#as well as everyone who found strength and comfort and meaning in her work

[deadpanwalking]

[icallhimjoey]

fake joe! fake joe! we need him now more than ever PLEASE give us some of this soft idiot who loves us more than life itself? 🥺

all RIGHT, here we GO (quick psa: he's not extremely soft in this, but an idiot: always) enjoy! Wordcount: 3.3K

---

All The Aces

part one - part two - part three - part four - part five

Joe was wrong, you were stubborn, and it was all right.

It was all right.

You could do things yourself. It was fine. Not as fun, but… not to toot your own horn or anything, but you were pretty good at it. Have had a lot of practice, you see. Have been with enough other men who didn’t know how to do it quite like you could do it yourself, and so, you were fine. You were all right.

However, you weren’t feeling so great when your whole group of friends found out what Joe’d been doing. Friday nights at the pub were a long-standing tradition, and apparently the topic of conversation being your sex life was one too. 

Not a huge surprise, seeing as Izzy still had trouble looking Joe in the eye after witnessing what she had witnessed.

Within fifteen minutes, everyone was brought up to speed. Everyone got updated on what Izzy had seen and heard, got told about this stupid conversation you’d had that one night, and you’d revealed what it had resulted into.

“Wow... can’t believe you’re saying wild shit around Joe like that, you know what he’s like.” One friend had said, blaming you for your own current problem.

“Well,” Izzy had interjected. “Don’t feel too bad for her. You also know what she is like.”

It’d gotten hearty laughs from everyone but Joe. He’d just looked at you over a pint and tried working out what your smug little smile meant.

A couple of jokes later, he’d caught on.

“It’s good I’ve got that magic touch myself, you know?” you’d giggled into your drink, bumping shoulders with your female friends as they laughed and cheersed their drinks with yours as you took a sip.

Oh, Joe caught on all right. And he didn’t like it one bit.

Afterwards, in bed, with Izzy on the other side of the wall, you had only just gotten comfortable when Joe silently whispered, “I think you’re cheating.”

“Mhm, what do you mean, I’m cheating?” you whispered on the backend of a sigh, too tired to turn around to face him, but already gathering the mental strength in case it was going to be necessary.

“Well, you said... before, you said, sex wasn’t about the orgasm, didn’t you? That’s what you said.”

And, big annoyed groan. It was going to be necessary.

“And it isn’t.” You confirmed, just turning your head to find his eyes in the barely there light the outside provided you with.

“Yea, but...”

All right. You were turning over fully now. Spooning was nice, and not smelling Joe’s breath after he’d eaten what smelled like eighteen garlic cloves was lovely too, but this seemed like a chat that needed eye-contact. Or, at least, the ability to tell by Joe’s face if he was being serious or not. 

“But?”

“But then, what you said tonight. You’re just... you’re doing it yourself? All the time? You’re making yourself c–”

“Yea.” You interrupted. “So?” Had he really expected you not to?

“So that doesn’t really count then, does it?” 

You leant up on an elbow, mirroring Joe’s position, eyes level now, ready to tell Joe he was overreacting whilst also trying to keep your voice as quiet as you possibly could. This was the stupidest thing, and Izzy didn’t need to hear it. If she did, it would likely be the topic of conversation next week.

“What do you mean? You try not coming during sex and then wanking on your own the next day. It’s not exactly the same, you know?”

“Yea... yea, I know.” Joe was reminded of the bet that got him into your bed in the first place. That was essentially exactly what he had done for a full week - Joe very muchly knew it wasn’t exactly the same.

“But...”

“But?”

“I don’t know... I don’t like that.” Joe said softly and a little embarrassed. You could tell by his face that he knew you were going to laugh at him. Which you then did. Far too loudly, too.

You were immediately shushed.

“Baby, that’s okay.” Your amusement was audible in your voice, smile still there but eyes on the wall, because: Izzy. “You’re allowed to not like things, I’m sure you’ll survive just fine.”

You were ready to roll back over. Get back into your spooning position where Joe’s body heat would make sure you wouldn’t go cold throughout the night.

“No, I don’t like that.” Joe doubled down, foregoing the whispers, and you paused for a second. Froze, and waited for him to explain himself.

“I don’t want you to orgasm.” Joe then said, a bit softer, barely even saying the last word at all.

But you’d heard him.

Loud and clear.

It was enough to make you roll back slightly. Enough to look over your shoulder and see that... he wasn’t joking.

What the fuck.

You blinked at him a few times.

Gave him a second to maybe take back what he’d just said.

Then, when he didn’t burst into laughter like you thought he should’ve done, you said, “Hey so... remember when we talked about icks a lot?”

“Stop.” Joe rolled his eyes, already annoyed with your response. You weren’t taking him seriously at all.

“I may have just found one.”

“Stop.” Joe let himself fall onto his back and rubbed a hand over his face. It made you turn towards him more, sitting up slightly now. 

“You can’t actually be serious.”

And Joe looked like he was maybe trying to figure out if he was being serious. If maybe actually this was just to be funny. Just a silly goof to make you laugh. But then, he gestured a hand in front of two widened eyes that he let then drop onto his lap.

“Okay, so maybe you are being serious, but I won’t take it seriously.”

Joe gave you a look.

“I’m sorry. I won’t. I don’t think I can.” 

To that, Joe rolled back onto his side and let his fingers find the sleeve of your top to play with.

“Yea, but... do you think you could still be as certain about sex not being about the orgasm if you also then couldn’t orgasm in your own time?” Joe looked up through his eyelashes, big brown eyes trying their best to work their magic on you.

You just blankly stared at him.

Tried thinking of a time when he’d been more ridiculous.

Second-guessed if Joe even was someone you wanted to have in your bed with you right now.

Narrowed your eyes at him when he raised his eyebrows at you, his chin dipping down a little as he did.

“It’d be interesting to know…” Joe shrugged a hopeful shoulder up to his ear, and the little smile he flashed at you made you want to humour him, though not without a small little hint of sarcasm.

“Like a science experiment? Are you going to document your findings? Write it all down and send it in for a Blue Peter badge? What is even–”

But Joe couldn’t care less about how sarcastic you sounded. Didn’t even laugh at your Blue Peter joke.

“No, like me edging you and seeing how long it takes ‘til it drives you mad.”

“Drives me– …. Joe. Come on.”

You decided to turn over fully now. This conversation was done. Over. You were tired. Needed sleep.

“I’m not joking. I kind of, sort of, want to know. A little bit.”

You didn’t respond.

“Hey,” Joe tried.

“Joe, I have deadlines at work.” You let your head find a comfortable spot on your pillow, cheek rubbing into the soft fabric, doing your very best to dismiss Joe.

But Joe wasn’t going to give in so easily, unfortunately.

“So?” Joe cosied up a bit, hoping that maybe a hand on your waist and a leg sneaking its way in between yours would sway you into being a little more agreeable for him.

“So, I’m tired. Good night.”

Joe didn’t accept that.

“So you mean you admit you need to cross the finish line to be able to make deadlines at work?”

“Oh my God, you’re insane. No. Of course not.”

You were tired, but not any less stubborn. You’d happily die on this weird hill.

“So,” Joe let his hand slide over your stomach where it found the hem of your top to sneak under. “Let’s try then.”

“You’re insane.” you murmured into your pillow, ready for this conversation to be over,

God. It was late.

“Please?”

“Ick.”

You were so tired.

“Please.”

“Fine.”

You heard a small little gasp behind you, followed by a beat of silence and then a very quiet and innocent, “Yea?”

You had your eyes closed already, ignoring what you’d just said and determined to will yourself into REM sleep within about four seconds.

“You mean that?”

“Shh, go to sleep. I’m tired.”

And for a moment it was quiet, but then Joe snuggled up and whispered, “Okay.” before he pressed a small little kiss on the skin just behind your ear. “Good night. Hands to yourself.”

You couldn’t help the loud scoff that escaped you then. “I’m going to murder you one day.”

“Shh, go to sleep. You’re tired.”

Tired, and stubborn.

More stubborn than was good for you. Or, than made sense, unfortunately.

There was something about wanting to prove Joe wrong that seemed to be easily redirected, but still held you in its vice grip. You were never going to admit you were wrong. Wouldn’t dream of giving him that satisfaction.

It didn’t matter that you were quite literally driving yourself mad with it.

You would fucking win this, God damn it.

Joe was going to eat his words and you were going to be the one to feed them to him.

What you hadn’t anticipated when you’d snapped an irritated fine at him, agreeing to this ridiculous new bet, was how different having sex with Joe would become.

Different in a sense you wouldn’t have been able to predict at all.

Before, you’d let Joe sort of do what he wanted. Would let him work you up and then would follow his lead as he would make sure you’d feel good before he did.

Joe was good at foreplay. Enjoyed it lots himself too, if he was honest. There was something very enjoyable about making you all soft for him. About seeing the minuscule change in your smile as lust slowly took a hold of you. About the way you’d fight it for half a minute before you’d just entirely give in to him, and let him do whatever he’d want, pretty much.

And he still did that.

You’d claimed that those were the important things, so he made sure to always pay them close attention. To whisper all the right words. To let fingertips trail in all the right places. To squeeze where your body felt tight until it didn’t anymore.

He still did all that.

But once he would have you in the palm of his hand, he’d then just do what he liked.

Would touch you where he liked to touch you.

Would move you into positions he liked the feel of.  

Would chase and stretch his own pleasure, yours forgotten and left behind.

This was the bet.

The experiment.

And it wasn’t like he didn’t try pulling lovely sounds out of you. He enjoyed that too. Would spur him on like nothing else would, when he’d suddenly get you in a way that made you almost yelp.

But it was clear he did that shit for himself.

And you were fine.

Stubborn.

“How was that, baby?” Joe’d ask, still panting and wet with sweat, already smiling at his own stupid question.

But you’d just smile widely. Give him a little smooch, and you’d say, “Loved it.” which was never a lie.

You did always love it.

You really did.

Shut up. You did.

What Joe hadn’t anticipated, was that you reached a point where you were the one who’d started pushing him away when you’d feel yourself getting too close.

“Stop, stop... wait.” You’d still Joe. “We can’t, I’ve got to–” and you’d move to get Joe away from everything too sensitive.

It had really taken him by surprise, sort of confused him a second as he watched you breathe through flared nostrils as you tried to ground yourself.

And, shit.

If that wasn’t one of the hottest things he’d ever experienced.

The first time you’d done that, he’d immediately praised you. Got his mouth on your ear and whispered, “Good girl. My good girl, doing just as she’s told, isn’t she?” and you’d groaned and pushed him away even more, because that wasn’t helping.

But he was right.

You were being good, because you were stubborn, and you were going to win this because Joe was wrong.

You were being good at not letting yourself come when you had sex with Joe.

You were also being good at not secretly getting yourself off in private.

Made it seem so easy.

Too easy.

You hadn’t told Joe that you’d googled what hormones an orgasm released, and what other ways to get those same results, but that was neither here nor there.

You were being good.

Too good.

And then, one evening, after sharing dinner together at Joe’s flat, he suddenly seemed to question everything.

You’d just settled on the sofa when Joe decided to ask, “How do I actually know if you’re not secretly still touching yourself?”

You turned your head to look him dead in the eye. “Um, you trust me.”

That got him right in his funny bone.

“I’ve not been absolutely acing this just for you to turn around and tell me that you don’t believe me,” you scoffed full of disbelief, but still smiling, because you got your boy to laugh. “What even is the point then? If there’s no trust?”

Joe laughed louder, because if he was honest, there wasn’t really any point to this at all, was there?

“Might as well do it if you think I am, anyways.”

“You are, aren’t you?” Joe accused, and the absolute aghast face you made as you moved away from him was enough for him to immediately reel it back in.

“No, no, okay, you’re right, come here. I trust you.” Joe pulled you back into his side and gave you a tight cuddle before kissing into your hair and repeating, “I trust you.”

A moment of silence passed where you toyed with the idea of telling him you’d had a sex dream the other night.

You’d not had a sex dream in ages.

Knew you’d only had one because you weren’t left satisfied, so your mind started seeking it elsewhere.

But you decided against it when Joe then softly asked, “How do you do it?”

“Mental strength. Sheer determination.”

Joe silently laughed, “No, I mean. How would you do it yourself?”

You side-eyed Joe and tried to hide the growing smile on your face.

“You want me to tell you how I get myself off?”

Joe looked at his feet that rested on his coffee table as he shrugged.

“Yea. Would you do it in the shower after, sometimes?”

“Like you would?”

Joe made quick eye-contact as he guiltily smiled. You knew exactly what he’d been doing that one week of favours.

“Sometimes.” You then admitted, knowing this was a conversation that was going to work Joe up enough to probably maybe end up underneath him in his bed.

“Yea? Would you.. would you use the shower head?”

You couldn’t help the cackle that escaped you. “No, actually. Not enough pressure.”

“Fingers then?”

You frowned through a smile and pulled away from Joe a little to give him a good look.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing!” Joe was quick to argue, eyebrows raised in innocence. “I just want to know.”

You then just looked at each other a moment, and you saw from up close how Joe slowly let his bottom lip roll into his mouth to bite into.

“Yea my fingers.” You then said softly, and Joe let his head drop to the side as his eyebrows knitted together.

“Both hands, sometimes.”

Joe had to suppress a groan. Only managed it just about.

“Take my time. Do it real slow.”

“Yea?”

You let your eyes flick down to see if you could see enough of Joe’s crotch to witness him grow in his jeans.

You could.

“Mhm, touch everywhere that feels nice. Soft at first, but then a little harder.”

Joe turned his head and pressed his forehead into your shoulder as his breathing got a little heavier.

He was definitely getting hard.

Men were so easy, it was stupid.

“Gotta be quiet though...”

“Quiet, yea.”

“Can’t let anybody hear.”

“No, you–” Joe nearly choked on his spit. “You can’t.”

“Got a flatmate just in the other room.”

Joe shifted a little, pulled on the fabric of his jeans to give himself a little more room, no attempt to hide his arousal in the slightest.

Then, he cleared his throat before he hoarsely said, “No flatmate here though...”

You smiled and shook your head a little.

“That’s right. No flatmate here.”

Joe couldn’t stop looking at your lips, and you felt how he sagged into the sofa more. Leant into your side a little more heavily.

“But...” you then continued, giving him your most innocent wide-eyed look as you slowly shook your head. “Can’t do any of that, can I?”

Joe mirrored your facial expression and the head shaking, not even aware he was really doing it, easily agreeing with dazed half-lidded eyes, “No, can’t do that.”

“You told me no, didn’t you?”

“Told you no.”

Joe was straining inside of his dark blue no-stretch one hundred per cent cotton denim, and wasn’t it just delicious to give Joe just a little bit of his own medicine?

“So...” you suddenly spoke up loudly and slapped a strong hand onto his thigh. “I think I’m gonna head home.”

“I– what?”

You were already up on your feet before Joe’d fully landed back into his own living room.

“I promised Izzy I’d help her with–”

“No, you can’t do that!”

You turned around, phone in hand, checking it for any missed messages and smirked a little.

“Oh, but I think I can.”

“This is...” Joe let himself fall back into his sofa, shaking his head in outraged disbelief, “Unbelievable.”

Slinging your arms into your jacket, you couldn’t help but laugh.

Joe was wrong, and it would serve him right to feel how wrong he was too.

“You better believe it, baby!” you said theatrically, stepping closer and bending just to give Joe a quick kiss goodbye. “See you tomorrow?”

“I don’t like this.” He murmured against your mouth, but you ignored it.

“We can do lunch?” Easy-breezy. Very nonchalant.

“I don’t like this.” Joe repeated himself more urgently, voice raised a little more as he watched you leave the room.

You stopped in the doorway to throw him a last smile. Saw how Joe squeezed his erection over his clothes, face in a deep frown, so fucking annoyed.

You fucking loved it.

“Baby, that’s okay.” You cooed. “You’re allowed to not like things.”

You really were acing this stupid bet.

Joe was wrong, and you were stubborn, and you were going to make him feel how right you were in his bones until he’d admit it.

“I’m sure you’ll survive just fine.”

---

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add yourself

[violetrainbow412-blog]

Trust [K. B]

Kaz Brekker x fem!reader

wc: 7.8k

summary: something goes wrong with a heist and Kaz's anger lashes out at you, only later realizing it's not for the reasons you thought.

A/N: I feel like it took me literally YEARS to write this. Someone requested the central idea but I decided to expand a bit and since in anon he mentioned that they like hurt/comfort I hope I have achieved it. I hope you like it, thanks for reading!

warnings: trauma (again)

taglist: @be-lla-vie @milkshake0 @ladespedidas

As soon as you stepped foot inside The Slat, you felt enormous relief to think that you could finally get some rest. The day before, the boss had told you that it was necessary to recover something and had drawn up a general outline of how things would be carried out, so to avoid mistakes, instead of sending just one group, the whole team would go. But at a certain point things had gone wrong and then the whole mission had gone awry. You were scared and everyone else was scared, but you knew that Kaz was probably the most upset about it. He hadn't spoken to anyone since you had to flee the mansion.

“Well, I declare that a resounding failure. Good night, my friends,” Jesper said, holding his side with a wince. Wylan was at his side to catch him in case the pain buckled his knees.

You sighed, defeated, and started walking towards the stairs to take a shower to remove all traces of dust, blood, and shame that you had impregnated on your skin, however, Kaz's cane stopped hitting you in the stomach, blocking your way and suffocating you at the same time.

"Are you crazy?" he asked, his voice raspier than usual. You asked yourself if he was referring to your plans, which he obviously couldn't know about, and why he was upset, but it didn't take anything more to get an answer, "What the fuck was that in the mansion?"

Oh, that is what he meant. 

To recap a bit, your goal that night was to recover a few bags of cash that a new gang at The Barrel had stolen but originally belonged to the Crow Club, i. e you guys. It was a payment for an exchange that Kaz had made days ago with art supplies or something, it was a business that none of you were very involved in.

The black-haired man knew the place where it was kept (he always seemed to know the whole city like the back of his hand) and so he had drawn up a pretty solid plan with which you could get away with it. Regularly his plans contemplated in the most opportune way each of your abilities: guns, stealth, the Grisha qualities, strength, chemicals, and the skills with your hands in which you surpassed the man. It was almost like something in you and your friends used to joke that your hands were a kind of magnet for everything shiny, although those same hands also worked perfectly to use a pick and give access to many places.

Things were going well that night, until you had to make a last-minute decision when you found out that an unknown person was in the place and you wanted to get them out of there so they wouldn't be in the crossfire. That was the 'certain point' I had mentioned before, where everything got screwed up. It was about a poor and defenseless servant girl who started screaming like crazy when she saw you and although you tried to calm her down that was enough to draw the attention of the guards, who came towards you to capture you. And since you were very busy struggling with two armed goons, you couldn't fulfill your part of the plan, which was to open the vault where the money that you were going to steal was. It had been a rather unfortunate chain of events.

"Kaz, you know I didn't mean to…"

"Are you deaf, then?" he interrupted you, ignoring your attempt at justification. He took a step towards you, limping a bit due to the lack of a cane, and then you could see the expression on his face.

You'd only seen Kaz this angry once and the poor man who caused it was already resting in peace, so you cringed in on yourself like a scared little bird.

"Or why didn't you do what we agreed?" you didn't know if he wanted a verbal answer, but even if he had, what could you say to that? It was more than obvious why you had done it "If there is a plan, it is because that plan must be executed as I have said, if not, then what would it be?"

"I shouldn’t…"

"No, you shouldn't," he interrupted again, speaking louder than usual to look imposing. And boy he was doing it. “That was the stupidest thing you've ever done, and all for a damn maid? What were you thinking?

"I wanted to help her"

"Oh really? And how did she thank you? Yelling at the guards to come to get you! Did you think about that before acting? Do you ever consider the consequences?” his voice didn't drop in volume, but rather rose gradually with each word that came out of his mouth.

You were in a panic, somehow strangely having the strength to meet his angry eyes, for you didn't think he would start saying such things to you in front of everyone else, who had been silent since the exchange had begun. You tried to think of anything to defend yourself, but even if you found the right argument you knew you couldn't outsource it due to nerves.

Even with your devoted silence, Kaz did not seem satisfied and he continued speaking.

“You had to follow simple orders: wait for the signal and open the vault. Everyone stayed in their positions. Was it very difficult for you to do that?”

"Kaz, I don't think…" Jesper started to say, trying to help him out of the situation, but he fell silent as he watched the black-haired boy turn his head to look at him. It was true, you guys hadn't seen Kaz in that state more than a few times and even the gunslinger, who loved you immensely, thought it wiser to keep silent if he didn't want the opponent's anger to lash out at him.

"Look at Jesper," he said close to your face. If he hadn't been so averse to touching you, you were sure he would have held your face to keep your gaze on him, because by this point your eyes were cloudy and you were trying to focus on anything other than the conversation “He's hurt. You are hurt. Imagine what would have happened if we hadn't been able to get out in time or if Inej hadn't come to your rescue, do you think those men would have tempted their hearts before killing all of us? Of course not! There's no room for charity here because until that servant was in real danger, she wasn't your problem. You behaved stupidly and those actions affected all of us” Kaz fell silent and you thought that was it. You were with your arms crossed, perhaps as an unconscious act of seeking protection, not daring to look at him.

But he took a few seconds to examine you and then said something else:

It is your fault that we are now in this state; without a single penny in our pockets.

The words your fault, and without a penny were the cause of a tug across your chest. It was useless to hold back the tears that had already treacherously begun to slide down your cheeks and that you wished you had the strength to wipe off with the sleeve of the jacket you were wearing.

In all the time you had belonged to the crows he had never spoken to you like that. There had been disagreements, of course, and he'd even called you out for neglecting some tasks he'd given you, but those kinds of hurtful words were reserved for criminals from whom he extracted information or threatened. That's why you were so upset, because Kaz was terrifying when he put his mind to it and you'd just had the misfortune to experience it firsthand.

The rest of your friends were also perplexed by what had just happened, since most of them had found your outburst in the mansion quite justifiable, since it was an innocent life that you had tried to protect, a very present code always.

The other part that had managed to break you was knowing that the man's annoyance was actually due to the money you had caused him to lose rather than the fact that you or someone else had been in danger. Or at least that was what you had understood by the final sentence.

The silence was sepulchral, no one even dared to breathe harder than usual for fear that he would take them as the next victim, and only a small sob that escaped you broke the silence. You hoped that would soften Kaz’s expression a bit, but he didn't flinch.

A part of you thought, due to shock, to apologize to him, but you weren't even able to. You just stood in the middle of that room under his questioning gaze.

When your body finally wanted to react, you walked directly to the stairs to go up to your room, without even looking back, collapsing on the floor and crying as soon as you closed the door behind you. You didn't even think about taking a shower anymore and the burning pain in your ribs, which you hadn't mentioned to anyone about, intensified. You had to cover your mouth with your hand so that the crying wouldn’t reach the floor below and you felt that everything around you was spinning.

You stayed in that position for a few minutes, which felt like hours, until someone opened the door and stuck their head inside. It was Nina, who had surely gone of her own free will but also partly at the request of others. She could hear your erratic heartbeat and your lungs struggling to hold some air, so it didn't take her more than a second to kneel next to you to wrap her arms around you and start running her hand up and down trying to comfort you. She offered to heal you and you agreed, but through it all you thought that even though the blows on your body burned like hell, what was definitely causing you the most pain was the wounds you just received to your heart.

After that night you could say that the tension in The Slat could be cut with a knife. You thought that the others were also going to blame you for the failure of the heist, with justifiable reasons, but you were pleasantly surprised to find out that this wasn’t the case, since they all told you so explicitly as soon as they had a chance. Matthias, who was most of the time the most mature among you, told you that sometimes things went wrong and that at least he was glad that you were okay; with Nina there, the physical problems could be solved and the money would be recovered somehow. But, to your surprise, it was Kaz they weren't very happy with.

You never meant to start a mutiny against the boss, God knows you didn't, but as much as you tried to change their minds, they were distant and reluctant to talk to Brekker. And Kaz, in turn, didn't exchange a single word with you.

Jesper and Nina were the ones who showed it the most, the first one kept looking down at your friend as if he could make him combust spontaneously with his eyes while the woman simply didn't say anything, as if he were invisible. The rest of the group hadn't cut off the communication suddenly, but it was evident that they weren't entirely happy with the black-haired man's behavior.

Although there were few occasions when the seven of you, or the majority, coincided in the same space, since you were always doing other things around The Barrel or the club.

You weren't the proud type, yet you refused to offer an apology for something that wasn't wrongdoing and finally stopped feeling guilty for applying this silent treatment to thinking that Kaz deserved it. Just a little. Also, if he didn't bother to talk to you, everything would be easier for you, because, although you still did some general tasks, most of the time you spent locked in your room, doing anything to entertain yourself.

