[harumin24]

Three's a crowd but he's still alone

Izuku Midoriya was four when his mother died. He was four when strong arms pulled him from his burning home. He was four when his father whispered soothingly in his ears "you're mine now, I won't let anyone take you away from me again." He was four when his first soulmate mark appeared. When soulmates share pain, all he knows is suffering

[snapcracklepop-myjoints]

If my previous ask said fucks instead of ducks I'm really sorry I'm high as balls on edibles and sleep deprivation

worse <3

[snapcracklepop-myjoints]

Babe we NEED pics of your rubber cuck collection

so actually ☝what i collect is DUCKS

[adreus]

(check out this post — it’s the source for slides #6 and #7!)

[prismatic-bell]

ALL OF THIS. Don’t be nervous. I’ve gotten comments in languages I don’t speak and I was honored that someone puzzled their way through what I had to say in English and was so moved they had to try to communicate. I promise you, other authors feel the same.

[harumin24]

I LOVE WALKS I LOVE SPRING MORNINGS I LOVE MY FRIENDS AAAAAAHHHHHH

[stellernorth]

i think the best pitch for 17776 is “trust me” i think people should go in not knowing what kinds of entities are communicating in the calender portion

[kings-highway]

Hope is such the Character of all time to me. I have fallen in love with them and their whole dedication to being loved by ripping and tearing through themself to only leave the mangled parts they hope are the right shape to finally be enough. It's such good character design!! And tbh the way you wrote them inspires me to give my own characters similar variety-- it's like meeting a new person and going, oh I didn't know people could be like /that/. That opens a whole world of flavor to cook with.

I want to imagine Hope coming back to watch the three girls growing up from afar, not jealous, (they were offered that love and turned it down by choice), but fiercely protective... from a distance. I imagine Daichi and Suga never see Hope again, but at least one of the girls sees them once or twice in their lifetimes, and when they ask about the mysterious stranger too young to have grey hair, Daichi and Suga can hold on that Hope is alive.

BUT! I also wanna hear your thoughts and plans/ideas for what you intended for Hope's future. This is a wide open invitation please please please yap about them!

Hope is the character of all time, you’re absolutely right. I honestly didn’t think I could love an OC as much as I do them - they were designed, and still are designed, to be a plot device, to be a point in the narrative, to be a villain and an antagonist and someone that the reader could root to kill or redeem without the Haikyuu Canon worrying them any. A character that means nothing to anybody. But I did fall in love with them a little bit, of course, I’m sure any and all of you out there who put pen to paper or craft stories in any way know the feeling. The way some characters can hold so much more than they were meant to.

That is to say, this will be a heavy set of spoilers for “This Is Not the End” so if you haven’t literally finished the Epilogue, skieeeep.

---

I love your description of them: “tearing through themself to only leave the mangled parts they hope are the right shape to finally be enough.” That IS the essence of their character, someone so desperate to not “prove” that they are enough, but to fundamentally believe they are enough, someone who has never been enough and in a lot of ways still isn’t. Someone who, after tearing and mangling their soul to strive to be worthy, turned around and watched people hate them for the fact that they tore and mangled themself. The greatest tragedy, I think, of Hope’s character - and something that they may be aware of, or maybe not - is that the women hate them too. The women see someone who look down on them, who was so hateful of the very thing they were and are that they would have killed themselves trying to prove themself better.

Hope has no allies in the stronghold. The women want them dead, the men want them dead - if Kubo holds any affection for Hope, it is only because he admires that someone can be so brazenly unlovable by everyone around them. That someone could be so entirely consumed by the desire to be different that they don’t care, they don’t want to care. Seeking approval like a beaten sled dog wondering if this last plunge into the snow will earn them a treat, and accepting the beating that follows when they don’t.

