#maybe he met someone who made that change happen- a superior who actually was competent and deserved their rank

[clementine-thedestroyer]

You can’t look at John Price and tell me that he didn’t have a healthy disrespect for authority at some point. That disrespect for authority just changed in my opinion, shifted to a more mature form of only giving respect when it’s earned and deserved- which is what I think you usually see from him. He respects a person, not their rank.

I think of him as having lived at least some part of his teenage years and/or early twenties (depending on the AU or story) in a bit of a not quite rough, but definitely not something he’d want shown to superiors sort of way. Leather jackets, pub crawls, ect. It could go a million different ways- maybe was a biker, maybe he was part of the British punk/punk adjacent scene, who knows.

[troped-fanfic-challenge]

The Master List of the Summer 2020 Chopped 3.0: The 100 Fanfic Challenge!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this third run of our full Chopped Challenge! We are so happy that this fun little idea that we got from @chants-de-lune continues to be such a success!

In this event we had Historical Body Swaps, Sci-Fi Reunions based on TV/Movies, Epic Platonic Fantasy Heists, and Crazy El Dorado Adventures! We received so many creative and exciting fics that were a thrill to read. We hope you guys had as much fun writing and reading these fics as we did, and we hope you’ll join us for more events in the future.

Please check out all the Chopped 3.0 fics below. Don’t forget to leave the authors some love!

———

Round 1: Historical Fics

Tropes:

Body Swap

Competing “Businesses”

Meet Ugly

First Kiss

On a Tear (Rated M) [Emori/Murphy/Raven] by @sparklyfairymira

Summary: Raven Reyes doesn’t get along with John and Emori Murphy - the owners of the only other speakeasy in Arkadia. What happens when her world is turned upside down and she finds herself inside Emori’s body?

2nd Place Best Overall, 3rd Place Theme, 1st Place Body Swap Trope, 3rd Place Competing Businesses Trope, 1st Place Meet Ugly Trope, 1st Place Tie First Kiss Trope, 2nd Place Best Dialogue, and Most Unique Pairing Winner.

A Change of Heart (Rated G) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @queenemori

Summary: When Clarke’s mother informed her she’d be spending her summer in England’s newest seaside resort, she did not expect such an eventful trip. She was only sent to see if they actually posed a threat to her family’s resort in Brighton. She did not at all expect to make an enemy of the architect’s nephew. But when an unusual situation arises, Clarke and Mr. Blake must learn to work together, no matter how much they dislike each other.

Or, a loose Sanditon AU

1st Place Best Overall, 1st Place Theme, 3rd Place Body Swap Trope, 2nd Place Competing Businesses Trope, 3rd Place Meet Ugly Trope, 1st Place Tie First Kiss Trope, and 1st Place Best Dialogue Winner.

May We Meet Again (Rated T) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @changingthefairy-tale

Summary: Clarke and Bellamy both show up to assassinate the same target. Chaos ensues.

3rd Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Theme, 2nd Place Body Swap Trope, 1st Place Competing Businesses Trope, 2nd Place Meet Ugly Trope, 1st Place Tie First Kiss Trope, and 3rd Place Best Dialogue Winner.

———

Round 2: Sci-Fi Fics

Tropes:

Based on a TV Show/Movie

Reunion

Kiss to keep cover/keep a secret

Forehead touches

and i’ll never say i love you (but i meant it all along) (Rated T) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @bellamysgriffin

Summary: When Coach, a dating system that pairs you with someone for an allotted amount of time and gives no way to bypass its rules, matches Bellamy and Clarke together, they find an immediate dislike for the other. Luckily, they only have to spend twelve hours together and then they can go their separate ways.

That is, until Coach matches them again. And again. And again. Until they start to wonder if something deeper is going on.

Or, Bellamy and Clarke in Hang the DJ

1st Place Theme and 2nd Place Based on a TV Show/Movie Trope Winner.

Per Aspera Ad Astra [Through Hardship to the Stars] (Rated G) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @she-who-the-river-could-not-hold

Summary: It’s boredom one fateful night that leads Clarke Griffin to ditching the first basketball game of the season. That same boredom then leads to her choosing to hang out with one Bellamy Blake – which should feel weirder than it is since they haven’t really been friends since his sister’s disappearance two years ago.

But then their night really takes a turn.

The two of them discover a strange audio frequency that could change the small town of Arkadia, New Mexico – and the future – forever. Dropped phone calls, forgotten tapes, and strange lights follow Bellamy and Clarke as they race through the night on a scavenger hunt to discover the truth. That maybe there was something more to Octavia’s disappearance, maybe there’s more to their friendship than being just friends, and that maybe they aren’t as alone in the universe as they thought.

2nd Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Forehead Touch Trope, 2nd Place Tie Kiss to keep cover/keep a secret Trope, and 1st Place Reunion Trope Winner.

through the muted waves (Rated T) [Murphy/Emori] by @the-most-beautiful-broom

Summary: Scientists call the Tomorrow People the next stage of human evolution, the government denies their existence, but their cocktail of psionic abilities have made homo superiors the target of Eligius. Even though Eligius has closed the project that allows Tomorrow People to override their genetic inability to kill, they still relentlessly hunt them, desperate to neutralize their abilities. When Murpy wakes up in Eligius headquarters, he knows he’s returned for a reason…if only he could understand his connection to the brown-eyed girl who keeps cropping up on the corners of his memory.

3rd Place Tie Theme and 2nd Place Tie Kiss to keep cover/keep a secret Trope Winner.

in the red snares (Rated T) [Octavia/Lincoln] by @justbecauseyoubelievesomething

Summary: The prevailing theory around the existence of Slayers (her existence) is that a variation of the alien parasite the miners unearthed deep in the Sub Stratum started infecting hosts in order to combat the vampire parasite. Octavia scoffs at the thought. The theory is probably right, especially since Monty is pretty confident in it, but she still hates the whole thing. The Slayer parasite really needs an upgrade in her opinion.

3rd Place Best Overall and 3rd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

The Cockroach (Rated T) [Murphy/Emori] by @mobi-on-a-mission

Summary: “This is the cockroach hailing Mission Team Alpha. It’s Sol 30 here on good ol’ Planet Alpha. Not that it’s really a planet, but eh whatever. Technicalities, right? Anyway. Systems check. Arm: healing. Bugs: normal. Radio: shitty. Attitude: good.”

1st Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Theme, 1st Place Forehead Touch Trope, and 3rd Place Reunion Trope Winner.

I’m No Hero (Rated T) [Murphy/Emori] by @queenemori

Summary: It’s 2052 and Reapers are wreaking havoc on mutants and humans alike. Murphy is recruited by Kane and Jaha to go back in time to prevent Octavia Blake from starting an international crisis that made the future much worse. But going back to the past comes with some side effects, mainly having to do with some relationships that Murphy left on bad terms.

3rd Place Tie Theme, 3rd Place Based on a TV Show/Movie Trope, and 3rd Place Forehead Touch Trope Winner.

from angels or devils (Rated T) [Octavia Blake] by @dylanobrienisbatman

Summary: Octavia was dead, and then she wasn’t. The nuns say it was the gift of an angel, but they may not know as much as they claim.

Will she be able to learn to channel it’s gifts, or will she be claimed by the villain who has followed the Halo through time and space?

3rd Place Most Unique Source Material Winner.

Can’t Tell if this is True or Dream (Rated M) [Echo/Gabriel] by @kuklash

Summary: “Do you understand your mission, agent?” A cloud of smoke punctuated the Director’s question, streaming from his mouth in thick, grey ribbons.

“I am to evaluate the necessity of the work Dr. Santiago is doing and report back at the conclusion of the investigation,” Echo repeated her instructions. Her lungs filled with second-hand smoke and she stifled a cough.

“I hope you appreciate the delicacy of this mission, Echo.” His intense gaze bore a hole into her’s. “Gabriel is not to know the nature of your assignment.”

She met his gaze with equal intensity as she stood up to leave.

“I understand, sir.”

1st Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

There are some things written in the stars (Rated G) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @changingthefairy-tale

Summary: Dear Bell,

I know you have a million questions. When I planned to come see you in Sau Paulo, I knew I wouldn’t have much time, and there was just too much I wanted to say. But also so much I knew I couldn’t. My only hope is that this journal answers some of your questions, and by some miracle saves your life.

My name is Clarke Griffin, a historian. We’ve never met before today, in your time at least. In 2019, I would be just starting my professorship at Arkadia University back in the states. That’s honestly the only reason Murphy didn’t fight me on seeing you — no chance that I’d cross paths with myself. He wouldn’t have been able to stop me, mind you. But he’s definitely the better pilot, so I’m glad he was on board.

