#i also want to draw blackbeard but hes so hard to draw this way. still trying to figure it out

[humans-are-tasty]

[izzyspussy]

thinking about something very sad and violent and sad and upsetting and violent.

[CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, EMOTIONAL ABUSE, ED ON HIS KRAKEN SHIT]

thinking about them all on the breakup boat in the kraken era, and ed is fucking terrifying, but also sometimes he's just pathetic. like everyone knows he's evil now because he's sad as hell.

and this isn't at all what izzy wanted. we all know that. now the crew knows that too, and izzy himself. he wanted ed to be blackbeard, yeah, but only because he thought that was what was best (for both of them), and he wants ed to be... if not happy then at least not miserable. half content half the time, if that's the fucking best izzy can do. he's just trying his damndest now to figure out how to stop doing any worse.

so he brings back some fabric from a raid, and gives it to ed. it's not an outfit or anything, just an unrolled skein of the stuff really, not even hemmed. the raw stuff, the merchants were probably gonna sell it to a tailor or something what the fuck does izzy know. but it's nice. it's fine. maybe silk or velvet or something equally expensive and easily destroyed. and he offers it to ed without a word, because he doesn't know what words he could say, and anyway he thinks - he thinks - the fabric itself must surely say enough.

ed takes the fabric. runs it through his hands. lets the excess fall in curtains onto the deck. stares at it for a long minute. and izzy thinks he did it! ed likes it! and he got the message, that izzy just wanted-

but actually ed is furious. when he looks up he's angrier than izzy thinks he's ever seen him. his fawn fear response goes absolutely haywire and he starts stumbling unintelligibly over explanations and excuse, for now and for before and he just wanted-

ed interrupts izzy's babbling with, "tie him to the mast."

the ship goes as silent as a ship at sea can go. not a damn sound in the air but the lap of calm waves against the hull. everyone has stopped breathing.

because, yeah, ed has been scary this past while since stede's very memory was thrown overboard with all his stuff and left to die like the rest of his crew. but he's just been making threats he clearly means, constantly drawing attention to his weapons (which he's wearing more of than he used to) or pulling them on people to enforce his orders, lurking and looming and glowering and breathing down everyone's necks, and twice as brutal during raids than any of them have ever seen him. he hasn't done anything to any of them yet (as far as anyone but izzy knows).

but you don't get this far as a pirate without knowing when to follow a fucking command without questioning it, so even as izzy gasps, "what?" ivan and fang are hesitantly moving towards him.

when ed doesn't repeat himself or clarify, izzy stubbornly accepts his fate. he snaps, "i don't need to be tied," and starts frog marching his damn self to the mast to put himself in position to be flogged - a form of discipline ed hasn't used in years, and has never used on izzy before ever (except when he was the bosun on hornigold's ship and he was ordered to, and they both knew then he didn't want to, and in a way that was a hurt that they'd shared. not like this).

but ed grabs izzy by the hair from behind and yanks him back so hard izzy loses his feet. he snarls, "if i said tie you, they'll fucking tie you." he all but tosses izzy at ivan and fang, and they - still visibly unwilling, but not hesitating anymore; clearly there's no waiting for ed to change his mind - grab him. izzy lets them this time, walks between them as they lead him toward the mast to do as ed says.

but then ed adds, "fight it."

izzy's "what?" is something much deeper, much worse than shock this time. the look on his face hurts to look at - well, frenchie was already looking away, watching this unfold from the corner of his eye since it would be really pushing his luck to fully turn his back, but now jim has to as well.

ed isn't even looking at izzy. he's picking his nails with his knife or something, whatever. he's already pulled the whip, from fuck knows where, bonnet didn't even have one. he says, "i'm bored izzy, i already told you that didn't i? it's in your best interests to make this entertaining."

izzy doesn't do anything at first. he's having some trouble comprehending that this is really happening, like this, to him, now. after twenty years of loyalty and one bad call. after - not friendship, pirates don't have friends - something else, something more than simple friendship. or so izzy had thought, all this time.

so ed finally lets them catch eyes, and his are... dead. not flinty, not hard like steel, not cold as ice. they're just black. nothing there at all. but the affected boredom in his voice has gone even more sour, even more threatening, when he repeats himself, "i know you're prideful, iz-" the nickname stings like hell now "-but if you don't give me a show i'll double your count."

and, not knowing what the fucking count is to begin with, but not doubting now that it's plenty enough already, izzy puts up a fight.

izzy struggles and kicks up and twists around in fang's and ivan's arms. he even bites one of them, he can't tell which. he can't tell which way's up at this point, his heart hurts so fucking bad. his crewmates tie him by the wrists facing the mast, and he stops fighting with a warped kind of relief as soon as the rope touches his skin. one of them has shaking hands.

before the knots are all the way done, ed is at izzy's back.

"cry," he orders, and fuck at this point izzy was already about to, and his eyes fill up on ed's command. ed pulls izzy's head back by the hair again to check, and izzy makes a helplessly wounded noise at the sneering, empty look on his face.

"aaww," ed says mockingly. "are those genuine?" izzy's answer is just another heartbroken little whine. ed crushes his face into the mast.

he cuts open the back of izzy's vest and shirt with his knife. (he's unconsciously careful not to slice open izzy's back; deep, deep down underneath layers upon layers of rage and grief and resentment and apathy, he already regrets this; he's already burying it away in the farthest back of his mind to wretchedly Not Think About forever, right alongside The Toe Thing.)

so anyway. izzy never does learn how many flogs ed had arbitrarily decided on. he hardly feels them at all. but he keeps crying.

[sungmee]

so how about that trope of ‘who did this to you?’ followed by wreaking vengeance, but make it steddyhands and also a 2nd person outsider POV ficlet 

So you’re this guy, right? You live in this port popular among pirates, and you’re not a pirate yourself, but you know all about them, you deal with them all the time, whatever. So of course you know of Blackbeard, everyone knows of Blackbeard. He’s like, the ultimate pirate out there. 

And you’re this guy who isn’t all that impressive or particularly special, and maybe that annoys you sometimes. Maybe you want to be a little more infamous, a little more intimidating; a little more like Blackbeard. 

Then one day, Blackbeard rocks up into port, a while after his last visit, and there’s a whole lot of rumors about him now (Some ‘Gentleman Pirate’? Calling for Act of Grace??), but presently, he is, for all intents and purposes, the same as he ever was, with a slightly shorter beard. Just as cool, just as impressive, and people clear the way when he walks by, crew in tow. 

So you’re this guy and you watch him pass and you feel a little jealous. A little bitter. A little mean. So when you see Blackbeard later, in his cups and by himself, you think, perhaps this is an opportunity. And you take it.

It’s all a bit of a blur, adrenaline and anxiety, as you lunge from the shadows and swing, but you feel your fist make impact with flesh and internally cheer. You scrabble for your knife and lash out, strike something, and there’s a scuffle as you get knocked back, but then Blackbeard is gone and you’re on the floor.

Ok. So you’ve hurt Blackbeard, the Blackbeard, and yeah he hit you back hard enough to send you reeling, but you’re alive and he’s gone and you even managed to draw blood! That’s pretty impressive, right? You pick yourself up and scramble back to your room to revel in your victory. You got one over Blackbeard!

You sit in the dark and stare stupidly at the wall and grin at nothing for all of five minutes before you remember that Blackbeard could very well come back for you, or indeed, send someone else. It’s no secret that his first mate Izzy Hands is a vicious attack dog kind of man, that someone like you wouldn’t want to mess with on a good day, let alone one where you’ve attacked his captain. 

But Izzy is scary in an almost predictable kind of way, skilled and tough and still not to be taken lightly, but you kind of know what to expect with him. So, it’s fine, this is fine, if Izzy Hands comes after you, you’ll be fine. You’ve got weapons, you can defend yourself. 

And then there’s a knock on the door. A fucking knock. Who the fuck would knock on your door? So you get up, wary and tense and clutching a knife at your side, and you open the door.

And some fucking weirdly pretty dude in a pastel waistcoat and frilly shirt is standing on the other side. The fuck. 

“Hello!” He says cheerfully. “Are you the one who attacked Edward?”

You blink.

“Edward?”

“Blackbeard.” Waistcoat clarifies. 

You narrow your eyes.

"Depends who's asking."

"The Gentleman Pirate, at your service."

"Gentleman?" You sneer, thinking this is a joke, "Whatever, yeah I did get Blackbeard, what's it to you?"

"Ah." Says the weird guy, and suddenly his eyes narrow and go cold, the polite cheer vanishes, he's looming in the doorway, and you suddenly feel very very nervous.

"Edward is very dear to me, you see. Dear to both of us."

Dread shoots up your spine. You gulp.

"...both?"

"Say your prayers, dog," comes a raspy voice from behind you as a knife is suddenly at your neck.

"The fuck-?!"

Waistcoat steps inside and closes the door, casting the whole room in shadow. There’s steel at your throat and steel in his eyes. He smiles thinly at you. 

"As a gentleman, I thought it good manners to knock first. My partner here, however, is not so inclined to such niceties. Unfortunately for you."

Oh, you think, as the blade digs deeper and Waistcoat circles you like a shark, this is it, then. You fucked around, and now you’re about to find out.

[thiswomanshouldbewriting]

Gentle Touch

Here I am with another Blackbonet (or Stedward) ficlet. These queer pirates have taken my brain hostage and I am not complaining.

This fic is inspired by this amazing fanart that has been living rent-free in my head for days now. The lyrics at the beginning are from "L'amore è una cosa semplice" by Tiziano Ferro, which you can listen to in Italian here, in Spanish here, and you can find the English translation of the lyrics here. Infinite thanks to my beta @-clemb0t-

Also on Ao3

______________________________________

Ti verrò a prendere con le mie mani E sarò quello che non ti aspettavi (I will come to take you with my hands and I'll be what you weren't expecting)

Stede doesn’t exactly know what to expect when he boards the Revenge again. His crew, Izzy, even Spanish Jackie, they’ve all been telling him for weeks now that Ed – no, Blackbeard – isn’t the same person he once was. Or, rather, he’s gone back to what everybody knew him for, knew him as . Stede refuses to believe it. Even if he did, he would still try; he loves Edward and he needs to apologize, consequences be damned. 

Stede’s first impression of this new Edward terrifies him; not because he’s afraid of Blackbeard, but because he’s suddenly overcome by the weight of what he’s done to him. Edward looks thinner, his cheeks sunken in, and the dark makeup around his eyes only accentuates how terribly tired he looks. He’s holding a bottle of rum that slips from his fingers and crashes onto the deck as he sees Stede.

“I’m back.” It’s a stupid thing to say, he knows that much, but it’s hard to think clearly when he wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around Ed, kiss him and beg for his forgiveness.

Edward steps towards him, and for a second Stede actually thinks this might be working fine, but there is nothing friendly in the way Blackbeard grabs his arm and drags him below deck, to the captain’s cabin. Once inside, Blackbeard slams the door closed and pushes Stede against it, one arm pressed against his throat. He’s not pressing enough to choke him, just enough to make that threat very clear. 

“You have some fucking guts to show up here again.”

Stede gulps, unafraid but painfully aware that he deserves all of Edward’s rage and more. 

“I’m sorry, I-” Edward’s free hand reaches for his knife and he presses it against Stede’s face, silencing him without needing to draw a single drop of blood. 

“No, you don’t get to apologize. You lost your chance to talk when you left me without a word. The only thing I want to hear from you now is a good reason not to kill you.” 

Stede feels the blade pressing against his cheek, mere millimeters away from a lot of vital parts, and he still feels no fear. What he does feel is the tremble in Ed’s body, pressed so tightly against his. There’s really only one answer Stede can give him. 

“I love you.”

The moment isn’t sweet or romantic, it’s nothing like how he’d imagined this to happen, and yet it feels just right, more than anything he’s ever said. He loves Ed and he’s willing to bear all of his hurt and anger and fear. Edward reacts to his words as if Stede had hit him: he goes still for a second, his eyes wide.

“No, you don’t… fucking get to come back here and say this shit. Not after everything you’ve done,” he presses further against Stede, trying to be threatening, but his hands are trembling, the blade unsteady on Stede’s skin; it cuts him a little, but it’s barely more than a scratch. Slowly, almost impossibly so, Stede raises his hands until he can put them over Ed’s, gently dragging the knife away from his own face and then out of Ed’s grip. Ed has a thousand chances to stop him, but he doesn’t, and the blade hits the floor with a metallic clang. Stede is still cradling Ed’s hand in his own, rubbing circles in his palm through the glove. He slips his fingers under the leather and Ed gasps audibly.

“I never should have left,” Stede says, slipping the glove off. Ed’s fingers are calloused, his skin rough and dry, and Stede wants nothing more than to rub some lotion onto it, make him feel loved and cared for. He brings the hand to his lips, reverently kissing Ed’s knuckles, and suddenly he realizes that all of the books he’s ever read never did justice to this, never managed to capture how intimate this gesture feels.

“It’s not fair,” Ed says, and it’s almost a sob. “I should hate you. I want to hate you.” He looks at Stede like a trapped man desperate for an escape, as if Ed hadn’t been the one to push him against the door. “I just can’t.” He collapses against Stede, his face buried against his neck, his chest heaving with sobs. 

“I’m so sorry,” Stede says again, arms wrapping around him, supporting his weight. “I thought you’d be better off without me.” Ed tries to say something, but all that comes out is a wail. His hands dig into Stede’s shoulders. “I thought it would be better for everyone if we went back to what we were before, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t forget you or the way you’ve changed me.” Stede is now crying as well, silent tears falling gently into Ed’s hair. “I can’t go back and change what I did, but if you want, if you’ll still have me, I’ll never leave you again.”

Ed pulls back a little, just enough to look Stede in the eyes. His makeup is smudged, trails of black running down his cheeks alongside his tears. “I don’t know if I can trust you again.”

“I will work to earn that trust back.”

“I’ve done terrible things.”

“You had before I met you; I loved you then and I love you now.” He brings his hands up to cradle Ed’s face, his thumbs brushing away the tears. Ed’s hands come to rest on his, and their interlaced fingers are stained with black now. 

“What if I’ve changed?” Ed asks, “What if I’ve turned into someone that you don’t love anymore?”

Stede smiles nervously. “I could ask you the same question. There’s only one way to find out.”

Whatever Edward tries to say next is cut short by Stede’s lips pressing against his in a kiss that is just as tender as their first, but a little less uncertain and a little more tearful. Edward kisses him back softly, taking off his other glove and searching for contact with Stede’s skin: his face, his neck, the bit of chest left exposed by a shirt that has seen one too many adventures. Stede feels Edward’s tongue against his own and gasps, a few more tears rolling down his cheeks as he realizes that he’s never, in his whole life, felt like this during a kiss. 

“I love you,” he whispers against Ed’s lips, feeling a little lighter every time he says those words. They look at each other in silence for a moment, the look on Ed’s face so open and vulnerable that Stede’s heart aches. 

“I love you too,” he says eventually, his voice choked.

This time, when they kiss, they cling to each other like drowning men, as if the only air they can breathe is found on the other’s lips. Ed wraps his arms around Stede, pulling him away from the door, dropping the last pretense of menace that neither of them really believed in. Without their weight holding it closed, the door slams open and half the crew stumbles inside the room.

“Were you guys eavesdropping?” Stede asks after a moment of shock, equal parts offended and embarrassed. Everyone starts mumbling a different excuse, until Lucius snaps.

“Ok, fine. We wanted to make sure that everything was okay between you two. We don’t want anyone else to be thrown overboard, do we?” he says, staring at Edward and displaying a courage that few people in the whole Caribbean possess. 

