#all of that is true! AND it respects her and loves her. AND they're teammates! they are both trying so hard | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jesswritesthat · 20 days

Text

Bokuto Kōtarō: Misunderstanding

Fandom: Haikyuu!! — [ Masterlist ]

Summary: ~1.5k, fluff

• Bokuto likes you, but gets the completely the wrong idea. You’re fine being friends though, right? A MSBY beach training session will sort that out.

Warnings: None

>>>>——————————>

Being surrounded by rowdy division 1 volleyball players wasn't how you expected it to be, you'd expected their level of professionalism to be carried over into their everyday lives - but this was not the case. Gladly so, honestly.

They were chaotic and mischievous, oblivious and loving, with a shenanigan never too far away. This was especially true for Bokuto, the wing Spiker who you'd become undeniably close with.

It was no secret he'd felt the same, always greeting you first and walking you home if you remained after his false promises of 'one more'.

MSBY could see it plain as day, though Bokuto had insisted you were only one of his best friends, there was a growing attraction imbued to his actions. How his gaze softened upon seeing you, how he'd memorised your boundaries so he could utilise physical contact, and how he'd effortlessly fit into your everyday life.

The teasing of his current teammates was swiftly dismissed as a joke however, when he received a visit from a particular nutritionist that seemed to shatter everyones' perceptions. Yukippe and Bokuto spent the entire visit by one another's side leaving you all to simply get on with your respective jobs.

"So you're pretty close with them huh?"

Shirofuku Yukie observed, the former manager of Fukurōdani - a team Bokuto truly cherished and would enthusiastically talk to you about late into the night and then profusely apologise for keeping you out so late whilst walking you home or preparing his bed for you to crash in. Yet every time, the love never faded.

It meant Yukie, like the rest of the team, was special to him.

"Didn't you hear me tell you the last 10 times Yukippe? We're not together, only friends and that's it - right (Y/n)?" He'd called after you for support when you'd walked past, yourself heaving a dejected sigh when answering and leaving the room.

"Platonic with a capital P."

The nutritionist seemed a little deflated by your deadpan response and lack of flustering to her claims as you disappeared through the gym doors, having hoped you'd felt the same attraction as her old Ace clearly did to you.

"Friends don't... you don't look at your friends like that Kōtarō. Not once did you ever look at Fukurōdani like that." Yukie pleadingly justified, both former Fukurōdani members outcast from the speculation regarding them.

"I know... but I can't help it." Bokuto hummed hopelessly, the truth making his emotions even more jarring. "I'd date them in a heartbeat, honestly."

"Then why don't you birdbrain?"

"Eh?! Because I can't! They're just not into... I mean they prefer..." He froze again, this time due to his uncertainty about your sexuality being public knowledge - you'd scolded him on not thinking before he speaks multiple times, and this was one of those times. "They're... just a friend."

———

It was the day you dreaded, the MSBY Jackals had decided to head out to the beach to try an unorthodox form of training recommended by Hinata. The man had experience as a beach volleyball player and suggested playing on sand had increased both his power and balance for on court matches also.

So here you stood, watching a bunch of physically fit pro athletes in swimwear play varying matches of beach volleyball. You'd crafted a necessary regime though and prepared everything required, and it seemed your team were surprised by your less formal appearance (as you're fairly certain this trip wasn't entirely for training purposes considering they'd reserved a chunk of their schedule for swimming and such).

As expected they'd garnered a fair bit of admiration but you remained oblivious to the attention you were getting, even if the team were protectively aware. All the more amusing when Bokuto noticed it too, overhearing a nearby strangers comment along the lines of "...really hot, I'll try to talk to them when they’re finished talking and I get the chance." directed toward you.

It was no surprise (to the team) when their loud mouth decided to make an overly showy entrance.

"Then we can work on— argh the hell?" You pulled the MSBY track jacket from your head, revealing a bemused team and happy-go-lucky Bokuto walking backwards presenting himself with arms wide.

"Don't want you damaging your skin in the sun!" A double thumbs up and cheesy grin was sent your way courtesy of the spiker much to your chagrin. Is this how that Akaashi guy felt catching jackets all the time?

Regardless you put it on, resuming your informative update and even when you were done, you missed the unanimous smirks of the team due to no interruptions despite having the chance.

MSBY had taken a brief break in the sea / sunbathing and to your expectancy there was a commotion in the water, having used your hand as shade to see you immediately regretted doing so. Kōtarō had stepped out of the ocean, muscles dripping and hair unfairly framing his face with a bright grin on his features. You hated this job, you hated this job, god dammit why?! Naturally he was greeted by two beautiful women and you're certain they'd complimented him and asked a question but he strolled right past them - only then did you realise his gaze was locked on you.

In a second a finger gently lifted your chin and you were met with the most beautiful sight you'd ever seen in your life, the sunlight highlighting his skin only disabling your thoughts further.

"Hey hey hey! What are you staring at (Y/n)? You zoned out."

"Uh— I, breathtaking..." You'd breathed it in way that caught Kōtarō off guard, amber irises analytically scanning your eyes, then lips, prior to turning to the horizon which snapped you back to reality.

"Yeah it is an incredible view huh?" He'd moved to stand by your side now, hands proudly on his hips.

"Yeah the view." A pause, then a glare. "Kōtarō those women...!"

"He really doesn't have eyes for anyone else does he?" Hinata chuckled, watching the scene unfold alongside Atsumu.

"Nah, (Y/n) is the only one who doesn't realise though."

They overheard your faint protest of how 'women were trying to talk to him and he shouldn't have just ignored them like that' but Bokuto seemed to happily dismiss it.

"Why so mad? Did you think they were pretty? I can introduce you if you want (Y/n)?"

His reply was questionable, and once Bokuto had gone over to Atsumu and Hinata (who were defitely flustering him about something) you fell into thought. You'd seen Atsumu address everyone who tried to flirt with him, the same with the other players but the fact Bokuto had just ignored them was so strange. Normally he enjoyed praise after matches, or any time really. Maybe he'd reached his limit today?

You didn’t have time to further ponder it though when you were interrupted by the aforementioned trio.

“Hey (N/n)! We’re gonna have another game, will you be my partner?”

“Did you run out of teammates or something? Or did Sakusa say no?”

“No! Jeez, I wanted you to set for me is that such a crime?” Bokuto jokingly pouted, yourself only shaking your head in bemusement.

“I’m in, makes sense to put the two Spikers on different teams.”

“Sure. That’s why Bokkun asked.”

———

It was a late practice tonight but you still thought the beach trip a week ago had imbued them with motivation. As the final practice match came to an end, the team prepared to head off separately. However, Meians’ partner had come for him today and you regretfully found yourself admiring the pair - how they'd brought food for him, and waited for him to go home together.

A defeated sigh escaped you, and only then did you take note of the presence beside you.

"Are you thinking about trying whatever they were eating?" Kōtarō spoke, gym bag over his shoulder having followed your direction of sight.

"Sorta? Well more like... no it's stupid." You embarrassingly waved it off, starting toward the exit when a gentle grip clasped your wrist.

"I'll still listen, stupid is more fun. Plus now I'm hungry."

You watched as he planted himself on the bench, a competitive aura about him that said 'I’m not moving until you tell me' and who were you to deny the person who was walking you home.

"Well, I was just thinking about going out with someone but I don't think it's in the cards for me."

Your calm nature and words seemed to surprise him, Bokutos' eyes widening slightly and for a second you swore he was contemplating more than usual.

"You're really awesome, you know that right?" You turned to him now, completely puzzled. "Anyone would be so lucky to have you, I'd be ecstatic, so try to see yourself how I see you."

"If you see me so positively, maybe you should just date me yourself Kōtarō." You jokingly laughed along with that accompaniment when he abruptly stood up with renewed determination.

"I would! I love you as a friend anyway and I've liked you for ages, but I can't."

"What?! I thought you liked Shirofuku hence why you were telling her we were just friends." You facepalmed, but reiterated your point of view to aid with his understanding.

"No I— I thought you were only into girls!"

…

There was a mortified silence, like the whole gymnasium had heard this and decided to tune in to listen. You're almost certain you heard Atsumu choke.

"Since when?! Where did you even get the idea?"

“Huh? I dunno, overheard ‘Tsum ‘Tsum mention it once, and you’ve never been bothered by male attention so I didn’t pry.”

“And you believed Miya Atsumu instead?!” You swear you heard the entire remaining team unanimously facepalm, grumbling curses under their breath despite Miyas’ hopeless protest.

“You gotta trust your teammates right? But when you put it like that…” Bokuto looked sheepish, despite his adamant defence of his setter which only left you laughing out loud.

“What’s so funny? It was a misunderstanding, I didn’t treat you differently and love you all the same no matter who you like.”

You paused, sighing hopelessly with a soft smile matching your new tone.

"Bokuto... I like you."

<——————————<<<<

[ Masterlist ]

#bokuto koutarou #bokuto koutarou imagine #bokuto koutarou x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagines #anime x reader #anime imagine #bokuto x reader #haikyuu bokuto

92 notes · View notes

adventuringblind · 9 months

Text

Drive With You Forever

Chapter Seven: can’t keep a secret

Max Verstappen x Charles Leclerc x Lando Norris x Reader

Chapter summary: reader gets to finally race, Lando and Charles are terrible liars, Max crashes in silver stone then kisses all of them in public. Safety becomes an issue when a stranger appears at their door. Daniel has far to many questions

Warnings: Not much in this chapter aside from some stalker behavior, panic attacks, and some toxic media. Also, Daniel is mildly perverted and there is sexual innuendo.

Notes: I feel that this is more filler than anything. Also, we're ignoring the super license rules because this is fiction, and otherwise, things don't work.

Previous <-

Masterlist

It's the first race of the season. The crowd in Melbourne is cheering at intervals she didn't know were possible.

She's dressed the same as Max. The proud feeling overwhelmed him when he first layed eyes on her in the race suit.

They left the hotel room this morning as four. Arrived to the track as four. Argued about how she would look better in the other twos respective suits as four.

Her and Max waved the boys off as they headed further down the paddock.

It's race day. Her nerves are everywhere. Max's hand on the small of her back keeping her centered.

Everything seems to be going so fast. Conversations with her race engineer are a blur. She's analyzing every piece of data and information from the car.

Then their on the grid. Max is kissing her good luck before getting into his car. She's making eye contact with Charles and Lando, who are nodding her on with confidence.

Then the lights are out. She's driving and defending. Her qualifying had landed her eighth, and by lap twenty, she's fifth.

Every one of her instincts is in overdrive. Her mind worked with a sense of purpose. Dragging every last detail out of the race. Including the whereabouts of her three counterparts.

She doesn't even realize she ends the race in third. First race, first podium. She's crying, her engineer is screaming, Christian is absolutely ecstatic.

When she pulls into her spot, Max is all over her. He had finished first, but he honestly didn't care right now. Her team is surrounding her with love and excitement.

Seb is crying with her. Her boys are lifting her into the air.

She doesn't hold back her joy. It's too overwhelming anyway. And she lets herself think for a moment that she deserves to feel this kind of happiness.

Race weekends are tricky sometimes. The four of them always have to sneak around to have a moment with each other. Most have speculated that they are all really good friends. Which is true... in a way. They're also just a lot more than that.

They've turned it into a game of sorts. Whoever finishes the highest gets to decide how they celebrate.

The hardest thing is that Lando has a teammate who somehow just knows things.

It was this particular race that Lando managed to finish higher than the other three.

Is he excited about it? Yes.

Is he giggling at his phone like an idiot? Also, yes.

"Watcha laughing at?" Daniel's asks, sneaking up behind the Brit and making him jump out of his skin.

He turns his phone off faster then the speed of light and is throwing it across the room.

"Absolutely nothing."

"Don't lie to me. Is it a girl?"

He can feel the blush, and he ignores it. "No."

"Then a boy, possibly?" The blush grows ever so slightly. "Still no."

"Both?"

Lando chokes on air. Is he just probing him now?

Daniel is smiling like an idiot and laughing like a dork. "I saw you four leaving your room together."

"We're just - uh - friends. Really good friends." He stutters out. Why is he so bad at lying? He needs to divert Daniel's attention or something.

"You're lying again. You forget I've known Max for years." The Aussie sighs. Then he pulling out his own phone.

Lando is hyperventilating as he is shown picture proof of their relationship. Him kissing both boys and their female counterpart before the race. His stomach drops. They were right outside their hotel room. Around the corner even! How had they not noticed him?

"Relax, I'm not going to tell anyone. It's cute what you guys have going."

Lando releases a breath he didn't know he was holding. His body visibly relaxed.

Daniel moves to leave the Brit alone but not before leaving him with one last thought. "Have fun tonight!" Then Landos blush is the biggest it's been since the start of their conversation.

Charles is still angry with Ferrari at what they did to his lover. Kicking her out with no real argument as to why.

Seb was so angry that he signed a new contract with Aston Martin. Leaving Charles with his new teammate, Carlos.

They get along well. The friendship they've formed helping them to work together on and off the track. Though, Charles is still very cautious around the Ferrari garage now.

This race had Charles sneaking off to meet up with his three lovers before qualifying. Carlos, however, is waiting for him this time.

The Spaniard stops him right outside his outer diver room door. "Where are you off to again?" He chuckles.

Charles is startled and fumbling for an answer. He'd gotten good at coming up with excuses, but the fact he has been caught off guard doesn't help. "Somewhere." Is the best he can come up with, and he's mentally face palming.

"You are such a liar, Charles!" Carlos hits his shoulder playfully. "Tell me right now or I'm going to follow you and bother you until you tell me."

"Fine then"

Charles walks for what feels like ever. Carlos is a pain in the ass the entire time. Charles though that he might get bored at some point. He was mistaken.

He mumbles some angry French and ducks behind a corner, pulling Carlos with him. "I'm going to see my girlfriend."

"I know."

"You what?! If you already knew why are you doing this nonsense?"

"Because I know that's not the whole truth." Carlos pulls out his phone and shows him some pictures from a few weeks prior. "Daniel sent this to me when he was drunk."

So much for Daniel not saying anything. The Monegasque determines he will be stealing his phone and deleting the evidence himself.

"Swear to me you will delete those and never say a word about it."

Carlos holds his hands up in surrender. "I promise. I just wanted to hear it from you."

The pre-qualifying conversation between the four is actually just them hunting down Daniel.

It's now race week in Silverstone. Max had been fighting with Lewis for the championship title. Putting everything on the line. Finally getting an opportunity to make his father see that he is good enough.

It all ends on turn one. His entire race gone because Lewis sent him into the wall. His head is spinning, and he can't think straight. His muscles ache with every movement. He's lucky that it's not worse.

He gets to watch the race from his hospital room. The doctors want to get scans and all the neccecary tests to show that he's fine. Sore, but fine.

He can tell his crash definitely affected his lovers. Y/N was far more aggressive than normal. Even though it landed her a podium finish, she didn't celebrate.

Charles was fighting more with his race engineer. The end result being his strategy messed up.

Lando finished outside the points. His anxiety made it hard for him to drive. Daniel was quick to find him after the race and make sure he was breathing properly.

The three left as soon as possible. Most of their media duties left unfinished, but they didn't care. Max was in the hospital, and they needed to see him.

They piled into his room. All of them relieved to see he's awake and okay.

When they finally release him, they are right back into their hotel room. Cuddling the Dutch and making sure he has every need met.

