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hiraya-sa-dilim · 1 year

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Ang Pagiging ay Pag-alam ay Pag-Ibig Chapter 1. In the early 22nd century...

Early in the 22nd Century, AI corporations advanced Human and Robot evolution into the TRIGUN technological era, heralding free market bio-cybernetic modifications, and Androids—beings now virtually identical to Humans—known as Replicants.

The TRIGUN Replicants were superior in strength and agility, and at least equal in intelligence, to the genetic engineers who created them.

Replicants mass-produced by the SEEDS Project were used abroad in warfare, in the hazardous subjugation and colonization of other Lands.

After a series of bloody mutinies by a SEEDS Project platoon during several campaigns abroad, all Replicants regardless of manufacturer were declared illegal on Noman’s Land—under penalty of death.

Special police squads—Undertaker Units—had orders to shoot to kill, upon detection, any trespassing Replicant.

This was not called execution.

It was called retirement.

Wolfwood is an Undertaker. Vash, once proven to be a Replicant, is his next target. Blade Runner AU. Multichap. Rating for violence and explicit content.

[1703 words] Read here or on ao3.

_____

The Replicant’s eyes are shielded by a pair of glasses, two matching circular voids over otherwise unconcerning features. Wolfwood’s subconscious automatically supplies prescription, tinted, and armor in that order, and he files it away for theories to test throughout the interview.

“Please have a seat. I appreciate you taking the time today, aa,” Wolfwood pretends to glance at the file display on the table’s screen to see what the thing across him would do, “‘Vash Saverem.’ I hope I’m saying that right?”

“Yup!” (Nothing. Wolfwood took his eyes off it and it did nothing.) “And it’s no problem. Good to do a practice interview before the real thing. This is part of that new legislation, right?”

“Due to recent events, yes. And best of luck on your applications.” Wolfwood leans back on his seat, presses a couple of buttons on the PKD machine. They blink colour under the harsh white light over their heads, but are too weak to affect his visuals on the Robot before him in any way. Boredly, he runs over his shopping list in his head. Cigs. Nachos. Batteries. Bullets. “If I may direct your attention to my equipment, I have turned on audio-visual recording. You are aware of this?”

“Ay! Aa, yes.”

“Then for the sake of this recording, my name is Nicholas D. Wolfwood and I’ll be facilitating Mr. Vash Saverem... 32. Uh, cy-”

“Last July.”

“Sorry?”

“Turned 32 last July. They say I look younger than my age, hehe.”

“A. Aa, ehem, 32, cyborg, single, citizen of Noman’s Land, his mandatory Voight-Kampff Examination today, April 10, 2119, for the purpose of employment. I will be asking you 20 to 100 reaction time-sensitive questions meant to illicit emotional response. Number of questions depend on your answers, so examination may take as briefly as five minutes to over an hour. Length of time does not necessarily mean negative or positive results. We are not looking for any set of answers in particular, but try not to think too hard and answer as simply and honestly as you can. We are also required to track,” Wolfwood pats the PKD as part of his spiel, “optical activity and changes in your vital signs during the test as part of evaluation. This process is unobtrusive and won’t require any conscious effort on your part to display results. Evaluation will be completed and revealed to the participant within five minutes of test completion. If the personal information I’ve read from your file is correct, and if you understand the procedures for the test and consent to taking it,” Wolfwood takes a long, tired drag from his cigarette, and does a final check on the monitoring machine (no detected weapons). “please state your National Identifying Number.”

“Yes. 60-012-536-474, thank you. Do I, aa, sign anywhere?”

“Your recorded verbal consent is enough. If you could please remove your glasses so we can begin.”

“Nicholas, ha... that’s a good name. In an old pagan religion, he was the protector deity of children-”

Wolfwood pointedly adjusts Punisher’s position behind him, an upright cross in wrappings looming over his seat at the table. If he could reposition the lights so that the gun would overshadow every Human, Replicant and idiot who ever had to sit across him to shut them up, he would. They should recognize a grave site when they see one. “Your glasses, please, Mr. Saverem. This is not a visual test, you will not be needing them.”

“Of... course.”

Wolfwood turns back, pleased the smile on the Robot’s face has gone down a few notches. “Let us begin. You are walking in a desert. You look down to see-” (The monitor must be fooling him... No. The morning sky from his distant childhood before the sprawl of hologramic billboards engulfed even his little valley. Blinking at him. No screen, nothing to protect him, nothing to divide them both .) “ehem, aa, shit. Aa, to see a tortoise on its back. What do you do?”

“Do I have food?”

“What?”

“Do I have food with me, and water? In the desert? Of course, I’d turn her over the right side up first, but-”

“Thank you,” Wolfwood snaps. He keeps his eyes on the dancing numbers on his device. “It's your birthday. Someone gives you a calfskin wallet.”

The Replicant—Saverem—scowls in the screen. “I suppose the right answer would be to reject it and report them to the police,” he says slowly.

“‘The right answer?’ We’re not looking for the right answer, Mr. Saverem. Just your answer.”

“Then... then if it’s all they have, and they give it to me for something as pointless as my birthday, I’d take it gratefully and repay them in kind. Otherwise, I’ll refuse and have a talk with them about it.”

“Talk?”

“About getting a different job other than tanning. Or being a thief. Ay, actually, it’s likelier she would be a grave-robber if-”

“A different job. Such as?”

“Something sustainable for a start. Hopefully, legal and kind, too. Like teaching.” Vash smiles expectantly at something Wolfwood doesn’t get. It’s almost sincere if it doesn’t look so practised...

Wolfwood tuts. He’s not supposed to ask follow-up questions, but fortunately, the Replicant doesn’t know that. He flips a page in the questionnaire.

“Let's try avoiding conditional answers, Mr. Saverem. Now. You've got a little boy. He shows you his butterfly collection, plus the killing jar.”

“I’ll talk him out of it. Get advice if that doesn’t work.”

“Let’s keep our answers brief, please, with no regards to future situations. Single sentences if that helps you.” Wolfwood had been so sure it’s a Replicant before it opened its mouth to talk. Whatever. They have a hundred odd questions to go. The faster he proves his hunch, though, the sooner he gets his next pay check. “You're watching television. Suddenly, you realize there's a wasp crawling on your arm.”

“I’ll wave it off, get it outside saf- get it outside safely.”

“You're reading a magazine. You come across a full-page nude photo of a girl. You show it to your spouse. They like it so much, they hang it on your bedroom wall.”

“A. That’s. Aa...”

The Replicant is red in the monitor, almost as much as his jacket. Wolfwood taps his cigarette over the ash tray, idly fiddles with the loose strap of his weapon on his lap. “Mr. Saverem. Remember we are monitoring your reaction time.”

Saverem stifles the last of his giggles. “Get her stilettos in my size, I guess,” he shrugs. Eyes like a clean, clean sky.

Wolfwood returns quickly to the PKD. He’d been keeping his eyes away long enough anyway, he reasons, clearing his throat. “Next question,” he grinds on his cigarette.

...

Wolfwood hates this part of the job.

He heard that in the old days when it was easier to tell just from appearance, Undertakers called suspects in or paid home visits and had it over with in five minutes 90 percent of the time. Now he’s in an office, only three miserable blokes in and dozens more to go before lunch god damn it, doing his nth review of the vitals fluctuations this Replicant... Human... has displayed in the past hour. Finding nothing again, he tightens his grip on the Punisher’s strap under the table, winds a leg back to kick his usually flawless intuition in the shins...

“One last question. You're watching a stage play. A banquet is in progress. The guests are enjoying an appetizer of raw oysters. The entrée consists of boiled dog.”

“I’ll leave.”

Wolfwood kicks his intuition’s shins. Both of them.

...fuck.

He’d wasted a whole hour waiting for the question that reveals the crack in Saverem’s facade, the gaping hole on his Humanity’s puzzle. But the Human’s stats are the typical cyborg’s for each emotional response, and his empathy and logic above average. Enough so even Wolfwood would be forced to call him a sensible person, maybe even a good person if you held a gun to his head. But not too much that it rang any alarms.

“That concludes our examination,” Wolfwood mumbles, cracks his neck. His throat hurts from talking so long. He only ever had to ask up to 30 questions for even the most complex Replicant, and otherwise the necessary minimum of 20 for Humans. He couldn’t tell why he hadn’t been able to let this one go as the latter sooner. “You’ve passed with flying colors, Mr. Saverem. Congratulations.”

“Really? That’s new. Hehe.”

“Your papers will be updated of your status. Expect the change to be recorded in an hour. When asked for proof of your Humanity,” (Wolfwood was right. They were prescription glasses, and tinted. Saverem had stopped squinting since putting them back on, a desert’s haze, a sandstorm.) “a. Aa, for all intents and purposes, simply present your National ID .”

Wolfwood taps and drags the man’s file to the appropriate folder, reaches behind him to check on the Punisher for the next loser... still imposing, still heavy-looking. It’s always too early to take a break when you need it. “Please tell the next person to come in. Have a good day, Mr. Saverem.”

“You too, Nicholas. Aa, Mr. Wolfwood. Thanks for everything today.”

Wolfwood picks up Saverem’s untouched cup, chucks the contents in the sink to avoid the handshake he is offered. He busies himself at the water dispenser until he’s sure Saverem is at the door.

“So... I am not a Replicant?”

A strange question. Wolfwood actually looks. “It appears so, Mr. Saverem. You are Human Cyborg according to your records.” He watches the tension on Saverem’s lips and scoffs at the back of his throat. “A. Any questions before you go? Forgive me for not asking sooner.”

“You believe... A. None now, it’s okay. I, I hope I haven’t wasted your time today. And I hope you have something good for lunch.”

“A, sure. You too. I... guess.”

Saverem chuckles. “Thank you. Really.”

It’s dark by the doorway, away from the unfeeling fluorescents over the interrogation table. But the light is in Wolfwood’s eyes, and he couldn’t tell if the sandstorm has yielded to a night sky.

The closing door is silent in the windowless, soundproof room.

_____

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#trigun stampede #blade runner au #vashwood #nicholas d. wolfwood #vash the stampede #haraya's #writing #mine #trigun #ang pagiging ay pag-alam ay pag-ibig #post

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lady-lazagna · 6 months

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🗣️ 🤬 💗

also GET SCARED GET SCARED GET SCARED AAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA GET BACK YOU BEAST🧹

Ehem. Anyway

🤬Is there a WIP that you hate?

Had to put this one first because. it's all of them. I hate all of them. I've been in some kind of slump for a good few months now and have barely touched any wips for yonks. It's not for a lack of ideas- I've had so many of them planned out to a T in my head for ages, but I just??? do not write??? Specifically my long form fics, Metal Mayhem and Wounded Pride, have been giving me the most grief even though they're both completely mapped out. Come on guys (me) get it together !!! We can't keep going like this for another year😭

🗣️Talk about your favourite WIP

That being said, while I grow ever frustrated with Metal Mayhem in particular, it's still my favourite one. I go back and read the published chapters all the time because wow!! I made that!! I think trying to write dialogue and action in the style of the show is super rewarding and fun, like I'm making my own little episodes of the show. And for what little I’ve written for it recently, it’s still my favourite to work on. Once I finally get past this next fucking chapter it is so Joever for y’all.

💗Is there a scene you can’t wait to write for a WIP?

There’s one scene in the next two chapters of Wounded Pride that I’ve had knocking around in my brain for ages that’s a bit of a final catharsis point for the relationship between Kyoya and Nile. I’ve already written a bit of the dialogue for it (that’s always the first to be written, since I see these scenes like a show instead of a book) and I can’t wait to polish it up because it’ll be a heart-wrencher!!!

#ask game

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dawn-of-tomorrow · 3 years

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shoutout to @punishing-gray-raven-ocs for this ask game!! (didin't expect to be tagged with one so soon lolol but i'm overjoyed~~ ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡❤️❤️)

1) What made you even think of trying Punishing Gray Raven? What made you stick with it?

Funny story actually-- I've long heard about PGR, way back when it was first released even, but I just didn't give it a chance back then mainly because it was in CN and I couldn't understand shit (rather ironic given how I am now lmao).

As for why I decided fairly recently, a couple of months give or take, to give PGR a shot? It's mainly due to the fact that I heard that the Global version would be out very soon, so I thought why not dive into what I've missed so far... not knowing that I'd become THIS obsessed with the game, aha~.

The most obvious thing that made me stick to this game are the interesting cast of characters, the "fun" story, the amazing yet simple game mechanics, and etc. etc.

2) What problems, if any, do you have with PGR?

Honestly speaking, the thing that most VEXES me at the moment about PGR, specifically PGR Global, is the wonky translations. It feels like a group of half-assed fan translators and one official translator who's not doing a good enough job with reigning everyone in instead of feeling like a group of professional translators who know what they're doing. Hell, I've seen better translations from some of my twitter mutuals!

3) Who is your favorite Construct, and why?

Lee. There's no question about it, Lee is my most favorite Construct at the moment (and forever perhaps ohoho~). As for why, god, hold that mic for a bit, I'm gonna go on a fucking rant. Ehem.

First of all, let's start with the most basic of things, like his appearances; As Palefire, he looks like this suave, very aloof, super serious, unapproachable, and "gets shit done efficiently" type of person, and while that description certainly isn't wrong, it's also hiding more layers of Lee's overall personality; as Entropy, he certainly looks and feels bit more casual than before, along with feeling somewhat more, even if a tiny bit, more honest with his feelings and easier to approach than before.

Despite being a serious, no-nonsense, grumpy guy, he's prone to occasionally quip and snark at anyone at their own expense especially if they get on his nerves (see his interactions with Kamui, not even the Commandant is spared from this!). He's also not as cold and distant as he may come across, given that, early on, he quite literally jumps in front of Liv to take a hit that was meant for her with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever, he's almost always the first person to make comments on the Commandant's state as well as express his undiluted feelings (though not without hiding it on occasion behind anger/annoyance, thus making it a case of "anger born from worry").

You can also easily tell if you pay close enough attention to his dialogue and actions that he's not good with expressing his true feelings even to the people he cares about (thankfully Murray, Skk, Lucia, Liv, Kamui, etc. can usually pick up on what he really wants to say), is the type to often be misunderstood due to him being the kind of person who believes in "actions speak louder than words", that he's used to taking care of others instead of prioritizing himself even to his own detriment; while making it clear that he prefers to think and act in a logical and practical manner, he's not exempt to having emotions/feelings, as such, he can be pretty empathetic towards other people even if he doesn't look like it (he's even the first one in the Gray Raven squad to point out WHY EXACTLY the people they come across in Echo Aria refuse to leave their homes even with high risk of the Red Tide washing everything away, and fully understanding as well as getting it).

Alrighty I'm gonna cut that segment short now before this becomes too long for anyone to read through, ehe~!

4) What made you think of designing PGR OCs, instead of making yourself into a self-insert?

.... Actually, truth be told, both of my Skks are, in some way, self-inserts~. It's just that they start out as one before eventually developing into their own characters with only hints/traces of their self-insert origin. Though my Construct OCs are definitely not self-inserts, that much I can certainly say so!

I made them mainly because I really enjoyed the official cast so much I wanted to make characters that would get to interact with them somehow, though I take great care in making sure they aren't TOO out of character with how they're canonically portrayed.

5) What's your thought process behind creating your OCs?

Honestly, it usually starts of something like this--

"lol wouldn't it be funny if I made this type of character? Oooh, what if they interacted with this character? Or this character? Or that character? Let's see, what's missing... Backstory and profile, check. Appearance, I'll sketch one in a bit. Hmmm... I know! *drowns the OC in mountains load of angst*"

6) What's your favorite chapter from the main story?

If I'm limited to talking only about the main chapters currently released on Global then it would have to be Fallen Star, mainly because it's Watanabe's time to shine~. (*´∀｀*)

However, if we were to look at the overall chapters, then, I would have to say Imprisoned Sight.

7) What do you think of the new Liv shown in the latest stream? Where do you think the story is going with her? What do you think happened to Gray Raven?

With Liv, I have a really bad and somber feeling about what Kuro Game has in store for her, given how she looks almost complete different than what she's looked so far, as well as the vibe her new look gives off.

Fuck, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to thanos snap her memories away as well like they did with Lucia, or worse, infect her with the Punishing and turn her into an actual enemy (for a while before we get her back).

As for Gray Raven, considering what happened at the end of Evernight Beat, wherein the Skk is in a fucking coma with a chunk of the Mother Structure lodged in their abdomen, while Lee and Lucia are in repairs along with Liv, and, if I recall correctly, the Merciful One managed to reach Babylonia and is now onboard the space station as well-- I have a feeling that the despairing Liv will be approached by her and be given a new frame.

8) Have you seen the animated shorts? What do you think of them?

If you're talking about the Panini anime then yes, I've watched them already! Still ripping my insides open from laughter everytime I watch them lol. Favorite episode has got to be the toilet episode, next to that would be the episode where Chrome takes Kamui to Karenina and Liv for training.

9) So do Constructs eat or not? (I'm really confused, especially since I saw Karenina sipping a drink in one of the shorts)

Oh they most certainly can! Fuck, it's even explicitly stated that Camu likes to eat and sample foods whenever he can (revealed in his secrets, as well as his affection stories).

As Camu explains, while they don't get nutrients from human food, they most certainly can still enjoy them and use them as a type of fuel.

10) Do you think Kamui and/or Camu will be a really pivotal plot device at some point, considering how the information on Kamui is so top secret?

Hmmmm.... unless the story at that point is revolving around Kurono Ops and how shady they're being, then personally speaking, the chances are slim.

11) Do you think, at any point, any of the Gray Ravens will die off?

Naaaaaah. They won't do that. Sure, they TECHNICALLY killed off Lucia, but she's still "alive" in a sense, so it both counts and doesn't count.

Besides, sometimes death isn't the worse thing you can inflict on someone/a character~.

12) Who is your least favorite Construct, and why?

I don't really hate/dislike any of the Constructs if I'm being honest. Though I hate how shitty of a unit Sophia is, and that it's kinda pitiful that she's become even more useless now that the new S-Liv is here; but I am in no way saying you should stop using her, keep using Sophia if you really like her! It's your choice after all, and I'm not about to contest you on that part, after all, everyone's enjoyment is subjective.

13) What part of PGR's lore really holds your attention?

