OJDUIB>VYTCDR

LETS FUCKIBGB GOOOOOOEJEJ

Mimic Chapter 45

With the reveal of Star and Stripe's sacrifice tough choices are made to determine the fate of the war plaguing Japan and the chance to stop All For One.

Words- 4156

Izuku Midoriya x Reader

Warnings: Character Death, description of injuries, All For One (he deserves his own warning), angst, some heartbreak fluff, STAR AND STRIPE ARC SPOILERS

“A deadline extension?!” Bakugo yells out. The news that Shigaraki had come out of hiding fighting America’s Number One and winning was a shock to you all. It had happened all so fast too quickly, this war taking more lives than needed.

“Yes. Originally tomorrow was the day Shigaraki would have his perfected body. But now he’ll be out of commission for at least a week. Star and Stripe…bought us this time as a parting gift.” All Might explains looking at all of you, “We’ll use this time to our advantage. And we’ll take down Shigaraki and All For One.”

“Wait, So Star dealt lasting damage to Shigaraki?!” Midoriya asks.

“Data analysis from the American fighter jets tells us…that when Shigaraki stole New Order…it ate away at him from the inside like a poison. Evidence suggests that New Order ravaged a considerable number of quirks held in his massive library.” All Might says.

“Okay, so that means…” Jiro says. “Right now is the world’s best chance to take him out!” Momo says.

“The mass civilian evacuation effort continues..and all remaining heroes are now on the hunt for villains. All For One may have suffered this setback but figuring out his next move is nearly impossible. Whether we find him or he comes to us…full mobilization and all-out war are inevitable. Here’s what you’re up against..” All Might looks at all of you, “He may be sidelined for the moment, but Tomura Shigaraki is still the deadliest villain out there. Then there’s All For One himself. His original body. Plus Dabi, the madman with flames as fierce as Endeavor’s. Young Himiko Toga is a constant thorn in our side. The six remaining near high-ends. The remnants of the liberation front. And then there are the yet to be apprehended escaped convicts who serve All For One.”

“It’s safe to assume the list goes on…” Shoji says and the former hero nods,

“Yes. They will likely amass more allies. Meanwhile, less than half of those on our side remains to face this threat. It pains me to say this just after Star’s untimely death in the line of duty…but if you hope to protect anything you hold dear at all...then I would ask you to fortify yourselves using this extension we’ve been given.”

“Already way ahead of ya!” Bakugo yells out surprising the old man.

“What he said.” Uraraka agrees, “You haven’t noticed because you and Deku left the school, All Might.”

“And when you do return, you leave without a moment’s notice,” Iida adds.

“In the wake of Gunga and Jaku, we’ve been doing intensive training with the pussycats.” Ojiro brings up.

“Where Midoriya goes, we follow undaunted, we shall fight until Shigaraki has fallen.” Tokoyami says determined.

“Kacchan and the others even agreed to spar with me..to help me complete One For All.” Midoriya says and Bakugo blows up, “HUUUUH?! I never said that! Did some prison breaker rip yer ears off?! All I wanna know is how much punch my new cluster moves are packing. Taking on One For All is just another box to tick on the path to Shigaraki and All For One.”

“Hey, don’t forget to beat the snot outta me too!” “You ain’t ready to give up the title of resident punching bag?” “Naw, I just need to take some good poundings if I ever wanna get harder!” “We gotta honor Star’s last wishes.” “How dare that piece of crap take my Star from me..” “Star fought for all of us, Mineta.”

As the class all talked amongst themselves one person stood out to the side watching them all with pride in their eyes but behind it was almost regret.

“Shimura…” All Might calls out standing beside you as you watch your classmates all confidence and determination clear on their faces, “Are you alright.”

“Star died because of the actions of my brother,” You say and All Might tries to comfort you but you keep talking, “If I was stronger and was able to stop him people wouldn’t have been hurt…Midoriya wouldn’t have had to leave…Star would be alive.”

“Shimura..” All Might says

“I could get my quirk back.” You say and All Might whips his head to look at you in shock, “Eri was able to do it to Mirio and he has his quirk back alright..it’s been brought up a few times, I thought it was better I stayed quirkless. One For All remains dormant inside me weaken by All For One but at first, it was alright. I was dead to the world...I couldn’t hurt anyone with my quirk…All For One couldn’t take control of me anymore. But now…with everything happening, everyone getting stronger...Shigaraki and All For One growing, and now Star’s death it all just kinda hit me.” Your gaze is solely focused on Midoriya as he speaks with his classmates a smile on his face.

“You told Midoriya and me that one day we would have to face off a great evil. That it was our destiny and at first I was excited to have a purpose in my life..to finally do good after everything I’ve done. For a time I thought it was all bullshit, that it shouldn’t be our responsibility we were kids…we still are kids and this pressure shouldn’t be put on us but it was. Add the trust issues and everything that happened I grew distant, from Midoriya, from you…from what this ‘destiny’ was. I thought I could avoid it. Change fate. Get Shigaraki to stop, convince him otherwise but him…my brother was long gone replaced by whatever All For One created.” You grow quiet the weight of your words resting heavily on All Might’s shoulders.

“You can’t run from destiny..it would always come true.”

“Y/n…”

“I’m going to take my quirk back…not All For One’s or One For All’s my quirk..my power..and I’ll do my part.” You say your face hardens your decision certain, “And if everything fails and we don’t win..I’ll be able to die knowing I did my part as a hero. I’ve atoned for my sins..the blood on my hands will never be washed clean but I tried my best.” You look at the hero a weak smile on your face and a tear falls gently down your face before you look back at your class…your family.

