#I just like the idea of these immortal idiots going so utterly soft for little babies and adorable kids

[aspiringnexu]

Headcanon that Elves generally keep to themselves not through the aloofness brought about because of their immortality but because they are fucking helpless when it comes to mortal children.

Any mortal children. Man, Hobbit, Dwarf, any kid. Elflings are beloved for a reason but Elflings are still Elves at heart and do not possess the frankly worrying amounts of curiosity and determination that mortal children have and which gives them a certain aura of adorable that the Eldar cannot resist.

I know Elrond took Aragorn in because they took his mother in but I cannot help but think he also saw a tiny human and it clicked in his (admittedly half-Elven but it still counts) brain that this is an adorable baby and he needs doting on.

[littlemisspascal]

Death and an Angel part 3

Death!Din and Cupid F!Reader

Summary: You and Din have an unexpected heart-to-heart about what it means to be Death and a Cupid on route to a planet where Din’s potential soulmate lives.

Rating: G

Word Count: 1,500

Warnings: Pining, smidge of angst, more plot development, Razor Crest (RIP I miss you darling!), a made-up home world for the reader (yes, yes, there’s like a million I could have picked but my brain said NOPE)

Author Note: Ahhhh, the comments are so amazing from you all! Thank you everyone out there sparing time to check out my little universe, it makes me sooo happy you have no idea! As always, I hope you enjoy this new segment as I try to plot this story out and get these two idiots to acknowledge there just might be something between them. 

Also special thanks to @codenamewitcher​​ for including the first two parts on Weekly Fanfic Recs. Be sure to go check out the list for a whole bunch of fantastic stories!

Links to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4

Photo Inspiration: (What I imagine is beneath the armor in this scene...*dreamy sigh*)

There is a distinct silence that can only be found in hyperspace when the stars outside resemble sparkling streaks of silver tinsel and your breath is trapped within your lungs as you’re awestruck by the sheer beauty of it all. You experience this silence aboard the Razor Crest, sitting in the cockpit behind Din as he pilots his beloved gunship. It isn’t the first time you’ve been a passenger, having traveled with Din on two previous ventures where your Cupid services were required on planets far away from your home on Umbriel.

Off-world assignments for you were generally rare since your bosses were more inclined to choose Cupids of higher ranking to handle those clients, but sometimes you were the only available option left. Which, come to think of it, is exactly how you became the one roped into meeting with Death every full moon. Your bosses decided someone needed to check up on him to make sure he wasn’t reaping anyone before their fated time and thus messing with the natural order of things. You privately have reached the conclusion it was a decision made during a fit of paranoia as you had yet to find any evidence suggesting Din ever broke a single one of the universe’s rules, let alone even considered the mere possibility.

When you did travel for assignments, you never stopped feeling like a goldfish being dumped out of your familiar little bowl and into a massive ocean full of strange oddities. You would often find yourself wasting time trying to successfully navigate the unknown world when you should have been focused on tracking down your client’s soulmate.

That’s why Din had offered to start traveling with you. Actually, in his own words it was because, “You think about love so much you don’t see trouble until it’s an inch in front of you. Someone’s got to be there to look after you.”

You’d tried to argue, told him you had never experienced trouble and that if you did then you could handle it with your bow. All Cupid’s were required to master archery for self-defense purposes, though Din’s responding snort of derision made you suspect he wasn’t convinced of your skills. You wondered if he thought, just as humans incorrectly did, a Cupid only used their bow to spread love and lust. Or maybe he just thought you weren’t capable of such finesse. It was an insulting assumption, fueling you with the burning desire to prove him wrong. One day, you keep telling yourself, a repetitive chant. One day you’ll show him just how capable you are with your weapon and you imagine his look of shock, whether worn openly on his face or hidden beneath the visor of his helmet, will be utterly priceless.

But in the meantime, you’re in no hurry to encounter trouble. Finding enjoyment in taking these trips with him on his ship instead.

The Razor Crest had actually been a complete surprise to you when Din first welcomed you on it; primarily because the notion of him using such a primitive form of transportation despite the powers he possessed as Death was too outrageous to wrap your head around. However, it took less than ten minutes soaring through space for you to discover just how many details of the universe you were missing by relying on your Cupid abilities to teleport yourself between locations. Never would you have imagined Death to be the one to teach you to love the slowness of travel, to let your eyes linger on all the beautiful wonders along the way. But that’s exactly what happened.

You turn your head away from the window to look at Din. From your angle, all you glimpse is the back of his helmet, reflecting the passing starlight. Soon you’ll be introducing Din to the first immortal on your list of potential soulmates.

Death, you quickly correct yourself. He’s only Din when he’s around you.

You initially thought he elected to wear his armor because you told him he could to ease his comfort, but now you think it’s because this is him meeting his potential soulmate as himself. It is easy to forget sometimes this is the image of Death—a warrior enshrouded in beskar, cunning and ruthless—that is recognized throughout the universe. And feared.

If the handsome face he concealed was known instead, you wonder if mortals would readily choose to embrace the ending of their lifetime, rather than foolishly seek to run from its inevitability.

“What is it?” Din’s baritone voice startles you as it shatters the quietness. The modulator within his helmet gives his tone a low raspiness that never fails to send a chill down your spine when you hear it.

“Huh?” You respond ineloquently.

“You’ve been staring at the back of my head for the last five minutes, angel. I figured you had something worth saying.”

“Oh, no. I was just thinking about you.”

Immediately you wish a meteor would collide with the ship, providing you with the necessary distraction to escape and find somewhere you can hide until the end of time.

“...What about me were you thinking?” Din wonders after a solid thirty seconds of pure silence, voice somehow conveying an equally blended mixture of intrigue and wariness. He flips on the ship’s autopilot and turns in his seat to pin you with his gaze, apparently unwilling to let you try and weasel yourself out of the conversation.

You roll the question around in your mind, wanting to give an answer that satisfies him without it also embarrassing yourself further.

“I was thinking how much of an enigma you are,” you murmur at last, leaning back in the chair with your arms crossing over your stomach. “You wield such incredible powers and yet you choose to wear a human face, to call this man-made ship your home and to also spend your spare time living amongst those you will eventually reap. Why are these your choices?”

