Bittersweet - Blog Posts

This is just a small analysis on how Himiko Toga’s emotions influence the usage of her quirk throughout the show:

(Major spoiler warning for My Hero Academia!!!)

Himiko Toga has always loved a lot, and because of her quirk, Transform, she would express her love by drinking blood. When she drank a dying sparrow’s blood and happily showed her parents, they pressured her into suppressing her quirk, and by extension, her love, “I fall in love too easily. With animals, with villains, heroes too, boys, girls, anything alive. Because they all have such lovely blood flowing through them.” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego).

Since she wasn’t going to drink blood to show her love anymore, she started envying others, instead. She envied their quirk, their smile, their relationships, and more, “Everyone told me I shouldn’t smile, and it made me so envious” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego). A prominent example of her envy is with Izuku Midoria. She is constantly asking for his blood, and saying that it’s because she utterly and truly loves him. While this is true, she is intentionally ignoring the reason why she loves him so much, that being how she would rather be him than be herself.

The one character that she loves purely at this point in the show is Twice. But when Twice gets killed by Hawks, she ends up switching from using her powers because of envy, to using her powers because of hatred. She does so by turning into Twice and making clones of herself in order to get revenge on Hawks, along with other heroes. “Die, heroes!” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego).

Himiko Toga has now gone through three stages. Love, envy, and hatred in that order exactly. In the episode A Girl’s Ego, Ochako Uraraka manages to get Toga from hatred back to her final and first stage, love. Ochako Uraraka is the one who ends up fighting Himiko Toga, but instead of harming her, she just tries to talk. This doesn’t work, however, because Himiko Toga is way too blinded by hatred to cooperate, “I’ll make you stop talking, Ochako Uraraka!” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego). Eventually, Uraraka manages to get Toga to go back to Envy, “You seem normal because you played by the rules! You have no idea what an easy life you had!” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego). Now that Toga had went back to the stage of envy, it was easier for Uraraka to get her back to the stage of love. “Ochako, am I cute?” “The cutest in the world” (Episode: A Girl’s Ego).

Himiko Toga never stopped loving. All she needed was understanding, and that was enough to clearly see how she drank blood out of malice. It was always pure love and affection. Now that she had someone who loved her for who she was, she decided to save Ochako’s life at the expense of her own. “Thank you, Ochako. You made me so happy. Genuinely, truly happy” (Episode: A Battle Without a Quirk). In this heartbreaking scene, Himiko is shown, alive, holding a sparrow that looks exactly like the one she had drank the blood from in her past. But this one looks up at her and flies away as Himiko smiles at it. Though it’s true that she had started and ended her life loving how she wanted to, the first sparrow was dead, symbolic of how back then, Toga only knew how to take. But now that she had met Uraraka, the sparrow was alive because she knew a way to love that now benefits everybody.

“If only I had understood then. If I’d had experienced this kind of love before, maybe I would have wanted to give people blood just as much as I wanted to drink their’s. And then maybe the world would have been an easier place for me to live in.”

THE LETTER (by joud abu rashed)

Words: A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed. Words are a way to express one’s self, they show emotion, they might hurt someone, end relationships, start wars, they can be used as a weapon, since words are an important factor of both freedom and democracy, but most importantly words impact people, either negatively or positively depending on the situation. the war has ended a year ago marking a new age of democracy, it started since poverty was spreading like an illness due to the evils of monarchy so naturally the people protested their rights using their words but they weren’t heard the government was deaf to their pleas so a war eventually broke out in order to gain justice. Chaos and confusion that’s was how I lived after all I was a child an orphan who lost both parents and any sense of peace or security I ever had. I was lost, starving, with no will to live in this cruel world. Along with the bloodshed, something happened or rather someone came and rescued me. 

