warm. It was easy to think the person was dead, though. The guy, as it seems to be, was completely motionless that even his chest seemed like it wasn’t moving. The indication that he was, in fact, still among the living was the low moans that escaped his mouth.

Kyl sighs, running a hand through his hair. ‘Well, he’s alive. Now what?’

He couldn’t very well leave this person lying here. He could take him to the nearest clinic but that was right across from the East side square, which was on the other side of town. He considers taking him back with him. His aunt was almost fully recovered so he wonders if his uncle would appreciate another patient to care for.

‘Well… as dad always say, "you’re not a Hearth if you’ve got no heart…."’

Decided, Kyl hefts the guy up, slinging his arm carefully over his shoulder, and wraps his own arm around the stranger’s waist. There was a sound of thunder and the skies grew darker by the time he saw the roof of the bakery.

🔥

Despite their collective surprise, and forgetting their worry on why he was late, they didn’t make much of a fuss when Kyl brought in the guy he found. Teodor didn’t mind caring for another infirm but he was a bit upset about the bread but he eventually got over it.

“Can’t do anything about it anymore, after all.” He says.

Dru was fine with it as long as he didn’t have to share his bed with the guy. Kyl figures it was only fair and he wasn’t oppose to sharing. The guest room wasn’t his own room, after all. After that matter was settled, Kyl went to take a bath and have something quick to eat since it was late and he didn’t want to sleep on a full stomach. Myrah was finished giving the stranger a sponge bath by the time Kyl returned to his borrowed room.

“Hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Myrah shakes her head, “No, but I've taken care of his injuries. No broken bones, which is a relief. He’ll be fine after some rest.”

Kyl smiles. “That’s good to hear,” he sighs. “I’m just glad it wasn’t a dead body mangled by some random wild animal.”

“Your uncle said something again?”

Kyl blinks, “Again?” he repeats. Myrah just chuckles in response and the boy decides to drop it. “Anyway, I’m sorry to have bothered you with this while you’ve just recovered, auntie.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Myrah says with a careless wave of her hand, “my back doesn’t even hurt anymore, and I couldn’t leave this to your uncle or Dru. Those two are hopeless when it comes to tender care.” She rolls her eyes.

Kyl smiles slightly, “Is that why you keep calling me specifically for those massages?”

“Bingo.” Myrah winks, “You know, it’s a bit funny that I had your uncle make sure you get Kean some bread and you ended up bring him home without the bread.”

Kyl cringes, thinking that his family really valued their bread. Then, he starts. “That’s Kean?!”

“Oh goodness, you didn’t know?”

Kyl shakes his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah… not at all.”

“Didn’t the hair tip you off? I mean, it’s blue.”

Although there was no explanation, at least none publicly known, all Mana users seemed to have unnatural hair color. In the back of his mind, Kyl did question it once he returned. But since it was dark out earlier, he didn’t notice it at first. He thought the guy had black hair, because the hue was of a darker shade, almost like cobalt. Still, that was the notable difference. When it came to physique, they were similar except Kyl may be more well-toned in comparison, as a result to hours baking.

“I’ll remember that next time.”

“Nnh…”

Kyl and Myrah turns toward the bed. “Oh, he’s waking up.”

Eyes opens slowly, and Kyl understands now what Dru meant earlier. Their eyes really did have an eerie feeling to it, but for some reasons, this made the boy intrigued rather than scared.

“Where am I?”

🔥

Kean’s bleary eyes finds two individuals standing before him, and he recognizes the woman. She had been there when those townsfolk attacked him, but he has never seen the boy before.

“Miss Myrah, hello.” He sits up.

Myrah smiles, walking over to comb his hair back. Kean just continues staring, even while she examines some remnants of wounds that, he notices, were treated. He figures that those needed more time to heal. She didn’t seem to mind Kean’s lack of concern with that way she pokes around his injuries, already expecting the stoic response. Most Mana users, if not all, seemed to possess the quality.

“It’s good to see you awake, Kean. I wondered what happened to you after our last meeting.”

