#probably one chapter left on this one

[nguyenfinity]

Doodles in between hw chapters

[bibibbon]

MHA chapter 429

One more chapter to go. MHA is literally ending next week and it still all feels a bit rushed.

"if I hadn't been stabbed maybe I could of saved himiko" I get that ochako is overwhelmed and feels an immense amount of guilt and regret for not being able to save toga but girl SHE STABBED YOU!! you legit done nothing wrong!!!

I get that ochako and izuku were gonna have a talk but it felt so forced/underwhelming. I don't know the whole "ochako has always prioritised others over herself" is a bit inaccurate because she learnt to do that and help others it wasn't something natural for her. She legit wanted to become a hero for financial reasons (you can argue that she did it for her parents but she still did it also for herself). However I did enjoy the callbacks to izuku's tad bit of intropsection like holding peoples hands to make others feel better but dam it's so miniscule. Also I was hoping that we might be able to address Izuku's feelings in this chapter but I guess not (sigh Izuku you got so watered down to a criminal level that is)

Class A arrives is cool but due to the lack of scenes with them together the whole found family fiasco fulls apart

Eri singing and dancing is absolutely adorable

Monoma getting statue (the guy got robbed in the war arc so hori probably gave us this)

Still not sure how the hero system has changed. All they did was expand the bill charts aka the rankings system and all is still there but now they're putting in civilians and other people overall I still think it's the same and would probably be easy for history to repeat itself

The old lady reaching out to the mysterious character was actually good however the whole thing does begin to fall apart when you remember that societies hero system hasn't changed and that people legit can't use their quirks to help others cos that would be vigilantism. Also this is the same old lady that saw both chizome's protests (stain) and saw Tenko suffering (shigaraki) so I guess this random women is getting more development than the protagonists somehow!!!!!!

Very much hated how OFA has become something like "it's everyones power/heroism" because ultimately it lacks the build up and the development. Admittedly it also lacks Izuku (the influence and the key member most of all) and I get hori tried to make Izuku that by continually bringing up what Izuku showed them that day which was just regular hero work and nothing out of that so I don't know what he showed.

[kyouka-supremacy]

I think we should just bring back Wungo Wednesday and start a fandom collective anime rewatch

[p4nishers]

the fucking. contrast between 'For a moment, our gazes held as we mingled in unity. One person. We had always been one person. Nighteyes had voiced it long ago. It was good to be whole again.' and 'I am content' like????? killing myslrf

[ssreeder]

every time I picture chang in LIAB I just think of those little Italian chef statues people put in their kitchens.

just thought to let you know.

well just so you know when I picture Chang this is all I can think about:

I have a type <3

[problemswithbooks]

BNHA Ch. 429

So, I guess Toga is dead, and people are losing it.

I get why people liked her--she was actually queer, being pan/bisexual. She was representation for them and that's rare in shonen manga. But here's the thing--she was bad representation at best and insulting at worst. Nor do I think she was made queer because Hori really wanted to represent a queer girl. Himiko was always the author's poorly hidden fetish--she just was. She liked girls as much as boys because Hori wanted to draw a girl touching sexually on another girl. You can see this in how he draws her and Ochako in solo pics together.

I mean, people seem to understand this when it comes to Momo and her outfit being overly sexual or that both Himiko and Hagakure's Quirks either leave them naked or they have to be naked to use them. These are excuses to draw girls in a sexual manner. Himiko being into other girls is the same thing and that's the kindest interpretation.

Given how Himiko acts and her Quirk being heavily coded sexual desire, and therefore her use of it against someone unwilling being sexual assault, it could just being playing into harmful stereotypes of predatory gays.

As a queer person myself I just found Toga insulting. She was designed to be overly sexual and give the male author a female character that he could draw being suggestive with his other female characters. When he did flesh out her character, her backstory was eventually the trope/fear of straight people, that gay people will be so overcome with their lust that they end up sexually assaulting them.

In the end Ochako accepts this part of Toga and says she'll giver her blood forever, but as much as a lot of readers took that that as some deep lesbian confession, for me it really fell flat. Hori never really gave any of the main kids time to actually learn about their villain or show how that changed their minds toward them. Shoto only works because Touya is his brother (even though he admits he barely remembers him). But Ochako goes from not thinking of Toga at all pre-first war, to one thought about her during her speech, to suddenly caring about her so much she--given how Toga's quirk is coded, is willing to essentially fulfill Toga's kink for the rest of their lives.

It's weird and it comes out of nowhere. It's made even stranger because Toga doesn't actually change or show remorse for anything she did, which included personally hunting and murdering people before she joined the LOV. None of the death and destruction she is also partially responsible for is brought up either, something that Ochako was rightfully upset about during the first war when less people and property had been destroyed. Ochako just accepts everything about her suddenly and her past serious crimes are forgotten so they can cuddle and cry.

Am I shocked Toga died--a little. I didn't think Hori would have the guts to kill off a young girl character, especially one that he clearly got a lot of joy drawing in sexy poses. But at the same time, once he killed off Shigaraki and ended Touya's story with his slow death, I'm not surprised he went the same route with Toga.

This isn't Naruto--Hori isn't really kind to characters that do something wrong, especially if they don't try and change. Enji, Bakugo, Hawks, and Aoyama all sort of got punished for what they did. Enji is the worst off, being permanently crippled, missing an arm and burned everywhere. Bakugo's hand is damaged, his heart weaker, plus he feels bad that Izuku lost his Quirk so they can't compete the same way he wanted them to. Aoyama, despite doing way less wrong and even helping his class during the forest raid, still leaves school because he doesn't feel he earned being there yet. Hawks lost his Quirk and even though him running the HPSC could be seen as good for him, Hawks always wanted a break, but now he has one of the most time consuming and stressful jobs out there.

So, if this is what characters who actively did good things and even changed and fought to be better get, what would characters who never changed and never did anything positive for anyone but their friends/themselves get?

Before the last Arc started, when so many people said the LoV were 100% going to be redeemed I had doubts and always thought it wouldn't make sense with how the story presented redemption or treated other non-LoV villains in the past. That if the main LoV did get some happy ending where they were bffs with the main cast it would clash with how other characters had been treated.

That doesn't mean that I think how Shigaraki, Toga, and Touya ended up in the manga was well done. I think their endings fit far better then a last minute redemption would have, but at the same time you can feel how rushed everything has been since the end of the first war arc. Hori was done with this story months if not years ago, yet he was contractually obligated to finish it. Because of that I think he left out as much as possible. As much as I think he's written some pretty obsessive stuff, particularly towards women, I can't really fully blame him cutting corners or the story being shit at the end.

