#chapter three will be...... ehehehehe.....

[yallstar]

“What was that for?” Viktor asked softly. Jayce smiled wider, tilting his forehead against Viktor’s. “I was happy, I guess."

more art for chapter 2 of differential burdens!

[malewifeharem]

OHH HAIIIII!! SORRY THIS SI THE FIRST ASK IVE EVER DONE. CAN YOU DO BEELZEBUB OR DIAVOLO YANDERE ALPHABET LIST THINGY PLEABSE?!1 THABK YOU!!!1 >ᴗ<

~ MGᝰ.ᐟ

yandere!diavolo alphabet

彡- ,, yandere om! diavolo alphabet (template from @dear-yandere eheheheh)

cw ⁞ OMSWD CHAPTER 16 SPOILERS , mentions of babytrapping, violence, abduction, manipulation, just general yandere behaviour??? not proofread.

an ⁞ FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF TAKING YOUR FIRST ASK??????????? i've never sent an ask cuz im too nervous even with anon mode on haha :3

Affection: How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

his love for you is deep, sure, but you have to remember that he's a crown prince — he doesn't have the time to love you as much as he wishes. he tries to compensate for that by showering you with gifts originating from all three realms, all of them being worth more than your house.

Blood: How messy are they willing to get when it comes to their darling?

he doesn't get messy, no no. barbatos does! he just needs to say the word and his loyal butler will get it done, no doubt. there are probably dozens of bodies rotting in the dungeons below the castle, but that's not for you to see or worry about.

Cruelty: How would they treat their darling once abducted? Would they mock them?

i can see his duality switching up very quickly depending on his mood. he could either be gently cooing to you, almost begging for you to not cry. OR he could be really sadistic and cruel, taunting you to no end — reminding you that you are his for the rest of your life — both as a human and as a devil and angel.

Darling: Aside from abduction, would they do anything against their darling’s will?

he guilt trips you to noooooo end. what do you mean his gifts are too expensive for you? do you hate him? well, if you don't, you simply must accept them all! he gives you no room for negotiation, how could you anyway? his parents aren't around anymore, don't you feel sorry for him?

Exposed: How much of their heart do they bare to their darling? How vulnerable are they when it comes to their darling?

he doesn't like showing you his vulnerable side. he needs to be strong so you can rely on him, after all! thank god (is god the right word for him???) he's spent decades learning how to maintain his composure.

Fight: How would they feel if their darling fought back?

he would intimidate you into breaking your resolve. he would transform into his demon form and coerce you with threats like tying you up in the basement. i don't think he'd ever actually do that though — he knows human lives are fragile.

Game: Is this a game to them? How much would they enjoy watching their darling try to escape?

he takes his relationship with you very seriously. he expects you to rule next to him — he still needs to prepare you for that role, so don't you dare leave.

Hell: What would be their darling’s worst experience with them?

although diavolo would never keep you in the castle basement, he will throw you in there for a few minutes just to scare you. he did it once as a last resort after you threw a fit — locking you in one of the clean cells. you were quickly fished out though, he can't risk having you go around and finding the corpses of the people you know.

Ideals: What kind of future do they have in mind for/with their darling?

he wants you to rule devildom next to him so marriage is a given. having heirs is up to you but he will be very disappointed if you say you don't want any — he may even consider baby trapping you at one point. he probably gives you etiquette lessons too, making sure you know your role in the near future.

Jealousy: Do they get jealous? Do they lash out or find a way to cope?

he gets very jealous but doesn't want to admit it to you. he'll find excuses for getting rid of your close friends and family — you've heard some absurd reasons before but you don't dare question him.

Kisses: How do they act around or with their darling?

very very affectionate. he likes to keep you around him as much as he can. whether or not that means resting in his bedroom, lounging in his office while he works or sitting on his lap on his throne. he's shameless too, he'll initiate pda anywhere and anytime he wants.

Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

he cant decide if he should properly court you or just claim you as his immediately. he is the prince of hell, how and who are you to say no? he ends up choosing to court you instead but he runs out of patience eventually, and just abducts you with the assistance of barbatos.

Mask: Are their true colors drastically different from the way they act around everyone else?

although you'll most likely never see his true colors, he's literally insane. if it weren't for his amazing composure, he'd be lashing out at everyone and everything for even breathing the same air as you. you've noticed him tense up to the point where he's almost shaking from rage. (he's gonna pop and burst like a balloon eheh)

Naughty: How would they punish their darling?

if it's a light sentence, he lightly slap your face and remind you to obey. if you've done something horrendous, he'll lock you in his room till you've learnt your lesson. he's sick, while he carries on with his day, he imagines you clawing at the door, begging to be released from your confinement. (i dont think it wld get that far)

Oppression: How many rights would they take away from their darling?

you're not allowed to go out of the castle grounds. the gardens are still available to you but anywhere outside of the fences is a no no for you. you're not allowed to talk to any staff and angels except barbatos. he and the brothers are for you to use at your disposal, feel free to work them to the bone if that's what you wished.

Patience: How patient are they with their darling?

you may mistake him for being patient since he's quick to forgive you for your insolence but no. he's not used to not getting what he wants immediately, but he will forgive you easily. (aka he's impatient)

Quit: If their darling dies, leaves, or successfully escapes, would they ever be able to move on?

death isn't an escape for you, it doesn't matter if you're reborn as an angel or devil in your next life — he will have you either way. screw harmony between the three realms, he'll start another celestial war if it means he can have you.

Regret: Would they ever feel guilty about abducting their darling? Would they ever let their darling go?

he doesn't feel guilty at all. he has never been told no before in his royal upbringing and he feels entitled to have you to himself.

"only a fool would let go of a girl like you."

Stigma: What brought about this side of them (childhood, curiosity, etc)?

his mother passed early in his childhood and he hasn't seen his dad in decades or even centuries. no one around him is comfortable enough to talk to him normally till innocent you arrived in the devildom. you're too precious to him, he wants to know more about you. no, he needs to know — everything about you.

Tears: How do they feel about seeing their darling scream, cry, and/or isolate themselves?

he'll gently coo at you, telling you that everything will be fine as long as you're with him. what could possibly harm you when he's the future king? (you yourself, duh)

Unique: Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

(skip... if someone cld tell me what a classic yandere is pls do)

Vice: What weakness can their darling exploit in order to escape?

if you could somehow get in contact with the angels, you could get them to rescue you. although, in doing so, you might just start a war between the two realms.

Wit’s end: Would they ever hurt their darling?

physically no, but he likes using fear to instill obedience in you. (read H)

Xoanon: How much would they revere or worship their darling? To what length would they go to win their darling over?

he quite literally kisses the ground you walk on, going as far as to collect some of your belongings to worship. he wouldn't build a shrine but he does secretly store all of them in a little safe in the corner of his room.

Yearn: How long do they pine after their darling before they snap?

after the events of the first game. he was really tempted to abduct you after belphegor almost offed you though. (do the calculations yourself ehe)

Zenith: Would they ever break their darling?

i don't think he would intentionally break you, but he also fails to realize that the fear and paranoia he puts you in is leading you down the same path. (so yes but unintentionally)

[klm-zoflorr]

Guess who made a new fic... Eheheh.... Eheheheh.... This was mostly just a silly idea but I really like the concept. Basically, somewhere else/jmj error/post s5, but the guys (all three, yes) are just chilling in a cabin. Oh, and jmart are having a divorce. Here's the first line because I am really proud of it:

Elias comes home to Jon laying on the couch in his underwear and Martin rotting away outside.

[warrior-of-storms]

Fic Rec Friday #12 - 5/23/25

Title - on practical applications of qualitative analysis

Author - merils/@mamawasatesttube

Rating - Teen

Content Warning(s) - No Archive Warnings Apply

Fandom(s) - DC (comics)

Character(s) - Tim Drake, Conner Kent

Relationship(s) - TimKon

Word Count - 14,227

My thoughts - ehehehehe I love this fic dearly. It came out like three days ago but it's amazing <3 I actually saw a couple snippets from it months ago, and the pure excitement I felt when I saw that it was finished is second only to when I got the email that one of my favorite fics had posted its final chapter last year.

They're both dorks <3 Tim especially is so, so smart and yet so incredibly dumb. If anyone was going to need two whole spreadsheets to realize that they're in love with their best friend, it would be him. He's just Like That (affectionate).

Idk what to tell you, if the idea of Tim making spreadsheets to decide if he likes Kon or not isn't enough to make you read this I don't know what would be. Mayhaps the fact that Kon gets a look at the spreadsheets too and bakes a pie about it? Just read it, it's so much fun.

[cookiehusky799]

The Takeover Aftermath

Chapter three: Varian and the Terrible, Awful, No-Good Stomachache

Varian was the first to wake up from hearing the clock dinging. Beside him, Rapunzel groaned, but didn’t get up. He looked at the chameleon on one of the pillows. He opened his eyes and yawned. Pascal stretched with his tongue out, causing the boy to giggle.

“Morning, Pascal.” he whispered, not wanting to bother Rapunzel while she’s sleeping.

Suddenly, Varian felt his stomach wake up and getting ready to start rumbling.

He clutched it, glaring down at his stomach.

“Don’t you dare wake her up.” the alchemist warned it.

Surprisingly, his stomach obeyed and settled on giving a low rumble. Varian chuckled quietly to himself. “Thank you.”

The alchemist thought it was funny that he’s talking to his stomach.

This reminded him of how he always wake up really hungry in the mornings.

Pascal squeaked to get his attention. “What is it, Pascal?”

The chameleon pointed at the clock. “The…clock?” Pascal nodded then gesture to the sleeping princess.

Varian gasped. “You’re right! We supposed to free my dad!”

He shook Rapunzel urgently. “Princess! Wake up, wake up!”

Rapunzel shot up, startled. “What? What’s wrong?”

Pascal grumbled at Varian who grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Rapunzel. Nothing’s wrong. I-I should’ve woken you up gently.”

The princess gave a sigh of relief. “It’s a good thing you did. We’re supposed to try to free your father.”

“Yeah…. My dad.” Varian gulped. “I-I still got a very bad feeling about this. If it does work, how-how I’m gonna to tell him what I done?” He pulled the covers up until his mouth was covered. “ I-I don’t think I can tell him. What if he gets mad and-and-and say I’m a bad son. What if -“

Rapunzel pulled him into a hug, causing him to let go of the covers. “Varian. He won’t say that. He’ll probably understand that you had no choice. And if it helps….I can tell him for you.”

He looked up at her. “You…you would do that?”

“Yes.”

Varian smiled. “Thanks, Rapunzel.”

Just then, they heard growling coming the boy’s stomach. He pulled away from her, startled. Varian put his hand on his belly. “Uh…Eheheheh. Excuse me.”

Rapunzel giggled. “I was wondering when your stomach’s gonna start growling!”

Pascal walked over to the covers. “I always wake up really hungry in the mornings.” Varian said.

The princess looked at him with concern. “During the takeover?”

Varian nodded. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Since you’re fifteen, your body needs more energy. I’m sure my mom explained puberty to you, right?”

Varian’s eyes widened and blushed. “Y-yeah!” he squeaked. “Please don’t explain again!”

Rapunzel smiled in amusement while Pascal laughed. “I won’t. Well, it falls into you being constantly hungry. Did your body ached every so often?”

The alchemist looked away, rubbing his arm. “Yeah. Mostly when I’m working.”

Rapunzel hummed in confirmation. “Your body is just growing. Speaking of, I thought you literally had a goatee! What made you draw one?”

The alchemist gave a nervous chuckle. “I uh, from Flynn Rider. Look, I wanna look cool with the Saporians!”

Suppressed laughter came from the princess. “It’s not funny! Leave me alone!” Varian cried, covering his face in embarrassment.

Rapunzel managed to get herself together. “Sorry, Varian.”

Just then, the alchemist’s nose picked up the scent of food being cooked. He lowered his hands, sniffing the air. “ What is it?” asked Rapunzel.

Varian looked at her. “Heh. I can smell breakfast coming from the royal kitchen.”

The princess raised an eyebrow amused. “ Really? What exactly do you smell?”

“I don’t know. An…awful lot of food is cooking.”

Pascal went over to the alchemist. He stood up on his hind legs, pressing himself against the boy’s stomach. Varian looked down at him puzzled. “Uh, Pascal? What are you doing?”

The chameleon furrowed his eyebrows in concern. He then hugged himself.

“I think he can sense you’re still stressed and wants to make you feel better.” Rapunzel guessed.

Pascal chirped, giving Varian’s stomach a pat with his claw. The alchemist felt his heart melt at this. He’s so sweet. I bet him and Ruddiger would make great friends. Pascal went back to hugging him.

Suddenly, Pascal heard Varian’s stomach growling loudly, causing him to squeak in fear and ran under a pillow. Varian clutched his belly. “Sorry! Sorry! Pascal, that was just my stomach!”

The chameleon peaked out from the pillow. He turned red in embarrassment before crawling on Rapunzel to sit in on her shoulder.

“Did it felt a wild animal coming to get you?” Rapunzel joked. Pascal nodded, still shaken up.

Varian blushed. “ Um…Y-you’re not the only one who mistake my stomach for a wild animal. Ruddiger got scared by it when I was trying to find a way to free my father.”

His stomach growled again and the alchemist grimaced. “Yeah, I think I’m hungry enough to eat breakfast.”

“DID SOMEBODY SAY BREAKFAST?”

Varian yelped, grabbing some of Rapunzel’s hair then hid behind it, causing the princess to let out a small shriek of pain.

Eugene and Lance came in the room with a cart of food.

Eugene noticed the boy hiding behind Rapunzel. He glared at Lance. “ Great job, Lance. You scared the kid!”

The large man winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

Rapunzel went calm Varian down. “It’s okay, Varian. It was just Lance.”

Varian nervously peeked out, seeing Eugene and Lance. “Oh. Um..Good morning.”

“Sorry for scaring you, kid.” Lance apologized. “That was my bad.”

The alchemist didn’t say anything. He just put Rapunzel’s hair back. Varian gave her an apologetic look to which the princess smiled at him, telling him it’s alright.

Rapunzel looked at the food on the cart. “So…. is that for us?” she asked, pointing at the cart.

Eugene nodded. “ We did it mostly for Varian. I figured he’ll be very hungry first thing in morning and-“ He heard Varian’s stomach growling. “-I was right.”

The alchemist chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed his stomach to quiet it. “You didn’t have to.”

Lance shook his head. “We absolutely do have to! You need all the food you need to grow up big and strong!”

Eugene laid out the tray to set the food down. Lance set out what it looks like a buffet on the tray. “I hope you like it. We may have….gone overboard.”

The two men left the room so Rapunzel and Varian could eat.

Varian looked at the food nervously. So that’s what I’d smelled earlier. “ That’s-that’s a lot of food.”

Rapunzel put her hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to eat much, Varian. Just eat until you’re full.”

The alchemist rubbed his stomach again. Part of him wanted to eat but knowing he was going to see his village again sent butterflies fluttering around in his belly. Despite that, his stomach still called out for food. He tried to push the feeling away as he grabbed the utensils to eat.

Varian was not looking forward to going back home.

“All set.” Rapunzel has Maximus to take them to Old Corona. She packed everything that will be needed for the trip.

Rapunzel climbed on the wagon. “Are you ready, Varian?” And that’s when she noticed that there’s no sign of the alchemist.

Then Rapunzel heard someone moaning behind her. She turned her head. “Varian? Come on, Varian!”

“I’m coming.” groaned Varian.

He was moving slowly to the wagon. The alchemist held on to his overly stuffed stomach. Varian regretted eating more than he should’ve.

He felt pain shot in his middle. Oh my sun, I never had a stomachache this bad!

Varian can hear it gurgling, obviously very upset. Regrets! Regrets! Why did I eat those pancakes? And three french toast? I’m usually not one to stuff my face!

Stopping by the wagon, he groaned again. Varian began rubbing his stomach to try to soothe it. What was I thinking?!

Rapunzel saw the discomfort and pain on his face. She watched him struggle to climb in the wagon. “What’s wrong?”

Varian winced.“I….I-I think I ate too much.” he told her.

Rapunzel’s eyebrows furrowed. “Oh, Varian. You’re nervous.”

The alchemist nodded. “It’s my first time going back home since..” Varian gulped. “T-the battle.”

Rapunzel gave him a reassuring smile. “I know. It’s going to be a long trip so try to enjoy the ride.”

Varian grinned sheepishly at her before going back to nursing his stomach.

Rapunzel turned to Maximus. “Let’s go, Max. Just…go slow.” The horse nodded firmly and set off.

The princess admired the sights as they rode past the trees. She loved the outdoors so much. Loved it ever since she first stepped out the tower.

The alchemist on the other hand was trying to enjoy the sights, but his stomachache and nerves was getting to him. He’s still worried about what his dad would react when he tells him his villainous deeds.

Guilt twisted his belly once again. Varian can’t catch a break. He groaned as his stomach ached. “I’m sorry, Varian.” said Rapunzel.

“No, I should be the one who’s sorry. I did this to myself.”