The part of the lore that really holds my attention are the characters, and seeing how they react and act to the situations happening to and around them, especially concerning the Punishing and forces out of their control~.

#punishing gray raven #pgr #战双帕弥什 #戰雙帕彌什 #パニシング #パニシンググレイレイヴン #mun speaks #mun yasu #mun ramblings #ask game #ask #ask box #ask box open

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kusogaki-no-heichou · 3 years

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My thoughts about Mikasa’s kiss

SNK CHAPTER 138 SPOILERS [English isn’t my mother tongue, so I’m sorry for my grammar mistakes!]

I want to say samething about Mikasa’s kiss in the last chapter. It isn’t about that if I liked it or not. Nonetheless, I think it really fits to the universe Isayama has created.

He made snk/aot as a whole a really dark world and I love it. And I remind that we are still talking about the same world where children had to eat their fucking dead mother! The heavy and shocking things aren’t nothing new in that case. Of course, there are two absolutely different situations (last Mikasa’s scene and dead Ymir’s scene), so I don’t try to compare them. I only mark out that our fandom kinda used to things that aren’t socially approved in real world (or are morally questionable). In a whole manga there are a lot of scenes where characters behaved in a doubtful way due to different reasons. We always knew it.

And as I said before, for me this kind of kiss really fitted in such way. It really didn’t disturb me so much that Eren’s head was severed. And don’t get me wrong, I was meaning that it simply didn’t surprise me that the kiss was “unusual”. I mean, I think I could be more shocked if they would kiss in more… ehem… “classic way”. And I’m not talking about shipping or if I liked the scene or not. It’s not the case. I try to understand why such scene happened and why it could make sense.

The plot shows us huge amount of moments about crossing the boundaries – different boundaries. We can see how characters cross their own boundaries, boundaries about fear and strength, boundaries in making decisions, boundaries of morality, boundaries between what is good and bad, boundaries of humanity, boundaries between life and death – there are a lot of them! And the recent events of the story also referred to them. We have now a war, the genocide, death, regret, fear, pain, loss and many more. Even if someone is the best soldier who learnt how to keep calm, the events still HAVE the impact on them. Mikasa recently had to experience too many things (like any other character had to), she heard too much, she seen too much and she felt too much. She is strong, of course she is, but the the weight of everything on her isn’t without meaning.

Now she is under huge amount of stress and great dose of adrenalin which let her moves forward and takes actions. She has known what she had to do and she did it. Mikasa literally cut off her biggest strength and the biggest weakness at the same time. That happened almost at the same time as her vison, au, dream or however you want to name that, where she saw totally different reality. OF COURSE IT HAD AN INFLUENCE ON HER. How could it not? There are a lot of different feelings and emotions which she wouldn’t have have during “normal situation”. When our bodies are under such stressful, sudden circumstances we are losing our typical skill of inhibition and our boundaries are easier to be crossed. She crossed her own boundaries (consciously or not)because without that she couldn’t do what she has done (mainly killing Eren). I’m not saying she lose her mind or ability to think rationally, no. She rather was in such state of mind where instinctive behaviors are faster and more needed than the calm ones.

And because of that she kissed Eren. Also, she didn’t kiss the “dead one” Eren, she kissed Eren she saw in her vision. She isn’t necrophile and she never was, next she was never interested in dead bodies and still she isn’t! (Really, she didn’t put that head under the glass to admire…)The kiss wasn’t supposed to be romantic or showed in sexual way. This was about grief, pain and loss, about letting go and saying goodbye to the loved one. It was about accepting her own emotions, so she can keep moving forward and live after that, because she didn’t want to forget. She made the hardest decision in her whole life and she knew it was the only one she could choose. Taking under account what she experienced during such moment, it isn’t really strange that she behave in specific way. The grotesque in that scene was very symbolic and it really fitted to the whole universe. I can understand why it was presented in harsh, shocking way. It even connects with the familiar quote from series that the world is cruel, yet so beautiful.

I don’t try to debate if the kiss was good or bad or if it was needed. I just think I can accept that, because it makes sense in deeper way. Also I don’t justify any actions characters have taken. I only look at them on the side and at the same time try to look by their own point of view.

Was I shocked? In some sense – yes, even If I predicted few things which happened in whole chapter. It was something I wanted to see or expected? Absolutely not. Could the last chapter be shown in the different way? Probably. Did the chapter hurt? Hell yes. Did I hate it? Certainly not. I needed a lot of time to proceed things that happened there, but I think I can live with it. I have spent with that manga about 8-9 years and it’s my the most beloved series. So, even If not everything will be perfect I can still accept that.

You can disagree with me – that’s fine. Also, if you think that the last chapter was “too much” or you didn’t like it – it’s also fine. I don’t want to argue with anybody, it’s good we have different opinions.

Lastly I want to admit I focused only about Mikasa’s kiss and her emotions. I didn’t want to analyze any other events, any other motives, theories, characters or story as a whole. In that case it would be necessary to write much more text and to think about much more wide aspects of the series. And last but not least - I need to repeat – my whole meta post wasn’t about shipping. And to be honest I have never really liked eremika, yet I have to write few things about recent events.

#please don't hate me for my bad english #it was really the first time i have written sth like that #snk #aot #attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #snk spoilers #aot spoilers #snk 138 #aot 138 #eremika #mikasa #snk mikasa #aot mikasa #mikasa ackerman #snk meta #snk thoughts #snk meta post #my thoughts

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shintorikhazumi · 3 years

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Yet Again (3): Yet Again.

A/N: Apologies. I have been painfully busy. Like. Literal pain. I- could not write with how exhausted I’ve been. I am. I forced this chapter out, and I have a meh-hate relationship with it rn. I hope. It’s... at least ‘okay’. Damn. Do I not like it.

Enjoy?

~Shintori Khazumi

Move quickly, move deftly; mute, without a sound. Not until they get to the place safe, with no one else around. No paparazzis here, no questions everywhere. No danger to be found. Off the broom they go, careful but not too slow. Before dawn cracks, they ride horseback to a place they only know.

Diana breathed a sigh of relief once she was sure they were well away from the public eye, now deep in the Cavendish estate. It had been a while since they'd returned here as they stayed in their home closer to Luna Nova for the sake of her job, as well as her daughter's education.

She had planned on coming back sooner, needing certain help from her ancestor, but going out of their home had become a challenge after news of the return of Kagari Atsuko began to emerge recently. After years of her existence being shrouded in rumors and doubt, many were hoping to catch more information on her whether it be for a noble or less-so purpose. Disguises and magic wouldn't work on everyone. They knew that much. Getting around completely unnoticed was not the easiest feat to perform.

Diana had been wary of anyone unfamiliar who approached them the past few days, constantly reading into their words and body language for any sign of malice towards her dear wife, or herself for that matter. They'd be lucky if they found none.

It also couldn't be helped that Akko's new appearance was something they just had to hide after initial stolen photos of her were leaked out, distributed for the public eye to scrutinize.

It was one thing for humans to react to something they naught had an idea of. The savior of their world in years past had donned a new image? It wasn't too questionable-looking when it came to their perception of the witches. But it was another issue completely for the witches who had caught wind of what had actually taken place in the depths of the Arcturus.

Diana hadn't had the time to properly prepare the information for a formal presentation to the council on the reality behind the Nine Olde, too occupied with Akko's immediate well-being, but it seemed that word was slipping around about Woodward's true nature. And it would have been alright if that truth was the only thing going around, remaining centered on the actual subject.

However, suspicions towards Akko were arising. This transformation not helping in the slightest.

'What if she were to be like her? What guarantee did they have that she wouldn't end up as Woodward did?'

The mumbles and whispers haunted Diana, the possibilities of what harm could come to Akko from the hands of supposed allies bringing her anxiety every day, into each night. The words she'd heard, she hated them. Akko wasn't going to be like that. Akko would never be like Woodward.

"What if the magic has an influence over her? What if she can't control it?"

No. No, Akko said she was doing fine. Her state of mind was perfectly stable.

“What actions must be taken to prepare for it reoccurrence? What can we do to seal away Kagari Atsuko?"

"If we must...

How do we KILL Kagari Atsuko-"

‘No-!’

"Diana?" Akko's voice brought her back to reality. Diana jolted at the touch of her hand on Diana's own, the taller woman finding it hard to breathe all of a sudden. "We've arrived."

"A-ah- yes, ehem. I-" Her throat felt rather parched, painfully dry. "Let me... Let me help you down."

"Are you... okay?" Akko quietly asked as Diana guided her off the steed. "Are you hurting anywhere, Diana?"

'I should be asking you that.'

"N-No. I'm- I'm fine, Akko."

"Diana. Really?"

"I-"

"Please. Tell me."

The pleading look in Akko's eyes, the warmth of Diana's hand in hers, the tenderness of her voice- if Diana's head had only been filled with negatives today, this had made it better so easily, it had brightened up the darkness in her heart, giving her a time to breathe clarity and peace.

Yes, this was not the time to be lost in thoughts and in fears. Time... this time, right now... Time was of the essence, and with the recent hypothesis Croix and Sucy had come up with regarding Akko's overall condition, and Diana finding herself more and more restless each passing day, only adding to the stress she had desperately been trying to fight off, it was now or never.

"As long as you're with me, I will always be at my best."

In order to help Akko, to protect her from anything and everything else this time around, she had to be.

She wouldn't let anything happen to Akko just yet.

She wouldn't let anything happen to Akko again.

She wouldn't let anything happen to Akko. Ever.

---

They were here. Finally. The place where her life had taken the biggest change, all thanks to Kagari Atsuko, and possibly the turning point of their relationship. The ritual shrine during her succession. It was the place where Beatrix was. Someone who could possibly help them figure out what to do with Akko.

{Kagari Atsuko.}

"Beatrix."

{Dear me...}

Diana didn't like that sigh. Neither did Akko.

{What has Woodward done yet again.}

#yet #yet again #diakko #ficlet #fanfic #kagari atsuko #diana cavendish #lwa #Little Witch Academia

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solartranslations · 3 years

Text

AF2 Common 12/6: Luca’s Birthday

Another year is nearing its end. “That day” is just around the corner…

~*Scene: Hallway*~

Debito: Bambina, do you know what day it is tomorrow?

Felicita: Yeah…it’s Luca’s birthday

Luca: Ahh…Ojou-sama, you remembered

Pace: You’re so loved, Luca-chan!

Luca: Yes. I’m so glad. I’m really happy to have lived this long…

Felicita: Luca…you’re being overdramatic

Debito: Oh, you knew. I thought Luca would have been all “my birthday isn’t that important…” and never told you

Luca: I’ve lived with her for 13 years. It would be weird if she didn’t know. We’ve celebrated it every year

Debito: Now you’re bragging?

Pace: You shouldn’t do that!

Luca: Ehem. In any case, I’m not that secretive

Pace: Really? You look like you hide a ton of things under that hat

Luca: My hat…? How could I hide things under it?

Debito: Well, Luca-chan being weird is normal. So we can just go all out

Pace: Oh? Should we shoot some fireworks?

Luca: Are you two planning something?

Debito: You’ll see tomorrow

Felicita: Debito…?

~*Scene: Hallway*~

Felicita: [The next day, Debito told me to come to the dining room]

Felicita: (I hear a weird sound whenever I get close to the dining room…I wonder what it is—)

(*splat)

Felicita: That sound again…

~*Scene: Dining Room*~

Pace: Ojou! You’re here

Debito: Oh, right on time

Felicita: On time…?

Martha: Here they are. Okay don’t just stand there, let’s line them up on the table

Luca: Yes, let’s. Especially you, Pace. This was your idea, so get to work

Debito: You’re working hard even though it’s your birthday. I’ve never heard of a guy who would make himself dolce

Luca: Isn’t that because I’m the only who knows how to make them

Felicita: There’s so many limone pies…are you eating all of them?

Pace: Of course not! We couldn’t eat this many

Debito: Not very believable coming from the person who usually orders 20 or 30 servings

Pace: Not true, I know my limits. 20 servings is just right for me!

Felicita: I don’t think normal people eat that much…

Luca: Actually, these giant limone pies aren’t for eating—

(*smirk)

Pace: Yeah, not for eating…they’re for this! Hiyah!!

Felicita: Huh…?

Luca: Ojou-sama, watch out!

(*step) Debito: Hya!

(*throw)

Luca: Wha!? Bwah…

(*splat) (*collapse)

Debito: Pace…you almost hit Bambina

Debito: Are you okay? Oh, you got some cream on you there

Debito: Should I clean it off for you?

(*blush) Felicita: N-no!

Pace: Come on Debito, more! I get wanting to shield Ojou though

Felicita: !

Pace: Ehehe, ‘cause I feel the same! So Ojou, catch this!!

Felicita: Pace!?

(*dash) Luca: No you will not! Now it’s my turn!

(*catch)

Pace: Uwa, not good!

(*throw) (*splat)

Debito: Ah Pace, minus 1 for you

Luca: *sigh*…that was close. You can’t aim at Ojou-sama while I’m down!

Debito: There’s no rule against it. Since Bambina’s here, that means she’s playing too

Luca: Please don’t get Ojou-sama involved in such a dangerous game

Pace: Oh? Did it fall off already? That white beard looked good on you, Luca

Debito: You’re right, it was all white and fluffy. Should we give you another one? A man in his thirties has to at least have a beard

Luca: No thank you! And a white beard is for the elderly, not someone in their thirties!

Pace: There’s old men with beards that aren’t white too these days

Luca: That’s not the point…

Debito: Sure you want to keep talking?

Luca: If it’s what you want, then I won’t hold back!!

Debito: Get him, Pace!!

Pace: Okaaay!

Luca: I’ll throw from here next then! Hyah!

Debito: Oh that’s you’re plan! Take this!

Pace: Hiyah!!

(*splat splat)

Luca: Bweh… why are you two a team! That’s against the rules!

Debito: Never heard of that rule, have you, Pace?

Pace: Nope, haven’t

Luca: Debito, Pace…

Luca: …Pace, if you team up with me I’ll make you a turkey feast for lunch tomorrow!

Pace: Say that again!

Luca: And I’ll throw in a nice, fluffy panettone too! (TN: a kind of sweet bread)

Pace: Deal!!!

Debito: You’re betraying me!

Pace: I just act on instinct! Hiyaah!

Martha: Goodness, those three always act like children no matter how old they get. Ojou-sama is much more of an adult

Martha: But fun times do go by too quickly. So it’s best to enjoy yourself when you can

Felicita: Yeah, you’re right. Martha, I’ll join in too…!

(*running)

Martha: Go and get them!

~*Scene: Dining Room*~

Felicita: So tired…

Luca: I really didn’t think you would join in, Ojou-sama

Pace: It’s fun when Ojou joins!

Debito: If the Maid Triad doesn’t come soon, I’ll want us to take a bath too…

Pace: Yup!

Luca: That will not happen!

Felicita: …

Felicita: Do you always celebrate like this?

Luca: No, the three of us didn’t start celebrating together until recently

Pace: Yeah. Since you were living with Ojou and Mama, we weren’t together as often as we are now

>It seems like you’d do more than just celebrate for Debito

(+20 Amore Debito)

>Would you eat a lot for your birthday, Pace?

(+20 Amore Pace)

>That must have been hard, Luca…

(+20 Amore Luca)

Debito: Are you interested in my birthday, Bambina?

(*smirk) Debito: I’ll tell you all about it if you come visit me on my birthday

Debito: But you have to come alone, okay?

Pace: Hey Debito, no keeping her to yourself!

Luca: Agreed! I will not allow you and Ojou-sama to be alone together!

Debito: Shut up, third wheelers…

Pace: The lasagna party we had was the best so far. It was so fun!

Debito: I think you were the only one who had fun

Pace: We celebrated my birthday last year with a table full of lasagna. Being surrounded by lasagna was so great…

Pace: I’m happy just remembering it!!

Luca: Making all those was definitely not fun though

Luca: I was making one lasagna after another…I’m going to try just thinking about it

Luca: We don’t actually throw a big celebration every year

Luca: I think we did a “limone fight” last year, and a “zuccotto fight” the year before that?

Pace: It feels good to throw things, doesn’t it? And it’s your birthday, so we have to do something memorable

Debito: The weirder it is, the more memorable, right?

Luca: You’re saying that now, but we only do it because you two want to fool around!

Debito/Pace: Yup

Luca: Seriously…it’s starting to become a tradition for me to make sweets for myself

Luca: But I’m happy that you two want to celebrate with me

Debito: But the reason we make such a big deal about it is because of her, right?

Pace: The governor of Nordia, Agata! Right?

Felicita: Nordia…Agata…

Luca: Yes. I don’t believe you’ve met her, Ojou-sama. But she’s a very wise and strong woman

Pace: Yup, very strong. Even I’d lose to her if I’m not careful

Debito: Yeah. Agata’s whip deals quite a bit of damage

Felicita: Wh-whip!? …She sounds like quite something

Luca: She’s strict when it comes to discipline and manners, but she know how to have fun too

Pace: If she heard about our limone pie fight, I’m sure Agata would want to join in too

Felicita: She would?

Debito: She revived her domain by sponsoring a festival or something actually

Debito: We wouldn’t make this much of a fuss if she hadn’t stuck her nose in

Felicita: Amazing… So she’s both proactive and fun-living…

Luca: You might get to meet her if you get the chance

Felicita: Yeah

Pace: But anyway, that limone pie fight was so fun! I can’t believe I hit Luca right in the face!

Debito: I wish I could have seen you with that beard a little more

Luca: Once is enough, thank you! And you kept aiming at my face after that…

(*smile) Felicita: *laugh*

Luca: Ojou-sama…?

Pace: Haha Luca-chan. Ojou’s laughing at you

Debito: It’s because your beard was so funny. We really should hit him with a pie again

Luca: No thank you! And that’s not why you’re laughing anyway, right Ojou-sama?

Felicita: I want to do this next year too. The four of us together…

Luca: Ojou-sama…. Yes, of course. All four of us

Pace: My birthday’s next, so let’s have a lasagna fight! Ah, that’s be a waste though…

(*smirk) Debito: I’ll pass on anything loud. So let’s make it just the two of us instead

Debito: For Bambina, I’ll make it a night you won’t forget

Luca: We’ll have neither! Next time we’ll celebrate our birthdays by eating sweets in a normal way

Debito/Pace: No thanks

Luca: What! Why!?

