#rocket is a bad teacher

[moonsgemini]

cherry wine - firefighter!rafe

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summary: who knew career day would involve a hot sexy mustached firefighter wanting to take you on a date.

warnings: teacher!reader x firefighter!rafe, mutual pining, fluff, a little self doubt, lots of flirting, sexual innuendos, talk of sex but no smut

an: that pic is how I picture firefighter!rafe, I don’t think I need to elaborate any more. title will make more sense in the second part, hope you all enjoy!! & yes this will be a part 2 of the date hehehe. I did not proof read this so my bad

masterlist - part two

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This day could not end sooner. I had been the most chaotic day trying to consistently wrangle a bunch of nine year olds. It was the third grade’s career day at the school you taught at.

The day has been filled with moving from station to station and learning about new careers. Some were a little more interesting than others. It was hard to get the kids to leave the lizard wrangler but they didn’t care much for the optometrist.

Some of the lovely volunteers were kind enough to provide treats for the kids which only made their energy sky rocket. It was your first year teaching and even though you felt confident in your abilities to handle the kids you still tripped up a bit. A kid scraped his knee running from the hair stylist to the park ranger. You were a bit busy untangling a brush out another students hair to tell him not to run. It had been a lot.

Now it was nearing closer to the bell ringing and your weekend starting. You were definitely going to need a drink after today. Career day led up to the fire department coming and showing the kids every tool, button, and switch on their trucks. It would give you and your fellow teachers some time to relax as they all sat around the parking lot waiting for them to arrive.

“You survive today?” Martha asked as she stood next to you. The two of you started at this school together, both being first time teachers. That alone strengthened the immediate bond you had with the curly haired woman.

You let out a tired laugh, “Barely, you?”

She nodded, “Barely.”

You looked around briefly to make sure students weren’t listening to you two, “Winnie’s tonight?”

She grinned happily, “Thought you’d never ask. I could use a drink or ten.”

“Agreed.” You nodded.

That’s when you all spotted the two trucks approaching. The kids started to cheer and scream as they honked.

Martha leaned in to murmur, “At least we get to end the day with hot men with mustaches.”

That’s when it hit you. You hadn’t even thought about that all day. Now your hair was a mess and your light makeup all practically gone.

“I didn’t even think about that. I look like a mess,” You muttered.

“Oh please you look good. Even after wrangling twenty five children all day.”

You nudged her with a grin. The trucks parked in front of the students and the firefighters began filing out. The principal stood in front introducing them and what they were going to do.

Martha was right. Hot fireman indeed. There were six guys and they all began introducing themselves. You tried your hardest to pay attention to each one and watch your kids, but it was hard when one particular firefighter stood out.

He looked younger than the rest with his bleached hair and untrimmed mustache. His biceps bulged in his navy tee shirt as he crossed his arms over his chest. He looked so big and broad you wanted to melt. His eyes scanned the crowd as the guy next to him began introducing himself. That’s when his eyes passed you and did a double take. At least that’s what you hoped that was. He made eye contact with you and a small smirk began forming on his lips. Not looking away as your face began to heat up from his stare.

You looked away briefly as your nerves bubbled. When you looked back he was still looking at you and that smirk had gotten wider. Even when it was his turn to introduce himself he didn’t look away.

“Hi everyone I’m Rafe, I’ve been a firefighter for three years now. I also help train the new fire dogs to be able to help us out when we need them,” He finished giving the crowd a big smile. He finally looked away from you as he rubbed his mustache.

-

The presentation was supposed to be and hour but it somehow felt like five minutes. Probably because you couldn’t look away from someone in particular. He was just so handsome. The way his back muscles tightened and arms bulged as he picked things up had you feeling butterflies in places you didn’t know were possible.

This was not like you to get so dumbstruck by a man. You should know better that attractive fireman should not be trusted. But damn was he good to look at.

Rafe was grateful that he had decided to sign up to volunteer for career day at the schools. He liked seeing how excited kids got at their job so he was doing it solely for that. He didn’t expect to lay eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. At first he thought the teachers were all going to be his mom’s age older, but nope. He had been very wrong.

As him and the guys went through their presentation he couldn’t help but glance over at her any chance he got.

Even the mom’s who arrived early to get a glimpse of them weren’t enough to distract him. Even after first setting his eyes on her he knew he was going to do everything in his power to talk to her.

-

The firefighters stayed until all the kids had been picked up so they didn’t get stuck in the after school traffic. Rafe was thankful they didn’t get a call either or else he would have missed his chance. He looked over to where you were waving goodbye to your last student of the day and saw his open window.

He pat Javier on the back leaving him to wind up the hose himself, “Be right back.”

He stood up with a furrowed brow, “Of course Cameron.” He muttered as he said the blonde stride over to the pretty teacher.

You were texting Martha as you began walking to your class to see if she was already at Winnies. She had gotten out earlier as all her students were picked up already. You didn’t notice the broad man that approached you.

“Hi, can I walk you back to your class?” You looked up slightly startled.

Were you hallucinating because of the heat? Why was this big tall handsome stranger talking to you? You looked around to see if he was talking to someone else.

“Me?” You pointed at yourself with a questioning look.

His smirk widened, “Yeah, it’s really dangerous out here to be walking alone.” He teased.

You laughed, “Right um yeah sure.”

“Lead the way,” He said as he put his hands in his pockets.

“Your guys presentation was really good, the kids loved it. I already know they’re not going to shut up about it next week,” You laughed brushing hair behind your ear. You felt like a teenager again with a crush.

He smiled, “Thanks. Hopefully inspired some future firefighters. I’ve been doing it for a couple years now, is this your first year teaching?”

You were surprised he even thought about that, “Yeah actually it is.”

“I knew I’d remember that face if I’d seen you before,” Rafe wasn’t one to hold back with his flirting. When he knew what he wanted he would do anything in his power to get it. His career choice definitely helps him out a bit.

You coughed a surprised laugh, “Oh I- uh this is me,” you stuttered out as you got to your classroom. You weren’t used to men being so forward. They usually danced around compliments like they wanted you to work for it before earning one.

He opened the door for you, “I’m Rafe by the way,” He held his big hand out for you to shake. He took your much smaller hand in his as you told him your name. The heat of having his attention never leaving your cheeks.

“Are you doing anything tonight? I’d love to see you outside of work,” He leaned against the door casually. As he folded his arms over his chest they looked even bigger. You’re surprised there’s no drool dripping down your chin.

“No uh well yes I am, I’m meeting my friend Martha. She was standing next to me during the assembly. We’re going to Winnie’s if you’d like to join. Or not it’s fine if you don’t and you changed your mind or something,” You cleared your throat as you finished rambling.

That smirk turning into a wide grin, “I’ll see you there. Maybe I’ll bring one of the guys with me.”

She nodded with a smile, “That’d be great, I’m sure Martha would appreciate that.”

“I’ll see you then,” He winked subtly and walked back out. That smug grin still on his face.

-

“You are the bestest friend I’ve ever had!” Martha exclaimed as you finished telling her about your conversation with the hot firefighter.

You laughed, “I didn’t even do anything, god he’s so hot I hope I don’t embarrass myself.” You looked back at the entrance to the bar to see if he was here yet.

“You won’t. He probably loves the whole cute young elementary teacher thing,” Marth said as she took a sip of her cocktail.

“I don’t wanna be that though. I want to be a hot sexy woman,” You sighed dramatically.

When you got to winnies you spent about 10 minutes in your car fixing your smudged makeup and messy hair. You really wished career day didn’t put you through the ringer. You even changed into a random top that was in the backseat because the tee shirt you were wearing wasn’t doing you justice.

It had been almost an hour and they still hadn’t shown up. You had begun to feel disappointed that maybe he was just all talk. Maybe he did that to every new teacher at the schools he went to. But to save yourself the self pity you thought maybe he got a call and had to work. That was the most reasonable explanation. At least that’s what you told yourself.

“They probably got busy. Saving lives or something,” Martha waved off as she finished her second drink. You were also currently on your second and your feet were feeling fuzzy so you were cutting yourself off. You’d probably end up going home after the buzz wore off.

You tried not to show how disappointment flowed through you, “Yeah probably. Guess it was too go-“ you cut yourself off as you saw the door open and a head of bleach blonde hair came through. Your eyes widened and look away quickly.

“Ohmygod he’s here,” you mumbled to Martha. He hasn’t seen you yet.

She smiled, “Is the friend hot?”

You looked over and that’s when you met his eye. Rafe was already looking at you. He smirked and began walking over with a guy to a similar build as him walked behind him.

“Yes and they’re coming,” You said quickly as you cleared your throat.

“Hello ladies,” Rafe smirked as he approached.

You smiled softly, “Hey,”

Rafe thought you were pretty before but now in this setting you looked unreal. He was so glad he signed up for career day.

“This is Josh,” He nodded towards the brunette next to him.

You smiled politely at him, “Hi Josh. I’m y/n and this is Martha,” You looked over at her, “Martha, Rafe.”

They greeted each other as the guys sat down. Having Rafe so close to you was making you a bit dizzy. The alcohol wasn’t helping that either.

“What are you drinking?” Rafe asked you nodding towards your drink.

“Oh I was having gin and pineapple juice but I think I’m done for the night,” You admitted sheepishly.

He smiled teasingly, “Well wish I could have made it earlier to actually have that drink with you.”

You thought about it for a minute, “I guess I could have one more with you. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

“You sure about that? You’re okay with just straight tequila shots?”

Your eyes widened muttering, “Geez maybe you will be drinking alone.”

He laughed, “In that case I guess we’ll just have a beer?” He said more as a question wanting to make sure that was okay with you.

You pretended to think for a minute humming, “Hmmm fine with me. Except no IPA’s,” you said making a face

“Yes ma’am,” He nodded getting up from the high table.

Across from you Josh was getting Martha’s drink order and you could already tell he liked her. The way he leaned in as if he couldn’t hear her despite the bar not being loud yet. You looked over at the bar where Rafe stood waiting for a bartender. He looked so good leaning over the bar. The muscles of his back flexing under the navy shirt. You couldn’t be more grateful for career day.

-

Rafe was oh so screwed. He was liking this third grade teacher a little too much. He had never felt so attracted to someone. Not just physically. He loved how animated you were when you talked, always using your hands. The passion in your eyes when you spoke about your class was admirable.

It was a done deal that you weren’t going to just be a hook up. No way would Rafe think about letting you out of his grasp. You were so soft and sweet, he can already imagine just how sweet you taste.

He knew it wasn’t one sided either. He saw the way you watched him as he told childhood stories and how he became a firefighter. You didn’t look at him like some hero the way most women did but you looked at him like you were proud of him. It made this weird feeling in his chest bloom. But he loved that look in your eye.

Whatever dance you two had been playing the last hour was starting to wear him thin. He wanted to touch you. Not even in a sexual way but he wanted to tuck that piece of hair behind your ear or give your thigh a reassuring squeeze every time you thought you were rambling. Rafe wanted to hear you go on and on about everything.

Throughout the night your chairs had slowly started to scoot closer to each other. Then your arms started brushing each other. Even the small contact set his skin on fire. The need in his bones growing.

You would dare to move a muscle once your skin touched he was so warm and as you looked over his bicep was just beghing to be bitten. The alcohol was helping your brain wander to that place you only visited at night alone in your bed.

As was telling a story about his vacation in Italy your eyes couldn’t help but wander back over to those biceps that had you drooling when you first saw him. He had his arms crossed over the table. Muscles flexing as he picked up his beer bottle and took a sip. The way his neck moved as he swallowed had you clenching your thighs. You wondered what his skin would taste like. You also wanted to know what it’d feel like to be wrapped in those biceps as he held you up while pou-

“You good?” Rafe asked lowering his head to your gaze. A teasing smirk on his lips.

Your doe eyes looked up at him, “Uh huh.” Way to play it cool.

He chuckled, “What were you thinking about?” You hadn’t noticed that Martha and Josh had gotten up and walked over to the dart board across the bar. Now leaving the two of you alone. The bar had gotten more crowded now and

You shook your head fighting the heat creeping up your spine, “Nothing really.”

“Yeah?” He leaned in closer, “I bet we were thinking about the same thing.”

You swallowed hard trying to use as much of that liquid courage as possible, “Then tell me what you’re thinking and I’ll let you know if you’re right.”

He liked that playful look in your eye, “Well I was thinking about soft your thighs would feel on my cheeks.”

Your eyes widened. Maybe you really weren’t expecting him to be honest. But that truth had you fidget in your seat as that warm feeling in your stomach blossomed.

