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Ryuji and a woman who was his mother had been having quite a lively chat if Ravel had to say. Though she didn't really know how long the two of them had been talking. This was mainly due to the fact that she was too busy trying to take in how tall his mother was!
She estimated that the blonde was at least 5'7". That meant the woman would be 5'10"! Was this where Ryuji was getting his height from? Did that mean that he would possibly grow taller?
Wait, Ryuji's mother had black hair. She wasn't a blonde? Did Ryuji get it from his father then? Actually, that kind of blonde color seemed a bit unnatural now that she thought about it. He dyed his hair then?
"Ryu-kun, it's rude for you to not have introduced me to your friend here yet."
Ravel found herself being startled as she had suddenly become the center of attention. Clearing her throat, she put a hand to her chest. "Please, allow me." She stated before Ryuji could say anything. "My name is Ravel Phenex," Her introduction came politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sakamoto-san."
It took a second for the older male to blink and register the way Ravel had presented herself. "Oh my." Ryuji's mom managed to get out with a bit of surprise before placing on of the grocery bags down onto the stairs and waving. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Haharyu Sakamoto, Ryu-kun's mother." As she stated her name, Ryuji picked up the bag she had put down.
"Mom, you're out shopping?" Ryuji asked as he had grabbed the handles of the bags and lifted it up. "What the-," He registered the weight as soon as the bottom of the sack was off the ground. "Hey, give me the other one." The dyed-blonde motioned with his hand.
"Oh no, it's fine." Haharyu declined. "And yes, I am. It's just for a few groceries, so it's nothing too bad."
Ryuji however was pretty insistent on carrying both grocery bags judging by the look in his eyes. Looking between them, the Devil had a feeling that this wasn't going to go anywhere anytime soon at this rate. "Um… I could help if you don't mind." Ravel offered. She immediately clamped her mouth shut when the words had left her mouth.
Looking over once more, Haharyu only smiled. "Oh, that's okay, Ravel-chan. Thank you for your offer, but I guess it would be better for Ryu-kun to take it in the end. Otherwise we would be here forever."
"That's why you should have just given it to me in the first place." Ryuji sighed, taking the other bag. "So is this it? You planning on buying anymore stuff?"
"I am, but I don't want to take up much of your time with your friend." Haharyu reasoned, looking back and forth from one blonde to the next. "But what I need I can easily purchase from the shops around our home." She brought her full attention back to Ravel. "Do you know how to pick out certain groceries, Ravel-chan?"
…There she goes again… Ravel-chan… "I like to think I know what to see in ingredients before cooking." Ravel admitted.
"Perfect! That means that while Ryu-kun takes all of the heavy stuff up to our apartment, you can help me out!" The older woman exclaimed.
"Uh, mom," Ryuji voice out awkwardly. "I don't want to be that guy, but shouldn't we at least ask if Ravel-san is okay with this? She's only here for a day and I'm not sure that someone would want to spend that time doing grocery shopping."
The blonde Devil heard about how concerned Ryuji was and she waved her hands. "It's… no problem at all." Ravel gave her consent slowly. All of this was happening so fast in her mind. Honestly, it would probably be pretty nice. From what Ryuji had suggested earlier of what they should check out, there was just too much to choose from or to do. Limiting themselves was, in her opinion, the best option.
"See? It's no trouble at all. Besides, I promise it won't take long." Haharyu waves her hand. "Now come along." She turns and begins walking. "The faster we get this done, the faster you can have your little date, Ryu-kun."
"M-mom! It's nothing like that!"
Ravel blushed a bit as well at the mother's words. But still, the two teenagers followed the woman. While the walk was a bit long, Ravel didn't mind. Especially since it felt rather short due to conversing with the Sakamoto family.
Reaching the specific grocery store, Ryuji had bid his short, temporary farewell as he headed back to where the Sakamoto family reigned. When Ravel waved back at him and turned back to see the other female, the younger girl was surprised to see that she had already going into the store. Ravel hurried after her.
"So what is it that we are looking for?" Ravel asked, peeking over the older woman's body to see where they were headed.
"Oh, not much. Just a few vegetables and all." Haharyu went over to the produce part. "Can you tell which ones the best are to take?"
She nodded her head. Despite her status, Ravel had always been curious about the kitchen and enjoyed cooking. There was just something about taking all the smallest thing, taking note of all details, and them coming all together to create a grand finish that satisfied her. So the Devil easily was able to pick out the best of the best.
