#I am expecting to see my boy! he better be name dropped at least!

[pink-lightsabre]

The closer we get to the boss battle on the moon and the end of C3 the more I am thinking about Matt saying

ALMOST

every champion of every god in the pantheon would be making their way to the moon. Aabria asking what champions were left. And Matt saying we would have to wait and see.

I haven’t forgotten Matthew! I know it was a comment in a cooldown 20 episodes ago! But I have not forgotten!!!!! I am going to hold you to that!!!!!

BRING BACK ZERXUS

[leviismybby]

"Pregnant?" Connie's mouth drops as you and Levi make the announcement. You kept your pregnancy a secret for long enough and your belly was starting to show too much, they would've figured it out anyway. Sasha stops eating, her eyes go wide, Jean next to her tries not to smile, he definitely wants to say something inappropriate. Before he gets the chance to, Armin speaks. "Congratulations captain and name!" He smiles at both of you. The tension at the table was awkward as you knew that some of them didn't even know you and Levi were dating.

Mikasa doesn't say anything but you can see the slight smile on her face meanwhile Eren looks like he is having some sort of flashbacks. "Congrats." He says, his green eyes shifting from his food to your belly, which makes you question a few things but you smile back and nod your head at him. "You know Captain for humanity's strongest soldier you sure don't know how to pull-ow!" Sasha stomps on Connie's foot under the table and Jean laughs. "Be mature for once will you!" The brunette says to him with her mouth full of food. Levi rolls his eyes at the banter, he really didn't want to tell them. It's not because he doesn't trust them but he thinks that it's safer for you and your baby if less people knew.

"You're the one to talk! Your mouth is full of food." Connie bites back at Sasha and she just continues to eat. Mikasa turns to you. "Congratulations. I still don't know how you keep up with him." She says, her and Levi did have a bumpy relationship but you know that she doesn't mean it in a bad way. "Well now I will have to keep up with two..." You chuckle. "Can we name it?" Jean asks. "Absolutely not." Levi doesn't even let him think about it. "And from now I want you all to be careful around name, is that clear?" They all nod at Levi's command.

"It's a boy." Eren says, he has been awfully quiet since you said that you were expecting a child, the whole table turned to look at him. "I mean, I think it's going to be a boy." He says, looking down at his food. Sasha shakes her head. "Nuh uh, it's definitely a girl!" They all start to place bets and Levi sighs, he whistles to get their attention. "You're not betting on a the gender of my fucking child. Now, after breakfast, I want to see all of you train extra hard understood?" "Yes, captain!" They all say in unison, Armin sheepishly looks at you. "I agree with Eren, I think it's a boy. I read that boys leave all the beauty to the mother and you're glowing Name." You smile at him, Armin always was sweet, well most of the time.

"Right, can you guys please keep this a secret? We don't want everyone to know." It's a simple request that leaves your mouth. They all nod, this went better than you thought it would, most of them are happy but Eren's reaction lingers at the back of your mind. "Listen when the little Ackerman terror is born, can I be the godfather?" That's a question that throws Levi off guard, especially since Jean asked it. "No, I want to be the godfather! That baby deserves someone fun as the godfat-" "Neither of you." Levi says, pinching the area between his eyes. "Now, off to training." Standing up one by one they all make their way outside, Mikasa approaches you. "If you need anything you can let me know." She says and you can't help but smile at her. "Thank you, Mikasa."

As the room clears, Levi turns to you. "I am surprised that none of them asked how kids are made." Laughing at these words, you shake your head. "They are all 17-18, Levi. They know all too well by now." You can still remember how traumatized Eren and Mikasa were when they found out, to your surprise, that Armin knew despite his two confused best friends. "Yeah well, all of them are still brats." He kisses your temple and then your belly. "I'll see you two later." He gives you a quick kiss before heading out to training. Your hand goes down to your belly and you rub the bump, in this time of war and hardship, a baby will surely bring at least a bit of happiness into it all.

[hanihazeljade]

Forced Playdate

Timothy is good at keeping good boy image in his appearances in public vicinity but somehow this girl that he was forced to get along with, frustrates every single neuron he has and things go awry.

Part 3 of Disgustingly Green , Skill Issue

(CW: mean, mean, mean Timothy)

Timothy was called one day and he was forced to be nice with this girl, her named is probably Maya or Gia? He didn't remember, she was named in his head as a rambunctious brat.

Well apparently, the brat's father and the weird man that throw him are friends, probably the father is also a weird and idiot person, because birds and their feathers.

Lunch with the kid is a disaster. She use her hands to eat her food like a baby and the food sometimes fly around his plate, making his appetite finally left him. Thank goodness he was not put in a high chair or else he will just drop himself and hope he will die.

If such a kid don't have manners, and the father's friend don't have manners, then by analytical and statistical basis, the father is also a rambunctious brat that doesn't have any manners, and Timothy will do his best to avoid those people.

But of course, the Waynes are twats that doesn't make his life any easier.

Tim doesn't know why he was being forced to be buddy buddy with this uncivilised monkey. At first he can tolerate it as maybe she is just really got a lenient parent, a single father even, but as time goes by Timothy starts to get irritated by passing second.

The little girl, Sophia(?), he still can't remember and he rather stays that way, kept asking him so many questions and kept telling him that they should play. Rolling his eyes internally, he rather jump to Gotham Bay instead of playing with this monkey.

"Didn't your parents taught you manners?" Timothy suddenly asked, losing his cool altogether. The girl just tilt her head. She is already six and yet can't articulate her words better, His mother wouldn't be proud if he was this late bloomer.

"Manners?" she finally replied, titled her head in a manner that some people will say it's adorable, still kind of dumb answer but at least she kinda shut up for now.

"You are a lady, you need to act like one. Not an uncivilised homosapiens." Tim rolled his eyes. The little girl definitely didn't understand what he said, but her father did and boy, was he pissed.

"She's six!" Roy growled, obviously not fancying the idea his daughter is not allowed to be a little kid and be a stuck up spoiled little brat.

Tim just scoffed, like how her mother would whenever his father said something dumb, "And when I'm six, I know how to behave like a decent human being, not some animal who acts on it's instinct." Timothy said as he glared sharply to Roy. The kid was cute but those eyes are not. Roy never thought that he can see the Tim's eyes like that. It was always light and some life in them but now, Tim is like those pretentious rich people he met during Ollie's parties.

"You spoil her too much, but what should I expect to someone who befriend a failure like that man." Timothy rolled his eyes, "You people disgust me."

Tim sighed, he didn't give anyone a chance to speak as he announced, "I will be in my room. I am exhausted dealing with people like you." Timothy said with disgust as he left in silence.

[onyourhyuck]

Sore Loser <3 | Lee Haechan (M)

Prologue: “At least I don’t fuck every girl I meet.” + “At least I don’t get cheated on.”

Summary: Your boyfriend and you are both sore losers.

Warning: Mature themes. Crack. Relationship goals. Slightly suggestive and smutty.

Note: I AM BACK!! Sorry it took a while but I’m very busy with school and I finished my stuff :)) expect slow updates but I’m returning now.

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“Just admit it I’m better at Valorant and you suck absolute ass.” You tell your boyfriend sitting across your bed where you are laying down watching him play Valorant on the computer.

You’re in his bedroom hanging out, essentially you guys were going to play together but the last time you both ended up arguing for hours about losing the round and blaming it on each other. You take your games very seriously and so does Haechan. He doesn’t like losing.

Might be because he’s just a sore loser or perhaps he loves seeing you lose and throw a tantrum over it. Maybe it’s both. Who knows, Haechan’s a weird species of men and you don’t even know why you’re wasting your time arguing with the boy sometimes.

But even though you guys argue there are your moments where you both are very sweet together. You guys understand each other quite well but often you like to annoy the hell out of each other.

Haechan bites his bottom lip as he failed to win the round. He turns around to face you with a deadly look in his eyes as if he was ready to blame you. “You distracted me again!”

You open your mouth defensively. “Do not blame me for your shitty skills. You took that L so badly.”

He rolls his eyes slightly annoyed as he stands up and walks over to the bed edge, scowling, grabbing a potato chip and nomming it down from your chips bag.

“Y’know at least I don’t have daddy issues.” He shrugs confidently sitting down, eating more. Your mouth drops as your eyes go on a squint glare.

“Yeah? Well at least my dad actually gives me attention and loves me.”

Your words shook haechan at his core as his eyes roll over to you. He stops eating and sits up slightly before replying back with equal damage. “At least I don’t cry over the slightest thing.”

“At least I don’t fuck every girl I meet.”

“At least I don’t get cheated on.”

The way you let out a gasp as he did not hold back his words biting down on every syllable which means he meant everything he said to you. “You’re a dick.” You tell him.

He smirks. “You love it.”

You didn’t reply but bite down your bottom lip angrily.

“At least I never made out with Mark’s sister!”

Haechan’s face went beyond red and he side glances around his bedroom hopefully hoping his roommate Mark did not hear them speaking.

“I- YOU KNOW DAMN WELL IT WAS LATE AND I WAS DRUNK.”

you scoff. “Like that excuses you kissing your best friend’s little sister…”

He frowns at you. “At least I didn’t vomit on jaemin’s lap when he was driving.”

You shiver at the flashback at the time when you were very drunk and Jaemin, your best friend, took you home by giving you a ride in his new Porsche car and instantly on the way you threw up on his lap and a little bit of his new car getting dirty.

You grunt. “At least I don’t crave attention 24/7 like an absolute child.”

Haechan rolls over to the side slowly crawling to you as he spoke, so many things at once now, completely off guarding you, without any hesitation, Haechan starts to expose everything about you so freely without discharging how you would feel.

He begins. “Oh yeah I’m the baby? Well at least I don’t act like a complete bitch randomly when i need attention. At least I don’t beg to be touched. At least I don’t get wet easily. At least I’m not the most horny person on the planet. At least I don’t scream out my name loud when I’m giving you the best fuck of your life. At least I’m not the one trembling and whimpering—“

“It’s… it’s my turn! Hey!”

You stutter crawling back away from Haechan as he keeps coming closer to cut you off and trap you down on the bed as he was on top of you pinning your wrists down on the pillows laid behind you to support your back and body, staring down at your eyes with a devious flint and a loud smirk that screamed he won and you lost. Like expected. He was so condescending, but you low-key liked him having this effect on you.

He didn’t care if it was your turn or not. He knew you were finished.

You softly let out looking away from Haechan’s face. “I don’t want to play anymore.” You’d huff out and he laughs a little leaning in to poke your cheeks. “You’re such a sore loser, Y/n.”

“Shut up” you tell him softly looking away.

He raised his eyes. “Did I go too hard on you with my words hm?”

You didn’t reply for a while until you decided to change your mind. “I don’t cry over the slightest thing by the way…”

He starts to laugh as he realised the only thing that upset you was that statement out of all the things he possibly said. You were so unpredictable.

“Okay you don’t. We even now?”

“Yes go away.”

He grins leaning in to whisper in your ears. “I’m not done yet.” As he feeds over your shirt to feet your chest grabbing the bra and unclipping it. Your eyes widen as your cheeks grow red. “Hyuck— what are you doing?”

He looks up at you humming. “I’m proving your statement right. I fuck every girl I meet.” He told jokingly and you couldn’t help but smile unconsciously as he took off his shirt leaning down to kiss you passionately.

“God dammit you’re such a sore loser, hyuck…”

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@onyourhyuck please do not copy or translate my work thank you <33 Reblog and follow me for more updates it helps a girl out <3.

MORE NCT SMUT FICS.

[generalllimaginesss]

I would like to apologize for the amount of time this took to write lmao. I couldn’t find a good stopping point and got overwhelmed with how I would finish this part, but at least there will be a part 4 in the foreseeable future. I’m working on some headcannons for Hattie so we can get to know her a bit more!

Thanks for reading!!

1

2

No Expectations

“Jack, I need your moral support. Please come here now,” Hatton’s hands threatened to begin sweating with the amount of anxiety that was coursing through her body. She had her MacBook out, the cursor hovering above the attachment that Trevor had sent her. She didn’t know why she was so nervous, but she knew that Jack would bring her back to earth.

“Sure, Hattie. Let me drop everything I’m doing and come at your beckon call. There’s literally nothing more in the entire world that I would want to do right now,” Sarcasm laced Jack’s words.

“Attitude Mister. Check it now,” Hatton quickly brought it to his attention.

“Sorry, I’m just trying to make sure I have everything packed to go back to Jersey. Luke is coming over tonight and I want to check his stuff and make sure he’s ready to go. When do I need to come over?” Jack was rustling through some papers as he held his phone to his ear with his shoulder.

“Now?” Hatton put her innocent voice on, knowing Jack could never say no to her.

“Hattie, you better be glad that you’re my best friend in the world,” Jack sighed as he laid the papers down.

“Thank you, Jacky boy,” Hatton smiled.

About 20 minutes passed when she heard the front door open and close, followed by footsteps that skipped up the stairs. Jack pushed open Hatton’s door and plopped down beside her on the bed.

“What’s up,” he asked, pulling out his phone to keep him occupied.

