๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ ๐ฉ๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ - Oliver Wood
DISCLAIMER: I don't support J.K Rowling, that woman is horrible and I'm purely doing this for entertainment and fun and for th love of the characters!!
โโโ
You walk down through one of the halls in the castle of Hogwarts working on with your prefect duties, a torture disguise as a blessing role, though quite dramatic. Being a prefect has been taking a toll on you lately, receiving more orders from the Head Girl or Boy in your house and since new first years are coming along, you've been busier than ever trying to attend and help them get comfy.
Though a specific Quidditch captain has been bugging in your life lately, Oliver has been suspiciously eager to teach you all about Quidditch, quite typical of him but as your prefect role you have to turn him down each time though when it comes to the Oliver Wood, you know this request won't be gone too soon. Everyday he would always ask you the same thing:
โI'll teach you about Quidditchโ
And of course as usual, you'd always say no each time, the more you refused the more eager he gets and that finally lets you agree to his request.
โOkay! Fine, I'll let you teach me about Quidditchโ You say to which earned you a delighted look from him, a small part of you fluttered at quite the sight but you brushed it off. โGreat! You're quite the tough Snitch to catchโ Oliver winked which you rolled your eyes at the typical response, of course he'll always say something Quidditch related but you didn't pay any mind to that surprisingly.
โMeet me at the Quidditch Pitch tomorrow, around afternoonโ He says with a smile, more eager than ever. โYeah, sounds good. I'll see you there.โ
โโโโโ
You arrived at the Pitch and to no surprise he was already there, holding an extra broom with that goofy smirk on his face, you couldn't help but let out a small giggle as you make your way towards him. โWhat's the agenda today, captain?โ To which Oliver gives you the broomstick. โToday, my dear pupil, I'll teach you how to ride the broomstick, well you already know that but with more of a Quidditch style.โ He said.
โโ
โAre you sure I won't uh.. break one of my bones here?..โ You said as you gripped the broomstick as the two of you are now a bit higher now, you try to not look down but dear Merlin you couldn't. A chuckle-near-a-laugh was heard from him as he adjusted his broomstick to fly next to you. โYou're talking about Quidditch here, of course you're gonna break a few bones but I wouldn't let you break one of yours.โ He says as he helps you adjust to a better position, guiding your hands to a recommended position. Every brush of his hands makes your heart flutter and your prayed they he didn't catch on to how flustered you were.
โNow that's better, try to catch-up to me. Don't look down or else you'll puke your guts out.โ Oliver equipped with a laugh as he began to descent with his broom, glancing back to see if you followed of course, an amused smile perched onto his lips as he sees you following him, though quite wobbly but it was a start.
โSee? You're getting a hang of it, real talent right there!โ You hear him say, small confidence washed over your uneasiness as you followed him around the Pitch. Lesson One, checked!
โโโ
As the day progressed, the feelings did too. You start to know more about he sport and a bit of himself too, a praise from him when you successfully managed to goal through the hoops after many attempts made you feel giddy but you won't admit that. The day ended with the sun setting as the two of you tidied up the place, the recent adrenaline still coursing through your veins as you finally learned something new today, quite an adventurous trait you have to which unknowingly Oliver love dearly.
โHey, thanks for teaching me all about Quidditch, though I still don't know why you were so eager to teach me.โ You said with a smile as you two finally finished tidying up the Pitch.
โYou want to know the real reason?โ Oliver etched a fond expression. โIt was because I wanted to see that spark of excitement you uniquely have, it's quite adorable. You should wear it more oftenโ He said with a boyish grin, a bit sheepish and it was the most adorable sight you've seen. A breath hitched from your lips as his own lips brushed against yours before you leaned into it.
Who knew you could melt the Gryffindor quidditch captain with one expression.
โโ
Omg this is my first post and for my dear bestie, I hope u guys love this.
Yooooooo, i really love your writings for Watanabe and Kamui ๐ญโค May i please ask for Chrome? :') it could be fluff, angst, whatever you have in mind honestly. Thank you and have a nice day/night!
Hello, anon! Thank you for the ask (and kind words)! I'm sorry it took so long to get to this; life's been a bit of a bitch lately (><)
Since you didn't request anything in particular, I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore something I've had in mind for a while.
This is about the concept of grief, the myriad aspects of it, and the ever-changing spectrum of ways it can be experienced. I explored each facet using a colour of the rainbow because I think it's interesting to link something usually associated with happiness to pain. It's an explorative and somewhat introspective piece, and perhaps a little weird, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Take heed, it's a long one (3.8k)!
