#help unwanted

[rainbows-fanfics]

Story Directory (Mobile)

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Two Dearest Friends

Summary:

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, meets Sally, a ragdoll created by Dr. Finklestein. A friendship blossoms between them as he introduces her to the world outside of her tower. Sally is falling for him as their relationship grows into something more, and Jack finds the same is happening to him.

A story where the Christmas incident never happens, and Jack and Sally find their happiness on their own.

Pairings: Jack Skellington/Sally

CHAPTER LIST:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 25 | Chapter 26

Our Nightmare

Summary:

Sally moves in with the man of her screams. But there is still so much she has to learn of Halloween Town, and what it’s like living with The Pumpkin King.

A sequel to Two Dearest Friends, where the Christmas incident never happens. But there are still many ends that haven’t been met, and much for these two dreamers to learn as they start to spend their deaths together.

Pairings: Jack Skellington/Sally, Dr Finklestein/Jewel

–

Note: This is a SEQUEL to my other story, TWO DEAREST FRIENDS. To read the original story, seek ABOVE.

–

CHAPTER LIST:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22

PIRATE101

All'inzio

Summary: 

A soldier-in-training, Valerie hopes to join the Valencian Army to avenge her father’s death under the wing of General Rooke. But when she happens to catch the attention of Commander Kane, her plans take a different turn.

Human AU of the Armada from Pirate101, where Kane meets his Queen.

Pairing: Kane/Queen

–

Note: The title translates to “at the beginning”.

–

CHAPTER LIST:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 25 | Chapter 26 | Chapter 27 | Chapter 28 | Chapter 29

Help Unwanted

Summary:

After losing the Pirate, Deacon is unwillingly paired with a partner to help with his job. The only problem is - they can’t stand each other, and time is dwindling until he can re-capture all his lost prisoners.

Pairing: Deacon/Queen!Deacon(OC)

–

CHAPTER LIST:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 |

[pineapple-frenzy]

Book 2 au: sparring sessions and short hair katara

They like to have sparring sessions in order to keep their bending skills sharp. They allow themselves to go all out and not hold back at all cause they know if anyone got hurt, Katara could just heal them

But anyways, wouldn't it be kinda funny if Zuko accidentally burned Katara's hair tho? Aofkqldkkajfjd

The "I think we can save the hairloops" line is from @linnoya-writes thank you for that!! :>>

[sharkylad]

Thinking about the fact that Mabel and Dipper didn't know they had two great uncles.

Yeah they are 12 and at 12 I had a shotty understanding of my family tree- But really? Nobody brought up their great uncle? Stanley? Especially since they'll be staying with his twin brother, Stanford?

Shermie never went to Stan's fake funeral, which to me means the twos relationship was strained on some level. If Shermie is older that means his view of Stan was poisoned in some way, that even as kids they weren't close. If the Shermie is younger then he never even got to meet Stan and all he knew about him was how he failed his family. Hell, people probably barely mentioned Stanley TO Shermie.

The fact that Stan had become a black stain upon the Pines family name makes me so vividly upset. Stanley faked his death and the family just- seemingly decided to strike him from the record. To pretend he didn't existed to spare themselves the sadness and shame.

Stanford and Shermie Pines. The only children worth mentioning of Filbrick and Caryn Pines.

It was never Stanford that was lost to the world. It was Stanley, ever since he had to leave New Jersy- it was always him that had to be struck from the record. Change his name, change his state, change his affiliations, destroy the remains of ghost that was Stanley Pines. Kill him so the family doesn't bring him up, doesn't ask questions, stops asking "Stanford" about his twin.

I just keep thinking about the fact that since the day he made one single mistake all the way up until Ford walks out of that machine- Stanley Pines was killed and did not exist. And Stan himself had no one to blame, he had to play the part in his own demise- He is the only one who ever knew Stanley was alive and has been for decades.

He lives in the multitudes of every personality he's ever taken, all in the hope that he himself can stop being Stanley Pines.

[lightgamble]

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN | 1.01

I refuse to believe that a tragedy had to destroy everything. But it did.