“I was able to find a family here…find love..and that is me, Y/n Shimura accepting my destiny…right Toshinori?” You look at him and he holds his composure nodding and the two of you look back at your classmates.

“Yes…yes it is Shimura.”

You stood inside Recovery Girl’s office a private room large enough for what was to happen.

“Are you sure about this Ms. Shimura…this is something you can’t just pull away from once this begins, the process will be quite painful due to the power of the quirk.” Principal Nezu asks you and you nod sharply. You had made your mind up long ago and you weren’t going to take it back despite the pain you were going to endure. All For One is such an old and powerful quirk you would revert your body to a state where you had a powerful quirk. A time when your body was suited for it and despite the training you pushed yourself into you wouldn’t know how your body will react until you received the quirk. As a child, you can’t remember the strain you went through to gain this quirk probably with help from the doctor but you survived and you would survive again.

“I have to do this..It’s the only way we can win this war.” You say looking over at the people with you in the room, Principal Nezu, Recovery Girl, Endeavor, Hawks, Best Jeanist, All Might, Mirio, Eri, and Midoriya. You were shocked to see Mr. Aizawa had joined as well with Present Mic.

“Every time something bad is going to happen you’re always somehow involved,” Aizawa says through the screen that Present Mic held and you almost cried out seeing him, while he had lost his leg and his eye he was still your every sarcastic homeroom teacher.

“Eri’s quirk will rewind your body back to a state where you had your quirk, due to the fact the last time you had your quirk was during the battle we have a team of doctors on standby for any injuries that may appear.” Recovery Girl explains and you look over at the young girl who is playing with her fingers beside Mirio. You walk over kneeling down pushing a strand of hair from her face.

“Thank you for doing this…seems like you’re saving me again.” You say a smile on your face and she nods before her arms wrap around your neck and you hesitate before hugging her back.

“I won’t let you down.” She says and you smile standing up and petting her head Mirio gives you a comforting smile before you look over at the heroes.

“Thank you for coming.” You say to the top three heroes.

“Eh a chance we either see you gruesomely die, you gain your quirk and we have to take you down, or you’re all good. Just a normal day I guess now.” Hawks shrugs and Best Jeanist elbows him giving him a look. You smile, thankful for some humor for today.

“You’re taking a chance for all of our sakes…thank you, Shimura.” Best Jeanist says and you look over at Endeavor your mentor.

“Stay focused and strong. I know you won’t fail.” Endeavor says and you nod before looking over at All Might he steps forward his hand cupping your face and pushing your hair back.

“You’re strong Shimura…stronger than any of us right now... you can do it.” He says his hold on your face comforting and assertive you nod pulling away and you look at the last person. Midoriya was standing still trying to stay composed beside All Might but you could see through him.

“Come here you baby.” You hold your arms out and he rushes into your arms pulling you tight to him his grip tight but grounding. You both hold each other before you lean back holding his face and pushing the hairs in front of his forehead back kissing the same spot you always do on his forehead.

“I love you.” You say and his eyes widen like saucers, “I love you Izuku Midoriya and you deserve me telling you this…before I ya know…maybe die in a gruesome way. So yeah.” You say and he’s silent and you see the tears filling his eyes and you pinch his cheeks to distract him, “Hey no crying.. 'cause if you cry I cry and that’s not really cool. Besides I’m trying to do this really cool goodbye-I love you-I may die-goodbye thing so please don’t ruin it.” You say rolling your eyes and he chokes out a laugh and you smile pecking his lips.

“I’ll be fine Broccoli Boy okay.” You say and he nods keeping his tears contained.

“I love you Y/n.” His voice cracks slightly and you feel a part of your heart crack..smiling you take in every detail of him, from his hair to his brilliant green eyes, the freckles splattered across his face everything as if this is your last moment with him. He leans in for a kiss but you step back still holding his hand,

“Kiss me when I wake up.” You say and he nods the two of you heading over to the table and you lay down still holding his hand as Recovery Girl places the straps around your hands and ankles and the last one around your head to hold it down. Squeezing his hand he smiles teary-eyed stepping back beside All Might and you look at them all taking them all in…these may be the last people you ever see.

Principal Nezu steps closer, “Thank you Ms. Shimura for everything you’re doing for us as a student of U.A. and a hero.” He says and you smile before looking at the ceiling. You see Eri step closer standing on a platform to be at your level as you lay there.

“See you all in a bit.” You smile and look at Eri nodding and her horn begins to glow a bright yellow her hair floating a bit from the power running through her and you look at Midoriya a smile still on your face as you keep eye contact. Eri’s hand presses against your chest and your eyes turn a bright white your body locks up and everything goes black the last thing you see is Midoriya only him.

“Y/n come on Papa is going to be mad!” A voice calls out follow by footsteps running away.

“Be careful she’s fragile...Tenko.” A woman’s voice light and warm speak

“What’s her name?” A boy’s voice asks and the woman chuckles.

“Y/n..her name is Y/n Shimura.”

You see a ceiling and pushing yourself up you find yourself on a bed finding yourself in a home…your home. Standing from the bed you look around everything looks normal but the decorations in the room change from what would look like a child’s room to a teenager’s room. 

