#when you're both idiots that like to goad each other

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 28 - Blunt

Blunt: Verb. To become blunt or dull. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Estinien Wyrmblood Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Just a nice little moment between these two during the Shadowbringers patches (post-5.3 essentially)! No spoilers are mentioned.

“I think my legs are going to fall off,” Ayaka complained, lying across the ground. Her lance was discarded somewhere on the ground nearby. “They feel like they’re on fire.”

“Is that not… your speciality…?” Estinien questioned, not even looking her way as he continued with his pushups. She could tell he was sweating from the excursion and wondered how long his particular brand of stubbornness would last.

“You’re hilarious,” she drawled, staring up at the clouds lazily floating overhead. Some of them looked disturbed from her and Estinien’s jumping attempts. The clearing they found on the outskirts of Mor Dhona was free of any wanderers or monsters, which made it the perfect place to practice their jumping. Unfortunately, that meant they had free reign to goad each other as much as they pleased.

Which is how Ayaka found herself wondering if her legs were going to buckle under her if she tried standing up. She was definitely out of practice with her skills as a Dragoon.

She turned her head and looked towards her companion. Ayaka noted the way his arms were starting to quiver and raised a brow in Estinien’s direction. “Are you not tired?”

“I’m fine,” he grunted, although his shaking voice gave him away. “I'm used to pushing through the pain.”

Ayaka refrained from mentioning that wasn’t something one should get used to, mostly because it would be hypocritical coming from her. Alphinaud—and now Alisaie, too—chided her enough on it. Instead, she took in the various scars that littered Estinien’s body. Most of them looked like they belonged to dragon claws and, while her time fighting against Nidhogg’s brood had been short, she felt herself wince in sympathy at a few of them.

“I suppose the rush of the battlefield does that,” Ayaka murmured, thinking of her own moments. The memory of that fight in Ghimlyt came to mind, her desperation overpowering the pain she felt from Elidibus puppetting Zenos’ body. She hardly remembered the fact that she collapsed on the battlefield.

She heard him grunt, this time with a bit more pain, and sighed. Ayaka tried sitting up—and immediately regretting it—and grabbed her lance. She twirled it around and used the pole to poke Estinien in the side, causing the man to give a tiny shriek (that neither of them were going to talk about ever) and lose his balance. He flopped on his side like an unimpressed cat before rolling over onto his back, arms spread out.

He looked over in her direction, a horribly displeased look on his face. “Are you mad?” he asked, glaring.

Ayaka shrugged, throwing her lance a little bit further away and flopping on her back as well. “Maybe.”

“That would explain a lot.”

“Twice now you’ve made a joke today! Is the world ending?”

Estinien groaned, a pained look on his face for a split second. “Knowing our luck? Yes.”

That got a laugh out of Ayaka, with Estinien soon joining in. True, they both were probably in much more pain than they realized at the moment, but for now she’d enjoy cloud watching to pass the time. Either the pain would dull more considerably or one of their friends would notice their absence went on longer than planned—whichever came first.

[shallowseeker]

Cas is right. Dean, with all of his free will intact, would NOT have murdered the Stynes kid.

Like Cas, with his free will intact, would never have murdered Samandriel.

Their assessments of one another are actually correct.

///

Both are on their way to becoming mindless super-soldiers who feel nothing.

And essentially, they tell each other, "you're gonna have to go through me" (to become that).

///

Some similarities in the fight scenes:

They both reach out a hand to the other's shoulder, saying the other's name:

///

Both twist the other's hand away:

///

They ask each other to: "Stop," both telling the other in so many words that "this isn't you."

Their styles differ, of course. Dean goads Cas defiantly: "Come on you coward, do it!" Cas tries to remain level-headed and controlled, only moving to block and restrain.

Essentially, their desires are the same, for the other to stop.

///

With everyone telling them who they should be, and trying to make them into things other than what their big hearts would actually want, they beg each other to stay as they are.

I don't want you to be what they want you to be.

Just be you. Just be.

///

///

And then, much like Cas in the crypt... flight. Cas leaves.

Dean leaves.

///

And here's what's on my mind... They were both GOOD at being soldiers. Unbelievably good.

Their talents were recognized early and exploited. They became chained to their respective battle aptitudes.

Both had to reckon with becoming addicted to war, to the feeling of adrenaline and black-and-white causes (see: Purgatory, hunting, etc.). Both often feel too much responsibility, punishing themselves and undertaking penance.

They struggled with thinking it's all they were good for, battle or WORK.

Or worse. For Dean, it was often being one of the "crazy ones," only "good for a fling." For Cas, it was often "being expendable."

They're looked down upon by the likes of Metatron: Cas is like a "dumb puppy," a "stupid, lumbering jock." Even Crowley talks to Dean this way on occasion: "It's math (idiot)."

It's also like when Death calls Cas a "stupid soldier." Or when the British Men of Letters call the ones on the ground doing the fighting and getting their hands dirty "dogs." Or when Henry calls hunters "apes."

Despite their supposed "legacy lineage," Sam and Dean inherited the Campbell class. The soldier class.

Interesting to me that Jack inherits this, too. Despite his aptitude for nearly everything he touches (computers, research, even blossoming machete skills when he kills Noah the Gorgon), Jack too will inherit this Campbell-coded "stupidity."

That's what Chuck charges him with in Unity: "TOO STUPID."

Jack has Cas and Dean's class: the soldier class.