He tilts his head, and you just know there is a little crease of bewilderment appearing between his eyebrows right now even if you can’t see it. For as much as he is a puzzle you can’t put together, he is also at times an open book that you will never tire of reading.

“I would think you, more than most beings, would understand the discomfort that stems from loneliness and the lengths one will go to ease it,” he says, not unkindly. He mirrors your position, maneuvering himself until he’s comfortable in his seat and totally oblivious to the dilating of your pupils as you observe every subtle shift of his armor-clad body. “Isn’t that the true purpose of Cupids? To spare individuals the ache of living a life of solitude by introducing them to someone to love so they no longer feel it.”

“That’s a poetic way of putting it,” you answer, smiling softly and shrugging your shoulders. “My superiors would just quote our mantra back at me when I used to ask. Amor vincit omnia.”

“Love conquers all.”

You shouldn’t be surprised he’s able to translate such an ancient and obscure language, but your eyes widen regardless. “That’s right.”

His voice is unusually soft when he asks, “Do you like being a Cupid?”

You stare at him, caught off guard by how easily he’s changed the topic of the conversation from himself to you. You’re used to taking orders and being thanked for your services, but no one has ever asked you if you liked doing any of it.

“I’m good at it,” you finally say, even though it’s not really an answer.

He nods his head still, as if he understands. A part of you thinks he actually does.

You lick your lips, eyeing him hesitantly. “Do you...like being Death?”

“I’m good at it,” he echoes, but your words sound somber coming from his lips.

The cockpit fills with hushed silence again, but there’s a unique tenderness unlike ever before. Minutes seem to stretch on for entire seasons as you watch one another, content to simply coexist and revel in each other’s presences.

It would be so easy to slip off his helmet and kiss him right now.

You stiffen, stunned at your own thought, but you aren’t given the chance to analyze it further as an alarm on the ship’s control panel announces with a resounding beep you’ve reached your destination.

Din spins in his seat, reclaiming control of the steering to begin the ship’s landing process. You look out the front window at the large green-blue planet drawing nearer with every anxious tick of your heartbeat.

“We’re here,” you say needlessly, forcing excitement into your voice. Fake it till you make it, isn’t that the human expression?

“Who is it we’re meeting on this backwater skug hole?” Din asks, pressing a series of buttons above his head.

You kick the back of his seat. “Be nice,” you scold when he shoots you a look. He mutters something unintelligible under his breath as he turns back around, prompting you to roll your eyes. “She’s a goddess of springtime and motherhood. The locals call her Omera.”

Tag List: @leilei-draws​, @theocatkov​, @becauseican2, @vintagesaph​, @stardust-and-starlight​, @kay2304, @odelia-d32, @adrieunor​, @remmyswritings​, @gallowsjoker​, @rhiannon-russo​, @randomness501​, @eleine-t1d​, @nicotinebirds, @sylphene​, @softly-sad​, @maytheglitter​, @melobee​

[fae-fucker]

Zenith: Chapter 76-79

Chapter 76

Andi has a nice little poetic nightmare. It’s irrelevant. The next morning has the girls preparing for the ball, complete with dresses and makeup.

Some things to note include Lira saying that in Adhiran religion (which is global, I guess), one has to mourn for three days before “letting” the souls of the dead pass on into ... everything.

Andi tries to say that it’ll take time to heal from it all, but Lira is having none of it.

“It will take time to move past what happened on Adhira,” Andi started, but Lira held up a hand.

“My three days of mourning have passed. Lon’s and my aunt’s, too. Now we, and the others who lost loved ones during the attack, must give the lost spirits to the stars, to the trees, to the wind.”

Which basically means that she’s done feeling bad about the unexpected and brutal attack on her home planet, so that’s convenient. Well, if one of our main characters doesn’t care about her people getting senselessly murdered, then why should we?

She also lets us know that her aunt has fixed up the Marauder and brought it here, because of course. Lira wants to arrange for Lon to be transferred to the Marauder, and though she has a logical reason for it (taking him home personally), it’s only a setup so we know why he’s on there at the end of the book when Andi’s bleeding out and needs a universal donor.

Spoilers, I guess.

Andi’s mother, Glorya, intercepts Andi as she tries to leave her crew to their makeover montages, just so we can move into a scene where her mom is brushing her hair and babbling on about gossip and vapid high society stuff.

But Andi, of course, gets lost in a flashback that’s so amateurishly written it’s honestly embarrassing and only highlights Shinsay’s helpless reliance on flashbacks as a storytelling device.

Observe:

Her words faded away as memories took their place. Andi lost herself to them.

The whole flashback is written in italics for some inexplicable reason, even though it would’ve been fine as just regular text since we’re clearly told what’s happening now and what’s a memory.

Also, there’s one bit where the memory “fast-forwards” to a different one. Shinsay, this isn’t a fucking movie. This isn’t a screenplay. What the fuck are you DOING.

The flashback and the mother’s inane babbling are all there to illustrate how vapid and brainless Glorya is and how she only ever cared about her status and not about her kid. Glorya pretends that everything is back to the way it was but Andi curses her out for abandoning her when she needed them most and how “the way it was” was actually always shit.

I mean it’s fine. It’s all right. I see what they’re going for, it’s melodramatic as all fuck but it works for what they’re trying to do? I can see this as being a realistic way for an emotionally neglectful family to look like. I wish it was more nuanced and wasn’t just shoe-horned in here (Glorya doesn’t show up before or after this bit, this is the only time she’s ever present or even mentioned in this book in any meaningful capacity) for the sake of making Andi’s friends look better and for her to not have anything that anchors her to Arcardius, but like, I won’t say this isn’t realistic.

And then Shinsay can’t stop themselves and it’s back to silly time:

“Really, Androma...” 

[...]

“That is not my name,” Andi whispered. She allowed the darkness to come up into her voice, the mask of shadow and steel to sweep across her face. “My name is the Bloody Baroness. And if you or Commander Racella ever so much as utter a single word toward me or my crew again, I will personally strip the skin from your body and wave it like a flag from my starship.”

Glorya let out a soft squeak. Andi snarled with all of her teeth.

Guys I can’t breathe this is too fucking funny. And not in a good “woo vindication!” sort of way, but in a “they really put this right after an emotional confrontation about parental emotional neglect/abuse huh?” way. They really thought this was ... badass? Revenge? Andi, sweetie, you’re, like, traumatized? Presumably? I can’t really tell. But maybe get some therapy?