Suddenly, Varian heard his stomach grumbling. Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.

“Are you okay, Varian?” asked Rapunzel, seeing him freeze.

Varian bit his lip. He didn’t want to tell her that he has to throw up. Well… he did once told her during their adventure down in the tunnels. The alchemist can’t do that to her.

“Yeah…I’m fine.” replied Varian. He hated how his voice squeaked at the end.

Unfortunately, Rapunzel didn’t believe him.

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Varian tried to look anywhere else but her. The alchemist’s stomach grumbled again, but louder. He flinched at the noise, gritting his teeth. Varian held his belly tightly in effort to steady it.

I hope she didn’t hear that. The wagon moving isn’t helping my stomach settle.

Rapunzel grew more worried. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can hear your stomach grumbling.” She wasn’t sure why he isn’t telling him what’s going on when there’s clearly something wrong with him.

Varian just wished she’d stop asking questions. Great, she heard it. Why wouldn’t she?

“Y-yeah! Yup! Just a normal stomachache. Totally n-not a throwing up stomachache.”

He realized he gave himself away. Varian open his mouth to backtrack what he meant to say, but all it came out was a belch. Rapunzel gasped. The alchemist slapped his hands to his mouth, embarrassed.

“Excuse me.”

Rapunzel told Max to stop the wagon. The horse came into a halt. The princess placed her hand on Varian’s stuffed belly. She gasped at how big it was. “Varian, you look like you’re gonna burst! No wonder you were moving so slow.”

Varian groaned. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I tried to not think about what my dad would think of what I’d done.” He then chuckled. “But at the same time I was really hungry. So…heh, guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach.”

He chuckled again but stopped when he felt a wave of nausea come over him. Rapunzel saw the color drain from his face. “Varian?”

The alchemist now knew that there’s no way to control it.

Varian looked at her, eyes widened. “ I’m so sorry, Rapunzel……I-I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Now it was Rapunzel’s turn to widened her eyes. The alchemist heard his stomach let out an angry growl and with that, he gagged. Varian quickly covered his mouth, jumping off the wagon. Rapunzel and Maximus watched him raced behind some bushes.

The sound of him losing his breakfast made them both wince.

“Poor thing. He’s going through a lot.” Rapunzel murmured.

Max flattened his ears in concern. He feels bad for the kid.

This went on for twenty minutes until Varian had nothing left in his stomach. “Ugh. I’m done.” he said.

Rapunzel climbed off the wagon. She has to help Varian relax and take some of those worries away.

Varian stumbled out of the bushes. He kept his gaze down. “I…didn’t want you to see that.”

She spotted some bile in the corners of his mouth and immediately she pulled out her handkerchief. “Here. To clean your face.”

Varian grabbed the handkerchief, blushing. He cleaned his mouth with it. “Thanks. Um… do-do you want me to keep it or-“

“I-I think you should keep it on you.” Rapunzel suggested, holding her hand up.

Varian rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Heh. That’s fair.” He stuffed the handkerchief in his apron pocket.

“Do you… feel better?”

“A little.”

Rapunzel guide the boy back on the wagon. “We can take a break for now. Let’s just focus on getting you better.” she told him.

Varian didn’t respond. He still feels queasy after throwing up. But he’s glad for the break.

The princess looked down at his stomach. It didn’t seem as stuffed as before. But she can still hear it making noises. “I’m going to rub your stomach. It should help it calm down.”

“O-okay.” came Varian’s reply.

Rapunzel put her hand on the alchemist’s belly and started to rub it in gentle circles. Varian felt so embarrassed for letting the Princess of Corona tending to his stomachache but at this point he doesn’t even care. He was in so much pain.

Varian winced when his stomach gurgled loudly. “Ohhhhh, my aching digestive system!” he moaned.

Max whined upon hearing the sound. The alchemist was not getting any relief. “Princess, I don’t think this is working.”

Rapunzel stopped rubbing his stomach. “You’re right.”

Varian groaned again.

She thinks of another way to cue his stomachache. “Hmmm. I’d heard that chamomile is good for stomachaches. Maybe I can find some.”

The princess got out the wagon and started looking for chamomile. Varian watched her with interest.

Luckily, Rapunzel found a patch of chamomile. She picked a few before heading back.

“Look, Varian! Some chamomile!” said Rapunzel excitedly.

The alchemist gave a small smile through the pain. “You know, they’re also good for nerves too.”

“Really? That’s great! This can help you take those worries away.”

Varian’s smile faded. “Yeah….”

Rapunzel got back in the wagon. She set the flowers aside and placed her hands on Varian’s shoulders.

“I will be there to explain everything to him.” she told him firmly.

Varian gave her a nervous look. “But I-I don’t want my dad to get mad at you.”

With him growing up an only child, the alchemist was starting to see her as an older sister. He wants to defend her from his father’s wrath as she did with him against everyone not trusting him.

It’s the least he could do.

“Oh, Varian. Don’t worry about me. I can handle it.” reassured Rapunzel. Varian wasn’t so sure. He can tell she’s putting up a brave front just for him.

His belly grumbled loudly and the alchemist whimpered in pain.

“Ok, let’s get your stomach better.” She held out the chamomile to him. Varian took three of them, chewing with an disgusted expression.

He swallowed before sticking out his tongue. “Bleh! Why do I feel like a herbivore eating that?”

Max nickered aloud in laughter. Rapunzel giggled at his use of scientific words.

“I hope you feel better. We’ll stay here until you’re ready to continue.”

Varian nodded. He covered his mouth to burp. “Um…C-can you r-rub my stomach again?”

Rapunzel smiled. “Sure. Don’t be feel embarrassed about asking.”

The two sat for a good forty minutes. Varian chuckled weary. “I can’t seem to catch a break, huh?” he said, breaking the silence.

Rapunzel smiled sadly. “You and me both. But we got each other’s backs.”

“Heh. That’s right.”

Varian noticed that his stomach doesn’t hurt that much anymore. Thank goodness for the chamomile!

“I’m starting to feel better, Princess.” He told her.

Rapunzel beamed. “That’s great, Varian!”

Then she got concerned. “So….are you ready to continue?”

The alchemist swallowed. He’s still worried about his dad’s reaction to his villainous actions but then remembered that Rapunzel will be there to help. Varian ate the last chamomile to be on safe side.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded firmly. “Yes. Ready as I’ll ever be.”

[thefinalpages]

The Final Pages Basic Info

Before I create the first official post for TFP, here's a brief rundown of some of the lore so you guys can have a bit of material to work with when asking questions :]

Starting points

The blog takes place pre-game, but will be primarily audience driven in terms of story. “The Final Pages” was the name of the original project I had in mind for this blog, but I’m keeping it for this askblog since I can’t think of any better name for it and it’s not like that name is unfitting or anything. I’m thinking it’s also got a lore implication ehehehehe

Toons

Bendy: Usual cheeky trickster guy. Enjoys pranks and mischief. Surprisingly mature (sort of.) First toon to be brought to life by Joey. Can be very sassy and witty. He’s quick on his feet as well. Enjoys practicing ballet. Can behave very cat-like most of the time.

Boris: Mute. He’s kind of doofy and clumsy. A little airheaded, but very loyal. He’s the same height as Norman, so he’s taller than all of the workers. He’s also surprisingly strong. He speaks through gestures and sign language. 

Alice: Sweet and caring, though they’re both her greatest strengths and her greatest weaknesses. Can over worry about people. Part of her lore in the show is that she was kicked out of heaven and has the goal of trying to earn her wings back. Values femininity highly.

After Bendy was created, Boris was made soon after and Alice was the last one made. Boris was created imperfectly but his only problem was his lack of ability to speak. The three live in an area in the upper part of the studio that’s been customized to resemble a small apartment. They all view both Henry and Joey as their fathers. This means they see each other more like siblings, even if not necessarily by blood (so they think, anyway.) They’re allowed to mostly free roam the studio, they just can’t go too far into some of the depths and aren’t allowed in Joey’s office. The toons have no clue how they were created exactly, and Joey is really the only one with full knowledge. Toons have purple blood and lavender colored blush and tears. They also have color at the bottom of their eyes to imply what their human eye color would be. This post shows their designs.

Humans

They pretty much act similar to their canon counterparts, but you can refer to this post for a few bullet points on each individual worker. For the start, I’m going to stick with the workers introduced in chapters 1 and 2 and gradually build on and add more of the canon workers from there.

Beginning post will be coming next! I hope y'all are as excited as I am :D 

[antimony-medusa]

New Job Posted by [Crowfather]!

New Job Posted by [Crowfather]! Rain Shield over Ranboo and Aimsey’s Home. Our ender neighbours are allergic to the rain. I will generously pay someone to construct a glass shield over their house and a two-chunk radius around it (do NOT continue the shield in such a way that it covers any part of the lake). This job takes 22,464 blocks of glass (provided), and pays three emerald blocks (shiny). Claimed by: Bekyamon [PAID] OR: The Crowfather has some tasks he wants people to do.

Status: 1/1 chapters, updated 25 December, 1,980 words

Fandom: Origins SMP

Rating: Teen

Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Characters: Brendan Thro | Sneegsnag, Crowfather (Origins SMP), Phil Watson | Philza

Relationships: Brendan Thro | Sneegsnag & Phil Watson | Philza, Origins SMP Ensemble & Phil Watson | Philza

Tags: Zine: Unconventional Format, chatfic, Grief/Mourning, Bromance, Or read it as romance if you wish, Loyalty, the fucking spider spawner (origins smp), Comedy, Phil Watson | Philza-centric

And the OTHER thing I wrote for Yuletide— so Yuletide is an exchange with like 1200 people in it, and every year as we get closer and closer to the deadline they post emergency pinch hits as like, someone having posted a placeholder is discovered, a fic is deleted, someone with an extension doesn't make it— etc. And every year I go oh man! Someone's gotta write a story in a day! Good luck! One year I saw someone turn around a pinch-hit with an eight-hour deadline. But every year they do it, and the exchange opens on time, and everyone gets their present on the 25th. And then this year an emergency pinch hit posted with a day to go, and it was Origins SMP and I went oh wait. Oh man. Can I write a full fic really fast. I've trained for this in 48 hour exchange. Come on, no gods no masters, write a good fic Very Fast.

So this is the result! The prompt was Unconventional Formats, Hybrid headcanons and hybrid issues in MCYT stories, and Phil-Centric, and I thought of Phil's crow father lore that he never got the chance to do. And I sat down with my 24 hours of deadline, went "the whole exchange has to be held if you don't get this done" and then I wrote it in six hours and then went to collapse. And it was the last emergency pinch hit that posted before the exchange went up! So I saw yuletide post with an especial eheheheh I helped sort of emotion. And I'm pretty proud of the result! I hope you enjoy!

[thecubspeaks]

izarrrrrrrr i’m gonna gnaw my own hand off. pacing around my enclosure and gesturing wildly at chapter 6 with increasing fervor. it was just gut punch after gut punch (i’m having a fantastic time)

eheheheh

i knew that gale's truly wild behaviour in act three was going to be a big sticking point, but i didn't realise until i was actually writing it that they were obviously not actually going to be able to reach an understanding over it (at least in the short term, they will figure it out, though i still feel like the jury's out on if that's a good thing)

[dynamic-k]

here is my question for the day- its so late because i couldn't find anything to ask about.

For The Spark AU:

How is Quarter involved in the future of The Spark, and will Klee and Demo be with him? (i think that's their names but I'm not quite sure)

What species are Chosen and Second? And what does this mean for their powers?

Does Second have powers? What about the mercs?

WHAT ABOUT VIC-

Are RGBY or CG and Dark going to be here? I think you've said you haven't decided before, but I wanted to ask again to be sure.

For Super Sticks:

What is Vic's current relationship with Agent? Will Vic continue working with Rocket after he serves his jail sentence?

Will he join in on the heroing? OOOH- He could do like undercover missions and such!! Or maybe be a sniper >:D

With Agent now in control of Rocket, and having set up the hero system again, I can kind of imagine him and Vic's roles being switched. Now Vic is doing the hero stuff while Agent is advising him- kinda. idk if that will actually happen tho. Their relationship seems... a bit strained I guess? dunno how to say it.

VLR HKLT QEB PMFK-LCC XR F CFOPQ JBKQFLKBA, FK JV CFOPQ XPH QL VLR? TBII, F'SB ZLJB RM TFQE X KXJB CLO FQ! FQ'P LCCFZFXIIV ZXIIBA 'PRMBO PQFZHP - QEB YRQQBOCIV BCCBZQ [LOFDFKXI YV PZXOIBQQ_MXOHBO]'.

well... I hope you can decipher what the message means :D & Have a great day!!

-R

:D ANOTHER SPARK AU ASKK!! [*happy feet tappies*]

Quarter is gonna show up again, but uhhhh, real close to the last two-three chapters, and yes, he will be with Demo and Kree. :3 I have a silly scene planned- XD Cause I wanted the three to interact just a little bit more, before The Spark (first edition) was brought to completion. :3

SPECIES NAME, can't say yet. It's a surprise. I have one, I'm SO HAPPY WITH IT, my sister Meara helped me come up with one, and there are technically two names like how we are Homo Sapiens, but are referred to as humans. Chosen and Second are known as a double-word species title, with a single-word title as the generic more commonly said name.

:D You'll seeeeee~

Second has a core, at the very least. Which, uh, is not the same as superpowers as I have previously explained. But whether or not that core has the capacity for abilities like Chosen's is unknown to the audience for the time being.

Any and all mercenary-related possible lack of or possession of powers is also a surprise.

TS!Victim got nothing. XD Zilch.

Yeah, no CG or Dark for now. I may have plans for the sequel, though they're fairly vague. This entire AU spawned from a dream I had, and it was literally just Sec and Cho for the most part- XD

For SUPER STICKS! :D Two AU's in one ask! Ehehehehe

SS!Vic's current relationship with SS!Agent? ...Friends? Vic doesn't know how good on terms he is with Agent. Vic hasn't seen the guy in years, not even when he dropped off the gift in Arc One. Sure, Vic has heard from his brothers that Rocket is doing well, and so he gathers that Agent accepted the position Vic gave to him in the letter. But other than that, without Agent reaching out to contact Vic, Vic is left a little in the dark [:3] about where they are at, relationship-wise. Does Agent still consider him a friend? Is he perhaps okay with Vic now, but still mad for Ballista's sake and has decided to avoid Vic?

In reality: Agent is just- SO BUSY. He's running a whole corporation now, and there are quite a few promblemsies. We're actually super close to that point in the plot, where I start to add in little scenes that explain more specifically what's up with Agent and Hazard at Rocket.

Chapter 8 does include a Hazard scene!! [what does he do, i wonder] :D Little information sneaky peaky for you patient readers, I'm so sorry that this chapter is taking me so long-

What Vic ends up doing after his sentence is done with, is all up for debate at the moment. I can't reveal that information yet. Partly because I'm still considering my options to bring out the best in Arc Two's potential, and partially because spoilers. :3

Vic joining in on the heroing as "[*announcer voice, with echoes*] the Silver Ladybug!" or something like that-

XD I love it, I really do. I just can't say whether or not he actually will in the end of things. I mean- It's likely- Knowing what things I tend to favor over others, uh- XD Hollowhead brother fluff and bonding is just really up there on that list, so it's not gonna be a :O SURPRISE! exactly if at the conclusion Vic joins the Ladybug brother squad.

Anyway, back to Agent and Vic's relationship cause you asked and then I got distracted reminiscing and pondering on possible Vic hero shenaniganery-

Agent is totally okay with Vic. He watched the expression on Vic's face as the grey hollowhead approached Agent and Hazard's doorstep with the gift. He picked up on the wistful nature that the letter tone was written with. He understood that Vic had thought about what he had been doing and was trying to start anew and make ammends.

Mono is very understanding and always has been. He's completely forgiven Vic. BUT HE'S REALLY BUSY RIGHT NOW- XD SO SO BUSY- I legitimately have fluff scenes planned where caring-cousin-Hazard has to MAKE Agent rest and take care of himself because he's overworking himself trying to get everything running smoothly. [Specifics on what problems exactly are plaguing Rocket, are actually very lore-heavy and will be elaborated upon later: in the plot itself-]

Agent and Vic's roles being swapped around is another thing to think about, if Vic officially joins the Ladybug brothers by his sentence's end. Mentor-figure Agent and Vic being the one on the field. It's something to think about that now has me really excited for bringing Arc Two to it's conclusion!! :D I'M ALL HYPED UP!! Why am I thinking about the end- I have to do the middle still- And only I can do it, because only I have the knowledge of where things are going- jrbgkeralgkjerjgelkaqgqwrne

THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN ARC TWO-

It will be worth it once I figure things out and start proceeding with the story again on a smoother basis than how it is now. Even if my brain is just a little bit more hyperfixated on The Spark-

Agent and Vic's relationship... being strained... Uhm, well- At one point, it was. Now, not so much, although it isn't like they've officially talked things out due to how hectic things are at Rocket right now.