I’m getting away from myself. It’s hard to remember a time when you didn’t just instinctively know what I was thinking. It’s felt a little like you’ve just known me my whole life, the way we’ve always been in sync. Let me start from the beginning, just rip the bandaid off…

Or the “Timeless” AU you never knew you needed. Submitted as part of the Chopped Challenge: Round 2.

3rd Place Kiss to keep cover/keep a secret Trope, and 2nd Place Reunion Trope Winner.

Healing AIs, Healing Hearts (Rated T) [Octavia/Raven] by @spacekrulesbians

Summary: Raven and her mother were a perfect team, working with damaged and mistreated AIs and tech. When tragedy strikes, however, Raven has to figure out how to make it on her own. And then there’s that new assistant her mom hired, making things interesting.

1st Place Most Unique Source Material and 2nd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

inconceivable (Rated T) [Bellamy/Clarke] by @kindclaws

Summary: The first touch of his fingers on her wrists makes her whole body shiver. She’s so painfully aware of him being just behind her, of the wonder and the impossibility of his existence here, that she has to remind herself to keep breathing as he slowly picks apart the knots binding her hands together. “If I turn around, will you be gone?” she murmurs. “Is this a bad dream? Will you be dead again when I wake up?”

“I’m real,” he says softly, and finally the last knot falls away and her hands are free.

It’s practically inconceivable.

(Chopped 3 presents: The Princess Bride. In space, bitches.)

1st Place Based on a TV Show/Movie Trope, 1st Place Kiss to keep cover/keep a secret Trope, and 2nd Place Most Unique Source Material Winner.

———

Round 3: Fantasy Fics

Tropes:

Heist AU

Character gets given a potion that makes them unable to lie

Garnderer AU

Forehead kiss

What Is Mine (Rated T) [Jordan & Hope] by @memoriisendgame

Summary: Jordan learns the important lesson of family and friendship as he attempts to get back something he feels he rightfully deserves.

5th Place Best Overall, 3rd Place Tie Heist AU Trope, 3rd Place Forehead Kiss Trope, and 2nd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

A Change in the Weather (Rated T) [Murphy & Clarke & Raven] by @sparklyfairymira

Summary: Murphy leans over, plucking a weed from between the Bitter Spolwoods. “There you go. All better now. Can’t let that mean old weed try and strangle you, can we?” He grabs the water jug by his side and waters the ground around the plants before stroking the purple leaves. “You’re doing so well here. Look at you getting so big.”

“Are you talking to the plants again?”

Murphy grins as he turns to face Raven. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. I always talk to the plants. Why do you think they grow so well?”

“They’re plants, Murphy.” Raven raises an eyebrow as she stares at him.

“Exactly.” Murphy turns to the plants again, lovingly stroking the leaves. “Ignore her. She just doesn’t understand.”

Or: A friend is kidnapped causing Murphy, Raven, and Clarke to join forces with others to save him, all while set in a magical fantasy world.

3rd Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Truth Serum Trope, 1st Place Forehead Kiss Trope, 1st Place Tie Gardener AU Trope, 3rd Place Best Descriptions, and 3rd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

We will begin again (Rated T) [Raven & Gaia] by @dylanobrienisbatman

Summary: Over two centuries ago, Man stole the Giant’s Heart from where it was protected by the Witches, and with it, they gained great power. But the longer it is away, the more damage is done to the planet.

Can Raven, along with her companions, return the Giant’s Heart to the Witches and restore balance and prosperity to the world?

1st Place Theme, 1st Place Heist AU Trope, 1st Place Best Descriptions, and 1st Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

picture me in the weeds (before i learned civility) (Rated T) [Clarke & Murphy] by @probably-voldemort

Summary: There are three days from when Clarke was seven that she doesn’t remember. Not odd in itself, except for what those days contain. She remembers leaving her house with her neighbour John to play in the woods like they did every day, and then she remembers coming home three days later. She has no memory of where they’d gone or what happened or why John never came back.

Now, Clarke returns to the woods for the first time in sixteen years. After running into someone from her past who shouldn’t exist, Clarke begins to wonder if everything she’s believed for years could really be a lie.

1st Place Best Overall, 3rd Place Tie Theme, 2nd Place Forehead Kiss Trope, and 1st Place Tie Gardener AU Trope Winner.

talos bless us (Rated T) [Echo & Raven] by @spacekrulesbians

Summary: When Bellamy gets himself captured by Imperials, sisters Raven and Echo plan the ultimate heist to break him out of a closely guarded fort, aided by a dark elf and a khajiit.

4th Place Best Overall, 3rd Place Tie Theme, 3rd Place Tie Heist AU Trope, 1st Place Truth Serum Trope, and 2nd Place Gardener AU Trope Winner.

truth lies in an abyss (Rated T) [Bellamy & Clarke] by @justbecauseyoubelievesomething

Summary: “Thank you for meeting me here.” Her dark blue hood obscures most of her face, but when she tilts her chin towards him, her green eyes flash in the starlight.

He nods demurely. “I take it you have a proposition for us?”

She hesitates. “Is it true what you can do? Enter the Fade?”

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t true.”

“And are you as good as they say you are?”

Bellamy lets a faint smile cross his lips. “I don’t know what they say, but I can assure you I take the utmost pride in my work, Lady Griffin.”

A Fantasy Heist AU for the Chopped 100 Challenge

2nd Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Theme, 2nd Place Heist AU Trope, 3rd Place Truth Serum Trope, 3rd Place Gardener AU Trope, and 2nd Place Best Descriptions Winner.

———

Round 4: Championship Fics

Tropes:

El Dorado

Frikdreina

Telepathy

Free Space

The Life We Seek To Find (Rated T) [Emori/Murphy] by @memoriisendgame

Summary: “Alexia and Blue, they’ll have a better chance there. You will have a better chance there. Trust me.”

Murphy and Emori make the daring decision to travel across the unknown wasteland of Earth in order to find the so-called ‘City Of Light’ in the hopes of finding a better future for their little family.

-Loosely based on “Bird Box” in the sense that there is a safe haven a long journey away.

1st Place Frikdreina Trope, 1st Place Telepathy Trope, and 2nd Place Tie Best Plot Twist Winner.

Am I dreaming (Or is this burning an eternal flame) (Not Rated) [Emori/Murphy/Raven] by @sparklyfairymira

Summary: A post-apocalyptic story of soulmates.

Murphy never thought he’d meet his soulmate - let alone find out he had two. But that’s just what he does while he and Bellamy searched for Octavia. And now he’s expected to help save the world? This was not how he was expecting his life to go.

3rd Place Best Overall, 3rd Place Tie Theme, 3rd Place Tie Frikdreina Trope, 2nd Place Telepathy Trope, 2nd Place Author’s Choice Trope, and 2nd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine (Rated T) [Emori/Murphy] by @queenemori

Summary: Emori doesn’t do normal. That’s something she’s never had in her life. It’s why she doesn’t really question it when she starts having weird dreams that have absolutely nothing to do with her. And why she doesn’t question it when she happens upon the subject of the dreams, either. Like this mysterious guy, she’s just along for the ride.

A modern retelling of Emori and Murphy’s first meeting.

2nd Place Best Overall, 2nd Place Theme, 3rd Place Tie Frikdreina Trope, 3rd Place Author’s Choice Trope, and 2nd Place Tie Best Plot Twist Winner.

leave my loneliness unbroken (Rated T) [Bellamy/Clarke/Raven] @justbecauseyoubelievesomething

Summary: When you turn ten years old, you hear your soulmate’s voice inside your head.

Or so Raven’s been told.

3rd Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

Rattle the Stars (Rated G) [Octavia/Lincoln] by @she-who-the-river-could-not-hold

Summary: Even as humanity spread itself through space, the universe remains the true final frontier. Outlaws rule the fringes of galaxies and for those who are down on their luck, it’s not an easy lifestyle.

Octavia Blake grows up on stories of a fearsome bandit named Charmaine Diyoza and dreams of one day going on her own intergalactic adventures. She’s eighteen when that becomes a reality, a chance encounter leading her on a treasure hunt throughout the galaxy in search of the famed El Dorado, a Treasure Planet made entirely of gold. Along the way she makes allies and enemies –– but one person in particular guides her along the way. A cyborg named Lincoln helps her blossom on the ship and come into herself and she can’t help but fall for him, even as she learns that not everything is as it seems. But with the mysterious map in hand, unusual friends, and her own belief in herself, she might just discover more than gold on this adventure.

