#ic: footprints in the sand

[pirateshelby]

At least it’s storming the night they make her walk the plank.

It’s a silly thought, really: if anything, the storm only makes being thrown overboard more dangerous, makes it easier to be sucked beneath the waves and drown. The winds wail so loud that Shelby can barely hear her crewmates’ jeers and final words above them, blow so hard she thinks for a moment they’ll tip her over the edge prematurely. But despite the chaos and the terror, Shelby comes to appreciate the storm’s presence. Storms, after all, are great at hiding things, like the way her voice shakes when she addresses her (former) crew, or the tears that track down her cheeks beneath the lancing rain.

And when she survives the fall, survives the currents and the saltwater in her lungs, and washes ashore on a sandy strip of shore, clothes torn and ruined and hair tousled and caked in sand, she realises that there’s something else the storm can hide: her ruined reputation.

You see, there’s a special kind of dishonour to being a disgraced pirate captain. It’s a dangerous mantle to carry. If people knew Shelby’s crew had mutinied against her? Well, it would be a disaster! So there’s really only one thing she can do: deny it had ever happened.

Her ship had simply wrecked, is all, caught in a storm. Her crewmates are lost at sea and she is ever so worried about them. That’s why she’s building this pirate cove, you see—in hopes that one day she’ll find them, and they’ll have a safe place to live. Yes. Definitely. She’s not hiding anything! Why would she be hiding something?

“I’m a fearsome pirate,” she tells the witch down the way. “People from all over are scared of me!” 

“Oh, yeah, I got lost in a storm,” she tells the pretty sun princess. “I nearly drowned! I’m okay now though. And I’m really worried about my crew and all, but hey—I met you! I wouldn’t have met you if not for the storm!”

“Mmhm, it was my nemesis, Captain Skeletron,” Shelby tells the lorekeeper in her crypt. “I lost our epic battle, but don’t worry! I’ll be back. I won’t let him win. I’ll rescue my crew from his terrible wrath!”

“Oh, yeah, I’ve done lots of piratey things! Like steal. And plunder. But don’t worry, I won’t steal and plunder from you!” Shelby crosses her fingers behind her back and smiles at the Keeper of Sanctuary. “We’re neighbours! I’d never.”

“Everything’s going to be fine,” Shelby whispers to herself, standing on the shores of the Eversea, the beginnings of a secret pirate cove beginning to rise behind her. “Nobody ever has to know.”

[somestorythoughts]

I just like that the snow helmets get painted too.

[tanadrin]

The Yana Culture was ancestral to the population from which both early Paleo-Indians and the Ancient North Siberians arose.

By “the builders of Stonehenge,” I mean the earliest builders, ca. 3100 BCE.

Note that the last language spoken by a Denisovan/Neanderthal or by a community of Denisovans/Neanderthals may not necessarily be a Denisovan/Neanderthal language—it may be a language of anatomically modern humans they adopted. (It will at any rate be about 40-50,000 years old).

[kaijuno]

About 22,000 to 23,000 years ago, an individual, most probably a young woman, undertook two perilous journeys separated by several hours, carrying a toddler at least once. It all happened at Lake Otero, a large Ice Age lake, the shore was teeming with wildlife such as mammoths, ground sloths, camels, dire wolves, American lions, and other extinct megafauna.

The trail they left behind, located in present-day White Sands National Park in New Mexico, spans 1.5 km and comprises over 400 human footprints, giving the oldest evidence of human presence in the Americas and reshaping our understanding of when the first humans arrived.

[wave2tyun]

summer flows

pairing: soobin x reader

genre: beach!au, friends to lovers, fluff!!<3

summary: when the waves come crashing forward on a hot summer day, soobin's love gets swept up and becomes unveiled ashore

warnings: none i think :0

word count: 2k

a/n: do you guys think i'll find soobin at the beach tomorrow??????!!!! be honest!!!!!😤😤😤 biggest thanks to my bestie @huekalover3000 for helping me pull through with it🤧🤧💞💞 to be honest i'm not so sure how i feel about this but let me just taking it as a win for kicking some writers block ass (also i read through this twice but if there's still some mistakes then ummmmm pretend you didn't see it until i wake up)

“do you need more ice?”

picking up the glass soobin was holding, you took a sip from the chewed-up straw before providing him with a verdict- the mojito that you had ordered barely minutes ago was now of a pale, yet still greenish color, with wet pieces of mint stuck to the walls of the glass like the slimy algae washed up on the shore. the alcohol had completely evaporated from sitting in such boiling heat, and the only flavor that your tongue could find a hint of anymore was lime, turned nastily sour.

“sure” you shrugged. even though your drink was already diluted past salvation, there was no way you’d pour your money down the drain just like that- after all, it had cost you an inadmissible twelve dollars; at least if it was a bit colder, then there might have been a higher chance you’d be able to leave the beach without feeling nauseous.

soobin scooped up the remnants of ice from the metal bucket, 3 pieces so small that they were the size of a pebble. he dunked two of them in your drink, the third one having slipped and fallen into the sand, yet neither of you could gather up the energy to say a word about it. to simply put it, the heat today had been unseasonably oppressive, downright unacceptable and even close to lethal. you’d believe that people’s first instinct would be to stay inside and seek the protection of a dimly lit room with an ac or fan turned on to the max- but soobin had somehow convinced you that walking twenty minutes to reach the beach through languid summer heat was the better option.

“how long has it been- shouldn’t we get going soon?” you asked, yet laid back down with your arms behind your head, closing your eyes.

with a tap on his phone’s screen, soobin looked at the time- it was six pm on the dot, marking a few good hours already since you came here. the overbearing sun was only now beginning to sink lower into the sea, painting golden hues over the beach as it prepared for sunset. with many families finding that as their cue to pack up and leave, the squeaks of children splashing around had also been significantly reduced. but soobin couldn’t bring himself to leave too just yet, this was, in his mind, the ideal time to stay.

“can’t we go swimming one last time? i promise we’ll leave right after that” he pleaded, hoping to stall for a bit more time here with you. given how many twists and turns you had to get through in order to find the place, he wasn’t so sure how willing you’d be to make the journey again.

so, in the end, he chose not to risk it- leaping from where his towel laid without an answer, and jumping straight into the cool water. it wasn’t quite in his nature to do something so impulsive though, and you could tell how flustered he was from the way he apologised with reddened ears to any people around he had accidentally splashed with water. with an amused yet defeated smile, you followed the footprints he left behind in the white sand at a much more leisurely pace than him- remaining on the shore, standing as you watched the tide lapping at your feet. the seafoam coming up shily touched your tiptoes, retracting its movements soon after.

“are you not gonna join me?” soobin asked, almost accusatory, tilting his head slightly as he swam closer towards you.

“still thinking about it” you teased, fighting back a laugh at the impatient sigh he had released.

since asking proved to be redundant, soobin proceeded with his plan B: throwing water in your direction- each time varying with a bit more intensity in his aim and deepening the stubborn frown between his eyebrows. much to his dismay though, you chose to give him no reaction, not appeasing to any of his continuous childish demands. his persistence wasn’t one to underestimate though- seeing that you still wouldn’t budge, he went on to take your hand in his, pulling your body past the edge of the sea and straight into the slightly deeper levels of the water. with the low temperature suddenly enveloping your body, an involuntary shriek made its way past your lips. 

“my hand slipped, sorry” soobin chuckled, unmistakable mischief hidden behind his brown eyes.

“my hand slipped” you scowled, sending droplets flying towards him in matching retaliation.

about to defend himself, soobin’s hand rose up, the motion turning you to close your eyes in anticipation, bracing yourself for another taste of saltwater. however, you found yourself clashing with his body instead as you were drawn in by him once more; one of his arms wrapped around your waist to catch you, helping you not lose your footing, the other one carefully protecting your head. with his torso not fully submerged in the water, and with the evening breeze beginning to flow, soobin’s chest felt cool against your back- but before you could properly process what was happening, a wave came crashing forward, sending the two of you tumbling in different directions beneath the surface of the sea. the moment he rose back up, soobin’s eyes shot wide open, ignoring the searing pain induced by the water as he worriedly looked around for your figure. squeezing your eyes shut and desperately rubbing at them with your hands, you were unable to even pry them open as soobin called out your name.

“are you okay?” he exclaimed, the concern having made his voice come out louder than he had intended.

“yeah but- fuck, it stings” you grumbled in frustration.

as a brief signal of having reached you, he softly placed a hand on your back before speaking: 

“wait right here, okay?”

even with the water slightly slowing down his movements, he walked in strides, trying to rush towards the shore. then, he grabbed his towel from the ground, hurriedly dusting off any clinging grains of sand with his hand. unscrewing the cap of his water bottle, he splashed a corner of the towel with it before returning towards you. careful not to let the material come in contact with the sea, he brought it up to your face, gently dabbing at the affected area in hopes to soothe your pain.

“better?” he asked in a shaky breath- relief washed over his face at the nod you gave in response.

“much better, yeah- thank you”

“come on, let’s get you back to the shore” he spoke gently, draping the same towel over your shoulders before leading you back, hand intertwined with his.

however, it was only momentarily relief soobin had felt- dusk was falling rapidly, and his shoulders tensed up again from the way he saw you continuing to shiver beside him on the sand, relentlessly rubbing at your bare arms and legs to hide away the goosebumps.

"still cold?" his hand gave yours a soft squeeze in concern; having been the one to suggest one last dip in the water, he now felt guilty seeing you shiver like this- perhaps he should have listened when you first suggested to leave. 

"let me warm you up a bit"

grabbing the left end of the towel, soobin slipped his body beneath the coral colored cloth, shuffling closer towards you to the point where your knees were touching. for you, that was already enough to make the air feel hotter again, but soobin went on, dragging his hand along your shoulders and across the expanse of your back in thoughtful, rhythmic motions. you nuzzled your body further into his, seeking his warmth, and for a little while longer, you remained just like that, holding each other close in silence. but as tranquil as the scenery may have been- the air hung heavy, it was a silence that begged to be broken, eyes moving from sand to stone, with fluttering gazes at your lips every so often.

“so…”

“so-”

with the same words escaping the both of you at once, you couldn’t help but laugh: “you can go first”

“oh i just-” soobin paused, blinking a few times before continuing “i wanted to thank you for coming here with me today”

“of course-” you lightly nudged him “you know i can’t say no to you”

soobin smiled lightly, then released a sigh. the stutter midway through his next words made you believe that they weren’t so much of an honest match to his thoughts.

“i’m ready to leave if you want to- just tell me”

absentmindedly, you traced shapes on a patch of sand in front, using a brittle piece of driftwood “i don’t mind staying here a bit longer” you mumbled “the view is pretty”

soobin’s eyes softened as he looked at you “you’re prettier” he said quietly, half-hoping that you wouldn’t be able to pick up his words.

the unexpected comment took you off guard- flustered, you continued to avoid his peering gaze. you decided to question him for confirmation, too unsure whether to take him seriously or not “what’s that supposed to mean?”

pink dusted soobin’s cheeks and his mouth froze slightly agape- rather than giving you an answer, he simply looked ahead at the sea, resting his head on his knees. before he could begin to overthink it, soobin felt your lips softly pressing against his cheek, followed by a low whisper.

“for calling me pretty”

unsure of where exactly this was all leading to, you backed away then turned your head, placing your focus on the distant calls of birds and the waves rhythm instead- trying to steady your throbbing heartbeat in full accordance to their pace. and you were slowly beginning to calm down- that was, until you felt soobin’s lips press against your temple. but they left your skin just as quickly as they had touched it- flustered by his own actions, now it was his turn to look the other way, avoiding your face.

