#plot drop

[dirkcresswcll]

Date: June 30th, 1984, early-to-mid party Location: Nicky and Dirk’s flat @ofemmevance​

Dirk had been sipping the one cup of firewhiskey that Gwenog had brought early in the night for the last hour, not wanting to go to hard even as more and more people started to show up. He had a feeling it might get intense. Not that anyone had taken down a door (yet) to start Quodcup, but there were little groups forming around the flat with various games.

He’d passed a couple of people playing Never Have I Ever and promptly turned around, steering clear of that game because it always made him red in the face and embarrassed. 

He was waiting for Emmeline, but she hadn’t gotten here yet. He hoped she hadn’t changed her mind. He knew parties weren’t really her thing, but they had talked about it before, even if that had been before their kiss. Still, she’d RSVPed after the kiss, so that was something! His gaze kept going to the door each time it opened, but it had yet to be her. Now, however, it opened once more and he perked up as she quietly walked through, looking a bit nervous.

Dirk took a long drink from his cup for some liquid courage and made his way over to her with a big grin. “Hey!” he said as he approached. He could see Nicky not too far away and hoped she wasn’t gawking too hard. Hoped some of the others in the room had her distracted enough. Gathering all his bravery, he leaned down - just a bit, Emmeline wasn’t too much shorter than him - and kissed her on the cheek in greeting. “Glad you could make it! Want me to show you around?”

[mncxbe]

Every girl gets her wish𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

𝑭𝒖𝒌𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒘𝒂, 𝑭𝒖𝒌𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒊 𝒙 𝒇𝒆𝒎!𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: fluff/ official appreciation post for my fav bsd dilfs/not proofread

𝑭𝒖𝒌𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒘𝒂

The amber bubbles fizzed up as Dazai poured the last drop of champagne in your glass. "Don't drink yet we've still got a few minutes left until midnight" announced the brunette, earning a nod from you.

Holding the stem of the glass between your middle and ring finger, crystal bowl resting in the palm of your hand, you made your way to the back of the terrace leaning against the ivy covered brick wall. It was a pretty location the president rented for the new year's eve party; golden lights, cozy wooden tables and cushy sofas and most importantly unlimited food and drinks.

You've already had your fair share of cocktails and shots and your body felt warm, cheeks lightly flushed, mind hazy. Your gaze instinctively sought the familiar head of silvery hair and found it on the other side of the terrace. Fukuzawa was leaning against the railing talking, as per usual, to Ranpo. The longer strands of his hair fell down the black lapel of his suit, bangs framing the sharp lines of his features. Fuck, he looked so handsome in this light.

As if reading your thoughts Ranpo's head snapped in your direction, giving you a mischevious smile. He knew of your crush on your boss, of course he knew and it didn't help your situation at all. Just then, the older man turned his head to face you and you smiled weakly, waving at them. You were about to die of embarassment when you realised how much you were blushing. Fuck your low alcohol tolerance and the stupid feelings that took over you whenever you saw him.

And then you saw him walk in your direction; clearing your throat, you gave him your sweetest smile.

"Good evening, Y/N. Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked casually, leaning on the wall beside you.

"Yes, boss, very much. I love this place it's... very lovely" you babbled out, hurriendly taking a sip of your drink to drown your rapid heartbeat.

"I'm glad to hear that" he smiled, oh that rare, genuine smile that made you weak in the knees. You didn't know what else to say so you simply nodded, biting down on your glossy lip as you looked at your glass. Waiting for him to leave. But he didn't. Fukuzawa remained by your side, taking occasional sips from his own drink and checking his clock. The silence was starting to feel awkward and you damned yourself for acting so silly. 'Come on, girl, you got this just say something' was the best encouragement you could come up with. Taking in a deep breath you opened your mouth but before you got the chance to speak Fukuzawa leaned closer to you.

"You're a remarkable woman, Y/N. I hope you know that." he said softly. In the background you could already hear the thrilled voices of your colleagues doing the countdown. 10...9...8 "Would you maybe consider allowing me to..." he continued, his voice trailing off as he traced the contour of your cheery-wine coloured lips with his thumb, making your heart skip a beat.

7...6...5. You nodded eagerly, swallowing down every last shred doubt and looked up at him, meeting his warm gaze. 4...3...2. He smiled, wrapping an arm around your waist to pull you closer, his deep, vanilla tinged scent making your knees weak. And then he did it. When the clock struck midnight he kissed you, a soft kiss that seemed almost innocent if it hadn't been for the fierce, posessive grip he had on your hip.

When you eventually pulled away you couldn't help but smile. Leaning against one another, the two of you shared the usual Happy new years right before you gazed over Fukuzawa's shoulder, eyes landing on Ranpo who gave you a thumbs up, grinning. The blush immediately returned to your face and you hid your face in the man's shoulder, praying that no one else saw the kiss you two shared. plot twist later in the evening Ranpo spread the news.

𝑭𝒖𝒌𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒊

You knew that working for the Hunting Dogs was going to be quite a demanding job but you never expected to be called in for a mission on New Year's Eve. Still, at 9 in the evening the captain sent you a quick text asking to accompany him on a mission. "Sorry, sweetheart, but I can't reach the others. I expect you to be at the warehouses in 30." was all the explanations you were given before you hastly put on your uniform and left your apartment.

It was almost midnight when you were done and due to the late hour no cabs were available, leaving you with no hope of getting back home to your friends.

"What a bummer..." you mumbled under your breath, leaning against the metal railing that lined the frothy shore. The metallic smell of fireworks and cheap firecrackers filled the chilly winter air.

"It can't be helped sometimes, when duty calls we answer" said your superior in his usual condescending tone, standing by your side. He lazily procured a cigarette from a crumpled pack in the pocket of his jacket and lit it before checking the time. "Three more minutes 'till midnight. I guess you're stuck with me tonight"

You simply nodded in response, humming a disinterested mhm. Frankly, you couldn't care less who you spent new year's eve with; it was just another night of the year. But having to sit outside in the crisp December air, watching happy couples cooing at each other and sharing kisses wasn't exactly ideal. You thought of your friends; bundled up on your balcony getting ready to open the bottle of champagne you spent a quarter of your salary on and couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

You were too lost in thought to notice when the clock struck midnight. As if on que the sky erupted in bright neon colours; ruby red, champagne gold and shades of blue painting the blackness above. The few couples nearby began kissing, each person giving their partner a lovesick grin that made your stomach churn. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't you have that too?

"What's with that pouty face?" Fukuchi asked casually, his gaze landing on the couple seated on the bench in front of you. "Ah I see how it is. You want your midnight kiss, right?"

Before you could answer he cupped your jaw with a gloved hand making you face him as he leaned in "I believe I can help with that"

Despite how cold you were heat bloomed in your abdomen, a rosy blush tinting your cheeks. "No need sir I'm fine really~" you stammered, trying to look at anything else beside him.

"Nonsense, sweetheart. You're already stuck out here because of me. It's the least I can do." he chuckled, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. You couldn't deny how tempting the offer was. After all, you did develop a little crush on your boss during the few months you worked as a hunting dog. He seemed to be quite fond of you too, always taking you on missions with him, even going so far as to call you sweetheart when it was just the two of you so... maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Before you knew it you leaned in, hesitantly pressing your lips against his. His hand left your face and slid to the nape of your neck fingers entangling in your hair, giving it a gentle tug. Taking the hint you parted your lips, allowing him to slip his tongue in your mouth and deepen the kiss. It was messy, a needy kiss that made your head fuzzy. He tasted just like you imagined: cigarettes and bourbon.

When he eventually pulled away his signature smirk was plastered on his face "How was that for a midnight kiss? Is my favourite girl satisfied?"

You couldn't help but smilen, that damned lovesick grin you so hated to see on other people. "Yea, I'm happy now". Taking a last drag from his cigarette he flicked the bud on the ground and wrapped an arm around your shoulders. You instinctively leaned closer to him, your head coming to rest on his chest. Smiling down at you, Fukuchi gave your arm a loving squeeze "Happy new year, Y/N"

[stayteezdreams]

Favor

Plot: In a moment of desperation you ask Seonghwa for a favor. He is happy to oblige....suspiciously happy actually.

Pairing: Park Seonghwa x Gn!Reader

A/n: For those who don't like vague plot-lines, this is a fake dating story.

Warnings: Nothing I can think of!

Words: 2.6k

Hanging up your phone with a sigh, you leaned on the balcony railing as you dropped your head.

'I knew I shouldn't have answered that phone call.'

Your mother, as much as she did love you, had a tendency to make things very hard for you. Most of the time when she thought she was "helping." This time, her latest scheme was to find you a boyfriend, or as she called it, your future husband.

There had been times in the past when she attempted to set you up with some people here and there, none of them worked out of course. Now she was planning on introducing you to not one, but numerous men, all at the same time. Specifically at your father's companies Christmas party. An event you dreaded attending in the first place, now your mother decided to add another horror to the list of reasons you didn't want to go.

Hearing the door slide open, you looked over to see Seonghwa. You felt your heart race in the now familiar way at the sight of him.

He eyed you for a moment as he walked up to you. "Everything okay? You've been out here for a while, we were getting worried."

You sighed, "It was my mom."

He let out a soft chuckle as he leaned against the railing beside you, "I'm all ears."

After explaining everything to him he stared of into space for a moment. You could tell he was trying to think of a way to make you feel better, or even an idea of how to get out of your predicament. But what you did not see, was the burning ache of annoyance.

The idea of you being set up with guys, or even going on dates with someone pained Seonghwa. Now to hear you were going to be forced on multiple men in an attempt to find your "future husband"?? His chest tightened at the thought.

"Can you just, not go?"

You scoffed softly, "I have to, if I don't my dad will hold it against me forever and will make me regret it in some way or another."

"Why is your mother so insistent on setting you up anyways?"

"She's afraid I'll die alone I guess." You chuckled softly before letting out a sigh. "God, I really don't think I can deal with it, I know she as no idea what kind of guy I actually like, who knows what these guys are like."

He smiled in pity as he watched you, "I'm sorry, I wish I could help."

'If only I could go with you...'

You looked over at him as a sudden thought popped into your head. If Seonghwa came with you as a date, would your mother give up? The idea made your heart flutter.

Seonghwa saw something light up your eyes for a second and he smiled, "What?"

Suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed by the thought you shook your head, "Nothing, I just had a stupid thought."

"What kind of stupid thought?" He asked, leaning a bit closer to pressure to to tell him, as he hoped you had thought of the same thing he did.

You twiddled your thumbs for a moment as you considered asking, or at least suggesting it. Glancing over at him he smiled softly, waiting for you to give in.

You turned slightly towards him, "What if... you did me a giant favor?"

He felt his heart skip a beat as anticipation built. "It depends on the favor."

"Well...if I went to the party with a date, my mom might not bother introducing me to anyone."

Seonghwa clenched his jaw as he repressed a grin. He looked out at the view and hummed, "That might work."

You watching him in anticipation before he caught your pleading eyes and let out a soft laugh. "Okay."

"Okay?!"

"But-! You'll owe me."

You nodded in agreement and he chuckled, still repressing the excitement of his own as he thought of going with you as your date.

Looking in at the party ahead of you, you let out a deep breath. Seonghwa watched you with a soft smile as he leaned closer "Relax, it's gonna be fine, you look great."

You let out a soft laugh as you met his eyes, "How I look has nothing to do with why I'm nervous, but thank you."

He grinned at you as he pulled you gently, encouraging you to walk further into the room with him. The large room was lit up by a bright Christmas tree in the middle of the room. Every table was decorated with garland with red and gold ornaments. Covers of classic Christmas songs played from an adjacent room as you spotted people dancing together.

Everyone was dressed in formal attire, most in various Christmas themed colors. You didn't get far into the party before your parents spotted you and made their way over.

They eyed Seonghwa as you introduced him. They knew of him since you and Seonghwa had been close friends for a while, so it wasn't entirely shocking that you showed up with him.

Your father was pleased by it, while your mom was obviously suspicious, as you feared she might be when you suddenly told her you would be coming with a date.

After your mothers attempt at prying, and Seonghwa skillfully dodging any suspicion. Your father managed to shoo her way as they went to greet other acquaintances.

You and Seonghwa made your way to a corner and mingled with each other as you watched the party around you. You didn't know anyone except by mild acquaintance, and there were very few people your age in general.

"I wonder how long we can stay before my dad feels guilty enough to let me leave."

Seonghwa chuckled as he sipped at his drink and looked around. He paused as he spotted your mother watching the two of you closely.

He smiled to himself as he glanced over at you before he slyly stepped closer before wrapping his arm around your waist and setting his hand on your hip.

You froze as a shiver crawled up your body as you looked over at Seonghwa. "What are you doing?"

He leaned a bit closer to speak quietly, "Your mother is watching us."

You casually glanced around and saw your mother eyeing Seonghwa. "Oh...". Your heart was beating faster as you felt nervous from his touch.

Remaining in this position for a short time, you saw your mother suddenly approach a younger man. Seeing her gesture over to you, you felt your heart sink.

"Oh no."

Seonghwa followed your gaze and clenched his jaw. It was going to take a bit more on his part for your mother to back off.

Your dread only grew as your mother approached you, stranger in tow. After some brief introductions, in which your mother barely acknowledged Seonghwa, the man seemed to grow nervous.

Glancing at Senghwa you saw him staring at the man with an almost unnerving gaze. You smiled to yourself as you realized he was trying to silently scare the man off.

Luckily for you, it worked, as the man excused himself a few minutes later, leaving your mother disappointed as she left to go find your father.

You nudged Seonghwa and he looked over at you, "I'm surprised you didn't burn holes into him."

He chuckled, "I tried my best."

Unfortunately for the two of you, your mother still remained unconvinced Seonghwa was anything to you but a friend as she started to plot with another one of the suitors.

Seonghwa, having been keeping an eye on her, saw this and quickly made his own move.

Taking your glass and setting it aside he smiled at you, "Let's dance."

You swallowed nervously, "Dance?"

He nodded, "Before she brings the next one over."

You looked round in panic to see your mother walking through the room with another man you did not know. Seonghwa slid his hand into yours as he swiftly lead you to the dance floor.

As Seonghwa pulled you close to him as you began dancing in rhythm to the music playing, you watched as your mother shoo the man off as she watched you and Seonghwa.

You smiled as you looked at Seonghwa, whose gaze almost parallelized you. You swallowed nervously again as you avoided eye contact, becoming more aware of how close you were.

"Did it work?" He spoke softly, making goosebumps rise up our neck as his breath brushed your ear.

You nodded and he smiled in pride.

"She always sees right through me." You mumble a moment later.

"Well, she can look as hard as she wants at me, she wont see what she is expecting too."

Your eyes shot over to him as he smiled at you. "What does that mean?"

He shrugged his head softly, and you slyly pinched his arm, making him hiss.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself. You and your cryptic words." You giggled and he smiled fondly at you.

He hoped you did actually understand what he meant, and the way you seemed to avoid eye contact, made him think you did.

Suddenly kissing your cheek you looked back at him in surprise and he laughed softly.

You scoffed, "I think you might be enjoying my misery too much you know."

He grinned, "Just a little."

Your dance with Seonghwa helped you avoid one suitor, but your mother managed to surprise you with two more as you and Seonghwa were talking to your father.

One seemed just as intimidated by Seonghwa as the first man had been, and avoided conversation. But the other seemed unfazed, even amused by the situation.

Seonghwa's annoyance rose as this man lingered too close to you, attempted to lean closer as he joked with you, and even brushed your hand on purpose as he handed you a drink.

The only thing saving Seonghwa from his anger, was your obvious disinterest in the man. Even your mother seemed a bit perturbed by his actions, which only helped Seonghwa's confidence.

Finally finding a moment to excuse yourself to use the bathroom, you and Seonghwa shared a nod as you made your escape. Once you left the bathroom, Seonghwa swooped past, leading you through the crowd, away from your mother and the cocky suitor, before the two of you stepped outside.

As soon as the cold night air hit you, you let out a sigh of relief. "God that man was driving me crazy."

Seonghwa chuckled as he slid off his jacket following you to the terrace wall. As you leaned on the wall, looking out at the view, you felt Seonghwa drape his jacket over you and you smiled at him.

"Thank you."

He nodded with a smile as he placed his hands on the wall and took in a deep breath.

"I'm sorry."

Seonghwa's eyes snapped over to you at your sudden apology. "For what?"

"Asking you to come here when it made no difference, you can leave if you want." You smiled almost sadly as you looked up at the sky.

"I think it is making a difference. Besides that ken-doll I've managed to scare the others off. I'll stay."

You smiled as your heart pounded. Seonghwa was always there for you in any situation.

Looking over at him, you smiled "Thank you."

He nodded, "Of course. Besides, I like the idea of you owing me."

You chuckled at this, "It sounds like you have something specific in mind that you want from me."

He looked at you for a moment as he seemed to study your face, making you feel shy. "I do."

You felt your chest clench, "What is it?"

He smirked as he turned to face you, still leaning on the wall. He cleared his throat before he leaned in a little, holding your attention completely.

"A date."

Adrenaline seemed to spike through you as your heart raced, "...A date?"

He nodded softly "A real date, not another fake one."

Your mind seemed to go blank as you stared at him in shock. "...oh"

He tilted his head as he watched you stare at him in silence. As much as he was not showing it, he was beginning to panic at your lack of response.

"Not interested?"

You seemed to regain control of yourself as he spoke and you shook your head, "Noo, no- I mean, that's not it, I'm just surprised."

"By what?"

"Well, why would you want to go on a date with me?"

The tone of your voice sounded so genuine Seonghwa felt his chest clench painfully. Did you really have no idea of his feelings for you? Had he hid them too well?

A frown was evident on his face as he leaned a little closer to you. "Are you crazy? I've been wanting to go out with you for ages, Y/n."

You let out a soft bewildered laugh, "What?"

"Yeah! I've tried to ask you out a few times but it never worked out. The others always found out and invited themselves along, not realizing I wanted it to just be us. So it always ended up turning into hang outs rather than dates."

As those moments passed through your mind as you recalled the disappointment you felt each time. You let out another laugh "So that was never on purpose?"