P.S.: if you don't like it, please feel free to submit another ask! I'm aware I may have taken a bit too much creative liberty with this one haha.
TW: major character death, angst.
Chasing Fireย ย //ย ย CHROME
There are colours to grief. Sorrow is red and blue and violet, and everything in between. You can wear it like clothes, watch as it draws the eye and shuts the mouth. You can look through it like glass and see the world unfold. You can paint with it, stories and songs cradled in the empty space between your ribs.
You can breathe it in, but you canโt breathe it out.
Once you invite it in, it never leaves.
R E D ย | ย c h a s i n g ย f i r eย ย
You lay in his arms, a broken doll weeping red. Blood had soaked through your shirt, inking your skin with tattoos of violence. There was so much of it. So thick it was smothering. So dark it was almost black. Chrome bit his lip and put more pressure on your wound. He couldnโt bear to look at your face, to see the pallor of it and know that death was calling. To know that he was the one whoโd failed you.ย
โStay with me, Commandant,โ he said, fighting to keep the panic from his voice. โDonโt fall asleep.โ
โIโm not asleep,โ you slurred. Bloodless lips curled into the ghost of a smile. โJust resting my eyes.โ Your breaths were rapid and shallow, in time with a hummingbird pulse that grew fainter by the minute.
โTell me a story,โ he said urgently. โThe last book you read?โ
Your eyelids fluttered, but didnโt open. It took you several long beats to answer. โWe donโt have to do this, Chrome.โ Your fingers closed around his wrist. โI know.โ
He bit back the lies that curled on his tongue. He wanted so much to deny, to look away from the unbearable truth, but he couldnโt lie to you. He never could. He reached out to caress your face, thumb brushing over the swell of your cheek. You exhaled softly. โIโm sorry,โ he said, voice breaking. โIโm so sorry.โ
You shook your head weakly. โNot your fault.โ
โHow can you say that? I promised them Iโd bring you home. I was supposed to protect you and--โ
You pressed a finger to his lips. Chrome could taste the blood on your skin. โShhh,โ you said with some effort. โItโs okay. Youโll be alright.โ
โItโs not okay,โ he insisted, holding your trembling hand between his own. โNone of this is okay.โ
โWellโฆ I forgive you anyway.โ
Those words shattered something inside him. Like a dam breaking, tears streamed down his face, drawn from some deep well of anguish without end. The pain inside him was a hunger that could not be satisfied, and would not be contained. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he couldnโt shape the words. Silent screams tore themselves from his throat, taking with them shattered pieces of his inhuman heart. Right then, he wasnโt a Construct; he was just a man with human hurts and human sorrows, mourning the loss of a human life. His grief called forth your own tears. They spilled down your cheeks in a bitter chain. Each staccato breath sent electric pain through your broken body, but you couldnโt stop. There was simply too much. Too much pain, too much regret. Too many things that needed to be said and not enough time to even begin. You could only cry and cry, and hope that Chrome understood.ย
โPlease donโt leave me,โ he begged, head bent against yours. His voice was ragged and raw. โPlease stay.โ
โI want to,โ you breathed against his lips. There were no more tears left in you. No space for grief. Only a dull ache and a growing numbness. โIโm scared. I donโt want to die.โ
Chrome could have screamed. He could have ripped the world apart over the injustice of it all. But none of that would save you. He couldnโt kiss you better or change fate or reverse the flow of time. He could only hold you as you slipped from this world, as helpless as sand before the tide.ย
โI would do anything to fix this,โ he said, cradling your head between his hands. Your eyes were unfocused, the skin around them tight with pain. โI wishโฆโ He blinked away the blurriness in his vision and tried again. โI wish I could have protected you.โ
โWhat aโฆ simple wish,โ you rasped. โLucky it already came true.โ
โWhat?โ
You smiled. Or tried to. It was hard to know what your body was doing anymore. โYou protected my mindโฆ My soul. Thatโs enough.โ You swallowed thickly. It was getting harder to breathe. โIs it dark already? Iโm so cold.โ
Chrome gathered you to him gently. His arms around you were tight, but you hardly felt it. โIโm here,โ he said in your ear, again and again. โIโll always be here.โ
Your head rolled back to rest on his shoulder. A chill was spreading through your body, as if ice had replaced the blood in your veins. It was uncomfortable, but you welcomed it. At least it didnโt hurt anymore. โTell me something nice,โ you said, letting your eyes drift shut. โA storyโฆ With a happy ending.โ
A small sob escaped from Chrome. His breath quivered, dancing over your skin in small puffs of warmth. You wanted to wipe the tears from his face, to comfort him and be comforted in turn. But your body was no longer yours. It danced with death now, and you were simply a spectator in the stalls. You were so tired. Youโd fought for so long. All you wanted was to sleep. Here, at the end of it all, you set down your burdens and let yourself rest. Iโm listening, Chrome, you thought languidly, as the rhythms of your body slowed.ย
-----------
Chrome felt like he was breaking apart at the seams, losing the very essence of himself to an uncaring world. All of his fleeting happiness felt so far away, like the remnants of an impossible dream. There was only a brief moment in time that was free of pain, brilliant and blinding like sunlight on waves. A lonely memory of kinder times.ย
He returned to the landscape of his childhood, and began.