1st Place Best Overall, 1st Place Theme, 1st Place El Dorado Trope, 2nd Place Frikdreina Trope, and 1st Place Best Plot Twist Winner.

until the next, my beloved (Rated T) [Luna/Raven/Roan] by @spacekrulesbians

Summary: Luna and Roan set off to find the legendary city of Eden, where it is said there is gold stretching as far as one can see. As Raven cannot come due to her blindness, Luna takes it upon herself to keep sending her messages.

3rd Place Tie Theme, 3rd Place Telepathy Trope, 1st Place Author’s Choice Trope, 3rd Place Tie Best Plot Twist, and 1st Place Most Unique Pairing Winner.

lost in the woods (Rated T) [Clarke/Murphy] by @probably-voldemort

Summary: Murphy can read minds, but only sometimes. It doesn’t help him not get lost on a class hiking trip.

3rd Place Tie Best Plot Twist Winner.

[365daysoftododeku]

13th March 2019

Author: CrzA

Admin’s Note: The second part of Bunnyzuku by @crzangel​! For the first part, check out her work from March 8th!

________________________________________________________________

Never Me Anybunny Like You (Part 2)

In all honesty, this is probably the stupidest thing Izuku could be doing right now. The Prince had it all right, and now he’s just pushing his luck by going back to his ways. And it’s not like he has an excuse—not that any one he might have would justify this—, it’s simply not something he should be doing. It’s an invasion of privacy, really. And he knows that it’s wrong, of course he does, shame is eating away at his insides this very moment, as it had been since the very first day he happened upon the edge of the castle’s private gardens, but there is just this strange pull. Because that makes it sound better. He can bet all stalkers use a similar line—it's fate, don’t you see? We are meant to be!

Izuku shudders. It’s not like that…

It would be a lie to say Izuku didn’t know about the Prince before. Every one of his kind knew him, his father had a bit of a reputation and it was just assumed that the Prince would follow in the man’s footsteps; cruelty, war, destruction, all in the name of a search for more power. He is a king, isn’t that power enough? Such greed for more had led to many years of strained relations between Izuku’s kind and the Tyrant King (as he’s so lovingly called by most of his people).

When Izuku stumbled out of the forest on another one of his narrow escapes from Kacchan’s angry clutches and right into the grounds behind the walls, his heart had shot right to his throat as soon as he had laid eyes on the Prince’s dual-coloured hair. He managed to jump up to one of the tree’s branches before the prince even turned in his direction, hidden away from view by the foliage around him. It certainly helped that both his hair and clothes had a similar shade of green, otherwise he may have still stuck out like a sore thumb.

In retrospect, he should have just walked—or run—away when he realised where he was, even more so when he saw that he had company. But Izuku had always been a curious bun, and he had never really met anyone from the royal family. All he knew was what his elders told him and all the other children when they were young. And King Yagi was a kind and nurturing man, he wouldn’t sow the seeds of ill-will towards someone who had never done them any harm.

All he really knew, however, was that King Todoroki wanted to drive them out of the forest so that he could secure an easier passage to the kingdom he meant to conquer but never could. He had seen the man storming out of their court with murder in his eyes, had felt the aura of hostility emanating off of him as he walked past Izuku and back to his castle. Everything else, he had just been told; that his children were sure to be just as unforgiving, with such a man’s influence growing up.

But Izuku didn’t know that to be true. He was wary of anyone from the royal family, no doubt about it, but he didn’t want to make conjectures about someone he had never even laid eyes on. He was so curious what the King’s youngest was really like, if the rumours of his equally cruel demeanour were true. The King had three other children, all of them older, and yet he was the one he had chosen to make the Crown Prince. Everyone said that he must have been the one the King saw most potential in. And if that was the case, it couldn’t mean anything good.

Izuku wanted to know the truth, see for himself if this prince was just as menacing as everyone said he was.

Just one look at the young man’s face and Izuku would never believe there was a single evil bone in his body. The slightly confused furrow of his brow at the sound of the leaves rustling held no malice, no threat, and when he deemed that the sound was just his imagination, the softness of his expression was breath-taking. Birds chirped all around him, some even landing on his shoulder, completely unafraid, and if Izuku knows anything is that he can trust animal’s judgements.

The way he cared for the plants in the garden was so gentle too, giving them all the nurturing they needed to grow big, healthy and beautiful. He would caress the flower’s petals sometimes, smiling so tenderly, as if they held treasures only he knew the existence of, and perhaps they did. It was obvious how much this garden meant to him from the look on his face alone.

Then there was the way he talked to all the little critters that found their way into the gardens too, how he would sometimes hold them if they allowed it and how he always carried some food on him for whichever ones were willing to take it. Everything he did was careful, gentle, kind. It was hard to even believe that the Prince and the King were actually related.

Though Izuku supposes that he should know better than anyone that blood does not dictate someone’s behaviour. After all, he would never abandon his mother, much less someone he claimed to have fallen in love with or any child they may have together.

And Izuku was fascinated by the Prince, by everything he did. When he left the gardens, Izuku had lingered a while longer, not really knowing why. And then a few days passed and he couldn’t stop thinking about him, about his gentle kindness, that soft smile on his lips that made him so unbearably beautiful. Izuku wanted to know more, he wanted to know him and his story, so he kept coming back in the hopes of someday gathering the courage to talk to him, to make his presence known, introduce himself.

Of course, that never happened. Because Izuku may do many reckless and crazy things, but telling a prince that he has been silently admiring him from afar isn’t one of them. And the longer he did it, the more terrified he became of being found out. If it had been that first time or maybe even the third, it would have been easier to explain, but a few times over the course of two weeks became an almost daily routine and after a little over a month he’d tipped the scale from curious to downright creepy, he’s sure of it.

And he’s ashamed, he is, so devastatingly ashamed, but he doesn’t have the guts to come clean. The incident made that very clear. Kacchan turned him into an actual rabbit and he had instinctively run towards the Prince without even thinking. And then he picked Izuku up, and held him close, and he was so warm and his arms so comfortable. How could he possibly resist nuzzling into his chest, burrowing in his arms, reach up to touch his adorable nose with his own?

And then… And then he kissed his forehead. For a split second Izuku felt like he was on cloud nine, which in and of itself should have been a red flag, but then Kacchan’s spell was broken by that very gesture and of course he doesn’t know how to shut up. That had always worked out in his favour—that is, if his goal was to get into copious amounts of trouble. The Prince is smart, how could he not be, it was to be expected that he would be able to put two and two together from Izuku’s panicked ramblings and figure out the encounter wasn’t entirely due to chance.

Somehow, he’d managed to escape before being fully confronted, but Izuku must have a death wish. Or at the very least he is extremely stupid. Because here he is again, after only three days, waiting for the Prince to come by the gardens as he does every day. Except he should be here by now—Izuku realises how concerning it is that he even knows that—but he is nowhere to be found, and a cold feeling spreads in the pit of Izuku’s stomach.

“Waiting for something?” A voice sounds from right behind Izuku and he jumps into the air from the fright, nearly missing the branch he had been perched on on his way down.

“Holy Bunn Might, my ticker is going faster than a professional hopper on a carrot race!”

His eyes widen as soon as they land on his company, one fiery red eyebrow climbing up into the Prince’s hairline as an amused smirk stretches across his thin lips. A small high-pitched noise climbs out of Izuku’s throat and he slips on the branch, ready to fall to his death only to have an arm wrapped around his waist to prevent him from tipping over. If his heart was beating fast before, then it is certainly trying to beat right out of his chest now, the Prince’s face so close Izuku can feel his breath wafting against his cheeks, surprisingly cool and wonderfully fresh. Just like when he had held him before, he smells like snow freshly fallen from the sky, and he doesn’t know how someone can capture the scent so perfectly and yet here he is. Izuku can only stare, dumbstruck.

“What’s wrong? Rabbit got your tongue?” Prince Todoroki quips, gently flicking one of Izuku’s ears.

With another disgruntled noise, he immediately pushes away from him, jumping to the ground and getting ready to hop his way back to his home in the heart of the forest when he hears a thud right behind him. Before he can tell himself to ignore it and just start running, the Prince settles between him and his escape route, clearly much more aware of what Izuku is capable of this time around. Surely it would be stupid to attempt a similar move, and yet…

Just as Izuku is vaulting over the Prince’s head once again, he catches his foot, upsetting his momentum and causing him to come crashing face-first onto the fluffy grass beneath. At least it was a soft landing, but it doesn’t change the fact that there is a royal currently sitting on his back and he can’t move no matter how much he thrashes.

“Ah, tiddlywinks.” Izuku huffs in defeat.