“Mama…” You call out your voice echoing through the house as you step into the hallway, “Papa…Hana..grandma..grandpa?” Your footsteps are light as you travel down the hall and you find yourself in the living room pausing at the sight before you. Your whole family stood in the room frozen in different poses, your mother and father sitting on the couch your mother with a smile painting on her face and her hands mid-clap. Your father sits back his leg resting on top of his other one a small smile on his face. Your grandparents sit on the other lounge chair smiling on each of their faces looking down at the children sitting on the floor. Hana is on her knees mid-laughter as Mon is licking all over her face. Tenko is sitting off to the side the tiniest grin on his face his hair all black his grey eyes widening with wonder. The perfect family…

“Y/n.” A voice calls out and you turn looking away from the display of your family and finding yourself floating in space, around you were broken memories of your life. Fragmented moments repeat on broken platforms as they present themselves before fading. Moments of you as a child repeat like a broken record you running around your yard chasing after Mon as your siblings and mother watch before it resets and begins over again.

“When I become a hero I’ll take you with me and we can be heroes together just like we said we would,” Tenko calls out to you a big grin on his face.

“TENKO! DID YOU SNEAK INTO MY STUDY!!” “KOTARO NO!!” “Stop it! Please Papa stop!” Voices scream out and you see the yard filled with everyone as Tenko cries out on the floor your father standing above him while you defend him.

The screams of your family as they die by your brother’s hands show the graphic memory fresh in your mind repeating each time.

“Y/n…” Turning around there you sit in front of your brother the two of you older. The first time you met during the U.S.J. your hand reaches out for him before Aizawa’s capture weapon wraps around you pulling you away.

“Y/n honey…” Your mother's voice calls out to you and sees standing in the middle of battle flames and screams fill the air, “My darling daughter.” She smiles holding her arms out and you move to step forward but something grabs you by the neck pulling you back. Falling into darkness you hit the ground pushing yourself up.

“I wouldn’t keep secrets from you…You’re someone I trust.” Your voice calls out and there you stand feet away from All Might outside a broken door to U.A.

“As would I, Young Shimura.”

“Y/N!” hands grasp your arms and you’re pulled into a puddle of darkness gasping for air you the cool breeze covers you.

“I’m not the bad guy in this situation.” You call out to a boy across a training ground.

“Neither am I…” He responds and fighting ensues.

“For betraying Master.” Her cold voice calls out and you're forced to watch blades enter your body blood pouring out of your body. The life from you draining as your classmates cry out to you from above.

“Shimura.”

The darkness pulls away revealing a boy pressed up the wall under a bridge tears pouring down his face. Stepping closer you bend down and he looks up and you see the light blue hair and red eyes staring back at you.

“Tenko..” You breathe out and when you hold out your hand you stumble back seeing the hole resting in the center of your palm.

“Y/n Shimura…” His voice is cold and you find yourself on a platform the world breaking down pieces of your memories around you cracking and decaying into nothingness. Moments of your past and your present melding together destroying itself standing on a platform further away shadows and power surrounding him.

“All For One.” You call out your voice echoing out in the darkness and you look down finding yourself in your hero costume, the injuries from the battle slowly growing across you and healing before reappearing again.

“You’re supposed to be dead.” He says and you shrug staring back at where his eyes should be if they weren’t covered in scars and mutilated flesh. “You won’t survive the process of regaining my quirk. You barely did the first time.”

You had begun to notice the memories of your present had begun cracking and fading away…was this dying..was too much rewinding back, you were now in your old hero costume the battle during the raid.

“It’s my power…you hold no claim on me anymore.” You shout back at him a burning feeling running through your injuries from the raid appearing making you stagger before they rewind back disappearing.

He grins, “How wrong you are Shimura…you and Tomura believe you can resist my hold but you soon will submit or suffer the consequences.” Cuts and scrapes and your nose rebreak, the night at Kamino Ward.

“Look at yourself your body is unable to handle the full nature of All For One that you are writing yourself out of existence.”

Memories fade your mind growing hazy…why were you even here? Shouldn’t you be at a summer camp?

Your chest grows tight pain growing across your body stabs and cuts from the Hero Killer’s blade reopen old wounds reopened. Your clothes are now your school uniform.

“You’re only option is to submit...I will make you stronger Shimura..” He calls out a platform separating from when you stand is created. And this pull of shadows and pain, memories decaying from your mind as your take a step forward. With that single step, the world around you shakes as each step destroys more moments of your life. Ice and Fire spread through your arm the burns on your skin leaving from the Sports Festival that memory dying as well.

“This was your true destiny… Becoming a hero was a moment of weakness.” All For One says each step growing closer to him the world around you as your life fades your free will dying as you move towards his side.

Flashes of memories during your first villain attack when they attacked your class. The flash of blue hair and red eyes causes you to stammer. “Tenko..” You whisper out taking a step back and the memory that fades lightly reappears.

“He is safe…with me. You can be with him when you join me.” All For One reassure you.

“y/n…” A light whisper of the boy’s voice rings in your ear and you continue moving forward that memory fading completely. You had just completed your first training with your class, and that memory dies. Your first exam determines whether you stay in U.A. when you first discovered your quirk.

“Y/n Shimura..” A ghost drifts past your ears the faint static electricity runs through your veins but you continue moving. Your clothes being your middle school uniform your hair loss of its white color but h/c.

“You’re almost there Shimura.” His voice lures you closer to times of your middle school years go as a child fighting for a man’s goal. To defeat the Number One, the Symbol of Peace. Hair a deep black as you stand before him as he towers over you like a building. The only lasting memory left was going with your brother, clutching his shirt as you followed after him. You had to go find your parents and your sister, and where were your grandparents?

“I’ll keep you safe,” The man before you says holding his hand out the small hole resting in his palm,

“Y/n Shigaraki.”

Your small hand reaches out just a hair away from taking his.

