#this took a while cause. groans and explodes

[serenescribe]

Three sentence meme!

Epel has an extremely rough day and just breaks down, Vil is being a soft mum for him the entire time just wanting his little apple to know everything is alright.

[✐meme] three sentence fic meme [✐] ficlet frenzy

"Epel," Vil says carefully, his voice kind, "you know it is perfectly fine to cry, right?"

Next to him, the two of them seated on an elegant couch tucked away in one of Pomefiore's many rooms, Epel dabs at his eyes furiously with the end of his sleeves. Just this once, Vil will not chide him on the improper use of his dorm uniform as a handkerchief, only because there is a time and place for such reminders, and now is not one of those occasions. "Ugh, I know, I just—" Sniffling, Epel shakes his head, muttering, "I jus' hate cryin'," his accent leaking through his words.

"Well, it's a healthy outlet for your emotions," Vil replies, matter-of-factly, stifling the urge to sigh as he packs away another lecture for a better time. Right now, his priority is Epel's well-being, especially considering the dire situation affecting the boy.

There is a lull in the conversation, before Vil says, "Your grandmother will be fine, Epel."

"Ah know," Epel mutters, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes again. "If it were real bad, my ma and pa would've told me to come back now... but still! How're they expectin' me to wait till the weekend when Meemaw's hurt?!"

Ah, Vil realises, as Epel rages and rants. The boy is crying now, tears streaking down his face. His heart twists at the sight; such a vulnerable, heartbroken expression, intertwined with streaks of red-hot anger, looks so wholly alien on Epel's petite features.

Wordlessly, Vil wraps his arm around the boy — his apple, a softer part of him thinks affectionately — and pulls him in closer, allowing the dam to break as Epel simultaneously weeps and rages. It's all he can do to be there for him while he lets it all out — and then after, he can take care of him.

[ridingthatd]

pathetic submissive business men

nanami, higuruma...

contains: fem!reader, nsfw, heavy smut, submission, masturbation, squirting, toys, bdsm, nipple play, orgasm deny, teasing, dirty talk, good boy, kinky, filthy, stroking cock, etc...

higuruma:

it was indeed a long night as the room silence was filled with wet, sloppy noises coming from your cold hands aggressively stroking higurumas filthy flushed cock. his red tip kept spilling white bioled precum that slid through yours fingers in your palm, keeping your hand warm. while his teary face was shoved into your neck, his hot, foggy breath hitting your collarbones. as he hiccup and sob, to overwhelmed by the pleasure that fogged his mind.

his huge thighs that were under yours, were trembling and clenching the muscles in them. while his rough hands were busy with your swollen nipples, pinching them between his fingers hard, trying to milk anything out of it. after that was your deal. you wouldn't let higuruma cum, you wouldn't let higuruma spill his warm seeds unless he manage to squeeze milk out of your nub.

"hic- i can't- please.. i-" he sobs pathetically into your neck, his tears slidding from his face into your boobs hitting your sensitive nipples. his fat cock was wrapped around with both of your hands, squeezing him, drying him. while a red silk rob was wrapped around his balls, making sure his seeds are ready to explode. but you wouldn't let him, its been what? hours since the torture started.

your hands stop tugging on his cock as soon as you feel the familiar throb of his cock, indicating he was going to cum. "NO! NO!-" higuruma whines at the lose of your delicate hands, trying to thrust his hips up but your thick thighs that were on top of his stops him. "shhh baby you gotta try harder hm?" you coo at him, sliding the tip of your finger gently along his sensitive tip before you suck it into your mouth.

he nodes eagerly into your neck, his drool leaving his lips and slipping into your neck. you gasp as higuruma leans in and take a nipple of yours into his mouth, suckling hard on it. you can feel his cock twitching just from having the taste of it. and he does something that seems to trigger your whole body.

he harshly bites on your nipples causing you to groan into the ceiling and the next thing you know was that your other nipple that he was squeezing with his finger starts gushing milk out of it, slidding down your tummy and landing into his flushed fat cock. higuruma gasp as he feels your warm milk on his cock.

eyes rolling back his skull as his whole body twitch and it only took one word for his cock to explode. "cum" you whisper into his ear before you take his earlobe into your mouth. robs of seeds explode out of his red tip. you gently shush him as he sobs into your neck telling of how a good boy he was.

nanami:

you loved nanamis huge muscles chest. you always did, and tonight you made sure to show them alot of love. here he was tied up on your shared bed, blindfolded. while two small vibrators were placed on his swollen nipples. his face was twisted on pleasure you can barely recognize the nanami in front of you. he look desperate. as he tried to hump his hard bare cock into the air.

he looked beautiful, laying down naked with his bare fat cock on hitting his abdomen. messy blonde hair placed on his forehead while his huge biceps were tied together. you slowly place your hand on his thighs and nanami groans as he feels the warm oil that you placed on him. you gently started to rub it all over him. making sure to coat his cock with it. while he whines under you.

once you reach his chest, you remove the vibrators. you smirk as you stare at the look of relief in nanamis face, little did he know you had something better. nanami breath hitch as he feels your fingers twisting his nipples hard before you place a cold tube on them. "are you ready?" you whisper into his ear, earning a confused look that was soon replaced with whimper.

nanami groans as he a feel a suction feeling on his nipples, it hits him that you placed a nipple pumper on him. his eyes rolls at the feelings his nipples were being to simulated. "open your mouth for me" nanami insistently obey, opening his jaw. moaning as he feels your warm spit landing on his tongue.

he thinks he might cum from his nipples alone and little did he know thats exactly what you wanted. "baby- ah! remove this shit-" nanami cries out embarrassed not wanting to finish already. he's sweating, his abs are clenching. he can't control the way his body starts twitching as he tries to hold back his orgasm.

"cum baby, do it" you teasingly coo at him causing him to shake his had immediately, clenching his jaw trying to control himself. but once you give his sensitive cock a slap. he lose it. his back arch, before he's spilling all over his abdomen while you stare at him in awe.

[asuyaka]

"How do the monster trio act around (and eventually get with) their crush?"

☆ - Monkey D. Luffy, Vinsmoke Sanji, Roronoa Zoro x M! reader.

♡ - guys m'sososososo insane ab these three m'literally gunna explode | also !! jus cus reqs ar gunna be closed, doesn't mean m'won't be uploadin !! jus not takin reqs f'the time bein (❁´◡`❁)

— MONKEY D. LUFFY.

He's so clingy around you, more than he is with anyone else.

Always, always, shares his food with you. Especially if you were busy training before dinner.

He's always around you no matter what. Oh? You're trying to help Sanji cook? He's on the floor watching you. Want to go buy supplies for Nami? He's clung onto your back like a Koala. Want to sleep due to a long day? He's right there in your bed with you.

He's so dorky about it too! Wants to spend every waking moment with you but doesn't know that he has a crush on you, just always wants ta be around you!

He's so jealous without even knowing it. What are you doing hanging out with Usopp when he's right here??

"[Name]..." Luffy groaned, clinging to your back with a sad expression on his face. He had his limbs wrapped around your torso and his head between your neck. "You aren't going to talk with Usopp again, are you?"

You stop walking, staring at him through the corner of your eyes. "Yes? I thought you and Usopp were best buddies, what happened?"

Luffy groans louder, causing Nami to yell at him to shut up from her room. "Nooooo, stay here and talk with meeeeeeee!" He wraps his arms around you three times (thanks to his devil fruit) and starts to shake your body around.

"Luffy— I can't even move if you don't let go of me!"

Luffy looks at you with puppy dog eyes. "Why hang out with Usopp when I'm right here?! I should be the only one you have eyes for..." He pouts as he presses his cheek against yours.

Your body flushes. Did... did he realize what he just said?

"Luffy, you can't say things like that if you don't know what they mean..." You huff, trying not to look too deep into what he could've meant by that. Luffy says things he doesn't mean, so you don't want to get your hopes up.

That only seems to coerce Luffy into whining. "I do know what it means! I said it, dummy! Stupid!! You should be mine, not Usopp's! I'm cooler and better and bigger and amazinger and uhm, you're mine because I say so!!"

Amazinger...?

You can't help the giggle that comes out of you, trying to force yourself to calm down while Luffy shakes you repeatedly. "[Name] c'mon, you'll be mine, right? Not Usopp! Cause, he can't cook and he's a sniper!"

"What does him being a sniper have to do with anything? And besides, you can't cook either Luffy."

Luffy blanks for a split second before going back to what he was doing. "I dunno. Doesn't matter! C'monnnnn, [Name], you're bullying meeeeeeeee!"

You hold onto Luffy's arm with a laugh, pressing your cheeks together as a form of affection. "Yes, Luffy, I'll be yours."

Luffy stares at you with surprise before turning back to his usual happy-go-lucky self. "Yippie!! Now, we can do all the things boyfriends do! Like go on dates, and eat together, and sleep together, and—"

As he continues to list off all the things he thinks boyfriends do, you can't help but chuckle.

Not like you two weren't doing that before his confession.

— VINSMOKE SANJI.

(inspired by @/sanjisboyfie 's oneshot ab this tragic little adorable man !! :3)

It took so long for Sanji to realize he liked you because he's not used to being attracted to men.

Thought that every time you complimented his cooking and his heart swelled up, it was just the flu. Nothing interesting or important.

Then, he started noticing how pretty your features were when you were eating, or how embarrassed he gets whenever it's just you and him in the kitchen.

When he realizes he does like you, his mind utterly falters, because... why would you like him back?

Even though there are lingering fears in his heart, he always tries his best to please you. Even if it means blushing like a moron whenever you address him directly.

"[Name]! I uhm, made this for you since you were... hurt, during our last fight." Sanji muttered nervously, averting his eyes as he held out a plate of food. Something small and easy to digest, but a food you like.

You smile warmly as you take the plate from his hands, your fingers brushing slightly as Sanji's face flusters even more. "This looks amazing! Thanks, Sanji. Do you want to sit with me? The seas are calm tonight."

Sanji pauses as he looks at you. His cigarette is inches away from falling out of his mouth and his face dazes.

"Sanij? You okay? You can say no, I won't be mad. It's not even your shift yet and everyone needs sleep." You say with an airy smile as you turn your attention to the food.

Sanji was right (like he was most of the time when it came to you and food), after the 'Big Mom incident' you were quite injured (and hungry). Seeing all the... talking food, didn't do much to raise your appetite.

There's a soft thud right beside you, long black legs resting a safe distance away from yours. A comfortable silence falls between the two of you, even if Sanji's cheeks are flushed and he's nervously playing with his thumbs.

"Wowww, this is really good Sanji!" You say happily, flashing Sanji a warm smile as you return to eating the food so gracefully given to you. Oblivious to the man beside you whose face looks so red it rivals Luffy's signature vest.

Sanji looks at you with nothing sort of affection. It's not the same as when Nami or Robin compliment him, you just saying his name is enough to make him flustered, but being this close to you alone might send him into cardiac arrest.

"[Name]...?" His voice is quiet, staring at you with expectant eyes.

You pause eating, covering your mouth, and cocking your head in confusion.

"This uhm... might be a weird question, but do you um,, l-like anybody?" He becomes more flushed with every word that comes out of his mouth.

The second you take too long to answer he starts to curse himself out for even sitting down. Everything was going so well until he opened his mouth—

"Yes, I do. What, trying to feel out if I'm single?" You tease with a light chuckle, picking up the last bit of food and holding it out expectantly. "You want some?"

Sanji can't say no to you. Even if he tries his hardest, his body will not let him say no, not to an indirect kiss; especially when you're offering. Even if you might not see it in the same light he does.

He opens his mouth and lets you place the spoon in his mouth as your eyes turn into crescents. "See? Does it taste good?"

God— Sanji feels like he's going to explode.

He nods, begging himself to calm down before his mind starts to run.

"Oh," You say suddenly, "—that was an indirect kiss, wasn't it?" You lin hum thoughtfully and place the plate beside you, letting out a soft yawn as you stretch. "You sure you don't need to—"

"I am so in love with you."

"...pardon?"

Sanji stands up immediately, his face red. "Nothing!! I'm sorry, I'm really sleepy now so I'll—"

"Sanji, what did you say?" You ask carefully, holding onto his hand to try and stop him from running away.

"It's nothing, [Name], please just let me—"

"Sanji." Your voice comes off soft, relaxing your body so you come off as gentle and not hostile. "Just say it, one more time for me, okay?"

Sanji could feel his entire body burning up just from holding hands, more so from him getting caught blurting out his feelings again. He stares at the floor of the Sunny, too ashamed to look you in the eyes. "I... I'm in love with you? I'm sorry if you don't like me back, I didn't mean it I swear!"

"Sanji, what makes you think I don't like you back? Better question, what makes you think I didn't know?" You cock your head playfully, pulling him gently so he's sitting again.

"...what?"

You chuckle. "I've heard all the other embarrassing times you've confessed your feelings, it's just that the crew was around and I didn't want to put you on the spot. I've liked you since we met on the Baratie, silly."

Sanji's eyes widen as his mouth falls agape. You've liked him... for two years?!

"Sanji...?" You move up to straddle him, your hands resting on his cheeks. "Can I... kiss you?"

Sanji nods so fast he thinks his head might fall off.

You smile, leaning forward to press your lips together. Sanji's body physically relaxes as he practically melts into you, his face redder than blood.

It takes all his willpower and the need to breathe for him to finally pull away from you. His face is flushed and his breathing is heavy, staring at you like you're the only man in the world— like you're the prettiest thing in the world.

You giggle, pressing your heart onto his chest. "I love you so much."

Zoning back into reality, he carefully places his arms around your waist. "I love you too, so so much [Name],"

— RORONOA ZORO.

Zoro isn't good at expressing his emotions, everyone knows that.

So, when he figures out he might have a romantic attraction to you, he's confused about what to do. Considers asking Nami about it, but goes with Robin since Nami is... an interesting woman!

Robin tells him to be upfront with his feelings, or subtly tell the person.

He's a naturally mature person, having a crush on his crewmate doesn't change that by any means.

Even if he is cold to everyone, if you two are alone on the deck of the Sunny, he lets you sleep with him or touch his swords.

Just having you around is enough to calm him down. Seeing as his biggest love language is quality time and you enjoy talking about the randomest things around him, it makes his heart flutter whenever you act like he's the only person in the world who you care about.

"Mhm! And did you know that otters hold hands when they're asleep?" You point to an otter in the marine life book Zoro got you during your last pit stop.

Zoro shakes his head, his arms crossed with a small, barely noticeable amused smile on his face.

"Yeah! It's so they don't drift off when they're asleep. Not sure anyone knows why, but I like to think it's because they don't want to lose each other. After all, they're social animals! Oh! They also like to cuddle a lot—"

"Kind of like me and you, no?" Zoro interrupts with a playful aura, causing your train of thought to stop, face flushing as you stare at his smug expression.

"Um, y-yes! Like... like me, and you..." Your voice progressively gets smaller under Zoro's gaze. He moves closer, causing you to move your arms back, resting on your palms. "Zoro?"

"Keep telling me about the otters, don't worry," He replies coyly, grabbing you by the waist and bringing you into his lap.

Your face flushes, stuttering over your words as you nod. Shakily grabbing the book to bring it closer. Carefully picking your words, you begin speaking again. "They might also, uhm, hold hands because they don't have very thick fur. It could be to share body heat and keep warm, since they get cold easily."

"What if I said we were otters?" Zoro asks from behind you, resting his chin on your head.

"Ah, then we'd have to hold hands when we sleep!" Quickly realizing what you said, you try to reel it back in. "O-of course, only if you want to! I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything, I know how much you like your personal space so—"

"You're in my personal space and it doesn't look like I mind very much, does it, [Name]?"

Twiddling your thumbs meekly, you shake your head no. Zoro laughs and takes one of your hands, putting it above his. The size difference is obvious, your fingers stop just below his second knuckle. Something about that causes a riot in your brain, especially when Zoro squeezes them together.

"Okay, another question," Zoro starts, moving the intertwined hands to your lap. "What if I asked you to be my boyfriend?"

You turn around immediately, staring at him with wide eyes. He isn't... joking, is he? Zoro doesn't normally joke about things (unless he's with Sanji), so it wouldn't make sense for him to joke about this. Especially when it's something so serious.

"Hm? What's your answer, pretty boy?"

You've liked Zoro ever since he sat down and listened to you talk about the different kinds of fishmen after the ordeal with Arlong. Zoro has never expressed romantic attraction to anybody, not even to the bountiful amounts of women who've expressed attraction to him.

Your mind blanks, and you must've been staring at him for too long because the smallest bit of worry falls on his face. "You okay? I'm not forcing you, you know? Saying no is okay."

Saying... no? To a man that looks like he was crafted by Zeus himself? Hell no! "No! I-I mean, yes, I mean—"

"Take your time pretty boy, I'm not going anywhere."

He's adjusted your position to where you're facing each other, hands still intertwined as he looks at you with a soft (?) expression. Taking a deep breath, you force yourself to make eye contact with him.

You've never looked at his this close before. Sure, you two have cuddled to sleep on countless nights, but then you were always faced away from each other.

He has long eyelashes. Not extremely long, but longer than you thought they were. Even if his eyes are black, you've noticed they soften whenever he looks at you, it makes him pretty.

Meekly, you nod. Holding your head down to try and hide your embarrassment. Before you can, though, Zoro stops you by lifting your chin up with his finger. "You can use words, can't you?"

It should sound condescending, the way he's talking to you, but it sounds more encouraging than anything. Even if there might be light teases mixed with his words.

"Yes, I, I would want to be your uhm... your boyfriend."

Zoro grins at that, pressing a quick kiss on your lips and twisting you around, pulling you closer so the back of your head is between his boobs pecs. "Love you, pretty boy."

"I-I love you too, Zoro," You force out, even if it feels like you're overheating due to the blood rushing to your cheek and... other places, as well as Zoro's added body heat.

You two truly were like otters.

[brights-place]

[TWST] TWST x Birthday! Reader Part 1. (here) Part 2. Warnings: Fluff, cursing,Angst end A/N: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY YIPPEEEEE I'm spending the day by sobbing on the inside and probably playing video games Update: I���m actually scuba diving with fishes I’m happy and I got to see a moray eel… eat… I was scared

ANYWAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO THOSE WHO ARE BORN ON THE 4/4 YALL ARE LEGENDS

Summary: It's MC is birthday and they get surprised by some students who wish them a happy birthday

A smile tugged at your lips as you glanced down at Grim, watching the grey feline dart between your legs, his fluffy tail swishing impatiently.

“Hurry up already!” he whined, nudging your calf with his head as if that would make you move faster. Soft laughter escaped your lips as you followed his frantic pace. “Okay, okay, I’m coming,” you chuckled, matching his enthusiasm.

Grim practically herded you past the old, creaky fence of Ramshackle Dorm, his tiny paws tapping against the worn wooden porch as he scurried ahead. You fumbled with your keys, listening absentmindedly to his rambling while humming in acknowledgment. Twisting the doorknob, you stepped inside only to pause.

The room was eerily dark, shadows stretching across the lounge like silent observers. Your brows furrowed in confusion, eyes darting around. Something was off. The entrance was… cleaner? The usual scattered books and dust bunnies were nowhere to be seen.

Grim, however, strutted right into the center of the lounge, his tiny paws lifting in excitement. The moment your foot crossed the threshold.

A loud boom was heard causing you to cover your ears grabbing a bat from the side before blinking with wide eyes when seeing a shower of confetti rained down like cherry blossoms caught in the wind.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!”

The room exploded with cheers as the lights flickered on, bathing the transformed Ramshackle lounge in a golden glow. Your eyes widened in sheer wonder. The once dilapidated space had been completely reimagined. Golden lanterns floated gently in the air, casting a warm, magical shimmer. Elegant banners draped across the ceiling, twinkling under the glow of an enchanted chandelier. The rich aroma of freshly baked pastries and cakes filled the air, mingling with the scent of tea and just the faintest trace of magic.

Your heart swelled. Overwhelmed in the best possible way, you took in the sight of all your friends gathered together, faces bright with excitement.

“You knooow, [Nickname], you should really be thanking us for keeping this a surprise,” Ace drawled, slinging an arm around your shoulders with his usual mischievous smirk. “I mean, it was so hard keeping our mouths shut, especially with Deuce almost spilling the beans like a hundred times.”

Your gaze shifted, catching sight of Deuce as he sputtered beside you. You let out a snort at his flustered expression “H-Hey! That’s not true!” Deuce stammered, his face flushing bright red. “I only almost slipped once!” “You almost slipped six times,” Riddle interjected, arms crossed, giving Deuce a pointed look.

Deuce shrank under his gaze, muttering something under his breath. Riddle exhaled, shaking his head before turning to you, his firm expression softening. “Regardless, I expect everyone to behave today… especially you, Ace.” His sharp gaze flicked back to the redhead.

Ace groaned but didn’t argue. “This is your special day,” Riddle continued, offering a small, neatly wrapped box. His usual strict demeanor was replaced with a rare, gentle smile. “Happy birthday, [Name].” Trey and Cater approached next, both grinning warmly.

“Ah, [Name], I made some special treats for you,” Trey said, nodding toward the buffet table overflowing with a variety of sweets. Cater beamed, handing you a rectangular box. “And I got you the best gift, Prefect. No need to thank me!” He winked playfully.

You laughed, thanking them both before tucking the gifts under your arm. From across the room, Leona lounged lazily on the couch, one arm draped over the backrest. “Tch. Don’t expect me to get all sentimental, Herbivore,” he drawled, glancing at you briefly. His usual smirk softened just the slightest bit. “But… hope it’s a decent one.”

Nearby, Ruggie cackled, stuffing a pastry into his mouth. “Shishishi, thanks for the free food, [Name]!” Jack stepped forward, tail wagging slightly as he held out a small potted cactus. “Happy birthday,” he muttered, his ears twitching faintly.

You carefully took the plant from his hands, grinning at the unexpected but thoughtful gift. “Thank you, Jack,” you said sincerely. Before you could react, arms suddenly wrapped around you from behind, pulling you into a tight squeeze.

“Ehhh~? You look all teary-eyed, [Name],” Floyd whined, resting his chin on your shoulder. “Did we really surprise ya that much?” His grip tightened just enough to make you squirm. “Floyd,” Jade’s smooth voice cut in as he effortlessly pried his twin off you. “If you suffocate them, they won’t be able to enjoy the party.”

Jade handed you a beautifully wrapped gift with a polite smile. “Happy birthday. I do hope you find our present to your liking.” Azul adjusted his glasses from the side, smirking. “And if you ever wish to extend the celebration, I’d be happy to offer a discount for a future birthday package at the Monstro Lounge… as a special offer, of course.”

You chuckled, shaking your head as you thanked them. Your gaze suddenly locked onto a familiar shade of gleaming ruby red.

Kalim practically bounced over, grabbing your hands with an excited grin. “Were you surprised?! Were you?! We worked so hard on this! Jamil helped a lot, but I picked out all the decorations! Banquets and parties are my thing! Oh, and we even made food from different places we’re from! Jamil made some from scalding sand and—” His words tumbled out at lightning speed, his enthusiasm practically radiating off him.

Beside him, Jamil sighed but didn’t interrupt, his expression softer than usual. “Happy birthday, Prefect,” he murmured. A light dusting of pink coated your cheeks as you thanked them.

Before you could respond further, a gentle tug at your hand led you away. Turning, you found yourself in front of Vil, Rook, and Epel.

“You should feel honored,” Vil said smoothly, eyeing you with a critical yet satisfied expression. “Not only did I ensure that this party was up to proper standards, but I also made sure you looked flawless for the occasion.” He motioned toward the elegant outfit he had gifted you, refined and stunning undoubtedly Vil’s doing.

Rook grinned. “Ah, Trickster! May this celebration shine as brightly as you!” Epel leaned in, whispering, “I’m just happy there’s barbecue steaks.” A short laugh escaped you as you thanked them.

As you moved through the crowd, you spotted Idia half-hidden behind a pillar, hoodie up, muttering to himself. “Ugh… too many normies in one place… but I guess… happy birthday, or whatever,” he mumbled, cheeks tinged pink.

Ortho, however, beamed brightly, hovering beside him. “Big bro got this for you!” he said excitedly, handing you a figurine box of your favorite character. “I hope you have the best birthday ever, [Name]!”

Your heart warmed as you smiled at them. “Thank you, Ortho. And thank you, Idia.” Idia let out a quiet squeak but hesitantly waved back.

Finally, at the far end of the room, standing just slightly apart from the others, was Malleus. His glowing emerald eyes held a quiet fondness as he approached, a small yet elegantly wrapped box in his hands.

“I have witnessed many celebrations, but this one is special,” he murmured, his voice gentle. “Because it is yours. I hope this day is as radiant as you are, Child of Man.”

The night carried on with laughter, music, and endless fun. Cake was cut, Trey’s masterpiece, of course. Gifts were exchanged, each one chosen with care. Every moment felt surreal, a reminder of how much warmth surrounded you in this strange yet wonderful world.

As the group gathered for a photo, you couldn't help but glance at the locket around your neck, fingers brushing over its familiar surface.

Yes.

This was a birthday you would never forget... and one that made your heart clench.

You stood in front of your mirror, clad in your pajamas, bathed in the dim glow of Ramshackle’s old lanterns. The party was over. The laughter had faded. The warmth of your friends, the joy of the celebration. it all felt like a dream now, distant and fleeting.

Grim lay sprawled across your bed, snoring softly, his tiny body rising and falling with each peaceful breath. He twitched in his sleep, a bit of drool pooling on the sheets as he mumbled about food. It was almost funny. Almost.

But while he dreamt of endless feasts, you stood there, staring at your own reflection, trapped in a different kind of dream.

A nightmare.

Your fingers curled into weak fists at your sides. You swallowed, trying to shake the hollowness gnawing at your chest, but it was relentless. You were older now. Another year had passed. A special day meant to be spent with family, but instead, you were here in a world of magic, a world that was never meant to be yours.

Your dull, empty eyes met themselves in the glass. The mirror.

The same mirror where Mickey had once appeared, his presence a strange comfort, a lingering connection to something beyond this realm. But now?

Nothing.

The mirror had been silent. No answer. No way home. Crowley being useless and unable to help at all you couldn't help but grit your teeth.

Your breath hitched as something twisted violently inside you, a feeling so raw and overwhelming that it made your skin prickle. You tried to steady yourself, but the weight of it all the overblots, the endless battles, the uncertainty of ever returning home came crashing down like a tidal wave.

Your hands shot up, gripping at your hair as a broken breath escaped your lips. You had been strong for so long. You had smiled, you had laughed, you had reassured your friends, but in the end, who was there to reassure you?

Your chest tightened painfully. It was too much.

Your vision blurred, your throat constricting as a shuddering gasp left you. You felt yourself shaking, trembling as your knees weakened beneath you. The air felt thinner, suffocating.

Your hand reached for the locket around your neck, gripping it so tightly that your knuckles turned white. The familiar weight of it against your palm should have been comforting, but instead, it only deepened the ache in your heart.

What if you never saw them again?

What if this was all you had left?

The mirror before you trembled. A tiny fracture splintered across the glass, a jagged crack splitting through your reflection, and just like that, something inside you broke, too.

Drip Drip Drip...

[lacevenom]

Jacob imprinting on bella’s younger half sister ☆ 𓂂 ˚ ☆. ꙳ part two —> here !!

PAIRING : Jacob black x fem!swan!reader! (how damon would say “mini swan”)

SUMMARY : request —here

A/N : low key nervous to post this lmao

you and jacob have been best friends since you were babies. you’re just six months younger than him, and unlike bella, you actually grew up in forks/la push.

bella’s been dragging you to la push more and more. ever since edward left, so you wouldn’t be alone all the time since charlie was more at work than home. she’s been clinging to Jacob like a lifeline and by extension, you’re stuck tagging along. you don’t mind much. you’ve always liked jacob. you practically grew up together.

but lately. something’s off. jacob’s been distant, cold, even avoiding you and bella, and it hurts. you don’t understand why. today, bella’s determined to get answers. she hauls you along to the black house. and as soon as she steps out of the truck, bella knocked on the door and shortly after billy opened the door. bella told the man that she needed to see jake, but all billy said was “he’s not here.”

so bella invited herself walking inside the house towards jacob’s room while you waited in front of the door with a exhausted sigh. it’s didn’t took long and she came back outside mashing toward a group of boys that were approaching, you recognised embry and sam.

you barely have time to process it before bella slaps paul causing him to shift into a giant gray wolf. paul shifts with a roar, fur exploding from skin. you stumble back, eyes wide, heart racing.

jacob explodes mid-run, phasing right into a russet wolf. the two wolves clash, tumbling into the woods in a blur of fur and snarls.

“holy—” you gasp, frozen in place. sam told embry and jared to bring you and bella back to emily’s and so they did. as embry walked toward you, who was still in shock just like bella he said, “guess the cats out of the bag.”