“Now, I don’t suppose you’re spying on me to report back to your superiors, otherwise you would have little more to tell them other than the fact that I like to spend my afternoons surrounded by nature before I retire for the night. Unless you mean to kidnap me, though I would believe they would send someone more competent if that were the case.”

Izuku may have been offended by that comment if not for the fact that he really brought it upon himself and the Prince has an excellent point. Sighing heavily, Izuku lets his ears droop forward, covering his eyes with them.

“I’m sorry…” He mutters miserably.

“What for?”

“Watching you… I know it’s bad and I shouldn’t have done it but you’re just so…” The Prince hums, a hint of curiosity in his tone as Izuku drifts off. Bracing himself for the worst, he swallows nervously before adding “—captivating?”

“That’s one of the nicest things anyone has said about me.” He replies, and Izuku can’t quite tell if he’s being serious or not. “But you are right when you say you shouldn’t have done it. I don’t exactly like being watched, that’s one of the reasons I go to the gardens to begin with.”

“I truly am sorry…”

“That’s alright. You sound sincere so I accept your apology.” Feeling the weight lifting off his back, both literally and figuratively, Izuku almost jumps in joy at the Prince’s words, until he notices the tilt of his head, the mischievous glint in his eye, and he gulps, casually dusting himself off. “On one condition.”

Izuku’s heart sinks right down to his stomach and a cold shiver crawls up his spine. He should just turn on his heel and run, he should just go and never return before this whole situation gets even more out of hand. But when has Izuku been known for making wise decisions anyway? He owes the Prince proper compensation for his invasion, it’s only polite to listen to his demand…

“Next times you come around, you actually come and sit with me. I must admit, you have me intrigued.”

“W-what if I don’t come around any longer, then?” Izuku tries.

“That’s up to you. I can’t force you to do anything.” Izuku would certainly beg to differ. “But something tells me I will see more of you in the future. I would most definitely enjoy the company of someone who doesn’t serve me or my old man, for once.”

There, in his mismatched eyes, Izuku sees it, clear as day: a vulnerable boy, lonely and sad, trying to reach out to someone who might treat him as an equal and not as a prince, not as a means to an end or a burden they were tasked to bear. His ears stick to his head once more, tears welling up in his eyes as he sniffles for a moment, turning away. He shouldn’t, right? But he just wants a friend, is that so wrong?

“I will… see you sometime soon.” Izuku whispers, reaching for one of his ears to shyly stroke it in front of his face. “C-could I call you Todoroki-kun, then? Prince Todoroki or Your Highness just feels strange… Where I come from titles don’t really matter.”

“Sure.” Todoroki smiles for a single heartbeat, and Izuku’s own skips. “Midoriya.”

He remembered my name. Oh, wrinkly whiskers he remembered my name.

Nodding stiffly, Izuku rounds Todoroki and tries his hardest to resist the urge to start jumping to the time of his heartbeats. He comes to the conclusion later that bolting in the direction of his home is only marginally less embarrassing.

________________________________________________________________

Would you like your work to be featured in the 365 Days of TodoDeku Project? Apply here! (≧∇��)/

[no-i-didnt-notice-im-short]

Heyy,, I don’t know if you’re taking writing prompts at all so if you’re not just discard this? I couldn’t help but wonder how the team would’ve reacted if Red hadn’t gotten to Lance in time in s7? Like how when Adam’s team was fighting and when they died their lines went red on screen, like that for Lance? Maybe some Shklance or Klance because I’m weak? Love your writing though!!!!

I am so sorry this took so long. Also, i chose Sklance cz i am weak too.

Hope you like this ❤ Ao3

Lance’s reunion with his family was so pure to the pointthat Shiro was afraid of his own envy. He secretly hoped for Adam’s presence,though they were not together anymore, to welcome him back to his home planetinstead of it being Iverson. Keith was standing next to him smiling fondly atthe Cuban boy. Sadness plagued his eyes if you knew where to look but wasultimately completely drowned with fondness towards their boyfriend.

Lance had spoken for hours on end about his family and howmuch he missed them. The other two males having come from a much smallerfamilies and could do nothing to relate but gladly offered an ear to theirthird partner. Looking at him now, how much his family cried over their lostmember and how much emotion was displayed infront of them, they were thankingthe heavens for every second Lance was able to avoid death.

The Sendak incident, the Sven incident, the… Omega Shieldincident.

There had been way too many times where it seemed like Lancewas cursed to get hurt, which made their anxiety over their lover’s possibledemise weigh over them, keeping them up at night. They’ve talked about it, whenLance would have his headphones on and loud to calm his thoughts and soothe himto sleep when not even Shiro and Keith can help, on what they would do or howthey would react. How the universe was intent on throwing hardships at Lanceevery step of the way.

They could never fully imagine.

Not even during the omega shield incident, neither of themwere really there. They found out long after it happened and were alwayssoothed by Lance that he was fine and that it didn’t have any lasting effect onhim. Of course, the two black paladins still insisted he took things slowerthan usual and not jump into things head on. Keith’s two years of maturitytrumping Lance’s argument that hot-headedness was Keith’s thing.

After Hunk settled in his given room, Pidge left with herfamily and the Alteans were given their own double suite. Shiro asked commanderabout his old quarters considering he used to be a high ranking pilot.

“The one you shared with Captain Adam.” Iverson looked atShiro with unreadable eyes. He thought he saw sadness but dismissed it as atrick of lighting.

“Yeah… I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t mind if I crashed withhim for a while. It was my apartment too.”

The older male looked at the other two males in the roombefore training his gaze back at Shiro.

“You might want to sit down for this.”

Keith and Lance each stood next to a shoulder showing theirfull support to their partner no matter what. After Iverson delivered the news,Shiro stared at his hands for a few seconds before droplets of salty tearsfell, staining his pants. He didn’t realize he was crying until his upper kneearea was completely soaked. Lance sat down next to Shiro and held him into hischest as sobs rattled his entire body.

Despair and hopeless shocked hissystem. He knew this was a military base and death was inevitable as someonewho signed up for this. But he never thought it would be so soon for hisex-lover. It brought back his small pinches of fear towards his current lovers,so he reached for Keith and brought him down to their level and held him close.He wanted to be surrounded by as much of them as possible. He needed to feeltheir heartbeats against him, even if faint. He will do whatever he can to keepthem safe.

After deciding to split up for the 6 bases, the Voltron teamand MFE pilots and Shiro stood to say their final thoughts to each other.

“Everyone keep your coms ready and open.” Shiro urged theyounger pilots. “I want to be able to hear everything and have the ability totalk to you no matter what, okay?”

A series of affirmatives rounded from everyone.

“So here is the full plan, again.” Shiro spent the next tenminutes revising the details to make sure things will go as smoothly aspossible. He couldn’t afford mistakes. These were the lives of his friends andlovers, not just his colleagues.

“Lastly, Lance.” Grey eyes met striking blue. “You andVeronica will go the one closest to here. She will drive you while you try toconnect with Red.”

“Do I have to go with Veronica?” Lance said, his voiceetching with concern and worry. Shiro understood what he must be going through.Lance had told them of his worries about his sister being a part of this, eventhough she was a Garrison officer long before he left Earth in the first place.

“Calm down, Lancelot!” She said smiling at her youngerbrother. Their dynamic was always so light-hearted but never lacked the seriousundertone. They both had mad respect for the other’s abilities in theirspecific forts.

“You can’t blame me for worrying.” Lance said defensively.

“I don’t. It’s sweet, but misplaced. We’ll be fine. Besides,according to my calculations, the other bases have a much higher chance ofbeing attacked due to the higher concentration of Galra camps surrounding them.So, this is going to be easy-peasy.”

Shiro stepped forward and put his hand of Lance’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I believe in you.”

Worry lines smoothed on his tanned face as he broke into agrin. Lance had shared with him what the clone had done and said to him. Hisself-esteem was shot to the ground and he was in a bad mental place. RealizingShiro was dead the whole time also gave him abandonment issues as he didn’tunderstand why Keith had left him for the Blade – which he later said was dueto his extremely poor hold on his emotions and believed that way he was helpingLance after their talk - and Shiro retuned with a colder, meaner attitude withno real explanation. He was extremely lonely and left with his thoughts. Itdidn’t end well.

It took the whole ride back to Earth to ease his mind andtry to fix what was broken between them. It worked for the most part.

They separated into their designated jets and car and tookoff.

Lance and Veronica were bickering about an old prank theyplayed a long time ago, James and Keith were adding jabs to see which one ofthe Cubans could actually be right and Pidge and Hunk were laughing ateverything as they knew what actually happened in that event, especially Hunkas he was there. Allura kept asking for clarifications on certain phrases thesiblings were using and were causing all this laughter; She wanted to take partas much as possible.