“I LOVE YOU Y/N SHIMURA!” A boy’s voice yells out. Turning away and there stands a young boy with green hair and green eyes wide with wonder and love. “You’re amazing. I can say it again. Y/N SHIMURA IS THE MOST FUNNIEST, SMART, CREATIVE, STRONG-”

“WHAT IS THIS?” All For One yells out as the young boy moves forward slowly aging until a teenage boy stands in front of you.

“I love you Y/n Shimura…” He says holding out his hand and you can’t help but stare at the older boy in front of you. Everything in you was telling you to ignore it, accept All For One’s hand, but just a small part of you somewhere deep inside you was fighting. You knew him…

“Izuku…?” You whisper out and a smile grows on the boy’s face.

“NO! I OWN YOU SHIMUR-” All For One bellows swiping his hand out but it’s caught by the wrist being held back. Your gaze is cold staring back at him. All For One a villain having such a deep impact on Japan causing so many people’s lives to be ruined staring back at a girl. A girl who was born with no purpose in the world but had such a deep impact on those around here for the better. White hair floats gently around your hair your deep red eyes staring back at him.

“No…you don’t.” You say tilting your head slightly, “Because this is my power…” Shadows surrounding All For One pull away from him light coming forward parts of himself cracking and being pulled into yourself as he fails to break free from your grasp, “This is my quirk…my life..not yours. You thought I was going to be your weapon again? Your sword…” You shake your head and for once you can see fear cross his face...

“You’re wrong. This is mine..always will be,” You pull him forward power running through your veins in a bright glow,

“This is my destiny.”

The shadows around him and himself completely disappear completely absorbed releasing a bright light blinding you for a second. Looking around you find yourself in the backyard of your childhood home the sun shining down on you, the sound of laughter has you looking over inside the home you see yourself with your family all together smiles on your face. Your parents and grandparents watch with smiles as their children/grandchildren play together. Your eyes widen seeing Nana Shimura in the room as well standing beside your father. Almost sensing the staring she looks out meeting your eyes and she smiles nodding at you. The sensation of part of you coming back...One For All…

“Y/n..” A voice calls out and you turn from your family seeing a boy sitting in darkness covered in hands all around him holding him down. He looks consumed by them being held captive, his eyes meet yours and it instantly hits you. He wasn’t dead he was still alive..your brother was still alive.

“Tenko..”

“Y/n…save m-” He calls out before the hands consume him dragging him into the shadows and left standing there is a man…what the boy had become..what you wished he never became.

“Shigaraki…”

“Y/n..”

Your eyes snap open gasping for air sitting up the restraints around you cracking instantly. Your eyes take in Mirio holding Eri back in his arms All Might in front of the two, the Top Three Heroes all ready with their quirks, Present Mic and Aizawa were looking at you worriedly, Principal Nezu and Recovery Girl stood back the healer ready to call the doctors in, and there he is, Izuku Midoriya.

“Tenko…he’s alive.”

TAG LIST-

@jazzylove @coochiehaitachi @me-e-mo @galaneiaeris @nothingtoseehere-01 @endlessmari @stxrrielle @one-hell-of-a-potato29

baby gyomei himejima and his boys

Poor aizawa

i came across these today and just wanted to share

silly boys

teehee, happy anniversary day ^__^

Stretching my Hand Between work and Made myself a New Icon! I don't know why I feel so Bashful to post- I think it's the Numbers! Still, Silly Frank for me!

I love this! Its so cute❤️

care to read a beta chapter of a zane ro'meave reader insert i wrote, returning mystreet fans? also have this lil doodle i made of zane in my style! also there is a k-drama reference in there, so iykyk ;)

"And the house is yours!" Claimed the realtor a few weeks ago as she grabbed the signed papers from your side of the table.

So now you were here, thanking the people who had just finished placing your furniture in their set rooms. You watched as their delivery truck drove away before heading to your trailblazer that packed your belongings that you were too nervous to place inside the moving truck.

The house you moved into was on this recently built block called Lover's Lane, an odd name honestly. However, the house that was on sale was just within your budget and an adequate distance from the hospital you worked at. It was also pretty well designed, so props to that.

It was a beautiful black two story house with white accents. There was a garage separate from the house much to your dismay, but at least your car had its own little home too. The driveway also had a path that connected to your porch.

As for the house itself, as soon as you walked through the doors you would be greeted with wooden tiles for both living room and kitchen. To your left was the living room with your tv hung up on the wall, your L shaped couch with the chaise away from the entrance, your round coffee table in front of said couch, and some racks to the left of your door. To the right was your island kitchen that was stationed behind your L shaped counter.

To the top left corner were the stairs that led to the second floor and not really wanting to look at the obvious staircase poking out, you had pushed up two symmetrical bookcases against it. You also managed to luck yourself out with two bedrooms, parallel to each other. For guests, you convinced yourself when you were toured through the house. As soon as you walked up the stairs, you were greeted by your room which you would be decorating soon. Right next to your room was the bathroom which upset you at first because it would've been better if it had just combined with your room but you shrugged it off in the end. Opposite to your room was the convinced 'Guest room'. Next to that room was the washer and dryer room, along with some other cleaning utensils you'd fit in later once you finished unpacking.

Yeah, this was the house. Sure it wasn't perfect but it was definitely an improvement from your tight apartment. Perhaps even a gift to yourself after years of being holed up in that tight apartment when you got out of college. You exhaled a breath of triumph as you placed your knuckles on your hips with a small smile on your face. Yeah, this was the house.

You turned to open your trunk when a merry high-pitched voice had caught your attention. "Hi there!" Your head turned to see a tan girl approaching you. When she had approached you, you noticed she was an inch or two shorter than you were. "Are you just moving in?" She asked, watching as you opened your trunk and revealed the several boxes inside. She seems nice.