“I guess we were then,” You hum.

“Mhmm,” He leaned in to whisper in your ear, “And what should we do about that sweetheart?”

“I-I” And just like that you had lost your cool. This insanely attractive, funny, smart guy wanted to get into your pants. Hot guys with all those personality traits come once in a blue moon and you were fumbling.

He laughed raising a hand to your shoulder brushing your hair back. His fingertips grazing your exposed collarbone. The light touch making goosebumps rise on your skin. You wanted to lean into his touch but before you could he pulled away, “Let me take you out. Just you and me.”

“Really?” You were a bit dumbfounded. It’s not like you thought he was going to be a bad guy but a part of you had prepared for a one time hook up kind of guy. Which you didn’t mind at first because well it had been almost a year since anyone has met your needs. You weren’t going to turn down sex with a hot firefighter so you’re definitely not turning down a date with one. But you couldn’t help but be curious as to why.

He nodded, “Of course. You’re beautiful, sweet, funny, smart, passionate. I really could go on but I’ll save that for our date.”

You huffed out an amused laugh, “Okay yeah I’d love to go on a date. Assuming this doesn’t count?”

He shook his head with a frown, “I’d never do this for a first date, especially not for someone like you. I’ll treat you right y/n don’t you worry.”

That heat was back again, “You say this to all the women you meet at on career day?”

He smirked, “Just the ones I can’t stop thinking about. Which has only happened with you.”

His reassurances ignited something in you. The feeling of being wanted was something you hadn’t felt in a while and you really liked it. You really liked who was making you feel wanted.

“So how would you treat me Rafe?”

God. He loved the sound of his name coming out of your mouth. He wanted to hear you say it in so many scenarios. Specifically ones where you’re naked.

His knee bumped hers under the table, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six and show you exactly what I’d do.”

[sunderwight]

A fun prospect for Superhero-themed SV AU's that I don't often see is genre dissonance. Like, Luo Binghe as this edgy 90's style antihero who just straight up kills his enemies and sleeps around and is driven by selfish motives (revenge, ambition, etc) rather than altruistic morality, vs Shen Qingqiu as this kid-friendly supervillain who is "evil" mostly in terms of aesthetics and his ability to make inconvenient problems that are reasonably safe for child heroes to solve. Something like Punisher vs Team Rocket in terms of vibes.

Maybe the reason they meet is because some big publishing house akin to Marvel or DC just bought up the rights to whole bunch of older, discontinued comics titles, and decided to do a Justice League/Avengers style mash-up with a bunch of nostalgia properties and their most recognizable heroes and villains. Which means lots of crossovers condensing several titles into a handful of series.

Luo Binghe's origin always features him as a teenager, so he reboots as the youngest Avenger-equivalent team member in the new continuity. Even in this reboot, however, the writers still mostly go the gritty and dark route with his plots and stick to the same key developments -- his abandonment as an infant, his adoptive mother's tragic death, his tough life on the streets, abusive mentors and backstabbing "allies", and so on.

But Luo Binghe's life suddenly starts experiencing periods of dramatic change in his life when he's brought in for appearances in the lighter, friendlier world of the Junior Heroes continuity. After all, he's a natural choice for tying the two continuities together thanks to his youthfulness. Luo Binghe isn't consciously aware of the fact that he's moving between different titles and different writers. All he knows is that sometimes, when he hangs out with the bright and talented Ning Yingying, he's drawn into "conflicts" with Shen Qingqiu -- the kind of "villain" who will call for tea breaks, never actually hits anyone when he shoots his ray gun, leaves clues for all of his crimes, and can't seem to stop from imparting genuinely helpful advice in between his witty quips and taunts.

When Luo Binghe fights Shen Qingqiu, somehow he never actually gets hurt. Neither do any of his friends. The world in general seems brighter and lighter, as if there is some secret barrier protecting everyone from all the evils Binghe knows only too well exist in the rest of his life. Luo Binghe is increasingly convinced that Shen Qingqiu is the source of this mystical safety net. After all, for an allegedly powerful genius who is able to fool half the world about his wicked aims, he's never won a single fight against a kindhearted but somewhat ditzy teenager and her ragtag bunch of friends!

So what's he spending his actual energy on?

Luo Binghe is pretty sure it's keeping the real evils at bay. Making himself the biggest bad in town, and in doing that, making it so that the "biggest bad" is nothing worse than a slightly judgmental teacher in a pretty costume.

It's not long before Luo Binghe doesn't want to go back to the Justice League equivalent, to his world of misery and strife, even after his visits with Ning Yingying are supposed to be over. Especially as the global stakes of various heroic activities start getting higher, and it becomes clear that the boundary between Shen Qingqiu's safe world and the grimdark reality of Binghe's usual life are getting thinner...

[revolutionary-thoy]

Ok I know I said I was done with the main cast in my last post and that Felix and Lila won't be significant to this AU, but i was stricken by really cool ideas for both of them, so they've been upgraded to main cast status. Here's Re-verse Felix, and I'll probably do Lila pretty soon.

In the Re-verse, Felix is the complete opposite of his canon self. He's a complete goody-two-shoes baby. He is the kid that would remind the teacher that they had homework. He, Adrien and Kagami are still sentimonsters, but when the Supreme gave Gabriel the peacock miraculous, he reserved the right to keep all of the rings that control the sentimonsters. Gabriel managed to switch Adrien's ring with a fake one when he betrayed the Supreme, but he's still in posession of Felix and Kagami's amoks. After the special happens and Adrien leaves the Supreme, he uses Felix's ring to basically summon him to Paris and make him Adrien's replacement, giving him the Dog miraculous. This results in Kagami and Luka having to train this absolute goober into a proper villain, but he keeps being really bad at it and accidentally being a good guy and all sorts of shenanigans ensue. The dynamic between Kagami, Luka and Felix as villains pretty much becomes that meme with the three dragons where one of them is silly. He is the Meowth equivalent of their Team Rocket.

Full Re-Verse cast below

[dadsbongos]

megumi x airhead fluff please don’t let gege get u again 😔

iehjejeueueh

GASP this has been in my drafts so long and i totally forgot about it, i am sooo sorry nonny :')

761 words no big warnings just fluff n idiots pining, not super proofread

the ghost of gege has been cleansed from my soul!!! ~~~

“Do you really think that?”

Megumi stiffly avoids your gaze, soon after shrugging, “Yeah. What of it?”

You frown, and it could be how attuned he is to your mood but Megumi swears the sudden shift actually overhauls the entire room’s energy. Something morose and slithering around the darkness, somehow the gloominess only thickens in the areas sparsely lit by Megumi’s lamp.

“That’s sad,” you lean up from your sit and onto your knees, fingertips just barely pressing into the springs below, “You’re not a bad person, ‘gumi.”

“I don’t think I’m the devil,” he turns his whole head to avoid your piercing stare, “Just not a good person.”

“That’s sad!” now you’ve flung your hands up on his shoulders, squeezing down his arms as if a heartbroken widow clutching her poor, dead husband, “‘gumi you’re the best guy I know!”

Scrunching away from you, Megumi presses his back into the headboard of his bed, swallowing harshly and continuously dodging your stare, “Yeah, sure.”

“Hey,” you whine, now squishing his hands between yours, “You are! You’re super nice all the time, and you’re way smart.”

The accusation of kindness pulls a little chuckle from Megumi, especially considering how often Yuuji and Nobara curse his nasty attitude. He cannot comprehend why you’d marvel over him this way, or in any other way for that fact. Megumi’s eyes flutter shut, he soaks up the warmth of your hands on his, and your face by his cheek. If he dared lean up, he’d easily be able to kiss you (he’s not so bold, he thinks he’d rather die actually).

“And you’re so pretty,” you tack on, as if you can sense the worst possible thing to say right now.

Though, Megumi knows better -- you’re soft and mellow, his opposite if anything. The knowledge of your earnesty in the compliment does nothing to calm his racing heart, or the raging red slathering his face.

“Whatever…” Megumi sinks down until he’s laid back on his mattress. He sucks in air slowly, boring holes into the ceiling rather than your face, “You’re pretty, too. And you’re nicer than me,” he cringes, “If you’re still sure I’m nice.”

“You are,” you lay beside him, petting a hand over the bunches and wrinkles in his sleep shirt, “You’re being nice now! You let me come over after my nightmare.”

“You sounded scared,” he tries to shrug off the praise, but your words are clinging to his brain stubbornly, “Why would I make you sleep alone after that?”

“Exactly,” you’re bolder than Megumi, bold enough to spike your chin onto his chest, “You’d be a great boyfriend.”

“You don’t say,” he chokes out, heat clogging his cheeks and red burning into a deep crimson. He prays the dim light emitting from his nightstand doesn’t expose the sight to you. 

A melodic knock on Megumi’s door makes the duo flinch, and despite logic telling him nothing is wrong Megumi lets his arm come around your waist protectively. When its Satoru that pokes his head in, the boy grumbles.

“Hey, problem children,” Satoru coos, “if you’re gonna break rules, at least move apart when your teacher comes to scold you.”

“They had a nightmare,” Megumi’s hold on you tightens, “they didn’t wanna be alone.”

“Is that right?” Satoru’s blindfold is still snug around his face, but Megumi can feel his teacher’s stare pointed at where your head lays on his chest.

You nod viciously, “It was so scary! I thought I died for real, so ‘gumi let me stay with him so I don’t have another one.”

“Well how sweet,” Satoru taps the doorframe, “But c’mon, time for everyone to go to their own rooms.”

“Huh, no way!” you cry in protest, rocketing up straight.

“No way,” Megumi parrots.

Raising a brow, Satoru grins at his student’s sudden audacity, “You want me to stay in here with you both, then?”

“You want me to tell Yaga about the secret number in your phone?” Megumi glares, “The one you know by heart.”

Satoru grimaces down at the boy, then sighing and back out of the room, “Don’t do anything to make Yaga yell at me.”

“Wow, ‘gumi, you really got him.”

“He’s easy to wrangle, like training a big, stupid dog,” Megumi feels his heart thundering in his chest the longer you go without saying anything, simply sitting there and grinning at him, “What?”

“You stood up for me.”

“Duh.”

“That was really nice of you.”

He rolls his eyes, grabbing you by the arm and pulling you back onto him, “Yeah, whatever.”

[markrosewater]

Hey, Mark, I'm not to make another UB-related request. This isn't coming from an anti-UB place, and it's just one Goose's opinion, but I'm sure there are others who feel this way.

Can we get rid of flavor words, please? I haven't seen a single upside to them presented, just downsides:

For decades, one of MtG's biggest strengths was capturing the ludonarrative. Having to spell it out makes it seem like you all have lost confidence in your ability to make card design that makes sense with the captured flavor.

If a design is intended to be funny (the Street Fighter cards come to mind), it feels like you're pointing at the "joke" and saying "See? Please laugh." As a person who has a comedy background, I'm sure you understand why killing the frog is bad.

Death of the epithet: The most minor of the criticisms, but I really think "Ian Chester, Science Teacher" reads better than "Ian Chester" and then calling his ability "science teacher." (I may be mixing up the WHO teachers, but this applies to both, luckily.) Epithets also make it easier to depict multiple "moments" of a character without giving a card up as the "definitive" version of that character.

It feels like you don't trust players to get why the card text is what it is. Telling your audience you don't expect them to be smart (or rather, literate) enough to "get" it doesn't really help. I've seen people say they add flavor to the cards, but the flavor isn't diminished by removing the flavor words (flavor is when things are fleshed out and living, not when things are spelled out). If it's for fans of the IP, then they already get it (Oh, the activated ability that grants flying is referencing this character's rocket propulsion). Non-fans of the IP aren't benefited either, as they will sus out said character has rocket propulsion or be left completely in the dark (see Cult of Skaro: These words do nothing to tell me about the ability. If you were to leave them out, I'd still be able to sus out that each ability corresponds to one of the four Daleks depicted).

Lastly, they make cards harder to read. When trying to grok a card, there should be as few words as possible I'm supposed to ignore.

I understand some people will go "I recognize the thing" and a bulb in their brain will light up, but something being easy like this doesn't mean it's better or that we actually like it more.

I guess there's the potential upside that you could slot in numerals to power up my Baron von Count deck, but I don't see any real tangible upside to them. Obviously I'm missing something. Can you say what it is?

(Also, even if you don't answer it,thank you for taking the time to answer this book of an ask. These are feelings I've been sitting on since AFR and keeping an open mind on in case I changed how I felt from my initial reaction.)

