#or wait what if they were their own division and only came together for the playoffs. huh.

[cannellee]

Hi, if this is ok with you. Can you do a Mikey x tomboy fem reader x Draken please. Where Mikey and Draken likes/have a crush on the same girl who is part of the Toman gang. She is a kind, sweet, and clumsy tomboy girl who is raised by a military family. Who loves to draw and read. But if you piss her off or mess with her family/friends, you mess with the wrong girl, and she becomes scary scary, just like her military family members. If you don't want to do this, I understand. Ignore this requests and delete it. I hope you had a lovely weekend.

TOKYO REVENGERS OMEGAVERSE ☆

୨୧ alpha! mikey x omega! reader x alpha! draken

— their reaction to a tomboy omega s/o

my masterlist : ☆

(I really hope it's close to what you had imagined, sorry for keeping you waiting as well!!)

ALPHA! MIKEY & ALPHA! DRAKEN

born and raised in not only an alpha household, but a military one at that, you've often had to accommodate yourself to fit the standards of your family members.

harsh trainings, raw discussions and discipline were often made use of during your childhood. your father wished for your brothers to remain under the strictness they had during their period in the army.

you, being the youngest, often wanted to join in and imitate your siblings. despite your father being more indulgent with you, you still were raised the same way as alphas, this explains your personality one would find inappropriate for an omega.

your family always was extremely supportive of whoever you wished to become, scaring off judgemental stares and remarks about their only omega.

their time at the army probably had strengthened their instincts, being more aware and protective, especially when it came to you. the basic essence of a soldier is precisely to defend and shield the 'weaker' ; this is precisely why you never had any issues regarding your safety and well being. but it somehow also became an obstacle in your love life.

befriending mikey and draken was all too natural for the three of you. you guys met during your childhood when none of you had any concrete ideas of your second gender. you had similar personalities and a common interest for fights and getting in trouble, and that was all you needed to start hanging out together.

even after you presented as an omega, they never once turned themselves away from you, and you kept your position as a division captain. you knew very well how to fight, having received a specialised training from your father. you even joined mikey's during his own sessions when you had the time. overall, everyone knew what you were capable of and never doubted your competence : a horde of alphas having no objections following you as their captain.

mikey and draken didn't fall in love with you at first sight. it came gradually, a growing warm feeling, letting them know you were much more than a comrade they could fight alongside of.

getting to know you better was the starting point. to think your tough appearance wasn't all that you were really surprised them. by inviting themselves at your place, they realized you were much sweeter than what you let others see and not expecting you to be this open to the cuddles of your family, even letting out soft purrs of content!

what a shock it was for them to witness that. it's like reality hit them for the first time and they finally saw you as a strong omega and not simply a friend who acted so much like an alpha. you just didn't fit the usual standards society set for omegas, it didn't mean you weren't affected by your instincts.

you clumsily poured tea for them, dropping a few on the table and laughing awkwardly at your lack of delicacy. you were cute, and smelled good. you seemed much more relaxed in the familiarity of your home and mikey and draken breathes in your fruity scent you usually suppressed outside.

you even started patching them up, expertly taking care of their bruises and cuts : you could thank your experience as a 'nurse' alongside your brothers who tended to often come back with wounds.

that was such a contrast to the way they originally knew you. but upon meeting your two brothers and father, they understood where this behavior came from.

you weren't as scary as them, but they knew you got that fierce and mettle mind by living with three other alphas. that's probably why you also got along so well with the rest of the gang.

mikey wasn't one to be intimidated easily, but he recognized they weren't to be underestimated and should a problem arise, your family would easily be able to back you up.

draken introduced himself politely, mikey following along. they watched as you happily discussed with one of your brother, totally lost in the moment, unaware of your surroundings, so unusual of you who is always so watchful.

mikey loved that sight of you. knowing you let yourself relax in his presence meant a lot. as he watched you play with your fingers, he wanted nothing more than to take your calloused hands in his and act more gentle than he usually is. feeling you in ways that were still foreign for him : you awoken a side of him he wasn't familiar with.

discovering you outside of gang meetings and fights with rivals somehow was like a privilege. not many could brag about seeing you being this vulnerable.

as for draken, your entire personality seemed to be a mystery he only knew very little of. he liked that you never let people look down on you for being an omega, that you always stood up for yourself and your loved ones.

discovering that, deep down, you actually had a more adorable side to you made his heart melt. watching you read with furrowed brows because of how focused you are, is a sight he'll never get tired of. you look so different, so kind and delicate.

they sometimes wish you'll just rely on them more. allow yourself to soften and show them more of that gentle side you conceal more than once.

however, that distinction between your division captain and your at-home self, attracted them to learn more about you to the point they can't get enough of your presence.

they won't treat you like a normal friend anymore, you'll notice it soon enough. they know you can defend yourself just fine but they just desire to spend more time with you.

there's like a mutual understanding between the both of them to work hand in hand to win you over. they were together since childhood and somehow always shared everything. it wasn't a problem. and considering how each of them was enamored of you, to reach an agreement as to who would and who wouldn't court you was impossible.

it started with simply giving their jackets when yours suddenly went missing, their names along with their scents clinging on you for a long time as a clever warning for others. they shared their food, enjoying the cute face of satisfaction you showed.

it was subtle attentions, but you appreciated them nonetheless.

draken would gift you stuff he knows you'll like. he noticed how you had a colouring book on your desk back at your place and bought you new pens.

they'll progressively get more possessive of you, not allowing members to stand to close to you. and not wanting to embarrass you, they'll just call you over as if they have something important to tell you, only for mikey to ask for you and draken to go get him food, or any other excuse the both of them found. or they'll simply throw menacing glares their directions. new members often overstep and try courting you when they still don't know your position : mikey and draken won't hesitate to make of them poor souls a great example as to why you're definitely not an omega to be courted.

if they take you out on a date, you'll be back on time, per your father's orders. although they assured you'll be completely safe with them, mikey, and especially draken, don't want to leave a bad impression on your family.

as for mikey, he would still respect your boundaries, understanding you don't have to be constantly protected like other omegas do. he instead admires your independence and strong willed nature. he'll want to test how strong you are by proposing games and activity to compare your strength, and teases you when you loose to the both of them.

after all they're still alphas and you're smaller and weaker than them. there are very few people who could claim to be able to defeat this duo. this power difference strengthens their instinctive need to look after you.

still, they'll feel proud when you defend the honour of the gang, but won't hesitate to butt in whenever it's going too far and you risk injuring yourself.

their crush for you is still growing rapidly, they only don't take it further in fear for you to leave them : you tend to shield your emotions sometimes. you learned not to show them too much, unconsciously or not.

they'll keep going with their light displays of affection and hope to see things escalate even more naturally in the future.

[chiefdirector]

Questioning | Tim Bradford | The Rookie

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

“Regina was there that day… the day (Y/N) disappeared.” Williamson said, keeping his eyes away from the steely faced detective Harper who sat questioning him. He could have felt her loathing from a mile away. He couldn’t blame her though, he loathed himself just as much, but even so, he couldn’t look at her. “She had some men, guns for hire, I recognised some from previous arrest records-“

“I will need names.” Harper interrupted. 

“Sure sure, anything.” 

Nyla took her pen out to make note of the former detective’s confession. “Anyway, continue.”

“She brought a file. Photos. She gave them to her, (Y/N) that is. I saw only a couple from where I was. It was a wedding photo of some kind. And one where the dude in it… it was the uh one who arrested me. Tom…?”

Williamson took a moment to readjust himself to the best he could with the cuffs on. “That’s when Regina started talking about getting what’s owed to her. She said something about her husband losing everything because of her… or maybe someone else. It was all so long ago.”

“Her husband, Carter. died in a police raid five weeks after Regina Diaz.” 

“Then one of the men aimed the gun. And I ran. I heard a shot but I was gone by that point.”

Harper hummed, looking at the mirror behind her where she knew Tim waited. She didn’t need to see him to know what he was thinking. He had been in that second raid, he had arrested Regina. He had been the one to cause all this. Harper tore her gaze away and back to Williamson again. “When did you next speak to (Y/N) again?”

“Three, maybe four months later she called me. That file had photos of someone. Regina made an offer. She would spare his life but she would hunt (Y/N) down. She would take away his wife like he had taken her husband.”

“So that’s why she stayed away… as to not endanger her husband?”

“Initially.”

“Initially? What does that mean?”

“Around seven months ago, she caught wind of their new operation, she said that she had to finish what she started. I last heard from her five weeks ago, she said that she was making a plan to intervene on their next shipment; she said it was going to be their biggest yet.”

Harper looked up from her notepad, Williamson’s words rushing through her mind. The Diaz family operation has been one of the biggest threats to the war on drugs in a long time. They had gone quiet after Carter had died, it was thought that the rest of them had gone to prison or dispersed into lower ranking gangs. They hadn't been important enough to keep constant eyes on. But they had rallied together, Nyla could tell from the information Williamson provided that they were going to take back what was once theirs and try to expand their control of the drug flow in Los Angeles.

“When was this shipment meant to move out?”

“The twentieth of this month.”

“That’s two days from now.”

—---

Tim found it almost fascinating how quickly and effectively the LAPD could pull together an operation when one of their own was in danger. Multiple officers came together on their days off and some even came from other divisions across LA county. Bodies moved through the station, each with the same purpose, they were here to save her, they were going to save his wife.

“Officer Bradford,” Tim turned around at the sound of Commander West speaking, “Can I have a word?”

Tim nodded before following the Commander into Sargent Grey’s office. He remained standing as West spoke.

“We have gotten in contact with a few CI’s. All of the intel seems to line up. We have called in the metro division, and have federal agents on stand-by. As you know, we have a full house of officers lining up for this bust…”

“Sir, if I may? What are you trying to say?”

West sighed, trying to pick his words carefully. He had been the one to clear all of the paperwork and the legal grey areas when Tim had originally worked on his wife’s case. “What I'm saying is that you are not needed here. Your judgement is impaired, this is too personal. If we have any chance of bringing Detective Bradford home where she belongs, we need to have everybody who is in on this to have their mind focussed on taking down this cartel movement.”

“I have to be there. I can’t leave this to anyone else. I- I failed her once, I can't do that again.”

“I understand. I really do.” West paused again, this time he took a moment to collect himself. “If this was my wife, I would be just as determined to be on the front lines of this too. But we don’t have margin for error here. So I managed to get a compromise. You will be there, and someone else will be in a car parked just under a block away. When we locate Detective Bradford, you will be called in to retrieve her.”

Tim nodded at his words, trying to bite back the urge to argue with him. He knew that West was trying his best to find a compromise between the grey areas of the LAPD Code of Conduct and Tim’s own drive to do what it takes to save (Y/N). “Who will I be with?”

“Whoever you want.”

“Put me with Chen, but please make sure Lopez is on the front lines of this. (Y/N) trusts her completely.”

“I can do that. Thank you, Bradford, for being so compliant with this… I know it must not be easy for you to take a step back from this operation.”

“No, it isn't.” Tim said, moving towards the door. “But I will do anything to make sure she comes home, even if it means I have to trust others to do what I couldn't.”

“You can trust us, and you will be there for her.”

“I know. Nobody could stop me from doing that, Commander, not even you.”

Part Five | Part Seven

Series Masterlist | Masterlist

Tags: @xceafh @kmc1989 @buba424

Tags are open :)

[nikosama13]

Childhood "friend" (New! Ace x Reader)

Description: You and your childhood friend Ace, met up again in Alabasta Kingdom! After exploring for a while and ship hopping you found yourself walking into a restaurant called “The Spice Bean”. Only to be reunited with your childhood friend. The real question is.. Have things changed since the two of you split..? Read and find out! Side Notes: Hello my loves! I really hope you enjoy this fic. Ace isn’t my strongest character to write about so if this seems a little wonky just ignore it- (Probably spelling errors + my requests should be open) (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Consider the following..?

Enjoy the read!

~~~

You were in Alabasta Kingdom, and after exploring around you wanted to grab a bite to eat. So you went inside a random restaurant called The Spice Bean. 

You were sitting at the bar waiting for your food impatiently when you saw in the corner of your eye what seemed to be a familiar black-haired male next to you sleeping, his face flat into his plate of food.  

Your eyes widened at the realization. It was your old childhood friend, Ace. The both of you had gone on many fun adventures together and made each other happy. That was, until he left to become a pirate. Leaving you alone in your hometown island, to sit in your own dismay. 

The flashbacks of him randomly sleeping in the worst places and you finding him also came back to you, the memories of dragging his sleeping body back home made you smile. 

After the flood of memories came back to you, you decided to poke at his head with a fork, gently of course. In the hopes of waking him up to speak.

Eventually he did wake up, his eyes sparkled just the way you remembered it. The confident and determined look was still the same, just as you left it. Soon enough Ace picked his head up and realized it was you. “Y-y/n..? Is that really you..?” He lightly rubbed his eyes in order to make sure he wasn’t dreaming… Dreaming of you. “Ace!” you smiled, springing up from the bar stool you were sitting in and hugged him tightly.

He grinded at the reassurance he wasn't dreaming and that you were actually here in his presence. After you sat back down, he spoke. “It’s been so long since..” he looked away from you, feeling ashamed for leaving you.

An awkward moment of silence settled in between the both of you.

But you decided to break it. “Ace, I don't care about what you did in the past, I understand why you did it..” You smiled at him, hoping he would feel better. “I'm sorry.” He continued to look down and away from you.

You hugged him again and squeezed him a little tighter. You swore you could have seen a small blush creep up behind his ear and face. “So how have you been?” you grinded as you desperately tried to change the subject. “I’ve been fine, I guess… I’m the new 2nd division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.” he looked up at you slowly, confirming he was previously blushing. “I- I-.. 2nd division commander of the.. WHITEBEARD PIRATES!?” you yelled in shock, maybe a little too loud.. “Shhhh- I can’t have people knowing that right now..” he placed his finger on your lips.

When he realized that he touched your lips, he pulled away quickly and felt a burning sensation on his cheeks once again. He was used to physical touch with you when you were kids but now it was different.. “H-how have you been y/n..?” He tried to control his blushing state, and remove you from his thoughts. “Oh me..? I’ve been just great! I’m working on getting a pirate crew to go explore the Grand Line. Right now I’ve just been ship hopping.” you giggled with a small itching feeling that something was different with Ace. 

You just couldn't place your finger on it..

“Well that’s good to hear..” he picked at the food he was previously sleeping in. After another long silence emerged you both continued eating, trying to make the situation as un-awkward as possible. In this case Ace decided to break the silence. “Uhm.. y/n.. D-did you miss me” he shifted in his seat and glared at you. “Of course Ace!” you spoke in a more-than-certain tone. “Good.. because I did too.. And I.. uhm, have been thinking of you..” Ace confessed, he was trying his hardest to avoid eye contact with you. “So.. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while..” he continued, his voice shaky and shy. After a moment of processing the words that were coming from him he turned towards you. Now staring at you dead in the eyes, he leaned in. Closer than what you were comfortable with. Then it happened in an instant.. He kissed you. Your childhood friend Ace kissed you.. He was the Fire Boy, but now he was also melting. The kiss lasted for a long second. Even after the kiss ended, he continued to hold onto you tightly as he didn't want you to leave him for a single second. “A-ace..” you spoke in a low tone, embarrassed that he kissed you in a public restaurant. Luckily there weren't many people to watch.

(Not like he would let them.) “Shhh..” he hushed you, you assumed it was better to just bask in the moment with him instead of speaking and ruining it.

So, the both of you sat there, you in Ace’s lap. Eventually, he even placed his hat on your head, patting it and going in for another kiss. This time the hat would cover you two. Let’s just leave it on the fact that you two definitely enjoyed this childhood reunion, and that Ace.. 2nd division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn’t be coming home without you tonight..