He shook his head as he smiled, watching you chuckle at the realization. As your eyes met you looked away shyly as you played nervously with your hands, a habit Seonghwa picked up on a long time ago.

Catching sight of someone at a nearby window, Seonghwa noticed your mother watching the two of you as your father tried to pull her away. He let out a soft silent laugh as he shook his head gently.

Looking back at you, he leaned closer as he gently reached over to caress your face, gaining your attention.

You looked back at him a little startled by his actions as butterflies swirled in your stomach.

"So what do you say? I don't want you to go on a date with me because you owe me a favor, I want you to go because you want to."

You swallowed nervously as your chest grew warm. You nodded softly, "I want too."

A grin spread across his face, "Good. Now, don't be too startled."

You furrowed your brow as you silently questioned him. You heart spiking as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, right on the edge of your lips.

He smiled cheekily at you as you caught on to his reason for the kiss. "Is my mother watching us again?"

He nodded softly and you laughed, looking away bashfully for a moment before looking back at him. He leaned closer again, a teasing smile on his face making you giggle just as he kissed your cheek again.

"Stop! If you do too much she might start planning a wedding."

He laughed, before he suddenly placed his hands on your waist and pulled you closer to him, "That doesn't sound so bad."

You bit your lip to keep from grinning as he chuckled softly, adjusting his jacket around your shoulders as he looked back at the window. Your mother was nowhere in sight, and he had no idea if she saw the kiss in the first place. But even if she didn't, there was nothing for her to suspect now.

Now he had no intention of being your fake anything, and he had absolutely no intention of letting you go.

xx End xx

Sort of an abrupt ending?? But it's getting late and I'm running out of brain power lol

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[nihilnovisubsole]

something i've been thinking about as GDC comes around again: it's amazing to sit in the same room with Real Industry People and hear the truth of why certain story decisions happened the way they did. studio games are odd group projects that take a really long time to make, and there are many irons in the fire and many interests at play. sometimes the stars align and a team gets a laser vision, creative freedom, and the budget they need, and they ship the thing they meant to ship.

but not always. if a character you love got killed off, it's entirely possible that their original writer left or they couldn't bring the voice actor back. or leadership wanted to close down old story arcs and tie up loose ends, or someone felt new characters would bring in a new audience. if a series seemed to drop a plot thread in a sequel, it's possible that the narrative team wanted to include it and it got cut for scope. or shareholders wanted to appeal to a different part of the playerbase. or the team had internal creative conflict, or any number of reasons as simple as "it got lost in the shuffle because we did so many rewrites". [important disclosure: i'm not vagueposting about specific games here. i'm just rattling possibilities off. resemblance, unintentional, etc.]

and of course that's not a phenomenon unique to video games. tv shows make snap decisions when they get canceled before the planned end of the story or a cast member wants to leave. movies' plots can change when a new director comes on board, or they bring in a script doctor, or an actor's problems interfere with the shoot. even louisa may alcott changed little women's ending over concerns that if jo remained unmarried, the book wouldn't sell. i'm not sure whether it was her publisher or she worried about it herself, but the point is, something got altered, and it can happen anywhere.

as a fan, i found these developers' stories both comforting and vindicating. for a long time, i've felt like someone riding two horses at once: the fanfic-and-OC girl playing on other writers' playgrounds, and now also the staff writer who sees how the sausage gets made. i've been affected - probably overmuch - by a character's sad end, only to learn that some third party or outside motive influenced it. i've met writers who also didn't like where a plot was going, but didn't have enough seniority on the team to protest it. i've heard stories along the lines of, "we were trying to make lemonade, man," and what shocked me more than the revelation is the peace i gained from it. it's a miracle the games shipped at all. the things that got made, got made. between professionals, it's neither heretical nor some wild flight of irrationality to ask, "what if things had gone a different way?"

and, i mean, it would be both cynical and incorrect to wave it all off and say that no storytelling motives are ever wholesome. some characters die because it's the logical conclusion to their arc. some universes with complicated worldbuilding benefit from narrowing their focus and shaving off a few subplots. i'm just saying many things are possible. when you only sit on the fan side, it's easy to feel like Canon™ looms above you, inviolable, when you're really in conversation with it. there's a lot of power in saying "i respect the team's accomplishments, but i would've made different choices." you'd be surprised how often the team agrees with you.

[cheeseyberg]

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

The next day finds the yet to be determined teams piled into Steve's living room, empty pizza boxes abandoned under the coffee table and Teen Wolf playing on the TV in the background. Eddie and Steve have seated themselves on the couch in front of it, each with a blank piece of paper. Eddie has just pulled a D20 from his pocket and Steve has just realized what Eddie meant by "roll" to see who gets the bigger team. Eddie rolls first and gets a 5, the party immediately starts shouting about best 3 out of 5, but Eddie shuts it down.

"Quit your whining, you know as well as I do that low rolls happen sometimes. This is why you're not allowed to be captains, you're way too competitive. Stevie, you're up pretty boy." Eddie hands the die to Steve, but Steve is so flustered at being called pretty boy that he fumbles it and drops it on the table. It rolls a few inches before coming to rest showing a 19.

"Was that my roll?" Steve looks to Eddie to make the call and Eddie smiles at him. "Sure was, Sugar. So, you get five of these hellions to corral."

Steve isn't quite sure that he won when Eddie puts it like that, but an extra player will come in handy he decides so he keeps it to himself.

"I'm on Steve's team!" Nancy declares. Steve looks over at her and she gives him a wink. Nancy knows Steve isn't stupid yes, she is still smarter than he is but she's the only person who spent any time studying with him, so she knows better than anyone the useless amount of knowledge he has stored away.

"You don't get to pick your own team! Steve can pick you, but you can't pick him." Mike screeches at his sister.

"I pick Nancy." Steve flips Mike off as he says it and Nancy sticks her tongue out at her brother. Steve gets up and goes to sit in the chair Nancy is leaning against so there is a clear separation of the two teams.

The teams quickly took shape with Dustin and Lucas being the last two left. Dustin on purpose and Lucas by chance because he was distracted whispering to Max and didn't seem to have a preference.

"You're doing this on purpose!" Dustin wailed as Eddie pretended to waiver between the two remaining boys.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Eddie feigned innocence. "Get over here Henderson"

"Lucas, you're with me." Steve tried to hide his smile from Eddie, having realized that he and Lucas once again got looked over for their contributions and Eddie left himself a gap in knowledge should any sports questions come up during trivia.

Steve was very happy with his team, he had ended up with Nancy, El, Erica, Will and Lucas. Leaving Eddie with Robin, Dustin, Mike, and Max. Steve had reasoned that between El and Will their music knowledge could compete with Eddie, just by their proximity to Jonathon and Argyle, Lucas, Nancy and Erica had them covered on a wide spectrum of academic knowledge and Steve himself had so much useless facts stored away that he was starting to feel the old competitive edge coming out in him. What only Nancy knew was that Steve had a massive collection of trivia books. When he was younger and would express a desire to go to the library his parents would bring home another fact book for him. They found fiction to be a frivolous waste of time.

"What are you smirking about over there sweetheart?" Steve looks up to find Eddie watching him and quickly moves from the couch and starts towards the kitchen to hide as his smile grows with the nickname.

"Nothing, just going to grab some popsicles."

Steve is leaned into his freezer digging for the new box he knows is in here when he feels a presence at his back. He turns to find Nancy looking thoughtfully at him.

"What? Do I have something on my face? Or is that your plotting face?" he asks her.

"You know Eddie doesn't think you're dumb right? I know the kids are assholes about it and you never correct them, but he's never once joined in on it."

Steve starts to feel like maybe this is a test of his intelligence because he has no idea where this could be going.

"I'm just saying," Nancy continues, "that if you're thinking of using this as a way to impress him it's unnecessary. He already thinks you're smart and funny and I'm pretty sure he would have been two seconds from jumping you if he wasn't actively bleeding out after the big boss battle with Vecna."

"Nance…what do you mean? Why would you think that?" Here's the thing, Steve knows he's into men (again, not stupid) but he didn't know that other people may have also known. "Wait, did we already talk about this and my concussed brain forgot?"

"No, we haven't explicitly talked about it but I didn't think you were keeping it from me. Just like I'm not keeping anything from you, you know that I'm bisexual too, right?" No, he absolutely did not know that. "Oooh, I'm guessing by your face that you did not." Nancy lets out a full deep laugh and launches herself at him.

"I didn't, or I don't know, maybe I did? I hadn't actually considered it but when you said it just now, I'm not completely shocked." Steve wraps her up in his arms and twirls her around with a giggle of his own. "Wait! Are you telling me that you think Eddie likes me back?"

"I take it back, you're a moron."

"No, he's a dingus. Maybe also a moron, tell me what he said, and I'll make a definitive ruling." Steve startles at the new voice and almost drops Nancy as he spins around to see Robin and Eddie poking their heads into the kitchen. Eddie is eyeing the closeness between him and Nancy with a look of almost disappointment.

"He's been looking right at the box he was searching for, if it was a snake, it would have bit him." Nancy reaches past him into the still open freezer and grabs the box in question. Robin narrows her eyes like she doesn't quite buy it but doesn't press. Eddie is already turning back to the kids and avoiding Steve's gaze. Steve decides he definitely needs to get Nancy alone again, maybe Robin too, and press this question about Eddie liking him.

@zerokrox-blog @bidisastersworld @respect-snails

Part 3

[jinxquickfoot]

So I finished my Age of Ultron rewatch. It's been a couple of years since I last saw it, and here are some random thoughts I had on it:

Things I will maintain I like about this movie:

It has some of my favorite jokes in the MCU, and they're usually the little moments. The little nod of validation Rhodey makes after getting a laugh at his "Boom! You looking for this?" story. Clint telling Steve he's no match for Ultron and Steve replying with, "Thanks, Barton". Clint's "Yeah, you better run" after Pietro has long since disappeared with Wanda, there are loads of them.

I like Vision, Wanda and Pietro. Despite being secondary characters with not a huge amount of screen time, Wanda and Pietro feel like real people with real backstories, and Paul Bettany is wonderful the first time we see him as Vis.

It's the only movie we get to see the Original 6 hang out as friends.

I love that Fury randomly shows up in the middle and is like "let me make a sandwich while we discuss how not to let the world end also by the way hi Tony I really care about you"

Other casual appearances of other MCU characters, something that is so lacking Phase 4 onwards. Sam being at the party and Thor going to Selvig for help makes the world feel lived in.

RDJ's never dropped the ball as Tony but his performance really stuck out to me here, god he's good

Steve and Thor have multiple moments of teaming up and working together, what an underrated duo

Hulk vs Iron Man suit inside an Iron Man Suit fight

The Avengers do their best to evacuate Sokovia before Ultron attacks, which does not excuse the amount of damage caused there, but I do think is a plot point everyone forgets about (myself included)

And things that annoy me (skipping over the stuff everyone talks about like the Natasha/Bruce plot):

I hate how Joss Whedon writes Steve, both here and in Avengers. He only feels like Steve when he's being given jokes, otherwise he is so self-serious and stiff, the core of Steve is his heart and it is nowhere to be found in this movie

The movie spends so long setting up character arcs that feel promising and have no payoff. What is the point of Laura telling Clint the Avengers need him if he's going to retire at the end of the movie. Steve has several references to finding home in a way that doesn't go anywhere (Until Endgame, I guess). Don't get me started on Natasha.

It's trying so hard to have a theme but it never says anything unique. Bruce, Tony, Natasha and Vision all refer to themselves as monsters. Ultron decides that the Avengers are the bad guys. Steve has a speech all about proving they're not the monsters Ultron says they are. Based on WHAT? What is the message of this movie?? That the Avengers are better than the evil AI who wants to kill everyone?

(I half-feel there was a previous draft where Clint was their heart, or something, or he died and they were like whelp Phil Coulson 2.0 let's go avenge him, and the random pieces of that are still floating around the script with nowhere to go)

NO ONE is remotely concerned enough when their friends are getting hurt (maybe just the hurt/comfort lover in me, but still.) Natasha comes across as the only person who cares when Clint sustains a life-threatening injury. No one seems to be bothered that Natasha is being held captive by a psychotic supervillain. Tony shows more emotion over a fictional future where they die than when someone is actually in danger.

They really could have had a premise where they weren't allowed to access technology at all and could have gone retro with everything and they didn't and that just feels like a wasted opportunity. Clint and Natasha digging out old spy tech. Steve being like "Yes! This is familiar! I got this!" Tony making genius inventions out of tech from fifty years ago. Come on, it was right there.

[stevesbipanic]

Steve hadn't even remembered the letter.

After everything had happened, after Steve had to leave Eddie's body, had to sit at the bedside of a girl that might not wake up, had to bury an empty box and hold his kids as they were told they were losing Max all over again, the letter was furthest from his mind.

Max's body was too damaged, her mind too post despite El's best efforts. The weight of responsibility and the energy it took every time El tried to bring Max back was killing El too. After the fifth time Max had coded, Hopper had to tell her to not being her back again if it happened.

Three months after they buried Eddie, they buried Max too. The ghost of her was felt in everything they did. When Suzie visited Hawkins for the first time, Max was missed in the party's introductions. When Lucas became captain of the basketball team in junior year, Max was missed in their group hug. When they party graduated, Max was missed in the chair left empty between Darcy Lunce and Paul Meston.

As the kids left one by one to college, following the footsteps of Nancy and Robin years before, Max was missing from their goodbyes.

Steve hadn't been able to leave until he knew the kids were safe and grownup and out of Hawkins. He'd thought about leaving with Robin when she first left, he'd had a panic attack when he started packing. Now the kids were gone he could leave too, the protector could finally rest.

He was moving to Chicago, Nancy and Robin already had his room ready for him. They had understood why he'd had to stay. Most of his items were packed up and loaded into a moving van that the girls had driven back to their apartment. All the was left was Steve's car. He was selling it, he didn't need it in the city and some extra cash would tie him over while he looked for a new job.

He was cleaning it out ready for the buyer when he found it. Dropped between his chair and the gearbox. Perfectly preserved from the day Max handed it to him. At the time he refused to believe he'd ever need to read it, refused to believe he'd lose one of the kids before dying himself first. Yet here he was, alive, and the author of the note was gone.

He tucked the letter into his jacket and finished with the car. Once it had been picked up he still had an hour before the taxi came to take him to the airport. He made his way to the cemetery, it was only fair he say a proper goodbye to her before leaving her to watch over their town. When he arrived at the plot he took a moment to admire the bright flowers the kids had planted years ago, the beautiful mural Will had painted on the back of the headstone.

Here lies Maxine "Mad Max" Mayfield

1972-1986

He took a deep breath and sat down facing her grave, eerily mirroring the girl years before. He took out the letter, carefully opening it and began to read.

Dear Steve,

First off yes of course I'm going to write you a letter, I don't want to hear any self deprecating nonsense when I hand this to you, you're my brother as much as Dustin is and as much as Billy was. People care about you and love you and shut up yes they do.

Second of all if I somehow don't die you better have burned this I don't want you having anything soft and gooey to hold over me if I'm still kicking. If I find out you've still got this I get to drive your car ok?

I should really get to the point of this letter, I'm writing yours while putting off Lucas', I don't know what I'm going to say to him yet, I wish I could ask you to help me but I need to write these myself, he deserves that and so do you. These might be my last words to you and I need you to know a few things and you've got to believe them because if you're reading them it means I'm gone and you have to honour the dead asshole.

It's not your fault.

Listen to me Steve, if this is the last thing I do, if tomorrow everything goes wrong and I can't be berating you for getting hit in the head and you're crying somewhere alone I need you to know it's not your fault.

If I'm dead, if any of us are dead, it's not your fault. We're old enough to make our own choices. If I'm lucky in a couple years I'll be the age you fought a demogorgan for the first time. If I'm dead it's because whatever is down there took me but that's not on you. If I've made myself bait, or run off or done something stupid or brave or sacrificial or we just got unlucky, it's not your fault Steve.

It's not your fault.

If I hear you thinking it's your fault I'm coming back to haunt you.

Love, Max (your favourite)

Steve has to catch a later flight, he doesn't cry until later. Max's words rattle through his brain, years of guilt that he had pushed down slowly bubbled to the surface until he was in Chicago and could sob in his best friend's arms. Whenever he needed to he would reread Max's letter just to remind himself.

It's not your fault.

[fcgoretzka]

Laž | Bojan Cvjetićanin

Pairing: Bojan Cvjetićanin x y/n (she/her)

Author's note: Here we go again, I basically kinda had a dream with this plot so I turned it into a fanfic. I am really happy with the result, it is one of the longest one shots I have written recently so yeah, I hope you enjoy 🦋

Warnings: Slight foul language (almost none). No proofread cause we die like men (as always)

She was as sure as ever. Bojan had been ignoring her throughout every single Eurovision pre party. It’s not like she was rude towards him or any other member of the group, on the contrary, she always loved hanging out with the band, while the same was for most of them.

During the very first pre party in Barcelona, the place where she met the boys for the first time, Bojan was overly excited to talk to her, gave her compliments and sweet smiles and grew quite fond of the girl before him. Same thing with y/n, she felt her heart skip a beat every time he said something nice about her, the way she looked, the way she acted, her Eurovision song. Jan made fun of them for acting like high schoolers in love but they didn't care at all. They both felt like a missing piece from their hearts was finally found through this meeting. All the boys made her feel at home, even played some party games which ended up with y/n sleeping on top of Kris's lap. So, when they parted, she was more than ecstatic to see them again, after hearing that they would both be performing in Poland a week after.

This pre party could clearly be described as pure chaos. The Slovenians landed some hours before and while they had agreed that they would stay at the airport to wait for her, Bojan backed out, saying that he was so tired that he would call a taxi to drop him at the hotel and he would meet them there. When y/n landed in Warsow, she quickly spotted the boys, gave a hug to Kris as he was the one closer to the gate and then froze. "Where is Bojan? What happened?"she asked as the boys told her he was feeling a little bit off and was already at their hotel. Her heart ached, he must be feeling really off if he chose to not wait for her, so she ushered them all to go to their hotel fast.

While only hugging Kris.