Kean’s expression remained blank. “I am sorry to have caused you worry.” He says with a curt tip of his head. “May I ask how I was brought here though?”

“Ah, that would be my doing, mate.” Kyl answers, “I found you passed out and decided to bring you home.” He grins. “Perfect timing, too. Just before you got caught by the rain and end up sick with the cold.”

Kean replies, “Oh, Mana users do not get sick the way humans do. So it did not really make a difference,” he says. “you could say it was pointless.”

Kyl stares at the Mana user, not having a response for that take on his act of kindness. Myrah watches her nephew, trying not to smile. She may have an idea what was going through his mind.

“Thank you, anyway.”

“Um, wow. Okay,” The boy feels like he should be irritated or something akin to that. However, he found himself just wondering what was the matter with the guy. “Can you say it like you mean it, at least? I mean, with more... conviction.”

Kean’s tone remained as is when he responds. “Oh, okay. I am truly grateful for the unnecessary aid to my predicament even while I was unaware of the needless attempt.”

“Er,” Somehow, Kyle felt even worse than he was with Kean’s first response. “‘Truly grateful’ is not shown on your face at all…” his shoulders sags.

Myrah couldn’t help it this time. She laughs.

🔥

The following day was definitely an interesting one.

During breakfast, Kean was refusing a big portion of the meal Teodor was insisting on him because the man found Kean simply too thin for a boy his age. The Mana user reminded him that they don’t age the way humans do. In addition to that, they did not require an intake of nutrients gained from food consumption since, according to him, 'Simple meditation to be one with nature' was sufficient to keep them going. Both Kyl and Dru shared the same expression; their eyebrows were furrowed, and they had creases on their forehead, staring at Kean first then at each other as if trying to make sense of that explanation. Nevertheless, Teodor still made Kean eat with the notion, 'As long as you can eat, eat. We get food from nature, too.'

Kean had no argument for that.

Afterwards, when Myrah found the poor condition Kean’s clothes were in she had him try on some of Dru’s old clothes. The one closest to his size and proportions was still slightly big on him so she had it adjusted. After putting it off long enough, they finally opened shop an hour later than usual. Teodor said it wasn’t really a problem since the month was almost up and they already made their quota. Kean offered his help since they did delay on his behalf.

That’s when things turned eventful.

Kyl knew that Mana users had strange abilities, but like most things about them, he never really understood exactly how strange. While he didn’t have to mention it out loud, Dru wasn’t wrong in his thinking that living in a small, almost secluded village tended to result in a certain degree of ignorance. Kyl’s first time witnessing these abilities happened by watching Kean all throughout the day.

First, it was with the wooden stove they used for baking. Since it rained last night and they forgot to cover their firewood, Dru and Kyl had a difficult time getting a fire going. Kean decided to lend a hand and ended up overdoing it. Dru and Kyl did stand a little too close, curious to see what Kean would do. He burned the wood a little more than what was necessary, and the fire quickly rose. It consumed the stack of wood and due to the water, the crackling of wood also came with bursts of ashes. Fortunately, no one was hurt and Dru managed to close the steel door to tame the flame before it could escalate. Because of that though, he ended up covered in ash himself. Kyl couldn’t help but laugh even while he was a mess himself, since it wasn’t compared to Dru who almost resembled some kind of gigantic charcoal. The older Hearth didn’t know whether to be more upset with Kean or Kyl. But since the Mana user was giving his apologies, no matter how bland the tone, while his cousin was just laughing his head off he decided that Kyl would be doing most of the dough kneading for the day.

After the initial rush hour, they took a break. While Kean and Kyl were passing by the foyer when they saw Myrah frowning and nagging Teodor over some Orientalis out the back door. Apparently, the flower patches were all wilting because, according to her, Teodor didn’t water them as constantly as he was supposed to. Seeing her distress, Kean steps forward and, with a wave of his hand, he revived the dead flowers, regaining their pinkish vibrancy along with a translucent glow, as if they were freshly bloomed. Myrah widened her eyes before running towards Kean to embrace him in gratitude. Teodor sighed in relief, mouthing his own thanks.

