#especially if you are a lover of the game

[turtletaubwrites]

Numbers Game ~ Part 19

Pairings: Cross Guild x Fem!Reader x Shanks

Numbers Game Masterlist

Word Count: 3885

Ao3 Link

Summary: You reveal your secret.

Author's Note: Thank you soo much for all of the support and encouragement, especially with the last chapter! I hope you enjoy this one! 😭💜🙏🏼 (BIG DRAMA & EMOTIONS WARNING)

Alternate POV Symbols:

🌲 ~ Flashbacks from Reader's Past | 🐊 ~ Crocodile | 🗡 ~ Mihawk | 🤡 ~ Buggy | 🔴 ~ Shanks | (These symbols will bracket sections to denote the POV shift)

!!! SPOILER WARNING !!! Fic contains spoilers for the end of the Wano arc

Rating/Warnings: Author May Choose to Exclude some Warnings to Avoid Spoilers for Certain Chapters, Explicit Sexual Content, 18+ ONLY, MDNI, AFAB!Reader, She/Her Pronouns for Reader, Reader-Insert, Use of Y/N, Dark Content, Blood & Violence, Swearing, Alcohol, Cigars, Smut, Fluff, Angst, Drama, Jealousy, Manipulation, Humiliation, Pet Names, Power Imbalance, Cross Guild boys are VILLAINS, Possessive Behavior, Teasing, Threats, Size Difference, Daddy Kink, Vaginal Fingering, PIV Sex, Hair-Pulling, Inappropriate Use of Akuma no Mi | Devil Fruit Powers, Shameless Shameless Smut, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

| masterlist | about me | rules | ao3 |

“Can I have a drink?”

Four powerful pirates blinked at you. 

It was strange to be on this side of the coffee table. Buggy sat in your spot on the couch between the other leaders of the Guild, while Shanks had pulled up a chair beside Crocodile.

Your green, velvet chair felt like an examination table. Like you were under a microscope, about to get chopped into tiny pieces to be studied. 

Buggy had clung to you all morning, barely going a moment without touching you during breakfast. You were grateful he hadn’t tried to feed you any fruit. That thought sent your eyes flicking toward the red haired pirate, more bile climbing up your throat. Buggy’s floating hand rested on yours while they all stared, but you couldn’t get yourself to hold onto it. 

“What would you like to–”

“I’ll get it,” you jumped up, cutting Mihawk off, and leaving Buggy’s hand to float alone when you pushed it away to stand. The little bar felt like miles away, and you grabbed the first thing you could see. Crocodile’s stinky scotch in its pretty crystal bottle. You poured a heaping glass, vaguely hearing a reaction from the couch before you chugged the burning liquor.

“What the fuck, baby?”

“Y/N, stop!”

“Don’t— rabbit!”

The three of them surrounded you, snagging the bottle and empty glass from your hands too late while you coughed from that toxic, liquid fire. Crocodile got to you first, kneeling out from the sand at your feet to grab your flushed face, wiping away the stinging tears that you knew wouldn’t be the last. 

“Sweetheart, why–”

“Sweetheart,” you choked out, the sound a mix between a laugh and a sob. “Gods, I’m sorry, I– fuck.” 

The looks on their faces made you want to scream. You rubbed your eyes with the meat of your palms, trying to be less fucking pathetic. 

“Drink, love,” Mihawk soothed, holding a glass of water to your lips. 

“We’re right here, star,” Buggy whispered as he pressed a light kiss to your shoulder. “I’ve got you.”

“It’s okay,” Crocodile promised, leaning his forehead against yours. “You’re our Numbers Girl, no matter what. Alright?”

Your body slumped, nodding as you let them guide you back under that microscope. Shanks was staring at you, but nothing meant anything anymore, so you didn’t bother to study his face. 

They let you sit there. Time was empty. It could have been minutes or years before you finally mustered up the energy to ruin everything.

“I’m fucking stupid,” you announced with a sharp laugh, feeling insane. 

Maybe I am. Maybe he did put me away. 

“Don’t talk like tha–”

“What do you mean, sweet girl?”

“You.” 

Growling at your scarred lover, confessions, and a suicidal accusation flowed through your body, spilling out through your eyes and lips. 

“You were going to kill us if I wasn’t useful. I could have been free, but I… I called those people for you.”

Crocodile’s face was as cold and unmoving as stone, a cliff you could leap off of. 

If only you could have stopped. No one said a word, but the energy was already rolling through you, destroying everything, your throat still raw from that fucking scotch. 

“I was an idiot. I was fucking kidding myself thinking I could wait, thinking I could have a few more days.” Your manic laughter turned to pain, a sob hitting your last words. 

Glancing up at the couch, you saw your three men clenching their jaws. Crocodile’s arm was wrapped around Buggy, that large hand digging into Mihawk’s shoulder, while Mihawk had grabbed Buggy’s floating hand, gripping it in his own lap before it could fly to you. 

“There’s no way I could hide it. Someone at the party will say it…”

“Say what,” Buggy rasped after a long moment. 

Your eyes poured over your men one more time before it was over. 

“My name.”

Everyone paused, and you remembered Shanks was there. His face was a mask, unreadable, and you were grateful for another reason to ignore it. 

“Are you saying that your name is a lie,” Crocodile asked in a dangerous purr. 

“No. None of you ever asked what my last name was,” you pointed out, then laughed as you looked between them. “I guess pirates don’t really care about last names.”

The laughter died in your throat, tears streaming now in your moment of defeat. 

“What’s your name,” Mihawk asked, his voice more gentle than you’d ever heard. 

It’s over. 

“Y/N Sylvad.”

…

…

…

“Like the wood company?”

You clamped your hands over your mouth, the shock of laughter that burst through you at Buggy’s confused face, his cute question, almost had you believing it would be alright. 

But the other men in the room shifted. Crocodile pulled his arm away from the other two to rest his elbows on his knees, leaning toward you while he answered his clown.

“Not a company. A fucking empire. Sylvad’s Lumber and Shipping. Is that what you’re telling us right now?”

“Yes,” you breathed, already watching their eyes change. Already watching them forget who you were. 

“Keep going,” he ordered, his words cold, ice building up around you. 

“It’s not mine,” you begged them to believe you. “Dad died and…”

You couldn’t. You didn’t know where to start, or if it even mattered now. 

“Arbo Sylvad was your dad,” Shanks murmured, sitting up a little straighter while he studied you. 

“You’re Sylvad’s heiress.”

“No, I'm not,” you snapped at Mihawk, not caring when his golden eyes flared at you. “Uncle Cedrick got everything. Dad always said it would go to… I was fifteen when he…”

Crocodile’s silver eyes were like molten metal, and you choked on your grief as you watched him stand. He walked to that giant desk of his, and when he returned to drop your thick notebook in your lap, you flinched, bracing for pain. 

“Unreliable,” he growled, tapping the notebook with his hook as he brought his eyes down to yours, his frightening face so close. 

“Everything I said was true,” you pleaded, mind blanking out with fear while Mihawk came to touch Crocodile’s shoulder. He didn’t budge, and though your mouth went dry, you forced yourself to explain. “Those people are unreliable! They'd talk to people that could cause problems for the Guild. People with connections to the Marine’s.”

“Like your Uncle?”

“What do you mean, boss,” Buggy tried to redirect, his hand on the hook that was digging into the back of the chair, his body leaning against the larger man’s shoulder. “They just sell trees and stuff, right?”

“Every single Marine ship on the fucking water right now was built with Sylvad wood,” Crocodile fumed, Mihawk’s hand stroking along his arm as you shrank beneath those silver eyes. “Hells, almost every ship that sails out of Water 7 is built with that lumber.”

“I don’t get it,” Shanks complained from his chair, though you couldn’t see him past the angry man in front of you. “If you’re the heiress of Sylvad’s, why were you working? You were an accountant or something, right?”

“Investment banker,” Buggy bragged, and you almost smiled that he remembered. “My girl’s a fancy financial advisor.”

“Let’s give our girl some breathing room, Crocodile. We don’t know everything yet.”

You only heard Mihawk’s whispered words because Crocodile was a hair's breadth away. He brought his thumb to rub along one of your cheeks, and the back of his hook to smooth along the other. 

“Tell daddy everything, alright, sweetheart?”

Your eyes fluttered shut until he pressed into your cheeks, slow tears falling from your eyes when you nodded for him. 

“Yes, daddy.”

The warm kiss he pressed to your temple made you want to disappear. Nothing. Nothing ever again. 