“Trevor sent me a PowerPoint on why he would be a good boyfriend. I don’t know why I’m nervous, but I am and I need your company here,” Hatton explained as she fiddled with the rings on her hand.

“You couldn’t just FaceTime me with this?” Jack groaned. This whole ordeal gave Jack flashbacks of their middle school days of romance.

“Jack, this is my future we’re talking about. What if he’s the one? What if I say yes to be his girlfriend? What if we get married and have kids and finally get a happily ever after?” Hatton was serious, but Jack was trying not to laugh.

“You realize, like, 2 months ago you didn’t like him…” Jack smirked, but was met with an unamused look from Hatton.

“3, 2, 1,” Hatton took a deep breath and clicked the attachment. She clicked the ‘present’ button and began to read the slides.

“Ok, I actually want to see these,” Jack admitted as he scooted closer to Hatton and read the slides.

“I will buy you flowers when you least expect it,” Hatton laughed, “Because that’s boyfriend material.”

“I have a dog?” Hatton was getting upset. She wanted him to take this seriously, but he’s giving her these lame reasons? Actually, the dog isn’t lame, but basing an entire relationship on one is.

“Uh oh, here’s the mushy ones,” Jack announced as he clicked to the next slide.

Hatton’s eyes scanned the slide.

“Every time I look at you it gets harder to breathe. You’re quite literally breathtaking and I’ll remind you that every single day,” Hatton could feel the heat in her cheeks rise.

“That’s gross,” Jack fake gagged, but stopped when Hatton gave him a look.

“Every time your name pops up on my phone (which isn’t much, but still…) my heart races a little,” Hatton began sporting a smile.

“I know that Jack Hughes will always be by your side (hi buddy) and that would be the closest I could get to be his brother. I’ve already asked Quinn to marry me and he told me to fuck off,” The slide caused a rupture of laughter that filled the entire room.

“He’s got a point,” Jack chuckled.

“Every time I picture my future, at least for the last 3 years until now, I always picture you in it. I’d like you to be more than a friend, and I’d love for you to give me a chance to prove that I can love you the way you deserve,” Hatton couldn’t shake the smile off of her face even if she wanted to.

“I would’ve bullied him in high school for this,” Jack shook his head and leaned back into the pillows, pulling his phone out to go through his Snapchat.

A link on the last slide caught Hatton’s attention, but she managed to read the text that sat above it.

“Here’s a plane ticket. If I convinced you to allow me to be your boyfriend, I’d love to see you and keep explaining how I can be your boyfriend while being thousands of miles away,” Jack squealed as he watched Hatton open the link to the plane tickets.

Sure enough, there was a ticket for first class from Detroit to Anaheim that was a week away.

Jack kept glancing between the ticket and Hatton while she just sat there staring at the computer screen.

“It’s not going to disappear if you look away you know,” Jack poked her in her side, resulting in an elbow to his stomach.

“I don’t know what to do. I mean, I guess I could skip school for the week. I could do my assignments online,” Hatton wasn’t talking to Jack in particular, but more so thinking out loud. Jack didn’t seem to pick up on that memo though.

“I’m no genius by any means, but it sounds like you do know what to do,” Jack raised his eyebrows at the girl sitting beside him. She couldn’t be annoyed with Jack because he was right. She wanted to jump on that flight. Hell, she’d probably jump on a flight sooner if possible, but she didn’t want to begin this relationship with being so spontaneous.

“When do you leave for Jersey?” Hatton turned to face Jack, quickly changing the subject, but eager to know the answer.

“Um, 6 in the morning,” He scratched the back of his neck, preparing for a lecture of why he should’ve told her he was leaving sooner.

“Jack Hughes, what the hell?!” She pushed at him, hoping to push him off the bed, but he barely budged.

“I probably would’ve told you sooner….actually I shouldn’t lie I probably wouldn’t have. In my defense, I did tell you I was busy before I got here,” he pointed out, but it didn’t fix Hatton’s frustration.

“Yeah, but you failed to mention that you’ll be leaving in less than 24 hours, dumbass,” she thumped him on his ears, eliciting a wince from him.

“I was going to come over tonight to tell you bye,” he grumbled, but Hatton just rolled her eyes.

“I’m FaceTiming you when I get there,” Hatton announced.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he patted her leg as he began to stand up.

“Wanna come help me finish packing?” He knew she wouldn’t say no to his request.

“I guess I could,” Hatton played as if it was even a thought that she wouldn’t.

Because he was leaving in the morning, they took separate vehicles back to his house, so Hatton just planned on spending the night, wanting to spend as much time with her best friend as possible before hockey stole him back.

….

The next week passed painfully slow as Hatton had said goodbye to all of her boys. She had friends that were girls, but none that she trusted as much as Jack, Turcs, Cole, or Quinn. Maybe Trevor, too.

The boys just made life interesting. They weren’t full of drama, and everyday was some sort of adventure. She missed them a lot when they were gone, so to think that she would get to see Trevor, and possibly Alex, gave her something to look forward to.

She appreciated the gesture of the plane ticket from Trevor, but what the hell was he thinking with a 7:00 am flight? There was an hour drive from her to the airport, and she had to be there at least 2 hours prior so that she wouldn’t be an anxious mess. And that leads her to now, lugging her bag from her room to her car and making the drive to Detroit.

The drive wasn’t terrible, but Hatton had to stop for coffee so that she wouldn’t fall asleep behind the wheel. The traffic was steadily getting worse as she made her way to the airport parking, though. She went through TSA and checked her bag groggily, the sleep not too distant from the night before.

Once Hatton was awake enough to be aware of her surroundings, she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, even if the flight was four and a half hours. A shaken espresso from Starbucks would do the trick to give her enough energy to get through the travel day without catching an attitude with somebody.

After grabbing her coffee and finding a corner to read one of her books, the intercom finally came on, announcing that her flight was boarding first class. She grabbed her backpack and book and made her way to her seat next to the window.

The book she was reading seemed to speed up the flight, the one and only time she glanced at her watch and there was only an hour left until they landed. She spent the last hour watching outside of the window, taking a few pictures, and just thinking about what this next week could lead to.

That was great, until she thought about the fact that she hadn’t even talked to Trevor to let him know she was coming. She couldn’t text him, so she just had to wait until the plane landed, mentally kicking herself for forgetting such a major detail for the day.

The plane landed and everybody deboarded. Hatton quickly grabbed her suitcase from the baggage claim and tried to find a place outside to make a quick call to Trevor.

As she pressed his number to call him, she heard a phone ringing behind her. Confusion swept over her as she turned around to see the tan skinned, wind-swept hair that Trevor wore so well. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and smile when he smirked at her.

“Let me guess…Jack?” She knew that Jack couldn’t keep his fat mouth shut even if he wanted to, but for once it turned out in her favor.

“Did you really think he wouldn’t tell me that you were coming? Which brings me to my next question, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” He grabbed the suitcase from her and walked her to where his car was parked, all the while taking in how she could possibly be as beautiful as she was right now after traveling all day.

“I’ll be honest, I completely forgot to. I don’t really have a good excuse,” She admitted. She placed her backpack into his backseat, but Trevor wouldn’t let her grab the door to get into the front because he had to.

“Thank you,” Hatton smiled up at him and waited for him to get in so they could drive away.

The drive wasn’t long, mostly filled with a few road rage moments for Trevor along with small talk to fill the silence. They pulled up to the house that Trevor called home. He wished that Hatton had come a year ago, that way she could’ve experienced life with him and Jamie, but he was sure his friend would make an appearance at some point while Hatton was here.

“Wow, you’re house is really pretty,” Hatton commented while unbuckling and grabbing her backpack from the backseat. Trevor grabbed her suitcase and they made their way inside.

Trevor smiled, a blush rising onto his cheeks, as he shrugged his shoulders.

“I have a couple of extra rooms that you can choose from. You could always just room with me, though,” he smirked and threw her a wink.

“And there’s the Trevor I know,” Hatton chuckled as Trevor began to show her around the house. A part of her wanted to just stay in the same room as Trevor, but she’d be here for a week, so they would have plenty of time to make rooming changes if need be.

Trevor let Hatton unpack by herself, giving her some time to decompress on her own from traveling all day. He had planned for the first day to be less action packed so that the two would be rested for his game day tomorrow.

“Okay, I think I’m unpacked,” Hatton breathed a sigh of relief and plopped down on his couch, momentarily closing her eyes as she was realizing that it would just be him and her sleeping here for the entire week. It was never just the two of them, there was always somebody else with them, even if it was just Jack.

“So, I have some pretty cool things planned for the week, but I figured we take it easy today…that ok?” Trevor plopped down in a recliner beside the couch.

“Yeah, sounds good,” Hatton kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet beneath her, making herself more comfortable.

“Um, I know this conversation is just going to be awkward no matter when we have it, but seeing as you’re hear you saw my reasons why I think we could work out,” Trevor watched as Hatton nodded her head, urging him to continue with the conversation.

“Yeah, speaking of, where’s your dog?”

“He’s getting a bath. We can go pick him up in a little while. Back to what I was saying....I just feel like I need to say some things in person so we can just completely clear the air about how we feel about each other,” Trevor was just going to rip the bandaid off and get everything out of his system. He's had ample time to think about what to say to Hatton, but none of it sounded good enough now that she was sitting so close to him, just the two of them. He let his heart go on autopilot, deciding that may be the best way to go about this.

“You obviously know I like you. Like a lot. But, um," Trevor stuttered as he rubbed his arm, subconciously trying to ease the anxiety that seemed to peak when he tried to take about his feelings. That was something about Trevor that only a select few knew; Trevor loved attention, but he avoided showing his true feelings at all costs. He would rather just make everybody around him smile or laugh than let them in on how he feels.

"Hattie, you mean the world to me. You meant the world to me when I knew you couldn't stand me, and you mean the world to me now that you've traveled this far and you're sitting right here," The words were flowing from his mouth, reaching Hatton and wrapping around her heart like a ribbon on a gift.

Hatton could feel her cheeks go rosy, not caring if Trevor noticed or not. She listened to each word that left his lips as if they were a raft that could save her from drowning from confusion. Because that's what Hatton felt most of the time: confused. Why did he feel like this towards her? Could she really let herself be in a relationship with him? Let him see the most vulnerable parts of her that very few were lucky enough to know about?

"You told me I needed to figure out how to make a long distance relationship work, so that's what I've been doing. I've talked to some buddies that have been in a long distance relationship and they gave me some words of advice. Long distance can't, and won't, work if we both don't work on it. I can tell you when I'm free from practice and games so that we could FaceTime or text or something. I'm willing to pay for your travel when you come here, and I swear I will make time each month to come see you as well. Even if it's for short periods of time. I really want this with you. More than anything, more than the fucking Stanley Cup, Hatton," Trevor chuckled, but he was completely serious. If hockey didn't pay his bills, then he'd drop everything to be with her.

"You must want me lot," Hatton grinned, teasing him.

"You have no idea," Trevor sighed, returning her grin.

"Ok. You have to ask me to be your girlfriend, though," Hatton's upside down smile was plastered on her face as she watched Zegras process what she just said.

"Wha- so that's a yes?" He could hardly form words because of the excitement that was running rampant in his head. His heart was working overtime.

"Did you ask me?" Hatton raised her eyebrows inquisitively, waiting for him to ask her the question that would start their future.

"Hatton Carlisle, would you do the absolute honor of being my beautiful, loving, caring girlfriend," Trevor was being a bit dramatic, but he didn't care because it made Hatton giggle.

"I would love to, Trevor Zegras," Hatton smiled.

Trevor got up from the recliner he was in and walked the two steps it took to get to Hatton. He cupped her face in his hands, taking a few seconds to take in her features, and placed a passionate kiss on her lips. The kiss saying everything that Trevor might have left out when previously discussing his feelings for Hattie. Hatton's fingers immediately grasped for his hair, slightly pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. Trevor took this as an opportunity to place himself between her legs, supporting his weight by placing one hand on the arm of the couch while the other was still cupping her cheek, his thumb caressing her smooth, rosy pink cheek.

Before things went too far, Trevor broke the kiss.

"We've got all week to show each other how much we like each other. We've got about 30 minutes to go pick up Louis," He chuckled, tucking a piece of Hatton's hair behind her ear.

The two loaded up into Trevor's car to go pick up Louis.

All that Hatton could think about was that Trevor wasn't just the annoying third wheel of her's and Jack's friendship anymore. He wasn't the one that pushed her buttons constantly, or made her question her sanity. He was her boyfriend.

Her phone ringing interrupted the comfortable silence in the car. Of course it was Jack.

"Bitch, did you not tell me you would call me when you got to Anaheim? I can't exactly help you when your literally on the other side of the country from me," Jack was yelling from somewhere off screen, but there was no way Trevor and Hatton couldn't hear him. His voice echoed all throughout his apartment.

"Sorry, bud. We've got some exciting news though," Hatton smiled.

As soon as she said that, Jack's face popped up on the phone, "Is my boyfriend there?"

"You mean my boyfriend?" Hatton smiled, knowing that Jack would have something to say about her statement.