‘what now?’ you thought to yourself, as if you were caught playing some game of chess. it felt like your entire friendship strongly weighed on your next move- no matter how you put it, there was no clear answer that came to mind. panic began to settle in when you saw soobin’s head begin to turn towards you again:

“are you sure about this?” you blurted out impulsively.

“i’ve always been sure about you” soobin spoke under his breath, voice whispering so sweetly into the gusting breeze. the way he smiled after that warmed your heart in a way the sun never could- that tenderness of his reflected onto his face so clearly, and even more so in his touch, as he leaned in to meet your lips, slowly closing the gap between the two of you: a short kiss- still too hesitant to continue with more than just a brush of his lips. soobin gently moved away, just enough to be able to look into your eyes again.

“should i stop?” he whispered, cupping your cheek. his thumb lightly trembled from nervousness as he caressed your skin.

“quite the opposite, actually-” you mumbled faintly, placing your own hand on top of his “do that again, please”

the kiss that followed was still almost as light as a feather- soobin built up the pace slowly yet diligently, but despite threading with so much care, his kisses soon became much more fervent, much needier. a hand dipped down to your waist to pull you closer, soft gasps and sighs escaping whenever your lips parted from one another. with a bit more self control, he pulled away once he was completely out of breath, and with his head falling down to your shoulder, he bashfully confessed:

“if we don’t leave now, i’m not sure if we’re ever getting out of here”

taglist: @huekalover3000 @maybabe00 @sunoooism @boba-beom @ujisworld @wave2vee

[riaki]

winner | satoru gojo x reader

"i hate you."

three words that destroyed the very world satoru had spent building with you for the past nine months. his footing gives way beneath his feet and he can feel himself slipping, scrambling for purchase on an icy slope while your cold words bite at him like an icy, bitter wind.

his world is collapsing. it hurts to think, and it hurts to look at you, and the way you're looking at him hurts. like he's chewed gum on the bottom of your shoe, mangled and ugly.

you've always been easy on his eyes. god, it normally never hurts to look at you. the burden of his cursed gaze feels a little lighter when the world around him is brighter and sweeter and softer because of your pretty smile. suguru eats sweets to wash away the taste of cursed spirits, and you're the eye candy that relieves the migraines behind satoru's six eyes.

at least, you were.

the hot summer sun beats down against the cement of the sidewalk; the streets blur and waver with shimmers of heat and the mirages of puddles on the road. the two of you stand to the side, shirt pinched between your fingers as you fan yourself to try to alleviate the heat on your skin, wondering why you decided to go out today.

tokyo is hot during the summer. the value of yen is lower than normal, so tourist season swings about like a tsunami, flooding the streets with families and travelers who explore on the trail of their wanderlust. shibuya is crowded and there are foreign footprints all over akihabara. the cute shop awning you're standing under reminds you of a beach umbrella, but the image of hot white sand and pristine crystal waters only makes you feel dizzier with the heat.

satoru is used to the summer heat, and the complaining that comes with it. it doesn't help that lately, it's all that suguru ever talks about. he's starting to think he should've bought a popsicle for his best friend, too.

but then you speak again, and he's immediately snapped back into reality like a slap to the face; your voice drips with venom, normally so sweet but there's poison in your veins, polluting your heart.

"i can't believe you won. of all people." you complained.

satoru gets under your skin like no other.

satoru looks down at his popsicle; a baby blue, soda-flavored. everything seems to come with a soda flavor. icy sweetness melts away, dripping down the wooden stick and sliding over his fingers, blue against his skin like veins of sugar. he rubs his forehead, scowling and squinting. the heat is giving him a headache; the popsicle helped, but your angry glares make him want to hide in the freezer box you both picked your lucky desserts from.

his popsticle stick has one word etched into it; when he looks over at yours, it's just smooth, tanned wood. no marks.

'winner'. that's what it says on satoru's popsicle stick. suddenly, the syrup feels as sweet as strawberry jam in his mouth and the sour look on your face makes it all the better. an unabashed, unbridled grin spreads across his lips stained blue, shit-eating and awful and it only makes you despise your boyfriend more.

so that’s what you’re so pissed at him for. he looks like the cheshire cat with white fur and shades. suddenly, his world is right as rain again and everything is brighter when you look at him like you want to rip his guts out and cook them on the burning hot sidewalk. ah, true love.

he opens his mouth to speak, swiping his soda-stained tongue over his lips, reveling in the way your jaw clenches in irritation as your ice pop melts in your hands under the searing summer heat.

“well, guess we know who’s side the gods are on today—”

“shut up.”

satoru just grins, leaning in and pushing the hair away from your face to press a quick, syrup-flavored smooch to your forehead. the heat clings to your skin, but the little imprint of his lips on your skin leave a cool, tingling feeling that has you smiling, even though you hate that he won and you didn’t.

satoru gets under your skin like no other, and finds his way to your heart.

my (riaki) stuff. don't repost and / or plagiarize !

[bitchimasnake-sss]

i had this idea for ace x reader id love to see😭 basically idk something along the lines of the reader being apart of the whitebeard pirates and ace having a crush on them/pining for them and they stop at some island to chill/celebrate or something and while partying later in the night reader tells ace he can kiss them if he catches them and after a bit of (playful) runing reader goes into the water at some beach and ace obviously cant follow bc of his devil fruit and yesh djdjjdhd idk how it would play out but lets say ace somehow ends up getting that kiss :3 you’re very much free to add to the story or change it!!

heheheh, this is so cute. i am an ACE TRUTHER FOR LIFE AAAAAAAH *rips my shirts and turns into a wolf* [i-ignore the fact that this has been a wip for about... 1.5 months now, im sorry. i will repent.]

❤️‍🔥hey! that's unfair! ft. portagas d. ace

set-up: as mentioned above by anon! playful banter, nicknames, chasing each other around. that's just part of being a crew, isn't it? okay, but what if your very attractive crewmate was running after you to kiss you? not very crew-mate-y of them, is it? warnings: NOT PROOFREAD CAUSE MY BAD, DUDE. nothing major cause i have wrote enough smut to last me a lifetime and i need a cleanse. contains playful banter/flirting, mentions of the asl brothers' past, "slut" as a joke. ace ughhh light me up. [my digital footprint goes crazy, but so does yours.] wc: 2.5k

"slut behaviour." your drawled out the words, nose scrunching up as you looked up at the man. your fingers drew patterns into the coarse sand, as the man above you barked out a laugh.

"huh?" ace's eyes widened, a boyish grin overtaking his features as the sun shone from behind him. the winds from the sea almost blew his hat off, and he put a hand on his head as he peered you down, "what did you say?"

"i'm just saying~" you shrugged, eyes squinted to make out his face under the harsh backlight, fingers still writing something into the sand.

"you're saying i'm the slut?" he plopped down next to you on the beach mat once he was done setting the beach umbrella. giving you the same unabashed grin, he popped his knuckles, "that's harsh, dude."

"i'm not the one walking around with my top off all the time!" you stuck your tongue out and ace scrunched his nose up. he was adorable. "hey, i've told you. i run hot, okay?"

he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively next, "i've always said, you can sleep with me and find out the truth."

an aggressive blush blossomed from the tip of your nose to your ears, and you instinctively pushed ace away, "is that offer only for me? or can marco uncover the truth, as well?"

his expression turned sour, eyes squinting as if he had the worst daydream a man has ever known, "tch, why would you even make me imagine that?"

"mhm." you grinned, shooing him with a flick of your nail, "now, go get me some ice-cream."

"mean." he muttered, but got up nonetheless.

you stared at the gentle waves, the scorching sun, the wet sand that changed with every little movement of the ocean. your eyes travelled to your far right where some of your crewmates drank cocktails and some of the younger ones ran around, chasing each other with faux grievances.

then, your gaze fell atop portagas d. ace.

pops ruffled his hair and the fire-fist grinned in return, talking about some nonsense that you were sure to enchant everyone who stood there. he had that effortless thing going on. he could smile and offer out his palm and the entire crew will chop off their hearts to give it to him. how pretty. i mean— er, how pretty fucking annoying!

huh?! a nauseating feeling built up in your stomach as you tried to shake down these thoughts. it was wrong, ace was just a crewmate!

a crewmate who made you laugh till you cried, someone who would come running to you with gossips, buy you souvenirs when he went to visit luffy. someone who was just a crewmate. so, you really shouldn't be thinking how he made your chest tighten or about the way his biceps flexed, or the way his eyes glinted under the sunlight or the way his smile was so—

"—here you go, princess." he shoved the orange popsicle in front of your nose and you broke out of your daze. he sat next to you under the cool shade of the beach umbrella, sucking on his own blue-colored popsicle.

"who're you calling princess?" you muttered before chomping down on the ice-lolly, "your shampoo for a year would cost half my salary if i got paid."

"mmph huh? you are so mean—" he spoke with the popsicle still in his mouth, and you flicked his forehead at how dumb he looked. he grinned and you made fun of how his pretty lips were painted a dull shade of blue.

the two of you sat there in the shade, occasionally looking over to where the crewmates played volleyball. it wasn't uncommon for the two of you to spend hours upon hours together. out of all the high ranking faction commanders, you two were the closest in age. he would often crash on your couch after a long day, and you would admire his annoying, freckled face. uh, no. what the fuck. knock it off. just a crewmate.

after a while, ace grew fidgety. fingers playing with the red beads of his necklace, mouth busy with the ice-cream stick, he asked you, "wanna play a game?"

"hm? sure." you slurped down the quickly melting ice-cream, "what is it?"

"it's called twenty questions." he balanced the small stick between his teeth, leaning back on his forearms. "luffy's navigator taught me the last time i visited them."

you hummed, "what do you do in that?"

"well, you ask twenty questions, genius." he laughed as you glared at him, and picked the ice-cream stick caught between his lips, "yeah, i figured that much out. i mean, that's it? just twenty questions."

"yeah." he nodded, eyeing the plucked wooden stick in your hands for a second before dragging his gaze up to yours. god, you were so pretty that some days ace wondered if he would go in overheating just by looking at you. probably not. but what if?

you flicked the stick away, turning towards him, "so, wanna play or what?"

turns out, ace is an absurd man. you found that out as you two were on your eighteenth question. the sun dipped below the horizon and the clouds reflected back myriad of shades, painting you and the man next to you in a thousand hues.

"huh?!" your eyes widened comically, words spluttering into a half-sob-half-laugh, "repeat that, please."

he nodded, repeating solemnly like he didn't hear himself, "i said if you had to fuck one warlord, who would it be?"

"jesus christ." your rubbed your temple, "i dunno, like mihawk? the emo thing kinda gets you going."

"tasteful choice, i agree. you think he's a vampire?" he brushed off the comment, shaking his head, "no, wait, we've seen him in the sunlight. wait, have we? anyways, your turn. ask away."

"well, i'll ask something normal." you hummed in deep thought before asking, "if you could have any devil fruit, which one would it be?"

"mine, obviously." he flashed you a cashmere smile, "somebody as hot as me must ofcourse have a hot power."

"you're cheesy as fuck," your lips puckered up as if you had something sour, "dumbass."

but marco called you both over to help set up the campfire. and so, you followed ace as you both got up to walk over to where the rest of the crew was. chatting, chugging bottles upon bottles of sake, and laughing about days long gone.

the sand got stuck between your toes, the wind blew your hair over and you could just watch awestruck as ace turned around, giving you a soft smile before tugging your wrist and running towards the crew.

"i'll fall!" you shrieked but followed him nonetheless. you would probably follow that man to the depths of hell, it seemed.

by the time you both were free, it was dark. the moon hung low, the sky lay exposed with millions of stars, the dying embers of the campfire still twinkling as ace sat down on a log next to you. the rest of the crew had either slept on each other or retired to their rooms, having drank down every inch of sake available.

