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cocomanga · 20 days ago

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The Sweetest Beat - Set 6 *pt.1

Pairing: Megumi Fushiguro x Fem!Reader,

CW: Daddy Kink, Praise Kink, Size Kink, Oral, BDSM, Unprotected Sex, Edging, Drunk Sex, Aggressive Sex, Overstimulation, NPD Abuse/Trauma, Intense Feral Megumi.

READER DISCRETION ADVISED: HEAVY Noncon/Dubcon Please DO NOT proceed if that triggers you. This is the Megumi I want to royally f*ck up my life honey. I couldn't find him in fics so I created him myself. Brace yourself.

Note: please block me if my work is not your cup-o-tea. I do not own any of the character art Reader is encouraged to listen to music mentioned for context :)

Total WC : 12.1K

Wanna take it from the top? Start at Set 1🎶;)

<< The Sweetest Beat - Set 5

The Sweetest Beat - Set 7 >>

TSB - Masterlist | AO3 | Wattpad | Playlist

**Hey reader... Please note, this is a ROUGH draft, meant to be completed and released by his birthday (12.22). I released it as close as I could to the date, but edits are still necessary. I'll add those later, but for now, enjoy! ;)**

Synopsis: Megumi Fushiguro is the leader of a fresh new rock band. They're currently playing covers and gaining a following at an alarming rate, skyrocketing his career as an indie artist. But when his best friend introduces him to a beautiful someone and sparks fly, he's challenged to navigate her fear of loving freely.

..... Minors: You have no business here. Love you, but please don't ....

▶6TH SET LIST Waterfall (I Adore You) – Yebba (feat. Sweata) Nutshell – Alice in Chains Different Masks for Different Days – FKJ Every Kind of Way – H.E.R. Muni Long – Hrs & Hrs Back to Love – Robert Glasper (feat. SiR & Alex Isley) Pyramid Song – Radiohead Feel Something – Chris Brown Coco Jones – ICU Hunting Bears – Radiohead When We – Tank Love Song – 311 Fade Away – Lucky Daye Blood Money - Vancouver Sleep Clinic Something In The Way – Nirvana Adorn – Miguel My Song – H.E.R

Megumi flinched, his lids lowering into a squint as he processed your words. “E – Excuse me?” his reply came out in a bit of a huff as his eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. His radio played

Waterfall (I adore you) – Yebba

You paused, eyes fluttering a bit before you answered, “Oh, I think you heard me.” You drawled with full confidence. “You…” you whispered, your eyes dropping down toward his legs, then slowly scanned his entire form, up until they reached his and you bit your lip. “… were bad.” You then gently cupped his face between your warm hands with a soft smirk.

Megumi chuckled under his breath, peering down at you in surprise. The beating of his heart, loud in his own ears as his eyes flicked back and forth between yours, taking in the way they burned in desire.

Your head tilted to the side, one eyebrow raised, indicating you challenged his presumption that you couldn’t possibly be serious.

You remained steadfast as you locked eyes, your gaze traveling downward, resting on his lips, the tips of your fingers following behind as they grazed his bottom lip, tracing his chin, then trailing down his neck, gliding down his broad chest, riding the highs and lows of his pectorals until they slid gently across his sensitive nipples, forcing a flinch.

They moved even lower pressing into his solid ab muscles, your fingers curling around his waist, your hands lightly gripping his sides.

Your gaze met his once more, savoring the nice, warm feeling building up in your core as you stared into each other before you turned your attention to the bedside table, reaching for your bag.

You unzipped the pouch, and from inside, retrieved a bit of blue fabric, the sheen reflecting the light as it slowly came into view.

You moved gracefully, laying the pouch back down on the table. “Why don’t you have a seat on the bed for me, hm?” you whispered, motioning toward the mattress behind him with an upward nod.

Megumi’s tangible gaze raked hungrily across your beautiful, curvy silhouette, pausing at your lips before he finally moved, stepping blindly back against the bed, a squint in his eyes as he plopped down, curious what you’re planning. “What’s go–”

“You seem to have forgotten sweetheart.” You interrupted, “I have no problem getting what I need from you.”

Megumi felt his dick twitch behind his pants as you spoke, his body revealing his excitement to see you in this state again. You were right. He recalled that first night, you sneaking feels of him as you squirmed around in the bed while he pretended to sleep. He sat wide-eyed, studying your every move, realizing that whatever you wanted, he'd be sure to give it to you.

You stepped closer to him, with the two pieces of fabric, wrapping one around your neck, allowing it to hang loose down the front of your body.

You held the second piece in your hands, end to end. He parted his knees as you drew closer, his eyes gaping up intently as he cut them toward you and you leaned in, your chest stopping mere centimeters from his face.

“Close your eyes”. You whispered as you looked down at him.

He did as you asked, his knee swaying anxiously back and forth.

You reached up and tied the cloth around his head, covering his eyes, sliding your fingertips down his neck, resting your hands on his shoulders. The tension in the room as palpable as the body heat between you.

He reached his hands up in an attempt to place them somewhere on your body, yet they were met with a quick smack.

“No touching.” You demanded, as you finished securing the knot.

He huffed as he placed his hands back down flat on the bed at his sides, his lips disappearing into his mouth. He could feel his heart racing, heat spreading out to each of his limbs from the heavy beating of his heart.

You stepped back a couple feet away, admiring how unbelievably sexy he looked blindfolded, especially as he was completely unaware of what you would do. As you stood observing him, you relished the tingly feeling that coursed through your body. It was as if you could still feel him, regardless of the literal distance between you, as

Nutshell – Alice in Chains

played on his speaker. The sound of your voice remained soft and low as you asked, “Can you see anything?”

Megumi turned his ear toward you, his face toward the floor. “No.” he replied.

“What’s your favorite color?” you asked.

Megumi paused a few seconds, switching the direction he faced to the opposite side. “I uh...” he huffed “I don’t need one”.

You frowned, curious. “You don’t need a favorite color?”

Megumi cracked a tiny smile, allowing it to fade on his lips as quickly as it formed as both his hands squeezed the bedding on either side of him. He breathed, “I don’t need a safe word.”

Your eyebrows jumped as you grinned, entertained by his arrogance. “You sure about that?” You questioned.

He dropped his head down as if to give it a moment of thought, the stretch of his lips already melting you into a mess.

“Mostly. But I’m … more than happy to risk it.” He replied. His overwhelming desire to receive whatever you had in store for him, overriding any intention to mute any part of it.

“Okay then.” You responded softly, excitement surging through you like electric currents. “Take off your clothes”.

Megumi stood up from the bed, standing still a moment as if to be certain you were paying attention. His cloaked eyes seemed to pierce straight through you as he reached for the hem of his tee. You watched him pull it off, his solid ab muscles coming into view bit by bit as he raised it, then his chest as he lifted it up and over his head.

He tossed the shirt onto the floor, pausing as he faced you. A shiver ran down his spine as he took a moment to savor the atmosphere. He balled each of his hands into fists, quickly releasing them before reaching for the elastic of his pants.

“I’ve always liked this feeling…” he murmured.

You glared a bit at him as you questioned, “What feeling”?

“… the feeling… of you watching me.” He replied as he began to grip his pants, his bottom lip disappearing behind his teeth. You could swear he was looking directly at you.

“You wouldn’t be cheating now, would you?” you asked, a playful tone lacing your voice.

“And deprive myself of this? He mused. “Never. I promise, I can’t see you.”

He slid his thumbs into his waistband, pulling them down, allowing them to pool at his feet before he stepped out. He was wearing dark blue boxer briefs this time, black band.

You hissed softly, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly at the sight of his body, your core clenching, your heart squeezing inside your chest.

“You know, you were amazing up there tonight.” You whispered, your eyes raking over his frame. “You made momma very proud.”

You observed him for a few moments, noticing his hands opening and closing again into fists, observing it as a means for him to release some of his pent up tension.

“Lie back on the bed. With your head at the headboard.”

He did as you asked.

“Hands back against the pillows?” you requested.

He did as you asked.

Different Masks for Different Days – FKJ

played as you walked over to the bed, and stood over him for a moment… “You have a beautiful body, Megumi.” You breathed, as a light blush pressed forward on his cheeks, halfway hidden by the fabric.

He flinched as you touched his skin, your fingertips gliding slowly down his bare chest, tickling as they reached his abdomen. Your hand pressed into the bed as you slowly crawled over him, straddling his belly, your knees on either side of him as your thighs pressed into his sides, flush against his warm skin.

He raised his hands up to touch you. You gripped both of his wrists, pinning them down to the pillows all to easily, as you leaned into his ear, “I said don’t touch.”

Your breath was hot on his skin as you moved closer to the shell of his ear, lowering your voice to barely a whisper. “Be a good boy.” You said, as your breasts pressed into his chest. Your parted lips glided across his jaw, your teeth grazing, then catching a grip on a bit of skin that made it's way behind them.

Megumi’s brow furrowed as he began to squirm underneath you.

You then leaned forward, allowing your clothed breasts to cover his face as you tied his hands together with the remaining fabric, tethering them to the headboard.

He turned towards them, opening his mouth, his tongue pressing forward as he kissed and sucked against your smooth flesh as you pressed them against his cheeks. Once he was securely bound, you slid your hands slowly down each of his arms, noticing his breathing becoming more labored.

“You okay baby?” you asked, sweetly.

“I’m better than okay.” He answered, “but… I need you.”

“Awww… sweetheart.” You said, leaning in, cupping his face, then rubbing your nose against his cheek, nuzzling as you grinded your soft, sensitive sex against his belly, the tip of his dick just behind you, grazing your upper thigh as it sprawled across his hip.

You drew closer, kissing his lobe softly as you whispered, “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take good care of you.”

You felt his body shudder under your touch, his lips remaining parted as he huffed harder, pressing his head back into the pillows.

Megumi could feel the tension becoming more difficult to bear, building the excitement within him, as he now wondered just how much more of this he could take. It felt like an eternity to him since he was last in this position with you, and he wanted nothing more than to devour you completely.

You pressed your body a little more firmly into his as your tongue glided up the side of his neck, planting opened mouth kisses, the same as the ones you loved to receive from him, as you continued to grind yourself against him. You watched his face twisting in agonizing pleasure, taking special care to avoid touching his middle.

“Are you excited?” you cooed, your hand massaging the other side of his neck, your thumb tracing the lines in his throat.

“Very.” He huffed, behind heavy breaths.

“What do you need, baby?” you whispered, your fingers from both hands sliding up the back of his neck through his hair, gripping it as you continued to massage, nuzzling and kissing.

Megumi hissed, “I… ~haah~… I need … you to untie me.”

“Oh yeah?” you breathed, “Already huh? And why would I do that?”

He turned his head toward you, “I’ll … make you feel good… I wanna take you… taste you…” he huffed, swallowing hard as he began tugging against the headboard, his biceps contracting, veins pressing forward against the skin of his arm.

“Hmm... that sounds so very nice.” … you drawled. “But … I’m not quite sure you’ve learned your lesson, love.

He huffed, biting his lip again just before you laid another couple kisses on his collar bone.

You glided your lips over to his, pressing them together in a deep, warm kiss. You slipped in your tongue, humming against his mouth as you sucked his lips, teasingly extending the length of the kiss as you continued. His hips began to buck slightly forward as he moaned, the wet muscles inside your mouths dancing together in a warm, soft embrace, the sensation triggering your middle to produce more slick.

