#one of her combat finishers is actually her throwing an empty can at a demon 💀💀

[a-monsters-love]

Spice

[Master List]

Art credit goes to: @ianterweb​ -- [Original Post]

Bakugo x Reader

Warnings: swearing (obvi it’s Bakugo), blood, a drop of gore (not in a stomach churning way), toy guns, implied pining, spoilers if you haven’t watch season 4, mentioned of death, Slow Burn

Genre: angst, fluff, combat

Word count: 12k

Time Line: I extended the timeline around between the provisional licensing exam and the work study program, part of me doesn’t think irl they’d just thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire.

A/N / Inspiration: So I rewatched ATLA and honestly I really wanted a Ty Lee styled reader for this, like just upbeat and positive but irl she’s got demons. Also I fully believe Ty Lee could kick Bakugo’s ass, no one can change my mind. I firmly believe he needs an S/o who can just whoop his ass, part of me thinks that’s the only way he’d ever accept a crush or a relationship. 

*So like, if (y/n) fought like Ty Lee who uses Tai Chi and Dim Mak (loosely translates to “Touch of Death” but we know it as chi blocking)

*All Tai Chi and Yoga pose names I fully researched  

*don’t @ me for this but because their classes only carry 20 students I’m sacrificing our sweet boy Rikido Sato (code name: Sugarman) b/c I haven’t seen enough of his character to know how to write him :L #TheProverbialSacrificialGoat

(Y/N) = Your Name

(Y/N/N) = Your Nickname

(L/N) = Last Name

(H/C) = Hair Color

(S/C) = Skin Color

(E/C) = Eye Color

(H/L) = Home Land i.e country of origin

——————

“Listen up.” Aizawa Sensei announced to the class dropping a book on his podium, gathering the classes attention he lazily sighs before speaking again. “As you’ve all noticed we still have an empty seat in the back of the class,” He points his hand in the general direction. “Moving forward, I have to introduce you to a new student to the class.” On cue the classroom door slides open, you walk in calmly despite your excitement. Your (H/C) hair is pulled up into a neat bun with your bangs clipped to the side, the only addition to your uniform being a pair of half palmed white gloves, you can feel everyone’s eyes scanning over you as you waltz in. “This is (L/N) (Y/N), I’ll let her introduce herself.” He finished as he stepped into his sleeping bag.

You glanced over at your new teacher, quickly understanding what kind of person he is before looking back at the class. “Hello, please feel free to call me (Y/N/N).” You giggle softly, “I just moved to Japan from (H/L) and it’s my understanding you guys have been together for sometime so I‘ll be in your care.” You smiled sweetly and gave a delicate bow.

“You’ll be sitting behind Koda,” He pointed to the obvious empty seat, “Between Ochaco and Shoto.” Aizawa Sensei made little effort to discern the two. “(Y/N) has already been moved into the dorms so I expect everyone to do their part in helping her get settled.” 

You only smiled as you made your way to your desk, shaking hands and giving polite greeting to your new desk mates. The girl beside you made quick work of making friends with you, the boy in front of you was extremely shy but made his own effort to wave back at you. You listened in on the class as the morning babble began, whispers in curiosity and a few waves and smile. You can feel a creepy gaze that made your skin crawl and heard a single but loud tongue click. “Another extra.” You heard him groan, the comment only made you snort a bit before the lecture started. 

You took color coded notes based off theme and what you decided or Aizawa Sensei said was important. Ochaco whispered about how cute your notes are causing you to whisper and explain why you did it. You noticed the way Shoto listened in on your organization explanation when you silently offered him a red and green pen. He took them both gratefully and confused at your action before deciding to make his own version of you system. When first period was over your desk was swarmed by your new classmates. 

You smiled brightly as they all introduced themselves when a boy, who introduced himself as Iida, tried to dispel the mob. “No-no it’s okay, we have plenty of time to get acquainted anyway.” You reassured him bashfully as the slimy kid, who introduced himself as Mineta, got a little too close for comfort. You took great pleasure in watching the pink girl grab him by the ankle and drop him in the trash. 

It was then that you heard a soft and almost awkward voice, “Can I ask what your quirk is?” Asked the green haired boy, Izuku is what someone called him.

“Of course!” You beamed, his clear anxiety from the question washes away as he pulled out a beat up notebook. “My quirk is called Molecular Regeneration, so basically Healing+, from what Aizawa-Sensei explained to me this morning I’ll be able to fully show everyone during gym.” You scanned over the group and motioned for Denki to come over. “I can heal little things like this pimple-“ You removed a glove and tapped his skin, fading the pimple away. “To great wounds, within reason of course. I have to eat a ton of food for the carbs, fats, proteins and all the extra good stuff if I use my quirk excessively but it’s a trade off I’m happy to make.” You put your glove back on and rubbed the back of your neck as you watched Izuku beam and start spiraling as he took notes. One of the other students explained that he does that often.

——

During gym everyone was paired up to fight, for practical and strategical purposes. Everyone gasped when Aizawa paired you up with Bakugo, saying it was cruel and you were new. You giggled at their concern, knowing full well that you could and have taken the blunt of an actual bomb and come out fine. Well fine-ish. “I paired them up purposely because I know he’ll be able to go all out and she’ll be fine.” He droned at his gaping students.

Each pair took turns, you watched everyone fight, analyzing their fighting styles noting where they went wrong. Your mother was a trained martial artist so you learned at a young age to do this. When your turn arrived you were excited to finally get up. You decided to take off your shoes as the boots you were provided weren’t practical for how you fought. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re a girl.” Bakugo hissed.

You just smiled widely, “I’d be insulted if you did.” You chuckled, stretching a bit before getting into the Brush Knee starting position, legs spread slightly with a bent knee, one palm flat towards the ground and the other raised facing the boy. You looked relaxed, which seemed to anger him. As Aizawa blew his whistle he was quick to charge, when he got close you slapped his inner wrist the back of each hand. This pushes his arms to his sides as you twist around him and aggressively push on his spine with your palm causing him to falter forward. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re a boy.” You teased at him, the face he made was that of confused rage.

“You think you can beat me with a few slaps?” He chided, earning a laugh from you as he charged again. 

“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.” You snorted.

His wrists sparked as he aimed to use his quirk on you, “We’ll see about that.” You could almost hear amusement in his voice as he made a circle out of one hand and shot exploding bullets at you. You barely managed to dodge as you pushed yourself into a backhand spring, you confused him when you used your arms to push towards him. 

He went to use and exploding hand to punch at you as you jabbed repetitively at his quirk fueled arm. His explosion dissipating as his arm went limp. “I suppose we will.” You beamed close to his face before failing to see the swift kick he struck your side with, easily throwing you from your close proximity. You chuckled a bit with a small cough as you skidded in the distance, didn’t see that coming.

“What the fuck did you do to my arm?” He demanded an answer as you ran back and cartwheeled towards him using the propulsion to jump at him, aiming a leg to kick him from the side. Knowing he’d reflexively block the kick when you were close you used your other foot to kick his chin upwards. 

Your kick was successful and satisfying, “Dim Mak, also known as Chi Blocking.” When he regained his stance from your kick you jabbed at his other arm causing it to go limp. You stood beside him as he groveled a bit. “And with that~ I think I win, I don’t think it’s much of a fair fight at this point.” You smiled sweetly at him. 

Aizawa whistled again to end the match, you grabbed Bakugo’s wrist shaking the limp limb to Aizawa when you heard a pop, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” You quietly warned him still holding his wrist with a smirk but being who he is as a person the hand you held exploded with his quirk. 

You heard an audible scream from the class, after the dust dispersed your hand was basically gone. Your radius and ulna bones were cracked and broken poking up from your tattered forearm, blood splattered across both your face and Bakugo’s. All the rage that quelled in his system wiped clean with a guilty and horrified expression, seeing the blood that soaked part of your hair and the mess he created. “Oh fuck, I-“ He started but realized you were still smiling, even as blood dropped down your arm. Aizawa groaned loudly. 

“Well, that was… spicy.” You snorted. Within moments the bones started to grow where your hand once was, thick red muscles climbed the bones followed by skin. You were regenerating your hand, you smiled but your gaze was dark as you stared at him. “I told you not to do that.” Using your newly regrown hand you punched him in the side of the face causing him to hit the floor, hard.

“I deserved that one.” He mumbled quietly on the ground, you stood over him smiling smugly. 

“Come on, get up and let me fix your arms.” You waved for him to sit up before looking to Aizawa, “I’m leaving early after this for a shower.”

“Please.” He sighed, sending up the next group who were just staring at you in a mix of horror and awe. “We don’t have all day.” Aizawa said.

You sat Bakugo down and sat behind him, almost forcing him to lean his back into your knees and shins. “Alright, Spice, let me fix your nerves.” You removed the glove that didn’t get blow up and pulled at a limp arm, using your quirk to heal the damaged nerves as well as massaging into pressure points to release the tension you forced into his blood stream. He groaned in agony before sighing in relief.

When you were done he rubbed his arms and hands as the prior numbness faded, he looked back at you as you decided to heal the burnt skin on your shoulder and cheek. You smirked when you caught his gaze on you, he ruffled his hair aggressively as he got up and ushered you to follow him. You both needed to head to the dorms to clean up, as you followed behind him you heard him mumble. “I’m sorry.” He earned a chuckle out of you causing him to look back. I just blew up your literal arm to the bones and you were acting like a ray of fucking sunshine, he thought to himself as confusion knitted his brows. “I’m not sure what happened, I didn’t know I could be that lethal.” He admitted almost hissing out the words as if they were painful.

“I’m not mad, Aizawa paired me up with you for that reason.” You shrugged bashfully, “And what happened back there was kinda… mostly my fault..” Your admission seemed to confuse him more. “When I jabbed you’re arms I disrupted your blood flow and by default your quirk. You have a strong one so it essentially grew like an actual bomb and exploded more or less on its own.” He watched you explain, you just hoped he wouldn’t feel too guilty. “Look. If you’re sorry just get me lunch or something, Spice.” You smiled softly at the comment as you finally got to the dorm, making your way to your rooms to grab a change of clothing and then to your respective bathrooms to shower.

Bakugo grumbled over the whole ordeal before settling on the new nickname you’ve given him. Spice. What the fuck is that about, he couldn’t wrap his head around it but he learned quickly that he wouldn’t be able to stop you. You made that clear when you essentially wiped the floor with him, the thought of that made him yell out in frustration. “Stupid girl.” He hissed as he got dressed. 

You were waiting for him at the door in a fitted t-shirt and your gym shorts. Flitting through your phone aimlessly, he noticed your usual smile was gone. Replaced with something bored and almost listless, when you noticed him your lips curled at the edges into a soft smile. “Come on, Spice.” You waved for him as you opened the front door.

“Stop calling me that.” He snapped, frustrating that he could tell you wouldn’t.

You snorted with a loud ‘HA’, “Would you prefer Spicy Boy? Blasty? Bomb-dot-com? Oh! What about Limb Remover?”

Bakugo groaned trying to walk faster than you, “No!” He hissed at you, eliciting a hearty laugh from you.

“Spice it is.” You wink as you took lead almost skipping in front of him. He groaned loudly as you joined the rest of your class before gym was over. The two of you bickered back and forth for sometime and you could only laugh at his rising and dwindling frustration. Kirishima joined the conversation, fist bumping the only other person he could imagine withstanding an explosion from Bakugo. You could hear Izuku spiraling behind you and decided to turn a bit to answer his questions. “I’ve never successfully grown other people’s limbs or organs back but I can accelerate growth of, like, hair and finger nails.” You commented to one of his questions. “Though if you’re arm got like cut off cleanly I could potentially reattach it, I imagine it wouldn’t feel the same though.” You scratched at your damp hair that was now down from its bun to dry, your mouth was slanted not quite a frown but it was obvious to anyone that the gears in your head were spinning. 

Bakugo just stared at you with half lidded eyes as you spoke, part of him wanted to hiss at Deku to piss off with his nerdy ass research note book. However when you pulled the note book from Izuku’s hands and flitted through it with knitted brows and scold him for the condition of the note book it almost earned you a laugh. Almost. When you asked about the burns on the notebook he was hesitant to answer, “Accidents happen.” Was all he managed, you gave him a raised eyebrow but didn’t pester the topic. 

——

At lunch you had lost sight of Bakugo and didn’t think much of it, you were quickly wrangled by the girls of class 1-A as you paid for your meal, they pulled you to a table where you sat with Asui, Ochaco, Shoto, Izuku and Iida. You were quiet listening in on their conversations, providing a comment when needed as you quickly ate your food. You temporarily sated your stomach, knowing you should eat more before your quirk absorbed the contents of your stomach. You got up to put your tray away, running into Bakugo on the way back. “Hey, Spice. I lost you for a minute.” You snickered at him, he just grunted and rolled his eyes. Dragging you back to the lines to get lunch, or in this case a second helping. He didn’t say anything as you waited in line with him, he paid for your meal and made sure you received it before walking off. Waving a lazy hand back at you. “Prideful brat.” You snickered to yourself before rejoining your table.

“What’s all that?” Asui asked.

“Bakugo bought me lunch,” The table gaped at your comment. “As an apology for blowing up my arm.” You said pointedly, “Plus my quirk already started to absorb what I got earlier since I had to regrow a limb.” You half sighed half laughed at the comment. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you guys.” You rubbed your neck, this was a tell for you. 

Shoto shrugged, you knew Izuku nerded out on what happened, “We’ve seen scary quirks, yours wasn’t as scary as the situation, kero.” Asui said, Ochaco nodded fervently in agreement. 

You sighed in relief and started eating gleefully. This hit the spot, you were grateful to Bakugo even though it was your idea.

——

At the end of the day you followed your class back to the dorms, making quick work to get into your comfy clothes. You wore a short (but not quite cropped) shitty band shirt and a pair of high waisted pajama shorts that were just long enough to keep yourself covered if you stretched. You sat at the bar with a book as you idly watched Momo file through the kitchen. She offered tea which you happily accepted, discussing each of your preferences. You were a big fan of spiced drinks, chai’s more often than not.

Iida made his way to you not too long after with a schedule in hand, it showed everyone’s chores and what days they do them and with whom. He had added you to the schedule, noting that you had been paired with Bakugo on a large handful of occasions. Iida mentioned that you were one of the few who made it clear that you could clearly handle him he decided to rearrange the schedule as such to relieve some stress from your other classmates. You laughed and agreed that it would probably be for the best. 

The evening droned on a bit before dinner, you offered to help Izuku and Ochaco in the kitchen since you gave everyone quite the scare earlier. They both happily agreed, you helped out and decided to make a side dish your mom always made at home when you had a bad day. It was simple and it always seemed to cleanse the palate. When you let it simmer you made quick work of pulling out plates to serve at the table, helping Ochaco and Izuku when something started going awry.

When dinner was served and everyone was seated you weren’t sure where to sit until Kirishima dragged you to sit with him, Mina, Denki, Bakugo and Sero. You laughed, figuring you sat with the others at lunch. “Fine, fine, I’ll sit just stop dragging me.” You sat in the middle of the table between Bakugo and Kirishima, who asked loads of questions about your fighting style. “Oh, it’s just Tai Chi.” 

“You mean that thing old people do at the crack of dawn?” Denki asked, that’s definitely not what he expected.

You snorted and rolled your eyes, “Yeah, Tai Chi is a form of defensive martial arts that can also be used for meditation.” You ate a bit before continuing. “When used offensively the base principal of it is redirection, our bodies are covered in pressure points that-“ You took a sip of water. “If hit hard enough can fuck up your opponents whole fighting position and quickly turn the tables.”

“You still never explained what you did to my arms.” Bakugo hissed, almost pouting as he ate.

You scoffed, “Yes I did! I told you on the way back to the dorm after you blew up my arm!” You laughed, “I can explain it again if it didn’t make sense, Spice.”

The other boys and Mina snorted at the new nickname, “Please explain,” Sero managed to laugh out. 

“Okay. So, the fighting style for that is called Dim Mak, which means ‘Touch of Death’. Essentially I hit all the right pressure points directly to disrupt his blow flow, disabling his arms and quelling his quirk. Well, until the end.” You rubbed your neck bashfully at your mistake. “With Tai Chi you only hit pressure points to redirect, not do damage to the nervous system.” 

The other four just laughed, Bakugo just grunted and rolled his eyes as he ate. When they moved to the side dish you made Denki and Sero almost inhaled it. “This is so good, what is it?” Denki asked, knowing you helped in the kitchen.

“Oh, I made that. It’s [Food Name], just comfort food my mom always made for me when I had a bad day. I gave everybody a good scare today so I figured it’s be nice to have.” You shrugged to him nonchalantly, not noticing Bakugo had also made quick work of the dish. 

“I’m gonna need seconds of this.” He snorted getting up. 

You didn’t say much else while you ate, eating was a reprieve for you. When you finished your dishes you let out a happy sigh. Finally satiated for the day, you leaned over to Bakugo as he finished eating. “You never gave me a chance to thank you for lunch.” You gave him a smile before getting up to clear the table of empty dishes to return to the kitchen. 

“Shut up.” He snapped, following your actions as you walked into the kitchen. You hummed at his response, figuring he was too prideful. 

“Well, thank you none the less, I would’ve been starved if it weren’t for you.” You snicker, Bakugo just crossed his arms and looked at the time. You heard Mina call for you and ask if you wanted to watch a movie before bed, “Of course!” You call back, “You gonna join us Spice?” Looking back at him with a tired smile. 

“No.” He retorted quickly before leaving the kitchen heading towards his dorm, hearing a faint ‘good night’ from you.

You join your new pink friend who loops her arm in yours pulling you to the living room where you sat almost snuggled between her, a pillow and Ochaco. You were cozy enough to fall asleep but every movement either of the girls made roused you. You remembered seeing this movie once, letting you answer a few questions anyone had without spoilers. “Damn,” You mumbled to yourself with a yawn, realizing how tired you actually were. You shook Mina, whispering that you were heading to bed before sliding over the back of the couch. You waved a lazy good night to the others who noticed and headed to your room. 

