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ellayuki · 1 year

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we're all made of glitter and nightmares (and baby, we thrive)

Tsubasa Chronicle Month 2023

- Day 14: Meeting Your Other Self

“Oh, yeah, no, this is definitely weird.”

“You’re tellin’ me. I’m startin’ to think I might be going a bit insane here.”

Kurogane blinks, and yes, there’s that headache that was threatening to make his day worse.

And okay, so maybe he’s being a little bit hypocritical, being so damn startled to see his own face in this new world they’ve landed on, especially since his entire current family has at least one double each that he’s either met or heard about (or started the journey with and lost along the way, but it still hurts to think about, even now). He knows it was bound to happen at some point. It’s just. Yeah, it’s weird.

“Who’s the blond?” the other Kurogane asks, raising a pointed eyebrow in Fai’s direction, eyes sparkling with interest in a way Kurogane hates to think his own have ever done.

Fai chooses that moment to raise his gaze from where he’s been looking through a collection of crystals (“They’re perfect for casting spells, Kuro-pon, and as protection charms.”) a street vendor’s selling. His eyes widen when he sees Kurogane’s companion. (Fuck. Hell no.) “My husband,” he tells his other self, as pointedly as he can, turning away from Fai to look at the man straight on. “And I ain’t sharing, before you get any ideas.”

Sudden laughter from right next to him startles him. “Oh, that’s good to know,” Fai says (and just when the hell did he get here so fast?), leaning on Kurogane’s good shoulder, amusement clear on his face. “Though I’ll admit it would be interesting.”

“No.”

The other Kurogane laughs, hard. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. Stop looking like you’re gonna murder me. I have no interest in married men. As pretty as they might be.”

“Aw,” Fai coos, and Kurogane’s forgotten how condescending he could sound when he wanted to. “Kuro-sama thinks I’m pretty.”

Kurogane rolls his eyes. “Shut the hell up. Did you finish looking at your sparkly rocks?”

Fai nods, and turns his most blinding smile at this world’s Kurogane. “Please excuse my husband, he’s a bit brutish when he feels threatened. (“The hell I am!”) I’m Fai.” He stretches out his hand in a polite introduction.

The other Kurogane raises his eyebrow again, before nodding and shaking Fai’s hand firmly. “Youou.” And ah, doesn’t that feel like a gut punch, hearing his own name so easily spoken out loud. “I’m guessing you guys aren’t from around here.”

Fai sways from side to side, hands clasped behind his back, lashes fluttering just so. The picture of innocence. Kurogane snorts just at the image. “You’re right, we’re not. Would You-chan (“You-chan?? What the fu-”) mind showing us around?”

So yeah, Kurogane’s headache is not going away anytime soon.

(“Honestly, Kuro-sama, being jealous of your own self, how unbecoming.”

“Shut the hell up. Who’s jealous?”)

#tsubasachroniclemonth #tsubasa reservoir chronicle #kurogane #fai d flourite #kurofai #clamp #by moi #fic #my fic #2023 fic #trcfic #on ao3

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ria-starstruck · 7 months

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throwback to my genshin impact/tsubasa resevoir chronicles au thing, some more notes on it at the bottom

-paimokonas. yeah.

-aether and lumine are basically both like sakura, they store power + memory in their wings. in an attack on their home, aether's powers are sealed, while lumine loses her memories the same way sakura does

-originally was planning for kaeya as fai and childe as kurogane. thought that kurogane's backstory would be particularly fitting for childe, especially with the whole "losing family" thing. and both lumine and aether would see his backstory after touching the memory book at the same time in the memory book world

-in payment for being able to travel between worlds to recover lumine's memories, aether gives up the memory of the person who instigated the attack on them. he'll never be able to remember that

-however, lumine does eventually remember that, and this splits their party briefly (at abt a similar point in trc when sakura sacrifices herself to change fai's fate); lumine travels with kaeya a bit and aether with childe + paimokona. iirc i was also trying to parallel the twins' split in genshin with one going to khanriah's side and the other on the opposing side

-several of the worlds they travel to used to be one world (teyvat), but was torn apart by someone, resulting in the countries fragmenting into their own worlds and then one country (khaenriah) completely being lost. the twins have the power to fix this. also if yanfei yuuko, she's trying to gather evidence to . . sue. the person who did this. hence the "taking aether's memory of who did this" thing. [guystandingemoji]

-had a whole mess of ideas for kaeya's backstory, including diluc either being thought dead by kaeya or actually was dead, but also diluc is (stay with me here) in the sword (STAY WITH ME HERE) that aether takes back from the digital world (like the fire sword syaoran takes into reality). no idk how that'd be possible, i'm pretty sure i was trying to adapt the clones shenaniganery so that it's not aether and lumine being clones. man idk

-there may be a tiny bit more but this is beyond long enough. yippeee

#trc #genshin impact #tsubasa resevoir chronicles #genshin impact au #tsubasa resevoir chronicles au #trc au #i remember talking about this in a genshin impact discord so ig if anyone's interested i can dig up the og message and screenshot it or wha #whatever #lumine #kaeya #aether #paimon #mokona

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yououui · 2 years

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trc month day ten - kurofai

Fai stays with Kurogane each night they are in Nihon. If necessary, he will keep his distance and find something else to do when Kurogane needs some time alone with Tomoyo or the Empress, but he always finds his way back to Kurogane's room when the night is done. It's so understood that a second futon is brought in for him on his first night.

Kurogane thinks it's just a polite formality, so he admits that he is surprised when Fai actually sleeps there and not... Well. He won't push it. There is still much to discuss. Many wounds to heal. Old and new grief that lingers with them all. He shouldn't be caught off guard if Fai needs more time.

At least he is here at all. Kurogane can hear his breathing in the quietness of his—their—room. Steady, though not deep enough to be asleep. Fai is awake too, no doubt thinking over everything that happened that day and all of the days before it.

But he's here. He's alive and he's here. Kurogane sleeps to the sound of his breath like a whispered lullaby.

He sleeps until the dawn of their final day in his country, until a chilled breeze makes him wake with a shiver. The shoji door is open. From his futon, Kurogane can see the pale lilac sky, the first vestiges of daylight breaking over the horizon. And sitting on the wooden veranda is Fai.

Kurogane sits up and watches Fai watch the sunrise for a moment. Fai is dressed only in his sleeping yukata, somehow looking so natural on him despite how foreign it really is. His hair falls over his shoulders, free of its tie in this private moment of morning stillness. It's bent a bit funnily on one side, messy from sleep. He doesn't care to present himself to Kurogane as anything more than how he naturally looks when he first wakes and the thought comforts Kurogane. He looks so peaceful. So at home.

The thought makes something funny happen in Kurogane's chest, like his heart is growing to the point that it could break itself free at any second. There were many things Kurogane has longed for in his life. Many things he wished could have gone differently and many pursuits of strength that led him down a twisted path.

Now, in this moment that feels almost separate from the reality he has lived his entire life, he realizes that this was all he ever wanted.

Fai only notices Kurogane when he finally stands and walks over to the veranda. "Did I wake you?" Fai asks as Kurogane sits beside him. He sounds guilty but there's a smile on his face, like he's happy for the company.

"Would have woken up soon either way," Kurogane answers.

"Yes, I don't think any of us could sleep very well," Fai responds with a wistful smile. "How is your shoulder? Does the arm fit well?"

Kurogane nods. "It's fine."

Actually, it's still sore and there are some connections that feel a bit loose, but they are leaving for Clow in a few hours. Complaining about it now will do nothing but cause Fai unnecessary concern and guilt.

"I think it might be a good idea if you took it off when you slept," Fai continues. "If it's heavy, it might strain your shoulder too much. Actually, maybe it would be better to take it off any time you're resting? If it gives you any trouble, you have to—oof!"

Kurogane shuts him up with a hand atop golden hair and a good twist. "I'm fine, mage. You don't need to worry."

Fai peers up at him through messy hair, his eye now warm gold. Before, the blue of his eyes reminded Kurogane of the sky—the sky in Suwa, specifically, in the middle of summer. Now, it reminds him of autumn sunsets that cast long shadows; warm and striking. Inviting. The kind of natural beauty you can't look away from. He's not a mage anymore, Kurogane considers, but that's a habit that won't be easily broken.