“There’s no need to worry. We’re good. Very good actually,” Stede says, then he turns to look at Ed. “We are good, right?” 

“Yeah,” Ed replies, taking his hand and clearing his throat awkwardly. “Yeah we are.”

[captainanndor]

I posted 455 times in 2022

That's 335 more posts than 2021!

8 posts created (2%)

447 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@maculategiraffe

@rhinozilla

@wardenmages

@drchucktingle

@kick-girl

I tagged 26 of my posts in 2022

#our flag means death - 7 posts

#ofmd - 6 posts

#stede bonnet - 5 posts

#edward teach - 4 posts

#renew our flag means death - 3 posts

#pirates - 2 posts

#i want what they have - 2 posts

#birthday - 2 posts

#blackbeard - 2 posts

#the orange - 2 posts

Longest Tag: 59 characters

#but honestly the most bites i've done are affectionate ones

I sent 1 gift in 2022

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Aww, I knew I celebrated a previous. birthday at a Ren Faire with a bunch of friends, all of us dressed as pirates. Forgot it was my milestone 30th. I rang in my 30s as a pirate & I'll be ringing out the end of my 30s as a pirate as well, cuz I am going to the Royal Feast this summer as a 39th bday treat! Hopefully this time goes smoother, because that was also the same trip where I got pulled over by a state trooper doing 72mph in a 55mph zone (I thought it was 65mph speed limit) and his first question to the car full of gals fully decked out in pirate looks was "you going to the ren faire?" Instead of saying NO for lolz, I said "um, yeah..." like a COWARD. As a "happy birthday" he didn't write me a speeding ticket but still wrote a ticket for my license plate frame because "you'd never get pulled over just for this, but it's technically illegal to have *anything* covering any part of your plate". The ticket was still ~$350 (thanks NYS surcharge). Anyways I got to feed a duck, ride a camel, and spend the day with some of the best people, so it was all worth it and I look forward to a repeat (on a slightly smaller scale, because I am le tired) for my 39th!

See the full post

1 note - Posted June 22, 2022

#4

For my 39th birthday, a friend and I made Roach’s 40 Orange Glaze Cake from Our Flag Means Death! We then set up a little scene and did a photoshoot for it. More under the cut!

See the full post

20 notes - Posted July 31, 2022

#3

I changed the first panel of this meme for a Twitter comment and then immediately had to change the second panel as well. Tumblr I know you will understand this joke.

37 notes - Posted June 15, 2022

#2

And while I’m at it! Putting this energy out there: #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath and cast Kate McKinnon as either Anne Bonny or Mary Read. They already gave us an in with Calico Jack whining he's been mutinied against 3 times recently and they ran with him historically. He’s also already out of the way so there’s no wasted time/boring love triangle drama and we can just have happy badass lesbian pirates co-captaining their own ship.

37 notes - Posted April 6, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Re-posting this from my own Twitter thread: Oh shit! #OurFlagMeansDeath S2 prediction:  Ed is gonna shoot Stede when they meet again. It’ll be dramatic, Ed’ll cry thinking he killed him, etc.  But the half of the fucking petrified orange Stede's daughter gave him will stop the bullet & save him #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath Or Izzy will shoot Stede, but I think Ed would be more dramatic for the story/reunion and needing to really knock him HARD out of The Kraken.  Ed knows Stede knows how to take a stab, or maybe their sword fight will be a draw or with Stede thinking he won and Ed pulls the gun. Ed never used the gun in the show. Only threatened Stede (and started to load it at the party) OH GOD! Actually, Stede will probs just refuse a sword fight. Ed will want one & Stede will refuse & Ed will threaten with the gun (again).Will the shot be intentional or accidental? (Does it matter?) Stede should never have left but the clean break/forgiveness from his family is what will save his life in the end. After also setting him free to love with no doubts or guilts from his old life haunting him. Knowing he's not a curse or a monster.

48 notes - Posted April 6, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[firebird-inkheart]

Also table salt and smoked salt with Ace because I’m all of a sudden very intrigued with this particular ship even though I know nothing of the source👀

*bounces of the MCFREAKIN WALLS* hi hi yes even if you don’t know anything about one piece that’s okay! One Piece is a massive sandbox where almost anything can happen, and Ace and Honyo are very good at getting lost in that sandbox outside of the main storyline XD

table salt - what is your favorite way to spend time with your f/o?

Hmm, okay so pre-time skip then these two are on a mission to hunt down Blackbeard, so a majority of their time spent together is just traveling. But I think that, when the Grand Line isn’t trying to kill them with its insane weather, and as the day is dying down, they really just enjoy lounging around in Honyo’s boat talking. Honyo gets out her journal and is writing up letters that she’ll never send, and Ace will be telling stories about places he’s been, things he’s seen, things he wants to share with her. 

During the time skip they have to stay way under the radar, because Ace’s origin is now no longer a secret + the whole world thinks that they’re both dead and they can’t compromise that cover. They’re taken in by the people of an island that work as a sort of halfway point for the revolutionary army, and there they’re trained by an ex marine and his husband in both enhancing their devil fruit and haki abilities. (The sandbox gets so deep here because I have So. Many. Thoughts. On devil fruits and haki.) So their main way of spending time together becomes sparring and, well, you know how fun that trope can get ;)

As for post time skip, well, I haven’t really thought too much about that. Mostly in part because I’m still stuck on the Marineford arc so it’s not like I know a whole lot about the arcs that follow it anyway. 

smoked salt - how long have you been with your f/o? was it love at first sight, or did it take you a while to fall for them? how about their side: love at first sight for them, or a bit longer?

irl? I’ve shipped with Ace since 2020 and at first I wasn’t convinced because I didn’t care much for the art style of OP at the time, but then I made the mistake of looking up fanart and *nervous chuckle* I was in danger 

XD

As for Honyo... Here’s a snippet from chapter one:

There was something to be said about people that attracted light, Honyo thought then. They were wild, blazing beings― As if the sun had forged their souls with itself so that they would always burn brightly. They were frightening. Dangerous. Get too close and you would burn yourself. But more than anything, they were an adventure. Honyo could feel herself getting swept up into this strange girl’s pace and it set her mind racing. 

Now, the thing is, in this paragraph Honyo is mainly referring to the girl that she just met, Emiri, who goes on to become her best friend (qpr as of right now though it gets highly implied that they could have been more than that). But it also doubles as foreshadowing. Part of it is to subtly touch upon a thing called Conqueror's Haki, also known as King’s Haki, a type of willpower that can lead people on to rule the world. Another part is to later reference how she’ll view Ace.

The problem, though, is that by the time Honyo meets Ace, she’ll still very much be in the midst of the grieving process. And Ace... Ace reminds her of Emiri a bit too much at times that it’s hard for her to be around him even though he has that light about him that draws her in. 

After some time apart where she’s worked on her grief some, then she rejoins up with Ace with the intent to help him hunt down Blackbeard, and Ace helps her through more of her grief while she in turn manages to help him with his own. 

And it’s after an incident where Ace gets hurt that she realizes that she’s already attached and is gone too deeply to go back. And in this same incident then Honyo was shot prior and Ace, who had only been hovering on the surface of a crush, falls into the rabbit hole head over heels. 

[boylikeanangel]

this is probably going to be really rambly and poorly structured cuz I'm mostly just throwing out a stream of consciousness here but I am constantly thinking about how beautiful it is that our flag means death frames love as a choice, and not only that, but tells us that choice should be an easy one, and how making that choice will free you.

I think in particular what comes to mind immediately when I say this is the scene where ed and stede sign the act of grace together, and stede looks to ed and tells him he doesn't have to do this, and ed just says "yeah, I know I don't" and signs the contract. there's just something so powerful about that, and I'm really really fucking glad they didn't do the old cliche "yes I do", but instead had ed acknowledge that he actually doesn't need to do this for stede, not really. ed is already free as far as getting absolution for his crimes is concerned. he could walk away and still get to be a pirate under izzy's command. he doesn't need to give up everything for stede, but he's going to anyway, for no reason other than he wants to. he makes this decision because he loves stede, and he wants to be with him. and it's not even a hard decision for him! this isn't ed being trapped by his feelings for stede, it's him making a conscious decision to choose those feelings over everything else. it was so important to make it clear to the audience (and to stede) that this is ed's choice. to him, love is making the decision to be with someone, to choose someone over himself, even though he doesn't need to. blackbeard doesn't need love, he doesn't need anyone. but ed wants those things regardless. this is probably the last real decision ed will get to make his entire life, and he chooses love. he chooses stede. and not once does he regret that decision! the second he's removed from piracy and from the legend of blackbeard he relaxes, he's happy, he's content. despite seemingly giving up his freedom for stede, he's actually more free than he's ever been. choosing to being with stede is what truly frees him.

and on the flip side to this scene, stede saying "you really don't have to do this" REALLY resonates, because you know that stede is a man who has been plagued by the fact he's never had the freedom to make his own decisions his whole life. he's never had the option to walk away, to say he doesn't want to do this. he never had the choice to refuse marriage, and that really was the beginning of a lot of issues for him. and in this moment he must look at ed and see his younger self. forced into signing a contract that will cage him into a life he didn't choose for himself, signing his entire life away for someone else's sake (the fact they have to sign a LEGAL DOCUMENT together is not lost on me, jenkins!!!!), and even though it would literally kill him, he wants to give ed the out he never had. he tells him he doesn't need to do this. he doesn't need to trap himself into a life of conformity and servitude for his sake. he still believes that no one would ever actually choose to be with him of their own volition. he thinks of himself, his own misery, his discomfort in a married state, and of mary, and believes he's getting someone stuck with him again. but ed says no, I know I don't need to go with you. but I want to. I choose to do this. I choose you.

I also cannot help drawing comparisons between calico jack and mary, the only two other people whom we know have had romantic/sexual relations with ed and stede respectively. the way their relationships with ed and stede were framed as either suffocating or possessive, in contrast with the easy, selfless way ed and stede love each other. how mary tells stede they have to try to make it work with each other, even if they never would have chosen each other, because they really don't have any other choice. how calico jack holds the fact he saved ed's life over his head in order to persuade him to leave stede. both are very different in circumstance, and mary is just as much a victim in this situation as stede, but both represent such an antithetical idea of how love should be (in the flashbacks between stede and mary in episode 4, this isn't about episode 10 mary!!! I love you queen please just give me one chance <3), and how two people in a relationship should view each other. the idea both of these unhealthy couples push that you have an obligation to do things you don't want to do, because you owe it to them. jack says ed has to come with him, because he saved his life, because he owes him his allegiance. and yet stede stands there with his life on the line, and tells ed that it's his decision to make. mary tells stede that choosing who you love is not a luxury either of them get to have, and yet even in the face of certain death, ed and stede choose their love for each other over all else.

and god, ed really does just choose stede, over and over and over again. he chooses to follow stede based on some story his first mate told him. he chooses to save stede from the spanish and chooses not to kill his crew. he chooses to keep stede alive, despite the fact it means he can't carry out his plan to use stede as a means of faking his death and freeing himself of his identity as blackbeard, from his own legend. he decides that stede's company is more important to him. and we see this again when he signs his life away to the british. keeping stede around, as a part of his life, is more important to him than his freedom. and suddenly, in choosing stede over all else, he is free. not because he killed stede, but because he decided he wanted stede to live. he can finally just be edward. he's content to be nobody, because he has stede by his side. he finds freedom not in executing some grand plan of identity switching, but in the man he chooses to keep alive at all costs, and in the simple decision that this is enough for him.

I really do think that thing mary said the night before stede left her is probably one of the most important pieces of dialogue in the show. there's a reason it comes back in the kiss scene. I think that one little line, about they have to try to make things work, even if they're miserable together, even if they never would have chosen each other, is the most vital bit of dialogue to understanding the message of this entire show. this show says, over and over, that it's not about trying to make things work. there's no honour in making yourself miserable for someone else's sake. it's not about forcing yourself to be happy. it's about how if it's real, if it's worth pursuing, you don't even have to try. it's about choosing something better than what we believe is our lot in life. we don't have to accept the way things are. we can always believe in something better than this. it's about realising how easy it is once you find something you really want, someone you actually love, someone that does make you happy. you don't have to struggle to make it work - in fact, if it's ever meant to work, it shouldn't be difficult at all. it's supposed to be easy. it's just like breathing. choosing to do something, to be with someone, to pursue love and meaning in relationship, shouldn't be a hard decision to make. love should free us, not cage us. choose what makes you happy, choose who makes you happy, and freedom will follow. it really is that easy. ed and stede are set free through their love for each other - ed is more free than he's ever been when he signs his life away for a life of mundanity with stede, content to just be edward teach, finally able to tell the man he loves how he feels and kiss him - stede finally becomes free once he allows his love for ed to realise itself (something so absurdly simple it had been staring him in the face this whole time, but he wasn't able to recognise it until mary told him it feels easy) and become his motivation for leaving his old life behind, this time free of guilt, no longer running away but running towards. ed and stede will continue to choose each other, over and over again, for no reason other than they want to. it's not a hard decision for them to make. to love each other is the easiest thing in the world.

[myonepiece]

Hey :) which characters do you think are the best in... (sfw)

-giving loving massages

-make you lough

-help you achieving your goals and

-kissing

(Perhaps you can name five for each category)

Have a wonderful Day 🌟🌟

Characters best at: massages, making you laugh, supporting, kissing

Description: 5 characters best at massages, 5 best at making you laugh, 5 best at helping you achieve your goals, 5 best at kissing

Warnings: none

A/N: So I’m not sure if you were expecting minks, but I did included Chopper and Bepo because they have a place in this list, I hope you don’t mind! 💕

Massages

1. Marco- for one, he’s a doctor. And despite his job and position and everything, his hands are surprisingly soft. He knows the perfect amount of pressure to use as well as where to specifically massage to get rid of tension. He likes lavender oil or lotion. He doesn’t have a lot of time to do this, so it doesn’t happen a lot, so when it does it’s very romantic- candles and everything. Usually silent, but he’ll lean down and kiss you occasionally, whispering sweet words.

2. Robin- okay her devil fruit power? I mean come on. It’s so calm and quiet, a very peaceful atmosphere. She always uses lavender or floral scents and lets you talk about your day or she’ll hum a random tune, maybe tell you a story. She uses her devil fruit power to massage multiple places, like both your shoulders as well as your lower back and arms.

3. Law- another doctor so he knows the places where certain muscles are, he knows certain techniques and pressure points to rid you of all tension and pain. He likes to use scented candles and oils, mostly vanilla or lavender, calming scents. He likes this activity because it’s quiet and intimate, a moment for just the two of you.

4. Rosinante- okay I know I know, but hear me out; yes he’s clumsy, but he can learn. His movements are slow and gentle, he focuses intensely so he doesn’t mess up and hurt you. He’ll listen to your every word, if you want him to use more pressure or less, or if there’s a certain place that’s sore/hurting. He’s like Law in the fact that he likes this because it’s an intimate activity. He likes to give you massages when you’re stressed so while he works you can talk to him.

5. Chopper- another one who’s on here because he’s a doctor, but also because he’s just so sweet and concerned during it, wondering if he’s hurting you. He loves sweet scented lotions and he prefers to have conversations, about your day, interests, dreams, just everything.

Making you laugh

1. Shanks- it’s almost always purely his action. When he’s drunk or really just doing anything that’s not important. He will do practically anything to get you to laugh, he’s great at silly faces. Tickles, this man loves tickles, givig or recieving. I feel like he also has those moments where you laugh so hard it starts sounding really wierd and funny, like ugly laughing, and it’s hilarious.