—

you barely notice when you arrive at emily’s cabin. you’re too busy replaying the fight in your head, too busy trying to swallow the panic.

inside, you sit beside embry. he’s always been your safe space and best friend along with jake. while bella stood against a wall holding a muffin emily made.

you glance nervously toward the door. then you hear it. the sound of footsteps outside, low voices, shuffling. suddenly. paul and jacob walk in, shoving each other playfully, laughing now. jacob leans against the doorframe, a smirk pulling at his lips.

and then he sees you. and everything freezes.

his grin falters. his eyes lock on yours, and it’s like he’s seeing you for the first time. his chest visibly stills mid-breath. his jaw slackens, lips parting slightly. his gaze softens in an instant, a strange warmth blooming in his brown eyes.

you blink at him, confused. “jake…?”

paul snorts sitting down on the table. “oh, hell no—”

jacob doesn’t even glance at paul. he steps inside, gaze never leaving you. “hey.” his voice is quieter than you’ve ever heard it. like he’s afraid to scare you off. embry glances between you two, then grins knowingly. “oh, man.”

bella frowns. “what’s going on?” paul groans, rubbing his face. “he just imprinted.” “what?” you and bella say at the same time.

jacob’s lips curve into the softest smile, like you’re his entire world wrapped in human skin. “it’s you,” he says, almost in awe. “it’s always been you.”

[mangooes]

Baking 101 : How to train your Husband

(Name) should have known this was a bad idea.

“Alright, husband,” she clapped her hands, standing proudly in their spacious kitchen. “Today, you’re going to learn how to bake.”

Sylus, standing beside her in a black apron that said ‘Kiss the Cook’ (which she forced him to wear) with his shirtless bare chest shown, crossed his arms, unimpressed. “I don’t see why I have to learn this when I have you to do it for me.”

She rolled her eyes. “And what happens if one day I’m busy and you desperately crave sweets? Are you going to call me in the middle of an important meeting just to demand cookies?”

Sylus did not answer.

“…Oh my god, you would.”

Sylus smirked, shrugging. “Sweetie, I get what I want.”

She groaned before pushing a bowl of ingredients in front of him. “Not today, mister. Now, first step—crack two eggs into the bowl.”

Sylus took an egg and, with all the grace of a man who had never done this before in his life, smashed it against the bowl with unnecessary force.

The egg exploded—yolk dripping down his fingers, shell fragments everywhere.

She wheezed.

“SYLUS—”

Sylus, completely unbothered, simply grabbed another egg and did the exact same thing.

“Stop! Stop! Oh my god—” She snatched the eggs away from him before he could cause more destruction. “Do you think you’re cracking skulls or something?! Who cracks eggs like that?!”

Sylus, deadpan, wiped his hands on a kitchen towel. “I thought it was supposed to break.”

“Not violently!” She dramatically wiped fake tears. “My poor eggs. They didn’t deserve this.”

Sylus rolled his eyes, but there was an amused glint in his crimson gaze. “Alright, oh great master chef. How do I crack eggs properly?”

She demonstrated, gently tapping the egg against the edge of the bowl before smoothly breaking it open.

She handed him another. “Now, try again, but gently this time.”

Sylus sighed, mimicking her movements—this time, he did it right.

She clapped proudly, ruffling his hair. “See? Good boy.”

His eye twitched. “(Name)”

“What?” she smirked. “Are you gonna bite me?”

Sylus did exactly that—leaning down and nipping her neck, making her squeal and slap his arm.

“SYLUS!”

“You provoked me, kitten.” He smirked, satisfied at her flustered expression.

She shoved him. “Shut up and mix the batter.”

Sylus obeyed, grabbing the whisk. However, instead of stirring, he just poked the batter with it.

She stared. “…Are you serious?”

“What?”

“Stir it.”

“I am.”

“No, you’re… oh my god, Sylus, you are not supposed to stab the batter like an enemy.”

Sylus, expression blank, continued poking it aggressively.

She facepalmed.

She walked up behind him, placing her hands over his to guide him. “Like this,” she murmured, moving his hands in slow, circular motions.

Sylus, for once, actually followed her lead, though his smirk returned when she didn’t move away.

“…You just wanted an excuse to hold my hands, didn’t you?”

(Name) immediately let go. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Shut up and mix the batter!”

Sylus chuckled, finally stirring it properly.

After a while, they managed to put everything together—somehow, despite the chaos. The cookies were in the oven, and the kitchen was only half a disaster.

(Name) sighed in relief, wiping flour off her forehead. “Well, congratulations. You have officially survived your first baking lesson.”

Sylus leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Hmm. I suppose I should reward myself.”

“Oh yeah?” (Name) arched a brow. “With what?”

Sylus smirked. “A kiss from my lovely wife.”

She snorted. “That’s not how this works.”

But before she could protest further, Sylus snatched her by the waist and kissed her anyway—flour-covered hands and all.

She yelped, trying to push him off. “Ew! Sylus, your hands are all messy—”

Sylus, grinning, only kissed her again.

“Now you’re messy too, sweetie.”

Not my best work but i promise i have an interesting chapter for tmrw! :)) DDKSNDKJ SORRY FOR THE SHORT ONEE

[rueclfer]

Fake Dating Pt 2 // Bakugou

a/n thank you for loving the first part so much! i hope you love this fluffy, wholesome moment as well :'-)

-

You wake up with a sour taste in your mouth. The headache wasn't so splitting thanks to the amount of water you had been forced to chug the night before, but beyond that, every other memory of last night seemed hazy.

I'm home... It's 9am...I'm in my bed, and I'm safe.

You release a sigh of relief and rub your eyes of the morning grogginess. You scroll through your phone, trying to replay the contents of last night, until you get to the bottom of your conversation with Katsuki. You suddenly remember why you started drinking so much in such a short amount of time in the first place.

You kissed him. You kissed him and you ran away because you couldn't deal with your feelings, and now you're here having to pray the memory away. Maybe you could play it off as a part of the bit? Surely, he would understand the drastic measures you needed to take to ensure that no one else from the other classes around would bother him anymore.

You smother a pillow into your face and scream in frustration as well as cringing at yourself, all while trying to remember the way his lips felt against yours in the back or your head.

"FUCK!" You exclaim loudly, throwing the pillow across the room.

Immediately, your bedroom door swings open, causing you to scream at the sudden intrusion.

"Jesus fucking christ, Y/N. What happened?!" Katsuki comes in, holding the metal bar from your towel holder, with only his boxers on.

You were going to throw up. Yup. You were 100% going to throw up and then throw yourself out the window.

You immediately cover your eyes with your hands.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" You scream back.

He had probably only been around to your apartment a few times with the others, but he clearly made himself comfortable.

"How the fuck do you think you got home last night?" He sighs, lowering his guard and makeshift weapon. "I was scared you were going to throw up in your sleep or something so I crashed on the couch... and used your shower."

You two stare at each other for a moment. You noticed his hair was still wet with droplets of water falling off onto his shoulders and chest. You tried not to stare and to maintain eye contact, but he was quite literally shirtless... and in his boxers...in your room... alone.

Realization finally hits you.

"Did you change me out of my clothes?" You slowly say, looking down at your pajama shirt and shorts that had replaced last night's outfit.

He pressed his lips together. "Yeah, but the lights were off."

You face flares with heat.

"Katsuki." You groan in your hands with embarrassment. "What the fuck?"

"What do you mean, what the fuck? Isn't that the polite thing to do? I didn't even look and I took your makeup off too, you're fucking welcome." He rolls his eyes.

"In return, I'm stealing your All Might band tee."

"Fine, dumbass. Top drawer on the far right." You huff.

"I know." He digs through the drawer, pulls out the tee and slides it over his head before making his way to your bed.

"Aht aht! What are you doing?" You say, threatening to throw another pillow at him.

"Didn't you want to talk about last night?" He smirks knowingly. "A refresher perhaps?"

You groan and rub your temples. "You're so annoying." You mutter. "Okay, the kiss. Let's talk about the kiss because if I have to talk- or even think about it anymore after this, I might just explode."

"Mmm okay. The kiss." He begins, flopping down on your bed and propping himself up with his elbow. "And before we continue, do you happen to remember everything else that happened after you scurried off in embarrassment?"

You froze. Everything else? What else was there to discuss besides the kiss?

"I mean yeah, kinda?" You try to recall. "We kissed, I went to go get a drink, got drunk in the bathroom, and then you came and took me home?" You open your phone to show him your text conversation. "What else was there?"

A smile grew on his face. "Angel face, I hate to break it to you but I don't think the kiss was the main event of the night."

Panic starts to set in. "We didn't hook up, did we?"

"No. I wouldn't do that to you, one. And two, I'm sure you'd be able to feel it if we did." He smirks.

You slam a pillow down on his face. "Stop fucking around with me! If not that, then what is it? Because you're scaring me now, Katsuki. Did I go streaking through the house? Did I get in a fist fight with someone? Did I confess my undying love to someone?"

"Not to that dramatic extent, but yeah pretty much." He shrugs.

"I'm going to fucking choke you out." You gripped the comforter in frustration "YEAH PRETTY MUCH TO WHICH PART?"

There was a beat of silence between you two, but your heart was racing out of your chest.

"It's not a big deal....if you don't want it to be a big deal, but in your drunken state, you essentially told me that you had feelings for me." He says, pressing his lips together trying to anticipate your reaction.

Your mouth gape open, and the air from your lungs expel. "I need to give me line by line breakdown of what the fuck I said last night."

It felt like you were on the verge of passing out. Not only did you embarrass yourself, but you had also managed to ruin your dynamic with Katsuki in the span of a few drunken hours.

"Well when I found you, you were pissed at me for no reason. So I asked you if it was because you kissed me- because again, how the fuck does it make sense that you're mad at ME when you were the one that- anyways besides that, I asked you, and you started crying and shit and then told me you LIKE-liked me." He says, all while fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "That's pretty much it, but imagine that you're full on crying and snotting all over me and in hysterics ya know."

You were silenced. You had terribly fucked up and knew that there was no way you could backtrack. You had complicated feelings about Katsuki and your arrangement for a while, but accepted its fate of ending with you two drifting back to friends as soon as you no longer needed each other's services.

"I really don't want you to freak out about this, okay?" He fills in the silence. "I get it, you were drunk so it's probably some bullshit. Tell me it's not true and we can pretend like it didn't happen."

Your heart ached. You did want this to go away, but at the same time if you don't take this chance to tell him about your feelings, you'll end up having to choke it down until you're forced to get over it in secret.

"Don't hate me." You say. "Please don't hate me."

"Tell me." He quietly says, almost holding his breath.

You shove your face into your hands. "It's so fucking complicated because of the fake relationship stuff. It's all supposed to be for show and to help each other out, but fuck it feels so real sometimes and I constantly remind myself that it's not, but...it feels REAL."

You finally look up at him. You couldn't quite read his expression- it was almost upset? Maybe pained?

"You look mad. Please don't be upset at me. Maybe we shouldn't do this fake dating thing anymore, and I'm sorry because I know we kind of needed each other for it, but I don't think I can stand faking it when it doesn't feel fake anymore."

He lets out a long breath of air. "Fuck okay so... you have feelings for me. Like real feelings outside of whatever this thing is that we're doing.

You cringe. "I have real feelings for you-I like-like you, or whatever the fuck I said last night. And I hate you too for making me go to that party and talking to and touching me like that and letting me cry to you about this just for it to all spill out now."

"Dammit, Y/N" He mutters, rolling off your bed and pacing around the room. "I'm sorry. I didn't expect things to get out of hand like this, and if I knew sooner or caught onto any hints, I would've done something about it earlier."

To say you were devastated was an understatement. You told him you had feelings for him, and he told you he was sorry. You couldn't be surprised. There was a reason why he needed a fake girlfriend so bad. He wasn't that guy to care for superficial things like romance and relationships and just needed to use you as a cover to stop people from bothering him about it, and vice versa.

"Don't be sorry. Really, it's not your fault." You wave off, your expression hardening. "We had an agreement, and I crossed that line. It is what it is."

"So now what? Where does that leave us?" He stops and looks at you.

You couldn't help but scoff. "There's no us, Katsuki. It was all for show. We tell everyone we 'broke up' and move on- that's it. We can go back to being friends, or acquaintances, or whatever the fuck we were before we started doing all this."

He blankly stares at you. You saw the gears turning in his head, his furrowed brows deep in thought made it look like he was trying to solve the most impossible equation, when in reality it was this poor boy's brain trying to process his emotions.

"Fuck, wait, I think I fucked up." He begins, a blush suddenly flooding his cheeks. "When I said I would've done something about it earlier, I meant telling you that..um ditto?" He sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

You shoot him a blank stare. "Use your words, Katsuki. What the fuck does that even mean?"

He dramatically groans into his hands. "Fuck!" He starts pacing around once again. "I don't want to stop being with you, okay? And I know that shit is complicated, but I think I want it to work out, but... for real this time."

A beat of silence passes while you process.

"Oh.. so you... like me?" You were appalled.

"Like-like." He confirms.

Here you guys were, two emotionally-constipated people who had just confessed to one another trying to figure out how to go about this situation next.

"And you realized this when?"

"Right now when you were pissing me off and saying that we had to break up." He kneels down on the floor, next to the bed and right beside you.

"You realize that if we start dating for real, you're going to have to be an actual boyfriend? And do boyfriend things? Not just be my fake boyfriend who is only ever in my presence when we're at a function together or with our friends?"

"Is that not what I've already been doing?" He scoffs. "I drive you places, call you pretty, watch movies, cuddle, hold your hand, and everything in between and more?"

You roll your eyes. "But that's always been for show."

"And for my own pleasure." He deadpans. "With or without an audience, I liked doing all of that shit with you."

He suddenly reaches over and grabs your hand, which was no surprise as sweaty as yours. "Hands held, and we're in private. Good start, yeah?"

A smile grows on your face. "You're such a loser."

"Yours."

"Right." You blush. "But don't expect me to give in so easily. You need to take me on dates and stop being mean to me and saying that I laugh like a goose and shit."

"Anything you want, angel face, and I'll give it to you- even with your honking."

-

taglist: @im-lost-please-help @babycheech @cupkiki @html-nae @zz-snow-zz @svnnysidez @v3n7s @lovra974 @yappydoo @canarystwin @liluvtojineteyam @jaxyy219 @aespie @starynigvt @m-0ona @fictonal-men-dum @simp-plague @buggie07 @yendysdys

[lorasdolly]

𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝙽’ 𝚂𝚄𝙶𝙰𝚁 𝚍𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚢!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚡 𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚔𝚊

you grabbed your stuff, throwing a few things into a small pink bag. it was rather late, you were supposed to meet up with sevika ages ago, and yet here you were still packing things up.

it was dark and eery in your room, like it usually was.

bombs disguised as uncanny dolls and the scent of all sorts of bodily fluids flooding the place.

as you went to tie your shoes, the loud noise of destruction sounded. a thud across the building, usually never a sign of good news.

you squealed and jumped off the bed, a loud sigh exiting your mouth.

pursing your lips, you hesitated on whether to check it out or not. truly it was none of your business.

but the fleeting concern of it perhaps being sevika entered your mind, making you grab two doll shaped grenades are your tiny scythe.

leaving the rest of the bag behind, you hurried outside the apartment, the horrible scent of zaun flushing in.

while you ran towards the continuous stream of noise, pink dust came from the doll in your hand.

"awh shit," you whined, huffing a bit as you kept running.

they were fragile, delicate and to be treated with care. you designed them that way to ensure not even the make belief girls got neglected before explosion.

but the pep in your step must have ruined something in them, causing the timer to set off.

your pace increased, reaching the railing and stairs where you see sevika getting ambushed by multiple people.

since silco died, the people who respected her decreased.

you told her you'd made sure they remembered who kept them in check, and maybe just now was the right time to show it.

your breathing was uneven, deciding between running down the stairs to have close combat or throwing the soon-to-explode time bomb in your hand.

as the pink dust grew more consistent and the blood coming from sevika began to seep, you mindlessly threw the doll shaped bomb into the fight.

it caused an explosion between sevika and those who were attacking her, pink fire lighting up the trash around them.

a pout graced your face as you saw the doll blow to ashes but you snapped back, jumping down from the railing to vacantly swing your scythe around.

sevika's eyes widened, a low groan leaving her lips as she backed up to not get injured any further.

she watched as you had that little concentrated look on your face, your tongue slightly sticking out.

she let out a dark chuckle, fixing some shimmer into her arm as you kept fighting off the group of men who attempted to hurt sevika.

you pushed a man into the bundle of pink fire behind him, smirking and giggling with the cute scythe in your hand.

you grabbed the other doll-like bomb, setting it off right beneath the man, flinching as it went off.

you thought that was about it, all the men were gone.

you stood there panting, wiping blood away from your lips from the few hits you took.

the scent of metal mixed with sweat took over your nostrils, blood overwhelming your taste buds too.

you hated messes, especially when the messes were on you.

a groan left your lips, the sight of a dead man's half-burned corpse residing in front of you infuriated you more.

right when you were about to turn around to seek out sevika, another man came up behind you, ready to attack.

he was able to push you back a bit, but didn't have the time to do more when sevika ran towards the both of you.

her mechanical fist that was just enhanced by shimmer instantly made contact with the man's face, his body going numb and slamming against the closest wall.

you yelp at the sudden scare, pouting at the fact you didn't get the last hit. "totally not fair!" you complained and whined, hands finding your hips.

sevika was about to speak again, staring your bloody but somehow cute figure up and down when she saw the man who was supposed to be dead show up behind you.

your peripheral vision caught on, huffing and turning around fully to swing your scythe.

your scythe burned through the man's neck, blood splattering on your face and hair.

"eugh- gross!" you exclaimed the moment he fell at your feet.

"not interested," your shoe met his head, kicking it away.

finally, your gaze was able to peacefully meet sevika's. a small smirk painted her features.

"since when are you a fighting doll," she teased, hand running through her hand as she stood up straight.

"i knew you were a stupid doll, and surely a good doll, but fighting? color me suprised." she continued throwing mocking taunts towards you, walking to tower over you.

"hey! i saved your ass, expecting some gratitude any time soon." you said with a petulant expression on your face.

"language, doll." sevika said with a lifted brow.

her hand grabbed your chin forcefully, constraining you to look up at her. "awfully mouthy for such a small doll."

you stayed silent, embracing the small moment of her dominance. even after a violent moment, she knew how to revert you back to normal.

pliant and a mindless mess.

"mind telling me where'd you find that sharp weapon?" sevika continued, her lips on a flat line.

"jinx got it for me.." your bottom lip extended outward and she brushed her thumb over it.

"now look at you, a bloody mess, doll." she said with a certain edge of approval.

"but i helped you-" you hurried to the defensive, wanting sevika to understand why you did that.

"that you did." sevika's thumb removed blood from your face, or smudging it if anything.

your face lightened up, realizing she wasn't disappointed but infact proud.

you've gotten many reactions from sevika, but very rarely has she been proud.

"i even got all dirty for you.." you said with a sulky glint in your eyes.

"that too, doll." she acknowledged, her mechanical hand grazing over the soft supple skin of your hips and waist.

"i deserve something in return for being so good!" you kept rambling, furrowed brows as you made suggestions.

she chuckled, not fully paying attention to your words but instead focusing on how you look right:

"gettin' ahead of yourself, huh? who said you're in a spot to make demands?" she teased, desperate to see your reaction.

your confident look reverted into a sad puppy, needing reassurance. "not demands, just.. suggestions."

she nodded, finally focusing her gaze on your eyes instead of letting them wander. "good, good."

sevika cancelled her plans of going to the last drop and gambling a few pretty pennies away, instead choosing a pretty doll to entertain her.

she laid you on her bed instead of yours, knowing you hated getting your room messy.

but also because those dolls of yours secretly made her uneasy.

she begun kissing down your neck, licking any blood residue off of you. "poor doll, got all fuckin' dirty f'me." she spoke, muffled words against your neck.

both her real and mechanical hand studied your curves, relishing the moment with a sense of reverence.

she was taunting your tendency of hating dirt, but you were too pleased to notice any of the little details.

"whatdya' need, doll. use your words." sevika reached your belly button with her lips, tracing hearts with her tongue.

"y-you, sevika, please" the desperation in your words seeped through, your hands tangling in her hair as she toyed with the hem of your panties.

slowly lifting them and then releasing them so they'd snap back against your pelvis.

"i need your mouth, sevika." you said, struggling to even form coherent thoughts let alone sentences.

she chuckled against your hips, sliding down your panties. "lift your hips f'me, doll."

you did as asked, arching your back and lifting your hips.

you squirmed the moment the cold breeze hit your core, whining in need.

she put testing kisses on your pussy, then a teasingly slow stripe against your folds.

"shiiit- shit, sevika," your words were breathy, your hands tugging at her hair.

"mind your words, doll." she spoke firmly, finally latching onto your clit with hunger.

"oh- oh my god, fuck-" you whimpered, disregarding her previous orders.

she brought her mechanical arm to hold you down, stopping your squirming as she ate you like a starved woman.

"putting your life at risk f'me, thank you baby, mmff fuck," she spoke against your core, the vibrations being sent down your spine and straight to your clit.

"sevika- sevika please, so close-" you whine, head thrown back against the mattress.

"cum f'me, doll," she said, lapping at your cunt. her hips bucked against the mattress, need overwhelming her too.

but tonight was about you, she'd make sure of that.

you came undone all over her tongue as she made sure to swallow every drop.

you panted, staring down at her bigger frame and the way she rutted her hips against the mattress.

she pulled away, quick to lather your neck in kisses again before landing on your lips.

she kissed you tenderly with a tone of passion she couldn't avoid.

"se..sevika." you spoke at a breath.

"shh, rest." she got up, standing on her two feet before throwing a blanket on top of you.

her hands rummaged the drawer besides her bed for a cigarillo and lighter. as she grabbed them, she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed.

she took a long drag and shifted her head away to not locate the smoke against your face.

you crawled silently towards her, the blanket still draped over your back. you reach for her bicep, needing warmth.

she looked down at you and went back towards her drawer, taking out a small pill that was the color pink.

she brought it towards your lips, immediately your lips parted and tongue sticked out.

she placed it on the small of your tongue as you retreated it back inside your mouth, letting it dissolve.

you shut your eyes and melt away, still grasping at her bicep.

"i'll get ya' a towel." she spoke quietly before standing up and heading towards the bathroom.

[mahyuume]

MY PRINCE CHARMING!

— synopsis. like all fairytales, the princess always has her prince charming. but they never really explained how that prince courted her.

pairing. 1A boys (katsuki bakugou & shoto todoroki) x princess!reader | genre. romcom, fluff | mlist

reminders! your quirk is "summon", so basically you can summon anything and anyone to your liking along with it under your control! :3 you an activate it either by saying it out loud or manifesting it in your head. (ex. manifesting a whole army and ordering them to take down the enemy is possible.)

KATSUKI BAKUGOU, who's very well known for being brash, tries asks you out with(out) aggression.

“hey princess, come over here for a sec,” bakugou calls out to you from across the classroom, reclining in his desk with his feet up.

right now, you can't tell if the nickname "princess" is just his way of being rude or if it's meant affectionately in a mean way with hidden sincerity. either way, you haven't quite gotten used to it yet. leaving uraraka and tsuyu behind, you make your way towards his desk; which feels like an eternity in his opinion.

“what's your problem, bakugou?” you retort, unintentionally sounding harsh. “what's with your attitude princess?!” he growls, “just cause you’re coming from some stupid royal family doesn't mean you can talk down to the world’s soon greatest hero.” bakugou says in your face with his stupid grin. but right now, not only is he standing a little too close for your liking, but small explosions are going off in his right palm. is he trying to have a conversation by threatening you??

kirishima interjects, sweat dropping as he attempts to defuse the tension between his best friend and the class's princess. “I'm sure she didn't mean for it to come off that way!” he looks at you, hoping for agreement. “yeah, man! you just need to chill.…” denki adds on, but his voice trails off quietly. “also, you should just spit out what you wanted to say.” He says the last part a little louder before whistling and avoiding eye contact with the hot-headed guy who swears at him.

“spit what out? a threat or—“ “yeah! a threat that I'll crush you in training today, pretty girl.”

...

"bakubro,—" before bakugou can realize his mistake, you (along with kirishima and denki) beat him to it. “did you just call me pretty?”

finally, it dawns on him. and he feels like dying when realization hits. “what? no, I didn't. I called you ugly.” “nuh-uh. you called me pretty.” “no, I didn't.” he huffs with a tongue click following, “did all the tiaras and stuff you wear brainwash you and get to your stupid head?” you giggle slightly at his reaction as he looks away, hands in his pockets, ready to walk away from the whole situation. well, he’s trying to salvage his pride. you’ll give him that.

“stop fuckin' laughing brat!” he yells, clearly embarrassment took over. “dude just tell her already!” denki groans, hands in his face as he's already frustrated with how his friend's so freakishly good at stalling a confession. “bakugou, dude... I'm just gonna hang with mina.” kirishima comments, trying to give the two of you some space alone. “yeah, same here," denki agrees while giving a sly teasing smirk to his exploding friend as they both stand up and make their way towards their pink-haired best friend.

and now, it's just the two of you. you in front of his desk, and him with his back turned to you, head down.

“uh, I don't think there's anything interesting on the floor for you to be looking that long.” you tease him, “shut up...” nice. you got him to talk. “is that all? so much for a threat.”

"go out with me."

so straightforward. “...speak up bakugou. I can't hear you!” I said... gooutwithme.” “still can't hear you~!” “I SAID GO OUT WITH ME DAMMIT!” he practically screams as small explosions go off. nervous much?

also as he screamed at you, the multiple heads of your classmates turned towards you and the boy who's most likely going to blow your head off after kissing you trying to comprehend what they just heard.

“show some respect towards your crush!” you deadpan, “shut it!”he scoffs as he finally faces you. “…is it yes or no?” the now less embarrassed or angry (you really couldn’t tell) asks quietly, surprisingly audible over all the chatter about the two of you.

“it would've been nicer if you did this properly,” you say. "wh—?!” “but sure, I accept your challenge of beating you to a pulp in training.” “…” bakugou stands there, looking at you with a mixture of confusion and a ‘what the fuck did you just say’ with slightly pink blush visible on his pale skin.

“...It's a yes, idiot.”

suddenly, he can breathe properly and releases a breath he didn't realize he was holding. “stop playing around, brat,” he smiles at you as you laugh.

he was nervous over nothing, just like what his friends said.

SHOTO TODOROKI, one of the most strongest guys in your class... no, in UA, verbally expressed he was amazed with your quirk?! is he flirting with you..?

“yn, please excuse my sudden compliment, but I must say your quirk is amazing. especially with your control, it definitely suits a girl like you.” the half-n-half user tells you, straight in the face even. you think you probably– no most definitely look stupid in front of him with your flustered expression, speechless too... “o—oh! you think so?”

...you wish shigaraki could decay this whole school right now and turn you into dust.

todoroki keeps his gaze on you as a small but evident smile shows on his lips. “yes, I think so,” he says in a more softer tone. you think it's much better than his stoic voice you often hear. “is there anything i said wrong? or made you uncomfortable?” you also think about how cute he can be without trying, and you hate it.

quickly brushing off his earlier statement, he sighs and fixes his stiff posture as response. “that's good to know. I wouldn't like upsetting a princess after all.” todoroki smiles at you before turning his heel to leave. “I will be taking my leave now yn,” how nonchalant could he be? “take care. I'll see you at the dorms.”

after todoroki bid farewell, leaving his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway, you found yourself wishing he would stay a bit longer.

“wait!” you hastily exclaimed suddenly, reaching out towards him with an arm, but then stopping with a twitch. the volume of your voice higher than you intended, making you shock yourself. todoroki turns around, puzzled by your abrupt gesture. it was probably just a reflex, he thought, dismissing the sudden movement. because surely, you wouldn't want him to stay for anything else, right?

in a surprising turn of events, you sheepishly invited him for lunch or dinner after exams, revealing your want for him to stay.

“um, sorry. would you like to have lunch, maybe dinner? sometime after training and exams.”

having practically asked him out, you blushed as he smiled, agreeing and taking out his phone. “what’s this for?” you inquired, still a bit pink in the face. “well, I do need your number for our date, don't I?” the icy hot user replied with an 'obviously' look on his face.

if you weren't red before, you definitely were now; perhaps even resembling a sunburn. did he just activate his fire quirk or something? the air kept getting hotter the longer you both talked.

“oops! my apologies for that...” you muttered nervously, inputting your number into his phone, adjusting your own contact details as well. 'yn! (≧∀≦)'

SAVE CONTACT ? YES | NO > YES | NO

“cute emoji.” todoroki plainly says, with a hint of adornment in his tone as he looked at your newly saved contact name. he thinks he’ll start using those emojis often. “haha, I know right…”

giving back his phone, you offer walking back to the dorms with him.

“I would like that, as much I like being in your company.” okay. he's definitely hitting on you now. “todoroki... sorry for my sudden ask, but are you flirting with me?” you say a little quickly with a flushed face, looking the other way to avoid his gaze. as you do that, he stops walking.

noticing his presence gone and a few steps back, you look back and suddenly you see his expression as one you’ve never seen before.