~~~

The End!

Consider following..?

Thank you so so much for reading!

[heyiwrotesomethings]

Hi hi i hope im not lateee. Since you know chainsaw man and you're caught up in the manga, may i request makima with an F!reader? Im thinking of a scenario like makima controls everything except her s/o idk idk smth to do with that. Thankyouu and have a nice day!

Out of Her Control

Makima x She/Her Reader

A/N: I wasn’t sure where I should have gone with this one so it’s mostly snippets of before they got together and then ending with them as a couple. It’s mostly me trying to figure out how Makima would act if she had feelings for someone. I’m pretty sure everyone should know that something is off about Makima by now, but if you haven’t read the manga yet, probably skip for now just to be safe. Thanks for the request, hope you like it! Word Count: 3,564

Humans were just too easy to manipulate, to bend this way and that. More often than not, Makima could get what she wanted without using the full extent of her power, sometimes she didn’t even have to use it at all. And as much as she loved humans and their amusing little moral nuances and loyalties, it could be rather dull leading them on a leash, there was no challenge.

When Makima was informed of a few prospective team members applying to join her division of the Public Safety Commission, she scanned over their files and résumés as if paging through summaries of animals looking for their forever homes. She let out a disappointed hum, unsure if any of them were worth taking under her wing.

She would give them all a job, of course she would. Devil Hunters came and went as surely as the tides changed each day. They needed all the bodies they could get, but Makima definitely played favorites when it suited her.

Perhaps she’d get a clearer idea once they began their new profession, but she wasn’t holding her breath.

And for the most part, the new recruits were exactly as she imagined them to be, people pleasers, Makima pleasers, to be specific. Always doing as she asked without another thought in their heads. Reasonable people would say it was because of her senior standing among most Devil Hunters, but Makima knew better. If any other senior Devil Hunter sent one of their juniors off on a thinly veiled death march, they would not be half as successful in getting what they asked for.

“And that is how we will take down the devil in position of this sizable piece of the Gun Devil. Any questions? Concerns?” Makima asked with a overtly saccharine smile. She expected no resistance, but she always asked anyway, an illusion of choice. She inhaled to speak again, to dismiss the small group to what would likely be their last job, but an important one nonetheless.

But then a little ways across the table, a woman loosely raised her hand from where it had sat over crossed arms, without waiting to be acknowledged, she spoke,

“Miss Makima, I do have concerns. This plan will undoubtedly lead us all to an early grave.”

The rest of the table cast the woman dirty looks and grumbled under their shared breaths, judging the woman for not only questioning Makima’s plan, but even going as far to say that it would fail them so spectacularly. Makima subtly grinned.

“Ah, Miss…” Makima trailed off, she hadn’t bothered memorizing any of their names in the three weeks since they had arrived. If she had been anyone else, she might have been embarrassed by that now.

“(Y/n).” The woman supplied, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows angled ever so slightly downward, conveying a mild annoyance that made Makima’s own eyes light up in response. No one ever looked at her with even the smallest hint of disapproval, wariness, sure, but never disapproval. Unless you maybe counted Kishibe, but he had been in the business forever so it was to be expected from him.

“(Y/n),” Makima tested the name on her tongue, “please do share what you mean.”

The other juniors in the room jumped in before (Y/n) could say a word, assuring Makima that her plan was perfectly acceptable and that they could handle everything just fine.

Makima raised her hand, motioning the group to quiet, which they did almost immediately. No different from her dogs at home, really.

“There is no need to become so defensive on my behalf, we are all working towards the same goal and have humanity’s best interests at heart. I would be remiss if I didn’t take the thoughts of others into account before possibly making a grave miscalculation. So that being said,” Makima’s eyes found (Y/n)’s again, “the floor is yours, (Y/n).”

“Thanks, anyway,” (Y/n) pushed her office chair away from the conference table and strode over to the city map projected on the wall near where Makima stood.

Her peers shot her questioning and displeased looks as she went. Makima stepped back to give her room, hands clasped behind her back, waiting, intrigued.

“This route makes no tactical sense,” (Y/n) pointed out, “It would bring too much attention to us if we were all grouped up like this. The devil would see us coming and with its Gun Devil enhanced power, it would wipe us out in a single attack. I strongly suggest…”

(Y/n) went on to mark three separate routes on the map and even went on to share the strengths of each individual in the room and who should be paired off and take which route.

“…Finally, if all goes smoothly, we should all converge near this point, and take care of the devil then,” (Y/n) looked over to Makima who’s face still wore a ghostly smile, “Of course I’m open to more discussion, but if you insist on your initial plan Miss Makima, then you can count me out.”

A few strangled sounds of disbelief littered the room, but Makima simply tilted her head to the side, eyes boring into (Y/n)‘s.

“You would quit?”

“Perhaps. Private Sector makes more money anyway. And despite my clear lack of popularity with my coworkers’ at present, I would rather them not die if it can be helped. What do you say?”

Makima chuckled at that, leaning into (Y/n)’s personal space. (Y/n) didn’t fluster nor back away, but she did raise an expectant eyebrow, a curious expression visible as she waited for Makima’s denial or approval of her idea.

She had Makima’s approval alright, in more ways than one.

“Very well,” Makima nodded, unblinking, “let’s give it a try.”

***

(Y/n) stared down bitterly at the graves long after the service had concluded. Then she heard a rumble roll across the sky accompanied by the rustling of grass and approaching footsteps. The dark shadow of an umbrella fell over her head and a long, black coat came into her periphery as the first drops of rain began to fall around them.

“Would it really have killed them to listen to me?” (Y/n) murmured without thinking.

“It certainly killed them not to listen.” Makima provided, tone neither one of mirth nor despair, simply apathetic. “For what it’s worth, I thought your plan was better. At least their sacrifices hadn’t been for nothing.”

“I suppose.” (Y/n) sighed wearily.

When the day of the mission had arrived, (Y/n)‘s stubborn peers acted on the original plan detailed by Makima. (Y/n) had linked up with some of the senior hunters from another unit and together they killed the devil and retrieved the fragment of the Gun Devil that it had coveted, but not before a good chunk of the city block had been destroyed. Several civilians as well as her peers littered the street crushed and mangled.

“The rain is getting stronger,” Makima noted, twisting the umbrella that hung over their heads, “I’d like to invite you to my home. I’ll make you something warm to eat and we can drink our sorrows away.” Allow me learn what makes you tick.

(Y/n) surprisingly shook her head, “I appreciate the offer Miss Makima, but I need time to reflect on my own I think.”

Makima’s lips parted, a honeyed insistence already on her tongue, but then she stopped herself, a small smile painting her lips instead.

“I understand. Perhaps another time then.”

“Sure. Well,” (Y/n) paused awkwardly, then flicked up the hood of her coat, “see you Monday.”

“Monday,” Makima confirmed.

She made a move to press her umbrella into (Y/n)’s hands, but she was waved off as soon as their hands touched, (Y/n) thanked her anyway but she had still denied the silent offer, order? Makima watched on as (Y/n) walked briskly out of the cemetery, a taxi already waiting for her to climb into it.

Makima watched the car roll off before starting to walk to her own. She could have easily persuaded (Y/n) to join her, but she found it much more compelling to let the chips fall where they may, for now at least. It was rather exciting.

***

Makima never used her power on (Y/n). A self-imposed rule. That didn’t mean she didn’t have little eyes and ears on her almost constantly. She enjoyed checking in on the unsuspecting Devil Hunter, watching what she did when she wasn’t working. It seemed silly, but Makima felt like she might have been falling for the young woman.

Perhaps it was an unhealthy amount of self-confidence provided by her constant stream of admirers, but she couldn’t have been more surprised when (Y/n) politely declined her proposition. It wasn’t obvious, the biggest hint of her bafflement being two blinks in rapid succession.

“I’m sorry Miss Makima, I just don’t think it would be appropriate for the workplace. Not to mention how dangerous this job is. It’s not a good idea to get too attached to anyone here. I learned that pretty quickly…”

Makima squeezed her hands behind her back, reminding herself that (Y/n)’s will, free from her own, was what drew her to her in the first place. Besides, who really knew what the future would hold for them.

“No need to apologize, I understand your concerns. However, if you ever change your mind, I’ll be here.”

(Y/n) shook her head, a sympathetic smile on her face, “Don’t wait for me, Miss Makima, you do deserve to be happy with someone, but it probably isn’t going to be me.” Then she left Makima’s office, closing the door quietly behind her.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Makima leaned back in her chair, smiling to herself.

She was still committed to not using her influence, and she was confident that she wouldn’t need it. She’s seen many questionable human couples, if they could stumble into a courtship, she certainly could. She would just need to be patient and drop subtle reminders of her availability.

One might argue how Makima studied (Y/n) so thoroughly to know exactly what to say and do to get her heart pounding would be just another form of manipulation, but Makima would say that this way took a lot of time and effort and was much more heartfelt. In fact, as the months stretched on and the longer it took to win (Y/n)’s favor, the more Makima felt for her.

It had been a particularly hard day for (Y/n) when she had gone to Makima asking if she wanted to go out for drinks. She had grown out of the rookie position by simply surviving a few months and had been assigned a couple juniors of her own to look after. They had went as quickly as they had came, but it still weighed on her.

Makima made sure not to seem too eager. She would be a shoulder to lean on, but anything (Y/n) wanted, she could have it if she went for it. Truly not knowing where the night would go, excited her.

Makima ushered (Y/n) into her car and took her to a restaurant she had remembered her mentioning in passing as one of her favorites. They got a cozy little booth in the corner. The ordered their meals and drinks and quietly conversed, letting the warmth of the room and the gentle clinks of of cups and chopsticks against ceramic.

It was the most loose Makima had witnessed (Y/n), she had a couple drinks, but she wasn’t drunk by any means. Maybe a little tipsy at most, but her smile looked more genuine than it ever did at work, and she sounded so relaxed, she even laughed! But then she began hiding yawns behind her hand and final calls could be heard from the bar. It was getting late.

Makima hated the thought of having to drive (Y/n) home. She never wanted to let her go for even a moment, but that wasn’t her choice to make. How irksome it was to play by the rules of a game she had created. A game that only she was aware she was playing.

Makima scooped up the check an paid for everything before (Y/n) could even think about reaching into her coat pocket.

“Hey, I’m the one who invited you out. What do I owe you?” (Y/n) asked, cracking open her wallet.

Makima reached over the table and put her hand on (Y/n)’s to stop the motion.

“You owe nothing. It’s been difficult for you these last few weeks.”

Makima noticed a look of gentle longing, but it left as quickly as it came when another yawn passed (Y/n)’s lips.

“Let’s get you home.”

Makima ushered (Y/n) outside and into the passenger seat of her sleek black car before maneuvering around to get in herself. The ride was quiet save for the ac blowing a constant stream of warm air to offset the chill of the night. When Makima parked the car outside of (Y/n)’s apartment complex, she turned to smile at her and waited for her to unbuckle her seatbelt, but instead she just sat there, looking pensive.

“What is on your mind, (Y/n)?” She asked, inching her hand over the center console while she debated if it would be a good idea to touch her or not.

(Y/n) leaded back against the car door, halting the slow journey Makima’s hand had been making. (Y/n) bit her inner cheek and looked out upon the streetlights casting the sidewalk in a yellowish glow.

“I think I’m failing for you.”

Makima’s eyes lit up with an excited gleam, but still she left the decision of what would happen next up to (Y/n).

“What will you do about it?”

(Y/n) leaned over the center console, her hand resting atop Makima’s. She leaned in further still until her lips found Makima’s. It took a lot of control on Makima’s part to not chase her when she pulled away too soon for her liking.

“Was that okay? I’m sorry, I know you said you liked me, but that was awhile ago and I still should have asked first.”

“It was fine,” Makima assured, “No need to apologize.”

“…Just fine?” (Y/n) asked, almost incredulously.

“Could have been longer,” Makima smirked.

“Well, I could rectify that, if it’s okay with you.”

Makima was more than okay with it, she had been waiting for a development like this for what felt like ages. The longer they continued to kiss in her car, the more she began to wonder,

“What made you change your mind about us being together? I recall you not finding workplace relationships favorable.”

