#they had to make it one sided because the world couldn’t handle their power

[ladders101]

no one told me trobed is canon in the yahoo season features???

[itneverendshere]

pogue reader getting sick but she can’t call out, but rafes fr mad at you about it

don't want less, don't want more - r.c

pairing: rafe x pogue!reader (bartender!reader universe)

changed it a bit just bc i want to show reader's progress regarding her hyper-independence, they're already dating and past the "i love you" phase, i felt like some progress had to be made by this point, especially bc this is after their big fight in this. hope you enjoy <3

The floor beneath you feels like it's tilting, moving under your feet like a boat rocking on rough water. You blink a couple of times, hoping that’ll shake the haze taking over your vision, but it doesn’t do much. 

The bar lights over your head are too bright, and the music thumping from the speakers makes your head feel like it’s trapped in a vice. The clink of glass, every laugh, every order shouted at you feels like a hammer driving nails straight into your skull.

You swallow hard, trying not to gag. Your throat’s raw, and your chest feels tight, but you’re powering through it because you don’t have much of a choice. Not a choice at all.

"Whiskey sour, extra sour!" some country club douchebag yells from the other side of the bar.

His voice is like nails on a chalkboard. You force a smile and nod, reaching for the bottle, but your hands are shaky. You catch yourself on the edge of the bar before you can drop it.

This morning, you could barely get out of bed. Fever burning through you like you were standing too close to a bonfire, throat too sore to talk, and your head pounding so hard you thought you were going to pass out just brushing your teeth. 

You tried calling in. Tried. Told your manager, Greg, that you were sick as hell, couldn’t make it, but the guy just grunted like he always does. "Can’t afford anyone calling out today," he said. Like the world was going to end if you didn’t show up to sling drinks for a bunch of rich assholes.

So here you are.

You rub the back of your neck, trying to loosen up some of the tension building there, but it doesn’t help. Nothing really does at this point.

"Hey!" The guy who ordered the whiskey sour snaps his fingers in your face. "You deaf or something? Whiskey. Sour."

"Got it," You mutter, trying not to let your voice crack as you finally pour his drink. 

Your vision swims a little as you set it down in front of him, and for a second, you think you might actually faint right here at the bar.

That’d be something. Faceplant into a bunch of overpriced cocktails in front of half of the Kooks on this island. Greg would probably just step over you and ask you to get back to work.

You lean against the bar for a second. Your stomach rolls, threatening to revolt, but you choke it back. You can’t afford to be sick here. Not when you’re already in trouble with your manager for barely making it on time. You think back to the half-assed breakfast you tried to eat—if you can call a slice of toast breakfast—and how your stomach rejected it like poison.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Rafe coming in. And suddenly, you’re even more aware of how wrecked you are.

You know he still struggles with how independent you are sometimes. You’ve always been the kind of girl who handles things on her own, and Rafe has this tendency to think that means you don’t need him.

Today, though? You need him more than ever, but you couldn’t bring yourself to call for help.

You immediately know it’s gonna be a thing.

His eyes lock onto you from across the bar, and even through the fog in your head, you can see that look on his face. He’s pissed. Of course, he’s pissed. His jaw’s clenched like he’s biting back whatever rant he’s about to drop on you, and you can already feel the tension creeping up your neck.

Great, as if you didn’t feel bad enough already.

You try to stand a little straighter, look a little less like you're one second from collapsing, but your legs are jelly, and the room’s still spinning like you’re on some messed-up carnival ride.

You don’t want him to see how bad you’re hurting right now. But today? You’re too out of it to even try and explain.

He strides up to the bar, looking sharp, as usual. Meanwhile, you probably look like death warmed over. His eyes are scanning you, taking in the pale face, the way you’re gripping the edge of the bar like you’re about to keel over. You see his lips tighten, and yeah, he’s definitely about to lay into you.

“You didn’t call,” he says, voice low but definitely annoyed. He leans in, trying to keep this between just the two of you, but with how loud the bar is, it still feels like a confrontation.

“I’m fine,” you lie, forcing a smile that probably looks more like a grimace. 

Rafe’s eyes narrow. He’s not buying it. “You look like you’re about to pass out. Why didn’t you call me?”

You hate that you feel guilty.

“Because I’m handling it,” you say, voice softer now. But even you can hear how weak you sound.

It’s not convincing. Hell, you’re not even convinced.

He crosses his arms, looking down at you like you’re a puzzle he can’t figure out. “Handling it? Baby, you can barely stand.”

You let out a sigh, trying not to let it turn into a cough.

"I’m fine," you repeat, but even you know it sounds pathetic at this point. Your head feels like it's full of cotton, you’re not sure if you’ll make it through the next few minutes, let alone your entire shift.

But pride’s a bitch.

Rafe just stands there, arms crossed, staring at you like he’s waiting for you to come clean. You can feel his frustration, but there’s something else, too. Worry. It’s in the way his eyes keep flicking over your face, how his fingers are tapping against his arm like he’s holding himself back from just scooping you up and carrying you out of here.

"I heard from Topper," he finally says, like he’s been holding that card in his back pocket. You blink, trying to keep up. "He saw you at the club earlier, said you didn’t look right."

Great. Freaking Topper. Of course, idiot couldn’t mind his own business. You can almost picture him, all dressed up in some preppy golf outfit, spotting you from across the course and making a note to text Rafe the second he saw something off.

Rafe’s still watching you, waiting for a reaction.

You open your mouth, trying to come up with some excuse, some way to brush it off, but your brain’s too foggy, and all you manage is a weak, "I was fine then."

He raises an eyebrow. "Yeah? 'Cause Top said you looked like you were about to hurl on the 9th hole." He’s trying to keep his voice low, but you can tell he’s annoyed. Not at Topper, not even really at you—just at the whole situation.

You want to snap back, tell him you’re fine, that you’ve got it under control. But instead, all that comes out is another tired sigh. “Greg wouldn’t let me call out. Said they needed me.”

“You serious?”

“Dead-serious.”

Rafe’s jaw clenches so tight you think you hear his teeth grind. His hands come out of his pockets, flexing like he’s about to hit something—or someone. He runs a hand through his hair like he’s trying to calm himself down before he says something he’ll regret.

But you know him—he’s never been great at holding back when he’s pissed. And right now? He’s definitely pissed.

“Greg said that?” His voice is low, but there’s this dangerous edge to it, like he’s two seconds away from losing it, “You should’ve called me. I would’ve come down here, I would’ve—”

“I know.” You cut him off because you do know.

He would’ve dropped everything and come running. That’s exactly why you didn’t call. You didn’t want to be the a burden again. Like you said, you’re still working on yourself.

Rafe leans against the bar, his whole body radiating this intensity that makes you feel both comforted and nervous.

“So, let me get this straight,” he says, voice louder now, not even bothering to keep it low-key anymore. “You’re sick as hell, and that asshole wouldn’t let you stay home?”

You wince. He’s drawing attention now, people at the bar starting to glance over. You hate seeing him like this, but you don’t have the energy to smooth things over.

“Rafe, please—” you start, but he cuts you off.

“No, seriously. What kind of fucking manager forces someone to come in when they’re this sick?” His voice carries, and a couple of the other bartenders are giving you looks, like they can’t decide if they’re more surprised or impressed by Rafe’s audacity, "You’re killing yourself for this job, and he doesn’t give a fuck.”

You glance toward the back, hoping Greg’s still in the office and not witnessing this meltdown. The last thing you need right now is more heat from him. But of course, your luck sucks, because just as Rafe’s ramping up, Greg strides out from the back, clipboard in hand, that same stupid scowl on his face like he’s already annoyed at everything.

Rafe spots him instantly, and if you thought he was mad before, now he’s on a whole other level.

"Greg!" Rafe calls out, loud enough that half the bar turns to look. Your stomach sinks. This is about to get ugly.

Greg stops dead in his tracks, his eyes flicking to Rafe and then back to you. He knows. He knows exactly what’s about to happen, and he’s already losing the upper hand.

“Yeah, Rafe?” Greg’s voice is weak, almost shaky. Like he’s trying to keep it together, but he knows he’s got no chance. Rafe’s family literally owns half the island—Greg’s just some middle manager with too much attitude.

Your boyfriend steps forward, slow and deliberate, closing the space between them like he’s already won this thing.

“You made her come in today?” His voice is calm, but it’s that scary kind of calm that’s worse than yelling. The kind that makes your stomach drop because you know the person holding it together is barely holding back.

Greg opens his mouth to respond, but all that comes out is this pathetic mumble. “We… we were short-staffed.”

Rafe raises an eyebrow, his lips pulling into this cold, humorless smile. “Short-staffed?” He glances at you, and you feel the heat rising in your cheeks. You really didn’t want this to turn into a scene, but here you are. “You see how she looks right now? You made her come in like this?”

Greg’s eyes flick back and forth between you and Rafe, and you can see the panic starting to set in. He’s sweating now, probably realizing that this little power trip he’s on is about to bite him in the ass. “She didn’t… uh… say she couldn’t work…”

“She told you she was sick,” Rafe cuts him off, voice like steel. “You’re the manager, right? Thought that meant taking care of your staff. Guess I was wrong.”

Greg’s mouth opens and closes like he’s trying to think of something to say, but nothing’s coming. He looks like a deer caught in headlights, knowing any move he makes right now could get him fired. Hell, maybe even blacklisted from every job on the island. The Cameron’s have that kind of pull.

“I-I didn’t realize how bad it was,” Greg finally stammers, but even he doesn’t sound convinced by his own excuse.

Rafe takes another step forward, practically towering over Greg now. “You didn’t realize?” He laughs, but there’s no warmth in it. “Look at her, man. How could you not realize?”

You wince as the room seems to get quieter, everyone watching this power struggle unfold. You’d rather be anywhere but here right now, but you also know that Rafe’s not letting this slide.

Greg takes a step back, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. 

“I-I was just trying to keep things running. We… we were slammed.”

Rafe’s smile drops, and now it’s just pure ice. “You think that’s a good enough reason to put my girlfriend’s health at risk?”

Greg looks like he’s about to pass out himself at this point, but he manages to mutter, “No… no, I—I didn’t mean…”

“Here’s the deal, Greg,” Rafe says, voice low but dangerous. “You’re gonna back off. Let her finish this shift if she wants. If she doesn’t? She’s out, no questions asked. And next time, when she says she’s sick, you listen.”

Greg nods so fast it’s like his head’s on a swivel. “Of course, of course, Rafe. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I just—”

“Good,” Rafe interrupts, already turning away like he’s done with this conversation. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

Greg just stands there, wide-eyed and frozen, clearly too scared to even argue. He stammers some half-hearted apology, but Rafe’s already turning back to you, brushing the whole thing off like it was nothing.

You look up at him, still in shock at how quickly Greg folded. “You really didn’t need to do that.”

He shrugs, leaning back against the bar with that easy confidence he always has. “Yeah, I did,” he says, his tone softening now that it’s just the two of you. “I’m not gonna let some nobody push you around like that.”

You sigh, feeling both relieved and slightly embarrassed. “You know he’s probably gonna hate me even more now.”

Rafe smirks, like that’s the least of his concerns. “Who cares? He won’t say a fuckin’ thing. Trust me.”

“Everyone’s going to say a thing, baby. They’re gonna think I have some kind of privilege because I’m dating you.”

Rafe’s smirk softens. He steps a little closer, lowering his voice so only you can hear him over the dull roar of the bar.

“Let them think whatever they want,” he says, his hand brushing against yours. “You’ve been busting your ass here long before I ever stepped in. Nobody can take that from you.”

You bite your lip, feeling everyone’s eyes on you, judgment and curiosity. He’s right in a way—you’ve been working extra hard. But still, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that now, everyone’s going to assume you’ve got some special treatment just because of Rafe’s name.

“It’s not about that,” you murmur, “I just—don’t want people thinking I can’t stand on my own. I don’t want to be the girl who hides behind her boyfriend’s power.”

Rafe tilts his head, studying you with that look he always gives when he knows you're holding back.

“You think that’s what this is?” His voice is steady, his tone a little softer now. “This wasn’t about power, baby. This was about someone treating you like you didn’t matter. And I’m not letting anyone—anyone—do that to you.”

He’s not wrong.

Greg didn’t give a damn about how sick you were, only about keeping the bar running, like you were replaceable. And you hate how right Rafe is, how much you needed someone to step in, even if it makes you feel a little helpless. You swallow hard, the tightness in your chest easing slightly, though your body still feels like it’s been run over by a truck.

“And you’re not working anymore today, or the next week for that matter. You’re gonna get your ass in my car and we’re going to the doctor.”

You nod, knowing there’s no arguing with Rafe when he’s like this, but part of you still feels guilty.

Not for needing help exactly, but for not being able to handle it all on your own. You've always been the girl who grits her teeth and gets through it, but today? Your body is screaming at you that you just can’t. Not anymore.

Rafe’s watching you closely, like he’s waiting for you to argue, but you don’t. You’re too drained. The adrenaline from the confrontation with Greg is wearing off, and now all you feel is this bone-deep exhaustion.

“I’m not going to a doctor,” you say, even though you know you probably should. “Just home. I just need to sleep.”

He narrows his eyes like he’s trying to read between the lines of what you’re saying, but then he just nods. “Fine. But if you’re not better by tomorrow, I’m dragging you to urgent care. No arguments.”

You give him a weak smile, trying to show you appreciate it even though you feel like crap.

“Deal.”

Without another word, he moves around the bar, ignoring Greg’s gawking and the way everyone’s still sneaking glances at you two. He gently takes the towel out of your hand, sets it on the counter, and slips an arm around your waist.

It’s the first time you’ve felt stable all day, leaning into him like you might actually make it to the car without collapsing.

“I don’t think I can afford an appointment.”

He looks at you like you’ve just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. His arm tightens around your waist, steadying you as you start to sway a little on your feet.

"Not worried about the money.”

You try to shake your head, but the movement makes you dizzy, and you stop, letting out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

"I just don’t want to be that person, you know? Relying on you for everything."

He gives you a side glance, eyebrows raised.

"Baby, you’re not relying on me for everything. You’re literally sick, and I’m not about to let you tough it out just because you’re too stubborn to ask for help. We’ve talked about this a million times.”

"I guess," you mumble, letting your head rest against his shoulder as you walk towards the door.

"No guessing about it," he says, softer now, his fingers brushing your arm in a way that makes you feel more grounded. "You’ve been holding down the fort for too long. Let me take care of you for once."

The air outside hits you like a slap, but Rafe keeps you close, leading you toward his car. Your legs are weak, the fever still simmering under your skin, but his body warmth keeps you upright.

"Thanks," you whisper, even though it feels weird to say. You’re not used to thanking people for basic care, but with Rafe, it feels different.

He pauses, opening the passenger door for you.

"You don’t gotta thank me, okay? I’m just doing what anyone who loves you would do."

Your heart skips at that. You’re still not used to how easily he says stuff like that, like it’s no big deal. But he’s rubbing off on you, because you can say it just as easily now.

“I love you too, sorry for being a pain in your ass.”

Rafe chuckles as he helps you into the car, leaning down to make sure you’re settled before he shuts the door. He bends down and presses a gentle kiss to your forehead.

"You're always a pain in my ass," he murmurs against your skin, grinning as he pulls back just enough to look at you. "But you’re my pain in the ass, and that’s what matters."

You can’t help but roll your eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at your lips despite how wrecked you feel. The fever, the headache, the exhaustion—it all takes a backseat, at least for a moment. 

Knowing Rafe’s always got your back? That makes it a little easier to breathe.

[ppomumgranatum]

the dance of love's sweet potion.

also available on Ao3

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

tags: fluff, one shot, you POV, house-neutral reader, jealousy, protective

word count: 5.3k

Warnings: MAJOR HEADCANNON, the books and the potions are all in my head just for the sake of this story, characters are in their 7th year, I finally caved and wrote the cliche protective and jealous seb and i fucking love it

Summary: When a potion meant to repel backfired, it became a mishap that turned your world upside down.

Notes: I was craving some fluff, so a fluff was created ❤️

Revulsaroma is a powerful potion that demands careful handling and discretion. Designed for specific situations where deterring unwanted advances or repelling individuals is necessary, its potency requires utmost caution. Ingredients: • 3 drops of essence of skunk cabbage • 2 crushed doxy wings • 1 teaspoon of powdered Boomslang skin • 4 ounces of extract from a Devil's Snare vine • 1 pinch of powdered Basilisk fang • Hair from the person brewing the potion

You carefully traced your finger along the intricate words laid out in the book you had kept from your parents’ dusty collection on potion making and meticulously followed the instructions. Taking advantage of the quiet after hours, you used the station at potion class to get on with your mission.

You’re not a pro in potion making per se, but the way you precisely measure out ingredients, stirring the potion with such poise, you feel as skilled as Professor Sharp– if he was plagued with a horrible disease of a red-haired boy goes by the name of Leander Prewett. 

For weeks, Leander had been following you around so relentlessly and constantly asking you out. It was cute at first but now it was starting to feel like pure harassment. Despite numerous rejection, it didn't seem like he’s the type of guy who understood the concept of boundaries and your patience was wearing extremely thin. 

You remembered an old potion you once came across when you were younger– Revulsaroma, a repelling potion. You figured it was time to revisit those pages since you’re in a dire need for a solution. 

You stirred the components inside of your cauldron with a pinch of determination, distress, and a lot of rage. The earthy and putrid notes filled the air and it was probably going to stick with you for a while but you surely hoped this was going to be worth it.

When the potion finally came to completion, you carefully transferred it to a pumpkin juice bottle to trick Leander into drinking it.

“Alright, that looks good.” You sighed in relief as you put the bottle down and stared at the securely stored dark liquid with pride, knowing that soon you’d be able to take a break from the unwanted attention. At least for a while just until you could figure out a permanent way to stop him, 

You proceeded to clean up your station and returned some tools that you took from the inventory room, making sure that everything was back in its rightful spot. Because Merlin knew that you couldn’t take another chide from Professor Sharp about the importance of being responsible and organised.

Just when everything was about to be restored to its pristine state, you heard a loud retching coming from the other room. When you rushed outside, you saw your bestfriend, hands desperately grasping the edge of your station, body racked with violent gagging, and breath ragged in a grave attempt to gasp for air.

“Sebastian?” You exclaimed while rushing to his side, “Are you alright?”

“Came to—bleughh—look for you,” Sebastian managed to say in between his guttural heaves.

“What’s wrong?” Your voice trailed off when you saw your pumpkin juice bottle collapsed and empty. Right at that moment, your eyes widened at the realisation that Sebastian just drank your Revulsaroma. “No, no, no. You bloody, bloody idiot!” 

Quickly, you summoned water from an empty jar that you found nearby and gave it to Sebastian who was still fighting the disgusting taste stuck in his throat.

Gulping down the entire water in a matter of milliseconds, Sebastian attempted to catch his breath, “Your pumpkin juice— is expired, by the way.”

“Oh my God, oh my God, Sebastian!” You ran your fingers through your hair in distress. What was already a pretty stressful situation just got a whole lot worse. 

“What?” He was truly not getting your frustration. He gagged once more, recoiling whatever last bit of that disgusting liquid he's tasting.

“That’s not pumpkin juice!” You scowled and gestured abruptly.

“What is it, then? Poison?” Every muscle on his face seemed to tensed up, still.

“Why would you fucking drink that? It was meant for Leander.” You grunted.

His grimace was then taken over by disbelief for a moment, “Gods, killing Leander is a bit extreme, don’t you think? Even for me.”

“No—ugh,” You sighed heavily, feeling totally overwhelmed. Slumping on your station, you rested your head on it "This is bad. It's really bad."

“You're freaking me out. What is it?”

You lifted your head from the table, meeting his concerned gaze with a weary expression.

“It’s a potion called Revulsaroma. It is supposed to repel whoever drinks it.” You admitted.

Sebastian was still focused on getting the foul taste out of his tongue, but his eyes were quickly narrowed in the scrutiny of your last sentence, “And why exactly are you trying to repel Leander?”

Catching Sebastian's look, a twinge of guilt pricked at you. You winced inwardly, realising you'd never really spilled the beans to Sebastian about the whole Leander debacle. Partly because you didn’t want to give him the wrong idea and thinking that there was anything romantic going on between you and the Gryffindor boy. 

The line on your relationship with Sebastian had always been blurry, if you could be honest. You’re obviously friends—best friends—but at the same time, the chemistry between the two of you would be such a waste to stay as friends.

You’d occasionally exchange innocent flirting, teasing each other and bantering in a way that felt more than platonic. You couldn't deny the butterflies in your stomach that fluttered every time he smiled at you and the way you felt when he complimented you.

Things had been going very well lately, and you'd like to think you had a shot to turn it into something more.

But now, he’s consumed the one thing that was going to seal the chance you have with him. Because whatever feeling he was going to feel, the potion was supposed to make him feel it so strongly. 

The thought of losing Sebastian terrified you.

“That’s not what we’re supposed to be focusing on.” You diverted the topic and reached out to your book, checking for things to look out for. Your eyes trailed the ink that explains the detail of the potion.

You noticed Sebastian had shifted his weight from the corner of your eye, moving somewhat uncomfortable in his feet.

"But what does that mean for me?" he asked.

You sighed, trying to collect your thoughts. "According to the potion's effects, you're supposed to start feeling aversions towards me," you explained, gesturing towards the brewing cauldron with a frustrated gesture. "and I have no idea how to reverse it.”

Your voice was heavy with disappointment. The same emotion was written all over Sebastian's face. There was silence as you both processed the fact that there was no quick fix to this mess.

“So, I’m supposed to hate you? Just like that?”

“That’s kind of the whole point of the potion.”

Sebastian's eyes scanned the cluttered laboratory, a look of resignation settling over his features. "Well, this is just great," he muttered under his breath. Sebastian's complexion turned paler, a nauseous expression crossing his features, "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Sebastian stood there, his hand pressed against his stomach, unsure if the wave of nausea washing over him was solely due to the potion's effects or the unsettling thought of hating you.

But then he felt his body teetering on the brink of collapse. You grappled his arm to provide support but his condition worsened in an instant and he started to fall backwards. Using every ounce of your strength, you were struggling to keep him upright because damn this boy was heavy. And when his weight eventually bore you down, you lowered him down gently.

There was no response even after you called out his name and shook his body. His breathing was laboured and you were panicking. You didn’t know the potion would be this strong.

Spotting a group of students who were passing by outside of the classroom, you called out to them for assistance. Sebastian was then taken to the infirmary and was given proper treatment by Nurse Blainey.

You had to awkwardly explain what caused the brunette to lose his consciousness. Given the fact that you were practising and using potions for non-study purposes, disciplinary action was necessary and you were required to attend detention tomorrow.

When you returned to your room that night, all you did was shift around in your bed. Spending the entire night thinking about Sebastian and how he will wake up in the morning hating you.

But for now, all you could do was wait.

 - 

When the sun rose, you were quick to get back on your feet and head towards the infirmary to check on Sebastian before breakfast started. But to your surprise, he was no longer there. Nurse Blainey said he woke up all energetic and there were no signs of any disturbance so she allowed him to get on with school.

You were slightly relieved to know that Sebastian was feeling better. Although the question of his feelings towards you remained unknown.

So you ventured on, heading to the Great Hall for breakfast. Moving along with a crowd of students who were also making their way to the venue you suddenly bumped into someone.

“Oh, sorry.” You glanced up to see it was no other than Sebastian, “Hey, I was looking for you.”

You’ve caused some traffic considering you abruptly stopped in the middle of a walkaway crowd. Some were bumping into you and muttered under their breaths in annoyance. It was a horrible time to be upsetting people—hungry and grumpy people.

So Sebastian dragged you away from the crowd. You were caught a little bit off guard at the sudden tug on your elbow. Your feet were almost stumbling around trying to catch up to Sebastian’s pace.

“Are you insane?” Was the first thing he said when you found a quiet little corner away from the bustling people.

Your stomach clenched. 

This was it. 

The memories you shared for the past two years dramatically flashed before your eyes— the adventures, the late night studies, the stupid unfunny jokes he made but you laughed at them anyway— fuck. 

This was it.. he hated you.

“Why would you tell Nurse Blainey the truth about everything?” He sounded quite aggravated. Unexpectedly, it was not for the reason you thought it would be— albeit he should be angry towards you for no reason at all considering the potion.

Your mouth gaped open but you were struggling to find the words. 

"You could've just said it was a bad batch for our assignment," He explained. "You didn't have to get detention for it."

“What?” You finally managed to sputter out.

“Blainey said she gave you detention.” He added, “I feel bad.”

You can’t feel bad for someone you hate unless they fall into lava and viciously die or something. Because to feel bad meant having empathy, and to feel empathy meant he cared, which meant he didn’t hate you and the potion never worked.

Right?

“So you don’t hate me?” You asked carefully.

His tensed brows gradually softened as realisation dawned on him. He was so focused on you that he never really thought of what the potion was supposed to make him feel.