"ugh," you groaned, "gotta restock in the next island."

ace laughed, and the sound was so soft. he sounded like a boy in a wrong reality, so young. "why are you so sad? didn't get any today?"

"as if i'd get any with those fuckers drowning anything that even barely resembled liquor." you grumbled, and the fiery boy could only stare at you for a second. taking in your barely illuminated form, the steady rise and fall of your chest, your eyes as you sighed and fluttered them shut, and your arms as you stretched them over your head.

you were adorable. and he was an idiot for fancying his own fucking crewmate.

he shook his head as if to gently pull himself away from staring at you too hard, and you turned to look at him strangely, "what?"

"n-nothing." the section commander muttered, choosing to look at the dying embers in front of him. blushing furiously, you chose to focus on the same welcome distraction.

you air grew thick with tension, the kind both of you got crushed under like bugs. so you cleared your throat, rubbing your palms together as you quipped up, "wanna finish that game?"

"yeah." ace mumbled, mindlessly copying your actions by running his palms against each other, "two more questions, right? you start."

mulling over his words for minute, you tipped your head back to gaze at the stars. you sighed, "if you weren't a pirate..." you paused, "then, what do you think, what kind of job would you have?"

he tipped his head back all the same, hand coming to rest a mere inches away from yours. the glowing charcoal casted a subtle glow against his toned chest, the metallic necklace shimmering against his skin. he finally spoke, "i don' know, really. just think i'll do everything to stay with my brothers. whether that's to become a thief, or to become a marine."

you slowly turned your face to look at the somber man next to you. portagas d. ace rarely got quiet. he was all high-spirits and boyish laughs, freckled nose scrunched up in mischief when he wasn't busy leading the whitebeards to victory. but whenever he got back from seeing luffy, there would be a certain gloom that clung onto his aching bones — the kind he tried to laugh away and hid behind bowls upon bowls of food.

you never understood why seeing his younger brother filled him to the brim with regret. after all, monkey d. luffy was all smiles and reckless punches, right? but one drunken night, he confessed to you about sabo. heavy words, forlorn eyes, a man racked up with guilt. no. a boy racked up with guilt over not being able to chase off death.

your fingers inched closer to his, and your pressed your soft palm against his hand. squeezing down slowly, you found yourself comforting the fire-fist without even as much as a single word.

now, the same man boy next to you cleared his throat, squeezing your soft hand right back. as he dragged his eyes from the night sky back to your face, he gave you an earnest smile, "but then, i would have never met you, and what a shame that would have been."

warmth blossomed from the tips of your fingers to the tip of your nose. what a bother. you huffed, trying to hide away anything that gave away your voracious heart, "you're so cheesy, ace."

"hah, only for you." he was all smiles. he snuck in a prolonged breath, "okay then... my turn, right? if you could join any other pirate crew which would it be?"

"aha, i know this!" you lit up, "your brother's."

"the strawhats?" ace looked genuinely surprised and you nodded, "i wanna see what kind of weirdo are you responsible for. up close."

"that's fair." he shrugged, "okay, last question. go."

"d- d'you think that some day..." you drawled on, fingers stilling against his warm skin, "that some day, we'd leave this place? retire, and do something else with our lives maybe. i don't know if i wanna still be running from marines when i'm all sagging skin and weak bones."

"do you wanna leave?" he asked softly, and you shook your head, "no. i love pops, obviously. but... like i said—"

"—you don't wanna be seventy and still with a bounty on your head?"

"maybe, yeah? if i live for that long, anyways."

"then, i suppose i would have no choice but to follow you. just promise me good food, and i'll come with." the man said it so easily, but he knew it with every inch of his heart. he would follow you to hell and back, if you ever let him.

"tch." you pulled your hand back to your chest, you palm still slightly warm from his body temperature, "what's gotten into you? stop flirting."

"okay, my last question. ready?" he spoke softly, gaze searching your face and studying the flush as you looked away from him.

portagas d. ace moved closer to you, his fingers gently taking your palm in his own slightly burnt ones, and interlocking them. he exhaled, eyes meeting yours, "if i kissed you right now, will you kill me? or will you kiss me back?"

what? your eyes instinctively moved to his pretty lips. soft, pink lips that you've daydreamed about too often in the past few days. should you lean in? or should you tease the man some more?

well, you've never been a saint, have you?

a smile tugged at your lips as you pulled at hand back to yourself again, "hm, i think i will kiss you back. but for that, you'd have to kiss me first."

and with that you took off.

"hUH?!" ace's voice shot up as you bolted away from him, and he chased after you without a second thought, "come back, oh my god."

the sand under you feet almost made you fall but you reached the sea before your crewmate could catch you. clothes growing heavy as they wetted, you moved inwards till you were submerged till your waist in the cold, oceanic water.

the water around you reflected the star-studded sky, and among them you looked like an ethereal being. divine.

"hey!" ace yelled, a small pout on his lips, "that's unfair! come back!"

you found yourself giggling, "why?" you pouted back, "come get your kiss, ace."

"ugh, aren't you troublesome?" he groaned but a grin broke out on his face as he walked towards where you stood, each step drawing you two close. when he stood barely a meter away, his feet wobbled, "if i faint, you're gonna have to carry me back princess style, understand?"

"why? marco will save you, princess. hey, don't fall!" you teased, but ace wobbled again and the smile on your lips shriveled up into a frown. you found your feet moving to him. fighting the push of waves, you reached the man and supported his figure. hands on his toned torso, eyes staring up at him, concerned. "are you okay?"

he wrapped his strong arms against you and grinned like the devil itself. you found the muscles flexing against your wet clothes, gaze trained as he stared you down. what an asshole. he was pretending.

you glared at portagas d. ace, "you cheated."

"no, i didn't." his face titled downwards expectantly, hot breath fanning your nose, "i just tried to get what was rightfully mine."

"and what's that?" you whispered up at him.

"this." his finger lifted your chin up and he pressed a soft, chaste kiss. his lips slotted against your, soft lips dancing against yours so gently. but then his grip on your chin tightened, and he pressed himself against you heavier.

hand tightening against your waist, chest flush against his and tongue passing your pretty lips. as ace pulled back, he smiled to himself. closed eyes, parted kiss-bitten lips and flushed nose and cheeks. what kind of forbidden alchemy were you? and how did he get so lucky?

"huh," you opened your eyes to catch his smile, "looks like you really do run warm."

and turns out he's not "just a crewmate" either. a day full of discoveries, it seems!

credits: @bucciniexe for the bby boy header! tagging: @help-i-lost-my-sock [i hope you genuinely like it!]; @chrollohearttags [ur tags on one of my ace fics were so funny, i had to tag you]; @tetsuskei [you told me ages ago to tag you in ace fics aaah :')] a/n: DROPPING TWO FICS IN TWO DAYS?! WHO AM I?1 omg i had so much fun writing this. don't tell anybody this, but i feel maybe my writing's block is slowly going away. yay! maybe i can upload consistently? who knows? anyways, ace has become one of my favs since i saw his greasy ass in alabasta and declared he's to be the father of my children [he's a 2d man, help].

[corkinavoid]

By the way, when ghosts and Ancients appear, should there be any visual effects and sensations? Like Frostbite? A drop in temperature? Surfaces becoming crusted with ice?

For example, a headcanon on Danny who is a cosmic Ancient, an eldritch, a cryptid, a ghostly entity. How would all of this affect him showing up next to a human?

Ooooh, that is a good question, I like it!

To start, yeah, I think there would be plenty of visual and sensory effects when Ancients appear in the living world. I actually think it goes for all the ghosts - you know, the eerie feelings and static and all that - but it's more noticeable with Ancients.

So, in my head, Frostbite makes the space around him colder, and he is always standing on a thin layer of snow. Like, it doesn't start snowing when he appears, but there's always this snow under his feet, so when he walks, you can hear his steps creaking over it. Imagine how that would feel on a silent summer night when you just feel the temperature drop and the steps coming from somewhere.

Next, Clockwork is pretty self-explanatory, he has time either stop or slow down around him. Pandora would have this weird feeling of thousands of eyes looking at you - like you are standing in a gladiator arena, and everyone's waiting for your next move. I feel like she could also bring sand with her in the same way Frostbite brings snow.

Vortex has winds blowing, little hurricanes forming and stuff just wildly flying around, and Dora has the temperature around her go up, actually. Standing next to her is like standing next to an open fire, and when she walks, she leaves burning footprints on the floor, only they are not human, they are dragon.

Nocturn brings night. Like, wherever you are, even if you summoned him at noon, when he appears, it's suddenly night, and everything is dark around you. He can also make people fall asleep if he is too close.

As for Danny, Ancient of Space, I feel like when he is present, everything becomes silent. Not eerily quiet, but kind of like the feeling you get in the absence of all sounds, like in space. Maybe there's also this weird, low hum of cosmos present. It also gets cold, like with Frostbite, but it's a different kind of cold. Comparatively, standing next to Frostbite is like standing in a walk-in freezer, when standing next to Danny feels cold on the brink of hot, like you're already experiencing hypothermia but there's no source where it's coming from. Also, with Frostbite, you can wear a coat and be fine. With Danny, you're going to feel the cold no matter the amount of clothes.

Also, his voice is getting distorted differently to other Ancients, but, errr, I think all the Ancients have different voices. Nocturn's voice is a lullaby, Clockwork's is a whisper, Pandora's is thousands voices in one. Danny, then, speaks like he has a very good radio overlay on his voice - it's perfectly clear, but you can still hear it's not a normal human voice.

I'm not sure if I mentioned all the Ancients, but that's as far as I got, so if you want me to add anyone, comment it <3

[10piecechickenmcnugget]

Okay i NEEEED to rant about Pogtopia because I know it was a ravine and shit but I need people to consider: lava caves

(all photos taken by me cause I explored one the other day and that’s where I got this idea)

Lava caves or lava tubes are HUGE super long caves that were carved out by literal lava flows and now just sit there and they’re cool as fuck

they’re cold as shit and the roof can vary from being dozens of feet above your head to being so low you have to crouch

there’s piles of rocks and ice formations and sand gardens and they are PITCH BLACK if you don’t have any lights and they paths can be crazy wide or super narrow and the ground is full of drop offs

ones that are made for people to explore have railings and stairs in certain places too and some even have built in lights or like the one I explored let you rent a flashlight

also a fun sidenote the ground is super hard packed sand full of holes from water dripping and it’s so hard packed that you don’t leave footprints (this would not help with Wilbur’s derealization)

anyways I think this would all work SUPER well for pogtopia cause cold/dark/shifting atmosphere/adding railings and pathways is already a thing in pogtopia

some more images that I yanked from google:

anyways PLEASEEEE consider spreading my vision Pogtopia lava cave/tubes for the win I’ve never been more right about anything in my life

[yuikomorihotline]

𝔖𝔞𝔩𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔰

Pairing: Shuu and Yui (Not shipping them)

Trigger warnings: Waterboarding, eye pains, sinister implications (excluding rape and sexual assault), not lovey dovey by any means.

Notes: I'm not used to writing Diaboys, so forgive me if Shuu's character seems extremely off. There may be mistakes, so my apologies in advance.

Word count: 1,504

Shuu disappeared somewhere and disappeared for the entire night and was no where to be found. Yui searched for him in his most frequented places, like his room, the couches, simply any nook he could fit his slender frame into.

At this point, she was worried that something had happened to him… Sure, she was very used to bumping into him at random points during the night, but she couldn't find him at all. Which was odd, because he'd simply demand blood, and be indifferent to her when she'd adjure him to cease his torments.