“That’s true,” (Y/n) agreed, between trying to catch her breath, “But I decided after attending my third junior’s funeral that I’m done with devil hunting. I’m quitting. I did leave the resignation paperwork on your desk last week, did you not notice it?”

(Y/n), leaving Public Safety? That would make watching her so much more difficult, limit their time together drastically. This both annoyed and exhilarated Makima because she could not have foreseen her making a choice like this. She would not have had her make a decision like this. It was almost enough to make Makima use a bit of persuasion to have (Y/n) sleep on that decision and think it over, but she couldn’t. A (Y/n) under her control was not really her (Y/n) at all, oddly enough.

“I guess I was too busy admiring you, to think about what you were there for.”

“Ever the charmer,” (Y/n) unbuckled her seatbelt, “Well… you have my number, let me know when you get home safe and then maybe we could exchange schedules for next week?”

“You already have a new job?”

“Family Burger,” (Y/n) groaned, “Just until I finish the degree I left hanging. I hope.”

“I guess I know where I will be getting lunch for the foreseeable future then.”

“You cannot eat Family Burger everyday, It’ll kill you!” (Y/n) laughed.

“It would take a lot more than a a little grease to kill me.” Makima grinned, maybe (Y/n) would learn that someday.

“Trust me, it would be more than a little grease. But I wouldn’t be opposed if you came by every once in awhile.”

“It’s a date.”

“No way! I’m gonna take you on a real nice date the next time our schedules sync. Mark my words!” (Y/n) promised. She pressed a quick kiss against Makima’s cheek, then opened the car door to let herself out.

“Good night, Makima.”

“Good night.”

Makima watched (Y/n) wave to her from the door and when she walked inside and shut the door behind her, Makima drove home. She was sure to text (Y/n) of her safe arrival as soon as the dogs stopped jumping all over her.

They texted back and forth for a bit, sharing possible times to meet up, and then Makima decided to take a shower before getting into bed. She stared up at the dark ceiling, going over the night’s events in her mind.

It all felt so very peculiar. Makima wasn’t quite sure she had ever felt so many emotions in such a short time. (Y/n) appeared to return her affections, she kissed her. Multiple times. She only wished (Y/n) would stay with Public Safety. It was something that she could easily remedy, but she had restrained herself yet again. Though Makima wondered if she would be able to continue that trend if she had reason to believe that (Y/n) could be in danger. It was easier to look out for her when they worked together. She may have the birds and rats to keep an eye on her, but the proximity was stretched much too thin for her liking.

Hopefully the next steps in their relationship would follow quickly now that the ball was finally rolling. She wanted to come home to see (Y/n) curled up with her dogs in the worst way.

“Soon,” she promised herself, “soon.”

***

The day did come when (Y/n) suggested moving in somewhere together. It took longer than Makima would have liked to get to that point, but at least it was finally happening. She would have liked to have a talk with whomever gave her the impression that it was customary that women moved in together on the second date. It would have humiliated even Makima if (Y/n) had known she came to pick her up with her trunk full of collapsed boxes to help her move, only to learn they were going to the aquarium.

“Awww, this is the sea lion plush I got you when we went to the aquarium, isn’t it? We should go again sometime soon.” (Y/n) smiled, placing the stuffed animal back on the bed.

Makima nodded in agreement. Despite her initial disappointment, she did have a good time and she did like the sea lion (Y/n) had gifted her. They’re like the dogs of the ocean. Makima never really understood the novelty of such toys, but she had to admit there was something desirable about this one at the very least.

After hanging the rest of (Y/n)’s clothes in the closet, they heard a few whines and a pawing at the door. The dogs had been shut out to keep them out of the way as they unpacked (Y/n)’s belongings.

“The sweet babies,” (Y/n) chuckled, “so lonely.”

“They are simply excited about your indefinite stay, as am I.”

(Y/n) walked around the bed to hug Makima, melting when the embrace was returned.

“Me too. Should we let them in now?”

“Only if you are ready to be buried in seven heavy, wiggly, fluffy dogs.”

“Oh, I think all the other times I came over to visit prepared me for this moment.”

“Fair enough.” Makima smirked at (Y/n) over her shoulder before releasing the dogs upon her.

“Nooo!” (Y/n) laughed.

She was immediately overwhelmed and shoved to the ground. Wagging tails and slobbery tongues hitting her from all sides.

“Makima,” she wheezed, “Help!”

“I thought you said you were prepared?”

“I was wrong!”

“Sit.” Makima ordered. Her voice was soft, but the dogs listened without delay, each looking up at her expectantly. Makima made a quick motion with her hand and the dogs stampeded out of the bedroom.

“Thank you, my hero.” (Y/n) reached her hand up towards Makima, while still laying flat on the floor.

“You’re very welcome,” Makima reached further than (Y/n)’s hand, instead grasping her above her elbow to pull her up so they stood chest to chest. “Is this better?”

“Much.” (Y/n) clung to Makima again, smiling contently.

“So affectionate today,” Makima teased, though she was being just as touchy.

“I would argue I’m always affectionate with you, but I am especially happy right now,” she nuzzled Makima’s jaw, planting a quick kiss against her skin, “I love you.”

It wasn’t the first time (Y/n) had told her so, but the effect was always the same. A warm feeling in Makima’s chest like a warm summer afternoon always bubbled up. It felt so strange, but she enjoyed it.

“And I you.” Makima cupped (Y/n)’s face in her hands. Her stare was as intense as it was tender. She wasn’t sure she had ever been quite as close to happiness as she was right in that moment.

That something out of her control could love her, would choose to love her, it was euphoric.

[writingintheshadowsforever]

Imagine Shuri becoming jealous and protective when someone approaches you in a club

Everyone assumed after Shuri and Namor were able to see past their need for vengeance and form an alliance. Things would go back to normal for Wakanda, and in a way, they did. The civilians were able to return to the city and got to work on rebuilding on what was destroyed. Businesses were open again, families were able to properly mourn those lost in the conflict, and M'Baku took over the throne to give Shuri some much needed time to heal. The only enemies Wakanda had to ward off were the other countries who were still hell-bent on getting some vibramium for themselves.

The only difference now was that the Black Panther had officially returned and with the announcement made worldwide. Some of the countries were now a bit more wary about attacking the Outreach centers. Especially after Shuri made a statement threatening to close them all down. If the attacks didn't cease immediately, she had been through too much in the past couple of days to have patience for them anymore. So yes, in a way, things were back to normal with everyone going through the healing process.

But that still didn't stop the Princess from throwing herself back into her work. The second she returned from her trip to Haiti, and while she seemed to be in a better headspace. None of those closest to her thought it was healthy for her to be in the lab to the break of dawn. Unfortunately, the only person available who could probably stand a chance in pulling her away from her numerous projects was also throwing themselves into their duty.

You were no better than Shuri, and sometimes people truly wondered. How the two of you were able to maintain a healthy relationship considering you rarely spent any time together these days. You were one of Wakanda's finest warriors, and although you weren't a member of any Wakanda army. All of the soldiers respected you and fought along side of you when it was needed. You had accompanied Shuri on her trip to Haiti, so whenever someone brought it up to you. That you and Shuri didn't have enough time for each other. You just shrugged at their concern and pointed out the two of you had just returned from a two-month vacation.

And the excuse would've worked if it hadn't been three months since that vacation. You spent most of your morning doing combat lessons for the new trainees, and afterward, doing some training on your own. Wakanda's army was severely depleted after the war with Talokan, and it would take a lot to restore its strength. Shuri spent the first half of the morning in bed catching up on sleep before returning to the lab. Her main concern was building more Midnight Angel suits even though Okoye insisted. The project could wait because, for now, Wakanda was not in need of a new military division. You would stop by the lab for an hour or so every day to have lunch with her, but as far as they could tell, that was the only real interaction between you two.

Everyone was growing tired of watching both of you work yourselves to death, and was determined to make you and Shuri take a break. Aneka was the one who came up with the master plan and tasked Okoye with removing Shuri from the lab. Her and Ayo were in charge of pulling you out of the training room. Even though Shuri was the stronger one with the strength of the Black Panther. There was no doubt in Aneka's heart that the Princess wouldn't hold back in order to not hurt Okoye. But you, on the other hand, would have no problem putting Aneka on her back or anyone else for that matter.

They found you in one of the many training rooms of the palace practicing with a pair of twin swords. Shuri had actually gifted you the weapons upon the return from Haiti. The previous ones you wielded were destroyed in a fight between you and Namor. You were torn up about them since the weapons were family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. But the new ones were starting to grow on you more and more every day. They were stronger and had a built-in energy force field.

"Hey y/n, do you mind putting the swords down for a quick second?" Aneka asked, capturing your attention.

You paused mid swing, ready to decapitate a dummy's head at the sound of her voice. You turned to see her and Ayo standing on either side of you just a few feet away. "What's up? Are you guys looking for a quick sparring match."

"Not exactly," Ayo answered.

You zeroed in the way both of their bodies were slightly bent at the knees. Both of them could pounce on you at a moment's notice, and then it was the way they kept exchanging nervous glances. What were they up to? You decided whatever it was, it wasn't worth hurting them over, at least not seriously anyway. So you walked over to where your bag was located and placed the swords on top of them. The next thing you knew, both of them had seized by the arms and started dragging you out of the training room.

Aneka had your right arm while Ayo had the left, and they both a your arms pulled back into a hold. It wasn't painful, but it made it impossible for you to pull away as you struggled. "What the hell?" You hissed through clenched teeth.

"You and Shuri have been spending way too much time working. Both of you need a break okay its time to let loose and have fun, " Aneka explained.

"Are you serious our arm-"

Ayo tugged on your wrist, causing you to pause in whatever you were getting ready to say. "Our armies are still recovering, yes, but thanks to you. They are on the right path, and you deserve to have some fun. This isn't up for discussion. You and Shuri are going out tonight."

"Oh yeah, I would love to see someone get Shuri out of the lab." You scoffed at the idea.

Five minutes later and you were eating your words as you found Shuri in your shared room going through the closet. Okoye had been positioned outside the door with her arms crossed a smug expression on her face.

"Okoye took a prototype for a new weapon I was working on. It was almost complete and the only one I had. She threatened to smash it to pieces with her spear if I didn't cooperate, " Shuri said. Before you could even ask, "How would that work? Is it not made out of vibranium as well?" You questioned.

"No, it is, but I don't doubt she will find a way to accomplish it, and that's a risk I won't take. It's only one night sthandwa we could really use it, I guess."

You let out a deep sigh of defeat knowing she was right. Plus none of your friends were giving either of you a choice. But by the end of the night they would wish they had.

The girls took you and Shuri out to one of the many clubs in the city. You knew Wakanda had an active nightlife but never cared to take part in it yourself. It wasn't exactly your scene, but there was one thing you loved to do. Before you dedicated your life to becoming the best warrior you could be.

Dancing.

So, while you didn't care for the drinking or the rowdy crowd. Once the beat of the music got a hold of your heart, your body started moving along to the rhythm. You completely forgot about the need to rebuild the armies and future threats. All of your worries were washed away by the hypnotizing music. Aneka joined you on the dance floor while Shuri hung back, watching the two of you dance. She sat back in a nice and comfy velvet sofa with Okoye and Ayo by her side with a red rope surrounding the area. Of course, the club had a VIP section for the royal family. Every establishment in the city did.

Shuri threw another shot back as her eyes stayed glued to the way your body was moving. It wasn't just romantic time the two of you had been neglecting. It had been a while since the two of you had taken part in any act of physical intimacy as well. She missed the feel of her hands running down your body, pulling you closer to her as you moaned her name, and writhed under her in absolute pleasure.

Okoye could see the lust forming in her eyes and let out a chuckle at the sight. "Are you going to continue to undress her with your eyes, Princess, or do you plan to join her on the dance floor?"

Ayo smirked and nodded her head in agreement. "You're supposed to be enjoying yourself as well, Shuri."

"Oh, I am enjoying myself plenty right here. The view is perfect," Shuri said. Her voice was a bit hazy.

You could feel her eyes on you and knew what your dancing was doing to her. It was an added bonus, and while you had no problem with her throwing you over her shoulder and waltzing out of this club to the car. And doing whatever she was thinking about to you right in that vehicle. You wanted to spend just a little more time dancing right now. Aneka had stepped away to get drinks for both of you, and that was when it happened. A pair of strong hands settled on your waist, and a stranger pressed their body up against yours from behind. You feel someone breathing heavily on your neck. "Now, what is a pretty thing like you do all alone? The voice belongs to an unfamiliar man.

You could have easily broken free of his hold and pushed him away, but you wanted to have a little fun first. Jealous and overprotective Shuri was your favorite. "I'm actually spoken for honey," you told him, turning around to face him.

The man was dark-skinned and pretty tall, not completely towering over you, though. He had a nice face with a well-defined jawline, and you could see women dying to have his attention. It made you wonder why he was here trying to dance with you. Did he not have other choices, or was he just a walking red flag?

"Mmmm, well, tell me baby, what kind of man would be stupid enough to leave you alone?"

Even though the club was pretty light, the strobing lights spinning all over the dance floor lit up your face pretty well. Either this guy didn't keep up with the royal news, or he was just plain stupid. Everyone in Wakanda knew you were with Shuri exclusively, and you figured he would recognize you. Once he got a good look at your face but you could tell. He had no idea who you really were as his eyes bore into yours.

"Well, she actually isn't that far away. I'm always in her line of sight. So, if you were smart, you would just walk away right now. I really don't want to see such a pretty face get smashed in, " you warned him.

Back in the VIP section, both Okoye and Ayo attempted to jump to their feet. Shuri placed a firm hand on both of their thighs, keeping them seated. "Let her be for now," she said through gritted teeth.

"But Princess," Okoye protested.

Shuri only tightened her grip on her thigh as she listened carefully to the exchange between you and the man.

"So you really do need a real man in your life now, I see. It's a good thing I came along now, isn't it? " the man said. Not heeding your warning at all

You frowned at his reply and placed both of your hands on his chest to give him a hard shove. "Alright, buddy, this conservation is over. Keep it moving." He was definitely a walking red flag.