You smiled and crossed your arms, shifting your weight on one leg. "Yeah, the moving truck just left so all that's left are these stuff." You gestured your head to the inside of your car to which the girl leaned in to take a look.

"Oh, that seems like a lotttt." She exaggerated by prolonging the last syllable while you chuckled. "Do you need some help? I've got some friends with me right now that would be happy to help." She grinned with her eyes closed as she offered.

"Gosh, really? I wouldn't want to interrupt your day together." You replied, biting your lip but inside you would really appreciate any help given.

"Nonsense! All we had planned today was to check out Ikea for some furniture and we're just walking back home now." Well, if that's the case. "Ah... Well, I'd really like it if you'd help me." You smiled and watched as she turned her back to you and called over a few names from the other side of the road.

She turned back to you and introduced herself. "I'm Aphmau, by the way. I live with my boyfriend, Aaron, in that red house right over there." She pointed to the house that was on the other street and to the right of your house. You turned back to her and greeted yourself. "It's nice to know I have such nice neighbors then. I'm Y/N."

"What's up?" A voice from behind Aphmau caught both of your attention. It was the guys from across the street that she had called over and two of them had black hair, one had blonde, and the last one had brown. What differentiated the two boys with black hair was that one of them wore a mask over their face and had blue eyes. "Guys, this is Y/N! She's new here and I thought it would be nice to help her unpack. Maybe we can invite her over to our house for some drinks after."

She made another offer and she didn't give you a chance to protest as she introduced you to the guys behind her. "Y/N, this is Aaron, Zane, Garroth, and Laurence." She pointed to them individually when she said their names and when she was done, you sent a smile to the collective group.

"It's nice to meet you all, I hope I'm not taking too much time out of your day."

"Nah, it's good." Laurence replied but you heard some grumbling from Zane which caused you to furrow your brows for a second. "Wait, if Y/N's moving to this house... Then that makes her our neighbor!" Garroth excitedly exclaimed while stepping forward and grabbing you by the shoulders with a smile on his face.

"Does it?" You asked and Laurence pointed a finger behind you. You turned your head back and he was pointing to the blue two story house beside your house.

"Ohh, the house with a stringed telephone connecting to the other one?" You blurted out the first thing that came to mind which earned a chuckle from Garroth, who finally removed his hands from your shoulders, and Laurence.

"I told you two to get rid of that already. You have phones to contact Travis and Dante anyway, now you've made our neighbor think we're stupid." Zane, you assume since the voice was slightly muffled, replied with furrowed brows. Brow? The other one was covered...

"Oh no, I think it's got its own charm to it." You chuckled, remembering how confused you felt when you saw the wire outside as you drove past. You didn't notice the surprise in Zane's eye since you turned to grab a box from your trunk. "Anyway, shall we get started?"

You let out a puff of air as you let the last box down on your kitchen counter. "Is that all?" Aaron's voice asked from the living room and you processed for a bit before replying. "Yup, that's all of them. Don't worry about getting the stuff out the boxes, I'll just figure out tomorrow." You sighed out, dragging yourself away from your kitchen to lean on your couch where everyone else has gathered around.

"That's great! I'm sure I've got some lemons to turn into lemonades back at home. Who's up for some lemonade?" Aphmau excitedly exclaimed, clasping her hands together and earning a cheer from the boys except for Zane who just raised his brow and nodded his head in agreement.

"Alright, follow me!" You propped yourself upright and followed slowly behind Aphmau all the way to her house. It was similar to yours except it lacked some furniture and was slightly bigger, but it was a beautiful house. Aphmau announced that she was going into the kitchen to make the lemonade while you lost yourself taking in the house's interior.

In the middle of your admiration, a cat had began rubbing itself on your leg which caused Aaron to pull away with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Eli can get a bit friendly..." You smiled and outstretched your arms to which Eli leaned into and caused Aaron to let go in order for the cat to jump into your arms.

"It's alright, Aaron. Just seems like he wants attention." You giggled, brushing your fingers through its fur. Aaron chuckled at your statement and lead you to the couch along with the other guys. He left the room claiming he would go and help Aphmau in the kitchen.

You set down Eli next to you but the cat decided to make himself at home on your lap. "Looks like he's found himself a new toy." Laurence commented, which made you and Garroth laugh. It was awkwardly quiet after that, with you petting Eli, Zane staring off to wherever, and Garroth and Laurence quietly talking and laughing amongst each other.

"Drink up, people!" Aphmau's cheer came in and cut through the air like a sharp but gentle knife. She set down a tray full of lemonade glasses along with a big pitcher for refills. After that, she took a seat with Aaron right next to her.

"I see someone's already gotten comfy." Aphmau stared at the cat purring on your lap to which you laughed at. "Surprised how you let her a-touch-ah your child." Laurence added in with a laugh, leaning forward to grab a glass for himself. Everyone does the same except for you, since you were too nervous to make any major movements so as to not disturb Eli.

Then, a glass was handed to you. "Here." Zane mumbled and you smiled, taking the lemonade from his hands. "Thank you, Zane." You let your other hand rest on Eli's head while your other brought the refreshing drink to your lips.

"So, Y/N! Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?" Aphmau asked, holding her glass gently on her lap with her hands. "Uhh.. Well, my name is Y/N L/N and I have an older brother named Leo." You introduced yourself and included a bit about your family.

"But between you and me, I think I'm the older one despite actually being the younger one." You said in a hushed tone, as if your brother would actually hear you which earned a laugh from the group even a huff from Zane.

