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bnhaobservation · 4 months

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Why does Endeavor keep freezing when it comes to saving his family?

Hum...

... we've 2, maybe 3, stretching 4 cases in which this canonically happens.

Enji gives his explanations for each of them.

1) Chap 251, he froze and failed to save Natsuo.

Enji's explanation is:

‘Warukatta…! Isshun kangaete shimatta ore ga tasuketara konosaki omae wa ore ni nani mo ienaku natte shimau node wanai ka to’ 「悪かった…! 一瞬考えてしまった俺が助けたらこの先おまえは俺に何も言えなくなってしまうのではないかと」 “It was my bad…! I thought for a moment that if I helped you, you might not be able to say anything to me from now on.”

The implication seems to be he wants Natsuo to continue telling straight to his face how much he messed up but that, if he had saved Natsuo, Natsuo would have felt obliged to keep his feelings for himself.

2) Chap 293. Tōya is trying to cremate Shōto (and himself).

There are two implication here, the first is what Tōya says, Enji is broken, discovering the truth was traumatic to him.

Even though he said originally he couldn't believe his son died, at the same time Enji can't believe his son is Dabi.

It's not just that he has grown to accept the idea Tōya died, the real problem is who Tōya became (and how it was due to him). I've discussed about it in another post but having a family member who's a murderer it's the end for a Japanese family.

Remember how Gran Torino was angry because Shigaraki was 'trampling all over Shimura's memory'?

That's why, even if Shimura Nana is dead, it's still socially terrible she has a relative who's a murderer.

But there's also a second implication done later on in chap 300.

'Ore wa ikinobi temo... ENDEAVOR wa shinda. Tairyō satsujin-sha (read: musuko) to tatakaenai.' 「俺は生き延びても... エンデヴァーは死んだ。大量殺人者（むすこ）と戦えない」 "Even if I survive...Endeavor is dead. I can't fight against a mass murderer (read: my son)"

What's the problem here?

Enji was raised into the idea that Heroes fight Villains, there's no something like 'saving Villains'. Heroes normally shouldn't kill Villains but considering how Hawks went for the kill with Twice and how Enji tried his hardest to murder Shigaraki and he probably wasn't the only one.

When they find Shigaraki, Mirko attacks the tube saying Shigaraki can't be released into the world, then urges the others to finish Shigaraki and Garaki off, claiming they can't let Shigaraki wake up.

When X-less discovers Shigaraki isn't breathing and his heart isn't beating and Garaki explains the capsule would have revived him, they don't try to revive him themselves giving him CPR.

Present Mic tells X-less to take Shigaraki away, but they are clearly in no hurry to give him medical care, X-less even waste time thinking he has to destroy the machines around them.

In order to save Shōto Enji should fight (and likely kill) Tōya... and he can't. He doesn't want to hurt his son, he doesn't want to attack him with his fire aware that Tōya isn't even fire resistant. He can't think any other way to deal with Tōya and he just can't bring himself to attack it, we'll see it even when Tōya is threatening to nuke Japan.

But he can't think of anything else he could do that could stop the situation, like, for example, trying to talk to Touya. After all, he never did it and he has no idea how to deal with his son turned Villain.

Villains were just something Heroes would beat.

Hence he froze.

We've two more possible cases, though in them he didn't exactly froze... or, if he did, we don't know about it.

3) Tōya 'died' because Enji avoided going to see him, and therefore got on Sekoto Peak too late to save him.

Enji's explanation is:

'...Maki wo kubete shimau dake da to... Iya... Nanto koe wo kaketara ī no ka wakaranakattanda 「...薪をくべてしまうだけだと... いや... 何と声を掛けたらいいのかわからなかったんだ」 "...I thought I would just end up burning more firewood (inside him)... no... I didn't know what to say."

The whole 'burning more firewood' implies that he believed he would just encourage the fire inside Tōya of which Tōya kept talking about through the two chapters, in short that he would encourage him to continue... but then he admits the more relevant reason, he has no idea what to say.

Enji (and Rei) never knew what to tell to Tōya beyond stop, they didn't want to tackle their responsibilities in Tōya's situation nor wanted to offer real support, they just wanted him to accept what they told him and stop. Hence Enji doesn't face his son but avoids him, telling himself this is for the better.

4) While the story doesn't really tell us if Enji froze, the implication of the scene seems to be he didn't act when his father fought a Villain, but remained there frozen on the scene.

It's something I've discussed in the past here and it's not super well explained by Horikoshi but it can be the root that explains all the other times Enji remains frozen.

Enji is not a natural born Hero because, differently from Midoriya, he doesn't have inside himself the instinct to save people even when the situation could be fatal to him.

He does it out of duty, raging against himself to give himself courage but, when push comes to shove and a situation becomes emotionally very difficult for him, he doesn't want to face it and freeze.

It's not so much the fear of death, he doesn't hesitate at all when facing Shigaraki even though the latter could murder him, but the fear of being emotionally hurt.

Even All for One will try to exploit it by attacking him on an emotional level.

When his family and his emotions toward his family are on the table he doesn't know how to handle them and his option is to avoid things, which is something he'll admit through the story.

Enji is an evolving character so ultimately he'll face things but I think it's a good guess to assume that the times he froze were due to this.

Of course though, since there's not a canon explanation, this is just my guess and I might be wrong. Still thank you for your ask!

#boku no hero academia #Todoroki Enji #Todoroki Shouto #Todoroki Touya #Todoroki Natsuo #Todoroki Rei #Ask

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wonniesmile · 3 years

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❥ playground! (ep. 2)

⤷ ellie’s moments in playground episode 2! (ft. txt <3)

⤷ bulletpoint format!

⤷ after a long wait, episode 2 is finally out! don’t forget to leave suggestions for new fics!!!

“HOW THE HECK DID YOU BEAT ME AGAIN.”

huening and ellie were once again playing on the nintendo, waiting on the others to finish getting ready for the next shoot.

“ellie please. please let me win. just this once...for my dignity.”

the boy gets on the floor and starts bowing.

ellie starts freaking out, obvi.

“NO PLEASE DON’T BOW!”

she’s in a very frantic state at this very moment, no clue why...but, i mean it’s ellie...right?

“what’re you guys playing?”, “oh- um- mario k-”

ellie looks up from her position, DUN DUN DUN.

that was like...really cringe, i’m so sorry.

it was none other than the choi beomgyu. standing. right. in. front. of. her.

“oh- oh my god- uh- h- he- hello!” she musters up a greeting and quickly bows.

“you don’t need to bow ellie! we’re friends!”

oh no, this poor girl’s heart.

if she dies from an early heart attack, it was bcs of choi beomgyu, just giving everyone a heads up! /j

anyways, her face was like BEET red.

from across the room, her members were watching her every move.

sunoo was laughing at how serious the rest of them were.

“can you guys like...idk...calm down? she’s literally fine.”

“i know, but...” (jake)

“but what?” (sunoo)

“oh you know...” (jungwon)

“can ya’ll finish the damn sentence?” (sunoo and jay)

“it’s nothing...” (sunghoon)

“jesus christ, you guys are insane.” (sunoo)

“five minutes!”

ellie’s head shoots up.

“darn it, i almost beat you.”

“not even close huening, ellie is the master.”

her cheeks, once again, burn up.

before she could thank beomgyu, ellie is pulled away by jungwon.

“what the heck wonie?”

“it’s time to go.”

she’s obviously very confused? what was getting into him?

choosing to ignore his attitude, ellie obliges and lets the boy drag her into the studio.

he spoke no words...very odd.

ellie started overthinking...did she do something subconsciously???

“places please!” she massages her temples and goes backstage to wait for her group’s cue.

the episode started with each group dancing on stage.

their instructions were to “have fun!”

she gave it her ALL, messing around...and even getting into a dance battle with riki.

she found it absolutely hilarious, but unfortunately, her face dropped at the sight of jungwon.

obviously, something was bothering him, but she didn’t have the courage to ask...at least not now when everyone seemed to be having fun.

jungwon was not one to show his emotions outwardly, so to a normal person, he seemed like his usual self.

but, ellie knows better, she can read jungwon like the back of her hand...something was up.

she made a mental note to herself to ask him if he was ok after the shoot.

the first game was an absolute BLAST.

they were competing to see which team they would have to play on.

since there was an odd number of people, ellie didn’t have to compete against anyone. instead, she got to choose which team she wanted to be on.

(she secretly enjoyed it)

she looked at the two teams in front of her.

her original plan was to go into the yellow team so both teams would have an equal amount of enhypen members, but she felt iffy about doing so because of jungwon...

she could possibly be overthinking things, but she didn’t want to take any risks.

making eye contact with him one last time, she looks over at the red team and points finger guns at them.

“yay ellie!” beomgyu seemed way more enthusiastic than everyone else.

of course, ellie’s heart rate quickens at the weird observation.

the team name choosing was absolutely wonderful.

beomgyu came up with ‘brave dummies’ and for some reason everyone went with it, not that ellie was complaining because it was REALLY funny.

this episode required a lot more physical activity than the last one, which she had no problem with.

she led her team to victory during the first game with the tubes and ping pong ball.

got picked up by beomgyu hai!

wait wait wait...let me set the scene for you guys because...it was something else.

after winning the race, the 7 teammates all did a group hug, ellie being shoved into the middle while the rest ferociously chanted “ellie! ellie! ellie!”

kinda scary...looked like a cult from the outside lol.

she was so confused.

all of a sudden, a figure picks her up from behind and starts cheering very loudly.

she looked absolutely terrified because she had no. clue. what. was. going. on.

and when this poor girl turns her head back to look at the person carrying her, all bodily organs in her shut down.

her eyes went blurry and suddenly she couldn’t see, her kidneys failed, her limbs detached from her body...it was insane.

jay and sunoo, being the teasers they were, laughed at the look of the flustered girl.

it was...so much.

when beomgyu put her down, she felt her life flash before her eyes.

she still couldn’t believe what just happened, placing a hand on her forehead to see if she was sick??? for some reason.

she literally could NOT think straight after that.

the rest of the episode felt like a blur.

during the flag game, she failed oh so miserably...

“you ok?” jay teasingly asks her.

“leave me alone.” *cue her side eye*

“hehe.” (jay)

she felt so bad for doing so badly during the game, she kept apologizing :’).

“ellie! its ok! none of us did good :)” thank god for yeonjun.

she had to lay her head down onto ni-ki’s shoulders because she felt so defeated.

ni-ki responded by hugging her by the waist.

“don’t worry, i did horrible too.”

she hummed and pouted.

the screaming from the others made her feel a lot better.

“there’s that smile!” sunoo squeezes her cheeks.

the other team won, obviously.

she examined jungwon, he seemed like he was doing a lot better, seeing him enjoy himself was all the reassurance ellie needed.

oh good god...the next game...hahahaha.

it was...hai!

they had a piece of paper in which they had to fit all their teammates on, it was...intense.

she tried standing in the middle of jake and ni-ki, but was pulled by kim sunoo to stand in between him and beomgyu.

she froze up, god...can’t you just act normally ellie? (this was to herself btw ;) )

she tried not to think about the close proximity between her and beomgyu, instead giving her all into the game.

“ellie, it’s alright, step on my foot.” yeonjun tells her.

“are you sure?”

“yes of course.”

she cautiously steps on his foot, making sure not to put too much weight into it.

they got past a good amount of rounds, the last one is where they REALLY struggled.

“i have an idea!”

ellie announces while clapping her hands.

“i think if we put our feet in this pattern...”

she shows what she means by using her own feet as an example.

“it would save space...we can hold onto each other for balance like all the other rounds and our other foot can come up. the foot on the ground will serve as a stabilizer.”

“that’s SUCH a smart idea!” yeonjun smiles at her.

“thanks!”

jake couldn’t resist it...it came as an automatic reflex. he moves his hand around to squeeze her cheeks.

“miss smarty pants saves us yet again!” (jake)

she glares at him and hits his arm.

(there was a slight smile on her face though)

with ellie’s strategy, their team wins yet again!!!

they huddled into a group hug while the other team groaned in defeat.

“ellie should’ve joined our team!” soobin yells.

she giggles.

the final game was a big round of yut nori, which ellie still had NO CLUE how to play.

“do you know how to play?” beomgyu asks her.

“not really?”

“no worries, leave it to us!”

ellie blushes...yk...the usual.

ellie didn’t do much through out the game, following whatever the others told her to do.

by the end of it, you’d think she’d know how to play, right? wrong!

she still, to this day, doesn’t know how to play yut nori :))).

she was sad as the shooting ended, knowing that they probably won’t be able to shoot together with txt for a LONG while.

it was so very fun getting to hang out with her seniors, though beomgyu was a bit too much.

after they said their goodbyes on camera, it was time to say goodbye off camera.

soobin suggested that they make a gc together, to which everyone happily agreed to!

beomgyu asked ellie for her number, which she shouldn’t have though much about considering he was the one making the groupchat for them, but a girl can dream right?

after hugging everyone goodbye, her group moved back into their dressing room.

“i’m exhausted.” sunghoon mentions.

ellie’s eyes did feel heavy.

the 8 of them have been shooting all day and they could all probably agree that what they needed now was a nice long nap.

she moved over to where sunghoon was laying down and tapped the boy to ask him to scoot over so she could lay down as well.

the girl cuddled into sunghoons warmth.

“sooo, you and beomgyu, huh.”

“why? are you jealous?”

“maybe...but you know who is Very jealous right now? and who you should probably talk to bcs he’s definitely upset?”

her eyes widen, finally realizing.

“oh my god, i gotta go.”

she climbs out of sunghoon’s embrace.

“i was comfortable ellie!”

“yeah yeah!”

she runs out the dressing room, frantically searching for jungwon.

she accidentally bumps into beomgyu.

“woah there, where are you going???”

“i’m so sorry! uh- i have to go talk to jungwon about something, i can’t really stay for long...”

beomgyu nods his head and motions for her to go.

she finally finds jungwon at a vending machine, grabbing two drinks.

“yang!”

she finally reaches him and drops her body down to catch her breath.

“i’m so sorry.”

“about what?”

“sunghoon said you were upset with me about something...and i wan- (deep breath) i wanted you to know that no one will ever replace you or any (deep breath) any of the other members (deep breath).”

jungwon stays silent for a bit before chuckling at the sight of the girl’s state.

“oh ellie...” he gently makes her look up by her chin, “don’t worry about it, i knew you would never do that...i just got jealous seeing you blush at beomgyu so much...”

the last part was barely audible, but ellie understood.

she giggles, “i didn’t know mr. yang was the jealous type!”

he glares at her, “whatever.”

she smiles and hugs him by the neck.

“let’s go back, we’re heading home soon.”

ellie pulls jungwon by the hands.

“wait,” he fishes for the two drinks still left in the vending machine, “this is for you.”

it was strawberry milk, her favorite.

“thank you, kind sir.”

the two walked back hand in hand.

“is wonie feeling better~” heeseung teased.

jungwon mocks his face.

“time to head back!” their manager calls out.

“god i cannot wait to sleep.” ellie groans.

“ellie~ can i sleep next to you tonight?” ni-ki pleads with his eyes.

“why not sunoo?”

“he wanted to switch it up today, apparently.” sunoo clings his arms with ellie’s.

“i mean of course you can riki, just promise me you’ll actually sleep and not watch videos all night.” ellie stares at him.

“promise.”

she smiles and hooks her free arm around his.

“now...let’s go home.”

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sunflowerim · 3 years

Text

I LOVE YOU 3000!

-PART 35

the next day

"So, let's recall everything we learnt today," Louis mumbled with mouthful of crisps. Zayn stifled a laughter and elbowed Liam in the ribs to stop him from laughing.

They were hanging out in Louis' apartment, waiting for Harry and Niall's arrival.

"Yes, Lou," Zayn replied, keeping his face as straight as possible. "We are not to tell Harry anything embarrassing about you, and if possible not tell him anything at all."

"Not question him too much," Liam continued. "And what's the other one--"

"To remember that you two aren't dating," Zayn supplied. "It's-"

"--totally platonic," they said in unison, making Louis choke on the crisps.

"Please I'm begging you," Louis said after gulping down some water, "don't embarrass me."

Louis would have probably liked to continue on the subject but the bell rang cutting him off. With a last look at Zayn and Liam on the kitchen counter, he made his way towards the door.

Louis' jaw visibly dropped after opening the door. Harry was smiling down at him, dimples popping out. He wore a floral shirt with half the buttons undone, revealing the bird tattoos in his chest and a fedora atop his head, his soft curls hanging loosely under it and Louis had the sudden urge to run his hands through the curls.

Even Harry's eyes widened when he saw Louis, who was wearing a grey t-shirt underneath a denim jacket and had rolled up his sleeves in a way that made Harry's stomach flutter. It was Louis' hair that made Harry smile. He'd given it a ruffled appearance that made it look like he just got out of bed but still looked so damn gorgeous.

They must have been staring at each other for quite some time, because Niall coughed really loudly, breaking the staring contest.

"If you two are finished, can we proceed?"

"Hey, Niall, come in," Louis said, opening the door wider to let them in.

Niall smiled and entered the apartment, crossed Louis and suddenly came back and hugged Louis. Louis, startled at the gesture, awkwardly patted Niall's back.

"Thanks Lou, thanks for doing this. This is so much better than what I'd imagined."

"Huh?"

"Nothing," said Niall letting go of Louis and winking at Harry.

Niall walked over to Zayn and Liam, Louis and Harry following behind. After a set of introductions, which involved Niall laughing too much at Harry's expense and Zayn accidentally spilling water on the counter. Liam just did a facepalm and helped Zayn clear up the mess, knowing better than to join the laughter in front of Louis right now.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally left the apartment.

Harry was driving and Niall, Zayn and Liam quickly got into the backseat, leaving the passenger seat empty for Louis. If they were expecting to create some Tension between Louis and Harry with this, then they were mistaken. They didn't know how close Louis and Harry had gotten over the weeks and how comfortable they were with each other. Harry drove swiftly, while Louis blasted music on the speakers and in an hour a very chaotic party arrived at the club.

They made their way amidst the crowd and were led towards the booth Niall had booked for them. Niall slid in first around the circular table, Liam and Zayn joining him on his left, once again, leaving the right side for Louis and Harry. Harry slid in beside Niall, Louis following him.

Thanks to the dim light not many could see the group and they could create as much chaos as they wanted to.

The drinks kept coming in and after 5 rounds, everyone was really drunk, except for Harry, who had to drive everyone home.

Soon enough, Niall spotted a lit up photo booth at one end of the club and dragged all of them aside for pictures.

Suddenly the DJ started playing Beyonce and all of them almost jumped to the floor, taking up the space under the disco light and dancing their hearts out.

Louis and Harry were so lost in each other that they didn't realise when they had moved from the rest of them Harry slowly pulling Louis towards the edge of the dance floor.

Harry found drunk Louis very adorable, the otherwise composed Louis kept leaning towards him all the while attempting some bizarre dance moves.

The track changed and a slow song reached their ears. Harry held Louis by the waist and began to sway them softly while Louis wrapped his hands around Harry's neck and giggled.

"Harry-"

"Yes?" Harry asked softly.

"Do you like men?"

Harry laughed at the question, wondering how many times Louis had resisted the urge to ask this when he was sober.

"As a matter of fact I do. Thanks to you."

"Me? What did I do?"

"For making me realise I like men. I had never looked at anyone like that before you know. Was always set up with women. Didn't feel a thing for them either."

Louis moved a bit closer and rested his head on Harry's chest. "Does that mean you like me?"

Harry wondered how much of this conversation Louis would remember once he's sober and after a brief pause said, "I do, Lou."

"Well that's good because I do too."

Louis looked up at Harry, and balancing himself on his tippy toes, leaned up for a kiss. Harry smiled and ducked his face, resulting in Louis' lips ending up on Harry's head.

Louis' eyes were glassy and he looked confusedly at Harry who just replied, "you're drunk Lou, I don't want you to do something you'll regret when you wake up sober."

Harry wasn't sure how much of it went through Louis' head, and Louis simply rested his face on Harry's chest again hugging him tighter.

Harry didn't know how long they stood like that, moving in harmony with the music, oblivious to everything around them, when Louis leaned heavily on him, his legs giving away. Harry held Louis tightly and noticed that Louis was on the verge of passing out. He slung one of Louis' arms around his shoulder and held him by his waist, leading him to their table where Zayn was in deep conversation with Niall. From what Harry could make out, Niall kept talking about golf and Zayn about ufc and the two of them were too drunk to realise they were talking about complete different things, but still seemed to understand each other. Harry dropped Louis on the seat and looked around for Liam. It was about time they left. His searching eyes soon found Liam sitting on a stool at the bar talking to someone else. He didn't have Liam's number so he turned and asked Zayn to call him. Liam picked up the call but in the loud noise neither of them could hear a thing.

Luckily, Liam turned around to look at their booth and Harry frantically waved his hands gesturing him to come over.

As Liam made his way over with great difficulty, Harry asked, "ok how drunk are you?"

