#cactus was not easy to gif lol

[nouearth]

joy-cons.

pairing ; barry allen x gn!reader. fandom: ; dc, the flash (cw) genre: ; fluff. rating ; pg. note ; it's been a while since i've written, so pls spare me the pain! just wanted to write a little drabble to start off my blog!

it took a lot of convincing for you to play mario party with barry. forty pleases and multiple interrogations on why you didn’t want to play to be exact.

are you scared? afraid you’ll lose again? come on, babe. i’ll go easy on you!

it’s not that you hated the game or anything. they’ve become a party favorite for years (except for the tenth game, we don’t talk about you) and you’ve always enjoyed how those games made you feel afterwards. whether you lost or won, cheated or played fair; mario party made you (and everyone) laugh and bond together, and you’ll always credit those games for bringing you and your family closer.

with your boyfriend… not so much.

“barry… listen…” you respond with an insecure smile, hesitant whether you should really bring this up with your boyfriend right now or suck it up and play a round if it makes him happy.

“oh no… are you still mad that i stole all your stars the last time? listen, we can play the other games! i’m sure one of them have an option to turn it off or something…” barry playfully rambles, his signature smile that made you fall in love with him still remaining. “which really defeats the purpose of the game, though. because then it becomes all vanilla and if everyone is given a fair chance-“

“barry- no.” you cut him off with a small peck to his lips, a gesture you often do whenever he goes on a tangent.

“then what is it?” he repeats the same gesture back, following up by leaning his forehead on yours to gaze into your eyes a little closer, his hold on your hands tightening to keep your balance and his upright.

“well… uh… okay, you know that mini-game where you have to button-mash the hammer into the little sand cactus thingies?” you describe the mini-game that made your thumbs sore in aftermath. in all honesty, you were great at it. until barry came along.

“the pokeys? yeah! you know i got a world record on that?”

“uh-huh. i was right there.” you lead him to the couch where both you and barry sit, reaching over to grab the red and yellow joy-cons on the table. “less than a millisecond…” you mutter to yourself.

“what about it?”

“well…” you clear your throat and open your palm that’s been holding the red joy-con for barry to take. “you broke them again.”

“oh- i can just pay you back, you know that-“

“no… barry. that’s not the problem! i’ve been noticing and this always happens whenever we play those type of mini games where we have to break our thumbs until they’re beating red!”

“hey! we don’t have to play those! we can skip and… and we can-“ barry fumbles over his words and you can tell something’s making him nervous. it’s quite comical, this entire situation. you weren’t mad, sad, disappointed, but suspicious.

“barry, did you even look at the joy-con.” you shut your lip tight, almost wanting to laugh, but remain serious as your boyfriend looks like he’s in a state of panic.

“wha-“ barry averts his eyes down to his palm. a singular joy-con, the one that he always uses whenever you guys play together, except it looks a little different than usual. “it doesn’t look broken to me- OOOOOH MY GOD.”

barry’s eyes register to a burnt joy-con. well, the other half of it. one side still maintains its signature red, but barely. he looks up at you with wide eyes and an expression akin to edvard munch’s the scream painting.

“yeah- can you tell me how you managed to smoke literally half of the controller? and out of all the games, it’s mario party?!” you take the controller back from his hand and examine it closely. one of the buttons is also smashed in. no wonder he had to get a different controller mid-round.

“listen- i don’t know how that happened! i mean, i told you i’ve been lifting more recently-“ barry attempts to grab the controller back from you as if withholding it would take any more suspicion off of him. the struggle has him rolling on top of you while both you and barry’s arms extend further away from each other.

“oh my god, barry. are we seriously doing this right now-“ you breathe out from under him.

“and that world record?! i blink once and suddenly you win first place with less than a millisecond to your name?! i’m not even sure if it registered how fast you were, barry.” you struggle through your words as he pushes his weight on top of your lungs in a continuing attempt to retrieve the joy-con, but a sigh of relief exhales when you drop the controller and barry rolls off of you.

“i’m good at games! great at them! i thought we talked about this, y/n!” you take a minute to catch your breath and watch barry desperately retrieve the joy-con as if his life depended on it.

“barry, you literally only win when we play those mini games-“ something catches your eye when he loops his finger through the joy-con’s wrist strap and the edge of the controller knocks an object out from under the couch.

another red joy-con.

you take a closer look and in midst, catch a glimpse of barry’s ‘oh shit face.’ before he could swipe it back under the couch, you hop off the couch next to him and crouch down, taking a closer look.

It’s burnt, just like the one you confronted barry about it. you pick it up and examine it with your hands. same damage.

“I can explain-“ you cut him off when you begin pushing the couch away. “oh my god, y/n. no, no, no, no!” he dramatically pleas, but barry knows he’s in too deep as what has been his worst kept secret, is finally revealed.

a clutter of broken joy-cons, all red with similar burnt marks and smashed in buttons reveal before you. it must’ve been at least fifty controllers scattered in a pile. at least four thousand dollars’ worth of product. he’s broken a few joy-cons before, which is why you brought it up to him in the first place… but that’s only been four or five times. not over fifty?! you could tell barry was in desperate need in saving money too because you also saw some third-party brands that resembled the joy-cons.

“okay, so… you aren’t going to believe me… but i have these amazing superpow-“

“barry..? w-what the hell?!”

© nouearth. please do not repost, plagiarize, or translate my works. and if you like this story, please reblog and leave a like!

[anemonelovesfiction]

Petal

Pt 2

Ronal x Tonowari X Human! Reader

Warnings ⚠️: Sex. Penetration. P in V, P in mouth, V in mouth, Fingeriiiing, Ronowari x Y/n, AFAB! Reader.

Cute blurb, I mentioned “the first breath” in green text. This is a Metkayina tradition in which the Tsahik is supposed to help the Na’Vi woman give birth underwater (in shallow waters) and the baby swims to the surface to take their first breath. I just thought you guys would find it a lil interesting bc my autistic self did….

This is a part two to Petal, but you don’t have to read the first one to understand this one, the true epitome of Porn without a plot… for both chapters

Pls excuse any weirdly spelled or stated things, English is not Author-chans first language so I sometimes say things differently than you guys would. I did do a run through to catch errors but can’t guarantee I got them all.

@nelissecrectplace 👈🏻 Ayyooooo

<<Previous

“Are you feeling okay?” I asked Ronal as she had sighed for the fourth time in a short period. I’d purposely entered her healing tent to watch Tsireya do her tsakarem training, in hopes I could utilize some of that on my own, not that I wanted to be tsahik, but to comfort anyone I cared for or utilize the same methods with Kiri. She had previously patched up a fisherman with a rather deep cut on his arm, I watched her put some kind of salve on some seaweed and wrap it around his arm.

I wanted to ask her what components the salve consisted of and why wrap it in seaweed, but hearing her mother sigh or groan every once in a while was worrisome. But I refused to talk to her informally as I was unsure of how much her own children knew about whatever our relationship was. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I’d flaunt it as some kind of status. Tsireya had grabbed a box and started taking inventory of what she had.

“I am fine,” Ronal offers me a nod and goes back to grinding some of the dried cactus she’d laid out in the sun earlier this week.

“I’ll need to collect some more yellow daisies and ready them to dry.” Tsireya announces as she stands, closing the box and grabbing a small bag, tying it around her waist like a fanny-pack. I was about to offer to go with her to see what the process was like, and also gain some intel for Lo’ak, the boy wanted to gift her something but didn’t know what.

“That is fine. But be careful ma’ite, I don’t need you hurting yourself over some daisies. I’ll keep Y/n here for anything else I might need.”

Tsireya appears to give me an apologetic look and worried smile as her mother mentions me staying behind. I return a smile of my own and give her a small nod, silently telling her I was alright and didn’t need to get out of this situation.

“I might join you on your next adventure,” I joke and she smiles genuinely before leaving. I turn to eye the pregnant Tsahik and witness her groan again and rub her belly.

“What is wrong, Tiyawn?” I ask her as I approach her slowly.

“This child is making a toy out of my insides.” She rubs her belly, the tattoo’s around it accentuating her bump, and a need to protect her surges through me.

“If the baby is kicking this strongly, the first breath will be easy for them.” I smile up at her and her face softens, she places a hand on my cheek and runs her thumb against it affectionately.

“You always know what to say,” She smiles but winces as it seemingly kicks her again.

“Hey now,” I kneel down to come closer to her belly, placing my hands on either side, feeling the baby kick and slap the other hand. “Let your Sa’nok rest little bean, she needs you to behave so she can relax.” I speak gently toward her bump and it shakes slightly as she laughs silently, but the baby stops kicking.

“I wish all my children listened to me that way.” She smiles down at me and pats my head, attempting to move but stopping when my hands sit on her knee’s.

“They listen to you,” I assure her and she rolls her eyes at my words.

“Do not tease me, Petal.” She says and tries to swat my hands away but I don’t let go of her knee’s and start to slowly rub up her thigh the slightest bit, circling back at her knee’s testing the waters.

“I don’t tease, Ronal, how often do you look out for everybody's best interest?” I asked her while slowly continuing to rub up higher than the last time. I knew her inner thighs were her weakness but I was trying to remain inconspicuous.

“Too much, but I have to-“ She begins and I tut at her.

“How often do you decide to look after yourself?” I asked her and managed to make her sit up straighter as I slowly rub the inner part of her thigh next to her knee. Leaning down to give it a kiss and innocently looking back up at her.

“Hmm?” I asked as she seemed to be in a trance while looking at me. “Because I don’t think you do, and it looks like you need someone to care for you.” I kiss her other thigh and watch the skin of her brows flutter between a confused and surprised look and settling on raising one as she looks at me.

“Petal.” She warns but I don’t care for it as I let my hands slide up her thigh and toward her covered pussy, feeling the damp cloth underneath, sliding my finger up the outline of her lips while maintaining eye contact.

“How else can I show you I’m grateful for everything you do than to take care of this weeping cunt, hmm?” I ask and gently place pressure on where her clit should be. Her breath hitches and I can’t take how slow I’m moving so I circle it.

“There are other ways,” She begins and I can’t help but circle around her clit again, snaking my other hand to untie her tewng swiftly.

“Yes but I selfishly want to do it this way.” I state as I untie the tewng successfully and watch her look at my hand pulling the string apart in surprise. “I want you a whimpering mess as I feast on your pussy-“ I circle her clit again. “And I want to drink from your nectar knowing I’m the reason it’s made an appearance.”

“I guess I can allow it,” She tries to remain strong but she was cracking.

“But you aren’t the one in charge here. Slide your tewng off, Tiyawn.” I tell her and she surprisingly listens as she slides it off her body, and down her tail, I bite my lip at the excitement forming in my lower belly.

“Spread your legs for me, please.” I ask politely and she was listening to my words.

I slide my finger up her pussy and collect her slick fluid on my finger before rubbing it in circles around her clit, making sure to enjoy the looks her face was making whilst I pleasured her. I use my other hand to slide two fingers into her slick hole and we both moaned at the same time. The heat given off by her cunt alone had my mouth watering.

“Feels s’good on my fingers,” I’d taken my eyes off of her and watch how her cunt greedily takes my fingers and where she tries to stay quiet, her pussy squelches loudly.

“Listen to how wet you are, mama,” I say and hear her moan immediately following my words. I continue sliding my fingers in and out of her.

“Didn’t think I’d find the two of you doing this so soon.” I hear behind me and can feel my pussy squeeze around nothing, licking my lips at the sound of his voice, but continue focusing on the pregnant beauty in front of me.

“She takes care of us and we forget to take care of her. Isn’t that right mama?” I ask her while rubbing her already puffy clit, my mouth waters at the sight before me and I just have to taste her. “I wanna eat your cunt so bad,” I talk quietly to myself as she moans from my request.

“Feast on her, Petal, then you’ll feast on my cock.” Tonowari states while kneeling down to face me from Ronal’s head, making sure to lean over and tease her nipples while I connected my mouth to her clit.

The taste of her juices were divine. I had no other words to explain it other than ‘other worldly’ she really was one of a kind and I couldn’t get enough of her. She was struggling to maintain her moans but I was losing myself to her taste that I’d lost track of how long I’d done this.

“Oh I’m coming, Petal, ‘Wari-“ She whines as her hips snap to a rhythm of their own as she comes. Her juices flowing out more readily than before as I continued to eat and finger her as she rode out her high, Tonwari making sure to caress her breasts the way she enjoys as she slows down. Letting us know she finished by going limp and gasping for air. I continue to trace her outer lips with my tongue as she catches her breath, she had already been licked clean, but her hand pushing gently on my head is what gets me to stop.

Switching was always the hardest part. We usually had to talk through what we wanted the night to look like as we followed through but we moved swiftly into our new positions. I sat on Ronal’s face for a change- I was always on my back while she ate me out- and Tonowari had taken his tewng off, exposing his long hard cock.

“Open your mouth for me, petal.” Tonowari instructs and I do, fitting him in my mouth was never easy, but it was always fun. He places the head of his cock in my mouth and a bit of the tip of his shaft in before my mouth is completely full.

“Ugh, so tight.” He groans while freely moving his hand on his own cock teasingly slow.

“Mmmm-“ I moan as soon as Ronal sticks her finger in, licking my clit like I’d done to her.

“Great mother-“ Tonowari groans and starts sliding his hand on his cock faster.

Ronal takes the liberty to tease me by running the tip of her finger along the walls, making a come here motion slowly, almost as of she was teasing me. But she knew I enjoyed the pleasure more, it felt like the electric pulses in my pussy ran longer and stronger when she took her time.

“Do you want my seed?” He asks and I plead with my eyes. “Thats what I thought.” He grunts and his pace changes, I reach out and place my hands on his hips to help steady me and it drives him crazy.

“I think-“ Tonowari grunts “- our Petal is coming, Ronal.” Tonowari moans himself but his own hands don’t stop thrusting his cock. I’m on the edge and didn’t know how much longer I could take, but Ronal shoved her second finger in, allowing it to repeat the same motion and it had my walls fluttering for that movement. Just then Tonowari shoots his load in my mouth.

“Swallow, Petal.” He states as he continues coming and I swallow as much as I can fit in my mouth as it dribbles out with some drool from the side of my mouth and down my chin. It takes me a second to catch my breath as he gently lifts me off of Ronal’s face. My legs are wobbly and it makes me feel like a newborn deer.

I wobble my legs over but end up having to sit down as Ronal sits up from her laying position. She happens to have grabbed my waist and leaned me against her body and places her hand on my thighs, effectively lifting them up and spreading my pussy open.

“W-wait, what is-“

“You said you wanted to be jackhammered.” Ronal reminds me while speaking into my ear, causing a shiver to run up her spine. “And this is the way the three of us can participate.” She kisses the top of my head and I can feel her bump acting as a cushion.

“Will I hurt the baby?” I ask in all seriousness as Tonowari approaches on his own knee’s. Ready to fuck into my cunt.

“The baby is safe, silly tawtute.” Ronal playfully hisses in my ear and bites the tip of it, causing me to flush red and moan while biting my own lip.

“Get ready, Petal, I’ve been thinking about doing this since this morning.” He groans as if he’d literally not just come down my throat and was (not so) surprisingly hard. Na’vi could go for multiple rounds and fuck tirelessly through the night whenever they felt like it. When impressing someone they often went as many rounds as possible, and seeing Tonowari still this active during his prime was sexy for no reason. He’d been surprised that I passed out after one round with him and his wife, he had to ask Jake if he broke me, that was a funny conversation when I woke up.

“Wari, please-“ I try to tell him to take it slow, but as soon as he shoved his cock into my cunt I couldn’t feel anything else. The air in my lungs stopped coming in and all I could focus on was the stretch his cock often greeted my cunt with.

“If I wasn’t so tired making this baby I would have been enjoying myself to your sounds, petal.” Ronal speaks into my ear and I breathe again, moaning as I did so.

“Please, Ronal, please-“ I whine and I can hear her coo at me teasingly.

“Not so cocky when you’re stuffed with cock, hmm?” She snakes one of the hands holding my thighs down to my quivering and puffy cunt. Making sure to take advantage of Tonowari’s precome and my slick and begins rubbing my clit as Tonowari pounds into me.

“Oh fuck!” I yell at the incredible amount of pleasure surging through my body, my toes were curled and I couldn’t control them no matter how hard I tried, I gave in to the feeling and ground my hips to meet both Tonowari’s thrusts and Ronal’s soft hands circling my clit.

“Such filthy language, Petal, we taught you better than that. Didn’t we, Wari?” Ronal’s voice simulated a pout as she brought the hand that was on my cunt up to her lips. “Mmmm” She moans happily while licking her fingers clean.

“Please don’t-“ I tried remembering the language as hard as I could but failed to do so as Tonowari’s thrusts weren’t slowing down, his cock head itching me just right.

“Don’t what?” Ronal asks, sliding her hand back down to hold my thigh and rub my clit, I’m too busy trying to remember the words but have a hard time.

“Please don’t stop, please!” I knew they understood what I meant and Ronal decided to kiss my head again.

“We won’t stop, Petal, we need you to coax out Wari’s come with your tiny pussy. Isn’t that right tiyawn?” She is asking him this time.

I look up through squinted eyes, his brows were furrowed as he focused on both of our pleasure, grunting so primal it had me near the edge, his tattoo’s made him look fierce but he was such a gentle lover. Ronal’s hands didn’t stop and it amazed me how a heavily pregnant woman was this sexually active, I’d wanted to give her the treatment she was giving me but she was always thinking of others.

“Yes,” Tonowari answers and he somehow goes even faster.

“Imma come, imma come!” I mutter, feeling Ronal change the way my hips were being held and could feel her confining my movements. “N-noo,” I moan and could feel Tonowari’s brute force making a small pole on my belly, his hips finally meet mine and I feel a pressure I’ve never felt before, letting go and succumbing to the pleasure.

“What- what was that?” Ronal asks just before Tonowari groans and dumps his come in my cunt. I can hear myself and Tonowari panting but I couldn’t believe I just-

“Tawtute call it squirting,” Toniwari answers.

[unluckyhoneybee]

Awkward (Jamie Drysdale)

Jamie liked you a lot, but he didn't make the smartest move.

Warning: underage drinking, alcohol, dr*gs mentions.

"No, no. Not on my watch" You said taking the beer away from Jamie's hand. "Who gave this to you? Huh? Was it Trevor?"

"YN..." Jamie complained with a flustered cheeks. "It's just..."

"Trevor! I told you to stop giving alcohol to the kids" You exclaimed to your brother.

"He picked it!"

"Naughty" You said pointing at Jamie. You loved teasing him, how much he blushed and how his voice stuttered.

"I won't get too drunk I pr-"

"I'm just teasing, Jamie" You took a sip from the bottle and passed it back to him. "You are cute."

Jamie wanted to throw himself to the pool. Maybe he could cool down a bit.

Mason chuckled and punched his shoulder. You didn't see the eyes he gave Jamie because you were already walking to Trevor.