"Well, what else?" Aphmau pushed.

"I'm an orthodontist." You stated, taking a sip of your lemonade only to notice some confused faces across the room. "I'm the one you usually think of to get your teeth all straight and stuff." You pointed to your own straight teeth to emphasize your point which earned an 'Oooooh' from across the couch.

"So, like can you get us free check ups and stuff." Garroth asked, clearly joking but you rolled your eyes and chuckled. "Sure, so long as you're willing to pay my debt after." You joked back and they laughed with you. As the laughter died down, you also were curious about your neighbors.

"Well, what about you guys? Anything to say about yourselves?"

"That's a loooongggg story... But to put it short, we've known each other for a pretty long time and we kinda just got stuck with each other in the end." Aphmau explained, earning several nods across the couch. "Just the 5 of you?"

"Oh no, there's a lot of us. I'm sure you'll meet them around the neighborhood." Laurence piped in, taking a sip of his lemonade before continuing. "The other house next to us is also taken by our friends." He added.

"The house right next to us is taken by my old roommates. Aaannddd long time friends." Aphmau explained.

"The house that you're moving into is actually the house my little brother wanted!" Garroth exclaimed, pouring himself another glass of lemonade. "Little brother?" You perked your head to the side.

Garroth then wrapped his arm around Zane and smiled. "Don't we look alike?" You squinted your eyes for a second and noticed they had similar eyes. "Your eyes do look the same but I would've never guessed since you're so... And Zane's so..." You earned a laugh from everybody but Zane rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "I'd think it would be a better compliment if you told me that we don't look alike at all." He grumbled.

"Oh, come on, baby brother! Don't be like that." Garroth whined to which Zane ignored by turning his head away from his direction. You chuckled before bringing back up what Garroth stated earlier.

"Well, sorry I got your dream house, Zane." You smiled softly at his direction but he wasnt even looking at you. "It's fine." Thats all he said before twirling his glass and letting the ice swirl. Actually, has he even drank since Aphmau set down the tray?

"Zane, why haven't you drank anything?" You asked, still looking his way. "Don't mind him, he doesn't usually take his mask off." Aphmau spoke for him, waving her hand up and down. "But you must be dehydrated from moving boxes, right?" You pushed, not knowing why but you just did.

"It's none of your business." He snapped, turning his head to glare at you before staring off somewhere again. Startled at the sudden rudeness in the behavior, you sipped what was left of your lemonade. After a minute or two of thick and awkward atmosphere, you felt intruding and decided to get up and leave.

You gently lifted Eli off your lap and settled her on the couch while you stood up. "I'll... Go unpack the rest of my things. Thank you for the drinks, Aphmau, they were great." You smiled at her then the rest of the room, all of them with worried looks on their faces and one-time glances to Zane. You broughth yourself to the door and made your way down the porch when you heard your name being called.

You were at the bottom of the porch when you finally turned to see an apologetic Aphmau and Garrorh. "I'm so sorry for my friend's behavior." "I'm so sorry for my brother's behavior." They spoke simultaneuosly and you sighed.

"Sorry, but I know better to accept an apology that isn't from the person who did me wrong. Thank you for trying anyway." You smiled politely before crossing over the street and entering your house, not before seeing the worried looks on your neighbor's faces before closing your door.

While you were taking out your belongings from the boxes in the living room, your neighbors were bickering with each other at Aphmau's house.

"Zane, that wasn't very nice." Aphmau said, crossing her arms as she sat across him. Zane didn't say anything. "I know you have trouble meeting new people, but could you please apologize to her?" Zane turned his head away from Aphmau and crossed his arms.

"Zane." ...

"Zaneeee." ...

"Zaaaaneeeeeee." ...

"Za-"

"Alright, fine!" He cut Aphmau off while frustratingly throwing his hands up in the air. Aphmau giggled and clapped her hands together happily before looking at Zane, losing all emotion frok her face. "You're going to go over to her house and apologize. Now. I mean it."

Zane internally shivered at the tone of her voice and from the look on her face before scoffing. He turns around to quickly pull his mask off and down the lemonade before getting up and leaving the house.

Once he finally made his way in front of your door, he just stared at it with clenched fists. Okay, he was here. Now what? In frustration of not wanting to be confronted anymore, he left quickly without a plan in his head. A ding from his phone brought him back from his thoughts.

Aph

Would you stop staring at her door, it's weird.

Zane groaned to himself and didn't even notice the knob turning.

"If you keep standing on my porch like that, people will start to think you're a stalker." You told him, wiping some sweat on your face with your forearm. Noticing how he hasn't said anything but how he was at least maintaining eye contact with you this time, you decided to give him another chance.

"Do you wanna come in?" You turned your body and outstretched your arm to inside your house. You heard a quiet thanks from Zane as he walked inside your house while you closed the door behind him.

"Do you want some water?" You offered to which he just held his hand up to you and shook his head. "No."

"So... What brings you here?" You asked, heading over to your couch and offering Zane a seat. He sat farther away but at least he sat down, you guess. He mumbled something that you didn't quite catch.

"Um.. Come again?"

"I said. I'm sorry, for my reaction earlier. I know you just meant well and I just... Ugh, why is this so hard?" He slapped his hand to his face, rather harshly which made you slightly wince. You smiled, nonetheless. He apologized for his behavior and even if it looked like he was struggling, at least he had the effort to try.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm just happy you apologized, it means a lot." He looked shocked at your reply but from his face, you thought he was looking something on your face. You wiped your face and looked at your fingers, only to find nothing. "Is that all?" He asked which brought your attention away from your hands.