Every Kind of Way – H.E.R.

played as the sound of your kisses vibrated throughout your body, the tantalizing taste of his warm mouth, exciting you all the more. Megumi was beautiful. And seeing him like this made your heart race like nothing else ever had. It was a delight teasing him.

“You want me?” you spoke against his lips.

“Haah… yes…” Megumi’s voice came out almost as a whine as his hips pressed upward into nowhere, begging for contact.

You began to slide your body lower, rubbing his chest as you peppered more kisses, your tongue gliding across his pecs, then against his nipples. You sucked each of them gently as he flinched.

His abdominal muscles contracted as you blew against them, his frown deepening as your hands then slid down lower, “Mmmh…” you moaned, feeding off of his pleasure, his body shuddering underneath you as you took in the sound of his moans. You licked your lips as you observed how rock solid his dick appeared as it pressed against the fabric of his boxers.

You hovered your face over his middle, your hands gliding up and down his sides at his hipbone. His huge cock was difficult to avoid as it hung sideways across his hips, thick, stiff and long, and there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt that you wanted him just as badly as he wanted you.

You slid your fingers up his inner thigh, slipping them under the hem of his boxers, exposing more of his skin, so tender in this area, teasing his middle as you lightly scraped his flesh under your nails, your tongue flicking out before kissing each thigh.

“Aaah fuck” Megumi plead, squirming underneath you. “Baby…” He panted, through clenched teeth, “I… haah ~ I’ve been waiting so long.”

You grinned, satisfied with his reactions as you pressed his thighs outward continuing to kiss them, massaging, squeezing and pressing his skin with the pads of your thumbs, inching closer to his throbbing middle.

Megumi’s hips rotated, bucking forward, begging as he frowned, his muscle flexed against his jaw as he clenched his teeth in an attempt to maintain his pride, his entire body betraying his calm. His speaker played

Hrs & Hrs – Muni Long,

as Megumi begged, “Mmmh ~ more” hissing, barely above a whisper. “Just fucking let me have it…” he complained, pulling against his ties.

“So anxious, baby…” you muttered as you squeezed his thigh harder.

Megumi spoke through his heavy breaths; “I wanna fuck you... deep ... so deep... I wanna … bury myself inside you.”

Your heart twisted in your chest as you positioned yourself between his legs, his words stirring the fire already burning you from your core as you kneeled on the bed.

“You wanna bury… this… inside me?” you whispered, as you slid your fingers up his clothed shaft to the tip, already soaked with precum, as your other hand gently cupped and squeezing his clothed sack, evoking another flinch in his body and a guttural moan from his lips.

You gripped his length, stroking it back and forth, the fabric sliding between your skin and his. “You want … this… deep inside me?”

“Yes… fuck!…” Megumi moaned deeply, pressing his head back against the pillows as he pulled his tether tighter against the headboard, his hip movements now jerking, becoming more prominent.

Your heart fluttered at his neediness, your smile growing wider as you curled your fingers into the band of his boxers, pulling the front of them up toward you as you unveiled his beautiful, thick, throbbing member. He lifted his hips to assist you in removing them, and you casually tossed them to the floor.

As his hard veiny cock bounced freely in front of you, you leaned in, pupils blossoming as you took in the sight, your face mere inches from it as you hissed, sliding your hand up his thigh, then finally curling your fingers around the bottom of his shaft.

Megumi’s groan escaped his throat from even deeper inside him, as your hand gripped his throbbing member. “Aaah…” it’s temperature a stark contrast against your hand, so warm you could feel it pulse against your skin.

“Mmm… Your cock is so fucking gorgeous, Megumi.” You moaned as you stroked it.

Megumi’s breaths hitched as he murmured, “Inside...”

“Aww… sweetie…” you teased. “I just wanna spend a little more time with it okay?” you leaned in, planting slow, open mouthed wet kisses along its length, starting at the base, humming as you moved upward.

You stroked it lovingly a few times as you muttered, “so fucking pretty”. You flicked out your tongue at the base, licking him all the way to the tip, which glistened with precum just before you sucked it clean, the soft inner part of your lips kissing it with a smack before releasing.

“Mmh… and you taste so good …” you whispered as you teased.

Megumi trembled as he groaned, “Ssshit! … Ngh! I won’t last…” the delicious sensations sending tremors through him, intensified by him being unable to see you.

Back to Love – Robert Glasper (feat. SiR & Alex Isley)

set the mood as you giggled and continued, licking him like a lollypop, and sucking eagerly as you reached his angry head. After just a few passes, your tongue flicked over the tip once more, you opened wide and shoved it as deep inside your mouth as it possibly could go, gagging slightly as it reached your throat.

Megumi turned his face, burying it against his arm, his mouth opening into a silent scream, working overtime not to cum, his moans causing your core to clench harder every time.

You coated him with your saliva as you sucked, and sucked, and sucked him off, your hands stroking in tandem with the movements of your head, his warm, veiny shaft gliding smoothly across your tongue. It felt so good to please him like this.

“Fuck! ~ I can’t take it…~” Megumi warned as he bucked his hips a few times, thrusting his thickness into your throat as your hand massaged his shaft. “Shit! … I’m gonna come… I’m gonna … fucking come.”

You hummed against him with pleasure as you sucked harder, your heart skipping beats as you deeply satisfied yourself by satisfying him, your cheeks caving as your lips and tongue glided along his hot length.

The thought of him, the way he makes you feel, his brilliance, his kindness towards you, his scent, his gorgeous face, his dominance, his talent, all stimulating you more as you pleased him, enveloping his sensitive thickness in your soft warm mouth.

You reached your other hand up to rub his chest as you stroked and sucked him… yet pulling it out of your mouth with a pop, catching your breath, “Haah…. Not yet, baby…” you drawled, grinning as your hand slid down his chest.

“Agh! … the fuck!?…” Megumi whimpered, with both frustration and excitement.

You snickered as you crawled up to meet his face, straddling yourself across his hips, careful not to nick him with your heels as his solid length glistened in the dim light and laid straight up against his belly. You sat up, pressing your clothed center on it as he bucked it against your clit, your hands resting across his chest, flinching and moaning as it rubbed roughly through your covered folds.

Pyramid Song – Radiohead

blended into the atmosphere as the both of you moaned together. You rubbed your sex along the length of his hardness, nearly cumming yourself at the feeling, Megumi’s mouth hanging slightly open as he released heavy breaths, thrusting toward you.

“Agh you fucking tease!” he whined, clenching his teeth.

You leaned into him, giggling as you reached up and placed both hands on his cheeks as you slid them upwards, your fingers hooking underneath his blindfold to remove it.

As you unveiled his eyes and he slowly opened them to meet your hungry gaze, the contact sent pangs to your heart. You slid your tongue, feather-light across his lips, then past them into his mouth for another deep, warm kiss, your tongues dancing excitedly against each other.

Your lips slid across his, slowly sucking his bottom lip, then planting one last peck on his chin as you leaned in, pressed your mouth against his ear to whisper, “Just a little more” as you sucked his lobe into your mouth.

You pulled back, only to see Megumi’s heavily hooded gaze, his pupils blown out dark as he heaved, frowning deeply as he observed you. You pressed your torso up as you straddled him, giving him a perfect view.

“You like what you see?” you moaned, grinding against him as you locked eyes, your hair falling over your face, your lips slightly swollen and deep pink from sucking his cock. You threw your head back, strands of your hair tickling his legs as it swayed, your hardened nipples pressing forward against the thin fabric of your dress as his dick throbbed against your sex, pleading for entry.

Megumi was unable to take his eyes off you, feeling palpitations in his heart for this person, this woman, beautiful inside and out, that he’s allowed to take over his emotions, his body, his life. “Fuck…”

You flinched again shuddering on top of him from his angry cock as it ruffled your folds, the head laid against his abdomen, pointing directly toward Megumi’s face from under the warm covering of your pussy, moans spilling from your lips, as your hands slid up and down his chest.

His body quivered as he approached his limit, oversensitive, his chest rising and falling faster, his desire pushing past the boundary of excited toward feral as he clenched his teeth, hissing.

You leaned forward propping yourself up on your left knee, your left hand next to his shoulder for leverage, as you hovered your middle over his, your right leg, stretched out across the remaining length of the bed, your feet still clad in your heels. You flipped your hair back over your right shoulder, meeting his gaze as you pulled your strappy panties aside, then gripped his heavy cock with your hand, rubbing the tip across your wet folds.

You smirked a bit, teasing, “is this what you want?” you asked, pressing the head ever so slightly into your wet opening.

“No…” Megumi’s brows formed a hard line, eyes screwing shut as he hissed, “noooo no no…” steadily pulling against his bondage as his body shuddered. “C’mon baby, let me out.” he plead again, pressing his face against his bicep.

“No?” you questioned, tilting your head, confused about how that was his answer. “Are you sure about that?” You teased, easing his tip past your slick folds, sinking it slowly inside you, moaning a bit with every inch.

Desperate to take care of this on his own, Megumi fought against his desire to watch, yet couldn’t tear his eyes away as he witnessed his thick length slowly stretch you open, slipping smoothly into your hole, disappearing inside your sweltering heat.

Megumi wailed the loudest he ever had since you’d known him, overwhelmed with pleasure as you rested your body on top of him, your walls wrapping around him as warm as a velvet blanket.

“Haaaah FFUUUUCK!”

Your eyes fluttered shut, rolling into the back of your head as you settled almost completely on top of him, your hands trembling as you moved them to rest on his pale, muscular chest. You doubled over, burying your head in his neck, barely able to contain yourself, air hitching in your throat as it passed your lips. His speaker played

Feel Something – Chris Brown.

Megumi’s heart pounded as hard as a bass drum as he watched your reaction, seeing and feeling you shudder on top of him as his length reached into the innermost secret and deepest parts of you, aching to beat himself even further inside until you could take no more, until he reached the sweetest spot, until you screamed his name.

His member hardened even more as you hovered with him buried in your depths, nearly to the hilt. You moaned loudly as your core squeezed him even harder, your chest heaving. It took everything for you not to cum at that moment. Your eyes opened slowly, meeting his hedonistic gaze.

“Don’t move… let me out.” He begged with suppressed urgency, his expression that of a chained wild animal, desperate to devour his prey.

“No.” you whined, between clenched teeth, leaning into his lips, causing more friction from your quivering core against his aching cock.

Megumi’s frown deepened as your torso inched closer to his, biting his lip, nearly breaking his flesh, trying as hard as he could not to release inside you immediately.

“Go ahead and cum for me.” you whispered, gripping and pressing your hands into each of his biceps on either side of him.

You then pulled your ass upward, and his dick out a bit, then thrusted hard back down on top of him, whimpering from the excruciating pleasure as you threw your head back, “haaaah!”

“Nnngh!” Megumi panted, his head jerking back as you repeated your thrusts, over and over, his dick gliding beautifully and smoothly in and out of your heat, the friction just delicious against your tight gummy walls.

You pressed down on him repeatedly, flicking out your tongue against his neck, your hips working miracles against his stubborn dominance, your slick heat firmly gripping his hot cock, milking him, the head pounding closer to your cervix.

Your hands migrated up toward his neck as you gripped each side, “You like that baby?” you whispered into the shell of his ear, “letting momma … Ngh… u – use you like this?”

You very much preferred being underneath him, but Megumi’s reaction goaded you on, and was so enticing, so irresistible that you couldn’t help yourself.

Your body tremored from your very core, as you moaned out in a sensual whisper, “haaahhh! ~ I’m cumming baby…” as you thrusted even faster.

