#or skull & the arco

[steamworksfairy]

Random Headcanons For The Arcobaleno

As we all know the Arcobaleno are the best in their respective fields. However, I like to consider what random thing(s) they could be good at that isn't necessarily related to their field of work.

Fon- I wana say he can gamble really well as I think it'd be funny. Just imagine how upset Viper would be if they ever found out the guy who hounded them for being too greedy was just randomly really good at gambling! 🤣

Reborn- It might be considered unoriginal, but I feel like he'd be good at something like an instrument. Mostly, the violin, trumpet, or else cello. He just gives off those vibes.

Verde- He can dance! Like really well, actually. I mostly see him doing things like ballet, ballroom dancing, the waltz, tango, and the samba. Maybe hiphoo as well-Look. He can just dance, okay?! It's not really evidence, but I think this headcanon of mine has a smidge of credence as he did that cute little dance in that one anime episode. It was filler but still-

Bonus- 20yl both Verde and Mukuro will dance the samba together. Or maybe it's 10yl and Verde has figured out how to reage himself and his fellow Arco to their precurse ages? Both are separate aus I guess

Lal- Nails. I can't even explain why or how I arrived at this. I just think she is really good at painting nails and doing nail art. She doesn't really get to show off her skills often (her nails get ruined too easily at her job), but when she does, it's always mind-blowing. She's painted things like sakura, koi, dragons, etc. on Fon's nails dozens of times. Skull is always begging her to give him some wicked punk style acrylics with studs and the likes. And Reborn? He's a simple man who just wants a clear coat and a French tip. Viper doesn't often ask (they can just mist some stellar nails into existence), but when they do, they usually tell Lal to surprise them. Colonnello only asks for fun/to spend some relaxing quality time with his fiancee, and he always asks for something blue. She's done simple plain blue nails, ombre, marble, and more on 'Nello in the past. It always gets chipped by the next day, but neither really care all that much. For them it was about spending time together. Verde...idk I don't think Lal's ever done his nails. Not because he wouldn't want her to, but just neither have asked. Perhaps they are too shy? *shrugs*

Colonnello- The dude can sing! He mostly does it in the shower. Sometimes, there will be a few Arco pressed against the bathroom door listening to him as he belts some rock song from the 80s. He can totally hit those Areosmith notes!!!

Viper- I feel like Viper could do stuff like knit, crochet, sew, embroidery, and even beading. They feel crafty like that, and you better believe they are skilled!!! They have an old cloak from their childhood just full of gorgeous embroidery. They also buy yarn at discounted prices when there's a sale so they can make people hand knited and crocheted items. A lot of the times, the Arco and Varia will go to them to patch up holes in their clothes. There is always a price! But it's worth it to see Viper's embroidery work. That's just how they patch up holes more times than not.

Skull- Idk, my ideas are pretty basic with Skull right now. He's good at makeup, cooking/baking, and he definitely has a good fashion sense that he never gets to show off often due to always wearing his leather jumpsuit.

[ask-skull-and-muffin]

Goodnight Story #9

[Plain Text: "Goodnight Story #9" bigger and cursive /end pt]

Today was supposed to be a normal, peaceful day for Verde. Unfortunately, Skull, Reborn and Fon somehow ended up bored. So Verde has some slightly annoying company.

Skull is still inspecting Verde's forging oven, naively crawling halfway inside it, unnecessarily fascinated with the way it's set up. Of course Reborn pushes the door shut, making Skull squawk in surprise, before addressing Verde much too nonchalantly. "What are you drawing?"

Verde doesn't look up from his work, calmly continuing to sketch, even as Fon hovers over his shoulder, curiously watching him work. Verde just barely remembers Reborn likes to have his questions answered. "Schematics."

Fon hums inquisitively, shaking his head just a tiny bit. He would not be able to read half of the Italian Verde used in this schematic, so his confusion is understandable. "No... No that's a human arm."

Verde doesn't sigh, but he wants to. Fon is just curious and wants to learn, his lack of a formal education is not his fault. So Verde educates him, his tone gentle. "Prosthesis, Fon. I'm designing a prosthetic arm."

Fon hums softly again, leaning just a bit closer. Verde can feel the body-heat rolling off of him now. The awe in Fon's voice is entirely genuine. "That's pretty cool. It looks... So life-like."

Of course, such a comment draws Reborn near and that man knows no personal space. Verde just huffs when Reborn drapes his weight over his shoulder, snuggling close shamelessly and taking a look himself. The momentary pause that follows really says more than enough, but Reborn voices his opinion anyways. "Are you... Sketching from memory?"

Verde hums faintly in acknowledgement, adjusting himself under Reborn's weight and once again losing himself to focus just a little. After a minute, Fon's weight is a little added surprise, but Verde honestly doesn't mind. At least they're resting on both of his shoulders now and distributing their weight more evenly.

Skull speaks up then, no longer in the Forge, instead he's admiring Verde's indoor garden. He's gently cupped his hands around a still-green orange, fascinated and endeared. "I still can't believe you build all this yourself."

This, of course, meaning the highly sophisticated watering and lighting systems that support Verde's little garden. That was one of his first private projects Verde was able to fund. It's been years since then. "I can build anything. All I need are materials and time."

Of course, Reborn has to be a little shit, sounding entirely too amused as he reminds Verde. "And money."

Verde promptly shakes Reborn and Fon off of his shoulders, frowning to himself. That reminder was unhelpful and uncalled for. Verde quickly resolves to ignore them starting now-

But Reborn sighs, over-exaggerated and impatient. You can practically hear the eyeroll and Verde turns to him, the words to tell him off already on the tip of his tongue. But...

Reborn is holding an envelope, thick with whatever is inside it. He sounds smugly amused again. "Let me finish. You need money for your projects."

Reborn offers the envelope to Verde, something distinctly fond in the look in his eyes. Fon and Skull are nearby too, looking adorably excited now. Somehow Reborn still sounds like he's teasing him. "This is for you. Happy Valentine's, you nerd."