Kurogane nods and smiles reassuringly. That seems to convince Fai. For now, anyway. Kurogane has a feeling his concern over the prosthetic arm will never truly go away. But for now, Fai smiles in relief and leaves the topic alone. Kurogane removes his hand from Fai's head, indulges himself by letting his fingers run through the strands. Fai either does not notice or simply chooses to ignore it as he looks back at the sky.

"It's so beautiful here," He muses quietly. "You said once that Nihon has four seasons, right? I wish I could see all of them."

"You could," Kurogane says without a moment of thought. He doesn't need to think about this. He's thought about it enough. He never looks at the sky; his eyes stay fixed on Fai, watches as the smile on Fai's face fades as he's confronted with a possibility he never could have imagined for himself before now. "If you wanted to."

Fai finally, slowly, turns his gaze back to Kurogane. He looks worried, hopeful—maybe scared of allowing himself to be hopeful of a future he never thought he would have. Neither of them knew what would happen in Clow. Should they survive the battle, they did not know what would come next.

But this—them—they knew with unbreakable certainty.

"I love you."

Fai says the words with a conviction Kurogane was not sure he possessed. His voice is sure, his gaze steady. It's Kurogane that suddenly feels knocked off balance—it's not like that was the answer he was expecting. He's happier to hear it, though. There is so much he wants to say in return and for once, he doesn't hold himself back.

"I still feel like I don't really understand anything that's going on," Kurogane tells him. Fai's brows furrow in confusion but he does not interrupt; he wants Kurogane to continue his confession. "Ever since Tomoyo sent me away, I never got a chance to catch up with all of it. All those different universes. The kids. Whatever the hell the manjuu is—"

"Kuro-sama," Fai interrupts with an amused laugh and exasperated smile. Get on with it, his expression says.

"And you," Kurogane continues without hesitation. "You confused the hell out of me. Even I confused the hell out of me. But now, I think it's all starting to make sense."

Fai tilts his head, his hair falling over one shoulder weightlessly. Kurogane reaches out and lifts a lock of golden strands gently over his fingers. And even though Fai's looks are the exact opposite of his mother's, Kurogane can't help but be reminded of her. It's her eyes he sees, the same gentleness that brings calm. The same love and caring.

So many things had happened in Kurogane's life. So many stupid choices and mistakes and stumbles. But it's now that he realizes that it was all leading up to this very moment. Everything was for this chance to sit in his home with Fai by his side. All of it happened to give him the chance to say

"I love you, mage," Kurogane tells him. "That's what confused me before. But now I get it. Everywhere. Every time. I love you in every universe."

And he dips his head to press his lips to Fai's hair in a reverent kiss.

It's interrupted when Fai throws his arms around Kurogane. Kurogane hugs Fai back instinctively, hands fitting perfectly against his narrow back. Kurogane feels soft lips press a kiss to his cheek and hears a whisper of thanks.

"Bring me back here," Fai asks him. "When everything is over. I want you to show me everything."

Kurogane smiles against silky hair and nods. "Yeah. We'll see it all."

#TsubasaChronicleMonth #kurofai #trc #kurogane #fai #no spoilers but i watched dr strange MoM and that one line? it's been living in my head rent free #iykyk

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noa-ciharu · 2 years

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c, n, and t for kurofai plss :0

I'm progressively getting more kinky on main I adore it. Kurofai is one of those ships that has a day/night switch - outdoors they're cute and domestic but behind closed doors it's anything but 'by the books'. Fai doesn't call Kurogane daddy for nothing after all.

Just like with previous ask, since NSFW I'll keep it all under cut:

Cuddle (how they cuddle): Outside of sexual activity they have two types of cuddles. First one is fluffy and playful: Fai cuddles up to Kurogane's side, nuzzles up against Kurogane's chest like a kitten and flirt-teases him. Kurogane fake-groans in irritation (but both know he enjoys moments like that just as much as Fai does), gathers Fai closer, embraces him with arm around waist and back. Then kisses his forehead while combing through hair and bangs. Kurogane has silent love language when it comes to affections, he'd much rather show it with gestures and touch. He wouldn't admit to loving how soft and feathery Fai's hair is to touch, especially now when it's gotten longer. Still, Fai is aware of that so he lets his hair grow out on purpose.

Second type of cuddles are silent reassurance one - one of them gets a reminder of their pasts and what they've been through. Fai stumbles upon random twins outside (maybe vampire twins?) or gets reminded of real Fai when he sees his own mirror reflection. Or sees Kurogane's prosthetic arm and feels guilty once again. Kurogane may not always be able to know the source behind mood-shift, but can sense said mood-shift in spite of Fai trying to act like his usually cheerful self. He walks behind Fai and wraps him in his arms, then brings closer into his chest just so strands of Fai's hair tickle beneath his jaw. They stand like that in silence for a while, but no words are needed for Kurogane to pass the message of "I'm there for you, you're not alone anymore even if you sometimes still feel like you are" and for Fai to feel understood by him. Similar thing happens when Kurogane is reminded of his family and tragedies that came to pass. He retreats in isolation to endure pain on his own but Fai senses he's in pain. So he kneels on bed beside Kurogane, pushes his head against his chest, then strokes Kurogane's hair and shoulders in comfort. "You shouldn't endure pain on your own Kuro-sama. If it hurts, say so" - whispers and nuzzles yet Fai doesn't prompt Kurogane to share his intimate thoughts, just lets him know he's not alone. After some time Kurogane responds to embrace by wrapping arms around Fai's waist in return - silent indicator that he too, understood the message.

Before and after sex however, it's a different story. First time they had sex was in Infinity. On their third time, Kurogane seized Fai around waist after they were done, preventing him from leaving right afterwards like he did previous two times. Fai lays on very edge of bed, clear indicator he doesn't want this form of intimacy (Infinity casual angst), especially when both of them are naked (bare and exposed) and nothing sexual is occurring any more. Kurogane, in desperate wordless attempt to erase emotional distance between them, embraces Fai from behind: legs entangled with Fai's, chest to his back and arm wrapped around his waist as to drag Fai closer into his chest and to himself metaphorically. Fai doesn't yield but he doesn't protest vocally either; however he does tense up - knows this is both what he wanted all along and feared (fear of intimacy and letting someone 'in').

After they make up in Nihon their post-sex cuddles take on a different tone. Since Kurogane saw how Fai sleeps (head shoved into pillow almost like he's subconsciously trying to suffocate himself), Kurogane decided he won't lay over Fai as he'd envelop him completely due to body size difference. So instead Kurogane lays on his back while Fai is on top of him, teasing and giving praises how good sex was while drawing meaningless patterns over his chest playfully. It's a double win since cuddles where Fai feels like he has total control occasionally arouse him again, so he grinds down on Kurogane in clear attempt to urge him on for round two. He never refuses. Similarly, sleeping in that position sometimes arouses both of them, so Kurogane is woken up not only partially hard, but with Fai sliding down his body, stroking into full-blown hardness and then taking tip of his erection into mouth. Quite a sight to wake up to.

Night (which time of day they prefer to have sex): Kurogane is utilitarian about sex since he always viewed it as 'night time' activity. Eventually morning sex if they woke up with 'morning wood' or got into mood while sharing a morning shower ("gotta be practical about ecology and water usage Kuro-rin!", Fai you're such a hypocrite you wasted more water during that 20 mins shower tryst than separate 5 mins showers). So Kurogane is threw of loop when Fai cuddles up to him all coyly one day and hushedly asks him if he has half an hour to spare. Shouldn't he wait for few more hours, it's what? 3 PM? Fai himself loves having sex late at night because there's no obvious end in sight to their love making. They do it slowly and passionately, for hours and hours long. However there's something about stolen 10 mins quickies during daytime when they should be working that gets him heated up at mere thought. So Fai is trying to make that a mutual kink between them instead of exclusively his.