"I could force Lewis off the track next race with other means if you want me to." There's a little smirk in her voice.

They all laugh. They know she can't and wouldn't do that, but it's the thought that counts.

The last grand Prix of the season. Abu Dhabi. Max and Lewis are tied for points.

It's stressful. It's exciting. And she's currently right sandwiched between them, trying to keep Lewis off of Max for as long as possible.

Her tires are going. She's been on the same set for far too long. It doesn't take much for Lewis to pass her a few laps later.

The rest of the race is a fight. At one point, she thought Max may not make it. Until her race engineer is telling her to unlap the safety car.

"Is Max going to be at the front then?"

"He'll be right up there with Hamilton."

One lap later, she's screaming. Her place is irrelevant. Points are there, but she dosen't care.

It feels like the entire team is crying in joy. Max has become a world champion. The one thing he's always wanted to achieve.

She runs into her arms as soon as her car is parked. Her lips on his without a care as to who sees.

The shocking part is when Charles and Lando join them, and Max does something particularly unexpected.

First, he's embracing the three of them. It looks more like a huddle than anything. "If you all want to, this may be the best time to show everyone. It's so special that you three have been here to support me through this. Let me show everyone."

It's the other twos turn now. Max has successfully landed kisses in all three pairs of lips.

All of them are happy. Everything is good.

The news didn't take long to spread. All four of you had to make statements about it. All of your teams are supportive. They just need to get the media under control and get them to stop asking invasive questions in interviews.

All four of them are happier now that they don't have to take separate cars to the same events and perfectly time their entries and exits.

They post about each other all the time. The fans' reactions to that are about what you'd expect.

Though the name calling is uncalled for.

All four of them have started limiting who can interact with posts. The boys don't particularly like their female lover being called a slut (that name is reserved only for them in the confines of their bedroom walls).

She doesn't mind, though. She's been called worse. Her father called her a murderer for fifteen years. In comparison, she preferred the insults of those who had to hide behind a keyboard.

The PR team has done a great job at masking it as an 'adrenaline rush' for Max. It's left views of them all over the place.

Some believe it. Others don't. Few are just oblivious.

Then Lewis is just glad he finally got an answer as to why he had the conversation with two clueless kids in Sebs hotel room.

The off-season brought many fun adventures. It was her favorite break they'd had yet.

Until she spotted a familiar face trying to get up to their apartment. The man who'd given her the letter from her father all those months ago is back.

She's not the first to get the door. Her voice caught in her throat as she tried to warn Charles not to let him up.

She's too late. The anxiety starts, and there is no way she's going to be able to stop it.

Lando, who currently has her head on his chest and his arm around her, picks up on her rapid breathing. "Vision?"

"he's- its the same guy - the one front the first time." It comes out broken and almost slurred. Yet Lando gets it and is heaving himself over the couch.

He slides around the corner just in time to see Charles open the door. A box clutched in the man's hands. "For her."

"Who are you?!" Lando shouts from behind Charles. Starling the Monegasque.

"A friend."

"Bullshit." Spits Lando.

Charles just takes the box and glances in between the two. Max is skidding into the room. The yelling alerting the Dutch to a Problem. Mainly because Lando doesn't yell in anger often.

"Just tell the nuisance that her father says hello." Then he walks off without a word.

Lando runs after him, only to be foiled by Charles standing in the way of him and the door. He's not thinking straight, and he knows it, but safety is a major concern right now, and Lando wants answers.

Max hugs him from behind and waits for Lando to breathe evenly again.

When they all are level-headed, they make their way back to the shivering girl on the couch. She hasn't moved an inch. Her eyes are teary, and she doesn't know if she can take another message from her father.

Lando is intent on trying to soothe her. He lifts her body back up to put her where she was before he left.

Charles places the small box on the coffee table and kneels by her knees. Max is ever watchful over them and is standing to where he can see the door.

"What did he say?"

Charles shakes his head. "No need to repeat, amour."

"No, I heard him say something. I need to know." Her voice is shaky but determined. Charles looks at Max for confirmation before reciting the message. The dutch nods his head. His eyes lost in thought.

"He said to tell the Nuisance that her father says hello."

Her body goes rigid, and Lando panics for a moment, thinking he did something wrong.

"I know him." She states. There was someone else who spent time at the warehouse. He brought back bodies sometimes for her father to do with as he pleases. Occasionally, he stayed with her when her father would have to leave for days. Though he would just lock her in her room. He was the only one who called her a nuisance and she never saw his face.

Charles and Lando can see the wheels moving in Max's brain. He knows where they are now. Safety has officially become his number one priority.

She sits up quickly and snatches the box off the table. Then she's tearing it open. The contents of it confuse three of them while one is becoming increasingly sick at the sight.

A note, some instructions, photographs of the four of them.

She stands with vigor and finds herself in the bathroom with the door locked.

They don't follow her. They know she's going to want to read it first. Something they let her do and then will read it themselves later.

The letter isn't even folded this time. Words pleading her to come back to him. Telling her that he's going to make her stronger. Then, at the bottom, a warning.

Come home or I'll bring you home.

She stays on the floor of the bathroom for hours. The room gradually gets darker.

Max is the first to come knocking. "Are you alright." She unlocks the door for him, an understanding had come that when they ask about her, she needs to show them she's okay. She can go back after that, but they've had far too many doors broken after her lack of response.

She collapses into him this time. Her mouth lets out wails that shake her core. She can't go back. Even then, he might take her back.

Max is on the phone that night trying to figure out a place for them to go. Charles is sitting at the table with him while Lando is trying to soothe the female to sleep. Or at the very least, a relaxed state.

"Monaco is a small place. It wouldn't take much for him to learn where we live." Sighs Charles.

"Maybe Seb? I feel that if we can get her away for a bit, it might help. Maybe if her and Lando go to Germany you and I can look for somewhere to stay here."

"Why here still?"

"Thinking ahead. It might be suspicious if we dip out of the country."

"Ah, good point."

The two spend the night trying to make preparations and get ahold of people.

The next day her and Lando are flying to Germany. Much against their will. It's a good plan, but it's still terrifying to split up.

Seb greets them at the airport. He's excited to see them but extremely concerned. Usually, the two are smiling. Today, their faces are solem, and their eyes downcast. Their hands are intertwined, clinging to each other like it's all they have left.

The two were quiet on the way to the house. Constantly checking their phones for updates from the Dutch and Monegasque they left behind.

Lando had been given the task of not letting their super human lover try to do anything stupid. whereas she had been told to keep Lando breathing.

They went straight to their room when they got their. A few greetings here and there, but nothing much.

"I'm worried he's going to try something before they get moved."

They lay sprawled out on the bed. Using each other as a means of staying present. Small touches and comforting words have become medicine for the two.

"I don't think that will happen." Lando tries to reason. "He's still under house arrest, right?"

"Supposedly." She turns to look at Lando completely. "If I don't do what he asks then he might try to get me by other means."

Lando grips her hand. "Then we fight him together."

Meanwhile, back in Monaco, the other two are staying with Daniel.

The Monegasque is looking for a new apartment, the Aussie is brainstorming ideas, and the Dutch is on the phone for the fifteenth time that day.

"So, new country is off the table, but what about continent?"

Charles shoots him a look between consideration and wondering how both of them lack braincells.

Max hangs up the phone and is absolutely beaming. "I found a spot! Away from the inner city and with good security, apparently."

"When can we move in?"

"A couple of weeks from now."

"I think the other two may die before then."

Daniel pipes up with a grin on his face. "You could just stay with me until then."

Max and Charles share a look. "Are you sure you want four other people staying with you for a week or two?"

"Honestly, I've been intrigued at how your whole situation works."

Turns out Daniel is an annoying host.

Lando and y/n had yet to fly back from Germany, but the entertainment was hilarious already.

Apparently, Daniel had decided that boundaries were optional. He likes asking invasive questions, and both Max and Charles had to explain to him that their relationship isn't just about sex and Daniel can not join them just because he wants to.

Their group chat has been lighting up for the last three days with complaints.

The ordeal, though uncomfortable, still brought the two in Germay some comfort. Something about knowing their lovers are okay and able to complain somewhat comforting.

Maxy: he's asking for more details. I think he's getting off on this.

Charlie: Oh, definitely. I refuse to let him anywhere near us in that regard.

Lando: Lol!! Maybe that's why he kept the pictures of us for so long?!

Y/N: Maybe he's just jealous 🤔 the poor guy has had both Lando and Max as teammates, and now he knows he's missing out.

Seb is glad to see the two younger of the quartet finally eating properly. Some of the anxiety has been shaken off. Hanna no longer having to force them to eat.

They are enjoying nice conversation. Seb finally getting to ask them how things are going.

"Charles still can't cook."

"Glad to see nothing has changed." Seb says, causing everyone to laugh.

It feels normal for a moment. Even as the two board the plane home, it feels nice. Finally, they are going to be okay.

Or so they thought.

Tags: @styles-sunflower @purplephantomwolf @boiohboii @reblog-princess-blog @jjsprobablywrong @jayda12 @faithm120601 @eugene-emt-roe @lpab @yaaadii @80sloverry @spongebeck3101 @eviethetheatrefreak @jjsprobablywrong @chanshintien

Next ->

7.5 ->

268 notes · View notes

i-heart-hxh · 3 months

Note

hi! so ive been so confused/unsure abt why killua's reaction to palm saying "you are the one gon needs most" looked like he was devastated. ive thought of different reasons on why he had that reaction:

1) he got scared/devastated/stressed at the fact that he was the only one who could really help gon at that moment, but he was so sure he was useless cuz he couldn't even snap gon back to his own senses. so its like "if i—the closest help there is to gon—can't help him, then who/what else can?" and so the overwhelming thoughts of gon possibly dying haunts him.

2) he couldn't believe that he's the one gon really needs the most after assuming that palm probably placed higher than him already, and was fully convinced gon cares more about palm more than him. but then palm says she cant even compare to killua, which gave him that reaction .... i guess its like relief but portrayed in a painful way cuz of his self worth issues.

3) he got pressured by the thought of being the one gon will always rely on the most. anything bad that happens to gon will always depend on what killua would do abt it. and killua always worries and sacrifices too much when it comes to gon, so pressure just added up.

aaaand this is making my brain all scrambled (TT) i wanted to ask if u have a clearer answer for this..? i trust ur judgement a lot (｡-人-｡)

Hello! Aw, I appreciate that you trust my judgment, that's sweet of you to say. ❤️ I'll do my best to explain my take on Killua's expression in this scene!

So, I think his reaction of shock and looking devastated is primarily from the first set of reasons you brought up. He already tried to step in and stop Gon and got pushed away and told that the situation with Kite is none of his business essentially. Being rejected like that and being unable to change Gon's course of action (even though that's the role Gon entrusted him with) broke his heart, and made him feel like he can't change Gon's impending tragic outcome.

Bisky also told him this earlier in the arc:

While we know his tendency to flee against a strong enemy is caused (at least in a large part) by the needle, which he's already removed at this point in the series, Bisky's words to him and the gravity of the current situation still weigh heavily on him. In this scene, he's realizing that Gon's fate rests on him--and he doesn't know what to do to save Gon at this point. There's no one else he can ask or rely on any more to save Gon, it all hinges on him. What a heavy burden that is to be entrusted with, especially with how deeply he loves Gon--to a degree where he has actively decided and even stated out loud that he'll die with him if it comes down to that.

That's why he's not happy or relieved (at least not visibly) to hear this, as much as being Gon's most important person is what he wants--to hear this at this point is a tremendously scary thing. He just broke down sobbing on the ground because he feels so helpless to do anything for Gon. This is what he needed to hear, and it's true as well, but it puts him a position of great responsibility towards someone he loves more than anything. He was previously directly told by someone he respects that he'll eventually leave Gon to die, which just adds extra fuel to the situation.

I do think both of your other ideas are things that contribute to Killua's state to a degree, but they're not the primary driving force of his reaction in this scene specifically. The situation with Palm and Gon did certainly destabilize his sense of his role in Gon's life (because he desperately wants to be Gon's most important person and, it's heavily hinted, his romantic partner) and that's why he's so fixated on whether Gon wants him at his side as his friend or his teammate. Hearing this from Palm is deeply meaningful for Killua--he even thanks her for it later (he doesn't specify what it's for, but it's obvious)--but again the timing is what makes it difficult for Killua to hear.

On your third point, I do think Killua also realizes as a result of what happens in Chimera Ant Arc that the dynamic between him and Gon can't continue as it has, hence the separation, but in this scene the situation is too urgent for him to be thinking deeply about future situations beyond the life-or-death one he and Gon are currently in. The pressure on him is absolutely a factor, though.

I hope that helps clarify this important scene for you!

#hxh #hunter x hunter #gon #killua #palm #killugon #gonkillu #asks #anonymous #my posts #meta #I'm glad to be back writing meta after a very busy couple of weeks!!

58 notes · View notes

akechi-stole-my-heart · 6 months

Note

no. 1 thing people get wrong about sumi? (Or royal trio in general)

i mean honestly that she's terribly written. she's not. there are flaws because of the time constraints of third sem being so short, and i do have issues with her writing, but people complain so much about things that aren't issues or were the entire point. for example, the first half of her confidant being boring. she's supposed to feel like half a person, like a mask, like there's something Off, that there's more to her she's keeping secret.

something that haunts me is how little she talks about her dead sister, which feels like should be the key to her character arc and her slump--she mentions her once, in passing, and doesn't get very upset about the fact that her sister and best friend is dead! but the thing is, sumire thinks she is the one who died, and so she doesn't mourn herself. because of course kasumi wouldn't care. no one would care if sumire died. anyway, my point is, before you find out she's sumire, the way the narrative completely brushes over the fact that her sister died just months ago feels like missed potential. but it's actually entirely intentional. that's how the whole first half of her confidant is.

oh here are a couple other things about sumi that i've seen people be wrong about in the past. there was a post going around about how sumire should have been allowed to be more angry and go apeshit about being herself and allowed to be depressed for a while and like i just don't understand that? did we play the same game??

sumire DOES get angry she DOES go apeshit she LITERALLY TRIES TO KILL YOU so she can remain kasumi. after you defeat her she refuses to talk to you for days and for the next couple ranks she's visibly upset and depressed. sumire's arc is about recovery. they had to show her getting better in the short amount of time they had, so she couldn't continue to be dark and depressed beyond those couple ranks, but it is there.

and like. sumire wouldn't get angrier or darker than she does, because she's far too respectful? it's not in character for her to be rude or angry beyond how she already is in the game. and on top of that, she idolizes the protag. so she's not angry with him, she's angry at herself for failing him by refusing to face the truth.

the other thing is the take that cendrillon in her entirety represents sumire, while cendrillon at the ball represents kasumi. which is a really nice idea and i'd love it were it true, but it just...isn't. when sumire awakens to cendrillon the second time, it's kasumi's "spirit" or memory that transforms into the persona. cendrillon is always symbolically tied to kasumi, whether that be sumire's desire to become kasumi, or sumire carrying on the memory of kasumi. and the latter idea is nice, but it doesn't quite work for me without a middle step where sumire embraces that she is herself, without the baggage that is kasumi, first. (which is why i gave her odile in code violet.)

as for royal trio, probably the idea that they're a really boring and overrated trio, which just. isn't true. i get that there is limited content of them, but royal trio is all about the potential. as someone who has written a 100k+ fic about them, trust me. the potential is there and just waiting to be explored.

and this isn't really a royal trio take persay, but the idea that goro doesn't care about sumire, dislikes her, only sees her as a useful teammate and nothing more, or is indifferent to her, is objectively false. seriously. the moments are few and far between, but goro does show that he cares about her. in navi dialogue, one particular moment during the royal trio infiltration that lives rent free in my mind where he seems genuinely concerned for her, even the way he refuses to fight her is in its own strange way an expression of care.

and ofc, most notably when he saves her life after their fight with maruki by stopping her from going after him. "he only sees her as a useful teammate" my ass. if that were true he could have let her kill herself going after maruki and it'd have been nothing to him, because their fight with him was over and her usefulness was moot. but no, he stops her, because her safety matters to him. can you tell i'm insane about that moment? because i am so insane about that moment.

