#i kinda want to meet the mage sly now as well

[hoarding-stories]

Really really loved the name cloak ceremony. It was so cinematic and helped me kinda *get* what it's really about.

Cuz I mean I knew the whole protection bit, names have power and obfuscating your real one will of course be wildly beneficial.

But I did have an "oh shit" moment where I realized the true decision behind choosing a name, and why Sky is so big.

It's a balancing game of finding yourself in an abstract, a facet of a word that fits who you are, what you hold dear, or what you want to become/exemplify, and the perception of others who won't know or see how you connect to your name but will fill in meaning based on their personality and values or assign expectations depending on history. To lose your true name to the cloak is to move into almost a bigger shell. Something that not only encompasses who you are but covers what you will become and how you are seen.

Sky is a big name, a title, because it's so big literally and metaphorically! It's always changing and always there, and there are so many ways to put meaning to it and interpret it. Sure, there are Suvi's predecessors, who both seem like major historical figures, who have their legacies and shoes to fill, but also, it's a major thing to exemplify by itself!

Continuing under the cut with the Archmagi's little speeches & Suvi's connection to her name cuz I think it kinda tells us a bit about their personalities.

Saber:

What power then, that that great firmament might rain down. Whether thunder, lightning, great powers to cover all, and with its judgment mete out what it sees fit.

Of course the Archmage named Saber has a very weaponized view of the sky, concerned with the power it (& Suvi) holds and how it is used to defend or attack. (I wonder if he sees himself, above all, as a weapon to be wielded by the Citadel)

Sand:

What cannot be seen, who's weightless weight we bear each day upon our shoulders, turns the mountains into dust. Subtly and the movement in spaces unseen. The dominion of your title.

Tbh Sand is the Archmage that interests me the most, I'd say her choosing of her name had to do with time. The invisible currents in the sky, the hidden stars during the day, the sun disappearing at night. Always shifting even when unobservable and moving ever onwards.

Sorrow:

Things eternal. That have been with us since the dawn of time. Wisdom in the watchfulness of a constant partner ever above, defined by its distance.

Sorrow is also very interesting. The sky as something always there but never interacting. A monolith of cosmic knowledge, knowing from observation but not experience. (Perhaps a sorrow of missed connection)

Serenity:

Movement. Life, in a desert beyond which no growing thing can be seen from our vantage point. We see the beginnings, wisps of vapor that will become storms, rain to fall upon forest and field. A partner in a dance to sustain the world forever.

Serenity's view is one that I'm fond of, the sky as a nurturing force, full of change and life-giving, whose effects will spread beyond what can be observed. (Legacy, perhaps, the peace in knowing that the seeds you sow continue to grow for a long time, ripples in a pool).

Silence:

The sky is not the weather or the wind, the sky holds all things, let it be known that vastness is yours. The sorrows it will bring you, that you and your road are vast and broad and lead to all places. Many who have destiny curse it. But what a burden, to be able to choose any path under the sun.

Less of what the sky itself holds or is, but instead acknowledging the freedom something so big has. Suvi can shape her and others' interpretations however she wants. There is space to spare, and the legacies of those before her haven't restricted anything at all. That there is the possibility of things going wrong, or being missed, but at least it was a choice that could be made. (Everything that can be said with silence, when it is best to talk and best to hold your tongue. The possibility in that empty space of what could come next)

Suvi:

...The version of the sky that Suvi will claim for her own is a sky that she saw when she was 6 years old. The dead of night. Stars visible. Snow gently falling. As her world got blown apart. And she remembers the explosion of magic, she's never seen anything that big, and she thought it would destroy everything, not just her but the world itself and yet the sky looked down and held it all and watched it all and persisted. That is the sky that she claims.

& when giving Ame her name:

That night, and the day we met Eursulon, contain everything in this world I seek to protect. All below one big sky.

Very inchresting & I know I'm not the best person to do a ton of meta on subject but, I was originally going to say Silence's view was similar, then Sorrow's, but neither are quite right. The sky is always there, through fear and joy, and remains a constant no matter what changes. It holds everything, stands in relief no matter what, feels it, but can weather it and remain unchanged. Suvi wants to be strong, to be able to go through and witness terrible things but remain stalwart in the face of it, protecting no matter what. To always continue. To see and have those happy times with those she loves and see them safe while still watching and waiting in just in case.

[yaoioioay]

@elaine2895

Hey~ Thank you very much <3 And I don’t mind, don’t worry!! Sorry if I took my sweet time and I’ll answer here. Hmmm… this is going to be such a mess >.< BEWARE SPOILERS

First of all: K-POP ships!!

Chanyeol x Baekhyun (EXO)

Hoshi x Woozi (SEVENTEEN) Honestly 2020-1 feels like such a fever dream for all the howoo moments we got XD Hosh managed to win him over with hugs and persistence and Woo got tired of aggressively rejecting him, he just went oh well if you can’t beat the, join them, so now they’re being disgustingly cute and domestic together.

Minho x Han (STRAY KIDS)

Wooyoung x San (ATEEZ)

Jungkook x Jimin (BTS)

-

Zuko x Katara. Loved them <3 From when they were stuck in a cave, to taking revenge for Katara’s mother, to fighting Azula together and Zuko protect her!! kyaa! They’re literally yin and yang, fire and water, push and pull.

Sokka x Suki. The normal ones, but they are still so badass. They have such a comfortable and loving relationship! (ATLA)

Then my CLAMP soulmates!!!

Kurogane x Fai. Very straightforward, distant but caring ninja-samurai and secretive, sly but kind mage <3 They have an understanding, the only adults of the group, become parents and role models for Sakura and Syaoran. Kuro sees through his lies and even if he dislikes his methods he’s very protective of him. You can’t tell me they spent 6 months in Yama alone, where nobody understood Fai and nothing happened. -_- Also when Fai becomes a vampire Kuro is the only one he can feed from.

Tsubasa x Tsubasa. Syaoran and Sakura are my favourite straight couple ever, no matter the series. Syaoran going through different worlds just to retrieve the memories of the one he loves, even if she’ll never remember him *sob sob* (Tsubasa Chronicle)

Syaoran x Sakura. Couples that simp together for the same guy, stay together. They’re the cutest.

Toya x Yukito. My first yaoi ship, young me was so happy when they actually got together. Yuki having another being inside him and Toya being very aware of what happens around him, always wanting to help Yuki, to the point of letting him consume his energy and all his powers. Yuki being kinda jealous of the girls around Toya, being used to being his number one (Cardcaptor Sakura)

Doumeki x Watanuki. The devotion <3 Doumeki always protecting Watanuki, taking on his pain, giving him blood, giving him half of his eye *sob sob*. Is it gay to get together with a girl who also loves Watanuki, just so you can make heirs that will stay with him forever, while he’s stuck being basically immortal in the wish granting shop (xxxHolic)

Fuuma x Kamui. The sexual tension and the pain, oh the pain. Probably my bloodiest ship, they keep hurting each other but I can’t resist *sob sob*

Sorata x Arashi. So beautiful, enemy to friend to lover. They pop up from time to time in other works as a happy married couple (X)

Seishirou x Subaru. The most toxic relationship ever where your boyfriend kills your sister. And even after years, while you’re busy angsting and being emo, he’s still obsessing over you and continuously stalking you (Tokyo Babylon)

Fujimoto x Kobato. Kinda angsty but also really sweet (Kobato)

Rikuo x Kazaya. Very mysterious and intriguing, one distant and cold on the outside but really caring on the inside, the other wanting to know all his secrets and to just help him *sighs*

Kakei x Saiga. The most domestic of lovers, with supernatural powers. Reincarnation of Kokuyo, a son of Satan and Hisui, one of the four Angels Masters of the elements, from Wish (Legal Drug)

Yasha x Ashura. Kinda weird but also still very beautiful.

Kendappa x Souma. Best yuri romance (RG Veda)

Then we have my MXTX pairings!!

Hua Cheng x Xie Lian. Hualian invented first love. Hua loyalty and devotion, he was a homeless kid, the prince told him “if you have no reason to live, make me your reasons” and he took that literally. For 800 years, he did nothing but try to find Xie and worship him. And when he meets him *kyaa* he’s so shy, but they work so well together and they’re really domestic XD

Feng Xin x Mu Qing. Cat and dog, always fighting each other, but can surprisingly work well together, they’re in sync for people that declare they hate each other. They really care for each other deep down, but 800 years of misunderstandings and unsaid things stand in their way.

He Xuan x Shi Qingxuan. Kinda unhealthy, starts as the hottest yuri couple, but then we find out Xuan was hiding his identity from Shi and got close to him because he wanted to take revenge on his brother he having switched their destinies. Then proceeds to test and hurt and mentally torture him because they would still want to save his brother after knowing everything (Tian Guan Ci Fu)

Lan Wangji x Wei Wuxian. Steady devotion. Full of ups and downs, Started as frenemies with Wei teasing Lan and them not getting along, but still developing crushes on each other. Then demonic cultivation got in their way and ruined everything, but Lan was still devastated when Wei died and spent years atoning, punishing himself, taking care of their son and looking for Wei’s soul. And when he finally was reincarnated, he was always there, to defend him, fight with him and comfort him through everything.

Xue Yang x Xiao Xingchen. Really unhealthy relationship. Enemies to friends to almost lovers. Xiao was the one to arrest Xue, which led him to being hurt and developing an obsession with making Xiao suffer, so he went to his best friend and killed his family and blinded him. Xiao then went to a healer and gouged his eyes to give to him and when his friend in anger told him to go away, he exiled himself. Xiao later saved Xue not knowing who he was and nursed him back to health, and Xiao stayed with him for years. At first he wanted to hurt and humiliate him, he made him unknowingly kill people, but later he started caring about him, but everything was ruined when Xiao’s friend found him and Xue made him kill him. From then all the truths came out and Xiao couldn’t handle it so he killed himself. Xue was distraught, but he managed to seal his soul and kept obsessing over trying to save him in any way.

Jin Gyun x Lan Xichen. “The only one I never thought of hurting was you”. Wangxian, but gone wrong. Xichen kept on being loyal and believing his friend over anyone else, and in the end he was wrong and he was tricked into killing him (Mo Dao Zu Shi)

Qin Jiu x You Huo. My recent favourite <3 The world keeps interfering and keeping them apart, they can’t be open about their relationship, the system keeps erasing their memories. They met and fell in love from scratch 3 times and finally they can be together now. Their subtle devotion to each other, Yuo always wearing the earring Qin gave him. Qin always wearing a scarf because he used it to cover his bloody wound to not make Yuo worried at the end of their second time and even without his memories, he keeps wearing it because he knows he doesn’t want to worry someone. Yuo taking the punishment instead of Qin their first time, Qin waiting patiently for Yuo to wake up in the hospital at the end because he promised he would and together they would find a solution for Yuo eyes their first time. Qin always being a little shit and naturally teasing You, no matter if they’re enemies, him longing for Yuo and subconsciously knowing they want the same thing even if everyone keeps telling him they’re on opposite sides.

922 x 154. Cute dynamic, and it surprisingly really works out for them in the end (Global Examination)

Diluc x Kaeya. sWoRn BrOtHeRs in a Chinese game… 👀. Inseparable in youth, always on the same train of thought, until the incident. They both broke that night, Diluc became the most brooding and self-destructive vigilante. Kaeya stopped telling the truth and became the flirtiest and shadiest knight. There is a distance between them, but they still love each other, no matter how Luc tried to kill him and scarred, or all the lies Kae told him and all the pain he gave him. Communicate through letters, big names in the underground information network, often team up together, always spending time with each other even if they tease and insult each other all the time.

Alhaitham x Kaveh. Their banter is always so amazing. Super serious, logical, basically a robot x super dramatic, passionate and sentimental. Both super smart, geniuses on their fields, friends since school, ROOMMATES, act like an old married couple or exes. Can wholly be themselves with each other. Al always teasing and showing emotions, Kav always pouting and nitpicking.

Ningguanng x Beidou. Rich mommy x Pirate mommy. Independent strong women who see each other once in a while, are always together then, play chess together, trust each other the most.

Lisa x Jean. Married. Shady librarian x Grandmaster of the Knights. Super flirty, frivolous and lazy x super serious, diligent and hard-working.

Ayato x Thoma. Thoma best waifu, perfect househusband material. Ayato always teasing him. They’re basically married.

Venti x Xiao. Immortal angsty short wind boys. Venti’s music is the only thing that can ease Xiao’s suffering.

Zhongli x Childe. Started as a mission but gradually fell in love with each other. Childe is Zhongli’s sugar daddy, you can’t change my mind. Zhongli is all of Childe’s wildest fantasies came to life, someone stronger and better at combat than him, who’s also super hot and a god?! ALSO THEIR MARRIAGE CHOPSTICKS!!!

Albedo x Sucrose. Cute introverted mad science nerds (Genshin Impact)

Malleus x Leona. Bickering kings, always fighting, but they understand each other the most, they’re the only ones who don’t fear the other’s power.

Rook x Vil. A Queen and his hunter. Vil relies so much on his vice and Rook admires Vil so so much… I mean ‘Beautiful Vil’, really?!! -_- (Twisted Wonderland)

Diavolo x Lucifer. Diavolo is the number one Lucy simp, always looking for him and telling him how beautiful he is, how much he treasures him, how much he cares… Lucifer is also a simp, ready to fight anyone who disrespects his lord, always ready to do whatever wants (Obey Me!)

Lucifer x Sandalphon. Coffee ship, their relationship is basically full of devotion, miscommunication and sacrifice. I just want them to be happy :’( (Grandblue Fantasy)

Sephiroth x Cloud. Super intense nenemies! My god, the remake, did you really need this much sexual tension, why do they stand so close together, why does Seph have to whisper everything in Cloud’s ear? “I will never be a memory, Cloud” kyaa! Really Seph?? As long as he remembers you, you’re going to stalk him throughout all the franchises? Man you kill your crazy superior once and he’s gonna come back even crazier and obsessed with you. For real though, this is a very toxic relationship, especially with Seph referring to Cloud as his puppet and taking away his free will, no matter how much can Cloud kick his ass, Seph is just so controlling and dominating (Final Fantasy 7)

Castiel x Dean. The deadliest hunter with several issues and his guardian Angel <3 I mean Cas literally saved him from Hell, Dean then showed him what it means to be human and caused his rebellion against Heaven, they keep saving and sacrificing for each other. Cas would always choose to save Dean among millions of others. Went through so much, ups and downs, always found their way to each other, no matter the mistakes they did , they could always rely on the other (Supernatural)

Derek x Stiles. Started as antagonistic, with Der threatening to bite Stil’s head off numerous times, but always coming to his rescue in the end. Stil always figuring everything and having a plan to save everyone every time and Der being there to support and defend him. “You two make a good couple.” Literally everyone could see it, too bad it didn’t happen in the end, we were so close :( Stil held his paralysed body in a pool for 2 hours, he made him the king in his chess board, he’s really really sad when Der is leaving. Der literally subconscious is Stiles calming him down and trying to break the situation logically, he trusts him the most out of anyone (Teen Wolf)

Klaus x Hayley. Best divorced even if they were never married type of parents. They change and learn for and from each other. Very protective, you better never touch their family.

Elijah x Hayley. Loved them, Elijah protecting her from the start, their intensity, the sexual tension. Elijah despair and devastation after he learns that his actions killed the person he loves *sob sob* (The Originals)

Rakan x Xayah. Best couple!! Rakan is always there to protect her and she’s such a badass and they love each other so much!!

Sett x Aphelios. Badass couple, opposite attract. Brutal crime boss and pit fighter hiding a heart of gold and silent and stoic warrior Lunari!

Yasuo x Riven. Two people in search of redemption, answers and a purpose, finding it in each other <3 (League of Legends)

Percy x Annabeth. I love them! Their relationship is amazing, the slowest burn, they keep overcoming adversities together, getting past their hung ups. Their devotion and synergy, they’re the perfect team together, Annabeth wisdom and strategy, Percy improvisation and raw power. Tartarus <3

Will x Nico. Darkness and the Sun, opposite attracts <3 (Percy Jackson / Heroes of Olympus)

Wade x Peter. Spideypool is so much fun! Two very different people, with different values and methods that still work magnificently together and are always hilarious when they hang out. Also them trying to understand the other and learn from them <3 (Marvel)

Dick x Jason. Love their dynamic, from former Robins to becoming vigilantes with their own sense of justice. Starting on a bad foot, with jealousy and resentment, but still getting closer and depending on the other, Dick call I’m him ‘little wing’ <3 Then Jason’s death *sob sob*, his antagonistic return and still later coming to help defend Gotham and patch things up with the Bats. They both got into fights with Bruce, be it verbally or physically (Batman)

Lincoln x Octavia. Very intriguing and beautiful, from the start he saved her, and kept on protecting her, she was finally free with him. But then his death *sob sob*, his last words “I love you”. And from then everything was never the same (The 100)

Hak x Yona. So wonderful, really slow burn. Yona character growth, from spoiled little princess to badass warrior queen. Hak constant devotion to her, always protecting her and caring for her (Akatsuki no Yona)

Hatsuharu x Isuzu. Angsty yet wonderful. Rin is distant and behaves coldly but she’s so selfless and self-sacrificing, always trying to keep Haru’s best interests in mind and to protect him. He only cares about her wellbeing and happiness, he’s ready to defend her from everything and always support her.

Kyo x Tohru. Perfect romance, kinda slow but steady. Always there for each other, ready to anything to make the other happy, able to accept every part of them.

Yuki x Machi. Hatori x Mayuko. Kureno x Arisa. All amazing and cute, didn’t expect them to work out this well.

Shigure x Akito. Weird, but it surprisingly works, similar kinds of people, manipulative assholes (Fruits Basket)

Usui x Misaki. One of my favourite couples ever! They’re so cool and sweet together, nothing beats two super competent people trying to navigate feelings. Usui finds out Misa, the student council president at his school, secretly works as in a maid cafe. So he keeps going there to tease her and discover this new side of her. Usui is naturally smart and rich, but lonely and Misa is very hard-working, trying to help her mother and sister and really busy, she doesn’t have time for simple things. Their relationship is simply beautiful, they unknowingly help each other fill the void in their lives, but without being codependent, their existence is just richer because the other is in it now (Maid Sama)

Ren x Kyoko. Lovee them <3 Ren, experienced actor, Kyoko, newbie trying to become a new woman after her recent breakup, she’s very talented and her spark intrigues Ren. Their relationship is very slow burning but also very intense at moments (Skip Beat)

Ren x Nana. *sob sob* Beautiful yet tragic relationship. Very real, full of very high ups and really low downs.