——

The next morning you woke to the sun rising and danced across your eye lids, getting a good pop filled stretch before crawling out of the warm comfort of your blankets. Your morning routine was simple, brush your teeth, sort out your hair, wash your face, down a glass of water, make tea, listen to music and practice your morning yoga and tai chi filled exercises. You decided to wear your gym shorts for stretching; not with a creep like Mineta in the house, you thought storing your pajamas. You walk to the patio out front, enjoying the brisk morning air before setting down your tea on the banister. You had your Bluetooth headphones in and placed your phone on the windowsill. You made basic stretches to loosen up before grabbing your ankles as you bent into a full uttanasana, you stretch up pulling your leg to a natarajasana but pulling your foot closer to the back of your head before switching legs. Continuing this for sometime before starting your Tai Chi, ‘fickle habits lead to fickle lives’ your mother mantra played in your mind frustratingly. 

Bakugo has always been the ‘first to bed - first to rise’ type of person. In the dorms this gave him more liberties in the morning, as he had a tendency to walk out of his room to the showers in boxers and maybe a t-shirt most mornings. The last thing he was expecting was to see the electric kettle steaming after it’s obvious use. His eyes darted around, listening keenly to the main lobby of the dorm. He didn’t hear anything inside but spotted a phone outside of the building on the windowsill. Bakugo’s sight narrowed in before realizing he was walking towards it to see who the fuck is outside at this hour, or if someone left it outside on accident. He stepped slowly seeing you stretching on the patio, he couldn’t hear anything but he noticed the device was lit up playing music. Holy shit she’s listening to aggressive rap, he thought spotting the song title. The playlist was labeled ‘✨ GOOD MORNING ✨’ he snorted at the idea of that being morning music, the song changed to some classic punk rock song he recognized. He decided to leave you be, he would never admit it but he absolutely took in the sight of you before shuffling to the bathroom to start his own morning routine. 

When you finished your morning routine you made haste to grab your uniform and run to the shower. When you got out you saw Bakugo in the kitchen preparing what you assumed was his breakfast. “Good morning, Spice.” You said sweetly.

You just hear a grunt from him when you sat down to dry your hair properly, “Morning.” You hear him quietly mutter, as he brought out a plate with his breakfast. “Dry your hair properly.” He hissed, you snorted and continued working the dampness from your hair. 

Once you were satisfied you finished buttoning your uniform top and tying the tie, you left for a moment to return your towel to its home and pull your hair into a bun. Clipping back your mostly dry bangs as you returned to the lobby, “Whatever you made smells great,” You made your way to the kitchen for a second cup of tea. “Want tea?” You asked in passing. He grumbled something but didn’t say no so you made him a glass anyway, letting them steep as you made your way to your room to grab your book bag. When you got back and the tea had settled you placed a glass in front of the seemingly agitated blonde. Making breakfast for yourself and joined him at the table. You ate and flitted through yesterday’s notes.

Bakugo watched you out of the corner of his eye, you were so casual as if you’d been here the whole time. Something about you frustrated him endlessly, he figured he’d be able to narrow it down later. He begrudgingly accepted the tea, it was spicier than he expected. He wondered if this was a jab at him with the shitty nickname you’d bestowed him with.

—

A couple weeks passed quickly as you adjusted to your life at UA, you spent your early mornings with Bakugo before the other lazily made their way to the lobby, class began, then gym, then lunch, more classes, back to the dorms for a mix of homework and playtime with dinner somewhere in the mix. 

One weekend you decided to sleep in, which was a mistake as Mina had invited herself into your room and tackled your sleeping form. Eliciting a great squeal from you and you both ended up on floor with a loud *THUD*. “You know. I’m gonna skip the ‘what is wrong with you’ and go straight for the why, Mina.” You groaned, groveling on the floor at her excited stupor.

“We’re going to the mall! Get up! Get dressed!” She was bouncing at you as you slumped upon the floor, calves still on your bed. “Come ooonnn (Y/N/N)!!”

You snorted at her, “Fine, give me 20 minutes.” With that she was gone as fast as she came, you stood and pulled out your casual clothes you now rarely got to wear. Throwing on a pair of high waisted skinny jeans, a fitted white crop top, a thin burnt amber cardigan that went down to your calves, topped with honey brown softly pointed ankle boots. You left your hair loose aside from pulling your bangs upright to clip them back, providing a small bumped look you could live with. You grabbed your small purse that slings across your shoulders only holding your phone and wallet and a pair of round darkly tinted sun glasses before meeting up with the Bakugang. Mina gaped at your outfit excitedly, all four boys on the other hand just stared. “Too much? It’s just casual wear.” You shrugged and offered a soft but awkward smile.

“Shut up, you look great!” Mina snorted, she wore a loose crop top that hung just above the belt line of her skinny jeans, “You have plenty of time to check (Y/N/N) today idiots, let’s go!” She looped her arm with yours and almost dragging you along.

You never cared to much for shopping, you had what you needed and what you liked but you enjoyed spending time with the Bakugang outside of UA. Mina asked you about what your makeup preferences were and you admitted that you knew little regarding the topic. The boys whined to eat, “I’m always game for food.” You snorted, you were being dragged around more than anything anyway. 

You all sat around a table in the mall talking about nonsense, eating your respective lunches. They quickly got used to just how much you ate, much to your relief. When lunch was over the six of you ended up in an arcade, you and Denki played a shooting game with the big plastic colorful guns. Denki grabbed the red plastic cabled hand gun leaving you with the bright orange cabled shot gun. You snorted when he thought he had the better gun. “HOW ARE YOU SO GOOD AT THIS?” He whined as he watched you take shot after shot.

“The keener the eye the better the hero, also my dad was big into hunting back in (H/L).” You chuckled, “Both of my parents are Quirkless so they reveled in what they could.” You quickly beat the game, re-holstering the plastic gun you collect your almost endless stream of tickets. “You can imagine I was a huge surprise for them.” Sero snorted and agreed at your last comment. 

You made an abysmal attempt to fold up your tickets when Kirishima pulled you into some game him and Bakugo were playing. You were sure the blonde would get you guys kicked out as he seemed to be intent on destroying the game itself. You laughed loudly at him yelling “DIE!!” And “I’LL KILL YOU!!” At the console. Mina pulled you to play skee-ball next to them, you made for a mediocre game as you couldn’t stop laughing at Bakugo’s video game rage.

You managed though, collecting more tickets and playing another round as Mina, Sero, Denki and you made a bet. The person with the lowest score would have to calm the blonde down. “Game on!” Denki puffed, you smirked cheekily as the challenge began. 

After about 5 minutes the four of you were neck in neck with high scores but you fell short of third place. You groaned, collecting your tickets. Mina and Denki wiggled their eyebrows at you and Sero just laughed at your dismay, “Fine!” You laughed, walking over the the blonde on the verge of explosion. “Hey, Spice?” You placed your gloved hand on his shoulder. He snapped at you, scowling at your disruption. “Help me pick out a prize with my tickets?” You didn’t wear your usual smile, your brows knitted, concerned about the potential problem if he blew up the game.

Bakugo could almost breathe fire at you in his rage, but the concerned look you gave him threw him off. He just tossed up his hands and almost growled before crossing his arms letting you usher him to the prize table with a relieved smile. Sero, Mina, Denki and Kirishima were floored; their jaws slack at the ease at which you had simmered him and removed him from the game he almost blew up. They all looked at each other with devious grins as they huddled together. 

At the prize table you had to put all your tickets into some machine that counted them out, “Thanks for agreeing to help me.” You smiled up at him as he unraveled the mess of tickets you had. He just grunted and huffed in response, he wasn’t a big talker outside of when he screamed about being the best or when he got mad. When he did talk you could tell he put thought into his words, even when he wasn’t talking to you. When all the tickets were counted out you were directed to the charm section of the prize table. “What do you think?” You pestered him.

He squatted down, eyeing most of the girly charms. He didn’t know what girls liked, he watched you look over the more boyish themed charms. “I don’t know,” He hissed, “What’s the point of this anyway.” 

“Making memories.” You smiled into the glass, spotting a charm that caught your eye. “Oh! Can I look at that one?” You asked the staff behind the counter, the pulled out a little bob-omb phone charm. You snickered at it, “How do we feel about this one?” You handed it to him, he just stared at it with knitted brows before scowling at you. “What??”

“It’s a bomb.” He said.

“So are you.” You snorted and rolled your eyes. “I think it’s cute.”

With a over dramatic “TCH.” He handed it back, “Well I guess that’s the one then.” He rolled his own eyes, “Why did you ask for my help if you didn’t need it?”

You handed you ticket stub to the staff and looped the charm onto your phone, “I didn’t know I wouldn’t need your help.” You pushed him back towards the group, “Come on, I think everyone is burnt out on games.”

Before leaving the arcade everyone found a one of those kawaii photo booths. Mina somehow managed to usher everyone in, her and the other three boys pushed you and Bakugo together, you took the standard photos, Kirishima managed to swindle the ‘Glamouroki’ face out of Bakugo for the final ‘funny face’ photo. You, Mina and Denki burst into tears of laughter at the scene, Sero wheezed into the side of the booth. The face was now encapsulated for all of time in the photo booth six sticker sheets. You slipped the photo behind your clear phone case, making sure not to stick it down. “God. We have to keep this forever.” Mina cried out.

“That was solid gold.” You wheezed out wiping your face, Bakugo shouted and hit Kirishimas hardened head when he figured out it was photographed. “Holy shit, that couldn’t have been more perfect.” You panted taking a deep breath.

“Let grab a few drinks before heading home.” Kirishima cried out from his own laughter, you all agreed. Heading to a vending machine on your way out.

——

The next day after finishing weekend homework the bakugang decided to have a movie night. You noticed that Mina and the boys had been pushing you and Bakugo together, not that you minded but you couldn’t pin point why so you shrugged off the thought. It had been decided that the four of them would prepare snack and drinks if you and Bakugo would pick a movie. “Soo- they’re clearly plotting something,” You joked at the blonde as you both dig through his movie collection. “Should we pick a movie they can’t handle as revenge?” This elicited a laugh out of him.

“I didn’t think ‘little miss sunshine and rainbows’ would come up with such a devious idea.” He snorted at you.

“Sunshine and Rainbows only appear after a dark storm.” You smirked while pointing at him. 

He laughed, you almost dropped the DVD you were looking at when you heard it. “Oh, this is gonna be great.” The two of you picked the most gruesome and twisted movie you could find in his collection. Putting it in his DVD player before the others returned. You and Bakugo were chuckling at each other, unwittingly it seemed to excite the other four. You and Bakugo sat on his bed as the rest sat choice-fully on the floor. Denki turned off the lights as Mina sorted out snacks so everyone could reach them and passed around drinks.

They movie started fine, easily pulling them in, you stifled laughter. Bakugo was much better at doing that, though he had a smirk plastered onto his face. You adjusted yourself to pulling your knees up to your chest comfortably, to an outside perspective your were preparing for the movie to get more twisted, from Bakugo’s perspective he just noted a smile that curled at your lips behind your hands that rested on your knees. He started to get irritated with how much attention he paid to you. The simple ways you shifted as the movie dragged on, the excitement that built up causing you to bite your bottom lip. He had the urge to smack you and telling you to stop biting your lip. He shook his head at the thought. Nope, nu-uh. These are not thoughts he was ready to have. He forced his attention from you and focused on the movie with knitted brows. 

You adjusted again, crossing your legs and grasping your ankles in anticipation. Part of you was totally enthralled in the movie, you love this stuff, the other part was excited for the wicked prank you and Bakugo had setup for your poor unwitting friends. The first scene that got to them came, enticing a loud set of screeches from the four on the floor and you had gasped at the scene jumping a little and then a chuckle at their responses. You looked back at Bakugo who was already looking at you and beamed, “Success.” You whispered at him, he smirked back and nodded before your attention was back on the screen.

By the time the movie was over you firmly believe you traumatized the four, “WHY WOULD YOU PUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON.” Mina whisper yelled.

You and Bakugo glanced at each other from where you sat on the bed and laughed softly, “I thought it was a good movie.” You retorted. 

“You guys are a bunch of babies, if you want to watch something soft you pick the movie.” Bakugo snorted waving a hand at the movie collection, it was movie night after all.

Denki looked a little brain fried as Mina and Kirishima darted to the movie collection to pick something to quell their pained minds. You laughed again, sliding off the bed as you looked at the time. “It’s getting late, we can afford one more movie but I’m gonna go change.”

You made your way out of Bakugo’s room to yours, you tossed your hair up in a messy bun and threw on a baggy shirt, a pair of shorts and a warm cardigan. Quickly making your way back to his room when you hear bickering. “Don’t you dare, that’s (Y/N/N)’s!” You hear Mina say. 

You poke your head in to see her wrangling your phone from Bakugo’s grip, trying to get the photo you slid into your case out. “Oh-ho.” You piped out, “I see, I can’t trust you with my belongings.” You snorted, knowing how he felt about the hilarious photo. You slid in quickly snatching your phone from them both before finding your barely warm spot still on the bed. 

Mina huffed in success and Bakugo just crossed his arms, “It’s just a stupid photo.” He grumbled.

“It’s my stupid photo, Spice.” You said, “And if you try to take it again I’ll print large poster versions of it and plaster it to every wall in the school.” You chided at him with an almost evil smirk.

He groaned and Mina turned the lights back off as the next movie played. You felt Bakugo’s knee tap yours, as if it was some silent confirmation of your words. Your smile softened a bit and you glanced at him from the corner of your eye. His scowl still ever present but softer than his usual. Kirishima yawned, causing everyone else to yawn. You cozied yourself in your sweater against the wall as you watched the movie with half lidded eyes. Your shoulders slouched a bit and you ended up leaning you arm into Bakugo, who just stiffened at the action. This kept you awake through the movie, not that you were paying it any attention to it.

Bakugo on the other hand was now wide awake due to your sudden touch into his arm, this is not how he expected things to go. Though your prank was an absolute success, he wasn’t prepared for the aftermath. He was irritated and confused at your current actions, you should be angry at him not leaning into him! Did he want you to be mad at him? He couldn’t think straight.

As soon as the movie ended he ushered everyone out, even you in your sleepy stupor. You and Mina just looped arms and made your way back to the girls side of the building, triple checking that you had your phone. 

You knocked out quickly when you got to your room, you had a great weekend. Bakugo didn’t have such luck, he just assumed you showed anger different ways and made a mental list of what to do about it before he had the luxury of sleep. 

——

The next morning you were back to your usual routine, however you found you weren’t the first one up. You watched the blonde cook in the kitchen before starting your routine, you got ready to exercise when you decided to disturb him. “Good morning, Spice. Food smells great, as usual.” 

You watch his frame stiffen, but grunt as usual, “Morning, (Y/N).” He groaned, maybe he slept on the wrong side of the bed? You thought, continuing your stare at him.

“I’m gonna work out, come grab me if you need anything, okay?” You offered but he just waved you off stiffly. You got to your work out, followed by a shower and drying your hair properly so you didn’t have to listen to Bakugo whine about it. Making your way back to the kitchen to make tea for the both of you. The blonde just stiffened at your presence in the kitchen so you made quick work of the tea, this morning was different though. Bakugo had made breakfast for you too, uh oh. You thought, something must’ve happened. “Are you alright?” You asked staring in surprise, “Not that I’m not elated to try your cooking but-“ You were cut off by him shaking his head and starting to eat.

You watched him for a minute before started to eat as well, holy shit. Was all you could think, “This is really good.” You said softly, smiling as you quickly ate. 

He still didn’t say anything, you wondered what snapped in him. You finished quickly and when he was done he collected your dishes. Finishing his cooking in the kitchen after the rice cooker pinged. You flitted through your papers making sure everything was in order  for the day when you hear a *thump* beside you. You looked over and it was a larger than average bento, wrapped neatly. You just cocked an eyebrow at it and looked at Bakugo, “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s wrong?” He’s clearly broken this morning. “Are you sick?” He scowled down at you, differently than you’ve seen before. He just let out a frustrated noise at your confused behavior. 

You watch him for a moment before anything happens, he just pushes out the chair beside you and sits crossing his arms scowling differently at you. “The last time you were weirdly quiet and gave me lunch as when you blew up my hand...” You lean your head back thinking before it clicks. “Oh my god, is this about the sticker??”

He just groans in frustration, “Obviously! Your probably furious with me!” He hissed, watching your form relax, no smile in sight just concern. “I don’t fucking know!” He threw his hands out. 

You put your hand to your face, a chuckle escaped you and turned to a hearty laugh, “Katsuki.” He flinched, that’s the first time you’ve said his name. “I’m not mad, that sticker is just a fucking sticker. I only wanted to keep it because it’s an original. Those photo booths have an option to email the photos, so I have a digital copy.” You pull out your phone and hand it to him. “If you don’t want me to have it to the point of this much guilt or frustration, take it. I won’t fight you, Spice.”

He stared at you in awe, now he just felt like a fucking idiot. His brain was addled with you over some stupid fucking sticker. What is going on with me?? You seemed to agree that he was losing his shit, not that you even knew it was about you. He pushed your phone back towards you and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t worry about it.” Was all he said before he got up to clean, leaving you with both photo and bento. He doesn’t say anything to you for the rest of the morning as he disappears to finish getting ready for school. 

——

A few days passed and Kirishima brought up the provisional licensing exams that passed before you transferred in. “He probably would have passed if you were there (Y/N).” Kirishima says in passing. You had asked him how they did the testing in Japan.

You hummed at the comment before looking at the redhead, “I don’t think I could have made him be nice to people.” You shrugged a bit, he only failed because he’s abrasive. “He doesn’t yell at me because I’ve proven I can kick his ass.” The comment makes you both chuckle but Bakugo just shouts out in the distance, you both only laugh harder. 

That morning the class found out about the work study program, you weren’t here for the sports festival so your options were more limited. Ochaco wanted to introduce you to GunHead but he wasn’t taking work study students; Aizawa said Amajiki-Senpai would introduce you and Kirishima to Fatgum. The two of you fist bump at the offer knowing full well that your friend harassed the poor kid into it. No one could foresee the events that followed. 