Verde blinks rapidly, briefly glancing toward his calender, before accepting the envelope, entirely suspiscious. Fon and Skull look almost too excited. From that alone, Verde can deduce that this present was probably some kind of group effort.

Verde picks the envelope open, raising his eyebrows in surprise when he unearths an actual stack of bills. By the looks of it alone, this is at least 30.000 Euro. This might just be enough to finish Verde's next 4 projects!

Verde looks at his idiots again, his chest oddly warm, even as his voice comes out unsure and stern. "Why?"

Skull speaks up this time, fidgeting his hands together, shifting around. He's blushing, the way he does when he thinks he's in trouble. "Actually... It was Viper's idea. Cause I kept going on about... Feeling bad for breaking your glass stuff..."

Oh, yes. Months ago, when Skull was in a particularly helpful mood, he'd dropped a whole box of glassware. Several beakers, numerous vials and even some syringes and droppers where lost. But nothing particularly important was broken. Verde had told him it was fine. He'd even outright forgiven him after Skull brought him some new glassware from who knows where.

So this is just silly-

Fon gently brushes his knuckles over Verde's cheeks, pulling him out of his thoughts entirely and giving him a very warm smile. "Skull and Viper came up with the idea because of that incident. But it's supposed to be a gift first and foremost."

Reborn is standing back a bit now, his arms loosely crossed, a subtle indication he is not entirely secure with the vulnerability he is about to present. Verde sometimes wonders if Reborn is aware of his own tells actually. "We know how much you love your projects."

Skull and Fon nod their agreement and Verde blinks down at the stack of cash again. He won't reject this, cause that would be quite idiotic, but... It feels wrong to accept this much without somehow returning the favor. So, after just a moment of thought, Verde offers the one thing he can give freely. ".... Thank you very much. May I hug you?"

Skull almost chirps like a bird, nodding enthusiastically and bouncing in place. He is in Verde's arms before Verde has even fully stood up out of his seat.

Fon chuckles at Skull's eagerness, but he too nods, flushing faintly. He moves more slowly, careful to control his strength when he cuddles into Verde's embrace next to Skull.

They are both so tiny in Verde's arms, their cheeks barely rest comfortably against his shoulders. Verde makes sure to give both of them a good squeeze, placing two tiny kisses on top of their hair, before looking at the last person that has earned a hug today.

Reborn is blushing surprisingly brightly, his arms crossed just a bit tighter and he'd averted his eyes for just a moment. Verde catches his eyes when he looks at them again. Verde wordlessly gestures that Reborn can absolutely join this hug, but Reborn hesitates.

So Verde gently pats Skull's back and presses light on Fon's shoulder, slowly breaking their embrace, so both of his arms are free to accommodate Reborn. He offers the hug again, silently. And the hesitation completely leaves Reborn.

Reborn is a bit taller than Fon and Skull. He can rest his chin on Verde's shoulder quite comfortably, but he also hugs like a vice. If Verde hadn't preemptively reinforced his skin with just a touch of lightning, he might've gotten a bruise from that tight squeeze.

Instead, Verde is perfectly content like this, cuddling Reborn closer for a moment, before moving to put a kiss on the man's head. That accursed fedora gets in his way though, which very briefly gives Reborn a case of the giggles. Then Reborn tips his hat back and goes up on his tiptoes, placing the gentlest of kisses on both of Verde's cheeks.

And just like that, Reborn breaks the hug and tugs his fedora back down again to cover his expression. He's blushing and smiling and immediately turns to leave the room, because that was probably more than enough vulnerability for him, for the rest of the month.

Verde will also feel very warm and loved for about a month at least. Especially since Fon and Skull overcome their shyness and bashfully request another hug.

And it's only been a few weeks at most since the last time Verde felt this Treasured and Beloved!

.... Verde knows he's earned this affection. They all did.

[hopeswriting]

this is it guys, this is the last poll to choose THE swornest enemy of all among all sworn enemies based on the results of the last polls. @losyash the time has come. all of you, choose well.

(also just so you know, fanon khr should be there too, but i figured it wouldn't be as fun if it was up to vote too. i feel like fanon harmonization has the potential to bring most of the votes too, but at least it's more specific than just the whole of fanon khr lol)

[r0d30-brqt]

some luce doodes i did :3c

[vintagerpg]

Knock offs, all the way down. I love this stuff, man, it just scratches an itch in my brain in a way that never fails to be entertaining.

So, this is Skull Turret (1982), one of two little plastic towers made to hold the monster figures from Arco’s Dragons n’ Monsters line of rack toys. The other one is Headsgone Tower. Each had one dragon and three monsters, all molded in colored plastic that is so bright it is difficult to photograph. I have the full compliment, save one of the dragons.

The towers are cute, but the monsters are the interesting bit. Old heads might have already noticed, certainly folks who listened to the podcast episode on these guys know: the little dudes are knock-offs of various RPG miniatures. The dragon that I don’t have is Ral Partha’s Royal Dragon, while the one I do have is just the Welsh dragon in plastic. The Cylcops and the Birdman are both very close but not exact replicas of minis from Martian Metals (circa 1979?). The fellow with the whip is a crude copy of Tom Meier’s Troll Discipline Master from Citadel (circa 1981?). The Djinn is from Heritage, as is the “Brawn Hulk,” itself an Umber Hulk from D&D with the serial numbers filed off. Last, and perhaps most recognizable, is the Lizardman With Club from Grenadier’s line of Dungeons & Dragons miniatures from 1980.

I love them!

[isagrimorie]

I screencapped a close-up of a Borg skull prop used for Picard season 2, and I love the high fidelity of the photo, this is the 3d print file:

And this is the finished product:

And it's so interesting how grafted the metal is to the skull, it really is fused into the skull. No wonder Seven's ocular implant can never be removed.

