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hitoshisbabygirl · 4 years

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Cemented love // E. Kirishima

Authors Notes ♡: Omg have I been through the ring (no pun intended) with this collab! I loved this idea and even with my own personal love life crumbling over while I wrote this, I hope it can give someone some warm feelings when you read it! I’m so glad to be a part of this lovely collab and hopefully you guys will see me in many more! Kirishima is one of my babies and I hope this gives him justice for how sweet he is ! I hope you enjoy reading this and much as I did writing it ~ bunny ❥

Warnings : none! I don’t think (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀) we love making Kiri a big softly Bakubabe being Bakubabe so a few cuss words

Word count : about 2k give or take!

Paring(s) :Eijiro Kirishima x F! Reader

Plus some of our Class 1-A are dating in this world too ♡

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Kirishima was the light of her world, he made everyone and everything ten times happier and brighter than it was. But to Kirishima, () was his brightest star in the sky. He loved her so much for everything she’s done. She inspired Kirishima to keep going, to press on and be a pro hero even more than he believed in himself. Since middle school she was the driving force behind him, keeping the sometimes sad and less cheerful Kirishima happier and joyful in his life. He loved her for the light she brought to him , and he wanted to return that light to her in the most loving way he could ; marriage. It all started years ago, starting from the last year of middle school to now in his life as pro hero Red Riot

Kirishima knew in their second year at UA that he was in love with one of his best friends. After sparring with her he realized how strong () was and how he wanted her to be his girlfriend. But being distracted he realized he was on the floor, blocking . “Haha! Gotcha” She yelled victoriously , pinning Kirishima under her hands , smiling down at him, heaving out of breath as she yelled victoriously. But all Kirishima could think of is how beautiful she looked when she was happy, a smile of his own spreading across his face that didn’t get unnoticed by a certain pink friend of theirs.

Afterwards that night at the dorms, Mina ran up to Kirishima, stopping the group of him , Sero and Denki heading to the kitchen, their hot headed friend Bakugou already sleep in his room, claiming that he didn’t have time for the “extras and their boring ass games” and grumpily shut his dorm door , the rest of his friends heading back to hangout with their other friends and classmates. “Hey Kiri! I have a question for you” Mina sung, grabbing Kirishima by the arm and pulling him away from the two confused friends he was walking with. “Yeah? What’s up Mina?” Kirishima said , blinking at the excited pink girl, her eyes lighting up and a wide smile on her face. “You like () don’t you? I saw the way you looked at her during practice! You’re practically smitten for her aren’t you!?” She said , causing the red head to sputter and try to argue his defense as she covered his mouth. “Now don’t worry! She likes you too, you should go y'know , ask her for a date” Mina finished, elbowing Kirishima in the side as their friend in question shouted loudly, winning a round of Mario Cart she happily laughed, getting the last slice of pizza from a disappointed Denki . As Minas' smile grew , Kirishimas’ face darkened in embarrassment as he watched his happy friend celebrate. They moment was soon snapped out of his thoughts as he was pushed forward to the common room by the pink counterpart beside him, mouthing a ‘go talk to her’ before she ran off to slide beside () and Tsyu , jumping on one of the couches with the other girls. With a sigh Kirishima sat beside Midorya and Sero, both guys looking at the red head as he longingly looked across to the happy girl eating her prized pizza. () soon looked over and blinked, giving him a small wave and a smile to which the red head turned dark and waved back with his own smile , the two of them in their own world together as their friends watched internally screaming at them to make it official. Once a movie started to play , () and kirishima were given the job to go get and make more snacks. Cookies were in the oven , chip bowls and candy mixes were brought in and out from their kitchen. As () was placing more cookies in the oven , Kirishima came over to her with a small smile.

“Need any help with those?” He asked as () smiled back, sliding out a tray and replacing it with another one, “No , but if you want we can start on the punch and all of that” she said after closing the oven and removing her oven gloves. Heading to the refrigerator she pulled out the jugs of juice, starting to mix them as they started to laugh, acting as mad scientist while everything was beginning to become finished, the two sharing quiet laughters and jokes to eachother. As they waited for the second batch of cookies to finish while stealing glances at the movie as they walked back and forth , the pair sat up on the countertops, talking to eachother.

As () kept talking , Kirishima stared at her, eyes adoring as he listened to her talk, happily explaining how much she loved her work study and the mission she had a few days ago. As she turned to ask him a question about his own work studies she noticed how he was staring, causing her own words to fall off, making Kirishima snap from his thoughts soon turning red as they stared at eachother. “S-sorry I promise I was listening!” Kirishima blurted out , holding his hands over his face in defense and embarrassment as () smiled at him, taking the rambling boy's hand as her own face darkened. “Kiri…” she started and gave him a soft smile, making the red head stop and look at her , his eyes soft as she looked away before continuing. “Kiri..do you like me?” She said only above a whisper, the question almost being drowned out by the screaming and gasps in the living room except he was hanging on to every word she said. He let out a small sigh and held her hand back, shaking his head in agreement to her statement, scared for his voice to fail him. She turned darker and let his hand go, hoping down to check the cookies. With her own sigh she opened the oven, checking the still raw cookie dough.

As she flipped the pan he stared longingly at her, still in disbelief of what she asked but even more shocked once she started talking again. “I’ve..always appreciated our friendship..but I had deeper feelings for you Kiri..and I’m glad..you feel the same way..” () finished as she turned from the oven only to turn into Kirishimas’ chest. With a bit of hesitation she looked up to him looking down at her with a dark color of embarrassment evident on his face as he took one of her hands, giving it a small kiss. “W-well if you want we can become..a thing? No..I mean I want you as my girlfriend...i-if you’ll let me?” He said as his voice got lower and lower, a wave of nerves came over him as he tried to find the right way to ask () out. With a laugh she reached up and kissed his cheek, her own face having the same heat flushing through her own cheeks “Yes Kiri I would..now can we move the oven is getting a bit too hot to lean against” She said giggling as Kiri babbled our apologizes, moving them from the oven door. As the movies played on, the hushed whispers and small giggles flowed from the newly made couple filled the kitchen with newfound love.

Graduation came and went with everyone headed towards hero work. Kirishima was now a certified sidekick for Fatgum and his agency with () working in the office giving them updates and missions to work on. Fatgum loved his sidekicks, they were like his children and he treated them as such, he loved helping them along to become heroes and have their own name in the scene of things. He always saw the potential in the apprentices he chose and that was no different with the ones he had now. As everyone went up in the ranks in the few years that passed Kirishima included, he got his own agency with the help of Fatgum to help stop crime alongside the bigger named hero. Beside him was () , his secretary, sidekick , and long-standing lover and some of UAs newer names in the four years he’s been out of the top hero school. The lover duo of Kirishima and () had made the hero world gain a buzz no one really saw coming, setting a spark in how hero work was seen as people watched them. The two of them had one of the strongest bonds and skill work the world had seen and everyone loved the sensational duo with their bright and lovable personalities shining through as they helped Japan stay safe. With all the media surrounding the pair and with pro hero work it was rare they got time alone but with a large raid being finished this week they finally had time for themselves and that time was something that Kirishima was gonna steal for him and his master plan he’s been brewing up.

It started with dinner, simple enough and enjoyable for the two of them. As () came home from finishing up her last bit of paperwork she was astonished to walk into a low lit home with her towering pro hero boyfriend shyly pushing from one foot to the other , hands hidden behind his back. “Well hello there” She said with a giggle as she placed her keys down on their counter , heading to the hulking man. “H-hey babe! These are for you!” Kirishima blurted out , handing over a giant bouquet of flowers to (),her eyes widening as she let her small smile grow wider , taking the bouquet, inhaling its pleasant and lovely aroma. “Thank you Kiri! I absolutely love them! What’s with all of this? Did I miss something important?” She said as she looked around and found a spare vase, placing the flowers inside as she turned to her red haired lover, him wrapping his arms around her waist as he giggled. “Nah, just want to spoil you” He said softly, kissing her cheek as he took her hand and dragged her to the dinner table, food arrayed and laid out on the table in front of them. “Yknow this is nice, we rarely get a whole lot of time together Kiri” () said, laughing as she took in the meal in front in her, happily making a plate as she looked at her awe stricken boyfriend. “What..?” She laughed, wiping crumbs off her face as Kirishima smiled back, eating from his own made plate. “Nothing..you’re beautiful” he said softly, causing them both to stop and look at eachother as () fondly smiled back at him “And you’re handsome” she finished off , taking his rather large hand in his as he kissed the top of hers , the two finishing their dinner date with talks about work, their well needed break, what to watch on TV and how they’d spend their time off together.

The next day Kirishima told () that they had reservation to a mystery place she couldn’t know where they were going. Only leaving a note saying ;

Hi my love ♡ I hope you slept well

I have a surprise for you later today! Dress up in your favorite dress or whatever you wanna wear, I love you in anything you put on. Once you do just step outside around 6 when you’re done

I love you ♡

Kirishima ~

With a scoff () shook her head , trying to think of what her boyfriend could be planning as she cleaned the house , fixing plants and pictures placed all over there house. With a smile she remembered each and every picture, from when they graduated, their first mission together, when they went out to eat to celebrate with Fatgum and Tamaki , and other significant events in their life together. Setting everything up and neatly () looked at the time, seeing as it was just after four she decided to take a quick nap and once she got up, get dressed and find out what her lovely boyfriend was hiding. Meanwhile, Kirishima set up the penthouse suite , pacing around as Fatgum watched his intern more nervous than he'd ever been before anything, even stressful missions. “Hey dont sweat it Kirishima! Im positive that she’ll say yes!” Fatgum reassures the redhead, his crimson eyes wavering as he looked at the small black velvet box in his hands “You dont think...this is too early or maybe she doesn’t feel the same..?” Kirishima asked, rolling the tiny box as Fatgum gave him a pat on the back “I could bet my whole missions lunch on her saying yes!” He said excitedly as he let out a laugh, a toothy grin coming over Kirishima as they prepared for a mission bigger than he’d done before.

Walking down the stairs of their home and into the night , () looked around as she saw a hot pink car, evident that it was her hyper pink friend. “Mina??” She questioned as the pink girl rolled her widows down , a huge smile on her face. “ () babyyyyy hiiiiii!!!” She happily yelled as () ran up to her window. “So you’re my ride huh? What’s Kiri planning?” She asks as she hears giggles from the back, seeing Jiro and Momo in the back, holding hands as they waved to their other best friend. “Hey ()!” “How are you doing dear?” Momo and Jiro both started to talk and asked her how she was as () got in the car , the group heading to the meet up spot as they talked. “I’m good you two! I’m so happy you guys are here, how’s hero work treating my favorite pair of wives?” She said laughing as the duo smiled at her. “We’re all good here, the boys are already there , Tsuyu, Hagakure and Uraraka are on their way too!” Momo said as they drove off, singing different songs as () looked out the window thinking of what she’d be met with at this mystery spot.

Once the group arrived they were bombarded with the beautiful scenery , their other friends and significant others. “()!!!” Uraraka yelled, rubbing to hug her as the two laughed , () holding her hands as she took in her dress “Look at you, I love this dress! Where’s Deku? How are you guys and the baby?” () said as Uraraka smiled , rubbing her small bulge. “We’re all good! Dekus helping the others in the back!” Uraraka said as they headed around the penthouse, swimming pools , a garden , different spaces and a beautiful sky line. “Wow Kiri has to pay a shit ton for this!” Denki said as he hugged and kissed Mina on the forehead, () smiling at him. “Hey Denki!” She said as the electric blonde ran and hugged her “Hey ()! There’s my favorite person! Are you ready to see what Kiri has panned for you?” He said as he threw her a wink , () frowning as everyone settled in. “How does everyone know but me” she grumbled , going to a large chair in the glass room of the penthouse, watching as her best friends got ready. “Hey babe” Kirishima said, kissing her cheek as she jumped from her thoughts, giving him a grin as he said in his own chair beside her. “Hi love! So why is some of our closest friends here, we’re in a large penthouse, and no one is telling me what’s going on” () said as she pouted and Kirishima laughed, kissing her forehead and then her lips with a satisfied and wide smile “You'll see!”