So post-series gang lands in one of domestic type worlds. They settle in miniature house where all three of them (and Mokona) share a room. One day Sayoran goes out to run a small errand in afternoon and Fai insists Mokona goes with him. Moment door snaps Fai is urging Kurogane into fucking him quickly and hastily on couch while they're away. Sexual frustration gives in and so does Kurogane when Fai lowers hand down his pants and palms him into full hardness in less than a minute. Fai just removes his pants and Kurogane unzips his, they're urged on by time limit and raw carnal desire, not time for sensual undressing. Somehow they manage to find lube, and after two minutes of rushed preparation (Fai pleaded Kurogane to just enter him without fingering but Kurogane insists it's needed; caring and patient even in such desperate moments) and sloppy making-out, Kurogane finally pushes himself inside of Fai; they both groan and are unable to hold back. After few minutes of scratches, deep thrusts and combined moans, Fai pushes Kurogane in sitting position and starts riding him instead. It turns Fai on to watch lustful look in Kurogane's eyes while he grinds down on him and in turn Kurogane secretly loves seeing Fai's more dominant and bold side where he doesn't hold back on what he wants.

In the end, they last for 10 mins when Kurogane strokes Fai to his orgasm and they simultaneously come with low groans. They swiftly clean themselves but there's no quick remedy to semen-stained couch - so they throw blanket over it. Just in time when Sayoran and Mokona returned five minutes later, unsuspecting how Kurogane and Fai made use of time while they were away (it's not that they're hiding their relationship but it's awkward to ask them to go away so they could fuck...). Fai sits over said blanket both to prevent Sayoran from accidentally moving it, and to not show off his newly formed limp. Of course, he doesn't pass the opportunity to crack few innuendos about what should be day and what should be night activity, just so he could see Kurogane gruff out in ashamed-irritation with faint color to cheeks; bonus is that whole exchange flies over Sayoran's head (ofc Mokona gets it all).

Much to Kurogane's surprise, said quickie turned him on far more than he expected, so whenever Fai instigates sex during daytime he's implicitly reminded of urgency and passion back then, so his body gives in before mind does (read: Fai founds a way to make him aroused rather quickly, sly like that). Fifteen min quick make-out, then either penetrative sex or mutual handjobs/oral became a regular thing for them. In whichever world they land Fai manages to find a way to make that perversity reality. No one caught them.... yet.

Trust (how they have rough sex): their sexual relationship during series matches nature of their relationship at the moment. Their first time was sexual frustration and teasing overtopping the edge during one of Fai's blood-drinking in Infinity. Kiss is clash of teeth accompanied by rough bites to neck and jaw and ripping clothes from one another. Something in Fai finally snapped, or so Kurogane thought, so he let Fai shove him down, cover his shaft with saliva during quick blowjob then climb on top of him and lower down on his erection in one swift motion, without preparing himself at all. Unsystematic and ferocious way Fai thrust down on him hurt both of them, but Kurogane figured out that was what Fai perhaps desired at that very moment - to be hurt. So he dug fingers into Fai's thighs and backside as Fai raised up then lowered down in relentless forceful manner. Then Kurogane encircled one finger around O-ring on Fai's collar, dragging him on all fours so Fai would finally look at him instead of anywhere else but his eyes. Fai took that chance to sink teeth in Kurogane's neck instead; then began sucking on bite-mark as to finally feed. That raw stab of pain sent Kurogane over edge, and Fai followed shortly afterwards when he came untouched. Without uttering a word Fai left afterwards; both of them used roughness to ease bits of tension between them, at least temporary.

After they got together for real sex became more love-making than brutal fucking with only orgasm in mind. Passionate, caring with needs of each other in back of mind, tender and lasting. They weren't always gentle but sex wasn't as rough and brutal as it was in Infinity. Still, mutual consent to roughness and kinks in bedroom is healthy outlet for daily - life frustrations so it's no wonder they began craving some of rough play. In one of worlds they landed some issues occur that frustrates both of them. So that night Fai asks Kurogane to not hold back in anyway, to which, surprisingly to Fai, Kurogane instantly agrees to. They mutually trust each other after all. Rough bites, forceful grips, hold shy away from bruising, breathless kisses all teeth and tongue, hair pulls and clothes being stripped from him in rushed fashion - Fai instantly found himself being utterly dominated by Kurogane; something he instantly loved, to let go of control and let his lover take care of him since he knew he is in safe hands. Finally stripped bare, Fai is shoved on all fours where Kurogane goes down on him from behind in preparation. Being sensitive on entrance's rim combined with Kurogane stroking his erection along with licks make Fai finish rather quickly. Nonetheless, for once Kurogane doesn't wait for him to catch up (as they agreed on rough sex) so he enters Fai instantly after his orgasm. Both of them are turned on beyond help by body size difference and how Kurogane can enfold Fai completely during sex, especially when on all fours above Fai (or when he fucks him into oblivion in missionary position while he covers Fai completely and pins hands down on both sides of head). Neither of them hold back; moans, screams and groans echo through room; they change positions few times (so they're face to face), finally end up with Fai pushed against the wall, legs wrapped around Kurogane's waist and hands scratching over back and pulling hair strands, all while Kurogane thrusts into him relentlessly, speed and force of his slams maximized while placing sucks and bites up Fai's neck. Moments like these are once where Fai goes all-out with dirty-talk and his daddy kink; it turns them both on. Once doesn't turn out to be enough that night - they go for few more rounds until Kurogane realized birds are chirping outside already. Then it's - "how are we going to explain to kid why we're both dead on feet in two hours huh?"

He'd joke-curse Fai for tricking him into trading full-sleep hours for four rounds of rough sex but he feels more relaxed and less pent-up than he would if he slept instead. Then next morning both their brains are going miles per hour as to how to hide all those hickeys, scratches and bite-marks. Once per month or two they settle on passionate night of rough play, kinks and eventually sex-toys instead of regular version of love-making. Break in ordinary, only spices things up, both fast and ferocious sex and gentle loving ones afterwards.

#guess who is going to heaven? not me once again #we stan power bottom fai in this house #tsubasa chronicle #kurofai #fai is full of kinks but once he displayed them all to kurogane there was nothing left for kurogane to do other than accept the inevitable #that he has those kinks too now #thanks for ask!

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itscalledmidgar · 5 months

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after having a scholarly discussion with my wife @finesseblade, we have decided that kurogane and fai would both be dragons. but because of their different motivations and character arcs like, kurogane would be less limited in it.

imo kurogane is fairly big on "do the best for everyone" despite how selfish he is and how more selfish he tries to put himself forward as. so i feel like it's reasonable for him to be either an angel or a seal, but then to be convinced that the other side are who are actually doing what's best for the people of the world, and thus transition to that.

but fai, like. while it makes sense for fai to work for the bad guys* and later decide "fuck it, i'm out", i don't think it makes sense for him to do the same if he's working for the good guys*, yfm? so i think he's strictly in the position of starting as an angel and becoming a seal as more gets revealed. yes felix had to remind me that fei wang reed exists.

*i don't think the dragons of earth are Evil or strictly Bad Guys, because my understanding is that they're working to rebuild the world better? which might be the point, that there is no Bad Side. but they are the antagonists. much like fei wang reed, but i think he can be considered a Bad Guy, though mostly through selfishness than like, Being Evil. i think he's just an asshole at the core

#vii.rtf #X 1999 #clamp lb #also unrelated but kurogane killed X imo because tsubasa started the same year X went on hiatus #also my knowledge of both X and tsubasa are still very limited please be kind

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achairwithapandaonit · 2 years

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Genuinely wants to hear you rant about Tsubasa in the xxxholic au, do go on !!

okay okay! so i'm not sure if you've seen the xxxholic bnha au since it was a while back that i made it, so let me summarise it first. it might be confusing if you haven't seen them cause it's all based off of tsubasa chronicle and xxxholic.

(be warned there are spoilers for tsubasa and xxxholic under the cut)

xxxholic au

here's a link to my tag

it's basically an au where yuuko, the dimensional wish shop keeper in xxxholic, is replaced by toshinori yagi. toshinori wasn't the original owner of the shop. the first owner was yoichi, who passed it down to second, and then so on down the ofa line in bnha until it reached toshinori through nana.

izuku works at the wish shop, taking the "watanuki" role of the au. though since this is based on xxxholic, it's also based on tsubasa. it's been a while since i read either fully, but watanuki as far as i can remember is sort of a fill in for the original syaoran of that universe. izuku in this au is similarly the fill in for another izuku.

instead of fei wong reed, we have all for one.

yoichi is actually still sort of alive, but just in a permanent sleep underneath the wish shop.