You were barely there as the words fell from your lips. Eyes unfocused, hanging loosely around the little table by Mihawk’s seat. You smiled to yourself when you realized it looked strange without a glass of wine on it. 

“Dad died on a business trip. Freak storm. Left everything to Uncle Cedrick. Kat and I got our trust funds for school. Mom got nothing.”

“I think we’ll need more than that, little rabbit,” Mihawk cautioned as he glanced over at Crocodile's stern face. 

“Can I have a drink fir–”

“No,” said the three men on the couch. 

Holding your head in your hands for a bit, you tried to figure out how to say the least amount of painful words to get them to leave you alone. 

“Uncle took us in. He was such a caring person, taking in his brother’s poor daughters, his lonely wife,” you spat, venom dripping from your lips. “I didn’t want to belong to him. My trust fund paid for the best education out there, but all my friends stopped… When they knew I had nothing to give them, they treated me like shit. I kept doing what I'm good at, and I got the fuck out. Went to go live that stupid, boring life.” 

Growling with the frustration of spilling this pathetic, entitled trash, you stood to pace behind your chair, waving your notebook around as if you could make it burst into flames with your will alone. 

“I am fucking amazing at my job, but most of these people just looove the thought of the poor little heiress helping them get richer. Most of them can’t wait to put me in their little collection. Add me to their fucking shelf. Just gotta ask Uncle how much his little niece– FUCK!”

The notebook went flying, skidding across the floor while you shoved the heavy chair over, yelling, raging, kicking that stupid green chair until your shoes fell off, your toes fucking hurt, until your clown stopped you.

“Baby, please,” he soothed, his upper body floating to keep your struggling form from reaching anything on the ground to hit. “It’s okay, star, I’m right here. Fuck those assholes, right? Who needs ‘em!”

Part of you felt guilty for not laughing at his sweet attempt, but the rest of you needed to fight or flee. 

Flee from these powerful men that were already using you to make money. 

“Put me down!”

Buggy’s whispered, “star,” hurt like hell. You held yourself still when he set you down gently, back in your spot as you faced the couch again, although your chair was kicked off to the side. 

“Wanna know how high to set the ransom,” you challenged, your clenched fists shaking at your sides. You couldn’t think clearly enough to read their darkened eyes, even Buggy’s as he took his place between them. “Just so you know, Uncle doesn’t like me that much. He’d probably be happier if you killed me. Or you could buy me, that’d make him extra hap–”

Sand. 

Sand flooded the space around you. It lifted you off the ground, and your breath caught as the coffee table got thrown to the side. You met those silver eyes just before you were in his arms, your legs stretched across the laps of the other men on the couch. 

“What…” you wondered, mind in a daze.

“You thought I’d sell my sweet girl,” Crocodile hummed, kissing the top off your head.

“You told me you would,” you reminded, your body and mind feeling distant, separate from whatever this strange world had become. “How much am I worth? Just keep being valuable, useful? You were already gonna sell me or kill me before you knew what a goldmine I was.”

The icy anger that laced your words made every hand on you go still. Crocodile froze as he started to rock you, and your body couldn’t choose between guilt at hurting them, or anger and fear at what they would do. 

“I think I’m drunk,” you whispered, wanting them to let you go, and wishing that they never would.

“No shit,” Buggy laughed, “I’m surprised you’re alive after that.”

His hands started massaging your legs on his lap, rubbing up and down nervously while you closed your eyes.

“Can I go lie down?”

“I’ll take you, star.”

Crocodile and Mihawk’s hands dragged along your skin as Buggy lifted you into the air, but neither stopped him from taking you. Neither stopped him from floating you away.

Neither called you pretty names as you left the room. 

~~~🤡🤡🤡~~~

“I’ve got you,” Buggy promised. 

Getting her onto that giant bed felt like a race. Something was right behind him. Something would stop him.

Something would take her away again. 

Finally there, he wrapped his arms around her, leaning against the headboard while her scotch scented breath warmed his chest. 

“Your breath stinks, baby.”

Maybe it was a laugh, but that choked sound made his chest tight, like a huge hand was crushing his ribcage. 

I can’t do anything. Fucking useless. Can’t help her.

“Buggy…”

“Shh, I’m right here, star,” he promised. The sound of his name on those quivering lips sent fire, rage, and guilt straight through him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He could never leave her. He could never leave her with them after this. Even if they…

Buggy kissed her temple, trying to be soothing while he waited for them to crash through the door.

Waited for them to take her from him.

~~~🤡🤡🤡~~~

~~~

~~~🐊🗡️🐊🗡️~~~

Not a sound.

Not a sound filled the air as the men in the lounge sat with the news that their little lover was the heiress of Sylvad’s.

Not a sound from the two men on the couch as her accusations weighed on them, as though she hadn’t left their laps with those angry, frightened tears in her eyes. 

“That sure is something,” Shanks whistled softly. He stood to pick up Y/N’s chair, sitting across from them. “What are you gonna do with—“

“Find somewhere else to be,” Crocodile fumed, his body vibrating with the need to hurt something.

Shanks nodded, giving a crooked smile, before leaving them alone. Mihawk stared after his old friend, images of comfort he couldn’t provide burning behind his eyes.

He’s going to take them both. 

Serves us right.

Crocodile’s angry huff pulled Mihawk out of those thoughts, watching the man stomp toward the bar. The coffee table his sand had moved laid in his path, until it splintered and scattered from the touch of his vicious foot in that lovely shoe. 

The swordsman floated after him, still in a daze while the larger man imitated their girl, chugging a glass of scotch. 

Mihawk stared, but didn’t speak, didn’t touch.

Crocodile set the glass down before he shattered another one. 

“She lied—“

“Can you blame her,” Mihawk laughed coldly while the other man paced. Silver eyes shot like daggers, but Mihawk couldn’t seem to care about anything at the moment. “She told the truth, just not all—“

“She didn’t trust me.”

He sat again, staring at the floor after those stupid words had left him.

“I don’t…” Mihawk started, pushing himself to move, pushing himself to try. He sat down, and touched a hand to Crocodile’s shoulder, leaving it there after his scarred lover flinched. “We haven’t given her much reason to, have we?”

Not a sound after that. 

~~~🐊🗡️🐊🗡️~~~

~~~

~~~🌲🌲🌲~~~

“Y/N! You can’t just leave,” Kat reasoned, pulling the clothes out of your hands before you could stuff them into your suitcase. “What about mom? What about the company?”

“Mom made her choices,” you growled, pulling the clothes back from your sister’s shaky hands. “And I don’t care about the fucking company. It’s not mine.”

“Not if—“ 

“It’s not mine. I’m sick of this fucking life. I’m getting out.”

“... What about me?”

That stopped you. But only for a moment. 

“I’m sure he’d let you come if—“

“Are you fucking kidding me right now,” she shouted, pushing you toward your messy suitcases. “He’s a pirate! If he doesn’t hurt you before, what do you think he’ll do when he finds out who you are?”

“I don’t care,” you fumed as you stared your little sister down. “I'm bored of this stupid life.”

Kat’s mouth hung open, the hurt and pain in her eyes making you want to take it all back, to beg for forgiveness.

But you couldn’t. You couldn’t waste this chance to be free. 

“You really have a death wish, you know that? That clown is going to get you killed,” Kat breathed, her voice growing colder as she turned to leave. She didn’t look back when she said her goodbye, just waved her hand over her shoulder. “I’ll look out for the ransom note.”

~~~🌲🌲🌲~~~

Sleep?

Sleep.

Burning sleep, and stormy seas.

Dad’s voice calling for you. 