We know Manga authors, particularly those that work with Jump are treated like shit. That they suffer incredibly long hours at times not even getting to go home for days. We've gotten messages for Hori saying he's sick quite a few times. On top of that, weekly story telling is not a great way to tell a cohesive narrative. Ideas probably change week to week or at least month to month and you can't go back and change the last chapter no matter how much you need or want to. Then you remember he also gave a lot of ideas to the people who made the movies, which would also change his plans for how he wanted the main story to go.

The story is bad--it has been for a while, but I think a lot of people put their hopes on their favorite characters getting a happy ending, even when there were signs that probably wasn't going to be the case. I know how much it sucks when a character you love gets a shitty ending (Stain was my fav, but he got an absolute dogshit ending) but at least, knowing what I know about the industry I can't really blame Hori the way I see some other people doing. Criticize it, sure, but saying Hori hates his readers or is horrible writer isn't true. BNHA was popular for a reason--he's great with characters and the beginning of the story had some great pacing. We'll never know, but I wouldn't be surprised if BNHA could have been amazing if Hori had been treated better and the story hadn't needed a chapter every week.

If anything BNHA has taught me how much a story suffers when authors/artists are treated like crap and forced to work past burnout.

[frankenfossil]

Oh! I nearly forgot, but can I ask the significance of this panel?

It comes directly after Dee explains that he can’t come and see her from the future whenever he wants. (Which is one of my favorite moments where Dee’s true eldritch horror leaks in to the story), so I assume it’s… sort of a metaphor? How Emily finds herself at the foot of something she realizes is much, much bigger than she contemplated before?

(Also, I just wanted to compliment you for this panel)

(The first time I saw it, I imagined Dee was showing her this on purpose, time traveling from sometime the same day to really show her what it would be like. An object lesson.

The second time I saw it, I started to wonder

Because Dee himself doesn’t really look aware of what is going on behind him.

And maybe, just maybe, this one moment in time has become the only moment that Dee allows himself to come back to to see Emily, the one moment where he can get lost in the crowd with every other time he came back to look. The one moment where he’s explaining why he can’t come back.

Just… Makes me sad, and I wanted to say thank you for that too, because I love these characters and the story they tell, the sweet and bitter.)

Oh!!!

(Quick test of my ability to find which chapter stuff happens in)

I love your reading of that Uluru panel!! I think I probably didn’t intend anything that deep with it; these time skip montage style chapters are pretty choppy and I’m usually trying to figure out a way to touch on all these brief scenes or moments that I don’t want to spend a whole chapter on for whatever reason, and arrange them in a way where the cuts aren’t too hideously abrupt. For visual reasons I try to contrast different locations and not put 2 dialogue heavy moments directly next to each other. Mood wise, I don’t really want to cut from something serious and angsty to something that’s a complete backflip on that. I also sometimes just feel like drawing a nice landscape and hope it achieves my aims on these fronts haha.

I think also here I was trying to move from that final sentence, “The present is more than enough”, to demonstrating them appreciating having that present together - being able to go do cool and enriching stuff, something not completely mundane but not completely fantastical either. (I mean... sightseeing within your own country is extremely normal, but going to Uluru from Melbourne... not a convenient day trip, since it’s 2000km; 25 hour solid driving, or you can fly in a few hours but I think you have to go via Sydney, so that makes it take at least twice as long I guess. Not that it's specified how long they're there for. I haven’t been myself but I’d love to one day...)

So, yeah!! More of a mechanical/compositional rationale than an intentional metaphor, but I think your reading makes complete sense and actually improves the page! (Sometimes I do intend visual metaphors... but sometimes they’re just happy accidents.)

And thanks for the compliment re the crowd of Dees!! I also love the moments I can lean into his eldritch qualities... they’re sadly few and far between but maybe that helps them be more surprising?? Definitely your first reading was what I intended, that he zigzagged back pretty quickly, probably even from within the conversation, but there is an inherent ambiguity to Dee’s time travelling where unless I take pains to spell it out, there really is no way to know when he’s come from. Even if he can be assumed to be taking every interaction chronologically, there’s no knowing how much time has passed for him between each visit. I don’t even know how to estimate how long his experience of time is, when he’s zigzagging back so densely all the time; even the number of living things on Earth any moment is an incomprehensibly mind-boggling number. That eldritch horror again!

Truth be told I hadn’t thought of him coming back to this moment and blending in with the crowd for the rest of the future ;_; but that’s so real... he could well be, the sad sack...

I had a different sillier thought from slightly misreading your question on first pass, which is that maybe he doesn’t originally know what’s going on behind him, but then later on as he’s just going about his business he goes “oh I know exactly how to punctuate that thing I said earlier!!!” and then does it as an afterthought. Oh to have the ability to add the things you wish you’d said to an earlier conversation 😂

[ravenrambles6229]

chapter 18 soon

[mirrortouchedsea]

(CW for Suicidal Ideation)

Hinata’s breath was heavy as he landed the final move of their act. The tinny music playing from their speakers went quiet and the audience clapped politely. It was always the same song and dance as the crowd moved on with their day. A few of them tossed some yen their way but otherwise it was time for them to regroup for their next performance. Yuta knelt down by the hat with some coins and bills sticking out of it, counting their earnings thus far. 

“Hey aniki! We might be able to eat well tonight! There’s like 3,000 yen in here!” Yuta exclaimed. The idea of a filling dinner made Hinata’s mouth water. Oh what he wouldn’t do for even warm noodles not from a cup. 

Hinata turned to grab the iPod from its place on the speaker, choosing the next song to play. He put the phone back and turned the volume up a little more to play over the evening rush. The music started and he and Yuta moved in unison around their little stage, taking in the crowd. There were some regulars that Hinata recognized, the businesswoman who was perpetually tired but always stopped for their performances and a few kids who looked up at them in awe as their parents were trying to usher them away. There were always new faces too, of course people traveled across the country all the time or took new trains or moved cities, but there was something different about the boy with the bright red hair at the back of the crowd. His sky blue eyes pierced straight through to Hinata’s heart and made him stumble when their gaze connected with his own. 

“Hey, aniki focus! We’re almost done, don't fail on me now!” Yuta whispered, carefully shielding Hinata from the crowd as he regained his footing. Yuta was always so quick thinking. Hinata got back to his position and finished up the routine, eyes looking for that boy he had spotted earlier. He half hoped the boy would come talk to them afterwards while they were packing up for the evening, but when he finally saw that shock of red hair, it was moving away with the rest of the crowd. 

Hinata sighed, disappointed. Maybe that boy would come back someday. There was something about him that drew Hinata in. 

Someone bumped his shoulder, drawing him from his thoughts. “Hey, aniki, are you alright? You seem out of it today.” Yuta’s hand rested on his shoulder and Hinata couldn’t help but smile. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around, the older brother checking in on the younger one? 

“Hey hey everything’s fine Yuta-kun, don’t worry about me. I was just thinking about that delicious dinner you’re treating us too~” He playfully pushed back on Yuta, the red haired blue eyed boy all but forgotten now. 