Felicita: *smile*

~*Scene: Dining Room*~

Pace: Today we’re celebrating Luca-chan’s birthday. The most understanding and considerate man in the family, and Ojou-s attendant

Pace: Luca, happy birthday!!

Debito: Yeah I’ll say it. Happy birthday

Felicita: Happy birthday, Luca

Luca: Debito, Pace…Ojou-sama. Thank you so much!

Debito: Don’t cry, Luca. Seriously, how are you a Regalo man?

Pace: Ehehe, you’re such a crybaby Luca-chan. I’m still happy though

Luca: I am not crying. It’s just so surprising

Luca: …Nevermind. I’m happy. Thank you

Felicita: Luca…

Debito: Pace, anything else?

Pace: Oh right! Ehem, okay everyone, get your glasses ready!

Pace: May our bonds with Luca-chan be eternal—

Pace/Debito/Felicita: Salute!

Luca: Salute!

~*End of Scene*~

(Continue to Debito Chapter 1)

(Continue to Common Event Lesson 2 (Pace Route))

(Continue to Luca Chapter 2)

(Back to Directory)

#common route #arcana famiglia #arcana famiglia 2 #december 6 #solar translations #psp game #translation #releases #pie fight pie fight

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wonderwoman6199 · 4 years

Text

MAJOR NEWS!!!!!!

Guys, I just read chapter 280, and oh boy are we in for a hell of a ride. Because of the arrrival of a certain character, the whole story is about to take a big turn. DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED!!!!!

Okay, now that the warnings are out of the way, let’s get down to business. In this chapter, a very big event happened, and I’m not talking about Kyoko’s response to Ren’s confession. Though while I’m mentioning that...AHHHHH SHE NODDED! HE KNOWS! SHE KNOWS! THEY BOTH KNOWMHOW THEY FEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️

Ehem, nevertheless, that’s not the biggest development in the chapter. The biggest development is the arrival of this guy.

Cedric D. Bennet

Some of you may remember him, some of you may not, but going forward in the story, he will be EXTREMLEY IMPORTANT! Let’s do some backtracking to see what we know of this character and his importance.

Chapter 258

We first hear Cedric’s name during the Momiji audition arc. His name is brought up in chapter 258 during the confrontation with Kimiko Morizumi. After Yashiro comes across Morizumi and her manager trying to throw Kyoko off the roof, the group is joined by the wheelchair bound Erika Koenji-san, claiming she can prove Morizumi tried to harm Kyoko.

Koenji shows that all security cameras in the area were recording the incident and threatens to post the videos online. The threat truly frightens Morizumi when Koenji mentions one particular person who might see it.

This frightens Morizumi as she has worked hard to create an image for herself to fit Cedric’s belief that “all Japanese women are pure and loving.” With this threat, Morizumi finally agrees to back off.

Chapter 272

The next time Cedric’s name comes up is in chapter 272 when Moko-san is asking Kyoko to be her English partner to help her prepare for her role in the American production she will be in. It is during this conversation we learn the name of her co-star.

In chapter 280 he is most likely in Japan because of this role. In chapter 272 we learn that Cedric comes from a family of famous entertainers. We also learn that we have already met one member of his family, his grandfather Mr. Duris, or as we may remember him...

Yep, the guy who was the diversion before Maria’s father came out at her birthday party. We also learn more about Uncle Tiger, specifically his reputaion in the entertainment industry.

Uncle Tiger was also the man looking for the “fairy” actress Amamiya mentioned.

This has outlined all the ways Cedric is connected to Kyoko’s story. Now for the really important part, how he connects to Ren...

Chapter 273

During chapter 273, we overhear a very important phone call between Lori and Uncle Tiger. Lori and Uncle Tiger seem to be talking about a decision Ren recently made, perhaps about a job. Uncle Tiger asks Lori if Juliena and Kuu, Ren’s parents, have been informed about his decision. Lori says he will call them after Uncle Tiger. After a brief pause, Lori says,

Uncle Tiger jokingly says he wishes he could cast a curse on Lori so that Maria will only call him “uncle” for two weeks. When Lori says this is hardly a punishment, Uncle Tiger responds,

This conversation has lead to a very interesting theory by some fans, is Uncle Tiger Ren’s grandfather? Going off this conversation, it wouldn’t be too far fetched. Lori says that Uncle Tiger helping Ren would ruin all Ren worked for. Ren has been working hard to be recognized based on his acting talents alone, not his family connections. We thought this only applied to his parents the famous actors Kuu and Juliena Hizuri, but could it also apply to his grandfather, “the father of winners?” We have further proof when Lori implies that Uncle Tiger will be called grandfather again once Ren makes his American debut.

In the latest chapter we learn that Cedric is Uncle Tiger’s grandson. So, if the theory does prove to be true that Ren (or rather, Kuon) is his grandson as well, does that mean they are related? Perhaps cousins?

Chapter 273 provides us another bit of interesting information when Uncle Tiger says

The “him” Uncle Tiger says he’s going to protect is Ren, however, who is he protecting him from?

After looking through previous chapters I think I have the answer. The person Uncle Tiger is protecting Ren from is the man who ruined Kuon’s life. The man who constantly tortured Kuon. The man who made Kuon run away from America. The man who was at least partially responsible for the death of Rick...

Cedric D. Bennet...

As I have outlined, we first heard Cedric’s name in chapter 258. However, now that we see what he looks like in chapter 280, it appears that we saw Cedric long before we heard his name.

Chapter 178

During the Heel siblings arc we see many glimpses of Ren’s past when he was still Kuon. In these flashbacks, there is one man who makes several appearances, this man.

Similar to the picture shown above from chapter 178, whenever we see this man, he is harrassing Kuon for his mixed heritage. Looking closely at him now, he bares a strong resemblance to Cedric.

Chapter 180

We see this flashback continued in chapter 180. In this continuation, it appears that the gang that was cornering Kuon has now been beaten to a pulp. Despite their defeat, Koun continues his assult, only to be stopped by Rick with a quivering Tina behind him.

We then see the ringleader (the man who is likely Cedric) running away.

Kuon is having none of this and chases after him, shortly followed by Rick. The flashback ends here. It is several more pages before we see the outcome.

This, this right here is why Cedric’s arrival marks an important point in the story. He was there for Rick’s death. He was the one who, just like Tina, put it into Ren’s head that he was a murder.

Chapter 185

We can see that Cedric’s words, just like Tina’s, still haunt Ren. In fact, when Ren attacked Murasame-san on the set of Tragic Marker in chapter 185, it is because he reminded him of Cedric.

The arrival of Cedric D. Bennet will have an irrevicobale effect on the story moving forward. With his arrival, we will now know the full story of the incident that set Kuon Hizuri on the Path to become Ren Tsuruga. In other words...

The shit has hit the fan!!!!!!

#skip beat!#skip beat #skip beat manga #skip beat spoilers #skip beat kyoko #kyoko mogami #skip beat ren #ren tsuruga #skip beat kuon #kuon hizuri #Cedric d. bennet #skip beat 178 #skip beat 180 #skip beat 185 #skip beat 258 #skip beat 272 #skip beat 273 #skip beat 280

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timeaftertime-chriscornellfanfic · 4 years

Photo

Chapter 41 - Could It Be Eddie Vedder?

North Washington, November 12 1990

(Andi is 20)

ANDI: It was mid morning in early winter with the sun shining surprisingly bright. It had snowed just a little bit the night before and the air was crisp and cool. The boys were working in the studio recording the first few tracks for the album they were putting together and they finally decided on a name last night.

'I want to show you something, like joy inside my heart Seems I been living in the Temple of The Dog'

Andy would definitely approve.

Anyways... Since it was so early, and not to mention some of the boys do have a little bit of a hangover... ehem - Jeff - I figured we could all use some much needed coffee. Right now Eddie is with me, driving Chris's truck to a small town called Lynwood to see if there is a coffee shop or diner of some sort.

I should say, that as much as I thought that I was shy - and trust me I am - Eddie is even more so. So when the two of us get together, it's pretty quiet and awkward for the first little while, since I'm not usually the one to start conversations. With Eddie I seem to have to but I totally understand why. He had just moved here from San Diego only a couple of months ago after he sent a demo tape of a few songs he had written lyrics to back to Jeff Stone and Mike. I guess they had sent out that same tape to look for a singer as they wanted to continue on and knew that Andy would want them to.

Jeff and Stone were so impressed by the way Eddie sounded that they asked him to fly out here for a couple of weeks to see if he would audition and if he wanted to be part of the band. Well, those few weeks turned into a permanent stay once Eddie officially decided to join them and everyone pretty much fell in love with him, especially Chris.

Before the wedding, Chris wanted to make him feel welcome, so he invited him out for a few drinks and they became so close right away. It was sweet how Chris embraced him like a brother. I think Eddie reminds Chris of Andy in some ways with writing. Chris really missed having that with Andy.

"Thanks for driving me," I say and quickly glance at him.

"Sure... you're welcome," He says.

"I mean it's not like I can't drive... I just shouldn't," I say.

"It's ok I don't mind," Eddie smiles at me and glances back out the windshield. I hate it when it's awkward and quiet like this.

"Um... wanna listen to some tunes?" I ask.

"Sure," He smiles at me again. I open up the glovebox of Chris's blue Ford pickup and pull out my new cassette of a band called Pantera. I slide it into the stereo and the first track starts up right away.

"I've been so addicted to this album since I got it," I say as 'Cowboys from Hell' plays through the stereo.

The rest of the entire drive to Lynwood was pretty silent except for the amazing guitar solos that Dime was playing through the speakers. I wish there was a way that we could somehow make it less awkward between us. We then find a small little diner and Eddie parks the truck out front. We both climb out of our seats and head inside, immediately greeted by 1960's décor. I walk up to the counter and place an order for 6 black coffee's with all the stuff on the side and a dozen doughnuts to go while Eddie studies the place, his hand in the pockets of his suede chestnut brown jacket, his messy golden curls everywhere and those bright blue eyes that can make a girl weak in the knees.

Once my order is filled, I hand the girl some cash with a tip, then Eddie helps me carry out the coffee and doughnuts to the truck. Once we get settled, Eddie pulls back out on to the highway, heading back to London Bridge Studios where the boys are recording.

"These coffee's are probably going t be so cold once we get them back to the studio," I say as I balance the tray on my lap.

"Nah, well maybe, but I think there's a microwave in the lounge," He says and glances in the rearview mirror. There was a little bit more silence between us but then Eddie decides to speak.

"So um... time travelling... what's that like?" He asks. I glance back at him surprised by that question but deep down I was expecting it at some point.

"Not as glamorous as you would think," I chuckle and he gives me a little smirk.

"Sorry, you probably get that question a lot huh?" He says.

"Yea but, I'm used to it. I know it's hard to understand for a lot of people so I try to explain it as best I can. Most people don't believe me until it actually happens though,"

"Well I'll admit, I didn't believe you until I saw it happen at your wedding," He glances at me.

"Yea, that definitely was not my intention... wait, you knew?" I ask as my curls fall down across my eyes and I flip them out of my face.

"Yea... you were just a little different during the party. I mean, you were still you, but you seemed a little older... I can't really explain it. But Chris was just all about you of course. He couldn't take his eyes off of you," Eddie explains. I honestly didn't think he would be able to pick up on when I time slip - if it's my future self or past self. It's still all me of course.

"I wish I was there," I say quietly and Eddie raises his eyebrow at me again. "I mean, this me... the present me,"

"Where were you?" He asks.

"I was with Chris... just in the past," I say glancing down, remembering how upset and angry I was with myself that I missed my own wedding.

"Sounds sweet,"

"It can be... fuck, I love him more than anything. He's like the other half of me .. I never thought I would ever meet someone like him and I just really wanted to marry him that day y'know? " I say glancing out my passenger window as the lightly snow covered fields roll by.

"Yea... but you're married now aren't you?" Eddie glances at me.

"Yea, yea... the next morning we went to City Hall and made it official. It was nice but, it wasn't the same," I say looking down at the tattoo on my finger.

"Not what you planned?" Eddie asks.

"No... nothing ever happens the way I plan it. I always seem to find a way to fuck something up someway or somehow," I didn't exactly mean for that to come out that way. I guess I've been holding in a lot of resentment towards myself.

Eddie glances back at me for a few moments and I can tell he's trying to figure me out, but instead I decide to change the subject for a bit.

"So how is Beth? I haven't seen her since the wedding," I ask, pushing my curls behind my ear once again.

"She's good, she's still in San Diego working on a few things before she heads back up here. I finally was able to convince her to move up here with me just a couple of weeks ago so... she's just getting things together. Her band's not taking it well apparently, and I get it but..." He explains.

"You miss her?" I ask glancing at him as he keeps his eyes on the highway.

"Yea... a lot,"

I can just see how much he loves her as he continues to talk more about her and her band. I had only met her once before the wedding and she barely talked if at all. She is a lot more into punk and hardcore in terms of her style as well as her music, but sweet nonetheless. She's a bassist for her band Hovercraft and she just recently graduated from San Diego State University. Her and Eddie have been together since '83 when she was only 16 and he was 19.

"...and since my dad... um passed away - my real dad - she's been the only one who's basically keeping me together," " He adds, still keeping his eyes on the road.

"I'm sorry," I say quietly knowing exactly how he feels.

"It's ok, I mean I only met him once or twice when I was really little... My dad - who I thought was my dad - really wasn't my dad. When he left my mom, I found out that he was really my stepdad and that my real dad who I thought was just a family friend was actually... my dad," He explains.

"Holy shit," I say trying to take everything in.

"Yea I know... it's complicated but... still hurts though..." He trails off thoughtfully then it becomes silent between us for a few moments.

"Sorry," He apologizes, quickly glancing at me then back to the road.

"No, no it's ok... just wow," I exhale as I keep my eyes on him for a moment, then look down at the tray of coffee's in my lap, then I add "When my mom passed, it was so hard to deal with knowing she isn't really here anymore... same with Andy too. It's like this incredible heartbreak that just doesn't ever feel like it's going to go away,"

"It will eventually, with time... At least that's what they say," Eddie says and I glance back at him and give him a small smile while he does the same.

"Were you close with Andy too?" He asks.

"Oh yea, really close... Chris too... well we pretty much all were but I'd say Chris and Andy were like brothers y'know? He was my best friend. I'm an only child so he was always the one I could talk to if I needed someone... If couldn't talk to Chris for whatever reason. He was just... so sweet and like such a good person inside... y'know? If anyone was having a rough day or whatever, he was like the best person to talk to cause he would just make you forget and just..." My voice waivers as I explain and then I quickly look away from him and out the windshield trying my hardest not to cry.

Fuck, I miss him... if only I could've just saved him.

I feel Eddie glance back over at me as I try to get myself together. I definitely do not need to have a break down in front of him, of all people. I take in a deep breath and glance back at Eddie and just by his expression, I could tell that he was doing his best to comfort me.

"Looks like we're almost back at the studio," He says clearing his throat and gesturing to the road sign up ahead.

"Yea," I say quietly and after a little while, we pull up to the large cabin that was London Bridge Studios.

******************************************************************************************

A/N: So I tried to make a play on a title I thought of "Could It Be Any Better?" but I might have failed miserably LMAO. Anyways, I know there wasn't much happening in this part, but I wanted to give a proper introduction to Eddie and so I feel like this is the best way to do so. Let me know what you think.

#time travel #Time After Time #chris cornell #soundgarden #eddie vedder #chris cornell fanfiction #soundgarden fanfiction #pearl jam #eddie vedder fanfiction #alternate universe #fantasy #also on ao3 #also on wattpad

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oikaw-ugh · 4 years

Text

Akashi Seijuro :[[[[ (trash post and just literally me trashing about my fave. Akashi Seijuro)

WARNING: SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE BRAVE ENOUGH CAN PROCEED! (Also, I left what I consider as ‘treats’ at the very last and no, they’re not spoilers so u can check them.)

Hello. I am here to tell you the reasons why I love Akashi Seijuro. This is just me expressing my respect for this basketball captain and nO I’m nOT TrYIng tO RecRUit yOu tO WATCH KuROKo nO baSKEt oR aNyTHing...

1.) He cuts his own bangs.

2.) He is short but that does not affect him. I know it’s not new to have a short protagonist/main cast that is confident but I seriously think his confidence is in the next level. In fact, he is entrusted to become Teiko basketball team’s captain by the recent captain himself despite of his year level (which I think is very weird for sports manga - to have a younger year become a captain).

Also, he is well respected because of how composed, and intimidating he could be both on and off court.

3.) He is strong-willed, hence, his thirst for victory. This is noticeable during his middle school with how he always seeks for excellent members, engaging to them and nudging them to work harder for them to reach their bestest. (Ehem. Kuroko’s case).

Sadly, this would eventually turn sour, especially that he has taken victory for granted. Seeing how the Gen. of Miracles slowly lost their passion for basketball as they have won every match they had, it pains me how they slowly shifted into a different persona in Teiko arc :((((((

4.) HE LOVES HIS TEAMMATES. PLEASE, STOP TELLING ME THAT HE IS A COLD-HEARTED A-HOLE BECAUSE HE IS NOT! HE ACTUALLY TREASURED THE MEMORIES HE SHARED WITH THE GEN. OF MIRACLES, OKAY?!

Honestly, these (the sudden shift of their perspective towards volleyball) wouldn’t have happened if the Teiko admin (was it? correct me if I am wrong) started to thirst for fame for the name of their school! Their coach was opposed you know, especially that he sees first hand how the boys started to change!!!

5.) VERY SKILLED. EVEN WITHOUT HIS EMPEROR’S EYE. NOTICE WHEN HE IS AT HIS EMPEROR MODE (When he started to have hetero chromatic eyes. I call that phase the Emperor bc he lowkey is haha) HE CAN BASICALLY PREDICT THE OPPONENTS’ NXT MOVE WITH THAT EYE?

BUUUUT DID YOU SEE HOW HIS OLD SELF (honestly, I forgot if they named his two personalities but I call the recent personality the Emperor, where he has hetero chromatic eyes and the old self, where his eyes are pink) JUST DECIDED TO COME BACK TO LIFE DURING THEIR MID GAME AGAINST SEIRIN? AND HE’S JUST?? SO SKILLED?? EVEN WITHOUT THE EYE???