"Not much I guess."

"Ok I need help. Niall and Zayn are drunk but I guess they can stand on their feet, and Louis needs a bit of support. So I'll guide Louis to the car and you bring the two of them. I'll drop all of you off."

"Sure. By the way, Zayn and I were planning on staying with Louis anyway, so you don't have to go multiple places."

"Ok perfect. Let's go now."

With some difficulty and some help Harry and Liam managed to get everyone in the car. Zayn had volunteered to carry Louis to the car which ended up in both of them falling head first into the ground.

Soon, Harry was pulling up the car in front of Louis' apartment. He half carried, half dragged Louis up the stairs, wishing Louis lived in the ground floor. Once in a while loud thuds could be heard behind him followed by burst of laughter and he assumed Zayn or Niall must have slipped and fallen.

Harry reached Louis' door and retrieved the key from the hidden spot and went inside. He helped Louis to the bathroom and turned, "You freshen up, I'll get some water." Harry went up to Louis' bedside drawers and pulled out a t-shirt and a sweatpants and handed them to Louis. Louis still seemed to be in some sort of daze but he nodded and went in.

Harry came outside and saw Niall asleep on the couch and Zayn talking animatedly to Niall's dropping head. Liam had settled himself on the bed beside Louis' bookshelf and seemed to be gradually dozing off.

He grabbed three bottles from the fridge, dropping one beside Liam and another at the coffee table. He slowly nudged Niall. "Ni, don't fall asleep, we gotta go."

"Hmphhh, goodnight."

"No Niall, not here."

Harry tried to pull him off the couch but it was of no avail.

Deciding to get back to Niall later, he made his way to the bedroom with the last bottle.

Louis was nowhere to be seen and the bathroom door lay ajar.

"Lou are you done?"

No response.

Harry careful crossed over to the bathroom and found Louis sitting under the shower, fully dressed, playing with two rubber ducks, presumably of the twins'.

Harry smiled to himself and went over, and carefully sat on the edge of the bathtub. "Planning on sleeping here are we?"

The water seemed to have made Louis a tiny bit more stable. He nodded and said, "too tired to stand."

"Here, let me help you."

Harry grabbed a towel and turned off the shower and gently dried Louis' hair and then helped him stand up

"We need to get you changed."

Louis stretched out his hand beckoning Harry to do it for him. Harry thanked the fact that Louis was too pissed to notice that Harry had gone red in the face. Harry helped Louis out of the wet t-shirt and in the fresh one. Louis looked down at his drenched jeans and up again at Harry, as if waiting for instructions.

"Uh yeah, about that, I'll just-- I'll just turn and you change into these fresh sweats and if you feel like you're falling, just, i don't know, grab my hand okay?"

Louis giggled again and Harry turned around, taking deep breaths and trying to calm his racing heart. His heart contracted in his chest as he heard Louis change out of his jeans and throw it in the bathtub.

After a few seconds, Louis poked Harry in his arm and Harry turned around to see Louis smiling with a dreamy look in his eyes and still swaying on his feet. He held out his hand for Louis, who gladly obliged and led him towards the bed.

Harry made Louis sit on the bed and drink some of the water he'd brought and then pushed him backwards on the bed, pulling the blanket over him. Harry turned around to leave and noticed that Louis hadn't left his hand at all. He looked from their joined hands to Louis face and Louis slightly tugged him closer. Louis could barely keep his eyes open but still looked into Harry's eyes, smile playing on his lips, as if wordlessly telling Harry, that he wanted him to stay and Harry was just too whipped to refuse Louis anything. Harry didn't bother to change but slowly slipped inside the blanket with Louis, caressing his face. Louis shifted a bit closer and put his head on Harry's chest, hugging him around the stomach and fell asleep in a second. Harry was getting tired too. He hugged Louis tight, kissed the chocolate brown mop of hair under his chin and drifted off to sleep.

Louis woke up with a start and almost screamed when he realised he was sleeping in Harry's arms. He looked down and was relieved to find that both of them were clothed. The events of the night were slowly coming back to him and he felt a wave of embarrassment when he thought about his own behaviour, but at the same time his heart felt warm as he remembered Harry taking care of him through it all. He remembered Harry helping him change into fresh clothes and mentally decided that he'd never be able to face Harry again.

With as much stealth as he could manage, he slid off Harry, hoping not to wake him up; but too late. Harry was already stirring in his sleep and was rubbing one of eyes slowly. He slowly blinked his eyes open to find a panic stricken Louis next to him and heaved out a small laugh.

"Good morning Lou. Don't stress, nothing happened last night."

"Really?"

"I mean you tried to kiss me--"

"-WHAT?!"

"-but I didn't let it happen, don't worry."

"Oh ok."

"You sound disappointed," Harry chuckled.

"Uh no absolutely not. It would have been weird," Louis replied as nonchalantly as he could.

"Would it really be that bad?" Harry asked, his emerald eyes boring into Louis' ocean blue ones.

Louis could feel the tension thicken in the air and his throat suddenly felt groggy.

"I- I need water."

Harry chuckled again and grabbed the bottle from the bedside table.

"Chill Lou, I'm messing with you. I'll just freshen up and then go check on Niall okay."

Harry re-emerged after 5 minutes and moved towards the door, gesturing Louis to freshen up as well.

Outside, Zayn and Niall were sleeping on the couch just like he'd left them last night but Liam was nowhere to be seen.

Harry slowly woke them up and sat on the couch with them.

Niall complained about Harry's voice being too loud and Zayn covered his eyes quickly because the room was too bright for him.

Zayn walked over to the kitchen and started making tea, making a lot of noise in the process as he accidentally kept dropping stuff. Louis came out of his room and went to help Zayn, his head pounding.

"Zayn what the fuck happened last night?" Louis whispered so that Harry or Niall couldn't hear them.

"I don't know mate, the drinks were too strong I guess. My head hurts."

"Mine too. Harry says, I tried kissing him last night."

"WHAT?"

"Shh, keep it low. Yeah, and he didn't let it happen because I was too drunk."

"Bloody gentleman that one. Got all of us home safely. I'm telling you Lou, marry him."

"Piss off."

Together they carried a tray of tea cups and sugar to the coffee table and over a hot cup of coffee, Harry recounted all the stuff the others had been up to. The stories earned loud laughs from Niall who seemed to have gotten over his hangover easily. Louis still felt a bit flustered about it all.

"Where's Liam?" Harry asked after a while.

"Ah, he's never hungover. I'll not be surprised if he went to the studio first thing in the morning," Zayn replied.

"Harry, I think we should leave now," Niall chimed in.

"Yeah, Lou, I'd better be off too," Zayn added.

"Hmm, and I need to collect Cliffy from the dog sitter too. He must be missing me."

And in a few minutes, all of them set out for different destinations, promising to make plans again.

PREVIOUS / NEXT

INTRO

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guigz1-coldwar · 3 years

Text

'Uneasy situation' : New chapter for "Redemption in a Spirit in a Cold War" is out !

"Uneasy situation"

"So....uhm...how do I look in those sunglasses, Freya ?"

Chapter Summary : After winning in the trigger memories and been allowed to stay with Freya until her next 'recovery test', Yirina is thinking of an way to get out of the base she & Park were captured and it's not going to be easy.....

Link of the Picrew used !

To read it on AO3, click here !

Words : +3300

Taglist : @snowgoldwaylon , @clxudtea , @efingart

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At the moment I woke up on that stretcher, I knew that I needed to make everyone believe that they won....that they succeeded to put an control over me. I wasn't playing Bell anymore but now, I was playing myself....the Yirina Grigoriev that is trying to find more about what happened to her in an different way than she really did. But like 'Bell' said in my dream, I have only more than day to find an plan....an long day that I have to act like if I wasn't aware of what is going to happen to me....also meaning to relive that relationship with Freya....

After that moment in the shower, she allowed me to take an real shower without her and that was really good to be honest, feeling the water on my skin after days of captivity but when she proposed to me to have some new clothes to change the one I was wearing for days, I refused because I was preferring better that attire I was wearing than using one of the Perseus's uniform, I can't really see myself back in them. When I was done with showering and debating about my clothes, the day was now really starting for me.

First thing we have done was to go eat something in private outside as it was already noon, finally discovering the sun for real and the place I & Park were kept : in an military air base but I couldn't recognize any of the flags that was at some places of the base. After an few minutes of wandering around the base, Freya found an spot that was at hidden sight near an grilled fence with an forest near by. We sat once arrived to eat the meals we took and deep in me, I knew that this liberty wasn't going to last as long I'm staying in that base.

"You liked it ?" Freya asked me after I was able to finish the meal I took, all time wondering if it wasn't drugged but it was not the case apparently.

"Yeah, it was good." I replied with an smile, putting the bowl near me & having crossed my legs to sit before looking all around as I was still wondering where I was. "Where are we, exactly ?" I demanded directly to her.

"We're at north of Verdansk, using an Kastovian Air Base for our operations." She revealed to me, making me realize that me & Park were kept not so far from the CIA's eyes.

"Did I go here before ?" I said, hoping to know more about myself from her.

"Well, no, we didn't go there during the past." She told me, her left arm on her left kneecap, looking at me with an grin. "But I was sometimes summoned here alone." She added, scratching the back of her head with her other hand.

"Yeah, I knew that this place wasn't familiar." I muttered, looking around.

"Can you tell me if you had anything coming back this night ?" She commanded, her voice sounding as an will to know and I knew that I had to lie, trying to find any memory I could think about.

"Yeah, I had." I lied to her, having found an memory to tell her. "It was me....and you....you & some Perseus soldier saved me from death, I was wounded to my knees, my shoulders & my arms before getting back into an helicopter." I fully answered, saying about that old memory I had two months ago back into the old safehouse.

"Oh, I see." Freya chuckled, her right hand holding her head below her chin. "This was in Afghanistan in 1980...an few days before you proposed to me." She confirmed, making the link with the memory of my proposal.

"And I had another one too." I exclaimed, getting her attention, knowing that maybe another memory could help me to know more. "It was....well...it was about the NIS." I whispered, looking at her with sad eyes. "I was like in an rage and I killed NIS agents because they hurt you."

"You remembered that ?" She mumbled, an bit disturbing knowing about that slaughter I did for her in 1976 against the NIS.....an act I can't forget because I was an monster....something I can't be....I sadly nodded to her.

"I was an monster, something I'm not." I affirmed to her, looking away in sadness, feeling true in my words, not acting. "I wished that I wasn't able to relive that." I put my head in my hands as I could feel her hand behind my shoulder.

"No, it's helping you to know more about yourself." She admitted, true to her objectives towards me....'helping me'. "Those memories proved that we're on the good way."

"Maybe but that loss of memories....how did it happen ?" I demanded, knowing well that I will have an lie from her but instead, I didn't have any answers from her for 2 minutes, still having her hand behind me.

"You don't need to know how it happened, Yirina." She proclaimed, moving her arm behind my shoulder, sitting very close to me.

"Yeah, the most important is that I woke up." I stuttered, breaking an little laugh from her despite the not funny situation and I was obliged to reciprocate for that. "What is it ?" I questioned her when she got out of one of her pockets, an pair...of sunglasses..

"Oh, that ?" She showcased the sunglasses, realizing that it was Adler's ones....the ones he was always wearing "Got it from an CIA agent called Russell Adler." She replied, spreading the legs of the sunglasses, seeing on her face an sign of discomfort about them...she must be thinking about he has done to me.

"They're looking good." I complimented, looking at them before she handed them to me.

"Put them on." She ordered in an soft voice, putting the sunglasses in my hand and I was feeling not good to put Adler's sunglasses on me until I resigned to do so.

"How do I look ?" I asked, worried after I put them one....why did I do this ?....

"You look very...sexy." She confessed with an big smile, sending chills in my body as having those sunglasses on me was weird. "No, you can keep them, they're yours." She told me as I was giving back the glasses to her but she refused, insisting to give me them.

"If you want..." I raised my shoulders, putting the sunglasses in the pockets of my pants before I look in the horizon, the afternoon arriving. "About the tests, how are they going to happen ?" I asked after an few seconds of silence.

"Don't worry, it's only test to help you recover your memories at an greater rate." She responded, putting her left hand above my heart, feeling it on the scars that his asshole did back in the New Orleans. "I didn't know that you had an scar over there." She said, passing her fingers along the scars

"I don't even know how I got them." I lied as it was the only solution for me. "But like you all said, it's for helping me." I muttered, joining my hands together on my lap. "What is Perseus thinking about all of this ?"

"Maybe you can ask him directly ?" She suggested, making me an laugh off my mouth.

"Because he's here ?" I scoffed, still laughing & nervous before seeing her smile "Wait, is he here ?" I repeated, seeing that face & stopping the laugh by more nervousity.

"Of course, he is !" She declared, removing her hands off me to get up, offering her hand. "It's an good idea you had, let's go see him." She proposed.

"Uhm....okay, if you want." I chuckled, giving my approval to her as she took my hand to get me up.

Why did I say that I wanted to go see Perseus that was on that very base at this moment ? This was getting more nervous and unstable in the inside to be honest. The man that was the first to fuck up my life....was here. Freya helped me got up before we start to walk towards the direction of the building, feeling the stress climbing inside of me, along with the nervosity and the unstability. I had to act well....like if I wasn't aware of anything.....

When we entered back into the main building her quarters and so, Perseus too, all the looks of every Perseus soldiers was on us but mostly on me. Everyone must be thinking about seeing an ghost here, the 'Winter Soldier' like they want to think, that stupid nickname they gave me....that Perseus gave me. Once we arrived in front of the office that Perseus was, seeing his name on it, an deep breath was necessary.

"You're ready ?" Freya asked me as she was holding the door handle in her hand, awaiting for an answer from me.

"I think I'm good." I responded, passing my hand through my forehead as my answer make her open the door, discovering Perseus sit at his desk....the same person I saw back in those memories, still wearing that same uniform like before.

"Ah....Yirina, it's an pleasure." He exclaimed, delighted to see me after all of those years while I wasn't as I was slowly entering his office. "You can go, Freya, I want an personal discussion with her." He ordered before the door closed behind me, all alone now with the monster.

"Perseus." I whispered in an low voice, making an simple nodding to him.

"You can sit, of course." He pointed to me one of the chair in front of me and I complied, not removing my eyes of him as he made an little cough, covering his mouth with his hands.

"Freya told me that you were here so I came." I told him with an normal voice.

"I know, you did an good choice, my Yirina." He affirmed, keeping an hand near his mouth, feeling disturbed to have an talk with him like that....and to be called 'my Yirina' by him...."You don't know how much I'm happy to see you here." He added with an great smile, again with an cough.

"Me too." I lied to him, accompanied by an grin, joining my hands together on my lap. "So...I have lost my memories, it seems." I started, thinking that would be the subject of our conversation.

"Yes, my child." He said, troubling me by his words. "I was told that you had an difficult moment and it happened to make you lose your memories, I'm sorry." He apologized to me as it was surely meaning an lot of things

"I had an lot of difficults moments in my life." I exclaimed with an low tone, saying the truth about myself. "I can remember things but not everything."I continued about the recovering memories to him.

"And that's an good thing, you need to remember your life and make the good choices for me and you." He admitted, feeling the lie between his words and knowing that the 'good choices' were only for him and the Collective. "We're only making sure that your life is doing better." He then coughed again but more louder than before.

"Do you have something in you ?" I demanded, faking to be curious towards him.

"No, I'm fine, don't worry." He affirmed in an clear voice before he start coughing again more until blood come out of his mouth in an slow load on his hand, almost making me jump from my chair.

"You're sure you're okay ?" I insisted, seeing the blood on his hand and I didn't know how to feel about him....been worried or faking it ?....maybe both.

"Don't worry, I've got something." He told me, pressing his finger on an little device on his desk. "Dedov, can you come at my office quick ?" He demanded while pressing the button before he removed his finger off it.

"Who is this Dedov ?" I questioned him after an few moments after his demand, faking to not know Dedov at all.

"He's my most loyal man in the Collective, he's helping me to get better." He responded, trying to catch his breath, sweating all over his face and holding his chest until then, the door was opened, revealing Dedov with an medikit.

"I did as quick as I could." Dedov started, quickly closing the door behind him before moving to get to Perseus.

"Thank you, Dedov for coming quickly." Perseus breathed as Dedov was taking out an stethoscope from his medikit.

"What does he have ?" I asked to Dedov as he was starting to measure the heartbeat from Perseus that has removed an part of his shirt.

"I'm sick, Yirina....I'm dying." Perseus was the one to reply to me as Dedov was concentrated on his task, sending an feeling of shock and weirdly, an bit of joice in me.

"What ?" I chuckled, slowly getting up from my seat, faking to be fully shocked.

"Perseus has an lung cancer if you want to know." Dedov said in an worried voice to me as he was finished with listening to Perseus's heartbeats before taking an syringe off his medikit. "I'm giving you this and you're going to take some rest, sir." He continued back into an normal voice, injecting an needle to Perseus right arm.

"It can be healed, right ?" I speculated but Perseus shook his head.

"No but I'm getting an chance to...to live until the end of the year." He answered, his voice getting slower, still trying to catch his breath. "Listen, you can go now, I'm going to go to rest like Dedov told me." He ordered before turning around to gesture the same thing for Dedov.

"Okay, I'm leaving you." I muttered before I started to walk out of the room, taking an deep breath when I stepped out of his office but at my surprise, Freya wasn't here at all and because of that, I had to wait for her to return and an few seconds I left, Dedov came out, closing the door behind him. "So...you're Dedov, right ?" I asked in an not sure tone.

"Yes, why're you asking ?" He replied before asking me back another question.

"Because I'm curious, that's all." I raised my shoulders to him as he was seeming an bit curious about me...about how I know his name but I could see that he couldn't ask the question because of the situation. "Can you talk about you ?" I demanded, taking the seriousness of my curiosity at the max level.

"Well, I was born in 1962 if you want to know the full details." He started, hesitating to talk about it with me before he got next to me, crossing his arms. "I lived an normal life with my family until I lost them, one by one." He added in an low voice, looking down as I was saddened to talk with him. "My father, my mother and then....my Zeze." He snorted, sad to talk about Zasha. "The CIA killed them like they were nothing."

"And that's why you joined Perseus ?" He nodded to me, biting his lips.

"It was the only choice for me : the CIA killed them, Perseus showed me the truth." He insisted on that detail, realizing the full extend on the supposed brainwashing he suffered. "They were like my only way of living but Perseus make me live on with an new goal." He continued, making me snort away, sad.

"Don't you feel that there's maybe something wrong with everything around you ?" I questined him, crossing my arms too & leaning against the wall as he was looking at me with curiosity. "Don't answer if you don't want to." I told him with an little grin but still having this face on him.

"I don't know to be honest." He replied anyway, feeling in doubt about it before he got away from me. "Listen, you don't need to know about me as I don't want to know about you." He suggested, taking an harsh tone.

"Okay, okay." I breathed, making signs with him as I didn't want to confront him before I looked away. "Anyway, do you know where Freya could be ? She was awaiting for me here ?"

"I saw her leaving with Sonya to the parking but Sonya wasn't looking happy." He answered, showing me the way behind me by the way I came here before he start to walk away from me and I was ready to go join them quickly before I got an idea....

"Dedov....do you remember Beans ?" I demanded in an clear voice, making him stop to walk away, peaking to look at me.

"What ?" He muttered, troubled.

"Beans, your cat !" I repeated again to him as an way to maybe broke the brainwashing off him. "She was an cat you find near your old apartment complex, you took her with you and Zasha agreed to." I added, feeling an tear on my face to talk about it in front of Perseus office before I know that I couldn't talk no more about it. "Anyway, goodbye Dedov, come back." I saluted him before I start to leave, him still in that position.

I think that it was an way to break the brainwashing from him but I couldn't know if it was going to really work for me & him. Dedov didn't deserve all of this and seeing him in an Perseus military clothes was breaking me....Perseus was really an monster to do this....an dying monster. I then focused back on finding Freya again that was now with Sonya but like Dedov told me, the latter wasn't really happy about something.

Walking alone in this building to join the two in that parking was weird because the soldiers weren't doing anything to stop me at all....to give me an feeling of freedom...an strange freedom to be honest. When I managed to go out of the building and join the only parking near the building, I could see Sonya & Freya between 2 civilians cars but their discussion weren't really good to hear.

"You know that it's all fucked up and you're doing this anyway !" Sonya exclaimed in an loud voice as the two didn't see me arrive, making me watching the scene from afar. "How much are you sick to do that to her ?"

"I'm not sick, Sonya, I'm fine & well." Freya told them, almost angry in her voice. "I'm doing what's right !" She affirmed.

"What's right ?" Sonya repeated, approaching Freya face to face, raising their eyebrow. "Brainwashing her after what happened to her ?"

"Yes, if I want her back...."

"She doesn't...love you anymore, you understand ?" Sonya cut her straight, speaking up against Freya's choices with me. "She told me everything about you two but you're still acting like if nothing happened between us."