Megumi yanked against the headboard, pulling and grunting, his eyes rolling back, heavy breaths exiting his mouth at each of your thrusts, a violent tremor suddenly shaking his entire being until he finally came…hard.

You melted on top of him as thick ropes of his hot semen coated your insides, your core releasing arousal all over him. “Ha~aaah! You breathed with satisfaction as you turned your face to the heavens.

His body convulsed as he spilled inside you, his veins pressing forward along his arms, he came so much, that after a few moments his seed found its way out of your hole, flatlining as it dripped down his shaft and you continued to move your hips slowly up and down his oversensitive member.

Megumi kept his head held back as he heaved, having enjoyed every second, allowing his high to wash over him. He then pulled harder against the tether as he trembled. “Please… Haah…~ haah… Please fucking let me out, baby...” He plead quietly.

You giggled cutely, very pleased with yourself as you looked down at him in his weakened state, leaning in to untie his restraints,

The moment his hands were free, he sprang forward, sitting up, his right arm wrapping around your waist, his hand firmly gripping your thigh as his left arm held the back of your head and his lips slammed into yours.

His tongue lashed around your mouth greedily, the warm, soft contact with the inside of yet another part of your body, exciting him. He easily flipped you over onto the bed next to him on your back.

“Such a bad girl”. He quipped, his hand threading through your hair.

You bit your lip as you chuckled, both of you heaving as you took in each other’s features. He leaned in for another kiss, this time much slower, as his hands began to explore your body.

“My turn.” He murmured.

His large hands slid down your side against your matte silk dress, sliding to your breasts, where his fingertips gently grazed over your hardened buds, rotating them slowly, the soft fabric separating your skin from his as it glided across, making you shudder as he became hard all over again between your legs from being close to you.

Coco Jones – ICU

Began to play as he pulled back from his kiss. Your big pretty eyes met Megumi’s, his forehead rested against yours as you lie still, just feeling him. Your gazes exchanged fire as you trembled, your chests heaving, his body warm and firm as he encompassed you.

“Hey there, sweetness… you ready for me?”

Megumi moved his body down, relaxing his face between your breasts. His long fingers reaching around each one, squeezing as he kissed and inhaled your scent. He pressed your soft skin gently against his cheeks, his touch reaching every nerve, making your entire body tingle.

The sound of the wet smacks of his kisses and deep moans vibrated in your ears, his hands and body weight pressed down on you, making you feel protected and desired, the fragrance of soap and incense wafting up from his body, hair tickling your chest as his jet-black strands glided across your flesh, his wide eyes observing every one of your secret places.

His hands slipped under your dress, exposing your pretty skin as he lifted it up and off. Having him restrained revealed the difference feeling his hands on you made. His touch never failed to set every one of your senses on fire.

His mouth locked on to you as his lips pursed softly around your nipples, suddenly pulling hard to suck them in, the juxtaposition of the warm softness of the flesh of his lips and the tinge of pain behind each suck making you shudder to your core.

His darkened blues flicked up as he sucked, making contact with yours, pupils blown out further, glazed over, glaring.

Each time your gazes met, it was as if your heart had been squeezed inside your chest, each beat pulsing a surge of electricity through every limb.

Megumi’s cock was now rock solid as the head rested at your entrance, still coated and leaking from before.

He maintained eye contact and slowly pressed in, watching your face contort in pleasure You lifted your legs up, pressing your calves against his back as he tunneled inch by inch into your velvety soft core without stopping until he bottomed out.

He loved to see you this way, writhing and helpless underneath him as he handled your body, making you hurt so good from taking his cock. It made him fucking crazy. Feeling his member buried deep inside your warmth like this, knowing you absolutely loved for him to fuck you.

His eyes fluttered shut as his lower lip trembled slightly, the both of you moaned upon entry, the glide as smooth as silk.

Neither of you moved, your collective eyes closed as he held that position inside you, Megumi’s face resting in the crook of your neck, his tongue lapping as softly and desperately as a divine dog, his kisses sopping wet, his breath hot on your skin as he pressed the bottom of his shaft against your clit.

You waited for the wave to calm, releasing some of the tension from your lungs through heavy breaths, but your body betrayed you, the sheer force and power behind his hold on you making you cum immediately. You wailed out, gripping the back of his neck with one hand, scratching red marks into his back with the other as your core clenched on to him so tightly, that you forced an even louder moan from him.

Hunting Bears – Radiohead

cooed as your body seethed beneath him. As the fire that Megumi lit inside you seared through your veins, the deepest, most concealed, cold, hardened corners of your heart continued to melt like hot wax, sweat seeping from your collective pores.

He reached down to grip your ass firmly, one cheek in the palm of each hand as he held you, your legs opening obscenely wide for him as he pressed in even deeper, his face still buried in the crook of your neck as he licked and sucked at your throat, all the way up to your ears.

Megumi was molding you, shaping you as an expert artisan, his hands, his rock hard member, making you, sculpting you into a form intricately tailored for his satisfaction alone, the secret cave of your heat, carved out perfectly by and into the shape of his tool.

Likewise, you had carved a space from his heart that only you could refill. Everything about you, from your person, to your beautiful voice, the gleam in your eyes, to the way you received him, gently yet unintentionally massaging his ego and his manhood, you had locked him down into a den of pleasure that he had no desire to leave.

He growled against your skin, thrusting over and over., “Mmgh, everything about you is mine.”

As he opened his eyes, he waited to see yours. You kept your face turned sideways as your eyes screwed shut. He felt so good, your body couldn’t help the response, so much so… that you just … couldn’t…

“Look at me” Megumi insisted.

His reached his hand up to rest on that comfortable place at the base of your neck, his fingers curling around your pulse point, your body trembling uncontrollably as he pulled out a bit, then pressing in slowly, deeply, his forefinger turning your face toward him.

Your hooded, hazy, round eyes rested on his face. His beautiful face.

“Keep looking at me.” He whispered his words between huffs, “Only look at me… ngh… I love to see you cum” he breathed into your ear behind thrusts.

He rested his forehead on yours, his eyes piercing, “Do it again.” He punctuated his sentence with a hard thrust.

He hit you so deep that your entire body convulsed as his tip kissed your cervix. You wailed out, “Aaaagh! Megumi!!” as your body tensed, shaking, hot cum coating his stiff cock all over again, your breaths, vibrating against his hand as he gripped your neck, nearly inflicting pain.

Your pleading face washed red; your mouth gaped open and your eyes rolled back as you took the entirety of his thick length deep inside your hole. His radio played,

When We – Tank.

“I’m the one making you feel this way.” He continued to thrust into you, “It’ll always be me.” Megumi groaned, pulling out slowly, then plunging in again, and again as he kept a firm grip on your ass, skin on skin slapping, echoing off of the wall of his loft as he forced louder moans from your lips.

“That’s it, sweetness… open up that pretty pussy… let me in… I’ll die inside.” his hand gripped your neck tighter, his strong arm locking you in place as he beat his name into the depths of your core.

He lightly pressed his open mouth against yours as he held your throat and you both exchanged air, trembling from the intensity. Megumi hissed directly into your mouth softly, “God, I missed you… Cum. Cum again for me.”

You began to sob underneath him oversensitive and overworked, but dying with pleasure as he commanded you, rutting hard into your heat as he dipped his tongue into your mouth, sucking at your swollen lips, then sliding it slowly down your chin, to your throat, back up your jaw with hot kisses, to your cheek, then back to your lips.

You whimpered softly … “Me~gumi … ha~ah” behind your tears. You gripped his back, sinking you nails into his flesh, as he continued to pound his cock into your sopping wet cunt.

“Mmmm … you remember, don’t you?” he continued, punishing you at a relentless pace, “You remember being on your knees for me?” he whispered into the shell of your ear, “Being a good little slut for me? Lemme hear it..”

It hit you again like a tidal wave “y–yes... s–sir… you murmured, as your pupils pulsed with hearts. I’m … I’m cu–cumming again! … ha~ah!”

Megumi released your neck, gliding his fingers into your hair as you came, fisting it into the top of your head as he fucked you silly.

He was unequivocally yours. And you really were his. Ask him to do anything and he’d do it. Your name was branded onto his heart, and his body melded into yours.

And you, you couldn’t imagine being without him. Where could you go and not desire him? He fulfilled you in a way that no one else could. He was IT for you.

And it was not hard to recognize.

You were head over heels in love with him.

You wanted every bit of him. His quirks, his faults, his issues, his blemishes, his love. All of it.

He supported you, cared for you, regarded you, considered you, and made you feel fucking amazing.

So you let go and allowed yourself to fall. And as afraid as you were, you realized you already had.

Deeply.

Megumi remained inside you, refusing to disconnect as he pressed his face against your cheek and breathed, “I love you.”

*~*~*~*~*

Your eyes parted, a bit of light shining through Megumi’s large window, the curtains pulled open, revealing the dark morning sky. You were slightly disoriented, having awakened in his room. The moment you recalled where you were, a feeling of deep satisfaction washed over you. Happiness. Being with Megumi Fushiguro like this in his home, you felt so … safe.

You took a deep breath as you peered through the mostly dark at his pretty sleeping face. The man that you already know you have decided to give yourself over to. How long has it been since you’ve felt this?

Love Song – 311

played softly on his speaker as you reached your hand over to brush your fingers through his hair, you smiled warmly as you took in his not-so-subtle beauty, the feeling of never wanting to leave this spot, weighing your body down comfortably.

Your fingers slid up and down his muscular arm, and you reluctantly turned away from his face, moving to exit the bed. His hand suddenly wrapped around your waist, stopping you.

“Where are you going?” he asked in a muffled, sleepy voice.

You turned back to him, “To the bathroom, babe.” You whispered, kissing him on the cheek, resting your lips on his face as your fingers curled around his neck.

“Mmmh…” Megumi moaned deeply. “Don’t leave.”

You smiled warmly. “I wouldn’t dare.” You whispered as you turned to look at his clock, noticing it was just past 7am. You got up and grabbed your phone, wandering off to the bathroom.

Megumi watched as you slid it off of the bedside table, unable to sate his curiosity regarding who you’d want to call at this hour. Of course, you had never given him any reason to believe you were interested in anyone else, but surely, just about any man would be interested in you.

But he decided just to relax and enjoy your presence here with him, after you had just given him one of the best and most gratifying nights of his life.

You turned to peek at his beautiful form as he lay under his black blankets, his pale skin and pretty blue eyes peering back toward you in your birthday suit as you stepped into his oversized adidas slides and your robe you brought.

His appearance warmed your heart as you fought the urge to jump back into bed and wrap yourself in his arms.

You disappeared around the frame of the door, across the hall into the bathroom, closing the door to be sure you could have the conversation you wanted without it reaching his ears. You turned on the shower, sat on the toilet and dialed the number.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Maki?”

“Girl… It's SO early!” she huffed, with a little annoyance in her voice.

“I know, I know! I’m so sorry.” You whispered. “I had to take an opportunity since he’s not close by. So, when can we do this?” You asked, cupping your hand over your mouth. “It's so close… I wanna be sure to finish in time.”

“Definitely tonight for sure.” She answered. “The guys agreed to practice what you sent, and they think they’re ready for your first visit. Also, I talked to her, and she says she’s cleared.”

You suddenly started freaking out a little. “Oh my god, I’m so nervous!” you squeaked, “I told him I had to work later. How can we keep him from the studio?” You questioned, turning toward the door in case he barged in.