“Hey! It’s technically our money so I’m not treating you to anything!” Yuta scowled but the smile in his voice was obvious to Hinata. 

“Hehe, then dinner’s on me! Say ‘thank you aniki!’” 

--- 

It was a week before Hinata saw the red headed boy in their audience again. He had all but slipped his mind, but those striking blue eyes were impossible to forget. Yuta was introducing their next performance which allowed Hinata to take a better look at the older boy who had made his way to the middle of the audience. He was tall and what Hinata could see of his outfit seemed ill-fitting at best, along with a headband holding his hair away from his eyes. 

Hinata scrambled to his position as the music queued up and let his instincts take over. Every so often he found himself glancing at the red haired boy, trying to see what he thought of their performance, but his face revealed nothing. 

Why was he so focused on this one boy? It’s not like they didn’t have strangers who watched them sometimes, and none of them had caught Hinata’s attention quite like this boy. He really couldn’t be much older than Hinata, maybe 17 at the oldest. Was he an older brother too? The boy’s eyes made contact with Hinata’s and it took everything in him to not look away. 

Once again however, Yuta snapped him out of whatever trance he had been in and everything was forgotten. 

“Are you really okay aniki? You’ve been out of it a lot recently…” Oh how it pained Hinata to see the concern on Yuta’s face. Nothing was even really wrong per se, but Hinata was distracted nonetheless. 

“I’m fine, Yuta-kun. Geez, can’t your older brother have some peace?” His mouth ran faster than his brain and he immediately regretted it. Yuta’s face flipped through several emotions; hurt, confusion, exhaustion. It wasn’t like him to hide things from his brother, so why was he doing it now? “Whatever, let’s get some dinner. My treat~” 

“It’s our money!” 

--- 

The boy continued to make appearances at the twins’ performances on the street, becoming something of a regular but disappearing before Hinata could flag him down. Hinata wasn’t even sure what compelled him to want to talk to the older boy, but he wanted to say something. He had even noticed that the boy seemed happier and his clothes fit a little better, not like they were just the first thing he grabbed out of a donation pile. 

Finally, after almost a month of trying to say something to the boy, Hinata saw him walk up to their hat on the ground and drop a few coins into it. 

“Thank you!” He said, walking up to the boy. “Hope you enjoyed the performance!” 

The boy froze as if he wasn’t expecting to be greeted like that. There was a slight flush to his face. “I-it’s nothing, don’t worry about it. You uh…you were great?” The boy seemed unsure of how to reply, though Hinata was happy with the compliment nonetheless. Maybe… 

“What brings you here? I mean--agh, sorry! I just mean…I noticed you don’t have a regular schedule?” The words were practically falling out of his mouth and Hinata wasn’t really sure what they were doing. “Like you show up a few days in a row but then go three weeks without stopping by at all!” He was just digging a bigger grave for himself! Great! 

“Ah uhm…I’m not from around here.” The boy scratched at the back of his neck. Maybe Hinata should back off. 

“O-oh, yeah of course. Duh. Are you visiting family or something?” 

“Not quite. I really should get going though. See you…later?” 

“Yeah, see you later.” 

“Hey Aniki, are you coming or not? The food’s gonna get cold!” 

“Coming!” 

---

It was almost a month before the boy appeared again. In the time between, Hinata had come up with a million different ideas for what his life was like. Was he a delinquent who skipped school to hang out on the street with gangs (how scary! But he looked strong enough to fit in)? Or was he a runaway from a city far away, somewhere Hinata only dreamed of visiting like Okinawa? Maybe he had a bad relationship with his dad and ran away, a thought that Hinata hated to admit had crossed his mind more than once. Or maybe he just passed through the city on the way to somewhere else. That seemed to be the most likely option, especially if he couldn’t come very often. 

When the boy did finally show up again, Hinata had to hold himself back from practically jumping him after the performance. Something looked…different about him though. His eyes seemed more tired? Like he hadn’t been sleeping well. Hinata thought of a fight he had with his dad a few weeks ago that made it hard for him to sleep and thought maybe this boy was the same as him in that regard. 

Hinata decided to wave him down after the performance, hat in hand (they had done pretty well! It felt heavier than normal and even without counting everything, they’d probably have enough for breakfast too). 

“Hey! You look tired, are you--did you want to get something to eat?” Please say yes please say yes please say yes--

The boy’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. Did Hinata mess up? Oh he overstepped and now there really wasn’t any chance of getting to know him. Why was he so interested in talking to the boy anyway? Hinata had been asking himself that for a while now and he still had no answer. 

“I…I can’t. I need to go.” The boy turned and ran off before Hinata could ask more. He just kept messing up, didn’t he? Maybe he really was just a burden to Yuta and their dad and the restaurant owner. He shouldn’t have been born and Yuta would’ve been better off--

“Aniki! Sheesh, get your head out of the clouds. How much did we make?” Yuta grabbed the hat out of Hinata’s hand and quickly counted out the coins and bills. “Woah! We could eat a whole five course meal with this…” 

“Think with your head a little Yuta-kun. We’ve got breakfast paid for if we don’t blow it all tonight!” 

Yuta nodded before handing the hat back to Hinata. “So, my pick tonight?” 

--- 

Hinata signed the note, trying his best to keep the tears from dripping on it and smudging the ink. After his blunder with the red haired boy, he hadn’t shown up to their performances for over two months. Hinata was certain that he had messed up and was too forward. He didn’t even know the kid’s name! Why did he think the two of them could ever be friends? 

And on top of all of that, Yuta had become more and more distant from Hinata, as if Hinata just existing was dragging him back from his full potential. Yuta would have been better off as an only child and maybe Hinata deserved this life. Thirteen years living with their father, who had treated them as nothing but monsters, blaming them for their mother’s death and everything bad that had happened since, Hinata had resolved to run away. He’d make his way to the mountains and maybe he’d find someone willing to help him or maybe he’d slip into an endless sleep. 

Dear Yuta-kun, the letter had started. I’m sorry that I’m leaving like this, but I know that I’m just a burden to you. I’m sorry for that. I wish I had more to say but I just want you to be happy and maybe father will treat you better without me. I love you. 

The other letter, already folded and placed on the table, was much shorter, addressed to his father. 

Dear Father, I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better son. Please don’t take this out on Yuta-kun, it was my decision. 

The less words he spent on that man, the better. Hinata folded Yuta’s note and placed it on top before quietly exiting through the front door. 

---

Everything was cold. Hinata slumped against a tree, head between his knees in a last ditch effort to keep warm. Sleep should come soon and he could painlessly move on, at least that’s what he hoped. He barely registered someone approaching him, but didn’t look up. 

“Hey.” The voice was vaguely familiar, but where did he remember it from? A warm hand shook at Hinata’s shoulder. 