"I don't give an fuck about what you think to be honest !" Freya cursed to them in an angry voice, seeing her poke them on their shoulder. "She's coming back to me, end of the story." She admitted.

"She's right, you're not the Freya Helvig I know." Sonya expressed before suddenly, I could see Freya holding firmly their left wrist, hurting me.

"Don't even think of saying that I have changed or putting your hands on me, you understand ?" She threatened them before I decided to step inside the conversation.

"Freya !" I started, stepping in to save Sonya from her. "Why are you hurting them ?" I demanded, worried.

"Oh...just nothing, Yiri." She replied in an normal weird voice to me, releasing Sonya's wrist. "Here's something I wanted to give you back." She put her hands on her pocket, revealing....my own mother's ring in her hands, handing it to me. "Take it, it's yours."

"Thanks." I whispered, taking the ring in my own hands....feeling it and it was all weird to hold it again after those years, after she showed it in that american mall.

"Good, let's go talk further away." She suggested, taking an last look on Sonya that was looking so bad and sad and me too for them. "They don't understand that I'm helping you." She stated, turning around to look at me with an smile...an smile that I couldn't replicate on my face because of Sonya's presence, feeling so bad...

"I'm making sure that you're back at my side for good !"

#cod bocw #cod cold war #cod black ops cold war #cod cw #call of duty cold war #cod #call of duty #cod bell #black ops cold war #yirina grigoriev #fem!bell #helen park #freya wraith helvig

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lunarmessenger · 4 years

Note

So we know that mysme is korean.. I was wondering if you could do the RFA+ Saeran reacting to MC being latina🙈

Please and thank you 😊💜

GIRL YES me being Latina too I’ve always wondered....what it would be like...if they had a lil bit of flavor....LMFAO but i gotchu girl - Luna xx (P.S. I may make MC lean towards the hispanic side a little more because I’m hispanic LMAO)

translations will be down underneath all the headcanons for my non spanish speaking readers!

warnings: none! just some cuteness

RFA, V + Saeran Reacting to Latina!MC

Zen

• He was already so excited to finally meet and see you in person and it doubles when he finds out that you’re not from Korea/Korean

• “MC oh wow...you’re gorgeous I—”

• Is a lot more flustered than he intended to be

• Takes this opportunity to really broaden his knowledge on other cultures!

• He absolutely swoons when he wakes up one morning to see you cooking breakfast, the smell of eggs and jalapeño’s enticing him out of bed

• But then he’s also furrowing his brows because what kind of music is that???

• That’s when he sees you; wearing his shirt and side stepping by the stove, hips moving effortlessly as you hum along to the tune of the song

• He kept quiet, not wanting to disturb you as you continued to sway, swinging the spatula around as you quietly sang

• “No, no es amor, lo que tú sientes se llama obsesión*,” He would’ve passed out right then and there if he knew it wouldn’t freak you out; he’d never heard you speak spanish before, let alone sing it

• He wrapped his arms around you from behind, trying to sway his hips with you as you leaned forward to turn off the heat

• “MC, promise me that you’ll teach me how to move like that.” He whispers in your ear, causing you to giggle

• “And please speak Spanish more often.”

Yoosung

• He’s surprised but not in a bad way obviously

• You didn’t really have an accent when you spoke over the phone, so he never really suspected that you wouldn’t be Korean

• “You’re so pretty MC!”

• Begs you to teach him your favorite dishes from your culture and childhood

• “How about tamales? Winter is coming soon so it’d be something nice for us to bulk make for dinner and breakfast!”

• He’s already foaming at the mouth at the idea of getting to cook with you, especially a dish that he’s never even had before

• The two of you spend all day making the masa and filling, ranging from refried beans, chicken, and beef

• “Oh Yoosung we’ve made so many; should I ask everyone in the RFA if they’ll want some—”

• “No!” He yelled a little too quickly, making you stop reaching for your phone as you furrowed your brows with a smile

• “Why not?” He was blushing now, not meeting your eyes as he finished folding the last corn husk and placing it into the steamer

• “Because we made them together. I want them just to be ours, MC.” You grinned, placing a soft kiss to his forehead before nodding in agreement

• “Sure, mi amor*. We’ll keep these to ourselves.”

• He definitely blushed a deeper red after hearing you call him that in Spanish

Jaehee

• It didn’t really bother her that you weren’t Korean and she was actually quite excited

• Especially since you’d both be opening the bakery soon; she would love to introduce some non-traditional items to the local area

• “MC; if there are any sweets you would like to showcase in our bakery please feel free.”

• “Oh, actually! There are some that I think you might like!” You spent the entire day hunting for ingredients just so you could bake them for her so Jaehee could try them

• She was already enticed by the smell, her brows raising in curiosity as they finished baking and you poured the two of you some milk

• When you pulled them out of the oven she was excited to see the brown, bright pink, and white toppings on the bread, their patterns similar to a conch shell she’d seen on beaches before

• You excitedly plated them, placing them between you two at the dinner table and then gesturing for her to grab one

• “What are they?”

• “Conchas!* Dig in, honey!”

• She grabbed one, surprised at the soft feeling of the bread.

• At first she didn’t really know what to think? Or how to eat it? They were a little bigger than the pastries she was used to

• She sneakily watched you pull it apart with your fingers, alternating between putting the pieces in your mouth or dipping them straight into the milk

• She copied your movements, and as soon as she’d gotten the first taste her eyes widened in surprise

• “What do you think?” You asked in anticipation, hoping she loved them as much as you

• “We’ll put these on the menu immediately.”

Jumin

• Like Jaehee, he isn’t really phased that you’re not Korean

• With the many business trips he’s had he’s pretty knowledgable with his Spanish

• But only when it’s spoken at a normal pace and not so...fast

• You were visiting him at his office, patiently waiting for him to finish a meeting with clients who’d happened to be from Mexico City

• He came out of the meeting speaking a bit of Spanish, the clients responding rather quickly

• You could tell he was struggling a bit with their finishing statement, so you decided to try and listen in

• Your brows furrowed as you realized that the last sentence spoken from the clients was directed towards each other, even though they were looking at Jumin

•What they said caused immediate rage; you stood up and speed walked over

• “Este tonto ni siquiera sabe que ya le hemos vendido nuestra empresa a su competidor. ¡Conseguiremos el doble de dinero!”*

• “Perdóneme*.” You immediately interjected, Jumin looking at you in surprise while you saw the client’s faces immediately pale as you hurriedly told Jumin what they were saying

• His eyes darkened as he immediately called security, having the clients escorted out of C&R

• “Thank you for catching that, MC. I will definitely have to bring you in to translate every once in a while, kitten.”

707

• Of course he already knows you’re Latina due to the background check he did

• But that didn’t make meeting you any less exciting, and when he finally gets to see you he’s practically vibrating in excitement

• He knows Spanish much like Jumin, but he’s way more advanced at it so you two sometimes held private conversations when people pissed you off

• This was the second party that the RFA was holding after you’d joined, and a guest had been extremely rude towards you

• Saeyoung was ready to interject but you signaled that you were fine, keeping a polite smile as the client finished their rant towards you before leaving the party early

• He was on his way to check on you as soon as the guest left, your smile immediately gone as you rolled your eyes and crossed your arms.

• “Maldito hijo de puta.”* You cursed, and immediately Saeyoung was doubled over in laughter while the RFA members looked at you two with curiosity

• You were blushing, insanely embarrassed that Saeyoung had heard you as you pouted

• “Stop it, it was not that funny!”

• “Oh it was hilarious, please do that again.”

• “Wait, what did she say?” Yoosung interjected

• “Don’t worry about it!” You snapped, leaving Saeyoung to chase after you as you grumpily walked away from embarrassment

• “MC please I’m so sorry I just omg it was so funny I’m sorry I swear.”

• He’s very much intrigued with you and your upbringing

• It was obvious that the longer you two were together, the more likely you were to mix cultural traditions and rituals.

• He got a taste of that for the first time since you two had gotten together

• One day he came home from a job overseas to see soft lighting coming from one of the spare rooms, his brows furrowing as he called for you

• “MC? Is everything alright?”

• “In here, V!”

• He followed the dim light to see that you’d set up a table filled with marigolds, a couple of pictures of your family members accompanying the table

• “What’s all of this?” He was breathless, taken by the absolute beauty of it that it took him a second to notice that you were setting up a third picture; his mother.

• “Well, seeing as tomorrow is the last day of October, I’ll be celebrating Dia de los Muertos* soon. I wanted to make sure that we keep the memory of your mother alive with my other family members. It’s what we do in my family.”

• You were a little embarrassed, that is, until V suddenly brought you into a tight hug, a warm kiss pressed to your lips before he pulled away

• “I think that’s a wonderful thing, MC. Thank you for thinking of my mother. I know she would have loved to meet you.”

• You beamed in response, leaning against him as you pressed a kiss to the photo of your grandparents.

• “I’m sure that my family that’s already passed is enjoying her company too.”

Saeran

• He had already seen something special in you, and being Latina in his eyes was just an added bonus

• You told him about your hometown and the delicious frozen treats you always looked forward too, and that made his ears perk up in curiosity

• “Do...do you think we could try to find something similar here, MC?”

• You of course obliged, the two of you searching endlessly online until you found a shop that was similar enough

• The two of you had made an entire day of it, holdings hands while walking into the shop

• His eyes were wide with awe, the different fruity flavors catching his attention as you casually spoke to the owner of the store in fluid Spanish

• “What would you like, honey?”

• He was slightly embarrassed that he didn’t know what he wanted, shrugging his shoulders before nervously answering

• “I guess whatever you’re having.”

• “A-Are you sure, Saeran? My taste is a little more traditional than you might like.”

• “Well now I definitely want to have what you’re having.” He smirked, taking it as a challenge while you sighed

• “Alright, but don’t blame me if you don’t like it.”

• Soon enough your treats were ready, Saeran staring at his portion with wide eyes while you happily took a scoop and placed it in your mouth

• It was mango flavored, with drizzles of red decorating the scoops; spicy flavored powder sitting on top.

• “Go on, try it baby.”

• He hesitated, but nonetheless tried it; grinning from the taste and immediately going for a second scoop

• “This is delicious, princess! ...What is it?”

• You laughed before explaining, “It’s mango flavored sorbet with chamoy and tajin on top. It’s my absolute favorite, I’m so glad they have it here!”

• The two of you sat inside the shop together, happily eating your spicy and sweet treats before going home together.

translations:

No, it is not love, what you feel is called obsession*

My love*

Conchas* A sweet bread with sugar toppings shaped like a seashell

This fool doesn't even know that we have already sold our company to his competitor. We will get double the money!*

Excuse me.*

Fucking son of a bitch.*

Day of the Dead*

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dindjarindiaries · 4 years

Text

Mandoctober - October 15: Jetpack

gif via @barissoffee

summary: Just after your marriage to Din, you lay low together on Sorgan—where Din trains with his jetpack and insists on getting you involved with it. (excerpt from Ethereal)

pairing: din djarin (the mandalorian) x gn!reader (in this selection)

warnings: fluff, heights, din makes a sexual innuendo

rating: T

word count: 2.018k

mandoctober masterlist

october 15: jetpack

You’re not sure if you’ll ever get used to a morning spent awakening beside the face of your Mandalorian—a sight you’re regretful to leave.

As you finish getting ready, Din makes his way over to you, holding his helmet in one of his hands as the other brushes over your cheek. The feeling of leather is familiar, something you’ve easily become accustomed to. He leans down to place an affectionate kiss on your lips, seemingly absorbing the feeling before he forces himself to pull away. “Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum,” Din murmurs, letting his gloved fingers run over your cheek before they fall away.

You smile at him, your chest warming up like never before. “I love you too, Din.” His gaze observes you warmly one last time before he takes the helmet in both hands, slipping it on over his head. His appearance with the helmet is familiar to you, but now that you know the beauty of what lies behind it, you’re never overly happy to see it. Din moves to comfort you by pulling you into a Keldabe kiss, his cool helmet meeting your forehead as he keeps you close. You appreciate the beauty of being able to maintain such loving gestures within his culture. “What are you up to today? Running more drills?”

“Mhmm.” The confirmation comes through his voice modulator, forcing you to adjust to the different way his voice now sounds. “I believe I’m close to mastering them.”

“I hope so. My blood pressure spikes every time you go up.”

Din lets out a soft chuckle, finally separating himself from you as he reaches for his jetpack somewhere on the floor. “I’m always careful, cyar’ika.” His tone is teasing as he hoists the contraption over his shoulder, adjusting his cape so that he can attach the equipment in place. “I can’t be reckless anymore.”

“I’m glad you realize that, too.”

Din stops and looks over at you, and even with the visor now hiding his gaze, you can tell it’s full of warmth and determination. “There’s too much I have to come back to.” You return his look with all the love you feel at his words. It’s one thing to remember that you’re truly a family in Din’s clan of three, but to hear it confirmed in Din’s words make it so much more real—and you can’t help feeling as if you’re living in a dream. You both hold each other’s gazes much longer than you should, and eventually Din shakes his head. “You can’t look at me like that, riduur. You’re making me want to kiss you again.”

You smirk at him. “Then do it.”

Din lets out a dramatic sigh, causing you to chuckle as you watch him head for the exit of the hut. You follow close behind, squinting a bit as you’re met with the bright daylight. Instantly, you search for the child and easily find him already occupied with the group of children. You start to head in that direction—but not without Din grabbing your hand first and giving it a squeeze. You return it with a soft smile, watching as he heads away to one of the many patches of grass that surrounds the village. He’s used to not eating breakfast because of his helmet, so you don’t try to nag him into eating some before he practices.

As you approach the children, you see Omera close by, and she smiles at you while reaching for a nearby tray of food. You thank her as you sit beside her, already knowing the routine well enough to remember that she always has something ready for you. You pick at the selection of berries and grains as you both watch the children playing and make small talk. Constantly, you find your gaze also drifting over to Din, where he’s sometimes practicing on the ground or flying in the air above the village. Your heart leaps in your throat every time it’s the latter scenario.

Soon, the child waddles up next to your leg, cooing at you to grab your attention. He gestures for you to pick him up and you smile as you oblige, leaving a soft kiss on his furry forehead. The child laughs in a bubbly manner, causing your smile to grow. He then looks up to the sky and gestures towards Din, who’s doing Maker-knows-what with various dives and twirls of his jetpack.

“Yeah, your buir’s flying again,” you tell him, brushing your hand along one of his ears. They lift up and down in a suggestive manner, and when he gestures to Din again, you realize what he’s asking for. You furrow your brow. “Oh, I don’t know, ad’ika… it’s a little too dangerous.”

The child’s ears instantly droop as he pouts. You let out a soft scoff, looking over to see Omera holding back a chuckle. “He has gotten better, you know,” Omera reminds you. “I think you should let him have a chance.”

You look back to the child, seeing his ears perk up just a bit at Omera’s words. Reluctantly, you nod your head. “All right. We can ask him.”

The child coos excitedly and you hold back a laugh whilst standing up and walking over to where Din’s about to land on the ground. As soon as he sees the both of you approaching, Din freezes, helping to close the distance until his voice can be heard. “What is it?” Din asks, slight concern dripping into his modulated voice.

“The little furball wants to fly with you,” you respond, earning a tilt of Din’s helmet as he sees the child start to reach for him.

“And you’re… okay with that?” Din says the words hesitantly, taking the child into his arm gingerly. You can tell he’s over the moon that his little one wants to fly with him—but he also knows how careful you are regarding his safety.

“I trust you.” You look at the child nervously, nevertheless. “But only one flight, Din.”

“All right. We’ll be fine.” Din bends down to touch his helmet to your forehead before he hurries back over to the open grass. You stay where you are, holding your arms close to your body as you nervously watch them start to go up in the air. Din keeps the child tight against his shoulder as they zoom through the sky. You swear you can hear the child’s loud laughs of pure joy, bringing a smile to your lips. Din pulls out all his best tricks—the diving, the twirling, and even a flip. At the latter move, you swear you’re going to reprimand him for doing something so risky but hearing the child’s whoop of delight makes you rethink your future actions.

After many more minutes of this, you watch Din descend back down to the ground. He lands so much more gracefully than he did that first time on Nevarro. Soon, he’s walking back over the you with a giddy child in his arms and you can tell the smile he wears underneath his helmet is just as bright.

“See? I told you, cyar’ika. Safe and sound.” He looks down at the child, brushing his hand over his ear affectionately. The child lets out a loud coo as he nestles his head into the fabric of Din’s neck. Your heart swells at the sight of it.

“I said I trusted you!”

“Yeah, but I could tell you were nervous.”

You let out a sigh as Din chuckles, your hands falling on your hips as you raise an eyebrow at him. “Was the flip really necessary?”

“Cyare, please, I had it all under control.” Din then tilts his helmet at you. “Why don’t you try it out for yourself?”

Your eyes double in size as you scoff. “Me? You want to take me up there?”

“I don’t see why not.” Din takes a step closer to you, his free hand taking a hold on the upper part of one of your arms. “C’mon. Let me show you how fun it is. I won’t let you fall.”

You take a deep breath, finally giving in as you gesture to the child. “But I’m not letting you take both of us. That’s too risky.”

“But—.”

“No, no ‘buts’ about it. Only me.”

Din sighs, agreeing to your words as he hands you the child. He lets you walk him back over to his friends, and immediately he becomes too preoccupied with them to realize what you and Din are about to do. When you walk back over to Din, he takes you eagerly into his arms, placing your back against his front as his arms wrap around your middle. “Just hold tight to my arms,” Din instructs you, his modulated voice sounding directly into your ear as you nod to acknowledge his words. He waits a beat, and you know he’s reading your expression. “Are you ready?” You give another nod, practically hearing Din’s smile as he activates the jetpack.

And then, you’re flying.

You hold tight to Din’s arms as you swoop through the air, practically touching the clouds as you soar high above the Sorgan village. You let out a soft gasp of delight as you see the fields and trees that go beyond the village, drowning your sights in nothing but soft blues and greens. Din keeps his flying simple at first, not making any risky moves as he lets you take in the sights.

“It’s so beautiful!” you say to him, raising your voice above the sound of his jetpack.

“Isn’t it?” Din agrees, his smile practically audible. “I get to see this every day.” He pauses for a moment. “Well, and you.”

“Now’s not the time for flattery—,” you start to respond, but suddenly he dares to take a risk and start twirling you both over in the air. You let out a surprised shriek, gripping his arms even tighter now. “Din!”

“Relax, cyar’ika, I’ve got you,” Din assures you with a soft laugh. “Just let yourself have fun!”

You try to do what he says, but then the bastard takes you into a risky flip move—practically causing your heart to leap out of your chest. “Din!”

“There’s a time and place for screaming my name, and this isn’t it!” Your cheeks burn hot as you roll your eyes at Din’s words, letting him have the laugh as he goes back to flying normal. “Don’t worry. Take it all in.”

This time, you really do what he says, and the next time he attempts a twirl you laugh in delight with him. You can feel him hold you even tighter when he senses you enjoying it. He becomes bolder in adding some additional twists and turns along with some flips—anything to hear your laugh again. By the time you’re heading back down to the ground, you’ve decided that you love flying, and you know Din can tell.

“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Din keeps you close in his arms as you turn around to face him, bracing your hands against his chest as you do so.

“Once you get used to all those crazy flips… yeah, I guess it was pretty fun.”

You can tell Din’s searching your gaze and observing all the love and light inside of it—and it makes him release a frustrated sigh as he rests his helmet against his forehead. “Stop making me want to kiss you. It’s unfair.”

You release a soft laugh, running one hand along the side of Din’s helmet. “I guess you’re just gonna have to call it quits for the day and have some lunch inside the hut, now.”

Din doesn’t hesitate to agree with you, reaching for one of your hands as you head back to the hut.

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#he is too precious for his own good #oh to fly around with din djarin #the dream #din djarin #the mandalorian #din djarin x reader #the mandalorian x reader #fluff #drabbles #mandoctober #dindjarindiaries

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mbti-notes · 3 years

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Anon wrote: Hi, I hope you're doing great, so this is going to be long because I’m really in need for help. I’m an INFJ, raised by an abusive passive aggressive father and an INFJ mother who was mistreated and abused a lot, my Fe was very underdeveloped and I used to be a funny guy without having self-care for my image, now after having a crush and seeing my blind spots I see that my reputation isn’t the best and people take advantage of me, I have good friends but none I chose deliberately, I also used to be bullied at middle school and this is where my Se Grip I guess, my Fe is being developed and I’m reading about emotional intelligence but I’m still naïve and ignore subtle signs that other people are using me, and I always fall for the same trap although I have set goals, but I don’t know how to respect myself, I dwell in my mistakes, I can’t respect time and can’t take life seriously.

