#2023 valentine’s day event

[doctorgerth]

a/n: This one was so much fun to write!! Mihawk is always daunting to write for at first, but I always end up having fun and am usually pretty happy with the results when it comes to him. Want to know if Mihawk gets a smooch? Read on to find out! 🥰

pairing: Mihawk x GN!Reader

word count: 1.4k

candy heart prompt: True Love - Something on their/your lips

MIHAWK + TRUE LOVE

It was the first beautiful day Kuraigana had experienced in quite some time.

The thick fog that perpetually decorated the war-torn land was lifted, and the clouds above were broken enough to allow rays of warm, unfiltered sunshine illuminate the hidden beauty of the gloomy island.The lush greenery and produce the three of you had worked so hard to maintain practically sang in the light of the sun. Leaves glistened with dew, some reaching toward the rare blessing of light as if to grab it and hold onto it. It was a perfect day for farming.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” you sighed happily, stretching your arms out above you. Mihawk grinned from beside you, but you were too busy basking in the comforting warmth to notice.

“It is rather…bright,” Perona stated as she gripped her umbrella tighter.

Mihawk thought quietly to himself, determining that Perona’s discomfort might work to his advantage for once, “Perona, how about you go back to the castle and prepare some snacks. The weather is nice, maybe we can have a picnic.” He felt his heart squeeze in his chest when you smiled widely in his direction, your head nodding enthusiastically.

“Don’t order me around!” She huffed, though a reprieve from the too-bright sun sounded ideal. She turned the other direction and floated towards the castle.

“Oh, and don’t forget to pack something for the humandrills!” you called out to her.  

“What am I, everyone’s servant?” She stomped her foot in annoyance and puffed out her cheeks, “I’m too cute to be bossed around like this…”

When Perona was out of sight, you laughed to yourself, “She’s particularly moody today.”

Mihawk hummed beside you as he dropped some seeds into the earth, “And it’s only going to get worse.” He used a hand shovel to gently pat the dirt back over the seeds.

You peered over at him, “What do you mean?”

He laid the shovel down beside him and wiped his gloves along his dirt-stained pants. Retrieving a folded up newspaper page from his back pocket, he handed it over to you. Your eyes scanned the paper, the bold title Gecko Moria Alive! caught your eyes instantly. It was a strange sensation. You had no ties to Moria aside from his pink-haired subordinate, but still, for Perona’s sake, you felt warm tears well up in your eyes.

“Oh, Mihawk, she’s going to be so happy,” you said in a hushed whisper, though Perona was hardly in earshot, “And also really angry that you haven’t told her sooner. This newspaper is from three days ago.”

He chuckled, “I know.”

You felt a pang in your chest, “I suppose that’s another chick leaving the nest.” You were still recovering from Zoro’s departure and now Perona was soon to follow. You’d grown quite accustomed to your family you shared in the last two years. Though two years wasn’t a very long time comparatively, it felt like it’s always been the four of you.

“It’s for the best,” he replied, “Danger is coming.”

You stiffened, “You don’t mean…?”

“I believe the Reverie attendants are going to vote in favor of the abolishment of the Warlords. That means Marines will be surrounding this place very soon,” he sighed and closed his eyes. “I don’t want Perona to get in harm's way for something that doesn’t involve her.”

You smiled in his direction, “You’re a kind man, Dracule Mihawk.” The tightness in your chest was easily replaced with gentle thumping. If anyone else were to refer to him as kind, he’d scoff in their direction. Hearing it from you, he felt a familiar heat creep up his neck.

Much like Zoro and Perona, Mihawk just ended up being stuck with you a few years ago. He warily offered his hospitality, but miraculously, it didn’t take long for Mihawk to warm up to you. When you proved yourself to him, you became the unofficial first mate to his unofficial crew. Though, with your time together on Kuraigana, you hardly acted as Captain and Crewmate. You tended the land together, sought peace with the humandrills together, and lived your day to day lives in the castle of Kuraigana together. Waking, working, and wasting the days away together. You weren’t sure what you were to Mihawk, but it definitely felt different than a mere subordinate.

“I suppose it’ll just be us again, then.” The thought of it going back to just the two of you simultaneously excited and saddened you. Mihawk looked over to you. He didn’t utter a single word, just stared. Though you’d assumed you’d be used to the intensity of his hawk-like eyes, they still had a way of making you feel embarrassingly shy. You absentmindedly wiped at the sweat forming on your upper lip. The sun was beginning to burn.

Just the two of you. Mihawk always loved the sound of that. Though he’d enjoyed his time training Zoro and cooking with Perona, he often thought fondly of when it was just the two of you. Why then did it make him so nervous to return to that? The dab of soil on your upper lip caught his attention and stole his thoughts.

You had mistaken his silent staring as a denial to your statement, “Unless you intend to send me away with Perona?” Your throat suddenly constricted. Surely he didn’t mean that. “Mihawk, I know things are about to get intense, but I promise I can protect myself and will help you with whatever you need. Just don’t…”

You stopped your sentence when Mihawk shifted beside you to turn and face you. His right hand reached up to your face and you waited with bated breath as you were unable to process what was happening. Mihawk’s never touched you like that before. You gasped when his finger swiped across your upper lip. Holy shit, he was going to kiss you. You instinctively closed your eyes and sighed against his finger, awaiting his lips to meet yours. A cool, empty breeze brushed against them instead.

“I’m sorry. You had dirt on your lip,” he said simply.

How embarrassing. You felt unbelievably hot under the small pockets of sunshine now, “Right, of course. Thank you.”

You wanted to leave his hold, leave the garden, leave the whole entire island, but Mihawk held you firmly; his left hand mirroring his right as they both caressed your face gently, “I’m not going to send you away, (Y/N). I want you by my side.” His face lowered to yours, noses brushing. The words he spoke stole your breath from your parted lips, “Stay with me as long as you wish.”

“Mihawk…” you managed to huff out. His name on your lips, so unfamiliar in this low tone — he could drink it right up. How long has he been holding himself back from falling completely into you?

“Say it, please,” he murmured. The movement of his lips caused them to bump against yours. A tease of a kiss, “Say you’ll stay with me.”

“Mihawk,” you whimpered once more. You weren’t sure you’d be able to say anything else. Not when his intoxicating warmth and tender embrace was robbing you of air. But, you wanted him to know how you felt. How you’ve always felt since joining his side, “I want to be with you forever.”

Your confession was the gravitational pull to at last close the distance between the two of you. His lips slotted against yours with promise, a silent oath to stay with you and protect you for however long you’d want him to. Your skin no longer burned, instead kissed by sunlight as his lips rained down on you, moving with yours as if he’s planned this moment out for years. In truth, he wished he’d done so much sooner.

You pulled away for air, but Mihawk wouldn’t, couldn’t stop. His lips tickled against your tender pulse line as he continued his kisses along your neck, pulling you tightly into him by your waist. He muttered confessions in-between kisses. How long he’s wanted you. How long he’s loved you. How long he’ll continue to want you. How long he’ll continue to love you. Forever, forever, forever. Your fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him back up to your aching lips to let him know you reciprocated his devotion. Years of unchecked desire was evident in the urgency of your shared kisses, spilling forth like an endless fountain as you lost all sense of time against each other’s lips. Nothing would hold either of you back now.  

Perona rounded a corner and caught sight of the two of you embracing each other. She silently gagged, but decided to leave the both of you to your moment. The sun was a little too bright for her anyhow. As she turned and floated away, a smile stretched along her face. She always thought the two of you would be cute together.

a/n: Hate to see him go, but love to see him kissed 💋 We unfortunately say goodbye to Mihawk for this event, but I have a feeling we’ll see him around in the future. 🤭 Thanks for reading!! 

[blake-elladonna]

♡ Blame ♡

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀𝐤𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐱 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫) 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟐𝟗𝟔

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐧. 𝟐𝟔 𝐬𝐞𝐜.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Akutagawa knows he is to blame for your injury; no matter how You — his long time crush — try to convince him. But that won’t stop him from tending to you when you are hurt.

“Are you sure you aren’t hurting.” For some reason his statement didn’t seem to be a question, but a direct sentence; as if demanding you that it was in fact hurting and you were going to blame him for your suffering.

“I’m okay; Akutagawa. You need to—” “I need to what? Start lying to myself?”

You gave him a look while tending to your wound and his aura seemed to darken. He crossed his arms with his mind drifting away. “I’m not about to do that. I’m not going to turn into your superior; I’m not about to turn into Dazai.” “I didn’t say you needed to.”

You breathed in sharply with a flinch. The alcohol had soaked into your wound to disinfect it. The gash was nothing; at least compared to what could have been but that didn’t stop it from hurting like hell or Akutagawa from walking over. “Just, let me do it.” And although he mumbled, you heard his tone soak in dominance.

So you let him; his tone may have let on he would be rough, assertive; but his touch was the opposite of those two things. As though he was handling fine china. “You’re so annoying.”

“Oh, really? You don’t enjoy my suffering?”

“That’s not funny. You know how I feel— about—”

You knew what he was trying to say by the way his body language was closing himself off, “You’re trying to say I know how you feel about someone from the ADA. How you feel about me. Don’t you want to say it; that you’re in love with me?”

Your teasing tone caused him to squeeze lightly onto your hand once slipping underneath. “I do,” And just when you thought he had a ounce of romance; “I hate you.”

← Previous Drabble Master List Next Drabble → 🎊 ♡ Sweet tooth ♡

⇐ Last Akutagawa Drabble Next Akutagawa Drabble ⇒ 🎊 ♡ Heroic ♡

Feeling festive? Click here to read more from the Valentine’s Event!

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: @ashthemadwriter, @sky-drgn, @silverbladexyz

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭? 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞

© 2023 @blake-elladonna™ — all copyrights reserved. Please do not translate, steal, repost or claim my writing or ideas as your own. Click here for further details.

[candysweetposts]

Here it is! I love how it turned out. I chose Leif because Erika looks at him and also because I like him... and the rest, but more him.

I've noticed how rushed this is. Like the artist didn't have time to look for mistakes at all. And I'm not sure what was the process and I don't want to speculate more about this. But yeah. At some point, I looked at the game sprites and went to "accuracy mode" trying to match everything to the illustration. I'm no expert myself. I went more with what looked good in my eyes and a bit of common sense. If this was in the right hands, it would've turned out a masterpiece and everyone would've been too busy to praise it rather than criticize the art and story behind this. It's a bit odd. And it's not the first time they have done this.

[voiceoffenrisulfr]

Near Misses and Nearly Missed - Chapter One Loved or Lost?

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> James "Bucky" Barnes x Original Nonbinary Character (Soldierbug)

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 -> The soulmate part was just the way the world worked. The car crash? That was a little more unexpected. Sometimes a 'crash-into hello' is a little more... Crash-y.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 -> 9039

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> (E) Smut, Car crash (mild), distress

𝐀/𝐍 -> Less Romance, More Smut. Sorrynotsorry.

Check it out below, or on AO3 here! Dividers by us!