"No fucking way..." Jack wore a grin as big as the sky, giving the Cheshire Cat a run for his money, "Let me see our boyfriend!"

"Jacky! My man, what's going on?" Trevor glanced at the phone before returning his attention on the road.

"It's about time. I'm telling Cole and Alex," And with that he hung up.

The two laughed, Trevor interlocking their hands. He couldn't believe that she actually agreed to be his girlfriend. It felt surreal, 3 years of pining after her and it all paid off.

"I'm glad you're here, Hatton," Trevor smiled.

"I'm glad I'm here too, Z," She gave his hand a squeeze. This week just might be one of the best weeks of their lives so far.

----

That night Hatton decided to sleep in a bed by herself, not quite comfortable with being completely vulnerable with Trevor quite yet. She tossed and turned all night long, replaying the day in her head over and over again. The sudden feelings she had developed for Trevor scared her, quite honestly. If she was capable of falling that hard that quickly, how much more control over her could Trevor have?

Before she knew it, the sun was peeking through a tiny sliver of the blackout curtains in her room. Like usual, there was no way she would be able to go back to sleep now. Her natural timer prohibited it. It made her feel a little better though when she heard a door open and the pitter patter of paws, followed along with what had to be Trevor's footsteps. She could hear him disarm the alarm system and open the back door.

Hatton decided that it would probably be rude of her to stay in bed all morning, so she stretched, tossing the covers off of her in the process. She put on a bra and brushed her teeth, but didn't bother doing anything else this early in the morning. If Trevor, for some odd reason, expected her to look like a model, he could suck it.

She put on a pair of slippers and made her way to the living room, quickly spotting Trevor sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs that circled a fire pit on the back porch, playing on his phone as Louis inspected the perimeter of the yard.

Before Hatton could even open the door, Louis somehow spotted her and began barking. Trevor quickly apologized as he picked him up and opened the back door for her.

"He's not aggressive, but he'll let me know when someone's here," Trevor chuckled as he scratched the dog behind the ears.

"No worries! When you're as cute as him you can get away with anything," Hatton gave the dog a pat on the head as she made herself comfortable on the couch that sat across from the chair that Trevor had previously been sitting in.

"Do you happen to have a coffee maker?" Hatton desperately needed caffeine. Now that she thought about it, she might have a caffeine addiction.

"I do not, actually. Jamie took it in the divorce," Trevor managed to say with a straight face, but furrowed eyebrows from Hatton gave away her confusion.

"Divorce?"

"Yeah, he moved out and had the balls to move down the street. He can be a bitch, but he's no threat to you," Trevor said so nonchalantly that Hatton couldn't tell if it was a joke or not.

"That's nice to know..." Hatton trailed off. The two sat enjoying the peace that the early morning exuded, watching Louis be Louis and occasionally mentioning something insignificant. A chill washed over Hatton, goosebumps quickly rising.

"So, I have a preseason game tonight, as you probably know. The game isn't until 5, but I do have a practice this morning if you want to tag along...," Trevor explained, hoping Hatton would want to come to the stadium.

"And what's in it for me?" Hatton was obviously going to support Trevor, but was it really Hatton if she didn't make him work for it?

"Well, that depends on what you're thinking of...if you want to go out to eat, there's plenty of places that will be open after the game. If you want to do something, Disney is literally like 5 minutes away and I have an off day tomorrow. If you're thinking a little alone time..." Trevor wiggled his eyebrows, but he was completely joking, unless Hatton wasn't. In that case he would definitely keep the offer on the table.

"Z, what if I actually said yes to the last option. What would you do?" Hatton chuckled as she spoke.

"Probably think somebody kidnapped the real Hattie and replaced her with whatever is sitting right here," Trevor rubbed the bottom of his chin, pretending to think about what he was saying.

"Disney tomorrow would be amazing," Hatton didn't even have to think about it. She adored Disney, the smell, the rides, it was one of her favorite things. She couldn't wait.

The two made their way inside to get dressed for the day, but not before a knock at Trevor's front door elicited a howl from Louis.

"I got it," Trevor announced, leaving Hatton alone in the kitchen while she poured a bowl of Lucky Charms.

She could hear somebody come through the front door, heading to the kitchen. Hattie could tell that Trevor was quietly chewing out whoever it was that he let in, but she couldn't quite make out what he was saying exactly.

"Trevor shut the fuck up. You never used this damn Keurig, anyway," A dark-haired, fair-skinned guy sat a black Keurig down on the counter adjacent to Hatton, not noticing there was a girl right next to him.

"Why do you even need-" As soon as the guy turned and caught a glimpse of Hatton, he knew exactly why Trevor blew his phone up asking about the stupid coffee maker.

"I think I might know who you are," Jamie sent an innocent smirk to the girl across from him.

"I think I might know who you are as well," Hatton giggled, connecting the dots as to the whole "divorce" thing that Trevor had mentioned.

"You must be the infamous Hattie. Trevor hasn't shut up about you for as long as I've known him," Jamie winked, chuckling when he saw Trevor giving him a death glare.

"You must be Trevor's ex in...some capacity. You didn't have to bring the coffee maker back. I could've run through Starbucks or Dunkin," Hatton rolled her eyes as she made eye contact with Trevor. He, in turn, shrugged his shoulders.

"It's no problem, I'll just make my morning coffee here and then we can carpool," Jamie popped in a coffee pod and started it for you.

"So how did Trevor mange to get you here? I thought you didn't like him..." Jamie waited patiently as the coffee poured into the mug he had placed underneath.

"She's my girlfriend now," Trevor interjected, immediately sending Hattie the biggest grin he could manage. He would never get tired of telling people that. He had worked hard to earn that title.

"Willingly? I don't normally judge people, but I'm judging a little bit," Jamie widened his eyes jokingly, causing Hatton to chuckle. He passed her the cup of coffee and began to make his.

"You know, I kinda feel the same way. He's a weirdo, but he's very convincing," Hatton could feel Trevor staring at her, but she just watched Jamie as he smiled.

"Yeah…you know I'm right here?" Trevor spoke up.

"Yeah, we know," Jamie nonchalantly said as he sipped his coffee.

Trevor rolled his eyes as he walked away towards his room to change into his outfit for the day, Hatton filing to her room shortly after to do the same.

As she ruffled through the articles of clothing that hung in the closet, she smiled. She was going into this week with an open mind and heart. No expectations, just experiences.

She was eager to see it all unfold.

[bam-bi-buck]

8x04 SPOILERS

Buck 🥰

Gerrard 🤢

Excuse me, that is not Buck’s job, you can’t ask him to choose someone to fire, are you out of your mind?

Love Athena not liking the houses lol

“I’ll know it when I see it”

Bleh, Ortiz for Mayor 🤢

“Who loves being a public servant?”

Everyone reluctantly rasing their hands lol

“Love the enthusiasm” what do you mean Gerrard, you’ve made the firehouse such a lovely place to work

Body cams??

Mama: “bet I know who put the order for that”

Why do you keep saying tight end?

Don’t call him 🥺 Wes needs a hug

Oh Eddie 😭

Wes no!! 😭

Wes you better not die!!! It’s not allowed!!!

I genuinely have no thoughts during this ambulance ride other than aaaaaaaahhhhh

The way Eddie cheers then the soft “you’re gonna be okay kid,” after he called him Dad 😭

“Hell of a save”

“And you got us here”

Love when they all cheer each other

Hen’s speech 😭

But also don’t name drop her girl, that’s such a risk in court

The look of devastation on Karen’s face

Noooo 💔💔💔

No contact why???

This judge sucks

“911 what’s you’re emergency” love Maddie

Also this totally took me out of the scene for a sec, is there something on Maddie’s nose, does she have a nose piercing?

Am I seeing things?

Anyways I’m gonna fight Ortiz and this judge whatever her name is

“I don’t want another house, I want my house” 🥺

Aww Michael name drop

lol how many greats are you gonna say there Bobby?

Hen at Ortiz’s office 😭

“I’m expected to go on, maybe young Mara will have to learn to do the same”

Bitch

“He is not my captain you are my captain”

Yes Hen!!

Love them all coming to Bobby

Bobby’s face when Buck said Gerrard was touching him

Cue the “No, my boy” audio bit

At least we learned that Eddie’s having regular zooms with Chris, even if he’s not talking much in them

Chimney talking about Gerrard’s Ego feels important, they’re gonna use that against him aren’t they?

That’s mean Chimney (his comment about Buck not Gerrard - say all the mean things about Gerrard Chim)

“I wouldn’t call it an attack”

As the nurse is putting bandages all over him 🤣

DUDE

“He wasn’t 400 pounds when I got him, he was an adorable cub”

My mama “well guess what dumbass they get bigger”

“Where’d you learn to do that?”

“I have layers” 🤣

The cat jumps up

Mama: “Surprise!”

No pets

Yeah, wild tigers would fall under that policy, wouldn’t they?

Hen & Chim being separated + Buck & Eddie being separated feels wrong but I love when Buck & Hen get to work together, love the looks they share

“Not so loud the rest of the team thinks it’s an essemble”

“He’s the voice of god around here”

“No not a fan” “That’s Brad Torrence” 🤣

Bobby!!!

“I’m telling you who you should get rid of- yourself!!!

It’s all about his Ego!!!!

I see the pieces!!!

LOVE Bobby scheming

“I’m a dad who doesn’t live under the same roof as his son”

Eddie 😭

Wanna shake Wes’s dad

Gerrard going to Ortiz after talking to Bobby, Bobby charmed… (well maybe Brad did lol) him, didn’t he?

“You know Vincent, we’re a lot alike,”

My mama “jackasses?”

22 million budget reductions for the LAFD seems like a lot

Like for the FD specifically

You’d think you’d want them funded in particular

Excuse me sir

Is there a reason you called her Miss?

Mama: “Oh did the other jackass help? Now I feel bad”

Me: “Don’t feel bad, he’s still a jackass”

“This is a set up”

“It sure as hell is”

A team that schemes together, stays together!!!

Eddie helping Wes 😭

Mara gets to go home!!!! 😭😭😭😭

“Let’s build something new, something just for us” awww 🥰

Welcome back cap poster!!!

“The man the myth the legend” 🤣

I actually don’t mind him being at the Hot Shots job, as long as he isn’t in the 118!!!

HALLOWEEN EPISODE

There goes everyone’s “Bucks the one with a pumpkin on his head” theories lol

Denny!!! No!!! What the hell!!!

Give the Wilsons’ a break, my god!

[violetmuses]

Collide - A. Aretas ❤️‍🔥

Title: Collide 

Fandom: “Bad Boys” Film Universe 

Character: Armando Aretas 

Pairing: Armando Aretas + Female Reader

Main Storyline: Joining the Miami Police Department leads to more than what's expected. @yeahnohoneybye

====

2024

“What's up, rookie?” Detective Mike Lowrey stepped forward as you entered this well-known precinct. 

“Stop it.” You laugh this morning while holding another Styrofoam cup. 

“He's joining the team today.” Lowrey didn't even mention names for you to notice the reference. 

Uh-oh. You thought. It's official. 

Handed an opportunity to cut down his time in prison, criminal Armando Aretas would team up with the AMMO squad. 

“I'm keeping my guard up.” You lifted your finger and walked away from Mike, working as a distraction. 

_____

“Be nice. She's a good person.” Mike's voice echoed again and you turned away from the desktop computer, nosey for a moment. 

Wearing black despite facing this heatwave, Armando Aretas showed up. 

Rolling both eyes, this man kept moving forward until he crossed the empty desk that's placed not too far away from you. 

Nothing. Silence. 

You still worked through concentration and remained grateful that awkward small talk hasn't begun yet. 

At least Dorn and Kelly know how to smile during the day. 

This strong yet pleasing cologne reached your nostrils and the fragrance didn't belong to Mike. 

Damn. You quietly lingered in Armando's direction. 

The important gun holster strapped around his waist, but he wore this gold necklace around his neck. 

Short dark hair took style for once as you remembered his mugshots. Even one decent mustache lined as Aretas shadowed this slight beard. 

Turning back near your computer, you knew better than to mess around. Those handsome looks fooled the world just to bring out danger. 

“Hey.” Armando greets you for the first time while accented English caught your attention. “You dropped this pen.” 

“Oh, thanks.” You nodded and slid the pen back into place on your desk, typing more like nothing happened. 

Armando pulled the swivel chair away from his own desk and turned that seat backwards to sit again, resting his arms over while looking at you. 

“What's your name again?” He bit his lip, trying to capture your interest through charm. 

Unphased, you still tried ignoring Armando, but the cologne peeked its fragrance once more. 

Saving your work for a moment, you faced this man just to acknowledge his presence. 

“Excuse me for not fawning over you. I prefer guys with clean records.” You told the truth. 

“You're a cop. Nobody here runs without problems, all right?” Armando keeps going, but you can't argue in public. "Bonita perra."

After living in Miami for years, you knew exactly what this smart-ass grumbled while organizing his desk.  

Armando Aretas just called you a pretty bitch under his breath. 