As the night drew on and everyone was hanging out in the pools , eating , playing board and video games and much more, Kirishima was ready. Grabbing a mic he tapped and said “Uhm everyone can you guys come here? I think it’s time” as everyone giggled and sat around the display , () took Fatgums hand as he helped her up to Kirishima, the redhead taking his lovers hand as he gave her a nervous smile “So..I’ve been talking this over with everyone important to me and I’m glad all of them are here now!” He started as class 1-A yelled happily back, as he continued “Well...now that we’re here..() I’ve been in love with you since we started highschool..I’m so glad that I’m with you and that you’ve been with me thick and thin..so without a doubt I know that this decision of mines is one I’ve always wanted to do..and I’m positive that it’s one I’d never back up from..” With a deep breath he pulled out a velvet black box and as everyone awed and started to clap () eyes widened, seeing as her tall boyfriend was now in one knee, showing her one of the biggest diamond rings she’s ever seen. With a shaky hand she held it out to him as he asked the four little but heaviest words “Will you marry me?” He said with big crimson eyes, a flash of nervousness in them. Without a word she shook her head yes as he slid the ring on her finger as everyone clapped and cheered. Kirishima stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes, giving her a soft kiss as the sounds of their friends drowned out by the beating of their hearts.

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Bonus!! ♡

Kirishima nervously fixed his vest and tie for the hundredth time as his best man Bakugou finally let out a sigh causing the red head to freeze. “Listen Shitty Hair she already said yes and now you guys are finally tying the not. Don’t let your damn nerves get to you now” he said with a growl as the redhead laughed “You’re helpful as usual Bakubro! I’m fine! Just excited to finally see her..” He said with a small smile as Bakugou huffed again , heading out the door as he said “You’re the manliest man I know, you’ll be fine. If you mess this up I’ll be your ass myself” and with that the door shut as people took their places. The music started to play as the same penthouse that she was engaged in became the stage for her wedding. As all of their friends and family members who weren’t at the engagement party and the ones who were settled in , they waited to see the beautiful bride stroll down the eisle. As everyone turned around they saw () with her veil and bouquet coming down the eisle, being helped by all might as her father figure. Kirishima felt his breath leave his body as he thought to himself

“This is it...time to cement this love in stone!”

#bnha #my hero academia #BNHA POCuties collab #BNHA POCuties #kirishima x reader #wedding #f!reader #boku no hero academia #my hero imagines #bnha imagines #bnha writer #bnha x reader

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altumvidetur · 4 years

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Kaishin Fic Recs

Previously: Haikyuu!! Fic Recs

So, I was thinking about the coronavirus pandemic and what I could do to help people out. I’m isolated because I’m at higher risk, so I can’t really offer to go out for my elderly neighbors or my family… but I thought I could try to help keep people entertained.

Because I don’t have an AO3 account right now, I’ve been compiling fic recs for my own amusement for a year or so. And I thought – maybe that’s the time to share these with everyone? So everyone will have plenty of things to read while they have to stay at home, or even to escape anxiety a little bit if you’re forced to go out.

Of course, these cater to my own tastes, so you may find stuff you don’t like around here. I never include works in progress. The Mature and Explicit works will be in italic. I ask you to READ THE WORK’S TAGS before continuing, so you won’t find anything that makes you uncomfortable.

I’ve decided to split it in a series of posts, and, well, when it comes to DCMK, I have one major OTP. So here’s enough Kaishin to keep you entertained for a year:

The Dwelling Night, by proser132

Three shot. KaiShin. Brief moments were all they had, but dwelling on dreams is sometimes enough.

In Theory, by orphan_account

Kaito's got a whole list of cheesy and awful pickup lines to use on Shinichi.

(Un)fortunately for him, Shinichi's got just as many to throw back.

As You Wish, by orphan_account

Shinichi hasn't been doing a very good job of pretending he isn't hiding something from Kaito, and Kaito is more than determined to find out what it is -- even if it means asking everyone the detective knows in order to do so.

He just wants to know what all the boxes are for.

you’re the reason i come home, by LunaDarkside

Shinichi comes home after a two-week investigation in New York. Kaito could not be more thrilled.

Lovesick, by DragonSorceress22

"You know what I want? I want a fic where Kaito sends out a heist notice but then he gets sick but he can't NOT go. I guess it could go the other way too, where Conan solves a heist notice but then he gets sick but he can't NOT go. I want to read that fic." "There's tons of fics like that..." And now there's one more.

whispers and nicks and all these tricks, by LunaDarkside

In which there is sex pollen at a heist, and Kaito and Shinichi end up in the same room. Coincidentally enough.

Be Real, by DragonSorceress22

This, KID thought, was what someone reaching their limit looked like.

a study in scarlette, by kittebasu

There are people who want to live forever, and then there is Shinichi, who just wants to live a little longer than this.

wait a minute (so you’re not just losing the dress), by LunaDarkside

Everything is overwhelmingly good. And then Kaito has to go and say it.

“I’ve never done this before,” he mumbles mindlessly against the pliant softness of Shinichi’s lips, and everything immediately stops.

“Wait, what?” Shinichi jerks upwards, eyes wide.

Or, neither Shinichi nor Kaito has any experience, but they make do.

The printer’s a lie, by OrphanText

In which Kuroba has an annoying printer, a very good looking (and mildly terrifying) RA, and general bad ideas up his sleeves (but it works out in the end).

The Alcohol Test, by DragonSorceress22

When your rival-turned-best-friend is a phantom thief who has recently reached legal drinking age, there’s really only one responsible way to approach the matter. Spreadsheets.

Getting Off Track, by solomonara

The easiest way to find out what someone wants is to ask them, so of course neither Shinichi nor Kaito KID is going to do that. (OR: In which Shinichi and Kaito KID take turns falling into each other's arms.)

Wouldn’t Change A Thing, by BlackKatJinx

“Don't you get tired of it?”

“'It'?” He asks.

“Stealing.”

By Any Other Name, by AngelicSentinel

the one where you don’t know your soulmate until you hear them say your name.

Snowed In, by DragonSorceress22

Shinichi and Kaito are exceptionally bad at quiet nights at home.

Go Out With a Bang (Since We’re to Wilt Anyway), by KXL

Love can be cruel, and painful, but Kaito knew that already. Maybe he's just a masochist.

take in another breath (get closer), by Melomaniac

He paused on the threshold of the door between the pseudo-corridor and the seating area, and faintly corrected himself. Not as alone as he thought. Not as alone at all.

Sat by himself, with his chin resting on his hand, an arm loosely propped on the small table, an explosion of paper and assorted important looking documents in front of him, flask of (presumably) coffee held to his lips, was Kudou Shinichi, whose eyes had met Kaito’s when he walked into the carriage, had widened, and hadn’t looked away since.

In which there is a late night (or an early morning), a train, copious amounts of flirting, a phone, a name, and a stolen heart.

Last Day Again, by Phantoms_Echo

(Summary by me: Groundhog Day!AU with Kaito becoming more and more unhinged as he desperately tries to break the time loop he’s stuck in.)

Net Force, by LunaDarkside

Ran decides it's high time for Shinichi and Kaito to get together. Awkward matchmaking ensues.

Of Corset Hurts, by KXL

Shinichi and Kaito are both pretty much done with the situation, though for somewhat different reasons. Both reasons involve overly long dresses to some degree.

Ace up Their Sleeves, by Procrastination_Sensation

Summary by me: Soulmates!AU in which seeing your soulmark in someone else (your soulmate) causes debilitating pain until the two of you kiss.

Murder by Cremation, by KXL

Capturing the lawless monsters who ate people after burning them up was, apparently, the easy part.

Halloween Heist, by Phantoms_Echo

Because Halloween Scavenger Hunt doesn't sound as nice.

Trick or Treat, Tantei-kun! Up for a little Halloween game? I’ve left clues all over town. Find them all, you’ll get a treat. Fail to find them in time, you’ll get a trick. Good luck, Tantei-kun. -Kaitou KID

the suffering of fools, by AngelicSentinel

It's Las Vegas; the lights are bright, the liquor is flowing, and Ran married someone other than Shinichi. He just wants to drown his sorrows, but a half-familiar face steals his drink.

♠ ♦ ♣ ♥ Case Files, by AngelicSentinel

Solving life's little mysteries, one at a time.

one-shots in the suffering of fools universe

A Study in Trust, by Calculatrice

Conan swallows anger and condemnation and, for the very first time, gives Kaitou KID the benefit of the doubt. ________________

In which Conan constantly has to revise what he thinks of a certain thief, and is frankly getting pretty sick of feeling like his subconscious is already ahead of him.

Jacket, by Calculatrice

He turns to look at KID, grimacing as his overlong sleeves swish around him.

“It doesn’t exactly fit me,” he frowns as he points out the obvious. “Does this do anything for you?”

Kiss and tell., by DragonSorceress22

Shinichi might have gotten a little ahead of himself. And KID. Luckily, Hakuba has a level head and a soft spot for lovesick genius-idiots.

the goat one-shot, by helloimtrash

They're family now.

Interrogation, by Calculatrice

Admittedly, there are many things Kaito could probably be blamed for, but pulling Shinichi into the nearest empty hallway to kiss him senseless isn’t one of them.

So It Goes, by Calculatrice

It goes like this.

(In which Murphy’s Law isn’t much of a law - more something to be gleefully stomped on.)

Mii Plaza, by Calculatrice and helloimtrash

“Okay,” Kaito grins as the opening notes of Wii Sports ring out. “Are you ready for defeat?”

“Can’t we just play Mario Kart,” Shinichi frowns, crossing his legs as he watches Kaito push the coffee table out of the way. “It’s like, one in the morning.”

The Forensics of Falling, by LunaDarkside

[FF.Net Link] When fans of world-famous magician and actor Kuroba Kaito begin turning up dead, Inspector Kudou Shinichi is put on the case.

the toxicology of trust, by LunaDarkside

World-famous magician and actor Kuroba Kaito and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force's star inspector Kudou Shinichi finally get some much-needed time off. Or they would, if there wasn't a killer on their cruise.

(sequel to The Forensics of Falling)

On Familiarity, by lastdream

No one had ever known Kaito quite like Shinichi did, and Kaito wasn't sure he could take it.

Lies and the Art of Relaxation, by DragonSorceress22

Shinichi is stressed and Kaito is a liar. Business as usual.

And Again, by Calculatrice

It’s late, late in the night, and while on another night they may have been awake and neck-deep in plans, or perhaps delirious and making silly conversation, tonight he and Kaito are both curled in bed.

the only bed worth sleeping, by LunaDarkside

Kaito's not a detective, but he's pretty sure there's no logical explanation for Shinichi's disappearance from his apartment. Or for the cat that's shown up in his kitchen.

Magic Eight Ball, by Rikkamaru

Shinichi chases Kaitou Kid into the Blue Parrot thinking he's injured.

(For the Kaishin Discord, which made a "challenge" that a few people took up.)

swing for the fences, by LunaDarkside

"How to Fall in Love with Kudou Shinichi (Featuring Pink Panties, Dead Bodies, and Ill-Advised Bets): A Comprehensive and Kind of Embarrassing Guide" by Kuroba Kaito.

In The Soul, by Calculatrice

Shinichi ferries souls from the shores of the living to those of the dead, so they may pass safely on to an eternal afterlife. It’s really not a difficult concept, and definitely not one he thought could be wilfully ignored, but Kuroba Kaito obviously didn’t get the memo.

even miracles, by LunaDarkside

“No, Mother,” Shinichi says pleasantly. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to host a dinner party to find me a wife.”

bros before, by LunaDarkside

Shinichi needs a fake date for his parents' vow renewal ceremony. Naturally, he asks his best friend, Hattori.

maybe I was going too fast, by Ann1215

A year after Kaito faces off Conan, who'd figured out his identity, he comes across Kudou Shinichi during their first year of university.