Chapter Two ->

Prompts used (boards at the end);

- ‘Obsession’ – Any Fandom Dark Bingo( @anyfandomgoesbingo) ; - ‘First Meeting’ – Build-a-Bucky Bingo (September) ( @buckybarnesevents); - ‘Soulmate AU’ – @eclipsingbingo; - ‘Laughing While Kissing’ – Eclipsing Bingo (Dark); - ‘Wet Dreams’, ‘Scarring’ – @fandom-free-bingo Bingo (Flight); - ‘Double-Ended Dildo’, ‘Walking in the Snow’ – Fandom-Free (Frosty);

- ‘Fleshlight or Dildo’ – @julybreakbingo (5x5); - ‘Car Crash or Trapped in a Burning Building’ – July Break Bingo (6x6); - ‘Accidental Confession or First Kiss’, ‘Meeting someone they’ve been having romantic/sexual dreams about’, ‘Unexpected’ – July Break Bingo (7x7); - ‘Trust or suspicion’ – July Break Bingo (Kofi Exclusive); - “Why Are You Looking at Me Like That?”, ‘Cabin in the Woods or Stranded Without a Signal’ – July Break Bingo (Summer);

- ‘Dom Space’ – Kinky Things Happen Bingo (deactivated?); - “Taste So Good… So Sweet…” – @lgbtqbingo; - ‘Character A's Deepest Thoughts Begin to Mark Character B's Skin Wanting to Do Dirty Things. It Could Be Embarrassing at Times, and Character B Can't Wait to Fuck His Soulmate’ – @multifandom-flash (Soulmates); - ‘Crash-Into Hello’ – Multifandom-Flash (Valentine’s Day); - ‘Fuck Me’ – Sweetheart Bingo ( @sweetspicybingo);

‘It’ll happen for you one day… Right?’

I slammed my hand against the steering wheel, seething. How dare they? Just because they’re married now, they think they can accuse me of being a… A…

Snarling once more, I jerked hard on the wheel, the tyres skidding on loose asphalt as I skidded around the bend.

Just because I haven’t met them yet doesn’t mean they’re not still out there. I’m twenty-seven – I’m not that old. There’s still time. I’m not Lost. I’m not.

There was nothing in this world society pitied more than the Lost. Everyone had one – at least one – perfect person, a match just for them – be it platonic or romantic, as they needed. Usually in pairs, though triads, quads, or even bigger groups had been known to happen. The only given was that the Older, or Olders, were alive when the Younger turned eighteen. Usually, they met within a few years.

Which meant that either my Soulmate was younger than expected, or…

When the Younger was old enough, each time they thought of touching their Soulmate, the touch would show on the Older’s body, just for a few moments. It was thought to be so the Older knew it was time.

I’d never known a Younger who’d gotten past twenty-five before meeting their soulmate.

But maybe I’m just really unlucky. There’s stories about Soulmates living in different countries and not meeting until they’re both well into their thirties. Sure, it’s really rare, but it’s possible; it’s gotta happen to someone, why not me? Or – yeah, maybe they’re just younger than I thought. But I’d know if they were gone.

Right?

That was the other option, of course. The one only hinted at, or whispered about behind cupped hands.

The only guarantee for Soulmates is that they’d both be alive when the Younger turned eighteen.

That didn’t mean they’d live long enough to meet.

And that was the greatest fear for so many of us, increasing steadily as the years ticked by. The Lost weren’t rejected or ostracised from society – but they were very clearly other. As if not meeting your Soulmate wasn’t bad enough, you also lived life as a sad example of the height of loneliness and isolation. There were other Lost, of course – but people just seemed to view that as even worse, because ‘isn’t it just so sad, wanting what they can’t have?’

The Bonded didn’t have Lost friends. It’s just the way it was – no hard feelings. Bonded had weddings and playdates to attend to; how could a Lost understand or fit into that world?

And it was happening to me already. Rhodey and Pepper had been shooting me sympathetic glances all evening – the first time they’d hosted since they married the month before. I was the only Unbonded there – not Lost, not yet, but close. And I suppose she’d tried to be reassuring in a way, implying that there was still time, but…

But I just felt even more like the other; I already knew that it was only because of Steve that I was even still invited at all. We’d been best friends our entire life and served in the 108th together for four years – I’d looked after this scrap of boy, carrying his unconscious body to safety, collapsing from blood loss at the sight of an Allied convoy, my exhausted body finally giving in. I knew he’d argue in my defence, pointing out that I saved his life – but it wouldn’t work forever. Eventually the invitations would stop coming, and that would be that.

Lost.

I stood in my boxers in front of my mirror every night, hoping against hope that I’d see a glowing palm – or, hell, I’d take a fingertip – brush over my body. Everyone had said you could feel it – a gentle warmth of skin-on-skin - but I checked anyway, just in case.

And when I slunk to bed at last, flesh cold and heart sinking, I sent out a message of my own.

Just in case.

I pictured trailing my thumb gently over a delicate lower lip. I imagined cradling them to my chest, safe and warm. I fantasised about tucking a stray hair behind their ear, pressing a tender kiss to a sleep-warm cheek.

And sometimes, in the dark of night when I couldn’t sleep, I thought about other things, too.

That lip pulled between my teeth, applying gentle pressure until they groaned aloud and held me tighter. My hands holding them tight to me as they panted and gasped euphorically. Fingers tangled in their hair, face buried in their throat, lips pressed to their skin as we finally made love…

I wondered, as I found desperate release, metal fingers clinging frantically to the sheets, if there was someone out there who was shivering in pleasure at the warmth of my touch, driven to mind-numbing climax without ever having to raise a finger, their body glowing in the darkness.

I wondered what it would be like to hold them against me as I drifted off, hoping that someone somewhere, was smiling in their sleep and curling around a strip of soft light at their waist.

All I’d ever wanted was to meet my Soulmate. When I was younger, I’d never even considered the fact that I may not get the chance.

And now others had started to notice I was still Unbonded… It was the first step to being Lost.

Despite my anger and fear, the thought of touching them – in both the most innocent and sensual of ways – acted as the distraction it always did, my hands softening on the wheel.

I was going too fast, and I wasn’t paying attention.

When I rounded the next bend straight into a set of high beam headlights, I hissed and tugged instinctively on the steering wheel, eyes narrowing automatically.

But I was going too fast, and I wasn’t paying attention.

My wheels met the loose gravel at the side of the road once more, and I yelped as my tyres spun in a spray of asphalt, uselessly seeking friction as I fishtailed. My body jerked as the edge of my bumper clipped the passing car, and I pumped the breaks, turning into the skid and coming to a stop, heart pounding.

I sat still for a moment, inhaling a few shaky breaths before I was able to uncurl my fingers from the steering wheel, my mouth dry as it occurred to me just how close I had been to a far more serious accident. Climbing from the car, I intended to take a moment, inhaling the cool night air to let my annoyance dissipate- but the sight of the other car idling 100 metres down the road had me stopping in my tracks, nausea rising.

Fuck. Fuck…

What if they’re hurt?

What if-

The door opened slowly, one muscular, short-clad leg revealed as a foot found the ground uncertainly. Then came another, followed by tanned hands grasping door and frame firmly, the occupant stumbling as they rose from the car.

I stepped closer instinctively, though my concern was somewhat abated by their capacity to stand. “Are you alright?” I called hesitantly, apprehensive about moving my 6ft, well-muscled frame closer to this individual several inches shorter than myself – and likely shaken – on a dark, relatively remote country road. They leant heavily against the hood, poking thoughtfully at the bodywork as I moved nearer in response to their silence. “Hello?” I pressed, concern building once more at their silence and blatant refusal to look at me. “Hey! Are you okay? I’m so sorry; I didn’t even-”

I was ten paces away when they straightened and turned, arms crossing over their chest as they settled dark eyes on me, shining in the low light. “I’m fine,” they snapped, the slight tremor in their voice undermining the ferocity. “What the hell were you doing? Why did you swerve like that?”

I furrowed my brow in confusion, stunned into silence for a moment before shaking my head hard. “Your lights were too high; why didn’t you turn them down when you saw me?”

Their mouth opened furiously, but they paused before it snapped closed with an audible click, cheeks flushing dark. “You shouldn’t have been on the wrong side of the road!”

“I couldn’t fucking see!” I snapped, fists clenching by my sides in irritation. “Why weren’t you paying attention?”

They blushed harder, overwhelmed tears pricking their eyes. “I-… It doesn’t matter. What about you? If you’d seen me coming and not dropping my lights, you should have flashed me! Forget about me; why weren’t you paying attention?”

The question had me casting my mind back, and I couldn’t help but smile softly to myself, thinking once more of my hands resting lightly on my soulmate’s back. The person before me shivered, drawing me reluctantly back to the present once more, and I frowned. “Cold?”

“No, it’s a beautiful evening,” they deadpanned, sparing a glance to the snow falling steadily and rolling their eyes. “Of course I’m cold; I wasn’t expecting to be getting out of my car whilst driving through upstate New York, at night, in November. I didn’t really dress for the weather.”

I took them in once more, eyeing shorts and tee, topped with a thin checked overshirt that did little to keep out the chill. “No,” I agreed, pursing my lips, pausing only briefly before shrugging off my thick leather jacket and offering it to them wordlessly.

Their large, brown eyes remained oblivious to the proffered clothing, fixated instead on trailing the length of my arm, t-shirt offering no covering to hide the segmented metal of my prosthetic from view. The silver shone faintly in the low light of the moon, and I grimaced at their stare, looking away. “… You want the jacket or not?” I quipped, biting back a smirk as they turned crimson, ashamed of having been caught out.

“I- Yes. Sorry. Thank you…” They took the jacket timidly, hardly able to meet my gaze, and I sighed as their cold fingers struggled to manoeuvre the leather into position. My metal hand closed once more around the collar, and they dropped it quickly, earning a frustrated sound and an arched eyebrow.

“Are you going to do that every time you can see my arm?”

They reddened once more, scuffing a foot and looking away uncertainly. “Sorry,” they murmured with a guilty grimace. “I’ve just- I’ve never seen… I mean, I-I’ve not…”

I sighed as I moved around them, helping them slide their arms into my body-warmed leather. “I get it. I’d stare too.” My fingers flexed of their own volition as I smoothed the collar down gently, and my lip curled. “I did, actually. Saw a few guys come back from the front with replacement limbs not twelve months before I shipped out. Damn sure I stared at the first guy I saw; both of his legs were prosthetics. I remember thinking it was… Amazing, in a way, the things we could do now, but…” I shrugged a shoulder, eyes lowering as I took a half-step back. “I also remember thinking how much it sucked that these things were needed.”

They grimaced sympathetically, head half turning. “Yeah… I wish it weren’t necessary.” They paused for a moment, and I watched with curiosity as snowflakes clung to their eyelashes, each dendrite visible at their proximity. “… Does it… Does it hurt?”

Humming thoughtfully, I looked down at the metal fingers, watching those same snowflakes land on the surface without melting. “… It… Sometimes, I guess. Mostly at the shoulder, but…” I shrugged, jaw tight, trying to ignore the searing, insistent discomfort that burned along the line where metal met flesh each time I thought about my injury. With a firm shake of my head, I looked back at their car, and the snow beginning to fall heavier. “We should get out of here. This storm is gonna break soon, and we don’t want to be on the roadside when it does.”

A worried glance to the sky had them frowning a little, and they nodded, pulling out their cell. They sighed as they held up their phone, scowling deeply. “Of course there’s no service… Why would there be service when I need a tow?”

I cocked my head, eyebrow raising. “I only clipped you – surely it’s driveable?”

“Popped a tyre when I hit the loose gravel,” they muttered sullenly.