The next event transpired shortly after Teodor declared that they no longer have to bake more bread to replenish their stocks for the day. Kyl and Kean was given the task of organizing the kitchen and take inventory of the remaining ingredients while Dru helped his father in the shop. The ladder was misplaced when the boys went into storage so Kyl had no way of checking the top shelves. Before Kyl could ask Kean to look for it while he double checks the lower shelves to make sure their listings were accurate, the Mana user brought his palms together and blew on them. Kyl eyed him questioningly before he felt light all of the sudden and the next thing he knew, he was floating weightlessly off the ground and higher into the air. Kyl freaked out when his hands reached the ceiling and forgot all about taking inventory; when Dru went to check what the noise was about, he almost had a heart attack. With his attention diverted because of that, Kean ended up dropping Kyl on his cousin.

Finally, Kean and Kyl were sent out to give the day’s leftovers to the chosen priorities. As a precaution, Myrah gave Kean a cloak to wear so those fellows who beat him up before wouldn’t be able to recognize him. Just when they were on their way home, it started to rain once more. Kyl managed to find a tree to stay under, and while they were still being rained on, it wasn’t as bad as when they were out in the open. He suggested waiting it out but then, he saw Kean out there and on the spot he stood, the rain seemed to go around it. He beckoned for him to step out, and after a brief moment of hesitation, he stepped out. The hand outstretched towards Kyl glowed and now, the rain avoided Kyle as well. With that, they made their way back.

However, Kyl was certain that the cloak didn’t serve it’s purpose of concealment after that stunt.

🔥

Kean and Kyl were resting up when they got home, just waiting for supper to be ready. Kyl decided he would work on his swordsmanship since he was returning home tomorrow.

Arriving was simple, since he had a special transportation to get him there directly. At home, despite not having much to brag about, they did have farms that specialized in breeding Aero Aves, large birds that have a gentle nature and have impressive homing instincts. Licensed agencies train these birds to carry passengers along with their packed belongings to long or short distances. But at the time, they only had money for Kyl to take a one-way trip service. There were additional fees if the traveler wanted to have the Aero Aves to come back for a return service. Furthermore, since he was journeying home on his own this time around, he would have to leave town. In spite of it’s large size, the town didn’t have its own port. Therefore, he would have to travel on foot first to the nearest town his uncle said had one so there was a chance Kyl would be running into some trouble.

Myrah wanted to request for an adventurer escort from the local guild, but Kyl refused. For one moment in this trip away from home, he wanted the accomplishment of doing something independently. Still, he did hope that the road to the next town didn’t have wild animals or, worse, strong monsters. He knew that monsters do not normally attack humans unless provoked. As long as he kept to the main road, he would be okay. However, he also needed to consider robbers. Although, in between baking and deliveries, he couldn’t find time nor energy to train regularly so he hoped he wouldn’t be having any of those encounters at all.

“Kyl, are you heading outside?” Kean speaks up just as Kyl was half way out the door, “has the rain stopped?”

“I think so,” Kyl replies, “I just wanna train a bit to prepare for traveling tomorrow. But auntie would kill me if I use my sword inside.”

Kean tilts his head to the side, “I do not believe miss Myrah is capable of such atrocious acts, such is not compatible to her kind nature.” He says flatly.

“Atro…” Kyl frowns, brows creasing before shaking his head. “No, uh, I mean… well, it’s cramped up in here as it is. I’m gonna need more space to move around better.”

Kean nods in understanding, “I see. An open area is optimal for such actions. I’ll accompany you since, yes, I agree. It is cramped inside.”

“Uh... huh?” Kyl was lost for a moment, giving the Mana user time to walk pass him and towards the back exit of the house. “Well, okay then.” He shakes his head before following Kean out.