[angelmichelangelo]

Could I ask for some.... Raph whump? Any version of Raph? I have a mighty need to see my boy hurt and cared for and I feel like you're the only one who'd do it justice

good ol' reliable 2007 coming in hot for ya anon! enjoy :D (and don't forget you can read all of these prompts on my ao3 too!)

x

His skull bounces heavy off the concrete, rattling his brain like loose change in the inside of his pocket, his vision whites out for a minute before the adrenaline is cruising through his body at lightning speed, forcing him to move. There’s the unmistakable sound of a bullet slicing through the air, missing him by a very slim inch, and fear has its big ugly hands wrapped around his throat as he struggles to suck down one measly mouthful of air. The mugger stumbles backwards from the force of the gun. Grinning wildly with red soaked teeth, Raphael forces himself up. His whole body protests greatly. Stay down, one side of his brain begs. Fight back, the other goads him. Fight back until there is no fight left. So Raph does exactly that. Spurred on with fear and anger, he charges forwards, barreling his much heavier frame into the man’s lilith, smaller stature, sending them both spilling onto the alleyway ground. No doubt the sound of the gun would send a barrage of cops spilling in the darkened alleyway at any moment, so he really was working on borrowed time here. His fist manages to connect hard with jawbone, crunching under gloved knuckles, the man groans in agony, reeling back as if to protect himself from what had already come. Raph rears his elbow back and drives his hand down again. And again. And again. He stops moaning. Stops trying to get away. Limp beneath his heaving, breathless body, blood smeared messily across paleing, bruised skin. There’s the sound of sirens wailing into the night. He pulls himself away on unsteady feet, his vision once again swirling as his brain sloshes about in his head. He just about makes it onto his bike, peeling away as the cops spill onto the scene armed and ready and so confused. Raph doesn’t think he’s going to make it home. Nausea sweeps heavily over him, his bike sways from lane to lane, dangerously close on a few calls. A car horn blares angrily at him, causing his whole body to jerk back awake – he hadn’t even realized he was slipping into unconsciousness. He finds his manhole cover just as bile starts to crawl its way up the back of throat; thick and hot, it makes way for the vomit that follows. He yanks his bike helmet off in time to spew his guts up over the sidewalk. His teeth feel rubbery and his whole entire body is wracked with a shiver. He slowly makes his way home, head buzzing with each laborious step. Donnie finds him halfway slumped over the kitchen table. He tugs his headset off to hang loose around his neck, his face pinched together with sincerity as he rushes toward him. “Are you trying to get yourself killed, Raphael?” Is what he says when he sits him down, voice clipped and concerned. Raph sinks into the wooden chair as Don grabs the first aid kit from the cupboard above the stove. He hums blearily, letting his eyes slide shut before there’s his brother's eyes pinching them back open, making him flinch violently. “You’re an idiot.” A quick swish of light from the tiny flashlight Donnie now wielded. He swishes it to the other eye. “You’re an idiot with a concussion. A bad one.” He keeps his eyes open long enough to watch his brother tear the headset off his body and set it down heavily onto the table, accompanied with a long, drawn out sigh. “Yes.” Raph finally answers him. “Maybe I am.” Donnie blinks, looking confused for a moment before the realization settles over him from his previous, more rhetorical question. He deadpans his brother, unsure of what other expression to don for the time being. “Well,” he says shortly. “You’re doing a damned good job of trying.” His breath wobbles in his throat when he inhales. “Here. You need a bandaid for that.” For what, Raph isn’t sure. Not until there’s something wet and icy stinging like crazy above his brow bone and Donnie is pressing a Hello Kitty bandaid over his broken, weeping skin. 

There’s a still quiet that settles between them both like a smog in the middle of two, unmovable mountains. Donnie packs away his cotton buds and bandaids when Raph’s chest stutters like the old Cowabunga Carl van backfiring on a bad day. “I–” he says, causing Donnie’s warm eyes to flicker upwards towards him. Hopeful. Expectant. “Sometimes I don’t know,” he tells him, voice loopy from the concussion, his admission seems to just slide from him without notice. “What I’m doing. I don’t know.” Donnie blinks, then frowns. He closes the box and cradles it carefully to his chest, like some sort of security blanket. Raph wants to say more. Wishes he could. But his brain swims about in his skull like a buoy untethered, and nothing seems to ever make sense, even when the ocean of his thoughts were calm. He still could never quite find the words. Donnie stands and sighs. Still expectant. “Me neither, Raph,” he tells him, voice quiet. Raph just blinks at him, drawing his gaze away from his softening expression to stare at the old, chipped tiles on the kitchen floor. It’s then that his gut decides to chuck up the last of his scraps dinner all over it, making Donnie leap back with surprise. “Woah-hey!” He says at once, dancing about the puddle with a grim look about him. Raph spits and then burps and heaves a second time, but there’s nothing more to come out of him, leaving his gut to roll and squeeze around muscle and nothing else. “Fuck,” Raph hisses, palming his aching head with a trembling hand. He doesn’t catch Donnie’s worrisome expression but does feel his hands on his shoulders, guiding him upwards towards the couch. “Okay. I’m gonna suggest you lay down for a bit,” he tells him sternly, pushing him down into the soft give of the couch cushions. Raph gladly goes, his head still spinning and his stomach still flipping about inside of him. “I’ll stay up anyway, keep an eye on you.” Raph tries to move his hand away but the pulsing hurt increases tenfold, and he hisses in pain, pressing his head into the cushion to help ease it. “Don’t fight me on this, Raph,” Donnie warns him. It’s a tone that Raph knows is not to be taken lightly, so he doesn’t. He just closes his eyes and rests his poor, swimming head back.

Donnie fetches him a cup of water and two tiny little pills, probably scraped from the last of their reserves because he’s always needing them for stupid things like this.