โOnce upon a time, there was a prince who wanted for nothing. He had gold and gems and servants to fulfill his every wish. The world was at his fingertips, but he had no friends. He was lonely.โ You gave a tiny hum. Chrome continued. โHe searched high and low, but nobody cared for his formality and stiffness. They called him a robot, who didnโt know what it meant to be human. Then one day, he met a beautiful girl. She caught his attention immediately.โ He pressed a kiss to your temple. โShe treated the prince like any other person, without fear or judgement. And so she became his first and dearest friend.โย
You mumbled something, though he couldnโt make out the words. โThe two went on many adventures together, defeating great evils across the lands. Dark beasts and corrupt kings and disease. After their journey closed, the prince found that heโd fallen in love with her. He loved her beauty, her bravery, and her intellect. She was everything he wasnโt and more besides. Their marriage was celebrated across the kingdom. Together, they ruled fairly and--โ His voice cracked, but he forced himself to continue. โAnd there was no more suffering in their lands. Everyone was happy, but none more so than the king and queen. The end.โ
You were silent. Your tortured breaths had faded to pained little gasps like you were choking on air. Your body twitched in his arms, fighting enemies he couldnโt see. Chrome let out a broken sob. โGo then,โ he said. โGo if it hurts. Go. I love you.โ
That seemed to be the permission you needed. Your body stilled with a final exhale. You were slack and cold against his chest, a dead weight upon his soul. He struggled against the urge to scream. Chrome buried his face in your neck and breathed you in, lavender on blood mixed with a cloying sweetness. โCome back,โ he whispered against your skin. โPlease come back to me.โ
His heart beat steadily in his breast, a perfectly inhuman thing that never wavered. But he could still feel it break.
He wept like his soul was being ripped apart.ย
Grief is red, roses and thorns all at once. Like chasing fire, I reach for the warmth of memory, but there is only the burn of flame. There is no comfort here, only endless paths of pain.
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O R A N G E ย | ย b u r n i n g ย c o a l sย
Hassen sighed. โI understand youโre distressed,โ he said. โBut I wonโt accept your resignation.โ He held up a hand before Chrome could object. โPeople who want to be Constructs are rare. Those who are compatible are even rarer. If you leave, thereโs nobody to replace you as leader of Strike Hawk.โ
โKamui or Banji are more than capable,โ Chrome countered adamantly. โTheyโre just as experienced.โ
Hassen raised a brow. โSurely I donโt need to tell you experience isnโt the only measure of competence.โ
Chrome fell silent. He knew Hassen was right, but he didnโt want to acknowledge it. His spirit was shattered. Picking up the broken pieces was a mountain he didnโt know how to climb. โI donโt know how to go on,โ he said finally. โItโs too painful.โ
โItโs painful now, but itโll pass,โ Hassen said. His breath hitched. โTrust me.โ
Chrome didnโt think he could trust anyone ever again. Himself least of all. He nodded mutely. Hassen seemed satisfied with that. He turned to leave before pausing at the door. โYou should attend the funeral,โ he said after a moment. โItโll help.โ
Chrome felt like heโd been slapped. โNo,โ he said immediately. โI doubt Gray Raven wants to see the man who killed their Commandant.โ
โTheyโve had time to process. And grieve. I think theyโll want to see you.โ
He said nothing. He could hardly look at the other man. Hassen sighed. โJust think about it.โ
The doors hissed shut behind him.ย
-----------
He couldnโt go to the funeral. Heโd thought about it like Hassen asked, but there would be too much of you there. Too many reminders that you were gone, not even bones left to hold. He didnโt want to hear others talking of your life and glorifying your death. He couldnโt bear to hear of your bravery when all he could see was the fear in your face and the regret in your eyes. He still remembered the tremble in your hands, the way youโd clung to him and wept. Your words rang in his mind. Those words that chased him from day to night, and haunted him in hollow dreams.