Bojan was not sick. He was not feeling off, he was not tired. Bojan simply didn't want to see y/n. It took a lot of strength to not wait for her, to give her a big hug and keep her closer. To look into her eyes, but it was for the best. For the best Bojan had created into his mind. Because he was sure, there was no doubt, everyone could see it. y/n liked Kris. That game of truth or dare planted a seed to his mind, and the way she fell asleep on his lap justified it all together. And it hurt, it hurt like hell. The moment he met her, he felt a deep feeling he had never felt before. He wanted to believe she was feeling the same way, but the chemistry she had with Kris crushed his walls down. He knew he didn't do anything wrong, but you can never talk a person into loving you. In addition, Bojan was adamant to the fact that when you love a person (and we are talking about two people Bojan loves as the same time, y/n and Kris) you must wish the best for them, no matter how much it hurts your heart. So the moment he heard his door knocking and y/n's sweet voice echoed through the hallway, his heart sank deeply down his chest but he got himself together as he heard Kris's voice behind calling his name as well.

Of course there was Kris as well. They liked each other. They were great for each other. They were both kind, outgoing, generous. He never wanted to be someone else more than this exact moment. But he had to be strong. Not let his guards down anymore. He is simply gonna ignore them, act as if he was asleep, they won't care that much, they will shrug it off. They will have more time together. He closed his eyes, turned his back to the door and kicked his feelings. The feelings that are growing more and more every single day.

"Bojan, I am really worried, please open the door."

That's it. That thing over there. Bojan. The way she said his name, the way she tried to come close to a Slovenian accent. He was sure Kris was teaching her how to say his name correctly, he was sure Kris was holding her hand now, he was sure Kris would try to steal the very first kiss. Nevertheless, he made his way to the door, the faster he would get over with the encounter, the better for him. He swiftly turned the doorknob and his eyes fell exactly on top of y/n's. She let out a sigh of relief and wrapped her arms tightly around him. "I missed you Bojan" she said as Bojan himself took advantage of every single second he was in her arms. Because the moment she and Kris would make it official, those hugs will be gone. All the hugs will be for Kris. He will be lucky if he gets a hug at his birthday. He managed to convince everyone that he needed this time alone to relax and will be up and running as soon as possible.

Lie.

The next two pre parties were hectic as hell and that made Bojan bless the God above for giving him the perfect opportunity to keep the distance he believed would be for the best. Everything kept happening so fast that he really didn't have the time needed to spend some moments with y/n.

Lie. Kris found some time to go out for a drink with her. Along with Jan.

And at that specific moment, the night of the last pre party, she was as sure as ever about that. Bojan is ignoring her. She tried to ask Nace about it during the time between their acts, him not giving her an answer that could please her. And at the moment she stepped her foot on the stage, her eyes searched for Bojan. And every word she sang was for Bojan. Every single emotion she felt was for Bojan. Her eyes were stuck on him, his eyes were stuck on hers. But after her performance, while she made her way towards them, all the way to Bojan, he stepped back and oh-so-slightly motioned Kris towards her way, making him her first hug of the night. Nobody sensed a thing, it was just normal, she wanted Kris's hug more than anyone else's right now.

Lie. She wanted Bojan's hug. She wanted Bojan's compliments. She wanted Bojan's reassurance.

Reaching to the Eurovision rehearsals, Bojan's nerves were on the roof. Seeing y/n and simply waving at her, he justified that on the fact that this event was huge for them, he wanted to give his best, he didn't want to let anyone down. And especially the moment of the actual semi final, where y/n had just qualified and there was only one last spot left for the grand final.

Slovenia.

A word Bojan never heard from the pressure and the fact that the only thing he could hear was the pounding heart on his chest, but felt a pair of arms hug him with all their might, repeating the word 'congratulations' over and over again, all the boys joining in this big hug. And Bojan felt nice. Felt relieved. Felt absolutely content and happy. Until Kris turned his attention towards y/n and offered some party drinks, and Bojan sank deep once again. 'I am happy for them. They are my friends, I am happy for them'

Lie. His heart couldn't have sunk any further down his chest.

80 and 78 points for y/n and Joker Out respectively. The word 'favorites' that was chasing both of the acts meaning absolutely nothing, the top 10 more than ten places above. y/n was devastated. She let everyone down, she let her country down, she let the people that supported her down, she let herself down. The first tear made its way down her cheek the moment the presenters announced her televoting points.

You get...21 points.

A loud no way was heard from the delegation next to hers, and that voice was a voice she could recognize from anywhere. Bojan. She too stunned to look at them, her gaze stuck upon the scoreboard. Final results, a 20th place for her and a 21st for Slovenia. After the end of the voting show and the winner's performance, people were slowly making their way outside of the arena, but y/n's gaze stayed at the same point it was before. 20th. She didn't even notice all the delegations leaving and only averted her gaze when she felt a hand touching hers.

Bojan.

"Please don't cry, you were amazing on stage. I am so proud of you" he told her as the silent tears kept making their way down her cheeks. "And so what? What if I was indeed that good on stage? It doesn't even matter because I failed everyone that believes in me" she raised her voice, new tears almost escaping the corners of her eyes. Bojan hated seeing her cry, it broke his heart into million little pieces. "I believe in you and you haven't failed me, y/n" he simply added as she looked at him. Just a small look into his eyes turned her deep sadness into anger. Anger for every single moment he set her aside, every single moment he ignored her. He thought he had the right to support her now, after all those countless days that she felt left out?

"You have got to be kidding me Bojan. After all those days that you don't pay the slightest attention to me, that you do everything you can to ignore me, now you want to support me? Does this seem normal to you?" she burst out, her voice raising with every word she said. Bojan stood quiet, not sure on how to react, on what to say. Should he mention Kris? Should he mention his feelings? Should he just close his eyes and follow his heart?

"I don't want to steal time from you and Kris, y/n" he simply stated, a lump forming in his throat just by the thought that passed by his mind. "You make each other happy, and I am sure you fit each other perfectly.". y/n stayed shocked by what he said, did Bojan seriously think that there was something going on between her and Kris? "Wait, where did that come from? I don't like Kris, what are you saying? Who told you that?" she said looking at Bojan more serious than ever. Bojan averted her gaze and she got a gentle hold of his chin, turning his face to look at her. "Bojan, please answer me".

"Jure also noticed that, not before me though"

Lie.

"Even if he did notice that, Bojan, why didn't he start ignoring me as you did? This makes zero sense, please tell me what's the matter" she stated and Bojan couldn't control himself anymore.

"Because Jure doesn't have feelings for you. Jure doesn't suppress his whole entity because his love for you is growing stronger and stronger. Because Jure is not me y/n"

y/n stared into Bojan's eyes, as he saw them glistening with tears. Bojan felt his whole head spinning, y/n not answering to his sudden outburst. 'I fucked up'

Suddenly, y/n's hand found its way on Bojan's cheek. " You are really dumb aren't you?" she simply stated as Bojan furrowed his eyebrows. And then he caught a glimpse of her gaze. No, there was no way he was imagining things. Her gaze averted between his eyes and his lips, he saw that. Bojan nodded and y/n got this as a cue to instantly lock her lips with the sweet pair of his, while his hands moved to her small back. "It's me? Not Kris? It's me?" Bojan said out of breath as she smiled. " It couldn't be anyone else but you. You have a lot of broken parts to fix here, you made me feel like the least wanted person for more than a month now" she stated, the smile never leaving her lips. Bojan nodded, regret filling his mind and thoughts.

He wasn't at the airport to pick her up, he didn't hug her after the pre parties, he didn't spend time with her during the rehearsals. He missed a hell lot of opportunities to make so many memories with her, all because of his haunting thoughts. He wrapped his arms around her small frame, kissing the top of her head.

"Can we start this process by getting you a congratulations drink? The drink that I chose not to get to you during the pre parties?"

She simply nodded as she heard a voice coming from the main entrance of the arena "I fucking told you Jan, you owe me 50 euros."

[randomnameless]

If we ever get Genealogy remakes (fingers crossed), are there any things you would like the remake to do differently from the original?

Based on your profile pic, I figured you might appreciate a Judgral ask

You can always send me jugdral asks anon ! Party!Julia's from 2014 iirc, when I fell in Jugdral hell and she remained there since then.

As for different things from Fe4...

Well, add more convos between characters, like support convos especially with characters who "are/became" married !

And maybe... Make fire tomes not so damn heavy to the point they're not garbage anymore, ditto with giving one or two more point of weight to wind tomes, jugdral really needs some balancing (but it shouldn't balance the general unfairness that is HB and the associated HW).

Oh, and of course, correct Hilda's major Dain blood lol, and give the ish sibs minor Fala blood (but still nothing for scipio he'll forever remain a joke !).

As for the plot...

It's opening another can, rather, super container of worms anon !

In a nutshell, give more plot importance to Julia so she's not in her own tier anymore, maybe have Tine not join if Arthur is the one who killed Ishtore (give him more relevance damn, Tine is supposed to like/love her cousins but dgaf, after crying for his death for 3 seconds, when the LA wants to recruit her ?), kinslaying being so vile in Jugdral verse, Johan/lva doesn't die when the other is picked up, let's have them maybe be a green unit sometimes met in a castle, or have him lead off screen armies (like they're sent to meet with Leif before Seliph officially rescues him in Fe4) etc...

Oh and unless it's a pure Fe4 remake, incluses elements from Fe5 (with Fe5 remake proper being another game), like the feud between Galzus and Shanan (resolve it ffs, let us have the reason why Shanan's dad slaughtered one of his sisters and threw his nephew in exile, but didn't want the same fate for his other sister), Faerghus shenanigans and, of course, Saias stuff (him joining Julius' side and picking Valflame in the last map, only being recruitable by Julia).

Edit bcs I forgot :

Give Julia the Lord status, aka when she dies it's game over because she's the only one who can use Naga to defeat Loptyr !

For all of the narrative integration in its gameplay, Fe4 really dropped the Ball with having Seliph and pals be able to defeat Julius once he's fully Loptyr'd

[cecexwrites]

Never a God

Adler Cresswell District Eight Adler was nearly 18 when he heard his name called for the reaping. Having lived all his life fighting to survive this was nothing new. He made no allies, got no help, he survived the games the same way he made it through life- on his own. However, when the games were over and he was the last player standing, the true hell began. A wash in a sea of booze, lovers and gambling, Adler is waiting for his anchor. And he might just find it, as Katniss Everdeen shouts 'I volunteer'

Eulalia Golding District One Eulalia, a legacy tribute, the daughter of Victor Lysander Golding, and one of the youngest volunteers, being only fourteen when she spoke up at the reaping. The young Eulalia cut down her competition, letting them completely underestimate her. She won when she tricked her district mate, having spent the entire games convincing him she loved him- only to slit his throat last minute- but the public never saw that. They only saw a winner. Life as The Capitol's sweetheart was great- until it wasn't anymore. After seeing his daughter win the games, Lysander took his own life- not wanting to see what happens after. And she soon found out that the grass isn't greener on the other side of the games.

Farren Rochester Capitol Resident Anyone who looks at Farren would see exactly what she wants them to, a silly party girl who is here for a good time, just trying to have as much fun as she can while she's still here. However, anyone who knows her, who really looks at her would see that her glass never seems to truly empty, her eyes are never faded, her mind never soft. No, Farren Rochester is a predator, but she won't let anyone know that. Not unless you catch her at her real home, the underground gambling den she funds.

Orin Flair District One Orin Flair didn't mean to be the tribute for district one. He thought he'd done a great job of being middle of the pack. However- he was told, the day before the reaping that he would be the one to volunteer. He didn't realize until later that his father had pissed off the council. That he was meant to die for what his dad did. When it was revealed to him- in a note dropped into the arena for him- he decided, he was going to win and he would never set foot in District one again, a promise he's kept to this day, instead spending his time in the Capitol, rubbing elbows with other victors and people in charge. He was the one who mentored Eulalia when she went into the games.

Roan Rochester Capitol Resident The Hunger Games are a time honored tradition 74 years and counting. And Roan is one of the men who make it happen. A Game Maker with a ton of potential, he finds the games fascinating. He thinks watching people fight to survive and more than that, watching people watch other people fight to survive. And of course, his mean streak comes out when he's plotting and planning the tricks. As he witnesses the girl from District twelve volunteer to save her sister, he can feel the tides changing. And Roan is nothing, if not adaptable.

Thane Hawksley Capitol Resident Becoming a manager and agent for a victor wasn't exactly Thane's plan in life. However, when he found himself in need of a job, and a friend offered him the roll, he knew he'd be a fool to pass it up. That was fifteen years ago. Now over the years he's gone through a few different clients, but the most meaningful one came a couple years back, when he was handed a young victor from District one and told to make sure she didn't do anything too wild, and blow up her image. Now, closer to her than ever, Thane's eyes are on the future and what's coming next, and not anything anyone could have expected.

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

Okay! Hear me out. A 90s!eddie x reader where they are still in two opposite social circles but reader is always super nice to eddie and he’s absolutely smitten but would never make a move. i don’t know if this is enough to work off but reader invites eddie to a party but they’re soo drunk by the time he arrives he has to bring them home and it’s fluffy and even smutty if you wanna go that way :)

Thanks for the request! I did go and specifically make a male-coded reader, because I have thots. Many of them. I hope you enjoy and if you had a specific coding for the reader, please let me know and I'll redo this request!

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

If Eddie had a nickel for every time he was anticipating rejection this week, he's sure he'd have a buck, maybe a buck twenty five.

It's old habits--to brace for when his name is called because he's waiting for when he turns someone to call him a freak, waiting for someone to tease him, waiting for someone to come up to him say that someone else has a crush on them only to laugh just a little when hope lights up his face.

When Eddie hears his name now, even over the hum of the shop, and someone's only asking him if he wants to join for lunch, or if he's almost done with the tire rotation, or if he can show them something, his shoulders drop just a little.

If Eddie had a nickel for every time a screech of someone's brakes or tires made him jump this week, he'd be a rich man. There's something about the pitch that itches the back of Eddie's mind and he's waiting for a flash of red lightning. The closest Eddie's gotten in the mechanics shop is a gasket sparking up in orange flames.

But these are all old habits, defense mechanisms to ensure Eddie is not made a fool of or scarred even worst. But the thing about old habits and defense mechanisms is that they do not die fast.

"Munson," a voice echoes out.

Eddie tenses, partially because he's got the last bolt almost in place and because the bass in the voice reminds Eddie of when he'd get in trouble. He does throw a glance over his shoulder and spots you. The overalls--navy today--strain over your chest. These are short sleeved and Eddie should not linger on the sight of your biceps as they flex with the action of you wiping your hands.

"Coming to tell me today's the day I fucked up royally?" Eddie jokes in return. It's just you. Though the voice is deep and enough to remind Eddie of his less than stellar childhood, you've only ever been kind to him.

"Nah, coming to tell you you haven't taken lunch yet and if I've got to tell you again to actually take lunch, I'm going to be your worst nightmare."

Eddie's gaze is trained on the battery he's got back into place--the last bolt already tight. But Eddie refuses to remove the wrench. With a huff, Eddie manages to successfully get the few pieces of his bags out of his face. They fly up for a moment and then land right back into his line of vision.

"Right after this," Eddie returns.

You suck your teeth. "Munson, I want your ass in the break room in 5--as you contemplate which bolt you want to loosen up and then tighten up again."

You were good at your job, having been one step just below the manager and training a lot of the folks in the shop when they first got hired on for things they didn't already know. But Eddie's gut still leaps--you'd caught him in a lie.

Eddie pulls the wrench free, shutting the hood of the car down. Your eyes are kind. There's deep lines in the middle of your forehead and a stern look on your face at all times, but your eyes are still kind. For the life of Eddie he wondered if this was just how you were or if you were plotting something else.

You throw a thumb over your shoulder and Eddie only nods.

He feels it, the familiar unease as he glances behind him, foot and hand holding the door to the building open.

That--this feeling--is now a buck thirty.

*********

"You look like death."

A sentence that feels familiar, but what is not is the cup of coffee that slides in front of Eddie on the breakroom table. He stares for a minute at the steaming cup and then back up to see who put the cup in front if him. He doesn't really need to look to confirm. He can tell by your voice. But you're already heading for the door that leads to the bays where the cars are housed.

"You better not have put motor oil in this," Eddie calls out.

You laugh echoes behind you. "Only in your dreams, Munson."

Another week, the first nickel into the imaginary jar. Eddie takes a gentle sip. It's only got a splash of milk in the bitter substance--like Eddie normally fixes for himself.

What in the absolute hell?

**********

"Of fucking course," Eddie sighs. The van sputters beneath him but doesn't want to catch.

He tries again, partially glad the lot is nearly empty as most of the employees are leaving or have left. He can be spared this small piece of shame just for himself. No catch.

Eddie tries again, hoping for some miracle. No catch.

He drops his head to the steering wheel. He'd already been saving to get a new car--while he loved the van, as it aged, he knew it would become less and less reliable.

A knock sounds from Eddie's right. He snaps his hands up and spots you outside the door. Eddie rolls down the window with the hand crank. "Please spare me any bullshit," Eddie huffs out.

You grin, half a smile, and Eddie knows he's staring a bit too much at your teeth but you don't smile like this hardly at all. "Oh, ain't that half the fun, Munson. I can give you a jump."

Eddie nods, not quite trusting his own voice. You turn at the nonverbal confirmation and bring your car over. Eddie reaches to the passenger seat. He keeps a set of cables there because even he knows.

The two of you work in relative silence and thankfully, goddamn thankfully, the van sputters to life. Eddie sighs. "Thanks, man. I owe you."

Something hangs--it's like it's right behind your lips. Eddie catches the way your hands twitch, like you keep thinking, counting on your fingers about something.

A new week--he's up to fifty centers.

"No problem," you get out eventually. You can't actually ask it. There's no way Eddie would even say yes. But you want him too. It's casual anyway. Just friends of your coming into town for the weekend. You hadn't seen them since they left for college. But Eddie wasn't exactly the type that seemed to care about it. All your previous attempts to capture his attention--the coffee, asking him if he wanted to join you for lunch previously--all sort of went by with just teasing laughs.

And you don't even know if Eddie is like you. You don't know if he's picking up on it at all. But you want him to. You desperately want him to understand the hints.

