#I feel like the whole arrive in time for Christmas was false advertising | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cirrius-akiyo · 3 years

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Hello!! From the angst/fluff list may I please request 18. It’s late. Shouldn’t you be asleep?” and 86. "Don’t be scared, I’m right here.”? Is it possible to combine them, if not that's fine. Your fanfics are amazing ❤❤❤

Thank you my lovely! This took longer than I thought, but thank you for bearing with me.

This is number 18 and 86 from the Fluff/Angst Prompts List.

You can read the full version here at AO3.

Or you can read half of it below (it's too long to post all of it here):

Peering Through the Veil

Staring down at his half empty mug, Eddie silently curses the chamomile tea for failing to calm his jittery nerves. So much for false advertising.

It is past 1.00 a.m. and the rest of the crews are all in their respective bunks, saves for a few who are still wound up with residual adrenaline from their last call, Eddie included.

But Michael and Shawn are off onto the rooftop searching for some fresh air, leaving Eddie alone in the kitchen with his thoughts.

Long minutes passed when Eddie hears the heavy footsteps climbing up the staircase leading to the loft. Thinking it is either Michael or Shawn, Eddie doesn't turn around to acknowledge their presence.

"Eddie?"

The familiar gruff voice got Eddie to swivel his head around, and his gaze falls onto Buck, whose eyes are still droopy from sleep. His hair curls haphazardly on the top of his head, a menial proof that at least someone got a good rest.

"It's late. Shouldn't you be asleep?" Buck breaks a yawn as he heads towards the cabinet, reaching for his favourite mug and fills it with water. Chris was the one who gave Buck the mug, insisting that Buck is the Mr. Red Hot Superhero and Eddie didn't have a heart to explain to the boy on the double entendre and that 'red hot' might implied something else. Yet Buck had happily received the mug and has been using it ever since, and even got mad when Billy had used it that one time.

Eddie shrugs. "In a bit. Finishing my tea first." He explains, lifting his half full lukewarm tea for Buck to see.

Buck seems to contemplate his simple answer while taking in small sips and Eddie swears he could feel Buck is peering through his mind.

Sure enough, Buck plops down onto the chair opposite to Eddie.

"Is everything okay?" Buck asks, one hand is playing with his mug, swirling the clear liquid around.

Who is Eddie kidding? Of course Buck could read him like an open book. They've been attached to the hips since Eddie's day one, and still going strong despite all the unsavoury circumstances they're stuck in, recent develoments included.

Risking a glance towards the other man who is still clearly anticipating for a reply, Eddie wipes his face harshly in search for some composure, and lets out a resign sigh.

"Hey, just because our relationship is on hold, doesn't mean I stop caring about you, Eddie. You are still my best friend. So what's up?" Buck leans forward, expressing his attentiveness.

Eddie sighs again. "Chris has been asking why didn't you stay the other night." His kid is too smart to not not noticing the shift in their schedule.

Buck bites his lower lip, worrying the tender red flesh. The lips that is not for Eddie to kiss anymore.

"Do you want me to talk with him? And if you wanted me to, I can sleep on the couch." Buck hesitantly offers, clearly not wanting to overstep the line Eddie had drawn himself.

"You'd do that?" Eddie's eyebrows shot up at Buck's suggestions.

"Sure. Anything for Christopher." The simple answer manage to gnaw on Eddie's core.

The small smile that adorned Buck's face pains Eddie, tugging at his heart over and over and making it aches. All because he could still see the longing and hurt that still linger underneath the blonde's concrete mask. The mask Eddie himself had forced Buck to put on, albeit indirectly.

They do read each other openly.

"Buck..."

"Don't worry Eddie. I understand. I won't overstep." Buck stands up quickly after making the promise, rushing to put away his mug and hastily making a run towards the bunk room, leaving Eddie alone with his thoughts all over again.

Isn't this what Eddie wants? For them to take a break? Then why watching Buck leaving hurt Eddie so much when he was the one who left first?

* * *

"I think we should take a break." The words that came out from Eddie's mouth caused Buck to stiffen, his smile fell off his face. They were in the station's parking lot, ready to call it a day, and although Buck looked forward to seeing Chris, an invitation from Eddie never came.

"Are you...are you breaking up with me?" Buck timidly asked, not really looking at Eddie in the eyes. He just kept playing with the hem of his shirt, trying so hard to will the tears from falling.

"No. No. I love you Buck. But I don't think I am where I want to be yet. Chris loves you so much that I am afraid for things that might be...if we take our relationship further this fast." Eddie felt like a jerk for putting the devastating look in Buck's eyes. But in all honesty, that was not all the reason.