His name was Ashton Arlert, He was a kind man with a heart of gold. He took me in, provided me with every necessity. He taught me how to read and write, how to use a gun and protect myself just in case I find myself in a difficult position, but most importantly he gave me a will, a will to live. After years of suffering the war ended which lead me to decide to live a normal life, so I moved out to pursue my own career as a ghostwriter in a small company. You see after the war there was a huge decrease in people who knew how to write, which meant ghostwriters (especially for letters) became widely popular. My job required me to listen to people, to observe and analyze their emotions then find the right words that fit the message they want to present. I had my own life, friends, responsibilities, etc  yet Ashton never left my mind, he was like a father to me and I never showed him how much I appreciated what he had done towards me so I decided to write a letter to him. I was a professional writer with tons of experience yet I struggled with it (ironic isn’t it). For days and days all I would do is stare at an empty piece of paper with a cramped hand longing for words. Needless to say I was frustrated. I wrote and I wrote as if I was running out of time but nothing, just nothing. Everything I wrote would soon become another crumpled piece of paper in the trash, till one day while the smell of my morning coffee was mixing with the smell of ink coming from my pen I suddenly found the words that I longed for. I ran to the post office with the feeling of  relief in my lungs and a hint of excitement in my eyes. It was a quite night when he received the wax sealed letter, he looked at the handwriting a sense of nostalgia flooded him. He held it with his wrinkled hands as he read it with tears flooding his ocean blue eyes. The letter simply said “Thank you, Ashton, for everything. Sincerely Nadia” A simple phrase that’s all it took to bring a grown man to tears.

Sleep well knowing you are loved

'' SEND ME NO FLOWERS ,,

|| pairings: bucky barnes x gn!reader

|| warnings: fluff-ish? , really bittersweet , 1940s bucky

|| word count: 1k words

"No, please? Stay the night?"

You gave the best puppy dog eyes you could as you looked up to your partner. Your everything. Your Bucky. He was enlisted and getting sent out first thing in the morning. The two of you had gone steady a few months ago, but you'd known him for years before that.

"Dolll, I-" Bucky snorted and held you close to his chest, his forehead resting against yours before he pressed a small kiss to the tip of your nose. His lips gentle, and his touch was like clouds. "How can I say no t'you?"

A small chuckle left your lips as you ushered him into your home. You agreed that, after the war the two of you would get married. Move in together.. Ah, well, you don't wanna dwell on that right now. You're going to focus on the man right in front of you and that's all.

"You can't say no t'me!" You hugged his waist before pushing him down to the couch. With gentle touch, you grabbed his coat and threw it to the side. He's complained before about how it was tight and hot in it. "And I thank God for it everyday"

"You're so bad, hun"

"You love it"

In a graceful movement, you sat nicely on his lap. Your hands cupping his face as you looked over his face. Trying to remember every wrinkle, every hair, every bump and crevice. You weren't going to see him for months..

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" The man in front of you asked with a worried smile. His hands were placed on your waist, making sure you weren't going to fall or move or anything of the sort. "Why're acting like 'n eager beaver?"

".. You promise you'll be back, right?"

A beat of silence spread between the two of you. James Buchanan Barnes left wordless for a moment. His shoulders tensed, no one would notice. No one but you. He licked his top lip before he captured your lips on his.

"I promise." He whispered against you. "I'll be back quicker than y'can say my name"

You ran a hand through his hair, it was so soft under your touch. You're going to miss moments like this. The sweet man you met gradeschool. You remembered when he was a lanky 12 year old boy, all confident at being 'the fastest kid in the whole school.' Honestly, when you were kids you didn't like him. He was a popular kid in school, everyone loved him

Except you. Which was strange for Bucky. So, of course, he made the great decision to talk to you in the library. You were reading The Great Gatsby.. Which was a heavy book for a 12 year old to read. But that just made Bucky even more enraptured with you.

Ever since then, he'd been glued to your side. After that, you, Bucky, and Steve had become a close knit trio. Everyone knew wherever you went, Bucky and Steve were close behind.

It was only inevitable that you'd fall for one of them.

Ah, well. That's enough reminiscing.. The front lines were the one place you wouldn't be able to follow Bucky to. You weren't enlisted, nor did you want to join the army. Much too violent for you. You wanted to open a bookshop for crying out loud!

"You'll stay safe though, okay, James?"

"Oh no, y'called me James, am I in trouble?" He had his signature smirk on his lips, trying to lighten the mood. It was a, uh, a failed attempt.

"Promise me."

His gaze softened as he kept his eyes locked on yours, his thumbs rubbing small circles on your back. Something he learned to soothe you one day after you had a low grade on a math test.