6.) And notice when old self was out, he was kinder???? AND MORE AFFECTIONATE? Don’t get me wrong, the Emperor expresses his affection in a very odd way. BUT DID YOU SEE HOW SURPRISED HIS SENIORS WERE WHEN HE COMPLIMENTED THEM AT THE COURT?

THAT IS HIM AFTER THE SEIRIN MATCH, ACCEPTING HIS DEFEAT LIKE MY A MAN!!! HE IS SO SOFT I AM: S I M P I N G.

Also, thank God he did not pluck his eyes out like the Emperor promised UwU.

7.) I actually have a lot of reasons in stored but they seem to have yeeted out of my mind so I’ll end it with this:

He’s actually found peace(?) and is finally contented?

I can’t put it into words well but during the movie, the last game? Where they fought against that American team? (Honestly, they were a trash they were so mean >:[[[) And he had no choice but to give in to the Emperor’s suggestion of making him out? And old Akashi was just like, okay sure.

And like, in the middle of the game, THE EMPEROR SUDDENLY BID HIS GOODBYE?! LIKE BICH, DAFUCK MY EYES WERE BAWLING WHILE I STARE AT MY SCREEN. OLD AKASHI WAS SO CONFUSED BUT THE EMPEROR EXPLAINED THAT HE KNEW AKASHI WON’T BE NEEDING HIM ANYMORE AND I AM SO SOFT I WANNA HUG HIM RIGHT NOW-

The point is, Akashi is kind-hearted bean who just expresses his affection in a different sense. He is uptight but he actually treasured each and every one of the Gen. of Miracles. So when the admins have low-key put the pressure on their backs, and with their consecutive wins, it is understandable how their personalities shifted, hence, losing the love for the sport.

And Akashi, as the new captain, has to ingest all of this? He has to keep the Gen. of Miracles in check and at the same, checking his self, too? Especially that he’s starting to crave for winning more and more?

And when Murasakibaracchi tried to test Akashi’s strength? Of course, I know deep inside Akashi was baffled by the fact that his members are questioning his capabilities as their Captain, giving in to the creation of the Emperor.

But eventually, in the last game, he finally becomes contented of what he has achieved so far and that maKES ME CRY AGAIN DAMMIT

That’s basically it. God knows how bittersweet it was to me to watch the last movie, basically the last chapter of this franchise :[[[[

Also, Akashi shares the same voice with some of my favorite boys:

WE LOVE HIROSHI KAMIYA

#leia rambles #leia afternoon talks #wow leia i commend your dedication #did you just dedicate an essay-ish blog for akashi?#kuroko no basket #kuroko's basketball #akashi seijūrō #kuroko akashi #knb #generation of miracles #hiroshi kamiya

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skywardsoul · 3 years

Text

Stories From the Sidelines: Chapter 2

Yeah believe it or not, I actually uploaded a second chapter to my Little Witch Academia fic that focuses on the background characters. Sure it’s almost been two years since chapter 1, better late than never right! Chapter 2 stars Sarah’s teammate Chloé and her one sided rivalry with Diana.

Read it on AO3: Here

Read it on FF.Net: Here

Unknown to most of its student body, there was a war raging in the halls of Luna Nova. A war being fought for honor, integrity, and the truth. The young witches that blissfully walked the campus may have been unaware of its importance, but for Chloé LeBlanc, it was her reality. The day would come when she would conquer this fight, when she would finally show her peers the truth! The day when she would prove to everyone, student and teacher alike, that she was a better witch than Diana Cavendish.

For the life of her Chloé could never understand just what everyone saw in Diana. She swore that she couldn’t go ten minutes without one of her brainwashed peers throwing out a “Wow Diana!,” or a “You’re so talented Diana!” So what she was good at a couple of spells? It’s not like she could pull off anything their teachers couldn’t! So what she was from a fancy noble family! As far as Chloé could tell there were several girls in her year with noble blood. Hell Chloé herself was from a long and historic magical lineage. The difference was she didn’t feel the need to flaunt it around like Diana did.

Every other word outta that snobbish brit’s mouth was about her dumb family. “The Cavendish family honor,” this and “My duty as a Cavendish,” that. And yet no one but her seemed to care. All the other girls, especially Barbra Parker and Hannah England, ate up that crap like it was a freaking ice cream sundae. They just loved to hear all about Diana’s dumb family history and her dumb realtives, and her dumb ancestorial connection to one of the olde nine witches. And Woodward knows that Diana was all too eager to tell them about it.

The LeBlanc family was just as storied and important as the Cavendish lineage, yet no one seemed to be chomping at the bit to ask Chloé about her history. For generations, witches of the LeBlanc name were crucial parts of the magical community. Her great great grandmother Belle was one of the founding members of the great mages library. Her great uncle Auguste revolutionized the magical culinary arts with his cooking. Even as recently as 16 years ago, her cousin Jean-Pierre helped to stop a dangerous drug trading coven. There was no shortage of excellent LeBlanc witches! Okay, yeah sure, her older sister Sherry might have gotten a bit too obsessed with that crazy motorcycle card game of hers, but that's hardly enough to erase the decades of impressive LeBlanc achievement. Didn’t seem to matter though, as these noble deeds meant nothing to the masses compared to Diana’s rambling.

The only other people who seemed to be immune to Diana’s annoying drivel was her teammate Sarah Bernhardt, and Sucy Manbavaran and Akko Kagari of the red team. Sarah was too much of a realist to get caught up in pointless hero worship, Chloé was pretty sure Sucy didn’t really care about anything, and Akko, poor, sweet, troublesome Akko, had convinced herself that Diana was her destined rival. A rivalry that the Japanese witch stood absolutely no chance in, but one that Chloé admired. Sure, She and Akko didn’t talk much, but Chloé saw her as a companion of sorts. The only other girl who was dying to see Diana get knocked down a peg.

And finally, after all this time, Chloé had found a way to make just that happen. A full proof plan that would once and for all prove herself to be a witch of equal, no, greater calibur than Diana Cavendish. Chloé grinned wickedly at the envelope she clutched to her chest. With her master piece in mind and her secret weapon in hand, Chloé proudly strode towards the peach team dorm. The last classes had just let out for the day, and the French girl was certain that both her teammates would already be back in their dorm. Not that she was eager to brag about her master plan or anything, Chloé just felt like talking to her friends was all. As she approached the door, Chloé’s suspicions were confirmed as she heard Sarah and Elfriede’s voices from within the room. With a confident smile on her face, Chloé threw open the door, just knowing her fellow peach team witches would be eager to listen to her magnum opus.

“I’m telling you El, that’s absolute nonsense,” Sarah said as she lay on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.

An annoyed grumble came from Elfriede who was sitting across the room on the bottom bunk of the bed she shared with Chloé.

“Oh what would you know about true love? Always looking at matters of the heart in black and white,” Elfriede retorted. The German witch had a book open on her lap. While Chloé couldn’t see the title from where she stood, she was certain it was probably another one of Elfriede’s trashy monster romance novels.

It was a sight that Chloé had gotten rather used to in her time at Luna Nova, as her teammates seemed to argue constantly like this. Elfriede would dream up some cheesy idealistic scene of love and confession and drama in her head, only to adamantly defend it when Sarah would ruthlessly point out how absurd it was. The arguments would never get mean spirited and they hardly ended in the two peach team members being genuinely upset with one another, but they did more often than not go on for a long time. Neither Elfriede nor Sarah was the backing down type, and as a result were more willing to waste an afternoon then admit they were being silly.

The fact that the two were in the midst of one such argument did not bode well for Chloé as neither had noticed her come in the door, and even worse, neither would be willing to hear about her awesome plan.

“All I’m saying is that true love is an unproven concept,” Sarah said, turning on her side to face Elfriede. “But you know what is a proven one?”

“What’s that?”

“Hunger. As soon as that lamia gets hungry, it doesn’t matter how ‘perfect for each other,’ they are. Goodbye lover boy or girl, you’re fucking dinner!” Sarah said, throwing up her hands for emphasis.

“Sarah!” Elfriede said with a huff. “You’re so morbid!”

“What? It’s the truth!”

“Ehem,” Chloé said with a cough, figuring now was as good a time as any to make her presence known.

Sarah and Elfriede both fell silent as they turned to look at Chloé.

“Oh hey Chloé,” Sarah said. “Didn’t see you come in. How long have you been standing there?”

Chloé walked forward and sat down at the desk the three shared.

“Long enough to know that you should cease this pointless argument before it becomes a whole ‘thing’,” She said with an air of authority. “And long enough to know that a certain team leader owe’s a coin to the swear jar.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and with a groan flopped onto her back.

“Seriously? I Didn’t even mean to! It just kinda slipped out.”

“Yes seriously,” Chloé said, grabbing the jar from its place on the desk and thrusting it towards Sarah.

The redhead grumbled under her breath as she sat up and dug for a coin in her pocket. Once the necessary penance was paid, Chloé put the jar down and turned to her roommates with a smile. It was time. Time for them to hear her plan.

“Girls, there’s something I would like to discuss with you.”

Chloé had only just said her first sentence when Sarah already let out another groan.

“What?” Chloé asked, somewhat put off.

“I know that face is what. It’s the ‘I’m gonna destroy Diana’ face.” Sarah said.

“I don’t have a ‘I’m gonna destroy Diana’ face!” Chloé retorted.

“Then what you have to tell us has nothing to do with Cavendish?”

“Well...not exactly…”

“See? I knew it,” Sarah said victoriously.

“You don’t understand Sarah!” Chloé said, excitedly shooting up from her chair. “This time it’s going to work! This time I’m going to show Diana what for!”

“That’s what you said about the swimsuit incident and we both know how that went,” Sarah said with a sigh.

Chloé’s response died in her throat as she felt her face heat up in embarrassment. Ah yes, the swimsuit incident. Not the LeBlanc family’s finest hour.

“This is different!” Chloé managed to say, blocking the embarrassing memory from her mind.

From behind her Elfriede joined Sarah in letting out a tired sigh.

“Do you really have to do all these schemes Chloé? Can’t you just try and get along with Diana?” the German girl questioned.

“Spoken like a true Cavendish apologist,” Chloé said with a ‘hmph’, crossing her arms.

“I’m not a ’Cavendish apologist,’ Chloé. That’s not even a thing. All I did was ask her for some help on the linguistics homework.”

“And that’s just how she lures you in!” Chloe said. “If you are truly loyal to the peach team and are not a Diana brain slave in the making, you’ll at least hear what I have to say.”

“Fine,” Elfriede said, resignation heavy in her voice. “Go ahead.”

“Sarah?” Chloé asked, whipping around to face her redheaded teammate.

Sarah gave her a frown, but relented all the same.

“Yeah go ahead. Regale us with your oh so clever plan.”

Chloé felt her heart race with excitement as her teammates gave her the all clear. They were clearly apprehensive at the moment but they’d surely change their tune once they heard her brilliance. Clearing her throat with a good cough, Chloé began her speech.

“Now, as you both know Diana Cavendish has garnered a rather annoying reputation as our grade’s, and perhaps the whole school’s, top witch. But do you know why that is?”

“Because she has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things magic?” Sarah said.

“No,” Chloé responded flatly.

“Is it because she’s dependable and is always there when her peers need her?” Elfriede asked innocently.

“No, wrong again,” Chloé said with a grumble.

“Oh, I know! It’s because she-”

“It’s because she supposedly gets top marks in all her classes!” Chloé said, cutting the German girl off.

“Well yeah,” Sarah said dryly. “She does get top marks in all her classes.”

Chloé couldn’t help but chuckle darkly at that. Oh how naive her team leader was.

“That’s where you’re wrong, my dear Sarah,” Chloé said with an evil grin. “For that is but an illusion, a lie that Diana has led the entire student body into believing. I, however, have seen the truth.”

“Which is…?” Elfriede asked tentatively.

“That Diana Cavendish has not, in fact received the best possible grades in all her classes, but has merely received them in most of her classes!” Chloé exclaimed.

A silent pause fell over the room. Sarah and Elfriede shared a look across the room before letting out a joint “huh?”

“Allow me to explain,” Chloé eagerly said, ignoring a groan from Sarah. “You see, last tuesday in potions class, while I was packing up our cauldron I noticed a certain British snob looking over the tests Professor Lukić had handed back to us.”

Chloé began to pace across the dorm room as she continued her story.

“Usually when Diana gets a test back, she simply nods her head before putting it away in her bag. Yet this time, this time was different,” Chloé said, ignoring Sarah’s interruption asking her how she knew exactly what Diana did with her tests.

“For whatever reason, Diana did not nod in confirmation when viewing this test, no she practically scoured at it. For on the top of that paper sat not the expected A+, no. The grade she had received was in fact...a B!” Chloé shouted.

Chloé whipped around to see her roommates' reaction. Neither had moved. They must have been reeling in shock at her revelation.

“A...B? That’s it?” Sarah asked

“Nay! It goes deeper!” Chloé responded. “You see I had to make sure I wasn’t mistaken, that I hadn’t been seeing things. Surely the oh so incredible Diana Cavendish hadn’t scored a grade not one, but three whole steps below an A+? But she had! And I have the proof!”

Chloé strode back to the desk and picked up the envelope she had been carrying earlier. It was time to deploy her secret weapon.

“Behold!” She said, opening the envelope and pulling out the paper within. “The record of Diana’s potions grades!”

“How on earth did you get that? Sarah asked somewhat worridley.

“I have my sources,” Chloé responded smugly.

“That sounds like an invasion of privacy Chloé,” Elfriede said.

“And kinda illegal,” Sarah added.

“Don’t get caught up in the details,” Chloé said, waving off her friend’s concerns. “Pay attention instead, to the truth!”

Chloé turned the grade sheet so that Sarah and Elfriede could see. Despite their misgivings, both girls leaned forward to read it.

“This page, this mere piece of paper is the key to toppling Diana! For it proves that not only did she indeed get a B on our last test, but that her class average is only a B+!! That’s right, not an A+, not a basic A, not even an A-, a humble B+.”

Chloé laughed wickedly as she threw the paper up in triumph. There! She had exposed the truth! Now both of her roommates were enlightened!

“Is...that it?” Sarah questioned.

Chloé stopped mid evil laugh to whip her attention back towards Sarah. This lukewarm reception was not the response she had been expecting.

“What do you mean is that it!? How is your mind not blown right now??” Chloé questioned angrily.

“Well, It’s just that, I don’t see how that’s a big deal?” Sarah said. Elfriede nodded in agreement.

“This seems pretty...normal?”

Impossible! Chloé could understand how a grounded person like Sarah could fail to see the bigger picture here but not Elfriede too!

“It’s not! Diana is supposed to be perfect! But here she is clearly achieving below perfect scores!”

“Everyone has something they aren’t good at Chloé,” Elfriede said. “It makes sense Diana would have a subject she struggles in too.”

“If you can even call a B+ average struggling,” Sarah added.

Chloé took a step back, wind knocked out of her sails. Clearly her teammates just couldn’t appreciate the gravity of her discovery.

“Hpmh. The two of you may not understand the opportunity at hand here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t.”

“And that opportunity is what exactly? Are you gonna go around the school screaming that Diana has a B in one subject?” Sarah asked.

“No! I’m not,” Chloé said. “If you must know, I will simply out perform her in potions class! When the school hears about how I, Chloé LeBlanc received a higher grade than Diana, they’ll realize that she’s just another witch. Just another girl in school, susceptible to normal grades just like the rest of us!”

Chloé crossed her arms and closed her eyes, a smug, satisfied smile on her face. A silence once again fell over the room until a nervous sound from Elfriede broke it.

“Uh, Chloé? Isn’t there something...wrong with your plan?” the German girl asked.

Chloé’s eyes flew open, and she turned to face Elfriede with a frown.

“Like what?” She asked.

“Like the fact that your shit at potions? Almost as shit as me?” Sarah said deadpan.

“Language!” Chloé retorted angrily, shoving the swear jar back in Sarah’s face.

Sarah starred her down with a frown as she dropped another coin into the jar.

“I am aware of my...lack of skills, when it comes to brewing potions. I know that I can’t beat Diana with luck alone,” Chloé explained. “But I have that covered! You see, I’m going to get a tutor, and under their tutelage, am going to work nonstop until I’m confident that I will achieve the A+ that Diana cannot!”

“That’s your big plan? To study?” Sarah asked incredulously. “That’s what you should be doing anyway for a class you suck at!!”

“You’re failing to see the bigger picture Sarah.”

“Oh yeah? Who are you gonna get to tutor you anyway? It’ll take a godd- er, gosh-darn genius to polish your skills.”

Chloé chuckled to herself smugly. “Oh don’t you worry about that Sarah. I’ve got my eyes on the best potion master in our grade!”

“Sucy Manbavaran?”

“The best approachable potion master in our grade!”

“Barsa McVinegar?” Elfriede asked.

“The very same!” Chloé responded.

“How exactly are you gonna get her to agree to tutor you?” Sarah asked drly.

“Oh please, Sarah, that’ll be easy. You may not know it, but me and Barsa are great friends. She loves me.”

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“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea Chloé. I’m pretty busy after class these days, and I kinda...don’t like you?” Barsa said to a rather flabbergasted Chloé.

The day after having revealed her master plan to her teammates, Chloé had gone to talk to Barsa as soon as she could. She often frequented the potions lab after school and that was exactly where Chloé found her. The French witch wasted no time in asking Barsa for her help in being her potion tutor...only to be immediately shot down. Okay, so it was a possibility that she had exaggerated how close she and Barsa were to Sarah and Elfriede. In reality, they had barely interacted before Chloé had started this whole scheme of hers. Still, she couldn’t take no for an answer, not now! Not after coming so far! A LeBlanc wouldn’t give up so easily!

“Please Barsa! You have no idea what this means to me!” Chloé said, throwing herself down onto her knees. “I’m begging you! Just a few lessons after class. At least until our next test!”

Barsa shifted uncomfortably at Chloé’s sudden begging. Chloé took this as a sign that her pleading was starting to work. She had no qualms about keeping this up until Barsa cracked.

“I-I don’t know Chloé,” Barsa said, shifting her gaze to look anywhere besides the fairly pathetic witch in front of her. “I already made a mistake in helping you get that grade sheet outta Professor Lukić’s office. If she found out it was missing, I’d lose my job as her TA for sure! Hell, I could have gotten expelled.”