“No spare?”

They hesitated, blushing once more, feet shifting with embarrassment. “That was the spare. I put it on a few weeks back – guess I figured there’d always be time to pick up a replacement…” The second eyebrow joined the first, and their scowl deepened. “What? I struggle to remember these things; don’t act like you-”

“Who, hey,” I soothed, hands raising defensively. “I’m not acting like anything; I was just thinking what could have happened if you’d blown it while you were up here alone. It’s a little treacherous in the snow – most locals take the longer way, and we don’t get many tourists. It could have been days until anybody passed through,” I added, concern lacing my voice.

They shivered, pulling my jacket closer around themselves and gazing uncertainly into the woods at the dramatically timed howl of a coyote. “Oh…” A think smile flickered at their lips, and their eyes flicked back to mine. “Guess I’m pretty lucky you were here then, huh? Though I am still stranded out here,” they added, chewing  uncertainly on their lower lip.

“You can spend the night at my place, if you like. Or I can call a tow when I get home,” I added quickly, throat bobbing when they eyed me uncertainly. “I get it if you don’t want to crash at a random guy’s house – it’s a dangerous world out there, after all.”

Something in my tone made their taut muscles relax minutely, though they still glanced at me with shy appreciation and apprehension.. “I… That would be good. Thanks.”

After I’d helped them move their car fully free of the road – and readjusted my slightly misaligned wing mirror – we were on our way, their small, trembling frame seemingly swallowed by the heated seat that cradled them. I drove carefully through the steadily increasing blizzard, sobered of my previous anger by the bizarre turn of events.

“Mars,” they blurted suddenly into the silence, hands extending to be closer to the heater, their fingers flexing with a slight grimace. “That- I mean, that’s my name. Mars.”

I chuckled softly, shaking my head at my own forgetfulness. “Mars… Cool name. I’m James,  but most folk call me Bucky.

They frowned, digits stilling for a moment as they considered me. “Why? Do you hunt deer or something?”

The laugh this time was louder, joined by a grin at the disapproval evident in their tone. “No. My middle name is Buchannan – my friend thought it was cute when we were kids, and it just kinda stuck. I’ve been ‘Bucky’ for way longer than I was ever James – only my mom calls me that now, really.”

They hummed and nodded, relaxing once more at the reassurance – as if my vow that I didn’t kill Bambi was a comment on  the likelihood that they were in danger. “…Won’t your Soulmate mind you bringing back a stranger in the middle of the night?”

The probe was obvious, but I didn’t let it rattle me, simply shrugging light-heartedly. “Unbonded,” I offered before shooting them a wry smile. “What about yours? Didn’t fancy a little near-death experience?”

“I’m Unbonded, too,” they replied readily, scowling when my eyes shifted automatically to the silver flecks in their raven-black hair. “I’m not Lost, even if I am a little older than most. My Soulmate is a Younger, and I know they’re still thinking of me.” I just nodded in response – it was a common lie in the community of the Lost from those desperate to avoid the label, impossible to disprove as it was, and so it was hard to put much faith in without proof – and their frown deepened. “I know you don’t believe me, but just you wait. They think about me all the time, you’ll see. I’m not Lost.”

I nodded again, more firmly this time, hands raised with an imploring expression. “Whoa, hey – whatever you say. I don’t have any particular feeling about it one way or the other.”

They watched me for a moment, eyes narrowed, before turning back to face the snow falling thick and fast against the windscreen. That’s why I’m out here, you know. I’m not from here.”

I snorted softly as I turned into the dirt trail that constituted my driveway. “You don’t say?” I deadpanned. “The English accent definitely didn’t give it away.”

They chuckled. Shaking their head. “I mean, technically, I’m not from England, either. Mum met Dad while she was working as a nurse in Egypt, and he was doing his mandatory service; I was three when her contract expired, and she wanted to move home more than Dad wanted to stay in Egypt, so…” They shrugged, looking out of the window with an inscrutable expression. “I’ve lived in London ever since then. Visited family in Egypt a couple of times, though. It’s pretty fun, even if it is a bit of a culture shock.”

“And now you’re here?” I pressed gently, bringing the car to a halt with the engine idling, too enraptured by their story to consider such mundane practicalities.

“And now I’m here,” they agreed, glancing back to me. “I hit thirty-five, and I just… Couldn’t wait anymore, you know? So I travelled around the UK a bit, hoping to bump into my Soulmate. When that didn’t work, I figured I’d just… Keep going.” They shrugged a little, eyes sliding past e and widening as they focused on the building behind me. “This… You live here?”

I nodded, scratching the back of my neck uncertainly. “Yeah. I know it’s not much, but… It’s quiet, y’know? Out of the way. Keeps me out of trouble, at least,” I added with a wry grin.

“It’s beautiful,” they murmured, still taking in my cabin with wide eyes. “Very cottagecore.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I replied with a snort, shaking my head in amusement. They shot me a broad, impish grin, and I smiled back, captivated by the small dimple that formed in their left cheek.

I wonder if my Soulmate has any cute, unique things like that? I mused to myself, then grinned a little wider, imagining skimming a thumb over a similar dimple as I reached for my doorhandle, looking back as an icy blast of wind sucked the heat from the vehicle immediately. “Jesus, it’s cold – we should get inside befo-”

My voice died at the sight of a brush of warm lift over their cheek, trailing directly over their dimple and making their smile grown ever wider. “See?” they breathed, practically squirming with delight. “I told you. They’re still out there, and they think about me all the time. I’m going to find them,” they added determinedly, fingers knotting together in their lap with barely contained glee.

Coincidence. It – it’s probably just a coincidence. I shouldn’t get my hopes up – not until I know for sure.

But anxiety and fear had stilled my thoughts, and I could only blink dumbly. They all but scampered from the cat, warbling away with passionate energy, their own misgivings forgotten in the excitement as I followed slowly behind.

“I just spent a week in New York – man, is that place busy or what?! – and now I’m heading up to the Northeast for a couple of months; I hear Vermont is beautiful in the fall – does that extend to the winter, too? I hope so; I love the snow. Is it always like this?” They hopped into a snowdrift that covered their bare knees, cackling happily. “I hope my soulmate lives somewhere cool. It’s kind of funny, being half-Egyptian and all, but I really can’t deal with hot weather, not like my sister. Well, she handles it better than me, at least, but my cousins in Egypt handle it best! They came to the UK once, and they-”

Their incessant chattering was cut off with a yelp as they tried to leap from the snowbank, feet landing on a patch of hidden black ice that had their arms wheeling dramatically. I moved instinctively, fingers closing around their wrist to keep them upright, earning me a broad grin when they found their footing once more. “Christ – thanks! I bet it would’ve really hurt if I’d-… I…” Their eyes had dropped to follow my gaze, the glowing of their skin as I released them bold and unmistakable against a monochrome backdrop, finally rendering them silent. It wasn’t until the light began to fade that they blinked at last, oblivious to the snowflakes gathering in their hair.

“… Huh.”

My gaze shifted to their face, our contact finally breaking my mind free of its restraints, and envisioned reaching out to brush a thumb over their jaw - not a faceless stranger, but specifically this stranger, the oddball stood before me with a glowing stripe emerging across their skin.

They blushed, assessing their feet intently, still shyly unable to meet my eye. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You always knew I existed,” I replied with a soft shrug. “You knew I was out there somewhere.” While they struggled to look at me, I found myself quite unable to look away, captivated my small mole on their cheek and the delicate curve of long, dark eyelashes. “I worried that you… That we’d never get to meet.”

Their flush deepened as they glanced at me uncertainly. “But you never gave up hope. You reached out, every single night, holding onto me, and-” They cut themselves off as they turned crimson, teeth digging into their lip when they recalled what often came after. “That- that’s how I knew I had to find you. You were still hoping, even after all this time, and I loved that about you. Figured the lease I could do was help you out, y’know?”

I snorted, shaking my head. “And then I go and almost kill us both by being too busy thinking about you to pay attention to the road.” My eyes immediately lowered to their lips, remembering the fantasies of holding them close, sharing kisses from sweet and chaste to hot and heavy. They grinned shyly as their body glowed in response, and I smirked, one eyebrow raised. “So… Now what?” I pressed uncertainly, barely audible over the swirling of the wind, and they chuckled as they looked about themselves pointedly.

“I’m pretty sure the first step is to go inside; you know… Get out of the blizzard.”

I snorted, shaking my head at my own absent-mindedness. “Good point.” They smiled warmly and moved to take a step forward before crumbling with a whimper. I caught them as they fell, a hand beneath either forearm keeping them upright. “Are you okay?”

They lifted their foot with a wince, lip curling in discomfort. “I think I sprained my ankle when I slipped,” they grumbled, narrowing their eyes at the ground with distaste.

Chuckling, I shook my head once more. “Poor little critter… C’mere.” I offered my arms, and they blushed softly, wrapping their own around my neck obligingly. When I lifted them easily, holding them close to my chest, their body lit up along each inch of contact, casting a warm, comforting glow that set the snow around us aflame with refracted light, and I let out a quiet sound of wonder. “I didn’t expect it to be so… Beautiful,” I breathed, eyes wide, and they grinned, head resting gently against my shoulder as they nodded.

“It’s one of my favourite things in the world,” they agreed, gazing at the scattered illumination with a sense of adoration borne through familiarity. “I, uh… I actually used to have a whole bunch of crystals hanging all around my room, so it looked… Well, kind of like this, whenever you thought of me,” they admitted shyly, cheeks colouring.

I couldn’t help but grin at the confession, one hand shifting to find my keys as I loped up the steps. “That’s deeply adorable,” I chuckled, holding them a little closer while I unlocked the door. They squirmed happily, before becoming immediately distracted as I nudged the door open, head raising to look about themselves.

My cabin wasn’t much, but it was the work of my own two hands – and a few dozen others – and I couldn’t have loved it more. I offered them this information as I placed them gently on the wooden island in the centre of the kitchen, and they smiled, fingers trailing appreciatively over the mahogany.

“It seems idyllic,” they breathed, looking around once more. “You put a lot of work into this, huh?”

I shrugged, face heating a little as I turned away to peer in the cupboard under the sink, distracting myself with searching – far more than necessary – for my first aid kid. “Yeah, well,” I murmured, snagging the green bag. I didn’t say anything more until I was on my knees before them, their boot resting gently on my thigh as I untied their laces. “… I wanted to give my soulmate a beautiful life. I… Built this place for you, I suppose.”

The back of my neck burned as I removed the boot, and they sat silently for a moment. It was until I held their bare foot in my hands that I dared risk a glance up, startled to find them staring down at me, tears shining in their eyes. “… I’m sorry. I- Did I say something wrong?”

They laughed softly, wiping their eyes. “No. God, no. I just- I worried you’d think I was crazy, working so hard to find you. But you were doing a big, beautiful thing all of your own, weren’t you? I love that.”

I chuckled, gaze dropping shyly once more to probe at their slightly swollen ankle with gentle fingers. “It’s not much. I just… I had to do something to keep myself hoping, you know? Everyone was pairing up and finding their soulmates, and it was getting pretty tempting to just give up. I didn’t have any proof, after all. So I guess I… I decided to do something ready for if- when I found you.”