"I don't understand Eddie. What did I do wrong?" Buck whispered brokenly, slowly, so slow that the sound had tugged hard at Eddie's heart, making it ached with wants. "Was it because I told you I want to marry you someday? Was it too much?" Buck rambled on, trying to find the logical explanation for the uncalled situation.

Eddie stepped forward to put his hands on the younger man's shoulder, cutting his rambling short. "No, no, Buck. I promised you, you did nothing wrong. It is all on me...I...uh," Eddie struggled to find the right words, when in reality he had already single-handedly shattered the pure heart belongs to the man he loves.

"I just wish we have more time to navigate this newfound dynamic. My parents are coming down in few weeks. They are staying until Christmas and I don't want to spring this news to them. We're not in the best terms yet. I just don't want them to come out with more reason to force us, or worse, to move Chris back to El Paso." Excuses, excuses. That's all Eddie thought of when he heard himself sputtering the words out.

"So I was thinking, let's put this on hold first and see how the circumstances goes. They will be staying here for about three weeks, and you should be having a fun Christmas without needing to meet my parents." More excuses. Sad, sad case of flimsy excuses.

Eddie honestly thought Buck will put more fight, but...

"Okay." His flimsy excuses got Buck to resign dejectedly with one simple word, and Eddie had never hated himself more for causing Buck's glow dimmed.

"Just so you know, I'll be here and I love you." Buck tugged his shoulders free from Eddie's hold and start to walk away towards his Jeep without giving Eddie another glance. He loves Eddie too much that if Eddie truly wished for this, he'll gladly do it even if his heart shattered beyond salvation.

* * *

It has been two whole weeks from the fateful night of them taking a break from their relationship. Or Eddie forcing them to take one. Buck and Eddie still work fluidly side by side as if nothing has changed between them. Buck still jokes and let himself be carefree around him just like before, making Eddie feel like he has been thrown back into the past, before the day when Buck had declared his undying love to him.

Back to the status quo of being just best friends.

And Buck is doing a damn good job at being one.

They would still have the movie nights and weekend outings with Chris, but that's about it. The kisses, the lingering touches and the warm embraces of them making love are completely absent from their routine. Buck would dashed out of their home once Chris is tucked in, never stayed long enough for a beer or two, leaving Eddie completely lost for words.

Eddie knows he should be more proactive to insert normalcy into Chris' life that doesn't include much Buck-Time before his parents arrive, but honestly his heart can't look at the face Chris or Buck made if he told them that their plans are cancelled.

Eddie looks down from the loft, his gaze searching for a tall blonde that was not his. Buck is downstairs at the rig, trying to polish whatever dirt is there tainting the already shiny metal.

"You'll regret it if one day someone come and sweep him off his feet. He has the right to move on you know, even though he's quite firm of waiting for you." Hen suddenly piped up beside him, biting into her apple nonchalantly.

"You know?" Eddie sputtered. While they did come out to the team when they first got together, the pause in their relationship is not a public statement. They still live in each others' pocket when they're at the work, just devoid of small kisses and hand holding here and there.

"He told me because he doesn't want us to make things awkward between you two with our unwelcome remarks. To treat you guys like before both of you got into the relationship. And from what I see, you guys really did." She explains, a sad chuckle thrumming through her throat.

Eddie just nods. He doesn't really know what to say to that. Buck still look after him even he doesn't have to, just so Eddie wouldn't be uncomfortable from the peering eyes and gossiping smiles.

"That boy wears his heart on his sleeve and we all see how he loves you. He still does. I know because he has this look when he thought nobody is looking. He's good for you, you know. Not just you, but for Chris too. And I see how you look at him too. Just hurry up to catch up, or you'll regret it soon." Hen pats his shoulder firmly before walking off to throw the pit, leaving Eddie to soak in the sage words she left behind.

Gazing back down to where Buck is, Eddie couldn't help but to feel a spark of jealousy at seeing Buck chatted animatedly with Gillian who is pawing at the man's bicep nonchalantly. Eddie purses his lips. The audacity of some.

Hen doesn't need to remind him, he already regretting their little arrangements the moment he went spewing those nonsense that night in the parking lot.

///

Staring at the shift schedule written on the white board, Eddie couldn't help but to frown, feeling the unsettling nerve bubbling up from the pit of his stomach. And the Christmas songs playing on queue in the background only help to fuel his misery.

Of course he would see Buck's name listed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

"Did the white board offend you or something?" Chimney pipes up from his side, blowing bubblegum in his way of picking at Eddie.