That kind of routine.

There was a quiet beach near the Sakamaki mansion, it was a little grim looking. But it had a small rockpool with dead crustaceans, still clinging to the edged rocks that would cause one a great discomfort if stepped on. There was a depressing lack of fauna, even seagulls never showed up.

Not even their cries could be heard.

Yui thought she'd check that beach, it was only a ten minute walk away, and since it wasn't necessarily running away or avoiding anyone, it should be fine… Right?

She'd deal with the consequences later, she just wanted to find Shuu.

It was the dead of night, and the tides at the beach were high. But the moon watching over the ink black waters was so calm and mysterious, the ice cold water looked thicker than blood and possessed a serene evil to it during this time.

Ice cold eyes and serenely cruel… That reminded her of Shuu.

Beautiful, large, and mysterious.

He was like the waves in a way, calm and low during the day, but seemingly on the hunt and significantly more active during the night.

"Shuu! Shuu, are you here?!"

Yui's voice was echoing off the cliffs and fluttering elsewhere, but she didn't think that was enough to wake up Shu, since she was convinced that he was sleeping.

The young lady went to walk into the darkness of the ocean… No specific reason, she just wanted to feel the soothing cold on her legs. Which were thankfully unwounded, otherwise the salt would've burned against the impurities.

She strolled with the ocean by her side, the salty water occasionally veiling her feet with the ink like substance. Yui's footprints were imprinted onto the rough sand, and she didn't look behind her to see if they vanished, because in a way, those footprints reminded her of how she (literally and figuratively) needed to watch her every step.

They'll simply fade at the movement of a tide.

Before she knew it, she stopped calling his name and was above knee deep in the black water, just walking across the long shore, basking in the windy night air and under the moon and stars' watchful light. She stood still, with the cold nipping and brushing against her sore neck pleasantly, staring at the horizon that seemed inexistent at night, the line between Heaven and Earth being perfectly welded together.

It was so beautiful.

Can't she just stay in the ocean forever and watch the Earth change its funeral veil to a wedding one? Night and day always seemed like that to Yui, like a bride turning into a widow. She didn't know herself why she made that analogy, but still, it seemed fitting.

The waves seemed angrier, like they didn't want an unworthy and meek human like herself to dirty it with her skin. They crashed against her slender legs, almost making her fall into the shallow waters, which would've made her laugh at her own ignorance.

She felt peaceful for the first time in years… If only she could turn into seafoam and simply be floated away by the furious tides. Melting into seafoam would be... Heavenly.

Oh right, she had to find Shuu.

"Shuu! Come on, this is no place to- Shuu?!"

She saw some bubbles ascending from the bottom of one of the shallow sectors of the shore, and widened her eyes.

"What are you doing in there?!", She gasped, and attempting to pull the very heavy male out, making her fall over many times.

She grunted and tried to drag him out of the ocean, despite him being nothing but uncooperative. Which obviously was very annoying for her. Shuu's depressingly dull eyes opened slightly, and he already looked unimpressed with her for dragging him out of what he wanted to be his 'watery grave'.

"Oh… it's you."

"Don't give me that, I was worried sick about you! You could've been hurt, or killed-"

Shuu just stared at her like she was the dumbest person in the entire stratosphere. The kind of look of judgement and disappointment that would make one question their self worth.

"Calm down...", Shuu huffed, while laying down on the wet sand and tucking his hands behind his head. "I hate this beach, I don't know why I even came here."

"Don't tell me that it's annoying for me to-"

"Exactly. You're not as dumb as you look."

Yui simply stared at Shuu in bewilderment.

He didn't even let me finish my sentences!

"You're always so predictable… Now go away and let me sleep."

Yui just stared at him blankly, completely annoyed with his lack of manners for her. Not even letting her finish her sentences, how churlish of him… She'd think that he'd be more of a gentleman, but she learned that she shouldn't even have expectations on manners when it comes to these guys. Reiji is polite but in his own Reiji way. Also known as being passive aggressive, almost like a salty old man.

Yui sighed and walked back into the ocean, she found Shuu so she really had little to worry about now. Yui could taste the salt of the ocean just by smelling it, the strong scent transferring from her nose to the back of her throat. It made her want to cough, but not badly.

I want to walk further…

She mindlessly walked further into the ocean, until she was up to her waist in ink.

It was so cold, and it made her teeth start to chatter because of the bad temperature drop. But it was fine, it was really nice, and Yui half expected to just turn into seafoam the second she turned her mind off.

It was hard to do that when she felt Shuu's piercing gaze on her. Honestly, she felt like a rabbit sometimes, an animal that has such an unpredictable existence. They either die horrifically or… She didn't want to think about it.

Then again, rabbits leave their burrows for their survival, so she wasn't completely perturbed by the concept.

"You're a pain, you know what?", Shu murmured, then pulling her by the back of her shirt, and dragging her back to shore while she's on her back, the grains from the sand and rocks stabbing into her.

"W-What do you think you're doing?!", She spluttered, her head was going under water occasionally and making it hard for her to breathe properly. Yui was gasping for air, and Shuu was choosing to move slower so he could teach her a lesson.

Yui could see the blur of the stars and moon through the water that seemed like it wanted to kill her and to assist Shuu with her suffering. Despite her eyes burning from a combination of salt and residue sand from movement, she still wanted to see the sky.

She felt such betrayal from something she found so beautiful.

A powerful aspect of the Earth whose Lord was the moon. Something completely out of the reach of the ocean, perhaps the high tides at night were the oceans trying to reach out to the moon. Perhaps its lost love. The celestial beauty of the stars, moon, and ocean should be out of Yui's reach because she'll end up wanting them more and more…

He smirked at her suffering, and was willing to take advantage of her inability to swim if he had to. Just in case if she didn't learn her lesson and in Shuu's mind, she was stupid so she could never learn from her undeserved punishments.

Shuu tossed her onto the sand, making her produce guttural coughs, and wiping her eyes from the burning of salt in eyes, making her sclera bloodshot and red.

"Why did you drag me out? You're really awful for denying me peace.", Shuu sighed, while smirking as if he had the devil's intentions.

Which he did, by the way.

He could've done anything to her, the most vile of atrocities, but he simply didn't feel like it. He was in a decent mood, and decent moods were what were in a way would decide whether she was to live or die.

Yui looked to her side, and saw that her footprints from earlier were no longer there on the sand.

How unfortunate.

[lifewtr]

EVERYTHING.

He came to nestled into sun-warmed sands, ocean lapping gently at his feet and jungle leaves casting shade across his face. A content sigh slipped past his lips. When had he last felt so calm, so well rested?

The sky was clear, and it met the sea in a blend of endless yonder. It was beautiful, he felt good. He never wanted to leave.

He stretched languidly, sat up, uncaring of the sand that stuck to his skin and latched onto his hair. He was thirsty, and he could see a stilted house in the distance, its shape hugging the curve of the shoreline. He wondered if the occupant might have lemonade, or perhaps a nice iced tea?

The walk over was as languid as his stretch had been. He stuck to the damp sand, enjoying the feeling of leaving his footprints; enjoying the feeling of cool waters at his ankles, rising over and over as if in welcome.

Wind kissed his cheek as he made it to the stairs of the rumah. He took the steps slowly, gaze snagged at a point across the wide, shaded porch.

On the far end, smack in the middle of a table for two, was a tall glass. Condensation glittered in the slant of morning sun, inviting. He blinked, bounded over with childish glee, and snatched the cup up with greedy hands. There was even a yellow straw bent into the cute shape of a star. Surely the drink was for him!

He hummed as he sipped it, pleasantly surprised to find that the tea was mixed with a healthy dash of citrus. Ice cubes bobbed downward as he drank, slices of lemon sinking along with them. It was delicious, and he wondered if he mixed lemonade with a cold cola if he’d achieve the same refreshing satisfaction.

The door of the cabin creaked open. He looked up from his drink, from where his arms rested along the table—when had he sat down?

Wind whispered across him again. The jungle was suddenly loud and alive around the house, treetops swaying merrily and birds suddenly singing.

Below, the tide picked up.

The door closed; his heart raced.

“Gojo-san?”

Oh, the tide was in his ears. “Nanami Kento,” he grinned, “as I live and breathe.”

Hazel eyes beheld him as if he were an apparition, a memory or perhaps even a ghost—and then the look was gone, replaced by a gleam of something wry. Acceptance. “Of course,” Kento muttered, “of course.”

[tmrwithyou13]

❆ winter - sunoo oneshot

word count: 1.7k | genre: angst, some fluff | sunoo x male!reader

✮⊹ ࣪ ˖ ‘ Seriously? ‘ I thought to myself. 

I sit up from bed, take a peek by the window, and sigh. I watched the snowflakes slowly fall from the foggy sky, piling up with the snow that was covering the ground like a blanket. 

I despise this gloomy and crispy weather. 

I had school today, so I had to force my freezing self to get up from bed and get ready for school. For fuck’s sake, I wish I was back in my hometown. My hometown was where I could feel the warm embrace of the summer, where I could see the kids chase each other at the beach, leaving footprints on the sand, and where I could see the sun celebrate and shine with the color of yellow. 

I finished brushing my teeth as I wiped my mouth, and then my face. I changed into my uniform as always and grabbed my bag that was hanging by my door. I couldn’t wait to go to school to see… him. 

– SCHOOL –

I open the door going to my classroom, and I’m greeted by my only friend who was hurdled up around my chair, how ridiculous. I love him for it.

“Took you long enough, Rain..” Sunoo scoffs.

I love it when you call my name.

“Oh shut up.” I smile “It’s snowing outside, and I hate it..” “You always seem to hate the snow. It’s the best season!” she chuckles after saying so.

When he did, I wanted to stop time just to see that smile. His name matched who he was. That’s how I described the summer. His smile was my sun. His presence is a warm embrace. Memories with him feel like footprints on the sand. I love you, Sunoo.

“Earth to Rain?” he flicks my forehead. I didn’t even realize I was dozing off like that.

“Right, right.” I look at the whiteboard, slightly embarrassed.

“We should go out later since it’s snowing. We should have a snow fight then go ice skating… maybe the park too?” He leans a bit closer with that smile.

How could I say no to that?“Fine,” I mumble. 

Talking with you made me realize I can never say no to you.

The teacher enters the room, and class begins. And now, I’m stuck in a wave of thoughts.

I’ve been carrying this fondness for him for as long as I can remember. And when I’m about to confess, something always stops me from doing so. When I look at his eyes, I see a reflection of myself and I look like an idiot. I’m a grumpy person. I wasn’t like the shiny and joyous person he was.

But I swear I will confess today. I won’t hold back, even if it means crying in front of you. 

The uneventful day at school ends. Finally - 

We walk out of the class alongside each other.

“Finally. I swear, one more word from Sir and I was going throw my desk at him…” I comment. I never even liked any of the teachers here at all.

“You’re so stubborn, Rain.” Sunoo pouts as we leave the school building. Thank god we weren’t assigned to clean the classroom..

I immediately change my face to a smug one. I hate this snow, really… It’s insufferable. I’m just not used to this. Sunoo, please change my mind after we hang out together.

We arrived at some place full of snow, kids were running around, even chasing each other.

How cute.

This scene reminds me of when I could watch the kids run after their friends by the beach. It was something I wanted to engrave in my mind since I wouldn’t be able to have that same feeling ever again. I miss my warm home. I feel nostalgic.

Sunoo suddenly grabs my wrist and runs through the snow with me behind him. He was laughing, and his eyes were smiling too. Even your eyes could smile, Sunoo.

“C'mon, don’t be such a party pooper and make a damn snowball.” He teases, as he forms a snowball in his hands

Oh shit.