“I don’t, actually.” He sounded relieved and as were you upon hearing his confirmation, “I guess the potion never worked after all.”

Relief washed over you like a cool breeze on a hot day. Though you started wondering if the potion didn’t work on Sebastian, it might’ve not worked on Leander either. Which meant you were back to square one, trying to figure out how to deal with his annoying arse. 

But it was a problem you didn’t want to think about too much at the moment. You were just glad your friendship with Sebastian remained intact despite the unfortunate mishap.

“So what did Blainey assign you to do?”

“She said Scribner has been fussing over some organising issues.” You grumbled, “She told me to give her some assistance after classes.”

“Yikes.” Sebastian said, “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” You retorted, “Are you really feeling alright?”

“As normal as I can be.” He smiled reassuringly, “Though, you still haven’t told me why you were trying to repel Leander.”

“He just..” You hesitated for a moment,  annoys me.” 

Technically, you didn’t lie. Leander’s entire antics had been nothing but annoying to you. Sebastian only pursed his lips and nodded. Be that as it may, his eyes were looking at you rather dubiously. But he didn’t pry further.

–

After breakfast, you had some time to kill before class started. You found yourself seeking solace in the quiet lounge area near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. With a book on Revulsaroma in hand, you sought answers in its pages that you might have missed. It explained further about its history and the past research on this potion. As you delved deeper, a particular section caught your eye that described a crucial detail—

The Revulsaroma potion's effectiveness in repelling a drinker is contingent upon the absence of strong positive emotions towards the potion-maker. If the drinker harbours genuine affection for the potion-maker, the potion's repelling properties may be nullified or significantly weakened. This phenomenon is attributed to the potent influence of positive emotions, which can act as a counterforce against the potion's intended repulsion.

Before you could dwell on it further, Leander plopped beside you out of nowhere and casually draped his arm around your shoulder, interrupting your thoughts.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He greeted you with a smile so charming if he wasn’t so pushy about it you could see yourself giving in to his cheesy escapades. You subtly shifted away from the sudden proximity, hoping he would take the hint some time.

“Good morning, Leander.” You replied politely.

He seemed to be undeterred by your subtle attempt because he leaned in closer, “So, I was thinking, with the weather getting nicer and all, let’s take a trip around the highlands.” He sounded so enthusiastic for a suggestion that’s so inappropriate, “We could explore the beautiful scenery. My family has this cosy little cottage just outside of Keenbridge that we can use. What do you think?”

You scrunched up your nose because it sounded bloody ridiculous, “A bit intimate, don’t you think?”

“What’s wrong with a little bit of intimacy?”

“Nothing wrong with it, of course. If you’re a couple.”

“Oh, come on. You’ll love it.” Leander’s enthusiasm didn’t waver, if anything he sounded even more excited. 

“It’s too much—”

He interrupted you with a tone so persuasive, “Okay fine, how about just a simple Hogsmeade date, then?”

You sighed at his persistence. It’s really getting too much. 

“Leander, it’s really sweet but—”

Suddenly, your conversation was interrupted by a looming shadow casted over the both of you. Glancing up, you saw Sebastian standing there with an uncharacteristically serious expression.

“I’m going to count to three, Prewett, and you are going to stand up and get your arse the fuck out of here.”  He demanded.

“What are you going to do about it if I don’t?” He was annoyed  by Sebastian's sudden intervention.

The brunette’s gaze was focused on the way Leander had his arms wrapped around your shoulder and the way his hand was caressing your arm at the same time. Then he stared dead into Leander's eyes, “You don’t want to find out.”

Somehow you found yourself caught in the middle of the sudden hostility. 

“Sebastian.” You warned him softly.

“Ignore him.” Leander didn't care for the threat. But Sebastian wasn’t having it and when Leander was ready to ignore him and continue his conversation with you, Sebastian grabbed him by his collar that it forced Leander to stand up, and he dragged the red haired boy away and slammed his back into a nearby pillar.

“I told you to fucking stand up and get out of here.” Sebastian scowled.

“Get your filthy hands off of me.” Leander attempted to shrug off Sebastian’s grip but it only grew tighter.

“Then you better get yours away from her.” His voice was so low and menacing. You had no idea what possessed him, because as aggressive as Sebastian could get he wouldn’t be so quick to resort to anything so recklessly physical unless it’s necessary— at least not anymore.

“Are you both out of your minds?” You stood beside the conflicting boys, “Stop being children or you will get into trouble.” The confrontation was drawing more attention from onlookers, and you could sense the tension rising. 

A crowd started gathering around to see what the fuss was about. Students nearby paused and turned their heads, curious about the commotion. Whispers and side conversations began to buzz through the group as they watched the confrontation unfold.

You felt a bit awkward with the sudden attention. The whole thing was getting more dramatic than you'd anticipated, and you just wanted to find a way to sort it out before it got worse.

“What is your problem, Sallow?” 

“You are the problem, Prewett. Can’t you take the hint?”

“It’s none of your business.” The Gryffindor boy was defensive— as anyone would be if someone just randomly shoved you into the wall and told you what to do. 

“It becomes my business when you decide to harass her.”

“You are making a scene. Stop it.” You warned them, hoping they would steer away from the conflict. But they were still too busy with each other.

“Trying to be a big hero, aren’t you? Protecting her?” Leander was clearly taunting him. Sebastian wouldn’t usually allow himself to be bothered by whatever nonsense Leander would do. But this time was different,  “She doesn’t need you. She can make her own decision.”

“And she did, when she said no.” Sebastian retorted sharply, “So back off.”

“If you are so worried about me taking her out then you should’ve asked her first. Don’t come here and act all heroic because you missed your chance.” Leander fired back, “If you weren’t such a coward—-”

There went the last cell of Sebastian’s brain that allowed him to think rationally when he decided to punch Leander in the face, sending the red-haired boy stumbling and his nose bleeding. 

“Sebastian!” You stepped in between them, trying to push Sebastian back behind the line he just crossed. His eyes were glaring and breaths were rather ragged from the anger, “What the fuck are you doing?”

After being punched unexpectedly, Leander's pride and dignity were hurt. He wouldn't tolerate being attacked without retaliating. He mustered all of his anger and frustration to punch Sebastian with all of his force. 

But before he could, Sebastian struck again, landing a second punch on his face. Leander stumbled backwards again, but this time he was quicker to get back on his feet and lunged forward, swinging his fists wildly. 

Sebastian was able to dodge a few of his blows, but Leander managed to land a couple of powerful punches on Sebastian's cheek. 

Sebastian stepped back, his face red from pain and anger. Now the two of them had no choice but to fight, and you had no choice but to look for some help. Luckily, it wasn’t long for you to reach Professor Hecat, because when you returned to the brawl, Leander was already pinned to the floor with Sebastian on top of him, landing more punches.

Professor Hecat swiftly casted a spell that immediately shoved both of them away from each other. 

The two boys stood there with battered faces and were later sent to the same detention as you.

You had no desire in conversing with idiots, so when the three of you shared the space on one of the library aisle, organising books, you gave all your might to ignore them, especially Sebastian.

You thought he’d left his impetuous behaviour back in the catacombs two years ago, but clearly you were wrong. The way you aggressively shoved books into places allowed Sebastian to notice that you were furious.

“I know you’re angry at me.” He said, breaking the silence.

“Oh really? Didn’t think you’d notice. I was being subtle.” You replied sarcastically.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what had gotten into me.” His voice was soft but outright, “You know I don't fight muggle-style.”

You remained cold. There was nothing about his apology that made you feel better. So you continued to ignore him and he tried to speak up again.

“Can we talk?” He pleaded but you ignored him. You picked up a stack of books and moved to the next aisle to shelve them in their proper places.

Sebastian followed you behind, not backing down, “I’m really, really, sorry.”

He seemed genuinely apologetic, but you were reluctant to give in. After all, his actions had caused this entire mess and resulted in the two boys getting detention.

You didn’t want to argue with him, but you couldn’t resist making a point.

“Tell that to Leander and his broken nose.”

Sebastian let out a scoff, “I’m not sorry about that.”

“Seriously Sebastian? You hit him first. He just reacted.” You turned to face him this time.

"He was harassing you," Sebastian defended himself, "I had to do something."

"Did you have to punch him in the face? Repeatedly?”

“Why are you defending him?” His tone was rising, "What do you expect me to do? Just stand by and let him flirt with you?"

“What is so wrong with that?”

“Because—” Then he stopped himself. Eyes flustered and flicked between yours like he was trying to gather his own thoughts. Then he let out a frustrated sigh,  “Leander is a self-oriented, self-indulgent, arrogant, selfish, insufferable jerk.”

You shook your head in disbelief and stared dead at him in the eye, “Well, right now it sounds like you were just describing yourself, Sebastian.”

Before you could say anything else, you left him alone in the aisle and this time he didn’t follow you.

—

It was Saturday morning, and while you had no classes to attend, you were still stuck with detention for a portion of the day. Not only did this eat into your weekend leisure time, but you also had to spend it without talking to Sebastian.

You sighed as you placed books somewhere in the corner of the library right where they belonged. 

Couldn’t help but think that spending your weekend somewhere in the castle, perhaps the undercroft, reading books and being alone together with Sebastian was where you belonged. 

Time sure felt lonely without his presence.

Then as if he could read your mind from miles away he showed up, “Do you like Leander?”

Shocked and confused by the sudden question you turned to find Sebastian standing at the end of the aisle.

His face was a patchwork of bruises and cuts, a visible reminder of the fight he had gotten into with Leander. A purplish bruise marred his cheek, and a small cut above his eyebrow was still fresh. Despite his battered appearance, his eyes were focused intently on you, filled with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

“What?” You asked.

“I spent the entire night thinking about you. I thought maybe you like Leander, because why did you defend him so much yesterday?” He rambled.

You opened your mouth to say something but Sebastian wasn’t finished.

“But then I thought, if you liked him, why did you want to repel him with the potion?” He continued, “And why did you reject him when he asked you out? Five times, over the past month.”

You opened your mouth again, but this time every single word you have learned seemed to have fallen over your head because not a single thing came to your mind.

There were two things that surprised you.

One, Sebastian spent the entire night thinking about you.

Two, Sebastian knew that Leander had been asking you out.

And your brain did not know which one to stress about first.

“You knew about Leander?” You finally said.

“We share every class everyday. You don’t think I’d notice?” He replied with another question, “He wasn’t subtle about it either. Was I not supposed to know?”

You fell quiet, unsure of what to say next. The more you opened your mouth, the more you found yourself with nothing to say. 

Sebastian waited for your response, but when it did not come, he continued, “Why did you keep rejecting him?”

You shrugged, slightly flustered, “Simply because I don’t want to go out with him.”

“Why did you not tell me about him, then?”

“It wasn’t worth mentioning,” you replied, avoiding his gaze.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Sebastian stared at you, as if he couldn’t believe your answer.

“It was pointless,” Your tone was rising slightly, “It’s not like I would ever date Leander. I wasn’t even giving him a second thought. So It doesn’t matter.”

Sebastian was silent for a beat before he spoke again. “It matters to me.”

Your pulse raced, and the air suddenly felt tighter.

Sebastian was staring at you, his eyes intent and penetrating. The silence stretched on, and you had to force yourself to look him in the eye

“Everything about you matters to me. You’re my best friend. We’re supposed to share everything, right?” He added, “Isn’t that what best friends do?”

As you stood there, guilt was eating you inside out. Your decision to leave him in the dark unexpectedly hurt him more than you thought. The look in his eyes was so unfamiliar you couldn’t pinpoint his emotion.

He took a step closer.

“Why do you care so much? It’s just Leander.”

“Don’t you get it?” He said softly, “It’s not about Leander. It’s about the fact that he’s been asking you out, flirting with you relentlessly, being so close with you.. in a way that is supposed to be only for me.”

You stood there, stunned. His words hit you like a bolt of lightning, and you felt a mix of shock and confusion wash over you.

Sebastian took another step towards you, his gaze steady and unbreaking, and it was piercing through your soul.

“It’s supposed to be just for me” He repeated the phrase as if he was talking to himself. The look in his eyes was intense, and you could feel how important this was to him.

A moment passed until you realised that you should respond. The longer you stayed silent, the worse it felt. So you spoke up, “Are you jealous?”

“Yes.” He simply replied.

His response set your body ablaze. You could feel your heart pounding in your throat.

“I was supposed to hate you, but instead I woke up that morning in the infirmary and I couldn’t be more sure that I am utterly and completely in love with you.” His voice dropped, “And when I saw you with Leander and hearing all the things that he said, I meant it when I told you I had no idea what had gotten into me but all I knew was every single cell in my body was on fire.”

You thought for sure your heart would explode as all of this sunk in. You had expected anything but a confession. Your heart was beating so fast and hard that you had to concentrate on breathing, or else it felt like you couldn't breathe.

“I spent the entire night thinking about all of the time we've spent.” He added, “I can't stop thinking about the sound of your laughter. The way you'd still genuinely laugh at the most unfunny joke I would tell. Or how your usual bright eyes would fall into a deep immersion when you read. And the way your delicate finger hovers over the edge of a page, turning it over.”

A smile tugged on the corner of Sebastian's lips as he recalled every little detail about you that only he would care about. The beat of your heart went faster with each syllable that came out of his mouth and every nerve in your body was shaking.

“I always wonder how the touch of those fingertips would feel on my skin,” There were so many things he wanted to say to you. Every detail of you that made him so desperately in love, “and how perfect your fingers would be intertwining with mine.”

For a moment, you were one-hundred percent sure this was all a dream. Because everything around you seemed so blurry and all of the sudden everything felt surreal. But when Sebastian took another step closer, and another until he was close enough to grab your hands and intertwine your fingers together, the haze dissipated. The way his touch alerted every single nerve in your body, you knew that this was real— he was real and he was in love with you.

The two of you stood there, inches apart, staring at each other with your emotions overflowing.

“We belong together.” You could see that his intensity and raw emotion was getting the better of him. His words were coming out quick and sudden, “I should’ve asked you out long before Leander did. Just another stupid mistake I made.”

He inched closer and closer until you felt Sebastian's breath on your lips, and your body trembled in anticipation. You took a deep breath and let yourself fall into the moment.

“You could’ve been too late, you know?” You whispered.

“Am I?”

You shook your head and smiled against his lips, “No, you’re not. I’ve been stupidly waiting for you.”

Sebastian's voice was soft and tender as he spoke again, “I’m glad we’re both stupid enough, then. And for many other things that make me glad you're finally mine."

“Even the potion?” You smirked.

“Especially the damn potion.” A smile spread across Sebastian's face.

Your breaths were laced with desire, and your thoughts went to the first kiss between the two of you were going to share. It felt surreal to have arrived at this moment that you had both anticipated for so long.

Your lips were close enough to touch. Your hearts were beating so loudly. And in this moment, it felt like a moment out of time.

When his lips met yours, the world seemed to melt away and everything else faded into the background. It was everything it had built up to be—hot and passionate and exciting.

You kissed him deeply and all was right with the world. Sebastian's hands wrapped around your back, and yours around his neck. 

Your senses were all focused on Sebastian, on the kiss and the way he made you feel. This was what you had been waiting for, and it was everything you dreamed of and more.

When you pulled away, your eyes were locked and you found yourselves smiling uncontrollably. There was nothing left to feel awkward or unsure of, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted.

Sebastian brushed his fingers through your hair. You were finally getting your happiness.

"I love you," He whispered against your lips.

“I love you, too.” you replied softly, brushing your noses together.

You spent the rest of the day making out in the deepest corner of the library, neglecting your detention. And when Madam Scribner found the two of you some time later, all dishevelled, you were granted another detention time.

But neither of you cared. Because it was all worth it.

In an extremely rare case, the Revulsaroma potion could have an unprecedented effect, completely opposite to its intended repelling nature. Rather than nullifying or weakening, the potion might paradoxically amplify and reinforce any existing strong positive feelings that the drinker harboured towards the potion-maker. Due to genuine and deep-seated love for the maker, the drinker might experience a surge of intense emotions that can be both overwhelming and consuming, such as, jealousy, protectiveness, and overwhelming affection.

[lovezella]

The Witch Westeros

CHAPTER ONE - sneaking in a castle

disclaimer:

I do not own House of the Dragon nor the Scarlet Witch and her powers. Credits to Marvel and Stan Lee.

gif not mine, I got it from pinterest.

this fanfic does not follow the plot of the series nor its books. storyline belongs to me.

note:

as promised, here's the chapter two! i am so sorry for leaving this ff discontinued but i lost my motivation in writing and continuing it, so i hope y'all forgive me😭 and ofc, the suggestions for the love interest is still open! that's all, thank you xx

warning:

mentions of wound and blood but that's all (i think) NOT EDITED!!

Rhaenyra Targaryen paced around her chambers with a frown on her face. She was angry, sad, and betrayed. Her son, Lucerys, has been missing for three days and no one knows where he is or if he is alive. His dragon, Arrax, arrived wounded at the castle without his rider this morning and Rhaenyra’s paranoia grew. Her eldest son Jacaerys wouldn’t rest and flew with his dragon all day to look for his brother. Rhaenyra had soldiers roaming around King’s Landing and where he was last discovered, in hopes that they would find him.

Her son Joffrey’s name day is to be celebrated tomorrow but she couldn’t find it in her to celebrate while her second born son was out there missing. Alicent had suggested to have a gathering in honour of Joffrey’s name day, despite the young prince’s protest of not wanting to celebrate without his elder brother. Her father, Viserys, couldn’t have a say about it since he’s currently bedridden because of some sickness— that her uncle Daemon seems so sure that it was the greens’ doing.

Rhaenyra sat on her bed and sighed. She hoped that her son was alive, if not, she prayed for the one who caused his death that would receive her wrath.

-x-

You were used to not getting enough sleep in the past. Often staying up, staring at the ceiling and thinking of your family and ‘what ifs’ invading your mind. However, tonight was different. You shifted on your side, pulling your blanket up to cover you more as you pondered the events that can occur tomorrow.

When you saw a floating body on the waters yesterday, you never imagined it would be a prince. Maybe a commoner, a soldier harmed from a war, or even a pirate—do they even exist in this world? Hell, you don’t know,— but a prince? If you were to waltz into the castle with the young prince who was declared missing, you might—no, you will get into more trouble.

You let out a groan, rubbing your face tiredly. There goes your plan to lay low until you find a way to go back to your universe. Sighing, you gave up trying to sleep and went down to the kitchen, hoping baking will help you ease your nerves.

Tomorrow is going to be fun.

-x-

Lucerys Valeryon woke up with the sun beaming on his face, the distinct sound of the waves from outside and the fresh smell of bread making him realize where he was. He winced as he sat up from the soft bed he laid, rubbing his torso and arm where a cloth wrapped around his wound. He looked down and softly sighed, seeing the blood seeping on the cloth. Lucerys mustered up the strength to stand up and walked to the kitchen, ignoring the shooting pain on his muscles each step he took.

The sound of footsteps snapped you out of your thoughts and you looked up, seeing the young prince you took in last night staggered in.

“Dear, you should be in bed!” You fussed, meeting him half way and guiding him on a stool. You tsked, grabbing another cloth to rewrap his wounds. “How are you going to heal if you are not resting?”

Lucerys shook his head, “I’m alright, my lady. I don’t think I can handle being in bed for too long.”

“Such a stubborn boy,” You sighed, focusing on your task in hand. Lucerys didn’t reply but stared at the dozen plates of bread and dishes on the table. You finished wrapping his arm and torso with a cloth and saw his gaze at your table.

Your face flushed from embarrassment, “I…I cook and bake when I’m nervous.” you explained, throwing the bloody cloth away, “It helps me get my mind off of things.”

Lucerys smiled lightly, thinking of his brother who does the same thing with training when he wants a distraction. “There’s no need to be ashamed, my lady. My brother does it too. He drowns himself in training to distract him from his duties or well…everything.” You stare at him with a light smile, seeing the warm look on his face as he talks about his brother.

You stood up to fetch him breakfast, grabbing two plates from the table which consisted of scrambled eggs and bacon and a piece of butter toast— all you made from scratch. Since this period is lacking supplies you needed to cook, you decided to just conjure some from your magic. No one would know, and if they do, you can just erase their memories. Easy as a pie. You placed the plates on your living room table since you can’t eat at the kitchen table, and pushed Lucerys’ food to his side. Lucerys stared at the plate in front of him with a confused look on his face.

“My lady, I do not mean to offend you, but…what exactly is this?” He asked, hesitantly picking the fork up.

You chuckled and waved a hand, “Don’t worry, Luke, you didn’t offend me. That is scrambled eggs, bacon and butter toast.” You hoped it was enough for him as you were sure he eats more grand foods growing up.

“That is quite…peculiar.” Lucerys raised an eyebrow, “I have never heard of such a meal.”

You paused as you were about to take a bite. Shit, you forgot people from this era are used to eating just bread, fruits, and wine in the morning. “It’s a traditional meal from my home.” you quickly came up with an excuse, “Meals like this are common when we break our fast.”

Lucerys accepted your answer and took a bite of his food, eyes widening as he chewed. “This is delicious!” he exclaimed once he swallowed. “I should visit your home country if the food is as delicious as this.”

Not knowing how to reply, you just chuckled and nodded. You both ate breakfast in silence, caught up with your own thoughts to make a conversation leading to an awkward silence. You cleared your throat, “I was thinking that we should visit the castle once they finished the celebration. In that case, we would not be causing a ruckus and you can get to your family safely.”

“My lady, if I may,” Lucerys started, “I…I want to attend my brother’s name day.” You purse your lips at his words. You had figured he would say that and already formed a plan to sneak you both in.

“I can make it happen—” You said, and the young boy’s eyes widened in delight, “—But we have to do it discreetly.”

“And how, my lady, are we going to do that? I thought only invited high borns are allowed to attend? Are you a high born, my lady?” Lucerys couldn’t help but ask. Your house doesn’t exactly scream noble or rich to him, but he wouldn’t say it out loud. Although, from your looks, posture and manners, some can mistake you as one.

You chuckled, seeing the curious look on his face. You know he doesn’t mean any offense, he’s young and it’s normal for him to be curious. “No, but I can be very convincing.” You winked, subtly making your eye flash red. Lucerys didn’t seem to notice but trusted your words enough. After all, you did save him.

“We leave tonight, is that alright?” You asked, gesturing to his wounds. Lucerys nodded furiously, excited to see his family.

-x-

The moon shined bright and the streets were alive as ever for the celebration of the prince’s name day. Lucerys and you strode to the castle with hoods up to cover your faces. As you approached, a wheelhouse passed through the open gates before it snapped shut. Knights stood by the side; one was staring at you and Lucerys with a suspicious look.

Lucerys tugged your hand, “Perhaps we should just leave. We won’t be able to cross them.” his eyes nervously looking anywhere but the knights.

“It’s alright.” You squeezed his hand and walked confidently to the knights. “We’re here for the gathering.” you said with a smile.

The knight scoffed and said, “High borns only, lass. Your kind is not allowed here. I’m not letting you in.”

Lucerys glared at his offense but you tugged his hand, silently telling him to stay down.

“Oh, but you will.” You tilted your head, your iris turning red and with simple magic, the knight was under your control. “We are from House Maximoff, will you let us in?”

“Of course, my lady.” The knight said in a monotone voice. He shouted orders and before you knew it, the castle gates were open.

[an0nymousmessenger]

Next Time We Meet

Synopsis: To go North or South? tags. fluff, angst, gn!reader Word Count: 1.9k Ao3 Link

“Yo.”

“Gah!”

Geto laughs, his voice deep and rich as he watches Gojo choke on air, “How rude, and right after seeing me.”

Gojo shoots Geto a look that says 'Really? This is how you greet me after so long?' and slumps back in the airport seat, spreading out without any regard for personal space. He frowns, looking up at the ceiling with a sigh. "No way. Could things get any worse?"

You snort from the other side of where Gojo sits, legs crossed, supporting your face with your hand. "C'mon, is seeing your old friends again really that disappointing?"

Gojo flinched at your sudden voice, his laidback body language suddenly tense.

It was as if he couldn’t believe you were here. Whole and well.

You notice, and tilt your head while asking in a teasing voice, “Hm~? What’s wrong?”

However, he recovered quickly, answering only a beat late in his whiny voice that it was hard to wonder if it ever happened at all, “You don’t get it!”

“Does it matter anyway?” Geto asks.

Gojo complains, "I told one of my students that when you die, you die alone! Now I seem like a liar!"

You laugh at how despite waking up in another place with his old friends, the only thing on his mind at the moment was something he told his students in passing, and that his only concern was how it made him look bad.

At the sound of your laughter, Gojo finally turns his head to look at you. You were so busy laughing at Gojo’s suffering that you missed the way his blue pupils seemed to shake as he soaked in the sound of your laugh, and the subtle trembling of his lips so faint it was barely noticeable.

“You speak as if you aren’t one,” You manage between fits of laughter.

He crosses his arms and pouts. "I've told you before! I'm an honest man! Isn't that right, Suguru?" 