Shiro smiled fondly at their images on his screen. They werethe ones from back in the Garrison days, except for Allura who took a fastimage before the mission to add her to the database. Keith’s scar-less face andLance’s younger, softer features next to their frequencies was sendingbutterflies down his stomach as if he was fifteen again.

He missed this primal, innocentfeeling too much sometimes.

He signalled the Paladins when it was time for them to reachout for their lions. Keith and Allura gave their confirmations at the sametime, followed by Hunk and Pidge a few minutes later.

“Lance. Status?”

“Red’s not responding to me.”

Shiro’s wide eyes stared at the screen.

“What do you mean, he’s not responding? Are youconcentrating?”

“I am!”

“Well, keep trying!”

He ran to Coran’s screen to make sure of the surroundings oftheir car. He was so dependent that the Lions will respond to the Paladins thathe didn’t plan for back up in case they don’t respond.

The blinking light of an incoming ship was damning.

“Veronica, you have incoming. 6 o’clock.”

He heard her confirmation before he moved to Iverson demandingto know the fastest squad he could send in their direction.

A pained grunt filled his ears and then dual screamed beforecomplete silence. Everyone aboard the Atlas stared in horror at the screenshowing the images. Shiro couldn’t tear his eyes from Lance’s.

“Lance. Lance, come in.”

He could faintly hear the other’s panic induced worriedyells on the coms, but the blood pounding in his ears was getting too much. Hisbrain filtered only Keith’s voice.

“Shiro did his coms cut?”

It took him a minute before he found his voice again.

“No, he is still online.”

“Will I be able to make it in time?!”

Shiro didn’t comprehend what Keith had said before Iversonwas yelling at him to not change his location.

“We have to strike the bases at the same time, anyways. If Lancecan’t strike his, then what’s the point of this?” Keith yelled back.

“Keith. Stay where you are. We have to believe Lance isokay.” Shiro said calmly struggling to hide the internal panic from his voice.

A familiar groan draws his attention.

“Lance!”

“Yeah… I’m here.”

Shiro released a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“Shiro, Veronica’s hurt.” Lance’s voice was too small tocome out of the loud Cuban.

“Check on her first.”

Soldiers around Shiro looked at him. He knew asking asolider to check on his teammate before asking for a full status report waswrong. But he also knew Lance. If he asked him to put anything before hisfamily, and having to follow the order since Shiro is his superior, Lance wouldnever forgive him.

“She’s… She’s breathing.”

“That’s good. Now, give me a status report.”

“The car is in compete ruins, we are approximately 6.3 milesaway from destination, Veronica… she’s bleeding from her forehead and breathingshallowly.”

“And you?”

“Me?” it seemed to take him a while to answer. “I have atwisted-

Lance didn’t get to finish his sentence before he yelpedloudly as he was caught by surprise by whatever was around him.

“Coran?”

“There is not a thing on our radars.”

“Lance talk to me.”

“Galra… Ship.” Lance said between pained pants. A thunderous,roaring hit way too close to Lance.

“Lance try to get out of there!!”

“I am on my way.” Keith’s voice came out of nowhere. Wherethe hell was Red? He wanted to tell Keith to stay where he was for the mission,but couldn’t.  He wanted him to reachLance and make sure their partner was okay, even if he was here… helpless.Again.

Another mechanical noise made it way, Lance was close totheir ruined car and was trying to start it despite his previous report. Aresounding metal on metal clunk goes on for some time before deafening silence.

“Lance…” Shiro’s voice was unsure and small.

“Baby…” His eye widened at the raw emotion in his voice.“Veronica is under… the bent hood of the car… she is probably concussed so gether medical attention straight away, okay?”

A tear makes its way down. Lance can’t give up. He can’t…

“I am sorry I couldn’t do more… I am sorry I didn’t finishthis mission, it was so so simple.” Shiro’s hands were shaking distractingly.His vision was starting to blur. Lance’s helplessness mirrored Shiro’s toomuch. Lance was not allowed to feel this helpless. He was powerful and loud andtoo big of a soul to be reduced to… this.

“LANCE! I AM ON THE WAY, PLEASE, BABY DON’T DO ANYTHING”

The background noise was getting progressively louder thanKeith’s shouts. The Galra ship was getting closer. The ex-black paladin heardthe charging sound of Lance’s blaster and knew he was preparing.

An ear splitting blast hit close to Lance causing a staticin his coms. He barely heard Lance groan before another hit his proximityagain. and again. Fire was raining on Lance and he couldn’t even get a visualon the situation.

He couldn’t decide whether that was good or bad.

A shocked gasp came from their communications before anothershrill and then silence. Awful, deafening, ear splitting silence. Everyoneseemed to be holding their breaths. Eyes stared at the screen, at the changedcolour infront of them.

Red.

Where Lance’s bright and colourful image was, a red aura wasupon it. Shiro was not oblivious or stupid; he knew what it meant. But never…in the past years would he have ever thought that he would lose Lance afterreaching Earth. It seemed like a cruel joke the universe was playing on him.

The fast moving blinking dot indicating Black stopped on thescreen.

“Please don’t… he can’t…”

And it might have been the broken sound in Keith’s voicethat released him from his shocked state; he was on the ground, on his knees,seconds later. His hands pulling at his hair as his physically felt himselflose part of his heart. The cracks of his mind were expanding, oozing away hissanity.

They were too late.

No amount of late night talks could have ever prepared himand Keith for the real thing.

I haven’t written a prompt in a while. Sorry if it was shit, blame it on the fact that i am a bit rusty.

Have y’all seen that S8 trailer?!

[thelarryficrecplace]

do you have any omega louis hating alfa harry? or just some hate to love without abo? thank you in advance ❤️

Hello! Here you go:

Love is like this; not a heartbeat, but a moan by angelichl:

Summary: “He hates this, more than anything in the world he hates this. His title, his rank, his DNA. Unchangeable. Fated.

And then there’s Harry, born to be unobjectively superior to Louis and all other O’s. Unlike other A’s, Harry doesn’t wear his alpha-ness very well. He’s clumsy with it, like walking around in a pair of shoes a size too big. His life is defined by uncertainty and tentativeness, and those are definitely not qualities alphas should have.

Sometimes, when Louis ponders it for too long, he thinks that maybe Harry resents being an A just as much as Louis resents being an O.”

In which Harry loves Louis, but Louis has been cold to him ever since he presented as an omega at age fifteen.

Eight years later, Louis approaches Harry with a request, and who is Harry to deny him?

Word count: 13,150

The Unsuccessful Promise by trysomecats:

Summary: At the end of the previous school year, Louis swore to everyone that he would return in the fall as an alpha. He made this promise especially to his arch-nemesis Harry Styles, who had already presented as an alpha himself. Unfortunately over summer break, the worst thing possible happens: Louis presents as an omega. Now school is back in session and he has to return and face the consequences of pre-determining his status.

Featuring Liam and Zayn as Louis’ doting and exasperated parents.

Word count: 7,141 

pray for some sweet simplicity by delsicle:

Summary: Louis is the only omega to ever make it in the cut-throat world of competitive motorcycle racing—that is, he would be if anyone actually knew about his identity. Now, his sights are set towards competing in—and winning—the European Grand Prix, the biggest and most difficult race of the entire year, so he can disappear underground for good. He’s close enough, too, until an alpha sports journalist is assigned to follow Louis’s every move as he prepares for the event of his career.

Or, an AU where motorcycle racing is the biggest sport in a heavily divided world, Louis is trying to take control of his own destiny, and Harry is in for more than he bargained for.

Word count: 237,269

You’ll Hear Me Calling for You by pinky_heaven19:

Summary: “I don’t know, I don’t know you,” Harry said with a shrug, knowing his replies were dumb but not able to think of anything better to say. “You don’t know me either, so I don’t know why you’re acting like this,” he said, slouching on his seat.

“Oh, but I do know you,” Louis replied, raising his eyebrows in a gesture of disdain.His attitude made Harry stare at him in confusion. Had they met before and he didn’t remember? Was that why Louis was mad?

“You do?”

“I know the likes of you,” Louis said with a shrug of his shoulder.

“The likes of me? Excuse me?” Harry was offended and confused.

“Alpha males who enter cock first in any room and think people should bow to them or some shit like that,” Louis answered bitterly.

OR the one where Harry is an Alpha and Louis has a problem with it - until he doesn’t.

Word count: 42,167

I’m On the Hunt Now (I’m After You) by AFangirlFantasy:

Summary: Omegas haven’t been able to shift into their wolves for two hundred years. That is, until Louis Tomlinson changes everything. 