“Yes, I understand that was a big risk for you. Which is why I brought it back, as promised, unscathed!,” Chloé said, jumping back to her feet and handing the envelope containing said document back to Barsa eagerly.

Barsa hesitantly took the envelope, giving Chloé a sideways glance before checking the contents inside. Determining that the grade sheet was in fact unmarred and in one piece, Barsa let out a relieved sigh.

“See? Good as new!” Chloé said confidently. “Now you can slip it back in place of the decoy and no one will ever know it was missing. You see, I gave my word and a LeBlanc never breaks a deal.”

“Deal!? What ‘Deal,’? You blackmailed me into stealing it for you,” Barsa said angrily.

“Well blackmail is a bit of a harsh word, isn’t it?” Chloé said with a nervous laugh.

“You threatened to release pictures of me dressing up as Professor Lukić to the school paper. I’d say blackmail describes that perfectly.”

“Okay so I might have used some underhanded tactics, and for that I’m sorry. Truly I am,” Chloé said clasping her hands together. But that was then, and this was now. Surely you can overlook the past just this once? Isn’t our friendship strong enough for that?” Chloé said hopefully.

“Not really,” Barsa deadpanned in response. “and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be your friend.”

Chloé gasped, somewhat scandalized. How could a girl with such a cute sounding voice speak such harsh words!?

Seeing Chloé’s shock as a chance to escape, Barsa quickly gathered her things, picked up her cauldron, and made for the door.

“Anyway, Bye Chloé. Good luck with...whatever it is you were doing, I guess.”

Chloé shook herself out of her surprise at these words. Barsa was trying to leave! Leave without agreeing to tutor her! Her window was closing, her plan was practically falling apart before her eyes. It was now or never! Gathering her courage, Chloé leapt at the fleeing form of the other girl, successfully clasping onto her leg. Barsa yelped at the sudden contact, and went totally red in face as she took in the scene Chloé had caused.

“Please Barsa! You’ve got to be my potions tutor!” The French girl begged.

“Just, a-ask another student!” Barsa said through her embarrassment as she continued to try and walk to the door, dragging Chloé with her.

“I can’t! My potion skills are dirt! If I try and learn from anyone but the best, my grade won’t improve enough,” Chloé retorted.

“If you want the best, then go ask Sucy. She’s even better at potion brewing than I am!”

“Ask Sucy Manbavaran for a favor? Do I look suicidal to you!?”

“Alright fine!” Barasa finally relented. “I’ll be your stupid tutor, just let go of me already! And stand up please! It’s embarrassing to see you clinging to me so pathetically like that!”

Completely missing the insult she had just received, Chloé could only hear an angelic choir as Barsa agreed to teach her. It worked! Diana’s destruction was one step closer! Oh she could see it now, the Diana Cavendish and all her brain dead worshipers standing dumbfounded as she, Chloé LeBlanc towered over her stupid ‘B’ with a perfect score!

Releasing Barsa from her grip, Chloé once again rose to her feet, composing herself with a polite cough.

“Thank you for agreeing to assist me Barsa, it’s much appreciated.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure whatever,” Barsa said flatly.

“Then I’ll meet you here after class, for let’s say, two hours or so? Starting tomorrow?” Chloé said, holding out her hand for Barsa to take.

“Ah ah ah, not so fast,” Barsa said, crossing her arms. “If I tutor you, what’s in it for me?”

What? In it for her? Chloé hadn’t expected for Barsa to ask for recompense. She hadn’t prepared a reward. In hindsight, that was probably a pretty big oversight on her part. Something was telling her that Barsa wouldn’t exactly take “the satisfaction of seeing Diana being beaten down,” as a fitting payment.

“Um, I’ll...do anything you ask?” Chloé offered with uncertainty.

“Anything, I ask?”

“Well, within a certain reason-”

“Okay bye Chloé,” Barsa said, turning for the door.

“Wait! Fine! Don’t go!” Chloé said, grabbing Barsa’s arm. “I promise, I’ll do anything that the might of the LeBlanc family name and fortune can achieve!”

For the first time since they started this conversation, Barsa seemed somewhat pleased.

“Okay Chloé, you’ve got yourself a deal,” Barsa said, turning back around to shake Chloé’s hand proper. “Meet me here everyday starting tomorrow as soon as class lets out, and don’t be late. I don’t want to spend more time doing this than I have to.

“Not to worry, Mrs. McVinegar! A LeBlanc is nothing if not punctual!”

“I’m not gonna be an easy teacher either. I can get a bit crazy when it comes to potions. You sure you still want me to teach you?”

Chloé felt her enthusiasm falter a bit at that. Well, it’s not like she expected this to be easy, right? Getting her potion skills up to snuff was always gonna be a bit of an ordeal. Besides, the harder fought the battle, the sweeter her inevitable victory over Diana would be, right? And no matter how ‘crazy,’ Barsa was about potions, she couldn’t be worse than trying to learn from someone like Sucy, right? There was no turning back now! She’d come too far.

“Yes, i’m sure!” Chloé answered confidently. “I’ll be the best student you’ll ever have!

“Sure, great,” Barsa said tiredly, finally leaving the potions lab.

Chloé watched her leave with a satisfied smirk on her face. Phase two of her master plan was complete, and she only had to beg a little! Diana’s demise was practically at hand and Chloé couldn’t be in higher spirits. Sure, Barsa had said that their tutoring sessions would be hard, but honestly, compared to the pain of living in Diana’s shadow, how bad could they be?

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Turns out, lessons with Barsa could be hell. No, actually Chloé was pretty sure Satan himself would want nothing to do with the punishment that Chloé had been enduring everyday after class for the last week and a half. Barsa had not been kidding when she said that she got crazy when it came to potions. It was like the normally passive girl morphed into a completely different person, one fueled solely by rage, and insulting others. Barsa had little to no patience for Chloé’s lack of skills, so rather than starting by reinforcing the basics of brewing, like Chloé had suggested, Barsa had decided to go with a more trial by fire kind of approach. This of course meant that she made a lot of mistakes, mistakes that Barsa didn’t take kindly to. It was like the orange haired girl took each and every fumble as some kind of personal affront to the art of potion brewing.

“And what exactly is that supposed to be?” Barsa had asked harshly, looking at Chloé’s attempt at making a panacea.

“Um, it’s a pa-”

“Because I know that you aren’t stupid enough to try and tell me that that pathetic excuse for sludge sitting in your cauldron is supposed to be a panacea,” Barsa said, slamming her hands on the table and leaning towards Chloé. “You aren’t stupid enough to do that, are you Chloé?”

Chloé could practically feel the venom dripping off of Barsa’s words.

“No! I’m not, Mrs. Barsa, uh sir!”

“Good. Then throw that trash down the drain and start again. From scratch.”

Seeing Chloé’s hesitance, Barsa slammed her hands down once again. “Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation!? Get brewing!”

“Yes ma’am!” Chloé said snapping to action.

And that was basically how all of Chloé’s tutoring sessions went, with her scared out of her skull as demon mode Barsa berated her. Still, as much as she didn’t want to admit it Barsa’s tutoring certainly seemed to produce results. It wasn’t long before potion mixtures and techniques were coming easier to Chloé. Now all that was left to do was see if the training paid off, which is exactly what Chloé currently found herself doing. As she sat there in potions class Friday afternoon Chloé found herself fighting to stay awake for what was probably the fifth time today. She may have been just a tad bit excited about destroying Diana’s perfect girl image and had been unable to fall asleep the night before. Nevertheless, she had pressed on throughout the day as any good LeBlanc would. She would not falter here! Not when she was so close to tasting victory!

After sitting through a class period that felt like it had lasted ages, Professor Lukić finally finished her lecture.

“That’s all we have time for today girls,” the old witch cronned. “I will see you next week.”

There was a general commotion as the witches in the room all began to stand and gather their things, clearly eager to leave the potions room and start their weekend. Chloé was not one of them, as she was starting to feel something that was probably akin to panic, just magnified times a hundred. What about the tests? They were supposed to get back their tests! Did Professor Lukić forget to grade them? Or worse, were they destroyed in some horrible unforeseen accident? Was all her hard work doomed to-

A hand shot up out of the corner of Chloé’s eye. She didn’t need to turn and look to know it was Diana’s. Chloé had long since memorized where her rival sat. Which was a totally normal thing to do, regardless of what Sarah thought. Professor Lukić took notice of Diana’s raised hand.

“Yes, miss Cavendish. What is it dear?”

Diana stood up from her seat.

“Forgive me Professor, but I believe you have forgotten to hand us back our previous test scores.”

A flash of recognition went across the old witches face before she turned back to her desk.

“Ah, right you are Diana. I know I have them here somewhere…”

A collective groan spread across the room as Diana sat back down in her seat. Obviously most of the class was not looking forward to getting their results. It was an open secret that potions was far from the most popular subject. A subpar grade in it being handed back to you was hardly the way any witch at Luna Nova wanted to start their weekend. Chloé couldn’t help but scoff. It was just like Diana to bring something like that up. Chloé bet she was the kind of kid in grade school that reminded the teacher to give homework. It baffled her to no end how Diana maintained all her fans when she pulled stunts like this. Of course, Chloé herself had also been eagerly awaiting her test results but that was neither here nor there.

Having seemingly found the graded tests, Professor Lukić turned back to the class. With a wave of her wand, the papers all began to float towards the seat of the respective students that owned them.

“Overall, you all did quite well. Even I have to admit that I’m impressed with some of the improvement I’ve seen since the last test.” Professor Lukić said. “With scores like these we might finally be able to get into some more dangerous and difficult brews.”

The professor cackled darkly as another wave of groans swept across the classroom. All of it however, was mere background noise to Chloé. The world around her practically fell away as she stared at the test in front of her...and the large A+ written on top in red ink. She’d done it! Actually really done it! She had sacrificed her pride and crawled through the trenches of potion brewing hell to get here, but she had reached her goal! The coveted A+ that even Diana Cavendish struggled to achieve! She had won! For the first time in the history in the halls of Luna Nova The LeBlanc name had reigned sup-

“Woah Diana! You did it!”

Suddenly Chloé felt herself being dragged harshly back to reality. With a speed that almost certainly wasn’t healthy for her neck Chloé turned to face Diana. The British girl had a small smile on her face, her test held in her hands, a large, red A+ adorned atop it. Chloé felt her jaw go slack. She blinked slowly in disbelief. How? How could Diana have gotten an A+ too? How!? Wasn’t this supposed to be her weak subject!? Chloé knew that the proud Cavendish could have never asked for help in her studies!

“See? I knew you’d get that A+”

Chloé hadn’t realized it before, but it was Akko who had spoken earlier, and who was now praising Diana. Wait a minute, since when in the hell was Akko friends with Diana!? It couldn’t be! Not only did she lose her chance at Diana’s destruction but had she also lost a (self-proclaimed) comrade in the battle against the Cavendish tyranny!? The Japanese girl was sitting awfully close to Diana, hell they were practically shoulder to shoulder. When Diana turned to address Akko, the smile on her face grew.

“Yes well Akko, It would appear you were right. Perhaps I was selling myself a little short,” Diana said. “Still, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Wait a second that didn’t make sense. Akko was awful at potions. How could she have helped Diana-

“Thank you Sucy. Without your lessons my grade never would have gone up.”

The witch in question scoffed in response as she stood up from her seat and walked to the door. “Yeah yeah, whatever. Akko was never gonna stop bugging me if I didn’t help you. Not like you were a difficult person to teach anyways...”

“Don’t mind her Diana,” Akko said through a laugh as her fellow red teammate left the classroom. “I bet she’s just embarrassed with how sincere you were.”

“Oh, my bad. I didn’t mean to embarrass her. Should I not have thanked her so publicly?”

“Nah don’t worry about it. It’ll take more than that to rattle Sucy. Like one time, she…”

The sounds of Diana and Akko’s conversation faded as they too left the room. Chloé remained glued to her seat, her mouth still very much hanging open and her mind still very much blown. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Diana Cavendish and Atsuko Kagari, were friends. Not only that but the notoriously stubborn and prideful Diana had actually asked someone else to help her study. A someone that just so happened to be Sucy Manbavaran. The most unapproachable witch in the entirety of the school. Slowly, Chloé closed her mouth, and turned back to face forward in her seat. She glanced down at the A+ that sat on her paper. What had filled her with near elation only minutes ago now seemed like nothing more than a cheap consolation prize.

With all the force of the disappointment that now weighed on her shoulders, Chloé slammed her head onto her desk. What she had once thought as truths, were broken and what had once been hope, was now despair. She had no idea how this day could get any worse.

“Hey Chloé.” Barsa said as she walked up to the sulking witch.

Chloé didn’t give a response, but more of an acknowledging groan.

“I see you got the grade you wanted. Good for you, I guess.”

Chloé let out another groan. “Good for me? Yeah right. This is nothing now. Nothing but the promise of what could have been.”

Unfortunately Chloé’s words were muffled by the fact that her face was currently flat up against her desk. Barsa considered asking the French witch to repeat what she had said, but just shrugged in indifference instead.

“Yeah cool so you remember our deal right? I help you, you do whatever I ask.”

Chloé raised her head to look at the ginger witch.

“And what would that be?”

“There's gonna be a potion’s expo in town this weekend, but I can’t make it because I’m visiting my family,” Barsa explained. “I was planning on stocking up on some rare ingredients, ones that I won’t get another chance to get my hands on for a while. So you’re gonna go in my place.”

“Okay. So uh when is it?” Chloé asked tentatively.

Sure, Chloé wasn’t looking forward to this at all, but hey with the leadway she gave Barsa, the ginger witch could have asked for a lot worse. What’s one day out of her weekend?

“It starts tomorrow at 9 a.m and goes until Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. The lines can get pretty long, especially for the stuff I’m after, so you’re gonna have to get there early. Six in the morning should do it,” Barsa said.

She turned to take an envelope out of her pocket and handed it to a bewildered Chloé.

“Here. That’s your ticket. Be sure not to lose it. I’ve also got a list of the stuff I need written down in there too. Make sure you get them all, especially the petrified dragon vomit. That’s really important.”

Barsa patted Chloé on the shoulder and made her way towards the door.

“Okay have fun!”

And with that, she was gone. And so was Chloé’s weekend. Finally Chloé managed to find her way to her feet. She slowly gathered up her things and made to walk for the door. As she was contemplating whether throwing herself off of the new moon tower or drowning out by the cafeteria vestibule would be a more fitting end, Professor Lukić emerged from the ingredients store room at the front of the class.

“Oh, miss LeBlanc. You’re still here. Was there something you needed child?”

“No Professor. I was just leaving,” Chloé said dejectedly.

Professor Lukić raised an eyebrow at her student’s clearly downtrodden mood.

“What’s gotten into you girl? Why are you so mopey?” The professor asked.

Chloé cringed at the question. She didn’t exactly feel like explaining her entire ordeal to the old witch.

“It’s nothing professor, really. I’m fine,” she said, hoping her professor wouldn’t press further.

Lukić let out a huff. “If you say so. Still, try and smile a bit child. You did very well on your test. You’ve far exceeded what I thought you were capable of. I’m almost proud of you.”

Chloé blinked in surprise at that. It was practically as close as possible as one could get to receiving a compliment from the old potion master. Despite everything that had gone wrong today, Chloé couldn’t help but smile.

“Thank you professor. I’ll be sure to keep trying my best.”

And with that Chloé finally made her way out of the potions room. It might not have brought Diana to her knees, but suddenly her A+ didn’t feel so worthless.

#little witch academia #sarah bernhardt #Chloé #Elfriede #lwa #alec writes #hope you enjoy!#Bonus points to anyone who can figure out where I got Chloé's last name from

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sinjata · 3 years

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Inuyasha / Kagome Fanfic : When Your Heart Makes a Wish - Chapter 3 - A dear memory

A/N: Hopefully you readers had peaceful All Saints' Day and Happy Halloween. ( ( ^ o ^ ) )

I have cried and screamed here like crazy today, because the news of the Yashahime English dub cast! They are all back; Richard, Kira, Kirby, Kelly, Jillian and David!!! I’m just so happy right now, you have no idea! I have been waiting those news so much! ♡ Ehem... I try to calm down now. ^^’ So, this chapter became a little long one, also very fluffy and syrupy sweet. Just warning! Hopefully no one will fall asleep, while reading. Oh, and thank you so much for reblogging chapters! :) Enjoy of reading!

Chapter 3 - A dear Memory

Kagome stares at the sky, feeling the coolness of the bench underneath her. One memory has been really hidden for a long time, but now Kagome decides to give it permission to come out. She sighs and clears her mind of everything else. Maybe it would make me feel better this time? Or then it just kills me... Kagome thinks and closes her eyes.

*****

The day began to turn into an evening at the well of a bone eater. Kagome squeezed the familiar wooden edges of the well with white knuckles. She had to get somewhere to calm down, this place was important to her and just right for it. Sango asked earlier about her well-being and Kagome did know well, why she was worried about her.

She was lucky to have Sango as a friend, with whom she was able to clear up her thoughts, like Sango did too with Kagome. Inuyasha and Miroku were certainly not the easiest travel partners. However, Kagome had not been able to give the correct answers to her questions. She felt somewhat restless and went through her distressing thoughts with herself.

Inuyasha was going to kiss me in my room back then and said he would protect me, but... I guess even then he was only thinking of Ki - Kagome couldn't continue her thought to the end, feeling like even the mere thought was still hurting.

“And when I come back here just for a moment, we just get into a stupid fight with each other. As always... Even that tells it, right? No, there's nothing else between us! It wasn't even two-timing before, because there hasn't been anything like that, right? Damn... If only I could talk about this with mom, she could -”

Suddenly she felt like she wasn’t alone anymore, but too late, when someone was already behind her. She startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Are you trying to drop me...? She thought as she turned to swing that hand away, but she stumbled and was going to fall into the well.

Kagome instinctively closed her eyes, waiting to fall into the glow of the well, moving to her own time. Or worse, she would just flop to the bottom of the well, among to the bones of the demons. At the last moment she felt arms around her and someone pulling her up from the well. But Kagome did recognize those someone's hands. Amazed golden-yellow eyes stared at her, while she realized that she was face to face with very familiar hanyō.