Iโm scared. I donโt want to die.
Chrome buried his face in his hands. The tears swept over the plains of his soul, trying to ease an unquenchable hellfire. He clenched at the sheets. Tore at his hair. He slammed his fist into the ground until sparks flew from metallic joints.ย
But there was nothing that could heal the wound within.ย
Grief is orange. Burning coals simmering under the surface, stirred to flame by the gentlest of reminders. It hides and it sleeps, but it never dies.
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Y E L L O W ย | ย s e t t i n g ย s u n
He stumbled, gasping for breath. His entire body hurt. Vital fluid leaked from a dozen places, but Chrome ignored it. Another swing, another slash. Corrupted hands reached for him like the groping hands of death. Something sharp dug into his shoulder. He grunted and swept his scythe in a blazing arc before yanking the blade from his body. His vision glitched. Warning signals flashed. Vital fluid loss. Stabilisation module damaged. Core processing unit under extreme strain. Chrome swept matted hair from his eyes. He didnโt need to be told his body was failing. He could feel it in the heaviness of his limbs, in the flaring pain that accompanied every movement. The world was dark around the edges.ย
Is this how you felt, Commandant? Did it hurt like this?
His legs buckled. The ground rose to meet him even as the bright edge of a blade descended on his right. Chrome closed his eyes.ย
โCAPTAIN!โ
The clash of metal on metal was followed by the thunderous crash of something collapsing. Strong hands picked him up as his teammates slung his arms over their shoulders. โItโs not like you to be so reckless,โ Kamui said with real fear. โItโs almost like you want to die.โ
โI--โ He broke off. Did he want to die? He hadnโt tried to defend himself at all. But he could have. He knew he could have.ย
โNot yet,โ Banji said quietly from his other side. โWe still need you, Captain.โ
Chrome hung his head. Shame and regret warred in his fragile heart. He didnโt know how to feel, but one thing was clear:
It wasnโt yet time. Heโd have to keep you waiting a little longer.ย
Grief is yellow. Soft and gentle, like the afterglow of a setting sun. Even when the flame has gone, it remains. It doesnโt burn anymore, but it haunts me all the same.
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G R E E N ย | ย j a d e d ย e y e s
The days were getting easier. He still felt the loss of you like a missing limb, but your phantom hands no longer suffocated him. Your lips no longer kissed to kill. Youโd turned from a vengeful spectre into something softer, a shade that kept him company in the dark. He breathed, it seemed, for the first time in a long time.ย
Yet his mind still caught at the smallest things. Lovers kissing in the dark. Two hands twined together. Laughter around the corner. He missed the warmth of your touch, soft and tender in a way only humans could truly be. He yearned for the press of your skin against his, intimate and secret in the lonely nights. He wanted to hear your voice and kiss your lips. More than anything, he wanted you beside him. Loving him as you could, the way he loved you.ย
But there was only a shadow by his side, clinging to him with invisible claws. It held your shape and stole your face, but Chrome knew it for the monster that it was.ย
โCongratulations,โ he said politely, handing a beautifully wrapped present to the bride. โMay your love be everlasting.โ
The couple beamed at him, radiant in their happiness. Their gratitude was as real as his words were false.ย
He turned away.
Grief is green. Envious eyes, jealous heart. I thought I was healing, but perhaps I am healing wrong. Who is the man in the mirror?
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B L U E ย | ย o c e a n ย d e p t h sย
Chrome, you said. Remember to breathe.
I am breathing, he thought, suddenly aware of the rising bubbles all around him. Big and small, wild and free, running towards the light above. Am I breathing?
You laughed. Iโm not sure. I canโt tell.
He purposefully took a large gulp. Air flooded into his lungs despite the sunlit ocean around him. He laughed. Thatโs strange. Have I turned into a fish?
Youโre very much not a fish, you confirmed. He couldnโt see you, but your voice was clear. Everywhere and nowhere all at once, like you were the very water itself.ย
Where are you? He looked around, but there was only the endless sea. Crystalline waters vast and empty, and so beautifully blue.ย
You sounded sad. Not with you, though I wish I was.ย
Then come, Chrome said happily. Iโll pick you up. Just like always.
If only you could. But I think Iโm a little too far away.
What do you mean?