"Or something." Eddie grumbles, skimming through the names that will be joining Buck later, grimacing when Gillian's name listed on both days.

"Ooh, pissy. Does this got to do with the fact that your parents are in town or the fact that you won't be spending Christmas with Buck?" Chimney continues to taunt him, jabbing where it hurts.

Both, okay! Eddie wants to scream at Chim who is looking extra smug for being able to push on his button. And for the love of everything holy, Eddie should see this coming. Chim and Hen might not tease them, but Eddie should know he wouldn't be spared from some ribbing, especially for putting Buck through this arrangement. Buck is their little brother after all, blood ties or not.

Deciding that while he loves Chimney, Eddie could strangle him to death with his own bubblegum if he stays any longer, so Eddie walks away towards the gym in search for the source of his troubling thoughts.

Buck is on the treadmill running gracefully at full speed, and Eddie stops on his track to admire the view for a while.

Buck has always been beautiful, graceful in everything he does, and Eddie has witnessed them countless times, admiring the nimbleness, either fully clothed or not. But now the later seems like a distant memory at the back of his mind. And Eddie is reminded again at how his sheets has been so cold these past weeks.

Buck must have notices him from the corner of his eyes and immediately slowing the machine to a stop before stepping down to meet Eddie halfway. Pulling out his earbuds, Buck throws a smile at Eddie as a greeting.

"Hey." Buck huff, still catching his breath. "You need a spot?" Buck glance at Eddie up and down before noticing that the older man is not in his gym attire and smiles sheepishly at that, murmuring an apology. Eddie could painfully hear the dwindling eagerness in the blonde's voice.

"I saw your name on Christmas shifts." Eddie whispers, not wanting to push Buck away with unnecessary argument. "You didn't tell me you're working. I thought you have this year's Christmas off." We're both off.

Buck rubs the back of his head, the tell-tale sign of impending lies or deflection.

"I uh... I owe Jake to cover some of his shifts."

So a lie then. Eddie knows very well Buck doesn't owe anyone to cover their shift this half year.

"You don't have to do this Buck. I'm sure Cap will find somebody else to cover his spot. You've been working on Christmas for three years in a row now." Eddie tries to talk Buck out of it, partly because he doesn't want him to be in a 24 hours shift with Gillian and her unwelcome pawing, and partly because a tremendous guilt is clawing on his conscience.

The little voice in his head is niggling at him that this year is supposed to be their first Christmas as a couple, and Buck must have look forward to it. But his stupid ass had put themselves through this mess and Eddie now has to lie on the bed that he had laid. Just peachy.

"I do, actually, have to do this." The cut off tone in Buck's reply just confirms his thought.

That Buck decides to work throughout Christmas because he doesn't has anything to do or anyone to celebrate with, since Maddie and Chim will be out of town to celebrate with his adoptive parents. And Buck does not want to be left alone. A notion Eddie should be familiar with. Or the one people he does want to be with had pushed him away.

The hurt look on Buck's face crushes his heart, because he knows damn well he had put it there himself.

"Look, you at least deserve a time off." Eddie tries again, but with each seconds passing as he stand before the heartbroken man, Eddie knows it is futile. It's too late now.

Eddie Diaz has single-handedly robs Christmas and all of its joy and happiness off Buck.

///

Turns out it did not take another person to swept Buck off his feet, but a broken beam.

And Eddie couldn't believe the news when Bobby first told him, his Captain's voice echoes against the ringing of his ears. Eddie could hear Bobby's frantic voice on the line asking if Eddie still there.

No. Eddie shouldn't be here because he should be there.

No.

Buck should be here instead.

Buck should be here, celebrating Christmas morning soon with him and Christopher. Buck should be sitting down with him watching Chris tears open every presents with glee. From the kitchen, Eddie's wild gaze falls upon a meticulously wrapped box among the arrays of gifts under the tree, remembering Buck has passed it through Carla to give it to Christopher, earning Eddie a disapproved glare from the iron lady.

"Yeah, I'm here Bobby. Where are they taking him?"

///

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sparda3g · 4 years

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My Hero Academia Chapter 253 Review

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The internship has come to an end. Make sense with the students completed the task and the family drama development. With that said, it could have offer more depth, mainly to the students, but after reading this chapter, it’s becoming more evident on where the real interest lies. On top of that, a new development emerged, which essentially advertised another product.

It’s back to school for the students and the atmosphere is same as always. There’s hardly any tidbit from other characters from their experience. I know going through each of them would kill time, but development has its fundamental. All we receive are small tidbits from specific characters on what they have learned and such. I wouldn’t call the chapter’s cover a false advertisement, but I was hoping a meanwhile segment with other characters during their internship.