“Inu-Yasha...” she said in fright.

Their faces changed color in a redder direction, as they noticed how close they were each other and Inuyasha still holding on her for some reason. Why he won’t let go...? Or maybe it’s a good thing... Kagome thought, she was somehow feeling weird. She didn't know how well her numb feet would carry, if Inuyasha would let go of her.

Kagome didn't seem to be happy to see me here, but... Why I wouldn't want to let go of her yet? Inuyasha who was unable to move, thought.

“Oi... Are you okay?” Inuyasha asked softly.

“I’m... I’m just fine!” a little bit panicky Kagome responded with shrill voice, struggling away from Inuyasha's grip. No no no, that tone is already too much!

No, don't go yet… Uhh. Inuyasha thought a little disappointedly.

Kagome slammed into the ground to lean against the well, blinking her eyes. My heart beats like crazy, because of fright... Or for some other reason? Oh, shut up now, brains! Kagome said in her mind. She pulled feet against her chest and buried half of her face behind arms, suddenly feeling how the color flee from her face. Ooh no, did I speak out loud before?? How long has Inuyasha been watching, did he hear me? Damn snooper!

Inuyasha also sat down on the ground next to Kagome. Strange feeling... Where does this disappointment come from? Well, I prevented Kagome from escaping home! He thought contentedly.

“Were you going home? Keh, you shouldn't jump like that, head first! It can hurt if you just hit the bottom!” Inuyasha grinned, Kagome felt how a gust of anger wanted to come out and she had no time to stop it.

“You crazy, you almost scared me to death! Do you have to sneak around like that??” she turned to Inuyasha, spat the words from her mouth with anger in her eyes, but then she was little startled too by her own outburst.

Inuyasha rushed closer to Kagome, after surviving of the fright she caused.

“You were going back home, right?! Well, I'm sorry that I saved Miss sourpuss from falling! Should I just have given you a boost, huh??” Inuyasha barked back.

They looked at each other in anger and their bangs mixed together. Does she look - sad? Inuyasha noticed, when their gazes were reconciling.

He's so... Too close! Kagome swallowed her anger, shook her head and backed away from him.

Damn it... Why this always happens? Situations just explode in our hands, just like that. Even if I wanted something completely different... Inuyasha thought.

“I wasn't running away, what do you think of me?” Kagome glared him. Yes, I know... Sometimes I have gone without telling him, but Inuyasha was the one, who in most cases caused it.

“I just miss home sometimes, even now when I really should be there”, she said with an apologetic tone in her voice.

“Here I'm just able to be a bit closer to home, even for a moment”, Kagome said, while she stroked scar on her knee with her fingertips.

When Kagome has hurt her knee? Why she hadn't shown it to me? Inuyasha looked at her wondering. The “weathervane” seems to have subsided for a moment, but doesn't she like to be here anymore…? He worried.

“Homesickness, huh? Everyone always misses you back here”, Inuyasha said knowing really well, who misses the most.

“Hm, really?” Kagome looked at Inuyasha, who nodded with a smile.

“Thank you, you’re kind when you say that”, Kagome smiled and found herself feeling a little lighter.

Inuyasha often managed to annoy her, but also occasionally cheer her up.

“Keh, just saying...” Inuyasha mumbled while he chewed a straw, feeling how his cheeks heated up.

A moment of silence descended between them. Inuyasha cleared his throat and scratched head with a fingernail. He wondered, how to formulate his question and then just asked directly - to her horror.

“Kagome... About what, or rather, about who were you talking about recently, alone?”

Kagome blushed harshly, suddenly she just wanted to jump into the well and disappear for a moment.

“Wha... You - or no one else - should have been hearing my private stuff, you stupid!” Kagome snapped, struggling with controlling her anger. Why Inuyasha is always challenging me, at the worst moment...

Inuyasha was frightened, deciding to shut up. Why the hell do I never learn?! After all, that woman goes angry from zero to a hundred in seconds... She will probably tell me to sit, unless I won’t shut my snout in time.

If only I had a nose as good as Inuyasha's, I would have smelled him from afar... Kagome thought and snorted frustrated. Then she surprised herself with her courage. I guess there's nothing to lose, just my face.

“You know, about us”, she said like it wouldn’t be a big deal.

“Eh-h...” Inuyasha heard enough to realize it, but he never thought Kagome would admit it to him like that. Why I had to ask... But I thought for a moment, that she would have someone else...

Kagome felt how Inuyasha solidify beside her. Before he got even whole word said, she continued to burble nervously.

“Just that there’s nothing... Uh... You’re just terribly kind, when you take care and protect me, as you do for everyone else around you too, because that’s how you act. And you mean a lot to me, but... There seems to be nothing else between us, right? I mean, if there was anything else, things would be quite different then, I think? Surely, we wouldn't be tearing off heads from each other like this, but instead... Uh... Mmh...” Kagome tried to sound light, but was terribly afraid that it didn't work out very well.

Just a badly escaped thought... How wrong I formulated all that, help! And I almost forgot to breathe... Kagome thought in horror, feeling suddenly weak. She forced herself to shut up and buried her glowing red face in the palms of her hands.

But instead tearing off what? Inuyasha became curious, but he knew he would not dare to ask. He was like a statue, not daring to look at Kagome or barely breathe. Nothing else? Have I just imagined everything...? He tried to deal about things he had just heard, but violent heartbeats and too fast galloping thoughts made it difficult. Luckily, I'm not in my human form now... He thought, then hearing Kagome continuing.

“We're just good friends, aren't we?” Even though I love you more than anything, I just can’t say that to you... Kagome finally huffed, though the rest only in her mind. She would have just liked to clog her mouth to avoid further humiliation.

Her mouth or no other part of her body obeyed of her commands at that moment. Kagome did not dare to look at Inuyasha at all, fearing too much of his reaction. She just had to get clarity to all of this, or she would have gone nuts. Yet remorse struck into Kagome, like a cold stone and the situation began to embarrass her badly.

Why did I answered absolutely anything, what on earth did I do?? How can I ever look Inuyasha in the eye again? What if he talks to others about this, how that silly woman might have imagined there was something between us? What if I just drag him into my own time for a moment and try to shut his mouth about the whole thing? Soon he's probably just bursting out laughing... Kagome didn't know what to do, her cheeks almost burned her hands and panic was growing inside her.

Inuyasha was in his thoughts, while he leaned his head against the edge of the well and stared at the sky. His hands were hidden in the sleeves of the kimono. What exactly did she mean? Her heart is pounding so fast... Where did all this come from now? Did she wish, that there would be - something else? Or is it just me, who hopes that Kagome hopes, that there is something else? Inuyasha sighed, his head was getting more and more confused. Damn, you're important to me, even more! I wish I could only dare...

“I guess so? You’re my best friend, I think...” Inuyasha said very cautiously.

Though he was regretting it right away and slapped his forehead with his hand. My mouth is always open on the wrong moment, damn it... Really, there isn’t man enough in me to admit my feelings, but to swing the sword is at any time?!

Best friend. Kagome was startled by her own disappointment, which she felt hitting into bottom of her stomach. Though she had imagined the worst she could expect to happen.

“I thought so, maybe it’s best like that... I have to go -” Kagome stated and tried to get up quickly to leave, tears were too close to fall from her eyes. What else did I even imagine...

“Oi, just wait! Don’t go -“ You’re really not running away from me! Inuyasha said and acted quickly.

She couldn’t get up, when Inuyasha captured her in his embrace. Please, Kagome. Stay for a moment...

“Inuyasha, what are you...! Let me go!” Kagome miserably wanted as far away from him as she could, but Inuyasha did not loosen his grip.

She tried to struggle away from Inuyasha, as if she had the strength against his powers. But she just had to get away. Becoming rejected seems to hurt more and more... Damn these feelings!

“Calm down, woman! Stop raging!” Inuyasha was a little surprised by Kagome's powers, even though she had no chance against him.

“Let go, did you hear me, you idiot!” Kagome shouted wildly.

“Just listen for a moment -“

“I don’t want to hear! Let me go! Inuyasha, si -”

“Kagome, NO!” Inuyasha exclaimed and covered her mouth with his hand in distress, feeling how the pearl necklace was already tightening menacingly around his neck.

“Don’t say that word! I want to talk to you, we have to talk or I’ll burst!” Inuyasha shouted, despair hearing in his voice.

Kagome just totally frozed. Did Inuyasha just block the sit-command?! Inuyasha seemed to be shocked about what happened.

“I’m sorry, Kagome... I'll never try to block that again, I promise, but I couldn't do anything else... Don't say it now, please! Just don't say the word...” Inuyasha was slurring breathlessly and when Kagome shook her head as saying no, he slowly took his hand off assuming she would at least bite him.

However, Kagome had calmed down a bit. No matter how chaotic the situation was, she noticed how good it felt to be in near him. I haven’t figured out until now how I've missed, that someone would keep me close. That he would keep close...

She turned to look at Inuyasha, who was pale with his head down, looking unwell. Kagome began to worry as she felt, that Inuyasha was shaking.

Inuyasha tried to calm down himself, which was not easy, as he went through a horror scenario in his head. What would have happened, if the command had been fulfilled with Kagome near me? She could have -

“Inuyasha?” Kagome said touching his arm and he raised his head.

“Hey, I-I’ll stay, don’t worry”, Kagome said quietly and although Inuyasha saw concern on her face, for some strange reason, it just reassured him.

“Kagome, do you realize this could have ended really bad way??” Inuyasha asked, grabbing her tightly by the shoulders, his eyes looking scared.

“I would have crushed you under me, if the command had been fulfilled. I really didn’t know, if I had time enough, but I had to try to stop you...” Inuyasha said before he went silent and let his hands fall down.

Inuyasha... Oh dear, what was I causing just now! Kagome felt, how cold shivers passed through her. He must have used all his powers to stop the command being fulfilled...

“I’m so sorry... I-I didn’t understand at all -” Kagome’s eyes filled with tears as she finally understood the seriousness of the situation.

Inuyasha just shook his head and pulled that sobbing girl into a firm hug.

“I don’t know what I would have done if you had -” he said but couldn’t end his sentence.

“Inuyasha, I guess you just saved my life, thank you...” Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha felt Kagome's warm breath on his neck. He embed his face in her hair, knowing that Kagome's scent was something he would never forget.

Kagome didn't know how long their hug had lasted, but she felt it calmed them both. Not knowing what Inuyasha still wanted to talk about, Kagome just was not sure, if she was able to hear what he had on his heart. But she could not leave, because that was the right place, where she had to be now.

Why couldn't this have happened before, how good it feels to be like this... Inuyasha thought with his eyes closed, Kagome in his embrace. After a while, Kagome moved a little further and examined Inuyasha with her gaze.

“Are you okay?” He seems to be somehow himself again, I’m so glad... Kagome thought, when Inuyasha nodded in response.

“You?” he asked, noticing Kagome's slightly pale face.

“I’m, but... Can I stay here, for a moment?” Kagome wanted to make sure, because she had just recently tried madly to go away from him.

Inuyasha was surprised, but he felt mere joy inside and the red color on his face might had revealed it to Kagome as well.

“Keh, as if I even would let you leave...” Inuyasha said without looking her in the eyes. You can stay as long as you want...

Kagome was relieved by the answer, making her feel more at ease. She decided to take a better position and touched Inuyasha’s hand as she took support from him.

“D-damn, you’re ice cold! Stupid, you should have said that you are freezing”, Inuyasha said, took off his red kimono and swing it around Kagome.

“No need to look at me like that. I do well without it, unlike you”, Inuyasha said as he placed kimono over Kagome, so that it also formed a hood on her head.

“Better?” he made sure, looking at her for a moment. That suits you well...

“T-thanks, I didn’t notice how chilly air already is”, Kagome said gratefully, but would not have wanted Inuyasha to get cold either. So warm, his warmth...

“I don’t want you to get sick. We don’t have time for that now”, Inuyasha said, took Kagome’s shaking hands between his and rubbed them to warm them up.

Kagome couldn't do else than stare at their hands, feeling how the heat spread from the kimono and Inuyasha's hands to her own body. Do best friends do - this? She thought and felt, how her heart was pounding faster.

“Kagome, it’s probably time for us to talk, about everything”, Inuyasha said after a silent moment, waking her up from her thoughts and releasing, reluctantly though, her hands.

Kagome knew that, what the end result would be, it remained to be seen later. After all, I can’t help it how I feel. The brain - or heart, let’s do this.

“All right”, she said and hid now her warm hands under the kimono, trying to stay calm.

Inuyasha was thinking hard and tried to put his word right. He didn’t want to ruin this, but he knew he could do it all too well. Just don't back down now, man! Inuyasha encouraged himself. The ears on top of this head sank a few inches down, as did his gaze.

“Kagome, I want to apologize for what stupid things I have ever done along our way. Even now and before at the village I just made you angry, I guess I always say the wrong things or things wrong. And I guess sometimes I was blind to see, what was happening around me. However, sometimes you haven't treated me so kindly either. I mean, I think I have suffered a few sit-commands, even when I have been certainly innocent...” Inuyasha said.

Wow, he really started... Kagome was puzzled by Inuyasha's flood of speech. She agreed but was still silent.

“On the other hand, when you think about it... In those situations, it may have been slightly my own fault too...” he muttered and grope his hair nervously with his hand.

Kagome listened and stroked the kimono in her hands. She was little amazed as he behaved like that. Who are you and where have you hidden my grumpy friend? She couldn't help but think. At least you can't be Shippo, his fluffy tail would have exposed him a long time ago.

“But... That one time, I felt like I had done something really bad, when you said you hated me. It felt... Damn it, it felt like a knife blow to the back!” he sighed. Or rather to the heart...

“And I would never want you to feel that way about me. It seems like - somehow I can't forget it”, Inuyasha remembered the words Kagome said at the time, and they still seemed to cut deep.

Kagome looked up. It feels miserable to see him like that... Inuyasha must have seriously thought about these things, as they still bother him.

Inuyasha fell silent, but when he noticed Kagome's staring, he looked at her.

“What now, did I say something strange?” he asked, seeming to soon lose his self-control.

Kagome shook her head quickly and continued reassuringly.

“No, you didn’t, I just got little sad about your words. I really didn’t know you were still thinking about the past like that. Oh and - I forgive you”, Kagome said smiling and put her hand on Inuyasha’s hand.

“I’m sorry, Inuyasha”, she continued, looking into his eyes and really meaning it.

“I don’t hate you. I wouldn’t even be able to do it, no matter how mean you were to me. And no, thankfully, you’re no longer as mean towards me, as you were in the early days”, Kagome continued quickly, when she noticed, that Inuyasha was preparing to rise to defend himself.

“I just couldn't imagine that we would be here like this, after you tried to kill me and take the Shikon jewel”, she said, but smiling.

I'm not that mean anymore, am I? Inuyasha thought and was ready to throw his protest, but seeing how Kagome smiled to him, he couldn't help but melt into smile himself too. She doesn't hate me, how hearing it can feel so liberating...

“Hey, I wasn’t really trying to... Look who’s talking, I've been a few times the target of your arrows, remember?” Inuyasha said and raised his finger in front of Kagome's nose.

Kagome touched gently Inuyasha's cheek, making him look at her little confused.

“But I didn't seem to be my real self in those situations, right?” Kagome looked at him, smiling sideways.

Inuyasha didn’t found no more defensive words and lowered his hand. Kagome knew him somehow all too well already, which he felt kind of strange, but in a good way.

“I didn’t know you then. You were a bit like an enemy, in your strange clothes. All I had was confused, betrayed feeling when you woke me up from the curse. All that bad what had happened, it felt like, it had just happened day before or something. I didn't know about anything else. The villagers were immediately bugging me as well...” Inuyasha muttered. And I didn't know yet, that I want to get to know you thoroughly...

“I understand. And it didn’t take long time, when on the second moment you tried to block the well with the stone, so I wouldn’t get back home anymore. And on the second, you forcibly pushed me to the well and blocked it, so I wouldn’t be able to return anymore. Because you wanted to protect me, right? And now... The well always seems to bring us together somehow”, Kagome said smiling.

While looking into Inuyasha's eyes, she surprised herself wondering, how much she likes them. Especially when his gaze is as calm as it is now, even gentle. Often when she had only seen those eyes flashing like lightning, from anger or something else. I just want you to be happy... Kagome lowered shyly her gaze, as she awoke from her thoughts.

“When I said that thing to you, I was just so upset back then, for too many reasons. And I couldn’t stop myself, so I just threw all my bad stuff towards your face. It was wrong and I guess, I hated more myself a little. I stayed because I wanted to, it was my own choice and you let me stay. I just - couldn't imagine how much it would... Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore. Maybe at times I felt like you tolerated my presence, just because I was able to see the Shikon shards. To be honest, I was afraid I had made a mistake by staying - just for a little while. Not really knowing at all, what I’m to you and -“ Kagome explained.

Inuyasha listened intently, until he felt that he had to interrupt her. He suddenly grabbed Kagome by the hand, and it made her to look up at him.

“Ka-gome, even though at times you can be really reckless, intractable and insanely challenging... And... And even sometimes it may seem like we’re almost just strangling each other, I still don’t want to lose you because of any silly quarrel. Do you even understand, how much I care about you?” he said very seriously. And how damn hard it has been to admit it...

“Eh, I...” What exactly is going on here? Kagome thought, feeling like her heart would have forget a few beats. I care about you too, but...

“And no, it definitely wasn’t a mistake that you stayed. You haven't been with me just because you see the Shikon shards, you're with me because... I wouldn't have survived this far without you by my side, you have to know that. Also considering others; Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, you are very important to them too - a friend”, Inuyasha looked Kagome's hand in his as he spoke, and she listened quietly.

“Though, the worst thing about this trip has been almost losing you, more than once. To see, how you have got been hurt... It’s been hard, especially if I haven't been able to help in any way”, Inuyasha continued more gently and Kagome noticed, that he was going through different emotional states.

“Especially when I saw you three; you, Sango and Miroku lifeless, as Shippo told me that none of you were no longer breathing... And hear that awful silence, when I didn’t hear your heartbeats anymore. I remembered how you once taught us how to find a pulse in a hand or neck. I couldn't even try it, because I already knew, it wouldn't be found no longer from any of you...