You found yourself in a meeting discussing the take down of a Yukuza crime syndicate and the rescue of a small girl named Eri. The details of the situation she was in made your stomach churn. Over the next few days you found yourself hanging out with Kirishima, Ochaco, Asui and Izuku more. You all were brooding over the up coming event, your normal routine didn’t change much but the event pulled the 5 of you together. On movie night Denki decided to bring it up to you and Kirishima, you both just kind of looked at each other before making up some bullshit answer. “Honestly, the work study program is just a lot more than we expected. We were just brooding about it.” Was all you could manage, you rubbed the back of your neck uncomfortably. You hear Bakugo click his tongue at the blatant lie but you couldn’t defend yourself. It was getting harder to wear your usual smile while waiting for a message for the raid. 

—

The day of the raid was devastating, even though the raid itself went by a lot faster than you had expected. You rode in the ambulance with Sir Night Eye, keeping him stable until you arrived at the hospital. You can’t regrow other people’s missing organs but you did everything you could, you just sobbed for most of the time. You were lucky you didn’t receive any damages that would have you stuck in the hospital, you helped heal everyone’s wounds to get them out sooner but it was draining. A few hero’s who claimed to be in your debt brought food to you as you ran around the hospital. Forcing you to sit down and eat, you thanked them telling them they didn’t have to but they waved off the comment.

——

A few days later you were sitting, curled up in the corner and arm of a couch, in the common room in the middle of the night, you didn’t want to be stuffed in your room anymore. You felt like your tears dried out, you just sat staring at your phone screen when you heard foot steps from behind. You payed no mind to it as they walked into the kitchen, you’ve been staring at the same page on your phone trying to focus until the other person spoke, “It’s the middle of the night, go to bed dumbass.” You looked up to see Bakugo, he was right but something made tears bubble in the corners of your eyes, threatening to spill. 

Bakugo had just run down to get a bottle of water when he saw you sitting on the couch, you were just on your phone so he couldn’t understand why you weren’t doing that in your room. After he spoke up he turned to face you, he saw tears in your eyes as they slowly ran down your cheeks. He panicked he’d never admit that, he walked over and squat down in front of you. He didn’t say anything but he just stared up at you with his brows knitted. “S-sorry. Ah-I just, I d-don’t-“ You stuttered and rubbed your eyes furiously.

He clicked his tongue, “Shut up.” He hissed, he hears what ever you were going to say hitch in your throat and you try to stifle your tears. “That’s not- ugh.“ He cut himself off, comforting people wasn’t in the list of things he was good at. Bakugo gets up from were he was squatting and walks back into the kitchen. When he gets back he hands you water bottle and sits down next to you. “Drink.”

Your hands were shaking but you managed to open the bottle and take a sip, Bakugo finally got a glance at the mess behind your hands. Your (E/C) eyes were red and puffy, the skin around them was raw, your nose and cheeks were irritated from being rubbed at. His brows knit further watching you struggle to put the lid back on. He just snatched the lid and puts it back on for you, “T-thanks.” You sputtered at him, “Sorry, I’m a mess aren’t I?” You force our a small chuckle, he only clicks his tongue.

“Stop apologizing when you’ve done nothing wrong!” He whisper yells at you, you nod at him from behind your hands as they made their way back to your face. “Stop that!” He grabbed your wrists causing you to look at him, when he hoped you’d stop abusing your pretty face he let go of your wrists and grabbed your ankles. You almost yelped at the action as he just lifted them up and aggressively scooted closer, dropping your legs over his lap. “What the fuck is so wrong that’s got Little Miss Sunshine in tears?” He hissed at you. 

You almost gaped at him, who is this and what have they done with Bakugo?? As soon as you snapped back to reality you wrapped your arms around your thighs, tears still dripping out of your eyes. “I just, I feel like a failure.” You go on to explain the raid, how messed up Kirishima and Tamaki-senpai got and the loss of Sir Night Eye. “I should’ve been able to do more!” You whisper yelled through tears, “My quirk is molecular regeneration for fucks sake!” You dropped your head into your knees, sobbing quietly.

Bakugo had crossed his arms and listened as you explained everything. Kirishima was his best friend sure but even he knows there’s a limit to every quirk. “(Y/N).” You lifted your head to look at him. “You’re not a fucking miracle worker.” He adjusted in his seat, propping an arm up on the back of the couch and leaning his head into his fist, you felt him adjust which made you focus for the first time on his close proximity. You went to say something back but nothing came out, you dropped your chin onto your knees and let the tears stream thinking about what he said. You knew he was right, you used your quirk a ton before Kirishima and Sir Night Eye were even brought out, even the medic staff thanked you greatly for keeping Sir Night Eye stable the whole way to the hospital. “This is a part of working as a Hero.” He grumbled.

You stayed quiet for some time before responding, “I know.” You tilted to the side and leaned into the blonde, your tears slowing. Your head and knees leaned into his chest lightly, you could feel him stiffen at the action. You went to sit up properly when you felt him pull you back roughly, you let out a small ‘oof’ at the action. The whole situation bubbles up in your stomach, causing you to giggle through what’s left of your tears. “If you keep being nice to me I might have to call you Sweets instead of Spice.” You snorted out softly. 

You could feel him stifle a chuckle before clicking his tongue, “Shut up!” He growled, “Don’t even think about telling anyone I was soft with you once!”

You chuckle a bit and lift your head to look at him, wiping your face with your shirt. “You really think I’d share such a sappy moment about you? Nuh-uh, this is my memory.” You chuckle a bit and lean back into him, missing the blush that decorated his scowling face. The two of you stayed like that for awhile before he convinced you that you were tired and should go to bed, you groaned and yawned before you begrudgingly agreed. 

The next day Bakugo invited told you to go with him to see Kirishima, you agreed a bit reluctantly. He basically dragged you by the wrist the entire way there, you blushed over the action but didn’t argue. When you arrived Bakugo watched you in a bit of confusion as you were basically on a first name basis with the nurses, and older nurse had pulled you into a big hug that elicited a loud whine from you. They laughed and sent the two of you up to the room where Kirishima was. When you opened up the door you found the redhead was wide awake, he offered a bright smile that just made you cry again. Visible panic set in his face and Bakugo dragged you in by the hand to sit next to him, he explained the situation to his friend and the two let you sob. “I heard about everything you did.” Kirishima said, “I get where you’re coming from but you did a lot (Y/N/N). Like a lot-a lot.” He told Bakugo about what he heard from the nurses and Fatgum about your frenzy around the hospital with all the hero’s and officers who were at the raid.

“I’m sorry for getting upset.” You mumbled, “I just feel stupid. I know what I signed up for when I decided to go into the field of Heroism, but this was just a kick to the gut.” You rubbed your temples a bit, “Honestly, having my arm blown up was better than being this unprepared.” You sputtered, this earned a chuckle from the two. 

“Dumbass, I told you you’re not a miracle worker!” Bakugo spat and dropping his palm on the top of your head, ruffling your hair aggressively. “Now stop being upset!��� He hissed, you and Kirishima laughed at his aggressive ‘kindness’. The three of you talked for awhile, you offered to heal your friend more but he declined saying he’d be out soon anyway. You pouted but understood.

When you left Bakugo was still dragging you by your hand, “Thanks.” You said softly, smiling a bit. “That made me feel better.” You squeezed his hand lightly when he grunted at you. Such a weirdo, you wondered what’s gotten into him lately. 

“Shut up.” He shouted, “It’s fucking weird seeing you upset.” 

“Is that your version of saying you like seeing me happy?” You sniggered, this only elicited his grip on your hand to tighten. Your chuckles were cut short and you blushed loudly at the situation, he likes seeing me happy? You internally questioned.

After the trip to the hospital you became way too aware of Bakugo’s presence, anytime you bumped into him or happened to be too close your ears burned with blush. You were finally feeling more like yourself and now you felt like a wrench was thrown into your mind. As far as you could tell Mina was (of course) the first to notice. She pulled you into Jiro’s room, causing you to yelp. “Spill it (Y/N/N)!” She put her hands on her hips while wearing a smug grin. Jiro and Ochaco just stared at you two confused.

“What.” You chocked out.

She wiggles her eyebrows, “You’re all blushy with Bakugo! That’s what!” You almost tackled her at the statement.

“DON’T SAY THAT.” You shouted, the other girls were quick to pick up the situation. Mina grabbed your wrists and the other girls started to poke at you, you squealed loudly from being tickled. 

All the yelling caused concern in the other dorm-mates who knocked on the door. Momo opened it up revealing herself, Toru and Iida. “(L/N) has a crush on someone! We’re trying to get her to confess the details!” Jiro tittered.

“DON’T LISTEN TO HER. SOMEONE HELP ME.” You cried out from being tickled, Momo ushered Iida to leave and the girls entered the room to poke at you. “NO!” You shouted while laughing. 

“Just tell us what happened!” Ochaco teased you finally agreed and huffed for air.

You collapsed on Jiro’s bed, “I was really upset the other night Bakugo basically said he likes seeing me happy and now I’m like- hyperaware of his presence and the things he’s done. I feel like I’m losing my mind!” You whined softly.

“What’s he done?” Momo asked, you sat up and explained what he did after the sticker incident. You absolutely showed them the sticker and told them that he’s the one who’s been making you lunches. Mina explained how you easily calmed him from almost destroying the arcade game, the other girls just gave you the knowing look. 

“Girl.” Mina facepalms, trying her hardest not to laugh. “How are you both are so fucking dense?”

You throw your hands up defensively, “I don’t know!” You yell out when there’s another knock at the door.

Jiro gets up to open it, and speak of the devil. “Boy Wonders here.” This elicits an unintelligible shout from you. 

“Wha- AGH. Can you stop making her yell.” Bakugo glowered at your friend. 

“I don’t think that’s on me, it’s just.… Girl talk.” She retorts with a snicker. He hears you groan in the background and sees a pillow thrown, your face is undeniably blushing. 

He puts his hand on the door and leans in over the girl. “(Y/N), stop yelling.” He says sternly, your face drops into the bed as you wave him off. The girls are laughing at the interaction but he just scowls at them and walks off. 

“Can someone just bury me already, I’m dying.” You hissed from the bed. 

“So, he obviously likes you.” Jiro says walking back.

“Ohmygod. No he doesn’t!” You blurted.

“If he didn’t like you he would’ve told us all to ‘shut the fuck up’ or ‘keep it down’. He made that about you.” Mina jeered at you.

“Bakugo only feels anger!” You laughed, you knew that was a lie but he’d kill you if you said otherwise.

“Maybe he just feels less angry with you?” Ochaco snorted. 

“I’ve never seen him be that considerate to anyone, let alone be as nice as you’ve mentioned.” Momo said.

“You’re in denial because you just noticed your feelings for him.” Toru snickered. 

Mina laughed and grinned deviously, “If you’re so sure why don’t you ask him?” 

“Wh-what? N-NO! I can’t do that!” You stammered, sitting up quickly. “If he liked me he would’ve said something by now! Can any of you imagine him just letting something he wants get away from him?” The girls looked between each other, you were right.

“OH.” Toru piped. “What if we convince him your interested in someone else? If he likes you he’ll do something about it right?” You could hear the implications in her voice. 

You frowned deeply, teetering your head back. “That’s... Fair? I guess, but what if he like, tries to interrogate you guys?” You question, the girls smile and usher you out to make a plan.

Over the next several days the girls in passing talk about you and your crush, making sure it comes up in conversation near you and Bakugo. You always blush whenever they do, making sure you get a good jab or pinch in every time. 

Bakugo is getting increasingly frustrated, you guys hang out all the time. What was this stupid crush about? Why was he angry about it? Why did he want to confront you over it? This frustration has him blowing up over everything. He’s managed to break pens, pencils, cups, plates, a book, and a few other miscellaneous objects. Denki and Sero try to get you to calm him down but you said he hasn’t talked to you or made the problem apparent so there’s nothing you can do. 

“I think this is about your crush.” Denki mentions, which for you was the final straw you snapped, you were so tired of this crush nonsense. 

“Denki.” You smile at him your gaze was dark in frustration, he looks over at you. “If I have to hear anything else about that topic I will flip your skin inside out, rub salt on it and throw vinegar at you.” You smile widens evilly. “Got it?” He just nodded furiously and runs off. 

You drop your head on the counter where you sat at the kitchen bar, groaning loudly. You feel an aggressive tapping on your shoulder seconds later. You snap in their direction with a scowl, it’s Bakugo. Your expression softens when you’re met by an equal glare, “Come with me. Now.” He commanded, you follow him reluctantly. You weren’t paying much mind but you slowly realized you were heading to the boys dorms, more specifically his room.

You’ve been in there dozens of times, why are you so nervous now? You let out a sigh, trying to calm yourself as you made your way into the room. You sat on the edge of his bed, like you had many times before. “What can I do for you, Spice?” You ask, smiling at his glare. 

He started pacing back and forth, he isn’t quite sure why he brought you here. He’s just mad and it has something to do with you. “What is this whole crush nonsense about?”

You froze a bit, “I have a crush on someone and the girls weaseled information out of me.” You rubbed the back of your neck, the statement was pointed, it wasn’t a complete lie. 

He just stared at you in disbelief, all your actions proved you were telling the truth. “Who?” He hissed, less asking and more demanding. You looked down at your feet, you didn’t say anything. “Is it Kirishima?” He snapped, I mean it would make sense with how broken up you were with his injuries. You stared at him, squinting your eyes a bit. Giving him the ‘are you serious?’ expression. “Tell me it’s not Denki? Dudes a fucking idiot.”

You laughed out at this comment, “No, dumbass. I’m not that desperate.” You roll your eyes, you watch the gears turn in his head furiously. It’s not clicking. “For fucks sake, Spice. You really can’t figure it out?”

He scowls at you, you just groan and jump from your seat. You walk up, get in his face and grab him by his shirt collar. You pull his face into your for a kiss. It takes a few seconds for him to grab you by your waist and pull you up, kissing deeper. He bit at you lip as if asking to enter your mouth, you comply easily while you wrap you arms around his neck. Your fingers find his hair when you both pull away for air. “You could’ve just said something, dumbass.”

“Oh, I am not the only dumbass here, Sweets.” You snickered at him. A frustrated blush tints his cheeks at the new nickname. 

“Don’t call me that.” He snaps pulling you in aggressively for another kiss.

You tug at his hair a bit at the kiss, “Only when we’re alone.” You retort between kisses. “God, I don’t know if I should kill the girls or thank them.” You pant out, he sends you a questioning look. You chuckle a bit, “The whole crush nonsense was their tactic to force us to admit we had feelings for each other.” Bakugo’s face burned with frustration but he found that he was far less frustrated after the aggressive make out session. Your phone pinged with a text from Mina.

Mina:

Are you making out or killing each other? Hurry up it’s movie night!

Received 5:59PM 

(Y/N):

Yes

Sent 6:00PM (seen)

(Y/N):

You hurry up we’re already here

Sent 6:00PM (seen)

You removed yourself from his grasp and grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s pick a movie and pretend fight so they’ll shut up.” He just rolled his eyes and smirked. Not too long after the rest of the Bakusquad (minus Kirishima) made their way to his room, followed by a few of the other curious girls. “You’re so fucking weird why would buy that??”

“It’s a classic! Dumbass, why don’t you have good taste in movies?” He hissed. 

“Ooh, excuse me for having my own opinion!” You snapped, it was so hard not to laugh.

“What have we done..” Mina groans.

You both look at the door, “Shut up!” You both hissed in unison, snapping back to face each other.

“Don’t copy me!” You yelled.

“You’re one to talk!” He snorted. 

Mina ushered the girls off while her and Sero broke up the fight, little do they know it’s totally fake. Mina picks a LOTR movie at random. “Just sit down and let’s enjoy a movie!” She snapped. You both fake hissed at each other as you sat in your normal spots on his bed, a bit closer than normal. 

While the others got caught up in the movie you silently laughed to get it out of your system, Bakugo snorted quietly at the whole situation. 

At some point during the movie when you adjusted your sitting to stretch your legs Bakugo decided to lay across your lap. Not like a normal person would with their head in you lap, but on his side. The side of his abdomen pressed down your thighs as he propped him head up on his hand. Elbow pressed into the mattress, he snicker as you readjusted. You didn’t mind as much as he thought you did, you were focused on the movie. You had absentmindedly started to comb your fingers through his hair, causing him to get tired. The movie was about 4 hours long, which ran into the time you and the blonde typically went to sleep. Bakugo had already fallen asleep across your lap, you had crossed your arms and started dozing off. 

When the movie was over, Mina, Denki and Sero got up to go get ready for bed. When they turned on the light they all stared at the sight before them, you were sat dozed off peacefully against the wall. Your arms crossed head still slightly upright, one leg out and one leg bent with the foot on the opposing knee. While Bakugo was laying on his chest in your lap with one arm under and wrapped around your bent leg with his face buried into your thigh like it was a pillow. Mina was quick to silence her phone and snap a dozen photos, “Should we wake them?” Sero whispers.

Denki shook his head, “You really want to wake the two scariest people we know?” The other two agree and quickly escape the room and turn the light back off.

——

Bakugo woke up in the middle of the night, he was warm and cold in all the wrong places. He rubbed his face into what he quickly realized wasn’t a pillow and shot upright. There you were, totally asleep. Same position as the Bakusquad had left you in, with the softest snores escaping you. He just stared at you in shock before he reaches over for his phone. It’s 2 am, he debates whether to wake you or not. He decided to just scoop you up and lay you down on his bed, there’s no getting out of this one. He gets up to change into his sleepwear and climb back into bed, you were already in comfortable clothing (shorts and a baggy t-shirt). He pulls the covers over you and lays facing the wall with his back to you under the covers. 

The sun flickered against your eyelids and woke you as usual in the morning, but something was different this morning. You felt a warm and heavy weight holding you down, when you opened you eyes you realized what’s wrong. You were still in Bakugo’s room, you felt him adjust in his sleep which forced you to assess the situation. He was big spooning you, in his bed, one arm under your neck and the other arm wrapped around your waist, hand under your shirt tucked beside your bare ribs, lightly snoring into your neck where his face was nuzzled. Holy shit, was all your brain could process. 