Nobuo x Nana. Also very real, really cute and comfortable together, but sometimes that’s not enough.

Takumi x Nana. Surprisingly not bad, two people just having fun chasing something that caught their eye, can be pretty serious (Nana)

Otani x Risa. Super cute and wholesome and emotional romance between a short guy and a tall girl! (Lovely Complex)

Yuu x Nao. Funny and cute but also beautiful, interesting dynamic. From two people being interested and comfortable around each other, to accepting every part of themselves and the other, to overcoming various adversities, to Yuu stealing and erasing all abilities because of a promise he made to Nao (Charlotte)

Dazai x Chuuya. Double black!! Most interesting relationship, slightly toxic but very hot. Dazai being a manipulative dick, but very deep down caring for Chuuya’s wellbeing. Like, I’m the only one allowed to tease and kill you, I’ll destroy anyone who even thinks of trying. From 15, when he manipulated him into joining the mafia, to all their time together, as the strongest combo, capable of wiping entire organisations of ability users overnight. But in the end he left him behind *sob*. Always bickering like an old married couple. The nicknames they have for each other XD

Fukuzawa x Mori. Also dark and kinda unhealthy. Ex-assassin, turned bodyguard fo the very deadly underground doctor, turned president of the Armed Detective Agency and boss of the Port Mafia. They’re very weird people, one is obsessed with cats and talks with them, the other is a lolicon and his ability is a little girl who always talks back to him and that he loves spoiling. Basically a divorced couple that keeps on fighting custody battles, Ysano, Oda, Dazai…

Ranpo x Poe. Super cute and funny. Poe is such a fanboy and would do everything Ranpo asks him for. And Ranpo is simply living his best life and enjoying every moment of their time together (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Vanitas x Noe. Vanitas x Jeanne. Noe x Domi. Jeanne x Domi. I ship all of the together so much. Vaninoe are so funny, their dynamic is hilarious and they’re always bickering but also saving each other. Jeanne and Vani are so hot and so cute together. And Vani actually feeling real emotions for her and being surprised that someone could love someone like him *kyya sob*. Domi and Noe are also incredible together, the trust they have in each other, always being ready to do everything for the other. And Jeanne ad Domi are adorable together, two sweet and cute badass women vampire, who are surprisingly compfortable around each other.

Jean x Chloe. Cute domestic couple. Jean is Chloe’s protector and companion, he’s very devoted and caring towards her (Vanitas no Carte)

-

Sukuna x Fushiguro. Sukuna is the n°1 simp and no one can convince me otherwise. From their first fight, Sukuna has only been interested in one human, everyone else is nothing. I mean he reunited with his servant after 1000 years and what did he do, go to save Megu, he was like my Megu senses are tingling, better check it out.

Gojo x Geto. “We are the strongest”. To still calling each other best friend even on opposite sides. To your boy saving you because someone thought using your body and attacking your boyfriend was a smart idea…*it is*

Maki x Nobara. Most badass beautiful capable of kicking ass couple. Senpa-kohai relationship, “I repspect you Maki-san”. To Noba being the most aggressive lesbian ever, from Fumi to Saori, even with Mai. Start Shibuya together, separated, end up disfigured on the verge of death. Just waiting for them to appear on a panel together, from the new scarred Maki with short hair to seeing Noba in an eyepatch (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Gintoki x Hijikata. Very similar but still really different, like two faces of the same coin, the snape is the same, the details are different. Two thorny kids, difficult past, tragic backstory, raw strength and agility, similar ideals. Always hilarious together, but also work splendidly well together and in their darker moments are ready to save, motivate and encourage the other.

Gintoki x Tsukuyo. Soo cute yet cool. He saved her world, then she helped him keep fighting, then he saved her from her past and she kept on helping him overcome every obstacle in his way. She has a super cute crush on him and an get pretty nervous and clumsy around him, when drunk she’s just aggressively flirting and ordering him around.

Kyubei x Tae. Was actually really good, since the Yagyuu arc I shipped them, once Kyu stopped being an asshole and we discovered their backstory, I started rooting for her. She’s very protective and always trying to spend time and hang out with her (Gintama)

Zoro x Sanji. Always fighting and bickering. Loyal to the crew and to each other, surprisingly comfortable together, on the same wavelength, would die for each other.

Marco x Ace. Fire x fire. Love it, mostly based on headcanons. Blue phoenix who can heal and hot-headed fire logia. Marco was the one to convince him to join the crew. Poor Marco he lost everyone *sob sob*

Luffy x MEAT. The one and only true ship in all of 1000 chapters of One Piece.

Sabo x Koala. Usopp x Kaya. Super adorable and sweet

Nami x Vivi. They got along so well during Alabasta, Nami made some huge sacrifices to help Vivi and get there as soon as possible, she really cared about her and gave it her all to free her country without expecting a reward in return (One Piece)

Grimmjow x Ichigo. Very hot, blue and orange. Savage hollow, thinks himself king, always wanting to get stronger and win against other people. Not so normal hybrid teenager, find himself in the middle of all the chaos, only wants to protect his friends, if only they didn’t get kidnapped at every turn. Doesn’t really want to fight, but deep down he instinctively chooses to. Their fight made Ichi stronger and brought out all his instincts and he saves Grimm, teaching him mercy and how to be more human.

Renji x Rukia. From childhood friend, to schoolmates to estranged to lovers. Renji totally had a crush on her when they were little, she felt left behind in school and what’s more they got separated when she was adopted by the Kuchiki and him being happy for her did more bad than good. When he was sent to capture her, he didn’t want to seriously hurt her and when she was imprisoned, she wasn’t scared of him still kept teasing him. He then gave his all and sacrificed everything in order to save her and they lived together ever happily being dumbasses and helping Ichigo.

Ikkaku x Yumichika. I want to know more about their past!! Couples who fight and keep secrets together, stay together. For real though, Ikka hides that he has a Bankai from everyone except Yumi and he hides the true form of his Zanpakuto. They seem polar opposite, Ikka is a meat-head muscular bald brute and Yumi is an elegant delicate beautiful guy. But in reality they’re both bloodthirsty and savage fighters.

Kyoraku x Ukitake. Also want to know more about their past! Best friends since the academy, they’ve known and been partners for a thousand years, always fighting together and protecting each other, always enjoying their time together.

Ulquiorra x Orihime. A monster and the woman who didn’t ever fear him and taught him what a heart was.

Isshin x Masaki. Forbidden romance, a Shinigami and a Quincy, they saved each other against White, and he gave all his powers for her and they lived a joyous normal life as humans and became parents.

Yoruichi x Soi Fon. Master x servant, but without too much power imbalance. Fon idolises Yoru and is a sticker for the rules, but Yoru is very chill. The only thing she wanted was to not get left behind, why couldn’t she bring her along when she escaped Soul Society? This caused Fon to be hell bent on surpassing her and even more rigid in her rule abiding. But after getting her ass kicker, she resume worshipping the ground Yoru walk on, this time as her equal (Bleach)

Shikamaru x Temari. Best pairing, from the chunin exam, they had chemistry and an interesting dynamic. Shika needs someone to kick his ass into gear.

Asuma x Kurenai. Tragic perfect couple. Really sad *sob*, poor Kure, Mira and team 10.

Naruto x Sasuke. Should’ve ended up together. There’s no way someone is so obsessed with another guy unless they’re in love. “Because you’re my friend” my ass. Naru had a panic attack when he thought someone killed Sasu. Got stronger for him. Forgave him after everything he had done, after he killed so many people.

Sakura x Ino. Should’ve been together, ex-best friends, both obsessed with Sasu. Should’ve have overcome and made up in the chunin exams, after their fight (Naruto)

Hizashi x Aizawa. From classmates to teachers! Hizashi cares so much and he’s the only one who calls him by his first names, always bothering him, but also letting him sleep. They’re basically a married couple.

Mirio x Tamaki. Cuute, super friendly and very shy couple. Both had difficulty with their quirks, but learned and motivated each other, now two of the strongest in the entire school. Mirio is Tamaki’s light, always believing in him and saying that one day he’ll manage to eat even the Sun and surpass him, he just needs to have confidence in himself.

Kirishima x Bakugo. The only one Baku trusts, and can be completely comfortable and himself with. Treating him as his sidekick, but also believing in his abilities more than anyone. Always patient and accepting with him.

Hawks x Dabi. Could’ve been great. Hawks going undercover in the League of Villains, getting closer to him, learning about him, and maybe finding out the thrush about Endeavour and defecting for real. Mostly headcanon, but even in the series they have this weirdly intense moments, the sexual tension! Also I think there’s more to be revealed (My Hero Academia)

Hisoka x Illumi. ‘All the best people are crazy’ personified. Probably really toxic and deranged, two crazy good fighters, always teaming up and conspiring together. From the Hunter exam, to Yorknew, to the election arc, to the boat en route to the Dark Continent. Hisoka paid Illumi to kill him, that’s basically a marriage proposal in Hisoka weird fighting language. They’re insane and probably actually working together even now. Also very weird, Hisoka gets hard in good fights, even agains 10 years old and Illumi has the worst brother complex (Hunter x Hunter)

Hiei x Kurama. Should’ve been canon :( A fire demon and his fox, Hiei is such a fanboy, like he’s always complimenting and hyping him up and is always ready to defend him. And Kurama is the only one who can get away with teasing him. Immortal super strong demon couple.

Kuwabara x Yukina. Soo cute, I shipped it from the start. Kuwa is so protective, a real knight in shining armor, and Yukina is always there to welcome him back and heal him

Yusuke x Keiko. Such loyalty and steadfast support. Always there and ready to help each other, they’ll always come home to each other, no matter the obstacles (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Yami x Charlotte. Asta x Noelle. Gaja x Lolochepka. All very cute and adorable, I’mrooting for all of them. Finral x Vanessa. Best BROTP, I would’ve loved if they actually had romantic feelings for each other. Definitely better for Fin than some random noblewoman (Black Clover)

Gajeel x Levy. The best!! From enemy to friend to lover! He basically tortured her, then when he joined Fairy Tail, he looked out for her and tried to protect her. He became intrigued and they got closer and closer, during the time skip they were together. Same job, same house. Lily, Gaj’s partner knows that Levy always comes first, she’s the one he cares about the most, so his duty is to protect her.

Sting x Rogue. Yin and Yang, Light and Darkness dragon slayer. Always together, the strongest combo, Rogue always believes and relies on Sting to keep his darkness away.

Gray x Juvia. From enemy to one-sided attraction, to love. Juvia start as kinda of a crazy stalker obsessed with the person who defeated her and saved her, making her rain disappear. But she’s really devoted and caring towards Gray. And he starts to treasure her as a comrade and friend, but also wants to make her happy and feel loved.

Natsu x Lucy. Stranger to best friend to I love them together. They’re so comfortable with each other, they would and have gone incredibly far for each other.

Jellal x Erza. Friend to enemy to lover. Childhood friends turned enemy because of brainwashing. Later he tries to atone by distancing himself from her, but whenever they meet he’s always ready to protect her, and their attraction is undoubtable.

Zeref x Mavis. Very tragic and angsty cursed couple. They meet, spend time together, fall in love, he unintentionally kills her, becomes crazy, wants to destroy the world, she tries to stop him, he hurts and tortures her, he is defeated, they are reincarnated and can finally be peacefully together.

Elfman x Evergreen. Surprisingly cute ship, had no idea these two would work so good together, but they really really do (Fairy Tail)

Erwin x Levi. From enemy, I was contracted to kill you, to partners, tell me what to do and I’ll do everything for you. Erwin is the smartest and Levi is the strongest, together they’re invincible. Levi made a promise before Erwin died and he’ll keep it no matter what.

Ymir x Historia. Surprising and actually good, Ymir seemed cold but was actually trying to protect her, she reveals her secret to protect her once again, Historia is obsessed with getting her back. Too bad it didn’t work out (Attack on Titan)

Kanda x Allen. Always clashing and bickering, but fight together well. Kanda accidentally screws Al over because of denial and trying to forget about his ex-lover’s reincarnation Karma, but manages to have a nice final moment with them. He then swears to follow and defend Allen throughout his journey.

Lavi x Lenalee. Lavi cares a lot for a Bookman, who is supposed to be neutral and observe history without interfering. Always trying to protect her and lift her spirits (D.Gray Man)

Takemitchy x Hina. Mitchy determination and devotion to Hina and saving her is incredible. And she can motivate him with just a word and she’s always there to care for him when he most needs it.

Kokonoi x Inui. Kinda canon, kinda not, slightly unhealthy relationship. Childhood best friends, Koko had a crush on Inu’s sister and when their house burnt down tried to save her but mistakenly took him. Obsessed with money because he wanted to pay for her treatment, but didn’t make it in time. Now they live unsatisfied and with a bunch of unsaid things between them.

Baji x Chifuyu x Kazutora. Such complicated dynamic. Fuyu loves and idolises Baji. Baji is really close friends with Kazu. And Kazu killed Baji, but Fuyu still cares about him.

Kakucho x Izana. A king and his knight. Really codependent on each other. Tragic ending.

Hakkai x Mitsuya. Hakkai is such a fanboy and only has praises for Mitsuya. Living and working together in the present timeline.

Draken x Emma. Sweet and tragic *sob sob*. Emma had the hugest crush in Draken and is always trying to get his attention and take care of him. Draken may seem cold, but he loved her deep down and was ready to do everything necessary for her to be happy (Tokyo Revengers)

Yamamoto x Gokudera. Interesting dynamic, always at each other’s throats, and can’t actually work well together, but when things get serious they’ll fight for each other. Yama can be silly and joking, always thinking everything is a game and doing things instinctively, but if someone hurts anyone he cares about he becomes a deadly badass. Dera is instead very rational and methodical, but still very protective of his friends.

Mukuro x Hibari. Muku was the first one to ever defeat Hiba, he swore vengeance, and Muku takes every opportunity to rub it in his face. They don’t actually meet that often, but they know each other’s strength better than almost anyone and believe that in their strive for victory, the will not be defeated by anyone other than them.

Xanxus x Squalo. Loyalty, Squalo vowed to serve him as his right-hand man and to never cut his hair until he loses. Xan can be a dick and seem to not care, but if he’s hurt right in front of him, he’s ready for retribution.

Colonnello x Lal. Cute, she was his trainer, he had a crush on her, he followed her to the Fated Day and sacrificed himself for her, even if it didn’t work out. Even now they’re so adorable every time they meet. When the opportunity to lift the Arcobaleno curse presents itself, he wants to do it for her.

Ryohei x Hana. Very surprising, can works really well. Ryohei is a meath-head, only thinking of boxing and training and she thinks all men are monkey and she’s best friend with his little sister (Reborn)

Nagisa x Kayano. That kiss, Kayano totally has a crush on Nagi.

Karasuma x Irina. They’re so cute for such badass people. Irina having a crush on Kara is adorable and trying to woo him, but it not working because he’s oblivious. Them resolving their issues and Kara saving Irina in the Shinigami incident. For a government agent and an assassin they manage to settle down very comfortably (Assassination Classroom)

Alibaba x Morgana. To strangers to best friends to lovers, Morg really cares about her saviours and always tries to protect him and Aladdin. Ali finds her attractive, but he doesn’t do anything other than worry for her and be by her side, until the end of the world is imminent, then he proposes.

Judal x Hakuryuu. Juda always wanted to be Hakus’s magi, but Haku always refused. It’s not until he traveled the world and Sindrian and gained powers on his own and was defeated by Orga that he asked Juda for help. They work very well together and they’re very dedicated to each other, Juda was prepared to learn more grand scale magic that would exhausts him just to help him reach his goal and Haku is also very worried about his wellbeing and he’s better with him around. Haku is also the only one who knows Haku’s real name and visited his hometown (Magi)

Soul x Maka. Best meister and weapon pair. They manage to be able to work well together, they cover each other’s weakness. Soul is very protective and Maka is ready to accept every part of him.

Death the Kid x Black Star. God of Death junior obsesses with symmetry and loud assassin who swore to surpass even the gods. From rivals to friends to believing in each other more than anyone else and saving the other when they need it (Soul Eater)

Kamina x Yoko. I loved them *sob*. They had some real chemistry. Kamina is a chad and Yoko is the coolest (Gurren Lagan)

Tomoya x Nagisa. The most gorgeous tragedy *sob sob* (Clannad)

Isaac x Miria. My favourite immortal thieving couple. They’re so silly, I love them.

Claire x Chane. Jacuzzi x Nice. Firo x Ennis. Lad x Lua. They’re all amazing and interesting!! (Baccano)

-

Kageyama x Hinata. Perfect combo, they’ve taught each other so much, how to play together, how to be a real team, how to be rivals and best friend and how to become even stronger. Going through very high ups and some downs, they manage to overcome everything, from studying to different opinions in how to play the game, to the most difficult opponents, to life.

Iwaizumi x Oikawa. Iwa was always there for Oi, to play with him, to support him, to help him through his insecurities, to help him win, to reach the same goal. From childhood friends to the future, they’ve always been together and even if they’ve chosen different paths, they’ll always have each other.

Kuroo x Tsukishima. Kuro was Tsukki’s mentor, the one who with Boku finally convinced him to try harder and become better, because only like that he cloud enjoy volleyball to the fullest. Both middle blockers, provocation master vs saltyshima, both quite smart and methodical in their approach to the game.

Bokuto x Akaashi. Ace and his setter. Aka is the only one who can control Boku, predict his mood swings and bring his very best playing.

Asahi x Nishinoya. Ace x libero, the strongest in the air x on land, shy and quiet and anxious giant x loud and extroverted and fearless shorty. Good pair, give each other energy, cover for each other. At the end of the series they travel together.

Daichi x Sugawara. Dad and mom of the group, captain and his vice, same age (Haikyuu)

Aomine x Kise. It starts it’s Kise, player who can learn any moves by just seeing it being bored and wanting a challenge, and Ao, a prodigy who loves basketball more than anyone else. Ao inspires Ki to try basket and even having started late, he manages to catch up to the strongest players very soon. Ki is always challenging Ao to improve, but even if he wants to win and surpass him, deep down he doesn’t want him to lose. Ao also really cares about Ki, he punches a guy who wanted to hurt Ki, even risking being disqualified from the tournament and wants Kagami to be serious and at his best when facing Ki. When they double team an opponent together they are unstoppable.

Midorima x Takao. Hilarious, Mido is always ordering and being carted around by Taka. Taka is always teasing him, but on the court they are an amazing pair. Mido blindly trusts Taka with everything he has and Taka is ready to support him in anything he may need.