"What's up?" Eddie asks. You haven't backed away. He's not even sure you've blinked.

"It-it's nothing," you sigh. "Stupid shit."

Only now do you turn. Only now do you start to move away from him and Eddie scrambles to get in close, to pause you. "You never know I might like stupid shit."

It's a taunt. You can hear it. Eddie's fucking grin is obvious when you look over your shoulder to him. Something in your gut flips. "Wanna down a few beers? I've got some friends coming into town."

Eddie's gaze lights up and then like on second thought he ducks his head. "I mean--sure, I guess. When?"

"Tomorrow night," you return. "I-I can pick you up to spare the hunk of junk."

"Oh," Eddie stabs a faux knife into his chest, causing him to spin out and fall into the driver side door. He shushes you. "Quiet. She's sensitive."

You give a quick laugh. "What do you say?"

"I'd appreciate it," Eddie agrees, standing now. "Sounds-sounds like it could be fun."

"I'll pick you up at 7--that good?"

"Seven then." You and Eddie both give nods, but Eddie rattles off where he lives. You nod and wait for him to leave out of the lot first.

Eddie notices, when he gets home, that there's something in his gut that's not heavy. He's not waiting for something. He's...excited.

Maybe he should start collecting imaginary nickels for hope.

************

Eddie wore his differences as an outward shield. You can tell by the hair and his flair for the dramatics, that Eddie was not like everyone else. But what you're not expecting when you pull up to his place is to find him dawned in ripped jeans and a leather jacket covering his frame.

You hate the way that your stomach stirs when you catch sight of chains on the jeans and his wrist. You look down to the your dress now--the white t-shirt and jeans and boots and think you look dumb. Why would Eddie even go for someone like you?

But by the time you can think maybe you should find some excuse to lie, Eddie's already caught your gaze. He gives you a quick smile and wave before heading over to the passenger side of the car.

"Hey," he greets.

"Hey," you return. You shift in the seat just a little, waiting for him to get settled and you can feel something like desire stirring in your groin. You clear your throat. "So leather, huh?"

Eddie stares down at his chest, the jacket he's got over his Metallica t-shirt. "Leather," he returns. It's declarative. You like the finality of it--there's something uncompromising to the simple one word answer. He turns to you, taking in the silver buckle on your belt before drifting his gaze up. "The fifties were forty years ago."

Your laugh is loud and a little short, but it's clear you are amused when you say, "Fuck off, Munson."

It wasn't like you two were completely different--not when it's just the two of you. But when you pull up at the bar, stopping next to guys in turtlenecks with girls draping over their arms, Eddie swallows thicky. These were your friends? Eddie knows he shouldn't judge so fast. But it was clear that Eddie was not and most likely would not ever fit into this sphere.

Eddie's door is closest to the group. For a moment, he nearly wishes he'd kept his hair down. Some of the guys eye him, assessing something invisible to Eddie but definitely felt before they smile at the sight of you. Hugs and a few quick daps are exchanged before you introduce the group to Eddie.

"So this is Eddie?" One of the guys in the back shouts out. "Like the famous Eddie?"

You throw him--Diggs, that's who you introduced him as, Eddie thinks--a middle finger. "Show him some goddamn respect or it's your ass."

"I'm shaking in my boots," comes the retort from Diggs. "Nice to meet you finally," he directs to Eddie.

"Ni-nice to meet you too," Eddie returns, words bumping into each other before he can get them over his tongue. He reaches into his back pocket out of habit to hide the shakes in his hands.

Why would you be talking about him?

The group shuffles inside, commandeering the bartenders for a solid twenty minutes in total. But you slide in close to Eddie, arms leaning into the wooden bar. "What's your poison?"

"Beer," Eddie returns. Because it's not his first choice, but it's usually always cheep. Old habits, yet again.

"I know I suggested beers, but if you want something else. It's on me," you offer softly. You catch Eddie tapping his rings--oh fuck, you should've never looked at his hands--to the bartop. The desire, the want to ease any nerves takes over, and gingerly you rest just one hand over his.

You're waiting. You're waiting for everything to explode right here. Right now. For Eddie to look at you in disgust, for him to call you every name in the goddamn book. But he just watches. He watches your palm cover the ends of his fingers. The tapping stops immediately.

"Nervous?" you ask. "Diggs is all mouth, nothing to back it up. I've known him since we played ball."

Of course, of fucking course. The scoff nearly chokes Eddie because he's caught between the flutter in his stomach and the desire to tease. "Laundry baskets or knocking your head into pads?"

You chuckle at the retort. "I am assuming pads is football and laundry baskets is basketball?"

Eddie nods.

"Football. Diggs was our teams quarterback--the one who throws--"

"I know," Eddie returns, finally looking up from your palm over his. "I mean I don't know much about it. But I know what the quarterback does."

You nod. "Offensive lineman--that was my position."

You say it softly, like there's something else behind the sentence. You do it alot, Eddie's noticing now. You stop yourself at just the surface. In a flash, your hand is removed and Eddie's too busy trying to decode what's behind the sentence that you just uttered to recognize the bartender coming up.

"What can I get you fellas?"

"Whiskey for me," you return, "and for him," you start.

"Two," Eddie returns. "Make it two," he briefly meets the bartender's gaze and they nod before turning the shelves.

"I thought your poison was beer," you tease.

"I thought the offer was whatever I wanted," Eddie snarks back, pressing in just a little bit closer to your shoulder.

You give a soft exhale of laughter but nod. "Yeah, yeah that was my offer."

"So what happened, offensive lineman? Your poor quarterback didn't like you?"

You knock your shoulder into Eddie's just a little. It's a soft job. You halfway expect Eddie to fall out onto the floor with the way he reacts but he keeps upright. "At least warn a guy," he huffs.

"I did one year in college before I tore my ACL. I wanted to keep going but the fucked up the first surgery and by the time I was recovered I was swimming in medical debt from two surgeries and couldn't really afford to work go to school and play. So I dropped out, landed the gig at the shop and just have been making it sense."

"Shit," Eddie sighs. The drinks are set down and you're quick to throw a few bills onto the table for the tender. You let them keep the change. "I'm sorry."

You shrug. "Life happens right?"

Yeah, life does happen. But it almost always happens to Eddie. As the night progress, a few more drinks pumped into your systems, you find youself nearly wrapped up in Eddie as he slings himself over you to recount to your friends how once at an old band practice Jeff and Gareth--friends of Eddie's from his hometown--nearly came to blows over which over to play.

There's less restrain as Eddie pushes out of the table to re-enact the action and it's hilarious, but only because of the way Eddie's telling it. Your friends are eating up and when he's done, collapsing back into the seat next to you, you can't help but sneak your hand under the table onto his knee.

It's subtle, the way Eddie glances up at you with a shy smile and then his fingers are finding yours under the table. It's a dangerous game to play--you know. But you're okay to play it with Eddie.

Your friends tease you for your terrible hosting, having them come out to a bar when they could've had a nice home cooked meal. You only laugh and tell them that unless they want your place to burn down with you cooking, you consider this high class.

"I can cook," Eddie throws out. He's gotten better over the years. Though baking--something he was used to from his earlier day of dealing--is a precise science, Eddie's learn to embrace the way that cooking is a bit more like a game of chess. There are dedicated moves--ingredients--but there is always a combination that can work out.

Russell--the names are slowly starting to stick with Eddie--grins. "You cook?"

Eddie nods. "I mean, I'm not a 5-star chef. But I do alright."

"Is that an invitation?" Russell returns.

You squeeze Eddie's intertwined fingers. "Only if you want too of course. These boozoos will survive the weekend without it."

Pride swells in Eddie's chest, the clear look of concern painting your face. "I'd be happy too," Eddie returns. "But I'm going to need to assess what's already in your kitchen." Eddie means it seriously, but your eyes darken just a little and he realizes now what it sounds like. Oh fuck, Eddie is flirting. He's flirting without realizing. He tries to cover it up, his tongue not quite getting the apologies over it.

You laugh. "It's a good thing I'm driving then," you return.

The group disperses--most of them staying with their parents, others heading back to the motel that they booked. It leaves you and Eddie alone as the night makes for as cars pass by under the streetlights. "Still need to assess my kitchen?" you tease before reaching your car.

"God--I'm sorry. Holy shit, that did not come out right."

You lean onto the hood of the car, watching Eddie with head hanging down on his neck. He keeps trying to apologize. "What if I didn't mind? What if I wanted you to?" you offer.

Eddie snaps his head up. Were you offering what he thought you were? How had his poor attempts at being a normal human for one night landed him here? "You-what?"

"There's a reason no girl was draped over me tonight," you return, "but that you were."

When you wink over to Eddie, he almost combusts. He nods. "I need the good shit--pyrex."

"Pyr-what?" you laugh.

"Just take me to your place," Eddie snickers.

[rurulyywrites]

🌧️☁️Lovely|Malleus Draconia X M!reader|

Pairings: Malleus Draconia X M!reader

Plot: Y/N has been acting distant, depressed and not very talkative, so Malleus goes to Ramshackle to check on them. Malleus finds out Y/n has been harming herself and listens to him vent, bandages them up, then while giving him cuddles, Malleus would try to cheer them up with compliments, praises and kisses, which makes y/n all blushy, and they spend the entire school day alone with each other cuddling

Type: Angst and fluff

Requested by: weirddcoreexx

"Can you do a chubby (y/n)/reader x Malleus Draconia? (pronouns He/They for reader) It's a mixture of fluff and angst (warning for past S/H)"

Of course~! I was honestly waiting for someone to request a Malleus oneshot cuz I low-key like him(still love Sam more tho-)

TW!s:

• self harm

• bullying

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

3rd person POV

Tsk...

School here is just as worse as school back home..

At least here,you'd get bullied not for being such a dunce..

Instead,it's for being friends with that Malleus!

What's wrong with THAT?!

A bunch of jealous freaks!...

But it did take a toll on me..

Y/n thought as they ran away from the school campus to Ramshackle.

"Heh.. such a dunce! Being friends with the Malleus? He could only dream!"

"If you were friends with Malleus,invite him to my dorm room!"

"Liar~!! Nothing but a magicless liar"

Shut up..

Shut up.

SHUT UP!

Running back into the warmth of the Ramshackle dorm,throwing your notes on the floor and slamming the door shut,you made your way to the kitchen and took a knife.

Can I really do this..?

You're worthless!

You'd only dream!

Like he would be friends with you!

Jeez.. are people from your universe always this crazy in the head? Or just YOU?

Just DIE!

Just.. SHUT UP!

With a tsk,and one last deep breath.

*Slice! Slice!*

Y/n slashed close to his wrist with the knife with their dominant hand. They hissed at the pain as he dropped the blooded knife on the counter and turned the faucet on.

*Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!*

"Y/n?!!"

Footsteps were heard,followed by Grim's tone.

Did Yuuken and Grim follow me?!

They can't see this..

Y/n thought as they rinsed the knife and ran to the bathroom while covering the wounds with his hand.

Y/n cursed under his breath as they tried to look for anything to cover the wound. He later found some cloth bandages and wrapped up his cuts. Hissing at the pain but tried to stay silent.

"Y/n?!.. Y/n!!"

Grim said as his tone was shaky and he was lightly sniffling

"Please!! Open the door!!"

Grim said as he was sobbing.

"S..shit.."

Y/n muttered as he finished covering his wound with the cloth bandages and pulled down the sleeve of his uniform,wiped his tears away before opening the door.

Grim immediately hugged Y/n tightly while sobbing into his uniform.

"Are you okay---"

"Don't listen to what those bozos said!! They're nothing but liars!"

Grim said as he looked up at Y/n with tears flowing down his eyes,making Y/n also cry at the sight.

"I'm sorry Grim.."

Y/n muttered as he hugged Grim tighter.

"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

Yuuken asked as Y/n shook their head no.

"Please don't run away like that again!!"

Grim said as he wiped his tears on Y/n's uniform

"You really made him worried.. if only we got to you a little sooner,I'd say it might've turned out differently.."

Yuuken said as he hugged Y/n and patted his back.

"I promise.. Grim.."

Y/n said in between sobs as he was still hugging Grim

"You had me worried too.. this was the 3rd time we didn't arrive on time"

Yuuken said as Y/n pulled him in for a group hug.

"I'm fine,guys.. but thanks for worrying."

While the three were having their moment.

They failed to find the fourth party member watching the scene with teared eyes..

No one hurts him without consequences..

"Come on,let's get back to class"

Yuuken said as he placed a hand on Y/n's shoulder.

"I..I'll just stay home.."

Y/n said hesitantly

"B..but.."

"Let him rest,Grim."

"say,how about while I stay here, you guys write some notes for me?"

Y/n asked as Grim's head looked up

"Alright!! I,the greatest sorcerer in Twisted Wonderland, shall deliver you the clearest and most informative notes!! Come,my second accomplice!"

Grim said as he dashed out of the dorm with Yuuken saying a proper goodbye first before trailing behind him.

Once Y/n heard the front door of the dorm close,he let it all out.

He let his tears flow down and sobbed. All the bad things coming back to his head.

He walked down to the sofa in the lounge and laid down.

"Who did this,my dear?"

A deep voice said which startled Y/n as he sat up and looked behind the sofa,to see Malleus standing there with a stern look on his face.

"Who was it?"

His repeats his stern tone,yet this time, his face was leaned forward to Y/n's as he caressed their cheek.

"I.. it's nothing.."

"No one can get away with hurting you and not suffer consequences."

Malleus said in a threatening tone that made Y/n dear for what's bound to happen.

Malleus noticed the scared look on his dearest's eyes.

"Stay here"

Malleus said as he wiped Y/n's tear and a slight shimmer appeared and he disappeared.

"W.. where.. where did he go?!"

Y/n said,panicked as they arranged his seating.

What if.. what if he came looking for them?! What's he gonna do?! Hurt them..? Torture..? I can't even think!!

Without even 10 seconds passed, Malleus teleported back infront of Y/n with a plastic bag.

"What's.. what's that?"

Y/n asked as Malleus pulled out an item from the bag.

"Well,you mentioned that you missed eating (fav food) from your world"

Malleus said as he handed a microwaveable (F/f) to Y/n

"Y..you remembered?!"

Y/n asked in disbelief as Malleus smiled and brought out (fav drink) to Y/n.

"I've been alive for centuries and still remember everything that's happened to me throughout the years"

Malleus said as the smile in Y/n's face grew.

"I understand you don't want to tell me why you were crying. I can wait until you tell me yourself. But for now, I want you to remove all the things that's been causing you pain and relax..."

Malleus said in a gentler voice as he looked at Y/n with a worried look. He didn't wanna see Y/n like this..

For the first time,Malleus and Y/n skipped a whole day of school.

Y/n taught Malleus how to hse a microwave, cuddled while Y/n ate their favourite food and watched a movie from a flash drive that Malleus had inserted into Y/n's laptop.

Yet the while time the movie was playing, they didn't know what was happening since Y/n vented out on Malleus.

He listened to them and payed very close attention,as well as agreeing to some remarks that Y/n made.

While Y/n was venting,he was starting to drift asleep.

"It's alright,take a rest. You look sleepy, dear"

Malleus said as Y/n smiled at him and placed their head on Malleus' chest and peacefully slept.

"Shh.. you're safe with me.. I'll take care of everything" Malleus said as he placed a hand on Y/n's head for support and drifted asleep with Y/n on his chest.

Not moving an inch.

Malleus was warm,and it was a cold twilight hour on a school day in Ramshackle.

A perfect time for them.

Y/n has the load of problems and complaints out of their chest and they spent time with his love,Malleus.

I'd say it was a win.

Bonus✨:

"Nyahh-!! I'm tired!! But at least I have the best noted to give to Y/n! Nyeheheh--!! MMMHMM!!"

Yuuken covered Grim's sentence when he saw from the window,Y/n was asleep while cuddling with Malleus.

Grim saw this and smiled

"He found the love of his life... Say,if Malleus makes them cry,can we burn him?"

Grim said as Yuuken nods in agreement and they shook hands.

A negotiation.

Grim and Yuuken silently walked up to the two.

Yuuken waved a hand above their faces before turning the laptop off and Grim took all the trash and disposed of it.

Yuuken took the flash drive connected to Y/n's laptop off and took the laptop for him and Grim to watch the saved movies that Y/n had on there.

"can we watch the Truman show?"

Grim asked Yuuken looked at him unamused

"We've watched that 3 times this week.

And I'm not going to stop that streak"

"HECK YEAH!!"

"SHH!"

[kaialawson]

hello everyone! i'm linny (he/him, 26, est) and i'll be playing kaia here, as well as @teddysmusings! i'm a little tardy to the party, but i'm here and i'm super excited to get to get to know everyone and their muses. underneath the cut you'll find all of kaia's background information, stats, and some connection ideas! if you're interested in plotting, just drop a like and i'll shoot you a message!

B A S I C S 

full name: kaia lawson. nicknames: tbd. gender:  cis woman. pronouns:  she/her. sexuality:  pansexual. age:  28 date of birth:  june 1st, 1995. zodiac sign:  gemini. birthplace: the bronx, new york. current location: jongno, seoul, south korea. residence:  high rise penthouse. occupation:  former singer-songwriter / current vocal coach. languages spoken: english, korean.

A P P E A R A N C E

faceclaim:  ryan destiny height:  5’5. build:  lean and toned. eyes:  brown. hair:  naturally dark brunette. piercings:  standard earlobe piercings.  tattoos:  a cherry blossom branch running along her forearm and wrist. other distinguishing features:  smile. style:  trendy, appears to be casual but is usually found wearing designer.

P E R S O N A L I T Y

traits:  (+) intelligent, honest, determined, dedicated , loyal. (-) picky, temperamental, bitter, easily angered , unforgiving.  mental health:  anxiety; medicated. depression; medicated physical health:  good. likes:  music, video games, spicy foods, bratz dolls, live concerts, wine, smoking marijuana.  dislikes:  being antagonized, people who don't respect boundaries, avocados, crowded spaces, groups of people that take up the whole sidewalk, being forced to introduce herself, being in the spotlight, being lied to, being told what to do, mint chocolate chip ice cream.  fears:  losing her autonomy.  phobias:  snakes. hobbies:  singing, teaching other people how to sing, crocheting, reading. skills: crocheting, singing, songwriting, jumping rope / double dutch, computer savvy. quirks:  cracking her knuckles when irritated, avoiding eye contact when feeling shy or nervous, rolling her eyes.