:D You know what!! :D YOU GUYS GET ANOTHER SNEAKY PEAKY SNIPPET! For being so good to me! All your feedback, comments, screams and feral shrieking of adoration, ASKS, kudos, spammed emojis- ALL OF IT. U v U I love you all so much.

I'll include it underneath the cut at the end, just in case some people would like to avoid it. Even with as tiny tiiiny as it is-

But it's Hazard related, and also sheds a little light on what direction Chapter 8 is taking, ehehe~

-

" YOU KNOW THE SPIN-OFF AU I FIRST MENTIONED, IN MY FIRST ASK TO YOU? WELL, I'VE COME UP WITH A NAME FOR IT! IT'S OFFICIALLY CALLED 'SUPER STICKS - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT [ORIGINAL BY SCARLETT_PARKER]'. "

YooOOOOOOOOoooOOooooOoo!!! :D THAT'S A COOL NAME!! Wheeeee~~!!

You have no idea how ecstatic I am at the fact you've went and made a whole spin-off AU of my original- LIKE- MY FANFIC HAS THAT MUCH IMPACT ON THE FANDOM THAT- WHAAAT-

Ehehehee I deciphered~

Alright: snippetty shpippetty below for thou~

- - - -

"See, uh," Hazard drew in an almost sheepish breath as he steeled himself for something. Vic leaned forward expectantly, grey eyes wide and curious. "The main reason I'm here today, aside from seeing how you were doing..."

Vic caught the flicker of worry and uncertainty behind Hazard's serious expression, so different from the more lighthearted one displayed just a minute ago. Something curdled in Vic's gut and his own features began to look concerned.

"We had a break-in." Hazard finally met Vic's eyes directly.

- - - -

[*evil author cackles fill the room*]

[kithtaehyung]

hi...i just read three tangerines and WHEWWWW you are so evil for that cus the way i forgot i was in my bed when i was reading. and the way you wrote yoongi was so hot; him calling her doll and even making sure she wanted to continue even though he was desperate T__T ...THE CHAIN TOO OMG THAT GOT ME SO BADDD and idk why but i imagined this yoongi with orange hair hehe 🍊 anyways, thank u for writing three tangerines, i loved it and will definitely read the rest too <3

LMAOOO well hello! okay so true story.. idk what in the hell i was on when i wrote that HAHAHA like i finally went back to reread it the other week and i was like.. "what... what the fuuuuuc? what the hell was i thinking??"😂 anyway. i'm so happy you enjoyed it and your reblog made me smile so big sdkljfsdklf THE CHAINS ARE GONNA MAKE A COMEBACK TRUST MEEEEEE

orange hair, huh? that's actually.. huge, and you're so rude to yourself for doing that LOL. if you do want true visuals, we didn't get any irl until haegeum yoongi, so that's 3tan yoongi if you wanna imagine him until.. a certain chapter eheheheh

i saw that you put the masterlist on your tbr so i'm giddy af! have fun and take your time with that series, savor it bc it ramps up once you hit Basketball (we warn everyone bc it's pretty true ahaha)

seriously, love that you put commentary and reached out! it means the world omfg. happy reading and i'm ready to scream whenever you are if you keep going mwahaha

[tealenko]

The Three Letters (Chapter 8)

Chapter 8: The Path of the Deathless

Here we are, finally!!! XD Wanted to post one more chapter before going back to work (I wasn't expecting to make it in time though ehehehehe)

So, I promised to change the ending of RotTR and here you have it. Without a doubt, this chapter cost me way more to write than any of the others. I really like the end result, I think (I feel proud that I somehow made it work lol)

Hope you like it too

Summary: Lara makes it to the Divine Source just in time to try to stop Ana from making a huge mistake but, not wanting to listen to reason, this one threatens to harm Jacob in order to reach it.

Words: 4464 Rating: Teens and Up Warnings: death and all that stuff (nothing too graphic though, just a light show)

All Chapters -> [link] Read in AO3 -> [link]

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

The bow tenses against her chin in a way that’s completely new to her.

“…”

Ana’s arm rises. 

Her own answers instantly, more a reflex than a chosen action.

“No.” Lara orders, while she pulls from the string even more, feeling the pain as it leaves a mark against her skin.

The bow is almost an extension of her own being at this point in time, but the way she’s holding it right now is a novelty. She doesn’t recognize this strange force, doesn’t know where it comes from and, most importantly, she doesn’t seem to care.

“Step back.” Lara orders.

There’s no pleading nor asking in her words, neither is she attempting to make a deal, instead she takes a step forward, with her eyes focused on her target like never before in her life, repeating her command in an even more demanding tone of voice.

“Step. Back.”

But Ana doesn’t.

There’s only one thing remaining between her and the Divine Source and she isn’t going to stop now that she’s so close to reaching it.

Having this in mind, and trusting the fact that, despite their differences, the closest thing she’s ever had to a daughter won’t have the guts to kill her, she finishes raising her trembling hand and points it to her own target.

“This is the only…”

That’s all she’s able to say before she notices how mistaken she truly is.

The arrow flies so fast that she’s unable to see it, but she quickly feels it as it impacts against her knee.

“Shit!”

Ana falls to the ground, screaming in pain and, before she has the time to realize what has happened, Lara has already started running, to her surprise, not towards her, but in the opposite direction, way too preoccupied by whom the gun was pointing to be even remotely worried about the person holding it.

“Jacob…” Lara almost whispers, losing the strength of her voice as she reaches him, seeing now the true depth of his wounds.

“Yeah…” He replies in a similar tone of voice, doing his best to keep standing. “Had to go through a lot to be able to get to y… To get here.”

Lara’s hands move, without her own permission, to hold his in between them and, as a result, all he can do is dedicate a look of delight to her.

“Glad to see you’ve made it in one piece, though.” He jokes, doing his best to keep standing. “I must be getting too old to keep up with you. ”

She gets lost for a moment, to the point where she isn’t able to see or hear anything else that isn’t Jacob. If she could, she would have noticed by now the sounds coming from outside the vast room, caused by the army of deathless soldiers as they gather all their forces.

But she doesn’t.

His smile pierces her soul in a way it shouldn’t, and at the same time, his pain seems to tear it apart in a hundred million pieces.

It’s fine. He’s fine. Her conscious mind tries to remind her. He’s immortal, afterall.

But her heart has reached a point where it’s no longer able to tell that fact apart and, the moment she sees him suffering, it starts to suffer along with him.

The result of all this inner battle is a sad chuckle that is quickly followed by a couple of rogue tears.

They send a clear message but, to their dismay, before Jacob is able to decode them, the situation starts to crumble around them in record time.

At the same moment that the few forces holding Jacob on his feet abandon his body, Ana is able to stand up and, with Lara doing her best to break his sudden fall to the ground, she’s left with a clear path to the Divine Source.

Without a hint of hesitation, she takes it.

When Lara realizes what’s truly happening Ana’s hands are almost about to reach it.

“No!” She screams, with the hint of pleading that wasn’t there a few moments ago. “It’s not what you think, Ana.”

Her sentence makes her stop for a second, acknowledging the truth behind her words and, with the sound of the army gathered outside the room increasing at a hastened pace, the fear creeps into her heart long enough to make her fall silent. 

Lara, sensing her doubt, doesn’t waver to take the opportunity and attempt to explain to Ana the origin of the source.

“It will kill you.” She states, feeling the worry starting to build in her chest. “It will kill you if you aren’t worthy...” Another tear runs down Lara’s face, caused by a different person this time around. “Please… Do not take that bet.”

Ana stares at the source for a couple seconds and makes final her choice, turning to look at Lara one last time before stepping ahead.

“Please!” She begs despite knowing her words won't be able to stop her.

And they are not.

“I’m dying. This is my only hope.” She screams from the top of her chest, hesitating no more as her hands start to move.

“Ana, no!”

A sensation of horror invades Lara’s body and, after sharing a quick look with Jacob, both to confirm he was okay and to tell him what she is going to do next, she starts to sprint towards her direction, quick enough to cover almost all the distance left between them, but not fast enough to make it in time.

Despite her best effort, Ana takes the source and, just as she is about to reach her, the judgment starts.

It takes less than an instant and, before Lara is able to comprehend what’s happening, the light of the source starts to surround Ana.

Slowly at first, almost with delicacy, but that doesn’t last for long and, in less than a few seconds, the filaments of light transform into strings and start to tangle around her body.

“No!” Ana screams, feeling the light starting to suffocate her, trying her best to release the artifact but unable to do so.

The ivory filaments trap her in an instant and, before her scream vanishes into the air, what is left of her is quickly transformed into a white flash so bright that manages to blind Lara for a few seconds.

When she finally makes it to where Ana was standing, there’s nothing left to save, just the remnant filaments of light that maintain the divine source floating mid air for a few seconds, disobeying every rule of physics, before gravity starts to function with normality once again and the artifact starts to fall.

Against her better judgment, without even stopping to consider the idea, or a hint of self-reflection, she decides to grab it.

Just as they did before, Lara's hands move on their own, and prevent the source from crashing against the ground.

“I…”

For a few moments her mind doesn’t finish comprehending the action that her body has taken without consulting it, and it isn’t until she sees the what’s left of Ana laying on her feet, that she starts to realize the depth of her mistake.

The horror invades her once again, as her eyes stay fixed on the small and glowing bundle of clothes and ashes that she’s seen so many times in the past few days: Ana has been transformed into one more slave to serve the source for all eternity and, unless she finds a solution, she’s going to be the next one.

“Shit...” A tear runs through her face as she attempts in vain to release the source before it consumes her, but the light tangles around her hands with enough strength to prevent it. “Shit.”

Lara stares at it for three seconds. Perhaps the longest three seconds of her entire life.

The first of them is dedicated to fright. 

All her body freezes as her heart twists inside her chest with the reality of her imminent death materializing in front of her eyes.

The second one leaves room for sorrow. 

Despite not weeping a river of emotions, the few tears that travel through her face carry along with them more sadness than an entire lifetime would be able to gather.

“Shit!”

She shakes her head, which doesn’t make them disappear, but it’s enough to let her recover some resemblance of control over her own body and gives way to one last moment of reflection. 

Her last one.

And, this time around, third is indeed the charm, for not even in between the horror, the sorrow and the fright, is her mind able to forget about him.

So in her final moment, all there’s left: is love.

Her body forgets about the light, the pain and everything else, and turns to face him, leaving every worry behind as if it didn't exist.

Jacob is already standing when their eyes meet and, with three seconds more, he is able to close the distance between them like it’s nothing, forgetting too about all his wounds and his own pain in order to reach her as soon as he is able.

And so he does.

There’s no sight of dismay on his face, nor hesitation, for he has no doubt of what’s going to happen next and he does not fear it.

Lara doesn't understand it yet, but the mere presence of Jacob is distracting enough to make her forget the fact that, if she was meant to follow the same path as Ana, she would already be dead by now.

But she isn’t. 

She would see that the color of the light is now bright blue, unlike before.

But she doesn’t.

Instead, she just stands, looking at him, extending one of her arms to touch one of his as the light starts to travel through her, not even realizing that she gained back the control of her body and that her hands are no longer glued to the Divine Source.

“Finally…” He whispers, looking at it for a second, before redirecting his glare to meet her eyes again. “Finally.”

“What…?”

There’s confusion in Lara’s face, but it doesn’t last for long, for most times the universe has its ways of letting us know what’s about to happen in the most cruel form available, and this one it’s not an exception.

Before she’s able to say anything else, Jacob’s legs start to fail him, making him collapse immediately to the ground, with her doing her best to stop the crash once again. 

This time around though, his wounds aren’t the one causing the fall and, with one last look into his icy eyes, she finally starts to comprehend the dark reality of what’s really about to happen.

“No...” She whispers, as the horror of their current situation starts to set in her heart. “No.”

“There’s always a price…” Jacob's eyes start to water a little, but his smile doesn’t disappear, instead, it gets even stronger as he traces every detail of her face. “It’s finally my time to pay it.”

She places the source on the ground next to him, and her hands tremble like never before in her life as she extends them to grab his.

“Take it…” She begs him in between tears, much more haunted by this new scenario than by the now forgotten possibility of her sudden death. “Please, take it back.”

“Too late.”

“No!”

“The change has been made.”

Despite knowing she isn’t gonna change his mind, she tries one more time, moving closer enough to him in the process.

“Please!” A half scream half cry escapes her body along with her last plea, for she already knows what’s next. 

She knows he’s right. She knows it’s too late.

The light is no longer coming from the source, It’s coming from Jacob, tangling around her body, hugging her, becoming one with her own flesh.

There’s no rush nor ashes this time around and the glowing filaments, which were able to reduce Ana into a burning bundle of clothes in less than a couple seconds, seem to caress her instead of attack her, melting into her skin with all the care in the world.

There is no pain either.

Or at least, none caused by the light itself for, as Lara comes to terms with the events developing in front of her eyes, the agony of her reality quickly starts to hit her.

“It’s okay.” He tells her, able to read all her emotions on her face. “It’s…”

Lara hugs him in the middle of his sentence, with her whole body acting once again on its own.

“I’m sorry.” She half whispers next to his ear, tightening her arms around him, feeling how her whole world turns into darkness despite being in the presence of so much light. “This… This…”

Her words quickly fail her when she starts to notice his arms losing their strength and, in a final attempt to ask him to do the impossible, she breaks the hug and begs him for the last time.

“Jacob… Please… ” Lara pleads as their eyes find each other “Hold on…”

He stares at her and, to her surprise, laughs a little before giving her the only answer that she’s really been dreading to hear.

“I’ve held on… For too long already.”

Lara closes her eyes in agony for a second, trying with all her heart to process the reality that she now must face.

Jacob, on the other hand, the one who should be crumbling in despair instead of her, is just patiently waiting while he focuses all his efforts on his breathing, smiling from ear to ear, only preoccupied with learning every little detail of her face so he can harbor it in the afterlife.

She feels confused, miserable and angered, all at the same time, not truly believing his reaction but, after a quick moment of realization, she finally understands why he is acting the way he is.

He already knew.

“You wanted me to take it…” She states out loud, which he quickly confirms as he deepens his smile. “You knew I’d be worthy.”

Jacob nods, instead of answering, feeling all his strength leaving his body but, having still so much to say, he musters all that’s left of his will in order to expose, at least, some of the truth that he has worked so much to hide.

“In all my years…” He finally manages to say, with the faintest tone of voice she has ever heard him. “I’ve met few as extraordinary as you.”

That will have to suffice. He adds in his mind before he starts to cough, paying the price for all the effort he invested into casting those few words.

“It’s finally happening.” He laughs while struggling to keep breathing, too preoccupied with easing her mind on these last few moments to focus on the pain that invades him. “My ending.”

“I’m sorry.” Her words tremble as they come out of her mouth, mortified by the sigh of Jacob in this state. “All I wanted was to make a difference.”

The tears come back, but no for long.

She feels hopeless, she feels broken and, above all, she feels lost. Nevertheless, his response comes to her rescue right away.

“You already have.” Jacob preaches more than says, slowly moving her hand to cup her face. ”...you already have.”

Lara’s eyes close as one last tear streams down her face.

This is it. She tells herself before opening them again, taking a deep breath as she does her best to calm down.

The deathless finally make it into the room but, instead of seeking the source like she thought they would, they just start to surround the central platform, leaving plenty of space between them and Lara.

She only has the chance to look at them briefly before the light starts moving, gaining back her attention.

Jacob looks like he’s about to disappear into thin air, and no longer has the strength to keep smiling, but with what’s left of him he gives her a final nod, trying his best to be reassuring.

The soldiers stare, emotionless, witnessing the scene as they wait for the rest of them to make it into the room and, in just a few seconds, they recover Lara’s attention, moving all in sync to kneel before her.

She scours the room briefly before realizing that Ana’s remnants are no longer there.

One more servant to the source. She thinks, looking for her in the kneeling crowd despite knowing way too well that she won’t be able to recognize her.

One more sacrifice.

Jacob’s eyes close at last, and the tears make their comeback as she stares at him, still not truly believing this is really happening.

A cry of despair comes out of her body as she instinctively moves to hug him.

He wanted this… 

She tries to tell herself, in an attempt to avoid falling completely into the darkness.

“He wanted…” Lara looks around as she says this, leaving his body to rest with all the care in the world, contemplating the scene that she’s now starring in. “He… He deserves…”

Her tears keep pouring out of control, to the point where her eyes are starting to sting, and any effort she makes to try to wipe them with the sleeve of her jacket doesn’t seem to have any effect.

“He deserves to rest.” She’s finally able to say, trying to convince herself that this is the best possible outcome. “He deserves an ending.”

Her hands close while trembling and, in an attempt of calming down, she decides to move her eyes away from him and redirect them once again to the deathless ones. Nevertheless, this soon proves to have the opposite effect to the one expected.

They are still kneeling and, the sigh of it, it’s impactful enough to start brewing a new emotion on the bottom of her heart.

It’s almost like they were asking to serve me.

She shakes her head a couple of times.

Serve me…

A sad laugh escapes her body while her fist impacts with anger against the ground.