Sunoo throws the snowball right at my face…“AH– ARE YOU FUCKING–” I get cut off by another snowball from Sunoo

“LANGUAGE, THERE’S KIDS!” Sunoo laughs, he runs in another direction, hiding behind a pile of snow

My eyes get irritated. Okay Sunoo, if that’s how you want to play it. 

I scoop some snow, and I try to make the biggest snowball that I can make with my bare hands. I hurriedly look for you amid the fog. Seriously?

I could hear you and some kids laughing, as another snowball was thrown at me by the legs. I quickly throw the snowball back at him.

I run to you, “Dammit, Sunoo... You’re so childish” I jokingly remark. The kids run away, laughing and chasing eachother as usual. I don’t even know who they are, but I assume you were friends with them. I kneel to you with my knees dug through the snow. He laughs harder, followed by my laugh. 

I didn’t want to stop laughing with you because I felt so content in this moment. I love this memory with you, so I’ll keep my heart open for it. I think I’m falling for you even more, I’m sorry.

I stand up and grab your arm, “Get up, you energetic thing.” I scoff after saying so.

He gets up, with a smile again. He really was a ray of sunshine. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips at the sight of you.

Snowball fighting with you made me realize how much I wanted to lay next to you every day.

“Okay, next stop! Ice skating!” He says with his hands on his hips. He looked like a superhero in that stance. Yes, you are my hero, Sunoo. 

We stopped by the Ice Skating rink, there were professional ice skaters and I felt so intimidated by it.. They were so flawless and perfect with it, so elegant. Like a swan. 

He enters the rink, with a polar bear for support. The struggle was visible… this will be a problem for both of us. 

“Well..” He mumbles

“Well?” I scoff as the white breath comes out of my mouth.

“Just hold on to that polar bear, sucker.” I chuckle after. “I paid extra for that, you know?”

“You’re so mean!” He lightly hits my shoulder with his one hand

“Fine, fine. Hold me, and we’ll ice skate away.” I slightly smile

He puts himself behind me, as he lays his hands on the back of my shoulders, supporting himself. Can we stay like this forever? 

“Go!” He says. I slowly skate, if I went any faster, both of us would fall.

“Why are you so slow…” He says in a ‘i-need-princess-treatment’ tone. 

“Don’t be sassy. You’ll fall if we go any faster.” 

“Go quick!” He says in a cocky tone “We won’t fall, trust!” He laughs

“I swear…” I say in a teasing yet irritated voice 

I went quickly, and we actually didn’t fall. This is so ridiculous but… I didn’t care. Atleast I was being ridiculous with you right now. I felt the breeze on my face, I could feel my face becoming numb as I kept skating. 

  I feel infinite, Sunoo. “I feel infinite, Sunoo.” I said that out loud.

..

“I feel infinite with you too, Rain.” He said followed by the sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard.

Suddenly, I don’t regret saying that out loud. I always felt like I could tell you everything without a filter and you’d still have something to say. And at this moment, Sunoo, I want to spend all of my seasons with you whether it be the season I hate most.

The guy who was in charge of the rink said our time was over. Sigh.

“That was pretty fun.” I scoff

“That’s my first time hearing you say anything was fun… I’m astonished.” He teases

I roll my eyes, “Yeah okay, you make it sound like I don’t feel emotions.” I say as we both remove our ice skates and go back to our school shoes. “Can we just go to the park already?  I feel like I’m about to get a frostbite.”

Skating with you made me realize that I wanted you to hold me and that I wanted to feel infinite with you.

- PARK -

We sit on the bench together, it was already night time so it was extra cold.. I couldn’t feel my face. I couldn’t feel my hands either. 

The white blanket of snow piles up even more and the snowflakes fall elegantly as I watch you look up at the stars.

Time stopped for a bit. You were as soft as a melody, as bright as the sun rays, as lovely as the spring that arrives before the winter, and as warm as the summer beach I spent my days in. Honestly, I didn’t know it was this hard to tell you how I feel. I thought I could just say it. 

Looking at you at this moment made me realize I will love winter because I get to spend it with you. 

“The stars are beautiful tonight, Rain.” He continues to look up at the perfectly dark blue sky, his pink hair flawlessly falling.

“I agree.” I keep your face in the frame of my eyes. 

I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to have snowball fights with you again. I want to ice skate with you holding onto my shoulders again. I want to sit next to you in school every day. I want to wake up to your voice. I want to look out the window and see you waiting for me just to walk together to school. Sunoo, “I love you.”

I said it out loud.

He looks at me.

Don’t look at me like that, Sunoo. 

It was silent.

“I don’t love you like that.” His smile slowly fades, he stands up.

5 minutes.

Please, lord. 5 more minutes.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll change your mind.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll love me.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll catch me in a warm embrace.

Sunoo looks at me like it is the final time.

When did it feel this awkward? ‘Ahem’ Sunoo lets out.

“I.. don’t really know what to say. I don’t love you. We’re just friends and.. you’re a boy. Goodnight.”

I watch you walk away from me. Not even a smile. In fact, it was a look of disgust.

I don’t know what to do.

I hate winter.

—

heeyyy, this is my first oneshot and I hope it meets the people's expectations. English isn't my first language, but I would love to write more stories in that language ^_^ THIS IS VERY RUSSSHHEEDDD!!!!! thank you for taking the time to read this, give me more recommendations or ideaaasss!!

[fandomsnstuff]

Consider: twosun didn't have snow. Anywhere. At all. They didn't even have a concept of it. They don't know what it is. Anyway, it's day 26 of @taznovembercelebration and im a canadian who tried to write people who've never seen snow before

Day 26: wonder

The IPRE crew is very happy that their plan worked and they've successfully hidden from the Hunger. What they didn't plan for, was how cold Faerun could get and the not-rain falling from the sky.

Read it on AO3

After they deploy the relics in what they hope to be the final cycle, the IPRE crew waits with bated breath for the Hunger. But the scouts never come. Days pass, then weeks, then months, and the sky never darkens unnaturally, revealing countless white eyes opening up to find them.

As those months pass, they find that the days shorten and the air cools. As people built for a world with two suns, this poses a bit of a problem. Sure, they spent certain cycles in colder and darker climates, but that doesn't mean they enjoyed it. One year just isn't enough time to adapt to that. So they make do. Sweaters and blankets are plentiful, and when the cold gets bad enough that the ship's heating system can't seem to break through it, they all pile up in the living room. Body heat is crucial for survival. Not to mention that Magnus is simply a furnace of a man.

He's the one who seems to be able to function the best. He has to wear a shirt (or a few), much to his chagrin, but he still gets up every morning and dutifully goes for a run.

One morning, he extracts himself from the pile of bodies on top of him, and everyone shuffles in to fill the space he left. He's barely gone for a few minutes when he comes back and excitedly says, “guys, get up! You gotta see this!”

There are some grumblings about having to leave the nice warm sleep pile to go to the cold outdoors, but they comply. When they get outside, though, the grumblings stop as they all stand in awed silence.

Davenport had landed the cloaked ship in a field just outside a nearby town. That town, the field, and everything else, is now coated in a thick layer of white… stuff. And small bits of it fall from the sky. Magnus runs out onto it, and it crunches under his feet, leaving footprints behind. He turns back to them and holds his arms out, “isn't it great?!”

“It's beautiful,” Lucretia says. The sun peeks through the soft grey clouds and it sparkles. She breathes out, “woah.”

Lup steps out into it and holds out her hand. Some of the little bits land on her hand, and stay there a moment before melting away. She crouches and scoops some up off the ground, crushing it in her hand. Some falls back to the ground and some melts away. She wipes her hand off on her pants. “It's like the cold sand from, what was it? 45?”

“42,” Lucretia says, “but I don't remember it falling from the sky. Or melting.” She holds her hand out too, and watches the bits melt. “It's water.”

“So it's raining ice,” Taako pulls his obscene amount of blankets tighter around himself, “peachy.”

“I don't think it's ice,” Barry says, “this isn't one solid piece.” He examines the bits that have collected on the sleeve of his sweater, “it's like it's crystallised.”

“Maybe I can go into town and talk to someone,” Magnus says, “they'll probably know what's up with this. Maybe we can get some better gear, because I don't know about you guys, but my shoes and socks got wet the moment I stepped out here.”

“I'll go with you,” Lucretia says, “just give me two minutes to put real clothes on.”

Not long after, they're crossing the field together.

“You weren't kidding about the wet shoes,” she says.

“I even changed my socks while you were getting dressed and put on different shoes, and my feet are still wet.”

“Well Taako promised us soup when we got back, so I think that'll keep me–” she cuts herself off with a yelp as her feet hit harder ground and fly out from under her. Magnus catches her before she cracks her head open on the cobblestone. “Now that,” she says, getting back on her feet, “is ice.”

“No kidding,” Magnus links her arm in his and they make their way (carefully) into the streets, “the last thing we want to do is lose you when we've only just begun the rest of our lives.”

She squeezes his arm. “We won't be perpetually in our early 20s anymore.”

“I'll finally be able to fully develop my frontal cortex.”

All through town, there are children playing in the cold snow, and people walking briskly down the street. Lucretia and Magnus are wearing the most layers out of anyone. Lucretia spots a café on the opposite side of the street. “Let's go in there,” she says, nodding in its direction, “the air out here is making my face hurt.”

They cross the street as quickly as they dare, and sigh with relief as the warmth of the indoors and the smell of fresh baked goods hits them. They walk up to the counter, where a young woman is placing a tray of croissants into the display.

“Awfully cold out there,” Magnus says, turning on his rustic charm.

The woman looks up at them, amused. “Newcomers?”

“You could say that.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Trust me, if you think this is cold, you haven't seen anything yet.”

Both of their faces drop. “It gets worse?” Lucretia asks.

“Oh, yeah.” She gestures to the window, “you actually can't get snow if it's too cold. That's when you get freezing rain and everything's covered in a layer of ice.”

They both just stare at her, dumbfounded. Their home plane had nothing like this. It didn't get this cold, and it certainly didn't have “snow” and rain that covered everything in ice. The young woman smiles pleasantly, “so what can I get you?”

They glance at each other. Magnus says, “directions to somewhere warmer, maybe?”

[the-crimson]

Let the Light Shine Through My Glass Heart

A little drabble inspired by Tallulah and BBH’s convo the other night.

“You know we all love you, Tallulah.”

“I’m sure Wilbur will get back soon!”

“Yea, he’s out there making lots of money for when he comes home.”

Tallulah clenches her fists, heart leaping in her throat. A left over gust of wind from the Pumpkin Lord’s aura sprays sand in the air and Tallulah takes the opportunity to turn away, fists rubbing the tears of frustration from her burning eyes.

She wishes she could melt all this desert sand into glass so she could shape it into a heart and to shatter it only to roll in the pieces. Maybe that could distract her from the mind numbing pain pulsing in her chest - if only for a moment - but a moment would be long enough.

“Tallulah?” The gentle - always gentle - hand on her shoulder draws her gaze and Tallulah looks up at Bad through vision marred by unshed tears.

“Let’s summon another one!” One of her siblings shouts, Pomme and Richas running past in a whirlwind of kicked up sand whileTallulah and Bad shield their faces.

“Tio Bad, can we talk in private?” Tallulah asks hardly above a whisper. She considers any noise above a squeak an accomplishment with her racing heart surging in her throat.

“Of course. Stay with Foolish, kids!” Bad replies, shouting at the chaotic mess that is Tallulah’s siblings. The two clamber through deep sand atop one of the sand dunes so Bad can keep a watchful eye on the others but he gazes at Tallulah expectantly with the soft but somewhat distant eyes that always seem to pass through her.