[bl0ssom-skies]

Made a silly lil costume for blueberry milk :D

[googlyowo]

how do we all think the floof squad would handle the infamous "they asked for no pickles" situation bc i've been deliberating about it since last night

[marclef]

How do the Fakelings feel about tasty rats? (Other than Goudino, we know she likes eating them a lot 😊)

similarly to their Papa, most of the Fakelings are pretty big fans of tasty delicious rats ✨

the only one out of them who very rarely hunts for them is Pisceno, living underwater means that rats aren't exactly common. but, if they ever travel onto land and encounter such rodents, they may be inclined to have a little treat!

besides Goudino though, the two that run into and prey on rats most often are Poultrino and Trashino! Trashino, because rats are very often found scurrying through garbage, they aren't as delicious to them as raccoons are but they're still a good meal! and Poultrino loves rats too, gotta keep her restaurant pest-free after all! (and, have you ever seen chickens hunting rats and mice before? brutal little dinosaurs, they are...)

(and as a bonus, a little drawing of these two rat-hunters at work! their sister Goudino would be very proud ✨)

[derseprinceoftbd]

She's right. She's weirdly codependent with her busty sister, but she's right. It's a bad argument, and souls are apparently very very good fuel; nobody has ever mentioned something causing a Lyctor to diminish. We do, however, know that a Lyctor can fail to gain the full power or knowledge of a soul, through the unwillingness of one party or another, which has been the long-running implication behind Ianthe's faliure, also very interesting...

[rainbows-fanfics]

Help Unwanted (Chapter 1)

(Art by @psychicaves !)

Summary: After losing the Pirate, Deacon is unwillingly paired with a partner to help with his job. The only problem is - they can't stand each other, and time is dwindling until he can re-capture all his lost prisoners.

Human AU of the Armada from Pirate101.

Pairings: Deacon/Queen!Deacon, Deacon/OC

--

A caped figure leaned against the side of a building, watching the waves of the ocean gradually stretch over the horizon. He listened to the distant splashing from the shore and birds flocking from above. In any normal circumstance, this would be considered a peaceful sight - but to him , it was all but a grave reminder of what transpired last week. 

The Erebus was destroyed after his run-in with Boochbeard and his accomplice, Gandry. He’d been in the middle of delivering prisoners for questioning when his ship was overrun with pirates. He had a long, almost annoying streak with this ruffian - who trailed after him and thwarted his plans as of late. He lost a few convicts under Boochbeard’s foiling before…but nothing like the Erebus. 

It sank. He lost nearly all his prisoners, grabbing only a couple with him on his escape boat. Least to say, it wasn’t anywhere near what was expected that day, and he suffered for it. He stomped through Valencia afterwards, soaked from head-to-toe, relaying to Kane how he lost his ship and everything on it. To his superior, this was not good news. 

It was the most humiliated he’d ever felt. Rooke was present and didn't improve the situation, expressing his disappointment in Deacon, accompanied with Kane’s belittling. He asked, desperately , if his father ever received the letter he’d written a week prior - about the rise of piracy on ports and shipping, and his aggressive sweep for criminals and undesirables. He learned shortly that it was intercepted by Boochbeard and Gandry. His efforts were nearly in vain. 

He thought his life couldn’t get any worse. But things spiraled downwards from there. 

For the past week, he was put on hold as an Emissary - refused missions and conferences, not even allowed on Armada ships. To him, this was an unfair punishment. He’d rather be put on standby, out on the seas somewhere, contributing * something * to the Armada. Instead, he drank his problems away and read depressing novels in his free time. 

He was happy to be called in today. He’d be receiving a new ship and finally put back on duty. But he remained weary – something didn’t feel right about this. 

Deacon inhaled his cigarette from under his mask before releasing his breath. The smoke filtered from under the bauta and was carried away by the wind. The door opened. An Armada Soldier peered in his direction. They made eye contact before the other man stepped aside and gestured politely. 

“My lord is ready for you.” 

The spymaster sighed. “Of course he is.” 

He extinguished his cigarette before entering the office. The soldier escorted him to the door. He found a man propped against a desk facing his direction, his gloved fingertips touching one another as his blue eyes studied his figure. The room was filled with tense silence - no implication of any conversation prior to him opening the door. Deacon cleared his throat and shut it behind him, stepping forward while he tapped his cane on the ground. His eyes wandered as he went. He noticed Queen sitting to the side, leg resting over the other and smiling at him. 

He stiffened. There was no reason for her to be here. Did *everyone* have to know his business? His failure? He clenched his jaw at the thought. 