"Give him a break" Trevor said with a smile.

"It's just so easy..." You chuckled.

"Yeah, because he is crazy for you"

You rolled your eyes and laughed. You knew Jamie was into you. A lot actually. It was kind of obvious.

"And you like him too"

You rolled your eyes again and Trevor laughed.

"C'mon." He elbowed you and you pushed him with your hip. "Now you are blushing"

"Shut up, Trev"

"I just think that this trip is a great moment."

You looked at Trevor and back at Jamie. You had gone with them to some trip, which meant you were stuck with the three boys for some days in a beach house.

"The beach, the sun, an extra white Canadian boy..."

You chuckled. "He should wear some cream, yeah"

Trevor laughed. "That's not what I..."

"I know, idiot"

"Maybe you can help him"

You scoffed and walked away from him, who only laugh and kept cooking on the barbecue.

"How much till the food is ready?" Mason asked.

"I don't know. He barely knows what he is doing."

Jamie giggled and took a sip from his beer. You cautiously observed him. The freckles on his face were darker because of the sun and his shoulders were turning pink.

You looked at Trevor and then back at Jamie.

"I'll be in the pool in that case." Mason threw himself to the cold water and Jamie hurried with the beer. He didn't want to be alone with you and embarrass himself.

"Hey, hey. Not under my watch, Drysdale."

He looked at you with big eyes.

"You are turning pink like a shrimp, honey."

He saw you approach with the bottle and panicked.

"It's fine. I don't need it. YN. No. No. It's really fine" He started walking backwards. Trevor was really entertained from his place in the porch.

"Jimmy..." You softly said and he stopped on his tracks. "It's for you. Tomorrow you will be in pain"

He nodded, but he was so anxious. What if you thought his skin was weird? What if you didn't like how hairy his chest was? He had shaved but it was growing back and looked like a cactus. What if you thought that that pimple he had since last week was disgusting? He couldn't get rid of it and it looked kind of bad. What if he wasn't strong enough? Maybe his muscles weren't as big as other guys'.

He gasped when you planted your hand on his back, it was cold and it made him shiver. But he also forgot how to breathe. You were so delicate and gentle, being extra careful with his shoulder because you weren't sure if it still hurt sometimes.

"Turn around" You softly said.

He did and while you were putting the cream on his toned chest you could feel his heart beating like mad. Which made yours beat hard too. You were making sure to cover all his skin, but also enjoying the moment a little bit. But you wouldn't confess that.

"Your hair is getting long, huh?"

Jamie swallowed hard. You didn't like it.

"Y-yeah. I have to cut it soon and..."

"I think you look good." You cut him.

Jamie swallowed and you smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Maybe we could fix it a bit, it's getting in your eyes. But you look great with your hair like this" If your hands weren't sticky with sunscreen, you would run your fingers over it.

"Thanks" He sweetly said and looked down at his hands.

"Jimmy! Her eyes are not down there!"Trevor shouted. He was an idiot and from his place it looked like Jamie was looking at your chest.

"Shut up, Zegras" You told him.

"Don't Zegras me, Zegras!"

"Then shut that mouth"

You loved messing with Jamie, making him blush and stutter around you. But only you. No one dare to mess with my Jimmy or I will end them.

"I think I'm going to the pool and...."

"Tss. The face. You have to take care of this freckles"

And then you cupped his face and carefully put the cream on it. Jamie was fully loosing it. He was trying to think of dirty things. The gloves after a long practice day, the locker room after a game, Trevor's bathroom in the house, that banana he found forgoten on the fridge after their first roadie as roommates... It didn't work.

"Okay. There you are, cutie"

He loved when you called him cutie. When he was already in the pool and the cold had calmed him down, he swam closer to Mason.

"Hey Mason"

"Hey"

"Can I ask you a question?"

The curly haired nodded.

"Do you think she is flirting with me or is she just messing with me?"

Mason laughed.

"Man, she is flirting" He said laughing. "She wants you"

They both looked in your direction. You were in the sun, face down and reading your book. Trevor caught them and flipped them off, giving them the stop looking at my sister's ass look.

"What should I do? I don't want to ask Trevor because it's his sister and he definitely will tell her."

"Okay, this is what you will do..."

.

.

.

It was a mistery to you how he could get the house full of people he didn't know in so little time. But Trevor had done it again. Who is up for a little party tonight? It wasn't little. Not even close. Lots of people were in the house and you were praying for them to not break anything.

But in that mess of people, there was someone that was calling for your attention more than anyone else.

"What the fuck is he on? Have you given him something?"

Trevor and you were standing shoulder to shoulder watching a very strange Jamie being the social butterfly. Red cup after red cup, girl after girl, drink game after drink game, and Jamie was looking less like Jamie.

"For once, this isn't my fault." Trevor said pointing at you. "I promise"

"I have to believe you, right?"

He nodded.

You both gasped when he wrapped his arm around some girl's waist and pulled her to his side. The little jealousy monster living in your belly woke up.

"Oh wow" Trevor whispered when Jamie kissed the girls cheek. He then looked at you. "Are you okay? There is smoke coming out of your ears"

"I don't want to hear a single word" You growled under your breath and turned around. You grabbed two bottles and started pouring the alcohol in the cup.

"Hey, hey. No. Careful" Trevor took a sip of the alcohol, drinking the half of it and coughing when it came down his throat. "Not binge drinking because Jimbo is making you jealous"

"For fuck sake" Without mixing it, you drank the rest and coughed too. "He is not making me jealous."

"You are jealous. He is making you jealous." You were his sister and best friend, he could see what was going on. Jamie was looking at you every once in a while, checking you were watching before starting the next stupid act.

"He is not making me jealous. He is enjoying himself because he is young, handsome and famous"

"Yeah. Definitely he is being himself and enjoying a lot"

Now instead of a girl, there were too.

Trevor hugged your shoulders. "I'm not afraid of fighting him. He is a softie. Just ask"

"No way. I just need shots."

"You don't"

"Since when are you the responsible sibling"

"Since your crush is being a dick right in front of you"

You leaned your head on his shoulder and sighed.

"This is Mason's idea" You pointed at him. He was having so much fun watching, proud smile on his face and model like brunette on his lap.

"I'm going to kill them." Trevor said.

"No"

He sighed.

Then, the unexpected happened.

"YN!" Jamie called you. "Come here!"

You swallowed and walked on his direction. Trevor took the opirtunity to go and talk to Mason, who simply shrugged.

"He is getting the girl"

"That girl is my sister, prick"

"Guys, this is YN. YN, this are Johny, Claudia, Mark and... Lizzy?"

"Lily" The girl under his arm pushed him away clearly annoyed.

This wasn't your Jamie. This Jamie was a fucking asshole and you didn't like it a single bit. You wanted the cute nervous Jamie that you were used to. The real one.

"She is great at beer pong." Jamie told them. "And Johny, she is single"

The last drop. That was the last drop.

"What the fuck are you doing?" You hissed and pulled him closer.

"Wow, YN. We are having a good time, relax, girl" Even his voice sounded different.

"Fuck off, Drysdale" You said and walked away.

"Hey! Johny wanted to meet you!"

"Fuck off you too, Johny" You said flipping him off and walking away.

Trevor punched Mason's arm and jumped.

"You better sleep with one eye open"

"Trevor!"

"Fix this! The party is over!"

He followed you to the backyard and grabbed your shoulders.

"I'm not crying"

"I know."

"What is he doing?"

Trevor sighed and hugged you.

By the time you went back inside, Jamie had a shot glass on his hand and other four on the table. Mason was pushing Johny outside. The brunette was there playing with her hair.

"You better leave too" Trevor told her.

"Trev, mate!"

"This is your fault, you are grounded, kid."

You leaned against the kitchen doorframe and observed Jamie taking the last shot.

"You guys are no fun"

"And you better shut up" Trevor told him. "We are talking about his in the morning. And you guys are not running from it."

"He just wanted to..." Mason tried to come in Jamie's (and his) defense, but Jamie's body had other plans.

He felt dizzy out of sudden. The last shot hadn't sit well. He ran upstairs and the three of you followed him with your eyes. Soon, you heard him throwing up.

You, feeling responsible as always, sighed.

"I'll go."

"YN..." Trevor tried to stop you. He would have left Jamie by himself in the toilet. He didn't deserve your help.

"It's fine"

You ran upstairs and found him leaning back against the tiles. He looked at you and you saw him. Your Jamie.

"Hi" You smiled a bit and picked a towel. "Here, clean yourself a bit"

You had to help him get up and almost washing his teeth too.

"Let's go to bed"

Once you were on his bedroom, he sighed and looked a t you. He was pale and sweaty.

"Get this clothes off, Jimmy. You will be uncomfortable"

"Okay... But don't look" He whispered.

"I'll bring you water"

When you came back, he was sitting on the bed with his sport shorts on. He looked at you and your heart cracked a bit.

"Hey..." You weren't even angry anymore.

"I'm sorry" He whispered. "Johny wasn't your type. I'm sorry. I wasn't going to let him make a move. I promise. I just thought..."

You looked at him and shoved his shoulders slightly. "Lay in bed"

"It's true. He is an asshole"

"So have you been, Jamie" You said and touched his cheek.

He looked at you.

"I thought that's what you would like. Other girls do. The tough and outgoing thing. More like Trevor... You know?"

"Trevor is my brother, idiot" You said trying to ignore the fact that he had just said he had done it so you would like him.

"But he is attractive."

You fake gagged.

"Girls always prefer the confident guys. I'm just shy and awkward"

You felt horrible. He looked so small now, laying on the bed and looking at the ceiling with glassy eyes. He was still too drunk, but you could perfectly see through him. Since when had he felt so insecure?

"Jamie... I always liked the shy and awkward guy" You whispered. "But you are drunk and I'm not talking about this now"

He was shaking and looking at you.

"Have a good sleep, Jamie"

.

.

.

You walked downstairs after hiding in your bedroom for longer than usual. You were scared of facing Jamie after your last night confession (and his). But it was something you had to do sooner or later.

"Not a single word, Mason. I'm the adult here and you both played with my sister's feelings. And I'm not going to let go of this. I don't even know why you went to Mason on first place. Like. He is Mason. And... I shouldn't let you date my sister after this."

Trevor looked up and saw you standing there.

"Oh. Hi." He gave you an innocent smile and you frowned.

"I gave you that talk long ago" You pointed at him.

Jamie froze. He didn't even move his eyes from his hands. Mason looked at you, yes. But he was ashamed. Trevor had been scolding them for ten minutes already.

"Yes. Sorry." He said and looked down.

"Not so brave anymore, huh" Mason joked.

"Shut up, McTavish" You smacked his head. "You better stop giving advice."

"Yes, ma'am" He nodded.

Jamie knew he was the next, but he couldn't face you.

"Jamie"

"Yes" He muttered. He sounded so scared.

"Care to come outside with me? We need to talk"

"Of course" He muttered. He had only slept because of the huge amount of alcohol he had gotten on his body. But he had waken up and laid on his bed, anxiety eating him alive. Then he had gone downstairs and faced Trevor, who looked like he wanted to destroy him.

Once you two were outside, you took a sit in one of the garden chairs. Jamie didn't need to be told to sit too.

"Okay" You sighed. "Um... There is a lot to unpack here" You had been thinking and planing what to say. "I need an explanation, Jamie. You were yourself in the morning. We had fun in the pool and playing those board games after lunch. But then... What did Mason told you?"

"It's not really Mason's fault." He whispered. "He was just helping."

"Yeah. I know. But what did he told you to do?"

Jamie swallowed hard and fixed his cap. "You are... You are always flirting and... You... I don't know. You probably like guys who flirt back, no guys that hide and wait for you to leave"

You felt as if he had squeezed your heart. Was that the idea you had given him?

"Jamie..."

"I thought that showing you that I can also be like that you will start liking me"

You bit your lip.

"Do you remember something from last night?"

"Not much. I just know that I fucked up."

"You did"

"Sorry"

"It's fine."

"Is it?"

You sighed.

"Next time... Ask the girl her type, not your friend"

Jamie looked at you waiting for more.

"I'm so into you, Jamie. I find really cute how shy and awkward you can be."

His blue eyes looked at you in shock.

"Why"

"Because it's you. And you have always been nice to me and... I just like you. I love spending time with you. And... To be fair, its fun to tease you"

"If you liked me why didn't you make a move?"

You shrugged. "I'm not sure. I wasn't sure either if you wanted me to do it or not"

Jamie wanted to reach for you. He wanted to pull you closer.

"Are you angry?"

You shook your head.

"No, Jimmy. I just... Can you promise me something?"

"Maybe"

You chuckled and he finally smiled.

"Don't change to be liked. Asshole Jamie was horrible. It doesn't suit you."

"Really?"

You nodded.

"My stomach agrees"

"You are amazing. Incredibly attractive just in the way you are. You really don't need to change nothing in you" You told him with sincere eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"A lot. Look at that cute face. And those eyes! You are a really nice guy, I adore you. And... Not to be superficial, but good body too, Jimmy."

He blushed. "I'm sorry I fucked up"

"I know. And I forgive you. Just... Never trust Mason's advice ever again."

He nodded with an embarrassed look in his eyes.

"Did you really just say you adore me?"

"Jamie, I have been basically telling you I'm in love since we sat here" You said laughing. "See! This is why I like you."

He looked back and checked the glass walls. "They are watching" He said blushing.

"Do you really care?"

"A bit?"

"So if I sit on your lap now you will freak out"

"You really have a lot of fun, don't you?" He said giggling. He couldn't believe it was real. Maybe he was still asleep. He didn't know well.

"I do. But you actually like it, don't you?"

He rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Can I?" You whispered with a smile.

Jamie nodded and got all flustered as you leaned on his chest when you claimed on his lap.

"Be a bit bold, Jimmy" You said when he was trying to figure out what to do with his hands.

He chuckled and put them in your lower back. "This is the best I can do for now"

You giggled and cupped his cheeks. You leaned and kissed him, sweetly and slowly. Jamie smiled and his fingers dug into your skin. Yeah, he couldn't believe t was happening.

But hey, it didn't last much.

"No, no. Not in front of me!"

[sw33tsuccubus]

Cactus Fights (kobra kid x reader)

desc: Y/K/N (gender neutral) got into a fight with a cactus and lost. Kobra decides to go and get revenge, trying his best to not end up in the same fate as Y/K/N.

A/N: saw the request and had an idea immediately

inspired/requested by: @xocasper

word count: 1.5k

"What are you, a dumbass?"

"Yes. I thought it was obvious."

Poison rolled their eyes and stood up. You gave a cocky smile to their back as they retreated outside, probably to the gas station. Annoying them was easy, and luckily also very fun. You started humming to yourself to pass the time, although luckily you didn't need to wait too long. Poison walked back in with his brother, them sharing a look of annoyance.

"You.. you fought a cactus?"

"Yes. It's not my fault it looked at me funny."

Poison gave you a look of disbelief and Kobra moved down to kneel beside you. You shifted in the diner seat to face him and he adjusted his sunglasses so that you could see his eyes.

"You fought a cactus. And lost?"

He grabbed your hands in his and took a simple look at them. It wasn't hard to tell, as your knuckles were bloody and horribly bandaged (courtesy of Poison). He looked back into your eyes and you tried not to trip up under his gaze. He was a judgy fellow, you were aware, but he was very caring.

"Yes. It's also not my fault I lost either though. It had needles poking out of it!"

Poison scoffed in the background and Kobra turned to give them a death stare. He turned back to you and sighed, bringing your hand to his face and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

"Is that the only damage it did, or did you try to tackle it as well?"

You stiffened at that question. You hadn't tried to tackle it, no. You had kicked it, and boy was that cactus firm. While there wasn't a cactus needle protruding from your shoe, there was a throbbing in your big toe. It just hurt. You quickly shook your head, immediately causing the siblings to not believe you.

"You sure?"

"Mhm. No tackling was done."

"Can I check then?"

You nodded. It's not like he was gonna find blood anywhere. Unless you had smeared some when you reached for your gun to shoot the cactus. It's not like you were able too either; it had caused to much pain in your knuckles, so you just put your blaster away and kicked the cactus before limping back to the diner.

"Shirt off please."

You pulled it off as quickly as your hands would let you and then sat as he ran his hands over your chest, checking for anything that seems off. He asked you to turn around and you could feel the same process. The only thing that distracted you was Poison leaving the diner, saying something about seeing if Jet Star or Fun Ghoul needed help with what they were working on. Leaving you alone with your boyfriend.

"Shoes."

You cringed at his word and he gave you a questioning look.

"I- uh."

You held out your hands and he let out a small laugh.

"Sorry, sorry."

He reached down and undid the laces for you, pulling them off as gently as he could. When he got the shoe off of your hurt foot, you had to hold back a sharp inhale.

"Could you get your pants, or-"

"No, I can do that."

You stood up, him backing away a little. You quickly undid whatever held your pants up and shimmied out, leaving you standing in your underwear and socks. He leaned forward, kneading your skin as he checked for any disturbances. He had you turn around so he could check the backs of your legs as well.

"Turn around please."

You spun around, getting caught off guard by your boyfriend wrapping his arms around your thighs. He pressed his face into your stomach, pressing little kisses to it. You giggled, the sensation being tickly.

He only pulled back when he pulled his knees close to you, ultimately (and accidentally) placing them on your toes. You let out a pained noise, and he quickly shot back. He looked up at you, confused, and you plopped back onto the diner seat.

"Uhm. There is another place you could check. I did.. I did kick the cactus."

Kobra let out a little laugh, grinning at you.

"I thought I actually hurt you for a second. Are you sure you're okay?"

He gently rolled both socks off, gasping when he saw your big toe. You looked down and gasped as well. It was swollen, unless your eyes deceived you, and purple.

"Does that mean it's broken?"

"I think so? Does it feel broken."

"How does something feel broken?"

"It would feel off? I don't know, you're the one who broke their toe!"

You gave him a shy smile before falling back into the booth. He stood up with a sigh, walking to the other side of the diner.

"Where are you going? Did I piss ya off, lamb?"

"I'm just getting something to keep it in place, calm down lovely."

You two looked at each other as he started walking over and busted out laughing.

"Lamb? Really, Y/K/N?"

"Lovely? Really, Kobra?"

You giggled at the way he rolled his eyes as he sank back to the ground. He started wrapping all your toes together and you felt your heart swell at the way he was being so gentle. When he finished, he pulled back and pressed a kiss to your forehead, retreating back to the medicine room.

"Why thank you, lamb chop."

"Of course, love bug."

You both burst out into giggles again.

"C'mon love, we gotta get your clothes back on."

"I know, I know."