Kagami x Kuroko. Perfect pair on the court, strongest light and shadow pair, thanks to Kuro’s passes Kaga can play more freely. They learn a lot from each other and are always overcoming the next obstacle together.

Yuga x Riko. Super cute, he really cares about her, to the point of actually eating her cooking after he saw how determined she was. She promised him to not cut her hair until they won and she gets jealous when he looks at other girls (Kuroko no Basket)

Hiruma x Mamori. Started from distrust of the manipulative jerk who coerced Sena, her childhood friend/little brother figure into the rugby club. Also joins as a manager to keep an eye on him, good at organising, the only one smart enough to keep up with Hiru’s intellect, good at memorising strategies and signals, becomes invested in his wellbeing, start to care about him, always there to support him and take care of him. In the end goes to college with him instead of Sena (Eyeshield 21)

Kojiro x Kaeoru. Divorced but still fucking parents energy. There is no way they aren’t gay for each other… “We still have heat other, don’t we, Kaoru?” <3 Always bickering, know each other better than anyone else, always insulting and fighting the other. From classmates who loved skateboarding to adults with jobs, that participate in underground skateboard race with a secret identity.

Langa x Reki. Soo cute, Reki being the best friend and hype man, getting Langa into skateboarding, them having fun just hanging out together. But they still have realistic progression, to Langa wanting to do more and seek out the next thrill, no matter where from to Reki feeling left behind and inferior, but still trying to protect and encourage him (SK8)

Victor x Yuuri. Mentor and student, the one who inspired Yuuri to skate and the one who will spark new inspiration in Vic, to better himself next year. They learnt so much from each other and are always ready to support and motivate one another.

Otabek x Yuri. Super chill friends, inspire and motivate one another, really comfortable together, always trying to spend time together, saving and helping each other (Yuri on Ice)

Daewhi x Mira. Soo cute and beautiful and angsty. From enemies to best friends to lovers to being separated for years to married. He starts by beating her, to being her teammate, to fighting together and protecting each other. But then they are both on the brink of death but brought back by different people for different purposes and are separated. She doesn’t remember him, he looks for her for 17 years and doesn’t want to hurt her even when she’s on the opposite side. Are separated yet again, but thankfully reunited, but they still have a war to fight.

Mori x Ilpyo. “You have no idea how safe you make me feel” kyaa <3 From friendly teenage martial artists rivals to gods. Mori is very straightforward and obsessed with fighting, Pyo is very cunning and strategic, but also really cares and want him to be better because of a promise he made to his grandpa. Even after being beaten Mori cares and acts friendly with Pyo, even protecting him and granting his wish. When Mori is stuck in the Sage Realm, Pyo goes looking for him and they then keep protecting each other and fighting together to get back home. Even after 17 years, when Mori reappears he trust Pyo unconditionally, no matter what anyone says to him.

Baek x Uma. Very surprising, she falls in love with him almost immediately, he saves her because his father told him to always take care of someone who has given you their heart. She dies but her soul remains attached to him and so she’s always with him. They try every mean possible to get her body back, but are separated. Even 17 years later he’s still waiting for her and trying to find a solution (The God of High Scool)

Baam x Khun. “I wish I had met Bam first” “Ah, I see he was loved”. Very naive and innocent Bam, trying to follow his everything Rachel, and cunning and ruthless Khun, who completely believed in his sister, only to end up betrayed. Their character growth is astounding, they keep growing as individuals but also part of a group. Like Bam confronting Rachel and threatening to kill her after she pun Khun in a coma or Khun deciding that he would do everything in his power to help Bam and to keep his light from being snuffed out.

Urek x Garam. He met her when he was broken-hearted and it was love at first sight, he tried every which way to impress her without results. He’s always trying to get her attention and flirt with her without any success. Probably deeper, we’ve seen Garam advising Endorsi about deciding if she’s cursing on Baaam because he has the power to become a slayer or because of who he is. That’s similar to her situation, she’s a disgraced princess of Jahad and Urek is an Irregular with the potential and enough power to slay king Jahad, but he’s not interested, he cares about going outside the Tower and they probably had a disagreement about it, since their wants are different, the only things left for him was avoid the floor of death and anonymously help her (Tower of God)

Eames x Arthur. “You mustn’t be afraid of dreaming a little bigger, darling” kyaa <3 Always bickering and teasing each other but working together flawlessly, they have each other’s back. Mostlyheadcanon about their past and how they met (Inception)

Sherlock x Moriarty. Unconventional detective and crime lord love story, “Catch me if you can, Mr. Holmes.” Kyaa <3 Will has a plan to reform England class system by making him, a noble, the number one public enemy and being defeated by the hero, Sherlock. They unexpectedly become friends and even while Will is hiding things, with Sherly he can just me comfortable and let go of all his responsibilities and plans and just be a normal intelligent person enjoying time with his equal. In their final confrontation Sherly decides to save him and they both fall, they spen two years together in America, healing and just living together (Moriarty the Patriot)

Izumo x Seri. Such a cool couple, second in command from different groups, always flirting, going undercover at parties and kicking ass is so badass. He’s the owner of a bar and lost both his best friends, she comes to his bar every so often and requests the strangest drinks, also afraid of losing her boss. Comfort and understanding, always exchanging information and helping each other even if they’re on opposite sides.

Mikoto x Totsuka. Totsu became Izu and Miko’s friend after insistently trying. He was the weakest, and very careless with his safety, so Miko and the rest of Homra are very protective, he’s the mood-maker and the only one who could talk back to him and calm his anger and aggressiveness, silence the beast howling for destruction inside of Miko, an effect of his power. After his death Homra is on a path of vengeance and Miko is slowly losing it and in the end he joins him very soon after.

Mikoto x Munakata. The red and blue king, fire vs ice. Polar opposite, raw unbridled violence vs cold indifferent calculations, both stubborn. They are often on opposing sides, but are good friends and equals, trust each other to keep them in check and do what needs to be done if they go out of control.

Saruhiko x Misaki. Childhood friends, Misa is an idiot but quite emotionally smart and a good person, Saru is very intelligent and quite detached from the world around him, they become friends and do reckless things, until one day they catch Homra’s eye and are saved by them, so they join. Due to the new environment, Saru’s jealousy and him being uncomfortable with Miko as his king, they separate ways with Saru being an asshole before leaving. After joining the Blues, Misa considers him a traitor and is they always fight, but eventually they solve their differences when Muna sends Saru on an undercover mission where he could die and Misa ends up saving him (K)

Shizuo x Izaya. Really violent ship, always at each other’s throats. A human with monstrous strength and a manipulative arrogant asshole, who loves all humans and hates monsters, but is still fascinated by them and trying to use them to bring chaos and make him god. They try to kill each other multiple times, usually with Iza swiftly escaping and Shizu chasing after him, sometimes Iza tries to frame or put Shizu in dangerous situations, others they just fight until someone is seriously injured.

Kasuka x Ruri. Kasu, Shizu’s brother, isn’t able to feel basically any emotions, so he chose acting as a career to try and express himself to the fullest. Ruri was a make-up artist for Kasu and later became an idol, she was secretly used for occult rituals and experimented on because of her supernatural healing ability. When she finds out her father, whose life was being threatened by her captors, was killed years ago, she goes on a rampage and escapes, she then becomes the serial killer Hollywood, leaving her victim’s unrecognisable. In an encounter with Kasu, she is saved by his words, him feeling like a monster because of his apathy and her because of how she is, they come to an understanding and are able to accept even those part of themselves.

Shinra x Celty. Very weird but surprisingly romantic. Eccentric doctor obsessed with his father’s experimente, has the strangest friends and a dullhan without her head, can’t speak unless she has her phone. They actually really care for each other and even I’d Shinra cam be pretty Creepy and controlling and possessive, Celty is amazing and tolerates every side of him and when given the chance to reclaim her head and go black helm, she decides to step wurg him (Durarara)

Lelouch x CC. LL is always teasing him, their interactions are so fascinating and entertaining. But still they have the utmost trust in each other and keep on rescuing and saving the other, even if they don’t admit it out loud, it’s because they care and not just because they can’t have them die for their plan to succeed. “If I destroy the world and remake it, it’ll be because of my accomplice, CC”. Kinda happy with Lelouch of the resurrection (Code Geass)

L x Light. Kinda unhealthy normally, but Light without his memory handcuffed to L <3 Deadly game of car and mouse, trying to always be a step ahead the other, getting close to each other to win and find secrets about each other, but really starting to care and become friends. Even Kira was sad after he killed L, he knew nothing could cure his boredom now. Without anyone in his way he started becoming overconfident and deleting his work to others, making him sloppy and allowing N and M to defeat him (Death Note)

Guren x Shinya. Super devoted and loyal to each other. Guren loved him enough to cause an apocalypse to try to bring him back to life. Shin is always teasing him and bickering with him, but he really cares for him, he’s constantly covering for him and cleaning up his messes, assisting and support him in combat and out and there is no one he believes in more.

Yuuichiro x Mikaela. They’re obsessed with each other. Mika is so self-sacrificing and ends up dying and becoming a vampire, Yuu swear vengeance and to become stronger, when they meet again, nothing else matters but them and the other’s safety. Mika would do anything for Yuu, even taking care of the other humans in their group and Yuu is so happy to have Mika back, when he dies again, he’s obsessed with getting him back, not matter if he’s become a demon.

Crowley x Ferid. Vampire partners. From Ferid killing everyone Crowl ever cared for 700 years ago to now where whatever Ferid says, goes, no matter what. They’re so chill and strong together, Ferid is actually stronger but Crowl instinctively protects him, he always goes along with his plans, no matter how crazy and how much even his subordinates try to dissuade him (Owari no Seraph)

Lawless x Licht. Their names are Jekyll and Hyde. Lawless is a broken servamp, interested in theatre, always quoting Shakespeare, who’s lived too long and passes time by choosing rich eves and killing them when he gets bored of them. Licht is an internationally famous piano prodigy who can move people to tears with his music, he thinks he’s an angel and really cares about animals but not humans. They’re always bickering, but Hyde is also very protective of Licht, initially in a nobody can play with you but me kind of way, but then in a caring way. And Licht call Hyde a demon and is always kicking him, except when he’s in his hedgehog form, but he helps him overcome his past and he’s geniully distraught when he’s hurt.

Kuro x Mahiru. Really good! Mahiru helps Kuro through all his problems, motivates him to fight once again and helps him regain his true form and mend his relationship with his sibling (Servamp)

Yogi x Gareki. So cute!! From Yogi being super protective of Gareki to him actually caring, winning him a bracelet and wanting him to not worry. Them helping each other and constantly saving each other when they need it.

Hirato x Akari. From arrogant teacher and mischievous student, to SSS asset and researcher, always absorbed in his work and manipulative captain of squad 1 of Circus. Hira is so protective, he’s ready to body anyone who so much as puts an hand on him, at the same time, he’s always teasing him and wanting to spend time with him, trying to get him drunk or in the weirdest situation (Karneval)

Yuri x Wolfram. One of my earliest yaoi ships. The only couple where I’m happy when they slap each other XD Simply wonderful (Kyo Kara Maoh)

He Tian x Mo Guan. I had no idea I would get so attached to Redhead and here I am, I ship them so hard. Rich manipulative asshole x poor aggressive hard-working thug. After they’re all on the same side, you can really see Tian getting interested in Red and trying to get his attention by whatever mean, always teasing or play fighting him. Also he becomes super protective, every time White goes after Red, Tian is ready to throw hands and murder a bitch. Also throwing money at him just to spend time with him and do things for him, giving him an earring to replace the old one he was forced to have <3 Them just taking care of each other every time, both physically and mentally.

Zhan Zhen x Jain Yi. So cute and funny and wholesome <3 Childhood friends, Jain developing a crush, Zhan being protective and caring form him, not wanting him to disappear or get hurt, Jain making moves because he just loves him too much, Zhan accepting him and always making sure he’s safe and happy (19 Days)

Kirishima x Yokozawa. Really cute. Yoko is trying to get over his unrequited crush, and after he got drunk he finds himself in Kiri’s bed, he then tricks him into going out with him and sling the way they fall deeply in love! Very wholesome, especially Yoko trying to parent Kiri’s kid.

Takano x Onodera. Soo good! First love to estranged to lovers!! Where they end up working together and Taka is trying to rekindle their romance, this time better and more mature. And Ono is trying to resist but deep down he still loves him and is slowly wing won over.

Yukina x Kisa. Older baby-faced man has a crush on younger extremely popular man. Fascinating dynamic, trying to overcome insecurities, exes and various other difficulties (Sekaiichi Hatsukoi)

Uenoyama x Mafuyu. Super wholesome and emotional, getting past traumas and playing music together.

Akihiko x Haruki. Good chemistry, Haru has a crush with Aki, but doesn’t really act on it, Aki knows and when drunk tries to do it, after sobering up he realises that he doesn’t deserve Haru, but still wants him and wants to be a batter person worthy of him <3

Akihiko x Ugetsu. Yuki x Mafuyu. I loved these as well *sob sob*. Why can’t we have everything? Very slightly unhealthy relationships, but still very beautiful (Given)

Yuki x Momo. From fan to member of his group. He was always there to support him, first as an enthusiastic fan and then as a friend during his darkest moment. Became his equal but still kept trying to help him by trying to look for new opportunities by any means possible (Idolish 7)

Asami x Akihito. Very hot crime boss and hotly cute photographer trying to take pictures that show him guilty. Very kinky, from punishment to care to real love (Finder)

Charles x Rayflo. Vampire slayer vampire x the one who made him one. Seems like they don get along, Cherry’s always insulting Ray, fighting and aggressively feeding from him, but he deeply cares about him, he’s always so gentle and caring afterwards, also he’s super protective, whoever touches Ray better watch out, because he will find you and discover a way to kill you no matter what or how immortal you’re supposed to be. Would do anything to save him and spend more time together with him (Vassalord)

Shiki x Akira. Super hot. Shiki is super controlling and dominating and with him Akira is so submissive (Togainu no Chi)

Noiz x Aoba. My fave <3 Aoba has an ability which allows him to mix his consciousness with other people's through his voice and use it to control them, though he can also destroy them and leave the victims in a comatose-like state. He’s a caring, honest, and open-minded personality, but has a short temper. When he’s distressed, his other personality awakens that desires chaos and destruction, and can be very sadistic and masochistic. Noiz doesn’t feel anything, no touches, pain or temperature changes, causing him to sometimes hurt other, his wealthy parents thought him a disgrace and imprisoned him so he ran away from home. Now he lives indifferently to the world around him, often acting reckless due to his inability to feel pain and turning to a virtual game where he can feel and illusion of sensations. He’s an information broker and a skilled hacker.

Koujaku x Aoba. Childhood friend, compassionate and strong-willed, a bit of a womanizer. Illegitimate son of a yakuza leader, him and his mother to escaped. After getting a special tattoo, he mindlessly killed his family. Despite his dark past and impulses, he retains a positive and gentle personality.

Mink x Aoba. Mink is from a tribe that grew special herbs to give a person them a sense of peace. Because the plant's effect was mistaken as mind manipulation, his tribe was slaughtered and Mink was captured to be experimented on. After he Mink broke out, began plotting his revenge, as a result, Mink hardened and distanced himself from personal attachments. He has a stoic, ruthless, controlling personality, constantly using violence as a means to reach his goal. Despite his rough exterior, he does have integrity and a gentle side he rarely shows.

Clear x Aoba. Clear is an android who loves singing. Always cheerful, polite and kind, he can be childish and eccentric, his antics often cause others be annoyed with him (Dramatical Murder)

Ivan x Giancarlo. My fave <3 Gian is a lucky motherfucker, expert in jailbreak, this time it’s been decided that if he can break out with the other executives, he’ll become the boss of the mafia. Ivan is a foreign executive, always try-hard, wanting to be acknowledged and respected, maybe a little excessive at times.

Giulio x Giancarlo. Really crazy and bloodthirsty fucker x lucky one

Luchino x Giancarlo. Suave heart-breaker with issued and a past and a very interesting personality.

Bernardo x Giancarlo. Childhood friend with trauma and fear of being buried alive (Lucky Dog)

[tokoyamisstuff]

Just My (Blood) Type - Hisoka x Ghoul! Reader⭐️—__—💧

A/N: I’ve started to rewatch HxH again, and you guys need to suffer for it. Sorry. That stupid Crossover-idea had been stuck in my mind for some time, and October a fitting time for a reveal, right?

Of all the f/o I ever had, that damn Clown is my guilty pleasure.

Summary: At first sharply cutting off Hisokas flirtatious advances, you soon realize that there’s more to him than just a repulsive murderer.

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of past abuse, Blood.

Noticeable: Gender Neutral! Reader (not 2 GIFs tho), POC suitable (no mentions of blushing, etc...), I used all the Hisoka GIFs I could find

Fandoms: HxH, Tokyo Ghoul (kinda)

Words: ~2400

“The second participant to arrive at the goal is No. 13, Y/N Y/L/N” a robotic voice announced via speakers. “It took 3 hours and 27 minutes.”

So this was the end of the Trick Tower already, huh?

Not really as great a challenge as you hoped for, but whatever. That fact really wasn’t a surprise, considering that you were a Nen-User.

This whole exam up until now was a piece of cake more than anything else. Nothing exciting or challenging at all for a change.

You sighed loudly, your audible disappointment echoing through the great and almost empty hall. 

Only a dim light would brighten up the prison cell, and there didn’t really seem to be anything to kill time. So you sat down right where you stood, back leaning against the cold stone wall.

At first, you wouldn’t even bother asking yourself who had entered the goal first - until you heared an all too familiar voice.

“Congratulations. ★ I’ve expected nothing less of you.”

Goddamn it.

Before you could even find a sassy remark, the man itself already stood in front of you. Looking up, nothing less than a broad welcoming smile was playing on his lips.

“Mind if I take a seat?”

Your posture immediately stiffened as you pulled your knees tightly against your chest. 

“Yeah. And now get lost!” At least he didn’t underestemate you - otherwise it could mean your imminent death.

He wouldn’t even try to conceal his bloodlust, does he?

Ever since you first met, you gave it your best to not cross his way throughout the whole Hunter Exam - yet for some reason, he seemed to be enjoying your presence, almost as if searching for you.

“My, my...” Instead of keeping his distance, the man just sat down right next to you, making himself at home. “May I ask what I’ve done to deserve such hatred directed at me?”

Only now you realized that the Nen you emitted was an open book to your feelings.

Hopefully he didn’t notice that you were afraid of him...any hint of weakness, and you’d probably be done for.

Yet still: Hisokas voice had always been so tender and kind - a huge contrast to his true self, you thought.