I didn’t look up as I spoke, focusing on wrapping their ankle in a supportive bandage, but the moment I was done, their fingertips brushed my arm, drawing my gaze to their soft smile. “I love it,” they murmured reassuringly, thumb still caressing my bare skin. I found myself blushing once more, clearing my throat as I stood, rubbing the back of my neck uncertainly.

“You’ll be okay. It’s a pretty bad sprain, but nothing’s broken; I’d recommend not driving for a few days, though.”

The words came automatically, and it wasn’t until a heavy silence hung between us that I realised the implications, both of us freezing with our eyes locked on one another uncertainly, before opening our mouths in unison.

“I can call a cab if you-”

“I’m happy to drive you somewhere, if-”

We broke off simultaneously, each letting out a soft chuckle, and they gestured me on, indicating for me to speak first. “I’ll drive you wherever you want to go, if that- I mean, unless you… You’re welcome to stay here, of course - that is, if you’d like to. I built it for you, after all,” I added, grinning sheepishly.

They nodded and blushed, assessing their wrapped ankle intensely. “That sounds nice.” They paused, they let out a short, sharp laugh, startling me. “Man, is it always this awkward? This seems like a terrible way for these things to work! We’ve just met, and we know we’re destined to spend the rest of our lives together? How the hell do we get from A to B? It should come with an instruction manual – I don’t know, icebreaker questions or something, you know? This is a lot of pressure!” They laughed again, and I snorted, shaking my head fondly.

“Okay – icebreakers,” I nodded, hopping up on the counter beside them, humming thoughtfully. “Any other siblings?”

They smiled gratefully and shook their head. “Just the older sister – Alice. You?”

“The same. Rebecca.”

Another nod, and they glanced around, seemingly searching for inspiration. “What do you do for work?”

I glanced down as my shoulder ached pointedly, flexing my metal fingers. “I got a pretty impressive payout from the Army for this, and that paid for a lot of the cabin, but I guess… I mean, I sell some stuff. Enough to get by, I suppose.”

“What kind of stuff?” they pressed, head cocked, and I blushed lightly.

“Photos and paintings, mostly.”

Their eyes widened, and they looked around eagerly as I chuckled. “You’re an artist? That’s awesome! Do you have anything you can show me?”

Snorting, I gestured at the wooden staircase ascending from the lounge. “My studio is upstairs – I’ll give you a tour in a little while, after you’ve rested that foot some. So, what about you?” I added, leaning into the centre of the table to snag a couple of water bottles. They took theirs with a polite smile, taking a long drag before answering.

“I’m a dog trainer,” they replied eventually, their grin stretching a little wider as they spoke.

“You love it,” I noted, and they nodded, eyes alight with joy.

“I do. Dogs are way better than people; there’s always a reason, you know? They’re not malicious for the sake of it; if they’re nervous or reactive, there’s a motivation or a cause behind it, even if we don’t always understand what that is right away. I like trying to find it out.” They paused for a moment, then nodded, as if confirming their thoughts to be accurate.

I couldn’t help but smile at that – the eclectic blend of logic and emotion with which they offered their reasoning. “That’s a beautiful approach to it.”

Their cheeks coloured once more, uninjured leg swinging absently. “Hm…” Their face grew darker, and they lowered their eyes shyly. “… First kiss?”

I barked out a surprised laugh, eyebrow raising. “… Lucy. I was fifteen. You?”

“Marty. Fourteen.” They picked at their fingernails, unable to meet my gaze, lips parted as they prepared to speak once more, held back by their shyness. “… Virgin?”

My jaw opened with my shock this time, and I blinked silently at them for a moment, dumbfounded. Sex before Bonding – or even after – was rarely talked about, regardless of how prevalent it was; most people weren’t too bothered about waiting, and I knew that less than half of people hadn’t had sex before they met their soulmate. I knew Steve had lost his virginity in the Army, but other than that, I had no idea as to the pre-Bonded relations of my friends. The idea that I might one day be answering that question myself had never crossed my mind.

I scraped absently at the label on my water bottle, chewing on my lip. “… Yes. You?”

“No.” I looked up, and they shrugged. “Virginity is a societal construct – I only use it as a convenient shorthand to ask about your experiences. I’m not worth less because I wanted to experience pleasure. People who haven’t had sex before they get designated Lost quite often never do; I wasn’t risking that, and I had several years before I started having Touches. So… Yeah, I had a couple of short things. I wanted to know what it was like, just in case, you know?”

I shook my head quickly, hands upheld. “No judgement. I’d probably have done the same.”

Frowning, they cocked their head to one side. “Why didn’t you?” they probed gently, and I stiffened infinitesimally, looking away. “You don’t have to tell me, not if y-”

“I’m transgender,” I murmured, still fiddling with the plastic in my hands. “I didn’t- I was never… Comfortable. I kissed a friend once, when we were younger, but…” I shrugged, blushing minutely at the memory of Steve and I at sixteen, awkwardly bumping lips in an innocent experiment, before determining we were definitely not attracted to one another. It would have been easy, had my soulmate been him – platonic, but simple. I could have lived that way. And if I’d been attracted to him, I could have had the experiences that being Unbonded, and later Lost, would have denied me, if I never found someone else I trusted so implicitly. But the spark simply wasn’t there, and the only thing that I feared more than never knowing what it was like was ruining my friendship with the man I’d known my entire life by us pushing through a cripplingly awkward experience.

They nodded once, leaning against me lightly. “Yeah, that makes sense. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world for me; no chance in hell of me taking my shirt off! But I don’t regret it; I called the shots, so I did what I could to make myself comfortable, backed out when I realised I wasn’t up for it…” They nodded again, hand finding mine to rub their thumb comfortingly against my own. “I’m sorry you never had anyone you could feel comfortable with like that.”

Smiling gratefully, I rested my head against theirs, soothed by the soft touch and their calming pressure against my side. “Well… I mean, I always hoped you were out there. I figured I’d get the experience one day, if it were true.”

They chuckled quietly as a blush crawled up my neck, turning their head to press their lips lightly against the curve of my throat. “I’d be honoured to show you the things I learned, Buck.”

A low whine escaped me, the heat in my face intensifying at the sound and earning a quiet cackle of amusement in response. “I- hm. That… That might be nice. I mean… I guess you- you’re universally chosen for me, and everything… I’ve never heard of soulmates being anything other than a perfect match, after all… I guess you- we… It…” I fumbled uselessly, and they smiled, squeezing my fingers softly.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to – now, or ever,” they soothed, and I felt my muscles relax, leaning back into them.

“I know. Thank you,” I murmured, squeezing back. “I… Would definitely like to see how it goes.” My face flamed at the admission, but they simply smiled, pressing another tender kiss to my exposed throat.

“Well… I’m here for the next few days – at least,” they added, chuckling under their breath. “And we have… Well, forever, I guess. There’s no rush.”

I blushed and nodded, looking down at the hand entwined with mine, sun-kissed beige and warm olive wrapped together closely, the glow where their skin touched mine casting reverent light over our grip. My eyes dropped to their head, and I couldn’t help but imagine tipping their chin up gently, lips finding theirs in a chaste, perfect moment. I felt myself cringe inwardly from embarrassment as their face reflected my thoughts, and they grinned, glancing up at me. “I’d ask what you’re thinking about, but…” They smiled a little wider, free hand raising to smooth a thumb over their lower lip thoughtfully. “… I remember the things you thought about when I wasn’t in front of you – and this embarrasses you?”

“I didn’t know there was definitely anyone listening then… And you weren’t, you know, right there,” I added, chuckling self-consciously.

They gazed at me for a moment before their eyes dropped to my mouth, lips parting. “… Can I… Can I kiss you?”

I blinked in surprise, stunned to a brief silence by their boldness. “I- Yes. Please.”

I swallowed nervously as their hand shifted to cup my jaw, smoothing the stubble-roughened skin gently. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are,” they murmured, smiling softly. I had no time to formulate a coherent reply before their lips skimmed mine, soft and warm and intoxicating. The feeling of their mouth moving against my own was far more intense than I ever imagined, and I found myself whining softly in pleasure, hands finding their hips to pull them closer needily, letting out a low groan when their teeth skimmed my lower lip.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fantasised about this,” I breathed when we broke apart to reluctantly drag in lungfuls of air, and they smiled shyly, cheeks tinged dusky pink.

“Pretty sure I know exactly how often you’ve fantasised about it,” they purred teasingly, forehead resting against mine. “You woke me up more than once, thinking about me in the middle of the night.”

“I’m very sorry,” I chuckled insincerely, skimming my lips against theirs once more, unable to help myself.

“Don’t be,” they whispered, hand moving to tangle lightly in the air at the nape of my neck. “The amount of times I wake up just in time for me to- And, I- Sometimes during…” They trailed off at the half-formed admission, cheeks flaming and eyes dropping with embarrassment.

“That’s exactly what I was hoping,” I murmured, a soft, breathless undercurrent to my voice. With a resigned, surrendering sigh. I lifted them easily, depositing them on my lap with a knee either side of my hips as they squeaked in surprise. “The thought of you knowing I was thinking about you – that I couldn’t sleep because I wanted to touch you so badly – and making you moan, wherever you were out there…” I trailed off with a shiver of delight, my fingers tightening on their waist when they squirmed minutely. “It saw me through many a dark and lonely night, imagining what I’d do when I finally had you at my mercy.”

They grinned shyly, arms resting on my shoulders. “Well… I’m here,” they noted, glancing around pointedly before fixing their eyes on me once more. “So… I offer myself up to your mercy, Sergeant.”

The blood thrumming in my veins heated as they pressed themselves to my chest, and I groaned, my hands travelling down to their ass to lift them as I stood, my mouth finding theirs desperately. Fingers knotting in my hair, they crushed themselves against me, mewling needily against my mouth.

“Still wanna see the studio?” I breathed as I climbed the stairs, drawing back just far enough to offer them a teasing grin. They laughed aloud, legs tightening around my waist.

“After,” they murmured, mouth flirting my own once more.

“‘After’, huh?” I whispered playfully, their cheeks turning crimson in realisation, and I nudged open the bedroom door with a shoulder. They sprawled willingly when I gentle deposited them on the bed, arms stretched over their head to offer themselves to me. Rapturously, I trailed kisses up their throat, spurred on and taking direction from their soft gasps and moans of appreciation. My body pressed closer to theirs unconsciously, one hand tangling in their hair as I kissed them again, leg falling instinctively between theirs. They mewled and arched against my thigh, fingers clenched around my biceps as quivered, legs parting eagerly. The movement caused their own short-clad thigh to press against me, and I grunted in surprise, eyelids fluttering at the contact. With a hum of delight, they pressed harder, shifting minutely, gaze lighting up when I moaned softly.

“That’s cheating…” I murmured, blushing infinitesimally, returning my mouth to their skin and leaving a trail of light bruises over the glowing flesh of their throat.

“Hm?” they purred, still rolling a leg against me teasingly, a playful smirk tugging at their lips despite wide, innocent eyes.

“I’m new to this,” I offered with a weak whine, hands shifting to their hips to pull them closer despite my half-hearted complaints. “You already know all the tricks…”

“You’re better than you think you are,” they assured me softly, lips ghosting over mine. “You’ve rendered me speechless a hundred times from a thousand miles away… I’m sure you’ll be even better in person.”

With a faint blush and a slow, steadying breath, I nodded, moving in to kiss them once more. They sighed happily, eyes closing as their lips moved against mine.