But the man came back, wrapping a strong arm around your waist to pull you to his chest. "Hey, I'm not done with you alright you should be nicer to me. I mean, come on, don't you want to make your parents proud and get married to someone worthy."

You saw a quick flash of anger in his eyes under the red passing lights. You glanced over his shoulder to see Shuri getting up from the sofa. She had reached her breaking point it was all fun and games until he came back. After you pushed him away.

"Alright buddy, I don't think you know who's girl you're messing with, and trust me when I say you don't want to find out the hard way. Just let me go and leave while you still can. " You tried to warn him again.

He shook his head. "I'm not worried about some stupid chick. I can make her mine t-ahhhhh." His words were cut off with a cry of pain as you twisted out of his hold, latched onto his hand, and bent his wrist backward. You brought your knee up into his stomach, making him double over with a groan.

"Don't you dare talk about her" You growled.

Shuri had reached both of you by now and gripped him by the back of his knee. "You don't mind if I take over sthandwa, do you?" she asked with a sickly sweet smile.

"Not at all usana," you replied, releasing his wrist and taking a step back.

She forced him to stand up straight so he could get a look at her face. He was trying to get his breath back but opened his mouth, ready to throw insults.

"Look chick, no offense, but your girl dese-" He paused as his eyes settled on her face, and he realized just exactly who he was talking to. His eyes grew wide with fear as his gaze flickered back and forth between the two of you.

"No, please go on. You were saying," Shuri encouraged him.

"Um, your Highness Princess, I meant no disrespect truly. I'm sorry. I didn't know she was with you, " He said. It wasn't just an apology, but a desperate plea for his life.

"Don't waste your breath usisidenge she whispered into his ear and kicked his legs out from under him. She released her hold on his neck, letting him fly back to the floor.

He landed on his back with a low thud that could barely be heard over the music. He started to groan but had no real time to recover as Shuri loomed over him. She gathered his shirt up in her right hand, lifting his head up from the floor, and delivered a hard left hook to his face. His head snapped to the side so hard you thought his neck had been broken. if she hadn't been holding back, then it would have snapped.

She let the man drop to the floor now unconscious. Her eyes found yours just a few feet away filled with want no need for her touch. Shuri beckoned for you to come to her, which you did right away, letting her take you by the hand.

"Should we um stop them?" Aneka asked, watching as the Princess pulled you in the direction of the exit.

"No, trust me, they're not going anywhere besides the car," Okoye told her.

Aneka didn't pick up on what she was implying right away, but her eyes widened in surprise a few seconds later. "So what now?"

"We continue to enjoy our night out, my love," Ayo said, taking her by the hand. She led her lover back onto the dance floor, looking back at the General. "You to Okoye, let's go."

Outside the club, Shuri had led you back to the car, pushing you up against it. A hand wrapped around your throat, she kissed you roughly on the mouth. You kissed back, placing your hands on her hip. Your mouth moved in sync with hers for the longest time, turning you even more. You let out a moan as you felt her hand drift under your dress and move your panties aside.

In a flash, she had plunged two fingers inside of you, feeling how wet you were for her. "This better be because of me," she whispered in a harsh tone in your ear.

"It is," you promised.

Shuri smirked, pulling her fingers free as you let out a soft whine. "Get in the car now," she ordered, yanking the back door open for you.

You made a mental note to thank all of the girls tomorrow. Or maybe the next day because you were starting to doubt that you would even be able to walk tomorrow. As Shuri climbed into the backseat with you, the lust filling the air.

[kyokutsu-sama]

So this mf has been living in my head for awhile so here's something to ease the need for him a bit. Although the more I write the more depressing I feel knowing that I can't have him😫

(I feel more smut than usual when I write about him)

Imagine: Kenpachi x reader

Tw: Nsfw

---------------------------------------------

The water touched your skin, which was hot after taking down almost an entire squadron of Kenpachi during training. You were in the shower washing your sweaty and filthy body. You never thought that after joining the 11th division you could get even stronger than before and your dear captain would also like to know that you got stronger and he would like even more to see the results of that strength when he crossed paths with a whole squadron of men going to end up in the 4th division because of you. The bathroom door opened but you were so lost in your thoughts that you didn't notice the big figure behind you.

You only noticed him after he grabbed you by the waist and turned you to face him.

"Ah, you were there, I didn't even notice" - you said a little nervously

"So it was you, wasn't it? You were the one who took down all those idiots?"- his broad and naked appearance standing in front of you while his strong hands were holding your waist, was hot and intimidating at the same time.

"Admit it, you liked knowing that I'm getting strong, didn't you? That I'm able to fight anyone who messes with me"- you teased him

"And did you know you get hot as fuck when you fight ?" He said as he brought his lips to your ear.

"Yeah and you like watching me fight those idiots ? Does the way I beat each one of them drive you crazy?"

"Your strength is admirable, but will you be strong enough for me?"

"Don't worry Captain, I always do my job properly"

"Good"

And with that he leaned over you and attacked your lips. You had both hands pulling his face against you while his mouth were ravenously on yours. Both lips came together intensely with the mutual desire that was surrounding the two of you. You pulled away from his lips a little to catch your breath but he didn't wait and started leaving hickeys along your neck. You gripped his long hair while moaned his name, something he really enjoyed hearing and would get angry if you held back from screaming his name. He didn't care if anyone was going to hear you, that wasn't more important than his own pleasure. He started to run his lips down devouring your breasts and collarbone. His touch was hot, his hands were hot, his lips, his skin, everything about him was hot.

He grabbed the backs of your thighs and lifted you against the wall. You moaned when you felt his cock against the inside of your thigh. He came back up to kiss your lips and without taking any longer he put himself inside you without giving you time to adjust to him. He didn't like to be slow, he preferred to go fast and hard and he prided himself on knowing that you were strong enough to take him.

You held tightly to his shoulders while he thrust hard in and out of you. He didn't have to prepare you in advance because he knew you were already completely wet for him and it's not only because of the water that fell from the shower.

Your legs that were on his waist, were starting to shake although you tried not to show signs of tiredness, you didn't want to disappoint him after having told him that you were strong enough to keep up with his pace.

He pulled out inside you and turned your back to him.

"Make sure you shout my name out loud, you hear?"-He said close to your ear when he hit you again in the same fast and hard rhythm.

Your hands held the wall with some effort to not fall. Your legs were spread and shaking more and more. You felt his hands squeezing the skin of your buttocks and occasionally giving you a few slaps that would probably cover that entire area.

"What did I told you?"

You didn't dare to disobey him and even with some difficulty you pronounced the name on him loudly between groans. The bathroom was filled with the heat of your bodies and your loudly moans. He felt proud knowing he was the one making you like this.

"That's my girl"- he said with a smirk

You almost came right there with those words. He kept the frantic movements in and out of you. One of his hands slid between your thighs to circle his fingers on your clit while the other moved up towards your breasts. You couldn't hold back any longer with his big hands running through your body.

"K-ken…pachi, I'm…"- You moaned with tears of pleasure forming in the corners of your eyes while you felt your insides tighten around him more and more

Even without turning around you felt his satisfied smile while you were coming.

He only stopped after some time and you could feel your insides warm when he came inside you. You nearly lost your balance when he pulled out inside you but he grabbed you by the back of your neck and pulled you against his chest. You tilted your head back slightly to meet his face and he also leaned down to kiss you.

"I told you captain… I would take you without effort" - you said breathlessly

"Is this some round two invitation? because if it is, I'm going to be even more rough"

"No, I'm too tired"

"You better recover fast because we still have a long night to enjoy"

You shivered when he whispered that last sentence. You knew that was your turn to end up in the 4th division.

.

.

.

[supermarine-silvally]

want me some yara and ace too

💘💘💘

Ask, and ye shall receive!! Here you are, dear Anon!! <3 This prompt ended up working really well with another one, so this is technically part 1 of 2!

Part 2 here!

💘 fake relationship / mutual pining / dared to kiss

“Alright, Fire Fist,” Haruta said, turning his attention to the young man in question. “You’re up next. Truth or dare?”

“Dare.” Leaning back with his hands locked behind his head, Ace flashed the surrounding group his most cocky grin. “And don’t make it a lame one, either. Do your worst; I can handle it.”

The participating Whitebeard Pirates let out a collective “oooooh!!”

“Don’t let your mouth write cheques you can’t cash, Ace!” Thatch said with a chuckle. 

“Oh, c’mon. How bad could it be?” Ace replied with a shrug. “Last time, I literally ate something that Teach licked. It can’t get worse than that.”

“Hmm…” Haruta’s brows puzzled together, seeming to take Ace’s words as a challenge. He tapped a finger against his chin, deep in thought. Suddenly, his expression lit up. “Wait! I’ve got it.” A smirk rose to the Twelfth Division Commander’s lips. “Ace… I think I’ve found your one weakness.”

“Weakness?” Ace laughed confidently. “What, you want me to jump into the ocean? Cuz one of you’s gonna have to go pull me out.”

“No, no. This is far more dangerous than that.” A wicked glint flashed through Haruta’s eyes. “I dare you… to kiss Yara.”

Ace’s grin immediately vanished, heat flaring to his cheeks. His entire body suddenly felt as if it was burning; a sensation entirely unlike using his Devil Fruit. Those flames he could own; could control as if they were mere extensions of himself, bending to his whim. No, this heat was unpredictable and all-consuming, threatening to swallow him whole and leave nothing but a shattered heart amidst a pile of ashes. He wasn’t sure if there was anything that could actually burn fire, but if there was, he was certain it would feel something like this.  

The chorus of “oooohs!!” only crescendoed, compounded by raucous laughter, the other pirates immensely enjoying the Second Division Commander’s discomfort. 

Ace laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Okay. Ha ha. Very funny. Now give me a real dare.”

But Haruta’s eyes only narrowed. “That was it,” he stated, crossing his arms. “Kiss Yara. I’m dead serious.”

“C’mon, Ace!!” Curiel shouted. “You said you’d do anything!!” 

“Yeah!” Jiru grinned. “Give her a kiss already; we know you’ve been dying to!!”

A pit opened in Ace’s stomach as he came to the realization that the other Division Commanders weren’t going to simply let up. But for Yara’s sake… He shook his head emphatically. “Guys, no. That’s not fair. I can’t do that.” 

“Why not?”

The familiar voice grabbed his attention. Butterflies burst into his stomach as his gaze met the beautiful heterochromatic eyes that belonged to none other than the object of his affection. Yara sat down on a deck chair across from him, having just returned from refilling her mug. She balanced it on her lap, crossing one of her long, slender legs over the other.

“It’s-- I-- Because…” he stammered, his face going even redder. “I just-- I can’t.”

Yara merely stared back at him, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s only a game, Ace. I don’t mind.” Taking a sip of her beverage, she placed it down on the ground next to her. 

“Do it!!” Blamenco egged him on. 

Ace desperately turned to Marco for help, hoping that the level-headed First Division Commander would put him out of his misery, but Marco’s lips twitched into an amused smile instead. “What’re you waiting for? She said she’s okay with it, yoi.”

The crowd was full-on chanting now. “Kiss her!! Kiss her!! Kiss her!!”

Ace sighed. He was doomed either way. Shakily, he stood up, trying to ignore the cheers as he made his way across the deck and knelt down in front of her. His palms began to sweat, small licks of fire bursting off of his body.

“Oooh, someone’s nervous!!” Thatch teased.

“Shut it!” Ace snapped at him before turning his gaze towards Yara. 

He swallowed, his stomach twisting into knots. She really was the picture of loveliness, her long violet hair swept over her shoulder, golden hoop earrings glinting in the evening light. Her eyes-- one deep chocolate brown, the other ringed gold and piercing, like a hawk’s-- met his. The weight of those three words he’d been wanting to say to her since forever rested uncomfortably on the tip of his tongue, his heartbeat thumping hard and fast, as if it would burst through his ribcage at any second. But perhaps it would be fine if it did. It belonged to her, anyway. 

Ace began to lean in, the intoxicating scent of her vanilla lotion overwhelming him, his mind going hazy. Yara paralleled his movements, her head tilting at a slight angle. His hand rose, cradling the side of her face, his fingers tracing her jawline. Their noses brushed against each other as his eyes fluttered shut. The warmth of her breath ghosted against his lips, flooding his senses with desire. 

Yara…

You have no idea how much you mean to me…

How long I’ve wanted you…

But…

He stopped, his breath hitching. 

No. Not like this.

Ace’s eyes opened. Gently turning her head, he leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek.

 Boos rang out from the crowd as he pulled away, stepping back to give Yara her space. Surprise flickered across her face as her hand rose to her cheek, lightly touching where he had given her the kiss.

“C’mon, do it properly!!”

“Don’t chicken out!!”

“Hey, the dare was just to kiss her!” Ace snapped at them, picking up a balled-up napkin someone had tossed at him and throwing it right back into the crowd. “Haruta didn’t specify where!!”

He turned back to Yara, giving her a lopsided grin. “Sorry about that. I know they suck.”

But the look on Yara’s face was not one of relief; instead, he could’ve sworn he saw hurt flash through her eyes. 

Her expression quickly hardened. “It’s fine,” she said coldly. “I’ve had enough of this childish game, anyways.”

Ace’s heart sank as she grabbed her beer and strode away, heading for the living quarters. Had he really made her so uncomfortable, just with a kiss on the cheek? Or was there something else? His shoulders drooping, he made his way back over to his spot and plopped down next to Marco. He had decided long ago to live without regret, but…

Pressing his face into his hands, he let out a massive sigh. What the hell had he just done?

it got sort of angsty there at the end i'm sorry anyways tagging @auxiliarydetective @oneirataxia-girl @daughter-of-melpomene

[embracetranquilityson]

A Duellist's Redemption

Summary: A comfortable life, a well-paying Ministry job and a loving family— you would have had it all, had you never met Victor Rookwood.

Instead, blood fills your days and nightmares haunt your nights.

The rise and fall of an Ashwinder Duellist, whose conscience finally caught up with them.

[Y/N-You POV, gender neutral.]