“‘M fine.” The words were barely a whisper. The other voice grunted before walking away. It was another minute before Hinata felt something drape around his shoulders and a cup shoved in his hand. Whatever was in it was steaming, warming his fingers. 

“Drink.” The voice said. And he did, the tea was very, very bitter. That voice… 

Hinata looked up, meeting a pair of bright, sky blue eyes. That’s where he recognized the voice from. Did he…live? In the mountains? The boy seemed to recognize him too. He was wearing a headband and what looked like very warm clothes that Hinata wished he had. Hinata finished the tea, trying not to focus on the flavor. It helped at least, in warming him up a bit. 

“Why are you here?” The boy finally spoke again. It sounded like he was unsure if he should be mad or concerned, or both, but he offered Hinata another cup of tea, which he accepted if only to warm his fingers up. He pulled the blanket closer around his body. 

“I…ran away.” Hinata looked downward, as if admitting this out loud was a cardinal sin. The boy gestured for him to continue. “I guess I just…I was dragging my brother down. I’m not really talented at anything like he is and I’m the reason our dad sees us as monsters. He shouldn’t have to deal with a brother like me.” Hinata wasn’t really sure why he was spilling this so easily. The boy was a good listener though, hanging on every word Hinata spoke. Was he shaking? He’d never admitted this out loud before and it felt oddly freeing to say it to someone. 

He waited for a response, anything to chase away the uncomfortable silence Hinata had created with his confession. He really fucked up, didn’t he. He should have just kept that to himself like he always did instead of burdening a stranger like this! 

“I…” The boy started, barely audible above Hinata’s racing heartbeat. “I’m glad you’re alive.” He sounded unsure of his words. Was he just trying to be nice? Of course he was, how else do you respond to a kid telling you something like this? 

“You don’t have to pretend.” 

“I’m not. When I saw you singing and dancing…I think I realized something--” The boy cut himself off, the suddenness of it making Hinata look up. A moment later he heard his brother calling out from the woods behind him. 

“Aniki! There you are!” Yuta tackled him to the ground, squeezing Hinata like he might just blow away in the wind if they weren’t careful. “You scared me! I can’t believe you’d do something like that!” 

Tears pricked at Hinata’s eyes again. “I’m sorry, Yuta-kun. I’m really sorry.” He buried his face in Yuta’s jacket. His nose started to run, from the cold or the tears he couldn’t tell. 

“You aren’t a burden to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you around Aniki!” Yuta pulled back, hands gripping Hinata’s shoulders. “Promise you won’t do something that stupid again.” 

Hinata wiped the tears from his eyes, sparing a glance where the boy had been. It was as if he had never been there at all and Hinata had just hallucinated the whole interaction. He looked back at his twin brother. “I promise.” 

“Now let's get you home and warmed up. Where’d you get this blanket anyway? It doesn’t look like one of ours.” 

“I…” The boy had been real, and he told Hinata he was glad he was alive (even if his explanation was cut short by Hinata’s brother rushing in). “I guess I just found it. There must be people living nearby or something.” 

--- 

The chatter of the night club died down for the night as everyone was getting ready to go home. Hinata’s feet were sore from running around, but it was satisfying to be back in a restaurant like this. It reminded him of his childhood working for the Chinese restaurant with Yuta. 

Rinne, the leader of Crazy:B who had wanted to get closer to Hinata, and by extension 2wink, slid a drink down the bar. It looked like a horrible mix of syrups and club soda, but one sip was all it took for Hinata to drink it all down. 

“Great job tonight Hina! You’re a real natural at this stuff.” Rinne was washing the other glasses behind the bar now as Hinata finished the rest of his soda. 

“Yuta-kun and I used to work in a restaurant so it comes pretty naturally to us!” 

“That so?” 

“Mhm!” Hinata slid the empty glass back to Rinne, who quickly dumped the ice and washed it before tossing the towel over his shoulder. The entire week they’d been working the club together, there had been something bugging Hinata at the back of his mind. “Hey, Rinne-senpai…did you ever watch our shows?” 

“Huh? ‘Course I have, vice prez wants us to work together so I’ve seen a few of ‘em.” 

“That’s not what I mean. I mean like…back when Yuta-kun and I did street performances.” 

Rinne paused for a moment. “Why’re you askin’?” 

“Oh, it’s nothing. You just reminded me of someone who used to watch them.” 

“Well I’m sure whoever it was is proud to see you singin’ and dancin’ on stage.” Rinne had come around the bar and stood next to Hinata, ruffling his hair. “Let’s get goin’ or I’m never gonna hear the end of it from Niki-kun.” 

[discjude]

whatever afterlife exists in SGE must be the funniest shit ever imagine being some Jaunt Jolie peasant who gets a little too in the way of the Snake and dying only to see The Literal School Master cheering the Snake on. Imagine dying of like cholera or something and taking a little Ghost Vacation to Camelot and seeing the King of Camelot - who's dead, apparently - beating the shit out of some random other boy with weird eyes. imagine how flesh and blood went down. Do you think they all had popcorn for that

[l0ganberry]

@truelazymaker

For the long wait, I decided to make a mini comic of him having help finding his legs. And then having his sweet angel on helping him reattach his legs. I hope you like this and thank you for the request.

There's a couple left of unfinished requests, but I'll still more if you want to request something that relates to Dogday. You can go to this >post< to put in your request, or send an ask to me.

[666writingcafe]

Barbatos' Birthday Surprise (Part One)

"...for more details on how to win tickets to see Severa at the Hell Dome on August twenty-fourth, visit our website www.wdbl.com and click on 'Contests'."

I turn off the radio as quickly as I turned it on. I originally was just going to listen to some music as I relaxed in my room at the House, but as soon as I heard the announcement, I knew I had to move quickly. While I don't know much about the band Severa, I do know that they specialize in metal music, and I happen to know someone that's really into that genre. Plus, it would make for a nice present for him, provided that he's okay with taking some time off.

Opening up my laptop, I go on the station's website and do as the announcer instructed. I'm then greeted with the following question:

Why do you want to win these tickets?

A simple enough question. I can imagine the radio station wants to weed out scalpers and scammers and give these tickets to someone that truly wants them and will go see the band in concert. Cracking my knuckles, I proceed to type in the empty text box accompanying the question.

I want to surprise a dear friend of mine with some time off. He works day in and day out with little rest, and although he will never admit it, he's starting to get tired. I can see it in his eyes. The two of us have bonded over our love of metal music, and we've spent time comparing and contrasting what it sounds like in the human world versus the Devildom. I hope by winning these tickets and attending the concert that we continue to grow close. He's a kind, caring man, even though his job requires him to be rigid and uptight, and I want to reward him for all his hard work.