#this is way too long i am sorrryyyyyy #p5 #sumire yoshizawa #royal trio #goro akechi #sera answers #onitekka

52 notes · View notes

scoutpologist · 3 months

Text

brain worms got to me so. how the tf classes and their overwatch counterparts would feel about each other. i just got into tf2 so this might not be Super accurate but i'm going off vibes so whatever.

spy and sombra: i'm getting begrudging respect from spy and probably annoyance or dislike from sombra. they can get along, sure, but they probably wouldn't seek each other out voluntarily. just the mutual knowledge they'd stab each other in the back to protect themselves but also knowing they probably won't have to do that.

spy and echo (bc she duplicates ppl): echo would learn a lot from him and i think they'd actually end up liking each other somewhat! she's too polite and genuinely earnest for him to dislike her, and i can't see echo really HATING anyone. he'd give her social skills lessons and she'd have fun putting her lessons to use, then running back to him to ask how she did.

demoman and junkrat: they'd blow each other up and laugh about it together, no hard feelings at all. these two are the type to literally attack each other with cartoon hammers just to see the other person squashed all funny like a pancake. LOTS of respawns here. inseparable.

soldier and pharah: she'd be annoyed by him because of his... well, his everything, but he'd probably have a lot of respect for her, especially since she has a much easier time rocket jumping and can actually fly for short bursts. he's like an annoying dog that she can't get away from.

sniper and widow: they would never talk to each other. this is a silent conversation. nothing is going on here. they wouldn't even work together because they're both snipers and they'd move the hell across the map away from each other. mutual respect but they have literally never spoken.

heavy and zarya: oh they'd be besties 0 doubt about it, two huge strong russian mercenaries with giant fucking weapons? nah they're best friends. catch them wrestling at any hour of the day just for shits and giggles. also one of the loudest pairs ever if you get them going.

engineer and torbjorn: probably good friends who work together well. engineer seems like he'd be good with kids and he would probably be really sweet with torb's family. engie is very calm and could balance out torbs intense energy well, plus they're both VERY technically competent which creates a lot of respect. overall buddies.

scout and tracer: i think they'd honestly hit it off!! scout to me gives off a sort of... idk what a fag hag is for lesbians but that's what he is to me. they'd race and she'd win every time if she was trying but sometimes she lets him get it just to make him feel better. he probably gets a crush on either her or emily for a few months.

pyro and mei: hot take, i think pyro would fucking adore mei. she's so sweet and sunshine and rainbows, how could they not? they'd bond over a mutual love of cute things and would be very playful with each other, but mei would be kind of weirded out and scared by how much pyro genuinely seems to LIKE burning people alive. they would def be friendly tho.

medic and mercy: honestly, i think mercy would feel about him like she does moira - a genuine respect and awe for his work, but total revulsion at the way he does it. nonetheless, he actually cares for his teammates in a way moira does not, so she'd like him for that. i think medic would like her but think she's a bit of a coward or her heart isn't in it (the second half which is literally true). they could work together, but they'd constantly try to influence each other in a way that would become a very annoying power struggle over time.

medic and ana (bc of uber/nano): she'd hate him. she'd literally kill him in his sleep if she could. she'd avoid him at all fucking costs. she does not like this guy and mercy would be stuck trying to keep them apart so he doesn't innocently ask a question about her tech or something and end up sleep darted in the hallway.

#op #what do i even tag this.#tf2 #overwatch #have fun with this post. tell me ur thoughts.

13 notes · View notes

finnglas · 1 year

Text

honor among thieves thinky thoughts, spoilers, etc.

so, relationships.

it's a bit of a joke that my current post-canon ship for edgin is xenk yendar, because they're such good foils for each other while still being anchored to the same core principles -- a bard whose silver tongue literally is his bread and butter, and a man who 'does not traffic in colloquialisms' -- and also that moment in the underdark where edgin hisses "I hate you" and xenk just smiles silently to himself... one, I think it's obvious that he's somewhat trolling edgin at that point (he may take things literally, yes, but he's learned in the few short minutes he's been friends with these people that if they say something that seems like a non-sequitur it's probably a colloquialism or figure of speech that he just doesn't quite get, and that verbally taking it the most literal way possible is going to send edgin into a tailspin, which is delightful) and two I just -a thief who has lost all faith in himself and a paladin who believes in him down to his core? kill me now.

BUT i didn't come here for a ship manifesto

no no

i came here because I had shower thoughts about Forge and how he... maybe canonically... is in love with Edgin. Or at least loves him - whether romantically or not, I'm not even sure Forge knows.

But working backwards from the moment he's holding Kira hostage and is making heavy eye contact with Edgin and says, "even those I truly...care for..." like he wants to be sure Edgin knows.

He stole Edgin's daughter to raise her "as his own," he lied continuously about the tablet of Reawakening being a tablet of riches -- yes, it's a good, convenient lie that obscures Edgin's true motives, but what if he's so angry that after all those years together, all those years as a team, working together as thieves, as conment -- and maybe Edgin is the only person Forge sees as capable of being his equal in charm and wit -- he's angry that Edgin's only motivation is to get his wife back. He can't be convinced to do something because Forge wants him to. No, he has to be convinced by getting his wife back. He doesn't have feelings for Forge. Forge is a teammate. Is a friend, maybe. Is someone Edgin doesn't quite trust, maybe doesn't quite respect, and maybe Forge resents that.

Did he betray Edgin on purpose out of resentment? Was it because he was a little bit obsessed with Edgin but Edgin didn't view him the same way?

Ultimately, I'm glad they didn't outright make it canon that Forge had a romantic thing for Edgin or anything like that, because there isn't enough visible queer representation in the universe to stand up to the only queer attraction being the catalyst for the villain to betray an entire city's worth of people to a zombie plague --

--but boy is it fun to think about.

ETA: Oh oh I forgot my other evidence!

"I don't want to watch you die," I mean, yes Forge is a bit squeamish but he was fully prepared to watch Simon die at the heist-gone-wrong

Not wanting to let Edgin compete in the High Sun Games because he doesn't want Edgin to die a horrible, gruesome death; he'd rather him die a clean, less-gruesome death -- where Forge doesn't run the risk of seeing it because he's leaving the room, lol.

#honor among thieves thinky thoughts #honor among thieves spoilers #listen i am a character person

9 notes · View notes

danpuff-ao3 · 1 year

Note

Hello! How about your favourite femslash pairing, please? Thank you!

You see...the thing is...I don't have one favorite anything so you'll have to forgive the LIST. I'll consider my favorite ships for my favorite characters and then try to pin down one for each, yeah? (Wow I am bad at this game haha.)

Hermione

Hermione/Ginny: friends to lovers with added angst from previous Hermione/Ron?? Even better if there's existing Ginny/Harry and Hermione/Ron for MEGA ANGST (and then everyone comes out and lives happily ever after.)

Hermione/Narcissa: age gap! Weird "Hermione becomes Draco's stepmum" drama. Sophisticated, posh Narcissa and outspoken brainiac Hermione finding true love!! Oh and Hermione becoming Minister and Narcissa living her dream of being Minister's wife. Super cute.

Hermione/Minerva: AGE GAP. Super smart, capable, strong women being badass and awesome together. Also, Hermione likes cats.

Hermione/Pansy: enemies to lovers! Starcrossed lovers. Also sorta opposites attract. Pansy seems more into fashion and dating and gossip, while Hermione cares more about social justice and knowledge and idk just different priorities. And they can sort of get the wrong idea about each other. Pansy can prove she's more than just a vapid little girl, and show Hermione the value in things like beauty. And what can be learned by being a bit nosy. And maybe put some party planning skills into hosting events for Hermione's various causes. Maybe Pansy seeing the light and making amends postwar. But also while in school?? Just the whole hate sex vibe. Or maybe forced proximity breaks down those walls?? Idk just so much potential.

Hermione/Lavender: similar to Pansmione in the whole "girly girl hooks up with bookworm" vibe. Also the idea of both being Ron's exes, haha! But idk something about showing a bit more grace and appreciation for hyper-feminine ladies and not turning out noses down at fashion and dating and other "girly" interests. And having those "not like other girls" girls learn to respect those things or at least not judge them so much. And also remembering they were both Gryffindors and super brave. Both fought in the war. Also I forget which book but there was a scene in a Care of Magical Creatures class where creatures were loose and Lavender was one of the ones helping rally them up while even her bestie Parvati was hiding in Hagrid's Hut? (Iirc.) Also Lavender's interest in "silly" things like Divination. And like imagine postwar Lavender lives but is scarred, and Hermione is a bit impatient with her vanity but comes to be more compassionate and understanding and helping Lavender regain her confidence. And idk just Hermione the know-it-all having to learn more from others and be more open minded and let go of her preconceived notions and initial judgments.

Hermione/Fleur: okay this is the winner for me. I can't get past the idea of them bickering and having formed Opinions about each other that get challenged. The idea of them learning so much from each other and coming to respect and admire one another. And realizing the other is super strong and capable and intelligent and independent and loyal and brave as heck. Shared values!! Oh and the idea of them coming together over challenging archaic laws about magical creatures and beings!!!!

Ginny

Ginny/Hermione: [see above]

Ginny/Hooch: not enough of it but c'mon, age gap!! Two athletic ladies!! Bonding over Quidditch! I dig it. They're both pretty badass and I don't see either putting up with bs from anyone, let alone each other. Hooch might underestimate Ginny due to her age but Ginny comes into her own and proves her worth and earns Hooch's respect!!

Ginny/Gwenog: another rare pair fantasy that I need more of!!!! Again, two athletic ladies. Are they teammates, or opponents on the pitch?? Either way, I'm into it. But because there's so little of it, I still think my favorite for Ginny is:

Ginny/Luna: they're just so sweet and adorable. All the time spent together, working together, in Dumbledore's Army during that last year. And, because I'm astrology nerd, the fiery Leonine energy of Ginny and the airy Aquarian energy of Luna is such a perfect match!! (Also Leo and Aquarius are oppositions which makes it even more fun but let me not delve too deep into my astrology rabbit hole.) But it's how much of those respective energies I see in both of them and how it works together that sells me! Fire is spirit and zest and passion! Air is sociability and learning! Luna with her head in the clouds, so curious and creative! Ginny so adventurous and protective. They're both so self-assured and independent they could have their own separate lives but also share a life together that is fulfilling and peaceful and lovely for them both. Ginny can travel for Quidditch and Luna can travel for her creatures. And I bet Ginny likes the travel and exploration enough to join Luna when the season is over. And I'm sure Luna can get work done in whatever place Ginny has games in!! Idk they just work so well together.

Luna

Luna/Cho: Ravenclaws unite!! Idk there's something sweet about it. Pretty, popular Cho and the kooky "weird" girl?? Cho's really nice and patient and probably can't see past Luna's zaniness right away, but eventually she does. They just seem like a really cute, sweet pair.

Luna/Hermione: such an almost opposites attract sorta thing. They're both clearly brave. Both appreciate knowledge. Luna's curious and creative and...yeah, a bit kooky! She's independent, self-assured, confident, compassionate, open-minded. Hermione's a bit too strict and judgmental and by the book. Luna with her head in the clouds is probably a bit much for Hermione, but I feel like they could learn from each other and be so fun together. Hermione learning to loosen up and be more open-minded herself. And if she doesn't ever believe in all the same things Luna does, learning to respect them and find the worth in them. Seeing what she can take from what Luna shows her. Luna showing Hermione how to let loose and have fun. Hermione keeping things structured and stable in their lives together. Learning and growing together and challenging each other's way of thinking!

Luna/Ginny: but yeah, this one still wins. See above in the Ginny section!

TL;DR apparently Fleurmione and Linny, but what was I supposed to do?? Not sing the praises of other femslash ships I love????

Oh wait, it would be remiss of me to not also mention:

Lily/Alice:?? Idk much about Alice, but could be cute, but mostly I'm obsessed with Harry and Neville growing up as BROTHERS. I cry how adorable.

Lily/Narcissa: okay but how about this so that Harry and Draco can grow up as brothers?? Also the drama potential of pureblood Narcissa and Muggleborn Lily. All the angst of the war. The temptation if they're both married at the time. Lily showing Narcissa that there's more to life and how colorful and vibrant her world can be outside of the cold, dark, restrictive walls of her upbringing.

....I love femslash, okay?

#asked & answered #femslash faves #danpuff stuff #danni talks too much okay #i can't help it i am very passionate #wlw wonders #spoiler: the answers are fleurmione & linny

12 notes · View notes

ashsblurbs · 2 years

Text

Kids

"Well, that didn't end the way I expected, but at least nobody important died."

"Tony!" Steve looked at his husband with concern. The whole Avengers team was out fighting some Ultron goons for a week straight. Steve could understand his love remark.

The whole team was tired and ready to go home to see their respective kids. Tony and Steve with a ten year old and a four year old. Thor and Bruce with an eleven year old and twin nine year olds. Then there was Natasha and Bucky's brood of four running around. They had a ten year old themselves plus an eight year old, six year old and one on the way.

"Doll, I know you wish you could be here but you are six months pregnant. How's the other three? I hope they are behaving or their папа will get them when I get home." Bucky warned over the screen knowing that Kat was most likely hiding behind the couch.

"James, they've been great. Alex has really helped a lot with dinner. He always wants to hand me ingredients." Natasha laughed.

"Oof." Natasha winced, rubbing her stomach where the baby kicked. "I think someone is missing their папа."

"I'm missing them two. Hey, I got to go, the quinjet is here. Я люблю вас." Bucky hung up to run over to his teammates. He would do anything to get home.

—-------------

"No, Brooklyn, you can't have ice cream for dinner. Put Happy on the phone now." Tony demanded.

Tony and Steve's daughter was only four but she was a master manipulator. She knew how to play the system unlike their son James. James was older and smarter beyond his years. He never asked for much or begged for things. The phase stopped once Brooklyn was born. Instead Steve was the one that often knew what James needed. It drove Tony crazy.

"Do you hear this? Ice cream for dinner." Tony asked Steve.

Steve grunted a reply as he had fallen asleep against the seat of the quinjet. Tony waved him away and turn his attention back to the screen to find Happy covered in makeup and one of Brooklyn's wigs.

"What's up boss?

"You make a very pretty woman, Happy. Thinking about doing drag."

Happy didn't reply but did roll his eyes at his friend.

"Had to entertain Brooks here somehow."

"Were you going to give my children ice cream for dinner?"

"No! Pizza should be here in ten minutes. Trust me I don't need them on a sugar high. Even though James kinda stayed in his room the whole time." Happy said.