“Yuji promised to take care of that. And Ino will be here with us. He’s gonna take care of the drums.”

“Yes!!” you giggled, almost too loud, shrinking quickly and covering your mouth again. “Agh! You’re the BEST! Okay! I’ll see you at three, right?”

“Yup. Three sharp! His birthday is in a week.” Maki replied, “Oh, and be prepared. He’s not gonna like that we did this.”

You rolled your eyes, smiling. “Yeah, I figured as much, but you know I don’t care, right? I can’t wait to piss him off a little.” You said, with a wrinkle in your nose.

“Oh my God girl, you’re exactly right for him. Ha-ha!” Maki says, joking but serious.

You suddenly hear a light knock on the door. You turned, slightly startled, per your attempt to be sneaky. “Yeah?” you answered.

“Hey, you want waffles?”

“Yum! Yes! Thank you!” you said to Megumi, then turned back toward the phone to reply to Maki whispering, “Okay I gotta go! I’ll see you later!”

“Okay, don’t accidently spill the tea.” she answers.

“Hehehe… I’ll try not to.” You replied, ending the call.

You hurried and stripped down, hopping into the shower so as not to appear more suspicious than you already did.

*~*~*~*~*

Fade Away – Lucky Daye

now played on his flat screen. So, you have to work later, huh?” Megumi asked, stuffing his mouth with a forkful of waffles that had no syrup.

“Yup” you answered. “Those have gotta be dry.” You teased, frowning.

“Yea, a little. He shrugged. But they’re already sweet. And I have coffee.”

“True. They’re also tasty though. I didn’t realize you were such a good cook.” You said, smiling.

“I had to cook a lot as a kid. I learned pretty early. My mom didn’t spend much time at home with me and my sister before she passed, and my dad wasn’t around … until he was.” His eyebrows jumped before he looked over at you.

You gazed at him thoughtfully, considering that you had actually not had many conversations with him about his parents. Or his sister. “Are you and your sister still close?”

“We are. We don’t talk as much as we’d like to though, since she’s studying abroad and pretty busy. I’d say we chat like, two to three times a week?”

You continued to rake your gaze over him, a warm smile gracing your face as you nodded slowly. You watched him eating, that relaxed, pouty, blank look on his face ironically warming your heart. He was always so adorable, and you couldn’t wait to embarrass him to pieces.

You recalled talking to him a bit about his parents yesterday before the show at “dinner”, and he told you that he got along well with them both. He mentioned that he and Toji had a hard time after their mom passed and disappeared for a while, leaving him alone with his sister. When he finally came back, he worked hard to get closer to Megumi and Tsumiki.

Regardless of it all, Megumi grew up a beautiful person, caring for his sister under difficult circumstances, and still becoming a powerful presence, on his way to being a full-fledged star. Which, you already felt he was. You loved everything about him, whether he was the leader of a rock band or a janitor.

“Do you think I could meet her sometime?” you asked, curious what he thought of it.

“I don’t mind at all. And I think she’d like that.” He squinted ever so slightly toward you as he slowly chewed the last of his waffle, leaning back in his seat. “so… what do you wanna do until you have to go to work?”

“Hmm… I dunno. It's too cold to go out at the moment… I still have quite a while before I have to go. Wanna watch a movie?”

“Yup.” He replied.

“Okay. I’ll get this, you get the movie?” You said as you grabbed the dishes from the table.

“Cool. I’ll get a quick shower while you do that and come right back.” He said.

You watched out of the corner of your eye, stuffing the dishwasher with your plates as he reached for the remote, choosing a romance film.

~*~*~*~*~

You were surprised at how exhausted you were, with all the work you’d been doing, but you gathered that it must be the adrenaline keeping you afloat as you walked quickly toward your office building from the train station.

It had already been 4 days since you saw Megumi last, and today, you had to run in to work to grab a few things before heading to the rehearsal before he showed up with Yuji.

When you texted, you told him you were working, and it was already about 6:25. You were scheduled to be at the studio by 7. You were in quite a hurry, hoping you could grab your drive from your desk and head back. You stepped off of the elevator and turned the corner to walk the aisle to your desk, only to see someone already sitting there.

“Um... May I help you?” you asked, tilting your head to the side as you tried to get a look at the stranger's face as he sat at your computer, typing. You were considerably surprised at how he managed, since it was locked.

The stranger didn’t turn to look at you, his demeanor devoid of any regard for the fact that he was absolutely not supposed to be all up in your personal space. “No, I think I can manage. Thanks.” He replied in a deep voice, quite nonchalantly.

You huffed, “Perhaps you can, but ... what exactly are you doing at my desk?” you asked, rolling your eyes from behind his back. He appeared to be extremely well built, tall, and had tattoos all up and down his semi bulky muscular arms, most of them hidden behind his barely transparent white oxford which he had rolled halfway up his forearms.

“Last time I checked it belonged to the company.” He replied rather rudely, still without even bothering to turn and look at you.

You scoffed, now irritated. “Pardon me, but who are you?”

“I’m Sukuna.” He answered, still seated in the opposite direction as he typed away at your computer. “And who, pray tell, are you?” he asked, squinting toward the screen, as he rummaged through your apps.

“I'm the owner of all the belongings you're currently hovering over and the files you've invaded. I'll need you to please remove yourself from my seat.”

Sukuna turned himself around to face you, finally, frowning, his expression softening, and morphing from irritated to slightly amused after setting eyes on your face, shocked at your audacity as he crossed his arms.

You crossed yours in response, raising your eyebrows, blinking a few times with pursed lips as you waited for him to comply.

He chuckled, locking eyes with you “Well well...” he huffed as he finally stood slowly, towering nearly a foot above you. “Looks like we have a live one in this department.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa...” Geto chimed in, power walking over from around the corner to explain what’s whats going on. He quickly introduced you, “this is Sukuna. You remember we spoke briefly about him coming by to help us out here, right?”

“Mmmm” you replied, your eyes flicking from Geto back to Sukuna, looking him up and down as he smirked back at you. “I wasn't aware my privacy would be in question upon his arrival.”

“Oh, it isn't. I politely offered my services since you're a little ... overwhelmed.” He seemed to love the sound of his own voice as you watched the pretentious look on his face as his words drawled from his mouth.

“Well um ... ‘Sukuna’, is it?” you replied, “that tends to happen when a single person is processing the work of five. But we appreciate your assistance. Were you looking for something in particular among my personal belongings?”

Geto took a deep breath as he noted the obvious tension between the two of you, “My apologies, we needed these documents,” he handed a piece of paper over to you with a list, as your glare continued to cut into Sukuna’s gaze.

“You happened to be the only one who had them downloaded. I apologize for not calling you about it sooner, but we're on a deadline and needed them quickly.” Geto explained.

You gently took the paper from him, taking a quick peek before handing it back to him, moving toward your seat which was directly behind Sukuna. “If you'll ... excuse me?” you requested.

Sukuna motioned, stretching out one of his hands, granting you access to your own desk, the corners of his lips turning down a little in the corners.

You sat for a few moments, taking a deep breath as you felt their eyes on your back, quickly pressed a few keys, then swiveled in your chair back to Geto. “All done, and all sent to your primary. Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“Uh,” he paused for a moment, his eyes flicking to Sukuna then back to you as he pressed his lips into a hard line. “No, I think that'll be fine for now”.

Sukuna continued to glare your direction, with his large arms crossed, “Except... I'll need you to hang out here for a few hours to answer some questions about that project.”

“Yeah...” you shook your head and shrugged, “I'm afraid that's a commitment I'm unable to keep at the moment since I have prior engagements.” You replied sharply, nodding with a tiny smirk. “also, that's a request generally made by management?”

“Unfortunately, one of the requirements of this position is to be available for overtime at the request of management ... which I currently am.” He retorted, squinting slightly as his lips turned up slyly at you.

Your eyes widened slightly as you turned them toward Geto, hoping to hear reason escape his lips.

“I think we can manage without her just this once, huh Sukuna?” he chuckled in a way that you hardly found funny, patting Sukuna on the shoulder as he maintained his curious gaze at you as you peered up toward Geto.

“I just came by to pick up a few things. See you Monday?”

“We most certainly will.” Sukuna answered, regardless of the fact you weren't talking to him. His eyes followed you until you disappeared around the corner, back to the elevator.

*~*~*~*~*

Blood Money - Vancouver Sleep Clinic

played on the studio speaker as you sat on the couch. "I wanted to kick his smug ass." You said to Nobara as she sat next to you behind Ino's panel.

“Shit, I don't blame you. What the hell is up with Geto these days? He seems to be leaning on you quite a bit for the well-being of that office. Maybe it's time you asked for another raise.”

“Yeah, no kidding. That Sukuna character is gonna be a real headache for sure. Thank God I didn't have to actually stay there today. I told Megumi I was going to work, now I don't have to feel bad for lying to him. You chuckled, I actually did have to ‘work’.” You said, rolling your eyes.

“Well, he's out with Yuji now, they won’t be here until around 9, so I think you're in the clear.”

“Nice.” You replied.

“Hey lady, you're up!” Ino called.

You smiled over at Nobara, and stood, heading over to the sound booth and the live microphone.

“Don't freak out, singer.” Choso teased. “We got you”.

You scrunched your nose up at him and smiled, then spoke into the mic, to help Ino adjust it to your voice. “But it's only been a couple days. You guys have this memorized already?”

“Who you think you're talking to?” Choso quipped, and they all chuckled. “Nah, I’m just kidding, we're good though.” He continued. “We have the track here if we screw anything up, but we've gone over it quite a few times at home separately and together, so don't worry.”

You breathed a sigh of relief cringing a little at his pretend arrogance, but he was right. Your music was hardly anywhere near as complicated as theirs, but you still wanted everything to be perfect. Megumi deserved for you to try your best, though you knew he wouldn't care if you did the whole thing wrong especially in a situation like this. He would love your singing.

“Okay lets do this.” you said as Ino queued you in.

*~*~*~*~*

The rehearsal was a success, a million pounds of weight seemed to be lifted off of your shoulders after it was all done.

You went down the line, hugging each of the band members for working with you so well. You couldn’t believe how fast they got the material, though they are all experts, so it really shouldn’t have surprised you as much.

“Are you guys sure you’re comfortable singing backup for me?” You said to Maki, after hugging her last.

“Not uncomfortable in the slightest.” Choso replied, “I figured you had chops, but damn girl!”

“For real.” Yuta interjected. “I’m gonna love playing for you. With vocals like that? It's an honor.”

“Fire.” Toge chimed, as he nodded.

“Seriously, quit worrying.” Maki reassured. “It was perfect.”

“And it will be perfect, no matter what.” Ino chimed. “Who wrote that anyway?”

“I did.” You answered. “I had it all in my head but couldn’t play all the parts the way I wanted to, so I just roughly attempted them on the guitar.” You shook your head. “You guys brought it to life in a way that I never dreamed I’d hear it. I’m so grateful.” You said, holding your hand up to your mouth as tears came to your eyes.

“Megumi’s just … I want him to love it.” you looked around to them all, “And I couldn’t have asked for a better sound in a million years. Thank you so much you guys.”

“Anytime.” Ino replied. “No, seriously. Any time. You must be planning to finish an album, right? That voice and that music can’t go to waste. I won’t allow it.”

You looked over at Choso as he nodded in agreement with his eyebrows raised, along with the rest of the band, their expressions reflecting that you’d probably better get your shit together while they’re all on the same page about supporting.