Trouble is, Kudou has no idea who Kaito is.

swear i’ll never leave again, by Ann1215

When Kaito eventually grows tired of his mother's relentless matchmaking tendencies, he ropes Shinichi into tricking everyone they know and love that they're both engaged. To each other. And it's easy enough, because all they have to do is:

1. Don't lie to each other. 2. Don't tell anyone about their plan. 3. Don't fall in love with each other.

At least, it was supposed to be easy.

(See you) Next Illusion!, by PhantomsEcho

Collections of Oneshots too long to fit in Next Conan Hint.

beneath a waxing moon, by kittebasu

The man stares at him, and then shakes his head, messy hair shaking with it. “Car trouble, Detective?” The way his lips curl around the word ‘detective’ strikes Shinichi as strange, eerily familiar, and Shinichi almost has to physically shake the feeling away before he can reply.

“Engine’s making a weird noise,” Shinichi says, and then his thoughts catch up with alacrity, his muscles tensing all at once. “What makes you think I’m a detective?”

“Police tags on your car,” the man replies, grin growing wider. “Plus this is a Camry from the nineties. No one drives those but police, these days, and regular officers drive patrol cars.” He leans forward a little, gloved hands circling his helmet and lowering it slightly to his handlebars for extra balance. “Far from undercover, if you know what you’re looking for.”

The cloud cover shifts, revealing the gorgeous full moon, and the light catches the man just right, surrounding him in a pearly glow and putting his face in shadow. “And you know what you’re looking for?”

broken glass, by jadedgalaxies

KID presses Shinichi into the wall, covering his mouth with a gloved hand and shushing him quietly. Shinichi’s heart thrums. KID isn’t looking at him but every part of KID that is pressed against Shinichi is electrified. Even amidst the circumstances that led to this moment, KID’s heartbeat is steady under Shinichi’s trembling fingers. His hair tickles Shinichi’s nose, his scent sweet and overpowering. KID is warm, alive, thrilling. Shinichi’s face warms.

In this moment, beneath the pale moonlight, helping KID evade arrest, detective Kudou Shinichi realizes he’s in love with the Phantom Thief, Kaitou KID. And he probably has been for a long time.

Shinichi realizes he's in love with Kaitou KID and that's just the beginning.

Owned and Never More Free, by Curry Jolokia

Kaitou Kid is uncatchable. Except for this.

about a love that glows, by LunaDarkside

The good news is that it’s not an overt time limit on his life, and it’s not anything parasitic. It’s not a life-force drainer, or a bad luck charm, or a magnet for unfortunate circumstances. It’s not going to bother him in day-to-day life.

The bad news is that if Shinichi falls in love with someone, he’ll die. And they’ll die.

(There is no good news, really.)

the empty vault of night, by AngelicSentinel

Shinichi offers Kid a gift. For a price.

Sound of Silence, by Cesela

His return to being Kudou Shinichi was not everything he had hoped for, not with Ran moving on, a limp and a shattered soul as he struggles with the return to normalcy. And then there’s the neighbour with a soft smile slowly battering down his walls. Kaishin / Shinkai

A Case Closed Carol, by solomonara

With apologies to Charles Dickens. Shinichi is working way too hard and has zero time for Christmas or anything else, really. But a rather unlikely source is about to put him back on track...

where villains spend the weekend, by aishiteita

A former teen sleuth enlists a should-be-retired-thief's help to slap ennui in the face.

(Alternatively, a study in motives.)

always ends in a hazy shower scene, by LunaDarkside

Shinichi didn’t mean to shack up with an internationally wanted thief.

#fic recs #detective conan #magic kaito #dcmk #kaishin #kuroba kaito #kudou shinichi #please warn me if any links are broken #and reblog it if you can so more people will see it

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jflashandclash · 4 years

Text

Tales from Mount Othrys

Alabaster: The Delicate Dance of Chance II

Author’s note: Are you ready for fluff??? ALL THE FLUFF?! And some angst—BUT MOSTLY FLUFF!?

Alabaster didn’t remember much about getting off the stage. He did remember shaking so violently that he feared missing a step on the side stairs. When the crowd swarmed them, he was vaguely aware of Pax warding them off and navigating them through the mass of people.

Axel made some announcement about taking a girl for the first dance and snatched the hand of Charlie—their five year old mascot—who giggled with glee. This caused an uproar—both that Axel was dancing and that he’d picked Charlie as his first partner. Alabaster could practically hear Lucille’s future squeals about how cute it was.

But, that’s all he could recollect. There was a blank spot, where Alabaster must have shut down from the humiliation and horror of being on stage without any warning. Coherence came when Pax shoved Alabaster to the punch table.

With a few comments that Alabaster didn’t hear, Pax diverted the remaining admirers. Several monsters and campers were still glancing their way, and a few of his siblings waved at him enthusiastically. But, this was manageable. This was distant.

Pax shoved a plastic cup of punch into Alabaster’s trembling hand. His touch lingered over Alabaster’s fingers for a moment, likely noticing the quiver. Pax went on his tiptoes to whisper in Alabaster’s ear, as quiet as he could while still being heard over the music. “Your Mist show was amazing.”

Alabaster jerked back.

He wanted to hit Pax. Though, he knew it was misdirected anger. Who he should be hitting was Matthias or Jack, who likely planned the grand entrance on stage. Or—

The music increased in volume, encouraging shouts of delirium. Monsters and campers tangled on the dance floor. Alabaster had never been to a school dance, but this looked like the nightmare version of what he assumed one would be. They were in a gymnasium with a stage on one end. Tables were scattered along the walls for food, drink and loitering. The back had interactive games, like Pin the Sword in the Demigod: Camp Half-Blood Edition. The center was reserved for dancing.

And, in the middle of that dance floor was Axel Pax, bowing to a thrilled, giggling five-year-old. He handed Charlie off to Chris (likely with strict instructions to escort her off the dance floor, least she be crushed by mingling Cyclopes). Then he turned a smile to Lucille. With the smooth demeanor of a vampiric count, he transferred into the next dance. No one was going to say no to the attractive, typically reserved, stoic and heroic character.

The reserved, stoic and heroic character that caused that nonsense on stage. While Alabaster wouldn’t have been up there if it wasn’t for Jack or Matthias, Axel had forced him into panicked improvisation and showmanship.

“I must disgrace Axel Pax,” he growled.

Pax startled. Over the edge of his plastic cup, he said, “I’m not sure what maniacal soliloquy you had internally, but the rest of the audience is still confused.”

Alabaster snorted. “I’m going to punish your brother. Maybe I can tell Lucille to spread the word that he’s looking for a male partner.”

Pax laughed. He set his cup back on the table and drummed his fingers beside it. “Oh, dancing with boys won’t bother him.”

Axel paused twirling Lucille in front of her girlfriend, Echidna. Echidna wasn’t the daughter of Summanus’ (the god of nocturnal thunder’s) real name, but Pax’s nickname caught because of her prickly personality. Despite this, when Axel offered, and Lucille shoved Echidna towards him, she begrudgingly accepted the dance. She shot a quick glance at Charlie. This was incredible progress—she couldn’t get within ten feet of men a year ago or be separated from Charlie for more than a few seconds.

Alabaster tore his eyes from Axel and examined Pax skeptically. From what he’d seen, Axel had all the traits, and the cultural background, to be homophobic.

The thirteen-year-old shrugged. “This isn’t exactly a no dancing with people wearing the same underwear kinda place.”

A preliminary glance around proved there were girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys. It was with such commonality that the gesture seemed to mean nothing about their inclination. Alabaster wasn’t sure how that worked here, since that would have been a social taboo in his Cotillion classes.

Pax’s smile became distant and sad as he watched Axel save Echinda from tripping all over herself. Pax leaned against the drink table. “Besides, between the circus and our sister, he had to learn not to care. She was a crossdresser and made sure we were comfortable with all sorts of people.”

Opening up twice in one night, Alabaster mused. They hardly spoke of their siblings, other than that Pax missed them. Their near death experience must have made Pax feel more relaxed around Alabaster. The younger boy seemed to have something on his mind recently. Alabaster often caught Pax zoning out in the laboratory, staring at Alabaster’s sleeve or spell book. Alabaster had wondered if it was for a prank.

The smile on Pax’s lips quirked into a smirk. His eyes focused back on the present. “Axel doesn’t favor dancing with boys though, unlike me,” he said, giving Alabaster a wink.

Alabaster snorted. “Stop messing around.”

Pax looked away and popped his cheeks. He straightened his posture, released the table, and turned towards Alabaster. “I want to have fun at this party. Your whole vengeance on my brother for ambiguous reasons—”

“Humiliating me—”

“--that’s villainy and great and stuff, but I don’t want you on it all night. You’ve got his weakest link right here.” Pax pointed both his thumbs at himself. “But I’m not going to help you brainstorm ideas unless you really try to have fun tonight. Now let’s go stuff our faces with Nachos and show Morpheus how to really dance.”

Alabaster stared at him. “We have two different definitions of ‘fun.’ The most probable outcome to incur enjoyment is seeking vengeance.”

Pax pouted. He glanced down the refreshments table. “You’re my babysitter. I going to make a bee line to the first nut-based desert I see and shove it into my mouth if we don’t go play on Matthias’ Wii , and it’ll be your fault.”

“I won’t save you from anaphylactic shock if you do that,” Alabaster said. He frowned. Pax would be integral to bringing Axel down. And they were stuck here for at least another hour-and-a-half.

“What’s the best game on Matthias’ Wii ?” Alabaster asked.

***

Alabaster wanted to complain about Mario Party’s reliance on a random number generator and how it devalued the skill level of the player, but that would require him to admit he relied on that random number generator to win. When playing against actual gamers like Matthias and Chris, he knew there would be little hope in him winning in something like Super Smash or Tekken.

Out of the games they played, his favorite was poker. All magic was legal. He won Pax ten Reese’s Sticks before Prometheus came over and threatened his reigning championship. Alabaster’s “pallor tricks” didn’t seem to work as well on the Titan and Prometheus’s bluffing skills were godly. Well, titanly.

Pax decided Prometheus’s impending win meant he needed to eat all of his candy at once, something Alabaster suspected he’d regret in about ten minutes.

Once the Cyclops bouncer wrestled the last six Reese’s Sticks from Pax, he hopped to Alabaster’s side. His brown and hazel eyes twinkled while he rubbed the chocolate and peanut butter off his chin.

Alabaster didn’t realize he’d been smirking with each his wins. Between Pax’s excitement and cheering and Alabaster’s strategizing, he’d forgotten where they were.

Pax snagged Alabaster’s sleeve. “Come on!” he cried before Prometheus could gloat. The tuxedo-wearing Titan spread his long, thin fingers over the cards as Pax dragged Alabaster away from the table.

Once they stumbled from the game sector, Pax stopped short. He gave Alabaster a huge grin, pulling up his shirt to reveal two Reese’s Sticks hidden along his beltline.

Alabaster snorted. “I’m surprised you didn’t steal more.”

Pax winked and dropped his shirt. “We could go back for round two later. For now…” He took a few steps further onto the dance floor, tugging Alabaster’s sleeve again.

Alabaster’s tranquility shattered. He stared at Pax, listening to the thud of the subwoofer and watching the mass of bodies moving behind the Belizean boy.

Alabaster hadn’t realized it, and he would never admit to it, but he’d been having fun. At the thought of merging into that flowing blob of people, monsters, sweat, and social anxiety, fun evaporated. Cold sweat formed on his brow.

“No,” he said, yanking his arm back from Pax.

The younger boy’s pout returned. “I’m going to make you a shirt that says that.”[1]

They stood there, others swirling around them. Someone bumped their shoulders while running by, shouting, “Don’t be lame and have no shame! Warlock, creep out of your lair, dance, and have fun!”