“ Ciao. ” Kane greeted, breaking the silence. He sounded impatient and unhappy. Deacon bowed and moved a hand behind his back. A habit of his, for concealing his pistol. 

“Kane…thank you for seeing me. You will not regret this.”

“Exactly what we need to talk about.” The Supreme Commander snapped to the empty chair across from him. There was no argument as he sat down. His eyes momentarily flicked to the extra company, but went back to Kane when he leaned forward. 

“Deacon, I have high expectations of you. I completely entrust you as my representative - your image is my own. You’re expected to execute my businesses for me. Failure to do so is not only a burden on you , but on me as well.” 

His posture deflated. “ Hai ragione .” 

“When you sank the Erebus last week, you lost valuable intel. Criminals who were going to be questioned and used to our advantage. Not only are we missing * them *, but an expensive ship as well. These matters were in your hands.” 

“They did not get away without a fight.” Deacon defended. They had this conversation already. He was tired of being reminded of his mistakes. “The prisoners were freed and conspired together. I did the best I could, being outnumbered.” 

“Be that as it may, the results are still the same. I’ve invested in a new ship for you - but not one you will captain alone.” 

He quirked an eyebrow under his mask. “What do you mean?” 

“You’re being assigned a partner.” Queen finally spoke, earning his attention. “She will help with your navigation, execute your businesses, and provide a helping hand in case of another… mutiny .” 

The spymaster didn’t know how to process this information. He preferred working alone so he wouldn’t be slowed down - burdened by anyone who couldn’t keep with his pace. He was constantly moving, never staying in one place for a long time. He was known for two things: being brief and remaining anonymous. Leaving no trace of his presence or involvement. A coworker would challenge that. 

One word managed to leave his lips. “-’She’ ?” 

She smiled behind the mask she held. He could tell by her tone. “A friend of mine.” 

This did nothing to assure him. Kane noticed his distress and moved a hand in the air. “She meets all the qualifications. She has prior experience in your field and even basic training. Most importantly, she has no records of negligence.” 

Deacon trailed his hands over his cane. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was he so incompetent they had to *hire* someone to *help* him..? His fingers twitched in irritation. He was disappointed with himself. How could he prove to be this inept? It felt like a slap in the face, despite Kane and Queen presenting this as a privilege . A punishment worse than being refused any work… 

“This is strictly for business.” The Supreme Commander resumed. “You two will not convene after-hours, unless so desired. She knows nothing about your identity, as you do with hers. She’s supplied with a mask to keep things incognito. Disclosing any information about yourselves is purely out of consent.” 

He relaxed in his chair. So he didn’t have to know anything about her. Or even care at all. ‘That’s a plus’, he thought. He wanted nothing to do with this “helping hand”, supplied to him out of pure pity. The situation was already degrading enough, in his eyes. 

“She'll meet with you tomorrow at the docks, to your new ship.” Kane wrote something down. “You two will track down your lost convicts. The Pirate is already showing interference with our plans. Every one of them is your responsibility, and you are expected to catch them once more.” 

“I can do that by myself. Is the company necessary ?” He sat back exasperatedly. Kane tilted his head, unimpressed. 

“Need I remind you this is your mistake. Since you couldn’t do what was asked of you the first time, this is simply a compromise, to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” 

Deacon decided to be quiet. The only smart decision he’s made in this conversation. Kane shared a glance with his Queen before rolling up the paper and handing it to him without a word. He saved it in one of his coat’s pockets, to read it in his spare time.

"I want to see improvement from this fiasco. You have three months to track down every inmate you lost and bring them in for questioning. If this does not happen, you'll be moved somewhere less… important ."

His life was Hell.

[ftl-faster-than-life]

The fact that Bart and Barry don’t hang out is a crime that I would like to hold DC accountable for.

[itsmistyeyedbi]

I've finally got the time and energy to carry on with the rewrite and I am... stuck.

I've reached the part where I need to make the kiss obvious now, Zuri can't skirt around it anymore. Not in her own head, at least💀

The problem is, the body language that Zuri and Bobby exhibit is important to the dialogue they exchange and the kiss (especially since I'm writing around the "unwanted kiss" version in the books, I'll go into detail about that a bit in the tags) but a full on flashback isn't going to work with the way I've already written this.

So... do I just keep the dialogue and leave the details out and up to imagination? Or do I keep them by having the memory be in italics and split up between her current thoughts + anything else happening around her?

