#kamiikage

@kamiikage

The bluenette didn’t react immediately to the venom in his voice as she stood in the doorway for a long moment, letting the silence between them stretch until it became heavy enough to press against the walls. The dim light of the kitchen caught the edge of her expression which was a mixture of being composed, tired in a way that had nothing to do with sleep deprivation and everything to do with patience being worn thin.

Her gaze drifted briefly to the desk, to the scattered paperwork, to the man who insisted on drowning himself in it as though exhaustion were some kind of discipline worth honoring. Then, without ceremony or raised voice, she turned and stepped out. The sound of her footsteps faded down the hall, unhurried, unbothered by his warning or his glare. When she returned, it was with a simple metal bucket. Cold water sloshed softly against its sides as she entered the room again. Vivi simply walked behind him in that same calm, deliberate way that made arguments feel unnecessary and then she lifted the bucket.

The water came down in a clean, merciless cascade over the head of man, soaking ink, paper, and pride all at once. The sound of it hitting the desk was sharp in the quiet room before the woman set the empty bucket aside as if she had only placed down a teacup, her expression unchanged even as droplets ran from the ends of her sleeves. “You’re right,” she said evenly, stepping closer so he couldn’t pretend she wasn’t there. “We shouldn’t get too comfortable with roles.” Her eyes held his, steady and unflinching, as she mirrored his earlier venom back at him, but without raising her voice to match it.

She tilted her head slightly, as if considering him with clinical patience rather than anger. “You can glare at me all you want,” she added softly. “However, you will still eat, you will still sleep and you will stop pretending that breaking yourself down is the same thing as being useful. Or else we are going to have a nice long night together like this.” A beat passed, the dripping water the only sound left between them before Vivi straightened, already turning as though the matter were no longer up for debate. “Plus for the record, if you think I’m going to be intimidated out of taking care of you, you’re going to be disappointed far more often than I am,” she finished without looking back.

MUN ASKS.

If your muse was a real person in the real world, do you think you'd get along with them?

// Genuinely this is so hilarious, but I love it. OK SO--

Stardew Boys: Sebastian:

I think I would get along with him only because he's into a lot of the things I'm into. But we wouldn't be too close and would probably just be friends because we both know Sam and Abigail, who'd I get along with way more. Shane:

I think we'd just stay out of each other's way. He's not approachable and I don't approach. If I did catch him having a depressive episode or super drunk, I think I'd meet with him the good ol', "that's rough, buddy." Elliott:

To be honest, I wouldn't approach him, but I think I would admire from afar. If he approached me first though? With his dramatic ass? I think I would be gob smacked and charmed at the same time. Man's got pretty privilege. Alex:

See, he's my favorite bachelor and I think his humor would be up my alley, but if he bullied me in any way when our acquaintanceship was still fresh? I'd never talk to him again, lol. Or my walls would be hella up any time he'd try to interact with me until he stopped being mean. He's a jock and I'm a sensitive dweeb, and I think he would bully the heck out of me. Harvey:

He's a cutie patootie, and I do think we'd get along. If he infodumped on me about planes, I'd just be like, "wwwoooooowwwww." (✿◡‿◡) But he's shy and I'm also shy, and so I get the feeling we'd struggle to strike up conversations with each other. Sam:

Sam is the one bachelor I think I'd get along the best with. Silly antics and humor being just immature enough for me to not get the ick. We'd get along great. I can see myself enjoying his company, and we'd hang out a lot.

Fields of Mistria Boys: Balor:

Balor is the right kind of charming and not overbearing that I think I would enjoy his little quips and banters. Eiland:

Not to be bias because he's my favorite bachelor, but if he went on an info-dump on his history stuff, I would be heart eyes. AND if he did it while we were sharing desserts? Instant swoon. I know my man knows where to buy the best chocolates, too. I'd marry him before the day was over. Hayden:

He's just a happy man! There's no way I'd be able to hate him, and if he was super chill and willing to take me to his farm and show me all his animals? Instant besties. I'd probably just see him as a super cool uncle. Ryis:

He's so sweet! Though I would ask him why the heck he's always hanging around March, because they're total opposites. ಠ_ಠ But omg, I would demand he took me bird watching, and I'd ask him all sorts of things about birds. March:

Tbh, he'd be the one guy I DON'T get along with. He's so rude when you first meet him! Even in game, he was my least favorite until I got buttered up with his heart events. The problem is that in real life, the second he's snippy with me, I'd fuck off and never talk to him again, lol. Caldarus:

We would get along!! If he had questions about how anything and everything worked, of course I'd answer them all. His sweet gentle ways and even a little bit of innocence, would charm me. Honorable Mention: Casper:

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘∘₊✧──────✧₊∘∘₊✧──────✧₊∘∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

"such a deep profound sadness I sense from you, tragic mortal..."

