Thank You So Much For Honoring This Tour.

I made a lengthy list of Taylor Swift songs that fit characters/relationships from bsd, and I wanted to explain deeper about some of the songs listed there :]

I Can Do It With a Broken Heart for Fyolai really fits to me. It's from Nikolai's pov, and I think it describes his character around Fyodor very well

"'Cause I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit

They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it till you make it" and I did

Lights, camera, bitch smile, even when you wanna die

He said he'd love me all his life

But that life was too short

Breaking down, I hit the floor

All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting "More"

I was grinning like I'm winning, I was hitting my marks

'Cause I can do it with a broken heart (one, two, three, four)

I'm so depressed, I act like it's my birthday every day

I'm so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague

I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art

You know you're good when you can even do it

With a broken heart"

I just can't over how much this fits them. Nikolai hiding everything behind his emotional mask, how one-sided his relationship with Fyodor is, his obsession with Fyodor and his persistence 

Ever since I first heard this song way back on April 19th 2024 (my life changed that day 😔), I've thought this was just such a Fyolai-esque song :> 

You could've been getting down to this sick beat!

No, for real though. I'm thinking about Atsushi having some real case of separation anxiety from Akutagawa after the doa events. Before, he would have never, ever expected that losing Akutagawa would have effected him; but the days following his death, before they met again and before Akutagawa came back, where a new hell he never experienced before. Feeling like half of him was physically, violently teared from him, struggling to cope, trying to get used to live with the feeling of missing a piece of himself. A wound his ability can't regenerate no matter how much he irrationally prays for it to. And when Akutagawa is back, like a dream, like a miracle, the idea of losing him again is something debilitating and terrifying Atsushi just can't tolerate. He can't leave his side for even one instant. He wakes up lost and terrified searching around for Akutagawa because he fell again in the nightmare of living in a world where he isn't there. Just yeah

Black and white sketches

Do you think there's a chance that Shin Soukoku could become canon? I know that Bungou Stray Dogs isn't primarily a romance anime, among other things, but do you think it's possible?

Yep, I think it's possible

I usually give essay-long replies on Sskk anon asks lmao but I'll be short

I think the possibility *of* sskk becoming canon is low, mainly just because Bsd isn't a romance manga/anime

But I think if it *did* become canon it would make a lot of sense. Their dynamic already has a lot of romantic undertones to it, so I think if one day Asagiri made it canon, it would not feel forced or anything at all. It would feel natural because I mean, they just go so well together

There's a chance it'll be canon, there's always been a chance, but it's probably not that high. It's possible, but we'll just have to wait and see

Saw someone on Twitter saying that maybe Dazai image shattering and becoming the headmaster was because Atsushi saw Dazai for who he really was and now the headmaster and him are in the same level.

Two abusers who stripped the humanity out of children for "their own good"

I'm literally throwing up rn don't talk to me

Is that sskk fic recommendations I feel in the air? :0

I love the title card omg and I will be bookmarking every fic on this list bc damn, some sskk is truly needed (without sskk I assume I would spontaneously combust)

(yes i had fun with the title card)

The time has come to complete my legacy.

First off, I highly recommend stopping by the list I made some time ago, because those turned out to be timeless classics, must-reads: clicky here click. Special thanks to @beegowhoosh and @mikayuumouse for inspiring me to update this one! If that list feels overwhelming, my personal favourites are: All The Memories Of You by collectingblues, waiting room by srxlee and enshroud me by @lost--dimension; my silly words are just not enough to recommend those enough, truly changed my brain chemistry.

yokohama bay hotel by spirallings [Words: 9.5k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

Honestly, inject this fic in my bloodstream, I got emotional just opening it and rereading the first line to write this review. Social media AU with vlogger Aku who one day finds Atsushi’s music channel, reaches out to him to express his highest admirations, and the rest is a beautiful story of building trust, friendship and falling in love. Immaculate narration, easy flowing and so heartfelt, had me smiling (and crying but shh) throughout the whole thing. A unique storytelling style through the occasional tweets, texts, emails and subtle descriptions of the scene, mixed with classic narration, strikingly in-character dialogue and songs. Just open it to see what I mean, it is genuinely like nothing I’ve read before and I hold this story very close to my heart. There is also a 150 songs playlist that goes with the fic, def some bangers in there.

and the funny thing is i would have married you (if you had stuck around) by cheezee [Words: 11k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

Time travel and reincarnation, a tragic (but hopeful nonetheless) story following Akutagawa’s death on that ship and Atsushi traversing space and time to find him again, and again… and again… with the cursed fate taking his love away from him. It’s an emotional ride of happiness and melancholy, hope and despair, broken promises and lost memories. This reads as a classic tale of love, personally reminds me of a greek tragedy, and the writing is impressively poetic, simply pulling on the heartstrings.