“t—todoroki?” you call out to him with a tone tinged with tinged with a new found anxiety and concern due to his sudden silence. unsure if he’s flushed of getting caught or genuinely contemplating if he was or wasn’t. but one thing you were sure about was how crazy the two of you must look, standing in the middle of a hall way going back and forth on each other.

besides all this, you hurriedly apologize for catching him off guard, trying to ease any discomfort you might’ve caused (you hope you haven’t, or else you really wish the league of villains would take you the moment you leave the building.)

“ohmygod, please excuse me for just asking that out of the blue, you really don’t have to—“ “yes. I was.” “huh?” “I was actually flirting with you,” the dual colored hair boy who stands in front of you, smiling bashfully; his gaze struggling to maintain eye contact but always seems to meet yours.

“sorry, was I moving too fast?” todoroki asks you with the gently and sincere tone that you could listen to on repeat. wait, what the hell? he’s just trying to ease the tension between you.

“no!” realizing you responded too hastily, you try to regain a normal composure and talk to him; but your words fail to come out right “ah, sorry… but no! you weren’t, I was just… um…” lord, your words were really failing you. so you think of the only thing sensible to get you out of this situation,

“walk away from me!” you commanded him, and in doing so he does. involuntarily. you gotta thank your quirk for this, honestly.

“wh- wait, yn!” todoroki calls out to you in a shocked but confused tone, “turn me back, right now!” he says as his body still walks away from you, having no control over your quirk.

as you hear him ask to be released, you immediately regret your decision on using your quirk in him.“come back to me.”

after hearing your latest command, he feels grateful as his body obediently changes direction and approaches you, coming within 10 steps. now standing before you, he nervously sweats, unsure of what to do or say. meanwhile, you avert your gaze, looking down as he gazes at you. “i’m sorry I was too nervous!”you exclaim loudly as you attempt to leave, but he interrupts you before you can manage your grand escape.

“please don’t go,” he pleads, his voice barely above a whisper. you stop in your tracks from the surprised by his sudden change in demeanor and how gently he reached out to your arm. looking up at you after a moment of silence, with kind eyes laced with a loving intent, he takes a deep breath and musters up the courage to speak. “what I meant was, don’t be sorry.” he smiles, “and don’t leave.”

you swear you feel a heart attack coming.

“I’m sure you’ve already known, but I just wanted to say...i think you’re amazing. and i would really like to get to know you better.” you feel your heart skip a beat as you realize his true intentions. (as if he didn’t tell you from the beginning) a smile spreads across your face as you reply, “I would like that too.” and in that moment, the nervous tension dissipates, replaced by a sense of excitement for what the future may hold.

“so what do you say,” todoroki starts again; “do you just wanna start the date tonight?” he asks, a hopeful like look casted upon his face. who could say no to a face like that? you gleem at him as the corners of his mouth curl upwards more, feeling a sense of relief.

as he stands there, now going walk with you towards the dorms, he thanks himself for getting over with his own nervousness and complimenting you.

BONUS: “y’know, I didn’t actually know i was asking for a date.” you admit to him as you lean on the kitchen counter, watching your new boyfriend trying to chop chives. “really?” he stops cutting, now looking at you with a surprised smile. “yeah, really…” you chuckle, “I thought I was just asking for you to hang out.” your dual wielder boyfriend laughs, “well I’m glad I took it the wrong way and started flirting with you.” he sighs as he resumes to cooking. “yeah. me too.” you smile at the scene unfolding in front of you.

“stop fucking flirting. it’s making me sick.” “oh shut up bakugou.”

HI GUYS!!! finally posting this after it’s been in drafts since like may I really like how this turned out especially todoroki hehehehehehehheh can u tell I really like him. but anyways, I’m thinking if I should do a part 2 with deku and uhh idk. but anyways!!!!! hope u guys like this 𝜗𝜚.

[magnagaruzenmon]

Monster Mash

Dio said to go for it so I did, but Dio is also loud and proud so I took a little dig at him.

“Fuck Nayeon you’re so tight,” you groan as her walls strangle your cock.

“Fuck yes keep going Juzo,” Nayeon moans as a thin layer of sweat dusts her body while you continue fucking her. You spank her fat ass as she cums all over your cock but you keep going chasing your high. Nayeon moans as you keep railing her. You watch as her Ass jiggles deliciously while you just carry on.

Spurred by an intrusive thought you spank her ass. Nayeon moans elated as her walls tighten around you even further causing you to finally explode inside her.

You paint her walls white as ropes of your cum fills her womb

“Fuck Juzou you came so much,” Nayeon said as you pulled out

You smile and said, “well I had to show off a little for my favorite bunny,”

Nayeon smiles back and says “you always are a show off and a big one,” as the two of you bask in bed you hear the door open Daigo and Jihyo your shared housemates walk in. You could tell by Daigo’s heavy footsteps and tired groan and Jihyo’s whines.

You and Nayeon change into your comfiest clothes before heading over to where your friends — and fellow hunters — are lounging. As you approach, you notice a fresh scar cutting across the bridge of Daigo’s nose and another, lighter but no less telling, peeking across Jihyo’s chest.

As usual, they’re already at it, snapping at each other like a pair of magnets caught between push and pull.

“That’s the last time I let you rope me into one of your death wishes,” Daigo says, scowling — but there’s a softness in it, like he’s annoyed she even asked.

“Oh, please,” Jihyo huffs, arms crossed. “You act like I begged you.”

Daigo turns to her, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Daigo, I need my favorite hunting horn hunter to help me~” he mimics, with an exaggerated flutter of his eyelashes.

Jihyo groans and pokes him hard in the shoulder. “Yeah, because your ego’s so massive you wouldn’t say yes otherwise.”

“My ego’s not that big,” Daigo mutters, looking genuinely hurt for a second.

Jihyo catches it, and for a heartbeat, she falters — before she covers it up with a snort. “Please. Ever since you mastered hunting horn, you’ve been unbearable.”

Nayeon bumps your shoulder, leaning in close enough to whisper, “Do we just… let them go at it until they realize they’re one insult away from making out?”

You laugh under your breath. “Nah. They’d kill each other first. Probably while making out.”

Nayeon muffles a giggle as the two of you step in.

“Alright, what happened this time?” you ask, hands on your hips.

Daigo immediately jumps in, eager to get his version out first. “She asked me to back her up on a Gore Magala hunt, and surprise surprise, a Deviljho showed up out of nowhere.”

Jihyo gives him a long, slow look. “And yet, here we are. Alive. You’re welcome.”

Daigo groans dramatically. “I hate you.”

“I don’t know why you’re complaining you got two new hunting horns out of it. You’re welcome again,” Jihyo says sweetly, batting her lashes at him.

Daigo looks skyward, as if praying for strength. “You know I prefer my Magnamalo, Malzeno, and Gaismagorm weapons anyway,” he grumbles.

“Alright, enough!” Nayeon says sharply, clapping her hands once like a teacher breaking up a particularly stubborn pair of kids. “Save it for the next hunt.”

Daigo and Jihyo exchange one last glare — but the corners of their mouths twitch, just slightly, like they’re both fighting a smile neither of them fully understands.

After Nayeon’s sharp clap silences the bickering, you exchange a look with her — one that needs no words. The plan is instantly clear.

You clear your throat and announce, way too casually, “Alright, lunch time! And, good news — you two are partners today.”

Daigo frowns. “Partners? For what?”

Nayeon smiles sweetly. “For lunch, dummy. You and Jihyo are eating together. Alone. As a team-building exercise.”

Jihyo blinks, taken off guard. “Since when do we team-build at lunch?”

“Since now,” you say, grabbing her by the shoulders and steering her toward the kitchen area. Nayeon does the same with Daigo, ignoring his half-hearted protests.

“You guys clearly need some… quality time,” Nayeon adds, shoving Daigo just hard enough that he stumbles into step beside Jihyo.

“We don’t need—” Daigo starts.

“Don’t care!” you and Nayeon say at the same time.

You snag a couple of pre-packed lunch trays off the counter, slam them into their hands, and all but shove them onto the couch, plopping the food down between them.

“There. Bond. Or at least eat without killing each other,” you say brightly.

Daigo looks at Jihyo like he’d rather face a raging Zinogre. Jihyo glares right back, eyebrows raised like you move first, coward.

For a second, it’s dead silent — just awkward staring.

Then Jihyo grabs her chopsticks, stabs a piece of meat aggressively, and mutters, “Fine. Eating. Bonding. Whatever.”

Daigo grumbles something under his breath but digs in too, poking his food like it personally offended him.

You and Nayeon retreat a few steps, watching from a safe distance like proud scientists observing an unpredictable experiment.

“They’re totally gonna fall in love over grilled meat, right?” Nayeon whispers.

“If they don’t kill each other with chopsticks first,” you whisper back.

Sure enough, a minute later Jihyo is shoving a side dish toward Daigo, muttering, “Here, you need more protein. Maybe it’ll fix your bad attitude.”

Daigo, mouth full, scowls — but he takes it.

And when he thinks no one’s looking, he nudges the last piece of grilled fish onto Jihyo’s plate in return.

Nayeon beams. “Operation: Make Them Sit Still and Realize They’re In Love is a success.”

You just laugh and silently start counting down how long it’ll take before one of them throws a napkin at the other.

⸻

Would you also like a “part two” where they actually have a few minutes of weird almost flirting over food before more chaos erupts?

(Or if you prefer it slower burn, we can leave it with just awkward glances and tiny grudging gestures like this one.)

Let me know what vibe you’re aiming for!

The sounds of clinking chopsticks and reluctant chewing fill the room. You and Nayeon pretend to be busy on your phones across the room, though you’re both obviously eavesdropping.

For a while, it’s quiet between Daigo and Jihyo — which, for them, is practically a miracle.

Then Jihyo pauses, frowning at her plate.

“…Why aren’t you eating the spicy pork?” she asks, poking at the untouched slices still on Daigo’s side.

Daigo shrugs without looking at her. “Not hungry for it.”

She narrows her eyes. “You love spicy pork.”

Another shrug. “Changed my mind.”

Jihyo doesn’t buy it for a second. She watches him for a moment longer, then, without warning, reaches over and plucks a piece off his plate.

“You’re seriously leaving all my favorites?” she accuses, chewing suspiciously.

Daigo finally looks at her, caught. His chopsticks hover in midair before he sighs and mutters, almost too quietly to hear,

“I always leave them for you.”

Jihyo freezes, the realization landing harder than a barrel bomb.

She swallows, suddenly unsure what to do with her hands — or her face — or the weird fluttery feeling in her chest. “Since when?” she asks, trying to sound accusing but it comes out… softer.

Daigo shrugs again, but there’s a slight pink creeping up the back of his neck. “Since… a while.” He stabs his rice a little too hard. “You’re picky about food when you’re tired. Figured you should get what you like.”

Jihyo stares at him, all her usual snark short-circuiting.

“You’re such an idiot,” she says — but there’s no bite in it this time.

Daigo grins, lopsided and a little smug now that she’s flustered. “Takes one to know one.”

You nudge Nayeon with your elbow and whisper, “Five bucks says they’ll be dating by next hunt.”

Nayeon smirks. “You’re on.”

Meanwhile, Jihyo, still pretending very badly not to be affected, mumbles, “…Thanks, dummy,” and starts picking at the spicy pork like she’s suddenly shy.

And for once, Daigo doesn’t argue. He just watches her, and for a second — a real second — they’re actually quiet. Comfortable.

Until, of course, Jihyo flicks a piece of rice at his forehead.

Balance restored.

After lunch, Nayeon ropes Jihyo into helping her reorganize supplies — leaving you to drag Daigo outside for some training.

The sun beats down on the practice field, empty except for the two of you. Daigo rolls his shoulders, spinning his hunting horn once before slinging it onto his back. His movements are quick, sharp — distracted.

You stretch lazily, eyeing him as he runs through some warm-ups. You can tell he’s not fully there. He’s been like this for a while now — tense in a way that even fighting doesn’t shake loose.

After a few swings, you speak up.

“So. You gonna tell her?”

Daigo stops mid-swing. “Tell who what?”

You grin. “Don’t play dumb. Jihyo. About how you’re completely gone for her.”

He turns, scowling. “I’m not—”

“You are,” you cut him off easily. You plant your weapon into the dirt and lean against it. “You dream about her, you save her favorite food, you look at her like she’s the last campfire in a blizzard. Come on, man.”

Daigo looks away, jaw tight. “Doesn’t matter. She doesn’t like me like that.”

You roll your eyes. “No, you’re just scared.”

“I’m not scared,” he snaps, a little too fast.

You raise a brow, not letting up. “Then why are you still pretending?”

Daigo exhales slowly, like he’s trying to force the words out.

“She’s been hunting since she was, what, ten?” he mutters. “A prodigy. Everyone talks about it like it’s fate. She’s smart, she’s quick, she’s good at everything she touches. And me? I didn’t even start until I was fifteen. Had to scrape for every skill I got.” He shrugs stiffly. “She deserves better than some guy still trying to catch up.”

You watch him quietly for a second, the tension practically bleeding off of him.

“She doesn’t see you like that,” you say finally. “You’re not some rookie kid to her, Daigo. You’re the guy who’s stood by her in every fight. The guy she trusts to have her back. That counts for more than you think.”

He doesn’t respond, just grips his hunting horn tighter.

You step closer and slap his shoulder — firm but not unkind.

“Look, I get it. You feel like you have to prove yourself. But you’re fighting a battle that’s already over. She’s already picked you, idiot. You’re the one who’s too stubborn to see it.”

Daigo’s mouth tightens. For a second, you think he’s going to argue — but he doesn’t. He just looks away toward the building where Jihyo disappeared, muscles drawn tight.

You sigh.

“Keep hiding if you want. But don’t come crying to me when some other guy’s brave enough to say what you wouldn’t.”

Daigo lets out a short, bitter laugh and lifts his hunting horn again, starting a new set of practice swings — faster, heavier, like he’s trying to beat the feelings out of himself.

You let him.

But you catch the way his eyes flick toward the door again — quick, automatic — and you know your words hit their mark.

Maybe not today.

But soon.

While you and Daigo are outside training, Jihyo slams another crate down a little harder than necessary.

Nayeon raises a brow from where she’s sorting through herbs. “Okay, talk.”

Jihyo huffs, brushing her hair back from her face. “It’s Daigo.”

Nayeon snorts. “Shock.”

Jihyo glares half-heartedly, but the frustration in her chest feels like it’s about to boil over.

“I just— I can’t believe how fast I’ve started relying on him,” she says, pacing between stacks of supplies. “Like, one minute he’s this stubborn, stiff-necked rookie trying to prove he knows everything, and the next… I’m looking for him before every hunt without even thinking about it.”

Nayeon leans back against a crate, letting her vent.

“And it’s not just that he’s good,” Jihyo continues, throwing her hands up. “He’s reliable. If he says he’s got your back, you don’t have to second guess it. He’ll be there. No matter what.”

She stops, scowling at the ground. “Even when it’s reckless. Especially when it’s reckless.”

Nayeon smiles slightly. “Sounds like you like him.”

Jihyo ignores her.

“What drives me crazy is how he’s always competing with me. Like he’s got something to prove every time we spar or go on a hunt. It’s exhausting. I’m not trying to beat him. I’m not keeping score.” She crosses her arms tight across her chest. “But he’s got a chip on his shoulder the size of a Gammoth. And he’s so stupidly proud— he doesn’t even see what’s right in front of him.”

Nayeon watches her carefully. “Maybe he thinks you’ll stop needing him if he’s not good enough.”

Jihyo hesitates, pacing slowing.

“You’ve been doing this since you were what, ten?” Nayeon says. “He started way later. Probably feels like he has to catch up. Or you’ll outgrow him.”

Jihyo sits heavily on a crate, feeling the weight of the conversation settle on her.

Her fingers trace the scar on her thigh absently — a gift from a bad hunt two years ago.

“He learned the hunting horn for me, you know,” she says quietly. “He didn’t even like support weapons at first. Thought they were clunky and slow. But he saw how much I relied on buffs and healing… and just— picked it up.”

Nayeon raises an eyebrow, but stays silent.

“And when I got hurt last year?” Jihyo’s voice softens even more. “He found out it was an elder dragon, but the guild couldn’t figure out which one. So he hunted all three possibilities down. Alone.”

She laughs, but there’s no humor in it — just disbelief and something aching underneath.

“I watched him come back, half-dead, carrying three elder crowns like it was nothing. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world to do.”

Nayeon’s face softens too.

“In my eyes,” Jihyo says, “he’s already more than good enough. He’s my equal. Maybe more than that.”

Her hands tighten into fists. “But he’s so busy trying to prove something to me, he can’t see that he already has.”

There’s a long silence between them.

Finally, Nayeon says gently, “Maybe you’re both a little blind.”

Jihyo lets out a frustrated breath and rests her forehead against her knees.

“I’m so sick of competing with him,” she mumbles. “I just want him to stand next to me without thinking he has to earn it every time.”

Nayeon smirks and tosses a clean rag at her.

“Maybe if you stopped glaring at him like you want to strangle him half the time, he’d get the hint.”

Jihyo groans, muffling her voice against her arms.

Nayeon just laughs and goes back to sorting herbs, leaving Jihyo to stew in the messy realization that maybe, just maybe, she’s been as bad at showing her feelings as he has.

Later that afternoon, the four of you head to the guild to check the new assignments. The main hall is buzzing with hunters clanking weapons, sharpening gear, and exchanging half-shouted stories from their latest hunts.

As you’re scanning the quest board, you catch a few hushed voices nearby. Their words aren’t loud, but they’re sharp enough to cut through the noise if you’re listening.

“Guy’s still hanging around Jihyo, huh?” one younger hunter mutters, laughing under his breath.

“Talk about riding coattails,” another says. “You’d think he’d be embarrassed. She’s in a different league.”

You glance toward Daigo. He stands stiffly, pretending not to hear, but the way his hands tighten around the strap of his hunting horn case gives him away.

Then, stepping out from a group of hunters polishing their armor, comes Natty — a girl maybe a year or two younger than Daigo. You recognize her immediately.

Natty was another prodigy, one of the hunters who started training at ten years old. She’d risen through the ranks fast, her record sparkling after a few high-profile hunts under Jihyo’s mentorship.

She tosses her short ponytail over her shoulder and smirks, her eyes flickering between Daigo and Jihyo.

“Still clinging to Jihyo, Daigo?” she says, voice light but cutting. “I mean, sure, you’re decent. But without her? You’d still be a mid-rank hunter wondering why you’re not good enough.”

You feel the air shift, and a muscle jumps in Daigo’s jaw.

It’s not even true — Daigo had already been a high-rank hunter when he met Jihyo. He just wasn’t a prodigy. He had to earn it the long way, with blood, broken bones, and relentless work.

Before you can open your mouth, Jihyo beats you to it.

Her voice cuts clean through the guild hall.

“Say that again.”

Natty flinches slightly at the venom in Jihyo’s tone.

“You think Daigo’s nothing without me?” Jihyo steps forward, her eyes burning. “You’re wrong. Dead wrong.”

The guild hall quiets as everyone turns to look.

“Daigo’s the reason I’m still alive. He’s fought beside me, not behind me. When I got hurt and no one could tell me which elder dragon was responsible, he hunted down three of them — alone.”

You watch Natty falter under Jihyo’s glare. This wasn’t the casual brush-off she’d been expecting.

“And you know what?” Jihyo continues, voice steady, deadly serious. “He learned the hunting horn because I needed someone to cover my blind spots. Because he wanted to protect me better.”

Daigo shifts beside you, visibly uncomfortable with all the attention, but Jihyo doesn’t stop.

“He’s stubborn and he’s got a chip on his shoulder the size of a Gammoth, sure. But he’s reliable. He’s fierce. And he’s my partner — because he earned it. Not because I handed it to him.”

There’s a stunned silence.

Natty looks like she wants to say something — anything — but thinks better of it and backs off with a scoff.

Jihyo turns back to your group, her expression tight with lingering anger. She grabs Daigo’s wrist — not rough, but firm — and pulls him a few steps away from the crowd.

You and Nayeon trail after them, exchanging impressed looks.

Daigo finally mutters, still not quite meeting Jihyo’s eyes, “You didn’t have to do that.”

Jihyo scoffs. “Yes, I did. Don’t let idiots like that rewrite your story.”

There’s a beat of awkward, heavy silence between them, thick with everything they’re too stubborn to say.

Nayeon, ever the mood-breaker, leans in with a wicked grin. “You two wanna kiss now or save it for after the next hunt?”

You can’t help but laugh as both Daigo and Jihyo immediately turn red, each mumbling furious denials.

But something’s changed — something lighter, warmer — even if neither of them sees it yet.

You’re still laughing when Natty smirks and says, loud enough for everyone to hear,

“Well, if you’re so good, why don’t you hunt a Dire Miralis by yourself?”

The room went deathly still — like a Barrioth had slashed through the air and ripped all the warmth out of the guild house.

Every hunter nearby stopped pretending not to listen. Eyes shifted. Boots scraped against the floor. The Dire Miralis — a monster so powerful entire villages had been lost to its flames — wasn’t something you just suggested to someone as a joke.

You see Daigo stiffen beside you, his whole body going rigid. His hand tightens around the strap of his horn case until his knuckles go white.

“Fine,” Daigo said, voice low, steady, and absolutely deadly.

The guild house seemed to freeze even further, the weight of his words sinking into everyone’s bones.

You glance at Jihyo just as she steps forward, her hand instinctively reaching for Daigo’s sleeve.

“Daigo,” she said, voice cracking just slightly with urgency. “You don’t have to do this. I know what the Dire Miralis did. I know it destroyed your home. But you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not after everything you’ve already done.”

Her words hang in the air — sincere, pleading — but Daigo just shrugs her off with a weary, almost hollow smile.

“No one believes I can do it,” he said, looking not at Natty, but somewhere far beyond the guild walls, as if speaking to ghosts only he could see. “But I know I can.”

Jihyo’s breath hitched, and you saw it — the way her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her chest tightening as she fought not to reach for him again.

And suddenly, you’re back there —

The first time you ever met Daigo.

You remember how everyone else had watched him like he was a bomb about to go off. The kid from the far-off island — the one swallowed whole by a Dire Miralis. He stood alone in the training yard, armor patched together from salvaged hunts, his expression locked into something colder than ice and hotter than magma.

You remember the way he moved when he fought — not with skill, not at first.

But with rage.

An unending, all-consuming fury that roared out of him with every swing of his hammer, like he was trying to smash the world that had wronged him into pieces.

He scared people. You weren’t ashamed to admit it.

And then Jihyo had dragged him by the wrist over to you and Nayeon, grinning like she hadn’t just grabbed onto a thunderstorm.

“He’s gonna be great,” she said, beaming up at you both. “Trust me.”

You remember the look in Daigo’s eyes back then — that same storm, barely leashed.

You snap back to the present, watching him now, and realize the truth that punches you in the gut.

The rage never went away.

He just got better at hiding it.

Natty looked caught off guard, like she hadn’t expected him to actually agree, but she quickly masked it with a scoff, turning away with a toss of her head.

Jihyo stood frozen, her hands clenched into fists, the tears still brimming in her eyes as Daigo silently turned toward the quest board, and accepting the quest.

Before anyone could talk him out of it, Daigo grabbed his Malzeno hunting horn, strapped it across his back with a final, heavy motion, and walked out of the guild.

No ceremony. No farewell.

Just silent, unshakable determination.

He was gone for three days.

Three long, excruciating days.

You and Jihyo spent most of that time restlessly pacing the guild halls, checking the quest board for any hint of news, jumping at every hunter who returned through the front gates. You argued over stupid things just to kill the unbearable silence, just to pretend you weren’t imagining the worst.

Only Nayeon kept her cool. Somehow.

She kept reassuring you — no, promising you — that Daigo would be back, safe and sound. Probably with a Dire Miralis scale strapped to his back like it was no big deal, scowling because everyone would make a fuss.

Eventually, some of that certainty rubbed off on you, enough that when a group dinner came together — Eunha, Gil, Maple, Haewon — you actually showed up. Jihyo did too, though you weren’t sure if she ate anything. She sat stiffly at the table, hands neatly folded, pretending to listen, pretending to laugh at jokes. But every time the door creaked, every time heavy boots sounded outside, her head snapped up like she was bracing for either relief or heartbreak.

She hid it well.

But you could see it — the way her knuckles whitened around her napkin, the way her shoulders sagged ever so slightly when it wasn’t Daigo.

Still, when anyone asked, she gave the same tired, stubborn line,

“Well, he’s a good hunter. It would be stupid for him to be retired over something so dumb.”

You didn’t call her out on the slight tremble in her voice. None of you did.

But you knew.

You knew it wasn’t just pride in his skill eating her alive.

It was love — deep and gnawing — twisting in her chest, turning every hour he stayed gone into another small, private agony.

Midway through dinner, when things were finally starting to feel light again, Nayeon leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eye and said, “Alright, serious bets — how many carts do you think Daigo’s gonna take?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, finally feeling some of the tension ease.

“Oh, easy two,” you said. “He’s gonna barely make it back. He’ll be limping and muttering about ‘stupid magma’ the whole time.”

Nayeon, ever the contrarian, wagged a finger at you. “Oh ye of little faith. I’m saying one cart, at most. He’s way too careful on solo hunts.”

The game caught quickly.

“I think Daigo’s gonna fail,” Eunha chimed in with a teasing grin. She and Daigo were close — practically siblings — so the jab was affectionate, expected.

Maple, more reserved, played with the rim of her glass and mumbled, “Um… maybe one cart? He’s really strong.”

Everyone laughed lightly, the tension finally breaking.

Except Jihyo.

She had been quiet, so quiet you almost forgot she was there, until she finally set her fork down with a soft clink and said,

“Daigo is an exceptional hunter. We shouldn’t joke about his success.”

The table went dead silent.

There was no anger in her voice — just a fierce, unyielding certainty that seemed to burn hotter than any flame. Her eyes were steady, but you could see the storm swirling just beneath them — fear, pride, frustration, and something even stronger. Something deeper.

Love.

It poured off her in waves, so raw and desperate you almost couldn’t look at her without feeling like you were intruding on something private.

The conversation stumbled back to life a few moments later, lighter and more careful.

On the third day about dusk Daigo finally returned The guild hall was alive with noise — laughter, the clink of mugs, the scuff of boots against worn wood. Life moved forward. It had to.

Still, you caught yourself glancing at the entrance every few minutes, heart twisting when it was just another familiar hunter returning from a mundane quest.

Then —

the doors creaked open.

And the world stopped.

He stepped through the threshold, and for a split second, you didn’t recognize him.

Taller.

Broader.

His skin bore new markings — intricate tribal tattoos coiling along his arms and across his chest where his battered armor had been loosened, old symbols that seemed to hum with meaning. His hair was longer, wild and unkempt. His eyes, once stormy and restless, now burned with a deeper, quieter fire. Even his voice, when he called out a soft greeting, sounded different — lower, roughened, like it had been dragged through fire and sand and war.

It was Jihyo who moved first.

One breath —

then she was sprinting across the guild hall.

The slap echoed louder than any roar you’d heard in the field. A hard, cracking sound against the new Daigo’s cheek.

He barely flinched.

Before anyone could react, Jihyo grabbed him by the front of his torn armor, pulled him down, and kissed him fiercely — a kiss full of anger, love, terror, and overwhelming relief.

When she pulled back, her forehead pressed against his, her hands trembling as she said, voice thick with emotion,

“We are a team, you idiot. And I’m not letting you go out on your own anymore.”

And then she kissed him again, softer this time, as if to anchor herself to the fact he was real. Alive. Home.

The guild hall seemed to hold its breath.

Only when a crowd started to gather — gasps, hurried whispers — did Jihyo finally step back, reluctantly, but her hand stayed gripped tight in his.

Daigo straightened, his expression unreadable, and faced the gathered hunters.

“How’d it go?” one of them asked eagerly.

He exhaled slowly, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest.

“After I killed the Dire Miralis…” he began, voice steady but raw, “I started heading home. But an elder from my old village — before the Dire Miralis destroyed it — found me. He told me I had one last rite of passage.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Daigo’s jaw tightened. He squeezed Jihyo’s hand once before letting go and gesturing toward the fresh wounds — claw marks, strange deep slashes — that crisscrossed his arms.

“In my village,” he explained, “we believed that every hunter was tied to a monster. That to truly become your own man — your own hunter — you had to find it and defeat it.”

He looked up, his gaze fierce, cutting through the room.

“My monster was the Malzeno.”

A collective shiver ran through the hunters. Even the bravest of them paled.

“And not just any Malzeno,” Daigo said, his lips pursed as if choosing his next words carefully. “A Primordial Malzeno.”

The hall exploded into stunned whispers.

You couldn’t breathe for a second.

Jihyo didn’t look surprised though. She just watched him with those fierce, unblinking eyes — seeing him, truly seeing him, in a way nobody else could. She had known from the start. Known he was more than anyone ever gave him credit for.

But not anymore.

The guild was still buzzing from the news, but Jihyo barely noticed.

Daigo was home. He was hurt, exhausted, and stubborn as hell, and she wasn’t going to let him fall apart under everyone’s gawking eyes.

She pulled him — none too gently — toward one of the quieter rooms tucked away behind the main hall. Someplace where she could patch him up properly.