[redrobin-detective]

This is an announcement and a promise: if you are a bad nurse, I am coming for you. If you are rude and judgemental to patients, deny them basic human decency you will face my wrath. If you take shit care of them, think you know better than not only the patients and your coworkers but the whole medical team then you cannot hide from me. I will find you and I will go toe to toe with you bc even the worst human alive deserves care and respect and I will beat that lesson into you and maybe make you grow a heart.

[ghostofashina]

i really need to make a ship tag to organize this blog but i just can't decide what name to call godwyn/messmer besides the lazyest shit as gwmsm

even khazan/tristan became trizan and they've been around for like 2 days

perhaps i'll stick to princelings since it's already an internal joke and is better than gwmsm

then, even though my sekiro hyperfixation is dormant atm, i still need a name for emma/wolf, since genma has already sailed for genichiro/emma

[spriteandfries]

IVE BEEN GONE FOR A BILLION FLIPPIN’ YEARS-

Hi… I made a Ton-Ton human design

He wears a toolbelt (keeps his special rocks in there)and those are his ankylodump earrings.

[mercyisms]

re: Unwanted Guest -- it is so, so small so as to be possible inconsequential, but i, a lyctordiseasehaver, cannot help but hear the echo of “Mercymorn!” said Augustine lightly. “I won’t fall for any of your worn-out tricks, my girl.” in Ianthe's "You're fucked, my lad." Which is just a small bit of evidence one could use to further the theory Ianthe is, in some part, using Augustine as a model for both lyctorhood and lyctor gender. Long-argued, but remains compelling to me! However, since Unwanted Guest introduces the idea that bits of Babs soul may be irrevocably mixed in with Ianthe's, opens the door to wonder how smitten Babs would've been with Augustine/Augustine's gender presentation. Possible, I suppose, to read Palamedes' diagnoses of his new smoking habit as a Babs used to smoke, but I personally prefer the reading that it is a bit of Ianthe (via Augustine emulation) rubbing off on Pal the longer he spends inside Ianthe...? (Also something here re: the general need for lyctors to engage in various feats of repression and/or self-aware performance in order to have a coherent self? I mean, don't we all, but... How much of Joy is Mercymorn and Cristabel, how much of Patience is Augustine and Alfred, and so on.) Anyway, to be loved is to be changed (derogatory), I guess!!!

[rainbows-fanfics]

Help Unwanted (Chapter 16)

Summary: After losing the Pirate, Deacon is unwillingly paired with a partner to help with his job. The only problem is - they can't stand each other, and time is dwindling until he can re-capture all his lost prisoners.

Human AU of the Armada from Pirate101.

Pairings: Deacon/Queen!Deacon, Deacon/OC

--

“- Che piacere ! I win. Are you sure you don’t want to play something else?”

Dea furrowed her eyebrows together as she looked at Deacon’s empty hand, then glanced back to the cards still pinched between her thumbs and forefingers. She was hoping to win this game, but it was inevitable her partner would claim victory after the winning streak he’s had this past hour. She threw down her cards and sat back in her seat, crossing her arms in mock tantrum. 

“I think you’re cheating. Who wins these many games of crazy eights!?”

He cleaned up the table. She was sure he was smirking under his bauta mask. He gathered the cards and shuffled them again. She could tell he was an experienced player with how quickly and efficiently he made his bridge finishes. She was more surprised that his gloves didn’t get in the way of doing it. 

He paused before dealing their share. “What about blackjack? I don’t think we’ve played that one yet.” 

“If you promise not to hide your cards in your sleeve anymore.” 

“Fine. To prove you’re a sore loser, I’ll take my jacket off.” 

Deacon stood to his feet and shrugged off his outer jacket, hanging the blue accessory on the back of his chair. This got rid of those bulky, black cuffs she was so suspicious of. He had a habit of hiding his pistol in them, so what was the exception of a few playing cards? She was somewhat pleased that none had flown out of his pockets. He sat across from her and dealt the cards for their new game. 

As they got into the swing of things, Dea fell into a habit of eying him when he wasn’t looking. It wasn’t often she got to see him without his cape or even wearing fewer clothes like this…he wasn’t one to linger in his nightwear, so she never got a good look at him otherwise. Her thoughts returned to that disguise he’d been wearing back in Cool Ranch. She bit her lip at the memory. She wished she could see him in something like that again. 