Geto, however, only shakes his head while laughing softly.

You smile, thinking to yourself that you really have missed this. It was nice. It was warm.

“And there's the matter of his father," Gojo continues, "but I've already asked Shoko to handle that."

"Poor Shoko, you make her go through too much," Your voice is full of sympathy for your mutual friend.

Gojo dismisses your concerns with a wave. "It's Shoko; she's strong."

Still, you wonder if she's okay.

"So, how was the King of Curses?" Geto inquires, hands in the pockets of his school uniform.

Gojo waves his hand, “Man, he was crazy strong! Plus, he didn’t even go all out.”

You saw, after all, you and everyone here was watching him.

“Stronger than you?” You ask, turning your head to look at him with your brows raised, wondering if fighting the king of curses was the solution to flattening his inflated ego.

Gojo became silent.

His face seems to suddenly fall, as if in deep contemplation.

You meant it as a joke, a jab at how in his youth, he only flaunted his power and never experienced loss. You didn't intend to upset him.

"Told you, it's because I'm the strongest."

You roll your eyes, feeling irritation rise as you retort, "Cheater."

He grins, adjusting his glasses while examining your battered state. His pristine school uniform remains untouched with not even a blade of grass. You on the other hand are covered in sweat and dirt.

"Am I?"

"The worst."

He feigns hurt, hand over his heart. "You wound me."

You vow never to spar with him again.

Before you can address your earlier remark, he answers in a soft, uncharacteristic tone: "If you and Suguru were there, I think I could've won."

You had forgotten, you think to yourself. Forgotten that at the end of the day, he was only one man. And that at one point he had only been a boy, a boy who had the world thrust upon him.

And so, with this in mind, you give him one of your best smiles, “We’re always cheering you on, Satoru.”

Gojo seemed to want to say something to you then, but then he seemingly decided against it. Instead, he points out, “I’m just glad I didn’t die of old age or illness, but rather because of someone strong.”

You don’t miss the way he started avoiding eye contact with you, nor the red creeping up his neck.

It was then that Nanami cuts in, “No one thinks like that. Nowadays that’s creepy.”

“Huh!?”

Gojo turns around to roughly ruffle Nanami’s hair, a scene that was a bit too nostalgic for your liking, but all the same, you couldn’t help but want the moment to last longer. Hearing Gojo whine as Nanami scolded him, but Geto smiling in the background and Haibara’s cheerful voice was something you didn’t think you would witness again. 

Just you guys, back in the prime of your youth laughing underneath the summer sun.

Just a little longer, you silently plead, just a little longer.

But time is short.

You listen silently as Nanami and Gojo’s conversation warps up, and it is only then that you decide to finally speak up.

“So, have you decided?”

Gojo turns to look at you, “What do you mean?”

You smile, “Your decision. To go north or to go south.”

He stares at you for a long time before finally breaking out into a grin, “What? Did you get sick of my presence already? I only just got here!”

Rolling your eyes as you fight back your amusement, you remind him, “You don’t have much time, you know? You in a place where you can still–”

"Yes, yes, I know," he interrupts with a pout.

You sometimes can't believe his audacity, wondering how you had managed it through Jujustu Tech. Here he was, acting upset when you're trying to save his life.

Bringing a hand up to your head, you sigh, feeling a type of headache that you only get when he is around coming up.

“Can’t I stay a little longer?” He asks, this time his voice betrays the feeling he had been hiding behind that carefully crafted mask of his. It sounded of longing, sprouted from the fear of losing everything he had again.

It was Geto who answered him this time, "It's your choice, Satoru," his voice gentle. "But I think we all knew the decision you'd make the moment you woke up here. In fact, you've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

Gojo fell silent because he knew Geto was right. Geto always understood him well.

It was because Gojo still had unfinished business.

He still needed to live.

You stood up and walked over to Gojo, offering him a hand. You knew he would stubbornly sit there until the last minute, and you'd had enough all-nighters to know that leaving things to the last second never worked out well.

He took your hand, and you pulled him to his feet.

“It’s not your time yet,” you say in a steady voice.

“At least tell me you are sad to see me go,” he grins, his opaque glasses blocking the top of his face, but you knew from the way he looked at you that the frown didn’t reach his eyes.

"We'll see each other again; waiting has never been an issue for me."

He rolled his eyes and frowned. "Is it really so hard to say you're going to miss me?"

You sighed. "Gojo—"

"Satoru."

"Satoru," you began again, giving him your famously tired look. But all he did was grin back. "I'll be looking forward to meeting you again, okay?"

He smiles a victorious kind of smile, as if him getting you to say you will miss him was a greater achievement than winning against the king of curses.

It was a kind of smile that told you that he’d steal this moment away for himself.

Selfish prick.

It was then that an announcement came on from seemly nowhere: We are now making boarding announcement for Flight 0010 to the final destination ‘—.’ Passengers are kindly requested to proceed to gate 06 for immediate boarding.

“I guess that’s your flight.” 

Your voice trembles.

A mishap in the wall that you built to suppress your emotions because without it you don’t think you could stand to watch him leave.

If that wall were to come crumbling down you think you would have clinged onto him, begging him to stay a little longer.

Gojo continues to look at you before seemly to make a final decision, “Hey, There’s something I–”

If this was the last time he'll see you again, to get to talk to you again then-

You shake your head, laughing silently to yourself as you start to push Gojo towards his gate.

“Hey- hey wait!”

You come to a sudden stop as Gojo stubbornly rooted himself to the tiled floor.

“Hurry. You will be late-”

Gojo grabs ahold of your hand, his black glasses falling to the tip of his nose, revealing his starking eyes. He stared at you, stared at you as he tried to tell you all the things he’d always been too much of a coward to say.

He wanted to tell you before it was too late like last time, something he has yet to forgive himself for.

“There’s something I haven’t told you yet. I need to tell you before I go-”

Stupid. Stupid white-haired man.

Your lips tremble as you look at his desperate face, his mask falling apart as well. But instead of clinging onto him like you so desperately want to, you smile.

"Tell me next time then."

Gojo stops stumbling over his words.

"I–"

Last call for Flight 0010–

"Go," you urge him.

Yet he still stands there stubbornly, refusing to leave.

Stupid Satoru.

What a greedy man, you think to yourself. The corners of your mouth curve upward as you stand on tiptoes and press a quick, soft kiss on his forehead.

"Go," you say again. "Tell me next time all the things you’ve yet to say to me, okay? Go and win for us...for me."

He brings a hand to the spot where you kissed him, a certain look crossing his face before finally saying the words you want to hear, "Okay, I will."

"Swear it."

"I swear on it."

And you believe him.

Because who are you to say otherwise in front of his grinning face? Who are you to think otherwise when he smiled so brightly? His eyes were bright and confident, softly grazed by his white hair as if he'd bring you the world if you asked.

Then he seemed to cast everyone one last glance before turning his feet to start running the other way towards his gate.

He doesn’t think he could stand to leave if he were to stop.

"Don't miss us too much!" Haibara calls out after him.

"Try not to die again," Nanami mutters.

"We'll still be here," Geto states.

“Don’t come back too soon! Okay!?” You shout to which he lifts an arm and waves, his neck a dark shade of red.

He laughs, “Just continue to cheer me on!”

You stand there, watching as the gate closes with Gojo behind it, listening to the loud hum of the air conditioning in the airport.

You'll wait, just like you've been doing. You'll wait as long as it takes for him.

a/n : I promise I'll write pure fluff next time ( maybe )

[dancingtotuyo]

Build You the World

Joel Miller X Reader

Rating: PG-13 (Language)

Warnings: fluffiness, just fluff

Summary: Joel was stupid. Saying sorry the only way he knows how, Joel built you something.

Pre- Outbreak/ No outbreak because I want them to live a happy undisturbed life together.

Notes: We take a break from our regularly scheduled Narcos/Javier Peña content to give you this teeth rotting fluff piece about Joel Miller. Cross posted on AO3

Words: 1286

Series Master List | Author Master list

Joel sucked in a breath. Supplies scattered on the floor around him. The industrial fan blew the hot Texas air into his hotter garage. Sarah rode her bike around the driveway, purple fairy wings strapped to her back. She chatted on and on, no doubt caught up in a make believe land. He needed to take the training wheels off her bike. Maybe tomorrow he would have time.

Joel’s gaze drifted back over the supplies he’d bought at the hardware store this morning. Sarah had asked what he was making as her little legs struggled to keep up with his long strides. She’d noticed the unusual components he gathered. These weren’t for a job or the back porch he’d been working on all summer.

“Secret project” he’d winked at her and thankfully, she’d accepted it.

He hadn’t been able to sleep last night. He’d handled the whole situation badly. It was 2 am before Joel gave up the tireless pursuit of sleep and drawn up the plans. He currently wondered if he’d bitten off more than he could chew. He was a contractor. He did big projects like framing houses and decks. His fine carpentry skills left a lot to be desired.

Joel pushed those thoughts from his head. He could do this. He wanted to do this.

One lunch break, two first aid breaks, (a splinter in his thumb and a skinned knee for Sarah) and a nap (Sarah’s) later, Joel had all the pieces shaped and sanded. He couldn’t help but admire his handy work. Sure it was a simple design and yeah, it wasn’t assembled yet, but he’d made this. He just prayed it all fit.

Sarah colored at his workbench. She’d woken up not long ago and was still quiet from her nap. “Daddy, what are you making?”

“Top secret, baby girl.” He winked at her, pulling the wood glue and clamps from the cabinet.

She sighed in exasperation turning back to her coloring book. Joel hummed along to the classic rock station. His tshirt clung to his body wet with sweat. At 5:30, the temperature was just beginning its slow descent. He started to assemble to the first side, praying he’d made all the slots the correct size. That had been the most tedious part, ensuring it would all lock together properly.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. Are we going to have dinner soon?”

“Soon, I want to get this first side put together first.”

Sarah sighed, her hair floating up and then falling back over her eyes. Joel chuckled, kissing her forehead. “Why don’t you go grab a cheese stick to tide you over?”

“Okay.” She slid off the stool, running inside.

It slid together with relative ease. Only a few profanities dropped from his mouth when he dropped something or spilled the glue everywhere.

He was jerryrigging the clamps when Sarah squealed, darting out of the garage. He glanced up, just able to make out the blue sedan that pulled in behind his pickup. Your blue sedan.

Nerves coursed through him. He reached for his beer. It was warm and flat now, barely touched. Sharp power tools and alcohol don’t mix well. He ignored the taste, taking another gulp. After last night, fear and shame filled him.

Sarah held your hand, talking a mile a minute as if you didn’t kiss her Goodnight last night. You laughed at something she said, but he heard the way it doesn’t quite reach. The first thing he noticed were the dark bags under your eyes and the red rings around them. Guilt flooded him. You need sleep more than ever right now. He felt the exhaustion radiating off of you.

You attempted to make yourself more presentable before gathering the courage to come over. The shower helped, your hair still damp and curling. The mascara kept running so you left it.

 You round the corner with Sarah. Joel can hardly look at you. To be fair, you don’t really want to look at him either. You don’t want a repeat of last night but you can’t ignore the situation at hand either.

You finally call up the courage to look at him. You’d grown proud of yourself for learning the ins and outs of Joel Miller in the two years you’d known him. You could read him like the bedtime stories you read to Sarah, silly voices and all, but right now the pages of him blurred. Maybe that was just the tears you fought back.

“Sarah, do you want to grab your fairy wings to show-“

“Yes!” Sarah didn’t allow her father to finish. She was gone through the door in a flash of dark curls.

“She’s been excited to show you. Can’t believe she wasn’t wearin’ ‘em.” His Texas drawl popped out sending shivers down your spine. He forced a smile.

You wanted to return it, but other things pressed your mind. You weren’t good at diversion.

“Joel.” Your lip quivered and you hated yourself for it. You felt out of control right now.

He sighed. “Come here.” He cocked his head back stepping further into the garage.

The fan pushed air through your hair and skirt granting mellow relief to the heat.

 “I’ve been working on this.” He swallowed presenting his scattered workspace. He read all nerves but there was the briefest sense of pride too.

Pieces of carefully shaped and sanded wood laid about in piles. You caught sight of what he’d put together. “Porch railing?”

You failed to see the connection. Not to mention it looked too tall and narrow to be for the back deck. And what was with the arch? Was he trying to build a trellis? He’d been talking about putting in some raised beds for you and Sarah.

Was this some kind of joke? An “I’m sorry?” It hardly accounted for one.

“No, it’s a-“ he sighed, running a hand through his curls. He needed a haircut. You had planned to take the clippers to it last night until things went awry.

He picked his notebook up off the work bench. The leather bound one you got him for Christmas. You were convinced he didn’t use it. It sat on his nightstand and you were sure if you’d picked it up, you would see a dust outline. He handed it to you.

You could tell he hadn’t used it much but that didn’t really matter. Your breath caught, all else forgotten the moment your eyes landed on the page. It was rough, dotted with measurements and notes, but it was clear as day all the same.

Tears built up for a whole new reason.

“I stayed up all night working through the design. It's nothing extravagant, but it’ll be sturdy… and safe.” He stuttered.

You traced the design with your finger. All the doubts from the past 24 hours, gone just like that. “You designed a crib?”

“It’s cherry wood. I know that’s your favorite.”

“You designed a crib for our baby?” You stepped into his bubble. You couldn’t believe it. Of everything you anticipated tonight, this was not on the list.

“Baby, I’m so sorry for last night. I was a jackass-“

“Joel Miller, Shut up! You’re building this?”

You looked at him like he hung the fucking galaxy, and his heart settled. He knew the two of you would be okay.

 “Yes.”

 You kissed him, arms thrown over his shoulders, tears streaming down your face as the nightmare turned  into a dream.

You would hear his apology out in full later, lord knows you deserved it after last night, but right now, you just wanted to celebrate. Celebrate him, your love, and the little bundle of joy to join the three of you in 7 short months.

[kiri-tatsu]

The words I wish to have spoken

you have found out the one you have loved for years; being there through thick and thin, when a person dear to them have passed, when they shared shy words with you, made you countless promises that they broke, and made you feel loved and adored, has fallen in love with the notorious blonde traveler (Lumine or Aether)

TW- angst, hurt no comfort, gn!reader, heavily implied traveler x Zhongli, Diluc, Ayato, Al-Haitham x Kaveh (Kaveh x Haitham is best ship fight me), told in first person pov as a letter, heavily implied immortal reader in Zhongli's part

Zhongli

Dear Zhongli,

I’m sorry to tell you this way, but I think it’s for the best. I’m unsure of to tell you this, but do you remember when I told you I would be there for you through thick and thin when Guizhong had passed? I promised myself that no matter what had happened or would happen, but this time... I would no be able to do that.  

 I thought I would be able to push through with my unrequited feelings, and keep it all to myself, but I’m not strong enough for this anymore. When I worked up the courage to tell you, I went to find you during the Lantern Rite, but instead of being with the young director of the Funeral Parlor, I found you with someone else.  

A beautiful//handsome blonde with a floating child at their side, you had the same look you had back when Guizhong was still alive, and right then and there, I knew I stood no chance. Your somewhat stoic face was softened at their laughs, a smile full adoration, and your eyes looking at them as if no one else in the world had existed.  

That night we were supposed to meet, but I supposed you had a different plan that didn’t include me, so that night I went back home. And the next day you gave me a half sincere apology and said you had work, but I knew better.  

When this letter reaches you, or whenever you read this, I will have gone back to my homeland, and I wish you happiness with your newfound love. I’m sorry that I’ll be leaving, but it seems like I really won’t be needed dear.  

When you and that traveler figure out your feelings for them. Please do not find me Zhongli, I don’t think I will be able to handle you again for a third time, so I wish you the best for all your years to come.  

If we are to ever meet again, just know, I’ll still love you with all my heart, but I will do my best to forget you. And if it wasn’t clear then, then I’ll write it to you. Zhongli, Morax, Rex Lapis, I loved you then and I’ll love you now.  

My friend, my best friends, my love, and my dear, I’m sorry for the words I couldn’t say, and what I should’ve said back then.   

Sincerely,  

Y/n L/n 

Diluc Ragnvindr

Dear Diluc, 

I wish I had the courage to tell you this to your face, really, but my heart won’t be able to stand the thought of speaking to you as of now. When I promised you on that night of your father’s passing, I promised myself that I would be by your side no matter what.  

And when you left Monstadt for those years, I knew that you would come back a whole different person, and I went back to you like an idiot in love. No matter what words you said whether you meant them or not, I was so foolish with my love for you, I ignored everything in my power to worm my way into your sheltered heart.  

I did everything to make myself believe that you had feelings for me, but I knew I was just lying to myself because I wanted to stay by your side without it hurting so much, but after a bit, I decided to take a break and go with Varka away from this city.  

When I came back from an expedition, I was told by Katheryne there was a new person in town, the honorary knight, and they were with you at Angel’s share, so I decided to try to surprise you by coming in from the upstairs entrance. When I seen you and them chatting, I knew I had lost to them; you had a small smile gracing your lips, your ruby eyes were soft while talking with them. 

You never looked at anyone like that, and I never experienced that look either, so when this letter finds you, I have fled the city of freedom to go back home to my family. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to say it to your face, but I love you so much Diluc, so, so, so, so much. I wish I could’ve told you to your face, but I would’ve probably broken down in front of you.  

So, when this reaches you, please know, me leaving is not your fault, I just need to finally go home after so long, so please don’t blame yourself. And tell the Traveler I’m sorry that I couldn’t personally meet them. 

My apologies, 

Y/n L/n 

Kamisato Ayato

Dear Kamisato Ayato, 

When I first met you when we were children, I had come from Sumeru with my family, I was scared, terrified, and curious of being in a new place. When our parents introduced us, I knew we would be friends forever.  

When we were teenagers, and your parents passed, I told you I would be there for you no matter the time or day, I told you that you meant the world to me, and soon you got busy with overtaken your father’s job as the Tri-Commissioner. And I would got to the estate to only ever see Ayaka or Thoma, but never you, you were always busy with work.  

The one time I ever did see you, outside away from work, was when the Itadori Festival was held in Ritou. A blonde person stood by you and I knew it wasn’t Thoma, because this person was mjch shorter. They had a pretty face, lively honey colored eyes, your that were usually sharp and coy, was much softer as they laughed at something you said.  

In that moment, I knew, that your heart belonged to them, and I was too naïve to believe I could’ve won your heart, but I was too late. I wish I was able to say it to your face telling you how much I love you. How much I wanted your hand in marriage.  

I would tell Ayaka and Thoma that I would ask you out one day, and they would constantly tease me about. But once I had went to the estate to go see Ayaka after the festival, she brought me into a hug and I cried like a baby that night.  

I won’t be able to handle hearing your name or seeing you ever again, so I decided to go back home to Sumeru. My family had been wanting me back home for a few months now, so I supposed I just needed a little push.  

I’m sorry to say that when this letter finds you I will have already left. I wish you all the best, and I hope you settle down with them seeing as they have your love. I’m sorry I’m a coward, but I love you Kamisato Ayato, and goodbye.  

From,  

Y/n L/n 

Al-Haitham

Dear Al-Haitham, 

I’m such an idiot for ever thinking that I could catch your eye, I’ve known you since our Akedemiya days, you caught my eye, but I didn’t catch your eye. Instead, our senior Kaveh caught your eye, you two were nice to each other at first, then came the bickering.  

I always thought that I was third wheeling whenever we all hung out together, I just figured I should just skip out on our hangouts. But there were times I caught you looking at Kaveh with your eyes softened for a moment before the same hardness returned when you looked at anyone else.  

Now that I think about it, I should’ve known I stood no chance against him, he is pretty, brilliant, and just overall just a big sweetheart, I could never be mad at him, so I just turned all that anger into hatred, not for you or him, no; for myself.  

I could’ve been better, I should’ve realized, I shouldn’t have been such an idiot, even when I went to Dehya of all people to talk with she said that I should take the chance to tell you before it’s too late, but it was just embarrassing to think about so I just ignore her advice and my feelings.  

But I knew back in the moment in the Akademiya, I knew I couldn’t capture your heart because of the most beautiful student, the nicest person, the most caring human being, Kaveh.  

But with my feelings, I can no longer stay in Sumeru, so I’m going back home because I can’t take it anymore. I don’t think I can handle seeing you two together, my heart won’t be able to bare it. But I love you Al-Haitham, and I’m sorry.  

Til next time,  

Y/n L/n 

[thewillofdeez]

A Very AkaTaka Birthday

18+! Minors DNI!!!

Summary: It's Mihawk's birthday. His girlfriend gets him a very special surprise......a visit from his boyfriend, Shanks.

Characters: Mihawk, Shanks, Fem Reader

Warnings: Smut, smut, and more smut. Some plot at the beginning, established relationships. Threesome, polyamory, shibari, cum play, oral sex, 69, anal sex, straight sex......

Note: Started this almost a year ago, dropped it for a while, then scrambled to finish it in time to post today, on Shanks and Mihawk's birthday. This is the dirtiest, most foul, nasty, pornographic thing I've ever written in my life. Hope you enjoy! ^_^

It was Mihawk’s birthday, which meant it was Shanks’s birthday too. Mihawk had never been a big fan of his birthday and never actively celebrated it when given the choice, but every March 9th he found himself wondering if that choice would be taken away from him by his long-term partner…or as Shanks liked to say, his “birthday buddy.” Mihawk hated the term, and hated how most people didn’t respect his desire to not celebrate, but he did love Shanks very much and found it hard to say no to the man, who always, he had to admit, made it worth his while. Regardless, Shanks wasn’t here, and he was spending the day hiding in his room on Karai Barai Island. Just to be safe.

For a couple that had been together for over a decade, the two couldn’t have been more different. Mihawk was thoughtful, reticent, and careful. Shanks was fun-loving, boisterous, and pretty much an open-book. And yet, somehow, they worked well together. Sometimes Mihawk found himself wondering if the reason that they worked was because of their unique arrangement. Mihawk enjoyed living his life in a mostly solitary manner, while Shanks was the captain of one of the most powerful pirate crews in the world. They met up a few times a year, and perhaps it was this absence that made their hearts grow fonder. Sure, Mihawk missed his partner when he was away, but it just made the time they got together all the more special.

On top of that, their relationship was ethically non-monogamous. Shanks had a mix of casual encounters and long-term partners (none of whom had outlasted Mihawk yet for a variety of reasons), while Mihawk preferred to keep his sex life casual…well, he had anyway. That was before he met Y/N.

Y/N was the fourth member of the Cross Guild, and an old friend of Buggy’s. Buggy had asked her to join to manage some areas of the business that neither Mihawk, Crocodile, nor himself were adept at, and she jumped at the opportunity. Mihawk started falling for her when they first met….it was rather terrifying for him. His whole adult life he’d never carried such feelings for anyone besides Shanks. And yet, here she was….beautiful, skilled and – beyond his wildest dreams – falling for him too, and completely okay with his existing relationship.

Mihawk thought back to when he’d told Shanks about the new person in his life.

He’d stood before the transponder snail nervously for several minutes. Why the hell was he so nervous? He’d been on the receiving end of this call a dozen times, and it was always fine….but he’d never been the one making it. He’d never had a problem with Shanks sharing his heart in addition to his bed, but he wondered how his lover would handle being on the other side for the first time.

Taking a deep breath, he’d picked up the receiver, listening to the familiar ‘badabadabada.’

“Well hey there, Hawk-eyes,” Shanks drawled over the phone, his smirk visible through the snail. “How’s the business going?”

Mihawk couldn’t help but smile a little. He always forgot how much he enjoyed hearing Shanks’s voice.

“It’s fine, I suppose. It’s certainly lucrative. Shanks, I…I’d like to talk to you about something.”

Shanks’s brow furrowed in concern. “Of course, ‘Hawk….everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine….” Mihawk replied nervously. “Shanks…I met someone here. A woman. I….think I love her.”

The line was silent for a moment, then Shanks’s boisterous laughter came over the line. “Mihawk! That’s awesome! Holy shit, man, I thought you were gonna break up with me for a second there.”

Mihawk let out a nervous chuckle, “No, we’ve already established that I’m stuck with you for life. I’m just nervous…I’ve never felt like this about anyone except you. It’s strange. And scary. And…I wanted to make sure you were okay with it.”

Shanks grinned broadly. “I’d be a hell of a hypocrite if I wasn’t okay with you having a relationship while I’m over here having three including you. ‘Hawk, you deserve love too, since I can’t be around to give it to you all the time. It’s more than okay. Tell me about her.”

Mihawk smiled softly and told him about Y/N…how they met, how they got together, what he loved about her, everything. He also assured Shanks that she was aware of the situation, and that everything was consensual and she was fine with it.

Shanks chuckled. “You’ve got it bad, man. She sounds perfect. Can I meet her? Or at least talk to her? If you’re both okay with it, that is.”“She’d love that, actually, she’s asked me the same thing. I’ll arrange with her some time where you two can talk in private.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait. I love you, Mihawk.”