Rather than make a scene, you quickly text Mike for action: 

Mike, talk to your son before I slap the taste out of his mouth! 🤬

______

“C'mere right now. ” Mike cornered both of you near his office. “What did you say?”

“We were talking and she doesn't favor my criminal record, so I said that cops aren't perfect either. Then  - Bonita perra.” Armando explained. 

“So you called a bitch for not trusting everything right away? C'mon, man.” Mike shook his head through disappointment. “Apologize.”

“I'm sorry.” Armando seemed genuine this time around. 

“If this team thing is going to work, watch your mouth.” You warned Aretas and stepped out of the room. 

Armando turned his head, observing how you walked away. 

“Uh-uh!” Mike realized the gesture and caught his son peeking at your curves. “We just talked about this.” 

“She's fine. What am I supposed to do?” Armando stopped himself from laughing. 

“Never stare. Makes you look like a creep.” Mike corrected his son. 

“Okay.” Slyly taking Mike's gum, Armando pocketed the candy before leaving to see you again. 

“Hey!” Lowrey realized, just able to laugh and roll both eyes for a second. 

____

Missions wouldn't take place yet. Mike wanted to see how you and Armando would fare through lunch first. 

Seated at this local restaurant, you're placed across from Lowrey and his longtime partner Marcus Burnett. Armando perched nearby. 

“Don't fight again.” Mike warned you and Armando once drinks reached the table. 

“I'm innocent.” You lifted both hands while facing Mike. 

When meals settled for everyone, silverware clanked. 

“So weird. She's never this quiet.” Marcus acknowledged your silence at the table. 

“Food is her distraction, remember?” Mike whispered. 

“I know.” Mike sighed and looked toward Marcus again. 

“What did Armando call her? I missed the battle this morning.” Marcus was late to your argument at their station. 

“A Bonita perra.” Mike then rolled his eyes once more.  

“Pretty bitch.” Marcus shook his head while repeating the term in English. “Armando's fresh just like you.” 

“Told him already.” Mike drank water. “Caught this fool watching her walk away, too.” 

“He's been stuck in prison for years.” Marcus continued whispering. “Not saying it's right, but at least they ain't fucking.” 

Mike glanced over to see you and Armando listening to everything! 

“Oh, shit! My bad.” Marcus immediately realized his screw-up. 

“I wouldn't mind, though.” Armando winked toward you as Mike nearly cringed.

Marcus shrugged and covered the bill to leave with this group. 

______

The very first case that you would solve together detailed an absolute nightmare. 

Law enforcement agencies claimed that Conrad Howard muddled with the cartel for years. 

Yet, Lowrey and Burnett wanted to prove Cap’s innocence as soon as possible, refusing such a terrible lie. 

“Cap was framed.” You realize, looking over info as AMMO tech genius Dorn loaded virtual screens for that mission. 

“James McGrath: Former Army Ranger turned DEA agent. Tortured before joining the cartel himself.” Dorn pointed out several highlights.  

“Let's go.” You stand up to move and capture this monster, but Armando catches your wrist and locks eye contact. 

Everyone working for the AMMO squad freezes, ready to protect you. 

“Nothing goes forward without me.” Armando put his foot down.  

“Help us out, then.” You pull yourself away from this man. 

The process dragged already. 

_____

"Eres tan terco.” Calling you stubborn in Spanish, Armando found the back seat as Mike continued driving. Marcus took his passenger space again. 

“Maybe if you hadn't disrespected me this morning, I'd feel better.” You defended yourself. 

“Let it go, Spark! He apologized.” For once, Mike almost yelled from the driver's seat and brought up one of your nicknames. 

Given no other choice, you shut up and awaited this drop on McGarth. 

_______

Henchmen for McGarth frequented one of the nightclubs located downtown, so this AMMO squad dressed among Miami's finest patrons. 

“Let's pretend to be a couple. It'll keep people distracted.” Armando looped his sleeved arm around your shoulder. 

“Uh-huh.” Facing Armando, you played along for this mission. Mike and Marcus chatted with the suits lurking upstairs in that VIP section. 

“All jokes aside, you're beautiful and I really do apologize for what happened.” Armando whispered between flashing spotlights. 

“Thank you.” This true smile reached your own face. Battling wouldn't fix anything. 

“Call me?” Armando beamed close to your ear, bridging the gap of reality and fiction once more.

“Okay.”  You laugh, tickled when scuff reaching his slight beard touches your cheek. 

Brave, you reach and hold Armando's face with both hands, still amused on the dance floor. 

Just as your favorite song echoed from one of these South Beach DJs, gunshots rang out. 

On instinct, you duck with Armando and clutched his hand, no longer thinking of the mission. 

Survival waits at this forefront now. 

“Get out of there, Spark!” Mike shouted through your veiled earpiece. 

Still holding hands with Armando, you rush outside and hope to find the escape vehicle, but Dorn hasn't pulled up. 

“Shit! Jump one of the vehicles, Armando. You scrambled near one sedan, terrified. 

“C'mon!” Aretas gritted his teeth and tried to score this getaway. 

Bingo! That engine revved to life and hopped this passenger seat, leaving Mike and Marcus in the dust. 

Even your cell phones ring from respective pockets, but you don't care anymore, simply wishing to escape alive. 

_____

In an effort to keep hiding, you take Armando to your apartment. 

“Nice crib.” Despite handling this situation, he compliments your place while glancing around the living room. 

“Thank you.” You removed these heels and finally checked your phone, noticing an immediate text message: 

Mike - We lost McGarth! Lay low and meet up for a new plan tomorrow morning. 

“Dammit!” You tossed your phone across this room, but Armando caught that device in his palm.  

Though not always expressing himself, Armando still wanted to help you. 

“Tomorrow.” Aretas stepped closer to you and put your phone down on the coffee table. “It's one setback, but we'll get ‘em. Kay?”

“You have more faith than me right now.” You said, frustrated. 

“Can't give up. I never have.” Armando continued speaking. 

“Fair enough.” You cleared your throat. “I have a guest room if you want space.”

“I'll take the couch instead.” Aretas declined your offer. “Faster escape.”

“Good point.” You nodded, but settled in your private bedroom. 

____

“I thought you'd stay on the couch.” At least your offered breakfast the next day and caught Armando leaving your guest room this time. 

“I took a shower in your guest room and fell asleep.” Aretas hid one smile. 

You'd quietly noticed that Armando wore this tank top underneath the dark outfit from last night. His gun holster returned and veiled near black pants. 

“We might as well eat something.” You gestured at the kitchen table and sat down with him, trying to accept this calm before the storm. 

______

Jackpot!

McGarth lurked with his crew from an old alligator theme park. 

“Shit!” Armando whispered past his moment to swear as you moved through spots from enclosed water.  

“What?” You gently questioned him and still raised your weapon. 

This echoing growl caught your senses and truth slammed down: Real alligators shadowed, too. 

“Don't move.” Armando plans to keep you both alive. 

Just before you could say goodbye to everything, this alligator steered away, moving toward other voices. 

“Spark!” Mike shouted your nickname over the rickety bridge. One large rope dropped down, pulling you and Armando from this water. 

“Where are they?” You breathe after gaining balance with the AMMO squad. 

To make matters even worse during the mission, McGarth kidnapped Howard's daughter Callie and Mike's wife Christine. 

“This way!” Mike called, prompting everyone to run behind him. 

_____

“I need you to trust me.” Another wild fight led the path toward Callie, but Armando nearly bled out, limping as you tried to keep his walk in place. 

“I know, I know, c'mon…” Your heart dropped while Armando clenched through genuine pain for once. 

Mike and Marcus stand with the bruised AMMO squad as this destination looms steps away. 

“I'm here.” Mike promised. Nearly falling against trees, Armando noticed his father, exhausted. 

“Your wife…” Armando struggled.

“We got Christine, man. She's all right now.” Mike told the truth as Christine Lowrey emerged beside Marcus. 

“Freeze, Aretas!” Judy Howard popped from between daylight brushes and planned to kill Armando for revenge. 

“No, Mom! Don't shoot. Armando saved my life. Please!” Callie lifted both hands instead, but you blocked the young girl as well

“Judy, listen.” You just want to negotiate. “I know you're upset right now, but please put this gun down. Enough people died today.” 

McGarth finally dropped through several gunshots and other casualties lined up around the theme park. 

“All of you should get out of here before I change my mind.” Lowering that firearm, Judy Howard discharged this moment and hugged Callie, thanking so much for her daughter's survival  

______

Mike originally planned on sending Aretas back to Mexico, but you had another idea. 

“Where's the ice cream, mami?” Armando left your guest room while shirtless and rooted that fridge again. 

“Stop taking my ice cream.” You quickly roll both eyes and kiss his cheek. 

Safe at last, you could stay together now. 

[qa-senpai]

Getting caught watching/reading spicy graphic.

Characters: Scaramouche, Aether, Xiao.

Warnings: Slight nsfw at Xiao & scaramouche's Part

AETHER

You were peacefully watching a Korean love story series. Headphones on, snacks already beside you as you enjoyed watching.

You were too focus to the story as you didn't hear Aether shouts, calling your name.

Soon you notice the scene started to heat up as the scene went far from kissing. You bit your lips as your imagination wanders everywhere. Trying to make yourself in the position of that person right now. (Just like rn you're reading this 😀🫶🏻)

Suddenly someone grab your headset from you, when you're about to complain, you saw in Aether's face, he was Speechless. Full embarrassment spreads around his face.

"Is this the reason you didn't answer back?-"

He was still too shock to proceed what he just witness. His S/O watching something so... Vulgar made his heart itch.

Your face went dark red and began to shut down the tablet.

"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK I SWEAR! IT JUST GOT SPICY SUDDENLY OKAY? AT FIRST IT WAS JUST KISSING THAT'S ALL!"

you're trying to defend yourself while aether didn't buy it as he went to the corner of the room mumbling something like-

"My sweet innocent S/O has been... Discarded"

"HEY! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!?"

Poor aether, he was so traumatized. You better reassured him that it was a misunderstanding or he will change the WIFI password on you 😜

XIAO

You were in the library, your usual place to read whatever you like. This time you have manage your time so that you have at least 1 hour for reading.

Soon you went to your secret shelf hiding the book from anyone and even Xiao.

You were so excited to read the part till it's finished.

You quickly move to where you had left and it's where the Hardcore graphic shown.

You tried to hide your grin by covering your mouth and continue reading.

You were caught up with your imagination by the part as you could feel yourself in that position with Xiao.

You didn't realize you started to rub your thighs together and mumbled the word "m-mh.. xiao~"

"Excuse me?"

Your eyes widen as you quickly turn around to see Xiao standing behind you with his jaw dropped.

"WH- WHEN DID YOU...!?" You shout whisper.

"Y-you called my name..! So I thought something happened to you, so I came as fast as I can!" His face was red as he look away from you.

"tf are you readin- are you stupid to read something like that in the library!?"

"IT'S NON OF YOUR BUSINESS!"

Congratulations, you're both now blushing and started to avoid each other for a week after the incident.

Soon he couldn't take it anymore and rushed to your room while panting. "come here, you need proper punishment for ignoring me."

SCARAMOUCHE

You've got some nerve to mess with him.

You were in scaramouche's bedroom Watching extreme graphic.

You were planning to rilled him up and wanting to see his annoyed expression. So you had this all plan up.

Being the naughty girl/boy you're, you purposely put the volume up so it could be heard downstairs. He was in the kitchen too making you both for dinner 😭✋🏻

You glared at the door and start to think of an idea when he decides to go upstairs.

You waited and footsteps could be heard miles away. You smirk and naughtly bounce up and down on the bed while moaning his name out.

"A-ah, Kuni... ~"

The door got slammed open, you jolted and saw the scary look on his face.

"K-kuni!? W-when did you..!?" You fake your shock look.

God, Scara just standing there giving you a menacing look , like he's about to eat his prey.

"Heh, the audacity..." You could hear the annoyance in his tone.

"Hah? What audacity?~" you play dumb and keep teasing him by rocking your hips against the pillow while the scene was still on.

"Stupid, slut. here I am cooking for dinner while you have your time occupied by useless things. Useless as expected. "

God, you love it when he degrades you. (if you're a masochist 🫠)

"but Kuni, I know you've done this multiple times when you're at work right-"

Before you could finish your sentence he rush towards you, Slamming the tablet aside as it shuts down automatically by the fall.

"H-HEY! MY TABLET!-"

quickly grab your hands above your head and hold your chin harshly as threat spreads around his aura right now.

"Let's see how long that pretty mouth of yours can be turn off, just like I did to that fucking tablet of yours. "

He moves his hand from your chin towards your shirt.

"if you could cum more then 3 times before 45 minutes then consider yourself lucky because I left the oven on." (He's just bluffing to pay you back-)

Your eyes widen "YOU WHA-!?"

"I won't stop till I get what I want, if you can't do that then let the house burn down along with your pitiful state, so everyone can see how much of a whore you're for my cock."

Good luck 🤞🏻

[edsanon]

Eeeeee !

I wrote something !