When they got to the back of the house, just a few feet away from the storage. Kyl starts by working on his stance and repeating basic movements to warm up. After which, he tries to envision possible scenarios, recalling the common wolves that would attack travelers and thinking of the tips his dad gave him on how to handle such an encounter. When he was satisfied enough, he went on to wielding his sword and hitting his imaginary enemy with the blunt side. If he ever did encounter robbers, he didn’t feel good about killing them. He did not believe it was his place to decide who should die. He keeps this up until he his attention was finally drawn by Kean, settled on top of a water barrel. By his still position, Kyl could guess that this was him in meditation, the breathing seemed to follow a rhythm as well. That was when he recalls the conversation from breakfast.

“Is that really filling for you?”

Kean pauses, mid-exhale. He slowly blinks his eyes open, finding where Kyl stood.

‘Er, maybe I shouldn’t have interrupted?’ Kyl winces, rubbing the back of his head. ‘It is meditation, after all…’

If Kean was perturbed by being broken out of his concentration, it didn’t show. “For something to be filling,” he starts. “there must be a containment variable. I am not a container.”

The boy finds that he was getting used to the way Kean spoke, “No, I mean…” he pauses to think, “does it make you… well… not hungry?”

“Mana users do not really experience hunger.” Kean replies, “For humans, food is necessity for the recuperation of energy and nourishment along with water. Internally, my body does not require those intake. However, similar to you, I do require hydration as do all living things in nature. What I am doing now is sufficient in terms of sustenance, if in any circumstances I neglect my meditation practice I would feel sluggish till I am able to do so again.”

Kyl frowns, scratching the lower part of his chin. 'Isn't that similar to hunger in essence?' he wonders, “But then, you're still able to eat food, so...”

“That's because, as sir Teodor stated, food came from nature after certain alterations so I am able to consume them, similar to how I can consume water the way you do. In addition, our anatomy are similar except we do not possess cells and the like.”

“You really need to use small words, Kean.” Kyl sighs, suddenly losing energy to train. “It's hard to keep up with you. How are Mana users different from humans when we look the same?”

Kean pauses, as if in thought, before responding. “You know what Mana is, right?”

“Uh,” Kyl thinks about it, “it's like magic, right?” he says, sheathing his sword.

Kean shakes his head, “No. Mana is considered the power of the elemental forces in nature. Fire, water, wind, and Earth. It is easily understood that Mana users are able to manipulate this power. But what is not known by most humans is that Mana users are Mana themselves.”

“Huh?! You're Mana?”

Kean nods, “Humans possess a certain type of acid that connects them to their roots. Consequently, as we do not possess the same substance, the concept of family does not exist in our kind.” he explains.

“No family?” Kyl frowns, “Then how were you born?”

“I was not born, as such would require a mother and father role. I was formed.” Kean corrects, “Mana users come to be when there is a large amount of Mana force in a given area. Sometimes, we rise from the sea. If that happens then the user would be limited to manipulating water elements. Alternatively, if we come from a volcanic area, then fire elements would be the limitation. In addition, we would have corresponding nullifying effects to their elemental adept. A fire adept are incapable of being burned, and a water adept would be capable of breathing underwater.”

“Huh, well, I guess that makes sense... somehow. I mean, I got the gist and all.” Kyl hums, “But wait, how are you able to control all four elements?” he questions, recalling the events of the day. “Are some specialized Mana users like that? Is there a name for that?”

At this, Kean says nothing. Instead, he looks down in contemplation.

“Uhm, did I say something wrong?”

Kean shakes his head. “No, I just do not have an immediate answer so I was thinking how to respond,” he says, “To be honest, I cannot know the exact area where I came to be. This is one of the things about myself I do not have knowledge of. Most Mana users are able to recall where and that is usually the optimal place for them to meditate. Considering what I told you earlier as well, I do not possess any nullifying qualities either. On some occasions, some areas produce Mana users quite often. If they so wish, those users reside there therefore making themselves into a tribe.”

“Oh,” Kyl mutters, frowning. “does this bother you?” He would be worried himself if he didn't know where he came from, or if he was different from others to that extent; the way Kean seemed set apart from his kind.