His face went hot with humiliation. When Alabaster raised his wrist to check the time, he found his fist clenched. An hour had passed while they were playing games. Had the passerbyer’s mockery not bothered him so much, he might have marveled over how fast the first hour went. He assumed it would be agonizing.

But, he could tell the next hour would be much worse. He thought about his laboratory and how much he could get done while everyone else was out. After the Roman attack, everyone should have been working to move and restore the building, not throwing a party “in their honor.”

“This is just a thinly veiled excuse for everyone to feel good about acting like idiots,” Alabaster said. “And a waste of time.”

Alabaster couldn’t remember how Pax got him to play along with this stupid party. Then, it came back: Axel forcing him into showmanship. The humiliation turned to anger. He didn’t need the younger Pax brother to concoct something against Axel. “I’m heading back to camp,” Alabaster said.

He turned to leave. Pax frantically grabbed his arm. “Wait!” Pax shouted. “Wait—we were having—you’re my babysitter! I’ll choke on tree nuts and get kidnapped by bad guys if you’re not around!”

Considering Pax’s ward, Jack, was a schizophrenic with a history of attacking his family, Alabaster thought his concept of “bad guys” was a bit skewed.

Alabaster scowled. “Ajax, you’re thirteen. You’re too old for a babysitter. Grow up.”

Pax’s eyes widened. The rims reddened. He blinked rapidly and looked away. “We don’t have to dance,” he whispered.

Alabaster yanked his arm back again. “This isn’t dancing. This isn’t music. This is a group of unskilled buskers following a formula to produce ‘musical’ garbage because people don’t know how to express their hormones without it.”

Shock wove their mouths shut.

Musical garbage.

Someone else had said that around Alabaster. He remembered sitting in the back of the family’s Mercedes Bends, visiting his father in the hospital. The chauffer cheerfully turned on music for them. His grandfather fired the chauffer, saying what Alabaster had said: that this type of music was a cheap replica of what real musicians could create.

Just like his grandfather thought Alabaster’s magic was a cheap replica of science that couldn’t save his father.

Alabaster couldn’t believe he’d quoted that horrible man verbatim.

At the “buskers” comment, Pax flinched. Although they’d never told Alabaster directly, Alabaster had guessed that Axel and Pax busked, or illegally street preformed, to get by before Camp Othrys. And Alabaster just used it as an insult.

“Ajax,” Alabaster unfroze his tongue, “I’m sorr—”

Pax turned and bolted into the mass of dancers, towards the stage. A couple nearby exchanged a confused glance at his passing and looked over at Alabaster.

“Ajax!” Alabaster called. Although every cell in his nervous system wanted to reel backwards, he shoved past the couple to go after his friend.

After taking ten steps forward, Alabaster realized that finding Pax would be impossible. There were too many people, too much movement, and Pax was too small and conniving. Considering how many monsters and demigods were over six feet tall, the five-foot-nothing demigod could vanish.

This was irrational. Alabaster shouldn’t worry. Pax was in a safe environment, surrounded by friends, and didn’t actually need a babysitter. They would meet back up later, after both of them had time to let off some steam, and Alabaster could explain that he didn’t mean what he said and that Alabaster had only said those words because he… because he…

�� Is so incompetent at relaxing, I couldn’t rationally explain my anxiety before snapping.

Alabaster didn’t want to wait to check up on Pax. He despised the thought of making someone feel the way his grandfather used to make him feel. Worse for Pax: what if his and Axel’s father didn’t approve of their street performance? Alabaster didn’t know what nerves he’d struck, and not knowing meant he couldn’t mentally prepare for what damage he’d done.

There were too many people, too close. The music had grown louder as Alabaster made his way towards the stage. The subwoofer rattled him internally. Alabaster felt clammy. With all the laughter and joy whirling around him, he felt isolated and sick. Especially with the stares of confusion at his rushed passing.

A sense of hopelessness threatened to overwhelm him when the music quieted.

With the weirdest transition he’d ever heard, the thud of electronic wound down, like the music itself was dying. The DJ, a dark-haired Titaness wearing a modernized toga-dress, cleared her throat in the echo of the mic. The Eldest muse—Mnemosyne’s voice was silky. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Monsters and Ghouls, we have our first good request of the night!”

Pax withdrew from the raised DJ booth and hopped back to the floor, only three yards away.

After the chime of bells, the calming sound of a stringed orchestra flooded the speakers, soon accompanied by a wind instrument—probably a flute.

Several demigods groaned. One or two whined. Alabaster was horrified at what Pax had done to the rest of the party’s occupants and whether or not Mnemosyne had been mocking him.

Then, all the monsters cheered.

“I love the oldies!” Dr. Thorn, their local manticore, exclaimed. He ejected two spikes into the air in celebration, grabbed a Scythian dracaena, and began the elegant twirl of the waltz. Alabaster didn’t want to know where those spikes would land.[2]

Alabaster would hardly call Tchaikovsky an “oldie” but he marveled that these monsters were eternal and their concept of time differed from their own.

While several half-bloods exited the dance floor, a flood of monsters entered. Jack dragged a rather inebriated-looking Luke out to spin with him. Chris and Matthias hopped by, paused, grabbed hold of each other with mock-serious expresses on their faces, and began a goofy, sloppy shamble.[3] Prometheus ruffled Pax’s hair and said, “Good choice,” before bowing to Mnemosyne.

Their DJ grinned, set her headphones to the side of the sound table, and hopped down from the booth.

In an empty space of floor, Lucille giggled. She kicked off her high heels, hopped up to her toes, and began to dance point, her flowy skirt mimicking the motions of a ballerina’s tutu.

Near the food tables, where most of the confused demigods had gone to stand, Axel bowed to Mercedes, offering their Spymaster his hand. Mercedes tucked her embroidered hijab tighter against her chin. She gave Axel a coy smile and flicked him off with her other hand.

Axel must have just finished dancing with Lou Ellen. She stood beside Mercedes, still bright red in the face from the dance. Alabaster was already annoyed with the inevitable week of Lou Ellen’s squealing. She glanced at Mercedes, glared at the older girl—from jealousy or aghast at Mercedes’ refusal, Alabaster couldn’t care to tell—and shoved her forward, hard.

Mercedes stumbled forward into Axel’s arms, adding a second forced dance to Axel’s count for the night.

With all the commotion around them, Alabaster approached Pax. He paused a foot away from him. “Why’d you pick this song?” he asked.

Pax rubbed his face against his forearm, sniffling back the last of his choked tears. “You—you play it a lot when you think other people aren’t around.”

Alabaster unclenched his fist. “It was my grandmother’s favorite scene from Swan Lake.” One of his favorite memories: when she was alive, she would hum along as she stained glass in the piano room. His grandfather hated that she used the room like that, but she claimed it had the best lighting.

“If you were going to leave, I wanted to make sure you at least liked the last song playing before you left,” Pax said. He looked away, hugging himself.

All the tension eased out of Alabaster. He sighed and wasn’t sure if he was more relieved that Pax had stopped crying or annoyed that Pax had beat him—Alabaster couldn’t leave with such a considerate act.

“How many people know how to waltz here, you think? That aren’t monsters, I mean. It might be hard to find a partner,” Alabaster said.

Pax took a step closer. He puffed up his cheeks, popped them, then quietly said, “I know how to waltz.” He offered a trembling hand out, palm down in the female partner position, to Alabaster.

Alabaster stared. Slowly, he glanced to where Jack and Luke were dancing and Chris and Matthias were… he refused to call that a dance, but awkwardly shambling. It wouldn’t be too weird, right? Everyone knew Luke was a ladies’ man, and Jack and Flynn were a “thing,” and Chris and Matthias were just joking…

And Lucille, after all, was doing a ballet pas seul with a cheering circle around her like she was break dancing.

Alabaster exhaled and took Pax’s hand. He slipped his other hand under Pax’s arm, and positioned it on Pax’s shoulder blade. Pax violently shook as he lowered his free arm atop Alabaster’s. Pax was the perfect height for this, being a foot shorter than Alabaster.

That busker comment must have stung Pax worse than Alabaster thought. To have him shaking like this? He frowned, taking a slow step forward with his left foot. He expected Pax to stumble and mix up his footing. Instead, Pax flawlessly stepped back with his right foot.

They started with a basic box step. He wasn’t sure how much Pax would remember from his Cotillion classes or how easily Pax would be able to reverse the footwork to follow instead of lead. When Alabaster added in a rotation to their box step, and then lifted his elbow and their hands to properly shape their posture, Pax continued perfectly. When Alabaster began to go up on his toes for the “2 and 3” count of the waltz, then down onto his heels for the “1,” to give the rise and fall effect of the dance, Pax mirrored the footwork. By the time Alabaster added in the swing and sway to make the dance have a rolling effect—raising his rib cage when they went to the side, or tilting his body when they went forward or back—his curiosity had peaked.

“You know how to follow really well,” Alabaster observed.

The fluid and repetitive movement of the dance calmed Alabaster. This was a familiar environment. The only unusual part was dancing with a boy. Though… he supposed he’d danced with his male instructor when he was learning.

Pax had stopped shaking. Now that they were in a rhythm, Alabaster could glance down to see if Pax still had tears in his eyes.

The younger boy was staring at Alabaster’s collar—the only part of posture he wasn’t doing correctly. His cheeks were flushed with the movement and, likely, his prior tantrum. A little grin touched his lips at Alabaster’s comment. “Thanks. You’re really good at leading.” Alabaster raised an eyebrow at him. He’d been expecting some stupid, witty retort.

Pax glanced up. His blush deepened and his eyes shot back down to Alabaster’s collar. “Oh! Um—Lapis and I—my sister—we used to switch places on our Cotillion teacher. Axel, Hiro, and Kouta would play along, altering our names and pronouns to fit according to the day. The instructor never knew if which one of us was a guy or a girl, and she was too scared of getting in trouble for mixing it up to ask Dad. As long as we learned both parts, she didn’t care.”

That sounded exactly like something the Pax brothers would do.

Examining Pax’s facial structure, Alabaster could see how the instructor could mistake Pax for a girl. He had all the features to make a convincing crossdresser: with Pax’s wild, raven hair spilling all over his shoulders, his rounded face, button nose, wide eyes, squishy cheeks, and full lips. He was a little too muscular to pass for the average woman, but Alabaster had seen some ripped female demigods and wouldn’t be shocked if Pax’s sister—Lapis?—were similar.

With the baggy, punk-style jacket he wore, Alabaster could easily imagine Pax as some flat-chested girl half-drowned in her friend’s borrowed clothing.

And with the thought, Alabaster felt his chest constrict. For some reason, he felt horrendously uncomfortable.

Alabaster spun Pax out for an underarm turn.

Nothing would change if Pax were a girl. Then, she would just be Axel’s annoying little sister, instead of an annoying little brother—one that followed Alabaster around the laboratory, cheered when he succeeded in one of his experiments, made him hand-crafted presents, and was always ready with a goofy, lame joke to try to make him laugh.

Why couldn’t Alabaster shake the idea that something would be different?

The song would come to an end soon. Alabaster recognized the crescendo. He hadn’t realized until then that they’d danced through two songs—now it was the Waltz of the Snowflakes. Mnemosyne must have a Tchaikovsky Waltz playlist.

Although the last two songs had been relaxing, Alabaster was eager for the end. Something felt off and he didn’t know why. It wasn’t the same anxiety as before. No, he’d almost forgotten about the others—

Alabaster glanced around, finding Jack had stopped dancing to watch them.

Alabaster released Pax’s hand and took a step back half-a-second sooner than he should have according to the music. Pax stumbled, not ready to stop following.

That goofy smile on Pax’s face widened. “It’s okay. I also get distracted thinking about life, the universe, and everything, and forget how to end a dance.”

“Nice song choice, Ajax,” someone said beside them.

Alabaster jumped, having forgotten how many people were around them.