You didnโt answer. The ocean was growing dark around him, black ink like oil rising from the depths. Smoky tendrils curled around his legs. He shuddered. Trying to kick them off only seemed to create more. He kicked towards the surface, but the sunlight was gone. The waters were ice against his skin, cold and unwelcoming. A black hand closed around his throat.ย
Chrome thrashed desperately, but there was no escape. The blackness was complete, like the hand of night had crushed the world in its palm. There was no beginning and no end, no up or down. Only a darkness so deep it consumed all else. Help! Donโt leave!ย
I canโt stay, you said. Your voice was already fading. Let me go, Chrome.ย
Wait! He inhaled a lungful of grease. Come back!ย
But you were gone.ย
The sea swallowed him whole.ย
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Chrome woke with a start. The room was still grey; his alarm hadnโt gone off yet. He rubbed a hand over his face and stared at the sheets tangled around his feet. There was no black sea after all. Just twisted linen and hopeless dreams.
He rose and got dressed.ย
Grief is blue. Endless like the ocean and just as deep. Vaster than the sky and just as curious. Always it finds new shapes to take, and new ways to hurt me.
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I N D I G O ย | ย s c a r ย t i s s u e
Heโd taken to wearing your engagement ring on a chain around his neck. Always tucked away so nobody could see. Always there, warm against his artificial heart. He fingered the polished metal. It was a simple band. No diamonds or gold, not that there was any left to be had. But youโd smiled at him all the same, accepting his proposal with a giddy joy that had kindled his own.ย
Chrome had secretly recorded the moment, intending to play it at your wedding. That was a shattered dream now, but he couldnโt bring himself to delete the data. He watched the clip again, smiling softly at the happy grin on your face. You peppered his face with kisses, arms and legs wrapped around his body. There was no audio, but he could hear every word.
He flicked the video off. Things like this no longer bothered him. Distance and time had dulled the pain and stitched his wound closed. The knifeโs edge of memory was almost a comfort now, barely a scratch when it used to be a stab. Still, though he no longer bled, the scars lingered. And they would never let him forget. They would never let him forgive.ย
No amount of time would ever wipe the stain of your blood from his soul.ย
Grief is indigo. Itโs what emerges at the edge of night, when the heat of day has passed. Itโs the scar tissue that remains when the wound has closed. Even when it no longer hurts, Iโll always carry the memory of that pain.
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V I O L E T ย | ย u n s e e n ย s o u l
โIf we attack from here, we can catch them in a pincer move,โ Chrome said, pointing to the map. โOur chances of success will increase.โ
โI agree,โ she said, flashing a smile at him. Her hand rested close to his, so close he could feel the heat of her on his skin. โLooks like the majority agree with Chrome.โ She nodded. โGreat. Thatโs the plan then. Meeting adjourned.โ
Chrome made to leave. โWait, Captain.โ
He turned. She smiled at him, clearing her throat awkwardly as she waited for the others to file out. Someone winked at him as the room emptied. His heart sank.ย
โSo,โ she started when it was just the two of them. โYou really took charge of that meeting.โ
โJust doing my job,โ he said lightly. โCan I help you with something else?โ
She hesitated before meeting his eyes. They were large and earnest, so like yours. And yet so very different. His heart squeezed painfully. โI was wondering if youโd like to catch up for lunch sometime?โ she asked shyly. Her voice was small and uncertain, so different from the proud Commandant of minutes ago.ย
โIโm sorry,โ he said, looking away. โIโm unavailable.โ
She deflated immediately. โReally? I thoughtโฆ I was told that you didnโt have anyone at the moment. Is it just me then?โ
โItโs not you. Itโs...โ He trailed off. There really was no way to say it. โIโm not looking for anything right now.โ
โIs itโฆ Is it your fiancee? I heard about what happened.โ
Chrome said nothing. She studied him and sighed. โItโs been three years since then, hasnโt it? This could be the start of something new.โ
He smiled ruefully. โIt could,โ he admitted, brushing his fingers across her cheek. โBut it wonโt. Iโm sorry.โ
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Chrome returned to his room. Your ring gleamed on the table, scuffed and bent after all the battles itโd seen. Youโd loved that thing like it wasnโt just a piece of scrap metal. It carried a piece of your soul and would always be beautiful for it. Because it wasnโt just a fragment of you, it was the part of you that had been given to him freely in love and acceptance. And now, it was the only thing left to him. A dead thing that had taken your place in his heart.ย
He sighed and sat on the bed. His room was the same as ever. The same four walls, the same white sheets. The same desk and lights and air. Only you had changed, leaving your physical body behind for a ghost that haunted him. But even that was gone now. There was only your ring, and the ash of his memories.ย
Chrome thought back to the woman. He couldnโt deny that there was a part of him that was drawn to her, but there was a bigger part of him that couldnโt let you go. The Gray Ravens had gotten a new Commandant two years ago, one they treated with as much respect as they had you. Neither Kamui nor Banji had mentioned your name in years. The world had moved on while you slept.ย
If he joined them and looked to the future, if he allowed himself to forgetโฆ You really would disappear. Just another grave. Just another statistic. He couldnโt bear that. Even if the world forgot, he wouldnโt.ย
So long as he remembered, some piece of you would remain here, with him.ย
So long as he remembered, he could pretend that life was still worth living. Because deep down, Chrome knew that while his body still moved and his heart still beat, the pieces of him that made him whole had died with you.ย
And you would always be gone.ย
Grief is violet. I canโt always see it, but itโs always there. The hidden seventh, an unseen soul. My love, one day, weโll meet again. And Iโll tell you a brand new story.