And yet, this borg skull plating is still not as extensive as Seven's as we saw in Timeless:

Under Seven's beautiful hair has some scar tissue and implants:

And as Seven mentioned, installing her occipital implant is the most painful thing she's ever experienced. Meaning, she must have been conscious when it happened:

But also we saw in Imperfection there's a lot more metal under her skull:

She's 70% more metal than organic under the skin.

Are these just implants escaping or is that metal under her skin?

Is this what Seven's skin that's covered up by the suit looks like? More implants?

As we saw from Picard season 1 and even from Voyager, Survival Instincts other ex-Borgs were not as lucky as Seven was, the EMH Doctor really has a talent for extracting Borg implants and fixing the skin.

In a Watsonian POV, I wish the Doctor was less great about wielding a dermal regenerator, but in a Doylist POV, there really wasn't any choice because Berman & co wanted the 'sexy' catsuit. It's a shame because seeing the scars on other xBs added a lot. Jonathan del Arco spoke on how the scars added more to the character and Jeri Ryan agreed.

I don't think I'll ever stop being fascinated with the aspect of borgs, their physicality and what the Borg have done to people.

[yarrayora]

Despite the Arcos knowing that Skull is their least competent member it never looks that way to outsiders. A man who is able to shrug off everything that kills everyone else even as he takes it head on is amazing. As for his personality... well, being bratty is just an Arcobaleno thing isn't it?

[rayshippouuchiha]

aaahhh where’d our adventurous, runaway duo go next, though? i think it’s be cute if skull took tsuna to his home country and taught him a bit of his culture,, almost like an extension of trust that the arco definitely ain’t earned yet (bonus: tsuna is also the first to find out skull’s a fucking god in the kitchen, be it cooking or baking or making some kinda warm drink because russia is cold).

Oh Skull is absolutely gonna take Tsuna to the motherland for a bit. Some of the more isolated places where they can just be for a little bit. Plus it makes it a perfect place to hide because no one really knows where Skull came from before he was chosen as an Arcobaleno. No one really bothered to ask after all.

But it's a secret of sorts that Skull knows he can share with Tsuna.

And yes! Tsuna is absolutely gonna find out that Skull can throw down in the kitchen.

[dark-elf-writes]

I once read an HP X KHR cross that had the whole Arco Animals explained by the Carcassa, who Skull kinda took over in an kinda accidental hostile coup that happened after they kidnapped Harry, his nephew, if I remember correctly.

The Carcassa in that fic breeded flame compatible animals, (it was vaguely explained that stronger flames tended to REALLY offset primal instincts), but fell down the rabbit hole of Aesthetic over Health, as is the unfortunate trend, and thus all of their stock was just... useless at that point.

The ArcoAnimals were the ones expected to live LONG lives, but not ones free from pain, and had special abilities that isolated them, so he just...

Called up his still recovering teammates and gave them each a free therapy animal.

[Except Lal who Oodako was MEANT FOR, unfortunately the way botched curse fucked with her flames made him fucking terrified of her.]

OOOOOOOO

First Uncle Skull I am screaming.

Second I really like that idea for why the Arco’s animal companions are the way that they are.

Third drop the link bestie

[robasarel]

so i really, really love all the arco art you've been giving us lately, and i'm so grateful for the arco content, thank you!! 🙏🏽 and idk if you take requests? totally feel free to say no, but you've already drawn reborn, skull and fon, and i'd love to see colonnello in your style too if you feel like it? 👉🏽👈🏽

Actually I wasn't going to draw Colonnello…but maybe I'll change my mind. (And thank you, I'm glad that you like my khr sketches <3)

[ieatyourbeauty]

Stir the Blood *demon Soap fanfic*

A woman Summons a demon that she nicknames Soap, some demon hunting ensues maybe a romance.

MDNI

warning: some sexual content.

(might be a series might not be we will see)

A abandoned church on hill a dark cold stormy night sounds like a starter for a horror novel, and I guess you can call it that. A girl by the name of Josey lights candles and draws a symbol with chalk on the floor of the church her footsteps echoing in the empty cathedral as she stands in the middle of the circle she takes a knife out making cut on her hand wincing in pain and squeezing it to make it drip on the summoning circle.

Josey: This has to work...please this just has too I have no other choice!

A strong wind enters the old church blowing out the candles the room got colder she could see her breath and she was shivering.....she could only hear her breath and the rain outside, she heard a noise and looked around seeing nothing, she smelled something weird.....laundry soap? stepping away from the circle she took out a rosary in her pocket and grabbed it saying a silent prayer for herself.

Josey: I know I'm damned to hell for doing this but it needed to be done.

Then she heard a voice seeing a figure in front of her she steps back her eyes wide a man with a red skull mask and horns staring her down his wings torn from millennia of use.

???: You are not the first to call me out, and you will not be the last. What is your desire, little mortal.

Josey: I summoned u here for a reason demon the tomb on the book said if I summon u, you have to do my bidding.

???: really now.....why would I do that you only just summoned me you haven't bonded me to ya

He grins approaching her she takes a step back terrified he gets close to her she's breathing heavily looking up at his blue eyes weird set of eyes for a demon she thought she was expecting goat eyes or cat eyes something like that.

???: I won't always be in your control what's stopping me from just killing u here and now...or using you for my own pleasures little mortal.

Josey: ARCO!

All the sudden the demon felt his power draining he dropped to his knees feeling a restraint on his neck choking him he glared up at her his eyes full of rage reaching up at her, she moves away from him a shocked look, stunned that the words actually worked.

???: Do you know what demon your messing with human bitch?!

Josey: DEORSUM!

The spell pins the demon down she stands over him now determined.

Josey: if u even think about doing me harm this enchantment I put on u drains your powers so you'll feel like a mortal I know yall demons hate that!

The demon snarls at her, but is powerless to do anything else, and glares at her as she stands above him she puts a collar on his neck.

???: You really have no fuckin idea what you've done, mortal. When the time is right, I will break free. Then I will make you regret this witch!

Josey: right... until then come with me demon my home is in the woods I will discuss my plan with you there.