“Serve Me!?” What began as a simple feeling hidden in the depths of her soul quickly starts to grow, and the fury that sparked so easily in her body a few seconds ago, is now turning into raw unfiltered rage. “Me!”

Lara looks around one more time before hitting the ground once again, now with both of her hands.

“Like I deserve this…” There’s a quick moment of silence, followed by one of enlightenment, that only manages to increase her anger even more. “Like he deserves this!”

Her hands move to wipe her tears one more time, and one more time they keep falling down. The only difference now is that she’s way too mad to even care.

“You… You do not deserve this.” She shakes her head and brings one hand to her heart, closing her eyes in the process. “This… Is not enough.”

Lara moves enough to stare at the source, dreading the moment that she, or better said, her hands, decided to move in order to catch it before it fell to the ground.

She takes a couple of deep breaths and decides to look back at Jacob, watching as the blue light reflects onto him, wondering how many seconds left they have before he’s completely swallowed by the darkness.

The battle between her feelings seems to come to an end, for a few seconds, as one quick thought crosses her mind, managing to bring her some kind of peace.

“You do deserve an ending.” 

She admits, moving her arm to cup his face one last time but, once her hand is half way there, the fire of her anger reactivates without a hint of warning, finally winning control of her mind, her heart and her entire body. 

“But not this one…”

It comes only as a whisper at the beginning, almost as if someone else had said those words instead of her.

“Not this one.”

This time around her voice is clearer and, as the anger melts with the many emotions that she's been trying to hide for so long, Lara loses complete notion of what’s happening aside from the two of them.

“You deserve to live.” She tells him, getting closer to his body despite knowing way too well that he cannot hear her. “You deserve to be free, to be happy…”

All of the deathless stand up at the same time in the middle of her speech, but she doesn’t even notice that they are moving.

“You deserve to grow old… And to experience a life without self-sacrifice, or pain, or sorrow…”

She doesn’t even hear them when they start to walk towards her.

“You deserve so much more than this!”

If she was witnessing her current situation she would realize that she’s only a few moments away from losing him forever. 

But she isn't.

She isn’t paying attention to the army of fallen soldiers, nor to the many lights surrounding them.

“You cannot leave… Not like this.” 

Lara’s eyes turn to look at the source one last time, dedicating once again three long seconds to stare at it. 

Nevertheless, this time around, instead of going through hundreds of feelings, there’s just the one, that keeps growing and growing until, just as all this began, takes control of her body and does what she’s been wanting to do from the moment that she set her hands on it.

And you won’t.

Before her mind has the time to process the possible consequences of what she’s about to do next, Lara grabs the Divine Source and, with all the strength that she’s able to summon, smashes it against the ground, immediately breaking it into countless fragments and pieces.

The impact not only demolishes the source, it also creates a blue energy wave that travels through the entire room, turning all the soldiers into ashes, quickly disappearing into the air without leaving any hint or trace that they were there to begin with.

The light vanishes along with them, leaving an empty room, except for Lara and Jacob, that now it’s only illuminated by the rays of the sun, tinting the whole scenery in an orange tone.

Her eyes scour the room, not truly believing what they’re seeing, but she doesn’t have the time to process it before something else gains her attention.

Jacob moves a little and, after a few seconds, opens her eyes.

He looks confused, but not for too long, quickly understanding the outcome of their evening in record time.

Lara just stares at him doing her best to contain all her feelings inside her chest, which she succeeds, until she finally hears the voice she was convinced she would never have the chance to hear again.

Until she hears his voice.

“What have you…” It’s only a weak whisper at the beginning, but that’s more than enough for her.

Before he’s able to finish his sentence she’s already hugging him, letting the silent tears fall slowly as her arms wrap around his body.

To say Jacob is surprised at the beginning, would be an understatement, but he quickly attributes her feelings and reaction to the near death experience instead of seeing the much simpler reality.

After processing all this, he just sighs and, with a kind smile on his face, returns the hug, allowing himself to tangle his arms around Lara and bringing her a little closer to him.

“What were you thinking?” He asks with the most casual tone he’s able to find, breaking the silence but not the embrace, doing his best to contain the pain hidden behind those words.

“I wasn’t.” Lara replies without hesitation, taking him a little by surprise. “ I…”

Lara laughs at her own thoughts and, after a moment of reflection, she pulls backwards a little, breaking the hug and sitting next to him, moving her eyes to look through the huge breach of the wall while letting the sun bathe her with its rays.

“I didn’t want you to go.” She finally admits, before shaking her head a few times. “Not like this” 

She decides to turn a little to look at him.

He is already looking at her.

The warm light coming through the breach tints her features, turning even brighter as she dedicates a faint smile to him, taking a moment to breathe before she resumes her speech.

“A millennia of pain and death and sorrow. Of fighting, of hiding. Lifetime after lifetime… The wars, the invasions. You’ve been suffering since the moment you set your hands on that thing, and I…” Her words get stuck on her throat, but she tries to continue nonetheless. “I just couldn’t… I couldn’t… ”

Understanding what she’s attempting to say, or most of it, Jacob moves his hand slowly and reaches for hers, mirroring her previous smile as he looks into her eyes.

“You could’ve died, Lara.” He reproaches her, but in the sweetest tone she’s ever heard in her entire life, too mesmerized by the sight of her to be able to be mad about her actions.

“You too.” She answers, no hesitation once again, way too happy about the outcome of this whole situation to worry about filtering her words.

The only thing he can do is smile, unable to contradict the bare logic of her response and knowing that, in her place, he would’ve taken the exact same path.

Lara tightens the grip of his hand and returns his smile, giggling a bit in disbelief, before turning to look to the horizon once again. Jacob’s eyes follow hers after a few seconds, taking his time to scour the way too familiar view of the valley through the big breach of the northern wall.

There’s nothing left to say after that, but they silently decide not to leave.

After everything experienced in such a short amount of time, the two of them need to process all that’s happened, to calm down and, above all, they both need to rest. 

So, instead of joining the forces of the remnant right away, they remain there.

They stay in the center of the room for what seems like an eternity. No words needed, not anymore.

They just sit and wait, one next to the other, looking at the horizon as all their feelings fade.  There’s no more pain, nor fright, nor sorrow. 

There’s nothing else to be said.

So, instead, they just wait there, in complete silence, with her fingers still interlaced with his, forgetting about everything and everyone aside from them. Needing nothing else than the touch of each other's hands to know that, as long as they stay like this, together, everything will be okay.

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

Sometimes I love the ending, sometimes I'm not convinced XDDD Anyways, it's done. So there you have it.

I doubt you care, but future me usually has a blast when she reads these things, so know that I rearranged all the remaining chapters and added one more to the planning just so I can write fluff in the next one (it was supposed to be the angsties yet and I really don't have the heart... I suffered enough writing the last three!!! I deserve fluff!!! XDDDDD *slowly descends into madness*)

So yeah, next one is going to be fluff + sexual tension yaaaaaaay~~~That way I'll have a break before we enter the complicated plotline of: the consequences of SotTR aka "wtf were you thinking to volunteer yourself as a freaking human sacrifice!?" XDDDDDDDDDDDD

[epersonae]

ehehehehe time for fic writer asks! R, Z, AN, AP, BC, BV, and then BW, BX, and BY for carlita <3

GIRL THIS IS SO MANY

Do you title your fics before, during, or after the writing process? How do you come up with titles?

fuck titles, all my homies hate titles, etc etc. I don't think I've ever come up with a title first, but I can't say never for sure, so: sometimes during, often after. occasionally it'll be a significant line from the story itself, sometimes it'll be the classic thing of looking for a song lyric (and sometimes that means you are pitching me TMG lyrics), and once I just ended up with the dumbest description and couldn't think of anything else. (Looking thru the first page of my recent works, I swear there's one of every possible methodology, and actually I think Commit to the Bit I had the title either before or very early during the writing!)

Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

Carlita help (ie, for the benefit of all the broken hearts) - I say this both as a writer and about the story itself, the whole process has been a kind of extended madness, and also it's just a very odd piece altogether imho.

If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?

we were talking about this on the phone yesterday! there is a scene in the next chapter of for the benefit of all the broken hearts that I would actually make good art. I also think there's some good visuals in the boss battle scene of The Reckoning Arrives that would be fun to have as art. (oooh, or Lucretia sitting at Taako's bedside after?) Oh, and Ed and Stede in the auxiliary closet in nice either way.

What’s the last fic you read? Do you recommend it?

I just read the second chapter of Respawn and it's very good. This AU gets something about Stede that I really appreciate, and Izzy's intro is fucking hilarious.

Of the characters you write for, which is your favorite? Has that choice been swayed at all by your followers/readers’ reactions to certain ones?

Is it possible????? that the unnamed wife (aka carlita) of for the benefit of all the broken hearts???? has supplanted my other faves??? Which is tricky because she is more or less an OC, so I don't know if that counts.

Honestly, even though it's been ages, it might still be Lucretia, if only because I am fairly evenly split in my enjoyment of writing both Ed POV and Stede POV.

I don't think? reader reactions comes into it much, except maybe specifically your obsession with Carlita lol.

You’ve posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you’d written it?

THIS IS A FASCINATING QUESTION THAT I HAVE ACTUALLY THOUGHT ABOUT. (I'm not digging it up now but I wrote a long rumination about that in re that collaborative Choose Your Own Adventure project, and trying to recognize writers I know.) Here's what I would say is particular to my unbetaed work: punctuation pokemon (gotta catch em all!), excessive parentheticals, "and then", and "is verbing". (I cautiously tag @gaypiratebrainrot who is by now exceedingly familiar with all my writing tics)

Thematically? idk. I'm pretty sure it's there, but I often don't notice those things until someone else points them out.

These three were requests about for the benefit of all the broken hearts specifically:

What scene in [Fanfic Name] took the longest to write? What was difficult about it? 

I don't know about the longest, but I'm pretty sure this most recent chapter (13) took the most drafts and the most reworking and rethinking.

There's so much going on, and all of the characters are finally "on deck" as it were, which means there's both a ton of conflicting emotions and motivations to keep track of AND "I am bedeviled by the matter of the pronouns" AND there's important action that takes place entirely off-page, and deliberately so, which meant I was resisting the need to write what that was because it was going to be throwaway writing, but it turns out I had to in order to make it work. The bit where Mary and Ed first meet backstage I probably ended up with four drafts altogether, including once where I threw out a huge chunk and just rewrote from scratch.

(oh plus I had a real life experience that necessitated a handful of little setting tweaks)

All of which is fair, because it's a big turning point and needs to be both surprising AND make sense in context. Which means I also had to go back to earlier points in the story and adjust in order to get some sense of foreshadowing, or at least plausibility. So thank you for pitching me on the idea for what turned out to the most difficult thing I've ever written in my entire goddamn life, I guess.

Did you have any ideas that didn’t make the final cut of [Fanfic Name]? 

I had this idea for something where Mary and Carlita would be painting together, maybe in the style of Jackson Pollack? (this may have been based on one of your pitches) And I can see it in my mind's eye but it just didn't work in context at all!

Do you have a favorite scene you’ve written from [Fanfic Name] story/chapter? 

I have two favorites, and one of them is the painting scene that I did write. I love the tension and the physicality of it. The other is in chapter 17, so a few chapters from now (YOU know the one), and I'm not going to spoil it but I like it a LOT.

[fic author asks]

[sagyunaro]

“The way Doflamingo stood by Law resembled an adult flamingo standing by a newborn chicklet.” 

Awwwww 🦩🐤

“his voice always turned quiet and gentle when he talked to his brother” “Doflamingo gave Corazón a smile, also different from his usual sharp ones; this one actually looked nice on him, without any menace to it.” “Corazon found it in one of the furniture magazines and liked it, so I bought it for him.” “So, what, you just buy your brother whatever he wants?” “Yes.”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 😭

My heart 💔 He loves and cares about his lil bro 🥲

“It reminded Law of those big, furry, golden dogs ”

Good observation Law.

“Corazón was not friendly or huggable at all.”

Wrong, very friendly, very huggable.

“Rosi was so cute with the kids!” “His little brother was still the most adorable being in the world, and nobody could convince Doflamingo otherwise.” “Doflamingo grinned ear to ear, his eyes squinting with the smile behind his sunglasses.”

Why are you doing this, just so we suffer? Please, continue, I like it.

They deserve to be alive and happy. They could have family gatherings, Doffy’d spoil his nephews/nieces and take a lot of pictures of them. 😭

“Can Cora-san and I cook it?” “grabbing your hand with his small fingers and leading you after him.” “Law was a sweet, precious boy.” “Law looked so serious ” “The cabbage had won their tug-of-war”

Awwww, Law is so fucking adorable. 🥰

“A long arm wrapped around your stomach.” “Rosinante put his index finger on his lips in a shushing motion, smiling at you.” “All three of you fell to the floor.” “Rosinante laughed heartily, the sound gentle and loving, his white teeth in full view.” “A big, goofy smile blossomed across his face.”

I’m gonna cry. Life is cruel and unfair. I wish Rosi was alive they’d be such a wonderful family, raising Law, giving him siblings. He would be a great and proud older brother.

I like how you wrote her emotional state after Baby’s 5 unknowingly cruel words. And awww Doffy doesn’t like her being sad but he killed her husband and kidnapped her.

Even though he doesn’t know how to show softness to others his gentle moments are so precious. Does he still have the bean bag there? And what about photos? Will Reader find them? If the bean bag was big enough for Rosi then it can like a bad for her 🤣

“because nobody else had arms that could envelop your body fully except Rosinante”

ehehehehe. Well, Doffy has 😏

Thank you for the chapter ❤️❤️❤️

Merlot & Primroses (Doflamingo x Reader)

Chapter 4

AO3

Summary: Your husband’s brother finds you. Life with him and his sham of a family is as cold as the snow your husband was found buried in. You're going to wilt slowly living with Doflamingo, you’re sure. No flower can survive in such snow.

Masterlist

Tags: Female!Reader, Rosinante's Wife!Reader, Civilian!Reader, Rosinante x Reader (mentioned through flashbacks), Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Forced Proximity, Vomiting, Nausea, Panic Attack, Hyperventilating, Forced Hugging, Doflamingo's Comforting Skills are Non-Existent, Attempted Comfort, Jealousy, Possessiveness, Lack of Clothing Autonomy, Lingerie, Mentions of Fratricide, Grief, Angst, Post-Minion Island, North Blue Doflamingo, Red Suit Doflamingo, Touch-Starved Doflamingo, Doflamingo is His Own Warning, Protective Donquixote Doflamingo, Adult Themes

Word Count: 10.2k (don't look at me, don't even look at me, I'm ashamed 🫣)

A/N: The "first part" of the behemoth that became Chapter 4 bcs Doffy couldn't keep it in his pants! (I mean, I'm not complaining but daaamn, Doffy). Next part will be released... When it's released! Either 2 weeks or a month. I wish I could have made it to post both the same day but I still need to write so much for next chap so pls be patient with me and forgive me 😭! I really thought myb I would be able to write Part 2 thoroughly, but alas... Thank you everyone for all the comments and reblogs and likes, I love simping over Doffy with you all and hearing all your thoughts and talking. 💕 Also, tell me what you think about the gradient of the title, I rather like it! Dividers are my own and free to use!

I do my best tagging everything and putting in trigger warnings in the tags so don't read the chapter until you've READ all the tags for it. Love you all ❤️

Also! WE HAVE... FANART of Law "Really? Right in front of my mochi?" by @rat-quing thank you so much I'm still not over it. I'm so flattered my fic inspired you 🥹😭🫶🏻❤️

Taglist: @fanaticsnail @moonbaby26 @daydreamer-in-training @queenmimi2817 @dummyduck44 @pinejayy @tellynojelly @capycapy-bara @dilf-destroyer-04 @yataidiot @orioncipher @isabeauwolf @r-amenegg @skullfacedlady @wrennyx @yan-love-reader @caldrien @rujellyroll @bonzaibaby @emilyfeetumbrella @ghostiequill @pipsterz @graceland321 @panthorastormheart @thesmolestsage @thesaltycrisp @hurricanebrownie @heroinicyfingers @t-sarah @aganhim @smol-flower-kiddo @vaniiiavengeance @sagyunaro @froggiewrites @doffyslittledove @7wanne @ohnomyhooves @tinycreature21 @aganhim @anime-fan-isa-art @fruity0salad @tavsianus @xblackxjackx @hime44444 @ripndips @shanalikeanna @multifandomgirl2018 @shirayuki-ayumi @misaneeragoni

Chapter 4

It was nothing new to see Corazon in the top executives’ lounge room. He spent most of his free time there, sitting on the large lilac armchair, either reading a book or the newspapers, drinking tea or sleeping with his head resting atop the backrest, breathing so quietly Law sometimes wondered if the man was truly sleeping at all.

There was a song playing from the gramophone, a man singing “I’d like for you and I to go ro-man-cing, say the word, your wish is my command”. 

Law didn’t know the name of it, and didn’t care very much. It was a stupid love song that made Law roll his eyes. Corazon’s taste in music was not something Law cared about, or wanted to comment on. He certainly didn’t think it was a mix of glam rock and music hall genres. Law didn’t even know there existed a mix of it.