You decided to sneakily grab your phone, double check it was on silent mode and snap a few pictures. You now have dirt on him forever. You attempt to pry yourself from his sleeping grip but the second you manage to sit up right his sleeping form curls around your waist. As cute as this is you wanted to go change and get ready for the day, “Hey, Sweets?” You whine at him, he adjusts in his spot. “Bakugo.” You press further, he grumbled but nothing further. You think for a moment and lean down a bit, “Katsuki.” You say in the most seductive voice you can manage, this quickly pries his eyes open. It takes him a solid 30 seconds to realize the position he’s in, how the fuck did this happen?? He doesn’t quite move as he feels his face heat up. “Good morning. Please free me so I can get ready, I’ve been trying to get you up for like 5 minutes.” You yawned out to him, stretching a bit. When he finally let go he just lazily dropped his face in his pillow that now smelt like you, groaning softly.

You looked back at his figure, frustrated noises escaping him as his neck turned red. You just laughed softly before making your way to get your day started. 

Bakugo came down with a few other, later than usual when Mina finally tackled you in the lounge. “You’ll never believe what I got a picture of last night!” She snickered.

You laughed softly, “Oh I have an idea, considering what I got a picture of this morning.” You both laughed at this, “You’re such an ass, why didn’t you wake me up?” 

Mina just shows her pictures triumphantly in response, you ask her to send them to you when you show her the pictures you got this morning. Her jaw looked like it was about to fall off when Bakugo sped over to see. “DELETE THAT.” 

“Absolutely not.” You locked your phone and hid it away. “You’re so cute when your asleep, so peaceful.” You gushed, Mina was actively losing her marbles at the interaction. “Get over it Spice, you can delete them if you beat me in a fight.” You winked at him, the whole speech burned a blush into his face as he stomped off shouting. “He’s so cute when he’s embarrassed.” You snickered to Mina as you both stood up. 

“SHUT UP!” He bellowed out from the kitchen, causing you to laugh harder. 

#bnha x reader #bnha x y/n #bnha #boku no hero x reader #boku no hero academia #mha #mha x reader #mha x y/n #mha fan fic #mha fanfiction #bnha fan fic #bnha fanfiction #fanfiction #fan fiction #fan fic #bnha bakugou #bnha bakugo katsuki #bnha bakugo x reader #mha bakugo #mha bakugo katsuki #mha bakugo x reader #bakugo #bakugo katsuki #katsuki bakugo #katsuki x y/n #bakugo x reader #bakugo katsuki x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader

[invokingbees]

I finished Dark Souls 2

So you know what that means!

Absolute fucking Biblical CUBIT of text under the break.

Dark Souls 2 is an oft-maligned game. Once a radically different product, its director was fired half way through and replaced, and the game pretty much rebuilt from scratch using already existing assets, story included. The first time I played DaS2, I didn't like it. I played a caster and had much less experience with the series than I do now, so suffice it to say that I gave up and respecced into a pure strength build because of Fume Knight and vowed to never play the game again because I found it so unenjoyable. But after being disappointed with Sekiro and needing a Souls fix, I reluctantly picked it up again, and with much more experience under my belt, I found myself actually really enjoying it, even more so than my three playthroughs of Dark Souls 1, which to some people, is tantamount to blasphemy. So let me talk about why I feel this way.

In Dark Souls 1, you are the Chosen Undead, with only a scrap of legend to lead you on a quest to save a world on the brink of falling into capital D Darkness. Of course that's all bullshit and is basically a conspiracy against humanity by the gods of fire who feared an age of humanity, an age of Dark. In Dark Souls 2, things are a little different. It appears to have been many many ages since the first game, so much so no one remembers Lordran, no remembers the gods, or Anor Londo or anything. It's been possibly hundreds if not thousands of years. You are again an accursed Undead, who has found themselves in the decrepit land of Drangleic, which long ago was brought to its knees by a war with the Giants from across the sea, after Drangleic's king, Vendrick, took something from them at the bidding of his mysterious queen, Nashandra. Vendrick sought a way to cure or circumvent the Undead Curse which turns all undead, eventually, into mindless Hollows. Alas, although Vendrick was close, he didn't make it, and fled from his queen and his kingdom after learning of her true nature and reason for sending him off to conquer the Giants. You, the Bearer of the Curse, like in DaS1, must collect powerful souls, but instead of linking the first flame and becoming glorified firewood, you must prove yourself a worthy monarch, traverse the continent, gather the Great Souls and take the Throne of Want, to inherit the Fire and conquer the Dark, to overcome the curse, or to leave it and seek something else.

Dark Souls 2 has a more personal scope and is actually the main reason I really liked it. You arrive in Drangleic 'without ever really knowing why' but find your objective fairly quickly. You're gently nudged by the Emerald Herald (the level up waifu) to seek the king and eventually discover he was looking for a way out of the curse. In DaS1 you're fed a grand narrative about the fate of the world and the gods and how you'll be the hero to save it all, but in DaS2, you're the bearer of a curse, a lost soul who's stumbled upon possible salvation and has no real other option but to pursue it. It's a salvation with a lot of responsibility, and you must ask yourself (and are asked by the King's brother, the nefarious Aldia) if that's really what you want. In the end, taking the Throne of Want inherits the fire and links it, takes the power of the gods and keeps it all running, but Dark Souls 2 gives this action a much more personal angle. You could have easily been fed a tale that the king needs a successor and that you must prove yourself in his trials, but no, Vendrick went hollow a long time ago and there's just nobody left to pick up the pieces. But it's all there, if you want it. And Nashandra does so hope that you do.

The idea of Want plays a great part in Dark Souls 2, which really cements the personal angle the game takes. The curse of life is the curse of want. The desire for power, security, knowledge. Vendrick wanted a way out of the curse. But this want factors into the game's real antagonists, the Shards of Manus, Father of the Abyss, who fled through the world and became the queens of four lands, all of which fell to ruin. They were weak creatures, they sought safety, they were envious, fearful, and Wanted. And you have to wonder, are they even to be faulted for what happened? Perhaps. But what about you? Your journey isn't a necessity, it's a want, you rail against fate. You kill and take souls because you want a way out of the curse, to surpass Vendrick's failures.

Dark Souls 2's atmosphere has this almost fairy tale-esque, mythical feel with kings and queens, giants and castles, crowns and thrones, but with the weird and dark twist of Souls lore. There is nary a mention of Gwyn, the first flame, I don't think the game has a single demon outside of the one in Shrine of Amana, and for all the complaints of the game calling back too hard to DaS1, I never felt it was anywhere near as intrusive as people say it is. DaS2 almost could have been its own thing. The different approach to its fantasy feels refreshing, moreso than Dark Souls 3, although truth be told I love that game's idea of an exhausted world being artificially forced to continue and falling in on itself. Dark Souls 2 doesn't even present a world ending threat, because there's other lands out there, Volgin, Forossa and Mirrah come up numerous times and seem to be doing just fine. Drangleic is a ruin to pick through for answers. There is no rush to link the flame, everything is placed upon your want to succeed. Quite meta, in a way.

Lore and atmosphere-wise, I'm very fond of Dark Souls 2. I love the whole lead up to finding Vendrick, hearing about this king, going through the land, fighting your way through the castle, feeling like your hot on his trail, fighting his royal guards, his personal bodyguard and then...you find a mindless husk wandering an empty room. That's a fantastic reveal.

Gameplay-wise, though, it's now time to get tough on DaS2. The game has issues, I won't lie, and they're just enough to bug me.

One thing that really bothered me are the weapon movesets which are, for the most part, abysmal. Nothing feels particularly satisfying and most of the choices just feel janky and awkward. Combat in the game is perfectly serviceable and at time it does feel good but the combat, really, is just fine never anything more. It never feels particularly meaty, but sure, Souls games aren't combat games and this isn't Bloodborne which required a more in-depth combat system. Casting is another matter, Souls magic never felt very good but DaS2 has a pretty good amount of variety to its spells.

The main game has some great areas, but also really just terrible ones. The two most glaring areas, for me, are Black Gulch, a frankly bullshit almost straight hallway lined with poison shooting statues that eat your weapon durability like no one's business if you want to be rid of them (also, this game's durability is a joke). It also has OHK grab enemies and worm enemies designed to just completely block movement. It's a bad, bad area with a shit Dirty Colossus rip off boss as one of its Great Souls bosses. Of course there's also Shrine of Amana, an area that was once nearly unplayable and was reduced to just frustrating and unenjoyable. Instant death drops everywhere, a near constant movement penalty, ranged attacks coming from all sides, all the time. Bad fucking area. There's certain sections of other areas that stick out, too, like the run to the boss in Huntsman's Copse, or the foggy forest in Shaded Woods with almost literally invisible enemies.

As for the bosses, they're mostly forgettable. They range from pretty cool gimmick battles like Looking Glass Knight, to complete fucking trash like Royal Rat Vanguard or Authority. I really appreciate DaS2's amount of DeS-like gimmick bosses, especially since DaS3 went real hard with the JUST LIKE ARTORIAS stuff but shit like Executioner's Chariot, tone it down for fuck's sake. At least take out the necromancers if you must have skeletons. I wil say, DaS2 gets flak for having lots of dudes in armour, but to me, it fits the tone of the game, even if some of them are a bit crap. The base game's final bosses, though, are a shame. Nashandra is barely a fight and Aldia even less so. He's immensely tedious and there's just nothing fun, interesting or satisfying about it. He sticks out as one DaS2's worst moments and was clearly added as an afterthought.

The DLCs, I'm actually not the biggest fan. Most people say the DLCs are better than the main game, but Brume Tower? Kinda sucks. It's drab, its boss is frustrating, there's not much to do, Maldron the Assassin is there. Shulva, Sanctum City? Much better, great aesthetic, nice level design, but then it throws in LMAO POISE enemies all over the place, and not just that, but the constant threat of poison and the return of Black Gulch poison statues. Eleum Loyce? Has the best bossfight in the entire game, that's for sure, my heart aches for the Burnt Ivory King, but there's little things here and there and that sour a mostly fine experience. The return of Maldron the Assassin, for one, and of course the fucking spiky rat fucker Wheel Skeleton 2.0 bullshit enemies who can and will kill you in seconds.

Also the intro where you meet the Firekeepers is just fucking awful, oh my GOD.

Overall, Dark Souls 2's bad moments are bad, they're terrible, but let's not forget Dark Souls 1 had the entirely of Lost Izalith, the Demon Ruins and Blighttown, and Dark Souls 3 has TWO poison swamps. The good parts of Dark Souls 2, its amtosphere, its art style, its general tone, are sorely overlooked and sometimes outright ignored in favour of, in my opinion, overbloated nostalgia for Dark Souls 1. Dark Souls 2 has a lot going for it, it has combat mechanics like power-stancing which is great, it has a totally overhauled NG+, it has variety and weird gimmick weapons and armour the ass, it has fantastic fashion, it's a good fucking game and deserves praise for the good things it did. And like the other Souls games, criticism for the things it fucked up on. But regardless, I'm glad we have them, and I'm really glad I've played through Dark Souls 2 again. It deserves to be played.

[beccas-a-cipher]

A Magiclica At Last

Originally posted: 37 August, 2018

Kaiston was my OTP and I’m hoping it’s still alive by the time this plot is over

Still wondering is Kai will have consequences for being exposed to the White Stone as a Spero/Cipher because I feel like that was kind of brushed under the carpet

This comes directly from season 1 episode 22, versus most of these that are supposed to be general events and don't directly correlate to an episode.

Kai groaned again as another wave of insufferable pain washed through his body.

Everything is going wrong... he thought to himself.

There had just been an explosion somewhere nearby, no doubt the Spero putting their plan into action. He cursed himself for falling ill at the perfectly wrong moment.

"Chase, you go see what that was about. Ivy, can you keep working on that remedy?" Quinston sprung into leader mode.

Chase nodded and in a flash of yellow was gone.

"Q-Quinston, I'll be fine-" Kai sucked in air as another spike shot through his entire body. "You need to stop them, before they get the White Stone-"

The green-eyed Magiclica dropped to his knee beside the Spero boy. His eyes were filled with concern, telling Kai he was his biggest priority when he shouldn't be.

"No. You're most certainly not fine. And I'm going to stay here, with you, until you're better and not in any sort of pain, okay?" He gently grabbed Kai's hand, sending pins and needles up his arm, although he didn't show it.

Another wave started. Kai moaned in agony and scrunched his entire face. He needs to go...

"Any time now, Ivy!" Quinston called, panic slowly starting to creep into his voice.

"Working on it!" She replied, mixing a potion as fast as she could. Ivy whipped around and kneeled next to Kai, gently holding a beaker to his lips. Kai disliked his position at the moment, but considering his predicament he decided to just drink what was given to him.

"Anything?" Quinston asked. Kai still felt the dull thud of pain in his entire being, but it wasn't quite so unbearable as before.

"A little..." he sighed. "Thanks... Ivy, right?" He looked up and gave the Magiclica girl a quick smile. She hesitantly waved back. I wouldn't blame her.

"What happened?" Quinston demanded, worry woven into his voice.

Kai sighed. "Something's combating the demone scuro in my body-" they both gasped. Kai shrugged. "It's how a Spero gets their powers. Normally it doesn't effect us too much, except when we over-exert our powers. But I..." he cut himself off, not sure how to explain that the Spero has gotten this close to the White Stone, so much that he had actually touched the artifact.

"You what?" Ivy continued. Kai grimaced.

"The first time Ichiro took Melissa-"

"When they used you as a distraction," Quinston added.

Ivy growled. "Yeah, thanks for that. You nearly got me expelled!" She pointed an accusing finger at the Spero.

Kai grimaced. "Yeah, sorry about that... I didn't want to, I swear! Anyway, when that happened, the Spero actually got through the security and to where the White Stone was stored."

Ivy gasped again while Quinston mouthed something monosyllabic.

"I-Ichiro threatened Melissa that he would hurt her friends if she didn't break the ward. He asked me to bring her to the podium, a-and... I may or may not have touched the Stone once the ward was broken," the sky-eyed boy finished. The Magiclicas were silent for a moment.

"So... you actually touched the White Stone," Ivy repeated. Kai nodded.

"Do you know what this means? Magiclicas first came into existence when they touched the White Stone! That's how they gained their special powers!"

"Yeah, and now its powers don't like my powers," Kai snapped. The dull thud of pain was starting to come back, and he knew he didn't have much more time before he would he in trouble.

Quinston's expression grew concerned and Ivy's confused as they watched Kai squeeze his eyes right and fall back to a kneeling position.

"I-it's w-wearing off..." He panted, the exertion to right the pain kicking in again.

"Hold on, Kai, we'll get you some more potion. Ivy think you can-"

"That was the last of the lavender in this garden. The plant was already dying that I got it from. That might be why this lasted so short," Ivy stated grimly.

Kai grimaced as the pain washed over him again. Quinston was truly starting to panic, although Kai thought it was a stupid waste of energy over him.

"G-go s-stop the S-Spero! I don't matter! T-The Stone does!" The sky-eyed boy pleaded to the green-eyed.

Quinston shook his head. "I said I'm staying with you. Ivy, see if there's anything you can do to help out there, alright? I'll take care of this,"

Ivy hesitated. "You sure?"

"Positive."

She nodded. "I'll be back when I can to help out." Then she was parting the plants with her powers and running through the tunnel.

"Why?" Kai asked finally. Why me? Why do you care so darn much about ME? I should be your arch nemesis; not the guy you throw your life away for. This isn't right, but it feels like it. These were the type of thoughts that went through his head every time he was with the green-eyed wonder that was before him.

Quinston chuckled. "You know, if there's one thing that I've learned in this school year, it's that the COM and all this about Magiclicas being better than Ciphers and that the Spero are bad people, it can all go be buried in a hole because none of it is true. The White Stone can be thrown in there too for all I care." He was kneeling in front of Kai now, once again holding the tan boy's hands and making a rush of feelings and emotions flow throughout his body.

We shouldn't be doing this, Kai hated his mind's rationality at the moment. He needs to help his people, not me.

Oh why can't I get what he's trying to say through my thick skull without any self-doubt.

Suddenly a new wave of insanity struck Kai. He heard himself scream and Quinston desperately asking what happened. Kai has the last thought to try and reassure his crush he would be fine before he totally blacked out.

It was quiet when Kai came to. There was no screaming or explosions in the distance, no night creatures or falling leaves to make the night seem alive. He opened his eyes to find himself in a tall, open room with a few other empty beds in it and a plant in the corner. He slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"H-Hello...?" Kai called nervously. This certainly wasn't the Spero hideout, and if he wasn't there, then where was he? And what trouble was he going to get into for being here?

A door opened on the side of the room. Kai jumped as a man in a white collared shirt and a tie walked in, reading his clipboard intently. Kai froze.

Maybe if I don't move, he won't see me.

Unfortunately, that didn't work. The man happened to look up and made eye contact with the Spero.

"You're up," he noted. Kai stiffly waved.

The man sighed and chuckled. "Good, good. I'm sure you're confused as to where you are?"

Kai made a gesture with his hand. "I was just thinking about that, yes."

"You're in the Everston infirmary," the man stated. Kai stiffened.

I'm so screwed.

"You somehow managed to get possessed by a demone scuro in the woods. Although the effects on a Cipher are mostly unknown, on a Magiclica they're known to drive a person insane. You're lucky Mister O'Kouzlo found you when he did," the man continued. Kai was confused. I'm technically a Cipher though?

"Um, sir, I think you might be mistaken. I'm not a Magiclica..." Kai trailed off, knowing he was probably busted and about to be arrested and was going to live out the rest of his life in prison.

The man had an odd smirk on his face. "Are you sure? Because from all the readings we could get while you were out, it says you're a Magiclica," he said with a hint of humor. "That's why the demone scuro was causing you so much pain, correct? Luckily I know how to deal with them and was able to purge it from your body. You're... free now." The man winked before walking through a portal that just appeared and warping away.

Meanwhile, Kai was both shocked and shook. That man clearly knew what Kai really was. But he didn't call me out? Kai had a feeling Quinston had something to do with this. The thought of him made butterflies erupt in his stomach, much to his annoyance. He was also starving, so it really wasn't a great combination.