The demon had to think of a plan how was he going to break this mortal woman betting? seducing? Anything? She walks away the demon reluctantly following her behind, he's seething with rage and plotting on how he would try to betray the woman. As the demon and mortal are walking through the forest she looks at him and smirks.

Josey: you know when I summoned you I expected to smell sulfur and brimstone but oddly enough it smelled like laundry soap.....ah I have to give my new pet a name right?....hmmm I'll call you Soap!

Soap: what a stupid name! that's no name for a demon!

Josey: your name is Soap now deal with it ahhh home sweet home.

She laughs as they approach her house, They enter the home and go upstairs to her bedroom and she discusses her plan with Soap the demon. Soap crossing his arms leaning on a wall waiting for her to talk not like he has a choice still livid over the name she forced onto him..

Josey: There are demons in this city with human's who do their bidding and I'm going to kill them all with your help of course. you can take care of the demons while I take care of the human part of the problem I need to hunt these fuckers down.

Soap: so you need me to do your dirty work why not do it yourself.

Josey: well as u so pointed out Soap I'm a mortal I cant exactly kill a demon which is why I summoned you supposedly your a powerful demon though being contained by me I might have made a mistake and gotten a weakling...

This pissed soap off as he got closer to her but he couldn't do anything but stare at her his blue eyes piercing hers, Soap chuckles.

Soap: Weak? Weak, you say? Just because you bound me, you think you have the advantage, woman? I could blast you out of existence, in this moment I could ravage you and take you as my personal slave.

She gets close whispering in his ear, teasing him her body close to his he feels her figure. Soap feels her tug at his collar.

Josey: yet who is the one collard Soap.

Soap: don't try and seduce me mortal..I am much beyond the need for such...distractions.

Josey: hmm yet I see you blushing Soap...curious I didnt know demons could blush...anyway that collar on your neck is infused with my blood ....virgin blood so if u planned on seducing me that enchanted collar is staying on your neck.

For the first time, she see's Soap look...nervous. And this, of course, amuses her His face flushes, and he looks away. Josey laughs she liked humbling this demon He growls, in an attempt to play off the situation.

Josey: Don't worry ill give u something better you like eating souls correct taste better than candy? .....if u partner up with me u can eat all the souls you want the more corrupted the better they taste correct?

He takes off his mask and smiles widely, teeth sharp.

Soap: Now you're speaking my language, woman. I get to eat souls with your help?

Josey: yes and hell at this end of this journey u can even have mine......a promise....Do we have a deal?

She extends her hand, Soap hesitates for a moment, before taking her hand and shaking it. Soap pulls her close their lips almost touching he makes one last threat.

Soap: you have a deal woman, but just remember the moment you fuck up I will make your mind and your body mine.

He kisses her, his lips soft, his tongue pushes against hers, and he pulls away again, his grin ever present. Josey blushed never been kissed like that but she composed herself but on the inside just a kiss from him made her cunt wet.

Josey: I'll take your word for it demon now get some rest we have a long road ahead of us....rest well....Soap.

The demon glares at you, still angry that you forced him into this.

Soap: Very well. I will go rest, but it's not because you told me to, witch.

She enters the bathroom closing the door she leans on the door breathing heavily she gets undressed her panties drenched. She enters the shower fingering herself thinking about Soap fucking her covering her mouth so her moans don't reach his ears and hoping the noise from the water covers it.

Josey: fuck....fucking demon I gotta be more careful.....he touches me like that again I'm done for, I gotta keep my head straight.

Meanwhile Soap lays on the couch tugging on his collar still pissed that hes in this situation and that if he was in hell other demons would laugh at him being bonded to a human woman.

Soap: I hate this. I hate this human If I could escape, I would. If I could kill her, ohhh I would make her sorry one way or another.

He continues muttering angry comments about you, but eventually falls asleep despite it. Josey steps out of the shower a towel wrapped around her body she sees Soap sleeping on the couch approaching him she lowers her face towards his wanting to touch his lips again before backing away and putting one a tshirt and shorts and going to bed.

(idk i might do more lemme know what yall think.)

[social-muffin]

🏳️‍⚧️ , 😬, and 😭 for Skull )

Thank you for the Ask Anon!! I shall give the people more Headcanons about Skull!!

🏳️‍⚧️ A gender headcanon!

Skull goes by he/they pronouns! Nobody's ever asked, so Skull never got to talk about the fact that, on some days, gender is a no-go to him. Not to mention that he is occasionally mistaken for a girl and perfectly fine with that. Due to his cloud flame being absolutely overpowered and capable of affecting his body (see his skill: Muscle Body) he can give himself whatever hormones he feels like having, so if Skull was trans, they would just live their life as an actual woman!

😬 A headcanon about the worst thing they’ve done!

Hm... I headcanon Skull as absolutely overpowered. So much so he purposefully conducts reckless research on his pacifier to find out how to Break the curse. Not how to contain it, or how to manage it better. How to break it, fully aware breaking it could destroy reality as he knows it...

Now for the real kicker! The only reason Skull doesn't break the curse... He doesn't want to cut the other Arco's suffering short. Because secretly there is so much anger and hatred for them at the core of him, he likes watching them grief and suffer from the curse.

😭 A headcanon about the worst thing that happened to them!

You would think the worst thing that happened to Skull us the curse, yes? Well... In some of my AUs, the worst thing that ever happened to him was the end of his stunt career. He rejected Kawahira's offer and on that same day, his bike malfunctioned infront of the press and Skull severely injured a member of his camera crew. That man ended up paralyzed and sued Skull's good reputation out of existence.

The Arcos do not know this. Hell, nobody in the Mafia bothers to research Skull's career that far, but.... Really, his public image is in complete shambles. Even after the curse breaks, Skull wouldn't be able to go back to stunt riding as is. He'd be recognized (whether as himself or as a fan of himself) and get booed off stage. Skull doesn't dare Google himself these days, because he has seen the newspaper headlines and those were already enough to break his ego and make him accept Kawahira's shady offer.