Guilt flickers hot and fiery in his chest. It does however, snub out when Don fixes him a hardened stare when he looms over him. “You know. You could avoid all of this.” Lecturing him, once more, for the things Raph could not, would not control. “I mean. What good does this all do? Going off into the night, fighting–” Raph forces himself to sit up, even when every nerve ending all the way from the base of his skull to the bottom of his shell sings out in sharp, fierce protest. “S’better than doing nothin’, Don,” he snarls at him, like an angry dog. “At least I’m doin’ somethin’. Pickin’ up where… where that idiot left off.” His words ring out like an echo around the empty, still quiet of the room. Donnie says nothing for a while. Still standing there, his arms once crossed over his plastron now limply fall to his sides as an exhausted sounding exhale breezes past his lips. “We all miss him, Raphael,” he speaks, voice so soft and gentle, it almost comes as a whisper. Raph barks a sharp laugh and rests his head back. Each movement, each word pains him, but he spits it all out anyway, like vomit on the kitchen floor. “I don’t miss him,” he says, voice poised with venom and anger. “I’m glad he left. I hope he doesn’t ever come back.” Donnie shifts from foot to foot, bottom lip twitching, like he might try to say something to salvage the moment. Whatever he does next, Raph doesn’t watch, instead letting his eyes slide shut as the pills start to work their magic where they slug about his system. It’s a while until Donnie says anything again, his voice small and unsure, he tells him, “Just make sure you’re back in your room before sunrise.” A beat. “You know Mike worries when he sees you like this.” He shuffles off, no doubt to go clear up his mess, his next words almost go unnoticed on the account of how quickly he’s falling asleep, “We all do, Raph.”

[lautity]

they are so intertwined.....no one will ever understand them. not even each other. ESPECIALLY not each other......worst luck Ever to fall in love with a girl who is your direct opposite but also the exact same person......and you can never truly love her the way you want or think she deserves but also it is irrelevant what you think because she looks at you like you're her whole world and You Are. and she is yours. and even if you know it is slowly killing you both she will always be there. even when she's not. the absence of something is also its presence. and one night she's sitting on your windowsill smoking and looking out at the streets and you teasingly say "you know that'll kill you" and she looks back at you and says "so will this, though. so will you" but there's no trace of anger or any indication that she wants it any other way.

i didn't say their name but you thought about them didn't you

they sicken me. the thing killing you is also the only thing keeping you alive in a sort of twisted mutual parasitism. i keep thinking about how they feed into each other's worst traits...... steph is an endless void to be filled with attention and lex is kind of drunk on the feeling of being needed + in control. i need them both dead

okay i got extremely off topic just talking about why they're even together. sorry

lex cant stand most people, because most people are painfully stupid. initially, lex likes her because she's cynical. she isn't an idiot, she doesn't sugar-coat shit, she's anti-authority to a fault. lex was basically born an anarchist, obviously she thinks its hot based when the mayor's daughter commits crimes.

steph thinks they're cool. they live in the grunge-punk scene she's always yearned for (from the comfort of her 4-bedroom home). they play music and smoke weed and don't care what anyone thinks. steph cares too much, all the time, so this is quite impressive.

and getting attention from lex is like drawing blood from a stone. it's so rare and so valuable and steph is very quickly hooked on it. half-smiles and smirks and shotgun kisses and their approval after a smooth shoplifting run. it makes her feel special.

i think steph's. consistency? devotion? is a big appeal for lex. she's just there, all the time, she's down to go anywhere or do anything lex wants, just to be around her. nobody has ever been there for her. and steph doesn't leave when things get hard, despite her background. lex appreciates the commitment, even if she thinks it's stupid. she doesn't know what she's done to deserve it. a Lot of people have failed them. like. basically everyone they've ever met. but they know steph is unconditionally reliable*. maybe lex even feels a little safe around her. maybe. i think this trust persists after they break up (and get back together, and break up, ad nauseam), because steph is truly incapable of moving on from anyone, ever. steph won't let her die. steph will bail her out, steph will protect her, steph will find her next hit, steph will drag her out of hell over and over. the love of a dog for her master is notorious, even in the agony of death. * unconditionally reliable... for lex. your mileage may vary.

i Do think they have to sort of confront how toxic this is, after a major fight. probably a physical fight. probably a physical fight that awakens some feelings about violence. conveniently, they have found a fantastic outlet for all this frustration lex has. it sates steph's desire to be useful and to constantly be giving (because it doesn't feel like love if she isn't tearing herself to pieces). the worse lex treats her, the clingier she gets. it's fascinating.

sigh. sorry. i am actually insane about the levels of fucked up they could achieve though. intentionally triggering your partner.... steph has been known to goad lex to anger (because it's hot). lex may have once or twice accidentally-on-purpose caused steph to split, just. to see. things they're both aware of but not discussing. an open secret. because neither of them really mind. even though it hurts

[bluntforcefem]

also 8. an arm sneaking around a waist, holding them close with psyche (or, substitution eli if youd prefer) plus character of choice

in the aftermath the lines between crews are blurred as they mingle and drink and party; psyche falls in step with ace and caledula when they can't find kidd and killer, laughing and leaning and finally letting themself breath. they don't get drunk - can't - but they almost feel it secondhand.

ace's head falls to their shoulder a little while later, drowsy. psyche startles, cloth smudging as they dig their hand into the dirt, but he's undeterred and after a moment, so are they.

or they would be, if it wasn't for their idiot of a captain.

"psyche," kidd snaps, not quite a growl. psyche looks up and around until they see him, eyebrows raised in question. "where the hell've you been?"

"... right here, captain?" they let their skepticism seep into their voice, layered and sharp. "you n' kil are the- the ones who ran off all by your lonesome. come on."

there must be some slip in their expression, because instead of goading him into an argument he just rolls his eyes and drops down next to them, arm sliding around their waist. in the moment it takes them to look around for killer - and find him, a few steps away talking to roronoa - kidd yanks them into his lap.

ace's head falls and he startles awake, hat catching fire as he glowers at kidd. "hey-! they were here first, asshole, give 'em back."