I feel like Senku would cry the first time heโs intimate with someone.
I mean, given his nature, heโs not necessarily romantically inclined, and iโd say leaning towards sexually indifferent (or I guess in this case demi). Not that itโs a bad thing, itโs just that he isnโt interested in those types of bonds like others are. (very big on the slow burn, friends to lover troupe for him because of this) I also don't think, even with a partner, he'd be rushing into the whole thing, especially since his main focus will always be on the rebuilding of civilization.
So when it does come down to it. I think heโd be a bit of an emotional mess:
You feel the shift in him before you even see it; the slight tremble in his arms as he continues to holds himself above you, the slight hitch in his breath, the way his gaze lingers on your face like heโs seeing the moon for the first time.
โSenku?โ you whisper, brushing your fingers gently through his hair, trying not to disturb the fragile, intimate serenity hanging between the both of you.
He doesnโt answer at first. His expression twistsโconfusion, awe, something akin to fear, but soft around the edges, vulnerable. And then his lips part in a shaky exhale. His whole body shudders once, then again, and when his eyes finally meet yoursโฆ theyโre glassy.
The tears slip down his cheeks silently, and he doesnโt even seem to notice them until you cradle his face.
โIโฆโ he chokes, voice raw, unraveling at the seams. โI donโt get it. Iโve run simulations, predicted every outcome, broken down and re-learned the basic biology of human connection a thousand times butโโ he laughs once, its wet and cracked, โnothing ever prepared me for this.โ
His gaze searches yours, glazed and unguarded, and thatโs when it hits you:
Heโs not afraid of love.
Heโs afraid of deserving it.
โI donโt know what Iโm doing,โ he whispers, and thatโs when you feel itโthe crack in his composure, the distant echo of every burden heโs had to carry since waking up in a broken world without his father, without a safety net. Always leading, always fixing, always trying.
You pull him down into your arms without a second thought, wrapping yourself around him like you could protect him from the enormity of what heโs feeling.
โYou donโt have to be anything but who you are,โ you say softly. โYouโre amazing, Senku. Not because of what you can do or fix or inventโbut because of how deeply you can care. Even when youโre scared.โ
He goes quiet, the last of his tears slipping down his cheeks, warm against your skin. You feel his breathing begin to slow. It's still shaky, and unevenโbut slowing.
His weight settles more fully on you, the tension in his body bleeding out bit by bit, as if your words were the only formula that ever truly mattered. You cradle the back of his head, fingers threading gently through his hair, and let him be still.
No more talking, just the rhythm of your heart beating beneath him, steady and sure.
And for the first time, he lets himself rest. Not in the physical senseโthough heโs clearly exhaustedโbut in the emotional one. He lets you hold him without apology. Lets himself need something that isnโt data or progress or the future of humanity. Just you.
Just this.
โSorry,โ he mumbles eventually, voice still thick, muffled where his cheek rests against your collarbone. โI didnโt mean toโฆ short-circuit.โ
You let out a soft laugh, โYou just had an emotional reaction during your first time..." you take a moment to think of what to call the situation that just happened, "connecting with someone you trust. There's no need to apologize. Youโre not a machine, Senku.โ
He groans, burying his face further into your neck. โYouโre going to use that against me in every argument from now on, arenโt you?โ
โAbsolutely.โ
You feel his lips twitch against your skin, the ghost of a smile. He breathes you in like a grounding presence, like you're a constant he hadnโt realized he needed until everything else fell away. And then, without much thoughtโalmost instinctivelyโhe presses a kiss to the curve of your shoulder. It's tender and warm. Another follows. His breath comes out between them, still shaky, uneven. Itโs not calculated or practicedโitโs raw, subconscious affection from someone still learning what it means to want without restraint.
Then his teeth graze your skin.
Not enough to hurt, but enough to mark.