Law wondered if Corazon and Diamante exchanged music records between each other. Corazon’s music seemed less loud, which Law appreciated. There was a softness and slowness to the song and the way the singer sang it compared to the singers Diamante liked to listen to. This song was very romantic compared to Diamante’s songs Law heard.

What captured Law’s attention today, however, and was new, was where Corazon was sitting today. His long, lanky body was sunk into a massive pink bean bag. The top executive was lounging on it, sleeping.

Law hadn’t seen this armchair in the top executives' lounge before, so he stared at it for a while.

“Do you know what that is, Law?” asked Doflamingo, walking into the room, towering behind Law. 

The way Doflamingo stood by Law resembled an adult flamingo standing by a newborn chicklet. 

Ever since Law joined the Family, he had started getting tutored by Doflamingo whenever the captain had time in his busy schedule. 

Law had to admit, he liked his lessons with Doflamingo the best, because they consisted of two of Law’s favourite things: books and studying. Even far after the day was over and he was in the bottom bunk of the bunk bed — because Buffalo would never give up the top bunk  — Law would spend time reading the book from that day. 

“It’s a bean bag,” said Law, staring at the massive pink bean bag in confusion. 

Doflamingo hummed as confirmation. “Corazon found it in one of the furniture magazines and liked it, so I bought it for him. This way, he’ll fall off his seat less.”

Law looked up to Doflamingo — he had to tilt his head back as far as he could to do so — and was greeted with the captain’s infamous unnerving smile, but it didn’t keep him from asking questions. He wasn’t afraid of Doflamingo.

“So, what, you just buy your brother whatever he wants?” asked Law. “Even if it’s a stupidly huge bean bag?”

Law waited for Doflamingo to laugh, to tell him he fell for the joke. Instead, Doflamingo stared blankly at him, as though Law had said something foolish. He stared at him for such a long time Law started feeling small.

Doflamingo always made Law feel small. It was not in a way regarding height. Law was incredibly aware how short he was and how tall Doflamingo was. No, Doflamingo made Law feel small in a way that Law felt like just a grain of sand in a desert, just a flower in a massive city, like a kid in a world that was ten thousand times bigger than him. 

Law felt like a little ember and Doflamingo like an unstoppable, massive fire.

Law knew he wouldn’t feel or remain small these last three years. He was learning to fight, to kill, to destroy. He wanted to be like Doflamingo. He wanted to destroy everything and make everyone fear him. If Law was to go out — and he was, in three years time unless they found some miraculous Devil Fruit to cure his disease — he’d go out not as a spark and a little ember, but an overwhelming, unstoppable fire, burning down as much of the world in his path as he could.

After a long moment of staring down at Law in silence that would make any normal person squirm, Doflamingo said an equally blunt, calm, “Yes.”

“Why a bean bag?” asked Law.

“Corazón and I like soft surfaces to sleep on,” said Doflamingo. “Helps us with our backs.”

Law frowned at this, the doctor in him in complete disapproval. “If you have spinal issues, you should lay on hard surfaces. Hard mattresses offer better spinal support.”

“So I can have back pain and be uncomfortable?” asked Doflamingo, like that was the worst thing that could ever happen to him. “I might have a long spine but I’m not an idiot.”

“Plus,” said Doflamingo, crossed his arms, and smirked victoriously down at the bean bag Corazón’s long body had sunk into. “It’s pink.”

Law stared at Doflamingo in shock and disbelief.

“Fufufufu! You need to know how to have fun, Law.”

Law wasn’t here to have fun. He was here because he wanted to destroy.

“Speaking of fun… how did you like yesterday?” asked Doflamingo with a wicked, broad smile.

Yesterday, they’d raided a small town and burned it to the ground. It was the first time since Flevance Law saw fire eating away at buildings.

“How did it make you feel?” Doflamingo asked.

Why would other people have the right to be happy, to be laughing, when Law’s entire country, his friends from school, his parents, and his sister were burned to ash and killed by the World Government?

They burned his country and his people. So he was going to do the same to them before his sickness took him. Those monsters deserved nothing less.

Watching the flames eat away at the town made him feel lighter, relieved. He hadn’t felt that way since escaping Flevance.

“It made me feel better,” Law said.

Doflamingo smiled. “Well, isn’t feeling better fun?”

Something coiled in Law’s stomach. He wondered if he and Doflamingo really were alike as Doflamingo said they were. 

“Isn’t destroying fun?” Doflamingo asked.

Law felt his blood go cold. Destroying felt… good.

But it didn’t feel fun.

On his spot on the bean bag, Corazon stirred, the feathers of his coat rustling as he sat up. Doflamingo smiled warmly at him.

“Do you like the bean bag, Corazón?” asked Doflamingo.

Corazon dipped his head in a nod.

“You just rest,” Doflamingo said to Corazón; his voice always turned quiet and gentle when he talked to his brother, and today was no exception. 

Doflamingo gave Corazón a smile, also different from his usual sharp ones; this one actually looked nice on him, without any menace to it. “Good work yesterday.”

Corazón nodded, and plopped his head back down onto the bean bag. It reminded Law of those big, furry, golden dogs Lami always petted when they were walking back home from school; they plopped their heads onto Lami’s lap the same way, never failing to make Lami smile and giggle.

Law decided he was reminded of those dogs because of Corazón’s golden, wavy hair. Because Corazón was not friendly or huggable at all.

By the time Law looked at the younger Donquixote brother, Corazón had already dozed off.

Doflamingo gestured him to the library, and Law had no time to think about the silliness and normalcy of Corazon sleeping on the bean bag, burying himself in books for the afternoon.

After Law was done studying, carrying the last book because he still had some reading to do of it before he was satisfied for the day, he exited the library and found his jaw on the floor.

Corazon was still sleeping on the bean bag, but now, Buffalo and Baby 5 were using his thighs as beds.

“What are you doing?” asked Law, frowning at them for their stupid stunt. If Corazon woke up, he was undoubtedly going to punch them and toss them into the wall. It was brave, but stupid.

“Cora-san is comfy, dasuyan!” said Buffalo, smiling with his buckteeth.

“Come lay down, Law!” said Baby 5, giggling. 

Law frowned. Carefully, he approached the bean bag, and Corazon, whose limbs were spread out. He started to climb the bean bag.

Slowly… slowly…

To think he was more afraid of Corazon than he was of Doflamingo… could anyone blame him? Corazon was absolutely nuts. He could throw Law across the entire length of the ship if he wanted to, and Law would definitely break a few bones if Corazon did that. Corazon seemed to really like chucking Law and grabbing him by his hat to do so, like Law was some chuckable toy for Corazon, not a sick child.

Law took a breath. The last thing he wanted was for Baby 5 and Buffalo to tease him about being a coward for not wanting to use Corazon like a big bed. 

Law sat down between Corazon’s spread legs, beside Buffalo and Baby 5. The two giggled happily to have him join them. Law paid them no mind, and opened up his book to finish reading it.

Eventually, Law dozed off, slumping on Corazon’s stomach.

A few hours later, Rosinante woke up.

‘What the…’ thought the marine, looking down at the weight on his body. Baby 5 and Buffalo were comfortably sleeping on his thighs, and Law, much to his surprise, had joined them, sleeping on his stomach.

Rosinante stared at Law for a moment longer. Was it his imagination, or did the white spot on Law’s chest climb up to the kid’s collarbone? 

Rosinante felt his heart clench. 

Since when was he a pillow for these little squirts?

Rosinante stared at the ceiling of the Numancia blankly, wondering what urged him to take on this mission - duty, more or less was the answer to that - that led him to becoming a body pillow for three crazy kids. He barely felt the weight of Law and Baby 5, but he definitely felt the weight of Buffalo’s body slung across his left thigh.

Rosinante let out a sigh. He didn’t feel like tossing them off. He was far, far too comfortable in the marshmallowy softness of the bean bag to even think of lifting himself from it. 

He’d give them a break from trying to run them off today.

Rosinante slumped his head back down, closed his eyes, glad for the dark purple sunglasses covering him from the light of the candles, and went back to sleep.

A few hours later, Doflamingo returned to the room in search for his brother, and once he entered, promptly froze at the sight before him.

‘What the…’ thought the pirate captain, processing the vision before him.

‘Holy shit,’ Doflamingo thought, his heart skipping a beat. Was he dreaming?

Doflamingo blinked numerous times, even pinched himself to wake up, but the scenery didn’t change. It was his little brother, sleeping on the bean bag, Law, Baby 5 and Buffalo sleeping on different parts of his body. Law’s position surprised Doflamingo the most; the boy was sleeping on his brother’s stomach, his book on his little chest, his arms and legs spread out in a starfish position, snoring softly, deep in sleep.

‘Holy shit.’ thought Doflamingo, a smile blooming on his face, followed by a delighted giggle.

Rosi was so cute with the kids! 

Doflamingo needed to take a picture.

He needed to take a picture right now!

Heart racing, long fingers nearly shaking from delight, Doflamingo started rummaging through his feather coat wildly, praying to saints he had a camera snail in the numerous pockets somewhere.

Doflamingo pulled out a pink camera snail from his feather coat. He started snapping multiple pictures with the camera snail, chuckling.

Doflamingo smiled to himself. This was going to be such good blackmail material.

Scratch that.

He’s going to frame this and put it with the rest of their family pictures, print it and put it on the fridge, print another and put it in the Family album, then print a bigger one to fit on a wall and put it on the wall in his office.

His little brother was still the most adorable being in the world, and nobody could convince Doflamingo otherwise.

Doflamingo grinned ear to ear, his eyes squinting with the smile behind his sunglasses.

Baby 5 was excited to be the one given the task to lead you across the ship. Before you had the chance to blink to process the thought of a child who could transform her hand to a weapon at any time escorting you to the captain’s cabin — Doflamingo’s cabin — the little girl grabbed your hand and led you along, out of the galley. The moment those gentle, tiny hands had gripped onto yours, you felt a softness take over you, much like with Law.

And much like with Law, you let Baby 5 take you wherever the hell she pleased, because how were you supposed to fight against such a tiny hand clutching onto yours, an unspoken indication of the child’s trust?

It was too bad you were in the ship’s underbelly. If you were still on deck, you’d attempt to fling yourself off the deck and into the water. Screw the hundred meter drop, that’s nothing compared to being flown across the sky by Doflamingo.

Baby 5 led you through the wooden maze, the extravagant paintings framed on the walls reminding you with what sort of money the entire ship was built. The two of you reached the tail end of the ship. 

“There it is!” said Baby 5 excitedly.

The two of you stopped in front of large white doors with a golden handle. Baby 5 pulled out a key from the pocket of her maid dress.

It was a golden key with Doflamingo’s jolly roger symbol shaping its bow. Baby 5 put the key into the lock and turned it. After a click, she stood on her tiptoes and pulled down the golden handle, opening the tall white doors.

When you didn’t dare enter, she took your hand again, giggling, leading you into the space.

Your jaw hit the floor.

The captain’s cabin was huge. The chessboard black-white floor pattern stretched out across the room, making you feel like a chess piece the moment you stepped in. 

On the right, on a pink carpet were two large lavender couches facing each other, a dark mahogany table between them, covered by a feather quill and paper scattered all over it. Bookshelves and storage compartments lined the walls. A large map of the North Blue was framed on the wall, and a large black flag with Doflamingo’s jolly roger in white was pinned beside it, above the couch.

Five tall windows stretched along the wall, wall-mounted candelabras between each. A circular golden breakfast table with a glass surface paired with four large golden-framed, lilac tufted chairs sat in front of the windows.

It felt like the room of royalty. It unnervingly reminded you of one of the breakfast rooms in Pangea Castle you had the luck to be in while working as King Riku’s translator, with the golden table, the golden chairs, the golden framings on walls…

It felt as grand and as opulent as the rooms in Mariejois.

Baby 5 led you to another set of double doors to the right. These had Doflamingo's jolly roger framed in gold on each side. Baby 5 unlocked the room with a golden-shaped flamingo key.

Doflamingo’s quarters were large. Furs, feathers, silk and satins filled the space. It was flamboyant, but so tasteful it felt almost sacred. Yours and Rosinante’s bedroom was plain and plebeian in comparison.

A three and a half meter long golden bed stood against the wall, its golden headboard tall, a dark red tufted headrest surface taking up most of its large space. Above the tufted surface, the curved top edges of the headboard were decorated with golden carvings of feathers leading to the top center of the headboard where the golden shape of Doflamingo’s jolly roger was carved, grinning its golden, menacing, toothy grin at you.

The massive bed was covered by numerous layers of warm covers; first and foremost was a thick pink feather blanket. Beneath it was a polar bear fur blanket, a tiger fur blanket, a dark red merlot duvet, and beneath it all, a merlot red sheet. The two feather pillows were covered by silken merlot pillowcases. Underneath and around the area of the bed was a pink-stained tiger skin rug.

You went down and sat on the bed. The mattress was so soft it felt like you were sitting on a marshmallow.

Doflamingo certainly had a refined taste.

“Wow!” said Baby 5, looking around in awe. “I’ve never been in Young Master’s quarters! They’re so nice!”

Nice was one way to say this entire room is worth more than a small island’s treasury.

You got up and looked into the closet installed into the wall, parting the panels to look at the clothes inside.

This was enough to fill both yours and Rosinante’s closets. Doflamingo was the complete opposite of Rosinante. He had so much clothes, each garment fashionable and expensive. It felt overwhelming simply looking at all the clothes hanging in his closet, a wheel of all colours, all expensive and up to the latest fashion. Whichever colour you thought of, you could spot it. 

There were a lot of capris pants, too, in rather… interesting colours and patterns.

What captured your attention the most were the pointed, low heel, white-black dress shoes. They fit Doflamingo the most somehow, another fashionable piece of clothing.

“You know, Young Master isn’t bad,” said Baby 5. “Cora-san was the mean one of the two of them. Cora-san always whacked us into walls for just getting in his way.”

Stay calm. She’s just a kid. A kid who can shoot you by transforming her arm into a gun, but still a kid.

“I’m sorry,” you said. “That must have hurt.”

Baby 5 shrugged nonchalantly. “He always hit me.”

You could imagine Rosinante scowling and saying, “To try to scare you into running away, you stubborn, stupid, overly brave brat.”

“So I didn’t care. He took Law away, though, and turned him against us. I’m angry at him for that.”

You stared at the girl. Is that what she thought? Sure, you could see that from her point of view, Rosinante kidnapped Law, but in the end, Law made his own decisions on who to stay with at the end of it all based on what he saw of a person. Law was far too smart and very aware of what people were good or bad based on their actions. He didn’t join Doflamingo out of some naivety - Law was very aware how destructive and evil Doflamingo was, and decided Doflamingo was the right fit to help Law get his anger at the world out.

It was thanks to your husband opening up his heart to Law, crying for Law, fighting tooth and nail to cure him even if it meant he’d die trying, that Law chose Rosinante.

In the end, all Law wanted was for someone to treat him as a human, not as some patient or a disease, or a weapon. For someone he could trust. For someone who wouldn’t be afraid of him, or throw him away. For someone to care.

You gazed at Baby 5, feeling an intense swell of sadness the longer you looked at her. 

These children are already a lost cause. There’s no use talking to them, trying to explain the world of adults and right and wrong to them. This girl probably already killed someone. Just like Law did.

They weren’t your problem. They weren't.

But damn it, did your heart hurt for them. These poor kids.

You wondered if your husband thought the same. He must have. He must have wanted to take them all and save them. But he could only take one, and that one was Law, because Law was truly dying. Because Law was a D. He wasn’t meant to be Doflamingo’s minion. That boy was going to flip the world around one day, and frankly, you didn’t care if that meant flipping it for better or for worse, and you didn't care. If anyone wanted Law, they’d have to go through you first. 

You didn’t care anymore about Law’s ancestry, and neither did Rosinante. To you, Law was Law.

And Law had to live.

“Oh! Come see your wardrobe!” said Baby 5 excitedly, taking you by the hand again and walking to the other wardrobe doors. When she opened them, your jaw dropped.

Dresses, jackets and coats of luxury brands in many colors were hanging on the long hanger. On the bottom were boots, heels and sandals of the same quality - luxurious, pricey, out of your paygrade.

There were quite a few black clothes, which was good. Doflamingo couldn’t really tell you what to wear, and you were going to wear black from tomorrow on. You noticed a lacking amount of pants, and a rather alarming amount of dresses and skirts. There were a few dress shirts and blouses. On the installed top shelves were fur hats, gloves and scarves. You opened the bottom drawers, and felt your breath stop. There were pantyhouses, tights, stockings…

You weren’t used to that many clothes, nor did you want to own that many. It was overwhelming.

A color caught your eye when you opened one of the drawers filled with sleeping clothes, chemises, night shirts and the like.

What the fuck? 

It was a beautiful pajama set. 

Wine red.

Merlot red.

The shorts and camisole were both satin a merlot red color. Black lace covered the v-neck of the camisole, its intricate pattern flowing out from the hem of the shorts.