During this entire time, Ravel found herself… a bit calmed by the black-haired lady's presence. Sure, Ryuji's mother was considered to be a complete stranger. But the Devil had to admit… it didn't really feel like that whenever the blonde was picking out the vegetables.
"How did you and Ryu-kun meet, Ravel-chan?" Haharu asked when the two of them arrived to a line at the cash register.
That one question broke the blonde out of her thoughts. "We-well…" The sentence caught her off guard for a second. How should she put this? "A… companion of mine and I were searching the area for something when a stranger started advancing to us. As they ignored our words and kept on talking to us, Sakamoto-san called out to and got the stranger to go away. After a few exchanges of words, Sakamoto-san took my companion and I out to dinner which he treated us to."
As Ryuji's mother listened and stepped forward with the line, she nodded her head to indicate that she was indeed listening to the Devil's explanation. A smile was worn on her face during the sentences but then she noticed something at the end. "…Ravel-chan…" She began. "You know… I'm technically Sakamoto-san as well."
Ravel blinked at this. "Yes, that is true."
"You sound pretty close with Ryu-kun as well. Why don't you call him by his first name?"
At this, Ravel opened her mouth for a second but nothing came out. "But… wouldn't that be… impolite? While I am familiar with Sakamoto-san, I… I don't think I can be considered that close with him." She eventually managed to say.
"It doesn't have to be anything to grand like calling him Ryuji-kun. A simple Ryuji-san would suffice." Haharyu smiled, arriving at the cashier and paying for everything. "Should be simple enough."
After bagging everything and stepping out of the store, Ravel slightly squints at the sudden change in lighting. Looking over at Ryuji's mother, she saw that the older woman was waiting for an answer. Ravel had to think about how to answer her.
"…I… I can try." Ravel eventually found herself saying, slightly taken aback at the lack of words she could even produce.
Haharyu smiled at Ravel's response. Before the two of them could continue their conversation though, Ryuji was arriving on the scene, panting a bit.
"The… elevator's… down…" Ryuji managed to breath out when he was close enough to them. "Apparently it's been like that for about a week. And you were going to be fine carrying all of that on your own, mom? I don't think so."
"Oh, no need to worry about me, Ryu-kun. I am stronger than I look after all." Ryuji's mom even flexed her arm with a humored smile for effect.
"…" Ravel was speechless at the antic while Ryuji was still panting a bit.
Shaking her head, Haharyu gestured to Ravel. "Well, I won't take up anymore time between you and Raven-chan. You guys enjoy your time here in Tokyo. Ah! Speaking of which, there is one place I think Ravel-chan might enjoy that you should take her. They even have a nice activity to do."
"Hmm…" Ravel put a hand to her chin. "I am not exactly sure what there could be done here. So a suggestion from you would be most appreciated." The blonde looks up to the adult. "What exactly is this activity?"
TakeABreak
This was certainly something Ravel did not expect from the bustling city of Tokyo.
Sitting in a rowboat with Ryuji working on the oars, they were underneath shade provided by trees. The park they gone to thank to Haharyu's suggestion was quiet and peaceful. It was honestly a welcoming change in atmosphere.
"So…" Ryuji got out, allowing the boat to just drift and float along the water. "Did you and mom talk about anything?"
"Not really." Ravel shook her head, fiddling with her pigtails. "She just asked me to help her pick out some groceries."
"Get some pretty good stuff?"
"But of course. Even if I am a high-class Devil, I do enjoy cooking. When it comes to cooking, I always keep an eye out for the best foods to use." Ravel put a hand to her chest, puffing out with a bit of pride.
Ryuji tilts his head a bit, pulling the oars into the boat. "That so? Cool. I never really got how to tell what was good or not… Well, besides whether or not it was really rotten or if a banana was not or too ripe."
Silence then drifted between the two of them. Water splashing against the boat was the only thing that really created any noise. Even that sound was sparse as the two blondes just stared at each other. "…So… your mother's hair is black and you're blonde…" Ravel slowly said, feeling slightly awkward at silence between them.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, right." Ryuji scratched the back of his head. "I dye my hair. I guess its just become a habit and a constant thing that I got used to it."
"I see. It's just… the thought never really crossed my mind." Ravel admitted. "Well, your mother seems like an incredibly sweet person… You must get that nice side of yours from her."
"Ah, well… Thanks for that." Ryuji blushed a bit in embarrassment.
"You also worry about her a lot, huh? You must be a really good son."
To that Ryuji slowly looked down. "…Well… I mean, yeah… Kind of?" He didn't exactly know what to say, jumbling his words around a bit.