So, I noticed that there’s a lot (only) fem readers for the Hantengu clones, so I decided to write something as a trans!masc guy.

Sekido’s part turned out as a fucking fanfic at this point.

And I am sorry for the Karaku fans out there, your part is so short compared to Urogi and Sekido :,(

I swear I did my best-

CW : Reader cut contacts with his parents on Aizetsu’s and Sekido’s part, internalized homophobia in Aizetsu’s part, mention of scars in Karaku’s part, deadnaming, slut shaming, calling names, description of violence, zapping someone on Sekido’s part.

Hantengu clones finding out that their SO is trans!masc HCS

Aizetsu-

•He thought you were a very pretty guy, that’s honestly it.

•He didn’t know if you would like him too, since in this society it has to be a man and a woman but he was so so happy when you accepted to go on a date with him.

•You didn’t talk much about when you were a child, or your family, and he always found it odd the way you would always try to deepen your voice, but he didn’t question it.

•It’s only when he went over to your house for the first time that he saw a picture, hidden away. It was a tiny little girl, she kinda looked like you.

•” I didn’t know you had a daughter..”

“I don’t have one.”

“A sister then ?”

•You looked so nervous, anxious, fidgeting with your hands..

•”That’s..Me, actually..”

•He was about to question you when you clapped your hand.

•”Welp ! I’m gonna make myself a snack, is there anything you want ?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

•You were so glad that he dropped the subject, at least until you two were cuddling on your futon.

•”You look better now..”

•You tilted your head upward to look at him, confused.

•”You look happier now, you’re glowing.”

•He held you close.

•He wasn’t dumb, he pieced it together, and he felt so sorrowful that you had to go through not being comfortable with yourself for so long.

•If someone misgenders you he will gently correct them. He will not hesitate to murder if the person misgenders you on purpose. He won’t take too kindly disrespecting his boyfriend.

•You’re his amazing boyfriend and he’d rather walk into the sun than not telling you as such.

Urogi-

•When he caught a glimpse of you, he honestly didn’t know what you were…

•”Hey hey ! What are you ?”

•You were so confused at his question.

•”A human..?”

“Are you a boy or a girl ?”

“Boy.”

“Okay.”

•And that was pretty much it. No further question, you’re a boy and that’s it.

•But you were hiding something and he didn’t like it one bit, and he spent months trying to figure out what it was. It was a game for him.

•What did you swallow ? Why did you go see the doctor ? What do you mean you were born in the wrong time period ?

•He eventually found out when he opened the door to your room during one of his surprise visits while you were bandaging your chest.

•”Darling hi- What are you doing ?”

“Urogi ?!”

•To say you were panicked and mortified was an understatement. Your mouth felt dry as he sat besides you. You were terrified that now that he found out he wouldn’t treat you the same, would treat you like a girl, a person you were NOT.

•“Dear are you-“

“I’M A BOY !”

•You shouted panicked. He looked at you surprised while words were flowing through your mouth.

•”I’m a boy, I really am, I was just…Not born in the right body…” Was your simplistic answer. It was so much more complicated but in your state that’s all you managed to say.

•He put his head on the back of his talons while looking at you.

•”Are you happy ?”

•You were not expecting this question, and it apparently showed.

“Are you happier as a boy ?”

•You blinked, not knowing what to say. It was something much trickier than living as a boy or as a girl, but you did appreciate his effort.

•”I guess so ? I guess I’m happier now.”

•He smiled at you before pushing his entire body onto yours, nuzzling your collarbone.

•”That’s what counts the most. I’m happy as long as you are.”

•His wings were flapping happily while you hugged him back tightly, squealing in his hair with how happy you were.

•”But I thought you were hiding a partner from me.”

“Excuse me what ?”

•Urogi is an absolute menace when it comes to you. He will bring you himself to the doctor, if anyone misgenders you and you don’t have the guts to correct them, he will. Someone tries to harm you for who you are or disrespect you he is killing them but slowly. He’ll make them beg for forgiveness for hurting you.

•You are his precious darling and he wants you to be happy. If someone even tries to make you sad he is fighting.

•He became a bit protective of you.

Karaku-

•You’re hot and that first picked his interest, that’s it.

•He’s literally thirsting so hard over you, he doesn’t care, you’re such a hotty.

•How did he find out ? By thirsting over you-

•You were painting the table after it broke (and you repaired it of course-) since it sadly cracked.

•Some paint managed to get on your kimono after you were done, so you decided to take off your kimono and get yourself another one.

•Which is a this moment the pleasure demon walked in.

•”Hey babe.” You greeted him while making a ball out of your kimono.

•”Hey sweetheart.” He greeted back, looking at you near salivating.

•He noticed the scars, understood, and somehow that just made you hotter to him ? Help this man he’s so down bad for you.

•He made his way to you, circling his arms around you while kissing your neck.

•”You’re so fucking handsome babe..” He said lowly in your ear.

•He will get his hands dirty to keep you safe, but you do have a good passing so he doesn’t doubt that you’ll be fine.

•But just to be sure-

•No matter what he will treat you like royalty, like a deity, because yes he does, and you’re literally the prettiest most hottest person in existence to him and he loves you lots.

•He will blow people away for you, you just have to ask.

Sekido-

•He fell for you because he finds you sweet, and a few more reasons but especially because you’re sweet.

•You’re nice and you offer nice hugs (the rare times you do actually hug him.)

•He won’t complain but he often wondered why you cut contact with your parents. They must have done something really bad for you to actually leave them out of your life.

•But that means you’re all his so a win is a win.

•He found out when you two were going on a midnight walk, he even allowed you to hold his hand, it was a nice date.

•Suddenly you both heard a voice shriek from behind you.

•”(Deadname) ! Where have you been ?! How DARE you leave like that young lady !”

•You were terrified. How did you mother found you ? The date wasn’t even close to your hometown!

•Sekido took things in his own hands, very much annoyed that some bitch was ruining his date with his perfect boyfriend.

•”Listen here harlot, you’re obviously talking to a guy. You have dementia or something ? Go get checked and stop bothering us.”

•The crazy witch was still spouting nonsense at you. Why weren’t you responding ?

•”Mother listen-“

“THIS is the kind of man you’re with ?! What, did he knock you up ?! I wouldn’t be surprised you whore !”

“I love him-“

“And change these clothes, you’re a woman so dress like one !”

•Sekido was annoyed, electricity was coursing in his veins and around him.

•He did not want you to see him kill someone, especially your own blood (probably.) but he was very close to.

•”Mother I am a MAN-“

“No you’re not ! You’re just confused !”

“Mother-“

“Shut up you ungrateful brat of a daughter !”

•That’s enough.

•He grabbed her by the back and throw her hard against a tree, savoring the sound of some of her ribs cracking.

•He stabbed the trunk of the tree with his staff just above her head, a warning.

•”That’s enough you old hag. I am at my LIMIT. NOBODY treats my BOYFRIEND like this, I understand why he’d cut contact with such a disgusting freak like you.”

•He was furious. He wouldn’t kill her in front of you, he doesn’t want you to be afraid of him, but he would gladly shock her until she gets scars. Which is what he did.

•Her cries and screams of pain were delectable to his ears, until he felt you gently tug on his kimono, brave enough to risk being shocked and yelled at.

•”Sekido please stop, let’s just leave, I want to go..”

•He sighed as he stopped.

•You were close to crying, which would be annoying to him usually but right now he could forgive it.

•He grabbed your hand and started leaving with you, he still glared one last time at your birth giver.

•”If I ever see you again, I will not be so merciful. Be grateful to your son, bitch.”

•Needless to say the way back was silent. Until he spoke up.

•”Why did she call you her daughter and other things ?”

•You gulped.

•You were not ready for this conversation, terrified of his reactions. What if he sided with your mom if he knows the truth ?

•You took a deep breath to answer.

•”I was born as a girl, this is why. But I AM a man, I was just..Born in the wrong body.”

“Okay.”

•That was it ? That was his reaction ? ‘Okay’ ?

•”You…Really don’t mind ?”

•He tsked under his breath, looking just as angry as ever, but his words were gentle.

•”I meant what I said, you’re my boyfriend.”

•You smiled at him, so glad to be accepted. It lifted such a weight off your shoulder, it felt really nice.

•”Thank you..”

“(Deadname) is really fucking ugly by the way, I like your name much better. You know how to chose a nice name unlike your birth giver.”

•That made you crack up. You softly laughed at his remark.

•He was still reeling with rage, but first he has to make sure you’re okay.

[groundzerosgirlfriend]

A Girl on A Boy's BasketBall Team

Chapter 1: A Meeting With Red & Blue

E/n- Enemy Name

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best right?"

"If anything it's in our genetic coding as humans."

"Strive for the best and you'll become the best."

Bright florescent gym lights that leave you partially blind, obnoxious tennis shoes squealing and squeaking as they slide and glide across the freshly waxed floor, the smell of sweat and B.O from teenage girls that desperately try to forget it exists by drowning it with overly flowery perfume and wayyy to minty gum, the crash of the rim as another basket is made scoring 2 more points, it's all so tantalizing.

So why? Why am I currently being yelled at by my coach, as my "teammates" whisper and jeer at me in the corner of the gym? Those sluts, with their toothpaste ad smiles and their gold flaked nails I'll show them who to laugh at when I dunk on their asses. They aren't even fucking good at the game, they only play for attention, to scared to break a nail or even to much of a sweat.

"This is the 3rd backboard your daughter has broken in a month." Your coach grumbles bitterly, fidgeting her foot up and down on the maple floor planks "The school really can't afford to keep replacing these monthly. 

"Can't we jus' send a check to the school to replace the backboards." Your mother suggests boredly, as she pulls out a spare checkbook from her pocket scribbling numbers and scrolling through her phone simultaneously.

"Well it's not only that... your daughter she's an awful team player, she refuses to pass the ball to anyone else, all her teammates feel neglected on the court" Your coach backs away, her eyes longing yet, hesitantly rejecting the check your mother is waving towards her in her hand."But their winning right." Your father queries, cutting your coach's complaints short. "My princess's team is bringin' home the gold every time." Your dad rubs the top of your head playfully smushing your hair in the process as you whine and stomp for him to quit it. He obliges to your request of course, but not smacking you lightly on the back of your neck causing you to jump away from him.

"How many points did you score in practice today hunnie." Your mom scribbles more numbers on the checkbook paper after examining it again. "38 points mum." You fiddle with the hem of your jersey shirt nervously already knowing what to expect.

Your mother gives you "the glance" and clicks her teeth, not in disappointment you've come to understand, but more so in encouragement. "You can do better than that hunnie."

"Your mother is right princess, we need at least 50 points per session practice or not." Your father hands you 38 dollars from his brown leather wallet tucked away in his back pocket, to which you gladly accept. "Yeah I know, but it ain't my fault Coach, wouldn' let me play at all." You point your finger and blame accusingly at your Coach, who's face has begun to morph into annoyance from being ignored and spoken over.

"No excuses hunnie." Your mother places phone down and digs her free hand into her purse to hand you 38 dollars as well. "Fine..." You place the two sets of money in your wallet and groan slipping it into your sports bra. "Moving on ladies."

Your father breaks the tension in the area with his signature grin. "My princess will see you tomorrow right at practice right Coach." Your father gives the woman an even toothier grin along with a smooth chuckle, causing your "teammates" to swoon in unison, as he takes the check from his wife. "We'll jus' drop this off at the front desk and take our leave."

 "Coach did you tell 'em yet."

"The team is ready to start practice again." A snobbish voice is heard from behind your Coach. She averts her eyes nervously and rubs her hands together. "I'm letting them know right now E/n."

 "Oh, hi Mr. and Mrs. L/N." A girl with long silver hair tied in a high ponytail with a black ribbon strides over to your Coach standing beside her confidently. Her hands were placed sassily on her waist, hiding a mischievous smirk. She shoots daggers through her eyes at you for a moment as you both make eye contact, and quickly turns to smile sweetly at your Coach and parents. "Well hurry, we're all ready to finish the quarter." 

"Let us know what?" Your mother questions, as you hand your schoolbag over to your father, who willingly takes it. Your coach clears her throat awkwardly, the whole room becoming deathly quiet. Slowly, you rummage through your mother's handbag for a stick of gum, placing the wrapper back into her bag.

She gives you another "glance" this time more fed up, and snaps her fingers rapidly. "What were you lettin' us know Coach." Your mother slides a pair of encrusted shades onto her face.

"We have places to be, my daughter needs a new pair of sneakers for next week's game and has a photoshoot in a few hours."

"Your daughter's off the team." Your coach says bluntly, as you hear E/n and the entire team snicker. "What the hell are you sayin' Coach." The dribbling of a basketball in your hand starts, as you raise an eyebrow at your coach waiting on a response. "All of your teammates think your a selfish player Y/N, and I'd rather lose one player rather than the whole team."

"So until you can prove that your ready to treat this team and I with some respect and sportsmanship you're off the team."

"Tch, really Coach is that how it is." "You're gonna' get rid of your most valuable player." The ball your dribbling rolls away from you, and E/n snatches it, spinning it around on her pointer finger, a fake sense of disappointment that you can detect from a mile away radiating from her voice.