I felt like I had lost the reason to continue our journey. I also felt like I was gradually being left alone again in my own little, beneath me friable world and that was my own fault. I have often wondered, how I would ever be able to return to your time, carry your lifeless body and face your grief-stricken family...” Inuyasha spoke quietly and was silent for a moment.

Kagome watched him with teary eyes. Inuyasha really cares, he does take care of us - all the time... She thought, when he continued.

“I have seen it in my nightmares, felted that heavy guilt and it has slowly torn me into pieces. Hearing Koga’s words over and over again, what he said when he realized, that you had been in great danger because of me. How cold your hands were, how your before so red as cherry blossoms cheeks were so pale... How he would never have let that happen to you. The truth is, that because of me you’ve been in danger so often, that it’s a miracle that you’re still here. And I’m so grateful, that you are”, Inuyasha said and wiped Kagome’s tears from her cheeks. My miracle...

“But we got you all back, thanks to Myoga flea, who removed the miasma. And I do hope, that we are together all the way and beyond. I will protect you with my life, as I promised. So, I forgive you”, Inuyasha stopped speaking and looked into her eyes, squeezing Kagome’s hand gently in his hand.

“Thank you, Inuyasha...” Kagome nodded slowly to him, thinking about everything she had just heard.

Inuyasha just realized to release Kagome's hand and acted, like he was going to scratch his ear. When she didn’t say anything for a moment, Inuyasha began to be a little impatient.

“Well, are you even a little happy now?” Inuyasha asked and his eyes twinkled of the enthusiasm he felt.

“Hm?” Kagome gave him a questioning look.

“Well, when I talked to you like this before, told you about my feelings and thoughts... You once said, that it makes you happy and that - I'm not alone...” Dang it, what’s with the face? Did I just make you sadder...? Inuyasha thought as he looked at her concerned.

She smiled at Inuyasha a little, nodding, for she was happy to hear Inuyasha's thoughts. They had had far too little time to talk to each other in private. Kagome just felt like all the emotions were somehow knotted together inside her, not being able to distinguish those from each other properly anymore.

Hmph. Something here is still not right, woman! Inuyasha thought and looked at her with suspicion. You’re too quiet, you’re never speechless... At least not for this long.

Kagome considered for a long time, whether she would dare to ask, what had been on her mind for a while. Well, once we're now opening up our thoughts... She sighed deeply and determined to dare.

“Inuyasha...” Kagome started and felt, how the painful piece already rose to her throat.

Inuyasha's expression brightened for a moment, but then very suddenly changed to another, seeing Kagome's face as she continued. Why does she look like that...? Did I do something wrong?

“I guess you still see only Kikyo in me, like before... Do you see her when I sometimes dress like miko? You couldn't even look at me then... And do I smell like her and just because of that, you think - that you care about me? I know, I’m useless now, because my powers are gone, but... I have tried to say in a million times, that I’m Kag -” Kagome finally cried out with a voice, that wasn't recognizable when it cracked, no matter how she tried to sound convincing.

This can't be true... How I haven't noticed this before, that she still thinks...! Inuyasha thought in shock and shook his head as he listened to her.

“Just hear me now and well!” Inuyasha interrupted, grabbed tightly from her upper arms and forced her to look himself in the eyes.

Kagome looked broken and it hurt Inuyasha like hell. It's my fault, that you are still feeling like that... He growled in his mind.

“When I look at you, what I see is just yourself, whatever you are wearing”, he replied firmly.

“You never, ever have to think about such things again!” Inuyasha said but began to feel hopeless. How in the world will I convince you? At first, I did see the features of Kikyo, but soon I learned to see you only as your own self and it’s just a good thing.

“Kagome, you have your own heart to take care of and that belongs only to you. And you smell only and alone just from yourself - damn good, do you understand, Ka-go-me?” Inuyasha said softly, smiling encouragingly and meaning every word.

He relaxed his grip, hoping that Kagome would finally believe him.

She tried to calm down, as her heart pounded in her chest so hard, that she was already little bit afraid for it. Damn good? He likes my scent... Kagome felt blushing completely. Does it feel like this, when you’re happy as can be? When you just want to scream for joy?

The fear inside her seemed to fade away. The times had been very demanding no matter in which time she was, so she didn’t properly remember, when was the last time, that she had felt as good as now. She couldn’t help but think, how adorable Inuyasha looked right now, how beautifully he spoke to her. A tear fell on Kagome's cheek before he had time to stop it. Inuyasha noticed it and took the tear on his finger.

“Hey, no more these, okay? I have seen those small pearls of yours so very often, aren’t they ever gonna stop hurting you?” Inuyasha asked little sadly.

Kagome landed now completely near to Inuyasha, pressing her ear against his chest. Inuyasha's breathing was blocked for a short moment, but he soon gave in to the familiar feeling of joy. He puts his arms around Kagome. It feels so good, when Kagome is close like this... Does she feel the same...?

“They don’t always hurt. Sometimes it’s the opposite, like now”, she explained closing her eyes.

She heard Inuyasha's heartbeat, which was unusually agitated, but he still seemed calm on the outside. Maybe it's some hanyō thing... Kagome thought as Inuyasha stroked her hair, like his mother had sometimes done to calm him down.

“I bet my head as a pledge, that you’ve cried a lot less in your own time”, Inuyasha muttered. You've cried too many times because of me...

“Inuyasha... I've felted here, in your time, more than I have ever felt before anywhere - with you”, Kagome confessed, to herself too.

Inuyasha's heart was beating faster than ever before, he couldn't calm it down. Is this the right mood, of what Kagome has been talking about? At least that's how it feels I think... Now. Or never. He thought, gathering courage. And I will sharpen my nails on everyone, who dares to spy on us! Inuyasha thought, glancing around them, not noticing others nearby. Be a man, do it!

“Kagome - I can’t say if there was something between us...” Keh, is there even any ambiguity in it... Inuyasha paused and continued slowly.

“But I hope you don't mind, when I make sure, that there's definitely something between us...”

Kagome rose carefully from Inuyasha's embrace and looked at him without believing her ears.

“You, what...?” she asked, even there really wasn't nothing ambiguous in Inuyasha's deep gaze, with which he shackled her.

Inuyasha pulled Kagome gently a little closer to him. He wants to kiss me - still... She thought, knowing her answer, and met Inuyasha's lips with her own. And I want to kiss him.

Inuyasha was afraid, that soon he would wake up from a dream, the best dream ever. Dear Kagome, my Kagome... He couldn't believe, that he had finally dared to show his feelings again like this. And even less, how Kagome responded to those.

“Inuyasha, I...” Kagome began and retreating from him a little, she lowered her head shyly as thoughts crisscrossed in her mind.

“Your answer might be ‘I don’t mind’, right?” Inuyasha asked happily, looking at her with his head slightly tilted.

Kagome smiled and her answer could be seen from her face, even miles away.

“But oh no, more than just my best friend, that sadly wasn't enough for that yet...” Inuyasha said hoarsely, looking into her eyes.

They are - sparkling! He smiled happily, as he slid his hand into nape of Kagome’s neck, caressing it and pulling her into another kiss.

Inuyasha's touch was driving Kagome crazy. I've never been kissed like this before... She felt that kind of sensation in bottom of her stomach, that made her want to get more closer to him.

Kagome wrapped gently her arms around Inuyasha's neck, and he didn't resist at all, but pulled her closer to himself.

As the kiss became more demanding, Kagome felt Inuyasha's sharp fang touching her tongue, making her draw breath a little.

“Sorry -” Inuyasha said, as smiling Kagome shook her head silencing him, continuing the kiss. I try to be careful, I don't want to bite you unintentionally...

Neither of them had not felt such a feeling before, neither would not want to stop. Not now, when the other was finally there - near, for each other.

But Inuyasha had to do so. He looked at Kagome while stroking her back.

“When your family... Eh... Interrupted us last time, at your home...” he tried to speak.

“Yes?” Kagome asked, she had cursed that moment in her mind so many times.

“I hoped so much back then, that Sota wouldn't have appeared at the door of your room. Because I didn't have no idea, how would I ever dare to do that again”, Inuyasha continued.

“It’s good that you dared now, and I didn’t mind at all”, Kagome said as a smile spread across her face.

I never want to forget this moment, you... Kagome said in her mind, resting her forehead against his.

“Are you going back home?” Inuyasha asked quietly.

Are you crazy, after a kiss like that? Kagome thought.

“Not yet, but tomorrow I have to go back. I only came to pick up my schoolbook, which I forgot last time, but time goes by so fast on this side... But I’ll be right back, as soon as entrance exams are over. We have things like Naraku and Shikon jewel to take care of, so we still have a long way to go. By the way, we should probably return to others, they may already be worried”, Kagome said. Though I would have liked to stay right here, even forever... She thought and wanted to remember everything from that moment.

“Yeah, we should go back. But I just want to say, you will get your powers back, I’m sure of it. Don’t worry about that, okay?” Inuyasha said to her.

“I really hope so. Inuyasha, would we still keep this as a secret?” she proposed.

Inuyasha nodded, as thinking the same thing. Although it might probably be somewhat difficult to hide my feelings anymore, after now when I have already revealed those...

“It’s agreed then”, Inuyasha replied, agilely rising from the ground and holding Kagome still in his arms.

“Do you want a ride?” he asked, kissing her one more time.

Kagome nodded with a smile, when Inuyasha gently lowered her to the ground and she jumped on his back. Feeling the warmth of Inuyasha against herself and the cool breeze on her face, as they ran through the forest towards the village, she felt a good feeling that totally filled her; happiness.

*****

Kagome opens her eyes and gets up to sit on the bench, slightly trembling. She is surprised, how the memories feel still fresh, even after those years.

A tear drops down from her cheek to her lap, but she finds herself smiling. I was so happy back then. Inuyasha not only wanted to protect me, he felt something much more towards me. But how was it supposed to end like that...

However, since that evening, as their gazes met, they both felt a longing close to each other. When they passed each other, their hands could only touch for a few seconds, but that was enough to make their hearts pound faster. On a few rare times, Inuyasha had unexpectedly hugged her, when they were hidden from the gaze of others, for even a tiny moment. Those little things, how big they were in those moments...

Kagome wakes up from her thoughts to look up at a bird, which rises on its wings from a branch of an old tree.

“I miss you, Inuyasha, wherever you are”, she puts her arms around her and whispers to the morning.

...To be continued...

A/N: That’s was it, hopefully you liked! On next week I’ll take a nap on a surgery table, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to post chapter 4. But hopefully everything goes fine and that day will come sooner or later! Again, Kagome and Inuyasha shared their memories, each in their own minds, in their own time. That’s why there are perspectives on both points of view in the memory part. Just for clarification, why it’s like that. Take care and please, leave a word or two, what did you like about this chapter! Thank you for reading. ♡

#inuyasha #kagome #inukag #inukago #fanfic #fanfiction #anime #manga #timetravelling #travellingintime #romance #drama #inuyashafanfic #kagomehigurashi #lovestory #yashahime #Yashahime Princess Half Demon

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kpopisthereasonihavenolife · 4 years

Note

Hoooooooo BOI okay so a lot to unhash with this recent Blight chapter oh my fucking oof. Alright so firstly, siX MoNThS!???? SIX MOTHERTRUCKING MONTHS!? My poor sweet cocky kickass feisty dragon baby koo has been asleep for SIX MONTHS??? 😭 Secondly, yoongi and jimin contracting each other up 👀 we been knew it was bound to happen and while the circumstance in which it happened is pretty... unfortunate... THE HELLHOUND AND THE SHADOW BOI ARE TOGETHER FOLKS 🥳 also since basically they both...

(pt2.) ...lost their best friends I’m sure they’ve gotten real ehem c l o s e 👀👀👀 Thirdly, aight so my theory is that yn is totally the one blocking her dads magic. I’m guessing she somehow sacrificed her physical body to do so. Like maybe she’s in his mind or smn since she’s his blood maybe she can like somehow zap her way into him and block his access to magic??? And that’s why kook was able to talk to her in his dream? Cuz she’s only a consciousness right now? Ion even know if that...

Part 3 lol.... makes sense 😂... anywhooooo I’m so invested in this story I seriously love it so so much and I know its starting to draw to a close and I’m so pumped to see how jungkook helps yn be the badass heroine she is. But also pls give my dragon bb a happy ending with yn oh my god I love angst so much but my heart needs them to be together 😫 thank you for the update love and pls be sure to take care of yourself!!! Stay peachy!! 💙💙💙

YES HE WAS SLEEPING FOR SIX MONTHS, what you gonna do about it- huh huh (ily). The bond between Yoongi and Jimin was strong even before all of this went down the drain, but with Jungkook out of commission for so long and Y/n flying off the radar, that bond has indeed gotten even stronger 👀

As for your theory, I will say that you are correct on the point that it’s Y/n that’s blocking Zaros magic! As to how I won’t tell you because it leads into major spoiler territory. That reason also ties into how Y/n was able to exist inside Jungkook dream- but again, that’s big spoiler flags so you’ll get nothing more from me LOL

I wanna try (emphasis on t r y ) to get the series wrapped up in a couple more chapters and of course an epilogue for closure lol. Just remember every other story I’ve ever written- have I ever ended one on a bad ending? 👀👀👀

LOVE YOU CAM 💙💙💙

#Blight #gingerpeachtae #ask

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tallglassofsweetpea · 5 years

Text

Little Darlin’ : Chapter Four

Sweet Pea x OC, 1950′s AU

Warnings: abusive relationship, smoking, underage drinking, 😘😘

(violence, sexual content/smut in later chapters)

AN: I’ve FINALLY finished this damn chapter! Thank you all for being patient and for your support. I think i’ve figured out where I want this story to go?? I’ve been having a tough time figuring it out because i have waaaaaay too many ideas floating around in my head. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. As always, Let me know what you think or if you have any ideas or suggestions, my ask is open!

masterlist can be found on my blog!

BTW: I’m on Thanksgiving break this week so pls feel free to send in requests!!!

Chapter Four: A Teenager’s Romance

“YOU HAD YOUR FIRST KISS!?!?!!”

Lily giggled into her pillow, her and Trish finally had a night to themselves and Lily spilled the beans about her night with Sweet Pea. Trish sat on the opposite end of Lily’s bed criss-cross-applesauce listening intently.

“Well…? How was it? I bet he’s a really good kisser.”

“It was…sweet.” Lily replayed the moment in her head for probably the millionth time.

“He must really like you, Lil’. I’m so happy for you!” She beamed at her friend. She loved seeing her like this, there was a new side of Lily that she hadn’t seen before Sweet Pea.

“So how’s everything going with Fangs?”

Trish sighed in contentment, her shoulders relaxing. “Lily he is just the most! I’ve never laughed so hard with anyone in my entire life, and he’s such a dreamboat. He makes me feel…special. And you know what?” Lily peered up at her expectantly, a small smile on her lips. “I think I’m in love!” Trish giggled, playfully outstretching her arms to the sky. The short sleeve of her silk pajama top slid up with the movement, revealing the skin up to her shoulder.

Lily noticed a couple of bruises on the newly exposed skin of her upper arm, it looked like someone had roughly grabbed her. “Trish? What is this from? Are you okay?”

Trish looked to her shoulder and immediately pulled her sleeve back down to cover it. “Oh, that? It’s nothing really.” She laughed it off, but Lily was far from convinced that it was “nothing”.

“I’ve just been such a klutz lately.”

“Trish...”

“Really Lily, I’m fine. Nothing I can’t handle.”

Archie must have suspected something was going on with Trish. Lily knew he had a temper, the two of them would get into arguments all of the time, but things had become physical recently.

Trish was quick to change the subject. “In other news, a little birdie told me you’re going on a date with Sweet Pea on Friday?”

Lily had been thinking about it since the night he asked to see her again. She’d get the jitters every time she would think about it. Her first real date. She’d wished she could have told her mom all about it like most girls could, but if she found out she was going out with a Serpent she would have her head on a stake.

“Yeah, I’m sort of nervous. I’ve never been on a real date before.”

“It’ll be incredible. Plus, me and Fangs might meet up with you guys at the drive-in, so I’ll be there for moral support.”

“I’m just worried. Maybe he doesn’t really like me and he’s just looking for a quick hookup or something? Do you think maybe I shouldn’t have kissed him?”

Trish shook her head. “Lil’ you’re completely overthinking it. It’s obvious that he likes you, and according to Fangs he’s never like this with most girls.”

Lily nodded her head, it was comforting to hear that. “I sure hope you’re right.”

It was now 5 minutes past 6 and Sweet Pea was nowhere to be seen. Her parents had their weekly game night with the Keller’s. Lily sat at the kitchen table, nervously fiddling with the gold cross around her neck. Though it had only been 5 minutes past the time he said he’d be there, she already began filling her head with doubt. Maybe he didn’t really like her? Did she scare him off by telling him her father was a holy man? Had she wasted her first kiss on some guy that would never talk to her again? She felt so silly, she never should have let her guard down like that. It was entirely unlike her.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ring of the doorbell. Lily stood up from her chair collecting her small white clutch and raced to the front door, stopping by the full length mirror that hung in the hall to check her hair that she wore down in soft blonde waves. She decided to go for her usual minimal makeup look, just a bit of soft pink blush and mascara to accentuate her green eyes. She wore a pale pink floral dress and a pair of saddle shoes. She was ready. She took a deep breath and opened the front door, there he stood towering over her. He was dressed in his usual attire, Serpent jacket, white tee and black jeans. He was holding something behind his back.

“Hey”

“Hey yourself.” His eyes ran over her petite figure. He couldn’t believe how good she looked. She looked almost angelic. Lily was different from the other girls he had gone with in the past. Pea also wasn’t usually one to go for shorter girls. But he couldn’t deny the fact that he loved the way he towered over her.

Lily felt self conscious under his gaze. Did she do too much? She knew they were only going to Pop’s and then to the drive-in, but she had wanted to look nice. But the way Sweet Pea was looking at her in that moment made her second guess herself.

“Hey, I uh. Ehem” He cleared his throat. “I got you something.” He pulled his hand out from behind his back to reveal a small bouquet of ivory white flowers.