ONTO THE TSUBASA SIDE OF THE AU

okay. these aus pretty much function within the same universe. for a while i was very unsure on who i would put in the tsubasa side, cause well, i was already using toshinori and izuku for the xxxholic side so i can't reuse them right?? but then i decided to hell with that. it may feel odd to have an extra "yuuko" character, since it just seems like something out of place. but in this au the wish shop is inherited, so there are absolutely other toshinoris running about in other dimensions.

added to this, i don't really have to replace the izuku in this au with anyone else just because watanuki looks different to syaoran. he can just be an additional izuku. (and of course, like in tsubasa, this izuku is a clone)

in this au, toshinori sort of half takes up the role that fai has and half takes up the role that sakura has. he's the one who loses his memories in the form of feathers, but he's also one of the adult TMs of the group. he's basically the most powerful magician of the clow stand-in of this au. he sort of adopts izuku as his apprentice even though he has no power of his own and becomes a father figure to him.

but then, toshinori loses his memories because of all for one and they scatter to different dimensions in the form of feathers. izuku is sent to the dimension witch (ALSO toshinori. that must be mind-fucky) and he gives up his relationship with toshinori as his price to travel through worlds, just like syaoran gave up his relationship with sakura. because of this toshinori won't remember him no matter how many memories he gets back.

my kurogane stand-in for this au was always going to be aizawa, and that's not changed. the only thing that has is that i have more of an idea on his character and the reason for getting sent off on a journey. the people he's often around in his world are that world's versions of the UA staff. unlike kurogane who got sent away for too much killing, aizawa gets sent away by nedzu because he's become too apathetic/depressed since oboro's death and well, this is holiday leave from whatever it is you do in this world lmao.

(aizawa is of course not happy about this)

the character who takes the more "fai" role in that this is our spy. this is the one who was planted there by "fei wong reed" aka all for one. is aoyama. he's very sus and from a snow country and is a magician - i imagine him and toshinori bond over their magic lol.

anyway thank you for coming to my ted talk :3

#ask tag #bnha #tsubasa bnha au #xxxholic bnha au #me every time i get re-obsessed with a clamp series: oh boy i could make an au out of this

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aminiatureworld · 2 years

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I’ll swallow my pride/And I’ll ask you to stay

He’s not ready for this. He’s never been ready for this.

Fai knows a lot. He knows how to harness the winds as to make flight the easiest thing in the world, knows how to spin straw into the most lustrous gold, knows even how to kill without leaving so much as a trace on a person. He knows all this and more, so many horrible things, so many wonderful things. Most of those wonderful things having come later, come from the man he stares at now, heart thundering.

What was he doing again? He can’t quite remember. Panic floods him, more panic than he’s felt in a very long time. It’s as if he’s a child again, though there was nothing in his childhood that might compare to such a moment as this. For if it goes well, if it all goes well, then…

Yet even as Fai thinks about the bliss that might await him something keeps his words lodged firmly in his throat. Can he reveal himself so utterly? Strip himself bare of any pretense or glamour. If he does so then there will be no more mysterious wizard, no more man from another world. There will only be Fai, lonely old Fai, the man who was never able to do much of what he wanted. The man who, well, had not much of anything in general.

Why is he doing this? Even as he puts together the question answers come rushing in. Because of the way Kurogane’s eyes light up at the prospect of a fight, defiant and impassioned. Because of the gravely tone with which the ninja tells Sakura and Syaoran to go to bed, lowered voice hardly masking the care with which he makes sure these children get at least one peaceful night. Because of the way he’ll grasp Fai’s wrist, solid and strong, fingers whispering down Fai’s palm as if asking for their fingers to intertwine. Because this grumpy, standoffish man has wormed his way into Fai’s heart, and now the wizard cannot so much as hear Kurogane’s voice without feeling as if he ought to rush out of the room for how overwhelming it is. He has left the room in some cases, ill with longing for… something.

For him, that’s what Fai’s longing for. Simple as that. Fai longs for Kurogane, in that inexplicable way that lovesickness makes you long for someone. For Fai truly is lovesick, past a point of no return that even he did not realize he crossed.

Now, however he’s much too far gone, so much so in fact that this seemed a bright idea. Time has become relative now, it could have been hours since he last spoke, it could have been mere seconds. Kurogane seems willing to wait either way, and Fai’s sure it’s because the ninja knows what’s coming. That knowledge does not make the words any easier. But he must say them, he must. To not would surely kill him. Even if doing so is death in another sense.

Really Fai has no choice in the matter. He thought that might make this easier.

“Kuro…” he fades for a second, unsure in what capacity he should call out to the man in front of him.

“Yes?”

“Ah! Well, I, you see,” he wishes he could slap himself, “I. Gods damn it!”

“What have they got you so riled about?” The ninja’s calm voice is deeply irritating. All of a sudden something in Fai snaps.

“You! It’s you, Kurogane! I, I don’t know how to tell you what I’ve been feeling, not without losing my mind. I am in no ways good at words, in no ways what you deserve or want or need or anything. I’m just a sad coward whose greed surpasses his own self-loathing. But please, you must understand, more than anything what I want… what I want…”

What does he want?

Ah yes, that’s right.

“I want to stay by your side, if you’ll let me.”

A short huff leaves Kurogane’s mouth, as his smile torques into something equally cocky and loving.

“Took you damn long enough.”

Maybe one day Fai will be able to truly say what his wish is.

#idk how I feel about the ending #kurofai #tsubasa reservoir chronicle #trc #kurogane x fai #clamp #drabble #not requested #my writing #bern writes #bern speaks

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elvensorceress · 3 years

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hello! @limitless-paper 💕 I was hoping someone would ask about my Tsubasa Bed Sharing WIP (from the WIP ask box game here) because I can never ever ever have enough Kurofai I mean holy goodness do they have the most remarkable love story ever. The world needs so much more Kurofai.

Sidenote: EVERYONE. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH TSUBASA RESERVOIR CHRONICLE, CHANGE THAT ASAP. It’s a little whackado at times but omg Fai and Kurogane. And tiny found family. AND KUROFAI. Is all I have to say about that.

Anyway. I mentioned that one of my all time favorite tropes ever is “bed sharing / cuddling / oh no there is only One Bed” and of course the traveling nature of the little Tsubasa family lends itself so nicely to that.

So I have a fic started that is basically scenes of Fai and Kurogane sharing a bed in every world that they all go to and how their relationship progresses through that and how they get closer and then do their divorced husbands thing and etc. I think I finished through Piffle World? And was gearing up to get into the heavier stuff.

But here. Have a snippet from Outo country 💕

One night, there are sounds of distress — sharp gasps, pained whimpers, deep guttural sobs — and he can’t believe they belong to the man sleeping next to him who is either stoic or rageful and nothing in between. The sounds are of someone heartbroken and tortured, not someone like Kurogane who is strong and ferocious and powerful.

Fai is gentle as he shakes Kurogane awake. He ducks and narrowly avoids an involuntary fist to the face, then sits up when Kurogane launches himself upright in bed. Red eyes are wide, horrified, and frozen for a moment, unseeing and lost in the demons of another world. His breaths are ragged and quick. His heart is pounding. Fai can feel it without a touch, without a thought, almost as if it’s the one beating in his own chest. Kurogane’s fear and raw agony bleed into him. He doesn’t know why or how, only that it is.

If only he had the power to erase pain or at least bring comfort. He knows how it hurts. He knows this suffering and anguish far too well — he wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

When Kurogane’s eyes refocus, his face scrunches into a disgusted scowl. Perhaps at the dream, perhaps at himself, perhaps at Fai for bearing witness. It's not quite clear, but Fai ventures a touch to the arm closest to him and a soft, “Kuro-sama.”

Kurogane takes deep breaths and lies back down, eyes gazing off at nothing, no longer holding terror, but something more like resignation and sorrow. It twists in Fai’s own chest and he curls up on his side with his head near Kurogane’s shoulder.

He doesn’t realize he’s slowly, tenderly caressing Kurogane’s left arm until Kurogane takes Fai’s hand and stops the movement.