“Sit,” she ordered, pushing him down onto a worn bench.

Daigo huffed a laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching up. “You’re bossier than I remember.”

“You remember wrong,” Jihyo said, already grabbing a roll of bandages from the shelf. “I’ve always been this way.”

He chuckled — low and rough — and it sent a shiver through her. He sounded different. Older. Like a blade that had finally been sharpened into its true form.

As she worked — wiping blood from the scrapes on his arms, gently checking his ribs for fractures — Daigo watched her in a way that made her hands tremble. Not with fear. With something deeper. Something she had tried so hard to keep buried while he was gone.

Finally, when the worst of his wounds were cleaned and wrapped, she sat back, staring at him.

“You could’ve died,” she said quietly. “You almost died.”

Daigo was silent for a long moment. Then he reached out and caught her hand, holding it against his chest, right over his heart.

“I know,” he said.

The room felt heavy with everything they hadn’t said.

“You scared me, Daigo,” she whispered, tears prickling at the edges of her vision. “You scared me so much I could barely breathe.”

He squeezed her hand tighter.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just…I had to prove it. Not to them. To myself. That I could be more than what they saw. That I wasn’t just some broken kid with a dead village and a temper I couldn’t control.”

“You didn’t have to prove anything to me,” Jihyo said fiercely. “You never did.”

Daigo smiled, a small, tired thing.

“I know,” he said again. “And that’s why…”

He trailed off, searching her face like it held all the answers he didn’t know how to ask for.

“That’s why I love you, Jihyo.”

The words fell between them, raw and unpolished and real.

She stared at him, stunned. Not because she didn’t know — she had always known — but because hearing it out loud was different. It made it undeniable. Tangible.

“I love you,” he repeated, voice steadier now. “I think I have since the moment you dragged me into this guild and told everyone I’d be great. You saw something in me before anyone else did. Even me.”

Jihyo swallowed hard, blinking fast.

She leaned forward and kissed him — slow this time, deliberate — like sealing a promise between them.

When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against his and whispered,

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me, Daigo. No more hunts alone. No more facing monsters by yourself. We do this together.”

Daigo smiled — a real smile this time, bright and full of everything he had fought to protect.

“Together,” he agreed.

And for the first time in a long, long while, he let himself believe he was finally home.

The trip back to your shared home was quiet, but not uncomfortable.

Daigo, though clearly exhausted, refused to let go of Jihyo’s hand the whole way back. His new tribal markings caught the moonlight as you walked behind them with Nayeon, the two of you exchanging little glances but saying nothing. Even Nayeon knew better than to ruin the moment with one of her usual jabs.

When you finally reached the door, Daigo hesitated, just for a second, before stepping inside. Home. Really home this time.

Jihyo guided him gently through the hallway, not to the couch, but to the bathroom. “You need to clean up first,” she said, voice soft but firm.

Daigo didn’t argue. He just let her lead him.

The bathroom quickly filled with the scent of herbal soaps and the quiet sound of water pouring into the deep tub. Daigo sat heavily at the edge, peeling off his battered gear piece by piece. Jihyo knelt beside him, helping him undo the straps and buckles when his fingers trembled from exhaustion.

When he was bare and covered in old blood, dirt, and faint smudges of soot, Jihyo turned away to give him privacy as he slid into the steaming water. Only after a long minute did she slip in behind him, This wasn’t about anything other than being there.

The water sloshed softly as she reached for a cloth and started carefully washing his back. Daigo’s skin twitched under her touch, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, he leaned into it — into her.

“You scared me,” she said quietly, wringing out the cloth and working over the new markings across his shoulders.

“I know,” he murmured. His voice was lower now, rougher — but somehow calmer too.

Jihyo set the cloth aside for a moment and rested her forehead against his back, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” she whispered.

“I wasn’t,” Daigo said after a long pause. “Not to them. I was proving it to myself.”

Jihyo lifted her head and cupped a handful of water, letting it pour over his hair, rinsing out the dust and blood. She combed her fingers through the dark strands gently.

“You didn’t need to,” she said. “You were already enough.”

Daigo turned his head slightly, enough that he could meet her eyes over his shoulder. The look he gave her — tired, raw, grateful — was almost too much.

“I know now,” he said quietly.

Jihyo smiled and pressed a kiss to his temple.

They didn’t talk much after that. Jihyo continued washing him in slow, methodical motions, her hands never rough, never hurried. Daigo eventually coaxed her into letting him do the same for her, the moment tender and full of unspoken promises.

When they finally got out, both of them wrapped in thick towels, Daigo barely made it to the couch before crashing face-first into the cushions. Jihyo laughed under her breath, draping a blanket over him as he immediately started snoring.

“You’re such an idiot,” she whispered fondly, brushing his damp hair back one last time before curling up on the floor beside him, unwilling to be more than an arm’s reach away.

You and Nayeon quietly moved around them, setting out tea and pretending not to notice how at peace they finally looked.

By the time you sat down, Daigo was fast asleep, breathing slow and even. Jihyo stayed awake, keeping watch over him with the kind of fierce tenderness you could only describe as love.

The night passed quietly.

The house was filled only with the soft sound of Daigo’s breathing and the occasional creak of wood settling. Nayeon had long since disappeared into her room, dragging you with her with a smug grin, leaving Jihyo alone to keep her silent vigil beside the couch.

At some point in the early hours of the morning, her head dipped, and she finally dozed off against the couch’s side, her hand still resting lightly on Daigo’s arm.

When Jihyo stirred awake, the first thing she noticed was the faint light dancing across the room. She blinked groggily, shifting slightly — and then froze.

Daigo’s markings were glowing.

It wasn’t harsh or alarming. It was a soft, slow pulse, like the heartbeat of a slumbering dragon. The deep indigo-blue glow mirrored the scales of the Primordial Malzeno — eerie, beautiful, and somehow peaceful. The light spilled over his skin in lazy waves, highlighting the curve of his jaw, the powerful shape of his shoulders, the quiet strength in his stillness.

For a moment, Jihyo just stared.

He’s different, she thought. Changed.

Older. Stronger. Scarred inside and out.

But then Daigo shifted slightly in his sleep, pulling the blanket higher with a sleepy frown — the same way he used to when they camped under the stars during their first hunts together six years ago. His brow furrowed the same way it always had when he dreamed. His fingers twitched, curling instinctively toward where her hand had been.

And in that moment, all the differences melted away.

Beneath the markings and the new voice and the battles he had fought, Daigo was still Daigo.

Still the stubborn, reckless, fierce hunter who had walked into the guild hall with nothing but the clothes on his back and a fire burning in his chest.

Still the boy who hadn’t known how to smile properly until Nayeon bullied it out of him.

Still the man who had made her heart stutter and race in ways no monster ever had.

Jihyo reached out gently, brushing her fingers over one of the glowing markings on his arm. The light flared faintly at her touch, but Daigo didn’t wake — he just relaxed again, as if sensing it was her.

A soft, bittersweet smile curved her lips.

“Welcome home, Daigo,” she whispered.

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the back of his hand before settling back in her spot. The glow from his markings kept pulsing steadily, lighting the room in soft colors as Jihyo watched over him until sleep claimed her again.

Together, they drifted into dreams, the night finally, finally at peace.

The sun was barely peeking over the hills when Jihyo stirred awake.

Still bleary-eyed and wrapped in one of the heavy blankets from the couch, she turned her head and smiled softly at the sight of Daigo — stretched out, fast asleep, one arm dangling off the side of the couch. The markings on his skin still glowed faintly, a soft, ghostly color that matched the scales of the Primordial Malzeno.

Despite everything — his new height, his changed voice, the wild power he now carried in his blood — to Jihyo, he was still the Daigo she had met six years ago. The stubborn, bright-eyed hunter who had challenged her to a sparring match on her first day and grinned like an idiot even when she knocked him flat on his back. The one who always got up after being knocked down until he wasn’t the one being knocked down but the one picking others up.

Carefully, she slid closer to him on the couch and curled up beside him, resting her head against his chest. His heart beat slow and steady under her ear.

At first, she just meant to enjoy the quiet — but the longer she stayed, the more overwhelming the need to be close to him became.

She nuzzled into him, brushing her nose lightly against his collarbone. Her hand found his and laced their fingers together. She pressed kisses — soft and lingering — along the new markings on his shoulder, his jaw, anywhere she could reach without waking him too abruptly.

Daigo shifted, groggy but instinctively pulling her closer with a low grunt. His fingers threaded through her hair.

“Ji…” he muttered, half-asleep, voice thick and rumbling.

“You’re not allowed to leave me like that again,” she whispered fiercely, pressing another kiss to his cheek. “I don’t care how strong you are now.”

Daigo cracked open one eye, a slow, fond smile spreading across his face.

“I wasn’t planning to,” he rasped.

Jihyo answered by smothering him in even more affection — nuzzling under his chin, peppering his neck with kisses, tracing the markings on his arms with featherlight touches. Her whole body spoke the words she couldn’t say fast enough: Stay. Stay with me.

When Daigo finally managed to sit up, Jihyo clung to him a moment longer before allowing him to stand.

Nayeon, of course, caught them a little later. She leaned against the frame, grinning like a cat who caught two canaries.

“Aren’t you two cute,” she teased. “I turn my back for five minutes and you’re practically glued together.”

Jihyo didn’t even blush this time — she just smirked and laced her fingers back through Daigo’s.

“Maybe if you found someone worth clinging to, you’d understand,” she shot back sweetly. Nayeon rolled her eyes and said

“I’ll give you two love dragons some privacy,”

After their moment Jihyo turned to Daigo and said, “I need more before diving in for a more aggressive kiss,” her lips tasted sweet to Daigo as she kissed him more. Jihyo lost in her desires begins grinding on Daigo. Daigo moans as he feels Jihyo’s crotch wrap around and slide on his. Eventually even that wasn’t enough for Jihyo. She moved the cloth separating them before sliding down on his cock. She moaned as she took more and more of him inside of her.

“Ah fuck, you’re gonna make me cum,” she moaned as she awkwardly rested on top of his cock overwhelmed emotionally and physically. She groaned until Daigo made a move and she popped.

Jihyo’s orgasm came violently, her whole body raked with pleasure as  squeezed Daigo’s cock snugly. She moaned as she took his cock

Due to the awkward position and tight squeeze Daigo also came inside her as well. Jihyo moaned uncontrollably as she felt her womb fill with cum until her belly slightly distended from it.

After that the two headed to the guild house

The quiet stillness of the early morning air wrapped around them as Jihyo and Daigo stood just outside the guild house. The sun was rising higher, casting golden light across the trees and the stone paths that led toward the guild.

Jihyo, still holding his hand, stood on her tiptoes to press a lingering kiss against his cheek. Her lips lingered there for a second longer than usual, and when she pulled back, her eyes were soft, but there was an intensity to them — a need, a hunger for connection she could no longer hold back.

“You know,” she murmured, brushing her thumb along his jaw, “I’ve been thinking… through all of this, through everything you’ve done, I’ve come to realize just how much you’ve changed.” She paused, meeting his gaze with quiet intensity. “And I’m proud of you. I’m so proud of you, Daigo.”

Daigo blinked, his chest tightening at the words, the sincerity that only Jihyo could give. Her words, her affection, seemed to pour over him like a wave. And for the first time, he allowed himself to drink it all in, no defenses, no barriers.

“I didn’t think I deserved this…” His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it held all the rawness of everything he’d been holding inside. He turned slightly toward her, fingers still intertwined with hers. “I’ve always felt like… like I had to prove something. Prove I was good enough for you, for anyone. But…”

“But you are,” Jihyo interrupted, her voice firm yet tender, her fingers caressing the back of his hand. “You always have been. You don’t need to prove a thing to anyone, especially not to me.”

The world seemed to shrink around them — no noise, no distractions, just the two of them in this intimate, shared space. Jihyo’s heart raced in her chest as she gazed up at Daigo, her hand rising to rest against his cheek.

“You’ve always been enough,” she whispered, her voice trembling with raw emotion. “And I… I love you, Daigo. All of you. The fighter, the man who’s been carrying the weight of everything for so long. I see you. I always have.”

Daigo’s breath caught in his throat. The way her eyes locked with his, the way she laid herself bare before him, made his chest ache with an intensity he hadn’t known he was capable of feeling. There was no more fear, no more self-doubt. Just her. Her love.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he said hoarsely, his voice a mixture of wonder and disbelief. “But I’ll take it. I’ll take everything you give me.”

With that, he pulled her closer, one hand cupping the back of her neck. His lips brushed against hers, tentative at first, as if testing if it was real. But as soon as their lips met, a spark ignited between them. The kiss deepened, slow and filled with the weight of everything they had shared and everything they were about to embrace.

Jihyo’s hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart, the rise and fall of his breath. She kissed him harder, pouring every ounce of the love she felt into him, into this single moment that felt like a beginning rather than an end.

Daigo, for the first time in a long while, let himself accept that love fully. He took it all — every ounce of warmth and tenderness she offered — and he held onto it as tightly as he held onto her. There was no hesitation, no fear, just the solid certainty that this was where he belonged.

When they finally broke apart, breaths shallow and hearts racing, Jihyo rested her forehead against his. Her fingers still threaded through his, and her voice was soft, filled with all the love and approval she could no longer keep hidden.

“I’m so proud of you, Daigo,” she repeated, her voice breaking slightly. “You’re everything I’ve ever needed, everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m never letting go.”

Daigo leaned into her touch, his eyes closing for a moment as he let her words wash over him. No more doubt. No more fear. Just love. Her love. And for the first time, he felt worthy of it.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for seeing me… for believing in me.”

Jihyo kissed him again, her lips gentle against his, a promise that they would face everything together, side by side, no matter what.

As they pulled apart, a soft laugh escaped Daigo’s lips — not nervous, not forced — just pure contentment. Jihyo smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with affection, and he couldn’t help but return it with a smile of his own.

And there, in the quiet of the morning, in the space where nothing but the two of them mattered, Daigo knew that whatever came next, they would face it together.

Later that morning, after Jihyo and Nayeon had dragged Daigo into a hearty breakfast (despite his protests), he was pulled aside to complete his official hunt report.

The guild hall was buzzing with the news: Daigo had returned. And more importantly, he had succeeded.

Daigo sat at the long, scarred table, filling out the formal paperwork with slow, steady strokes of the pen. Jihyo hovered nearby, barely hiding her pride. Nayeon kept grinning and whispering ridiculous things to Maple, who kept giggling behind her hand.

When Daigo finally handed the report over, the guildmaster — a tall, wiry man with a booming laugh — read it aloud to the assembled hunters:

“Successful solo hunt against Dire Miralis. Zero carts. Additional encounter with a Primordial Malzeno — defeated. Zero carts.”

The hall fell silent for a beat — then erupted into gasps and low murmurs of awe.

As the guildmaster signed off on the report, he clapped Daigo hard on the back, beaming.

“Effective immediately,” the guildmaster announced, “Daigo is hereby promoted to Apex Rank, alongside Jihyo.”

Cheers went up around the hall, though not everyone wore a smile.

Near the back, Natty — one of the fiercest and proudest hunters, who had once prided herself on being Jihyo’s equal — pushed her way forward, her face twisted with confusion and something bitterer.

“How?” she demanded, stopping right in front of Daigo, fists clenched at her sides. “How did you do it?”

Daigo met her gaze calmly. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, in a voice that was steady but heavy with truth, he replied,

“I wanted to win more than I wanted to live.”

It wasn’t boastful. It wasn’t cruel. It was just the truth, laid bare and raw.

Natty’s expression faltered. She opened her mouth as if to say something — but nothing came out. She simply stepped back, swallowing thickly, and let him pass.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, the heavy doors of the guild creaked open once more.

An old man entered, clad in simple, roughspun clothes, but there was a weight to his presence — a quiet, unshakable authority. His skin was weathered like old stone, his eyes sharp and deep.

Daigo’s steps slowed. He knew this man — one of the last elders of his home, the hidden village that the Dire Miralis had nearly erased from the world.

The elder walked forward and clasped Daigo’s shoulders in a warrior’s grip.

“You have returned victorious,” he said solemnly. “But the blooding must be completed.”

Wordlessly, Daigo followed him outside, where a stone basin had been prepared. Within it, dark, shimmering blood — collected from the monsters he had slain — pulsed faintly with a life of its own.

Guild members gathered at a respectful distance, watching silently. Jihyo stood close, her heart pounding in her chest.

The elder spoke the ancient rite in a language few remembered, then gestured for Daigo to kneel.

Without hesitation, Daigo did.

The elder dipped his hands into the blood and began marking Daigo’s skin, tracing along the tribal markings that had already begun to appear after his victories. As the blood touched him, the lines seemed to ignite — faint, beautiful glows in the same colors as the Primordial Malzeno’s scales: silver and a ghostly violet.

The markings curled up his arms, over his shoulders, and across his chest, sharpening and deepening with every careful stroke.

When it was done, the elder stepped back.

“You are no longer a boy chasing monsters,” the elder said. “You are a hunter who has mastered his own fury. Rise, Daigo of our blood.”

Daigo stood slowly, the last of the blood dripping from his skin. His markings pulsed faintly, vibrant against the morning light.

He turned to face Jihyo — and for a moment, the world was very small. Only her, only him, and the shared understanding that this wasn’t just an end.

It was a beginning.

Jihyo stepped forward and squeezed his hand, her thumb brushing the new marks on his wrist. Her smile was so full of pride and affection that Daigo almost couldn’t look directly at it.

“You’re still the same Daigo I met six years ago,” she whispered to him, voice trembling slightly. “No matter how different you look… you’re still mine.”

And in that moment, Daigo realized he wasn’t running from anything anymore.

He was finally home.

A few moments later, the heavy oak doors of the guild house swung open with a bang, making a few hunters glance up from their breakfasts. In stormed Diovaldo, a familiar and perpetually dramatic hunter known for both his big voice and even bigger reactions.

He stomped halfway into the room, took one look at Daigo — who was still basking in the afterglow of both his promotion and Jihyo’s affection — and immediately changed course. With a loud, “Yo, congrats, man!” Diovaldo swept Daigo into a bone-crushing hug that lifted him a few inches off the ground.

Daigo let out a startled grunt, awkwardly patting Diovaldo’s back. “Uh… thanks?”

Diovaldo set him down with a grin before turning on his heel, storming toward the guild representative standing behind the main desk.

“What the heck?” Diovaldo barked, throwing his hands in the air. “I’ve been asking — begging — what I gotta do to reach Apex rank! And every time, every single time, you tell me ‘it’s complicated’ or ‘there’s no openings.’ Then Daigo goes off on some

Lone hunter/ Hero’s journey, comes back taller, shinier, and suddenly you’re throwing Apex rank at him like confetti? I CALL B.S.!”

The guild rep, an older man with the permanent look of someone whose Dash juice had been just snatched away, let out a long, suffering sigh.

“Diovaldo,” he said, rubbing his temples, “why are you yelling?”

“BECAUSE I’M MAD!” Diovaldo practically vibrated in place. “I’ve been doing everything right! I sharpen my weapons! I do extra bounties! I even started doing Marathon hunts because you said I needed better stamina! And now you’re telling me all I had to do was…” — he gestured wildly at Daigo — “go on some spiritual sabbatical, fight a god-tier Dire Miralis, and beat a primordial Malzeno tied to my soul?!”

The guild rep blinked slowly. “Would you like me to make you a pamphlet next time?”

Diovaldo threw his arms in the air again. “YES, actually. A pamphlet would have been great! You could call it ‘So You Want to Become an Apex Hunter: Step One, Die a Little Inside!’”

Meanwhile, Daigo — still half stunned — looked over at Jihyo, who was biting her lip hard, trying not to laugh. She gave him a tiny thumbs-up behind Diovaldo’s back.

The guild rep sighed again, the sound practically peeling paint off the walls. “Diovaldo, this isn’t a carnival prize. Apex rank is earned through… extraordinary feats.”

“I CAN BE EXTRAORDINARY!” Diovaldo wailed, dramatically grabbing a random hunter’s cloak like a tragic hero from a play. “ Do I just need better marketing? Maybe a catchy theme song!”

Daigo finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and chuckled, clapping Diovaldo on the shoulder. “Hey, man, if it helps, I didn’t even know this was a thing until about two minutes ago.”

Diovaldo sagged like a puppet whose strings had been cut. “Of course you didn’t,” he muttered, shuffling toward the breakfast line, muttering under his breath about bias and favoritism and ominous training arcs he clearly needed to undertake.

Jihyo sidled up beside Daigo, still snickering. “You sure you’re ready for the fame, Apex Hunter?”

Daigo smirked. “As long as I get paid extra, they can call me whatever they want.”

“Good,” Jihyo said, slipping her hand into his with a wink. “Because I have a few ideas.”

[littlelovelunette]

Hihihii!!! I've read some of your fics and I loved them so I wanted to propose something! Just like hyperactive reader messing around with jinx and them basically being best friends while sevika is watching them from the back with Isha??? If that's okay with you!! Thanks!

Set Me Up With Her

Sevika x Hyperactive!Reader

You were Jinx's best bud before Sevika took interest in you. You and Jinx did absolutely everything together and practically completed each others' sentences.

According to Jinx, you both were like siblings with the same mother. You were content being close to someone who'd explode the world if it meant the both of you could grab a laugh.

But it wasn't your love for bombs that bonded the both of you. It was the shared insanity.

Yours perhaps wasnt as severe as hers but it was still there and bothered you. Like a faint buzzing behind your eyes.

Sevika fell in love with you when you busted a few goons who had attacked her and genuinely had her at a vulnerable position. That night Sevika was sure she'd die a martyr for Zaun.

But she didn't thanks to you and Jinx.

Isha watched from afar with her mouth slightly agape as you and Jinx went in. You went for a close range while Jinx readied the remote for the bomb.

A small smile twisted on your lips and you set the bomb, one with an obnoxious snout for a face, on the guy's shirt, grabbing Sevika's flesh arm and making a run for it.

Just as you and Sevika got into a safe distance, Sevika's ears caught onto the loud BOOM!

She felt like she went deaf right then and there but after the tinnitus faded, she stared where the bomb had exploded.

"You're..." She looked at you. "Jinx's friend."

"Yeah." You said in a bored tone, tilting your pistol. "Or," you leaned in closer and uttered your name. "How 'bout you call me that for now, huh?"

Sevika grumbled and shoved you away.

Jinx climbed down with Isha on her shoulders, "Let's go!" She said cheerfully almost. "You promised you'd do my braids if we managed the bombing."

"Deal's a deal." You giggled and sighed.

Waving a last goodbye at Sevika, you left with Jinx. You knew you'd see her around. Afterall, they all did gather in the same hideout.

"That woman's hot as fuck." You told Jinx.

Jinx snorted. "Sevika?" She rolled her eyes. "She's an old lady."

"How old?" You asked.

"Forties?" Jinx shrugged nonchalantly as you both headed inside the hideout. You put your hood down and she did too.

"Well, I guess I like older women now." You grinned, leaning against the wall and crossing your arms. "You could set me up with her."

Jinx let out an exaggerated groan as she set Isha down onto the ground. Isha sat down peering up at the both of you curiously.

"Pretty please?" You gave Jinx your puppy eyes.

"I guess."

"Yay!"

That's how Jinx set you both up and now at current time, you and Jinx blew up buildings and caused havoc everywhere the both of you went.

Sevika stayed back, watching with a little grumble and a sigh, holding onto little Isha as she watched.

Although, Sevika hates the thought of you ever being close to bombs and military-grade weapons she respected you and let you do what you did. Sometimes when things got bad and you got hurt, Sevika chided, "There you go being childish and playing with bombs as if they're toys. You need to grow up."

But in all honesty Sevika didnt mind you bouncing off the walls 24/7. She actually enjoyed it to some extent.

[tzuyubb]

Somi is so used to people wanting her tits. One time she had someone want her ass, and she that was when she learned how much she enjoyed anal.

Anal Discovery

Pairing: Somi x Male Reader

Word Count: 689 words

Tags: anal, rough sex, doggystyle, deep penetration, fingering, mindbreak, facial

In the dimly lit nightclub, Somi's gaze was instantly drawn towards you. She couldn’t help but stare at your tall, muscular build that exuded raw masculinity. As your eyes locked, a spark of desire ignited between you. She gave you a playful wink and moved towards the dancefloor, a silent invitation that you eagerly accepted. Moving towards her, you navigated through the crowd, your eyes never leaving her perfect figure.

Somi danced seductively, her hips swayed in perfect rhythm, causing her round ass to shake provocatively, while her ample breasts bounced enticingly with each movement. She was used to men fixating on her voluptuous tits, but you were different. Instead, your gaze lingered on her curvy butt, and with deliberate intent, you approached her from behind. Your large hands firmly gripped her supple ass, squeezing and kneading her cheeks as if claiming her as your own. Somi's breath hitched, and a warm rush of arousal dampened her panties.

Eager to explore your touch further, she took your hand and led you out of the club, into the seclusion of a nearby alleyway. There, she pushed you against the cold hard wall and, with slow deliberate movements, she began a sultry striptease, peeling off her clothes to reveal her toned, naked body. As she knelt before you, ready to undress you, you took control.

You grasped her shoulders and, with one swift motion, turned her around and bent her over, positioning her hands against the opposite wall. Anticipation hung heavy in the air as you slowly unbuckled your belt, the sound echoing in the quiet alley. With deliberate slowness, you lowered your trousers and boxers, revealing your massive, throbbing erection, pulsating with hunger.

Teasing her, you ran the tip of your cock along her tight asshole, coating her entrance with your precum. Somi's breath quickened and her body trembled. "Please," she begged, her voice hoarse with desire, "I can't take it anymore, fuck my ass with that huge cock. Fill me and make me yours!"

In that moment, you unleashed your passion. With a powerful thrust, you impaled deep within her, your thick shaft penetrating her tight asshole. Somi's eyes widened as she felt herself stretched and filled to the limit, and she cried out with a mixture of ecstasy and surrender.

You began to move, pounding into her with relentless force, each thrust pushing deeper and deeper. Somi's loud moans and the sound of her plump ass slapping against your thighs echoed through the alleyway. Firmly gripping her hips, you held her in place as you fucked her with primal intensity, your balls slapping against her wet pussy with each thrust.

Sensing her pleasure, you reached down, sliding your thumb into her drenched pussy, while your index finger rubbed against her swollen clit. Somi's body convulsed as you stimulated both of her holes, driving her to euphoria. Her mind and senses shattered from wave after wave of intense orgasms, leaving her trembling and weak.

But you weren't done yet. As Somi's asshole clenched and unclenched around your shaft, pushing you further and further to climax, you pulled out, causing her to whimper in disappointment. Spinning her around, you forced her down onto her knees, positioning her face-to-face with your throbbing cock. Instinctively, Somi opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue.

"Beg for it, you little whore," you growled, your voice angry with desire and lust.

"Please, Daddy," Somi whimpered, her eyes locked onto your massive cock, "Cum all over my slutty face and fill my mouth with your seed."

Her explicit words pushed you over the edge. With a guttural groan, you exploded, shooting rope after rope of hot cum onto her face, coating her cheeks, nose, forehead and eyes. As, you reached the end of your climax, you shot the final warm jets of your release into Somi's open mouth and moist tongue.

Catching her breath, Somi looked up at you, her face glistening with cum, and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips. The experience had awakened her to the raw joy of anal and she discovered how much she loved this new form of pleasure.

[xoluvx]

✂️✂️✂️; b.eilish

Request: i neeeed something where reader and billie ✂️✂️✂️ cause i haven’t read one yet and it’s so frustrating </3

just smut

“I wanna try something,” Billie whispered on your lips, her mouth devoured yours after proclaiming her statement. You simply moaned on her tongue, your naked bodies laying next to each other.

“Is that a yes?” She pulled away for a second to examine your face. Your lids fluttered opened, still intoxicated from kissing.

“Of course baby,” you cooed running a hand down the side of her face. Billie’s eyes twinkled and she pushed you back gently. She sat on the bed and waited until you were comfortable. Then she parted your legs running her finger between your folds. You groaned at the contact, no doubt you were dripping already. You watched her carefully.

Billie held one of your legs up as she adjusted her weight on top of you. Slowly she brought herself down until your pussies were touching. You shifted your attention from her to the union of your bodies, her eyes joining yours to witness the moment she’d been thinking of for the past who-knows-how-many days.

Moving her body, you held her thigh which was now partially on your lower belly. Your hand stretched over her soft skin in anticipation. Slowly, her hips started moving and you felt just how wet she’d been too. The movements were slow, as if she was unsure if she’d break you.

But when she heard the sweet moans start to drip from your mouth, she turned to look at you. Your face twisted in pleasure, hand now clinging to her thigh, fingertips digging into her skin. She took that as an invitation to increase her speed. She did just that with vigor. Her hips swayed faster and you felt the heat rise to your face and shoot to your breasts. The friction between your bodies rose, and you felt the tight feeling forming, prickling down to your feet.

Billie raised your leg higher now kissing it tenderly before resting her cheek on it. She used it to anchor herself, her body still married with yours in this sacred ceremony. She slid on you now rotating her hips and you raised your chest holding her hips wanting her closer as if that were possible.