That was not the only contradiction surrounding the mysterious magician. And you knew a things or two about that kind of behaviour yourself.

Only one thing was sure to you: That man was dangerous.

It was obvious what kind of monster was right next to you - his prey. How could this man stay so perfectly calm and contain himself, considering the fact that he radiated this huge amount of bloodlost?

This could only mean this was his natural state of being - and the fact alone made you shiver.

Not answering him, your eyes wandered everywhere but his direction. You remained silent as you scanned the room for any exits, but to no avail.

The two of you were all alone - for 68 hours at max.

Only god knows when the other participants will arrive and end your misery of that unsettling closeness.

“Rumor spreads that you’re planning to become a Head Hunter” the magician tried to engage in a smalltalk, putting his hand on his chin. “Why would that be?”

“Don’t play the fool, Hisoka.”

You were sure that he saw you using nen back in the Milsy Wetlands at least once, so it should be pretty obvious to him: There simply wasn’t any other choice for you to live without a guilty conscience.

“No, I honestly don’t understand” he chuckled, trying to get your attention. “Why someone so innocently looking would want such a profession, I mean.”

Gulping harshly, you now dared to meet his glare. “Look: Stop fucking with me. If you want to kill me, do it quick - but stop strolling for time, or whatever wicked game you’re playing right now.”

Of course you’d struggle, maybe even put up a fight - but in the end, Hisoka was so much more experienced than you.

And you knew damn well opposite to you, he was enjoying spilling the blood of innocents if it had to be.

For a brief second, all of his pretence dropped and he looked shocked, a little bit offended even.

“And why should I do that?”

“Drop the act” you retorted harshly, “It’s annoying. I know all stories about you, even saw you kill before my very eyes. You’re a murderer. I bet, for the likes of you, killing comes to you like breathing.”

“You’re one to talk” he answered, not sounding any less polite, “I could feel your bloodlust throughout the whole tower.”

Now your face dropped as well, and only now you felt how you were shaking - not out of fear, but anger.

“I took that as an invitation” the mage spoke playfully, letting his tongue run over his lips. “Your bloodlust lures me to you every time. We’re not that different, are we? I knew from the very first second.”

What a pain in the ass. And you were not talking about his demeanour. No.

You were simply disappointed in yourself.

For years and decades, you had principles goddamnit! Certainly you’ve never really been a saint, but...well, ever since you first found yourself lost in those golden eyes, you threw your moral compass overboard.

How could you dare to betray yourself like that and feel anything else than remorse for such a vile being?

Why the hell did you feel so damn attracted to someone you simultaneously wanted to either punch or run away from?!

“And what the hell do you want from me, then?! Why are you telling me all of this?”

“I’m just curious” he smiled, face leaning closer to yours.  “That’s all.”

You crossed your arms, now awkwardly relaxed yet still annoyed. Furrowing your brows, you just had realized that Hisoka actually managed to engage in a conversation with you.

“You first” you almost gnarled, staring him down expectantly.

“Why not?” he shrugged as he began shuffling his cards in the meantime. “There’s no greater reason behind my doing, my dear. It’s true: I enjoy killing. But I don’t do it all random. I have standarts too, you know? The people you saw me kill in here were an exception: They were way weaker, but they surrounded and attacked me first. Simple self-defense.”

Yeah. Of course.

It would’ve been way too easy for him to simply escape or at least make them unable to fight without decapitating them, but he chose otherwise.

Hisoka wrang out a twisted sound, almost like a cruel laugh as he awaited your reaction.

“Sounds like a cheap excuse. A murderer is still a murderer.”

“Tzch. What a shame.” Your words didn’t really touch him - not that you expected them to awake any kind of regret in him. “I thought you to be different than the others. Smarter.” 

You had to admit: Usually, Hisoka won’t lay a finger on innocent or weaker people. Most of the time - if he needed something from them, at least - he was very curteous, even. Or he’d simply act like they didn’t exist, sparing them from a cruel fate.

But that was part of his facade, too: A selfish man who could both be pleasure and doom, considering what would be to his favor.

“And what would that ‘standarts’ be?” You rose an eyebrow, still irritated that you kept conversating about such a useless topic.

“Good you ask” he pointed his index finger in the air, almost as if lecturing you. “I think most people are like me in a way, maybe just not so extreme. They desire to compete with powerful enemies.”

Yeah, that much is probably true - especially in the world of a Hunter.

For some people, there’s nothing better in this world than the adrenaline rush of a real fight. Especially when they need to get all out - mentally as well as physically - to survive.

You on the other hand wished you even had such a choice, and if you had, you’d obviously choose a peaceful life instead of that of a suicidal idiot.

But to each their own, right?

“Want to help me out?” He meant the card house he was building, handing you over some cards as he continued explaining. “I’d never simply kill a person that isn’t prepared or doesn’t accept a challenge. An opponent needs to give it their all - it has to be a battle between equals.”

A shaky moan escaped his throat, face tiwsting in excitement - almost seeming aroused - as he stated “My greatest pleasure comes when such people crumple to their knees and look down upon their disbelieving faces as their plans fail!”

“You really are creepy” was your plain answer, placing the last layer of the card house on top. “Do you know that?”

“Of course. I’m mad, not stupid.”

So this is what this is about.

“Now’s your turn, dollface.” The fact that he still maintained his usual, sly attitude, as well as the nicknames made you more flustered than you wanted to admit.

“I’m not human.” You revealed this fact as if it was nothing, throwing your hands into the air as if you had been catched. “At least not fully. Not anymore. It’s hard to explain, really.”

“I’m listening.”

That caught you off guard: You just dropped this huge bomb of a fact - and instead of being taken aback, he’s intrigued more than anything?!

Well - it’s Hisoka. Why are you even surprised?

It took you a while to collect all of your thoughts, since this was the first time you’d ever tell someone about your past. And gladly, Hisoka just sat there in silence, invested in his cards until you were ready.

“Long story short: I was a child slave. No need to spit out all the details, but you can imagine. Hard times, torture, abuse...I was on the brink of death when my Nen manifested as some kind of defense-mechanism.”

Now you felt like you were experiencing a headache. It was nothing new to you - this happened whenever you tried to surpress the flashbacks.

Burying your head into your hands, tears of regret filling the rim of your eyes, you forced yourself to continue.

“I knew nothing about Nen, yet as if naturally, I made a Restriction and Pledge on that day: The blood of the guilty must be shed. I’d do anything to get the power to achieve this. And whatever kind of higher might determinds the conditions, it took that sentence of mine very literal.”

“So you’re-”

“...a Ghoul, yes. My hatred was powerful enough to save my life, yet the price I had to pay for this power is something I can’t take to this day. So I’ll become a Head-Hunter and still my thirst for blood only on the bodies of criminals worthy of death.”

You’ve expected any kind of reaction: Disgust, scorn, scolding you for doing something so reckless - even attacking you right here.

However, the mage suddenly broke out in huge amusement, his muscular chest having as he laughed loudly and heartily. “You’re not very good of a story-teller.”

There was no time to react, your baffled self only able to look as Hisoka grabbed one of the cards out of a whim, infusing it with Nen.

But instead of attacking you, he cut his wrist without even twitching: Deeply enough to draw blood, yet not to leave a scar.

“Well, you must be hungry, right? Long day, many fights...”

You wanted to object, but instead of syllables your throat suddenly felt dry as if strangulated with barbwire: Seeing him licking his own blood from the card turned this invitation into sweet torture.

Usually it was no problem for you to hold back, even for weeks if it had to be - but for some reason, you desired his blood more than anyones ever before.

“No need to be shy” the man cooed, presenting his wrist to you. “When was the last time you ate?”

The blood was already dripping to the floor, making you desperate as you closely watched every drip. “W-Why are you doing this?”

“I want to see it, Y/N. Do both of us a favor, won’t you?”

There was no use in struggling against your instincts - and as soon as your tongue gently incorporated the red liquid, there was no going back.

Involuntarily, your fangs dug deep into his flesh, yet all that came out of Hisoka’s mouth were ecstatic groans - you weren’t quite sure if it was because of the pain or the strenght of your Nen.

How humiliating.

You despised that appearance of yours: Red irises, the rest of your eyes just a black pit. Together with those flame-like wings made from Nen, most people would say you came from hell itself.

But Hisoka wasn’t disgusted in the slightest - no, quite the opposite.

“Beautiful.💖”

You felt a pet on your head, long fingers digging into your hair as you finally let go off of his arm. “No, you can keep going until you’re satisfied. I heal quick, it’s no problem.”

He didn’t mean your appearance - to Hisoka, only power was attractive.

But still: Never before someone had seen you the way you were now and called you something else than a monster.

Licking your lips, you noticed that his blood tasted sweet: A lot like bubble gum. That was a surprise.

Pulling you over to his lap, Hisoka’s lips needily crashed over yours - and you didn’t reject, rather melting into his touch while he explored your mouth, tasting his own blood on your tongue.

His grip was tight and gentle at the same time, fingernails digging deep inside your flesh so he’d be able to control his murderous instincts.

He felt warm. And somewhat safe, even though that sounded ridiculous considering the situation.

After a while, your bodies would finally part again, leaving you both to gasp for fresh air. Your mind was still clouded by all those confusing emotions - yet Hisoka, pleased by the outcome, seemed to be very much petrified:

“This may be the beginning of a wonderful friendship.”

[dawn-aethwyn]

Healing

Dawn did as she was bid, the same as so many times before. How many times was it this week and the last that he had her draw aether from this meditation stone? Regardless, she was happy to oblige. She felt more invigorated, more lively- more whole as she did so. Whatever regimen he had working for her rehabilitation, it was working.

“... Alright…” a dry voice sounded. “Keep at it. Remember, don’t stop until you can’t draw any further, then keep going anyway. When you feel you can’t go any further, put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.”

A cacophony of thoughts rang in her head as she desperately tried to sort through them. Every time she drew from this stone she felt flooded with emotions she was a stranger to. In addition to that, she had wondered long and hard where Hadriel had obtained this ‘meditation’ stone. There’s no way a random stone was full of aether but at the same time, it felt as if her very own life essence was being restored. She wasn’t going to complain about that. But then… if this was a product of her rehabilitation, is it because he knew about her condition?

“You’re distracted.” his gruff judgement sounded. “Focus, stop thinking about irrelevant things and draw.”

She intensified her efforts but her mind couldn’t help but wander. Her interaction with Halia the night before was proof enough that she felt a change in her veins. She was always wanting to help others yet slowly she felt that interest wane as she was overcome by more selfish and base desires. Why shouldn’t she look out for herself? Why shouldn’t she focus on what’s right for her? Who cares what others feel? Everything she had experienced since her injury only lent credence to that thought. She shook her head violently.

“I told you to pay attention. Keep drawing aether.” he chided.

The focused beam that spilt from the soul crystal stopped as she spun her head in Hadriel’s direction. “Why?” she asked. She knew the pretense he was here under- to help her. Yet he had her drawing essence to restore her own, he must’ve known there was an aetherial deficit. He must have known of her condition, yet he didn’t speak on it. This wasn’t to restore her sight, that was for certain, so he must have had an ulterior motive. 

“Because Mira asked me to help you. There is nothing more to it. Now you’re wasting time, continue to dr-”

“No. There has to be more to it. No one does things for others selflessly. There’s no true altruism in this world. Only people who are waiting to take advantage of others.”

He chuckled a bit, “Ah, there it is. I was wondering when you would start being affected. Is the bitterness setting in? The anger? The doubt? Good. It only means you’re taking more and more of the aether into yourself.”

Her face flushed. She couldn’t see him but she could hear his laughter which infuriated her further. “What do you mean?! You were expecting me to get affected?!”

“What did you have left? Maybe a few months to live? Soul crystals host a fountain of aether from the people who left an imprint on it, small fragments of their souls absorbed over time. I’m letting you borrow more time from that since you were irresponsible and treated your own life and aether with wanton disregard.”

“...It won’t be enough.” 

She could hear him undo the top of his flask before he drank. Of course he was drinking. She heard a scoff.

“No, definitely not. Being able to convert your own life force to aether is a gift very few people have, and now that you’ve drained every bit of that gift that you possibly could, it’s time to find a new solution. If you’re able to convert aether one way, then you should be able to do the opposite. Convert it into your own life force. Frankly, I’ve never come across anyone like you so I don’t know the right answer, but right now, this is the only answer I have. Once you’ve learned to draw aether proficiently enough from living things around you, you should be able to survive. Not only that, you should be able to thrive. Sight would be restored to you through perception of aether, and the cost for that should no longer matter.”

“G-get out.” she seethed furiously. “I’m not a toy for you to watch writhe about.”

“I think you need a break.” he grabbed the soul crystal off her desk and hung it around his neck, tucking the pendant into his vest. “You’re doing fine. Trust me. Maybe later you can try again when you calm down ...I’ll be seeing you.”

Her erratic breath seemed to calm a bit after he left. What was she angry about again? She shook her head as her grip along the desk loosened. “W-what?” she whispered to herself. She wanted to be mad at him, at something, at anything. She breathed in sharply in an attempt to gather herself. A shaky breath escaped her lips. “I’m okay… I’m okay…” she uttered to herself as she had done a hundred times before.

Her hand expanded before her as she focused her aether again, using a practiced hand to bring forth White Magicka. A flare of abyssal energies flashed in her palm instead.

 “...I’m okay.”

The door had shut and opened once more as someone walked into the clinic, “Ah, I’m looking for a Mizuna --” It certainly wasn’t Dawn’s male guest from earlier.

Dawn shut her fist and extinguished the abyssal flame that lingered in her grasp. She moved to place a rounded pair of sunglasses on to cover her unfocused gaze. “Oh? Mizuna is not here, perhaps I can be of some help?”

“I see, she’s the one that stitched me up some couple of weeks ago. The stitches are -- well I’m about to cut them out myself if someone doesn’t remove the damn things from my arm.” she watched the woman -- clinics just weren’t her thing. Nijah lifted a hand through her bangs, “She also mentioned something about a checkup but I suppose I could just schedule something while I’m here?”

The White Mage shook her head, “I’ll help you remove the stitches, as for the checkup; she can do that on her own time. Please...” she gestured toward one of the rooms and shifted over to slide the curtains aside, “...Take a seat on the table.”

The Ala Mhigan woman nodded, not that she knew Dawn couldn’t see, she hadn’t met the woman in her life. Doing as she was bid, Nijah took a seat along the table as instructed and removed her glove.

Dawn had reached for some tools and vials about the room, all while feeling for stickers along them with little raised dots. She grabbed a towel and placed it on the tray before setting it beside the patient. “Which arm was it again?”

“...Right.” Nijah furrowed a brow and held out her arm to the woman, “Didn’t count how many she actually shoved in there.”

Dawn meandered a couple feet away to the sink, washing her hands. “May I touch you?” she asked as she approached again, her head tilted.

“Well yeah, you’re kinda gonna have to.” she huffed and shoved her arm in the woman’s direction, each stitch itching for freedom and she was trying her best not to scratch.

The medical professional gave a smile, if it wasn’t clear before, it was made clear now that she couldn’t see as she felt for Nijah, finding her arm and running her hands along her skin. She felt the stitches along her forearm. “Ah, there they are, please keep your arm out.” she moved to pour one of the vials onto one of the hand-towels she had prepared. Dawn dabbed the towel along Nijah’s stitching, “Feels like it was a deep laceration… about five ilms long? About twenty stitches? I would’ve gone with more just to be safe… but it seems like you’ve healed fine. Let me clean the area right quick.” The cloth smelled strongly of alcohol.

Nijah could only stare as the woman who felt her way around was tending to her arm. She had to have been crazy to stay any longer and possibly let a blind woman come at her with the Gods know what, “You work here?” she asked. It was better than sitting in awkward silence as the Doctor went about her work, “Never seen you before.”

A sly smile wore about her features as she continued to press the cloth into Nijah’s patched laceration. “And I’ve never seen you before either. Nice to meet you.” She responded before tossing the towel into a bin, “My name is Dawn, and I was hired here to be the staff physician.” her hands ran delicately to identify where the plastic stitches were again before she grabbed a pair of suture scissors in one hand, keeping the other along the injury. “I don’t feel any inflammation and the wound seems to have closed so I will be removing the stitches. They might hurt as I cut and pull them out though.”

“Nijah.” she responded kindly enough and she knit her brow to watch as Dawn continued, “Mizuna was the one that was seen to me and thankfully I have enough know-how when it comes to cleaning wounds to make sure my limbs don’t fall off.”

Dawn gave a light, awkward giggle, “Well, you won’t have to worry about that. I’ll clean your wound again after we remove the stitches.” The woman moved quickly and methodically to feel at the stitches and adjusted the scissors along each before snipping away and pulling them out carefully. She listened and felt for Nijah’s reaction between each removal before she placed every suture onto the tray next to them. Each went without a fuss. She figured Nijah must have been good at not reacting to sharp pangs of pain.

“You’re confident in your work at least, most wouldn’t even attempt to try and do what you’re doing.”

“Oh? I suppose. I wouldn’t imagine many people would try to remove your stitches if they weren’t trained to do so. At least, I hope they wouldn’t.” Dawn spoke as she snipped and removed the last few sutures.

“I used to before I had access to a medic all the time, like this. Growing up in Ul’dah we sort of just made due with what we had.”

“Well, I would have to advise against you doing that anymore and ask that you come to me from now on.” she gave a polite smile in Nijah’s direction. It was a bit off from where she should have turned her head but in the right area nevertheless. “Though it’s already a good enough sign that you will since you came here in the first place. There.” She removed the last suture and placed it on the tray. She grabbed another hand-towel she had prepared and popped another vial. “This might hurt too.” After pouring the liquid onto the cloth she pressed firmly along the laceration and removed stitches, digging her fingers into where Nijah had been cut. “It’s an antibiotic. Since I just removed your sutures they’re practically open wounds. Best to be safe. Sorry if it hurts.”

Nijah did cringe a moment and sucked in a breath, watching the Doctor go about her business but it was all part of the process, right? At least she had got to the lengths Mizuna had not, “Thanks.” she huffed out, “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

“You know… your voice sounds very familiar.” she commented, squeezing even harder onto the wound as she moved the cloth along it, bit by bit.

“Familiar? I’ve been here for a long time.”

“Hmn.” she sounded, nails digging along the cloth to reach deeper into the wound. A few of the holes left from the stitching left a crimson stain along the towel.

“Longer than most.” she finished and her free hand took hold of Dawn’s wrist at her other arm, “I think ...it's clean now, Doc.” she hissed out ever so lightly at the sting at her flesh.