As I fill in my contact information, I begin doubting my efforts. Surely a superfan will get the tickets over me, right? I mean, they would know more about the band than I do. Plus, I didn't name the person I wanted to get the tickets for. If I did, I'd probably would get the tickets right away. But, that would be cheating, and I want to win honestly.

So, I take a deep breath and hit the submit button.

~~~~~

"Oooh, MC's got mail!" Asmo teases lightly as I enter the living room. A while ago, Lucifer set up a table right outside the room so that he could easier sort the mail that the House received. Each of us has a basket, although mine's usually empty.

Except for today, when a thick, sturdy white envelope awaited me.

"Calm down, Asmo," Satan replies, glancing up from his book with an annoyed look on his face. "It's not like they're not allowed to receive any correspondence."

"What if it's from a secret admirer?" Asmo wonders, seemingly ignoring his brother.

"Do either one of you know who Jazzon M. is?" I ask, reading off the name on the upper left corner of the envelope.

"He's one of the radio DJs for WDBL," Satan responds as he closes his book.

"I see." My throat tightens up, and I feel my heart begin to beat faster. Grabbing a nearby letter opener, I carefully cut across the top of the envelope and pull out a neatly folded piece of paper. Unfolding it reveals a handwritten letter.

Dear MC,

I wanted to reach out to you personally and congratulate you on winning our contest on WDBL 110.6. Your submission was quite sweet, and after a bit of sleuthing, I figured out who exactly you wanted to get these tickets for. So, I pulled some strings and included a couple extra things in order to make the experience extra special for the two of you.

Hope you have a blast!

J.M.

"Everything alright, MC?" Asmo asks. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine. Just...surprised, that's all."

"I take it you won one of the stations' contests?" Satan asks. I nod my head.

"They were giving away tickets to see this metal band called Severa at the Hell Dome on August twenty-fourth, and I figured it would make a nice birthday present for Barbatos." The two demons exchange glances, making me even more nervous. "Did I make a bad assumption?"

"Severa is one of Barbatos' favorite bands of all time," Satan responds. "Their shows are normally sold out minutes after they go on sale, though, and no amount of connections or money is going to make any of those people resell their tickets."

"I...I didn't know that."

"He's never had any luck seeing them live," Asmo continues as I sit down next to him on the couch. "The one time he got tickets, he ended up with a horrible stomach flu that knocked him out for the entire week of the concert. Rumor has it that when he wasn't throwing up, he was straight up crying because he couldn't attend the concert. Apparently, he was that distraught."

"So, in other words, I picked out a good gift for him."

"Not just a good gift, MC: the perfect gift. Nothing anyone else does for him is going to top that." I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm glad I didn't mess up by getting Barbatos something he wouldn't like or enjoy for his birthday.

"What all is in the envelope?" Satan asks. "It looks awfully thick for it to just have tickets and a letter." I carefully dump out the remaining contents on the coffee table in front of me.

"Front row tickets?!" Asmo exclaims. "AND VIP lanyards?!"

"Looks like there's backstage passes, too," Satan remarks.

"He did say that he pulled some strings," I explain as Asmo unfolds another piece of paper.

"I would say a lot," he replies. "He reserved you a suite at the Utopia Hotel." Upon seeing the confused look on my face, he explains that it's one of the most expensive hotels in the Devildom, partly due to its close proximity to the Hell Dome, and partly due to how fancy the building itself is.

"You also have a reservation at Ristorante Ninurta the night before the concert," Satan continues. "They're usually booked for months at a time, sometimes years."

"You two are going to be so spoiled! I'm super jealous!"

"You don't even like metal music, Asmo."

"That's not the point!" Asmo turns his head to look at me. "What's important is that you're going to have one of the best experiences of your entire life. Barbatos is going to be all over you, MC."

"No offense, but I find that hard to believe," I tell him.

"Asmo might actually be right for once," Satan interjects. "People have told me that live metal music brings out a different side of Barbatos, one that no one really expects. He gets a bit rougher around the edges, saying and doing things he normally wouldn't in any other circumstance."

"In any case, you need to get this to Barbatos as soon as possible," Asmo instructs. "That way, he has plenty of time to prepare for it."

[reliablejoukido]

Someone just gave me a shit sandwich comment on a fic and it’s like… don’t do this. Don’t do this to me and don’t do it to other people.

[saturnskyline]

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: รักโคตรร้ายสุดท้ายโคตรรัก | KinnPorsche: The Series (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham/Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun Characters: Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham, Vegas Kornwit Theerapanyakun Additional Tags: Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Somnophilia, Sleep Deprivation, both for the author and for pete ngl, exhaustion kink i guess???, this is mildly unhinged but hopefully in a fun way, Sleepy/Unconscious Sex, Enthusiastic Consent, Cock Warming, Shushing Kink, very much a thing since it is happening in here, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Blow Jobs, Established Relationship, Subspace, pete's unrealistic ability to fall asleep when convenient for sexy reasons, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Dacryphilia, Choking, Rimming, Kink Negotiation, Aftercare, no beta we die like daddy chan (sorry) Summary:

After a long night of waiting, Pete earns his reward.

[crystalkitty1220]

Man I wonder where the leader of the fear realm could've gone, it's alMOST LIKE NEVIN HAS AN

[kindoffruity]

Smitten - Chapter Five - Aonung's POV

Mild Warning: This isn't essentially accurate. It is a bit longer than usual. I apologize for the delay as I have been sick.

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Smitten: Chapter Five - Gift - Aonung's POV

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A week seemed to fly for Aonung, everything was actually going great for his relationship with Neteyam. While he did train in the morning, he had to finish his and Lo’ak’s chores before lunch, and he usually spared time before and after dinner for Neteyam. Aonung was trying his absolute hardest to always keep a smile on Neteyam’s face. Late in the evening, he dedicated many hours to creating a gift for his lover.

Aonung wasn’t as good at crafting as his sister was, but the important part was he did it himself. Despite the countless times the pearls fell off their string and he had to redo it, he had poked his fingers several times. Sometimes he was so frustrated he wanted to throw it, but he knew he needed to treat it with care. 

Ronal, his mother, was relatively quiet since the outburst, only checking on her son occasionally with a mild disapproving look as she watched him struggle to craft, one day he assumed she got tired of watching him stuck on the same part, she stood over him, casting a glance down, “There is too much weight on the string, you need to double it to make it sturdier otherwise it will not last. Here, like this.” Ronal slipped another string through and pulled on it to show how much stronger it was now. 

Aonung could only thank his mother, he was a little shocked, did this mean that she was accepting Neteyam? She must have accepted the idea. 