He helped you pull on everything you took off, except for one sock and shoe. He said it was best for you to put as little pressure onto the toe as possible.

~~~~

After placing your shoe and sock somewhere only you two would think to look, so as to have Ghoul not color all over them, he helped you hop towards the cactus you had fought. As soon as you guys noticed the blood around one you thought looked familiar, he helped you sit back on the sand.

"Does it have a name?"

"No, but we can give it one right now."

The two of you scrunched up you faces to look deep in thought.

"Paul."

"Sure. Paul, are you ready to go down?"

You looked down from the sky to your boyfriend, who was facing Paul. You couldn't see his face, but you could tell he would have that one he always wears when he wants to show off. He didn't have many facial expressions, but that was one you had grown to love.

"You got this lamb chop! Just don't let his serious expression throw you off!"

"Don't worry, love bug, I won't."

You watched as Kobra jumped at the cactus, his jacket somehow protecting him. He pulled back and you could see he was gonna throw a punch, but he pulled back instead. You cracked a grin at this; the great Kobra Kid, stumped by a cactus.

"So, what's the plan, lamb?"

Just after you said that, Kobra reached for his gun holster and pulled out his blaster. You started laughing at the way he started circling it, gun at ready.

"What's the po-"

The sound of the blaster's ray hitting the cactus cut you off, and you covered your eyes as you heard the gun go off again. After a third shot, you heard your boyfriend start laughing, causing you to open your eyes. He stood there, victoriously over the remaining half of the cactus.

"I defeated the cactus and I'm not hurt. What happened to you?"

His cockiness caused you to make a sour look at him, receiving a laugh as he swooped down and picked you up. He stood you upright and helped you limp back to the diner, the two of you flirting whilst using the newfound horrible pet names. Walking into the diner, you continued, although you could feel the other three peoples' eyes on you.

"So, what did you think of my job, love bug?"

"I think you did wonderful, my sweet lamb."

"Ewww, cut it out."

The whine coming from Kobra's sibling went ignored by the two, much to the amusement of Ghoul and Jet. Poison sighed dramatically, leaning against Jet, who shimmied away from him.

"Can't an attractive 'joy receive any love out here?"

"Yeah? Why do you think I have a boyfriend?"

"Shut up, Y/K/N, you don't count."

Ghoul giggled before patting the seat next to him, signalling you to slide in next to him, Kobra following.

"Do you wanna know about this new bomb I'm trying to make? The goal is to have it turn into a huge explosion of neon purple!"

The four other killjoys all simultaneously raised their eyebrows and pursed their lips; they remember what happened with the other color pigment bomb.

Kobra placed a hand on your thigh, giving it a little squeeze. You smiled to yourself, causing Poison to shoot you a look.

"Kobes, I swear if your jacking Y/K/N off down there-"

[bradsmindbrain]

So I'm guessing Ted has various plants and flowers around his house. Maybe a prompt with Jack commenting that Ted is his favorite houseplant?

Roots

Summary: Ted tends to his husband’s neglected houseplants, Jack makes it up to him.

TW: None

Jack grinned as he watched his husband tend to one of his home’s many houseplants, giving a low hum as he watered them. This behavior wasn’t a surprise to him, Ted had a kinship with plants, no doubt because he himself was made of them. He knew Ted’s love for plants was to the point that he had a little garden to the side of his hut, one section with flowers, the other section with food plants. Ted had brought him food from his garden on occasion, one time he even brought a whole strawberry and rhubarb pie, that in particular was absolutely delicious.

He found it funny, how a plant was tending to other plants. That reminded him, he did find it a bit strange how a serum could transform a perfectly human man into a lumbering mass of plants. He couldn’t imagine how painful it probably felt, transforming during the full moon was bad enough, the prospect of transforming into something like that, well, the thought of plants growing out of skin made him shudder. He figured the pain wasn’t the worst part about the accident though, it was clear to him that Ted’s lack of connection outside of him, Elsa, Marc, Steven, and Jake obviously took a toll on him.

He shook his head and watched as Ted tended to a small cactus, careful not to prick himself one one of its spines. He guessed Ted understood that the prick wouldn’t hurt, and the carefulness was more out of habit than anything. It was funny, because despite Ted’s viney exterior, he considered his husband to be better compared to a cactus. Prickly and intimidating for the most part yes, but also beautiful and important, just as cacti grew flowers and animals made their homes in them.

Ted ripped him from his thoughts with a grumble.

He blushed a bit, yeah, he really should have to rely on his husband to take care of his houseplants. Plants weren’t like cats or dogs, where you could tell when they were hungry, and they were so relatively low maintenance that it could be easy to forget to properly tend to them.

“Yeah, sorry, I know,” he replied back.

Ted grumbled snarkily in response.

Once Ted was done with the living room’s houseplants, he took it upon himself to take care of the rest of the plants that were littered throughout his husband’s house, none too pleased at the states they were in. Jack listened to his husband’s annoyed growls, and as they went on, he felt guilty for getting his partner all worked up. He knew Ted cared deeply for plant life, he really should have taken better care of the plants, now Ted was obviously annoyed and unhappy, and he didn’t like seeing his partner like that. He needed to come up with a way to make his husband feel a bit better, he honestly deserved it for dealing with all of his plants. Wait, plants, that gave him an idea.

After a while, Ted finished tending to all the plants in the house, and he turned to face him with a mildly annoyed grumble. 

He nodded, “Yeah, I know, I’ll take better care of them from now on, starting with my favorite houseplant.”

Ted grumbled, intrigued, listing off the plants that he thought were his favorite.

He gave a small laugh, “No, silly.” He came closer to Ted, embracing the larger man, “It’s you.”

Ted seemed taken aback and flustered by the gesture and comment, but gave in to the embrace, giving a content grumble.

After a minute, he spoke again, “Sorry for giving you all of this work Teddy Bear, I’ve… never been too good with plants, honestly.”

Ted grumbled an amused, teasing grumble from above him.

He blushed a bit, laughing, “Wow, and I thought my houseplant line was corny.” He shook his head, “But in all honesty, I’ll try to take better care of them in the future.”

Ted gave an appreciative grumble.

They stood like that for a few more minutes, until he finally pulled away from Ted, “I’ll start dinner, I think I have some steak, I know you like that.”

Ted groaned happily, rapidly tapping the side of his leg. It was cute when he did that when he was excited. 

He gave his husband one last smile before heading into the kitchen to make Ted a well-deserved dinner.

[mydisenchantedeulogy]

In Chains [Chapter Fourteen] Trust [Trafalgar Law]

A/n: it's been so long since I've updated this story. I apologize. And I appreciate the fans who jumped on my ass about updating. Thank you.

Also, I have a friend on discord who would like to collaborate with another OP writer on a piece. He has an account on AO3 under mrdragon21. If you are interested please contact me or him for more information. His ideas for the collaboration are a set of Aus in which Luffy eats mythical zoan fruit that he will use to become the king of pirates and gather a massive harem (with lemon). If you are interested, DM me.

Warning(s): trauma, bad dreams, violence, fighting.

The clink of chains was but a whisper compared to the uproar around her; each voice shouted hate at Samira, some wished for death and others begged for her to be exiled. She reckoned either would be better than the trauma she had to face, being marched through the town in heavy chains as an example.

She kept her head down regardless and walked at a slower pace than the guards escorting her. They never slowed down or sped up, making her punishment much worse.

But nothing compared to what came next.

A child Samira passed and tossed a cluster of red earth at her, striking her side. But he wasn't the only one. Adults too began to throw clusters at her; some struck her back and lugs, but one hit her directly in the face, sending clumps into her hair. Her tears only made it worse, turning the earth into mud. And by the time Samira was through town, her face was stained with it.

She begged the guards to stop, but neither did as they were under orders not to. They turned and escorted her back the way she came and the torture started again.

Samira woke with a start and sat up. It took her a moment to realize that she was not in chains but wrapped in a warm blanket with her crewmate beside her, fast asleep. She took an uneasy breath and brushed her damp bangs from her sweat-covered forehead, checking her hands to see that they were not covered in mud. The pain she underwent was still present as if her nightmare had supernatural power over her.

Thank the heavens it was over. Samira sighed and laid back down. She was scared to go back to sleep, but it was apparent that the sun had yet to rise. What was she to do?

Turning to her side, she snorted as she looked at Ikkaku. The woman in question had her mouth wide open; her lipstick was smeared a bit, but she looked rested. How was she able to ignore her fear and sleep? She too was affected by the cactus juice. Samira didn't understand it. Perhaps the said woman was just stronger than her.

She put her arm around Ikkaku and pressed her face against her arm.

"Samira?" Ikkaku questioned with a start.

"Did I wake you?" Samira asked.

Ikkaku hummed in reply and opened her eyes.

"It's fine. Are you okay?"

"I had a bad dream," Samira replied.

Ikkaku raised a brow.

"Was it related to the hallucination?" She asked.

Samira took an uneasy breath, then shook her head. She wasn't ready to tell her the entire story, but she did owe her an explanation for waking her up.

"I've been ignoring my past for some time I just thought the trauma would be easy to ignore. But it's caught up to me."

It was a matter of time, Samira reckoned. Arsenio was right about her never being free, not only from her nightmares but from her trauma too.

"I don't know if there is anything I can say to ease your fears, but as long as you remain with us, we'll protect you," Ikkaku uttered.

Samira smiled softly.

"That's not too reassuring, I know," Ikkaku added with a laugh. "But our captain is one hell of a pirate and he won't let those assholes from your hometown hurt you."

Would Law protect her? Hadn't he already? He saved her from Arsenio and even made a deal with Daryllyn to keep Diana from killing her.

"I trust you all, even Law," Samira retorted. Her face heated up, but she was thankful that Ikkaku could not see her blushing.

The said woman grinned and rested her tired eyes. Samira did the same, but for the next hour or so she sat in silence with her thoughts. What was Law planning? Samira had no idea why he wanted to take her home – perhaps Daryllyn shared more than how to catch Diana off guard with him – but one thing was certain, she knew that once she returned home, her journey with the Heart Pirates would be at an end.

Samira only wished that she had more time with them.

The next time Samira woke she felt much better and rested. But where was Ikkaku? Perhaps she had joined the crew. Samira rose out of bed and located her cloak on the writing table where she left it. Her spare change of clothes was in the bag she had to abandon in the trench, but she was due for a bath. Dressing, she packed up her belongings and walked towards the canteen.

As she had thought, the crew was seated around a table, eating. Samira took the seat between Shachi and Ikkaku, motioning for a waitress to take her order. She wasn't too hungry, but she reckoned that she'd better eat before they left.

Once her food arrived she picked at it until Law walked into the canteen. He looked worse than before like he barely slept.

"Did you find out anything?" Bepo asked, upon seeing him.

Law shook his head.

"We need to be cautious as we enter New Kelna," he mentioned. "It's overseen by the Marines. There is a base in town that we need to steer clear of."

Samira narrowed her eyes. That explained the marine vessels the crew witnessed circling the island. But how were they meant to avoid them?

"Once we arrive in New Kelna, the seven of us will split into three groups to avoid drawing attention," Law went on to explain. "The materials for the sub are what we came for, so it's the most important. Jean Bart and Bepo are in charge of gathering them. Then Shachi, Penguin, and Ikkaku will restock the supplies we need for our journey back."

Wait! Did that mean Samira was with Law? Her eyes widened. Why did he choose her? Her face heated up.

His tired eyes met hers for a brief moment, then he averted them.

"Amunet-ya and I have high bounties on our heads, so we'll remain together and in disguise."

Disguise? In what? Samira was confused.

"I ... don't have any spare clothes," Samira mentioned. "Mine was left in the cave."

"Borrow some from Ikkaku," Law ordered.

She glanced at the said woman seeing her agree with a nod.

Samira wasn't sure about Law's plan, but he had never let her down before, so it didn't take much to convince her, and for the next few hours the crew prepared; their task was simple.

Or so they thought.

For such a small town, New Kelna was thriving. People were everywhere; Marines included. It was a good thing Samira and Law were in disguise, walking down the road toward the square.

If only this outfit wasn't so strange.

Why did Ikkaku insist Samira wear a dress? It was cute, made of maroon-colored lace and silk with romper shorts, but not something she cared much for. It wasn't suited much for the desert, not like the yellow button-down and sunglasses that Law was wearing. He looked good, but Samira could see that the heat was bothering him.

"You never mentioned it back at the camp, but what are we meant to do?" She asked. The others had a common goal, but she wasn't certain what she was supposed to do.

"We're meant to keep things running smoothly for the others," Law replied as he readjusted his sword on his shoulder.

What did that mean? Samira sighed.

"Can we at least stop at a canteen for a drink? You look like you need one."

"I'm fine," Law declared.

Samira narrowed her eyes in annoyance. He was a terrible liar. She could see that his persistent lack of sleep was impacting him. Crossing her arms beneath her chest she groaned.

"For a doctor, you care nothing for your health."

Law snorted.

"Have you been talking to my crew, Amunet-ya?"

"Who else am I going to complain to?" Samira teased.

Taking an uneasy breath, Law turned his eyes to her.

"I'll rest when we are back on the sub. My stamina takes a massive hit when I overuse my Devil Fruit ability and since we've been here, I've not--"

Law paused knowing that he had said too much.

"Forget it. You should worry more about yourself than about me."

"I should, but I can't; not when I've put my trust in you," Samira retorted.

The pirate captain snorted.

"You may come to regret that."

"Perhaps. I don't have much of a choice anymore, not when you hold my heart in your hands," she mentioned.

It was meant as a jab toward him, but hearing it out loud made her turn red in embarrassment.

"Speaking of which," Samira added. "When do you plan to give it back? There's no pain, but the cube-shaped hole in my chest is an eyesore."

"It takes nothing away from your charm, Amunet-ya," Law mentioned with a grin.

He had no plans for her. There was no reason to get hasty and return the heart to her just yet. Law watched her crimson-colored eyes avert in embarrassment; an action that he found rather cute. She wasn't used to compliments it seemed, even ones meant to rouse her.

Samira cleared her throat. She needed a change in topic.

"I never thanked you earlier. Without you, I could have hurt the others."

"It was a mistake on my part," Law mentioned with a frown. "Your Devil Fruit is dangerous in some aspects, and whatever hallucination you suffered through caused it to flare."

He was curious about what she saw, but he opted not to ask; not yet anyway. Whatever happened to her was traumatic enough to force her power to spike and he wasn't sure asking her about it wouldn't send her into a panic.

Samira raised her hand and stared at her open palm.

"It's not much, but I am slowly learning to use it. Bolts seem to be easier to control since they are comprised of compressed chaos in small amounts. But like the crate back on Sakra Village, anything they touch explodes."

Law raised a brow. Bolts? Was that the name she coined it? He recalled her using them on the mast of the Marine ship. They had distance and even a small amount caused so much damage.

"Have you learned anything informative?" He asked.

Samira hummed and turned her eyes to him in excitement.

"I learned that my body acts as a vessel to store chaos, based on the information Arsenio gave you. And not only that but I can use it in various ways and quantities. For instance, on a scale from 1 to 10, bolts take the smallest amount of chaos and do the smallest amount of damage. The upside is that as long as there is no source, I can't store any."

Law hummed in interest. She must have experimented with the amounts based on the training she did in Sakra Village. But one thing still bothered him.

"Am I to assume there is a 10 on your scale?"

Samira took an uneasy breath and shook her head.

"Shockwaves are strong enough to level buildings. I know now that storing too much can cause me to eventually lose control, expelling it in waves in all directions with me in the center. I can't stop it either as it seems to be linked to me specifically."

"Your emotions," Law furthered.

Samira hummed in agreement.

As long as she didn't get upset, she wouldn't lose control of the stored chaos. Her power was both interesting and frightening in Law's opinion.

"Are bolts and shockwaves all you can do?" He asked.

"I can send out weak pulses but the returning wave is sometimes destructive depending on the objects around me. And I seem to be able to infuse objects with chaos," Samira answered. Her face heated up. "I may have accidentally shattered a plate onboard the Polar Tang once while training."

Law gave her a heated look. He would have to ask her not to experiment on his sub ever again. Opting not to scold her, he hummed and led her to the square. A large statue of a maiden stood in the middle; the sword and shield she carried made Law question the decision, but he ignored it and turned his back to it, observing the area.

"Are you able to infuse people as well?" Law asked suddenly.

Samira hummed. She wasn't certain.

"It's possible. Why do you ask?"

"Your power has reached me twice before," he answered.

Samira widened her eyes. Had it? She didn't know.

"I'm sorry, Law. I wasn't aware."

The pirate averted his eyes. Since when did she start calling him by his name?

"You know, if you'd unfurl your brow a bit, you'd be rather cute," he recalled her saying before, albeit she had been under the influence of the hallucinogenic cacti when she said it, so he wasn't sure she meant it.

Did he want her to? His face heated up as he thought about it.

"It's fine," Law mentioned beneath his breath.

A wiring noise drew his attention to a foreign vehicle as a marine steered it through the square. It glided over the ground using what appeared to be Dials - he didn't know there were various types. Law hummed in interest. He was grateful for the distraction, but also because he had an idea. Whatever the vehicle's purpose was, it looked suited for the sand, and it was large enough to sit his crew and the materials.

"Come on. We have to go," he ordered. He walked around Samira and toward the direction the marine went in.

The woman raised a brow.

"Go where?"

"To secure us a ride," Law answered.

Turning her attention, she noticed the vehicle and raised a brow; she had never seen anything like it. But based on the insignia on the side, it was strictly for navy use only.

"Law? I--"

"It's risky and as much as I don't like the idea of stealing from the navy, we need it. Another mishap in the desert will be much worse for us without something to tow the materials in," Law explained.

He had a point, she reckoned. Samira took an uneasy breath and followed closely as the marine led her and Law to a small naval base; the latter motioned for her to remain hidden along the wall of an adjacent building, but she peeked around him, leaning close to the pirate captain as she did.

A marine with a bo staff was standing guard outside; he allowed the man on the skiff to enter, then resumed his duty.

"How do we get in?" Samira asked.

Law grinned.

"How good are you at acting?

Acting? Samira had a terrible feeling she knew what he meant. She listened to Law explain the plan and then took an uneasy breath and hurried toward the marine with tears in her eyes.

The said man saw her and raised the staff in a warning.

"Ma'am––"

Samira raised her hands.

"Please... please h-help me. My brother fainted near the wall." She pointed in the direction. "He isn't responding to me and I can't move him. Please."

The marine widened his eyes. He wasn't supposed to leave his post, but the woman seemed desperate. Clutching the staff in his hand, he nodded.