...I wanna be next to you by Iyrs [Words: 2k | Chapters: 1/1 | G]

(i am definitely not biased because I made art for this, no sir) Wonderfully tasteful narration and the softest words of comfort, beautifully showing how much their relationship has progressed, the trust and ease and emotional vulnerability. There is one particular most domestic scene that lives in my mind rent-free, trust me and give this a quick read.

the plan (YOUR FINGERS) by lizandre [Words: 5k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

I’m gonna struggle a lot to explain this one lol (if the trust me bro argument is not enough). I could personally not find a better word to describe the style of writing than simply genius. If I may quote the author from the summary, this is a story of how “Akutagawa Ryunosuke loses it entirely.” It has the humor, it has the pain, it has the classic psychoanalysis that every good fic has of course. Basically Aku not realizing the emotional turmoil he’s experiencing is not being possessed or mind controlled or going mad, but simply falling in love. And Atsushi being the voice and hand of reason to get him out of his madness. Aku here is as unapologetically dramatic as any theatre kid could be, 10/10, not even trying. Just straight up check everything this person has written imao, this fic is just one of many masterpieces.

Safe Underground by forget_me_nots [Words: 25k | Chapters: 5/5 | M (Violence, Main Character Death)]

This one is a hidden gem, severely underrated, criminally low exposure. It is an AU based on the videogame Lobotomy Corporation (that I actually had no knowledge of, but you don’t need to know it to enjoy the fic at all). Horror, gore and panic with close to zero comfort, grief of death and living nightmares. The style of writing is extremely skillful, with meaningful repeating motifs and metaphors. All of the characters are incredibly well-written and the growing friendship between our main duo in circumstances of utter tragedy is as enjoyable to read as ever. Pay attention to the coffee.

Moonlit Resurrection by june_berry [Words: 143k | Chapters: 16/? | E (Violence, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat)]

And while we’re on the theme of madness! I need to take a deep breath for this one. Incredibly depressing story on existentialism, trauma and self-destruction, told by poetic writing like no other. To quote the author: “Atsushi is hit by an ability that sends him spiraling. Forced to confront his traumatic past or die in two weeks, Atsushi begrudgingly teams up with the man he hasn’t seen in years: Akutagawa Ryuunosuke.” The highlight of this fic is honestly the narration style itself, it delves deep into Atsushi’s and Akutagawa’s minds and perfectly encapsulates their own deteriorating psyche. Deeply introspective. This was, strangely enough and despite the lack of comfort, a healing experience for me, basically a "Hey you see what happens to Atsushi when he got depressed, maybe don't do that." Worked wonders, truly. But be careful if you’re not in a good state of mind because it may have the opposite effect. Also cannot forget to give fair credit to @the-bengali-diva for incidentally introducing me to this one, they’ve even made paintings for the fic! Thank you truly, I would have never found this masterpiece alone!

Of Monsters and Men by Mississippi_moon [Words: 32k | Chapters: 18/18 | T]

On a brighter note! Mercenary Akutagawa failing to assassinate Atsushi, the Prince of Yokohama (and of course slowly falls in love with him instead). Made me smile and laugh and clutch my chest so many times, I just couldn’t put it down [also kindly named my google docs analysis for this “the royal dopamine injection*, i hope that says something on its own]. Very good humor mixed with equally good torture and suffering (and fluff and comfort!). The progression of sskk’s relationship is fantastic. Oh and Atsushi is a badass, that’s very important, long live Boldsushi.

Ma meilleure ennemie by @falloutjuli [Words: 13k | Chapters: 1/1 | M]

I swear I keep stumbling upon this author by accident without realizing I know them and I keep being blown away by their work. If the Arcane reference title is not enough for you, this is a little story about Aku and Atsu being thrown into an unforeseen Parisian vacation, where they dance and get that 'oh, oh' moment. Absolutely perfectly in-character dialogue, with many funny and even more heartfelt moments, all spiced up with the classic sskk banter.

So let us stop talkin' falsely now, The hour's getting late by FallOutJuli (again) [Words: 17k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

This story made me so happy, an instant fix for a bad day at work that I still remember and am grateful for. Slow burn 1920s AU with reporter Atsushi and singer Akutagawa, great banter and even greater collaboration between those two, gradually growing closer and learning they can trust and be good for each other, both finding a muse in the other.

all is finally quiet by @aurorahrt [Words: 2.5k | Chapters: 1/1 | M]

“Did you,” Akutagawa breathes, gasping as Atsushi presses the palms of his hands into Akutagawa’s shoulders, “know you were going to live?” “No,” Atsushi whispers, leaning close, eyes sharp. “I had a feeling, but… no. Did-,” “No.”

There is simply no better collection of words to express my feelings than this quote. Please read this if you need something to soothe your heart after chapter 121.5, or just in general for an introspective character study focused on the ever so complicated relationship of sskk, flourished with beautifully written domestic fluff, anxieties and quiet comfort, soft kisses and even softer words of reassurance. I am almost tearing up again just writing this silly tiny review, those two have my heart and more.

And that’s a wrap, see you in another half year when I possibly sort through 100 fics more! All of the above mean a lot to me, so please check them out if anything from my passionate ramblings catches your eye. And go give the authors some love, they’re doing god’s work here <3