After a week full of long evenings, Aonung had created two pieces for his lover. He looked over them carefully, he looked at them and could see Neteyam in their beauty. Yet, he had gotten second thoughts wondering if these were even good enough for his lover. There was only one person who would be completely honest with him. He placed both gifts in a small box, laying them gently and walking to his mothers room. He knew Ronal would tell him if they were ugly or not good enough for a courting gift. 

“I think they are lovely, I am impressed you put such an extreme amount of effort. This..Takes a lot of dedication.. You must really love him..” Ronal spoke, trailing her hand gently over the high quality pearls and sea glass. She may not have approved of Neteyam but she respected Aonung's intentions of courting Neteyam. That was all Aonung could ask for, everything else they could work on. 

- - - 

Aonung hardly felt nervous, it wasn’t like him. He was usually confident and cool, when he approached Neteyam bullying him those months ago, he never would have thought his crush would have returned his feelings. Let alone, be willing to mate with him. They have known each other for years, he knew how Neteyam was. Neteyam would have probably been happy with some sappy seashell had Aonung said that it reminded him of Neteyam. 

But this wasn’t some sappy seashell, this was the real deal, he had spent long nights working hard. Yet suddenly, it all seemed so small and not enough when Neteyam deserved the world. 

Aonung tried not to get anxious as he approached the Sully home, he needed to be confident, seeing Jake stand to greet him took him back, he realized he was no longer a kid anymore. He was a grown man now, taller than even Jake Sully.

 “Aonung, what brings you here?” Neytiri called out as she approached the two men, she welcomed him inside to take a seat. Neteyam was nowhere to be found at this very moment, it made Aonung more nervous as he stared at the two forest Na’vi’s. Suddenly, he remembered how as an ignorant child he had bullied the Sully kids, he really hoped that didn’t come to bite him. 

“Ah yes, I was hoping to speak with both of you and Neteyam but it seems he is not here,” Aonung started, despite internally screaming at himself, he kept a cool composure, imagining Neteyam was right there. “Nonetheless, I wish to court Neteyam. I have been working very hard to become a man worthy of him, he means the world to me, I wish to court him but I would like your approval to do so.” Aonung gained confidence as he spoke, looking between the set of parents. Both parents seemed to be shocked, as if they had no idea he and Neteyam were even a possibility, where did they think Neteyam ran off too at night? 

Jake Sully seemed to be staring him up and down, probably wondering if he would even be able to provide for his son. “I will be Olo'eyktan one day, Neteyam is my better half, I do not see a future without him by my side.” Aonung felt the need to sell himself as a worthy mate. 

Neytiri was still processing everything, before she started to laugh, Aonung was thankful for that, it really eased the tension that had been forming. “This explains a lot. I was wondering why he had hesitated so much the other day, and now I recall every night he is nowhere to be found.” Neytiri spoke with a knowing-tone. From what Aonung had heard, Neytiri had mated even younger than they were at only 18. So he assumed she knew a thing or two of sneaking around. 

The couple exchanged looks with each other, Jake seemed reluctant but Neytiri was clearly in charge, “Absolutely, you have our approval. As long as Neteyam is happy and he chooses you.”

Aonung was relieved, it visibly had shown on his face now that he had the approval of the Sully’s to court Neteyam. “I am relieved, thank you very much, if you’ll excuse me I really need to find Neteyam!” Aonung had bowed his head respectfully and stood from his kneeling position. It took everything for him not to run out of there, he needed to look calm and collected. 

“Ronal is going to have a bitch fit,” Aonung could hear Jake say to Neytiri, “Good. She deserves it, she was so against our kids and now look, we are going to be family whether she likes it or not. I could not be more pleased.” 

Aonung quickly learned that Neytiri was petty, he was sure Neteyam had gotten that trait from her. 

- - -

Aonung had searched all over the reef for Neteyam, it felt like they were playing hide and seek, everywhere he would check it seemed like he just kept missing Neteyam. Neteyam hadn’t even been at dinner, Aonung was starting to get worried when Neteyam hadn’t immediately shown up to their usual spot on the beach. 

“Aonung! Aonung!” Neteyam called out running towards him, he looked out of breath like he had been running for a bit, his braids damp as if he had just gotten out of the water not too long ago, Neteyam held something behind his back as he ran. He stumbled as he finally made it to Aonung, he had to take a large pause to catch his breath. 

Aonung could tell Neteyam had probably been running for a while considering how out of breath he had been, it had really taken him by surprise to see Neteyam winded. 

“I have been looking for you all day!” Aonung complained, reaching to pull his lover into his arms, to which Neteyam held out his arm to keep him at arm's length. “I know, I have been busy today, I can only tell you part of what I am doing- just give me a second to calm my heart rate-” Neteyam laughed, Aonung had never been more confused as to what Neteyam had been doing to be this out of breath. 

“What could be more important than your future husband?” Aonung couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous, Neteyam looked at him and rolled his eyes, but there was a playful smile on Neteyam’s lips. “I could give you a long list, or you could close your eyes and stop acting like a jealous baby.” Neteyam pressed a hand to his face, forcing him to close his eyes. Aonung could only huff in response pretending he was annoyed. 

“I know you have been busy, and I appreciate everything you have done to make more time for me, so I have decided to create something for you to make everything easier on you.” Neteyam shifted to rest on one knee and grasped Aonung’s hand, placing something in his hand and closing his hand on the object. “Open your eyes,” Neteyam spoke softly, looking up at Aonung with bright eyes. 

Aonung was completely surprised, opening his eyes to see Neteyam on his knee, it took him a moment to process what was going on. Neteyam was courting him. Aonung couldn’t help the large smile that overtook his face as he opened his hand to see an armband that Neteyam had created for him, it was braided much like Neteyam’s yet had golden sea glass embedded with it that distinctively reminded him of Neteyam’s eyes. 

“Aonung, will you be my mate?” Neteyam asked with a smug grin, of course Neteyam would take courting into his own hands when he felt like Aonung was taking too long. “But what about your parents?” Aonung teased that Neteyam had no idea he had already asked for his hand. “I already asked yours.” Neteyam expressed. 

Aonung was at a loss for words, while he had been running around searching for Neteyam and asking his parents, Neteyam had been doing the same thing? Neteyam had asked his mother and father if they could be together, Aonung could only imagine how the whole thing went, it was clear Aonung was processing how the conversation went, he was deep in his thoughts. 

“Aonung! Will you be my mate! Do you accept?” Neteyam asked him again, Aonung snapped out of his thoughts and laughed, “Of course I accept,” Aonung knew he was going to accept regardless. They both knew. But it was surreal actually doing this. Aonung slid down to his knees, holding out his arm for Neteyam to place the band on him, “If you couldn’t tell, the gold is so you can always have me with you,” Neteyam explained. 