“Oh my god, y’all are gonna make me cry.” You said, as you turned to walk quickly out the booth door toward Nobara with a huge smile on your face.

Ino shook his head at you, smiling as he grabbed his things, rushing to leave out the back door early to avoid Megumi seeing him, since he lived out of town, and wanted to surprise him with his visit.

“Girl! That was fucking amazing!! I’m so excited for you!” Nobara said, smiling widely, and extremely excited.

You plopped down on the couch next to her, covering your face with your hands. “Thanks, love. I’m really freaking out right now, but it's gotta be done.”

“Tch… You know he’s gonna kick your ass, right?”

“Hehe, yeah… or kiss it if I’m lucky.” You mumbled as you looked at her out the corner of your eye.

Nobara’s entire face opened up in shock as she laughed. “Ahhh!! Oh my god, listen to you!” She pushed your shoulder off of her as she teased you, and you both giggled.

Just then, your phone rang, interrupting your moment with a call from a number you didn’t recognize.

You finished giggling as you explained, “I think I might have to take this. Gimme a sec.” you held out your finger as you stepped out of the inner studio out to the open area.

Something In The Way – Nirvana

played on the speaker as you answered.

“Hello?”

The caller asked if you were available without bothering to introduce himself, in a deep, stern voice.

“Speaking, how can I help you?”

“This is Sukuna. I’m calling to inquire about the overtime we discussed. Our deadline is fast approaching, and it seems we need all the help we can get on this project.”

You couldn’t believe this man had the audacity to contact you on your private phone, actually demanding work from you on your day off.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I won’t be available until Tuesday morning as scheduled.” You frowned angrily, your tone firming, “Just exactly how did you obtain my personal number?”

“I requested it from Geto. I’m making calls to our subordinates, offering the opportunity to acquire more income as well as –”

“Excuse me,” your eyes pressed shut “did you just say, subordinates?” you scoffed. Geto never spoke to his employees that way. Though you did work “under” him, he was far more likely to use the term “team member”. It was clear that this man was already bringing down the morale in the workplace and now bringing down your individual morale outside of it.

“Yes,” he continued, “we are your superiors are we not? We have a quite a bit to accomplish and will require as many hands as possible.”

“I’m sorry, but… were you not hired for this very reason, Sukuna? As a longtime employee of this company, I’d like to suggest you take this as an ‘opportunity’ not only to legitimize your position there, but to reinforce Geto’s faith in your abilities.”

Your phone began to ring just then from another line. You glanced at it, unable to recognize this number either.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another call coming through. I’ll be happy to speak with Geto at a later date if you’d like to discuss this further. Have a good evening.” you rolled your eyes as you ended the call, answering the next one.

“Hello?” you answered, your tone possibly a little too curt.

“Hello? … this is Tsumiki … I’m calling for –”

“Oh hi!” you introduced yourself, extremely excited. “Tsumiki, I am so glad you called. I’m so happy to hear from you! Thank you so much for being a part of this.”

“Oh of course. It's not a problem in the least! I’m glad someone is doing it because as you probably know, he would never.”

You chuckled a bit. “Not in a million years. I just hope he doesn’t kill me after.”

“You and me both.” she said as you giggled together.

“So, you’ll be able to make it? I mean, it won’t put a strain on you, right?”

“Not at all.” She replied happily, “I’ll be there with bells on. I’m ecstatic to see him. It's been too long. And It’ll be great to meet you, too.”

You hear the door open to the studio from outside the building, watching Yuji and Megumi stumble in, as Yuji teased him about something silly. You turned back toward the phone covering the mic as you spoke.

“Oh my God, same! I’m so excited but he’s here I gotta go!”. You whispered with your hand over the phone as you turned toward the boys, who seemed too distracted to notice you.

“Okay! I’ll shoot you a text when I land.” She said. You hurried to end the call, hoping to escape his view as you rushed back to the inner studio from the foyer where they entered. You plopped down next to your friend on the couch.

Megumi and Yuji arrived at around 9:30, far more than just a bit tipsy as you could tell by their conversation. Moments later, they wandered into the inner studio room.

“Where the hell have you guys been?” Nobara asked as she got up to hug Yuji.

Megumi did a double take as he noticed you in the room, and stared down at you with a tiny frown on his forehead, turning the rest of his body your direction.

“And what are you doing here?” He asked, quietly, holding his liquor almost as well as he holds his drumsticks.

“Hey. I'm just hanging out.” You shrugged. “Don't mind me.”

He stared at you for a beat, his eyes looking you over in that way. “What are you up to?” he asked, suddenly.

“Up to?” your eyes grew small as you looked around, puzzled. “Me?”

Megumi tilted his head “yeah. YOU.” His brow furrowed as he questioned you, “You've been acting weird lately. What's up with you?”

“Ugh...” you chuckled. “Nothing... I’m just hanging out with my friends.”

He stared at you, squinting. “Commere” he leaned in, gripping your hand to pull you up from the couch.

“Whats up Megz?” Yuji asked, as Nobara leaned against him in a hug.

“Nothing. We'll be right back.” Megumi replied as he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you toward the door. He was quite wasted, slightly playful, and severely uninhibited, likely triggered by your unexpected presence.

“Megumi... what are you –?” you asked as he pulled you toward his office, pushing your body in front of him as he pressed you into the room with his body from behind, closing and locking the door behind him.

“You're up to something.” He said.

Fucking smartass.

You thought, as you stumbled around to his glare, standing an inch away from your face.

You scoffed, crossing your arms, your eyelids fluttering as you licked your lips. “You have a problem with me being at your studio Megz?”

“No, I don’t, and you know that. Now tell me what the fuck you're up to.”

You laughed at his misplaced seriousness, your mouth gaping open at him cussing at you, finding it terribly amusing how he appeared a little flustered and suspicious, his cheeks red from his drinks.

“I'm not up to anything! Noby told me you went out with Yuji and would be back here, so I came after work!”

“You're lying” he said with an upward nod, looking down at you. He didn’t raise his voice, but it was clear he was genuinely suspicious.

“I heard you giggling on the phone in the bathroom at my place the other day, and again just now. You didn't spend all night at work because I saw you in town at 630. What the fuck are you tip toeing around for?”

“Megumi! Fucking relax okay? Chill. Everything's cool, I'm just here to hang out with you at the studio.” You kept smiling, completely entertained by his demeanor, yet practically giving yourself away, since it made you appear to be lying all the more.

“Look.” He turned to the side, legitimately irritated, a deep pout forming on his lips before he spoke, “If you’ve got other stuff going on, you can just tell me.”

You paused, staring at him in total confusion. “What? … Megumi… are you serious?”

“I feel like I could be pushing you too hard. But I don’t want you to feel pressured. If you’re interested in some–”

At that, your jaw immediately dropped. “Oh my god…” you squeezed your eyes shut as you shook your head quickly. Stop.” You said. “You’re very tipsy… and you’re letting your imagination run wild.” You walked over to him, cupping his face in your hands. “Regardless of whats happening with me, that’s the absolute last thing on earth that would happen.”

You leaned in, kissing him softly on his lips, lingering. “I love you, too. More than anyone or anything else on this earth.”

You peered into his eyes, a frown forming on your face out of genuine concern that he may actually be crazy enough to believe you’d leave him. “If I could reach into my chest and remove my heart to give it to you, I would.”

“This?” you continued, resting your hand on his chest, and then yours, “Is solid. Okay? Do not worry about that. Ever.”

Megumi nodded as he bit his lip in an attempt to hide that he was upset. Unfortunately you still found it adorable, kissing him several times on the cheek, then hugging him tightly.

“It's late. You have work in the morning, right?” he said as you held each other.

“Yeah, Noby is gonna give me a ride home.”

“Good. Cause you know I can’t right now.”

“No. You can’t.”

*~*~*~*~*

You were so glad you didn’t need to see Sukuna’s face for the next few days at work, since he ended up stuck working the projects he was hired for. You spent the next few days there, then rehearsing at home, making sure your performance would be flawless.

It was finally time to celebrate. You arrived at Nanami’s with Nobara and Tsumiki. You walked toward the building, ecstatic to see exactly what would come of this surprise that you know will likely get you into a ton of trouble.

“Everyone’s here” Nobara said, smiling over at you from the bar. “Nanami let us take over the place for the night, so Megumi’s assuming it's gonna just be another dress rehearsal for their next show.”

“Okay, perfect!” you said, your voice squeaky and excited.

“Yuji says he’s on his way. They should be here any second.” Todo said as he walked over to the three of you at the bar. Everyone was present, including many of the bar’s VIP’s that never miss a single one of their shows, most of them recognizable by Todo, Yuji, and the band.

“I’m so fucking nervous.” You said, as you took a deep breath, turning to look at both Tsumiki and Nobara, each of them sitting on either side of you.

Tsumiki rested a hand on your arm in reassurance. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll be great! Nobara told me how good you are. Just trust yourself and everything will be perfect.” She said with a warm smile.

You took a quick breath out, “Yeah… Just relax…” you told yourself.

Nobara squeezed your forearm. “You got this. He’s gonna love it.”

Adorn – Miguel

played on the speaker. You smile at her as suddenly everyone in the building began cheering the moment Megumi walked in with Itadori at his side.

Todo called out from the front of the bar, “Here he is! The birthday boy, and the greatest rocker around, Megumiiiii!”

You watched as air filled his lungs and his eyes widened in shock, then simultaneously roll as he shook his head, dropping his face toward the floor, then cutting his eyes up at Yuji, who grimaced, stepping a foot or so away from him slowly.

“I’m gonna fucking ki –” Megumi stopped mid-sentence as he watched you saunter over toward him, with his sister.

You watched as he caught her in his sight, stunned and wide-eyed. Your heart nearly melted at the look on his face, as it was more than obvious that he was happy to see her.

“Tsumiki…?” he said, almost as if he didn’t really believe she was there, as she reached up, to hug him, a huge smile gracing her pretty face.

Just as he formed his lips to ask “what –?”, shaking his head, he turned his attention toward you, meeting your gaze. The wrinkle in his forehead disappeared as he realized you were the one responsible.

His eyes smiled at you as his lips disappeared into his mouth and he averted his gaze, trying hard to hide the blush on his cheeks. It was the most adorable thing you’d ever seen.

Of course, you weren’t as good at hiding yours as he was. Couldn’t help but stare at his pretty face, unable to contain the heat spreading outward from the bottom of your heart.

“She’s an amazing woman, Megumi.” Tsumiki said, smiling over at you as you continued to blush.

“Yeah.” He answered. “Yeah. She is.” He raked his gaze over you, taking in how beautiful you looked.

He wrapped one arm around you to cup the back of your head and kiss you once on the cheek as he leaned into the shell of your ear, “Be prepared to be paid back for this with interest.” He whispered, sending a shudder down your spine.

He turned and slammed the shot Yuji stuffed into his hand seconds earlier, then to Tsumiki as she began to chat with him.

You smiled as you made your way back over to Nobara at the bar, glowing with happiness to see Megumi so pleased. You sat for a moment, watching people make their way over to speak to him, and him, really, really wanting to avoid all the human interaction. It was awfully funny and cute, and you were more than happy to suffer whatever consequences he had in store for you for putting him in this position later.

You peered up toward the stage, as the boys prepared to begin. Choso gave you an upward nod, queuing you to come up.