If you looked at it from the outside, unaware that you guys were a bunch of criminals living in the same horrible building, that looked like a real teenage fight. But you couldn't blame yourself too much, because you were teenagers.

Sometimes, when he didn't notice, you watched him from afar. You analyzed his expression, his posture, his eyes, anything that would help you figure out if he really cared about your absence or the silence of others. You tried to believe that he was in a bad mood (more than usual) because he wanted you to not be angry anymore, but after a long time you always came to the same conclusion; he was inscrutable, shielded in that armor that you highly doubted could shatter, much less by you. Sometimes you wished you could know what Kaz was thinking so you could figure out if he had noble motives for acting the way he did or if he was just a heartless jerk. And, although your desire to read minds wasn’t fulfilled, you began to bet more on the latter the day a new job was presented. It was, now, a kind of revenge against the men of the opposing gang (who had stolen your business payment in the first place), however, when the meeting took place you noticed that he was skipping a detail. 

"And what will Y/N do?" Jesper had asked, going ahead of you, after listening carefully to the plan and realizing that you weren't contemplated anywhere. You expected Kaz to say you were going to stick with him, even if it was so he could keep an eye on you and avoid another outburst, but when he shook his head you were completely offended.

"She's not coming"

It was one thing to have received a scolding for the mistake made and quite another to be removed from the team just like that. And that Kaz had responded as if you weren't there made you feel completely humiliated and, consequently, angry.

"Great, so now it turns out that I'm grounded," you said sarcastically. It was the first time in weeks that you had spoken directly to Kaz and he just looked at you sideways for a few seconds, as if examining you, which made your blood boil even more "Are you really going to leave me out?" you continued, now with more seriousness than before. You wished he dared to face you with an answer, and you were surprised at how quickly this happened.

"It’s not personal. This time it’s better that you stay” was all the explanation he offered you. The way he said it made it clear to you that it wasn't up for discussion and you felt powerless, but before any of your friends could say anything in your defense, you decided to take it the best way.

If Kaz didn't want you around, you weren't going to make him. If you didn't receive even a measly part of the money from now on, you didn't care. If it was true that you had screwed up, you weren't sorry for anything and you weren't going to give in so easily, despite the love and respect you felt for him.

“Good luck then,” was all you said, offering the best fake smile you could have and purposely patting Kaz on the shoulder. He watched you walk away with eyes wide open in surprise, even though you didn't even notice it when you got lost in the hallway, and it was hard for him to keep his composure as he turned around again to clear up any doubts regarding how the crime would be carried out; although he tried to hide it, almost most of the group could tell.

What the hell did Kaz have against you lately? The others had made mistakes countless times and never suffered consequences as harsh as yours, because probably the hardest part had been dealing with the boss's anger and being forced to find a solution for what they had screwed up. You probably would have offered to get the money back yourself if he had let you end the problem, but you couldn't even do that because you knew it would only fan the fires of anger.

So when you left there everyone thought that things had already gone on too long and someone had to point it out to Kaz.

"Is everything clear?" he asked, looking at the crows and receiving a general nod.

We would have to wait until night to work, so once there was nothing more to say, each one dispersed in opposite directions.

“Inej,” Kaz said, not even looking back. He knew she was there, he always knew, as if there was a connection between the two of them "Everything okay?"

“Everyone is where they should be. The carriage is on its way and the streets are free”

"Good"

“But there is something else we need to talk about”

Kaz was afraid it was something to do with you, and he closed his eyes for a moment at the possibility. They were on a roof, he too close to the shore to be able to supervise that the robbery was carried out effectively, and she took a few steps until she reached his side. The two kept looking down for a few seconds, preparing internally for what was coming; talking about feelings was never one of their strengths.

"What would that be about?”

"About who" she corrected him "This discussion with Y/N has already escalated to exacerbated levels, you didn't have to forbid her to come"

"And what did you want me to do?" he muttered, more upset than he would have liked, and he had to take a deep breath before speaking again, “She's… was impulsive and… she doesn't measure the danger she's putting herself in. She is like a child, without conscience or limits”

“We all know that, but you called her stupid. That's very different."

“I don't want her to end up killing herself,” he said, and Inej caught a hint of sincere concern tinging her friend's voice. Kaz hated seeing himself like this, but there was something about her that made him trust her with that part of him. “Y/N acts with her heart, that's the problem. And I worry that she doesn't know how to control it. I don't want anyone to hurt her and she just doesn't cooperate” he sounded desperate, helpless, and then Inej realized how many things were being ignored by the team about the boss's decisions, apparently cruel, but quite considered in the background. It was like… acting badly for the right reasons. Or something like that.

“Well, if you really do this to safeguard her welfare, you should tell her. Because I don't think you're giving him the right message with your actions” Inej told him. Then she decided that she wasn't going to pry into the matter anymore from that point on, wishing that the conversation had been enough to make the black-haired man see reason.

He thought about it for a second and wished he could ask her more, but then he noticed that, as always, she had already vanished into the night.

Kaz tried very hard to focus on the robbery and stop thinking about you or what it would be wise to say to you, but he was having some trouble. In the next hour, to everyone's surprise in general, things went perfectly; there was no guard, just a driver who didn't resist, and they were coming back with some juicy loot. Almost too easy to be true.

Kaz didn't give much thought to the nature of the success they'd just had and they all just set off, their group spirits much better now that things were looking up.

It would be foolish to deny that Kaz had been thinking about how quickly you would have managed to carry out the robbery and also had missed the joking duo that you formed with Jesper, who now had barely looked at the blue-eyed man.

On the way he got a bit withdrawn and was mentally torturing himself about what was the right thing to do when he got home. After thinking it through, he concluded that he should take Inej’s advice and talk to you to fix things. Brekker wasn't used to apologizing, but at least he could explain things to you the way he had with the girl, so that you would understand better and hopefully forgive him for the idiotic behavior he had been displaying for the past few weeks. Although he was still upset, it was worth putting that aside to try.

After going to the club to save the cash they went back to The Slat and when he stood in front of your door he never thought to feel more nervous in life, while he started to ask himself if that was a good idea. Maybe he should just let time wash away your bad face and carry on as before... but he was also aware that that wouldn't happen.

He hesitated for a long time about whether to knock on your door or not, but after a few minutes he finally did and was frustrated when no one answered, despite a strip of light coming through the door grate.

"Y/N, I know you’re there" he tried, but there was no response. Kaz ran a gloved hand through his hair and exhaled in frustration. "Fine, don't talk to me if you want, but that's not going to stop me from coming to tell you what I came to say," he muttered determinedly. Even trying to communicate assertively, he couldn't help but sound rude. “I didn't mean to yell at you like that when we got back from the heist, I just didn't know what else to do. And today I asked you to stay here because it could be dangerous and I'm trying to take care of you because apparently you don't give a damn about your own life, not because I hate you or because I'm upset with you. It's just that…” he was having a hard time talking, so he had to take a deep breath to collect himself a little “I worry about you. And I want you to be okay. Safe"

Kaz was silent, waiting for you to say something, but again there was nothing. He felt so foolish and embarrassed that he even thought his eyes were going to glaze over with helplessness. He was trying his best to go there, but you didn't seem to care, and honestly, he didn't blame you.

His gaze lowered to the floor, the pressing sensation of rejection flooding his chest, and only then did he notice the glow emanating from a section of the floor. With difficulty he knelt to take the substance with his fingers and his glove was stained with a fine powder that gave off an iridescent glow, which until that moment he had not realized he was scattered over various sections of the corridor. And next to that dust, there was a bloodstain.

Kaz didn't even wait for a second to lunge at your bedroom door and yank it open, which he hadn't done before out of respect for your privacy, only to realize that everything in there was turned upside down. There were remains of a smashed nightstand, books scattered on the floor, the bed in disarray, and sporadic stains of blood that he prayed weren't yours. The window was wide open and the white curtain billowed violently in the night air.

Someone had broken into your room and it wasn't hard to put the pieces together to find out what they had broken into. Someone had kidnapped you.

His eyes traveled all over the place looking for something that would give him clues and he decided to start rummaging through the books hoping to find a note, the amount for your ransom, whatever. When he read ‘We're even, Brekker’ written on yellowed paper and signed with the seal of a snake, he felt that his balance was missing.

That's why the robbery of the carriage had been so easy, because they had wanted it that way. Their plan was always to enter The Slat. You were there, alone, and they kidnapped you because Kaz had allowed it. Because in his eagerness to protect you, he had delivered you directly to the enemy.

It was all his fault.

"Jesper!" he screamed, on first impulse. He didn't know if it was difficult for him to get up from the floor due to dizziness or because of the limp “Inej! Wylan! Whoever!" he continued, wanting to get the attention of anyone who could help him. He was in a panic and he was also furious. He would be capable of torturing the men who had kidnapped you in the most horrible ways ever seen, as soon as he found out who they were.

All the people present in the building followed the sound of the boss's wailing and when they observed the state of your room a collective sigh of surprise filled the silence.

"Where is Y/N?"

“I don't know,” Kaz hissed, sounding desperate. That didn't even matter to him anymore "They took her, they set us up"

“We have to find her,” Matthias muttered, and he wanted to hit him for saying something so obvious. But he had to calm down, for everyone's sake.

"There's blood and this in the hallway," said the black-haired man, showing everyone the dust that still glittered on his glove.

"It's a trail," Wylan exclaimed, his features lighting up like when he had an idea. He stepped forward to analyze the sample and then nodded. “I gave this to her, it's a bioluminescent powder we were experimenting with. In theory, when…" he walked around the room as if looking for something until he found a box of matches that you had lying around "it comes into contact with the fire, it emits a blue flame" he explained, going into the corridor and demonstrating the information practically.

There was hope, if they hadn't taken you too far your friends might track you down and rescue you. You had been scared enough to leave a clue because you knew they would look for you.

In that moment Kaz felt so guilty that he had ever even suggested that he doubted your abilities.

“You have to follow it. We have to find where they took her right now” he ordered and, of course, no one argued. Everyone went ahead to get the necessary things to look for you and Kaz leaned against the wall for a moment, breathing slowly in an attempt to contain one of those panic attacks he sometimes felt, not imagining that this would only be the beginning of an awful night. 

And the worst wasn’t over yet.

The crows moved faster and more efficiently than ever before, and within minutes Wylan had figured out how to follow the trail. Sometimes there were long lines through the streets that were lit with a single match, but other times they had to look for them more carefully and that consumed time that Kaz considered vital. Although he wasn't saying anything the others could tell that he was quite upset by the situation, so they did their best. Also, you were part of the group, so they too were extremely worried.

By the time they reached Fifth Harbor, Kaz was already burning all the way down his leg, but that didn't matter to him. They were all out of breath, but that didn't matter. And the trail ended right at the pier, but that didn't matter because they saw in the distance a boat with two robust men, one of them holding a lamp and the other struggling with a girl tied by her hands and legs who was screaming in despair.

It was you and you were yelling Kaz's name.

They rushed to find a boat tied to the dock big enough for the six of them and when, luckily, they found it they jumped on it. Matthias and Jesper were in charge of rowing and the movement did not go unnoticed by the men who had you captured, nor by you.

A feeling of relief swept through you as you realized that the silhouettes approaching you were your friends and you felt that all was not lost. Kaz thought that they had arrived just in time and that calmed him down for a second, but he didn't count on the fact that the man would lift you off the ground and, with a sharp gesture that surprised everyone, he would throw you straight into the sea.

Your cry was drowned out by the roar of the water and the black-haired man's breath caught, while everything around him was spinning again. Until then he realized the position he was in: in the middle of the immensity of the sea, in danger of drowning. It was then that the memories of his brother's body came back to him like needles sticking in and he felt like he might vomit.

Kaz didn't know how to swim and even if he had known how to at some point in his life it was now impossible due to his limping leg. But he wasn't going to let you die. He can’t.

In the midst of the attack, he was dimly aware of what was happening. You were now within safe distance of the other boat which allowed Inej to throw a knife at one of the men and Jesper took it upon himself to put a bullet into the other. In hindsight, Kaz would have wished they had stayed alive so he could take it upon himself to give them a slow and painful death. There was no point in letting the men who had kidnapped you die so mercifully.

The water was dark and they couldn't see anything, but still Matthias was the one who ventured below the surface to find your body, hoping that when he did it wouldn't be too late.

Nina kept her hands up to monitor the beating of both your hearts and the rest stood without saying anything, looking expectantly out at the water that rolled in small waves. Only Kaz's erratic breathing broke the silence of the environment.

A few seconds passed, and when there was no sign of him or you, concern gripped the group. Now there wasn’t only the fear that you wouldn't get out of the water, but also that Matthias wouldn't and thus lose two members of the group. Nina winced when she heard one of the heartbeats slowed down considerably, though she didn't comment on it to the others.

When he finally surfaced everyone was relieved to see that he wasn't alone, even if your body was just an unconscious bundle that he was pulling with difficulty.

They still put you in the canoe and you had your limbs tied with rope, so Inej was in charge of cutting them with a knife, while the others crowded around you to try to see how you were.

“She's not breathing,” Matthias gasped. Nina knelt to try to expel the water from your lungs, but for some reason your body was resisting. If she didn't get the water out of your lungs, the lack of oxygen would permanently affect your brain.

"This isn't working," she snorted after several hand movements.

It was only then that Kaz dared to look at you. You were pale, wet, and a trickle of blood was coming from your forehead and you had some bruises. He never thought that he would feel the same pain that he seized when he traveled to the coast with the lifeless body of his brother.

Wake up, he wanted to tell you, but his voice wouldn't come out. You have to wake up.

Nina kept trying and until he finally saw you jump up to vomit up the salt water, he too felt like he could breathe again.

When you finally finished inhaling the air around you everyone bombarded you with questions to check your well-being and you just nodded to them all, a little dazed and scared. Nina took it upon herself to help with the cut and bruises, while the men took up the oars again to reach the dock.

Kaz was the last to get off the boat and he was also the last to enter The Slat, as if he needed to check that the rest of you had done it, since he didn't want to leave anyone behind again. Never.

“Let me accompany you,” he said. It was the first thing he had said to you after the incident and you were so exhausted that you didn't offer any resistance. When you walked up the stairs and into your room, you thought Kaz would leave without another word, but instead he stood in front of the door.

You looked at him with a neutral expression, trying to understand what he was trying to do.

"You were very intelligent" he began to say "When you left the trail"

"Thank you," you said quietly. Your throat was a bit sore from the water you had swallowed.

"How it happened?" he asked. The trip had made you recover a bit and you were calmer than before, so you didn't mind telling him things.

“They were supposed to be looking for your office, but they saw my light on and thought it would be a better idea to go after the helpless damsel. They got in through the window and… voila,” you said bitterly, gesturing with one hand at the mess around you. “They held me here and tied me to a chair, but the knots were so painful I got free in a few minutes. They interrogated me to ask about things of value or obtain some information, but I didn't say anything. My fighting could irritate them, but I think I really pissed them off when I smashed a vase over the head of one and plunged a knife into the other's leg. Maybe that's why they decided to throw me into the sea”

Kaz was a bit dismayed at how calmly you said things and he wondered if you really didn't care or were just pretending. Although he wanted to say the same things to you that he had said to your empty room a few hours ago, the truth was that remembering it made him feel ashamed. It had been a sincere apology, but he didn't think he could say it twice.

"I'm sorry I put you in danger," he said, stepping forward for more privacy. He watched your reaction to what he said and what he did, hoping that if you were still upset you would show it. But the near-death experience seemed to soften both of you.

"Why apologize? you didn't send those guys. It was just some… being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have happened to anyone."

“I know, but maybe if I hadn't asked you to stay here, they wouldn't have hurt you” he admitted and although you wanted to recriminate him for that, you decided to remain silent, feeling curious as to how far he could go with that talk "And if you don't… if you hadn't been smart right now you wouldn't be here”

"But I am" you answered with determination "And that's what hurts me, Kaz, that you doubt me" you expressed. You weren't going to forget so easily what had made you walk away in the first place and you thought it was the right time for him to know what you thought about it “I made a mistake, it's true and I take responsibility for that. But you didn't have to treat me like this."

"I know that too," he hastened to say, "I don't doubt you, I never have."

“It is not noticeable. Today you pushed me aside and you told us that trust is always the most important thing. And although I was stupid, I consider that this behavior is not worthy of making you stop trusting me just like that. You know I didn't do it to screw you over, I just wanted to save her."

“It's not about that woman, I don't care about her. You know that I too would have prevented her from getting hurt if the situation arose."

“Then what is it about? Is it only the mistake of the century if I make it?”

“This is about you, Y/N” Kaz said, pointing at you with his open palm and starting to sound desperate “I got so mad because you were the one who ended up in the hands of the enemy. I hate that you act like that because I care about you too much to allow myself to lose you”

You didn't expect that and he didn't expect to say it either. It was even more embarrassing than what he had refused to tell you in the first place.

He said that he didn't want to lose you and you thought about the meaning of that expression: did he not want to lose what you brought to the team or did he not want to lose your person?

"These weeks I thought you only hated me because I made you lose money"

"Oh, I do hate you a little for that," he said, taking a surprise "Not for the money itself, but for what that money implied" there was no point in keeping secrets, if Kaz had already started to sink then he preferred to do it completely and with dignity “The club is going through some difficulties, Y/N. I sold those things so I could keep it going. Because while our criminal jobs give us some kruge, you know that the main source of income for that group is the Crow Club. Also…” he felt his breath shake and had to take a moment to calm down “I've been thinking about something these past few months. A long time ago you said that you had always wanted to go to university, do you remember?” he asked you and you nodded your head “Jesper had the opportunity, but he is a lost cause, because he prefers this kind of life to having an office job or a quiet home and I respect that. But not you, you ended up here because you had no other options” Kaz was silent, hoping that if you had something to say you would say it now, but then he continued, “And I thought if I gave you some money you would have that opportunity. That way I could get you away from all these Dregs and you'd live the way you wanted. That's why that robbery was important”

You were totally stunned.

You never expected Kaz to have that opinion of you or even care about you to the degree that he had just confessed to you. He had listened to you, had seen beyond the apparent happiness of living in The Barrel to find your true dreams, so forgotten within yourself that you no longer thought you could reveal them to anyone else.

You mistakenly believed that the only thing that mattered to Kaz Brekker was dying suffocated by piles of money, but you had just realized that the true engine of life of the black-haired man was the love he had for that peculiar family that you made up.

“You… you know that's not necessary, right? You don’t have to do it"

"But I wanted"

The gap was less since Kaz had walked towards you and you decided, venturing a bit, to take another step towards him.

"Why didn't you tell us that the club has financial problems?" you asked softly, because you thought there could be no other way to talk to him in a situation like this.

"Because it wasn't important"

"Yes, it is, Kaz" you walked in his direction again. At that distance, if you raised your hand a little, he could reach to take hers "That's the point, you decide to swallow all the problems without talking to anyone and then we have no idea what ails you or why this or that is so important. Jesus, if you had told me that money was so vital, I would have put my life into opening that vault as quickly as possible” it was at that moment that you really regretted what you had done and thought that, if possible, you would have returned in time to listen to him and not just your instincts.

"It does not matter anymore. I can't spend my life telling you all the bad things that happen around here."

“You should do it, Kaz. We are a group and we can't just enjoy the rewards without knowing the sacrifice, stop burdening yourself with that alone” he warned seriously “You take care of all of us, but then who takes care of you?”

His reaction was the same as you had a moment ago: stupefaction. Kaz didn't know at what point in his life he had to become that, but he thought that perhaps Jordie's death was decisive for him to have to fulfill the role of the person he had just lost. To be for others what no one had been for him, so they would not suffer what he had suffered. It was quite an altruistic act if he thought better of it.

But after so many years it was exhausting and he wished he could just fall into someone else's arms to rest, figuratively speaking. And there you were right in front of him, probably the person he loved the most, with an expression that reflected a willingness to listen to what he had to say.

So Kaz thought that, maybe for once, it was okay for him to be vulnerable.

“I had an older brother” he murmured, after a long while and you were a bit confused by the sudden change of subject, but you nodded your head so he knew you were listening “He died during the plague epidemic. And miss him so much"

You knew little, if anything, of the personal life of the man in front of you, so you didn't know how to react to the disclosure of that fact. You imagined a little Kaz, scared and sad because his brother was gone. You didn't think for a second about the horrible things he had to go through and that he, with some luck, would dare to tell you later.

But even with this paltry piece of information you couldn't help but feel enormous compassion. He was human, like everyone else, and he was afraid that death would come to take another person important to him. Now you understood better.

"What was his name?" you asked in a whisper, as gently as possible. Kaz was silent for a moment, reflecting no sentiment, then swallowed.

"Jordie"

You weren't going to ask him any more questions after that, you just looked into his eyes and you knew that this was his way of telling you that he trusted you to keep that shred of his past.

"Well, I think Jordie would be happy to know that now there are six of us who love you as he did" was what you replied. You didn't know if it was the answer he expected, but at least it was the one that had come from your heart. When he looked at you, you swore that his eyes were teary, although later you convinced yourself that it had only been an effect of the light.

"I hope we're fine now" he murmured, regaining his composure, referring to the problems that had existed between you after that discussion.

"Calm down, everything is fine. I know you can't live without me."

"Actually, I've had enough of Jesper seeing me with those murder-eyes."

"Then you noticed," you joked. You were completely exhausted and at that moment you were even more conscious, as if you were going to pass out the next second “Everything is fine” you repeated “I just hope this doesn't happen again. I… will try to be less impulsive. And you have to tell me if something's wrong and we'll figure it out, okay?"

Kaz hummed back and you put on a tight-lipped smile. Then you looked around you to analyze the chaos that had been left by the fight with those men, feeling exhausted just thinking that you would have to pick up the pieces of wood, the books, or clean the stains, and he realized what you were thinking by the look on your face.

“I'll send someone to clean all this up tomorrow, I promise. For now, you just… lie down”

"For the first time, I'm not going to argue with you," you laughed bitterly. Then a yawn invaded you and you felt your eyelids tremendously heavy, which he perceived. Kaz didn't want to leave there, even if you were on the verge of exhaustion, however, he didn't know what excuse to use to stay “Good night, Kaz. You should rest too"

"Yeah, um... I'll do it"

“Good”

There was silence for a few seconds. 

"Have you really forgiven me?" he asked, looking to make sure you weren't upset anymore. You smiled and, amid your delirium from exhaustion, you stood on your toes to kiss him on the cheek. He paled and held his breath, but you didn't notice.

“As much as you have forgiven me for screwing up the mission. Now go and sleep"

Perhaps it was the shock of receiving something like this from you that caused Kaz to practically run out of your room, without even saying goodbye, staying in the hallway for a moment to process things. The speed of the contact hadn't given him time to panic, but that didn't stop him from feeling the pumping of his heart hammering like crazy under his chest and hot cheeks under the memory of your lips on them.

When he locked himself in his room he tried to calm down, when he was taking off his clothes to put on his pajamas he tried again, washing his hands and face, going through paperwork before going to sleep, lying down on the bed, closing the eyes... but nothing worked.

And eventually he fell asleep with the ghost of your kiss haunting him through dreams.

[blues824]

🦈Can I request the uppermoons with a female Floyd s/o.

🌊Her iskaid from the coral sea/twisted wonderland .

🦈Many they met her while she was squeezing a person because they broke a contract or pissed her of (her finally getting to squeeze her lover. )

🌊How whoud they react her being a Moray eel/mermaid and her tru form(them seeing her sharp teeth and not freeking out ) listening to her story of her learning to walk on land for the first time about her twin and Azul.

🦈Whats their opinion on her mood swings and calling everyone sea creature names

Akaza those mantis that punch calling daki srimpy because she is smaller than her and her brother sea snake kokushibo sea lion daki a blanket octopus.

🌊Her getting to squeeze the lower moons because what can they do when she is dating the uppermoons and especially if she dating muzan.

Just make it how you like I love you destie

Love you too! Female Reader.

A few of you have been getting on my ass about not including Hantengu and Gyokko, so here you go.

Muzan Kibutsuji 

He had met you when he took a small vacation to the beach. You had washed up ashore and you were struggling with your tail. Muzan was enchanted, as he thought mermaids were just myths. He prepared a spell that would allow you to have legs while you were on land.

The two of you surprisingly got along very well. He tested the strength you have by allowing you to squeeze one of the lower moons. The rip-off Michael Jackson was a bit shocked to hear the spine snap, as well as your sharp-toothed smile after the poor unfortunate soul collapsed.

I feel like he wouldn’t particularly like your mood swings, but he loved you so he put up with them. I feel like your mood went along with his: if he was upset, you were upset. However, your emotions were more expressive than his. You would be more prone to violence if either you or him were provoked.