“To be bothered implies that I feel apprehension or discomfort, which are somehow manifestations of fear. I am not inclined to emotions so no, I am not bothered.” Kean replies, “I go by survival instincts alone, so I suppose it does not matter where I come as I do not possess that knowledge yet am still be capable of living.”

Kyle frowns, not certain he would actually call that living. His uncle was right when he said that Mana users seemed to exist for the sake of existence alone. He couldn't wrap his mind around it.

'What was it like,' he wondered, 'to be without emotions?' Before he could think up a response, Dru calls them for supper.

🔥

Later, Kyl was preparing for bed when Kean mentions something.

“Huh? You're leaving?”

Kean nods, “I decided to stay here for this day to help out, to give my thanks for their kindness. I would like to leave right now, but miss Myrah insists I stay one more night. I do not really wish to trouble them, but I agreed,” he says in his usual manner. “I will depart come morning, I apologize in advance if I am gone before you wake.”

“Uh, no, well... You don't really have to apologize for that.” Kyl says, “But... you mentioned not having a family, or a tribe. So that means you don't really have any home to return to,” he frowns. “where will you go afterwards?”

Kean shrugs, “Mana users do not require a dwelling. It is inconsequential, as the weather do not normally bother us as much as it does to your kind. Even those in tribes usually do not establish such things.” he tips his head slightly. “I thank you for your concern on my behalf, however.”

Kyl scrutinizes this individual that he has come to know, and he doesn't know how to respond. For some reasons, he didn't want to see him go and never know what would become of him afterwards. Kean seems like a nice guy in spite of his somewhat detached tendencies, which was now explained to him. Still, it didn't seem right to him. It was like having a nice feeling after doing a kind deed that makes it all the more worth doing. For that reason, Kyl always wanted to offer his helping hand whenever he can. But for Kean, it seems like he only saw every single act he does as a form of obligation or the like.

Then, something occurs to him. “You said that you're not inclined to emotions, right?”

“That is correct, yes.”

“But does it also mean you're incapable of it?”

Once more, Kean didn't respond immediately. “I never considered the thought. I suppose it is possible, but it seems inconsequential to surviving.”

“And you're just fine with that?”

Kean tilts his head to the side, “I apologize, may you be more specific?”

“It's just...” Kyl hesitates, “I think it would be better if you were able to feel something every now and then, you know?”

Kean replies, “No, I believe I do not. As I said, such is irrelevant to my kind.”

“It's got nothing to do with relevance.” Kyl says, “I know, I'll show you how it's done!”

Kean just stares blankly, “Show me… How to finish what?”

“No, no that kind of 'done.' I'll show you what it means to feel, how to say 'thank you' with conviction.” Kyl grins, “maybe even teach you how to use simpler words, too.”

Kean continues to stare. “I do not comprehend.”

“Yeah, now you know how it feels.” Kyl rolls his eyes, smirking. “I figure since I'm also leaving tomorrow and you don't really have anywhere to go, why not we just go together?” He beams, “Believe it or not, even if I live in a smaller area, we have more to do since we also got a farm to manage along with the bakery.”

Kean nods, as if in understanding. “I see. So, you require my company for temporary assistance in this endeavor. Very well.” he says.

“What? Wait, no. I mean, I guess your help would be appreciated. But no,” Kyl shakes his head, gesturing with his hands as if to dismiss the idea. “I just... I enjoy your company, I guess you could say, and it would be nice if you could get something out of it as well.”

Kean tilts his head once more, “I have. The quaint accommodations here is well appreciated.”

“Er, not exactly what I meant.” Kyl sighs, “But this is why you're coming with me. Just... Stick with me, okay? Like a 'from now on' thing than a temporary one.”

“Hm,” Kean hums, “I must decline.”

“Huh?”

“This is what you humans call a 'proposal', is it not? I understand that it is something done between a man and a woman, also with the binding emotion of love. I am neither a woman, nor do I feel any such emotion towards you. Also, are you not a little to young to engage in such a thing?”

Kyl’s face feels warm, and he waves his arms dramatically. “No, no, no! That is not what this is!” he protests. “Sheesh, why do you have to make it weird?”