The pleasant smile wore on her features as she looked toward Nijah. The patient’s features lit up a bright blue outline along her flesh. She was seeing her through traces of aether. It came to her as if it were second nature, as if she had used this approach for years. In a blink the darkness returned and the blue hues dissipated. Dawn maintained a painful grip, “I told you it will hurt, if we don’t get the antibiotics deep into the open punctures from the stitching, it might cause an infection. Trust me, a little pain now will save a lot of stress later. Unless you’re not partial to this limb; then I can skip this.”

Of course Nijah was no medical expert but she was perceptive enough to know that the point of fixing wounds was to mend them, not reopen them. She held firm to the woman’s wrist and attempted to pry her hand away while shifting from the table, “I think it’s good, albeit bleeding again but. We’re good Doc.”

The White Mage laughed lightly after her hand was pried off of the wound. “Better safe than sorry, I say. I don’t want you to get an infection.” Her stance adjusted to face Nijah as she moved off the table. Dawn reached for the tray and felt at a couple of the vials that had not been used, “Here. These are antibiotics. You probably won’t need them but it’s better to take them and not need them, then need them and not have them.”

Nijah had taken the offered vials giving the woman an odd look, “Right.” pursing her lips, she gazed over the given vials, “Thanks… Doc.”

Dawn simply offered a polite grin and parroted the words that kept ringing in her head, “Good luck.”

[bi-outta-cordonia]

Ebb and Flow

Last chapter moved kinda quickly in terms of progression and maybe there’s a miniseries lodged somewhere in all the development I’m shocked we didn’t get to see. Hopefully there’s more hiding in the later chapters. We’ll see!

Blades of Light and Shadow. Tyril Starfury x f!elf MC (if you squint, now complete with light touching!) sfw, all ages. Tags include: Tyril has secrets, that’s why his hair is so long, because it’s full of secrets, also he’s still grappling with some of that juicy early onset sexual tension with Ashala, maybe he’ll deal with it one, maybe. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Salt of the air, taste of the fury on the tongue. The high winds rise as the sea roll low. Clutch the vessel starboard and let Honerva flow!”

Tyril’s ears twitch along to the melody, lifting and bending easy from years of involuntary practice. The priestess—Nia—her song is familiar to him but also completely foreign. Parents of Undermount sing the same tales to their restless and misbehaving children, not as an upbeat shanty but rather as a warning to the wise. Honerva is a goddess that demands much from the mortals that traverse her realm. Stay humble but maintain vigilance. Stay the course but do not ignore the many weaving paths that make up the sea. Honerva may grant safe passage or she may dash a ship full of innocents against craggy stones, whichever mood strikes her first. 

Nia does beautifully as her voice ebbs and the sailors whoop heartily. She offers a dainty bow and heads back to her bunk beneath deck with Threep still perched on her shoulder. 

Much like the odd whims of Honerva, the air shifts as soon as familiar magic cuts through the thin barrier around him. He often erects a small shield when he stands on his own, nothing like the ones he forces up in battle. It’s just enough to give the humes pause as they walk by him—perhaps they’ll turn away so he doesn’t have to stomach looking at them. He knows how they take to him all too well. Better to steer them clear of him before something unpleasant unfolds. 

Even so, there is no guarantee that all the walls around him will remain in tact. Ashala Venralei is impossible to miss and her magic is advanced enough that crossing into his doesn’t give her the overwhelming need to be elsewhere. She quietly folds her hands one over the other and leans against the wooden rails. 

“Honerva is not a gentle goddess yet humans have such cheerful songs about her,” she says. 

“I see,” is all he says. “I didn’t think you’d know of the stories surrounding her.”

“Did the mage miss the morning ritual I conducted prior to our departure?” she teases, head turning completely towards him. He glances at her from the corner of his eye and frowns heavily. “Perhaps I am more elf than he cares to admit—I practically begged for safe passage. Honerva changes moods as often as Mal changes the details of the stories he’s already told. We should be grateful that her temperament has not changed yet.” Her lips quirk. “And that Mal’s stories are amusing. We move amongst seasoned travelers, it seems.”

“Ah, you speak not of I, lowlander,” he corrects. “Undermount has been my home for decades until now. What stories Mal provides come from his adventures. The ones I provide belong to me yet seem to surface whenever it suddenly becomes the fancy of one extremely nosy lowlander.”

She doesn’t laugh and it irritates him in a way. Instead, he watches that sly smile of hers crack across her face, golden eyes as bright as the beaming sun. What little she conveys with her body he can read upon her face. 

Sometimes.

“You could always stop me yourself,” she says. “Two days out from port and you’ve yet to spend time with anyone aside from myself. A choice, I presume?”

Tyril doesn’t answer for a long moment. In the skies above, a flock of gulls circle and swoop down towards the sea to scoop up fish for their meals. White feathers shine wetly as they beat their wings and head back to land. He averts his gaze and stares at the distance ahead of him—nothing but miles and miles of endless sea, the horizon almost indiscernible between the place where the sky meets the water. 

“I don’t…” He stops and narrows his eyes. “All that I could say about the life I’ve grown accustomed to matters little compared to the reality I embrace now.” He stands taller but takes a shaky breath of the salty air. “Stories of the past often matter greatly depending upon the context but my stories are nothing. Just the ramblings of…”

He grows quiet, bowing his head a bit, and he dares not risk a glance towards the woman beside him. His old governess would give him a whack on the knuckles for such weakness. First and foremost are the lessons of propriety—how to maintain veneer with ease and how to trick one’s enemies into believing the face displayed for them. Of all the sickly sweet smiles and taut smirks, nothing delivers more emphatically than the look of unwavering curiosity brimming in Ashala’s eyes. 

Slowly, Tyril turns his head towards her and meets that gaze with his. She exudes smoke and ash, chokes the world around her into a violent submission for it has walked its course over her. She will walk her own path to save a man unrelated to her by blood but in between, the natural well of magic in the world will tip in her bend and the elements all around her will move aside for she refuses to be moved by them. 

“You are…” he starts, resting his chin upon his hand. Her eyes flash—a warning or amusement? He isn’t entirely sure. “A strange creature.”

Ashala shrugs. “You are blue. And tall.” She squints at him. “And horribly gruff. I expected elves from the city beneath the stone to be a lot more refined.”

“I can be if I choose so.”

“But you choose not to be in any given moment.” Her head nods towards the door leading to the bunks beneath deck. “Save for when you interact with Nia, of course. Imtura seems unbothered but Mal does everything in his power to crack the frosty exterior you put up.” 

He chuckles. “And you seem to think I exist for the sake of reciting old stories. You and Mal are no different in that sense—you are both bothersome. Only he seems to do it because nothing else in this world could possibly entertain him more.”

“You have a vein that pops up on that rather large forehead of yours when you get riled up,” she says. His fingers twitch and his jaw works. He will not rise to the bait. He is better than this. 

Better than the coy smirk that tugs at her lips when he does reach up. 

And much better than the playful glint in her eyes as he silently tucks his hair behind his ear, very much avoiding the spot on his forehead where the vein could be. 

He will not think about this later. 

“Is there something in particular you desire, lowlander?” he hisses. “Or have you come to pester me for yet another story?”

She remains silent for a long moment. Her golden eyes sweep back over the water and take in the sight of clear skies all the way in the distance. Her body closes off, turns away to face completely forward. There is a blankness about her face and his brow furrows. 

“We all carry secrets, Tyril,” she says quietly. Ashala’s head remains high despite the strange air settling between them. Before the words leave her mouth, he knows the question sitting on her tongue. “Undermount is your home, yet the minute you called out the next destination, there seemed…there was a hesitation on your part.”

His lips press together. “I see.”

“Your skill is unparalleled. Of the five of us, it is clear your training as House Starfuy’s heir—” His jaw works, “—has granted you the boon of power beyond imagining. Knowledge, tactics—there is much to speak of regarding you but we respect your need to hold such truths to your being. Perhaps there is something we are unaware of that is too painful for you to recall—something that would leave you vulnerable.”

He sighs and lays his arm flat against the railing. 

“No, it…” 

Memories flood the empty space within his mind. Meditation keeps it clear but there are nights where he is restless, tossing and turning as events of the past play out in the form of nightmares most unimaginable. Where there is wisdom there is pride most evil, most corrupting of those that cross its path. His mother—her face is there but hazy. Fanciful feasts, the boisterous laughter of men and women dressed in the finest of silks as servants present delicacies from far and wide—

There was a man whose lips he can still taste—

The woman with straw blonde hair that smiled so beautifully—

House rankings, climbing the rungs of hollowed out ladders that snap so easily but mend just as well if only he would think.

Climb faster.

Push harder. 

He runs a hand through his hair and sighs again. 

“It’s…far too complicated to explain at the moment,” he finally answers. Weight presses on his shoulders and a knot forms in his belly. He remembers a sensation like this back then, only it was much more constant. “In some ways, I envy the life you’ve led.”

Ashala offers nothing at first, her eyes never straying from the horizon slowly moving in the distance. “You’ve been surrounded by luxuries most of your life. Your knowledge of our—of your culture is far more extensive. I cannot fathom the idea of envying one born to nothing.”

“I...I was not lacking for anything, no. You assume correctly in a sense. Even the happiness was constant for a time.” Quiet again. At the very least, she does not push. “Everything moved towards a single goal and that was the most exhilarating aspect. To be able to provide for the house meant just as much as being a part of it. Climbing the ranks was a ruthless game but standing atop the other children brought glory beyond compare.”

“You were heir,” Ashala says. 

A rueful smile tugs at his lips. “Everything I could ever want at my very fingertips—and now? Now, I travel the world committed to a mission that the others of our kind would rather blatantly ignore.” His head shakes. “What good does it do to only partially stop an evil that would destroy us all? Why stop at splitting the shards and why not completely cleanse the world of the Court’s influence?”

Ashala hums but does not respond immediately. Her head turns and she observes him quietly. 

“Then it was pure altruism that saw you abandon such a lucrative role?” His eyes dart away and he knows the exact number of whacks on the knuckles the gesture would earn him. 

“I’ve been away from Undermount for a long while,” he says. “It’s been months at best yet I know the exact number of whacks I’d get for being so loose with my feelings.”

“Oh? How rare to see such a sight,” she says, hand raising to point at the corners of his mouth twitching. Tyril jerks his head away and snorts, drawing a small laugh from her. “A rare yet delightful thing to see. Perhaps I was mistaken about your ability to express any emotion aside from disinterest and disgust.”

“You could stand to repress some of yours more often,” he fires back. “Humes are widely regarded as loud creatures—you are an elf. Some stoicism would make you tolerable at the very least.”

Her laugh is a full-hearted cackle. None of the heat nor venom of his words take for she finds any slight instance of his annoyance enjoyable. Heat floods his cheeks and he can’t help the small smile that tugs at his lips as she howls with laughter. 

“To have an elf accuse me of not being stoic enough!” she wheezes, wiping at the corners of her eyes. “Would you believe that humans find me to be the most unapproachable creature that walks this land? The children would often run from the pull of my magic lest it would swallow them whole. I suppose those in possession of magic naturally terrify the folk who have so little experience with it.”

He nods. “Much of yours was self-taught, however. Being able to conceal it is one of the first lessons a proper instructor should’ve taught you, but…” He coughs. “I suppose I could…show you. It would be a useful skill when we face certain enemies.”

She quirks a brow. “Now you instructing me? Perhaps it is a moment I eagerly await if only to see the bitter disdain on your face when you realize how difficult it is to teach me!” His eyes roll but she ignores it. “You still didn’t answer my question, Tyril.”

“It was…” He pauses for a long moment. “It was mostly for that reason, yes. But in truth, it is like you mentioned before. There are some secrets I would still prefer to ‘hold to my chest,’ as you say. It isn’t…it isn’t the most pleasant thing to recall, not now. I…”

Again in an instant—

The faces of hundreds who looked upon him with hope—

That looked broken and angry when he turned his back on them—

There is no shame in doing what needs to be done—for doing the right thing. Pride is not the only source of his sense of self. It makes up only a small portion of all of him but the thought still eats at him—the question of what could’ve been always lingers no matter how hard he tries to convince himself that it isn’t important to know the answer. 

Tyril crosses his arms and gently smooths his fingertips over his bracers. His head bows and he stares at the water violently lapping at the hull as Imtura’s ship cuts through the sea. 

“You don’t regret this,” Ashala says, pulling him from his thoughts. 

“No, not at all.”

“But there are things you wonder about. Things that you cannot change or reverse as a result of your actions…”

He stands still for a moment before nodding once. “All that I do here matters more to me than the circumstances that put me on this path. I chose it, yes. There are factors that led me here, that is also true.”

She stares at him for a long while, that piercing gaze stirring something a bit unsettling within him. It’s like looking into the base of a flame all consuming, a void all encompassing. Ashala Venralei—would he ever tell her the truth about her name and all the reasons why no person in Undermount would ever consider stringing such words together to form a child’s name? He knows what Tyril is—Orthonus, Livienna, Myhri, and Rashki.

“The child born from ash and dreams”—to get to where they needed to go, Ashala’s parents burned a considerable bridge that meant that home would never be a place they could return. 

“We will stop the Shadow Court,” she says and she does something dangerous—far too dangerous—

She reaches across and lays a warm hand on top of his. He swallows and stares into her eyes once more, something far more uncomfortable welling in the pit of his belly. It’s a warmth and a storm in one that starts in his gut before it shoots through the rest of him in uneasy webs. 

He wills himself to nod curtly. When she graces him with a warm and genuine smile, he quivers. 

It must be luck she turns on her heel and leaves him before she notices. 

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Chapter 2 - The Rogue and The Bard

“Okay, so…You really go play board games with 12 year olds?” Billy asked, raising an eyebrow, not believing what I was saying. “Yes. Dungeons and Dragons, it’s called.” I tried to explain to him. “And you’re…Uh…Part of their ‘Party’ ?” he continued, looking at me in disbelief. “Yes. Mike is the Paladin, Will is the Cleric, Lucas is the Ranger, Dustin is the Bard and El is the Mage.” I smiled, looking at him  as he drove us to school. “And what are you, babe? The charmer of the group? The Fox?” he chuckled, looking at me. “There’s no Foxes in DnD, you, idiot.” Max grumbled from the backseat. “I’m the Rogue…A Tiefling Rogue. That’s why they called me Fox. Rogues are sneaky and sly.” I grinned at him and continued.“I think you’d make a fine Bard. You have charisma, dexterity and strength.” I try to hype him up, but he only smirked at me with a confused look. “Uhm…You can go around and smack people in the head with a lute.” I grin at him, making him slowly start smiling at how weird it sounded, then chuckled. “I’ll buy a lute just for that.” he let out an amused breath before looking back at the road. “Why did they let you in the Party and not me?” the poor redhead pouted. “Would you want me to talk to them? You see, some of them may have some…Issues, but it’s nothing personal. El, our Mage…She disappeared just a few ago and we kinda miss her. I guess they may be reluctant to have anyone else join us because they miss her.” I told her in a soft voice. “Why couldn’t they tell me that in the first place?!” she leaned frontwards, between mine and Billy’s seats, looking at me. “Well…To put it simple, Max…It’s a problem among all ages. We lack one fundamental skill that could solve more than 80% of our problems and that is, drum roll…Communication.” I say dramatically, making her giggle confused. “What do you mean by that? We all talk so much, don’t we?” she asked again, very curious. “Yes, but that’s different. When you talk, you can either hear, just like you do with any noise, or listen, which you only do when you actually use your brain. Thing is, Max…Most of us don’t know how to Communicate. Your problem with the Idiot Party could have been solved very easily if only they were up for communication, but they’re a bunch of silly nerds. Really. Many people pretend to listen, but they don’t and you realise that only when they get busted.” turning to look at her, I smile and pat her head. “I’d say don’t take it personally, they’re just boys, they’re stupid…But I can talk to them. Believe me or not, I know how to make them listen.” “Whoa, really? You can do that?” she gleamed and practically radiated joy. “That’s why they call me Fox, remember~?” I wink at her with a chuckle, before realising we’ve already arrived. “I say, the way things are, my sister’s gonna charm you before I do.” he scoffed, seeing Max skateboard to her classes. “Awww, come on, Billy, don’t be like that. She’s a real sweetheart. I like her around me, just like I like you.” I nudge him slightly, despite not even budging him. “Besides, it’s nice to finally have proper conversations, y'know?” I shrug a bit, looking away. “Say, babe, wanna see me at practice today? You can cheer for me as I beat the shit out of that Pussy Harrington.” he boasted, putting an arm around my shoulder. “I…Hope not literally, but at the game.” I chuckled nervously, looking up at him slightly. “Fine, fine, whatever you want.” Billy raised his arms in defeat in a joking manner. “Billy! That was mean!” I grinned, trying to stifle my laugh. “Now, there, toots, is where you are wrong and you don’t even believe yourself. I heard your sweet giggle.” he poked my cheek, making me blush slightly and look down. “What time?” I asked, sighing, hoping that nothing will interfere. “First class after lunch.” he flashed a charming smile my way. “I guess that can work. Sure, I’ll be there. But, uhm…Apart from the fact that you gotta score…I know literally nothing about Basketball.” I confessed awkwardly. “Well, you got the gist of it. Leave the rest to me.” he winked, putting his shades on his head. “Project, after?” “If you want to, sure!” I smiled

With that, I went on with my daily at classes, and gotta say, time flew by pretty fast, and before I knew it, lunch began and I went outside to eat, just as I always do, listening to music on my cassette iPod. An hour went by fast and I had to go see Billy’s practice match, his team against Steve’s, and for once, I was a tiiiiny bit intrigued by sports. I enter the P.E. room shyly, seeing how everyone was busy doing the warming up, and I sit on the bleachers, opening my book and reading “The Lord Of The Rings”, my absolute favourite fantasy book, before the match began.