"Where did you say he was?" He asked.

Samira almost grinned. She motioned for him to follow and led him over to the wall where Law was waiting, but once she walked around it, she noticed in shock that he wasn't there.

"Where is your brother, ma'am?" The marine asked.

"Um... he––"

The man grunted, then suddenly fell forward on the ground unconscious. His eyes were white and his mouth was wide open. Law stood behind him with his sword raised; the blade was still sheathed to Samira's relief.

"Not bad," Law mentioned as he leaned down beside the man.

Samira gave him a heated look. He didn't say that he was going to disappear on her.

I should have known, she thought.

With a sigh she watched Law pick up the bo staff and offered it to her. Samira raised a brow in question.

"Shachi once told me that you knew how to use one of these," the pirate mentioned. "He said you took down a bounty hunter with it."

He told Law about that? Samira felt her face heat up. She took the staff from him and clutched the smooth metal in her hand.

"The one I had was extendable, but this doesn't feel much different; a bit lighter."

Law grinned. It was good enough. He stood up and raised his hand making a room. For a second it wavered, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Samira, but quickly he moved them.

"Does your ability usually do that?" She asked as she squeezed her eyes shut. She heated being moved so suddenly.

"When I'm at my limit," Law answered. He was exhausted. The fact he was able to use it for so long was surprising.

Samira narrowed her eyes.

"Then stop. You're being reckless with your power."

She honestly had no idea why.

Law glared at her.

"Don't order me around. I hate that."

Samira grabbed his sleeve. Her eyes softened.

"Please Law. Give it a rest."

"We need to keep moving," the said man mentioned as he yanked his sleeve away from her. Those sad, concerned eyes were starting to affect him. And worse off, she gave him a look of disappointment as he ignored her.

Samira turned her eyes away from Law and glanced around. He had moved them onto the parapet along the wall inside the base. She glanced down at the bailey and noticed several marines marching around. But where was the vehicle?

"I see it."

She pointed to the far wall of the castle where four vehicles were parked. Two marines were posted next to them.

We need to knock them out and take one, but I don't think the helpless civilian trick will work again, Samira thought to herself.

So how were they meant to do it?

"Don't miss," Law ordered. He raised his hand.

Don't miss what?

Suddenly he and Samira appeared behind the two marines; the latter raised her eyes in shock, watching Law strike one of them with his sword. The other turned to his coworker in fright, but before he could open his mouth, Samira brought her staff down on top of his head and knocked him out too.

"What in the hell? What if I had missed?"

Law frowned at her outburst and shushed her with a tattooed finger.

“Be quiet, Amunet-ya. There are still marines running around."

He stepped over the unconscious bodies and to one of the vehicles, climbing aboard to see what he was working with. There was a button near the wheel, most likely to activate the dials, and two peddles. But no way to reverse it.

“We can't afford to get backed into a corner," Law whispered. “Or else we have to manually get out a turn this thing."

That seemed like a major design flaw in Samira's opinion. She climbed onto the back and stood next to Law.

“Where is the crew waiting?"

“I told them to meet in the shopping district. It's near the front gate, a street over," Law answered.

She guessed that it was good that Law had planned out their trip, though he was wearing himself out in the process. Perhaps he was just stressed considering how off-course the entire plan had gone since they arrived on the island.

“We need to leave," Law added as he pressed the button near the wheel.

The dials activated and the skiff rose off the ground. Law pressed down on one of the pedals and grinned as the vehicle moved forward. He steered towards the entrance attempting to avoid the marines wandering around, but as he expected, one of them noticed and shouted for them to stop.

“Hold on to something," Law ordered.

He didn't wait for Samira to respond before he stomped down on the pedal. The vehicle shot forward and the woman beside him let out a squeak as she grabbed his arm. Law ignored the flush of heat that spread across his face and steered them from the base onto the street as sirens blared into the air.

To her horror, the remaining three boats pursued them.

“Law. We have company."

The pirate grunted in annoyance.

“Take the wheel. Once we are in the square, turn left after you pass the maiden statue."

Was he insane? Samira couldn't drive this.

“I... I don't know if I--"

“You need to do this for me, Samira," Law stated, interrupting her. He was aware that he called her by her name and that she was blushing; he meant to get her attention.

Samira nodded. Her white hair whipped chaotically around her head as she glanced at the wheel. Releasing Law, she reached out and took it. Her heart was pounding erratically.

Please don't let me hit anyone.

Law took an uneasy breath, watching the focused expression on Samira's face for a moment, then he turned his attention to the marines. Raising his hand, he made a room, but like before, it wavered a bit. The pirate tightened his jaw, shaking off the exhaustion that he was feeling, and quickly unsheathed his sword. With a slash he managed to cut one of the boats; the other two swerved and avoided it.

“Takt!" He shouted.

The damaged boat lifted and slammed down onto the one close to it, causing it to crash into the nearest wall with a loud bang. Civilians screamed out in terror as they flew into the square, but he paid them no mind. As he went to slash at the final one, his room disappeared. Law grunted in annoyance. He tried again and again, but he couldn't make a room.

“I can't--"

Samira steered sharply to the right, interrupting him, and drove the boat down the shopping district. As Law had hoped the district was no more than a straight road with buildings on either side; rolls of windows sparkled in the sun.

The remaining marines turned in another direction no longer pursuing them; it concerned Law, but he ignored the nagging feeling in his gut and turned to Samira. She was clutching the wheel in fear.

“You can let go. I've got it," Law ordered.

Once she didn't reply, he rested his hand on hers.

“Give me the wheel. You did well."

Samira hesitated but allowed Law to take over, standing beside him in a daze. What a rush.

Hearing a shout, she came to and saw Shachi standing close to the road with his arm raised, waving. She beamed and waved back.

The boat pulled to a stop and the said man whistled.

“What is this beauty?"

“We don't have the time for questions," Law answered. “Get the others and let's go."

Shachi quickly ran into one of the stores, then a moment later he came out with the remaining crew members. Samira helped bring the materials on board, resting them on the floor.

“Did you get everything?" Law asked.

“With no complications," Penguin answered.

The pirate captain shook his head and steered the boat forward but at the top of the road, the other boat appeared. He forced the vehicle to an abrupt stop and tightened his jaw.

Of course, they circled.

He wasn't sure if it would work or not, but he had no other option.

"Hold still," Law ordered as he raised his hand.

Samira tossed him a glare. Was he going to activate his power again?

"You're taking on too much. Try to save your strength," she ordered in annoyance.

Handing the bo staff over to Ikkaku, she climbed onto the front of the boat and activated her Devil Fruit. Wisps of energy rose into the air around her hands. She wasn't sure of the magnitude of this ability in such a narrow space, but she crossed her hands in front of her and sent out a weak pulse. The shop windows rattled and then bowed outwards.

"Watch your heads!" Samira shouted.

Like a row of dominoes, the glass on either side of them shattered one by one and showered the street. Law covered his head and took the moment of chaos to soar through the blockade as the marines ran for cover; the sudden jerk sent Samira tumbling back into the boat with a squeak but Bepo caught her. He was annoyed with the display, but he had to admit it saved their asses.

Tearing through the entrance, the hover boat hit the sand and left New Kelna and the marines behind them in the distance.

For the remainder of the ride, it was smooth sailing.

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[midnightdevotion]

Doc

Request: Bob x reader

Warnings: Um Sweet bob?

a/n:

The wistful sigh that leaves you in unintentional. Realistically you knew Lemoore wouldn't be where you and your husband would be placed forever. It's one of the downsides to being the wife of a WSO, especially one as talented as your bob is.

One last hopeful glance that the next people in the home will take care of the flowers you had nurtured. You feel a hand on your thigh and glance over at the man you would move a million times for.

"I'm sorry honey, I know you liked it here" You give him a sweet smile, wanting to reach over and smooth the tension in his face.

"No need to apologize love, as long as I'm with you then I'm okay, I can grow new flowers" his hand squeezes your thigh and you reminisce back to when everyone told you marrying him would be a mistake so young. You never felt that way though, you were high school sweethearts, and people didn't understand how you met the one so young.

You always just tell people that when they find their Bob they will understand. You look over to the man himself, as he taps on the steering wheel, focused on driving you two down the Miramar.

When he got the letter calling him to top gun, your heart froze. You know what kind of missions top gun send people on, and they aren't the easy peasy back by dinner missions. They are the someone is most likely not coming back missions. It's doubly terrifying because while your husband is smart and very capable, he's not the one flying the plane.

Sure you try to soothe yourself with blanket statements that this pilot has also been called to top gun, they have to be good right? However, that doesn't mean much to you when you don't know how good or who they even are.

It's a five hour drive from Lemoore to Miramar, and sweet sweet bob knows exactly how your mind works, so the entire time he's blasting music and making you dance and sing along with him. It's pure bliss, looking over and seeing bob singing the song and head banging, dancing as much as he can while driving. It's these moments with him, that you cherish forever. The gleam in his eye as he laughs when you dance, or the way that every time you two stop for gas or snacks he opens your door for you, the way he tucks you into his side arm around your waist and placing a kiss on your head.

Bob is your everything.

You are currently sitting in the car, waiting for bob to come back out of the gas station. When he comes back out you see him with two bags and something potted? He comes straight to your door and opens it, grinning at you in the process.

"Well I got us tons of snacks, that way later when we get settled we can have a movie night, oh and I also saw this little cactus and I know it's not your flowers but I thought maybe you'd like something that can travel around with us? Given that it's stateside at least.." He looks up at you sheepishly and your heart swells.

"Oh Robert..." you are grinning at him so big, trying to ignore the watery eyes that are threatening to spill.

"I love you so much" is all you can say, and your voice is thick with emotion. You take the tiny little cactus from him and give him a kiss. His hand caresses your cheek but you two keep it short and sweet. Bob gets shy with PDA and you love that he's still willing to show it for you but you try to keep it light for his sake.

He places one last kiss to your nose. "I love you too darling" and then he makes his way back to the drivers side, ready to finish the last 30 minutes of your drive.

You guys get to the base around 2:00 pm, and quickly get assigned a house for you two to stay in for the next three weeks. You and bob unpack the car, moving in perfect harmony because you've done this enough times to know exactly what to do.

By the time it reaches Six you two have completely settled into the new humble abode, your new cactus sitting on the cheap ikea table. You know that the navy men and women will go to a nearby bar, just like every town, and try to piece together what is going on. While normally you just let bob go and do his things, today you'd like a drink.

"everything okay darling? You usually don't go to these things?" You look up to see a confused face.

"I know, I'd just like to get out and have a drink, maybe I can make a few friends too. I'll probably uber home early though I have an early session" He raises an eyebrow at that.

"you are most certainly not Ubering home by yourself." You laugh at his over protectiveness but nod none the less, you like how he takes care of you.

When you make it to the bar, it is a sea of Khaki. A fleeting thought of how much harder that makes it to find your husband, the one who slinks into corners and blends right in. That however, is a problem for future you. For now you make your way to the bar and order your favorite drink.

You people watch, generally in bobs area, you can tell one is too egotistical for his own good, and you hope he is not flying with your bob. Theres a couple that just seem to be good hearted jokesters. One that is egotistical but in a less loud way, and A female pilot that shows no weakness. You can't tell who you'd like your husband to be flying with.

You spend a few more hours people watching, having become a Psychiatrist-- you love to analyze people. You're good at it too, usually your observations tell you lots of things, and it can be a cool party trick to break out sometimes.

You let bob know you are ready to go by a simple text. You'd asked him once why he doesn't really tell a lot of people he works with that he's married, because he seems to brag about it everywhere else.

He'd explained it like this, there are people you trust in his line of work and there are ones that look for weaknesses. It's not just that he doesn't talk about his wife, he doesn't talk about himself in general. Too many times you think you can trust someone you are stationed with, just for rumors to spread about you as soon as you're stationed elsewhere. The last thing he wants is you to be involved in rumors, or the brunt of some disgusting mens jokes.

__

The first week passes like whiplash. You hardly see bob, and you're catching up on some work because you took a few days off for the move. It's about seven when you get a text from bob saying that they are headed to the bar to cool off from today and then they have a beach thing in the morning. You are confused because usually he likes to keep work things separate, but the following text comes through that he'd love if you would come has your mind working overtime.

You decide to head to the bar to see what is going on. You push through the doors seeing Penny hurrying around the bar, and then you hear your name being called. Furrowing your brows you look to your left and see your husband excitedly waving you in.

You're a bit dumbfounded but it seems to be the theme because everyone around bob has the same look on their faces.

"holy shit bobby here really is married"

"Bob married upppppp"

"bob teach me your ways"

Everyone started talking at once, yet your confusion didn't go anywhere.

"Ignore them, Im Phoenix Bob's pilot, he's told me a lot about you!" Your attention focuses on her, the brunette you saw last week that could handle her own.

"Hi, it's so nice to meet you...I uh sorry most of the time I'm not so speechless but I wasn't expecting this" You let out a sheepish laugh.

"yeah the guys can be a bit overwhelming-" You both glance to see one of them giving your husband a noogie.

"-and stupid. They mean well though"

It goes like a flash, one minute your standing next to Phoenix getting along really well and the next you've been introduced to everyone and your finally standing with bob again.

"so honey what made you tell these guys?"

"I haven't seen you all week, and these guys are different, cocky ass hell but good, you can tell too right?" you grin at him.

"yeah I can tell, and I missed you too" he grins at you.

"So bobby here, was telling us that you are a Psychiatrist." You look up to see hangman as you were introduced smirking at you.

"that is correct yes" you watch as his smile widens.

"analyze us then" you hear a collective groan from everyone else and you laugh.

"I'll only do it to the people who want it" you feel bob shake with laughter next to you.

"Hangman you're cocky, undeniably so, but why? Everyone here is at least as good as you are and they don't act so arrogant, and that's the key word isn't it, act. My guess is you have some kind of troubled past that fuels you into wanting to be the best of literally everything you do because once upon a time nothing you did was good enough. Am I close?" The smile slowly slipped off of his face as you went on. He swallows hard.

"damn Doc, you didn't have to hit me so hard" he mumbles.

"You did ask" and everyone laughs. The mustached one slaps him on the back.

"I'm almost scared to hear mine, but let's hear it" You watch as he rubs his hands together in obvious nervousness.

"You spend more time than any one else here calculating your next move, I imagine that is true in the air too, which leads me to believe you know what happens when something goes wrong in more than just a theoretical sense." His eyes hold surprise, but he smiles at you which helps you calm your nerves a bit.

"you certainly are good doc." the night continues like this, people would ask your snap judgements and you would share within reason, not wanting to truly hurt someone.

You get to know Phoenix more and even have plans to get together tomorrow. It makes your heart swell with happiness, you are hardly around women with Bob's job and she seems amazing. It helps soothe your worries knowing she's his pilot too.

You're genuinely excited for the next few weeks and even more elated when you find out that you will all be stationed to stay in Miramar together.

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[sundaybee]

One More Time (Julieta x Fem!Reader) Pt 16

As always I am not a native Spanish speaker, so if I butchered a sentence or word let me know so I may correct it.

This one ended up being super long so I hope it’s something you all find worth reading.

Part 16 of 20

Pt 17

I did not make the gif.

Things to note: Julieta is a widow. Reader is 30. Talks about depression early on.

One of my favorite parts is in this chapter!

Please don’t tear it apart too harshly!

During dinner the family discussed what they’d do about Luís. You were quite fond of Isabela’s plan to shove a cactus where the sun doesn't shine, but the two of you were out voted. It was decided you’d stay put in casita until the two day threat concluded. They needed hard concrete evidence against the man and Julieta had already healed the bruise. 

The family was to proceed as usual and to keep a sharp eye out for the man. You agreed to the plan but you were fearful. Julieta worked in the center of the town, an easy spot for Luís to do something. All the Madrigal’s were now at risk because of you and the thought made you anxious. 

“It’s going to be okay.” Julieta said later that night. 

The family was enjoying themselves in the yard but you hadn’t stopped twisting your dress in between your hands. 

“If anything happens it’s on me. I’m the reason someone could get hurt.” Your stomach flipped at the thought. 

“You have a family of magical people supporting you, I think we will be okay.” Pepa teased.

“I suppose.” You mumbled but your hands stayed at work. Julieta simply placed her hand on your wrist and smiled and you slowly stopped the anxious motion. 

“Well I have a full schedule tomorrow so I think we will retire.” Pepa said, taking hold of Felix’s hand.

“Buenas noches. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Pepa teased, earning a laugh from Felix. You simply rolled your eyes and Julieta blushed and looked away.

One by one the Madrigal’s retired till only yourself and Julieta remained in the dark yard.

“Are you positive everything will be okay?” You asked her. You couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was going to happen.

Julieta took your hand and squeezed it.

“Absolutely positive.”

You forced a smile and looked back to the sky. You would feel a lot better once the next two days were over.

Julieta could tell you were still anxious so she excused herself for a moment, returning with the record player. You watched as she set it up on the patio and prepared a record to play. The woman went to you and extended a hand.

“Dance with me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Come on, dance with me.”

You stared at the extended hand before timidly taking it. Julieta pulled you up with ease and gripped your hand while the other went to your waist. The graze of your hand against her neck gave her goosebumps. 

The two of you danced, Julieta was the more experienced dancer but you managed to keep beat. The two of you swayed and twirled and Julieta even dipped you. It was nice and you couldn’t help but laugh when she began tickling your sides.

“Por favor stop!” You cried out in between laughter. Julieta was a lot stronger than she appeared and she didn’t let up. 

“I’ll stop on one condition.”

“Anything!” You shouted through the laughter.

“Call me by my name.”