Tenya is back to his usual status as a leader of the class, but thanks to his internship, he learned to be mild-mannered. I’m sure that would be a great use to a serious situation. Ochako has a costume change, a minor one. At least we learn those equipment she wears are heavy and thanks to her Quirk, it is lightweight. Make sense with gravity logic. Upon one though, Mina takes a piece and an All Might doll falls off. It’s the same one from Christmas and yes, it is obviously from Deku. Ochako reassured that her feelings are kept locked. I am reminded that’s all what her character has going for. Can’t say I’m happy about it.

Meanwhile in men’s locker room, Deku confirms his Black Whip is still work in progress. Yes, he saved those civilians two chapters ago, but it doesn’t mean he has mastered it. If anything, he finally gets the hang of it. That said, it’s limited as he can’t use it at the same time as other perks. Still, it proves to be powerful, so eventually, he will be incredibly strong. For now, he’s not strong enough to take the hit from Bakugo’s equipment. I chuckled for a moment. All Might however didn’t do any favor with his bad pun. It requires Japanese language, but even then, it’s still cold. Oh well, cotton candy is always a treat.

The real interest lies on Aizawa, though not without confliction; I’ll get into it soon. In the midst of class, he was reported to the faculty room, which later proven to be urgent. He goes on a ride with Present Mic, looking serious about this urgent report. When I saw them two riding along, I had a weird feeling about it; hoping Kohei-sensei wouldn’t pull it. It turns out he did.

They arrive at Tartarus; clue you in on how serious this is. While walking, Tsukauchi explains the concept of Nomu. As you aware, they are basically weapons; once human beings, now roaming as puppets. At least, that’s what they believed in until now. Aizawa grows more frustrated with their cryptic words on Nomu. By this point, you get the idea that it’s related to Nomu and Aizawa. Here comes the reveal.

The reason for the explanation is because one of which contradicts their hypothesis on Nomu. One has multiple Quirks fused to create a new one. However, the base that serve them all is awfully familiar, hence why Aizawa was called up. Not just deactivating the Quirk, but more of a personal reason. The key is the base Quirk resembles a lot to a student who has passed away a long time ago. The one who Aizawa called a friend, Shirakumo. This confirms Kurogiri is a Nomu, a special one no less. While that’s interesting, this has me conflicted.

Many fans would be clueless on who is Shirakumo, Aizawa’s old friend. The fact is, he was properly introduced in the spin-off series, Vigilante. Essentially, Kohei-sensei pulled a stunt that you must read the other material to get investment. This reminds me of Black Clover with the inclusion of light novel characters being the main supporting characters; leaving fans confused. This is like if Kakashi Gaiden from Naruto was presented only in light novel, how could anyone be invested? Funny, because this does remind me of said series. From what I’m seeing, it’s a ploy to get fans to check out the spin-off. Although it does appear to be ending soon and the sale isn’t that strong, this sounds like a method to draw attention.

What bothers me the most is the interest once again comes from an adult hero. It doesn’t help that this development practically shoved in to give a character something to do. Not to mention, how it happened all the sudden after the spin-off volume release. Anyway, what I’m saying is this chapter made apparent on the interest problem. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Aizawa shouldn’t get anything, but others should as well.

The class session aspect was uninteresting. I know this series revolves with the academy, hence the title, but that’s the problem. It shouldn’t be uninteresting. It’s like if Assassination Classroom ignored the class, focusing solely on the adults, and when the end comes, we have to pretend the students learned a lot. Nothing came out of the students; not even talking more details on what they learned from internship. It’s like Kohei-sensei doesn’t care and just focus more on adults and exception of three students.

Overall, this was an okay chapter. I know I sounded frustrated with the characters earlier, but I really want to care and invest more on the students. It was a lot simple back then. The class session aspect was largely filler. I was hoping for the internship to last longer, instead of an excuse for family drama, but what’s done is done. The only interesting aspect was the whole Kurogiri. Although I’m not a fan on a possible insert from a spin-off all the sudden, I’m willing to see where we go from here. Three months left till the big day.

#my hero academia #boku no hero academia #chapter 253 #review #spoilers

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nebsabroad-blog · 6 years

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Holiday from holiday - Gorillas

Much like safari (see below), going to see the mountain gorillas is something that has been spoken about by nearly every person we’ve met since Rwanda. Again this has meant the anticipation level had been built to a level that could only ensure disappointment. Luckily this turned out not to be true.