Megumi hadn’t caught his signal, presuming he would just go up and get ready to play. Yuji grabbed his arm just as he was about to pass your special seat, the one that allowed you to see him so clearly onstage.

You felt like your heart would beat clear out of your chest, but you peeled yourself from your seat, eyeballing Megumi, biting your lip as you made your way over to walk up on stage, Megumi glancing back in total confusion.

“Have a seat.” Nobara said to Megumi, patting your seat, the cushion still warm as he sat, watching in shock as you went up the stage left stairs.

“What… in the hell… is going on?”

“Just relax. Here.” Yuji said as he handed him a bottle of Guinness, Tsumiki smiling warmly at him as she sat next to him, a huge grin across her face, excited.

You made it backstage, standing behind the curtain, trembling. Your eyes closed as you breathed in and out, hoping to regulate your nervous system. You felt a couple of strong hands squeeze your shoulders, you open them up to see Choso, a goofy grin on his face as he reassured you.

“It’ll be perfect. No worries. We’ve all got your back, just sing. You can do it.” You smiled, nodding. He walked across the stage with the rest of the band, as everyone cheered.

Megumi sat watching as Ino made himself comfortable at his kit. “Ino’s here, too?” he said, as he squeezed his temples.

Choso took the mic. “Thank you, guys for coming out! We’re glad to be here celebrating our leader’s birthday! Whoo!!” Everyone cheered as Megumi cringed. “But we have a treat for you all. A special guest will be singing with us tonight, so give her a hand as she comes to the stage.”

Everyone began to cheer as you swallowed thickly, making your way over to the microphone. The nerves shot through your body like electricity, your gaze peered out toward the crowd as the lights shone bright on you. Of all the times you had done this, nothing could have prepared you for this experience. Singing for this man, was the epitome of exhilarating.

“Thank you all for having me.” you said as you turned to Choso and the band. “And thank you, Megumi,” you turned toward him past the audience as he sat in your seat, “for being such an amazing artist, an amazing inspiration, especially for me, and an even more amazing partner. I love you, so very much, and we hope that you’ll love our performance tonight.”

The lights dimmed, and Toge queued you in with a few notes.

My Song – H.E.R.

Began to play, as you sang the song directly to Megumi and everyone quietly listened. You sang this song from the depths of your heart, as every word made you think of him. He has been the light in your life, one of the only people to love you past your flaws, to stick around regardless of how many mistakes you feel you make and is willing to be here for you.

His inspiration had helped you become stronger in everything you’ve tried to do, and you couldn’t imagine being this close to any other man. Everything about him made you happy, and you felt you could be in this place with him, in this space with him, forever.

Maki and Choso helped beautifully with the background vocals, supporting you express yourself perfectly. And Toge, simply could not have played it better. You recalled that first night you spent with Megumi, when Toge’s piano played so beautifully as the two of you drew closer.

Megumi sat almost perfectly still as you sang to him, barely blinking, barely breathing. He carried the same expression he did as he watched you sing at that wedding, the same admiration, adoration and confidence in you as you’ve always seen. It was as if he gave you wings, and you loved him so much for it. You were able to believe freely, to dream freely, to hope, and to love freely with him by your side.

His eyes locked onto yours, and as your gazes met, it was as if you could feel his heart beating just for you. Even from where he sat from far across the room. Megumi was so beautiful that you simply couldn’t imagine your life now without him. He needed to know it. And everyone else needed to know it too.

The last chord rang, and the crowd cheered as his gaze remained fixed on yours. The cheers seemed to last a full minute as all of Megumi’s friends looked to him to witness how happy he appeared to be.

... to be continued ... 🥰

<< Set 5 / Set 7>>

Set 7 Preview: Coming Soon... ;)

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romerona · 6 days ago

Text

All Y/N ever wanted to do was sing her songs and be free. Yet somehow, after offering to pay for the meal of a certain boy in a straw hat she finds herself causing havoc through the East Blue.

Masterlist - Next.

Trigger warning: canon violence. Word count: 10K

A/N: The only thing I will be describing about Y/N is her hair colour. Everything else you can imagine her as you wish.

Disclaimer: The songs I will be using in this fic aren't mine bc I have 0 creativity. I'm sorry.

If you want to know, what the melody of this chapter song is like, The River by Daisy Jones and the Six is the inspiration.

"Hit the deck!"

Y/N barely had a moment to brace herself before the thunderous explosion erupted across the deck of the Going Merry. The cannonball struck with a force that rattled her bones, the shockwave sending her sprawling as she dropped to the floor, clutching her head. The wood of the railing splintered and cracked under the impact, filling the air with the sharp scent of burning timber and saltwater. Pieces of the ship’s railing exploded outward, shards of wood spinning through the air like deadly projectiles. She flinched as one of the splinters sliced across her cheek, leaving a warm trickle of blood in its wake.

Disoriented, she felt the world tilt and sway as the ship rocked from the blast, and she struggled to get her bearings. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself up on trembling legs.

"Everybody okay?" Luffy asked, his voice carrying over the chaos, unshaken by the cannon fire.

"I think so," Nami replied, her breath coming out a bit shaky.

Y/N wiped the blood from her cheek. "Define ‘okay.’ If it means mildly traumatized but still standing, then yeah, I'm peachy."

Usopp, on the other hand, looked like he’d just seen his life flash before his eyes. "No! Not okay! Not even close to okay!"

Luffy barely glanced at him before turning to the Marine ship in the distance, his finger pointing toward the enemy vessel with a gleam in his eye. "Usopp, fire back at them!"

Usopp’s eyes widened in horror, and he shook his head, his voice pitching. "Or, how about we sail away as fast as we can?"

Y/N nodded, jumping on Usopp’s idea immediately, "Now, that sounds like a solid plan. Strategic retreat, y’know? Let’s live to panic another day!"

Luffy looked between them, clearly baffled like they’d just suggested something completely outlandish. "Run from the Marines? No. Never! Nami, trim the… the sail thing."

"Let’s sink their ship," Luffy told Ussop who had made his way next to the straw hat boy, and both started to prepare the cannon.

Y/N's eyes widened, and she shot a desperate glance at Nami. “Are you hearing this insanity? Oh, shi- look at them!”

Nami spared her a look, it was obvious her patience was wearing thin as she glared at Luffy. "We don’t have time. They’re stealing our wind. If they pull up alongside us, we’re finished."

"You’re the navigator," Luffy said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, while he and Usopp continued their preparations. "Do something."

Nami, fighting to keep her composure, took a deep breath. Her eyes flashed to Zoro and then to Y/N, as if by instinct, as she ordained, "Sheet in and hard to port!"

Y/N, groaning in defeat, moved toward the ropes. “Fantastic. Nothing like outrunning doom while trying not to strangle myself with these ropes.”

"Which way is port?" Zoro asked, his brow furrowed in confusion, making Y/N stop in her tracks and give him a look that could melt steel.

She nearly burst into tears right then and there.

“It’s on your left, Zoro!” she exclaimed, grabbing his arm and hauling him toward the ropes. “You do know left from right… don’t you? Is important to me that you know that.”

Zoro didn’t even bother to answer, letting Y/N pull him along as they hurried to execute Nami’s orders. But before they could even begin to unravel the ropes, the unmistakable sound of cannonballs rolling across the deck made them freeze.

For a beat, Y/N just stared at the incoming cannonballs as they tumbled to her feet. Her mind was blank and her gut twisting into knots. Then she pursed her lips, nodding slowly. "We're fucked."

Suddenly, a deep, booming voice of the vice admiral rang out across the open sea, slicing through the chaos like a hot knife through butter.

"Pirate vessel, by order of the Marines, lower your sails and submit to my authority."

Y/N’s body froze at the sound of the vice admiral’s booming voice. It pierced the chaos around her, and for a brief, suffocating moment, everything else disappeared. Her heart skipped a beat as a familiar, overwhelming sense of dread flooded her chest. Her breath caught, shallow and rapid, as memories—unbidden and sharp—began to surface like a nightmare she couldn’t outrun.

Flashes of her childhood flooded her vision: Marines with their cold faces set in determination as they hunted down her people. The cries of her father, the way he had fought to protect her, only to be torn away. Her small hands, gripped her father’s as they fled, knowing too well that escape was never truly an option. She could still feel the harsh net, still hear their voices—shouting commands, laughing as they dragged her father to his death. Her father... she could almost feel the warmth of his hand slipping from hers as he pleaded for her to take her sister and swim away.

A chill ran down her spine, and Y/N’s vision began to blur, the salty air thick in her lungs. The tightness in her chest grew, each breath more difficult to take. Her hands trembled, and she felt like she was back there, trapped in that terrified little girl’s body again, powerless and afraid. Her body was screaming at her to flee, to jump off the ship and swim far away, away from the threat of the Marines. But that was the panic talking. That was the fear, the survivor’s instinct, clawing at her.

No. Don’t be that scared child again. You’re not her anymore.

But the weight of the vice admiral’s words felt suffocating, like a trap closing in around her. The fear was real, deep-rooted, and it pressed against her chest like an iron band. Her mind screamed at her to run, to escape, but her body refused to obey. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or the crushing weight of the past that kept her frozen in place. All she could do was fight the urge to break down, to fall apart right then and there. The panic, the memories—they were all crashing into her at once, and there was nothing she could do to push them away.

Every muscle in her body tensed, her throat constricted, and all she could do was cling to the edge of the ship until the loud shout of Luffy broke her haze.

"Never!" His voice carried across the water with unmatched conviction and defiance.

From the Marine vessel, the vice admiral stepped forward with surprising agility for his age, his steely eyes narrowing as he grabbed one of the heavy cannonballs.

With a grunt that could’ve been heard a mile away, the old marine hurled the cannonball with a surprising amount of strength, sending it rocketing through the air toward the Going Merry. The cannonball cut through the wind, heading straight for them with deadly accuracy. For a moment, Y/N froze, watching the projectile fly toward them, her heart in her throat. This is it, she thought. I'm dead.

But before she could even fully process it, Luffy, with a sudden lurch, made his stomach expand to ridiculous proportions, ballooning out until he looked like he was going to burst. The cannonball collided with his belly with a dull thud, bouncing harmlessly off him before it ricocheted off Luffy’s rubbery body and hurtled back toward the Marine ship. Y/N’s eyes widened as it made its way back to them, and with a sickening crash, it collided directly with one of the mastiffs on the Marine ship, knocking it down with a loud crash.

For a moment, Y/N could only blink, stunned into silence. Then, she exhaled slowly, her breath coming out in a soft whoosh. “How the hell...?”

"That was amazing!" Usopp exclaimed, his face lighting up with awe. "You saved us, Luffy!"

Nami, still catching her breath, gave Luffy an incredulous look. "You didn’t tell me you could do that,"

"I didn’t know I could!" Luffy admitted, right before Usopp lunged at him, wrapping him in a hug laughing and bouncing around in a strange mix of relief and victory.

“Good going, Stud!” Y/N let out an airy chuckle, the sound of it light and almost free as she finally allowed the tension to slip away, watching them celebrate their unlikely victory. She leaned against the railing, her body trembling ever so slightly as she realized how close she’d been to falling apart. The adrenaline was wearing off, and she could feel her legs threaten to give way beneath her. She closed her eyes, pressing her palms against the cool wood, taking a slow, steadying breath, taking in the scent of the sea.

“Nami, get us out of here!” Luffy called to Nami.

“On it. Let’s disappear,” Nami replied, her voice laced with determination as she took control, hands steady on the wheel.