At the end of the bed was a table that conveniently had a maroon hoodie and a pair of basic jeans that were much more appropriate for going out than in a Spero uniform or anything else that was probably around here. Once Kai was changed he threw the old uniform in a trash can and hoped it was sent to the incinerator before leaving the infirmary and entering the main hall of Everston. He had only been here a few times, and never on any truthful intentions.

A bell rang throughout the school, and in a matter of seconds Kai was swarmed by kids his age in Everston uniforms leaving their classrooms and heading for the exit doors. It felt odd to be here without any wrong to do, surrounded by kids who were too busy trying to go home than to worry if this boy that wasn't dressed like them was actually a Spero.

Something tugged the back of Kai's mind. He glanced down to find his hand glowing four different colors: red, yellow, blue, and green- but not in a way he had ever seen before.

"What the-" he breathed and waved his hand around randomly. The tug at the back of his mind was stronger now, telling him to turn around and see wha my was behind him.

So Kai did, and somehow managed to meet the green eyes that made his heart go on overdrive.

Kai and Quinston stared at each other, before the brunette Magiclica pushed his way through the crowd and immediately threw his arms around the redhead.

"KAI! You're alright! I was so worried about you," Quinston breathed, gently cupping Kai's face with his smooth touch that brought fire to Kai's face.

"Q-Quinston, we're in public," the sky-eyed boy said with a laugh.

The green-eyed boy laughed." "Who cares? I'm just glad you're here, with me," he glanced down, a smile painted across his lips and a blush across his cheeks (as if Kai wasn't a red mess already.)

Kai was the first to break away. "What happened? I-I shouldn't be here, I'm going to get caught-"

Quinston hushed him. "It's alright. Mister Foley, one of the teachers here, he helped out on that night. He tried helping Melissa when the Spero were about to find her and he cured you. He knows everything, but he's going to keep it all a secret."

Kai blinked. "Everything? Are you sure that's a-"

"I doesn't matter anyway. You're not a Spero anymore, if you don't want to be. He got rid the the demone scuro that was conflicting with the White Stone. If that's the only thing that was keeping you, you can cut the ties, right here, right now." Quinston sounded so sure of everything like he always did. Maybe it was just a Magiclica thing, Kai thought, or it maybe it was something special that only Quinston possessed to make everything seem like it was going to be fine.

Kai took a deep breath. "You know, I think that's something I'd really like." He and Quinston shared a smile and a look, both thinking and feeling the same thing: that they were going to be okay and figure this out, together.

—————————

Word count: 2050

#magiclicas #qutejakey #kaiston #sinking ships arent dead YET #can we get a magiclica kai?

[ceslawrites]

WIP: Starcrossed Chapter 2, “Come Crush a Cup of Wine”

A sneak peek at an upcoming chapter of Starcrossed, my latest Fic.

Puck and McGucket had argued the entire way home, trapped in a stalemate over the issue of Wendy’s party.

“I won’t go,” insisted Puck, who, nonetheless, was putting the finishing touches on a pan of crab dip he had baked once they left the grocery store.

“And why not,” asked McGucket, his hands placed firmly on his hips.

“Well,” said Puck, “for one thing, I’m not wanted there.”

“Horsewallop,” spat McGucket, “Mabel invited ya, didn’t she?”

“Wendy despises me,” said Puck, sprinkling crab seasoning over the dish, “it’s a known fact.”

“I’m sure you two’d get along fine once you get to know each other,” said McGucket. “You and I didn’t like each other much when we first met. Thought you were a mean little turd, I did.”

“You call me a mean little turd about three times a day,” said Puck, who let the dip rest as he cut a large loaf of French bread into little cubes for the appetizer.

“Only when you’re acting like one, which yer doing right now,” insisted McGucket, “Most of the time, yer a charming young man and a good friend. A fella like you could have as many friends as you’d want, instead of staying home cooped up in this kitchen all the time.”

“Even if I were to go, which I won’t,” said Puck, “Whatever would I even say at this thing? ‘Thank you ever so much for the invitation, I do hope you can look past me kidnapping you and your friends earlier this summer and fusing your best friends together into a mutated freak, here, have some crab dip!’”

“Actually, maybe ya should apologize,” said McGucket, “maybe once she sees how sorry ya are, she’ll be more willin’ to forgive ya! You—you are sorry about what happened, right?”

“Oh, of course I am, the devil do you take me for,” snapped Puck, flushing.

“Oh, shoot, I’m awful sorry,” said McGucket, placing his hand on Puck’s shoulder. “It’s just hard for me to tell sometimes, Puck. It always feels like you’re trying to shut people out about how you feel. Like yer an actor onstage, you act all big and showy around people you want to entertain, but you run offstage anytime somebody tries to get to know ya; like with that Charlie fella.”

“Are we still going to discuss Charlie De La Fuente?” Puck feigned a yawn.

“Yer the one who used his full name, not me buster,” said McGucket. “And I think it’d do ya a world of good if you talked to him—“

“No,” said Puck bluntly.

“It’s either talk to him or go to the party,” insisted McGucket. “So ya better pick yer poison.” Then, suddenly hit with inspiration, he added, “How about I throw in some extra incentive?”

“We’re resorting to bribery now, are we,” said Puck as he shoved the casserole into the oven.

“Well, I got to thinking,” said McGucket casually, “This kitchen is awful big. It could use a few more appliances to fill up all the empty spaces. Maybe while you’re out at the party I can look into getting some new whosits and thingamajigs—”

“The ice cream machine.”

Puck had been raving about an ice cream machine he’d seen on a competitive cooking show, and had pestered McGucket every day about getting one himself. Each time he’d said no, pointing out there was no sense in spending thousands of dollars on a machine that made a product you could buy at the store for four dollars a gallon.

McGucket took a deep breath.

“It’s a deal,” said McGucket, “You go to the party, I’ll build the dang thing myself.”

Puck began to laugh.

“You must really want to get rid of me. Deal!”

*  *  *

Wendy was pacing angrily across the room like a hungry panther stuck in a cage at the zoo. Her friends, even Dipper and Mabel, were all cowering on the other side of the living room, worried that any moment she would snap and punch a hole in the wall.

“Maybe one of us should say something,” whispered Dipper.

“Good idea,” said Robbie, who then roughly pushed Thompson forward, “Thompson, go talk to her.”

“What?? Guys, no—”

“Thompson, Thompson, Thompson,” they began to chant.

“OH, WHY DO I ALWAYS DO THINGS WHEN YOU CHANT MY NAME???”

A very nervous Thompson gingerly approached Wendy, who was glowering out the window and muttering angrily to herself.

“H-hey Wendy,” stuttered Thompson, “Um, is everything oka—”

“THAT LITTLE CREEP IS COMING HERE!” Wendy exploded in a fireball of rage. In her anger, she threw both her arms up in the air, accidentally walloping Thompson across the face and knocking him to the floor. Thompson groaned in pain as Wendy continued to mumble unintelligible, angry gibberish about Puck as she stomped around the room.

“Wendy, cool it,” snapped Mabel from across the room. “You’re acting like a dingus!”

Wendy took in a deep breath.

“Mabel,” said Wendy, trying and failing to sound calm as she spoke, “I know you meant well, but Puck is a deranged jerk who tried to kidnap us all six weeks ago!”

“Technically,” said Nate, “He only tried to kidnap Robbie and Tambry, and they’re both pretty fine now? We weren’t there.”

“Yeah, we’re pretty indifferent to the whole confrontation,” replied Lee.

“And I’m literally well past over it,” added Tambry, who was viewing “McGucket Hates Celery” for the third time on her phone that afternoon.

“Well, I’m not,” grumbled Wendy, who crossed her arms across her chest.

“Puck’s not that bad, Wendy,” Dipper assured her, “I mean, yeah, he’s done some messed up stuff in the past, but he also helped us escape Oberon back during Midsummer.”

“Come on Wendy, just give him a chance,” Mabel pleaded, “He so nice!”

“Anybody can fake being nice,” said Wendy dismissively. “That doesn’t mean he’s a good person.”

“I don’t like that guy either,” said Robbie, “He called me a poser!”

“You are a poser,” murmured Dipper under his breath.

“And,” snapped Robbie, glaring at Dipper, “He’s got those creepy eyes that look like they glow in the dark, and those freaky magical powers. I mean… if you think about it… he’s kind of like…”

“Kind of like who,” asked Mabel, who had a terrible idea what Robbie was going to say.

“Look kid,” sighed Robbie, “I know he’s your buddy and everything, but who’s to say that if Puck had been here last year, he wouldn’t be partying it up with that triangle demon and the rest of those monsters?”

“That’s not funny,” said Dipper, who was intensely glowering at Robbie with undisguised dislike.

“I wasn’t joking,” said Robbie quietly.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Dipper, his voice rising, “Puck isn’t anything like Bill!”

“Oh yeah? You weren’t growing out of your girlfriend’s hip like a tumor because of that guy,” snapped Robbie, “Tell me, how is that any different than anything that monster did last year?”

“Did you forget the part where he almost died to save us,” Dipper retorted, “Or are you just being stupid as usual?”

“What did you just say?!”

“Dial it back, guys,” said Wendy, who pushed herself between Dipper and Robbie, both of whom looked ready to fight.

Mabel bit her lip. She has wanted everyone to have fun hanging out with each other tonight, but instead everyone was angry and miserable. Maybe I’ll just text Puck and tell him not to come because everyone’s acting like jerks, she thought to herself, reaching into her pocket to fish out her cell phone. Things might get too intense if he actually shows up.

Just as Mabel was typing in Puck’s number, there was a great flash of light and a sound like thunder as Puck teleported into Wendy’s living room at last. Wendy and her friends were coughing from all the smoke that Puck’s arrival had generated, once that had cleared, they could see Puck, wearing a floppy sunhat, a bright pink tank top, black jeans and combat boots that had clearly been spray-painted silver standing in the middle of the room holding a casserole dish in one hand and a cake box in the other.

“Hello friends,” said Puck, beaming. “I made crab dip!” 

#Fiddleford McGucket #Mabel Pines #Dipper Pines #wendy corduroy #gravity falls fanfic #some enchanted evening au #Puck #Bill Cipher #Robbie V

[ourlastbastion]

Wild Fire Ch. 22 (Finale)

 The final chapter to Wild Fire. It’s been a fun writing this over the last few years, with its many revamps and hiatuses. It’s finally done and I hope you all enjoy this super long final.

The battle had started as suddenly as it could have. Death’s little soldiers scrambled up the hill of ice that Kai had made, climbing past the first barricade of spikes and ran. Despite how much training they had, they weren’t trained with the same discipline as a unified military group. By that, what Kai saw was not the synchronized march, but rather countless adults and teens trying to rush them with a first wave attack.

They scrambled up the ice, and with each one who slipped and fell, he took at least three others with him. Kai watched from atop as numerous people hit the spikes, wounding themselves while the Acolytes rained fire from the top of the hill with their guns. Humans didn’t need demon weapons to fight, not when they had machine guns and assault rifles. Even the small number of witches in their ranks was worth ten human soldiers. It took seconds for the snow to bleed red and blue souls to hover over lifeless bodies.

Kai watched the faces rush, watched as the first wave managed to climb to the top of the hill, as others, with weapons that allowed them to fly, bypassed the obstacle altogether. Once they were past the hill, that’s when the true carnage began. But, that’s also when the fun began.

Watching from her vantage point, Kai saw as some bullets were replaced with darts, watched as meisters were hit and as the synchronization between weapon and meister was disrupted, as the weapon was forced back into human form and leaving the pairs at a severe disadvantage. It was a bloodbath.

Some were able to overcome this handicap, were able to fight back despite not having a weapon in hand anymore, but most were shot down, or knocked to the ground and butchered with knives. Men, women, adult, children, it didn’t matter, they served Death, they aligned themselves with the DWMA, they had to die.

Faster, get through this fight faster. The sooner it was over, the sooner Kai could find Maleko and take him to a new home.

She watched from the corner of her eye as some meister tried charging at her, his axe-partner in hand. The fool couldn’t have been that old, eighteen at most, full of an energy that could only come from the excitement at getting to kill a witch, at the chance to prove himself and make a Death Scythe, at taking down the Acolytes leader.

Well, he wasn’t going to get to do any of that.

Kai frowned and stretched one of her hands out to him. Acting on cue, the snow raised, dissolving into water and spraying him in the eyes with the freezing liquid. He halted, stunned by the strike and temporarily blinded, allowing Kai to act again. She didn’t move her hand, only made a flick of the wrist.

“Watch out!” his partner cried out, but it was too late. The ice had shot up from around them, impaling the meister on sharp points.

Blood ran down the ice, Kai watched the meister convulse, eyes wide, blood and saliva mixing into a bubbly foam at his mouth as his body gave it’s last few spasms and twitches. A soul emerged from his chest and floated above him. The axe fell to the ground as he stopped moving, leaving only a puddle of blood beneath the suspended body.

A flash of light and the weapon was on his feet, a look of fury and hatred in his eyes. “You bitch!” he screamed, his arm turned into the blade of the axe, running for her. It was so pathetic. Kai didn’t bother to move and let the magic around her flex a little.

Bloody tendrils came from behind the no-name meister, wrapping around his arms and legs. It was his meisters blood, manipulated through magic to harden and freeze. He struggled, but the blood was too strong, and perhaps Kai was using her magic on his blood too just to make it that much harder for him. He locked his eyes on her, tried to take another step, tried to—

His head exploded, decimated by the icy weapon she launched at him from behind. There was no convulsions or twitching from him, the weapon boy just fell to the ground limp, clothes soiled by his own bowels and bladder.

Boring.

How completely boring.

Did no one do their homework? Was no one told anything?

Kai watched as others tried for her, only to be immobilized and killed without mercy. Pathetic, useless, easy. Did no one know anything? Did they not understand just how outclassed they were, how nature itself had placed them at a biological disadvantage?

Blood is ninety-two percent water. The brain and heart are at seventy-three percent water, and the lungs at eighty-three. The skin, needing constant moisture, is sixty-four percent, and even the bones in the body are watery at thirty-one. That’s not including other organs or body parts.

Sixty percent of the human body is water.

Had they forgotten who—what Kai was? A witch whose natural affinity is that of water. Her magic wasn’t confined to one type of water, wasn’t compressed and placed in a box for regular, untainted water. Water in any of its forms, anything that contains a large quantity of water, it fell in her domain of control.

The battlefield was composed of ice and snow, the soldiers had water making more than half of their being. The only way that Kai would be able to get a better victory was if this was taking place out in the ocean, where there was no close-quarters combat. But, that didn’t make her any less a god among mortals out here.

Every single person was a walking time bomb. She could tear them apart from the inside because their bodies fell to her control. She just had to make sure to not use up all her energy before the battle was over.

The sooner she got this finished, the sooner she could get Maleko.

Kai took a deep breath, focused on the mixture of blood and snow, creating numerous red, icy needles that she brought to the air. She focused in on one sector of the battle that was losing ground to the DWMA and attacked. The needles soared through the air, attacking everyone in the area indiscriminately. She saw quite a few people collapse, though quite a few did manage to survive. It was enough, though, for the Acolytes to push back.

Good. Good.

If they kept it up like this, the battle would soon be won.

Kai found herself actually smiling amidst the chaos and the bloodshed as she thought of that. Oh, where should she take Maleko when this was finished? They were going to need a new place to call home, a place for him to grow and learn.  Of course they weren’t going to be able to return to Hawaii, at least not right away. Maybe in a hundred years or two they could go back and rebuild their house.

No, first thing they do shouldn’t be house hunting. No, first thing to do would be to make Maleko something to eat. It had been far too long since they last got to sit together for a homemade meal. It was going to be one of his favorites, of course. Perhaps some lemon chicken skillet with roasted potatoes and, of course, berries. They could get some freshly picked berries. Have a picnic. Somewhere warmer, preferably.

They could travel the world a little, too, or just take up residence in the Witch Realm for a short while. Well, the two could figure it out as they went, the important bit was that they would stay together. Oh, she was excited. Kai couldn’t wait to see what kind of future her and Maleko had waiting for them after today, all the things they’d get to do, to see, to experience, it was just—

“Let’s go, Tsubaki!”

Snapping out of her reverie, Kai jerked herself a few steps back, managing to avoid the giant shuriken that had been thrown right at her. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to the blue haired brat who had thrown it.

He looked angry, yet at the same time he looked like he was thriving on the fight, living off the chance to fight. His spirit was certainly not lacking, he had the same kind of fire that she had seen in Maleko numerous times. What was more interesting was that this blue-haired meister had numerous anti-weapon darts clinging to his body. He had received multiple doses, and yet he and his weapon were still working in sync, that the shuriken was keeping its form.

How interesting. Kai could only surmise that he was keeping the effects of the drugs from passing on to his weapon through sheer willpower. It wasn’t just interesting, it was impressive.

The shuriken returned to his grasp, transforming into a pair of small scythes connected by a chain. “Hope you’re ready, witch. You’re up against the great BlackStar, the man who will surpass God!” The meister warned.

Oh, this boy just keeps getting more and more interesting. She’ll give him a chance, she’ll even handicap herself by not using her magic on the water in his body, just to see if he truly can stand a chance. Kai grinned, raising a hand, and with it the snow and ice raised around her. “Your goals are hopelessly low; Gods are weak. Humans weaker.”

He ran for her, and Kai brought up a wall of ice to intercept him.

____

Maleko paced anxiously in the icy cellar, clawing at the ground, at the walls, howling into the frigid air. It was dark, save for a small light he kept in the center to allow him to see. Empty, save for himself and Taka.

Why would she—why would Kai throw him down here? Why would she do this to him? Maleko bared his teeth, snarling as he lashed out at the wall, his body was burning, his blood boiling, the room around him growing slicker and slicker as the ice slowly melted. Every movement was shaking, turning worse and worse as the screams from above grew worse.

He couldn’t take a single breathe of air without the stench of blood and death filling his senses. It was driving him mad.

“You need to calm down,” Taka warned, staying close to the small fire to stay warm, he couldn’t survive the cold like Maleko could, wasn’t a walking furnace like him. “Your anger won’t do you any favors.”