There is one thing you got wrong, though. Not literally, but in the word choice you used. “They were offered that love and turned it down by choice.” I would disagree. Very explicitly, Daichi hasn’t offered that love yet. That’s what they were going to do. Hope leaves the second their body is able to carry them away. Yes, they are aware that they could stay, but I don’t see it as a choice. I see it the way a broken animal finds a dark space to die - Hope couldn’t stay because they aren’t ready to heal.

Would Kyoto have trusted them? Suga was ready to welcome them with open arms, but Suga is also neurotically trying to replace family they had lost, Suga is projecting onto Hope what he thinks a sibling would be, not what Hope actually is.

If Daichi had offered a hand out to Hope, they would have taken it. But they wouldn’t have survived what came after - the looking, the staring, the reparations. The apologies and the judgement and - well, cutting themselves up to make them lovable to Kyoto.

Hope’s last real action in the story - leaving before anyone can stop them - is the first decision they really make for themselves, and it’s the one that’s most important to me. They want that love so badly, they want it more than they’ve ever wanted anything. It’s important, to the context of Hope’s character, to know that there is a borderline compulsive love that they feel towards Daichi. Daichi, too them, represents someone, something, somehow, being loved and being seen. Hope sees Suga as the version of themself that they should have been - so they see Daichi as the person they should have had loving them. (If you follow the trail back long enough, this is “My mother should have been the one to get out, I should have gotten that life, not Aiko.)

But they do walk away.

The thing that drove Hope absolutely insane, more than any of the abuse, was the staring. One of Hope’s first real chapters that they drive is called “Hatred” for a reason. It’s one of their core themes. Looking around them, and only seeing eyes filled with hatred. The women, the men, Kubo, themself in the water. Hope spares Daichi’s life the first time because when they look at him they see fear and alarm, but no hatred - never hatred, the only man capable of loving the sum of their parts (Sugawara.)

So when Hope leaves the stronghold, it is not because they want to. It is because if they stay, they know they will have to change again. To do better, to be seen by more eyes, touched by more hands. And if they mangle themselves one more time into something Kyoto can love, then are they really any better off than they were with Kubo? If Hope chases this fleeting, obsessive love they feel for Daichi - are they not just replacing one god with another?

No, Hope leaves to be alone. To be unseen, untouched, unknown. They choose that for themselves, walk away from their obsession with being loved to go to a place where instead, there is no hatred, no eyes. Nothing but them. They choose, instead, to remove themselves from that cycle of trying to be better. Because even if WE know that Kyoto are the good guys and if Hope “Changed to be more like them” it would be for the better, from Hope’s perspective it is still another people, another box, another emperor.

Hope leaves so that for the first time, maybe the only time, they can just be whatever they want. They are nobody’s dog anymore, there’s no leash. Just the trees, apples, and the wind to pass the time.

They do want to go back. They stay nearby as the gatekeeper of Kyoto, they make sure nothing nefarious is kicking around, they watch the people who come down from the mountains. Hope wants nothing more than to protect Suga and Daichi and the people they have come to see as the better people of this world, so they do. In secret. Hope says it themself to Keisuke - “I’m trying to be a nicer person these days.” - and one day, when Hope thinks that they’ve figured out how to do that, they plan to go back to Kyoto. But only have they’ve had a chance to cut and mangle and change themselves into something that they can love. Without the eyes of anyone else watching them do that. And then they’ll see if there’s somewhere they fit in Kyoto.

In the Epilogue, there is a very important implication in the future - sure, “Empress Sugawara Yukina” could have come from Daichi and Suga’s lineage somewhere down the line, two hundred and fifty years is a long time, names can change. But you know what’s clearer? Nozomi’s setter, who’s worried she’s going grey at sixteen. Now, random mutations and various albinisms aside, a running theme of the Sugawara storyline was that genetic grey hair that ran in Sayuri’s family. It’s how Suga’s identified, it’s something that makes that family distinct and species. Suga, though, is gay as all hell and not having biological children. So who’s passed it down? Who brought it to the future.