โSenku,โ you murmur, a quiet laugh in your throat. โAre you biting me?โ
He freezes where his face is tucked against your neck, the warmth of his breath still lingering on your skin. Thereโs a long pause, like heโs calculating whether honesty or denial will cause him more pain in the long run.
โโฆNo,โ he says flatly, which of course means yes.
You smile, your fingers still threading through his hair. โYou know thatโs going to leave a mark, right?โ
He hesitates for only a second. โGood,โ he mutters before he can stop himself, voice muffled against your shoulder. And then, like heโs just heard what he said with his own ears, he lets out a soft, miserable groan. โUgh. That wasโฆ grossly sentimental. Ignore that.โ
You don't. You never do, not when it comes to him.
Instead, you tilt your head just slightly, baring more of your neck in quiet invitation. You donโt tease him for it. You donโt make him explain. Because youโve known him long enough to recognize the language of his affection.
โYou canโt help it,โ you murmur softly, your hand settling at the back of his head. โYouโve been holding everything in for so long. You donโt know how to want things quietly anymore.โ
He doesnโt respond, but you feel it in the way his body presses closer, in the way his mouth hovers just above your skin without moving. As if heโs still trying to compute the feeling of being allowed to want at all.
His voice, when it comes, is quiet and rough around the edges. โDoesnโt freak you out?โ He lifts his head to look at you.
You shift to look at him, your thumb brushing the flushed corner of his cheek. โThat youโre learning how to be human with me?โ Your smile softens. โNo. It doesnโt.โ
He blinks at you, gaze open and vulnerable in a way that makes your chest ache with something you're not quite sure how to name.
โYou always say it like itโs easy,โ he whispers.
โItโs not,โ you admit, voice low but certain. โBut itโs worth it. You're, worth it.โ
He says nothing. Just leans in and lets his forehead press gently against yours, eyes closed. The tension in his shoulders starts to unspool beneath your touch, like heโs finally, finally giving himself permission to fall.
You press a kiss to his temple, soft and slow, and whisper what heโs spent his whole life chasing without realizing it.
โIโm proud of you.โ
His breath catches at those words, and in the quiet that follows, you feel him melt
Not in lust. Not in need.
But in trustโin love.
And itโs the most human youโve ever seen him.
an: so did i cook or what? ๐
this is reader-adjacent to the reader in Drawn to You, so this will def be recycled at some point in the series. I really love this type of troupe with senku, call it projection or wtv you want but it just fits him to a tea imo.
anyway! one more senku idea before i got back to jail (this almost 20k worded chapter; trust yall eating GOOD for chpt.4)
I groaned in my bed as the annoying beeping of my alarm clock goes off, I turned to my side and smacked it on its head finally shutting it down. I laid there for quite some time before I can hear my Aunt Suyin calling out from the living room.
Her footsteps growing closer outside my door till it stopped and I hear the swing of the door being opened. "Claire! Wake up now, it your first day back to school!" Aunt Suyin said, her accent slipping through her words before she recedes back to the kitchen.
I sighed tiredly before I finally had the strength to bring myself up from the warmth of my mattress, I paused and sat there. Thinking of the possibilities to just jump off a cliff or any way to not go back to school ever but surely that won't save me right now. I stood up from my bed and checked the time on my clock. "5:38.." I muttered, in the weekends I'd still be snoring and sprawled out on my bed in that hour.
-
My eyes landed on my Hockey stick that was placed in the corner of my dresser, right.. we get hockey practice later in the afternoon which made my mood go even more downhill but also had tingle of excitement. I made my way towards to my opened bedroom door and stepped out, the familiar morning broadcast was played on the TV about weathers or some shitty government issues that only needs a good brained speaker to end it all, well unfortunately they don't have that.
Stepping foot towards the kitchen, I can see Aunt Suyin making breakfast. I passed by her to get milk from the fridge and poured it down onto a cup, I then hear my aunt speaking up. "You have Hockey practice later right? Text me what time do I pick you, kay?" I nodded at her words. "Okay" I took a sip of the milk from my cup as I walked towards the kitchen counter to pick up the food she made, placing it down on the table.
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I am now in my room, all dressed up for today while drying my hair with a hair blower. My phone on my other hand as I texted the only person I can tolerate in school, my best friend Yuna
I let out a small chuckle at her response as I texted her back, now I am done drying my hair. I quickly grabbed my bag and gear as I walked out of my room and closed it. My aunt telling me to hurry up as she was now standing at the door, I put on my shoes as we got from our apartment door.