“Okay okay! You win Julieta!” 

The healer smiled widely, finally hearing her name on your lips, and stopped the assault on your ribs.

“Oh you are cruel!” You said in between deep breaths.

“Maybe, but it worked.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help but smile. You hadn’t felt such joy in a long time. Even when you were engaged you didn’t feel as valued and loved as you did with the older woman. Your gaze fell on her, she was brushing her own loose strands out of her face and before you knew what you were doing you leaned forward and kissed her. 

Julieta smiled wider when she felt your lips on hers and eagerly returned the kiss. Her hands went to your face and held you gently in place. Your own hands resting on her lower back. When you parted you couldn’t help the giggle that escaped. You were absolutely a school girl in love with her teacher. 

“Come it’s late.” 

Julieta kept hold of your hand and led you back into the house. Unknown to the two of you was a pair of cousins watching the scene unravel from the eldest’s balcony. The two shared a glance before squealing and re-entering the room. 

The two of you walked to your guest room and you spun to face the woman. 

“Gracias. For helping me. I hate that I dragged you and your family into my mess but it’s a little less scary knowing that I have people standing beside me.”

Julieta smiled and squeezed your hand. 

“You didn’t drag us into anything. We all care about you and want you to be safe and happy.” 

You forced a small smile and nodded. You knew you involved her family the second you told Luís off all those months ago. Julieta was just too sweet to say it to your face.

“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” The woman added and squeezed your hand for emphasis. 

“I hope you're right.”

Julieta slowly leaned towards you but this time she went past your lips and left a chaste kiss on your cheek.

“Buenas noches Y/N.”

“Buenas noches Julieta.”

——

You slept in late. Later than you had in many many years. It was nearing 11:00am when you finally emerged from your room. The house was quiet and you ventured into every shared space. No one was home, or so you thought.

The sound of a creaking door caught your attention and you glanced back up to see the eldest granddaughters emerge from Isabela’s room. The second they spotted you they bolted down the stairs and each took one of your arms. 

“Come with us.“ Isabela demanded.

You frantically looked between each girl as they dragged you, with a little help from casita up the stairs and into Isabela’s room you went.

“So how are you?” The younger asked.

“What?”

“How are you doing? Is your room comfortable?”

You looked at the brunette as if she had grown a second head.

“You kidnapped me just to ask that?” You questioned.

“Well no. We kidnapped you to ask if you kissed my mom last night.” Isabela stated.

No one made a sound. You were a deer in the headlights. 

“What…no…that’s crazy…” You began. The two Madrigal’s exchanged a look before leaning in closer.

“Did you kiss my mom last night?” Isabela questioned again. You looked between the two girls nervously.

“No. No of course not…I..I…”

The two girls moved closer and you were sure they could hear your frantic heartbeat.

“Okay fine! Yes! Yes I did!” You practically shouted before tightly sealing your lips.

You wondered which one would kill your first. The actual daughter of Julieta or the one that had told you she was like a mother to her. Both girls stared hard before they broke character and began laughing.

“Lo siento I couldn’t keep a straight face with you looking so scared!” Isabela said, wiping her tears away.

“What in the world is going on?!” You questioned.

“We already knew you had.” Dolores said.

“Excuse me?”

“We saw you last night out in the yard.”

Your face immediately burned knowing that the two girls had been watching you.

“Ay dios mío.” You mumbled putting your face in your hands.

“Y/N it’s really okay. We were all waiting for it to happen.” Isabela said.

“What do you mean by ‘all’?”

“Everyone under the age of twenty one.”

Your face couldn’t have possibly gotten redder, but if it was possible it was surely happening now.

“Who else knows?”

“Only us.” Dolores stated.

“Let’s keep it that way, por favor.” 

“But…why?”

“There is just a lot going on right now and no one needs to be distracted by me. Plus…” you trailed off and bit your lip a bit.

“Plus what?” Isabela urged.

“I’m twenty years younger than her. I’m a woman. People will talk and her reputation doesn’t need to be dragged in the mud because of me.” You sighed and looked between the two women.

“Your whole family are important pillars of our society and she will eventually realize it again and people as important as the Madrigal’s don’t need a scandal.”

The age difference didn’t bother you, being a woman didn’t bother you, but the thought that people may view her differently, negatively, had been weighing on your mind. 

“That’s absurd and we both know it!” Isabela announced crossing her arms. She was surprised that you of all people were nervous about appearances.

“Just keep it a secret por favor. At least for now. Your mother also may not want her business spread.” 

Isabela couldn’t argue with that so both girls agreed to not share what they saw.

“Once all of this Santiago nonsense is sorted we will be back to finish this conversation.”

“That’s only fair.” 

You were escorted out of the room and both women bid you goodbye to go do their own chores. You recognized the familiar sound of silence so you did the only thing you could do. Sit and wait.

[chameleon-madrigal]

XXIV | Cuentos de Camilo

(Stories of Camilo)

Title: Fool for you

Genre: Fluff

Pairings: Camilo x Fem!Reader

Warnings: None

Summary: Camilo decided to pull up a prank on you but what he didn't know is you got a plan to prank him back. Which cause him to learn his lesson.

He/him pronouns for Camilo

She/her pronouns for Reader

Note: Kinda late for aprill fools special but hole you like this! I am open for requests! And still working on some drafts. Enjoy lovies mwaa Thank you for your support lavya <3

MASTERLIST HERE!

It was april first, and the only day Camilo can go all around the town with pranks without getting grounded and stuff since its april fools day. He get to exempt himself from doing tricks without anyone being mad at him since it was given that this unofficial holiday was meant for him, so it can be an excuse for fun to him.

"MAMA!! Did you stock many arepas!?" Isabela panickly said as Luisa calm her down while also feeling anxious.

"Yes yes I did, as long as your Tío won't finish it before april 1st ends"

"Hey! Next time if you're gonna mock me atleast not in my face" Bruno said and walk away but Julieta just chuckled knowing that her brother cant stay mad at her.

"Why are you so anxious, Camilo will just prank you and if you end up getting hurt just eat an arepa" Mirabel said as Isabela glared at her and crossed her arms.

"Did you forget how I ALMOST LOST MY EYEBROWS LAST YEAR!?" She shouted as a flower was shove in Mirabel's face which cause her to blew it off.

"Sis, calm down. Your cactuses are getting everywhere" Luisa said as she got shocked at the sudden cactus that pop up in her side.

Isabela apologized as she tries to calm herself down. And as she is, a big strong wind appeared inside Casita.

They notice how Pepa was going back and forth, mumbling stuff as she started to be mad at Camilo on the things he will do for today's april fools.

"Amor, calm down I am sure Camilo will go easy on us for this year" Félix said which earned him a glare from his wife.

"Easy doesn't work on Camilo" She said as she suddenly went to where the others are and drink a cup of coffee to calm down.

"I wonder if Y/N is aware about Camilo and his pranking agenda during april fools" Mirabel suddenly questioned.

"Poor her, she doesn't really know" Dolores said and squeeking after. As the other sighed knowing how evil Camilo is during april first.

You are dating Camilo for quite months and knowing its april fools day, and you never thought how this day could give your novio excuses for every pranks he would do.

You are currently walking on the bridge near Casita as Camilo asked you to meet him up there. Not being aware of the news you are about to hear.

You quicklt hugged Camilo as you saw him, but he didn't hugged back. You shrugged it off thinking he must be tired of his chores. Camilo on the other hand, is trying his best to act cold for the prank he is about to set for you. He was stopping himself to laugh at the thought of you imagining your reaction.

"So...how was your day, Amor—"

"Y/N, let's break up" He stopped you as he looked down at the ground refusing eye contact. You looked at him dumbfounded, feeling a pang of pain in your chest.

"W..what?"

"I..im sorry I cant do this anymore" Camilo said trying his best to act serious as he was about to laugh at the nonsense of his acting.

"why...am i not enough? Camilo please—" You said as you held his arm to make him turn at you, as tears filled up your eyes.

"You're a great person, Y/N. You deserve better other than me" He said as he kissed your forehead for the last time and walk away. As you keep on calling his name.

~•~

Camilo felt guilty while walking back to the Casita as he witnessed how the tears flowed in your eyes. But he said to himself that he would really apologize hard for you since this is just a prank.

The moment he step into Casita, the tiles were messing up with him as he chuckled.

"Casita stop, don't worry there's no pranks for you" He stated while surrendering his hands up in the air as Casita stopped messing around and pushed Camilo to the kitchen.

As soon as he was in the kitchen he saw Isabela who was about to run away the moment she saw her primo.

"WOAH! I am not a murderer chill" He rolled his eyes and got some plates and stacked his arepas.

"Oh really? Who knows ur gonna be the murdered of my dear cactuses" Isabela sassed and Camilo just laughed.

"Prima calm down, I have no tricks up my sleeves for you" Isabela squinted her eyes at him, trying to see if this is also a trick or not.

"...Or is it?" Camilo continued as Isabela groaned and ran away, which he laughed at that.

"Camilo today is no excuse for you to not do your chores" Abuela stated as he noticed Camilo with his mouth full of arepas.

"Oh ah yeah, I was just taking a break Abuela" He said chuckling nervously

"Whatever you are planning for today, Camilo. Solo porfavor, don't try and hurt anyone"

"Pfft, since when did I hurt people with prank—"

"Last year you almost burned Señor Juan's crops" Abuela glared as Camilo smiled guilty.

"W-well..Mami's sun just added heat to it. I was Innocent!!" He dramatically stated as Abuela rolled her eyes and walk outside. Camilo sighed in relief as he didn't receive an earful talk.

When suddenly a thundercloud appeared in Casita, followed by a shout.

"CAMILOOO MADRIGALLL!!" Pepa shouted as he went to Camilo and drag him by his ears.

"ay mami que duele!"

"Oh don't start with me young man, I will never let you continue your chores not unless you clean your room" Pepa angrily said as she continued sermoning Camilo with his room and getting him to clean it.

Camilo was almost done with his chores and doing bunch of pranks, which got a hard time for the villagers to go on for the day. As he wondered on where you are, he saw you with someone...and that someone is a boy.

He shapeshifted into someone else to blend in and not be caught by you, as he got closer he saw you intertwining hands with none other than Carlos. His rival in courting you before.

Camilo was confusedly mad, as you are smiling and laughing at Carlos. Didn't you two just 'broke up' but then here you are, hanging out with someone that is not him. He can't do anything since he stated to you that you two are already done but he felt a pang in his heart watching you two close.

As you are continuing hanging out with Carlos, you noticed someone was following you. Moreover, Camilo disguised as a villager to stalk you.

"Carlos, pretend you're about to kiss me"

"What!? Why?!" He shockingly said causing him to release your intertwined hands.

"Just trust me!" You said as you wanted to know how Camilo would react.

As Carlos started leaning in, Camilo couldn't take it as he shapeshifted back into himself running in between you two and slightly pushing Carlos off.

"¡QUÉ DEMONIOS, HOMBRE! ¡APÁRTATE!" He stated as you tried not to laugh. You pushed Camilo as you noticed the glare he had, which made you scared.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"NO! What were you two doing!?"

"Tsk! Why does it matter you said you are break—" He shutted you off by putting a hand on your mouth, pulling you closer.

"Back off Carlos, this is my girl!" He threatened as Carlos raised his hands in the air and casually walked away why you subtly gave him a thumbs up to which he just smiled.

"Srsly Y/N?! Why are you with him!?"

"You said we broke up so—"

"Ay Dios Mío, that was just a prank! So if we did broke up in real, you would just hangout immediately with other guys!?!" He started getting mad as you got worried because you two are making the others look at you.

"That was way too much for a prank, Camilo. And really you're shouting at me, unbelievable" You deadpanned look at him and walk away as he suddenly started crying as he grabbed your arm and cried on your shoulders.

"I-I'm sorry. Please, don't hate me, I never thought this will be worse. I love you, Y/N. Forgive me, amor" He cried as you sighed grabbing his hands pulling him towards Casita. But he stopped in his tracks.

"No, please forgive me. Don't said me away to go home without us being all good. Y/N please" He begged as you cupped his cheeks, wiping the tears.

"Let's talk this out in Casita, come on" You said as he got no choice but to follow you. But the moment Casita opened the door, everyone shouted.

"Felicidades! You got pranked!!" His family shouted as they began laughing when they saw that Camilo had already been crying.

"Wait, what..." He said as Pepa went to him to wipe his tears as she hugged him.

"So, basically your prank just got back at you!" Mirabel said as they began teasing him.

"At first, I thought you are gonna break up with me but then I remembered its april fools. So I asked Dolores to confirm your joke or not"

"Yeah, you probably forgot your own sister's powers, Milo" Dolores said which caused the others to laugh, as Camilo just stared at them still mouth agaped.

"After confirming that, we plan together how Y/N can get back to you and to probably teach you a lesson. So we asked Carlos, since he would be the perfect one to help us and also to made you more annoyed which worked." Luisa said as Isabela smirked at her primo.

"So once everything is set and went accoring to plan, well luckily. And then there you go primo, you just got pranked by your own doings"

"Isabela, I swear your cactuses—" You cutted Camilo off by pecking him on the lips as he got flustered as everybody teased him.

"I love you too, amor. Don't worry we are srill together and I forgive you—WOAH!" He suddenly carried you on his shoulders as he went upstairs to his room, causing the teasings of his family to get louder.

"CAMILO PUT ME DOWN!" You started slapping his back as he held his grip on you tight to not let you fall down.

"You made me cry today, amor—"

"Ugh, and so do I!?"

"Well, I guess we need to pay each other's dumbasses" He smirked as he put you down once you are in his room.

"And also for me to give you a possible free pass for next year's april fools" He said as he kissed you. After a minute of kissing, you suddenly smacked his head and started running around his room.

He started chasing you around as you both spend the rest of the day, catching up with each other cuddling while telling him how you had came up with the plan together with his family.

"—It was a foolish for you to think that I would hangout with other guys when we just fake broke up"

"Im sorry okay!? I didnt know" He scoffed as he comfortable rest his head on your chest.

"Dont worry I would never let that break up happen. Not in a million years."

"Me too, I would always be a fool for you, hermosa" He said as you kissed his nose as you both continued cuddling.

[astxroiid]

A Teaching Moment

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: Neville Longbottom x Reader

Word Count: 1,694

Warnings: Swearing, that’s it I think...

Summary: Neville finds you having trouble with his favorite subject. He helps you figure spen things out and you, in turn, help him with his worst subject. Things might get a little hectic when the spell goes slightly wrong.

Author’s Note: I hope you guys like this! I wrote it way faster than I’ve ever written anything! Also, coming up with a title for this was a pain in the ass.

Masterlist // Read Before Requesting

(gif not mine)

You’re deep in thought when the door to the greenhouse opens and a tall, awkward boy steps in. He’s slightly surprised to see anyone in here, usually no one cares enough about Herbology or plants in general to stay longer than Professor Sprout makes them.

He clears his throat. “Hey, Y/N, what’re you doing here?”

You nearly jump out of your skin at the sound of his voice.

“Jesus, Neville,” you place a hand over your heart. “You scared the shit out of me!” You laugh.

“I’m in here because I’m trying to figure out the difference between these damned plants. They look so similar and labeling the different parts is impossible… hey, you’re great with plants! Could you help me?”

He looks shocked that you’d actually want his help, but moves forward to help you nonetheless.

“Sure! I’d love to.”

He walks over you where you’re sitting and stands behind you while looking at the plants and your notes.

“Oh! This is easy! You’re just telling the difference between a Madrake and a Bobotuber and then label their parts?”

“Yes,” you nod and look down, feeling a little dumb that it’s apparently so easy.

“I- I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just- plant type things come easy to me. I’m sure there’s something your really good at that I can’t understand. Like charms...” he mumbles the last part.

You look up at him. “I actually am pretty good at charms. If you need help with one of the spells I could help you? As sort of a pay back for you helping me!” You’re excited.

He smiles at you and nods. “I do need help with the Accio charm for Professor Flitwick’s test next Friday.”

“Oh, I’ve got that down pat! I can totally help you with that!”

“Thank you,” his smile is wholesome and makes your stomach flutter with butterflies in a way you’ve never felt before.

“You’re welcome! Anyway, the only part I can get right it the Anthers on both, but that’s because they’re identical,” you turn around to the table you’re working at, shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

Neville leans over you, placing a hand beside you on the countertop. Half-trapping you on one side.

Your face heats at the close proximity to him. You try your best to focus on the task at hand.

—

“Ok so this is the Bobotuber... and this is the Mandrake?” You ask after a few minutes of Neville helping you.

“Yes! You got it! Okay which one has the green spots?”

“Uh, the Mandrake?” You turn your head to look at his face.

“No, it’s actually the Bobotuber. You see, here,” he points at your notes with the hand not propped on the counter - now trapping you in between him and the table top. Not that you mind.

Actually it’s the opposite of minding for you. Your face heats up once again and you try so hard to focus on the plants but start to fail.

“The Mandrake has little leaves and flower petals, but here,” he moves his hand and has you in almost a hug, making it near impossible for you to pay attention. “The Bobotuber looks like a cactus.”

“Oh, yeah. I think I get it now. So, Mandrake has flowers - Bobotuber has green dots?” You ask, looking at him and hoping he doesn’t notice your red cheeks.

“Yes! You’re really getting there! You’ll have this in no time,” he smiles and your heart melts into nothing.

—

After you seem to know all about both plants - and they’re uses - Neville decides that you’ve got it. He seems so genuinely delighted that you understand this - that it makes you even more happy that you’ve made him happy.

He looks down at his watch and gasps. “It’s supper time! We need to go!” He helps you grab your books as you head to the Great Hall.

You sit together and talk about random things, getting to know each other a little bit more.

You decide that you’ll teach him the Accio charm tomorrow after breakfast since it’ll be Sunday and you’ll have all day again to practice.

He walks you back to the Gryffindor common room and says goodnight, blushing and being adorable the whole time.

You wake up and get ready for your little ‘study-date’ with Neville as Hermione and Lavander had called it last night when you told them.

You decided to go more casual in your outfit but add a little accessorizing that you think Neville will definitely appreciate - hopefully love.

You wear a pair of black skinny jeans with a light, pastel pink shirt. Some regular tennis shoes and a headband with faux flowers pasted all over it.

You admire yourself in the mirror in your bedroom before leaving.

When you make it to breakfast, you see Neville has saved a seat for you beside him. You smile at the small gesture and sit by him.

“Morning, Y/N. How’s you sleep?” He smiles back and takes a bite of his bacon.

“Good morning, Nev. I slept well, thank you,” You take a sip of the orange juice infront of you. He don’t notice the pink that creeps up Neville’s neck and cheeks at the name you call him.

“How about you? How’d you sleep?”

“Not that good, actually. Ron was snoring.”

You give him a sympathetic look while buttering a piece of toast.