You could never find him before the ship went under, before all that Sylvad wood splintered beneath the raging waves.

~~~🤡🔴🤡🔴~~~

“Buzz off, idiot,” Buggy ordered in a harsh whisper, Shanks’ smiling face peeking through the cracked door. Buggy had left his body on the bed to hold Y/N as she whimpered, nightmares ruining her scotch and stress induced nap. 

His head floated by the door, frowning at his old friend. 

“It’ll just be a second, Bugs, I swear.”

Shanks’ smile stretched even wider when Buggy agreed, floating his head out into the corridor.

“This better be good, asshat.”

Shanks felt it. This was it. He could have them both. 

He needed them both. 

“Let’s take her with us, Bugs.” 

Buggy’s look of shock was exaggerated by those red lips of his, and Shanks had to hold himself back from kissing them.

“But she… but it’s dangerous…”

Buggy wasn’t sure he’d actually heard those words, or if he’d fallen asleep, dreaming beside his star. Too many emotions rushed through him, but all he could think about was her. 

“Would you rather leave her here with them,” Shanks rasped, his eyes doing that heavy thing they do, although there wasn’t much of Buggy’s body to drag them down. “We can protect her. You and me, Bugs.”

The clown had to fight his body to stay still as he held her in the other room. The need to move, to fidget, to pace, made him dizzy. 

“What if she doesn’t wanna go,” Buggy wondered. Images of Y/N smiling, laughing, screaming, flew through his mind, each one making him doubt that he could ever make her as happy as she’d seemed once things had started to settle here. 

“I already asked her. I know she’ll say yes. She wants you to be happy, Bugs. Just like I do,” Shanks confessed, brushing a bit of blue hair out of Buggy’s face. He rubbed his thumb across those red, parted lips. 

So close to everything. 

“When did—“

“Buggy?”

Shanks watched his clown fly away from him, hopeful that it’d be the last time. 

Buggy flew away from his old friend, every confusing thought going blank besides the need to comfort that soft, scared voice. 

“Right here, got you, baby.”

~~~🤡🔴🤡🔴~~~

“Buggy,” you whimpered as new tears fell. 

“Shh, you’re okay. Everything’s okay.”

Painted lips covered your face, kissing your tears away until you shivered, his soothing hum blocking out everything else. 

His touch kept it all at bay. 

Every split second of memory was grief, so you curled against him, running your hand along his side. Your body writhed, whining for him as he stroked your hair and back, then pulled away.

“Hey, star, it’s o—“

“Please, touch me, Buggy,” you begged as you reached for him. “I need you so much, I need you…” 

Pathetic grief poured back in at the memory of what you’d witnessed last night, but you couldn’t fight your need for him. 

“Please, touch me.”

“Just tell me if it’s alright, okay, star," he breathed after pausing to study your face, tracing his fingers along your cheeks.

“Please,” you gasped, his lips on your neck were saving your life. Saving you from your mind. 

A touch against Mihawk’s tender bite mark brought the world back, but then Buggy was tearing you both out of your clothes, kissing down your arms, your chest, your stomach. Kissing every inch of your skin until you were crying with need instead of pain. 

Begging, begging for more. 

“Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll take care of you, star.”

“Bug—“

Breathy, desperate moans left your throat as his fingers plunged deep inside you, and he swallowed the rest of your sounds in a wild kiss. His tongue was eating, tasting, and you almost laughed into his mouth at the memory of scotch, until his free hand found your clit. 

The fingers inside you were perfect, knowing exactly what you needed. Finding that spot, giving you steady touches that built in pressure and speed until you were clenching around his fingers, body shaking with pleasure and gratitude. 

“So beautiful,” Buggy praised, his voice full of a quiet awe as he smiled down at you. “You okay, baby?”

“Fuck me, Buggy,” you pleaded as your weak arms failed to pull him closer. “I need you inside me. Need to feel you.”

His eyes were wide, concerned, but he smiled when he kissed you. 

Smiled when he gave you everything you needed. 

~~~🤡🤡🤡~~~

How?

How can she be real?

How can she want me this much?

Want me after everything…

Buggy pushed those thoughts aside as he smoothed his ungloved hands down her body. 

Hands that he felt safe letting her touch. Just like his bare face that he could let her see. 

He let out his own soft, needy noise as he watched her writhe and squirm, begging for him to touch her.

“Fuck,” he hissed, just the touch of her perfect, dripping pussy against his sensitive tip was too much. Too much as he lined himself up.

“Look at me, Buggy,” Y/N cried out, her watery eyes swallowing him whole, just as he sank his cock deeper and deeper. He couldn’t hold in his moans at the pure fucking bliss that she held inside her, that she let him feel. 

“Look at me, please.”

Buggy kept his eyes on hers, her request setting off alarm bells in his mind that he had to shut down, throw out. 

She wants to look at me like this. She wants to see my face. There’s only one per—

“Buggy! I’m close, please,” she panicked, reaching up into his hair, pulling gently as her breathing went ragged. “Need to feel you, want you so bad.”

“I want you too, star, I’m right— oh gods, baby. Fuck, you feel soo good…”

Y/N screamed his name.

His name. 

Over and over while he shoved his cock as far as he could go, claiming that sweet, warm pleasure she let him take. 

Y/N pulled him in, her body made to take his come, made to milk him, to drain him, to let him fuck it back into her while she babbled, while her eyes crossed, while that cute little tongue hung out of her perfect lips.

All for him. 

Still sunk deep inside her, Buggy soothed and calmed her frantic noises, kissing her temple.

“I love you so much. My shining star.”

What a feeling to say those words. What a feeling to mean them. To have someone to say them to. 

“I love you, Buggy. I love you so much.”

What a feeling.

~~~🤡🤡🤡~~~

Likes, comments, and reblogs bring me much ✨dopamine✨ thank you!!

a/n: I've been so nervous to add anything new to this world. I hope you don't mind some back story. And some Buggy time 😭😭😭

Tag List: @shewrites02 | @caniseethefourthsword | @hey-august | @chaoticqueen33 | @destinationmars | @novakitten0901 | @h0n3y-l3m0n05 | @dorky-birdie | @szired | @pinejayy | @laws-wife-things | @jadeddangel | @gingernut1314 | @urlocaltwink | @blue-rae18 | @bontensbabygirl | @bbnbhm | @0-sparkling-lace-0 | @ihearthazuki | @mikisspeak

Part 20

Operation Olive Branch has compiled a working spreadsheet of ways to help families fleeing from the genocide in Palestine. If you enjoyed this fic, and are able, please click the link to find a list of GoFundMe's, as well as other ways to help.

| masterlist | about me | rules | ao3 |

[ang3lwithapen]

Welcome to Blackwood Manor

A choose-your-own-story kind of game where you can pick your own gender, sexuality, lover(s) and much more.

The Blackwoods are a wealthy noble family in Victorian England, and they seem to have fallen in a streak of dark, unexplainable events. You’re their new Housekeeper— how will you move in this complex scenario? And how will you interact with the four love interests, none other than the mysterious Blackwood Siblings?

It’s up to you!

Meet The Siblings:

Alice/Arlen 🍷 The Eldest

cold • gallant • commanding • unapproachable

A is the eldest child and heir of the Blackwood fortune. They seem to be extremely distant and aloof, although never impolite. The recent loss of their ex spouse certainly doesn’t seem to make them any more approachable. The Family’s reputation is what matters the most to them, and they will go to any lengths to maintain it intact.

Rose/Rowan 🍁 The Rebel

considerate • passionate • charming • cunning

R is what one might describe as a fox made human. Their silver tongue and quick wit make them exceptional at playing games of all kinds. Their tendency for partying and romantic affairs, however, don’t make them a subtle individual in the eyes of the English nobility.

Sabrina/Sebastian 🦋 The Artist

vain • creative • extravagant • sensitive

Renowned in England for their handcrafted and designed capes, they’re an admired yet shadowy figure when it comes to their fame, as their frail health doesn’t allow them to partake in social events. In reality, S shows to have a bit of a complicated and pompous personality, with an obsession with perfection, especially when it comes to themselves.

Helena/Hector ❄️ The Recluse

protective • unpredictable • dangerous • intense

A big mystery of the Blackwood Family. H was only ever seen by people outside the Manor when they were a child, and everybody would describe their looks as angelic. Now that they’re grown, for some reason they refuse to leave their side of the manor, preferring solitude even over the company of their own siblings. One thing is for sure, though: be careful when you do end up meeting them.

Get to know them, choose how to act towards them, and fall in love with one, two… or all of them. All the while, trying to find out what exactly happened to the previous Housekeeper.

—

If your curiosity has been piqued, you can play the first couple of chapters of my dark romance game here:

[deathbxnny]

Thoughts on Aventurine with a S/O that like Kirari Momobami from Kakegurui?

(•̀ᴗ•́)و🎤

(Side note the Kanna Kamui reader was so cute!)

Oooh!! I certainly love this ask, Anon!! I'm excited to share my hcs that immideatly entered my head after seeing this one, especially as I really enjoyed Kakegurui.

Content: A little bit of an enemies to a lovers' situation?, romantic relationship, Reader is a bit of a sadist and evil (Aventurine is the exception), gambling, sfw

Reader has no set pronouns!

((Not proofread))

Aventurine definitely disliked you at first, and the feeling was mutual, to say the least. He saw your cruelty first-hand, the way you kept people under your thumb and on tight leashes, something he always hated, until he eventually noticed that your intentions were alot more complicated than that.