You felt warm, no - hot. So fucking hot, you were about to explode into a million little pieces until you felt her body weight shift. She brought herself down until your faces were inches apart. Her hair fell on your shoulders and you shuddered. She was still moving her hips and this new angle was only wounding you up tighter because you could practically taste her lips.

When she finally kissed you, clits pressed, you knew it was game over. You couldn’t hold it anymore. Your toes curled and your fingers dug into her back.

“Are you gonna cum for me?” Billie murmured against your lips. She was out of breath and you could feel the small beads of sweat on her forehead as you brought a hand to her face. The other wrapped tightly around her back. You whimpered and nodded. Moan after sweet moan slipping from your lips creating a harmonious melody as her own moans joined your tune. Her body was now slowing. Her own high only seconds away.

It took one more kiss for your bodies to fling into a fit of curse words. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck' you both chanted. Your orgasm washed over you like a hurricane and Billie’s came a few second later as she bit down on your shoulder.

She fell limply on your body. You pulled her hair to the side, wiping her forehead. Her plump lips hung open, eyes closed trying to recuperate. The only sounds in the room were that of your breathing, your bodies still molded together; your buds too sensation for any other movement.

“That was-“ Billie finally spoke. Her voice frail.

“Yeah,” you chuckled. You were still blissfully floating somewhere wonderful.

She found your hand and your fingers linked. Billie turned to look at you after a while. She held her head up slightly cracking a smile. Somehow that led to more giggles and eventually a kiss that warmed every part of your body. You’d never felt closer to her than at this moment.

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Taking care of Coryo afte the bombing. He's being stubborn and doesn't want to rest and maybe says something hurtful to reader?

I started over three times...I hope you like it

Warnings: mention on bombing and deaths

my taglists are here + you can send requests here at any time

—

You were sitting by his side when Coriolanus’ eyes slowly opened, stirring from his deep sleep. He shifted in the bed and made a sound of discomfort, his shoulder throbbing. 

‘’Easy, you’re gonna hurt yourself,’’ you said, helping him off his stomach and into a more comfortable position. 

The scene had been horrifying to watch on the screen of the academy. No one knew exactly what had happened as the area wasn’t a very secured place. The screen had turned black after catching some of the explosions, leaving everyone in the auditorium worried for their fellow classmates — and tributes.

You brushed a hand through his hair, looking down at him. ‘’How are you feeling?’’ 

Coryo’s eyes met your concerned gaze. ‘’Lucy Gray, is she..?’’ he asked, a fog enveloping his mind. 

‘’She is okay,’’ you reassured him. ‘’They took all the remaining tributes back at the Capitol zoo.’’ 

‘’I’m guessing they’re still going with the games.’’ 

You nodded. ‘’Do you remember what happened in the arena?’’ 

Coriolanus winced, trying to piece together the fragments of his memory. ‘’It’s all a blur,’’ he admitted, his brow furrowing. ‘’Explosions, fire and…people were running and more bombs going off. Lucy Gray and I got knocked down when the first bomb exploded. I tried to get back up, but a piece of the arena’s structure fell on me. She came back for me.’’

You gave a sympathetic smile, continuing to run your fingers through his disheveled hair. You had been so worried when Tigris told you a piece of the structure had fallen on her cousin during the bombing. ‘’They were old bombs some rebels must have placed between the end of the last games and now. The area is not well secure, so they could have gotten in at night.’’

Tigris returned shortly with Sejanus behind her. He was bringing information on the tributes and mentors' conditions. Coriolanus nodded as his friend spoke, absorbing the information while you held his hand, stroking the back with your thumb. Four tributes and two mentors had died. 

‘’Wherever Marcus is right now, he has more chances at survival than in the arena,’’ Sejanus said, still cursing his father for buying his old friend as tribute. It was sick. 

Coriolanus sighed, the weight of the games and the Plinth prize still on his shoulders.  

‘’You should rest,’’ you said to Coryo after Sejanus left. 

‘’I don’t have time to rest. The games are tomorrow. I need to think of a strategy so I can make my tribute win—’’ He tried to sit up, his face twisting with pain. ‘’Fuck.’’ 

‘’You don’t care about the girl! I know you’re doing this for the Plinth prize, but no amount of money is worth risking your health for. You need to rest, Coryo.’’ 

A bitter retort escaped his lips. ‘’Says the one who’s family is bathing in money.’’ He stood, seeking support from the wall as his head began to spin from the concussion. ‘’If I don’t win this money, everyone will know about the Snow family’s downfall. There was an eviction notice on our door last week. Tigris tried to hide it from me, but I saw it. We can barely afford food, how are we gonna pay rent? I need to go to university. I have to support my family. Without the Plinth prize, none of this can happen.’’ 

His state of panic made his head hurt from the heavy thinking. Coriolanus groaned, the pain intensifying, and released the wall to cradle his head in his hands, causing him to lose balance.  Instinctively, you moved swiftly, grabbing him before he could fall, and guided him back on the bed. 

‘’I may not know what it’s like to struggle financially, but don't hold it against me for being born into my family,’’ you said, not allowing him to make you feel bad for your social class. He couldn’t take his frustrations out on you. ‘’I don’t prance around my family’s money like our classmates do, or look down on the less fortunate. If you want to secure this prize, you need to lie back and rest. You can’t make your tribute win if you can’t even stand on your feet.’’ 

One thing you had learned these past years was that Coriolanus was the most stubborn person you knew. His determination could never be underestimated, a trait that often bordered on obstinacy. It was a crucial part of what made him who he was. Fortunately, you were one of the only people who knew how to reason with him and talk him down when he was being unreasonable. It wasn't always an easy feat, considering his unyielding nature, but you had honed the skill of navigating through his stubbornness.

He let out a sigh of defeat, knowing you were right. ‘’What am I gonna do?’’ Fear and desperation laced his voice, pulling at your heartstrings. 

You sat beside him and gently placed your hands on his face. ‘’We’ll figure something out,’’ you promised, letting him know he wasn’t alone. ‘’For now, you’re gonna lie back in bed while I find you something to eat. I can hear your stomach screaming.’’

Coryo managed a faint smile, appreciating your concern. ‘’It’s not that loud...’’ 

You gave him a look as his stomach betrayed him with a loud noise. ‘’I’ll be right back.’’

—

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[romerona]

All Y/N ever wanted to do was sing her songs and be free. Yet somehow, after offering to pay for the meal of a certain boy in a straw hat she finds herself causing havoc through the East Blue.

Masterlist - Next.

Trigger warning: canon violence. Word count: 10K

A/N: The only thing I will be describing about Y/N is her hair colour. Everything else you can imagine her as you wish.

Disclaimer: The songs I will be using in this fic aren't mine bc I have 0 creativity. I'm sorry.

If you want to know, what the melody of this chapter song is like, The River by Daisy Jones and the Six is the inspiration.

"Hit the deck!"

Y/N barely had a moment to brace herself before the thunderous explosion erupted across the deck of the Going Merry. The cannonball struck with a force that rattled her bones, the shockwave sending her sprawling as she dropped to the floor, clutching her head. The wood of the railing splintered and cracked under the impact, filling the air with the sharp scent of burning timber and saltwater. Pieces of the ship’s railing exploded outward, shards of wood spinning through the air like deadly projectiles. She flinched as one of the splinters sliced across her cheek, leaving a warm trickle of blood in its wake.

Disoriented, she felt the world tilt and sway as the ship rocked from the blast, and she struggled to get her bearings. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself up on trembling legs.

"Everybody okay?" Luffy asked, his voice carrying over the chaos, unshaken by the cannon fire.

"I think so," Nami replied, her breath coming out a bit shaky.

Y/N wiped the blood from her cheek. "Define ‘okay.’ If it means mildly traumatized but still standing, then yeah, I'm peachy."

Usopp, on the other hand, looked like he’d just seen his life flash before his eyes. "No! Not okay! Not even close to okay!"

Luffy barely glanced at him before turning to the Marine ship in the distance, his finger pointing toward the enemy vessel with a gleam in his eye. "Usopp, fire back at them!"

Usopp’s eyes widened in horror, and he shook his head, his voice pitching. "Or, how about we sail away as fast as we can?"

Y/N nodded, jumping on Usopp’s idea immediately, "Now, that sounds like a solid plan. Strategic retreat, y’know? Let’s live to panic another day!"

Luffy looked between them, clearly baffled like they’d just suggested something completely outlandish. "Run from the Marines? No. Never! Nami, trim the… the sail thing."

"Let’s sink their ship," Luffy told Ussop who had made his way next to the straw hat boy, and both started to prepare the cannon.

Y/N's eyes widened, and she shot a desperate glance at Nami. “Are you hearing this insanity? Oh, shi- look at them!”

Nami spared her a look, it was obvious her patience was wearing thin as she glared at Luffy. "We don’t have time. They’re stealing our wind. If they pull up alongside us, we’re finished."

"You’re the navigator," Luffy said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, while he and Usopp continued their preparations. "Do something."

Nami, fighting to keep her composure, took a deep breath. Her eyes flashed to Zoro and then to Y/N, as if by instinct, as she ordained, "Sheet in and hard to port!"

Y/N, groaning in defeat, moved toward the ropes. “Fantastic. Nothing like outrunning doom while trying not to strangle myself with these ropes.”

"Which way is port?" Zoro asked, his brow furrowed in confusion, making Y/N stop in her tracks and give him a look that could melt steel.

She nearly burst into tears right then and there.

“It’s on your left, Zoro!” she exclaimed, grabbing his arm and hauling him toward the ropes. “You do know left from right… don’t you? Is important to me that you know that.”

Zoro didn’t even bother to answer, letting Y/N pull him along as they hurried to execute Nami’s orders. But before they could even begin to unravel the ropes, the unmistakable sound of cannonballs rolling across the deck made them freeze.

For a beat, Y/N just stared at the incoming cannonballs as they tumbled to her feet. Her mind was blank and her gut twisting into knots. Then she pursed her lips, nodding slowly. "We're fucked."

Suddenly, a deep, booming voice of the vice admiral rang out across the open sea, slicing through the chaos like a hot knife through butter.

"Pirate vessel, by order of the Marines, lower your sails and submit to my authority."

Y/N’s body froze at the sound of the vice admiral’s booming voice. It pierced the chaos around her, and for a brief, suffocating moment, everything else disappeared. Her heart skipped a beat as a familiar, overwhelming sense of dread flooded her chest. Her breath caught, shallow and rapid, as memories—unbidden and sharp—began to surface like a nightmare she couldn’t outrun.

Flashes of her childhood flooded her vision: Marines with their cold faces set in determination as they hunted down her people. The cries of her father, the way he had fought to protect her, only to be torn away. Her small hands, gripped her father’s as they fled, knowing too well that escape was never truly an option. She could still feel the harsh net, still hear their voices—shouting commands, laughing as they dragged her father to his death. Her father... she could almost feel the warmth of his hand slipping from hers as he pleaded for her to take her sister and swim away.

A chill ran down her spine, and Y/N’s vision began to blur, the salty air thick in her lungs. The tightness in her chest grew, each breath more difficult to take. Her hands trembled, and she felt like she was back there, trapped in that terrified little girl’s body again, powerless and afraid. Her body was screaming at her to flee, to jump off the ship and swim far away, away from the threat of the Marines. But that was the panic talking. That was the fear, the survivor’s instinct, clawing at her.

No. Don’t be that scared child again. You’re not her anymore.

But the weight of the vice admiral’s words felt suffocating, like a trap closing in around her. The fear was real, deep-rooted, and it pressed against her chest like an iron band. Her mind screamed at her to run, to escape, but her body refused to obey. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or the crushing weight of the past that kept her frozen in place. All she could do was fight the urge to break down, to fall apart right then and there. The panic, the memories—they were all crashing into her at once, and there was nothing she could do to push them away.

Every muscle in her body tensed, her throat constricted, and all she could do was cling to the edge of the ship until the loud shout of Luffy broke her haze.

"Never!" His voice carried across the water with unmatched conviction and defiance.

From the Marine vessel, the vice admiral stepped forward with surprising agility for his age, his steely eyes narrowing as he grabbed one of the heavy cannonballs.

With a grunt that could’ve been heard a mile away, the old marine hurled the cannonball with a surprising amount of strength, sending it rocketing through the air toward the Going Merry. The cannonball cut through the wind, heading straight for them with deadly accuracy. For a moment, Y/N froze, watching the projectile fly toward them, her heart in her throat. This is it, she thought. I'm dead.

But before she could even fully process it, Luffy, with a sudden lurch, made his stomach expand to ridiculous proportions, ballooning out until he looked like he was going to burst. The cannonball collided with his belly with a dull thud, bouncing harmlessly off him before it ricocheted off Luffy’s rubbery body and hurtled back toward the Marine ship. Y/N’s eyes widened as it made its way back to them, and with a sickening crash, it collided directly with one of the mastiffs on the Marine ship, knocking it down with a loud crash.

For a moment, Y/N could only blink, stunned into silence. Then, she exhaled slowly, her breath coming out in a soft whoosh. “How the hell...?”

"That was amazing!" Usopp exclaimed, his face lighting up with awe. "You saved us, Luffy!"

Nami, still catching her breath, gave Luffy an incredulous look. "You didn’t tell me you could do that,"

"I didn’t know I could!" Luffy admitted, right before Usopp lunged at him, wrapping him in a hug laughing and bouncing around in a strange mix of relief and victory.

“Good going, Stud!” Y/N let out an airy chuckle, the sound of it light and almost free as she finally allowed the tension to slip away, watching them celebrate their unlikely victory. She leaned against the railing, her body trembling ever so slightly as she realized how close she’d been to falling apart. The adrenaline was wearing off, and she could feel her legs threaten to give way beneath her. She closed her eyes, pressing her palms against the cool wood, taking a slow, steadying breath, taking in the scent of the sea.

“Nami, get us out of here!” Luffy called to Nami.

“On it. Let’s disappear,” Nami replied, her voice laced with determination as she took control, hands steady on the wheel.

With a swift pull, she guided the Going Merry into position, adjusting the sails to catch what little wind they had left. The ship surged forward, slicing through the waves as if it were as eager to escape as they were and headed into a misty, thick and impenetrable cloud, like a veil hiding them from the Marines.

“Hey,” came Zoro’s monotone voice, causing Y/N to flinch just a little. It was subtle, but she couldn’t hide the sharp jolt in her chest. Embarrassed, she quickly masked her discomfort, forcing a wide, confident smile as if nothing was wrong.

“Oh, Zoro, hey,” she said, her voice smooth but her heart still racing slightly.

Zoro’s eyes remained as indifferent as ever, but they narrowed just a fraction, the skepticism in them barely perceptible.

“You good?” he asked, his tone flat, but there was a hint of concern buried beneath the surface.

Y/N froze for a moment, caught off guard by his directness. She flashed him a playful smirk, hoping to deflect without showing any sign of vulnerability. “Worried about little ol’ me, hot shot? Didn’t think you had a sweet side."

Zoro’s expression didn’t change, but whatever trace of concern had been there moments ago was now gone. Y/N, half-expecting him to leave her be—because, honestly, he wasn’t exactly known for his warm and fuzzy bedside manner—thought her flippant attitude would have been enough to successfully send him packing. Yet, to her surprise (and slight dismay), he stayed. He simply crossed his arms and stared at her with that unreadable intensity.

Y/N’s smirk faltered, the confidence she wore like armor wavering under the weight of his unrelenting stare. There was something unnerving about how much attention he was paying to her but refused to let it show fully. Instead, she waved a hand dismissively, her voice light and playful. “Do not fret, it’s just a scratch. My face will be back to its former glory in no time.”

Zoro didn’t even blink. “That’s not what I’m talking about,”

But Y/N did—several times, rapid and involuntary, her mind faltering as his words struck a nerve she wasn’t ready to face. The tightness in her chest flared again, and she fought to push away the remnants of panic still twisting in her gut. It was relentless, simmering just beneath the surface, refusing to let go. The memories clawed at her mind—the sight of those Marines, the booming voice of authority—it all came rushing back too fast, too vividly, too... loud.

Her smirk faltered, morphing into something softer, a practised smile. She had perfected this act over the years. No one could know. No one could see how much of her was still haunted, how much of her was a cracked foundation barely held together by sheer will.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Zoro,” she said lightly, tilting her head just enough to feign nonchalance. “I’m fine. Really.”

And without waiting for an answer or even a flicker of something that could resemble an expression, she manoeuvred around him. Her smile remained firmly in place, but her pace quickened as she walked away, leaving Zoro standing there. She made her way to Nami, positioning herself beside her as though nothing had happened, knowing the proximity to the pretty navigator would steady her fraying nerves. Like her steady rock.

Soon, the Going Merry was swallowed by the dense mist, the fog thick and impenetrable, wrapping around them like a heavy shroud. The usual brightness of the open sea was replaced by an eerie stillness, the world around them muffled and grey. No one could see more than a few feet in any direction.

"How’s the ship look?" Nami asked, her voice cutting through the silence when she saw the swordsman return from checking the damage.

"Broken railing. Minor damage," Zoro said as she set herself next to her.

Y/N hums in encorgament. "Could've been worse."

"Could’ve been better," Nami muttered, her tone sour.

Usopp squinted into the dense fog, searching for any sign of the Marines. "Can’t see the Marines anywhere,"

Y/N glanced over the side of the ship, also squinting into the dense fog. "Can't see anything at all, I think you mean."

"What we need is a place to lay low and wait out any reinforcements they send after us," Nami said, her voice already tinged with frustration as she glanced down at the map in her hands. "But my charts are useless in this fog."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "Great. So we’re basically sailing blind."

"What did Luffy say?" Zoro wondered aloud.

Usopp, squinting through the fog, replied, "He’s on the bow. He hasn’t said anything since we hightailed it out of there."

"Well, somebody needs to talk to him. About this and that other thing." Nami’s voice was laced with frustration as she turned to the others, clearly not thrilled with the situation.

"What other thing?" Zoro asked, confusion flickering across his face.

Y/N shot him a look—a mix of disbelief and exasperation, her expression practically screaming "Seriously?" She wondered how could someone be so perceptive and yet be as oblivious as a plank. For a fleeting moment, she even wondered if his cluelessness was some sort of elaborate act.

"Oh, gee, I wonder," Nami replied, her voice thick with dry sarcasm before she deadpanned. "The vice-admiral-of-the-Marines-is-my-grandfather thing."

Y/N pursed her lips, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her—understanding, skepticism, fear, and anger. The fear and anger tried to take root, but ultimately, understanding won out, its shadow softening the rest.

"Oh, that," Usopp said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Yeah, I don’t really know the guy that well…"

Y/N sighed, crossing her arms as she turned to Nami. "And let’s think that maybe there’s a reason why he didn’t tell us," she said, her voice measured, though the tension behind it was undeniable.

Nami shot her a look, her eyes narrowing in a way that could only mean she wasn’t buying it. "But he should’ve. This is something that affects all of us."

Zoro grunted, rolling his eyes. "Doesn’t seem like a big deal."

"You’re his first mate," Nami shot back, rolling her eyes. "Kind of seems like that falls under your job description, hmm?"

"Fine," he muttered, clearly not thrilled about it.

It took all of five seconds—barely enough time to blink—before he turned right back around and rejoined them. Y/N raised a brow, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement. Now this was the Zoro she knew—the one who avoided digging deeper into anything if it required more than minimal effort. The other unsettling attentive version of him she’d dealt with earlier? Long gone.

“He seems fine to me,” Zoro said flatly, as though that was the final word on the matter.

"Did you even ask him?" Nami asks in exasperation.

“Hey!” Luffy suddenly called out, his voice cutting through their conversation and pulling everyone’s attention to him. The group turned to see him standing at the bow, sniffing the air like a bloodhound on a trail. His face was unusually focused, which immediately made Y/N sceptical. “You guys smell that?”

Y/N’s curiosity got the better of her. She hesitated, then took a subtle sniff, her brows knitting together when she couldn’t pick up anything out of the ordinary. “Smell what?

“There’s something on the breeze,” Luffy said, his voice uncharacteristically serious as he sniffed again. “Smells like… butter... Soy sauce... And meat.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, sharing a look with the others, searching for a second opinion. “That’s… oddly specific,”

Usopp, still looking around in confusion, squinted at the air. "I can’t smell anything,"

"Think he has brain damage?" Zoro muttered under his breath, watching Luffy sniff the air like a hound on a scent trail.

Nami sighed heavily, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I think that every day."

Usopp, ever the voice of reason- or what passed for it to everyone else- said. "Look, Luffy, playing follow the smell is fun and all, but we really gotta get out of this fog. We’re sitting ducks in here."

"I know, but I smell food, which means there’s someone somewhere cooking!" Luffy reasoned, as if that simple fact somehow made perfect sense to him. He was grinning ear-to-ear, oblivious to the crew's growing frustration.

“Seriously?” Nami groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose before throwing her hands up in defeat. “Of course it’s about food.”

Y/N pursed her lips, her gaze shifting between the thick fog and Luffy’s eager, determined expression. She let out a small sigh and turned to Nami with a shrug. “Hey, it’s better than wandering aimlessly, right? At least his nose has a purpose.”

Nami muttered something under her breath about “purposefully leading us into trouble” but threw her hands up as she headed back to the helm. “Fine, whatever- just tell me where to go."

"Five degrees starboard!" Luffy shouted confidently, settling himself on the lamb’s head like it was some kind of throne. He sniffed the air once more, brow furrowing. "No! No! Three degrees back to port."

"Add food to the equation and suddenly he knows how to navigate."

Y/N, who had been bored staring into the mist, suddenly perked up as she caught sight of something faint, something slowly beginning to take shape. She squinted, her curiosity piqued. "What is that?"

“Add food to the equation, and suddenly he knows how to navigate,” Nami muttered under his breath, earning a soft chuckle from Y/N.

Y/N, who had been idly staring into the mist with growing boredom, suddenly straightened as her eyes caught sight of something faint—something slowly taking shape ahead of them. She squinted, her curiosity sparking. “What is that?”

“Is that land?” Zoro asked, his voice tinged with skepticism as he strained to make out the blurry outline in the distance.

Nami frowned, her brow furrowing in concentration. “It can’t be. There aren’t any islands anywhere near here.”

“What’s a… Baratie?” Usopp asked, his voice a mix of confusion and awe as he read the glowing red letters that seemed to hover like a lighthouse through the mist.

The crew fell silent as the shape came into sharper focus, the mist parting just enough to reveal something massive—a grand, almost otherworldly ship. Its design was like nothing they’d ever seen, whimsical and imposing all at once.

“Is that… a fish boat?” Y/N murmured, her eyes widening as she took in the strange structure. It wasn’t just a ship; it was a spectacle.

The ship continued to take shape, now unmistakably resembling a gigantic wooden fish, complete with intricately carved fins and a tail that seemed almost alive in its fluid design. Y/N’s eyes wandered to the collection of ships docked along its sides, their masts swaying gently with the movement of the water. The group stood in stunned silence, the sheer scale and craftsmanship of the structure leaving them momentarily speechless.

As the Going Merry docked alongside the Baratie, the eerie, solitary impression they had from afar melted away, replaced by a vibrant, bustling scene. The docks were alive with movement and sound. Sailors worked with practiced ease, tying ropes and securing their ships. Merchants were unloading crates filled with who-knew-what, their voices rising above the clatter of goods hitting the dock.

The air carried the faint aroma of sizzling food mixed with sea salt, teasing Y/N’s senses as she caught hints of laughter and animated chatter drifting from the fish-shaped structure itself. What once seemed mysterious and isolated now felt impossibly alive, like the heart of some hidden, seafaring world. Y/N couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe—and a twinge of curiosity—at the liveliness surrounding them.

As the crew gathered on the deck and observed the bustling activity around the fish-shaped ship.

"Everyone's heading to that fish ship," Zoro remarked, curiosity evident in his tone.

Y/N, leaned over the railing, her awe evident as she stared at the grand fish-shaped vessel below. “It’s huge,”

“That smell,” Nami said thoughtfully, a small hum escaping her lips as the aroma of sizzling food reached her. “I think this place is a restaurant.”

"Then I know what we're gonna do next," Luffy declared, his eyes lit up with excitement.

Nami interjected, "Disguise the ship so the Marines can't find us?"

Y/N nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea."

"Sail back to Syrup Village, where it's safe?" Usopp offered, his tone equally hopeful, clutching at the last thread of safety.

But Luffy, grinning from ear to ear, announced, "Nah, let's eat!"

He turned on his heel and made to bolt toward the docks, but Y/N was faster. She grabbed his elbow, stopping him in his tracks. “Luffy, wait. We can't go in-"

Luffy turned to her, his grin faltering into a slight frown, his confusion evident as he leaned closer, their faces almost touching. “What? Why not? It’s right there—all we have to do is walk in.”

“Sure, we can,” Y/N began, her eyes flicking down to his less-than-impressive attire with a small, knowing smirk. “But not dressed like this.”

Luffy blinked, his confusion deepening.

“You’re handsome, stud, and yeah, you’ve got charm." Y/N said, patting his arm playfully, “But trust me, as a former waitress, there are places where you have to look the part. And I can tell this is one of them.”

She gestured toward the lively crowd below, some of whom were dressed a little better than the ragtag crew of the Going Merry. Luffy frowned, glancing down at himself as if only now realizing his outfit wasn’t exactly fine dining material.

“So... we’re dressing up to eat?” he asked, clearly baffled.

“Exactly,” Y/N said, smiling at his adorable cluelessness. “And trust me, it’s gonna be worth it.”

Luffy stared at her for a beat before finally shrugging, his grin returning. “Okay! As long as we get to eat after!”

"That fish better have a bar," Zoro mutters as they all make their way to their room for a scrub and a change.

Y/N slipped into a dress that felt just right for the occasion—simple, but with just enough flair to make it special. The fitted top was decorated with delicate floral embroidery that gave it a soft, romantic feel, while the flowing skirt had an uneven, handkerchief hemline that added a touch of fun. The thin straps made it feel light and easy, perfect for the moment. It was the kind of dress that hugged her in all the right places but still felt comfortable, striking that perfect balance between casual and a little bit sexy.

Y/N smirked as she caught her reflection in the mirror, tilting her head to admire her handiwork. Her white, silver hair was styled into a loose, effortless updo, with a few soft strands artfully framing her face, giving her that perfect mix of elegance and I woke up like this charm. A touch of makeup—just enough to highlight her natural features—brought the whole look together: a faint blush on her cheeks, a sleek wing of eyeliner, and a hint of gloss that made her lips look positively kissable.

“Well, don’t I just look like a walking snack,” she quipped, turning to admire the sway of the dress. “Kaya’s got taste, I’ll give her that. I owe her at least three thank-you calls and a bottle of wine.”

With that, she spun on her heel, ready to turn heads.

“You all deeply disappoint me,” Y/N announced dramatically as she joined the others, her eyes scanning their outfits with a look of sheer disapproval. Their clothes were better than before, sure, but it was painfully obvious that she was the only one who had truly put in any effort. She placed a hand on her hip, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Tragic. All of you,” she added with a flourish, her tone dripping with mock indignation, before muttering under her breath, “I can’t believe I have to carry this entire group's sense of style on my back.”

Luffy and Usopp glanced down at their outfits, their frowns deepening. Luffy was wearing a red shirt and overalls—like he’d just walked off a farm—and Usopp had decided to rock pants, a coat, and, for some unfathomable reason, no shirt. Someone help me, Y/N thought. Zoro, as expected, looked exactly the same as always—zero effort given, zero surprises there. Nami, at least, looked decent. Not great, but decent. Y/N clicked her tongue, shaking her head like a disappointed mother.

Nami noticed her scrutiny and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh, please, Y/N. This place is crawling with ugly pirates. We don’t have to look like royalty for them.”

Y/N smirked, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm as she adjusted the strap of her dress. “Sure, Nami, because when I think of my life goals, ‘blending in with ugly pirates’ is right at the top of the list.” She gave the group a once-over, then added with a mock sigh, “Listen, just because the bar is on the floor doesn’t mean I have to trip over it. Standards, darlings. Standards.”

"Can we just go now?" Zoro said to which Luffy nods excitedly.

She let out an exaggerated sigh, smoothing her hand over her dress like she was trying to gather the patience to deal with them. Finally, she gave the group a look of mock exasperation, her tone dripping with playful judgment.

“Alright, come on, let’s get this over with before I change my mind and pretend I don’t know any of you.” She started walking ahead, throwing a cheeky glance over her shoulder. "Be good, you’re all one embarrassing moment away from being disowned."

As they strolled through the bustling docks, Y/N walked with her head held high and a confident grin tugging at her lips. She could feel the stares following her, lingering longer than usual. Did it feel good to be admired? Absolutely—it always did. But she wasn’t naive; she knew exactly why they were staring. Her appearance, her aura, her very presence practically demanded attention. That’s one of her traits as a siren, after all. 

Still, the attention was something she chose to brush off… mostly. Every so often, her smirk widened just a fraction, a subtle acknowledgement that yes, she knew she was turning heads, and yes, she was enjoying it more than she’d ever admit.

“Wow, people do stare at you,” Usopp muttered, his wide eyes darting around the dock as merchants and pirates. His tone was half amazement, half bewilderment.