“Hey, Black, this place is for sweating, not reading! Give that here!” a voice yelled in my ear, making me yelp, before they took the book from my hands. “Give me my book back, please!” I stand up quietly, trying not to draw attention to myself. “Why are you here? This is hardly a proper place for you.” Steve scoffed, looking at the book. “Psh, what’s this rubbish? You’re really reading this? Nerd.” he rolled his eyes, holding the book above his head, barely out of my reach. “If you want it back that badly, reach up!” he continued, laughing. “Come on, please, give it back! I didn’t come here for trouble, I just wanted to cheer for a friend!” I tried to say, trying to reach my book. “Friend? You? Of all people? Don’t be kidding.” he scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Hey, lookie here, King Harrington! Too afraid to face me and you prefer harassing a girl? You’re such a pussy.” Billy’s voice echoed from behind Steve, as he easily got the book from his hand. “Why don’t cha come on the field and fight someone your size?” he smirked, getting in his face. “I won’t let you win, Hargrove.” Steve sneered, annoyed, before bumping his shoulder into Billy’s and going to field to his team. “So, you came to cheer on me. Guess now I can’t lose, huh?” he smirked, flexing a bit as he took off his shirt. “Be careful out there. If you flex and show off too much, you might forget you’re playing and not trying to find your next hook up.” I smirked slightly, gingerly taking my book from his hand. “Thank you. I appreciate you standing up for me…Again.” I smiled softly, rubbing his arm a bit, as a way to both say Good Luck and Thank you. “Who needs a hook up when I have to charm the pants off of ya?” he got closer to my face, in a teasing manner. “Go fuck them up…Babe.” I whisper lowly in his ear, as the smirk never left my face, and yet, I back down and looked away slightly. “Great, now I’m turned on and it’s entirely your fault.” he shook his head, biting his lip as he jogged to court, ready to start the game.

The game soon started, and while I have to admit I had no idea what was going on, I would cheer every time Billy would score. I think that’s what I’m supposed to do, right?

The whistle blew and Harrington had the ball, dribbling left and right, until Billy came in front of him, looking intimidating as ever, and they seemed to be…Talking? Do people talk during games? They would bump into each other a lot, before Billy somehow threw him to the ground and got the ball, showing off again as he marked yet another point for his team, then turning to wink my way as he saw I was clapping.

What a jerk.

The whistle blew again, one of the shirtless guys was dribbling the ball and Steve was blocking him, but, of course, since he’s the best player in our year, Billy managed to easily secure the ball and dribbled it away from Steve, but then stopped and started taunting Harrington.

“King Steve! King Steve, everyone! I like it, play it tough today.” he got closer to his face, annoying Steve. “Jesus! Do you ever stop talking?! Come on!” Steve tried to make Billy shut up, but to no avail. “What? Afraid the coach is gonna bench you now that I am here? Huh?” Billy laughed as easy going as usual, then dribbled and pushed past Steve and stop ANOTHER point.

This time, instead of looking at me, he went to Steve, offered to help him get up, but told him something in a very intimidating voice and let him fall to the ground again, before coming in front of me, putting his arms on his hips, smirking cockily and panting.

“Liked the show, babe?” he asked, his chin up. “I have no idea what I watched, but hey, I think you won, right? Congrats! It looked like you did all the job, so I guess I know why the teacher likes you.” I clapped my hands in front of my chest, praising him. “Look at her being so cute. Didn’t I tell ya you were melting my heart? Come 'ere, gimme a hug!” he approached me, but I yelped, giggled a bit before stepping back. “No, no, no. Go take a shower first, then I’ll hug you, okay?” I put my hands up to signal him to stop moving, but he only chuckled. “One of these days, I won’t be the only one sweating, babe.” he teased in a low voice, making me blink and tilt my head in confusion. “I…I don’t do sports, Billy, what do you mean?” I smile at him. “You…You didn’t get that, did you?” he sighed, rolling his eyes. “Uh…No, sorry.” I grin awkwardly. “Never mind. Wait for me by the car, will ya? Unless you wanna join me in the shower.” he winked, giving me a charming look. “Okay, I’ll wait you outside. See ya!” I said cheerfully, walking to his Camaro.

However, before I reached the car, I saw Max and Lucas arguing and I ran to them, putting my hands on her shoulders.

“Hey, guys! What brings you here?” I asked, trying to calm down the waters a bit. “Lucas, here, and the rest of his stupid party, don’t understand anything! They act like they want me to be their friend, but then they treat me like garbage!” she yells at him, annoyed. “That’s not true!” Lucas tried to defend himself, but Max refuted with a simple “Yes it is!” “Is this about the AV club meetings?” I went between them, looking left and right. “Yes! They can’t stop keeping secrets from me and it’s so annoying! We’re not in 2nd grade anymore!” she shouted, very angry, making me sigh. “Okay, kids, calm down. First of all, Lucas, I really need to talk to you guys about this. Max deserves to be in the party too, okay? She’d be a great addition. Secondly…Is this about…About Will?” I ask the second question a bit quieter. “Yes, yes it is! Don’t get me wrong, I want Max in our party, but we’re 6 in our party, not only me, and I can’t decide by myself! You, me and Dustin want her, but Will is barely around anymore and Mike declines every time, because of El!” he raised his voice at me, making me smile in annoyance and sign for him to calm down. “Okay, kids, okay, I understand your problems and while I do think Max should be in our party, I think we should talk, the 6 of us…Like, have a REAL talk, because things have gone out of control these days and I wasn’t able to stay in contact with you too much because of school stuff, as you know. Now…Uhm…You should have told me Will wasn’t okay. El is not the only one like that, if you remember. I will tell Max everything that happened to us so none of you will be able to complain again.” I said sternly, looking at Lucas, who widened his eyes. “Wait, why would you do that?! We’re supposed to keep it a secret from everyone! We’re already 6 people and Will’s mum who know these things! You know how words spread! It’s a small town!” he tried to protest, worried, but I only shook my head. “I trust Max with my life and I vouch for her. She won’t spread our secrets, I’m sure of that. She just wants to be your friend, morons. Oh, Max, your brother is here. Let’s go home, shall we?” I asked her softly, leading her to the car. “Sure. Oh, and, you still stink!” she shouted past he shoulder, letting him panic there all alone. “Boys can be real jerks, huh?” I shrugged, rolling my eyes. “Don’t worry, I will show you something you’ll never forget.” “Yes, please~!” she grinned up at me until we got in front of Billy, who looked pretty annoyed. “Hey, King Billy, how are you feeling after such a glorious win? I mean, I think it was glorious, considering how relaxed you were every time you showed off so shamelessly.” I teased him, motioning to Max to get in the car. “With you cheering for me oh so pretty, what was I supposed to do?” he asked, flexing a bit. “Mind if I come over? Or are your parents home? Max asked me to chat and do some girl stuff. Is that okay with you? If not, she can come over at mine?” I smiled at him sweetly. “Awe, come on, toots, stop smiling at me like that, y'know I can’t refuse you. They ain’t home yet, you can come over. But don’t think the little twerp can have you all for herself all day.” he winked in approval, which made me hug him tightly. “Thanks, Billy! You’re the best!” I say, kissing his knuckles before rushing to the passenger’s seat. “Whoa, babe, what was that? Shouldn’t I have been the one to do that?” he asked slowly as he got in his seat, looking at me a bit weirdly. “Does it matter? I think it’s sweet no matter who does it. It was my way of thanking you.” I give him a soft smile as I lean back on my seat, closing my eyes. “Hmm…Hey, toots, can ya hold somethin’ for me?” he asked as he started the car and left the parking lot. “Of course.” I replied absent-minded.

Without realising, something warm softly lifted my hand a bit, and as I opened my eyes, I see Billy’s hand pressed to mine, his fingers intertwined with mine. He wasn’t looking at me, instead, his eyes were fixed on the road, an almost invisible blush gracing his sun-kissed cheeks, making me smile at him. I was debating whether or not I should say something or not, but I settled for just squeezing his hand a bit and turning the music volume a tad higher, which made him grin.

We sang the lyrics to the songs, which made the ride home pretty fast, like usual. When we got out of the car, Max went to my side and dragged me inside, making me chuckle at her eagerness. We both sat on her bed and she looked at me with such curious eyes that she made me want to hug her constantly.

“So, uhm…This is all gonna sound very crazy. It’s gonna be SO crazy that you will think I’m lying, but honestly, out of all those idiots, I’m the person you’ll believe and I’ll show you why, at the end.” I began, smirking a bit at her reactions. “The secret the guys hide is…Like a real life DnD campaign. With the Demogorgon and all that. I know, I know, bullshit, huh? Well, I can’t show you one YET, but by the time I grind some sense into those idiots…Well, I mean, hopefully you WON’T get to see any monster, they are super scary, but like…Basically, there’s this monster that kidnapped Will and got him in other world and uh…We found his body, but this one is the real one, and uhm…Well, we managed to get rid of the monster…I and El, more like, and the way I saw Lucas today, I think something’s happened to Will. Bad enough that maybe the monster managed to find another way here.” I took a deep breath after ranting all that out, making the girl look at me like I just said the Earth was flat. “Okay, okay…So then…Let’s say I believe you. You have no reason to lie, unless you’re schizophrenic or something. First of all, who is this El? And secondly, how did you stop the monsters?” she asked skeptically, but wanting to be proven wrong. “Well…El…El is short for Eleven. She was an experiment who managed to escape and we found her.” I explained to her with a big smile. “You expect me to believe that?” her incredulous look only made me chuckle at her. “Do you know what my real name is…Well, was, actually?” my smile turned into a smirk as soon as she shook her head. “My name was Three. Do you wanna know why?” again, her vigorous nod made me continue my story, as I pulled up my Tshirt sleeve, revealing the “3” tattoo. “Because I, too, was an experiment who managed to escape…That was 5 years ago.” I explained with a chuckle, seeing her mouth agape as she gingerly touched the tattoo. “Whoaa…And what did they do to you?” she asked again, looking as she was going to jump up and down from excitement. “What they did to me…Well, a lot of things. But that’s not the right question, Max. Y'know what the right question is~?” I teased her, before continuing. “What resulted after what they did to me~!” I smirked at her. “What happened? Did you get super powers or something?!” she screamed before I shushed her. “Do you see that notebook on the desk? Well…” I chuckled lowly before I made the notebook come into my hand. “It’s not there anymore, now, is it?” I winked at her when she started cheering and jumping on me. “OH MY GOD, THAT WAS SO COOL! DO THAT AGAIN! DO THAT AGAIN!!” she yelled excitedly, making me open her wardrobe’s door, before slamming it back and then opening the window, making her literally jump and clap at me. “THAT’S SO COOL!! WHO NEEDS WONDER WOMAN, WHEN WE HAVE YOU?! Imagine that! America’s Hero, Katrina Black, otherwise known as The Fox! Oh, look at her, she’s saving the day again! Whoooo!” she made a superhero pose, but I told her to stop in her tracks for a second. “I haven’t really used my powers in a very long time because…Well…It’s not really something you’d want to go out in the open with some people. But…Uhmm…Let me try to make you fly, or, uhm, well, float. Want that?” I asked shifting in a better position so I won’t screw up or anything. “You. Can. Do. That?!” she jaw-dropped, making me blush a bit. “Well…Kinda? Like…Just like how I managed to get the notebook, I can move you in the air. But it’s more difficult so it takes a bit of a strain, so if my eye or nose start to bleed, don’t worry, it’s normal, okay?” I assured her.

Taking a deep breath, I extend my arm towards her and focus, making her slowly raise into the air, moving her left and right as she giggled and pretended to be a superhero or that she was swimming. I couldn’t help but laugh with her, but I had to put her down before a headache would hit me and I could lose focus and drop her.

“Sorry I got you down, I was afraid I might drop you. I can do that again a bit later, if you want.” I cleared my throat, before ruffling her hair. “Is there anything else you want to hear? I should go to your brother and ask him if he’s up for some tutoring. I mean…I was supposed to give him a test yesterday, but I couldn’t come over yesterday, so I told him tomorrow…But I said that not realising tomorrow is Friday and he has a Basketball match, so that’s out of the question.” I scratch awkwardly at my neck. “Say…Do you like my brother? He’s more tolerable to be around since you appeared and…When you’re with us, he’s weirdly nice. Like…I would have never expected him to hold a girl’s hand like that. He’s such a man whore and he’s so violent! …But I guess I kinda get him, in a way. His dad is really…Really…A huge asshole.” she murmurs the last part before flinging herself down on her bad. “Do you…Want to talk about it?” I lean on my arm, petting her hair softly. “If you want to listen…Yeah. Maybe this way you’ll understand Billy better. Who knows, maybe you can tame him or something, I dunno.” she sighed, burying her face in her pillow. “You know…Billy has saved me from bullying twice since you came. And he’s been very sweet with me so far. I…I know he whores around a lot and he’s very violent…And gosh darn it, he flirts with me more than he breathes, I think…But I really appreciated that he didn’t beat up a guy when I asked him to. He had him by the throat, and I begged him not to punch him…And he didn’t.” I confess, putting my head on the pillow next to her. “Woaw…Sure that was my brother?” she chuckled, turning on her side. “Haha, yeah, I promise, it was him.” I grinned softly. “So…So, I don’t really know everything, okay? But…But Billy is afraid of Neil. He’s always screaming very aggressively at Billy and it can’t be a recent thing. And I think he sometimes hits him too. He can’t accept my mum as his mum, which I can understand, but he hasn’t had someone in his life who has been as nice as you are since his mother left him.” she explained, smiling sadly. “Well…To be fair, I was expecting something like that. Childhood trauma usually manifests in two ways…Either like me, or like him. But…But I think…Maybe I can somehow handle this.” I brought her into a hug, which she reciprocated. “He’s been a part of my life all this time and I don’t know him as something more than a violent guy…But can you help him? I know it’s a lot to ask, but…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say. “Don’t worry, Maxi, I will see what I can do. I’m kinda stuck with him the whole year whether I like it or not, so I won’t let him get worse than he is.” I giggled at her, but before she could say anything, the door opened, revealing Billy, his shirt halfway unbuttoned. “There’s so much love in only one room, but what 'bout lil’ ol’ me~?” he slurred in a supposedly sexy way, leaning on the door. “Billy! Remember how yesterday I was supposed to give you that test, but I couldn’t come over? Like, I said I would give it to you tomorrow, but I didn’t realise tomorrow is your match and…And like, you have to celebrate your victory, so I won’t stress you with a test, clearly. But like, you want to take it today, or do you want on Sunday?” I ranted on as I got on the edge of the bed, but before soon, he just chuckled and picked me up bridal style. “Let’s take that test. I’ve been staring at your lips all day, Kitten, and today I’m even more motivated to find out their taste.” he laughed, getting me to his room and gently pulling me on the bed. “Are you sure, Billy? There’s no rushing…I mean, you can have a few days more to revise…And this chapter is not the easiest one, so I won’t blame you.” I smiled nervously, looking away. “Nahhh, s'okay. I was prepared for the one yesterday, so bring it on.” he told me with the most confident smirk in the world, as he sit down on his desk chair. “Okay, so uhm…Yesterday I stood after class with Mrs. Green to create the test for you in a way that it would be structured the same as the final exam is, which is why I couldn’t come over. But…Here you go. You can write in your notebook and I will correct it afterwards, I have the point-grading right here. I’m asking again, Billy - Are you absolutely sure you’re up for it?” I asked him for the millionth time, putting the test in front of him. “Yes, babe, I am. I’m a man of my word. Responsibility and Respect.” he muttered, scanning the test paper. “That sounded a bit robotic…But I won’t ask you about it now. Good luck and focus. You have 2 hours from…Now.” I told him, getting on the bed and doing some improvements to the project.

Two hours passed by faster than the blink of an eye, making me get up and go to Billy, patting him on the shoulder and telling him that time was up. He looked at me since we were about the same height with him sitting down, and in his eyes I could see a certain…Restlessness. Like a fight of emotions was going on, but he didn’t know what to do. I blinked at him twice before cupping his face and frowning.

“Are you okay, sweety? You look upset. Did something happen?” I said in the most gentle voice I could managed. “It’s nothin’, babe, don’t worry for nothin’. Go check my test and tell me if I’m worthy of you or not.” he grumbled, puling away from me. “Billy…If you want, I won’t look and you can retake is on Sunday. It’s okay if you fail from time to time, it’s not the end of the world, you can always try again later.” I try to reach out to him, raking my fingers through his soft hair. “Nah, babe, failing isn’t manly, it’s for pussies. I can’t afford that.” he sneered, gripping his hands into tight fists. “That’s not true, who told you that? To fail is human and it can happen to everyone. It’s not a masculinity meter!…Billy, look at me, please…Billy. Please.” I pleaded again, putting my arms around his neck, but he only got up and went away. “That’s what he always said, okay? So what the hell else am I supposed to fucking DO?! If I don’t listen, I’m fucked! That’s how it’s ALWAYS fucking been! But you wouldn’t get it, would you?! Your parents probably bought you that house so you could stay alone and study at your leisure, their pretty little treasure, and you could fuck everyone you wanted there and nobody would say anything! Why the hell are you even here?! Huh?! It’s only 'cause of that teacher, ain’t it?! And 'cause I’ve always been the idiot to save your weak and pathetic ass! Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if you DID boast that you fucked me!” he raged around the room like an angry tiger in his cage, trapped. “Wh-What do you even know about my life…?” I managed to usher softly, as tears welled up in my eyes and I backed towards to wall opposite of him. “Well, fuck, Katrina, I don’t know, it seems like after today, I know absolutely NOTHING! Care to fucking enlighten me? Care to tell me why are you the high school’s fucking whore?!” he yelled, stomping towards me, which only made me glue myself to the wall, sobbing. “I-I’m not…I’m…Not…I…I…” I choke out, but since I couldn’t say anything coherent, Billy slammed his hands on either side of my face, trapping me, screaming “WHORE” in my face, which made cower and shield my face with my arms. “Don’t hurt me! Please, please, please, don’t hurt me! I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry, please don’t hurt me! I promise I’ll be good, please, don’t hurt me!” I barely managed to squeak out between my sobs, my legs shaking like mad and I could barely breathe.