He finds himself bonding with you over your love for gambling, your feelings developing over many late night games accompanied by long, sophisticated talks that bordered on near offensive to the IPC itself. Your secret, layered hatred was shared.

After countless casual games of cards later, he finally made a bet that peaked your usually rather indifferent interest in him. If he won the next game, he'd win your heart. You ofcourse found it amusing, going as far as agreeing as you believed yourself to be unbeatable... until you weren't. Your loss was met with an amused laugh, however, an evil grin on your lips, as you simply agreed to be his in your own twisted ways.

Your relationship was purely transaction for a while but eventually developed into a much deeper connection. Romance was hard for the both of you, and yet you still found an irreplaceable bond no one else could ever replicate for the both of you.

People outside of your relationship definitely think that you're using each other when that is far from the truth. You keep him safe from the IPC's wrath whilst he keeps you safe from any dangers from the outside of the organization.

He knows that he's miraculously spared from your cruelty for a reason and sees it as your way of proclaiming your love for him whilst he spoils you rotten.

No one may understand why you two are together, but you don't care, as long as you have each other in the end.

I really love this dynamic, anon! It's really interesting considering Aventurine's past, but I still think it could work with enough time and patience... with that said, thank you for the great ask, and I'm glad you loved my Kanna Kamui Reader!!<33

[i-cant-sing]

Maybe a dancer reader with your ocs, like they want to still be on stage and fight about it with your oc because they sacrificed a lot to get there and don’t want to waste it. Like how would they react would they let the darling dance on stage with limited audience or?

Hmm, here's how I think it'll go:

Eros:

He wouldnt ever stop you from enjoying life, and he loves watching you dance. Its so graceful, the way your body moves, the emotions youre expressing, its all- so impressive. Eros 100% ditches his duty at the hospital, dresses up super nice to go to the theatre where you're performing, and of course he has the best seat near the stage so you could see your no.1 hype man cheering you on. He is so proudly telling anyone and everyone that "thats my girl!" "I'm dating her! Gosh, I'm lucked out!"

Dimitri:

Probably has a theatre/stage built in his mansion for you to perform in, and the audience will be him and his men. They're all there to clap and cheer you on, but in a very careful way so as to not make Dimitri think they're attracted to you, just admiring your dance.

Its kinda weird watching all these buffed up, tattooed criminals getting front seat to your little hobby and they're all looking at you in complete awe, giving you 7 minute standing ovation, hooting as their boss gets on stage and spins you in his arms before dipping you as he gives you a passionate kiss. Ah yes, Dimitri is also a skilled dancer, though you'll now have to waltz with him for the world.

Magnus:

Guess who brings the entire cult to the show? Its crazy lover boy Magnus! You didnt want to dance, but Magnus knew about your secret hobby and he insisted that you dance for him. You turned him down, of course because you hate him, but then a little threat from the cult to pull your intestines out to hang dry, you were all game <3

At the end of your dance, he's on his knees, along with his cult, and is praising the Lord for giving him such a perfect partner.

Theodore:

You're probably still in the dark about Theo being a spy/assassin, so you dont know that the reason the entire theatre is empty except for him is because Theo used his spy agency to book out the theatre completely for "mission purposes", and you just think that nobody else showed up :( You also dont know that Theo has some guys stationed outside the theatre to knock out/shoot anyone who tries to come in.

But hey, at least your deaf bf is all supportive as he claps and gives you nods of approval at the end of your performance, as well as a big bouquet and teddy bear.

Halim Mehmat Shah:

My man, my himbo bf, he brings his entire family and his bestie Mahir to the show because um of course, this will also be your family soon when you two get married (you're not even dating him atm) so why wouldnt they come to support you????

He's cheering, he's clapping, his family has these proud beaming smiles and they all join you backstage to tell you how amazing you are and you just feel a little weird at how Halim's family, especially his parents are looking at you with such pride- your own family has never looked at you so fondly. Of course, the parents made you take pictures with Halim (and Mahir was also dragged into these photos because he's their angsty adoptive son lol).

Later, you find out that almost all the people who attended the show were connected to the Shah family somehow, and they bought tickets for everyone.

Mahir Jahangir:

He'll look up from his pile of papers, silent as you whine about wanting to dance at the theatre downtown. Mahir knows that you're an exceptionally good dancer, but he doesnt know how to explain to you that he'd much rather burn the world to the ground than let any man look at you like that.

And since he doesnt wanna sound like an insane, jealous s/o, he agrees, giving you a nod to go ahead before picking up his phone to tell his secretary to cater to your requests.

When the day of the show comes, the curtains open and all you see is Mahir and his mom sitting in the front row. They're the only audience, and Mahir's mom is ever so cheerful throughout your performance while Mahir has a soft smile, pride and awe shining in his eyes. Of course, only at the end of the show does Mahir finally clap, giving you a standing ovation as he does so. All his moves, his claps, his praise, they're all calculated, no filler words or actions that dont hold significance are used.

His mother is going on and on about how much she enjoyed the performance, while Mahir is silently waiting for his moment to tell you that he just bought the theatre and is gifting it to you <3

Baldwin:

No.1 cheerleader, has the ballroom booked for you. You'd think he'd have the ballroom empty so that he could get a private show, but no. He has his court in there, praising and clapping at how well you dance, except they're all wearing blindfolds because again- Baldwin doesnt want them to see how well his "angel" dances.

"We can feel how well you dance, your Majesty!" They say to you, but you know by now that they're all just crazy.

What you dont expect is Baldwin to get up and join you mid performance, pulling you close by the waist as he leads your body, waltzing through the entire ballroom with such finesse.

[misshoneyimhome]

「5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ FOLLOWERS CELEBRATION」

“No one gets to treat you like that, you hear me? no one.” I Joseph Woll 🌺🔥5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Summary; You and Joseph Woll share a wonderful bond - a bond that might just be so strong that none of you dare to risk ruining it. However, one evening, Joe just can't hold it in any longer.

Tropes & warnings; best friend!Joe; friends to lovers - no warnings; (idk, maybe language?)

Other notes; I do apologise if I've written anything close to this before, however, I do just really love this sort of trope - and hopefully, it's still enjoyable 🙏🏼 So much love for our sweet goalie 🤗🌺

Word count; 2.9K

Taglist; @couldawouldashoulda50 @findapenny@justwanderingbutneverlost @cixrosie

・✶ ｡ﾟ

Joseph Woll was undeniably your closest friend. In your eyes, he was the epitome of kindness, and you couldn't help but adore and stand by him through every game, sharing in every triumph as well as every setback. You simply cherished the bond you shared, relishing the relationship and closeness, even though it never strayed beyond the boundaries of friendship. 

_

You had known Joseph ever since his early days with the Maple Leafs, where you had been introduced through a mutual friend. Initially, he was just another aspiring hockey player striving to carve out his place, and you were simply thrilled to get to know him, even if only briefly. However, it didn't take long for you to see the kind heart beneath his competitive exterior, and as time passed, your bond only deepened, evolving into a connection that felt as natural as breathing.

Your relationship was swiftly built on late-night chats, shared jokes, and unwavering support. So, when Joseph returned to the Leafs, you were already there, right at the front, cheering louder than anyone in the crowd. And whether celebrating triumphs or enduring defeats, you remained his constant, the person he could always rely on.

You attended nearly every game you could – especially if you knew he’d play first goalie – often wearing a Leafs jersey with "Woll" proudly displayed on the back. And while others started to notice your constant presence, many assuming you were a couple, you both knew the truth – you were just friends, albeit very close ones.

Spending time together outside the rink was one of the highlights of your friendship. Whether it was a quiet movie night at your place or a lazy Sunday afternoon baking at his, the comfort and ease between you were undeniable. Yet, amidst these moments there were subtle gestures – the brush of his hand against yours when passing the popcorn, the way he’d tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear, or the lingering hugs that lasted just a second longer than necessary. These moments were filled with a tension that neither of you acknowledged but both felt.

Yet despite the constant whispers and assumptions from others, Joseph always made it clear how much he valued your friendship. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you,” he’d express, genuine fondness colouring his words. “You’re my rock.”

And each time, you’d smile, brushing off any deeper implications. “That’s what friends are for, right?” you’d reply with a soft smile, though quietly longing for something more.

Believing that Joseph viewed you solely as a friend was simpler, as he frequently emphasised the significance of your friendship and how much he treasured it. Thus, you opted to keep your feelings to yourself, satisfied with the deep connection you both cherished, even if it meant hiding the occasional longing that haunted your sleepless nights. 

