#non requested

[microartxsts-blog]

Happy late birthday to kokichi ouma

My boyfriend/j

[kkbardd]

madohomu

[mooshs-crack-headcanons]

I think it's funny that when Cassandra gathers ppl to save the world you get the (mostly) het Inquisition. But when Varric gathers people it's always a wild pack of deranged fruits, AKA the DA2 crew minus Sebastian (the dlc straight) and the Veilguard minus Solas (status pending)

Idk what to put as a ending post image so here's Varric with his cleavage out

[mikayuuyuri]

　ᘛ꒰ྀི ◞ ◟ ꒱ྀིᘚ　　Raw　Rentry　Resources　Dump

no credit needed when using found off pinterest and other sites

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

No time for fashion, we have a stat bonus to collect.

[vos0q]

You should draw Casper w/ glasses!!! he'd be so cute!

I AGREE, he IS cute with glasses. Two versions cuz i like both of them. 😄

Main Shop

[would-lezzing-out-fix-them]

would lezzing out fix YOU?

[sabos-husband]

Hi! was hoping for a request (this might get really specific) reader as a strawhat member who grew up with luffy (by extension also ace and sabo) back in foosha village, but actually used to be a slave for the celestial dragons before she arrived there, maybe never told luffy because in her mind, luffy was the epitome of freedom and she was ashamed of her past. The scenario I had in mind for the reveal was maybe in the middle of battle, her clothes gets torn and her mark is seen, maybe some strawhats have an idea of that mark is (maybe jinbei, robin and alike) while others don't (ussop? maybe?), while making the enemies ridicule her and how the strawhats react, but you can choose another scene that you think are more fitting! i just wanted to see how you'd write luffy because i love your writing style! the way you write flows perfectly and it's never out of character, you're my current fav writer on tumblr! so thank you!

★ Around the World

Monkey D. Luffy and Reader ★

Fishman Island Spoilers!! ~ Straw Hat!Reader ~ Feminine Reader (she/her) ~ Hurt/Comfort

a/n: Aww, that's so sweet of you! I appreciate that so much! Specific asks are wonderful, it makes it easier to write something as close as possible to what you want. Thank you for the request <3 I put the majority of this between Fishman Island and Punk Hazard, but there aren't major spoilers. Sorry this took a while!

As well, there's description of the reader's history with slavery and the trauma that came from that. I left it vague for the most part, though.

For so much of your life, Luffy's been a constant. Even when you ran around Gray Terminal with Sabo and Ace, terrorizing all the people you could find for all the money you could grab, Luffy wasn't far behind for most of it. It took the Bluejam Pirates torturing Luffy for hours before his loyalty dawned on the three of you.

It then took Bluejam setting fire to Gray Terminal for you to truly consider Luffy special.

When Sabo took to the sea, swallowed by flame, you held Luffy tight as he wailed. When Ace left for the sea, aided by nothing but a burlap sack on his shoulder and the wind in his sails, Luffy had promised he would follow. When Luffy left for the sea, you were there, standing by his side. His very own first mate, meant to weather the Grand Line by his side.

You hoped with all your heart it'd stay that way. You hoped that it was all he'd know about you—you, his first mate, with nothing else of her past beyond the Grey Terminal's walls and Foosha Village's people.

Of course, nothing you want ever comes so simply.

You can still remember the shrieks of laughter that burst from Luffy as you both clambered into barrels—it made sense that he would wind up into trouble on the sea, but the first day takes the cake!

Your life has been non-stop ever since. From the very moment you both step foot on Shells Town with Koby in tow, the crew grew and grew to numbers that made your pride in Luffy bloom.

Zoro was tough with a sword and reliable when you need him, but his difficulty with directions always made your head spin. Nami was quick with her hands and quicker with her mind, just like how she could never stand to let a Berri slip by. Usopp was sharp as a tack with his constant innovations and steady sharpshooting, even when he ran at ten knots an hour away from danger. Sanji was nothing short of a first-rate chef and one of the strongest men you knew, despite how often he lost himself in the wild pursuit of women.

Then there came the Grand Line. It brought Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbei; thinking about the people Luffy drew to himself never failed to bring a smile to your lips. It's not like you could ever speak against them for their affection towards the captain—it's what brought you away from the safety of Foosha Village as well, skirting past the World Government you hated and feared for all your life.