Do Shinsay think this is somehow a win and that Andi’s threat means she’s fully released from the hurt and pain her parents have caused her through their neglect? It’s honestly written as if Andi just confronted her mother and her own hopes of coming back to her family in this one short scene, and then upon realizing her parents never loved her, she scares her mom a little and then is all smug and satisfied at the end.

That ain’t how it works, darlings.

Then the annoying Marketable Space Pet runs in and starts biting Glorya’s toes and she runs away shrieking like a defeated Disney villain.

Way to undercut your own drama, Shinsay.

The chapter ends with Andi thinking about how her crew is her True Family for the bajillionth time. Because we’re all idiots and Shinsay wants us to remember that.

Chapter 77

It’s the evening of the ball and Andi thinks about how she missed Bavista, which is apparently your generic coming-of-age ball held at Arcardius for every 16-year-old. I’m guessing it’s a yearly thing? The book never clarifies. Not sure why the fuck it’s here tbh.

Actually, it’s a pretty good demonstration of how the worldbuilding in this book is presented so here, have at thee:

She could still remember seeing the otherworldly dresses and suits float by her on the feeds as she watched the girls and boys glide into the A’Vianna House in the Glass Sector. They seemed light as air, full of pride, bursting at the seams with excitement. Once inside, they would be greeted by members of the Priest Guild, who would award each young person three items.

The first was a vial of water from the Northern Ocean, symbolizing strength. For growth, they accepted a single leaf from the oldest tree on Arcardius, known as The Mother, which was said to have been planted when the Ancients first arrived. Lastly, they were given a single floating pebble, no larger than a child’s fingernail, chiseled from the very gravarock where the Cortas estate was. It represented the wisdom of rising above.

Is this relevant to anything? Does this help you understand this world or its inhabitants? Does it tell you anything of the culture of Arcardius or its youth and what’s expected of them? No? It’s just a really generic list of things thrown together using Mystical Proper Nouns as glue? Weeell heeell.

Also what does “it represented the wisdom of rising above” mean? This is utterly generic and means fuck-all, that’s what.

Anyway, Andi’s admiring herself in the mirror. Her dress is very sexy, trust me, I can’t be bothered to include it so just imagine your favorite My Immortal outfit description. It does include sword holsters at the back, which are Andi’s favorite part, because she’s a strong independent woman who don’t need no man. She never actually uses them or brings the swords to the ball so ... Idk what the point of this was.

We also get some shit about how Andi actually LOVES dresses and being pretty but she never admitted it to anyone. But don’t you worry, this badass space criminal LOVES all things girly, because that’s feminism! Can someone check in on Shinsay? I’m not sure they’re getting enough air with their heads so far up Sarah J Maas’ asshole.

Admitting to herself that she looked pretty was something Andi kept private. She didn’t want to give her crew the satisfaction of knowing her true thoughts about fashion. How even though she was a fierce, hardened criminal, she could still appreciate the joy of a beautiful, impractical ball gown.

Huh. And here I thought they were your family. That’s weird that you’d keep this information from them, especially considering all of them seemed pretty excited to be prettied up in the last chapter. I guess they’d really just haaate the idea of sharing this joy with their captain, huh? Why aren’t you admitting this to them, Andi?

You’re saying shit about how “even though” you’re a hardened criminal, you can “still” appreciate beautiful gowns, like those two are somehow contradictory. Are you, mayhaps, ashamed of having this traditionally girly interest? Hmm! Interesting. Why could that be, I wonder? Why would having traditionally feminine interests or even caring about one’s appearance be seen as something inherently shameful or embarrassing, as inherently contradictory to being fierce and “hardened?”

This is all just so *clenches fist* feminist.

Forreal though, somehow Shinsay managed to take their entire made up GALAXY and make it subtly and not-so-subtly sexist. Good job, morons. Really girlbossed that one, huh?

The only bit I like about this whole mess is this:

The dressmaker had also accented her gown with a sparkling necklace full of jewels that Andi didn’t plan on giving back.

This is the one and only space pirate-y thing Andi does -- sorry, considers doing -- in the whole book and honestly could’ve been used to build her character more, but it’s just a one-off joke here. Wasted.

Valen comes to fetch her and we get some subtle foreshadowing.

“Valen the Resurrected.”

He stopped to look at her, brows raised. “What?”

She shrugged. “It’s what the press is calling you in all the feeds.” Valen let out a deep chuckle.

[...]

“Something tells me things are about to change for the better,” he said. “I’m ready to see it all happen.”

Andi wondered what he would do now that he was home with a whole planet at his disposal.

He deserved to have some fun.

Is it bad that I’m rooting for Valen to destroy everything? And this isn’t my villain-fucker coming out, I just want this poor bastard to absolutely annihilate Andi and her gang of acolytes.

Chapter 78

Andi and Valen arrive at the ball. It’s all very pretty and space-y and aesthetic. There’s a bunch of aliens everywhere. Andi sees a woman with funky eyes and assumes it’s a body mod, because I guess she knows the genetic characteristics of every species by heart and can tell when something is real or not.

An old classmate of theirs comes up to talk to Valen and congratulate him on being alive, then Andi reminds him of who she is just to be a smug asshole and the guy fucks off in a panic. She’s just so cool and badass, you guys.

Then it’s time for Valen and Andi to dance, and of course General Cortas looks like he’s about to lose his marbles because these darn kids! >:(

The chapter ends on Andi noticing Dex pouting in the distance.

“Relax,” Andi whispered. “Let’s give them something to talk about.”

She flashed him a wicked grin as the music began.

And as Valen spun her into the first move of the dance, Andi saw Dex standing on the fringes of the crowd, an expression of longing clear on his face.

Chapter 79

This chapter is exactly 298 words of Dex moping around about how he’s actually not over Andi at all when he thought he’d done such a good job of repressing his feelings, and how he should be the one dancing with Andi instead of Valen. If you’re surprised, you’re clinically dead.

[gildedmuse]

So... I have this bad habit where sometimes, when attempting to summarize the idea for a fic, I go into waaay too much detail.