TW: Blood and violence, emotional abuse, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, physical abuse, implied/mentioned child abuse, implied/mentioned animal (magical beasts) abuse.

Chapters: 11 (fully published)

Full fanfic:

First chapter: Act I - The beginning

You didn't really know how you got where you were.

Once, you were a regular, naive, boring student and now… now you could hardly look at yourself in the mirror.

It all started in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, after a mock duel like many you had fought before; but that time your opponent was a boy named Victor Rookwood. You had seen him around before, strutting in the hallways like he owned the place but you didn't really know him, nor did you know any of the boys who seemed to escort him wherever he went.

Not that it mattered. You fought, you won, Victor got mad and threw a tantrum, the lesson was over and your life would go on the same as always, or so you thought.

You couldn't have known that day would have been the beginning of the end— of your end.

As mad as he had seemed in class, Victor Rookwood actually approached you a few days later, all smiles and arrogance, complimenting your skills like nothing had happened. He invited you to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and, Merlin knows why, you accepted.

Now, you cringed at the memory. You cringed at how much fun you had had that day with him.

Days and weeks and years blurred together and while life went on, you and Victor were always at each other's side. You knew everything about each other, about your families, about his father’s… business. Even that didn't deter you.

You, a regular no one from a family of regular no ones, didn't mind that your friend was the son of a gang ringleader. On the contrary, you found it fascinating, alluring even.

Man, you were dumb.

The first crack came in the middle of a summer night, when the air was warm and the fireflies danced under the moonlight.

You were twenty-two years old, doing odd jobs to make ends meet while you waited for a response from the Ministry; just a few days before, you had applied for a job in the Beast Division, with a stellar recommendation from your beasts Professor. You were hoping to end up in Troll Patrol or Werewolf Capture Unit but anything was fine really.

Victor had hated the idea since the beginning and tried to discourage you in any way he could but you hadn't budged.

You still remembered what you had told him the day he found out you had applied, and the words now felt like venom in the back of your throat: “Victor, I love you and I will always be there for you, but my future is at the Ministry. And if they reject me, I'll become a Dragonologist or something.”

Heh. Jokes on you. Jokes on that placid summer night. Jokes on your dreams and your future.

A tenday had passed since your fight with Victor— if you could even call it that, since he had stormed off without a word.

The night was warm and you couldn't sleep, worried about the long silence from the Ministry.

As you tossed and turned, a knock on the door was bound to change your life.

You had never seen the man in front of you, nor did his name mean anything to you, yet it only took a sentence for you to follow him into the darkness: “Victor sent me. He’s in trouble.”

Your heart raced in your chest as you took the stranger’s arm and, moments later, you were outside the Rookwoods’ mansion.

You had been there thousands of times during the years but the faces that haunted its hallways that night were all but familiar to you. Dozens of people stood watch, as still as statues, as you were escorted into the dining room, into a future that you would've never thought for yourself.

Your friend, Victor Rookwood, stood next to the dining table, his face bloody and raw and his clothes ripped and stained. He smiled a crooked smile when he saw you.

“Good, you're here. We're all here, then.” He growled, his voice hoarse and strained.

You noticed a few known faces in the room: old mutual friends from school, a couple of people Victor had met during the years and that you had gotten familiar with, and… Mr. Rookwood sat on a chair, slouched over the table with blood pooling under his head. He was mumbling something but you couldn't understand him. You couldn't understand anything.

Your heart rate sped up again, as your mind tried to come up with a reasonable explanation.

“See, father? Even [Y/N] came to say goodbye.”

Goodbye? Why would you…— Mr. Rookwood spat a bloody drool and Victor slammed his head —again, apparently— against the wooden table.

You froze. It was as if time itself had stopped.

“Now, now, where are your manners, boy?” he laughed as he quoted what his father used to tell him time and time again, usually before beating him bloody.

Was that what it was? Was that Victor finally snapping? If so, why were so many people there? Why were you there? Why did he send for you?

It took you years to realise what had happened that night, the manipulation and coercion that he used to get you there.

But you didn't know then. All you knew was that your friend needed you and that no matter what your bleeding heart thought, his abusive father deserved everything that was happening to him. Or at least that was what Victor had told you after. After his father was dead, after he had become the new Mr. Rookwood, leader of the Rookwood gang, and he needed you.

Your skills in a duel were unmatched, he said.

He didn't trust anyone else to watch his back, he said.

The Ministry will never hire you now that you're an accessory to murder. He didn't say that, and it took you years to realise that that was the reason why you were really there that night.

He wanted you: your wand, your skill, your loyalty… your dreams were a hindrance he could no longer tolerate.

So you pledged yourself to him; to keep him safe, you said to yourself as you laid awake that night, Mr. Rookwood’s death mask seared into your mind, as guilt and fear and horror bubbled in your guts like a cocktail of poisons.

“My closest friend, my Ashwinder, my Duellist.”

You still remembered his smile while he said that, his hands, still smeared with his father's blood, cupped around your cheeks.

You felt bad for him, then. Now, you wished you had punched him right to daddy dearest.

[avasmain69]

hey hey hey, can i request a fic? if so can i request toman founding members reacting to other members flirting with reader?🫶🏻🫶🏻

Ofc! Thank you for requesting! <3 I only accept 3-4 characters at a time tho!

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔!

CHARACTERS: TOMAN FOUNDERS

SUMMARY: How they react when another member flirts with their s/o.

WARNINGS: Mentions of violence/Blood, Death threat in Mikey’s part, kinda harassment in Draken’s part

⊹ MANJIRO SANO (MIKEY)

You and Baji were laughing about some ridiculous cat meme he found when a lower ranking member from his division decided to try and make a move on you, saying something along the lines of, “What’s a pretty girl like you doing around a bunch of delinquents?”. The man pretty much ignored Baji’s presence, who was now wide eyed and mentally calling the guy an idiot. Both you and Baji knew how possessive Mikey could be when it came to the people he deemed important to him. Almost on cue, Mikey comes and wraps his arms around your waist tightly. The guy, now bowing and apologizing profusely, looked scared, which you couldn’t help but giggle at. “Who the hell do you think you are?”, Mikey spoke loudly, giving the guy a terrifying glare. Everyone knew you belong to Mikey, as you sit up on his lap during meetings, so the guy had no excuse for his lame attempt at flirting. “The next time you pull some shit like that I’ll kill you”, Mikey threatens. Looking back, you see Draken and Baji smiling like maniacs, which only scared the guy further. “Let’s go babe” Mikey giggled while pressing a quick kiss to your cheek and dragging you away with his bright smile adorning his face.

⊹ KEN RYUGUJI (DRAKEN)

You and Ken were on a small date to nearby park and he had run to get something for y’all to eat from a food truck down on the other side of the parking lot. You were too busy admiring your boyfriend to notice the guy in a gang uniform walking your way. You were only made aware of his presence once he took a seat next to you on the wooden park bench and slung one of his arms over your shoulders, catching you off guard. “Hey pretty girl, bet you would have more fun with me than with any guy that would leave a girl like you all alone.”, the man voiced suggestively. “I’m not—”, but he wasn’t letting you finish your sentence. “C’mon baby, don’t be mean.”, he interrupted in an almost threatening tone. You quickly tried to pull him off of you but he caught your hands and held your wrists with a grip that was sure to leave bruises. “Get the hell off of me”, you shrieked, trying to force yourself out of the man’s grasp. Suddenly the man was being yanked off of you full force by none other than your devilishly handsome boyfriend. Ken had the man on the ground face down and was stepping on his head. “Who they hell ‘re you to be harassing my girl like that? And your a member of Toman? We don’t like shits like you in our gang.” Ryuguji’s loud voice rang, and you couldn’t be more grateful to your man who was now flashing a smile your way, and the look you knew meant he was asking if you’re ok.

⊹ BAJI KEISUKE

Your classes get out about 10 minutes before Baji’s do, so per usual you were sitting on a bench outside of the school waiting to meet up with your boyfriend and go out together. Except today, you can feel someone looking at you and you look up to see a guy gawking at you. Then you looked a little longer and realized that he was also a fellow Toman member as you’ve seen him at meetings before, he’s a member of Mucho’s division. Aparently the man noticed you watching him because he got up from where he was sitting and marches his way over looking pretty confident. “Hey baby? I saw you watching me, not shocking that a pretty girl like you would want someone like me.”, he beamed, sounding way too confident for his own good. “Yah no, not interested dude. I just noticed that you are in the same gang as my boyfriend cuz’ I’ve seen you at the meetings before.”, you replied with a look of disgust adorning your features. The man wasn’t too happy about your attitude though, as he grabbed your wrist, forcing you to stand up. The moment he tried to corner you against the brick wall of the school building, however, he gets punched in the jaw, sending him to the ground beside you. You weren’t exactly suprised to see Baji, as now it is the usual time you two leave. “If it wasn’t for you being a Toman member I would have hit you a lot harder than that”, Keisuke spits out, looking down at the guy with that stupidly attractive smirk you love to see. “Thanks baby! Let’s go, I’m not wasting anymore time here, I want to hangout with you now.”, you giggled while pressing a quick kiss to your boyfriends temple and dragging him away from the barely conscious guy on the pavement. “Seriously though, thank you for saving me love”, you repeat once you’ve gotten farther away from the school. “Nobody is going to get away with pulling some shit like that with me around, I promise.”, Baji replies with softness adorning his features.

[indigowallbreaker]

If the Bleagles prompts are still open, can you please do angst 49, I don't think I can forgive you, between Edelgard and Ashe

There were several directions that came to mind with this one. Here's what I settled on! Thank you for waiting.

[prompt rules]

[more Beagles stories]

49. "I don't think I can forgive you."

--

A scowl tugged down Ashe's face as he made his way to the second floor dormitory. A student had asked him to deliver a letter, which Ashe now clutched too tight in one hand, palm purposefully obstructing the recipient's name. He couldn't bear to see "Edelgard" written in such loopy, love-sick handwriting.

If the student had told Ashe from the outset who the "sensitive letter" was meant for, he would have politely refused. This was not the kind of conversation where Ashe wanted to act as the go-between. Not only was Edelgard the Imperial Princess-- she was also Ashe's house leader. She probably didn't want him, a random commoner from the Kingdom, involved in her love life.

Ashe wanted to pretend that was the reason-- the division between their stations making this inappropriate. But as he reached Edelgard's door, Ashe had to admit to being offended on her behalf. She shouldn't have to waste her time with someone so weak willed as to hide behind Ashe. A man who couldn't even deliver his own letter had no chance with a princess.

The scowl morphed into a sneer. Edelgard deserved better than this random student. Ashe had watched her since he joined the Black Eagles-- saw how hard she worked to improve herself in studies and fighting, the rare moments she let her expression break into a smile. The letter crumpled in Ashe's hand. This guy couldn't know the first thing about her or he wouldn't have tried this stunt.

Seizing the letter in both hands, Ashe glared down at it, seriously considering tearing it in half.

"If you are stealing my mail, I don't think I can forgive you."

A squeak left Ashe's chest and he stumbled back. Edelgard's dorm door was open, and Edelgard herself was standing in its place, one hand on her hip. She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not stealing!" Ashe defended quickly. "I'm... I'm supposed to give this to you." He held out the letter.

Still looking perplexed, Edelgard took it. Ashe winced at the condition it was in-- he hadn't realized how twisted and creased the paper had become.

He opened his mouth to apologize-- but stopped when Edelgard rolled her eyes and tossed the letter over her shoulder. It disappeared into her room, and she stepped into the hallway and shut the door before Ashe could see where it landed.

"Honestly, a letter a week is getting to be too much," she said, more to herself than Ashe.

Ashe gaped. "You get one of those a week?!"

"Not from the same person. But they might as well be-- those kinds of letters tend to blend together after a while."

"I'm Sorry."

Edelgard shook her head. "I'm sorry you were dragged into this one. Please, put it out of your mind."

Ashe nodded, watching her walk down the hallway. All those letters. All those cowards. Was it that difficult to just speak?

"Princess Edelgard?"

She turned back to him.

Do you want to go into town with me tomorrow? The words didn't leave Ashe's throat. Pink tinged his cheeks. Not very knightly behavior. "Um, I won't bug you with those kinds of letters anymore," he said at last.

Edelgard smiled. Ashe's heart skipped a beat, the heat in his face increasing. "Thank you, Ashe. I will see you later."

Then she was gone. Ashe let out a long breath.

Yes, apparently, it was that difficult.

[edogawa-division]

By the time before it gets dark, surrounding the chapel of Odawara was its unique panorama of the seaside painted with variant dazzling shades of blue.

From the deep cerulean down the sea to the clear and bright azure up above the sky, today was the day the unlikely happy couple of Shinomiya and Shinozaki were soon destined to walk down the aisle together, but now the couple was separated as they were greeting all their surprise guests for taking their precious time to be in at their pledge of love.

And at the bride of Shinozaki’s side, she was soon greeted by one young man whom the A.I. recognized that he was the leader of a certain division that once came to deliver the presents on her dear creator’s birthday.

“Congratulations Ageha-san, and also to Masuzō-san too. I’m the representative from Nara Division. Here we have some little gift to wish you and your soon husband for a happy marriage.”

It was a cute bouquet consisting of pure white roses and baby blue star-shaped tweedias —which the latter has its own flower language in Japanese known as ‘the trusting heart’.

“Actually, I don’t personally know either of you though… But, someone I came to know lately had never stopped telling me to participate today.”

And ‘she’ did spend almost two hours in the flower shop just to pick the perfect flowers for the ‘Sissy’ she said to be somehow grateful for —Yuuya only thought but didn’t add that small truth to the conversation.

However, it was that time a phone in his pocket gave out its own response,

// Hey human, ANGE wanna talk too!

As the boy sensed an aggressive vibration on one side of his jacket, he sighed a bit but still having a soft smile on his face while bringing out his phone so that the bride could see the other ‘guest’ who tagged along with him today

—Instead of a normal home screen, the screen on the boy’s phone was now flooded with bright blue roses and one figure of a certain mobile girl who popped out to give the bride her overly gleeful salutation.