F A V O R I T E S

ice cream flavour:  cookies & cream.  time of the day / night:  late night.  weather:  summer weather.  breakfast food:  waffles, cereal, yogurt.  dinner food:  jerk chicken, beef patties, pasta, rice. colours:  lots of darker, muted colors.  music: nola adé, adele, fka twigs, kehlani, lady gaga, solange, yebba, paramore, hozier, ed sheeran, nirvana, beyoncé, megan thee stallion, sza, samara joy, flo milli, kendrick lamar. 

M I S C E L A N E O U S

a cherished item:  her maternal grandmother's locket. first love ( celeb crush ):  rider strong, circa boy meets world / ciara usual mood:  neutral. 1 thing they want to do / experience before they die:  visit her father's grave. 

B I O

childhood & adolescence: kaia grew up with a single mother in the bronx. her father, whom her mother didn't really speak about often, passed away just months before she was born. from a young age, it was quite difficult for her to deal with the fact that she grew up without a dad. she absolutely adored her mother, but being teased by other children for not having both parents in her life caused her a lot of inner turmoil. it didn't help that she was a rather awkward looking child - as most people go through their ugly duckling stages. despite being a shy, introverted girl, kaia had a very short tempered fuse - a trait that she inherited from her mother. her peers assumed that her quiet demeanor would make her an easy target for bullying, but she quickly proved them wrong after getting into a scuffle here and there; scuffles where she primarily came out on top.

her mother, tired of being called to her school for her fighting bullies, decided that she needed to redirect her short fuse into another avenue; which was when she introduced a ten year old kaia to music. her mother was an amateur musician in her youth, but retired and laid her music dreams to rest when she got pregnant with kaia. it became quite obvious that the music gene was passed onto her, because she took to it like a fish takes to water and fell in love with the art of music.

by the time she was fifteen years old, kaia had somehow landed herself a record deal and was placed in the lineup of america's next big girl group - KYC; the acronym standing for kaia, yolanda and carrie. three young girls with big voices. they took the country, and the world, by storm and became pop-r&b sensations by the time kaia was eighteen years old. and if she were being honest, she couldn't deny the fact that she loved it. she loved the fame and fortune that came along with being a singer, and she knew that the feeling would never die down or go away.

early & mid twenties: KYC lasted for five years before the trio decided to part ways in order to pursue their own artistic avenues. yolanda became a producer and did behind the scenes work. carrie became an actress. and kaia? she continued on the music path, debuting as a soloist and pushing her fame to the next level. awards, accolades and other accomplishments began swarming in, and for quite some time she loved it. she loved performing, giving her all to music and pleasing her fans as well as the general public. that is until she began to realize what a toll it was taking on her mental health and psyche. always being followed, never having a moment to herself, always having to live up to everyone's expectations. it was tiring and mentally draining. by the time she was twenty five and released her fifth solo album (her label had been working her like a dog, pushing her to release something at least once a year), she was done. she didn't want the fame anymore. she had experienced it, basked in it, and was over it. ten years of being in the spotlight was more than enough for her. she released her sixth album, her farewell album, on her twenty sixth birthday and hasn't looked back since.

current day: kaia has been living in south korea for two years now. after moving to the country for a change of scenery and to be closer to her cousin, tasha, kaia's been happier, healthier and calmer. gone are her anxiety attacks and worries of public scrutiny. while she still does get a little attention here and there, as well as occasionally being photographed or asked for a selfie or autograph by fans who recognize her, she's living a rather quiet and unassuming life in south korea. she's landed a job as the head vocal coach at canvas labs and enjoys her work there. although she can be a bit of a hard ass and very tough on the idols when it comes to their vocal training, it's only because she takes singing very seriously and wants them to be the best that they can be - and she doesn't want their poor vocal skills to reflect badly on her.

C O N N E C T I O N S

ex ( multiple ): kaia has had a few significant others in her life; some of them she parted with on friendly terms, others not so friendly.

fwb ( multiple ): self explanatory.

true friends ( multiple ): people that are actually friends with kaia because of who she is, not who she used to be.

music mentee: this person is interested in picking up a few music lessons and vocal coaching, and kaia can't help but give them a helping hand.

best friend / platonic soulmate: self explanatory.

gaming buddy ( multiple ): self explanatory.

sense of calm: one of the few people that can calm kaia down when her short fuse explodes.

sibling figure: kaia has taken this person under their wing as a younger sibling of sorts. she dotes on them, fusses over them and overall just babies them.

instigator: this person loves to push kaia's buttons until she bites back, because they love seeing how feisty she gets.

note: if you can't find anything to your liking here, we can always brainstorm!

[wyvernwriterparttwo]

Concept for an RPG

Basically its like a typical RPG plot, with DND elements.

Too typical, in all honesty. Something seems off to the player.

Fate seems to be forcing you to do things in a set order and way, with little room for deviation, all so you can stop a dark lord.

Things like

- A party member you didnt want to join you suddenly being with you and not knowing why.

- A magical, obviously legendary sword that the MC doesn't want to pick up following her everywhere, practically *begging her* to pick it up.

- Many times where the MC hears her party say thing that they would never say, or didn't say.

- Many times where you die, but get brought back to life

Etc etc etc.

The main question that you are going to be asked is "how are you going to make your own decisions when fate has other plans and will not let you have what you want without a fight."

It's a story about overcoming/ignoring fate and working to become a better, free person who makes their own path in life.

I've been working on this project for a bit. But I dropped it a while back. I may pick it back up again and rework it.

[aster-tiger]

The Raging Witch

Law x OFC, Zoro x OFC, Luffy x OFC, Zoro x Luffy, Law x Zoro, Law x OFC x Zoro

Warnings: swearing, pr0n with plot, shameless smut, bisexuality, consensual k!nk, 3some, b0ndage, emotional slow burn, developing relationship, hurt/comfort, fluff, angst, bonding, mating (not abo), post Punk Hazard, post Dressrosa, changing pov (no head hopping), mm relationship, mmf relationship, english is not my first language, no beta we die like men

You can find the whole story on AO3

Chapter 23: The battle

The man sitting across from her stared at her in silence. The red eyes were the only visible part of his body. He was entirely covered in black leather clothes and his face was obscured by a leather mask.

His huge body towered over her and made her feel small, the giant black wings only amplified the effect. But the most off putting was the flame burning on his back.

She came to Onigashima with several other girls to entertain at the Beast Pirates’ party.

The moment she set foot on the island she was led away from the other courtesans.

She was guided to a huge sitting room with tatami matts and two portale tables, one small and one huge. They were both laden with alcohol, but not sake. It was rum, vodka, gin, cognac and tequila.

She hoped she wasn't expected to drink all of it. She could drink just fine but a mix like that would make her pray to the porcelain gods for hours.

She kept her head bowed and waited until the huge man would say anything, but he took his time and she grew bored.

What was the deal with men in Wano and the silent treatment?

She raised her head and met his gaze. He was staring at her anyway, so fuck the pleasantries.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my lord?"

"I was told you were searching for me," his voice was a lot smoother than she expected from a man with his reputation.

"I am searching for my father," Rage replied with slightly creased brows. "My mother was not a petite woman but she wouldn't be able to accomodate a man of your stature."

He looked at her like she was stupid. 

"Don't play dumb with me, if you want to live," he stated as if he was giving her an advice.

She arched a brow. "Fine."

"Show me the scars."

She was expecting it, so she wore her kimono loosely and skipped a few layers. She turned around and pulled her arms from the abundant sleeves. The garment fell from her shoulders and pooled around her waist.

There were two vertical scars on her back, designed to suggest that a pair of wings was once cut off from her back.

"When did this happen?" he asked in an icy tone.

She imagined he was displeased with the idea of losing his precious wings. She would gladly be the one to chop them off for him.

"I have no memory of the incident that gave me the scars and my mother never spoke about it. May I cover myself?"

"You may."

She pulled her clothes on and turned to face him.

"I've heard you can fight," he mentioned casually. "Show me."

The door to the room slid open and several men walked in. They were all gifters, their bodies were modified by the artificial devil fruits.

So he wanted her to fight them. She had no problem with that. She pulled on the decorative belt and dropped it to the ground along with the opulent outer layer of the kimono.

Apparently the Beast Pirates were planning to fight her one on one, but she had other plans.

She summoned haki to her arms and legs and with extra speed she jumped between them. She punched the first one underneath the sternum. He bent in half, she drove an elbow into the back of his head and threw a kick behind her, striking another pirate underneath the chin. His head snapped back and he almost fell down. 

She didn't have time to follow up. She had to spin away and block a punch thrown at her middle. She intercepted the arm and with all her strength she dropped to the ground. There was a loud snap and the arm gave under her hold, twisting unnaturally.

The gifter roared with anger and threw her against a wall. She spun in the air so she wouldn't crash. Instead she pumped haki into her feet and pushed from the wall with extra speed.

She crashed into the gifter, her fist aimed at the bridge of his nose. They both crashed against the opposite wall. The bone under her first cracker and blond spilled all over the pirate's face. She followed with another bone crunching punch and stepped back. His body sagged and started sliding to the floor so she helped him get down faster with a kick to the top of his head.

She spun around and went all out on the rest of the gifters.

She didn't pull her punches or hide her speed and strength, there wasn't any time to play the long game. 

Kin'nemon's plan was already in motion, miraculously unhindered by Luffy's stupidity. In three weeks the revolution would start. The Red Scabbards would try to overthrow the shogun and take down Kaido. She had limited time to find and secure her target. If the alliance succeeded she'd have more time to reach her goal. But if the revolution failed, she'd have to act quickly.

Soon she was standing amongst broken and bloodied bodies. Her clothes and hands were smeared with blood. She wiped her hands in the fur of one of the pirates and sat opposite King. She reached for the nearest bottle and took a drink. It was tequila and she feigned a cringe at the beverage. It was a lot stronger than Wano's alcohol. As a person born and raised in Wano she wouldn't be accustomed to drinking such strong liquor.

The taste brought back memories of wild parties. She missed having fun at a club.

"I see you don't pull your punches," King's voice broke the silence.

She caught his gaze with a crooked smile.

"Was I supposed to go easy on them?"

He didn't answer, just stared at her.

"You would just send stronger men to fight me. Why bother?"

He looked towards the door and yanked his chin. More people poured into the room to carry out the unconscious gifters.

King motioned his head again, this time at Rage. Someone came closer and stood behind her. Next she new, something cold touched her neck and all her strength fizzled out. Her head hit the floor and her vision swam, distorting the view of King's huge body.

It all went away as quickly as it happened when the cold thing pressing on her neck was removed.

"So you are a devil fruit user," King's voice reverberated through the room.

She pulled herself up to a sitting position. Her nose caught a whiff of a strange smell and she tensed up.

She turned her head and saw a broad chest covered in coarse hair and clad in a black kimono. Her eyes traveled up and met a cruel gaze of deep set beady eyes.

It was the fucker who hurt Yoshiko.

He was holding a baton covered in sea stone.

She let disassociation fall over her to cut off the burning fury that exploded inside her.

She swept her gaze over the goat bastard and dismissed him, turning to King.

"I am not like your men," she declared, her tone calm and even.

"Show me," it was an order.

Like hell I will.

She braced herself for the pain. But she couldn't stop the agonized scream when the transformation began.

It was pure pain of muscles being torn from ligaments and bones being broken.

When the pain subsided it wasn't relief that she felt. No. It was pure resignation. She wanted to curl up and die.

A sudden rush in the bond felt like a slap. Zoro's consciousness became more vivid despite the distance between them. 

He prodded angrily like he wanted to say "Stop sulking and get up, you have shit to do."

Alright, alright, stop nagging.

She shoved at the bond and he backed out grumpily.

There was a flash of Law's exasperation, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

She took a deep breath and the tension in her body uncoiled. The brief interaction with her mates soothed the anguish caused by the transformation.

She pushed from the floor and coiled her tail to sit on it.

The floor around her was a mess. The table was toppled over. All the bottles were shattered and the liquor was spilled all over the floor. The air reeked of strong spirits.

She disregarded the mess and found King's red gaze. He was staring impassively, but the flame behind his head seemed brighter.

"This is the extent of the magical powers. It's not very useful. The only advantage is that sometimes I don't feel anything. It is very convenient in certain situations."

The silence stretched, while he stared. The flame on his back flared, casting ominous shadows on the walls.

The only sound was the rasping breath of the vile goatman. She wanted to tear out his windpipe so the aggravating sound would stop.

But it would be too quick death for him. She wanted him to suffer for every child whose finger was on the disgusting necklace around his neck.

"You will stay on Onigashima," King declared, disrupting her bloodthirsty thoughts.

"In what capacity my lord?"

"I will accept you as my daughter," he answered and reached to unclasp his mask. He pulled it off and revealed his face.

To Rage's surprise his looks were stunning. His brown skin contrasted with his silvery white hair. The left side of his head was shaved. There was a tattoo covering the skin from his ear to his left eye. He was quite a looker.

"Thank you, my lord," she bowed her head. "May I have a request as your daughter?"

"You don't waste time," he stated dryly, displeased with her words.

Typical of men who abandoned their offspring and didn't feel obliged to make up for years of absence.

He probably thought it was so generous of him to even accept his own child.

"The man standing behind me stole something that wasn't his to take. I would like to take it back."

"And what was that?"

"He raped a child."

"Was it your child?"

"No."

"Then I deny your request. If you want to join Beast Pirates you should get used to men doing whatever they like."

____________________

As soon as he escaped from prison, he headed towards Amigasa Village.

He could sense Zoro was heading in the same direction. So he pulled on the bond in hopes of meeting sooner with the swordsman.

Halfway to the village he met with his crewmates who were on their way to bust him out from the prison. They filled him in on recent developments. 

The plan was in place. Straw Hat took over the mines in Udon and the mafia leaders showed up with their underlings. The Straw Hats cook broke out the samurai loyal to the Kozuki clan from shogun's prison. And Zoro stumbled upon a stash of weapons. There were ships being prepared to transport the troops to Onigashima in a few days.

He sent away his crew and promised to meet them the next day.

He knew he should go with them. It was safer, wiser. But he needed to see Zoro, needed to see for himself that the swordsman was alright. He needed to touch his mate, to feel him one last time before they went into battle.

It could be their last chance to be together.

Rage was already gone and out of reach at Onigashima. Right under the enemy's nose.

Every day he was bombarded with her pain, anger, the empty void of detachment. There wasn't even a sliver of her cheeky happiness anymore. It was all hard focus and pain.

He was afraid she wouldn't survive Onigashima. The thought that he wouldn't see her ever again paralyzed him.

He needed Zoro. He needed to see at least one of his mates, feel them, hear their voice. 

This wouldn't happen if you weren't so greedy.

He wouldn't feel like this if he never bonded. But he wanted a shortcut and chose to bond to make up for all the time he lost.

And now he was petrified to lose it all.

Because it was the best thing that happened to him in his entire life. He was so greedy he wanted it all to last forever.

"Look who's back, it's the spoiled brat."

In front of one of the run down houses stood Daria, Rage's quack of a medic. As usual she was smoking a cigarette. There were blood stains on her hands and on the loose strands of her green hair.

"Fuck off," Law replied without slowing his stride. "How many patients have you lost today?" He spat out with disgust.

A satisfied smirk crawled on her lips. "Two didn't make it through surgery."

He toyed with the idea of killing her after the whole debacle was over. Rage would be angry for a while, but she would get over it. She didn't have the same relationship with Daria like she had with Mira.

The quack laughed at the death stare he sent her. He walked away, she wasn't worth anymore of his attention.

Zoro was right in front of him, standing beside two beautiful women.

He yanked at the bond and their eyes met.

The swordsman's attention focused on him and everything else didn't matter anymore.

Zoro walked towards him, grabbed him by his wrists and pulled him down the road through the village.

"Toaro! You're here!" Someone shouted to his left. "Where have you been?"

"Later," Zoro snapped in response.

He led Law to a small house on the outskirts of the village. As soon as the door was closed behind them they're lips collided in a hungry kiss.

Law pulled aside the kimono to touch Zoro's skin. He glided his palms over the wide span of the swordsman's chest, reveling in every second of the contact. 

He wanted more.

He pulled at the belt and let it fall to the floor. Then he dropped to his knees and took Zoro's cock in his mouth. He didn't tease the swordsman, like he liked to do. This time he swallowed him whole on the first go, greedy for the feeling of the heavy cock stuffing his throat.

Zoro's surprised grunt reverberated in the room, and he grabbed Law's head to slow his movement. 

Law obliged him. He wanted Zoro to feel good, he wanted to feel his pleasure in their shared connection.

"I'm going to come," Zoro's strained words reached his ears.

He couldn't decide if he wanted the swordsman to come in his mouth, to taste the cum on his tongue. Or if he'd rather have Zoro come around Law’s cock, while he fucked him into oblivion.

The decision was made for him, when Zoro pulled away with a sharp jerk of his hips.

The swordsman kneeled beside Law and caught his lips in an openmouthed dirty kiss.

Law pushed Zoro to the floor and lodged his hips between his partner's legs. He shoved their erections together and got irritated at his own kimono being in the way of full contact.

He pried his hands from Zoro's skin, yanked his belt off and shook off his kimono. 

He pushed his cock against Zoro's, reveling in the contact. Their cocks were dripping with precum that was smeared all over their lengths with every move.

He pushed his tongue into Zoro's mouth, craving more of the swordsman's taste.

He sped up, his movement becoming more frantic. He was enveloped in his mate's scent, had Zoro’s taste on his tongue and could feel his warm skin and hard cock. 

The bond was wide open, they felt everything together. It was but a moment until they'd drown in pleasure.

Strong legs wrapped around his lower back to still his hips. Zoro's arms pushed at his shoulders, disengaging their mouths.

Law almost whined at the loss.

Zoro's green eye pinned him with a firm stare.