Like, I don't go as far as to actually wrote the damn thing because, you know, effort and laziness, but... Well, it's a close call. It gets to the point where it's less a summary and more what my friends use to call a Quick Fic. All that's .kissing is the actual dialogue and descriptive narration.

Having said that....

Here is a "summary" of an ZoLaw AU where Law works for Doflamingo...

What happened was, basically, Law got caught by Doflamingo after eating the devil's fruit which eventually allowed him to cure his dieses, thus why he's still alive. Or, at least, isn't dead from lead poisoning. Because let's face it, Doflamingo could have just killed the boy then and there. Sure, he'd have to find the fruit all over again, but better that the deal with this little traitor

Except really it was his brother who had been the traitor. Law is still just a child, and children can be so suspectable to any number of ideas so long as an adult gives them a pat on the head and a treat after.

Which is when Doflamingo realizes that he can just manipulate Law into being another loyal follower. Then eventually - when he's no longer useful - Doffy will have him sacrifice his life for his own immortality. By that point Law will be family, and family never lets Doffy down. Not anymore.

So it's under Doffy's personal tutorage that Law grows up, and as much as he might resit the man who imprisoned Corazon, it's hard not to eventually fall to all Doflamingo's sweet praise and promised. And Law gets what he had wanted all along: a way to get back at the world that willingly watched his home wiped off the official world map and would be happy to see the entire town dead to the very last one. This Law truly earns his title Surgeon of Death, acting as the top officer of Hearts in the Doflamingo crime family. And yet despite his cruelty, he isn't even on the government's wanted list; protected under the Shichibukai's jolly roger.

In the meantime, the Strawhats are still doing their thing right on through Punk Hazard (which they somehow manage to not only live through but actually do more damage and cause twice as much chaos. The biggest difference is that Ceaser and Monet escape and Sanji can't perv out over being in Nami's body). So this time when they roll into Dressrosa it's less "backing up the plan of an ally" and much more "on complete and total accident" and "without a damn clue".

Yeah, basically they're the Grand Line's easiest prey.

But, hey, it works out! Well, no, not really. But Sanji does meet Violet, Luffy meet Sabo and help recover Ace's devil's fruit, and Zoro does get lost and require a magic fairy guide. Plus, hey, since they're not really there for any purpose other than that they happened to be passing by, it's not like they can't pull a dine and dash. They may be unprepared, but The Monster Trio can still keep up the fight until everyone is back on the Sunny.

A perfect escape!

Except no.

Because Luffy isn't totally ready to leave, not when he wants to know more about what Sabo is doing and help his new friend Rebecca. Not that they have time to debate the merits of staying or pulling a tactical retreat since at that poing Big Momma is on their ass. And that scary dude in the long black coat is still somehow following them, teleporting himself through the fucking air like wtf why is this happening now!? Nami is forced to make an executive decision: they're can't stay. Also, oh God oh God they're trapped and they're going to be killed and oh God.

It's moments like these you're almost thankful one of your crew members is a total maniac. Because in the middle of all this mess, Zoro just smirks, tells Nami to just concentrate on getting away from that annoying ass ship, he's got their other attacker covered. Which only makes everyone freaks out MORE because what is Zoro thinking: he'll be killed! ("Not immediately, of course. First they'll likely torture him for information, perhaps even kill him as slowly as possible." / "What? Why would you say that? That is not SUPER helpful to hear right then!") The Sunny goes into an all out panic attack. Everyone is yelling or crying or both.

Except Luffy.

Luffy who looks at Zoro, at the singing ship, at the dark power user trying to slash their ship apart, at the shore line of this island and the way it radiates a fake happiness covering Rebecca's very real pain. Luffy who just lowers his hat over his eyes and gives the nod.

Zoro smiles, and is immediately almost clobbered by a giant Chopper. What is Luffy saying? Don't they realize that is the same guy who almost took down Sanji, Zoro AND Luffy only moments ago? Zoro can't fight him alone! Sanji, more calm than the rest, lights a cigarette while explaining that he's not trying to stop Zoro from getting himself killed or anything, but Chopper is right. That guy was incredibly tough, and there's no way Zoro can do it alone ("Shut up dartbrow! You don't know what the hell you're talking about! I could take him down with just the two swords! With one hand behind my back!" / "He already kicked your ass once, Marimo! Or have you forgotten because of all the head trauma!?" / "The only reason he kicked OUR asses is because YOU kept getting in my way you damn weak-ass cook!" / "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, IDIOT MARIMO!?") Franky tries to regulate the fight but he's busy blocking those deadly aimed slashes from hitting his poor ship while Brook and Kin'emon work on stopping the incoming cannon balls. Either way they're going to have to do something SUPER fast if they want to get out of here. Yeah, Luffy, we need an actual plan. We can't just send Zoro out to-

"Zoro", Luffy says and despite everything going on around them the deck of the Sunny goes really quiet. They all know that tone. "Zoro, I need you to take care of this until we can get back. I still need to kick Mingo's ass for a friend."

At the sound of his captain's no nonsense voice, Zoro is suddenly easily able to stand, shrugging off the pile of people trying to stop him from jumping to his death (and by pile of people I do mean the coward trio and Sanji, who is mostly just trying to get in a few kicks). He draws Wado, clutching the katana in his teeth and yet still somehow manages what you know is a smirk. It's a promise.

And like that, Zoro is launching himself right into the blue sphere of the battle.

A battle against one of Doflamingo's top officers. A devil's fruit user with a twisted heart and home field advantage. Needless to say, it does not end well for our hero.

—🧡—

Although, Law has to give his rival swordsman some credit. He has his share of fun toying with the boy, and despite never standing any real chance of victory Law can admit the strawhat pirate puts up a better fight than most. Far better than Law had been expecting from some one so new to the New World (supposedly he got Mihawk to agree to train him, but Law has met the Hawk Eye and finds the idea utterly absurd). Then there is the way his smile had just an edge of what Law could only call manical delight, even when it became clear he'd long lost. This greenhaired kid really is stupid enough to believe his captain will come back for him. As though he would come charging back into Doflamingo's territory a second time just to retrieve a single crew member. One who was not only crazy enough to sacrifice himself but couldn't even win the fight. At the same time the swordman's loyalty and faith - as misplaced as it is - is kind of... Adorable. Who knew someone could come so far on the Grand Line and still be so innocent?