_

What you didn’t realise, though, was that Joseph was grappling with his own struggles and had developed a significant crush on you over the years. However, to avoid jeopardising the cherished friendship between you two, he was attempting to create some distance, even though whenever he spent time with you, everything seemed perfect, and he found himself falling even more deeply.

You meant so much more to him than you realised. And it pained him especially to witness you getting hurt, as you had a bad habit of attracting the wrong kind of partners – men who simply failed to recognise your incredible qualities. They would charm you with sweet words and false promises, only to exploit your kindness and leave you feeling used and abandoned. And Joseph was always there to console you and provide a shoulder to cry on, yet each instance tore him apart inside.

He wanted to protect you, to shield you from pain, and show you what genuine love truly entailed. However, fear held him back – the fear that confessing his feelings would change everything, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.

Yet, he frequently found himself gazing at you when you weren’t looking, his heart swelling with unspoken sentiments. The sparkle in your eyes when discussing something you were passionate about, the warmth that radiated from your laughter, and the gentle kindness you extended to those around you – all captivated him. Each time he witnessed your smile, his heart skipped a beat, and every tear you shed felt like his world crumbling. You were his everything, even if you weren’t aware of it, and he would go to great lengths to keep you in his life, even if it meant concealing his true feelings indefinitely.

He just treasured your friendship too much to risk it, and therefor he concealed his feelings. At times, he even withdrew slightly, attempting to manage the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, and despite your notices and inquiries about his well-being, he maintained his casual and composed facade, offering a reassuring smile while his heart suffered in silence.

However, as the burden of his secret weighed heavily upon him, Joseph gradually recognised that he could reach a breaking point at any moment. And then, one night, he found himself unable to contain it any longer.

_

The atmosphere in the arena was thick with disappointment as the Leafs suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Bruins in the fourth game of the playoffs' first round. Samsonov had started as goalie, but only shortly into the third period, Joseph was called onto the ice, and despite his efforts, the outcome remained unchanged. And now, with the Bruins leading the series 3-1, the Leafs faced a battle for survival in the upcoming playoff game.

The only silver lining for Joseph that night was your unwavering support. However, this time, you weren't alone. You had brought along a date—a guy you'd recently met, chatted with for a few weeks, had some casual coffee dates with, and now wanted to introduce to your everyday life, including Joseph.

And initially, the idea seemed promising, and you were genuinely pleased when he agreed to accompany you to the game. Even as the match unfolded, your date appeared to be enjoying himself.

But when the final buzzer signalled the Leafs' loss, the weight of disappointment hung heavily in the arena, and as you made your way down to meet Joseph, you sensed that perhaps this wasn't the ideal moment for introductions. But there was no turning back now. So, when you saw Josephs’ crestfallen expression, you did your best to offer a gentle smile as you approached him and embraced him tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Joe..." you spoke softly, giving him a light squeeze before pulling back and meeting his gaze with empathy. “You did so amazingly!” You knew your words couldn't fully heal his wounds, but as always you wanted to express your unwavering support and lighten the mood, even if only slightly.

And in response, Joseph managed a faint smile. "We gave it our all, right?" he sighed deeply, to which you nodded.

"Look on the bright side, there's still a chance for redemption. It'll be a tough fight, but there's hope.” You flashed him a soft smile. “And knowing the Leafs well enough, I’m sure there's a good chance you'll make a comeback."

With those words, it felt as though you had magically lifted the weight from the room just a little. Even other players managed soft smiles as they shared moments with their partners and families, and sensing that the tension had eased, you took the opportunity to introduce your date to your best friend.

At first, things seemed to be going smoothly. They exchanged handshakes, greeting each other with content smiles as they acknowledged the roles, they both played in your life. Yet, you couldn't shake the feeling that there was something tense about the situation. And unable to pinpoint exactly what it was, you felt a pang when your date suddenly attempted to inject humour by making a snide comment about your relationship with the team. Fortunately, you managed to brush it off, though his words stung. Yet, it was when you felt an urgent need to visit the ladies' room that the atmosphere of the evening took a sudden turn.

"So, you and y/n... you're just friends?" your date asked Joseph as the two of them were left alone, the hallway slowly emptying out.

"Yeah... why do you ask?" Joseph inquired, curious about his intentions.

"Oh, nothing... you just seem... you know, really into her," your date remarked with an overly confident smirk, as if trying to assert dominance in a game with your best friend.

However, Joseph wasn't in the mood for games anymore. He was tired and disappointed by the loss, so he simply shrugged. "Sure, I mean, she's an amazing person, so... yeah, I guess I like her."

"Well, why don't you just make a move on her then?"

Joseph's eyes narrowed at the smart remark from the stranger.

"What do you mean? We're friends, and you're the one dating her..." he felt a little puzzled.

"Oh, come on, man," the guy chuckled darkly. "She's great and all... but to be honest, she's just a good fuck."

Joseph was utterly taken aback by his words. How could he say something so disrespectful straight to his face? You were his best friend, and this guy was talking about you as if you were some casual acquaintances he was merely hooking up with, completely disregarding your feelings. Did he not realise you were dating?

"What are you talking about?" was all Joseph managed to ask, feeling the anger boiling within him, fuelled by the disappointment of the loss.

"What I said... she's nice, but I'm just looking for a good fuck, that's all," your date grinned again, his smirk growing even wider and more arrogant by the second. "Actually, I was hoping to score with some other girls here... like that one over there," he pointed to a tall brunette chatting with Auston. "She's more my type... y/n, she's just... I don't know, like girlfriend material or something—and that's not what I'm after."

Joseph couldn't believe what he was hearing. His heart raced in his chest, his fists clenched at his sides as he took a step closer to your date, his voice low and menacing. "Are you fucking serious right now?" he practically growled. "She's not someone you can just toy with and treat like shit. She's an incredible person, and she deserves far better than someone like you."

Your date looked slightly surprised, muttering something under his breath, as he hadn't anticipated Joseph responding with such force.

Nor had anyone else. Those still lingering in the hallway turned their heads towards him, their eyes widening as they heard the typically sweet and composed goaltender suddenly raise his voice, brimming with intensity.

"Well, if you care about her so much, then be a man and actually do something instead of pretending like you're not in love with her," your date shot back.

You hadn't caught a word of their exchange, but as you returned to the two men, you immediately sensed the tension that had developed between them.

"What's happening?" you asked, curious about the atmosphere.

But the two men just simply continued to lock eyes, before Joseph, being the good guy yet again, decided to diffuse the situation.

"Nothing," he replied, but you didn't buy it for a second.

"Is that so?" You turned to your date, raising a brow as you noticed his overly confident smirk, a sign that he realised Joseph wouldn't stoop to his level.

"Of course," he chuckled lightly. "Joe and I here are just having a man-to-man chat..."

An awkward silence hung in the air, and you weren't sure how to break free from it. But then, your date attempted humour again, and once more, it fell flat. He even followed it up with another arrogant remark, causing the heat to boil over. 

"Just needed to check if there were any other players that were in love with you – or maybe you’re just sleeping with the rest of them."

But that was the final straw for Joseph. And as if acting on instinct, like another person was I control of his actions, he swung his arm, landing a clenched fist right on the guy’s nose, causing your date to stumble back with force, clutching his nose, while a shocked gasp escaped your lips. The sudden violence caught you off guard, leaving you frozen in place, unsure of what to do next, as you had never experienced Joseph act like that. 

And quickly, you stepped forward, placing a hand on Joseph's chest in an attempt to calm him down. "Oh my god, Joe," you gasped, your voice laced with concern. “Are you okay?” 

He merely just stood there, chest heaving with anger though also feeling a sense of satisfaction, as he had finally released the pent-up frustration that had been simmering since your date's first disrespectful comments about you.

Meanwhile, the corridor erupted into light chaos as nearby onlookers gasped and murmured, some about to intervene while others watched wide-eyed, unsure of how to react. But there was no need for panic. Despite no one ever expecting for Joe to act that way, the situation seemed to be swiftly calming. 

And to no one’s surprise, there was a palpable awkwardness in the air as your date looked shocked by Joseph's actions. However, upon realising that you had defended your friend rather than him, he simply huffed. "Guess I see where your loyalty lies..."

But you couldn't help but shoot him a glare, placing the blame squarely on his shoulders for the situation with his disrespectful comments.

"Always," you simply retorted.

And with that, your date straightened his coat and quickly made his exit. 