“I see. Sorry for the misunderstanding.” Kean tilts his head forward, “You are red."

Kyl gives him a certain look, "Wow, wonder whose fault that is..."

"I believe it's mine; I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable." Kean said, "I am not accustomed to any human asking for a long period of companionship with me; you are quite strange, Kyl.”

Kyl glares at him, “You're the last person I want to hear that from, mate.”

“All the same, I must decline.” Kean tells him, “I do not wish to trouble you, and a long term connection, which you are requesting, can prove bothersome.”

Kyl raises a brow, “What do you mean?”

Suddenly, they heard some vague noise that later turned into disturbing racket. “This is what I mean.”

🔥

“What on Gaea...” Kyl trails off as he and Kean reach the ground floor, the noise only getting louder.

They follow it, and head towards the bakery kitchen then through the threshold leading to the shop's counter. Kyl walks towards the windows and find a group of men swarming their main entrance, their outsize arms flexing as they visibly attempt to push pass the double, oaken doors. He even notices that they were the same guys who messed with him the day before. Dru pushes against the force to keep them at bay, his corded muscles ripples under the strain.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

Dru's head jerks in reaction, but he keeps his focus on the door. “Maker's name... Kyl?! Please tell me Kean's upstairs!” he grunts.

“I am here.”

“Damn it!” Keeping his weight against the door, he turns around in favor of looking at the other two, “you're the last people I wanted coming over. Where's dad?!”

Before Kyl can answer, Myrah steps in the room next and Dru almost cries in dismay till she opens her mouth. “Your father's making sure our other entrances aren't being broken into. He escaped afterwards to look for the local knights.” she says.

“What's going on?” Kyl repeats, frowning. “Why are those men trying to get in at this hour?”

Dru glares, not in the mood to be answering any questions. “Search me! Whatever it is, it's definitely not for our bread!” he grumbles. “Now get back in your room with mister magic there!”

“That is not my name.”

Dru lets out a long-suffering groan.

“Are those the guys who beat Kean up?”

Dru huffs and in-between grunts, answers. “Kyl, for eternia'sake, you really are simple. Can you not understand the situation?! Now, help me or shut up!”

Kyl huffs indignantly, but goes over anyway and helps Dru push back. Kean raises a hand and ask if he could do anything to help, to which the cousins collectively responds with a loud, 'No.' Kean puts his hand back down and walks away, most possibly back to their room like earlier instructed.

Eventually, the weight on the door suddenly lessened, and the shouting ceased while a stern, authoritative voice was heard. A knock comes from the door, along with the familiar voice of Teodor.

“It's me, Dru. Open up.”

Sighing in relief, Dru rolls his shoulders to stretch out the kinks. Kyl opens the door in his stead, revealing his uncle on the other side speaking with an unfamiliar man. His hair was slightly below shoulder length tied back by a black cord, its pale golden color shines against the dim light of the bakery, he was also dressed in an Adventurer's garb; he wore a long, deep blue inner tunic, a scarlet sash wraps around his waist with a scabbard secured against it. There, the man sheaths his weapon, a two-handed Claymore, which may indicate that the adventurer was left-handed. Kyl wonders if he actually used it earlier, or if it was just to intimidate the men.

The man exchanges a hand shake with Teodor before he pauses, and looks over to Kyl who stiffens at the sudden attention but he relaxes at the stranger's easy smile. His jaw was defined, almost as well as Dru's, maybe even more so. It was also clean-shaved, as if the man grew a beard frequently and had to shave as much.

“I couldn’t find any knight,” Teodor explains, “Thank the reapers, I ran into this fellow.” He says, gesturing to the man.

The adventurer bows his head, “Always a pleasure to lend my services,” he says, “My name is Lyxander.”

“Thanks for your help, sir.” Kyl says, “I’m Kyl.”

The man nods towards him, but diverts his attention to Dru. “And your name is?”

“Me? I’m Dru, short for Druant.”

Lyxander hums, sizing him up carefully. “You seem to have the makings of a great swordsman,” he muses, “How’s your training, Druant?”