2. Rosinante- again it’s mostly his everyday actions. When he falls (and doesn’t hurt himself too bad) it’s funny, and lighting himself on fire. You also have like thise language of looks, if Doffy says something stupid or is acting like a diva, Rosinante will look at you like “here we go again”. He actually also trips on purpose sometimes, because he knows you find it funny. He also knows jokes, mostly puns, mostly stupid ones. But he laughs at them so much and so hard that it makes it funny. He’s also good at tickles

3. Luffy- also purely his actions, just everything. He lives to make you smile and he’ll do anything. He uses his devil fruit to stretch his cheeks or to let you play with his face like it’s puddy. He loves tickles too, and he loves peppering you with really fast, kind of reckless little kisses that tickle. Him and Shanks are pretty similar in the ways they make their S/O laugh.

4. Usopp- his stories, I mean come on. He loves making you smile ad laugh with his stories, he’ll make them as farfetched as he can but still stick to them and claim it’s true, just because you find it funny. He’ll make up stories so unbelievably stupid that you know they can’t be true, but Usopp will still say it happened because it makes you laugh more.

5. Buggy- I feel like this doesn’t need an explanation- he’s literally a clown. For one, his nose and the fact he always thinks people are insulting him, it’s hilarious. His interactions with his crew are just pure comedic gold. He’ll get embarrassed at his actions sometimes, but when he sees you laughing he’ll forget about anyone around that’s probably judging him and just focus on your smile and laugh. And his little stubble tickles a lot whenever he kisses you, sometimes he just nuzzle shis face against you because it you laugh at the sensation.

Helping you achieve your goals

1. Luffy- doesn’t really need an explanation, we all know how he is about helping people achieve their dreams. He’ll help you with anything you need, always there to protect you, cheer you up, etc. Not to mention this man is the loyalist. He’s willing to do anything no matter how extreme, I mean as long as it’s not cruel because that’s where he draws the line. 

2. Ace- similar to his brother, except he’s a little bit more... ferocious? Like remember when he went after Blackbeard? He would have that persistence. He’s also very ambitious. Like Luffy, he’s very loyal and will have your back no matter what you’re trying to do. But he also knows what you shouldn’t do, like if  he knows something is going to kill you/hurt you badly, he’ll tell you. But he’ll be there to pick you up when you fall, to encourage you if you lose confidence or lose your drive.

3. Bepo- we all see how much he helps Law, how comforting, caring, loyal, and encouraging he is. He’s more ofthe type to follow your orders to help you accomplish whatever, but he’s also like a reassuring presence- you always know you have someone. He’s always got your back and he’s great at pep talks and comforting cuddles. 

4. Gol D. Roger- so I’m kind of going of of my thoughts here, but he’s like the type to ecncourage you and stand behind you no matter what. He’s ready to lend a hand or cheer you up, protect you and offer you apiece of mind. He’ll distract you from the hardships and keeps everything fun, he takes the pressure off of you. Having him by your side feels like someone has your back. at all times, which he does. He won’t judge you for your goals either. Whatever you want to achieve he’ll just be there for whatever and whenever you need.

5. Kaido- HEAR ME OUT- for Kaido’s S/O he would literally destory an island. He’s more of the “I’ll kill anyone and destory anything” type. He’ll kill anyone who’s standing in your way, threaten anyone, really he would do anything. He’s Kaido, he can do anything. He’s not the best with words, he’s probably the worst, so he shows how he cares through actions- usually violent actions. His “pep-talks” or his version of pep talks, are pretty aggressive and blunt and to the point, but it still works if you can handle it. I can not stress this, ask him to kill someone or destroy something and consider it done.

Kissing

1. Mihawk- perfect. I mean just by looking at the man you know he’s a good kisser. He can do slow, fast, passionate, rough, anything. Literally every kiss takes your breath away. He usually cups your cheek, places his hand on the nape of your neck, or holds the back of your head- but he always hold your hand.

2. Cavendish- again just looking at the man you know he’s a good kisser. Very similar to Mihawk, he takes your breath away and he can do a variety of different kisses. But he loves french kissing or soft and tender, always holds you during the moment and after.

3. Sanji- everyone should have expected him to be here somewhere. Just amazing at any types of kisses, he’s a lot like Cavendish except Sanji tends to let his hand explore or rest on the more... naughty? parts. You have to get passed the nosebleeds but once you do it’s amazing- he puts all of his love into his kisses.

4. Shanks- mostly experience. He knows how to make you weak in your knees and take your breath away, he can make the moment go from romantic to sexy in the blink of an eye. His kisses tend to be sloppy but they always make you feel protected and loved. He likes kissing your neck and it’s also his favorite place to be kissed.

5. Doflamingo- 9/10 of the time rough and fast and heated. It’s like he has control over you, and really you don’t mind. Kissing him feels like your protected and safe and you don’t have to worry about anything. Kisses are one of the ways Doffy shows he cares because he’s so bad at words.

[nejibaby]

The Only Thing I Got Right

Pairings: Ace x Y/N

A/N: I just finished watching the Marineford Arc and I cried so much so I wrote this on a whim. Sorry in advance if there are grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. It's the tears' fault, I swear! 😭 ((I just desperately wanted Ace to survive, you know? 😭))

This song reminds me of Ace, idk why.

You’re shaking. It would’ve been nice if it was because of the cold or if it was from excitement, but this isn’t the case. You’re shaking from fear, from anxiety. Today, Ace, the love of your life, is going to be executed and you didn’t know if you’d make it on time. You barely got out of Impel Down alive with the help of Ace’s little brother, Luffy.

You hate the fact that you got thrown there with Ace courtesy of Teach, or should you say, Blackbeard. You hate the fact that you couldn’t save Ace from Blackbeard no matter how hard you tried fighting him. It was frustrating, but if a Devil Fruit user like Ace had no match for him, what more of you? You have no powers like that, the only thing that you have is your knowledge on Rokushiki and daggers.

You got imprisoned at Level 3 of Impel Down while Ace was rumored to be on Level 5. Being thrown on a relatively lower level was understandable, even if you are part of Whitebeard’s crew, you are no commander like Ace. Still, even if you are weaker than Ace, you desperately wanted to go get him out of there but it was impossible. Or so you thought.

When you saw a Straw Hat on a male running around with two others on Level 3, you instantly knew it was Luffy. It seemed like god was in your favor because apparently one of your cellmates, who you came to learn was Mr. 2 from Baroque Works, was Luffy’s friend. When he got Mr. 2 out of the shackles, you begged to come with them, telling him your relationship with Ace. Luckily for you, Luffy needed all the help he could get so he easily got you out with the help of the other prisoner he was with. It was all chaos after that.

You’re currently hiding in the crow’s nest of the Marine ship you helped steal alongside Crocodile, Mr. 1, and Jinbei. Your body is already aching from all the running and fighting you did just to escape Impel Down. But even before that, your body had already been tired from the lack of nutrition and of sleep. How could you even dare to sleep knowing Ace was somewhere else, probably beaten to a pulp? And if that wasn’t enough, the sudden knowledge of him being executed in a few hours added more strain and tension to your body. You didn’t want anyone to see you in such a state. You didn’t want anyone to pity you.

But if you’re hurting this much, then it must’ve been so much harder for Luffy. You make a mental note to talk to him before crashing to Marineford. For now though, you need to rest — not only for your body, but for your mind as well. You have to be ready, the worst is yet to come. When you closed your eyes, you welcomed sleep like an old forgotten friend.

Your sleep didn’t last long, however, because of both the nightmare of Ace reaching out for you with bloodied hands and of the waters that suddenly rocked the whole ship. Before you could even get down the crow’s nest, the ship abruptly stilled and the air chilled. When you looked down, you clenched your teeth at the sight of the sea that turned into ice.

A mental clock was ticking like a time bomb in your mind. How were you supposed to save Ace now?

As if hearing your question, Luffy started gathering the people in the ship about his plan. At this point, you would do anything just to get to Ace so you didn’t hesitate to help him in his plan on freeing the ship from the ice. But the next thing you know, you were falling after kicking the thick layer of ice as hard as you can.

Just as you looked down to where you’re supposed to land, you realized that it was Marineford and the war had already started. With a little tilt of your head, you see Ace in the scaffold, shackled up. Worry was etched on his face, his focus on Luffy. You could almost hear him saying how stupid his little brother is.

Was it wrong to smile at the sight of him at a time like this? But how could you not? He’s still alive! You have a chance at saving him. You release a sigh of relief.

You try not to draw his attention to you. He already has a lot to worry about — namely, the Whitebeard pirates, the allied pirates, and Luffy. It was a good decision that you didn’t change out of your prison clothes, it was easier not to get noticed by him this way. For all he knows, you’re just one of the many escapees Luffy helped. You want to keep it that way. At least for now.

There’s no time to waste, so when you landed, you immediately head off to the direction of the scaffold. After seeing that Ace was still alive, you feel yourself get pumped up again. You fight each and every Marine who tries to stop you.

No matter how hard each blow you receive, no matter how painful each swipe of the swords you get, no matter how many times you get knocked down, you keep on fighting. You keep on standing up. There’s only so much your Tekkai could do when you’re severely outnumbered. Nevertheless, you keep on going. Nevermind the multiple cuts and bruises you have. There is only one thing in your mind and that is saving Ace. Even at the expense of your own life.

From the way Luffy fought at Impel Down, you know he’s incredibly strong and tenacious so you find yourself backing him up. You don’t go near him, knowing Ace’s attention was on him, but you guard him from your side. Not a single Marine was able to pass through you from your side of the battlefield. But you can’t cover every area for him. Despite that, he managed to take down anyone who was in his way.

Your ears are ringing from all the overlapping noises of guns being fired, screams of agony from pirates and Marines, swords clanging, and hurried footsteps. At one point, you block all of the sounds while you focus on your own breathing as you run.

Even when everyone stopped moving to watch as Pops descended the Moby Dick and made his move, you continued running. You have to keep up with Luffy. There’s no way you’d let Ace die.

The only moment you actually stopped running was when Luffy unconsciously used the Conqueror’s Haki. So he can do that too, you thought.

That was also the moment you actually got to look at the surroundings properly and realized that Pops had been stabbed. Your knees buck from the sight and you fall down. Regret immediately flooding your body. You’re so focused on trying to save Ace that you didn’t notice Pops needed help too.

The Marines took this opportunity to attack you. Just as a sword was about to hit you, McGuy blocked it.

“What are you doing, Y/N? Snap out of it. This is war. There’s no way we’d be able to rescue Ace if you don’t get your bearings straight!”

The harshness in his tone brought you back to reality. He’s right. Pops ordered everyone to lend their strength to Luffy, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do.

You, along with everyone else, push yourselves to your limits to help Luffy. He did not disappoint. He even punched his own grandfather, Garp, just to be able to reach Ace and free him.

The moment the scaffold collapsed, you almost collapsed with it. Tears start falling from your eyes as you see Ace finally free from his shackles. A smile has finally graced his face as he fought side by side with his brother. At that moment, you think that he’s at his brightest when he’s with his sworn brother. You couldn’t be any more happier.

Now that he is free, it’s time to figure out how to escape. Everyone’s running towards the ships but you stop after noticing Pops wasn’t making the same movement.

“The order I’m about to give will be my final captain’s order!” Pops announces. “You and I will be parting here.”

Your breath hitched at the declaration.

“All of you, make sure you survive, and reunite with each other in the New World!”

You don’t listen to whatever he says next. You refuse to. You stand your ground. You’re not going to abandon the man who warmly accepted you into his family without hesitation despite knowing all of the crimes you committed.

As if sensing your refusal, he turns slightly to your direction, “Are you disobeying your captain’s orders?!”

Stupid old man, he should know by now that you’re no good at following orders.

Ace is one of the last persons to follow his order. You turn away from the conversation they are having, knowing it was a private matter.

When they’re done talking and Ace finally starts running towards the ship, Pops turns to you. He doesn’t talk, he just looks at you.

Shame suddenly overcomes you. You didn’t get to stop Ace from coming for Teach. When he left, you begged Pops everyday to allow you to set sail, promising that you’d bring Ace back. When he finally allowed you, you didn’t waste any time. But even when you found him, you couldn’t bring him back, it was too late and you were just too weak. It was your fault this happened. “Pops, I’m sorry I—”

“I did this. This is all my fault.”

“But—”

He shut you up with his stare.

“Let’s leave here together,” you plead.

But he doesn’t reply. With his stare, you can tell that he isn’t backing down on his order, no matter how much you persuade him to. You release a shaky breath. With tears streaming down your face, you gave one last bow and one last thank you.

And then you ran.

The others are already further away from you but you notice a group of them stopping in their tracks. There in the center of the commotion is Akainu and Ace, seemingly discussing something.

There’s no time for this, you thought.

“—In other words, Whitebeard is an eternal loser, who will never surpass Roger. That’s all he is. Everything I’ve said is the truth,” the admiral says. “He reigned the seas for decades, yet he never became a king or gained anything.”

You clench your jaw at the bullshit he’s spouting, after everything Pops had done to save you, you’re livid to hear him be deduced as a loser. But regardless of the anger rising in front of you, you know this wasn’t the time to get riled up.

The thing is, Ace gets easily riled up. It’s one of his flaws as a person. So when he starts walking to Akainu’s direction, Izo is first to shout, “Don’t fall for it, Ace! Turn back!”

But it’s no use.

That’s when you let your presence known, you shout at the top of your lungs, “Just turn back, Ace!”

Everyone whips their head at the sound of your voice, except Ace and Akainu.

Even you, who are usually able to keep Ace in check, couldn’t snap him out of his anger.

It’s too late.

They exchange blows. Ace falls down, magma is far greater than fire, after all.

“The Pirate King, Gold Roger. Dragon, the Revolutionary. These two men’s sons being stepbrothers is quite a frightening thought.” Akainu says.

When he looks over at Luffy’s direction, you immediately know what he plans to do. You don’t even think twice. There is no second to waste.

“Soru.”

The sound of your voice finally reaches Ace. His eyes widen in realization of what’s going to happen.

“Wait!” He pleads.

But before he could even stand up, you already placed yourself in front of Luffy. “Tekkai.”

But the admiral’s strength and power is far greater than your ability. His fist goes through your chest.

“Y/N!” Ace shouts.

The rest of Division Commanders are in shock.

Akainu clicks his tongue at the sight of you and detaches his fist from your body.

You slump, Luffy catching you in the process. “Oi, Y/N-chan... What did you…? Why did y-you d-do that?” He asks.

In no time, Ace comes to Luffy’s side. “Y/N…”

You smile sweetly at the two men and then you turn to Luffy. “You’re Ace’s brother, silly. Of course I’d do this for you.” You cough out blood and then hiss at the pain.

“Stop talking!” Ace demands.

While Luffy and Ace are distracted, Akainu makes his move once again. But the slight motion didn’t go unnoticed by Jimbei and the Division Commanders. Even if you aren’t a Commander, you acted like Ace’s right hand. To the crew, you’re as important as Ace is. There’s no way they wouldn’t fight for you. So altogether they start covering for the three of you.

You feel your body shutting down on you. You could barely hear Ace calling for a doctor and Luffy desperately asking Ivankov to help you. But you know it’s no use. “I… can tell my body is at its limit,” you whisper.

Ace doesn’t agree, then he gently takes your body from Luffy. “No, I’m going to find someone else who can help—”

“Ace…”

“—you. There’s got to be someone who—“

“Ace… My organs have been burnt. I know this’ll be the end of me.”

“No, don’t talk like you’re dying, Y/N!”