Maleko whirled on his feet to glare at the bird. “She—she pushed!”  he yelled, stomping a foot onto the ground, his nails curling and clawing at the air. “I shouldn’t! I should be-be up! Up there!” He shouldn’t be down here, he had to be up there, up there with mama! What if she got hurt while he was down here, what if she got killed and he could do nothing because she put him here? He had to protect her!

Taka huffed, preening his feathers. “Little sun, she’s put you here for your own safety. She’s much stronger than you, this entire area is subject to her control. What aid could you provide?”

He was so tired of this, so very tired. At every turn he was being stopped, someone was keeping him from his mother, be it people he thought were his friends, or his mother herself. He was tired of this; he was sick of this He just wanted to find her and leave this place no matter what. He was done with people and things stopping him, done, done, done! Maleko was going to find her again, he was going to grab her and they were leaving.

“I have to go!” Maleko snapped back, turning to the icy slope and started climbing up it. Not that it worked, the slope was too steep, he had only gotten a few steps before losing his grip and sliding back down, his anger growing stronger and hotter. “I… gah… Graaaagh!” he snarled, punching the ground. His hand hurt, the skin over his knuckles had broken open and his blood smeared against the hard ground. “Aaaargh! Grah! Graaaah! Aaah!” he kept howling, his voice turning more and more animalistic while he pounded the ground again and again.

He was angry, so, so angry, his vision was turning red. His blood boiled, his magic was coiling around him, it felt different, stronger, more…needy. There was a pull to it that he hadn’t felt before.

The smell of blood, the sound of carnage, the knowledge that Kai was out there in the midst of it all, it was driving him absolutely insane. He couldn’t take it, he couldn’t, he couldn’t! He had to get out of here, get away! Find her!

With a snarl, Maleko tried climbing the slope again. His shoes slipped and he tumbled back down, his head hitting the ice and sending stars to his eyes.

“Maleko!” Taka fluttered to his side as the boy pushed himself back up, the hints of blood showing between white strands of hair. “Stop this! You’re angry—you’re letting your anger control you, letting instincts overpower rationality!”

He snarled and swatted the bird away, ignoring the squawk Taka gave as he flailed away.

“Shut up!” he yelled, trying again, only to slid back down. He ignored Taka as his companion continued to yell for him to stop, the words becoming a buzz as he focused only on the screams above, on the way blood was starting to drip down through the snow and ice and falling into his cold grave down here.

With a scream, Maleko tore his shoes and socks off, flexing his toes between the snow and ice. His breathing was shaky, his body feeling twitchy.

This was the same feeling he had gotten back in the warehouse. This same primal rush. Except… it wasn’t just primal, it was also a whisper, a soft urging in his ear to act, to move, to climb. He could feel it in his bones, a need to… a need to do something. To follow the carnage, to get out. It was drawn to the blood, to the madness above.

Maleko’s mouth felt dry, but he started climbing once more. His body was burning, leaving holes in the ice as he took step after step. Slowly he was gaining ground, slowly he was getting closer and closer to the top, to where the blood smelled the strongest, to where the slaughter was. To where Kai was.

“Please, little sun, come back down here, where you’ll be safe,” Taka pleaded, but Maleko didn’t hear him.

Instead, he kept climbing, breathing heavily and growling under his breath. When he reached the top, he didn’t even let the heavy lump of ice stop him. Ice was ice. He was fire. Ice and snow were nothing to him, they melted at his presence, opening up to a world of grey and red. He climbed out, taking in a breath of air, unfiltered by the cold walls of snow and ice, inhaled the blood, the fear, the anger.

He was free.

He looked around, saw the bodies scattered across the field, the countless souls floating in the air. The air that was thick with the smell of fear and blood. He had broken free from below and stepped out into Hell.

Maleko couldn’t just stand around and gawk, he had to find Kai, find her in the swarm of bodies and fighting. No one was going to get in his way this time, he wasn’t going to let anyone stop him, not again, not ever again.

As he ran through the battlefield, diving between people and avoiding clashing weapons, there was a buzzing voice in the back of his head. An urging, a hunger. It saw the bodies dropping around him and, instead of crippling fear, sent a strange sense of adrenalin and exhilaration through his body. This chaos, it whispered, this madness was right, it was scary, loud, and dangerous, but it was the chaotic mess he thrived in.

Maleko didn’t understand it, tried to shake it out of his head. He needed to fight, it responded. Use his magic to clear a path through the throngs of people and speed up his search for Kai. Why should he care who got burnt along the way, why should he care if people got hurt? Why should they matter at all?

No one mattered, nothing mattered, he just had to find her. Find Kai, find her and this nightmare could finally end.

He snarled, shaking his head as he ran through the snow, trying to focus, trying to find any sign of her in the madness of it all. He couldn’t, the air was too heavy with the scent of the dead to locate hers, the air too full of screams and weapons to hear her voice through it, and far too many people to see her. It was maddening, simply maddening.

It was hard to find any face that he could recognize, from the few members of the Acolyte he’d met to the DWMA students he’d come to know, all their faces had begun to blur. It could be a friend who he had knocked down when he barreled into the legs of, it could have been a complete stranger, who could say? And honestly? Maleko couldn’t care if they were people he knew or not.

He just kept running, kept on running.

Arms wrapped around Maleko, tugging him off of the ground and lifting him into the air without any warning.

“We’ve got a kid, here!” An unfamiliar voice yelled, holding onto him tightly up in the air, keeping him from moving, from finding her. “What do we do with him?”

Maleko squirmed in the arms, saw a flash of a skull emblem on a sleeve as the man kept talking. Let go! Let go of him right now! Maleko had to find Kai, and this man was stopping him!

“He’s on the wanted list, let’s try and subdue him and get him out of here,” someone else called over with a grunt, fighting off some Acolytes, though Maleko couldn’t see her. “We’ll let Stein or the others decide.”

Stein was here? Was Marie, too? Or Spirit? Maleko had a moment of curiosity, but that died down in the blaze of fury he felt within. They were going to take him away, again! He had just found Kai, and now they were going to take him from her all over again!

No! No, he wasn’t going to let that happen! Not again, never again!

Maleko snarled, digging his claws into the arms of the man holding him and feeling his fury, the infernal hell blaze of rage within him bubbling and breaking to the surface. His back erupted into a flame, burning away the fabric and hitting the man who was holding him with its full force.

The man had let out a shrill scream, letting go of Maleko abruptly as he stumbled back. Maleko had enough grace to land on his hands and feet, turning around while hunched over, flames still burning on the bare skin of his back, watching the man fumble and fall. The DWMA man was flailing, hands to his face and chest, his coat burning, his flesh burned away. He tried desperately to roll into the snow, to relieve the pain, to put out the fire, all he did was smear his blood into the white snow.

“Dan!” the woman had yelled, kicking away and Acolyte and tried running to her partner, only to be intercepted by two more. Her hands glowed as she tried to transform, only for her to scream in pain as it failed, having to resort to hand-to-hand fighting.

It was such a pitiful state. It was absolutely pathetic.

Keep the kill clean, the thoughts in his head said, the pull tugging at him harder, more insistently. Play with your prey all you want, but when you kill them, do it fast, do it clean. The meat is better that way, the kill is less messy. This thing before him wasn’t a person, it was no different than the prey he hunted.

Maleko jumped onto his back, pushing his face deeper into the snow and digging his claws in to stay on while the creature thrashed and screamed below. It was hard to make the strike when the prey moved like this. Even so, Maleko was able to reach around and slash his claws across its throat, spilling blood into the snow. His prey convulsed and spilled, filling the air with its scent of death and charred flesh.

“How could—!” Its companion had done away with her attackers and lunged at Maleko; wielding knives that had been used against her moments ago.

He didn’t have time for this, he didn’t have time to play with these things, why couldn’t they see that? Why did they have to waste his time? Maleko bared his teeth as he stood on the fresh carcass. It had happened so fast, but soon the other one had fallen to the snow dead, her throat open wide.

Maleko licked the blood off his lips, wiped some off of his chin onto the remnants of his sleeve. His body felt like it was burning even though he was sure it was freezing out, even with his back bared to the cold, he felt hotter than ever before.

Staring at the corpses, he didn’t feel the same rush of terror he had when he made his first kills of their kind, no need to flee. No, Maleko instead felt something different, a feeling of being satiated, as if he had drunk a glass of water after days of going without. It had left him satisfied, yet longing for more.

For his claws to dig into the flesh of others, for his teeth to tear open meat, it was a pang of hunger for something he hadn’t felt before. It was a hunger that he felt in his magic, not in his body.

No, he didn’t have the time to hunt. He needed to find Kai. But… if any others got in his way, then he would kill them. He wasn’t letting anyone stop him again, if they tried, they would die by claw or by fire.

He started running again through the cleared path, and when there wasn’t a path for him to go through, Maleko made one through his fire, leaving charred bodies in his wake. With each person who fell, he felt a rush. Something inside him feeding off the carnage that he was leaving behind.

Bullets flew past him, he nearly got hit with a dart. Even the Acolytes didn’t seem to care anymore if they hit him or the DWMA, he was just in the crossfires of both sides. He didn’t care, they were in his way, he’d fight them both if they tried to stop him.

Maleko snarled as a weapon landed by him in a flash of light, nearly cutting him open, it’s meister screaming as they came after it. Maleko kept running, unleashing a torrent of fire in their direction.

“Maleko,” Taka warned as he continued to move, “Maleko, it’s too dangerous out here. You’re letting your magic control you—we need to go back!”

The hawk was becoming annoying, Maleko couldn’t go back, wouldn’t go back. He had to find her, find her no matter what. He had to keep going, keep running, keep fighting. That’s what his instincts told him to do.

A bullet tore through his shoulder, sending Maleko to the ground. “Aaagh!” he screeched, clutching at the wound, feeling his blood leak out between his fingers. Who shot him? Who shot him?!

“Maleko!” Taka cried out.

Maleko ignored him, pushing himself up to his feet to scan the area, looking for the assailant. He couldn’t figure out who it was, everyone looked the same, everyone had a gun or a knife. Which one was the one?! Who was it!? Was it one of the DWMA’s people? Or had it been one of Kai’s? Was he the intended target—no it didn’t matter if he was or not—who shot him?!

No.

No.

It doesn’t matter, the voice in his head assured him, sounding more and more like his own voice. They were all responsible, take them all out, thin out the herd, thin out the crowd. Less people alive meant less people to get in his way.

Kill them.

Baring his teeth, Maleko raised his arm, his shoulder burning with pain. Breathing in deeply, he stared at the battling adults and teens, focused on one group in particular and swiped his arm at them. But, another breath and Maleko lowered his hand, deciding against it, deciding it wasn’t worth it—they weren’t worth it.

He grabbed at his head, at his hair, tugging and hitting, trying to shut the voices up. They were becoming distracting; they were becoming annoying. He needed to stay focused, he needed to stay on his search. He needed to… he needed to… needed…

With a scream, Maleko ignited his hand, burning it hotter and hotter until the flame grew blue and grabbed onto his shoulder. He was fireproof, he didn’t burn. Not normally. So, Maleko had to focus on blocking his magic, on disrupting the flow within him so that he could burn, that he could sear the flesh and muscle. He screamed, his voice shrill as he buckled over, dropping to the snow and arching his back.

It hurt; it was absolute agony. His instinct was to dive into the snow, to put out the fire, to kill the flames so that the pain would stop—he didn’t. He grit his teeth to stop the screams, trembled and shuddered, but kept a tight grip over his shoulder, over the hole torn through his body by the bullet. His senses were overwhelmed with the smell of charred flesh and blood, his eyes watered as a muffled sob slipped through his clenched jaw.

“Maleko! Stop it! Please, stop!” Taka begged, wings flapping as he landed on his hunched back. “You’re hurting yourself—stop!” He tried to push Maleko’s hand away with his beak and then his foot, only to burn himself in the process and fall off in a shrill wail of pain.

The boy held his ground, unwilling to stop no matter how excruciating the pain, no matter how dizzying it made his head feel. The palm of his hand had gone numb, as had his shoulder, and it was then that he knew that the injury was dealt with in the only way Maleko knew how; it had been closed, burned shut, cauterized. His skin was bloody, the flesh on his shoulder burned away, as had patches of skin on his palm. He couldn’t feel anything—anything but pain--- from both parts of his body.

Maleko opened his mouth and let out a ragged gasp, falling over to press his face against the snow as he panted, letting his magic flow freely once more through his veins. His heart raced, his head felt cloudy from the experience, unfocused. He struggled to catch his breath, struggled to push himself up to his feet so that he could start moving once more—too much time had been wasted to treat the injury, too much precious time gone.

He had to keep moving, he couldn’t afford to just stand around longer than necessary. He had to… he had to run… had… to… find her find Mamafindfindfind…

As soon as he took his first step, Maleko swayed and fell back to the snow. He blinked through the daze, smelled cooked chicken as Taka wobbled over to him on one leg, his other smoldering. Maleko watched him, breathing heavily.

“Maleko, you’re exhausted, you’re using too much magic in too short a span,” Taka cawed.

It was useless, his attempts to get Maleko to stop were useless. Even with his mind in a haze, the boy stumbled to his feet—and when that didn’t work, he settled to crawl on his hands and knees until he could walk again. He pushed forward, no matter how much his arm and hand hurt, with blood trailing behind him with each step forward, despite how much his head throbbed, how his body felt like it was inside out, how he wanted to vomit and sleep.

He had to keep moving, for mama, for Kai. He had to… had to…

Maleko coughed, his spit was mixed with blood. That was… normal, right? Taka didn’t seem to think so, he screeched, begged him to stop, that Maleko was pushing himself past his limits, that his body couldn’t handle this kind of stress.

What did a stupid bird know?

He ignored him, kept crawling, even when his legs gave out and he had to drag himself forward with his arms until he could catch his breath again, he kept moving, kept moving, never stopping, not stopping—until he finally did stop. Halting and taking in quick, short breaths as he stared forward.

In his heart there was a pang of… something. Familiar faces. Two familiar faces in the midst of the madness, two he had considered friends—family, for a short time. He stared at them, his ears twitching as, under the screams and songs of war, he heard ice breaking.

______

Kai smirked, her breathing growing heavy as she evaded the blade of his sword, and then used the snow around her to help her evade a strike from his shadow.

This BlackStar fellow was actually an enjoyable opponent. Though Kai had to limit what she did just to enjoy the fight, it was only understandable that she’d handicap herself, if she didn’t then there would be no fun in a battle. And this was a fight she wanted to enjoy.

Through the wall of snow, BlackStar burst free, slashing that sword of his at her once again. “You’re a pretty big deal for a witch,” he commented as he attacked her again, each one with Kai evading. “Not as big as me, but your strong enough that your soul is just the kind of thing worthy of being ours.”

Kai rolled her eyes as she pulled the moisture from the air, letting it harden into ice that she flung at him. “Are you always this egotistic?” she asked, watching as a few of the ice needles sliced into his arm, sadly the rest were evaded. Despite his obvious braggart personality, his ego, his inability to stay quiet through the fight—he was fast, he was agile, and strong. Kai loathed to admit it about anyone, especially one aligned with such an abhorrent being as Death, but…

He was good.

As their fight—their dance of blows and evasion—ran on, Kai began to understand some of that ego, began to see hints of truth in his claims, of his declaration of surpassing God. If this was his skill now, an untamed brat with little discipline, then should he have grown up, gain the discipline and mastery for his craft… well… Kai was confident that he could, in fact, kill a God. He had the potential, there was no doubt to it. The child had talent and potential, the natural skills to ascend to the Heavens.

What a shame that he wouldn’t live to achieve such greatness.

But, for now, Kai was enjoying this fight, was enjoying the challenge BlackStar provided, even if the challenge was only made into one by her handicapping herself. This battle would be over in seconds if she let herself use her magic to the fullest ability, allowed herself to freeze the blood in his body, or to take control of his limbs like a puppet master by manipulating the water in his body.

Even so, even if she was having fun with this fight, it has dragged on for too long. If she let it go on longer, she might start making mistakes, and the boy’s chance of getting a lucky hit increases. Or worse, she’ll wear her magic down on this boy and have nothing left for anyone else.

More importantly, the more time she spent playing with him, the more time she was away from Maleko, that Maleko had to wait down beneath the Earth for this fight to finish. No, that was the greatest crime of keeping it drawn out, the biggest reason to finish it up with this BlackStar boy and move on.

It was time to end this. It was time to stop playing around.

“It was nice,” Kai said, giving him an empty smile. “Thank you for the warmup, but this fight is over.” She raised her hand towards him and reached out with her magic. As she had done so many times before, she let felt with her soul the water in his body, let her magic slip in and take control.

His body was hers to control now and he didn’t know it, her magic was already in him, already made her connection with all that he had.

BlackStar glared at her, his smile gone and that blade of his at the ready, looking prepared to spring forward for another attack, but waiting to see what Kai was about to do. He was smart, Kai acknowledges, smart in his own ways.

She tilted her head, her expression not changing. “It had been fun, so I do thank you for that. But, I would appreciate it if you would die now.” And now she would make him use his own partner to do the deed.

His arm, the one holding the sword, raised into the air. The look of confusion and frustration that overtook the boy’s face was wonderful as he realized that she was controlling his limbs, not him. All it took from Kai were small motions; a twitch of a finger, a slight turn of the wrist, minute movements, like a puppeteer toying with the strings until he had the blade to his own throat.

“BlackStar!” The weapon cried out in worry and glowed, about to transform to protect him.

BlackStar scowled, “Don’t! I’ve got this!” and that seemed to placate the weapon for the moment, but she was undoubtedly ready to spring.

Kai had to make this fast, she had to make the cut before the partner changed form to save him from certain death—not that it mattered, once she took a body of flesh and blood, she would also be under Kai’s control.

With a small laugh, Kai gave a sharp flick of the wrist.

Only, he didn’t move. Kai frowned, saw his arm tremble and tried again. The boy grunted, his arm moved closer to his throat, but barely. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he resisted her magic.

This was… this was new. Kai had never met anyone who had been able to resist her magic without magic of their own. Despite her control, her dominance of his very lifeblood, this boy fought back, he was battling her for control over his own body. This wasn’t the act of some special soul wavelength or of some magic at work. No, this was sheer willpower. A strength of his own resolve.