Since he’s like the apex predator of demons, you call him White Pointer because the Great White Shark is an apex predator of the ocean. Muzan is very interested in your stories from your childhood, especially your twin brother (his future brother-in-law) and Azul (who Kibutsuji thought was a possible rival at first).

Kokushibo

He had met you when Muzan was testing your strength and you snapped the spinal cord of one of the lower moons. As unlikely as it sounded, it was love at first sight for the two of you. He admired your strength just as you admired his (who wouldn’t? I mean, have you seen this fine demon?).

Speaking of, you both work side-by-side in enforcing the rules in the demon ranks. You were a surprisingly formidable opponent, even though you were “human”. Kokushibo, however, wanted to keep you as you were rather than turning you into a demon.

This demon is very emotionally stable from a day-to-day basis, so he acts kind of like your anchor whenever you go through mood swings. I think he’s kind of indifferent towards them, and he acts as your voice of reason. When you seek him out for comfort, he can’t help but feel some pride swelling in his chest.

You call him ‘sea lion’ because he’s very agile in battle, and because he’s very loyal to you and you both live in a “raft”. He does like to hear about your life in Twisted Wonderland and about your twin and your boss, but he is greatly saddened about the prospect of you wanting to return.

Douma

Muzan had brought you back to the Infinity Castle, and he was immediately entranced by your smile and your overall beauty. Don’t get me started about when he found out you were a mermaid. When you showed him your mer-form, he was so excited.

He was surprised by the amount of strength you had, since it could rival some of the lower-ranking demons. You even snapped someone’s spinal cord, and it sent him rolling on the floor laughing. He can handle your squeezes, though, and welcomes them with open arms.

This man doesn’t feel emotions until you’re right next to him. You both feed off of each others’ moods. If you’re happy, he’s happy. If you’re upset, he’s upset. Same thing vice versa as well. It’s an emotional roller coaster for everyone.

You like to call him ‘blanket octopus’ because they’re just as colorful as his eyes, and he loves to hear what they were like in the ocean as well as your life in the Coral Sea. If the two of you decide to go swimming at night, he loves the way that your tail wraps around him because you love to cling to him.

Akaza

His head turned so quickly when he heard someone’s spine snap, only to see that it was you with a lower-ranking demon in your grasp. Muzan had told them about how your mer-person strength would benefit demonkind, but he didn’t know you held that much power.

Because of your strength, he was immediately attracted to you. He eventually got to know you better, and you turned out to be a very spontaneous person. He doesn’t mind it though, since it always keeps him guessing. This makes a nice segway into…

Your mood swings! Akaza doesn’t get too annoyed by them, especially if they end up in you being clingy towards him. Since this demon loves you oh-so-much, he encourages clingy behavior. Oftentimes, you are sat upon his lap and he’s holding you around the waist as he leans his head upon you.

He quite enjoys the nickname you’ve given him: mantis shrimp. You’ve explained that it was because they were as strong as he was, and could even break aquarium glass. This led him to asking about the ocean and about your family. He wishes he could remember his life as a human.

Hantengu

Mans let out an audible squeak when he heard a spine snap, and when he turned around to see where the sound came from you had a wide smile and a folded up demon in your arms. Muzan gathered everyone’s attention and introduced you to the group.

He honestly let you do as you wished, considering you scared him. This eventually developed into romantic feelings being the cause, but at that point it was because he very much valued his own spinal cord. He always goes stiff whenever you want to squeeze him.

As for your mood swings, he doesn’t mind them. You have enough confidence for the two of you, and he serves you. If you randomly want or need something, he will go and get it for you with no questions asked. Anything to make his darling moray eel happy.

Speaking of, he absolutely adores your mer-form. The way you moved so quickly in the water was spectacular. You call him ‘squid’, considering they’re one of the more shy creatures of the sea but the bigger ones are still very strong (take that as you will).\

Gyokko

His morbid fascination really did wonders for his art, especially when he saw how much strength you actually had as you snapped the demon’s spinal cord like a KitKat. You served as his muse even in your human form, let alone your mer-form.

Your mer-form was very intriguing to him, and his art usually had you as the subject. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering a lot of artists loved to paint the love of their lives. He’s just painting the love of his afterlife. Don’t mind him as he’s carrying another canvas to his studio.

If your mood swings make you clingy, he is absolutely happy about it. He’s a very jealous demon, so this works out for him. However, he hates it when you yell at him to leave you alone. It leads to a yelling battle that leads to him apologizing.

You’d probably call him ‘Fantasia’, after the Pink See-Through Fantasia. Both were very weird creatures in your mind, but both were loveable. One time, as he was painting you, he asked you about your life in the sea, and you happily told him about your childhood with Jade and Azul. The work ended up being a more nostalgic one.

Daki 

She was jealous of you at first because you were taking the attention of Muzan away from her, but she eventually learned that you cared more about her than him. You’ve even snapped the spine of a lower-ranking demon for even trying to talk to her.

When she first saw your moray eel form, she thought you were so majestic. It reminded her of the stories she often heard in the villages and even from her older brother. You gave her an ounce of hope that she hadn’t felt in a while.

Your mood swings upset her greatly. If you’re upset for no reason, then she’s gonna be upset at you for being upset. It’s a hot mess. The only way she puts up with them is when you go to her first to cling to her. She gets very insecure when you demand time alone.

Daki has a love-hate relationship with your nickname for her: shrimpy. She knows that you nicknamed her after the sea creature, but ‘shrimpy’ can be used as an insult. You call her that because she’s much smaller than you, but she eventually grows to love it full-time, and even gets concerned when you don’t call her that.

Gyutaro

He was definitely impressed when you snapped the spine of a lower-ranking demon, considering you weren’t a demon yourself. Then he saw your smile, and his non-beating heart fluttered and soared. Muzan introduced you as a new enforcer, and said that you were a moray eel mermaid. To be honest, he thought there was only one type of mermaid.

When he first saw your mer-form, he was amazed at how quickly you moved through the water. You seemed truly at peace in the water, and he thought you were very graceful. He once accompanied you, and you wrapped your tail around his very small waist and clung onto him, which made him very flustered.

You reminded him of his younger sister whenever you went through a mood swing. He’s also the only one who knows how to properly deal with them, but he will most definitely call you childish. He acts like it’s such an inconvenience, but he actually likes helping you because that serves as reassurance that you would never leave him. His ocean-themed nickname was ‘sea snake’, and you would even tease him by dragging out the s in the words. You called him this because he was very curious about mermaids, but especially about the different kinds.

[dwarf-hat-enjoyer]

🌼Favorite Flowers🌼 (Bachelors' V.)

synopsis: Favorite flowers of all six Stardew bachelors! No farmer mentioned, headcanons. SFW.

w.c.: 1.2k words!

content warnings: None!

A.N.: shoutout to @jellyaris for inspo on the Shane section! Hope everyone enjoys these little snippety snippets...Suuure, some of these headcanons kind of diverge from canon (yeah, yeah. Alex is neutral to dandelions ingame. Sue me, LOL.) But who cares, it's Tumblr! Might make a bachelorettes' version too.

Alex

He's a simple man with simple tastes. DANDELIONS suit him well! He has fond memories of picking dandelions with his mother and blowing the seeds away, and even vaguely remembers how to make flower chains out of them. Of course, he could never get them as neat as hers, but Granny Evelyn still asks for his help when making crowns for the Flower Dance. Apart of him wonders why they have to use nicer-looking flowers for the formal crowns when dandelions work just fine. They're sturdy yet flexible- not nearly as fragile as the more 'beautiful' flowers, and as an athlete, he can admire that about them.

On a deeper level, there are many similarities to be found between Alex and his favorite flower. First impressions can be deceiving- just like most people think of dandelions as pests, Alex can come on a bit strong and even arrogant. But looking beneath the surface, they both share the same physical and mental will to push forward and survive in even the most difficult circumstances. They both go through drastic changes as well. Just as the bright and spiky bloom of a dandelion becomes softer and more delicate, Alex's spirit softens too. His own changes, though, won't float away on the wind anytime soon :P

Elliott

As obvious as it would be to say red roses, SNAPDRAGONS would be his favorites instead! As much as he is a romantic, he's just as much a daydreamer, and snapdragons would provide his imagination with ample opportunity to run wild, both with their fantastical name and lush, delicate appearance. They remind him of adventures in far-off lands, harkening reveries of ancient castles filled with wondrous secrets and the brave heroes set out to uncover them. He's a homebody at heart, but nothing is stopping him from holing up in his cabin and writing about any of it! (Or, well, fantasizing about writing about it, in most cases. <3)

But just as established, he's a romantic. Elliott is definitely well-versed in the language of flowers, and the meaning behind snapdragons in particular hardly eludes him. They symbolize grace, earnestness and strength under pressure, but are also known to represent something less than well-intentioned. Emulating the former qualities is something Elliott has done effortlessly, but in a way, the last one entices him the most. To create something beautiful, strong and mysterious; something that draws one in and sparks love and fear and longing for an endless more- isn't that what every writer wants? What every writer dreams of?

Harvey

A little like Elliott in this regard, Harvey is the sentimental type. FORGET-ME-NOTS hold a special place in his heart. It's a simple flower in appearance with an almost childlike name, but he likes them just the same. Maybe it's because of those traits that he does- they remind him of the carefree days he's missed out on, since moving to the valley. On top of his doctoral duties, he's a very lonely person overall. Forget-Me-Nots, with their hopeful pale blue, almost cheer him up to see on days where he feels less like a member of the community and more like a robot with a stethoscope and scrubs.

It's also their name that connects with him in a way...Forget-Me-Not. On top of the way they look, they cheer him up with that name. On the rare instance that the flower comes up in conversation, he jokes that the person who named it must've had terrible memory, as cheesy as it sounds. But all jokes aside, it's comforting to him that a flower otherwise unremarkable would have a name that insists to the listening ear that it shouldn't be forgotten. Almost inspiring, even. It makes him feel as if one day, he won't be another face-in-the-crowd. Somebody important, though to whom in particular...? Well, time will tell!

Sam

For Sam, it's DAISIES all the way! He constantly flip-flops between spring and summer as his favorite seasons, but daisies give him the best of both worlds. Seeing them dotting the fields in the warmer months always brings a smile to his face. Whether or not he's close with him, Sam definitely got Alex to teach him how to make flower chains one late spring...Of course, Alex may or may not have been mildly jealous of how easily Sam picked up on the skill, but when spending time together outside, Sam's restless hands sometimes find themselves picking daisies from the grass while Abigail and Sebastian chat and bicker and making the both of them bracelets!

When he still lived in the city with his mother, father and a much younger Vincent, he'd sometimes see them poking out of cracks in the sidewalk. While they weren't as common as dandelions, they still always caught his attention. While Jodi chatted aimlessly with her fellow PTA moms outside one of the countless Zuzu City JojaMarts, he'd busy himself, plucking daisies and dandelions from whatever nooks and crannies he could find and playing with them however he wanted. Back then, he didn't think much of it, but he looks at those times with almost a fond nostalgia. Things changed, but that doesn't mean it all has to be sad, right?

Sebastian

He doesn't think about this sort of thing very often, being the lovable terminally-online dork that he is. But if you ask, Sebastian's favorite flower would have to be BLACK TULIPS. It's not a very deep answer, really. Sure, tulips are more of a spring flower, but he finds the pitch purple color to be one of the more interesting colors that plants can have. They stick out among the cheerier colors that most other breeds of tulips display- the goths of their genus, if you will, and that's small part of why he likes them!

He entertained the idea of gardening, at one point, even prior to the farmer's arrival. Though he plans to move out eventually, he thought it would be a good way to get outside and get some exercise, though it wasn't ever really anything he thought to commit to. Though, he does chat with Evelyn on occasion- their shared affinity for tulips and his occasional fantasy of maintaining a small garden has ended up providing a lot more conversation than he's used to, or even expected! Even if most people see him as an asocial shut-in, it's comforting for him to recognize his softer side.

Shane

Look at him. All gruff and mean. His favorite flower is probably a thistle of some sort, or something poisonous. All things considered, his favorite flowers are FAIRY ROSES. Don't give him that look- it's just because Jas likes them so much! Seeing the way she lights up when she sees them is contagious for this gold-hearted curmudgeon. She'd spent two entire weeks planning out a one-woman recital for him and Marnie once, and when he handed her a little JojaMart bouquet of them afterwards...Well, the look on her face made the price tag worth it. Although, her excited squeal did leave his ears ringing for the rest of the evening.

The flowers are native to the valley, too...Sometimes, he feels as if he doesn't belong. Why would he? It's not as if he was born there or has any particularly close friends. If Pelican Town was a garden, he'd just be a weed. But Jas seems to have taken like a duck to water, although she's still shy as ever. Shane can be self-defeating and pessimistic at times, but he's not made of stone. He's grateful that she's in a place where she can flourish, just like the fairy roses she adores so much.

~FIN~

[dreamwritersworld]

Ghost of you. Part 2 (Sully family x reader)

She would be horrified by the things I’ve said, and if anyone told me that Y/n wouldn’t want me to hurt my parents, that she would want me to forgive them, her and move on…I know that too.

How could she just leave me? The strength I had to just try and smile the next day…it wasn’t visible, at least not to me.

*flashback day after Y/n left*

The people were still unaware that the daughter of their Olo'eyktan, twin to Lo’ak, had ran away.

Tuk was sitting down with the older women next to her silent mother cleaning that was cleaning her families blankets and cloths. While Tuk was miserably washing away her sisters sweet scent from her blanket so that Tuk could now use it as comfort. Tuk was silent as well until she was asked a question from the happier elders who knew Y/n and knew that she was very close with Tuk.

“Tuk, how is your sister? She didn’t come by to do her extra late work that she usually does around the village or her morning work.”

Tuk was very unsure on how to answer this and she saw how her mother gave her warning eyes as if telling her to keep quiet…so Tuk smiled down at her sisters blanket, imagined that she was here and looked back up before saying with a sly smile

“she’s doing okay!”

The fellow elders smiled and said

“Good for her! She helps around a lot in this village!”

“..yea she’s good!”

“When you see her let her know I have the gift-I mean I I made a gift for her!”

Tuk looked back down knowing she won’t be able to let her sister know anything because she left.

“excuse me..”

She had gotten up, walking away from the elders while her mother watched her knowing how upset Tuk must’ve been, but she couldn’t do anything…Tuk hasn’t talked to her and she refuses to.

Tuk had silently cried in the quiet part of the forest…In the exact spot Y/n would….she later found out that the lady exchanged beautiful jewelry and a very beautiful craved, sharp knife for Tuk from Y/n…all Y/n had to do was do even more extra work….It gave Tuk hope that maybe she’d do some extra hours of traveling to come back for her.

-*

My father made sure I wouldn’t escape. Y/n was the one who got out. My mother, she never lets him forget it, he only gets more upset and he goes against me…punishes me. He doesn’t know what else to do, not when everyone in the family is just turning a blind eye to him, not when he knows they secretly still mourn for Y/n, and definitely not when her departure ignited a flame in my mothers anger and an even bigger flame in mine.

I get more upset that I can still hear her. How can I move on when her voice is the only thing that brings me comfort?

Anytime I wonder off too far in the forest I can hear her whistle, call out for me…or I can hear her telling me it’s ok and that all I need to do is keep pushing, be strong.

I don’t get it. I try to but I don’t get it at all. How was it so easy for her to leave and not come back for me? I yearn for her motherly love all the time and yet I’m so mad at the thought of her sometimes.

…I listen to her tapes. She taught me how to work the human device, it’s recordings of her voice. Some songs she’d sing. Her voice brings me comfort, music is the only thing keeping me at peace when I’m falling to pieces.

It wasn’t easy being under my father’s watch and quite frankly I don’t know how Y/n did it…any of it. She always knew what to do!…my mother she just hasn’t taken it very well and she’s been very off with me. I’m still angry at her, for not standing up for her own daughter. How dare she cry? Cry now that Y/n was gone?!

*flash back*

I was had just came back from training in the forest and taking some time to listen to music. I was rushing inside to hide my tape recorder and I did! But i stopped on my way out when my mother called for me

“Tuk!”

I walked toward her slowly cautious of what she’d do and she pulled me in and hugged me while tears fell from her eyes, she was begging for me to stay there.

“Oh Y/- Tuk my baby! My beauti-“

No. I wasn’t going to allow her to mourn using me. She doesn’t deserve it, not with how she treated Y/n, not with how she turned a blind eye. So I pulled away.

“I know who you pretend I am. You will not mourn the loss of my sister, not in front of me. You are selfish too, you can be mad all you want but it won’t bring her back to you.”

-*

…Tuk meant what she said. However it didn’t qualify for herself, she actually had a relationship with her sister. She was allowed to show her open wounds if she pleased.

The one thing father did know what to do was argue. He too pretended I was Y/n sometimes, takes his anger out on me, talks down on her name when she isn’t here to defend herself or me but …one thing I learned from her was to never let him or anyone push me around.

*flashback*

Jake and Tuk were going back and forth on why Y/n left and suddenly he got up..

“Y/n was finished! She was washed up anyways.”

“Watch your mouth talking about Y/n-“

“Wanna hear the truth? She left you-“

“Because of you. You drove her away! It was your fault.”

“You better stop talking back Tuk before you’re punished.”

Tuk shared a laugh right in front of his face..

“I’m not scared of you-“

Jake pushed Tuk before she could finish her sentence. Neteyam walked in at the perfect time and interrupted the argument..

“Hey! Hey! Don’t you touch her Dad! Cmon stop! Stop it!”

“I didn’t have a child like you to be disrespected!”

“You didn’t earn your respect!”

“Your the one who should get upset at her! Your the one who tried to stop her from leaving right-“

“And if I hadn’t? Would you have stopped her?!”

Both of them looked at each other in silence while Neteyam looked down disappointed still maintaining space between the two

“…that’s right. I didn’t think so.”

“…I tried to save her.”

“There you go, still lying.”

“You’re being unfair now Tuk, you’re still my daughter.”

“Don’t you ever call me daughter again in your life! You didn’t earn that title! You trying to make years of manipulation and trauma disappear, are you crazy?!”

“…I’m trying to sto-“

“Stop! Look at you still trying to place the blame on Y/n for what you did! No I got a better idea, how about you take your bum ass and get out of here. I hate seeing your face. You go find a ditch and you lay in it. Cause I don’t need you.”

Both of them stood in disbelief looking at Tuk. Y/n made her strong, fearless and determined…something she never was against her father if it wasn’t for Tuk.

-*

Oh but Jake never learned his lesson…he still let himself slip on how he felt towards Y/n, never in front of Tuk or her mother. Truth was since Y/n was the best, always trained and the clan admired her, she tended to make Neteyam intimidated by how skilled his younger sister was.

Jake only gave harsh training.

“Father I don’t know how to beat my speed I can’t win.”

To this complaint Jake scuffs and rolls his eyes at his eldest son…when suddenly another child came to his head.

“It shouldn’t be that’s hard I mean, I never wanted Y/n to win and she won all the time.

-*

You’d be a fool to think that Eywa wouldn’t send subliminal messages between the two sister that were torn. Much like Y/n, Tuk was given a small gift from Eywa to visit Y/n in her dreams even if they weren’t ‘real’…to Tuk they very much were and she held them dear to her heart. She even believed that Y/n had passed…why would she still appear in her dreams if she hadn’t? But it made Tuk confused when she couldn’t connect with Y/n in the tree of souls…maybe she hasn’t died? Or maybe she did die but…Eywa only wanted Tuk to connect..? It was too complicated but for now, Tuk would settle for the ghost of her.

*Tuk’s dream*

It was silent and Tuk had been waiting doing target practice when she heard a whistle call out for her.

“Sunshine! Doing well as always!”

Tuk looked up with the most saddest eyes ever…it had been so long since she’s been able to connect with Y/n, she only came when Tuk needed her most…right now was one of those moments. She needed Y/n’s motherly love.

“…what’s wrong baby?”

Y/n pulled Tuk down to sit on a tree stump…

“…Y/n…I miss you..so much. I wish you were really here. I wish that none of this happened, I’m so angry.”

The older sister looked at the quiet forest avoiding her sisters eyes, regretting leaving and betraying her sister. Y/n would not burden her sister with her pain. She didn’t exactly know how to reply so she just gave a stressful sigh..

“I miss you too Tuk…but we’ll have to make due with pretending. It’s just me and you.”

“Why?..why can’t you just come back.”

Y/n tried responding but her voice was distorted and it didn’t make any sense..

“I…ha-…tried….did..”

Tuk got frustrated at not being able to understand so she looked down at her hands upset.

“You have to forget me Tuk.”

“…Y/n nooo.”

“It’s ok, it’s ok. I’ll miss you even more but you just have to forget me just for now ok? Something’s coming…I don’t understand either. We will meet again soon sister, when all is ok.”

-*

Tuk had been pulled from her dream and felt unsettled with the warning given to her…maybe it was just a bad dream.?

“Yo! Sister cmon stop sleeping! You’ve only been out with us once since yk…So come out today! It’ll be fun like last time trust me!”

The young sister got up to follow her older siblings and spider…running into a forbidden dangerous part of the forest.

Tuk felt chills against her body again. She heard Y/n’s voice.

“This is the dangerous part of the forest …turn back now.”

“Guys we should go now. Cmon!”

Suddenly Tuk was yanked by a soldier and all her siblings were held captive.

Quaritch was going past all children…when his eyes fell on Tuk.

Funny enough as hidden and secretive as Y/n was, the sky people knew of Y/n and her story with Tuk…A scientists who was close to the family betrayed their trust for a little more funding to create an avatar..the child that he decided to risk for that was Y/n…he held a grudge when she held a gun to his head in the forest.

“Oh my God, you don’t know me but I sure as hell know you.”

The dull lifeless eyes in Tuk should’ve been enough for him to back off because she was only a ticking time bomb.

“I don’t give a fuck who you are, you evil bitch.”

Quaritch was offended and surprised at the child’s remarks.

“She made you feisty…Where’s your sister? I know you know who I’m talking about, the dangerous one. I half expected her to be next to you but..She isn’t with you…so she’s dead then?”

Knowing the bond the two siblings had Quaritch believed it was easy to break Tuk.

“She was too ruthless with people…everyone except you. Probably why she isn’t here, you’re probably why she didn’t make it.

The solider repeatedly pasted back and forth while talking..it irritated Tuk fully.

“You might not want to move around so much. You might trigger an animal that’ll chop your head right off.”

“You’re bluffing kid.”

“Take another step and find out. Or leave. Can’t you just be smart and take the warnings?”

“You’ll be here for a good long time before animals come.”

“I don’t mind waiting.”

The soldier got a tighter grip on the child making Tuk hiss at them and the others

“You should probably think about being nicer to me…that’s just my advice.”

The coldness in her voice made Quaritch interrupt the other soldiers tormenting.

“No..nah we’re not gonna do it like this, lose the hard grip on the girl. Better thank me kid without you I’d probably shoot one of your siblings heads already.”

Now Tuk can tell he was the one bluffing and it was obvious.

“So? You want a Cookie? You want a cookie for doing the right thing?-“

“You know, you’re not very polite for a little girl.”

“And you’re not very polite for an adult-“

Lo’ak got panicked at the time ticking and Tuk’s stubbornness

“Tuk stop-“

“Lo’ak shut up! You need to think quick and good about your next decisions because I won’t hesitate to kill-“

The standoff was interrupted again by Neytiri’s calling and suddenly everyone went quiet.

When it was time to strike Tuk bit into the soldier grabbing his gun and shooting at two of them while running away.

No one comforted her besides her Kiri and Neteyam…it wasn’t enough to make her feel better, not that she really needed it. She just craved Y/n’s comfort.

It was as though she was waiting for her even now when they were already over, Tuk couldn’t help herself from looking for her.

!💓!

I’m so sorry it’s taking me long to post ‘on my way’ I been so stuck, I don’t want it to seem done fast with zero care and it’s just really difficult to fit what I want with like 10 different endings I have in mind 🥲‼️ in the meantime enjoy this! Ik you guys love their relationship 😊

I wanted this part to show Tuk upset but also sad..? Like she has a mix of emotions based on Y/n. I also wanted Tuk just running her mouth to show how she became defensive of her siblings the same way Y/n was. There are many parallels and small sayings that Y/n would say, meaning Tuk got some of her tendencies and habits

Tag list: @noodlesfics @eywas-heir @itshype @zatarias-pandora @yeosxxx @arminsgfloll @abbersreads @tsireyak @neteyamforlife @aimsro @elegantkidfansoul @goodiesinthecloset21 @nikotokitaswife @bucky1235 @detectivesparrow @kikosaurscave @octavias-next-meat-bite @midnightliacr @waitingforanotherpart @marybrown23 @ssc7514 @destinylb @simp-erformarvelwomen @eirianna @ambria @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @lv9su @luciddasher @dakotali @manohari @httpjiikook @snowywhiterose @tainted-artist4161 @fanboyluvr @bat1212 @deleted-1-800

[lightning-and-dragons]

Strength & Survival Chapter 8

Previous Chapter (Chapter 7)//Next Chapter (Chapter 9)

Read on Tumblr below! Rated Teen and Up! This is a long one, sitting at just about 4k words!