I’m not saying that Sugawara Yukina is Hope’s great-great-great granddaughter finally bringing her family lineage into the light and doing good on the name that Hope fought heart and soul to deserve carrying, no, no, I’m not saying that at all.

I’m just saying that they do find someone eventually. They do love someone and get loved by someone. I think Hope probably outlives both of them, and spends their last few years watching their kids, keeping them safe even after their kin has passed on. I think when their time comes they’re buried up beside the other Sugawaras, and the other Sawamuras, and I don’t think they worry about having earned their resting place beside them. I think Hope eventually finds where they belong in that family.

It just takes them a little longer to get there.

They just need to be in a position to choose it. Really choose it, as themselves and not what they think people want them to be. To choose it even when nobody is looking.

[harumin24]

Ohhh I DID see the lovely continuation of both the Sugawara and Sawamura family names, something that you wouldn't expect to come down from one couple (ie Daichi and Suga). I didn't catch the grey hair though!! That's such a clever detail and I absolutely adore the subtle way that it confirms Hope was able to find love and comfort, even after making the decision to live on their own and for themself only, in the safety of their own company. GAHH IT JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. And for their children and descendants to fit back into society the way Hope could not, at least not for a long time, it means they're giving their children the life they had always hoped to have and UGH BITING YOU

[lastoneout]

Porter Robinson - Russian Roulette

This is the messiest web weave ever but the new Porter Robinson song has my mind in a vice grip

[lastoneout]

One Piece Fan Letter

[sylki]

may I add to this post one of my favorite movies which embodies this feeling: the tale of princess kaguya

“Please! Let me stay a little longer! Just a little longer, to feel the joy of living in this place!”

“There’s joy, there’s grief…All who live here feel them in all their different shades! There’s birds, bugs, beasts, grass, trees, flowers and feelings.”

“Oh heaven and earth! Take me in!”

[harumin24]

trick or treat my friend 👻 i am in your inbox

AH! That's sure a scary costume you got on there! I certainly wouldn't want a trick from you. Let's see what treats I have in the box.

For you, dear friend, I have a little behind the scenes of Three's a Crowd.

See, I wanted to be sure that the relationship truly went three ways, and did not feel like just one person being shipped with two. As I built their relations to each other in my head, it dictated much of their interactions throughout the story, and many things come in threes.

The first, in their reactions to trauma, I gave each a different fear response. Katsuki would fight, Shoto would freeze, and Izuku would faun.in bringing these reactions to each other, they caused quite a bit of unintentional tension as they figured out how to interact.

But truthfully, what I most want to talk about,is the positives they each brought to the relationship, though this does require a bit of the background context (all still in my head).

First and foremost, Katsuki is a fighter. Outwardly he proverbially hits back nearly as good as he gets it, but there's a certain erosion of self confidence that happens when you're treated like dirty gum stuck on someone's shoe. Katsuki acts like it doesn't affect him, and seeing his partners face much worse, feels his troubles aren't really worth mentioning.

Izuku, though he was treated worse overall, always sought the rare praise he could earn, and without a typical social group of his peers or kind adults, didn't quite realize that things were abnormal. Much of what he went through was construed to claim it was his own fault, and he internalized that over time.

Shoto on the other hand is very well aware that his treatment is unfair, and not his fault, but the unfortunate situation of being the son of the number two hero is that far too much can be swept under the rug. While he does try to do what his father demands, he has built up a lot of resentment and anger at his treatment, and tries to get back in petty meaningless ways.

What the boys need is, probably, a lot of therapy. However they're in *my* fic so all the get is each other. Fortunately, being soulmates, they are exactly what each other needs.

Izuku, who had been pushed to his limit and ultimately asked for help, has been able to see the massive positive changes to his life since then. He is there to encourage the other two to share their burdens and ask for help from others, whether Shoto doesn't believe it will help or if Katsuki doesn't need it.