“But I am…” You say. “Look Ace, don’t worry, okay? I was prepared to die when I came here. I was ready to die just to get you out of here.”

“Why would you…”

“Because I love you,” you whisper. “You know… when I take a look at my life and all of my crimes, you’re the only thing that I think I got right.”

Ace hides his face on your neck as he hugs you. With the little strength you have left, you give a comforting squeeze on his shoulder. “Don’t go around disobeying the captain’s order and don’t go around breaking your promise to Luffy. You said you won’t die, right?”

You feel Ace nod at your words.

“Go to the ships and take everyone else. Please don’t follow me too soon.”

Ace hugs you tighter, panting as he continues to cry.

A small smile reaches your lips once again. At least this time he’ll listen, you think. “I can’t raise my voice anymore but please tell Pops and everyone else, even Luffy, they made my life worthwhile. I’m sorry if our journey ends he—”

You didn’t even get to finish your sentence because darkness had consumed you.

[frobin]

Hi! Ok, I know it isn't very related to Frobin (except if you decide to mention them in the answer), but I am curious about your opionion on this thing. If the end of One Piece have someone of the Straw Hat crew that can die, who can be? OBVIOUSLY I hope nobody, that this thing doesn't happen, but never say never. There're people who say Luffy to recreate Roger's connection. Someone else Usop (but I miss the reason). Or Jinbe, who has also some problems and enemies from previous experiences?

Hey there anon!

No worries about asking questions. This is a FRobin blog but it's also a One Piece blog so it's fine to ask all kind of questions about One Piece. Even though I wouldn't consider myself much of an *expert* so everything I write is very much influenced by my own impressions.

But you're asking for my opinion anyway so that disclaimer is not necessary in this case. XD

---

Okay, first of all: I'm no fan of death flags. I never see them and when I read about them I feel like people pull them out of nowhere.

So I don't think any of the Strawhats will die before or even while the big end fight. Also it's not like they will reach their goal and then just drop dead (don't forget the dream are very different too but more about that later). Like what kind of life would that be?

Also we can't forget that Oda still believes he is writing this story for 14 year old boys. So, even though death is and will be a theme I don't think he will kill off the main crew.

That would not be very clever story wise and is not how to tell a story about adventure and fulfilling dreams for young boys.

Right now it's very "fashionable" to let characters die for shock value. But the more it's done the more annoying it becomes and less of a shock and Oda won't stoop so low to use this kind of element. Why do I think that?

So far we had three deaths in OP and they all shocked us a lot. But they were also used as motivator for other characters. Whitebeards death was a motivator for a whole new Generation of pirates, as well as his crew to try to save Ace and his little brother. Ace's death was a launch of character development for Luffy, Sabo, Garp and even Sengoku and probably more. Pedros death was a motivator for Carrot and other Minks. (Even the fake death of Pell was a huge motivator for Vivi. Interestingly compared to other deaths his sacrifice did not stop the war, which would have been an adequate impact. So him coming back alive actually makes sense.)

But look how few and far between they are. Of course there was more death but the important ones are kept as those.

Why am I talking about that? Who would benefit from a Strawhats death?

Literally no one. They are all already motivated to go until the end for each other. It's more likely that a death would cause Luffy to just give up, him becoming catatonic again.

Who would Luffy fight for if he even loses one of his crew mates? Or maybe two?

If I were a Marine I would try to make Luffy think that his friends are dead and then catch him but that is beside the point.

But for One Piece, a Strawhat death it would not move the story further. There is no additional motivator needed and that would be the only reason to kill one of the crew.

Killing a Strawhat makes no sense in my opinion.

A death would only make sense after they reached their goal.

So it is possible that we see the Strawhats die but long after the story came to an end, them reaching Laugh Tale (if that is the end). And yes, I think all of them will die of natural causes and/or sickness. Most of them at an old age. I think Luffy, Zoro or Usopp being the firsts because of the trauma their bodies had endured would make most sense.

I hope that answered your question anon... and anyone who does not want to read even more about my nonsense can stop here.

But let me break down why I think that all Strawhats have plot armor against death flags, behind the read-more.

-> It is very important that I think the huge clash with the Blackbeard Pirates, which will be the end fight, will happen right before Laugh Tale. And Laugh Tale is the end-goal and the end of the main story. (I MIGHT BE WRONG!!!)<-

Everyones own story can only end after they reached their goal so let's look why I think that these dreams give the Strawhats Plot Armor.

Luffy: Become the king of the pirates. That means he has to reach Laugh Tale. I often hear that Luffy will die early because of the parallel to Roger. That does not mean he won't reach his 40s or 50s. Even after reaching Laugh Tale Roger lived a bit longer and even had time to "make a child" so, killing off Luffy in the end fight makes no sense. So maybe dying after the fight, on Laugh Tale? That could happen and would be the earliest death of any Strawhat imo.

Zoro: Become the strongest sword fighter. That means he still has to kill Mihawk. I don't think Mihawk will go and look for Zoro. So, Zoro has to survive and then return to Mihawk and have his duel. No sense in killing off Zoro. I am 100% sure that he will survive until then.

Nami: Drawing a world map. For that Nami has to travel the world many times more. After they reached Laugh Tale, Nami has only finished part of her dream. She has to visit all of the Blues, travel the Grand Line and the New world multiple times. Drawing a Map of the world will take a lifetime. Her dream will take the longest to be fulfilled.

Usopp: Become the great warrior of the sea. Now here we have a dream that is not really tangible. Usopp will be a great warrior as soon as he realises that he is one. In my opinion he already managed to become a great warrior. Time and time again he has shown how amazing he is but this is all about his own self image and so hard to grasp. This actually makes Usopp the most likely to have a death flag BUT we can't forget that he still has to return home and tell his stories to Kaya and the Usopp pirates. It's part of a promise that is only secondary but for me it's enough to think Usopp too is safe until he did that.

Sanji: To find the All Blue. Sanji thinks that the All Blue is something physical. We can't know that and if it is physical we can consider that it's maybe a part of the New World near the Red Line where all seas somehow come together. So again, until Sanji found that place he hasn't fulfilled his dream. And since I think that would be BEHIND Laugh Tale, again I think Sanji is safe. Alternatively the All Blue is just a metaphor for something completely different but I can't hink about what.

Chopper: To cure all illness. Here too, this is something that takes time. Chopper is still only at the beginning of his career of being a doctor. Finding a magical cure for every illness that exists is not something that just happens. Logically he would need to talk with many other medical experts and together they might be able to find it. When and how and if that happens is impossible to say but again that would be something that would fit best in the time after reaching Laugh Tale.

Robin: To find the truth of the void century. Right now we figure that she will find that at the end of their travel, on Laugh Tale. Maybe it will happen earlier in case the Strawhats storm the World Government. Either way she will learn the truth. But that will not be the end to her. After learning the truth it's up to Robin to bring it to the world, to write it down, to teach, to make people understand that they can't erase history and that they have to learn from it. Again, that is something that takes time and so, truly fulfilling her dream.

Franky: To travel the world in the ship of his dreams. Again that is a vague dream. But it would mean to at least return to Water Seven, so that Sunny has traveled the world once. But even then it's only been a small part of the world and traveling the world would mean to visit at least every of the seas. So far, Sunny had been in two to four, depending on how much you take the movies into account. But to fulfill Franky's dream he needs to survive a bit longer and so does Sunny.

Brook: To meet Laboon again. This is simple. But for that Brook has to reach the end of the New World and then get over the Red Line again. What he will do after that is hard to tell. But again, the Red Line is behind Laugh Tale and so I'm sure Brook too, has to survive... even though he is already dead YOHOHO!

Jinbe: Equality between merfolk and humans. Again this is something that is no easy feat and will probably take more than one generation. Also it is not only up to him and more to Shirahoshi and the World Government. This dream is about teamwork too, but who could be a better ambassador for the merfolk than him? Losing Jinbe would be a huge backfire for the cause. Jinbe too is safe in my opinion. If you have reached the end of the post, let me tell you again my headcanon about FRobin: After the main adventure Franky and Robin return to Water Seven where Franky helps to turn W7 into a boat and after that is done, they travel to the island where Ohara used to be and there they rebuild the island. More people return and it again becomes a hub for scholars and history.

[killiansprincss]

The Perfect Gift

Happy Valentines Day to all! So when you’re Single AF like me what better way to spend the day than to write about CS spending Valentines Day? So here it is, Captain Swan with Captain Beauty friendship. 

SUMMARY: When Killian learns about Valentine’s Day and Emma won’t go into much detail, he consults Belle who helps him plan the perfect gift for Emma. Pure Valentine’s Day Fluff. Also on A03

Set in the 6 weeks of peace, let’s say Valentine's Day was during this time.

Killian Jones liked to think he was getting the hang of this strange world. Emma had given him a talking phone to contact her when he needed to. Well he’d mastered the Emma button, and half the time she would answer. But most times he would leave a voice message.

He was also getting Belle to help him understand texting, she had described it as writing a letter that is delivered instantly and Emma can read it and reply with a letter of her own when she sees it. There were also funny little drawings when you could send in the text, Belle had said the name before but he couldn’t remember-it was a funny little name. But they had faces, happy, crying and even little heart drawings which he liked to send at the end of his letter-text-to Emma. He saw the way her face lit up when she opened one in front of him once, and he wanted that reaction every time so he continued to use them.

On the topic of hearts, Killian was seeing them all over Storybrooke lately. It was overnight almost, heart shaped teddy bears had appeared in the stores, and even Granny’s was decorated with them. Everything was decorated in pink and red, was this normal for this world? Or was there some strange love curse that had affected the town?

“What’s with all these hearts popping up around town?” He asks Emma when they’re having breakfast at Granny’s one morning.

Taking a break from her stack of pancakes, “It’s Valentine’s Day next week. It’s a stupid holiday we have in this world don’t worry about it.” Emma didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, she had never celebrated Valentine’s Day before unless she was catching a perp and she didn’t want to stress Killian out about it-he was busy figuring out how to save the fairies, Valentine’s Day wasn’t important.

But that didn’t explain the hearts. What was a celebration of hearts all about? And why was Emma so against it?

He turns to Belle, hoping she’d have the answers.

“Valentine’s Day is a holiday this world celebrates. The hearts are popping up over town because it’s a holiday about love, you ask someone you love or like, to be your Valentine. You normally get each other a card and a present maybe, or even go out for a romantic dinner.” Belle explains. Killian assumes she must not be feeling great about this holiday of love after banishing the Dark One.

“So I’m supposed to ask Emma to be my Valentine? And get her a heart shaped gift?” Killian liked the idea of this holiday. Even though those 3 special words hadn’t been spoken yet, he knew how Emma felt about him. He also wanted to show Emma how much she meant to him.

Belle chuckles as she looks through one of her books. “You don’t have to get her something heart shaped. But you could get her something special-something you know she likes or would like. Some girls receive jewellery from their boyfriends, or knowing Emma she may appreciate a Granny’s gift card!”

“Would you help me? I want to find Emma the perfect gift for this Valentine’s Day.” Killian assumed considering her past, she hasn’t celebrated the day in a while and wanted to make sure she knew she was appreciated, and loved (just without saying it, he didn’t need Emma’s walls going up when he was working hard to knock them down)

Belle smiles at her friend. “I’d love to help.”

__

And so Killian sets out to find Emma the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. He considers what Belle said about a Granny’s gift card, but that’s not special enough. No Emma deserves something better.

He finds a card straight away, it’s two Swans kissing with a heart above them, feels appropriate and will hopefully make her laugh too. He wants to see that spark in her eyes he gets to see when she’s happy. While they had only been courting, or ‘dating’ as Emma calls it, for a few months he still couldn’t believe sometimes that they’re together. He never thought he’d see her again when they were cursed, and seeing her at her door in New York was one of the most incredible feelings, even if she didn’t know who he was.

She didn’t judge him for his past, she never did, even before they were together. She understands that it wasn’t always a pirate's life, and that he experienced loss and heartbreak the same as she had. For once in his 300 years, he had someone know the pain he had gone through, he could open up about his abandonment without the other person feeling sorry for him. Emma was abandoned too, so she understood how it felt to be alone.

He looked in the Jewellery store on Main Street to see if there was something that screamed Emma. Sure there were beautiful necklaces and bracelets, but he didn’t want to get her just anything, she wasn’t just anybody: she was Emma, his Emma. She deserved the world, and that’s all he wanted to give her.

Until he comes across a locket. The locket in the store is worth more than the doubloons he carries around (which only Granny seemed to accept), but an idea struck in his head. Sure his ship was gone, but he did keep a few things before he traded it to Blackbeard. And one of those things was a small locket his mother had. It opened up to reveal a small drawing of her and his father on one side, and on the other side was Killian and Liam.

“How would I go about filling a locket?” He asks Belle that afternoon. He didn’t have many possessions coming back to Storybrooke, but he could fit a surprising amount in his leather coat, including said locket, so he finds his old jacket at the back of the closet and finds the locket in one of the pockets.

He shows Belle his mother’s locket and she takes a look at the drawings inside and smiles fondly. Like with Emma, Belle doesn’t pry into his past-she knows he was also a man before his days as a villain that had lost people. “At Granny’s tonight, I will get my camera and take photos of you all, I’ll say it’s for an album full of memories. Then I can print the photos out and cut them into small enough shapes for the locket.”

“Thank you Belle. I appreciate it. How are you feeling about this day? I know it can’t be easy considering the Dark One and all.”

“I actually won’t be alone on Valentine’s Day.” She says shyly, Killian tries to think who could have caught her eye in Storybrooke. “Will, uh Will Scarlet has asked me out, and I accepted.”

Killian smiles, Will was an annoying bastard but he was a good guy and would treat his friend right-far better than the Dark One ever did. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you Killian.” She smiles. “And Emma is going to love the locket.”

__

That evening the extended Charming family meet for dinner at Granny’s as they do every Friday. Henry is complaining about homework, Regina is dealing with mayor matters, and Killian and Emma are just happy. They share some rum while Emma talks about her day, how she was called to The Rabbit Hole to break up a fight between Leroy and a bartender who wouldn’t serve him anymore alcohol. Killian tells her that he and Belle are making progress on freeing the fairies-Belle was still working on a translation.

They hadn’t talked about Valentine’s Day since his original question, he wanted to surprise her, which is why he acted none the wiser when Belle walked into the diner with her camera.

“Everyone, get together. I want to make a scrapbook!” She says gesturing for everyone to pose.

She gets Snow and Charming to pose for a picture. Then Emma and Killian, then Emma Killian and Henry and a whole bunch of other combinations until she decides she’s happy.

“Do you have any idea what that’s about?” Emma asks Killian once she leaves.

“Not a clue luv.” He lies putting his arm around her, pressing a kiss to her head, hoping she doesn’t become suspicious. Weirder things have happened in this town.

__

The day before Valentine’s Day, Belle shows him the finished locket. On one side, a picture of Henry and his grandparents and the other side was a picture of himself and Emma. He hoped she would look at it and be reminded that she had so many people who loved and cared about her. They had peace for now, but who knows how long it will last before the next monster or villain comes to town.

Emma stays with Killian on the night before Valentines. Something about not wanting to walk in on her parents. So it gives him the perfect opportunity to give Emma her gift in the morning.

“Ugh What time is it?” Emma stirs in her half awake sleep. Killian had been awake for almost an hour, excited for the day, and to give Emma her gift.

“It’s almost 7 luv.” He kisses her head as she stirs, clearly wanting more sleep. “And Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Her eyes almost immediately open at the sound of those four words and groans. “What have you been told? It’s really not that big of a deal this day.”

She sits up in bed, worried to see what big romantic gesture Killian had planned.

