FV2: If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em
Original Prompt: Nathan starts lurking around the Hero TV forums.
Discovers he's the least shipped around because he's already openly gay.
preoccu
It was a slow day. It was the kind that the heroes enjoyed the most where they could group together in the gym and exercise in peace. It was one of those days where it was like all the villainous minds of Sternbild had decided to lay quiet and innocent for a while to give the heroes all a well-deserved break.
Nathan knew that it was probably very naïve to think that way, but it was a great way to relax; to just forget that the villainy existed. It was a treat to occupy his thoughts with other things for a change, like what kind of nice things he'd buy with his next check or what Antonio's fine ass looked like in those fine shorts. Did he wear those on purpose? Dayum. That was a crime that he wouldn't mind punishing on his day off, if you get the metaphor.
After a thorough jog on the treadmill, Nathan let himself gracefully fall back into an awaiting bench. It was, of course, the kind intended for lifting weights, but it could also function well as a dais for lounging fabulously on. He stretched his arms over the side and grabbed for his bag which was just a nice stretch away. In the off-chance that Antonio was looking, he arched his back languidly while he reached.
For now, he wouldn't check to see if he was looking. He was far more interested in what his email had in store for him today.
After a few clicks, he got to what he'd been waiting for. Every day, he awaited the Hero TV daily newsletter. In it, there were articles featuring what the heroes were up to - all information provided direction from the source, so all of it was accurate... for the most part. Lately, the articles had taken an interest in Barnaby and his powers. Nathan felt a little bad for Kotetsu who'd spent so many years as a hero with the exact same power, but now everyone was suddenly interested in this other fellow who was nearly the same. Except younger. And extremely good-looking.
The articles still largely focused on Sky High, the paragon of heroic achievement and idol to all. He was a lovely individual, so Nathan couldn't possibly begrudge him of the attention he received. Although, at the same time, he did wish a little for that kind of popularity.
Especially when it came to the fan column. At the bottom of the newsletter, they spared a section dedicated to what the official Hero TV forum was currently talking about. Naturally, there was a lot of talk about Barnaby. Although normally Nathan didn't take part in such fannish activities, he had eventually clicked into the forum one day out of curiosity and the desire to see more of these candid photos that fans had captured of Handsome.
One thread had led him to another and before he knew it, he had discovered a world he couldn't believe he had lived without before. Who knew that fans put so much thought into what the heroes did in their daily lives? They even seemed interested in the kinds of things they did outside of their heroic duties. They wrote elaborate stories that could sometimes go on for chapter after chapter with theories about who was romancing who. Nathan wanted to tell them all about it; how he would go for pedicures, where his favorite ice cream shop was, what kind of guy he liked - things like that.
Except that was the problem that he ran into.
It seemed like nobody really cared about him. There were many such stories about Origami Cyclone. He was extremely surprised by that, given that Ivan hardly did anything besides stick himself into action shots of the other heroes. Did fans even know what he looked like under that suit? Granted, Nathan knew what he looked like and he wasn't half bad, but how did the fans know that? How were they even aware that he was blond?
And while they were busy with all these details about Origami Cyclone, there was nothing to be seen about Fire Emblem except for a few short stories solo stories about him. But he wanted to know... Who would they pair him with?
So every day, he kept checking back, hoping that someone was going to write a story about him and one of the other heroes. He would prefer if it was Rock Bison, but it seemed that these fans already had it in their head that Antonio looked good with Ivan. Didn't they know? It was so obvious. He was gay. For God's sake, if there was one hero they should be pairing anyone with, it had to be him, right?
He opened up a new account on the forum and decided to ask for himself.
blazinglory_:
[ Who looks good with Fire Emblem? ]
Hi, guys. I'm new around here, but I guess you could tell that.
I'm just wondering: Who do you pair with Fire Emblem? I haven't seen many stories that have him with any of the other heroes and I don't get it. He's my favorite, so I'm a little disappointed. He needs more love! Personally, I think he'd be great with Rock Bison. I hear he loves a good firm ass.
And he hit post.
He drummed his fingernails against the laptop and wiggled his feet back and forth in the air. He took a sip of his water. Then he hit refresh.
_origamically:
lol Yeah, you're definitely new. Uh... I know some people get offended about this topic, but whatever, I'll explain. Basically, he's just too easy to ship. Everybody already knows he's gay, so it isn't very fun to try to pair him up with other heroes.
Okay, now don't shoot me, minna. I have nothing against him. You know I love the guy as if he were one of my closest friends. But yeah... He's just not so fun to write. There has to be a little bit of a challenge, you know? On a related note, I wonder if Origami Cyclone came out, if everybody would suddenly stop writing about him? Hm. (´・ω・)
Nathan couldn't decide if he should laugh out loud or throw his laptop across the room. That was why people weren't pairing him in their stories? That was why they didn't care? He thought for sure that his openness would be a positive thing that the fans would enjoy writing about, but instead they wanted closeted angst? What kind of fucked up...