"they're my damn crew," kidd retorts, "and i get to do whatever the hell i want."

psyche sighs and makes pained eye contact with caledula, who sits there unhelpfully and looks amused, raising one eyebrow at them as if to ask: what the hell are you going to do about it?

"both of you- fuck off," they mutter, wiggling out of kidd's grasp and crawling over to lay down in caledula's lap.

she blinks down at them, bottle hanging loosely from her hand, and shrugs as she sets it down. "that settles that. go find your damn husbands, we're gonna sit down right here and wait."

ace blinks and jolts at the reminder, exhaustion snapping away as he jumps to his feet. "you're right, yamato wouldn't do this to me- i'm gonna go get him, so don't go anywhere, okay?"

"wouldn't dream of it," dula drawls. his gaze strays to kidd in challenge as he cards a hand through the yarn of psyche's hair. "and you?"

"one of mine is right fuckin' there," kidd snarls. psyche opens one eye and shoots him a warning look, and he glares right back, stubborn. "you're gonna pay for this one later, stuffie."

"go get kil, idiot, 'm napping."

"you're gonna wish you were napping when i'm done with you." psyche snickers, and kidd groans, reaching over to tap them on the head with an empty bottle. "you're such a piece of shit, whatever. a couple weeks without your captain and it's all fuckin'- insubordination central, i see how it fuckin' is. mutiny. kil wouldn't do this to me."

"he would," killer says, having finally wandered back over from his own conversation. there's the telltale strain to his voice already, and he doesn't say anything else, just crouches down next to kidd and leans.

kidd jerks his hand in his direction, raising his eyebrows in challenge. psyche stays put, just as stubborn - when he really wants them over there, they'll know. nobody knows the next time these crews'll see each other (not that psyche wants to be thinking about it, on a night like this) and, of course, dula's lap is comfy.

they won't make him wait too long, though. they've missed their captain and first mate far too much for that.

[cherryblossom-chopper]

》Pages Upon Pages《

Content: Usopp Fluff. Ambiguous Reader. Confessions. God this is way longer than I meant it to be.

————— ୨୧ —————

"Come on, Usopp," Nami prodded, poking his cheek with her finger, "I know you're lying to me." She was torn between a grin and an agitated pout.

"That's my whole schtick," Usopp scoffed, ignoring Nami's poking. His arms were firmly crossed over his broad chest. He yelped when the navigator pinched his skin.

"Watching the two of you dance around each other is getting old," Nami informed her friend, "Just confess to (Name) already so Sanji and I don't have to watch."

For a moment, Usopp swore he had stopped breathing. "I have nothing to confess," he insisted, looking away. His cheeks burned with embarrassment, but he told himself it was just the heat from the sun.

"You look at them like they’re the sun, the moon, and all stars," Nami crossed her arms over her chest, paralleling Usopp's posture. Her eyebrow raised, unimpressed with his antics.

"I do not! How could you even accuse me of that?" Usopp gasped, “You’re slandering me!”

Rolling her eyes, Nami opened her mouth to give him a retort when (Name) came striding up to them. Nami's frown turned into a smirk as her friend went rigid.

"Usopp, I need your help," (Name) proclaimed, fidgeting with an object in their hands. They looked at him with soft doe eyes as they held up a broken wristwatch, "Can you fix it?"

"Hm, I don't know, (Name)," Usopp teased, dramatically inspecting the watch, "How'd you break it?"

"I tried to break up Zoro and Sanji's fight," they said sheepishly, rubbing the back of their neck, "Again."

Usopp sighed and put the watch in his pocket. "Yeah, I can fix it for you," he offered (Name) a lopsided smile.

They beamed up at him and clasped his hand with both of theirs. "Thank you, Usopp!" (Name) gave his hand a squeeze.

They lingered there for a moment before (Name) let go. They waved to Nami before disappearing past the Thousands Sunny's orchard.

Usopp stayed staring at the spot they’d just been, until Nami elbowed him in the ribs. When he glared at her, Usopp was met with a shit-eating grin.

"Say it," Nami goaded, her smile widened at Usopp's flushed expression. (Name)’s perfect timing was the icing on the cake.

"Okay, fine," Usopp threw his hands up in surrender, "They’re perfect, and I want to kiss them all the time, and yeah, maybe I daydream about us being together. So what?"

Nami groaned, "(Name)'s into you too, idiot. Have you seen the way they look at you?"

Usopp covered his mouth as a giddy smile painted his face. His heart beat hard into his chest, and his stomach clenched. (Name) was a little shy around him, but they were shy around everyone. "What makes me so special?" he asked Nami.

"That's literally the point of confessing, finding out why you’re special" Nami said, clapping his back, "Get to it before someone else does."

"Someone else?" Usopp implored. Bile felt like it was going to rise in his throat.

"You know how Sanji is. Besides, (Name) is cute and innocent-looking; anyone would try to snap them up," Nami shrugged, sending a sideways smile his way.

"Oh fuck off," Usopp groaned, "You're not going to get me jealous over someone who's not even my partner."

"Then we’ll go to a club on the next island, and you can find out if they come back with me," Nami countered, a hand placed on her hip.

"That's not funny, Nami," Usopp grunted, glaring at her. A wave of jealousy swelled in his stomach.

"It is funny," she replied, barely containing her laughter, "The look on your face is to die for."

"Fine, fine, if it gets you to stop, I'll do it," Usopp acquiesced, rubbing his face with his palms.