Or…an AU where Alpha Harry and Omega Louis have a lot more than falling in love to deal with after The Mating Ceremony.

Word count: 56,390

No Chance At All by lululawrence:

Summary: As an omega, Louis naturally had the ability to sense alphas, so it wasn’t like this was an unusual situation for him. The difference here was that this man smelled so strong and so ridiculously good. Louis had never been so attracted to someone’s scent before. Add the fact that this worker whose name tag read “Harry” looked like some kind of greek god with his long curly hair and dimples as he chatted up the older woman ordering currently, and Louis was already a goner.

Or the one where Louis just wants to drink good coffee and work on his homework in peace, but the alpha barista is charming to everyone but him, and that just pisses him off.

Word count: 4,505

Like Candy In My Veins by littlelouishiccups:

Summary: “Um…” Harry said slowly after a moment. “Okay. That’s… this is… Let me get this straight.” He lifted up a hand and swallowed. “You told your family that you have a boyfriend… and my name was the first one you thought of?”

“Harry Potter was on TV, alright? It wasn’t that much of a stretch.” Louis pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t believe he was explaining himself to Harry fucking Styles. He couldn’t believe he was stooping this low. “Forget it. I’m sorry I even thought about bringing you into this.”

Harry snorted. “What? Did you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend or something?”

Word count: 31,880

We were destined to be together by moonpasta:

Summary: In this universe, you somehow meet your soulmate at age 18. (I’ll let you decide how.) Obviously, Harry and Louis are destined for each other. The only problem is they don’t know it. They’ve been enemies since primary school, but suddenly, fate is throwing them together. Maybe they’ve been clashing all these years because they’ve been fighting being drawn to each other. (Not a coming out fic, they’ve known for years they’re gay/bi/not straight) Side ziam is a plus!

Word count: 6,723

The Tale of Two Kingdoms by larriebane:

Summary: Prince Louis of Doncaster finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as the feared Hijackers from Cheshire come to claim their annual pray of omegas. He is taken away and transported to a strange country that Louis has been taught as the enemies’ land. When unforeseen events take place and even more unlikely savior turns up, Louis’ all previous beliefs are being proved wrong. Will love save the two kingdoms and form an alliance after several centuries of feuds between these bordering countries?

Word count: 24,603

Swim In The Smoke by whoknows:

Summary: “What about this, Captain?” Liam asks, nudging the boy kneeling between their feet with the toe of his boot. The boy hisses and swipes at him, slurring out something unintelligible around the makeshift gag Niall had to stuff in his mouth. He misses by a mile and tries again, just as ineffectively.

Harry looks down at him, at the way the sun streams over his face and shoulders, at the way the gag stretches his mouth, lips pink and chapped. He’s lithe and pretty, smudged all over with dirt. They had found him tied up below deck, mostly unconscious, next to a barrel full of gold. He’s clearly a prisoner, but there’s something familiar about him, something that niggles at Harry’s brain. Something he can’t quite put his finger on.

“Put him in my cabin,” Harry decides, turning back to deal with the rest of the loot. The boys screams out jumbled curse words at Harry’s back, muffled by the gag, and Harry can’t understand any of it.

Word count: 101,778

[marlikesthings]

M21 and M24′s relationship

M21 and M24 were first introduced as the antagonists of this manhwa back in season 1. Now that we know that m21 and m24 aren't as bad as we originally thought, I want to talk about their relationship. They were very good friends. There is nothing surprising with that, but when we compare the relationship other modified humans have/had (especially if they are introduced as antagonists) then we can see there is a difference. Tao and takeo could be seen as exceptions but considering they weren't very close when they were in DA-5, my point still stands. There is also the trio: tao, takeo and m21, but they befriended after joining the good side so their situation is different.

I. A great team with a lot of potential

They were a team and M21 was the brain of this team. He tried to keep his calm when things went bad and always supported and encouraged m24. Of course, m24's role is also very important. They both supported each other and that's what made their relationship so great for me.

In chapter 37 we can see m21 comforting m24 after Jake appeared. M21 knew m24 was having a hard time controlling his feelings. After all, jake was mocking them and treating them as weak by saying: “they were crushed by incomplete speciments like you. An organization like that won't be too hard to trace and to handle”. That was of course completely false. First of all, because the enemies m21 and m24 had fought were frankenstein and rai and none of them are weak. Sure, jake didn't know but my point still remains. M21 and m24 were stronger than they thought. M21 is like a werewolf and m24 has been said many times to be similar to nobles. It's a shame we didn't get to see his real powers. If m21 can compete with werewolves warriors, then what if m24 (after being awakened) could compete with family leaders?

Chapter 54

Also, m24 had noticed that there was something weird with frankenstein. Nobles have the capacity to separate humans from non humans (like rai). M24 was able to do the same. He had potential to be better. I don't know if m24 had as much potential as m21, so maybe he would only be considered a low level noble but that's still better (and stronger) than being treated as a failure. 

II. M21/M24's roles as antagonists

Chapter 41

Although m21 and m24 are not saints and did bad things (especially to the kids) they were not monsters. They did kidnap yuna and called shinwoo and ikhan (to fight the infected guy) just so they could have fun, I am not planning to ignore that fact. Nevertheless, they were both surprised (especially m24) by the atrocities committed by jake and mary in the hospital. Later they will discover it was actually the guy m24 infected who did all this but jake and mary were there and did nothing to stop it, so I consider them accomplices. 

This is not me trying to say m21 and m24 don't have flaws, but that they could have been worse (jake is an example, but we also have the elders (except for lunark), Ignes, maduke, etc. who are much worse than those two). It's not so obvious at the beginning, but after jake and mary appeared we can see that the author was starting to drop hints m21 and m24 were going to switch sides (well only m21 did, but that's because m24 died). To be fair, m21 took a more logical approach after learning what happened in the hospital. That is to say, he was surprised but he didn't seem as angry as m24 (then again he's always been less expressive than m24). He immediately realized what was jake and mary's plan: to blame them for this mess. Does m21 seem cold? Yes, maybe. Does his reaction make sense? Sadly, it does. At that time, m21 was only trying to survive. His only comrade was m24, so I don't really blame him for reacting like that. He's suffered all his life, and he saw many of his comrades die in front of his eyes. He didn't know the people who died at the hospital and he wasn't emotionally attached to any of them. Anyway, he did realize how horrible it was, and he did not support at all the actions of the infected guy (and jake).

Now m21 also had his good points. He tried to keep the kids safe and not involve them (more than necessary) in their mess. So did m24. Sure, it doesn't change the fact that they caused them harm at the beginning, but at least they had set limits. They were originally antagonists. They aren't supposed to do good deeds to begin with, but they still did. We can see in chapter 39 how m24 had warned the infected guy to not approach the kids. We can also see jake saying: “But those two are funny. M-21 and M-24 had witnesses but hid them away from us”. Jake himself notices that those two are trying to protect/to hide something from them. I remember being surprised by this when I first read this manhwa. I mean, why were the bad guys trying to protect the kids they had hurt previously? After rereading this series I was surprised for not having seen this coming.

Chapter 35

Frankenstein had already noticed those two could have killed the children but chose not to do it. Of course, neither him nor rai trusted those two. They had no reason to do it at that time.

Not only m21 and m24 tried to hide the children from jake and mary, but they also hid there were nobles in the city.

It's only in chapter 42 when m21 comes up with a plan to use rai and frankenstein to attract the attention from the union. If that's the case, then why did they chose to hide this information from mary and jake, before coming up with this plan? And why were they trying to protect the kids? According to m21, him and m24 knew the kids had not witnessed anything, therefore they had no reason to kill them. He even said to frankenstein: “we didn't even think of them after we met you two. We had no reason to risk fighting you again. And it had nothing to do with our mission anyways...” (chapter 52). He also affirms that they could have killed them if they wanted (as frankenstein had previously noticed). Basically, they messed with kids for fun (which is wrong), but they protected them because they didn't know anything. I've already mentioned it, but there is a before and after jake and mary appeared. When they were first introduced they were the bad guys, but after those two came, they calmed down a lot. They suddenly weren't as bad as before. They both try very hard to protect the kids to the point of risking their own lives. 

Ultimately, m24 died to protect the children after being moved by shinwoo's attitude/speech. M21 also changes a lot after joining frankenstein's household. 

Extra:

Chapter 35

Rai answers this after frankenstein tells him he noticed there was something weird with them. I know rai is referring to them being modified humans, but this quote fits so well their situation. They really didn't belong anywhere and that's sad. Thankfully, at least for m21, now he has a place where he belongs.