“I love you too.”

That was just a few weeks ago. True to his word, Mihawk had arranged for Y/N and Shanks to speak, and he was surprised when the conversation lasted well into the night. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that she’d snuck into his bed.

Mihawk had groggily rolled over to capture her in his arms when he felt the bed shift beside him.

“I take it the call went well?” he’d said, his voice heavy with sleep.

Y/N let out a soft chuckle and curled up next to him. “It did. He’s fun. And he obviously loves you a lot. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Mihawk planted a soft kiss on her head, holding her close. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.” And with that, they both drifted off into sleep.

A knock on the door broke Mihawk from his thoughts. He looked up to see Y/N’s head peek in.

“Are you hiding?” she said, her voice teasing. She walked over to the large armchair where Mihawk sat and crawled onto his lap, bringing him in for a kiss. He paid little mind to the bag she was carrying.

“Until it’s tomorrow, yes,” he replied, wrapping his arms around her. “How did things go without me today?”

Y/N shrugged. “Business as usual, nothing too exciting. Buggy’s crew made you a cake.”

Mihawk rolled his eyes. “They would.”

She giggled and began kissing his neck. “You’re more likable than you think, you know. They love you.”

“That’s because we’re cult leaders, they don’t have a choice,” he deadpanned. She laughed in response.

“There you go, saying the quiet part out loud again.” She smiled and kissed his lips, placing a hand on his chest. “So….I know your birthday isn’t your thing…”

“Ugh, not you too, Y/N…” he said with a scoff.

“No, no, listen!” she said quickly. “I have a surprise for you. I promise you it’s something you’ll like, and you don’t have to leave this room for it. You don’t even have to think of it as something for your birthday, you can just think of it as…..something special that happens to occur on March 9th. Will you trust me?”

Mihawk narrowed his eyes at her. “It’d better be a sexy surprise.”

“Oh it is,” she smirked, her voice getting lower and she kissed along his neck and jaw. “Very sexy. But when I say I need you to trust me…I need you to trust me . Okay? If you want to stop at any point, it’s fine, I promise…but let me at least get started?”

Mihawk wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. It was still the early weeks of their relationship, and while they had certainly explored things each other liked and knew about what they didn’t like, he was a little cautious to be working off of no information. But he did trust her, entirely.

Mihawk nodded. “I trust you, Y/N, completely. Do I get to know anything about what we’ll be doing?”

“Nope,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “You’re going in blind. Now, I need you to strip down to your boxers.” She began unbuttoning his shirt, kissing along his neck and collarbone. When it was fully unbuttoned, she removed herself from his lap.

Mihawk chuckled. “As you wish,” he replied, obeying her request. He removed the shirt, then his pants and socks, leaving him in only his tight black boxer briefs. Y/N grinned, seeing how he was already becoming excited.

“Perfect,” she replied. “Now come over here.” She picked up the bag with one hand and with the other guided him to the large bed. “I want you to kneel on the bed for me.” Mihawk obeyed without a word, kneeling by the headboard and resting back on his calves, curious as to where this was going. He watched as she pulled out a long silk scarf from the bag.

“And where exactly will that be going?” he asked curiously.

Y/N crawled onto the bed and knelt before him, kissing him deeply. “Over those pretty eyes of yours, of course. Is that okay?” He nodded slowly, and she folded the scarf and wrapped it around his head, tying it tightly but not too much so. “Is that comfortable enough? Can you see anything?”

“It’s fine,” he responded, “And no, I can’t.”

“Good,” she said, running her fingers down his chest. “And no Observation Haki either. That will spoil the fun. Promise me?”

“I promise…” he said in a shuddering breath as he felt her fingers along his skin, the sensation already becoming heightened.

He heard her chuckle, then felt the bed shift, and heard her rummage through the bag. He desperately wanted to know what else she had in there. He got his answer when he felt thick, silky material being dragged across his skin: rope.

“I know you usually prefer to be the one doing the tying….is it alright if I tie you up?”

He smiled, appreciating that she was asking him at every step along the way. It made him feel more comfortable with being in a vulnerable position. “You know mere ropes can’t restrain me….but you can certainly try.”

“That’s all I needed to hear…” she said. He felt her move around him as she began tying him up, using some of the more simplistic shibari knots he had taught her. When she was done, his legs were completely free and still in a kneeling position, but his arms were bound completely behind his back and to his torso. He struggled a little, testing the strength of the ropes. Yes, he could certainly break them into strings if he really wanted, but he wouldn’t….not unless she asked him to anyway.

He felt the mattress shift as she removed herself from the bed. He could feel her eyes on him. “You look so good like this,” she said as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Now, I’ll be right back. I need to prepare your surprise….and remember: no Observation Haki. You promised.”

Mihawk smirked. “I did indeed. Do what you need to….I’m not going anywhere.”

He heard her giggle and walk away. Mihawk knew that she knew that Observation Haki wasn’t so easy to just turn on and off like a lightswitch. It was basically second nature. So in order to obey her request, Mihawk relaxed his body and focused on breathing, trying to bring himself into a slightly meditative state - enough that he wouldn’t instinctively focus on his Haki, but not enough that he wouldn’t be ready when she returned.

Mihawk’s reverie was broken when he felt the bed shift again and soft lips meet his. He grinned. “Welcome back,” he said, his tone sultry.

He was surprised when he felt another set of lips on his immediately after - rougher, and surrounded by coarse hair. He felt his breath catch in his throat. “Shanks?”

Mihawk felt the blindfold being untied from behind his head. He shook it off, desperate to see if he was right. Opening his eyes, Shanks was before him, the younger man already stripped down to his burgundy boxer briefs and a crooked smirk on his face.

“Hey there, Hawk-eyes,” he said with a grin. Y/N came up behind the red head and draped her arms around his shoulders, kissing his neck softly.

Mihawk couldn’t suppress a smile. “Well if this isn’t the most welcome sight I’ve ever seen. I can’t say I haven’t dreamed of this happening….it’s just a shame I can’t touch you,” he said, struggling against his restraints halfheartedly.

Shanks chuckled. “We’re in charge of your pleasure tonight. All you have to do,” he began, pushing Mihawk’s body back against the pillows and headboard,”....is relax.” Shanks straddled Mihawk and began to rub his clothed cock against the dark-haired man’s. They both groaned in pleasure at the feeling as Shanks moved his hips in slow waves. Shanks leaned into Mihawk’s ear and whispered, “Let the people you love take care of you…”

Mihawk and Shanks looked into each other’s eyes, then shared a deep, passionate kiss. Y/N sat at the edge of the bed, enjoying watching them. When the kiss broke, Shanks turned to her. “I didn’t come all this way just so you can watch,” he said with a grin. “Come here.”

Y/N obeyed and joined the two men, the three of them kissing passionately, licking, biting, and exploring each other’s bodies. Well…exploring each other’s and Mihawk’s body, as Mihawk was still bound, much to his frustration. But they made it worth his while, their hands roaming over his body, their lips on his skin all over…it was almost overwhelming. Eventually the three broke apart, panting and catching their breath. Shanks looked at Y/N mischievously and moved to the other end of the bed.

“Come here, pretty lady,” he said, beckoning her to him with a curled finger. She crawled across the bed to him and they embraced each other, kneeling on the soft mattress and kissing passionately. Mihawk couldn’t deny he loved the site, both on a sexual level and as something deeper…he couldn’t wait to see where this night would take them, but he had a good feeling.

Mihawk watched as his lovers kissed and touched all over, shivers shooting through his body as Shanks latched onto her neck and caused her to moan, after which he lowered his body onto hers, pushing her down on the bed.

Shanks looked up at him with a smirk. “It may be your birthday, Taka no Me,” he said, “But it’s mine too. And if it’s okay with you….I’d like to fuck your girlfriend.”

Mihawk huffed out a laugh, his heart pounding in his chest. “Do it. I want to see you fuck her. I want you to make her scream the way I do.”

Shanks smiled widely, then turned his attention to the woman under him. Mihawk watched as they kissed passionately, their hands roaming. With a smirk, Y/N helped Shanks remove his underwear, leaving him completely naked. She reached down to stroke him a few times, and Mihawk could feel his mouth beginning to water. It had been far too long since he’d felt Shanks’s cock in his mouth….but that would have to wait.

He watched as Y/N stripped herself of her remaining clothes until they were both naked together. Shanks knelt between her knees and ran his fingers along her hips and thighs, and Mihawk could see the goosebumps forming on her skin. Her body arched as Shanks inserted a finger into her dripping core, then another, slowly moving them in and out.

Shanks chuckled. “She’s so wet, ‘Hawk. Does she taste as good as she looks?”

Mihawk grinned devilishly. “Why don’t you find out?”

With permission given, Shanks sunk down and buried his face in her core, causing her to arch her body against him, craving his touch. His tongue was relentless, swirling around her clitoris and running up and down along her folds, dipping ever so slightly into her dripping hole. He worked her with his tongue and fingers, and her moans filled the room. Mihawk knew, at this point in their relationship, exactly what to touch and lick in order to send Y/N over the edge, but Shanks didn’t. From this vantage point he could see Shanks trying all of his tricks, trying to find what made her react in the ways he wanted.

“Fuck, Shanks!” she cried as his tongue flicked her clitoris just right, letting him know that that was the spot, right there. His fingers worked harder, the pressure just right. “Please keep going, please don’t stop…..”

But Shanks was, if nothing else, a tease, and nothing turned him on more than having his partner begging and pleading for him. He pulled away, licking his lips and smirking as she looked up at him with wide eyes.

Shanks looked over to Mihawk, his brown eyes sparkling. “Fucking delicious.”

“Mind coming over here and giving me a taste?” Mihawk replied. Shanks grinned and went to where Mihawk was still kneeling, his body tied, his erection pushing the elastic of his boxer briefs to the limit. He leaned in and kissed Mihawk, his tongue going deep into the other man’s mouth, allowing him to taste what Y/N gave him.

Y/N watched as the two men shared her release. She flipped herself onto her front, watching and waiting for Shanks to join her again, eager for the red-haired pirate to finish what he started. When they separated, she wiggled her ass playfully, letting him know she was ready. Shanks returned to her and knelt behind her, lining his cock up with her pink, puffy lips. He sunk into her quickly, all in one thrust, and began to move.

It was almost animalistic, Mihawk thought, as he watched Shanks fuck Y/N. Her back arched like a cat in heat as Shanks pounded into her rapidly, his hand gripping her hip tightly. Shanks and Mihawk locked eyes as the younger man moved, a look that said ‘ Patience…this will be you soon enough .’ Mihawk’s eyes watched hungrily as his boyfriend fucked his girlfriend, so hard and fast the bed shook until they both came. Y/N collapsed, clearly in need of a break. Shanks pulled out and watched as his release dripped out of her core and down her thighs. He placed two fingers at her core, gathering their mixed releases on them and then sticking them in his mouth, sucking them dry as Mihawk watched hungrily. He then grabbed a small towel and helped her clean up, kissing her softly.

“You take a break, get some water,” he said. “I think our man has waited long enough. Come join us when you’re ready.” Y/N could only nod and give a quiet uh huh , retreating to the other side of the room to catch her breath.

With Y/N in recovery, Shanks turned his attention to his bound partner, a playful grin on his face as he leaned in and kissed Mihawk again, his hand wandering down along the soft black ropes and Mihawk’s pale skin until his hand grasped his cock through his underwear. Mihawk let out a groan, his head rolling back.

“You’ve been so patient while I have my fun,” Shanks drawled, running his hand along Mihawk’s erection. “You deserve to be rewarded.” Shanks began tugging down the fabric, and Mihawk’s cock popped out, fully at attention and dripping with precum. Shanks mindlessly licked his lips before lowering his head and tasting the liquid that leaked from Mihawk’s cock. “Goddamn, Hawk-eyes, I missed you….” Mihawk tried to respond but the words were ripped from his throat and replaced with a moan as Shanks’s lips wrapped around the head of his cock and began sucking, his tongue swirling around the tip and flicking at the frenulum.

“Fuck, Shanks…” Mihawk could only gasp out. The sensation was like electricity in his veins, he could feel every nerve in his body igniting at once as Shanks’s mouth worked him. Shanks’s head sunk down, taking all of Mihawk’s length in his mouth with barely a gag, a skill Shanks was incredibly proud of. His hand reached below to play with Mihawk’s balls as his head moved up and down, bringing his lips all the way up to just kiss his tip before taking him entirely again.

“Shanks…” Mihawk rasped. “Shanks, let me suck you. Want your cock in my mouth. Missed it so much.”

Shanks released Mihawk’s cock with a soft popping sound. “Now, now, Mihawk, it’s my turn to pleasure you.”

Mihawk shook his head, the need to feel Shanks’s cock against his tongue making him feel almost desperate. “Please. Shanks…please.”

Shanks chucked. “Aww ‘Hawk, baby, you know I have trouble saying no to you.” Shanks positioned Mihawk so he was laying down flat on the bed.

“Can…can you untie me? Please?” Shanks looked over to Y/N who was sipping on some water and watching the scene before her with interest. She only shrugged.

“He’s the birthday boy too. We should give him what he wants.”

Shanks nodded. “All right then. Y/N, give me a hand? I only have one,” he quipped with a wink.

She came over and helped Shanks undo the shibari knots, taking her time and enjoying how red and full their cocks were in anticipation. Eventually she removed the ropes entirely, discarding them on the ground. His hands now freed, Mihawk pounced on Shanks, kissing him deeply, his fingers running through his partner’s red hair. Shanks was just as eager, and they fell back on the bed, their bodies entwined. Y/N returned to her chair to continue enjoying the show, allowing her partner and her new friend to enjoy each other some more.

Mihawk was almost frantic in his movements as he pushed Shanks back on the bed and latched onto his cock. Shanks threw his head back as Mihawk swallowed him in one swift movement, his nose buried in the coarse auburn hair surrounding it.

“‘Hawk, fuck …..,” he rasped. “Come here, I wanna take care of you too.” Mihawk quickly removed his mouth from Shanks and rotated his body so Shanks could pleasure him as well before sucking him down again. The two men found a comfortable position on their sides, their mouths latched onto each other’s cocks as they sucked and licked at each other. Mihawk groaned at the feeling; Shanks always did fit perfectly inside of him. He relished the remaining traces of Y/N’s release and swirled his tongue around Shanks, trying to get every remaining drop.

Y/N watched the two men tangled together, Mihawk’s arms wrapped around Shanks’s legs, pulling him so close they looked like they could be absorbed into each other, and Shanks doing the same. This dance was so intimate, so loving, and she smiled at how much they clearly loved each other.

Mihawk came first, his body tensing as he shot his load down Shank’s throat. Shanks came just a few seconds later, Mihawk swallowing every drop with ease. The two men separated, rolling onto their backs, and panting at the exertion.

Y/N sauntered back over to the bed. She sat down by Mihawk, leaning down and giving him a soft, gentle kiss, then giving Shanks the same.

Mihawk, for his part, was feeling a little overwhelmed, but in a good way. The desire, the passion, the sheer fucking love he felt for these two people beside him. He wanted them both desperately, wanted to hold tightly to them and never let them go.

“Shanks, Y/N…” he rasped. “I need you. Both of you.”

Y/N and Shanks exchanged a look, understanding what their lover was asking for. She kissed Mihawk one more time, and he kissed her back, his tongue snaking its way into her mouth.

“How do you want to do this?” she asked.

Shanks grinned. “You lay down, Y/N. Near the edge of the bed but not at it.” Y/N obeyed, taking her position, her legs spread wide before them. He then turned to Mihawk, his hand running slowly down the swordsman’s chest, both of their hearts beating with anticipation. They had never done this particular act before with a third person, but it was certainly something Mihawk had always dreamed of doing - and tonight that dream appeared to be coming true.

Shanks and Mihawk shared one more, deep kiss before breaking apart. Mihawk opened a drawer on the side table, pulling out a tube of lubricant and unscrewing the top, handing it to Shanks. Mihawk then knelt on the bed and positioned himself between Y/N’s legs, his cock once again hard and dark red, and eager to be buried deep in her warmth. He looked down at the woman before him, her skin freckled with love marks on her neck and shoulders, and it occurred to him that he must look much the same way. Capturing her lips in a kiss, he entered her slowly, groaning at the sensation of her tight pussy engulfing him entirely. When he was fully seated inside of her, he waited, fighting back the urge to move and start fucking her; as difficult as it was, he knew his patience would be rewarded. Y/N, for her part, was squirming below him, desperate for friction. Mihawk gave her a sultry look and a short, reprimanding bite on his shoulder.

“Patience, darling,” he said softly, “It’ll be worth the wait….for both of us.”

Just then, Mihawk felt Shank’s lips on his shoulder, and craned his neck to the side to allow the other man access. “You two ready?” Shanks asked.

Y/N nodded. “Ready.”

Mihawk sat up and captured Shanks’s lips with his own before returning to his position. “There’s nothing I want more.”

He broke the kiss and adjusted his position so Shanks could enter him from behind. Mihawk was positioned on his knees near the edge of the bed, his cock buried inside Y/N. He splayed his legs out wider to allow Shanks the best access, and Y/N wrapped her legs around Mihawk’s torso. His breath shuddered when he felt Shanks behind him, the tip of his lover’s cock prodding gently at his entrance. Mihawk took a deep breath and Shanks entered him, the pain and pleasure so familiar and so overwhelming he felt like his body was on fire. He moved his hands to take both of Y/N’s in his, pinning them above her head and squeezing them tightly as his back arched.

What felt like ages was only a few seconds - and the three of them were joined together, Mihawk buried deep inside Y/N, and Shanks buried in Mihawk. For a moment, Mihawk and his two lovers remained still, enjoying the feeling of being connected in this way. Mihawk looked down at Y/N, and she smiled up at him, brushing a damp lock of black hair from his face. Behind him, Shanks was running his fingers gently down Mihawk’s back. And then, Mihawk began moving.

He pulled his hips back slowly first, feeling Shanks filling him completely, then, thrusted forward roughly, causing Y/N to let out a loud moan. With every pull back Shanks filled him more, and with every thrust he filled Y/N, and it wasn’t long before the three found a perfect rhythm, a chorus of moans and whimpers filling the room. Mihawk’s hips rolled with abandon as he enjoyed both of his lovers in the most intimate possible way.

Shanks’s hand gripped Mihawk’s hip, as he met each of Mihawk’s thrusts with one of his own, his lover’s ass gripping his cock tightly. On Mihawk’s other side, below him, Y/N could feel everything, not only the cock of the man inside of her, but every thrust Shanks offered from behind him as well, making it all the more forceful.

Mihawk’s mind was a haze of pleasure. He’d never felt this, both filling and being filled, and what’s more, by the two people he loves more than anything in the world. The people he’d kill for and die for, the people with whom he sometimes allowed himself to fantasize about a life after piracy together. The feeling of love, the feeling of Y/N’s core sucking his cock in, the feeling of Shanks ramming in and out of him, it was so much, it was too much it—

Mihawk roared as he came, a sound that surely must have been heard by everyone on the island. Y/N followed almost immediately after, her fingernails leaving deep red marks down his back, and then Shanks, whose thrusts shuddered erratically and then stilled entirely.

They were a mess of sweat and cum and blissful, ridiculous love. Shanks pulled out first, cleaning himself and Mihawk off gently with a towel. Mihawk felt like his heart would never stop beating this fast, his ears wouldn’t stop ringing, and his mind would be eternally this blank - surely, a sacrifice that would have been worth it. It was only when he heard Y/N giggle below him that he started to come back down to earth.

“Hey. You can’t stay like this all night, you know,” she said with a playful grin.

“Can’t I though?” The words were barely more than a whisper. She kissed him softly and lifted herself up onto her elbows. With a begrudging sigh, Mihawk pulled out of her, almost losing his balance as he tried to stand. Shanks was quick to catch him, his arm wrapping around the swordsman’s torso.”

“Come on, ‘Hawk. Let’s get you some water and get cleaned up.”

Y/N poured Mihawk a glass of water, then headed towards the bathroom. “I feel like we could all use a bath right about now.”

Shanks collapsed on the bed with a grunt, the only sound of affirmation he could make. Mihawk then handed him the remaining water in the glass, and he drank it down. Shanks then turned to his partner with a crooked smile.

“Happy birthday, Hawkeyes. I love you.”

Mihawk smiled, the kind of gentle, genuine smile so few ever got to see. “I love you too, Shanks. Thank you. For everything.”

The two men kissed as the ambient sound of running water from the bathroom created a relaxing sound like white noise, and they once again lost themselves in each other.

Shanks broke the kiss. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” Mihawk replied, his voice low. “Anything.”

“How would you feel if you and me and Y/N were…a thing? A closed thing? Just…the three of us?”

Mihawk’s eyes widened in surprise, then he laughed. “Is this your idea of settling down?”

Shanks grinned and rolled onto his back. “I dunno, maybe? I…broke things off with my other two relationships. They were fine, but….I guess I’m at an age where I’m kinda craving some sort of stability. And with the way things are going…..I have a feeling that it won’t be long before my duty to protect the One Piece is fulfilled. And then…..”

“And then we can do whatever we want. Together.” Mihawk smiled, taking Shanks’s hand and kissing it gently. “I would like that, Shanks. I really would. I don’t know what that life will look like, but if it means I can be with you and with Y/N for the rest of my days….I’d like that. And I think she might too….but I’ll let you broach that topic with her on your own. We’ll figure it out, all of us together.”

Shanks nodded, “I hope so. I like her, Mihawk. Just talking to her on the transponder….I feel like we really clicked. And in person? Wow...” He sighed. “You got yourself a good one there. I think we all could be really happy together, for a really long time, if that’s something she wants too.”

“Guys, come on!” Y/N’s voice rang from the bathroom. “This tub is far too big for just one person!”

Shanks chuckled. “Sounds like our girl needs us.”

Mihawk smiled. Our girl. “Then let us not keep her waiting.”

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hey can I get a request of yandere Shiva and wives with wife emperor reader who happened to be the first female emperor of Japan and she's fighting in Ragnarok and she does something shocking because when she's with them she act all sweet and innocent but when she really fights she's a menace to society reality and it was well known when her opponent says who she was it was shocking to the gods that she had killed over 3,000 different other emperors and around the world and after the fight of Ragnarok she's with her sons just two sons and three male concubines how would Shiva and wives react to this

-Shiva was impressed when he first met you- you were stunningly beautiful, elegant and graceful, but when he learned that you were the first empress of Japan, taking the position from those who cared not for the people they ruled over, by force.

-Looking at you, Shiva, Kali, Durga, and Parvati, all couldn’t believe that you were a warrior, you looked nothing like a warrior- you looked so dainty, like you had never even seen a weapon in your life!

-They found a good friend in you, and you found friends in them, which slowly turned into something more, they would flirt with you to get you flustered, but on rare occasions you could turn it back on them, and fluster them, which was rather amusing.

-When they asked you to become a part of their family, becoming Shiva’s fourth, you told them that they would need to accept those who are already in your family first.

-The following day, you brought your two sons, aged four and six, who were your pride and joy, and your 3 male concubines, who had ascended with you when you fell in battle, as you died to protect them.

-Your concubines were the men you loved, not the emperor you had been forced to marry and sire his sons, but you took his throne and his life after threatening your oldest while you were pregnant and that’s when you became to ultimate power in Japan.

-They were always so soft with you, pampering you and treating you like you were a delicate flower, but they were the first to be on standby to hold your flower hair pins as you rushed into combat.

-Shiva took to your sons so easily, as did his own son, Ganesha, and soon the eleven of you were a big happy family- melding together to become one giant family, with Shiva at the top, followed by his four wives.

-Your concubines were loyal to you, but became friend with Shiva’s wives and Shiva himself, and Shiva enjoyed having other men to talk to, while you enjoyed having other women to talk to.

-However, when Ragnarok was announced, and both you and Shiva were selected to fight on opposing sides, there was quite a bit of retaliation, as Shiva didn’t want to risk his family.

-In the end, you both agreed to fight, but the stipulation being that you would not fight against each other, something both Zeus and Brunnhilde agreed on.

-Shiva fought in the middle of the tournament, while you were the finale, as Brunnhilde felt like you would be better suited against someone else.

-Heimdall pointed at your entrance as drums began to sound, “Don’t underestimate this next opponent! She was the first Empress of Japan and she took it by force- making all others submit to her power and in turn led Japan into prosperity!!”

-Your family all cheered loudly for you, including Shiva and his wives, who were in the infirmary, watching the fight there as Shiva was finishing with his treatment.

-You walked out, wearing a formal kimono, holding a bisento, your weapon of choice, a smirk on your face, looking unlike your normal self, you looked like a warrior ready to fight.

-Your opponent was a god of the dead, one who was known to be cruel and vile, and he smirked, thinking this was going to be easy and summoned several warriors you had faced on earth, “Let’s see you handle all these!!”

-You charged in easily, handling business, decapitating and ripping one’s heart out from his chest, you looked so violent, so scary!