Her mind wandered and she made a mistake in her next play. She swore at herself as she corrected her cards, flushing under her mask when Deacon tilted his head at her.

“Something on your mind?” 

Her green eyes met with his inquisitive ones. She doubted he caught her staring, but it was obvious something was amiss. She exhaled slowly, thinking of how to change subjects so he wouldn’t know she’d been secretly ogling him.

“I was thinking of what good mood you must be in, to want to play some games with me. You usually don’t. ” 

He sat up straight and lifted his head. “-I am in a good mood.” 

“Hmm. Read a good book lately?”

“Even better. We’re nearly done with our mission, Dea. We only have a few more fugitives to catch, then this operation will finally be over.” 

A feeling of dread washed over her at this news. She bowed her head to hide her reaction. Of course he would be happy that this was all nearly over - it was like a punishment to him, having to track down his lost convicts with some unwanted help. But in her eyes, they’d finally been making progress with each other…they were spending more time together, learning more things about one another…Not to mention this had been her temporary promotion, and when it was all over with, she’d be reduced down to her prior position in the Armada. 

..Which wasn’t anything impressive.

Just the thought made her sigh deeply. She couldn’t stop herself from doing this, earning Deacon’s concern. 

“Are you alright..?”

“I’m fine. Just…” She blew some air from her lips and pinched the bridge of the nose on her mask. This was a topic she wanted to avoid, but she’d have to address it eventually. “Thinking about what I’m going to do after this..” 

His eyes were trained on her. His attention moved to his cards before deciding that the game wasn’t nearly as important as the subject at hand. “-You’re going to be demoted, aren’t you?” 

“Well, ‘demoted’ is a harsh word…” She sucked at her teeth. “More like, back to what I was already doing…which was cleaning the cannons and stocking ammunition.” 

Silence hung in the room as she begrudgingly made her turn. Deacon was slow to make his play as well, thinking deeply on their conversation. She was feeling cold from this realization, wishing that things were different and she wouldn’t have to worry about losing everything she’d been given. 

“You probably won’t like this idea, but-" His tone made her look up from the table. She held her breath as she waited for his next words. “..I could pull some strings and have you work for me.” 

She curled her lips in amusement. “Why? So we could get sick of each other?” 

“Well, you know how I like my coffee, so you would make an excellent first-mate.” 

She rolled her eyes at his joke. If she took the opportunity to work for Deacon…it would feel strange having him be her superior, instead of the equal position they had now. It was a miracle she’d even been promoted to an alike status to an Elite to begin with. 

‘It wouldn’t mean he has an advantage over me,’ Dea sternly told herself, crushing the worrying feeling she had with the prospect. 

"Things would be going back to normal for you, wouldn't it?" She asked, idly fidgeting with the table cloth. Her chest felt tight. "Back to working by yourself, I mean."

Unbeknownst to her, the spymaster's lips fell . No. Things would not be normal. He would be sailing in complete silence instead of listening to her beautiful voice. Sleeping in an empty cabin without the hint of her perfume. Drawing up maps without her little notes in his margins. He wouldn't be seeing her again, and that made him feel…out of sorts.

He clenched his hands trying to cope with this reality. How surprising that this woman would hold such a tight grip over him. To suddenly step into his life and introduce him to a routine of comfort and companionship; to change things in a way that he always wanted.

He'd been so lonely before. He thought he was simply prioritizing his work before his personal life, but… god , he craved intimacy. A friend. A partner…* anything *. He would be stuck with his soldiers and spies again, but they didn't fulfill him like she did. No one would. 

Her voice snapped him out of it. "Deacon?"  

He looked up and noticed she was waiting on him to play his turn. He mumbled an apology before grabbing his card. She looked away from him sadly. 

"...Sorry if I ruined your good mood."

"You didn't. I suppose I wasn't as thrilled as I thought I was."

"Why wouldn't you be? This is your mission, espía . You'll finally be done. I'm honored to have helped you."

His breath hissed through his teeth. She had no reason to be saying this so far in advance. "Dea-"

"You won't have me nagging you around anymore, telling you how to do things. You'll be on your own again-"

"Stop." His voice was firm. It made her hush down immediately. "You keep insisting your company is some god-awful thing to me, but it isn't. How I acted before doesn't reflect how I feel now." 