Flavor words can do some things that we can't replicate elsewhere. I agree they can be overused, and are not always used optimally, but I don't think we want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

[jewish-vents]

I'm Israeli and I live fairly close to the border with Gaza. Close enough that people from my town got shot by terrorists, and close enough for a few rockets to destroy some homes. I lost some of my childhood friends on October 7th, I lost teachers and neighbors and people I just knew were nice and deserved a long happy life. October 7th was the scariest day of my life. I got countless messages from friends to "send help they're in my house" and I couldn't do anything to help them. There are people I know who are still living through October 7th, there are people in Gaza as we speak. Reality has turned so bad just inside of Israel. It's devastating. But the horrible part is... it doesn't stop just INSIDE Israel does it? It's not just bad in here. I think everyone, at some point in their lives has felt like the whole world is against them. But to live in a reality where that isn't a feeling anymore, but a fact, and not a small one, no. It's a fact people are willing to shout from the rooftops and hurt other people and claim its in the name of peace. My whole world was shattered on October 7th, and it's still going on for people that I know. I cannot begin to explain how much it hurts. I've never been this hurt in my life. It's hurts so, so bad.

I miss my friends.

I just want the world to take everything back.

.

[sun-ea-sports]

Hi waves!! gonna rant abt another Phighting au now 😎

Ok so basically it’s a highschool au and like. all the phighters are just humans‼️

More yapping below cut kicks legs back n forth/silly

I imagine the school hierarchy sorta goes like; the phighters are students, the gods are like. teachers n stuff (Illumina is the principal), and there could be some npcs who could also be teachers‼️

Everyone would have like, real names instead of being called after gears. However, I imagine PHIGHTING! would be some sort of video game, and so the phighters nickname each other after which character they main. Ex; Skateboard maining a character using a skateboard as a weapon, so the others nickname him “Skate”!!

The phighters would be all one big friendgroup. The factions are prolly like. smaller friendgroups within the larger group that are just close friends!!

Okayy miscellaneous info abt little details now:

1. Medkit n Subspace would be like. academic rivals. I think the difference would be though, that Medkit isn’t really trying, whilst Subspace is

2. Ban Hammer prolly gets taunted a lot for being a “momma’s boy”. He’d also get out of trouble easily due to his mom working at the office n such. (Other lil thing is that banlands is like, detention. So Ban Hammer snitches on bad students to send them to detention‼️)

3. The Biografts are quintuplets that no one can tell apart. Only 1 of them actually plays their version of PHIGHTING! the rest are just cursed with the nickname cause no one can tell them apart,,, I do imagine they wear stuff to differentiate though. Ex; Floatiegraft would wear duck pins n stuff‼️

4. Skateboard gets reprimanded a lot for skateboarding on school grounds.

5. Slingshot’s cafe would probably be like, him helping out in the cafeteria. Or it’d be one of those “illegal” school trading things idk.

6. Not all the phighters n npcs are in the same grade!!! The younger ones (like, Shuriken, Slingshot, Rocket, etc) would be in like 9th-10th grade. While the older ones (Katana, Ban Hammer, etc) would be in like, 12th grade. And then Lightblox is like. In 7th grade.

7. The skins would prolly be like. Halloween costumes or just different outfits!!

Scratches my head yeah that’s it for now ermm!!

However, I do have 2 characters (sorta) designed with names. PLEASE THIS IS OLD ART FROM LEGIT MONTHS AGO 😣😣😣 I’ll redesign them soon,,,,,

okayy that’s it 🫶🫶 thank you for reading abt my silly little au that popped up in my brain. 4 months ago,,

If anyone wants to, y’all can also design other phighters/npcs/sfoth and give them names n stuff 🫡. except erm, for Boombox cause a close friend wants to design him!! Everyone else is free for grabs :3c

[smellystars]

School Blowout

Mr. Cruz is your average calc teacher at wellbring high school. Though what most don’t know is his constant gas problem. Mr.Cruz has had this problem his entire life constantly farting without end, no matter the situation and with age it has only seemed to get worse. What used to be a quick puff of air with a bit of a smell has become minutes long with a smell that packs quite a punch.

When quarantine came around Mr.Cruz was elated, he didn’t have to worry about taking breaks to rip or worry about anyone else smelling his gas and can rip as he pleases. It did become hard explaining why at random his mic would mute for a few minutes during meetings and online classes. To pass the time when not in classes, Cruz started to work out and order a few tubs of protein. Taking protein, working out and eating anything to bulk helped Cruz to get a body that anyone would call hot and a very plump and round ass that could turn heads. The unintended side effects, gas worse than anyone could imagine. A singular fart now has the force to rumble furniture, and a smell bad enough to cause unconsciousness from a single sniff. At worst a rumbling akin to an earthquake, a smell so bad that plants would wilt and die. Thus began the worst event to happen at wellbring high.

It was Thursday January 25, 2024 everyone was running to class not wanting to be late. The class was loud with chatter and laughter as the students talk amongst themselves. Suddenly a loud boom came from the hallway and the class goes silent. The students wonder what could have created that sound. After two minutes, Mr.Cruz walks into his class holding his stomach and says good morning to his students. A girl in the back of the class asks Mr.Cruz if he knows what that sound was. He responds, “ Yeah, sorry I couldn’t hold it i.” All the students laugh at the respond and tells Cruz that it isn’t possible for a singular fart to be that loud. “I take a lot of protein and you see what I’m working with back there, unless I actually try all my gas is going to be loud” he says then sits down as he groans in pain. The students then look at Mr.Cruz worried “Are you okay?” some of the students ask. Mr.Cruz doesn’t respond and all of a sudden a stream of gas leaves his behind, much louder than the one in the hallway. The students cover their ears in fear that their eardrums would burst. “Uhhhhh something I ate isn’t agreeing with me” Cruz says as he leans against the board, his ass facing his students. A loud gurgle is heard then

BRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMBBTT!!!!

A loud explosion from Cruz’s ass send desks and books flying as the students quickly evacuate the class. A rumble that can be felt all over the school as the principal turns on the intercom, “Everyone evacuate the school this is not a drill evacuate the school.” The principal thinking maybe a pipe somewhere burst leading to a gas leak. Mr.Cruz after hearing that tries to hold his gas long enough that everyone leaves the school knowing how bad the next gas attack is going to be. His stomach gurgling louder and louder as only two minutes pass. “I can’t hold it anymore, I have to let it out” with that Cruz let’s go

BBBBBRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMMNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPTTTTTTT!!!

A deep bassy and deadly fart leaves his ass making his cheeks jiggle as a rumbling that would scale a 9 on the richter scale bursts forth. Walls crack as he continues to rip, his gas spreading throughout the school creating a brownish haze. The cracked walls fully break turning to rubble as Cruz’s destructive fart continues without end. Window shatter as the only barrier between everyone outside the school is gone. The gas spewing outside the school like a rocket, plants wilting, birds and animals fainting from the smell. Students and faculty start to cough and gag on the smell, some trying to take shelter in cars and busses but nothing could protect them from Cruz’s gas cloud.

Another gurgle can be heard from Cruz’s gut, “uhh one more just push it all out at once then I’m done,” he says panting covered in sweat. He lays on his stomach arching his back and aiming his ass upwards, balling his fist and is pushing as much gas down as he can. He grunts

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPTTTTTTT!!!!!

The school is reduced to rubble, the roof was blown away in an instant, walls and floors reduced to rubble, the lockers and anything metal melted and rusted due to the heat. The gas cloud visible from the next town over, anyone close to the school on the floor unconscious due to the smell and heat. Cruz’s pants and boxers reduced to tears of fabric and his bare butt hanging out. “Uhh maybe I should cut down on the protein” as he wafts the air behind his ass.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - Fake Love Part 1/8

I think this is my best work yet. Y'all don't know what you're in for 😝

Reader is a kindergarten teacher. Nothing more nothing less. But following an accident whistle vacationing in Dubai, she somehow makes her boyfriend believe that she does somthing else for a living, something that earns her way more money than she has. Her boyfriend, Ruben, is just happy to have found someone who understands him so well, someone who doesn't want him for his money since money isn't an issue for neither reader or himself. Or so thinks. Would finding out the truth ruin their newfound relationship? Readers thinks so, and does everything to keep up the lie, although it has some bad people from the Middle East looking for her.

Enjoy!

It all began with a tragic accident. If saving a child from a fire counts as something tragic. No. The tragic part is that it happned on your first week of vacation. First week out of six, meaning you'd spend the rest of that time caring for the burn wound on your thigh. The accident happned in Dubai at the resort that you were staying. The hotel had ended a night with a magnificent firework show for all guests to partake in. However, one malfunctioning rocket sparked flames into the crowd capturing one family in their private tent. Everyone managed to escape except for a young boy. Hearing his cry, you did not hesitate to sprint through the flames, no second thought of what might have happened to you. Those worries came later.

"Mashallah. Bless you woman."

It was strange, being embraced and cared for by strangers. Turns out that the boy you saved was the nephew of a very powerful business man in the Middle East. Both the resort and family thanked you by paying for the rest of your stay, as well as all of your medical bills and any other expenses whilst you were a guest in their country. It did not end there, the family insisted on paying for your flight back home to England, business class of course. And they did not mind for you to make a longer connection in another country. They would pay for your stay there too. That's where your story begins, on a connection flight to Portugal, where you met Ruben.

"Champagne?"

You were on the plane, shifting uncomfortable in your seat, when a flight attendant came down the aisle carrying a trey with two flutes of Champagne.

"Um, we didn't order that?" You said turning to your best friend Alicia. She poked her head out from behind her seat that was more of a private booth. She shrugged, looking equally as confused at the two glasses of Champagne.

The flight attendant smiled, handing each of you a glass anyway. "It's complimentary from Mr Muhammed Siddiq." She said and disappeared with the trey down the aisle.

"Fancy." Alicia said, taking a approving sip of her drink. "So whatever you want he pays for?" She asked, talking about the arrangement that had been made by the family which child you had sacrificed your skin to save.

"Seems like it." You said, although you weren't all that comfortable having a stranger pay for your expenses. Your friend however...

"Sweet." Alicia leaned back in her seat. She pressed the button that would alert another member of the cabin crew, a man this time, dressed in a well tucked suit.

"You called Miss?"

"Yes, can we have a bottle of whatever this is?" She said, raising her glass.

"Alicia." You groaned, slightly embarrassed.

"What? You know I get nervous during long flights. Might as well order a whole bottle of alcohol."

"A bottle it is." The flight attendant nodded. He turned to you. "Anything else for you Miss?"

"Um, no. Thanks."

You waited for him to leave so that you could throw a pillow across the aisle, hitting Alicia in the head.

"Ouch. What was that for?"

"Stop ordering things that we can't afford."

"Maybe WE can't afford it, but Muhammed Siddiq certainly can."

You rolled your eyes.

"Wait until we get to Portugal." She giggled. "They said they got you covered there too, no?"

"Yes, but only for two nights. Until our connection flight back to London."

"Great, enough for us to have some fun."

"Alicia."

"What? You deserve it. Six weeks of our vacation has gone down the drain because you wanted to jump into the flames and save that kid. Now look at you, barley able to sit with all that dressing underneath your skirt."

You tugged at the hemn. Even the draft creeping down your leg was painful to your burns. Alicia noticed the discomfort in your face and leaned forward, grabbing your hand. "You are a hero Y/N. So let's make the best of these two days, you deserve it, even our sponsor Mr Siddiq think so."

You huffed a laugh.

"Now, let's google the most expensive hotels in Lisbon." Alicia pulled up her laptop. You sighed, leaning back in your seat.

"What is there to do in Portugal anyway. Isn't it just ocean and sand, along with perverts in speedos?"

"I dunno." Alicia shrugged, typing away on her computer like the Reddit bully that she was. "Maybe we could book a guided tour around the city."

"I can't walk."

"Right. Rent a car it is."

She typed away, her newfound passion amusing to you. At some point your eyes began to flicker, the last couple of days, catching up to you. Suddenly something blew past your head, grasping the top of it.

"Fuck." Alicia gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

"What?" You sat up, looking where Alicia was pointing towards. "What did you do?" You hissed, since she had that guilty expression you knew too well.

"Your pillow." She whispered. "It's over there."

Alicia's aim was apparently terrible. Your pillow had eneded up in the booth next to you. Alicia must have seen you falling a sleep, wanting to hand it to you. The words hand it to you, not occurring to her.

"Should I get it?"