[ask-skull-and-muffin]

Goodnight Story #6

[plain text: "Goodnight Story #6" Bigger and in cursive /end pt]

Today is... Kind of special. It's been half a year afterall... And maybe the others wouldn't remember, but Skull does! Today is the six month anniversary of the day they first met actually. It feels significant, so Skull goes out of his way to bake some chocolate chip cookies.

He uses this recipe that's just... Stored inside his brain for some reason. He writes it out in Russian and follows his own instructions to perfection. Then.... Then Skull remembers that he's baking for seven very picky eaters. And he panics just a little bit.

Unfortunately the cookies are already in the oven and he can hear footsteps glide down the stairs. Skull speed cleans the kitchen, blushing bright red when Fon walks in on him tiptoeing to put away the mixing bowl. Fon blinks at him, sniffing the air for just a second, before smiling very very sweetly. "What are you baking? It smells nice."

Skull huffs sharply to try to get that blush to fade, but that's impossible when those weirdly familiar brown eyes look at him so very fondly. He whines out the answer, just because he knows Fon will probably hate the cookies anyways. "It's just... Some cookies for everyone. F-for no reason..."

Fon walks over to the oven, crouching down and raising an eyebrow at whatever catches his attention. Now he sounds a bit surprised. "They look nothing like Luce's cookies."

Skull purses his lips faintly, feeling oddly offended by that, before sighing and shrugging to himself. He just... Ends up explaining. "I'm not using Luce's recipes or methods. This is just. Something outta my own brain."

Fon makes a vague 'oh' sound, but that's when the egg timer goes off and Skull rushes to pull the cookies out of the oven. He wiggles the baking sheet, including the cookies, on this free space on the table, before sliding the baking tray back into the oven.

He shuts the oven, just as the others file into the room, each of them still their own version of sleepy. Skull snaps open his designated baking fan, gently fanning cool air at the cookies while the others stare at him uncomfortably. Fon sounds much too bright for the time of day already, but his enthusiasm is appreciated. "Skull baked us all some cookies."

Skull nods, perhaps a bit frantic, cause he meant to have the kitchen perfectly tidy by the time everyone would awake. There is still some mess, flour and sugar, on the ground and he didn't manage to wash all the dishes just yet...

But the others don't seem to pay that ahy mind at all. Reborn walks over and picks up one of the cookies actually, giving it this skeptical look, before just taking a bit. Skull twitches, because he wanted to plate those up first and cool them down further.

But then again... Reborn is just ridiculous. And he does apparently like something that isn't coffee, because he actually leans back against the table and let's his eyes flutter closed for a second as he chews. And Skull knows a few of his tells by now. That kind of relaxation means Reborn is enjoying himself, right?

Skull doesn't have to wait for his answer long, because Reborn finishes his cookie and quickly grabs another, at which point, the others rush forward to grab their share of the still slightly hot cookies.

Skull is left blinking rapidly at the empty baking sheet, closing his fan with a little snap of his wrist and... Feeling a very sweet warmth spread out from his soul.

The others are actually quarreling about the last cookie... Awe...

Skull will simply have to bake some more!

[hopeswriting]

EVENT: KHR Rare Pair Week 2022

PROMPT: Day 2 - Bodyguard AU

PAIRING: Skull/Arcobaleno

SUMMARY:

As he makes it more and more famous in the stunt industry, people inexplicably start targeting Skull’s life. Naturally, his manager hires bodyguards to keep him safe.

Seven of them, just to be safe rather than sorry.

RATING: G

AUTHOR: @hopeswriting

TAG WARNING: Mild Swearing

WORD COUNT: 3325

LINKS: Ao3 & Ff.net

[Plain text:

EVENT: KHR Rare Pair Week 2022

PROMPT: Day 2 - Bodyguards AU

PAIRING: Skull/Arcobaleno

SUMMARY:

As he makes it more and more famous in the stunt industry, people inexplicably start targeting Skull’s life. Naturally, his manager hires bodyguards to keep him safe.

Seven of them, just to be safe rather than sorry.

RATING: G

AUTHOR: @hopeswriting

TAG WARNING: Mild Swearing

WORD COUNT: 3325

LINKS: Ao3 & Ff.net /End PT]

*

Skull opens the door to the meeting room, smoothing his grumpy face for a more professionally unwilling and disapproving one, his manager and his two perfectly capable bodyguards following in his steps. The seven people already sat at one side of the long table turn their eyes on them, and the blond one whistles loud and drawled out, unmistakably appreciative, looking him up and down.

Dead silence falls in the room, Skull and his team pausing in their steps. Blondie widens his eyes, slapping his hand against his mouth, his golden, tan skin taking on an increasing red tint. One of the two women at either side of him lets out a brief burst of laughter, then slaps her hand against her mouth too to muffle it. Some of the others snicker more discreetly than hers, while the rest of them simply smile, more or less wide and mocking.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," Blondie says, "that was so inappropriate. I don't know what came over me, but please, don't let it affect your decision or reflect on my teammates. I swear it won't happen again—shut up," he grits through his teeth in a low hiss at his colleague, but she just turns her head and leans it against the shoulder of her colleague at her other side, still laughing as quietly as she can in her fist, her shoulders shaking. Blondie turns back to him, his face decidedly red now. "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," Skull says, trying to restrain his smile for his sake, and maybe now feeling a little less unwilling about this whole meeting thing, and what about it? He didn't even try for it, wearing a plain all black outfit—hoodie, pants and snickers—, though he still did his hair and makeup. "Thanks."

Blondie groans, hiding his face in his hands as he leans his elbows on the table. Next to him his colleague has yet to stop laughing, sounding like she's choking on her laughter now, but none of her colleagues seem worried about it, so Skull doesn't either.

He makes for the other side of the table, flicking his eyes over them. They all look very professional in their black suits, each wearing a dress shirt of a different color under their jackets. One of them wears an indigo cowl matching with their dress shirt, the hood up and low enough it hides their eyes, an upside down purple triangle tattooed on their cheeks. Another one wears an Asian suit from the look of it, a Chinese one he'd guess, while he thinks he glimpses a fedora on the lap of the one with a yellow dress shirt.