Nya had a hard time finding peace. Often, before the Merge, she found peace in tinkering, building vehicles and mechs beside Pixal. She would find it in Jay holding her in his arms, or  Nya holding him in hers, both of them finding comfort in the steady heartbeat of the other, proving that they were still alive, that they were still together. 

Now, she found her peace in the unshakable ocean. What once scared her, what once threatened to take her from her family forever, now gave her a strength that she soaked in like a sponge. No matter what occurred on the new Merged lands, no matter what new creatures or enemies they faced, the ocean always remained constant. It was an immovable force, unbroken by the events of the sky. It didn’t change if someone got lost, if everything that made up the world fell apart, it was still there. It still moved. It still fought. 

Nya never wanted to be a part of the ocean again. But she wanted to be like it. She wanted that unbreakable force that didn’t waver, only getting stronger with every storm. 

She found peace in it at this moment, flying over it on Jiro’s back. She watched as the rolling waves flowed far below them, the wind in the air brushing her cheeks with a caring touch, the sun above her warming her skin. She knew that she could easily get lost there if it weren't for the mission that they were on. Lloyd’s presence behind her, and the quickly repaired jet that Cole rode in beside them was a reminder of why they were out there. 

Yet, a part of her wondered why they were going on this mission in the first place. The Blood Moon had passed. Rontu and Egalt were probably alive and well, if it was the Blood Moon that turned them into statues. So, why were they coming all this way, when there was still so much to do? They still had to get Kai back. They still had to train the kids. They still had to find Pixal and Wu. They still had to find Jay. 

They had even left the kids behind with Zane at the Monastery to go on this mission. Was it really important? That dangerous? Or was it not that dangerous at all, so very few of them needed to come?

“Lloyd, why are we doing this again?” Nya asked over the wind, and Lloyd took a moment to reply. Lloyd had been carrying such a heavy weight over the past few months, and losing Kai was the last thing that he needed. This mission might’ve even been adding to his stress, too. She let him take his time replying. 

After Kai got back, after they found Jay and Pixal, Nya would force everyone to take a long break. They all needed it, but Lloyd needed it most of all. 

“I need to make sure that Egalt and Rontu are okay.” Lloyd replied. “I know that they’re probably alright, but after all that they did for us, it’s the least that we can do. And…”

“And…?”

“There was someone else training under them. Someone I want to help.” Lloyd admitted. “Another elemental master. I…I have a feeling that with more training, he could become an ally.”

Nya’s stomach dropped at the words, her eyes widening. “What? Another elemental master? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Another elemental master could mean any number of things. They could be someone they can trust, someone powerful who would fight beside them, a possible friend. Nya was honored to know many kind elemental masters, one who would fight beside them if they were here. But she also knew some who weren't so kind. Some who wanted to kill, to take her family from her, who did take her family, some who lived and breathed destruction. 

She hoped that this new elemental master was one of the kind ones. Didn’t he have to be, if Rontu was training him?

“Rontu didn’t want me to tell you. He isn’t ready to fight enemies like ours, and the last thing we needed was to be distracted by him. Could you imagine the amount of chaos knowing about him could’ve made, especially when we were learning the Rising Dragon technique? The kids would’ve probably freaked out, not to mention how many questions we would all have.”

Nya knew that he was right, so she didn’t reply. 

A million questions flew through her own mind, and she stuttered over her words, eagerly trying to gather her thoughts. 

Was this elemental master on their side, or his own? Where had he been all of this time? What was his element?

Yet, only one question passed her lips. “Who is he?”

Lloyd took a second before replying. “I didn’t get his name, but Rontu told me that his element is a strong one. He seems…about our age, I think, and experienced. He’s tall too, and fights with a kusarigama.”

“A kusarigama? That’s not a popular weapon.”

Lloyd chuckled. “No, it isn’t. I think Jay was the only one I knew who used it. But whoever this guy is, he held it like he knew how to wield it.”

Nya couldn’t help but ask, hoping to get rid of the thought of Jay. She couldn’t start thinking about him now. “Did you fight him?”

“No. I was about to, until Rontu showed up.”

“I have to say, we can use another elemental master with combat training.” Cole said over the comm system, and Nya flinched, forgetting that he was hearing their whole conversation from the jet. “If we can train him in his element even more, he can help us fight Ras.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Cole.” Lloyd replied. “We need all the help we can, now that Nokt is freed, and now that Kai…”

Lloyd didn’t have to finish his sentence. Nya found herself looking back down to the ocean, taking deep breaths, ignoring the stab of pain in her chest at the reminder. 

“Let’s just talk to this guy first. We can’t get ahead of ourselves.” Nya said firmly. 

“Agreed.”

The rest of the ride was taken in silence, and as soon as they arrived they made their way to the training grounds. Rontu, before the Blood Moon arrived, had shown them where they could go to avoid the tests. Nya was thankful for it. The last thing she wanted to see right now was Jay forgetting her name. 

As soon as the training grounds came into view, Nya knew that something was wrong. The stone was covered with charred marks, the gray marred with black. There were dozens of these spots, as if a fire had rushed through, or lightning rained down from the sky repeatedly. 

“Oh, no.” Lloyd said, and Nya soon saw why. There were mechs sprinkled on the ground, some broken beyond repair, others charred like the ground, fitting the exact description of the Administration mechs that Cole and Lloyd had seen. And Rontu and Egalt were gone. There were no statues, but there were no dragons protecting their home, or cleaning up the rubble from the battle that obviously happened. 

Then Nya saw him. 

A man knelt in the middle of the destruction. He wore a black hood, hiding his face, and held his arm to his chest. A kusarigama rested at his side, on the ground, and Nya knew that this was the man that Lloyd had met, the one that he wanted to train. 

If that elementalist did all of that, how powerful was he? Was his element heat based? Did he take down all of those mechs?

“Set Jiro down, Nya. Cole, land the jet. That’s him.” Lloyd said in the leadership Nya had learned to admire. 

“Did he fight off an army of the Administration? How powerful is this guy?” Cole asked, stunned, and Nya could admit that she was shocked, too.

“I don’t know. But we’re about to find out.”

Nya led Jiro to the training grounds, where the Lightning Dragon landed with a low growl. Lloyd hopped off, heading straight for the man, while Nya readjusted the reins and fell in step behind Lloyd. 

“Woah, Jiro, easy!” Cole said, suddenly, and Nya looked back to see the dragon attempt to follow them, his eyes focused on Rontu’s student. 

“Jiro, stay there, alright? We’ll be back soon.”

The dragon looked displeased, but obeyed her, his feet lifting from the ground periodically, as if holding back took all of his strength. A small part of Nya wondered why, but she knew that Jiro liked meeting new people, so she didn’t dwell on it. Not while there were other more important things on her mind. 

Cole soon rushed up beside Nya, and the duo finally made their way to Lloyd and the man. The man was now on his feet, swaying slightly, yet still stood. 

The first thing Nya noticed was that Lloyd was right. Rontu’s student was tall. He was thinner than Cole, yet it was clear that he didn’t slack in training. It reminded Nya of a trained soldier, one who didn’t care how many muscles he had, but only focused on being able to help others.  As Nya studied him, she noticed that his arm was bleeding, a large gash tainting the fabric of his black and blue suit. He even wore a bandana, every bit of skin on his face either covered by fabric or by shadow.

“What happened?” Lloyd was asking him, gently going to grab the man’s injured arm, no doubt wanting to inspect the injury, but the man pulled away. 

“The Administration.” The man, Rontu’s student, said. “They came and took Rontu and Egalt.” 

Nya noticed that he sounded younger than he looked, and he sounded honest, like someone that they could trust. It probably helped that he even sounded familiar to them, like they had come across him in their travels at one point or another.

There was a slight nagging in the back of her mind, something poking her, as if there was something that she needed to remember. She didn’t focus on it. 

“But how could they capture two Dragon Masters?” Cole asked, stepping forward, and the man stepped back, as if in fear.

“Who…”

“This is Cole and Nya, my teammates.” Lloyd said, pointing to each of them accordingly. “You can trust them.”

The man seemed hesitant, but nodded. “They were still statues. I fought the Administration with everything I had, but one hit me in the head and…” Rontu’s student stopped, looking down to his weapon and back up at them. “That was the only distraction that they needed.”

“Can I check your arm? If it’s bleeding, I have a few bandages in the jet.” Cole offered, and Lloyd nodded. 

“Go grab them, Cole. Hey, could you sit down? I won’t ask you to put your hood down, but if you hurt your head you should rest.”

The man seemed hesitant, yet he gently grabbed Lloyd’s own arm, letting the green ninja lower him to the ground. Cole ran to grab the supplies, while Nya took the time to stand back, observing. Every part of her wanted to rush up to the man, shake his shoulders and demand answers, yet she practiced restraint. Scaring someone who was still learning their element wasn’t smart, especially someone who could be an ally. She didn’t want to push him away from them, and she didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

It didn’t take long for Cole to return with bandages, soon kneeling beside Rontu’s student, loosening the strips of fabric around the man’s arms to access the cut fully. The man seemed hesitant to accept help, but let Cole tend to him, his limbs tense.

“It’s not too deep, you’ll be okay.”

The man seemed to visibly relax at that. 

“Are you dizzy at all?” Lloyd asked gently, “Is your vision blurry?”

“No. I blacked out for a minute, and that was it. That’s all the Administration needed to teleport Rontu and Egalt away. If I had avoided that hit, I could’ve stopped them.”

The man sounded angry, no doubt angry at himself, and Nya hated it. No one should blame themselves for something that they couldn’t do. 

Nya remembered, some time ago, when she became human after living as the ocean for a year. She remembered how distraught Jay had been, blaming himself for Nya’s decision, saying that if he had been stronger, if he had been faster, Nya wouldn’t have had to sacrifice herself. He wouldn’t have drowned, and they wouldn’t have lost a year of their lives together.

The argument was a silly one, and Nya told him as much, silencing his rambling with a kiss, telling him that it wasn’t his fault. None of it was. 

It was one of the last times they kissed before the Merge. Before she lost him. 

No. She wouldn’t think about that. She wouldn’t. 

Turning her attention back to the present, she watched Lloyd give the man a small smile. “Hey. It’s not your fault. We’re going to get them back.”

Nya had no doubt that they would. Lloyd was tired of losing people that they cared about. They all were. And, seeing Rontu’s student sit down in front of them, his hands in fists, his body tense with the aftermath of battle, she knew that he would do everything he could to save them, too. She couldn’t see his eyes, they were covered in the shadow of his hood, yet she could imagine a sharp determination in them. 

“But, how?” Cole asked, finally finished wrapping the man’s arm. “We can’t get to the Administration without their teleporters.”

There was a beat of silence, before the man spoke up softly.

“I have a way.”

“What?” Nya asked, shocked that the man had come up with an answer so quickly. “How?”

Rontu’s student seemed to smile under the mask, even though they couldn’t see his lips or eyes. 

“Follow me.”

----------------------------------

Jay didn’t know if he fully trusted Lloyd’s friends, but he trusted Lloyd, and he needed all of the help that he could get. 

Before the Ninja had arrived, Jay was ready to collapse onto the ground, too sore to think of a rescue attempt. All he could see was Rontu and Egalt being swallowed by a teleporter, taken to a place that Jay was too familiar with, followed by dozens of agents. The ones who were awake carried the ones that Jay had hurt, those who had fallen unconscious because of his lightning, stepping through the portal to their home. 

Egalt and Rontu were right. His element was dangerous. 

He could still hear the crack of the lightning bolts hitting the ground, the smell of static in the air, the sheer energy that coursed through his veins giving his strength. He could still see the dark, red sky light up with white and blues, a torrent of power cutting through the horizon. He knew that he could never forget how strong he was in that moment, how it felt to fully harness his element. 

Yet, now that there were no enemies, everything in his body began to fail him. His limbs shook, everything stung, and it took every bit of power that he had to keep breathing evenly. His arm stung, his head pounded, and he knew that he was running on the last bit of strength left in his body.

He had been fighting all night. And, when he thought that there was no hope left, that he would die where he sat, weak and burnt out, Lloyd showed up with kind words and a helping hand. His friend, Cole, showed up with bandages. The girl, Nya, showed up, strength pouring off of her in waves.  And all of them wanted to get Rontu and Egalt back. 

Somehow, the sight and presence of the Ninja, of their determination, gave Jay a renewed strength, strength that he took in as soon as he could. 

There would probably be another battle, but somehow Jay knew that he would be okay, at least for a little while. 

Leading the way to the cave, Jay watched the trio out of the corner of his eye. Cole was talking quietly to Nya behind them, while Lloyd trailed closely beside Jay, watching him with concern. 

“Hey,” Lloyd said, no doubt noticing Jay’s gaze. “What’s your name?”

Jay didn't know if he should tell them yet, if he could trust them with his name. He probably could, he knew that Rontu trusted them, but for some reason his name got caught in his throat, refusing to come out. Was it his fear of danger that stopped him from speaking? Or was it because he was so used to hiding that he couldn’t stomach finally telling someone?

He must’ve taken too long to reply. Lloyd gave him a small smile. 

“It’s okay. Maybe after all of this you can tell us.”

“Thanks.”

Finally, they made it to the cave, and Jay pushed back the leaf wall, his injured arm stinging in protest, his stomach sinking to his toes as he remembered him hiding in here as Rontu and Egalt turned to stone. 

But he couldn’t change the past. He just had to get them back and save them, so they could all live another day.

He didn’t even want to think about what would happen if he didn’t save them. What would the Administration do with two Dragon Masters? How far would they be willing to go? Would they kill them? Study them?

“Wow, this is a nice cave.” Cole said, interrupting his thoughts, looking around, and Jay turned to glance at him. 

“He’s the master of Earth. Caves are sort of his thing.” Lloyd said with a shrug.

“I mean, this fits a whole training area in it. Pretty cool stuff. You lived here?”

“Yeah. While Rontu and Egalt were training you guys.”

“Cole wasn’t here.” Nya said, her black pony tail swaying as she turned to the Master of Earth. “But Lloyd and I were. We had no clue that you were here.”

Lloyd chuckled. “You would make a good Ninja, you’re good at hiding.”

Jay didn’t know what to say to that. Instead, he made his way to a corner of the cave, where he had hid his Administration gun and his teleporter under a blanket.

“But if we come back here in the future, then this would make a great gym.” Cole was saying, his words becoming further and further away. “Look how big this cave is!”

Future. Future. Future.

For some reason, the word spun around in Jay’s head, consuming his every thought. His eyes wandered, searching for an answer for his confusion, and his eyes landed on Nya. 

 But if I’m ever gonna have a say in our future, it’s me who has to protect you…

A sharp pain cut through Jay’s thoughts, and he clutched his head, groaning. Everything throbbed, and before he realized what was happening, he was on his knees, Lloyd hovering uncertainty beside him. 

Save me, Jay Walker.

“Hey! Hey! Are you okay?” Lloyd was saying, his voice breaking through the droning in his ears. Lloyd’s hand was pressed against Jay’s shoulder, and slowly the pain in his head lessened, as if his mind decided that Jay had been tortured enough. 

“I…” Jay could barely speak. He felt Nya’s presence on the other side of him, her brown eyes boring into his, and Jay looked away. Something about her caused him to remember something, something important, but he didn’t want to feel that pain again. 

He hoped that it was his head injury that had caused the memory to hurt so much. But, he knew that it was because it was so important that it hurt. Those words had meant a lot to him. Whoever said them meant the world to him. The memory was foggy, yet the words were clear, and they were more than just words.

For some reason Jay didn’t know, those words had changed everything, at one point in his past life. And he didn’t know what. 

Finally, he managed to speak. “I’m okay.”

“Was it your head?” Cole asked from behind him, and Jay nodded, reaching for the weapon and teleporter. 

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

Picking up the blanket that hid the devices from the world, he slid the weapon in his waistband, well aware of the stares he was receiving, and held up the teleporter, turning to them. 

“This is an Administration teleportation device. It has one use left, enough to get us in, but we would have to find a way out.”

Lloyd raised his eyebrows in question, and Jay handed it to him, allowing himself to take a deep breath after than memory, refocusing himself.

“How did you get it?” Cole asked, and Jay shakily got to his feet. 

“I used to work at the Administration.”

“What?” Nya asked, her voice raising. “You used to work with them?”

“Yes, but I hated every second of it. I escaped after they tried to kill me. Trust me, I was never on their side. The teleportation devices are the only way to get in or out, I used this one to get out.”

“If you used to work there, you would know the way around.” Lloyd commented, and Jay nodded. 

“I know the Administration better than I know myself.”

He hated that it was the truth, but it was. Luckily, the Ninja didn’t have to know that.

Lloyd handed the device back to Jay, and he took it gratefully. 

“Ready to go?” Jay asked, and they all nodded. Silently, the four of them left the cave, and headed back to the training grounds, where the remains of the battle still sat. Jay couldn’t bring himself to look at the mechs for long. The dragon that the Ninja rode in on watched Jay, his tail wagging, and Jay could resist the smile that broke across his face. 

“That’s Jiro.” Nya said, and Jay raised his hand, letting the dragon press his nose against it, Jiro eagerly pushing playfully. “He likes people, but usually not this much.”

Jay scratched Jiro’s nose. “Hey there, buddy. He’s a lightning dragon?”

He didn’t know how he knew that, but the words came to him suddenly, as if on instinct.

“Yup. One of the best. He’s staying back, though.” Lloyd said, and as Jay turned away he saw that the ninja was handing him his kusarigama. “Ready to go?”

Jay nodded, taking the weapon thankfully. After making sure that they all had their weapons drawn, Jay took a deep breath, setting the teleporter to a safe spot in the Administration, where he knew they could find information about the whereabouts of Rontu and Egalt quickly. 

Turning the transporter on, he stepped back, watching as a portal formed, its telltale whine breaking through the silence. He could see Cole tense beside him, but the man stood tall. They all did, as if the unknown didn’t fill them with terror. 

Without hesitation, Jay stepped through, and he was glad to see that the others were following him, their steps falling in tune with his. 

He might still be alone after this, only finding company in Rontu and Egalt once he saved them. But, for now, he would take comfort in having other elemental masters beside him, fighting with him, no matter how long it lasted. 

It felt nice. He finally felt like he was a part of something. And he found himself enjoying it.

Previous Chapter (Chapter 7)//Next Chapter (Chapter 9)

[worldserasingandcreatinginmymind]

Bloody Beetle | Part Four

Summary: life in the desert with Harrow and his creepy cult

Pairing: another one that’s mostly Arthur Harrow x Reader

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: that naughty boy Harrow is lying and manipulating people again, tut tut...

A/N: look at me posting two days in a row, who am I? For the purposes of this story, let’s just pretend Harrow has the ability to give people strength or make them need to sleep… as always spelling and grammar are not my strongest skills so please be kind :)

Part Three | Series Masterlist

- - - - -

Egypt is hot. Way too hot. There’s not a single inch of your body that isn’t dripping with sweat as you follow Harrow and his disciples through the Egyptian desert. Arthur keeps you near him at all times, and you watch as the scarab that is floating above his hand directs him through the sands and suddenly points down. 

“We found Ammit. She’s here.” He says quietly before turning to face everyone and shouting in a language you don't recognise. The disciples erupt into cheers and laughs of joy. You just stand and watch them all. You don't understand how anyone could be happy about this. But then Harrow hasn’t managed to brainwash you like he has the rest of these people. 

As they celebrate Harrow is approached by Bobbi, the lady you recognise as the police officer who took you from Steven’s flat. She’s on the phone when he notices her. 

“Marc Spector is in Cairo. He’s tracking us.” She says just loud enough for you to hear, glancing over at you as she talks.

“I know.” Harrow replies quietly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “She’s here.” 

Some of the disciples get to work on unloading the trucks and setting up huge tents while others begin digging to find the tomb. Wanting no part in any of this you take yourself a good distance away from everyone, finding a rock to sit on. Arthur sees you and comes over, sitting next to you. 

“You look displeased.” He says. 

“Well you're one step closer to freeing the crocodile lady that tried to kill me and wants to kill a whole lot of other people so, yeah, you could say I’m displeased.”

“I wish you saw things the way I do.”

“And I wish you didn’t.” You shoot back and he smirks, but not in a malicious way. He is genuinely amused by you. You look back out at his followers all working like slaves under his command. It baffles you how happy they are to be working so hard in this heat, excited at the prospect of freeing Ammit. “How did you do it?”

“How did I do what?” He responds.

“How did you convince all these people to follow you?”

“They follow Ammit, not me.” 

“But they follow Ammit because of you, right? You told them about her.”

“I guess.” he says, noncommittal, wanting you to keep talking. 

“I presumed it was just that they were lucky enough to be judged as good by her, and that’s what made them follow her. But then I realised that even if she had judged me as good instead of condemning me, I still wouldn’t believe the same thing that she does. I still wouldn’t be okay with killing people just because they might do something bad. And I just don't see how this many people can believe that that is right.”

“Everyone has their own reasons to believe what they believe.” 

“Yeah, but when those beliefs result in murder-”

“Y/N…” Harrow sighs.

“I mean what about kids? What would happen if you tested the scales, or whatever you call it, on a kid. And it turned out that they might do something that Ammit classes as evil in the future. What would happen then?” You ask, but he stays silent. “Arthur?” 

“Don't ask questions that you won’t like the answer to.” 

“You’re even worse than I thought.” You get up and start to walk away. 

“Don't go far. It’s almost time for your daily healing.” He calls after you, but you just keep walking. You need to get away from this man. 

— — — — 

About an hour has passed since your revealing talk with Harrow and the dig is still in full force. You’ve made yourself as comfortable as is possible when in the middle of a scorching hot desert surrounded by unhinged cult members. You find a small mound of sand just large enough for you to lean against and you sit on the floor. Your face up towards the bright sky, eyes closed as you try to take yourself somewhere else in your mind. 

Suddenly you hear a man cry out “Help!” And open your eyes to see the sky turn a dark shade of orange. You sit up right and search the crowd for Harrow. He may be deranged, but for some reason you feel safe when your eyes land on him. He stops digging and looks up at the sky. He doesn’t look worried all. In fact, he looks irritated. 

“Keep digging! No matter what happens, keep digging! Do not stop. I am about to be called upon.” He looks over and gestures for you to come to him. You obey, getting up and running across the sand to where he stands waiting with his cane. As soon as you reach him he lifts the hand that is holding the cane up to the side of your arm, the wooden cane pressing into your bicep slightly. “It’s time.” 

He places his other hand on your head, closing his eyes. Out the corner of your eye you notice the cane glow for a moment and then its over. He removes the hand on your head, using it to call over one of his female disciples. “Y/N is going to need to sleep now. Take her to the tent, stay there with her until I return.” 

“Praise Ammit.” She responds with a nod before taking gentle hold of you and leading you to the tent. She unzips the door for you and before you enter you turn back to look at Arthur, but he is already gone. 

Harrow was right. Once you got inside the tent you suddenly realised how much you wanted to sleep. As the woman charged with staying with you sat on a stool by the entrance, you settled down on one of the two camp beds that are set up in the room and fell almost instantly asleep. You have no idea how long you were asleep for but when you wake, Harrow has taken the place of the woman and is now sat watching you. 

“You’re back.” You say as you sit up in bed. 

“I am.” he replies simply as he stands and moves over to one of the tables in the room.

“Where did you go?” 

“I had to talk with the Ennead council but it’s sorted now. Nothing to worry about.” A small smile appears on his face. “How are you feeling?” 

“Fine.”

“Good, good. I’m glad. The healing can make you feel tired for a while after so it’s important to rest.” He hands you a cup of water and sits next to you. He takes a sip from his own cup before talking again. “I saw Marc Spector tonight.” 

“Oh.” you say, trying to sound disinterested and ignore how your heart just skipped a beat at the mention of his name.

“He wanted the Ennead to put me on trial, but they saw through his lies and let me go. When I last saw him, he and Layla El-Faouly were meeting with a black market dealer-”

“Why are you telling me this?” You snap, standing up from the bed and stepping away from him.

“I thought you’d want to know.” It feels like he’s trying to wind you up, make you jealous that Marc is out there somewhere with Layla. 

“Well I don’t, okay? I do not care about Marc Spector.” You say firmly. A half truth. You don't know Marc Spector enough to care about him, but you do care for Steven and a small part of you still believes in him. 

Harrow stares at you for a moment before nodding. “Okay.” he says quietly before getting up and walking past you, stopping when he reaches the door. “Dinner is being served now. Once you’ve calmed down you may join us.”