"Slow down," Zoro uttered, framing Law's face with his hands. "We have time, so fuck me properly."

Law took several calming breaths, pushing down the frantic neediness. "Ok."

Zoro smirked and tipped his head to give Law a kiss so soft he would never expect it from the swordsman.

Zoro let go of Law’s face and reached into the opulent sleeves of his kimono.

Next he knew, Law was handed a small bottle of lube and a condom.

He smiled at his lover with appreciation.

His own supplies were taken away after he was searched by Hawkins' minions before they threw him into a cell.

He threw the crinkling rectangle to the floor and uncapped the lube. He coated his fingers generously and smeared the lube around Zoro's hole. Pushing the lube inside his ass with one finger.

Zoro grunted and rotated his hips so Law had better access to his ass. The swordsman’s cock rested against his abs, weeping precum profusely.

Law reached with his free hand and stroked the thick cock. He smeared the precum over the tanned skin, reveling in the glistening shine it gave to Zoro's abs.

He caught Zoro's gaze before adding another finger. The swordsman's face was flushed with arousal. Zoro’s gaze lost focus when another finger stretched his ass. He threw his head back with a grunt, exposing the thick column of his throat.

Law leaned to lick his Adam's apple and suck on the heated skin, leaving red marks all over Zoro's throat. He added another finger and felt the vibrations of Zoro's moan under his lips. He bit into the thick muscle on Zoro's neck.

The swordman's desperate moan vibrated again and a strong hand grabbed the back of Law's head.

"Don't bite," Zoro sounded breathless. "I'll come if you do that again."

Law licked the bitten skin.

He twisted his fingers and his fingertips brushed Zoro's prostate.

The swordsman's immense pleasure shot through the bond. Law grunted, pushing down his own orgasm. He removed his fingers swiftly.

With the other hand he reached for Zoro's face to look him in the eye.

"I don't want the condom. I want to feel you on my cock with nothing between us. I want to pump you with my cum," he rasped with need.

A sharp smile stretched Zoro’s lips. "Do it."

Law caught his lips in a brief wet kiss. Then he smeared lube on his cock and pressed the tip against Zoro's loosened ass. He held Zoro's gaze when he slowly pushed inside.

Zoro's lips parted and intense satisfaction flooded the bond. The swordsman's gaze lost focus, but he didn't break eye contact.

Law was fully inside and he had to take a few breaths to gather his wits. He was enveloped in tight warmth that squeezed around him when Zoro clenched his muscles. The sensation was overwhelming. The bond was sucking him in, merging his pleasure with Zoro's. He wanted to feel more, remember more, so he pulled from the bond enough to think clearly.

Holding Zoro's gaze he moved his hips several times at an agonizingly slow pace. He slid his arms under Zoro's shoulders and with a sharp snap he buried himself deep inside the swordsman.

A guttural moan escaped Zoro's lips and he threw his head back, his earrings clinking together.

Law continued his slow but deep thrusts. Each time reveling in how tight and hot Zoro felt around his cock.

He reached to tilt Zoro's head so he could watch his lover's expression every time he was speared with Law’s cock. He loved the wanton sounds that were leaving Zoro's lips. He was the reason for the sounds and he basked in every moan.

"Law," Zoro grunted after another deep thrust. He grabbed Law's hips and pushed them forcefully, adding force to another thrust.

It was Law's turn to let out a strangled moan.

Zoro pushed on Law’s hips again. He let the swordsman control the force of the thrusts for a while.

But enough was enough.

He pulled from the firm grasp and withdrew his cock.

Zoro was opening his mouth to voice his protest but Law flipped him face down.

He straddled the swordsman’s tights and spread his ass cheeks to shove his cock into the gaping hole.

He moved his hips languidly, his cock burying shallowly inside Zoro's ass. 

He enjoyed the view of Zoro's naked back. The muscles flexed exquisitely every time Law pushed forward. 

"Stop teasing," Zoro scolded while twisting his head to look at Law. "Fuck me like you mean it."

"You said we had time," Law kneaded Zoro's firm buttocks then grabbed his waist and thrust deeper. "I rather enjoy the view."

He moved his hands over Zoro's back.

"Enjoy the view when we're all spent."

He could sense Zoro's impatience in the bond.

He leaned down and threaded his fingers through Zoro's hair, grabbing it by the root.

"Ok," he breathed against Zoro's ear.

His chest molded against Zoro's back. With the changed angle his cock was buried deep into the swordsman's clenching ass.

Without any warning he started trusting fast and hard, fucking Zoro into the floor.

The swordsman grunted with appreciation. Then let out a breathless moan when Law sank his teeth into the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

Pleasure exploded in the bond. Law clenched his teeth harder and pumped his hips faster. He pushed against the pleasure in the bond, blocking their orgasm with sheer willpower.

Zoro's fingers scraped against the floor as he writhed under Law. His mind was enveloped in mindless lust constrained by Law's will.

He pushed his hands under Zoro's chest and with one strong move he pulled them both to a kneeling position.

Zoro's swollen cock jutted forward, swinging heavily in the air and dripping precum.

Law wrapped his fingers around the weeping cock, stroking it in the same pace he fucked Zoro's ass.

He bit again into Zoro's heated skin and let go of his grip in the bond.

The constrained pleasure rushed with the force of a shockwave.

He forgot how to breathe, who he was, where he was.

They were one, molded together by the raging wave of overwhelming ecstasy that had no end and no beginning. It was bliss and pain of their bodies violently clenching in simultaneous release.

Their cocks pumped their seed all over their hand and inside them, filling them up.

They crumbled together to the floor, unable to stay upright. Their muscles suddenly too weak to support their bodies.

They laid on the tatami matts, their bodies and minds connected. They didn't try to move or talk, it was unnecessary. Everything they needed to know was in the bond. The satisfied, warm and sated feeling swirled lazily within them, filling them with happiness and love.

The feeling of unity subsided gradually, until Law became conscious of his surroundings. Warm light of the setting sun penetrated the room with its golden glow.

He nuzzled his nose in Zoro's hair, inhaling the swordsman’s scent.

He pulled his cock out and rolled Zoro's boneless body so he could look at the swordsman's face.

He wanted to express what he felt with words but when their gazes connected he realized he didn't need to. Zoro already knew, they both felt it in the bond.

Law leaned down and captured Zoro's lips in a tender kiss.

The anxiety he felt on his way to the village was all gone. Wiped by Zoro's strong belief in their victory.

"We're going to survive this," Law whispered against the swordsman's lips. "And we're going to be together."

He felt Zoro's smirk. In a split second he was sprawled on the floor with the swordsman's broad body pinning him down.

"We will win," Zoro declared with a sharp smirk and caught Law's lips in a firm kiss.

And then fervent shouting carried through the village.

"Luffy!"

Thrilled voices called Straw Hat's name only to be drowned in overjoyed laughter.

"Your captain's here," Law mumbled into the kiss.

"Mhm," Zoro hummed and deepened the kiss, preventing Law from speaking.

They cleaned themselves the best they could with the small amount of water they found in the house. They put on their clothes and went out to meet with the Straw Hat's captain.

Alarm bells rang in his head the moment the center of the village came into view.

Rage's crewmates were standing in a loose circle around the crowd that came to greet Luffy.

Law scanned the crowd in search of Rage's first mate. 

She was sitting nonchalantly on a wooden box in front of one of the houses. Mira was casually leaning behind Kisa with her legs crossed at the ankles.

Before Rage went back to Flower Capital she healed Mira's injuries. Law used his powers to provide her with a new leg. He didn't ask who the person donating their leg was or if they were doing it willingly.

He needed to put down Rage's idea of killing Luffy, so he was inclined to look the other way this one time.

It seemed Mira was adjusting well to the new limb. Rage was happy to see her walk. And hopefully the murder plan was tanked. 

Or so he thought.

By the looks of it, Rage's crew didn't get the memo and they were preparing an attack.

Law pushed through the circle of women and made a large room to signal he wouldn't be putting up with any of their shit.

"What do you think you're doing?" He addressed Kisa.

Penguin told him that the woman came back with one of the mafia bosses she was assigned to. After she showed up she immediately took control of her crew as the first mate.

"Everyone wanted to meet the golden boy," she replied, giving Law a scrutinizing once over then did the same to Zoro. A faint smirk pulled at the corner of her lips.

"Hey!" Straw Hat stood in front of Mira. "You're the one who tried to help me when Kaido knocked me down. Thank you and I'm sorry you lost your leg."

He stood still, his eyes fixed on Mira.

She pushed from the wall and offered him her hand.

"I will forgive you if you'll win Rage back," she said with a smile. "And bond with her."

He didn't make any move for a while, just stared at Mira. Then he shook her hand.

"It's a deal."

A loud snicker sounded on the street.

"He'll never make it," the crazy blond girl, Annika, laughed. "Once Rage hates someone, that bitch is as good as dead." 

"Shut your mouth," Zoro snapped in response.

"What's so special about him anyway?" Jessie, the mechanic asked. "He looks like he has two brain cells left that can't find each other in his empty head."

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Several of the Straw Hats protested.

"He's not even good looking and he's short," Daria joined in, her hair was still stained with dried blood. "I bet he has a small dick too."

"He can inflate," Zoro drawled and gave Daria the bird.

"What the fuck moss head for brains!" The Straw Hats' cook protested. "Have you ever heard of the term TMI?"

"Shut up, stupid cook," Zoro rolled his eyes.

"Oh, so he's bi!" Annika laughed again. "Then he could be stupid, short, have a small dick and Rage would still fuck him. She has a soft spot for bi boys."

Law glanced at Luffy, who watched everything with one brow raised.

He nudged Zoro's side with his elbow. "Why are we talking about my dick in front of everyone?"

A bout of sinister laughter rolled around the village's center.

A sharp whistle shot through the air. "Ok, ladies, enough of the friendly banter. Gather up, we have some introductions to do."

At Kisa's order the women moved to stand together.

Law noticed there were only a few of them still missing. Makonde and two of the dark skinned silent women were nowhere to be seen.

Kisa remained sitting on the wooden box with Mira standing silently beside her.

"Straw Hat Luffy, let me introduce Rage's bounty hunting crew The Raging Witches."

All their gazes were focused on Luffy like he was a target to eliminate with extreme prejudice.

"Hey," Luffy raised his hand in greeting like he was oblivious to the death stares.

"Sanji," Kisa turned to the blond cook. "Rage wanted me to make a special introduction."

The cook looked surprised and Kisa waved towards her crew. The woman parted and Veronica walked to the front. 

She was clad in skin tight leather pants and a corset. Her auburn hair fell in opulent waves on her naked shoulders. She was stunning as always.

"Veronica, this is Blackleg Sanji, second highest bounty of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is an excellent cook and the  third son of the Vinsmoke family," Kisa's voice broke the silence. "Sanji, this is Veronica Fanucci, a sole heiress to Fanucci crime family. She is a real mafia princess, soon to be a queen of the West Blue crime world."

Veronica walked up to the cook with an enticing swing to her hips. Sanji seemed to be frozen in the spot, his cigarette laying on the ground by his feet.

"It's nice to meet you," she greeted in a rich, melodic voice and leaned in to give the cook air kisses on both sides on his face.

Anger vibrated on Zoro's end of the bond. Law glanced at the swordsman, who was glaring daggers at Kisa.

"I'm in love," the cook blurted out suddenly. 

The bond erupted with fury.

The woman chuckled melodically. "How very forward of you Vinsmoke Sanji."

"I'm not a Vinsmoke," the cook shot back with a firm tone.

"That's alright. I can give you my family's name," Veronica offered in a charming manner.

The cook reeled back, disbelief painted on his face. "Are you asking me to marry you?" Unease was clear in the cook's voice.

"Yes, darling. However I need to make it very clear, I will require both a husband and a wife. Me and my wife would need to give birth to at least one child each. Also as the head of the crime family I would require my husband's full support in maintaining my position. If you find my conditions agreable, I would be delighted to have you as my male spouse."

Zoro was seething and Luffy's eyes were obscured by the rim of his hat. 

But the cook melted. 

The proposal was a dream come true for someone so focused on chasing women. He would be marrying not one stunningly beautiful woman, but two. Two women who he was supposed to fuck and breed.

"No," came a loud statement from Luffy, who was glaring at Kisa.

"The offer was not meant for you, Luffy," she brushed him off  with a tone meant for a small child. "You want to bond for life with Rage. Don't you want something similar for your nakama?"

"He doesn't know her at all."

"Veronica and Rage have a lot in common. You wanted Rage from the moment you met her and insisted on a lifelong commitment just after a week. Why would you deny Sanji a similar experience?" 

Law didn't approve of the whole situation but he was impressed. She had Luffy in the palm of her hand. Either he could protest and admit that bonding with Rage was a reckless decision. But then he would break his promise to Mira. Or he could step down, giving in to the manipulation. Either way, she had him.

"Bullshit," Zoro snarled, his voice seething with anger. "If Rage and the walking doll are so alike, why does the cook get the opportunity to be a father and we don't?"

Law would smile at the swordsman's brilliance, if it wasn't for Kisa's satisfied smile.

"Because Sanji is so much different from both of you. He vowed never to hit or harm women. You can't say the same about yourselves. I've seen marks on Rage's skin that you left. Would you ever hit your woman, Sanji?"

The cook snapped his head towards Kisa. "I would never do that."

There was a wave of chuckling from Rage’s crew, the tones varied from dark, to amused to pearly giggles. Some of the women were eyeying the cook like a toy they just couldn't wait to play with.

"She asked for those brui-" Zoro's protest was cut short by dirt exploding in the spot where Sanji was standing.

The cook landed a few feet away, managing to avoid the blast, but had to dodge blades flying at his chest. He stepped to the side, managing to pick one of the blades from the air.

"That's mine," a woman with crimson hair jumped in front of the cook, raising her hand for the blade.

She was so thin and pale she seemed delicate, her slick hair was brushed back reaching only the nape of her neck. Her yellow eyes seemed to be too big for her slim face and the sharp smile could match Zoro's most feral grin. Everything about her screamed danger.

"Please don't throw it at me again, miss." The cook answered, presenting her the knife handle first.

"Ok," she smiled even wider while slipping the knife in a holster strapped to her tight. Then launched an rapid kick at the cook, followed by another when he jumped back.

She was a flurry of movement, throwing punches and kicks with vicious force and precision. Her fighting style was similar to Rage's, but she didn't get blank and impersonal like Rage did. This woman was emanating killing intent so thick it was unnerving even for Law.

The cook was dodging most of her attacks, but didn't even make an attempt to block her. Which was a glaring mistake. When the first punch landed she seemed to gain speed and viciousness, like a shark smelling blood.

Law glanced towards Kisa. The woman was following the fight with a stoic expression, her body at ease.

She caught Law's gaze. "Don't interfere," she warned. "Mira might have forgiven Straw Hat, but the rest of the crew did not. There needs to be blood spilled for them to even consider working together again."

Law grit his teeth. This wasn't an easy situation to handle. Luffy did make a huge mistake. If making amends meant one of his crew got roughed up it was a low price to pay.

Zoro's side of the bond became deathly still. The swordsman was standing by Luffy's side, his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to jump into the fight.

There was a strangled grunt coming from the cook and Law looked back to the fight. 

The woman delivered a fist to the cook's sternum. The force of the blow threw him back. He found his footing and was gone in a blink of an eye. He appeared a second later, high above them, hovering in the air.

The feral woman vanished the moment she spotted him. She appeared behind the cook with a kick aimed to his head. She struck him and he crashed into the ground. She followed him down with a knife in hand. 

The cook threw out his hand to block the blade. It sliced right through his palm, sinking up to the handle. 

Blood splattered on the cook's face. The woman grinned manically and reached for another blade. 

She went flying, tackled by Luffy's steaming body.

The Straw Hat's captain sprang after her. He knocked her into the ground with a sickening sound of shattering bones. Luffy grabbed her by the collar and yanked her up with a loud sneer.

"Don't go after Sanji ever again," he growled.

He punched her in the face so hard she was thrown back with another sound of breaking bones. She landed motionless, right by Kisa's feet.

The first mate didn't move an inch, as if she wasn't fazed with her teammate being injured. She reached into the sleeve of her kimono and produced a swirling ball of energy. One of Rage's healing techniques.

Kisa passed the ball to Veronica.

"Give this to Sanji, so he can heal."

The leather clad woman obliged without a word, she took the ball and brought it to the cook. She kneeled on the ground by his side and offered him the ball with a gentle smile.

The cook looked mesmerized. He reached out with his injured hand, the knife still lodged in his palm.

Veronica grabbed the handle and yanked the blade out without an ounce of hesitation. Then she pushed the swirling ball into the wound, lacing her fingers with Sanji's.

The cook's body tensed and a strained grunt escaped him. He leaned forward with gritted teeth and his free hand squeezed into a tight fist. But the hand laced with Veronica's didn’t even twitch.

Then it was all over and the cook was panting with relief.

"That was impressive," Veronica praised in her rich voice. "You are perfect. I hope you will consider my proposal."

She brought his bloodied hand to her lips and placed a tender kiss on his knuckles. Then she pulled him up and made sure he could stand on his own. She released his hand and with a last smile walked away to stand with her crew.

"You went too far," Luffy spoke, steam still swirling angrily around him. "I'm the one at fault. If you want revenge, beat me up, not my nakama."

"But then you wouldn't understand how Rage felt when Mira was crippled. It's another level of pain when your nakama get hurt because of you," she answered, unbothered by his anger. "Isn't that right Kira?" She spoke to the woman on the ground.

One glance was enough for Law to know that the feral woman had most of her ribs broken. She was fighting for every gulp of air. Half of her face was disfigured and bleeding from the force of the punch. One of her eyes was already swollen shut.

"I didn't punch her that hard," Luffy admitted with a deep frown. He stood next to Zoro, his body was back to normal.

"She has fragile bones," Kisa explained without turning her gaze from the woman by her feet. "That's enough, Kira. Get up." 

The redhead let out a wet gurgle that sounded like a morbid chuckle. She rolled to her side, put her hands on the ground and pushed herself to a sitting position. Her chest had an unnatural shape.