My ears were ringing from the silence in the room, save for my pitiful sobs, flashbacks flooding my head so much that my throat and lungs were burning like a wild fire. After what felt like hours, he slowly guided me the bed, making me sit down, and by instinct, I let myself fall down and started unbuttoning my shirt, with trembling hands. I didn’t even dare look up to meet his face, but his hands gripped my wrists all of a sudden, which made me meekly raise my gaze a bit and see he was frowning, but somehow, confused.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a low, somehow dead-pan voice. “It’s what you want, isn’t it? Rather than doing it by force, just do it with no violence. I told you I won’t bother struggling, it’s meaningless anyways.” I whispered softly, biting my lip. “Did I say I wanted to fuck you right now?” he sat down on the bed as I cringed at his question, only shaking my head slightly. “Then why did you do this?” he asked, but since he saw I wasn’t answering, he continued. “I’m not mad, I’m not going to hurt you, ever, so just answer.” “I’m sorry I upset you…I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to.” I whispered as he lifted me into a sitting position. “You’re the only one who puts up with me, and if you got angry at me, I deserve it. I’m sorry, so please, don’t get angry at me and leave.” I continued, closing my eyes. “Kat, come here.” he patted his thighs, motioning me to sit on his lap, which I did, but I still wouldn’t look at him. “Kat, look at me.” he said softly, putting his hands on my face, as I previously did to him. “Who hurt you so much, Kat? Tell me. I’m not angry at you and I won’t leave you, either.” he uttered, trying to calm me down. “I…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you or said those things to you. I know they were lies, but I got frustrated. I should apologise, not you.” he confessed, making me look at him with glistening eyes, shaking my head briefly. “Kat, tell me. Please.” he whispered in my ear, making me start to cry again and throw my arms around his torso, crying in his chest, still trembling slightly. “I don’t know, Billy, I don’t know! It’s always been this way! I don’t get it, what did I do wrong? Why does everyone hate me? Do I look that weird? Is my personality that garbage? I-I don’t understand!” I began, feeling him rub soothing circles on my back. “I never had a family, Billy! I’m a runaway freak! I ran from an experimental base 5 years ago! I didn’t even have a name, I was just a number for them! And…And I ran here, and a policeman found me and put me in an orphanage under a name that I made up! Katrina Black, not Three anymore! And…And when I got with my new family, it was no difference than in the orphanage! Always the same thing! Nobody wanted me, I was just a waste of time and I did nothing good to contribute to my family!” I managed to say, clutching his shirt tightly. “Shhh, it’s okay now, Kitten, I’m here.” he whispered in my ear kissing my head. “Don’t be afraid.” “I worked a lot for 4 years, and with the policeman’s help, I managed to get my own little house and a motorbike. Not the perfect family anymore, huh?” I tried to laugh, but it came out more as a choke. “And…And…I…I just…I just wanted my Happily Ever After, Billy…I…I didn’t want to be alone anymore…They faked it…They faked everything just to fool around with me…They pretended to love and care about me…They pretended that they were good and protective boyfriends…But by the time I realised that what was happening wasn’t normal, it was too late and the damage had already been done. And I can’t erase it no matter how hard I try…” I put my hands in my hair, pulling at it in desperation. “I just want to forget all the disgusting things that happened, all the lies I heard, all those hands on my skin…I told you so many times before, no matter how much you struggle, it doesn’t do any good. Well, now you know the story behind it.” as I said that, he gently pulled away my hands and made me raise my head up again, and I could see anger and sadness in his eyes…He, too, seemed to want to cry, but tried very hard to stop it. “Tell me who did this to you and I’ll kill them. I’ll get revenge on them for you. If you couldn’t get out, neither will they.” he growled, looking me in the eyes, but I only shook my head and hugged his neck. “Don’t…Don’t go…Don’t leave…Don’t bother…What’s done is done. Yeah, of course, he only fucked me once, did other super gross things, whatever and now I’m somehow the biggest whore of the high school, whatever. Hey, really, I somehow magically fucked you in your sleep, or something, hell if I know. And if that wasn’t enough, after that first guy, two more came by. 'Know what happened?” I looked at him with a self-deprecating laugh, making him motion for me to continue talking. “The first one made me realise what happened wasn’t okay. Thing is, I told him I wasn’t interested in any fucks. What he did? The next day he started asking me about what positions I liked and stuff. And the next thing I know, he realised that I’m not a virgin, but he is, and says something along the lines of…How did he say it, now…Ah, yes. 'Why do the bad guys always get the good stuff?’. Yeah, like, thanks mate, very smart.” I rolled my eyes, every word completely dripping with sarcasm. “I kinda like it when you finally talk from your heart and you’re not scared of everything around you.” Billy said with a small smirk. “Well, then maybe you should love me by now. The third guy was very sympathetic with me and supposedly very protective of me. Turned out he was high-key flirting with my then-friend, making out/fucking her, all whilst continuing to insult me, but never letting me break up with him. He was a notorious liar. The biggest liar in the world, I kid you not.” I snorted bitterly. “Did they beat you?” he asked in a very low voice. “No…But…They would get overly possessive and jealous and would argue with me big time. It’s not like I have many friends, y'know? Just the kids. And Jonathan Byers, kinda. They would yell at me a lot and get super moody and mean. Hell, even on my birthday. Really…Fuck off.” I scoffed slightly, pouting as I leaned back a bit. “Did you calm down, Kitten? Feeling any better after letting your feelings out?” he caressed my cheek softly, which made me look down and snort a bit, trying to stifle my giggle. “What’s goin’ on, Kitten? Why you laughing?” he asked with a soft smile. “I…Well…It might sound super weird, okay, but…But I can’t stop laughing thinking about it. Just…He…He always boasts around how much of a mess I was because of him, but, like…I literally didn’t even realise when he got inside me and when he finished, like, what the hell!” I started laughing loudly, wiping my tears with my wrists, which made Billy start laughing as well, not having expected me to say something like that. “So my little Kitten can have a sense of humour when she wants to, huh? I never expected you to say any of the words you said the whole day, I swear, you’re surprising me with each day.” he put his arms around me, hugging me tight as I put my arms around his neck and calmed down. “I know I’m a mess, and as I said a million times, I’m sorry that you have to put up with me. But, Billy, if it were after me, I’d have already given you a chance by now, but really, I’m just scared that the whole chaos is going to happen again. And I’m just so tired of everything that I don’t think I could handle another betrayal.” I confessed softly, putting my forehead to his. “I said I was gonna prove you that you’re not wasting your time, and I’m not backing up from that promise. If it’s time you need, we have all the time in the world. I won’t be a shithead again like today. I lost control and it was my fault, I’m sorry.” he promised, looking me in the eyes as he put a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s okay, Billy. I know you have it rough too. I don’t know the details, but I can sense what’s going on. You don’t have to tell me, but I know your father is a…A douchebag. I’m sorry for using that word. But, really, it’s one more year and you’ll be free of him! You’ll have a scholarship and you’ll be studying at a cool University whatever you wish to study and…And…I…Well…Maybe…Maybe we can…Y'know…We may be able to study in a place close to each other. Maybe even the same city. Hawkins Scholarships are usually more or less addressed to certain Unis in certain states.” I said with a shy smile, which in return, made his features soften up like never before. “Sounds good to me, babe.” he said, before burying his face in my neck, holding me tight as I played with his hair, calming him. “Billy.” I called out after a few minutes, when I felt his heartbeat calm down a bit. “Would it be okay with you if I corrected your test now? Don’t worry about the result, it just means that I will have to explain some stuff better, so it’s no problem. It’s as you said, we have enough time for everything. I don’t want to hold you off for too long since tomorrow’s your match and you should sleep well.” I say gently, making him sigh and nod.

I told him to stay in bed and lean on the bed post before I got up, took the test and a red pen from my bag before hopping next to him, cuddling to his side. We corrected the test together, explaining to him each mistake he made and why it was wrong, how to address the question tasked and so on, and it seemed like he understood and he was aware of his mistakes and how to solve them. It’s true, he didn’t make it to 75%, but it wasn’t too far away from that mark. He was frustrated, but I managed to calm him down and tell him that he will definitely do better next time and that first tests are always so bad. By the time we were done, outside was pitch black and we realised it was already past 10pm, which made me bite my lip.

“It’s okay, I can walk home, it’s no big deal. Just stay here and sleep well, okay?” I smiled at him reassuringly, but he only shook his head. “Just sleep over, I’ll sleep on the floor no big deal.” he proposed, shrugging, making me gasp. “Are you insane?! You, sleep on the floor? It’s YOUR house! Damn it, Billy! I should take the floor! Well…I could sleep in Max’s room, actually.” I realised, but he shook his head. “No, no, no, I’d rather sleep outside than seeing you do either of those two. I said it before, didn’t I? She won’t have you all for herself.” he said, making me chuckle. “You could just say you wanted to sleep cuddled with me, y'know? You liked that hug more than you’d admit in your life.” I teased him with a soft smirk. “Fine, babe, y'got me. So, what band do ya want?” he asked, going to his wardrobe to look for a Tshirt for me to sleep in. “Woaw, always ready to give a girl your band Tees, huh?” I chuckled, hiding my mouth slightly. “Nah, not 'a’ girl. You. Anyone touching my band tees will get burnt.” he smirked, leaning on the door. “Flattering, Billy. D'you have AC/DC?” I asked softly. “Do I breathe air?” he asked very dramatically, throwing the Tshirt at my head, making me laugh. “Thank you. I love the design…Oh, Jesus, how much cologne and cigarettes did you have while wearing this?” I laughed, hugging it too my chest. “Too much, maybe.” he shrugged. “I’ll turn around so you can change. Don’t worry, I won’t peep. Yes, you can kill me if I do.” he chuckled as he turned around, stretching a bit, giving me enough time to change and remain into his Tshirt and lady boxers only, thanking every deity existing that he was much larger than me and the Tshirt went mid-thigh. “Okay, I’m ready. Thank you…And, uhm…This is really weird and embarrassing.” I sighed as I put my clothes neatly folded on the chair. “Ah, fuck, you’re so hot, I knew it.” he smirked, raking his fingers through his hair. “Okay, fine, my turn. But I don’t mind if you watch.” he winked at me, making me hmpf a bit as I got in bed, putting the blanket over my head. “All clear, I can’t see a thing!” I chuckled, giving him a thumbs up with my arm out of the blanket, making him sigh.

It took less than two minutes for him to snatch the blanket from my head and snatch me into his arms tightly to his chest, playing with my hair loosely. I smiled softly and snuggled to his side, feeling warm and safe in his arms and I completely ignored the fact that he was only wearing a pair of boxers. Godamn it, Billy.

With a kiss on my forehead, he muttered in a low, guttural voice a simple “Good night, Princess” before closing his eyes and going to sleep. In return, I could only smile and kiss his neck, being closest to me, and wished him “Good night, Billy” before I let sleep take over my senses.

Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

@klassickb

[fallen029]

Conniving

“We should get the blue one.”

Bickslow considered this, standing there, like a presentable and upstanding member of society, as Lisanna stood beside him, an actual presentable and upstanding member of society, not considering at all. No. Because she’d already made a declaration and that was final.

But she’d said it in such a way that presented a debate. Or at least room left for negotiation. As they stood before the couch in the tiny shop, it would be easy to give in. Lay down. Let her walk all over him. In their first joint venture since moving in together.

But oh, Evergreen had warned him about this.

Man, had she warned him.

“The Strauss siblings are conniving, vindictive, idiotic little shits who would do anything to destroy us from the inside out,” the woman told him quite bitterly, honestly, just that very afternoon when they all met at Freed’s apartment to discuss an upcoming set of jobs they were planning on undertaking. As the rune mage feared, this was more a suggestion than a set plan as, frequently now, a gathering without the Strauss siblings was less a Thunder Legion group meeting and more a shit on whichever Strauss they were all on the outs with. For Evergreen, who was the one constantly on the outs, it varied, but she was happy, always, to just make it the trio. “Especially Lisanna.”

“And this,” Freed sighed, not sure why he was getting involved, at all, “has nothing to do with the fact that you and Elfman-”

“We were never dating so I don’t know what you’re implying, but no, you cannot break up if you were never together, so why are you even talking, Freed? If you’re going to spread such filthy, disgusting rumors?”

Bickslow just sat there, at the rune mage’s kitchen table with the now glaring at one another duo, before asking, “So what you’re sayin’ here is that the kid, man, she’s an untrustworthy one, huh? Probably gonna pull the wool right over my eyes.”

“I honestly couldn’t care less,” Freed told him truthfully, just wishing to put the whole thing to bed already. Finally.

“Conniving,” Evergreen ended and, well, Bickslow wasn’t too sure what conniving meant, but he knew he didn’t like the sound of it.

See, him and the kid, Lisanna, heh, definitely not a kid, but it felt like that, in someways. Like they were both kids. Again. Together. See, well, Bickslow was a bit of a fuck up at times. That’s how Evergreen put it and he even heard the boss, Laxus, that sly man, he’d mutter it sometimes too, under his breath. Never Freed, nope, not once, but he was sure he thought it too.

Bickslow didn’t hold it against anyone. No. He knew.

He really was a fuck up.

It was just something inside of him. It had always been there. A little gnawing in the back of his mind that always insisted, hey, you know, things are going great, smooth as a seal, but what if...now hear it out...what if...things just didn’t? Like you did one little thing that caused the whole tower to crumble? Wouldn’t that be fun, Bickslow, do you think? If we tumbled to the whole thing? One fell swoop and everything gone! Vanished! Vamoose! All it took was some annoying here, some creeping there, and bam, you would have an entire situation crafted by your witty hands to watch burn slowly to the wretched ground.

Being the good guy all the time, all the damn time, all the fucking time, was just so draining and unnecessary, really, because you could do little things, couldn’t you? Little tiny things that hardly affected anything at all, really, but were probably not leaning towards the lighter side of things on the big spectrum wheel of life, but that was alright, really, when you thought about it, because even if you did some bad things, you just had to do loads more back, to at least keep the needle somewhere in the middle.

He was a dark knight.

Noble and concerned with the good of the realm, but dabbling in things that maybe the ol’ king forbade, fine, but he didn’t mean you, Bickslow, did he? Laws didn’t pertain to someone who was so gallant in other ways, did they? So long as you did enough good, a little bad here or there didn’t hurt anyone.

Or did it?

Who the fuck cared?

More world to burn if it did.

Bickslow was on a slipper tightrope, tussled between the good thoughts and the bad. Evergreen knew this, oh man, if anyone knew it, it was her, and also enjoyed abusing it. It was just so easy for her to get in there, in his mind, it was just one, long, continuous series of trap doors and she could stop off anywhere, inside of it, pick a spot any spot and have him believe whatever she wanted him to believe.

And that day she wanted him to believe that Lisanna was out to get him.

“Do not, and I mean it, Bickslow, do not let her just walk all over you,” the woman insisted to him, earlier that day, as Freed only sighed and resounded to the fate of never having anything properly planned for anymore because of, all people, the Strauss siblings. The horror. “She’s going to try it. You know. They all do. Strausses are the worst of the worst.”

“Which is why you dated one for-”

“We never dated, Freed!”

“I don’t think the kid is that bad,” Bickslow muttered and his babies, who floated all about his head, didn’t feel this way at all.

“Mama’s great,” they insisted to him. “Papa. Mama’s great.”

“Who are you going to believe?” Evergreen asked with a glare at the wooden thing. “Me? Or your imaginary friends?”

“Well...when you put it like that… Probably my dolls because they’re not imaginary, Ever! They’re clearly right in front of you! Can you believe this woman, babies? Gets broken up with once and things she can end the monopoly on Strausses.”

“I did not get broken up with!”

Not that it mattered. She’d planted a seed in his head and the way that the kid said that, there, in the shop, all commanding like that. Over which could they should have. In their shared, new apartment. Like she had some kind of say so just because she was the one actually buying it and he wasn’t hardly contributing anything, really, to the costs of anything at all, really, and wow, wasn’t that controlling? He felt like that was pretty controlling of her, to just let him blow his jewels on booze and smokes while she paid for the apartment and it’s upkeep. Pretty conniving.

Maybe.

He’d yet to peep a dictionary on that one, but he was pretty sure it was.

“I,” he told Lisanna, who was not looking for opinions, at all, “like the red one. Actually.”

And he held his head up high, visor glinting in the sunlight, and when he felt the woman’s eyes on him, he refused to break, even as the babies cheered for the color blue because they liked blue, it matched their pretend mother’s eyes.

“Okay.”

He deflated some.

“Okay?”

“Well, yeah.” Lisanna was already walking over to it then, on the other side of the shop. “I don’t really care, either way. It was just that Mirajane said blue was better because it would match the rugs she’s going to give us, but who cares? Right? So-”

“But you said blue.”

“And you said red.”

“Well...now I want blue.”

“Why?”

“Because… Lisanna, are you conniving?”

“What do you mean?”

He wished he knew.

“Do you want,” she asked him with a frown, “the red or the blue? Bickslow? Because-”

“Whatever you want.” He sighed down at his feet. “I guess. Lissy.”

“The blue then.”

“Okay.”

Later that night, when they ahd everyone over to their place, Mirajane was ecstatic to see how nicely it matched the rugs. Bickslow though felt like a failure and, with his head bowed, he went to Evergreen to report as such.

“Uh, Ever-”

“Can you not see,” she complained as he came over to where she was actually seated on the couch, half draped over Elfman’s lap, “that I’m talking to someone?”

“Well, just Elfman.”

“Hi,” Elfman greeted with a wave. “Did the place come smelling so smokey? Or- Oh, no, I see your ashtray is overflowing, on the coffee table. Already. Didn’t you just move in a couple day-”

“Do you think,” Bickslow spoke right over him and instead to Evergreen, “that maybe conniving could actually mean something that you don’t think that conniving means? Or maybe you were just wrong with using it in the first place? Or oh, man, hey, do you think this couch would look better if it was weirdly shapen and red? Or was this blue one nice?”

“Fuck,” Ever told him, reaching up to toy with her glass, “off.”

And well, yeah, he was in his own apartment (well, Lisanna's, which he was moving into), but he heeded her warning.

“Oi, boss,” he sighed as he found Laxus in the kitchen with Freed, who was trying to explain to the former that, once more, his meetings had been overrun with Strauss nonsense and look, here came some more. “Do you know what conniving means?”

“I look like a fucking dictionary? Huh? Bickslow?” Laxus was not in a good mood. But then who was? When they got drug over to their girlfriend’s little sister’s apartment on the one your first night back in town after a super hard job? “And what’s this I hear about you and Ever not listening to Freed? If you don’t plan for jobs, what are you gonna do? How up unprepared?”

“It’s kinda my thing,” the seith admitted as Freed merely groaned because, yes, it very much so was.

“You and Evergreen are so messed up in the head, just from dating those two Strausses,” Laxus told him with a frown. “You know that? Can’t even think about nothing else anymore. Why is that? Huh?”

“Because they’re poisoning their minds.”

When both Bickslow and Laxus looked at Freed, he bowed his head some.

“Just a remnant of Ever’s tirade, from before,” he assured them. “Now that she’s back with Elfman, I’m sure we won’t hear it again.”

Until, well, they were officially off again.

But right now they are on and life was good.

Unless you wanted to plan for upcoming jobs…

“Boss, you’re datin’ one too,” Bickslow pointed out to the man and Laxus snorted around his beer can.

“Mira ain’t a Strauss,” he told him darkly. “She’s a Dreyar in training.”

And oh, Freed missed the old Laxus too.

If he could go back in time and do anything, it would be to stop the joining of their two houses. The Strausses and Thunder Legion did not belong together.

Clearly.

“Hey, boss, that’s real cute. You tell that one to your woman yet?”

Fuck no.

Then she might actually wanna have that serious conversation about marriage again that he did not want to even think about. It made his stomach sick.