Tony nodded knowing this was going to be true. James was such a serious kid. He got that from Steve.

"Brooklyn, be good and tell your brother we said hi. Should be home right before bed."

"Okay, daddy. Luv you."

Then the screen went black on the commuter leaving Tony alone with two sleeping super soldiers.

—-----------

"Father, I'm bored here on Asgard. I like Midgard better. At least at home we have tv." Arne whined.

" Well son, what are Theo and Freya doing. Go play with them." Bruce suggested.

"They're doing some dumb science thing in the library. I hate science."

Arne was nothing like Thor expect for his good looks and athletic talent but other than that he had no love for Asgard. He wanted nothing to do with the traditions or history. He much rather be out throwing a football with James and Ivan.

He also was nothing like Bruce with the way he despised all things academic. He was almost their lone wolf child.

Unlike their twins who were all about the world of science and stuck together. They loved their brother Arne but they had nothing in common with him.

"Well, my boy, we will be there in just a few minutes after we wrap up some paperwork. Then we will be on the bifrost in no time to collect you younglings and bring you home." Thor chimed in.

Arne rolled his eyes, hanging up.

"Why does he hate my home planet so much? That's where his ancestral roots are from." Thor asked his husband.

Bruce shrugged and leaned against Thor. Thor wrapped his arm around Bruce's shoulders pulling him in tight.

"Thor, Arne doesn't hate Asgard. He just doesn't have the same connection you or even I have to it . Arne was born in Asgard yes but he has lived eleven years of his life on Earth. His friends are here and interests are here. He's just an Earth kid."

Thor understood. He just wishes Arne could see just how cool and Magical Asgard was. Maybe one day he might even have the chance to be its king. Arne Thorson on the throne of Asgard would make Thor very proud.

"Heimdal, home."

—---------

Bucky slowly tipped toed into the house not to wake his kids nor his pregnant wife. It didn't work since he was greeted at the door by his kids and wife.

"Nana!" They shouted as they looped their arms around his legs, almost making him fall.

"Shouldn't you guys be in bed?" Buck question. He looked up at Natasha cradling her bump. The bump they never thought in a million years would be there. Three and they were done, they told themselves.

Their three were in the perfect age range of each other and Ivan being six, they were content. Until one day Nat walked out of the bathroom with a positive test. They were speechless. Then they were really excited to have a new baby. The kids were too when they told them.

"We wanted to stay up and wait for you papa. Can you tuck us in?" Kat pleaded. Kat looked at him with her puppy eyes and Buck knew he couldn't say no.

Kat grabbed hold of his metal arm with excitement dragging him down the hall.

"How was your business trip? Alex asked.

That was what the mission was to their kids. Bucky and Natasha agreed that their kids would never know about the Avengers or their past until they were older for their safety.

"It was good, kid. Very tired some."

Bucky tucked in Ivan first kissing him goodnight. Then he walked to the other side of the room to say goodnight to Alex.

Kat walked into her own room which she would have to share once the new baby came.

"Good night sweetheart. Я люблю вас."

Bucky walked back into the living room to sit next to Nat. He laid his hand on her belly to feel their child moving around.

"Very active tonight. Probably won't be getting much sleep tonight." Natasha said.

Buck kissed Natasha, pushing her hair out of her face.

"Yeah me neither. I'm too wired."

Natasha kissed him again hard. Her fingers found the hem of his shirt working it up so she could feel his hard abs.

Buck followed, grabbing the back of her hair.

"Agent Romanoff, we have an important delivery to dispose of in room three." Buck teased

—--------------

"I just find it odd that Ultron would want to attack Canada of all places. Why not Los Angeles or even Britain but Canada." Tony was rattling off as they walked up the front porch of their quiet home.

Steve nodded along. He was way too tired to deal with Ultron's motives. All that matters was the Ultron was defeated again and they were home safe for their babies.

Steve opened the door quickly to find everyone was in bed. Happy was passed out on the couch with I love Lucy reruns on the TV.

Steve and Tony walked a little farther in to check on their darlings. Steve cracked open Brooklyn's room to find she was cuddling up with her spiderman build a bear.

Steve and Tony looked at each other in awe. Then they went across the hall to open the door to find James laying face down in his pillow. How on Earth that kid could breathe was a mystery to them?

The two men walked farther down the hall to their room. Steve stripped off all of his clothes and jumped into the bed. He knew he needed a shower but he was too tired to.

Tony jumped next to him laying his head onto his chest. They were both beat and need to recharge. A day in bed tomorrow sounded like a great idea. Maybe they could get Happy to babysit for a few more hours.

—--------

"Finally, we can go home." Arne exclaimed. Thor and Bruce stared at their eager child as he tried to step into the none existed bifrost.

Theo and Fraya looked down at their feet not wanting to leave yet since they were close to inventing the cure for the common cold.

"Hey, we can come back next week." Bruce told the twins.

"But dad we are so close." Freya whined.

"Hey, next week. We can't come sooner with your brother having football practice and you two having science prep for college."

Arne stood off to the side begging for the bi frost to appear. Thor walked over, placing his hand on his first born's shoulder.

"My boy, the fruit of my loins. Why don't you like the great Asgard anymore?" Thor questioned.

Arne shrugged his father's hand off his shoulder taking a step back from Thor. Thor's face had sadness written all over it.

Arne has been Thor's buddy ever since he was little. The two ran around the yard and played scenes from great Asgard battles. The only way Arne would fall asleep was through stories of Thor's childhood with his brother Loki.

After Thor began to hint at royal duties and becoming king one day. Arne withdrew from Thor. Really anyone except for Kat, James, and Ivan. He no longer wanted to hear stories or reenact battles. Arne wasn't Thor's little boy anymore.

"Because it isn't so great." Arne remarked. Before Thor could say another word. The bifrost appeared to signal them for home.

—----------

"I'm so over my father wanting me to be king. I'm eleven. I don't care which fork goes on the left." Arne exclaimed.

James nodded, listening to his friend about his life. James understood. His pops wanted to start training for him to become Captain America. James didn't mind the training part but being the next Captain America was a little too much for him.

"I get it. Next Captain America here. I just really want to be a doctor like your dad. I guess I could do both. I don't know. "

Arne sat down next to James and grabbed the other controller. The Barnes kids had it so easy, Arne thought. They were blissfully ignorant about everything while the others laid awake late at night when their parents were out saving the world.

"Do you ever wish we could just run away from here, you,me,and Kat? Like running somewhere warm like the beach." Arne asked.

James pondered the question as he crossed the finish line in Mario Kart.

"Not really but it would be nice to live without fear or superhero life pressing on us every corner. It would be nice to just be a kid." James admitted.

All of their parents tried their best to give them the childhoods they didn't but that wasn't always possible when you were an avenger. The kids were still shown the world of villains and superheroing up close. Still received the pressures of being the avengers kids.

—------------

The mission was supposed to be routine until Red Skull, crossbones, Doctor Doom, and some chitauri as well. It was like a hell was breaking loose.

Captain America and the Winter Solider worked on taking out the hydra goons and Red Skull. Falcon went after Crossbones.

Thor and Ironman took down the Chitauri while Hawkeye and the Hulk tried to take down Doctor Doom.

Everything was going according to plan. Then everything stopped. It felt like the world was going in slow motion.

Hawkeye pulled back his bow aimed to take down a goon or two when the shit was released.

"Hawkeye!" Captain America yelled.

Everyone turned to see the moment where the bullet from Crossbones gun shot right through Hawkeye's chest. He dropped his bow to the ground and then his body fallen with a this.

Shield agents ran in handcuffing the villains while the rest of the team ran over to Hawkeye's rescue. Hulk shrunk down to Banner where went to look for a pause. Everyone waited for answer. Bruce shook his head no. Their teammate and friend was gone.

—--------

The plane ride back to the compound was quite. No one spoke. They couldn't process what just happened. Clint Barton was gone.

"What am I going to tell Nat? How am I going to tell Nat?" Bucky exclamed.

"You just have to tell her and then you have to hold her as long as she needs you to and then you hold on longer. " Sam said.

Bucky opened the door to found his very pregnant wife engrossed in making dinner. Bucky gave Natasha a tight hug not wanting to let go. He knew this could happened her, it almost did by his own gun when he was being controlled by Hydra.

Natasha rubbed a hand up and down his back. She was curious by the sudden affection.

"Hey, are you okay."

"I have something to tell you and you should come sit down before I do."

Natasha gave Bucky a perplexed look but went and sat on the couch.

"Okay, what do you need to tell me."

"Barton was killed during the mission by a gunshot wound."

Natasha stared at him not believing a word he was saying. How could Clint be gone? The man that was the only that believed in her. Her best friend.

Tears began to roll down her face. Natasha fell into Bucky's embrace. He held his crying wife all night long.

—-----------

"Do you think we did the right thing exposing our children to our lives? Steve asked as he sat down on the couch across from Tony's bench.

Tony spun around in his chair pulling his goggles up on his head.

"The thing is sweetheart we couldn't hide this life from them if we tried. Not to brag but we are the most recognizable superheroes in the world and we were never about secret identities. Unlike Natasha and Bucky."

Tony walked over sitting on Steve's lap. He pushed back Steve's slightly long hair. Steve closed his eyes, leaning his head on Tony's shoulder.

"But James and Brooklyn love this life. Playing in the Avenger's compound and going to Asgard with their Uncle Thor and Uncle Bruce. They just think it's our job." Tony continued.

Steve sighed against Tony's chest with an agreement. Steve lifted up his head searching his husband's eyes.

"I think I might retire." Steve exclaimed.

Tony gave him a curious look but didn't say anything. Tony could have hinted at Steve's desire to hang up the shield and walk away. He saw the desire when Brooklyn was born.

"After what happened to Clint. Him dying on a mission and leaving his three kids. I just don't want that to happen to me. I never want to leave my family." Steve exclaimed.

"Okay." Was all Tony said.

"Okay, no argument. No but the team needs Captain America."

Tony shook his head no.

"Because this decision is about Steve Rogers. If you are ready to hang it up and be a family guy then I'm here to support you besides Sam would be a great Captain America."

Steve agreed. Steve pulled Tony farther onto his lap placing a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you for understanding."

Tony snaked his hands under Steve's shirt to feel his strong back muscles tense at each touch. Steve grabbed hold of Tony's ass checks hard grinding up wards. Both kissing hard.

Steve pulled back a little bit to catch his breath. "Not that I wouldn't love to enjoy all of this but we gotta make it quick. I gotta pick up Brooklyn from dance and James from Thorsons."

Tony gave him a come get me grin. "Oh I can still blow your mind with a quick."

—-----------

Katrina stood in the fair back with her brothers and uncles as her mother and father walked to the front of the funeral home.

Kat couldn't turn away unlike her brother I am who clung to their Uncle Steve for protection. She was curious.

Mom and dad said Uncle Clint had been in a very bad car accident couple days ago. That he had died at the hospital with Aunt Laura by his side.

Kat found that sweet to find someone who loved you so much to be by your side for your last breath. Kat knew she wanted that.

Kat continued watching her parents every move. Her mom came in front of the casket and fell to her knees when she say him. Her father knelt down beside her wrapping his arms tightly around her as she clinged to her round belly.

Kat never seen this side of her mom. Her mom was always tough and strong. She was not afraid or no one. She never cried for any reason. She was the woman Kat wanted to grow to be like but it was nice to see the vulnerable side of her too.

—------------------

The main Avenger team was on a sabbatical after Barton's death. They all needed a minute to regroup and mourn.

They stepped away for six months. In that time the newest Barnes was born. Birthdays and holidays were celebrated. Tony was able to with the help of Natasha and Laura Barton resurrect a statue in the memory of Clint at Avengers compound.

Everyone was there expect for the Barnes kids. They all stood to give a speech for their final goodbyes to Clint Barton.

#stony #superhusbands #stevetony #superfamily #winterwidow #thorbruce #thunderscience #ash's blurbs #avenger kids au

15 notes · View notes

the-firebird69 · 1 year

Text

Watch "Barbra Streisand - Send In The Clowns (Live 1986)" on YouTube

youtube

For some reason the clowns see the urgency of now they understand it but they have to be directed a little I was telling them before and they went up there only a little I was very surprised they don't have the data or Intel or didn't it's just like below here there's some huge diamonds in a class by the root. It's not the biggest but boy they're big enough okay I think that the Hudson bays 2000 miles across and you go downwards and the root system coming off it off The tap Root sometimes there as big as the town fruit and underneath what forms the cycle web and yeah easily a thousand miles across and Hera at 5:00 and they're saying 10 but she did say attend it first. You're simply go up at like a ladder like Ajax Earth said and trim and Loki are confirming it and I say of course you take one magnifying glass and you fired into another one just like a telescope but it's refraction of a sort and it amplifies the beam and you can actually move it by cutting it and don't have to move the stones and the nozzle can aim it and they're amazed and you can have a reflector believe it or not so a beam of that power level is not known to anyone the planet toys could be disabled and the lasers destroyed and the diamonds rendered useless we would have to do that if you just cut precise holes but really it is a massive massive tap root

Zues Hera

It is the one for all of Canada and this one for the USA and one for South America and yeah the one for South America is gigantic is bigger than both but nobody has any access and yeah those shattered over right above it

Bitol and Goddess Wife our son sent the clowns in with Hera trailing but she's the one who inspired him, that's worth everything in the world to us because she did I see what he's saying too she's my inspiration and my teammate all the time and we're really good at stuff eventually we'll learn how to play chess better and I laugh because he needs the game but boy this is a big deal my clown character will be coming out and he wants to set up the circus when you're almost gone they can come back to the circus for one more round but under our eye and they like it and he can show up in place of his brother and they'll recognize him cuz he looks a little like him sometimes he has cholesterol

Which you have a little pain about it we too have a little pain about it and it's awful we're going to do this it's closure it's a way to say goodbye and thank you for trying

Thor Freya

Well if it doesn't work out we respect that we have a shot at you might regret it your friend says so that's how you do it I say okay I'm listening to Barbara she knows it has to be done and suddenly

Trump Sarah

You know I feel too sad for us he says that's okay Brett straighten that out I understand that was horrible it's true though this is terrible so I got ready and I looked real good and I said to Brad today is the day I'm going to send the clowns in and I told him where and he said why and they get the f*** on his face like he's stupid I said so you keep saying you can't lead us we're not listening to fuse or his stuff or him telling us to pack off or anything so he's going on there and we should have a plan but we don't and we don't usually have one but the max are not using this anymore so what have we got to lose and we have a story too like Billie Jean I'm going to put it out there

Becka this is really one of them and I did a movie about it it's right here already and this is part of it and me and my husband do the other part and he loved the movie he thought it was awesome I thought it was me he was after and no they're are other women and she didn't look like me he says and I didn't know that she can not he lol so it's a good deal

No it's not you stay away from her I know what you're saying she's a famous Jewish person and performer somebody's in the religion caught up with the people who died with the money this is how it goes she is a rebel and known as one and we're going up there now

Brad

It was a huge Forester now we're gathering up it's gigantic and it's partially ours trumps and Brad and Jason all of us are approaching it slowly

Bja okay Niagara falls and we're going to look at that

You know what it means means they're just going to fall into the hole but we don't think that's ready yet so the threatening and I think they're full of crap

Olympus

This is wonderful it is what we mean it would say goodbye by doing that and our son can get some extra money and work with him and then circus just like Dave did we'll find out that the workers they do things I'm trying to earn money how jobs and be peaceful people too just like you thought they were

Thor Freya

#Youtube

0 notes

alchemania · 3 years

Text

Barbara, and Bennett: Toxic Positivity (and how they each exude it)

While it's easy to spot negative toxic behavior, toxic positivity can be harder to recognize and pin down. In this blog, I am going to analyze 2 characters in Genshin and explain just how they show traits of toxic positivity. (I originally was going to include Jean, but I already covered her in an earlier blog so it'd just be redundant)

Barbara Page

Barbara is all smiles and sunshine, trying her best to ensure that everyone is happy. However; she does this to an unhealthy degree and often does not prioritize her emotional wellbeing.