-You heard your boys cheering for you, “Go mama!!” you smiled up at them, your smile turning sweet as you looked at them, before you turned to your gawking opponent, “How did you do that?!”

-You spun your weapon around with ease and grace, “These measly few are nothing compared to the three thousand I faced off against on my own until my soldiers arrived, but by then- these cowards were already running.”

-Many were stunned, hearing of your past, before many people, both historians and those who were there, confirmed that you held back an enemy army on your own, while six months pregnant with just your bow, your bisento, and whatever weapon you took from those who had fallen.

-Shiva was stunned to hear this, they all were, they knew you were a warrior, but to hear of your greatest battle- they couldn’t believe it!

-You stood as the victor at the end, winning humanity their salvation. You were banged up but nothing you couldn’t handle as everyone cheered, celebrating your win.

-Your sons and concubines rushed the field, hugging you tightly which made you smile warmly, embracing them all before you heard, “Y/N!!” and you turned, seeing Shiva and you co-wives running towards you, joining in the hug which made you grin.

-Zeus was impressed with your power and granted your wish to bring all those who fell back to life, including your opponent, making all praise your kind heart.

-You smiled, seeing the reunions, including Shiva’s new friend, Raiden, which did make you smile, as you cracked a joke to your co-wives, “Looks like our little family will be getting bigger.” They laughed, finding it amusing, but they were quick to agree, seeing the brotherhood bond between your husband and his opponent.

[leafykat]

ATLA LIVE ACTION RANT/MANIFESTO

After watching it I started typing and couldn't stop. Sorry it's really really long and probably not very coherent.

(Since I wrote this, Big Joel put up a vid on his side channel talking about his thoughts on the first episode and he had a lot of points I agree with so watch that too if you’re interested) <- eta: ok jk sorry it already got taken off youtube it's only on his patreon now

I really dislike starting the story with the beginning of the war. It's like they don’t trust the audience enough to care about the protagonists without laying out all the Big Important World Context out right at the start, or they don’t trust us enough to understand non-linear storytelling. I’m trying really hard not to just hate on changes simply for being different than the show I grew up with, because god knows I have my own issues with it. There are scenes that are nearly shot-for-shot, line-for-line remakes of the original, which makes the parts they change really jarring and frustrating. I don't mind the way they combined some episodes or storylines or changed some details, like, June being the one who hits on Iroh instead of the other way around, but other changes just feel like they either miss something fundamental (to me) about the characters or the story or are just… arbitrary, which is almost worse.

One thing that REALLY frustrated me right from the start was that Aang wasn’t actually trying to run away. He goes flying to “clear his head” and gets caught in a storm coincidentally right as he says “ok Appa let’s head home”. Why? Everyone treats him like a coward anyway. Everyone is way meaner to him than in the cartoon about something that, in this version of the story, objectively was not his fault. Why? In the cartoon, he feels intense shame that he wasn’t there for everyone, even though he was twelve and about to be taken from the only person that wanted him to have a childhood, and he got so overwhelmed and scared by what the world expected from him that he tried to run away from it. In the live action, he gets to reunite with the spirit of Gyatso, who says, “you couldn’t have done anything if you had stayed. You just would have died,” (paraphrasing bc I can’t be bothered to give it more views just to get exact quotes) which is fine, I don’t think he needed a spirit world reunion with Gyatso but I can accept it. But if that’s what that gives Aang closure, what is the point of changing him to be less responsible for disappearing? In the cartoon Katara is the one who reassures Aang and helps him process his guilt, representing the people of the present who he can still help. The live action has the voice of the past, the people that he’s ‘failed’, reaching forward in time to absolve him of any sins. And remember that in this version he literally was trying to go home. It just feels like they’re trying to remove moral complexity from his character.

Less importantly (except to me maybe) I think that showing us the Air Temple pre-genocide removes impact of seeing it for the first time in the cartoon. I loved Aang hyping it up to Katara and Sokka, unwilling to believe that it could have fallen. It almost makes the viewer think maybe some of them could have survived in secret. Then, the contrast between his idyllic memories and reality start to sink in. It was an incredibly hard-hitting moment, dulled in live action by the audience having seen exactly what happened to the temple already (including an incredibly hamfisted “you can’t beat us while we have the power of the comet!” line from who I think was Sozin.) I think Momo is pretty cute though.

Another thing that pissed me off was the way they handled the Agni Kai: They combine Zuko's duels with Zhao and Ozai into one, where Zuko not only fights back against his father but gets an opportunity to deliver (presumably) a winning blow and hesitates. This choice weakens important aspects of his backstory and, to me, flattens his relationship with Ozai: 1) That he was never a prodigy firebender like Azula, feeding the inferiority complex that Ozai fostered 2) The Agni Kai was meant to be public humiliation, meant to teach Zuko ‘respect’. It was in front of hundreds of people, and it was a thirteen-year-old child against a full grown firebending master. Zuko prostrates himself and begs his father for mercy. His refusal to even fight embarrasses Ozai by exemplifying the 'weakness' Zuko's mother 'instilled' in him. In his duel with Zhao, Zuko makes a conscious choice to be merciful despite Zhao telling him to “do it” and kill him. Despite knowing how the fire nation views it as weakness, as cowardice, especially in this specific setting. It foreshadows his later choices, and shows his innate kindness. Combining the two duels doesn't allow us to see that parallel nor that growth. Reducing his act of mercy to a mere hesitation in the moment of victory, furthermore, reduces his agency.

In fact, the adaptation softens a lot of Zuko's role as an antagonist, giving most of his actually villainous actions from the cartoon to other characters. They keep him capturing Aang in the South Pole, but Zhao leads the attack on Kyoshi village, they remove the episode with the pirates (s1e9), combine aspects of episode s1e15 ‘Bato of the Water Tribe’ with ‘the Blue Spirit’ (s1e13) and ‘the winter solstice’ (s1e7/8) removing three instances of Zuko capturing or attacking Aang in favor of one with Zhao capturing and Zuko rescuing him. But I guess they add a fight in Omashu. Look, this is inevitable as a result of combining 20 episodes into 8. I don’t really mind streamlining a lot of these episodes, nor removing others (having episodes like ‘the great divide’ and ‘the fortuneteller’ only referenced as rumors Zuko hears in a bar is cute, to be honest), though the change to the Bato episode where Sokka merely has a flashback of his father implying he thinks Sokka is an incompetent warrior is a really unnecessary and bad change, to me. But they took out almost every instance of Zuko posing an actual threat to Aang and replaced it with one fight scene in Omashu. To me, what it feels like is the show runners know Zuko is going to become a Good Guy and thus they don’t want to make him act too Bad.

On the topic of Kyoshi island: giving Aang a reason to go there aside from wanting to ride the giant Koi, whatever. Removing Sokka’s chauvinism, okay, I guess. But it ends up replaced with extremely awkward flirting between him and Suki that feels motivated by nothing beyond each being the first non-relative young adult of their preferred gender either one has ever met. Whether or not you want to have Sokka start off sexist, and that could be a whole conversation on its own, him humbling himself enough to ask Suki for instruction was an important moment of growth for him that he doesn’t really have in this version. And they don’t even put Sokka in the dress and makeup!!! BOO! Also minor moment but I think it’s also sus for the show to have Suki remove her makeup as soon as it’s time for her to be a love interest and then just not wear it again. BOO!! She looked really cool though. It’s not like I think her first appearance in the cartoon is full of depth or whatever, and I think the cartoon turned her into a cardboard cutout as soon as she became a love interest, but it’s like the live action clipped through a wall straight to my least favorite parts of s3 Suki. It’s just disappointing. I also don’t like Aang being able to just talk to Kyoshi and his other past lives so easily but that might just be my cartoon-purist talking.

I didn’t mind putting Jet and Teo into Omashu, even though I think Danny Pudi’s ‘I had no choice’ justification for working for the Fire Nation holds up less well when he’s in a position of privilege in an Earth Kingdom stronghold as opposed to protecting a community of refugees in an isolated air temple. I don’t think they needed to add the Cave of Lovers plot from season 2 into the mix though. Not only that, but to rework that plotline so that 1) Aang isn’t even there, 2) it’s Sokka’s idea to put out their lights and follow the crystals, 3) that’s not actually The Solution 4) badgermoles can sense…. Emotions???????? Sorry that’s so fucking stupid it makes me angry. They include the legend where Oma and Shu learned earthbending from the badgermoles, so why would these giant creatures have learned to sense human emotion instead of the pre-existing explanation from the cartoon: sensing the world through the earth. You know, the thing that connects them to Toph’s earthbending. I guess setting up stuff as far away as… next season… isn’t important. They used the stuff from the season 2 episode “the swamp” for aspects of the winter solstice plot anyway, which is where Aang originally had a vision of Toph and thus was able to identify her as an earthbender in spite of her appearance. I guess they can come up with something else, but it’s just a decision that feels arbitrary. Sokka could have had his flashback without the spirit vision, but since this is before he meets and loses Yue they needed something, I guess. At this point I’m describing these changes not necessarily because I think they’re inherently bad but because I want to describe how fragile this jenga tower is getting, and how unnecessary they feel.

Ultimately it’s like… the things they’re the most faithful to are all the most surface-level easter egg references, while missing or changing the actual soul of the source material. Gran Gran gives the opening monologue word-for-word because Fans Will Get It. They include Bumi’s rock candy trick and lettuce leaf joke but make him resentful and angry at Aang for no reason I can understand. Sokka isn’t sexist anymore, he just has issues where his dad apparently thinks he ‘shouldn’t have lives in his hands’. Ozai is… wait- is he tearing up while he scars Zuko’s face?

I know we all love Daniel Dae Kim but we did not need Ozai so much this season, let alone Azula, let alone Mai and Ty Lee. We especially didn’t need a scene where Ozai praises Zuko to Azula while belittling her. For the record, because people defending this scene seem to think the issue is that the rest of us fail to understand that Ozai is playing his children against each other: That is not the issue. It’s that he did not play his children against each other in this specific way. He uses Azula to show Zuko how much he fails to measure up and threaten his position as heir, and he uses the example of Zuko’s failure to keep Azula in line. If she’s good enough and Zuko is bad enough maybe she’ll become heir. After all, that’s what happened to Ozai and Iroh. They are allowed to change this dynamic in adaptation but personally I think it’s a change for the worse, and the shot of tears in his eyes as he abuses his son lends credibility to an interpretation that maybe he does want Zuko to succeed. Lol. The cartoon focuses on Iroh’s reaction, his inability to watch, instead of Ozai’s… emotional conflict? Or whatever.

Katara and Sokka getting stuck in the spirit world as a replacement for their fever in The Blue Spirit is fine, I think condensing that plot and the winter solstice works decently. It’s fine that they changed Aang’s motivation for finding Roku to be getting info on how to save his friends instead of getting crucial info about Sozin’s Comet. After all, they clumsily introduced that in episode 1. It’s honestly fine (Read with as much cope in my voice as you want.) Combining that with Zuko’s half of The Storm is also…. Okay, even if I’ve already described why I don’t like how they adapted Zuko’s backstory. What frustrates me is that The Storm parallels Aang and Zuko’s backstories in a way that works really well with the events in The Blue Spirit. In fact, they’re back-to-back episodes. But the live action has moved Aang’s backstory to the beginning of the first episode. So instead of getting to see how they’re both constrained by the roles and times they were born into, and how heavily others’ expectations weigh on both of them, we have to have Aang explicitly spell it out for us. Rewatching these two episodes of the cartoon I was just really struck by how efficient the storytelling is. All Aang has to say after he’s saved Zuko is that he misses his friend from the Fire Nation, and that he wonders if he and Zuko could have been friends if they’d been born into a different time. All Zuko has to do is attack him in response. Because we’ve just seen why they can’t be friends in this time, in this world. The live action has to create some plot point about Aang having stolen Zuko’s diary, and Zuko having researched Airbender culture or something. They bond a little bit over brushes before Aang goes like ‘why don’t you turn against your family?’ The conversation (before that part) is cute, just like, not a good replacement for trusting the audience.

I guess once we’ve gotten this far it doesn’t matter much that Katara and Sokka have been captured by Koh, because of course they were. Yeah, they changed how it works, yeah, now he steals your face once you’ve succumbed to despair or something. Whatever. At this point it feels like nitpicking to point out that what made Koh so scary was that he would steal your face if you showed him any emotion at all. Who cares anymore.

^ok I wrote most of that before having seen the last two episodes, which cover the last three episodes of the first season of the cartoon. Dude it got even worse somehow. It’s been a couple days and my friends and I rewatched all of s1 of the original show in the meantime.

First of all, the changes to the dynamic between Hahn, Sokka, and Yue were completely inexplicable to me. Yue gets nominally ‘empowered’ in the sense that she’s no longer trapped in an arranged marriage to a total shithead, but at the same time they made Hahn seem like a… genuinely good guy? He’s humble, asks Sokka for his expertise, and nobly accepts that Yue broke up with him. When asked about it, Yue says ‘he’s great, he’s just not the guy of my dreams’, before kissing Sokka. (They also reveal that she was the sexy fox spirit that flirted with Sokka in the spirit world —I didn’t mention it before because I didn’t think it mattered at the time— so I guess we are meant to believe that Sokka is the boy of her dreams. Which we know from these two and a half conversations that manage to be way less cute than the awkward/shy flirting from the original show.) Even if they wanted to completely change Hahn’s character, Yue’s conflict in the original show was between her heart and what she saw as her responsibility to her people. They could just as easily have kept that element: that she isn’t in love with Hahn, but that for Political Reasons can’t just break things off. That’s way more interesting! But I do love a forbidden romance, so maybe that’s just me. The adaptation does say that they were at one point betrothed, which raises more questions than it answers. If both of their parents were anticipating this marriage so much that they set it up years in advance, why were they okay with her just breaking things off because she didn’t like him like that? Are arranged marriages in the Northern Water Tribe (I’m so sorry I forgot the name they gave it in this adaptation) purely meant to be love matches? There’s no financial or political element at all? Even for a princess? Whatever. Hahn still dies, this time it’s just offscreen. This time I’m actually a little sad for him, if just for his wasted potential.

They actually take out the engagement necklace stuff altogether, including the history between Pakku and Katara’s grandma, and the story of how and why she fled. I don’t really know why but maybe they thought “you lost the so-called love of your life to backward practices” was a weak reason to change his mind. So instead they have it that he doesn’t change his mind but it turns out Katara doesn’t need a master anyway because she’s already good enough to be a master! Despite not having been able to waterbend ‘more than a thimbleful’ before meeting Aang, and us not really getting to see her train at all. Gran Gran gave her the waterbending scroll she stole from the pirates in the cartoon, so I guess we can assume that contained everything you’d ever need to know. She loses the fight but wins the hearts and minds of the people. The women of the tribe support her when she goes against Pakku and go “we want to fight too!” Oh, did I mention this is all after they realize the Fire Navy is at their doorstep, so it’s less a fight about the right to learn waterbending than about the right to fight in war. And then again the issue of Katara needing to learn from Pakku is sidestepped by her magically being good enough now on her own. I don’t actually mind the change to include other women from the North standing up against sexism but to be honest I don’t understand taking out the betrothal stuff. It was a deliberate parallel in the cartoon- women trapped in loveless arranged marriages and also forbidden from learning any waterbending aside from healing. But whatever, it’s a choice. I can live with it.

What I don’t like is the way they’ve undermined Katara’s journey in season 1. Aang teaches Katara how to waterbend at first, and she also doesn’t learn to heal on her own before an elder shows her how to do it. In the cartoon, she’s been trying and figuring things out on her own all her life. Her hunger to find someone to teach her is a major motivator for why she wants to go to the North Pole. We see her struggle, get intensely frustrated and jealous that Aang picks up waterbending more naturally than she does, and work really hard at it. Her dedication and hard work are what Pakku eventually praises about her when he teaches her. He compares her to Aang, who is naturally talented but distracted. This is after an indeterminate amount of time, but whatever, condensed timeline, 8 episodes, whatever. We don’t even see Aang waterbend at all this season, which is kind of wild to me. I guess if you take out the Summer Solstice Comet deadline to master all four elements (which they did) Aang doesn’t really need to rush. Instead they kind of just have Aang have a thing of like “I have my friends to help me” which is….. ok….. Oh wait, is this why they don’t care that much about foreshadowing Toph? Are they just not gonna bother having Aang learn the elements and just have her show up and join them for whatever reason? Is that why they just totally removed ‘The Deserter’? Wait sorry, I’m assuming they’re planning that far in advance at all, my bad.

Okay also like I have to talk about this because it bothers me so much. Zhao was handled so badly. Whatever, have a Fire sage just give him the moon/ocean spirit exposition in a flashback instead of the way it unfolded in the cartoon (I guess we’re already not bothering to set up the great library since the gaang already met wan shi tong, I guess that’s… fine… Appa can get captured a different way, if they’re even going to bother with that plotline in season 2. If they’re even going to do a season 2.) Sure, the moon and ocean spirits are only in the physical realm and vulnerable for ‘only one night’ now as opposed to permanently. Zhao knows this but not that they’re fish. Okay. Whatever. Blah blah blah. Those are personal nitpicks. But what really gets me is that in the end, Iroh and Zuko kill Zhao. Or rather, Zuko doesn’t finish him off, Zhao tries to attack when his back is turned, and Iroh finishes him off (similar to the way their Agni Kai in the cartoon plays out.) In the cartoon, Zhao and Zuko are fighting, Aang-as-Ocean-Spirit grabs Zhao, and Zuko reaches out to try and help Zhao, which Zhao refuses. He chooses to meet his fate at the hands of the spirits he provoked rather than swallow his pride. This is such a good conclusion to Zhao’s character! The live action also fails to set Zhao up as a formidable firebender, which is also not strictly necessary but I think complements other elements of his character well. His first episode in the cartoon includes the Agni Kai between him and Zuko, establishing Zhao both as a firebending master and as someone who values his ambition and pride above all else. In s1e16, ‘the deserter’ we see him as the embodiment of fire’s destructive hunger: he is baited into destroying his own ships in his desire to “win” his fight with Aang. He gloats of how his siege of the North Pole will earn him a place in the history books, and to win he is willing to kill the moon, against Iroh’s exhortations. In the live action, we get a weird revelation that he was working with Azula, and she was the mastermind behind a lot of his plans? Huh? He also “reveals” that Ozai was only ever using Zuko to “motivate his sister”, which is both incredibly heavy-handed and completely redundant. I guess I should mention that the finale has a couple scenes thrown in where Azula is doing firebending training to pass some kind of arbitrary Test Ozai has set for her, while Mai and Ty Lee watch and tell her that her dad is like, being way too hard on her and she knows he’s manipulating her right? Thanks girls!

Anyway, I guess since the live-action completely removed the golden child/failure dynamic between Azula and Zuko we needed something to replace it. The “my father always said Azula was born lucky. He said I was lucky to be born” line summed up that relationship dynamic nicely. Oh well, who needs it. Instead Zuko is good enough to have beaten Ozai in a duel at 13, but Ozai decided he was weak for hesitating. Meanwhile Azula is struggling to meet his expectations. He banished his heir on a mission that, for the last hundred years, was considered a complete dead-end, so that he could, uhhhhh, Motivate her when he miraculously started succeeding. Masterful gambit, sir. Okay sorry to harp on that again. Back to Zhao. Actually, what else is there to say. He has a couple funny lines but he’s just not the same guy at all on either a superficial or deeper level. It’s so disappointing. It’s also just a really weak choice to make Iroh and Zuko responsible for his death. Maybe they couldn’t figure out how to make the special effects look good when the ocean spirit picked him up. It just misses the point of Zhao’s ultimate tragedy, to me. The man so lacking in self-control, so ambitious, so assured in his own superiority, that he saw the spirits themselves as his prey. To be destroyed by the forces he tried to destroy is so poetic! Instead let’s water down Zuko’s mercy and Iroh’s pacifism.

This is all I can remember at this point aside from nitpicks. Do I think the Koh vs Kuruk backstory needed to be spelled out like that? No. Did we need to almost have Momo DIE to get Sokka and Yue to the oasis? Not really. I don’t think the way Zhao “assassinated” Zuko in the live action made as much sense, but we took out the pirates so oh well.

When you get to a certain point I guess the question becomes ‘how much can you change in an adaptation and still call it an adaptation’. What do adaptations owe to their source material? Where does the spirit of a story reside? If the same plot beats happen, does it matter if characters are different? If the characters are faithful, does it matter if events are moved around? If the destination is the same, how much does it matter how you get there? What do I personally want to see in a ‘live-action’ adaptation of Avatar, this show that I loved so much growing up? Well, assuming that “don’t make one” isn’t a possibility, I would have preferred they follow more in One Piece’s footsteps. That adaptation wasn’t perfect either, and it condensed around 100 chapters of manga into 8 hours, but it really felt like it got the characters right. Avatar had a tough job too, but it condensed 7 hours 40 minutes of cartoon into 8 hours of- wait. No. Well at least we got the cabbage merchant.

[sodobabe]

Embarrassed (Dewdrop Ghoul) 18+ Minors DNI

A/N: This was written purely for my own enjoyment but I figured I would share it with the world. Enjoy!

Warnings: Smut. Sub Dew, Dom Aether, humiliation, cum desperation, loss of control, public sexual act, anal, fluffy Aether, Dew has soft feelings.

It is a known fact that ghouls are always horny while performing. After rituals, it is always a race of whoever can get to the bathroom the fastest to relieve their desire. Dew is the worst of them all. He gets so into the music and the friction of the guitar makes it worse. He’s usually pretty good at fighting the urge until this one fateful night.

The ritual began as the curtain dropped, Dew was hard even before he stepped on stage. Aether had been teasing him backstage and that resulted in the fire ghoul being hot and heavy as they took their spots before the crowd. Aether had told him if he was able to make it through the whole ritual without releasing his load in his pants, he would treat him to a fun night. Dew kept this thought at the front of his brain as he played through the setlist.

You got this. You are in control. Dew kept reassuring himself. There was one more song left in the set and Dew thought he would be able to power through. He was wrong. As he was shredding away during Square Hammer he felt his balls tighten. Fuck he was bout to cum right here in his pants in front of everybody. Dew wasn’t one to have a quiet orgasm either. His little body couldn’t handle the sensations all at once.

Toward the middle of the song, he lost it. His rhythm faltered, drawing Aether’s attention. He kept playing as he threw his head back and moaned into his balaclava at the sensation of the warm cum seeping through the fabric of his pants. For whatever reason, it wasn’t his usual amount of cum. It was ropes and ropes of the stick secretment coating his crotch and the back of his guitar.

Aether noticed what was happening and made his way over to the fire ghoul who was now embarrassed by what had just transpired.

“Awww, did my Dewdrop cum in his pants like a needy little slut,” Aether mumbled in Dew’s ear.

“I couldn’t help it. Feel like there’s more in there,” Dew moaned as the friction from his guitar made his cock rock hard again.

“Almost done, Dew. Meet me in the green room after final bow,” Aether instructed before making his way back over to his side of the stage.

Dew’s worst nightmare had come true. He lost control in front of thousands of fans and now was about to have to do the final bow with the stains of his cum evident to everybody in the first couple of rows.

The song ended and all of the ghouls and ghoulettes lined up with Copia for the bow. As soon as Dew came back up after the bow, he bolted for the green room, throwing shit along the way because he was angry and embarrassed with himself.

He flung the door open and threw himself down on the couch, head in his hands trying to collect his thoughts. As he calmed his breathing, Aether came in and closed the door.

“What happened, Dew? You couldn’t control your own dick on stage?” Aether mocked as he lifted Dew’s chin.

“Fuck you,” Dew spat, his anger still emanating.

”Is that what you were thinking about while your desperation got the best of you?” Aether whispered in Dew’s ear.

This made Dew’s dick even harder. He needed Aether and he needed him now.

“Aeth, please. I’ve already embarrassed myself once tonight. Please don’t make me beg for your cock to add to the humiliation,” Dew whimpered.

”Oh but that’s the fun part,” Aether said as he sat down next to the embarrassed ghoul.

Dew gave in. He needed to be fucked by the larger, older ghoul and he needed it now.

”Please, Aeth, need your cock in me so bad. Please, I’m your needy little cockwhore. Want daddy’s dick so bad,” Dew begged as he straddled Aether’s lap.

The begging was music to Aether’s ears. He moved Dew off of him and slipped his pants down, his large cock popping out.

“Take your dirty pants off and ride daddy like the good little cum slut you are,” Aether instructed.

Dew did as he was told, pulling his pants off, moaning at the wet patches gliding against his swollen cock. He straddled Aether’s lap once more. Aeth reached into his bag that was next to the couch and pulled out a bottle of lube. He used it to lube up his cock and Dew’s ass.

Aether slipped his cock into Dew’s tight ass, moaning at the pleasure of being inside his favorite ghoul. Dew wasted no time before he was bouncing on Aether’s cock, singing his praises. Aether used one free hand to support Dew’s back and the other one was stroking Dew’s cock that was rubbing against the quintessence ghoul’s belly.