I guess it is somewhat of trauma response like Chandler from friends, I try to be funny even when people disrespect me, my crush had a boyfriend who treated me passive aggressively and bullied me, at that time I wanted to give a response but I couldn’t, in each situation I felt trapped, I felt unable to react, I felt under threat, my heart is weak and I get these small anxiety attacks, I’m anxious about getting out in the world, each time I’m overwhelmed with tasks I feel guilty and not being able to finish them, to give more context, I became responsible of my family two years ago, and this feels like a burden, and suddenly Fe started developing, I have religious background and was part of a religious group but now I’m no longer that person and I don’t feel belonging anywhere, I tried to fit In different groups but none felt real, my friends don’t have the time for me and I became very cynical of death and my experiences to the point that I share everything about myself, I’m too clingy, and I overshare everything as a defense mechanism which started after developing feeling towards my crush and telling a friend about it. I need a friend to walk properly on the streets, my self confidence is no longer part of myself because I’m having an identity crisis, I feel guilty and see all my mistakes and each time something triggers one of those mistakes I feel even more anxious, I’m trying to get out more but with no use.

I’m trying to rebuild myself by focusing on my goals, but its not enough, I guess I need hibernating time in my home to build better work skills and focus on my job more. My friends do not see what I see, except for an INTP, but he is unreliable for social situations but sometimes gives advice that I disagree with and I follow because I respect him a lot, he is like a brother, but his social tips led me to disastrous things, I’m not complaining, but I’m seeking to understand my own behavior. I have shared some of my experiences on social media, and then deleted them, some people used that to mock me and cyber bully me, I don’t know how to get over feeling exposed, I want to live, but not that interested, yet I’m not suicidal, in fact I’m rational and have some basic understanding of myself, but I want to move on from that, and I keep making social mistakes

___________________________

To summarize: You are lost because you have not been able to respect yourself and balance your own needs with your obligations to the world - a sign of Fe overindulgence. Lack of proper self-care has produced unhappiness, but you have not chosen the right paths to remedying the unhappiness, which only makes it worse. Then you got trapped in Ti loop rumination, trying to "make sense" of your feelings from a distance, exacerbating emotional dysfunction. All you have now is a head full of negative and anxious intrusive thoughts that worsen as your emotions are left to escalate unresolved. When you lose connection to Ni, you lose the ability for nuanced thinking, so your thoughts become more and more extreme, as Se grip sets in. Is that about right?

You shouldn't blame yourself for other people's bad behavior. Trust is required for healthy relationships. It is not your fault for trusting people, rather, it is their fault for betraying your trust. No one should take advantage of your kindness and vulnerability. It is not a crime to love and you should not feel ashamed about having emotional needs. If you are ashamed of needing love, then you may have a self-worth problem. Do you believe that you are deserving of love?

Ni development is meant to help you fulfill your personal potential, such that you have something to feel proud of and something to contribute. The dominant function is the ideal route to self-respect. When you don't have yourself and your life in order via healthy Ni development, you won't be able to have healthy relationships for developing Fe. When you approach relationships from a place of desperation, you not only end up using people as a means to fill your deficits, you also make it too easy for people to take advantage of you.

It’s not your fault when people mistreat you, but it is your responsibility to put in place some reasonable protections from exploitation and abuse, which goes back to the vital point of practicing proper self-care. This requires learning how to set healthy boundaries when you're navigating relationships or putting yourself out there in society. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. You have to know how to spot callous people and avoid them. And you have to learn to be a better judge of the right time and place to express yourself honestly.

A relationship is a two-way street. It should be mutually satisfying and mutual beneficial. This means that self-disclosure should occur at a gradual and mutually respectful pace. Only by opening up bit by bit can a relationship grow in an organic and healthy manner. A great way to protect yourself from harm is to allow enough time for people to show you who they really are. The way that you behave, often in extremes, is not conducive to gradual relationship growth. And you are often in (Se grip) extremes because your emotional life is out of control.

You didn't grow up in an environment that taught you how to have healthy relationships. That’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility to make up those lessons, as an adult who wants to live a better life than you had as a child. People aren’t born with knowledge, just like you're not born knowing how to do math. You have to learn through proper attention and study. You’ve spent how many years learning math that you may not even use? And how long have you spent learning to take care of your mental state? Few people can teach themselves math from scratch and psychology is no different. There’s a lot of knowledge and expertise required to address the psychological problems that you are describing. A big reason that psychological problems get worse over time is that people are not equipped to deal with them alone with no objective input or expert guidance to rely on.

I am but a stranger on the internet. The most I can ever do is help clarify/identify the problem and point you toward a possible solution. I can’t carry out the solution for you or with you. In order to get yourself and your life in order, you have to be more honest with yourself about how you feel, and address your feelings and emotional needs in a more compassionate and timely manner. It’s hard to care well for others when you’re not even able to care well for yourself. If you don't have anyone to lean on, then lean on professional help as a start. A cognitive-behavioral therapist can teach you how to stabilize your intrusive thoughts and messy emotional life, and from there, you will have a better time dealing with other aspects of life. A therapist can also teach you better social skills for dealing with relationship and boundary issues. If you can’t see a therapist for whatever reason, I have provided books about these topics on the resources page.

#infj #auxiliary fe #ti loop #se grip #self care #self disclosure #boundaries #ask

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poetic-emptiness-fanfic · 3 years

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Livin’ La Vida Loca (Echoes of the Past 15: Freebie!)

Finally it is finished! I had an irritating writing block, but I’m happy it’s over now. This fic sets during the plague, when Hande is apprenticing with Julian.

The name of this fic is from a song Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin

Characters: Hande Kuura & Julian Devorak

Content warning: some profanities

Words: ~3 250

@arcana-echoes

It has been a long day at the clinic – lots of patients and lots of research. Julian is tired and he can see that his apprentice is as well. She tries to put on a brave face, but he can see that she's very tense – has she had any chance to relax? They have been working together for five months, but Julian has only seen Hande at work. He has learned that Hande is extremely conscientious, fast learner and she really cares for the patients. He has also found out, that like him, Hande loves reading and it is fun to discuss about different books during their lunch breaks. Julian has grown to like her, and even see her as his friend – the busy days feel less tiring with her around.

After locking the door behind the last patient, Julian turns to Hande and smiles at her, ”Well, that was a busy one. Great work – I can't even realise how I did manage before you tagged along!” Hande chuckles to Julian's praises and shrugs, ”Thanks, but it's not just me – you really are a spectacular doctor, believe it or not.” Julian blushes by the compliment, but Hande is too polite to point it out. She just pats her teacher's hardel and goes to change to her everyday clothes. While Julian is in the other room changing himself he ponders if he should ask Hande out. They are practically colleagues and they're also friends, so it wouldn't be inappropriate. He also has a feeling that Hande is quite lonely, with her family and friends in Karnassos.

”Hey, Hande?” Julian shouts to his apprentice so she could hear her, ”Would you mind if I took you somewhere? Erm, to let our hair down, so to speak?” The doctor hears only silence for a moment, before Hande's voice echoes from another room, ”No, I wouldn't mind, that sounds nice.” Julian lets out a relieved sigh and his lips twitch into a small smile, ”Great! I can offer you something to eat as a thank you, if you wish?” He hears Hande coming back to the office while she hums in affirmative. After Julian's done, he goes to the office and sees Hande opening her hair which is tied into a French twist. Her hair is pretty long, he notes, settling to the level of her waist. Stop gawking! That's inappropriate!

Hande turns to look at Julian, looking a little embarrassed, ”I don't want to keep the same hairstyle during my free time, otherwise I'd never let go of the work stuff. It probably sounds silly...” Julian gives Hande a friendly smile and shakes his head, ”No, it doesn't sound silly at all. It's good you have ways to avoid thinking about work during your free time.” Hande smiles back, separates her hair in two parts and starts to braid the other half. Julian is looking at her procedure and his curiosity takes over, ”Uhm, may I ask what are you going to do?” Hande glances at Julian before she turns back and continues braiding, ”I'm going to make two braids and pull them over my head, like a headband. Then no one gets the opportunity to try and pull my hair.” Julian seems to think for a moment and before he can reconsider he asks, ”Do you... Do you want me to braid the other half? It'd be faster that way.” Hande turns to face Julian, looking surprised, but also a little amused, her eyebrows raising. Before Hande can say anything Julian blurts, ”Uhm, I can braid... I have a little sister... I used to braid her hair sometimes.”

Hande's eyes widen for a little moment – she didn't expect to hear something like that. She recovers from her shock quickly and beckons Julian to come closer. Julian understands that Hande has accepted his offer and tentatively starts to braid her hair. It feels slippery and soft in his hands – completely different than Pasha's hair. ”Tell me about her. Your sister, I mean,” Hande asks silently after a moment of silence. Julian chuckles and starts to tell while braiding, ”Her name is Pasha. She's three years older than you and we grew up in Nevivon together...” He continues telling about his sister while they are working on Hande's hairstyle. Hande looks satisfied and compliments Julian's work which causes the poor doctor to blush again. When the duo is ready Julian dramatically offers his arm to Hande, who laughs and with an exaggerated curtsey takes it. ”Well, Doctor Devorak, show me the way!”

***

Hande looks curiously at the sign above her head: The Rowdy Raven. She has never been here before and she's curious to see it. The place seems to be a tavern, but it looks rather cozy when she peeks through the window. Still, she can't help feeling a little nervous – what if she ends up being too obviously out of place? Well, fortune favors the brave, as they say... Hande lets Julian lead her into the tavern. They're welcomed with loud laughter and music playing in the background – there's a band playing in a corner. That makes Hande feel herself more at home, if you could call a tavern a home.

The young woman looks around her. There are locals and people from abroad, all of them having a good time chatting or playing cards with each other. People who notice her and Julian entering turn to greet her teacher with joy on their faces. Hande tenses a little, because it is clear, that Julian is very popular person in here, and Hande is... Well, she's here for the first time in her life, although she's lived in Vesuvia for almost a year. Julian squeezes Hande with his arm reassuringly, ”I'd get us some food and drinks. Do you have any wishes?” Hande looks a little pensive, but she decides it's better to speak than stay silent. ”Uhm... Are there... Are there any non-alcoholic drinks? I'm a teetotaler...” she whispers uncertainly.

Julian freezes on the spot. Shit. Congratulations, you've fucked up and brought a teetotaler to a tavern.. You idiot... His faces turns red again and he sputters, ”I-I'm sorry! I didn't know that...” Hande notices Julian's panicking and hurries to assuring him, ”No, no, it's fine! I don't mind others drinking, well at least if they're not steaming... I've just never amused to drink alcohol myself... It isn't because of any belief, if that's any comfort...” Julian is surprised, how Hande is nervous about his reaction, and can't help but smile to her, ”No, you don't need to worry! I don't mind at all, and you're not obliged to explain your reasons, if you don't want to. There should be also some non-alcoholic drinks, so no harm done.” Hande smiles to him thankfully which makes Julian a little giddy. No, concentrate. Go and order your food and drinks!

Hande waits by a table when Julian gives their orders to a barkeeper. The young woman glances around, observing other patrons curiously, wondering where some of them might come from. Soon Julian comes back with their drinks. ”Barth said he'll bring the food soon,” he says, handing her a glass with lime green liquid in it. ”I hope you like this one, I wasn't quite sure what to get,” Julian says, looking a little embarrassed. Hande smiles at him reassuringly and takes a little sip from her drink. It's suitably sweet with citrus aroma – probably lemon and lime combined. ”This is so good! Dr. Devorak, how did you manage to choose a drink I like so much?” Hande asks sounding impressed, which makes the poor Julian to blush again. ”Well, erm... I wish I could say it was intuition, but... uhm... I remember how you once told me you like lemons so...” the man stammers. Now it's Hande's turn to get embarrassed; she doesn't blush visibly, but she can feel her cheeks burn. Julian remembers random things I've mentioned to him? ”You're way too good friend for me... I really am flattered, that you remember my ramblings.”

A little later Barth, the barkeeper, brings their meals in front of them and they eat in comfortable silence, sometimes asking or commenting something. Hande finds the tavern's atmosphere a little rowdy, but not hostile, and she feels more at ease. It's nice to spend time with Julian and see him outside of their work. Suddenly Hande's concentration turns to a discussion a few tables away. There are four men discussing in a foreign language which Hande recognises as Hjallean. She gets excited – she hasn't met any people from her mother's hometown for a long time. She apologises Julian and turns to face the men, ”Förlåt mig. Är ni från Hjalle?¹” The men turn to face Hande, looking positively surprised, ”Ja. Hur kan du tala hjalska, är du från där också?²” Hande smiles and answers, ”Jag föddes i Karnassos. Min mamma är från Hjalle, men hon tillhör Skogsfolket.³” The quintet continues their excited conversation. Julian smiles and watches how Hande speaks fluently in Hjallean, and listens when she finds out that the men are sailors and actually know her grandfather. Hande seems so happy to hear from her family that Julian can feel it, too. He also can't help, but to miss his own family a little.

A little later Julian also joins the conversation which causes the men and Hande to cheer in surprise. The group has a friendly conversation and orders drinks to each other, until the band starts to play a Hjallean folk song which causes the sailors and Hande to sing along. Julian can't help but notice how Hande's voice is clear and beautiful, echoing above hollering of the sailors. To be entirely honest, Julian is mesmerized my her voice – she sounds like a siren, without ill intent, of course. After the song had ended, the sailors cheer to Hande, who looks a little humbled after getting that much attention, but still has a small smile on her face. The band's leader shouts to their table, ”Since the miss sang so beautifully, you can decide our next song!” Hande glances at Julian with a confused expression on her face. Julian just smiles to her encouragingly and winks. Hande smirks and states, ”I will decide, but on one condition: I get to play it, too.”

The band leader looks curious, ”Can the miss play, as well?” Hande nods and answers, ”Yes, I can play the fiddle. I've had lessons since I was a little girl.” The other band members grin and the fiddler steps up, handing their instrument to Hande. She stands up and walks to the corner, inspecting the fiddle for a moment. After she's satisfied, she tunes the instrument and asks, ”Do you know this song?” Hande plays a little part as a sample and the band leader chuckles and agrees. The leader gives a mark about starting the song and Hande joins the band. Julian is awed: this woman doesn't have a single drop of alcohol in her, and she still is having the time of her life. Joyful, wonderful singer and player even – and she's never mentioned any of that to him. This fascinating combination of humbleness and showmanship. Julian watches how Hande's fingers move on the fiddle, how concentrated she is. The song is a little melancholic, but still eventful and fast. The world seems to disappear: there's only music and Hande.

The enchantment is broken when the song ends. Hande remembers where she is and is a little flabbergasted by her courage, but is happy that she played. She doesn't remember when was the last time she had this much fun – in Julian's company she feels at ease, like her old self is coming back to life after so many years. Hande turns to see Julian who is cheering and applauding to them with the others at the tavern. The band leader thanks her when she gives the fiddle back to its owner and returns to her companion. ”Wow... I didn't know you could sing or play!” Julian compliments when she sits down. Hande lowers her gaze for a moment, but soon looks up and shrugs, ”Well... You don't need singing or playing when you're trying to be a doctor's apprentice. To be honest, complimenting myself is really hard for me, and I got this temporary moment of courage. I haven't played in front of an audience for years.” Julian smiles to Hande and feels warmth inside of him – he isn't sure if it's because of alcohol or his company. Concentrate. She's your apprentice. Julian clears his throat and speaks again, ”Did you like it? Playing in front of an audience, I mean.” Hande seems pensive before she gives a hesitant answer, ”Yes.”

Before Julian can say or do anything else, one of the sailors cut in. ”You should be proud of yourself, you really did great back there! Was that a Forestian song? I recognised it, but I'm not sure.” Hande turns to face the sailors and nods, ”Yes. I was surprised the band knew it, but it was fun. Karnassian music is much more popular, so it's nice to hear Hjallean ones for a change.” The group continues their conversation, but Julian is mostly concentrated on Hande. When they are telling about their work to the sailors, Julian, now a little tipsy, tells in surprising excitement, ”Yes... But you know what? Hande here, she... She can do MAGIC!” Hande doesn't have time to react before the sailors gasp in excitement and plead her to show them. Julian now realises he might have screwed up and tries to come to her rescue, but Hande speaks after a little silence, ”Would you like to hear a story? I can illustrate it with magic.” The sailors and even Julian show their enthusiasm for the idea. One of the sailors suggest a scary story and Hande proceeds, telling a Karnassian story about a jinn who fell in love with a human, but in time the human went mad for being so close to the jinn.

Probably for the first time in his life, Julian is awed by seeing magic. The light figures dancing in the air while Hande tells the story such a fascinating way make Julian feel giddy, almost like a child again. Being with Hande here and how... radiant she is, it's nearly overwhelming. The story is indeed scary, but he can't help but smile at her, and his heart jumps when Hande gives him a little smile back with her sparkling eyes. Other patrons have also gathered around watching the spectacle and shower Hande with compliments after the story is over. The sailors try to ask her to tell another, but Hande chuckles, ”I'm sorry, guys, but magic can be very taxing and I don't want to exhaust myself after a long day.” The sailors groan in disappointment, but still pat Hande on her shoulders, buying her one more drink. Julian hasn't bought any more drinks, because he tries not to get steaming, like Hande had expressed earlier – he doesn't want to make Hande feel uncomfortable. The music is compelling and he'd like to ask Hande to dance, but isn't sure if it's appropriate.

After a short internal debate, his reason seems to leave him, when Hande turns to look at him. Julian hasn't noticed it before, but now Hande's eyes look so beautiful, almost like the deep, blue water. His body starts to move on its own: he reaches his hand towards Hande, palm up and his mouth opens before he can think of it, ”Oh, miss Kuura... Would you like to have a dance with me?” Hande watches Julian's hand and laughs goodheartedly to his dramatic request. Julian is pretty sure Hande's thinking is pretending, but he still feels a little nervous. Finally Hande decides to save her teacher, ”Yes, I'd like that. Though, I must warn you, I haven't danced for a long time. I might be quite rusty.” Julian just chuckles and reassures his apprentice by saying that she'll be fine. Hande smiles to Julian again and gives her hand to him.

Julian places his hand on Hande's waist chastely and leads her to dance. His apprentice is a little tense at first, probably because they're first time this close to each other and because she is nervous about her dancing skills. ”Just relax, I got you,” Julian whispers to Hande, smiling to her reassuringly. Hande takes a deep breath and nods, trying to smile back, although the final result is a little lopsided. The current song is quite fast, just perfect for Julian. He guides Hande who seems to trust him enough and let the music, rhythm and Julian lead her. After a moment she relaxes and the dance feels more natural. Julian enjoys being this close to Hande, seeing her feeling comfortable in his arms. She's so vibrant, so beautiful... I haven't noticed it before. Julian tries to shake off his thoughts and have a little conversation with his apprentice, complimenting her dancing and telling how nice the evening has been. Hande smiles to him which makes him feel weak in his knees. She enjoys my company, her laughter, so full of joy. It almost makes me forget the current situation...

The dance is enchanting and Julian wants the moment to never end. The band starts to play a different song, much more speedy than the last one. This causes Julian to get an idea. He faces Hande with a little smirk on his face. ”Hande, do you trust me?” he asks. Hande looks at Julian a little hesitant, but then lets out a little laugh, ”Yes, I do trust you, Julian. But please, don't kill me.” Hande's last remark causes Julian to bark a laughter and whisper into her ear, ”I wouldn't dream of it.” He tightens his grip of Hande and leads her to the outskirts of the dance floor. Hande only gets a little warning to brace herself, before Julian lifts her, so she's now standing on a chair, and he soon follows suit. Then he rises on a longer table, taking Hande with her. She lets out a surprised yelp, but recovers soon. ”Why, Julian, are you suggesting, that we'd dance on the table?” Hande whispers her question, and Julian can hear her mischievous tone. Oh gods, she's a treasure.

Julian's smirk gets wider and he twirls Hande around before starting to dance properly. The band speeds up and patrons cheer to the duo while some of them try to save their pints. None of the things on the table gets knocked – Hande lets Julian lead her and he's done this before so he is very confident with his partner. The Rowdy Raven is filled with music, cheering and Hande's and Julian's laughter. Suddenly Hande takes the charge and dips Julian in the middle of the table, making him grab Hande for his life. Now it's Hande's turn to smirk and she leans in to whisper to Julian, ”Thank you, Julian. I didn't realise I needed this.” Julian blushes, but manages to give Hande a bashful smile, when Hande lifts him up and they continue their dance. Julian forgets everyone else and just gaze at Hande mesmerized, feeling happy for the first time for gods know how long. This intelligent, warm-hearted and beautiful person is dancing with him, smiling at him.

Oh shit. I think I have a crush.

TRANSLATIONS:

¹ ”Excuse me. Are you from Hjalle?

² ”Yes. How can you talk Hjallean, are you from there, too?”

³ ”I was born in Karnassos. My mom is from Hjalle, but she belongs to Forest people.”