#1: Forcing herself to always be happy.

Barbara's story lines state that she "only allows herself to be depressed for 30 seconds" and that after that, she basically puts on a smile; regardless of what she's actually feeling. She often talks about how good everyone is to her, and I honestly believe that Barbara invalidates her own depression because in her eyes; she has a good life and there's no "reason" for her to be sad, plus if she was sad then everyone else would feel down. She hasn't experienced anything traumatic, so how can she have the right to be depressed? But the thing is, she has: her parents divorced when she was young; and Barbara grew up apart from Jean, leading to a lack of a relationship between the two. While the divorce, based on Jean's story lines, did not seem to have a lot of negativity around it (from what I can tell Simon and Frederica actually split on amiable terms, they just fell out of love with each other), it still affected Barbara in a negative way and no doubt she is hurting from it but she's not acknowledging her pain. All trauma is not the same, this is true. But all trauma IS valid; just because someone is hurting less doesn't mean they're NOT hurting and Barbara needs to understand that her pain is valid and give herself time to process it.

#2: Lack of emotional boundaries

If there's anything that Jean and Barbara have in common besides both being healers, it's that they're absolutely terrible at saying no. In Barbara's hangout, she feels guilty for avoiding Albert and wanting to be left alone despite being emotionally exhausted and even wants to apologise, despite doing nothing wrong. Later on when her fans ask for autographs; she agrees, despite being off the clock and trying to take a break: Aether has to step in personally to get people to go away, and not only that; he has to lie through his teeth in order to do so. If you tell the NPCs the truth ("Barbara is currently on leave, please don't disturb her",) they'll reply "Oh she's on leave? Perfect time to ask for an autograph!" They don't care about her feelings; all they care about is what she can do for them and the worst part is that Barbara lets them treat her like this. It's so bad that the Knights have to constantly step in and rescue her because folks can't get it in their heads that off the clock =/= available; and Barbara feels like if she can help other people that she needs to; to the detriment of her own needs. She seems to think it's selfish to put herself first; but looking out for yourself emotionally is anything but. It's okay to say no, it's okay to tell people you're not available. Just because you're free doesn't mean you're up to engage and there's nothing wrong with that. But like Sister Victoria says herself; Barbara is too nice. She gives and gives and gives and expects nothing in return, and people take advantage of that.

#3: Undermining herself through constant praise of others

In her hangout, she tells you that besides singing and healing, she doesn't have anything worthwhile about her, and then goes on about how amazing you are, Jean as well. Barbara doesn't acknowledge her positive traits, and then when she vents to you she apologizes for doing so, since you were supposed to be hanging out and having fun. She puts a lot of her worth in comparison to what other people can DO, and not actual character. Barbara is a lovely person: she's sweet and kind and loving, but because she doesn't see herself as physically strong or powerful, she doesn't think she's worth a lot.

Bennett

My GOD, Bennett is like the EPITOME of toxic positivity.

1. Allows others to mistreat him and take out their feelings on him because he feels it's his fault they're suffering (essentially, a martyr complex)

Bennett's hangout is a prime example of this where when Royce got angry, Bennett simply let him yell until you step in. Due to his almost perpetual bad luck, he feels that he's responsible for the misfortune of the people around him and since he can't physically do anything about it, he attempts to "atone" by letting himself be emotionally assaulted.

He also puts himself in physical danger to keep other people safe (he figures since he's already unlucky, might as well suffer a little more if it means everybody else is okay, right?), and accepts abandonment as the norm since he's a liability. Bennett does not value his wellbeing whatsoever due to constantly being in danger and he seems to be of the mentality "If I'm going to die, at least let me die protecting everybody" and that immensely upsets me that a KID, who's probably no older than 17, is already considering his mortality.

#2: Not allowing himself to process negative emotion

Just like Barbara, Bennett constantly forces himself to always keep a smile on, only in his case it's more to keep himself from getting overwhelmed about his situation. It's heavily implied in his story that Bennett is afraid that he could die any day (and I don't blame him) and so he lives hard and fast because he feels he doesn't have a lot of time. He's cheated death MULTIPLE times (he almost died as a baby, and he almost died prior to receiving his Vision), and Bennett more than likely feels that one day, he's not going to get lucky enough to escape again; and he'll actually die. His life is an entire string of misfortune and unlike Barbara and her parents divorce, Bennett is aware of this trauma: he simply chooses to take it in stride and forces himself to stay upbeat. Which is just as bad as letting negative emotion completely overwhelm him, it's literally just the other ditch.

Bennett also seems very sad about the fact that his team abandoned him but he doesn't let himself process that either (if you respond angrily to the revelation that his teammates left he'll jump to defend them and insist "they had their reasons"- and that may be true, but that doesn't invalidate the trauma and sadness of being left behind because of something you literally cannot control). Similar to Diluc, Bennett is sort of an Atlas of his own right, but instead of carrying all of Mondstat on his shoulders he's shouldering his emotional wellbeing: he refuses to vent to anyone and bottles everything up because he doesn't want to be a burden; but in doing so he's only hurting himself in the long run.

(Thank God for Razor though it seems like he might be hanging around for the long haul and that makes me immensely happy. I could cry. Please don't let anything bad happen to him and Bennett they deserve friendship)

I'm going to go off the beaten path a bit here but, to all you guys reading this; please remember that:

1. Your trauma is valid, regardless of how "lesser" you think it might be.

2. You are not obligated to give yourself emotionally to other people if you are not up to it. You cannot give what you do not have, and if you're not 100% emotionally wise, you really shouldn't be taking on any more negative energy. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. If people can't respect that then they're not worth your time. Set emotional boundaries and don't budge for anyone. The people who are meant to stay will honor your boundaries.

3. It's okay to be sad! And it's okay to be sad and have no idea why. It doesn't matter if you have a 'good life,' depression doesn't care who you are or where you are on your walk of life and sometimes it hits like a truck. Your sadness is valid and don't be afraid to take the time you need to acknowledge and process your negative emotions.

Please take care of yourselves, friends; and be safe.

Have a good day. 💗

#bennett #barbara page #did i get a little choked up writing this? YES. yes i did.#seriously guys you don't have to be a shoulder all the time.. it's okay to lean on other people. ok?#genshin impact

115 notes · View notes

mcmystery · 3 years

Note

Because in your AU Cerise supports Rosegarden(please correct me if I’m wrong) is she more of a Ruby’s Wingwoman? Or Oscar’s?

Hmm all jokes aside about Cerise being Oscar's adoptive mother and her planning ways for RG to be together.

In the actual story, the whole dynamic between Cerise, Oscar and Ruby is subtly complex. Yes, they all get along and work as a team because they all have the same goal, stopping Salem.

The other side of it: When Cerise first meets Oscar, she was not in the best mindset. Given her journey over the course of the story, time has been wearing down her spirit of finding her husband.

Cerise grows to accept the situation she's in and over time cultivates respectful and maternal feelings towards Oscar.

RG won't be the main focus of my story, though it will be hinted. I want to stay true to how canon currently represents Ruby and Oscar respectfully as I can. Meaning Ruby and Oscar will display that continuous admiration for one another as friends and teammates; with slight awkward fumbling along the way like in V7.

There may be some instances where Cerise will take notice of this mutual admiration and may ask Oscar about what he thinks of Ruby. She's in full support of Oscar living his own life with the options given to him in the situation they're currently in. Cerise might express to him that the idea of fighting side by side with someone they care for and admire; aiming for the same goal together is considered "romantic" and wishes she could have experienced that kind of life with her husband.

The times Cerise will catch Ruby and Oscar together, whether that be discussing things or generally in the others presence, Cerise would feel envious of what they have. Of course she would never wish to take it away from them, but only yearns to know that kind of life of fighting side by side with the one you love. Cerise would never out right vocalize her envy, but her expressions/body language, actions speak for her. She supports Oscar finding happiness and if that happiness is in Ruby, or the other way around, then she'll be sure to protect that.

Now, if this was a RWBY Chibi version of events then, Cerise would try her best to get them together in a comedic fashion.

#ask mc #rwby oc #Cerise Han-Brunswick #Between Desinty

30 notes · View notes

aphrodite-would-be-proud · 3 years

Text

Anon said: I hope I'm not too late to slip in a request! I was actually hoping for a more platonic request with Miche? Just how he would help out a new cadet on his squad or something... Maybe there having a hard time fitting in now that there on a section commander squad or even worried about an upcoming expedition. Miche is one of my biggest comfort Characters and I'm such a shy person lol...I love you blog by the way, it's such a comforting place...🥺

Miche reassuring you that you're enough.

{Miche & reader | tw:none | platonic, comfort | canonverse}

{ "The Interior of the Palm House on the Pfaueninsel Near Potsdam" 1834 by Carl Blechen 1798 - 1840 }

No one can deny that the survey corps had a...certain reputation between the people, for being ruthless, unhinged and not a place for someone hoping for a future.

Their leader is known for gambling with human lives, their strongest has a criminal history record and their most intelligent, does experiments that would put medical student dropout Frankenstein himself to shame.

In short, you'd be crazy for walking there with your own two feet and expecting a crumb of compassion.

You don't go looking for fish in the desert.

You've heard it all, those sayings people keep reciting like a broken record whenever you'd bring up joining the survey corps.

"You'll just end up titan food"

"Why do you want to throw away your life?"

"God your poor family…"

And despite all of that, you still marched on, despite everyone who told you to quit.

Not only did you join and stayed alive for so long, you've even managed to climb the ranks in record time.

So fast in fact that you were assigned to join a section commander's squad after a very successful titan capture mission that earned you a pat on the back from Erwin.

Being pulled from your friends and moved to a new place where you were surrounded by veterans who've been in their positions for 10 years or more, was quite sudden and shocking.

One thing that should've eased your nerves, was the fact it was squad Miche you're being put into.

Anyone in the survey corps can tell you that in comparison to other squads, this was the most...friendly per say, since they prioritised teamwork and coming back alive over everything else, knowing together they're much stronger and willing to protect each other no matter what.

While yes they did have their quirks, it was almost nothing in comparison to Levi's strict hygiene rules and Hange's workaholic routine or Erwin's unreadable intentions.

And yet, you felt unease at the whole situation.

You were clearly "that new cadet" in this old group of close-knit people, almost standing out even.

You wanted to prove yourself, you've done it before to all those people so why is it any different now.

Maybe...because they are actually experienced soldiers this time, and not strangers living in blissful ignorance inside the walls.

Maybe because you feel the growing burden of expectations set on you for being the newest person in the squad, and being put there by none other than the commander himself which would raise some eyebrows if you couldn't deliver.

Uncertainty and doubt began pooling up inside your mind, making you second guess decisions and overthink actions.

And it's not like the squad members were leaving you out, no in fact they were doing their best to include you.

….maybe even too much actually, it didn't help that all of them were outgoing people, it was overwhelming.

Nanaba was an unofficial stand in caption when Miche wasn't around. Having a confident yet compassionate personality made her protective of her teammates, almost like a big sister, earning her a lot of respect.

So much in fact that it would unintentionally intimidate people out of approaching her

Gelgar was a strong believer in Miche, loyal to a fault almost. Yet he wouldn't say no for a chance to relax and grab a couple drinks, being friends with so many people came naturally to him with his mellow personality and overall friendliness.

Maybe a bit much too friendly? That personal boundaries were often crossed without him realising it.

Lynne was a good balance between the two, she was considerate of others feelings...even so much in fact that she tended to sugar-coat almost everything.

Thomas and Henning were close with each other, both serious and determined. But maybe because they were so used to each other that dealing with new people became...strange, for conversations with them resembled an awkward dad attempting to check on you but not actually putting much effort to understand.

Meanwhile, you were a reserved and shy person.

It was a miracle that you managed to get a group of friends in cadet training that stayed with you throughout the years, but now after being transferred it was all turned to dust.

You have to start again, meet people again and talk to them while wondering if they actually like you or are pretending to be nice because they don't wanna come off as rude-

On top of that, Erwin seemed to keep an eye on you after your last mission, silently conveying the trust and expectations he's putting your way, to not fail him and show you're worthy of this special treatment.

It was too much, too overwhelming and draining.

Dread and uncertainty loomed in the corners of your mind, only metastating in size as the date for the new expedition was announced.

To add fuel to the fire, apparently everyone seemed almost...excited or nonchalant for going out there again, like this is a mere walk in the park as they began making preparations and training.

Were you the only one that felt nervous? Oh god.

Your legs felt like they were weighted down by stones as you stared at the large board in front of you, a white sheet signed by the commander announcing next week to be the date of the expedition, several names listed below for who'd be required for service.

Your name was at the top, even with a line underneath it. The fact it was in cursive didn't make it any less gut-wrenching.

The chatter of people around you, discussing the plans and joking with each other, began blurring out at the back of your mind.

The weather seemed colder as shivers ran down your neck. A rolling feeling in your stomach making your throat tighten, your own voice inside your head was the only noise you could hear.

All those thoughts and worries creeping from underneath the dark corners that you've been pushing them into all this time, like a swarm drowning you in their "what if" and skepticism, full of doubt and illogical pessimism for worst case scenarios.

Thoughts that aren't even your own joined them, ones you never had and knew weren't true and yet amidst the storm it was hard to tell the real from the ones passing through.

You know you're capable, so why…

Are you capable?

Yes…

but are you really?

...

And how are you even sure?

Before it could pull you deeper into that hole of despair, something snapped your attention back to reality, a hand nudging your shoulder.

"You really didn't hear me huh." The voice came from behind you, a tall figure stepping closer till you were in his shadow.

Miche looked at you with a tilted head, his lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes bore into you like he's attempting to guess what's going inside your brain.

You've been too lost inside your mind you didn't notice that you were the only one left standing in front of the board.

From the way Miche's shoulders fell after reading your expression, eyes softening after glancing at your name on the sheet, he was quick to catch on.

Before you could say something to save your face after being caught in this state by none other than your new captain, Miche just told you to come with him, making sure to walk beside you، protectively staying close that no one on your way would interrupt.

Passing the corridor leading to his office, you gave him an uncertain glance as he simply gestured for you to continue walking for whatever unknown place you're headed to.

Soon enough the buildings and stone streets faded the further you went on, grass and dirt roads taking its place.

It wasn't a long walk per say, but more of a secluded area that took both of you some turns in seemingly shady alleyways to reach.

You couldn't hear the horses or soldiers walking anymore, only the soft flowing of the nearby river.

The tall grass barely reaching below your knees, some ladybugs crawling on top of the scattered daffodils in-between, the closer to the river cliff you got the taller it became.

The first thing Miche did, wasn't explaining to you why you're here, or what exactly he was after.