"Maybe you shouldn't have been so selfish angel~." You ball your fists in pure anger, hissing your teeth loudly. "Don't call me that you skank." Your father rests a hand on your shoulder "Calm down princess."

"But father I-" Your sentence is cut short. "Let it be, if your off the team, it's final." Your mothers says bluntly, as a lump forms in your throat and you excuse yourself outside. You swing the gym doors open, ignoring the cruel headache inducing laughs of your teammates.

And in a fit of rage you punch a wall over and over, the jagged surface bruising your knuckles. "It's not fair." "Not fair." "Not fair." Not fair." You mumble repeatedly, turning around and leaning against the wall you had just finished assaulting.

You slump down onto the floor and bury your head in your arms. "Why do it matter, if I'm a team player or not." "They shoulda been grateful I was on they shitty ass team anyway." "That stupid skank E/n, has nothing better to do obviously." You hear the crunching of gravel as footsteps approach you and quickly you assume them to be your parents, but blinded by anger, you don't look up from your self-pity.

Two presences tower over you as you sit huddled in a ball, rudely snap at the figures. "What the hell do y'all want, I don't need no lecture or nothin'" "It's obvious yall didn't mind lettin' me get kicked of the team so go away."

"You've got the wrong people." A voice scoffs. Even more annoyed, you look up to see a tall and muscular red-headed man? His aura is quite intimidating as he looks down at you. "I'm not supposed to talk to older men." You bury your head in your arms once again.

"What the hell!" "I'm a teenage boy, do you not see the uniform." He grabs your hand and places it on his school uniform. "Whateva.. and tell your friend to stop standin' behind me like a weirdo." You pull your hand away and pick yourself up off the ground and turn around to see a pale boy with light blue hair.

"You noticed I was behind you." The blue-haired boy speaks quietly, his straight face matching his tone of voice. "Of course I did, you ain't Casper the ghost or sum shit." You look at him confused "I think I'm jus' gonna go, yo crazy asses."

"Before you do, why were you crying and punching that wall." The blue haired boy asks you. Your cheeks heat up in embarrassment, realizing that they saw your tantrum a few minutes ago. "Can we go know, I'm starving." The red haired "boy" grumbles obviously bored, as the blue haired questions you.

"In a second." The soft voice protests, waiting for your response. "I don't tell strangers my personal life." You raise an eyebrow suspiciously. "Well my name is Tetsuya Kuroko and that over there is Taiga Kagami, we're both middle schoolers from Seirin High."

"Dude don't tell random chicks my name." The red boys yells at him, as you look at him a bit skeptically, squinting your eyes. "You sure his ass is in highschool, blink twice if you need help." Kuroko cracks a soft grin.

"No, no he's a teenager." Kuroko reassures softly, causing you to sigh softly as you sit back in the ground where you were previously. "That's good, thought the old man was gonna kidnap me or something." Kagami yells at you again, as he rants about how he's not an old man. 

All you do is grin at him, until he gets bored and rolls his eyes ready to walk away. "Whatever, Kuroko let's go I'm starving." Kuroko nods and hold his hand out towards you. "You wanna join you look like you could use it."

A little stunned by his kindness your cheeks flush as you shrug "Why not, what's the harm in it."  As you grab his soft hands and follow the red and blue haired duo along, Kagami insists that Kuroko shouldn't have brought you along and that's he not an old man.

You can't help it, their chaotic energy is contagious so much so that you grin the whole walk.

So if anyone's to blame it should be these two.

Nobody should have let you meet red and blue.

[fckyouiwontdowhatyoutellme]

Okay. Fuck it. I said I'll get it done until the weekend but considering I'll make it into 3 parts now, have part 2 of 'Sanji having a tattoo and Zoro being super normal about it' before writers block kicks my ass again.

Pt. 1 can be found here

This part gets a bit horny and also kinda emotional....at least as emotional as these idiots can get. Enjoy😊

For a few moments the bathroom was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Then hell broke loose, or rather Sanji broke loose. With a kick to Zoro's stomach he tried getting the green haired man off him.

"The hell is wrong with you? Did all that moss on your head finally grow into your brain or what?!" he screamed. But the swordsman didn't move, eyes fixed on the tattoo. Sanji cleared his throat, aiming for another kick. "Mosshead, I'm talking to you!" he tried wriggling free but it was no use. Zoro still held both his hands in an iron grip with one hand, while the other reached out towards his chest as if the sentient seaweed was in a trance, unfamiliar gently tracing over the rose. It took everything in Sanji not to shiver at this.

"You know..." Zoro started, his fingers still tracing over the tattoo. "I really hoped you weren't that dumb. Tattooing some random girl's name, fucking stupid!" as soon as the last word left Zoro's mouth, he found himself splashing backwards into the bathtub. Maybe he should have seen that one coming. "Bet her reaction was comparable to yours right now, am I right?" Zoro asked as he hoisted himself upon the ledge of the tub. The shitty cook made an angry noise at that, stomping over to the swordsman.

Crossing his arms Sanji gave Zoro an angry stare. "What happened to asking about it like a good boy, huh? Instead you barge in here like a perv and assume you know shit about what I conciously put on my body! I didn't know what I expected from someone who only has alcohol poisoned moss for brains, but it certainly wasn't this!" he yelled, contemplating to just kick the shitty swordsman back into the tub. At least that would take care of his personal hygiene. Already raising his leg towards his opponents head, he noticed that the shithead wasn't even looking at him anymore. Ignorant bastard. Instead the green haired idiot was staring towards the ceiling and was that a blush on his cheeks? For a moment Sanji wanted to blame that on the overall temperature inside the bathroom, then he finally realised that he was still entirely naked and the swordsman literally had a front row seat to see his dick right now.

As soon as the shitty cook raised his leg towards Zoro, all thoughts left his brain. This sight was better than anything his imagination ever produced. Long legs still dripping with water, muscles flexing, ready to deliver a painful kick. He wished to feel them wrapped around himself, to mark them up with bites, kiss along them up to...No. As much as he wanted to appreciate those powerful thighs and everything between them some more, this was not the right moment. It took all his willpower to look at the ceiling instead of the very exposed cook infront of him. Why did he even go through with this stupid idea? He should just walk out and forget this ever happened, the cook wouldn't let him live it down anyway. Speak of the devil, said shitty cook shook out of his momentary stupor to grab Zoro's chin and force him back to eye level with himself. "First of all, my eyes are here mon chou" he almost purred with newfound confidence and Zoro felt heat curl in his stomach. "And second, you still haven't asked to see me like this, it's not that hard...unlike you".

Sanji didn't really know what he expected from teasing the mossball or where he took his sudden confidence from but he was still surprised when a callussed hand grabbed his wrist and a dangerous growl escaped the swordsman. "Don't fucking talk to me like that! I'm none of your hopeless flirts curlybrows!" he hissed, guiding Sanji's hand aways from his face. "I've already seen it now so there's no need to ask anyways!" Zoro sounded different as he said that, tho Sanji couldn't quite pinpoint why. This entire situation was too weird for them to think about such little details now. He never thought the swordsman would stoop as low as this just to see his tattoo. But here he sat infront of Sanji dripping wet and with a very visible boner. This was the weirdest thing of all and the blond had to dig very deep through his memories to not match the swordsman in his compromising position (For once he was glad to have seen his old man in the rattiest pair of underwear known to mankind). He wouldn't give the mosshead that satisfaction. Not yet at least. For now he wanted to sort through this mess that startet shortly after he joined the Strawhats and maybe finally tell the truth about the name over his heart. The swordsman didn't seem to buy the lie of Sanji getting the name tattooed for a random girl, so truth it had to be. Goddamn shitty marimo and the things his presence did to Sanji. He needed a cigarette. Or three. For now he settled on a deep sigh.

"Alright marimo, this is ridiculous even for us. Take care of your little problem and then find me in the galley. If I'm gonna tell you about this, at least I wanna wear pants" with that the cook yanked his hand out of Zoro's grip and made his way out the door. Zoro sighed. The love cook was right. This whole thing was ridiculous. The only thing he himself got out of it was the most embarrasing boner of his life and uncomfortably cliging wet clothes. He waited until he heard Sanji's steps retreat, then quickly took care of the problem in his pants. After cleaning himself as good as possible and wringing out his clothes he made his way to the galley. Hopefully all this shit was worth it, he just wanted to know wich poor girl was forever stamped on the cook's chest and if it was something he could use against him. With a teasing grin Zoro swung open the galley door. "So, who's the unlucky lady on your chest curlybrows?" he asked and settled on the couch. The cook already looked ready to kick him again and took a long drag of his cigarette. Oh this would be a fun story to hear.

"Will you finally stop with that assumptions you shithead? And maybe apologize first for spying on me" Sanji hoped he could stall for a bit, still contemplating to tell Mossball the same lie as anyone else. But he said it himself. He knew Sanji wasn't stupid enough to do something like this. And why was that idiot so determined to see it anyways. That was the question that drove Sanji insane the most. "Well shitty swordsman? I'm not hearing an apology and why are you so dead set on seeing my tattoo anyways, hm?" if he was to answer the swordsman, he also had some things to explain first. Sanji watched the still slightly wet marimo opening and closing his mouth like a fish, all while looking like doing the hardest mental gymnastics. Maybe it was mean to force Zoro into telling, considering he didn't like to talk about personal things. No. No, for once he had to explain himself no matter how uncomfortable it made him. Sanji was right there with him anyways. After a while, Zoro finally decided to speak.

"Well, I was just curious I think" he managed to get out. It was only half the truth but he wasn't ready to tell the shitcook the entire reason why. Zoro's eyes flicked around the kitchen, he couldn't look at the blond in front of him. Not when the images from the bathroom were still fresh in his mind. He never thought to see the cook like this close up and it was a sight to behold. Nope. Full stop. That train of thought had to wait until this conversation was over. He wished he could stand up and get some Sake, that always made talking easier. But noticing the ashtray on the counter filled with cigarette butts he at least knew he wasn't alone in his nervousness.

Sanji sighed. "Curious? That's what you call spying on me in the shower? I'd call it being a creep" he said pointing his cigarette at Zoro.

"If anyone's a creep it's definetly you curls. Seeing as you got some random girl's name tattooed" Zoro grumbled out, not caring for the shitty cook's sharp intake of breath.

"Will you stop with that? Have you even considered that it could not be a random girl?" Sanji had a hard time trying to keep his voice calm.

Zoro huffed out a half hearted laugh. "Well then, enlighten me cook! I already asked you once but you didn't answer me. So go ahead, now is the time"

"First off: you were drunk off your ass when you asked me, I doubt you'd even remember it if I told you back then. Second: unless you apologize, I won't tell you shit!" by now Sanji didn't even care if he was yelling. Sometimes that was the only way of communication the mossball infront of him understood.

"Fine shit cook! I'm sorry for being curious about your stupid tattoo! Now tell me who the poor girl on your chest is" Zoro yelled back and narrowly escaped another kick aimed at him.

Sanji took another deep breath. The mossball had sort of apologized and he was getting tired of his stupid assumptions, so now it was all or nothing. "It's my mother's name, shithead!" he said in a calm and measured tone that even surprised himself.

That left Zoro stunned. He blinked, opened his mouth, blinked again and closed his mouth.

Sanji took the last drag of his cigarette before stubbing it out in the overflowing ashtray. "Bet that never crossed your mind, eh marimo?" he asked looking at a still very much speechless Zoro that looked like he was questioning his entire being right now. It made him kinda nervous. Sanji never thought that the first person, besides Zeff, to know about his tattoo would be the stupid moss haired swordsman that is Roronoa Zoro. He basically bared a part of his soul to the one person he knew could destroy him with this knowledge.

After a few more seconds that felt like hours, Zoro finally found his voice again. "Shit, curls....'m sorry" he mumbled, looking anywhere but the cook. Feeling his curiosity come back he added: " Why didn't you tell the others?".

Sanji leaned against the counter, already fumbling with his next cigarette. "Dunno, they never questioned my cover story. I'm sure at least Robin-chan and Nami-san know it's not the truth but they never pressured me for an answer, unlike you dumbass." he chuckled. "The others would probably never believe you if you told them what I told you"

Zoro nodded. "Wouldn't have told them anyways" he said, decidedly not acknowledging the cook's provokation. Sure curlybrows mostly was an idiot but that didn't mean Zoro would tell his secret to everyone. He still had some sense of honor.

"Thanks, mon chou" the words fell out of Sanji's mouth before he could stop himself, mentally cursing the unusual fond tone of his voice. He blamed the weird time of night for it and hoped Zoro would ignore it like his jab towards him. Unfortunately luck wasn't on his side.

"Anytime curls, thanks for trusting me with that" came Zoro's equally fond reply. The atmosphere between him and the cook was weird enough anyways, so what. The blond lowered his guard, so Zoro could too even tho he didn't like how mushy he sounded. Like a lovesick teenager, wich was technically the truth but he didn't really want to put that kind of feeling into the conversation right now and risk making things even weirder. So he decided to test his luck, maybe the cook would tell him some more. "How was she? Your mom, I mean" he asked, playing with the hem of his still damp shirt. Sanji looked at him like he'd grown three heads.