My AO3

#The Arcana #Julian Devorak #fan apprentice #Hande the Apprentice #fanfic #my writing #my work #arcana eotp #Hanian

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aces-to-apples · 4 years

Text

Written for Day 1: Hurt/Comfort of Codywan Week 2020 @codywanweek

Here on AO3

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Category: M/M Relationships: CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi, Alpha-17 & Obi-Wan Kenobi Notable Tags: Blood and Injury, Concussions, Mandalorian Culture, Blunting Teeth

“daze of our lives”

“You’re an idiot,” Cody said bluntly, manhandling Obi-Wan onto the ‘fresher sink like he weighed nothing more than a bunch of Alderaani emerald grapes. A feat made even more impressive by the fact that Obi-Wan was fully kitted out in a standard set of trooper armor and the commander wasn’t even wearing his own blacks.

“Yes, Cody, thank you for reminding me.”

The look he shot Obi-Wan was normally reserved for misbehaving children—or shinies, as the case may be.

Obi-Wan attempted a reassuring smile only for it to turn into a grimace as the movement pulled at his split lip, renewing its sluggish flow of blood once more. For reasons known only to himself, Alpha-17 had focused rather heavily on causing his face as much damage as possible, rather than seeking to neutralize him efficiently. Of course, Alpha-17 was a bit of a bastard with a vicious streak a parsec wide, so perhaps he’d simply nursed a grudge against Obi-Wan all this time.

Two years and change was a long time to hang onto said grudge, and seemed more than a little extreme, but he supposed anything could happen. Whatever the reason, it made pacifying his commander nearly impossible.

Scoffing, Cody wetted a rag and began furiously cleaning Obi-Wan’s face of… well, gore was perhaps an accurate description. His movements weren’t rough, by any means, but they were perfunctory and Obi-Wan didn’t need to be an empath to feel the low-grade burn of his anger in the tight quarters of the refresher. “Complete fripping moron,” he growled, as more and more damage was revealed beneath the blood.

“Cody,” Obi-Wan began, bracing himself as best he could. He knew that tone of voice well. “There’s no need—”

“How does a Jedi,” Cody cut him off, voice dangerously mild, “cock up so badly that he ends up in a punishment spar with the only Alpha who can nominally stand him?”

“Now that’s hardly fair to Alpha’s age-mates,” he protested weakly as Cody shoved his head and began examining his possibly-broken nose. “I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting any others from the Alpha class.”

“Seventeen warned them all away. Calls you a menace.”

Cody’s voice was serious—dark, even—but Obi-Wan snorted. “Of course he did,” he said, fond without worry and accepting the notion without doubt. “I do regret the number of grey hairs myself and Anakin have no doubt given him over the course of our acquaintance.”

“The stress doesn’t even have the decency to slow the bastard down,” Cody muttered darkly in reply. “Let alone kill him.”

There was a worrying shift in his ribs as Obi-Wan wheezed but he ignored it because, damn it, the idea of something so mundane as stress being the thing to kill Alpha-17 was unbearably funny at that precise moment. Cody shifted back on his feet and watched him impassively. It took a moment for him to realize that perhaps what he was feeling was what the troopers referred to as punch-drunk.

The corner of Cody’s mouth tugged up. “Yep,” he drawled, “that’s what happens when you let one of the Alpha class get their hands on you like that.”

“Oh,” Obi-Wan said, frowning. “Did I say that out loud?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Dear me. I believe I may have a concussion, Cody.”

The commander did not look impressed by his powers of deduction. “I told you that ten minutes ago, General.” He scowled and rinsed off the cloth in his hands before turning to Obi-Wan’s split and battered knuckles. “I peeled you off the mats and you said you were ‘happy to see my pretty, grumpy face’ and I said ‘you definitely have a concussion if you’re admitting I’m pretty in mixed company.’ And then you tripped over your own boots and tried to blame Anakin for it.”

“Mmm.”

“Still with me, sir?”

Obi-Wan hummed again, feeling more and more like he was floating as the adrenaline filtered out of his system and pain filtered in. “Always, my dearest commander. Always.”

He sighed but said nothing again for a while, tisking over the damage Obi-Wan had managed to do to himself without the aid of Alpha-17. “What even happened to your gloves and gauntlets?” he wondered aloud, and scoffed when Obi-Wan cheerfully admitted that he hadn’t a clue. “Still haven’t told me what you did to deserve a punishment spar from an Alpha. Don’t think I’m going to just let that one go.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Obi-Wan enunciated with care. “I simply don’t wish to tell you because then you’ll be disappointed with me.”

“And that’s a valid reason to piss off your marshal commander instead?”

“Oh, not at all! I’m just far better equipped to deal with you being angry with me than disappointed.” A punch-sober Obi-Wan would likely not have admitted that, but the Obi-Wan of the moment was perhaps not as wise as he. All he wanted was Cody’s continuing single-minded care and to all the Corellian hells with his dignity. “You have a remarkable talent for making me feel utterly worthless when I’ve disappointed you.”

The silence that followed that statement went on long enough that Obi-Wan had nearly forgotten it by the time Cody responded. “I don’t mean to make you feel like that,” he said with a gusty sigh. “That’s not what that look is supposed to mean.”

Of that Obi-Wan had always been certain, but disappointment had always been inextricably linked with feelings of personal failure and worthlessness, ever since he was a child. Coruscanti Jedi initiates were a cutthroat bunch to start with and his age-mates in particular had been even moreso than the average.

“It’s all right,” he said absently, when he realized Cody was waiting for a reply. “It pushes me to do more, do better, always has.”

“That’s not very reassuring, jetii,” Cody grumbled, swatting away the hand that attempted to clap him on the shoulder. “Quite the opposite.”

“Oh, I’m a jetii again?” Obi-Wan attempted to rouse himself from his post-beating lethargy. The return to the uncomplimentary epithet that Alpha-17 had passed on to his commander before their meeting boded ill. It’d taken months for Cody to finally wheedle out of him why he always chuckled at its use and several more for him to cautiously switch to the less aggressive Traat’ad. “You only use that when I’ve done something to deserve, well…”

“A punishment spar from Seventeen?” Cody supplied, deceptively innocent. “I can only assume you have, if you’re letting him turn your face into paste like this.”

“I—”

“When I’m disappointed in you, it’s because I know that you’ve made your decisions based on faulty logic and you’re not dumb enough to buy into faulty logic about anyone but yourself,” he continued, unconcerned with Obi-Wan’s attempt to defend himself. “When Alpha-Seventeen is disappointed in you, it’s because he knows you’re not stupid and thinks you’re acting like it anyway. So, what’d you do this time?”

Obi-Wan sighed and let his head fall back against the mirror. “Have you ever been through a ‘punishment spar,’ as you call them?” he asked, feeling very tired.

“Fortunately, I’ve managed to avoid pissing any of the Alpha class off quite that badly.”

He smiled, winced, and soldiered on, as it were. “It’s based on an old Mandalorian ritual: pelir edee. Went through it when I was on Mandalore as a padawan.” Cody hummed, well-aware of its history as well as his own. “Usually it’s because a clan member has lashed out at another, disproportionately so, or deliberately brought harm to the clan.”

“You take a swing at Seventeen?” the commander said, joking, but also curious. “Because if you did then I take back calling you an idiot and will be much nicer at your funeral.”

“It’s also—” Obi-Wan swallowed “—unofficially, you understand, used when a leader ignores the advice of their clan members and so brings harm to them through incompetence.”

Cody doesn’t respond for another long while.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was.”

“Our intel was faulty—”

“—and if I had listened to your concerns then we wouldn’t be on this planet you all despise so much, collecting shinies to fill the empty spaces where loved ones once stood.” He had nothing to say to that, knowing full well that Obi-Wan had the right of it. “Alpha got his hands on the mission report that brought us here and asked me to explain what happened. I obliged. And he suggested a spar.”

“With Blitz, Colt, and Havoc.”

Obi-Wan inclined his head. “Naturally. He suggested, as well, that we all armor up for it. Apparently he doesn’t approve of my choice to return to wearing Jedi tunics.”

“None of us approve of that,” Cody muttered. He’d finished cleaning and bandaging Obi-Wan’s hands long ago, now just holding them in a gentle grip. “You don’t listen to us about that, either.”

Well and that was fair.

"Ni ceta, Kote," Obi-Wan said, not meeting his eyes. "I should have listened to your council and now your brothers are marching far away because of my…"

Pride, arrogance, conceit.

"… mistake," Cody finished, quiet, gentle. "It was a mistake. One that cost us, but you're not omniscient, and you did the best you could. That's all any of us can do."

"You knew better."

"Then learn from this time and listen to me the next."

Obi-Wan nodded and allowed himself to be tugged out of the 'fresher and stripped of the death-white armor. Each piece of plastoid was tugged out of magnetic alignment by sure hands and piled out of the way, until nothing remained but his blacks. Those hands then pushed and maneuvered until Obi-Wan was lying on his side in the commander's bed, Cody's chest pressed right up against his back.

The two of them rested like that for a long time, settling together until their hearts beat nearly in sync. Then Cody, his arms wrapped firmly around Obi-Wan's body, clasped their hands together.

"What did Seventeen want you to see, Obi-Wan?"

He linked their fingers together more securely before answering.

"As a Jedi, I have a responsibility to all life in the galaxy. As a general, I have a responsibility to the lives under my command." He took a deep breath. "As a partner, I have a responsibility to treat you with honor and respect. When I ignored your council, I failed in all of those responsibilities, and your brothers paid the price. Alpha-Seventeen wanted me to see those failures and understand that I need to trust you, and the rest of our comrades, in order to keep such a tragedy from occurring again."

"… Sounds quite kind for one of Seventeen's punishment spars."

Obi-Wan smiled as best he could. "Well, I'm sure he'd phrase it differently were someone to ask him. Regardless, I should have done better and will endeavor to do so next time."

"Good," Cody murmured into the back of his neck. "I love you, Obi-Wan."

"And I you, Cody."

#*10 mins later* 'permission to speak freely sir' 'granted' 'you look really fripping hot in armor'#star wars #the clone wars #sw fic #by apples #codywanweek 2020 #codywanweek #obi-wan kenobi #commander cody #codywan

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natsspammityspamspamham · 4 years

Text

Dino Watches Anime (Nov 15)

BOI, I HAVE A MIDTERM ON TUESDAY AND TEST ON WEDNESDAY. SCREW THAT. I’M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE ANIME I’VE BEEN WATCHING IN BETWEEN STUDY SESSIONS! Yeah, the studying is like 2% while the anime and games are like 98%... I’m working on that, okay? Anyway, I’m going to cover mostly seasonal stuff with some other stuff.

Let’s go over the seasonal stuff first. Summer had so few anime coming out whereas Autumn/Fall came in like, “OPEN THE FLOODGATES! LET’S GO!!!” I haven’t even gotten around to all the anime airing this season that I want to like Yuukoku no Moriarty, Majo no Tabitabi, and Adachi to Shimamura. I missed some last season too like Deca-Dance which I just didn’t want to commit to if it was only for the good animation.

Taisou Samurai (DROPPED)

I dropped it after two episodes. MAPPA has two major series this season, but they clearly gave more time and attention to the one that was actually going to make money here (which I’ll talk about later). This one seems like a passion project without the passion in it anymore. It’s like opening a bag of chips and finding out they went stale long before you even reached into the bag.

Taisou Samurai, at its core, has a premise that I found really promising. I happen to like watching gymnastics sometimes, and the idea of an athlete who doesn’t want to retire is interesting. They went wrong with the execution. I don’t know what they were trying to pull here, but with unlikeable characters and a terrible run at it, it’s like they weren’t playing with a full deck of cards here.

Also, if you don’t know what a gyaru is, one of the supporting characters will look like a racist caricature. Also, this bird has no other point than to try to make up for this show’s lack of usable humour by using Kappei Yamaguchi’s range and going, “Please, save this show. I beg you.”

I didn’t even bother giving this show three episodes to drag me in because I just couldn’t see myself wasting another 20 minutes here. Maybe I’ll have a change of heart, but for now, I should be having better things to do.

Munou na Nana (WOULDN’T RECOMMEND)

I know everyone has made this joke already, but this is really just My Hero Academia x Among Us. I feel like if there was some more... budget put into this anime, they could’ve made it a lot better. The manga had a lot more detail, so a lot of the gruesome scenes with zombies or killings, etc. were muted and toned down beyond belief. Not to mention, I guess watching it after I read the manga just made me feel stupid. This is such a junkie show that pulls tricks that everyone knows is coming. Nonetheless, I can’t find some big reason to say “do not watch this” because it’s still a very mediocre show. It has its good points, but its presentation devalues it, the voice acting is meh (especially since Yuuichi Nakamura is playing THREE overpowered main cast characters this season), and the jig is up after the first episode, so the twists are just to make you sympathize more with the imposter. I haven’t seen a show like this for a while though, so I guess you can watch it if you want something refreshing like that. I don’t think you’re supposed to like this cast of characters, so I won’t say anything against not liking this cast.

Kamisama ni Natta Hi (CONDITIONALLY RECOMMEND)

Jun Maeda... the man who manages to incorporate baseball into every anime he does... seriously, every anime I’ve watched by him has it from Angel Beats to Charlotte to that unfinished Little Busters I just left on hold. Anyway, Kamisama is no exception. Jun Maeda has a reputation for building touching stories that start off strong then really lose their footing once he realizes that he’s not going to get 24 episodes and needs to squeeze all of those 16 episodes of story left into 4 episodes or so. It also doesn’t help that sometimes he goes off on useless storylines that pay no use to the story.

Hina is really funny sometimes (but can be annoying). Narukami is funny. Really, everyone has some valid point about them that makes the show better compared to the previous entries.

Seriously, some little kid comes up to you and goes, “The world is ending, I am God, and I’m going to stick by you.” Meanwhile, you’re just a simp that’s trying to get your childhood friend to fall for you.

Honestly, I’m still having a blast watching this. As much as Maeda’s writing can really suffer from tonal shifts (mostly in the end), I still wanted to watch this anime simply because I always like his storytelling in the beginning, and the laughs it brings can sometimes still muddle out the bitter taste that’s left in your mouth when the series finishes. I can already feel this train going down a slide and off a cliff. I already paid for my ticket though, so I’m obligated to stay on this shootshow until the end.

Seriously, I do not like where some of these relationships are heading.

Maoujou de Oyasumi (CONDITIONALLY RECOMMEND)

This anime is relatable. It can get stale fast for a lot of people, but every time I think I’m going to get sick of it, it pulls one of the same gags that makes me go, “This. This is why I’m sticking with this.” I’m not sure how much more there is to say. It’s just an abducted princess who couldn’t care less that she’s a hostage and instead, takes this newfound time to take some good ZZZs. What a life.

Oh yeah, this princess is also willing to commit murder, mutilation, theft, and assault to get the sleep she wants.

Tonikaku Kawaii (CONDITIONALLY RECOMMEND)

I’m not dropping this show... even if it makes no sense. The premise is astoundingly stupid, but it pulled a Zombieland Saga on me. It sounded so stupid, but once I gave it one episode, I found myself being entertained and almost rooting for the characters and their relationships.

Imagine this: You are about to get into the high school of your dreams when you see the girl of your dreams cross your path. You want to ask her out so you jump over the barricade and get hit by a truck. You’re on the brink of death when you realize you can’t die there without confessing your love. You chase her down with blood coming out of your head and confess. She says that she’ll only go out with you if you marry her. You then... somehow survive, drop out of school, then get a job to search for her. I kid you not. This is the setup. It’s as stupid as it sounds, and the anime knows this. It doesn’t try to fool you into thinking that this series is supposed to be anything but some highway fast-track way to convince you into watching a married couple. I think what irked me the most is that the character designs didn’t change from when they were in middle school to when they were adults. It wasn’t the being hit by a truck and not being sent to another world, it wasn’t this girl who stopped the truck without ruining her hair, it wasn’t anything else but their character designs staying the same.

Anyway, this anime is cute as long as you can jump some hurdles. It’s basically puppy-love marriage with anime stupidity through and through. I don’t know what about this series people, including myself, find charming.

Jujutsu Kaisen (RECOMMENDED - BUT DON’T COMPARE TO DEMON SLAYER TOO MUCH!)

It’s Shonen Jump. “Will it be the next Kimetsu no Yaiba? The next big Shonen Jump series? One of the next big three? Five?” No, I don’t think so. I’m not enjoying this nearly as much as I did binging KNY. The cast isn’t nearly as likeable, but I’m still having a good time. It’s not all that fair to make that comparison anyway. The cast for Jujutsu Kaisen is passable. I like some of the main cast, but I feel like they lack the same kind of depth with its main heroine. I know she gets more stuff done in the future chapters, but her backstory so far is, “I had a friend once... No, she’s not dead. She just left our small town.”

The fight scenes are actually so much fun to watch. MAPPA gave this series a lot more time and budget than say that first anime I mentioned. It’s fluid, the camerawork is amazing, the choreography is on-point.

The voice acting for this anime is spectacular among the main cast... when character dialogue allows it.

I feel a bit of imbalance, but Yuuji does offer a good protagonist template. Junya Enoki makes his lines so funny and gives this nonchalant approach that is the polar opposite of his performance in Tonikawa. This is definitely his season.

Junichi Suwabe voicing the main demon thing is amazing too. It fits so well, and he sounds so cool and evil. It’s great.

Gojou is also one badass mentor played by Yuuichi Nakamura. Overpowered, part of the main cast, etc. Insert your reverse Kakashi joke here. Just give him more Sharingan genjutsu, I dare you.

Yuuma Uchida is back playing another tragic character that’s serious and uptight. I can’t say much more about him.

The opening and ending are both worth listening to even if you don’t want to watch the anime. Lost in Paradise by ALI has been on repeat for me.

Besides that, I’m going to go over some other anime that I’ve been watching.

Hunter x Hunter (AS IF THIS HASN’T BEEN RECOMMENDED ENOUGH)

Slowly. Slowly but surely. 11/148.

I know this is going to be amazing... I just want to be in the right mood to full savour it. I don’t want to be consumed by stress and not pay attention. The reason why I like a lot of those seasonal anime is because I don’t pay the same kind of attention.

If you told me these characters’ ages, I probably would’ve believed everyone... except Leorio. The guy looks like a middle-aged money-hungry gangster.

What I would give to have the energy and serotonin of a Shonen Jump protagonist.

Haikyuu (YEAH, IT’S GOOD)

I’m watching this one with my mom and sister as they go “OMG OMG OMG” as we watch while I’m sitting there like -_-

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good show, but sports anime are made like shounen battle anime (because they are in a way) with different stakes. I’ve felt more “nervous” about some of the Haikyuu matches than I did with some of the Hunter Exam. Worst case scenario in Haikyuu, you lose the match. Worst case scenario in Hunter x Hunter? You die.

I knew what I was going to get into when I was watching Haikyuu, and it’s given me what I remembered (since I did watch 10 episodes of it a few years ago) and expected.

SKET Dance (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)

Unfollow me. Unfollow me right now. This is what I’m going to be talking about for the next month. I can feel it. I’ve had this show for like 3 days and watched around 33 episodes along with some of these other titles. I have a problem. I know that, but I don’t feel like fixing it. This show is just too good.

I get why people call this a poor man’s Gintama, but it’s not quite that. I can get the similarities, but it’s like eating an empanada and saying that it’s just like that dumpling you tasted last week. It looks alike on the surface... if you’re not that great at... telling the difference between things... but once you get to the meat of it (PUN HAHA), you realize that they are completely different, and you were a fool for thinking otherwise.

That’s our main heroine! Go go go!

Dude, episode 25 hit me out of nowhere, AND I READ THE SPOILERS! I won’t say any more than that.

The cast is one of the best that I’ve seen in a while. Their chemistry is basically the entire show. Without one of the main three, you wouldn’t have the show anymore. It handles its female characters better than some of its fellow competitors at the time, and it may have what some may call a “token fat character”, but the character never makes fun of her for being fat. They make fun of her for saying “Yabasu” every single sentence. It hurts that the manga ended with some loose ends, and this anime isn’t getting a season 2.

But at its weird and mushy core, this show is about three people with heavy and complex pasts who simply want to help people work out their issues in their own... unique ways.

I don’t want to say much else, but I wish more people would watch/read it and create/post most content for it even if it’s a bit old because it deserves it. I’m almost a decade late, and this anime still holds up.

I gave Mairimashita Iruma-kun its own post.

#dino watches anime #seasonal anime #sket dance #haikyuu #hxh #hunter x hunter #tonikaku kawaii #tonikawa #kamisama ni natta hi #Jujutsu Kaisen

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tizzymcwizzy · 4 years

Text

A Puppeteer Rewrite

Adrinette April Day 5 - Statue

Puppeteer 2 is the bane of my fucking existence so I rewrote the iconic “statue scene” because I quite literally died while watching it.

I had to rewatch this goddamned episode because I had repressed it so hard that I completely forgot what happened, so please enjoy this at the expense of my suffering.