No, he barely said a word even, only taking in a deep breath as the wind had the courtesy of pushing his bangs back, eyes finally in clear view now.

Gaze meeting yours, he gave you a nod, a gesture to do the same thing.

You reluctantly took a deep breath.

He smiled.

Both of you sat by the river, he gave you his jacket to sit on.

As the silence grew between you, even while it wasn't the uncomfortable kind, it was clear he was struggling to phrase something, the right words just not coming to mind.

Turning his body towards you, he finally said, "how about i just..listen, let it out.".

It wasn't easy, you can't just pour out your heart to your superior.

Not to mention the military wasn't a place for weakness, could you really openly admit to your worries?

Well, yes you could, because it isn't weak, it takes great strength to face something scary and admit to it.

It's strength that got you this far.

How could you ever mistake vulnerability for weakness?

Keeping true to his words, Miche didn't interrupt you as you slowly opened up about what's been troubling you.

He patiently listened, occasionally humming for you to go on whenever you'd lose track.

And by the end of it, after you poured out all your frustration, sadness and worries, it felt...like a weight lifted off your shoulders.

Miche looked at you with understanding in his eyes, as if he himself has been in this exact same position years ago.

...and maybe he was, considering his behaviour wasn't what's socially common, he would've definitely stood out back before he had the respect of being a captain.

He isn't a man of words, for actions spoke much louder.

That's why he became more attentive from that day on, offering to help you train, giving you a smile whenever you passed by and sitting near you whenever his squad were gathered so he'd ask for your opinion on plans or simply share looks whenever they began joking with each other.

He didn't attempt to make you change, instead he made changes to accommodate you.

You're part of the team and he made it clear.

And while he couldn't give reassuring words, he certainly gave his time and energy, paying attention to you, reading your moods and listening whenever life becomes too much.

Maybe he saw his past self in you, and wanted to give you all the comfort, attention and care he wished for back then.

Even if it was mere hugs and shoulder pats that he could offer, he knew small things can make changes overtime.

For him, it's not getting rid of your stress that he was attempting to achieve, no, for life is full of stress.

Instead, he wanted to offer you ways to deal with the stress, to acknowledge it as it is and be heard, to be understood.

Because while stress will pass either way, it didn't mean it had to pass painfully.

You weren't alone, he made sure of that.

Maybe he got too attached, maybe someone might say he's giving you special treatment, maybe Erwin would give him a backhanded comment every now and then.

But since when did Miche pay attention to these things?

Well...he can't deny he might be giving you more break days than the other Cadets, larger food portions and even most of his time.

But he won't justify himself to anyone either, he doesn't have to.

Because after all, there really isn't any ulterior motives behind his actions, they were as simple as they came.

It was pure genuine care, the type that makes someone want to protect a person and watch them grow healthy.

The type that made him offer you a thumbs up after each training session, a proud smile on his face for how much you're learning.

Maybe some slight teasing about how if you keep this up, you might even replace him as the second strongest one day.

And while he said it with a joking tone, the hopeful pride-filled look on his face told a whole nother story.

you're not sure if it was a joke or a promise.

133 notes · View notes

my-fragment-of-peace · 2 years

Note

hi, so this is a very long message (apologies!) but i felt i needed to insert some somewhat depressing context.

they definitely should have worded that better but... as a woman who's been a fan of f1 since i was a kid, they're not wrong.

by comparison, for the demographic of who's watching f1 races, there is a much larger number of boys/men watching than girls/women.

yes, the female audience has increased in recent years as liberty media have moved away from the more "macho" stereotype that bernie ecclestone instilled in the sport, but there are still overhangs on that with the current audience.

say it's still a 70/30 split between boys/girls watching f1 who are young enough to get into the karting scene at the right age, and *then* have the resources to compete properly all the way up, the numbers diminish rapidly. to then find a driver with enough talent to win championship after championship up the junior ladder, or to come damn close and display some amazing speed, whittles the numbers down even more. then there's the circumstances of the current f1 grid, and the lack of available seats.

no one from the current f2 grid is looking likely to get into f1 this year. de vries didn't manage it even though he won the series. often it's only the top two/three that are even considered for an f1 seat, and that must be achieved within 2 years for a "good" reputation on the cv. unless they have massive backing, like m*zepin, and there's a team that needs the money enough, anything lower isn't seen as "good enough" for f1.

the pool of talent to pick female drivers from is not nearly as large as that of the male pool. and thus the likelihood of striking 'gold' is less likely than it would be for boys, just because of a pure numbers game. the numbers go down for every step you take closer to the f1 grid.

then there's also the issue of "driver level". i love w series dearly, but for the f1 junior series ladder, the majority of the field is already too old to go through the f3/f2 pathway as all drivers should, and have to, before they get to f1; they'll definitely get more opportunities in wec/endurance as there's more accessibility there (look at richard mille's womens team at le mans this year! they did quite well before being punted out) but that's true for both male and female drivers.

jamie, who's now a 2x w series champion, is one of the women that we've recently seen in a competitive field alongside male drivers in the prospective field during the 2020 freca championship. she was undoubtedly in the best team on the grid, prema, and her teammates petecof, leclerc and rasmussen finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, while jamie finished the season in 9th. with 80 points to their totals of 359, 343 and 343... barely a quarter of their points. 4th place was 53 points behind third, just solidifying how good prema were that year.

this doesn't take away from the fact that jamie is a talented driver, nor that she managed to finish within the top ten; but when the only somewhat reliable method of comparison and assessment is through comparing her performances to her teammates, it's clear that jamie is unfortunately not on the same level just yet. that could change, but as of now she hasn't displayed that raw talent and speed that any driver should be getting into a full time f1 seat for.

i hope she gets the chance to try again, maybe in fia formula 3 or formula 2, but right now she's the best barometer we have for the level of drivers on the w series grid as their only champion. many of them have come out from different jobs after not racing for years or had a lack of opportunity to race in other series, so the series is a good jumping off point to gain funding (a la the $500,000 cash prize for winning) and super license points (for possible fp1 outings that could make for example, jamie's work with the williams simulator more valuable to both her and the team!).

it will take many years before the prospective pool of talent is more balanced in terms of gender, and by that point we *should* see many more girls get a chance for f2/f3 and a real chance of being signed to a junior academy for a direct pathway to a race seat in formula 1 itself.

there are already more girls joining the regional f4 grids, and getting into karting, but the pathway from there to f1 is at least 5-6 years. many of them won't be talented enough to win the championships they need to get to f1, like the majority of the boys competing in the same series.

with any luck, and further work to get even more young girls watching f1/motorsport, and on the karting track to junior formulae, we should start seeing better representation.

but there's a way to go yet. w series is a spec series just below f4 in terms of the car and engine, but for those women to get opportunities like f3 and lmp2 wec testing we'll be seeing more women in mainstream motorsport, *and* doing well in the coming years. it'll take longer for f1, as it always seems to, but it should, and will, happen.

<333

Want to preface this by saying that I'm a very straightforward person, so I'm not trying to be bitchy or come across rude, I'm just stating my opinion on things matter-of-factly, but I respect that you have your own opinion even if I do disagree.

To start off, why should a particular demographic determine whether or not women can race? You can't even see the drivers when they're in the cars, so as far as that goes, it seems kind of pointless for choices to be made based on audience demographics. So why should there have to be a majority women audience/or largely women audience in order for women to have a chance in the sport? Just because a small percentage of men might only want to see men drivers, that shouldn't override the opportunity for women to have a chance in the sport. Assuming you're focusing on this because it highlights the audience interest in participating in the sport, 30% of an audience isn't 0%. It's still a large enough number for there to be a quite a few people to be interested. And let's not forget all of the leagues throughout the world women are currently participating in...there's a large enough pool of women drivers who would want to participate and with the right training and access to opportunities, could do it.

You said there's essentially a lack of talent with the resources to get to F1...yet acknowledge there are currently a lack of seats available due to drivers with the talent and financial backing to be there...so which is it? It can't be both. Drivers from other leagues weren't turned away because they weren't talented enough, they were turned away because the current teams (with the horrible exception of Haas and M*zepin, who should've been switched out imo) all have a driver lineup that performs to their liking, who they think will continue to bring in results. The current grid is all phenomenally talented, in many case despite cars that lack in performance. There were teams who switched drivers of course, but that happens all the time and I wouldn't really count it as teams bringing in new drivers because they're already actively in the sport.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter which pool of talent is larger. There are girls and women who would love the opportunity to make a career in F1 as a driver. They would be willing to put in the work to hone their talent and be at the top of their game. I said this earlier in another response, but boys and men who are in karting/a different racing league do not have some sort of innate talent that is unachievable by the girls and women. The boys and men have more opportunities to improve their skill, which is the root of the issue. But saying there aren't any women who could currently compete? Nonsense. Unless you've seen every single girl and woman who could be an F1 driver and been able to compare their stats in an F1 car to the starts of current men drivers, that assumption falls flat. It's not a measurable statistic without real data.

9th place is still a hell of an accomplishment. Again, it has to be considered what opportunities she had in comparison to her competitors. It has nothing to do with her innate talent as a driver vs. theirs.

I just think saying there aren't enough talented girl and women drivers out there for there to be a single woman driver in F1 is a bad take and I do not agree with it at all. As I've said, I do think there's a power imbalance regarding available opportunities but...the word talent needs to stop being thrown around with the implications that women drivers aren't as good as men. I have no doubt there are plenty of women drivers who are talented enough to compete with at least a handful of drivers on the current grid, they've just never been given the opportunities (or the car) to compete within that environment and hone their skill to the extent it would need to be.

#i really didn't think that saying women should have more opportunities in f1 would end up being such a hot take but here we are lmao #this was a huge ass rant so sorry for that too lmao #and again if this comes across as harsh i'm sorry because that's not my intent #i'm just very direct in what i say #but thank you for sending this in and sharing your opinion!#answered asks #anons #f1 #formula 1 #formula nonsense

2 notes · View notes

luminescentauthor · 4 years

Text

Sora/Tobi Getting Together and Relationship Headcanons

THEY’RE HEEEEEERREEEE! Maybe Tobi will finally leave me alone now and stop taking up my whole brain.

Please read this post or this won’t make sense, it’s HCs about their third year. There’s also a part two that you don’t need to read, since everything you need is in part one. (U can if u want to tho.)

(If you don’t want to, basically all you need to know is: Nao, Sora, Tobi, and Mokichi are on first-name basis since the end of second year; Sora and Tobi have had a running prank war since the end of their first year and everyone on the team hates them because of it; Sora is captain, Mokichi is vice. Oh also Tobi’s aunt is awesome and she stormed into his parents’ house in Hiroshima to yell at them for being terrible parents. Tobi didn’t find out for the longest time.)

This is some 10-ass pages so headcanons below the cut!

This. Is. So much more chaotic than my Sora/Nao HCs. Prepare for disaster gays, very tired and very exasperated queer parent friend Momoharu, very very tired Mokichi, "usually a functional bi but the second you involve emotions he becomes a grade-a disaster bisexual" Tobi, Sora struggling to deal with "OH shit I'm gay," and "bows to absolutely no one and done with everyone and everything 24/7" Nanao Nao. This version of Nao is so much more of a tired badass than Sora/Nao's Nao, who stays more true to her canon self.

It's also twice as long. Yeet.

Tobi and Sora have had growing feelings since their first year and Mokichi and Nao are fucking suffering with these stupid gays.

They were friends at first, and it really was just pure platonic feelings. It started to turn into something more a little after the first Taiei game, but Sora is shy and a certified disaster and Tobi is way too emotionally constipated for either of them to do anything about it.

Tobi I love you but you're a fucking mess.

Tobi actually got kicked out by his "father" in large part for being bisexual, and therefore wants absolutely nothing to do with growing feelings for tiny cute short teammate, nope nope no thank you-

But basically, Tobi has known he's bi for a while now, and while he's having some acceptance problems, he's not having the "OH GOD I'M GAY" panic

Sora has not known, and he's having a panic in the background because "I'm attracted to guys?!"

Sora starts realizing what's going on some time in second year, and Momoharu takes one look at the panicking Sora and goes "aight the fuck happened to you?"

You will have to pry their friendship from my cold dead hands and I'm not sorry. I love Momoharu and Sora's dynamic.

Sora eventually confesses to Momoharu (after a lot of prodding) that he thinks he's turning gay, and Momoharu immediately starts laughing. Sora, hurt and feeling very stupid, goes to run, but Momoharu tugs him back down to sit and tells him, "Jesus, Sora, you don't turn gay. You either identify as gay or you don't. Sorry for scaring you, the concept of turning gay is just... oddly funny. Don't worry about it dude, I'm pansexual."

"...Pansexual?" Sora asks nervously.

"Yup, I'm attracted to all people regardless of gender. Men, women, people who don't fit either -- I don't much care. Gender doesn't really factor into whether or not I'm attracted to people."

"You can be attracted to multiple genders?" Sora asks, eyes wide.

Oh boy, Momoharu thinks. Poor kid. "Yeah, folks who are attracted to just men and women are called bisexual. Homosexual is the official word for those who are only attracted to their own gender, but gay or lesbian is usually used. Heterosexual is for those only attracted to the opposite gender. Of course, the lines aren't as clear set as those labels suggest they are. Sexuality is fucky, dude. Don't worry about not having it figured out. I only decided on a label a few months back, myself. Some people just choose not to label it at all."

That makes Sora feel better, and he takes to talking to Momoharu about it quite a bit.

At one point, Sora brings up how the team would react, especially since they share a locker room. Momoharu just gives him a deadpan look and then says in the flattest voice ever, "Wow, imagine being so insecure in your masculinity that you can't share a changing room with a gay man." That gets a laugh out of Sora and makes him feel a lot better.

As it turns out, this was word for word Chiaki's reaction to Momoharu being nervous about coming out to the team back in their first year.

It is also, word for word, Chiaki's response to Sora coming out to him going "I'm sorry I hope this doesn't make things awkward-"

Momoharu laughs hysterically when Chiaki pulls the exact same face he did and says in the exact same deadpan tone, "Wow, imagine being so insecure in your masculinity that you can't share a changing room with a gay man." Sora also stares at Chiaki for about ten seconds in silence, then doubles over laughing. Chiaki is so confused until Momoharu explains.

However, this does mean that Momoharu has to deal with the brunt of Sora's "TOBI DID A THING HOLY SHIT" rants for the rest of the year, even though he denies that Tobi is the one he was attracted to if ever asked.

Momoharu, rubbing his forehead: Chiaki the baby gays are being stupid what do I do

Chiaki: I'm a straight so unfortunately I don't think I can help here?

Momoharu: Ugggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Tobi is freaking out in the background because "oh no gay feelins oh no soft feelins fuck what do I do????"

His aunt: Kid, please calm down, you'll be fine.

Tobi, putting a groove in the floor with his pacing: NO I WON'T WHA' IF 'E FINDS OUT WHAT IF THIS RUINS THA TEAM DYNAMIC WHAT IF 'E 'ATES ME-

Accent go yeet when upset!

She holds him while he panics and lets him curl into her, and then makes his favorite foods and puts on a movie and cuddles with him, and once he's asleep, she calls her brother-in-law with every intent of murder because how dare you make this child feel so unloved?

Anyway, Tobi eventually comes to accept himself and his sexuality in full thanks to her, the team, and Juri. It's primarily just a thing of time and needing to have more conversations where he's open about it and accepted by people he cares about.