"I'll do it." You sighed. You needed to stretch your legs anyway.

It was a big plane, with two floors and three seating aisles. Being a passenger of the business class forced you to circle the whole second floor to get a view of the booth next to you. It was great way to obtain once privacy, but boy was the walk painful for a first time burn victim.

"Um, excuse me?"

You were in excruciating pain arriving at the booth next to yours and it did not help that the man assigned to it was chatting away with two other guys seated across and beside him.

"Um, excuse me?"

They ignored you, however you were pretty sure that they could see you standing in the middle of their aisle.

"Excuse me?" You said, raising your voice.

The man in the booth next to yours turned his head to meet your eye, but quickly diverge his gaze back to his friends.

"Oh for fuck....I'm looking for a pillow that flew this way. Have you seen it?"

"You mean this pillow?" One of the guys said, the dark skinned one. He held up the pillow in front of him, letting you have it.

"Sorry." You muttered, visibly embarrassed. "My friend can't aim."

"You mean she has perfect aim." The guys laughed, however not the guy in the booth next to yours. He looked mad, mad at you.

"Yeah?" You said unsure.

"Yeah." They nodded. "She hit my friend Ruben here with a perfect headshot."

You turned to the guy next to your booth, the one they called Ruben. "I'm so sorry." You said and really meant it. He however, continued to treat you like thin air.

"Oh come on Dias, don't leave the girl hanging now. Show her some of that Portuguese hospitality. We're not all perverts in speedos."

You flushed as the guys erupted in laughter once more. Of course they had overheard your conversation with Alicia. And of course they were portuguese. The plane was heading to Lisbon for god sakes. Who else had found your comment utterly offensive You turned your head, expecting a old man in his fifties to ambush you, throwing his purple speedos in your face.

"Nah, we're only joking. Right Ruben?"

The guys looked to their friend, who was still looking at you, well not at you, but somewhere below you.

"What happened to your leg?" He asked. Very blunt of him, you thought.

"Now Ruben, just because a girl is wearing a short skirt doesn't mean you get to be unpolite about it. Let's not fuel her impression of us portuguese. " His friends laughter drew the attention of other passengers, making you crumble with the embarrassment.

"No, I wasn't." Ruben stuttered, for the first time looking other than sure of himself. "I wasn't I swear." He reassured you.

"I know." You nodded. "I've burned myself. It was an accident. The dressing is supposed to mend the pain." You said, although the way your legs trembled told him otherwise.

"Is everything alright here?"

It was the flight attendant from earlier. The one having served you and Alicia Champagne. She had a serious expression on her face, a professional one, as if she had just received urgent complaints from other passengers about a disturbance in row sixteen.

"Um, yes everything is okay, I was just about to..." You turned around, the pillow pressed to your chest. You took a few steps down the aisle but hesitated as there was low whipsers behind.

"....You gotta do it it. Can't you see the way she's walking, she's clearly in pain."

"Come on Ruben..."

"No buts, you can sit with her friend."

You turned around, a frown on your face. "Are you guys talking about me?"

"Um, yeah." The guy called Ruben stood. You tilted your head not having realized how tall he actually was. Nor how built he was. His frame took up the whole aisle. Even the flight attendant had to tilt to the side to be visible behind him. "We were saying that the two of you should switch seats."

"Who?" You frowned. To which Ruben threw his friend a deadly glare.

"Me." His friend sighed, gathering his things to make his seat vacant for you.

"Um, what is going on?"

"You're hurt." Ruben said, not hiding the fact that he was staring at the dressing up your thigh." Our seats are better than yours. Here you can lay dow."

It was true, they did have the better seats. Although the leg room of a business class seat was not to be ungrateful for, laying down is really what you needed to elevate your leg, easing the pain.

"Please." Ruben said, gesturing towards the booth next to his. "My friend is more than happy to switch seats with you. Right Fabio?"

His friend did his best to fix a smile, showing off his bleach white teeth. "Gladly." He gritted.

"Okay." You said, not completely sure what you were agreeing to. However the flight attendant mumbled somthing about having to inform her colleagues. Nevertheless she disspeared whilst Ruben and his friends made the necessary room for you.

"No, leave the pillow." Ruben said, snapping at his friend who was still in the process of gathering his things.

"But she has a pillow." He groaned.

"Yes, and now she has two."

Ruben's friend left his seat looking displeased with life. Wait until he was introduced to Alicia, who refused to advocate for grumpy men.

"Please, have a seat." Ruben insisted once everything was cleared. The guys even made the effort to pick up after themselves, although thier mess wouldn't really effect you.

"I'm Ruben, this is Theo."

The three of you went about shaking hands as you sat back in your seat.

"Nice to meet you Ruben..." You were terrible with names, you thought he had introduced his full name. He looked at you slightly baffled, perhaps shocked that you had already forgotten what it was."

"It's Dias." He said, not leaving you hanging.

"Dias. Ruben Dias." You nodded. "Nice to meet you my name is Y/N  Y/L/N.

He smiled in a slightly amused way. Nevertheless he let you sit back and relax. The conversation having died out. Only then, back pressed to your plane seat, did you realize that you just shook hands with the most gorgeous man you had ever seen.

[emeritus-fuckers]

Could I maybe request some head cannons for the ghouls interacting with a small child that they have been asked to babysit? Maybe even Papa Copia’s? I’m in need for some fluff right now lol :)

Copia's ghouls babysitting his baby

Swiss

Swiss isn’t exactly the ghoul you choose to watch a baby.

Swiss is best with young children that need tiring out. You come back to sleepy ghoul and sleeping child.

Copia hands him the baby? Well…

Eventually, he comes back to the staring contest of the century.

Baby vs Swiss. No sign of who’s going to win.

Surprisingly though, all the care is actually done pretty well. It’s just…staring at Copia’s baby now.

Sodo

It's absolutely hilarious to witness because both Mister Sodomizer and the baby will be confused the moment the child is handed to him.

They both just stare at each other in complete shock.

Eventually, thee baby melts against him because he's warm.

And once he's done with the initial paralysis, he slowly starts to hold the baby closer.

They become cuddle buddies.

The baby is sorta treated like a cat, in the way that Sodo will not get up if the baby is on him.

And once he's carrying the baby, he's cradling them like the most precious thing.

Rain

Rain is great with kids, very motherly and gentle.

Will make sure that baby is safe, well taken care of and as happy as she can get them

Ve will absolutely have the room set up to meet any and all needs as quickly as possible.

Might accidentally bore the baby, would benefit from help from Swiss or sunshine.

However the baby will be sleeping peacefully on his chest, enjoying the comfy spot to nap.

Second best choice for looking after the baby.

Aether

That kid is thrown around so much it's a miracle all the food stayed inside the baby.

He's definitely fun for the baby. Just like Swiss, good for wearing the kid out.

He comes up with the most fun and creative things to do with the child.

Honestly, Aether might just be the favorite uncle with all the running and jumping around as he holds the baby securely in his arms.

They eat banana-flavored baby food squeeze pouches together. (i have no idea what these are called, this is the best i found.)

All kids love him.

Phantom

Is the baby. This is the child they’re babysitting.

Mountain

He worries the most.

He would rather be sent back to the pits then not take the absolute best care of this child. He makes sure that they're happy and very comfortable.

Makes sure that the child is nothing but happy giggles and peaceful naps.

He is very good at keeping the kid calm, its just his energy, honestly.

Keeps the kid close, and will mostly just make his nest and flop down (softly) with the baby and take a nice long nap.

All the hugs and naps.

Cirrus

She's incredibly good at making the baby laugh.

Bounces the baby around and makes silly faces at them.

Her and Aether are the absolute best combo for a fun day with the baby.

And if you combine zir with Cumulus? You could leave the baby with them for days and come back to the happiest child alive.

Honestly, she could absolutely be a kindergarten teacher or a nursery caretker. Kids love zir.

Cumulus

Naturally very motherly and nurturing.

Probably the most responsible choice.

Also, she can let the baby nurse on her if needed.

(I want to nurse on her so fucking bad.)

Sings the best lullabies, the baby falls asleep so easy it seems unreal.

The baby just feels very safe and happy with her.

Sunshine

Much like Swiss, is not the first choice to leave with a baby.

She is full of energy and much better at just a temporary playmate.

She will play peekaboo, patty cake and rocket ship for hours to entertain the child.

Dancing fruit baby sensory videos? She will stare at them too for hours and hours.

Is just the chaotic playmate summoned to entertain the baby.

That may also teach them to bite as a form of love.

Aurora

Gushes. Fawns. Loses it.

Keep in mind, she hasn't been around for long.

Which means fae didn't get to see too many babies.

But once fae sees them, she absolutely loves them.

They think babies are absolutely adorable, but she spends most of faer time with the baby on just watching, waiting for the small human to do something cute.

Gushes about the baby to everyone who will listen.

~

Swiss, Rain, Phantom and Sunshine written by Death.

Sodo, Aether, Cirrus, Cumulus and Aurora written by Nosferatu.

Mountain written by Zenith/Jasper.

Taglist: @charlie-is-a-menace @copias-fluffy-asscheeks @randodummy @tuttifuckinfruttifriday @calliedion-dungeon @randominstake @callmeicaro @thecuriouss @nuntia @dio-niisio @ethereal-maniac @mamacarlyle @mybotanicaldemise @igodownjustlikeholymary @natoncesaid @bloodmoon-bites @plaquerat

[heyiwrotesomethings]

Set Your Heart Ablaze

Mitsuri Kanroji x She/Her Reader

A/N: This draft is from February of 2022 so it’s over a year old. I wasn’t happy with it at all at the time, but I decided to look over it again recently and tweaked some things and it wasn’t as bad as I thought at the time. I think the moral of this is to step away from your writing for awhile if you think it’s not coming out the way that you want and revisit it with fresh eyes. Whenever that may be. Thanks for reading and I hope you like it! Word Count: 7,334

(Y/n) ran through the forest, tears streaming down her face and her blade drawn. She roared, screaming at the pink haired demon as he ran away from the sunrise.

“Coward!”

(Y/n) could hear Tanjirou’s cries from the forest’s entrance as the demon flung the boy’s sword into the bushes and continued to leap away. The anguish in (Y/n)’s heart had her seeing red as she unleashed technique after technique at the demon, trying to close the ever-growing gap. Her lungs burned and her broken ribs stabbed into her like shattered glass, yet she continued her pursuit.

“Face me, you monster! It is plenty dark enough for you under these dense trees! Fucking fight me!” (Y/n) raged.

Akaza clicked his tongue, not even sparring the girl a glance as he rocketed off. Maybe he would have liked to see if the Flame Hashira’s Tsuguko was worthy of the position, but he had no desire to kill any women and today was no different.

“Damn you!” (Y/n) tried to boost her speed, but with all the injuries she had sustained that night, something in her leg popped and she tumbled head over heels into the ground. Determined, she got back to her feet as soon as she could and scanned the trees.

“No!” (Y/n) screamed. The demon was gone. She punched the nearest tree until her knuckles bled. “Damn you! Damn you! Damn you…” (Y/n) slid back to the ground as sobs wracked through her body.

She had failed.

Her Master was dying and she had let his killer escape. What an utterly useless Tsuguko! She didn’t deserve the title. All that training and she couldn’t even scratch that demon! Disgraceful!

(Y/n) didn’t allow herself to sit there for long. She didn’t deserve it, but she needed to see her Master and apologize for being so weak. She needed to tell him she was going to work harder! She would avenge him one day even if it killed her.

(Y/n) grit her teeth and ran out of the forest, avoiding the sorrowful eyes of the other slayers as she moved to be near her Master.

“(Y/n), there you are.” Kyoujirou’s eyes softened with a slightly glazed over look, “come, sit.”

“I— I’m sorry Master, he got away.” (Y/n) hiccuped, collapsing hard on her knees, she bowed as low to the ground as she could, gravel imbedding itself into her forehead with how hard she pressed. “I failed you, but I swear I’ll kill him if it’s the last thing I do!” (Y/n)’s breathing hitched when a gentle weight appeared on her shoulder.

“Hold your head up high, (Y/n).” Kyoujirou commanded, though his voice had lost its normally booming quality, the underlying power somehow remained. (Y/n) sat up and did as her Master commanded, though tears still flowed unbidden from her eyes.

“Look at how far you’ve come already and with still so much room to grow. My only regret as your teacher is that I won’t be there to help you refine those skills. Which is why there is something I want you to do for me.”

“Anything, Master! You need only say it!” (Y/n) exclaimed.