@adrinetteapril

Ao3

“Don’t get so hung up over friendship, Adrien.” Plagg flew around his head and leaned on an elbow mid-air. “Friendships wither away, cheese doesn’t!” He mused.

“You don’t get it, Plagg. Marinette’s friendship means a lot to me, I couldn’t bear it if she doesn’t like being around me.” Adrien sighed and closed the elevator doors. “I probably did something stupid to make her uncomfortable.” He brushed a hand through his hair. Man, this was confusing. Was he really this socially inept? Nino was usually pretty easy to understand, but he’d been weird all day. Did Adrien do something to upset all of them? Why was making friends so hard? “I’ve got to make it up to her somehow.” Adrien clenched his fists in determination. He definitely wasn’t going to give up on them.

The elevator doors opened. “How do you plan on doing that?” Plagg asked, following Adrien out of the elevator.

“Well y’know,” he didn’t really know, “by doing friend stuff, getting her to relax around me. Like stuff you do for me, cheering me up,” he scratched Plagg chin making him purr happily, “making jokes, playing pranks,” he gasped. “That’s it!”

“What’s it?” Plagg asked, flipping over onto his back.

“I’ll play a prank on her! Jokes always make me relax, I’m sure it’ll work,” Adrien reasoned.

“Uhh, you sure about that? She seemed pretty terrified of you.” Plagg raised his eyebrow.

“It’ll be fine, Plagg. Don’t worry.” Whenever Adrien was really stressed out about school and all his daily obligations, Plagg would play a prank on him to get him out of his funk. “Now, what's a good prank?” Adrien scratched his chin and looked around the wax museum.

“-be cool, be cool. I’ll be cool, I’m cool, I’m cool!” A door on the other side of the room kicked open with a loud bang. “I am the coolest person on the planet!” Marinette yelled.

Quick Adrien! He formulated a plan. “Hide, Plagg,” Adrien whispered before taking a pose.

“What’re you gonna do?” Plagg hissed into his ear, glancing frantically between the door and Adrien.

“Shhh! It’s a prank!” Adrien whisper yelled back.

“Marinette is the coolest person on the planet, of course she ca- AAAAUGH!” Marinette jumped back at the sight of him, swinging her arms around. She stared at him and then relaxed. “Oh phew, it’s just the statue.” She laughed, wiping her brow. “Didn’t think they’d finish it so fast,” she reached out and touched his hand. “Oh it’s still warm,” her voice quieted to a whisper. “Still war- ah! I shouldn’t touch it!” She swiped her hand away like she was burned. “Ugh, I’m such a klutz,” she sighed and facepalmed, shaking her head. “Doesn’t wax melt to the touch? Or is that just candle wax? Is candle wax the same as wax figure wax?” She tilted her head. “Oh, Marinette, you should’ve listened when the nice tour guide lady was explaining everything. But nooo, you were so caught up in-” she frowned. “No. I’m a cool person, I’ve got to make it up to him.”

Him? Was she talking about him?

“That’s right, I’ve just got to explain everything and,” she started to walk past Adrien. Then she stopped and then began to yell again. “Aaugh! I can’t! I can’t do it!” She scratched her head and spun on her heel. “I’ll just hide out in the bathroom and text Alya to come get me when we leave.” Marinette stuck a hand in the air and made her way towards the bathroom before stopping again. “No! Don’t be a coward Marinette!” She spun quickly on her heel again, eyes shut tightly. Her eyes burst open in a determined rage, staring straight at his chest. He looked away quickly. “Ooohh, why is this so hard?” She put her head in her hands.

Marinette stayed that way for the while. Adrien contemplated scaring her at this point, but the timing wasn’t right. He definitely didn’t plan on her rambling to herself. He was about to move when she perked up.

“Wow, it’s so detailed.” She murmured, peeking between her fingertips. Adrien stiffened. She fell into a squat and poked his shoe. “There’s even scuffs on his shoes, oh and look, his laces are even tied the way he always does them.” She laughed. “The loops are always a little longer than the way Alya ties hers.” She made a little hand motion as she thought out loud.

Adrien blinked. That was a little strange, but Marinette did have an artistic eye, she probably picked up on details like that all the time. He wondered how Nino tied his shoes.

She stood up again and pulled at the fabric of his jacket. “The jacket is Gabriel brand as well,” she chuckled to herself. “Only the highest quality for my son,” she lowered her voice to impersonate his father. She snorted and ran a finger along the seam of his shirt.

Adrien had to use almost all his willpower not to laugh.

“Oh!” She yelped again pulling her hand away. “Don’t touch the statues, Marinette!” She scolded herself and looked up into his eyes. She ghosted a finger along his hair, careful not to touch it. “I wonder how long it took them to get your hair right, Waxdrien.” She laughed at her joke. “I bet it takes a long time for anyone to get your hair right,” she mused. Marinette pauses staring into his eyes. “So green,” she whispered softly.

His eyes twitched to look at her. Was this the right time?

She held her breath and backed away from him, folding her hands behind her back. “Oh Waxdrien, do you know how I can get myself out of this mess?” She glanced at his eyes. “I think I hurt my friend because I was acting super weird.”

She hurt him?

“Think I should practice my apology with you?” She laughed. “Well, it never hurts to prepare,” she scratched her cheek, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

Should he stop her now? Should he? Adrien was beginning to sweat.

“Okay, Uhh,” she sighed. “Adrien, look, umm, I’m sorry, about what I said. I mean, i- it wasn’t what I meant to say, it came out wrong and that’s my bad, sorry.” She looked up at him and shuffled her feet. “Look, I, Adrien I like you. You’re one of my best friends, and I don't want anything to be weird between us, I was just being weird earlier cause, cause I-” she paused, biting her lip. Looking almost on the verge of tears. “I’m afraid.” She exhaled. “Not of you! No, no you're not scary!” She put her arms out in front of her and shook them reverently. “I’m, I'm afraid of what you think of me.” She cupped her cheeks in her hands. “I really want you to like me, and to not hate me, and I’m really scared that you’ll find me weird or crazy.” She tugged at her pigtails, closed her eyes and shook her head. “So I was trying to make that clear and it came out all wrong and I’m sorry if I made you feel really weird and awkward around me,”

“It’s okay, Marinette,” Adrien whispered.

Her eyes flew open. “DwaAAUGH! Adrien!?” She jumped back again. “Wha- I-“ she gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth. Her face turned a brilliant shade of red, causing a pang of guilt to stab him in the gut.

“Sorry, I was trying to play a prank on you,” he explained, the panic rising in his voice. “I thought it would make you relax around me.” Marinette stared back at him. “I- I thought you were mad at me, sorry.” He scratched the back of his neck.

She relaxed slowly. “Oh, Adrien, I, no no no, I wasn’t mad at you, I just,” she sighed, looking at her feet. “Well I- I guess you know.” She mumbled.

“Sorry about that, I wasn’t expecting,” you too pour your heart out, “well, that.” He grimaced at his lack of eloquence.

“It’s, fine,” she murmured. “What I said was true though.” She looked up at him and tugged her pigtails. “I really appreciate our friendship and I don’t want to ruin it.” She sighed, covering her eyes with her hands. “This wasn’t the way I was expecting to tell you, though.” She said through her fingers.

He laughed. “I appreciate our friendship too.” He took her hands and gently pulled them away from her face. “I was trying to be funny, but I’m not very good at jokes. The girl I like always says they’re bad.” He laughed. Ladybug’s eye rolls had become a constant as he proudly took up the mantle as a superhero wise-crack.

“The, the girl you li-,” Marinette blinked at him, furrowing her brows and turning away.

“Hmm? What was that Marinette?” Adrien walked around her to see her face. “Did I say something?” Oh no, what did he do?

She bit her lip and sighed deeply. “It’s, I- it’s nothing.” She whispered and shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she turned back toward him and smiled. “I’m fine,” she sighed.

“You sure?” He asked. Were people always this hard to read, or was it just his social ineptitude?

“Yeah, yeah,” she shook her head and grinned. “I think your jokes are pretty funny.” She poked him in the chest.

“You do?” He raised his brows and blinked.

“Mhmm,” she hummed. Then her face lit up. “Hey, let's go play a prank on Alya and Ni- Hawkmoth!?” Her eyes blew wide as she stared past him. Adrien swung around to see none other than hawkmoth himself standing by the door. He ran towards them, flipping his cane.

Adrien turned and grabbed an umbrella off the Aurora wax figure, blocking Hawkmoth’s blow with the umbrella. “Go, Marinette! Call for help!” He called behind him.

She frowned and nodded. “Got it!” She ran back to the stairs. They’d have to continue this later.

---

Adrien watched Marinette and Alya talk animatedly from behind the car window. Alya was holding Marinette by the shoulders and reaching up to pet her hair while Marinette laughed and shook her head over and over again. Eventually, Marinette and Alya stopped talking and said their goodbyes. Marinette waved back at them and approached the car. Adrien leaned over the middle seat to quickly open the door for her.

“Thanks,” She mumbled and sat down, fastening her seatbelt.

“No problem, he said absentmindedly. “To Marinette’s house, please.” Adrien tapped his driver on the shoulder. The tower of a man nodded and pulled the car away from the curb.

Adrien glanced at Marinette, who was looking out the window. He should say something. This was getting awkward.

“Umm,” They both said and turned towards each other.

“Oh, you go first,” Adrien gestured for her to speak.

“No, no, you go.” Marinette insisted and shook her head.

“Okay, um,” He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, are we cool?” He asked.

“Hmm?” She hummed, tilting her head.

“I mean, umm,” he sighed. “Sorry. I’m still really new to this having friends thing.” He chuckled dryly. “We’re still friends, right, Marinette?”

“Huh? Oh! Yes, yes of course!” She laughed and shook her head. “We weren’t ever not friends!” Marinette put her hands up. “I- well you know what I said.” She looked away and ducked her head.

Of course, he knew what she said. How would he ever forget? “Right, sorry about that again.” He laughed and facepalmed. “I’m not good at being funny.”

“Hey,” she elbowed him and laughed. “I think you’re fine at being funny.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “Though, pretending to be a statue might not have been the best thing to do at the time.”

“Hey! I was short on time, and I’m not that creative.” Adrien crossed his arms and pouted. She continued to laugh into her hands. “Stop laughing at me!” He cried, laughing with her.

“Why did you do that anyway?” She said between giggles.

“I was, I was worried I’d upset you or something.” He sighed, whenever I’m upset a good joke usually makes me feel better. So I thought, well,” He looked up at her from under his bangs. “Y’know.”

“I’m, I’m surprised you care that much,” she whispered.

“Of course I care,” he took her hand in his. “Your friendship means everything to me, Marinette.” He smiled.

She blinked at him, before melting into a bashful smile. “Thank you, that means a lot.”

“Of course,” he whispered.

“Your friendship means a lot to me as well.” She explained, looking into his eyes.

His driver cleared his throat.

“Oh, uh,” Marinette looked out the window to her house. He didn’t even realize they’d stopped. “Well, um,” She looked back at Adrien and pulled her hand out of his grasp. It was cold without hers. “Friends?” She chuckled, putting her fist up in a fistbump.

“Friends.” He smiled and bumped her hand with his.

“I’ll see you, Adrien.” She opened the car door and unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Thanks for today, Marinette, I’ll see you later.” He waved.

“Of course, bye!” She grinned wide and closed the car door, waving at him through the window as they pulled away.

He propped himself up on the seat to smile at her through the back window. She spotted him and threw her hands up above her head, waving with a wide grin on her face. He chuckled to himself and sat back down. Marinette sure is great, he thought, warmly.

#ml #mlb #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #adrinette #adrinette april #adrinette april 2020 #puppeteer 2 #puppeteer 2 rewrite #day 5 statue #my writing #ml fic #mlb fic #ml fanfic #mb fanfic

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dhwty-writes · 4 years

Text

Zutara Week Day 4 - Celestial

Great, I fell behind... I’m sorry for the late contribution, but at least that means two stories today. Again, I advice you to check out the previous parts before reading, otherwise this won’t make a lot of sense. Have fun!

Read on AO3

"This has gotten out of hand," the Avatar chided and all Katara could do was try to stand tall and proud. "Katara, what in the names of all spirits?"

"I was just here to help," she defended herself. "Not once did I initiate the violence."

Aang sighed and leapt off Appa's saddle. "Where's the governor?"

"Technically that would be me." She hoped that she hadn't jumped too much upon hearing Zuko's voice next to her, his hand softly on her back to steady her. "But if you mean the man responsible for all of this, you better hurry to save him from Toph. She's having a field day."

"I will," Aang announced and brushed past them to get to Yozin.

"That was odd." Katara looked up to see Zuko frowning.

"What was odd?"

"Oh, I-" He glanced down and Katara could have sworn to see him blush. "Don't take me wrong, I just thought there would be a warmer reunion between you two." He looked away. "Not that it's any of my business."

She frowned. What on earth did he- oh. "Aang and I aren't a thing anymore," she stated matter-of-factly. "I haven't really seen him since."

He winced and took a hurried step back. "Oh. Um. Sorry. I didn't know."

She smiled and pat his cheek affectionately. "Go listen to the palace gossip a bit more. It's been public knowledge for a year now." She yawned and her shoulders slumped. "I guess I really should get some sleep."

"You can stay here!" he blurted.

Katara quirked an eyebrow.

The blush on his cheeks rose higher. "I mean, since the hospital got destroyed and all. I'm sure there's a room to be found where you can rest."

She smiled. "Thanks, Zuko. I'd appreciate that."

He smiled too and wandered off in search of one of his guards to show her to a room. Shortly after she collapsed on a rough futon and slept.

Katara slept for hours and when she woke, she found a plate of rice and a teapot beside her bed as well as a bowl of water. After the meagre meal and a quick waterbending bath she decided that she should better go and look at the havoc they had wreaked in the previous night, check on her rebels, treat the injured-

She was wandering through the abandoned corridors of the ship when she heard the yelling. 'Oh no,' she thought, sprinting in the direction of the noise. She wasn't feeling nearly well-rested enough to go through another battle and she doubted that Zuko was either.

She burst through the door onto the deck and dashed to the railing. But instead of attacking firebenders she only saw a pavilion where the old Team Avatar had sought shelter from the sweltering humid heat and Zuko and Aang seemed to be engaged in a ferocious argument. And while Sokka and Suki at least tried to calm them down, Toph stood idly by, apparently observing the clouds passing by.

Katara sighed. She wasn't sure if she hadn't preferred firebenders.

Calmly she walked over to them. "Hi everyone," she greeted them with a smile. "What did I miss?"

Aang scowled and crossed his arms, looking more like the twelve-year-old she had once broken out of an iceberg than a twenty-two-year-old avatar. Zuko huffed angrily and also looked to the side. He looked terrible, she noted and privately asked herself if he had slept at all. But that was a concern for another time.

"Sokka?" she prompted.

Her brother just shrugged and crossed the arms.

Before Katara could huff in frustration Toph answered: "Sparky and Twinkletoes are having an argument about whose responsibility this whole thing is. It's stupid."

"It's childish," Suki added.

"It's beside the point," Katara decided.

"Oh, sure, take his side," Aang muttered and it felt like the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Katara had to close her eyes and take a deep breath before continuing. "I am not taking any sides, Aang, I didn't even know what sides there were. But I've been here for three months, I think I know more about this conflict than most people."

"She's got a point," Sokka muttered.

Aang scrunched his nose. "Alright. So, let's hear the story."

She nodded and started telling the same story she had related to Zuko already. Well, mostly. It was a lot more matter-of-factly and less emotional. She didn't even know why she had felt the need to tell Zuko the other story. She didn't even know why she couldn't tell the others the true story. But when she was finished Aang and Zuko had both seemed to have sufficiently calmed down.

"And tonight?" Aang asked. "What happened?"

She frowned. "I'm not even sure. Ask those who have attacked us."

"Katara..." he pleaded.

She rolled her eyes and continued with her report: "It was just past midnight when I heard some unrest in the street. I sent two of the people staying at the hospital-"

"The rebels?"

She gritted her teeth. "The rebels. Anyways, I sent two of them to see what was going on. They returned half an hour later with burns all over their bodies. They had encountered about six guards in the streets, harassing the people in their houses. Ten more set out, I guess they got caught in fights somewhere along the line. I stayed back healing the injured and was just minding my own damn business and then they started attacking the hospital. I went out, stood my ground, Zuko showed up an hour or so later. I guess you all know the rest of the story."

Aang said: "Governor Yozin-"

"Yozin," Zuko interrupted him, "he's no governor anymore."

"Yozin," Aang admitted, "said that some of your rebels were causing unrest. Ignoring the curfew. Attacking the guards."

She quirked an eyebrow. "And you believe that."

"I am obligated to listen to all sides of the conflict."

"Aang, I can't believe you're this gullible! You know the drill; they will say anything they can to make us look like the bad guys."

"I know, Katara, and I also know that that's a two-way street."

"Even if that was true," Zuko chimed in, "Yozin had no right to command the guards. I had stripped him of his offices already. Besides that, he tried to declare he was ready to kill me this morning. He committed high treason."

"You asked me to come here, Zuko. So, I am here, let me do this my way."

"I asked you to come here when I thought this was a petty squabble. Things have changed. This is a Fire Lord problem now, not an Avatar problem."

He snorted. "No, I think this is exactly an Avatar problem! This has gotten out of hand."

"I know, Aang! But there's nothing you can do here. There's no conflict you can resolve because the only possible resolve is removing the cause. There's no gap you can bridge because that gap is far too wide. There's nothing the Avatar can do because what's needed here are politics. And that is a Fire Lord problem."

"Maybe we should try talking to Yozin-"

"Aang, I really don't want to overstep," Sokka said with a sigh, "but I think we're way past that point."

"Well, then why didn't you call me weeks ago, why didn't you-"

"I tried," Zuko said the same time Katara answered: "You know why."

All the eyes shifted to her and Katara looked away. "I'm sorry. I should probably go and see to the wounded." Before anyone could say anything, she bolted.

She found Ni in the town square that bore the evidence of her rampage last night and nearly winced. All that she had built up in the last weeks and months was destroyed and then she wasn't even there to clean up the mess.

Instead Ni had stepped in, relentlessly ordering the poor townspeople around that looked just as exhausted as Katara felt.

"I don't know why you even needed my help," she said in a poor attempt at a joke.

"Katara!" Ni exclaimed and her face lit up as she ran over to hug her. "I was so worried."

"Don't be," she tried to calm her down. "I don't go down that easily."

She smiled. "I didn't expect you to."

Katara tried to smile, too, but it came out as a grimace more likely than not. "How can I help? Any wounded?"

The woman gave her a critical once over. "I think you'd help best if you got some rest. You won't be much help if you're about to keel over."

"I'm fine," she insisted. "Everything's fine now. The Avatar's here after all. And I'd like to take my mind off things."

Her face hardened as she took the hint. "Right. And I guess that went just swimmingly." Katara looked away in an answer. Ni sighed. "Didn't think so. The injured are just two streets in that direction, the only house left standing. Your little earthbender friend didn't take kindly to firebenders hiding in the others."

She nodded and went on her way.

"But don't think I won't be keeping a close eye on you!" Ni called after her, finally drawing a tentative smile from her.

Healing was just what Katara needed now. It was tiring and trying with the hot sunrays boiling her flowing power until nothing was left but fickle steam. Oh, how she hated the days in the Fire Nation where she could barely feel the pull of the moon. But that way she had no other choice than to focus completely on the task before her. That way at least she didn't have to think of Aang and the unpleasant break-up a little over a year ago.

Ni came around when the gruelling heat of the sun just started to let up and brought food and tea Katara took thanking and ate quickly. Some of her rebels had nasty burns that not even Yugoda could heal. Still, she was glad that she had returned to the healing hut and the old master after the war. As much as she loved fighting, loved the feeling of her blood simmering and boiling with the thrill of the battle, the icy fear when a hit was just a bit to close, the war wasn't in need for warriors now. It was, however, in desperate need of healers. And she would never turn her back on people who needed her.

She just turned around a corner to get some bandages for one of the guards to wrap up his frost bites and of course - of course - that was the moment when Aang showed up.

"You should rest," he said.

"You don't have to tell me what to do," she replied stubbornly.

Aang sighed. "Please, Katara. You fought an entire night, slept half a day and spent hours now healing people. You're overexerting yourself."

"I am more than capable than knowing my limits, thank you very much."

"Katara, please," there was an agonised look on his face. "I just want to talk. Please."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was alright. She could be an adult about it. She could handle this conversation. They were bound to have it at some time, after all. "Okay," she said.

"Okay?" he repeated.

"Let's talk." She fixed her with his gaze. "But not here."

"Anywhere's fine by me." He sounded relieved.

She jerked her head towards the door and they stepped outside, where the heat still made the air flicker.

"So," she asked.

It took a while before he answered. "Katara, that was really reckless."

She didn't have to ask what he meant. "I know, you don't have to tell me." He could be talking about anything - coming here, staying, stepping in, stepping up. She knew that he didn't approve.