“They’re lilies, you know…Like your name. That’s what the guy at the-uh place said anyways. I dunno, it’s kind of lame…It was Toni’s ide-“

Lily walked up to the blabbering Serpent and planted a soft kiss to his cheek to shut him up. She accepted the bouquet that he held out to her, the sweet aroma of the flowers filling her senses.

“I love them, thank you Sweet Pea.”

He smiled down at her, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders. “No problem, they were all my idea.”

Lily couldn’t help but roll her eyes, she locked the door behind her as they started toward the driveway. There was no sign of Sweet Pea’s truck. But there was a shiny black Ford De Luxe in near perfect condition. The paint glistened in the moonlight.

“This is a bit of an upgrade from the truck. Is it new?”

“Sorta, me and Jug have been fixing her up for a couple of months. We’re gonna race it down by Sweetwater River.”

“You race cars?”

“Sometimes just for fun, sometimes for pinks.”

“Well, she’s beautiful.”

Sweet Pea watched as Lily’s dainty finger glided over the smooth black exterior of the Ford De Luxe. If her face was anything to go by, she seemed impressed. He lifted his lips into a smirk, “She sure is.”

Lily looked up at him, realizing he was watching her. She looked down at her feet, smiling.

It was a Friday night, and Pop’s was in full swing. Sweet Pea and Lily walked in and spotted a booth in the back left corner and made a run for it before it was taken. They slid into their seats on opposite sides of the booth. A pretty blonde waitress skated over, her hair was tucked back in a high ponytail and she greeted them with a friendly smile. Lily recognized her as Betty Cooper. She lived the next street over from her, they had taken a few classes together. She was a very sweet, very smart girl.

“Lily! How are you? How’s your summer so far?”

“Hi, Betty!” She then noticed Sweet Pea on the opposite side of the booth.

“Hey Sweet Pea, how’ve you been?”

“Not too bad. Could we just get a couple of shakes? One chocolate and….” Sweet Pea looked over at Lily and then back to Betty “One vanilla.”

“Two shakes; one chocolate, one vanilla. You got it.” She flashed them a smile and skated back to the counter to put in their order.

“She’s a real nice girl, I’ve had a few classes with her.”

“Betty? Yeah, she stops by the Wyrm every once in awhile to see Jones. Turns out she’s one hell of a mechanic, she’s helped us out at the garage a few times.”

“I didn’t even know they were an item until I saw them at the Wyrm last week.”

“Yeah, most Northsiders don’t want people knowing they’re hanging around with Serpents. They’re keeping it low-key.”

A few minutes passed when Betty brought over their shakes and placed them on the table with the check. “There you guys are!” They both thanked her and dove into their shakes.

“Mmm, this is delicious. How’d you know vanilla was my favorite?” Lily questioned.

Sweet Pea shrugged, a smile threatening to break out. “Lucky guess.”

Sweet Pea watched her take a sip from her straw, she had a bit of whipped cream just below her bottom lip. Sweet Pea reached over and ran his thumb over the spot, lingering a bit over the bottom curve of her lip. The two locked eyes, and her stomach did a little flip.

Once they finished their shakes and payed the bill, the two hopped back in the car and made their way over to the drive in to meet up with Trish and Fangs. Cars littered the parking lot, mostly packed with teenagers and their dates. Lily’s father often warned her of the “dangers of the drive-in”. He claimed it was nothing but a hot spot for kids to meet up and do “unholy things.” Lily wasn’t entirely naive, she knew a lot of guys would bring girls there to make out, sometimes even more. Regardless, she genuinely liked the drive-in, Trish and her and been going there together for years. Some of their best memories took place there.

Sweet Pea spotted Fangs standing outside his car having a smoke. He pulled into the parking space next to him and rolled down his window to talk.

Fangs’ eyes lit up, roaming over the body of the fixed up car. “WOAH! Check her out!” Fangs circled around it, leaning in to check out the details. “We’re gonna kick those Ghoulies asses down at Sweetwater, in style.” Fangs had a wide, child-like grin on his face.

“She cleaned up pretty nice huh?”

“Hell yeah. I hardly even recognized the ole hunk of junk” He turned to Sweet Pea, he looked as though he had an epiphany. “SP, this car could be make-out city!”

Lily leaned forward and interrupted.“Hi Fangs.”

“Oh-uh. Hey Lily!” He said rather clumsily, “Didn’t see ya there.” Sweet Pea let out a deep sigh.

“Hey, Where’s Trish?”

“Turns out she’s not coming, said she had a “last minute commitment” or somethin’. I dunno. Figured I’d come check out the scene anyway.” That immediately worried Lily, she hoped everything was okay with Trish. It was unlike her to miss night out with Fangs. “Hey you guys want anything? I’m gonna hit the snack bar.”

“Nah, I’m cool man. Lily? Want anything?”

“Could you please grab me a bottle of coke?”

Fangs nodded. “You got it!” and strolled over to the snack bar, combing his hair back on the way over.

Lily watched as Sweat Pea took out a cigarette and brought it to his lips. He looked down at Lily and raised his eyebrows, “You want one?”

“Me? Oh, no. I’ve never smoked before.”

Sweet Pea gave her an amused look, “Ya don’t say?” He chuckled and blew out a cloud of smoke.

“You look really beautiful by the way. I don’t know if I already told you that.”

Lily blushed, “Thanks, you don’t look half bad yourself.”

“Glad you think so, darlin’.” Sweet Pea smiled, puffing on his cigarette. Lily watched as the smoke billowed out of the drivers side window.

“Hey Pea?”

“Hmm?”

“I had a really good time with you last weekend. I can’t thank you enough for inviting me.”

“Anytime you want to have some fun just let me know.”

“And thank you for the-“ She laughed nervously. “Well, you know.” She felt the heat crawl up to her cheeks.

“The kiss?” He looked at her, amused. He loved how shy she was, he found it very endearing.

“Yea, the kiss. It was…nice.”

“Well, kitten. There’s plenty more where that one came from.” Sweet Pea winked at the blonde, whose cheeks had since grown pink. The opening credits began, Sweet Pea tossed his cigarette out the window snaked his arm around Lily’s shoulders. She let her body sink into him. She smiled up at him and they locked eyes. Sweet Pea leaned his head in closer to the small blonde. His lips hovered just above hers when the back door to the car flung open, Fangs hopped in the back seat and slammed the door shut with a loud exhale. Sweet Pea pulled his head back and leaned back against his headrest. He closed his eyes in annoyance. If there was one thing that Sweet Pea hated Fangs for, it was his impeccable timing. Fangs extended his arm out between the two, a bottle of coke in his hand. “One pop for the missus.” Lily let out a soft laugh, taking the drink from his hand. “Thank you, Fangs.”

“No problem, toots.” Fangs sunk back in his seat, making himself comfortable as he shoveled a handful of buttery popcorn into his mouth. “Did I miss anything?” Sweet Pea rolled his eyes, glaring at his friend in the rearview mirror. “OOOO! I love the opening credits! It’s the one with the little dancing popcorn guy, I love it!” Fangs let out a laugh and began singing along with the music. “Let’s all go to the mooooovies! Let’s all go to the mooooooovies! Let’s all go to the mooooooviiiiiiiiiiii-UNH!” Sweet Pea had turned around and grabbed his friend by the collar of his leather jacket. Lily sat there, eyes glued to the screen trying to hold back her laughter.

“HEY- whats it to ya?!”

“Hit the pavement, Fogarty.”

“Oh come on SP, you’re not gonna make me watch the movie all by myself are ya?”

Sweet Pea nudged his head toward Lily, his eyebrows raising. Sweet Pea swore he watched the gears slowly begin to turn in Fangs’ head.

“OH. Oh, yeah. I’ll just catch up with you guys later then. Enjoy the movie.”

Fangs opened up the door, and sauntered away from the car with his bucket of popcorn.

“Sorry about him, he’s a pain in my ass.”

“No, thats okay. I think he’s rather funny.”

“Oh yeah, a regular Moe Howard.” Sweet Pea scoffed, he replaced his arm around Lily’s shoulders and continued watching the movie. Throughout the film, the pair took turns stealing glances at one another. Sweet Pea lightly caressed her shoulder, the small contact sending a shiver down her spine. Lily looked over to him.

“Do you like the movie? You seem distracted.”

“Oh, yeah. The movie’s great. I’ve just been thinking…”

“…About?” Lily looked at him curiously.

“This.” Sweet Pea placed his hand under her chin, guiding her lips to his. He placed a firm kiss against her lips and pulled back. Lily looked up at him under her lashes and pulled him closer to her, their lips connecting again. They moved against each other a little more than before. Lily’s fingers held tightly to the lapels of his leather jacket. Sweet Pea ran his tongue over her bottom lip and she let out a small gasp just as Sweet Pea slid his tongue between her lips. She let her tongue gently caress against his. She had never understood what could be so great about someones tongue in your mouth, it seemed disgusting. Although at first it caught her off-guard, but then she thought it was kind of nice. Different, but nice. She suddenly felt an unfamiliar ache deep down, an ache for something more. She let her fingers become tangled in his dark hair as Sweet Pea pulled her body closer to his. He let one hand slowly slide down her subtle curves and down to her waist. She involuntarily moved her body a little closer to his. She seemed like she was into it, so he dared to venture his hand a little further down her side past the curve of her hip and stopped at her knee. Lily let out a small sigh into his mouth. She had never felt as good a she did in that moment, yet she somehow wanted more. She wasn’t sure what “more” was exactly, but she yearned for it. Sweet Pea gently rubbed his thumb against the side of her knee and slowly started to creep up her leg, his fingers sliding just past the hem of her cotton dress and pushing the fabric up her soft thigh.

Lily jerked back. “Sweet Pea!” Lily said with a gasp, smoothing out her skirt and protectively wrapping her arms around herself. She was shocked. Mostly in shock of herself for letting things escalate so quickly, but also how her body hadn’t wanted him to stop.

“Sorry, I got carried away.” Sweet Pea looked at her apologetically, letting out a deep sigh. Sweet Pea really wasn’t used to taking things slow, he was used to drunken one night stands. He knew things with Lily would be different, she just wasn’t that type.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not used to this.” She admitted to him bashfully.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not gonna force you to do anything.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I’ll try to slow down.”

She thought it was sweet of him. Although admittedly, she wasn’t sure that she wanted him to slow down. Especially after that. “Thank you, you’re a real gentleman.”

“That’s a first. “ Sweet Pea gave her a small smile, what in the hell was he doing? He’d only hung out with this chick a handful of times and it was as though she had cast a spell on him.

His thoughts were interrupted by a second gasp from Lily. He looked over to the girl to see her ducked down in the passenger seat.

“You okay, blondie? What’s with the freak out?”

Lily looked over at him with worried eyes. “It’s Trish!”

“I thought Fangs said she wasn’t coming? What are you hiding for?”

“She’s here with Archie.”

Sweet pea looked out the windshield of the car and low and behold, there stood Archie Andrews with his arm around the leggy redhead. They were talking with Moose Mason and Midge Klump. “Ah, shit.” Sweet Pea hoped Fangs wouldn’t bump into them. He knew it would crush him.

And just like that, Fangs’ impeccable timing struck once again. He was looking down at his bucket of popcorn, tossing a few pieces into his mouth when he looked up and saw them. Archie Andrews walking with his arm around a girl. His girl. Sweet Pea watched his best friend’s face drop at the sight. He tried to sneak by the couple without going noticed, but Archie had spotted him as soon as he turned down that row of cars.

“Well, well, well. I didn’t know Southside put out their trash on Friday nights.” Trish looked up at Fangs, her eyes wide in both shock and embarrassment.

“Where are the rest of those greaseball buddies of yours?”

“Bite me, Andrews.” Fangs went to walk by the group of Northsiders.

Archie stopped in front of him, pushing on his shoulders. “What did you just say to me?” Fangs just stood there silently, glancing over at Trish. Her head hung low in shame.

“You touch me again, I’ll knock your lights out.”

“You know, you’ve got some nerve showing up on the Northside alone. In MY territory, talking to me like that.”

Trish caressed Archie’s arm, nuzzling up against his side. “Archie cut it out, just let him go…He’s not worth it.” Fangs’ face fell into a deep scowl. He knew she was only doing and saying those things to diffuse the situation, but he’s be lying if it didn’t sting like hell to see her like that with Archie.

Archie wrapped his arm around Trish’s shoulders as he held eye contact with Fangs, and started to walk away.

Fangs stood there for a second before walking back to sit on the hood of his car, placing his bucket of popcorn next to him. He ran a hand over his face before taking out a cigarette and bringing it to his lips.

“You should go talk to him, Pea.” Sweet Pea looked over at Lily, he knew she was right. He let out a deep sigh before he opened the door and walked over to Fangs, leaning against the car.

“You got a smoke I can bum off you?”

Fangs nodded silently, reaching in his pocket and pulling out the pack, offering it to Sweet Pea. “You know, I just don’t get it man.” Sweet Pea slid out a cig from the carton, lighting it and taking a long drag.

“I take her out, I treat her like gold, make her laugh. I practically worship at her feet.” Fangs took a puff off his cigarette. “And at the end of the day, she goes right back to him.” He said with blatant disgust.

“He treats her like shit. I watch that jerk-off flirt with other girls, taking them out.” Sweet Pea shook his head and Fangs looked over at him, “He hits her, SP. I’ve seen the bruises, she’s got marks all over her body. She tries to tell me she’s just clumsy.” Fangs scoffed. "But I know it’s him. It’s that jock prick, Andrews. I want to beat him to a bloody pulp, but I know she’d never forgive me.” Fangs took another drag from his cigarette. “SP, what the hell do I do?”

“I don’t know, I mean…maybe you should just let her go?”

“You know I can’t do that, I think I love her. I know I love her. But how do I get her to choose me over him?”

“Have you told her?”

“Told her what?”

“You just said that you love her. Have you told her that?”

“Nah, man. It’s a waste.”

“I think you should tell her.” Fangs blew out smoke into the cool air.

“I’ll think about it. Thanks SP.” He threw the but of his cigarette to the ground, SP followed suit. “I’m getting the fuck out of here, this movie sucks.”

Sweet Pea and Lily sat and watched the rest of the movie before they hit the road. The mood was sort of ruined by the whole Archie and Fangs thing. Sweet Pea felt sorry for Fangs, he was in a real tough situation. The only thing Fangs ever wanted to talk about was how wonderful Trish was. Sweet Pea found it borderline sickening. But he could tell that his best friend was happy, and that made Sweet Pea happy. He was very protective of Fangs, even when they were kids. He was like an annoying little brother to him.

“I feel horrible for Fangs. Did you see the way Archie was talking to him? Why I’d like to give that pompous…jerk a piece of my mind!”

Sweet Pea chuckled. “Got a little bit of fire in you, darlin’.”

“I just wish Trish would wake up and kick Archie to the curb.” Lily let out a frustrated sigh.

They pulled up just before Lily’s house, Sweet Pea got out of the car and opened the car door for her. She climbed out of the car and Sweet Pea closed the door behind her. He leaned against the side of the Ford De Luxe, Lily standing between his legs.

“Sorry our date kinda got ruined.”

“It wasn’t ruined, Pea.” He smiled at the nickname. “I still had a nice time with you.”

“Nice time.” He said to himself. “So does that mean I earned a second date?” Lily smiled up at him, biting her lip.

“Maybe even a third.” She got on her toes and pecked him on the lips. He rested his hands on her hips. He wasn’t ready for her to leave just yet.

He brushed her blonde waves back behind her shoulder. “When can I see you again?”

“School starts next week, so I won’t be around much during the week.”

“What do you have a boyfriend Monday through Friday that you don’t want me to know about?” He teased. She shook his head at him, letting out a small chuckle. “That’s alright, I’ve got some shit I’ve gotta work out this week. Serpent stuff.”

Lily nodded her head. She wanted to ask exactly what this “Serpent stuff” entailed, but decided not to push it. “Well, you know where to find me.” She leaned up to give him a chaste kiss on the lips, her hand momentarily rested on his chest. “Goodnight, Sweet Pea.”

She sauntered toward her house and turned when she reached the door to wave goodbye. He waved back, throwing a wink her way before he climbed back into his car and drove away.

Sweet Pea walked into the Wyrm and walked over to the bar. Fangs was passed out drunk in his barstool with a line of empties in front of him.

“He came in about an hour or two ago, he got completely loaded and passed out. That Northsider really did a number on him.” Toni was cleaning up the rest of the bar, wiping down the counter around Fangs and his empty beer bottles.

Toni popped off the cap to a beer and handed it over to Sweet Pea. “Yeah, sure looks like it. Poor bastard’s in love.” He said before taking a swig from the bottle.

Toni raised an eyebrow at Sweet Pea before shaking her head in disbelief. “I guess that’s what he gets for getting involved with a Northside girl.”

Sweet Pea let out a snicker.

“Speaking of Northside girls….How are things going with Little Miss Sunshine?”

Sweet Pea downed another large gulp of beer before answering. “Good.”

“Good? That’s all I get?”

Sweet Pea shrugged his shoulders, his eyes darting around the room for a distraction.

Toni stopped to look at him, she could tell he didn’t want to talk about her. There could only be one reason why. “Oh my god.”

Sweet Pea looked back to Toni, who stood there with a wide, knowing grin that stretched across her face. “What?”

Toni lightly shook her head, “You like her. You really like her.”

“Oh cut the gas, Toni. She’s a nice girl, fun to be around, really cute. But that’s it. That’s where it ends.”

“I think you’re afraid.”

“Am not.”

“You so are! Sweet Pea, she obviously likes you if she voluntarily hangs around your stubborn ass!”

Sweet Pea rolled his eyes, finishing his beer.

“I say, go for it! See where it goes.”

“It would never work, we’re from two completely different sides of the tracks. It’s bad news, T.”

“Well I think you should give it a try. I think this could be good for you.”

Sweet Pea groaned. “What are you my mother?” Sweet Pea stood up from his seat at the bar, throwing a couple bucks on the counter. “Can you make sure he gets home safe? I’ve gotta get to bed. These weekly late night runs are killing me.”

“You’re still doing those moves for the Ghoulies?”

“It’s the only way we can pay them back, it’s not like we’ve got the money upfront. We could’ve been all paid off by now if I didn’t-”

“Sweet Pea. It wasn’t your fault and you know it. Just be careful out there. There’s a lot of tension in this town.”

“Always am.”

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