"What?"

"I mean, that's it? You're not gonna argue with me or stuff?" He elaborated. "Ah, well." You started out, turning to look away from him and playing with some decor on your coffee table. "When we have disagreements like this in my family, we go to them and apologize while mentioning what we did wrong to the other person. That alone means a lot because at least you have the effort to apologize. A lot of families just brush past it after a few minutes to 'forgive and forget' but you know... I guess with me it's to 'forgive and learn'."

Zane watched as you dusted off the imaginary dust on your table decoration, thinking that you must've had trouble making eye contact especially talking about something personal with someone you just met. "I see... That's actually a nice family thing to have." He softly said, remembering how Garroth never really apologized for his eye and just brushed it off by bribing him with food afterwards.

"Yeah, I guess so..." You chuckled nervously as the room turned quiet.

"I'll continue fixing my stuff, you can leave whenever you want." You smiled at him as you stood up from the couch to organize the kitchen. "Do you want help?" His offer shocked you as you gently brought out your mugs.

"Oh, uh.. Sure, come over here and I'll just coach you." You watched as he got up from his seat and made his way over you, peering over the several boxes that were settled on the island or the counter.

"So... Zane, want to tell me a bit about yourself?" You asked, hanging your mugs up its mini rack holder. "What's there to say? My name's Zane Ro'Meave and I guess you've already met my annoying brother. Though, I do have a younger brother named Vlyad." He added the last part with a shrug as he set down your microwave near the outlets. "Doesn't seem you're too particular of your brothers." You chuckled, opening up the cupboards for plates while Zane handed them for you to arrange.

"Ugh, seem? Am I not acting resentful enough for you?" He chuckled which made you smile. Seems like he's getting comfy with you, you thought as you grabbed another plate from his hands. "Well, what about you and your brother?"

"Hmm.. We fought a lot as kids but it was over stupid stuff like 'who'd go first' or 'who'd get this or that' but we get along. Well, aside from the still occasional light banter." You laughed slightly as you brought yourself back up after you finished organizing the plates.

"At least your brother sounds tolerable."

"Whatttt? Garroth seems alright." You tried defending him as you opened the drawer for silverware. "Oh my God, you try living with him for more than 10 years." He sounded miserable but you both laughed after his statement.

"Alright, bet. Now, hand me the silverware." You reached your arm out to him as he brought them out the boxes. "Well, how about jobs? What do you do?" You asked, setting down the forks. "I'm kinda here and there, don't have a long-time job." He said, shrugging it off as if it was nothing but you could guess how exhausting that is.

"Yeah, that must be stressful. I had to work multiple jobs back in college too." You tried reassuring Zane by relating with him as you finished up with the silverware.

"At least you've got a stable job as an ortho." He said, bringing out your blender. "Ah, well... The stress never really left especially if your patient is a kid getting braces." You thought back to the crying child in your office.

"It took too long to comfort that kid." You shivered at the memory, showing Zane where to place the blender. "What? The little candy trick didn't work?" You rolled your eyes at him as he handed you your electric kettle.

"Haha, funny." You jokingly sent a glare to his direction as you finished up your kitchen after setting down your kettle. "That's it for the first floor, you still willing to help me for the second floor?" You asked, nudging your head to direction of your stairs.

Zane glanced at his phone, checking the time. "I've got plenty of time to avoid my roommates'." You laughed at his response, leading him upstairs. "So, I'm guessing you didn't save up enough money for this house?" You asked, opening up the door to your room.

"Unfortunately, that's right. That's why I opted to live with my brother." He moped, helping you by opening up the boxes. "Well... There's a spare room right across mine so maybe when we know each other better, we can be roommates." You laughed lightly, gently picking up your folded clothes and placing them in your cabinet.

"Wait, do you mean that?" Your brows raised as you turned to Zane who was setting up your lamp on your desk. Well, you meant it as a light joke but it seemed Zane thought otherwise. You tried to think of a reply but you just shrugged your shoulders while pouting your lip.

"Who knows?"

Did that sound like a good enough answer? Not too mean and also not too welcoming? You thought, picking up more of your clothes while Zane only hummed and finished up your lamp.

"So, when Aphmau said you guys knew each other for a pretty long time, how long did she mean?" You asked, smiling at his direction as he lent you hangers for the clothes that weren't supposed to be folded. The cabinet in your room was built in and was fairly big, so you added some drawers in.

"I've known Aph since high school, though I wouldn't say we were already buddy-buddy back then." Zane rolled his eyes around as if thinking back to the past, handing you another hanger. "What, you guys were enemies or something?"

"Ehh, you could say that. I'm guessing you didn't go to Phoenix Drop High?" He asked, watching as you struggled to keep the coat on the hanger before hanging it up on the bar. "No, I went to an all girls school up until high school. Only when I applied for college did I join a co-ed school." You explained, reaching out for another hanger for your last piece of clothing.

"Though, I think I knew this guy that went there?" You recalled this guy at one of the jobs you worked at in college mentioning he went there since you two worked the same shift. "Really, who?" Zane asked, his brows raising in curiosity.

"God, I can't remember his name but he was pretty nice. There was an 'E' in his name, though.. Pretty handsome too." You thought back and remembered he had the same hair and eyes as Zane, granted Zane's eyes were more of an ice blue than your past coworker's.

You finished up your closet by closing it and dusting off your hands. "Ah well, most guys from there are called handsome." You chuckled.

"So, do you consider yourself handsome?" You asked, smiling at him but he only gave you a weird stare before looking away and grabbing your blanket to dust it off. Awkward...