Shoto helps Katsuki to see that his situation *is* bad, even if it's not dramatically so, and he still deserves a better, gentler home. He helps Izuku understand that it's not his fault, since Izuku is still Izuku whether under his father's mistreatment or Aizawa's kind care.

Katsuki doesn't exactly have the best coping mechanisms, but he shows his support through anger directed outwardly. He's in their court and gnashing his teeth against the source of their fears. With Katsuki there like a feral cat scaring off a bear, he helps the other two feel like their fathers are not as insurmountable fortresses as they thought.

All of this, every tie in, was detail I tried to "show not tell" through each interaction. I didn't want the characters to be too self aware about their bricks in each other's houses, but still wanted to make it clear to the reader. It definitely made for some challenging scenes to write, but with the framework in mind I did my best to coax the characters in the directions they needed to go.

[habken]

do you have any reference sheets for your oc bee? :0 i'd love to draw her, i really like the design!! also do you have any fun facts about her you'd like to share? i just think she's super cute ^-^

wahh the way i'd cry if you did :')) here's what I got !!

Bee's a little demon girl from the underworld! Originally her name was Lily but a friend mixed it up and I went wait,, I like that better actually,,, and then it stuck. She's silly and energetic but doesn't have many friends in the underworld cause most demons are a lot older than her, so she often travels to the surface to spy and make friends with humans

She roped one in on a deal so in exchange for her getting him a video game his parents wouldn't let him buy, he's bound by contract to be her bff <3

Her design was mostly inspired by goats and baphomet but I also put in some more cow-like features, so she's a coat (cow-goat)

[harumin24]

@habken

I'm not the original anon but I took permission to draw your OC Bee anyway >///< hope you like!

[harumin24]

Featuring the work of two amazing creators: @kings-highway and @decarbry

KingsHighway published this fic, "Floor 4" in which Daichi fights for his life to escape a burning building. I read this scene and was immediately overcome with these visuals and just had to make it a reality.

Every single one of their works is excellent, with no prior knowledge of Haikyuu needed to enjoy the thrilling adventures. Their astounding ability to portray all of their characters so uniquely and authentically human makes every single one of their works captivating. I personally highly recommend Time Enough To Risk It All, but check out all of their works here!

Artwork was completed by the lovely Decarbry. She was a joy to work with and perfectly captured the inspiration I could have never hoped to create on my own. Seeing this come together was like seeing the exact images in my head brought to life in the best way possible.

She was very fast, provided regular updates, and was both professional and kind throughout the process. Her prices are very reasonable and the result was worth every penny! She does gorgeous detailed backgrounds, lively character portraits, and impactful illustrations. Check out her portfolio here!

[harumin24]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Half a year ago, Edmund Pevensie found himself in a white wood with a Queen who was not quite as gentle as she first seemed. Now, England finds itself buried under a massive snow storm, the likes of which he hadn't seen in well over a decade of gentle winters and warm summers. The cold brings back memories he'd rather not remember, but couldn't possibly forget.

[emberglowfox]

Keeper -- a short comic about an angel meeting a robotic lighthouse keeper that doesn't know the world has already ended. Made in about 18 hours for a 24-hour 24-page* black and white comic challenge (that I arrived late to, ha.)

*the actual submission does not include the cover, which was created after the fact for this post.

This was a really great learning experience as someone who's... never really made a completed comic. I ended up really attached to the story by the end of the project (possibly due to all-nighter deliriousness lol) and ultimately am very proud of what I made.There are some things I'd still like to change, particularly text placement, but in keeping with the spirit of the challenge I've elected to leave it as is.

[humansoflatecapitalism]

[pigswithwings]

oh…

[papermonkeyism]

A commission for @etolimama of their original species. This was fun!

[harumin24]

hehehehe yasssss thank you!!

[aquietrevolutionary]

I came out here to attack people and I’m honestly having such a good time right now