Their suits look very expensive too, and very pretty, which he can't help but notice because he has two functioning, seeing eyes, and it's a bit hard to keep his eyes up and not to stare.

He takes a seat across the woman next to Blondie, the one not still currently laughing, sitting in the middle of them—or almost in the middle, seeing as they add to an odd number. His manager takes the seat next to him, while his bodyguards stand behind them.

The woman has a little orange tattoo under her left eye looking like a flower, and from up close, the other one next to Blondie has what looks like a burnt scar curling around her right eye and down her cheekbone, and just now is making herself stop laughing.

"Good afternoon, sir," the woman with the flower tattoo says, sliding a stack of business cards over to him past the file in front of her. "My name's Luce, nice to meet you."

"Yeah, good afternoon. Nice to meet you too, but you can all just call me Skull." He flips the cards one after another, catching the different names on it. He catches the names of different agencies too, raising his eyebrow at it.

"Please, excuse our colleague's…" she glances at Blondie, still hiding his face in his hands "...uncharacteristic behavior."

"He meant no offense," the man at her other side says, the one with the fedora on his lap. He sits like a king in his chair, his legs crossed at the knees, somehow managing to smirk professionally. He has the blackest eyes Skull's ever seen, seemingly seeing right through him, cute, curly sideburns at either side of his face. "On the contrary, clearly."

Blondie groans loudly, abruptly leaning back against his chair, still hiding his face in his hands. "Just kill me now."

His colleagues laugh at him again, and he forcefully ruffles his hair, not dislodging at all the bandanna holding his hair away from his eyes. He crosses his arms on his chest then, his face still red, and he's clearly not looking at him.

"It's fine," Skull says again, biting his lip to restrain his grin, but he doubts it's doing much. "None taken. Surely you already knew how I look like, though?" he can't help but ask.

"Of course we did our homework in the case you should decide to hire us," Cute Curly Sideburns says smoothly, his voice syrupy sweet, "but I have to admit too that none of the pictures I've seen of you do you any justice face to face." He very pointedly looks him up and down then, but somehow still makes it look like a casual, absentminded look when he catches his eye again.

Skull gaps, and does not feel himself blushing.

Oh, oh, that little—that—that devious man!

What the hell, what even was that? That wasn't very professional now, was it?

Was that even legal? Or was it a marketing strategy, seducing his employers-to-be to make sure they do end up as his employers? Not that he did anything much, or would ever need—no, not the point, Skull, focus.

Oh, this is so not fair.

"I'm Reborn," he says, just as Skull remembers to close his mouth and is about to look away, and he just knows Reborn chose his timing on purpose to force him to keep his eyes on him. He offers his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Skull."

"Me too," Skull says, shaking his hand, totally not blushing no matter what Reborn's smirk is telling him.

Next to Reborn, the one with the cowl huffs, sounding like they're rolling their eyes under their hood. "Viper."

"Fon," the man next to them says, bowing his head slightly, a smile on his lips.

The woman next to Blondie nods. "Lal."

"Verde," the man next to her says, green hair just as bright as his purple hair.

"Colonnello," Blondie says last, and apparently put himself back together enough he can look him in the eye now. He even offers his hand for a handshake, big and cold and calloused, and his own shivers a little at the contact.

Skull gives them all a brief, polite smile. "Nice to meet you all." He clears his throat. "So. Seven of you?" he asks, almost rolling his eyes.

Really, his manager is just too much sometimes. The hell is he supposed to do with seven bodyguards? The hell are they all supposed to individually do with him when there's seven of them?

"Your manager let us understand it's a necessary measure," Luce says.

Skull turns a deadpan, pointed look at his manager, who splutters in his hurry to justify himself. "It is! Do you even realize how many people tried to kill you by now? The lengths they've gone to in their attempts to kill you? I can't even begin to imagine why you'd be targeted with so much prejudice, but do I need to remind you the—

"Okay, yeah, fine," Skull cuts him off, frowning a little, because, yeah, it is starting to get a little out of hands. Who is he, the queen of England? "But seven of them? How are they even—" he whispers, then glances at them before looking back at him. He lowers his voice another notch. "Where are they even—"

"Of course we won't all be with you at all times," Luce is quick to reassure him. "We'll work in smaller teams so to cover all your bases, though one of them will have to constantly stay with you, keeping you safe and getting you safely wherever you'll need to go."

Skull scoffs, and he didn't really mean to, but, yeah, no. "No, thanks. I can get myself wherever I need to just fine all by myself, thank you very much."

Verde scoffs, glancing up at his bodyguards before looking back at him. "And they just let you?" he asks, clearly distasteful and judging.

"Yes," Skull stresses pointedly before his two perfectly capable bodyguards can voice their offense should they feel the need to. "On my demand. And I am the one ultimately calling the shots, am I not?"

"I can think of ten ways off the top of my head I could kill you by messing with your personal vehicles," Viper says.

Skull stubbornly crosses his arms on his chest. "Yeah, well, I can think of twenty ways off the top of my head I could live through your ten ways of messing with my personal vehicles, and still get wherever I was going to with them."

"In the case of a car chase—" Verde tries again, but Skull scoffs again, loud and disbelieving, almost bursting out laughing.

"I thought you all did your homework already?" he taunts.

He expects Verde to react negatively at that, but he smiles instead, looking amused. He looks a bit condescending too, like he's looking at a kid overestimating his abilities when Skull meant every word, thank you very much, but it is quite the nice smile on his lips.

At the corner of his eye Colonnello and Lal are grinning too, pleasantly surprised as far as he can tell, while Reborn's low chuckles tingles his skin down his spine, and is it suddenly hot in the room or what?

He shouldn't have put on a hoodie.

"Skull," his manager starts, displeasure clear in his voice.