He leaves and part of you wants to throw the cup of water in your hand at the door, but you don’t. Another part of you wants to just stay in this tent for the rest of the evening, but the grumbling of your stomach tells you that’s not a good idea. So you take a few breaths, finish the drink and head outside. 

— — — — 

As soon as you got outside with everyone, you wished you’d stayed in the tent. Something about the way the disciples watch you sends shivers up your spine. You get the feeling they don’t like having you around. Hushed conversations suddenly stop as you walk by. You keep catching glimpses of dirty looks and disproving stares being sent your way. If looks could kill, not even Harrow could keep you alive.

Harrow had been deep in conversation with a group of disciples so you walked straight to the food serving table and grabbed a bowl. You thanked the server who splashed a ladle of some sort of soup into your bowl and handed you a bread roll before you headed towards the table with the least amount of people sat at it. As soon as you sat down, the few people that were there got up and left, leaving you completely alone. Which you didn’t mind. At least you could eat your soup without judgement. 

Maybe its just because you haven't eaten a full meal in days, but the soup was actually delicious. You have no idea how they managed to make something so tasty with such few resources, but your empty stomach really appreciates it. A few moments later you notice the shadow of someone stood next to you. 

“May I sit?” Harrow asks, looking down at you with a sympathetic smile.

“Go ahead.” You say as you dip some bread in your soup and he sits next to you. “This is really good.” You say as you take a bite of the now soup soaked bread.

“Yes, Victor’s lentil soup. A favourite of mine.” He waves over to Victor who smiles at Harrow, but then he looks at you and his face drops.

“I don't think these people like me very much.” You try to laugh it off, but your insecurity sneaks through. 

“There are some doubts about you, I admit. Those who believe I’m wrong for sparing you after your scales judgement. But they’ll come around, once they get to know you.”

“They want me dead.” You say, a hint of sadness in your voice as you absentmindedly stir your spoon around your soup. 

“Y/N look at me.” He says and you look up, slightly startled by how close he now is. “No harm will come to you while you’re under my protection. You have my word.”

You just nod at him and he smiles, relaxing into his seat. You finish the rest of your meal in comfortable silence before Harrow offers to walk you back to the tent. 

“We’re going into the tomb tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun rises.” He says suddenly, and you don't really know how to respond. You want to try to convince him not to go, not to release Ammit. But you know there’s no point so you just say “okay” and continue walking. 

“I don't know how long I’ll be down there so I’ll need to do your healing before I go-”

“Wait, you're not taking me with you?” You ask.

“No, you must stay in the tent. I don't know what challenges I will face in there, it’s likely to be dangerous. I need to be able to focus and not be worrying about you.” 

“Why would you worry about me?” You laugh and he stops walking, turning to face you completely. 

“Because I care about you, Y/N.”

“Oh” you're surprised at his confession “Uh, I don't really know what to say to that.” 

“Then say nothing.” He says, reaching his hand out to pull back the entrance to the tent. “It’s time to sleep now. Tomorrow is a big day.” 

You enter the tent and head to the bed you’d slept in earlier. You're surprised that Harrow follows you in, placing his cane next to the other bed in the tent. 

“You're sleeping in here too?” You ask.

“Is that alright? I assure you, you are perfectly safe with me. But if you're uncomfortable I can swap with Bobbi. I’m sure she won’t mind-”

“No, no its okay. I don't mind.” You don't fully trust that Bobbi, or any of the other disciples, wouldn’t just murder you while you slept.

“Very well.” He says, climbing into bed. “Good night Y/N.” 

“Good night Arthur.”

— — — — 

The next morning you when you wake you can hear the sound of voices outside your tent. You look over and realise Harrow’s bed is empty. You get out of bed and creep closer to the tent door, listening to the conversation on the other side. 

“But sir, please, I want to help you!” The voice pleads. 

“You want to help me? This is how you help.” Harrow replies, calm but firm. “She can’t come with us, someone has to stay with her. I’m trusting you with to keep her safe.” He pauses. “Ammit has found you to be worthy enough for this important task. Don’t let her down.”

There’s sigh before the first voice simply says “Praise Ammit.”

You hear movement and quickly retreat back away from the door. A moment later Harrow and one of his disciples, a young lady, enters. 

“Y/N, this is Maya. She’s going to keep you company while I’m away.”

“Nice to meet you.” You give her a small smile, and she tries to smile back but you can tell she’s irritated. You turn your attention to Harrow. “You know I really don't need a babysitter. I’ll be fine in here on my own.” 

“I know. But just in case something were to happen, Maya will be here for you.” He moves closer to you. “Are you ready?” He asks, placing a hand on your shoulder and you nod. He places his other hand on your head, his cane glows and even though you’ve just woken from a full night sleep you instantly feel tired. He guides you back into bed, helping you settle in. “Sleep now. When I return, we change the world.” He says softly with a smile as you drift back into your dreams. 

— — — — 

The first thing you notice when you wake up is how quiet it is in the empty camp. It’s eery, kind of haunting. For the first time you actually almost miss Harrow and you're actually relieved he didn’t leave you completely alone. You sit up and look over to see Maya sat on the stool at the entrance, slumped against the side of the tent. She’s asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, you make your way over towards her as quietly as possible and sneak past her to the outside. 

Being alone outside sends a shiver up your spine. The camp looked abandoned, but you don't feel like you're alone. You get the same feeling you did at dinner last night, as if everyones eyes are on you. You head over to the food table and are thankful to find there’s still some porridge left over from breakfast in the serving pot. You grab yourself a bowl full and sit at one of the tables. You only get a few mouthfuls before you hear Maya shouting for you. She comes running outside, a look of panic on her face. A gun in her hand, which she lowers once she realises you're fine. She heads over to join you. 

“Why do you have gun?!” You ask in horror. 

“Harrow left it with me, so I can defend myself if I need to.” 

“Defend yourself against who?” You pause, surely not… “Against me?”

“No not you.” She tucks the gun away in her belt. “He just said if anyone shows up and tries to follow him or take you then I have to use it.”

“Who would want to take me…” you don't even finish your sentence as it sinks in. He must be talking about Marc. But if what he said before was true, then Marc wanted nothing to do with you. Maybe he knows something you don't and there are more dangerous people after you. But what would they even want with you? None of this makes sense, but it’s making you anxious. You decide to change the subject. “So, how long have you been with Harrow and everyone?” 

“Not long, only a few months now I think.”

“How did you get involved in all this?” 

“I made friends with some bad people when I was in college. Eventually they got me selling drugs and when my parents found out they kicked me out. I was living on the streets, meeting dangerous people. That’s when I met Arthur. He found me in an alley one night, tested my scales and took me in. He saved me.”

“Wow…” you don't know what to say. Looking at her, she can’t be older than 17. But already she’s been through so much. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

“It’s okay. I’m in a much better place now.” She smiles, this time it’s real. “And once we release Ammit, I’ll be able to bring justice to the people that hurt me.” There’s a few moments of quiet before Maya speaks again. “Please don't tell Harrow that I was asleep.”

“I won’t. But why does it matter?”

“I was supposed to be watching you. If he knew that I’d fallen asleep, and that you were out here alone… he’s be so angry with me.”

“But why?”

Before she can answer you hear the sound of something being knocked over in one of the other tents, startling both of you. For a second she looks panicked while she tries to work out what to do next. 

“Back to the tent. Go!” She whispers as she gets up and ushers you to move with her. She escorts you back with one hand on your back, the other hovering over her gun which is tucked into her belt. Once inside she tells you to sit back on the bed, which you do. You both stay silent as you listen out for any more movement. “I’m going to have a look around. Stay here.” She says and you agree before she disappears back out the door. 

A few more minutes pass by and you see the shadow of someone creeping around the edge of your tent. The shadow of someone too big to be Maya. You get on the floor and shuffle under your camp bed just as someone enters. You clasp your hands over your mouth as you listen to heavy footsteps move around your tent, rifling through items and baskets of papers that Harrow left on the table. Something falls to the floor and drifts down to land in front of you, some paper covered in sort of ancient text. Your heart feels like its about to pound right out of your chest as the intruder moves closer. As they crouch down to pick it up you finally get a glimpse of who it is. He looks at you like he’s just seen a ghost.

“Y/N?” the British voice you didn’t realise you’d missed so much. “Y/N! Oh thank God you’re alive!” 

Part Five

Taglist :  @sleepylunarwolf / @ahookedheroespureheart / @sleepyamaya / @spicydonut25 / @kult6 / @uncle-eggy / @malaanii/ @toracainz / @pinkiestwinkie / @galacticstxrdust / @mateihavenoidea / @xmariakx / @oscarissac2099 / @whycantwebefriendz / @parkeepingparker

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[smolthealmighty]

Spinaraki Week 4 Day 4: Cracks and Home

Old Hag Look at My Life (I'm a Lot Like You Were)

As Tomura’s world falls apart, his grandmother’s vestige comes to his unlikely rescue. It turns out they’re a bit more similar than he thought.

When Tomura Shigaraki came back to himself, his mind was achy from his mater’s reveal, his voice was hoarse from screaming, his body was scattered to the wind with barely any pieces left, and to his surprise the woman who everyone called his grandmother was holding him in her muscular arms. While he appreciated the sentiment, he couldn’t help but wish a certain someone he actually got along with (and who’s arms held the same strength) was comforting him, instead of this hero lady he’d never met but who dictated his fate in absentia.

“I know you’re not happy to see me,” Nana said, “But I hope you’re willing to put up with me long enough to keep you alive. One For All and All For One did quite the number on you, the quirk and the man I mean.”

“If you call getting smashed into bits and having my entire worldview torn into just as many pieces ‘having a number done on me’,” Tomura sarcastically threw back, “Then I’d hate to see what you’d consider to be worse!”

“No, no, I’m not sure anyone could’ve survived that combination. But you’re not just anyone, are you?” Tomura started at that, but his grandmother gently aimed his face to look at her sincere -and maybe proud?- expression as she continued.

“You’ve been through so much, you’re so very strong. And even with everything All For One has put you through, all the lies he spun and all the strings he pulled to mold you into what he wanted, you still managed to untether yourself enough to find your own goal and make your own connections. You found friends, and you dedicated your aspirations to them. You loved them, you helped them. It’s not what I’d call hero work, but in a vacuum I can’t deny it’s heroic. I only wish someone better could’ve been around to guide you, so you had the opportunity to try your brand of heroism, and for that I am sorry.”

Tomura was speechless at the apology that came two decades too late, but when he thought about it, he was -begrudgingly- at least a little bit glad someone had finally told him that not only could he be a hero after all this time, but that he was a hero for the people who mattered to him the most (and if it also flew in the face of everyone who wanted him to fail then that made it all the better).

“Wait,” Tomura asked, horror taking over as an idea of starting to dawn on him, “how the hell do you know any of that?”

“Well,” Nana squirmed, “we are currently in a vestige world residing in your mind, and you’ve got a lot stored up in here. What you’ve touched, what you feel, what you’ve destroyed, what you create, what you hate, what you love…”

“Oh no, please tell me you didn’t see anything weird.”

“Of course not,” Nana reassured, “Falling in love with a close friend isn’t weird at all.”

“Grandma!”

“I can see why you adore him, such a sweet and earnest boy.”

“Grandma!”

“And beautiful eyes and scales to boot.”

“Grandma!”

“Sorry, sorry, I can’t help it,” she snickered in a way that betrayed she wasn’t sorry at all, “It’s just that I can understand how you fell for him, after all I fell in love with your grandfather in very similar circumstances.”

“… Grandpa tied with you in Smash Bros after joining your criminal organization, then endeared himself to the point you didn’t think twice about wiping Mount Fuji off the map for him?”

“No not like that,” she corrected, “We started as friends too, but our shared love was astronomy instead of video games. One time he blind-folded me and had me use my quirk with him steering, and when the blind fold was off, I realized he floated me into an area of sky with zero light pollution, just in time to watch the nova explosion of T Coronae Borealis. My impulsive ass proposed to him on the spot, skipped the dating phase entirely.”

Tomura went bug-eyed at that, but didn’t interrupt as Nana continued to reminisce, “You know, even when we exchanged our vows and eventually had your father, I knew that marrying him automatically put a target on his back. It was only a matter of time before he would get caught in the crossfire of my line of work, and in the end, even all the safety measures we took didn’t keep him safe, but I entangled us anyway. I figured that a life with him in it, however tragic and brief, was worth living more than one where I never knew just how loved and cherished I could be. Especially if that meant I could give that same amount of love back to him.”

“…Grandma,” Tomura mused, “I feel like you’re trying to tell me something.”

“I think you might’ve inherited that outlook from me,” Nana suggested, “Seeing as you were initially on the fence about undergoing the shadiest surgery known to man for the sake of power, only to decide it was worth it literally moments after your sweetie confessed that he ‘loved those warped horizons you made’, thinking that a power upgrade was just what you needed to make him even happier! You’re just as impulsive and intense when it comes to love as I was!”

“Don’t call Spinner ‘my sweetie!’ We didn’t even get the chance to pick out pet names!” Tomura cringed, then cringed harder and pouted after realizing he outed himself.

“Well, maybe you’ll get that chance,” Nana supposed, surprising Tomura with her switch to a serious tone.

“My hands, my son’s hands, your family’s hands have been holding you back for so long. So please, let me use my hands properly this time,” she whispered, moving her arms to cradle him a bit more firmly now that he wasn’t falling apart at the seams, “Let me be the hands that hold you together, that push you forward, that guide you as you take your next steps, and support you now when you need help the most.”

As she spoke, Tomura felt multiple hands slightly nudging him. Looking down, he watched as the other vestiges of One For All pressed the gathered up pieces of him together. A man wearing goggles on his head held one leg, another with a high-collared jacket handled the other. He watched as arms were positioned by two men in similar-looking combat gear, his torso aligned with his head by someone with cracks running down his face.

Once every particle was in its place, a vestige that appeared remarkably similar to Tomura placed his hands over the cracks on his chest, and suddenly that crack began to heal. The cracks did not disappear, but instead were welded together, leaving golden scars in their place. As the other vestiges repeated the process on the rest of his body, Tomura noticed a golden, foggy vestige carefully fusing each finger of his destructive hands to his palms, thankfully without the telltale holes of All For One’s quirk, but also saw that vestige slowly grow dimmer with every piece he fixed.

“You’re not really making them all give up their souls and fade away just to keep my destructive ass alive…” Tomura joked as he turned to his grandmother, who he realized was also fading away as his peripheral vision took on more of a golden hue, “…are you?”

“It’s a shame you think destroying is all you can do, when you know that you’ve had a fair share of creating things too,” Nana remarked, “and I’m willing to bet that the bonds you created with your friends are something not even your hands can obliterate.”

Tomura knew he couldn’t say a thing to disprove that statement, he wouldn’t even dare to entertain the thought of purposefully getting rid of them. “I can’t promise I won’t start another fight when I wake up, especially not if my friends are the ones in trouble. Sorry grandma.”

“That’s alright,” Nana chuckled, the grin on her face identical to the maniacal one Tomura sometimes saw in the mirror, “What kind of Shimura’s would we be if we didn’t act intensely for the people we love, just as intensely as we love them in the first place? Can you promise me something else then?”

“Depends, what is it?”

Nana bent down to whisper in her grandson’s ear, and though her final request made his face erupt into a blush, he readily agreed as they faded into darkness and whatever lay beyond this realm.

“See if you can make that delightful Player 2 of yours my grandson-in-law.”

[mellyssageversee]

Noble Hearts - Epilogue

ZoSan Royaly AU - AO3 link

Summary: The threat of famine looms over the Kuraigana Kingdom as resources dwindle. Suspicion grips the royal Mihawk family when the prosperous Germa Kingdom offers aid by means of a transactional alliance. As tensions rise, the unforeseen connection between two princes may decide the fate of their kingdoms.

Explicit content only on AO3

(Link to My OP Story Masterlist)

TWO YEARS LATER

The long journey to the Kuraigana Kingdom was a familiar one, but the sense of anticipation in Sanji’s chest was as strong as ever. He sat in the carriage, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of a small box in his hands. Although he had grown accustomed to the routine of traveling between Germa and Kuraigana, the time spent apart from Zoro always left him with a deep aching homesickness, but now the Kuraigana mountains were already emerging in the distance, their dark twisted peaks promising that it wouldn’t be much longer before he was back where he truly belonged: beside Zoro.

It was hard to believe how much had changed since Judge’s death. Reiju, as the firstborn, had taken her rightful place on the throne without contest. Their brothers had been too intimidated by Mihawk and the King’s open support of Reiju to oppose her ascension. Under Reiju’s rule, Germa had transformed almost overnight. Where Judge had been obsessed with militarization, Reiju focused on restoration. She and Mihawk worked tirelessly to allocate Germa’s wealth to rebuilding homes in the neighboring kingdoms ravaged by Dracon attacks.

One of Reiju’s first decisions as queen was to bring Zeff back into the castle, not as the head chef but as a Royal Courtier. His role was to advise her on the needs of the people, drawing on his experience of providing aid to the hungry Germa villagers that were wrongfully neglected by Judge. Reiju even expanded the servants' quarters to ensure that everyone who worked under the royal family could live comfortably. It didn’t take long for her to become a beloved queen, admired for her genuine compassion and unwavering commitment to her people.

Sanji had found his own place in this new world as well. At Mihawk’s suggestion, Reiju had appointed him as the Royal Liaison between Germa and Kuraigana. It was a role that fit him perfectly. He spent his days assessing Kuraigana’s needs, relaying them back to Reiju, and then returning to Kuraigana with supplies and aid. The work was fulfilling, allowing him to make a difference in the lives of others, and his role ensured that he got to work alongside Zeff whenever he was working in Germa… but it was the moments he could steal away with Zoro in Kuraigana that he cherished the most.

Zoro had not only come to terms with his new form but had fully embraced it, finding strength in the changes by inventing a four-sword style that utilized his tail as a formidable weapon. Sanji watched with pride as Zoro mastered his new abilities with the same determination he applied to everything else. Every time Zoro sparred, Sanji felt captivated by his movements, his silver wings and tail adding an almost mythical quality to his already impressive skill set.

When Sanji first joined the Mihawks on their journey back home, he had been anxious about how others might react to Zoro’s transformation. He knew that people could be cruel when faced with the unfamiliar, but those fears were swiftly put to rest when he met Zoro’s friends. 

The first to greet them upon their arrival was Luffy, the ‘bottomless pit’ Zoro had mentioned. Upon seeing Zoro, Luffy’s eyes lit up with excitement as he immediately declared, "Zoro, you look so cool now!" 

Any tension Sanji had felt melted away in that instant, but not everyone was as immediately enthusiastic as Luffy. 

A red-head named Nami demanded answers the moment she laid eyes on Zoro.

“You were only gone for a week!” Sanji vividly remembered Nami’s exasperated shout as she pointed an accusing finger at Zoro. “A week! Now you come back w-with wings and a boyfriend?!” 

While Nami had ranted, Usopp had taken hold of Zoro’s left wing, carefully opening and closing it as if testing the mechanics of a new gadget. Meanwhile, Luffy tugged at Zoro’s tail, marveling at the shimmering silver scales with wide-eyed wonder. Zoro, of course, was no help at all.  He’d simply shrugged, as if suddenly sprouting wings and gaining a partner were everyday occurrences. That left Sanji with the task of explaining everything.

Despite the chaos of that first meeting, Sanji was deeply grateful how Zoro’s friends had welcomed him without hesitation. There had been no awkwardness on their end, no suspicion; just an immediate and wholehearted acceptance. They accepted him into their circle as if he had always been a part of it, and when they tasted his cooking, their affection only grew. They practically begged him to take over their meals whenever he visited Kuraigana, and Sanji had gladly obliged. Cooking for friends felt natural, like he was contributing to a family he hadn’t realized he was missing. They all gave him the same sense of belonging that Zoro had given him, tied together by bonds of trust.

Kuraigana was now in a much better place than it was two years ago. Without constant attacks, the Kingdom was thriving. Its once barren lands now flourished thanks to the constant aid from Germa. The threat of famine had become a distant memory, and the people were beginning to rebuild their lives with renewed hope. Sanji knew his work there was done. With the Kingdom on its feet, there would be no need for him to travel back and forth as he had been…

As the Kuraigana castle grew larger with each passing mile, Sanji’s thoughts drifted to the moment he’d been planning for months. He tore his gaze away from the window and looked down at the small box in his hands. He’d been carrying it with him for what felt like an eternity, always finding an excuse to delay, telling himself it wasn’t the right time, or that they were too busy with rebuilding the Kingdoms. Now, with the end of their long journey in sight, Sanji knew it was finally time.

Taking a deep breath, Sanji opened the box, his heart fluttering as he gazed at the silver band nestled inside. It was simple yet elegant, its polished surface catching the light in a way that reminded him of the glint in Zoro’s eyes when he was focused on a goal. The thought brought a small smile to his lips. With a wavering breath, Sanji snapped the box shut and tucked it back into his pocket, trying to steady the nerves buzzing in his chest. 

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the towering castle, its dark silhouette against the sky a familiar and comforting sight. Sanji paused for a moment, taking in the grandeur of the place that felt like home, then stepped out onto the cobblestone path, feeling the cool air hit his face. He barely had time to register his surroundings when a loud, exuberant shout rang out.

“SANJI IS BAAAACK!”

Sanji was suddenly pulled into a bone-crushing hug. All he could see was a mess of unruly hair, but there was no mistaking the boundless energy of the person holding him. 

“We really missed you! Especially Zoro!” Luffy’s voice boomed in Sanji’s ear as he struggled to free himself from Luffy’s enthusiastic grip. Despite his efforts, Luffy’s grip was as strong as ever, firmly holding him in place. “The food doesn’t taste the same when you’re gone! When are you going to cook again?! Can it be meat?!! LOTS of meat-”

Before Luffy could continue, a perfectly manicured hand appeared out of nowhere and smacked him upside the head. The impact made a satisfying thwack.

“Luffy, let him breathe!” Nami’s familiar voice scolded just beyond what Sanji could see.

Sanji felt the air rush back into his lungs as Luffy finally let him go. The knight began rubbing the back of his head where Nami had struck him, his expression was that of a chastised child, eyes darting sideways as if to avoid further reprimand. Now free from the vice-like grip, Sanji turned to see Nami standing there with her hands on her hips. Beside her, Vivi looked concerned, casting a worried glance at Luffy as if unsure whether she should intervene or laugh.

The entire interaction filled Sanji with warmth. It was a welcomed kind of chaos that reminded him just how much he missed being here.

“Welcome back, Sanji.” Vivi said warmly, finally shifting her attention from Luffy to him, offering him a genuine smile, her eyes filled with a gentle kindness. “It’s nice to have you back.”

“Nice to be back.” Sanji replied, flashing Vivi a wide smile. As he scanned the courtyard, his eyes darted between familiar faces, but his heart sank a little when he didn’t see the one he was most eager to find. “Where’s Zoro?” 

Nami raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. She glanced over her shoulder, her hands falling from her hips and she let out a frustrated sigh. 

“Ugh! He and Usopp were right behind us.” Nami explained, still scanning the area for any sign of them. After a moment, she gave up and turned back to Sanji, her red hair flipping at the gesture. “Luffy spotted your carriage first and bolted. We all had to run to catch up with him.”

“I think we lost them when we turned a corner.” Vivi added thoughtfully, her expression softening into an apologetic smile.

Sanji chuckled softly, shaking his head. He wasn’t surprised that Zoro had gotten lost, but it was a bit odd that Usopp had also vanished.

As if on cue, Usopp appeared from a completely different direction than the rest of the group had come from. He looked utterly exasperated, and his hand was clamped onto a fistful of Zoro’s shirt, practically dragging him along as if to ensure he didn’t wander off. 

Zoro, looking equally annoyed at being handled like a stray dog, suddenly perked up when his eyes met Sanji’s. His irritation vanished, replaced by a light in his eyes. Zoro’s pace quickened, his steps growing more urgent, and he almost bulldozed past Usopp, who had to release his hold or risk being dragged along.

“Got lost?” Sanji asked with a teasing smirk when Zoro got close.

Sanji watched with amusement as Zoro's smile disappeared. The green haired prince halted his stride right before Sanji, a scowl forming on his face. 

“No, I didn’t get lost.” Zoro grumbled defensively, shooting Sanji a glare.

“Liar!” Usopp huffed, coming up beside Zoro and slightly out of breath. “If I hadn’t turned back for you, you’d be on the opposite side of the castle by now!” 

Sanji laughed, watching Zoro’s glare shift from him to Usopp. Zoro’s nostrils flared and his jaw tightened as if preparing to fire back some gruff retort. Before Zoro could say anything, Sanji noticed movement from behind him. Luffy was peeking into the carriage with a curious glint in his eyes. When Luffy’s hand reached for one of the neatly wrapped packages inside, Sanji reacted fast, pivoting on his heel and extending his leg to block the door, barring Luffy from his prize.