Then turning your attention to your best friend, who had just behaved in a way you'd never witnessed before, your eyes reflected concern.

"Hey... are you okay?" you repeated softly. 

But Joseph just took a deep breath, his gaze dark as he met yours. "He was out of line, and he needed to be called out on it..."

You were left speechless, unable to fully grasp the gravity of what had happened. Joseph had never displayed such anger, particularly not on your behalf. And his tone with you was something entirely new.

"Joe..." you started, but he cut you off, his frustration still evident, not allowing for you to come up with any more excuses or defences for the jerks you chose to date.

“No one gets to treat you like that, you hear me? no one.” Joseph's voice was unwavering, stern as he locked eyes with you.

Filled with emotions as he swallowed, suppressing the lingering tension, you kept your hand on his chest, while the two of you gradually calmed from the intensity of the situation, and the crowd around you slowly dispersing.

"Why..." you breathed out, your voice barely audibles above a whisper.

"What do you mean, why?" Joseph frowned his brows, his voice still firm. 

"Why did you stand up for me like that?"

"Because I fucking love you! Alright?"

Joseph's confession crashed over you like a wave, leaving you stunned and rooted in place. You gazed at him, trying to comprehend the weight of his words, as the intensity in his eyes was unlike anything you'd seen before, a raw and honest declaration that shattered every barrier you'd erected between friendship and something more.

And for a moment, the world around you faded into insignificance, leaving only the two of you in the dim corridor. The sounds of the murmurs of bystanders became distant echoes as you focused entirely on Joseph.

"Joe," you whispered again, your voice filled with emotion, "I... I don’t know what to say..."

And slowly, Joseph's expression softened, his gaze searching yours for any hint of understanding. "You don't need to say anything, y/n. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Seeing him disrespect you like that... it just broke me. I love you – I always have - and I can't bear the thought of anyone treating you with anything less than the respect you deserve."

Tears were starting to brim in your eyes as the truth of his words settled over you. All those shared moments, the laughter, the late-night talks, the unspoken support – they all took on new significance, as you realised that the feelings, you'd buried deep inside were mirrored in Joseph's heart.

And this time, it was you acting on pure instinct, almost leaping to reach Joseph, who towered over you, as you wrapped your arms around his neck, closing the distance between you and almost clashed your lips to meet in a heartfelt kiss.

It was a moment you both had yearned for, and now it was finally happening. Joy surged through your body as you let your lips linger on his, moving softly and gently as he too wrapped his arms around you and held you close. And upon pulling apart to catch your breath, both of you couldn't help but smile widely.

"I've loved you too, Joe... for so long,” you breathed softly, your eyes locking with his once more. “I just never really believed you'd feel the same way about me," you confessed.

Relief and joy washed over Joseph's face as he pulled you into a tight embrace. "Of course, I do... y/n, you mean more to me than anyone... and I've always wanted to tell you, but I was too afraid of losing you," he murmured.

And as you held each other closely, the tension of the evening melted away, replaced by a newfound clarity and purpose. Then pulling back slightly, looking up into his eyes, you couldn’t suppress a light chuckle. 

"Why did we wait so long to do this?" you asked, a small smile playing on your lips.

"Because we're idiots," Joseph simply chuckled, before pulling you in for another kiss.

[wobblesthecowgirl]

I'm No O’Driscoll!

Chapter Three: Arthur's Doubts

Tags: Arthur Morgan x Femreader, enemies to lovers, O'Driscoll reader, game plot, Arthur doesn't have tuberculosis, eventual smut, age difference, 18+, mild gore

Word Count: 975

A/N: Sorry for a short chapter! Next chapter is going to be a long one...Lenny, Arthur, and Reader get drunk in Valantine! Comment how you want that to go! I've also changed the layout to see which is preferred.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Arthur was starting to have doubts about letting both O’Driscoll’s join the gang. On the ride back to camp, he couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of them gunning down those there. Especially her. Where did she learn to shoot like that? She’s too quick.

Luckily, when he arrived, the place was calm and peaceful…or as peaceful as it could be. He scanned for the new members: Kieran was getting some soup from a not so happy Pearson, and then he finally saw her. It was clear the first thing she did as a free woman was have a wash and brush her hair.

Arthur couldn’t deny that she was definitely pretty, but her sour attitude, O’Driscoll past, and constant scowl made him hate her so much that he could look past how beautiful she was. However, when he watched from afar, he saw how she interacted with Mary-Beth: Her eyes were soft, her mouth curled up slightly at the corners, and she was even laughing lightly at times.

For some reason, this only annoyed him further. He strode over towards the two women who were sat on a blanket, looking up at him.

“You behavin’ yourself?” He asked, and there it was. Her famous scowl.

“You’re not going to give me a minute’s peace, are you?”

Now that he was closer, he could see had to look through her long lashes, and she had a small scar along her neck like Javier. Mary-Beth coughed.

“Is there something you need, Arthur?”

He shook his head, “Oh no, I was just making sure our new friend wasn’t giving you any trouble. God knows she gives it out a lot.” The woman shook her head to disagree, putting her book down.

“Not at all! She’s actually pleasant company.”

It was Y/n’s turn to talk, “I’m right here. Which, for your information, I’m a delight when I actually like the person. But, for a strange reason, I don’t like big dumb grunts who shoot me!”

Arthur rolled his eyes, “Give it a rest woman. You’re gonna have to get over that one day.”

The wind picked up slightly, making Y/n’s hair flow a little, and he was looking a bit too intently by accident. Mary-Beth stood up suddenly, causing the other two to turn to her. She excused herself, explaining she had chores to attend to, and scampered off. Arthur and Y/n stayed in awkward silence for a few seconds before she finally spoke up.

“Are you going to stand there or say something?”

He narrowed his eyes, staying stood because sitting next to her seemed too friendly, but the awkward pose of her sat looking up at him while he stood above her was just as bad.

“I’m just here to warn you that if you try anything- “

“Oh, give it a rest old man,” She spat as his eyes widened.

“Old man? You gotta be kidding, old man?”

Y/n laughed, tilting her head back slightly at his response. She stood up, dusting off her jeans. Despite being stood up now, she still had to look up. Tiny thing, she is. He asked, “And how old are you exactly?”

“Why? You interested?” She teased… flirted? He couldn’t tell, but he didn’t like either option.

He scowled at her, “Don’t be so cocky, girl. I’m askin’ ‘cos you’re acting like I’m as old as Hosea.”

“I’m in my early twenties, that’s all you’re getting.” She informed him, and for some reason, his stomach dropped. Arthur should’ve guessed she was young, she didn’t look older than thirty, but it still shocked him. Then she asked the same question. He chuckled lightly, looking away from her.

“I’m in my mid-thirties, old enough to be your Daddy.”

“Well, you don’t look a day over fifty.” She smiled sickly, enjoying tormenting the older man.

“Real mature of you.” He scoffed, before turning around without a goodbye. He couldn’t stand talking to her much longer; every single sentence she threw his way only jabbed him more and more, which would cause him to snap eventually. He found himself at Dutch’s tent, who was sat smoking a cigar and lost in thought. When he saw Arthur, his face lit up.

“Arthur! And to what do I owe the pleasure?” He took another puff.

“I just came to talk to you about that O’Driscoll girl.”

Dutch sat up straight, concern on his face, “Is she causing trouble?”

“Not exactly,” He rubbed the back of his neck, “It’s about her aim. When we were at Six Point, I was about to get shot, but she saved me. Put a bullet right between the man’s eyebrows. In seconds. That ain’t normal.”

The music was blaring from inside the tent like it usually did at this time, and Arthur could hear the rest of the members shouting and laughing. It almost drowned Dutch out.

“Where are you going with this, son?” The leader asked. Arthur paused, rubbing his chin.

“My point is, I don’t think she’ll cause trouble, but keep an eye on the guns around here.”

Dutch leaned back into his chair, a smug smile tugging at his lips.

“Or, we could use her to our advantage.” He was already planning something, a new chess piece for his board. Arthur rose an eyebrow and asked, “What you plannin’?”

He nodded his head, thoughts and ideas running through his head, “We are going to get Sean back, having her behind the scenes could be very helpful. Especially in a place like Blackwater.”

“Dutch…” Arthur groaned, “I can’t trust her. She may’ve saved my life, but she probably did it to save her own hide.”

“Well then, sounds like you two need to do a little bonding.” Dutch smirked, taking the final huff of his cigar, as he continued to scheme; much to Arthur’s dismay.

[rattkachuk]

Hello! Hope you are having a good day.