Y/N’s grin widened, a mischievous glint in her eye as she smoothly linked her arm with his.

“Why, yes, they do,” she replied with a playful lilt. “Care to be my arm candy for the evening, champ? Strictly for appearances, of course.”

Usopp’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and he let out a nervous chuckle.

“I… uh… okay,” he stammered, trying to muster a confident smile.

Y/N leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Relax, Usopp. Just think of it as adding another daring tale to your collection.”

He straightened up a bit, a spark of pride flickering in his eyes.

“Yeah, I can do that,” he said, more to himself than to her.

As they continued down the dock, Y/N couldn’t help but smirk.

“Besides,” she added with a playful wink, “who wouldn’t want to be seen with the most dashing slinger here?”

Usopp smirked, his chest puffing out as her confidence seemed to spark something in him. With his newfound swagger, he added an exaggerated strut to his step. He looked as though he’d just been crowned king of the dock.

Y/N chuckled and glanced back at Nami, who was trailing behind with Luffy, who was looking at everyone and everything all at once and Zoro, who looked like he rather be anywhere else. The orange-haired girl rolled her eyes, but there was a trace of amusement on her face that betrayed her usual exasperation. Y/N shot her a playful grin.

“Want to be my other arm candy?” Y/N teased, holding out her free arm with an exaggerated flourish. Her grin was as charming as it was mischievous. “I promise, you’ll steal just as many stares as me.”

“Pass,” she said, though the playful tone in her voice made it clear she was more amused than annoyed. “I think you’ve got enough attention for all of us,”

Y/N chuckled, turning back with a shrug. “Suit yourself, but you’re missing out on being part of the most glamorous trio this dock has ever—and will ever—see.”

She barely finished her sentence when a voice cut through the noise of the docks, calling her name.

“Y/N?”

Her entire body froze, the familiar voice making her breath catch in her throat. She snapped her head toward the source, her eyes widening in disbelief.

“Tallen?” she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

Standing a few feet away was a man with a face she’d never forgotten—dimples carved into his handsome smile, a warmth in his eyes that brought a rush of memories crashing down on her. The sight of him stole her breath.

“Oh, the stars, it’s you!” she exclaimed, a wide, joyous smile breaking across her face as she let go of Usopp without a second thought. Before anyone could react, she all but ran into the man’s arms, colliding with him like a wave meeting the shore. He wrapped her in a hug so firm and familiar it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

“Sweet Y/N,” Tallen murmured, his voice soft and steady, the way she remembered.

“It’s been too long,” she whispered, holding him tighter, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Far too long,” he agreed, his arms squeezing her just a bit more.

Y/N swallowed the lump in her throat, leaning into the hug as if letting go would break her. 

“I’m glad to see you alive,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad to see you alive,” Tallen replied softly, his words carrying the weight of shared history and loss. He was her fellow Siren—one of the last few, the dwindling remnants of their kind.

They lingered for a moment longer, their arms reluctantly falling away as they both seemed hesitant to break the connection. The warmth of the embrace lingered, but reality began to creep back in.

That’s when it happened—a deliberate clearing of a throat. Nami.

Y/N blinked, suddenly aware of her surroundings again. She turned to see Nami standing there with an arched brow, arms crossed, and a look that was equal parts curiosity and amusement. Behind her, Usopp was gaping like he’d just witnessed the twist ending of a great story, and Zoro, as usual, looked unimpressed but faintly intrigued and Luffy who had a trademark smile on his face yet curious. 

“Oh,” Y/N said, laughing awkwardly as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Right. Uh… introductions.” She glanced at Tallen and back to them. “Everyone, this is Tallen. He’s…” Her voice trailed off for a moment, her smile faltering slightly before she finished, “He’s an old friend.”

Tallen, ever the charmer, gave a polite nod to the group, his dimples deepening as he grinned. “Pleasure to meet you all.“ 

Before anyone had a chance to properly introduce themselves, Y/N cut in, her tone light but firm.

“I’ll meet you lot inside, okay?” she said, flashing them a quick smile.

Luffy looked between them, and after a second, he nodded grinning. “Okay, I’ll save you a seat.” 

Usopp muttered something about not wanting to be left behind and followed after Luffy. Nami lingered for a moment, giving Y/N a long look before sighing and heading toward the entrance.

Zoro, as usual, barely reacted, simply grunting, “Don’t take too long,” before following the others.

“Noted,” Y/N replied with a grin, already turning back to Tallen.

Y/N’s eyes softened as she looked at Tallen, a flood of emotions washing over her. The last time she’d seen him was about three or four years ago, and while he still looked very much the same, there was a new air of maturity about him—just enough to make her realize how much time had passed.

“It’s really you,” Y/N murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief and relief, as though she still wasn’t entirely convinced this moment was real.

“In the flesh,” Tallen replied with a nod, his own expression softening. He gave her a once-over, his lips curving into a teasing smile. “You look older.”

Y/N let out a huff of laughter, lightly pushing him on the shoulder. “And you still have the subtlety of a cannonball.”

Her playful smile faltered slightly as her eyes searched his face, her voice quiet but hopeful. “What about the others? Lyan, Kiku, Ren? Are they still—”

“Yes,” Tallen interrupted gently, his tone steady and reassuring. “They’re here with me.”

Y/N let out a deep sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. “Where?”

“Probably asleep in the room on our ship,” Tallen explained, a small, proud smile tugging at his lips. “We had a late-night performance last night.”

Y/N’s eyes widened, a grin breaking across her face. “You got a ship?”

“A small one,” he said, trying (and failing) to hide just how proud he was. “But yes, we did.”

Without hesitation, Y/N threw her arms around him again, pulling him into a warm embrace. 

“I’m so happy for you—for all of you,” she whispered, her voice thick with genuine emotion.

Tallen’s smile widened as he held her, and for a moment, they simply existed in the comfort of the reunion.

Lyan, Kiku, and Ren—like Y/N and Tallen—were Sirens. They were the lucky few who had escaped the hands of those who sought to harm or exploit them. Together, they had formed their own little family, bound by survival and shared pain. They’d taught Y/N so much in the time they travelled together, how to survive in a world that wanted them gone.

And like true Sirens, they dedicated themselves to their art—music, song, and performance—using their gifts to dazzle. She could still hear their songs in her memory—hauntingly beautiful, filled with life and defiance. They’d always been on the move, hopping from island to island, hitching rides with mercenaries or, when times were desperate, even pirates. And yes, while swimming is a faster option, the risk is bigger. Staying in one place too long was a death sentence; that was the first lesson Y/N had learned from them. And now, the thought that they had their own ship, a small but significant freedom, made her heart swell with pride.

“You’ve come so far,” Y/N said softly, pulling back slightly to look at Tallen. “You all have.”

“And so have you,” Tallen replied, his tone warm and genuine. “I’m glad we found you again. Tell me, who are those people you’re here with?” 

“They’re… uh, friends,” Y/N replied, her tone unsure as she glanced over her shoulder toward the Going Merry. She hesitated, catching the way Tallen was giving her a pointed, knowing look. Finally, she sighed and added, “It’s complicated—and a long story.”

“Well,” Tallen said with a grin, leaning back slightly, “good thing we’re leaving tomorrow morning. That gives us all night to catch up."

"Okay," Y/N nods.

“Good,” Tallen said with satisfaction, taking a step back. “See you later at the bar, okay?”

“See you there,” Y/N replied, watching him as he walked away, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years.

Finally, Y/N stepped inside the ship, and her breath hitched at the sight before her. The Baratie was nothing short of magnificent, a unique blend of maritime charm and upscale elegance.

However, before Y/N could truly take in the grandeur of the Baratie's interior, her gaze locked onto the host near the entrance. Her back stiffened instinctively, and though she kept her composure, the small, well-concealed gills along her neck fluttered. They only did that when another sea creature was nearby.

He was a Fish-man.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and the air between them seemed to hum with a quiet, unspoken tension. He knew. Of course, he knew. The thing about Sirens—unique among sea creatures—was that no matter how perfectly they blended in with humans, their presence sang to others of the sea. It wasn’t something tangible, but like a melody carried on a current, it was impossible to ignore for those born of the ocean.

It wasn’t just recognition. It was history, unspoken and heavy, carried in their shared gaze. Sirens and other sea folk—whether Fish-men or Merfolk—had always harbored a quiet animosity toward one another. Sirens had something the others didn’t: choice. Sirens had a freedom that others of the sea could only dream of: the ability to seamlessly blend in with humans, to walk on land or dive into the ocean at will, and to choose when to wear a tail and when to shed it. It was a luxury that set them apart—and not always in a good way. Resentment had festered for centuries, compounded by the Sirens’ refusal to bend the knee to King Neptune’s rule.

They were a secretive, lone species.

Yet, in the aftermath of the near-massacre of her kin, these old grudges had softened, replaced by mutual, unspoken support among the remnants of the sea's diverse inhabitants.

The host's polite smile never wavered as he addressed her. "Is there anything I can help you with, madam?"

Y/N took a steadying breath, reminding herself of the fragile peace that now existed and the necessity of keeping her composure.

“My friends,” she began, her tone calm but deliberate, “they came in here just now. Uh—one of them had a straw hat—”

“Ah, yes,” the host interrupted smoothly, a faint trace of mockery curling the edges of his voice. “The ‘future king’ of the pirates.” His words dripped with wry amusement as he turned, gesturing toward a table at which her friends were currently occupying. “It’ll be right there, madam.”

Y/N sent him a polite smile, the corners of her lips curving just enough to convey gratitude. But her eyes held a subtle, knowing look—a quiet reminder of who and what she was.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice steady and composed, before making her way towards her friends

Y/N let out a quiet huff as she descended the stairs, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished wooden floor. Internally, she was fuming. Tallen, she thought with a simmering annoyance. After this meal, I’m slapping his dimples clean off for not mentioning the Fish-Men.

But in her mild frustration and distraction, she didn’t notice the waiter stepping out from the side with a tray balanced on one hand.

They collided.

The sudden impact caused her to stumble slightly, and she instinctively reached out to steady herself, her hand brushing against the waiter's arm. A soft clatter followed as a single glass wobbled on the tray, but before it could fall, the waiter caught it effortlessly, his reflexes as smooth as silk.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” Y/N blurted, her voice a mix of embarrassment and genuine apology, a faint flush dusting her cheeks.

"No need to apologize, mademoiselle," he said smoothly, turning to face her with a charming smile that she was sure he thought could probably disarm a shipful of pirates, "If anything, I should thank the heavens for allowing me to cross paths with such a captivating beauty."

Y/N blinked at him, caught momentarily off guard by his line, but only for a heartbeat. Oh, he's one of those. Her lips curved into a sly, confident smile as she straightened her dress, effortlessly slipping into her usual charm.

"Is that so?" she teased, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Well, if fate's handing out meetings, perhaps it's my lucky day to encounter a waiter with such impeccable reflexes and a silver tongue to match."

The waiter's eyes widened for a brief moment, her words catching him off guard, but his signature charm quickly returned. He straightened his posture, one hand adjusting his tie as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Ah, mademoiselle, you honor me,” he said smoothly, his voice rich and velvety. “But let me assure you, my reflexes pale in comparison to the elegance of your words. It seems fate isn’t just kind—it’s downright generous today.”

His gaze softened as he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. “And if this is your lucky day, then I’d consider it mine too. After all, it’s not every day I get to save a stunning woman from the perils of a wobbling glass.”

“Smooth,” she said and leaned in slightly, her expression mischievous, her voice dropping to a low, playful lilt. “But tell me, loverboy, is that line part of the menu, or is it just a special off-the-cuff dish you whip up for unsuspecting women?”

Sanji blinked, the faintest hint of pink dusting his cheeks, but he quickly tried to recover, clearing his throat. “I-"

Her eyes sparkled as she continued, barely giving him a chance to recover.

“Because if it’s the latter, I must say, it’s quite the treat. Though…” her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his breath hitch. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a soft, almost conspiratorial tone. “I can’t help but wonder if you’ve got something even better in your repertoire.”

Sanji blinked, momentarily at a loss, his cheeks dusted with a soft pink hue as he struggled to regain his composure. He adjusted his tie again, swallowing hard, his usual suave demeanor slipping under the weight of her effortless teasing.

“M-mademoiselle,” he stammered, his voice still coated with charm, though now tinged with genuine fluster. “I assure you, my repertoire has no limits, and I’d be honored to… to serve you something truly unforgettable.”

Y/N took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his.

"You know," she said softly, reaching up to straighten his slightly askew tie, "flattery will get you everywhere." Her fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary, her touch light and teasing.

The waiter's breath hitched, his composure slipping as a deep flush spread across his cheeks. "I-I... um..."

Y/N leaned in, faces ever so closely, she whispered, "But only if you can keep up." With that, she pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have friends waiting."

She turned on her heel and sauntered away, leaving the flustered waiter staring after her, his heart pounding in his chest. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Too easy.

Y/N made her way over to her friends, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She paused when she reached the table, her eyes scanning the group briefly before landing on Zoro, who was comfortably perched at the edge of the bench.

“Zoro,” she said, her tone light but teasing, “please stand up so I can sit next to Nami.”

Zoro raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unimpressed. “What’s wrong with sitting on the other side?”

Y/N tilted her head, her expression turning mock-serious as she placed a hand on her hip. “Because I prefer not to be in the splash zone when Luffy starts eating. You know how he gets.”

Zoro grumbled under his breath, muttering something about "drama queens," but he stood up anyway, shifting to another spot and letting Y/N slide gracefully into the seat next to Nami without a fuss.

She turned to him with a triumphant smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Thank you, my love. Your cooperation is, as always, greatly appreciated.”

"Yeah, yeah," Zoro muttered, settling into his new seat.

Nami chuckled softly beside Y/N. "Always know how to get your way, don't you?"

Y/N winked. "It's a gift, really."

The waiter approached their table with practiced ease, balancing a tray of beverages for the group. One by one, he placed the drinks in front of the others, his movements smooth and deliberate. Just as Y/N was about to ask for hers, he surprised her by setting a bottle of wine on the table in front of her with a small flourish.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued as she glanced up at him. His smirk was confident, almost playful, as he leaned slightly closer.

“A fine wine for a finer ladies,” he said smoothly, his tone dripping with charm.

The corner of Y/N’s lips curled into a sly smile as she leaned back in her chair, her arms crossing casually.

“Flattering,” she replied, tilting her head. “But I don’t remember ordering this."

Y/N turned to Nami faking curiosity, "Did you, pumpkin?"

"No, just water," Nami said as she picked up the glass of water.

"I see," Y/N turns to the waiter and tilts her head. "Does it come with the compliments of the establishment or the waiter?”

“Consider it a personal recommendation,” he said, straightening slightly, though there was now a faint hint of nervousness behind his confident demeanor. With practiced precision, he poured a bit of the wine into her glass, the rich liquid swirling smoothly as it settled.

“The food will be out shortly. Enjoy,” he added, flashing one last ever-so-charming smile before gracefully excusing himself.

Y/N watched him go with an amused smirk before raising her glass. “Well, salud,” she said, the word rolling off her tongue effortlessly as she took a sip. She paused for a moment, savoring the taste, then gave a small nod of approval.

“Not bad,” she remarked, her eyes twinkling as she placed the glass back on the table. “But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less after that performance.”

Nami rolled her eyes. “He’s got some nerve, doesn’t he?”

Y/N chuckled. “Oh, he’s got more than nerve—he’s got good taste in wine, at least.”

“So, who was your friend you were talking to?” Luffy asked, his voice muffled as he shoved another bread bun into his mouth without a care for table manners.

Usopp grinned, leaning forward with his eyebrows wiggling teasingly. “A boyfriend?”

“Gods, no,” Y/N said with a laugh, shaking her head as she took another sip of her wine. “Like I said, just an old friend. One I didn’t think I’d ever see again.”

“Why?” Nami chimed in, her tone laced with curiosity.

Y/N paused for a moment, swirling the wine in her glass as she felt their collective gazes on her. She glanced around the table, noting how everyone seemed genuinely interested—except Zoro, of course, who only looked vaguely curious in that nonchalant way of his.

“Well,” she began, her voice casual but carrying a note of fondness, “me and a few others used to travel together, performing and stuff, y’know.” She gestured vaguely with her free hand, her eyes flicking between them. “We were kind of like a troupe—dancers, musicians, storytellers. We’d go from town to town, putting on shows for whoever would watch.”

“Oh, were they your crew—” Luffy started, crumbs still falling from his mouth.

“No,” Y/N interrupted softly, her tone firmer this time, her gaze dropping to the glass in her hand. “They’re no crew. They’re family.”

She fidgeted slightly in her seat, swirling the wine in her glass before taking another sip as if it might steady her thoughts.

“They’re like an uh—” she began, then shook her head with a quiet laugh, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Like a shoal of fish or a covey of birds. Travelling from island to island letting the ocean take them as it wishes. Never staying in one spot long enough to leave footprints.”

“Why didn’t you stay with them?” Of course, it was Zoro who asked, his tone direct, his eyes focused on her like he was cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Y/N looked up at him, her lips parting slightly as if to answer, but then her gaze shifted to Nami, who was watching her just as intently, curiosity swimming in her eyes. Her fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass, and for a moment, the table felt far too quiet, far too heavy.

But as if the universe took pity on her, the food arrived at just the right moment, breaking the tension. Plates upon plates were placed on the table, filling the air with rich, mouthwatering aromas. Y/N let out a silent breath of relief, leaning back slightly as the waiter set down her dish.

She picked up her fork, her expression brightening ever so slightly as she joined in the excitement of the food.

“Finally, something to stop Luffy from eating the table itself,” she teased lightly, earning a laugh from Usopp and a grin from Nami.

The question lingered in the air, unspoken but not forgotten. But Y/N knew she wouldn’t let it resurface. The answer was too close, too raw. The past had no business here, at this table, at this moment. Not when she’d worked so hard to leave it behind.

The food was nothing short of spectacular, each bite bursting with flavor that left Y/N savoring every moment. It didn’t take long for the plates to clear—unsurprising, given Luffy and Usopp’s ravenous appetites. She barely had a chance to blink before half the dishes had vanished under their relentless enthusiasm.

Still, Y/N took her time, indulging in the meal like royalty. She filled herself to the brim, relishing every delicious bite until she leaned back in her chair, her stomach pleasantly full and her breaths coming slower. She could hardly move, but it was worth it. Every bite was a little slice of heaven, and she wasn’t about to let a single morsel go to waste.

As she leaned back in her chair, a hand resting on her overly full stomach, she let out a soft groan of satisfaction. “If I die tonight, tell the world it was the Baratie that did me in,”

I can’t eat another bite," Usopp moaned dramatically, staring longingly at the piece of cheese on his fork. "But it’s so good."

"Oh man, you said it," Zoro muttered, popping the cap off yet another beer like he was just getting started.

Nami sighed, leaning back in her chair with a hand on her stomach. "I’m not gonna be hungry for a week."

And then, of course, there was Luffy—completely unaffected. Still chewing on a massive steak, he looked up and, with the kind of unshakable enthusiasm only he could manage, asked, "Should we order dessert?"

"Yes," Y/N grunted, her voice muffled as she leaned back, trying to make room in her overstuffed stomach. She might have been at capacity, but her notorious sweet tooth wasn’t about to let her skip dessert. Priorities, she thought.

"I already got mine," Zoro said, lifting his beer meaningfully as if it was the only dessert he needed.

Luffy’s eyes lit up like fireworks, his hands clapping against the table as he finally set his steak down. "Mmm, that reminds me! We should make a toast. Come on, grab your glasses."

Y/N turned her head to look at Luffy, her expression somewhere between disbelief and amusement as she watched him grab his glass of milk. She sighed, unable to suppress a small smirk, and reached for her wine glass, holding it up lazily.

“To the best crew sailing on the sea and to our victory!” Luffy cheered, his grin stretching wide as he clinked his glass enthusiastically with Usopp’s.

“Yeah!” Usopp echoed, raising his mug like they’d just conquered the world.

Y/N, however, pursed her lips, quietly letting her glass go down. The memory of being so dangerously close to recapture by the Marines clung to her like a shadow, one she wasn’t ready to toast to. Victory wasn’t exactly how she’d describe that ordeal.

“No, I’m sorry,” Nami’s voice cut sharply through the celebration, her expression firm as she turned to Luffy. Her eyes narrowed. “What victory exactly?”

“Against the Marines,” Luffy said with unabashed excitement, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Our very first battle, and we crushed them!”

Nami shook her head, her frustration barely masked. “I don’t know how many naval battles you guys have been part of…”

“Two dozen, at least,” Usopp mumbled behind his beer.

“But that was a disaster,” Nami continued, her tone rising as her exasperation grew. “We were unprepared, uncoordinated. By all rights, we should be at the bottom of the sea right now.”

“We’re not, though. Luffy saved us,” Usopp chimed in, as if that single fact could erase the chaos of it all.

Y/N let out a slow, heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as she felt the tension brewing. She could already see where this conversation was heading.

"Are we really going to ignore the elephant in the room right now?" Nami deadpanned, her voice sharp enough to cut through the remaining chatter at the table.

"Nami, please..." Y/N said softly, trying to settle her down, though she already knew it was a losing battle.

"No, Y/N." Nami turned to her, her tone edged with irritation, then immediately shifted her focus to Luffy. "He didn’t think to mention that his grandfather was a Marine. And not just any Marine, a vice-admiral! I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sign up for that."

"You raided a Marine base," Zoro interjected, as if that explained everything. "Of course that’ll make you a target."

Nami swung her gaze to him, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. "If I’d stolen the map, no one would’ve even known I was there. As opposed to wrecking a base commander’s office."

Before the tension could thicken, Sanji—the waiter, as Y/N now knew him—appeared at the table with his usual calm and charm. "Your bill, sir,"

“Ah,” Luffy replied with his trademark carefree smile which took a moment to appear. He took the bill, scribbled something on it without a second thought, and handed it back. “Thank you, my good man.”

Y/N’s frown deepened as she sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing on the exchange. Her mind shot back to Shell’s Town, to when Luffy ate at Food Foo. She had a bad feeling about this.

"Luffy..." Y/N said cautiously, her voice slower now, but he didn’t seem to hear her.

Sanji glanced at the bill, and a peculiar smile spread across his face—a smile that sent a shiver down Y/N’s spine.

"No, sir. Thank you," Sanji said smoothly, his tone almost... too pleasant.

Oh, gods. As a former waitress, she recognized that smile. That was the you’re-about-to-regret-this smile. She glanced around at her friends to see if anyone else had caught on. Was she seriously the only one who understood what was about to happen?

She tried again, her voice firmer this time. "Luffy—"

But Luffy, ever oblivious, kept going, raising his voice slightly in what he probably thought was an inspirational tone. "I’m not saying it’s good that the Marines are on our tail, but we showed them they can’t just roll over us!"

Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose as her suspicions grew. Luffy, please, stop talking.

"This crew, our crew, can handle anything!" Luffy declared with a triumphant grin.

And as if fate itself couldn’t resist the opportunity for drama, a booming voice cut through the restaurant, rattling the walls and silencing the entire room.

"WHO THE HELL IS MONKEY D. LUFFY?"

Y/N groaned, her head falling into her hands. "Here we go." She looked up just in time to see Luffy look back at the head chef and raise his hand.

"Here!" Luffy called out, completely unfazed.

Y/N slumped back into her seat, muttering under her breath. "Oh, stars,"

Zeff's scowl deepened as he strode over, the crowd parting in his wake.

"You seem to be confused about the rules of the house, but Baratie doesn’t offer credit," He stopped beside their table, towering over them, glaring at Luffy, who was calmly drinking his milk. "You eat, you pay."

Luffy looked up, unfazed. "I think you’re confused."

Y/N groaned, hiding her face in her hands as she anticipated Luffy's explanation.

"The meal has already been paid for. I just haven’t given you the money yet," Luffy continued confidently.

Zeff's eyebrow twitched. "Yeah, and how’s that?"

"You can add it to my treasure tab," Luffy said with a grin.

"And what, pray tell, is that?" Zeff asked, his tone flat.

"I may not look like a big deal yet, but you’re talking with the future King of the Pirates," Luffy declared, as if that would make it all go better. "And as soon as I find the One Piece, I’m gonna come back, pay this bill in full, and with interest."

The chef let out a low chuckle. “I’ve got a better idea.”

And just like that, Luffy was unceremoniously hauled off toward the kitchens.

Y/N leaned back in her chair, exhaling a long breath of resignation as her gaze drifted off into nothingness. She made no effort to intervene—it wasn’t worth it.

“I need a drink,” Nami muttered, rubbing her temple.

“Yeah, something stronger would be nice,” Y/N sighed, her tone weary.

The four made their way to the bar located in the mouth of the fish, settling into a quiet corner. Zoro was already on his third beer, Nami and Usopp on their first, while Y/N was still trying to decide what to order. Her deliberation was interrupted when a bartender approached and set a large cocktail down in front of her.

Y/N blinked, looking up at the bartender with confusion. “Uh... sorry, I didn’t—”

“No, he bought it for you,” the bartender cut in, nodding toward an older man perched at the bar. The man raised his glass and winked at her with a grin that sent a chill down her spine.

“Oh, goodie,” Y/N muttered under her breath, though she still managed to force a polite smile in the man’s direction. She turned back to the bartender quickly. “You can take it back. I—”

Before she could finish, Usopp reached over, snatching the drink with a grin. “No, I’ll take it!” he said cheerfully, taking a big sip. His face lit up almost immediately.

“Oh, this is good!” he said, waving enthusiastically at the older man. “THANK YOU!”

Y/N stared at him, half-exasperated, half-amused, as she sighed and leaned back in her chair. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

Nami leaned back in her chair. “You’ve got some admirers, Y/N.”

“Admirers I don’t want,” Y/N shot back, glaring playfully at Usopp as he continued to sip the drink. “Thanks for taking one for the team, Usopp.”

“Hey, waste not, want not.” He took another big sip, completely unbothered, while Nami rolled her eyes and Zoro chuckled into his beer.

"Speaking of waste not," Y/N said with a sly smirk, reaching over to grab Usopp's barely-touched beer. "I’ll take that off your hands, champ."

Usopp, completely absorbed in savouring the oversized cocktail, simply hummed in agreement, nodding absentmindedly as he took another enthusiastic sip.

“Thanks, generous as always,” Y/N chuckled, raising the glass to her lips, watching as Usopp continued to obliviously inhale the cocktail, none the wiser.

That was until Zoro, in an uncharacteristic act of charity, warned the boy, “Pace yourself.”

Usopp paused mid-sip, looking down at the drink with a skeptical expression. “I don’t even think there’s liquor in this. It tastes just like candy.”

Y/N tilted her head thoughtfully, a teasing hum escaping her lips. “Wouldn’t be so sure,”

Zoro took a swig of his beer and added dryly, “Yeah, last time I said that, I woke up face down under a table.”

Y/N burst out laughing, her grin wide and teasing. "Oh, I would’ve paid good berry to see that."

“Yeah, I bet you would’ve,” Zoro scoffed, his gaze shifting to Nami, who was staring intently at her glass, lost in thought. He raised an eyebrow before looking away. “That glass have gold on the bottom or what?"

Nami blinked, snapping out of her trance. “Hmm?”

“You haven’t stopped staring at it,” Zoro pointed out, his tone blunt as usual.

Nami sighed, clearly debating something, before finally caving and looking between Zoro and Y/N. “You seriously don’t think what Luffy did is messed up?”

Y/N’s teasing grin faded as she glanced down at her own drink. She could understand where Nami was coming from. Truly, she did. But who was she to demand someone to share their secrets? To dig up secrets or memories that Luffy clearly wanted to leave buried? That wasn’t her place.

“Yeah, he should’ve told us,” Zoro admitted, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. He leaned back in his chair before adding, “But in case you didn’t notice, we’ve been making enemies everywhere we go. Psycho clowns, killer butlers… what’s a vice-admiral gonna do to us that’s any worse?”

Y/N lifted her glass, her voice quieter but steady. “And who are we to demand something like that out of him? I’m sure he has his reasons for keeping it to himself.”

Nami shook her head, her frustration barely contained. “No, you don’t get it. I can’t get caught. Not when I’m so close…”

Her words trailed off abruptly as if she realized she had said too much. Her lips pressed together tightly, and Y/N made no effort to pry. She wouldn’t judge—she understood the weight of secrets all too well.

After a tense moment, Nami placed her beer down and forced a casual look. “Uh, who’s ready for another drink? My treat.”

Zoro grunted in approval, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “My favorite kind of drink.”

Y/N nodded with a smile, “Can’t say no to that.”

With that, Nami swiftly stood up and headed to the bar, leaving the trio behind at the table. The moment she was out of earshot, Usopp leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a whisper as he said, “She’s hiding something.”

Y/N chuckled softly, tipping back the last of her beer. She set the empty glass down with a gentle clink and met Usopp’s wide-eyed gaze with a knowing look.

“Aren’t we all?” she replied, her tone light but laced with truth.

Zoro glanced at her but said nothing, his expression unreadable as he took another sip of his beer.