"I promise, doll."

A small sigh left your lips before you kissed his forehead softly. "I'll send you flowers, 'kay?"

"No."

You huffed and leaned away, your brows furrowed at his quick answer. A small frown on your face. "Why? Embarrassed of me?"

"Not one bit, doll, don't even joke like that," His grip on your waist tightened before he pulled you closer. "I don't want'cha to send me flowers, 'cause I want'cha to save that for our garden."

A small, confused chuckle left your lips. "Garden?"

"When we live together after the war," He whispered and kissed your lips, a quick soft one. "We'll have a big garden, somethin' we can take care of together."

"Buck-"

"We'd have the best front yard in the whole neighborhood," His eyes bore into yours. His blue eyes locked on yours as he looked at you.. Only love and admiration. Unlike his usual teasing nature, he looked at you as if you're the only person in the world. As if he wasn't leaving the next day. In fact, he looked at you as if you'd spend your whole life together..

That was his plan, at least.

"So no flowers, got it, sweetheart?"

You rolled your eyes and leaned forward, your forehead resting against his. "I got it."

"Doll?"

"What is it, Bucky?"

"I love you."

Your heart skipped a beat before a giggle escaped your lips. Your arms wrapped around his neck tightly as you placed scattered kisses around his face. You've said you "i love you's" before. But the magic hasn't weared off, not for you at least. Not ever.

"I love you too, James Buchanan Barnes. I love you more then you'll know."

The two of you sat there in a comfortable silence for a while. Quiet conversations between you two before Bucky carried you to your room. Where the both of you cuddled all night and whispered sweet nothings to each other.

You kept him close, stealing away any and all his warmth in the dark of the night.

Sadly, the morning came by, and your Bucky was swept away. Of course, he spared you a kiss before he had to go, promising he'd be back before you could say his name.

If only that promise was kept.

I LOVE 1940S BUCKY. I WANT A WHOLE AHH SERIES ABT 1940S BUCKY BARNES. :(((

I’m reflecting. Where old relationships just don’t seem to click anymore, and others grew with me. Currently at a stand still with a long time friend, feelin’ bittersweet. Orlando, Fl February 18, 2015. #bittersweet #photography #imissthis #past (at Orlando, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvyl2kiBmYF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wp70ggytazkt

Resplendent

word count: 1220

Pairing: Neteyam Sully x Female! Metkayina! Na'vi Reader Tags/warnings: Fluff, angst, bittersweet, established relationship, adult reader, adult Neteyam, no smut Summary: Neteyam quietly watches you from the shore as you perform a ritual dance in the water, to the utter delight of your daughters.

Author's Note: Set some time after the big battle. Also moved those events further ahead. You and Neteyam are mated and have children before the RDA attacks the reef. Got inspired by the song~

Sa’nu - mum, mommy

Tahni - bioluminescent freckle

Close your eyes.

Deep breathes.

Remember the moves.

Remember the words...

Your heart thrums in your chest almost painfully. You take a deep, slow, calming breath; placing a hand over your heart.

“Sa’nu? Are you okay?”

You open your eyes, looking down to meet the gaze of your youngest daughter. The cool water of the sea comes up to her neck. Sweet thing. You told her, she and her sister could watch you from the shoreline. But they were persistent to be as close to you as possible. The water barely reaches your hips.

You offer a soft smile, reaching down and affectionately stroking her hair.

“I’m okay…Don’t worry my little star. Mommy’s just nervous.” The 5-year-old beams up at you with a toothy grin. Your 6-year-old beside her pats you on the arm.

“You practiced aaaaall the time! You got this.” She offers you her own encouraging smile. You give her an appreciative nod before facing the shoreline once more. You return your face to neutrality, closing your eyes once again.

You hear the disturbance of the water as your daughters move a bit to the side to give you more space to move.

With one final calming breath, you open your mouth and begin the song cord of your family.

---

Neteyam stands under the shade of a nearby tree on the shoreline. His arms are crossed as he watches the three of you.

The evening breeze carries your voice to him. He stands up straight when the sound hits his ears.

When you sing, it reminds him of the melody of birdsong in spring. No matter how many years may pass between you two, every time he hears you play the instrument of your heart, he feels like he could fall in love with you all over again.