So I have a question for you, just ignore when you don't feel like answering.

I came to Mattdrai via the enemies/rivals to lovers tag and then got sucked into hockey. I really like the fanon take on Leon, fav character, fanon Matthew was fine but way too woobified and infantilized in so many fics. So my surprise when I started to watch games, interviews etc. Public Matthew is so confident, so loving, awesome family to back him up, especially Brady, hot as hell, sexy way of playing hockey, amazing public persona. Loved and respected by his team, beyond hockey.

Then Leon. His only trait seems to be that he's pissy which I can appreciate but it seems that he's just a downright mean, arrogant guy with a superiority complex (see that interview when he puts Silovs down.) I don't find him stoic at all but he's just seems boring and bland and yeah, pissy. It doesn't seem like he has fun or likes his team a lot or is liked by them (Connor aside and his skills aside.) His friendship with Connor seems the only endearing or likeable thing. He even looks good in a bland way and his hockey is while it's so skillful it's not hot and also I wonder why his dirty plays aren't called out more often.

So what do I miss? Where does great fanon Leon come from? Why is he written mostly so superior to Matthew and where comes the "his team likes Leon so much but Matthew is an outcast in his own team come from?) It's so far from what I gather from old and new interviews or games and I have watched a lot, also German interviews. I really would like to like Leon, shipping them had been more fun when I didn't find his public self so jarring. What do I not see what everyone else seems to get?

Sorry for the long ask! Have a great day and thank you

first off thank you for such a thought out ask! i don't get to dive into things like this a lot outside of writing fic and it got my brain gears going.

to get right into the bulk of this ask: i get what you are saying about leon. that can be the way he comes off for sure, and look everything i'm gonna say? i'm talking out of my ass here. i don't claim to know anything about him as a person besides what's publicly presented, and i don't have much right to theorize about why he is the way that he is, but i'd be lying if i said i didn't think about it. how would i write rpf otherwise, right 💀

i think he cares a lot. and i think sometimes he gets so wrapped up in things, how things should be, how he should be performing, etc, and when it doesn't go a certain way he gets frustrated and snarky (eg, pissy comments and such). but i don't see that being bad necessarily, especially when it's seems to come from such a team oriented state of mind. which, i dont think he dislikes his team at all? i think if anything, he has a sort of blind faith in his team, and that's the only context i could see a 'superiority complex' making sense in. and yah maybe a little misplaced at times, but ultimately i think it comes from believing so fully in his team and not seeing that come to fruition. he really does not seem to care about his individual performance much at all, so how self obsessed can he be? when i think about leon i just see someone that is ultimately very passionate and committed to the game he plays. i'm also curious to know where you get the vibe that his team doesn't like him? simply because i never got that impression from any of the other oilers, they all seem like they're obsessed with him.

beyond hockey, i see a caring, sweet, kindhearted individual. anytime i see a picture or vid of him interacting with bowie, or even the things his girlfriend posts about him, the comments he leaves for people on ig, and yah of course in the way he talks/acts around connor, i see fragments of someone soooo different than the little two minute post game interviews (which, can we judge any hockey player on those? i think they all hate them dfkjgsd). it's not always something i actively go digging for or have examples of the top of my head, but i do see it, and it definitely goes into creating the version of leon that i have in my mind.

hey, and, he's a silly guy!!! please, i know the reputation is pissy and humourless, ESPECIALLY in fic, but that man is so funny. so many random offhanded comments that make me pause and then laugh. a different sense of humour but it's so there. i love the sandcastle vid from the asg last year and feel like it's a good example of that, all sunburnt and happy. also hey, big man in tune with his fear of the ocean? love that. that little vid of him dancing on the ice earlier this season, those halloween photos where he's dressed as a monkey, every time he talks to a kid. hell, seeing him in warmups and watching the way he takes time to interact fans?? loveee watching warmups but i'd never had a player actually acknowledge my existence before leon!

also i really enjoy his personality on the ice, i like the rat behaviour and the sassy comments that he makes to other players/refs, i like the bitch moves, and i like his hockey too. i think his game is dependable and like you said skillful, and while maybe not the most creative, the sureness and the technical aspect it is hot to me. so my thoughts on everything are probably skewed in that regard.

anyways this was just a whole lot of rambling about why i find him interesting, endearing even, but i understand the perception you have. i don't like some players that other people love, just cause i cant see what they see. and honestly that's sometimes just the way it is! if you don't like leon, maybe u just don't like him and thats fine.

disclaimer that i have only been on hockeyblr for a couple years, and really didn't spare many thoughts for leon til the beginning of the 22/23 season. truthfully i'm hardly the person to ask about leon imo, but of course i have thoughts anyways! if someone else with more knowledge reads my bit of rambling here, please feel free to chime in and add your voice to this!

and side note, ofc, i have to touch on this bc who would i be if i'm not one to talk about matthew; in the way of m.tkachuk, i think that in the early days of mattdrai it was maybe a fair take away during his time with the flames (minus the woobifying). even though he was loved so much here and had some fucking times, and i think the team was mostly good to him (player wise if not regarding management, that is), i see such a stark difference now that he's on the panthers. he seems much happier and more confident, and obviously he's clicking with the cats on another level, and i do see a shift in how he's been portrayed in fics since tbh.

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

hi, can I requests hcs of the bachelors and farmer aving a cozy date night at the farmm thank you! :)

Sure thing! Enjoy some fluff headcanons, dear anon, and have a good day 💕☺️

SDV bachelors x Farmer having a date night at farmhouse:

_________________________________________

Shane:

Shane and Farmer had already prepared some not-so-healthy but very tasty snacks with drinks, because tonight they were having a movie marathon! Since the lovers wanted a nice evening just for the two of them, but both of them were not burning with the desire to leave the cosy couch, Shane suggested Farmer to watch their favourite movies. And, oh boy, they had a blast! Shane made his spouse laugh as he parodied a character from a comedy, hugged Farmer during a horror film trying to pass himself off as brave (he was scared too) and bounced around with them excitedly when the main character in an action film managed to win a fight. The chicken lover didn't notice how Farmer, after already 4 films, fell asleep on his shoulder, sniffling quietly, satisfied from a wonderful evening, goodies and the attention of their beloved spouse. Shane kissed them on the forehead and they both settled comfortably on the sofa, falling asleep.

Elliott:

Even without stepping outside the cosy farmhouse, Elliott had heaps of great ideas to turn his and Farmer's ordinary evening into the most romantic date. And the writer decided that spa treatments and wine tasting would be a great time, especially since his beloved spouse was in favour of the proposal. Soft candlelight, the smells of flowers and essential oils throughout the house, the pleasant steam from the hot water in the bathtub, the bubble bath, rose petals and fragrant herbs... Elliott and Farmer will sit opposite each other in a large and cosy bathtub, playfully blowing bath foam on each other, laughing and clinking glasses filled with sparkling wines, snacking on delicious tartlets and savoury cheeses. Add to that classical music or light jazz from the radio and these two lovers will warmly remember this beautiful evening forever. Ah, just like in the novels...

Harvey:

Cooking a dinner together, according to Harvey, is a win-win for a romantic date night. Although the doctor usually takes the responsibility of kitchen duties, believing that his dear spouse should be resting after the hard farm, cooking fancy meals, delicacies and salads together proves to be quite a pleasant and fun pastime. Now and then Farmer playfully prompts Harvey that it's time to take out the baked fish from oven, and Harvey playfully teases the Farmer, who try to steal sliced pieces of fresh fruit from the board. The dishes turned out uncomplicated and delicious, with both lovers enjoying the cooking process and the flavour of the food. And, oh what luck, Harvey and Farmer's favourite song came on the radio, so they both are sure to start the slow dance. Not hurriedly, enjoying every minute, they moved smoothly to the music and showered each other with compliments, and then returned to the table and continued their dinner.

Sam:

Ha! If the silly rain thinks it's going to spoil Sam and Farmer's wonderful evening, they're sorely mistaken. So what if they didn't get to go for a walk in the woods tonight? There's always everything they need in the house to make it an exciting and memorable evening. In fact, Sam doesn't know why they haven't offered Farmer a video game night before, but tonight the young guitarist will rectify the situation. While he's running around kitchen cupboards, pouring their favorite sweets and snacks into plates and brewing hot chocolate/coffee/tea, Farmer is already starting up the game console. And to the loud soundtracks from the TV and the crunching of snacks, Sammy and Farmer will sit on soft cushions next to each other, rejoicing at another victory in the game and exchanging kisses.