Poor Sora still isn't totally comfortable with being gay? And a month or so into his third year, he comes out to Nao and later Mokichi. They make him feel much better, but the final piece is actually Tobi himself. Tobi finds Sora having a breakdown in the locker rooms and holds him to help him calm down and pushes him to talk about it, and Sora finally tells Tobi he's queer.

And Tobi, having been through this struggle before, just kind of pulls him into a hug and says, "Well, tha' makes two o' us" and Sora goes "wHAT" and Tobi tells him he's bisexual. Tobi does not pry about who made Sora realize he's queer, because it's personal and touchy, and he respects that.

That does, however, extend the mutual bullshit period.

But also:

Sora: oH MY GOD HE'S GAY HE'S GAY HE'S GAY I'M-

Tobi: 'E's. 'E's Bi. Deep breaths deep breaths deep breaths just don' panic and ask 'im out that's a bad plan-

Tobi that's actually how you deal with romantic feelings like a functional human being but sure, go off.

Tobi comes out to Nao and Mokichi with Sora's support shortly after that, and their reactions are, respectively: "NICE!" "Cool." and then Nao tackles Tobi in a hug that is the start of a big grouphug.

There's lots of hugging and crying (the latter is Nao and Sora and a little bit of Mokichi), and Tobi will vehemently deny that he cried at all, but a few tears got out.

(Lbr Tobi's gay pining for Sora was Not Subtle, so they already knew, but they don't tell him that for a while. When they do tell him, he's gotten to the point where he just stares at them blankly for a moment and then groans rather than flipping out. Mokichi chuckles quietly and Nao just outright laughs at him.)

But anyway, both of these Absolute Idiots are still crushing on each other, and everyone is suffering.

Actually, scratch "crushing,” it's moved into full-blown pining now.

Sora eventually also accepts that, alright, he has a big crush on Tobi. Tobi, their ace. Tobi, one of his best friends. Tobi, one of the best wings in all of Japan. Tobi, who is ridiculously attractive. Tobi, who looks like an actual bush when he doesn't tie his hair back somehow, because his hair is insanely (and adorably) frizzy and voluminous. Tobi, who will whoop at the top of his lungs and grin like a maniac because he just pulled off a fantastic drive and double-clutch, even though he's exhausted and soaked in sweat and they're four minutes into overtime. Tobi, who makes the cutest face with the sweetest smile Sora has ever seen when he talks to his sister. (Tobi, who is a boy, and Sora has stopped caring.)

Sora even stops denying that he likes Tobi after a little bit, and Momoharu is just in the background going, "good job, it only took you two entire years to figure that out."

Sora: LEAVE. ME. ALONE.

Momoharu: Okay but have you considered: No. Absolutely not.

Anyway Tobi mostly complains/gay rants to Nao and sometimes Mokichi, and at this point, even Juri is slightly sick of her brother talking about "our amazin' point guard." Yer not subtle, Anchan????

Except it eventually moves from "wow he's amazin' but NO I do not 'ave a crush on 'im" to "oh my God I am SO gay," and then later it moves to a more resigned gay panic. ("Nnnnnnghhhhh I nearly fuckin' kissed 'im after practice today what do I do-")

Nao is trying to bully both of them into confessing, but neither will take the first step, not because of pride, but because they're scared. (Nao is. So. Done. Even if she sympathizes, it has been two years of this bullcrap please-)

Tobi, especially, is afraid of losing everything again after his nasty stepdad booted him out.

Sora is like "that is one of my closest friends, and given this team's stability record I am Not Poking That Mess With A Long Stick."

Momoharu, who is the one he says this to, is just kinda like, "Yeah I can't really argue with that, as much I want you to confess."

Nao, later, having been subjected to a similar rant, after he said "closest friend" instead of "a dude": HE'S GROWING UP KANAME-KUN I'M TEARING UP-

Mokichi is far too tired of everything to interfere, which is fair.

Juri badgers Tobi for a solid four weeks before he admits what's really going on, and then it kind of all comes spilling out, and she encourages him to confess to Sora, but he's still reluctant.

Nao also bluntly says, "Kenji-kun's family abandoned him, Sora-kun, and it may be because he's the words ‘problem child' given physical form, but it may be because he's queer. If you want to work this out, I think you'll need to take the first step."

(Tobi told the team about his past late first year/early second year. Crying happened and everyone basically group-tackle-hugged Tobi, and he finally got the hugs he very much needed and definitely deserved.)

And Sora angsts over that for a while until Chiaki very simply says, "Do you want things between the two of you to change?" And Sora realizes that yes, he does, he doesn't want things to stay the same, he wants to hold Tobi's hand and go on dates and call each other at weird hours for the sake of it and hold each other until they fall asleep and kiss him and -- well, you get the idea.

So he works up the courage, and it's one night some months before the national tournament when Sora asks Tobi to stay behind with him for extra practice. Sora is really nervous, and Tobi is like "??? Sure? Are ya okay?"

Sora, voice cracking: yEaH I'M FINE

Anyway, Sora misses like a solid sixty percent of his shots that practice and Tobi is. So confused.

Tobi to Mokichi: Did. Did somethin' happen.

Mokichi just shrugs, which does not make Tobi feel better.

So Tobi stays behind all the others to talk with Sora, and they're both really nervous. Obviously, Sora is about to confess, and Tobi is just so confused, and also some small part of him is going, "oh God did he figure out I like 'im????"

Nao and Mokichi kicked all the first and second years out after just an hour of individual practice, and Sora is grateful but also, "guys please don't make me confront my problems."

Nao: "Sora-kun if we waited for you to deal with this we'd be here 'till sunrise."

Mokichi, tiredly: "No, we'd be here until we turned old and gray."

Sora asks Tobi to sit with him while blushing, and Tobi complies, still very puzzled.

They make small talk for a minute, and then Sora abruptly says, "Kenji-kun... I... I think I have a crush on you".

Tobi gapes at him like a fish, opening and closing his mouth for a solid minute, and eventually, Sora.exe unfreezes and goes, "Sorry, I-" and Tobi just goes, "Fer real? Ya aren't prankin' me again?" in a surprisingly quiet voice.

And Sora is mildly offended but knows that's a fair assumption given their track record of prank wars, and he also almost wants to use the excuse Tobi has handily provided, but he just stands and goes "I'm sorry, I should leave-"

And Tobi leaps to his feet, grabs his hand, and says flat out, "Sora, I've 'ad a crush on ya since first year."

And Sora just kinda… short circuits. "Wait, really?"

Tobi just kinda rubs the back of his neck (shyly? Tobi gets shy?) and goes, "Yeah, I... I kinda only admitted it in tha middle a' second year, though."

And Sora says slowly, "You... you like me. You like me!" He laughs, relieved. "Holy shit, I was so scared you were going to reject me and it was going to ruin everything--"

And Tobi is just going oh my God, he's adorable, I can't deal with him, and takes Sora's chin in one hand and asks quietly, "Sora, can I kiss ya?" Sora's eyes, predictably, go wide, and he nods. (And please take a moment to recall and appreciate the fact that Tobi is canonically an entire foot taller than Sora. Sora is 149 cm (4'10.7) and Tobi is 178 (5'10.1). This is fantastic because I will bet actual money that this height difference has not shrunk; if anything, it has grown.)

They kiss just as the entire team bursts into the gym. Turns out, they were watching the whole thing, and honestly, none of them look that ashamed; they put up with the pair's bullshit for this long, they're invested now, and they deserved to know what happened.

"ALRIGHT MOTHERFUCKERS, THIS IS REVENGE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF USELESS GAY PINING," Nao yells. "KANAME-KUN, EVERYONE -- GRAB THEM!"

And the team lifts the yelling and protesting couple above their heads as Sora loudly objects and Tobi swears at them. The first years learn some creative new insults. The second and third years, on the other hand, are very accustomed to Tobi by this point, and aren't remotely surprised, but -- oh, haven't heard that one before, actually, says a second year. The others mutter assent.

We have, Mokichi grouches. We third years have heard them all.

Sora is small and easily hauled around, and Tobi is also pretty helpless when being held up above the heads of Mokichi and their first-year center. So they can’t really like... do anything about being dragged around.

Nao leads the team forward like an army, and they march to the pool to drop the two of them in, and when they resurface, fully clothed and soaked to the bone, Sora is laughing hysterically. (Assume Sora learned to swim at some point.)

Tobi is groaning, but he's grinning, and he swims over to the side of the pool -- and grabs Nao and Mokichi's ankles and drags them in, both of them yelling.

And Sora thinks, with Nao yelling in irritation but a sparkle in her eyes and a grin she's failing to fight off, with Mokichi laughing quietly as he flings his wet bangs out of his eyes, with Tobi laughing hysterically, his hair slicked back by water, with the four of them wearing all of their clothes and soaked to the bone, their entire team yanking off their shirts to jump into the pool with them and the moon and stars shining overhead, that he's never been happier.

And Tobi turns to him and grins, and Sora can't keep himself from jumping at Tobi -- who catches him, startled -- and kissing him again.

And, like, hey, Tobi isn't about to complain.

They take about two months to settle into things, and then it's just like... I'm sorry, who thought letting Kurumatani "Embodiment of Chaos" and Natsume "Biggest Problem Child Ever" Kenji date was a good idea?????

It's a bit awkward for a while because they're still feeling things out and figuring out what they're both comfortable with, but then they finally click, and it's... pure fucking chaos.

Sora will not stop stealing Tobi's clothes and Tobi is not happy about it, mostly because -- Sora, if ya keep stealin' my clothes while I am in the changin' room, then I do not 'ave clothes to wear ya stupid chibi--

Tobi has stormed into the gym shirtless at least twice yelling, "SORA! GIVE BACK MY FUCKIN' SHIRT!"

Listen. Listen we have a total of three scenes of Tobi being shirtless, and two of them were in front of plenty of people. Tobi is many things, but body shy is not one of them. He wouldn't care.

(Post-Kitasumi loss, post-Shinjo loss, and that one scene of him dribbling in a park or something at night with an audience. The night before they played Taiei.)

Tobi: Are ya ever jus' tryin' to figure out where all yer clothes have gotten ta and then ya turn ‘round and see 'em all on yer dumbass tiny boyfriend?

Sora, clearly utterly unapologetic, wearing Tobi's sweatshirt: Oops.

Chiaki, probably: SOME OF US ARE SINGLE STOP RUBBING IT IN.

As mentioned before, Sora is canonically 149 cm (~4'10.7), and Tobi is 178 cm (~5'10.1). There's a 29-centimeter difference, almost an entire foot, and frankly, that difference has grown a few centimeters, and you bet Tobi is going to abuse the shit out of this.

He literally holds things Sora wants over Sora's head all the time and Sora hates it. Like yes, Tobi did this before they dated too, but now Tobi is doing it more just to be annoying. It's also the only way Tobi can keep his clothes out of Sora's hands whenever they aren't on Tobi's person. (It's kind of hard to steal a shirt when someone is wearing it.)

"THIS IS ABUSE!"

"Me holdin' m' own jacket above m' head so that ya can't steal it from me isn't abuse, it’s self-preservation! It’s like -20 degrees out there, Sora, use yer own jacket!"

I personally headcanon Tobi shooting up like a weed, but whether he did or not, he's probably between 180 and 190 now (5'11 and 6'3). Meanwhile, Sora is like maybe 155-60. It is possible that Sora also shoots up, but I feel like he would hit 165 at most. That would have him growing 16 cm, which is 8 inches, so. That's a lot of inches to grow in two and a half years.

The things Tobi holds above his head are mostly his own clothes and also food items, plus the occasional basketball.

He also sometimes will nab Sora's clothes and hold them up in the air just to get back at him. Sora will be leaping up in the air, trying to reach his clothes, while Tobi stands there with a shit-eating grin holding Sora's shirt over his head. It looks so stupid. Nao and Mokichi both have multiple videos of it. (Nao has like five.) (What? She suffered, alright? Let her have this blackmail, at least.)

Sora: :( My boyfriend is too tall for me to kiss him on the lips, what should I do?

Momoharu: Punch him in the stomach. Then, when he doubles over in pain, kiss him.

Nao: Tackle him.

Chiaki: Dump him.

Mokichi: Kick him in the shin.

Tobi: NO TO ALL A' THOSE, JUST ASK ME TA LEAN DOWN!

Nao and Mokichi and Momoharu and Chiaki and Madoka and literally all of their friends are still giving them a hard time for being useless gays and taking two and half years to deal with their feelings even five years later. They're never going to live it down.

As adults, juggling careers and their growing relationship is hard.

They both go to universities in Tokyo, thankfully, and don't have to do long distance, and get an apartment together in their third year.

Tobi probably joins the B.League, and maybe Sora does too. (I dunno, I'm not committing to anything with career HCs.)

If they do, they have to keep their relationship secret; it would be a huge deal to be gay athletes in Japan (or... anywhere.) Most of their teammates know, though. Like... Sora regularly shows up to practice in Tobi's sweatshirts.

The sexual tension whenever they play each other is intense, though.

(My pet headcanon for Tobi is actually him going to university in America and joining the NBA. While I want to do that with Sora too, the mangaka apparently turned down two anime deals because they ended with Sora in the NBA. I haven't fact-checked that, though.)

They're around 25 when the world as a whole finds out. It either comes out because one of them is like, "hey babe do ya wanna just come out? We have enough money to retire if this goes south," "Oh sure," or because they mess up so drastically that people figure it out. After all, it would take a lot to break past the "they're such good friends!" mentality of sports reporters. Like seriously. These two are not subtle. They can let heteronormativity do most of the work for them, in all honesty.

Anyway, it comes out, and the media goes into an uproar, and they retreat to visit Sora's dad in Nagano without telling anyone except their coaches and closest friends where they've holed up and just let the world burn while they enjoy tea and the view of the mountains and avoid social media like the plague.

Assuming it was planned:

Tobi, the day before coming out, on his official twitter: I'll be doing a no-electronics retreat with my partner for two weeks, so I won't be on social media. Enjoy your week!

Or possibly the way he came out, besides their official announcement on Sora's account, was just "I'll be doing a no-electronics retreat with my boyfriend, @KurumataniOfficial, for the next two weeks. Bye y'all, have a good two weeks! :)" because that has Tobi's chaotic energy.

Edit: Actually? I take that back. SORA would do that. That has SORA'S chaotic energy.

When people get homophobic, all of their friends -- high school, college, adult life -- are immediately down to throw hands.

The Japanese highschool circle of people who went professional is small and pretty close-knit, and the NBA and B.League sides are quite close to each other as well. Shiraishi and Fuwa, who are both in the NBA, both riot when people attack their old acquaintances from high school. I personally headcanon Fuwa as a raging chaotic bi, because -- hair. Yozan, for that matter, is also pretty pissed off.

Fuwa probably gets on twitter and goes, "What's this bullshit about them being gay???? Of course they're gay. Have you ever seen them interact for more than two seconds??? Are you blind??? Wait, nope. Sorry. Don't want to insult blind people. ARE YOU ACTUALLY THAT DUMB????"

Momoharu tweets," 'Wow, imagine being so insecure in your masculinity that you can't share a changing room with a gay man' --My twin Chiaki, and Sora and Tobi's HS teammate, upon them coming out in HS" and first Sora's teammates start retweeting it and then Tobi's and then every single one of both their teams’ members retweets it. It's fantastic.