As he scrolled down to find the reply button, he realized that there was already even a second comment.
HeroLove:
Don't worry about it, origami. We've gone over the topic here enough as it is. They ought to just sticky this. lol
But like origami said, I definitely agree. While I think it's fine if people write about Fire Emblem and pair him with the other heroes, I don't think he's as fun to ship as, say, Barnaby/Origami or Bison/Origami. Lately, I've been finding Barnaby/Tiger to be really great, though. I have origami to thank for that one. It's worth reading her fic to give that pair a try. I really started to see it after I read that. [link here] So just look around and maybe you'll find something you like even if you don't expect it. Or, you could totally just always write your own!
So that was the way, huh?
He had to admit, she had a point about Barnaby/Tiger - although he liked to think of it as the other way around. Whoever this _origamically was, she obviously had the right idea with that one. Maybe he'd go read that later... But Bison/Origami? Nuh-uh. They were not allowed to pair his real-life love interest off with a straight kid who did nothing but sit around and watch anime. It didn't even make sense!
So he was going to just have to show them the light himself.
blazinglory_:
Thanks for the info. I guess that if I want it, I'm just going to have to make it myself then. I hope you're prepared to love Bison/Fire Emblem!
By the way, _origamically, I doubt that you have to worry about the real Origami Cyclone ever coming out. That guy seems pretty straight to me.
And that would do it. He opened up a new document and cracked his knuckles, sitting up straight to get down to some Serious Writing. But first - just one more refresh.
_origamically:
idk, he seems... kind of bi to me, at least? (≧ω≦)
This poor girl was totally fooling herself. But if that's what they wanted to believe, then he wasn't about to stop them from thinking whatever they wanted to think. It seemed like it would make them happy to know if their preferred pairings were the real deal in real life, so it still didn't make sense why being openly gay had to ruin their enjoyment of Fire Emblem. Although now, he couldn't escape the realization that he really did want to know if Barnaby and Kotetsu were together... They would be so good for each other if they could just their shit together and stop fighting like girls all the time. But if they were really together... would the forum stop pairing them? Would it be too “real”?
Now it kind of made a bit of sense to him... But at the same time, it was different since he really did know these people that they were writing about. Those two would be good for each other, even if it ruined their fanfiction.
Unfortunately, now that he had the document open, all he felt like writing about was Tiger/Barnaby.
INDEX
Discovers he's the least shipped around because he's already openly gay.
preoccu
It was a slow day. It was the kind that the heroes enjoyed the most where they could group together in the gym and exercise in peace. It was one of those days where it was like all the villainous minds of Sternbild had decided to lay quiet and innocent for a while to give the heroes all a well-deserved break.
Nathan knew that it was probably very naïve to think that way, but it was a great way to relax; to just forget that the villainy existed. It was a treat to occupy his thoughts with other things for a change, like what kind of nice things he'd buy with his next check or what Antonio's fine ass looked like in those fine shorts. Did he wear those on purpose? Dayum. That was a crime that he wouldn't mind punishing on his day off, if you get the metaphor.
After a thorough jog on the treadmill, Nathan let himself gracefully fall back into an awaiting bench. It was, of course, the kind intended for lifting weights, but it could also function well as a dais for lounging fabulously on. He stretched his arms over the side and grabbed for his bag which was just a nice stretch away. In the off-chance that Antonio was looking, he arched his back languidly while he reached.
For now, he wouldn't check to see if he was looking. He was far more interested in what his email had in store for him today.
After a few clicks, he got to what he'd been waiting for. Every day, he awaited the Hero TV daily newsletter. In it, there were articles featuring what the heroes were up to - all information provided direction from the source, so all of it was accurate... for the most part. Lately, the articles had taken an interest in Barnaby and his powers. Nathan felt a little bad for Kotetsu who'd spent so many years as a hero with the exact same power, but now everyone was suddenly interested in this other fellow who was nearly the same. Except younger. And extremely good-looking.
The articles still largely focused on Sky High, the paragon of heroic achievement and idol to all. He was a lovely individual, so Nathan couldn't possibly begrudge him of the attention he received. Although, at the same time, he did wish a little for that kind of popularity.
Especially when it came to the fan column. At the bottom of the newsletter, they spared a section dedicated to what the official Hero TV forum was currently talking about. Naturally, there was a lot of talk about Barnaby. Although normally Nathan didn't take part in such fannish activities, he had eventually clicked into the forum one day out of curiosity and the desire to see more of these candid photos that fans had captured of Handsome.
One thread had led him to another and before he knew it, he had discovered a world he couldn't believe he had lived without before. Who knew that fans put so much thought into what the heroes did in their daily lives? They even seemed interested in the kinds of things they did outside of their heroic duties. They wrote elaborate stories that could sometimes go on for chapter after chapter with theories about who was romancing who. Nathan wanted to tell them all about it; how he would go for pedicures, where his favorite ice cream shop was, what kind of guy he liked - things like that.