He takes in your form as you start swaying in the water, admiring you from top to bottom.

Your hair, thick and long, reaching all the way down to your knees; you and your sisters spent what must have been hours, braiding it into the intricate patterns now adorning your head.

Even from this distance, he can still make out the faint markings of the tattoos framing your face. Though today you also have a thin line of white painting the centre of your face. You could have mud smeared all over and he would still find you to be the most beautiful woman; you have him convinced you are blessed by Eywa herself.

You arms move slow and with purpose through the air; attuned with the words as they fall from your lips.

Your soft lips.

How he wishes he could kiss you right now.

You dip down, submerging your arms into the water. In one fluid motion, you rise back up to your feet, the motion you perform with your hands and arms bring water up with you as you rose. Your arms are stretched out to your sides as you pirouette.

Neteyam’s heart skips a beat as he watches you, and it’s as if time itself slows, just so he can drink in the beauty of your very being.

With your back to eclipse, your front is cast in shadow.

The water falls around you in a shimmering curtain of rain. The last light of eclipse hits the smooth stones woven into the fabric on your chest; causing a cascade of colours to dance across your skin. And when the sun disappears, your tahni come to life like the brilliance of dawn.

It’s one of his most favourite parts of your body. Though you had the scattered stars as did all Na’vi, for reasons he attests only to being blessed by Eywa, you have thin bioluminescent swirls weaving itself around your arms, chest, and all down your legs. To him it’s like a faint galaxy glittering in the night.

He recalls fondly the memory of him knowing each and every star on your body intimately.

And in the fading light of the day do you shine before him. Resplendent as you are in the day, so too will you dazzle the world around you in the darkness of the approaching night.

His heart throbs something fierce when you open your eyes after dipping into the water once more. Even behind the curtain of water, or the netting of the fabric draped over your head, your eyes glow with a fierceness he knows all to well. It pierces his very soul, a warmth sweeping over him.

He drinks you in more as you bend your form this way and that. He wishes he knew the intricacies of your dance; understood what each fluid motion meant, the significance of each swish of your tail, or the ways you angle your hands and bend your fingers.

You close your eyes as you near the end of the cord song.

As you perform another twirl, you playfully swat the water with your thick tail, splashing your daughters.

Their uncontrollable gigging brings a smile to your face. You open your eyes as you continue to dance, giving them a loving look. They’re splashing each other with reckless abandon as they try to imitate your moves. You can’t help the unrestrained laughter their antics bring you.

Neteyam laughs quietly to himself as he watches his girls playfully flay about in the water. Every day since their birth he’s given thanks to both you and the Great Mother for blessing him with such miracles. He hadn’t thought it was possible to love something as much as he loved you.

He feels a stray tear fall down his cheek. But he doesn’t move to wipe it away. Instead he continues to smile as he watches your song and dance coming to its conclusion.

You turn to face the horizon, and his gaze drifts to his girls.

They’re singing something he can’t quite make out, but he loves the sound nonetheless.

And when their eyes meet his, finally noticing his presence, they wave at him wildly, giggling all over again.

His smile grows wider, and he offers them a small wave back.

---

One final pose, and you hold the final note of your song, eyes still closed. You hold that note until your lungs and throat burn.

You hear the excited cheers of your daughters as they shower you with praise. Your breathing is laboured as your heart pounds in your chest, but you offer them a bow and a small smile of gratitude.

You turn yourself to the horizon before you finally open your eyes. The ritual dance has come to and end.

You rub the cool ocean water on your cheeks, in your neck, and down your arms; all in an effort to cool you down from your laborious activity. You breath deep in from the nose, and slowly exhale through your mouth, calming your rapid heartbeat.

The girls still giggle beside you, resuming their unrefined dancing; now also singing their favourite lullaby in lieu of a songcord.

Sufficiently cooled off, you turn your head to your daughters to admire them in their silliness.

Your brow nits in slight confusion though, when you see them waving at something behind you, giggling all the while.

You turn around, curiosity in your eyes.

But the shoreline is just as empty as when you arrived.

---

Author's Notes: It was a private funeral dance 😢

you began the game i told you about. i didnt even think you remembered it. i miss you