"Then why did you do it?"

"Because I was selfish, alright Aang? I was selfish and I wanted to prove that I could do something like this on my own. I have done it on my own in the past. I never meant for it to get out of hand."

"I know. I know that you couldn't have left for your life. And I'm sorry, too. For lashing out at Zuko and you, that wasn't right."

"Hm," she said.

"I'm also sorry for how things ended. I get it now. It's better if we're friends. The world needs us as friends. And I do, too. I'd like to be friends with you again, Katara."

She looked up at him smiling. "I'd like to be friends with you again, too, Aang." Then she pulled him into a tight hug.

When she let go, she felt like she had just shucked the weight of Appa off her shoulders. "So," she said and bumped into his side. "How's life?"

"Oh, you know. Calmed a spirit down in the Earth Kingdom. Opened an orphanage in the Southern Air Temple. Rode the unagi."

"Again, Aang? Why on earth would you do that?"

"I lasted almost five minutes this time! That's-"

"Two less than last time?" She shot him a grin and he pouted. Then they both laughed.

They started walking together, swapping stories watching the sun make its way across the sky until it set and it felt like they were really friends again.

"Right," Aang said as they reached the harbour. "I'll be staying with Appa. Good night, Katara."

"Good night, Aang," she answered and stood slightly lost on the quay.

"You're back late," Zuko's voice cut through the humid air of a Fire Nation night from where he stood at the railing of his ship. She hadn't even seen him standing there.

She crossed her arms and quirked and eyebrow. "Well, you're up late."

"Couldn't sleep," he answered as she drew closer. "Too much on my mind."

"Hm," she agreed quietly and stepped on the ship. "Have you slept at all?" she asked leaning on the railing beside him.

"A bit," he deflected her question. "How'd it go with Aang?"

"Alright, I guess. It seems like we're friends again."

"Is that- is that what you want?" he asked tentatively.

Katara sighed and looked up at the stars. "I don't know," she admitted. "I think it was good to get some distance. Maybe we needed that to get to know each other again. Sometimes that's just how it goes."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him avert his gaze. "I guess so," he murmured and she wasn't even sure if she was meant to hear it.

"That's not what I meant," she answered regardless, "that's not- That between us- these four years-" She scrunched her nose, not really sure where she was even getting at. "I guess what I'm really trying to say is that I regret it. And that I'm sorry."

"There's nothing you have to be sorry for," he said quietly and when she turned to look at him there was a hesitant smile dancing around his lips.

"I still am. We lost four years of our... relationship." She closed her eyes, just relishing in his presence. "And... I missed you. I really did." Then she leaned against his side, placing her head on his shoulder.

He hummed lowly. "I missed you, too," he whispered against her hair.

They stood silently like this for a while until Katara moved. "What now?" she asked.

"I brought something to drink," he answered. "If you want."

"Oh, keep talking," she joked.

He didn't. Keep talking, that was. Instead he turned and slid down the railing, laying his cloak out and patting the space beside him in invitation. Katara took the offered seat and the offered bottle and took a deep gulp.

"Did I ever tell you how much I hate your summers?" she asked and bent a trickle of sweat from her brow.

"You haven't." He quirked an eyebrow. "You're welcome to go back to your frozen wasteland any time you like."

She scrunched her nose. "Maybe I will. At least there the stars are right."

He hummed. "I remember. When I first started travelling, I was very confused. No-one had ever told me that the constellations changed."

She snorted in surprise. "You were in the navy."

"Not really but that's beside the point. I wasn't trained for the navy. The first year or so was a living hell while I tried to figure out how navigation worked."

That made her laugh and spit out half of the undoubtedly expensive alcohol they were drinking. "What I'd give to have seen that."

"As if you would've done any better," he grumbled.

"Excuse me? Of course I would have. We're sailors, for the spirits' sake. Our whole history is written in the stars."

"It is?"

She nodded.

"Tell me."

And so, she did. She told him of the polarbear-dog she had always seen at home that guarded the south and her cub that had wandered too far from its mother and got lost in the east. She took his hand to show him where it had left small footsteps in the sky. She told him of the boomerang that had shone brightly in the night sky when Sokka had been born and the penguin-seal and the whale and the sea-snake. She told him of the spirits dancing in the sky in the north and of Tui and La. Of balance and opposites and push and pull while they watched the moon travel across the sky - Yue, she told him, Sokka's first girlfriend who had sacrificed herself after the siege of the north.

"Wait-," he slurred, "he hadn't been joking? His first girlfriend really turned into the moon."

"Of course," she frowned. "How would you make something like that up?"

"You guys have been through some wild shit..."

She scoffed. "Tell me about it."

They were silent for a bit while Zuko drank again. "'S wrong, you know?"

"What is?"

"The moon's not with the sea. He's in love with the sun."

"No, that's not true," she protested. "I just told you. It's the moon and the sea, Tui and La-"

He groaned and covered his face with his hands. "No, don't you see? 'S the moon and the sun. Round and round and round they go, always chasing each other but never touching."

Her face fell. "That's sad."

"Yeah," he looked up at her, "it is."

Katara shrugged and drained the bottle.

"What now?" she asked again.

"Go to sleep? Morning'll come soon."

Her heart felt suddenly very heave. "And when morning comes?"

He shrugged, too. "I'll go back home. I've been away longer than I meant to. And longer than is advisable." He shook the empty bottle. "What about you? Off to the next revolution?"

"I think I've had my fair share of revolutions for some time." Katara sighed. "Still, there's so much to be done here."

"I know," he agreed. "But the fighting has died down. They have food and water. The healers are arriving tomorrow morning. Governor Yozin is on his way to a nice prison and I have appointed an interim governor until I find someone up for the task. Our work here is done."

"But it is not enough!" she protested.

"No, of course not. But the rest will be decided in stuffy council chambers not in dirty town squares."

"I don't want to leave them."

"And I'm not going to. Neither do you have to."

She turned to look at him and furrowed her brow. "What are you saying?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Come back to Caldera with me? Finish what you started?"

She hesitated. She probably shouldn't. She hadn't been home in quite some times and she didn't particularly care for the Fire Nation. Sokka would be taking off come sunrise headed to the South Pole. She could maybe get back to teaching for some time. Build a few houses. That would be fine. But she didn't want to.

Because even though she didn't particularly for the Fire Nation, she happened to care for the Fire Lord. Quite a lot, actually. Probably more than was good for either of them. And so, before she even knew what she was saying, she answered: "When do we leave?"

#zutara #zutara week #zutara week 2020 #day 4: celestial #zuko #katara #aang #toph #sokka #suki #my writing #the whole gaang

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lu-undy · 4 years

Text

Chapter 36 - SBT

Here it is!

"Oh, hey M!"

Eddy was delighted to see his friend.

"Hey Eddy."

"What's up? Been a while since I saw you!"

"Yeah, I was just passin' by. Thought I could stop and say hi."

"O'course! By the way, great job on those 'gators for Johnson."

"Yeah, well, it had to be done, eh." Mundy took a seat on his usual stool.

"So you're done now?" Eddy asked.

"With Johnson's alligators, yeah."

"What are you gonna do? Gonna get back in the desert and…?"

"I've uh… I've got some work that needs finishing properly." Mundy answered.

"What animals this time?"

"It's… It's not-" Mundy started to answer when a group of young boys entered the shop.

"M! We got a message for you!"

"Oh, yeah, what is it?"

"Here, there's this box." One of the kids handed him a similar box to that which contained the suit Richard had made for him.

"Okay…" Mundy took it and Eddy raised an eyebrow. It was so odd seeing the scruffy Mundy with a glossy white box with a red ribbon…

"L sends us. He said to go and meet him at Maurice's street tonight at 7pm sharp with what's in the box and your dartflute."

"My what?" Mundy asked, confused.

"He said with your dartflute, he insisted on it." The kid repeated.

"Oh, I see." Mundy rolled his eyes and smiled. "I get it, ok. Thanks, kids."

"What's that all about? And who's that L guy?" Eddy asked as Mundy headed for the door.

"See ya Eddy!"

-- Suite 504, Grand Palace --

"Meow?"

"Mon bébé…?"

[My baby…?]

"Meow!"

Lucien heard the tics of Perle's claws on the floor. He only had to follow the noise before he found her trying to climb the piano's seat.

"Je te tiens!"

[Gotcha!]

He went to her and scooped her off the floor, tickling her belly. She squealed and squirmed in his hand, making him chuckle. How come he was the only one she accepted in her life…? He had no clue.

"Aïe!"

[Ouch!]

Lucien looked at his finger. Perle had scratched it a bit too deep and blood was prickling.

"Je dois te couper les griffes."

[I need to cut your claws.]

He dropped her on the sofa and went to get her special clippers. When he came back, he sat on the sofa and put her on his lap, on her back. She raised her paws to him but when he started cutting her claws, she realised she wasn't in for a treat…

"Tsk, tsk, tsk… Plus tu te plains, plus ça va durer. À ta place, je resterais le plus tranquille possible."

[Tsk, tsk, tsk… The more you complain, the longer it will last. If I were you, I would stay absolutely still.]

Of course, she was dissatisfied with it all, may it last a bit or a long time. She continued squirming in his hand and on his lap. Lucien resorted to singing to soothe her.

"Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,

Où es-tu? Que fais-tu?

Sonne les matines, sonne les matines,

Ding, ding, dong"

She stilled in his hand and her eyes were on him. He gave her a sweet smile as he went on with the nursery rhyme, trying to bring peace to her. She only squirmed occasionally until he finally got to all the claws.

"Voilà, c'est fini. Tu vois? Ce n'est ni long, ni douloureux."

[Here we go, it is done. See? It is neither long nor painful.]

He rewarded her with a hug and a few kisses in her fur before dropping her on his shoulder and going to the piano. He rehearsed on his own to kill some time.

But then his mind came back to that man. He had lied to him, an awful lot. But it was better that way and very practical, as it turned out. As long as M didn't know that L and Lulu are the same, Lucien could ask him what he thought about himself under Lulu's disguise and M would be none the wiser. It was perfect.

There was also something thrilling about it. It reminded Lucien of his younger days, when going undercover with a fake identity was both a professional obligation but also something that he immensely enjoyed. Toying with people, having power over something. Those were times where he did not feel like the victim of powers greater than himself. Non, he felt like he was the master of his own decisions and he wasn't counting his days.

Now, things were different. Lucien knew he walked to his death. As soon as he and M would kill Duchemin, his life would be forfeit.

He sighed and raised his eyes to little Perle.

He couldn't leave her behind. Who would take care of her? No one. Not only did Lucien not have friends anymore, but Perle herself wouldn't accept anyone's touch but his. So it became clear, Duchemin had to die, but Lucien had to survive.

Not only for Perle.

Lucien frowned on the piano. There was one man that he wanted to see again. Mon Dieu… A few months ago he was gladly walking to his death and now, because of the eyes of a baby and those of a man he knew would surely die with him, he was reconsidering everything around him. Non. As soon as they're done, they needed to part ways, fly apart, as far away as they could from each other and cut ties, all the ties.

They will have to leave, Lucien will have to stop seeing that tall silhouette, those earnest eyes, that shy smile. He will have to live his life without that harsh voice, which spoke in low growls, in stuttered words and ideas, as if its owner had been parachuted on a planet of which he didn't know the customs; as if English wasn't his first language, or he hadn't spoken to another fellow human ever before.

Lucien sighed before raising his eyes to the clock. Time to get ready.

He got off the piano and went to his room to get in his costume. It was made of dark blue, golden and white, and it did look indeed like an eighteenth century attire. He put on a white shirt with a scarf that puffed up below his chin. Then came the trousers in light beige with a few threads of gold that reflected the light beautifully. But those were one pair of those "short" trousers that stopped right below his knees. He then slipped on the long socks - white tights really - that stuck to his calves closely. Finally, he added the light, dark blue vest and waistcoat and the black shoes that indeed looked like they were made a few centuries before.

Lucien looked at himself in the mirror. He took the last piece of his disguise and went to the bathroom. He combed his hair and looked at the mask in his hand. It wasn't a balaclava, non. It was made of plastic and was to be tied behind his head with a satin ribbon. The white face of the mask was elegantly painted: thin black eyebrows, black lips and golden sunbeams at the edge of it, a reference to Louis the fourteenth and his nickname, the Sun King.

He put the mask on and tied it behind his head.

"Meow?"

He smiled.

"Tu restes sage? Papa doit aller travailler."

[You stay quiet? Daddy has to go to work.]

Perle mewled and meowed, complaining about it. Lucien took her in his hands and got her close to his face. He pushed the mask up to stay on top of his head and kissed Perle a few times.

"C'est mieux?"

[Feel any better?]

She purred and brushed her head on his mouth to ask for more. He put her on his shoulder and went to grab his accessories. He couldn't go with a gun as he no doubt would be searched. He didn't need one anyway, so he took his cigarette case and his lighter.

Finally, he went by the main door and put Perle down before turning to the coat hanger and putting on a long black coat.

"Bien, mon bébé, Papa va travailler et va sûrement rentrer tard. Tu as de quoi boire et manger."

[Listen, my baby, Daddy will go to work and will surely come back late. You have enough to eat and drink.]

"Meow…" She walked in circles between his feet, brushing herself on his shoes and ankles.

Lucien opened the door.

"Ne m'attends pas pour aller te coucher et ne veilles pas trop tard, d'accord?"

[Don't wait for me to go to sleep and don't stay up too late, alright?]

"Meow."

Lucien crouched down and put his hands down in front of her. Perle jumped in his palms and he kissed her one last time. He scratched her head and put her back on the floor.

"À plus tard."

[See you later.]

Perle sat on the other side of the door.

"Meow."

He closed the door and waited for an instant. No meow. He smiled.

Lucien called the elevator and as it opened, he found Bastien inside.

"Oh, hey L."

Bastien pressed the button to get down to the ground floor.

"Ah, Bastien, this is a good surprise. I need you to get my car out, please."

"Sure. That's a mask you have on your head?"

"It is business."

"Ah, fair enough."

The doors rolled open and Bastien headed for the garage.

-- Maurice's street --

"Alright, seven sharp, here I am, you snob…" Mundy had parked his van at the usual spot in Maurice's street. He got out of it and leaned against it. "Hm."

He decided to wait with a cigarette. He lit one and puffed on it while watching the kids play. The sun was setting now and the air was still, only disturbed by the occasional breeze. Beggars passing by stared at the tall man dressed like an aristocrat from a couple of centuries before.

Mundy's ears pricked up. He heard an engine. But it wasn't the motorcycle he expected, neither was it the sound of an ordinary car engine.

"Bloody hell…"

The Panthera came along the street as if it was hovering above the asphalt itself. The dark blue sheen of it shone shyly under the lamp posts until it parked next to the van.

The window on the passenger's seat rolled down.

"I see you are on time." The French accent behind the mask said, not leaving the driver's seat or cutting off the engine.

"And you're late, Spook." Mundy peeked his head through the window. "Five minutes." He tapped his watch. "Did you need to adjust yer bloody mascara?"

Lucien rolled up his eyes with a smile.

"Get inside before I change my mind."

Mundy obeyed and the Frenchman drove off.

"Do you have your mask with you?" Lucien asked.

"Yeah, here."

"Good."

"Bloody hell, you must be one hell of a filthy rich bloke…" Mundy looked at the wooden and leather interior of the car. "Is this yours?"

"Do I look like I steal things?" Lucien asked.

"When you have yer balala-mask on, you do look like a thief."

They both chuckled and Lucien looked at his friend.

"But you're right, Spook, the seats here are much more comfy than those in my van. I've never seen a car like this, what's it called?"

"First, like your van, this car is a she. Second, unlike your van, she is a unique model."

"Yeah, well, quite unique."

"I mean it, Bushman. She is the only car of that model."

"Shut your mouth?!"

Lucien chuckled.

"Again and as always, feel free to think that I am not telling the truth. And as to her name, she is called the Panthera."

"Nice name. Posh, but it doesn't surprise me."

Lucien raised an eyebrow to Mundy and they exchanged what he meant as a conniving smile. Mundy smiled back, thinking he was graced with a flash of the Frenchman's pearly white teeth behind the white mask, through the hole for the mouth.

Lucien's eyes lingered on the Aussie while the Panthera raced through the desert, the last colours of the sky disappearing in the horizon.

"What?" Mundy asked, blushing slightly under L's gaze.

"You would make a stunning king's advisor, were we living in the eighteenth century. The costume suits you." Lucien said. Mundy was wearing a similar outfit to his, only it was dark red. But it had the same slight sheen on the trousers and the waistcoat was beautifully lined with velvet.

"It's horrible to wear. It sticks to my legs like slugs, the trousers are short and I don't get why I need golden bits on the waistcoat thing…"

"If that is any comfort, I spared you to be my Pompadour." Lucien said with a smirk.

"Your pump a what now?!"

"Pompadour, Lucien repeated. Louis the fifteenth had a lady who would entertain him, if you know what I mean. She was a countess and her name was Madame de Pompadour. Had you been a woman, I would have told Richard to go for Louis the fifteenth and her."

"Well thank God I'm not a sheila, eh…" Mundy answered. "Uh, speakin' of, how's yours?"

"Perle?" Lucien asked.

"Yeah, unless you changed."

Lucien chuckled.

"She is alright. I left her home alone and she didn't complain for the first time since we've known each other."

"Oh… She doesn't like it when you go away?"

"Non, she doesn't."

"Victoria told me that she doesn't like people either." Mundy said and Lucien hid his surprise. So Victoria had talked to each of them about the other, hm…?

"It is true. Perle is very… possessive of me. I would have said protective but she can hardly even protect herself."

"Ah, I see…" Mundy answered and there might have been a hint of sadness in his voice. "So, uh, what's the plan for tonight?"

"Mere observation. We collect any and all intelligence we can on Duchemin's security. How many men? What guns? What type of defense? How are they organised?"

"Hm, I see. So we just take a look-see, right?"

"Oui."

"Then why ask me to bring my blowgun. Also, it's called a blowgun, not a dartflute…"

Lucien looked at his friend.

"Well, I couldn't remember the name of it in English but you understood me anyway, non?"

"I did, even though you made absolutely no sense." Mundy teased.

"If you prefer, I could speak French." Lucien answered.

"Actually…"

The Frenchman looked at his passenger and raised an eyebrow.

"Been listenin' to a lot of French songs lately." Mundy admitted. "So uh, maybe I'd understand bits."

"Oh, in this case…" Lucien smiled. "Je te parlerai en Français."

[I will speak to you in French.]

"Wow, wow, wow, you gotta speak way slower, mate!"

"Ah, oui, pardon." Lucien cleared his throat and repeated comically slowly. "Jeee teee parleraiii Fraaaançaaais."

"Oi! No need to stretch it too much!"

"Make up your mind, Bushman!"

They both chuckled.

Lucien's eyes went back on the road.

"I think we are getting closer. Now, we will have to pretend that we are uh… romantically involved with one another."

"Do we have to?" Mundy asked.

"The idea of people seeing me getting less than a kilometre away from a man who uses jars as a bathroom disgusts me as much as you hate me, believe me."

"So why do we do this?”

"Because Duchemin is convinced that we are together."

"Together together?" Mundy asked.

"Oui, together together." Lucien answered.

"Bloody hell…"

"I know. So try and have some manners for tonight, and act as if you liked me."

"Well…"

"Come on, take this as a privilege." Lucien said.

"A privilege?"

"There are quite a few people who would give a lot to be in your shoes tonight." Lucien proudly explained.

"Yeah well, idiots exist."

"Bushman! Those are people of great taste!"

"Ah, and how d'you know that? Just cause they like a posh snob doesn't mean they have great taste, eh."

"Non, it is true. But they do not like a posh snob. They admire me." Lucien said.

"Ah yeah, the poshest of all the bloody snobs on Earth…" Mundy teased.

"Bushman!"

"Well ok, I'll try and not show that I can't stand ya."

"Likewise for me, although it won't be hard. I spent my life playing that game."

Mundy raised an eyebrow and was about to ask what Lucien meant but they soon arrived where they should be.

"Bloody hell, how many people can fit in this house…?"

"It is a palace."

"Yeah, more like a village. And look at the number of cars parked there, Gosh…"

They queued in the car until they arrived at the gate where an impressively built security guard asked for their invitation.

"Here is it." Lucien gave his. "And this is my plus one."

The guard raised his eyes over to Mundy, through Lucien's window, and the Aussie smiled and waved.

"G'day, mate, heh."

"Fine, you can get in. Your slot for the car is B15."

"Noted." Lucien answered. "Many thanks."

And he drove in, following the queue of cars. The parking lot might have been one for a supermarket. The Frenchman parked the car and both exited it. They took a moment to take in the view.

They were in the middle of the desert and this entire place looked like it had been unearthed from somewhere else altogether. The palace was made of white stones, projectors of multiple colours shone on it. The lights split the night sky in beams of colours.

"Bushman?"

Mundy snapped out of his daydream and looked in front of him. The King of France was waiting.