“But Swan, I wanted to know if you would be my Valentine?” He asks with his cute pouty smile that makes Emma weak. He fixes his Hook on and then grabs a card and a rose from the drawer.

Emma groans, this is exactly what she was afraid of if she mentioned Valentine’s Day. She wasn’t good at the whole displaying emotions and expressing love, and there was also the fact she had never experienced Valentine’s Day with a boyfriend before. Being on the run with Neal, they didn’t exactly do romantic dates, especially not Valentines Day ones.

She can’t help but smile at her pirate boyfriend, taking the rose as she gets out of bed to kiss him. “Thank you. You really didn’t need to do this though.”

She opens the card and can’t help but grin at the two Swans. It makes Killians day already, just seeing her smile first thing in the morning, and the way he was able to make her smile. “That’s adorable.”

“I may have one other thing too.” He says, pulling out a white box wrapped in red ribbon from behind him.

“Killian!” She groans, he had already done too much.

“Open it.” He says handing it to her with a grin as wide as ever.

She takes the small box and unwraps the ribbon that he so clearly didn’t wrap-A hook for a hand doesn’t seem like it would wrap a bow as neatly as this one, she wonders who he got to help in his master plan. The lid to the box opens and she finds a silver locket wrapped among white tissue paper. It’s a little rusty but cleaned as best as it could be-clearly it’s not new or bought from a store here.

‘ A. Jones ’ is engraved on the back.

“Alice Jones. My mother. This was her locket.” Killian explains.

Emma opens up the locket to see the photos Belle took the other night. Well that explains what that was about, and who had helped him plan all this.

Inside the locket, her parents and Henry on one side, and her and Killian on the other. They all look happy, and in all honesty this was the first picture she had seen of herself where she looked especially happy.

“Killian. It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept this. This was your mother’s, the only thing you probably have of hers.” She thought he had spent all his doubloons that people of Storybrooke still seem to accept-but this was worse, it was something that belonged to the woman who knew him before he was a pirate.

He had never mentioned his mother, this was the first time she had heard her name. She must have been pretty important, and another death that broke Killian.

“Nonsense love. I couldn’t think of a better person my mother would want her locket to go to.” He takes it from her hands and opens the clasp, gesturing for Emma to hold her hair back as he clips it round her neck.

Emma admires the pictures, the people she loved most were in it. It was a beautiful gift. It was the first time anybody had given her something so sentimental.

“I officially win the award for the worst girlfriend ever. I didn’t want to make a huge deal out of it, and didn’t want you to feel pressured.” She tells him.

“I get it Swan. You didn’t have many people in your life before you came to Storybrooke. I don’t know much about this holiday, but Belle told me it’s about spending it with the people you care about, make them know you appreciate them.” He’s careful not to say the L word, it may be the day of love-but that doesn’t give him an excuse to say it before Emma’s ready herself.

It was though Killian was looking into her soul or something. He got her, really got her. One of the only people who understood her. “You didn’t need to get me anything really. You traded your ship to come find me-your home. You literally win boyfriend of the century with that one.”

“I didn’t do it to win points Emma. I traded the Jolly because I knew you were more important. And you don’t need to get me a present in return, you being with me is the best gift I could ask for. I never thought I would be happy after Milah was killed, but these last few months with you have been the best few months of my very long life.” He pulls her closer to him with his Hook and kisses her softly. She wraps her arms around him and enjoys the kiss.

She was falling. Hard. It would be easy to say those three little words to Killian right now. She was sure she felt it for Killian. But she had never felt like this before, even with Neal. She had told Neal ‘I love you’ countless times, but now she wonders did she truly love him? Because the feeling she gets when she’s with Killian is incredible, she never felt this way with Neal. She loves seeing the way his face lights up when she talks to him, the way his blue eyes shine when he speaks about the Sea. She loves how much he cares about Henry, and how often he takes him out sailing-he didn’t have to do any of it, but he did.

He was such an ass when they first met. It feels like a lifetime ago when she tied Captain Hook to a tree and climbed a beanstalk with him. But he changed, she saw the way he changed over time. And slowly she realised that maybe he wasn’t a bad guy, they weren’t so different. Both abandoned, both heartbroken and both mending their broken hearts together, with each other.

“How about you come over to the Apartment tonight? My parents are out and Henry is babysitting Neal at Reginas. I’m not that great a cook but I can attempt grilled cheese.” She says smiling at Killian.

“Sounds wonderful love.”

Killian was happy.

So damn happy.

After Liam and Milah were gone, all that mattered was killing Rumnplestilskin, until he met a stubborn blonde who changed his life forever. He slowly started to see that being a villain wasn’t all it used to be, and that he could be the man he once was.

When Henry brought Emma to Storybrooke and told her she was the saviour who needed to break a curse, she never expected it would be true or lead her to her happy ending. A happy ending she also didn’t realise would include Captain Hook. Fate was a funny thing. But she was finally happy, and for once was excited for her future.

[navigatrixnarrations]

Sometimes Always Part 3: Thieves Like Us

Part 1

Part 2

The third chapter of a canon divergent kind-of fix-it set after Season 3. In which the past does not stay silent. You may recognize part of it from a Six-Sentence Sunday.

Warnings: brawling, mentions of hanging and gunshots

Word Count: 2231

The two fighters circle each other in their makeshift ring on the docks, stripped to the waist despite the chill night air. In the smoky torchlight, the scene could almost be a pirate camp. Margaret has woven her way to the front of the gathered crowd of bettors. She’s put coin on Vane, partly out of loyalty, partly because she remembers what a magnificent brawler he was. The other fighter is the clear local favorite; unlike Vane, he’s well-known in the area. He’s half a head taller than Vane and outweighs him as well, and he’s fast and strong, but Vane fights with a savage intensity, feral glee in his eyes at the challenge and the rush of it. And his technique and tactics are far better. Vane dodges the lighting-fast combination of punches thrown at him, getting in close to land blows of his own. It isn’t long before Vane’s ferocious onslaught has the other fighter down for the count. Yes, Vane is still magnificent, standing victorious in the center of the ring, sweat gleaming on his broad chest, long hair barely mussed, breath steaming in the cold. His piercing blue stare meets hers, and Margaret feels her pulse quicken. How does the bloody man manage to swagger while standing still?

Beside her, the merchant who’d been trying to chat her up during the fight notices the heavy look she and Vane are exchanging. He mumbles an excuse about how he “didn’t realize you were here to watch your man”, and hurries away as Vane approaches.

My man, Margaret thinks sourly. No, her man had brown eyes and a broad, easy grin. Her man never let anyone or anything come between them. Her man is at the bottom of the sea.

After Sully died, would-be suitors circled her like sharks. Most simply wanted an in with her father. Some were other pirates. Some were so-called respectable men, with their soft hands and their willingness to let others do their dirty work. She chased them all off with sharp words, and on at least one occasion, at the point of a pistol.

“Your friend didn’t want to meet me?” Vane’s raspy growl brings her back to the present.

“Alas, he wasn’t the sociable type.”

“Pity.” Vane’s right arm tremors ever so slightly as he puts on his shirt, and Margaret finds herself grateful that he’s left-handed. She assists him into his coat, briskly, before he can object. Back in Nassau, it took her too long to get a clear shot as Vane’s face turned purple and his body convulsed at the end of the rope. She prays to a god she is not entirely sure she believes in, for reasons she is entirely unwilling to name, that the delay didn’t cause him permanent injury.

They collect their respective winnings and make their way to a nearby tavern, less rowdy than some and known for its food and its anonymity. Margaret forces herself not to react when her leg brushes against his under the table.

“Do you think it’s wise, drawing attention to yourself like you did prize-fighting?”

“Hiding in plain sight.” The corner of Vane’s mouth quirks upward. “And you wagered on me.”

Margaret gives him an extravagant shrug. “Of course I did. I’m a chancer.”

“Ever the proper pirate.” There is nothing mocking in his tone or his face.

“These past couple of years, smuggling is where most of the work has been.”

“You mean after Sully…”

She cuts him off. “Yes.” She wants to snarl at him to keep Sully’s name out of his mouth, but there was a time when Vane and Sully called each other brother and meant it. She can’t begrudge him any grief he might be feeling, nor curiosity.

He raises his mug of ale to hers. “To Sully. And to thieves like us.” They both drink deep.

Their food arrives. Vane examines the bread that came with their oyster stew. “They’ve picked off all the weevils.”

Margaret smiles slightly, in spite of herself. “I’ll fetch you some, if you like.” An old joke. It’s all too easy to fall into old jokes. Margaret had extra duty once again for mouthing off at her father, and she was missing her meal because of it. She sat on the fighting top watching for sails, too proud to admit hunger or apologize, and Charles climbed up to bring her water ration, some dried meat, and some hard tack, though he’d have gotten in trouble himself if the captain caught him. She picked up a piece of the hard tack and examined it. “You picked off all the weevils.”

He gave her a cheeky grin. “I’ll fetch you some, if you like.” She started to laugh, but forced herself to be silent lest the sound draw attention to them, to the fact that he’d bent the rules for her. That bastard of a quartermaster, Israel Hands, already had it out for the both of them. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him to have another go at Charles.

She tells herself there’s no harm in reminiscing about the boy he was, with his rough voice and his rough demeanor and his tender heart that he tried so hard to hide.

That rough voice is quiet, even confessional. “All my life, there were consequences for wanting things. The taskmasters would take anything they thought we wanted, just to show us that they could. The bigger slaves would take from the smaller, and I was the youngest and smallest of all. So I learned it was safer not to tell, not to show, if I was to have any chance of keeping anything I wanted.” Vane almost sounds as though he’s thinking aloud, but he’s watching her face intently as though willing her to understand something he can’t quite bring himself to say. “Then she did more of the same, taking away anything she even thought I might want, just to prove she could.” There is no doubt as to who she is. Is Vane expressing regret? Trying to explain?

“There are also consequences for not asking for what you want.” She meant to sound arch, but it comes out harsh.

He looks down for a moment then fixes Margaret with a grave stare from beneath his brow. “So I’ve learned.”

The silence hangs thick as a fog bank. Margaret focuses on finishing her meal; it’s easier than focusing on the man across from her.

“I’m sailing for Nassau. Come with me.”

Margaret looked askance at her father. “Why would you ever want to return to that shithole? It’s nothing but backstabbers and cowards.”

“To get Charles out of there. They put a price on his head” he replied.

“He made his choices. He can live with them. Or die with them.” Margaret wanted to sound cold, wanted to be cold, but the ice in her voice sounded unconvincing, even to her ears. Why should the very thought of Charles still have the power to wound her like this, a decade later? What had ever been between them other than a few kisses, some confidences shared?

“I could use your skills, Margaret.”

“Yes, you could. But you’ll have to do without.”

He looks up from the brace of pistols he’s loading. “You think admitting you still care for him would be disloyal to Sully.” When she didn’t answer he continued. “Margaret, when your mother died I was ill-equipped to raise a daughter. You were so young and so angry, and her loss annihilated us both. All those wives, I was trying to replace what couldn’t be replaced. What I had with her.”

“All those wives were because you wanted a son.” This time he didn’t respond. “I’m glad you don’t further insult me by denying it,” she said grimly.

His nostrils flared but his voice stayed calm. Overly calm. “I loved your mother. I still love your mother. I’ve loved some of my other wives, each in different ways.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because it’s possible for you to still love Sully and for that to be irreplaceable, and for you to love Charles as well.” He paused. “I must say I was surprised you didn’t choose him back then.”

“It wasn’t up to me,” she snapped. Damnation, he got her to admit it. If Charles had asked her to be with him, she would have said yes, without hesitation and without regret. But he didn’t, and Sully did. It was a good marriage, a happy one, right until the moment his brain ran out on the deck beside her.

“Will you be here when I return?”

“I’ll be here. But I don’t want to see him.” She turned to leave.

From behind her, her father's voice is uncharacteristically soft. “I wish you’d reconsider, for your own sake.” She left. The notorious Blackbeard, suddenly worried about her loneliness? This must be what going mad feels like.

“And people say I’m terse.” Vane’s teasing purr interrupts her thoughts. He’s trying to lift the pall that’s fallen between them.

Margaret risks a glance at his face. “I’ve been alone for a few years now. I’ve grown accustomed to it.” She drains the rest of her ale and slaps the mug down on the table.

“Surely you’ve no shortage of contenders.” His voice is still as light as the gravel in it allows, but his eyes remain serious.

“Perhaps.” A few days ago, she’d have said not a chance. Damn him. She sees him grit his teeth, the muscle flexing in his jaw. She stands. “There’s something I want to show you.”

He puts coins on the table and follows her. Outside, the clouds hang low and there is a sharp bite in the air. Snow is on the way.

She leads him to the back of the town, where the docks are even rougher and the respectable trades do well to avoid. To call the place a shipyard would be to flatter it, but it’s a yard and series of wharves where vessels of various types and in various states of repair are moored. She takes him to a sleek eight-gun sloop, built for speed and maneuverability, sitting in what might generously be termed dry dock. Recognition dawns on his face. “I haven’t seen a sloop like her since the last time I was on Ocracoke. Is that --”

Margaret completes his sentence. “The Adventure, yes. The old girl took a beating, but she’ll be seaworthy again soon enough.” At his look of consternation, she adds “Yes, I was on Ocracoke.”

He furrows his brows. “I didn’t know you were there.”

“I didn’t want you to know.”

“Take him, and get the fuck off my beach,” her father snarled. Turning to Margaret, who had witnessed the entire duel while hidden in the crowd, had started pushing her way to the front and was readying herself to throw her body between them before Charles threw down his sword, “Go after him, girl. Keep him alive.” At her dubious expression, he leaned in to add “Promise me you’ll try!” She nodded. By day’s end, she was sailing for Nassau. The Adventure was fast, but she arrived too late to prevent Charles’s capture…

“When she’s repaired,” he starts, then stops, his face a question.

“When she’s repaired, I intend to leave on her. No idea where the fuck I’ll go.” She looks away from him, studying the currents, weighing something in her mind, then turns to face him head-on. “Come with me?”

Vane’s thin lips part in surprise, and Margaret braces for the impact of his answer. He regains a grip on his composure, and smirks. “How am I expected to deny such a request.”

Margaret cocks one hip out, puts a hand on it, raises an eyebrow. “You’re not.”

They grin at each other as the first flakes begin to fall. Side by side, they make their way back to the garret.

Vane stands with one arm braced against the window frame, still in his coat, watching the snow dance and swirl beyond the panes. Maragaret finds herself touched by his expression of wonder. He’s always been gruff, his default expression becoming even stonier in the years since she’d last seen him. Seeing him wide-eyed and earnest soothes something in her. He’s still there, the Charles she was once so close with.

He stretches out an arm to enfold her in the coat as well, pulling her close. She leans into him, if only to savor his warmth. She still fits as though she belongs there, tucked beneath his arm.

“I’ve never seen snow before,” he admits. So many firsts with her. First taste of freedom. First time over the side. First kiss, clumsy and nervous and sweet as could be. And now, snow.

His hand comes to rest at the spot where the musket ball ripped through her side all those years ago. “Margaret, I…” he breaks off.

Her voice is soft. Matter-of fact, but soft. ��I’d do it again if I had to. Even now, after everything, I’d do it again.” She extricates herself from under his arm, then pauses to press her lips to his temple. “Good night, Charles.”

Her door shuts. He takes a deep, unsteady breath and wills his heart to slow its breakneck pace. On the other side of the door, she does the same.