They were right, of course. By their own admission, my late-night fantasies had brought them plenty of pleasure. But it was easy to be skilled in my own fantasies… Reality was a different matter.

Nervous though I was, however, there was no way I was letting my performance anxiety getting the way of something I’d wanted for years. One trembling, inexperienced hand inched under the edge of their shirt to brush a thumb over the soft skin of their hip, relishing in their subtle tremble of delight. The way they reacted to my touch spurred me on, and my fingertips worked under their waistband, smirking when they nodded eagerly at my clarifying glance. The fabric travelled easily over their thighs, and I dropped to my chest between their legs, fingers dancing over damp cotton. A quiet sound of need and pleasure radiated in their chest as I trailed my lips over the tender flesh of their inner thigh, thumb pressing against their wetness, earning a sharp gasp. Hands tangled in my hair, and I looked up, silently prompting.

“Please,” they whispered, eyes wide with desperate desire. “Oh God – please, James…” Groaning weakly, I tugged down the thin, black underwear, wetting my lower lip unconsciously at the sight before me.

Their legs fell wider apart as I shuffled closer, driven by an irrepressible need to explore slick folds offered to me so willingly. The instant my tongue grazed over their wetness, they let out a pitiful mewl, pulling me closer unconsciously and eliciting a ragged moan of delight from my parted lips as I buried myself eagerly between their thighs. Their back arched to press nearer to my enthusiastic tongue, intoxicated as I was by their sweetness, one of my hands moving to probe at their entrance as they squirmed in delight.

The feeling of their body stretching and clamping around me frantically had my hips shifting in a futile attempt to ease the ache between my own thighs. With a quiet, breathless chuckle, they tugged gently on my hair, drawing my gaze to theirs. “Good?” they breathed, eyes flicking pointedly to my needy writhing. I could only hum against them in response, refusing to ease my ministrations for even a moment to confirm my pleasure, hand and tongue shifting in unison as they shuddered and twitched. “God, that- that feels- Fuck, Bucky…”

With a soft groan of delight, I buried myself deeper between their eagerly parted thighs, relishing every tremble and moan as their fingers tightened in my hair. “Buck- Bucky, James, fuck, I can’t- I-I’m going to-”

Whimpering desperately, I rutted in vain against the sheets as they arched against me, body tightening and spasming around me, a frantic wail echoing around us as they came undone under my tongue.

I was quite unable to come to a halt, fingers still moving slowly inside them as my mouth needily chased every last ounce of their wetness, delirious with delight and pleasure. My own core was throbbing and dripping with desire - but I steadfastly continued my ministrations, reluctant to stop before I had to. Eventually, however, they tugged weakly at my hair, guiding me away from their trembling pussy with a soft whimper.

“H-holy… Fuck…” they breathed shaking, a minute wince flickering across their features as one leg stretched out along my side, bones groaning with the effort of movement. I rest my cheek on their thigh, panting as I gazed up at them with wonder and want, relishing the encompassing taste of them still overwhelming my senses.

“You taste like the stars,” I whispered rapturously, eyes fluttering shut for just a moment. “I can’t believe how fucking good you taste.”

They blushed minutes as I looked up once more, flushed pink with pleasure and joy. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

I swallowed dryly, mind whirring at the possibilities, and I froze with indecision. I’d been fantasising about this day for a long time, and I’d covered a hundred different scenarios, each one now flashing before my eyes in a rapid rotation of pleasurable experiences I now had the opportunity to fulfil. “I don’t know where to start,” I admitted softly, and they offered me a tender smile, fingers caressing my hair.

“C’mere,” they murmured, tugging gently to draw me up beside them, oppressing close to my chest, one arm around my neck as the other hand found my hip, dipping lightly under the edge of my shirt to caress my skin tenderly as their mouth found mine. I sighed into the kiss, my own fingers curling into their hair needily.

“I’ve had so many fantasies that I just… I have no idea where to begin,” I breathed, earning a small, coy smile, their now-bare thigh pressing between mine and eliciting a quiet whine and a shuddering jerk of my hips.

“There was this one fantasy,” they mused playfully, slowly kissing along my jaw. “You had it a lot… I could feel your legs around mine, and you were stretching me out so much…”

I gulped, feeling my body tense at the thought. I knew exactly what they were referring to – an act that divided all those who tried, and one I was frantic to attempt. A wide line of light appeared over their thigh, and I blushed as they grinned broadly. “You like that idea, hm?”

Nodding weakly, my fingers flexed with desire, tongue passing over my lower lip dryly. “I love it,” I admitted faintly, and they beamed, fingertips shifting to my fly as they met my eyes, seeking my consent, the sound of my ripper deafening in the tense silence when I nodded.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears as they shed my jeans with tender, patient movements, pressing adoring kisses to the scarred skin of my thighs as each inch was revealed. They didn’t ask, but I knew they understood, each gentle pass of their lips over laddered flash soothing a disquiet anxiety in my soul of which I hadn’t registered the presence.

By the time the material was dropped to the floor with a hushed, heavy thud, my muscles were loose, the ache between my legs more intense than ever as their heavy-lidded gaze met mine. Settling themselves beside me once more, their fingertips danced lightly over my abdomen to tug gently on the hem of my shirt. This time, I found myself only too eager help, shifting upright to pull the clothing over my head with only the barest of thoughts for the scarring at either chest or shoulder, lost in the feeling of their hands mapping my skin attentively.

“You’re so beautiful,” they breathed as I lay back beside them, pressing a gentle kiss to my chest when I blushed, hyperaware of the warmth of their hand resting on my abdomen. “Can I touch you, James?”

I swallowed and nodded, breath catching as their fingers slid under my waistband, passing over short hair to reach between my legs.

The air rushed from my lungs at the first brush of their fingertips against me, the surreal experience of someone else’s touch caressing my wetness eliciting a quiet whine of delight. Reassured, they pressed closer to my side, one leg draping over mine as they trailed their palm along me lightly. “Mm, Bucky…. You’re so-” They cut themselves off, pausing in their ministrations as they looked at me for clarification.

“Wet,” I finished with only the barest hint of a blush, nodding reassuringly and rutting against them. “Fuck- you make my pussy so goddamn soaked…”

They groaned softly, face burying in my throat to nuzzle and kiss the delicate skin they sound there, fingers mercifully resuming their gentle caresses along my slick folds. “So soaked, my beautiful boy… I just want to make you feel so good…”

With a quiet whine, I hooked a thumb into my boxers, pushing them down needily and earning an affectionate chuckle for my desperation. The second I lay nude before them and their hand found me again, I let my legs fall apart, offering my dripping core to them shamelessly. Their purr was pure joy as they stroked and probed, searching for each spot that made me twitch ang groan and mewl pitifully.

My back arched when their finger slid inside me, an exhilarated moan falling readily from my lips, hand tightening in the sheets as I frantically pressed closer. The knowledge that this person, chosen for me by the universe, could make my nerves sing so sweetly – that they’d be able to do so for the rest of our livers together – made my head spin. Emboldened, I licked my lips, leaning over to my bedside table to draw out a long, black length of silicone, the flush barely rising up the back of my neck as I clutched it tightly.

“This what you want, hm?” I purred, my free hand knotting in their hair to kiss them deeply, grinding against their palm. “Best of both worlds, huh – stretching out that gorgeous cunt while I rub my soaked, desperate pussy up against it?” They gasped and nodded, hips already shifting against my thigh once more, the feeling of their juices coating my skin making me only more eager for them. With a reluctant groan, I shifted away from their tender touch, hungrily pulling their legs apart to offer their soaked heat to me once more and earning a shiver of delight at the motion. The  sight of them spread before me, offered and leaking, eyes blown wide with lust and skin shining with ghosts of my thoughts, gave me pause for a moment, enraptured by my good fortune.

I was shameless as I shifted between their knees, my own legs parting, relishing the way their gaze consumed every inch of my exposed flesh just as ravenously as mine did theirs; I could feel myself getting wetter at their eyes on me, and couldn’t help but let out a soft moan of utter bliss.

Their own wetness lit up as I thought about pressing myself against them, and they mewled quietly, shifting closer. “Please… Please, James, fuck, I’ve wanted this for so long, don’t make me wait anymore…”

With a trembling exhale, I shifted the dildo between us, watching with a heavy-lidded gaze as it slowly stretched out their dripping hole. They whimpered and gasped, back arching to force it deeper before their hand took over for mine, eyes moving to my own proffered entrance. The feeling of the toy pressing into me as they moved nearer was more intense than I could ever have imagined, a deafening groan leaving me as I rutted closer, frantically taking more of the thick length in an effort to find some merciful friction.

When their wetness brushed my own, my mind snapped, and almost feral kind of need overcoming me. My arm wrapped around their thigh to jerk them closer and pin them to me, my pussy squarely meeting theirs, our wetness mingling in a lewd cacophony that had my pleasure spiking even higher.

The way the moaned and moved against me, grinding with an urgency that even my wild fantasies couldn’t have predicted, quickly had the blood in my veins fizzing with my impeding release. My hands grasped at them in a futile attempt to hold them closer, fingernails carving rivulets into their flesh, whimpering with desperation as their eyes met mine, hand closing around my metal wrist to cling to me. “Please,” they gasped, somewhere between a cry and a groan, their gaze flat black as their movements against me became irregular.

“Give me everything, sweetheart,” I grunted, sweat beading along the nape of my neck, losing myself in the building tremble of their muscles and the soaked cunt rutting frantically against my own, clit grinding and nudging until their back arched as they wailed.

Their pussy clenched and quivered, jerking the toy inside me, tears rolling freely down my cheeks as they cursed and sobbed, fucking themselves desperately through their climax. The sensation of their wetness intensifying, flowing freely and mixing with mine as they spasmed, dragged me over the edge, and I pressed closer desperately as I groaned, nails breaking skin as I fought to bury myself deeper, to have as much of our bodies in contact as I could.

Their name fell from my lips as a cry of utter ecstasy, vision darkening around the edges as I rocked through my orgasm, hips finally slowing and easing up as Mars’ body fell still, limp and depleted and whimpering softly in pleasure. When I halted at last, they half-lifted their head to meet my faze, aftershocks sending gentle jerks through their body. “I… Oh God, that was…”

I laughed weakly, shivering with the fading adrenaline. “Yes… Yeah, it… Fuck, it really was.” My movements were slow and clumsy as I drew back, relishing in their shaky whimper as the toy left their quivering body and letting out my own soft groan of pleasure and delight at the mess leaking from their stretched hole. “Beautiful,” I breathed, wincing with sensitivity at the drag of the toy over my own overstimulated pussy, dropping it aside to collapse beside them and pull their spent body to my chest carefully. “You okay?” I murmured, trailing a fingertip softly over the delectable curve of their jaw.

They nodded and grinned shakily, releasing a soft sigh of contentment. “I didn’t know it could feel like that,” they admitted quietly, and I pressed a gentle kiss to their hair.

“I didn’t know I could feel like that,” I agreed, my eyes drifting shut of their own volition as Mars burrowed closer into my side, one leg hooking over mine to press themselves nearer. “Stay,” I breathed as my muscles grew sleep-heavy, and they half nodded against me.

“Yes,” they mumbled, fingers tightening a little against my skin. “Yes, please.”