“Then he had another nightmare about giant spiders chasing him, so he woke up screaming,” he frowns into his coffe as you giggle.

“Giant spiders?”

“Yeah,” he laughs as well. “It’s so specific a dream, I wonder what that means for him.”

You eat your breakfast and continue talking comfortably.

—

Once you’ve both eaten, you head out to a more secluded area on outside in the castle grounds. Since Neville usually prefers to be alone, he knows exactly where to take you.

It’s this little open patch on the edge of the woods next to the Great Lake. It’s beautiful and the small spring breeze helps enhance the feelings of peace.

“How’d you know about this spot?” You ask, looking around while he watches you with adoration on his eyes.

“This one time in fourth year, when Harry wasn’t speaking to Ron, he asked me to come walk with. I believe that he just wanted to get away and walked in some reandom direction until we made it here,” he explained while setting his bag down against a tree.

“I remember that,” you say thoughtfully. “Not you two finding this place, but the Great Harry-Ron Fight of Fourth Year,” you laugh.

He laughs along with you as you pull out a blanket form your bag and flatten it out on the ground.

“What’s up with that?” He inquired.

“Well, we aren’t going to be practicing this spell all day, are we?” You smile at him. “I was thinking at some point, instead of having lunch indoors, we could have a sort of picnic? I got food and everything.”

“So that’s where you went before we came out here?”

“Yes,” you say proudly.

—

Helping Neville with this charm was a task. He seemed to keep getting distracted. And you kept telling him to focus while he said the incantation, but right before he said it - he’d look at you and then the spell wouldn’t work.

“Accio!” Neville shouts. He’s obviously not focused enough, because all the box that you’d set up did was shake.

You sigh lightly. “Ok, here,” you walk over to him and place yourself against his side, grabbing his hand that’s curved wrong the wand.

He blushes at the contact but you don’t notice. You adjust his hand and make sure he’s pointing it right. Then, you place a hand on his back and he other on his chest.

He looks down, surprised. You guide his body to stand straight. “There. Now, when you say the incantation, make sure your focusing on what you want.”

He nods and you walk the short distance to stand beside the box again. You’d made sure it was just infront of him so it wouldn’t be so far of a travel. “Ok, now.”

He takes a deep breath and focuses on what he wants. “Accio!”

You fly forward so fast you don’t have time to register what’s happened. You crash into Neville’s chest, knocking him over as well.

You land on his chest, looking up at him, confused. Then you look back at where you came flying from.

Turns out, Neville Accio-ed a branch on the tree behind you that sent you forward when it detached.

He’s frozen in fear. Terrified that he hurt you somehow. You look back to him and laugh, getting him to laugh as well.

You place your hand on his chest, still giggling. “Well, I think you did it!” You smile. He returns the gesture.

You’re now hyper-aware of the position you’re in. Lauing on top of Neville with your hands on his chest and your legs straddling his hips.

Both your faces heat up. You go to get up but slip and land back on him. Hands on either side of his face.

You laugh again but stop short when your eyes wander to his lips. They look so soft and pink and you can’t help but lean down and kiss him.

It takes him a moment to realize what’s happening and there was a split second of fear that you’d messed up.

All of those fears wash away and you know you’ve most definitely not messed up when he kisses you back.

It feels amazing, kissing Neville Longbottom. He tastes of strawberries and coffee and anything you could ever want.

To him, you taste like mint and chocolates and it feels like heaven kissing you after all these years of bottled emotions.

A moment of bliss consumes you both and the world melts away and nothing matters but the two of you.

You pull away to breathe and grin wide at him. “You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that,” he says breathlessly.

“Me too.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Thank you for reading! Also, special thanks to those who requested this and gave me the motivation to keep writing! I hope it’s okay that I tagged you!

Thank you: @bravelittlesunflower , @bubblybubbubs .

[hopelikethemoon]

Day One (Javier x Reader) {MTMF}

Title: day one Rating: PG-13 Length: 2700 Warnings: None.  Notes: You can find the Maybe Today, Maybe Forever Timeline here. Set in March of 1987. If you want to learn more about Carlos Lehder you can here. Also, side note.... I’m playing fast and loose with Steve and Javier’s backstories. Similar but timelines adjusted a smidge.  Summary: Reader’s first day with the DEA.

Taglist:  @grapemama  @seawhisperer @huliabitch @pedropascalito @rogrsnbarnes @thewallpapergoesorido @twomoonstwosuns @gooddaykate @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow @hiscyarika @plexflexico @readsalot73 @hdlynn @lokiaddicted @randomness501 @fioccodineveautunnale @roxypeanut @just-add-butter @snivellusim @amarvelousmandalorian @lukesrighthand @historynerd04 @mrsparknuts @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @exrebelshocktrooper @awesomefandomsunited @ah-callie @swhiskeys @lady-tano​

You stared at your reflection in the poorly-lit bathroom mirror. The U.S. Embassy was about what you expected it to be. A building made of concrete and tinted glass, fashioned into an imposing structure — which stood in a sea of equally ugly hideous brutalist buildings. 

Your nerves had gotten the best of you. After a meeting with your supervisors, you’d ducked into the bathroom for a breather… rather than heading straight for your new office. You had done as much research as possible on the two men you were going to be working alongside of for the foreseeable future. 

Stephen Murphy had been raised in West Virginia and had attended university for criminal justice in the middle-of-nowhere… honestly, who knew they had universities in Bluefield, West Virginia? He had gone straight to Miami after graduation, diving headfirst into cocaine and the city’s rampant crime. God were you glad you weren’t stuck in that hell hole. After enough success the DEA had thrown him at Colombia, in hopes that it would stick. As far as you could tell he was newly married to a nurse who had followed him to Colombia. 

Javier Peña had taken a different route to Colombia. He had a flouncy psychology degree from one of the best schools in Texas. Straight out of college he somehow landed himself a job as a Sheriff’s Deputy, before the DEA recruited him to play special agent in Austin, Texas. He had actually volunteered for Colombia… which you couldn’t say much about, considering you had technically volunteered too. 

You wanted upward mobility and if you had stayed in the states — your career would’ve hit a brick wall. At least in Colombia you had a chance to make a name for yourself. No one gave a shit about the country, but the shit going on… one day, it would end up in the history books.  And you wanted your name alongside it.

“You’ve got this.” You told yourself in the mirror, before you headed out of the bathroom and down the long hallway that led towards the DEA’s office. 

“Good morning, gentlemen.” You said with as much enthusiasm as your nerves would allow you to summon.

“You don’t have any shit for your desk?” Asked the dark-haired one, looking up at you from over the file he was reading. 

You blinked, looking towards the light-haired man who was chuckling at his desk. At your expense? The glare you shot him cut his amusement short and he quickly got out from behind his desk and approached you. “Steve Murphy.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” You offered with a smile as you shook his hand. You glanced out of the corner of your eye, before you turned to look at the other man. “Which makes you—”

“Javier Peña.” He drawled out with a too-charming smile, reaching across the desk to shake your hand. 

“Of course.” You said with a slight edge to your voice as you shook his hand. 

“You’ve got a good handshake, I guess we’ll keep you.” He remarked, before he leaned back in his seat and fixed you with a sweeping look. “Why the hell are you in Colombia?”

“Why are you?” You shot back, moving towards your desk. Maybe you should’ve brought your own shit. Aside from the typewriter and a file sorter with a few used manila folders — it wasn’t much to write home about.

You glanced in the direction of Javier, catching him staring at you before he pretended like he wasn’t. You rolled your eyes and prayed he wasn’t going to be one of those guys. You’d had enough of them in the past. 

“Here.” Steve said, offering you a styrofoam cup that had a couple pencils and pens in it. “You’re going to need these.” 

“Thank you,” You said with a genuine smile, sitting the cup down on your desk next to the file rack. “I probably should’ve brought some supplies, but that’s what tomorrow’s for — right?”

Javier snorted, “Tomorrow we’re headed for Facatativá.” He got up from his desk and threw a folder down on your desk. “You want in on it?”

You picked the folder up, flipping through the first couple of pages of typed notes. “Is this your chicken scratch?” You questioned as you eyed notes in the margins.”

“You get used to it.” Steve assured you. “Escobar’s allegedly attending a party hosted by a few of accomplices.”

“Celebrating that Forbes article?” You questioned with a short laugh. “I’m in. We leaving at o’dark?” Your eyes flickered towards Javier, deeply amused by the impressed look he wore. 

“Diving in headfirst, huh?” He questioned, pursing his lips with a nod. “We’ll be heading out about this time tomorrow morning.” Javier explained, glancing at the clock on the wall across the office. “It’s an hour’s ride out, we’ll settle.” 

You nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” 

He steepled his fingers, leaning his elbows against the desk. “Let’s see how you do.” 

“Underestimating me already, Peña?” You questioned, cocking your head to the side. “Didn’t see that in your file.” 

Steve laughed, “She read your file.”

You turned to look at him, “Slow down there wild and wonderful. I’ve read both of your files.” 

Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth, “Find out anything good?” 

“You think I’d tell you what I know?”

He shook his head with a chuckle, “That tells me you don’t know shit.” 

“Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Laredo, Texas.” You stated with a smirk. “You must’ve had some balls going home after college, all things considered.” The juiciest morsel that you’d found in his record had been an engagement announcement in the Laredo Morning Times. No mention of the fiancé afterwards, however. “I’m good at what I do, Peña. Don’t underestimate me.” 

“Duly noted.” He mirrored your smirk, before he looked towards Steve then. “I’m replacing you. This one’s my new number one.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” You told him with a roll of your eyes. “Whatever this charm thing is you keep trying… will probably work on Murphy before it works on me.” 

“Hey!”

“Sorry.” 

Javier grinned at you. “I… was dreading this whole change.” He gestured between the three of you. “But you can hold your own. I'm impressed.” 

“Well, I didn’t come here to impress you. I came here to take down Pablo Escobar.” 

Steve approached your desk with a stack of files, “I pulled the records on known accomplices, there’s a few mugshots, newspaper clippings… good shit to familiarize yourself with.”

“Thank you.” 

“Also, my wife cooks a mean meatloaf and she’s dying for friends that don’t work at the hospital.” 

“You never invite me over dinner.” Javier complained, flipping Steve off. 

You rolled your eyes and smiled politely, “I would love to come over, but I don’t eat beef.” 

“She can cook other food.” Steve laughed. 

“Sounds like a plan.” 

— 

The Murphy’s had a nice apartment — it felt lived in, which you couldn’t say for your own apartment. In your defense, you had only lived there for a week and you had never been particularly sentimental. You’d only brought two suitcases and shipped a box of personal effects to the embassy — everything was locked away in a storage facility back in the states. 

“Connie, dinner was delicious.” You said as you wiped your lips off with a napkin. “I felt like I was back home.”

“I’m glad Steve invited you,” She said with a smile. “I don’t know how you can do it. I hear the stories he tells.”

You say up a little straighter, “As soon as I found out they were looking for a new agent, I jumped. This was the break I have been hoping for.”

“So what are your plans?” Steve questioned, leaning against the table. “Off the record.”

You chewed on your bottom lip, “Easy answer is take down Pablo Escobar, but…” You shrugged your shoulders. “It’s hard as hell to make a name for yourself in this field. A good name.” You reached for your beer and took a swig. “And that’s what I want. What I really want.”

Connie and Steve exchanged a look. 

“Sounds like you’ve got it all mapped out,” Steve said with an approving nod. “You want to be someone kids can look up to?”

“No one believed I could make it here.” You pressed. “But I did. I want girls like me to know they can go farther.” 

“Then stay away from Javi,” Connie warned as she got up from the table and cleaned up the dinner plates. “I’ll get dessert.”

Your brows furrowed as you stared at Steve. “What does she mean?”

He shrugged a shoulder and scratched at his jaw. “Javi’s a good guy.” He assured you. “But he’s got a bit of reputation.”

You laughed, crossing your arms across your chest. “Was that what this was about? Maybe he’s not able to keep things professional, but I can.” You gritted out. “Rule number one is — don't shit where you eat.” Not to mention Javier was not your type. Sure, he was handsome, but he was also… a typical government agent. 

He’d made his assumptions about you before he had even met you.

“I’m flattered that you’re concerned,” You told Steve. “But I’m good. He can make a fool out of himself, but… no.”

“I’m just warning you.” Steve said with a small smile. “I know how he is.”

“And I’ve worked with a dozen like him.” You said dryly. “And surprisingly haven’t fallen for their charm. Peña is no exception.”

“I made trifle.” Connie announced as she returned. 

 ——

 “Is that a fucking cactus?” Javier questioned, staring at the small potted cactus you had brought to put on your desk. 

“No, it’s a sequoia.” You shot back with a roll of your eyes. “Come on Peña, don’t just say shit to get a redundant response.”

He stared at you, jaw clenched. “I’d flip you off, but that doesn’t seem appropriate.” 

You turned your cactus carefully, gesturing towards the little growth sprouting up. “My cactus doesn’t mind flipping you off.”

“Real cute.” Javier huffed, moving across the office to grab the banker box off Murphy’s desk. “You smoke?”

“Not really.” You shrugged. “I’ve got to be in the mood.”

“And what gets you in the mood?”

Steve cleared his throat as he walked into the conversation, giving you a pointed look — which you disregarded. 

“It’s an after sex thing.” You said with a shrug. “Or when I’m bored.” You looked towards Steve, “Problem?”

“There’s two of you.” He raked a hand over his face. “I’m never going to get a moment of peace again, am I?”

“This is purgatory, Steve. Didn’t you read the handbook?” You teased. 

You couldn’t help but grin at Javier when he looked in your direction. You weren’t an idiot — you would gladly heed Steve’s warning, but you couldn’t help it. You wanted to play along with Peña’s stupidity, just a little bit. You never turned down good banter. 

 ——

 “I should’ve brought sunglasses.” You groused, shielding your eyes as you looked through the windshield at the house you were watching. 

“Here.” Javier pulled his aviators off and offered them to you. 

“What about you?”

He shrugged, “You need ‘em.” 

“Thanks.” You smiled, taking them from him and putting them on. You pushed them up the bridge of your nose as you settled back against the seat. 

“Hey,” Murphy started, leaning in between your seats. “Javier, did you bring the junk food?”

“Trunk.” He answered shortly, waiting until Steve had turned around in the backseat to look for the junk food.

Javier nudged your arm, smirking as he opened the center console to reveal two bags of Sour Cream and Onion. “My favorite.”

“A good choice.” You laughed, glancing back at Steve who had looted a bag of Goldfish that looked like it had much seen better days. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll share with you.”

“We’ve moved from flattery to bribery now.” You grabbed a bag out and tore it open, popping a chip into your mouth.

Steve cranked the back window down, “Javi, you got a light?”

Javier reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, passing it back to Steve.

“Make sure you don’t leave a pile of butts outside the window.” You warned Steve as you turned around to look at him, “It’s a sure fire way to find out that someone’s been watching you all day.” 

“Touché.” He nodded, taking a puff from the cigarette as he passed the lighter back to Javier. 

“Want one?” Javier questioned you, pulling his pack out of his jacket pocket and tapping it against his wrist. 

You chewed on the inside of your bottom lip as you stared at him, “Sure, why not.” You relented, shrugging a shoulder as you held your hand out. 

Javier didn’t give you the cigarette straight away, instead he made a show of lighting it for you, before he offered it to you. 

“Thanks, Javi.” You said lightly, wrapping your lips around the cigarette and taking a drag. You leaned back in your seat as you drew the cigarette away from your lips on an exhaled. Your eyes flickered out the window, watching as more people made their way into the house. “Isn’t that Carlos Lehder?” You questioned, sitting your cigarette down in the ashtray before you grabbed your binoculars. 

Sure enough, it was Lehder. He had walked out of the house, still yucking it up with another man who you didn’t recognize. 

He had all of his bank accounts frozen, didn’t he? I’m surprised he’s still showing his face.” 

Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth, “We’re gonna follow him.”

“That’s not the plan.” Steve slapped the back of Javier’s seat. “We’re watching for Escobar.” 

“And Lehder hasn’t shown his face in three years.” Javier pointed out. 

You followed him with the binoculars, “Look! He’s leaving.” 

“We need to trail him.” Javier put his cigarette out and turned the car on. “Put them down.” He told you, grabbing the string of your binoculars and tugging lightly. 

“I am, I am.” You assured him, tucking them back under your seat. Your heart was hammering in your chest. It looked like your first day in the field was going to be an exciting one. 

 ———

 “Now, don’t get cocky.” Javier told you as he took a sip of his beer, angling himself in the booth so he was facing you. “Every day is not going to be that exciting at the DEA.”

“You mean I’m not going to bag one of the top three guys the U.S. wanted extradited out of Colombia every day?” You deadpanned, shaking your head solemnly. “Damn.” 

Steve laughed and pointed at you with his beer bottle. “You didn’t do it alone.” 

Javier waved his hand, “Oh, fuck off Murphy. Neither of us had eyes on the door.” He nudged you in the arm. “This one and her research.”

“I’m good with faces.” You shrugged, before you confessed. “And I might’ve made index cards.” 

He snorted, “What? Studying for a test?”

You flipped him off, smirking as you downed the last of your beer. “Did it work?”

“Yeah, it worked.” Javier grinned at you. “You’re good.” 

You rolled the base of your beer bottle on the edge of the table, glancing towards the bar. You had noticed a man at the bar eyeing you for the past half hour. He was nice looking and after the day you’d had…

You looked between Steve and Javier then, “If I’m not at work in the morning… that guy at the bar probably killed me.” You nodded your head in the direction of the man, watching Javier as he looked towards the bar. 

“Is there a problem?” He questioned, his shoulders tensing. 

“No. I’m getting laid tonight.” You laughed, scooting closer to Javier so you could reach into his jacket pocket. You pulled out the pack of cigarettes and pulled one out. “For later.” 

“Have fun.” 

Steve’s brows drew together as he looked at you. “Page us if you have any problems.” 

You took Javier’s sunglasses off your shirt and passed them back to him. “Have a good night guys, I’ll see you in the morning.” 

Your eyes lingered briefly on Javier’s face, before you turned away and headed for the bar. He had an entirely unreadable expression written on it. You didn’t know him well enough to figure him out yet. Maybe you would one day. 

[jeeperso]

D&D Quotes Without Context

Ravenloft Edition, Dementlieu Arc part 2