“Continue your Tsuguko training under the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri. You may have heard she used to be my student before climbing the ranks herself. She can teach you all that I couldn’t.”

“I… I’ll ask her. I promise, I’ll work hard! I won’t let you down!” (Y/n) didn’t want to burden another Hashira after failing one so fatally, but this was Rengoku’s last mission for her and she would carry it out for him.

Rengoku chuckled weakly, a warm smile upon his face. These young slayers were sure to go far. They did extraordinary work last night, fighting with all the fire and might they possessed to their very bones. His bleary eyes seemed to be drawn to something over (Y/n)’s shoulder, his smile grew and with one last peaceful exhale, he was gone.

***

(Y/n) put it off for as long as she could, but now that Shinobu had given her a clean bill of health, she could hide no more. Now there she stood in front of the Love Hashira’s home.

With her lips pursed tightly and a light coating of sweat dewing her face and hands, she finally forced herself to knock upon the door. The thudding of her fist against the wood sped her heart with each hit. Every part of her body was screaming at her to turn tail and run before she could be seen, but with her Master’s final wishes for her in mind, she stood rigidly in place.

Her panic was steadily growing inside of her as the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching from inside. She quickly dried her hands on her pants and though she knew someone was coming to open the door, she still jumped when it slid open and bowed with such force she almost bent completely in half.

“G-good morning!” She fumbled over her words, voice pitching as if it hadn’t expected to be called upon. “I’m here to speak with Kanroji Mitsuri-sama of important matters! Is she perhaps available today?”

(Y/n) dared not look up. She could feel how her face burned and felt the tell tale signs of those annoying tears of embarrassment and nervousness picking at her eyes. When whoever answered the door turned to guide her or send her away, then she would have an opening to sneak a sleeve over her eyes, but not a moment before.

“Ah, yes, I’m available right now. You can come in.”

(Y/n) blinked, her eyes traveled to the stocking feet standing in the doorway. Unbidden, her gaze moved slowly upward until concerned pastel green eyes connected with hers.

Then she snapped.

“Apologies, Kanroji-sama!” (Y/n) threw herself completely against the ground, the sound of her forehead hitting the gravel drowning out the surprised squeak that left Mitsuri’s lips.

“I did not realize—! Please forgive my rudeness!”

“I really don’t think you were being rude at all?” Mitsuri tilted her head to the left thoughtfully. “You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?”

“Not at all! But if you think it would be a fitting punishment—“

“No!” Mitsuri frantically waved her hands down at the still face planted slayer, “No! That’s really not necessary! Please, raise your head and come inside!”

“Thank you, Kanroji-sama. You are far kinder than I deserve.” (Y/n) rose to her feet, a bit clumsily, and rubbed her eyes as if she had gotten dirt in them before finally meeting Mitsuri’s eye again.

“I, I don’t know about that, but let’s get you inside and have a nice cup of tea. You seem stressed.”

Oh, she didn’t even know the half of it.

(Y/n) thanked her profusely and followed her inside.

Immediately, an array of pleasant aromas met her nose when she took off her footwear and entered the Love Hashira’s home. For such a large building, it somehow still felt cozy.

Mitsuri led her to a room with an open door leading out to an orchard. In the middle of the room there was a large, low laying table piled with snacks and a cute tea pot.

“Here, take a seat and I’ll be right back with a cup for you.”

Before (Y/n) could dissuade her, Mitsuri jogged out of the room and returned a short time later with another cup and dish in hand. She set the items in front of where (Y/n) knelt and poured her a cup of tea before kneeling opposite of her across the table. She poured a cup for herself, took a sip, and hummed happily.

“Help yourself. We can talk after you calm down a bit, okay?”

(Y/n) opened her mouth to disagree, but shut it quickly when Mitsuri titled her head and gestured to the food. She ducked her head down and sipped her tea, mulling over the best way to tell the Love Hashira her intentions for the hundredth time that day.

The meal wasn’t completely silent. Mitsuri asked (Y/n) where she grew up, what food she liked best, light questions that were easily answered and slowly but surely put (Y/n) at ease when Mitsuri would share her own answers in turn.

(Y/n) helped Mitsuri clean up and they returned to the room together. Mitsuri took her seat across from (Y/n) and gave her a small smile.

“Feeling a little better?”

(Y/n) nodded, shyly looking down at her lap.

“I’m glad. Now, what did you want to talk about?”

(Y/n) took a deep breath, “My name is (L/n) (Y/n), I was the late Flame Hashira’s Tsuguko.”

“I know.”

(Y/n) looked up from her lap to see the sad smile and watery shine in Mitsuri’s eyes.

“Rengoku-san, talked about your progress with me on occasion.” She explained. “He really enjoyed working with you.”

Oh gods, keep it together (Y/n). No more crying, we promised we were done crying!

“I’m honored. He was, I really, really liked training under him.” She swallowed thickly.

“He was a very good teacher, wasn’t he?” Mitsuri noticed how (Y/n) shook like a cold kitten in the rain and scooted around the table to offer some comfort, pulling (Y/n)’s head into her shoulder.

“Uh huh,” (Y/n)’s throat felt so tight it held a deep burn, like there was a hot, heavy ball tangled in her vocal chords. The way Mitsuri held her and talked to her about the fallen Flame Hashira, she could tell she was hurting just as much. Two students grieving over the loss of their beloved teacher, friend, and older brother figure.

They took a few minutes to collect themselves and (Y/n) forced herself to back out of Mitsuri’s embrace to put some space between them and face her fully.

“Rengoku-sama’s last order for me was to ask you to train me in his stead.” She bowed on her forearms and knees once more, continuing on before Mitsuri could fully process the weight of her words.

“I know that I am the last person that anyone would want after I failed to protect him. I only ask because it was my Master’s last wish of me. I do not expect you to accept so please don’t feel obligated in any way, Kanroji-sama.”

A hand came to rest on (Y/n)’s back that exuded a warmth so radiant that she couldn’t help but compare it to the heavy warmth of her Master’s hand when he used to praise her for a job well done. Tentatively, she rose her head to meet Mitsuri’s eye, finding fresh tears had sprung from the Love Hashira’s eyes.

Mitsuri rubbed (Y/n)’s back, urging her to sit up so she could take both of her battle-worn hands into her own and gave her a watery smile.

“(L/n)-san, I will take you on as my Tsuguko on one condition.”

“Yes?” She prompted timidly.

“You mustn’t keep blaming yourself for Rengoku-san’s death. It hurts my heart to hear you talk down on yourself for something that was not your fault.”

“But I—“

“Not. Your. Fault.” Mitsuri spoke with great sincerity, hitting her thighs with their connected hands to emphasize each word. “Rengoku-san would be very sad to know you feel this way. Do not make him have to worry about you in the afterlife.”

(Y/n) bowed her head. Mitsuri squeezed her hands.

“You say it now, it wasn’t my fault.”

“It wasn’t… my fault.”

“Again. Try to sound like you believe it because you should.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

“The fault lies with the demon who took his life, not me. Say it.”

“The fault lies with the demon who took his life, not me.” (Y/n) finished shakily.

Mitsuri pulled her back into her arms and rocked her side to side.

“That’s a good start. Rengoku-san chose to entrust you to me. So I will do my best to teach you everything I know in his stead. We will both work hard and make him proud, won’t we?”

“Yes!” (Y/n) sobbed into Mitsuri’s shoulder, clinging tighter.

***

(Y/n) awoke at the crack of dawn in the guest room Mitsuri had so kindly provided her with and went out the stretch and go through her morning training regimen before Mitsuri would make her appearance. She felt the need to prove herself to her Master’s old pupil so she needed to be on the top of her game to impress. She began pushing herself harder. Though she had been healed, the Insect Hashira would surely discourage going so hard so soon after being discharged.

“I’m going to get stronger, Master. I will kill that demon!”

Meanwhile, Mitsuri hadn’t slept at all. She had been working frantically all night wracking her brain for a lesson plan. She was hardly a teacher unless her western cooking lessons with Shinobu counted, but even then Shinobu had a hard time understanding her sometimes. It was so embarrassing! Worst yet, though her Love Breathing had been created through what she learned from Flame Breathing, she didn’t quite remember the techniques without the twists she gave them.

“I’m so sorry, Rengoku-san!” Mitsuri wiped the sweat from her forehead as she scribbled out another idea. “I don’t think I know how to teach her at all!”

Regardless, she had to get out there sooner or later. (Y/n) was waiting for her. She wouldn’t make a good impression if she was late. What if (Y/n) changed her mind and didn’t want Mitsuri to teach her? Mitsuri couldn’t think of a more devastating blow to her confidence as a Hashira.

She sucked it up and headed outside. She would just have to be candid with (Y/n) about her inexperience with teaching and her foggy memory. Surely (Y/n)’s training was fresh in her mind. Perhaps if they discussed it, it would jog her memory.

Mitsuri exited her home and froze mid step when she found (Y/n) laying face down in the grass.

“(L/n)-san?!” She quickly regained use of her legs and hopped off of the engawa to kneel at her side and pull (Y/n) to lay on her back. “What happened? You shouldn’t push yourself so hard! Shinobu-chan only discharged you a day ago. Did you hurt yourself?” She fretted.

“I’m okay. I guess my ankle still isn’t agreeing with me.” (Y/n) made a pained grunt when Mitsuri gently squeezed her injured ankle.

“That doesn’t feel right. Urara!” She called out to the sky.

Moments later a Kasugai crow with a little clover crown made an uneasy descent, waiting for Mitsuri’s order.

“Could you ask Shinobu-chan to have someone come over to check (L/n)-san’s ankle? Thank you!”

The bird flew off in a flurry of feathers and Mitsuri positioned her arms beneath (Y/n)’s back and knees, giggling at the surprised face (Y/n) made when she was suddenly hoisted off of the ground.

“Let’s get that foot elevated for the time being.”

“What about training?” (Y/n) didn’t want to be down and out already. She hadn’t even technically started yet and Mitsuri was carrying her inside. How humiliating!

Mitsuri set her down in the training room she had initially exited from and propped up (Y/n)’s ankle with a rolled up towel.

Within the hour Shinobu herself came to personally scold (Y/n) for her recklessness in the sweetest voice possible and then turned her attention to Mitsuri to dig into her a bit.

“She’s your Tsuguko now, Kanroji-san, don’t let her act so foolishly in the future.” She teased, though her eyes held a seriousness that Mitsuri did not miss.

“Sorry, Shinobu-chan.”

Shinobu fixed (Y/n) up, ordered her a week of non strenuous training and took her leave.

“I’m sorry, Master. I’ve burdened you.” (Y/n) frowned.

“No!” Mitsuri squeaked and waved her hands erratically. Her skin flushed bright pink. To be called someone’s master made it too real! “No, no, you haven’t burdened me at all! In fact, this is kind of a good thing!”

“It is?” (Y/n) cocked her head to the side inquisitively.

“Yeah! Not that you hurt yourself of course, but this will give us some time to talk and figure out where you are in the training. I have to admit, I’m out of practice with the discipline and finer details of Flame Breathing, but maybe you could help remind me?”

“Of course, Master!” (Y/n) nodded, flames blazing in her eyes.

“A-and another thing!” Mitsuri’s blush bloomed a darker shade of red, “Please just call me Kanroji! Master feels too heavy!”

“As you wish, Kanroji-sama!”

Mitsuri laughed at (Y/n)’s eagerness and volume. It reminded her so much of Kyoujirou. He seemed to have an affect on his disciples where his own excitement and booming voice would be mirrored back at him with vigor. Mitsuri only hoped she could be such an impactful teacher.

***

They spent that first week while (Y/n) was laid up going over the training she had endured under Kyoujirou’s guidance. Sometimes, that would prompt an old memory of Mitsuri’s and she would share her own experiences.

Sometimes they would laugh, sometimes they would cry, but their talks always left a sense of comfort and understanding. They had both known Kyoujirou well and being able to share those stories when they were missing the man brought them closer together.

When (Y/n) had re-healed after her tumble, they began increasing the effort on her training. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but they would eventually work it out together.

“You have to, you know, when you feel a stretch just before it pops you go bwoosh! You know?”

“Um, could you try showing me that, Kanroji-sama?”

“Sure!”

In Mitsuri’s defense, Kyoujirou was also guilty of explaining things poorly from time to time. He often used to tell (Y/n) to just feel it, whatever it was. (Y/n) learned to be a bit of a visual learner if she hadn’t been one already, she had grown more conscious of it over time.