He’s caught. Trapped. In so much trouble because he’s done something horribly wrong and he never should have and never meant to.

He simply wasn't thinking. Clearly, he’s an idiot just like Kurogane says, and what made him believe he could be helpful or soothing? He’s not Sakura who brings light and warmth and heart and comfort to everyone. All he’s ever done was incite madness, wield death, cause agony. Kurogane despises him. It’s better that he does. Safer for all involved and associated.

Fai mumbles an apology and quickly moves to his side of the bed where he turns away and perches on the very edge like Kurogane did the first night they slept beside each other.

A crimson gaze bores into his back and Fai tries as hard as he can to ignore it. He needs to joke or tease or smile or something that is not this horrible tense silence because he crossed lines and touched and never should have.

But those pained sounds he woke to are too vivid. Whatever horror Kurogane is feeling, Fai knows it and he’s weak and he wants to, longs to hold Kurogane because someone who has terrible nightmares deserves to be held and soothed and protected. And Kurogane is so warm and so close...

And Fai gets out of bed and says in his most cheerful tone that he’s going to get an early start on breakfast. At least if he’s cooking, he’s doing something, and if he’s downstairs, he’s not anywhere near Kurogane.

#kurofai #jenwyn fic #ask box things dntaghj #tsubasa reservoir chronicle #otp: daddy dragon mommy phoenix

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sapphireswimming · 3 years

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Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line. I tagged myself via @ladylynse!

and who else did the heavens expect to survive? - (ffn) Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle x The World Ends With You crossover –

“…not gonna punch you in the face,” Kurogane seethes. His arms are shaking as he pushes himself up from the floor. He staggers, slightly, catching himself on one knee, and glares harder to make up for his sudden loss in balance. “I’m gonna chop your damn head off-“

and if there is a god, would we even know their name? - (ffn) Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle x The World Ends With You crossover –

“Hmm,” Joshua hums as he turns toward Kurogane next. “And then there’s you.”

One More Dawn - (ffn) UnDeadwood –

“No,” Miriam said, throwing out her arms in protest as if that alone could stop the sudden standoff between Clayton Sharpe and Aloysius Fogg. “No, no, no, no, no, wait -”

and the devil will drag you under - (ffn) Gundam 00 –

One of the things that everyone onboard the Ptolemy learned very quickly was that it was incredibly difficult to say no to anything Chris suggested, once she had really had her heart set on it.

they’ve taken enough (you’ve given them all you can give) - (ffn) Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle x The World Ends With You crossover –

“Fai,” he called, but Fai didn’t answer.

b l o o m - (ffn) Source & Shield –

The journey to the Southern Islands had changed them.

Turning Pages * - (ffn) Danny Phantom –

"Well," the Agent motioned to the one-way mirror. "There you go."

Taken in Solitude - (ffn) Gundam 00 –

Tieria takes him to the mess hall.

Just Give Them a Chance - (ffn) Critical Role: Campaign 1 –

“Wait up!” Lady Allura called after them. “Everyone – “

and so you sign your soul away - (ffn) Danny Phantom –

“And finally,” the agent continued, flipping to the last page and laying it out in front of her, “your signature here and here and here.” He pointed to each line with a slick white pen.

Here at the Turning of the Tide - (ffn) The Adventure Zone: Graduation –

Ramos is nodding in approval under one of the hoods off to the side, along with several other members of the Tribunal, but as soon as Fitzroy finishes speaking The Commodore just smiles.

til we come face to face - (ffn) UnDeadwood –

“Brings up an interestin’ point,” Sharpe had said, punctuating the words with a gloved finger in his direction. “Survival. That I can understand.”

Like the Punchline to a Bad Joke - (ffn) UnDeadwood –

Sharpe falls to his knees, and then to the ground on the darkened, dusty main street of Deadwood, a smile painted across his face as the lifeblood pours out of him with every ebbing beat of his pierced heart.

World So Cold ** - (ffn) Danny Phantom –

If there were one ghost Danny never anticipated frantically flying after to foil, it was Klemper. He'd always been clingy, sure, and hadn't taken clues very well, but he'd always been friendly enough. Too friendly in retrospect.

Deck of Marbles - (ffn) Gundam 00 –

For as much time as he had to stand around waiting, Lasse wasn't very good at it.

Lost and Found - (ffn) Gundam 00 –

Chris knocked on the hotel room door. "It's me," she called.

The Morning Report - (ffn) Danny Phantom –

Vlad's phone was on his office desk, carefully lying atop a pile of confidential papers in easy reach, though he would have denied having intentionally kept it there had anyone mentioned it.

Consequences ***- (ffn) Danny Phantom-

He was in detention.

Petecure - (ffn) Voltron –

Keith was panting hard, sweat beading down his neck by the time he finally ordered the gladiator to power down. His entire body hurt but he liked the burn.

Underneath - (ffn) Gundam 00 –

Lasse stood outside the hangar door, head hung low as he debated whether or not to enter. He tapped the toes of his right boot against the wall, then turned abruptly at a noise behind him. But it was just the air conditioner hissing a fresh cycle in the Ptolemy's hallways.

*Chapter 160; **first two sentences by Danny Phantom SG-1; ***this is technically the first line after the opening prompt

Patterns: These seem to be split into either statements-of-fact or dialogue being split by description. They’re actually more diverse than the time I tried this a couple years ago, which seems like it’s probably a good thing?

Favorite: I think the two that work best to immediately set the tone for what the fic focuses on are either: “For as much time as he had to stand around waiting, Lasse wasn't very good at it.“ or ““…not gonna punch you in the face,” Kurogane seethes. His arms are shaking as he pushes himself up from the floor. He staggers, slightly, catching himself on one knee, and glares harder to make up for his sudden loss in balance. “I’m gonna chop your damn head off-““

Tagging: whoever wants to do this one!

#ladylynse #thank you for the open invite to do this one #i really enjoyed doing it last time #so it was fun to have the chance to do it again!#this ended up being a interesting set of sentences i think #for a whole spread of different fandoms wow #it also feels like i haven't written much lately #but these are all from 2019 through last week so? that's something at least #tagged #fic meme #ss

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completeoveranalysis · 6 months

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[6]

So I know a few chapters ago I was joking about Touya wanting to fight a child but I really didn’t think Evil Wolverine would be the one fulfilling that prophecy with such enthusiasm.

A child runs at him and he Just. Complete obliteration.

Oh I love the framing of these panels!

And Lava lamp's eyes! In the light it looks like they’re two different colours! NICE TOUCH.

Oh man he doesn’t even wait for Lava Lamp to actually try attack back he just prepares to obliterate him a second time while still giving him a smarmy speech.

Also I don’t know if this will be important but it DOES look like Lava Lamp’s blood just entered the Reservoir. Good thing or bad thing? Who knows!

Meanwhile Evil Wolverine is once again mildly thrilled at the idea of anyone being the same as him. The idea that Lava Lamp was like him back in the time loop made him happy, and here he is in the past pleasantly amused that someone would have the same wish as him. That someone gets him. Even if it’s a 6-7 year old that he’s currently frying with electricity.

The idea that Lava Lamp will want to bring back Sakura, but might have the capacity to break the universe doing so is completely wild. There actually IS a very interesting parallel to be examined between these two wishes but I'd definitely need the full story before I could do the differences any justice. So watch this space!

#You know it’s so interesting that you’d think that #The idea of Resurrecting a Loved one is so powerful #That it could sway pretty much anyone to Evil Wolverine’s side #If he was willing to try that strategy #But we’ve already SEEN him try that with Fai #And OH BOY was he not good at that either #Just a complete 0 on charisma every single time #Liveblogging the reservoir chronicle #Tsubasa #Vol 196 #Lava Lamp Guy #Evil Wolverine #Sakura #Which Sakura?#A Sakura #Not Sakura #Actually even this fight is similar to the Kurogane Ashura Fai stand off in structure #I love these little patterns they weave

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ellayuki · 2 years

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01052022 - Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle

just how far we'd travel (both you and I know)

Tsubasa Chronicle Month - Day 1 - Sakura

Sakura sees the way the visiting baroness' sharp eyes take her in, sees the way the woman's fingers sink into her son's shoulders and the near-victorious look on her face, and for what is probably the first time in her life, she has to force a smile on her face.