“I haven’t even been here five minutes, and you’re already trying to steal food?” Sanji scolded with a glare.

Luffy’s face lit up, unfazed.

“You brought food back for us?!” Luffy asked, excitement bubbling in his voice.

Sanji’s eyes narrowed, trying to maintain an intimidating look, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, betraying his amusement. 

“Yes, I brought food.” Sanji replied, lowering his leg to casually lean against the carriage. “Bringing supplies is still part of my duties”

Luffy's excitement was quickly replaced by a puzzled frown. 

“But Zoro said you don’t have to do that anymore.” Luffy said, scratching his head. “That means you get to stay here now, right?”

Sanji felt his body tense up. The rest of the group fell into an awkward silence. Sanji kept his eyes on Luffy, unwilling to risk a glance at Zoro. The small box in his pocket seemed to grow heavier. He realized, with a pang of uncertainty, that he and Zoro had never actually talked about what would happen once his duties as a liaison were no longer needed. Did Zoro want him to stay in Kuraigana? Was this something they needed to sort out before he even thought of proposing?

Sensing the unease, Vivi cleared her throat softly, stepping in to break the silence.

“So, what did you have there?” Vivi asked, eyeing the contents of the carriage curiously. “It seems like a lot less than what you usually bring.”

Grateful for the shift in conversation, Sanji seized the opportunity to reach back into the carriage and retrieved the neatly wrapped box Luffy had been eyeing. With a practiced flourish, he removed the lid, revealing an assortment of beautifully decorated pastries, each one crafted with care.

“I made these sweets especially for you and Nami.” Sanji replied, extending the box toward Vivi. He couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride when he saw her eyes light up with delight.

Her eyes lit up with delight, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she took in the sight of the intricately designed pastries. Sanji felt a swell of pride at her reaction. Even in the midst of all his worries, bringing joy through his cooking never failed to lift his spirits.

“Oh, Sanji, these look wonderful!” Vivi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she admired the intricate details on each pastry.

“They sure do!” Luffy chimed in, his face lighting up with eager delight. Without wasting a second, he reached into the box, fingers aiming directly for a heart-shaped macaron. 

Sanji reflexes were quick. In a flash, his foot pressed against Luffy’s chest, gently but firmly pushing him away before he could snatch the treat.

“These are only for the ladies.” Sanji's eyes narrowed at Luffy, who pouted as he watched Nami carefully take the box out of Sanji’s hand.

Luffy backed off, letting Sanji's leg drop, only to bounce back with renewed enthusiasm. 

“So what did you bring me?!” Luffy asked, his grin returning and eyes growing wide with anticipation.

Sanji rolled his eyes, a small amused smile tugging at his lips. He turned back to the carriage and pulled out two larger boxes, both heavier than the one meant for Nami and Vivi. With a dramatic sigh, he dropped them into Luffy’s eager hands.

“The desserts are for all the knights to share.” Sanji said sternly as he stared down at Luffy. “The box of jerky is for you.”

“YES!” Luffy’s cheer echoed through the courtyard, his excitement overflowing. He didn’t wait another second before dashing off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

“Hey!!! Sanji said to share!” Usopp shouted after him, breaking into a sprint to chase down the ravenous knight.

A deep laugh came from beside Sanji, pulling his attention away from Luffy and Usopp. Zoro had stepped closer, the familiar scent of steel washing over Sanji. Amusement danced in Zoro’s eyes and a lazy grin spread across his face. Without missing a beat, Zoro slipped an arm around Sanji’s shoulders, the casual gesture sending a warm fluttering sensation through Sanji's chest.

“So, what did you bring me?” Zoro’s voice came out in a low rumble, almost like a purr. It was the same question Luffy had asked moments ago, but when it came from Zoro, it felt entirely different. It was intimate, teasing, with an undercurrent that made Sanji’s skin tingle. However, the question caused Sanji’s thoughts to immediately shift to the ring hidden in his pocket.

Sanji’s heartbeat quickened. He felt the nerves creeping in, but he refused to let them show. Not now. 

“Isn’t my presence gift enough?” Sanji snapped, his tone sharp to mask the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. “It’s a lot of work going back and forth, and, if I recall correctly, a certain someone,”Sanji emphasized the word with a firm jab of his finger against Zoro’s chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath, “said that if they had wings, they’d fly to Germa every day just to see me.”

Zoro’s grin only widened, his eyes narrowing with that familiar, dangerous glint that always seemed to stir something deep inside Sanji.

“We tried that already,” Zoro shot back teasingly, “but you gave terrible directions and Perona had to find me.”

“Tch, your awful sense of direction is what set you off course, mosshead.” Sanji retorted with a smirk, stepping in even closer. Their bodies were practically pressed together now, the air between them filled with a tension that had nothing to do with animosity.

Zoro’s eyes flashed with a mock warning, but he continued to lean in further, their faces just an inch apart.

“My sense of direction is perfectly fine, curls.” Zoro defended, his tone still light but challenging. “But you can’t deny that a daily flight to Germa would be hell on my back.”

“So, what you’re saying is, your wings aren’t strong enough for a little bit of exercise?” Sanji murmured, his voice dropping to a low suggestive whisper. His nose brushed against Zoro’s, and his half-lidded eyes drifted to Zoro’s lips, the temptation to close it was almost overwhelming. “Typical…”

Zoro’s eyes darkened, his breath catching when he realized where Sanji’s gaze was lingering. The smoldering intensity behind silver eyes made Sanji’s heart race. Zoro opened his mouth, likely to retort with something equally cutting or heated, but before he could get a word out, an exasperated groan cut through the air.

“Ugh, they’re already starting.” Nami’s voice broke into, yanking Sanji back to the present moment. He had been so caught up with Zoro that he’d forgotten they weren’t alone.

Sanji’s eyes darted away from Zoro’s face to sheepishly glance over his shoulder. He found Nami standing there with her nose scrunched in exaggerated distaste, but a smirk tugged at her lips. Beside her, Vivi covered her mouth with her hand, a soft melodic chuckle escaping her as she watched their sappy display. Nami, holding the box of sweets in one hand, slipped her other arm around Vivi’s waist, pulling her closer.

“Come on, Vivi.” Nami continued, pulling Vivi closer with an exaggerated huff. “Let’s leave these knuckleheads to their weird sexually charged bickering.”

Sanji felt a faint flush crawl up his neck. It was one thing to get lost in the moment with Zoro, but another entirely to realize they had an audience. He shot a sideways glance at Zoro, who seemed utterly unbothered by their interruption, his intense gaze still locked onto Sanji with a heat that made his stomach flip. As Nami and Vivi’s footsteps faded away, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them once more.

The moment they were alone, Zoro wasted no time. He grabbed Sanji by the waist, pulling him firmly against his chest. There was a hunger in his eyes, a need that matched Sanji’s own. Their lips met in a tender yet demanding kiss, a collision of pent-up desire. The homesickness that had gnawed at Sanji since he last left Kuraigana melted away in an instant. Zoro’s mouth moved against his with a greediness, eager to make up for all the time they’d been apart. Sanji sighed into the kiss, his body melting into the warmth of it, into the familiarity of Zoro’s touch and the way he seemed to know exactly how to draw him in.

But then he felt it… Zoro’s rough hands started to wander, sliding down his back, exploring, searching. 

Sanji’s eyes snapped open when he realized the dangerous territory Zoro was venturing into. The swordsman’s hands were creeping lower, close to the pocket where the ring box was tucked away. If he kept going he'd find it, and that wasn’t how Sanji wanted this moment to unfold. 

With an almost panicked motion, Sanji pulled away, breaking the kiss. Zoro’s expression shifted immediately from contentment to confusion. His brows drew together, confusion flickering across his face, mingled with a hint of hurt. Sliver wings drooped, the soft leathery membranes curling inward in disappointment.

“What’s wrong?” Zoro asked with concern.

Sanji’s mind scrambled, searching desperately for an excuse that wouldn’t arouse more suspicion. His heart was still pounding, both from the intensity of the kiss and the panic of almost having his secret exposed.

“I can’t have you making me look messy before seeing Mihawk and Perona.” Sanji lied, his voice not as steady as he’d hoped. The words felt clumsy and unconvincing even to his own ears.

Zoro’s frown deepened and his eyes narrowed. His tail flicked behind him, a telltale sign that he wasn't buying Sanji’s excuse. 

“You won’t see either of them until dinner time,” Zoro pointed out, his voice carrying a note of suspicion. He took a step closer, reaching out to pull Sanji back in, as if testing his boundaries. “Mihawk’s out in the village with Shanks, and Perona asked not to be disturbed until she’s done with the dress she’s making for Reiju.”

Sanji’s nerves were fraying. He felt the heat of Zoro’s touch again, and when he sensed those hands sliding down toward his pocket, he knew he had to act fast. With a frustrated huff, he pulled away once more, this time adding a sharp edge to his voice.

“Well, I just got here.” Sanji scolded as he tried to keep Zoro’s hands at bay. “At least let me settle in before you start trying to tear my clothes off.” His words came out harsher than he intended, but they served their purpose. Zoro’s hands halted.

Although Zoro still looked skeptical, his lips curled into a smirk at Sanji’s choice of words, his wings perking up with renewed interest. 

“Fine.” Zoro replied, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive growl that sent a familiar shiver down Sanji’s spine. “I’d prefer a more private location for that anyway.”

A thrill shot through Sanji despite himself, and he had to fight to keep his composure. At least he’d managed to steer them away from the ring for now. Relieved but still on edge, he decided to seize the opportunity to change the subject entirely.

“Come on. Let’s take a walk.” Sanji suggested, grasping onto Zoro’s wrist and gently tugging him toward the castle. “I could use a stretch after that long ride.”

Zoro raised an eyebrow but didn’t resist. However, instead of following Sanji to the castle, he took the lead, moving Sanji away from the carriage and toward the winding path that led around the castle grounds. 

Sanji's footsteps fell in sync beside Zoro, his heart still pounding from both the kiss and from almost having his secret discovered. The ring in his pocket felt like a small burning weight against his thigh. Although he greatly enjoyed walking around the castle grounds, he needed to buy himself some time to get to his room where he could hide the ring away and plan things properly. 

Sanji’s mind had been buzzing nonstop with ideas for the perfect moment. A home-cooked meal with all of Zoro’s favorite dishes, the ones he could never quite resist, paired with a bottle of his preferred sake sounded like a good idea, but it still wasn’t perfect. Sanji wanted to make it clear how much this decision meant to him, how deeply he felt about this next step in their lives. For now, he just needed to keep his nerves steady. The next time he let Zoro hold him close, he wanted it to be with a ring in hand, not a secret burning a hole through his pocket.

The silence between them stretched, filled only by the crunch of gravel under their feet and the distant rustle of trees swaying in the breeze. Sanji was still lost in his thoughts when Zoro’s voice suddenly broke through, catching him off guard.

“How is everyone doing?”

The question jolted him out of his headspace, a small shock running up his spine. Sanji glanced at Zoro, catching the inquisitive gleam in his eye, but quickly shifted his gaze back ahead to hide his momentary surprise.

“Everyone’s doing great.” Sanji replied. He could feel Zoro’s eyes lingering on him, probably sensing the tension in his posture, but he ignored it and continued, trying to sound casual. “Niji and Yonji are finally staying in line. I think it was really smart of Reiju to put them under Zeff’s watch.”

Zoro let out a chuckle. “And how’s the old man holding up? It must be a handful to look after them.”

Sanji couldn’t help but smile, the memory of Zeff trying to wrangle the two brothers and directing them to pass out food was still fresh in his mind. 

“He’s more stubborn than they are. Besides, I think he’s secretly enjoying it. Gives him someone to argue with other than me.” Sanji replied with a light laugh. ”To be honest, Niji and Yonji need someone like him to keep them on their toes. They’ve been too used to doing things Judge’s way for too long.”

Zoro nodded, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. 

“Bet Zeff’s giving them hell.”

“You have no idea.” Sanji’s smirk widened. “But it’s good for them. Zeff is someone who won’t take their shit. Plus, they have even been nicer to Pudding, so I think that says a lot about how much they have improved.”

At the mention of Pudding, Sanji noticed the smile on Zoro’s face fade into a scowl. His wings stiffened and his tail twitched behind him as they moved off the paved path and under the shade of the trees. 

"Is she still following you around the castle?" Zoro’s voice was strained, the question forced through gritted teeth.

Sanji hesitated, his hands instinctively stuffing into his pockets. He forgot that mentioning Pudding made Zoro upset. Ever since Pudding's involvement in Linlin and Judge’s schemes had come to light, there had been an overwhelming call for her imprisonment. Many citizens wanted to see her pay for her part in the chaos that had nearly destroyed them all. But Sanji had taken pity on her. He knew better than most what it was like to be caught in an abusive household, to be manipulated and coerced into thinking you had no other choice but to follow orders.

Reiju had been hesitant to let Pudding off without severe consequences, but Sanji had convinced her otherwise. He’d argued that Pudding genuinely wanted to make amends. She sought redemption to clear the Charlotte name for her siblings, just as Reiju and Sanji sought to clear their own. 

When it was discovered that there were still Dracons alive, Reiju allowed Pudding a way out of her punishment by restoring their memories. Pudding was hesitant at first, but agreed to let her abilities be used towards something good.

To repay Sanji for his kindness, Pudding also offered her services in other ways to help Germa heal and to undo some of the damage her actions had caused. After Linlin’s death, she’d managed to convince many of her siblings to donate a large portion of their inherited goods to help rebuild what had been destroyed and worked alongside Sanji and Zeff to ensure the goods were being distributed fairly.

Although Sanji was happy for this change, he would admit that his kindness had, perhaps, been a bit too effective. Pudding had grown overly attached to him, clinging to him in ways that made her intentions obvious, and it tested Zoro’s patience.

Sanji glanced sideways at Zoro, noticing the way his gaze was burning into him, waiting for an answer.

“Yeah, she still... hangs around sometimes.” Sanji admitted carefully. “But I keep my distance as much as my duties allow. You can trust me on that.”

Zoro’s gaze softened slightly, but he didn’t quite lose the hardened edge. He turned his head away, his glare settling into something more like a pout. The dappled shadows of the leaves overhead danced across his face. 

“I trust you,” Zoro muttered low in frustration. “But I don’t trust her.” 

Zoro’s wings gave a small, irritated flick, causing the leaves above them to rustle with the motion. Sanji could see how much it bothered him, how tightly he was gripping onto his jealousy, trying to keep it from boiling over.

Sanji let out a small sigh, reaching out to brush his fingers against Zoro's hand in an attempt to calm him. He felt Zoro’s hand tense for a moment before his fingers instinctively curled around Sanji’s, holding on like an anchor. The tension that had knotted Zoro’s posture seemed to loosen ever so slightly, the anger in his eyes dimming.

“With my services no longer being needed, I won’t have to interact with her anymore.” Sanji reassured Zoro. His words seemed to work, for now, the tightness in Zoro’s shoulders slowly began to ease. However, as Zoro’s nerves seemed to wane, a new wave of uncertainty washed over Sanji.

The end of his work between Germa and Kuraigana meant fewer encounters with Pudding, which was a good thing, but it also brought another potential consequence to the forefront of his mind: less time with Zoro. 

If Zoro wasn’t ready for Sanji to live in Kuraigana, then there was no way Sanji was prepared to propose. If Sanji didn’t propose then he didn’t want to think of what that could mean… Would they drift apart? Would the long distance between them be too much for their relationship to handle?

A silence settled between them again, but this time it was heavy, weighed down by Sanji’s unspoken thoughts and unasked questions. He didn’t realize how much he’d been holding back until he felt Zoro’s eyes on him again.

“Are you sure nothing is wrong?” Zoro’s voice broke through the quiet, laced with genuine concern.

Sanji hesitated, feeling his heart pick up its pace. He hadn’t expected Zoro to notice the shift in his mood so quickly.

“I’m positive.” Sanji replied with a small smile, trying to keep his tone light. “Why do you ask?”

“You seem a bit…” Zoro trailed off as his eyes studied Sanji, his brows knitting together as he searched for the right words. “...distant.”

Sanji raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. With a sigh, Zoro pressed on.

“You seem hesitant to let me get close. You keep pulling away, and you looked uncomfortable when Luffy asked if you’d be staying here in Kuraigana.” Zoro’s voice was edged with a vulnerability that surprised Sanji. His tail twisted in on itself, a gesture Sanji knew that meant Zoro was anxious. Sanji stayed silent, grappling with how to respond. He hadn’t realized how his actions were affecting Zoro, making him feel insecure about where they stood. When Sanji didn’t answer right away, Zoro continued, unable to hold back any longer. “I know we haven’t talked about this yet, but… where do you see yourself now that your work is done?”

Living in Kuraigana married to you, was Sanji's first thought, almost too clear in his mind, but he wasn’t ready to voice that yet. Not when the timing didn’t feel quite right, and not when he still needed to hear where Zoro stood.

“Where would you like to see me?” Sanji countered, turning the question back on Zoro to gauge his thoughts, but it only seemed to frustrate the other. 

“I asked my question first.” Zoro said firmly. His wings tightened against his back as if he was bracing himself for a blow, afraid of what Sanji might say.

Sanji felt his nerves spike, a knot tightening in his stomach. He didn’t know what Zoro wanted, and that uncertainty made it hard to formulate a response. His breathing began to quicken, and just before his mind could spiral, a realization hit him: he was falling back into his old habits instilled in him by Judge. He was too focused on trying to read Zoro’s desires like he used to do with Judge, where every word had to be carefully chosen to appease him, to avoid conflict or punishment. The habit of molding himself to fit someone else’s expectations was a hard one to break, but Zoro wasn’t Judge, and Sanji didn’t need to tiptoe around him. It was sometimes easy to forget that he could speak freely now and he could be honest with what he wanted. 

Taking a breath, Sanji decided to stop overthinking it.

“I’d like to stay here in Kuraigana.” Sanji answered truthfully, meeting Zoro’s gaze head-on. He saw Zoro’s wings begin to unfold. Emboldened by that small sign of relief, Sanji continued, “I’d like to stay here with you. Is that alright?”

A slow smile spread across Zoro’s face. Relief washed over Sanji at the sight of it. Zoro reached out, taking hold of Sanji’s left hand and lifted it to his lips.

“More than alright.” Zoro replied, his voice a deep rumble that sent a pleasant warmth coursing through Sanji. Zoro paused to press a kiss to Sanji’s knuckles, his lips lingering there with a tenderness that melted Sanji’s heart. Holding Sanji’s gaze steady with a quiet intensity. “I was hoping for the same thing.”

Sanji’s breath caught in his throat as if he was choking from the sheer force of his emotions. The anxiety that had been gnawing at him faded into the background. They both wanted the same things. He wasn’t alone in this. For a fleeting moment, Sanji considered proposing right then and there, abandoning his plan for the “perfect” moment he’d envisioned. But no. He wanted to do it right.

As they continued to walk, Zoro’s eyes stayed fixed on him, his tail lazily sweeping away the long branches that stretched across their path. The sunlight began to filter more clearly through the trees, spilling onto the ground in golden patches that flickered and danced with the swaying leaves above. Gradually, the dense foliage began to part, revealing a beautiful sight.

A secluded clearing opened up like a secret world within the forest, bathed in warm sunlight that filtered down through the canopy of leaves above. A small, crystalline pond lay at the center, its surface so still that it perfectly reflected the golden light and the soft blue sky peeking through the treetops. The water sparkled like liquid glass, and beneath its surface, small fish darted playfully around smooth stones. Wildflowers dotted the edges of the pond, their bright colors swaying gently in the soft breeze, while the lush grass rippled like waves. The air was filled with the soothing sounds of nature. The quiet rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, the soft hum of insects was all so calm, so serene, that it felt like stepping into another world.

Sanji blinked in surprise.  He hadn’t realized where they were headed, his mind had been too occupied with his own swirling thoughts. Now standing here, he recognized the place immediately: Zoro’s secret meditation spot. 

“Did you bring us here on purpose?” Sanji asked, glancing at Zoro curiously.

Zoro’s lips curled into a smirk. “I was surprised you didn’t question it earlier, but that’s what clued me in that you were deep in thought.” Zoro replied in a teasing tone.

Sanji could feel the heat rising to his face, his ears burning with a blush he couldn't hide. He wasn’t often caught off guard, but Zoro had a way of reading him, of seeing right through his defenses in a way that always left him feeling exposed, but in a good way. It made him feel seen, understood. 

“Guess I was.” Sanji admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still surprises me that this is the only place you can find easily when no one else has come across it.”

“I have my ways.” Zoro’s smirk softened into a gentler smile, his gaze drifting over the clearing. 

This clearing wasn’t just a random spot in the woods. It was a place of solace. Zoro had found it in his early days at the Kuraigana castle, back when he was first adopted by Mihawk after losing his family. Back when he was still grappling with grief, confusion, and the overwhelming sense of loss. This hidden clearing had been a refuge for him. It was a place where he could sit in silence, reflect, and process the emotions that had no outlet. A place to meditate, to train, and sometimes just to cry without judgment. Over the years, it had become something sacred to him, a space where he could strip away the burdens of his past and center himself.

Zoro had shared this place with Sanji when he first visited Kuraigana. The moment he laid eyes on this place, Sanji knew that sharing this location was no small gesture. It was a silent offering of Zoro’s trust, love, and vulnerability. Zoro had never brought anyone else here. Not Mihawk, not Perona, not even Luffy. Only Sanji. 

Sanji looked around, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of wildflowers, and he could hear the soft rustling of leaves above them, like a natural lullaby. Stepping closer to the water’s edge, he peered down to observe the stream, his reflection rippling alongside the vibrant world beneath the surface.

The water was so clear it was almost unreal. Small fish darted to and fro, their colorful scales shimmering like jewels as they moved through the sunlight. They danced around each other in rhythmic patterns, flashing reds, blues, and golds in a silent underwater waltz. Sanji found himself mesmerized by their movements, watching how they glided effortlessly through the water. This pond always made him think of the All Blue, a dream that had always felt so far away yet suddenly seemed within reach. Was the All Blue this clear, its waters filled with such vibrant life? Were its fish just as brilliant, their scales catching the light like these?

The thought brought a smile to his lips. 

As he lost himself in these musings, he felt the familiar warmth of Zoro approaching from behind. Strong scarred arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him into a comforting embrace. Sanji instinctively stilled, but when Zoro’s hands didn’t wander down further, all that tension melted away, and Sanji leaned back into the touch, his body fitting naturally against Zoro’s. The swordsman’s chest was warm against his back, and he could feel the steady rise and fall of Zoro’s breathing.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” Sanji murmured, his gaze still fixed on the pond where two fish were circling each other in a slow, graceful dance. “It’s nice to be somewhere quiet for a change.”

Zoro’s grip tightened affectionately.

“Anytime, cook.” Zoro replied. Sanji’s heart fluttered when he felt the soft, featherlight brush of Zoro’s lips against the back of his neck. It wasn’t even a full kiss, more like a whisper of affection, but it sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. He closed his eyes, letting himself fall deeper into the sensation.

But then, Zoro’s lips moved again, this time to speak.

“I have to admit,” Zoro whispered, his breath hot against Sanji’s skin, “there’s another reason I brought you here.”

There was a tremor in Zoro’s voice, almost imperceptible, but enough to pull Sanji out of his blissful haze. 

“Hm?” Sanji furrowed his curled brows. He turned his head just enough to catch Zoro’s gaze, searching his eyes for answers. “Is something wrong?”

Zoro’s face remained calm, almost too calm, but his tail betrayed him, flicking with a telltale twitch that only Sanji would notice. 

“No, nothing is wrong,” Zoro assured him, but there was a pause, a hesitation. “This felt like something that required a more... quiet discussion.”

Sanji waited, his heart beginning to pound a little harder as the silence stretched between them, filled only with the sounds of the breeze and the distant babble of the stream. Then Zoro finally spoke.

“Mihawk is stepping down.”

“Oh!” Sanji’s eyes widened in realization. The pieces started to fall in place, the implication hitting him like a wave. “So that means-”

“I’ll be crowned King by springtime.” Zoro answered before Sanji could finish his thought. “He believes the kingdom is in a good place and that I am ready to lead.”

The air seemed to leave Sanji’s lungs in one swift rush. His mind raced, scrambling to process the magnitude of what Zoro had just said. King. Zoro was going to be king. The word echoed in his mind, carrying with it a wave of emotions: pride, excitement, and an unexpected swell of bittersweet realization... 

This changed everything. 

If Zoro was going to be King, he’d need to focus on his new responsibilities, on guiding Kuraigana into its next chapter. As much as Sanji wanted to propose, to take that next step with him, he realized it might be wiser to wait. Zoro would need his full attention on the throne, and the thought of distracting him now felt selfish.