"Finally, just put us out of our misery already," Nami groaned, smirking at him.

~~~

Another balled-up piece of paper bounced off the side of the trash bin. Usopp swore and picked up. Frowning, he looked down at the dozen or so similar crunched paper balls already in the trash. The setting sun shone through the fish tank, filling the room with golden orange hues.

"This is so stupid," he muttered, dropping the failed love note into the trash. He'd worn down the eraser on his pencil before switching to a pen, all while trying to pour his heart out on paper. Usopp must've sat by the aquarium for hours to ensure each word was perfect.

"What's stupid?"

The voice behind him nearly made Usopp jump out of his skin. "Gods, (Name)," he clutched his chest, "Don't sneak up on me like that."

They giggled and apologized. "You weren't at dinner, so I came to check on you," they explained, "Nami said you were working on an important project." (Name) began snooping around the lounge for his work.

"I've been here way longer than I thought," Usopp replied, anxiously watching them, "Sorry!"

"Don't be sorry," (Name) assured him, a sweet smile on their face, "This always happens when you work on something important."

Usopp inched closer toward the open notebook in an attempt to nonchalantly cover up the evidence of his inevitable confession. "Yeah- uh, sure, I guess I do get pretty invested in stuff," he said with words that came out strangled. Usopp coughed into his fist to try and cover it up.

"I've barely seen you all day," (Name) replied, "Show me what you've been working on." Their head tilted like a curious puppy.

"It's not done yet. I-I can't show you unfinished work," Usopp stammered, face flushed.

"Aw, come on," (Name) protested, "I hate it when you're not around; I've gotta see what's been taking up all of your time."

"This is a secret project," Usopp insisted, looking away, "I don't want you to see it until it's perfect."

"Hm, well, can I at least sit with you while you work?" They asked, rocking back and forth on the balls of their feet.

"I can't have any interruptions because even someone as great as me can have writer's block," Usopp deflected their cute gesture with his vibrato.

"Hm, so it's a writing project. What could it be?" (Name) wondered out loud, wandering over to the towering bookshelf, "Are you writing your will?"

A grin crept onto his cheeks as Usopp plopped back on the couch. His hands grasped the notebook he’d been scribbling in tightly. "Yeah, sure. You and Nami are getting all of my worldly possessions," he muses, putting pen back to paper.

(Name)'s fingers trailed a book's spine, "Then it must be a memoir of your great adventures, embellishments and all."

"I do want to write one of those," Usopp hummed, his eyes wandering from the page to (Name), who was still inspecting the bookshelf.

They paused when her fingers touched one of Nami's romance novellas. "Usopp," (Name) said softly, "Are you writing a love letter?"

Usopp nearly choked. "M-me?" he waved his hand in front of his face, "I would never. I'm not that big of a sap."

"You can't lie to me," (Name) pointed an accusatory finger at him, "Who's it for? That Kaya girl, right?"

"What? No!" Usopp protested. He got to his feet when (Name) rushed up to him.

"Let me see it," (Name) jumped to grab the notebook that had been raised over Usopp's head, "You gotta let me read it before you send it."

"Get off me, damn it!" Usopp demanded as (Name) tried to climb on him to reach it, "Why do you even want to read it?"

"Because- erm," (Name) paused, "Because… I don't know; I'm nosey, I guess. It doesn't matter why; just let me see."

"It's not even a love letter to Kaya," Usopp huffed, stretching his arm farther out of their reach, "I haven't seen her in years!"

"Who else could you possibly be confessing to?" (Name) planted their hands on their hips, "Last I checked, you were obsessed with her."

Usopp scoffed, "I've never been obsessed with her. We're just friends." He tossed the notebook onto the couch behind him.

When (Name) dove for it, he grabbed their wrist. "Come on, Usopp," (Name) attempted to tug their hand free, "Let go."

"I can't let you read it," Usopp said, his face pulled into a piercing expression, "I'm not done writing it yet."

(Name)'s struggling stopped, and their hand went limp in his grasp. It was rare for them to see him look so stern. Their stomach sank, and the burn of tears stung the back of their eyes. This was real. A love confession was on his mind, and (Name) was out of time. They had lost their chance. "Sorry," (Name) murmured, "I didn't mean to overstep."

Letting them go, Usopp noted their expression. "Don't make that face. I'll give it to you when I'm done. I promise," Usopp said with furrowed brows. His heart squeezed at the defeated look.

"It's fine," they insisted, "Whoever you're giving it to is one lucky person. I hope they make you happy."

Panic set in as it dawned on Usopp. (Name) had no clue what was about his feelings. That dummy. That cute, loving dummy. Usopp's mouth dried when they breezed past him, heading toward the door. The overwhelming fear of losing them consumed him. And in an instant, his hand jut out to grab (Name) again.

"It's for you, damn it!" Usopp cried, his fingers curling around the fabric of their sleeve. He stared at them for a long moment. The silence made the air heavy. Usopp swallowed thickly before murmuring, "It's you. It's always been you."

"Don't say that if you don't mean it," (Name) withdrew from him, wringing their wrists. They broke his gaze in favor of the wooden floor.

Usopp hesitated before taking their hand. His grasp was gentle despite the callouses. "Look, (Name), I feel- Gods, this is embarrassing. Every time you walk into the room, all my focus is drawn to you. I've made it my mission to make you smile because it makes my heart burn in the best way," he confessed; his entire body ached when (Name) finally looked up at him. Usopp could feel the heat of a blush touching his cheeks and ears.

"I think I feel the same way," they offered him a shaky smile, "You kind of make my stomach hurt."

Usopp chuckled, "You make my stomach hurt too." His breath hitched when they squeezed his hand.

"What now?" (Name) asked, reluctantly pulling their hand out of his, "Maybe we could get dinner on the next island. Just you and me."

"Yeah, I'd like to have dinner with you," Usopp couldn't stop smiling. His heart thumped so hard he suspected his ribcage would break. His hands itched to caress (Name)’s face, slide them down to the small of their back, and lean in and kiss them. Like always, he hesitated and lost his chance.

Luffy was calling (Name)'s name for something less important than the current moment.