It's not the first proposal for her hand, she knows, though those before had been tentative alliance propositions when Sakura was too young to even contemplate marriage. It's different now, though. She's a young adult, and she's a princess with powerful magic, and will likely be her brother's heir one day, so aristocrats from all over have started eyeing her.

(She wishes she’d left with Syaoran and the others the last time they visited, she really does.)

She curtsies in greeting when she's presented, plays the perfectly polite and demure princess (not that she isn't, usually, but right now, with the way mother and son both look at her like she's a piece of prized meat, she has to force herself to be as gracious as is normal for her), and makes small talk as is proper throughout the evening.

And then, dinner is over, and the baroness wipes daintily at the corner of her mouth in a way that implies she means to speak, and Sakura swallows down a mouthful of wine. Imagines Fai And Kurogane sitting on either side of her, standing guard. Imagines Syaoran's smile just by her shoulder, and Mokona in her lap. It grounds her.

"Now," the baroness says, turning her sickly sweet smile towards the King and Queen. "There is a matter I wish to discuss, if I may."

Nadeshiko blinks, and Sakura knows her mother's smile. Knows the polite, queenly mask. "Ah, yes. You've mentioned in your letter. A proposal."

"Yes. My son has come of marrying age, as has your daughter. And I know he is no prince, thus somewhat beneath the princess' station, but-"

And really, Sakura cannot listen to this. She cannot. "I apologise for interrupting, Your Ladyship," she says, and raises her eyes to meet the other woman's gaze head-on. (Kurogane nods proudly on her right side. Fai laughs softly on her left.) "But please allow me to stop you right there."

The baroness sputters, as does her son, who looks like the mere thought of a woman interrupting his mother might make his head explode. "Excuse me? Princess, I do not think-”

Sakura folds her hands in her lap, straightens her spine. Her parents look at her, but say nothing, so she continues, emboldened. "I already am engaged to be married," she says, and feels Syaoran's phantom hand closing gently on her shoulder. "So I am sorry, truly, but we have to decline your proposal."

And with that, Sakura stands, curtsies to her parents, curtsies to their guests, smiles at her brother and Yukito, and head held high, she leaves with a smile before anyone can say another thing.

(Imaginary Fai and Mokona whoop and cheer behind her.)

#tsubasachroniclemonth #tsubasa reservoir chronicle #clamp #princess sakura #syaosaku #queen nadeshiko #tsubasa family #by moi #fic #my fic #2022 fic #trcfic #on ao3

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mc-doppomine · 3 years

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30 Days of Hypmic Challenge

Day 20: Fling Posse or Matenrou?

I feel the judgment as I actually explain my whys and all that now...but since I’ve decided to do it, I’m gonna have just deal, I guess. So I guess I’ll start with character/story wise...yeah that went to Matenrou, not really much of a fight for me based off what I had at the time. Which is some combination of the anime, the first chapters of the mangas and the team albums. But based off those, Fling Posse just fell short. Like for all the closeness they are depicted with in like art and fic and all that, I didn’t get such a strong impression of friends from their initial drama tracks and a little ham-fisted in the anime (music on the other hand...) but rather they were really just a ‘fling’ with each other. And that’s not really their fault since KR did the short cut and gave Matenrou connection with each other beforehand with Hifumi and Doppo being childhood friends. But in addition to that...I just didn’t find Dice and Gentaro as interesting at first. Certainly not as appealing as Ramuda, who has so much stacked for him.

But to be fair, I thought Ramuda was a more interesting and engaging leader than Jakurai, whom I was thought was interesting in theory but not sure if I liked. Whereas I was toeing between wanting to strangle or hug Ramuda...hallmarks of me wrestling with very complex characters. But at the same time, I couldn’t trust Ramuda. Like it was bad enough I had to be slapped with Jakurai not being anything like I went in thinking he was like and finding like most of the things I accused him of, it was actually Ramuda that did it. It was a time.

And like I said Dice and Gentaro just didn’t have enough for me to think about with just their initial albums. Maybe it was just their ‘gimmick’ didn’t draw me enough? Or I couldn’t...not empathize...but get their whole deals just yet? Like with Dice, I feel nothing towards that constant need for thrills and throwing all away for what you want. And while I do write them on occasion...I’m not good with liars. I guess it’s just something that personally perplexes me. Not saying I completely got Hifumi or Doppo’s thing either because I still was thinking that they were gonna do Hifumi’s thing as one major joke. That and I didn’t get the extent of Doppo’s spiraling.

But what made the difference was the way they connect. Maybe it’s just that bias I can’t get rid of but I get the roommate/best friend dynamic very well. Although I admit I’m a bit surprised that I didn’t like Dice and Gentaro as much because looking back they remind me of Kurogane and Fai, which is like one of my earliest dynamics I loved and them fitting aspects of it well. Particularly a liar playing around with the more rough one and somehow putting up with it.

So yeah, character-wise, it was Matenrou.

Music wise...that’s a bit harder. Mainly in that I don’t really like Hifumi’s solos. I mean not every song has to be deep or something but I think it’s like how some pop songs work and some don’t? Just how some of the repetitions hit? Hifumi’s usually falls flat for me (although I’ve been stockholmed into it to the point I find myself humming Champagne Gold...). And then with Dice’s...I don’t think I disliked 3$EVEN but I also don’t find myself seeking it out. And I think generally for both...I thought they were fine. Fling Posse does have an advantage as their music is based more on pop, which I listen to, and Matenrou’s is more...varied. Overall with individual, they were more even as I liked Ramuda and Gentaro’s while with Matenrou I liked Jakurai and Doppo’s.

And group wise...they’re still tied. Because Shibuya Marble Texture is so chill and just vibing, which I love. And then there’s Shinjuku Style, which is ma’am you are going to get a speeding ticket listening to this, which is also something I love. Which is why next rounds, I’m buying the album for this one because all the songs are bops. And so it brings it down to the important part: the battle.

Like I’ve mentioned in a previous entry, Battle Battle Battle is one of my favorite rap battles as it has like the best performance of everyone sticking to the flow and the lines were just so good. I have a favorite line for everyone in this one. ‘Your luck’s running out, young gun, you’ll be sleeping in the gutters’ for some reason got me because Doppo went out the fucking gate with his first verse. I have to remind y’all this was my first experience with the battles to being with. I wasn’t ready. And Dice’s was also great because the flow of ‘Antei nante mon wa hanakara maji kyoumi nee, Honki de...’ (sorry for the use of romaji, I don’t know how everyone reads and know I wouldn’t be able to identify the kanji) and also because the translation of ‘whole ass it’ will never leave me. It’s wonderful. And then to be followed by Hifumi’s ‘boku wa hifumi GIGOLO hitotsu zutsu o tsumikasaneru,’ I am deceased. I had to learn about the wordplay but I love his wordplay and how it can be read. And what a way to be introduced to Gentaro’s catch phrase, it gives me shivers! Shivers! Ah, I love the second and thirds’ back and forth.

And you’d think with theirs being so strong, I wouldn’t remember the leaders going? No. Not at all. I can’t get Jakurai’s cadence but his lines of not only zipping but stitching Ramuda’s mouth shut, my goodness. You can tell he’s had enough of that man’s shit. But on the other hand Ramuda being that incessant buzzing in his ears and knowing that he’s annoying him. It’s such a good back and forth of feelings without ever saying outright the true heart of their issues. While it seems like a straight forward jab, it’s cloak and dagger with their dealing with each other.

But in the end...I do think Doppo and Hifumi’s verse trumped Dice and Gentaro’s because I think their disses were just better. And it’s not like it was a one-sided affair because I think the bite back about ‘wolves go extinct in this country’ and that ‘it’s already over, pay attention’ were nice bite backs to them. I also I think Ramuda’s verse did outdo Jakurai’s but again this is 2 v 1 of the overall so that in the end it went to Matenrou for me in this aspect too. But I just love both of their music so I just really didn’t want it to end for either of them.