[swanqueeneverafter]

The Once & Future Queen Pt.9

Camelot. Courtyard. (Guinevere places a Camelot cape and sword on a pyre in the courtyard.) Guinevere: “I want to pay tribute to Robin of Locksley. Known to many of you as Robin Hood. We owe him a great debt. It is not just his deed that we’ll never forget. It’s his courage. His compassion. (Lancelot brings Guinevere a torch for the pyre:) His unselfish heart. (Guinevere looks over to Zelena who nods. Guinevere then tosses the torch on the pyre:) He gave his life for all of us.” (Zelena cries as she watches the pyre burning. Regina and Henry console Robin while the flames continue to grow. Alice takes Will’s hand.) Will: “He didn’t sacrifice himself for Camelot. He wanted to prove himself worthy to a man he never even met. It cost him his life.” (Alice nods and places a comforting hand on his shoulder and leaves him by the pyre to join Robin and the others. Zelena continues to weep by the pyre, as the courtyard slowly clears out.)

Arendelle. Past. Dawn. (Staring out at the lights coming from Arendelle castle, Emma rounds on Blackbeard, who looks rather pleased with himself.) Emma: "Arendelle. Seriously?" Blackbeard: (Chuckling:) "What's the big problem? I agreed to take you one place and we arrived at another. In fact by my reckoning, I've taken you further than we agreed." Emma: "Yeah, I can see that." Blackbeard: "Which means a renegotiation of my fee is required." Mulan: "What?!" Blackbeard: "Don't worry, I know you ladies don't have any money. So, since I only hire gentlemen for my crew... (Blackbeard’s crew begins to close in around Emma and Mulan:) I'm sure we can work something out." Emma: "You've got to be kidding." Blackbeard: "Just be relieved you didn't sail with Captain Hook and his crew. Because believe me, you two would have found the rogerings anything but jolly." (Emma looks to Mulan, who merely shrugs.) Emma: (Sighs:) "All right, you guys asked for it." (The crew cheer and converge on the two women. Moments later however, they are all blasted overboard by a pulse of Emma's powers. Drawing her sword, Mulan holds it at Blackbeard’s neck.) Mulan: "I believe you spoke of a renegotiation?" Blackbeard: "Ah. (Smiles:) What did you ladies have in mind?"

A Short Time Later. (Emma watches from the deck while Blackbeard rows away from them, cursing their names.) Blackbeard: "You ungrateful harlots! I hope you never get home!" Emma: "Yeah you just keep rowing, buddy." Mulan: (Standing by the cannon:) "Or we'll blast your little boat to pieces." Blackbeard: "You will rue the day you ever crossed the legendary Blackbeard!" Storybrooke. Present. The Dragon's Lair. (At Robin Hood's wake, Rumplestiltskin and Regina talk at the bar.) Rumplestiltskin: "Forgive me, it must be my age but, didn't we already have a wake for Robin Hood?" Regina: "Different guy." Rumplestiltskin: "I see." Regina: "Anyway, you're one to talk. You've come back to life more than a few times." Rumplestiltskin: "This is true." Regina: (As Rumple brings his drink to his lips:) "We didn't bother with a wake, though." Rumplestiltskin: (Chuckles:) "Perhaps next time." Regina: "Mm." Rumplestiltskin: "I get how you're feeling you know. Being separated from the one you love, knowing they're still out there somewhere. It's-" Regina: "Agony." Rumplestiltskin: "Yeah. (Places his hand on hers:) Of course, being separated from the one you love for thirty years after thinking they were dead is much harder." Regina: (Slapping his hand playfully:) "All right, it's not a competition." Rumplestiltskin: "If it were I'd win." (Elsewhere, Zelena and Robin talk about their feelings.) Zelena: "I'm sorry you had to go through this again. Losing your father like this." Robin: "Mom, he wasn't my father, you get that right?" Zelena: "Even so..." Robin: "Mom, your boyfriend just died to save everyone. That makes him a hero, but still not my Dad." Zelena: (Nods:) "I know. I just... this is the second time I've caused the death of the same man. How do I get over something like that?" Robin: "What happened wasn't your fault. He made the choice to sacrifice himself. I was the one who originally asked him to fight with us in the Dream World. If I hadn't then maybe-" Zelena: "Robin was little more than a common thief who spent his money on booze after fighting in the King's army. If you hadn't come along when you did to inspire him to fight, he'd still be there now. Robin told me as much on our first date." Robin: "He did?" Zelena: (Nods:) "He credited you for turning his life around. (Taking her hand:) Even though he wasn't your father, he was very proud of you." Robin: "I wish I hadn't given him such a hard time when you guys first started going out." Zelena: "He understood. It was difficult for all of us. What's important is the time we spent together and that in the end, he had something worth fighting for." Robin: (Smiles:) "I guess you're right. Just... promise me one thing?" Zelena: "Anything." (Robin stands, pulling her mother into an embrace.) Robin: "No more hooking up with Robin Hood doppelgängers, please?" Zelena: (Chuckles:) "I promise."

(Standing at the bar, Henry notices Will sitting alone and goes over to talk.) Henry: “Will! Hey.” Will: (Nods:) “Alright.” Henry: “How are you doing? Everything all right?” Will: (Takes a drink:) “Is it that obvious?” Henry: (Chuckles:) “Well, the truth is, I, uh, I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done. Helping Ella through Wonderland and everything.” Will: “Oh I don’t think you want to be thanking me for everything we did together. After all, (Winks:) someone had to be there for her, didn’t they?” Henry: “Uh-” Will: “You know Henry, you're not the only weirdo that believes in signs. I think it's in our darkest hours that the universe shows us our true path. (Henry’s cellphone rings:) That might be the universe calling.” Henry: “It’s Ella.” Will: “Ah. Well you better answer at least one of her calls eh?” (Will finishes his drink and leaves.) Henry: (Confused by Will’s behaviour, answers the phone:) “Hello? Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure. Of course I’ll be right there.” On A Hill Overlooking Storybrooke. (Seated together on a large rock, Gabrielle and Xena take time to enjoy their surroundings.) Gabrielle: "I'm sorry Robin Hood had to die, but I'm glad neither of us had to make that sacrifice." Xena: "Those days are over, remember?" Gabrielle: "Just be sure you do, Ms. Martyr." Xena: "Don't worry. I made you a promise never to die on you again after the incident with the Ambrosia." Gabrielle: (Watches Xena sharpen her sword:) "Yeah, and then you went and died two more times after that." Xena: "Technically you died on me first." Gabrielle: "But I came back to you." Xena: "Well so did I!" Gabrielle: (Chuckles:) "You're on thin ice, Warrior Princess." Xena: "Ooh ice! That was another one." Gabrielle: (Nods:) "I remember. When you let Ares beat the crap out of you. What was the point of that again?" Xena: "To draw out the Furies." Gabrielle: "Right. (Xena returns to sharpening:) At least that's one thing we don't have to deal with here." Xena: "What, Gods? (Gabrielle nods:) Yeah, that is a relief." Red Queen: (Arriving in a cloud of red smoke:) "Don't breathe that sigh of relief just yet, darlings." (Xena spins around, her sword ready for action.) Gabrielle: (Stands:) "Who are you?" Red Queen: "Why, I'm the Red Queen of course. And while I may not be a God, my powers will make you pray for mercy soon enough." Xena: "Get down!" (The Red Queen sends a jet of sparks towards Xena and Gabrielle, obliterating the rock they were sitting on. As the dust settles, the Queen sees that her prey have disappeared.) Red Queen: "Oh well, there's nothing like a good hunt." (Straightening her gloves, the Red Queen walks deeper into the woods. Hidden up in the trees, Xena and Gabrielle watch her go, concerned looks upon their faces.)

Arendelle. Past. Harbour. (Elsa rushes to the dock with Kristoff following her.) Kristoff: “Elsa! Wait! It's too late.” (Elsa watches Anna’s ship leave the harbour.) Elsa: “We have to go after her.” Kristoff: “No.” Elsa: “Are you really saying ‘no’ to your queen?” Kristoff: “I'm saying no to my future sister. (Elsa gives him a look:) In-law. For good reason. We both love Anna. We both know her. She will be fine.” Elsa: “She didn't have to do this alone.” Kristoff: “Yes, she did. You told Anna and you're right... You're the queen. We all remember well what happened the last time you left.” Elsa: “Why didn't you go with her?” Kristoff: “She didn't want me to. She thought I was needed here.” Elsa: “For what?” Kristoff: “She didn't want you to be alone. She'll be fine. I believe in her. You should too. Because she doesn't give up on the people she loves. And she always succeeds.” Elsa: “She also sometimes acts before she thinks. This place could be dangerous. What do we even know about this... Misthaven? How have I never heard of it?” Kristoff: “You might know it better by what the inhabitants call it.” Elsa: “What's that?” Kristoff: “The Enchanted Forest.” Emma: (Slightly out of breath from running:) "Queen Elsa! (Turns to see Mulan catching up with her:) I'm so glad you’re here." Elsa: "I'm sorry... (Looks to Kristoff, who shrugs:) Do I know you?" Emma: "Not yet, but you will. In time."

Storybrooke. Present. Will & Tiana’s Apartment. (Ella opens the door to Henry.) Henry: “This is so weird, I was just talking to Will at the bar.” Ella: “Oh, how’s he doing?” (Steps aside to allow Henry entry.) Henry: “He was acting kinda strange, but that’s to be expected I guess.” Ella: “Knowing Will as I do now, I’d say strange was definitely to be expected.” (They share a laugh.) Henry: “So, what are we doing here?” Ella: “Well, Tiana and I were talking and we thought it might be a good idea if you were to... ask me on a date.” Henry: “I thought we were already going on a date?” Ella: “Yeah, but a little romantic gesture always goes a long way.” Henry: (Smiles:) “Of course. (Looks around the apartment and spots something:) Ah. (Walks over and picks up a handful of flowers from a vase and hands them to Ella:) Ella, would you do me the honour of having dinner with me at the Dragon’s Lair?” Ella: (Smiling:) “I’d be delighted.” Henry: “Great. Pick you up here?” Ella: “Uh, no. How about I meet you there?” Henry: “Sure, what time?” Ella: “Say around...7.30?” Henry: “Sounds like we have ourselves a date.” Ella: “Yeah.” Henry: “So, do you want me to-” Ella: “Oh, no, Tiana and I have some stuff to do here.” Henry: “Okay, great. I’ll... see you at 7.30.” (He leaves. Ella leans on the door frame and watches him go.) The Dragon's Lair. (Regina is returning a glass to its shelf behind the bar when a voice calls out to her.) Ruby: "Regina. (Regina jumps and turns to face her:) Bad time?" (Regina glances around the empty bar.) Regina: (Sighs:) "I guess not." Ruby: "Great. I thought we could talk." Regina: "Yeah... all right." Ruby: (Takes seat at the bar:) "So, the last time this happened, Emma changed a few things in the past. Have you... I mean, do you feel any different?" Regina: "I'm not sure it really works that way. If there were big changes being made to our past, we in the present wouldn't necessarily know about it. The changes themselves would become our past." Ruby: "Oh... No, sorry, I don't quite get it?" Regina: "Okay, well the last time Emma went back, she and Hook altered a few key events. After they returned to the present, the only way we knew they were changes was because she told us about them. Does that make sense?" Ruby: "I guess so. I just thought that if Mulan and Emma were doing something in the past and we could sort of sense it happening, it'd be a way of being close to them? Kinda silly, huh?" Regina: (Shakes her head:) "No, it's not silly. It's very sweet. But like I said, I think the only way we're going to know what damage they've done is when they come back to us." Ruby: (Wistfully:) "Yeah." Regina: "And when they do return, I don't know about you, but I plan to jump Emma's bones the very first chance I get." (Ruby laughs heartily at this while Regina pours them both a drink.)

Granny's Diner. (David and Kristoff catch up.) Kristoff: "So, how're you handling things?" David: "Well, Snow's obviously busy covering Regina's duties as Mayor as best she can in between teaching her classes. And I've been helping down at the station whenever Lily needs an extra hand now that Hook is on his honeymoon." Kristoff: "Which is ironic when you think about it. I mean, Hook now literally has an extra hand and he's not here to lend it to his daughter." David: "I think Anna's terrible sense of humour is rubbing off on you." Kristoff: "Hey, Anna's sense of humour is great, just like mine. Your problem is you don't know good puns when you hear them." Unknown Location. Past. (Having agreed to take Emma and Mulan to the warrior's homeland, Kristoff has been pushing Sven pretty hard.) Kristoff: "Keep going, buddy, you're doing great. (To the others:) Do you know why I chose a reindeer to pull my sled rather than dogs?" Emma: (Bored:) "No." Kristoff: "Sven has a louder bark. If you ask me, the dogs were a little husky." Emma: (As Kristoff laughs:) "Oh, God. Are we there yet?" Mulan: "Yes, up ahead, look!" (Through the thick snowfall, all eyes turn to the cabin barely visible in the distance. Pulling the sled to a stop, Kristoff jumps down and offers his hand to each of them in turn.) Kristoff: "I hope you enjoyed your ride with us today, don't forget to pat the reindeer upon exit." Emma: "Thanks, Kristoff. You're a life saver." Kristoff: "Think nothing of it, happy to be of help." (Jumping down from the sled, Mulan makes her way silently through the snow.) The Cabin. Emma: (Catching up with her:) "You sure this is the right place?" Mulan: "Yes, I'm sure. Just do me a favour, don’t mention my name while we’re here." Emma: “What?” Mulan: “Just trust me.” (Reaching the door, Mulan knocks firmly. When the door opens, a look of recognition crosses Emma's face.) Emma: "You?" Dragon: "May I help you?" (The Dragon stares at the two women standing on his doorstep while the snow continues to fall all around them.)

[neverwatchedonepiece]

629: "Violent Shock! Incredible News that Shakes the New World!"

A rocky old place, ain’t it? No white sand beach resorts here. Lots of sunflowers, though. And a Colosseum. Even trattorias and quaint cobbled streets, according to the preview.

This is Italy, isn’t it?

Only had time for one episode but that wasn’t a problem at all. Thankfully, there was a lot to unpack in 629, plus more highlights than 

There was the return of Thriller Bark. Updates on the whereabouts of key OP figures. Luffy yelling down the line at Doflamingo. The reveal of why Law is set on sailing to Dressrosa. Why Kinemon is also keen to go. The arrival of new villains. The reveal of Doflamingo’s cunning plan to snare Luffy. And the reshuffling of the Shichibukai and the appointment of a VERY FAMILIAR CLOWN.

I’m still laughing, btw.

Also have to say I liked the new opening. Seemed spoiler free and it was interesting that they have pitted Luffy so openly against Blackbeard (and Akainu, I suppose. Now there are two Big Bads. Actually beginning to wonder if there ever will be a Final Villain in One Piece).

They Call Him Scoop McGee Absalom

The action picked up with the immediate aftermath of Doflamingo’s resignation from his throne and the post of Shichibukai, which sent ripples through the OPverse. Now the protection conferred by Doflamingo’s Shichibukai status had vanished, his subjects lamented, “Dressrosa is done for!”

Elsewhere, an unwinnable war raged. Unwinnable because the side in question had struck a deal with the Donquixote family. Now Doflamingo is no longer king, the supply chain has dried up.

Various famous faces who had grabbed newspapers were next. Jewelry Bonney was a nice surprise! I thought she’d been arrested by the Marines after that whole thing on the burning island with Teach. She’s obviously in hiding (standard hooded cloak) but still in action. That’s good. There was also a brief shot of Jimbei and Crocodile’s hook.

But who was the mysterious journalist behind the leaking of the Strawhearts alliance? The Kidd/Hawkins/Apoo Alliance? The fact Doflamingo had resigned both throne and warlord role?