[voidcoining]

[id: two flags with 6 even stripes. in order, from top to bottom, they are dark violet, plum violet, violet red, dark hot pink, bright maroon, red purple. the flag on the left has 3 white doodled hearts spanning the middle two rows. the heart in the middle is upside down. end id]

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valenostic

[pt: valenostic end pt]

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a gender related to valentine’s day nostalgia! this might include heart shaped decorations, passing out cards, candy, teddy bears, nostalgic movies, and more!

coined as revenge for @xyrthemost! worth 8 points! (5 base + 3rd revenge). tagging @kiruliom (sorry! point total is now in pinned coinfight post)

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please let me know if this has been coined before!

[id: a purple background with white stars. black text with a white outline reads "read my dni before interacting” end id]

[randomreadingtimewithtsuki]

Mael/Estarossa x Goddess clan! Reader

Part 2!

Link for part 1!

I hope you guys have enjoyed part 1! Now for part 2, I will skip to when Estarossa was around.

Tw: Blood, injury.

Tsuki's note: here the archangels aren't dead, because I said so XD

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

Ever since Estarossa could remember, he had someone on his mind all the time. He couldn't tell who it was, all he knew is that they were from the goddess clan.

He had few chopped memories: them smiling, walking on a field with him, pulling his arm and the strongest memory: They were crying, bloodied, injured, because of Estarossa.

He had that memory almost clear, the trembling lips, the tear stained cheeks that mixed with blood. But he could not remember their whole face. Who was it?

He thought it could be Elizabeth. But something felt off, his memory of her was one on which she approached him when he was alone in the fields.

Now, Meliodas knew his brother was looking for something, but he didn't know what. Estarossa never said anything to anyone or showed any hints of what it could be.

After the 10 commandments were awakened again, Estarossa resumed his search.

It was so frustrating. Someone, an angel, he could not recall. He didn't know their name or face, but their bloody cheeks and clothes made his heart ache so bad.

It was not common for Estarossa to feel bad about hurting others, but in this case, it hurted so bad knowing they were crying because of him. Was it when he killed Mael?

A little before fighting Escanor, he found someone kneeled down. He had a nostalgic feeling seeing that person kneeling near some trail, they seemed to be studying it.

He approached the person, silently, but they noticed him and whipped their heads towards the demon.

Both seemed awfully surprised for a moment. Estarossa remembers them. It wasn't quite their body, but those eyes, the expression, the mannerism:

Estarossa: Y/N? Ah! Y/n!

You flinched upon hearing your name coming from him and you soon took a fighting pose:

Y/N: !! What do you want?

Estarossa: Me? I was just looking for you!

You squeezed your eyes, not trusting him. He took a few steps closer to you, arms open as he spoke:

Estarossa: You know, you have been quite annoying!

Y/N: Annoying? I haven't seen you since… since…

Estarossa: Since I killed that angel?

Those words felt like daggers to you. Yes, since he killed Mael, your dear childhood friend. You wanted to hate him so much, but something about Estarossa was terribly familiar. You couldn't pinpoint what it was. He approached a bit more and you took a few steps back:

Estarossa: What? You running away? After all my hard work to find ya?

Y/N: ….

You felt tears running down your cheeks and that moment Estarossa expression changed. He wasn't grinning anymore, he seemed to have a mix of pained expression with surprise:

Estarossa: Why so scared? I am not going to hurt you. I promise!

He took a few steps closer. You knew he was faster than you, you couldn't just run. But it seemed that something listened to your silent prayers.

A huge blast of energy nearby caught both of your attentions. You took this opportunity to cast an Ark to have enough light to blind Estarossa and leave.

You could hear him shouting your name and trying to follow you. But soon enough, you were gone.

Estarossa was left frustrated. He finally remembered the face of those memories. Finally got a name and you were gone. With a foul mood he went to join the other demons in the fight.

As Estarossa lost to Escanor and left to heal in the tank, he kept seeing those memories with you in repeat. But this time, your face was clear.

He woke up with you in mind. And took the chance of gathering the commandments to look for you as well. Being stronger wouldn't allow you to run right?

But he could not find you in time. He lost control before finding you again.

In the moment he was roaring and teared up about who he was, he heard a familiar voice, a voice he knew for long, but it sounded so far away:

??: Mael? Mael!

His vision was a bit blurry, he could feel hands on his cheek, he could see a form in front of him and what gave away who it was, was the scent. Familiar scent he knew:

Estarossa/Mael: …Y/N?

You smiled. You held his face a little closer to yours:

Y/N: Yes! It 's me!

His focus was 100% on you and he stopped attacking King and Diane. He was struggling to form some kind of thought of words, but he managed to stutter:

Estarossa/Mael: I am… I am not Mael.. I… not Estarossa…

Y/N:... It doesn't matter who you are, Mael or Estarossa. Just listen to me ok? I am here for you.

He frowned, but he wasn't fighting you:

Y/N: You need to let go of the commandments. Please. They are hurting you.

Estarossa/Mael: But… then, I- my grace is gone. I will be… powerless.

Y/N:  That 's fine! I will look for your grace with you! I can protect you too. We will find a way. Please release them.

He hesitated. You were apprehensive, you could hear Gowther telling you to be careful. You felt Elizabeth 's and Deireri's eyes in you. A silent prayer for success.

You slowly felt him relax. Tears appeared in his eyes, he finally fully relaxed leaning his face towards one of your hands:

Estarossa/Mael: I… fine, I-

You smiled. He didn't get to finish what he was saying - your smile was gone, instead you had a surprised face mixed with pain.

You got hurt. You saw your blood spilling on Mael's face and his expression changing to surprise and sorrow. You both could hear a smaller demon yelling from below:

Demon: You will not take Lord Estarossa from us! You filthy Angel!

You could also hear Deireri yelling, Samiel and Tamiel screams as you started to fall. Mael tried to hold you, but he wasn't fast enough. You ignored what everyone was yelling and focused on talking to the man in front of you:

Y/N: Mael! It's ok, I, I - don't…!

As you fell you saw a trail of blood coming from you, his face contorted with pain and piercing yell coming from him. Yelling your name.

Estarossa saw Elizabeth running to you, but his eyes were dead set on that smaller demon. He ignored Deireri, King, Samiel, all of them.

Everything turned black again. Pitch black.

The darkness lasted until Gowther entered Mael's mind. Gowther tried to convince the angel to let go of the commandments, he mentioned you were alive to Mael, but he hardly believed it:

Gowther: They are waiting for you! Ludociel,  Elizabeth, Samiel, Tamiel and Y/N! They are waiting for you! Y/N is alive! They are!

Mael: Why would they be waiting for me? I did nothing but hurt them.

Gowther was expelled thinking he lost the fight. In truth, Mael's memory of everyone, but especially you, was echoing in his head.

Your smile on that flower field, you pulling his arm to go somewhere, you scolding him, your hugs.

He decided to see for himself  if you were truly alive.

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Thank you for reading!

Are you guys up for part 3?

No? Too bad ! It's coming anyway :D

[nikkilover-miraclenikki]

【 Miracle Nikki CN 】

Valentine Day 2023 • Event

【 Miracle Nikki CN 】

Valentine Day 2023 • Event

🌹🌹[City of Love] 🌹🌹

Love is a holy oath, but also every moment.

This road may go through difficulties and trials, but the flower of love will eventually bloom the beauty of people's hearts.

The love theme park located in Helavi is in full bloom in the city of love, attracting many tourists to visit and play.

On February 14th, the fragrance will be fully released, and the romance will start

Suit Display ::

Pink Suit :: Love is like a Poem (绮恋如诗)

Red Suit :: Love with Thorns and Roses (棘花瑰恋)

Collection :: Festivals (Valentine Day 2023)

Date :: 14—20/02/2023

Type :: Event

[cheaploafs]

drawing jayce in pretty things should be my fulltime job, the grind never stops

[ackermans-freedom-inc]

Happy (almost) Valentines Day 2023!

As I have for the past two years, I will be hosting a Valentines Day event!

How to play:

Send your favourite character a love letter, and you will get one back! This can be through inbox or submissions.

Fandoms: attack on titan, (I’ll try some haikyu this year as well but pls be kind to me)

They will not reject you, happy endings only from my end! Unless you want to get an angsty letter back, in which case, write me an angsty letter first! I take my cues from your letter to me.

It also does NOT have to be canon! Just let me know what trope you’re going for, what AU you’re in, etc and I can make do with that too.

Please let me know your preferences for pronouns, nicknames, etc if it applies in your letter. Feel free to use a pseudonym, initials, or your first name if you’re comfortable. You can also let me know your preferred pet names and I’ll try to incorporate them.

Rules, tips, and tricks to have a good time

Send me detailed letter with backstory for a more inspired reply. An intricate letter giving me an idea as to the context provides me more material to work with in my reply.

I will HARD close my inbox at 7pm PT on February 13, 2023. Letters received after that time may not be replied to before February 14.

I will allow back and forth replies to letters, but I will prioritize letters to those who have not received one yet before replying to response letters.

My regular blog rules apply. If you’re writing a suggestive letter, you must indicate you are 18+ either to me personally or on your blog.

If I see a Valentines Day letter in my inbox that was sent to another blog as well, I will delete the letter in my inbox. Explanation for why is here.

All letters will be posted HERE in a masterlist

Block the tag “Valentines Day Letters 2023” to avoid seeing posts about it!

That’s all from me! Happy writing everyone! 💕

[giggly-squiggily]

💝 Candy Heart Event 2023! 💝

It’s (almost) that time of year again!

Hello everyone! I hope y’all are having a great January so far! If not, I wish you good fortune and better times in the future! Last year  we did this and it was an absolute blast! I’ve been so excited to do it again this year with all of you, and here we are! Now with additional fandoms and sentence starters! :D

This was inspired by @tickly-trashcan​’s Boba Shop Event! Check out their blog for all sorts of awesome content!

💝 Rules💝

- Send me a pairing (Platonic or Romantic) from the fandoms listed below along with a candy heart phrase (Sentence Starter) from the list! (Ex: ObaMitsu- True Love) and I will write a short dabble for it!

- The event will be open from January 27-February 14th, ending at 8:00 PM EST. I will make an announcement when prompts are officially closed!

- Dabbles will start coming out Feb 1!

- I do write “Character x Reader!” (If you want it to be platonic, please specify with “Platonic!Reader”)

-Multiple sentence starter requests are allowed!

- Requester’s Choice: This is essentially a blank Candy- you can pick whatever sentence starter you want for it! :)

💝 Candy Heart Sentence Starters 💝

❤️Be Mine: “Oh that is IT! Come here!”

🧡Miss You: “When’s the last time you smiled?”

💛True Love: “I could do this all day.”

💚Cutie: “Why are you trying to hide?”

💙XOXO: “Hey, do you like raspberries?”

💜Angel: “What happens if I do this?”

❤️I love you: “You smiled at me- I think I’m in love!”

🧡Bestie: Requester’s choice: Pick your own sentence starter!

💛Sweet Heart: “Oh? Is someone ticklish?”

💚Cupid: “I’m gonna get you!”

💗 Say Yes: “Your so ticklish, aren’t you?”

💙Smile: “I didn’t know you were ticklish here!”

💜Hug: “I just want a hug!”

❤️Darling: “Do you want me to tickle you?”

🧡Love bug: “What’s so funny?”

💛Soul Mate: “Not there? What about here?”