Something about that catches Kyl’s attention. It wasn’t any doubt that Dru had an impressive built, but most men didn’t necessarily acquire that physique only through the training of a knight and such, all the more was it how one would be identified as a swordsman.

“Actually, he’s a baker.” Teodor interjects, “What he knows of such a thing is enough to get him by a journey from one town to another.”

Lyxander looks between Dru and his father, the former seems be fidgeting quite a bit. “Oh, I apologize. I didn’t realize that…” he pauses, “well, never mind. If you are ever interested, I am looking for companions to accompany me in a… well, let’s call it an undertaking for now.” He smiles, “I will share more, should you choose to express interest; I will be at the guild. Have a good night, now.”

“Well,” Teodor hums, scratching his backside. “that was an odd exchange.”

Dru takes a breath before speaking, “Dad,” he starts, “can we talk?”

“Hm?”

Kyl looks at his cousin, and understanding dawns on him. “I’m going to check on Kean.”

🔥

A few minutes later, the conversation moved inside with Myrah now included. Dru explained his intentions of exploring the world, as he did not find the fulfillment in being a baker all his life. Teodor listened all through his ramblings, which Dru didn’t expect at all. Finally, the man sighed when his son promised he would remain long enough for them to find a suitable replacement.

“No, son.” Teodor says, “there’s no point, the Hearth bakery is run only by the Hearth family, and those married into it. That’s how it’s always been. We’ll keep the shop going as long as we can manage, but if it’s time, then we’ll close it down.”

Dru widens his eyes, “You don’t have to do that,” he says, “I won’t be gone forever, I’ll come back, once I’m ready to settle down.”

“Are you sure?” Myrah asks, her tone mild, “you just said you do not find fulfillment in being a baker. If you don’t find it fulfilling now, it can’t be certain that you will later on.”

Dru frowns, his eyes now downcast. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“Don’t feel guilty, son. I’m not doing this out of spite,” Teodor promises, “All things must reach its end, even those things that we’ve found solace in for so long. Such is the nature of life.” He says, “what’s important is that you find what it’s worth. May the Maker guide you in this path, son.”

Dru looks back up, smiling at his parents. He stands and goes over to wrap them in his arms, “Thank you...”

The small family remains that way for a short while, when Kyl comes running into the room in haste. The three breaks contact, and turns towards the young lad who seems out of breath.

“What’s up?”

Kyl frowns, shaking his head. “I think Kean left.”

🔥

Kyl and Dru made preparations to leave the following morning. All the while, Kyl couldn't believe Kean actually left without a proper good bye. It may have something to do with him being a Mana and not having the courtesy to do so, but he had enough of that to return the favor by helping them run the shop yesterday. Plus, Kyl did say he wanted Kean to accompany him when he returns home. It's true that they were still talking about the matter, and Kean had yet to give a confirmation. In fact, the Mana user did imply that it would be an inconvenience for Kyl if he were to keep him company. However, since it wasn't settled Kyl had hoped Kean would reconsider.

"Why do you even care so much?"

Kyl looks towards Dru, pausing in his task of checking if he was all packed, "Huh?"

"About Kean," The older Hearth clarifies, "You said you guys got interrupted before anything was settled, but the guy did say it wasn't a good idea. That's pretty much his say on the matter. Taking it in face value, he declined."

Kyl frowns, shaking his head. "But it wasn't going to be any trouble for me, and he left before I could explain that to him."

"Kyl, he's a Mana user." Dru reiterates, "He managed this long without emotional attachments, he can do without it. Now come along, I need to walk you out town before heading to the guild."

Kyl frowns as he watches Dru making his way out. He should've known better than to explain his case to him. While they were as close as they can be, considering their age gap, they didn't share the same ideals most of the time. Moreover, Dru did give his sentiments regarding Kean's kind and while he didn't detest them to the extent of wanting to hurt them he also didn't sympathize with Kean the way Teodor and Myrah do, the way Kyl does. Resigned, Kyl double checks his things before following him out.