"I should probably go before he comes down here," they said with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah, probably," Usopp replied softly. He didn't want them to leave not so soon after spilling his guts, but what else was there to say? Sure, he could keep going on about how he was assuredly in love with (Name), about how every moment without them was pointless, or how he thought about this moment since the crew had been separated. Usopp opened his mouth to say something, anything, to keep (Name) from leaving.

They leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. "We'll talk later," (Name) promised before disappearing to answer the captain's call.

Usopp watched them with wide eyes. His fingers pressed against his warm cheek where their lips had been. A face-splitting grin broke out on his cheeks before he turned back to the long-forgotten notebook. All the pages in the trash and the scribbled-out words couldn't live up to his relief. Pages upon pages of his worries were dissipated with a single kiss.

Usopp nearly collapsed back into his seat. His entire body radiated with divine joy and anxious exhaustion; it was a similar sensation after surviving a battle. He let out a breathy laugh. "I guess Nami was right after all," he mused before returning to his notebook. Usopp had a dinner date to plan.

————— ୨୧ —————

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[jin-was-here-2]

Ship Questions: McReigns Edition 2

Who In Your Ship:

drives when they go on road trips? do they switch at the halfway point? does one drive there and the other drive back?

It's who ever's less tired or just wants to. It's one of those things they just have to do and want to be over and done with.

Roman is a radio hog no matter if he's the one driving or not.

looks over the menu for fifteen minutes before ordering the same thing they order EVERYWHERE they go? does the other half of your ship get annoyed by this, or do they find it endearing?

Roman's a foodie; he likes to know what all his options are. But a lot of the time he also wants to get something he knows he'll like. Drew finds it annoyingly endearing.

is more likely to get arrested?

...Drew. ...Just... sometimes certain types of people can really set him off and he gets a little... well, psycho. Great for in the ring... not so much in public.

is afraid of rollercoasters? does the other half of your ship try and convince them to face the fear, or do they take a softer approach and not push them at all?

Roman's not big on heights and crazy rides. Prefers the slower stuff. He can actually enjoy those and have fun. Rollercoasters aren't really Drew's thing either way, but he had fun goading Roman on to one once.

"C'mooon. You'll go against anyone and anything in the ring, but a little bumping does you in, Big Dog?"

"First of all, that isn't ''a little'' anything. Second, fine. But if I die I'm coming back to haunt you."

"Pffff. Noted."

shows up at home with a dog unannounced despite the fact they’ve already got three/four/however many pets?

Roman. He loves animals. Especially Dogs. (So do his brothers Seth and Dean. They're all bad influences for each other. When it comes to them.) So what if they already have a pomeranian, two chihuahuas, and a house cat? What's one more cute and fluffy family member? I mean really?

It drives Drew up the wall, because the only one he can really tolerate is the cat (They have a shared understanding of each other) and they always have people coming to their door looking for their bloody animals.

demands that they do date night? does the other person complain or do they go with it just to see the excited look on their partners face?

Roman. He's a total romantic. Mostly for the little shows of it. So the big things aren't something he needs all the time or even often. But there are times when the big ones go a long way with him.

Like they go out a lot, to just be together, however they don't really call them dates. It's just mutually nice. But sometimes Roman's bit by a love bug and wants a date date. And Drew obliges to keep the bf happy because he wants the bf happy.

is the clumsy one whose always tripping up flights of stairs or over their own feet? does it stress the other half of your ship out or do they find it hilarious?

Neither one is really clumsy. In fact, for two behemoths, they're suprising graceful.

*picks the music when they’re in the car? does the other complain about their taste in music?

insists on paying for everything when they’re out? do they fight about it?

Neither one really cares, but sometimes Drew takes it upon himself to be a little annoying. And then Roman will do the same next time to get him back for being a tit.

is the one to quietly suggest they get high together for the first time? how does the other half of your ship react?

Oh man. Well seeing as he has a nice plug in Dean and Renee, Roman. Drew dosen't have anything against it he just happens to not do it. And Roman wanted to see him high sooooooo baaad.

is secretly terrified of horror movies and yet watches them all the time bc its something the other half of your ship loves?

Roman, 'cause Drew likes a good scary movie. And it gives him a reason to curl up to him for comfort. (Which is also why Drew picks them in the first place a lot of the time.) Roman's ok with monster movies; you can physically fight monsters. It's the supernatural stuff that messes with him.

talks in their sleep? does their partner record it and call them out, or not tell them and keep it as a secret so they can keep enjoying it?

Roman talks in his sleep. Mostly loving on his brothers, pets, or Drew in his sleep. Drew secretly loves it. It's pure and soft and for his eyes only. Especially when there are little moans mixed in. He has started something more than once, kissing Roman awake once he heard those.

brings up the conversation of marriage + babies? how does the conversation go?

Roman wants allllll the kids ok. He has too much big dad energy to not want kids. It as to go somewhere. It'd be a long while before they have that conversation though. And Drew's gonna be caught off guard by it no matter when.

has to pull the other back by their back of their sweater when they try and do something stupid in public?

Both have had to. For trying to fight idiots in public. Roman more so 'cause Drew has like zero patience for people's bullshit.

is more likely to pick the other up from the airport with an obnoxiously large cardboard sign? what does the sign say?

YES. It's a dumb joke between them at this point.

Some of Roman's:

"You're evil cat has locked me out the bedroom. So now you're in the dog house. >:c"

"Looking for a tall unapproachable scary man. I'm very worried."

Some of Drew's:

"Here for The Big... Puppy. c:<"

"Looking for my lover. He's big, friendly, and will follow you if you give him food. I'm very not worried."

tries to cook a meal and accidentally almost burns the house down?

Drew. Poor man. Roman will never let him live it down. ...But I mean who burns spaghetti that bad?????