Law immediately wants to corrupt it.

Thes other family members will whine tell you, Doffy has always had... Let's say... A "soft spot" for Law. He's spoiled that brat for years, is what they mean but don't dare to say. Sure enough, Law barely has to work to talk Doffy around to letting him personally see to the prisoner's arrangements. Doflamingo is a little suspecious at first (he can never truly trust Law, not after the Corazon incident), but he quickly dismisses it. He's had the Heart Officer's loyalty for years now.

Of course, when he sees the spark of interest light in his apprentice as they eye their newest spoils of war, he can't help but tease Law. After all, Zoro is quite an enticing young man and Law isn't the only one there who likes pretty things. They're so fun to destroy which - judging from the way Law shivers when Doffy runs a hand through thick green hair before yanking the boys head back against the wall hard enough to leave the young captive panting and dizzy - is precisely his protege's plan.

(Doflamingo also happens to know Zoro almost definitely had trained under Mihawk, and he would love to see his fellow warlord's eyes flash with barely contained anger when he learns how Doflamingo has broken his favorite toy. It's not his fault - Mihawk is always so uptight and repressed, it makes agonizing him too much fun for Doflamingo to resist.)

In the end, though, he knows when Law's determination is set. And for whatever reason the boy has decided he absolutely has to be the one to keep their guest "comfortable" while his captain makes up his mind on what he'll do. So Doflamingo only teases for a bit - touches a little, plays with the barely conscious boy kneeling at his feet, enjoys the way Zoro still has enough spirit left to try taking bite when Doffy's fingers trail to close to his bloody lips (oh, and, what a joy! Law nearly growls at the prospect of not being the one to ruin the boy!) - but eventually he stops his little game. He gives in, telling Law to have fun with his treasure. He is the one who took him down after all. It is only fair he keeps him.

Just try not to completely break the poor thing, not until Strawhat returns for him.

Law snorts at the very idea. This is hardly the first time they'd done this. He's never seen a single captain try and retrieve their stolen property (he has of course, but he doesn't remember them). He doesn't see why Strawhat-ya would be particularly special.

Before Doflamingo can come up with a clever, vague answer about Law trusting him, Zoro suddenly gives a bark of laughter that would have scared lesser men senseless. It only serves to draw the two men's interest back to their little pet.

Luffy won't come back for him, Zoro confirms, much to Law's surprise (he personally never thought Strawhat-ya would, but then why would the swordsman sacrifice himself so willingly for a man he has so little faith in?) and has Doflamingo raising an eyebrow in.... Interest. Zoro looks at both of them with no fear, like he hadn't taken a humiliating defeat and is even now bloody and chained up, helplessly listening in on these two infamous pirates talk about him like he is a mere object. Actually, if anything, he appears to be wearing a smirk under all that blood. Because he knows something they don't.

Luffy won't come back for him, because his captain knows Zoro doesn't need to be rescued.

To Law, this makes Zoro look like an even sweeter treat. Doflamingo is simply amused, remarking that perhaps their little pup has yet to realize the leash around his neck is shaped like a noose.

Zoro meets his gaze, steady yet daring. He promised Luffy that he'd take care of it, and so that is what he will do. He'll never go back on his word, especially when it comes to his captain. Something Doflamingo with his distrusting and fear-toed crew couldn't understand. So see, their plan to use Zoro as bait will never work, because Zoro swore to Luffy that he'd be take care of it. So he will. Luffy has enough faith in Zoro that he'd never believe anything less and would never turn around out of doing to try and mount a rescue.

No, when Luffy comes back it will be for the sole purpose of kicking Doflamingo's ass.

The mood darkens. In a flash, Doflamingo is in back in front of him, yanking Zoro forward by the chin. He squeezes hard enough to bruise. You can hear the cracking of bone as he explains to Zoro exactly how precarious his current position is only to grow second by second more frustrate by Zoro's completely lack of fear. So he squeezes harder. He slams the boys head back into the wall and starts smiling when he gets a since from the stoic swordsman.

Before he can do any real damage Law steps in, reminding Doffy that he promised him he could have the boy. And just like that, Doflamingo's whole mood appears to shift back to calm. He puts on his fake smile and let's Zoro go, even pets the boy's hair. Of course, he had promised. And he, too, is a man of his word. Something Zoro will surely learn in time now that he is one of them.

Zoro, now with blurred vision and the taste of fresh blood on his tongue, is smart enough not to answer. But not smart enough to lower his head or try and appear humbled. Lucky for him, Doflamingo decides the boy isn't worth it. When he turns around he notes the hungry way Law is eyeing the kneeling prisoner behind him. Which brings a crueller, yet more genuine, smile to Doffy's featurss. The Strawhats vice captain may act invincible now, but he's never faced Doflamingo's own Surgeon Of Death. As disinterested and put off as Law might usually act, the boy can be dangerously twisted. He's sure his top officer will break the young pirate down bit by bit - both literally and figuratively - long before his captain can come running back in to try and find him (and Doflamingo is sure Strawhat will, no matter what Zoro might think).

He leaves with one last reminder to Law not to completely shatter the infamous Pirate Hunter. No, Doffy would hate to see their newest family member treated so poorly, especially seeing as he has much bigger plans in store for the young Mr. Roronoa. Specifically, he wants to see the face of Monkey D Luffy when he watches as the last bit of his first mate's spirit broken.

And because Doffy practically raised the boy and knows exactly the right buttons to push, he decides to give Law a little extra motivation to bring Zoro to that point. Just in case that interest turns into something dangerous like longing or - laughable as it is - actual fondness. It's so simple, too: as he walks by he simply whispers how there is nothing like crushing the heart of unrequited love.

It will be such a treat, tearing Zoro from his captain, and watching Luffy realize he's lost his chance to love the other man, wouldn't it Law? What a truly tragic romance. It almost makes you hope the two of them at least had some time together. Law didn't happen to give them a moment along before forcing Zoro to throw himself into the fight, hmm? Just a small, precious second or so for the two to share a final kiss. After all, not even Doffy is so cruel as to deny the poor boys such a tender moment.