-
We then walked out of the apartment building, got on her car as Aunt Suyin drive off. A comfortable silence was put between us before my aunt started to talk. "Senior year huh? You've grown a lot like your mฤmฤ" she said as I saw a small smile on her face.
I let out a small smile. "Do I really look like mฤmฤ?" I asked as her smile widened and nodded. "Oh yes, you have her features and you got your bร ba's grey eyes" I saw how my aunt's smile faltered a bit before returning it back, I too did the same thing. "Your bร ba would be so proud of you, you know?" I nodded at her words, losing my dad crushed us. He was such a wonderful and loving man to his families and friends too.
To be honest I hated my mom after that, seeing her face dimmed down, stopped taking care of herself, stopped taking care of me. I know she was devastated after losing dad but it literally sucked the soul out of her, Aunt Suyin was the one who took me in and raised me as her own.
Still we talked sometimes but only small exchanges of "how are you doing in school" or "study well". I just wish, wish that my mom would acknowledge me again like before. Wish to see the brightly mother I knew before
-
My thoughts were interrupted when the car stopped right in front of my school. I grabbed my bag, said my goodbye to my aunt and stepped out of the car before closing it. I see Aunt Suyin waved goodbye to me again right before she started to drive away, I then made my way towards the school's entrance. Being greeted by the bustling sounds of other students chatting away, saying hi to their friends or greeting newcomers.
I walked through the bustling hallway as I finally reached my locker, I put my hockey gear in for later and pack some books for my morning classes. I then heard some snickering, giggling and someone being pushed back onto the locker door.
I snap my head to see the infamous "๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ" boy Flash Thompson and his goons who were picking on Parker, I've known Parker since he's in my biology class. Quiet and a bit awkward but very smart, I then turned my gaze to Flash and a smirk formed on my face. Would be fun to mess with him on the first day of senior high, see I've grown a reputation to mess with these stuck-up popular kids here in school, and top of my list was Flash Thompson.
I took something from my locker before closing it, silently making my way towards them. I was now behind Flash, him and his goons didn't notice me, too busy picking on Parker but I know Parker noticed me. I pressed my index finger on my mouth signaling him to be quiet before I successfully pinned the plastic snake onto Flash's shirt, I walked passed them none of them bat an eye before I can hear one of his goons gasp and scream.
Then Flash's scream can be heard from where I am, a small laugh came out of me as I go towards my first class of the day
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After my classes for the morning ended, I made my way towards my locker to put away my books. Suddenly I felt someone nudge me on my shoulder, it was Yuna.
"Hey, heard the commotion earlier. You're ruthless for that golden boy huh?" Yuna and I shared a laugh "Well he deserved that to be honest" I say with a smirk as Yuna nodded at my words "Hey let's go to the cafeteria! I'm starving as hell" Yuna whined which made me snort out a laugh "Same here let's go"
-
We sat down on a table and chatted away, about our studies and Yuna's new tech project. Me and her grew close way back to first year, it was because of our similiar interest on robotics. I can still see the disbelief and confused face she made when I walked towards her and talked about how good her tech was.
She then later confessed that she thought I was just another stuck-up athlete like Flash but hell no I'd die than become like him, I guess that's another one to why we grow fond of each other, I think we just like to talk shit about people we don't like
-
As me and Yuna were enjoying our food, I found myself staring at Parker. Sitting by himself, his head being drown by his books. I admire that about him, so smart and determined, not even an earthquake would stop his studies. But there was one thing I have to admit, he's pretty cute too.
Yuna stopped talking as she followed my gaze towards Parker, she turned her attention to me, a smirk was now on her face "What am I witnessing right now hm?" I scoffed at her tone "Shut up before I smack you with those glasses" Yuna only grinned at my words, knowing damn well I'd get easily defensive "Sure sure" I can still hear that teasing tone of hers, she then change the topic "Anyways, you're having practice later right? Sucks" I sigh at her words "I'm prepared of coach's "preppering" words again"
Yuna chuckled at my words "Boo hoo for you, I'm lucky I'm not an athlete" I rolled my eyes at her but a smirk was itched on my face "Yeah yeah talk all you want" Our conversation was interrupted when we hear the familiar ring of the bell, we both let out a soft groan as we cleaned out area "Well another few hours of class" I say to which Yuna groaned again "You mean torture?" I let out a small laugh at her words to which she did the same "Yeah too bad I don't get to see you that much" I say "Teacher's hates it when we're breathing in the same room" She said to which earned me a smile as we exited the cafeteria
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End of chapter 1
I'm sorry if this is too short for a chapter because like I said I'm still a beginner and still improving ๐