With a swift pull, she guided the Going Merry into position, adjusting the sails to catch what little wind they had left. The ship surged forward, slicing through the waves as if it were as eager to escape as they were and headed into a misty, thick and impenetrable cloud, like a veil hiding them from the Marines.

“Hey,” came Zoro’s monotone voice, causing Y/N to flinch just a little. It was subtle, but she couldn’t hide the sharp jolt in her chest. Embarrassed, she quickly masked her discomfort, forcing a wide, confident smile as if nothing was wrong.

“Oh, Zoro, hey,” she said, her voice smooth but her heart still racing slightly.

Zoro’s eyes remained as indifferent as ever, but they narrowed just a fraction, the skepticism in them barely perceptible.

“You good?” he asked, his tone flat, but there was a hint of concern buried beneath the surface.

Y/N froze for a moment, caught off guard by his directness. She flashed him a playful smirk, hoping to deflect without showing any sign of vulnerability. “Worried about little ol’ me, hot shot? Didn’t think you had a sweet side."

Zoro’s expression didn’t change, but whatever trace of concern had been there moments ago was now gone. Y/N, half-expecting him to leave her be—because, honestly, he wasn’t exactly known for his warm and fuzzy bedside manner—thought her flippant attitude would have been enough to successfully send him packing. Yet, to her surprise (and slight dismay), he stayed. He simply crossed his arms and stared at her with that unreadable intensity.

Y/N’s smirk faltered, the confidence she wore like armor wavering under the weight of his unrelenting stare. There was something unnerving about how much attention he was paying to her but refused to let it show fully. Instead, she waved a hand dismissively, her voice light and playful. “Do not fret, it’s just a scratch. My face will be back to its former glory in no time.”

Zoro didn’t even blink. “That’s not what I’m talking about,”

But Y/N did—several times, rapid and involuntary, her mind faltering as his words struck a nerve she wasn’t ready to face. The tightness in her chest flared again, and she fought to push away the remnants of panic still twisting in her gut. It was relentless, simmering just beneath the surface, refusing to let go. The memories clawed at her mind—the sight of those Marines, the booming voice of authority—it all came rushing back too fast, too vividly, too... loud.

Her smirk faltered, morphing into something softer, a practised smile. She had perfected this act over the years. No one could know. No one could see how much of her was still haunted, how much of her was a cracked foundation barely held together by sheer will.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Zoro,” she said lightly, tilting her head just enough to feign nonchalance. “I’m fine. Really.”

And without waiting for an answer or even a flicker of something that could resemble an expression, she manoeuvred around him. Her smile remained firmly in place, but her pace quickened as she walked away, leaving Zoro standing there. She made her way to Nami, positioning herself beside her as though nothing had happened, knowing the proximity to the pretty navigator would steady her fraying nerves. Like her steady rock.

Soon, the Going Merry was swallowed by the dense mist, the fog thick and impenetrable, wrapping around them like a heavy shroud. The usual brightness of the open sea was replaced by an eerie stillness, the world around them muffled and grey. No one could see more than a few feet in any direction.

"How’s the ship look?" Nami asked, her voice cutting through the silence when she saw the swordsman return from checking the damage.

"Broken railing. Minor damage," Zoro said as she set herself next to her.

Y/N hums in encorgament. "Could've been worse."

"Could’ve been better," Nami muttered, her tone sour.

Usopp squinted into the dense fog, searching for any sign of the Marines. "Can’t see the Marines anywhere,"

Y/N glanced over the side of the ship, also squinting into the dense fog. "Can't see anything at all, I think you mean."

"What we need is a place to lay low and wait out any reinforcements they send after us," Nami said, her voice already tinged with frustration as she glanced down at the map in her hands. "But my charts are useless in this fog."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "Great. So we’re basically sailing blind."

"What did Luffy say?" Zoro wondered aloud.

Usopp, squinting through the fog, replied, "He’s on the bow. He hasn’t said anything since we hightailed it out of there."

"Well, somebody needs to talk to him. About this and that other thing." Nami’s voice was laced with frustration as she turned to the others, clearly not thrilled with the situation.

"What other thing?" Zoro asked, confusion flickering across his face.

Y/N shot him a look—a mix of disbelief and exasperation, her expression practically screaming "Seriously?" She wondered how could someone be so perceptive and yet be as oblivious as a plank. For a fleeting moment, she even wondered if his cluelessness was some sort of elaborate act.

"Oh, gee, I wonder," Nami replied, her voice thick with dry sarcasm before she deadpanned. "The vice-admiral-of-the-Marines-is-my-grandfather thing."

Y/N pursed her lips, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her—understanding, skepticism, fear, and anger. The fear and anger tried to take root, but ultimately, understanding won out, its shadow softening the rest.

"Oh, that," Usopp said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Yeah, I don’t really know the guy that well…"

Y/N sighed, crossing her arms as she turned to Nami. "And let’s think that maybe there’s a reason why he didn’t tell us," she said, her voice measured, though the tension behind it was undeniable.

Nami shot her a look, her eyes narrowing in a way that could only mean she wasn’t buying it. "But he should’ve. This is something that affects all of us."

Zoro grunted, rolling his eyes. "Doesn’t seem like a big deal."

"You’re his first mate," Nami shot back, rolling her eyes. "Kind of seems like that falls under your job description, hmm?"

"Fine," he muttered, clearly not thrilled about it.

It took all of five seconds—barely enough time to blink—before he turned right back around and rejoined them. Y/N raised a brow, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement. Now this was the Zoro she knew—the one who avoided digging deeper into anything if it required more than minimal effort. The other unsettling attentive version of him she’d dealt with earlier? Long gone.

“He seems fine to me,” Zoro said flatly, as though that was the final word on the matter.

"Did you even ask him?" Nami asks in exasperation.

“Hey!” Luffy suddenly called out, his voice cutting through their conversation and pulling everyone’s attention to him. The group turned to see him standing at the bow, sniffing the air like a bloodhound on a trail. His face was unusually focused, which immediately made Y/N sceptical. “You guys smell that?”

Y/N’s curiosity got the better of her. She hesitated, then took a subtle sniff, her brows knitting together when she couldn’t pick up anything out of the ordinary. “Smell what?

“There’s something on the breeze,” Luffy said, his voice uncharacteristically serious as he sniffed again. “Smells like… butter... Soy sauce... And meat.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, sharing a look with the others, searching for a second opinion. “That’s… oddly specific,”

Usopp, still looking around in confusion, squinted at the air. "I can’t smell anything,"

"Think he has brain damage?" Zoro muttered under his breath, watching Luffy sniff the air like a hound on a scent trail.

Nami sighed heavily, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I think that every day."

Usopp, ever the voice of reason- or what passed for it to everyone else- said. "Look, Luffy, playing follow the smell is fun and all, but we really gotta get out of this fog. We’re sitting ducks in here."

"I know, but I smell food, which means there’s someone somewhere cooking!" Luffy reasoned, as if that simple fact somehow made perfect sense to him. He was grinning ear-to-ear, oblivious to the crew's growing frustration.

“Seriously?” Nami groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose before throwing her hands up in defeat. “Of course it’s about food.”

Y/N pursed her lips, her gaze shifting between the thick fog and Luffy’s eager, determined expression. She let out a small sigh and turned to Nami with a shrug. “Hey, it’s better than wandering aimlessly, right? At least his nose has a purpose.”

Nami muttered something under her breath about “purposefully leading us into trouble” but threw her hands up as she headed back to the helm. “Fine, whatever- just tell me where to go."

"Five degrees starboard!" Luffy shouted confidently, settling himself on the lamb’s head like it was some kind of throne. He sniffed the air once more, brow furrowing. "No! No! Three degrees back to port."

"Add food to the equation and suddenly he knows how to navigate."

Y/N, who had been bored staring into the mist, suddenly perked up as she caught sight of something faint, something slowly beginning to take shape. She squinted, her curiosity piqued. "What is that?"

“Add food to the equation, and suddenly he knows how to navigate,” Nami muttered under his breath, earning a soft chuckle from Y/N.

Y/N, who had been idly staring into the mist with growing boredom, suddenly straightened as her eyes caught sight of something faint—something slowly taking shape ahead of them. She squinted, her curiosity sparking. “What is that?”

“Is that land?” Zoro asked, his voice tinged with skepticism as he strained to make out the blurry outline in the distance.

Nami frowned, her brow furrowing in concentration. “It can’t be. There aren’t any islands anywhere near here.”

“What’s a… Baratie?” Usopp asked, his voice a mix of confusion and awe as he read the glowing red letters that seemed to hover like a lighthouse through the mist.

The crew fell silent as the shape came into sharper focus, the mist parting just enough to reveal something massive—a grand, almost otherworldly ship. Its design was like nothing they’d ever seen, whimsical and imposing all at once.

“Is that… a fish boat?” Y/N murmured, her eyes widening as she took in the strange structure. It wasn’t just a ship; it was a spectacle.

The ship continued to take shape, now unmistakably resembling a gigantic wooden fish, complete with intricately carved fins and a tail that seemed almost alive in its fluid design. Y/N’s eyes wandered to the collection of ships docked along its sides, their masts swaying gently with the movement of the water. The group stood in stunned silence, the sheer scale and craftsmanship of the structure leaving them momentarily speechless.

As the Going Merry docked alongside the Baratie, the eerie, solitary impression they had from afar melted away, replaced by a vibrant, bustling scene. The docks were alive with movement and sound. Sailors worked with practiced ease, tying ropes and securing their ships. Merchants were unloading crates filled with who-knew-what, their voices rising above the clatter of goods hitting the dock.

The air carried the faint aroma of sizzling food mixed with sea salt, teasing Y/N’s senses as she caught hints of laughter and animated chatter drifting from the fish-shaped structure itself. What once seemed mysterious and isolated now felt impossibly alive, like the heart of some hidden, seafaring world. Y/N couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe—and a twinge of curiosity—at the liveliness surrounding them.

As the crew gathered on the deck and observed the bustling activity around the fish-shaped ship.

"Everyone's heading to that fish ship," Zoro remarked, curiosity evident in his tone.

Y/N, leaned over the railing, her awe evident as she stared at the grand fish-shaped vessel below. “It’s huge,”

“That smell,” Nami said thoughtfully, a small hum escaping her lips as the aroma of sizzling food reached her. “I think this place is a restaurant.”

"Then I know what we're gonna do next," Luffy declared, his eyes lit up with excitement.

Nami interjected, "Disguise the ship so the Marines can't find us?"

Y/N nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea."

"Sail back to Syrup Village, where it's safe?" Usopp offered, his tone equally hopeful, clutching at the last thread of safety.

But Luffy, grinning from ear to ear, announced, "Nah, let's eat!"

He turned on his heel and made to bolt toward the docks, but Y/N was faster. She grabbed his elbow, stopping him in his tracks. “Luffy, wait. We can't go in-"

Luffy turned to her, his grin faltering into a slight frown, his confusion evident as he leaned closer, their faces almost touching. “What? Why not? It’s right there—all we have to do is walk in.”

“Sure, we can,” Y/N began, her eyes flicking down to his less-than-impressive attire with a small, knowing smirk. “But not dressed like this.”

Luffy blinked, his confusion deepening.

“You’re handsome, stud, and yeah, you’ve got charm." Y/N said, patting his arm playfully, “But trust me, as a former waitress, there are places where you have to look the part. And I can tell this is one of them.”