“// Hi hi, sissy A.D.A.! Here we’ve met again! Tee-hee, thanks for guiding me at a certain place back then. ANGE would be even more out of depth than her usual habitat really is if sissy didn’t be around to explain useful things to her that time! Anywayyy, congratulations on your bond with the purple nii-san! ANGE and her human are very super-duper extra happy for your love life! Wellll, Couldn’t wait to see more of what human’s wedding ceremony would be like!

And F that kelp-haired landlord over there why he would be here in your wedding.”

“Hello again, ANGE.” A.D.A smiled. “It's very nice to see you again. Thanks for the gift, by the way.”

A.D.A had let out a laugh as she heard what the young A.I. had called one of Malphas’ groomsmen. “Now come on, ANGE Lan isn't so bad once you get to know him. If you can ignore his habit of constantly scheming. Plus, isn't he also technically the one in charge of you?”

Spiraling into another fit of giggles A.D.A could barely contain herself as she watched ANGE vehemently deny that scheming shark wasn't in charge of her.

“Okay okay Lan isn't in charge of you ANGE. Now tell me, how's your night been? I know it's your first time at a wedding.”

[bullet-prooflove]

Mess Is Mine: Cyrus Lupo x Reader

Tagging@ @darqchilddaydreamz @words-and-seeds @proceduralpassion @crazy4chickennuggets @callsignartemis @kmc1989

Jenny, Tommy’s widow doesn’t like you. You’ve come to realise that since she’s started working in the precinct. At first you think it’s because of the thing they had before you, that maybe she’s still carrying a torch but the way she makes eyes at Ed…

Cyrus is and will only ever be a brother to her, she tells you when you confront her about it.

“What’s the problem then?” You ask her because truthfully you're kind of sick of the withering looks and the fact she slams down your paperwork when she gives it to you.

It comes out then. The whole story. The parts you didn’t know. About how Cyrus had almost destoryed his career by testifying under the influence at the height of his drinking, how his partner had been shot in an armed robbery because he was sleeping off his hangover in his patrol car.

“You left him stranded; with no one.” She tells you, her finger jabbing into your chest.  “Everything that happened after that is on you. You’re the reason he left us, you’re the reason that Tommy is dead.”

When she walks away from you it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth because maybe she’s right on some level. If you’d stuck around maybe, Cyrus would have got help sooner, never joined the Intelligence Division, gone to Morrocco. He would have been there for Tommy when his cancer came back, stopped him from committing suicide.

It plays on your mind as you sit at your desk that afternoon, filling in paperwork.

When Jenny makes an appearance with the kids, asking Cyrus to watch them for twenty minutes because she has a work thing, the glare she gives you is glacial. You don’t have the capacity to return it because her words are like a barb under your skin, prickling at the nerves.

“It looks like she’s warming up to you.” Cyrus teases as he searches for ways to occupy his niece and nephew. He currently has them unpacking the contents of his desk, but there isn’t much in the box he brought with him so you can see how long that is going to last.  You open the bottom drawer of your desk and remove the small stack of colouring books and pencils that you have stored for when a witness comes in with their children.

“Here, let the kids have these before Van Buren busts you for child labour.” You respond as he reaches over the space between your desks and takes the items from you gratefully.

“Thanks.” He says earnestly, handing them out to the kids. He waits until they’re occupied before sidling up to you desk, his voice lowering an octave so that he won’t be overheard. “For the record, I did tell her that it was on me, all the shit I did, I own that. I think she’s just a little protective because the two of us work together. She doesn’t want me to backslide.”

You raise your eyes to the ceiling and inhale sharply because it feels like someone’s jabbed a knife underneath your ribs.

“I think her definition and your definition of backsliding are two very different things.” You remark.

Cyrus scrutinises you for a moment. You try to mask the hurt on your features but this man, he’s always been able to see through you. It was a pain in the ass back then and it’s a pain in the ass now.

“You know I don’t blame you right?” He asks you, the space between his eyebrows creases as they furrow into a frown. “I know why you couldn’t be around that, why you had to get out. The stuff with your dad…” He trails off as he purses his lips together and shakes his head. “I was a horrible partner towards the end.”

You flinch at the mention of your father, and you know he sees it because his gaze softens.

Thirty years on the force and he’d spent the majority of them in the bottom of a bottle. You were used to unpredictable behaviour, to wayward moods and grown men who couldn’t get themselves to bed.

It was six months into your relationship with Cyrus that he saw the extent of it. He’d listened to the stories your father told at the dinner table as he slowly devolved, rehashing the same thing over and over again. Supported him when he swayed just a little trying to get to his chair so he could put on the highlights from the game. Helped put him to bed because by that point your mother was too fragile to do it. You’d been embarrassed by the whole thing, positive he was going to run for the hills, but he hadn’t, he had stayed. He’s attended the funeral with you two years later when the drinking eventually killed him.

“I have a lot of regrets about what I did.” He tells you as he folds his arms over his chest. “That last night…”

You wave your hand to silence him because honestly you don’t want to think about it. The man you had come home to wasn’t the man you loved. He was someone so damaged, so twisted up in his pain that he let the drink consume him.

“I had PTSD, I self-medicated, it’s no excuse but…” He looks back towards the kids, his gaze distant as he watches Jude select the colour blue. “I just want you to know it wasn’t anything you did or didn’t do, it was me. I was broken.”

Somehow that makes you feel worse because you think that maybe you could have salvaged it, that maybe you could have tried a little harder to get him the help he needed. He had been suffering so badly back then and you’d let your history cloud your judgement.

“Uncle look!” His attentions diverted for a minute, Carly’s holding up the colouring book and showing him the rainbow she’s coloured in. You see him smile, that wonderful bright grin of his and your heart begins to pound in your chest. You can’t stand to be around it right now because you think maybe Jenny’s right, that your actions back then contributed to this whole fucking mess that your standing in.

You don’t realise that Cyrus has moved, not until his palm comes to rest upon your shoulder. You can feel the heat of it through your shirt and it grounds you. You’re spiralling, he knows that, he can read you as well as the graphic novels he loves. His thumb ghosts over your collarbone as you tilt your head up towards him meeting his gaze.

“It’s not on you.” He assures you. “That entire mess, it’s mine.”

You want to believe him, Christ you do but you have this feeling, this doubt right inside your chest because it’s too easy to blame Cyrus, to absolve yourself of the guilt.

“No.” You say, your hand coming to rest over his. “I fucked up too.”

Love Lupo? Get added to his tag list!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[siriannatan]

Empires Business Group - Chapter 4/4

And the whole fic is out. Not too bad of an end for something I came up and wrote on pretty much the same day :}

The whole secret relationship went great. They met up on Saturdays and Sundays, but never slept over at each other's places. fWhip even went as far as to ‘disguise’ himself with a hat and sunglasses when they were out. He was pretty well known.

Or at least it all seems to be great until on the morning of the first day after Scott's heat. A gloomy and rainy Thursday. Scott and fWhip were called into a meeting with fWhip's grandfather. 

fWhip's parents were apparently also present. Looking very unhappy as they whispered to each other.

Without saying anything grandfather pushed a colourful newspaper towards them as soon as they sat down. On the front page, it was them holding hands at an amusement park. fWhip's face was frankly barely visible or recognisable but the headline did mention him specifically.

‘Future CEO of Empires Group in a secret relationship?’

fWhip instantly glanced at his parents. His father looked pretty smug. “Oh no, friends having fun on their day off, whatever will we do,” fWhip joked dryly. 

“It has pictures that make it apparent it's not just a friendship,” fWhip's mother interjected.

“Quiet,” his grandfather said and the room fell silent. “It was only published today but director Major was indisposed last weekend…” he stopped and waited for a reaction.

“Meaning someone waited until I'd be back in the office to leak to this rag?” Scott proposed in his usual blunt manner. “Probably someone who really doesn't like me,” he added looking over the pictures featured. All of them could be argued it wasn't fWhip with him.

fWhip sighed. “Mom, dad, why? I mean, who else would be so against me being happy?” He asked.

“That's not why I called you here,” Grandfather cut the discussion. “fWhip, starting tomorrow you're the new head of the electronics division, director Major… I regret to say I can't have my future grandson-in-law be a director but you may stay until a fitting replacement has been found,” he said, stunning everyone. “I'm not going to act like we don't approve. The public already knows it'd be a bad look,” he huffed and looked at his son and his wife. “I warned you to not meddle I fWhip's private life, you're both hereby no longer part of this family,” he finished and left. 

fWhip's parents, as expected, followed after him to argue. Leaving fWhip and Scott stunned. “Scott I'm so sorry about…”

“About what? I knew that once our relationship was out I'd have to quit when I agreed to date you in secret. It's a bit sooner than expected but… I'm counting on you being a good and responsible alpha here,” Scott shrugged and gave fWhip a very cute smile.

“You… you'll be the death of me,” fWhip sighed as he hugged Scott. “And I promise to be the best alpha ever.”

By the time they returned the whole building knew about the changes. And saw the article be it in the newspaper or the internet.

Scott easily handled getting the department under control. “Shouldn't you guys be happy I'm leaving? Not immediately, but once a suitable replacement has been found?” He huffed with a glare. Who knew how long that would take, remained unsaid.

Them being official also meant they had to move in together. It'd be a bad look for the family otherwise. So they wasted no time on that. fWhip was more than happy to share a bed with Scott.

“You know what this means?” Scott asked on their first evening in the same bed.

“Not a clue,” fWhip honestly didn't know what Scott meant.

Scott giggled and shook his head. Then he removed his scent block patches. Sighing in relief. And then leaned in, to whisper into fWhip's ear. “You can mark me, and we can never bother with these ever again,” fWhip shuddered, this was certainly a nice thought. “Why aren't you marking me yet, go on,” Scott encouraged with a giggle. And who was fWhip to deny him anything?

*Few months later*

“Come on fWhip get up,” Scott shook his still slumbering alpha. Don't get him wrong, he'd love having fWhip's all to himself the whole day. But sadly there was a small meeting his handsome, responsible husband had to deal with at work. “We can cuddle the whole day why you're back, come on,” he patted fWhip back as he mumbled something.

“Five more minutes?” fWhip asked as he rolled over to lay on his back.

“No, get up, I already let you stay here long enough,” Scott shook his head.

fWhip sighed and got out of bed. Scott was the only person he'd never argue with. “Why must there be a meeting right on the day before our cycle starts?” He whined as he put on his suit. Scott was nice enough to pick one out for him.

“It's not here yet so no arguing,” Scott scolded him from the bed. He looked so nice and cuddly. fWhip sighed, saddened he had to leave.

Scott just shook his head. “You didn't wake up when I first asked so no kisses until you're back,” he reminded and went to the bathroom.

fWhip chuckled. He loved Scott so much he couldn't be angry at him. Instead, he'd be angry at the board of directors. Who were they to think why can annoy their CEO?

[askthedarksidersfam]

In the Pines

Chapter 2: Morbid Curiosity

Summary: A first meeting with the new soul, but there is more to this strangely dressed man than you expect. Especially when the Dead Court demands his presence to the King.

A/n: This series is slowly becoming a favorite of mine, but why is plot so hard to make. And apologies for the longest wait ever 😭. The band Ghost do be pulling me out of my writers block bless Life Eternal. Please excuse any typos or format weirdness. It's a much shorter chapter this time y'all.

The method of dying isn’t a stranger to War. It is an unwelcome experience than a closely held fear that all creatures hold close to their chests. He wouldn’t be one to boast about having been through the whole shebang of death, but he wouldn’t shy away from exclaiming he doesn’t fear it.

This time however he can’t ignore the waves of shame that ache like a slug to the gut. Indeed, he’d felt shame when he perished in battle when carrying the Ravaiim relic to safety. But this was beyond what he felt all those eons ago.

A failure to keep a relic away from enemy hands was vastly overshadowed by the obliteration of War’s image, his legendary honor. All knew of War’s pride of being the warrior he was, the oaths he’d made and the extensions he’d reach to see them fulfilled. He’d been a poster child, in a sense, of the perfect enforcer of the Balance.

The favorite of the Council with his diligent work ethic, outshining them all in how he’d throw himself into his duties. As if he’d have something to prove despite the need not to.

How far he’d fallen…

Stripped of his power, thoroughly chewed out by them and put under their chopping block to serve as their punishment for a supposed crime he didn’t commit. After War opened his eyes, he didn’t need to see the sickly green hue clinging to his being to know he’s been transported to the Kingdom of the Dead. The stench of stale air and a musk of the ever decaying souls assaults his nose. Beneath him is a ground devoid of any green, and instead substituted with layers of dust that flutter through the air at the slightest disturbance.

He can still feel the vague wetness of tears that trail his cheeks. The rider never felt more vulnerable than before.

The racing images of the past events came flooding through his mind, from the moment of the call to his arrival. The chance meeting with Abaddon…

Abaddon. He must be here, War vaguely thinks between the onslaught of thoughts that plague his mind. If he can find him here, then he will find out why he was there… one way or another…

But that very thought sends a wave of anger through his chest, as War is only able to reflect on the accusations and confusion that follows. What purpose did the Archangel serve among the ranks, he was leader of the Hellguard, a division dedicated to the protection from Hellish infiltration of protected areas, especially the borders of Heaven. They were not at all meant to march at the front lines of the Apocalypse as it wasn’t their duty.

Yet there they were, among the ranks fighting with just as much ferocity as the summoned legions. The gears in his brain churned at an incomprehensible rate as he tried to key together this mystery.

What purpose did they serve, and what secrets are they hiding?

Something greater was at play here. Abaddon, the Call beckoning him to do his duty, and no sense of his brothers and sister in the Earth.

All at once, the frustrations bubbled and broiled over within the Horseman. The memories that lay bare across his vision began to crumble and branch into webbing cracks as his own wrath, hot as frothing lava, rose in terrible tidal waves, fueling dead veins with his famously irremovable ire.