“Really? I had no idea, I thought it was for Kiri or Lo’ak- Too tight!” Aonung had been joking, Neteyam tightened the armband painfully tight to make a point. As if Aonung could ever think of anyone but his lover. Aonung waited for the other to finish before he grabbed his face for a long kiss, he held Neteyam in place for a moment before he slowly shifted to sit down on the sand, pulling Neteyam to straddle his legs and sit on his thighs mid-kiss. 

Neteyam easily allowed himself to be moved without them ever pulling away, Aonung swore that Neteyam was getting better with holding his breath. It was Aonung who had pulled away first, reluctantly albeit. 

“I love you.. But don’t think you have beaten me because you have courted me first..” Aonung spoke against Neteyam’s lips, planting another heated kiss  on his lips while his hand reached for his box that he had planned on giving Neteyam in the beginning. 

Neteyam’s arms were around his neck, hands in his bun, Neteyam had grown more bold whenever their lips locked. Aonung could feel the heat building in their touch. Neteyam was distracted by his kiss, Aonung used this to his advantage to slip on the waist beads he had created for his lover. Neteyam hardly felt them being put on. 

Neteyam pulled away from the kiss breathlessly, it was only after he relaxed his posture did he recognize the foreign object, his eyes trailed down towards his waist that was now adorned with some of the prettiest pearls he had ever seen. Neteyam trailed his hand lightly over every piece, the pearls and sea glass followed a pattern of white, yellow, white, blue and so on. Neteyam looked quite pleased with his gift, in the middle lay a sharp tooth of what Neteyam could only assume belonged to an Akula.

“You.. When did you have the time?” Neteyam’s eyes were large and full of wonder as they locked with Aonung’s light blue. Aonung felt proud receiving this reaction, it was worth the wait, “The day after your birthday, we went hunting for the materials, you deserve nothing but the finest.” Aonung  had imagined what Neteyam would look like wearing this countless times, but this was much better. 

While it hugged Neteyam’s waist perfectly, it also showed anyone looking that he was taken. 

“And to make it?” Neteyam seemed in disbelief, Aonung was sure he was just shocked that Aonung had put so much work into it. “Every night. It was nice because we would hang out beforehand so I always felt motivated after we spent time together to complete it.” Aonung would be lying if he didn’t say he felt smug seeing how flustered Neteyam had gotten.

“I never said I was done, Neteyam.” 

Neteyam was still mesmerized by the extravagant piece resting on his waist, “My love- this is enough really, it more than enough,” Neteyam was too flustered to accept anything else from Aonung. 

“It would be rude of you to not accept, are my gifts not good enough for you?” Aonung practically purred teasingly in Neteyam’s ear, “N-No, it's not that, It’s just this gift is enough as a courting gift-” Neteyam hadn’t stumbled on his words since Aonung had started praising him. 

“It’s not a courting gift though, it is a birthday gift, my love.” 

Before Neteyam could oppose, Aonung placed a hand over his mouth and forced it shut while he slipped on a headpiece that had been modeled after Neteyam’s visor, it was much more extravagant than even the waist beads that had been created for him. The piece was clearly for decoration or to show off, the complex design of it showed Neteyam he had taken his time with it. 

“Obviously, I know you are a warrior first and foremost, I do not wish for you to think I am undermining this, however I wanted to create something as beautiful as you. I know you cannot wear it for hunting or your chores, but for celebrations or when we marry.” Aonung expressed, his hand tracing over the headpiece that had framed Neteyam’s face, it was delicate just like Neteyam could be whenever they were alone.

It took Neteyam’s breath away to be adorned by pearls and jewels by his lover, he couldn’t see himself but he knew he Aonung must have loved everything he saw. Aonung treated him like he was a strong warrior yet Neteyam knew he could be fragile with him.

“You are worth the whole world, I will make sure you only ever have the best, I vow that to you.” Aonung continued. 

“Aonung…” Neteyam started to speak, tears threatening to escape but he blinked them away and took a deep breath, ‘Thank you.. These gifts are lovely, I will treasure them forever. When we mate before Eywa, I will make sure to wear this.” Neteyam promised with a flushed look at the thought of them getting to that actual point. 

“Soon, my heart,” Aonung caressed Neteyam’s cheeks, his touches light and gentle as they shared a moment more intimate than sex. The air surrounding them was full of love, passion and vulnerabilities. 

Aonung knew he hadn’t always been the best mate, nor was he perfect, but Neteyam made him feel damn near perfect. Aonung could do anything he wanted as long as Neteyam was in his corner. 

Aonung admired everything about his lover; the way his braids seemed to bounce everytime he stepped or laughed loudly; the way his thin baby tail seemed to wag excitedly and wrap around his own whenever he complimented his lover. And, he couldn’t forget about how Neteyam’s strong thighs seemed to lock Aonung in every time. 

“Nung.. You are staring so hard..” Neteyam’s words snapped Aonung out of the trance he had been in, he had been staring hard at him, “I just love everything about you..” Aonung confessed. 

Aonung really was in love, possibly even obsessed with his lover, so he pulled him in for another kiss. His hands gripped Neteyam’s thighs and pulled them around him as they sat on the sand. There was no care now about getting caught, the world would know by sunrise.

Neteyam’s hands traced over Aonung’s arms, squeezing the muscles firmly, as if he was trying to remember each curve. His hands rubbed at his shoulders and traveled to his chest, just exploring all the places he had been too shy to explore during the day or continuing where they seemed to always get interrupted. 

Aonung used the hands traveling his body as an invitation for him to return the favor, his hands slid further up from Neteyam’s thighs towards his butt, gripping it softly admiring how it filled his hands nicely. Aonung couldn’t help but notice how Neteyam arched into the squeeze, he noted it mentally as he dragged his hands up his back in a teasing motion that left goosebumps on Neteyam’s skin. Despite their lips being interlocked he could hear a small moan escape Neteyam’s lips, it was practically engulfed in the kiss though. 

“I love you..” Neteyam whispered against Aonung’s lips once they pulled away for air. It was intoxicating, they couldn’t get enough of one another, their touches were soft and sensual yet each one left them yearning for more. Aonung’s hands gently grabbed onto Neteyam’s waist as his lips moved down to plant gentle kisses from his jaw down to his neck. 

The kisses to his neck left Neteyam practically melting, his arms wrapped tightly around Aonung wanting to be as close as possible. “Ao-Aonung..” Neteyam was left whispering his name, not knowing if he wanted more or just wanted to Aonung to hear how good he felt with each heated kiss pressed to his neck. Aonung couldn’t help but smirk as Neteyam’s thighs tightened around him, their hips pressed together causing only the sweetest friction between them. 

Aonung bit gently into his lover’s skin, sucking on the flesh and only pulling away when there was a small hickey left over. Neteyam had tensed as his teeth sunk into him, Aonung could only imagine Neteyam was struggling to hold back the prettiest moans of pleasure. 

“You are so perfect… I am so lucky..” Aonung whispered just for Neteyam, slowly moving to lay Neteyam back gently on the sand, Neteyam moved easily with him, resting his back on the sand as Aonung hovered over him. Aonung’s build practically surrounded Neteyam, his curls tickled the crook of Neteyam’s neck as he continued to pepper his neck with soft loving kisses. Neteyam’s hands dragging down his back gently scratching. Neteyam didn’t know where this was leading, but he didn’t want it to stop any time soon. 