“What is it, Tallulah?”

Tallulah breathes deeply and her hands curl into trembling fists on the rim of her sweater, if she holds on tight enough maybe she’ll find the courage to keep standing when the next gust of wind threatens to tear her down like so many houses of cards.

“You always say soon. Everyone always says I am loved and surrounded by family but I feel like I am screaming into the void because none of you are listening.” She pauses to breathe as tears well inside her. She can feel herself shaping the glass with one hand and grasping the hammer with the other. “I know you love me. I know Philza loves me. I know all my siblings love me. I know any of the other parents would come running if I called. I know! That doesn’t change the fact that my father is gone!”

Ice cold tears stream down her cheeks and she throws her hands in the air. Glass explodes in her mind as she takes the hammer to her own glass heart, mentally screaming with every swing as everything she’s been suppressing for so long tears free.

“Everyone always tells me that it’ll be alright! That I’m loved! That Wilbur will come back soon! Soon, soon, soon! It’s the same empty words every time but none of you are listening! None of you can tell me what to do when I try to picture my father’s face and all I see is you and abuelito! What am I supposed to do then?”

Bad closes his eyes with a grimace and glances to the side where invisible footprints appear in the sand. He takes a step towards the eavesdroppers and shouts, “Get out of here you little rapscallions!” He flinches at the venom in his voice but the kids skitter away giggling in a spray of sand. Bad sighs and turns back to Tallulah, kneels before her.

Tallulah watches her siblings retreat but returns focus to her tio when Bad takes one of her white knuckled fists in both of his tender hands, now at eye level as he kneels in the sand but he can’t look her in the eyes, instead gazing at her hand as he unfurls her stiff fingers, revealing the half moons of red carved into her palm. A tear glitters in the moonlight as it rolls down his cheek and Tallulah takes a shaky gasp.

She looks at the shattered fragments of the once beautiful glass surrounding her and the hammer suddenly drags her forward, its full weight threatening to drag her to the grown but she drops it. She looks at the lines of crimson forming on her hands and arms and collapses to her knees. Bad catches her and brings her into his chest as she shudders and holds her self.

Through trembling and uneven breaths, Tallulah whispers, “I consider you and abelito Philza my parents more than my own father. What kind of daughter does that make me?”

Tallulah waits for Bad to say something, anything, but all she hears is the wind whistling through the sand dunes, her siblings playing with Foolish in the distance, and her own racing heart beat. She leans her head into Bad’s chest and he holds her tighter with slightly trembling arms.

Tallulah shifts slightly as annoyance bubbles within her. Why are you crying? Bad must sense her discomfort as he releases her and pinches his eyes. Tallulah hufs slightly and pulls her knees to her chest, turns her head away from him, shaking it slightly. They always make this about them. Her cheeks burn and she remembers the heat of the Diablo she’d fought in the casino not an hour earlier. The rush of slaughtering those monsters surges through her as she remembers hacking and slashing at the Nightmare Stalkers until long after they’d stopped moving. She takes the hammer, handle slick with her own blood, and turns to the remaining half of her glass heart.

“I had someone once,” Bad whispers.

Tallulah stops mid step, his voice merely a whisper in the chaos that is her thoughts.

“We fought - often -” she can hear the smile in his voice and lifts her head to glance at his feet, not quite able to look him in the eyes - “but he was... my everything.” Tallulah sniffs and wipes her nose, lowers the hammer slightly.

“Then I got on a train and he was late. Then he missed the boat and the plane...” Bad trails off and Tallulah glances at him as Bad looks over his shoulder at the kids who are long out of earshot. “But I was graced with the greatest thing I never knew I needed and it seemed like everything was fine. I fell in love with a little egg and I would never trade my son for anything but...” He looks down at his hand as he scoops up sand and watches it trickle through his fingers. “I think about him less and less everyday and then I find diamonds and it all comes rushing back. Sometimes I can’t breathe as I remember and I just feel like I’m falling, flailing to hold onto memories that are like grains of sand.”

He meets her uneasy gaze with a melancholy smile.

“I can’t tell you what to do, Tallulah. I’m just as lost.”

A clang echoes in Tallulah’s mind as she drops the hammer and sinks to her knees. Bad kneels with her in the shards of glass that dig into both of their legs. He offers her the unbroken half of her glass heart.

“We’ll figure it out together, yea?”

Tallulah nods with a broken laugh and wipes her eyes. She leans into his side and they both look out at the horizon as pink tendrils creep into the sky. Bad and Tallulah begin the arduous task of collecting the fragments of glass and she sighs as she leans into him. Hearts are made to be broken but she can’t help to breathe a smile thinking about how beautiful her glass heart will look once she’s pieced it back together and can hold it up let the light shine through.

[simple-seranade]

so i wrote more of that shapeshifter!jimmy concept- team rancher fans (/p or /r) come get y’all’s content

(part one here! shoutout to @pixiemage for the inspo to add some team rancher, apologies for the tag if it is unwanted-)

TW: body horror, panic attack, lots of anxiety

Tango is a being of emotion.

Whether the fires of passion and rage that consumed him in the Life games, to the ice cold loneliness he felt after the fact when he realized his soulmate was gone, the man has had plenty of practice in letting his feelings flow through him, empower him, become the fuel that kept him going. 

So when he receives Jimmy’s message in the world chat, every single alarm bell in his head sounding that something was wrong, Jimmy is in trouble, go help him, go find your rancher…

Well, Tango felt his feet hit the sand before he even had the conscious thought of going to find the sheriff.

He can’t help the feeling of worry that pools in his gut as he nears the town, ignoring the gritting sensation of the wind-tossed sand flying in his face, his clothes, his hair. His mind is frantic and flickering as the possibilities flare to life, all the groundless worst case scenarios painting a baseless picture of ash and ruin. 

The smell of singed sand rises in the air, causing Tango to pause, looking back at the course he was taking. A series of smoking footprints trail behind him, some flames still burning in his wake despite the fact the only fuel was the sand and the hot desert sun. He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as he attempts to steady his breathing.

He has no reason to be getting this upset, no valid explanation for the uncanny fear that’s taken residence in his chest. He shouldn’t even be worried, for void’s sake. After all, Jimmy was talking after a few days of radio silence, and nothing he had said was wrong, or bad, or even troublesome, but for some reason the ice blue flames on Tango’s head were roaring like a bonfire three times their size. 

Maybe if he just… reads the message again, he’ll calm down. He can rationalize, go check in Jimmy without the threat of accidentally burning the town to the ground, and just catch up with the sheriff. It had been a while since they’ve gotten the chance to chat, Tango getting caught up in helping FWhip with his Empire and Jimmy’s never-ending feud with Joel. 

Tango hums absentmindedly as he walks, pulling up the world chat on his communicator.

Jimmy: Renovations in Tumble Town. For safety purposes, visitors are banned until further notice.

See? Nothing to worry about. He was fine, there was nothing wrong with Jimmy. Tumble Town was just changing, so he was probably busy. Everything was fine.

Someone should notify Tango’s emotions of that message, because the pit of worry in his gut only grows. Whoever said anxiety was a rainy emotion must not have known what they were talking about, because the smoke pillaring into the sky from the icy blue flames in his hair seemed to perfectly match the hot sparks of panic in Tango’s chest.

He really needs to find Jimmy before he sets the entire desert ablaze over paranoia.

Because that’s all it could be. Paranoia. He was getting worried over nothing. He can’t feel Jimmy’s pain anymore, he has no reason, no way of knowing the sheriff is hurting or in any kind of danger. Then again, it also meant he isn’t sure Jimmy isn’t, either. 

He had never missed the soulbond more.

The wave of relief that crashes over him when the familiar walls of Tumble Town rise in the distance is hardly enough to quell the burning emotion inside of him, but it does dim the glow to a more reasonable proportion. Nothing is on fire- well, aside from Tango himself- and no screams are to be heard. In fact, it's a typical quiet desert day.

Nothing like Tango would expect from a place undergoing heavy renovations.

He tries to keep himself in check as he nears Tumble Town, doing his level best to not let his growing unease affect him. Everything is normal, any traces of the claimed construction nowhere to be seen. The only out of the ordinary occurrence is the fact that, despite the sun barely even beginning to dip past its midday point in the sky, the lights in the sheriff office are completely off. Jimmy usually keeps the lights on to let people know they could come in and receive help from the sheriff if they needed it.

Tango’s traitorous brain considers truly for the first time that something is actually wrong. That he isn’t imagining things. That Jimmy…

He needs to find his rancher.

The blaze hybrid takes a deep breath, steadying his nerves. “Jimmy? Where are you?” 

Silence.

A fiery man’s sinking heart.

Then, so soft it was nearly imperceptible, a sniffle.

Tango swings his head around, attempting to pinpoint the origin of the sound. His blue eyes land on the dark sheriff’s office, and his heart sinks as a small, pitiful whine comes from inside. He isn't sure he’s ever moved faster than he does in that moment, the door opened and shut before he even processed the fact that his feet were moving, creaking against the wooden planks. “Jimmy? Jimmy, are you ok? What’s-“

“Tango, you shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe.” A hoarse whisper sounds from the back corner of the room, shrouded in shadows from the lack of lights. Tango fights back a cringe at the sound of the voice he knew so well, which was oddly lifeless and wooden.

The blaze hybrid takes a step towards where the sheriff is, brightening the room slightly as the icy blue fire that partially made him fought back the dark.The figure of his past soulmate is huddled against the wall, features still too dim to make out. He is also, worryingly, very, very small, the size of a stuffed animal instead of a man. He takes another step. “I was worried. It’s been a while since we’ve talked, and I just wanted to see-“

“STOP!” The pure fear in the sheriff’s voice causes Tango to freeze. “Don’t come any closer, leave, you need to leave-“ Jimmy’s voice hitches, his breath becoming more shallow and frantic. 

Ice cold panic shoots through Tango’s veins. Jimmy- Jimmy is scared. His rancher is terrified, on the verge of a panic attack, he has to help. He takes a shuddering breath, steadying himself and doing his best to keep his flames under control as he sits in front of the sheriff.

“Jimmy, I need you to breathe with me, ok? Just listen to my breathing, do your best to copy it.” He inhales loudly, counting to four in his head before holding it. Then, slowly, he exhales, fighting to keep it at a reasonable pace when he was panicking as well.

Jimmy sucks in a breath, but it catches in his throat as he chokes back a sob. Tango ignores the pang in his heart at the sound, continuing the breathing pattern. 

It takes an agonizing fifteen minutes for the sheriff to be able to breath, and another five before either of the men are able to break the silence.

“Jimmy…”

“I’m fine.” The sheriff interrupts. Tango can see the small lawmaker rub furiously at his eyes with the heels of his hands before freezing, lowering them again. “You can go now.”

“You were just having a panic attack, Jimmy. I’ll give you some space if you want me to, but… I just want to know you’re ok. Just-“ He sighs, wringing his hands nervously. “You’re my rancher, and I know I haven’t been around much, but I still care.”

He keeps his gaze on his hands, fully expecting Jimmy to implore him to leave. What right did he have to still be here? Yeah, he and Jimmy were close, but Jimmy was clearly trying to be alone, to distance himself from him and the others on the server.

He ignores how that thought makes him even less inclined to leave the sheriff alone.

Just as he’s about to stand up, apologize, leave, do something, he feels a small tug on his cloak. He looks down, and right there is Jimmy.

It has to be Jimmy, and that’s what makes Tango’s heart break.

It breaks because instead of just a small version of the man he’s fought by, lived by, died by, he was… wrong.