She should have expected something like this. This was a boy who had resisted the anti-weapon drugs so that he and his partner would continue to fight as one. This was a boy who could possibly become equal to a God. Yet, seeing him move against her magic, to slowly drag his shaking arm away, to pull the sword away from his neck, to him taking a slow step towards her, grunting and with effort but determined all the same.

It was a frightening sight. What a special little monster.

Kai scowled, doubled her efforts, but he wouldn’t budge. His sword was well away from his own throat, he was taking slow steps towards her, growing closer and closer despite her control over his blood and muscles.

“If you… you think s-something… like… this,” BlackStar spoke slowly as he walked, gripping his sword tighter as he showed no sign of giving in to her magic, of surrendering, “this will… stop… a big guy… like me…. you’re wrong!” he was moving faster.

This would have been so fascinating if it didn’t disturb her so deeply.

She amped up her magic even more, putting all her effort into stopping him, into freezing him. The boy faltered for a few moments before he began to move again. It was an endless pattern, Kai would increase the magic she used on him, he would freeze for a few seconds before breaking through and slowly head towards her.

This wasn’t working, it wasn’t working, it wasn’t, wasn’t, wasn’t, wasn’t working!

She had to stop him, now! Kai scowled, feeling the strain and creeping exhaustion. She looked to the snow, to the ice. There would only be a brief second, as soon as she diverted her focus, he’d be able to break free completely. Timing was important, she had to make sure this was perfect. Margin for error was slim and growing slimmer. Had to get this right, had to get this—

A hand landed on her back.

Kai hadn’t the chance to even process that before a surge of absolute pain rushed through her, as though she had been struck repeatedly by lightning at the hands of a wrathful Zeus. She was beyond stunned. The pain was a torment, the few seconds feeling like years.

When it was over, Kai doubled over, almost falling to her knees as she spat out a glob of blood. It hadn’t been a physical attack—no, it had been a wound far worse, a strike to the soul. It disrupted her magic, sent her own soul into shambles, while causing her pain beyond belief. Even in the aftermath of the attack, she wasn’t able to break free of the aftershocks.

“Doctor!” BlackStar shouted, stumbling forward and shaking his head, his body once again his and only his to control. The look on his face, when Kai was able to raise her head to look, was one of relief and agitation, as though he was bothered that someone would interrupt the fight, but underneath his pride he was grateful that this intruder had.

“BlackStar, you did well holding your own against her,” the so-called Doctor said behind Kai, his voice calm, detached. “I’m impressed that you and Tsubaki are still able to fight together.”

Laughter, BlackStar was laughing, as if this was funny, as if this wasn’t a serious fight, “You really think something like these would stop us? Did you forget just who I am?” he asked, puffing out his chest. He was so… so… Kai found herself growing, frustrated. He shouldn’t be acting like this. Where did that pride…

Kai grabbed a handful of snow, pushing herself up and coughing up more blood. Her insides felt as if they had been torched, as if they had been destroyed. She turned so that she could see both her opponents, and instantly did she recognize the Doctor. Her frustration turned to absolute rage.

The glasses, the stitches, the silver hair, the obnoxious screw—

He was the one.

He was the reason that she had lost Maleko in the first place. The one who had razed her home and took her son away. The reason her son had been hurt and wounded so severely that he was left stitched and scarred these past months. He was the reason for everything that had happened, the source of it all.

Kai felt something inside of her crack. Her face turned calm as she stared at him unblinking, reaching into her pocket for the vial that Kom had given her. She had drained too much magic against BlackStar in an attempt to hold back what couldn’t be restrained, a mistake on her part, she should have just killed him from the start, as messy as it may have been, she should have used her magic to turn his blood to ice, or to have torn him apart from within. She was going to need the boost the drug would provide

Withdrawing the vial from her pocket, she tore the cork out without taking her eyes off of Stein. The hate she felt were beyond words, beyond comprehension. Did he even understand how deeply, how strongly she felt?

“It’s you,” Kai said, her voice hollow.

She downed the entire thing.

_______

“Maka,” Soul panted, helping her back to her feet. They were battered, bruised, the small medical kit she had been given before the start of the battle had been used quite a bit already, tending to her and Souls own injuries whenever they caught a breather. They were struggling just to keep fighting while at such an obvious disadvantage.

She had been hit. Hit with some kind of drug that had transferred from her to Soul. It severed their connection, it prevented Soul from transforming, it made it so neither could fight to their best ability. It made it so neither could really fight, not how they were trained to, now how they were meant to.

Was she that weak? Not strong enough to protect Soul from that? Had their resonance not been strong enough to purify the drugs from their bodies? Even BlackStar, who had been shot with the darts multiple times, hadn’t faltered once through the battle, remaining in sync with Tsubaki without any apparent effort. Even Kid had managed to keep the drugs from affecting both sisters, and despite his obsession and own madness, was battling the Acolytes with Liz at his side and Patty in his hands.

But Maka, she took a hit to the leg, and instantly her resonance with Soul reached a forced disharmony. His handle began burning her hands, his weight suddenly immense, and then Soul was forced out of his weapon form, writhing in pain on the piles of snow while Maka tried desperately to protect him with a knife she had taken from one of the Acolytes they had knocked out.

Knocked out… that’s what she had been trying to do. They were humans, even with the crimes they had committed, Maka couldn’t find a single red soul in their midst. They were all blue, with a few purples hidden about, but blue all the same.

They were humans.

She couldn’t bring herself to kill them, even with what was going on now. Couldn’t bring herself to take the life of someone who wasn’t beyond saving. She didn’t want to have to kill a person.

Yet, all around her people were dying. She was surrounded by corpses, Acolytes, meisters, weapons. She stared at the faces and couldn’t help but wonder; had that person been loved? Had they had someone who was waiting for them to come home? Had that kid been a classmate of hers? Had she seen them in class, walked by them in halls? What had they dreamed of doing, hoped to achieve?

What were they to tell the families?

Maka couldn’t take it, it was painful, it was overwhelming. This was nothing like fighting Kishin Eggs, nothing like fighting witches. This was… it felt wrong. It felt cruel and wrong, and… and…

“Snap out of it, Maka!”

She flinched as Soul grabbed her by the shoulders to shake her, blinking to look at him. How long had he been yelling her name? How long had she been lost in her thoughts, drowning in her own fear?

“S-sorry,” she stammered, holding her knife in a shaking grip, wielding it was nothing like carrying Soul. It felt more like a weapon to kill. She didn’t like it, hated the way it was sticky with blood. “I’m fine, I’m good, really,” she lied.

Soul didn’t buy it and it showed.

He reached for her again, holding her as they stood apart from the main fighting by one the ice towers; they had dived behind it to catch their breaths, to take a moment to recover. It had been an extra benefit that no one was firing from this tower anymore—though Maka could imagine why the tower of snipers had gone silent, she didn’t need to look for the blood dripping down to know.

“Maka,” he began, looking concerned for her. “It’s going to be okay, got it?”

She tried to smile, tried to put on a brave face, some bravado. “I know, I’m fine; promise,” Maka insisted with a shaky voice. “I just… I just need a moment.”

Soul slowly nodded his head. “Okay, alright,” he said, looking back to the fray as he gripped the sword he’d taken in his hand, looking for any who might be coming to them. Just like Maka, his grip on the weapon was awkward, wrong. Neither of them were trained to fight with a sword of knife. Maka knew how to use a scythe, that’s the weapon she was familiar with. Not a knife. Soul was a weapon, he just had to transform an arm and he was fine.

For both of them, the tools they wielded were foreign, wrong.

She stared at the battle before them, man killing man, weapons clashing, people screaming. Bodies fell as men and women choked on their own blood; their bodies carved open. She was afraid—afraid that she would see a face she knew in the pile of dead bodies.

Where were the others? Were they okay?

“Soul, where’s Crona?” Maka asked, a hitch in her voice as she tried to find her friend. Surely the drugs wouldn’t have affected them, right? The black blood would have stopped it, right? “BlackStar and Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, and Patty. Have you seen them at all?” Were her friends okay? Were they hurt? Were they…. Were they still alive?

She couldn’t help it, Maka started shaking as she saw another body fall to the snow, for a moment thinking she had seen a head of blue hair. Another corpse and her mind said that there were stripes in the hair—no, no, those were not her friends, just… just the friends of someone else, the loved ones of someone else.

This was terrible. This was horrible. It was wrong.

Soul watched her, he was scared, too. Like her, he was just a scared kid who didn’t know if his friends were okay. “They’ll be fine, you know what they can do. They’re not going to lose,” he assured her, but he didn’t sound confident, but even with his own fear and worries, he was trying to free Maka from her own.

Maka had to believe him, but it was hard. Yet, he was trying, he was trying hard for her and it was…

“Soul, I—”

Whatever it was that Maka had tried to say was drowned out by a hail of bullets ringing through the air as they whizzed past the two. With a scream, Maka hit the ground as Soul threw himself over her as though to be a human shield from the gunfire. It hit the snow and the tower behind them, bringing up a cloud of snow and chips of ice in the wake. Soul hissed, grunted, tensed above her, and Maka felt blood dripping on to her.

“Soul!” she screamed, unable to see what happened as her face was pressed to the ground, squirming to try and see him.

He pressed her harder into the ground as the Acolytes continued to fire aimlessly. “I’m fine,” he growled. The pain in his voice and blood told her that he was not fine. “Just stay down.”

They stayed laying there in the cold and bloodied snow, the snow blown into the air by the combat keeping them hidden as they remained low to the ground, the hail of bullets flying past them. Maka could hear her own heart beating loudly in her chest. She wasn’t sure what scared her more, that they were being shot at with such intensity, or that Soul was once again hurt protecting her.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed; it had felt like hours by the time the gunfire eased up, no longer trained on them, but focusing on others. Her fingers were freezing after being buried in the snow for so long, her nose having gone numb. They stayed laying there for a few minutes longer, long enough for the snow to settle once more and for them to confirm that there wasn’t a second wave waiting.

Soul rolled off of her, groaning and grunting as he held onto his arm, blood seeping past his fingers.

“Are you okay?” Maka asked immediately—no, of course he wasn’t okay! He was shot! She shrugged off the small pack she had been carrying and began rummaging through it with apparent urgency. “I have—I should have some bandages, we’ll stop the bleeding, okay?”

Her partner laughed, it was strained, but not entirely forced. “I’ll be fine, Maka. It’s just an arm, nowhere near lethal.”

“It can still get infected!”

Maka had been so focused on trying to tend to Soul’s injury, her mind going haywire with conflicting feelings, with fear and adrenalin, that she hadn’t noticed, not at first. In her defense, the battlefield was already loud, the screams and gunfire drowning out most other noise, and the sound had been quiet at first. A soft crackle, a creaking, cracking noise that was hardly more than a whisper. It started out soft, but slowly it grew sharper while Maka dug out the remaining gauze from the bag.

It was only when the first chunks of ice, nothing too big, began to fall, some hitting her and Soul from above, that she noticed. By then, however, it was too late.

The pillar of ice that she and Soul had taken refuge beside was breaking. Having been riddled with bullets, it wasn’t strong enough to support its own weight and was breaking, crumbling right beside them.

“Shit!” Soul hissed, pushing himself onto his feet and gasping out in pain when he tried to use his injured arm. The tower swayed, the bodies atop sliding off and falling down to the ground below. He got up and grabbed Maka, dragging her up. “We got to run!”

A large piece of ice fell right in front of them, large enough that it would have killed if it hit them, and there was plenty more ice left to come down. Shit. Shit!

Maka backed away, pulling Soul with her, “Come on!” she didn’t know which way she was going, there wasn’t even a safe place to run to. But, they had to move before the entire tower fell over and killed the two of them.

It kept cracking, the sound all that Maka could focus on as another chunk fell. It seemed as if the ice was purposely targeting them and Maka wondered if it actually was through magic as no matter which way they ran, ice fell in their path. The two had hardly gotten anywhere when the base, having been weakened by the bullets, finally gave out with a deafening snap.

Could they outrun it? Could they avoid this? They had to, they had—

The tower was falling towards them—not in one whole piece, but broken into many large, lethal pieces. Maka hated how her knees had locked up, her body freezing for a brief moment as she realized she was likely going to die, her and Soul could easily die here and now. Everyone was dying so easily, why wouldn’t they?

Soul was yelling at her, but Maka had gone numb as she watched the ice come hurtling down at them, almost as though she was accepting death, accepting her fate.

Flames flew overhead, like a massive flamethrower. It coiled around the ice, wrapping around the large chunks in a hot embrace. The fire wasn’t a familiar orangish-yellow. No, they were blue, and even with how high above Maka and Soul the flames may have been, she could still feel the heat, still found the snow beneath her begin to melt.

It had only been a few seconds, blue flames intercepting the ice, and when it was over, there was nothing but steam and smoke wafting in the air. No ice, no water, save for the puddle that had formed from the snow around them. The tower had been completely demolished into nothing in a matter of seconds, melted down to gas by the intensity of the flames.

There were only two people that Maka knew who could do something like that. But, even Maka had to doubt Jackie could have produced something so intense.

She turned around, her voice catching in her throat.

Maleko stood across from her, far out of arms reach. He was breathing heavily, and even from a distance, Maka could see how sickly he looked. He was covered in blood, the skin over a bare shoulder had been burned and charred. Yet, there was a fire in his eye, despite how close to passing out he seemed to be, how he swayed and wobbled with each step.

“Maleko!” Soul spoke when Maka couldn’t, taking a cautious step towards the boy. “Maleko, are you okay?”

It shouldn’t matter if Maleko was considered an enemy of the DWMA at the moment, it shouldn’t matter that his mother was a criminal and a killer, it shouldn’t matter that he was a sorcerer; Maleko was a friend. He was a child, he was hurt, and he was her friend. She couldn’t bear seeing him like this, he looked deathly, as if he were on his deathbed.

Soul continued to approach him, moving slow, as if Maleko was a scared animal that he needed to take his time with. Maka had no such patience, she moved quickly, passing Soul as she marched towards Maleko, ready to grab him and make sure he was okay.

The boy flinched, and that’s what made Maka stop, seeing him reel back from her, as if she was something to fear, something to avoid. “Maleko?” Maka asked.

He raised his hand, “Go… go ah-away,” he spat, his voice shaking, weak. But the fire in his eyes didn’t diminish at all as he swiped through the air.

A wall of flames sprung up from the snow, nothing nearly as towering as the ice tower had been, but it had been enough for Maka to reel back, falling down as she pushed herself from the fire before she could get burned. She could say nothing as she watched, between the dancing flames, Maleko turn and stumble away from them, limping and running away.

_______

“Little sun! Little sun! Maleko, stop!” Taka flew forward, stopping in front of Maleko and making him stumble, tripping over a corpse. He hit the ground, taking a few souls down with him as he hit the snow, gritting his teeth against the pain.

He felt sick, he was sick. After saving Maka and Soul, after fleeing from them, he had puked. He had emptied everything his stomach had in him, and then began throwing up what he didn’t even know he had inside. His head was dizzy, his senses cloudy, he had hit the metaphorical wall. For the first time he could remember, Maleko had used all his magic.

As it turns out, blue flames required quite a bit more energy to maintain than regular flames, who would have thought. What magic he that remained had been consumed by the flames to melt that tower before it could crush his friends those two. Then, what little he had left, nothing more than drops of water in an empty tank, he used up to throw up a wall of fire to keep the two from chasing after him.

Maleko felt like he was dying. It hurt, being this empty, being this exhausted. Even after throwing up as much as he had, he couldn’t shake the nauseating feeling.

He needed to get some magic back, needed to recover some energy. He needed to take a rest—as much as he hated to do so, Maleko knew that he couldn’t keep running, not in the state he was in right now, he had to… he had to stop, he had to breathe. For mama, for her. She wouldn’t want him to come to her when he was in such a mess.

Maleko stayed on the ground, laying on the body of some girl who had been shot to death by the Acolytes, his hands laying in her puddle of blood as he rested his head against her stomach, cold and stiff. She was a decent makeshift pillow. He could rest here, for a few minutes. Just until he didn’t feel like he was about to throw up again, just until this throbbing in his head went away.

“Maleko, are you okay?” Taka asked. Why was the bird still looking out for him, after how Maleko had been treating him since the fighting began? The boy looked to his ruined leg and felt guilt bite his heart. “It’s okay, I’m here for you.” Taka must have seen the pain on his face, he bounced closer, nestling down in the crook of Maleko’s neck.

He didn’t feel bad about much of what he had done recently, but Taka was his friend and Maleko hurt him. That, he did feel bad about.

“I’m sorry,” Maleko murmured, moving his head to press his face against Taka’s feathers.

“It’s okay, little sun.”

And Maleko felt that it truly was okay, for that brief moment. That everything was going to be okay.

Then, the earth began shaking.

He rolled off the body and looked up as a massive, coiling tower of ice began rising higher into the sky at the very edge of the field of carnage as the earth cracked and broke apart, water from the ocean rushing in to separate the tower from the rest. People screamed as a hail of ice came down from above, killing indiscriminately.

Maleko grabbed Taka and pulled him under himself, curling up into a ball to protect them both. He tried to cover himself in flames to protect himself, only to find himself on the verge of puking as he reached into his still empty reserves. Shards whizzed past him, slicing through the skin on his arms, his bare back and his bare feet. It hurt, it hurt so much, but Maleko fought back the cry of pain that crawled up his throat.

He wasn’t the only one struck, he could hear the gurgles and screams as others were struck and not quite as luck as him to be able to survive. The stench of death only grew stronger, the blood filled the air, driving his hunters instinct wild.

“Maleko, you’re hurt!”

Maleko growled as he sat up, letting Taka go free. Hurt? He’s been hurt the entire time. Look at his shoulder, look at his hand! But… this was the first time he’d been hurt by, well, by mama.

Of course, she didn’t mean to hurt him! Of course not! As far as mama knew, he was still underground in that dumb bunker she made! None of these were meant to hurt him and he was just unlucky enough to not be able to make any fire to protect himself, that’s all!