"Anyway, all that's left is the bed and we can call it off for the day. I'm getting hungry and I think this moving in can wait until tomorrow, don't you think?" You laughed lightly, putting your covers over your new bare pillows.

"Now that you mention it, yeah I am getting kind of hungry." Zane replied, as if giving you a peek into his thoughts. "Take out?" You offered, fluffing up your pillows while Zane folded up your blanket.

"Really?" He sounded surprised as he laid your folded blanket at the food of your bed. "I mean, after I treated you so rudely earlier?" You shrugged with a shoulder, pulling out your phone.

"Well, you apologized and even helped me unpack. Plus, my fridge doesn't really have much to offer you." You joked, opening up your delivery app while Zane just looked at you with a wide eye.

What? To say he was confused would be correct, but that was also an understatement. He was baffled? When was the last time someone had been so welcoming to him? It was just someone he had just met today, at that. "You up for some Chinese?" Your voice knocked him out of his state of shock and he managed to croak out a reply. "S... Sure..."

"Andddd, it's on its way. Come on." You motioned him outside your room to go downstairs and he just slowly followed behind you when he received a text halfway down the stairs.

Garroth

Where are u, bro? Dinner's almost ready

Zane

I'm busy.

Don't wait on me.

He shoved his phone back in his sweatpants and found you sat down on your couch, flipping through the selections on Netflix.

At the sound of Zane's footsteps, you turned your head behind your couch to find him standing in the middle of the house. "You have a habit of just awkwardly standing, do you?" You joked, patting the couch for him to come over.

"Well. I'm just taking in the interior of my, now sold, dream house." He huffed, making his way over to sit next to you but still putting some distance.

"What are we watching?" He asked, watching you browse. "Hmm.. Oh, what about this? A young man in his 20s who moves to Korea and rents a room in a run-down building. The place is a mess and the residents are creepy, but he decides to stay." You explain, landing on a thriller k-drama series.

"Watching a person's misery happen due to his poor life choices? Oh, how fun." Zane was smiling under his mask and you could see how it reached his eyes, though the reason was concerning but maybe that's just how he talks. You looked at him quizzically before laughing a bit.

"First one to get scared buys the other one ice cream." You jested, getting comfy in your seat with a pillow on your lap. Zane scoffs and rolls his eye. "Give up your money now then." He chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning back into his seat.

Then the door bell rang.

"Wow, they deliver fast." You murmured, getting up off your seat to get the food. Which left Zane to stare at your TV and to his thoughts.

Okay, this was really weird. The only other person that was this nice to him was Aph but that took years to develop, but you just seemed... Seemed so, easygoing? When he had snapped at you, you didn't react violently but rather left in a rush, but even through that you seemed composed. When he apologized, he was quickly forgiven and you trusted him enough to give another chance at this– Friendship? Could this be a new friendship for Zane? Oh please, no way. This was most definitely a one time thing between you two and then the next time you would interact with each other would be on accident. Yeah, that's it. That's what Zane is telling himself right now.

"You didn't really tell me what you want, so I just got what I thought was best." You laid the food out on your coffee table and handed Zane his chopsticks. "O-Oh, how much was it in total then?" Zane stammered a little in surprise of your presence, reaching out for his wallet.

You shook your head and raised your hand up. "It's on me, don't worry about it. Now grab these chopsticks and dig in." He glanced at your hand before hesitatingly grabbing the chopsticks.

You smiled and reached for the remote to click play. You offered Zane a box of noodles while you got yourself some chicken. Zane stared at the food for a bit and didn't move which caught your attention.

"Oh.. Don't worry, I won't look at you if you don't feel comfortable with your mask down." You sent a reassuring smile his way before returning to your food and show.

Zane glanced at you and watched as you enjoyed yourself, despite him being your company before glancing back at the noodles. It was hard to describe how he felt right now, but all he knew was that whatever he was experiencing felt nice.

He smiled under his mask a little before pulling it off and twirling the chopsticks in his noodles while starting to pay attention to the drama.

"I don't think I'm gonna look at you the same." Zane joked off, chuckling lowly as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Hey, you admitting you got scared first?" You laughed, leaning against your door frame while he stood outside.

"What? Me? I'm pretty sure you flinched when you saw that scene with the-" You cut him off by blabbering nonsense and covering your ears. He laughed at your reaction and rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, it's getting late. You should get home." You smiled, glancing at his house to your right and noticing how only the ground floor lights were on. "Your brother might get worried." You added before looking back at Zane.

"Garroth? He's practically snoring the night away right now so no, he wouldn't be worried." He scowled under his mask while rolling his eyes but you just chuckled. "Well, a bed is definitely going to be better than a couch." You reassured him and you just gained a sigh.

"You make a point. See you around the neighborhood, Y/N." He waved at you and you suddenly remembered that you didn't have his phone number. You jogged up to him just as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "Hey, Zane! Wait!" You called out, making him turn around to you.

You quickly brought your phone out and smiled at him. "Let's exchange numbers. You know, to keep touch." Zane stared at you for a bit. He has a habit of staring and standing... You thought, watching as he pulled out his own from his pocket.

"Here." He murmured, handing you his phone while you handed him yours. After around two minutes, you returned each other's phones. "Alright, now get back home." You laughed lightly and waved him goodbye, returning back to lock your doors for the night.

Zane watched as you walked away before looking down on his phone. Your contact was really there, but there was no picture. Zane bounced his phone on his palm a bit before putting it back in his pocket and walking away.

Today was something, thought the two adults that had parted ways for the night.

Oh no they’re so fun to draw

real

We will see you soon, Neighbor!