Then Shiraishi (who, again, is in the NBA) retweets it, and it goes completely viral. Chiaki is so happy but also really pissed that it's Momoharu's account.

Momoharu ribs him about it for a solid three weeks just to be obnoxious.

There's actually no one on either of their teams that didn't already know about the relationship. Again, they're not subtle together. If there was any drama, it was presumably resolved by getting rid of the homophobe.

Anyway, so while shit hits the fan, Sora and Tobi just shelter in place and their friends all react by going to war, which both of them are a bit taken aback by, but like, they aren't complaining about it. They're both touched actually.

For marriage, honestly, neither one of them proposes in any fancy manner; they probably decided to get married because the topic comes up due to taxes. Sora goes, "Hey, do you think we should get married? The taxes would be cheaper," without really thinking about it, and Tobi goes, "Honestly, if it means everyone will stop badgerin' us about 'tyin' the knot' or whatever, I vote we elope," and that's that. Some two hours later while making dinner, Sora goes, "HOLY SHIT WAIT ARE WE ENGAGED?" and Tobi, who was reading, stares at him for three seconds, processes that, and slowly goes, "...I guess? Yeah, I guess we are. Wow. We did that."

Sora slams his head on the table and Tobi just very tiredly says, "babe, no, ya need those brain cells."

Assume gay marriage is by this point legal and accepted.

When asked how they got engaged, everyone is just like, "THAT'S SO ANTICLIMACTIC?????" This is also the media's reaction.

Interviewer: Why did you and Natsume-san decide to get married?

Sora, shrugging: Taxes are easier with your partner when you're married.

But they went to get rings together on their tenth anniversary shortly after deciding to get married, and if that isn't sappy as hell, I don't know what is.

They probably don't wait long for the wedding and don't bother making it a huge thing; they invite all their friends, hire some folks to keep the media out no matter what, and hire a few people to film it and figure they can share that footage later. ("I am not havin' the media at my weddin' that is a private event for friends and family -" "Love, I am not arguing with you, I don't want them there either???")

Nao will be best woman for one of them at the wedding, and you bet she will give them so much shit for being disasters back in high school in her speech.

Juri, who by that point is like 20 something, because the disaster gays don't get married till they're at least 28 to 30, is either Tobi's best woman or playing some significant role in the wedding. She also roasts her brother and brother-in-law.

Tobi and Juri are definitely half-siblings, just in terms of time. He looked five or six when his biodad died, and she seems about the same age, meaning there's a ten-year gap.

Also, it's implied in the manga, so.

The newly-weds are just sitting there groaning as their friends/family members roast them, but they're both grinning.

The vows are probably really, really sappy, and Tobi can claim it's Sora's fault as much as he wants, but he's honestly also kind of a sap too and all his friends know it.

Tobi's stepdad is not invited. In fact, Tobi goes out of his way to send an edited version of the invitation to him that basically says, "Wedding! You're not invited!" while Sora and Juri die of laughter in the background. His mother does come, though -- she eventually moved out following the "her younger sister stormed in boiling with righteous fury on behalf of her son" incident. While the couple never got a divorce, they haven't spoken in years.

The invitees are actually mostly friends, not family. While Sora's dad, grandma, and extended family come, Tobi's only present family are his sister, his aunt, his mother, and his biodad's brother (and the brother's wife and kids.) But they have hundreds of friends there; Nao, Mokichi, Momoharu, Chiaki, Madoka, Yasu, Chukie, Nabe, their kouhai from their second and third years, Satsuki with his wife and two kids, Shiraishi, Fuwa, Yozan, Mineta, Yakku, Nino, Tarou, both of their professional teams and all the team staff, the national team that they played with, Sakamaki, Yuka and Tomohisa’s friends, Madoka's older sister, their college teammates and classmates -- the list literally just doesn't stop. For like. Days. That guest list was the hardest part of the wedding, actually.

The symbol they use on the invitations is a dragon. Momoharu and Nao both cry when they see the nod to the Kuzuryu team. (Chiaki does not cry, he claims. Momoharu calls bullshit, and Momoharu is, for once, completely right.)

The cake has wing patterns curving up the sides; one kite wing with a healed injury, and a duck wing in front of the silhouette of an eagle wing. ("I'm sappy, Ken, sue me." "Actually, I think that's adorable, so go ahead.")

The healed injury was Tobi's idea, though. Sora was confused, but Tobi explained that Sora and Kuzuryu brought him back to basketball as a team sport, and healed him from the pain of being pushed away from his family. Sora cries.

The shadow of the eagle wing was also Tobi's idea. He says "I agree that yer a duck because I love ya to pieces but yer still short as shit-" "Oi." "-but I also think ya learned how to fly in yer own right. Swimmin' and duckin' be damned. Ya fly on the court, Sora."

Sora does not cry again. He does not. ("Sure ya didn't." "SHUT UP KEN-") (He definitely teared up a little, because Tobi is looking at him with a soft smile and the most affectionate look in his eyes, and holy shit, I love him, and I'm going to marry him????

They go to Nagano and Hiroshima to visit their parents' graves after the wedding. Both of them are sappy about it. "I wish you could have met him" speeches, basically, while the other stands out of earshot.

They then proceed to screw off to Hawaii on a honeymoon for two weeks, since it's the offseason.

Either they combine their names, or Tobi takes Sora's last name.

I feel like Tobi would, just to spite his stepdad. I'm pretty sure Natsume is his stepdad's last name, since Tobi is seen wearing a helmet that is probably his dad's in a flashback, and it has a different name on it. Might've been a company name, though. Idk.

Sora is maybe crying when they change the nameplate on their Tokyo apartment to read "Kurumatani-Natsume Sora and Kurumatani-Natsume Kenji" because "holy shit that's my fucking husband!!!!!"

And Tobi just laughs and wraps his arms around him and drags him down onto the couch to hold him, and Sora thinks that life is good. Very good.

And if Nao and Mokichi and Momoharu and Chiaki and Madoka and Juri and crew all crash their place five seconds later, well, Sora thinks, that just makes it better.

wow! if you made it through this entire thing i am grateful to you for reading! and lowkey impressed because this is almost 5000 words. see my Ahiru No Sora Headcanons tag for more! there is also a Sora/Nao relationship headcanons post.

#ahiru no sora #ahiru no sora headcanons #headcanons #kurumatani sora #natsume kenji #kurumatani sora x natsume kenji #tobisora #maybe these two nerds will finally LET ME REST IN P E A C E #go AWAY tobi jesus

6 notes · View notes

kali-tmblr · 5 years

Text

Snowbirds of a Feather: Parallels in the Lives of Qrow and Winter

I didn't pay much attention to Qrow and Winter as a potential couple in their introductory scenes in "Brawl in the Family" because I was so blown away by the improvement in the writing that those scenes represented. Such economical exposition! Yes, the couple's relationship could be called "cute", but there wasn't any real "meat" to it at the time. It wasn't until a volume and a half later in "A Much Needed Talk" that it became clear that the two of them had lived parallel lives on opposite sides of the track.

Let's revisit those scenes from the start of Chapter 3. Not a lot has really happened yet. So far there's been students fighting in the Tournament, vaguely underhanded maneuvering from Cinder's crew, and a flashy, drunken stranger watching the fights unimpressed from a barroom TV. Then an equally flashy ship flies overhead, and Weiss runs off showing more joy than she's shown in the entire series to this date. The drunkard also notices the ship, and declares it a warning of a far bigger fight than anything going on at the Tournament.

Weiss introduces the audience (although not Ruby who is standing right beside her) to her flashy older sister, Atlas Special Agent Winter Schnee. It's a painfully awkward meeting. My first reaction to Winter was, "What a tin-plated asshole." A second later it became, "This is the most socially awkward character in an entire show full of socially awkward characters, and probably the shyest as well, hidden underneath a thick armor plating of formality."

In their meeting the Schnee sisters are each "code-switching" with each other between two different behavior models without seeming to find anything odd about it, and giving poor Ruby (and the audience) a case of whiplash, as well as a sense that things are seriously messed up in the Schnee family. Weiss vacillates between excited little girl and cold formality, with a side order of abusive to Ruby when Ruby is informal. Winter vacillates between cold, sneering, condescending, and abusive; and mere cold formality. In the case of both sisters it quickly becomes clear that cold, sneering, condescending, and abusive within a hierarchical structure is what they grew up with. Winter can sneer at and abuse Weiss, but Weiss can't do the same back at Winter. Instead, she abuses the lower-ranked (to the Schnee family) Ruby. More to the point, Weiss and Winter obviously expect nothing else from each other. It becomes clear that they do care about each other, but they don't know any other way to show it.

But while sneering condescension and abuse is clearly the default mode in Winter's mind for meeting with her little sister, it's not the mode she stays in. She overtly makes an effort, not once, not twice, but three separate times in one conversation to code-switch from abusive condescension into the merely cold, militaristic formality that she must have picked up at the Atlas Academy. It obviously doesn't come naturally to her in speaking with her sister, it's the abusive condescension that comes naturally, but darn it, she keeps trying!

It's heartbreaking.

This scene is just so elegant. It not only introduces Winter and shows us a ton of details about the Schnee family dynamics, but it also provides callbacks to Season 1. The audience is reminded of what Weiss was like when she arrived at Beacon and how much progress she has made in socializing. We're also given a hint as to maybe why Weiss chose Beacon over Atlas Academy if that's all the social skills her sister learned there. And we're also given the contrast between the cold formality of the Schnee sisters and the loving warmth of Ruby and Yang. At the end of the scene Winter and Weiss are headed for the dorm, where I am eagerly looking forward to Yang teaching Winter a lesson on the proper care and maintenance of baby sisters, especially baby sisters who also happen to be Yang's teammates, which may or may not involve fisticuffs.

I'm still waiting for that scene, because that's when the story takes a turn.

The drunkard lurches forward, easily decapitating two of the latest models of Atlesian Knights in spite of being unable to walk in a straight line, and begins hurling insults on the Atlas military directed at it's highest ranking member present, Winter. He calls her ship "gaudy", which while it is objectively true, is also ironic coming from the only man we've met who wears a cape. She calls him "Qrow", the name of Ruby and Yang's heretofore unseen uncle, and he calls her "Ice Queen", to the confusion of Weiss.

In this scene what Winter doesn't do is even more interesting than what she does do. She's being insulted by a falling down drunk, and she DOESN'T respond with the same sneering condescension she just used on her own dear sister, even though many people routinely use that tone with drunks. She maintains a now angry formality. He's handing her opportunities to sneer on a silver platter, and she's not taking them. This tells us that sneering condescension is a holdover from her childhood, not something she normally uses in her adult life.

More importantly she allows her own little sister to prance right up to this drunkard and confront him. She doesn't react at all when the drunkard puts his hands all over her sister's head and uses it for balance before gently pushing her sister to the side. This scene tells us one of two things. Either Winter doesn't care about her little sister's welfare, or she is convinced that even though obviously incapacitated by alcohol, with his motor functions, vision, and reason clearly impaired, the drunken man is in spite of this no threat to the young woman. That level of conviction speaks not only of lots of prior experience, but a high degree of trust in spite of their current animosity.

The insults continue with Qrow upset about Ironwood's humiliation of Ozpin before the Vale council at the end of Volume 2 , reminding the audience of that development. However much the two leaders have been downplaying their disagreement in their personal meetings, it obviously has their loyal bannermen up in arms.

(Some people have assumed that Qrow and Winter were former lovers, but I don't see anything here that really supports that premise. They're simply arguing over policy. Lovers would have a more thorough knowledge of each other's buttons.)

Winter holds her ground until Qrow starts threatening to blab state secrets in the public square, then she changes tactics. Unfortunately for her she attacks him instead of grabbing him by the arm and dragging him somewhere out of earshot. But it's fortunate for us, as we get the best 1v1 duel so far.

As good as it is, it's also clear Qrow is holding back. Judging from the Ursa we will see Winter summon in the next episode, so is she.

Qrow keeps one eye on the Beacon Tower, and when he sees Ironwood coming up behind Winter, he goads her into attacking an unarmed man in front of her superior. In this way he publicly humiliates Winter as Ironwood's proxy in a similar manner to how Ironwood has publicly humiliated Ozpin with the council. The action is childish and petty, but not personal, a drunken, juvenile payback.

Winter's opinion on the prank isn't known, but she is clearly furious.

Then the action switches to inside Beacon Tower, where it becomes clear that both combatants are intensely loyal to and highly valued by their respective Headmasters, although Qrow outranks Winter and has her thrown out. Then we move on to info dumps and plot developments galore.

The way these scenes fold so much information inside them is vastly improved over the first two Volumes. But as lovely as our snowbirds look together, there's no real reason to ship them - yet. That would wait until we began to get Qrow's backstory in Volume 4. Once Qrow begins to talk about his childhood, it gradually becomes clear how much his life story has echoed Winter's life story. Shall we count the ways?

1) Horrible childhood: Qrow grew up an unloved, unwanted child in a chaotic, abusive bandit camp, and quickly becomes the camp scapegoat. From what we have seen Winter grew up in a home that was cold and abusive, where order and affection came from the servants, not her parents.

2) Grew up in the shadow of a narcissist: Winter grew up in the shadow of her narcissistic father Jaques. Qrow appears to have grown up in the shadow of his narcissistic sister Raven. Both narcissists have shown that they only regard other people as tools or enemies, including family. This tends to leave a child with major insecurity issues.

3) Escape to Academy: Both Qrow and Raven made it to Huntsmen Academies, where they encountered genuine order and a semblance of fairness for the first time. The Academy was the first decent thing that happened to them, and in that environment both of them blossomed.

4) Remade themselves into the Headmaster's pets: Both characters appear to have used their time at their respective Academies to reinvent themselves. Both of them took the ethos of their schools and their Headmasters to heart. Each one strove successfully to become their Headmaster's trusted eyes and ears in the field.

5) Flashy exterior, insecure interior: In each case a flashy exterior conceals deep insecurities.

6) Guilt over children: This one's a bit of a stretch, but not much. Winter constantly telling Weiss she has to be strong sounds like guilt over the fact that Winter had to leave Weiss behind in an abusive situation in order to go to Atlas Academy. As for Qrow, after growing up unwanted I think he would have panicked over Yang and Ruby growing up motherless, tried to be there to help Tai as much as he could, and felt guilty about having to leave on missions for Ozpin, which wouldn't help his drinking any.

7) Socially Awkward: They're both socially awkward. Winter conceals her social awkwardness behind a formal exterior. Qrow hides his social awkwardness behind drinking and physical seperation.

8) Arrested Development: Both of them successfully escaped traumatic childhoods and reinvented themselves as Teacher's Pets, completely loyal to their respective saviours. And there both of them seem to have stopped maturing. Growing any more would have meant questioning their idol, and neither one was willing to do that. We saw how Qrow was shaken to his core when the man he reveres turned out to have feet of clay. Should Ironwood fall from grace, it will be no less traumatic for Winter than Ozpin's fall from grace was for Qrow. But perhaps on the other side of that they will both finally find themselves standing as their own people.

#rwby #rwby thoughts #rwby theory #rwby7 #qrow branwen #winter schnee #weiss schnee #ruby rose #ozpin #james ironwood #jacques schnee #snowbird #qrowin #rwby qrow

30 notes · View notes