A voice, soft and airy, like the warmth of the sun on your skin, spoke through the trees of the dark and dismal forest. Only a singular light, one shining upon the isolated male like focused limelight, radiated with the manifestation of something powerful.

Such imminence has yet to make itself known, but the influence of such command could be felt where the man was standing. Like vibrations beneath one's feet. There was no denying that such omnipotence was not to be trifled with.

"Should you speak your truth, I shall impart my gracious hand out to you. Perhaps I can help..."

He doesn't mean to sound so demanding, but intensity was a trait that couldn't be so easily quelled — even with a certain older brother gradually smoothing out the dishonorable Hokage's edges. Somewhat these days.

But there are more reasons he has to be so straightforward. Because he knows the eldest will try to brush the demand aside. That unreadable face of his practically confirms it, making Sasuke press harder.

❝ . . . it's your birthday, isn't it? ❞ That time it came out a little softer. And it is perhaps Sasuke's greatest luck that Itachi couldn't see his averted eyes, with a tender ( albeit awkward ) expression matching it. ❝ You... never ask for anything. You never do anything for yourself. You don't even choose what we have for dinner! ❞

There is a sad bitterness to it. Itachi's temperament made it easy for Sasuke's own selfish demands to overpower it. And he never knew how to find the words to rectify this— good thing birthday's provide a sufficient out.

❝ But I won't allow that today. So... even if it's just for today. Tell me. Honestly. What do you want to do? ❞

[ birthday ask 🥳 ]

ㅤHe was never taught how to want anything, funnily enough. Perhaps not the sole example, what with the motto that has been guiding this village since its inception — protect those who cannot protect themselves, take no merit for it — yet Itachi won't deny that he is particularly inept at it. Ironic, even, for someone who otherwise learns things so quickly and so effortlessly.

«It is my birthday.»

ㅤOne he ought to not be counting anymore, but here's another example of how wanting things usually never works out for him; perhaps small wonder that, along with the lack of opportunities to practice, he's given up on it altogether a long time ago. It's reverse Midas touch, really; want one thing and it is guaranteed that the powers that be will move it out of his reach.

ㅤThat and the best present he could ever ask for is already right here, right before his eyes even if they cannot see him, so what else should he be quipping about? The same Sasuke who seems adamant about celebrating the date, no less, and... he's also never been talented at denying his little brother, has he? It's enough to curve his lips into a small smile, a blend of amusement and fondness and relief and genuine appreciation and gratitude, that this much hasn't changed all that much. Still the same spunky little boy who'd wait for him after a long day of committing unspeakable acts work to demand attention and quality time together. Never mind the ruins they both have planted in their respective way, at least Itachi finally is able to give this.

ㅤ«That is inaccurate.» Perhaps it's even the sort of lighthearted feeling that fuels the little bit of harmless teasing that ensues. «Technically speaking, when I prepare dinner, it is whatever I decide it'll be.»

ㅤNot counting the fact he always asks his brother first for suggestions or something Sasuke might be particularly craving, but hey. Let's not let truth get in the way of a good narrative; something that every master of genjutsu knows and wears like second skin.

But what does he, indeed, want to do?

ㅤSomehow, to visit their parents' graves is the first thought coming to mind, but one that he does not share. One, because it is not in good taste, and, two, because it's still a long battle uphill before Itachi can feel like he even deserves to be in their presence. Best to not poke at the hornets nest. And what is it that they say, the simplest solutions are usually the best? A simple solution it is, then.

«The tea house. I haven't properly visited in a long time.»

@kamiikage liked for a starter

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“Sasukeeee...” he called in a long, helpless, whiny tone, splayed half over the desk. He was a victim of a book avalanche, buried deep in both metaphorical and physical knowledge.

“ˑˑˑʰᵉˡᵖˑˑˑ” followed. Much quieter, conceding defeat on a level that went far beyond the bodily.

“Kakashi-sensai said I can’t become Hokage unless I study all of THIS...” A book falls off as he lifts his head from the mess.

“You are my only HOPE! Shikamaru and Sakura are too amazing with this stuff... I understand nothing when they explain, which REALLY annoys them... I NEED you...”

The blonde hero was slain, his fox was somewhere sleeping because he didn’t want to help either. So the only one he could call for help was Sasuke. Who had always excelled at physical studies during the academy years and had been decent in academics. But at least on a level Naruto could dream of approaching with hard work…

^ ok now he drank juice that makes him stare at ✨CUTE PRETTY PRINCESS PEOPLE✨

...

....................

Proceeds to prod that stoopid Uchiha face.

"Uh, earth to dude with the duck hair? How damn long as you're goin' to be staring a hole through her face there!? Get with the program, focus!!"

Not that he can exactly fault him for staring at one of life's greatest wonders of life itself. Women happen to have such a magic effect that he can just understand. The countless figures of such repute, wonder and beauty he's come to encounter can certainly attest to that!

Ah. Does he ever adore those world enders.