Alright, it's night. Jonni: “The best time for arson!” Jonni, you are up spending some quality time with Vesh. Jonni: “The best time for arson!” "YOU COME INTO MY CITY WITH A PARADE, PUTTING ON A FARCE FOR THE MASSES, YOU FOOL THEM BUT YOU DO NOT FOOL ME. NOW FACE MY JUDGEMENT." They point a bony finger at Vesh and....nothing happens. They point a few more times, expecting something to happen. Vesh sighs. "You done?" “Hey, buddy, I told you, she’s a Princess. Maybe not of a big nation, but a Princess is a Princess.” "...Well I guess she is. Sorry for disturbing you." And the spirit then awkwardly shuffles out. "That reminds me, I will visit Semprini, warn him of this Red Death." “Or, hear me out, we don’t and hire a bard to follow him around and then show us what happened later in moving pictures.” "Come on, you know how well I can fit in with high society, Steve. I can speak Snob." "Steve... He really moved up in the world after he died. I'm proud for him." "Social gatherings...I can be nice and polite, but high society tends to leave me cold. It all seems so...fake." “Yeah. But I usually get to fork some ashholes [sic] trophy wife in the cloak room, and the food can be good.” "Look it's easy, you go to some parties and dinners at some places, see the sights, smile and laugh, and we're golden. "And if anyone gives us any shit, we just grin and take it, and then track them down after the party and light them on fire." "We've come on behalf of a young lady whose parents have been afflicted with a curse..." “We need that lifted before we have to adopt again.” "None of the rest of you better pull an Edmund on us." Gorbash: "Okay Marshal's not allowed to speak for the group without approval. Jonni was already not allowed to speak for the group. God... am I the diplomatic one here? How the hell am I the diplomatic one?" Jonni: “Hey, I can be diplomatic. In a skeevy way, sure, but diplomatic.” Jonni: “Back of the line, new Eddie. Gorb’s in charge unless I have a better idea.” "Some specters showed up while you were out, but Kyra and Simone drove them off....Where's Marshal?" Jonni: “Getting ready for me to kill him when he gets back.” Seoni sighs, "Of course he did." Gorbash: "Yeah, he's joining Jonni in the 'not allowed to make decisions without group permission club'." Jonni: “Wait… Marsh is gone! No one will stop me from killing Semprini!” Gorbash: "I am still here." Jonni: “I’ll bring you his mustache.” Gorbash: "You may continue." Gorbash: "...Gods, I'm the leader... How is the guy who spent a year in a fracking asylum the one people look to for leadership?" OOC: Gorbash is going to be referring to this kind of epic stupidity as Pulling an Edmund for at least as long as it takes us to save Edmund. OOC: I haven’t seen a robot do something that dumb since Optimus’ Primes comic death. And his brain fits on a 3x4 floppy. Gorbash: "I've been to Blutspar. I don't need eyes to see horrors everywhere. Give me the tour." Nyx: "I would like to go some place without horrors for once. I'm guessing that is too high an order around here." Gorebash:

Yeah she had a holy symbol of Asmodeus on her armor. “Oh, hey, we got that douche canoe back home” Jonni says, very loudly. “Demon Prince of tiny dicks.” Jonni: “I don’t go to plays with ‘king’ in the title after the incident. “Course, most of the plays I go to have titles that are parody’s of other plays. They usually involve some kind of food delivery that can’t be paid for.” Gorbash grabs Irost by the collar. "Entire city. Mass suicide. Rivers of blood centuries later. GIANT MAN MADE OF BUGS!" Irost: "....That could possibly be classified as urban improvement..." Irost: "But then we'd miss the ball, and the excitement, and the chance to make names for ourselves." Jonni: “New Eddie is dumber than old Eddie.” Gorbash: "My old crew and I once infiltrated a gods damned apocalypse cult-a-polusa! I damn well know my apocalypses." “We’ll get you a red snapper, it’s okay. The things beyond the veil aren’t going to tear your soul out and wipe their ass with it tonight.” The stall has three barrels around the stall, and a large crate with a sign that says "Stikk hand in fer big serprize." [sic] Gorbash: "This feels like a trap. Hey Jonni, come here!" Jonni: “Want me to light it up?” Upon you saying that the crate grows a mouth and begins inching away. The crate and the three barrels, as well as the sign, all get up and move towards an open manhole. The lead mimic turns and spits at you, "Damn adventurers, this used to be a nice neighborhood." Jonni: “Hey I know where you can find a really dumb guy. I’ll tell you if you bring us his mustache.” "How dare you, we are not vagrants nor tramps. We are guards for a traveling merchant caravan. And adventurers who solve problems and help others." "Right! They're Hobos!" Jonni: “Cool. Cool. So you’re a colossal asshat, your god sucks, and virtually no one I care about will mind if you die. In fact, the nicest member of my party thought about doing it herself.” Jonni: “Hey! One last thing? Go fuck yourself with a cactus you racist piece of devil-worshiping pig fart.” Linxia takes a deep breath. "We will settle this another time I think. But keep in mind;" she reaches out, grabs a caterpillar from a tree, and crushes it in hand. "Vermin always get crushed in the end." Gorbash: "B!+ch, we're Pest Control experts." He is wearing a "I survived the Organ grinder" TY shirt over his armor, and is also covered with popcorn, soda and other stickyness. In one hand he holds a handful of balloons, and in the other a large stuffed purple teddy bear. On his head is a hat with cat ears. Jonni: “We met new people to kill and you’re not allowed to tell me no anymore.” Gorbash returns the favor that Marshal did for him back in Hazlan and tightly hugs his metal friend. Irost would hug him from the other side as well, squeezing tightly. You are stuck fast to Marshal now, he is very sticky. "Uhm, do we need to get out the special scrubbing alcohol to clean you guys off now?" Marshal: "Fire." Jonni casts the “create campfire” cantrip. Irost: "WAIT! Wait we're still-AHHHHHH!" Marshal ties a blindfold around his helmet's eyeholes and sticks a cigarette in just in time. Jonni: “Sorry, reflex.” Marshal: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe." Jonni: “I’ve fucked things you wouldn’t believe. Anyhow, walk it off. We got crime tonight.” “It’s that or wait for the play that pinged Gorb’s 'end of world' alarm to finish.” "What you did Marshall... Sainthood should be being considered." “If they gave out sainthood for being a moron Semprini would be a living god.” You guys become aware, that there things watching you. Or rather watching Marshal. You see countless tiny stuffed animals of varying types: bears, foxes, rabbits, but with horrific twisted features. Some have obviously human eyes or teeth, others are bulging with strange contents. Gorbash: "How is it, that Marshal is the one with the most Stalkers?" Marshal: "Co-workers on break." Jonni: “They forming a union?” According to Vesh, the boat will be arriving at Midnight with cargo, among which will be the box. It will unload the cargo in the shipping company's warehouse. where it will stay until it is shipped to the D'honaire estate on the night before the ball. The docks are silent. No one on them. The niight is clear, with stars in the sky and a huge moon. So what's your plan? OOC: Fireballs. You see the bizarre scene of a bunch of demonic beanie babies smoking. After about fifteen minutes, the bay is rocked by a massive explosion, as the galleon bursts into flames. "Jonni!" Jonni: “Gods I wish that was me.” OOC: Great things happen when Kreuz has a Paladin Moment. OOC1: This other crew is going to find we aren't harder to deal with than most adventurers, we fight smarter, not harder. OOC2: Also, we are more mentally unstable and prone to dickery. OOC: To be fair, the rules don’t say I have rocket feet. The power gamer in me says no, but the nerd in me says “ROCKET BOOTS!”

[www-neverlandsweirdo]

Earth’s Princess (Neverland Fanfiction)

Once  Upon A Time in the realm of the Earth a baby was dropped in the woods.Just a blanket keeping her from being killed by the harsh winds and rain.Meant to die,tossed out of a carriage and forgotten.The Earth took pity on her,growing her a pair of heavy,autumn colored wings to keep her warm.The Universe favored this baby,having a sweet witch stumble across her and take her into a safe place.The Witch raised the green eyed girl as her own,teaching her the ways of magic and keeping her safe from the villagers.The villagers did not believe that a human should have magic and that if they did that they were evil and should be killed.That lead to most of the witches finding ways to leave the realm to go elsewhere and fled the village.But Mariana was smart,she stayed in a cottage deep in the woods with her baby.After a year of having the odd child she named her (Y/N).All was well until (Y/N) turned thirteen years old.Mariana had left once and never came back.You had stayed inside the cottage for several days,living off of what was in the cabinets and managing to wash her hair twice.

At the sixth day You realized that Mariana wouldn't come back.SOmething terrible had happened to her,You just knew it.You got what was left of the food,her knives and a few of your favorite books,putting it into a bag with a sheet.You added some of your clothes that could fit.Mariana had sewn you special shirts for your wings,two small slits on the back for if You ever had to fly.You kept them folded around your torso most of the time and the slits were covered by your brown cloak.You laced up your black boots,cleaning up the cottage and making your bed before You stood at the door nervously.You grabbed two last things.A gold ring and a blue knitted hat,You slipped the hat on your head and the ring on your finger.Normal.You was completely normal.Walking away from the house,You realized You really had no idea where You was.You had gone outside a whole four times in your life.When You had been thrown into the woods,when You had learned how to fly,when You was learning to manipulate the Earth and when Mariana had gotten hurt.

You had ran out stupidly to help your mother figure,getting in trouble for being so careless.The young girl wondered what Mariana would think of your actions now.You walked carefully,looking around at all the trees and rocks on the ground.It was a warm day.Pale flowers started to sprout from the ground,creating a path for you to follow.You looked back at the cottage one more time before following the path,tears growing in your eyes.You followed the path for hours until the sun was going down,the sunset matching the color of your wings.The path stopped abruptly at a large tree.You stood behind it,looking out from the side.There was a small cave,just large enough for your to fit.You got a good nap in there,crawling out a few hours later.You had to get further away,knowing for sure that You wasn't safe yet.You took flight,still half asleep.

You didn't quite know where You was going or how to get there,just flying.You stopped at a large tree in the woods.The bark was gray like ash,old and dead.You reached your hand out,stroking the bark as it became brown and full of rich green leaves.You smiled at your work as some jewels and chunks of metal came out of the ground.You picked them up,putting the shiny,expensive rocks into your pocket.All except one,a dark blue crystal.You picked it up before putting it back down. “Bring this to Marianna.”You whispered,the gem being eaten by the dirt.You sat on the ground,listening to all the noises from the woods.You could hear men conversating from far away.A town.Go and trade your gems for some food.You stood up,climbing to the highest point of the tree.You could see buildings and light in the distance.You flew low,being covered by the trees.You found a bar,full of people.You stood at a window,staring at one man in particular. “Hey!''A boy's voice whispered.Crap.You turned,seeing a boy with dark brown hair around your age. “What are you doing?”He asked.You shrugged,turning back to the window. “Im waiting for my dad.What’s your name?”He asked.You ignored him,still looking in the window.You gained control of one woman.You walked over in a daze,opening the window and handing (Y/N) a loaf of bread.The woman closed the window,turning around and leaving. “How did you get her to do that?”The boy asked.

You turned your attention back to the boy,eyes focusing in the darkness. “You didn't see that happen.”You told him.He nodded,walking away.Flowers budded at his feet and he turned around. “Hi.”He smiled.Talk to him.(Y/N) sighed quietly. “Hi.”You answered softly. “What’s your name?”He asked.You can tell him. “(Y/N).”You answered quietly. “Im Baelfire,you aren't from around here.”He observed.You shook your head,sliding the bread into the inside of her cloak.He looked into the bar,seeing a fight breaking out.He sighed. “So where are you from?”He asked.You just shrugged. “You don't know where you're from?”He asked.You shook your head.You had come from somewhere far away. “Oh.Okay.”He sighed.You went to go walk away,going down the street.It was pretty empty,You could hear mice and crickets.Baelfire jogged,catching up behind you. “Where are you going?”He asked. “I don't know,somewhere.”You answered.He nodded. “Can I come?”He asked.You raised an eyebrow. “You should wait for your father.”You answered,watching an emerald come from the ground two yards in front of you.He shook his head. “He doesn't care where I go,he doesnt love me.''He shrugged.You kneeled,picking up the emerald and putting it in your pocket. “How do you know for sure?”You asked,beginning to walk down the brick street.

“Well,my father.He’s the dark one.”He sighed quietly,waiting for you to freak out.You didn't though,still walking along. “Is that bad?” asked.His jaw fell. “Seriously?”He laughed.

You nodded. “Wow,you’re really not from anywhere around here.My father is evil.”He grumbled.You nodded,listening to him complain about his father. “I never knew my parents.”You huffed.He stayed quiet for a minute.They were really far away from the bar now. “Oh...im sorry.”He spoke quietly.You just shrugged,smiling as a lily sprouted between the bricks of the streets. “It's fine.”You answered,picking up the lily. “Are you a witch?”He asked,stopping as You ran your finger over the lily petals.You can tell him.You nodded. “I am a garden witch.”You answered.His eyebrows furrowed. “What does that mean?”He asked.You laughed quietly. “It means I'm a garden witch.The Earth likes me.”You answered,taking a turn into an alleyway.He followed you. “But you’re...you’re a good witch?”He asked.You just nodded,going into the forest. “Do you know where you’re going yet?”He asked.You nodded. “I know that you're gonna go back home.”You grinned,turning to look at him.He shook his head. “Nope.”He answered.You rolled your eyes. “Let's make a deal.”You suggested.He gulped.His dad said that far too much,but he listened anyway. “If you go back home now,I'll talk to you tomorrow.”You suggested,waiting for his answer.He bit the inside of his cheek. “But how would you find me?”He asked.Another flower grew next to you.

 “It’ll be easy to find you.Deal?”You asked.He nodded,waving good bye.That had been a lot more difficult than You thought it would be.Now You had to stay around for a while,deal with the boy that wanted to leave his father.How bad could that man possibly be?Quite bad,but he has his reasons.It was probably around three in the morning now.You sat down on the ground,ripping off a piece of bread and burying it. “Bring that to Marianna,please.”You whispered.You walked around the forest for a while.You walked for hours,helping the sad trees before You was brought to a house in the woods.It was separated from other houses,the closest ones probably a fourth mile away.A lily grew at the door.That was the boy's house.Baelfire's house.Who would name their kid Baelfire?Well maybe that was a normal name,You wouldn't know.When the sun began to rise over the trees and You heard shuffling from inside the house You walked around to the front door and knocked.A man with a sword opened the door,ready to attack.He was half a foot taller than you,wearing red robes with long dark hair.He was awfully pale,skeleton like.He had lizard like eyes that seemed awfully surprised to see a child. “Hello.”He said in a questioning tone. “Are you a friend of Bae’s?”He asked.(Y/N) just nodded awkwardly.

The man held up his finger,closing the door.You could hear him jogging to go get his son. “Papa...it's too early.”He groaned. “You have a friend here to see you.”He told the boy.Baelfire practically jumped out of his bed,going to the door and opening it. “(Y/N)!Hi!”He smiled at the short (Y/H/C). “Hi.”You answered quietly.He let you inside,closing the door behind him. “I haven't scared everybody away.”Rumple said proudly.You stood awkwardly. “Breakfast!Let’s have breakfast.”Rumple said quickly,going into the kitchen. “Do garden witches eat breakfast?”He asked the (Y/H/C) quietly.You nodded,laughing quietly. “You know that I'm not a cactus,right?”You asked.He looked at you funny. “What?”He asked.You sighed quietly. “Nevermind.”You mumbled.They went into his room and You went over to his bookshelves. “Do all humans know how to read?”You asked,looking at the dusty books. “Um...Some of us I guess.How did you find my house so easy?”He asked.You shrugged. “Sorry about my papa,he isnt used to people coming around the house.”The boy apologized.You nodded,scratching at your cheekbone. “You have a bruise.How did it happen?”He asked,pointing at your cheekbone.You shrugged.He looked at you for a few seconds,like he didn't believe you. “Your father isn't so bad.”You said quietly,playing with a chunk of gold. 

“Not around you,I guess.Where did that come from?”He asked. “The earth just gives me things.”You replied.He stayed quiet,watching the metal shine in the sun. “You know that all magic isn't bad.”You said quietly.He nodded. “Breakfast is ready.”Rumple announced,standing in the doorway.Baelfire got up first but (Y/N) took a minute. “Are you okay?”He asked.You nodded,standing up. “So I heard that you're a witch.”Rumple said,sitting at the table.Baelfire gulped nervously.You nodded,sitting next to the young boy. “So what is it that you do with your magic?”He asked.Three plates were on the table,one with pancakes,one with fruit and one with eggs.You tapped your foot awkwardly. “Just little things.Its an Earth based magic,I just help out plants.”You mumbled,grabbing a single grape.Rumple nodded. “You are mortal,I assume?”He asked.You shrugged. “So what are your plans for the day,Bae?”Rumple asked.The boy looked over at the (Y/H/C) girl. “I don't know.Are we doing anything today?”He asked,eyes widening.you took the hint. “I promised to show him the difference between sad trees and happy trees.''you said softly.Baelfire smiled,nodding along.Rumple’s eyebrows and nose wrinkled. “Trees have feelings?”He asked.You nodded. “Of course they do.”You answered.Rumple nodded along,not quite believing you.The two children went to leave,Rumple saying that he wanted to speak to Baelfire for a moment alone before they left.

You stood outside the door,ears listening to the conversation. “You like her?”Rumple questioned.Baelfire did not respond. “You be careful out there,be back before the sun goes down.”He instructed.Baelfire opened the door,jumping when he saw (Y/N) right next to him. “So what are we actually doing?”He whispered. “Difference between happy and sad trees.”You repeated before running off into the woods.He grinned,running after you.You stopped at one tree,breathing quickly. “Wow...the outside world really is wonderful.”You said softly,approaching the tree. “The outside world?”He asked.You nodded,pointing to the tree. “He is sad.Can you tell?”You asked.He shook his head.It looked pretty normal.You poked it with your finger,the bark firming and becoming dark as hundreds of purple flowers grew off the sticks.Baelfire smiled in amazement,looking at the tree. “He’s happy now?”Baelfire asked.(Y/N) shook your head. “No,but he’s healthy now.Thats always a good start.”You sighed.Baelfire looked around,seeing a small tree with light colored bark and dying leaves. “What about that one?”He asked,gesturing to it.You looked over,smiling. “She’s happy.”You answered.Baelfire looked confused. “But she’s not healthy.”He mumbled.You looked up at him. “She’s healthy,she just doesn't look like the other trees.”You told him before running again.He sighed,running after you.

He had no idea where You was going,he usually did not go into these parts of the woods.You stopped at a large rock.He was panting and out of breath,but You wasn't.You jumped onto the rock,pulling out a knife. “What are you doing?”He asked,getting onto the rock. “shhh…..”You said quietly,scratching the rock gently with your knife.The rock moved slightly.He stood up,alarmed.You scratched it again.The rock quite literally stood up,walking around slowly.His eyes widened.You seemed unfazed,sliding off of the creature and putting the knife back in her pocket.He jumped off,watching as the rock walked away. “What was that?”He asked. “That’s a rock.”You answered,grabbing his arm and dragging him along.You’re welcome,you wouldn't be friends if it weren't for me.You sighed quietly. “We should be careful,there is a cliff ahead.”He warned.You nodded. “I am aware.”You answered,letting go of his arm eventually.He trusted her,for some reason.He was told to never trust a witch.But then again,you were only a  five foot tall garden witch after all.You couldn't really do much harm.You stopped right by the cliff.He was kind of worried that You was gonna push him off. “What are you doing?”He asked.You didn't answer him,looking at the other side of the gap. “Have you ever been to that side?”You asked quietly. “No.”He answered simply.

 “Do you want to go to the other side?”You asked.

[futurewriter2000]

Flowers don’t grow in the dark - pt.2

XX

This was the first time you visited your brother since he passed away. First time you stood at his grave with a small adorable cactus in your hands and tears in your eyes. Fifteen years since your eyes were dipped in tears. Fifteen long dry years. 

You wiped the liquid with your sleeve and sniffed, smiling and kneeling on your knees. “Hey, JP.” you put the cactus down and wiped away the leaves of the dry flowers. “I know you always loved cactuses since they were the easiest to take care for.” you let out a dry laugh, reminiscing of all the years you spent with and then without him. “I never betrayed you, brother.” you wept, burrying your head in your palms. “I’d rather die than betray you.” you kept weeping, tears rolling down your cheeks, on your palms and on the earth. 

And then suddenly you felt it. Like he was there, with you, holding you, embracing you and comforting you as he always did when you were at your worst. 