"O-oh!" Ravel covered her mouth with both of her hands with surprise. "My apologies! I didn't mean to bring up a potentially sore subject!"
"N-no, no, it's fine." Ryuji sighs. "Pretty much over it as well… For the most part at least." He shakes his head. "Since you met my mom, you curious about my dad?"
The Devil thought about it for a few seconds. Should she? At the end of her thinking process, she hesitantly nodded her head. Ryuji had her full attention. She had a feeling with just this little display, what the human was about to say was extremely important.
"Can't say much about him. Dad drank a lot and did a lot of bad shit. Those are the only memories I have of him. Eventually, he just up and went when I was young. Don't know where he is right now and good riddance." Ryuji began, causing Ravel's eyes to widen. "After he left, it was just me and mom since then."
"I… see… My apologies for what had happened to you." Ravel looked down a bit in shame due to bringing up bad memories.
"No biggie. But you're wondering why I said that stuff when you said I was a good son, right?" Ryuji asked. He saw Ravel nod hesitantly. "Well, it started when I was at Shujin. I was trying to get a track scholarship so I could make things easier for her. But a shithead named Kamoshida started training us. I say training, but it was more like abuse. He even ended up injuring my leg."
"Your leg?" Ravel asked, looking down at the limb he had patted. "But you seem to be fine."
"After training last year to stay in shape as a Phantom Thief, it kind of is." Ryuji nodded. "But I don't think I can bring it back to the peak condition it was and more before the incident. Anyways, I eventually just got tired of his bullshit and slugged him for the shit he put us thought. But he spouted a bunch of nonsense and I got in trouble despite my own words. Mom got called out to school when it happened. All the teachers kept hounding her for what I id, but she just stayed quiet thought it all… I'll never forget the look she had on her face though… Do you know what happened after that?"
"…" Ravel couldn't come up with a guess.
"On the way home she apologized to me… Me, the son who had just made her go through hell. She apologized for being a single mom and not being able to raise me well enough." Ryuji tightened his hands into fists. "If anything… I should have been the one apologizing… Saying sorry for being such a selfish, terrible son for doing something like that and not even being able to speak during that entire time… Even acting like a punk since everyone was treating me like one. Mom allowed it since it made me satisfied… Look at me now, even leaving her alone just so that I can take part in a different school with my friends…" He looked down.
Seeing Ryuji avert his gaze down, Ravel stared at the boy with concern. Bringing her hand up, she reached forward. Hesitating when she was half-way towards his hand, the Devil eventually placed a gently palm against his own flesh.
"I don't think that Sakamoto-san is a terrible mother. She did her best given the circumstance. If anything, your mother is good for being able to have a son as loving as you. The same could be said for yourself. You still care for your mother. You are still a good person at the end of it all. Did you make some mistakes? Maybe. But you are a good person… You are a good son, Ryuji-san."
Snapping his head up in surprise, Ryuji was left slightly speechless at Ravel's words… and the physical contact. "…Th-thanks." He eventually managed to get out, looking down at the hand over his fist.
Ravel looked down as well. After a few seconds, the two of them brought their heads up at the same time and made eye contact. Immediately, the two blondes looked away from each other with red dusting their cheeks.
"…Do… do you want me to keep rowing?"
"I-it would be much appreciated."
As Ryuji began working on the oars once again, silence bounced between the two of them. A nice, peaceful, content silence that they were sharing together…
TakeABreak
"…It's beautiful…"
Sona couldn't help but breath in awe when she saw the view the Sky Tower at night showed her and Akira. While the black-haired boy had already seen this sight a couple of time, he silently agreed and was in awe as well.
The darkness of Tokyo down below was decorated with scattered lights of buildings as far as their view could travel. Sona could even slightly see the bustling life of people making their way across streets, trying to get to destinations in mind.
"There are even skyscrapers that are under our feet…" Sona remarked, still taking in the setting that presented itself with pride. She turned her head towards him. "Does this give you a sense of superiority?"
Akira shrugged his shoulders in response. "It sure is thrilling to see everything from one spot, keeping an eye on people without them even suspecting a thing."
She shook her head. "Well, when you say it like that, it makes you sound like a villain." She mused with a small smile before looking forward again. "I know that Tokyo is big, but I still find myself surprised at how huge it actually is. It reminds me of the Underworld with how crowded it can be. Hmm, I'm even having a hard time believing that I was once and will be soon a part of the masses down there."