Aonung pulled away from his neck to admire his lover sprawled out underneath him, his freckles glowing underneath the moonlight, Neteyam beaming up at him with the happiest smile as he pulled him for a slow and sensual kiss. Their hips brushing against one another, sending a pleasurable thrill through their bodies as they clung to one-another. Aonung couldn’t help but release a low groan against his forest boy’s lips. 

If Aonung had it his way, he would have taken Neteyam right now. But he didn’t want to ruin everything they had worked so hard for, so with great restraint he pulled away. 

Neteyam made a sound of disapproval, it was almost like a whine or a quiet protest, as Aonung had started to pull away. Aonung pressed a kiss to his forehead, “We have the rest of our lives.” Aonung gently reminded his lover. It was difficult, it took great strength to pull himself from ravishing his lover on the beach, but he wanted their first time to be special. 

Neteyam looked up at him with dazed golden orbs, his hand traveling down his arm and intertwining their fingers. “I know..Doesn’t change the fact that I want you now too.” Neteyam teased as he brought Aonung’s hand to his mouth and pressed soft kisses to each of his fingers. 

It drove Aonung insane, Neteyam knew what he was doing, Aonung had to practically lift him off the sand. 

It was time to return home. 

- - - -

Aonung’s Iknimaya came shortly after that evening on the beach, once he returned from the trials with his spirit brother he would be a man. 

Aonung did not know when he would return, as there was no set date, but he prepared himself mentally to be gone for quite some time. 

The great thing was, the whole island knew Aonung and Neteyam had been promised to one-another, it pleased Aonung greatly to see Neteyam bustling around as usual with the beads bouncing around on his waist, he had heard people compliment his lover on it multiple times. 

“I never realized how small your waist was- smaller than some women” Aonung would hear, he also heard, “Wow, Aonung is lucky, Neteyam is pretty, if he messes up I wonder if I’ll have a chance”. 

They were right, Aonung was lucky. 

However, every time he heard those comments or someone even admiring his future mate, he felt the need to just grab Neteyam by his pretty little waist and slam a hard kiss on his lips. 

Aonung had only done that once though, it was on his last day before he left for his Iknimaya. A large group of those who were leaving to become men, had gathered together for a last hurrah. There was dancing and food, it was truly a great event. 

Neteyam had been talking with many Na’vi to find out what their trials had been like, or the placement of their first tattoo, Neteyam was just trying to find as much information to know what to expect in the future for Aonung. 

Aonung knew this, he had no doubt in his mind that everything Neteyam did revolved around him in one way or another, in the best way of course. 

“You know it’s not uncommon for some to come back bound and mated, don’t worry Neteyam. If Aonung doesn’t make it back, or if he chooses someone else, I’ll take one for the team so you don’t have to be alone.” 

It was supposed to be a joke apparently but it didn’t go down well with Aonung. Neteyam looked visibly uncomfortable by the joke too. 

Aonung reacted out of pure jealousy and frustration, sliding behind Neteyam, an arm wrapped around his waist and his hand guiding Neteyam’s face up towards him to plant a firm kiss on his lips. Neteyam had easily complied to the kiss, eyes falling shut as Aonung claimed him as his own in front of the pool of potential bachelors. Aonung’s eyes didn’t shut though, they locked directly on the bearer of the bad joke. 

“Don’t worry, Neteyam is good. He needs no other mate. None of you could handle him anyways.” Aonung smirked as he pulled away, it left Neteyam flustered as Aonung led him away from the celebration. “You are.. So jealous..” Neteyam spoke in a hushed tone to his lover, lightly slapping his arm but not really having any complaints. 

The night ended, with a kiss goodbye, the couple not knowing an exact day of when they’d see each other again, only that they would see each other once again. 

- - 

It had been a good month and half before the couple was reunited. 

While he had been gone, his parents and Neteyam had moved his stuff to his own place, he had a Marui of his own.

Aonung had returned; he had many stories to tell, a new gift from Eywa (his first tattoo), and a collected seashell from every day that he had been separated from his lover. 

The day of his return there was loud whooping and hollering, many people were proud of him, he was the center of attention for the whole day. It was truly a gift and a curse. The gift made him feel important and accomplished, he was a man now, a warrior, someone worthy of his partner who had been considered a man far younger than him. 

The curse was, he barely got to even hug his lover, Neteyam looked at him with so much want and yearning but everyone had crowded him wanting to hear his stories and how his spirit brother was doing. It was a lot, and by the end of the evening, he had been absolutely exhausted with a social meter completely drained. He was so tired he instinctively walked into his old home, only realizing that all of his stuff had been moved. 

A huff of frustration as he had to walk to the furthest end of the island to get settled into this new foreign home. He looked around and couldn’t help but smile a bit, he could tell Neteyam had been there. There were subtle signs all around, from a little plate with some of the beads from his braids to the plants that had decorated the space. Only Neteyam would elect to take care of plants by the reef. Aonung was sure it was a reminder of the forest. 

“You have arrived, I have missed you.” Neteyam called from outside of his new home, Aonung albeit exhausted, practically yanked Neteyam inside and to lay down with him, his arms wrapped tight around his lover. Ignoring the sting from the fresh tattoo burning on his arm. 

“Neteyam.. I missed you too, today was so long, I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend much time together..” Aonung closed his eyes, the wave exhaustion rolling over but feeling warm and comfortable once again, “We have the rest of our lives.” Neteyam teased bringing up their last steamy scene. 

“I’ll leave you to rest, my love..” Neteyam moved to get up but Aonung did not budge, pulling him right back down and hugging him from behind as he kept him close. “You are not leaving tonight, you and I have a lot of catching up to do.” Aonung refused to let Neteyam go. 

It was nice to have their own spot, Aonung could only think that this would be their home. They had fallen asleep together, it was surreal to be able to sleep with his lover. Aonung swore when he woke up he would get to admire his beautiful face. 

Except when he woke up, he had woken up to Lo’ak staring above him, glaring down on him. For a brief moment he had thought it was Neteyam, but Neteyam was in his arms. “What the fuck?” Aonung jolted, Neteyam instantly jumped up with him. 

“So you think you can come back here a man, molest my brother and hold him captive here in your home. I came here to remind you that I am always watching you! You hurt my brother, I will break your neck.” Lo’ak warned. 

“Enough Lo’ak, I can handle myself. But you’re pretty relentless for someone who has bonded before Eywa with  Aonung’s sister.” Neteyam teased, it was clear Aonung had no idea yet.

Aonung shot out of bed and Lo’ak ran as fast as he could away from him.

It left Neteyam alone in what would soon be their new home..

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