The thing about seeing the gorillas is that like safari you can do it in many places and with innumerable different options, leading to the sinking feeling that someone, somewhere is doing the same thing as you but having a much better time whilst doing it. You can see them in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, within those countries in different locations, and within those locations you can stay in any number of lodges. And so of course you’ll meet travellers who’ll tell you that if you don’t see the gorillas in X country and throw in the accompanying trek to some beauty spot you’re an idiot.

The other thing about seeing the gorillas is that it is really really expensive. The cheapest place to track them is in the DRC at about $300/350, a significant discount no doubt given because as well as coming across a gorilla you may bump into a militia who wouldn’t think twice about kidnapping/shooting you. However the risk is relatively low and so I quite fancied doing it there but Ariel vetoed me insisted that a saving of $250 was paltry compared to my life, which was one of sweetest things she’s said to me all this trip, if not ever. I wanted to argue that actually if they shot me the UK Civil Service death in service benefit was really quite generous. However I couldn’t remember if this would be paid out whilst I am on career break and so conceded that we should opt for the safer option.

The safer option was Rwanda or Uganda. Rwanda just doubled the price of their permits (see below) and so we were left with here. And so before embarking on the trip I dropped $1200 on a pair of permits. To put the cost in context we paid the same amount for a 3 days safari where we saw the big 5 plus every other animal you could hope for (except a gorilla).

We set off from Lake Bunyoni to the awesomely named Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest. Let me tell you though that this name is false advertising because we 100% penetrated it. We penetrated that rainforest good.

We arrived at our very basic lodge where we - as per nearly the whole of our trip - were completely alone. This lack of human interaction on our travels has been a bit of a (bed) bug bear for us. Therefore imagine our excitement when after an hour of sitting (in silence) at the lodge we saw the shape of a young trendy couple descend the steps into the grounds. Ariel whispers to me in a Delboy-esque manner “play it cool Jeremy. Just play it cool” The couple then see us and acknowledge our existence with a nonchalant head nod. Heeding Ariel’s advice we respond by shouting in unison “HELLO, HELLO!!!” and waving enthusiastically. Real cool.

Despite our desperation (or due to a lack of any other options) we got friendly with the couple, Xiao and Vera who it turns out live in London. And so we had some buddies for the gorilla trek.

The next day at the gorilla tracking, all the people with permits for that day (about 50 of us) are briefed that finding the gorillas could take up to 7 hours of walking and there is no guarantee. We are split into groups. Ourselves, Xiao and Vera are kept together and are accompanied by a fit middle aged couple and then two ancient Europeans of unknown provenance, who spoke little English and got out of breath walking the ten metres from the briefing area to where our guide was waiting. Alarm bells ringing, the guide asks if anyone would like a porter for $15...Ariel points at the geriatric mittel-European and shouts “she’ll have one”. I said to Ariel that it was a bit off you volunteering her for a porter, I don’t even think she understands she has to pay extra for them. Ariel says “did you see her?!”

we paid $1200 for this and might need to walk for hours. I’m not having it ruined by those two not being able to keep up.”

So we set off on our walk ready for at least a 3 hour trek through the “impenetrable” rainforest. Literally 10 minutes later the guide stops us and tells us that the gorillas are behind the next tree. We walk through the thicket and then, nothing. We start looking into the distance, straining our eyes trying to spot the animal. The guide says “no not over there” but “there” and points to a bush right beside us and literally two metres away sitting under a tree is a massive silverback, staring at us whilst eating fruits he was plucking from the tree.

I’ve tried numerous times to write out what happened over the next hour but I couldn’t find the words to do justice to the experience. What I can say is that I couldn’t imagine spending $600 on any activity (including gorilla tracking) that lasts only an hour and at the end thinking “yeah that was value for money” but I now would pay even more. It was magic.

At one point a toddler gorilla came over and sat in the lap of one of the guys in our group (never been so jealous of anyone). At the end the family moved on leaving one adolescent male behind, when he decided to catch up with the rest he walked past our entire group, veered over to Ariel and actually kicked her (leaving me to wonder if she had also been moaning to him about putting his dirty pants in the laundry basket and not the floor).

Just thinking back to that hour gives me shivers. And the best thing about it is that we did the tracking on Christmas Day. It was hard not to think of everyone back at home making do with dry Turkey and the Queen’s speech while we spent the day in the Ugandan rainforest tracking mountain gorillas.

#gorillas #uganda #gap year #gapyear #travelling #travel #gorillatrekking #hiking #christmas #christmas day #traveling

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