"Well, everyone has their own moments in the spotlight before having to fade back into the background." Akira noted, stepping forward and leaning against the railing the Sky Tower provided. Sona proceeded to do the same as well on his right-side. "…So…" Akira slowly said, trailing on as if he were think about what to say next. "I have to confess, you have managed to meet all but two of the confidants who I had associated with during my time in Tokyo."
"Really?" Sona didn't find herself surprised at this honestly. She had already met quite a few people ranging from high school students to adults. Each of them being rather unique, having played shoji with one of the high schoolers and even getting her fortune read in Shinjuku by one of the adults. There was even an elementary school mixed in it all who was famous at an arcade in Akihabara! So now knowing that there were two more was adding more to the fact that Akira could possibly have connections everywhere if he wanted to.
"Yup." He confirmed with a nod of his head, looking in one specific direction first. "Sae Nijima, older sister of Makoto Nijima and first-rate prosecutor now taking the occupation as a lawyer being one of them. She was even in charge of finding us during her old career"
It took a second for Sona to piece it together. "…Wait, Makoto-san's older sister was a prosecutor?" She asked quietly, looking towards Akira. The boy nodded. "While Makoto-san was a…" Akira nodded again.
"I think it was kind of easy for her now that I think about it. Since Nijima-san was at work for most of the time, it was easy for Makoto to not mention anything to her sister. Even when they were together, they didn't really discuss anything that would lead to Makoto being questioned." Akira explained.
"Hmm, interesting…" Sona hummed. She then blinked, keeping her hand to her chin. "Wait, you mentioned two people. Who is the second?"
Akira opened his mouth, about to explained himself. But no sound escaped his mouth. Instead, he looked to the side. He then made a small indication with his chin. "He's right there."
Sona furrowed her brow in confusion but looked over anyways. Trying to follow Akira's gaze, she saw a large screen showing a large man in a suit and red tie standing in front of a podium and speaking with great conviction. Bringing her gaze down a bit more, she saw the name and her jaw dropped.
Looking back and forth between Akira and the screen, she eventually settled for Akira after a few seconds. "A politician of Japan knows that you're a Phantom Thief?!" She hissed, in a small state of shock for the second time within a span of minutes.
He nodded. "Despite losing several elections and people originally not taking his speeches seriously, his words hold extremely strong points." Akira stated. "I – in fact – had him tutor me a few times in the art of speech. Trust me when I say that he's good at that art."
"I'm pretty sure that should be a requirement to being a good politician in the first place!" Sona snapped. Realizing the slight raise in her voice, she sighed before taking in a deep breath. "…My apologies for that outburst." She cooled down. "I just find it surprising that such an important figure of all people knows your secret." Putting a finger to her temple, she massaged her forehead.
"I would be surprised if you weren't." He remarked, wagging an amused finger at her with his right hand. "Speaking of important figures, I think we need to have a small discussion about them."
Sona blinked at the change in topics Akira brought up. A small feeling dropped in her stomach like a stone in water. It did not feel pleasant. "Seems like a strange subject to talk about…" She slowly answered. "Is there anyone specific you have in mind?"
"Your parents."
A chill ran down Sona's body upon hearing Akira's words.
"I mean, it certainly is awkward since we only started dating, but I feel like it would be a good time for me to meet your parents." Akira elaborated. "Maybe even chat with them so that they will like me. When we go to your home, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try and do such."
"I… I do not think there is any need for that. Nor is it a good idea." Sona hesitantly replied, trying to change the topic. "As you said, we just started dating… May-maybe you could introduce yourself later?"
He drummed his fingers against the railing. Turning around away from the window, he took a couple of steps forward to the center of the platform they were on. But he didn't say anything, not at first. Akira was choosing his words carefully, thinking them through. "…You're stuttering." He said quietly.
She too retracted her hands from the metal bars. "Yes… I am aware." The answer came slow, her eyes slightly angled down in thought. The Devil was mentally picking her words safely. "Your statement caught me off-guard."
Akira stood silently with his back turned towards her for a couple of seconds. "Sona-chan… is there any problem with us dating?"
That was a question Sona did take into consideration but never expected it to come this early. It was disturbing to her. Inside, a chill that made her body stiffen. "What are you talking about?" She did her best to maintain control. "Onee-sama had no trouble with it, even giving us her blessing essentially! I… I do like you as well! There is no problem with us being together!"
"That is a lie!"
Akira pivoted on his heels immediately, snapping his arms out before limply dropping them which led to the hands slapping his legs. "That is a lie!" Clapping his hands together after the repeat, he pointed at her and then himself. "This stemming from the fact that you are a high-class Devil and I am a human!"