You nearly screamed. You noticed another lingerie garment, black one this time. You reached out and unfolded it, and your eyes nearly bulged out of your head. It was a one-piece black lingerie, the sort of piece meant for one thing only.

Seduction.

You quickly put the garment back among the hanged clothes so Baby 5 doesn’t see the risque sleepwear. You felt your head burn from the heat on your face. How could Doflamingo tell his crew to buy something like that for you? Maybe they chose to buy it on their own to mess with you. You could definitely imagine Diamante being the sort of guy to suggest it to have a nice laugh at your misfortune. 

You shook your head. Maybe that bodysuit lingerie wasn’t yours (even though it still had the price tag on its collar). Maybe one of the women Doflamingo undoubtedly charmed into bed with him had left it behind... You were impressed by whichever woman spent the night with Doflamingo, that they didn’t turn tail and run away full speed at the sight of Doflamingo’s wicked, dark grin. 

You shuddered uncomfortably from head to toe at the mere memory of that grin. 

Doflamingo undoubtedly was many women’s preferred type of man, you supposed. The sort of type they might regret sleeping with later when all is said and done, but… who were you to judge? You dated, married and very much slept with his sweet adorable little brother.

You loved a man in a high-ranking marine officer uniform.

Did Doflamingo let women he didn’t know in here, or onto the ship?

Thankfully, there was a nice black silk pajama set with buttons on the long-sleeved shirt and long sleeping pants. Not thick enough, but with all the thick covers and duvets covering Doflamingo’s bed, you weren’t worried about lack of warmth.

“Young Master says he’ll buy you more in Beliera. These clothes should last the week until we reach a city to buy you good clothes.”

You didn’t understand what good clothes meant to Baby 5. What was wrong with these? They looked brand new, were your size, and some of the coats were from highly reputable fashion houses. One coat was even padded on the inside from Drum Island’s snow rabbit fur.

“Thank you, Baby 5,” you say politely, because she can kill you, and you are tired. “You were really helpful.”

You want to go to sleep. If you wish it hard enough, maybe you’ll get lucky and wake up next to Rosinante with Law dive bombing your husband to wake him up, and this will all have been a very very bad nightmare.

Baby 5’s eyes lit up, shining. “I was?”

You smiled gently at the girl. “Yeah.”

“Can I ask you something?” asked Baby 5, looking up at you with her big dark blue eyes.

“Sure,” you responded, mindful to keep your voice soft and calm; the last thing you want to do is scare the kid who can transform her hand into a gun.

“Are you really Cora-san’s wife?” Baby 5 asked.

“Yes,” you said. “I am.”

Baby 5’s eyes lit up.

You do your best not to giggle at the adorableness. Pirate apprentice she may be, but a kid was still a kid at heart.

“Why on earth would you marry a jerk like Corazón?” asked Baby 5.

The word jerk and Rosinante didn’t fit together in a sentence for you. The word jerk and Doflamingo fit together in a sentence much more.

You were so surprised by her question that your lips parted slightly, leaving you to stare at the eleven-year-old girl with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry!” she said quickly, sounding and looking — scared. You never saw a kid be scared of you. “That was rude to say!”

“It’s okay,” you said, forcing a tiny smile. You knew even if you told her your husband wasn’t as violent toward kids as he painted himself to be during his undercover mission, you were sure Baby 5 wouldn’t trust you.

“Let’s see…" you said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, "you asked me what made me marry him, right?”

Baby 5 nodded.

You smiled. “He didn’t let me fall the first time we met.”

Baby 5 tilted her head.

“We both bumped into each other and fell over, but he instinctually made sure I didn’t hit my head on the cobblestone. He also asked me if I was okay, and helped me up. He apologized, as well, and it was a sincere apology, so it showed me he could own up to his mistakes and that he cares about other people’s feelings.”

“That sounds like something out of a fairy tale!” said Baby 5 in awe, squealing excitedly. “Like meeting a prince!”

You smiled softly, the memory making you warm and sad at the same time. “Yeah, I guess so.” You chuckled. It was the first time you smiled since receiving the transponder snail call from Tsuru. “I’m a lucky woman.”

You froze. Your smile fell. Not am. Were. You were a lucky woman. Rosinante is gone.

Baby 5 noticed the sudden shift in your mood. "Are you okay?”

“I found out he died last night.” you said.

“Oh.” said Baby 5.

A long silence settled over the two of you.

Baby 5 spoke up. “I don’t think Cora-san suffered.”

Your eyes widened, the title Cora-san reminding you of...

“Cora-san!” yelled Law. " You’re on fire again!”

Rosinante blinked, then looked down upon himself, and, much to nobody’s surprise, he indeed was on fire. The end of his coat was enveloped by flames, burning the black feathers.  

Slowly, your husband’s eyes bulged wide open in a comedic show of surprise. The befuddled look on his face made you smile fondly; he looked so cute.

Rosinante shrieked.

“Bath!” yelled Rosinante. “Bath! Aaaaa!”

Your husband went running to the closest bathroom on the ground floor of the house, tripping twice by the time he got to the bathroom.

This was why you didn’t have vases anywhere. 

Law smirked. You raised an eyebrow.

“I  want to pick the cabbage from the garden and make some for Cora-san.” 

You were pleasantly surprised. It was the first time Law wanted to cook something by himself since he arrived here.

You hummed, smiling. “What good timing that Rosi isn’t here to hear you ask that because his coat caught fire.”

“Happy circumstance,” said Law calmly, his poker face extremely impressive for a thirteen-year-old kid.

“Uh-huh,” you drawled dubiously, smiling knowingly at the boy. “I may be a normal citizen, but I know all your little pirate tricks, Law.”

“No you don’t,” said Law, but he didn’t sound quite sure.

You giggled. Law was adorable.

“What do you want to make for him?” you asked.

“I don’t know…” said Law.

“How about we make a tonkatsu?” you suggested. “We’ll shred the cabbage and serve it on the same plate with fried pork cutlets.”

“Can Cora-san and I cook it?” Law asked, and you were starting to realize why he wanted to get to the cabbage garden in the first place. “You’ve been making us meals since we got here, and Cora-san’s like a food vacuum.” 

You chuckled at the description of your husband’s appetite. 

“Sneaky,” you said, then smiled. “Alright. I’ll accept your offer of not having to cook today. I don’t mind taking a break and letting you boys in the kitchen.”

“Come on, before Cora-san comes back!” said Law, grabbing your hand with his small fingers and leading you after him.

You reminded yourself not to cheer in happiness. The fact Law had initiated the contact all on his own was a good sign he was starting to feel comfortable with you. You felt your eyes water in joy. You blinked them away, not wanting to cry during this happy moment as you followed Law (saints, he was fast considering how short he was) out of the living room, out the house, down the porch, and into the garden full of ripe vegetables.

In truth, behind all that mask of coolness and murderous tendencies, Law was a sweet, precious boy.

The two of you made it to the garden, and headed for the rows of cabbages. Law scouted the cabbages with his sharp, grey eyes, looking for the perfect one. You simply stood there, fighting not to smile at the concentration on his face while looking at cabbages of all things. Law looked so serious…

“That one,” said Law, pointing to the largest cabbage in the lines of cabbages.

“I can pull it out,” blurted Law. “Well… I think I can.”

Awww. you thought, smiling.

Law squatted down, pushed the large outer leaves to expose the stem, enveloped the cabbage with his hands, and pulled it. The cabbage moved, but didn’t leave the earth. 

Law frowned. He tried again, harder now, with more force. The stem didn't budge.

Law tried again. He tugged at the cabbage hard, his forehead creasing as he strained himself.  Sweat was starting to accumulate on his temples and forehead. 

“Stupid… thing…” muttered Law, baring his clenched teeth, closing his eyes tight. “Come on!”

Another herculean pull, and Law fell on his back with a yelp. The cabbage had won their tug-of-war, leaving the boy panting and lying in the dirt.

“Are you okay?” you asked, reaching a hand out to him. For a moment, Law looked surprised, but then, he put his little hand in yours and let you pull him back to his feet.

“I’m fine,” said Law, catching his breath, brushing off the dirt from his knees. You patted down the back of his yellow shirt away from the dirt, as well.

You and Law looked at the cabbage. Despite it not being animate, you both shared the same sentiment. The vegetable was mocking you.

“We can get a knife -” you started.

“No!” said Law breathlessly. He gulped down. “I’m doing it bare-handed!”

“Do you want me to pull you a bit?” you asked.

“Only a little,” said Law sternly. It was very clear this was a matter of pride to him. He looked distraught, glaring down at the cabbage.

You nodded. You respected Law’s determination. He knew his own limits. 

“Okay,” you said, squatting down. “Where do you want me to pull you?”

Law looked surprised for a moment at the question, but he soon covered it, and said confidently, “Around my stomach is fine.”

You put your hands around Law’s stomach, aware of how much Law was trusting you.

“We go on three,” said Law.

“Got it,” you said, voice serious.

"One..." said Law.

A long arm wrapped around your stomach.

You nearly shrieked at the massive arm wrapped around your stomach, but in the next moment, you identified it and closed your mouth, because nobody else had arms that could envelop your body fully except Rosinante.

You pulled your head up to the sky. Rosinante put his index finger on his lips in a shushing motion, smiling at you. You beamed at your husband.

“Two…”

Rosinante's hand was warm and large on your waist, his long fingertips touching the back of your spine, sending goosebumps across your entire body.

It was not the time to be thinking about your husband’s large, warm hands and how much you would like them buried between (or wrapped around) your thighs.

“Three!” yelled Law.

All three of you fell to the floor. Rosinante, of course, cushioned your fall, and you landed on his large chest, Law landing atop your knees.

You stared at the clear blue sky, breathless, your husband’s forearm resting below your chest, his long arm enveloping your entire body. You felt heat in your chest and cheeks.

“Ha!” yelled Law victoriously, lifting the large vegetable high above his head under the shining sun like a triumphant gladiator at the Dressrosa Colosseum. “The cabbage is mine!”

You heard a “pf” above your head, and as you and Law tilted your heads up to the source of the sound, Rosinante laughed heartily, the sound gentle and loving, his white teeth in full view.

“Eh? Since when was Cora-san here?” asked Law.

You giggled. “He tripped and we fell atop him.”

Law smirked. “Heh.”

“Look, Cora-san!” said Law, showing your husband the cabbage, leaves, stem, root and all, which was two times bigger than Law’s head. “I pulled out the biggest one!”

Rosinante managed out a, “Good job!” between his fits of laughter, reaching down to pat Law’s back gently.

“Let’s go cook it!” said Law excitedly. You stared at the boy, happiness blooming in your chest at the happiness on Law’s face.

Rosinante just laughed louder and harder, even as Law pulled at his fingers with his hand to get him to get a move on.

“You… you go ahead, Law. I’ll be… right behind you…” Rosinante managed.

Giggling like a little devil, Law ran back to the house with his prize. 

Rosinante’s laughter eventually lessened, and you couldn’t help but admire him. He was so beautiful. His golden hair shone under the sun, his brown eyes warm, his smile bright.

You couldn’t help it. You leaned forward on his lap, straightened up, and kissed him. Rosinante didn’t mind. He welcomed the kiss, his lips moving against yours passionately, hungry for your kiss. His hands settled on your back, pulling you flush to him.

“Hurry up, Cora-san!” Law yelled from the house. “You can kiss your wife after we cook my cabbage!”

Rosinante ignored Law, slipping his tongue inside the cavern of your mouth to taste you. You moaned, your fingers burying deeper into his hair.

“Cora-san!” yelled Law again. 

Rosinante growled, gave you another peck, and with much hesitation, parted from your lips. You giggled, resting your hands on his chest.

“The kid’s such a cockblocker,” mumbled Rosinante under his breath grumpily, resting his head on your shoulder with an exhausted sigh. “First he sets my coat on fire to sneak out with you, then this!”

You gasped at the word, and hissed, “Rosinante!” then slapped your husband on the chest.

Rosinante yelped. 

“But he is!” argued your husband, his brown eyes soft and teary, on the verge of crying. “It’s not like he can’t cook, he’s a better cook than me! You should try his mushroom soup, it’s out of this world. You know, I’m starting to think the D. in his name isn’t for the clan of D. but for dickhea-”

You grabbed your husband’s soft cheek and pulled at it. 

“Ow ow ow!”

You let go of his cheek, message made.

“You can be so oblivious,”  you said. Rosinante whined, his brown eyes big and puppy-like, pouting at you. “Law wants to cook with you. He wanted to surprise you with the cabbage, that’s why he set your coat on fire.”

Rosinante blinked multiple times.

“Oh,” said Rosinante. A big, goofy smile blossomed across his face. “That’s adorable~”

“Cora-san!”

Law sounded like he was going to throw a frying pan at your husband from the window.

“Coming!” chirped Rosinante.

Rosinante smirked down at you, and your heart skipped ten beats. “Up you go, mi amor.”

You shrieked as your husband’s arm wrapped around you, picked you up off the ground, hoisting you upward, two metres high, your stomach dropping as you ascended suddenly, your arms instinctually winding around Rosinante’s thick neck as you came to a stop below his chest.

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” you said out loud, staring at your husband lovingly.

“You’re wrong,” said Rosinante seriously, looking at you with firm belief in his brown eyes. “I’m the lucky one. The universe might have made me unlucky in many things by making me a klutz and having Doffy as my older brother…”

“Rosi…” you murmured sadly, tears stinging at your eyes.

Rosinante’s expression changed, brightening completely. He beamed at you, handsome and beautiful. “But it gave me luck for the most important thing, so I’m happy to be clumsy and have Doffy as my older brother, cus I got lucky with you as my wife in return!”

Your throat clogged up. How did you get so lucky with such a wonderful man like Rosinante?

“I don’t think you’re unlucky,” you said, clenching the soft fabric of his pink, heart pattern dress shirt between your fingers. “After all, your clumsiness is how we met, remember?”

Rosinante chuckled, an adorable pink blush staining his cheeks as he smiled awkwardly. “That was embarrassing…”

“No,” you said lovingly, resting your head against his broad chest, listening to the thump thump of his heart below your ear. “It was wonderful. I love you, Rosi.”

Rosinante looked down at you softly, with such love your heart melted. His hands brought you closer to his chest, his long, large fingers tightening around your knees protectively.

“I love you, too.” he said, the confession soft and gentle, his warm voice settling over you, filling your body. “Thanks for marrying me.”

You giggled. “Right back at you, Commander Donquixote.”

Rosinante chuckled.

The two of you made it back into the house, where Law waited, arms crossed over his chest. 

“Sorry, my love. Kid calls,” he said, and you giggled.

Rosinante kissed you again, then placed you carefully on the white couch, atop his black feather coat, and headed to the kitchen.

“Are you done shoving your tongue down (Y/N)-san’s throat?”

Rosinante squawked, and you were no better.

“How do you know about the… that?!” shrieked Rosinante.

“I saw Doflamingo do it with a lady. Diamante sent me to get him and I saw it.”

You were dying of giggles at this point.

Rosinante sighed, putting a hand over his head, feeling an incoming headache. “My brother needs to be put in the seventh level of Impel Down...”

“I thought Impel Down has six levels,” said Law.

“No, the seventh level is where the Navy keeps the horn dogs.” said Rosinante. "Or horn birds!" Rosinante let out a laugh. “Get it? Cause Doffy's a flamingo!”

Law stared at your husband with an unimpressed look, an unsaid "How are you an adult?" clearly written on his face. You snorted.

“They should put you in there too, then, Cora-san.” said Law bluntly.

It was your turn to burst out laughing. Law should be a comedian. His comedic timing and delivery are impeccable.

“That’s so mean, Law!” cried Rosinante. “I thought you wanted to cook cabbage with me?”

It was Law who stammered now, getting tongue-tied. A faint pink dusted his cheeks.

“Only if you promise not to set anything on fire!” said Law, as though he hadn’t wanted to cook with Rosinante the entire time.

“Yes, Captain!” said Rosinante, saluting.

You giggled as Law blushed further. The sweet boy looked like he was going to melt into a puddle of mushroom soup. It was absolutely adorable. But you could see Law was happy. You sent the boy a thumbs up, to which Law flushed red, squawking.

Rosinante laughed, the sound deep and soft, carefree, gentle and warm, filling the house with a homeliness you sorely missed. It filled your heart with love, embraced you in the feel of safety, making butterflies flutter free in your belly.

“Don’t worry, I’m a good cook, Law! When we moved here, I made a full lunch for my wife and took her on a picnic date, and she loved my food!”

‘I loved the dessert after the food, too.’ you thought, smiling to yourself at the memory of what happened after all the food was eaten.

“Liar!” accused Law without any bite to the word, pointing a ladle at the tall blond. “There’s no way you cooked without setting yourself on fire! And a picnic? No way!”

“It’s true,” you said from your place in the living room, speaking loudly to reach the kitchen. “It was one of our dates.”

Law looked at you all the far way from the kitchen like you’d betrayed him.

“See?” asked Rosinante cheerily, beaming at Law.