She froze in her seat. She began tugging at her gloves nervously, attempting to process this information. She tried to tease him, but the crack in her voice gave her away. "Don't tell me you actually LIKE me being around..?"

"More than you think I do, clearly." She was still awestruck and he was getting nervous by it, so he gestured to their game. "Let's finish this up so we can get back to work."

She nodded, playing her hand and finishing up their game of blackjack. They weren’t talkative this time around. Dea’s mind was preoccupied with the fact that Deacon had just admitted to enjoying her company, and even offered to have her around longer. The Emissary himself felt a mixture of emotions, the most prominent being disappointment from the eventual wrap-up of their mission, and the inevitable time when they would have to go their separate ways.

----

He was fidgety the rest of that day, unable to keep his hands still. When he was at the captain’s wheel, he occupied himself by caressing the underside of his compass and adjusting the collar of his cape. When he was roaming around the ship, he constantly shifted his grip on his cane and tapped it more on the floorboards than was necessary. He grew aggravated with this restless behavior and moved into the cabin, where he sat on his bed and attempted to read a book to get his mind off of things.

His left hand kept reaching into the pocket that held his pack of cigarettes. Each time he caught himself doing this, he had to physically stop himself. It was a habit he was trying to break * again *. Each attempt felt harder than the last, and this particular subject was frying his nerves. It took an immeasurable amount of self-control to not break his newly-made promise. 

He heard the familiar steps of Dea’s boots and looked up to see her in front of him. She crossed her arms and looked at him with knowing, emerald-colored eyes. He had to look away, lest his feelings get worse and he would succumb to his urge to smoke. 

“Come on,” She urged, tapping her foot impatiently. “Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“Whatever do you mean?” He asked, pretending to read. 

“You’re going through withdrawal. You should talk to me when this happens, remember?” 

A few seconds passed before he sighed and shut his book. He threw it behind himself carelessly and brought his gloved hands under his bauta to rub his face. Being worked up like this was making him tired. Dea hesitated before sitting beside him on the mattress, keeping some space between them but also letting him know she was there. 

“Is there something stressing you out, espía?” 

He didn’t know what to say. Confess to Dea that he's going to miss her when she’s gone? That he hates the idea of being separated from her? So much so, that it's been driving him mad all day, to regret the time where they’ll have to say goodbye to each other? 

It was pathetic.

Before he could say anything, she reached into her dress’ pocket and offered him a stick of gum. He looked at the piece before taking it and unwrapping it. Popping it in his mouth, he recognized the taste of mint. His shoulders relaxed as he chewed on it. He hadn’t indulged in one of these in an awfully long time. 

“I didn’t know if you had some already, so I grabbed a pack to carry with me. You can ask for one if you ever need it.” 

“...Thank you.” He could tell she was pleased by his gratitude. It made him feel a bit more comfortable to speak. “Have you considered my offer? About working with me after this?” 

She blinked in surprise. She began to idly kick her boots, watching them move with lowered eyelids. “I didn’t think you were serious about it.” 

“I am; it wouldn’t be hard to make it happen.”

“But..” She chewed at her lip, clearly conflicted. “Why would you still want to work with me? Things haven’t been that smooth. We had that fight on our first mission, then I was nearly killed in Cool Ranch-”

“-That’s all in the past and we’ve learned from it. The truth is, you’re one of the most competent women I’ve worked with, and that’s saying something because I know a lot of people.”

His words made her feel happy and confident. It was the first time a man had made her truly feel this way. “..And you like my company?” She asked sheepishly. 

He let that question linger before he replied. “I do. Whether or not you like mine determines your answer.”

She entwined her fingers together, tapping them on her knuckles as she leaned back with a dramatic breath. “Sometimes you can be a pain, but I’ve learned to live with it.”  

She turned to him with bright eyes. He could tell she was smiling from the way she lifted her chin. She looked away and returned her hands to her lap. Her mood had fallen and the confidence briefly left him. 

“I’ll have to think about it.” She sounded like she wanted to say more, but hesitated to do so. He wished she would voice her thoughts, but respected that she couldn’t.

“Just let me know when you make up your mind. We probably have a couple more weeks to sit on it.” 

She nodded along, her eyes fixated on her hands. She was smoothing her palms over her gloves. After a second, she looked up and asked, “-So what was bothering you?” 