Then, akin to a weakened dam holding back a tsunami, the images of his mind, and the last of his reserves, explode in an extraordinary display.

Pulling his lips back to unleash terrible canines, War’s prosthetic arm clenched tight enough to nearly break the metal fingers. Eyelids snap open to reveal the blazing glow of glacial blue, near blinding as they’re fueled by his rage. He raises his fist above his head and, in one great swell of strength, swings it down with a terrible velocity as War unleashes an agonized bellow of betrayal. The momentum of his arm stops short, colliding with the ground below, stone beneath shatters upon impact. Dust flies everywhere as the shockwave sends throughout.

War doesn’t need to see the ground to know he’s left a crater.

Though he doesn’t need air, War huffs as greatly as a rhinoceros. The fire within him surges through his body, showing no signs of slowing down soon. The rider can only stare hatefully at the cobblestone below as he tries to ride out this immeasurable wave.

For an immeasurable amount of time, the Nephilim stays motionless, sucking in deep lungfuls of dust laden air before forcefully exhaling. His right arm, the flesh one, shakes with tremors under his gauntlet, before it slowly spreads across his body.

The great injustice of it all enraged War greatly, but he can’t reflect upon what the Council said to Fury of their elder brothers being absent. Strife had been sent out on a mission according to them, but Death’s case had his mind reeling.

The Eldest had done this before, in the distant past. Disappearing for five hundred years without a trace until finally showing his face in the wake of the Council’s urgent summons. He had disappeared, likely for his own sake of solitude after the Nephilim’s fall.

But what reason had he now to disappear? Where could Death go that not even the most sensitive ears or eyes could detect him on the furthest comer of Creation?

He wouldn’t abandon them. Not again…

So caught up in the haze of his muddled thoughts, War doesn’t hear gentle footfalls coming up to his side. His hood, far over his head, obscures his peripheral vision and had he noticed, he’d be ashamed for letting an unknown person get so close.

But he doesn’t scold himself as he’s still caught in the fray. At least, that is until he hears a throat be cleared before asking him a question he’s never been directed to in his eons of existence.

“Hello there sir. Are you alright?”

——

The behemoth of a man doesn’t move when you call out. But you know he’s heard you if the tensing of his body is any indication. His face is obscured by the hulking copper pauldron and blood red hood pulled far over his head, blocking off any view of his features.

There’s a tremble to his figure, albeit faint, you can spot the quivers beneath his strange armor. You’d would’ve guessed him to be a frightened Angel if it weren’t for the lack of wings and the doubt of seeing one so scared. Demon was far out of the question due to the obvious absence of a tail, malformed wings or the faint sulfur stink they possessed (a surprising fact to learn).

Was this stranger human? The question rattled in your head as you took in his huge figure, the apex of his shoulders were equal to yours at your full height. But the sheer size of him alone suggested Maker, but even this beast of a man would be minuscule compared to Engri.

But it didn’t matter who or what he was, but rather, the shaking that didn’t cease even as you both stood in silence. A pang of sympathy wells in your chest, remembering how you were just as frightened when you first arrived.

‘He could probably use a hand, after who knows what he went through.’ You shudder at the thought of the untold horrors that he must’ve endured at his death.

‘Friendly face…’ you remind yourself as you clear your throat and try again.

“Sir, are you alright?”

This time you get a reaction. The man’s head whips around in record time, near startling you as you’re suddenly stared down by the mysterious newcomer.

Behind the copper pauldron and his hood, you spot two bright eyes staring you down, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. They’re pupilless, glowing like sulfur fire with just as much intensity. The twin flames stare you down like a wrathful lion roused from slumber, and you the culprit.

You can’t help but find yourself lost in the void, sinking further into the crashing storm of anger and despair. It’s too powerful to pull away now, and you can’t gather the strength to as you spot something within him.

For just a moment, in the moment that time was creeping between the two of you, there was the slightest hint of fear swimming beneath the surface. As quick as you caught it, it was dashed away as those wild and raw eyes hardened. It was not unlike watching the surface of magma cool into solid rock, but beneath did the liquid fire still burn.

Caught up in the swirling hues of burning blue, you failed to catch the stranger’s face contort into something more offensive. If you did, you would’ve wisely backed away instead of gawk dumbly as lips pulled back to reveal glimmering teeth.

“What?” He snarls the question at you, the deepness of his breathy tone pulling you in like a magnet. You still don't give an answer, caught between the urge to swallow up your concern and run and to stay and comfort the man. If you could call him that.

Quicker than you’d expect a man his size to move, the stranger throws himself backwards. Adopting a protective stance, his left arm is poised to cover his body more effectively as he bares his teeth warningly. Simultaneously, you jolt back instinctively putting distance between you and him.

How ironic.

Dead as dust trying to keep alive as if you still possessed a beating heart and blood in your viscera. Even more so considering how you’d been so adamant on approaching him first.

Briefly, there’s a thought that comes into mind, asking if this was a wise idea. But what could one soul do to another when both are dead?

You doubt the dead can be killed again. With that logic you feel less insecure about an attack. So you gulp down your nerves and clear your throat.

“Everything‘s okay,” you begin, arms held up placatingly as the man eyes you warily, “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Not that you could even land a single blow on your best day.

The man thinks the same, as his lips pull into a deeper scowl as his nose curls. Though he has no discernible pupil, you can feel him sizing you up. Definitely determining you to be as much of a threat to him as a fly is to a lion.

Seconds tick by like eons, neither one of you twitching a muscle as you stare each other down. One with barely restrained apprehension, the other suspicion and lingering animosity.

Until finally, the man curls his nose with a huff.

Completely unimpressed, he motions to leave you in the dust, metaphorically and literally as he spins on his heel and makes his way out of the tiny pocket of room off the road. The ground below shudders with a muffled tromp, displacing dust to flutter into the air and stray pebbles to rock.

If you’d a moment to think about his sheer impact on the ground, you probably wouldn’t have so brazenly charged forward to meet with him again. Hellbent on trying to understand what was his grand plan here.

Maybe you would’ve wisely backed off, especially when you were so hesitant to approach due to the very threat of bodily harm. Even beyond the grave. You’d definitely be reflecting on this tonight to find the answer to this crazy ass decision. But the only answer you’d receive after racking your brain to find is probably “whoopsie” or “I’m not fucking up my first day of Soul Guiding”.

Just as your hand is about to make contact with the man’s armored arm, there’s a great flash of gray as the world suddenly spins on it’s axis. Roughly your back slams into the ground as the beanie hugging your head jostles loose, half handing to your skull. If you’d any breath it’d be knocked clean out, but all you do is gawk, breathless regardless.

In one swift motion you’d been slammed into the ground with the giant of a man hovering over you. Enormous legs cage you in as he keeps a grip so ironclad on your guilty arm you can legitimately feel the pressure near breaking. You fear he’d break your bones had you not been so caught up in staring him down, dead heart lurching in your throat.

Pinned, outsized and far in over your head, the only plausible thing your panic riddled mind can do is teeter on the precipice of two options. Gather the last remnants of human survival and urge you to break loose or relive the last moments of your life cornered in that concrete trap like you are now. The only difference you felt was no roaring of blood into your ears nor the stir of a certain pounding cardiac organ.

You swear in this very moment this man was really those hound monsters in disguise, ready for a part two in their revenge.

Get off.

You see those hungry eyes through the cracks. Blues bleed into fiery orange, the shadows eclipse into coal black leathery skin.

Get off.

Pulled back lips contort into snarling maws like permanent grins. Bare gums glinting with teeth bigger than your arm. A heavy pant like laughter among the prowling pack that close in on their prey.

GET O F F !

The crushing grip melds into the pain of your arm — your missing arm —

You can taste the blood, feel it running down your throat and flood your lungs-

G E T O F F !

The proximity between him and you is near atoms apart. You feel the wisps of breath he exhales, fluttering over your cheeks like ghosts in the wind. There is no heat, unlike the breath of the hounds whose felt hotter than the pits of Hell. A complete antithesis-

“GET OFF ME!”

The shriek echoes across the empty field, rattling the naked limbs of a nearby tree and disturbing the dust to flutter around the air. Dancing between the two of you carelessly.

The man above you does not move as you demanded, instead he keeps his grip steady, the only indication of him listening to you are his raised brows and slightly widened eyes. Clearly surprised by the outburst. But he still doesn’t make a single move, instead vying to keep you pinned as his lips form words that your brain fails to comprehend. It’s only after a few seconds of silence after his words have passed his mouth did your brain catch it like a delayed echo.

“Who are you?! What is the meaning of this?” Though he near splits your ears with his bellow, the demand sounds as if you’re hearing him with cotton stuffed in your ears. And underwater.

When you don’t give an immediate answer, his patience seems to wear thin, given by the deepening furrow of his brow. Vaguely you think how it’s even physically possible before your ears pick up on a voice ring through the air.

“I-I just-!”

“It will do you good to let them go boy!”

Both you and the man’s head swivel to the origin of the newcomer. Poised for attack, the stranger is dressed in armored regalia, finely detailed with bone imagery long since worn down. He carries a glaive, or at least an imitation of the weapon due to its dramatic length of the blade. It’s pointed in your general direction, but not at you. But the head of the man above you.

He stares you down with well worn eyes, cataracts cloudy yet sharply focused on you.

The stranger doesn’t give away what he feels about the situation, but from the pinching of his brows and snarling of teeth, he doesn’t like what he sees.

The soldier jabs the weapon, the edge near kidding the red hood of the man above. He merely grunts at the proffer of the metal blade, unphased about this. Which was rather ironic given his need to attack weaponless you.

“I will not ask again! Let the ‘uman go.” He snarls, dripping with authority to make you rigid upon hearing. The man above you snaps his head between you and the newcomer, brows pinched together as you shoot him a weary grin, silently begging he’d listen.

“Yeah, uh, please let the human go…” you say weakly, struggling under his grip as you feel an atom more confident with this stranger. Though that is promptly squashed when the man glares daggers into you, sending a wave of cold dread shooting through your chest. The crushing grip tightening even more.

“I am not asking you again boy! 'ave you no sense o’ honor that you’d attack one without a weapon?!”

That gets his attention.

His ironclad hold violently wrenches free, and you immediately scramble out from underneath him. You drag yourself away from the man and put some distance between you and him, with the stranger as a barrier. Despite not knowing either, you’d take your chances with the soldier rather than the goliath.

The guard shuffles until he’s blocked the view of the red hooded behemoth, weapon poised at his head. He tilts his head back to eye you as he calls out. “You alright ‘uman?” Dazed, you can only offer an unsure grunt, grasping at the arm with fresh indents in the dead skin. You wince as you doubt there’s a chance it’ll recover.

“Y-yeah.” Is the feeble answer.

He grunts before turning his attention to your attacker, whose face is twisted into a vicious snarl half hidden by his hood. Those blue eyes are pure murderous as he glares at your savior. However, he is completely unaffected, instead vying to puff his chest out and raise his shoulders. Immediately, the man becomes larger than he already is, the armor assisting him as the oversized pauldrons that sweep towards the air flare out like boney wings.

The tension growing between the two is heavy, like a thick fog and tingling with electricity. Though you’re not caught in the middle of it, you can feel the sharp sting that leaves you dizzy.

Just when you’re sure the fog will stretch out to you and wrap you in the static blanket, it’s so abruptly interrupted.

“I do not know why you attack this ‘uman, but know that this will not go unnoticed by me. However that is not why I am ‘ere,” the man straightened his posture as he keeps his glaive pointed straight at the man, “I am ‘ere to escort you, Red Rider, to the King, for you are hereby summoned to appear ‘fore the Dead Court.”

That gets your attention.

Engri had spoken of the monarchy and his exclusivity on the few to no guests he harbors in his Court. In fact, practically no one has made company with the king in the last century other than his guards and royal advisors and overseers.

Not that making company was as simple as approaching the throne room and waltzing in to share your grievances. Between the tales of the men of the Arena who’s battle prowess could match that of the aged Maker and cynical advisors, you’d heard of one such obstacle to meet the king.

The Arena and its heralded unbeatable Champion.

Engri had shared the stories of the Champion, a creature of bone and sinew nigh invincible. How she’d faced the beast before in boast, promising to bring the skull to the Court not for an audience, but to wipe the smirk off their smug faces when they claimed she’d be unsuccessful as the others. And they’d been right.

The monster was unpredictable in its attacks and twice as formidable in strength, even against a seasoned warrior as Engri. In the end, the battle mage decided it best to abandon her quest and turn tail to save herself the near severed limbs during the excursion.

That was the only ticket to meet the king.

And this guy gets a free fucking pass.

A trickling sensation of horror and suspicion runs up your spine as you wearily eye the stranger. What had he done to warrant the king’s audience per his demand?

Probably something terrible. Right?

The “Red Rider” or he’s been addressed, near snarls at the soldier whilst rising to an impossible height. Your eyes shamelessly bugle from their sockets as your jaw fails to keep itself hinged while you wordlessly gawk.

You knew he was tall from how he nearly reached your shoulder on his knees, but not like this. He towers over the soldier who himself boasts an impressive height, and his glaive stands taller than his helmet which adds a few extra inches. You doubt your head even reaches the bottom of his sternum if you stood on your toes.

“What would your king,” he spits the word out like rot on his tongue, “want with me? I am no stranger to this realm nor am I a foe.”

The soldier doesn’t stop the scoff, making the taller shoot a nasty glare. “Do you think us so shut in from the world of the living we do not know o’ your affairs?” The hooded man immediately stiffens, your head tilts as you questioningly stare at the accused wondering if-

“I've done nothing of the sort. I am not guilty of the crimes the Council accuses me of!” He bellows, voice so powerful you can feel it punch you in the chest. Though the other male seems completely unaffected, not even a flinch.

“Whatever those slags o’ molten rocks decide is not my concern. I am here merely to escort you to the Court.” He cooly says.

Council? Crimes? Molten rocks?! What in fuck’s name are they talking about?!

Too caught up in the haze, you shake your head in efforts to clear the very muddled thoughts you’re trying to piece together. You don’t even register their conversation.