Except that was the problem that he ran into.
It seemed like nobody really cared about him. There were many such stories about Origami Cyclone. He was extremely surprised by that, given that Ivan hardly did anything besides stick himself into action shots of the other heroes. Did fans even know what he looked like under that suit? Granted, Nathan knew what he looked like and he wasn't half bad, but how did the fans know that? How were they even aware that he was blond?
And while they were busy with all these details about Origami Cyclone, there was nothing to be seen about Fire Emblem except for a few short stories solo stories about him. But he wanted to know... Who would they pair him with?
So every day, he kept checking back, hoping that someone was going to write a story about him and one of the other heroes. He would prefer if it was Rock Bison, but it seemed that these fans already had it in their head that Antonio looked good with Ivan. Didn't they know? It was so obvious. He was gay. For God's sake, if there was one hero they should be pairing anyone with, it had to be him, right?
He opened up a new account on the forum and decided to ask for himself.
blazinglory_:
[ Who looks good with Fire Emblem? ]
Hi, guys. I'm new around here, but I guess you could tell that.
I'm just wondering: Who do you pair with Fire Emblem? I haven't seen many stories that have him with any of the other heroes and I don't get it. He's my favorite, so I'm a little disappointed. He needs more love! Personally, I think he'd be great with Rock Bison. I hear he loves a good firm ass.
And he hit post.
He drummed his fingernails against the laptop and wiggled his feet back and forth in the air. He took a sip of his water. Then he hit refresh.
_origamically:
lol Yeah, you're definitely new. Uh... I know some people get offended about this topic, but whatever, I'll explain. Basically, he's just too easy to ship. Everybody already knows he's gay, so it isn't very fun to try to pair him up with other heroes.
Okay, now don't shoot me, minna. I have nothing against him. You know I love the guy as if he were one of my closest friends. But yeah... He's just not so fun to write. There has to be a little bit of a challenge, you know? On a related note, I wonder if Origami Cyclone came out, if everybody would suddenly stop writing about him? Hm. (´・ω・)
Nathan couldn't decide if he should laugh out loud or throw his laptop across the room. That was why people weren't pairing him in their stories? That was why they didn't care? He thought for sure that his openness would be a positive thing that the fans would enjoy writing about, but instead they wanted closeted angst? What kind of fucked up...
As he scrolled down to find the reply button, he realized that there was already even a second comment.
HeroLove:
Don't worry about it, origami. We've gone over the topic here enough as it is. They ought to just sticky this. lol
But like origami said, I definitely agree. While I think it's fine if people write about Fire Emblem and pair him with the other heroes, I don't think he's as fun to ship as, say, Barnaby/Origami or Bison/Origami. Lately, I've been finding Barnaby/Tiger to be really great, though. I have origami to thank for that one. It's worth reading her fic to give that pair a try. I really started to see it after I read that. [link here] So just look around and maybe you'll find something you like even if you don't expect it. Or, you could totally just always write your own!
So that was the way, huh?
He had to admit, she had a point about Barnaby/Tiger - although he liked to think of it as the other way around. Whoever this _origamically was, she obviously had the right idea with that one. Maybe he'd go read that later... But Bison/Origami? Nuh-uh. They were not allowed to pair his real-life love interest off with a straight kid who did nothing but sit around and watch anime. It didn't even make sense!
So he was going to just have to show them the light himself.
blazinglory_:
Thanks for the info. I guess that if I want it, I'm just going to have to make it myself then. I hope you're prepared to love Bison/Fire Emblem!
By the way, _origamically, I doubt that you have to worry about the real Origami Cyclone ever coming out. That guy seems pretty straight to me.
And that would do it. He opened up a new document and cracked his knuckles, sitting up straight to get down to some Serious Writing. But first - just one more refresh.
_origamically:
idk, he seems... kind of bi to me, at least? (≧ω≦)
This poor girl was totally fooling herself. But if that's what they wanted to believe, then he wasn't about to stop them from thinking whatever they wanted to think. It seemed like it would make them happy to know if their preferred pairings were the real deal in real life, so it still didn't make sense why being openly gay had to ruin their enjoyment of Fire Emblem. Although now, he couldn't escape the realization that he really did want to know if Barnaby and Kotetsu were together... They would be so good for each other if they could just their shit together and stop fighting like girls all the time. But if they were really together... would the forum stop pairing them? Would it be too “real”?
Now it kind of made a bit of sense to him... But at the same time, it was different since he really did know these people that they were writing about. Those two would be good for each other, even if it ruined their fanfiction.
Unfortunately, now that he had the document open, all he felt like writing about was Tiger/Barnaby.
INDEX