It's like second nature, how much you love Luffy. Every single one of you would give anything for your captain.

"Anything" changes for you sometimes, though. Late into the night, long after the moon took its place in the sky, you wrestled with the dark. Could you keep this secret from your captain? From Luffy, the person you've known all your life?

(No, you'd remind yourself, not all your life.)

You think of the little boy you grew up alongside with, with a smile so bright you had to shield your eyes. The wind whipping his hair and threatening to carry away his straw hat as he lights up with laughter. You think of how your captain looks at you with the stars in his eyes, declaring that he will be the next King of the Pirates, and you believe him with all your heart.

Even after Ace died, his flames swallowed up in magma, you were there two years later. Luffy had gone through hell and back with you—couldn't that be enough?

It was thoughts like those that kept your secrets to yourself.

It was some foolish, childish part of you that thought you could have kept it up forever.

~

The day was as usual. It was nice, even. You had just finished helping Sanji with the groceries—to his chagrin, of course.

As much as he adores your company, he detests making such a sweet lady do manual labor for him, and he lets you know. Often. It was charming for the first while, but by the time you help Sanji put away the groceries, you're just glad it's over with.

The snack he rewards you after with, though, makes you sure that you'll help him next time. After he waves you off to begin lunch prep, you're quick to escape back to the docks.

You have some time to kill, you think. It's the last stretch until the log pose is finished setting and you've sort of lost track of the group... Thinking back, Zoro and Usopp got tied together, so you don't have to worry about searching for the poor swordsman. Nami stole Chopper to carry the clothes she was planning to get with Robin, while Brook and Franky were the ones assigned to watch the ship. That just leaves you with... Oh, seas.

There's a burst of screams that tear through the town's square, punctuated by a shriek of excited, almost maniacal laughter.

You're missing Luffy.

You're off like a shot towards the commotion before you can even think, weaving and pushing your way past the people. The crowd thickens as civilians shove past you. It's like swimming up river, but with every step you take, that familiar laughter gets closer.

When you finally burst from the mob, your feet catch on an unconscious marine. You stumble forward.

It's like breaking through a shield into a bubble—a ring of civilians gather to enclose Luffy as he's circled by marines, too duty-bound to flee but too cautious to fight.

Your captain hasn't put nearly as much thought into his approach. He barrels fists-first into the nearest hoard; the soldiers go flying like playing cards against a cannon. Sure it's charming, but he was supposed to be on board the Sunny, like, a hour ago.

So, Luffy deciding to gather the marines?

It sure isn't ideal.

Gathering your courage and tossing aside your exhaustion, you steel your nerves to storm the castle and extract your captain. And speak of the devil; Luffy whips his head around to stare at you.

"Oh! Hey!!" Luffy yells, with just a bit of manic glee. Great. You step forward—

—And a marine steps in your way. Really great.

As you fall into your fighting stance, you watch your captain dart from view. Well, whatever. You'll find him after you kick this guy's ass.

The marine wielded an odd weapon, like brass knuckles with claws soldered onto the palm. He hadn't bothered to clean the last victim's blood from it, and if the rust near the joints were to tell you anything, it was clear that he neglected to clean the blood of anyone from the weapon.

It feels like a warning.

It feels like a trophy.

Your captain rockets past him without a second thought (it's unlikely there was ever a first thought) to explode into another group of soldiers. It's like dynamite dropped in a haystack, the way navy officers go flying here and there.

The marine's eyes fall on you.

You can barely remember the fight afterwards, shamefully. You remember how it starts though.

He lunges at you with the speed of an animal, his clawed hands outstretched to sink into your flesh.

You dodge, he pivots, you aim to strike before he finds his footing—every move you make is to drive you closer to Luffy so you can cut and run.

Your mindlessness makes you sloppy. You don't even notice the way you're babying your secret, cradling it away from the fight. Of course that fucking marine notices.

Seas, you don't even know this marine's name, and yet he could still read you like a fucking book.

It's your last mistake.

When he slips to the side, too close for comfort, you jump back. His hand raises to tear out your eyes.

You raise your arms to guard, falling for the feint—the marine weaves past you, bearing his claws, and digs into your flesh.

It's over before you can even feel the pain.

You barely hold back a yell as you leap back, clutching your body. Warm blood trickles down the strike until it stained your clothes, sending panic shooting up your spine.

