3 and 4 for the fanfic ask for I Am of course
Oh man! Those are hard. Hmmmmmm gosh there are so many but if I had to narrow things down...
3: What’s your favorite line of narration?
So I don’t know if this is my favorite over all because there really is so much I love, but this is an example of some of the double meaning writing @aoimikans and I have done.
Good, he relaxed. You’re safe. We made it.
His vision blurred and he fell to the side, barely catching himself with an outstretched arm.
“All Might!” Izuku wrapped a supporting arm around Toshinori’s shoulder.
Toshinori panted as his fatigue caught up with him. Just- just give me…
“Midoriya, help him up and follow me.” Aizawa ordered briskly, turning toward the main building.
“It’s okay, All Might,” Izuku wrapped Toshinori’s arm over his shoulders, “Let me help you. We’ll get you both to Recovery Girl, okay?”
Toshinori shivered, too tired to argue and not wanting to.
Okay, my boy.
Okay.
On the first read, you’ve just gone through all the events of Canvas. The changes, the hurt, the excitement of the escape, and this is just the pure relief of ok, they are all safe. The worst is over. And that is the intended first reading.
But then you get into Collapse and learn more about the imprint, you have the scene on the beach and the scene with the Doctor. If you go back to reread that moment with that knowledge, suddenly it takes on a whole added meaning. Yes it is a relief, yes it is the end of what happened at Rishi. But it also is the moment of imprinting and that sets the rest of the series in motion as well. Double meanings and reread value are my favorite :3c
4: What’s your favorite line of dialogue?
Toshinori pressed forward, tail slashing dangerously through the air, “You would just lay down your life after surviving injuries and tortures because you could not bear the shame? I choose to live. I am alive and determined to stay so.”
“There are things that must be done -” Toshinori nodded to himself, “Things only I can do. Shame and titles are the least of my worries.”
Taking a slow, deep breath, he bowed his head-
Pathe-
“Don’t start with that, Toshi,” Naomasa said firmly, squeezing Toshinori’s hand, “I’d recognize that look anywhere. This-” he shook his head, “This doesn’t make you weak. It just shows you’ve been through a lot. And you’ve been through Hell.”
Toshinori hummed and nodded softly.
[...]
Naomasa pat Toshinori’s tail, “It’s alright. Take your time. I’ll be right here. You aren’t alone.”
This, I think, is what the whole series can be condensed into. Toshi went through Hell and he is both strong and vulnerable. His healing takes time and comes in waves. Much of it is inspired by my own dealing with severe anxiety and depression. Healing takes time, you can be strong and still have panic attacks, and the only thing you can do is keep trying and get back up again. And he isn’t alone. He has a huge support group of peers, friends, and students who all help in their own ways.
The whole series has an undercurrent of recovery and getting back on your feet after trauma and knowing you have support. I think that’s important to have available in stories.
@aoimikans Do you have favorites?