Sure enough, Law's eyes immediately narrow and Doflamingo can feel the jealousy rolling off him. Not because Law gives a damn for their prisoner's feelings - Doflamingo raised him better than that - but he always has had a possessive streak. Having taken an interest in the swordsman, he will hate the thought that the boy might even think of another or that Law won't be the first to possess him in ever possible way.

Doffy leaves with a cruel, deep laugh. He can't wait until dinner, when he may just happen to remember the rumours about his "friend" Mihawk and his taking a young green-haired boy under this wing and in to his bed. By tomorrow he suspects every part of Zoro's body will bare at least some mark that he now firmly belongs to no one but Trafalgar Law.

[uursaminors]

you’ll look good (in between my sheets)

prompt: person A and person B meet at a bar, each nursing a broken heart after a recent breakup. bonus for a selfie and smut. 

word count: 3,654 (*aaron burr voice* sweet jesus)

pairing: daveed diggs x reader

warnings: smut, daveed “i can charm the skirts off a nun” diggs, “okay so we’re doing this” reader. 

a/n: when i die, delete this so daveed never finds this sin. 

So here's the thing, Your boyfriend Peter (Captain Dickhead, your friends would call him) called you this afternoon and so sweetly said "Hey babe, it's not gonna work out anymore! I found a sugar momma to pay my way through life so bye, it's been real" (Those weren't his exact words but that pretty much covers it)

So here you are, sulking and painfully single at a bar, drowning your sorrows in your fifth gin and tonic.

To add insult to the injury, not a single guy had approached you. You must be emitting the "I'm getting drunk because I'm miserable and self destructive and I have no self control" vibes.

You lay your head down on the bar, pressing your flushed cheek against the cool wood and trace the rim of your glass with a lazy finger.

The song on the radio changes to one of those stupid cheesy 80s love songs, you screw your eyes shut and let out a soft groan, "Nooo, I hate this song"

"Why?" A voice startles you, you peek up under long lashes to see a man sitting next to you, nursing tequila.

Wow.

Seriously wow.

He was super, stupidly attractive. Like the type of attractive that made you stop in your tracks and stare, the type of attractive that you can't help but secretly marvel at.

"Uh...um...what?" You mentally face palm, really smooth, You're practically a master of seduction.

"This song" He waves a hand, "Why do you hate it?"

You lift up, tucking your hair behind your ears and then turn to him, "I hate it because it's a love song"

"You have something against love?" He asks, quirking an inquisitive brow

"Actually I do" You reply, picking at a scratch in the wood.

He considers it for a moment before nodding, "I guess I do to"

"Really?" You reply, sending him a sidelong glance, "Why?"

"Because me and my girlfriend broke up"

"What?" You're in disbelief, "Same! But it was me and my boyfriend, not to say I couldn't have a girlfriend, that's not my orientation but of course there's nothing about that, I'm 100% for equal rights for the lgbt community and---

He laughs, it was a deep throaty sound that sends warm fuzzy feelings through your bones, "Darling, you are rambling"

"Oh" You flush deep scarlet, "That happens when I'm buzzed"

"Interesting" He comments before taking a swig of his drink, "Why did you and your boyfriend break up?"

"He found a sugar momma" You answer with a heavy sigh

He blinks in confusion and shakes his head, "Excuse me, what?"

"I know" You groan, "It's horrible! Embarrassing! My boyfriend traded me in for a granny with a fat bank account"

He laughs, you find yourself perking up, "What about you? Why are you single?"

"Let's say...different values" He replies with a wry smile

"Vague" You nod

"I don't want to talk about her" He leans in and brushes a stray eyelash from your cheek, You feel warmth bloom at the brush of his thumb against your skin, "I wanna talk about you"

                                                          . . .

Daveed, to put it lightly, was completely enamored by the beautiful spit-fire sitting next to him, he found himself admiring the shape of your waist and the length if your legs more than once.

You throw your head back a laugh, eyes shimmering with an ocean of stars, "You're playing me"

"I'm not" Daveed swears, raising his hand, "Scout's honor"

"How lame" You tease poking your tongue out at him

"So you're really a broadway star huh?" You say with a grin, tapping your fingernails against the countertop 

"I am" He insists, "I star in Hamilton, how have you never heard of it before? You live in New York"

"I know" You sigh wistfully, "I'm painfully uncultured"

"We can change that" Daveed says, "I'll get you a seat"

You raise a brow, "Oh no, I wouldn't be able to contain myself seeing your period garb"

"Really?"

"Yeah" You nod, "Mr. Darcy was absolutely my one true love for the longest time"

"How can I compete with Mr. Darcy?" Daveed wonders aloud

"You could dance with me" You reply, feeling brave and breathless and bold, "It took Mr. Darcy ages to ask for a proper dance"

"Dancing" Daveed takes your hand, “Is something I happen to excel in” He leads you out to the dance floor, there wasn't anyone dancing (after all it was a Tuesday night and this wasn't exactly a dancing sort of bar) but there was something utterly enchanting about the way Daveed pull you in, settling his hands on your waist.

You begin to more or less sway to the 80s songs that didn't seem so bad anymore.

Dancing with Daveed was nice...more than nice actually. He was so tall and masculine, and the warmth that he naturally emitted made you lightheaded.

"Hey" You whisper

"What up?" He whispers back

"Take a selfie with me" You say

He breaks into a grin, "Who are you?"

"I'm [Y/N]" You reply, "and you're Daveed Diggs, broadway star extraordinaire, and you gonna take a selfie with me so this moment can forever be immortalized on instagram"

Daveed pauses to considers it for a moment

"And it will make our exes insanely jealous" You add

"You've convinced me" Daveed replies

You laugh and pull out your phone, you slip it into Daveed's hands, "You have longer arms than me"

He grins and opens the camera app, "What pose should we do? Duck face?"

You snort, "What are we? 8th grade girls?"

"I'll take that as a no" Daveed chuckles, "What do suggest then"

"Snapchat!" You exclaim excitedly, bouncing on your toes, "We can use the cute little dog filter!"

Daveed grins in slight exasperation before opening snapchat, he applied the filter to your faces and you giggle in delight, "We look so cute!"

Daveed rolls his eyes but smiles fondly and pulls you in, at this angle you are resting your head against his chest, a one-zillion watt smile tugging on your lips while Daveed has an arm wrapped snugly around your waist.