While Rosinante and Law started on the meal, you fell atop Rosinante’s black feather coat with a blissful sigh.

It smelled like him. Coal and roses. You smiled into the feathers, grabbing the coat and rolling over, wrapping yourself up in it. 

You relaxed back into the plush whiteness of the couch, covering yourself in your husband’s black feather coat. You opened the Grand Line Magazine to kill some time while your husband and his ward cooked. You sighed happily, closing your eyes, all your muscles loosening, any plans for the day vaporizing away. It was nice that they were cooking today. You could take a nice little nap on the couch.

Ten minutes later, Law and Rosinante set the kitchen on fire.

Well… there goes the cabbage.

Law.

Oh saints.

Law.

“Young Master’s executions are always quick.” said Baby 5, unaware of the memories running through your mind. “So I don’t think Cora-san suffered.”

Execution. Baby 5 called it.

Executions are sentences for condemned criminals, those who have broken the law. For criminals.

Celestial Dragons execute people, too. 

Doflamingo executed Rosinante for the sin of betraying him. It wasn’t that Rosinante commited a crime against the world. It was that Rosinante commited a crime against Doflamingo.

You could hear your breaths start to quicken. Your stomach twisted uncomfortably.

“Where’s the bathroom?” you asked.

“Oh, it’s right -” Baby 5 trailed off after she pointed to another white door with golden trimmings on its surface because you rushed right into the bathroom and closed the doors behind yourself.

Tears leaked out of your trembling eyes.

Rosinante.

Your lungs were on fire.

Rosinante.

Your body was in pain.

Rosinante.

Your heart was in pieces.

How were you even standing on these quivering legs of yours?

You collapsed on your knees in front of the toilet, clutching at your heaving chest. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt.

Were you having a panic attack?

Nausea built up in your stomach, trailing up, all the way to your throat. You gagged.

I’m gonna throw up.

That was the last thought you had before you violently threw up into the porcelain bowl of the toilet.

There goes the souffle.

You panted, eyes wide, staring in shock at the water stained with the physical materialisation of your disgust and terror. For a moment, you didn’t know where you were, or what was happening.

For a moment, you opened your mouth to form the syllables of your husband’s name, knew that Rosi was rushing to the bathroom the moment he heard you throw your guts up, you needed to tell him something was wrong, something was really, really wrong, it all hurt, he needed to get you to a hospital —

“Ro-” you choked, only to stop midway, another spasm of pain hitting your ribcage, like you aggressively pulled a muscle.

Rosi wasn't coming. That's why it hurt. Because Rosi was dead, he wasn’t here, he was dead, dead, dead —

Breathe.

Just breathe.

That’s all you need to do.

Breathe.

You rested your body on the cold tiles. It was easier this way. The floor was freezing, but it was better than the heat. Your body was on fire, your back and collar covered in sweat. You hoped you'd shiver soon. Better to shiver than sweat.

You didn't know how long you laid there, lying on the floor, stabilising your breaths, waiting for your body and organs to calm down.

When the pain in your chest fully abated, when your ribs didn't feel like they were squeezing onto your heart, when your body finally regained normal temperature and when your breaths calmed...

You exhaled in relief. You waited a few more seconds. Let it all settle down.

Then, you sat up and breathed some more. You took that time to look around the bathroom.

There was a porcelain white, flat rim clawfoot tub against the wall, its handle and feet golden.

Beside the tub was a walk-in, rectangular shower on the left, separated by a single glass door. The shower space was tiled with soft pink tiles all across from top to bottom. It had a golden shower head high above the ceiling, and a golden hand shower mounted on the handle above golden temperature valves.

It reminded you of the luxury honeymoon suite you and Rosinante stayed in on your honeymoon in Water 7.

After a few more moments, you carefully got up.

Your hands were trembling. You were panting, breathing rapidly, your stomach feeling empty and too crowded all at once. You looked at your reflection in the mirror; you’ve never looked so terrified before, never was your face dripping with perspiration brought by fear you’d been withholding the entire day, burying it deep inside you to the best of your abilities.

You are surrounded by people on the ship, but you’ve never felt so alone. 

It’s just the waves. Just the waves. You take a deep breath in, and a deep breath out.

Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.

You washed your face and mouth, wiping your face with the towel, then went back outside to Baby 5.

“Sorry, I guess I’m still gaining my sea legs,” you said lightly, forcing a small smile on your face. The last thing you wanted was for her to tell Doflamingo you got violently sick just by interacting with him and his crew for an hour.

There was a gramophone with a large golden flaring trumpet horn on the tall mahogany cabinet beside the armchair. There was a record in the gramophone already. Out of curiosity, you put the needle on the edge, letting the record play. 

It was a classical piece, a solo of a piano. Of course Doflamingo likes classical music…

The piano played through the horn softly, slowly, with a sort of tune that reminded you of the peacefulness of a rainy day. A tenderness leaked out from the piano the further the sound played.

“Do you like it?”

You screamed like a banshee, at the top of your lungs, embarrassingly high and for a good length of five full seconds, jumping a full meter high, leaping away from Doflamingo’s deep voice.

It unnerved you how a man so huge could sneak up on you with such silence. Rosi had been able to do the same thing, but you could always pick up his presence because he was clumsy. 

“You —” Doflamingo continued laughing, all his white, large teeth in sight, his smile stretching from ear to ear, forming dimples on his cheeks. “— jumped so high —” More deep, dark, amused laughter came from the massive man. “— like a rabbit, fufufu!” 

Doflamingo laughed more, the sound loud and uproarious, his broad shoulders and wide chest shaking with the laughter, the pink feathers of his coat swaying from the movement of his body. 

You scrambled for the needle and pulled it off the record, turning off the sound of the piano.

“She likes the clothes, Young Master!” said Baby 5 energetically, undoubtedly happy she was useful.

“I sure hope so, fufufu!” said Doflamingo.

“There’s some more souffles in the kitchen,” said Doflamingo secretly, in a sneaky, mischievous tone, smile wide and up to no good. Baby 5’s eyes widened. You could feel her mouth water for the desert. “How about you go snatch some before Buffalo gets his hands on them? But don’t say I told you, hm?”

“Really? Thanks, Young Master!” Baby 5 headed for the doors, waving at you. “Bye, (Y/N)-san! See you at dinner!”

“Bye,” you said weakly, even though you wanted to beg Baby 5 to stay. You didn’t want to be alone with Doflamingo.

You looked at Doflamingo. It shouldn’t be him.

You shouldn’t be looking at Doflamingo.

You should be looking at Rosi.

“Answer my question.”

There was a roughness to his voice, an impatience to it, a demand more than a suggestion.

You clenched your teeth.

Say it. Just say it.

You clenched your jaw tight.

“It’s nice,” you said, but because you were a marine’s wife, added before you could stop: “For a pirate.”

Doflamingo smiled in that unnerving way. "I suppose it is."

Doflamingo walked to the alcohol cabinet, taking off his gloves. He opened the glass doors, scanned through the wines, and pulled out a dark red bottle. He placed it on the small, round table near the armchair. On the label was written Grand Vin de Bordeaux and under it was the name of the merlot wine Châteaux Meyne.

“Châteaux Meyne. It’s my favourite,” he said, lifting the crimson bottle. “Has a great bitter after kick.”

He extended his arm, offering the bottle to you. You took it, mindful not to touch his large, long, tanned fingers. You took a sniff of it, and groaned, offering it back to him.

“It doesn’t smell like merlot,” you said, brows furrowing and nose scrunching with distaste; the scent of alcohol was strongly wafting from the bottle, overwhelmingly heavy. “Your poor liver.”

Doflamingo let out a loud laugh, taking the bottle from you. “I said the same thing to Corazon about his lungs.”

Without anything more, Doflamingo drank straight from the bottle, taking easy, smooth gulps.

After he had his fill, Doflamingo exhaled loudly, deep and pleased. You felt yourself shudder, both in surprise and shock. That was not a sound a polite man made in public. It was the sort of sound you mostly heard with Rosi. In bed. After and while Rosi cummed. Sometimes Rosi was loud when he cummed, sometimes the sounds he released when he came were grunts, moans, but sometimes, it was that. 

Doflamingo can behave like a royal one moment, but then a pirate the next. A gentleman one moment, a brute the next. It confused you. 

You took a large step back from him. Your legs felt light and weak. Doflamingo put the bottle back on the round coffee table beside the armchair.

“How do you like the clothes?” he asked.

“If you’d let me bring some of my clothes, you wouldn’t need to spend your money.” you said, not feeling anything at all right now. You felt empty. You didn’t care about the clothes. You’d throw them all away if it meant having Rosi back.

Doflamingo gave you a smile; goosebumps traveled up your spine. “I don’t mind. I like spending money on you.”

“There’s a great sleeping robe in there.”

You felt your hackles rise, remembering the red satin pajama set and the black lingerie bodysuit.

“First you kidnap me, now you’re telling me what to wear?” you asked.

“Fufufu! I didn’t kidnap you.” said Doflamingo, pink feathers atop his shoulders shaking with the movement of them as he chuckled. “You went with me on your own.”

Doflamingo tilted his head and smiled at you, arrogant and wicked. You glared at him, a growl building in your throat.  Both of you knew that you only went because he threatened to kill everyone on the island, but the way he was spinning it like you went willingly got on your nerves.

“And, I wouldn’t dare to tell a lady what she should wear. I’m only…” He smiled again, sending goosebumps down your spine, “suggesting. It can get cold on the ship, after all.” Despite not being able to see his eyes, his gaze was no less intense through the crimson sunglasses as he gazed down on you with a sharp, unsettling focus and intent. “And pretty women like you should wear pretty things.”

The way he smiled, the way he talked… It made you squirm uncomfortably. It made you want to run away and hide. Instead, you held eye contact with him.

You wondered how much force you’d need to use your bare hands to rip his ribcage open, rip his heart out, and toss it and his body into the sea.

You hated him. You hated him, hated him, hated him so much you wanted to scream.

You needed to look at something else, anything else. A chessboard caught your eye. There were still pieces on it, as though the players stopped playing mid-game. You surveyed the pieces with your eyes. Both kings were still on the board.

“That’s my game with Law," said Doflamingo. "I’m waiting for him so we can finish it. I pasted the pieces to the board.”

“We started playing it to expand his approach to strategies. I kept winning, but Law kept coming back.” Doflamingo chuckled, the sound wicked and menacing. “Kept losing, until this game. This was the last game before Corazon took him away. We were both stuck. I was really proud, fufufu! He managed to play me to a standstill.”

“You know, I thought he was only a traitor. But not an… not an actual marine.” Doflamingo smirked. “That surprised me. I’m even more surprised he handed Law into Navy custody.” Doflamingo was too busy gesturing with his hands and watching the chessboard to notice your eyes widening. “Now that was really surprising. Law hates anything connected to the World Government, but I guess the marines were the safest option.”

Doflamingo thinks Law is with the Navy.  Nice going, Rosi.

“I wonder what lies my brother put in Law’s head.”

“They weren’t lies,” you said. “Messing up your plans… that was just icing on the cake. You underestimated Rosi, and you paid for it by losing Law and the Op-Op Fruit.”

Doflamingo smiled ear to ear. “You’re really angry.”

“Yes,” you said, blood boiling in your veins. It surprised you how steam wasn’t coming out of every pore of your skin with the heat and rage in your blood. “I’m angry. Didn’t me shooting at you show you I’m angry?”

He chuckled, like it was something funny. “Yeah. It did.”

Doflamingo walked to the bed and sat down beside you. His broad frame took up a lot of the space you thought was yours. No space was yours on this ship, especially not his bed.

Doflamingo rested his forearms on his knees, letting his hands hang loosely down.

He was quiet for long moments. It didn’t look like he would speak until he did.

“I know how lonely grief can be,” he said, tone more quiet, intimate. “When I lost my mother, I was left to deal alone with my grief. Father and Rosi were useless. We barely buried Mother before I had to go scavenge for food.”

Your heart clenched painfully. Rosinante told you about his childhood only once, but once had been enough to leave you hugging him to your chest and bawling your eyes out.

“But Doffy… he wasn’t like me. I never heard him cry like he cried when mother died. But after he was done, he got up and said we should bury mother. Like he hadn’t cried at all.”

Doflamingo leaned down. He was so close. Close enough for you to see your reflection, painted crimson in the lenses of his one-way sunglasses. You looked pathetic. Absolutely weak and pathetic.

Doflamingo looked down at your left hand. You felt his gaze on the golden wedding ring on your ring finger. His forehead creased, the line of his mouth turning down. It was such a cold, heartless, disgusted look on his face it froze the blood in your veins, making your heart drop.

It was the exact same look of Celestial Dragons in Mariejois, looking down on people like the people’s mere existence insulted them. Like people were ants and pebbles in their path.

Doflamingo moved his right hand, and placed it atop yours.

You jumped in your skin.

Doflamingo’s hand felt different from Rosinante’s, even like this. Doflamingo’s palm was bigger, his fingers longer and thicker, the weight of it starkly different. His tanned palm covered your hand completely, lying atop it. His tanned fingers curled down, flexing, grabbing hold of your palm, encircling it completely from one side to another. 

Your breath caught, held in your lungs, your entire body frightened. It felt like your hand was caught in a bear trap.

“I’m not going to leave you to go through it alone,” he said, voice firm and serious, his fingers squeezing your hand gently, mindful of his strength. You didn’t expect any regard from him, so it surprised you, leaving your brain scrambling to keep up with the shifts of his mood. “I know you feel alone without him, but I’m right here. From now on, I’ll take care of you. I know you don’t want to, but that’s what I’m going to do.”

You said nothing. You felt empty. It didn’t feel like there was anything inside you. 

You could feel the heat of Doflamingo's hand, warming up your trembling one.

“I know healing will take time.” he whispered, his deep voice so painfully gentle and soft you realized he truly was Rosinante’s older brother. They both had such gentle voices when they were speaking quietly.

Doflamingo reached forward with his arm, wrapping it around your back. He squeezed you close to him, like a child with his favorite teddy bear that he ripped apart on his own and was promising to stitch it back to health. The merlot of his suit filled your sight, the scents of bergamot and sea salt filling your nose, and you could feel it faintly beneath your ear where your face was pressed to his chest.

The beat of his heart.

“But don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way, my cute little sister-in-law.”

How dare he smile at you, how dare he look at you? How can he bring himself to smile when he killed his brother? You want to punch it off his face. But you barely reach his thigh height, and you can’t leap high enough to attempt to do such a thing. You’d probably get yourself tossed like a ragdoll into the wall for the effort, or something worse.

Get your hand off me, you pirate scum. You damn asshole. You’re no family to me.

Why? Why couldn’t you come out and say it? Were you that gutless? Were you this much of a coward? Were you all bark and no bite?

Doflamingo exhaled at the continued silence from you, sounding disappointed.

“I’m locking you inside during the night for now, so you don’t do something reckless.”

You said nothing.

“I still have some work to do, but I’ll be back to take you to dinner. Get some rest until then.”

You nodded.

“Sweet dreams,” said Doflamingo.

Doflamingo kissed you on the cheek, got off his massive bed, and left in a flutter of pink feathers.

The click of the lock brought a strange feeling of relief to the massive bedroom. You exhale breaths you’d been holding, panting out the fear you’d held trapped in your lungs. The irony of it isn’t lost on you. You feel more safe locked in than free. At least you know nobody will enter except him.

You start to breathe again. Your body trembled. Panting, shaking, you take out the small picture you always kept in your bra, hidden away.

Your lips trembled. A sob slipped out of you, a frightened little whimper following through.

You put your hand over your mouth, muffling your pathetic sobs, your entire body convulsing with the pained sounds coming out of your mouth. 

You remembered the words Rosinante said to you in his vows on your wedding day.

“He said ‘just follow the compass that beats in your chest’. You are the compass that beats in my chest.”

“You are my flag.”

Without you here, I’m all alone. you thought, sobbing. Sounds of agony left your mouth, shaking you down to your bones. You hugged the pillow, wishing it was your husband instead.

Your compass was gone. You were lost at sea, without a home to go to - Rosinante was your home. Your flag was burned to cinders, ripped to shreds, six bullets in his chest, his blood on the snow.

Memories overflowed within you, and more tears streamed down your face.

Your time with Rosinante and Law felt like a dream.

“I love you!” Rosinante yelled, spinning you around in the air, the black feathers of his coat whirling around you like wings of an angel.

You kissed your angelic husband with all the love in the world.

The dream is over, and it will never be the way it was.

Rosinante is gone, Law is lost and hiding, and you’re in a nightmare now.

“I love you.”

Those were the last words you and Rosinante said to each other.

Rosinante’s “I love you.” sounds a lot like goodbye now.

Before you know it, before you can stop it — and you try, you try to stop it so hard you nearly suffocate in the attempt — a miserable, loud sob rips itself out of your chest, shaking you to your core.

It sounds wretched. It sounds pathetic. Your ribcage hurts from the sadness it holds, the sadness that needs to get out unless it kills you.