deliberately makes a squeaky chair squeak until the other person flips out?

Roman, 'cause he likes to push Drew's buttons every chance he gets. Rile him up. He thinks he's hot when he's annoyed. ...Especially at him.

falls asleep no matter what position they’re in + needs to be carried to bed?

Roman. He's a very sleepy boy.

They'll be watching a movie in the living room and Drew'll spot him nodding off.

"You better not be falling asleep. I am not carrying you to bed."

"Mmm.....zzzzzzz."

But then he dose. 'Cause he loooove hiiiimmmm.

is the little spoon when they cuddle?

Roman. Uhhhh he's baby??? And Drew pretty much makes sure of it for the most part. But there are times where Roman will snuggle up behind Drew and it's nice.

hates thunderstorms and needs to be comforted for the duration?

Neither one. Storms are whatever.

brings the other breakfast in bed? is it a proper cooked breakfast - or just an old muffin?

Both on occasions. Roman goes all out with a proper home cooked breakfast. Drew was very dimple-y that morning.

Drew went with pre-packaged muffins and yogurt. And Roman was just as touched by it.

convinces the other to go on a hike? do they love it, or are they absolutely miserable?

Drew, but it depends. They both like working out but Roman can be a little lazy or in a mood about it. But by the end he'd have had a good time.

uses emojis in replace of words? does it drive the other person insane?

Roman loves emojis. More so when he finds out Drew hates excessive use of them. It got so bad Drew gave him a limit. No more than two per paragraph or "bad things will happen".

can never admit they’re wrong?

They both have their moments.

lets the dog sleep on the bed when the other isn’t paying attention?

Roman. Everytime he's caught Drew throws a mighty fit. But like the dogs are super cute????? And he wants to be close to them?????

who decorates their house? does the other come home and blink at all the pastel pink and force a smile despite how much they hate it?

Roman's more decorative, but nothing so extreme that Drew hates it. Actually Drew is the one with this lounge chair that's so god-awful that Roman would like to see it burned

is more likely to get into a fight to defend the other?

Drew. It's actually how he realized he was catching feelings for Roman? And Roman highkey likes seeing himself being fought over.

is constantly spewing random facts about absolutely anything and everything? does it annoy the other person or do they find it all interesting?

Drew, and Roman finds it very interesting at times.

is the lovey dovey drunk?

Roman. He gets very touchy-feely. Like more so than usual.

laughs at their own jokes? does the other laugh at the joke… or at their partner?

When the joke or comeback is at the other's expense they laugh at their own joke. It's a hit or miss whether the other laughs at the joke or not.

is competitive about EVERYTHING?

Both. They really bring out the competitiveness out of each other.

apologises first when they have a fight?

Roman. He doesn't like when things aren't ok for too long.

makes the other a flower crown? does the other wear it without complaint or beg not to be embarrassed?

Drew wouldn't be caught dead making or wearing a flower crown.

is more likely to put their fist through a wall when they’re angry?

Either one. As long as it's not their wall. Roman expecially has too much pride in the house .

sends the other memes despite the fact they’re laying in bed next to each other?

Roman. He forgets 'cause Drew, Dean, and Seth are the usual ones he sends things he thinks are funny.

wears the others clothes the most?

Roman. 'Cause he can wear Drew's tops and bottoms. But they basically share pants at this point.

pranks the other on a near constant basis? how does the other react?

They drive each other nuts with how much they mess with each other, already. Only a few times has it turned into a full-blown Prank War. Which Roman is really good at 'cause uhhhh Dean. Drew knows he can't win.

comes up with obnoxiously sappy pet names for the other just to watch them roll their eyes?

Drew. He loves throwing up sarcastic sickeningly sweet pet names. He knows how they sound coming from someone like him. And sometimes he'll say them close to Roman's ear just to see him squirm.

forgets their anniversary

Neither. But we're talking about the big ones.

Roman likes to keep track of the little ones. Ya know, just to think about and reminisce.

is impulsive and makes big choices for them without stopping to think through what it all means?

...Drew. It's something they really have to work on because it has caused a lot of fights. He just gets in these moods sometimes where he "thinks he knows best, and if you don't agree well then that's too damn bad". Roman's used to group compromise. So that kind of attitude get's right up Roman's nose, and he's too strong willed himself to deal with it so they clash.

writes cute messages for the other on the bathroom mirror when they have a shower?

Roman. He'll be brushing his teeth and'll spot the mirror steaming back up from Drew showering and'll write something short and sweet like "love you ♡". And

Then while he's getting dressed Drew'll hug him and kiss his on the head. "You're cute."

has to do the dishes because the other gags any time they stick their hands in the water?

Can I just take the time to say I loathe nasty ass dish water.

Neither really. But Drew really ain't about that life. "We have a dishwasher for a reason."

jumps into the pool without testing the temperature, and who dips their toes in first?

Roman cannonballs without a second thought. He's so used to water. Drew prefers to test it first.

tries to kill bugs in the house… and which one stops them and gets the bug out of the house alive and well?

If there's a bug it needs to go. Preferably with Drew dealing with it.

can speak a second/third/forth language and uses it to annoy the other when they’re fighting?

Neither? If they do they don't annoy each other with it.

says i love you first? does the other immediately say it back?

It was surprisingly Drew. When they weren't at all together or even that friendly with each other but were sleeping together fairly regularly. ...It was a very confusing time. And something that had been bubbling up for awhile.

wins when they arm wrestle?

Ooooo. Oooooooooooo. They're 2-3 'cause Drew just broke the tie. But that's ok. Soon.

gets caught singing some old, corny one direction song to themselves?

Usually it's Roman. But everyone has had What Makes You Beautiful stuck in their head. Everyone. Even big ol' scary Drew.

"...Ar- Are you singing‐?"

"NO."

is forever forcing the other to take selfies with them? does the other person complain every time?