"Cheese!" You both say as Daveed takes the picture

"Wow" You say once Daveed hands your phone back, you look at the selfie with a drunken smile, "We are a catch, why would anyone dump us?"

Daveed shrugs, "Because we're too good for them obviously"

You laugh, "I'll drink to that!"

"No, no, no" Daveed shakes his head, "No more for you, you're already drunk as it is"

You pout and lean in, laying your palms flat against his chest (You are in slight awe of the hardness of his muscles beneath you fingertips) and say "Please Daveed"

                                                          . . .

"Please Daveed"

In three things that cross his mind:

1. This night that of innocent fun with [Y/N] had turned into something else entirely aka Daveed was doing the bad, bad thing by flirting with you.

2. The way you pressed against him, looking all too doable with your lips in an adorable pout and big doe eyes that were screaming "Kiss me Daveed!"

3. He had a hard on

Daveed looks down at you with hooded eyes and takes your hands in his, his thumb rubs small soothing circles against your knuckles, a wry smile teasing his lips.

"Baby girl, come home with me tonight"

                                                           . . .

Okay.

Holy fuck.

You consider options:

You could either come home a mess and watch the Notebook (Yes you were that cliché) on repeat while drowning yourself in copious amounts of double choco chunk ice cream.

or

You could home with a insanely attractive, insanely charming man with full kissable lips and dark eyes that screamed sex.

When was the last time you actually hooked up with a stranger?

Oh that's right.

Goddamn never.

But, You feel something akin to doubt stir within. No matter how much you actually enjoyed Daveed's company or found him unreasonably attractive, there was a part of you that feel insecure with the idea of sleeping with a stranger.

"Um" You look away, shoulders drawn tight with tension, "I have to go to t- the...the...bathroom"

The moment is all but lost.

A flicker of knowing disappointment shines in Daveed's dark eyes, he nods and forces a smile, "I'm going to grab a drink...or three"

You chuckle weakly before making a beeline for the bathroom, you lock the door behind you and place a hand on your forehead.

"I'm an idiot" You mutter, "Literally I am a walking trash can"

You stumble over to the mirror and steady yourself over the sink and look at your reflection and frown.

What are you scared of? You wonder aloud, You're not scared of Daveed nor of the thought of spending the night with him. So what was it?

You look down, focusing on the anything other than reflection in the mirror.

Or, your hands tighten against the smooth porcelain of the sink, maybe you were afraid of what would happen afterward.

You've never been brave enough to do the whole one night stand deal, no matter how many times your friends tried to hustle you into it.

You were afraid of waking up to a warm spot next to you, afraid of a lack of intimacy and vulnerability.

No, you shake your head, you shouldn't think like that. You deserve to have a night where you can lose any fears, any insecurities and just let go.

You primp your appearance, making sure a hair wasn't out of place and you makeup wasn't smeared.

You inhale deeply and point at the mirror,  “[Y/N] you are a strong, independent, glowing goddess and you are going to go out there and go home with Daveed Diggs goddammit"

You nod at your reflection and straighten you shoulders and you walk out of the restroom. You see Daveed sitting at the bar, nursing his drink and looking like a defeated puppy and there is no way that you are not going home with him tonight.

You stride over to him, determination clinging to your features. Daveed turns to face you, surprise lighting his face.

In one fluid motion, you take his face in your hands and kiss him.

Daveed instantly takes control of the kiss (hot) and wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you closer so that you were standing in between his legs. Daveed groans into your mouth, drawing your bottom lip in and sucking (super hot).

You separate after a moment, you heart running a mile a minute in your chest and you touch curious fingertips to your swollen lips and oh wow, you've never been kissed like that.

"Take me home" You find your voice as you run a thumb down Daveed's cheek, the hairs on his face tickling your skin.

He captures your hand and presses a kiss to your fingertips to your knuckles to the hollow of your wrist, his cool breath sending shivers dancing down your spine. He looks up at you through sooty long lashes and you feel something twist and rise inside you, making you feel all gooey, "C'mon then"

                                                           . . . 

You stand in the living room of Daveed's apartment and goddamn, he wasn't lying about being an broadway star (if the Grammy and Tony wasn't any indication, the niceness of his apartment was).

You immediate response was to peep around and look at all the pictures he had hanging on the wall and the vinyl he kept on display but you didn't want to seem rude.

"[Y/N]" You turn at the sound of your name to see Daveed approaching you, a grin teasing the corner of his lips, "You look suspicious just standing there like that"

"Oh" You toe the ground nervously, "Sorry"

Daveed grabs your hand, his eyes dark and he leads you into his bedroom. You swallow nervously, all bravery you felt at the bar vanished the moment you laid eyes on the bed.

"Daveed" You say suddenly, "I'm nervous"

You look down, preparing for him to be angry at you for being so hesitant but instead he tips your chin gently, forcing you to look up at him.

"Don't be scared" He replies softly, "If you feel uncomfortable or scared at anytime we can stop, I promise"

You nod silently, letting his gentle voice soothe your frazzled nerves. Daveed leans down and presses a kiss to your forehead, then a kiss to your cheek, and the corner of your mouth.

He pulls away for a moment, eyes searching your face before leaning down to capture your lips. His mouth was searing hot and soft against yours, he presses against you until you back up against the wall. One of his hands weave in your hair, and he gently tugs your head to the side to reveal the smooth expanse of your neck.

Daveed trails a hot string of kisses down your neck, his teeth nipping and tugging against your skin and you nearly jump at the press of his tongue against your skin.

He pulls down the strap of you dress and kisses the newly exposed skin there before his fingers find the hem of your dress and pull experimentally, "Can I take this off?"

You nod in consent and he pulls your dress off in one fell swoop, leaving you pressed against him only dressed in your bra and undies--and thank god you were wearing your favorite set from Victoria's Secret.

"Goddamn" Daveed whispers, his voice throaty and so incredibly sexy against the shell of your ear, "You are so beautiful"

You flush at the compliment, red blossoming on your cheeks and ears. Daveed smiles at that and grabs you, lifting you onto his bed.

You land on your bed with a soft oof as Daveed hovers above you with smirk on his face. He leans down and presses a kiss to the center of your chest while his hand gently cups your breast.

You let out a whimper, slightly squirming before Daveed lifts ups and looks down at you with a grin, "My, my aren't you eager?"