#30 days of hypmic challenge #fling posse #matenrou #the bonus for this day will probably be out soon-ish #ramuda amemura #gentaro yumeno #dice arisugawa #jakurai jinguji #hifumi izanami #doppo kannonzaka

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chiiwifruit · 4 years

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TCM Day 16: ANGST

Tied to Day 6

This world gave Fai a bad feeling.

Maybe it was because it was a cold country and reminded him too much of Valeria and Celes. Maybe it was the fact that as he walked through the city streets with his friends, he could read the script on most of the signs. Either way, he didn’t like it.

The city was more modern than either Valeria or Celes, as there were both cars and electric streetlamps. That made Fai breathe a bit easier. The air was frigid, though, and none of them were dressed for the weather. Mokona was especially vulnerable due to her small size, and she burrowed deep into Kurogane’s clothes to keep her ears from freezing off.

To escape the cold while they figured out what to do next, they ducked into a pub and took seats at the first empty table they saw. Apparently other people had the same idea of escaping the cold, because the room was packed. Heavy wool and fur coats and thick hats were hung over the backs of chairs and on tall coat stands scattered around for that purpose.

The air was warm and moist, scented like alcohol and sweat. It clearly wasn’t a high class establishment, but that suited them fine. Their small group of travelers was used to rough surroundings by now, and it didn’t matter how seedy the pub was if it gave their frozen fingers a chance to thaw out.

They got some looks as they sat down, Kurogane and Syaoran especially. Fai fit in better, as most of the other patrons had blond hair and light eyes as well - blue, green, or grey from what he could see - though there were a few darker heads mixed in as well.

A burly man sitting nearby was giving Kurogane the side-eye. Kurogane leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his chin up slightly in what Fai recognized as his ‘Try it. I dare you, and I’ll laugh as I smash your face in’ look.

The man showed some sense in deciding not to pick a fight. He did, however, strike up a conversation. “Travelers?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Kurogane grunted.

“Not dressed for the weather.”

“No.”

The man turned to Fai instead, deciding that he looked friendlier than his surly companion. “Are you from around here?”

“No. We’ve been doing a lot of traveling,” Fai said with a smile. No one had come to take their order yet, which was a relief as they would have to have the awkward conversation that they didn’t have any of this country’s currency. Though through this conversation, they had already established themselves as travelers, so perhaps the proprietors of the pub would be understanding that they would need to exchange currency or find another way to pay for a meal. “We’ve been on the road for days now. Where is this?”

“Cartan. If you’re heading to the capital, you’ll want to follow the highway north further.”

“So this country is called Cartan,” Syaoran said thoughtfully.

The man gave him an odd look. “No, this city is Cartan. The country is Valeria. How lost are you?”

But Fai didn’t hear anything after Valeria.

His ears rang. The air left his body. He didn’t feel Kurogane move closer to him or place his large hand on Fai’s shoulder, even though Kurogane was squeezing with some force. He didn’t hear the man and his tablemates ask if he was all right, or whatever excuse Syaoran made.

He was aware of Kurogane levering him to his feet, but it felt like something that was happening very far away, to someone else. Kurogane guided him out of the building, and the shock of the cold air hit Fai like a slap. He gasped in a breath, and doubled over when the cold burned his lungs.

Kurogane rubbed his back to help ground him. Valeria. Fai let out a bitter laugh. He didn’t know he was crying, and that his tears froze on his cheeks. He had come full circle, it seemed. He had known that someday he would be forced back to Celes to face Ashura-ou, but this?

He had never expected this.

It was somehow worse.

Syaoran joined them, and his companions must have sorted things out, because the next thing Fai was really aware of was laying on a bed in a small room with whitewashed walls. He blinked and sat up, looking around. Kurogane was perched on a rickety chair that shouldn’t be able to hold his weight and looking out the narrow window.

“Did I faint?” Fai asked as Kurogane looked over.

Kurogane said something unintelligible in reply, and gestured at the rest of the room.

Fai blinked, confused, and looked around. Oh. Syaoran and Mokona weren’t here. That made sense. Syaoran must be off doing something, and he would need Mokona’s translation ability in order to speak with the locals. So Kurogane and Fai were on their own, unable to speak to each other.

Fai flopped back on the bed and covered his eyes with his arms. The bed creaked as Kurogane settled his weight on the edge, and then his fingers threaded through Fai’s hair. He was saying something. Fai couldn’t understand the words, but the familiarity of his voice was comforting.

When Kurogane started shaking his shoulder, Fai had to drop his arms to see what Kurogane was trying to communicate. Kurogane was pointing to the other bed, where Fai’s cold weather clothes were laid out. Fai blinked. His brain felt sluggish, and it took a moment for him to catch up. Oh. Kurogane was also wearing his thick clothes, the ones Mokona usually stored for them.

Since it was now obvious that Kurogane wanted him to get changed, Fai did so, fumbling more than necessary. His hands didn’t feel attached to his body. Once he was finished, he was exhausted, and he flopped back onto the bed. Kurogane seemed satisfied, and left Fai to his thoughts.

It took most of Fai’s concentration to regulate his breathing and his heart rate to keep from falling back into blind panic, so he wasn’t aware of how much time passed before Syaoran and Mokona returned to them with food.

There was no table in the room, so Syaoran and Mokona set the trays on the other bed. “Fai-san, come eat,” Syaoran said, appearing above Fai and looking down at him with concern. “It will help.”

Fai wasn’t sure anything would help, but he got up. He was worrying everyone, and he didn’t want to do that. He didn’t manage to eat much, but he choked down what he could and left the rest to Mokona. There was a lot of noise coming through the floor. It took Fai a moment to realize that his companions were all being very quiet.

He cleared his throat to speak, then had to clear it again. It felt like there was food lodged there, but Fai knew it had to be his own distress. “Where are we now?” he asked.

“The pub recommended a place that rents rooms to travelers,” Syaoran said. “So we’re just down the road. The money exchange was simple enough, thankfully. Apparently this is a popular tourist area now.”

A popular tourist area. Who would have thought. “Why?”

From the look on Syaoran’s face, one would have thought he was the one in pain. Perhaps he was. The boy had too much empathy for his own good. At least he was blunt. “This used to be the capital,” Syaoran said, watching Fai’s face for his reaction. “The old castle is here, and open to tourists.”

“The old castle...?” Fai echoed. His ears roared again. But that meant... if the castle was here...

The valley was nearby.

Sudden pain stabbed into his stomach. Fai curled around it as his friends all moved to support him. He forced himself to breathe. “What else?” he gasped out. Syaoran flinched. “There’s something else. I can see it in your face.”

He was right. He saw the flash of guilt in Syaoran’s eyes, and how Mokona squirmed. They had found something out while Fai was incapacitated. And Kurogane didn’t know what it was, because while he moved to stabilize Fai, he was also watching Syaoran and waiting for him to speak.

Syaoran dropped his hands from Fai’s arms and leaned back. Mokona crawled into his lap, and Syaoran stroked her head. “After you and Kurogane left, I asked some questions,” Syaoran said. “I knew which ones to ask, from watching through the other me. To find out about past events.”

The other Syaoran had been an archaeologist. That made sense.

“It seems you’re something of a legend,” Syaoran said when Fai didn’t speak. “There are stories about the mad king of Valeria, and the twin princes who were banished to the valley. How the king slew the inhabitants of the capital city and flung himself into the valley. And the twin princes vanished the same day the tower in the valley fell.”

“All right,” Fai said. This wasn’t anything he did not know. “And?”

Syaoran was watching him very, very carefully. “No one goes to the valley anymore except for supernatural enthusiasts. They say the valley is haunted. By the ghost of a young boy with long blond hair.”

A ghost. Like in Jade Country. Princess Emeraude.

Except this one was...

It was...

Kurogane grabbed for him, but Fai was already off the bed and out the door. He didn’t even feel himself move until he was on the street, and only then because the cold bit his face. He knew the way to the valley. The city had changed, but the lay of the land had not.

His friends chased him, but they weren’t trying to stop him. Kurogane could have caught Fai with ease if he wanted.

He was forced to slow his frantic run by the time he reached the city limits. The trek to the valley was too far to achieve at a sprint. So he paced along, fueled by a high of adrenaline and pure blind panic. Syaoran and Kurogane caught up, but hung back a little.