Mnemosyne climbed back into her DJ booth. The throb of electronic and modern pop thudded back into the gym. Bored demigods cheered. Dancing monsters grumbled.

Axel stood near them, one hand still on Mercedes’ shoulder blade. Although he’d lowered their hands from the dance, his other hand still held hers. He continued talking to Pax, giving Mercedes a half-smirk that would have made half the girls in the gym faint. “You helped me find the best dance partner in Camp Othrys,” he said.

Mercedes did not look amused. Her expression was as deadpan as ever. A lock of curly black hair had escaped the corner of her embroidered fabric. He had to wonder if Lucille forced her into some makeup. Mercedes typically wore the simplest, plainest, and most practical clothing she could, without make up or hair accessories other than her veil.

“Pax One,” she said to the older of the two, “you found a temporary victim of circumstance that is now going to ruin Matthias’ life in Tekken. If you’ll excuse me.” She bowed her head, as though about to vanish into shadow after a spy mission. For a split second, he thought she frowned at Pax.

“Uh-hu,” Axel said. As soon as she removed her hands, he took a step after her. “If I win a round of Tekken against you, I win another dance.”

Pax stared at his older brother. “Axel, you’re awesome and everything, but you’re going to get obliterated.”

Mercedes’ head didn’t move as her eyes shifted between the two brothers. “Listen to Pax Two. He is wise… unless you’re willing to gamble information on this game.”

The offer sounded like a threat.

Alabaster saw a minor opportunity unfolding.

“If you’re going to do that, you should keep Tran around,” Alabaster suggested, smirking at Axel. “Least someone consider lying.”[4]

Mercedes let a tiny smile slip. “The child of Aletheia, Goddess of Truth. Thanks, Torrington.” She nodded her appreciation. “Are you feeling lucky, Pax One?”

Axel shot Alabaster a glare.

At least he’d successfully started his revenge on the older Mayan.

Pax tugged on Alabaster’s sleeve. “We can worry about Axel’s downfall later. Let’s get some punch and go for a walk!”

“My downfall--?”

“Come on!”

***

In two weeks (hopefully) are you ready for MORE FLUFF!?! …. And angst. AND MORE FL—oh, oh, next week is more on the angst side. *ehem* I see.

I hope you guys enjoyed! Thank you for reading :D

***

Footnotes:

[1] And thus, Grumpy Cat was born.

[2] Technically, our spiky friend should be dead by now, but I didn’t know that when I originally wrote this scene and I enjoy having random spikes reigning on this parade.

Also, this was written to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a, TH 219: Act 1: Waltz.

[3] Okay, I’ll finally admit it, my representation of Chris and Matthias’s whole character are based off family members. <3 you guys.

[4] Call out to my home boy, VCRx.

#Tales from Mount Othrys #TFMO #Percy Jackson and the Olympians #PJO #heroes of olypmus #HOO #Alabaster #Pax #Mercedes #Axel #Fluff #FLUFF SO MUCH FLUFF #IT'S LIKE ME CAT MATED WITH A TRIBBLE AND IT ROLLED IN EXCESS SPIDER WEB DECORATIONS #........................................ ew

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writingfortoomanyfandoms · 5 years

Text

The Colour Green

Pairing: Gwilym Lee x Reader

Summary: The reader and Gwilym run into her ex boyfriend and Gwilym gets jealous, causing a fight and the reader proves to him how much she loves him

Requested: Yo Gwil does not get enough love. Could you write something for him like he’s insecure next to reader’s ex boyfriend? Thanks so much, love your work 😘

Warnings: Age gap, swearing, jealousy (is that a warning??)

A/N: Hey guys! This is my first full-scale Gwil fic! I hope you guys enjoy it - I love writing for him so much and I’m kinda quite happy with how this one turned out. Please remember to like, reblog, leave comments, send me asks and let me know what you guys think of it! I love talking to you guys, it honestly makes my day 10x better!!! I love you all so much!!!

“Cariad, are you ready to go?” Gwilym called, buttoning up his shirt as he wandered into their bedroom, where Y/N was still getting ready. She turned when she saw him enter the room through the mirror she was in front of and smiled at him.

“Pretty much,” she assured him.

“Pretty much?” Gwilym echoed, cocking his eyebrows. “What else do you need to do? You already look absolutely breath-taking,” he commented, moving towards her and resting his hands on her waist, gently connecting their lips. Y/N giggled.

“You’re so cute,”

“That’s what I’m going for,” Gwilym nodded solemnly, but it broke into a grin when Y/N started laughing.

“I just need to grab my phone,” she told him and Gwilym nodded, loosening his grip on her waist so she could walk away. “What time are we meant to be meeting the guys and Luce?” She asked and Gwilym looked at his watch.

“I told Joe six but he’ll almost certainly be late,” Gwilym shrugged and Y/N rolled her eyes, a chuckle slipping past her lips.

“I got a text from Ben saying that he was running a bit late as well,” she mentioned, looking down at her phone.

“So if we leave now we’ll be right on time!” Gwilym exclaimed with faux enthusiasm and Y/N laughed, holding out her hand for her boyfriend to take.

“Let’s go then, we want to be able to shame Joe and Ben for being late,” Y/N grinned, pulling Gwilym’s hand and leading him out of their apartment.

Gwilym knew all about Y/N’s ex boyfriend. They had been together for a year and a half so the topic had been bound to come up at one stage or another. But Gwilym hated it when it did. Of course he had wanted to know about Y/N’s past boyfriends and so had been the one to initiate the conversation about her ex but he hadn’t expected to dislike it so much.

He hated hearing about how, David (Y/N’s ex) had been the guy who took her virginity. He hated hearing how happy he had made her. He hated knowing that the reason they had broken up was because he was moving to America.

And most of all, Gwilym hated hearing Y/N tell him that David was the first guy she had fallen in love with.

Not to mention that David was highly attractive.

The two of them had been together for two years before breaking up, they met at a pub one night and hit it off and had even gone as far as to move in with one another. But then, when David got offered a new job in America, Y/N hadn’t wanted to move with him and they had ended it.

They had been arguing before the job offer as well, but it had been America that truly led to their break-up.

But aside from that, Y/N had described their relationship as being ‘near-perfect’.

So, naturally, Gwilym was more than a little jealous of David.

“You guys are late!” Was how the couple was greeted upon sitting down at their table in the restaurant. Lucy hit her boyfriends arm and rolled her eyes slightly.

“Joe and Ben aren’t here yet either,” Lucy pointed out.

“And we’re only, like, ten minutes late,” Y/N argued, hugging her friends. Gwilym chuckled and pulled out Y/N’s chair for her, gesturing for her to sit down. She pecked his cheek with an adoring smile before sitting down. When Gwilym took the seat next to her, it was instinctive for Y/N to rest her head on his shoulder, grabbing his hand in hers.

“I feel as though I haven’t seen you in ages,” Lucy pouted, looking at her friend. Y/N smiled back at her, giving an apologetic shrug.

“I’ve been busy, I’m sorry Luce,”

“I’ve barely seen her as well, don’t worry you’re not the only one,” Gwilym sighed, turning to kiss the top of Y/N’s head. His girlfriend laughed, elbowing him.

“Have you been suffering withdrawal symptoms, Gwil?” Rami teased, his arm going to rest behind the back of Lucy’s chair and Gwilym joined in their laughter, shaking his head. He could feel the heat rise in his cheeks.

“I’m sorry, guys. Work has just been hectic, you know?” Y/N shrugged and her friends waved her off with understanding smiles on their faces.

“Trust me, it’s Joe that’s the most annoyed - he really wants a Mario Kart rematch,” Rami assured her and the table dissolved into laughter again.

“Hey, who’s that? The guy that Y/N is talking to?” Joe asked, nudging Gwilym’s shoulder to get his attention before pointing across the room to where Y/N was stood. She had dismissed herself to go to the toilet five minutes ago, placing a kiss on Gwilym’s cheek as she slid out from the table.

“Where?” He asked, following Joe’s finger with a frown. “That’s... that’s David,”

“As in her ex boyfriend, David?” Joe asked and Gwilym gave a wordless nod, his eyes still fixed on his girlfriend who was laughing with the attractive man. “I thought he moved to America?” It felt as though an iron fist closed around his heart and started to squeeze as he watched Y/N embrace her ex boyfriend.

“Yeah... so did I,”

“Are you okay?” Y/N asked, sitting back down, clearly noticing Gwilym’s pinched expression. He gave her a tight smile before looking away, subtly moving away from her as she went to rest her head on his shoulder, turning his body so it was facing Joe and engaging him in conversation.

He could feel Y/N’s concerned frown on the back of his neck and wanted nothing more than to turn back around and hug her, apologise. But he couldn’t get the image of her and David out of his head.

“Gwil? Seriously, what’s going on?” Y/N asked as they left the restaurant after another excruciatingly painful hour of sitting in silence next to one another.

“Lets just go home,” he said, sticking his hands into the pockets of his jeans to avoid holding hers. She folded hers, a wounded expression on her face at his rejection.

“Okay,” Y/N whispered, slowing down so she was walking a couple of paces behind Gwilym. He wanted to turn around, to apologise for the way he was acting but he couldn’t. Anger and jealousy flowed freely through his veins.

Green didn’t suit him.

Upon arriving back at their apartment, Gwilym went straight into their bedroom, changing out of his button up and nice trousers into just a pair of sweatpants, a hoodie thrown on top of his bare chest to fight off the cold air of their home. The heating hadn’t kicked in yet and he saw Y/N shivering as she changed into her sleepwear.

He noticed as she bypassed the large shirt of his that she normally wore to bed, one that she had stolen from him early on in their relationship because the material was ‘just too comfortable’ and ‘smelled just like him’. Instead she pulled on one of her own loose-fitting shirts on top of some checked pyjama bottoms, putting on a zip-up hoodie of her own on top to fight against the biting air.

Y/N pulled on some fluffy socks and padded out into the hallway. Gwilym watched in confusion as she went to the airing cupboard and brought out another duvet and pillow.

“What are you doing?” He asked and Y/N looked at him over her shoulder, her eyes tired and Gwilym could see the upset that swam in them.

“You clearly don’t want to be around me for some reason so I’m going to sleep in the other room,” she huffed, walking away. Gwilym scoffed, following her.

“You’re not the victim here,” he warned her and Y/N turned around, shaking her head. Her eyes flaming with annoyance and hurt.

“I don’t understand what I’ve done!” She said in response, dumping the duvet and pillow onto the bed and pushing past Gwilym to get back to the airing closet.

“I saw you with him!” He shouted, running a hand through his hair. Y/N paused, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, holding a sheet for the bed in her hands.

“With who?” She asked, pulling down a duvet cover and pillow case.

“David!” Y/N’s mouth opened in shock and she nodded in recognition. “How long has he been back?” He asked.

“I don’t know... couple of months maybe?” She offered, shrugging her shoulders. Gwilym scoffed.

“Just like you’ve been ‘busy with work’ for the last couple of months?” He asked, using air quotations in a way that had never before seemed so vicious to Y/N. She stared at him and shook her head. Gwilym felt his heart start to race as he awaited her response.

“Are you implying what I think you’re implying?” She asked, blinking at him in shock.

“I’m just saying, you guys had the ‘perfect relationship’ so why wouldn’t you just pick-up where you left off?”

“Green isn’t a good colour on you, Gwilym,” Y/N said, her voice was dangerously low and Gwilym knew he was crossing many lines but he couldn’t help himself, couldn’t stop his insecurities from showing. “Tonight was the first night I’ve seen him since we broke up,” she informed him. “Just so you know,”

“Right,” Gwilym said and Y/N let out a breathless laugh with no trace of amusement in it.

“You’re unbelievable,”

“Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you,”

“Fuck you,” Y/N said and it felt as though her words were bullets. Y/N had never sworn at him before in a way intended to hurt him.