Law's instincts screamed to go help the injured woman. She could have a ruptured or collapsed lung. Her ribs were broken and dislocated, it could cause more injuries if she moved around. She could have a concussion. The swelling over her eye could cause optic nerve damage. He couldn't just stand and watch.

There was a ripple over the woman's rib cage, like something was moving under her skin. With a series of loud snaps her chest regained a healthy shape. 

The redhead pushed her body up, standing jerkily to her feet.

"Fix your face," Kisa ordered.

The rippling of skin was caused by bone snapping into place. The edges of her broken skin were knitting together, the swelling going down in a manner of seconds.

The woman looked exactly the same as she did before attacking the cook. The only difference was blood smeared all over her face.

Her lips stretched in a feral grin.

Law's skin crawled after the morbid show. "Are you a devil fruit user?"

The woman slowly turned her head from right to left, her intense gaze focused on Law.

Mira took a step forward. "Kira can heal really fast and she doesn't feel pain. She's a perfect decoy. An enemy thinks he took her down, he turns his back on a broken woman lying on the ground and he gets stabbed in the kidney."

"You are all insane," Law spat with disgust.

"That may be true," Kisa replied, standing tall. "But we get the job done without stupid mistakes."

_____________________

"Drink up old man, you're falling behind!" She knocked her bottle of sake against a barrel that stood in front of her.

"I should throw you into the dungeon for your insolence, you brat," Kaido rumbled without any heat in his voice. A crooked smile stretched on his face.

"You wouldn't, I'm your best drinking buddy," she replied with a wide grin and took a long drink from the bottle. Her powers were amped to flush the alcohol from her system as quickly as possible.

Kaido snickered then grabbed the barrel and drank all its contents in one go.

"That's more like it, grampa!" She yelled, then turned to the other pirates. "Hey, sing that song about the ugly whores!"

King put down his bottle with a loud thud. "Behave yourself!" he scolded. "Act like a proper woman of your status."

"But daddy," he pouted theatrically, "I'm a courtesan born and raised. I did all those things from the song. Are you ashamed of me?"

King's jaw clenched so hard she could hear his teeth grinding over the music.

Kaido’s laughter boomed in the hall.

"Don't aggravate your father, brat. Didn't you learn your lesson from last time?"

She was covered in stitches and bandages. Her ribs hurt every time she took a breath and the pain got even worse when she laughed. The slash on her right cheek stung when she spoke.

It was the effect of the ‘attitude training’ King put her through after she talked back to him.

She suspected he also had an ulterior motive. He wanted her to get stronger. His daughter had to match Kaido's son.

"I'll take whatever comes my way," she winked at King. "I'd rather die than submit to a man's will."

That seemed to strike a chord. Both Kaido and King looked at her with an ominous glint in their eyes.

"But, I will make an exception for Yamato. He is fine as hell," she gazed dreamily towards the door then looked at Kaido with a wide grin. "Hey, gramps, give me your blessing to marry Yamato!"

Kaido roared with laughter.

"Didn't you have a fight?"

"Nah, he was just upset he missed the last orgy. I'll make it up to him."

"What orgy?!" A throbbing vein popped on King's temple.

"Don't get angry at me, daddy. You said men on this crew do whatever they want and I should get used to it. So I didn't stop them," she shrugged and drank the rest of her sake. She didn’t let any of the vile pirates touch her, but she did orchestrate a splendid orgy for them.

She braced for King to hit her, but it didn't heppen.

The large doors were thrown open. Shackled Charlotte Linlin was brought into the room by Queen and his man.

Rage's eyes grew big in surprise and her heart skipped a beat.

She heard that Big Mom's ship approached Wano, but King struck it down and it toppled from the waterfall.

Why was Big Mom alive? Why was she here?

"So you've shown your face here at last, Linlin," Kaido rumbled, reaching for his bagua.

"Kaido," she greeted with an ugly grin. "How many decades has it been?"

Kaido his subordinates an angry look. "What are you doing? Take the chains off her!"

The Beast Pirates hesitated. They all looked like they were going to piss their pants. Even Queen looked stressed as fuck.

The moment Big Mom was unshackled she took the sword from her hat.

Both eprerors launched at each other. Their unleashed haki clashed furiously with an ear splitting roar.

The amount of power made Rage freeze in place. Her throat went dry and her heart dropped.

She never felt this much power at once.

The whole island shook as the fighting continued. Thunder rolled through the sky whenever Kaido and Big Mom clashed.

Rage followed their every move, analyzing and searching for weak points.

The fight continued through the night until it came to an abrupt stop. The emperors came to an unexpected agreement to form an alliance to conquer the world.

Kaido and Big Mom sat together while eating and drinking like they were the best of friends.

At one point Big Mom asked King to join her crew. She managed to gather almost all of the world’s races in Toto Land. Only three were missing, Lunarians being one of them and King was the last one of his kind.

He denied her request on the spot without any hesitation, even when she threatened him.

"And who is this little girl?" Big Mom asked with an ominous shine in her eyes.

Rage almost choked on her sake. She was sitting by King's side, hoping to appear insignificant next to his huge form. She wanted to sit in to hear the conversation but she didn't want to be a part of it.

"That brat is King's kid," Kaido supplied between gulps of sake.

Big Mom pursed her fat lips while scrutinizing Rage with her watery eyes.

"She reminds me of someone. Come closer child."

Rage didn't want to go anywhere near the monstrous woman. But she couldn't afford to appear weak and fearful in front of all these pirates.

She stood in front of Big Mom and looked the woman in the eye with a polite smile.

The woman extended her huge arm and brushed Rage's hair from her face. The touch was surprisingly gentle.

"I've seen you somewhere," she stated, her gaze glued to Rage's face.

"She's a splitting image of her mother," Kaido put down his empty bottle. "The Queen of Sin City."

Rage froze. All blood drained from her face and her breath caught in her lungs. 

They knew who she was. Her cover was blown.

"She's the rumored princess of Sin City? The one who was saved by the Straw Hats and Trafalgar Law?" Big Mom brushed Rage's face with a fat finger like she was petting an award winning dog. "Then why did you call her King's daughter?"

A nasty smirk appeared on Kaido’s face. "She came undercover acting as King's bastard daughter, born to one of Wano's whores. Ironically, her real mother slept around so much there's no telling who her real father is. It might as well be King." Kaido took another gulp of sake. "I already have several supernovas under my command. Straw Hat and Eustass Kid are in my prison. It's a matter of time until they'll break and become my underlings. Same with her."

So they played along with the sharade because they wanted her to serve Kaido.

Big Mom made a displeased sound. "Don't be so greedy, Kaido," she shoved a huge piece of meat with a bone into her mouth. She turned her vicious eyes to Rage while she chewed. The bone crunching sound bounced from the walls of the huge dining hall. "So you are one of the Naga. Come to Toto Land, I'd love you to marry one of my children."

A shove in the bond yanked her from the stunned stupor.

"Only one? Sorry lady, but I don't do monogamy," she answered with a weak attempt at a grin.

Big Mom grinned and she patted Rage's cheek.

"A girl after my own heart. Is it true that Naga's link their minds with other people?"

"Yeah, we can do that with as many people as we want and make them obey us." Rage replied with a pleasant smile.

"So where are yours?"

"Why would I need any? I have my own crew that's loyal to death."

"She's bonded with Roronoa Zoro and Trafalgar Law," King replied flatly.

Alarm bells rang in Rage's head. There was a traitor in the alliance!

"So you're here to fight Kaido with the little rebellion?" Big Mom laughed and patted the top of Rage's head.

Rage snorted and smiled wickedly at the huge woman. "Haven't you heard? I was pardoned by the Marines. My wanted poster was recalled and I was granted a bounty hunter's license."

She glanced at Kaido, who stopped drinking and scrutinized her through squinted eyes.

So they didn't have all the information. That was good.

"So what are you doing here pretending to be a common whore?" Kaido asked.

She shrugged and gave him a wide smile. "You're losing your edge old man," she ducked to avoid King's slap. "I'm new to this bounty hunter's game so I'm after easy money and quick fame. Whoever fails, I'll be taking their heads to cash in the bounty."

Big Mum laughed. "You are very brave and very stupid, girl."

"My mom says the same about me," Rage wiggled her brows at the huge woman, making her laugh even louder.

The laughter suddenly stopped and Big Mom looked at her with a wicked smile. "But you made a mistake allying with Straw Hat."

She reached for her giant sword and raised it above her head to strike at Rage.

"You're mistaken," Rage added quickly. "I want Straw Hat Luffy dead."

She poured all her hatred for Luffy into the words and it seemed to pique Big Mom's interest.

"I sense an interesting story," Big Mom put down her sword and reached for her sake. "Tell me, what did he do that you want to betray his little alliance?"

"He betrayed me first."

_________________

She was thrown into a cell, shackled and collared. The sea stone cuffs suppressed her powers and she couldn't heal her injuries.

She was forced to fight one pirate after the other for Kaido's and Big Mom's amusement. If she wasn't putting a maximum effort into giving them a show she would be severely punished. And that fucking bagua delivered a mean blow.

She wasn't given much food except for a watery soup and a half bowl of rice.

She was exhausted. She wanted to sleep, but the guards made sure to wake her up every time she nodded off. When she was so exhausted she didn't wake up to their shouting, they threw seawater on her. So she was curled up in her cell, shivering, weary to the bone and the salty water got into her wounds and stung.

She tried to send a message through the bond to Zoro and Law, but they didn't know the signal. It was the sole time when she regretted breaking the bond with Kisa. Kisa knew the code, five quick pulses through the bond was a signal for being compromised. Three tugs and a burst of power meant traitor.

Why didn't she teach this to her other mates? It was a deplorable neglect on her part.

She was lost in self hatred and went through the darkest possible scenarios. 

She didn't notice when the guards left and Yamato was standing on the other side of the cell door.

"Rage," he called. "Your real name is Rage, right?"

She sat up and stared, sniffing the air. There was only Yamato in the jail block.

"Yeah, I'm Rage D. Veshti," she croaked, her throat was dry and sore. "What do you want?"

"You don't look so good," Yamato stated the obvious without any concern in his voice.

"No shit. Let me out and I'll get better really fast."

Yamato threw her a careful look.

"Was it true what you said to Kaido? That you will side with whoever wins?"

Laughter bubbled in her chest. "Did they send you to soften me up and confess to my ulterior motifs?"

"Answer me, Rage," Yamato's tone was demanding. But there was something in his beautiful eyes that made her pause.

"Why should I trust Kaido's son?"

Yamato raised his arm. There was a silver cuff around his wrist.

"Do you see this? If I try to leave Onigashima the cuffs on my wrists will explode. Kaido didn't want me to run away and fight for Wano's freedom."

"Why would you want to fight for Wano?"

Yamato looked her firmly in the eyes.

"I was there when Kaido killed Oden. I detest my father and I will become the next Oden to free and protect this country."

Rage leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. She expected Yamato to be so much more than another Oden's fanatic. This beautiful trans man with stunning looks quickly caught her attention. She went out of her way to befriend him. He was skilled and powerful but in the end he was another deluded idiot.

"I will fight Kaido, I never planned for anything else," she admitted without opening her eyes.

Something hit the floor next to her thigh and a clanging noise reverberated from the walls.

She snapped her head and opened her eyes.

Her cell door was wide open and Yamato held the bars.

"Hurry up then, your friends are here," he jerked his chin towards the floor next to Rage.

There was a key next to her leg. 

She grabbed it and got her shackles off.

The swell of power made her feel much better. She healed the most serious injuries. But she didn't have enough juice to heal herself completely.

For a second she pondered if she should drain Yamato, just to be safe. But after looking at the beautiful man she couldn't bring herself to harm him. She decided to go with her gut feeling and trust Yamato.

"Do you have a key for the collar?" She asked when she walked out of her cell.

"If I had that I would take off my wristbands," he declared with a shake of his head. "The Red Scabbards and their allies are heading to fight Kaido. But Kaido has all his troops gathered here for the feast. The difference in numbers doesn't play in our favor."

"How many Beast Pirates are here?"

"Fifty thousand."

That was a lot. She was counting on some of the troops to be taken down before the Fire Festival. Her girls should have already implemented several plans to mass murder the grunts. Either they didn't succeed or there weren't as many dead as she hoped for. 

"So what's the plan?" she asked Yamato.

"We'll join the Red Scabbards and we will eliminate as many Kaido men as possible on our way."

"Works for me," Rage cracked her neck and ran after Yamato.

She grabbed several men on the way to the ground floor of the castle. Her strength was replenished but she was still hungry. Her reaction time was slower than usual due to being sleep deprived.

The hormones could get her a boost of energy, but she wanted to leave that for the time she really needed it.

Then the battle begun. The shouting of charging men, guns and cannons being fired, the screams of pain. Explosions shook the castle walls.

She used Conqueror’s Haki to put down as many grunts as possible, then she went after the ones still standing. 

She pumped haki into her attack. She struck the first grunt standing in front of her and his body exploded. She covered her face before she was showered in blood, chunks of tissue, bones and the contents of intestines. The stench was abysmal and she regretted using the stupid technique.

She blew a hole in another guy's chest. It looked like an entry wound of a large caliber bullet. Innocent looking entry point in the front and minced meat at the exit point. At least the shit was blown away from her.

She needed to get rid of the collar, it could blow her head off at any moment.

She let out her haki to put down all the beast pirates around her. She closed her eyes and focused all her haki at the one task. One swift pull and the collar was off her neck and flying through the air, right at the new batch of pirates coming her way. It exploded and when the dust settled the corridor was painted red. Some of the pirates were screaming in pain. The one closest to her was waving his arm in the arm, it was squirting blood from blown off hand.

"How did you do that?" Yamato landed beside her, his eyes wide in shock. The chains on his cuffs dangled around his legs.

"Magic," Rage replied dismissively. She had no desire to pull off Yamato's cuffs. He was Kaido's son after all. It was better to be safe than sorry, especially when there was a battle raging all around them.

They made their way forward, Yamato guiding them through the castle. Every now and then the pirates called out to Yamato, urging him to fight on their side.

Rage could sense Zoro and Law, but they weren't in the same place. Law was at the back of the island, while Zoro was close by at the front of the castle.

She followed the pull, ignoring Yamato's calls. She ran into the castle’s live floor, where the fighting seemed the most intense.

There were the samurai, the yakuza, some of the Straw Hat's and her girls! She spotted Zoro the moment when he was hauled into the air by Marco the Phoenix. The swordsman disappeared into a hole in the ceiling. Marco was attacked by a giant pterodactyl.

King.

A shiny object jetting through the air grabbed her attention.

She jumped on the banister, balancing on the crumbling stone, right above the fray. She unleashed her Conqueror's haki in one short burst.

The signal worked and Reid's shinny surfboard was speeding her way. Rage jumped on the board and grabbed onto Reid.

"Take me to the team," she ordered and a few seconds later they landed behind the fighting women. They were lined up in an offensive formation, working together to take out as many opponents as possible.

Makonde and Kisa were right by her side, the moment the board touched the ground.

"Do you have any food?" was the first question that flew out of her mouth.

She was handed two protein bars, the standard rations issued to every team member.

It wasn't much, but the protein and sugar were enough to take the edge off hunger.

"You stink," Kisa scrunched her nose and frowned.

"I'm acutely aware of my state," she replied. Then she pointed to the ceiling, where King was trading blows with Marco. "Bring him down. I want him dead."

__________________

The pain in the bond fritzed his mind for a split second before he slammed shut the connection.

Zoro saved them all from Big Mom’s and Kaido’s combined attack. Law managed to grab him out of the way of the blast and the swordsman crumpled to the ground, gasping in pain.

“Zoro! Are you still alive?”

“Oohf, I…I think so…”

“It’s a real feat you blocked that, if only for a second! Thanks, man!” Even Kid was impressed by Zoro's action.

Meanwhile Luffy charged Kaido  head on, prompted by his anger at Zoro being hurt.

Law didn't have time to assess the damage. They had a plan to get rid of Big Mom. His powers didn't work on the monstrous woman, but a well aimed boulder threw her over the edge and into the sea.

Her cloud was confined by Kid's powers and Zoro slashed to pieces the flame so it couldn't save its owner.

“Hey! Pirate Hunter! Let Prometheus go!” Kaido lunged at Zoro, ready to bash the swordsman into the ground.

Law popped Zoro away and used the moment to aim an attack at Kaido. It only made the emperor angrier and he bashed Law with his bagua.

Law’s back hit the hard rock and his breath was knocked out of him.

“Law! That flame’s gonna go and save Big Mom!” Zoro yelled as the flame and the sword flew over the ledge after Big Mom.

“Let him go, the plan might as well be a failure if anyone dies.”

“The point was to separate the two of them. We’ll deal with Big Mom,” Kid and Killer rushed down after Big Mom to make sure she was dead.

Law found himself the only one standing before Kaido.

Luffy was on the ground, unconscious. Zoro was barely standing, while Kaido laughed standing over Luffy.

“Even while unconscious he still stares at me. What should I crush first? Those eyes or his brain? Maybe his heart?”

“Listen, Law,” Zoro reached for his swords between strain breaths. “What I’m about to do is the limit of my ability.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“If we can’t break through, we die. After this, it’s all you!” Zoro put a sword between his teeth and pumped haki into his arms. “Hey! Kaido! That’s my captain.”

The swordsman's energy was swirling around him. The sword Enma shined with ominous energy. Zoro lunged at Kaido, swinging his swords and directing all the energy into the blow.

A wide slash cut through Kaido’s skin. Blood burst from the wound and covered the scales on his chest.

“Boy, don’t tell me you can use conqueror's haki too!” Kaido looked surprised while he turned to Zoro.

Law did feel something resembling conqueror's haki. But he didn’t have time to dwell on the issue because Kaido aimed his bagua at Zoro. The swordsman was crumpled on the ground, unable to move. But when Law moved to get him, Kaido aimed his attack at Law and knocked him back. This time Law tasted blood in his mouth.

He heard another attack and agony erupted on Zoro’s side of the bond.

Kaido stood over them, barely out of breath.

“What a shame. If you’d come with me, we could have conquered the world…”

“With you?" The unexpected voice startled Law. "We’d never go with you, idiot. We love the samurai. Mark my words, you’re going down.”