"It's fine," Fon cuts him off, his voice placating. "There's no need to fight among us about this matter. Whichever personal vehicle you use, there'll always be at least one place for more, yes?" he asks, but it's a rhetorical question. "One of us can always take a ride with you. Would you be okay with that, Skull?"

Skull has still plenty to say on the matter, but good lord, does Fon have arms if he's ever seen ones. And muscles hugged just right by his suit.

Skull isn't even religious, but he's really going to need a divine intervention to stop being distracted by the sight in front of him.

What do they even look so pretty for anyway? Can people even look that pretty? Do people that pretty even exist?

He knows he exists, obviously, but that's different and not the point, and he's still staring at Fon's arms, isn't he? Fuck, move your eyes upwards, you hopeless simp—

"Wonderful," Luce says, taking his silence for an agreement. And what did he just say? A divine intervention, at the very least. "Glad we've gotten at least this one issue out of the way. Anything else you'd like clarifications on?"

"Yes," he says, wrenching his eyes away from Fon, trying to hold on his dignity and ignore the knowing looks they're all giving him. Like Skull hasn't caught them staring too. "What about my current bodyguards? They were there first, and I'm perfectly satisfied with them."

"Of course they can stay," Lal says, her arms crossed on her chest, all business-like all of a sudden, not that she wasn't already before. "If the level of threat you're under right now is to be believed, we definitely could use the extra hands to keep you, your team, and anyone you'll be working with safe, as they're likely to be targeted too to get to you. Or you can send them on paid vacation until we're done doing our job, as it's only meant to be a temporary measure until we've dealt with the threats on your life."

"On that note," Colonnello says, a serious look on his face too, "anything else you can tell us about that? About whom or why? Anything would help."

His manager and him exchange a glance.

His manager shakes his head. "Like I've already said," he starts, sounding apologetic, "I really have no idea why this is happening. And if Skull knows, he didn't see fit to tell me about it."

"Dude!" Skull blurts out, equally amused and incredulous. "Way to throw me under the bus, what the hell? You're supposed to be on my side here."

His manager purses his lips. "This is really not a joke, Skull. Your life literally depends on it, so please, take this seriously."

"Do you know something?" Luce asks.

Skull almost rolls his eyes, but he knows his manager means well and only has his well-being in mind, which he's grateful for. He shrugs. "I don't know," he lies. "Maybe some really obsessed fans? Or some jealous haters? I'm becoming really famous by now."

He does have a guess, because they're all weirdly committed to this, and actually only try to kill him after Skull turned down their weird recruiting thing for God knows what. But no one else has to suspect it, let alone know for sure about his very literal immortality, which he can only assume is what it's all about.

"Strongly doubt it," his manager says. "We're a far cry from the usual stalker behavior or kidnapping attempts, and even from the attempted murders by knives or guns."

"There's nothing usual about me, that's why."

That gets a little laugh out of all of them, even Luce, seemingly despite herself. It drops her business facade for a second, but then she catches herself, bringing a graceful hand to cover her mouth. Her eyes remain crinkled at the corner and full of mirth though, and she steals his breath away just a little.

She clears her throat. "I see. In any case, ultimately the why doesn't matter, so there's nothing for you to worry about. We'll still thoroughly deal with all of them, and make sure no one else even thinks about trying ever again." Skull raises his eyebrow, then exchanges a glance with his manager. That was foreboding. "Anything else you'd like to know? Something about us or our services, maybe?"

"I don't want your services," Skull says, pouting, maybe now being difficult just for the sake of being difficult.

But also totally not, because how is he supposed to keep himself together with them as his bodyguards? With them as his bodyguards looking like that? Do they expect him to be and remain professional about it? Do they expect him to draw a hard line about them not being anything but professional with him should they feel otherwise?

Yeah, right. Because that totally sounds like him alright.

Oh, yeah, he'd also have to make sure they don't learn about his immortality, which is hard enough with two bodyguards, let alone seven.

"Skull," his manager hisses in his ear. "Just make an effort, will you? Do you even realize just how expensive this meeting alone is?"

Oh, right. "What are even your prices?" Luce smiles, and then says a frankly outrageous number, and Skull should be given a medal for not bursting out laughing. He can't possibly have heard that right. Who are they, the kings and queens of England? "Come again?" he asks, his disbelief thick in his voice.

Luce laughs indulgently, while the others smile, some even chuckling. "We're the best of the best in the field, that's why. None of the people we've ever protected got even if only a scratch on them, let alone died under our protection, so please, trust me when I say we're worth the investment."

"No, please," Skull says, still wondering if he should bow or get on his knees or something. "Do tell me your prices again so I'm sure I've heard you right."

"We have a deal," his manager cuts in.

Skull gives him a look, opening his mouth, but he gives him a look, and he closes it again. He huffs, slumping in his chair. It's totally not like Skull is the boss of him or anything.

Luce claps her hands together. "Wonderful! Thank you for your trust. Here." She slides her file to him. "Those are our contracts. You can get back to us tomorrow at the latest, so please, take your time reading them."

"Thank you very much," his manager says, taking the file while standing. Luce stands too, and Skull does the same because he's not that rude. "Thank you for having us."

"It was our pleasure," she says, offering her hand to his manager, then to him. "I'm looking forwards to this partnership."

Skull gives her a polite smile, taking her hand in his.

Luce pulls him forwards as glass shatters, his manager yelping in surprise and falling back on his chair, Colonnello seemingly having tripped him under the table. Skull catches himself on the table with his free arm, something wheezing above his head then crashing against the wall.

His bodyguards hurriedly move, cursing, taking out their guns and switching the safety off. One stand next to him, turned to the door, the other next to his manager, turned to the window, both shielding them from—from what?

"Sirs, are you alright?" one of them asks.

"They're fine," Luce answers for them when they both miss a beat.

What the hell just happened?

No, that's not it. He knows what just happened, because God knows it annoyingly happens too often by now, but how did she know? How did they apparently all know for that matter?