”Fuck, daddy, love having your cock in my ass. Feels s’good,” Dew moaned.

”You’re such a good little slut for your daddy. You’re not allowed to cum until I do,” Aether instructed.

This would be hard for Dew as he was already close to his second orgasm of the night.

“But, daddy, I need to cum again,” Dew moaned into Aether’s ear.

“If you do, daddy isn’t going to fuck you for a week and you won’t be allowed to touch yourself either,” Aether seductively scolded.

Dew couldn’t go that long without Aether fucking him, let alone pleasuring himself so he had to control himself.

“Keep riding daddy’s cock, gonna cum in this sweet tight ass of yours,” Aether moaned as he felt his balls tighten.

Dew was able to resist the urge of spraying his cum all over Aether at the thought of Aether filling his tight hole with his warm cum.

”Fuck, Dew, I’m cumming, Oh fuck me baby,” Aether said as he thrusted his hips into Dew, releasing his seed inside of the needy fire ghoul.

“Cum for daddy, Dew baby. You’ve been a good cum slut, cum for me,” Aether moaned as he was still riding out his high in Dew’s ass.

Dew needed no further encouragement as he released his cum all over Aether’s hand and belly,

“Fuck, Aeth, fuck I’m your good little cum slut. Fuck I love you, Daddy,” Dew moaned as he fucked into Aether’s cum covered hand.

Aether was caught off guard by the three words that left the fire ghoul’s mouth.

”Dew, did you just say you love me?” Aether asked as he tucked Dew’s hair behind his ear.

”I uh, I,” Dew stuttered.

He had always had these strong feelings for Aether but always thought Aether viewed him as another ghoul to fuck.

”Yes. I love you, okay. I didn’t want you to know because I didn’t want to be rejected. I want more than just our daily fucks. I want to be yours,” Dew muttered out, now flustered from his lack of self awareness when speaking.

”Dew, hey, listen to me. I love you too. I just figured you didn’t do the dating thing because, well that’s just how I assumed you were,” Aether said as he looked the fire ghoul in the eyes.

”I usually don’t but with you, I burn for you. I need you in more ways than just this,” Dew said.

”Then you will have me in more ways than just this. Let’s be together. Let’s be boyfriends,” Aether whispered in Dew’s ear, pulling a low pur from the fire ghoul who was well spent after the fun they just had.

The two ghouls got cleaned up and made their way back to the tour bus. Aether invited Dew to sleep in his bunk with him tonight and the little ghoul didn’t hesitate once. Aether crawled in and put his back against the wall before motioning for the fire ghoul to come snuggle with him.

“I love you, Dewdrop,” Aether whispered in his ear.

”I love you, too, Aether,” Dew mumbled before quickly falling asleep.

[justagalwhowrites]

Beskar Doll - Ch. 39: Threat

Your bounty takes you to Kessel and comes with challenges of its own. A continuation of Beskar Doll Ch. 1-38 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: The Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Female Reader

Warnings: SMUT! Smutty smutty smut. Smutttttttt! Canon-typical violence. No use of Y/N. Minors DNI, 18+ only.

Length: 7k

“You’re in position?” 

Din’s voice was crackly through the com link. You didn’t like it. You loved his voice, the com should at least try to do him justice. 

“I’m set,” you replied. “You?” 

“In position,” he replied. “Let you know when the target approaches.” 

The cantina was a nice one, all things considered. Clean, comfortable. You liked it well enough, there had been worse places you’d waited for a bounty or a contact. 

But you didn’t like Kessel. 

The Mandalorian had been here before - back before the fall of the Empire, when things were apparently a bit more stable - but you’d never visited this world. It wasn’t too high on the list of diplomatic missions given that its main export was a drug. Now you knew that you hadn’t missed much. 

Din had made you promise to not kill someone unprovoked when you landed - and clarified that unprovoked also meant that you couldn’t kill someone just because they were a slaver. Because everyone here was either a slave or a slaver and making it off world and through the Kessel run with your bounty, yourselves and your ship intact was more important. 

“Can’t believe you won’t let me just kill slavers,” you grumbled as you settled into the room you were renting. 

“Doll,” he sighed. “We’re here to handle other problems. We aren’t equipped to end slavery on Kessel.” 

The child was toddling around, peeking around corners, exploring the room. You just watched him, your heart warm. It hurt that there were other children who were going to suffer and you couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

“We are here to help keep children on Canto Bight safe,” he said. You went and looked out the window to the street below. It was strange, knowing that damn near anyone in the town and not at the mines were slavers. If it weren’t for the handful of slaves working here, you’d set some thermal detonators, blow the whole place. 

Din stood behind you, his body large and broad. His hand went to your shoulder, slipping down and over you, between your breasts, splaying wide against your stomach before tugging you back against him. Your head was against his chest, you could feel him breathing. 

“I’m sorry we cannot do more,” he said quietly. “I know you are used to… more power.” 

You sighed. 

“I like when we do what we can,” you said, holding onto his arm. “And I knew what I’d be trading when I did what I did during the war. If I made it to the other side, I probably wouldn’t be in the same position after. But it was worth it. If the Empire had won, things would be worse everywhere.” 

Grogu fell asleep not long after you finished the meditative exercises Ahsoka had given you to do with him, drifting off against your chest until you put him in his pod. Din was sitting on the bed, legs stretched out in front of him. You watched him for a moment. It felt like you’d been under threat for so long, the constant stress of looking over your shoulder, the fear of losing him or the child eating at you. For a moment, you wanted nothing more than to forget, to get lost in him. 

You went and straddled him, putting your forehead against the cool metal of his. His hands went to your waist and you could feel him starting to harden below you. 

“Cyare,” he said, voice heavy. “Tell me, what do you want?” 

You took a deep, shaky breath. 

“I wanted to ask you for something,” you said, biting your lip. One hand left your waist and he pulled your lip free from your teeth with his thumb before tracing it gently. Your heart was beating in a hard and heavy rhythm against your ribs. He just nodded once, his hand returning to your waist. 

“The time in the shower,” you said hesitantly. “And in the cockpit, with the binders…” 

You took a shaky breath, stomach tight, and you sat back away from him. 

“Yes?” He asked when you didn’t continue. 

“I was wondering if you’d do something like that to me again,” you had to consciously try to not bite your lip, your cheeks hot. You’d never asked for something like this, never wanted to ask for something like this. 

He paused. You could feel his eyes ranging over you, his cock growing harder against your center, a disappointing amount of fabric separating the two of you. 

“You like when I’m in control,” He asked without asking. You nodded. “Want me to make it so you don’t have to think, make it so all you have to do is feel?” 

You swallowed, hard, before nodding again. Nothing felt quite so good - so freeing, so safe - as when he had control. You trusted him completely, more than you’d ever trusted another person - even Sosha. Trusted him to take care of you, to give you what you wanted, to keep you safe enough that you could let yourself be consumed. 

He slipped his hands lower, tugging your shirt up and over you before depositing it on the floor. He cupped your breasts below the band before he pulled that off and discarded it, too. Din then reached for his belt and took his binders out, nodding to your hands. You took a shaky breath and put your wrists together in front of him. He slipped the binders over you, latching them tight before sliding his hands around you, up your back, holding you against the cool armor of him for a moment before lifting you from the bed and laying you beneath him. 

He took something from his belt, lifted your hands over your head, and fastened you to the bed. Your heart sped up. 

Din got up and your eyes followed him as he went to turn out the light, plunging the room into not quite total darkness. You heard the sound of beskar being put down and then his clear, unmodulated voice. 

“If I do anything you can’t handle,” he said. “Say the name of your home world. I don’t plan to give in to your begging.” 

You swallowed past the knot in your throat and took a shaky breath before nodding in the darkness. He got on the bed, you could feel the mattress sink below his weight. His hands went to your knees and he spread them wide before settling between your legs, his skin everywhere, almost overwhelming. His nose ran up and down your own, his lips brushing yours but not quite kissing you. When you lifted your head enough to try to kiss him - really kiss him - he pulled back every so slightly. You whimpered. 

“So eager,” he said, voice low and soft. “You need to learn to be patient.” 

He didn’t kiss you. Instead, his mouth trailed over your skin, the heat of his breath making the rest of your body feel shockingly cool by comparison. His lips ghosted over your breast bone, over to your nipple. His tongue lightly grazed it before he took it in his teeth, sharp and harsh, making you gasp and your back arch against him. He sucked the stiffened peak, teasing you with his tongue, until you were panting for breath. You went slack below him and he moved to your other breast, keeping his mouth far enough away that when he darted forward and bit you, it came as a shock that made you gasp. He sucked your nipple into his mouth, cradling your breasts, pressing his stomach down into your throbbing, aching core. 

When he released you, he brushed his lips lower, down your body, before pressing a kiss into your stomach, over your womb. 

“Don’t cum without permission, Cyare,” he said. You whimpered again. “Need to learn how to be patient.” 

The next thing you felt was his tongue lightly pressing into your clit, almost making you jump you were so sensitive. He kissed the top of your slit before taking your clit into his mouth, sucking you gently.

“Din,” you panted, your hips pressing into him. His hands wrapped around your thighs, holding you still. He took his mouth from you and you groaned. 

“No rushing things,” he said before licking a lazy path from your hole to your clit. “You have to take what I give you, Cyare.” 

You whimpered but didn’t argue. He hitched your legs over his shoulders before he released your thighs and, for a moment, that was all of him you could feel - his broad body between your legs, is hot breath on your slit. It was shocking, then, when his mouth covered your clit at the same time one of his fingers thrust into your entrance. The movement was sudden, fast, hard, his finger sinking deep into you, curving up into the soft, spongy place inside you that made you fall apart. 

He sucked and licked you, his finger thrusting in and out in perfect time, your body tightening around him. You were getting close, not sure how to stop the orgasm that was bearing down on you when he pulled away from you. 

“Why…” you began, voice heavy with pleasure. 

“Told you not to cum until I gave you permission,” he said, still between your legs. “Did I give you permission?” 

“No,” you whimpered. 

“Then you can’t cum,” he replied, running his nose up and down your slit. You groaned, the tightness in your body easing but not vanishing, the ache inside you growing. 

“Din,” you groaned. “Please…” 

“Please what?” He asked. 

“Please let me cum,” you whimpered. 

“Not yet,” he said, pulling back from you again. 

His tongue slipped into you next, pressing deep, forcing your tight, aching walls apart until he was buried in you, his nose against your clit. You gasped and fought to not grind against him, a finger from one of his hands pressing into you below his tongue, the thumb from his other hand pressing against your clit. 

You couldn’t help it, your hips ground against him, chasing the orgasm that was growing in you again. Your muscles clenched, the heat in you clutching tighter, burning brighter as he worked you. You were inches, seconds, breaths away from exploding when he took his mouth and hands away again. It damn near made you cry, the tightness in you barely easing this time, the aching longing building so much that it was starting to hurt. 

“Didn’t give you permission,” he said. His voice was thick, hot. Your heart was pounding. “Who does your pleasure belong to, Cyare?” 

“You,” you whimpered. 

“And would you take what’s mine without permission?” 

“No,” you felt like you might break in two if you didn’t find release soon. 

“Then you will take what I give you,” he said, returning to your overwrought slit once more. 

The pattern continued again and again, Din using his mouth and fingers to bring you to the brink of orgasm only to pull back just before you found it. You couldn’t remember your body ever feeling so tight, so wanting. It was like you were a spring that had been coiled past its breaking point but had somehow not snapped, you knew that - at any second - you would shatter and it would overwhelm you. You were soaking wet, you could feel the sheet below you clinging to your skin with your slick. Your entrance was starting to throb and flutter, grasping for something to grip as Din slipped your legs from his shoulders, rising up in front of you, his broad body silhouetted in the slips of light coming through the window. 

“What do you need, Cyare,” he asked, ghosting the dripping head of his cock over your slit. 

“You,” you were panting, all but writhing, desperate. “I need you, I just need you, I need you to let me cum, please just let me cum, it hurts, I can’t….” 

He thrust into you in one swift movement, forcing your tightened channel open, folding his large body over yours, his forehead meeting your own. His lips - still wet with you - brushed your own when he spoke. 

“Cum for me,” he said, holding himself so deep inside you that he was pressed fully against the entrance to your womb. He pulled back and thrust into you again once, twice. “Cum around me, want to feel you…” 

You didn’t need to be told again, his head catching on the place inside you that pushed you over the edge, his body pressing deliciously into your clit. Your walls clamped so tightly around him that it almost hurt, the throbbing so intense that your whole body trembled with it, the heat that had built into an inferno in your stomach exploding out of you in every direction. 

“That’s it,” he panted over you, fucking into you harder, faster, your body still fluttering around him. “Let go for me, I have you, I’ll take care of you. Doing so well, taking me so fucking well…” 

You strained against the binders but they held fast to the bed so you laced your legs with his, holding him close as you rode out what was starting to seem like an endless orgasm, like every one he’d nearly given you was crashing through you over and over. 

After what felt like an eternity, your body went lax and Din slowed his pace. He reached up and freed your hands and you quickly clutched onto him, his skin almost shockingly smooth and soft below your touch after being so deprived. His fingers traced your face, down to your breasts, his thumbs brushing over your nipples. 

“If you can cum again,: he said softly. “Do it. Want to give you everything, want to feel everything inside you…” 

You nodded and he pushed into you slow and deep, your body gently building to another orgasm as he took you. You weren’t sure how long you were tangled up together like that, the aching, gentle rhythm of him deep within you, his lips on your own or on your throat or on your chest. You traced his face in the dark, memorizing how he felt below your fingers. It was like nothing existed outside of him - not time or space or sorrow or wanting. You couldn’t comprehend something beyond him, it was overwhelming to even consider anything else. You were drawn taught like a bowstring again, panting below him. 

“Going to cum,” you whispered. “Want you… want to feel you…” 

“Cum for me,” he said, taking your face in his large hand and kissing you, his tongue dipping into your mouth as pressed so deep inside you the stretch of him burned. You came around him, gasping into him as you did and you felt him come apart within you, spilling into you for what felt like forever until he went slack on top of you. 

He pulled you against him and rolled so that he was on his back and you were sprawled on top of him, his hands splayed wide over your skin as he panted for breath, his cock still deep within you. You lay like that for a while, feeling like he was everywhere, before he started running his hands over your hair, down your back. 

“Did I give you what you wanted, Cyare?” He asked softly. You nodded into his chest, not sure you could speak quite yet. He pressed a kiss into your forehead. “Good. I love you. Want to take care of you, want to give you everything.”

You’d started hunting the next morning, the two of you splitting up to see what information you could find about the source of the spice. 

After a few days, you had a bead on the right hand man of the operation. He frequented the main cantina in town, one that was directly across the street from the inn - a savvy move on Din’s part when picking where to stay. It was easy to monitor the comings and goings from your room. Once you knew who you were looking for, it was easy to find the man in a crowd, get an idea of his habits. Know when to place you inside the cantina to help get him to a quiet place outside it. 

You’d set yourself at the end of the bar, a few empty seats around you, and ordered a cocktail that you were taking slow sips of so you didn’t lose your focus. If he stuck to his usual schedule, he’d be in soon. There were no other women alone in the bar at this time - turns out, spice mining and the slaving that went with it was mostly a male profession - so it was likely he’d sit by you. You’d dressed to encourage it, worn clothes that would fit on Kessel but that also exposed more of your chest than you would if you weren’t trying to catch someone’s eye. Your pants fit well, you’d done just enough makeup to highlight your features without looking like you’d done anything at all. Bait in a snare. 

“Target on site,” Din said a few minutes later. 

“Going quiet,” you replied, pocketing the com. 

The man entered and you were once again relieved that you had the Mandalorian as backup. Not that you couldn’t handle him if you needed to but he was large, grizzled enough that you knew it would be a challenge, especially if he had friends and you were trying to leave him alive. He was taller even than Din was, broader, too, his body all aging muscle covered in signs of survived conflict. He was close to your father’s age, you thought, but, given the life he led, you doubted his age would make him any easier to kill if you had to. 

Not that killing him was the goal. Yet, anyway. 

You glanced coyly in his direction, letting your lips curve into a small smile before looking back down at your drink, leaving your body tilted so he could see it better. 

He took the bait, sliding into the seat beside you. 

“Spotchka,” he said to the bartender with no other form of greeting. You turned your delicate glass in one hand, watching the liquid swirl as you did, your other hand sliding down your thigh, fingers lightly dipping into your flesh. 

“Haven’t seen you in here before,” the man said. You tried to not smile. Maker, men were predictable. 

“Just made it on world last week,” you turned a bit in your seat so you were more facing him than just tilted toward him. You took a small sip of your drink. “Still getting to know the area.” 

“Always good when we get a little…” he looked you up and down. “Fresh meat.” 

“Someone has to mix things up,” you quirked a brow at him. “Seems like you know your way around. Anything a Kessel virgin should know? Assuming you’re willing to give me what I want, of course.” 

“Oh I could give you plenty,” he smirked. So fucking predictable. “Who are you with?” 

“Pyke,” you replied. “Brought me in from Tatooine to help keep things running smoothly. I’ve got some experience in taming some…” you let your eyes drift to the man’s hips and back up to his face. “Harder things.” 

He took a drink, shifting in his chair. 

“Pyke is a good enough way to get on world,” he said. “But what you want is someone who can make you some real money, someone who’s doing something different. Need to find someone whose product is a bit more in demand…” 

“Didn’t know there was something more in demand than spice,” your eyes drifted down again. “Well, at least something that’s exported anyway.” 

He downed the rest of the spotchka. 

“Where you stayin’?” 

You smiled and hoped it looked more flirtatious instead of smug. 

“Across the street.” 

“Show me,” he said. “I’ll let you handle some harder things.” 

You slipped off the barstool and brushed your body against the front of his before you took his hand and led him out the door. You glanced up at the window to your room, where you knew Din was watching. You could feel his eyes on you, even though you couldn’t see him. 

You led the man upstairs and to your room, letting him inside. He was so ready to start getting your clothes off, it took him a moment to notice the almost two meters of beskar standing in the corner. 

“What the…” he began. You didn’t let him get further, taking the hand that was in yours and twisting it, bending his arm unnaturally back and pulling it behind him before you hit him at the knee, sending him to the ground. Din pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against, binders in hand. You smiled a little at those now.

“Good work, Cyare,” he said, cuffing the man before he stalked around to the front of him. You followed closely, the man nearly reaching your chin from his place on his knees. “Seemed quick.” 

“It was,” you smiled. “Didn’t take much.” 

“He touch you?” He asked. 

“Kept his hands to himself,” you replied. “I was impressed.” 

Din nodded slowly. 

“What the fuck is this?” The man demanded, pulling uselessly at the binders. “You clearly don’t know who you’re fucking with…” 

“Agur Gall?” You asked, brows raised. “Right hand of the Oska Syndicate?” The man’s eyes narrowed. “No, I think we know exactly who we’re fucking with…” 

He shoved himself forward, going to slam into you but Din stepped in front of you and the man’s head smacked into his beskar chest plate, sending him slumping to the floor. 

“Trying to hurt her is the worst thing you could do,” Din said, rolling the giant man over with a boot to the shoulder. “Right now, I have no reason to kill you. Don’t change that.” 

“What the fuck do you want with me?” He spat, lying on his back. 

“Access,” you replied. “To the leader of the syndicate. We have a bounty on his head, like to cash in.” 

“What would you give me for it?” He asked. 

“Your life,” Din said. 

“You’d think that would be enough…” you looked up at Din. 

“Right,” Gall laughed. “I give you Oska, I’m fucked. There’s a target on my back the size of the maelstrom, I’m out of a job, what good’s my life?” 

“Alright,” you replied. “What do you want?” 

“Come with me to meet with Oska,” he said. “It’ll be small but he’ll still have guards, I’ll need help to take them down. Once I defeat him and take control of the syndicate, you can have Oska.” 

“You have to stop selling the concentrated spice,” you replied. “That’s the only reason we’re here, it’s killing the children who are stuck running it if they come in contact with it, not to mention what it’s doing to the users.” 

He frowned. 

“Shouldn’t be capable of that,” he said. 

“It is,” you shrugged. “And our bounty holder claims your boss knows it.” 

“Not good business to kill off your clientele,” he said. “I’ll look at the purification and distillation process, won’t send it out again until it’s fixed.” 

You looked at Din and felt him looking back at you through the helmet. He gave you a single nod. 

“You’ll set the meeting?” You asked. 

“Should only take a day or two,” he said. 

“Turn on us, try to run, and we kill you,” Din said. “Understood?” 

Gall just nodded and Din pulled him to his feet, freeing him from the binders. He stood between you and the man, almost daring him to try anything. 

“Meet you at the cantina, tomorrow night,” he said. “I’ll tell you when we’re seeing Oska.” 

“I’ll be there,” you replied. Gall nodded once before he left.

“That was…” you paused. “Suspiciously easy.” 

“Doesn’t feel right,” Din said, going to the fresher to fetch Grogu from where he’d stashed him for the meeting. The baby stretched and reached for you and you smiled and took him, pulling him against you. He cooed happily and started twisting his fingers in your hair. 

“I know I don’t wear it down like this much,” you smiled at him. “So much more fun when you can get at all of it!” 

“Patu!” 

You kissed his little forehead before you turned your attention back to Din. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t exactly feel like running an interrogation today,” you said. “But I don’t trust this.” 

“We’ll meet with him tomorrow,” Din said. “Make a plan from there.” 

Din came with you for that one, Grogu safely in his pod in the corner of the booth. But the meeting went by without incident, Gall directing you to an old spice mine on the other side of the planet. 

“Should move in tonight,” Din said the second you were back in your room at the inn, Grogu sitting on your lap as he gnawed on some frog-like creature you’d gotten him at the market. “Set up surveillance.” 

“Agreed,” you said, glancing at the bed for a moment. Having one that was a decent size - far bigger than the one in Din’s quarters on the Crest - had been nice. You weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to it yet. But the mission was king. 

Din set the Crest down a few clicks away from the mine, tucked away behind what must be rubble from mines being dug out. He locked down the ship and you took the bare minimum with you to a spot with a good vantage point, settling in to wait, Grogu asleep in his pod. 

The Mandalorian watched in one direction while you monitored the other, the night still and cool and quiet. 

“Where do you want to go after this job?” You asked after a while, still peering through the binocs. 

“You’re asking because you don’t want to go back to Canto Bight,” he asked without asking. You shrugged, knowing he’d feel it with your back leaning against his own. He sighed. “Doll…” 

“I know,” you cut him off. “We need to lie low. But we’re both not happy working on that world. I think we should return this quarry and find somewhere else to go for a bit. We could even try Coruscant, with billions of people even you don’t stand out all that much. Or maybe enough time has passed that it’s safe for us to try to contact Karga again, take some guild work…” 

“I’ll consider it,” he said. “But I’d rather take jobs I don’t like on Canto Bight than risk you and the kid.” 

A few hours passed before there was some movement, a group of men - heavily armed - heading into the mine. 

“You need to wear something from Naboo,” Din said, watching the men go into the mine. “We’re outnumbered, you need something that will soak a shot.” 

“Good idea,” you replied. “Thermal detonators wouldn’t be bad, either. We get pinned down, we can just set them, run and bring the mine down behind us.” 

You weren’t sure what the usual contingent was at a meeting place for Oska. Without context, you couldn’t know if it was a trap. Just that it didn’t look great. The two of you kept watching the mine until sunrise. You walked back to the Crest and changed into what you’d packed when you’d left Naboo - intended for guarding the queen when going into battle. It fit, the muscle you’d lost rebuilt, like you had become yourself again. Your hair had grown out since you’d been back with Din, long enough now that you could braid it in a Naboo style. You sat in front of the reflective crate, Grogu on your lap with one of his toys as he watched your reflection, enchanted, as you worked. You reached out for him with your mind, getting a glimpse of his thoughts when you did. He was endlessly curious, trying to absorb everything. You tried to think through what you were doing as you did it, explaining how it worked. You thought he understood, glimmers of satisfaction coming through the mental bond. 

You tried to think of how long it had been since you’d last done your hair like this. Maybe your wedding day? You’d cut it not long after at Kann’s request and had refrained from styling it that way in the interim, not wanting to look like an off worlder. But it felt wrong to do anything different for your wedding day, even if it had been a wedding in title only. You glanced at Din in the reflection of the crate as he gathered the last of the things you’d need to deal with Oska. 

You hadn’t thought about your wedding day much. At the time it had been… not quite happy but optimistic. Some sign that things would eventually be OK. That you could have a normal life, find satisfaction in something. Of course, that’s not what happened. But it made you wonder what it would be like to marry someone because you wanted to. Because you loved them, wanted to spend your life with them, wanted to belong to them and they to you. 

Your mind was stuck on it, the idea of something permanent because you wanted it, not out of necessity or duty. 

Curiosity got the better of you as you walked back to your vantage point to wait for your meeting time. 