III. M21 and M24: Brain and heart duo

I said at the beginning that m21 was the brain. If m21 was the brain, then m24 was the heart of this duo. This is another reason why I think m24 is so important. 

M21 was able to keep his cool, unless someone badmouthed m24. After jake said: “M-24. How long can you go on without those meds? 48 hours? 72 hours? You two are breaking my heart” (chapter 49) m21 got up and screamed at him. M24 was his precious comrade and the only one who could understand his pain. It was nice to see m21 lose his patience. It showed us that m21 wasn't emotionless and that contrary to jake and mary whose partnership was forced and didn't get along those two have a special relationship. None of the other modified humans (except for tao and takeo) showed as many emotions as those two. All the others were proud of their strength and most of the times they used it to destroy everything they saw. But more than that, all the others seemed to be proud of being superior to normal humans (like the elders). This is due to the fact that they are seen as failures, but I also think that even if they weren't failures those two would still feel unsatisfied. They didn't want to have those powers and, like tao and takeo, they only wanted to be normal and live a normal life. M21 said it himself, after m24 died: “We laughed, talked, agonized, felt sadness, felt pain, hurt. We just... wanted a normal live any normal people would have lived. That’s all we dreamed of” (chapter 78). All the pain they endured made them stronger. 

Anyway, it's in moments like these when we can see how important m24 was and how much he affected m21. Afterwards, m21 realized what he did was dangerous and asked m24 for forgiveness. This is what m24 said:

Chapter 51

They both complemented each other so well. 

Furthermore, m24 decided to rebel against jake and protect the kids. He is the heart of this duo because it's his kindness which will lead to his death and it's his last words which will save m21. He was very surprised by the kids concern for him and said: “I put them in danger before and they're in danger now because of me. Why would they say this to me? Why are they looking at me like this? These normal kids from this bright world?” (chapter 71). M24 wasn't pretending to be a hero. He acknowledges he did wrong in the past and he is only helping the kids for his own reasons. Because shinwoo reminded him of his friends.

Chapter 70

I think M24 and m21 realized at that moment that they were doing to the kids the same thing the union did to them (although it was mary and jake’s fault). M21's priority had always been to keep his only friend and himself safe. He didn't want the kids to get hurt, but losing m24 was far more painful for him. Meanwhile, m24's risked his dreams to save the kids. He knew he had no chance to survive. That he would never find his name or his comrades names. But he felt he had to do something. He didn't want anyone else to experiment the same pain him and m21 experimented. He didn't want those kids to lose their friends. That's why I call him the heart. Of course, m21 changed a lot after m24's death. He will later sacrifice himself in order to save the kids (in their battle against DA-5):

Chapter 137

I wanted to write m24's last words (or part of it at least): “M-21, listen to me. Folllow them. I don't have much time. I'm sorry. I can't go on with you. You're free now. You won't have to stay in the organization because of me[...] I was abe to save the kids. Use that leverage and ask those guys for help. You get too emotional [...] I'm sorry. You have to find their names and also mine on you own. I'm sorry to leave you with such a burden. I am sorry” (chapter 78).

Chapter 78

M21 wanted to die. The one who gave m21 the dream to find their names was m24. He gave m21 a reason to live. The reason why m21 keep on moving on with m24 and tried to survive, the reason why m21 decided to move in with frankenstein and rai and not give up living, it was all thanks to m24. I will probably never get over his death.

Chapter 248

Even after m24 had died, m21 never stopped thinking of him. He always remembered his smiling face. Now, look at his face here. He looks so hurt and what hurts me the most is that this isn't even the real m24. And then he even cries. M21 wanted to believe m24 was alive and even went as far as to ask rai to awaken him in hopes m24's health would improve. And because he hated seeing him suffer. I love their relationship. Moreover, each time something important happens m21 thinks of m24. His death traumatised him.

Chapter 322

M21 is so afraid of losing his new comrades that he managed to transform into a werewolf and confront kentas even though he was previously too shocked for having seen a real werewolf. Just before transforming he says: “I will never lose my friends again”. I don't think m21 would be able to keep on living if something happened to his new comrades. He's already being traumatised once, more than that would be too much. Moreover, although m21 hates being treated as a lab rat more than death, there is one thing he cannot handle and that he probably hates more than being treated as a disposable tool. That is to say, to lose his comrades. Comrades that he would not have met if he didn't join frankenstein’s household as per m24's request. 

IV/ Conclusion

They went through a lot together. I love how m24 is the reason why m21 decided to join frankenstein's household. His last words saved him. Thanks to him he has a new family and thanks to him he is alive. I mean, if m24 had not suggested m21 to make an alliance with rai and frankenstein then m21 would most likely have died already. Crombel would definitely not have allowed m21 to be free, especially after discovering that they were hiding their real powers from him all this time. Even if it wasn't crombel, I just can't see m21 wishing to live without him by his side. Without having something or someone to protect.

[wishingfornever]

10/2/17 – No Contact:  Backing the Wrong Horse

I now know you’re incredibly gullible.  I hope you realize it before reaching this point assuming you read the journal.  I had a call with Shane last night.

Before I get to that, let me tell you about yesterday before I forget.  I had a chicken sandwich to begin the day.  I know, I know.  Not committing to the Vegetarian thing, but in my defense there was like no vegetarian food I could eat and Adela took me to this restaurant that I just had to try.  Rather than being sad and order fries, I ordered a sandwich.  It was… really good.  Like the best sandwich I ever had. Thing is, I got a tongue scraper and used it that morning.  Maybe that is why I could taste it so well.  Or maybe it’s part of my positive vibes that I have right now. After that, Adela drove around and showed me the damage.  It was crazy.  Like, you could see the water level and there was so much debris on the side of the road.  A lot of homelessness too since we were last here.  That sucks. After all that, we went grocery shopping.  Basically got two of every fruit, sort of.  By every fruit, I mean like six fruits and a ton of kiwi.  I’ll probably have a mango tomorrow but I should have a kiwi too.  Several salads, spinach, and not much else beyond that for vegetables.  I mean, onions and tomatoes but onions aren’t the healthiest and tomatoes are technically fruit. I’ll work on it. Anyways, we walked Max when we got back.  He now has THREE laps.  First is a long lap, then the second is a normal lap, and the third is the long lap in reverse.  Poor Max.  It is a lot healthier for him, though.  When we finished the walk, we came inside and watched TV for a bit.  Shane called me, twice.  First time he had to hang up because he was going somewhere.  Called him in the middle of a Target over Facebook. Second time, I was asking about you and if he’d still take you hunting.  He didn’t know.  He reiterated that I should just block you and Dennis and forget you both ever existed.  He told me how much both of you bitch about me. I didn’t do anything to Dennis.  He has no reason to be afraid of me.  He has no reason to talk this badly about me.  Yet, he feels like he’s competing with me.  For what?  For you?  He already has you. He asked me not to tell you or Dennis this, but as you’re not reading the journal (and if you did, you’ll probably have realized by now that Dennis is about to or has ruined your life) then it doesn’t matter.  He told me that neither you or Dennis wanted to come because I came and you were both afraid of seeing me. The horror.