He is known only by the name Absa.

I would have struggled to predict who Absa might have been, had they not shown a tiny Thriller Bark satellite ship.

It’s obviously Absalom. Invisibility is his thing. He’s obviously been sneaking about. For what purpose, I have no clue. Maybe Moria is out for revenge? I’m pretty certain he’s still alive as Doflamingo said he disappeared in front of his eyes. I like the thought of Moria getting angry enough to come back into the limelight. (I’m still crossing my fingers he’ll help Luffy and Law with Kaidou. Moria definitely has enough of a grudge to do it.)

We also got hard confirmation that Kidd and co. are after a Yonko. Their target is as much of a mystery to me as Luffy and Law’s is to them. (I still think it might be Shanks.)

I love it when Oda takes time to set his arcs within a wider context. Even more so now. It’s especially relevant here, given the recent emphasis on the interconnected nature of the New World.

And speaking of connections...

Hello. Is it Caesar You’re Lookin For?

Once the contextualisation was out of the way, the action cut back to Sunny. At the end of 628, Doflamingo had finally picked up (after deliberately making Law wait to ramp up the tension. The theme of control is strong with this one).

Of course, Luffy had to formally introduce himself.

“HELLO. I AM LUFFY. I WILL BECOME PIRATE KING. OI, MINGO!” I love Luffy has already given him a nickname. “So you’re that idiot Caesar’s boss? That bastard hurt Brownbeard and the kids! We’ll give Caesar back since we promised but if he ever does anything like that again--” at this point Caesar himself was cringing hard in a corner “-- I’ll beat the crap out of you too!”

To his credit, Doflamingo did not rise to the bait. Sure, a few veins pop and he does questionable things when angered, but in negotiations, he remains cool as a cucumber.

“Strawhat... two years have passed since your brother died and you disappeared from the New World. Where were you and what were you doing?”

At that point, I never realised the significance of Doflamingo’s reference to Ace, so I just thought he was getting a, “Lol, ur brother is ded” dig in.

Of course, Luffy wouldn’t tell.

“I was hoping to run into you,” Doflamingo continued. “I’ve got something here that would make you drool.”

Since Luffy doesn’t do metaphors, he thought Doflamingo was talking about high-quality meats. To be fair, I had no idea what Doflamingo had up his sleeve at that point, so it could have been high-quality meats for all I knew.

Law was annoyed that Luffy had given Doflamingo the chance to control the conversation and snatched the DDM.

“Joker, we will hand over Caesar as promised.”

Doflamingo is not dumb, though. “That’s wise. You know well what would happen to you if you backed out now. First thing’s first, though. I want to confirm that my vital business partner is safe.”

Law held up the receiver. Caesar scooted over.

“JOOOOOOOKEEEEEERRR, I’M SORRYYYYYYYYYYY! YOU LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF ME, BAWWWWWWW--”

And Doflamingo was like, “Yup. Sounds like he’s fine.” 

I lol’d at that. (Was that a lowkey burn from Doflamingo?)

Law continued to keep matters strictly business. “In eight hours we will be on Green Bit. We’ll drop off Caesar there. Pick him up yourself. We will make no further contact.”

“Awwww...” Doflamingo retorted. “And I wanted to have a drink with you now you’re all grown up--”

At that moment, Luffy decided the conversation was at an end.“JUST HANG UP ALREADY!” 

He cut the connection. The Strawhearts were left alone on deck to process what had just happened. Sanji was smart about a loophole Law had left in negotiations. Law had never specified how many people could accompany Doflamingo to pick up Caesar. Theoretically, Doflamingo could arrive with an army at his back.

Law wasn’t worried. The Caesar handover was just a distraction. (Rather bold of him to discuss this in front of Caesar himself, by the way.) Destroying the Smile factory was the real mission. The only issue? Law has no info on the factory. I’m assuming they’ll have to infiltrate Dressrosa and locate the place.

Luffy was like, “You ever been to Dress Roba?” (Lmao, I’m sure he’ll get the name right eventually.)

Interestingly, Law said he had never been! There go my theories of Law growing up in Dressrosa and working for Doflamingo. :(

He definitely hates Doflamingo, though. His reasons for not stepping foot on Dressrosa? “He is king of that land.” Something has gone on between them in the past. Doflamingo has known Law since he was a kid. So did Vergo. What is the connection here??

At any rate, Luffy was blase about the whole affair. Infiltrating hostile territory to find and destroy a factory that will cause shit to hit the fan and draw the ire of the entire New World? Yeah, let’s just make up a plan as we go!

For Law, who is a clever, patient and careful man, this was just too much.

As the Strawhats filed past him into the kitchen for sandwiches, he stared with the vacant expression of a man who has stared into the depths of the abyss and found Luffy’s grinning face staring back.

He snapped.

“I HATE BREAD!!”

Then you have have a gluten free wrap, Law. Chill. Everything’s going to be fine.

At least, I think.

In the kitchen, away from Caesar’s sensitive ears, they discussed where they would dock and other important initial steps of their master plan. Kinemon also revealed why he wanted to travel to Dressrosa.

Apparently, they had set out for a place called Zou but were shipwrecked. Only one of the other samurai reached the shore with Kinemon and Momo. Doflamingo’s people pursued them. Momo tried to slip unnoticed onto a ship but it unfortunately sailed straight for Punk Hazard. Their other companion, Kanjuuro, was taken prisoner.

Law was interested in the whole Zou thing, as he had planned to travel straight there to reunite with his crew (Yay! They’re okay!) after taking care of business in Dressrosa.

Luffy was like, “EXCELLENT! WE’LL GO TO ZOU, THEN TO WANO KINGDOM. I WILL SAVE YOUR COMPANION TOO!”

And Brook randomly farted right in the middle of it, lmao.

There’s a Starman, Waiting in the Sky

And while Luffy and Law were busy making plans for Nigel, an Important Meeting was taking place at Marineford.

A grave Marine called Brannew took the podium in front of a room full of serious-looking, high-rankers (Brannew, get it? He’s a Brannew Marine to the story, ahahaha.) 

“As you all know,” he announced, “there are only seven Shichibukai. They are pirates who have been given permission to plunder by the World Government. In return, they grant us overwhelming power and prestige. Their allegiance to the World Government instills fear in pirates around the world.”

A line up of the more recent Famous Faces flashed across the screen.

Mihawk, Kuma, Hancock, Law, Donquixote Doflamingo, “The Celestial Yaksha” (I have yet to google that to find out what it means) and a newcomer.

Who was this newcomer?

He is the man who rapidly grew strength over the past two years. Commander of the Pirate Dispatchment Org and Living Legend: THE STAR CLOWN BUGGY!!

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!

Of course it could be no one else that Buggy! Who else would have such INCREDIBLE, BEWILDERING LUCK!

Even Buggy admitted he was totally winging it. “It’s not like I asked for this. The World Government kept bugging me so I had no choice. That said, this is only a rung on the ladder. I’m moving up in the world now. In a few years, I’ll be a Yonko.”

And you know what?

I believe it.

Only Buggy would be able to become a Shichibukai by accident. Why not a Yonko too? The World Government must be pretty desperate to fill spare seats if they asked Buggy. 

The serious Marine also spoke of the grave situation surrounding Doflamingo’s sudden resignation. Law’s activity and alliance with Luffy is under suspicion. Depending on what he does next, Law may be stripped of his title too.

Akainu agreed. “We cannot allow Law and Strawhat to do as they please. Smoker from G5 sent me a rather annoying message yesterday. We should observe the situation for another day. I have dispatched Fujitora.”

A couple of things.

Did Smoker send Akainu a message from Kuzan? Is that why the message was “annoying”? Maybe it’s both inconvenient (bad news) and annoying (it came from his old rival).

Who is Fujitora? A new Marine villain, high on Justice? I can but hope.

At any rate, the Marines are also on the move and are watching events in Dressrosa closely. This is good. The more conflict, the better!

You Magnificent Bastard

Meanwhile, in sunny Dressrosa, Doflamingo was also cooking up plans and future conflicts of his own.

In his palace, Doflamingo sauntered down a long corridor and entered a room with four high-backed chairs carved into card suits. As he is the Joker, I’m guessing Doflamingo has a theme going.

He apologised for keeping the others waiting. We only met two of the suit card squad. Diamante and Trebol. Trebol occupies the Clubs suite chair and is creepy. He does not understand personal space bubbles (even with Doflamingo) and he keeps insisting Baby 5 wants to marry him (creepy). His Devil Fruit power is also slightly gross (he blorts everywhere) and he has a perpetual hang snot. Not my kind of villain.

Diamante is at least funny. Example:

Doffy: “The colosseum is as popular as ever. That is thanks to you, Diamante.” Diamante: “Not at all, Doffy.” (I love that they call him Doffy.) “This is due to your charisma as king.” Doffy: “No, it’s because of your talent.” Diamante: “Oh, stop talking like I’m some hero of the colosseum.” Doffy: “But you are.” Diamante: “You exaggerate!” Doffy: “Fine, you’re not.” Diamante: “OKAY. IF YOU INSIST. I AM INDEED THE HERO RAAAARRR!”

Lmao.

That was weirdly humanizing. I get that Doflamingo is the villain here and he has no qualms over sacrificing his people if it needs to happen, but he knows these guys pretty well and gets on with them. Maybe it’s successfully manipulating them, sure, but the man still has social skillz.

Once the comedy moment with Diamante was over, Doflamingo asked Trebol to bring forth the Important Thing.

Trebol handed Doflamingo a mysterious box. “This is sure to pique Strawhat’s interest,” he said. “Their alliance can very easily become a disadvantage to them. I will entrust this super important box to you, Diamante.”

After some funny reverse psychology back and forth, Diamante agreed.

Then Doflamingo made the Big Reveal. The Big, Glowing, Shiny Reveal.

When he said he had something that interested Luffy, he wasn’t lying.

But it wasn’t high-quality meat.

He has Ace’s fruit.

And he is going to use it as leverage to break up Luffy and Law’s alliance.

What a magnificent bastard.

Law was attacked by a pack of wild loaves in his youth. He’s never been the same since.

[kiruuuuu]

Smoke/Mute oneshot in which, as usual, utter chaos happens and I attempt an explanation as to where these pink Siege skins came from. (Rating M, crack + some sexiness going on, ~2.7k words) - written for @glockchen​ who asked me to write anything about these skins and I could never say no to you ♥♥♥

.

It starts with a simple drawing.

As it’s a perfectly normal morning in Hereford, the canteen, including the kitchen, is in complete and utter chaos: Caveira has followed through with her threat of disgustedly pouring what she calls bleached bullshit (also known as refined sugar) into Dokkaebi’s collar because the Korean woman forgot to buy ‘proper’ sugar, sparking a small war in their corner of the room, Blitz is currently burning the third batch of eggs and looking to his boyfriend for approval (and Rook reacts with a pained smile), and Bandit is surreptitiously trying to trip everyone walking past while pretending to be an angel in Montagne’s direction.

Mute and Smoke are sitting somewhere in the middle of all this, only half listening to Sledge’s tired mantra of they’re all adults they can clean up after themselves don’t get up let them make their own mistakes and learn.

“Gargle is such a typical, ugly English word”, Maestro muses and feeds the Scotsman a bite of his cheesecake because who needs breakfast food when there’s cake. “It’s onomatopoeic, agreed, but if the love of my life told me ‘I just gargled with maple syrup’ I wouldn’t care how sweet the kisses were because it’d be the same as if I proclaimed myself to be moist. Ugh.”

“I dunno, it can be pretty romantic”, Smoke shrugs and surreptitiously rolls his eyes at Mute – it’s clear why, the two lovebirds next to them are once again wholly lost in each other. “I sometimes gargle with Mark’s come and he never complains.”

Sledge chokes on the cheesecake and looks like he’s about to protest the mention of bodily fluids while he’s eating (and Mute gets ready to retaliate by pointing out the bright purple lovebites peeking over the Scot’s collar as well as the faint bruises on Maestro’s neck), when there’s a sudden, dramatic entrance. The door flies open and in strides Tachanka, head held high, stance proud and a fond smile on his lips.

Most of the ruckus dies down over the abrupt change in mood as the Russian makes a beeline for the fridge, carefully stepping over Bandit’s outstretched foot, avoiding the two flailing women and ignoring the sharp smell emanating from the stove. Now Mute notices the piece of paper in Tachanka's hand which he unfolds and then pins to the fridge door with a few magnets. From this distance, all Mute can see is a whole lot of pink.

Seeing as most pairs of eyes are glued to the old man by now, Tachanka grins and addresses the room with his booming voice: “If you ever ask yourself why the hell you’re still here – this is why.”

Curious, Mute leaves the quiet argument of what constitutes as revolting behind and joins the small crowd gathering around Tachanka, catching a better look of what seems to be a child’s drawing. It’s hard to make out at first as more than half of it is just a mix of different shades of pink, but eventually he identifies it as Tachanka himself holding what looks like a little girl, only his uniform has been recoloured from his usual olive and he’s displaying a horn as well as a mane and even a tail.

If he’s honest, it’s adorable. He knows the story, Glaz told it with a sheepish Tachanka modestly brushing him off but smiling appreciatively anyway: on their last mission, the old man heroically rescued a girl and made sure to carry her to safety and even reunite her with her parents. Judging by Tachanka's expression, it’s one of the most touching fan letters he’s received and he’s immensely proud, as he should be.

At least until Blackbeard steps up and snorts at the display. “Not at all your colour, I’m sorry to say, this looks like the gayest version of you”, he points out. “Absolutely ridiculous.”

“Says the guy with the man bun”, Pulse shoots back immediately.

“Is that bold-faced envy I hear? At least I have hair, Jack.”

“Yes. Too much of it. I’m just waiting for you to start stealing Sébastien’s plaid shirts.”

“I am comfortable enough in my masculinity to experiment with non-traditional looks, thank you very much. When’s the last time you changed anything about your appearance? I’ve seen your driver’s license. The only new thing about you are your wrinkles.”

Mute considers texting Smoke to stop demonstrating his ability to shove an entire piece of cake into his mouth and instead witness this rare American-on-American smackdown but forgets all about it when Tachanka, who’s been listening with a decidedly unimpressed scowl, chimes in: “You call yourself confident but mock this gift I got? Just because it’s pink?”

Belatedly, Blackbeard realises his mistake of potentially angering Tachanka of all people and tries to backtrack. “Well, I mean – only because you’d look silly wearing it. The picture is cute, but you in a pink uniform -”

“What’s wrong with a pink uniform?”

“It’s not really – it’s too visible, and you in pink is just laughable.”

“What’s wrong with me in a pink uniform?”

Mute is failing to suppress a grin by now. While Tachanka sounds perfectly calm and pleasant, Blackbeard is getting more and more flustered by the second. “It’s not a manly colour. You agree with me on that, right? You’d look stupid.”

“Pink used to be a boy’s colour, you know. A softer red, in a way. I think it’d suit you, it’d go with your hair.”

“I’d rather drop dead than be caught wearing something like this”, Blackbeard mutters and then wisely retreats before Tachanka's good mood dissolves into something else.

Amused, the Russian turns to Mute and mirrors his grin. “Confident in his masculinity, hm?”, he repeats doubtfully.

“We can actually make a pink uniform for you”, Mute suggests, causing Tachanka to perk up. “James has dyed clothes before.”

“Would you? I’m beginning to like the idea more and more. I can wear it during training and dazzle everyone.”