Frozen ground stretched as far as he could see on either side, broken by mountains in the distance. But he was only looking forward, where he was starting to make out the jumbled stones of the tower through the snow.

He swallowed hard. He couldn’t breathe. Again. Too many memories flooding back.

His hands gripped his opposite arms hard. But as Kurogane reached for him again, Fai tore away and flung himself forward and screamed.

“FAI!”

He ran to the stones and climbed atop them as high as he could go. He looked around, frantic. They said he was here. He had to be here. “Fai! Can you hear me?” he yelled again.

He screamed for his brother until his throat was raw, pacing up and down beside the steep drop of the valley. The wilderness remained undisturbed. He terrified his friends by dropping to his knees and leaning over the edge of the valley to see if his brother was down below. Fearing for his mental state, Kurogane hauled him away from the edge while Fai continued to shout.

But Fai could not see the pale figure that flitted across the rocks toward him as he called his brother’s name.

He could not hear the voice without a body that cried out his birth-name in response.

He did not feel the ghostly hands tug on his clothes.

And as he collapsed to the snow, sobbing, with his friends’ arms around him, he did not know that his brother’s arms were around him as well, unseen and unfelt. He did not know that his brother cried with him, and that his tears fell on Fai’s hair.

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yououui · 2 years

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for the prompts “ it doesn’t always have to be you, you know? your shoulders aren’t the only ones that can bear the weight of the world. ” please!

They thought that they had found the ones that they were looking for. They were within reach, just before them, and then—

They were silent as they landed in a new world. Syaoran's head was lowered, his hair covering his eyes as his hands clenched into tight fists by his sides. Fai stared straight ahead, resigned, his eyes red with tears. Mokona sniffled on Syaoran's shoulder.

And Kurogane, he kept the family together. He led them to an inn, he spoke to the innkeeper, he negotiated a price and got them two rooms. He put his hand on Syaoran's head and ruffled his hair comfortingly, instructed Mokona to stay with him while he stayed with Fai.

"I don't understand. Syaoran-kun doesn't deserve this. None of us do," Fai said quietly, his words tight and clipped, once they were alone. Blue eyes turned to Kurogane. "How about you? How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Kurogane answered. He tried to walk towards the kitchen, but Fai blocked his path.

"Are you really?" Fai asked him. "Because I'm not. Syaoran-kun and Mokona-chan aren't. So part of me thinks Kuro-sama isn't, either."

"I am," Kurogane told him stubbornly. He paused. "But it's not like I can afford to have a breakdown about it. Someone's gotta keep us going."

Fai's eyes softened with sadness and guilt. "Kuro-sama..."

"I'm fine," Kurogane said again. "I could just... really use a drink. I'm gonna go ask the innkeeper if they have any."

Fai caught Kurogane's wrist and held him still. Kurogane looked at him curiously. "It doesn't always have to be you, you know?" Fai said quietly, stepping up close, standing tall. "Your shoulders aren't the only ones that can bear the weight of the world. So if you need to have a breakdown, you can. If someone has to hold us together, you can let me do it."

Kurogane looked into sapphire eyes, hardened with determination and love. His chest ached. His throat was tight. His eyes burned. He wanted to punch a hole in the wall, he wanted to scream until the Gods themselves heard him. He wanted to tear the whole universe apart until he broke fate itself.

"I don't get it," Kurogane finally said with an uncharacteristically tight voice. "Why does it have to be this way?"

Fai didn't have an answer. That was the price they paid, after all. Fai led Kurogane to a chair and sat him down, allowed Kurogane to rest for the first time in what felt like forever.

"You stay here," Fai told him. "I'll go see if they have any wine."

That night, with Syaoran joining them, they worked through their sorrows together. Tomorrow would bring a new day, a new opportunity to search for new answers and solutions. Until then, at least they had each other to get through the collective pain they all felt.

#kurofai #tw alcohol mention

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magicfeatherspecialist · 4 years

Text

Tsubasa Chronicle Month - Day 1: Fai

(Set early in TWC. Implied Kurofai.) (TW: implied past suicidal thoughts, i tried to be as subtle as possible but still, be safe out there)

Fai jolts up. His mind whirls directionless for a minute, the only thing anchoring him to earth being the quiet shaking of his limbs. Eventually, his awareness sharpens. A nightmare. He just had a nightmare.

Although the realization helps him get his mind in order again, it does nothing to placate the phantom cold that runs through his body; nor does anything for the panic bumping in his chest.

He forces himself to relax. Breathe in. Breathe out.

He concentrates on his hearing until he picks up short and steady breaths coming from his left. Kurogane, he thinks, using the name to pull his mind fully to the present. Fai anchors himself to his presence, trying to pace his still shaky breathing to Kurogane’s steady one.

In. Out. He finally opens his eyes.

He finds himself staring at their shared room in Tomoyo’s palace. Nihon, he repeats in his mind, we are in Nihon. You are safe.

He gets up from the futon, careful not to wake Kurogane, and walks shakily to the window. He rests his arms on the sill, looking at the flowers and trees illuminated by the moon. He concentrates on the vibrant colours and warm breezes, hoping the obvious evidence of spring would get rid of the freezing cold he feels.

It starts to work, after a few minutes. His breath steadies, his arms stop shaking. The panic settles, replaced by a familiar hollowness. He still feels that old cold in him, but it’s distant now, like the bitter memory it really is.

He is in the present. He is in Nihon, with Kurogane and Syaoran and Mokona. They are taking a small break from their quest. They’re safe.

He is in the present. He realizes that, after everything, it became a comforting place to be. He is in the present, and even feeling like this, he wants to be here.

The feeling is still fascinating to him. Wanting to be here, instead of just having to keep going. It is still a fleeting development, even after all this time. In worse nights than this, his old mind-set creeps in, and he can shake it on his own no matter how hard he tries. It settles in his heart and doesn’t leave until he’s curled up at Kurogane’s side, or he falls asleep again listening to Syaoran’s breathing, or ruffling Mokona’s head, or thinking about Sakura’s hug from when they last saw her.

Even if he isn’t so convinced of it sometimes, there are people who want him to live. Not as a punishment, and without a price. They want him to live because they love him. In nights like this, he holds onto that like a lifeline.

He turns around to look at Kurogane’s sleeping form. He’s surprised his little freak out hasn’t woken him up, but he’s glad for it all the same. The man sleeps better in his homeland, a feeling of safety he doesn’t get anywhere else. He smiles, despite himself.

He breathes deeply again. His heartbeat is still a bit uneasy; there still are echoes of cruel voices in his head. But he’s calmer now, he may even be able to fall asleep again.

He walks out of the room, as quietly as he can. Careful not to wake him either, he sneaks into Syaoran’s room. The boy is asleep on his side, hair covering his eyes. Under his arm, he can see Mokona snuggling against him.

He looks at them for a moment. Thinks of the other Syaoran, who they haven’t located yet. Thinks of Sakura back at Clow Kingdom. Thinks of the lost Sakura, the one he owes one hell of an apology to, she who always saw so much in him.

There are many things he wants to do, and he tries to remind the hollow that still rests on his chest of them: He wants to find the other Syaoran and Sakura, give them the rest they deserve. He wants this Syaoran to see the world for himself. He wants Kurogane to be happy and heal, and he wants to be there for it all.

As he makes his way back to his room, he catches sight of his reflexion. It makes him pause. Would you be proud of me, Fai? he can’t help but wonder. The question isn’t as haunting anymore.

He gets back on the bed, attaching himself to Kurogane’s left arm. The feeling of the artificial limb is just another reminder that he’s wanted here, even if it is not a happy one.

He closes his eyes. The hollow in his chest hasn’t left, he doesn’t think it ever will, but it is smaller now. Manageable. It won’t eat him whole, like it did before.

“You okay?” Kurogane’s voice is muffled and tinted by sleep, but he can still recognize the edge of concern in it.

“Yeah, go back to sleep.” He tells him, snuggling against his arm. “I’ll be fine.” He adds, and as he lays his head against kurogane’s side, he thinks he means it.

#TsubasaChronicleMonth #fai d flourite #fai #tsubasa reservoir chronicle #I headcanon that sometimes he can't remember his nightmares but he wakes up freezing cold #I was so out of my depth with this one tbh #enjoy

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