You cling to the picture of Rosinante and Law, holding their smiling faces and the beautiful colours in the clutch of your trembling fingers.

Executed.

Executed.

Like Rosi was a… a… a dog. Like Rosi did something wrong, when it was Doflamingo who did everything wrong. Like Rosi’s use was done, like Rosi was deemed worthless the moment he stopped being loyal.

The tears stream out of your eyes.

Rosinante didn’t deserve to be killed like a dog.

Your hands clutch the picture, and you start to bawl aloud, letting go.

You cry. You cry so much.

Outside the room, Doflamingo isn’t smiling. His lips are set in a downward arc, shaping a deep, displeased frown as the sounds of your sobs reach his ears.

Doflamingo enjoyed watching people cry, hearing the vermin scream, sob and cry as he hurt them, played with them, terrified them, as he did whatever he wanted to them because he had the birthright to do so. It was fun. 

Doflamingo didn’t like hearing you cry, not over an idiot like his little brother who couldn’t even pull through for you, who died and left you behind.

Doflamingo put his gloved hands in the pockets of his merlot suit pants, and walked out of his cabin, locking the doors behind himself. He walked down the hallway, the frown remaining on his face, the skin of his browline and forehead creasing.

The pink feathers of his coat swayed with every step, a royal mantle following its king.

You were Doflamingo’s responsibility now, and Doflamingo would make sure you were happy here. It would take a while, but eventually, you’ll get over it, and accept your new life here.

You belonged to Doflamingo the moment Rosinante took his last breath. The moment Rosinante’s heart beat its last beat, you became Doflamingo’s. He’d take better care of you than his clumsy idiot of a brother ever did.

Scene of Corazon sleeping on the bean bag with the kids was inspired by this FANART

A/N: Doflamingo really saw that merlot red satin pajama set and said “I'll buy that, that's totally normal to buy my sister-in-law who I widowed!” HE'S MANIFESTING 🤣🤣🤣 Reader is already his in his head (not romantically quite yet but he is definitely already FOND of her), Reader just needs to catch up even though Doffy is going at Gear 5 speed. Also, if nobody noticed my Gear 2 (my fav gear) reference I will sit down and cry a lot. I finally wrote the damn ring scene, I kept forgetting that Reader is actively wearing her wedding ring. Apparently, wearing it on the left hand is bcs the left arm is believed to have a vein that leads to the heart, so there's that! Doffy is about to have internal monologues about that wedding ring and how much he hates it and I will die laughing while writing it 🤣🤣

[thememecrown]

Today's updates and more.. 🌚

- Mingxian; It's getting worse here, I'm not playing games here. Things are going to get worse and worse.. plus we need to figure out who was the figure behind them with the red veil. WHO THE FUCK IS THAT? It is also the meaning and what can happen if it is around ... Read the survival tips I'll leave, they make things clear 👀 (you will have in the next chapters the lore on this figure, i swear to god. Because... Well... You'll find out ✌🏻😇)

- Ruoren argues over coffee; I will post two updates for them, not one, but two(or three)!!! Things are getting interesting here, REALLY INTERESTING EHEHEHEHE 🌚 Here my Italian side comes out in all its power and stupidity🤌🏻... Just say that it's time to make peace with those two and there's nothing better than a pasta with beans and potatoes, to resolve any conflict ❤️‍🩹(Or send them on a holiday to Italy, aboard a Venetian gondola with the guy who drives them singing "That's Amore"... Or take a tour of the most romantic cities ever... Obviously someone has a hand in it, more than one person👀 )

- Jiang Cheng & Wei Wuxian: We'll have fun, just that's it ehehehe

More...🌚 Things that can come out at any moment 👀

- Oneshot NieLan: I "argued " with my mom again, because I have my shirt on backwards. And I have a fever (38° fever and i can post stuff it's awesome lmao) And I was like "you care about a shirt on backwards and not about me!!! I have a fever mother!! Well, in protest I'll keep it like this!!!!"... My brain did the rest 🌚

- Lan Qiren x Wei Wuxian: This is crunchy, THIS IDEA IS CRISPY. It's an idea I also have for Mingxian but I thought about that at the moment... Lan Qiren and Wei Wuxian also deserved their moment EHEHEHEHEH

- Possible One Shot on Mingxian: Wei Wuxian fem. I SAID EVERYTHING. I SAID EVERYTHING.

I'm not saying I'll do everything today, I'll start and see where I get to. For the one shot I'll let the wheel of fortune decide, or you can shout either anonymously or in the comments... I hear you 🌚

As for updates, I'm not in order. I'll follow my head and see what he wants to do ✌🏻

SEE YAA LITTLE STAR 🤌🏻

[inkedmoth]

hmm I kinda want to change a scene

but the last time I changed one (1) scene I had to re-write three chapters so MAYBE I SHOULDN'T???

but also

sharing body heat ehehehehe

[kathrynalicemc]

A/N: Ehehehehe new OCs for this one! Well i've had them for a long time but never said much about them yet because I was waiting for this!! Reminder again that next chapter will be in 2 weeks

Warnings: None for now?

Characters: Dafne Arcano, Dayamanti Arcano, Dielle Arcano, Jorren Varangr, Kyne Varangr, Kodlak Varangr, Merla Varangr, Julio Aquila + Crew, Atticus Demiurgos-Kennedy @endlessly-cursed, Elidon Greyloc, Brokenshire & Cairncross Family @cursebreakerfarrier, Irene Quinn and Agnes Malinda @gaygryffindorgal

Song: Ode to Fury by Miracle of Sound

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

Chapter 2: Svalbard

“So where are we going?” Dayamanti asked as soon as they reached the open ocean.

“Svalbard,” Dafne replied.

“Why there? You honestly don’t think Valhalla is there, do you?”

“No. But like you said, I can’t possibly take on a mountain full of zombies by myself. We need some help, and maybe see if they have any more information.”

“They?” Dayamanti questioned with a quirk of her eyebrow.

“The Varangrs. It’s their history too, so it’s only fair that we ask.”

“Alright then,” she replied and went to work angling the sails, the longship turning to head north.

The journey would take them roughly three days with the help of enchantments upon the sails to increase their speed. It would be easy enough as Dayamanti had made the journey herself a few times for the Arcano Trading Co. The longship itself wasn’t too large, however the deck was just large enough to set up a small tent which, of course, was larger on the inside.

Dafne ducked and entered the tent to get out of the bitter cold wind and ocean spray. The tent once belonged to Alatar so the interior was very simple consisting of a few cots, a small bonfire in the center, and various rugs and furs piled on the ground around it.

Picking a comfy looking fur, Dafne sat down upon it and pulled another tight around herself. Producing the purple journal once belonging to her ancestor, she began to read.

——

Iolanthe Arcano, Magiens Mester

Entry #1

Date: May 15th, 1928

This is it. I’m finally going to do it after years of planning. I’ve got some vacation time coming up and everything is in order for when I’m gone. It could just be a bedtime story passed down for generations, but I’m betting it’s real. If it is, I can only imagine the amount of long forgotten knowledge hidden away in that city. Now all I need to do is find myself a team, and I have a pretty good idea who can help me..

Entry #2

Date: June 1st, 1928

We have managed to gain passage on a skyship called the Empyrean. I am familiar with Captain Aquila, we’ve been friends for a while. He has incredible navigation skills that will be a big help. Along with the ship's crew, I have also hired my own crew.

Senior Undersecretary Elidon Greyloc was my first pick. My second pick, of course, is my beloved Atticus. They were both an instant hire. As for the rest of the team, I have hired a few members from both the Cairncross and Brokenshire families.

Doctor Elias Cairncross and Reginald Brokenshire are leaders in their respective fields. Their knowledge of cultures and languages will be very beneficial. Also joining the team is Reginald’s son Asa Brokenshire and Elias’s daughter Zelda Cairncross. Zelda is an anthropologist whereas Asa has skills with defending against the Dark Arts. It must really run in their family, because I also hired Zelda’s son Leo Cairncross. I’ll have three generations of experts with me.

Lastly, Irene Quinn and Agnes Malinda round out the team. Irene is a private investigator, a skill I believe will come in handy for solving problems. Her partner Agnes is a journalist, to my dismay. I personally don’t want to get the press involved but Irene requested her help. I’d hate for the press to get news that my expedition was useless if this story ends up just that. A story.

Entry #3

Date: June 25th, 1928

We’ve been traveling on foot across the north of Norway for nearly a month now, occasionally taking the Empyrean if the distance is too far. After the Empyrean lands, we make our way to a few sites we thought might have the city. One after one we crossed off the list, not finding any hints of any entrances among the mountains. The team is getting restless and homesick, having nothing to show for weeks of camping. Even during summer, the north of Norway still has snow up high in the mountains.

Most days are long, requiring travel by foot or aparating longer distances. By choosing to do this in the summer, we have the luxury of not wasting daylight as the Midnight Sun never sets in the north. Although, it can be challenging to try to sleep under the almost sunset. This also proves difficult for navigating as our most skilled navigator Jules Aquila usually uses the stars at night to guide him.

We only have a handful of possible locations left to check. I’m starting to lose hope of the lost city even existing. If we don’t find anything, I’m worried my team might think I dragged them out on a wild goose chase to waste their time on a fairytale.

Entry #4

Date: August 3rd, 1928

I knew it! Ever since I was a child listening to the stories by the fire, I’ve dreamed of finally reclaiming the lost wizard city of Valhalla. I’ve studied the stories and maps for years and I have asked almost everyone from Skalafell to recount it to me, each story having new details or losing others. All this work was actually worth it. We think we have found it.

Entry #5

Date: August 9th, 1928

Today, the team will board the Empyrean once again. After two months, we are finally headed home, but I am sad to report it will be empty handed. They all worked admirably and I am proud of how far we came. I am frustrated and disappointed beyond belief, but I refuse to give up. I hope someday I can return and finish what we started. This will be my last entry about the lost city. Agnes has promised not to write about it publicly, our expedition will not be recorded for the history books. I look forward to a time where it could be...

——

Dafne’s brow furrowed as the text abruptly ended. Quickly flipping through revealed that about only a quarter of the journal was filled. The rest were blank pages. However, her attention was caught when flipping a page caused a folded piece of parchment to slip out and land on her lap. Unfolding it revealed a rough map of Norway, red paint crossing out multiple locations except one.

These must be the locations Iolanthe and her team explored. The only location not crossed out was on the coast of northern Norway. At least they had their starting location, although Dafne was worried about what they would find there. Iolanthe was certain they had found it, but the next entry told a different story. What could have happened?

——

The days passed slowly without event, the sisters spending the time together in the tent. They talked about anything they could think of. It was nice to have some free time to catch up as the last few years Dielle was at Hogwarts and Dafne herself attended a muggle university.

Before they knew it, the Jörmungandr thunked against the frozen docks on Svalbard belonging to the Varangr family. They were very nomadic and lived off the land so they didn’t really have a named village like Skalafell. The docks only existed because of the trade route their families established. In fact, it was Dafne’s grandfather Alatar who broke their centuries long feud and made peace with them. It was such a long grudge that neither family remembered what it was about.

Dayamanti, Dafne, and Dielle made their way off the ship and further inland, their boots crunching on the fresh snow of late autumn.

“How are we supposed to find anyone? Svalbard is huge and they could be anywhere!” Dielle questioned.

“No idea, I’ve never actually met them. Whenever I would make a trade, I would just leave the crates on the dock and take the ones already waiting,” Dayamanti replied.

Dafne was just about to make a sarcastic remark about perhaps trying to yell into the bushes when a voice yelled out at them.

“What is your business here?” an imposing figure stood in the distance off to the side, speaking Norwegian. He was draped in furs and had long gray hair that was braided in places. In his hand was a spear that rested on the ground like a cane.

“Oh, um my name is Dafne Arcano. These are my sisters Dayamanti and Dielle. You may know our grandpa Alatar?” Dafne offered back, matching his Norwegian.

“I do,” he answered gently, “I’m Kyne Varangr. How may I be of service?”

“Well, it’s kind of a long story. Do you have a leader we could talk to?”

“Aye. Follow me, I’ll take you to her,” Kyne motioned with his spear and started to walk away.

They followed him further into Svalbard, keeping a respectful distance behind. It only took about ten minutes of walking before they started to see pillars of smoke in the distance. Their destination consisted of a handful of large tents, substantial enough to house many people comfortably but makeshift enough to be taken apart and moved.

Kyne led them to the largest of the tents and pulled back the fabric, revealing the inside. The girls took this as an invitation and entered. Unlike their own, this tent wasn’t magical or bigger on the inside. The Varangrs were known to not use magic as much as normal wizards.

Sitting around the fire in the center were three figures, one man and two women. The youngest of the women looked to be around the same age as Dafne. She had black hair and a large raven perched upon her shoulder. The other woman was older with gray hair like Kyne. The man was between their ages.

The older woman stood up as they entered, bowing her head slightly and gesturing to the furs on the ground. The three of them exchanged a glance but then took a seat around the fire.

“Welcome. You must be Arcanos. I’m Jorren Varangr,” Jorren spoke, this time in English. “This is my son Kodlak and his daughter Merla. You’ve already met my husband Kyne, I see.”

“We are pleased to meet you. I’m Dafne and these are my sisters Dayamanti and Dielle.”

“I’m sorry to take up your time, but I came with an inquiry. You do know of the story of Valhalla, don’t you?”

Jorren nodded her head with a smile.

“Well, my sisters and I are embarking on a journey to find and reclaim it. We were wondering if you had any information about it or even if you wanted to come along?”

Jorren remained silent for a few moments, leaning over to whisper to her son before she spoke, “I’m sorry, but there is nothing we can do for you. It is a fairytale we can’t afford to chase.”

“I understand.”

“As for information, however, I can offer you this. Whatever’s been sleeping in that city will need more than three young girls to defeat. There’s a reason a whole group of trained city guards abandoned it without a fight.”

“You mean the Valkyries, right? They were my favorite part of our Grandpa’s stories,” Dielle remarked wistfully.

“I do,” Jorren nodded.

“So you won’t help us?” Dayamanti suddenly interjected.

“Be glad we let you this far, Arcano,” Kodlak shot back.

Jorren reached out her hand to quiet her son, “Do not take this the wrong way. I would just hate to see young wizards rush to their doom.”

“We understand and appreciate your concern, but we can handle ourselves,” Dafne rushed to speak before her sister could argue more.

Jorren nodded again with a gentle smile, “Then we have nothing left to say. I wish you well.”

Dafne took the hint and motioned the others to stand, “Thank you for your time, we will get out of your hair.”

With a few more head bows of acknowledgement, the three of them ducked back out of the tent and started their trek back to the docks. Once safely there, Dayamanti started to untie the mooring ropes and they had a moment to discuss.

“Well that sure was useful, wasn’t it?” Dayamanti sarcastically grumbled.

“I liked them. Especially Jorren, she was nice,” Dielle confidently stated.

Dafne sighed heavily, “It’s always worth asking. Iolanthe had an entire team with her. We can’t afford to be stubborn and keep it to ourselves. We need help.”

“Why did we sneak away from home then? I’m sure Uncle Kaari would have helped us!” Dielle nodded with a smile.

“They would have tried to stop us. Plus, they don’t believe it’s real. At least the Varangrs took us seriously.”

Suddenly a caw erupted into the crisp air and, with a flap of feathers above them, a large raven landed upon the edge of the longship. It looked at each of them one by one with its shiny black eyes.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” A quiet voice with a thick accent behind them caused them to jump and whirl around, their hands going to their weapons.

It was the girl from the tent who was introduced as Merla. She had a bag slung over her shoulder and, now that they were closer to her, they noticed her eyes were milky white and didn’t quite meet theirs.

“Do you know for sure where it is?” She spoke again when nobody answered her.

“Uhh we think so. Yes,” Dafne spoke up.

“Then I’m coming with you,” she stated and carefully made her way onto their longship, the raven's gaze following her the whole way.

“I’m Merla and this is Egyja,” Merla pointed to her raven.

“Eye?” Dafne translated.

“Yes, she’s my eyes. I was born blind but my Gift allows me to communicate with and see through animals eyes. I assume you guys also have the Gift, considering the white in your hair.”

“How do you have the Gift? You don’t have white hair!” Dielle asked.

“The Varangr family shows the Gift differently. Each of the families has a different way it shows up. Women from my family are born with unique birthmarks. This is mine,” she answered, pulling away her fur coat to reveal a dark mark upon her breastbone that vaguely took the shape of an eye.

“That’s so cool,” Dielle mused, “My Gift is healing and sometimes I can create shields to protect people!”

“I can create fire and lightning,” Dayamanti added and crossed her arms proudly.

“And mine is necromancy. I can’t bring people's souls back, I just puppet their bodies,” Dafne finished.

“And you think the four of us can reclaim the city alone?” Merla arched an eyebrow.

“I guess we will find out,” Dayamanti replied.

With a heavy thunk, the anchor was raised. The mooring lines were untied and the sails unfolded, billowing with the bitter cold wind. The Jörmungandr lurched forwards and then crawled forwards until eventually it hit top speeds. They had their heading.