“I guess you won’t be doing that in a while now David’s back.” He hissed before turning and walking out of the room, making sure to slam the door on his way out.

It was painful. He could hear her crying through the wall. Tears streamed down his own cheeks as guilt, frustration and anger swirled in a vicious cocktail in his stomach. He ran his hand down his face, letting out another choked sob as he debated internally over what he should do.

Hearing another distraught cry from the other room, his decision was made. He climbed out of bed and hesitantly walked to the spare room, loitering at the door as he wondered if it was a good idea or not.

“Move over?” Gwilym asked quietly. Y/N wiped her face on the duvet and slid to the side of the bed, allowing Gwilym to climb in next to her. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, gently brushing through her hair with his fingers.

“You’re a dick,” she informed him, her words thick with tears and Gwilym nodded solemnly.

“I am. I’m so sorry, cariad. I know you wouldn’t cheat on me,” Y/N sniffled again, but Gwilym’s heart leapt when she twined their fingers together.

“Then why did you say it?” She asked. Gwilym shook his head, looking away, not wanting to admit his fears aloud. “Gwil?” Y/N whispered, gentle fingers turning his face towards hers.

“I’m not... good enough for you,” he murmured in defeat. Y/N’s hand left his and Gwilym’s heart dropped until she leaned over him to flick on the bedside lamp, illuminating their features.

“Why would you think that?” She whispered, caressing his cheek and Gwilym felt himself relaxing into her touch, a shy smile on his face at her loving actions. He gave a half shrug.

“You just... you’ve always spoken so highly of David and... you guys broke up because he moved away, not because you stopped loving him and I just thought that... you know, maybe he’s a better fit for you. I mean... you guys are the same age, he’s very attractive and... you deserve the world, cariad,” Gwilym explained. He looked away from Y/N as he spoke, not wanting her to see the depths that his insecurities actually reached.

“Gwil...” she murmured, once again turning his head to hers and dotting gentle, feather-light kisses around his face, an action that made him smile. “I love you, not David, okay? You’re the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, you know? And... I don’t care that you’re a few years older than me okay? You’re perfect to me. If I deserve the world then... Gwil you are my world,” the smile that grew on his face was so wide and infective and Gwilym was thrilled to see it mirrored on Y/N’s face as well.

“You’re the most amazing woman in the world,” he informed her seriously and his heart skipped a beat at the giggle she let out. Gwilym pulled her face closer to his and kissed her. “I love you, so, so much and I’m so sorry about what I said earlier,”

“I love you too, Gwil,”

#bohemian rhapsody #bohemian rhapsody cast #gwilym lee #gwilym lee imagine #gwilym lee imagines #gwilym lee x reader #gwilym lee x y/n #gwilym lee fanfiction #gwilym lee fluff #gwilym lee fic #gwilym lee fanfic #gwilym lee angst #requested

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anime-grimmy · 4 years

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Favourite Gaming Soundtracks of the 2010s

It’s the end of another decade and what a decade it’s been. So much has changed in “just” 10 years, so many cool things have happened, so many amazing games have been released. Since it’s the end of the year I thought I could talk about some things that are dear to my heart. I love music and with so many dope games came just as amazing soundtracks. So, I just wanna let out my thoughts for my favourites. This is not really ranked, but I’ll tell you which my favs are from my favs.

But first, some “honorable mentions” for soundtracks I really enjoy, even though I’ve never played these games.

- Dark Souls / Bloodborne Mystic and gritty, but strangely calming from time to time

- Hollow Knight It came coming on with YT Autoplay and to be honest, I can’t complain. All in all a great soundtrack

- Persona 5 Dude, talk about style. It’s not quite my type of game, but holy fuck, the music is my JAM

- God of War (2018) I DID play this game and I loved it, but the soundtrack didn’t really stick out to me THAT much. Some tracks are downright bone-chilling and epic, but it didn’t have such a big impact on me all in all.

Anyways, on with my list.

Pokemon Sword and Shield

I’m gonna start with a recent one since it’s still fresh in my mind.

I always liked the Pokemon Soundtracks. Though most of the time simplistic, some tracks just have such iconic melodies. However, from Sinnoh onwards, I started liking single tracks more than the soundtrack as a whole. For example. even though most people say Cynthia has the best Champion theme, I can agree an the melody being amazing, but for me, the theme is so loaded, I don’t like it (best Champion theme is still Lance). Alola, for me, started having an upcurve on the soundtrack. I liked it as a whole, though I can’t really remember what exactly stood out to me.

Now Sword and Shield. Dudes, keep going on that route, your OST is amazing. I’ll be honest, the BEST thing of this game is the soundtrack. All have this kinda sporty/cheery sound and even though, let’s say, the normal battle theme isn’t that of a banger, the number of amazing single themes is just so high. Bede’s theme is basically the only thing I like about him, Marnie’s has such a cool tune (and all the metal covers on YT, BRO) and even if many people don’t like Hop’s theme, I really dig it. Some parts remind me of Mirror B.s theme, I dunno why.

And then you have my fav tracks, Rose’s Final Fantasy theme, Toby’s amazing Battle Tower theme AND THE GYM BATTLE MUSIC. I really didn’t like the gym leader theme at first but while playing the game, after each gym leader, it got me more and more stoked when the battle began.

All in all, Pokemon Sword and Shield has an overall enjoyable soundtrack. Filled with bangers, for me it made the game itself so much better.

Animal Crossing

Though I haven’t played the game in a long time, I still listen to the music.

Animal Crossing is just laid out to be this chill and calming ensemble of melodies. And it works. When I’m stressed or have to work on stuff I don’t want to, I usually just put on Animal Crossing music. It calms me and just gives me this warm and fuzzy feeling. It also helps when I have problems sleeping.

A soundtrack to just lie back, close your eyes and just enjoy life.

Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild

Continuing with calm music, let’s talk about my favourite Switch title.

This game often gets flag for “having no music” or too little of it. I know where you’re coming from, but I just think the limited use of the soundtrack makes you appreciate it even more. The moments when the music is used is carefully chosen and that makes it special. Be it the few piano notes that play while the day goes on, the little notification that you’ve entered a new area, the unexpected high energy when you’re fighting (most of all bosses) or the indescribable fear you feel when a Guardian spots you.

There are a few favourite moments I have of the game.

First is the start, when you first leave the cave, run out and this vast landscape opens before you. Just those few piano notes made me all excited for this new adventure. Like dawn is breaking.

The first time I rode on a horse over this wide field and suddenly, the music starts swelling. It was almost magical, the music rising just like my excitement.

The last thing I love is the difference between being in villages and outside. When I noticed that you always have some kind of melody playing when you’re in a settlement it dawned on me how quiet it was outside of them. I love this contrast between being alone in the wilderness with all the quiet and the sudden swell in music when you’re with other people.

This OST amazes me with how much emotion it can convey with often just the smallest amount of notes. An amazing soundtrack for just as an amazing game.

Super Mario Odyssey

So, last Nintendo game on this list, I swear.

This one is a small surprise, but at the same time, it really isn’t. I’ve never really been a fan of the main Mario games, they just aren’t really my thing. (the spin-offs are my jam). However, I’ve always enjoyed Mario’s music. The upbeat tunes really get stuck in your head and the melodies are always so recognizable. Heck, my favourite OST was from Super Mario Sunshine back in the day!

With Odyssey, I really enjoyed both the game and the soundtrack aspect. The worlds are colourful and the gameplay is super fun. Combine that with the stellar soundtrack and the game was such a fun experience, it’s definitely in my top 10. But what I really enjoyed is the diversity of the track. When you listen to the soundtrack on Youtube and you just click on two different parts of the video, I can guarantee that they’ll probably sound completely different but at the same time somehow coherent. The best tracks, in my opinion, are the upbeat ones for sure. The feeling of excitement and adventure just swells so much it’s amazing.

Then you’ve got “Jump up Superstar”. I fucking love this song. It’s so much fun, has such a great tune which gets stuck in your head and the lyrics are so easy to sing along. All things I love in a song. I actually listened to the song on repeat before I even got the game and I couldn’t wait to get to New Donk City to LIVE the song. And I wasn’t disappointed, it was one if not the best moments in the game.

Great game, great soundtrack, 100% fun.

Bravely Default / Bravely Second

(technically on a Nintendo Console, but whatev) I’m just gonna lump this two together, since BS’s the sequel.

Now, JRPGs aren’t really my thing. They often take too long for my tastes, I can’t for the life of me concentrate on the story and characters and after some time they just get stale for me. But now and then, I pick up a series I actually finish and that was Bravely Default and Second. I think I just have such a huge soft spot for the series cause of the art style/atmosphere and the fact that I played 8 hours straight of BD on a flight from Canada home.

I haven’t played the games in forever but when I think about what I like about them, there are 3 things I always think about: characters, art style and soundtrack. The songs might sound generic to most, but to me, with my little knowledge of JRPGs, find them quiet unique. It does at some points remind me of Final Fantasy but I think something just makes the tracks just sound like Bravely, though I can’t put my finger on it.

I don’t know the names of the themes, but even now there are just certain tracks which I link to a certain reaction. Like “oh no, not them again” or “Now shit is getting down”. Or every time the main theme plays, I get absolutely pumped.

Haven’t played the games in forever, but the soundtrack’s still in my mind.

Kingdom Hearts

From one RPG to the next, here’s a very special soundtrack. Kingdom Hearts is a franchise near and dear to my heart. It’s one of the first, if not THE first, RPG I ever played. I just get so nostalgic with this game. I can just remember watching my brother playing KH2, seeing two characters from my favourite franchise run around with this spiky haired boy with this stupidly big key. So much stuff happened I didn’t even understand back then, but just seeing these animated characters laugh and cry and go on this grand adventure, little me was mesmerized.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too happy with KH3. I’ve waited so long for it, just like hundreds of other people, but the end product just, I dunno, lacked the heart it used to. One thing however didn’t, the soundtrack. As sad I was to not enjoy the game as a whole as much as I wanted to, the soundtrack became one of my instant favourites. It sounds grandiose and has so much emotion. Each track sounds amazing but the OST really shines in its more calm and beautiful themes and its epic ones.

My favourite songs are the serene ones, however. “Sincerely Beloved” and the other Utada songs are some of my favourite songs ever and I can’t tell you how close I came to crying with the Sea Salt Icecream Trios themes. Heck, I played Xion’s theme back in the day on the piano and I still can play it now.

As much as KH has gone down in heart, the soundtrack stands up there as one of the best, much thanks to Utada Hikaru as well. It will always be important to me and just reminds me of my childhood. Some very fond memories.

Undertale

Well, let’s get outta the nostalgia feel and turn it up a bit!

Ah, Toby Fox, you madlad. Creating such a great game and subverting so many expectations. Undertale really had a big impact on the gaming scene but for me, the soundtrack really lasted. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the characters and story very much, but I still listen to the soundtrack regularly.

Undertale’s OST is comprised of sad, melancholic, upbeat and downright hype tunes. It has a wide spectrum but Toby Fox really does know how to push Leitmotif. All themes kind of flow great into each other but still manage to stand out and are recognizable. Each character theme fits the character perfectly and I love how their themes usually have some melodies/instruments from the area they’re in. And speaking of areas, as much as I love the character themes I just might prefer the atmosphere tracks even more. I mean, “Snowdin” just sounds like this super laid back, cute little town, “Home” is such a calming song and “It’s raining somewhere else” has such mystique. And, of course, the fact that the tracks have character/plot relevance is just amazing.

Not to mention, Toby Fox created one of the best Meme songs in existence.

Love the game, love the soundtrack even more and I’ll listen to “Death by Glamour” til I die.

Horizon Zero Dawn

I’m so happy I picked up this game. I never bought it cos A, I feel overwhelmed by open world games, and B, it COSTS SO MUCH. But I found it for half the prise and I bought it right before exam week. I know, smart move.