💚Sweet Pea: “Is this a bad spot?”

💙Adore: “ Your laugh is adorable.

💜Kiss me: “Don’t stop? If you say so!”

❤️Me + You: “No way! I didn’t know you were ticklish!”

🧡Always and Forever: “Look how red you are! How cute!”

💛I’m Yours: “You like being tickled, don’t you?”

💚Puppy love: “Where are those giggles I love so much?”

💙Only You: “Hey could you...you know?”

💜Hot Stuff: “Come over here and make me!”

💝 Fandoms 💝

-Some of the fandoms on here will have **Limited Request** beside them. This means I will only be taking up to a limited amount of that fandom.

If the fandom is crossed out, it means all slots for it have been filled!

Black Clover

Blue Lock

Buddy Daddies

Bungo Stray Dogs

Chainsaw Man

Code Realize

Collar x Malice

Danganronpa

Demon Slayer

Dr. Stone

Fire Force

Fruit’s Basket

Free! Iwatobi Swim Club

Given

Haikyuu!!

Heartstopper

Hell’s Paradise: Jirokuraku

Hunter x Hunter (Up to Greed Island arc)

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (Parts 2-5)

Jujutsu Kaisen

Komi Can’t Communicate

Mob Psycho 100

Moriarty The Patriot

My Hero Academia **Limited Requests**

Pokemon **Limited Requests** (All Gens)

Sk8 The Infinity

Spy x Family

Toliet Bound Hanako Kun

Tokyo Revenges

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I’m so excited to do this again with y’all!

[doctorgerth]

a/n: I know this is supposed to be a fluff event but my heart said angst for this...it just fits the prompt haha please forgive me. There’s a happy ending I swear! Law has already claimed your heart...will he claim your lips too? Read to find out! 💋

pairing: Law x GN!Reader

warning: slight angst

word count: 1.5k 

candy heart prompt: Sweetheart - Goodbye (For Now)

LAW + SWEETHEART

Today was the day you’d been dreading since your Captain brought it to the crew’s attention.

Today, Law would be leaving to traverse solo to Punk Hazard in efforts to defeat Doflamingo. You’d known about his plan for weeks. Able to prepare in said amount of time, yet your heart still felt so unbearably heavy in your chest.

You’d been avoiding him all day. You knew it was immature, but why did he insist on going alone? Though you were well aware of Law’s obstinance and preference for handling things on his own, you argued endlessly with him about it. Wasn’t this what having a crew was for? To help him succeed; to protect and support him in his endeavors? He denied everyone’s help incessantly, and so you remained in your room as the rest of the crew were seeing their Captain off. Bepo’s pitiful wails echoed off the submarine walls, reminding you of your own sorrow.

You were confident in your Captain’s abilities, but those little bouts of doubt, along with not knowing exactly when he’d return was what left you restless. You’d never been without Law for very long since joining the crew a couple years ago. Now that you knew what you felt for your Captain was too romantic to be considered anything else, you weren’t sure how to handle not having him around for an indeterminate amount of time.

That was another reason you decided to close yourself off. You didn’t trust that you’d be able to keep your feelings in check in such a tender moment. You didn’t know if you could say goodbye without telling him how your heart yearned for him. It was inappropriate, untimely, and surely unrequited. You didn’t want to weigh your Captain down further with awkward feelings from a subordinate. Plus, you couldn’t possibly handle the rejection and having to say goodbye all in the same moment.

A familiar clicking of boots resounded down the hallway. You hoped and prayed they’d stride past your doorway, but of course, they stopped right outside your door. He knocked three times, waited a few seconds, then entered upon his own volition.

“Are you not going to say goodbye?” Was that disappointment in his voice? You hugged your knees tighter to your chest, avoiding his eyes.

“Goodbye, Captain,” you muttered begrudgingly.

A smirk tugged at his lips. Law was shamelessly amused by your pouting. He gently closed the door behind him, setting his duffle bag and Kikoku to the side. He walked casually over to your desk chair, turned it around, and sat down in it to face you, “You know I’m not accepting that.”

“What do you want me to say? ‘Please don’t go’? We both know that won’t stop you.” Your words spit out like venom, stinging deep in his wounded chest. If only you knew how hard it was for him to leave. How hard it was to leave you. How if you had begged for him to stay, it’d be impossibly harder to leave than it already was. If anyone could make him stay, it was you.

“I promise I’ll return,” he reassured. He looked and sounded confident, but you didn’t miss the hint of uncertainty laced in that promise.

“When?” you pushed.

He shrugged his shoulders, “I’m not sure.”

You turned to look at him now. His eyes bored into yours, golden and uncharacteristically soft, making you want to leap into his arms and plead for him to stay right there with you. “Can you at least promise to return safe and sound?”

Another shrug. His nonchalance was pissing you off and he knew it well, “I can’t guarantee that.”

“Then don’t go!” you begged louder than intended. He remained stoic as you stared at one another, but underneath the surface, his resolve was crumbling piece by piece. So many unspoken words begging to be heard were lost in the deafening silence.

Law was the first to break the tension, exhaling a deep breath as he motioned you to the edge of the bed, “Come here.”

You wanted so badly to defy him, but you couldn’t. Not when he stared at you so longingly, nor when he offered for you to be close to him like you've always wanted. You huffed as you shuffled along the bed, sat along the edge, and faced him. In this new position, your knees brushed, and that small moment of contact made your saddened heart immediately jumpstart to life; quickening its pace when he reached out and took your hands in his.

The silence returned as Law observed your hands intertwined. You’ve never touched like this before, but it was exactly the kind of intimacy you’d both been craving from one another. The calluses on his hands smoothing over the skin of your own felt comforting, and when he laced your fingers together, neither of you could ignore how perfectly they fit. As if your hands were meant to be held by one another; puzzle pieces at last fitting into place. Law was only making it harder for himself by touching you like this, that much he knew, but he couldn’t leave you without this embrace. In truth, he needed this gentle reassurance just as much. The warmth of your hands in his would be enough motivation to come back alive.

“At least take me with you,” you disturbed the peace with a small sob, “Or anyone. Just don’t go alone, please.”

Law squeezed your hands tightly when you offered yourself to his mission, “I can’t let you come.”

You’ve heard this before, but still, you just wanted to know why. “Why not? I can help with anything you need. I can…”

His fingers untangled from yours, but you didn’t have time to feel empty before his tattooed hands grabbed either side of your face; holding you steady and making you look right into his solemn eyes, “Because if something were to happen to you…” his throat tightened at the idea, voice hoarse as he finished his confession, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

Though the way he was touching you so intimately should have been proof enough, those last eight words were the final confirmation you needed to realize that your feelings weren’t as unrequited as you had assumed. Law had deeper feelings for you and your heart soared at his indirect confession while his beat uncontrollably in his chest. It was time you knew.

You could feel the warmth of his ragged breathing against your lips as his face was suddenly inches from yours. His golden eyes flicked down to your lips, holding them in an enraptured stare. His mind was dizzy, fingers numb, lips buzzing with anticipation to feel yours against his own. Law has wanted to kiss you for so long now, but now that the opportunity has arisen, he was embarrassingly unable to do so. Though basking in the comfort of your warmth and wasting the day away with long overdue kisses was a dangerously tempting offer, he had things to take care of elsewhere. He knew you understood that despite your vexations.

His eyes slowly blinked back up to yours, “You’ll be safe with everyone else in Zou. I need you to stay safe. I need you here when I get back. Promise me?”

It took everything within you to nod, feeling lightheaded from the tension. You rested your forehead against his, “Promise me you’ll come back to me?”

After some time, he nodded. When his thumb brushed across your lips, you closed your eyes and sighed. “Save these for me?” he whispered, visibly struggling to not close the distance upon feeling the invitation of your soft lips beneath his fingertip. He was only furthering his torment. “Need something worth fighting for.” 

You scoffed with a light smile, “I’ll save a thousand kisses for when you come back.”

Extending the wait to claim what he’s yearned for since his feelings for you were realized would be agonizing, but he was glad to have something to look forward to upon his eventual return. He’d try his best to have a proper confession by then as well. Law pulled you into a tight embrace, cradling the back of your head with one hand and wrapped around your waist with another. You buried yourself into him, imprinting his scent into your memory to hold onto when the days without him were long. Pitiful as it was, Law missed you already, although he was closer to you than ever before.

“Goodbye, Captain,” you whispered into his neck. Your words and heart felt much more full.

“It’s just goodbye for now,” Law muttered, “I’ll claim what’s mine when I get back.” He smirked as he pinched your bottom lip between his fingers. 

And we won’t have to say goodbye ever again; a silent promise held safely in his thoughts.

a/n: I told you there’d be a happy ending! Maybe more bittersweet...But! Imagine how sweet the smooch will be in Law’s next chance(s). I have nothing but good intentions, I swear. 😇 Thanks so much for reading! <3

[blake-elladonna]

♡ Deliverance ♡

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐱 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫) 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟓𝟑𝟖

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟐 𝐦𝐢𝐧. ��𝟕 𝐬𝐞𝐜.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Kunikida’s heart stopped when he saw you with his notebook in his hands. Did you see what he had written about you? Why did he have to be so foolish and leave it behind; and how can he find out how you feel about him?

Kunikida’s head went dizzy, fuzzy and light. He was going to pass out. You were in front of his desk, stood with his notebook in your hands.

He opened his mouth to say something, to stop you, but nothing came out. He wasn’t sure if it was because of your overwhelming beauty; the way the sunlight peeked through the uncovered windows of the office or the way that you looked over to him and smiled. But he kept coming up empty handed.

“Kunikida, sorry. I wasn’t trying to snoop or anything. Dazai just told me you could help me out with something.” You had an awkward smile and Kunikida cleared his throat, walking over towards his desk and taking his book from you.

His heart beat pounded when his fingers grazed yours for a short moment; and he stuttered, “Did you read anything interesting?”

“I didn’t read your soulmate list if that is what you are worried about. I have some self control. Even if I was a little curious.” Your confident smile lessened the burden he felt on his back. At least you didn’t find out this way; the most anti-romantic way imaginable. He would have never forgiven himself for being so foolish.

“So, Kunikida..” “Yes, what is it?”

“Is it true that anything you write in your notebook comes to fruition?” Kunikida scratched the side of his head while he adjusted his glasses with one hand; trying to calm himself down. Why were you asking this so suddenly? “Well, in some sort of capacity; yes, but there’s some conditions. For example, the pages only create nonliving objects and it can’t create anything larger than this book here.”

“So, you could make something for me?”

“Of course!” Kunikida cleared his throat when his words came out in too much of a hurry, too eager. What is wrong with him. But that made you laugh with your hand reaching out and touching the back of his hand. “Thank you..”

He once again cleared his throat. Reaching for his pen as an excuse to take a step away from you; opening his book to an empty page. “What is it you would like for me to make?”

“A reservation for two at the really nice restaurant down the street, the one where the moon and the stars are visible so beautifully at night. Booked for Valentine’s Day.”

“I’m not sure I can..” Before he finished his sentence, your finger lowered his book to place a piece of paper atop his page. “Dazai kind of told me what he read earlier..but the joke is on him. I already had plans to ask you anyway.”

Kunikida stood in silence until you started to widen your eyes. “You aren’t rejecting me are you? I mean, was he just messing with me? I swear I’m going to..”