Alex:

Truth be told, Alex doesn't have a clear plan for a specific activity to spend time with Farmer, so the young athlete tries a little bit of everything with the excited Farmer. From cooking dinner for two, dancing and massages, to pillow fighting, jigsaw puzzle and karaoke. They probably had a lot of fun with karaoke, even with the fact that the two of them are such poor singers. But the important thing was that they were having fun, so no judging here! Then it was time for delicious food, where they sat by candlelight and enjoyed the dishes they had prepared together, exchanging compliments. After all these activities, Alex sits down with his spouse on the sofa and suggests that they plan a holiday together for the future, deciding where they can go for a week, what wonderful places they can visit. A bit of a chaotic date night, but both Farmer and Alex are satisfied with a wonderful and successful evening.

Sebastian:

Well, what's a date night at home without board games? Luckily, 'Solarion Chronicles: The Game' allows even just two participants to have a fun marathon about the adventures of the heroes and their battle against the forces of evil. What's more interesting is that Sebby and his beloved Farmer will even dress up thematically: emo's head will be adorned with a wizard hat, while Farmer will throw a knight's cloak over their shoulders. Hee hee, what a dorks and nerds, these two... After a few games with the best score, the two lovers will build a veritable fortress out of pillows and blankets. It may seem childish to some, but Sebastian and Farmer have never had so much fun. With a garland, plates full of snacks and a laptop, they will start watching various films and videos in their "impregnable fortress" made of soft cushions and a blanket roof. Hey, a good date night!

[jongseonvs]

enha as your ex/when you break up

warnings: enhypen is kind of manipulative

#jay ─ ¨*• ☪︎

he tries his best to avoid you, because he doesn’t want to see you. not cause he hates you, or feels resentment, he’s scared to see you happy without him. he looks up your socials late at night to see what you’re up to though. he’s curious, but he’s afraid to see something he doesn’t want to, like you following guys back or posting the back of a guy while out on a walk.

#sunghoon ─ ¨*• ✦

he avoids you in person, especially because you’re in the same friend group. but he stares when you’re not looking. he notices how prettier you’ve gotten, how more confident you seem and he realizes maybe it was him holding you back from being at your prime. as much as he secretly misses you, he has no plans in getting back together with you.

#heeseung ─ ¨*• ✮

is very much a lover boy, so he doesn’t see you with anyone but him. can’t accept the fact that you’re actually over, so he often shows up to your house or randomly gives you your favorite snacks or sends a text.

“i thought you were broken up?” asked your friend, watching hee walk away after handing you a water bottle and your favorite snacks.

“we are.”

#jungwon ─ ¨*• ꕤ

isn’t your ex.. but he is. you don’t have the title of being his “girlfriend” but he still comes over, you still go to his games, and he still kisses you goodbye. you don’t complain, because you still love him, but wondered when he was going to get bored just like he did when you first broke up.

#jake ─ ¨*• ♡̶

the only one that healthily creates boundaries and allows time away from each other before even deciding to be just friends. it works for a while, the dynamic, until he sees you getting closer to gunwook and he no longer wants anything to do with you. he cant handle seeing you do things with gunwook that you did before with jake.

#sunoo ─ ¨*• ✿

acts like he doesn’t care, but you’re all he thinks about. you didn’t end on the best terms but he still loves you so much. he talks to girls the second you break up because he needs to get over you. it doesn’t work though, because he finds himself looking through your pictures.

#ni-ki ─ ¨*• ✧

he also tries not to seem like he cares but anyone 3 feet away can tell how affected he is by it. he’s not himself and surprisingly calls you at 1 in the morning begging you to give him another chance. as much as you don’t believe its a good idea, you fold instantly and he spends the night in your bed.

[a/n 🎀:] thank you for reading! feedback is always appreciated :)

[super-lovely-star]

Fun and nostalgic gifts and treats for Middle Regressors and Dreamers

This is a list of cute little things you can get for yourself or your middle friend! I will generally list them from cheapest to most spendy- but remember, just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a bad gift. Don’t spend beyond your means! And also, you DO NOT need these things to “properly regress!”

Mood Jewelry ($) These were popular when I was a kid. You can get mood rings, necklaces, bracelets, and probably even earrings.

Age appropriate cosmetics ($) Like scented lip creams and gloss, or body glitter.

Glow in the dark stars ($) you can get these in the classic color, or bright colors!

Fidget toys ($) I especially like Tangle! These are good if you have anxiety or are just fidgety.

Small collectable toys ($) Like matchbox cars, littlest pet shop, blind box toys, etc!

Candy ($) Just make sure you don’t get too much, or you might get sick! I especially like sour patch kids, and yan yan.

Stickers ($) I like to get these at Daiso, but you can get them pretty much anywhere! Especially good of you/your friend keeps a journal or writes letters.

Cute plushie keychains ($) To clip onto your bag!

Art supplies ($-$$) If you/your friend likes to draw, you can get some colored pencils, markers, etc! Even a new sketchbook!

Stuff with a First initial on it ($-$$) like pillows, jewelry, little compacts, keychains, etc.

Kids craft kits ($-$$) they have plenty of these at craft stores! Jewelry making kits, paint a sculpture, you name it!

A cute character waterbottle ($-$$) choose depending on your/their favorite character/franchise! I have an usahana water bottle coming in the mail!

A lava/glitter lamp ($$) A cool way to add atmosphere to your/their room, and super relaxing to look at.

A caboodle ($$) To keep your/their accessories, makeup, art supplies, or small toys organized.

Plushies, duh! ($$) If you’re on a budget, you can get these at thrift stores! Just make sure to clean before cuddling.

Action figure or Fashion doll ($$) If you/they are less into plushies, these make equally good companions.

Video games ($$) for whatever console you/they use. I like nintendogs games best!

Tamagotchi ($$) or a similar virtual pet! I never had one, but they look fun!

A DVD of a favorite movie ($$) You can get these cheaper secondhand! Just make sure they still work.

A cute journal ($$) I like the ones they sell at Claire’s best. They look like cute animals!

Vintage Clothes ($$-$$$) If your shopping on ebay or depop, make sure you know the measurements. Especially if you’re going for actual tween brands like Limited Too or Mezzo Piano Junior, which run smaller than adult sizes.

An inflatable or beanbag chair ($$-$$$) Just make sure you/they have space for one!

MP3 or CD player ($$$) Especially good gift for a music lover!

Last but not least, a Razor scooter! ($$$) Did you know they make these in adult sizes? I have one named Jazz and I love it dearly.

Love you all, platonically ofc! 🎁💝

[chitoge]

Lucy | Tamaji ※Permission to upload this work was granted by the artist.  

[presiding]

genuinely admire those who were optimistic for dishonored 3 but in this videogame industry climate and [insert a 4hr video essay about arkane's recent history here], honestly, not getting dh3 is good news

[maddymoreau]

Why is everyone in Fallout 3 extremely hot

[kohakhearts]

anyone else think theres some kinda bizarre love triangle going on between the player and the dlc siblings cause thats all i took away from it lmao. cant wait for part 2 so i can take carmine on a true american date

[delta-piscium]

Make Me Write!

tagged by @starryeyedjanai @scoops-stevie and @matchingbatbites thank you so much <3 (this is actually so needed)

Rules:

Make a 24hr poll listing the titles of every WIP you want to work on. (It’s fine if you only have one, still make a poll for the vote count)

Tag anyone you think might also enjoy this game. (No pressure of course)

Whichever WIP title gets the most votes, write 1 sentence for every vote. If it gets more votes than your comfortable with, feel free to swap it to words.

If somehow that completes the fic or reaches the end of a chapter, move to the WIP with the second highest votes and continue where you left off on your sentence/word count. Repeat until you reach your goal.

(Optional) Share what you wrote in a new Tumblr post with a link to your original poll or attached it to a reblog.

i know so many people have already done this and been tagged but you can just use it as an excuse do it again (if you want, no pressure as always) so tagging: @sidekick-hero @wynnyfryd @ghost--enthusiast @outpastthebrakers @strangersatellites @stobinesque @corrodedbisexual @willowworkswithwords @scarcrossdlvrs @steves-strapcollection

[carlatsukinamistolemyhamsandwich]

Ngl as someone who was solidly entrenched in diahell for about 7 years, I keep forgetting that not everyone is accustomed to dark content, particularly unhealthy romance stuff, in their fiction. However this only really struck me when I encountered discourse on Ascended Astarion from BG3, because while the relationship with him is definitely unhealthy, compared to some of the shenanigans in DL it seems tame to me.