“Do Mandalorians get married?” You asked. Din’s stride stuttered for a moment and you tried to cover yourself quickly. “I just mean… I’m not asking if… I just wasn’t sure if you did. How that worked.” 

“We do,” he said after a moment. “It’s… simple. Just a few words spoken to each other. It can be private, no one needs to witness it. It can even be over com link.” 

You nodded slowly. 

“What was it like for you?” He asked after a moment of quiet. “Getting married.” 

“Simple but not that simple,” you replied. “Aidla and Tam were witnesses, as well as two friends of Kann’s. Aidla let me borrow her wedding dress so I got to wear something from Naboo… We said the usual things, I suppose. None of it was true, which was harder than I expected. I never envisioned love but mutual respect… Anyway. I just… I wasn’t sure how that worked for you.” 

“Not so different from other cultures,” he paused for a moment. “Is that… something you would want?” 

You thought for a moment. 

“I don’t know,” you said eventually. “I never really thought about it, it wasn’t something I ever thought I’d have, at least not really.” 

He nodded slowly, looking straight ahead. 

“What about you?” You asked after a moment. “Is it… Do you want that?” 

“With the right person,” he said eventually. “With you, if the time was right…” 

You smiled a little at that. The time could be right. At least for you. When it came to Din, the time always seemed to feel right.

***

This whole deal had Din on edge. Gall had been too quick, too eager. He doubted he’d been biding his time to stage a coup, just waiting for the right opportunity. It was too convenient. But it was the way he had to find Oska, so he was following through on it. 

At dusk, you descended from your perch to meet Gall at the mouth of the mine, Grogu tucked safely inside his pod. 

Gall was waiting where he promised, standing there alone. 

“Deal is, you get Oska,” he said. “I get the syndicate. Still good?” 

Din glanced at you before looking back to him. 

“Agreed,” Din said. 

“Good,” Gall said. “I told Oska I’m bringing you in as potential distributors. Some of the men inside are loyal to me, try not to kill them.” 

The man had too many things in place. Din was playing into his hand, he could feel it. He only hoped he could protect you and the child if it got out of control. 

“Gall!” The man who must be Oska greeted him in a cavernous space inside the mine, flanked by at least three dozen men. “I’ve been thinking all day about your proposition to move our product coreward. I take it these are the distributors?” 

“A smuggling team,” Gall positioned himself closer. “Willing to run the product to Hosnian Prime to start. We can see about expansion from there.” 

Oska looked you and Din over, nodding in approval. 

“Didn’t know there were Mandalorians left,” he said, sounding almost amused. As though Din were a novelty, something on display. His fist clenched. “I’ve always admired men with a strong sense of duty.” 

He turned his attention to you. 

“Something tells me you’re a deceptive little thing,” he smiled. “A handy skill with smuggling.” 

“I’ve found it useful,” you replied, your fingers close to the blaster strapped to your thigh. 

“Let’s discuss the numbers,” he said. “Gall, why don’t you wait…” 

“Why don’t I what?” The large man drew himself up even taller. Din glanced to you. You looked ready. “Why am I the one seeking out new opportunities while you reap the benefits? Seems like you shouldn’t be the one negotiating. Seems like it should be me.” 

“Gall,” Oska cautioned, about 25 of the men at his back adjusting the grip on their weapons. “You’re on dangerous ground.” 

“No,” Gall drew his blaster. “I think you are.” 

Someone at Oska’s back shot first, a blaster bolt barely missing Gall’s shoulder. There was a split second of quiet after, the moment feeling long and drawn out to the Mandalorian. They often did, the moments before a situation burst into violence. 

The moment passed quickly and a hail of blaster fire began. Din sent the child’s pod to a sheltered alcove he’d spotted when they’d entered and tried to not focus on you, tried to trust you to handle yourself. He knew you could, knew that smart and strong and immensely capable. He knew there was a better chance of both of you getting out of here unscathed if he let you take care of yourself and he focused on doing what he had to do. 

But looking out for you felt like the keenest form of self defense now. Damn near every inch of him was covered in beskar, every inch that wasn’t you. Because it seemed like you’d become an extension of him, something vital and important to protect, something that mattered even more than a limb or an organ and you were outside his armor and control. He’d become even more aware of the risk when you’d brought up marriage that afternoon. 

He wasn’t sure what had made you think of it, why you’d brought it up when you did. Maybe you’d sensed that it had been on his mind with your Jedi-like power. Maybe you’d heard inside his mind that, when he thought of you, he thought of you as his riduur, as his wife. Maybe you’d noticed how tempted he’d become to just… let you see him. Something he never thought he would want. He hadn’t felt that keeping his face hidden was lacking until you. 

He’d become less stringent with his helmet since Tatooine, frequently removing it when you would be able to get a sense of the shape of his brow or the curve of his nose. It was a fine line, not quite breaking the rules, not quite hiding from you. But he wanted you to see him the way he saw you. He wanted to be yours and you to be his. And the need to protect you was strong. 

He resisted the drive to throw you behind him, to shield your smaller, more delicate being with his own. Instead, he fired the whistling birds, taking out a dozen of the men shooting towards them. 

Din caught a glimpse of you out of the corner of his eye as you ducked behind a boulder and fired over it, the infighting breaking out among the ranks. He turned is attention to Oska, the man already moving deeper into the mine. He took off after him, four of his men moving with him. Din started taking them out from behind, forcing them to stop and try to defend against him. But they weren’t good enough shots to hit anything but beskar and he made quick work of them, grabbing Oska before he could make it far. He cuffed the man. 

“There’s a bounty on your head,” Din said. “Your spice has been killing people, including the children running it. I can bring you in warm or I can bring you in cold. If you make it easy for me, it will be warm.” 

“Killing…” the man frowned. “No, no ours is medical grade, it shouldn’t…” 

Din took him by the collar and dragged him back toward the main chamber, where you were standing beside Gall. It didn’t make sense, none of it made sense. You were finishing off the last of Oska’s men, Gall and the handful loyal to him nearby. 

“Gall!” Oska yelled from Din’s grip. “What did the Mandalorian mean, that the product is killing the people running it?” 

Gall sighed, lowering his blaster and shaking his head. 

“Really wish you hadn’t told him why there was a price on his head,” the large man said before grabbing you and pulling you back into his chest, pressing his blaster to your skull. Din dropped Oska and pulled his blaster, leveling it at the man. “Sometimes, the best product comes at a price. One that Oska just wasn’t willing to pay. I am. Now now Mando, do you really count yourself to be a fast enough shot to take me down before I kill your partner?” 

The blood was pounding in Din’s ears, his chest tight. This man had you, he wanted to hurt you, to kill you. He couldn’t let him, he’d die before he let him. 

“If you want to leave here alive,” Din said, his voice a forced calm. “You’ll release her.” 

Gall’s large hand went around your throat and you met Din’s eyes, gave him an almost imperceptible shake of your head. He tried to swallow the terror in him, the drive to rip you away from him all but overwhelming. 

“Gall,” you managed, your arms lowering slowly until they were pointed down at the floor. “You don’t want to do this.” 

“I think I do,” he said. 

“Last chance,” you said, fidgeting with a hand. Din knew what you were doing, he’d seen it on Bakura. It still made him nervous. Gall’s hand tightened on your throat and you flicked the knife open, bringing it down into the man’s leg. He lurched, the blaster moving away from your head and his hand letting you go as he went to the wound on his thigh. 

You quickly ducked behind him and Din shot him, sending him to the ground, dead. You looked at the body for a moment, your knife in your hand, before looking up at Din. He shrugged. 

“He chose cold.” 

***

The bounty handoff was surprisingly simple, given that it wasn’t who you’d been initially hired to capture. But the official who hired you was thankful for results, including Oska’s assurance that the problematic product was coming out of circulation. 

“If there’s any more trouble, use these coordinates to start having someone hunt down Oska,” you said, handing her back her data pad. She frowned. 

“Are you getting out of the game?” She asked. 

“Something like that,” you shrugged. “Moving on to another world for a while. Hopefully you won’t need the information.” 

“Well, I appreciate your help,” she smiled. “Good luck, wherever you end up.” 

You were getting ready to leave the room you’d rented out once a week for six months - an oddly nostalgic sort of goodbye - when someone appeared in the doorway. 

He was small, mousey, young - younger than you. He looked scared. 

“Can I help you?” You asked. You shouldn’t have asked, you were leaving, you weren’t taking anymore jobs. But he seemed vulnerable. You wanted to help. 

“I have…” he swallowed, edging into the room with a holographic com link in his hands. “I have someone who is looking for a bounty hunter. He asked me to bring this here, to meet with you.” 

“Sorry,” you shrugged, something suddenly feeling off about him. Your stomach twisted. There was no way this man was a threat to you. You doubted he’d even be a threat to Grogu - even if the kid wasn’t a Jedi. But something about him was a threat. He wasn’t safe. “Not taking on any more jobs right now…” 

“Please,” the man pleaded, his eyes the size of dinner plates. You frowned. “Please, at least… at least talk with him, I’m begging you…” 

You looked at him for a moment. He wasn’t lying. He was fucking terrified. You stood up straighter, your fingers pressing into the table in front of you to try to put the tension in you somewhere. 

“Fine,” you said. “But I make no promises on taking the job. Just that I’ll hear him out.” 

“Thank you,” he looked like he was about to cry he was so relieved. “Thank you so much…” 

He set the com link down on the table in front of you and activated it. 

Standing in front of you, glowing and terrible, was Moff Gideon. 

“Hello, Handmaid.” 

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

🌕 Blood Moon: Chapter One

Blood Moon: Blood Moon: You have been defying nature, and perhaps, even the Gods. After returning to life because of Tony Stark’s sacrifice, all humans now have a designation: alpha, beta, or omega. Angry at the fate you’ve been given, you decide that you will do anything to ensure that your fate is in your own hands. You’ll soon find out that it is never a good idea to tamper with fate, especially when one man makes it his mission to ensure that you understand that you can try to out-fly your destiny, but fate will eventually catch up to you.

Warnings: Language.

To Note: A/B/O Universe Post Snap, Zemo x NAMEDFemale!Reader, Timeline Of Events Is More Spread Out (Weeks Rather Than Days) To Fit Plot Line.

Word Count: ~4.0k

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When the snap happened, you were one of the ones who dissolved to ash. It was hard to decide if you were the unlucky one, or if you were lucky that you hadn’t spent five years knowing that half of human life had disappeared. Time hadn’t passed for you when you had been gone. But something had happened in that blink of an eye, and when you returned, everything had changed, even human biology.

You had known you were fighting a losing battle, but perseverance had pulled through before, so you had stood by your friends. Standing by them was the least you could do after everything they had done for you since the ousting of Hydra in Shield. You had been a simple chemist, working on different types of chemical compounds and conducting research for Shield.

Disgust.

You had been disgusted with yourself upon learning that everything you had been working towards was being used by Hydra. You were young, inexperienced in the work field, and fresh out of college, but you knew chemistry. Hydra exploited that.

So, when you got back and were thrown into a world that had advanced in age and now worked under a new biological society, you took matters into your own hands and refused to follow any other fate than what you decided. No one was going to take the power of choice away from you.

No one.

Your micropipette was as steady as your gaze while you pressed half a milliliter of compound into the base of your latest experiment. Batch 336 showed promise of extending the effects of your OS-163 serum. At the moment, the OS-291 suppression lasted eight hours. Compared to how you first started out, it was pretty impressive considering you were doing this all by yourself.

Initially, the side effects had been mood swings, weight gain, nausea, headache, and migraines. Clinically speaking, it was pretty bad. While the serum lasted several days, and at one point, an entire week, dealing with the side effects was too much to handle, considering you were hiding this project from everyone.

The physical effects were terrible, and your friends were bound to notice.

So OS-71 had been scrapped for OS-80, a more reliable serum that reduced the treatment time but lessened the side effects. But you were a perfectionist and wouldn’t be satisfied until you had the perfect serum. It was a give and take project.

If you reduced the side effects, the treatment didn’t last as long, and vice versa.

Treatment every twelve hours wasn’t the end of the world. It was like taking pills or vitamins… you just couldn’t run the risk of forgetting. Missing a dose wasn’t the end of the world, but noses were a lot sharper than they used to be.

Taking a deep breath, you grabbed a stirring rod and mixed the base and compound together until the mixtures slowly dissolved into one clear one. Further progress. You just couldn’t get rid of the acrid medicinal smell that wafted from the seemingly harmless liquid. It was far from harmless and, if injected into anyone other than its intended group, could do a lot of damage.

Setting the stirring rod aside, you grabbed the beaker and brought it near your nose to take a whiff. Still smelled like chemicals with a hint of progestin, but not nearly as noxious as it used to. Further testing would see if the treatment time had been extended. Taking the beaker, you rolled over to your vent hood and stoppered it before moving the vent hood closed.

You glanced at the clock; it was after seven in the evening. Few people would be out and about in the building, but the city nightlife was only just starting. Your stomach was telling you that it was hungry, so dinner was your next plan.

Cleaning up your lab from the day’s work, you put everything away and turned off the lights before switching your lab coat for your tailored jacket Tony had insisted he buy you. Well, if you were to be honest, he had insisted on buying you everything after Shield had fallen. He had taken you in like you were a little sister to him, and had even set up this amazing lab for you so you could use your skills to do good.

Now you used the lab to honor his name, and as much as you disliked the brand names on your clothes, you couldn’t help but wear them because he had gotten them for you. It was all sorts of messed up, considering the secrets you had kept from him and the fact that you had harbored Bucky, Sam, and Steve when they had been on the run.

You had been a terrible sister to him, but he had never kicked you out. You knew you disappointed him with your close relationship with Bucky, but Tony had seen you as family.

Walking out of the lab, you meandered down the silent hallway of your lab and stood in front of the elevator. It was a Wednesday night; Bucky was probably at that restaurant with Yori, having dinner as usual. As private and gruff as he was, you don’t think he would mind if you popped by for a visit.

You went and found the nearest subway and rode it across the city and to Brooklyn before popping up on the streets and walking the rest of the way to Izzy. Upon entering the restaurant, you waved at Leah, the server who seemed to live in the restaurant, before walking over to Bucky and Yori, who were already at their seats.

“Room for one more?” you questioned lightly.

“Diana! Sit, sit!” Yori called cheerfully. You flashed him a smile before pulling out the seat next to Bucky.

“Brooding as usual, Bucky? It won’t kill you to smile, you know,” you commented to him while boosting yourself up into your seat. Leah came over with a cup of tea, and you thanked her before turning back to Bucky.

“Hello to you too, Di,” Bucky grumbled, flashing you a wolfish smile before resuming his naturally vacant face.

“That was not a smile,” you huffed at him before looking him up and down with a raised eyebrow. “When was the last time you got laid?”

Yori snorted and slapped Bucky on the back.

“Too long!” you received another bitch face from Bucky as Yori chortled.

“You know I’m serious about that, right?” you reminded him. “You’re an alpha. That sort of thing is supposed to be a stress relief, isn’t it?”

“That’s a lot of talk coming from a beta who doesn’t have to deal with the hormones. What do you have to worry about? Betas don’t get the hormonal fluctuations alphas and omegas do,” Bucky snorted, grabbing his beer and taking a drink. “I get headaches from the concentration of hormones.”

“You have to be the only alpha in the world that actually complains about being an alpha,” you said dryly, ignoring the comment about not suffering from the hormonal effects of a heat. “You have the pick of the pack, and probably the entire attention of every lone omega in the city…”

“Which isn’t that many since they’re so rare…” Bucky chipped in. You ignored him.

“Why are you still punishing yourself?” He gave you a look that was full of self-loathing and didn’t counter your words. “You still seeing Dr. Raynor?”

“You still using medicine as perfume? How many times do I tell you to spend less time in your lab…” You glared at each other.

“Okay, you two, don’t argue,” Yori interceded. “But Diana is right, James, you should go on a date.”

“No, no—“ he and Yori got into it while Leah dropped off a bowl of your favorite soup. While you quietly ate, your two friends provided comic relief from the daily stresses of your life. Bucky’s comment about you always smelling like medicine wasn’t unusual, but it was a painful reminder of how far you would go to live a normal life, a life Tony said he wanted you to live.

Slurping up the broth of your soup, you heard a noise of triumph from Yori, and one of Bucky’s signature sighs. Sounds like Bucky now has a date.

“Pot meet kettle James?” you quipped underneath your breath. Bucky glared at you.

Batch-336 was a success, so it was now OS-336. You were down to two injections a day and feeling more confident about your work. You were close to figuring out how to extend the treatment times, but more research into that had to be put on hold. You were once again being asked for assistance.

Sam was not happy that Bucky had shown up, and when you appeared, he was livid. But you had also gotten good at dishing out resting bitch faces. You simply fluttered by with your bag over your shoulder and ignored the protests pouring from Sam’s mouth.

It had been a long flight to Munich, especially with a man who had a staring problem and another who was in denial that Bucky and you had tagged along. In your defense, you were going after terrorists who were way too strong to be regular humans. Sam wasn’t happy with you, especially with you tagging along since you weren’t the most skilled with weapons and hand-to-hand combat.

It was probably his alpha personality. They were protective and instinctually tried to work alone. Having two working on one problem was bound to cause problems, and at the very least, cause them to butt heads like they were.

You just sat back and crossed your arms, looking between the two of them in amusement as their passive-aggressive comments and ignoring reached an all-time high.

“How long could they keep that up?” Joaquin asked as he came to sit next to you. He was a beta that worked closely with Sam and was helping him track down the Flag Smashers.

“Longer than you might think,” you answered in amusement. “What exactly were we doing out here?”

“Intel on the Flag Smashers,”

“I figured as such, but why so much effort?”

“We think they might be Steve strong,” he explained. Your face darkened, and you chewed your lip. Someone had cracked the serum to make more super soldiers?

“That would pose a problem, and one Sam wouldn’t be able to solve by himself.”

“Then how do we solve it?” You leaned back in your seat, your brain working over the possibilities.

“I don’t know.” You responded, before closing your eyes. You then tacked on one last word. “Yet.”

Several hours later you were flying low over Munich, and by low, you meant like two hundred feet from the ground, the belly of the plane just hovering over the treetops.

“Are you two just going to stare at each other?” you asked, your arms crossed over your chest. Bucky and Sam didn’t move a muscle from their staring contest. Sam finally got up and went to grab his goggles.

“So what was our plan?” Bucky asked as he followed Sam. Sam continued to ignore Bucky.

“Of all the juvenile things…” you muttered underneath your breath.

“Great. So no plan,”

“Thirty seconds!” Joaquin called from where he was standing at the jump door.

“Enjoy your ride, Buck,”

“Nah, you can’t call me that,”

“Steve called you Buck,”

“Steve knew me longer, and Steve had a plan.” Huffing at how petty the two alphas were being in the moment, you stood up from your seat and made sure that your jetpack was secured around your body. Then you pulled out your navigation glasses and slipped them on your face.

Even at that point, the two were still arguing, so you walked over to Joaquin, who was looking at you with wide eyes.

“Leave a job to an alpha and nothing will get done,” you told him before glancing back at the arguing men. “Are you two eggheads coming?”

At your words, and that the sound had come from the back end of the plane, Sam and Bucky glanced at you. They did double takes.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Sam erupted. “Di what are you doing!?”

“Getting shit done while you two are arguing!” you snapped before stepping out of the plane and dropping through the air. The jetpack picked up your fast rate of descent and fired up, slowing your fall down until you were hovering in the air.

“Friday, set coordinates and pull up on view screen.” A blinking line appeared on the screen of your glasses.

“Done. Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Phillips?”

“I’m set, thanks Friday.”

“Of course, have a good day.” From there, you twisted and angled your body, shooting in the direction of the line. There was a building in the distance. That had to be where you were going. You started slowing down and descended to the forest floor.

Your boots hit the forest floor and while you turned off the jetpack with your watch, Red Wing floated down to where you stood and let out a trill.

“I’m fine, Little Red,” you told the small machine before turning in the direction of the warehouse and following the blinking line on your glasses.

“You were supposed to stay on the plane, Diana,” Sam’s voice chirped from Red Wing.

“And we were supposed to be covert,” you sass back, stepping over a rotted log. Red Wing flew up close to you and let out a beep. Then a small compartment opened to reveal an earpiece. You took it and slipped it into your ear. “Finally coming around?”

“Don’t have much of a choice at this point,” Sam growled in your ear. “You jumped out of the freaking plane! If you weren’t a beta, I’d spank your ass for putting yourself in danger like that!”

“And if I was an alpha?”

“I’d still spank your ass!” So spanking either way, you could take that, since he had no discrimination over your designation.

“Face it Sam, if this is what we think it is, you need me… unless you or Bucky went back to college and got an advance degree in Chemistry.” You shot back.

“I get it, stop sounding so damn smug,” Sam answered. “I don’t want you in the crossfire, Di.”

“I’m not here to be turned into Swiss cheese, Sam. I’m here to do what I’m good at, nothing more.” You explained to him as you picked your way across the forest. “Super soldiers—they shouldn’t exist. They can’t exist.”

“… Meet me at the back of the warehouse,” Sam muttered.

“Copy,” you answered, your eyes settling on the building. “Is Barnes here or did he not jump?”

“You jumped out of the plane, you think he was going to stay on the damn plane knowing what you had just launched yourself into?”

“May I remind you that while I am not as well trained as you two are, I am far from defenseless?” You retorted while continuing your hike. Red Wing seemed to be content to keep watch.

Stealthily making your way to the back of the warehouse, you climbed through a broken window and dropped to the concrete floor. Your glasses automatically did a scan of the surroundings and you could see several people walking around at the opposite side of the warehouse. They were carrying big boxes that no human was strong enough to lift like they weighed a feather.

While you were further scoping out the activity, Bucky and Sam started bickering to themselves. Rolling your eyes at the two men who, might you add, were grown adults and alphas, continued their quips, you slinked your way over.

“Are you two princesses done flashing tiaras or should I come back another time?” you questioned them, giving them both looks. “There’s multiple people, and they’re jacked on something. I’m going to head in for a better look.”

“What? Di— get back here!” Ignoring the hissed calls from the two men, you took a side route and peeked around a metal wall to get a look at the truck. They were loading something onto it, but the question was what.

You got a chance to get closer when you heard metal clatter across concrete. What were those boys doing!? No time to contemplate why they had their heads up their asses. Darting forwards, you slipped underneath the carriage of the semi and got a hold of the pipes and chains. Feet ran past where you were hidden and the truck started up.

“Di, there’s an eighth person, hostage, we’re in pursuit. What’s your status?” Sam questioned.

“Hanging around,” you spoke as the trunk started trundling along. You glanced down at the ground as gravel and dirt passed. “What makes you think it’s a hostage?”

“They’re hidden in the back, hunkered down.” Sam answered. You could hear the wind flying by him as he flew. “Buck’s in pursuit.”

“You know he hates it when you call him that.”

“He has a general hate for everything.” Well, that was mostly true. Adjusting your grip on the truck, you heard Bucky let out a swear and then crunch of metal.

“Bucky?” you called, hearing the sounds of fighting and grunting.

“I’m a little busy right now!” He yelled back. Leaning your head back, you could see several shapes standing on the roof of the truck, holding what had to be Bucky.

“Clearly,” you muttered before carefully moving yourself further down the underside of the carriage. “Need some bac—“

“No!” Both Sam and Bucky yelled. You huffed and then saw Red Wing zip in and fire several rounds at one of the people. The little flying robot didn’t get very many rounds in before being snatched out of the air and broken in half.

You watched pieces get thrown and reacted. Your jetpack flared to life and, twisting out from under the truck, you snatched the pieces of Red Wing out of the air before they hit the road. Shooting back into the air, Sam passed you and dove straight for the person who snapped Red Wing in half.

“Good of you to join the fight, Sam!”

Holding the pieces of metal and machinery to your chest, you kept an even pace as you flew along the two trucks barreling down the road. Bucky and Sam were getting their asses handed to them, since every single person they were fighting had extra strength.

“Bucky, single out!” You called before angling your shoulders and shooting down towards the truck. Bucky, who managed to get free, kicked one of the people away from the fighting. You shot downwards and with a hearty kick, nailed the guy in the chest, sending him flying off the side of the truck and onto the road to be left behind.

Spiraling upwards, you circled back to fly with the trucks once more, and noticed that a helicopter had arrived, and John Walker of all people, was hanging off of it.

“Who invited egghead and baby duck!?” You shouted over the chaos as the two men joined the fight. Bucky was knocked off, but managed to catch the side of the truck, his vibranium fingers digging into the metal.

“Hell should I know!” Bucky snarled back as the second truck went to smash him against the one he was clinging to. Sam dived and swiped him out of the way, but the two hit the ground and started rolling.

“Alphas,” you snorted, turning your head back to the two men that joined the fight. You were losing this one, and fast. One of the two men got kicked off the truck, so diving, you grabbed the back of his tact shirt and stopped him from hitting the ground.