"Why the sudden interest in my family mossball?" Sanji asked. That question was decidedly too personal for the two of them and considering he wanted to keep his family history hidden from the world. His crew knew enough about him already. Zoro just shrugged at him. "Well marimo, I'm still mad at you for what happened in the shower so why should I tell you? Also it's late, I have to get up early and I believe you still have a night watch to get back to" with that he made his way to the door, running away from the question like a coward. "Good night!" he added before leaving the galley.

Zoro was left sitting on the couch, suddely very aware of his damp clinging clothes and the ruined moment between him and the cook. Damn this pretty blond bastard and his ability to scramble everything in Zoro's brain. And damn Zoro too for handling emotional matters with the grace of a bull in a china shop. Grumbling about Sanji and himself he made his way back to the crows nest where he stewed in his thoughts for the rest of the night.

[fsfghgee]

I saw your Smoke post and wanted to add to it. I was one of those 'Comments under every Ed Boon MK11 Tweet begging for Smoke to come back' kind of fangirl so it's not like I just kind of liked Smoke and am complaining now. I was always a ride or die for Smoke's character and he was my main in MK9. However I am not a fan of MK12 Smoke. He's cute and he's not the worse redone character, but they've made him such a door mat personality wise. At some point I even started questioning why he was even Kuai Liang's friend or loyal to Liu Kang in this timeline. Kuai Liang just sat by and let Bi Han disrespect Smoke right in front of and said nothing meanwhile Smoke was a ride or die when Kuai Liang needed him and it made me so mad. Not to even mention the intro where Liu Kang lowkey admits to causing Tomas's family to die. I honestly expected Tomas to betray them and at this point I kind of want him too, for no other reason then at least it will show he has a spine. Tomas has more of a reason to betray Kuai Liang and Liu Kang then Bi Han does and if he ever does I won't even be mad about it. The writers just expect us to except their friendship cause they were friends in the last timeline without bothering to build on the friendship in the new timeline. I'm sorry for dropping an essay in your inbox but this gets me so heated.

Wow

THIS IS SO TRUE!

I couldn't agree more!

He got some great previous versions, previous timelines that actually built respect on his name, but in mk1 2023 he was reduced to Kuai's sidekick.

In MK9 I could without any doubt understand that he was there for his own reasons and for his own protection (since Bi-Han belonged to his crew and the Grandmaster had gone nuts). Even on Legends they did a better work...

On the story mode I could kinda see the man I grew up with... But his endind and most of his dialogues was very disappointing. He was truly wasted.

All they gave to us about his absolute loyalty to Liu Kang and Kuai Liang was the excuse of "father said so", "father would want that", "to honor father" and so on.

Kuai Liang didn't care at all about him until he needed his help. I also don't see where Kuai saying to him that "Bi-Han owed u respect" or "we are brothers" after loses Bi-Han, shows otherwise.

His personality and goals now are basically "be a good boy" thing and that's it. What is cute, but beneath him.

I wish your premonitions could be brought to life, but they made him such a needy sappy character that I wouldn't be surprised if they even let him die for some petty reason...

I don't like the projections/assumptions of him being pitiful or even a helpless person, but I can understand some of them (recently, I realized where they're coming from...)

He deserved much better!

What he got in mk1 was almost disrespectful.

[lqbeo]

IN MY DREAMS …

NINE / PARADISE

WARNINGS / SWEARING, FIGHTING, MENTIONS OF BLOOD, VIOLENCE?? WC / 1176

“Wow, she’s so good” People complimented and watched Chaewon in awe as she shot every basketball into the hoop, never missing at least once. You and all of your friends are currently in an arcade to celebrate acing one of the hardest tests you guys have taken. You, Sakura, Yunjin, Kai, and Soobin had surprised expressions on your faces as Chaewon continued shooting every ball with ease.

Chaewon shot the last ball just in time, making you and Soobin clap your hands. Chaewon didn’t get time to enjoy her victory when a guy from your school suddenly entered the arcade and started to yell “Guys!” Everyone from the same school turned to the guy “A fight! There’s a fight! Paradise gang!” You and your friends look at each other with wide and shocked eyes. Everyone then started talking while they exited the arcade to watch the fight. You all decide to come along, having nothing better to do.

Once the 5 of you arrived at the spot of the fight, you were shocked to see the boy you least expected, Yang Jeongin. You were behind the crowd of People, despite that you were able to see the boy you are oh so familiar with but at the same time not at all. You gasp when you notice a guy pins Jeongin against the wall with his hand on Jeongin’s neck. “Did you hit on my girl?” The guy asked Jeongin but he remained unfazed “Come on, Stop it!” You watch a girl pull the guy away from Jeongin, so you suspect this girl is the guy's girlfriend. The guy's eyes softened when he looked at the girl “You stay out of this, Bok-soon” He says with a smile and he pushes her away. When the guy looked back at Jeongin, his eyes quickly started fuming.

“You know who I am? Who you’re messing with?” His hand went back to Jeongin’s collar before he spoke again “I’m Min Hong-gi, The Fiery Fist of Cheongju '' Ok so that was his name. “You messed with the wrong man’s girl? '' With his hand still on Jeongin’s collar, he pushed him against the wall once more but in a threatening manner. “You’re gonna die tonight man—” “Damn it, seriously! I’m the one who started it, all right? You know how embarrassing you are?” The girl tries to stop everything but you pay no mind when your eyes fall on Jeongin’s hand going on the girl’s shoulder, you can’t help but feel a tiny bit jealous. He’s never interacted with you before, if the brief glances in the cafeteria or hallway don’t count.

“Bok-soon, I’m sorry” Jeongin apologises, taking his hand away after “But there’s much better dudes than him” The guy was taken aback while Jeongin leaned forward to face the girl “Just date better guys” Jeongin smiles and the girl does as well. After all that he tried walking away “What the hell did you say?” The guy spat out, though all Jeongin did was hit him with his shoulder then continued to walk away “Huh? You asshole.” Your eyes widen in fear when you catch sight of the guy walking over to get a glass bottle of beer. Ignoring your friend's concerns, you rapidly find yourself on everyone's side. “Hey!" screams the guy after successfully obtaining a bottle of alcohol. He gets ready to hit Jeongin but before he could, you grab onto a random guy's shoulder and kick the bottle out of his hand.

You drop to the ground and so does the guy resulting in everyone gasping. You try to regulate your breathing when you hear the guys’ voice “Who the hell was that? Get that bastard” the paradise guy who was on the floor commanded the men who were behind him. Terror washes over you when two large men made their way over to you, but before they could someone had opened up two bottles to shower the paradise gang with beer. It didn’t stop them, it only saved you guys enough time to run. The guy let go of the beer bottles once they ran out and when he turned around you were flabbergasted to see none other than Choi Beomgyu.

He didn't give you a chance to reply and swiftly took your hand for you to rise up. When you rose, you grabbed Jeongin's hand; you were a little flustered, but that was irrelevant; all you cared about was getting away from these insane lunatic men. The crowd broke in half, allowing the three of you to escape. You heard your friends yell at you to run away as fast as you can, and you did. It felt like you were in a movie, which just added to your feelings of worry and anxiety. You three rush hand in hand across several streets, but fortunately Beomgyu spotted a bench with policies nearby after you guys took a turn.

He dragged the three of you towards it, and when you arrived, you all sat down. Even if there was a cop nearby, you would be terrified to see the gang approaching you. When the men halt the guy, the panic is quickly replaced by relief. They told him to stop while holding him back, but he still tried to flee. “There's cops" The guy looks around and witnesses the officers trying to get someone into their car. The guy groans and then adds, “All right, then I'll see you next time!" He attempted to avoid trouble by appearing as though he knew who you were. Finally, the group departs from you three.

You sigh, unable to fathom what has just occurred. You checked in with Jeongin (who you were still holding hands with) to see if he was okay. With a small smirk on his face, he was breathing heavily. Regardless, all you saw was your hand entwined with his. You attempt to keep your smile contained and hidden, but all you get is a little grin while holding your crush's hand. You stared at Beomgyu, remembering that he still had your hand in his. You were relieved that his eyes avoided you since you were stressed. Yes, you're holding Jeongin's hand, but you're also holding Beomgyu's, you have a crush on Jeongin, not Beomgyu.

You grumbled as you stood up, causing the two of them to turn and stare at you. You were solely interested in the one with the blonde hair, “Ya! Are you insane?" You chastised Jeongin, but he remained mute. “That man was a Paradise! Para! Be more careful, or you’ll get yourself killed!" You exclaimed, panting. Beomgyu's eyes fall to your ankle, noticing the scars and blood. “Are you alright?" He raised his head to look at you. Because of his lengthy black hair, you couldn't see his face properly. You peered at him for a few seconds before realising what was going on. You crouch down to check what Beomgyu was on about. Jeongin gazed at your ankle, then back at you, concerned.

Shit, what would your friends say?

MLIST / TEN / PREV

A/N: there might not be an update tmrw since im going to itzy’s fanmeet for bench 😭😭 (im so excited) but if i can update before i leave i will!!

TAGLIST: @captivq @beomomb @flowerbe0m @rosenatorfirst @xtra-cheese @tya0 @catsyoon @woncheecks @ioszzn @kaeebtch @sugar5 @kaewonie @huening-ly @aernx @yumilovesloona @i2lain @myknifeyourlife @xrvrqs @wasteofoxygenn @ajakaashi ( taglist is open )

[fandomworld9728]

Polyship Week - Blitzo/Stolas/Lucifer (Day 1):

Day 1: Team as Polycule/"Is that my hoodie?"/Breakups/Group Hug

Another day at the office. Usually, Lucifer wouldn't be so happy waking up early and spending all day cooped up inside a stuffy office building. However, ever since they started dating their two wonderful partners the world seemed brighter. What made it better was not only did all three of them live together, but they also worked together! They were the best team in their department.

And Sera said that they were hard to handle... take that you judgmental- okay can't think about your boss that way Lucifer. Even if she did let them get away with a lot, calling her a judgmental bitch would not fly. Plus, she wasn't actually a bitch. Sometimes she could come off that way and act a bit snobbish, but she really did mean well. She just had to work on how she worded things.

Speaking of Sera, it looks like she left another task for their group to complete. It seemed simple enough, though it would take at the very least a couple days to finish. Looking around the office to see if either of their two boyfriends and coworkers had somehow slipped inside without them knowing, they found out very quick that they were all alone.

That wasn't surprising. Lucifer decided to get a head start while waiting for the other two to show up. It wasn't unusual for them all to get up together but show up at different times. Lucifer is typically the one who shows up early or on time. It was rare for them to be late or mess work at all.

On the other hand, Blitzo would sit up all groggy in bed to see off Lucifer and Stolas before sleeping for another half an hour before rushing to get ready and out of the house. Then there was Stolas. He left at the same time as Lucifer but got there after them. That was because he dropped the girls off at school and picked up the coffee they'd need to get through the day.

"Oh Luci~"

Right on que. Looking up from their laptop, they gave their perky partner a smile. "Stolas. Good morning. The girls at school?"

"Yes. All expect for Loona. Her college is having them do online classes for the time being. Something about a prank gone wrong? I'd have to have her explain it to me again. I didn't understand it when she was explaining it to me on my way out."

Oh boy. Lucifer could only imagine what happened. They remembered their own college days. Well, for the most part. They were wasted more often than not thanks to all the parties their friends would always drag them to. "There's no telling what those crazy college kids could have done.

"Oh, thank you." Taking the cup from the taller man, Lucifer enjoyed the way the drink left their hands chilled. For some reason they always ran hotter than most people. So hot temperatures didn't bother them, and the cold was a sweet relief from the blistering heat inside them.

"I still am not sure how you can enjoy something so sweet first thing in the morning."

"What can I say? My sweet tooth knows no bounds. Now, leave me to my S'mores Frappuccino while you drink your bland, bitter, depressing drink."

Laughing, Stolas took his usual seat behind the desk next to Lucifer's beanbag chair. "Matcha is not bland, bitter, or depressing. Plus, it has health benefits on top of being delicious."

Lucifer loved Stolas' laugh. It reminded them of an owl's hoot and was absolutely adorable. Much like the man himself. They're glad they get to hear it more often now. When they first met him, he was self-conscious of his laugh thanks to some of the jerks a couple floors down. Luckily, those clowns no longer worked here. Lucifer may or may not have had something to do with that.

"Now, what has lovely Miss. Solara given us to keep us busy today?"

"Sera Solara... what a name." Handing over the small stack of papers, Lucifer went back to his research. 

"This coming from Lucifer Morningstar. How does one get such a name?"

"I honestly have no idea. I think the people in this city are just religious as hell."

Their conversation was cut short as the door to their office was kicked open, showing the final member of their team. "Stolas. Please tell me you got me an Irish coffee."

"I am sorry, darling, but I just got you the regular black coffee."

"Ugh. That's fine. I keep a bottle of booze in here."