Kunikida silenced you by stepping forward, his arm tucked beneath your torso as his book laid open flat against your back. “Kunikida..?”

Your breath and heart sped up against his chest; and with the small space your face turned a shade of pink. “I’m not rejecting you.” He said. His arm pushing you further into his personal space. “I’m going to spoil you my entire life.”

← Previous Drabble Master List Next Drabble → 🎊 ♡ Home ♡ ♡ Sweet tooth ♡ 🎊

⇐ Last Kunikida Drabble Next Kunikida Drabble ⇒ 🎊 ♡ Exceptions ♡

Feeling festive? Click here to read more from the Valentine’s Event!

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: @ashthemadwriter, @sky-drgn, @silverbladexyz

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭? 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞

© 2023 @blake-elladonna™ — all copyrights reserved. Please do not translate, steal, repost or claim my writing or ideas as your own. Click here for further details.

[candysweetposts]

Valentine's day edit (2/3)

Yeah, this is my favorite no questions asked.

HC: Chris and Carla went to said love festival. They didn't dress too fancy, just something in the theme. And yeah, at this festival everyone brought flower bouquets for their significant other, and so did Chris. And also pigeons for some reason. They stayed up until the event was over and there were also some fireworks in the heart shape.

[frozensamantha]

I wasn’t able to prep for the Helsa Valentine event this time but I thought today would be the best day to share this awesome Helsa valentine card my dear friend @queenelsawestergaard made and sent me as a surprise gift  ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Loving all the new Helsa content for the event everyone!!! thank you!! (side note: there’s only 1 card here but I posted all 4 pics of it because the lighting was different in each one and I couldn’t decide!!! words on the card are based on lyrics Hans’ voice actor Santino Fontana sings when he was in Cinderella on Broadway - we like to use some of the songs for Helsa love songs)

[jxcotts]

rich couple energy💋💅🏽

[randomreadingtimewithtsuki]

Hello! This is a self request, as I like to call it.

Just some angst ( fluff- ish?l with Mael from nanatsu no taizai. I am not done with the anime, but I am almost there. Almost.)

This came out really long… anyway!

Mael x goddess!reader Part 1.

Tw: mentions of death, blood and injury.

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You have known Mael ever since you two were children. It could be said you two were best friends - you cheered up each other, got each other's back, played around a lot and comforted each other.

On the comfort topic, you always comforted Mael, when you guys were younger you used to hug him tight whenever people called him weak.

As you grew older things started to get a little awkward and it didn't help he got ridiculously tall compared to you and people would often tell him he would break you in half if he hugged you too strongly.

Of course you didn't mind. Mael would never hurt you, but he seemed to get concerned about it.

That didn't stop him from leaning on you or hugging your dorso - if you were standing while he sat down - whenever he felt sad about his crush on Elizabeth and went on an endless rant.

You didn't mind he ranted to you, it was quite understandable how he was feeling, considering how you were raised. But you didn't think of demons as evil, you had your doubts.

With the holy war going on everything got stressful. You were on the healing squad - helping the ones on the front lines to get back on their feet - so you saw a lot of death and violence.

But that didn't mean you didn't fight. You did, whenever you had to protect an injured comrades or it was a trap using the fallen.

It was starting to get to you emotionally to not be able to help your fellow clan mates and other species, like the fairies and gigants.

Mael's rant was getting into your nerves too. It seemed like he only came to you recently to complain about Elizabeth seeing Meliodas, he stopped asking about you or even talking about other things like a different creature either of you saw, a food he craved or something like that.

It got to a point where you didn't want to heal yourself from the last fight and you didn't want to see anyone. It felt like you didn't deserve to be cared for.

So you decided to go to a lake to be on your own, badly hurt. It wasn't long when you heard a familiar voice calling your name. You sighed. The voice grew closer and closer:

??: Y/N?

You didn't reply. The owner of the voice, Mael, saw you:

Mael: Y/N! There you are! What are you doing here?

He seemed to not have noticed how bloody you were. You faintly replied:

Y/N: Hello Mael. What can I do for you?

He approached you and sat next to you, looking forward towards the lake. You tried to hide your wounds with your hair and your wings:

Mael: I was looking for you. I heard you were back, but I couldn't find you.

Y/N: Is that so?

Mael: Yes… I was worried, you were gone and Elizabeth hadn't been back yet, probably with him.

Y/N: I am sure she is fine. Lady Elizabeth can handle herself.

Mael: I don't know… those demons aren't trustworthy. I just wish she would see that…

Y/N: perhaps she sees something else.

Mael: Are you supporting that?

Y/N: … I just- ah, never mind.

You heard Mael shuffle next to you. He called your name very harshly:

Mael: Y/N! Y/N….?

As soon as you turned to him, he could see your bloody face. He stayed in silence for a bit staring at you, while you stared back:

Y/N: Yes?

Mael: Are you… is that… are you hurt?

You didn't reply to him. You moved your head to stare forward again, this time Mael's voice was sounding frustrated but also worried:

Mael: Y/N! Why don't you heal yourself?

Y/N: It's fine. I don't want to be healed.

Mael: Y/N, you are terribly hurt! What are you trying to pull?

Y/N: I just… I … don't feel like I should.

Mael: Of course you should! Allow me to aid-

You slapped his hand:

Y/N: I said no!

He was dumbfounded. He never expected you to reject him like that:

Mael: Y/N? What are you doing?

Y/N: Please leave.

Mael: Leave? When you are like that?

Y/N: I want to be alone. Please leave. I can't stand to look at anyone, I am so tired.

Mael: I will not. You need to rest and heal, just let-

Y/N: Mael, I need to be alone, please leave!

You turned to him, so frustrated that you were crying. Blood and tears got mixed together, your wings seemed to melt away with your sadness.

Seeing your face like that broke Mael's heart. He wanted to do something for you, so he tried to reason with you again, gently holding your shoulders:

Mael: Y/N? Please… let me help.

Y/N: You can't help me now. I won't repeat myself, please leave.

Mael didn't leave and his grip on you tightened. At this moment you let out a whimper, not like he was hurting you, but you were so tired that his insistence started to make you get more and more frustrated.

You started crying harder which made Mael's grip loosen up a bit. He seemed a bit confused whether he hugged you or left you alone or dried your tears.

You took that moment to let out a very bright light and to leave the area. At that moment you heard Mael calling out for you.

But you flew far away without looking back and with no destination in mind. Eventually you reached another lake in the middle of a foggy forest, far from the safe place of the fortress of the goddess clan.

You were so busy sobbing, you didn't notice someone approach you:

??: Hey…. Are you ok?

You turned around startled, to see a blond, short man - Meliodas was standing a few feet away from you:

Meliodas: What happened?

He didn't approach you any further. You sniffed a bit, with no strength to reply to him and turned back to face the lake.

After a little a while Meliodas spoke again:

Meliodas: Can I sit here?

You nodded. He sat next to you and remained in silence. He stayed there until you calmed down and looked at him:

Meliodas: Are you feeling a bit better?

Y/N: … Why are you here?

Meliodas: Why? Well, it's dangerous to be around here on your own.

Y/N: I am sorry.

Meliodas looked very confused at your apology:

Y/N: You stayed here with me. I am sorry.

Meliodas laughed. That caught your attention, was he mocking you?

Meliodas: There is no need to apologize! I am glad you seem better now! But… those injuries…

You frowned and proceeded to explain how tired you felt because of it all and didn't want to keep fighting this senseless war.

He listened to you quietly. His eyes looked so sad at each word you spoke. But what made him snap his head at was what you said in the end:

Y/N: I think you guys are just trying to live like we are. So… Wouldn't it be nice if we could just chat?

Meliodas: You truly think that?

Y/N: I do… What is the difference between you and I?

At this moment, another voice called out for you:

??: Y/N! There you are! Mael said you were gone and hurt! He is looking for you everywhere!

You recognized that voice. That sweet, kind voice:

Y/N: Lady Elizabeth!

Elizabeth: Dear me! Y/N, what happened?

You rubbed your arm and sighed. You explain it all to her again. She looked terribly sad:

Elizabeth: Oh, Y/N… I am so sorry…

Elizabeth hugged you and you let out a whimper. At this moment Meliodas laughed again:

Meliodas: You do know that doing this to yourself isn't quite helping, right?

Y/N: I know… is just… I will heal myself soon. Just not now.

Meliodas: Do you promise?

You smiled at his question:

Y/N: Yes!

Meliodas: But… you know, Y/N, about Mael…

Now Meliodas' face was annoying. You sighed and explained to them how you were tired of people and him only looking for you to rant was exhausting. You admitted you were wrong to lash out at him, but you were so tired:

Elizabeth: Y/N, please go apologize to him! He is so worried!

Y/N: Yeah… I am not so sure about that… I feel like I will lash out again if I see him.

There was a bit of silence and the couple exchanged a little nod:

Elizabeth: Then, I will tell him you are OK and-

Y/N: Don't tell him where I am, please? I promise to come around. Just not now…

Elizabeth sighed and agreed with you. She soon left to Mael you were OK. At this moment, Meliodas got up:

Meliodas: Well, you still need some time it seems. I will take my leave. But if you need something, just ask ok?

Y/N: Oh… sure. Thank you, Lord Meliodas.

He smiled and started to walk away when you called him again:

Y/N: Lord Meliodas?

Meliodas: Hm?

Y/N: One day… we should hang out all together. I would love to meet your family.

He smiled at you. A genuine smile and agreed to your proposal.

You stayed in that forest until nighttime. You healed yourself and got ready to return home.

As soon as you arrived, you were greeted by the same chaotic scene - injured people, dead people, angry people.

You walked around for a bit lost in thoughts. Until you hear your name being called, but before you could react, your feet left the ground and arms were around your stomached - you were being back hugged, no, lifted:

Mael: There you are! Y/N, I was so worried! Lady Elizabeth told me-

You sighed quite audibly. He noticed your sigh and leaned his cheek on your back:

Mael: I am sorry. I am sorry for not treating you right.

You couldn't be mad at him, right now. You were wrong too:

Y/N: It's… I am sorry too. I shouldn't have been so mean.

Mael: But, But I!

Y/N: I am sorry for worrying you.

Mael relaxed his grip on you and placed you down:

Mael:.... I am sorry I was inconsiderate. I can leave if you-

You turned around and flew to his height, you said in a gently voice while squishing his cheeks:

Y/N: You don't need to go anywhere. I just wanted some time without people. That's all. But you can stay now.

Mael: Are… are you sure?

You nodded, smiling. His eyes shined so brightly at your smile, he seemed to be smiling too, but as you were holding his cheeks, you could only feel his muscles move.

Mael caught you off guard, hugging you very tight and snuggling on your neck. You giggled:

Y/N: How long has it been, since you hugged me like that?

You could see his ears burning and he let out a little whimper. You just patted his head and heard a deep sigh from him:

Mael: It feels so much better having you around.

You blushed at his statement:

Y/N: Does it?

Mael: It does, like having a safe place…

You smiled at him. He could be annoying at times, but he did have a good heart. It still sounded like a lie that he was looking for you so hard, though.

His words were quite bitter sweet to you. But it was fine. As long as he was OK, it was fine.

Little did you know, how things would turn out and what you would learn later. Both of you.

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Thank you for reading!

I may or may not have a part 2 for this?

Anyway let me know what you think!