Since you had Red Wing tucked underneath your other arm, it was hard to stay stable, and you dropped. Managing to hold the weight distribution, your feet hit the ground, and you both stumbled at a run. You let him go and continued to run before jumping back in the air, hearing a ‘thank you’ from behind.

Backtracking to where Bucky and Sam had fallen, you found the two walking along the road, bickering once more.

“Is it even possible for you two to spend five minutes together without bickering?” you questioned them as you let your feet hit the road and turned your jetpack off.

“No,” they both replied. Sam glanced at you, then at the wrecked pieces of Red Wing you still held, but said nothing. The three of you fell in line and continued walking.

“How did they do it, Di?” You glanced at Sam.

“Someone had to have cracked the code, it was bound to happen. People want to be strong, they want to have security, and in this world, with that serum, they can,” you answered as a car carrying Walker and Lemar pulled up beside you.

“So that didn’t go as planned, huh?” Walker stated. The three of you ignored him and kept walking. “Okay. Let’s keep going. Look, at least we know what we’re up against now, huh? And we’re pretty sure it’s one of the Big Three, so…”

“Aliens, androids, or wizards?”

“That’s a universal thing now?” you questioned with your nose scrunched. Bucky grunted at you.

“Pretty sure.”

“There’s no such thing as wizards.” Bucky spoke up.

“Then it’s aliens, or androids…”

“Or Super Soldiers.” Sam interjected.

“Shit. Super Soldiers, for real?” Lemar questioned as Walker took a moment to think about what that meant.

“Yeah, why do you think Rocket is with us. For shits and giggles?” you snorted and rolled your eyes.

“Wow. All right, well, then we gotta work together.” Walker finally chipped in.

“That’s not happening.”

“I think we stand a much better chance if we all just…”

“Just ’cause you carry that shield, it doesn’t mean you’re Captain America.” Now they were getting into it with Walker and Lemar? Was picking fights with other alphas all they were good for?

“Look, I’ve done the work, okay?”

“You ever jump on top of a grenade?”

“We really gonna go there?” You asked Bucky, giving him a look.

“Yeah. Actually, I have. Four times. It’s a thing I do with my helmet. It’s a reinforced helmet. It’s a long story, but, any… Look, it’s 20 miles to the airport. You guys need a ride. Guys. Gary, stop. Get in. I don’t think you need to be dragging a beta all over the back country of Germany.”

Your eye twitched at the mention of your designation and insinuation of being a female beta who, in theory, was weaker. Sam and Bucky looked at you and you shrugged at them. They relented to the offer of a ride and you ended up sandwiched between Bucky and Sam.

“Okay, so we’ve got eight Super Soldiers on a bulk supply run. Why?” Walker mused out loud.

“They say their mission is to get things back to the way it was during The Blip.”

“And how was that exactly?” You questioned, leaning back and crossing your arms.

“Maybe they’re just trying to help.” Sam added.

“They had a funny way of showing it.”

“Don’t start,” you huffed, raising a finger at each of them.

“That serum doesn’t exactly have a great track record.” Walker said before inching his head at Bucky. “No offense.”

“We need to figure out where they’re going. How’d you track ’em here? The Flag Smashers?” Sam broached.

“Uh, no, we didn’t track them, we tracked you, uh, through Redwing.” Lemar spoke up from where he had been sitting quietly.

“You hacked my tech?” Sam said, obviously hurt that they would do such a thing.

“Sorry. It’s not exactly hacking. It’s government property. Kind of the government.” You stared at Walker, your gaze matching Bucky’s. “Do they always just stare like that?”

“You get used to it.”

“Are we making you uncomfortable?” You queried, keeping your face devoid of emotion. Walker’s blue eyes met yours.

“Actually, you kind of are.”

“Get over it.”

Date Published: No idea.

Last Edit: 4/29/24

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[blues824]

Hello I was wondering can I request the obey me brothers with a s/o who is like Bayonetta she’s a witch who can control time used guns and other things as weapons and she’s able to summon demons using her hair

On the Wiki for Bayonetta, there is a lot, so I’ll be keeping it strictly to the request. I also looked around and couldn’t find how exactly she summons the demons through her hair.

Lucifer

He’s very impressed by your abilities. There’s not a lot of humans that can do any of the things you do. Hell (see what I did there?), there’s not even a lot of demons who could do half the things you are able to.

You are literally able to speed yourself up. He appreciates the way you use that power, too. When one of his brothers is about to do something super crazy and destructive, you are able to stop them for him and that reduces his stress by a lot. Plus, the way you both carry yourselves so elegantly just goes so perfectly.

A while ago, the House of Lamentation went out to go airsofting and he was on your team along with Beel and Asmo. He noticed how you didn’t need any instructions and easily got the other team out in a matter of seconds. Not just that, but the way you held the gun made it seem as though you’ve been doing it for years. 

In one of the multiple times where he comes close to killing you, he hears the words you chant and how you summon a demon through your hair. This demon was much more powerful than any he has ever seen, and he realized that this demon was much different than those you would find in the Devildom. It was one of the few times where he was genuinely scared about how powerful you are.

Mammon

Is most definitely scared of you. He has seen your power, he can even feel it from just standing next to you. No one he has ever met, not even any of the witches, has ever had that much power. But also, you’re a witch, so he’s terrified.

He would try and get you to use your power to speed yourself up while he’s gambling. He tries to tell you that you would get a split of the winnings (man thinks 80/20 is fair) but you refuse because you’re smart. Instead, you aid his opponent to get your point across.

In the airsoft outing that the HoL did, he was on the opposing team. He was out in the first 5 seconds because of you. He threw a fit, but took a minute to realize that you had precise aim and a good handle on the airsoft gun. Not just that, but you held yourself with elegance and grace, without remorse at your actions.

During one of the many times where he threatened you, you got sick of it. You decided to teach him a lesson. You summoned Madama Butterfly, and Mammon was scared shitless. Everyone could feel the power and the link between the two of you, and the second-born knew that he was no match for either of you.

Leviathan

You remind him of the human-world RPG game! He will admire you from afar because he thinks that you’re just so freaking cool. However, he knows not to get on your bad side. He can feel the power radiating off of you.

Because he hasn’t caused you too much trouble, you help him with getting the stuff he wants online. You’re able to speed yourself up, so you get the item he wants the quickest. He always makes sure to get you something you need in return.

In the airsofting outing, he was on the opposing team. He thinks he is going to do fairly well considering all the shooting games he plays. Imagine his surprise and anger when he was out in the first few seconds. He turned and saw you, having a good grasp on the weapon.

He was livid. He brought out his demon form and everything. You smirked and brought out Madama Butterfly. That made Levi falter because he could sense the raw power coming from the two of you. He knows that he would never even come close to trying to kill you, so he admitted defeat before things got ugly.

Satan

He’s intrigued. He has never met a human who has as much power as you do before. He would ask a few questions here and there about your abilities and what kind of witch you are and the properties associated with your clan.

He hasn’t caused you much trouble either, you help him get the books he wants first. He will pay you back by taking you out to your favorite places. A little birdie told him that you like lollipops~ You both make quite the elegant couple, I add. On the way to a candy shop or a bookstore, everyone stops and stares because of how graceful you two are.

In the airsoft outing, he is assigned to the opposing team. He figures that it’s best if he hides rather than go on the offense. After all, someone with your skill would be able to get him out very quickly. He might as well not have put in the effort because you were easily able to find him anyway.

He was so unfathomably angry that he broke out into his demon form. You, finding it amusing, decided to bring Madama Butterfly to come out and play. Now, Satan knew that it was useless to even attempt to fight, but he was blinded by rage. He charged but was easily swept to the side and into the wall. You knelt over him and smirked, asking if he was done with his little tantrum yet.

Asmodeus

You’re so beautiful, Y/N~ is probably the first thing he said to you when he first met you. He was immediately swooning to see someone so beautiful, and so powerful. He could feel the magic surging through your body.

He would also be grateful for your speeding-up abilities because now it would cause less stress on him to know that his older brother Mammon isn’t out and about making a mess of everything like he always does.

In the airsofting outing, he is placed on the same team as you. He was worried about getting bruises on his beautiful skin when he heard the overhead announcement that your team won. He was confused until he saw you walking back with a smug smirk on your face.

He remembers the time where Lucifer lashed out and almost killed you when you defended Luke and Beel. He was pleading with his oldest brother not to when he saw you smiling and in a fighting position next to a demon who looked like a butterfly. He was shocked because he could feel the raw power coming off of you and said demon, but Lucifer looked shocked and even a bit scared. It was then Asmo realized that you might be more powerful than the Demon King.

Beelzebub

He honestly didn’t really care at first, but then he was hit by a concerning sense of overwhelming power coming from somewhere in the room. He hadn’t felt it until you arrived, so he put two and two together.

I feel like he would joke about you using your ability to get him some food, but he doesn’t want to use you for your ability. You do it for him anyway on occasions, like if he wins a Fangol game or if he does particularly well during a workout.

In the airsoft outing, he is placed on the same team as you. He’s happy that he’s paired up with you, but he thinks that you don’t stand a chance against someone like Leviathan. However, when he hears the overhead announcement that your team won in a matter of seconds, he turns and sees you smirking and flicking some of your hair over your shoulder.

Some of his brothers that were on the other team were very angry, so they came charging at you in anger. He was about to step in when he saw you standing next to another demon. The overwhelming feeling he got when you first arrived in the Devildom came flooding back, and he felt like he was going to pass out. Then, in seconds, the brothers who attacked you were on their backs, groaning in pain. He was shocked that you would do such a thing.

Belphegor

He most definitely didn’t care about you the first time he met you. However, he knew that you weren’t easily manipulatable. You were able to see right through him, actually. Plus, this is when he noticed the power you radiated. It was unlike anything he’s ever seen before.

He would be kind of jealous over the abilities you have, but especially the one that allows you to speed yourself up. He wouldn’t be locked up if he had that ability, after all. However, he knows that it isn’t the extent of your abilities.

In the airsoft outing, he is placed on the opposing team. He didn’t want to be there in the first place. He was low-key relieved when he felt the shot. Sure, it hurt a little, but that meant that he could sleep away the round. His brothers didn’t seem to see the same picture because they were angry. Satan and Levi were both in their demon forms and charging at you. However, he noticed that there was another demon standing next to you. One much more powerful. In a matter of milliseconds, the two were on the floor with the wind knocked out of them. You knelt above one of them while looking at the other, tauntingly asking them if they were finished with their fits. He had to hold back a small chuckle.

[rymndsmth]

kyoto 7 (tangerine)

you make a valiant effort to save Tangerine. 

“Have you ever shot a gun?” Ladybug asked.

It was a rather belated question considering you were already speeding off on their trail. He had asked a lot during the time you’d been in the car with him so far, most of which honestly went in one ear and out the next. 

Your mind was so hyper fixated on making sure that you, by some stroke of a miracle, didn’t see Tangerine and Lemon’s car flipped on the side of the road. Or worse. You picked at your cuticles until they bled trying to distract your mind from anything other than imagining doomsday adjacent scenarios. 

“Yes.” You eventually answered.

While they weren’t your weapons of choice, not that you had any, you were confident in your ability to handle guns. What you hadn’t done was actually aim and shoot one at another person. Killed. 

Bile rose in your throat at the thought. Guys like him and Tangerine probably didn’t blink before pulling the trigger with the barrel pressed flush to someone’s skull. You wondered what it was like for them the first time they were called to do it. 

Did they hesitate, or were they just so eager to get it over with that they shot with not an ounce of thought? You wondered what the fallout was. Did they throw up, or have nightmares about it? Or did they feel nothing at all?

“They haven’t moved for a while now…” Ladybug looked at his phone mounted on the dashboard.

For some reason you hadn’t probed, Lemon shared his location with the blonde. It wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to think that it was in case shit went severely sideways and they needed back up.

If they’d been stationary for a bit, was that a good or bad thing? Did that mean that they had lost the people who had come for you? That they had gotten rid of them? Or had they been the ones to get gotten rid of?

“Hey, we’re fifteen minutes out.” He must’ve seen the worry etched on your face. “I’m sure everything’s under control.”

You clenched your jaw and nodded. Hopefully his optimism would sink into your bones because right now you were feeling anything but that. You tried to think about the stories you’d heard the bothers share. How they were ruthless and methodological with their work. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for them. They were fine, probably just getting rid of evidence. 

Those thoughts played on your mind as you watched your surroundings pass by to try to get your bearings. You’d ventured further away from the city, deeper into the countryside. Street lights became sparser and sparser requiring high beams for clarity. There were a few homes, but aside from that nothing much else. 

Ladybug pulled his jeep over on the side of some dirt road and cut the power. A quick glance at his phone showed that Lemon wasn’t far away. There was a sudden rush of blood to your head, blurring your vision, but you breathed deeply to shake it off. 

“We go on foot from here, just in case.” Ladybug checked his pistol. 

Just in case. Those words clung to you like past memories you couldn’t seem to shake. Embarrassing moments from adolescence that made you second guess the way you navigated the world still today. 

Just in case this was an ambush, that you were walking into a trap. That whoever was after you had lured you knowing that there was something between you and Tangerine. Knowing that you’d come for him.

The soft ground beneath your feet made it difficult for you not to sink or slip, but you had too much adrenaline coursing through you now to fumble. I’m coming, just please be okay. Your fingers tightened around the metal in either hand. 

You trekked up a hill to find a large warehouse coming into view. Ladybug held out a hand to still your motion, and that’s when you noticed two men standing guard. Lemon’s car was parked just out front along with another, and dread threatened to completely sink in. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He turned to you.

The answer was automatic. No, you weren’t sure. But you had to go forward. Tangerine risked everything for you, a person that he barely knew. If anything happened to him in there…the least you could do was take out the bastards that did it. 

“Yes.” You breathed.

And then you were pressing on. Covering the flank to make sure no one was coming from behind, you emerged from the shadows. The sound of two suppressed shots came, jolting you, and then you heard their bodies hit the ground. 

You tried not to look as you stepped over them and into the ajar door Ladybug held for you. The stench of the place made you gag. It was pure decay, death. A slaughterhouse. You swallowed hard and pushed forward, determined to stay focused on finding them. 

Ladybug dropped another body, easing him to the ground to soften the fall. And then you heard it. A piercing cry coming from your left. It was him, and the only thing going through your head was that you had to go. Now. 

You took off with Ladybug calling for you as silently as he could, but you didn’t stop. There was no time for that, you had to get to him before it was too late. You had to put an end to whatever the fuck was happening. 

There was a door with glass paneling that you could see through, which you almost wished wasn’t the case. Tangerine was strapped to a chair, head bent. His shoulders rose and feel heavily with labored breaths, blood splattering onto the floor between his feet. A man stood beside him with a large pipe in his hand, and another who was patrolling with a rifle. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

You stepped to the side out of view, struggling to steady yourself. All of your senses were too intense, making you feel completely overwhelmed. The stench of old blood and rotted corpses, the thick humid air making your sweater cling to your damp skin, the low hum of electricity. 

But you had to do this. You had to. Whatever strength you needed to muster up, you had to call upon it right fucking now or you’d lose him forever. And you weren’t ready to do that. 

“I’ll ask you one more time, where’s the girl?” The one with the pipe asked.

Tangerine groaned, and then laughed. “And I’ll tell you one more time….I ain’t seen the bird you’re after.”

Stupidly, you felt a tears slip from your eyes. What the hell was he doing? You weren’t worth getting beaten to death for. Why wouldn’t he just give you up and move on with his life? Why didn’t he just toss you aside like everyone else?

He was such a fool, but so were you. That’s why you were stood here with blood caked on the bottom of your boots. And why you felt something switch in you, turning your eyes completely dead as you pushed through the doors.

It must’ve been like this for them, then. The invisible steel that coated you the moment you raise your hand and put two bullets into the patrolling guard, and raised your other gun at the torturer. 

“Drop it.” You didn’t even recognize your voice. 

You felt Tangerine’s eyes on you, but you didn’t dare look to look at him. One glance would soften you and that was the last thing you needed at the moment. You had to use up whatever was left of this strange thing that overshadowed you to finish this. 

“Just give up.” The henchman hissed. “We’ve already killed your father, and we won’t be the last to come for you.”

For some reason his words had an impact. The relationship you had with the man that knocked up your mother was nonexistent to put it politely. Despite that, he still had tried to make provisions to keep you safe, which was more than most did for their children. 

“Don’t you get it?” He continued. “You’re his heir. You lead the Nakamura clan whether you like it or not, and that means there’s always going to be a price on your head.” 

That leveling feeling was back. You clenched your jaw so hard that your teeth hurt. As much as you didn’t want it to be true, you knew what he said was. His enemies wouldn’t stop coming for you until they were certain that his bloodline had been wiped out. That, unfortunately for you and him, wouldn’t change the outcome of tonight. 

“Let them come.” You sneered and emptied your clip until his body fell with a harsh thud. 

Everything tuned out for god knows how long. All you could hear was your heartbeat pounding in your ears, drowning out everything around you. Though your arm had gone dead it was still raised, pistol hot beneath your fingers. 

You began to hear him call to you. As if you were underwater and swimming to the surface, you clung to his voice until you were back in the present. Your head whipped in his direction and you were running, falling to your knees to survey him. There was bruising and open wounds on his temples and cheekbone, blood on his lips. You wished you’d shot them more. 

“I’m going to kill Ladybug when I see him.” Tangerine huffed.

“I was coming regardless.” You shook your head, quickly taking out a knife to cut him loose. 

“You’re so bloody…frustrating.” He groaned as he stood, motioning for firearms strapped across your body.

“What?” You handed them to him. “Is this how you thank someone for saving you?”

Tangerine stopped, taking one of your wrists. He looked you all over as if you were the one who was held hostage, moving your hair and tilting your head left and right. And then he kissed you on the cheek. 

“I’ll thank you properly once we fuck off out of here.” His blue eyes held that promise. 

You didn’t have to make remark that he better make good on that because you knew he was a man of his word. He motioned for you to stay close to him as you exited, making your way to find Lemon. 

As soon as you exited and banked a corner, you ran into another henchman who held his large knife posted to strike. It was only for a second, but you hesitated, completely caught off guard. In quick succession there was a shot, blood splattering across your face, and the assailant dropping. 

Tangerine cursed, all but dragging you along with him. You tripped over your feet trying to keep up, throat tight. Just as you started to wonder how much longer you’d have to endure this horror, Lemon stumbled out of a room holding onto Ladybug. There was some coded exchange between the two brothers before you all were making way for the exit and back to Ladybug’s jeep.

There was too much to digest. You didn’t feel present in your body at all as you ran and hopped into the back. As much as you felt no remorse for killing those men, it didn’t change that you felt a part of yourself had been chipped away.

That was just the beginning of the complex brew of emotions running rampant in you. Initially you’d came gun blazing hoping that this would be the end of things, but the death of your dad change it all. The crippling realization that you’d never be free of this was starting to set in. 

Even scarier was the fact that you weren’t entirely afraid of it. That some small part of you had been anticipating this all along. You knew how yakuza families worked. The next in the bloodline was always going to be the leader. You could run away, and change everything about yourself, but you’d always be a threat to rivals. 

“Luckily for you, she doesn’t have a scratch on her.” Tangerine groaned as the car hit a bump.

“That was the deal!” Ladybug sung.

“Oi, are you gettin’ smart with me?” He flicked his ear.

“Not at all, sir.” The blonde conceded.

Tangerine muttered something under his breath before leaning back beside you. Still in your dissociated state, you barely registered his hand on your knee. When he squeezed it, you came to. Even more so when he pulled his shirt off to try to clean your face. 

“It’s gonna be okay, love.” He whispered, stroking your hair. 

You blinked back tears, leaning into his chest and balling his undershirt up in your fists. How he could believe that right now after all this was beyond you, but with him holding you the way he was, you damn near believed it too. 

Beauty in chaos was essentially how he described you, but that was how you saw him as well. The juxtaposition of his angelic looks compared to the life he lived. How tender he became in moments of turmoil. 

“You know what you are, Y/N.” Lemon looked back through the rear view. “A bonafide Thomas.”

You had not one clue what he was talking about. Some part of your brain recalled his obsession with the tank engine and friends, but you weren’t familiar with them or what he had meant. 

“That’s the highest order of compliment.” Tangerine chuckled lowly at your confusion.

“Thank you, Lemon.” You managed to crack a smile. 

The three men got to discussing next steps, which you ought to have paid attention to. The truth was that you were just too exhausted to care right now. You knew what laid ahead for you, but if you only had one more night to just be a version of yourself you knew you couldn’t come back to, you wanted to hold onto it.

@noz4a2 @simpforbuckyb @marshmelloyellow02 @bkildy @mrthonk @upsetbongos @skinandruins

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - October 22

Hey, friends!! I hope you’re having a great week--here’s what I read this week, which is--a short list. Hopefully you find something you like--if so, please remember to comment and kudos! 

~*~ 

you'll wait a long time by nanasekei 

Steve and Tony share a moment during a wedding. Things escalate from there.

-

Alternatively: Four weddings, a funeral, and one very emotionally stunted idiot.

Love Handles by fohatic

Steve notices that Tony really likes to grab onto certain parts of him. He thinks it's just a sex thing, but, like most things with Tony, nothing's ever that simple.

Summer Wine by KandiSheek

Tony had mentally prepared himself for a lot of weird things that could happen on their trip to Asgard. What he wasn't prepared for was a drunk Steve Rogers crowding him against the nearest wall and kissing him within an inch of his life.

Take a Little Love Where You Can by Mireille

There's an alternate version of Tony in Tony's lab.

There's an alternate version of Tony in Tony's lab, flirting with Tony's Steve, and Tony doesn't like it.

He's going to have to do something about it.

Stranded by Neverever

Steve and Tony get stranded in Minot, North Dakota and have to share a hotel room. Tony gets bored and discovers things about Steve.

Screen Test by isozyme

Here’s the scene: Tony’s drunk in the backseat of a car, doing something he shouldn’t.

Shakedown by Sineala

The problem is, Captain America won't stop shivering.

the hope that kills you by meidui

Steve used to go on so much about freedom and choice.

If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose.

Some of the freedom he loved was big, big enough for him to lay his life down for over and over, and some of the freedom he loved was small, like the wind in his hair when he took his motorcycle out, but now he has to sob and take it when Tony sucks a deep flowering bruise where his prison uniform couldn’t possibly cover and whispers in his ear, “Who’s gonna help you now? Where are you gonna run?”

Old Dogs And New Tricks by KandiSheek

Steve discovers the joy of his prostate during a SHIELD required medical exam. He definitely wants to find out more about it. Turns out Tony is one hell of a teacher.

Pull It Up by KandiSheek

Tony temporarily gets Reed Richards' powers. Of course he's going to use them for sex.

No Barriers To Entry by KandiSheek

Silver fox Tony is too old to always get hard when he and Steve have sex anymore. That doesn't mean he can't enjoy himself when Steve sucks him off. Especially when Steve is so obviously into it.

at his side by Areiton

He meets Steve on a Sunday, wearing his old Eagles jersey and shorts so short his Mama fusses at him, and he grins, tousled curls and a devil may care grin, bare-faced and bare foot.

“Hi,” he says, and then, like an introduction is necessary, like the whole world isn’t learning his name, he adds, “I’m Tony.”

how he got here by Areiton

Tony had said, “Do you know how pretty you look, when you’re stuffed full of my cock, Steven?” 

False God by iam93percentstardust 

We might just get away with it

The altar is my hips

Even if it's a false god

We'd still worship this love

~

The first time Steve meets him, Gillian has all sixteen dancers sitting in a circle on the floor of the rehearsal studio, where she makes them go around the room and introduce themselves. Tony is the youngest of them at nineteen, has two cats currently in his sister’s custody, and got his start in ballet before being so inspired by the 1989 tour that he cross trained just in the hopes that one day he could dance with Sharon. Steve had made a note of it in the way that he makes a note of everyone he works with, felt a little old because he had been a dancer on the 1989 tour and now this baby is saying he was inspired by them, and then gotten distracted by the next girl.

between you & me by welcoming_disaster 

In which Tony solves puzzles and Steve punches a wall.

wildfires in the spring by meidui

Steve is pulled out of the ice on a summer morning in 2010.

(“Keep each other alive,” Colonel Fury says when Tony comes to pick Steve up.)

Role of a Lifetime by Annie D (scaramouche)

It’s been almost a year since Tony was rescued from the Ten Rings by SHIELD. In this time, Tony has forged a new path for Stark Industries and taken on a new under-the-radar role as a consultant for SHIELD. Tony’s SHIELD job eventually brings him into contact with the newest Captain America, who’s a pretty cool guy, though for security reasons Tony can’t know his real name or see his face without the Captain America mask. This is also about the time that Tony notices a certain Mr. Stevens, a new hire in SI’s corporate office...

A Just Reward by KandiSheek

Steve is sick and tired of his love life never working out. So he creates the perfect man for him, the statue of Antonio. It would be great if a man like that actually existed in real life.

Turns out there's a solution for that.