But anyways, the soundtrack. There aren’t any tracks that really stand out to me but I just like it as a whole. It’s such an atmospheric OST and when listening to it as BG music you just HEAR where you are, which tribe you’re in, what you probably did in the game when it played.

And that’s actually a big factor. All in all, I don’t think it’s such a special OST. It sounds great, most tracks are solid, but what really makes it shine is how much it enhances the experience of the game. The gameplay and story are great, but the OST just makes everything so much better, with setting the tone and atmosphere and all that.

I could go on and on about this game, but the soundtrack can be shaved down to a few words. Solid, great and atmospheric.

Monster Hunter World / Iceborne

So, I’ll drop this to second to last because I already made a super long analysis of the soundtrack. I’ll link it here.

https://anime-grimmy.tumblr.com/post/188601659768/some-monster-hunter-ramblings-possible-spoilers

But to put it simply, this is probably my favourite soundtrack at the moment. I just haven’t experienced so many emotions while listening to an OST since a certain game that’s next on the list. I still can’t listen to “Succession of Light” without almost crying (who am I kidding, I cry every time). I dunno why, but so many tracks make me feel such a barrage of emotions, be it excitement for adventure, hype for the hunt or just simply a childlike wonder.

Simply a great soundtrack that will be on top for a long time.

Okami

Technically a game from 2006, but the PS4 version came out like 2017 and I REALLY WANNA TALK ABOUT THIS GAME.

This is my absolute favourite game of all time. Since I played it first when I was about 9 years old, I just really loved this game. I replayed it more times than I can count and dude, I speedrun this game in record time.

For people who don’t know this game, you play as the Sun God Amaterasu, who has been summoned in the body of a white wolf. You job is to banish the evil from Nippon. To say this game awakened my fondness of Japanese culture is, well, spot on. I’ve played this game before I even knew what anime was. The atmosphere, style, themes and mostly the music mesmerized me. It was all so, well, foreign. Even nowadays it stands out from anything else I’ve played.

But on to the OST. Next to it being just amazing in general, it just is so Japanese and that’s what has always stuck out to me. I grew up with very traditional and classical music, back then I didn’t even listen to English/American music. So to hear these melodies and instruments that just sound so unfamiliar was very intriguing. And that just topped of the already amazing tracks. Okami does a great job of having super epic, exciting but also sombre and atmospheric music. It’s also very animated and comedic with it’s use of music. So, the mix of foreign sounds and great timing of amazing tracks just makes the experience all so much more memorable.

Even after 10+ years, Okami never gets boring and no matter how much I play it, the moment I face a boss and the epic music swells, or the moment a calm scene passes and the melody slows, my heart fills with emotion and I’m so glad I played it again.

Well, that’s that! I know it probably often sounds kind of sappy, but music is very special and important to me. If music doesn’t evoke emotions in me, I don’t care about it, even if it sounds great. For me it’s important that, when I listen to a soundtrack, I can remember the game or the scene it played in and the emotions I felt in that moment.

Soundtracks are supposed to make a emotional connection between you and the game and that’s why they are essential. At least that’s how I see it.

Anyways, if you made it this far, I bow my head to you. Thanks for reading and I hope you could somehow share my perspective of these games’ soundtrack. Feel free to tell me about your fav tracks!

It’s been a nice decade, enjoy the rest of 2019!

#favourite gaming soundtracks #2010s #pokemon #pokemon sword and shield #animal crossing #legend of zelda #mario oddesy #bravely default #undertale #kingdom hearts #monster hunter world #monster hunter iceborne #okami #horizon zero dawn #rambling

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myfriendpokey · 5 years

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GARBAGE DAY!

a bunch of scrappy shorter pieces to clean out my drafts folder for the new year!

***

A videogame will tend towards exhausting every possible variation of a design space whether anyone wants it to or not.

Videogames and duration - if something is good it should continue being good however long you extend it. You don't really encounter the idea that something can be good for a little while and then be evil.

***

Works of art are "in conversation" with their audience, with materials, with history, with each other. The aim of an artwork is to start, or add to, "the conversation". "Conversation" sort of edges out the older tic whereby art "examines" or "explores" something, which always made me think of a big magnifying glass being propped up for the benefit of some eerily calm 1950s scientist. But now that sounds too chilly, and perhaps sort of sketchy in the power dynamics it implies. "Conversation" is much warmer, informal and more fluid - "conversation" is the assurance that any given power dynamic can be dissolved away in the warm glow of basic, mutual humanity. Let's talk it through! My door is always open! Whenever there's a complaint over labour conditions or harassment it's nearly de rigueur to also quote the wounded-sounding HR lackey, upset that people didn't talk to them about it before going public. Why would anybody deny the friendly, outstretched hand of the respected opponent and their entirely in-good-faith quibbling about word meanings, personality and tone? Why don't we have an honest conversation about the "honest conversation", that numbing discourse cloud sprayed out like formic acid to neutralize a threat, to melt any unsettling edges or contraries back into the familiar gloop of the private and the personal.

***

One of the pleasures of videogames is that of an infinitely repeatable, always identical procedure. Pressing the button makes something happen, and by pressing it again it will happen again in the same way. So there's a kind of abundance or excess built into the system - like partaking of a fruit which will never be depleted, and in the process taking on in your own actions something of that same infinity. You can temporarily identify with the self-identical, eternally reproducing action that you are performing. I think one of the difficulties of videogames is that as you get (slightly!) older, that immortal quality becomes more visibly alien, harder to align to your sense of self. That these mechanics act like black holes, able to absorb any amount of your life without ever being satiated, becomes a terrible curse rather than an unexpected gift. That endlessness now seems eerie and artificial, a horrible parody of life rather than the highest version of it.

The dadification of vgames has gone much remarked. But as well as a demographic shift I think this reflects a certain anxiety about the centrality of these immortal entities, these endless loops, within the culture. As reward for your fealty to the Mario brand you get even more Mario games, which by now you may not have time or energy to actually play. The VG dad (or even the buff, single pseudo-dads of the superhero movies) is eternally exhausted with the genre that he’s trapped in. We hear him groan and complain as he painfully slogs through the motions. The gratuitous loop is redeemed by the finite human suffering of the dad, as he manfully does what it takes to keep these things going forwards to the next generation, so that the next set of children may be able to actually take pleasure in them again. But the attempt to symbolically re-integrate these things into human life by casting them as a family drama never quite works: their ultimate indifference to that life shines through. A blind, eerie deathlessness is both their charm and their authority.

***

That saying that when all you have is a hammer everything else looks like a nail - similarly, when all you have is willpower, everything looks like an obstacle to be pounded into submission by that same willpower.

Laziness is a good thing in that it means stepping back from this idiot insatiability of the will. If you're lazy you have to pay more attention, because you're more aware of both your own limits and the limits of your material.

I think there can be value in suspending a formal problem rather than building an exhaustive system to solve it forever. That way it's still something you have to think about, something that still throws off and reroutes the normal workings of your awful private fantasy machine. Dropping text strings into the game as elements to spatially encounter is not ideal technically but does force you to be more responsive and exploratory with how you use that text. Robust systems can be cool, but can also really homogenize everything - now "text" is just the miscellaneous stuff within the all-purpose "textbox" at the bottom of the screen, cementing its role as filler content.

The funny thing about really systemic, open-world type games is that their very robustness tends to suffocate exprience before it happens. We know nothing will happen which will significantly impact this camera POV, this dialogue system.. anything can happen except for anything which would require a fundamental change to the underlying inventory system. But maybe the whole pleasure of the open world game is just being able to hold those experiences in suspense.

***

Mostly the characters voicing my own opinions in my videogames are explicitly malign and sinister - which is a corny device for me to vent without worrying as much about browbeating people with my opinions. But it's also a way of having those opinions without allowing them to overdetermine the rest of the game, or be fully in control over the more ambivalent and drifting work of "putting together different pieces on a screen to make interesting spaces". So in that sense my own ideas really are the enemies, and any plot role they serve in the game is a dramatisation of the effort to create a space where they lack controlling power.

***

RPG Maker is a collage machine, you get a set of pictures and start placing them around until they start to form some kind of charged and interesting space.

I think the collage aspect is a lot of what I enjoy about making these things, which is why games with more polished or consistent art styles frequently leave me cold. For me the greater the discrepancy between different objects on screen means a greater effect when they're combined.

How does gameplay etc tie in? For me gameplay can divert the interest but never truly capture it. For decades games have had the problem of effectively being able to train you to do something, but having no idea what that thing should be or why it would matter. They effectively move your attention around without being able to settle it because their inner logic is basically always the same ahistorical, mechanistic void. But this can be a good thing - the permanently restless and unsettled nature of videogame attention can't illuminate itself, but can do so to other things in passing.

Distraction becomes a way to examine surfaces, rather than being sucked into depths or settled to one fixed meaning. And the drift of unsettled consciousness is ultimately what animates game collages, the spaces that shift and react as attention plays across them, revealing or withholding. And so from this perspective, the answer to why I make videogames is: because I don't trust myself to look after an aquarium.

***

Design is managerial aesthetics - a mode of expertise framed as meta-expertise specifically because it scales up so well to systems of mass organisation and production. It's a universal discipline insofar as the task of removing any obstacles to the frictionless flow of attention and of capital is now also a universal chore. In this context a designer is like the MBA who can be dropped into any business to improve it, without ever having to know just what product they make – because the ultimate goal is always the same, the same tools can always be used.

The cutesy books about the design of everyday life and so forth exist in the same vein as the ones that tell us there's nothing wrong with marketing because ultimately isn't all human discourse and activity some form of marketing? Isn't everything "design"? The strange top-heaviness with which these things outgrow their host categories parallels the unstoppable expansion of executive salaries within the businesses themselves. The task of managing other people's labour becomes ever more grandoise, ineffable, cosmic and well-paid as that labour in turn is framed as a kind of undifferentiated slop which exists for the sake of being shaped by creatives.

***

tragedy / comedy:

Generalizing hugely I feel like tragedy is about an event or experience so powerful it changes everything - for the characters involved, for the people in that world, for the audience watching - while conversely comedy is the idea that no event or experience can change anything. Oedipus dies and there's a big announcement and everyone has to sit through the awkward two-minute silence before getting back to work, while trying not to fart or itch too noticeably, and the next day somebody's selling Oedipus commemorative pens which run out of ink five minutes after opening, and the pen cap gets lost and the cat starts playing with it.

In comedy the tragic can still happen, it’s just never strong enough to escape the constraints of the inert material universe which we find ourselves in – all that which remains so stubbornly intractable towards the higher instincts. I can talk about the dignity of man but there's still a risk that my pants will fall down or that someone will hit me with a ladder, causing my head to get stuck inside a bucket of paint, etc. Or my voice might be ridiculous or I might have a stutter (old comedy standbys!), or someone might hear part of my words out of context and assign them a different and unintended meaning. Comedy is consciousness imprisoned within a cumbersome matter which it can't completely do anything with, but also can't exist without.

Taken as a worldview, this sort of risks congealing into the kneejerk reactionary things-can-never-change, whatever-moment-of-human-history-i-was-reared-in-is-eternal-and-inviolate radio DJ / South Park mindset. And of course somebody's view of what constitutes a tragic, life-changing event depends greatly on whether it's happening to them or someone else. But as exaggeration, in its neurotic overemphasis of the inescapable material, i think this approach still has interest and use. Many of my favourite writers have a kind of comic understanding of consciousness: consciousness becomes a churning material process with its own independent momentum which has to be examined and accounted for as part of any real reckoning with the world. In this light comedy becomes a way to think about opacity and limitation, both in physical matter and in our own selves.