Suddenly, Y/N felt two strong hands grab her from behind, lifting her right out of her chair with a jolt. Her heart nearly skipped a beat, but the instinct to panic vanished as soon as she recognized the culprit. Only one person would do something so ridiculous.

“But look at you!!” Ren exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement as he hugged her tightly and started walking away from the table, carrying her like a sack of potatoes.

Y/N groaned but couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of her.

“Ren, put me down!” she demanded, half-laughing, half-protesting.

When he finally set her down, Y/N turned and froze, her eyes lighting up as she saw Tallen, Lyan, and Kiku standing nearby, all grinning from ear to ear.

For a moment, she just stared at them, taking it all in—the familiar faces, the warmth in their smiles, the wave of nostalgia and relief that washed over her. Then, without hesitation, she let out a shriek of pure joy and jumped forward, wrapping them in a tight hug.

“Oh gods, I can’t believe this!” she exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly from the overwhelming emotion. Hugging them again felt like coming home, like a missing piece of herself had been returned. The weight of everything she’d been carrying seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

They laughed as they hugged her back, each one holding her tightly as if to make up for lost time. Tallen stood to the side, his arms crossed and a big grin plastered across his face as he watched the reunion.

“I told you she’d be here,” Tallen said smugly, glancing at the others.

Y/N pulled back slightly, her hands still on Kiku's and Lyan’s shoulders, her smile wide and genuine. “Gods, I miss you all."

“We missed you more!” Ren grinned, squeezing her back tightly.

Kiku laughed softly, her voice warm. “We thought we’d never see you again.”

Lyan, ever the quiet one, simply smiled, his eyes crinkling with the emotion he didn’t need to say out loud.

"Tallen told us you’ll be playing with us tonight…" Kiku said, her voice lilting with both curiosity and excitement as she looked at Y/N with a hopeful smile.

Y/N blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before arching an eyebrow at Tallen, who was standing nearby, grinning like he’d just pulled off the biggest scheme of the century.

“Did he now?” Y/N asked, her tone teasing as she folded her arms, giving Tallen a mock glare. "Funny, because Tallen didn’t ask me about that.”

Tallen chuckled, holding up his hands defensively. “Come on, Y/N, it’s just like old times! One night, one set—think of it as a reunion gig.”

“A reunion gig?” Y/N repeated, raising both eyebrows now. “You mean the kind where you spring it on me last second and I have no time to prepare?”

“Oh, please,” Ren chimed in, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “You could do this in your sleep. You’re Y/N—you’re never not ready.”

She sighed, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile as she crossed her arms. “You guys really don’t give me a choice, do you?”

“Not even a little,” Lyan chimed in with a laugh, nudging her playfully. “Come on, Y/N. It’ll be just like old times.”

Kiku clasped her hands together, her smile widening. “We’ve missed this, and we’ve missed you.”

Y/N sighed, looking around at their expectant faces, her faux-annoyance melting into a small smile.

“You all are impossible, you know that?” she said, shaking her head. “Fine. But only because I am amazing and don’t need prep time.”

The group burst into cheers, Kiku clapping her hands in delight. “I knew you wouldn’t say no!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Y/N said, waving them off but unable to keep the grin off her face. “But don’t blame me if I upstage all of you tonight.”

Tallen smirked. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

After a few drinks—just enough for Y/N to feel a pleasant buzz warming her cheeks—and some planning for tonight's performance, the nostalgia began to creep in. The laughter, the easy camaraderie of old friends… it felt like slipping back into a part of herself she hadn’t touched in a long time.

Soon, the time for the show finally came. Excusing herself with a grin, Y/N made her way to the Going Merry to grab her guitar. When she returned, the bar was alive with excitement, the anticipation practically crackling in the air.

Tallen, ever the showman, was already commanding the attention of the crowd with his infectious energy and booming voice. He stood center of the makeshift stage, Den Den Mushi in hand, hyping up the room like a seasoned entertainer. When his eyes landed on Y/N stepping into view, he broke into a wide grin, his charisma cranked up to full volume.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Pirates, sailors, and scallywags alike!” he called out, his voice booming through the Den Den Mushi. “Prepare yourselves for a treat like no other! She’s sailed with the best, dazzled the rest, and left a trail of awestruck audiences in her wake! The one, the only, the songbird of the seas—give it up for Y/N!”

The audience erupted into whistles, cheers, and applause as Tallen stepped aside, his grin as wide as ever while he gestured grandly for her to take the stage. Y/N couldn’t help but roll her eyes with a playful laugh, shaking her head at his theatrics. Adjusting the strap of her guitar, she made her way to the centre of the stage with a light skip to her step and a twist that made her skirt flare just slightly, adding her own bit of signature flair to the entrance.

Her smile widened as she took in the energy of the crowd, the cheers lifting her spirits even higher. She gave a mock curtsy, her guitar still slung across her shoulder and leaned into the Den Den with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Alright, alright,” she said, her voice warm but teasing as the applause began to settle. “No need to go overboard—Tallen already made me sound like I’m the second coming of Gold Roger.”

The audience chuckled, and Tallen shot her wink. "Just saying it as I see it, my dear."

“Alright, folks, let me be honest with you—Tallen hyped me up so much that even I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually that good,” Y/N said, grinning. “But hey, if I mess up, just remember—you paid for the drinks, not the talent.”

She let the crowd laugh again, her timing impeccable as she adjusted her guitar. “But in all seriousness, thank you for having me tonight. I don’t usually play in restaurants shaped like fish—it’s a very niche market—but hey, there’s a first for everything.”

A few people cheered in agreement, and Y/N gave a casual shrug. “Now, let’s get to the part where I make you forget how much you spent on tonight’s drinks. If I pull that off, I’m expecting a hefty tip.”

The crowd roared with laughter, and Y/N’s smile widened as her fingers brushed the strings lightly in preparation. “Alright, enough chatter. You’ve got drinks in hand, I’ve got a guitar, and we’ve got a whole night ahead of us. Let’s make it count.”

The performance began with Y/N leading the charge, her guitar striking bright, rhythmic chords that immediately set an upbeat tone. Lyan joined in, the lively jingle of his tambourine adding a playful, danceable cadence. The two played off each other seamlessly, their chemistry sparking an infectious energy that had the crowd tapping their feet.

With a quick nod from Y/N, the rest of the group jumped in. Tallen’s mandolin brought a sharp, vibrant melody, Ren’s drums added a driving, steady beat, and Kiku’s violin soared with a celebratory tone that tied everything together. The room came alive as the music burst into full swing, blending into a rich, layered sound.

The energy in the room shifted, the crowd coming alive with movement as the song picked up speed.

"I thought this path was ours to tread, But now it feels like we’ve been misled, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore. Your reasons crash like waves at sea, Still, here you are, still here with me, On this lonely, lonely, endless shore."

When the chorus hit, the energy exploded. The band’s instruments blended into a dynamic symphony, each member adding their unique flair. The crowd clapped along, swept up in the fast-paced rhythm. Y/N almost laughed mid-strum when her eyes landed on a drunk Usopp, who had claimed a tiny patch of open floor as his personal dance stage. With exaggerated movements and questionable rhythm, he twirled and stomped.

"If I follow you to the blue, And let my heart drift back to you, Will you stay with me forever, Or disappear like fading beams? If I give my soul to the restless tide, And let its rhythm be our guide, Will it hold us close together, Or wash away our dreams?"

As the band transitioned into the second verse, the room buzzed with vibrant energy. Y/N’s voice carried the emotional weight of the lyrics, weaving effortlessly into the lively rhythm of the instruments. The crowd was fully engaged—some clapped along, others swayed to the music and a few near the bar cheered, their laughter mingling with the lively tune. Even the more reserved patrons couldn’t resist tapping their feet or nodding along.

"You chose a path I couldn’t take, Now here we stand, the ground could break, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore.

Take my hand, don’t let it fall, Where does it end, if anywhere at all, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore."

The band played with seamless harmony—Y/N’s steady guitar leading, Kiku’s violin soaring, Ren’s drums driving the rhythm, and Tallen’s mandolin adding a playful melody, all tied together by Lyan’s tambourine. The crowd fed off their energy, with a few pirates dancing along with Usopp, turning a small patch of the floor into thier personal, chaotic dance stage.

Y/N caught herself smiling as she glanced over at her friends. Nami was bopping her head in time with the rhythm, a grin spread across her face as if she couldn’t help but get caught up in the energy of the song. Zoro, ever the stoic one, sat back with his usual indifference, but Y/N noticed the slight tap of his foot in time with the beat, betraying his enjoyment. Her fingers moved fluidly over the strings, effortlessly keeping pace with the upbeat rhythm, her smile widening as the song carried on to the last verse.

"I’m just a shadow in your light, A fleeting trace in the starless night. The ocean holds your broken vow, A love you couldn’t cherish now. I know, I know, it’s hard to bear, I lost you here, it’s just not fair. I know, I know, the tide won’t stay, It sweeps our dreams, it pulls away. I know, I know, it’s all too real, I lost you here, I’ll never heal."

With one final strum of the guitar and a unified flourish from the band, the music ended in a crescendo, leaving the crowd cheering, whistling, and stomping their approval. The energy in the room was electric, the upbeat ending turning what could have been a somber farewell into a celebration of persistence, love, and life’s tides.

Y/N laughed breathlessly, taking a small bow as the applause roared around her. Turning to her bandmates, she exchanged a wide grin with them, all of them clearly riding the high of the performance.

“Alright, drinks on you guys, yeah?” Y/N teased, her voice light and playful, carrying easily over the cheers and laughter that filled the room.

Tallen, grinned as he turned to her, his hand dramatically pressed over his heart.

“Oh, sweet Y/N,” Tallen said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity, the perfect blend of theatrical and heartfelt, “just one more ballad, yeah? Promise.”

“Oh, I don’t know, T." Y/N tilted her head, leaning back slightly as if the weight of his words was just too much to bear. "Carrying this whole show on my back is exhausting, you know.”

The crowd laughed, and Tallen didn’t miss a beat. He turned sharply to face the audience, his charisma cranked up to full volume, arms spread wide like a ringmaster addressing his adoring crowd.

“Come on, folks,” he called out, his grin dazzling and infectious. “Don’t you want to hear more? You’re not tired of her yet, are you?”

The room erupted with a thunderous cheer, whistles and applause filling the air as people shouted their agreement. Y/N raised an eyebrow, glancing at Tallen with a playful smirk as the crowd roared around them.

Leaning toward the Den Den, she gave him a mock glare, her voice dripping with teasing charm. “You really are shameless, aren’t you? Riding my coattails like this,”

Tallen shrugged dramatically, his grin widening. “What can I say? They love you, darling. I’m just the hype man making sure the masses get what they want.”

“And here I thought I was the show-off,” Her grin widened as she addressed the laughing audience, her tone light but commanding, filled with charm.

“Alright, alright, you win. Let’s give them something they’ll be singing in their sleep.” She threw Tallen a cheeky glance. “And don’t think you’re off the hook, T. I’m watching you.”

With that, the band launched into the next song, the instruments bursting to life in perfect harmony. The room came alive once more, and the audience swept up in the rhythm, completely enthralled by the magic of the performance.

Soon, the show came to an end, much to Y/N’s dismay. The applause was deafening as she strummed the final chord, giving the crowd one last radiant smile and a playful wave. “You’ve been amazing—don’t forget to tip your bartenders!” she called, earning another round of laughter and cheers before stepping down from the stage.

She was immediately met by a wave of smiling patrons, each vying for a moment of her time. Compliments poured in, one after another—people singing her praises, declaring her the highlight of their night. Some handed her Berry as tokens of appreciation, while others offered bottles of liquor, which she accepted with a bright grin and a playful “You sure know how to spoil a girl.” A few even declared their undying love, and Y/N laughed, placing a hand over her heart. “Flattered, truly. I’ll consider proposals after my second bottle.”

Her natural charm and ease kept the interactions lively, but eventually, she managed to slip away, the bottle of rum in her hand clinking softly as she met up with Tallen. Together, they wandered off to a quieter, more secluded part of the fish-ship, near the docks. The sounds of the lively restaurant faded into the background as they sat down at the edge, letting their feet dangle over the water.

“Been too long,” Tallen said, breaking the silence as he gazed out over the gently rippling water.

Y/N nodded, her fingers idly tapping the neck of the bottle. “Yeah, it has. I missed this. Missed you.”

He grinned, though it was softer than his usual showmanship, the kind of smile that reached his eyes. “You’ve done good, you know. I can tell.”

She laughed lightly, leaning back on her hands. “Still figuring it out. You know me—one chaotic day at a time, which these days seems more often than not.”

Tallen smirks in curiosity, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Earlier today, you saw the people I was with, well..."

They passed the bottle back and forth, the hum of the distant crowd fading into the background as they talked. This wasn’t the idle chatter from before—it was real, honest catching up, the kind of conversation only old friends could have. They laughed about shared memories, exchanged stories of where they’d been, and filled in the gaps that time and distance had left.

Y/N leaned back on her hands, staring up at the stars as Tallen told her a particularly ridiculous story about his recent travels. She laughed, the sound light and genuine, and nudged his shoulder with her own.

“You’re still as full of it as ever,” she teased, though her eyes gleamed with fondness.

“And you’re still the queen of stealing the spotlight,” Tallen retorted, taking another swig of rum and shooting her a teasing grin. “But damn, it’s good to see you out here again. Just like old times.”

Y/N chuckled softly, her fingers brushing the edge of the dock as her gaze drifted to the water.

“Yeah,” she murmured, her voice quieter now. “It’s good to see you too.”

For a moment, they let the silence settle between them, the kind of peaceful, unspoken understanding that only old friends could share. The gentle lapping of the waves against the ship filled the spaces between their breaths, and for a brief while, the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future didn’t matter.

But, of course, Tallen couldn’t leave it there.

“So,” he began, his tone mischievous as always, “tell me… what happened with that boy? The one you left us for? You know, the one who made you think settling down was a good idea, all doe-eyed and dreamy?

The question hit her like a splash of cold water. Memories rushed back, unbidden, vivid and sharp. That boy. The boy. She could still see his face, hear his laugh, and feel how easy it had been to let her guard down with him. And she remembered just as vividly how that had been her downfall. The trust she’d given so freely, the love she’d thought was unshakable—it had all come apart like a house of cards in a storm.

She didn’t respond right away, instead reaching for the bottle of rum and taking a long swig, letting the burn of the alcohol drown out the ache that wanted to settle in her chest. Only when she’d numbed it enough did she hand the bottle back to Tallen.

“He was a pirate,” she said simply, her voice steady but laced with a bitterness she couldn’t quite hide.

Tallen took the bottle from her, his brow furrowing slightly as he took his own drink. He let the silence hang for a beat before muttering, “Fucking pirates.”

Y/N let out a soft, humorless laugh, her lips quirking upward just slightly. “Yeah. Fucking Pirates.”

The two fell quiet again, the weight of her words settling between them. Tallen didn’t press further—he didn’t need to. They both knew there were some stories better left in the past, especially on a night like this...

Y/N kept her gaze fixed on the water as it slipped and swirled around her feet, her toes wiggling absently in the cool waves. A quiet sigh escaped her as her thoughts drifted to a time when seeing her toes had been a rare occurrence—back when she didn’t need feet at all. The memory tugged at her, bittersweet and heavy.

“Do you ever miss… swimming?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a subtle edge, as though the question itself might shatter the fragile peace of the moment. But that wasn’t really what she wanted to ask. What she meant to say was, Do you ever miss your tail?

Tallen glanced at her, the unspoken meaning behind her words not lost on him. His fingers idly traced the rim of the bottle, his eyes flickered to the water. He didn’t answer immediately. For a moment, the ever-present charm and humor he wore like armor fell away, revealing something quieter, something raw.

“Of course I do,” he said at last, his voice low but steady. “It’s part of who I am. No matter how much I try to forget it—or hide it. I miss it every damn day.”

The words hit Y/N harder than she expected, though they echoed her own thoughts. She nodded faintly, her fingers brushing the edge of the dock as if trying to touch the memories she’d buried beneath the waves.

“Sometimes, I dream about it,” she admitted, her voice almost a whisper. “The feeling of the current, the water rushing past me. It’s like… I can still feel it, but when I wake up, it’s gone. And I realize it’s been gone for a long time.”

Tallen let out a low sigh, opening another bottle and taking a gulp before setting it down between them.

“We didn’t have a choice,” he said, his voice heavier now, laced with something darker. “They left us no choice. Staying in the water… staying as we were… it was a death sentence. Out here, at least, we have a chance. Even if it’s not the life we wanted.”

Y/N swallowed hard, her throat tightening as memories surged forward—the fear, the endless swimming, the loss of those who couldn’t escape. The oceans, once their sanctuary, had become a hunting ground, a place where survival meant running and hiding. Becoming human hadn’t been freedom; it had been desperation.

“I hate it sometimes,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “I hate that we had to choose this... to give up what we were just to live. I hate that I don’t feel safe, not here, not in the water. Nowhere.”

Tallen’s gaze softened, and he reached out, his hand resting gently on hers. “We didn’t choose this, Y/N. I know it's not the life we knew, but it’s a life we can make ours. Even if we have to fight for it every step of the way.”

Y/N took another long drink from the bottle, letting the burn of the rum cut through the ache in her chest. She handed it back to him with a faint, tired smile. “It’s not fair,”

“No, it’s not,” Tallen agreed quietly, his voice tinged with a sadness he rarely let show. “But we’re still here. They didn’t get us. And as long as we’re still breathing, there’s a chance. Maybe not now, maybe not soon, but one day… one day, we’ll stop running.”

Y/N let his words sink in, her toes wiggling again as if testing the water beneath them. She wanted to believe him, to believe there was a day when the fear would fade and they could slip back into the waves without a second thought.

The two bottles of rum were emptied far too quickly, its warmth fading as the night deepened. The distant hum of the restaurant voices grew softer, replaced by the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the ship. The world seemed quieter, heavier, as though the night itself was reluctant to let them go.

Y/N let her feet dip deeper into the water, as if the sea itself could somehow anchor her to this moment, to Tallen, to the sense of familiarity and belonging she always felt in his presence. But reality was already creeping back in, tugging at the edges of her mind.

Tallen stretched his legs, giving the empty bottle a casual toss to the side of the dock, his usual bravado masking the heaviness in the air. “

Guess that’s it, huh?” he said, his tone light, but his eyes betrayed the same reluctance she felt.

“Yeah,” Y/N replied softly, her gaze fixed on the water below. She didn’t want to move, didn’t want to face the inevitability of parting ways again. But she knew she couldn’t stay. Neither of them could. “Out of rum, out of time,”

They sat there for a moment longer, both pretending they didn’t know what was coming next. But the truth was impossible to ignore. This wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a question they’d both have to carry if fate allowed them another meeting: Are they still alive?

Tallen finally stood, brushing his hands on his pants before offering one to Y/N to help her up.

“Guess we should leave it here,” he said, his voice steady but strained. “For now.”

Y/N took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. She met his gaze, her own eyes shining with unspoken words.

“For now,” she echoed softly, her lips quirking into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

He slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a brief, tight hug. “Take care of yourself, alright?” he said, his tone firm, almost commanding. “And don’t get into too much trouble.”

Y/N chuckled weakly, patting his chest as she pulled back. “You know me. Trouble follows, I just try to be faster.”

Tallen smirked, but it faded quickly. He hesitated for a moment, then turned toward the docks, his footsteps heavy as he began to walk away. Y/N stayed behind, watching his silhouette disappear into the shadows of the fish-ship.

She took a deep breath, letting the sea air fill her lungs, then exhaled slowly. The weight of the question lingered in her chest as she turned back toward the Going Merry. She didn’t know when—or if—she’d see him again. But for now, she had to keep moving. Because life didn’t allow for anything else.

Sirens, as creatures of the sea, naturally possess a higher tolerance for alcohol compared to humans. Their bodies, adapted to handle the intoxicating effects of fermented underwater plants and other potent marine brews, metabolize alcohol far more efficiently. That said, even a Siren wasn’t immune to the occasional tipsy stumble after two entire bottles of rum.

Y/N didn’t realize how tipsy she actually was until she began her walk back to the Going Merry, her steps wobbling as if the ground beneath her were swaying like the ocean waves. Each step was a battle to steady herself, but instead of frustration, she giggled to herself and began humming a tune, one she hadn’t even realized she’d made up on the spot.

By some miracle (or sheer luck), she managed to make it to the Going Merry without falling into the water.

“Absolutely magnifico!” she declared with a dramatic flourish as she boarded the ship.

With a triumphant grin, Y/N made her way inside, her mind now fixated on finding something sweet to snack on. Her thoughts were a delightful jumble of candy, cookies, and maybe even fruit if it was sugary enough. But before she could raid the pantry, she collided headlong into Nami, who looked positively furious.

“Woah! You okay, pumpkin?” Y/N slurred, placing a hand on Nami’s arm with a warm, lopsided smile.

Nami shoved her hand off, glaring at her with a sharpness that sobered Y/N just slightly. “Where the hell were you, Y/N?”

Blinking in surprise, Y/N tilted her head, her hazy mind trying to process the sudden shift in tone. “I… uh… wait, what happened?”

Nami’s glare intensified, her voice rising with frustration. “What happened is that Zoro is a massive idiot and is going to get himself killed!”

Before Y/N could fully process what Nami had just said, the navigator spun on her heel and stormed off, her footsteps echoing down the hall as she headed to her room.

Y/N stood there, swaying slightly as she tried to make sense of what she’d just heard.

“What…?” she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with confusion as she rubbed her temple. “What did I miss now?”

Y/N made her way into the kitchen, her footsteps lighter than usual thanks to her still tipsy state. The room was quieter than expected, and as her eyes adjusted, she took in the scene: a not-so-smiley Luffy—weird— Usopp, drunk yet clearly worried. And then there was the star of the night—Zoro—calmly cleaning his swords at the table, his expression as unreadable as ever.

As she walked in, all eyes turned to her. Well, almost all eyes. Luffy and Usopp looked at her directly, but Zoro merely spared her a quick glance before returning to polishing one of his blades.

“Y/N—” Luffy began, his voice unusually low, but she cut him off before he could finish.

“What’s this I heard about you getting yourself killed, hotshot?” she asked, her tone a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity as she made her way to the pantry, her mission for something sweet still very much a priority.

For a moment, the kitchen was silent, save for the faint sound of Zoro’s whetstone sliding against his sword. And then, as if it were nothing more than casual conversation, Zoro answered, his tone calm and steady: “I challenged Dracule Mihawk to a duel to the death. I’ll defeat him and become the greatest swordsman in the world.”

Y/N froze mid-reach, her hand hovering over a jar of honey. Slowly, she turned her head toward him, blinking as if she couldn’t quite believe what she’d just heard. That name—Dracule Mihawk—was familiar. Too familiar. The kind of name you didn’t just forget. Wasn’t he…? No, it couldn’t be. She must’ve heard wrong. Surely, she must have.

So, she laughed. A loud, disbelieving tipsy laugh, grinning as though he’d just told her the best joke of the year.

“Oh, that’s funny,” she said, straightening up and giving Zoro a bemused grin. “For a second there, I thought you said Dracule Mihawk. You know, the Mihawk, Warlord of the Sea."

Zoro didn’t even flinch. He continued cleaning his sword, his face completely devoid of humor as he replied, “Yeah, that one.”

Y/N continued to chuckle, shaking her head as she pulled the jar of honey from the pantry. “No, it’s not,”

“It is,” Usopp mumbled, his words slurred with worry.

Y/N stopped mid-motion, the jar of honey held loosely in her hands. She blinked, her tipsy mind still not fully processing the weight of the situation. Turning to Zoro, she found him looking at her, his expression unreadable, saying nothing. That, more than anything, made her stomach tighten.

With a sharp exhale, she marched to the table and all but slapped the jar of honey down, the sound sharp enough to make Usopp flinch. In that single second, the remnants of her drunken haze evaporated. Sobriety hit her like a wave, and her playful grin was gone.

She stared at Zoro with a hard, unyielding glare, the kind that could cut through stone.

“You’re joking,” she said flatly, her voice carrying the kind of edge that dared him to confirm her hopes. When he didn’t respond, her eyes narrowed as she took a step closer. “Please tell me you’re fucking joking, Zoro.”

Luffy, of all people, chimed in, his tone oddly serious—too serious for someone who is usually a ray of walking sunshine.

Y/N blinked, looking between Luffy and Zoro, trying to wrap her head around what was being said.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she started, raising a hand as if trying to stop the flood of insanity pouring into the room. “You’re telling me you actually challenged Dracule Mihawk? As in the Warlord of the Sea? The guy who could probably split this fucking sodding ship in half just for fun?”

Zoro glanced up at her briefly, his gaze calm but resolute.

“It’s what I have to do,” he said simply, his tone devoid of fear or hesitation. “If I want to be the greatest swordsman in the world, I have to beat him. That’s the only way.”

Y/N stared at him in stunned silence, her lips parted as she tried to find the words. Her anger faltered for a moment, replaced by something deeper—concern, frustration, maybe even fear.

“Zoro, you can’t just—” she started, but her voice faltered. She straightened up, running a hand through her hair as she stepped back. Her gaze flicked to Luffy and Usopp, searching for some semblance of support. Luffy, however, remained silent, his eyes distant, while Usopp looked sick.

Finally, Y/N let out a frustrated laugh, though there was no humor in it. “Unbelievable. You’re all just going to let him go through with this? No one’s going to stop him?��

“Can’t stop him,” Luffy said simply, his tone carrying a note of quiet acceptance. “This is his dream.”

Y/N’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she stared at Zoro again, disbelief and frustration radiating off her in waves. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. As someone who had always fought tooth and nail for survival, it was utterly maddening to see someone willingly dive headfirst into danger like this.

“Zoro, please,” she said, her tone softer now, though the tension in her voice was clear. “Think about it for a second. I know you want this—I know how much it means to you—but this is insane. You’re already an amazing swordsman—”

“But not the best,” Zoro interrupted, his voice calm but resolute. His focus on his blade never wavered as he continued polishing it. “Not yet. Not until I defeat Mihawk.”

Y/N blinked, her chest tightening as his words sank in. She shook her head in disbelief, her voice rising slightly as she took a step closer. “Are you seriously so willing to throw your life away over a title? Is that all this is to you? Just a damn title?”

Zoro finally looked up, his gaze meeting hers with unyielding determination. “It’s not just a title. It’s everything I’ve trained for. Everything I’ve worked for. If I don’t take this chance, then what’s the point?”

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. She searched his expression for any hint of hesitation, of doubt, but found none. He wasn’t going to change his mind. She knew that, even before she asked.

“You’re... not changing your mind, are you?” she asked, her voice quieter now, almost defeated.

“You already know the answer to that,” Zoro replied simply.

“Fine,” she said, her voice cold and clipped, her tone like a sharp edge. "Go get yourself fucked up."

Zoro didn’t flinch, his focus already back on his blade. “Noted,”

Y/N scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she grabbed the jar of honey. She cast one last glare at the back of Zoro’s head, her frustration boiling just beneath the surface, before spinning on her heel and leaving the room without another word.

The jar of honey felt heavier in her hand than it should have, and as she made her way back to her corner of the ship, she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “Unbelievable. Reckless, stubborn fool...”

But no matter how angry she was, a part of her couldn’t shake the worry that gnawed at the edges of her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, she cared. And that made this all the more infuriating.

Hours passed, the tension on the Going Merry as thick as the salty sea air around it. Y/N had spent most of that time pacing, her nerves fraying with every passing minute. And now, much to her growing nervousness—and, if she were honest with herself, outright unhappiness—she found herself walking alongside Zoro to the docks of the Baratie with Luffy and Usopp, Nami was nowhere to be found and Y/N had no mind for that the moment.

The swordsman, as usual, was calm and steady, his expression unreadable, as if he were merely heading to run a simple errand rather than walking straight into a duel with one of the most dangerous men alive. Y/N, on the other hand, was barely keeping it together. Despite her earlier words, despite knowing Zoro’s mind was set, she couldn’t help herself.

“Zoro,” she said, her tone tinged with desperation, as she hurried to match his stride. “This doesn’t have to be today, you know. You could wait. Train more. Build yourself up first. Mihawk’s not going anywhere—he’ll still be terrifying tomorrow, or next week, or next year!”

“I’ve waited long enough,” he said simply, his tone steady and resolute.

Y/N groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. “You’re impossible! You know that, right? Utterly impossible. It’s like you’ve got a death wish baked into that stubborn head of yours.”

He didn’t respond, his focus already ahead, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of one of his swords. His silence only fueled her exasperation.

“Zoro, listen,” she pressed, her voice softer now as she stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. “You have nothing to prove. Not to me, not to the crew, not to anyone. You’re already one of the best I’ve ever seen—no one would blame you for waiting until the odds were... I don’t know, less suicidal?”

Zoro looked down at her, his dark eyes meeting hers, and for a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze. But it wasn’t doubt or hesitation—it was determination, pure and unwavering.

“I didn’t come this far to stop now,” he said firmly. “If I can’t face him, then I don’t deserve to be the best.”