“I’d rather not talk about it…” 

“But if we don’t, you’re still going to stress over it.” She countered. She scooted a bit closer and leaned forward. “I promise not to tell anybody if it’s embarrassing.” 

“I still think you would tease me.” He kept his eyes away from her. She moved to try and get in his peripheral vision. 

“Promise I won’t.” 

“-And if you do ?”

“Then I’ll tell you something you can tease *me* about.” 

He paused. That actually sounded reassuring. It still didn’t make him feel any better about this, but maybe he should get it off his chest. He might never have a chance to say it otherwise. “I don’t think I’m ready to end our mission just yet.” 

“Why? Are there other prisoners we’ve missed?” 

“No.”

She attempted to think about why he would say this. He could actually see the strain she was putting herself through. He gathered the courage to tell her. “...I would rather still be working with you than having to part our ways.” 

She was astounded. “You don’t want me to leave?” 

“I…” He struggled for words. Why did he feel like this around her sometimes? “I would miss you. That’s all.” 

A pause. He waited before glancing back at her. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. The silence felt nerve-wracking while he waited for her reaction. He was about to retract his confession before she squealed. 

“Aww, Deacon..!" 

“ Dea .” He groaned.

“I’m sorry!” She waved a hand at him. She was clearly getting a kick out of this, which frankly embarrassed him. He felt ridiculous for saying any of it aloud. “Okay. You want something to tease me about?” 

He leaned towards her in interest, resting a thoughtful finger on the sharp chin of his bauta. She waited a few seconds before telling him, “...I would miss you, too.” 

It was his turn to be surprised. “You would?” 

“Yeah. It would be hard not to, you know?” Her tone became quiet as she looked at the floor. She splayed her fingertips across his comforter. “I loved having this job, to get a promotion this big…I don’t think I really deserved it, but I’m glad I got it, because I never would have met you otherwise. You’ve…been a great friend to me. I don’t think I’ve been as close to anybody as I have with you.” 

He was speechless. He remembered what he told her not long ago. It was still true. He’d never met anyone like her. To hear that she was grateful for their meeting as well…it warmed his heart and gave him hope. 

Then he paused to think. Hope for what ? 

“I’m glad you said something because…I was feeling sad about it, too. Having to end our mission when things are just getting started.” She pouted, trailing her finger along the seams of the blanket. 

“Then why not take my offer?” 

She winced. He didn’t understand why this was a difficult topic. “I…I want to, Deacon. I really do. And I hope I will.” 

“What exactly is stopping you?” He asked curiously. 

There was a long pause. The longest he’d ever received from her. But he was patient and waited. Eventually, she removed her hand and sat up straight. She couldn’t look at him, shifting uncomfortably on the bed instead.

“I don’t have a good past with the men I’ve worked with before. I guess I’m still afraid that things will happen again.” 

The gears in his head were turning. “The ones who marked you for ‘insubordination’..?” 

She whispered a small ‘yes’ . He decided to drop that subject before it delved into something worse. He had a more clear suspicion now, which made him quick to reassure Dea of his offer. 

“I promise nothing like that will happen. We’ve worked this well for this long, haven’t we?”

“We have.” She met his eyes with a more comfortable posture. He was glad to see that green color again. “That’s why I think I will take it. But if I don’t…I hope you understand.” 

Disappointment flooded him and it showed in his posture. He still told her that he understood and respected her decision. Dea seemed to think about something before closing the gap between them and embracing her partner. Deacon was taken aback at the sudden contact, but gladly returned it, much to his own surprise. 

They never hugged before. The sensation was new, but welcomed by them both. The scent she wore was stronger in this proximity and he was instantly addicted. He didn’t want to let go…he wanted to enjoy this for as long as possible. To hold someone after all this time alone. The main contact he shared with others was the torture he inflicted on his enemies. Hugging Dea felt like a much better change of pace. 

As for his co-captain, she was pressing her mask against his chest and relaxing in his arms. She had been petrified to initiate something like this, but she was glad she did. Even more so when Deacon returned the gesture. It ignited something inside her - something hopeful and pleasant. 

The hope that he returned what she was feeling. 

She would be a fool not to accept his offer. She realized that now.

She lifted her head to speak beside his zendale, refusing to part from his grasp. "...Thank you." 

He shivered at the sound of her voice. It was so clear and so wonderful next to his ear. He found himself regretting every moment they had stayed so far apart.

"Thank you , Dea."