Sanji turned fully, a smile spreading across his face as he wrapped his arms around Zoro, holding him tight.

“Congratulations.” Sanji replied happily. Zoro’s arms wrapped around him in return, holding him just as tightly, both of them basking in the moment of pure joy. “How do you feel?”

Zoro’s eyes softened, a small, almost shy smile breaking through his stoic demeanor.

“A little anxious,” Zoro admitted, “but excited for the future.”

“That’s good to hear.” Sanji had no doubt Zoro was ready to be king. He had worked tirelessly for this, proving himself time and time again. But now Sanji couldn’t help but wonder how he would fit into that future. He raised a scolding finger, his smile turning into a teasing grin. “Don’t think that just because you’re becoming king, you can take back what we talked about earlier.” Sanji leaned in close, his breath brushing against Zoro’s skin, keeping his tone playfully stern. “You’re stuck with me, mosshead. Even if I won’t be the Royal Liaison anymore, I already have plans for how I can help. Starting with your kitchen chefs. They’re way too soft on Luffy. We need to establish some discipline or we’ll be reaching out to Reiju for more supplies within a week.”

Zoro’s grin split wide, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight, but there was something deeper in his eyes. 

“Actually,” Zoro said, still grinning, “I already had a role in mind for you.”

Sanji’s curiosity piqued, and he waited for Zoro to continue. He noticed how Zoro’s tail coiled in on itself again, but it was Zoro’s gaze that truly captured him. There was something beautiful burning within them, something that immediately set Sanji’s heart ablaze.

“I have never truly felt ready to take the throne until I started working alongside you.” Zoro confessed, his hands slowly drifted down Sanji’s arms until they reached his own, their fingers intertwining. Zoro’s grip tightened as if anchoring himself to this moment. “The things we’ve achieved together, the way our kingdoms have grown because of it… it’s because of you, Sanji. I can’t imagine facing what’s ahead without you beside me.”

Sanji couldn’t breathe. He could hear the rush of blood in his ears as Zoro’s words sank in. He stayed quiet, too stunned to speak, his eyes wide as he watched Zoro’s next move. With deliberate slowness, Zoro took Sanji’s left hand in both of his and, without breaking eye contact, sank down to one knee. 

When Zoro pulled out a small velvet box, time seemed to freeze. The world around them became muted, leaving just the two of them in this sacred clearing. He hadn’t expected this, hadn’t dared to dream that Zoro might be thinking the same thing he was.

“Sanji,” Zoro spoke steadily but was thick with emotion. His gaze bore into Sanji’s with a depth that seemed to strip him bare. “I’ve fought countless battles, faced things I never thought I could survive, but the only fight that ever truly mattered to me was the one to keep you by my side.” 

Zoro opened the box to reveal a golden ring. Blue marquise shaped sapphires sat in between golden waves engraved into the band, sparkling as brilliantly as the All Blue that lived in Sanji’s dreams.

Tears now spilled freely down Sanji’s cheeks. He could hardly believe this was real.

“Marry me, Sanji.” Zoro spoke barely above a whisper. “Stay here in Kuraigana and be my king, my husband. I want to spend all my days and all of my nights building a future with you.”

Sanji’s knees trembled beneath him, a laugh breaking through his tears as he choked back a sob. 

“Damn it, marimo,” Sanji managed, his voice breaking. Without thinking, he dropped to his own knee in front of Zoro, surprising him. Sanji reached into his pocket, his hands fumbling as he pulled out his own ring box, his heart pounding so fiercely against his ribs that he feared it might break its way free.

Sanji opened it to reveal the elegant silver band. It wasn’t as ornate as Zoro’s, but it had a subtlety that matched Zoro’s charm. 

“I was planning to ask you the same thing,” Sanji confessed. He watched Zoro’s eyes widen in astonishment. “I can’t imagine a life without you, Zoro. I want to be here beside you, satisfying every longing in your soul as you have done for mine.”

Zoro’s smile softened.

“You really are something else, cook.” Zoro replied tenderly. He took the ring from Sanji’s box and, without breaking eye contact, slipped it onto his finger. Then, with deliberate care, he took the golden ring from his own box and slid it onto Sanji’s trembling hand.

Sanji couldn’t tear his eyes away from the rings. The sight of them, symbols of a promise they’d just made to each other, filled him with a warmth so profound it seemed to flood his entire being. 

He couldn’t stop smiling. Laughter bubbled up from his chest, echoing in the clearing. He leaned forward and captured Zoro’s lips in a deep fervent kiss.

.

(Mature content on AO3)

.

Zoro held Sanji close against his chest, and for a moment, they just lay there, wrapped up in each other. The clearing, the trees, the sky above… all of it seemed to exist solely to bear witness to this moment of pure unbreakable love.

And for Sanji, that was more than enough.

[jupiterwrites99]

You're On Your Own, Kid

twelve

It had been three weeks since the mouse fiasco, Sage and Paul have made it a habit to sleep in her little bed together, as precautions for any loud noise that may set her off after 4th of July fireworks had set her off completely. Paul had found her hiding under her blankets to try and evade the noise. At this point, Sage didn’t think her hearing would get less sensitive. Leah's brother Seth, also had better hearing than the rest of the pack and agreed the fireworks were less than pleasant to listen to. 

Over the three weeks, Sam had begun teaching her how to control her phasing and while she picked it up quickly, she felt less in control of her wolf. It was almost like she was teasing her everytime she phased and then returned to her human state, which the wolf did not like.

After a lesson with Sam, she had wandered off into the woods in her wolf form, running freely through the thick greenery. She could smell Paul's scent nearby and followed it until it led her to him.

Sage watched from the treeline,as Paul's truck pulled up next to the familiar car she knew to be Rachels. She assumed they were at her house, considering she had never seen the little red cottage before. Confusion struck her as she watched the two of them exit their respective cars. Rachel was quick to get to Paul, wrapping him up in a hug that he was hesitant to return.

Good, she thought.

She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, or seemingly spy on them. But she was a curious person, and Paul had told her he had work today. Rachels car seemed fine to her.

Sage was too far to hear the nature of their conversation, though Rachels dramatics were not hard to decipher. She was upset, clearly. 

That didn’t bug her, no, what bugged Sage was the way Paul was comforting his old flame. It made it look like things hadn’t really fizzled out between them like she thought they had when she walked in on them arguing. 

He said he had dealt with Rachel, and maybe, Sage was the fool for thinking that meant things were over.

The familiar feeling of anger sat in the pit of her stomach as she tore her eyes away. They were too close, too touchy, Sage thought.

She watched as he wiped the tears from the raven haired girl's face, and that was the final straw. Everything about the way he acted with Rachel was familiar, it stung to know that he was out comforting her in a manner she thought was reserved for herself. His mate.

Her wolf was getting harder to control the more she felt betrayed, which seemed to be by everyone she found herself giviing her full trust too. Sage knew she couldn’t hit Rachel, the obvious strength difference was an unfair match, but also, she didn’t want to disappoint Paul again. Even if he was disappointing her.

She watched as Jacob left the house ignoring Paul and Rachel as he headed for the treeline. Jacob was Rachel's brother, she connected the two of them. The wind made his familiar scent more noticeable than usual. More so because she was trying to block out the blend of Paul and Rachel, she didn’t like his bourbon and coffee-esque scent being melded with her rose scent. It didn’t blend well.

Sage winced as her wolf started losing it, she tried to ground herself so that she didn’t phase accidentally from adrelaine.

Threat, Threat, Threat, repeated by her wolf over and over again.

Then she realised who the threat was, and Sage knew just how to take out her uncontrollable  anger.

-----

PAUL POV

“It’s mine!” Sage tackled him, knocking both of them to the ground.

Paul pulled her off of Jacob, his arm secured around her waist as she struggled against his hold to reach the wolf scowling at her from the ground. He had just gotten back from a light patrol shift to find her and Jacob arguing, with zero clue of what the issue could be. This was the last thing he wanted to do today. He fully intended on walking into Emily's kitchen, stealing two muffins and whisking Sage away to her bedroom to nap while she fiddled with everything and anything in her room that she had found.

The little kleptomaniac.

Instead he was breaking up a brawl that his imprint had seemingly started.

“Sage, stop it,” He said, readjusting his arms and trying to get the angry girl under control, “Stop.”

Paul heard Sam before he saw him and knew this was about to go down hill, and fast.

“Jacob. Knock it off.” He said threateningly before turning to the girl, “Sage, we don’t fight our pack mates.”

“He took my--” She tried to explain as Jacob stood up from the ground, wiping off the dirt.

“We don’t fight our packmates.” Sam said more forcefully, not letting her explain herself. Paul could see the frustration in her eyes grow tenfold.

“Or what?” She tried to take a step towards Sam but Paul stopped her.

“Let her go, Paul.” He said using his alpha tone. Paul had no choice but to let her go and watch from the sidelines. He didn’t need to be a genius to know that this wasn’t going to be good.

Sam took a step towards the young girl currently shaking in anger, “If you start another fight, you will be punished.”

“Can I have my things back, Jacob?” She asked sharply, ignoring Sam.

“No, I don't--” Sage pulled her fist back before she punched Jacob, hard. Paul heard her fist crack as it connected with Jacobs cheek and while the impact shocked the other wolf, he knew his imprint couldn’t do that much damage to the true born alpha.

“Sage!” Sam yelled in disbelief. Paul reached for her waist but before he could grab her, Sam pulled her upper arm, roughly dragging her to the back side of the house. Paul followed close behind, wanting to make sure she listened to Sam or at least, didn’t take off running again. “You are going to sit here until you are ready to be a part of this pack and follow the rules.This behaviour is disobedient, unpredictable and dangerous.”

“Your rules are stupid.” She challenged him again.

“Sit. Down.” He said forcefully.

“No.” She growled at him.

“Sage,” Sam tried again.

“No!” She yelled at him.

“You’re staying out here until I think you’re ready.” Sam shook his head before looking at Paul, nodding his head towards the back door of the cottage. He knew better than to challenge him. 

“Fuck you,” He had heard her whisper as the two men walked inside. Sage sat down on the grass, her back against a large tree.

“What was that?” Sam asked, turning to look over his shoulder at the smaller wolf. Paul groaned internally. He wasn’t happy that Sam was now provoking her, does he not get that she doesn’t have a pack mentality?

“I said fuck you!” She shouted angrily at Sam. 

My brave girl, Pauls wolf thought smugly.

-----

“Sam, you have to remember, she just spent five years on her own. Jacob crossed a boundary, she reacted and you punished her and not him. Of course she’s going to be upset.” Leah reprimanded after Jacob and Paul explained what had happened. While Jacob said he didn’t know why she was so angry with him, Paul had his doubts. Sage doesn’t just get angry for no reason. Something had to have happened.

“She needs to learn.” Sam reminded all of them.

Paul scoffed, “We’ll be lucky if she doesnt start resource guarding.”

She had a knack for hiding things in her room, while some were little things like rocks or pinecones. He had found her keeping more than one water glass in her room, to which she would always say, just in case. 

He knew what that meant. 

Just in case they locked her door again.

She trusted him, Paul knew that. But he also knew, she was still wary about most of the pack, the only other member she trusted was Leah.

“Paul,” Sam said his name as a warning. As if he knew he was on the verge of getting angry himself.

“Let me talk to her,” He stated, he could reason with her.

“No.” Sam shook his head.

Paul scoffed in annoyance, “She already had reservations about being in our pack, this isn’t going to help.”

“He’s right.” Jacob said from his seat at the table, “She’s been on her own, she’s learned this life on her own. We all had someone looking out for us when we phased. We all had a pack. We can't expect her to just submit without giving her a reason to trust that she’ll be safe with us. ‘Cause let's be honest, she's not here because she wants to be. She's here because of Paul.”

Jacob looked towards Paul specifically, adding, “I’ll talk to her.”

Paul watched from the window as she tried to sweep out his legs with her own, though she failed. He couldn’t hear what Jacob had said to her but when he sat down, she didn’t  attack him like he half expected her to. If he was being honest, Paul was proud of her, she had yet to phase from her anger, which meant she was learning to control her wolf.

Jacob stayed outside for nearly half an hour before he made his way back into the kitchen. An unreadable expression on his face as he sat back down at the table.

“So?” Leah prodded.

Jacob looked to Paul, “You’re not going to like it.”

“Like what?” Paul demanded.

Jacob only shook his head, stating,“We should wait for Sam.”

“Jacob.” The older wolf growled out.

Jacob explained that while he was off with the Cullen family, he would come back to Washington every now and then to check on Charlie Swan as a favour to Bella. He had come across a den, full of belongings and took a bag from it, hoping it would have some clothes in it so he could shift back. It didn’t.

He hadn’t thought about it since. Sage told him that it was her bag, and now she wants it back. It made sense that it was her den, now that Jacob has thought about, but he doesn’t have the bag anymore. 

“I tried to tell her I don’t have it, but she’s beyond caring about what I have to say,” Jacob informed them.

“So you’re telling me she had every fucking reason to hit you,” Paul chuckled in disbelief.

“How was I supposed to know?!” Jacob argued back.

“You know now!” Paul shouted, taking a step towards Jacob.

“Paul, calm down, now.” Sam said, stepping between the two men.

“Let me fucking see her.” He said angrily. That's all he wanted. He wanted to go and make sure Sage was okay because the terrible stabbing pain in his chest, he knew that being out there by herself was taking some kind of toll on her.

“If I let you see her, you don’t go out there and tell her she was right. She needs to learn she can’t just hit people because they’ve done her wrong.” Sam spoke with authority.

“He deserved it.” He muttered. Paul still wasn’t sure what the fight was about, but he knew Sage, it probably was about more than a bag. She doesn’t just hit people for no reason. Sure, she lunged at Rachel, but that was only after the older woman had insulted Leah, someone Sage considers to be her close friend.

“Paul,” Sam shook his head.

“Fine.” Paul conceded.

“Go.” Sam nodded towards the door.

Paul didn’t need to be told twice before he was nearly sprinting out the door. Sage was still in the same spot that Sam and him had left her. Her back leaning up against the tree as she picked at the weeds.  The sun had started to set and with the clouds, it seemed darker than it was but as he closed in on her, the unmistakable frown lines on her face shattered him.

“Hey, little wolf.” He said softly, worried about startling her,  “Remember what I said about lunging at people?”

“You didn’t banish me for it.” Sage bit back. He was shocked by her tone, never having heard her speak with anything other than a shy kindness in her voice.

“You’re not banished.” He reminded her, though the fact that she felt that way made him nauseous.

“Feels like it.” She mumbled, before raising her voice again in anger, “He won’t even let me inside!” Sage turned to face Paul completely, sitting up straighter, “Jacob stole from me, and I got shoved outside like a dog that chewed up a couch cushion. It's not fair!”

“I know.” He acknowledged. He agreed, it wasn’t fair. But there was fuck all he could do about itt after she swung at Jacob. Pack rules are pack rules.

“He won’t even give it back.” She cried, the tears finally free flowing that he had prepared himself for, as she slumped back to the ground.

“Give what back?” He asked, sitting beside her and trying to pull her into his arms. She was reluctant, so he eased up. Settling for just holding her hand. Paul didnt know what to do, he wasn’t good at this emotional stuff. He didn’t get emotional, he just got angry.

“My backpack.” She explained, “It had the watch my grandma gave to me on my sixteenth birthday in it. It was the only thing I still had of hers.”

“I don’t think…he’s got the bag anymore, Sage.” He spoke carefully, unsure if her next move would have her trying to deck him as she had done to Jacob.

She lets out a sob. Oh no. Her anger had completely turned into sadness all because Jacob couldn’t stay out of other people's business, per usual. Paul hugged her close, and whispered softly, “I’m so sorry.” 

“I want to be alone.” Sage cried, pushing him away.

“Sage,” His chest tightened, and Paul could feel her pulling from him. From their bond.

“Please.” She begged as she tucked her head into her knees., “Go away,”

He wasn’t going to push her. That would only make her resent him more, he knew that. So, he went back inside to make her the one thing he knew would comfort her. Hot chocolate.

Emily had stocked up on marshmallows too, hoping that would be an added bonus.

He turned the kettle on before turning to Jacob and Leah who were looking at him expectantly.

“You better find the fucking bag or else I’m going to let her at you.” He said through a growl, pointing an angry finger at Jacob.

“Paul!” Sam yelled sternly.

Turning to his alpha, Paul yelled angrily, “It had her grandmother's watch in it, and he lost it. She's got nothing else, Sam!” 

“I think I might know where it is.” Jacob muttered.

“You better figure it out, and fast.” Paul said with a threatening tone before he turned to Sam, “Can she come inside?”

“Has she shown any remorse at all?” Sam asked.

“If thats what you’re waiting for, she going to be gone by the fucking morning. If she leaves, I’m going with her.” Paul said with a seriousness he didn’t display all too often.

“She's not going to run, Paul.” Sam reassured him.

He couldn't help but scoff, did they not pay attention to her habits like he did?! Shaking his head, Paul argued, “She thinks you’ve thrown her out like a misbehaving dog!”

“She--”

“Doesn't know any better,” Emily said from the door with groceries in hand, cutting off her husband, “Bring her in.”

“Emily, she hit--” Sam tried to explain the events of the night

“I don’t care.” She cut off Sam again, noting, “You boys have no clue what that girl has gone through to get to where she is now. How much anger or hurt you have to have to not be able to phase back on your own, you all know what that feels like. We don’t know what caused her to feel that way, but for someone who is afraid of thunderstorms and being locked away, I'm going to assume it wasn’t good.”

 That was all Paul needed to head out back to grab her, though she wasn’t where he had left her, causing his heart to race, calling out, “Sage?”

“Sage!” He yelled out her name again, jogging around to the other side of the house.She was just fucking here, he thought.  He could still smell her but with their bond, he could usually feel when she was around. Not anymore. 

“Is everything alright?” Sam asked as he caught up to Paul. A concerned look on his face. Paul had to stop himself from lunging at his alpha, as much as his wanted him to. A fight with Sam would just waste time that they could be using to find Sage.

“Shes fucking gone!”

[luxaofhesperides]

in training.

a 1k drabble about ljh&yma.

also on ao3! . . .

Most of the time, Lee Jihye forgets that Yoo Mia exits. 

It’s mean of her, she knows, but the girl isn’t particularly close with any of them and Yoo Joonghyuk tends to have her hidden away, like a princess in a tower. Even in moments of quiet, when everyone can catch their breath before the next scenario starts, Yoo Mia sticks to herself. 

Lee Jihye doesn’t know where she goes or who she spends her time with. It certainly isn’t Yoo Joonghyuk; if he’s not working with Lee Jihye, which is rare these days, he’s running off on his own, gone for days at a time. 

Staring at her now, Lee Jihye wishes she could go back in time and properly look out for Yoo Mia. 

She’s around the same age as Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung, isn’t she? Lee Jihye should have been taking care of her as well, but they just… aren’t close enough for that. 

Does Yoo Mia have anyone looking out for her? Her brother doesn’t count; strong as he is, he’s also unreliable outside of dire circumstances. It’s fine for Lee Jihye since she can fend for her own and rely on the others when her own strength isn’t enough, but Yoo Mia?

For a moment, Lee Jihye really wants to slap Yoo Joonghyuk. 

“Hey,” she starts awkwardly. “Did you… need something?”

Yoo Mia glares, looking remarkably like her brother. The bitch face is inheritable when it comes to the Yoo family, apparently. She doesn’t answer for a long minute. Lee Jihye considers walking away and pretending this didn’t happen, but the guilt she feels for forgetting about the girl keeps her feet rooted in place.

“How did you get oppa to train you?” she asks at last.

“What?”

“He trains you. But he never trains me, no matter how often I ask.”

“Oh.” Lee Jihye feels her heart sink. She really hopes Yoo Mia doesn’t think she’s trying to replace her as Yoo Joonghyuk’s sister. Their relationship is nothing like that. They’re not even friends. He’s Master for a reason: he has something she wants to learn, and they have no connection outside of that. Nothing like the blood bonds between him and Yoo Mia that make him go berserk the moment he thinks she’s in danger.

Maybe it’s a good thing that Yoo Mia is kept as far away from the scenarios as possible, while still making sure she gets through them.

“He found me first,” Lee Jihye says. “I was just… wandering. I was terrified out of my mind and could do nothing but run from monsters. He gave me a sword when he found me and asked if I wanted to live. I said yes, so he trained me for a bit before leaving to do… whatever it is he does.”

“You didn’t ask?”

Lee Jihye shakes her head. “No. Sorry. I can’t really help you with that.”

Yoo Mia crosses her arms, but isn’t of anger or defiance, it looks more like she’s hugging herself, a weak attempt at comfort. It makes bitterness well up in Lee Jihye’s throat. 

She, like anyone else, deserve to live for herself. To fight for it like they all do. Even Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung aren’t so smothered despite their age. 

“I just wanted to help,” Yoo Mia mutters.

The guilt hits even harder, a solid punch to her heart. She really should have put in more effort to connect with the girl, to look out for her when no one else bothers. It’s why she looks after the other two kids when the adults scatter to the wind, angsting about Kim Dokja and the general state of their lives. 

“You know I’m not his sister, right?” she blurts out thoughtlessly. “Like, I haven’t replaced you or anything. Yoo Joonghyuk isn’t teaching me because of that. He just needs something good with a sword who would listen to him and that’s what I am.”

“Even if you’re not his sister, you’re still closer to him than I am,” Yoo Mia says rather venomously. “He clearly doesn’t need me for anything. He doesn’t care that I’m still around.”

“Woah, hey, no! He does care! He just seriously sucks at showing it.”

“Sometimes I wonder why he bothered saving me.”

Lee Jihye winces. That’s rough. That’s really rough. She has no idea how to handle this situation. She needs to make her escape or change the topic or make some of the constellations make a sub-scenario just to beat up Yoo Joonghyuk. There has to be a way to dodge all this so she doesn’t make it worse.

She looks at Yoo Mia, stupidly grateful that the girl isn’t in tears, and all she can see is this young girl, still growing, all alone at the end of the world. 

Well, Lee Jihye thinks. Fuck it. I’m not Yoo Joonghyuk.

“Want me to teach you how to fight?”

“What?”

“I can teach you everything he’s taught me. I can teach you even more than that, too. I’ve learned a few new tricks without him.”

A grin starts to grown on Yoo Mia’s face. It’s nice to see; as much as she clearly loves and idolizes her brother, she also needs to disrespect him and go behind his back every once in a while. It’s good for her. 

“Really?”

“Really! But, ah, don’t expect to be going out with us all the time.”

“I don’t want to,” she says, “I just want to be less useless. I want to be able to help people and get material and fight off monsters when they attack the complex.”

“Fair enough,” Lee Jihye nods. “Let’s make it happen. Got a sword you can use?”

Yoo Mia pulls an entire sword out of her mouth in response. Lee Jihye really needs to remember she can do that because seeing that almost made her have a heart attack. 

“Cool,” Lee Jihye says after a beat, forcibly acting normal, “Let’s go somewhere quieter and I’ll teach you all you need to know to be able to kick your brother’s ass.”

“For the record,” Yoo Mia says as she takes the lead and walks in front of Lee Jihye, “I wouldn’t mind having you for a sister.”

“Cool,” Lee Jihye repeats stupidly, grinning. 

She’s messed up majorly, not paying attention to Yoo Mia, but she can fix it now. It’s a small thing, and it certainly won’t make life in the Star Stream any better, but it’ll be easier to bear. 

It’s something worth fighting for.

[peaches2217]

In my own Marioverse, Bowser kidnapping Peach doesn't actually happen very often. Like, at all.

In fact, it only happens twice.

There’s animosity between him and Peach, absolutely, but he usually terrorizes her by way of sending troops to wreak havoc against her citizens. That's not ideal of course, but it’s just part of life; every Toad knows what to do at the first sign of trouble (read: run home screaming), there’s defenses and preventative measures alike in place, it's easy to counter and unsurprising before too long. Unpleasant, but not even particularly disruptful at this point.

And then one night, the princess vanishes, and all that’s left is a letter on her bed in harsh handwriting: Bowser’s bored of his own games and wants control of the Mushroom Kingdom, and until he gets it, Peach will remain his prisoner.

At this point, Mario is a member of her guard (how exactly that happens I haven't decided yet, so for now I default to this brilliant work by the supremely talented @bacidipesca and inspired by the also supremely talented @elitadream), as well as one of her closest friends. He's earned a reputation for his courage, strength, and selflessness, but no one at this point's actually expecting him to drop everything and go charging into Bowser's home territory to save her.

Mario is also a hothead with chronic hero syndrome. It's not just that he's hopelessly smitten close with her. Peach took him and Luigi in after they found themselves stranded in a strange world, giving them kindness, security, a place to call home. She's had Mario's undying loyalty from the moment they first met. Of course he's going to save her.