Like a curse from whatever gods left, that damn marine had struck you where you were weakest. There wasn't any time—by the time you whip around to clutch the wound, to hide your shame, it was too late.

"That pirate! She's... branded!"

A chorus of gasps tear through the crowd like a terrible symphony. You cling to the ribbons of your ruined attire like it could still save you.

Shadows claw at your vision as you struggle to breathe. Warm blood trickles down your limbs and your mark aches with a fresh, searing pain—it's grown with you, stretching over your skin in a reminder you can only try to forget.

You hear Robin gasp like she was struck herself. Oh seas, when did she arrive? You want to tuck yourself into a ball and hide from the prying eyes boring into your skin. You're sure she understands, if only because she shares your terror of who gave you this cross to bear, but it scares you. Somewhere, Usopp murmurs to her, "what is that?"

They know. They know.

The marine barks out in a fit of laughter, teeth bared and fingers curled around his claws. "What the hell is Straw Hat doing with government property?"

You think of Foosha Village, dodging your family and bathing in the river at night. You think of the clothes you had to give Makino back, too ridden by fear to wear them.

You think of your crew, sleeping soundly while you were working up the nerve to change your clothes in the dark. You think of Nami, with her skin graft and her new tattoo and the jealousy so strong you choke on it every time you see it. You think of how no one knows what was before that pinwheel tattoo except for the people she wants to know.

You think of your captain. You think of Luffy.

Oh seas, Luffy.

Tears cloud your eyes as you struggle to breathe. When you turn to your captain, you can barely see him—your vision swims, revealing splotches of color you'd recognize anywhere.

His haki rolls off in waves, so suffocating you can taste his rage on the back of your tongue. You see soldiers buckle and civilians collapse.

Your words escape before you can even think.

"Luffy, help...!"

A fist rockets past you. The sound of crunching bone hits you as air whips your cheeks. A mangled yell of pain is the last thing you hear from the marine.

"She doesn't," your captain growls, "belong to anybody."

~

You're brought into the medbay as soon as the Sunny left the docks. The silence is suffocating. You could barely look at Chopper as you shed your clothes, letting it slip until your shame was bare.

If you could guess, you'd bet it was nothing but professional courtesy that's keeping Chopper from reacting. That fucking mark takes up almost the entirety of the flesh, like a wound that can never heal.

The young doctor is kind when he cleans the blood. His touch hovers above your laceration when you hiss and tense. He's patient too, only continuing his work when you allow him to.

You hate this. Seas, you fucking hate this. You slump forward when Chopper continues his work.

You both pretend to not notice the tears that fall.

When he backs away, wound cleaned and bandaged, you don't turn to look him in the eye. You just turn your head and nod at Chopper.

The doctor straightens up like he always does after he works, but there's a new nervousness to him. His hooves are pressed together, like he's trying to quell the shaking. It makes you grit your teeth.

"The wound isn't bad," he says quickly, "but you'll need to rest. As for t-the rest, I couldn't..."

You nod. "Thanks, Chopper. You don't have to worry about... that. You're the best."

You watch the tension evaporate as he grins at you, leaning side to side. "That doesn't make me happy, you bastard!" He giggles, spinning. He sways a bit longer before he tamps it down, clearing his throat.

"But," he says clearly, "you can talk about it—"

"—Chopper—" you try to say.

"—Listen! It's important!" Chopper stands straighter like it'll give him the confidence his next words demand. "I-If you don't want to talk about it to me, it's okay. But... you should talk to someone. Nami, or Robin, or maybe- maybe if we call Jinbei, he would understand—"

"Chopper," you cut through. It hurts your heart to see the young doctor wilt. "It's okay. Thank you, but I'm alright."

"Okay... But- consider it? Please?"

You look away. "I will," you murmur.

Even though you don't see his face, you know Chopper knows you're lying. You know he won't push you farther, though. He hops down off his stool, shucks off his doctor's coat, and offers you the spare clothes Nami had lent you. She was kind enough to waive the fee this time too. You can't find it in you to appreciate it.

Chopper turns away as you get dressed again, which makes you smile. It makes you feel like you have some control again.

(You can't help but study your bandages. They're wrapped snug around you, but the edges of the brand sticks out like a hand print seared into your skin. You can still see the three pointed claws under the stark white of gauze.

It's the first time in a while you've really observed it. Every other time you forced yourself to look, all you could see was the red-hot brand and the wicked smiles of the demons who held it.