Or maybe it was all the beer he’d been guzzling since arriving.

Mmmm...nope.

“Lisanna’s not using you, Bickslow. For anything.” Freed grimaced some as he said, “If anything, you’re kind of the one using her.”

“How do you figure?”

“What part of the rent are you paying?”

“Well… I picked out the couch.”

A poison. They truly were. Freed didn’t agree with Evergreen on much in those days, but surely that.

Sighing, Freed asked, “Don’t you guys ever think fo inviting anyone else? To these? Or gatherings?”

“Fuck no.” And Laxus was walking on then, when he heard Mirajane calling for him in the other room. “Hate everyone else even more than I hate all of you.”

“I love ya too, boss.” Bickslow beamed as he disappeared out of the kitchen. To Freed though, Bickslow only said, “But if we invited other people, then we all couldn’t hang out. Together.”

“Yes.” Freed only ran a hand over his face with a long sigh. “That’s quite the point.”

Alone in the kitchen now, Bickslow was actually kind of glad when Lisanna came to join him. She brought his dolls, anyways, who’d taken to following her around that evening. As they both sat together, on the counter of their apartment, sharing a drink while he smoked, Lisanna looked at him with a curious glance.

“So are you gonna tell me what’s been up with you? Today? Or are you just kind of freaked about this whole living together thing?”

Shrugging some, Bickslow said, “I just… Well, you’d tell me, wouldn’t ya? If you were tricking me? Lying to me? Using me?”

“I mean, probably not,” she admitted slowly and he nodded because, yes, that didn’t sound like something someone would do in that situation. “But… I can tell you honestly right now I’m not. If it makes you feel better.”

“Only if you promise not to destroy the Thunder Legion from the inside out.”

It was a bit too late, but she held up her pinky anyways and, well, you can’t break a promise that wasn’t whole to begin with.

[inexchangeforyoursoul]

have you ever had an otp so obscure,,,, (my most outlandish one was probably DirkxCalmasis tho)

anyway, time to get another entry in that tag which updates about twice a year. also have an ao3 link bc my blog is no good place for reading.

Fandom: One Piece

Characters (and also pairing I guess): Scratchmen Apoo, Basil Hawkins

tl;dr: one nerd is pining and the other eventually notices. setting is current situation where they presumably both work under kaidou. that’s about it. 1041 words, apparently.

It strikes him as odd.

Not as if Apoo wasn't a phenomenon in the first place- but he seemed to go out of his way to spend time around Hawkins, which was nothing bar suspicious to him.

They've been stuck working together for some time now, so he's already well aware of the kind of person the captain is, and can read him with ease without consulting the cards. Loud. Vibrant. A daredevil. And beneath that layer: calculating, shrewd, and sly. With the exception of those that gather under his flag, he is not one to build lasting relations- he was eager enough to realign himself after Kid's defeat, rushing towards the most favorable outcome in the situation. Allegiances of his come and go whenever the right circumstances present themselves, and as such...

It really seems quite out of the ordinary that ever since the very beginning, Apoo would regularly appear in some waking hour of the day to keep him company.

Even if the target of attention weren't on his toes under Kaidou, he'd be wary of this behavior. First conclusion he had was that his current partner in crime was planning something against -or at least  involving- him. Logical enough. Then again, its obviousness strikes him as unwise from a person he already expects much more from.

The cards also did not support this theory... it might just have been that the posed questions did not meet the actual specifics of his intent. Anyhow, after a dozen unsuccessful readings Hawkins decided to keep a closer look on what the captain might be up to instead. Which was not that hard of a task- his approach was always easy to expect with all the noise it's accompanied by. Thus, he's began watching. Observing. While humoring the other's antics- such as right now.

“So, all in all... we pulled a real ass-card with that alliance of ours, didn't we.” Apoo sighs in an exasperated manner after a seemingly never-ending wave of complaints. Meanwhile, his current one-man audience calculates on about various issues concerning their task for the next day.

This is the part where the musician stops talking and asks something in relation to a previous topic... then, after squeezing out a few curt replies and the awkwardness becoming unbearable, stands up and goes to do his thing.

Hawkins knows the routine. Forty minutes have passed since the longarm entered, and while another visit is a possibility on Apoo's early days, he never stays for more than an hour.

“Indeed,” comes the meager answer, which is more of an independent conclusion than part of the conversation hardly taking place. The results he sees in the readings are not reassuring, after all. Truly, they never are- but lately the outlooks have been looking bleaker than ever; a faint, displeased grimace appears on his face as he gets the final result of 18% and he picks up the cards to shuffle them once more.

Staring at him intently for a bit, Apoo speaks up again: “You know... while I manage and Kid's a total fuckup and an ass for dragging Killer down the hole with himself... I do feel bad for you.”

The mage stops in his tracks, and for the first time that day, locks eyes with his colleague. Before he could say anything, the other continues.

“I mean... right off the bat you wanted to leave, because we were just that much of a nuisance, so while Killer was keeping our shit together -and did a damn good job of it if I say so-...” He was trailing off, staring to the side. “I should've encouraged your decision while there was plenty of time to jump ships. Both pissbaby and me are cramping your style and gettin' on your nerves anyway.”

“...” The blonde captain was still debating on how to react for a couple of seconds. “... is that the reason why you keep following me around?” he posed the question bluntly, being at a loss for better words.

The reaction and level of interest being uncharacteristic also had Apoo facing a conundrum as to what to say. At least that was what was happening for a moment- then...

“Y---eah, I guess that's one way to put it,” came the splutter with face turned away. “Like, you never seemed especially hyped about the current situation and I feel kinda responsible a little, so... I check in to... see how you are doing?” he trailed off finally with an awkward hand gesture, forcing himself to at least face the other again.

Hawkins was staring at him incredulously with a squint- this the longarm couldn't have noticed as he was looking to the side despite his best efforts. He... was a terrible liar when his life did not depend on it. The next stretch of silence was grating away at him quick, too.

“Anyway,” the captain sprung up from his seat finally, “I gotta go check on how my fellas are faring. See ya!” he saluted and made his wackiest exit up to date.

Being left alone with his thoughts, Hawkins leans back on his chair, evaluating the convo. That was... certainly something. He hit close to home with that question, didn't he.

Pondering away the options, his attention gets drawn to a particular line of thought. Could that be the case...? Seems rather unlikely... then again, it also should explain quite a few things. Thinking about it, he also stopped picking up people somewhere down the line...

Setting up his cards again, he inquires about the possibility of something that never would have crossed his mind otherwise.

A concise, silent “Oh.” is all he can muster the minute after lifting the last one. With the 2% margin of error, that can be very well one hundred.

The weight of his worries slowly disappearing from his shoulders, he rolls his eyes; and, after a brief moment, cracks a faint smile.

Well, well, well. So that's what it's about. Quite flattering- and even charming, if he wants to be honest. The dunce has a crush.

Maybe he should consider the situation sometime later. But, really... he thought him to be the more forward type of guy.

[exobowsimulator]

The Glass Badge

A little crossover fic I wrote about my character from Mage: The Awakening, as a starting out Pokemon Gym Leader. Town name’s made up.

~

 You’ve been hiking for a long time.

 You set out early in the morning from Frostfire town, trekking up the dormant volcano to the Gym you’d only heard rumours about. Some chick had set up shop near the frozen crater lake about a month ago, building the place in a scant few days with the help of a few friends. “Terrible location,” said the shopkeep who told you abut the place, “most of the trainers from here who’ve gone to challenge her have been too worn out by the cold by the time they reach the summit, so everyone’s come back without having battled her. The only people who go up there at the moment are people she already knows.”

 But, determinedly, you set out in the morning and, finally, around mid afternoon, found yourself scaling the steps to the Gym, bundled in scarves and a beanie, cheeks freezing as you swing the door open to seek refuge from the cold.

 Inside... it’s still freezing, to the point where the walls and floor are completely iced over (yet, suspiciously, not the wide pool that runs along the right side of the gym and underneath a partition by the far wall). You’re greeted by a similarly bundled doorman, who offers you a blanket for your shoulders and a flask of Tapu Cocoa. You can hear talking from somewhere inside.

 “Hey, kid,” the doorman interrupts your train of thought, rubbing your shoulders briefly, “if you think you have it in you to take on the gym today, there’s nobody else here to fight - nobody’s stuck around, they think Claire’s crazy for running an Ice team after such a long, cold trek from the nearest town. Instead, she runs two teams and gives you a break half way.”

 “Is she for real? She makes you fight her twice?” You ask, sipping the chocolatey beverage as you heal your team.

 “Her first team is actually pretty easy, she calls it the B team, she’s let me fight it before and it’s not overly hard to beat. It’s the A team you need to worry about. It’s-”

 The talking in the background stops. “Kingsley! You try’na ruin my surprise again?” a chipper voice interrupts from somewhere further back in the Gym.

 Kingsley laughs at this, giving you a sly wink. “Nah, I just wanted to mention that there was one,” he calls in reply, before looking back to you. “She’ll be out in a minute, she’s got her teacher here for a meeting.”

 “Fair. Should I know what the surprise is?”

 “Would it really be a surprise, if someone just told you what it was?”

 You look up, and a door cut from the ice in the back of the room had swung open, a tall woman standing before you. Her black hair is pulled into a loose bun, and she’s swaddled in a long, relatively office-appropriate coat that looks exceptionally cosy. Perched on her shoulder is a Swablu, seemingly huddling close to its trainer for warmth.

 The woman smiles, before looking back through the door as she spoke again. “Let me know how your plan goes, Claire, looks like you’ll be making a start this afternoon,” she says, before stepping cautiously across the icy floor towards you.

 “That’s not Claire?” You whisper to Kingsley.

 “No. That’s Dornelia,“ he shrugs. “Claire doesn’t quite fit the scene.”

 “Sure she does,” Dornelia laughs, pausing as she passes you. “She just fits it differently to how you or I do. You’ll see why. Good luck!”

 You watch as she passes, striding out the door and into the snow, gently lifting the Swablu off of her shoulder so it can cuddle up inside her jacket. She keeps walking down the mountain, and you continue to watch for some time, until you become acutely aware of a presence beside you.

 You turn your head to find yourself face to face with a young woman in black exercise shorts and a crop top. She’s staring at you with piercingly blue eyes, and you feel as though she’s looking into your very soul. “Hey,” she greets you, finally breaking eye contact to offer a handshake. “I’m Claire. Sorry about the cold. Punster likes it.”

 “Punster?” You pause to ask.

 She gestures to the pool along the side of the room. A Gyarados slowly raises his head from the water, peering at you suspiciously for a moment, before dropping back into the water with what could almost be classified as a shrug.

 “Anyway, are you here for my badge? If you’re not sure, you’re welcome to just come back for a coffee and a nap or something, most people aren’t really feeling it by the time they get up here,” she shrugs, walking nonchalantly over the ice, somehow not slipping at all. You look to see if she’s wearing ice spikes, but instead notice she’s wearing those sneakers with the wing-shaped leather things on the laces.

 “N-no, I want to try to earn your badge,” you argue, shaking your head. “I came here to take on the new Gym Leader. I’m going to do that, if you’ll have me.”

 Claire pauses, grinning at you as she whirls around to face in your direction. “I’d be honoured to have you as my first challenger as Gym Leader,” she laughs, pulling a stool from near the door she initially emerged from and perching cross legged on it. “Kingsley’s explained what I’m doing at the moment?”

 “The A and B teams?” You ask, taking a few wobbly steps forward to stand opposite. “I have to defeat the B team first, right?”

 “Right. They’re not the easiest team in the world to beat, but if you’ve trained your team well and you’re tough against the cold, you’ll be okay. Think you’re ready?”

 “To be honest... I’m not sure. But, my Pokemon are healthy, and I’ll give it what I have,” you offer.

 “Good. I believe in you,” Claire smiles, tying her blonde scruff into a ponytail to reveal a well maintined undercut, before throwing a Pokeball onto the ice.

~

 A Glaceon, Delibird, Cryogonal, Alolan Vulpix and a Lapras later, your team is half wiped, and your face is glistening with loose ice crystals only barely bigger than snowflakes, but you’ve won. You’ve finished your first battle with Claire and emerged victorious.

 “Nice work,” she grins, calling most of her Pokemon back to their balls, pausing for a moment to gently pet the Glaceon. “I’m gonna go heal these guys and ready the A team, do you need anything? I’ve got Lemonade and I’ve got a friend bringing up some Revival Herbs for me in about an hour or so, the next room is much more comfortable, I promise.”

 “I’m okay for now, I’ve got plenty of that stuff on me,” you nod, offering your Pokemon treats and medicine. “It actually isn’t bad in here once you’re used to it.”

 She smiles, opening the door that leads through to the rear of the gym and stepping through it. “I’ll be in the back when you’re ready. Middle room’s warmest and closes to the bathroom if you need it,” she calls back at you, to which you nod and continue patching up your babies.

 “So what do you think? Think you’d stick around once you’re done fighting her?” Kingsley asks, stooping down to help.

 “I’m not sure, she’s kinda weird,” you admit, “but, she seems nice, and like she’d take care of the trainers who did train at her gym, so I guess I won’t knock it unless she suddenly becomes an asshole.”

 “She won’t,” comes an unfamiliar voice from behind you. “Claire isn’t like that, she’s too nice!”

 You turn to find yourself facing Dornelia again, as well as two others. The two look related, but that’s where the similarities end - one of them is a spitting image of Bayonetta, you think, but younger, slightly shorter and slightly more covered up, wearing lots of blacks and a few pinks, and the other wearing what looks like a Lolita-style dress but with extremely short, curly hair and covered from head to toe in long, swirling tattoos.

 “Guys, this is the challenger I told you about,” Dornelia explains, before looking at you with a shrug. “Thought she needed an audience for her first challenger.”

 “Okay then,” you nod, raising an eyebrow and introducing yourself.

 “I’m Usagi!” pipes the tattooed girl, hopping forward. “This is Kyubey, Claire’s girlfriend,” she introduces, to which the Bayonetta look-alike (Kyubey, if Usagi’s hand gestures are anything to go by) blushes and gives a little wave. “So? Did you beat her first team? How’d you go? Have you met the Magikarp?”

 “He’s not a Magikarp any more,” you hear Claire call from somewhere deep in the Gym. “I had to change his name and everything.”

 “I did beat the B team, yeah,” you nod, smirking. You can’t help but like these people, you realise.

 “That’s good! You looking forward to the A team?”

 “Depends, am I gonna get wiped?”

 “That entirely depends on your definition of wiped,” Kyubey smiles. “Come on, we’ll take you through.”

 Before you can really protest, the two who you think are sisters are nudging you through the doorway, through the middle (nicely furnished, glass-windowed) room and into a back room filled with more ice than the first, with a glistening cave at the rear. The entire room is lit with eerie, floating blue flames atop tall glass candelabras, and again you can see Claire, pacing, not missing a beat on the floor that really, really should be slipperier in those shoes. On seeing Kyubey, she smiles broadly, before offering a nod to Usagi and waving to Dornelia, who’s following closely behind you.

 “So, are you ready, do you think?” Claire asks, her face more composed, more serious than before the first battle. You notice she’s slung a black leather strap over one shoulder, on which are mounted five Pokeballs, two hanging ajar. “Do you think you have what it takes to take on my A team?”

 “I guess so,” you nod. “I’m more ready than I was before.”

 “Good. You have heart, which I can respect,” she nods. “But how’s your soul?”

 You notice that the others have taken a step back and closed the icy door behind them, before a silky, golden creature steps out from the cave behind Claire and, with a single breath, engulfs her and most of the ice surrounding you both in the same eerie blue flame that sits atop the pillars. You cry out in warning, but Claire doesn’t seem to feel any pain from it - she’s still staring you down as the flame subsides and the entire room is left glimmering in glass and gold gilding, her eyes gleaming. This strikes you as really fucking weird, but you rationalise it away as being some odd Pokemon-magic thing.

 Instead, you focus on the Ninetales. “That’s not an Ice-type,” you say as you raise an eyebrow cautiously.

 “Nobody said it was an Ice Gym. I just happen to have an Ice-type B team, and like I said, Punster likes the cold,” she smirks. “For my A team, I wanted Pokemon that burn as bright as my soul. Does yours burn the same? I feel like it could.”

 You hear cheering from the next room and turn to see that the fire melted away all the ice against the wall, revealing a window through which the others were watching enthusiastically.

 “So. Friend. You, me, playing with fire or nah?” You turn back to see Claire looking at you, eyes brimming with hope and energy as she scratches behind Ninetales’s ear.

 “Bring it on,” you grin, readying your team and throwing your beanie defiantly to the floor. You may not have been expecting this, but you know you were meant to do this. And you’re going to damn well do it.

~

 A few exchanges later and Claire emerges the victor, finally overpowering your team with the valiant effort of her Arcanine, Thor. But, seeing your disappointment at having lost, she comes to your aid and offers some of her medicinal supplies.

 “I mean, you’re welcome to try again whenever you like - that’s the thing about Gyms, they don’t exactly move, and you can keep on trying. You know my team now, so it’d be perfectly fair of you to go home and strategise,” she offers. “But...”

 “But what? I lost,” you frown.

 “I was going to offer that you could train here with me, until you were strong enough to defeat me in a Pokemon battle. I’ll help you become stronger, become who you were meant to be, who knows, might even unlock some hidden potential of yours,” she smiles. “You’re welcome here any time regardless, but that’s why Gyms always have a bit at the back or on the side, so that they can have people stay to train. That’s why it’s called a Gym,” she gives a laugh.

 “I mean, I suppose I would like my Pokemon to be stronger,” you shrug. “Me too, if that’s an option.”

 “It can definitely be in the books.” You swear you see her winking at one of the others.

 “Then, as long as there’s at least one warm room here, I guess I’ll stay?”

 You had never anticipated you’d be a Gym Leader’s first Gym member. And you definitely didn’t expect the reception your response got. Dornelia had food delivered oddly quickly. Usagi probably ate half of it. Claire and Kyubey spent the night trying to make you feel at home and organising for any stuff you’d left in town to be delivered the next day.

 It took a while, but eventually, Claire had other trainers become Gym members. The more people took the trek up the mountain, the less often she needed her B team, and the more people joined for the fantastic light show at the start of their battle with her A team. And, the more times you watched, the more you got the impression that it wasn’t just a weird Pokemon magic thing. You got the feeling it was her, somehow.

 Finally, after about a year and a half of physical training and lots of deep, philosophical chats with Claire, your now oddly prosperous mentor, you awoke to see the world as it truly was. It was on that day that you finally left the Gym. You knew your purpose now.

 You had finally earned the Glass Badge.