His actions are a shock to pretty much everyone, especially Bowser. He was expecting either the reluctant but unconditional surrender of her nation or an army, one of the two, not some guy with a funny accent who comes up to the princess' shoulder — who is both significantly faster and somehow almost as strong as him. The surprise works in Mario's favor, and he's able to free Peach and bring her back home not even two full days after her kidnapping, and he's battered and a little singed, but otherwise no worse for the wear.

I wanna go into more depth about the events between Kidnappings 1 and 2 in another post because this is already getting waaaaaay longer than I meant for it to, so to keep it short! Mario gets promoted to Peach's primary bodyguard, and all the extra time together means they go from best friends quietly crushing on each other to best friends in desperate, burning, all-consuming love with one another. So when Bowser kidnaps her once more, it's a hell of a lot more personal.

And Bowser's not underestimating Mario this time around; he's put a shocking amount of effort into ramping up his defenses and keeping Peach's exact location and state of well-being hidden. Mario won't be able to waltz in and carry her out. He makes one wrong move and he's dead. And now Bowser's threatening to outright kill Peach if his demands aren't met, so he's on borrowed time.

It's a very long three months. While Toadsworth spearheads efforts to string Bowser along, walking a fine line between not giving into his threats but also keeping him unsuspicious, Mario trains himself half to death, because he is going to face Bowser, and he is going to kill the bastard, and he is going to bring Peach home safely. He probably would train himself to death if not for Luigi dragging him inside and forcing him to eat and sleep every so often. He doesn't know if Peach is safe or comfortable or even alive, and he won't (willfully) rest until that changes.

The time and resources it takes just reaching Bowser saps most of his energy. The fight nearly kills him. He uses the last of his strength to pry the bars of Peach's cell open and then collapses from a combination of exhaustion, blood loss, and shock. If not for her healing powers, he would've died there on the dungeon floor.

He didn't kill Bowser. He didn't have time. But Bowser received a thrashing pretty damn proportionate to the one he gave Mario. He's oddly quiet from that point on, and no one in the Mushroom Kingdom complains. There's still an ever-lingering fear that he might come back, he might target them once more, he might succeed at what he attempted twice... but the truth is, so long as Mario's alive, he's not getting anywhere NEAR Princess Peach, much less the Mushroom Kingdom.

Bowser may be egotistical and a little dense, but he's not stupid, and he doesn't have a death wish. There's other conquests to be had, conquests against enemies that won't fight back (or at least won't miserably kick his ass).

[freyasilverbough]

The Cave Bear and the White Wolf - Part 5

Summary: Freya, Halsin, and Shadowheart explore the Gauntlet of Shar. Freya and Halsin have a bit of a heart to heart where Freya reassures him that he doesn’t have to drop everything to help her when she’s hurt. They share feelings about their anxieties around the gauntlet and the upcoming battle with Ketheric. Also, Nightsong scene. I hope I did it justice, it’s my favorite in the whole game.

Cw: blood, stitches, scars. Massive Act 2 spoilers

Freya and Shadowheart bickered incessantly through their exploration of Shar’s Gauntlet. They had battled the orthon and the necromancer hiding in its depths well enough, and Freya reluctantly allowed the cleric to take the trials while she, Halsin, and Minthara searched for the relic that Ketheric Thorm kept hidden there.

They were so close now, they’d meant to march on Moonrise that day but the battles they faced in the gauntlet took more time than they’d expected to spend down here. Halsin knew they would need to make camp, everyone would need to be at their full strength to take on Ketheric. The necromancer, in particular, had taken his toll on Freya. She limped slightly as she led their party to the large elevator that had materialized with the umbral gems they’d acquired.

“Wait,” Shadowheart said. Freya tossed her head back and groaned, the last of her patience with the Sharran long gone.

“What now?” Freya all but growled.

“There’s something I need to find down here first. A weapon,” Shadowheart answered.

“On my oath, Sharran, if you mean to sacrifice my life down here for your wicked fucking goddess I will tear you limb from limb,” Freya threatened the cleric with enough venom to fell a horse. “Regardless, we’re all exhausted. We can finish here tomorrow. Let’s get back to the others, I need a drink.”

————

Gale had been instructed to deliver a bottle of Cormyrean brandy as a gift to Freya by Quartermaster Talli. The merchant must’ve deduced that it was her favorite. Halsin had never known her to accept a gift without so much as a single protest, but she simply snatched the bottle and nodded to the wizard in thanks as he finished cooking their dinner. She uncorked the bottle and took a long swig as she limped to her tent. He unbuckled his leather bracers while he sat on a log near the fire and rested his elbows on his knees.

He wanted to follow her, to make her let him heal that damned leg, but he didn’t want to break the trust she’d placed in him by invading her private moments. So he sat. He took the plate that Gale offered to him and ate his dinner in silence while the wizard sat next to him. Karlach bounded over to the fire with Wyll following closely behind her, the warlock and his former quarry were near inseparable as their journey went on. Lae’zel and Minthara stood near the githyanki’s tent. The two women were sharpening their blades and polishing their armor, taking small bites as they worked. Astarion joined Halsin and Gale on the log. Gale offered the vampire his wrist as wildlife in these lands would do him more harm than good. Shadowheart was lost in prayer outside her own tent.

The wizard was the one to break the comfortable silence. “She’s in a mood today, isn’t she?” He jerked his chin toward Freya’s tent.

Halsin nodded. “She’s a Selûnite who spent the day in a Sharran temple, who has little patience and a short temper on her best days. That, and we thought we’d be going back to Moonrise today. I’d be more concerned if she was in a good mood.” Gale chuckled and Astarion scoffed in agreement.

The vampire broke away from the wizard’s wrist. “I’m surprised you survived the day with those three, Halsin. Well done,” he commented sarcastically, as was his way. Halsin only laughed, he knew that if it had come to a brawl between any of those women, any attempts on his part to break them up would’ve been tantamount to suicide.

He glanced back to Freya’s tent, and found himself wondering if he should take her any food. She had done the same for him on many nights when he was sulking in his remote corner of the camp. She had to be starving, they hadn’t stopped to eat since breakfast and he knew they had a big day ahead of them once the dawn broke. Gale chuckled again and clapped Halsin on the knee as he rose to make another plate. “You’ve got it so bad, my friend. Go talk to her.” The wizard shook his head as he handed the plate to Halsin.

The wood elf reluctantly took it and carried it to where Freya made her camp. He stood at the closed entrance and cleared his throat. “Freya?” he asked, and heard only an “ow, fuck” in response, so he stuck his head in.

She had discarded her armor and was wearing a sleeveless shirt with loose cotton shorts that revealed the gash in her thigh, crossing over the old scar. She took another swig of her brandy and splashed the contents of another less valuable bottle of alcohol over her wound. She held a needle and thread in one hand and, to no surprise on Halsin’s part, was stitching her own flesh back together. Blue light radiated from her other palm as she used what was left of her oathbound healing magic to aid the process. She flicked her eyes up to Halsin as he entered the tent and set her dinner on the small, unoccupied table near her bedroll. He knelt in front of her and watched her work for a moment.

“Don’t,” she said. She made another stitch with skilled, nimble hands that had clearly done this several times before.

“I could’ve taken care of that, you know,” he answered. He didn’t dare comment on the fact that she would have another scar. I wear my scars with honor, she had said once. Indeed, she had plenty. The one across the bridge of her nose, the punctures on her shoulder where the wraith had grabbed her while she defended his portal, claw marks running down her other calf. He sensed each had a story, just as the one across his own forehead did.

“I know. I don’t care. You don’t have to heal me every time I get nicked in combat, if you did you’d be glued to my hip and that would just be annoying for the both of us.” Halsin disagreed with her statement, he kept finding excuses to be close to her every chance he got. “Honestly, Halsin, I’m fine. I don’t need you to rush to my aid every time I’m hurt. Two hundred years I’ve survived, and I intend to live at least two hundred more.”

She finished her stitching and reached over to grab a clean strip of linen from her bag to wrap her muscled thigh. Every movement was practiced and deliberate, a soldier patching herself up to get back in battle. She used the ground as leverage to push herself up and test her weight on the injured leg, bouncing lightly on that foot. She seemed to be satisfied enough, so she sat back down and pulled one knee to her chest as she extended her injured leg in front of her.

“How is your mind?” He asked the question on a whisper. “Today can’t have been easy for you.”

She breathed deep before answering. “I’m sure Selûne’s Chosen would be a fine trophy for Shar, unfortunately for her I think Shadowheart still has time to turn from her path of darkness to one of light. She’s still very young, and there’s something more to her. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Do you think she will try to sacrifice you?” Halsin’s blood ran cold at the thought. He knew if it came to it, Freya would prevail, but she cared so deeply for each of her friends that the death of one of them, even in self defense, would haunt her for the rest of her long life.

“I think if she was going to, she would have done it when she realized where we were. I think there’s more to this than what we can see, and I have to trust that the Moonmaiden guides my way.” She finished her brandy and leaned back against her pack. “Enough about me, how do you feel?” Her eyes never left his as she leveled her question, perhaps trying to see into his very soul.

He had no wish to burden her further. To heap his troubles on top of her own. She, quite literally, took the fate of the world onto her own shoulders without a single complaint while a parasite threatened to strip her of mind and soul at any moment. As soon as their mysterious artifact faltered in its protection, she would be gone. They both knew that, and she soldiered on regardless.

Yet, Halsin knew that he could not ask her to trust him with her burdens without offering that same trust in kind. “I feel…hopeful,” he whispered. “More than I have in a hundred years.” She hummed her agreement. “If only I had met you sooner, my friend. I also feel afraid. We have been given the best chance anyone has had to rid this land of its curse, to set nature to rights and watch the healing unfold. If we fail, I dare say there is no one who will be able to take our place.” Her blue eyes welled with unshed tears at his words, for she knew them to be true. If they failed, the curse would live on despite all they’d done here. For Halsin, he would never restore the balance of nature. For Freya, justice would go unserved.

“Do you think we can win this?” A sliver of doubt crept into her voice as the question softly escaped her lips.

“I…I will not lie to you, Freya, I do not know. Ketheric is a formidable foe.” Her eyes slid shut as a tear slid down her cheek at his confession. He reached over and brushed it away with his thumb. “You, though, you might be even more formidable than he is. I am not a betting man, but if I was, I’d gamble on you.” He hooked his finger under her chin and pressed a kiss to her forehead, closing his eyes against his own tears before he moved to leave.

Freya caught his wrist before he could go. “Stay,” she whispered, the word a prayer on her breath.

How could he deny her?

He removed his leather armor and lay shirtless beside her. She rested her head over his chest and he pulled her closer until she was nearly on top of him. He wrapped both arms around her slender frame and held her tight until they both slipped into trance, never once letting go of the warrior woman who now guarded his beating heart.

————

Halsin stood in the pool before Shar’s statue with Shadowheart and Freya, the former knelt in prayer, the latter watching the cleric with her sword drawn. The tension between the Selûnite and the Sharran had grown palpable, Halsin almost thought that he could touch it if he reached out. Shadowheart wielded a new spear, the Spear of Night, she had called it, and it set the paladin on edge.

Shadowheart stood. “I’m ready,” she stated as she stepped into the pool. Tendrils of darkness crept up his legs, like phantom arms pulling him under. They crawled up his chest, his shoulders, his head, ever hungry, and yanked him down until all he saw was black.

————

Halsin woke with a start in a horrifyingly familiar landscape. Coughing, he clutched his chest and looked to Freya, who was on her hands and knees, eyes wide as she took in the broken rock and violet atmosphere.

The Shadowfell. Shar’s domain.

“Fuck.” Freya bit out the word like she’d been struck. Any average Selûnite would be in mortal peril in the Shadowfell, but Freya was Selûne’s Chosen. Fear and worry clawed its way into his chest at the realization.

The party stood, and Halsin noticed that he felt lighter, his bones no longer tethered to the earth. Freya stepped forward, her body practically vibrating, and jumped from one rock to the next before Halsin could stop her.

“Blessed Nightsinger, witness my adoration,” Shadowheart prayed as they followed the paladin. Undead Dark Justiciars lined the path before them, but made no move on the Selûnite as she descended.

“Descend to her,” they whispered in unison. Freya never faltered in her steps in front of him. “Look upon her.”

“See my actions, Lady Shar, hear my words of faith.”

“Kill her.”

“Lady Shar’s will shall be done, as sure as night will fall.”

They reached a large platform, where a tall woman with yellow hair stood, shackled by magic fists glowing green. As Halsin leapt closer, he noticed the cracks in her skin, glowing gold under the dirt and grime.

An aasimar.

Freya and Shadowheart bounded onto the platform, the former angling herself between the caged woman and her Sharran friend.

“You,” the caged woman seethed, pointing a finger at Shadowheart. “You, who have come to seek the praise of her wicked goddess. You, who have come to drive a dagger through my heart.” She stormed towards Shadowheart, blue mage hands restraining her as she did.

“Not a dagger, a spear. My Lady Shar’s spear!” Shadowheart turned on Freya, anger and hatred and desperation etched into her expression. “Her fate is mine to seal, let me handle this!”

Freya raised her sword, the point of the blade inches from her friend’s chin. A tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered, “Strike me down if you must, but I cannot let you do this.”

“The fate you seal is your own,” the larger woman said. “To be a Dark Justiciar is to turn your heart from everything but loss. You will know no love, no joy, only servitude. Until, of course, your mistress inevitably discards you. And there is much she does not tell you - a terrible blood price that may extend beyond my own death.”

Shadowheart bristled as she stared down Freya’s blade. The paladin looked over her shoulder at the caged woman, and something like recognition flashed across her features. Halsin didn’t dare breathe as Freya lowered her sword and stepped to stand beside him. He had no idea what she was doing, but she took his hand in hers and gripped it like a lifeline. “Trust her,” Freya murmured under her breath to him.

“Well, well, well,” the stranger said. “What’s that I sense? A spear intended for my heart. Empowered by your goddess, aye. Empowered to kill the child of a god,” she yelled. “Do you know what I am, little assassin? For I know you - a lost child, frightened by wolves in the dark.”

“What did you say?” Shadowheart’s voice softened, green eyes growing wide.

“Much has been promised to you, hasn’t it? But what has been taken from you? What do you know of your own heart - your own life? I sense more in you than you know.” The woman straightened, and Freya was taut as a bowstring next to Halsin. Her eyes were trained on the exchange happening before them, her other hand gripping the hilt of her sword so hard he thought she’d burst her gauntlet. She whispered prayers to her goddess under her breath, as if Selûne could hear her in her sister’s domain.

Shadowheart was never meant to sacrifice Freya at all, he realized. It was this woman, bound by a necromancer’s magic, whose death was somehow more important to Shar than her twin’s Chosen.

“Whatever you think you know of me won’t matter, once I become who I’m meant to be,” Shadowheart said with wavering conviction.

“She knows something about you, Shadowheart,” Freya said. “Don’t you at least want to hear her out?”

The mysterious wound on Shadowheart’s hand flashed amethyst as she pulled the spear from her back. Freya stiffened, her sword raising once more, as she took a small step forward.

Shadowheart hesitated. She stared at her goddess’s spear in her grasp. The cleric raised her weapon, and Freya released Halsin’s hand to jump in front of the aasimar.

Shadowheart threw her arm back and cast the Spear of Night into the Shadowfell.

Freya’s breath came in hard pants as her sword clattered to the ground. Her relief came off of her in waves, fresh tears springing to her sapphire eyes. She put her hands on Shadowheart’s shoulders as the cleric realized what she had done.

“I can’t believe I did that…Lady Shar will disown me…what will happen to me now…?”

“Now what will happen. What will you do?” The taller woman said behind them. “Your past is not yet lost. Your future is not yet fixed.” She knelt as Shadowheart stumbled forward to her, Freya stepping to the side. “Lay a hand on me in friendship, not-quite-Sharran, and I will fight the battle that has been waiting for me this last century. Then, oh then, we will have much to discuss.” She bowed her head, and Shadowheart considered her for a long moment before placing her wounded hand on the woman’s shoulder.

The mage hands caging her vanished, and she dropped both hands to the ground.

She pounded her fist into the ground. “Our Lady of Silver, hear me.” Her fist pounded once more, free from her shackles, holy fury lacing every word.

By Silvanus.

“She Who Guides, the Moonmaiden Selûne.”

Freya dropped to her knees.

“Mother of the so-called Nightsong, the Nightsong is no more!” Her eyes glowed pure silver as she stood, her Selûnite armor materializing over her battered rags. Her suit was an exact match to Freya’s own. A great golden sword floated down to her outstretched hand, and she swung it in a wide arc as white wings appeared from her back.

The relic Ketheric was after wasn’t a relic after all, but a person. Selûne’s own daughter supplied his immortality. Now that she was free, not only would he finally be vulnerable, but they had made a powerful ally in this war. Halsin could only stare in awe as her boots touched ground once more.

“You have given me a great gift, little warrior,” the Nightsong said to Shadowheart. “Don’t you find it oh so curious that you would spurn your Dark Lady? Perhaps you feel a stirring of the truth already”

Freya rose to her feet, collecting her sword. “And you, my mother’s Chosen. You did well to follow her guidance. I look forward to seeing what you can do.” Freya dipped her chin in a nod at the aasimar’s words.

“But that will come later. There is a battle yet to be fought. You have done what we feared was impossible, you have released me from a century of sorrow. Your power is great, so to must be your weapon. The Moonmaiden will provide. Thus I have said, thus will it be so.” A golden glaive appeared in Shadowheart’s hand, replacing the Spear of Night.

Freya retook her place at Halsin’s side, divine purpose igniting her confidence in their cause anew. He squeezed her arm, sharing in her newfound hope. She was radiant in her anticipation of the coming battle, blue eyes bright and wild and excited. She smiled up at him and Halsin’s heart nearly stopped. She was breathtaking.

“Are you ready?” Selûne’s daughter asked them.

“Ready for what?” It was Shadowheart who answered, still so unsure of herself after defying her patron deity.

The Nightsong’s expression hardened in determination and the promise of righteous vengeance as she readied to launch into the sky.

“To kill Ketheric Thorm.”

[camojacketfag]

Fucking hell, dude. Your blog hit me in the gut like a nine-pound hammer. I’m a Michigan boy, born and bred, but did spend a year living in rural Indiana — and your pictures and posts and reblogs feel like home. For better or worse, they feel like home.

My year in Indiana was wild and reckless and free. That was where I lost my faith, where I lost my virginity, and where I found a part of my soul that I didn’t realize I’d been missing. The Midwest is a wild place, and she raises wild children who will always carry their mother with them, in their hearts and blood and bones, no matter how far we go, or how hard we try to leave her behind.

Thank you for this. Thank you for sharing what these places mean to you, and what you see in them. Thank you for sharing who you are through these places.

The way I’ve had your confession in my inbox for like two weeks man and I just keep ruminating on the right shit to say but I don’t really know what to say because it feels like you tore a fucking page out of my own notebook and said exactly what I’m trying to confess every god damn day. I lost my virginity to some dude named josh when I was 18 who read me his favorite bible verses after all was said and done. I learned to eventually find comfort and joy in inhabiting this part of the world after a tumultuous four years in which I made the fucking choice to finally heal and try and assess who it is I wanted to be. I’ve lost so much man. Friendships, relationships, moments I know I’ll never recover, all because I made the stupid ass decision to seclude myself and try and heal and comprehend why it is I am the way that I am. Most of my anxiety nowadays comes with wondering if I made the right decision in the end. I’m still in my 20s, and I’ve got so much left to learn and experience yet I spend my afternoons piling dirt onto the graves of those I’ve lost along the way. Every year is spent fighting with the remains of my dwindling faith. I’d like to maintain a belief in the mysticism of everyday life. In the idea that things happen to you for a reason and that ever so passionately you’re being guided by a mystical force much wiser and powerful than you could ever imagine, yet I spend the first half of most my years losing my faith, only to then somber and beg for its return in the later half of the year. Recently I’m grateful for the return of my vibrant rage man. I lost it earlier this year due to a relapse in my obsessive and compulsive nature and the desperation for hope that follows after. As of last week, somehow, I ended up in the right place, at the right time, to acknowledge the rage still residing deep within. How it hungers to break and bend and spit and scream and destroy and show everyone I spend mourning over that they’ll someday realize how worthy I was of keeping around. I’ve made my choice man. No return, I say. I know what I suffer from. I know what it is I’ve gone through. I know why it is my brain works the way it does and it took so much unnecessary sacrifice. So fucking be it man. Often, I wonder if others perceive me as selfish for doing this. I wish I could make them understand that I decided to get better, not only for myself, but to be a better being for them as well. Yet, we can’t go back. Growing up here, living here, feeling invisible here, feeling alone here, will only add to the strength you’ve acquired as you’ve gotten older. For now, I’ll sit back, I’ll people watch, I’ll listen to my records, read my books, write my words, rage every chance I’m given, and I’ll find a way to make peace with the idea that it will all work out in the end. I’ve no mountains to run to. No skyscrapers I can dig myself underneath. No late night booming clubs I can drown my sorrows with. Just plains and corn and a hunger to be more. To never settle. And I hope, you feel the same man. Take care of yourself and try and be kind to yourself! Thanks for reaching out. Means a lot.

[blair-the-juggalho]

Twdg gang when they have a crush

Hiya I would love too! Tysm for the request! Hope these will do <3!

TWDG Ericsson gang when they have a crush!

Violet

Violet would talk to you a lot more

And would give you the one or two awkward compliment

She’d never actively try to spend more time with you physically

But she always secretly wished that you’d spend time with her

She always gets really sad when you spend time with someone else but she’d never tell you that

She’d either walk off or if she’s feeling brave she’d make some excuse to talk to you

She’d also show you to all her places where she goes to be alone

She’d obviously give you pins!

She’d sometimes sing and dance with you if you where alone

And she’d take you stargazing duh!!!!

Mitch

Now mitch is a weird one

I either feel like he’d pretend you don’t exist and every time he sees you he speed walks away

Or he tries to get closer to you and spend more time with you

I’m going to say he does a mix of both!

One day he’s trying to impress you through flexing his strength, wood carving skills, and knife tricks

Then the next day he’d be too embarrassed to have a full conversation with you

If anyone called him out oh this he’d get all sulky and get into an argument before storming off

This mans never felt this way before so he’s very conflicted

Please be patient with him

He just doesn’t know how to display any other feeling other than anger lmao

Also this man gets jealous so easily

Whenever someone who isn’t him or Willy talks to you he’s in a Bad mood

Marlon

He’d always give you any breaks you wanted

And most of your jobs would be helping him with things!

He’d also try and get you to get closer with Rosie!

He’d always try and get to know you more and would spend any free time with you

He’d try to impress you with his mad archery skills

And he’d flex his loving side with you through him pampering Rosie

He would also try and make you laugh by small jokes here and there and even pulling silly faces at you

Heaven forbid you found a working camera and took a photo of him pulling that face

He’d let you keep it but if you ever showed anyone that man would be in a proper grump lmao

Louis

THIS MAN IS SO CLEAR WITH IT

he’d flirt with you all the time

He’d try to make you laugh all the time

He’d write and play you songs

He’d show off too you

He’d always spend his time with you!

I mean oh my lord it’s so obvious he’s head over heels for you lmao!

He’d also obviously be really nosy with you during the card game

I mean no matter if your new or not he’s only asking you questions

If you where comfortable with it, he’d also hug you goodmoring and goodnight!

Everyone knows about his crush on you and he’s proud of it

In the mornings it’s always

“Ah! Our lovely name has finally woken up! Oh how nice of you to Grace us with your presence.”

Aasim

He’s not very obvious tbh!

He’d write about you a lot though

You’d always see him look at you then quickly go back to writing

And he’d make very awkward small talk when you walk towards you when you were doing your chores

And if he was feeling a little extra he might even through in the sweet little compliment

If he knew you like literature he’d give you some of the old books he stole from the library and would also write you some silly stories!

He’d be so over the mood if you saved them btw! <:)

Omar

It’s kinda obvious tbh!

He’d treat you so well since he is a little gentleman

He’d always make you your favourite food and dessert and you always get first picks

And he’d maybe even listen to your advice if you where good at cooking

He’d also spend as much time with you as humanly possible unless you asked him to give you some space and he’d totally respect your wishes <3

Ruby

This girl is a a little less obvious but it’s still recognisable

She’d always laugh at your jokes

She’d always be on your side about most things

She’d also always tease you over the smallest of things!

She’d also hug you a lot more than anyone else lmao

Brody

When she has a crush on someone it’s so obvious!

This girls constantly blushing and complimenting you

And whenever you say something remotely nice to her she’s giving you a big goofy smile

She’ll constantly try to move closer to you

Oh and she will always asking to get the same job you’d I so she can be with you