Mitsuri also added her own touches to the regimen, showing (Y/n) the importance of flexibility in combination with one’s strength and internal rhythm. She was almost appalled by (Y/n)’s lack of flexibility, though she would certainly never tell her that. She did however make sure to add flexibility to the daily training regimen that made the usual stretches feel like nothing in comparison to the deep stretches she put (Y/n) through.

She also added dance lessons into their routine to wind down at the end of hard days. It was fun to teach (Y/n) different step combinations and have her cling to her as she tried to keep up with her ever changing footing. She never seemed to quite get the timing right, but Mitsuri found that adorable.

Of course they couldn’t stay home to train all of the time. At the start of their third week together, Mitsuri received a mission to the south and it would be her first time being accompanied by a pupil. Granted, (Y/n) was nearly the same age as her and had been on several missions already, but Mitsuri couldn’t help but worry for her safety.

“Stay close, alright?” She had made (Y/n) promise several times along the way.

Other slayers might have been offended or even angry at such a babying display, but (Y/n)’s heart fluttered in her chest knowing that Mitsuri cared so much about her wellbeing.

Fortunately, there was no need to worry. They killed the troubling demons that had causing the disturbances without a hitch.

“Did you see that, Kanroji-sama?” (Y/n) asked, eyes alight with an excitement that made Mitsuri’s heart race, “I used that step just like you showed me! The stretch wasn’t even that bad!”

“I saw! You did so well! Let’s go to this twenty-four hour noodle shop I know to celebrate, okay?”

“Okay!”

They cleaned out that udon stand in record time.

***

Weeks became months and soon half of a year had passed them by.

Presently, they were laying out under the shade of a tree after collecting honey all day. Mitsuri watched as (Y/n) continuously flexed her fist, watching her rank bubble up and fade several times. Kinoe.

As of last night, (Y/n) had slayed her forty-ninth demon. One more, and she would be considered for a position as a Hashira.

Mitsuri tapped on (Y/n)’s hand, startling her, “What are you thinking about?”

“I guess I’m just thinking about how close I am to being considered for a Hashira position. It’s kind of overwhelming.”

“It is kind of scary at first. I actually got lost on my first day,” Mitsuri smiled and squeezed (Y/n)’s hand, “I’ll help you get around though, so don’t worry!”

“Thank you, Kanroji-sama.” (Y/n) gave a small smile of her own, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

“Hm? Without me?” Mitsuri blinked, then realization dawned on her.

When (Y/n) would become a Hashira, she would no longer be Mitsuri’s student. That would cut down the time they spent together drastically! She would live somewhere else in charge of a different sector. No more training together, missions, meals, sleeping a bedroom away, tending to the bees together, dancing together… Mitsuri’s heart hurt.

What was she supposed to do without (Y/n)?

“W-well, it’s not like we won’t see each other again! We can keep in touch and do things together in our free time!” Mitsuri felt anxious. She knew the day would eventually come, but it had snuck up on her somehow. (Y/n) was a superb slayer, it really shouldn’t have surprised her that she was nearly ready for the next rung in the ladder.

“Really?” (Y/n) felt relieved by Mitsuri’s suggestion. She didn’t want to be separated from her any more than Mitsuri did.

“Of course!” Mitsuri nodded vigorously. “We are friends after all.”

“Kanroji-sama!” (Y/n) sniffled and threw her arms around Mitsuri, loathe to let go lest the Hashira see the tears that slid down her cheeks. They were mostly happy tears, but that hardly mattered to (Y/n). Any time her eyes would water without her permission felt a little embarrassing.

Mitsuri wrapped her arms behind (Y/n)’s back in return, holding on a bit tighter than usual knowing that her constant companion over the past six months would be off on her own before long. They both would be.

***

The day was finally upon them and neither Mitsuri nor (Y/n) was nearly as excited as one would expect. They tried to have a normal morning together, the last they would have under the same roof. Despite the enormity of the event happening that day, neither broached the subject. Both preferring to talk about literally anything else. Though they both definitely knew what was on the agenda that afternoon and it was visible in their actions.

(Y/n) had carved Mitsuri a bunch of little wooden statues over their months together and presented them to her in a neatly packed box. Each representing a little memory. Mitsuri went all out on breakfast, a conglomeration of all of (Y/n)’s favorite foods. Instead of sitting across from each other they sat as if joined by the hip. It was when an unexpected guest came by that the girls were forced to face the reality of the day at hand.

“Senjuro-kun? Hello, hello! What brings you by today?” Mitsuri asked, ushering the young boy inside.

“Hello, Senjuro-kun!” (Y/n) greeted from the kitchen doorway while she finished drying the last dish.

“Hello,” Senjuro smiled shyly, adjusting the bundle in his arms. “I’m here to give (Y/n)-san something, actually.”

“Oh, for me?” (Y/n) blinked. She put away the last dish and came out into the hall.

“I think it will be best if we all sit down for this.” Senjuro suggested and Mitsuri lead the way to a private room for whatever transaction was about to occur.

“What is it, Senjuro-kun?” (Y/n) asked once they were all situated.

“I heard you were becoming a Hashira today. Congratulations, (Y/n)-san.”

“Thank you. I will do all I can to live up to the title. I promise.” (Y/n) still felt inadequate for the title of Flame Hashira and she felt that the title would never truly belong to her, but she was determined to honor her late Master’s position.

“I know you will, Aniki always thought you had lots of potential.” Senjuro held the bundle closer to his chest. “That is why, I believe this belongs to you now.”

As soon as he held the white fabric out to (Y/n), the girls gasped softly as the red and orange tatters previously pressed into Senjuro’s chest came into view.

“Senjuro-kun,”

“I know,” he interrupted, “but he would want you to have it. I do to. You are keeping the Flame Hashira line afloat, so you need the cloak to match.”

(Y/n) swallowed thickly. She would not deny the boy again. If he wanted her to adorn the near sacred garment in his brother’s stead, then she would do it. Just a little more weight to carry. She would bear it.

She took the cloak gently from Senjuro’s arms and bowed her head.

“Thank you, I will do everything I can to be worthy of this.”

Senjuro nodded, trying to keep it together, but when (Y/n) and Mitsuri descended upon him with hugs and understanding tears in their own eyes, he let his own fall.

***

“Stay close, I’ll make sure you don’t get lost.” Mitsuri assured as they walked through the lengthy estate of the Master, out to the garden many Hashira meetings took place in when the weather was fair.

“Thank you, Kanroji-sama. I’m so nervous.” (Y/n) managed a half smile. The weight and scent of the cloak draping her shoulders was near anxiety inducing, not comforting in the least, but with Mitsuri by her side, she felt a tiny bit at ease.

“You’ll be just fine, I promise.” Mitsuri threaded her arm through (Y/n)’s and rubbed her bicep comfortingly.

Even when they came upon the passage that would lead them out into the garden, they did not part and entered together to find a majority of the Hashira already present.

“Kanroji-san, (L/n)-san, good to see you.” Shinobu smiled.

“Good to see you too, Kochou-sama.” (Y/n) greeted with a bow.

“Kochou-san will be fine please. You are joining our rank after all. Congratulations, by the way.”

“Ah, right, thank you, Kochou-san.”

“Me too!” Mitsuri jumped in, sweating slightly. She should have been the first to tell (Y/n) that, but she hadn’t even thought of it! She had to one-up Shinobu somehow. “Just call me Mitsuri!”

(Y/n)’s face exploded with warmth. To refer to Mitsuri so casually… she would surely combust!

“If that’s, are you sure, uh, Mmitsu, um, maybe, Kanroji…san?”

Shinobu giggled behind one hand, the other reached out to give Mitsuri a handkerchief, the poor girl was blushing bright red and noticeably sweating. (Y/n) was hardly fairing any better.

“You may still refer to me as Uzui-sama, new blood!” Tengen grinned, bringing attention to the fact that they certainly weren’t the only people there.

“Don’t refer to me ever.” Obanai said snippily under his breath, earning an amused scoff from Sanemi. Neither believed the woman would be able to fill the shoes, or the cloak rather, that had been left behind for her. Of course one of them was more upset about how the new Flame Hashira was still joined to the Love Hashira’s hip.

“I’m glad to see another Hashira be born from the ashes in these dire times. I wish you luck in battle, Flame Hashira. I trust you will go far.” Gyomei spoke with great conviction, tears rolling down his chiseled cheeks.

(Y/n) bowed to the man, thanking him with strong gratitude audible in her tone.

If Muichiro had anything to say, he kept it to himself and Giyuu slid in through the back of the garden and stayed in his designated corner barely sparring (Y/n) a glance.

All fell to a knee when the Master was set to appear and the deeply treasured man walked out to greet his children and formerly bestow (Y/n) with her title and assignment area.

This was when Mitsuri felt the most nervous. Kyoujirou’s general assignment area had been in then heart of Tokyo, but that didn’t necessarily mean (Y/n) would get the same. Tokyo would be so nice though. Lots of roads and trains led to Tokyo. They could easily visit from time to time. Please be Tokyo, please be Tokyo!

“Your assignment shall be in Hokkaido. Guard it well, Flame Hashira.” The Master smiled warmly.

“As you wish, Master. I will give my all.” (Y/n) bowed resolutely.

Meanwhile, Mitsuri, who had been leaning so far forward to hear, suddenly fell into the pebbles, earning her a handful of inquisitive stares.

Hokkaido prefecture?! That couldn’t be further away! She’d need several train lines and a boat to get there!

“I’ve heard troubling things about demons trying to traverse the bottom of the ocean to other countries. It may not be as glamorous or densely populated as Tokyo, but it is an important job none the less.”

“Of course, Master. I won’t let you down.”

“You will do great things, (Y/n). Kyoujirou would be proud to see you now. Mitsuri is as well I’m sure.”

“Yes,” Mitsuri sniffled, “so proud.” and heartachingly disappointed.

“Let’s move on to the next agenda then, my children.”

***

“Kanroji-san? Are you waiting for (L/n)-san?” Shinobu asked when she found Mitsuri waiting outside of the garden after dropping of the Master’s medicine with Amane.

“Yeah…” Mitsuri toed her shoe in the dirt. “I was hoping to see her off. I know it’ll take a little time to get details from the Master, but I don’t mind waiting a bit.”

“Hmm, didn’t you take any time to say your goodbyes this morning?”

Mitsuri looked down and worried the sleeve of her haori between her fingers.

“Ahh, I was afraid something like this would happen.” Shinobu tisked wisely.

“What?” Mitsuri’s brow furrowed.

“You grew too attached.” Shinobu replied, a teasing grin growing across her face. “In fact, I dare say you are smitten! And with a student no less, how scandalous, Kanroji-san.”

“We’re only a year or two apart!” Mitsuri blushed and flapped her arms around, “And she isn’t my student anymore so it’s not weird! Is it?!”

“I’m not judging you, but I am worried about you. Hokkaido is rather far away.”

“I know… I don’t know what to do.” Mitsuri sighed sullenly.

“I think you should tell her how you feel. Don’t live with any regrets. That is my advice to you.”

“Thanks Shinobu-chan. I will think about it.”

“See to it that you do. I better get home, good luck.”

Mitsuri wrapped Shinobu in a tight hug and then the Insect Hashira went on her way, leaving Mitsuri feeling more confident about what she had to do.

When (Y/n) emerged from the Master’s estate, her face lit up when she saw Mitsuri waiting for her and she moved quickly to stand beside her.

“Kanroji-sama! Er, Mitsu… erm— Kanroji-san! You waited for me!”

“I wanted to see you off personally. Also… there was something I wanted to tell you.”

“Of course, you can tell me anything.”

The kind expression on (Y/n)’s face made Mitsuri’s heart flutter. She took (Y/n) by the hand and eagerly pulled her along. The Master’s estate was full of natural beauty, a perfect place for a heartfelt confession. She led the newly appointed Flame Hashira into the wisteria blooms that surrounded the property. Silently she thanked the moon and stars for illuminating the petals in a soft glow and the warm contrast of the fireflies navigating between the trees.

“It’s beautiful here.” (Y/n) commented. “It suits you.”

“Really?” Mitsuri squeaked.

Though she was embarrassed, (Y/n) did not attempt to explain away her words. She really did think Mitsuri looked especially beautiful in this scenery and she was of the opinion that no one told Mitsuri that she was beautiful nearly enough so she stood firm.

“Definitely!” She yelled a little too loud, looking up at the sky to avoid meeting Mitsuri’s gaze directly. She stiffened when Mitsuri’s hand curled around her bicep near her elbow.