‘It was like you were pulled in your own head, far back where everything was light and back on its rightful place. It was a memory but it wasn’t yours. 

You saw Sirius and James, both walking with their enormous long steps and talking. It was as if the memory was leading you. “She can be such a pain in the arse sometimes!” James fumed to Sirius. 

“I admit, she can be infuriating sometimes.” Sirius bit in his apple and shrugged. “But she’s your sister.” 

“I don’t care!” James shouted back. “She always gets mad for the littlest things and today I asked her the most simplest question and you know what she did?! She just snapped at me for some weird reason, kicked me and shoved me out of her room like some sort of maniac!” 

“Maybe  it’s that time of the month?” Sirius guessed but that didn’t stop James from raging further on.

“Even if it is that time of the month for her that doesn’t excuse her for acting like a such bitch!” 

“You’re probably right but let’s be honest, if she was in trouble, you’d give your life for her.” Sirius smiled but James only shook his head.

“No! Never! If she came begging to me right now, I’d kick her and shove her out as she did with me!” 

“Come on, mate-” ‘ 

The scene twisted and turned, you were pulled front and back like a rubber and back in another memory.

‘ It was just the three of them; Remus, James and Sirius. They were in the Great Hall, joking around and you noticed that it must have been later that day from the recent memory. They were all joking and messing around with each other until Peter came and broke the news. 

Worriedly, he rushed to them and couldn’t know how to start. All the other three knew something wasn’t right, so they simply asked him what was wrong. It was when Peter told them the rumor that was spreading around school. 

You have never seen James react so furiously since now. ‘

You knew of which rumor this was about. It was about the day you had too much to drink at a Slytherin party that you blacked out. You couldn’t remember what happened during that period of time, you just remember waking up on the bathroom stool, somewhere in a Slytherin dorm. You have never told anybody that night but rumors started flying around that you hooked up with more than two guys from Slytherin and gave them an oral. 

It was worst than you have ever felt because you couldn’t know if it was true or not but later, days after this memory Lily helped you restore your memory with a potion, and during that black out you went to the bathroom, threw everything out and slept there. 

‘James and Sirius were both storming to the Slytherin table. You saw James, without a second thought, grab the Slytherin by his collar and push him hard on the floor. “YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT IT’S YOU SPREADING DIRTY RUMORS ABOUT MY SISTER!!” he  exploded at Mulciber meanwhile he only licked his teeth and smiled wickedly. 

“What rumors?” he said cooly.

“DON’T PLAY DAFT, YOU BLOODY PIECE OF SHIT!!” and he swung his fist into Mulcibers jaw so hard you could hear it crack but Mulciber didn’t wail nor scream, only cackled.

“You can say goodbye to your Head Boy badge, Potter.” 

“You can say goodbye to your dear life, Mulciber.” and with another swing, Mulciber was bleeding from his broken nose and jaw, his left cheek bruised meanwhile James was pulledo off by a professor. “YOU TOUCH MY SISTER EVER AGAIN AND IT WON’T BE JUST YOUR NOSE THAT’S BROKEN!” 

“Mister Potter! That’s enough!” McGonagall interwined and the memory twisted and threw you out.’

You opened your eyes and fat tears rolled down your cheeks, one after the other. You smiled at his grave and said. “You always did go over the top.”

“He wasn’t the only one.” a voice behind you spoke and you turned around with a flash, you wand prepared and your mouth ready to cast. “Don’t shoot! Please!” 

“Those were your memories?!” 

“Yes. They are mine.” 

“Why?” you asked, almost desperately.

“Because I wanted to show you that he knew you didn’t betray him.”

“How would you know what he thought the moment Voldemort stepped in his house and murdered him. You, Peter, Remus, Dumbledore and I were the only ones who knew!” 

“Because he never believed in those rumors that spread around school. He knew you couldn’t have done that. He knew you to the core and when Voldemort was on his doorstep, he knew who it was and you were the last person who would come up in his mind. He knew it was Peter. We all did.”

“Yet it was still me who got thrown into a prison cell for fifteen years meanwhile you were playing a father to HIS CHILD!” 

“I HAVE NEVER PLAYED HIS FATHER! I WOULD NEVER PUT MYSELF IN HIS SHOES!” 

“YOU HAVE! The way Harry looks at you is the way James looked at our dad. Admiration and heroism. He thinks you’re a hero and a flawless man.”

“Shut up! You have no idea what you’re talking about. I have always told him about James and Lily!”

“WHAT ABOUT ME, SIRIUS?!”

“I THOUGHT YOU KILLED OUR BEST FRIENDS!” he screamed on the top of his lungs. “Imagine standing at the doorstep, having a one year old kid shoved in your arms, saying his aunt kissed his father and his best friend! Imagine knowing that your fianced killed your three best friends and now you’re stuck with a toddler!”

“How could you ever believe I could do such a thing?” 

“I couldn’t at first but everything led to you. You were the only one left.” 

“And when did you find out that it wasn’t me?” you asked with a shaking voice.

“Harry was in his third year. Remus got a hold of the Map and he saw Pettigrew’s name on. “

“That was two years ago.”

“I know.”

“Then why didn’t you do anything.”

“Peter was gone, (y/n). We didn’t have any proof, any evidence that proved you innocent.”

“So you just let me rot?” 

“It wasn’t easy, (y/n)! It just wasn’t easy for me nor Harry!”

“IT WASN’T EASY FOR YOU!! I DID FIFTEEN YEARS IN THAT PLACE! ALONE! HAVING MY SOUL! MY HAPPY MEMORIES! SUCKED OUT OF ME! AND HARRY DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE HAD AN AUNT!”

“He already has enough on his plate.” he said, glaring. 

“He should have known about me! You should have told him as soon you founf out it wasn’t me!” 

“How would you expect me to do that?! Hey, Harry, you have an aunt that was convicted into killing your father but really it was just one of my best friends who did it.”

“I hate you.” you gritted your teeth. “You should have been in my place. I should have been taking care of my nephew and my Godson as well! You said you’d go check! You knew he was dead! YOU KNEW SINCE THE MOMENT I TOLD YOU SOMETHING WAS WRONG! YOU SAID YOU’D GO! YOU SAID YOU WOULD GO BUT YOU NEVER DID!”

“ I DIDN’T KNOW!”

“I DID! I FELT IT IN MY BONES! I TOLD YOU BUT YOU JUST DIDN’T LISTEN! IF YOU’D JUST GO HE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE! YOU AND YOUR STUBBORN ARROGANT ARSE! AND THEN YOU DARE TO PRETEND THAT  I KILLED THEM WHEN ALL THE TIME YOU KNEW IT WASN’T ME! BECAUSE I WAS WITH YOU! I WAS WITH YOU WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IF I WOULDN’T GO CHECK IT WOULD BE YOU BEHIND THE BARS AND NOT ME!” 

“You walked out of there alive. Peter was dead and you were on the scene with 13 other Muggles murdered coldly. What would you expect me to think? Yeah she was with me when James got killed but then she stormed away, wasn’t gone for 3 whole hours!”

“You know, you were always so dense and too stubborn to think on your own. Always the sheep, Sirius.”

“Sure, (y/n)! I was the sheep.”

“Weren’t you? Following your parents until you met James, Following James all until he was dead and look at you now, Sirius Black. A famous Auror, following everything the Ministry says so here.” you clashed your wrists together and offered them to him. “Cuff me. Send me to the Ministry. Send me back to Azkaban.” you provoked him and stared intensly in his eyes. “Go on.” you continued. “Be the Slytherin you were always intend to be.” you snarled and he grabbed your wrists by one hand and pulled you up to his chest. 

“You were always infuriating.”

“You were always so goddamn arrogant.”

“You were a bitch.”

“Man whore.”

“Snake.”

“Prick.”

The two of you were now only an inch away and you could see him losing any sort of insult to say back at you. So instead he pressed his lips onto yours and let that take the lead...

[writing-the-end]

WS Chapter 56- Let’s Get Down to Business

Previous Chapter

Masterpost

Totally inspired by Mulan, both Red and my favorite disney princess! All the minesonas are together, the hermits are here, and the battlefield is ready! Just one last bit of red angst, brought to you by JoeHills

Red belongs to @theguardiansofredland​

Ecto belongs to @cooler-cactus-block

Mentioned: Pierre belongs to @cabbagesenpai​ , Star belongs to @thatonewannabedragon​ , Bre belongs to @mintyhotchocolate​ . (If there are any others i missed let me know! Credit where credit’s due!)

Morning sunlight rises over the tents and small cabins within the battlefield. Not much after the sun has fully appeared over the horizon, black wings jet across the camp- followed by a second smaller pair of wings. 

Red groans, wishing Avon had never found that damned bell she has. “Wake up everyone! We need to get as much training in, we never know when the hellspawns will arrive!” 

“I was the best fighter ever seen in any world, I don’t need training.” Etho groans, face dragging along the ground as Avon pulls him by the feet out of his tent. 

“Key word ‘was’. Let’s see if that still stands.” Avon chuckles, tossing his feet to the ground and joining Ecto on the dunes. The two clasp hands, pulling each other into a half hug. The warriors share a moment of silent conversation in their eyes, enemies turned friends. And now friends turned generals of a small army. 

“A stick? That’s a pretty dinky weapon, man.” Mumbo looks at the staff Ecto hands him. 

“Ugh, again with the weird english words.” Iskall hisses, thwapping his friend in the ankles. Beside the other two architechs, Grian lets out a giggle at Mumbo’s pain. 

“I don’t trust giving any of you a weapon in our world.” Ecto mumbles, rolling her eyes and handing off a staff to Ren. 

“Just like a lightsaber. Thanks dude!” Ren gives her a wink, spinning his staff and planting it into the sand. 

Avon pulls off her cloak, draping it over a cactus and getting a feel for her staff. It’s lighter than her trident, but it reminds her of her earlier days. Jessie flits off the warming desert sand, wrapping around her neck and curling her tail around her bicep. “Avon, I don’t think you made enough sticks for everyone. I don’t have one.” 

Ecto glances to the other wanderer, and both bite their lips. Avon avoids Red’s anxious gaze, the way he bounces on his feet to get to training. She looks anywhere else, fearful eyes meeting with Pierre, flitting to Star, before staring down Impulse. “Red… Ecto and I talked it over, and we aren’t sure you’re ready for the rage of war.” 

“Wha-what do you mean?” The entire desert gets quiet, everyone staring at the three. Making it even worse. “But I can fight! You saw it in the mansion, in the nether! I want to help you all!” 

“Red, we don’t want you to get hurt.” Ecto whispers. “This is more than just a woodland mansion, or even our botched infiltration to the nether. This is war.” 

“This is for the best, Red.” Avon pulls Jessie off her shoulder, plopping the dragonet into Red’s open arms. “Just… try to stay out of trouble. Stay safe, okay?” 

Avon and Ecto turn away, yelling for the hermits and other fighters to begin sparring. To get back to business. Red backs away, sniffling as she tries to keep her tears from catching the sunlight. Is she really that useless? That her own best friends would rather she stay out of their way? Stay out of trouble? Jessie chirps, purple tongue lapping at Red’s warm tears. 

He turns away, feet slipping as he runs across the sand. Away from the army, into the campground, tripping over stakes and vines. He collapses into a pit of water, Jessie floundering to the surface as Red sinks lower. Feeling warm tears sting and mix with the water. Salt against fresh. 

Red thought he was a part of the team. A part of this all. That he wasn’t useless to them, to anyone anymore. He could be a friend, a part of this battle. To get justice, make the nether pay for Mama Gummi’s death. But he’s been sidelined. Too weak, too useless. He was an idiot to think that he was anything but that. He should just stay out of trouble. Always out of trouble- that’s all that caused this anyways. 

He’s not sure how long he’s underwater, curled in a tiny fish ball. Jessie had crawled out, but he could see her curled up in the sun. Laying in the grass just above him. Even Jessie will eventually be something more. More than just a baby. She’ll grow into a massive dragon, with firebreathing and massive claws and wings. She’ll be useful. Red flinches when a hand taps his shoulder, peeking from over his shoulder. 

A hermit has his head shoved underwater, glasses floating away from the bridge of his nose. His hand opens, inviting for Red to take it. And for some reason, Red does. Something about his face, his calm smile and jovial eyes eases Red from his wallowing.

“You’ve got quite the lung capacity to stay under there.” The hermit hauls Red out of the water, plopping her onto the grass beside Jessie. 

“I can breathe underwater. It’s not that incredible.” Red mumbles, not willing to meet his eyes. 

“I dunno, that’s pretty sweet in my mind. I’m Joe Hills. My friends just call me Joe.” He offers a hand, his other reaching out and petting Jessie. The dragon chirps, pressing into his palm like a kitten. 

“Red. Why aren’t you training with the others?” Joe stands up, and Red follows him. He isn’t sure why, but Joe just exudes a feeling of comfort, easy and friendly. Standing near Joe alone makes Red’s spirits rise.

“I’m not really the kind of person to fight with weapons. I’m more of a ‘pen is mightier than the sword’ kind of guy. What better way to beat your enemies into submission than with a damning remark on their ill actions towards the safekeeping and prosperous balance that nature provides us?” Joe summits a rise in the plain, plopping down on the grass. Red sits down beside him.

“I think I understood about half of those words, Joe.” The two look out across the battlefield. The training has split off. Some remain with Avon, working on strategy and further practice with fighting. Others have spread across the field, Ecto traveling between groups as they build up traps. Bre works with Stress, setting up potion dispensers. Pierre and Etho play with fire charges.

“Hey Impulse can you help me test this redstone trap?” Tango waves his friend over to the other side of the forest. Impulse takes off from the campground below where Red and Joe sit, watching the work. 

Red isn’t really keen on this whole fighting thing, but she understands that all attempts to talk have faltered. But she asked for the traps to be survivable. Maybe if the hellspawns see that a battle will cause harm, they’ll stop. It’s her hope, at least. But just another thing he can’t do right. He can’t even kill right. She sits, watching Tango explain the setup to Impulse. Tango is covered with redstone, the same color as his red eyes. Impulse was working with water, so he’s a little cleaner. Both laugh, and a glint of something metal appears in Impulse’s hand. 

Red squints to see what it is, but Impulse disappears from view. The ground beneath him has dropped away, and black vapors escape the pit. His head only reappears as he jumps around within the trap. “Is that…?” 

“Wither roses. Quite a poetic flower, I must say. So beautiful and delicate. Yet so...deadly.” Joe hardly looks up from his notes on the field. Red can’t take his eyes off of Impulse. His veins turn black as the wither roses deliver the sickness, and he grabs onto a ladder that was set above the trap, pale hands shaking as he climbs out. He still clutches whatever’s in his hand. 

“He looks like he’s not going to make it!” Red stands, realizing that Impulse is covered in wounds. The wither races across his body, penetrating into his heart and lungs. And the entire time, Tango can hardly breathe. Not from fear. Tango is laughing so loud Red can hear it from the hill he’s atop. Impulse’s writhing stops, but Tango’s cackles don’t. Horror etches across Red’s face as he realizes what’s happened. What kind of sick friend laughs as their friend perishes from wither sickness? Why would Tango not help him? 

A loud crack echoes from the forest, forcing Red to cover his ears and cringe. Joe doesn’t even flinch, used to the crackling noise. He glances over his glasses, seeing the horror on Red’s face be replaced by confusion. 

Impulse is standing up, brushing wither vapors off his shorts and playfully nudging Tango. Tango’s now on the ground, clutching his stomach from laughing so hard. Red wipes her eyes, blinking away the tears as if that was causing her to see things. “What happened? How is he alive?” 

“We’re all carrying totems of Undying. Once Xisuma warned us that there’s no respawn in your world, we all keep them around.” Joe pushes his glasses up his nose. “Do you not know what a totem of undying is?” 

Red shakes his head, and looks back at the pair. Impulse and Tango are looking at the trap that just killed the former, smiling quite proudly at the redstone work. He can see a glint of gold, covering Impulse’s cheek where a thorn had scratched him. The trap is deadly, but it’s possible to escape. Impulse closes it up, so no one else falls in for now. “What is a totem of undying?” 

“You’ve been carrying one around the whole time.” Joe points the feather end of his quill to Red’s backpack. Pointing at the golden statue, haphazardly tied onto the straps like a knick knack. Red sits down, plucking Fred off his string. Running his fingers across the smooth gold, ringing the emerald eyes. “When the holder’s heart stops beating, their soul perishing, it activates the totem. It breaks apart, and the magic instilled in the metal brings them back from death, gold melting into their wounds and healing them. It’s quite a beautiful sight to see up close.” 

Red’s lips form a thin line. Scar gave him this. Why did Scar think he’d need this, or was it a precautionary measure? The idea of having to use such a tool scares Red. But now, he just wants to keep it with him at all times. Red tucks the totem into the pocket of his vest. Just in case. “I’m not going to die. I’m not going to use this. I’m not useless.” 

“You should prove that to your friends. Look across this battlefield, little fish. What’s something we’re missing?” Joe lays out his journal, showing the map of the field. 

Reds eyes look around, noting the traps and offensive moves. His mind remembers something that Blu said, long ago. When they first met the hellspawn. “I’m the most dangerous. But why?” 

He watches a drop of water fall from his hair, quickly drying in the sun. The nether is the realm of fire. The hellspawns are made of fire, of lava and magma. Red remembers the way Blu recoiled from the blast of water that night. The steam and crackling of Endo when he washed over her with a wave. “Water. I can stop them with water! I can defend us all...with water!” 

Joe looks up, grinning as he gazes over his glasses. “And you can do it in a less deadly way than any of their blades of blasts can. You aren’t useless, and I don’t think your friends feel that way either. You just haven’t embraced the strongest side of you.” He nods to where Ecto and Avon are training together, using fire charges to simulate hellfire. 

“Thank you, Mr. Joe Hills!” Red leaps from the hill, running down and through the campground. “I won’t forget this!” 

Red feels the wind brush through his hair, feet pounding across the ground. As joyous and determined as he ever felt. His emotions take over, and soon he’s no longer running. He’s swimming, water pulsing across the grass with him. Easing him over the stakes that would trip him, the pits that would cause him to stumble. 

Crossing the battlefield, he raises ice walls, defending the hills and mounds that archers and fighters plan to make their stand upon. Moving water creates a trench, a moat around the campground, protecting them from all sides. Safe from attacks by land from the nether. Red hasn’t felt this much power, this much energy in his whole life. 

And he nears Ecto and Avon, struggling to defeat one another and avoid the hellfire surrounding them. Always dueling, equal matches for one another. Ecto shoves Avon backwards, and she narrowly avoids falling into fire by spreading her wings and flying. Avon tosses a fire charge, igniting the grass around Ecto. Trapping her. “You’ve been caught by the nether Ecto! Again!” 

Red lets out a holler, the water building up into a wave. The crest of the wave, and Red, comes crashing into the battle. Hellfire extinguishes into sputtering smoke, and both of the wanderers are swept off their feet. Red sees both of them look at her, and she snaps her fingers. “I won’t stay out of trouble. I am the eye of the storm. I am the trouble!” 

Dual whips of water lash out. Both Ecto and Avon narrowly avoid the strike, Avon blocking hers and Ecto dodging to the side. Both are shocked, glancing at one another before looking at Red. The three wanderers, the three friends, sharing a silent conversation without a word being spoken. Seeing the strength each has. The strength that makes them a team, that makes them friends. 

Red begins to laugh, followed by Ecto. And finally, a giggle bubbles free of Avon. Fire burns bright in all their eyes, and Avon launches her trident at Red. He easily blocks the attack, and deflects it towards Ecto. 

The wanderers duel, all three together. Playing like children, laughter ringing across the battlefield. No matter what happens, what the end of this war gives, they’re still together. They’re friends. Allies. 

Wanderers.