"What? Blitzy!"

Watching the two with an amused smile, Lucifer finished up their task. One less thing to worry about. Now then. Time to figure out why their still half-asleep boyfriend was so angry. And trying to wrestle the bottle of liquor from Stolas. "What's with the morning drinking? It's not like you to try and get trashed until the afternoon."

"Because I just ran into my bitch of an ex- Dammit Stolas! Give me my fucking booze!"

"No! You have to stay sober until we've finished work for the day!"

Flopped back onto the floor with a rather undignified noise, Blitzo rolled over an put his face in the plush carpet that Lucifer had insisted they get for the office. The hardwood was nice and all, but it needed a pop of color. Not to mention the way it felt was great for when Lucifer got overwhelmed and needed to decompress. Seemed they weren't they only one benefiting from it.

"What the hell do we even have to do that I can't be at least a little drunk for it?"

"Sera put us in charge of getting the ballroom at the hotel she owns across town ready for a couple to come check it."

"Why would they want to do something like that?"

"Because they're getting married."

"Oh my fuck. Could today get any worse?"

Snickering at their poor partner's misery, Lucifer got up from their seat and pulled Blitzo to his feet. "You know what would make you feel better?"

". . .No. Don't you fucking-! God dammit. Why must you two do this to me?"

"It's just a group hug Blitzy. To make you feel better."

~

"Why did we have to do all that cleaning today?"

"Because the company who was supposed to deep clean the room canceled last minute. And we are nothing if not capable adults who can clean."

"Blitzy. Luci. Have you two seen my hoodie? I thought I had left it in the basket of clean clothes in the laundry room- ..." The last thing Stolas expected to find coming into their shared bedroom was his two partners cuddled up together inside his hoodie. "Are... are the two of you both wearing my hoodie?"

"So? What if we are?"

"It's so comfortable Stolas. Like wearing a blanket."

"Yes. Well, how about you two give me back my hoodie and we can all cuddle under the covers?" Unable to keep the amused smile off his face, Stolas went over and stole the acritical of clothing back from his now whining partners. "I call middle tonight."

"Fine~"

"Just hurry up and lay down. I'm fucking tired."

"Yes dear. One moment." Putting the hoodie neatly on its hanger, Stolas settled into bed. He couldn't believe how lucky he was. His husband on one side and their shared partner on the other. He wouldn't have it any other way.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

[sednonamoris]

dear john

Pairing: John Marston x gn!reader

Summary: A year’s worth of letters, never sent.

Warnings: Angst, canon-typical language, epistolary chapter, emotionally constipated idiots

Word count: 1,236

A/N: I think the prior chapter does a lot of legwork for this one, but I really wanted to cover John's missing year in a succinct way that still got across the complicated feelings and hurt that came with it. I'm still deciding the direction the next two or three chapters will go - if we head straight to Blackwater and dig into the game's timeline at last or spend some more time before all that. All this to say the next updates might take a bit longer. If you have anything you really want to see please let me know!!

Series masterlist • AO3

—

Marston,

Goddamn you right to hell you stupid, yellow-bellied bastard. Too much of a coward to even say goodbye. Best friends, was it? Real funny way of showing it to leave me behind like that. A few weeks to clear your head I can understand, but over a month seems an awful long time.

I would have followed you anywhere.

Guess you didn’t care to have me along.

Ghost

—

Dear Marston,

I don’t have an address to post this to, but don’t think I’ll let you off easy. You don’t want to raise this kid? Fine. But you should come home. I miss The gang could use you. Arthur and I got a good lead on a bank but you know how twitchy the trigger fingers are on these Callander boys. 

I am fine, thanks for asking, and so is everyone else. Arthur is even madder than I am, so I wouldn’t expect letters from him anytime soon.

Ghost

—

Dear Marston,

There’s more work to be done between me and Arthur now that you’re not here to share the load. Arthur says you weren’t much help anyhow, but as much as I hate you for leaving we both know that ain’t fair. Tried to hunt rabbit with him the other day and he shot them all full of holes. Pearson almost laughed him out of camp when he went to hand in a brace anyhow. You at least remember to switch your ammo. 

My point is that we could use you, wherever you are. You’re a rotten friend for leaving like that.

Ghost

—

Dear Marston,

It’s awful tiresome being mad at you. I wish you’d come back so I could stop pretending and everything could go back to normal. 

Jack don’t know any better, little as he is, but Abigail misses you about as much as she curses your name. Dutch and Hosea miss you more, and Arthur does too even if he won’t say it. The worst is people who act like you’re dead, not gone. Almost knocked Bill’s teeth out for that the other night. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that wherever you are I hope you’re happy, because we sure ain’t. 

Ghost

—

Dear John,

Camp’s on the move again. If you ever bother to come back I’m sure you’ll be able to track us, but I had to say it just in case. Like you’re even reading this letter I can’t send. 

The country out this way is even more beautiful than I dreamed. Growing up in a desert gives you a real appetite for green, and these plains go one forever and ever. We passed a river the other day with grey waters - nothing close to San Luis blue. It made me think of you and drowning. When Javier caught my stare he said he’d take me fishing. Maybe I’ll catch some real bass, not like Arthur’s pretend ones two summers ago. 

Ghost 

—

Dear John,

You’ll like our new camp. Everyone does. Even Trelawny crawled out of whatever fancy-pants hole he’s been in to drop a visit. He has a lead on a big blackjack game two towns over. Dutch wants Arthur to play. These little plains towns are small but there’s real money in some of the landowners.

I’ve got my eye on some nice horseflesh but Dutch wants me playing bodyguard just in case. I told him to send Davey instead and got a lecture on trust and family. He gave me that sad look at the end that always means he’s missing you.

Guess I ought to say I miss you too. 

Ghost

—

Dear John,

Sometimes I feel like I’ll never see you again, and other times it’s like you could walk into camp any second, easy as you like. Sometimes I see you in people we pass on the road, or in towns. Sometimes I feel it in my chest that you’re gone, like I’m missing a piece. 

I hope you’ve been safe, wherever you are. Hell, I even hope you have someone watching your back out there. We both know it should have been me, but it’s a little late for that now. 

I think about what I would have said if you’d asked me to come with you some nights that I can’t sleep. This gang is my family. I know I would have gone with you, but I also know I would have regretted it in the end. Maybe it’s better this way. Sure don’t feel like it. 

Your Ghost

—

Dear John,

I haven’t been fair to Abigail at all. Guess I needed you to leave us both to see that. She’s a hard worker and a natural mother and Jack is lucky to have her. I think you were too. Maybe you still are, if she’ll have you.

I caught Arthur making eyes at her across the fire the other night. If Mary Linton’s hurt weren’t so fresh I think he’d let her make an honest man of him.

I don’t know that anyone can make an honest man of you. 

If you ever come back maybe I’ll try. Or at least we can go on being dishonest together. Best friends, right? Since you left these letters have been my friends, and I have to tell you they’re a sorry replacement. 

Ghost

—

The day of John’s return happens just like you said; easy as you please. He rides in on his chestnut mare, one hand on the reins and the other shading his eyes from harsh midafternoon sun. There’s a guilty look shadowed on his face and the shyest smile you’ve seen on that sharp mouth of his.

You want to kill him. You want to kiss him. You settle for a withering glare he has the good sense to cringe from. 

“Where the hell have you been, asshole?”

“Lot of places,” he says, “but I… finally figured it was time to come home.”

Home. 

He says it while looking right at you. 

You should kill him. You should kiss him. But just like that he’s forgiven.

Dutch makes a speech and the gang welcomes him back each in their own way and you think Hosea even starts to cry. Abigail smacks him the second he gets close enough and then kisses him full on the mouth. John looks stunned, holding his face, and Arthur glares, and you still don’t know what to do with yourself. You just sort of stand there while your world tilts on its axis and watch it spin. 

When the night has finally quieted and everyone else has gone to bed you sit at the fire alone and burn the letters. Ink turns to ash. Every bit of love and longing trapped in those pages goes out into the air, smoke on the wind. 

From that smoke John appears, his eyes full of sorrow and regrets and a heartbreaking hope that has your chest in a vice grip. 

You rise slowly, like he’s some wild animal you might spook. Then before you have a chance to react he closes the distance between you and holds you close enough to hurt. In the crush of his embrace it finally registers that you have your friend back. Your best friend. Your John. 

“I really missed you, you know,” he rasps into the fabric of your shirt. 

“I know,” you say through the tears. “I know.”

“I know,” you sniffle through the tears. “I know.”

[dawnslight-aegis]

11. surrogate

Roric Blackthorn was not hiding. It just so happened that the table he had ended up at halfway through Kaede’s wedding reception was tucked in a corner away from the others, at least half of it not visible from the main hall. It certainly wasn’t that he was entirely overwhelmed by the sheer spectacle and number of people, though it certainly seemed as if half the damned realm – and the entirety of Ishgard – was present.

He was watching his wife mingle on the dance floor, a mostly-empty glass of very good brandy in hand, when he heard a soft shuffle-tap footstep cadence approaching.

A large, gloved hand grasped the back of an empty chair as an older elezen man – though younger than Roric had assumed, given the gait – came to a stop next to the table. “Might I join you?”

Roric squinted. He was sure Kaede had introduced this man, but to be honest, Ishgardian names started to blend together a bit after a while, all the Forlemortmentnauds and such. After a moment, though, he placed the man, and nodded. “O’ course. Make yerself comfortable.”

Edmont de Fortemps inclined his head with a faint smile, before dropping heavily into the chair, cane across his lap. “I fear I no longer possess the stamina needed for such events, and this occasion outstrips most in scale. As it should, considering the accomplishments of both involved.”

“Well, the way I figure it, we’ve got you t’ thank for this entire shindig. If it hadn’t been for you takin’ Kaede in after the damned blue coats framed her for killin’ the sultana, the realm’d be a very different place. Not t’ mention Kaede not finding herself a fancy young lad t’ marry.” Roric lifted his glass to the former count, realizing too late that it was rather rude to toast a man who had no drink of his own, but Edmont pulled a small, ornate flask from his coat and raised it in kind before taking a swallow.

Maybe some Ishgardian lords weren’t half bad, after all.

“To be frank, it was not wholly out of altruism that I made such a choice,” Edmont murmured, looking down over the party with a faraway look on his face. “I believed that I was aiding mine own future daughter-in-law, with the way my son spoke of her. Halone did not deign to give me daughters, and my sons, well… neither of the two that remain seem much interested in marriage. Kaede is the closest I have ever had, even if her feelings for Haurchefant were not equal to his for her.”

“Must be hard, then. Seein’ her married off to someone else.” He’d heard the stories about the lad who’d saved Kaede’s life and lost his in return, but the girl had never made mention that he was anything more than a good friend. He ought to have known, though. It would take a man better than any Roric had ever known to give his life for a simple ally.

Edmont shook his head. “No, I do not begrudge her her happiness. And Ser Aymeric is a good man. He reminds me a great deal of Haurchefant at times, in fact, and is a good friend to my eldest as well. I am proud to be asked to stand in for his family, Fury rest their souls.”

“Aye, I know th’ feeling. Kaede’s father by blood lives yet, but I’ve called her mine for most her life now, and damn near half my own.” He finished the glass of brandy, and set it aside with a sharp clink. “I’m damned grateful for you and yours takin’ her in when she needed it. The bloody Braves were breathin’ down our necks so close that I could barely scratch me arse with them knowin’. Drove me half-mad, not bein’ able t’ help her. And o’ course the bleedin’ Admiral was no help – but I never expected it to be Ishgard that would come to her aid. Owe you and that boy of yours a lot, more’n I could ever hope to repay. If Kaede names you family, then that makes you mine, as well.”

“The entire city owes her more than we can repay, as well – that makes us even, I believe. To raising children not our own, and seeing them do greater things than we could ever dream.” The former count extended the silver flask across the table, and Roric took it with a nod. He raised his eyebrows as the burn of strong whiskey hit his tongue, warming him all the way down.

Companionable silence fell between the two men for a long moment, until Roric spoke again.

“She’s well-loved here.” It was not a question, but a statement of fact. The turnout of people proved that much.

“More than you know. Some of the older noble families aside, anyway,” Edmont added with a chuckle. “Though I think they’ll come around, in the end. Or they won’t, and they’ll be poorer for it.”

Roric snorted. “Damned right.”

It had been a long, cursed road that got him here, littered with loss: his first wife, and the girl she’d carried in her belly, to sickness; his father and mother, to the mad king’s reign of terror; his brother, to the Garlean Empire’s invasion; so many of his friends, to the Calamity and Carteneau. A damn sight more darkness than one man might be expected to bear, but he’d done so regardless. And for his faith, Azeyma had sent him light – a wife, a daughter, a home finally freed from the empire’s iron hand, and the cruelty of the monarchy before it. The honor of knowing the girl he’d helped raise had brought that same light to so many other lives.

A small smile spread across Roric’s mouth as he watched Kaede dance with her new husband, nothing but pride in his heart. What more could a father ask for, than for his daughter to be loved – by a good man, by a city, by the world?