That stunned Sona so quickly that she couldn't help but ask something in confusion. "Akira-kun, what are you-?"
"I am aware of the fact that your society prefers all high-class Devils to be pure-blood, lest they risk losing their status." Akira explained himself, hand out and open to indicate that he needed to let her know what he had to say before letting her speak. "There is also that fact of our life expectancies, me being an average human male while you will live for decades or centuries due to your Devil race. I was explained this as well as more when Gremory-san phoned me to confirm those that could come here to Tokyo."
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Everything… everything that she was worried about came so sudden. Not only that, but the explanation Akira gave came just as fast. Her mind was trying to process it all; Akira finding out; Akira confronting her about it.
She wanted to explain herself. Sona really did. But the discussion with Rias came back into her mind. Taking in air, Sona couldn't help but turn around to avoid Akira's gaze. Slowly she moved back towards the railing. Seeing her face full of shock, maybe even fear, as well as Akira in the reflection the glass provided, she averted her gaze down to only see her own nervous expression.
"Just to let you know, Sona-chan, I am more than confident that you didn't say yes to my confession just so that you could possibly recruit me into your Peerage." Akira let her know softly, taking a couple of steps forward while gently raising a peaceful right hand. "I'm not angry. If… if anything, I am flattered." He put the hand to his heart. "Despite all the problems, all the factors, you still went forward and continued to pursue such a relationship with me."
Sona looked up slowly. But as soon as she saw Akira's face in the reflection, her eyes snapped back down in shame.
"Now when I learned of these problems, I made sure to keep an eye on you through the entire time during our date. Despite all these issues, it was absolutely fascinating…" He moved a foot forward again. "You were enjoying yourself, as if nothing could bring you down. It then became clear. You continued our relationship not for yourself as a Devil, but as Sona Sitri."
She breathed. In… Out… In… Out… With the air, she was able to muster up the courage to turn around. Standing up a bit straighter, she was able to make eye contact with Akira. Bringing her elbows to her waist, she knitted her fingers together timidly. "…Akira-kun, I-"
Akira stopped her. "It's difficult for you to say aloud – I know. So I won't ask you to. Rather I would ask you to consider my proposal from earlier… Allow me to be introduced to your parents. Not just as a Phantom Thief, but as your boyfriend. Let me try and reason with them and even this Devil council for us to be together."
Sona stared, taking in every word Akira spoke. The more he moved his mouth, the more sounds that escaped his lips, her body felt lighter with every passing second.
But… even after all of that she couldn't help but sag forward in a bit of sadness. "Do you really think it will be that easy?" She asked, the weight coming back. Akira let out a confused sound. "Convincing not only my parents, but also the other high-classes so that my family won't lost their status." A bitter sigh came after. "I hate to admit it, but I don't think even you can do that… They prefer tradition over all else." Sona's eyes turned hard for a moment. But then she eventually lost the determination and looked to the side and down. "You say all of this… But I wouldn't get my hopes up at all…"
Looking at Sona, Akira's gaze eventually fell to the floor as well. Between them, it was quiet. During their conversation, other people had already left as it was near closing time. They were the only two left in the wide open space. Nobody else near or in sight. Seconds passed between them, the somber mood adding to the setting.
Akira closed his eyes. "Just then, his girlfriend said something to him." He spoke like a narrator telling a story, grabbing Sona's attention. "She said that he should just give up… The enemy would be fierce! Possibly as ruthless as Yaldabaoth himself!" He started striking poses after every couple of sentences. "His girlfriend hesitant, having lost her will to fight. What will happen to Akira Kurusu?!" He dramatically put an arm to his forehead and leaned back. "Does he have a plan to win against these monsters?!"
"Akira-kun… please…" Sona quietly pleaded. "That's enough…"
A small smile grew on Akira's face. "Let me ask you a question, Sona-chan." He cupped his chin with a thumb and finger and straightened himself up. "With that kind of setup… can't you just hear it?" She could almost see his teeth through his grin. "The music I mean."
"…Music?" Sona asked. Puzzled, she looked around. The Devil couldn't hear anything related to instruments. Nor could she see any speaker emitting such sounds.
"You know, that achingly cool number of the soundtrack that plays when the protagonist's about to turn the tables."
Hearing his explanation, Sona shook her head upon realization. "Life isn't some kind of TV show, Akira-kun." She stated.
"You should make it one, then."