“I’ll even do you one better. Just wait a few days.” The two of them nod at each other and Mute returns to his table where Maestro is currently praising the soothing quality of green tea for an upset stomach. “James, I know what we’re going to do today”, he announces with a glint in his eye.

.

“Are you sure these are the correct measurements?”, Smoke complains for the nth time around the needles between his lips. Doubtfully, he holds up the patterned trousers and frowns at them, visibly dissatisfied. “They look too short, babe. They look like they’d fit me.”

Odd, isn’t it?, Mute thinks and bites his cheek until he trusts himself to reply without sounding highly entertained. “Those are definitely the correct measurements, I’m sure.”

“I bet you’re bloody grateful I can sew or else you’d still be watching Youtube tutorials.”

“I’m glad your mum made you fix the clothes you ripped on the daily, yes. Teaches you about the value of your time.”

“Teaches me not to buy expensive garb, more like. How’s your unicorn coming along?”

Mute takes a moment to inspect his work. After airbrushing one of Tachanka's helmets a lovely shade of pink, he started to add a few more personal touches he expects the Russian to enjoy: a pair of bear ears which Bandit owned – and no, Mute didn’t ask for details –, an actual unicorn horn he improvised out of a few available materials plus a mane made from faux fur which Frost generously donated once she caught wind of their project. He’s currently gluing letters onto the monstrosity since the rainbow he added for good measure has dried already. All in all, it’s solid work and he’s happy with it. If this doesn’t make Tachanka's teammates question some of what they thought they knew about him, then nothing will.

“See, I get why we’re making two of these abominations, babe, even if you haven’t told me the reason outright”, Smoke murmurs more to himself than directed at Mute, “but why three? Did anyone else want one? Are we gifting one to Dom? You know he’d wear it, especially with this sexy leopard print. Christ, we’re not giving the old man the leopard, are we? Because I’m sure he’d say something like ‘I have the underwear to match it’ and thank you, now we’ll need some brain bleach.”

“He’s not the only one I know who’d have matching knickers”, Mute states drily. “And Dom isn’t the only one I know who’d wear this.”

Smoke stops messing with the hem and throws him a deeply distrustful look. “Babe. Are you serious?”

“I have the perfect ears to go with it too.”

His quiet statement makes his lover’s brows rise. “They’re for me, aren’t they.” It’s not a question and so Mute doesn’t answer. “Really though – are you taking the piss or does the thought of me wearing this stuff actually turn you on?” Mute steadfastly refuses to respond and instead focuses on lining up the letters playfully. Maybe he could add glitter, yes, in any case he needs to not think about Smoke in a leopard print uniform, absolutely not squirming on his lap, the rappel harness flattering his thighs and soft mewls -

The rustling of clothes catches his attention and when he looks up, Smoke is half naked already. “What are you doing?”

“Trying it on, what does it look like? You want me to wear this, so I will.” He pulls on the finished pieces of his uniform and poses only partly jokingly. His arse looks amazing and Mute forgets how breathing works for a moment, resisting the urge to reach out and cop a feel because then they’ll never get it all done. “Bloody hell, this is tight.”

“Yeah”, Mute agrees distractedly and openly disregards the concept of eye contact entirely in favour of ogling other body parts, “like I said: definitely the correct measurements.”

Grinning, Smoke walks over to where he’s sitting and buries a hand in Mute’s hair to drag his head forward and smush his face into his exceedingly prominent bulge, ignoring the slight resistance and massaging Mute’s scalp once he’s started mouthing at the growing erection rubbing against his cheek. “Why don’t you get the ears, babe?”, Smoke hums and seems not at all perturbed by his unusual attire.

.

A few days later, Mute stands outside of Blackbeard's room, taking a deep breath and checking the time again. The American’s daily schedule is rigid and thus he’s been asleep for more than an hour at this point, not at all disturbed by the commotion outside of the base. They invited everyone interested, distributed beverages and promised a show, meaning there’s a sizeable crowd outside waiting for the main event to happen – whatever it’s supposed to entail.

Tachanka's uniform garnered a lot of approval, and Mute was especially proud to hear almost everyone complimenting his admittedly fabulous helmet, but the real treat hasn’t even surfaced yet.

Once he deems himself ready, he barges into the room and starts shaking Blackbeard awake rudely. “Get up, Jenson, come on, we need you, there’s a situation.” He does his best to appear urgent, and to his credit, Blackbeard is up on his feet before he’s even processed anything that’s going on. “Hostage taken in London, we need to fly out ASAP, get dressed and let’s go!”

He left the door open to let just enough light in for the American to not crash into his furniture as he stumbles about the room, getting dressed and mumbling something incoherent. Mute leaves him no time to think, talking rapidly out of his arse and ushering him out of the room and down the corridor. Blearily, Blackbeard allows himself to be manhandled and merely responds with a few grunts, but once they’re outside and in the middle of the sizeable gathering, he realises that something is off.

Being greeted with cheers, Blackbeard looks around in confusion until his gaze lands on Tachanka toasting him with a can of beer. “The fuck are you wearing?”, he asks and eyes the unicorn helmet in disbelief.

“The fuck are you wearing?”, Tachanka shoots back good-naturedly.

Finally, Blackbeard looks down at himself. He’s clad entirely in pink, mirroring the Russian perfectly. “What”, he says helplessly.

“I told you it’d go with your hair.”

And while the two start bickering immediately, with Blackbeard pompously proclaiming his intent to undress this instant and Tachanka amusedly egging him on, much to the audience’s delight, Mute feels a tug on his sleeve, turns around and mutters a curse under his breath. “I told you not to wear this outside”, he hisses and tries his best not to glance down at Smoke’s dangerously tight trousers.

He’s wearing the full outfit sans mask, and the cat ears which allegedly pick up on brain activity and move accordingly are perked up in excitement. Smoke was amazed by them the first time he put them on and refused to take them off for an entire evening – and admittedly, Mute’s heart melted a little every time Smoke looked over at him and the ears shot up instantly.

Right now, however, his heart isn’t the body part most touched by Smoke’s appearance.

“I’ve been a naughty kitty”, Smoke purrs and begins wrapping himself around the taller man, “you should punish me.”

And while the whole thing in itself has nothing erotic about it, it achieves the desired effect nonetheless as Mute is overcome by the sudden urge to stuff Smoke’s mouth.

Before he can act on it though, Bandit appears by their side, ignoring Blackbeard's repeated insistences that while pink is apparently a feminine colour, there’s nothing wrong with femininity, it’s just not for him (and Tachanka merely lets him talk with a partly disbelieving, partly entertained smile). “Have you seen Gilles? I don’t know where he is.”

“He said something like ‘I have one of these’ when he saw Chanka and then disappeared”, Smoke informs him helpfully and receives a concerned frown. “No idea what he was on about but he seemed excited.”

“Well, he better not be -”

Bandit trails off in horror and neglects to shut his mouth, so Mute and Smoke follow his line of sight while most of the noise around them dies down as well. It quickly becomes clear why: Montagne’s standing in the doorway to the base, wearing – well. What is he wearing?

Only on the second glance does Mute discern the butterfly pattern, noticing that it even continues over his balaclava, harmonises well with the hot pink helmet and – are those feelers?

Montagne catches sight of Smoke’s attire and nods approvingly. “That’s… a choice”, he states. “Maybe a little too racy but I don’t dislike it.”

“What do you think is going on here?”, Bandit addresses him weakly and looks torn between wanting the ground to swallow him whole and wanting the ground to swallow Montagne.

Now the Frenchman seems to be questioning himself, expression turning sheepish. “Isn’t this… these aren’t designs for breast cancer awareness? I thought -”

“See! That would be the only acceptable occasion for a man to ever wear pink!”, Blackbeard tells Tachanka triumphantly while pointing almost accusingly at Montagne, sparking yet another discussion now involving most of the people present.

“Does it look bad?”, Montagne wants to know sadly and only cheers up once Bandit has walked over to reassure him and started to play with his antennae – Mute can only imagine the amount of willpower it takes for Bandit not to make a thousand inappropriate and/or sarcastic jokes at once.

Not that he’s in a much better situation, seeing as Smoke is attempting to seductively meow in his direction. Sighing, he grabs Smoke’s wrist and drags him along. “You look hot but please never pretend to be a cat again. Promise me, James.”

“If I do, am I allowed to wear this on a mission?”

Smoke’s bright smile is going to be his doom one day, he knows this. He predicts quite a lot of arguing about the use of this particular outfit but can’t really say that he minds, not when they do most of their fighting in bed.

And maybe he’ll tell Smoke to put the mask on this time as well.

[thetrlckst3r]

Lol bondage

Pairing: Vigil/Blackbeard. Word count: 1475. Rating: Explicit

It had been a few weeks since Vigil was in the base. He was on a long term mission, sent in to scout out an enemy residence to see if Rainbow could infiltrate in anyway.

It was the type of mission that caused everyone’s hair to stand on end. Always wondering if he would call in that day, wondering if his line would go silent and never hear anything of him again.

But he was okay, nothing had happened to him. Came out unscathed, no bruises or wounds in sight. It delighted the base to hear that he’ll be coming back within the day.

Especially delighted his lover, Blackbeard, who was the worst worrier about the whole situation. Yeah, Vigil was used to these types of missions, this is what he was recruited for. Stealth was his specialty, yet Blackbeard never ceased worrying over every little thing.

Now he didn’t.

After some lengthy hours of information telling, drawn maps and pictures, Vigil was free to go off and take care of himself. A shower was what was needed, along with a change of clothes. And general isolation from the others. He’s had his fill of being asked questions, had enough of interaction.

He really only wanted one person. That person managed to read his mind and knocked on the door.

“Kyung?” The question rang through the door before it was opened. “I’m here.” A simple response. The American slipped into the room, closing the door gently behind him. It was also locked, just in case.

The shower Vigil wanted had to be out on hold, since Blackbeard had different plans. There wasn’t much talking, since they both knew what the other wanted.

Lips met lips, bodies pressed up against each other. It was needy touching, hands running the length of the other’s skin, every part they could reach.

“I missed you.” Kyung muttered softly when he pulled away to get air. A nod was the response, along with “I missed you, too.”

Gentle pushing. Craig led Kyung backwards, the back of knees hitting and buckling against the edge of the mattress. Surprised gasping, but it was quickly suppressed. The Korean male fell back against the bed, pushing himself backwards to make more room for the other man.

A hand roamed between Kyung’s legs, pulling up a low sigh. “Seems you missed me more than you let on to.” Craig was talking about the very obvious hard on that Kyung had, can’t hide it. “Why wouldn’t I? I missed every touch.”

A knowing smirk, “I knew you would.”

Shirts were discarded, which Craig took a full advantage of. Lips trailed down Kyung’s neck, down his chest, and on to his stomach. The Korean was already lying back, being his usual loud self and letting out gasps and moans to every touch. Craig knew this, so he purposely went for more sensitive spots to drag more sounds out.

It was his favorite thing to do.

Kyung was always the squirming type, noticeable by his constant moving against every touch, hands going everywhere. Rubbing against the mattress, any available skin Craig had, anything.

There was a pretty easy solution to that. The belt Craig had on was removed and quickly tightened it around Kyung’s wrists. “Been wanting to try this for a while.” A wild grin as he pushed the Korean’s hands above his head. A bright red flushed across his cheeks. “Because I move too much?” A shrug, “that and I thought you would look like this. Turns out I was right.”

A whine, all Kyung could do was gently push against it. Didn’t really do anything, since his movement his limited to his hips and legs. Craig saw this, which brought a proud grin to his lips.

“Under all my control, now.” While he spoke, he slowly unbuttoned Kyung’s jeans and pulled them down. Once pulled all the way off, next came his underwear. The clothes were also thrown to the side, lost for the moment. His own jeans were taken off, tossed off. Craig leaned over to search the drawers for the essential lube.

It was found, good. The lid was popped open, some poured out on to his fingers. Wet fingers gently pressed against Kyung’s entrance, which earned more whines and gasps. One finger was added, unmoving to get him comfortable. Hips moved against it, clearly already pretty comfortable with it. A second was added, this one earned a loud moan, back arching up.

The bonds on his hands only warranted him to move other parts of his body. Gentle scissoring in order to stretch Kyung out, make it easier for them both.

It also made Chul Kyung exasperated and needy for more. But he was too squirmy, so Craig had a new idea. Fingers were removed and Kyung was flipped over to be on his stomach instead. It was met with a defiant groan, but that was changed when Craig put his fingers back.

Can’t be so squirmy when he’s stuck on his stomach, can he? Breathy moans, shut eyes. Fingers dug into the pillow, “please. You’ve teased me enough..”

“Now that you’ve said something, I might just keep doing this.” Craig grabbed at Kyung’s ass, drawing out a longer moan. Fingers dug into the flesh, putting bruises in the olive skin. The American leaned across, pressing his chest up against Kyung’s back. Lips pressed against his ear, “but I’ll let you have what you want.”

Craig pulled his fingers out, using them to lube up his own cock. More lube was poured out before the bottle was left off to the side. Gently, he pushed himself inside. Heavy gasps and even louder moans. The belt around his wrists prohibited him from doing much, making it hard for him to keep himself under some control.

Soon enough, Craig bottomed out. He stayed unmoving to get Kyung used to him. “Please... please.”

That was a good indication that Craig could move. Kyung wouldn’t say anything, so this was as good as it got. Little hip movements, gently pulling himself out and pushing back in. Quiet moans, quick intakes of breaths at the movement.

Wrists rubbed against the leather belt, pulling on it. It came with whining, he didn’t like being so restrained. But... he could deal with it. Besides, he still had his legs to move. The slow movements were torture, he needed more. So, he pushed his hips against Craig, a moan following it. More friction, he wanted more friction.

Hips snapped against the pressure, nails digging back into Kyung’s ass. “Can’t even be patient, can you? So needy for my dick, aren’t you.” Instead of making the Korean wait any longer, Craig started to move his hips quicker and adding more friction between them.

Broken moans, eyes squeezing shut. “A-ah..!” Biting down on his own lip was the only way to actually get him to be quiet for once. Craig has picked up a fast but steady pace, one that easily drew out moans despite how hard he tried to repress it.

“Come on, be loud. Don’t be so quiet, let me hear you clearly.” Craig liked it when Kyung was loud, he didn’t like it when the other fought back against it. “Who cares who hears us? Let them know how much of a whore you are for me.”

Another snap of his hips, a cry out, not one of pain. A mutter from Kyung.

“What? Don’t be so quiet.”

“Please... please touch me..”

Oh, yeah. Vigil himself has been neglected in his own needs. Mostly it was the fact that his own cock was painfully erect, being untouched caused him to feel uncomfortable. Didn’t take long for Craig to wrap his fingers around Kyung, moving in sync with his hips. Caused louder moans, ones that sounded more... content.

“Oh god... you feel so good inside of me...” Breathy words. Low groans as he reached his edge. “Craig... Craig, I’m going to-“ Words were cut off by a moan, Craig’s finger ran over the head. That did it for him. Abdomen rippled with his orgasm, eyes rolling into the back of his head. Mouth hung open, broken moans escaped. Now all he could do was let his body slump forward in his exhaustion.

All Craig had to do was chase his own orgasm. Groans, huffing. Kyung just had one more request, “come in me.”

That was easy. Didn’t take much longer until Craig came, body leaning over Kyung’s with a heavy set moan.

Now they just fell into a messy sound of breathing, chests heaving up and down. Kyung was the first to speak, “I love you... so much.” It was followed by a breathy laugh.

Pulling out, Craig fell beside Kyung. “I love you, too. If that wasn’t obvious enough.” A genuine laugh from the Korean, “Yeah, it’s pretty obvious.”