“Thank you. It suits you too.” Mitsuri bit her lip, “That’s why I wanted to tell you here.”

Mitsuri’s hand slid down to (Y/n)’s own, her other hand moved to clasp (Y/n)’s between hers. She took a couple deep breaths, feeling dizzy from the warmth in her cheeks and chest, then she… didn’t tell her.

She couldn’t tell her. For whatever reason, the words would not come out.

“Yes? What is it, Kanroji-san?” The innocent, patient look (Y/n) wore proved too much for Mitsuri to handle somehow and the poor girl lost her nerve completely.

“I’ll miss having you around, good luck out there.” She looked away, missing the disappointed look that flashed over (Y/n)’s face.

“I’ll miss you too. A lot.” (Y/n) forced a chuckle. “Um, listen, is it alright to write to you from time to time?”

“Yes, that would make me very happy.” Mitsuri’s voice held all of the scenerity of the feelings she had truly wanted to convey. “I’ll write you too, of course. You can tell me all about Hokkaido and all your adventures.”

“I will.”

There was a pregnant pause before a stifled sob escaped (Y/n)’s lips. She cut it off abruptly with her free hand.

“Sorry! I told myself I wouldn’t cry. I’m a Hashira now, damn it.”

“It’s okay to cry, everybody has to some times.” Mitsuri was also failing to fight back tears of her own, her heart was screaming at her to speak her mind, but her tongue felt like lead.

(Y/n) face planted forcefully into Mitsuri’s neck and Mitsuri swiftly wrapped her up in her arms. Their tears soaked each other’s clothes while the words they truly wished to share went unspoken.

***

Mitsuri pushed the latest letter from (Y/n) into her face. Maybe it was silly, but she thought she could smell (Y/n)’s scent lingering upon the parchment. So she always smelled the letter first before reading.

At this point they hadn’t seen each other in fourteen months but they made sure to write each other every other week. Their crows were surely annoyed by the long trips, but being the people pleasers that they were, they hardly complained. Especially when the birds had always enjoyed each other’s company as well.

She wanted to take her time reading, pouring over every word. She pressed the paper to her lips before holding it to her chest.

Things had been going well in Hokkaido as previous letters would suggest. The Master’s worries about demons crossing the sea had dissipated to near nothing with the first month of (Y/n)’s introduction to the prefecture the Flame Hashira had taken to training some of the slayers stationed there to hone their skills into something more fine tuned. Things had been quiet there lately, which made Mitsuri all the more glad. As long as (Y/n) was safe, she was happy. She couldn’t wait to read the new letter.

Unfortunately, she didn’t get very far before Urara hopped onto her desk in a tizzy to alert her of a new mission. She placed the letter with the others in the box of wood carvings (Y/n) had given her for safe keeping until later and grabbed her sword. She would have to put the letter on the back burner for now.

Mitsuri followed after Urara, running even faster when she saw a heavy smoke billowing up to the sky. The village on the outskirts of her patrol area was in flames, green flames.

She helped organize the villagers and their evacuation and looked around for the fire’s source. It seemed to jump from roof to roof despite the dead still air. There was definitely a demon art at play here.

A building collapsed and she heard a desperate cry for help within the wreckage along with a sinister cackle.

Mitsuri pushed through the opposite direction the villagers were running in, telling the lower ranked slayers that had shown up to help with the evacuation efforts while she forged ahead.

The demon was easy enough to find. He was still cackling and hooting as another home came crashing down, the fire curled around him as gentle as running water.

Within the collapsed rubble and wood was a young couple, the wife trying valiantly to free her husband from underneath a heavy beam despite the demon’s lazy, taunting approach. Mitsuri had seen enough.

She unfurled her sword and whipped it at the demon, aiming for his neck, but he blocked her with his arm, unconcerned with the loss of the limb as it quickly regrew.

He turned to face her, no longer as amused as he once was, and with a loud growl he threw his strange green flames in Mitsuri’s direction.

She rolled away from the blast and quickly countered, narrowly missing her target as he hopped backwards. The Demon released an exaggerated sigh.

“Can’t you see I’m busy with those folks there? I’m trying to have a nice, crispy meal and you’re ruining it!”

“You’re awful! As if I would stand aside and let you do such a thing!” Mitsuri whipped her sword hard enough to crack the ground where the demon’s feet had been mere seconds before.

Mitsuri had no time to behead the demon before the fire would encircle the trapped couple. She would have to subdue him for a time and then quickly get them out of there before returning to finish the job.

She had her opportunity when their battle led them between two homes with hardly any space between them. The demon ran to slip between them and out of Mitsuri’s line of sight, but the Hashira struck at a weakened support beam and both houses came tumbling down. Right on the demon’s head.

“That should keep you busy for awhile!” Mitsuri yelled as she ran. “See how much you like it!”

She traveled across the burning rubble of the house and grabbed the beam that pressed down on the man’s legs. With her strength, the beam rose easily and the woman was able to slip her husband out from under the new gap.

“Go! Go! Before the fire cuts the exit!” Mitsuri warned.

“Thank you!” The man coughed, stumbling through the wreckage with smoke stung eyes and his wife supporting his weight as they limped out together.

With a mighty grunt, Mitsuri threw the beam to the ground. Just as she turned to leave, a bright green inferno caught her eye, the demon had escaped the rubble and she was in trouble!

“I’ll roast you on a spit you damn nuisance!”

Mitsuri fumbled with her blade on her hip as the hot flames burst towards her, she wasn’t going to draw it in time! Her eyes pinched shut on reflex.

“Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!”

The sour heat of the green flames dissipated and a new, purer heat took its place.

“Are you okay, Kanroji-san?”

Mitsuri’s eyes shot open and her mouth fell open in both disbelief and elation. Before her stood (Y/n), looking bright and powerful. She surely grew into her position in her time away.

“What! What are you doing here, (Y/n)-chan?!”

(Y/n) took no offense because Mitsuri was clearly excited to see her. She laughed, redirecting her attention to the demon who’s eyes darted between the two Hashira with obvious discomfort.

“Didn’t you receive my letter?”

“I didn’t have time to read it!”

“Ah, well, I’m getting reassigned! I was just finishing up with Oyakata-sama before I was redirected here, and not a moment too soon!”

Mitsuri withdrew her blade, ready to fight, but still she wanted to talk.

“Reassigned? I thought you were doing well in Hokkaido?”

“Well enough that the Master doesn’t think a Hashira’s presence is needed there all of the time. The lower ranks can handle themselves now. I’m going back to Tokyo!”

“Are you two really catching up it front of me?” The demon squealed unpleasantly. Though he did not like his odds, his pride still got the better of him.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t. Your demon art is destructive, but you, yourself aren’t very strong. Just opportunistic. I haven’t seen Kanroji-san in over a year and I have a lot I’d like to tell her.” (Y/n) answered bluntly, making the demon more irate.

“The honor is all yours.” (Y/n) told Mitsuri with a smile as the demon charged senselessly towards them.

Mitsuri beamed at her in return and snapped her blade outward, slicing clean through the foolish demon’s neck. The excess momentum sent the head sailing passed the two Hashira and out of sight. The body began to crumble and the green flames sputtered out when it suddenly began to rain.

“So much destruction.” (Y/n) shook her head in disbelief. “We’re lucky the demon seemed so ‘young’ and inexperienced. Given any time to grow, he would have been a much greater threat— hey!” (Y/n) laughed when Mitsuri suddenly catapulted into her arms.

“I missed you so much!” Mitsuri wailed.

“I missed you too!” (Y/n) yelled twice as loud, happy tears rolling down her cheeks, mixing with the rain.

They spun around over the smoldering lumber as the cool rain poured over them. The first few spins turned into a dance and they soon became drenched, but still without a care in the world. They slowed and then came to a stop, both laughing breathlessly, their foreheads pressed together.

Without much thought, (Y/n) kissed Mitsuri’s forehead, only realizing her error when Mitsuri made a sound between a choked gasp and a delighted squee.

“Wah! I’m sorry!” (Y/n) groaned, pulling away to hide her face in her hands. “Ah! I had all this time to think of a proper confession and I already blew it! What is wrong with me?!”

Mitsuri pulled (Y/n)’s hands away from her face and they both looked at each other with matching surprised intensity. Neither dared even to blink.

Mitsuri’s mouth opened and closed several times before she shook her head and pulled (Y/n)’s hands behind her waist. The motion pulled the Flame Hashira nearly flush against Mitsuri and her hands were released for only a moment before Mitsuri’s arms encircled her neck and their lips met in a bruising kiss.

“I love you,” Mitsuri murmured shyly despite taking such a confident action. “I wanted to tell you that before you left, but I lost my nerve and I regretted not telling you every day since.”

“You too?” (Y/n) marveled. “I wanted to tell you back then too!”

“You really did?”

“Yeah!”

(Y/n) swept Mitsuri off of her feet and hugged her tight. Mitsuri was so ecstatic at the prospect of being carried she got all wiggly like an excited puppy. (Y/n) stumbled but held Mitsuri all the same and they exited the smoldering wreckage together.

The other slayers and freshly arrived Kakushi gave them strange looks, but followed their orders all the same. They worked to build temporary shelters for the small village and fix up the homes that were salvageable.

The rain stopped when the sun crept up upon the horizon. (Y/n) and Mitsuri helped put the finishing touches on the last shelter and left the rest in the hands of the locals. As they walked together, Mitsuri pulled on (Y/n)’s arm.

“You know, I don’t have to leave right away…” (Y/n) tested, “If you think it’s okay, I could head back with you, only if you want to.”

“Of course I want you to head back with me! I haven’t even touched your old room so it’s ready for you! But you could just stay in my room with me. We still have a lot to talk about after all!” Mitsuri stuttered and blushed, cupping her burning cheek with her free hand.

“You’re right! That would be more convenient, wouldn’t it?” (Y/n) agreed, mind whirring as she screamed on the inside.

It may take them some time yet to navigate the relationship they had been dreaming of, but at least they were on the right track now.

[eris-snow]

𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤

Tags: bakugou x gn!reader, fluff, comfort, crying, swearing (as usual)

Been feeling a little inferior to those around me lately. It's something I'm sure we can all relate to, so I hope this brings comfort to those who feel like they're never good enough. Katsuki Bakugou is surprisingly good as a comfort character.

Today was just not your day. You've had these days. The ones when you would feel like you were about to cave inward. The days that you feel your strong front collapse because of the stress and pressure you exert on yourself.

Today isn't any different. Everyone in your class is constantly testing the limits, sky-rocketing past boundaries, while you...well, you...

You're just learning how to grow and improve. U.A. is a school where you need to aim for the top if you don't want to be left behind. Because of this, you feel like you're slipping further and further behind in class.

Momo is good at academics. Shoto is good at combat. Everyone is improving while you're trying so hard not to seem like a failure.

You're not bad, per se. But just seeing your classmates overcome their own boundaries and overtake you sow seeds of deep insecurity in your heart.

Today, was the day something finally snaps.

Bakugou comes over to help you study, armed with assessment books and dons thinned-rimmed glasses that make him look more intelligent and more mature. He still yells, mind you.

Every time you get a question wrong, he screams his head off while pointing out where you went wrong. He waits for you to solve the problem, and if you get it wrong again, the cycle continues. Rinse and repeat.

It got to the point when you were on the brink of tears, drawing a shaky breath as Bakugou eyeballed you write your equations with a quivering hand. You knew you'd asked for his help, even mentally fortressed yourself to focus on what you can do to improve, but...

"Dumbass, come on! This problem's fucking easy, an idiot like you can handle it!" Bakugou barks.

It's a final nudge over the delicately crafted wall that blocks out your emotions. A droplet of sorrow weasels its way past your defences, and your dam breaks.

Tears of helplessness flood your eyes as they splatter on your paper, your shaky hand pausing as you attempt to control these overwhelming feelings of inferiority gushing out.

Bakugou's still here, he can see everything, you scream at yourself...but your tears can't stop flowing. You just sit there, frozen, with tears streaming down your face and a trembling hand clutching your pencil so hard it could break.

Bakugou practically reels at the sight of you crying.

"I-I'm so sorry, Bakugou, I just," You sniffled, nose getting clogged up. "It's just...I-give me a minute," Grabbing a couple of tissues, you hastily blow your nose, trying to salvage the scrapes of dignity you have left.

