It's A Calculated Risk, Daring To Draw So Close, Just Even Beginning To Edge Within His Periphery, But

It's a calculated risk, daring to draw so close, just even beginning to edge within his periphery, but all signs of observations lent itself to the idea that the blonde seemed to be in a relatively (?) better mood than his usual days. Courage mustered as nerves steeled, clamping down on the instinctive desire to shy away once red eyes land on him, he does his best to offer a neutral wave, shaky smile more akin to bared teeth, "O-Oh, hi Kacchan, I didn't see you there."

          NITROGLYCERINE IS EASY TO SET OFF,  A FLEX OF HIS hand and the palm is an open sphere of crackling lights and smoke,  the scent of burnt sugar remains on the skin as it tears and sinews,  what’s left is a map of pale lines that indent and blur the life lines.   What’s left of him is artwork,  a melding of an integral structure that won’t blast from its hinges,  it’s a mean and hardened set of mind and body   —   but it’s sound,  it’s kept itself together,  it hasn’t died yet.   It might not be everyone’s but it’s his calm,  this storm of fire and ash that keeps his heart from slowing down.   There’s always been someone there that only ever refuses to back off,  no matter how hard the shove,  how loud the clap of thunder,  this stubborn idiot will manage to land in the eye of the storm and flinch away from the first sign of trouble.   This boy Katsuki grew up with,  the flinching has almost stopped.   And he doesn’t think he would have ever noticed until now,  of how alone Izuku looked like until he wasn’t anymore.   These people,  this school,  All Might. . .  they’ve changed something,  but Izuku is still acting like that nervous boy from their childhood.   Katsuki thought it was all pretend but there’s something else to figure out.   In the meantime,  Katsuki has already gotten used to the idea of having to see that face over and over,  no matter what,  Deku will keep going.

          He’s used to it,  in a way they’re both getting used to this something building up that didn’t have Katsuki blow a fuse and didn’t have Izuku tremble like a leaf.   He’s really trying though,  Katsuki can see that,  there’s an effort to not falling apart.   (  And a quiet yet nagging sensation in his gut tells him it’s all his doing,  and soon enough he’ll have to pick up the pieces.  )   There’s only but a single twitch from his nerves,  above his brow to where the crinkle of a scowl starts and the muscles of his face pull on instinct,  such a tuned and automatic response when Izuku is in front of him.   The blond does not act on it,  not this time,  hardly a reason to ignite such a reaction.   His hands are not blistering,  his fangs are sheathed.   Just have a fucking normal conversation.   They used to do that.   There’s no wave back but there’s no lack of instigating either;  a hum closer to a grunt and a single degree from the tilt of his head,  as neutral as he can get.   That’s where they stand now,  isn’t it?   Neutral.

               “  Yeah.  ”     Katsuki readjusts one of his hearing aids,  eyes keeping the temperature of smoldering embers.     “  You see me now. Want something?  ”

𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞  : //   @asteriskheart  /  deku.

“ you’ve been so quiet. what’s on your mind? ” ( For Bennett!! )

►  ❪ QUESTIONS  ❫

         The flame of optimism to go unnoticed was thoroughly extinguished by Mondstadt's cavalry captain astute observation. Energy dimmed, a peculiar quiet where enthusiasm would once be found, perhaps Bennett shouldn't have been as surprised as he was upon receiving the remark. Yeah, he  [ usually ]  received a wide berth, space sought to be put between the wary and him / his terrible luck, but others who knew him even a little beyond that might note the unexplained shift in normal behaviour as enough of a clue something was off.

         A strangely pitched grunt rumbled from the base of his throat, lips moving to shape consonants and vowels, but efforts bore no fruit. Words failed to materialize and pierce his silence. A thumb jutted at opened mouth — a hint, an indication of the consumption of an item — before he shook his head. A gesture's made towards his throat, straightened hand sweeping back and forth, a slicing motion.

         The ability to speak was stripped from him. Any other time he'd jump at the chance to speak with Kaeya but Bennett's left with naught but his thoughts, unable to communicate beyond the scope of body language.

         Sheepish grin crept onto his features, a touch guilty, eyes flicking about before returning to the man. The ensuing shrug and heavy sigh's clear:  ❛ what can ya do, right ? ❜  In reality, he brought this on himself. The adventurer ate something out in the wild he  ( in retrospect )  shouldn't have yesterday and karma came to collect, blessing him with an ailment, afflicting him since rising with the morning sun. He's been at it all day, trying out all kinds of natural remedies. None stuck.

         He'd bounce back in no time, as sure as the wind was free !  This incident ought to have used up a lot of bad luck so what awaited him would be a better tomorrow. Hopefully, Kaeya would still be willing and able to talk when that tomorrow did roll around.

new main tags 1/?

         ❝ ... ❞  Who hurt this girl and why ?  That's her initial thought, anyway. Accusation seemingly dripped with bitterness and grievance, barbing words into something sharp, meant to cut. But Kairi's grown used to picking flowers with thorns, often ones she herself nurtured, and time has since dulled the sting inflicted on the skin. Fingers curled together, lips firmly pursed as her gaze lingered upon the other.  ❝ I just do what I can to help others. I'm not looking to make anything more of it. ❞

@asteriskheart liked for an Epic One-liner

          "You are the worst kind of good 'case you're not even great. A girl who reeks of false righteousness, that's what I hate."

         Hands lightly pressed together, ghost of smile peeking out from behind gloved fingers. Although subdued ( a blank canvas, white and pristine and empty, for heavenly words must shine pure through mortal coloration ), budding excitement leaked through the cracks of the vessel's impeccable poise.  ❝ Wonderful ! ❞  The lavish yet modest accommodations granted by the town for their momentary repose was nice, but she yearned to peer into remnants of times bygone. For but a fleeting, almost even restless moment, silence draped its limpid cloak on her. Imagining what lay before them weaved an entrancing work of art, mind swept under the tide of anticipation beckoning her to search for what had been long forgotten. Perhaps it's unbecoming to devote so much of her attention beyond sacred duty, conveyance of the holy grace of the gods, but as she rose from her chair, sleeves undulating with the brief motion, steps ached to carry her forth to the mysteries of the unknown all the same. Fortune smiled upon Aera, for her to be blessed by the stars with a sister who humoured her fanciful interests.  ❝ Adventure is what you shall receive then. I seek to walk along the paths laid out within the ancient ruins of the forest to the east. There will be much to see ! Once word of it reached me, I knew I had to go. ❞

𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃.    t’was between sisters where angels fell on deaf ears, where their choirs ceased so abruptly it rendered time breathless, drowned out by humming bird songs.  as seemingly humble nothings meant everything amid cosmic malediction, what else could she do than accept sweet offers, which may, one day, stand still at a moment’s notice ? “ how could i say no ?  i am in the mood for a little adventure today, and this book can certainly wait.  to what wondrous place will you guide me, i wonder ? ”

Apologies for the sudden disappearance. At the beginning of November, I left the country to attend my grand uncle's funeral and haven't really had the drive to be active on my blogs. Right now I'm focusing on getting back into writing.

I'm going to put this blog through a soft refresh of sorts to fix it, organize my muses and drafts to see what I need to catch up with, and post a few things I had been previously working on. Thanks for your patience and understanding.