Luffy was on his feet, facing away from Law. His head was bowed and his voice grave.

"After taking that hit from your club, I figured it out. You can infuse things with conqueror's haki."

Kaido burst out laughing. In a split second he lunged at Luffy.

"Only a handful of the very strongest can! Not a dead man walking!"

Kaido's hit didn't land. Luffy blocked the bagua without even touching it. A split second later he delivered a blow to Kaido's gut and followed with a haki infused blow to his jaw.

Kaido was knocked down and Luffy cracked his knuckles.

"Zoro, Torao, thanks for protecting me. You can go down now. I'm going to beat him no matter what it takes. Go ahead and let everyone know!"

"Quit your pathetic yapping," Rage's cutting voice carried around the roof.

Law turned his head. His gaze found Rage and five other women from her crew walking towards Kaido.

Her clothes and skin were smeared with blood. Her hair was singed and there were burn marks on her clothes. There were cuts and bruises on her skin which made Law worried. She should have healed that easily, why didn’t she use her powers?

When he peeked into the bond he found it throbbing with power. But it felt different than usual, it was forcefully pumped to the brim.

Rage was dragging something behind her. There was a shag of white hair wrapped around her fist.

She swung her arm and the object went flying.

Law's eyes went wide in horror when the severed head rolled on the ground in front of Kaido.

The emperor stared. His face was frozen in disbelief. For a long moment he didn't move, then his eyes switched to Rage.

"You killed Alber," his voice was ice cold.

"Was that his real name?" Rage scowled in distaste. "Hilarious."

"You're dead."

Kaido was ready to lunge, but Rage brought up her hand to gain his attention.

"Before you throw your angry fit, you need to know something," her tone voice was calm but commanding. The power trashed in the bond, looking for an outlet. She strained to contain it. "Even if you come out alive from this battle, you will lose everything. Look to the horizon," she pointed her finger towards inland. There were towers of smoke rising to the sky from far away. "Your weapon factories were blown up. Beast Pirate's ships are set on fire at this very moment. Your money vault is being emptied as we speak. The wine served to your crew was laced with venom. Even if the Beast Pirates manage to win this battle, most of your underlings will die a slow, painful death. There’s no cure for liquified organs"

Kaido burst out laughing.

"I don't care for your lies, girl."

"Then you are another stupid old man," Rage replied with a sneer. "Me and my crew, we did this shit before. You think you're special? You're just another mission to us. We had three months to set everything in place. Three whole months of flying under your radar. We got into your factories, into your barracks and your kitchens. We were the stumbling maids, the stuttering laundry washers, the kitchen maids, the factory workers and the whores you fucked. Everything we did was to make sure, you'll lose everything even if you win."

Movement caught Law’s eye. On the edge of the roof, right behind Kaido, Reaid appeared. Her surfboard was piled high with unmoving bodies. She made a hand sign and the women by Rage’s side slowly spread out, fanning out in front of Kaido.

“Thank you for waiting,” Rage addressed Kaido. “My girls are in place thanks to you patiently listening to my rant.”

“Hey! I’m taking him down!” Luffy protested.

“You can fuck off, if you want to live,” Rage sneered in response.

Then she vanished.

Kaido’s roar was followed with an explosion, when his thunder bagua connected with Rage’s punch. The conqueror’s haki exploded all around them and the explosion made a crack in the clouds above them.

“Take Zoro and go down,” one of Rage’s crewmates was suddenly by his side. She had black skin and short cropped blond hair. “We won’t be holding back and you’ll be caught in crossfire if you stay.”

Fire exploded all around Kaido, when Makonde spit out her venom.

Without any pause, two more black women slashed through the flames and right through Kaido’s skin.

He roared and retaliated with his dragon breath.

A body dropped from the sky a few meters from Law. Reid was pushing down bodies from her board, spreading them all over the place.

A huge swell of power caused him to turn to the fray.

There was a chain around Kaido’s neck held tightly by a big black woman. Rage was charging Kaido with haki infused fists and legs.

“Go, now!” The woman by Law’s side barked. She reached for her weapon, blades on a long chain and dipped them in a bag of silver powder. Then she jumped into the fight.

The last thing Law saw was Rage landing her punch, followed by a powerful kick. Blood flew from Kaido’s mouth. Then the world exploded in flames again.

He grabbed unmoving Zoro and carried him away from the roof.

[zombiekillerbiceps]

Unsung - Chapter 1: Party in Raccoon City

Notes: Oh boy I'm really in the long haul now lol

Content: 3.5kish, Leon X OC, slow burn, gore, angst, violence, spooky/eerie scenes, spoilers for RER2, I mix original and remake lore so it's not fully accurate to either game and also events are a little squishy for Plot Reasons.

A rookie cop and a video store clerk make for an unlikely pair as Vanessa and Leon rely on each other to make their way through an over-run Raccoon City, enduring horrors and heartbreak that would forge an unbreakable bond. Covers roughly the first half of the second game.

-----

Gutshot wounds always look so goofy in the movies. But the stomach acid leaking into her surrounding organs didn't feel very fucking goofy.

-

September 26th, 1998. The day the Raccoon City Incident stopped feeling like a bad dream. Things got bad so quickly. The water was the first to go. The power followed shortly behind. Vanessa's mom got bit trying to get them clean water. Their fridge smelled like rotting food and without any way to wash their can opener, their only way of eating safe food was starting to grow mold. The air smelled like smoke from some near by building burning into nothing. They couldn't stay there.

When it was clear her time with her mom was up, she took her sister and tried to get help from a neighbor.

And then it was just her.

She remembered hearing the police station was managing to hold down some order on the radio and she didn't feel like she had a lot of options. It took her days to work up the courage to go. She would pace the abandoned living room, hands shaking uncontrollably every time she reached for the door knob. But she knew she couldn't stay. It was in an alley just outside the police station where she was pinned down by one of the undead. It's body was stiff but inexplicably strong. The side of his face was rotting off the bone. The white of the ocular bone stood out against the grey flesh falling off it. It let out a choking groan as it tried to bring it's grotesque, stinking face to tear her throat out. There was a splatter of blood and it dropped.

Vanessa looked in the direction of the gunshot. His blonde hair was falling into his face, his cheeks already splattered with blood. He was wearing an RPD police jacket, his blue eyes scared, but unhesitant.

"Good thing I came along, huh?" his voice wavered a little when he tried to make a joke, lowering the gun as he did. A poor attempt at coping with humour.

He approached her, looking behind him once as he did, and put his hand on her elbow. His touch was gentle and warm, his expression serious and concerned. Beneath that there was a trace of relief, likely just as glad as she was to see someone alive. "Are you alright?"

Vanessa swallowed, then shrugged. What could she say? She looked down at the zombie at their feet and wanted to say something helpful or reassuring, but it felt like her words were stuck in her throat.

"Picked a stupid outfit to die in," she managed. His eyes widened at the morbidity of her humour, but glancing down at the hideous, orange bubble vest, he couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Come on," he said, "more will come."

"Are you going to the police station?" she asked, following him. He nodded, a strand of hair falling into his face. "Is it safe there?"

He turned to look at her. She could tell he wanted to say something comforting, but he settled on honesty.

"You'll be safe with me."

-

That was true, for the most part. He kept her tucked behind him when they were confronting zombies, except when he couldn't. He kept her in front of him when Mr. X found them. He taught her how to shoot, how to bandage a wound, how to block and how to find good cover. When she got enough practice, she tried to look out for him too. Though she was armed with nothing but a steel pipe for a good portion of their time in the RPD, she did her best to pry zombies off him when they got a hold on him. The cop's name was Leon Kennedy. He was good man, she thought. For a cop.

-

They were taking stock in the STARS office, waiting out the heavy clomping of Mr. X's boots around the area. The heavy, ever-present stomping of his massive frame made the entire station feel oppressive. He was always right where they didn't want him to be, and when he laid eyes on them, there was so little they could do to shake him. He never tired, never got injured. A constant, looming threat that was always, always just behind them. Terminator type shit.

She wondered who these people once were while they looted their desks. A stuffed fish above one with an NRA magazine, one with a beret and a picture of a handsome looking man, one at the very back with a medical bag... they were all so lived in. Then they were just... up and abandoned. Vanessa wondered if they'd killed any of them. If these people who were trained in special tactics turned, what chance did she and Leon have?

"I found a letter over here," she said, picking up a letter with a European stamp. "It's from some guy named Chris...?"

"Redfield?"

"Doesn't say. Small office though, probably not too many Chris's that work for STARS." Her eyes scanned the letter while Leon searched the medical bag for first aid spray. "I think it's in code. He's talking about... Umbrella, I think."

"So, he thought Umbrella was behind this?" Leon wondered out loud.

"It's addressed to a Jill. Maybe she did too."

Leon's eyebrows stitched together as he thought about it, searching his memory, before finally saying;

"Oh, shit. Those were some of the survivors of the Arklay Mansion Murders."

"Oh, shit," she remembered when the news about those murders broke. "Umbrella must have been behind that, too."

The clomping of heavy boots sounded again nearby. The sound made her want to scream - an action that would be certain death. She and Leon shared a look; a nod, as a silent agreement to be quiet. She sat down in front of the desk with the beret on it and Leon sat next to her. His elbows rested on his knees. His head rested against the desk. He looked exhausted. She mirrored him, pulling her knees up to her chest, hugging them instead. Her chin rested on the knee that wasn't swollen and bruised.

"How did you survive this long?" Leon asked quietly. Wearily. The distant look in his eyes was equal parts concerning and recognizable.

"Hiding, mostly," she admitted. "My uh... my little sister has these really sensitive taste buds. We have to- had to- buy the kid's bubble gum toothpaste for her cause the mint one is too 'spicy'. She hates the taste of tap water, so the three of us just got used to drinking bottled water."

"Are they..."

"No. I mean, yeah, technically. But they're still like, around. Probably still roaming the apartment complex. I couldn't..."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Leon said. She bit back tears; talking about them reopened the wound, but the compassion in his voice made her want to cry. "I uh. I lost my family too. Before all this."

"I'm sorry," she said. She reached out and squeezed one of his hands.

The door opened and Vanessa snapped her hand away. She fumbled for the pipe discarded at her side, but Leon was already kneeling on one knee, gun drawn and aimed. Claire raised her hands to her chest. Both Vanessa and Leon relaxed.

"Oh, we found this." Leon got up and handed Claire the letter. Their hands brushed when Claire took it. She read it once, then again.

"Thank you," she said, so sincere. A stab of jealousy threatened to fracture Vanessa's ribs, followed by guilt - must be nice to know your sibling's alive. Leon nodded, staring into Claire's eyes like it would save him from this shitty night.

Vanessa found the carpet suddenly very interesting. Their chemistry always made it feel like she was watching something she shouldn't be.

-

She spent most of her time in the RPD with Marvin. Vanessa learned it was supposed to be Leon's first day on the force - they got cake and everything - before things went to shit.

She knew he was bit. So did Leon, even if he didn't want to accept what that meant. She knew he was going to die. And then he was going to turn. So, she kept him company while he was still human. He told her about how Chief Irons ran off with some poor girl, and his Chief Deputy died. Marvin also told her about their efforts with Raccoon SWAT to try and establish the area around the station as a safe zone. He told her how that failed. When they tried to draw back, they were simply overwhelmed. He tried to cut off the better parts of the station from the parts completely overrun, but all it did was cut survivors off from safe passage and communication. He was the one that closed the shutters and diverted power to conserve it. He watched the cameras and tried to help survivors too.

He just tried so hard to protect people, and it seemed everything they did only exhausted and divided them. He managed to save a single truck full of people when he was attacked - Vanessa suspected that was the person he couldn't put down.

She told him about how she survived. How she heard the station was safe, and if it wasn't for him keeping the main hall secure, she and Leon and Claire would probably be dead too.

He showed her pictures of his wife and kid. So proud. She tried to commit them to memory. It felt important that at least someone remembered them.

He was practical. He thought of solutions, always looking for the next path to survival. Vanessa liked that about him. He didn't give up even when it was clear he'd been beat. He was the one that told them about the passage underground that might help them escape.

Vanessa was closest to him when he turned. He attacked her, and Leon had to put him down. He didn't hesitate, just like Marvin told them. It broke both their hearts.

She took his gun off his corpse to protect herself going forward. She wasn't a good shot, but it was better than nothing. In reality, though, she didn't take the gun just to fend for herself. She took it because she admired Marvin and she didn't want to forget him.

-

"So, what did you do before all this?" Leon asked, making conversation as they made their cautious way through the secret tunnel.

"Uh, let's see. Dropped out of high school to help my mom pay bills. I worked at the Redstone Video right beside the subway station, got to be assistant manager just a week after my 18th birthday. Really on my way to accomplishing great things."

"Sounds like it," he said sarcastically. "What about for fun?"

"Watch movies, mostly," she said. She thumbed the rough grip on Marvin's gun as they talked. This place was fucking eerie, but conversation helped keep her mind off it. "I had a crush on this guy who worked at the CD store across the street, sometimes we'd go to see local bands and stuff. I go on this message board for urban legends, too."

"I can't stand those," Leon said.

"Message boards?"

"No, urban legends. Ghost stories. They freak me out."

"Probably won't be freaked out by much when we get out of this," she said. "Hey, think you can push that cabinet back a bit so I can squeeze through? I can help push it on the other side."

Leon complied, pushing the heavy cabinet enough that she could squeeze through. She hadn't even stood to her full height when a freight train slammed into her.

The wind was knocked out of her so hard she thought her lungs had collapsed. She struggled to get air in her lungs while something hard and fleshy lifted her into the air. She distantly heard Leon screaming her name, and then she was being tossed over a railing. Her body slammed against something hard enough to crack something in her shoulder. At least it broke her fall a bit.

She wound up flat on her back, chest convulsing for need of air and panic. Her vision blurred but she could see her attacker's feet moving towards her. She thought the rotting corpses were bad, but this thing was on a whole other fucking level. Once a man in a lab coat but a grotesque growth overtook one of his arms and the side of his face. He screamed, running at her.

She wanted to get up and run, but her muscles wouldn't move.

Breathe.

Fucking BREATHE.

Finally her lungs took in air. Sweet, sweet oxygen flooded her lungs and, like a switch, her body came back to life. She managed to scramble to her knees and crawl behind a massive steel drum as a pipe slammed into the tile where she was just seconds ago.

"Vanessa!" Leon screamed again, putting his hands on the railing.

"Wait, no!" She yelled back, but her voice came out weak, and then he was leaping over the railing to the ground below.

Vanessa rolled under another attack. She was on her feet now. Adrenaline overtook her system, fight or flight kicking in as her sneakers pounded against the tile.

"What the fuck is this thing?!" she screamed, sliding beneath a mess of piping while it's arm slammed down on it, barely missing her. She snapped her head up.

"It's not going to stop!" Leon called out to her, firing a few shots at the thing. Vanessa watched the bullets land in it's skull, but it didn't seem phased.

Oh. Fuck.

"Watch it!" she yelled as the thing turned away from her to engage him instead.

It walked through Leon's fury of headshots like he was merely throwing rocks at it. Leon backed away, and then they were out of her line of sight.

She sprinted down the hallway, catching only glimpses of them between piping and steel drums. It's arm was freaking out like an independent animal. Pumping, pulsing, stretching. An eye opened in it's bicep?! Then it wrapped a clawed hand around Leon's waist and lifted him up in the air like he weighed nothing.

She turned the corner and dropped to one knee, just like Leon taught her to do to steady her shot. She held her breath while she aimed, then squeezed the trigger. A stream of blood and ocular fluid erupted from it's misplaced eye. It dropped Leon and roared.

It started swinging the pipe viciously, screaming in pain and rage.

Vanessa was in the flurry of it before she had time to think about what a bad idea that was. She hooked her arm under Leon's and half-dragged him out of there. He was on his feet by the time they turned a corner, both of them panting with effort.

"I don't think words are gonna work on this thing," Leon joked.

"Really? Thought all rational debates started with swinging a pipe," Vanessa retorted through her heavy breathing. They looked at each other, hands shaking, listening to this thing slam metal and piping with harsh, metallic reverb.

"Those pipes are putting off a lot of heat," she observed. "I have an idea. Are you with me?"

Leon nodded. She took a deep breath and peered around the corner, trying to locate the thing in the lab coat. She tracked it's movements, guessed which way it would go, and took aim. Deep breath, hold, slow exhale. A bullet grazed the bottom of a pipe. It burst, erupting in hot steam directly in the thing's face. It screamed again, the area around it obscured in steam. She gestured with her chin for Leon to go one way before she hooked around the other.

They pincer attacked the thing, one hitting from one side while the other came up the back. When it got a little too close, she'd pop another pipe, and their positions would be obscured again.

It went on like that for what felt like forever, a slog of bullets, blood, steam, and nearly getting brained by a fucked up hulking mass of eyes and pulsating veins.

They finally got it down. Vanessa approached to land what she prayed would be a final blow but hesitated. The eyes that looked up at her were... pleading. Its human hand came up and gripped the bottom of her shirt, its mouth open to say something but only able to gargle. There was something still human inside it, and it felt like he was begging her to kill him. Leon was the one that shot him, and that humanity drained out of it instantly. It fled, leaping over a railing to whatever lay below.

A shudder rocked Vanessa's body as the adrenaline crashed. She backed up against a wall and slid down it, Leon following her. They sat shoulder to shoulder, Leon resting his head against the wall, while Vanessa held hers in her hands. She couldn't stop seeing it... human eyes begging her to end it.

She looked at Leon out of the corner of her eye. Head tilted back, mouth parted to get more air, sweat shimmering on his skin... his eyes fluttered open and he looked back at her.

"Thanks for having my back back there," she said. He just smiled.

"We should get going before that thing comes back."

She nodded breathlessly. She wasn't ready to get back up, but he was right. He stood first, reaching out his hand to help her up. She accepted. He pulled her to her feet with relative ease.

Just then, a ladder dropped down in the corner of the room. A flash of red, and then it's gone. She and Leon looked at each other, then shrugged.

When his back was turned, she rolled her shoulder and tried not to wince. The pain kept her focused at least. Kept her mind off rotting flesh and pulsing veins and human eyes.

-