"Shut up" You pout

Daveed chuckles darkly, "I love it when you talk dirty"

He unclasps you bra and tosses the undergarment to the side, he groans at the sight of your naked breasts before leaning down to capture a nipple in his mouth. You gasp at the feel of wetness and moan as his tongue circles and sucks the rosy bud while he other hand gently kneads your other breast.

You lean your head back and moan as he trails a wet line from your chest, down your torso to the waistband of your panties.

You stomach coils in anticipation as he toys with the edge of your underwear, "God I want to taste you"

Your eyes grow wide and you whisper thickly, "N-no one has ever done that for me"

Daveed looks up, looking personally offended, "Excuse me?"

"No one has ever y'know, gone down on me" You say shyly

Daveed shakes his head and tsks, "I take personal offense to that [Y/N]"

He pulls down your panties, you're completely naked in front of his eyes now, "I'll take care of you now, baby girl"

Daveed spreads your legs and leans down to kiss to the juncture of your thigh, you bite down on your lip as he spreads your folds with inquisitive fingers and draws a line down your heated pink flesh with his tongue.

"O-oh my god" You cry out as his mouth finds you clit and fastens on your most sensitive area. Daveed slides two fingers into your slick entrance and works them in and out at a fast rhythm as he continues his sinful ministrations with his mouth.

Your fingers tangle in his thick curls, pressing him closer. Daveed moans hungrily against your sex as he teases your clit with his tongue, you feel your release stir and rise and rise and rise inside of you as he scissors his fingers in and out of you. He sucks on your clit one last time, burying his fingers inside of you and your body lifts as you come.

Daveed lifts up, chin wet and looking utterly and wholly pleased with himself. You place your hand against your chest and feel your racing heart.

"Daveed" You breath, voice hoarse, "C'mere"

He wipes his mouth with the back of his palm (Seriously this man was too hot for his own good) and hovers over you. You swallow thickly and run curious fingers underneath his shirt, "Take this off" You say, eager to touch more skin.

Daveed complies with a easy smile and sheds the shirt of effortlessly, revealing his toned chest. You rake your nails up the length of his abdomen, stopping to tease his mocha brown nipples with your mouth. You smile at the sound of his delicious moan echoing through the air as you move your mouth to teasingly bite at the juncture of his shoulder and neck.

You fingers fumble with his belt and the button of his jeans, but after a short moment your able to undo his jean and slide them down to reveal his straining hardness.

Your hand dips down past the waistband of his boxers and your fingers wrap around his length. Daveed bites back a groan and leans into you, pressing his head against the crook of your neck as you pump his member.

"Wanna be inside you" He slurs against your skin and you nod

"How do you want me?" You ask, thumb teasing the tip of his cock.

"On your hands and knees" Daveed says, you move into position, arching your back as you feel his hands on your ass.

Daveed lines the head of his cock with your entrances and without a moment of hesitation he enters you.

You keen at the fullness you feel once Daveed enters you, your fingers twist in his sheets as he begins to slowly pump in and out of you, drawing himself languidly before entering you again with an achingly hot laziness.

He is either teasing you (asshole) or thinks you're too soft to take him at a fast pace (seriously what an asshole!)

"Harder" You growl, "Goddammit Daveed, faster"

He stops all together and pulls out, causing you to whimper at the loss. That was the exact opposite what you wanted.

You turn with a pout to see Daveed looking down at you with a nefarious smirk.

"Beg" He says

"What!" You exclaim in surprise

"Tell me what you want baby girl" Daveed says

"Bite me" You reply snottily

Daveed bends down to bite your shoulder, you gasp, "Not literally"

"I couldn't resist" Daveed smiles, "Everything about you is so...delicious"

"What's your ex boyfriend's name?" He asks suddenly, completely changing the subject

A foul taste invades your mouth as you think of you horrible, cougar chasing ex and why in the world is Daveed bringing him up at a time like this? "Peter"

"Hmm" Daveed says, his fingers finding the space in between your thighs and he grins at the wetness he finds there, "By the end of tonight, you won't even remember Peter's name"

You blink in shock as Daveed hooks your legs over his shoulders and enters you again in a slick motion. You nearly shriek at the sensation as he pounds into you, filling you to the core.

Incoherent noises fall from your lips as Daveed hits that one special spot, His brow furrows in concentration as his hand slips in between your heated bodies to work your clit.

You barrel head first into your second orgasm.

"Daveed" you pant, grasping at the sheets as he thrusts into you again and again and again in a delicious rhythm. He trails one hand up the length of your body and wraps it around your neck in a gentle but firm hold.

You moan helplessly, eyes screwing shut in pleasure as he continues to fuck you.

"I'm close" Daveed murmurs, his voice thick as his pace begins to become uncontrolled.

You lift your hips, meeting every thrust and you don't even have time to catch your breath before your third and last release sneaks up.

You see stars when you come.

A deep groan draws from Daveed's lips as he spills inside of you, his fingers tightening a fraction around your neck in a delicious hold and wow, he looks beautiful--mythic even when he comes undone.

He pulls out of you with a satisfied sigh, running a hand through the tangle of his thick hair. He lowers himself on top of you, a smile on his face as he captures your lips in a soft, sweet kiss.

"Hmm" You hum happily into the kiss, stretching out your legs and running your toes against his calves.

Daveed chuckles slightly, it was a deep throaty sound that vibrated in his chest and he falls next to you, stretching out on his bed like a fat lazy cat.

"Goddamn" He breathes out, "You...now you, wow [Y/N]. You were incredible"

You lean back, very smug and very happy, "They don't call me dick slayer for nothing"

Daveed sent you an incredulous look before erupting in a fit of laughter, "Please do not ever say that again"

You giggle with him, finding his laughter absolutely contagious. Daveed moves to his side and pulls your back against his sculpted chest.

"When I wake up in the morning..." Daveed says, toying with a lock of your hair, "You better be here"

You smile, "What's in it for me?"

"Morning sex and free coffee"

You laugh and pretend to consider your options, "I'll stay...but only for the coffee"

Daveed laughs and bites your shoulder playfully, "I'll make sure it's the best coffee you've ever had so you'll keep coming back"

You grin, pressing a kiss to the open palm next to you, "I don't think that will be a problem"