That was the only way Tango can describe it. The only way he can possibly put into words the way his stomach twists as he takes in the sight of glassy lifeless eyes, of stitches pulled tightly into plush skin, of the long ring-tipped string sprouting from a back where there had once been beautiful golden wings before those had disappeared. The soft golden hair had given way to obnoxiously yellow string, just barely escaping from under the sheriff hat atop his head. 

Dazed, the blaze hybrid reaches out, gently cradling the man’s the toy’s Jimmy’s face with his fingers. Instead of slightly stubbled skin, his fingers are met with the sensation of fabric. He can feel the stuffing underneath, even though he’s barely applying any pressure.

“Tango-“

“Who did this to you?” Tango growls, unable to stop his fire from brightening and raging, so much so he had to lean forward to make sure he didn’t set the wall ablaze. His vision is tinged with a vibrant sky blue, his thoughts racing as furyprotectivenessragecare surges through him, because someone’s turned Jimmy into the very thing he had been protesting this entire time, and when he finds them Tango is going to make sure they feel the burning of a thousand suns-

“Tango, calm!”

The familiar voice snaps reality back into place with the faint memory of sunny farms and peaceful farm animals. The blaze hybrid blinks away the remnants of blue clouding his vision, gaze settling on the small sheriff in front of him. Small plush hands were on his shoulders, and those glassy eyes stared up at Tango with a slightly pained look that was no doubt only a small part of what he was really feeling. 

“Tango, I know this is upsetting, but there’s no use in raging. It won’t change anything.” The pure resignation in Jimmy’s voice nearly breaks Tango’s heart all over again

The blaze hybrid shudders, trying to rein in his emotions. “Sorry. I- I just- how did this happen?”

Jimmy laughs, a hollow and humorless sound. “No idea. I changed a few days ago, finally regained enough control over my limbs to message the world chat today. Turns out typing and using a communicator without bones is hard. Who knew?”

Tango’s eyes only widen in horror as the sheriff talks. “Oh, Jimmy…”

“And I probably should have seen this coming, if the Life games were anything to go by, I apparently don’t get to control these things because the universe hates me, but- but it hurt, it hurt so bad-“ He blinks furiously, eyes dry. “And I can’t even- I can’t even cry, Tango, and you know more than anyone how much of that I did the first time.”

The memories of tear soaked sheets mingling with the blood and feathers strewn about surface in Tango’s mind, along with the haunting sobs as the wings tore their way through Jimmy’s back.

Those were just wings. The entirety of Jimmy’s body had gone through that level of change. Alone.

Oh void.

“But yeah, that’s- that’s the story. The Toy Story, one could say. I’m sorry you had to see me like this, I-“

Jimmy is cut off as he’s pulled haphazardly into a hug, suddenly surrounded by warmth and comfort and Tango.

“I am so sorry.”

The sheriff grips tightly onto the arms around him with what little strength his plush arms and hands have to offer. “Why on earth are you apologizing? You’ve done nothing to apologize for.”

“I left you alone, Jimmy. I got so caught up in my work at FWhips and I haven’t gotten to talk to you and you went through so much hurt, my rancher, and I’m so sorry.”

How does someone respond to that? How does someone tell a person, a friend, a companion who was crying their eyes out, that their absence was understandable, even if their presence would have been the most beloved thing in the world? How does one break the news that the universe was trying to break him piece by piece, and it was no use shedding tears over his inevitable fall?

Jimmy doesn’t know how to do that, so instead he hugs the man tighter, trying to fit all the unspeakable words and pain and grief and resignation and acceptance into the grasp of his hands.

“I forgive you.” Jimmy murmurs, feeling Tango’s breath hitch against him. 

“You will never have to go through that alone again. You wont have to do any of this alone.”

The sheriff’s breath stutters, and phantom tears he knows he can no longer shed gather in his eyes. “I- I- Tango, you can’t. You have more important things to do-“ more important people to spend time with “-and- and as much as I hate it, you… you have to head back to Hermitcraft eventually.” The thought that Scar would be leaving him, Tango would be leaving him, everyone he had on his side, it’s been enough to drive Jimmy mad. Still, he doesn’t have any plans yet to keep them there, any plans to convince them to stay, please, please don’t leave him all alone again, don’t make him fight the world alone, he can’t bear it.

“You’re hurting. I’ve seen how they’ve treated you with the whole toy thing, I’m not leaving you to face that alone. Besides, I don’t think I’ve gotten to officially stay in that house you’ve built me, which is a shame because it’s lovely.”

“But Hermitcraft! You have things there you can’t just abandon, Tango! You shouldn’t pick me over what you guys have been trying to get back to all this time.”

Tango slips his fingers under Jimmy’s chin, guiding his gaze up to him. “Jimmy. Do you want me to stay with you?”

More than anything. I would let you set the world ablaze if it meant I could have someone in my corner, someone who respects me, just please, don’t leave me.

“I couldn’t ask that of you.”

“But do you want to?”

Yes, almost more than I wish to be human again.

The sheriff looks down, filled with shame, because he can’t keep Tango here, he can’t, but he also can’t get his mouth to form the one word he needs it to to let Tango go on his way.

The silence is answer enough, and Jimmy can feel the arms around him tighten, and it should be uncomfortable by this point, but all he can think is warmcomfysafehere. 

“Well then, I guess you can let the rest of the Empires know you have another deputy now.”  The sheriff’s hat is lifted off his head, and a hand runs carefully through his knotted yarn hair. 

“Tango-“

“Nope, no trying to convince me otherwise. The decision has been made.”

Tango expects more resistance, given his past soulmate’s infamous stubbornness, but instead he just hears a hushed, hopeful response.

“… You’ll really stay?”

“As long as you’ll have me.”

As Jimmy looks up, meeting the blaze hybrid’s eyes, he’s in shock of just how much genuine care is shining in them. He… he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand why Tango is treating him like this, when all he’s done is been horribly, horribly selfish, keeping him from all he cares about, wanting him to stay here with him because he’s horrible and a joke and no one respects him-

But- but Tango doesn’t… Tango doesn’t think he’s horrible, or laughable, or the antithesis to all things serious. Or, if he does… he’s still willing to stand by Jimmy, even as Jimmy becomes even more of a mockery of respect with every passing day. 

Jimmy’s heart grew warm at the thought.

Maybe things would be ok after all. Together… together they can figure this out.

If Jimmy will have him.

“Always.”

———————

ok that was my first time writing tango so apologies if he was horrendously OOC-

but yeah i just love team rancher and this au and just. empires x hermitcraft brainrotting is STRONG

definitely gonna write more of this, so like. idk if y’all want a taglist but if you want to be added to one just lemme know, through an ask, reblog, comment, whatever floats your boat.

[artficlly]

lady of the ghosts [chapter 6]

After a great plague ravages your city, you are looking to marry to secure safety for your people. With a war finally ending, the nearby kingdoms are looking to celebrate. King James "Bucky" Barnes decides to continue his family's tradition of hosting a courting season. A medieval courting marvel AU.

Pairing: king!bucky x lady!reader

Warnings: death, mention of dead body, anxiety, doubt, discussion of funerals, mentions of sexism, angst, tension, FLUFF, lovebites, steve is cocky, lmk if i've missed anything

Word Count: 3.4k

A/N: heres a short n sweet one for ya <3 the funeral is coming up next chapter, are you ready??? i think if i start writing smaller chapters i might be able to get them out more frequently instead of the 10k+ monster this chapter was supposed to be. also i've put this fic onto ao3 (same name and username - pls leave some kudos to help boost) please enjoy and let me know what you think, reblogs and likes appreciated! as always, not proof read - sorry for any typos

chapter masterlist | main masterlist

Before the Stormfall Mountain’s Pass had been created, Faliene had been impenetrable. The city was only accessible by the frigid Northern Ocean, and few dared to challenge her depths. All those years ago, men feared the gods and what may have lurked under the surface. The children of Neume harnessed the wind and waves, so her inky depths spared them. The same could not be said for the others. The pass had been a success, but it was also the beginning of the end. Her secrets and spirit were lost to the passage of time, devoured by Haiford the moment her underbelly was revealed. The fall was inevitable.

The pass had fallen into disrepair since you last traveled it, with entire sections of the path swallowed by snow and ice. You had been a child back then, ushered from inn to carriage day after day as you and your mother had escaped the plague-ridden city. You wondered if the mountains remembered you as you remembered them. Did your footprints remain buried deep under layers of snow? Or had they been washed away in the thaw as quickly as a wave over sand? 

You had never thought you would see those thick blankets of snow again, your breath was constant and loud as the thin air burned your lungs. How many years have you dreamed of this pass? Your fingers and toes numb as you barreled through the blizzard, reaching and screaming for that distant city. How many years has it been since you last saw Faliene in all her glory? As excited as you were to be reunited with your home, apprehension clawed at your gut. 

Would your people remember you? Would they accept you – their lady, who had spent half her childhood coddled away in Haiford Capital while they starved? Would they hate you or forgive you? You had spent so long fighting and trying to return; would you even recognize Faliene anymore? You had been stripped of so many things – a mother, a home, a culture – did you even know how to be a part of your own heritage, your legacy? So many questions clawed at your mind that your stomach would ache at night as you lay awake contemplating the vastness of it all. 

With stiff hands, you wrapped your fur cloak closer around your body, your eyes straining against the bitter wind that blew polar air straight to your core. Around you, thick flakes of snow floated, a layer of ice clinging to your eyelashes and exposed hair. In the distance, you could make out the warm orange candlelight of the inn; in the time you had been gone, the sky had darkened dramatically. You were not afraid of the cold or the dark, and you relished the opportunity to breathe in the frosty night sky. 

So many years you had spent cooped up. What would be a nightmare for most would be freedom for you. 

Due to King Harrison not having the foresight to hire a Falienean guide, it fell to you to scout the barely-used path. Although inexperienced, you had not failed so far. Following your intuition and fuzzy memories, you were able to locate the paths long buried under months of snow. In the evenings, while the others sheltered in the inns and boardhouses throughout the pass, you would scout ahead to ensure the path was safe to follow.

Thankfully, due to the many families that still braved living in the mountains, most of the main path remained relatively intact. The families were mainly farmers raising mountain goats and sheep, offering board for travelers and traders for extra income. And much to your rising concern, many of the families didn’t recognize you as their lady until you introduced yourself. 

Once dismounted, you quickly settled your horse in the small stable attached to the inn. Due to navigational convenience and your growing resentment of being cooped up in a carriage, you had mostly traveled on horseback. The first days between Haiford Capital and the mountains, you would have nightmares of being trapped inside a coffin – like your mothers – clawing your nails bloody on the wood. When you would finally rip off the lid of the coffin, you would find yourself in a carriage, the horses charging at a neck-breaking speed. 

As you passed the carriages tucked away beside the stables, you frowned. One for King Harrison, Peggy, and Michael. The other for your mother in her coffin. Although you were nearly two weeks into your journey, her body would show no signs of decomposition. The mountains would have frozen her solid, her body like a porcelain doll. 

Once inside the inn, you quickly ascended the stairs to the upper level. Although you were freezing and craving a warm drink, the idea of fighting past the Haifordian guard that crowded the kitchen stove sounded exhausting. Shrugging off your cloak, jacket, and hat, you reached the room you shared with Peggy. With such a small inn and a large traveling party, it was easier for certain groups to sleep in the same room. Both you and Peggy being unmarried women meant you were paired together, while some of the Haifordian guards were cramming more than six men into a room. 

Your hand paused over the doorknob, a sound from the other side catching you off guard. You were so busy contemplating how best to dry your damp clothing that you nearly missed it. Leaning your ear closer to the door, you roll your eyes in irritation. The sound of Peggy giggling carried through the wood, a familiar male voice spoke low words you couldn’t quite make out. 