It's just as ugly as you remember.

You wish you had killed that marine, even if it wouldn't have changed anything.)

When you finish getting dressed, you signal to Chopper. He turns around, offers you a smile too bittersweet for someone of his youth, and reaches for the door.

"Oh, Luffy," Chopper comments idly. You can't stop how you flinch at the sound of his name.

You were dreading seeing him. It makes you want to cry again; how long has it been since you've dreaded being near Luffy?

The ringing in your ears swallow up the gentle words Chopper offers. Your bandages crush your ribs as you try to breathe—there isn't enough air, like that fucking marine took it all when he- when he—

The hands on your face smell like sun-warmed rubber. It's hard to say they're cradling your face, when Luffy just smacked his palms against your cheeks and squished them together until you were looking at him. When you blink, he blinks back at you.

"Are you there?" Luffy asks simply.

"Um, y-yes Captain," you force out. He nods thoughtfully.

Though, Captain isn't the right moniker. You aren't talking to isn't Captain Monkey D. Luffy, world-renowned Worst Generation pirate, capable of toppling kingdoms and challenging the World Government, feared by the powerful and adored by the powerless.

No, the boy in front of you is simply Luffy. The Luffy you've cherished since you were small, with a smile so bright and a heart so full—for all your life, you've never known how you got so lucky to have him.

Luffy pushes you to sit before he flops down next to you, bobbing with the mattress springing under his weight. You avoid his eye.

"You have something," Luffy states simply. It isn't a question, nor an accusation. It makes you flinch regardless—through all your tears, you can barely see the way your hands ball into fists in your lap.

He waits until you can find your words once again. It's kinder than you deserve.

"D-Do you- want to see it?"

"I don't care." Luffy just sort of... tilts his head at you. "I want to see you."

It's such a simple sentiment. It makes you feel like you've swallowed a thousand blades.

"I'm-... I didn't- I'm sorry, Luffy," you force out. The nails you dig into the stark white gauze don't put any pressure into the skin below it. Luffy frowns anyways.

"You can't apologize," he states simply. "You don't have to."

"But I- I lied—"

"It's okay." Luffy kicks his feet out. "I know you. I don't care about the rest."

All your words slip from your mind. If Luffy minds the silence, he doesn't show it.

Shame floods your chest. All these years hiding your past, unraveled just like that. You stare at your lap.

"They," you admit softly, "had me for so long. I- I never thought I'd be free."

He doesn't respond. You don't need him to—the words rush out before you can think. You stare into your open hands.

"W-When I escaped, I promised myself something. I said, they'll never control me ever again. But- I just... I've always been so scared! It's like- It's like I never even left—"

"Sabo is dead," Luffy says suddenly. "Ace is dead."

When Luffy looks forward, it isn't at Chopper's desk. It isn't at the medicine scattered along its surface, nor is it the kit the doctor had used to patch up your wounds. No—Luffy's gaze pierces farther, looking past the desk and the ship and the sea.

When Luffy looks forward, it's into the fire he left behind.

"But you aren't. You escaped. You're here with me."

Even without words, you understand. You can see the fire, too. "I am."

"You're not theirs anymore. You're mine," Luffy says just as suddenly, "but you aren't mine."

You don't respond. You wouldn't know how even if you tried.

Luffy turns to you with the same inferno that swallowed up your shared home. "You're my crew. You're my first mate. But I don't own you. No one does. That brand doesn't mean anything."

Before you can gather your thoughts, you feel Luffy's hand press his straw hat into your lap. It feels as warm as the sun he had been standing in just moments before. Luffy grabs at your hands to wrap them around its brim.

"You don't belong to anybody."

You could cry.

Luffy shakes your shared hold. "Say it."

"I-I..." You sniffle, "I don't..."

Luffy's eyes don't look away from you. They aren't mean, nor are they worried—they're fierce, just as sure of your power as they were the day he met you.

"I don't," you say finally, "belong to anybody."

When you collapse into his arms, shaking with every sob that wracks through your body, there is no shame when his hands brush over your mark. All you feel is warmth as he pulls you tighter.

You're not property. You're free.

You're a pirate—and no one is freer than a pirate.

[fanged-fanfics]

ok so can i PLEASE request a sequel to the "baby cookie reader says shadow cookie" thing where pure vanilla finds it sweet that y/n is developing an imaginary friend... until y/n hands him a drawing of this "imaginary" friend and sees shadow milk cookie...