Dru walked Kyl out town before heading to the guild to talk with Lyxander, and most probably get his adventurer certification. With a backer, he would be able to acquire it within the day. Kyl wished him good fortune even as he didn't know how to feel about his cousin's decision; that it could mean the Hearth Bakery closing shop in this town in the later years. He considered talking to his parents about moving in with them officially; his relatives weren't getting any younger and while Dru promised to visit whenever he was nearby Kyl wanted to make sure they're checked on regularly.

Before that, he needed to get home.

So far, staying on the path was working well for him. The only encounters he had were the regularly rabbits and fawns, who scurries away at the mere sight of him as he was more likely to predate on them than they were to him. Before he could think he would arrive to the next town with no trouble at all, he encountered said trouble though not in the form he expected.

There was a creature caught in a net, suspended off the ground. It growled, trying to claw its way out. Kyl notices that its tail was short, its hind legs were longer than its front legs. With this, he figures it was some kind of lynx. But it was strange because, as far as Kyl knew, this region of Gaea didn't have packs of wild felines roaming around. Bears and wolves were more common if he wasn't mistaken, and while he usually is, his father made sure he knew and remembered what kind of wild animals he would most likely run into heading back home. The second thing that bothered Kyl was the fact that it wasn't hunting season, so it was only tolerated to attack wild animals if they attacked first, making this lynx a victim of poachers considering that it was caught and now hanging in a net.

This brought Kyl to his third problem. 'How do I free it without getting attacked myself?'

He frowns, wondering if he should return to town and report the issue. But then if the offenders were on their way back to collect their prize, they would be able to get away before the local knights would be able to do anything about it and take the lynx with them. Then, Kyl remembers the packed lunch his aunt gave him before he left.

"Okay, here goes."

Kyl walks towards the trapped lynx. As expected, once the creature sees the brunette approaching, he starts to growl and snarl at him. Kyl flinches a bit, his hands going up instinctively. He bends over and lays a pair of underwear—one he was looking for a reason to get rid off for a while since he really didn't like how itchy it was. He places pieces of meat on top of it and looks up at the lynx.

"All right, I'm not going to hurt you. See? You can even have this after I free you."

The lynx stares back at it, and for some reasons, Kyl thought it was giving him an a certain expression and he could picture Dru giving it to him. He shakes his head and climbs up the tree and the lynx actually stops snarling, and was just observing him. He sat on the branch that the net was tied on before cutting it with his sword. He hasn't sharpen it in a while, so it took a few seconds before breaking through completely. The lynx drops to the ground and, with remarkable precision, untangles itself from the net easily enough. It walks towards the offering, swiping it off the garment before devouring the meat and jumping towards the bushes and away from the area.

Kyl narrows his eyes and jumps to the ground, picking up his underwear with the tip of his sword. "Guess it didn't like you, either." he places it back inside his bag, before turning and continuing on his way.

When he saw a group of men running towards him; familiar men, at that.

"You—" The one at the front, the self-proclaimed leader whom Kyl thinks goes by the name of Jinn aims a glare right at him, casting side glances at the ruined trap. "a scum-lover, now a rotten vandel? You just love pissing us off, don't you?"

Kyl frowns, "Scum lover? Are you talking about Kean?" he grumbles, clenching his fist. "a scum for something he is, as oppose to hunting animals off season and going against the law?"

"You really love to test my patience, don't you?" Jinn glowers, stepping forward.

[Narrative plot of Kyl being rescued by the lynx, now in a humanesque form. I haven’t written it yet lol. I’m bad at action scenes.]

"You're welcome, and before anything else I would like to highlight that when you're offering food, don't put it on top of your underwear."

Kyl cringes at that, "It's clean."

"Not the point," Lynx made a look, "How would you feel if someone served you a meal on their underwear?"

The brunette rubs the back of his head, "Well, I thought you were an animal so..."

"That's an offense to animals everywhere; most pick their food off the ground, not where your genitals have been."

Kyl's cheeks turns flush, and he decides not to reiterate that it was, in fact, clean.

#Myart #OC #Original story

0 notes