Esther, you’re being dumb but I suspect you’re not the one to say, “Can’t go or we’ll see him.”  That’s Dennis’s doing because Dennis doesn’t realize how far away Adela’s house is to Shane’s. Spoiler warning:  It’s pretty far. If you were the one who thought it’d be a bad idea, then I’d be surprised.  But again, I doubt it.  The closest possibility would be if Dennis convinced you that you’re the one who thought of it.  After all, he seems to be the one with a chip on his shoulder.  You have no reason to be afraid of me.  Dennis also has no reason to be afraid of me. Except to convince you to stay with him. Basically, he’s designed himself to be a martyr.  However, you’re the only one who he has convinced.  Shane saw through his bullshit, Daniel should be aware of his bullshit, and Jeremiah already knew his bullshit.  It was… weird.  Jeremiah has a lot of mysterious shit surrounding him and I’m not sure what to think of it. Not important. Dennis had won.  He drove a wedge between you and I and convinced you that he was god on earth.  You have nothing in common with him, trust me I know him better than you.  He has no future (if he continues to talk shit about me to Shane).  All he does is sit around all day getting high and playing League in between anime sessions. The first time you saw him, I was bored and drunk and I took a selfie of the two of us.  He was watching an anime and I wanted to do something else.  He is impossible to get him to do anything he doesn’t want to do.  Even if it enriches his life. At least with me, you had options.  We went out to see things before I went total isolation.  We checked in with the library to check on your GED which you will need.  Have you done that with Dennis?  No?!  Surprise, surprise. Dennis told you (I know it was him because I spoke with Shane) that you could get your GED in Texas.  Thing is, while you don’t have it that means you will be hard pressed to find a job.  If you find one, great.  If not? That’s expected.  He referred to your situation as a burden, calling you “baggage.” Dennis convinced Shane to open the offer to you.  He planned everything and it worked according to plan.  Problem is, he doesn’t know what to do with a victory.  The conniving little rat that he is, perhaps didn’t expect to succeed. Now that he’s won, he doesn’t know how to handle it.  He doesn’t know how to move on. Me?  As the defeated?  I just move on knowing that Dennis is scum of the earth who I’ve tried to give the benefit of the doubt to.  I tried to forgive him.  He wouldn’t. Because he didn’t think he’d need to.  Thus, my humility and friendly behavior has confused him.  I didn’t intend to make him panic, but I did.  Whether you continued to talk trash to Shane about me or not, I can’t ever tell.  But Shane seems to think you’ve been shitting on me non-stop.  Maybe you have. Thing is, if you haven’t?  That means Shane is getting this information from somewhere.  That somewhere is Dennis.  If you haven’t been talking non-stop shit about me to Shane, that means he’s getting all his information from Dennis. I’m inclined to believe this. Have you added him on Skype?  I doubt it.  I feel like Dennis may have told you some of the things he told me about Shane.  I hope you’re wise enough to not believe him, but that’s doubtful. You’re in a real bad situation.  If Dennis breaks your heart, you’ll have to either move back with your parents or move to Adela’s with me.  Or… you’d have to trust someone off the internet.  Sort of what you did with me.  The difference between internet personas and myself is that you had to force me to open up to you.  Them?  Easily.  Why is that important? Because I had no reason to lie.  I didn’t desire you when we met.  Them?  They will lie because they desire you.  Basically, another Dennis.  Probably not as bad. Dennis threw me under the bus just to steal you away.  It worked, but his victory is fleeting.  Meanwhile, I’m in Texas again.  Soon, I’ll have a temp job.  My book will be finished.  I’ve considered taking Shane up on his offer, even.  That is a lot of money, after all. It’s not Salamanca, but it’s something better.  It’s an opportunity that won’t go away. I have options right now.  You do not.  Dennis had the same options I had… but he threw them away. What a foolish thing to do.  His family works themselves half to death while he does nothing but get high and immerse himself in anime.  The same could be said about me, but at least I wrote a book.  At least I haven’t convinced my closest friends and family that I’m a twisted sociopath who will use whatever means necessary to get what I want. I’m here in Texas.  I will get a job.  I will finish my book.  I will float because I was given several chances to.  Meanwhile?  Dennis will sink because there are no options for him.  My only regret is that he’s dragging you down with him.  You don’t deserve that, Esther.  You deserved the world. I’m advocating for both you and Dennis despite what’s happened. Really, I should have just let Shane cut ties with you both and moved on.  But I won’t move on.  If I did and let both of your lives fail for my petty differences, then I’d be no better than Dennis. I doubt Shane will take you guys anyways.  Again, he’s pretty pissed and Dennis won’t shut his fucking mouth.  Dennis is about to lose Shane and they’ve known each other longer than I’ve known either of them.  It’s a shame it’s come to this. During the entirety of what’s happened… not once have I asked ANYONE to cut ties with Dennis.  Thus, Dennis can’t ask anyone to cut ties with me.  That wasn’t me being nice, that was me trying to keep my friends.  I was in a bad place for most of the last few months.  If I had challenged him head to head, I would have lost far more than I already have. I guess I haven’t really told Shane that he HAS to bring you guys to Texas.  Looking back, that’d be Dennis’s only real shot.  Maybe yours as well.  I asked him to forgive Dennis for what he’s said about me.  I didn’t tell him to.  I asked.  This is humility. I’ve been… very cocky for a very long time.  But that arrogance was a ruse.  It was to hide my own self-doubts.  I was arrogant because if I wasn’t… I’d be weak. The problem was, it made me weaker.  I look back and realize this.  Now?  I’m strong.  I’m focused.  I’m dedicated. I don’t have to be arrogant.  I don’t have to be better than ANYONE.  And now that I see myself as the flawed, primitive ape that I am… I can actually improve myself.  I don’t need to appear like a superior being anymore.  I’m not superior to anyone.  But that doesn’t mean I’m inferior, either. I’m improving myself like never before.  I’ve found the second wind that I’ve needed in my life for so long.  This is it.  This is the chance I needed.  I look back and couldn’t understand how I could be so naive.  I look back and I see what I used to be. I used to be so much more than I thought I was.  I never gave myself enough credit.  I held myself to the standards that I thought I should be without realizing that I couldn’t attain those standards through divine right alone.  That I will either will be or I won’t be. It’s so obvious now.  I never was.  I could only become. Life isn’t black and white.  It’s a gradient.  The changes are noticeable only from a distance, but if you’re close enough then you won’t see a thing.  Thus, you can’t measure the vastness through small steps but need to dedicate far more for progress. I’m noticing these changes.  How lucky am I, eh? Anyways, I need to get to finish my sets.  It’s currently 1:30 and I intend to get some things done tomorrow.  I still care.  Years from now, I know that I’ll still care.  How fortunate, yes?

Good night.

Oof. Woke up at one.  In CA, that’d be 11.  I’ll work on it.  I had a dream about me and Dennis trying to patch things up.  Eh…

So… there was a shooting in Las Vegas.  The dream.  With the flood in Las Vegas.  Could the flood represent the shooting?  If so, then Paris is next.  They’ll experience riots and perhaps a communist uprising? It’s hard to say.  I just remember riots.  Fascists and Communists. >< Did my sets then jogged with Max.  Three laps.  Big ones.  The second one isn’t that big, so like two big laps.  Max and I were tired. Talking to Shane in a call. I told Daniel how Dennis was still talking shit about me.  Daniel told Dennis.  Dennis told Shane. Shane thought I told Daniel EVERYTHING he told me yesterday.  No, far less but enough for Dennis to overreact. I don’t know what Dennis’s problem is.  He shouldn’t have anything against me.  I was discussing it with Shane and he said what I did wrong to Dennis was sleep in different rooms and not give you enough attention.  Thing is, I wronged you.  Not Dennis.  Dennis has no reason to hate me as much as he does. Shane asked me to stop talking about Dennis to Daniel, because they’re still brothers.  It’s a shame.  I didn’t think Daniel would turn his back on Dennis, but I did expect our conversations to be private. Guess it doesn’t matter.  Dennis is paranoid.  He’s turning on anyone who doesn’t support him.  So, I guess you’re safe for now. Let’s see how long you two last. I’ll give it maybe another month, two tops.  You’re not in a good place right now.  I know this.  Shane knows this.  Basically, everyone but you knows this.  It’s a shame, really.  Dennis is being manipulative and you can’t see the effects.

Ah, well. Speaking of, Jeremiah wasn’t asked.  Dennis said he was and said no because he had to watch his Grandma.  I found out today that this was a lie.  He wasn’t asked because Dennis told Shane that you wanted to go and there wouldn’t be enough room for four people.  They chose you over Jeremiah and me.  Dennis is out of control.

So, I’m going to sabotage Dennis.  I’ll talk to Shane and let him know that Jeremiah is the most appreciative of our group and deserves a chance to make a lot of money.  I’ll talk to Jeremiah and tell him that we’ll get him his ticket for the move.  We’ll give him the option to speak for himself rather than have someone else speak for him. Jeremiah needs this more than anyone.  I know how Wendel can be like.  I’m horrified that Dennis would betray Jeremiah like this.  Just for a little piece of ass. No offense. Dennis has no chance of forgiveness in my eyes. I can’t forgive him for what he’s done to Jeremiah.  I can’t forgive him for what he’s doing to you.  I can’t forgive him for what he’s doing to himself.  If I had to guess, you’ll get upset that once more you’re going nowhere in life.  Not because of your own lack of will and fortitude but because of Dennis’s. Admittedly, this was all because of your choices but they were affected by Dennis.  You confided in the wrong person.  This was not your fault. Dennis allowed you to think horribly of me.  You were right to think it, but he didn’t give you a chance to see things from my perspective.  You were basically told what he wanted you to hear.  It fed your doubts about me without giving me a way to defend myself. I don’t blame you for any of this.  As far as I’m concerned, this is because of Dennis. If we do get back together, as unlikely as that is, I’d finally step down and forbid you from speaking with him.  I’ll forbid other things like pot and drinking until you get your life started.  I’ll be stricter and I’m not sure you’d appreciate that.  Thing is, you’ll know I’ll be strict because I care.  Guess it’s not all bad. I’m not benevolent in anyway but I’m not malevolent either.