"…What are you talking about?"
He held up a single finger. "There's only one person in the audience of your life: yourself. So what's the point if you don't care what happens next in the story?" He waited for Sona to respond.
All she could do though was release a confused sound.
"This is one hell of a challenge!" Akira got back into narration. "Can he even figure it out?! Maybe these bad guys will be too tough! How could he possibly win them over?!" He looked as if he had figured out the entire situation. "Like that." The boy clarified. "I want to look forward to what I do next."
"…What if the ending doesn't turn out the way you want it?"
It took exactly a second for her response to come. "Curses!" Akira exclaimed in mock anger, swinging his arm down with a snap of his fingers. "I got my hopes up for nothing!" That furious moment died quickly though. "Guess I'll have to leave my outcome for some other time." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"And what if that outcome you desire never happens?!" Sona exclaimed, not wanting to continue this conversation any longer. It was just hurting her too much. There was so much emotion in her voice, she even stomped on the ground and curled her hands up into fists. Even her eyes had closed shut and felt wet.
"Then the audience loses interest and switches off."
A gasp of surprise escaped her lips… Was he serious? That was his response? It was such a simple answer, a poor one even. Yet it had such an incredible effect on her. Eyes widened when he spoke. Her body lightened, as if the pain had turned into smoke and was blown away. Realization and understanding were the two things going through her head right now.
"And that's why, Sona-chan, until the day the story finally ends," He folded his arms with confidence. "I will never give up on you. When I steal a heart," With a wink, he pointed a finger-gun towards Sona's chest. "I refuse to give up or go down without a fight." He flicks the gesture up, as if he had fired a bullet at her heart.
Sona… didn't know what to say. Akira didn't say anything.
It was like that for a while. Just a quiet atmosphere between them.
No words when security notified them that it was time for the tower to close.
No words when they boarded the subway.
No words when on the train.
No words when they had gotten off and arrived at Ann's house.
But when Sona had walked though the gate and Akira was about to leave…
"Akira-kun,"
Sona already closed the gate and Akira had taken a few steps back towards the station. None of them moved. Akira's back was facing her. But she didn't mind at all.
"I think I'm beginning to hear it as well." Her lips turned into a smile. "My own personal soundtrack."
With a chuckle, they both parted ways yet felt even closer than before.
Yes, it had been a while.
No, I'm not dead. It's just that I have friends, family, a job, moments of opportunity to try find a career to only get a phone call or email a couple of weeks later saying that I don't have enough experience (which how the hell am I suppose to get if I don't get hired in that field and you place the damn bar too high (seriously, 3-5 years for an apprentice, what the fuck). I have been busy. I'm sorry that I cannot cater to your wants of a new chapter of this or other fanfics.
Not only that, but do you realize how tough it is for us writers to not only write chapters, but also be happy with them and believe they make sense? You can say "Oh, it can't be that bad", but as a writer I won't know because I'm too close to it. I can't tell if it's good or not. I'm not talking about those "Oh, I'm going to have to copy all of this dialogue from the script of the show/game scene/s and throw in some character dialogue from this series to make it a crossover" kind of writing (even if I have done that in the past and still do to this day but I at least hopefully put more original wording in).
We writers (I like to believe) have a concern that our chapters or stories are like ugly babies we're looking at through the eyes of loving parents. And it's not until we take them out in their little strollers and people just start screaming in horror and crossing the street to avoid us that we'll realize that we made a piece of shit baby.
With humor in person and I tell a terrible joke and no one laughs, I stop telling that joke. But with a new chapter, I won't know that it's terrible until it's out there on the internet and I get reviews telling me what people like and hate about it.
Hopefully you all can tell, I did not have a fun time writing this chapter. Nor did I feel very happy when recently seeing a Guest go "It's been two 2 fucking months for fucks sake did you die?" I don't care what your intentions were. I don't care that you're a Guest. I don't care you're a Guest hiding behind being anonymous. I don't care you're a Guest because you're too "lazy" to make a proper account. Take a vacation to Antarctica and chill the fuck out.
I write fanfics because I want to at least bring a bit of enjoyment to people. Give them a small moment of escapism to those reading my stories. Hopefully even inspire them to try and write their own stories and come up with their own ideas. Not because it's my duty.
Which is why I hate people who use and get people to "donate" to them so they can "keep creating" their stories. Fanfiction is a hobby, not a job. If you want a job like that, become a writer and get paid when you create an actual book.
This is why I refuse to make an account or anything asking for money to continue writing.
No flames please.