Yeah, the man straight up attacked you, but he hadn’t seemed to do so blindly. Though the whole parameters of why he’d think of you as a threat doesn’t click.

But beforehand, prior to his… lashing out, he seemed completely caught up in himself. The scream you’d heard, how the raw bellow was pained, opposite to his aloof attitude. How he sounded so… betrayed?

Scared.

Like when you first opened your eyes on the cobblestone road.

A pang of sympathy worms it’s way through your chest, leaving behind a bitter aftertaste of the past. A frown stretches across your lips, remembering that wretched feeling.

Why should you not extend that mercy to him? Because of some self preservation to your corpse? A guard claiming he’s to be punished for a possible crime? Your survival instincts screamed not to, and logic dictated that this was none of your own business.

But the man’s protests of innocence were too heartfelt. Too… fervent.

Unlike the aged corpse of a soldier, you listen to those cries. You know them well. Distant wails that cut through the ears of the endlessly noisy city like a gunshot. Too many times you lie awake on your bed, listening helplessly to the sound.

You once burst out of your room with an urgent desperation to quell those cries. Tirelessly searching for the endless laments, overwhelmed to find the city overrun with souls that scream for a life stolen away, of being lost with this insufferably ceaseless city.

Despite your best efforts, you couldn’t help anyone. It seemed as if the screams were not from souls, but part of the very ambience of the city.

You barely slept a week after that, regardless of your exhaustion.

This man, this soul- you can’t bear the thought of leaving him to his fate. It’s selfish but you don't want to bear another moment in the city after the day is done. Returning to that unshakable tune. Maybe this once, you could quell this one’s cries so he wouldn’t join that accursed choir.

Leaving him to go to the Court did not sit right in your gut. You couldn’t stop it, but maybe you could sway them.

Engri’s talk of the King did not soothe your nerves however. But in spite of that, you do not stop yourself from the words that spill out your mouth just as the soldier was about to escort the soul out.

“Uhm,” you scramble to your feet, something more dignified if it weren’t for the dust and beanie falling out of place, “wait right there! I’m coming along!”

The soldier snorts, actually snorts before he can cover his mouth with a hand. That near permanent grin of a half rotted skull seems to widen as he attempts to collect himself. You scarcely notice curious blue eyes drift your way as you pull your beanie back over your scalp, suddenly bashful.

“You ‘ave no business with the King,” he declares, tone trembling with barely held back chuckles, “it’s ‘im that the King wants, ‘uman. You’ve no idea of what magnitude the offense this one has committed.” The Red Rider shoots him a poisonous glare from behind.

“Well, I don’t happen to believe that!” You lamely retort, chest clenching at your weak protest that makes both men take pause. The soldier eyes you with suspicion while Red remains otherwise impassable, other than the slightest widening of his eyes behind his hood.

You absently wonder if he is even affected by your protest. Something within your dead chest screams that it does, that he is in fact, thinking about what you’re doing, but your head seems to think otherwise, filled with doubt.

Your brain weighs the outcomes of both possibilities at blink-fast speed, considering both extremes that could come to haunt you. Either one, this man is indeed what the guard claims, to have committed the worst of crimes, hiding behind a red hood and devastatingly convincing face to trick the bleeding hearts into his scheming and letting him roam free.

Though the worst possible crimes he can commit in this godforsaken realm such as murder was null and void, that didn’t make him less of a threat. You could let him walk free, unpunished and unforgiving into this world, here forever if you can even convince the Court.

Or…

This man is indeed innocent. A victim of circumstance, or even a setup if his protests have any hint of what had happened. You could save him from taking the fall and being wrongly punished for someone else’s crimes. You couldn’t imagine living, or rather, continuing on this dead life with that on your conscience for eternity. Not even after a million years could you imagine that the guilt would even erode in the slightest.

Then, you think about when you first laid eyes on him, how frightened he was, that scream, and those wild eyes that you almost drowned in. There was a deep powerlessness that you recognized that you couldn’t forget.

You’ve seen that look in the eyes of your fellow humans as they were slaughtered on the streets, hopelessly overpowered in the eyes of Angels and Demons. Pure, unadulterated terror soaking into the very bone, leaving no atom unmarred. Then, a ringing in your ear turns into his scream and it blends in with hundreds more you hear a familiar voice come through.

“‘M off tae take ‘em to the city,” It’s Engri’s voice from hours ago, “I doubt there won’ be any other souls while ‘m gone,” you had decided to stay behind, using the excuse of wanting to help ferry souls as a reason not to go back to that wailing city. You did want to help, but you never expected, well, this.

“Well, what should I do if someone comes and they won’t go with me?” You asked, unsure of what to expect, to which she had answered simply.

“Then follow ‘em wherever they go. With time, they’ll go with you.”

Sucking in a breath, you hope this won’t be the biggest mistake of your undead life. Squaring your shoulders and straightening your spine, you boldly stare the guard in the back as you unsteadily declare,

“Take me with him to the King’s Court, I am acting as his voucher of character.”

Sometimes, the heart is bigger than the head.

[silence-the-barking-monk]

“Instead of resisting changes, surrender. Let life be with you, not against you. If you think ‘My life will be upside down don’t worry. How do you know down is not better than upside?”

“A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, eastern or western…divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels and no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple. Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire! The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”

“The universe is a completely unique entity. Everything and everyone is bound together with some invisible strings. Do not break anyone’s heart; do not look down on those weaker than you. One’s sorrow on the other side of the world can make the entire world suffer; one’s happiness can make the entire world smile.”

“Don’t search for heaven and hell in the future. Both are now present. Whenever we manage to love without expectations, calculations, or negotiations, we are indeed in heaven. Whenever we fight or hate, we are in hell.”

“A good man complains of no one; he does not look to faults.”

“This world is like a mountain.

Your echo depends on you.

If you scream good things,

the world will give them back.

If you scream bad things,

the world will give them back.

Even if someone says badly about you,

speak well about him.

Change your heart to change the world.”

“Most conflicts and tensions are due to language. Don’t pay so much attention to the words. In love’s country, language doesn’t have its place. Love’s mute.”

“Don’t judge the way other people connect to God; to each his own way and his own prayer.

God does not take us at our word. He looks deep into our hearts. It is not the ceremonies or rituals that make a difference, but whether our hearts are sufficiently pure or not.”

“The summary of the advice of all prophets is this;

Find yourself a mirror.”

“The whole universe is summed up in the Human Being.

Devil is not a monster waiting to trap us, He is a voice inside.

Look for Your Devil in Yourself, not in Others.

Don’t forget that the one who knows his Devil, knows his God.”

“It is pointless trying to know where the way leads. Think only about your first step, the rest will come.”

“Every breath is a chance to be reborn spiritually. But to be reborn into a new life, you have to die before dying.”

“The real dirt is not outside,

but inside, in our hearts.

We can wash all stains with water.

The only one we can’t remove is the grudge and the bad intentions sticking to our hearts.”

“Surrendering is not a weakness. On the contrary, it is strength. The surrender stops living in boiling water and starts living in a secure place.”

“When everyone is trying to be something, be nothing. Range with emptiness. Humans should be like a pot. As the pot is held by its emptiness inside, the human is held by the awareness of his nothingness.”

*** Shams Tabrizi was also known as Shams Al-Din Mohammad and He was the spiritual instructor of Rumi. Shams have been referenced with great reverence in Rumi’s poetic collection, Diwan-I-Tabrizi (The Works of Shams of Tabriz).

On 15 November 1244, Shams visited a famous Inn of sugar merchants in Konya and told everyone he was a traveling merchant. Over there he came across Rumi reading next to a large stack of books. Shams Tabriz, passing by, asked him, “what are you doing”. Rumi scoffingly replied, “something you will not be able to understand” This is the knowledge that cannot be understood by the unlearned.

On hearing this Shams threw the stack of books into a nearby pool of water. Rumi hastily rescued the books and to his surprise, they were all dry.

Rumi asked Shams, “what is this?” To which Shams replied, “Mowlana, this is what you cannot understand — This is the knowledge that cannot be understood by the learned.

From then on Rumi became Shams’s student for a period of forty days before moving to Damascus.

[wafflesinthe504]

The Rookie 5x16 Thoughts

Spoilers for The Rookie 5x16 below. If you've watched the episode or don't care about spoilers, please enjoy!

The official Valentine's Day episode has finally arrived!! I loved that each and every couple was given their own time to shine and small storylines throughout the episode. From Chenford to Wopez, to NyJa, and of course Jailey everyone had their own arguments/disagreements that were of course finished by the end of the episode and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Everyone having to deal with the craziest and most dangerous Valentine's Day yet.

Sidenote to all of the couples I also really enjoyed finally seeing Celina start develop her own arc separate from her training as a cop. I was happy to finally understand why her mother hadn't left the house in so long and I just really appreciate how much we've seen Celina's character grow so far. I'm really interested to see how her story plays out and can't wait to learn more about what really happened to her sister and if Celina (and her mom) are able to get the closure that they need.

Also I wish that this episode wasn't a body cam episode. While I think that using the bodycams can be a cool technique I don't think that this technique goes well for episodes that are supposed to be very character centric. This is because the shots that can be used are more limited since where the cameras are placed technically have to make since and because the cameras themselves are static. It doesn't help that due to the cameras field of view it sometimes makes it hard to figure out where in the scene I'm supposed to be focused on. The bodycam as the cameras should really only be used like once a season.

The Chenford cold open was so much fun. From Lucy and Tim sleeping together and Tim just cuddled into Lucy (so cute and soft), to seeing Lucy immediately jumping into action when she realizes that something is wrong with her one of her old UC pals and Tim jumping in with her to back her up just in case (they're just so in sync and I love it). I really enjoyed getting that glimpse of seeing Lucy back in UC. I really hope we see more of her doing UC operations even if they're just short-term ones. My guess is that we probably won't see Lucy go full UC until Celina is done with her Rookie period so that they have someone to pair Aaron up with for patrol.

Noah and Lucy's banter was so fun to watch along with Tim's reaction to it. I really want to know where the HotPants joke came from. Like what happened that Lucy got the nickname HotPants. Here's hoping we get some insight into Lucy's time at UC school. Also, how much does Noah know about Tim for him to be like 'oh that Bradford.' Our girl loves this mac so much she probably couldn't stop talking about him to her UC friends.

I wonder how Tim felt when he saw/ heard Lucy act as a UC for that short period of time and then later on when Noah brought up the idea of becoming full time UC because of how good she is at it. The audience and Tim know just how good of a UC Lucy is and I think its going to be interesting to see if Lucy does end up becoming a full-time UC and if she does how that would affect their relationship.

Continuing on into the show I was really excited to see Lucy and Tim riding together again. I thought that once Tim moved divisions that we wouldn't see them riding together again, but I'm happy to be proven wrong.

Angela teasing Tim about finally having a date for Valentine's Day.

Of course everyone could see from a mile away that Tim and Lucy's argument would be about Lucy going behind Tim's back to help him get the metro position. I appreciate that the writers didn't feel the need to try to blow the whole argument out of proportion in an attempt to raise the stakes of their relationship. I'm satisfied with how the argument was handled and how they made up at the end.

The introductory Wopez scene in this episode was so good. Both of them being out sync with each other showing just how much everything that's happening is weighing on them. I enjoyed the gag of the extra security being a woman instead of a man and seeing Angela's reaction. I loved when Wesley called Angela and she accidentally tells him about the gas and then she sees the bodyguard in the background holding Jack and she just hangs up the phone.

Wesley really was out here just trying to make the best of Valentine's Day and it just wasn't in the cards for them.

That ending though with them receiving that messed up gift from Elijah Stone was a good cliffhanger and a good lead into next week's crossover.

I really hope for next week's crossover that it actually acts as a true crossover and not just one character from each show just showing up for like a minute before disappearing.

Bonus: Everyone's reaction to the bodyguard. Both Celina and Grey telling Angela to get that woman out of her house and away from Wesley while Aaron is just over here trying to find a date for Valentine's Day was just so funny. Moments like this where the whole crew is interacting with each other are always great to watch.

I always love and appreciate when we get to see Nyla and James together they are such a great couple. I was surprised that we got to see as much of them together as we did this episode. Their argument about the creepy bear cam that James' mom had gotten for Leah was probably the most realistic argument that we saw. I could see both parties sides but, I really like the moment with Nyla and Aaron where Aaron helped Nyla see why James' mom wanted access to the link and how that realization helped Nyla at the end helped her James come to a compromise that worked in the favor of everyone.

I hope we get to see an arc for them in the future where they sort of get to be the put at the forefront of the story for a little while. I just really want to see more of them and their family.

Wopez has been getting a lot of attention so, I hope that NyJa get their time to shine as well.

And finally, Jailey. Of course, their first official fight is on Valentine's Day. I was quite relieved that they weren't left out of the couples who were having issues and we got to see them not being some amazing perfect couple.

As soon as John took that phone from Bailey I already knew that that was going to be the start of their argument. One might think for someone who has been married before that doing that is like an instant argument starter.

Even though I enjoyed their argument and seeing how it was resolved it would have been nice to see some other indications of Bailey not being able to ask for help and why John felt it was necessary to take matters in his own hands. We know that John is absolutely the type of person to constantly want to fix a person's problem, but it would have been nice to see Bailey's inability to ask for help. As I've probably said before even though these two are supposed to be the main couple of the show they generally get little meaningful character and relationship development that makes us as the audience really care about them.

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Bonus: Little addition about the plot itself I think that the character and relationships this episode were truly the standout feature and since it was such a character driven episode I think that it would have benefitted from choosing one case to focus on. I think if just one of the cases were chosen for this episode it would have only helped to create different character dynamics and we would have been able to continue to focus on the issues that the characters were facing in their relationship.

With everything that happened in the previous episode and what's going to be happening in the next episodes it was quite easy to tell that this was more a filler episode than anything and it wouldn't have hurt to just lean into that and let the characters shine even more.

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Hope you enjoyed. If you want come chat with me in the comments about anything The Rookie related.

Until next time have a good day or night!