Y/N stared at him, her mouth opening to argue, but the words caught in her throat. What could she say to that? What could she say to someone who was so determined to chase their dream, even if it killed them?

Y/N rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath as they reached the docks. The sight of the Baratie's empty deck and the looming presence of the infamous Dracule Mihawk in the distance made her stomach twist. She didn’t say anything else as they walked, but the tension in her chest only grew heavier with every step.

"Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk drawled, his deep voice carrying easily over the sound of the waves. Y/N blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting to the warlord as he kept his piercing eyes locked on the boy. She followed Mihawk's line of sight, landing on Luffy, who—of course—was smiling. Smiling? Y/N thought in disbelief. She could never understand him. If a Warlord of the Sea so much as glanced in her direction, she’d have been halfway across the ocean by now.

“I’m surprised the Marines would require my services for such a small package,” Mihawk continued, his tone tinged with a subtle mockery that sent chills down Y/N’s spine. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes lingering on the Straw Hat. “Though I do like your hat…”

“Enough,” Zoro cut him off, his voice steady as he stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the warlord with unwavering resolve. “Let’s begin.”

Y/N gulped, her stomach twisting into knots as she watched Mihawk calmly remove the cross-shaped pendant from around his neck. For a moment, she was confused—was this some kind of pre-duel ritual?—but her confusion turned to disbelief when the man revealed the pendant to be a hidden blade. A tiny hidden blade.

Mihawk pulled the long part free, revealing a small knife, barely larger than a dagger. Y/N’s jaw nearly dropped. What the hell was that? She wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“What is that? I’m here for a sword fight,” Zoro deadpanned, his tone flat but edged with disbelief as he took in the Warlord’s weapon.

Mihawk didn’t flinch, his expression unreadable save for the faintest glint of amusement in his golden eyes.

“I don’t hunt rabbits with a cannon,” he replied almost mockingly, holding the tiny blade with an air of casual confidence.

Zoro, however, remained unshaken. He pulled out his two swords, their blades gleaming in the sunlight as he took a defensive stance. His voice was steady, firm, and filled with resolve. “I’m no rabbit.”

Mihawk pointed his small blade at Zoro, the move almost lazy in its precision. “That remains to be seen,” he said smoothly.

The tension between them hung thick in the air, a moment so charged that Y/N felt like she could hardly breathe. The world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them, predator and challenger, locked in an unspoken battle of wills before a single strike had even been made.

And then, Zoro moved.

With a burst of speed, he ran straight toward the Warlord, his swords raised and his expression fierce with determination. The fight had begun.

The fight was a blur for Y/N, but one thing was painfully clear—Mihawk had the upper hand from the very start. Every move Zoro made was effortlessly countered, every strike easily dodged or deflected as though the Warlord was swatting away a pesky fly.

Y/N’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a shriek when Mihawk drove the small dagger into Zoro’s chest. Her fingers dug into Luffy’s arm as she squeezed tightly, her own breath catching at the sheer ruthlessness of the moment. When Mihawk finally unsheathed his massive blade, Yoru, Y/N grimaced, her stomach twisting with dread.

And then, as Zoro’s swords crumbled under the sheer power of Mihawk’s strike, Y/N couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped her lips. Her eyes widened in shock as Zoro, instead of backing down, willingly let himself be slashed across the chest, standing tall even in defeat. The scene left her frozen, torn between awe at his resolve and fear for his life.

"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, his voice raw with emotion as the green-haired swordsman collapsed to the ground.

Without a second thought, Y/N bolted toward him, her heart pounding in her chest. She dropped to her knees beside Zoro, her hands hovering over him, unsure of where to even start.

There it was—a massive, long, bloodied slash stretching across his chest, from one shoulder to the opposite side. The sight of it made her stomach drop. Her breath hitched as she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth.

"Oh, shit… Zoro," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.

Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk called out, his voice laced with a faint trace of curiosity. His sharp gaze settled on the boy, as if measuring him. "What’s your goal?"

"I’m going to become the King of the Pirates," Luffy replied, his tone uncharacteristically serious, his eyes unwavering.

"King of the Pirates, hmm?" Mihawk repeated, a flicker of intrigue crossing his otherwise stoic expression. "That’s a far more perilous path than even defeating me."

Luffy didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned to glare at the Warlord, his resolve shining through. "I don’t care," he said firmly. "It’s what I’m going to do."

Mihawk regarded him in silence for a moment, as though he were assessing something beyond words. Then, with a faint hum of approval, he nodded slightly.

"Maybe you will at that," he said, his tone carrying an unusual note of respect, "This world could use a few more wild cards."

Mihawk turned his piercing gaze away from Luffy, letting it fall to the green-haired swordsman lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. “Roronoa Zoro,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “It’s too soon for you to die. Grow strong and come find me. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, and much to Y/N’s immense relief, Dracule Mihawk turned and walked away, disappearing into the distance.

Usopp hurried to kneel next to Y/N and Luffy, his face pale as he took in the sheer amount of blood pouring from Zoro’s chest.

“He’s losing so much blood,” Usopp said, his voice shaking with panic.

“He’s gonna be okay,” Luffy said firmly, though the determination in his voice couldn’t quite mask the crack of worry underneath.

“Hey, Zoro,” Y/N leaned closer, her voice trembling but insistent as she gently touched his cheek. “Can you hear me? Come on, hotshot, don’t do this.”

Luffy’s voice was softer now, he was smiling but his voice was filled with quiet resolve. “He said it’s too soon for you to die."

Zoro, lying in a pool of his own blood, let out a groan, his voice strained and heavy with pain. Every word sounded like it hurt to speak, but still, he forced them out. "Luffy... if I fail to become the world’s greatest swordsman… you’ll be disappointed. Right?"

Luffy immediately shook his head, his voice firm and unwavering. "You could never fail me,"

"Never… again. From now… until I beat him…" Summoning his last reserves of energy, Zoro gritted his teeth and unsheathed Wado Ichimonji, the sword trembling in his bloodied hand. He raised it weakly, his arm barely steady. "To become the greatest swordsman… I will never lose again!"

Y/N pursed her lips, worry etched into every line of her face as she watched Zoro’s arm falter. The sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground as his body went limp. He was out.

"Zoro?" Luffy’s voice broke slightly as he leaned closer, shaking the unconscious swordsman. "Zoro?! Zoro!"

"Luffy, stop!" Y/N grabbed Luffy’s arm, her voice sharp but tinged with worry. Her grip was firm, her eyes locking onto his with a quiet urgency. "Shaking him won’t help."

Luffy froze, his hands trembling as he pulled back slightly. Y/N turned to Nami, who was hovering just behind them, her face pale with concern and her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"We need to get him inside," Y/N said, her tone steady but urgent as she glanced between Nami, Usopp and Luffy. She pressed her lips together, her mind racing. "Now!"

They all nodded quickly, their hands moving instinctively to help as they began the careful process of lifting Zoro, doing everything they could to keep him stable. The tension in the air was palpable, but Y/N’s focus remained on the task at hand, suppressing the storm of worry swirling in her chest.

They couldn’t lose him. Not here. Not like this.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Lots of love. Be safe.

Also, tell me if you want to get tagged.

Divider by @cafekitsune

Tags: @weirdowithaphone

[sorryitsmyfirstdayonearth]

Bring me a dream, make him the cutest that I've ever seen

(Sam x female reader x Dean, spell-induced Crowley x reader)

Summary Crowley and you are struck by a love spell and Sam and Dean attempt to help you. And they’re definitely not jealous. Not at all. CWs Basically Sam and Dean get super jealous when you start smooching Crowley (for magic reasons). Cas is also there (but he's very confused about it all). Rated Teen. 4.5k words

My SPN masterlist

You were just raising the hand that was holding the machete, when the witch’s weird, magical zombie bodyguard punched you in the chest.

In the chest.

You went down, knees meeting the floor and hand clutching yourself, a curse brewing in you.

Who the hell hit people in the chest? At least it hadn’t been in the boob.

“You… asshole!” you hissed through clenched teeth, just as the thing dropped, one of the brothers, Sam or Dean, having shot it. Then you heard Castiel yell: “She’s getting away!”

You looked away from the disassembled body parts lying in front of you, just to see the colorfully dressed witch book it through one of the doors. You took a split second to look around.

Dean was fighting two of the zombie guards himself, Castiel three and Sam was just wrestling one to the ground, a few already lying at his feet. So you grabbed the machete you had dropped, pushed yourself to your feet and started sprinting.

Sam was closest to the door, and he saw what you were doing. He elbowed the guard he was fighting, and just managed a: “No, no, no, don’t go alo-” when one of the ones that had been focusing on Cas tackled him. Every bone in your body wanted to help him, but you knew the quickest way out of this was to get the witch and make her take back whatever magic she had used to raise those fleshy freaks.

You ran out of the room, having to correct quickly, the angle at which you turned too tight, the marble floors too slippery. Because of course this witch lived in a mansion with marble floors. Why wouldn’t she?

You saw her halfway down the hall. You had dropped your gun at some point, so all you could do was run after her. You were gaining on her, but not quickly enough.

She’s going to get away, you thought, when all of a sudden she bounced back, almost comically, as if she had run into an invisible wall. You came to a skittering stop, wondering what the hell had caused it. It turned out thinking of hell wasn’t far off, as a second later, you saw first a fancy fair of black leather loafers, and then the rest of the King of Hell come around the corner at the end of the corridor. You dropped your shoulders.

“I thought you said this was easy enough for us to take care of on our own?” you asked, referring to the fact that while Crowley had informed you about the evil witch, he had refused to join you on the hunt, saying it wasn’t his style to run around, brandishing medieval weaponry.

“Clearly, I was wrong,” Crowley replied, looking down at the witch who was groaning as she was lying there.

“Can you block her powers or something?” you asked. “The others are being pummeled by these weird zombie creatures she raised.

“Voodoo,” Crowley sighed, as if you were the most uneducated person in the world to him. But then he snapped his finger.

“That did it?” you asked, a little surprised. Crowley raised his eyebrows.

“Yes, that did it,” he said, disdain in his voice.

Suddenly you saw movement out of the corner of your eye, and just as you were raising your hand the witch was on her feet. She dragged something from one of the pockets of her robe and although you tried to reach her, you were too slow.

She threw whatever she was holding at the ground. You could see Crowley raise his hand to stop her, maybe make her head explode or whatever Crowley did with his enemies these days, but she screamed a few words in Latin and suddenly there was a blinding light, fog, so bright and hot that you had to shield your eyes, saw Crowley do the same.

There was a smell of burned hair in the air and you coughed as the fog cleared. You waved a hand in front of your face and took a few steps forward. There was no trace of the witch, but what you saw instead made you gasp.

The voodoo soldiers had all suddenly fallen apart. Sam was on the floor, and Dean with his back against the wall, Cas in the middle of the room, arm with angel blade raised. They all looked at each other questioningly.

“I guess that’s a good sign?” Dean asked. They quickly collected their dropped weapons, Dean gingerly touching his forehead where a bruise was already forming, while Sam wiped at a cut on his chin. Only Castiel’s face had made it out without any marks.

The three men walked outside, following the path you had gone, but the hallway in front of them was empty. Dean and Sam walked ahead, calling your name, when suddenly Cas waved them over.

“There’s noises coming from that room,” he said, pointing at a door that was slightly ajar. The brothers pulled their guns while Castiel raised his blade. There was still a chance that the witch wasn’t taken care of and that you were in danger.

Dean pushed the door open with one swift move of his hand, rushing into the room, Sam right on his heels. Castiel nearly ran into their backs when they stopped dead in their tracks. He just barely managed to look between their shoulders at what they were seeing.

“What… in the…” Dean managed to say.

The room they had walked into was some kind of conservatory. There were pots of plants and herbs all around, plus an expensive-looking plush red armchair. Crowley was sitting in that armchair, which in itself wasn’t hugely disturbing.

What was though was you, straddling him, holding him by the collar of his suit. Crowley’s hands were on your hips as if that was where they belonged.

You looked up when the brothers and the angel entered, and the reason you had to look up was because you had been kissing Crowley.

Deeply. Passionately.

Both Sam and Dean’s mouths were hanging open, their eyes wide.

“Guys,” you said with a small, embarrassed chuckle. “Don’t you knock?”

They managed to get you both to the car, although you and Crowley refused to stop holding hands the whole time. Dean had the brilliant idea of placing Castiel in the middle seat on the bench, you and Crowley to his right and left, while Sam and Dean took their usual positions in the front.

Sam had to actually grab you by the shoulders and maneuver you to your side of the car, because you were busy waxing poetic about how good Crowley looked in his suit.

“Okay,” Dean said, pulling closed the car door behind him an turning around. “What in the world is going on?”

“It must be some kind of spell or curse,” Castiel observed, just as Crowley leaned forward and winked at you, making you giggle. Sam threw a disturbed look at the both of you, then briefly squeezed his eyes shut to concentrate.

“So,” he said, “we need an, an anti-spell, or a— Would you stop that?” The last words were directed at you because not only had you not stopped giggling at Crowley’s flirting, you were also biting your lower lip, very much distracting Sam. You looked at him, surprised by his sharp tone.

“Jeez,” you said, crossing your arms and dropping back into the seat. “You’re such a killjoy.” Dean pressed three fingers against the top of the bridge of his nose.

“I say bunker,” he said, his tone tense, “and then we figure out how the hell we reverse this.”

“There’s nothing to reverse,” you spoke up. “Why are you getting so wound up about this?” Dean looked at you, the most incredulous look he could muster on his face.

“Because we’re talking about Crowley,” he said, “and you were… kissing him.” He almost spat the word. You rolled your eyes.

“Don’t be mad at them, kitten,” Crowley spoke up, looking away from Dean at you. “They don’t know what it means to know that you have found your other half.” A dreamy smile went over your face and you actually sighed. Cas was frowning.

“I feel,” he said, voice calm, “very uncomfortable.” With that, Dean started the car.

The trip back to the bunker took a while but Castiel’s physical presence and repeated warnings from Sam and Dean stopped anything untoward happening between you and Crowley on the way. Sam kept calling Rowena, but only got her voice mail.

After you parked, Dean took you with him, his hand wrapping around your upper arm, while Sam moved Crowley. They brought you to the library, sitting you at opposite ends of one of the long tables. Sam checked his phone, to see if Rowena had returned his message. She hadn't.

“Okay,” Sam said, running a hand over his face, “then we’ll have figure this out ourselves.” He went to one of the shelves, started taking out books, bringing them to the table. Dean, Cas and Sam each grabbed one at random, starting their research.

"What are we supposed to do?" Crowley asked, looking bored. Dean shot him a look that shut him up.

After a while you stood up, strolled over to a different shelf, ran your hand down the spines. Dean looked up, watching you like a hawk, only to see that you were making eye contact with Crowley. He felt an intense rush of annoyance run through him.

“I can see what you’re doing,” he said, and your head snapped towards him.

“I’m not doing anything,” you said.

“Are too,” Dean replied. “You’re making googly eyes at Crowley, who’s supposed to be your sworn enemy, by the way.” You wrinkled your brow.

“I don’t think I ever swore anything,” you said, then looked at Crowley again. “But I would swear something now.” Crowley grinned.

“What would you swear, my darling?” he asked, then raised his chin a little. “My queen?”

“That’s it,” Dean said, standing up. He got you by the arm again, dragging you out of the lustful looks you were throwing Crowley and maneuvered you to the kitchen. He sat you down at the table and went to the fridge, getting himself a beer. He opened it, taking a long sip, then watched you where you were sitting, pouting.

“There’s no part of you,” he asked, “that recognizes even a little that this is weird?”

“Jesus, Dean,” you replied, “get off it, will you? Why is this bothering you so much?” Dean extended his hand, pointing in the general direction of the library.

“I don’t know how many times I need to say it,” he responded. “It’s friggin’ Crowley.”

“Oh, right,” you said, rolling your eyes. “So if it was someone else, you’d be fine with it?” Dean opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“Yes,” he said, then shook his head. “I mean no, it’s still a spell.”

“It doesn’t feel like a spell, Dean,” you replied.

“Doesn’t change the fact that it is one,” he responded, leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping his beer. You watched him, then slowly got up, joining him at the counter.

“You know,” you said, and he looked at you sideways. “You’re supposed to be my friend. Would it kill you to be a little happy for me?” Dean raised his eyebrows.

“Crowley,” was all he said.

You scoffed. “I haven’t dated anyone in… God, I don’t even want to think about it. You’ve got your hook-ups, Dean, but I get…” You stopped, looked at the counter, running your hand over it.

“I get lonely sometimes, okay?” you said, not looking at him. Dean was studying you.

“You do?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you mumbled.

“But you have me and Sam. And Cas.” You looked at him again.

“You know what I mean,” you said. Dean swallowed.

“I had no idea,” he said, taking another sip. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because,” you said, smiling a little, “you would never let me hear the end of it? Make fun of me?” Dean shook his head.

“No, I wouldn’t,” he said quietly. You both didn't speak for a minute.

“What if it's not a spell?” you finally asked. “I mean, what if I just like someone? Would you be happy for me then?” Dean looked at you, thinking.

“I…” he said, but didn’t continue when you heard footsteps. Castiel entered the kitchen and you both turned to him.

“What’s up?” Dean asked.

“I just needed to get away from him for a little while,” Cas said, then threw you an uncomfortable look. “He keeps talking about… you. And… parts of you.”

You raised your eyebrows at Dean, then started walking past Castiel back to the library. Dean didn’t stop you. He was rooted in place for a few seconds, wondering if he had just given away his biggest secret.

You strutted into the library, making Sam look up from the book he had been studying.

“And I mean, the way she fights,” Crowley was saying. At some point he had gotten a drink, was standing by the bar cart, holding the glass with the dark liquid before him, moving it a little while he talked. “The way she moves her body, the smoothness and roughness at the same time—”

Crowley was interrupted when you walked up to him, grabbed his face and kissed him. His free hand went around your waist, pulling you close and you gasped against his mouth. You heard hurried steps behind you and then Sam was pulling you away.

“Hey, don’t—” you complained but there was no way to wriggle yourself out of Sam’s grasp.

“Believe me,” he said, gently depositing you on one of the chairs. “You’ll thank me for this later.” You huffed, crossing your legs and shooting daggers at Sam when Dean and Cas walked into the library as well. Sam spread his arms.

“Am I the only one still baby sitting?” he asked, voice frustrated. Crowley turned to you. “Should I make them go poof?” You grinned.

“That’s sweet, but they are my friends,” you replied. Crowley rolled his eyes. “We’ll have to talk about that,” he said, “who you've elected to spend your time with.” Sam ran his hand over his eyes.

“I can’t find anything that really matches this,” he said. “There’s more books in the archives, though.” Castiel walked over to Crowley, putting his hand on the demon’s shoulder.

“I’ll take him with me,” the angel said. “So that there are no more… shenanigans.”

Dean frowned. “Shenanigans?”

Castiel nodded. “Yes, shenanigans,” he replied.

“Great,” Dean said, scratching his forehead.

Then the two men were walking off, but not before Crowley threw another lust-filled look your way. You sighed, leaning back in the chair, while Dean went for the bar cart. Sam was standing near you, looking down at a book opened before him.

“And?” you asked, looking up at him. “You close to finding your cure yet?”

“Not yet,” Sam replied, not taking his eyes off the book.

“Maybe because there is none,” you said.

“Everything has a cure,” Sam replied, his voice stoic.

“Ebola doesn’t,” you replied. Sam scoffed.

“What a fitting comparison,” he muttered.

“Don’t you start, too,” you said, and Sam finally looked at you.

“Can I just… focus on this?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Sam,” you said, leaning forward. “Just… let me be happy.”

Sam shook his head. “You’re not actually happy, it’s just the spell telling you you are.”

“So?” you asked, and now you were the one raising her eyebrows. “It feels the same. Why is that so bad?”

"It's not real," he answered.

You shrugged. "Reality's complicated," you replied.

Sam thought for a second, and when he didn’t immediately find a fitting response, he pivoted. “You don’t even know Crowley,” he responded. “I mean, really know him.”

“Oh please,” you said, “that kind of stuff doesn’t matter.” Sam frowned at you. “What,” you said, laughing a little, “I need to know what his favorite song is or, or his birthday or all his hopes and dreams to be in love with him?” Sam nodded.

“Yes,” he said. "That's kind of important."

“Come on, Sam,” you said. “Do you know those things about anyone?” Sam clenched his jaw and he looked down at the table again.

“Yeah, a couple of people actually,” he replied, not clarifying.

“Those are just facts, though,” you said, leaning forward, trying to get him to look at you again. “They don’t mean anything.”

“Some of them do,” Sam said, and looked back at you.

“Like what?” you asked.

“Like…” Sam said, then was quiet for a second. “Like I know you always look at those little cottages online. That you would like to buy one one day.”

You watched him intently as he talked. 

"And I know you would like to have a dog,” he said, then chuckled to himself. “But you’d settle for a turtle.” You looked a little awkward for a  moment.

“It’s not settling,” you said then, in a small voice. “Turtles are awesome.” Sam grinned.

“Yeah,” he said absentmindedly, as he continued scanning the text. Suddenly he stood up straight.

“What?” you asked, your eyes following him.

“I think I got it,” he said. You leaned over, scanning the book, then frowned. “You really think a guy called Rudolphus the Wistful  is gonna have the answer?” Sam looked at you, then chuckled. His fingers ran over the page, going lower, until they stopped.

“Oh,” he said. You looked up at him.

“Let me guess,” you said. “It’s not a spell and I was right all along?” Sam shook his head.

“It’s, uhm,” and then he went quiet.

“What?” you said, suddenly sounding a little worried. When Sam still didn’t answer, you got up, stood next to him and read what it said on the page.

And who that is smytun with a swerd, may oonly be delyuered, bi kissyng of oon that loueth hem.

“What does that mean?” you asked, looking up at Sam.

“It’s Middle English,” he said. “It means that if you’re struck by this spell it can only be removed if you’re kissed by someone who loves you.” You frowned.

“But I already kissed Crowley,” you said, shrugging. Sam looked down at you.

“I don’t think that’s what it means, but I…” he stopped himself, not taking his eyes off you. “I just…” he said but stopped again. You widened your eyes in question.

“You what?” you asked. Sam was chewing the inside of his lip while he was thinking. Then he looked up, his eyes searching for Dean. His brother was back at the cart for a refill across the room, his back to the two of you. Sam nodded to himself, then looked at you again.

Suddenly you felt one of his big hands on the side of your face.

“I just want to try something,” he said, his voice low. Before you had a second to wonder what he meant, he was leaning down, your lips gently meeting. It lasted only for a  second, and then Sam was pulling back, his hand still holding you.

“Anything?” he asked. You frowned but before you could say anything, Dean was stomping up behind you.

“The hell are you doing?” he asked, his voice outraged. “That damn spell get you too?” he asked.

Before Sam could answer, you turned to Dean and, grabbing him with one fist by the t-shirt, pulled him towards you and kissed him as well. When you let go of him Dean nearly stumbled from how much he had leaned into the kiss. You looked at the brothers, both their eyes wide in shock.

“See?” you said, raising your hands. “It doesn’t do anything, and neither would a potion or an anti-spell or if I sang a Beatles song backwards. Because it is not a spell.” You punctuated the last words with your hand whirling in front of their faces.

“Uhm, okay,” Dean said, seeming a little rattled. “Somebody catch me up?” Sam collected himself as well, then pointed at the book. He quickly licked his lips, then explained:

“I thought I found something, it says here that the spell can be broken when the affected person is kissed by someone who loves them.” He cleared his throat, awkwardly, while Dean considered the implications of what he had just heard.

“Oh,” he said, also clearing his throat, then added: “Uhm, uh,” and nothing more. Sam narrowed his eyes as they scanned the page again.

“Wait, it says something else,” he added, then read while moving his lips.

“What is it?” Dean asked, sounding as casual as possible.

“Does it say that it’s not a spell and you should just believe me?” you asked in a cocky voice, the brothers pointedly ignoring you.

“It says,” Sam said, and then he sounded sad, defeated. “It says the love must be reciprocated by the affected person, or the kiss has no effect.” Sam swallowed, then shut the book. “I guess now we know why it didn’t work,” he said, his voice clipped. Dean took a second to catch up, then he looked at you.

“Oh,” he said again. It was quiet for a moment, while you looked back and forth between the two men. You were just about to say something when a voice cut the quiet.

“Usually I would ask what in the world the three of you are doing,” Rowena said from the far end of the room, and all three of you looked up at her. “But in this case I think I am happy to live in blissful ignorance.”

“Rowena,” Sam said, “you got my messages?”

“Not here for you, Samuel,” Rowena answered, and started walking over to you. “I’ve heard rumors that my son has been hexed and I thought, where could he be? And of course the first place I looked was here with his sworn enemies.” You raised your hands, then dropped them by your side.

“When is everyone doing all this swearing?” you asked.

“I can’t have people using his vulnerable state to their advantage,” Rowena continued, then made a face. “Or worse, laugh at him. They cannot see us as weak.” There were footsteps behind you and as you turned, Castiel and Crowley came back into the library.

“Mother,” Crowley said, looking less than happy. “I thought I smelled a note of evil incarnate.”

“Fergus,” Rowena responded, “whatever it is that useless voodoo witch has done to you, I’m here to reverse it.”

Just then you separated from Sam and Dean, instead walking over to Crowley, wrapping one arm around him while standing next to him. Rowena frowned at the picture.

“There’s no need for any reversing,” Crowley explained. “We are quite happy. It’s a simple case of us realizing our feeling for each other.” To everyone’s surprise, Rowena’s face lit up.

“Really?” she said, then looked at you. “You two do make a pretty couple. Maybe I won't reverse it.” You giggled, Crowley pulling you closer.

“You’re joking, right?” Sam asked the witch.

“Have you seen the harlots he usually runs with?” she asked. “It’s disgraceful for a king. A partner would do wonders for his popularity.” Then she looked back at you.

“Also,” she continued, “he could do worse, she’s actually useful. As opposed to some people.” Rowena rolled her eyes at Sam and Dean.

“I can think of some uses for you,” Crowley said in a low, seductive voice, looking down at you and leaning closer.

"And what would that be?" you said, looking at his lips.

“You would make a wonderful mother to my heir,” Crowley replied.

A small moan left you and you kissed him deeply. Dean looked like he was about to be sick.

“I need to Clorox my brain,” he muttered.

But the happy expression was also slowly vanishing from Rowena’s face. Castiel was the only one still playing with enough of a full deck to catch it.

“An heir,” he said, looking at the witch. “That would put you where exactly, on the succession to the throne?” Rowena looked at him with an expression so annoyed it might have accidentally set something on fire.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll revert it.” And before anyone else could react, she pointed at you and Crowley, saying a few words in Latin.

You blinked, then looked to your left and immediately jumped back.

“What in the—” you said while Crowley looked around, confused. You turned to Sam and Dean.

"Why was I touching Crowley?” you asked, voice a little shrill.

“Oh,” Rowena said, “there might be some memory loss accompanying the cure. Might be for the best.” Then she snapped her finger. “Fergus, we are leaving.” Crowley was still confused enough to follow the order.

“Thank you, Rowena,” Sam said and the short woman turned to him.

“You owe me,” she said, then her eyes fell on the book behind him.

“Oh, you were really on the wrong track,” she said, pointing at the book. Dean turned, also looking.

“What,” he said to Rowena, “Rudy not worth the hype?” Rowena scoffed.

“They should call him Rudolphus the Horny,” she responded. “He made up a bunch of kissing cures in the sixteenth century. Got the boils? Kiss someone. Bad with money? Kiss someone. You ask me, he was just trying to get around. There’s no proof that anything he wrote ever worked, but there is some solid evidence that his kissing cure was part of what made the Black Death spread so fast.”

Rowena hooked her arm through Crowley’s. “Anyway,” she said, and then the two were walking off. It was quiet for a moment, then Castiel, Sam and Dean all turned to you.

“How are you feeling?” Sam asked.

“Disturbed,” you answered.

“What do you remember?” Castiel asked.

“Not much,” you replied, then made a face. “I didn’t… touch Crowley any more than that, did I?” When the three men didn’t respond, your eyes widened.

“I didn’t kiss him right?” you said, your voice starting to sound panicked. Still none of them replied, all making faces.

“I need to shower,” you said, sounding defeated, then added: “From the inside, if such a thing is possible.”

“We tried to stop you,” Dean said, “but you were… insistent.”

“Aaahh,” you said, your hands going to your ears. “I don’t wanna hear that.” You pulled up your shoulders, shaking yourself and dropped your hands.

“Did I do anything else weird?” you asked, looking back at the brothers. They both went quiet for a second, uhm-ing and ah-ing.

“What?” you frowned at them. They didn’t answer, and then Dean blurted out: “Crowley talked about knocking you up.”  Your eyes went wide.

“I need to…” and then you were walking out of the room, stopping at the bar cart to grab one of the bottles. And off you went. Dean turned to Sam.

“Awesome,” he said in a sarcastic tone.

Castiel watched as the two brothers moved awkwardly around each other, each of them finally settling in a different chair, pretending to read something. The angel shook his head and sat down as well.