"W-We can continue now, I just-" You try to clear your voice, or at least stable it to some degree. "That was just-"

"Fuck work, Y/n," He states bluntly, noticeably calling you by your first name. He tosses the book off your desk, slams his glasses on it and spins your chair to face him. "What, in the name of everloving hell is going on? Nah, don't shake that pretty little head of yours. Don't you lie to me," He snarls, words softening. "You're going through shit and you're clearly struggling, so What. Is. It."

A new round of tears hit your eyes as you choke back a sob. "I just-" Your voice is barely coherent now. Your watery eyes meet his, and it makes your breath hitch.

Bakugou's eyes were glowing with genuine care. Under those piercing, vermilion-red eyes, you can see his raw intentions laid bare.

He cares.

The words spill from your mouth as you babble, forcing yourself to admit the things you've wanted to hide, deny or avoid this entire term.

How you spent the entire lesson on Mathematics just barely grasping the teacher's words.

How hard you've been working.

How everything you do or try still makes it seem your improvement rate is put on the lowest setting of a slow-moving conveyor belt.

And Bakugou just...listens. He sits there patiently with an attentive gaze, each word you say making his eyes gaze softer and softer until it reeks of empathy for you.

He lets you explain how you feel, and doesn't say a word as you stuff your face with tissues and strewn them on the ground.

"You done?" He asks gruffly when you stop talking, making you nod your head vigorously at him. His eyes narrow on you, "Good,"

In a flash, he stands up and grabs you, pulling you into his embrace as he wraps his warm, comforting arms around you.

"Now listen here, Y/n," He says, voice hushed but holding conviction. "I'll say this once and I'll say it until it gets into that thick skull of yours. You have no right to work yourself down that hard. I don't care what words you're branding yourself as inside that blasted mind of yours, but you are not a failure."

He takes a deep breath and continues. "You are fucking incredible no matter how stupid you think you are, and you're already working even harder than most extras in our level. So can you please stop hurting my Y/n and realise how amazing you really are?"

Your breath catches.

My Y/n.

You must be going deaf or something. There's no way in a million years that he'd call you that.

"Bakugou-"

"Say it."

"I-I-" You bury your head into his shoulder, stumbling over the embarrassingly confident words he described you with. "I'm not a failure," Your voice wobbles. Bakugou raises an eyebrow. "And?"

"I'm fucking incredible." You say, heat rushing to your cheeks.

You both pull away as you wipe your tears away. Bakugou cracks a satisfied grin. "Good. Now screw this shit, we're getting a tub of ice cream in here. You need a goddamn break."

He doesn't fix your problems magically overnight. But that caramel ice cream is a sinful treat as Bakugou makes you take a nap right after the tub is finished.

It's the best sleep you've had in months.

--

When Kirishima hears about this the next day, he is adamently shocked that the both of you can so boldly claim that you're still "just friends".

Katsuki Bakugou is truly, a fucking idiot.

[noellevanious]

neon white hating below the cut (dont worry thisll be my last post about the game)

blown away by how Subpar and Ok this game is. Gameplay loop is sooooo basic and Just Alright. ive played TF2 custom rocket jump/surf maps that have more depth and challenge than anything in Neon White so far. I would keep playing for the story but oh my god i can not be forced to care about these characters theyre so bland and lifeless. It genuinely feels like the most cookie cutter set of characters ever.

Like Woah I'm brooding antisocial Emo Cute coolguy in a trenchcoat? and i'm a former assassin dude?!?! And Hubba Hubba those two Babes.... ones a bit crazy.... you might call her "Yandere" If you're totally Anime-pilled like me XD but the other is also aloof and wow..... shes so tall and slender and also legs!!! she's more of a """Tsundere""" type.... and can't forget about my Cool Abrasive Bro we're always goofing around sayin g and doing crazy sh#t!!! But we totally hate our parents or teachers- I mean. The Angels. And WOAH there are cats in heaven and they're all wacky!?!?

It's like man. I could just watch Persona 4 All Cutscenes on youtube while playing Source game surf maps and get more depth and creativity than I got in the past ~hour of playing this game. THe only semi-redeeming part is the style that is honestly kinda cool. But it's riding a thin line between genuinely creative/charming and "What if Anime Lo-Fi Girl Beats to Study To or TOTAL JUNGLE PLAYSTATION VIDEOGAME MUSIC by XxShinDeath22xX was a an entire videogame's OST"

I'm really only going on this rant because I feel like people would not stop singing the praises of it back when it released so i'm in awe at how like. 5/10 on a good day the game is. Bland generic writing, an okay gameplay loop that amounts to a Gamer's First FPS speedrunner experience, and weird visual novel bits that make me want to shove the devs in a locker for how fuckin otaku-level bad they are

[ace-of-garlic-breads]

more ROTTMNT characters saying things that me and my friends have actually said cause I'm bored. 👍 (including ones from my parents)

(No shipping)

.....

April: I once sneezed so hard my necklace flew off.

The others: ?!

.....

Donnie: QUIT HITTING ME WITH CRACKERS MIKEY

......

Mikey: ooh look a hole! Imma jump down it!

(This was me playing Minecraft for like, the first time.)

......

Donnie: are you smarter than a doorknob?

(This one was actually my mom)

.......

Young Leo: ah yes, Slime my favorite drink

.......

Young Mikey: I'm a sandwich bored

(Again, one from my mom)

.......

Raph (to Donnie): WHY WOULD YOU READ FANFICTION ON AN OVEN?!

.......

Raph: Put the tape measure down and go to bed.

(Yet another one from my mother)

.......

Draxum: why is there a pile of cinnamon toast crunch on an envelope

......

Leo: awwwwww no. I can't hate myself, that's homophobic and transphobic.

......

Donnie: ewwww! It's a sweaty croissant

......

Leo: moose Jesus?

Donnie: MOOSE JESUS!

.......

Mikey: WHO THE FUCK CRUCIFIED ELMO?!

.......

Raph: WHY DOES SANTA HAVE A ROCKET LAUNCHER?!

........

Leo: it wasn't cooperating. So I stabbed it.

.....

Donnie: Raph, you walk so loud.

.....

Donnie: windows are for losers

.....

Raph: Donnie. Give me the crowbar.

......

Mikey: I AM CONFESCATING THE POTATO

....

Leo: I will no longer be celebrating my brother's birthday. Only Nico Di-angelo's

.....

Leo: Don't eat roses, I tried it and it tastes bad.

......

April: Quit talking about the Rinocerous party

(This was acc my HS Civics teacher. The rhinoceros party is a joke Canadian political party and my class wouldn't shut up abt it)

.....

Mikey: im looking for the Unicorn insides

(The things you say/hear as a crafter)

......

Donnie: SUBMIRGE!

......

Leo: we love gay space apples

.....

Mikey: PHD, Permanent, Head, Damage

[hykar]

A little rant about Jiwoo Seo of Eleceed.

Before proceeding, I want to make it clear that I DO NOT HATE JIWOO SEO. I am just disappointed.

I just love the heads-up I am given when reading chapters where in Jiwoo is in a fight with someone stronger than him: the fucking flashbacks of him and his talk with Kayden about this and that which he remembers in the verge of losing the fight/middle of the fight. Best fucking indicator. Totally shocked that he won, such a shocker am I right? Best fucking example and way of explaining the word "repetition".

His battle with Ian Patrick is my last. Fucking. Straw.

I just can't comprehend that the GRANDSON and SUCCESSOR of a TOP 10 WORLD RANKER HIMSELF would LOSE to an independent awakener who's training under an influential figure in the awakened world/society is only in the span of 1 YEAR. Cause as far as I know training your awakened power ever since you could comprehend, read and write is SO MUCH MORE than just A YEAR. "But Jiwoo's training under Kayden is rigorous!" Yes I know, but any awakened one ESPECIALLY A SUCCESSOR OF A POWERFUL AWAKENED ONE OR AN ORGANIZATION goes through the SAME THING, he's not special for that. It's something mandatory and will obviously happen, It's just done differently. It's not rocket science.

If Kayden worked his ass off to be all that and shit, I would understand if it took him A LOT of time to achieve that cause aye he's self taught. But Jiwoo becoming all that in a span of 1 year? Huh??? Is the time timing here? "But Kayden is so great and the way he trains Jiwoo is tailored for him so that why-" Thats what a fucking teacher should do if their students style is different from them, like you accepted them you adjust your shit for them. And even if Kayden is all that doesn't mean his apprentice would also be all that but in a span of 1 year. The experience gap is not gaping. The power development is not power developmenting.

Like picture this, Sucheon worked his ass of since he was 6 to be as strong as he is right now so thats 12 years of experience from 12 years of rigorous training and from the face value of it, He is fucking strong. Now compare that 12 years of experience to 1. Logically we would think that the 12 years slams 1 year. But no. Apparently, the 1 year slams the 12 years. See what I mean by the experience gap not gaping? And the power development is not power developmenting? Like that alone is just "what???" Worthy. What reaction could the Grandson + successor of a top 10 world ranker with lets say 13 years of experience and real rigorous training losing to 1 year of rigorous training?

And remember the girl who mind fucks people in the manhwa? Logically, she'd slam Jiwoo. Jiwoo didn't receive training to fight against those kind of awakeners cause as far as I know Kayden isn't a mind fucker type, nor would he get/trust someone who has a mind ability to teach Jiwoo to defend himself against those cause that's fucking stupid.

Not to mention the red haired big boy in the world awakened academy, He's fucking smart for destroying the ground. He knows what he's doing, but too bad the plot armors odds is against you big guy. Apparently, Jiwoo doesn't trip even with a high chance if doing so even at max speed thanks to the floor all cracked.

What only sets Jiwoo apart from the rest from what I've noticed is that: 1. Him and his power is not used as a political tool like some/most successors in the awakened world/society with how he is an independent awakener. 2. He no longer sees his power through a negative light after discovering others like him. 3. How he doesn't get traumatized by the shit he went through and doesn't develop any issues after it and even fucking forgive them. Like??? Come on let's be real, he'd have fucking PTSD with all that kidnapping and torture shit he went through 'cause he's Kayden's disciple and would definitely think of quitting at some point.

Conclusion, Plot amor is plot armoring heavily for Jiwoo.

[noddaduck]

What gets me about Kipperlilly is that while her trauma envy is messed up, she really is facing an opposite problem to the Bad Kids.

Some people on here are saying that if she wanted to go on big adventures she should have done it herself and not expected some kind of plot hook to give her an opening. But we are seeing how that is going for the Bad Kids this season, and it clearly sucks. Fabian went on his first date with Mazey, yet so much of that conversation and role play was still about the mystery and the mission. Gorgug lost a chance to spend time with his bio parents because he was trying to get into a really learning heavy class. The Bad Kids are such good friends, but they can only spend time together in shared classes or as part of the mission. Why would you expect that of anyone?

Most Aguefort kids aren’t going on big real-world adventures like the Bad Kids cause that’s literally being in High School while also working a full time career oriented job. And yet some of these kids know that this is all just leading up to that real job that they’ve never really experienced or seen proof that they could handle. Is it so weird for a child to want confirmation that they’ll be able to do all the things they’re supposed to do as an adult, especially when they are seeing other kids get that confirmation?

Riz isn’t strong because he suffered, he’s strong because he has an amazing mom he looked up to and learned from and who taught him. Having that vision of his own best self, not just a copy of another person but really something he loves that he was able to really learn thanks to the support he was lucky to get DESPITE his and his mom’s financial situation. He chased his own dream of being a master detective, of dishing out justice, and he got so good at it that it let him kill an ancient red dragon.

Personally, I was one of the smart kids in class, but I wasn’t one of the gifted and talented. One kid was working with circuitry in a class where I was learning about screws and levers. In a photography class I got paired up with a kid in a lower grade than me who full on made his own model rocket fuel for homemade bottle rockets. Combining that with having ADHD that nobody properly educated me about, I always thought I was just missing something. I’m taking my medicine, I’m going to class and trying to join clubs, why is it that every time I ask someone to teach me they don’t have time for a total beginner? Why is being my own teacher the only way to learn these things, and why can’t I do that if apparently everyone else does?

I just don’t blame Kipperlilly for being upset when she is presented with the Bad Kids as an example to follow despite the fact that neither she NOR the Bad Kids are given proper time to actually work toward that goal. The Bad Kids don’t actually have the time for adventures on top of their regular lives, but they are forced to do it anyway. Kipperlilly allowed for time so the Rat Grinders could have whatever their normal lives looked like, at least until they all were taken by Ancarna. If your choice is to either work yourself to death and be told you did the correct thing, or to take your time and be shown that you are wasting it, why wouldn’t you be angry?