Skull cautiously straightens himself, leaning his hand on the table. There's a bullet hole in the window, and a frankly worrying, big impact on the wall opposite where the bullet landed, without first going through his manager's or his skull, lucky them.

He looks at Luce, who looks like nothing happened, entirely nonplussed.

"I'm sorry for the abrupt save," she says, briefly grazing her fingertips down the arm he used to catch himself. "You are fine, aren't you?"

Skull is distracted from answering her by the others standing, all of them looking nonplussed, and straight up happy, even, smiling excitedly.

Colonnello, Reborn and Lal take out their gun, switch the safety off, and Skull didn't know the motion and ensuing, resounding click of it could look and sound so hot, but goddamn, did it ever.

"Dibs," Colonnello says.

Reborn clicks his tongue, catching his eye.

"Oh, shut up, the both of you," Lal cuts him off before he can even say anything, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure there'll be enough of them for each of us to have a piece of the cake."

They exchange a glance, baring their teeth more than grinning at each other, and wow, Skull's so bi and is so fucking happy he is.

"Aren't the windows bulletproof?" Verde asks, walking to the window, while Fon and Viper walk to the door.

"It was," Luce says. "Until they obviously found the right bullets."

"Or maybe you're just becoming sloppy," Viper taunts, making Fon laugh.

Luce just rolls her eyes, then catches his eye. "Shall we?"

Skull blinks back to reality. Right. He straightens fully and away from the table, glancing down—and oh, right, he's still holding Luce's hand, isn't he? He should probably let go of it. He clears his throat, not letting go of it, but Luce doesn't let go of his hand either, so. "Sure," he says, smiling, and this time means it. This is going to be an absolute disaster, but who is Skull to suddenly start making responsible, reasonable decisions? "After you."

*

I’ll simply never have enough of Skull simping after the Arcos (and the Arcos simping after him right back). And no, it’s not me projecting onto him, I don’t know what you’re talking about at all.

Hope you enjoyed, and thank you for reading!

[Plain text: “I’ll simply never have enough of Skull simping after the Arcos (and the Arcos simping after him right back). And no, it’s not me projecting onto him, I don’t know what you’re talking about at all.

Hope you enjoyed, and thank you for reading!” in bold. /End PT]

[r0d30-brqt]

Hello! Can you do Skull for character bingo? He's literally my favourite character! And if it's not a bother, can you do Reborn too?

Thank you in advance!

np! o7

i wish everyone thohght of him as the silly (possibky immortal) guy that he is and stop trying to make him a bmaf but not even in a fun way. i keep seeing him be sooo cool and epic and hot and secy and -gasp- even better than reborn?!?!?@? 😱😱 also wish that people didnt write him w the arco w ALL of them ganging up on him its not fun (esp w reborn n nello being the worst of them. its just flat out abuse at that point) Skull is a silly guy that can be bullied but only too a point

also i could not care for the endless amt of crossover w him its kind of over kill at this point.

reborn needs to be sillified. i feel like him being the best hitman and having an ego abt it gets taken too far into "oh so hes perfect and the most powerful out of the arco got it" like sure i guess but hes also the same guy that shows up to talk to tsuna in absolutely ridiculus outfits and does NOT let tsuna try to acknowledge it. hes funny! hes silly! and i can make him sillier.

[steamworksfairy]

for the ask game! Verde/Skull?

SHIP IT!!!

What made me ship it?

Honestly, Verde/Skull is one of my all-time favorite ships. Mainly because they have a lot of similarities, actually. Both have attacked fellow Arcos. Skull during the mafia land arc attacked both Reborn and Colonello. And then Verde also attacked the Arco during one of the anime's filler arcs. So they both don't have the best of morals. For real, if Skull wasn’t so weak, he'd be as dangerous as Verde. Both also have flames that make them hard to kill, what with Skull being immortal and Verde having overpowered lightning flames. I think it'd be cute if Verde used his lightning to protect Skull and if Skull, in turn, made it so Verde couldn't die so easily. There is nothing more romantic than forcing your bf to live forever with you. These two can definitely make up the chink in each other's armor.

I also headcanon that Verde started out as a civilian who ran with a bad crowd in college/university so I feel like Verde can relate with Skull's plight of being the 'civilian' of the group. Which I think would make him a bit more softer to Skull.

I also really really really love small/tall ships. Especially when the small is the more fighting oriented one and the tall is the cool intellectual one. (+1000pts if the Tall is also really good at support)

What are my favorite things about this ship?

You thought I already answered this, didn't you? Hahaha---no. That was only the tip of the iceberg. There's more *dun, dun, duuuuuuuunnnnn*

I love how soft they can be or how sinister. They fit both of those vibes so well. Like Skull can be seen as a weak civilian in over his head or the wolf in sheep's clothing fooling everyone. While Verde could be the monster who doesn't hide who he is, or the man who's so smart, he's ignorant to what's hiding in plain sight.

Skull is strong enough to carry Verde brainrot.

I love how Skull is like, idk he's kind of that ball of sunshine character while Verde is more like a moon, I'd say. So I think it's cute when people have Skull doing things like making sure Verde is caring for his health or just dragging Verde out to experience the world instead of shutting himself away from it.

Alternatively, I love the idea of Verde patching Skull up and worrying about his reckless behavior. He definitely carries around a portable first aid kit so he can patch Skull up on the go. He's probably working on an invention where he can project his lightning flames around Skull to better protect them.

Which leads me to another thing, I really like the thought of them both being too weak to protect the other, but they try to anyway. Verde is a scientist,he's so ridiculously smart, but he'd never win in a fist fight. Skull tries to be strong, but he doesn't have the right training. So you know, just imagine them being so helpless to protect the other but trying to anyway despite knowing it would be futile.

I also like the opposite, where both are strong enough to protect each other.

They have power couple villain vibes!!!

You gotta love the scientist x dumb sweetheart that willingly let's himself be experimented on trope.

And....look there's probably more, but this is getting long, so yeah....just going to move on to the third question.

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Yeah, but this blog is sfw, so I can't really answer this in detail. But I do have one!