Steve. With a huff, you step away from the door. Both of them had been playing a risky game the entire trip, regularly visiting each other's rooms. The wrong person would eventually learn about them, it was only a matter of time. 

You hesitate in the hallway. They had never visited so late into the evening before; normally Peggy was preparing for or already in bed by the time you came back from your scouting missions. Traveling through thick snow was as hard as expected, exhausting even for those tucked into the carriages. It wasn’t unusual for the party to be in bed straight after an early supper. 

You were half tempted to barge in and interrupt them; you were tired from a long day on horseback. You still didn’t feel like braving the kitchen and sitting outside and waiting would be highly suspicious. Lingering in the hallway for a few more minutes, you grumble a few unsavory words under your breath before trying to find your next best options. James. 

To the surprise of everyone but you, James had canceled the season. He had also insisted on traveling with the first party – your party – to Faliene. Another party was a few days behind yours, made up of Galantian and Asgardian guards, a group of the Galantian court, and Asgardian royalty. You had a sneaking suspicion that while half of them were there to show their respect, the others were there to see a Falienean funeral firsthand. Due to the rituals and traditions involved, Falienean funerals were frequently regarded as barbaric spectacles. 

You waver outside James’ room. Despite him traveling with your party, the two of you had barely spoken since the library. You suspected he was trying to draw attention away from the both of you, but his presence mustered up enough rumors with the Haifordian guard. Most of your conversations were spent with Steve. When he wasn’t bluntly flirting with Peggy, he would be complaining about the growing cold, much to your mockery and amusement. You were unsure of how he would cope with the chill of Faliene; the Stormfall Mountains were cold, but nothing in comparison to the chill that blew in off the northern sea. 

Chewing your lip, you finally gave in and rapped your knuckles lightly against the door. With your breath held, you wait, wondering if he even heard the knock at all. You might have missed him downstairs, or maybe he had already fallen asleep–

The door suddenly swung open, startling you as you took a step back. James stood in the doorway, an equally surprised expression flashing across his features momentarily. It wasn’t just the expression that hinted at his shock at your presence, but also the fact that he was shirtless. You hug your discarded clothing closer to your chest. You tried to keep your eyes anywhere but his bare skin, your mouth growing dry as you struggled to find words to explain your sudden presence at his door. 

Now no longer covered, you could get a better look at his tattooed arm, with swirling blue ink patterning his entire left arm and shoulder. A large, raised scar ran across his shoulder joint, nearly entirely encircling the flesh. The scar was ghostly white and gnarled like the roots of a tree. It looked impossible – the type of scar someone shouldn’t have survived. But the ink decorating his skin told a story you already knew. Magic. Magic had saved his arm and, most likely, his life. So many denied its existence when it stood so blatantly in front of them. 

Swallowing hard, you glance upward to meet his gaze. You couldn’t ignore the smirk that tugged at his lips, his right side now leaning against the doorframe as he eyed you with a silent satisfaction. 

“Can I come in?” You abruptly say, suddenly remembering how to speak. James’ chuckles lowly at you before motioning you inside. 

Still flustered, you quickly duck past his muscled form, peeling off your gloves as you stand in the center of the room with a quiet huff. James’ still snickers at you as he closes the door. 

“You knocked so quietly, I thought I was hearing things.” He says this while you continue to refuse to look at him. Instead, your gaze falls on the room around you; it is nearly identical to yours. Two beds are layered with furs and blankets, one for him and one for Steve. A sheepskin rug thrown over the wooden floors. On the other side of the room is a roaring fireplace, with two seats positioned in front of it. 

“Sorry, I didn’t know where else to go.” You mutter, squeezing your hand into a fist as you try to regain feeling in your numb fingers. 

“Peggy and Steve?” He asks, the floorboards creaking softly under his weight as he inches closer to where you stand. 

“They’re going to get caught–” You begin to grumble but cut yourself off as you realize how close James has grown. Your breath catches in your throat as he reaches out, a single tattooed finger twirling around a damp strand of your hair. 

“You’re soaking.” His voice cuts into the abrupt silence, but your focus is on the closeness of his body rather than the state of your clothes and hair. “Come, sit by the fire.”

You wordlessly oblige, allowing him to lead you to one of the seats. In the low light, James’ muscles and veins are illuminated by the orange glow of the fire. Peeling off another damp layer, James takes your previously discarded clothing and lines it in front of the fireplace to dry. 

“The snow must have melted.” You mutter, remembering the snowflakes and ice that had clung to your clothes and hair before you came inside. James hums in reply, running a hand through his hair as he looks down at you, ensuring you are settled before finally pulling on a shirt. You sigh through your nose, half in relief and half in disappointment. 

A comfortable silence falls as he takes a seat across from you. You could feel his gaze watching as you quietly unlaced your seal-leather snow boots. The leather was more successful at keeping out the creeping wetness and dampness of the snow. Without the blubber to insulate the cold, your toes felt frozen beneath your thick, woolen socks.

During the weeks of travel, you had found yourself hoping for a moment alone like this to talk after so much silence had passed between the both of you. Nearly daily, when you weren’t consumed by anxieties for the quickly approaching future, you would think back to that moment in the library and what you would say once you were alone. 

Now that you were here, you were near speechless. 

As you twisted the rings on your fingers, you recounted all of the questions and thoughts that had lingered in your mind for so long – so many conversations you wished to have with the King in front of you. You were unsure where to start. 

“Why does Steve call you Bucky?” You ask, breaking the stillness. You mentally curse yourself at the bluntness of the question. You couldn’t bring yourself to ask the heavy questions: ‘Why did you come?’ or ‘What will become of us once this funeral is over?’. To your surprise, a gentle look crosses his face, and you lean back into your seat. 

“It’s just a nickname I had as a child, I suppose there's some familiarity to it.” He replies with a light chuckle, running his hand up through his hair again as if in thought. You keep an intense gaze on him, distracted by the movement.

“I thought there was going to be a dramatic story.” You admit lightheartedly, finally breaking your stare. Maybe something soft and lighthearted was the way to start, to ease yourself back into the familiarity of conversation. You had spent so long silent; your jaw clenched as you rode through the snow each day. It was a wonder you even remembered how to form words and that your mouth hadn’t become frozen shut. 

“No. I was always Bucky or Buck, and Steve was Stevie sometimes.” 

“Stevie? That’s too cute for that brute.” You mutter, and James’ gives you a lopsided grin.

“I think it was because of Becca. She would call me Jamie sometimes, so naturally Steve was Stevie.” He explains, though there is a twinge of sadness in his tone. Your gut squeezes, an anxious reminder of the past and the grief attached to it.

“I wish I had been able to meet her.” Your words are gentle and slow, almost hesitant. 

James stared long and hard into the fire for a time. “Becca? Well…she could be a mean, spoiled brat sometimes.” 

You could sense the deflection in his words and tone. You had noticed that he rarely spoke of Rebecca, and when he did, it pained him. He rarely went beyond the surface, never talking of their relationship beyond the fact that they were siblings. You could understand not wanting to revisit such memories. You often treated the memories of your father in similar ways, holding them close to your chest as secrets only you could know. 

“I think that is just the way with siblings. At least, that is what Peggy has told me.” You offer, lightheartedly. 

“I think she’s right. As much of a brat as Becca could be, I still loved her.” A dark look comes over his face, and you watch as he clenches and unclenches his fist before speaking once more. “What were your nicknames?”

You don’t push the subject of Rebecca further, instead latching onto his latter question. “I never had any.”

“None? Really?” He asked in surprise. 

You take a moment to think back and remember the warm, fuzzy memories of your childhood. You could remember running rampant through the halls of Fort Faliene, peeling off your stockings to wade in the waters near the dock. You could remember sitting on your father's desk, legs swinging through the air as you watched him organize his bookshelf, a half-played chess game abandoned nearby. 

“My father used to call me a wild cat, or his little wild cat, like the snow leopards that live deeper in the mountains. It’s ironic to think back on now, considering the leopards are called Ghosts of the Mountain.” You hum in thought, that warm, fuzzy feeling replaced with something bitter in your chest as your mind moves closer to recent history. Your nails tap against the wooden arm of the chair. 

“And then the endearing names turned to cruel ones, words to belittle me because of my gender and my culture. They called my mother the Lady of the Ghosts before me. She always shouldered it so easily, she would call me her Little Ghost.”

“Little Ghost?” James questioned you, his voice low as if he did not wish to interrupt your sudden openness. 

“It was because the Haifordian’s said I was like a little ghost when we first left Faliene.” A sad smile plays across your lips as you recount the memory. “I was barely fourteen, my father was dead, and my home was ripped from me. When I couldn’t sleep in that terrible castle, I would wander the halls and gardens. The maids would go to my mother in the morning and say, ‘Your little ghost was wandering the halls again’, expecting her to reprimand me. My mother would just laugh at them and say, ‘She is a ghost, what do you expect?’–

“Sometimes she would join me at night. We would look at the moon and the stars in the garden. When the moon was visible, she would say, ‘Tonight is a high tide, the men will be bringing in the hauls’, as if we were still there, walking along the docks. That was before she got sick, of course… By the time I was sixteen, she was bedridden and had entirely forgotten who I was. That’s when I became the Lady of the Ghosts, not just the little ghost that haunted the halls of the Haifordian court.” 

The silence that follows your words is deafening, with James watching you with a soft expression as you sigh sharply and lean back further into your seat. 

“You carry a piece of her with you everywhere, then.” James speaks, his voice gentle. Your eyes flutter upward, surprised. “Every time your enemies mock you with those names, they are breathing life into her legacy. Your legacy.” 

The wave of emotion that rolled over your body at his words was indescribable. You had felt fondness toward others before, but never to this degree. Your heart thumped in your chest as you swallowed hard, leaning forward in your seat. How could he take such a melancholic, painful memory and turn it into something of beauty? How could he take the anxiety clawing at your chest and simply replace it with calm?

Your hand reached out to grasp his, causing a fuzzy feeling in your gut and skull as you tried to figure out the words to say. Nothing came, nothing you could quite describe or express. Desire tingled across your skin as you contemplated clambering into his lap, allowing him to embrace you like he had in the library. Just you and him, his arms sheltering you from reality. 

“James I–” You start, and his gaze is intense as he watches you creep closer. But as quickly as the moment began, it abruptly stopped. Your body jolted back involuntarily in fright as the door to the room slammed open. 

You gaped as Steve walked in with a shit-eating grin, the exposed skin of his neck and collarbones dotted with quickly bruising love bites. James visibly deflates beside you, a tense breath leaving his nose sharply as he avoids eye contact with you. You try to ignore the hurt that squeezes your chest at that sight, instead turning your attention to a smug Steve.

“Steve!” You scold, clambering to your feet. “You are so lucky we have to dress heavy with the snow! If King Harrison caught you, he would have you head–” 

“Y/N, relax. It’s fine, no one saw us.” Steve reassures you, almost immediately stealing your seat in front of the fire. You roll your eyes, slapping him on the shoulder as you shimmy past to pick up your clothing from in front of the fire. 

James remains silent, locked in an intense stare with Steve as you hand your still damp clothing over your arm. Steve glances between the two of you with a quizzical yet knowing stare. You watch on in confusion as the two men seem to have a silent conversation with their eyes, James shaking his head at the blond. You reach down and collect your boots with a huff, deciding to exit the room before the sting of James’ sudden snub sets in. 

“I am going to bed.” You say, noting James’ reluctance to catch your eye.

“Sweet dreams.” Steve hums, an even wider smile spreading across his face, watching as if he knew something you didn’t. All you can muster is a scoff, closing the door behind you without looking back. 

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