"Yeah, sorry Spook."

He followed Lucien to the entrance.

"Wait, before we get too close, M."

The Aussie turned his head.

"Yeah?"

"We have to drop the Bushman and Spook. It wouldn't make sense that we call each other that way."

"What should I call you then?" Mundy asked.

"Whatever you want, as long as it goes with the act."

"Alright."

"And put on your mask."

"Ah, yeah." Mundy put his own mask on his face and tried to tie it behind his head. "The ribbon… it doesn't want to stay in place, keeps slidin' off."

"Let me help." Lucien went behind Mundy and tied the mask for him. "Do you have a pair of gloves too?"

"Yeah, white ones, they were in my pocket."

"Put them on, please. We don't want to leave fingerprints."

"Ah, yeah, right."

They arrived at the entrance where another bouncer asked for their invitation. After inspection of it, he let them into the hall. Lucien and Mundy entered a room that looked so vast, Mundy could hardly see the walls at the end of it. But more strikingly, it was full of people and the lights were dim. Music was floating in the air and the Aussie saw an orchestra on a stage at the far left of them.

The guests were all wearing costumes too, such that it was hardly possible to know who was who in any other way than going and talking to them directly.

"Gosh, that's a lot of people…" Mundy said, feeling overwhelmed by it.

"Hey."

The Aussie lowered his eyes to the Frenchman.

"Take a deep breath."

Ah, yes. Mundy did as he was told.

"Stay close to me and everything will be fine, d'accord?"

[Alright?]

Mundy nodded. A waiter came to pass by and Lucien took two glasses off of his tray. He smelt them.

"Here. This is water. It will help."

Mundy drank a bit.

"I did not know you could not stand crowded areas." Lucien said.

"I don't care about it."

"What is it then?"

Mundy looked left and right.

"One of these bastards… He killed my parents."

"Oui. And he killed my soon-to-be wife, the only woman I ever-..." Lucien exhaled. "He killed her and my young son, a little angel who did nothing wrong on this Earth, my flesh and my blood." He clenched his teeth. "You have no idea what it feels like."

Mundy opened round eyes. He could feel the blood in Lucien boiling.

"I would gladly have died instead of them. I would have traded my life for theirs. What did they do all their lives to deserve this? She had lived honestly, a hard-working and loving woman. She even… She even gave me a gift no other person in the world could have. She made me a father. Each time our son would look up at me, I would feel like a man; a proper, whole and complete man. And she…" Lucien put his index on Mundy's chest and tapped it repeatedly. "She. Gave. That. To. Me."

The Frenchman was furious and it was something Mundy was genuinely frightened of. The look in his ice furious eyes seized him powerfully.

"She made me a man and that son of a whore took it away from me, stole it from me, killed it from me."

Lucien paused to catch his breath.

"I understand your uneasiness, M, but it is part of the price we have to pay." He splayed his white gloved hand flat on Mundy's dark red waistcoat. Like a reflex, he started dusting it off and adjusting its collar.

"The price we have to pay for what?"

"Me, for not going with Marie and Jérémy to protect them; you, for being away from your parents while they needed you equally."

Lucien raised his eyes to Mundy. Their masks hid their emotions but the words they used didn't. The Frenchman's hand laid flat on the Aussie's chest. Mundy put his hand on top.

"Let's both take a deep breath, and then go." He said with his husky voice.

Lucien nodded and they both inflated their chests with fresh air that cleaned their insides, before exhaling their troubles away.

"Well, a moment has passed; back to work." Lucien said and Mundy nodded. "Will you be alright?"

"Yeah, thanks for… for everythin'."

Lucien nodded and removed his hand.

"Let us walk around and see what the security looks like."

"I'm with you."

Both men walked in the vast room, slithering through dresses and robes, suits and togas. Their eyes darted and scanned, security agents here and CCTV cameras there.

"Security people don't all look the same." Mundy said.

"Which means he has hired different private companies. Hm. This man knows he is a moving target."

"Yeah, loads of cameras too."

"And I would bet that some of his guests are none other than security agents in disguise." Lucien added.

"How are we gonna get to him then…?"

"I do not know yet. But we will, trust me."

A voice slashed through their conversation.

"Ah! If it isn't Sun king of singing, Lulu!"

Lucien raised his eyes to Mundy before turning to the man addressing him.

#tf2 sniper #tf2 spy #sniperspy #SBT

8 notes · View notes

hawnkcore · 3 years

Text

In Her Arms

Hawkeye has always liked nice things. Pretty things. Things that are soft and luxurious. The types of things that make a person feel as beautiful as they look.

It’s not a surprise when Hawkeye decides to wear a dress or a pair of heels. Frank is used to scrubbing lipstick stains off his skin in the morning, after a night of love. He actually likes it. Likes the way Hawkeye’s salt and pepper hair has grown out, long and luscious. Likes how Hawkeye wears fishnet stockings with short skirts or lingerie in bed.

Tonight’s look, for instance: an orange knee-length sleeveless dress patterned with large purple flowers, a pair of mint-colored heels, and hair pulled back into a loose bun. It should look ridiculous, but Frank always thinks Hawkeye looks sexy all dolled up.

It shouldn’t be surprising either, then, when Hawkeye sits down next to him on the couch and tells him decisively, “Frank… I’m a woman.”

Only it is.

Because it’s not said in that usual joking manner Hawkeye has. The cadence of the words is all wrong. Hawkeye is being serious.

Frank is unfamiliar with how something like this works. Hawkeye is… well. Hawkeye just is. Certainly more feminine than most men but…

Frank has never considered this before. He thinks back to the times when Hawkeye would ask him to whisper good girl during sex. He’d always thought it was just another one of Hawkeye’s… proclivities.

What is he supposed to say? How should he respond? Hawkeye is starting to look worried. Frank can sense the tension in the air. This can’t have been an impulsive moment… Hawkeye has thought this through. Frank should really say something sooner than later.

“Do you mean that you…” Frank begins. He doesn’t know how to put this. “...You think you’re a woman? Or—or you want to be a woman? Or…” Frank is trying to understand. He really is.

Hawkeye’s face falls. “No, Frank. I… I already am a woman. I always have been. I’ve just been… I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

Tears well in Frank’s eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint Hawkeye. “I want to understand. Help me understand. Please, Hawk.” He takes Hawkeye’s hands in his own, makes gentle eye contact. “Tell me what to do. How can I make this right?”

Hawkeye’s checks are glistening with tears. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Yes, I have. I didn’t see you.”

“...Nobody did. I can’t ask more—”

“You shouldn’t have to,” he cuts Hawkeye off. “I’m your husband.”

Frank pauses for a moment to take in the sight before him. Hawkeye, vulnerable and trusting, sharing this most intimate piece of self with him. “And you’re my wife.”

Hawkeye has never looked more beautiful to him than in that moment. The moment she hears him call her wife for the first time. Her eyes widen with disbelief, then hope lights up her features. She pulls him close, cradles his head against her chest, runs her fingers through his hair. He wraps his arms around her waist, rests his weight against her, buries his face in the crook of her elbow.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I love you.”

Frank nuzzles at her arm, kisses his way up her bicep, her bare shoulder, presses a soft kiss at the base of her throat. When he tilts his head up to reach her lips, she kisses him and kisses him and kisses him.

***********************

Their love life may have slowed down over the years—moved to the back burner for a gentle simmer—but they still fall into bed regularly. It’s been a week now since their chat and they haven’t had sex once.

Hawkeye had been feeling unsure of herself and wanted Frank to take the lead for once. Only… he hadn’t. He had kissed her plenty, sure. Deep kisses, long and slow, full of love. She doesn’t doubt that he loves her, not after he had taken her hands in his and called her wife. He had even given her a dozen red roses just yesterday, for no other reason than to make her smile.

But does he still want to fuck her?

“Let’s go out tonight,” she tells him. “I want to get dressed up.”

He obliges her. (He always does.)

Hawkeye stretches out in the bath, luxuriating in the warm water flowing over her skin. Once she is clean and dry, she peruses her closet for something she knows will tantalize Frank.

Hawkeye puts on her sexiest dress—a backless, black, silky thing that hugs her skin down to just past her thighs. Frank bought it for her sometime last year, though she hadn’t had occasion to wear it. She matches her lipstick with a pair of red heels and lets her silver hair cascade down around her shoulders. A feeling she can only describe as finally bubbles up inside of her, threatens to escape her mouth.

Hawkeye takes a moment to admire herself in the bathroom mirror, catches Frank staring at her in the reflection, his mouth agape.

Frank clears his throat. “I think I’m underdressed,” he says, eyes trailing down her back.

Turning to face him, she steps close and smooths the collar of his light blue plaid button-down. He’s become a true Mainer now. In her heels, she all but towers over him.

Leaning down, she whispers, “Not yet, you aren’t.”

Hawkeye plants a kiss behind his ear and heads out to the car.

Frank makes eyes at her all throughout dinner. This feels right. It’s how their dates used to go. They’d stay out as long as they could stand it before they had to retreat to the backseat of their car or a bathroom stall somewhere. She’s excited to find out where they’ll end up tonight.

Once dessert is finished and they’ve paid the bill, Frank takes her hand and leads her to the back of the lounge. He sits at a corner booth, pulling her down onto his lap.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since before we left home,” he says, pressing a kiss to each one of her vertebrae. He makes his way down her back until she’s doubled over on his lap, long silver hair brushing against her knees. Frank wraps his arms around her from behind, holds their hands in her lap, caresses the inside of her wrist with his thumb.

“You could’ve,” she murmurs—soft, maybe he doesn’t hear it.

The hem of her dress is sitting high up on her thighs. She takes the opportunity this affords to move his hands down between her legs, encouraging him to take this further.

Gently, Frank glides his fingers across her thigh, smoothing her dress back down to renew her modesty. He kisses his way back up her spine, pulling her back against him. “There’s people here,” he whispers.

“Let’s go then.” Hawkeye stands, takes his hand, and walks with him back to the car. She smiles to herself. It’s a backseat night.

Only, when they reach the car, Frank opens the driver’s side door for her—not the back.

Tears come, unbidden, on the drive home. She wills them away.

Hawkeye makes the walk from the car to their house as quickly as her heels will allow. Once inside, she kicks them off and takes the stairs two at a time. From beyond the bathroom door, she can hear Frank calling her name, asking if something’s wrong. She ignores him, washes the makeup off her face. Tears help clean the mascara from her lashes.

Hawkeye stays in there a while, sitting on the edge of the tub. She wants to take her stupid dress off but there’s nothing to change into and she doesn’t feel brave enough to walk out of here naked right now. Frank is in the bedroom still, she can hear him moving around out there.

The bathroom door isn’t locked, it never is, but Frank won’t try to open it. She almost wishes he would.

Twenty minutes pass, maybe more. Her tears have long since stopped and she’s growing bored. Maybe he’s given up and gone to sleep by now? If she’s quiet, she might be able to sneak into bed beside him without a fuss.

When she finally walks into the bedroom, she nearly laughs aloud at what she finds.

Frank has taken the petals from her bouquet and spread them across the bed. He is sitting in an armchair, sipping on a glass of red wine. There is another full glass next to him on the bedside table. He picks it up and offers it to her.

Frank looks nervous, holding out the glass for her to take. She does, drinking deeply from it before setting it down next to Frank’s.

“I’d planned… if you’re not feeling up to it we can just go to sleep.” Frank says weakly.

Hawkeye shakes her head, smiling. She steps forward and straddles him, knees on either side of his thighs. He looks up into her eyes, cups her cheeks, pulls her down into a kiss. He tastes of wine, just like she does.

She cradles the back of his head, running her fingers through his lightly thinning hair. Frank’s hands caress her face but don’t move any lower. Hawkeye shifts her weight to one side so she can press her knee against his growing hardness. She smiles at the low groan this elicits from him.

Frank’s breath quickens, “Wait,” he says.

Dread begins to pool again in her gut. He doesn’t want her after all.

“Let me,” Frank says, sliding his hands all the way down her bare back and coming to rest underneath her ass.

In one smooth motion, he pulls her against him and stands, holding her body against his chest. She wraps her calves around his middle, hooks her ankles together behind him. Frank kisses her neck as he carries her, stopping at the foot of the bed. He lays Hawkeye gently down on her back, her long gray hair spread out like a halo.

Frank looks down at her, whispers, “You’re so beautiful.”

Hawkeye can feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes again. The sweet smell of fresh rose petals fills her nostrils and she’s never been so happy to be wrong. Reaching up for him, she says, “Kiss me.”

Frank does. Kneeling over her, he kisses Hawkeye. Deep and passionate and loving. It’s the same kiss he’s given her all week but there is heat behind it tonight. This kiss is leading somewhere and it’s making her ache.

She pulls him close and unbuttons his shirt. Hawkeye runs her fingernails (painted red, her favorite color) up and down Frank’s bare chest—lightly, teasing him. Pulling off his shirt entirely, she squeezes his biceps and scratches at his shoulders.

Frank breaks the kiss for a moment, panting. He nuzzles against her ear, nibbles at the lobe, asks, “What do you want?”

“You,” she answers immediately.

“Yes, but how, darling?”

He’s never asked like this before. They usually just did whatever felt right in the moment, letting the unspoken language of their bodies do all the talking for them.

“Touch me,” she says between kisses, breathless.

Frank does. Reaching underneath her dress, he rubs at the hardness within her silken panties until she is arching into his hand. Frank kisses her all the while, making his way down from her lips to her neck, sucking lightly at her collarbone.

Hawkeye is throbbing for him. “I want you inside of me,” she whimpers, ready to beg if need be.

He obliges her. (He always does.)

Frank hitches Hawkeye’s dress up to her waist and removes her lace-trimmed panties. Gently working her open with his fingers, he leans down and takes her into his mouth.

Hawkeye gasps, toes curling with the sensation. She pushes his head away. “I don’t want to come yet.”

She reaches down between her legs and helps Frank finish stretching while he removes his pants and shorts.

“That’s enough, I’m ready,” she tells him, spreading lube onto Frank and guiding him to her entrance.

Frank pushes in slowly, giving her time to adjust, looking into her eyes.

“You really are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Frank says in wonder.

Well. Hawkeye doesn’t know what to say to that, so she wraps her legs around him again and squeezes, forcing him closer, further inside.

“Move,” she pants, “please.”

Frank does.

The pace is slow, languid. As if they have all the time in the world. And, Hawkeye supposes, they do.

Frank continues to kiss her, uses his teeth to delicately slide the thin straps off her shoulders. She’s not wearing a brassiere—the dress wouldn’t allow for it—and she’s grateful that there’s one less piece of fabric to remove. He kisses a trail from shoulder to breast, licking and sucking at one nipple, then the other.

She urges him on, breath hitching faster as his pace quickens. Hawkeye feels the mounting pressure of her orgasm and goes to touch herself but Frank gets there first, taking her firmly into his hand and stroking. He rubs circles at the head with his thumb, just how she likes it. She clenches down around him as the pleasure flows through her in waves.

“Oh, Frank,” she gasps.

Frank cries out as he comes with her, stuttering his hips and filling her up. He lies his weight on her, breathless. She pets his hair.

“I should get something to clean you up, huh?” Frank asks, still panting slightly.

Hawkeye smiles. “Ever the gentleman, my husband.”

Reluctantly, Frank removes himself from her and walks to the bathroom. She misses the feeling of him inside her already.

When he returns, he carries a damp washcloth. She reaches for it, but he’s already cleaning her belly with the soft, warm cloth and wiping the mess from her dress where it’s bunched up around her middle. Frank pulls it up over her head, leaving her body bare.

Hawkeye is more comfortable now. She wants Frank to come lie with her and wrap his strong arms around her while she sleeps. She scoots herself up the bed toward the pillows and turns to lie on her side, her back facing Frank. She pulls his arm over her, presses his hand against her breastbone.

“Hold me,” she tells him, already drifting off to sleep in the arms of her husband.

Frank does.

#in her arms #trans au #fic

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shiroyasha-01 · 3 years

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Jump Festa 2020 – Gintama Stage Carta de Hideaki Sorachi A todos los que miran el Gintama Stage ... A Kugimi ... Y a aquellos que no son ni agradables / divertidos ni amigos, sino solo hombres de mediana edad ... ¿Cómo estás? Finalmente, el lanzamiento de Gintama THE FINAL se acerca rápidamente, pero ignorando eso, el mundo está en una locura Kimetsu sin precedentes. Las colaboraciones con Kimetsu están en todas partes. Estos inútiles que mueven la cola para aprovechar su popularidad están por todas partes. ¿No es suficiente ya? Ya que ahora se está volviendo una monstruosidad, ¿puedo acabar con ellos? ¡¡¡Yo, Sorachi Hideaki, estoy preguntando si podría aplastar a mi insolente junior y poner fin a esta locura de Kimetsu, bastardos !!! No me importa si los ingresos de los libros es de 20 mil millones o 30 mil millones. ¡¡Solo lo dejo pasar y para que lo sepas, puedo terminarlo en segundos si me pongo serio al respecto !!. De verdad ... !! Esto es confidencial ... ¡pero incluso envié a un espía de aquí para infiltrarse en los "Hashira" que son los miembros principales allí !, con una señal mía, Sugi ... Si quieres, ¡puedo darte la señal ahora mismo !, ¿debo llenar la ropa interior de Sugita Tomokazu con caca ahora? Está bien, ¿verdad, Tomokazu? Estás listo para eso, ¿verdad? Incluso lo dijiste, ¿verdad? Que en el guión de Tanjiro hay "Voy a sacar una caca más larga que la nariz del Tengu", dijiste eso, ¿verdad? A Suzumura e Hino que traicionaron a Gintama y fueron a Kimetsu. ¡¡Voy por un cuenco de arroz !! Sin embargo, ¡perdono a Ishida Akira !, porque después de todo, incluso en la grabación de Kimetsu, apuesto a que no abre su corazón a nadie. Incluso estaba hablando mal de todos, ¿verdad? En mi caso, es solo una broma, sabes ~ Teheee ~ Dicho esto, 20 mil millones es imposible, por lo que nosotros, el equipo de Gintama, estamos apuntando a "memoria (kioku)" en lugar de "grabar (kiroku)". Estaba pensando si había algo que pudiera hacer por última vez para el anime de Gintama, ¡así que dibujé una postal especial !. Mientras lo dibujaba, fluían muchos sentimientos, así que terminé dibujando 10 de ellos ... ¡¡Quiero que todos vean el último look de los personajes que dibujé !! (Mostraron aquí la ilustración de KNY de Sorachi sensei) ¡Cumpliré mi obligación! ¡Usaré cualquier medio solo para atraer más clientes a este anime! El "Hashira" y los demás estarán esperando en las salas de cine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To everyone watching the Gintama Stage... To Kugimi... And to those who who are neither pleasant/amusing nor friends but just middle-aged men... How are you doing? Finally, the release of Gintama THE FINAL is fast approaching but ignoring that, the world is in an unprecedented Kimetsu craze. Collaborations with Kimetsu are everywhwere. These good-for-nothing who wag their tails to take advantage of its popularity are just all over the place. Isn't it enough already? Since it's becoming an eyesore now, can I finish them off? I, Soracho Hideakim is asking if I could crush my impudent junior and put an end to this Kimetsu craze, you bastards!!! I din't care if the books-office reveue is 20 billion or 30 billon. I'm just letting it slide and just so you know, I can finish it off in seconds if I get serius about it!!. For real... like seriously!! This is confidential... but I even sent a spy fromo here to infiltrate the "Hashira" who are the core members there!, with one signal form me, Sugi.... If you want, I can give the signal rigtht now!, should I fill Sugita Tomokazu's underwear with poop now?. That's okay right, Tomokazu? You're ready for that, right? You even said it, rieght? That in Tanjiro's script there's "I'm going to squeeze out a poop longer than the Tengu's nose", you said that, right? To Suzumura and Hino who betrayed Gintama, and went to Kimetsu. I'm going for one rice bowl!! However, I forgive Ishida Akira!. Because after all, even in Kimetsu recording, I bet he doesn't open his heart to anyone. He even was bad-mouthing everyone, right!?. In my case, it's just joke you know~ Teheee~ With that being said, 20 billion is imposible, so we, the Gintama, is aiming for "memory (kioku)" instead of "record (kiroku)"! I was Thinking if there is something I could do for the last time for anime Gintama so I drew a special postcard!. While I was drawing it, a lot of feelings were ovweflowing so ended up drawing 10 of it... I want you all to see the last look of the characters I drew!! (They showed here Sorachi sensei's illustration of KNY) I will my obligation! I will use any means just to draw more customers to this anime that jumped the shark!! The "Hashira" and the others will be waiting at the movie theaters.

Jump Festa 2020 - Puede haber algunos errores de interpretación en la traducción, les pido disculpas por eso...

#gintama #Jump Festa 2020 #gintama Jump Festa 2020 #hideaki sorachi #sorachi sensei #thank you Sorachi #gracias sorachi

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