I think many people have made the point that vgames are generally comic, intentionally or unintentionally. The rhetoric around them still tends towards the tragic: make the choice which changes everything! Deal with the consequences, accept your fate! But in practice those moments feel less visible than the clumsy material layer of GUIs, inputs, mechanics and representations that contain and constrain them. The opacity of the black box is one inhibition: was that meant to happen? Was it scripted or a glitch? Maybe I should reload my save and try again. Another is the inertia of the various game systems and loops themselves - [x] character may have died but you still need to collect those chocobo racing feathers if you want the Gold Sword. The numbers in a videogame "want" to keep going up, whatever happens: there's an affordance there which exists independently to any merely human wants and needs, and so tends to act as a gravity well for distracted consciousness as it wanders around. When people talk about tragedy in videogames it's usually with the implicit rider that it's within a game, or set of game conventions, which have become naturalised enough to become invisible. Which also tends to mean the naturalisation of a form, of inputs, of technology, of distribution mechanisms and assumptions, which however arty we can get are still inherently tied to the tech industry. Every art game is to some extent an invitation to spend more time internalising the vocab of your windows computer.

I've mentioned that the materialism of comedy can tend towards unthinking reaction. But the insistence on certain limits inherent to the human body – requirements like clean water and clean air, food and shelter, actual bathroom breaks and not piss jugs and also not having to live six feet beneath a rising sea level - can be helpful at a point when all these things are regarded as negotiable impediments to the pursuit of future profit. Maybe it’s a good thing that some materials can still be so insistent about refusing to be absorbed into the will.

***

I think what I most enjoy about art is the sense of a game with moveable stakes: where you never quite know the value of what you're playing for, which now appears absolutely trivial, and now appears to stand in judgement of the whole world, etc. I think this is also the Adorno idea of the aesthetic as really the extra-aesthetic, that which can step outside or threaten to step outside the limits of the merely aesthetic. It's why "just make a good game / pop song / comic / etc" never quite works, in rhetoric or in practice: the really good pop song is never that which just gives the enjoyable three minutes of listening we might consciously assign to be its remit, it's what overflows or undercuts that category, that which however briefly seems at risk of stepping outside it and into the realm of everyday life.

I grew up on pop culture so I don't have to feel positively towards it. Who am I meant to be defending it from? The handful of surviving WASPs reared on Brahms who get the ostentatiously-fussy-culture-review posts at print newspapers looking to pick up a slightly higher quality of margarine advertisement? The best thing pop culture ever gave me was its own critique: that of containing artists and moments which couldn't be squared with what the rest of it was saying, which seemed to call the whole enterprise into question and in doing so broadened the sense of what was possible. Pop culture was never quite identified with itself, the value it has is in containing elements which make that self-identification impossible. So it always throws me off to see people celebrating "pop culture", like it's a self-produced totality, when that totality was only ever good for kicking.

Pop culture survives through a negativity it can never properly acknowledge.

[images: Tower of Druaga, Detana!! TwinBee, True Golf Classics: Wicked 18, Microsurgeon, Dark Edge]

#gamechat #criticism #vgames #garbage day

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dont-doubt-dopple · 7 years

Text

How You Fell In Love With Me - Chapter 3

A/N: Hey, look, I’m not dead! And neither is this story. Just, the original idea got changed. Drastically. It’s just, I’m a lot less comfortable writing Brohm and I know people are a lot less comfortable reading it as well. Just know that if you came for Brohm, I’m not so sure how much Brohm is going to be in this story anymore. So I’ve changed the plan in my head and I am more excited to write this. Oh, I’m going to break some hearts this time around. The angst is rubbing of on me, IM SORRY. The discord with the angst Nights is rubbing off on me. Enjoy. I’m also introducing BOLD text into the equation. So, as not to get confused:

Normal text=Real World

Italic Text=Bryce’s Story world

Bold Text=Flashback sequence

WARNING: This chapter contains very homophobic sequences, including the use of the slur f****t. Tread with caution.

~•~

Chapter 3 - Faces to Names

“They always like this?” I asked, watching the scene of chaos and bloody murder in front of me. Otherwise know as Mario Kart.

"Yeah." Delirious assured me. "You get used to them." I looked around the living room at all the men screaming their heads off over a game. For people that were in a gang, they seemed like one huge family. They had inside jokes and traditions and the ability to be themselves. I was just some outsider looking in.

“Fuck off you sweaty nerd.” One if the guys exclaimed, his words laced with an Irish accent.

“Sorry.” Another one giggled in response. His words also had the slightest touch of an Irish accent, but not as much as the other guy.

“Moo hasn’t said anything in a while.” Mini commented, the only of the mess of bodies I actually knew. The guy who I assumed was Moo spoke off next.

“I’m winning.” He explained, before becoming silent once more. That being soon interrupted by a Control slamming to the ground.

“9. Fucking. Boomerangs.” The man who slammed the controlled down said calmly, although extremely enraged. “In 2nd to last.” At moment, a red shell came up from behind him and hit his already still character. This caused his calm anger to turn into pure rage. “WHO DID THAT!!! WHICH ONE OF YOU WAS IS YOU FUCKING FAGGOTS!!”

I tensed up as always. Though it only got him madder. I knew the routine by now, so it wasn’t a surprise. I could picture the red on his face, smell the alcohol on his breath, hear the malice laced in his words.

“I won’t let some queer stand our level.” He growls. I close my eyes, not wanting to watch the enjoyment of all of this spread across his face like the madman he was.

“Bryce.” Del calls out to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. I step away on impulse. She should know better than to do that. She knows I don’t want a repeat of last time. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” I echoed back. I could feel the tears beginning to well up in my eyes. I rushed out the last part a little as I bolted. “I just need some fresh air.”

“Yeah. Run!” He screamed as I dashed away, tears streaming down my face and fresh bruises down my back. “I don’t want to see this poor excuse of a son in my house again.”

“Bryce.” I stopped, hand on the handle. My mom was standing there on the stairs. I could tell even if I didn’t turn around. “Come back when he’s sober. Your dad will change his mind.”

“He’s my father.” I spat, still enraged at him. It wasn’t fair to be unleashing it at my mother but all the pent up anger I’ve been restraining was coming out now and my brain had little time to filter. “To call him my dad would be to say he loved me. Clearly he doesn’t.” I glanced back at the man who helped bring me into this world. He was sunken back into the couch, yelling at some sports game on the TV.

“Just ...” Her voice faltered, as if the words in her tongue just couldn’t come out. “He’s the only dad you’ll ever have. Give him another chance.”

“I’ve given him too many to count. And if this is how he uses all of them, then I’d rather have no dad at all.” I didn’t stay to hear her response. I simply pulled the door open and left, standing on the stoop as it slammed behind me. I breathed.

And then I broke.

I collapsed, letting all the waterworks built up inside me flow down my face. I was attempting to cover my face with my hands, failing miserably. “He’s not here. He’s not here.” I kept muttering to myself, in a voice barely in a whisper. I curled into a ball then, letting my head fall into my knees.

“Hey.” I looked up to see an Asian guy staring at me with a kind smile. Slick black hair tossed to the side and an equally slick red jacket. He had kneeled down so he was at least closer to my level. “Anxiety?”

“More like PTSD.” I admitted. “Someone just ... said a slur accidentally and I got triggered.”

“Can’t say I relate.” He replied, sitting down next to me. “I’m Evan, by the way. Most of the guys will call me Vanoss, though.”

“So wait, your the ...” The Cat had finally got my tongue, but he seemed to know exactly what I was trying to say.

“Yeah. And that must make you the Bryce McQuaid Ohm has been telling me about. Incessantly.” Both of us laughed at this. I did wonder why Ohm would be preaching about me though. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him that much. I didn’t voice this though. Maybe I’d get a one on one with Ohm later. “But the real question is, what was it that triggered you?”

“It was ...” I felt begin to choke, but I was at least able to push the first syllables out. “Fa ... Fa ...” Evan stopped me first though, holding his hand up to my face.

“I know what your trying to say. And that sounds like Tyler.” Jon said, sliding the rough draft back over to Mike. “Just email us a copy of the final thing later.”

“Sure thing.” Mike agreed, sliding the rough chapter into his bag. “Just promise me that you do not, under any circumstance, tell Bryce about this.”

“Really?”

“I’d have to agree with Mike on this.” Mark added. The group was in a local Starbucks, waiting for Bryce to exit the bathroom and Drac to get here. Mark had one of the single seats by Jon, while Mike sat on the loveseat. “Guy nearly had a full blown panic attack just giving me and Swag the first two chapters. Where is Drac, by the way?”

“He texted he was here like two minutes ago, but I don’t see him.” Mike pushed himself up using his arms, trying to see where his boyfriend was. He didn’t notice Jon rolling his eyes at Swag’s mention. “What’s taking Bryce so long in the bathroom, anyways?”

“No idea.” Jonathan said. “He’s been acting off since the day before yesterday. He was talking to Adam before, so I think it’s something he told him.”

“Oh god, that’s not good.” Mark commented, just as another guy hopped into the seat next to Mike.

“Sorry I’m late.” He apologized. “I had to work out some details with Ellie and John for a project. Who’s Adam?”

“The question I’m wondering is who are you?” Jonathan shot back. The guy, while subtlety slinging his arm across Mike, looked at Mark expectantly. The latter sighed.

“Jonathan, meet Swag Dracula. We usually call him Swag or Drac for short. Swag, Jon or H2O Delirious.” He introduced. Jonathan sat there, dumbfounded.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. H2O. Now back to my earlier question; who is this Adam guy?” Swag continued on. Jonathan was still in shock, the only movement indicating he was alive was the blinking of this eyes and the subtle rise and fall of his chest.

“You’re real.” He gasped softly, leaning back into his chair.

“Yeah he’s real.” Mike answered, planting a quick kiss on Swag’s cheek. “And Adam is basically the Cheryl Blossom of the campus. If you want a secret to stay a secret, you better pray to whatever deity you believe in that Adam doesn’t find out. If there’s trouble, there’s a 85% chance that Adam was the catalyst. He’s the one person that no matter what, you do not trust him.”

“Got it.” Swag said. “Now, are we getting drinks yet or ...”

“I’ll see what’s taking Bryce so long in the bathroom.” Mike volunteered, rising from his seat. He rolled his eyes as he passed Jonathan, who he saw mouth to Mark ‘He’s actually real?’ He headed to the back by the restrooms only to run into Bryce.

“Hey, You okay?” Mike asked upon seeing his friend. His blond hair was disheveled, and his eyes were red and puffy. He was quiet and when Mike cupped his cheek he could feel it was wet. “That’s a stupid question. Of course you’re not okay. What’s troubling you?”

“Nothing.” Bryce choked out, avoiding making eye contact with Mike.

“Bryce ...” Bryce grabbed Mike, pulling him into the restroom. “What ..?”

“Adam said ...” The blond paused, as if making sure nobody heard their conversation. “Adam said Ryan has a crush on Luke. He’s only ever see me as a friend.”

“Hey, this is Adam we’re talking about. He could be just stirring up trouble.”

“He may be a troublemaker, but he’s a reputable troublemaker. When is the last time Montoya was wrong?” This seemed to do the trick in shutting Mike up. “Exactly. Just ... don’t tell anyone. Okay?” Mike nodded, and was about to nod when Bryce grabbed his hand again. “And try not to intervene. Please?”

“I’ll do my best.” He replied, which seemed to satisfy Bryce enough. The two left the bathroom with uneasy thoughts and began to rejoin their friends. They were talking in hushed tones, like they didn’t want to risk anyone else hearing their secrets. Though a simple question lingered in Mike’s mind. Even with the coffee and knowledge of a nearly School wide bet (“We didn’t think Dracula was real. We were just wondering which one of you guys would crack first.”), it still lingered.

Was this accidental intervention really a good thing?

“Mike, sweetie, you okay?” Swag asked softly as Bryce, Jon, and Mark were laughing about something. Mike nodded, squeezing Drac’s arm in reassurance.

“I’ll tell you later.” He said.

“About Bryce?” Mike nodded. “Okay.” He leaned his head so it rested on Drac’s shoulder. Mike didn’t let go of Swag’s arm nor did either release their hands that were intertwined with each other.

“I love you.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less.”

#brohm #angst #bbs #fanfic #dopple work

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