☆ A New Pal, Only in Jest — Pure Vanilla & Child!Reader Fic ☆

Genre: Light Angst, Familial || they/them pronouns for reader || No warnings needed

A/N: Part two to this fic!

──────.𖥔 ݁ ˖˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ──────

"—And you're sure it's normal?" Pure Vanilla asks, tensely holding his cup while Dark Cacao sat across from him. "Yes, Pure Vanilla" Dark Cacao sighed "Children have large imaginations. It's normal for them to see things in the mundane. Dark Choco was once convinced a suit of armor that had never once moved was alive, it's a common occurrence". Pure Vanilla nodded, looking into his glass. His staff watched carefully as he gingerly sipped the liquid to try and calm his nerves. "It's more than that, Dark Cacao. This wasn't some... spirit. It was him. They act like they can see and talk to him"

Dark Cacao looked up, his expression gone from calm to serious "You don't mean-?". "I do" Pure Vanilla confirmed solemnly "They swore they could see him. I- I know he isn't back, but- what if...". Pure Vanilla let out a shuddering sigh, and Dark Cacao tapped his glass as he thought. "I'll contact Elder Faerie. In the meantime, try to keep your mind clear. Your Kingdom needs you". "Yes.. yes, you're right.." Pure Vanilla said softly. "If he does come back, I'll fight with you" Dark Cacao said, leaning forward a bit "Don't face this alone, not when you have those who want to help you"

Pure Vanilla nodded, putting on his usual placating gentle smile "Of course, thank you". Just then, you'd waddled into the room, padding over with a slightly crumbled paper pressed against your side. "Papa! Papa!! C'see!" You called, running up to his side. He glanced to you with a grin "Oh, of course!". He leaned down, tilting his staff as well as he looked over the paper. You held it out proudly, grinning as you looked to him with shiney and hopeful eyes.

Pure Vanilla tried to school his expression, but his smile fell without his control. That same cold chill was back, striking him right in the soul. It was a messily scribbled drawing of you and him, something he'd always treasured. But this time, to your other side, you'd drawn a dark figure. One with mismatched blue eyes, and a wide smile. "Who- who is that..?" Pure Vanilla asked in a shaky voice. "Shadow Cookie!" You proudly declared "My friend!". Dark Cacao leaned over, very gently taking the picture from your hands so he could inspect it.

You began to feel worried as the two shared worried looks. This wasn't anything like the praise and cheers you usually got for your art, and you couldn't understand what was wrong. Dark Cacao suddenly stood "I'll- contact the Faeries. Immediately". "My drawing.." You sadly said, seeing it crumpled in the stoic king's fist. Dark Cacao loosened his hold, beginning to smooth it out as best he could "Ah- forgive me, little one. Here," he said, handing it back to you.

You still had a slight pout, helping to smooth it out as well. Dark Cacao gave hurried goodbyes before he went to leave. Pure Vanilla stood, seeing him out as he placed a hand on your back. "Is... is it bad, papa?" You asked. Pure Vanilla looked down, quickly putting on a smile "Not at all, my darling blue bird. It's wonderful. We were talking about fussy old King business, don't you worry". You felt a little better as he kissed your forehead, moving to walk back to your room "Okay..."

Once inside, you put your drawing down. It still looked pretty good to you, you couldn't piece together why it got the reaction it did. Maybe your new friend would like it! You sat down, grabbing the black and blue crayons as you began working on yet another drawing of them. While you hummed, Pure Vanilla listened on the other side of the door, sighing gently. Worry was practically choking him, but he tried to steady his breathing. This- this was okay. He could- if he just-... he needed that visit as soon as possible.

[yourfaveisintersex]

Stevonnie from Steven Universe is canonically intersex, non-binary, and uses they/them pronouns!

[avocadoraisin]

Still working on ideas I put on my list a year ago.

I imagine arcanine was Hoffman's original partner pokemon in the police force that had to watch his heart turn cold, but still remained ever-loyal.

(Maybe Team Jigsaw test people, but in less deadly ways, lmao?)

I also always love giving everyone tiny baby pokemon to care for. Perez has a plusle.