Drew don't do selfies. Or at least not often. Roman doesn't either but they're fun with other people. Drew complains a lot but he does it in the end.

shows up at the others house with chinese food + a six pack of beer when they’re having a bad day?

Roman. Beer and food make everything better.

sends the cheesy good morning/night texts?

When they were apart Roman would always send good night texts. Later on Drew would send morning ones when ever they're apart.

can never admit that they were wrong?

Drew has his moments.

suggests they send out a christmas card together? does the other go for it, or question when they turned into old people?

Roman saw it in movie one year and suggested it. Half for as joke and half because he really wanted to. It'd be funny. ...Nice, maybe? Drew definitely asked when they turned into old people.

is a morning person and who pulls the covers up over their head and begs for five more minutes?

Roman likes his "beauty sleep" and sleepin' in. Hates being woken up. Drew just likes to get his day started.

is constantly insisting they won’t need a jacket before they go out… and then has to steal the others when they get cold?

Oh my god, Drew is the worst with this. It's always, "ahh, I'll be fine". But then not that long into whatever they're doing he'll sit and act like he's not cold, and Roman'll roll his eyes and pass him the extra jacket he brought.

is a smoker and has to deal with the other forever showing them gross photos to try and convince them to quit?

Neither. Ok, occasionally Roman does some jesus cabbage with the boys. Drew dosen't get that hung up over it.

decides they need to go on a health binge and throws out all the sugary food in the house? how does the other react?

Drew did. Once. And never again after. Roman had kittens he was so mad.

holds all the important documents when they’re travelling? why?

Roman. Drew likes to think he can remember everything. He can't.

hates flying? how does the other help them relax before/during/after a flight?

They've done it so much it ain't anything nothing to either.

is more likely to suggest a lil fool around in the bathrooms at a club? how does the other react?

They're both fond of jumping each other in uncompromising places. Especially in the beginning when they were just fooling around with each other.

plans a night of board games for date night, and who plans a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant?

When they do do date dates. It's because Drew knows Roman wants one. And good food goes a long way. But when they want something chill either one pulls out board games.

cries watching the news?

They don't watch the news. Or at least mainstream versions of it.

teases the other one for having a crush on them… despite the fact they’ve been dating for a year?

Roman. Mostly when Drew does something extra soft towards him.

believes in aliens?

Drew. Roman doesn't think much of it. Or it kinda freaks him out if he thinks to much about it. The rare times they're all together and Dean and Drew aren't at each other throats, it's because they're talking about spoopy stuff like that. Roman is amazed every time.

is constantly leaving the lights on in every room in the house?

Neither.

rocks the seat on the ferris wheel?

Drew would have had to really talk him on to it in the first place; he wouldn't be that mean. Maybe Drew would have at the beginning though, when they were enemies with benefits but was just starting to turn into something else.

is a terrible liar?

Ro can't lie to people he cares about to save his life. Baby feels soooo bad. And it's so visible.

is always reading the other their star sign despite the fact they don’t believe in any of it?

Drew. Everytime he sees it in s magazine. He thinks it's absolutely ridiculous how they say something different every time. How many meaning can they have? I mean really.

who panics when mercury goes into retrograde?

Neither even knows what that really means.

insists they watch documentaries to broaden their knowledge?

Drew. But then he'll see one that's wrestling related and they'll end up watching that.

is constantly renovating part of their house but not finishing one thing before moving on to the next?

They aren't home enough for multiple projects. So they'll have one that'll last longer than it'd usually need to take.

uses all the hot water?

ROMAN. It's why Drew is is extra pissy when they have to get up but he doesn't get to the shower fast enough.

"It's all that blood hair you have!"

is the shower person? whose the bath person?

They both like shower. They're quick and they have places to be. But when they have the time Roman suggests a nice long soak together. Helps with soreness sometimes.

is most likely to be unfaithful?

Neither. But if we're looking for angst... Roman might... accidentally... fool around with Dean... or Seth... or something. Maybe there was some pinning on one of there sides. But they were supposed to be just bros. They had some drinks and it just happened? I don't know but drama. Angst.

Bonus:

what is your otps song?

The Mighty Fall In Love by Fall Out Boy

do their families approve of the relationship? why/why not?

Yeah. I like to think everyone's chill. But there's always room for angst there.

whose friends do they hang out with more?

Roman's. Drew don't really have friend friends.

what do they do on their first date? did they have a first date, or did they just sort of… start dating?

Being together just sort of came up and bit them in the ass. They have no idea how or when it happened but they have allll the feelings now so fuck it.

what is their favorite way to spend the holidays? do they go to one of their families houses? or do they create their own tradition by staying in bed listening to christmas music and getting drunk?

They either go to each other's families, their friend's, or just have a little thing for themselves. Roman has a ball cooking special things for them.

what do they name their dog? do the give it a super boring name like allen - or do they name it something like bubblegum princess?

Roman named his pomeranian Tiger, and his chihuahua Tiny and his smaller chihuahua Mini. He baby talks to him a lot.

Drew is just as bad with his two black cats. He just refuses to admit it. He named them Max and Monty.

Y'all I'm bad with names. I donno.

how do they handle emergencies? does one of them crack under the pressure - or do they bicker because they both need to be in control?

They both have a strong need to control things. And it's amplified when things go wrong so they clash there at times too.

how did they meet? were they immediately drawn to each other?

Instant mutual dislike. But strangely attracted.

what do they fight about the most? how do they resolve their fights?

Control. They're both so stubborn and strong willed it causes a lot of friction at times.

Or Drew's refusal to get along with Dean and vice versa.

Inspo (x)