He slowly staggered to his feet and looked around. So many people had been killed in that one attack, and by how mama was pulling water from the snow and ocean, bringing it into the air, it looked like she was readying for another wave. Maleko didn’t trust his chances of being lucky a second time.

Maleko needed his magic back.

“Ah…at least… we know wh-where she is,” he slurred out as he stared at the tower. Kai had to be there. Now that he knew where to go, he didn’t need to run around aimlessly anymore, he had a direction, he had a goal.

It was better than what he had five minutes ago.

He couldn’t help but laugh as he started walking, slow and limping, towards the tower. Others were starting to get up, too, and the Acolytes, blinded by faith and loyalty, were quick to start attacking the DWMA once more as his mother prepared a second attack from high in her tower.

Her tower, like a queen or princess, and Maleko was going to find her, like a knight! Had this been under different circumstances, Maleko might have been able to enjoy the idea of being a knight for his mother.

For now, he needed to take it slow, get as close as he could and conserve his energy so that he could use his magic once the next wave of attack came. Maleko wasn’t in as much of a crazed rush, not when he knew where Kai was now. But, as he was stepping over bodies and pushing away souls, a thought occurred to him.

Kom.

Right before the battle started, Kom had come to visit him and Kai, he had given her two vials of his newest potion. Some magic enhancing thing, Maleko didn’t really understand it. Mama had, she had given him one, hadn’t she?

Taka landed on a rib bone as Maleko stopped walking, stuffing his uninjured hand into his pockets to search. “What are you looking for?” his friend asked.

“Kom… mama ‘ad…” Maleko wasn’t sure how to say it, not when he didn’t know what it was called, but he was grinning as he pulled the small vial from his pants, holding it out to Taka. “This! Magic come back!” That was what it was supposed to do, right? All Maleko had to do was drink it all up and he would have a magic again, right?

Though, the drug didn’t look all that appealing, all black and thick, like sludge or tar. But, he had to, he’d get his magic back and he could get to Kai sooner. Kom was a lifesaver, he would thank him once this was all over!

Grinning, Maleko bit into the cork sealing the bottle and tore it out with his teeth, spitting it into the snow. His nose scrunched up as a vile smell came out of the small bottle. It smelled horrible, but, he had to deal with it. Just down it in a single gulp and then—

“Maleko, don’t!”

He stopped; vial raised halfway to his lips as Taka screamed at him. He stared at the bird, confused. “Wha…. why?”

Taka looked on edge, his feathers ruffled up, his head twitching back and forth. “Can you not smell it? Sense it?” he asked, his voice urgent and anxious. “Maleko, don’t drink it. Close your eyes and smell, and please tell me you recognize the scents.”

He wasn’t making any sense, none whatsoever. But, Maleko trusted Taka, the bird had yet to let him down, even if he didn’t always agree. So, Maleko closed his eyes and brought the bottle to his nose, inhaling the fumes deeply just as he had been told to do. He did recognize something in there and tried to remember just where it was that he had smelled it before. It had been a while, it had been from back before he met his mother, he knew that, but… this smell was…

Maleko pulled away, eyes snapping open as he held the bottle far from his face, his skin losing its color as he realized what he had almost done. “Bad plants,” he whispered to Taka. “Lots of bad plants.” He recognized the smells mixed in there, he had seen countless animals eat plants that had the same smell, had watched those very same animals die from it.

But… but why would so many deadly things be in this?

Maleko looked at Taka, eyes wide as he found his hand trembling to hold the bottle. “How did you know?”

“Gut feeling.”

At least Taka had a stronger sense for danger than Maleko had. Something in him frayed as he thought of this. Why would Kom give mama and him poison? Kom knew plants better than anyone, surely he’d know that they’d get sick or worse.

He poured the vial out, the contents moved slow and came out in globs rather than in a stream. But once they hit the snow, the snow began to melt and steam, as if to give an indication of just how bad the drug Maleko almost drank was.

There was no way in Heaven or Hell that he was going to drink that. He’d find some other way to restore his magic, and if he couldn’t, then he’d go to Kai without any magic at all. And, if necessary, Maleko wouldn’t hesitate, he wouldn’t—he’d eat souls if it’d give him the magic back to finish this, he’d eat them, as if he were a weapon, as if he were a Kishin Egg.

His resolve felt stronger now, his determination a blaze in his own gut. “Les’go,” Maleko muttered as he started walking once more. He had a tower to get to.

As it turned out, the second round was taking an awfully lot of time, and it was actually quite concerning. Maleko was moving slowly because of his injuries, and yet he had been able to reach where Kai had torn the land apart, around her tower, and even then Kai hadn’t unleashed a second strike. But, the water that had flowed into the deep crevices she had made were rapid and raging, each wave beating against the earth.

Maleko had been scared when he crossed the narrow strip of land that kept the main battlefield connected to the part that Kai had disconnected. Even for him, it was very thin, and he wasn’t in the most physically stable of states, he constantly felt like he was about to fall over. Yet, he managed to get across in one piece.

Unlike the rest of the field, this part of land was rather empty of corpses. Not to say that there were none, there were a few dead bodies scattered about, and the air was just as thick with the stench of death as the rest of the area, but the bodies weren’t as dense.

Maleko could even see a few familiar faces. The doctor, Stein, sat hunched over against the piles of snow, his right half covered in blood, his skin had been torn open, his screw broken. Maleko also saw BlackStar and Tsubaki both bloodied messes as they laid on the snow, ravaged by injuries and attacks he couldn’t comprehend. But, he saw their chests rising and falling, a sign that they were, for now, still alive.

He ignored them in favor of the tower, to look for any way up. None stood out to him, his mother didn’t implement a ladder or stairs, clearly she just created the tower with her already on the top, she didn’t need anything else when she could use her magic to get down just as easily.

Well, Maleko didn’t have some fancy water magic like her, and he didn’t have wings like Taka. He needed stairs. He needed a way to get up there.

“Little sun,” Taka began when Maleko began testing how strong the ice was.

The surface wasn’t smooth, it wasn’t wet and slippery. It was rough, uneven, plenty of holes and crevices that a small hand could fit. Maleko could scale the tower, it was possible, but it was a long way up, a long way down, and he wasn’t in the best of shapes. But, it was the only viable way up, at least the only one that Maleko could find.

It seemed that Taka had caught on to his plan, but he didn’t seem to want to interfere. “Be careful,” was all that his friend said, a soft whisper within Maleko’s head.

Maleko couldn’t promise him that.

Instead, he dug his claws into the ice and began his climb to the top.

His hand, the one he burned, it made it harder than it should have when his fingers were numb and his palm ruined. Yet, he kept climbing, wouldn’t let himself stop, not for anything. Slowly, Maleko was getting higher in the air, higher up the tower. It was taking time, it was harder than climbing out of that hole in the ground had been, so much harder.

But he didn’t give in.

And he sure as Hell didn’t dare to look down. Maleko wasn’t afraid of heights, he climbed plenty of trees, he’d been plenty high up before. But this time was different, it would be too easy to slip and die, to lose his grip and fall. From a height this big, and with his magic still too low, he wouldn’t be able to survive.

No, he thought. He couldn’t think of that. He had to focus on getting on top. Mama was up there, think of her, think of only her. If he kept thinking of her, then he’d reach the top, he’d get there.

Through the climb, he didn’t see Kai use magic at all, he could hear the fighting, but he didn’t see any sign of her magic, nothing like when she unleashed a torrent of icy needles on them. It unnerved him, her silence. He didn’t like the implications.

Still, he climbed, ignored the fear and doubts in his head, ignored the pain as the ice, sharp and jagged, tore into the skin of his hands and feet. Climbed, though his blood made his grip slick, though his hands were torn open and feet were raw. He climbed.

And, after a while, he reached the top.

He was panting as he reached the top, crawling away from the ledge as he rested his sore arms and legs. It had been a long climb; a very long climb and he was tired. But, he had made it. He survived and he was at the top.

And there she was. Kai.

She was on her knees, head down at the edge of the ice, looking as if she, too, was trying to catch her breath.

Maleko pushed himself back onto his feet, unable to describe the relief and joy he felt, second only to the feelings of elation when he had reunited with her after all these months. He chirped as he started walking, slow and wobbly, his feet leaving bloody footprints with each step. There she was, just in front of him, just within reach. It was over, this could finally be over.

“Mama!” he cried out, his breathing still labored from the climb, drawing closer and closer to her. But then, he stopped.

Maleko stopped and stared, his shoulders drooping and in his stomach he felt cold. Kai had jolted, she was rising to her feet and moving to face him, her movements slow and painful. He could smell it, could smell it on her. He knew.

She had the same scent as they had, the animals from his time in the wild, the scent that clung to them when they ate the bad plants that made them sick that… that would… It clung to Kai the same way.

Her face had lost color, she was bleeding—from the mouth and from the nose.

“Maleko, you,” Kai stopped, coughing, spitting up bloody chunks in the process, “You’re not supposed to be up here.”

He rushed towards her, wrapping his arms around her middle and pressing his face against her stomach. She smelled of death, a walking corpse. “You… you drank it,” it wasn’t a question. He could smell it on her. She drank the poison, not knowing what it would do, and now she was… she was…

“I’m sorry,” Kai whispered, running her fingers through his hair.

This wasn’t supposed to—he’d just gotten her back; this wasn’t supposed to happen! How could… Maleko couldn’t process it, he didn’t want to process any of this. “Magic! Your magic!” he cried out quickly. Mama could use her magic, she could cure herself, it would be easy for her, because this was, she was Kai, his mother, she could beat anything, even this! She had to, she had to!

But Kai only gave him a sad smile, tired and exhausted, like she was barely holding on. “I tried.” No. No, no, no, no! That’s not—no! “Kom knows how my magic works better than anyone… he knew how to make sure I couldn’t interfere.”

This can’t be happening. This shouldn’t be… no, no!

“Why!?” Maleko snarled, gripping onto her tighter, feeling rage coursing through him. Kom was her friend, he was his friend. Why would he?!

Kai didn’t answer, he wondered if she even knew an answer. She just held onto him, seemingly pushing her weight onto the boy as she struggled to remain standing. She continued to bleed, blood dripping from her face and falling into his hair. He wanted to cry, he wanted to break down and sob in her arms, but something in him kept him from doing so. No, Maleko had to be strong for her, right now he had to be strong.

He didn’t want to lose her—Mama, don’t go! He couldn’t, he didn’t know how to live without her, didn’t know what to do with her gone.

But, his mama was now pushing him away, forcing Maleko to let her go as she looked at him with tired eyes. “You’re hurt,” she murmured, guilty, sad, angry, he saw it all on her face and heard it in her voice. Not at them, but at herself. “I’m sorry, this is my fault, this is all my fault.”

No, it wasn’t, mama. It’s not your fault.

She was slowly backing towards the ledge once more, her steps weak, frail, as if she would break with one misstep. “I’m going to end this. All of this. I still have the magic to do it.”

“Mama?” Maleko asked, slowly following after her.

Kai raised her shaking hands to the sky, and he watched as the snow and ice from below rose high above the entire battlefield, casting the entire area in it’s shadow as more and more snow joined. She used her magic to compress it, to keep forcing the snow and ice together, hardening it until it had taken the form of a massive white disk that covered the entire area, blocking out the sun for those below. She was sweating from the effort, breathing heavily. Maleko watched, scared, as the blood dripping down her face got worse.

The disk morphed. The lower half of it, the one facing the Earth, it extended. Maleko could see hundreds of spikes emerge from the surface. The people below were too busy fighting to even really notice what was being done, but some had, and even amidst the battle, some were trying to flee in fear.

“I’m going to… to end this. I’ll wipe out the field and… and get you back down there,” Kai panted, struggling to keep her weapon in the air, to let it maintain its form. “Once you’re on, on the ground… find a boat and… get somewhere safe.”

Maleko looked at her, tears prickling at the corner of his eyes. “What about you?”

She smiled, and he hated it.

“I can’t… I don’t have much time left… and this tower is too unstable. Once I use up my magic, it’s going to… to crumble.” Kai’s voice was hoarse, a tremble in tone as she looked at him. “I wish I had… that I could go with you, but… but I can’t.” Her gaze turned to those below, DWMA and Acolytes alike, her gaze hard as she shook her hands, the spiked block of ice above threatening to fall. “I can at least kill everyone else here… so you can get out safe.”

Kill everyone below…

Kai could do it, easily with what she had now. And if not everyone, that could kill a large number of them. Enough so that there would be too much confusion, enough that Maleko could certainly slip out unnoticed, hiding among the bodies and slaughter. He could flee.

Flee, run away without Kai. But, what point was there if she wasn’t with him?

Hands shaking, Kai prepared to let it drop, but Maleko grabbed onto her, “Don’t!” he cried, and she stopped, and he wondered if she understood.

“Maleko?” Kai asked, coughing and wheezing. “Maleko, what’s… what’s wrong?” she was more worried about him than herself, and Maleko hated that. He was fine, he was going to be fine! It was her that she should worry, it was her that she should focus on!

He shook his head, stared at her with begging eyes, “It’s okay… don’t,” he said, still holding on to her. Don’t waste her energy on them, he didn’t care if they died, he didn’t care about the people down there, they didn’t matter, all that mattered right now was the two of them up here. “Forget them, please.”

Kai stared at him, and after what felt like ages, she lowered her hands to her side. The sheet of ice shuddered and crumbled back into harmless shards to rain down on the battle below. “Maleko… oh, Maleko,” Kai whispered, cupping her hand to his cheek, her eyes wet with tears.

Their tower shuddered and shifted; her magic no longer able to keep the fragile structure steady. Ah. It’s time. Kai looked away from him to stare out at the world below, her face sad, scared.

Maleko didn’t like that, didn’t want her eyes anywhere else. He grabbed her hand and wrapped his bloody fingers around hers. “Mama… are you okay?” he asked her when she looked back to him. “Does it hurt?”

She stared at him, her expression beyond his understanding. “...I’m okay,” she said, though they both knew it was a lie. She wasn’t okay. She was dying because of the poison, and every second it became more prominent with how much harder it was for her to breathe or stand. It was a slow acting poison, one that would take time to kill her, one that was eating her away from the inside.

His mother turned her whole body to face him, reaching to take his other hand into her own. Their tower continued to shake, large cracks forming around the ice, though the strain on her face showed that she was doing what she could to keep the tower together with her magic. “I’m… I’m sorry, Maleko… I’m so sorry.” She sounded as if she were on the verge of crying. Maleko had never seen her cry before, he didn’t want to see her do it now. “If I hadn’t…”

He couldn’t stand how sad she looked. Maleko didn’t blame her for any of this. The DWMA were the ones who took him from her, they’re the ones who kept him from her and hunted her. Kom was the one who betrayed her and poisoned her. All Kai wanted was for them to be together and go home, just like him. How could anyone blame her? He couldn’t stand this version of Kai.

Maleko wrapped his arms around her, tugging her to him as he pressed his face against whatever part of her he could reach, trying his best to put all the love he had for her into that hug. “It’s okay, mama. Please don’t cry.” She didn’t hug him back, her hands hovering over his beaten shoulders. “We’re here, t-together, tha’s what matters.” That’s all that should matter; they were together.

He heard her make a choking sound as she lowered herself to her knees to hug him once again, now at his own level so that Maleko could rest his chin on her shoulder. They sank a little, their part of the tower breaking and falling an inch or two deeper into the rest of the shaft. The quaking was growing worse.

“I love you, Maleko,” Kai told him, holding him close, her hands ever careful of his injuries even as she held him tight. “I love you. You were the first person I ever cared about, Maleko. Having you in my life, every moment I’ve spent with you has been the happiest moments I’ve ever known.”

Nuzzling closer to her, Maleko closed his eyes. “I luh-love you, too.” She had been the first person he ever knew, she picked him up and took him out of the wilds and into the world. She taught him, showed him love. He wouldn’t be who he was now without her, could never have become anything without her.

“I don’… I don’t wanna lose you again,” Maleko mumbled as he felt the tears start to fall, hiding them in Kai’s shoulder. “I don’t wanna… we’re supposed to—together, forever. That’s what we’re supposed to be, right?”

Kai laughed softly, pulling away and holding his hands in hers once more, looking him in the eyes. She was looking worse and worse, the blood on her face smeared, the skin around her eyes shadowed and dark. Even her fingers felt colder than they had ever felt before. “Till death do us part?” Kai asked him softly, earning a soft, puzzled noise from Maleko. Her smile was soft, tired. “Will we death separate us?”

Can death? Maleko looked her in the eyes, felt her fingers around his. He could hear her heart beating in her chest, a racing pulse, the struggle she had to keep breathing. Maleko knew what he had to do, what they needed to do. Together forever, that’s all he wanted, the only thing he wanted.

“What happens?” Maleko asked, stumbling over his tongue. “When you die?”

Kai kept smiling, her hair sticking to her face, spitting out a small glob of blood onto the ice between them. “I don’t think anyone knows.”

“Does it hurt?”

She let go of one of his hands and used it to wipe blood off his cheek. The tower began leaning, behind them, part of the icy surface they stood on fell, coming down and crashing into the rushing water.

“It does,” Kai confirmed. “But, only for an instant. You’re a strong one, Maleko, think you can handle it?” It wasn’t as if there was time for them to do anything else.

Maleko laughed, giving her a bright smile, “Y-you’re the strong one, mama. Stronger thah-than anyone.” She was crying more at that, but he didn’t let himself stop, kept smiling. “I’m happiest with you, mama. That’s why I won’t b-be scared.”

He was young, he had a whole life ahead of him. But what point was a life when he would be alone and on the run? What point was a life without Kai? He didn’t want anything else but her. So, as the tower began crumbling, her magic unable to hold it back any longer, Maleko wasn’t scared. He knew what he wanted, what he was going to do. “I love you, mama.”

This would be their last way to spite everyone, to not give anyone the satisfaction of having killed her. This would be no one’s victory.

Kai wrapped her arms around him, lifting him up like she used to do. “I love you, more than anything,” Kai kissed his cheek, hugging him tight. Maleko giggled, holding onto her, purring as best as he could, just for her. The tower shattered beneath them.

And they were falling.

#Wild Fire #Adrian's writing #Soul Eater