[microartxsts-blog]

Splash art of her <3

[guardian-angle22]

911 lone star -> carlos reyes groovin'

[mooshs-crack-headcanons]

since both are silent protagonists in the game, EOW zelink just both stare at each other like this to communicate:

Which I think is peak romance btw

[mikayuuyuri]

　ᘛ꒰ྀི ◞ ◟ ꒱ྀིᘚ　　Pink　&　Teal　Pixels　　

credit when using appreciated but not required reposting to other websites and resource rentries ok no pixels are mine, simply recolored

[shaiyasstuff]

I want to request a proposal scenario with either Sylus, Zayne, or both, whichever you prefer. One where he proposed to by his s/o logically pointing out the benefits of marriage… and then adding the emotional reason of "and because I love you and I could love you for the rest of my life" at the end.

Thank you for the request!!

I think it’s cause of the typos so I didn’t quite understand but I tried to deliver hehe. I wrote two short scenarios (let me know if you wanted something different) for sylus and zayne, reacting to S/O saying “because I love you and I could love you for the rest of my life.”

Zayne

He’s at the kitchen table, sleeves pushed to his elbows, one hand resting around a mug he hasn’t touched in a while.

The tea’s gone cold. Light spills through the window in soft gold, casting long shadows across the floor.

He doesn’t look up when you enter. Not right away.

You step closer, steady. Calm.

“Zayne.”

His gaze lifts at the sound of your voice. Quiet. Focused.

“We already live together,” you say, voice even. “We split expenses. You do the grocery runs because I always forget something. I keep the plants alive because you’d drown them otherwise.”

That earns you a faint flicker of a smile—barely there, but you catch it.

“It works. We work.”

He doesn’t interrupt. Just listens. Like he always does.

“I’ve been thinking,” you go on, fingers lacing together.

“Marriage wouldn’t change the way we live. Not really. We already support each other. Emotionally, practically. It makes sense.”

You draw a breath.

“And… because I love you. And I could love you for the rest of my life.”

The silence that follows is a quiet kind of full. Zayne stands—unhurried, composed.

He crosses to you, his presence grounding.

His hands come up to your face, slow and deliberate, thumbs brushing your cheek with that gentleness only he has.

His eyes don’t waver.

“…Then let me spend the rest of my life with you.”

No theatrics. No hesitation. Just truth, in the way he always gives it.

—•

Sylus

He’s hunched over his desk, sleeves rolled up, hands stained with oil and something darker.

Whatever he’s fixing is a tangle of wires and glinting metal, chaos disguised as control. Mephisto sits nearby, head tilted, unnervingly still.

You clear your throat but he doesn’t so much as glance at you.

“I’ve been thinking,” you say lightly. “Marriage could be…strategic.”

He hums without turning, a sound that’s almost a threat. “Mm. And here I thought you weren’t into theatrics.”

“You’re still the most wanted man in Philosian history. A legal bond with me could grant you conditional immunity. In certain jurisdictions.”

That gets a reaction. He chuckles—dry, amused, dangerous. “Are you bribing me with bureaucracy, darling?”

You step closer. “That… and the fact that I already know your blood type, your caffeine threshold, and the exact tone of voice to use when you’re seconds from blowing up a Council member.”

Another pause.

The sound of a wire sparking, a tool clattering against the desk.

“We’ve survived black holes,” you go on. “Ambushes. Your temper. Our odds are ridiculous, but we keep making it out.”

Slowly, deliberately, he turns. One brow raised. Half a smile, sharp enough to cut.

“Now that,” he says, “is the closest thing to a love letter I’ve ever received.”

You don’t smile. Not yet.

“Also,” you say, voice lower now, “I love you. And I could love you for the rest of my life.”

The grin fades like smoke.

For a second, he just stares. As if he’s scanning for traps.

Then he’s moving—faster than he should be able to.

One moment you’re talking, the next his hands are on your waist and his eyes are locked on yours like you’re a promise he never thought he’d get to keep.

“Careful,” he murmurs, voice rough. “You keep talking like that and I might actually believe you.”

You don’t flinch. “Believe it.”

His gaze drops to your lips, then back up. Dangerous. Reverent.

“You want to marry me,” he repeats, more like a statement than a question.

You nod.

A beat. A breath.

Then, quietly—

“Then I dare you.”

He kisses you like it’s a deal sealed in blood and fire.

Like you just offered him the one thing he’s never been able to take: a future.

“Let’s burn the stars down, darling,” he whispers.

“Together.”