She gestured toward the lively crowd below, some of whom were dressed a little better than the ragtag crew of the Going Merry. Luffy frowned, glancing down at himself as if only now realizing his outfit wasn’t exactly fine dining material.

“So... we’re dressing up to eat?” he asked, clearly baffled.

“Exactly,” Y/N said, smiling at his adorable cluelessness. “And trust me, it’s gonna be worth it.”

Luffy stared at her for a beat before finally shrugging, his grin returning. “Okay! As long as we get to eat after!”

"That fish better have a bar," Zoro mutters as they all make their way to their room for a scrub and a change.

Y/N slipped into a dress that felt just right for the occasion—simple, but with just enough flair to make it special. The fitted top was decorated with delicate floral embroidery that gave it a soft, romantic feel, while the flowing skirt had an uneven, handkerchief hemline that added a touch of fun. The thin straps made it feel light and easy, perfect for the moment. It was the kind of dress that hugged her in all the right places but still felt comfortable, striking that perfect balance between casual and a little bit sexy.

Y/N smirked as she caught her reflection in the mirror, tilting her head to admire her handiwork. Her white, silver hair was styled into a loose, effortless updo, with a few soft strands artfully framing her face, giving her that perfect mix of elegance and I woke up like this charm. A touch of makeup—just enough to highlight her natural features—brought the whole look together: a faint blush on her cheeks, a sleek wing of eyeliner, and a hint of gloss that made her lips look positively kissable.

“Well, don’t I just look like a walking snack,” she quipped, turning to admire the sway of the dress. “Kaya’s got taste, I’ll give her that. I owe her at least three thank-you calls and a bottle of wine.”

With that, she spun on her heel, ready to turn heads.

“You all deeply disappoint me,” Y/N announced dramatically as she joined the others, her eyes scanning their outfits with a look of sheer disapproval. Their clothes were better than before, sure, but it was painfully obvious that she was the only one who had truly put in any effort. She placed a hand on her hip, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Tragic. All of you,” she added with a flourish, her tone dripping with mock indignation, before muttering under her breath, “I can’t believe I have to carry this entire group's sense of style on my back.”

Luffy and Usopp glanced down at their outfits, their frowns deepening. Luffy was wearing a red shirt and overalls—like he’d just walked off a farm—and Usopp had decided to rock pants, a coat, and, for some unfathomable reason, no shirt. Someone help me, Y/N thought. Zoro, as expected, looked exactly the same as always—zero effort given, zero surprises there. Nami, at least, looked decent. Not great, but decent. Y/N clicked her tongue, shaking her head like a disappointed mother.

Nami noticed her scrutiny and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh, please, Y/N. This place is crawling with ugly pirates. We don’t have to look like royalty for them.”

Y/N smirked, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm as she adjusted the strap of her dress. “Sure, Nami, because when I think of my life goals, ‘blending in with ugly pirates’ is right at the top of the list.” She gave the group a once-over, then added with a mock sigh, “Listen, just because the bar is on the floor doesn’t mean I have to trip over it. Standards, darlings. Standards.”

"Can we just go now?" Zoro said to which Luffy nods excitedly.

She let out an exaggerated sigh, smoothing her hand over her dress like she was trying to gather the patience to deal with them. Finally, she gave the group a look of mock exasperation, her tone dripping with playful judgment.

“Alright, come on, let’s get this over with before I change my mind and pretend I don’t know any of you.” She started walking ahead, throwing a cheeky glance over her shoulder. "Be good, you’re all one embarrassing moment away from being disowned."

As they strolled through the bustling docks, Y/N walked with her head held high and a confident grin tugging at her lips. She could feel the stares following her, lingering longer than usual. Did it feel good to be admired? Absolutely—it always did. But she wasn’t naive; she knew exactly why they were staring. Her appearance, her aura, her very presence practically demanded attention. That’s one of her traits as a siren, after all.

Still, the attention was something she chose to brush off… mostly. Every so often, her smirk widened just a fraction, a subtle acknowledgement that yes, she knew she was turning heads, and yes, she was enjoying it more than she’d ever admit.

“Wow, people do stare at you,” Usopp muttered, his wide eyes darting around the dock as merchants and pirates. His tone was half amazement, half bewilderment.

Y/N’s grin widened, a mischievous glint in her eye as she smoothly linked her arm with his.

“Why, yes, they do,” she replied with a playful lilt. “Care to be my arm candy for the evening, champ? Strictly for appearances, of course.”

Usopp’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and he let out a nervous chuckle.

“I… uh… okay,” he stammered, trying to muster a confident smile.

Y/N leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Relax, Usopp. Just think of it as adding another daring tale to your collection.”

He straightened up a bit, a spark of pride flickering in his eyes.

“Yeah, I can do that,” he said, more to himself than to her.

As they continued down the dock, Y/N couldn’t help but smirk.

“Besides,” she added with a playful wink, “who wouldn’t want to be seen with the most dashing slinger here?”

Usopp smirked, his chest puffing out as her confidence seemed to spark something in him. With his newfound swagger, he added an exaggerated strut to his step. He looked as though he’d just been crowned king of the dock.

Y/N chuckled and glanced back at Nami, who was trailing behind with Luffy, who was looking at everyone and everything all at once and Zoro, who looked like he rather be anywhere else. The orange-haired girl rolled her eyes, but there was a trace of amusement on her face that betrayed her usual exasperation. Y/N shot her a playful grin.

“Want to be my other arm candy?” Y/N teased, holding out her free arm with an exaggerated flourish. Her grin was as charming as it was mischievous. “I promise, you’ll steal just as many stares as me.”

“Pass,” she said, though the playful tone in her voice made it clear she was more amused than annoyed. “I think you’ve got enough attention for all of us,”

Y/N chuckled, turning back with a shrug. “Suit yourself, but you’re missing out on being part of the most glamorous trio this dock has ever—and will ever—see.”

She barely finished her sentence when a voice cut through the noise of the docks, calling her name.

“Y/N?”

Her entire body froze, the familiar voice making her breath catch in her throat. She snapped her head toward the source, her eyes widening in disbelief.

“Tallen?” she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

Standing a few feet away was a man with a face she’d never forgotten—dimples carved into his handsome smile, a warmth in his eyes that brought a rush of memories crashing down on her. The sight of him stole her breath.

“Oh, the stars, it’s you!” she exclaimed, a wide, joyous smile breaking across her face as she let go of Usopp without a second thought. Before anyone could react, she all but ran into the man’s arms, colliding with him like a wave meeting the shore. He wrapped her in a hug so firm and familiar it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

“Sweet Y/N,” Tallen murmured, his voice soft and steady, the way she remembered.

“It’s been too long,” she whispered, holding him tighter, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Far too long,” he agreed, his arms squeezing her just a bit more.

Y/N swallowed the lump in her throat, leaning into the hug as if letting go would break her.

“I’m glad to see you alive,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad to see you alive,” Tallen replied softly, his words carrying the weight of shared history and loss. He was her fellow Siren—one of the last few, the dwindling remnants of their kind.

They lingered for a moment longer, their arms reluctantly falling away as they both seemed hesitant to break the connection. The warmth of the embrace lingered, but reality began to creep back in.

That’s when it happened—a deliberate clearing of a throat. Nami.

Y/N blinked, suddenly aware of her surroundings again. She turned to see Nami standing there with an arched brow, arms crossed, and a look that was equal parts curiosity and amusement. Behind her, Usopp was gaping like he’d just witnessed the twist ending of a great story, and Zoro, as usual, looked unimpressed but faintly intrigued and Luffy who had a trademark smile on his face yet curious.

“Oh,” Y/N said, laughing awkwardly as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Right. Uh… introductions.” She glanced at Tallen and back to them. “Everyone, this is Tallen. He’s…” Her voice trailed off for a moment, her smile faltering slightly before she finished, “He’s an old friend.”

Tallen, ever the charmer, gave a polite nod to the group, his dimples deepening as he grinned. “Pleasure to meet you all.“

Before anyone had a chance to properly introduce themselves, Y/N cut in, her tone light but firm.

“I’ll meet you lot inside, okay?” she said, flashing them a quick smile.

Luffy looked between them, and after a second, he nodded grinning. “Okay, I’ll save you a seat.”

Usopp muttered something about not wanting to be left behind and followed after Luffy. Nami lingered for a moment, giving Y/N a long look before sighing and heading toward the entrance.

Zoro, as usual, barely reacted, simply grunting, “Don’t take too long,” before following the others.

“Noted,” Y/N replied with a grin, already turning back to Tallen.

Y/N’s eyes softened as she looked at Tallen, a flood of emotions washing over her. The last time she’d seen him was about three or four years ago, and while he still looked very much the same, there was a new air of maturity about him—just enough to make her realize how much time had passed.

“It’s really you,” Y/N murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief and relief, as though she still wasn’t entirely convinced this moment was real.

“In the flesh,” Tallen replied with a nod, his own expression softening. He gave her a once-over, his lips curving into a teasing smile. “You look older.”

Y/N let out a huff of laughter, lightly pushing him on the shoulder. “And you still have the subtlety of a cannonball.”

Her playful smile faltered slightly as her eyes searched his face, her voice quiet but hopeful. “What about the others? Lyan, Kiku, Ren? Are they still—”

“Yes,” Tallen interrupted gently, his tone steady and reassuring. “They’re here with me.”

Y/N let out a deep sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. “Where?”

“Probably asleep in the room on our ship,” Tallen explained, a small, proud smile tugging at his lips. “We had a late-night performance last night.”

Y/N’s eyes widened, a grin breaking across her face. “You got a ship?”

“A small one,” he said, trying (and failing) to hide just how proud he was. “But yes, we did.”

Without hesitation, Y/N threw her arms around him again, pulling him into a warm embrace.

“I’m so happy for you—for all of you,” she whispered, her voice thick with genuine emotion.

Tallen’s smile widened as he held her, and for a moment, they simply existed in the comfort of the reunion.

Lyan, Kiku, and Ren—like Y/N and Tallen—were Sirens. They were the lucky few who had escaped the hands of those who sought to harm or exploit them. Together, they had formed their own little family, bound by survival and shared pain. They’d taught Y/N so much in the time they travelled together, how to survive in a world that wanted them gone.

And like true Sirens, they dedicated themselves to their art—music, song, and performance—using their gifts to dazzle. She could still hear their songs in her memory—hauntingly beautiful, filled with life and defiance. They’d always been on the move, hopping from island to island, hitching rides with mercenaries or, when times were desperate, even pirates. And yes, while swimming is a faster option, the risk is bigger. Staying in one place too long was a death sentence; that was the first lesson Y/N had learned from them. And now, the thought that they had their own ship, a small but significant freedom, made her heart swell with pride.

“You’ve come so far,” Y/N said softly, pulling back slightly to look at Tallen. “You all have.”

“And so have you,” Tallen replied, his tone warm and genuine. “I’m glad we found you again. Tell me, who are those people you’re here with?”

“They’re… uh, friends,” Y/N replied, her tone unsure as she glanced over her shoulder toward the Going Merry. She hesitated, catching the way Tallen was giving her a pointed, knowing look. Finally, she sighed and added, “It’s complicated—and a long story.”

“Well,” Tallen said with a grin, leaning back slightly, “good thing we’re leaving tomorrow morning. That gives us all night to catch up."

"Okay," Y/N nods.

“Good,” Tallen said with satisfaction, taking a step back. “See you later at the bar, okay?”

“See you there,” Y/N replied, watching him as he walked away, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years.

Finally, Y/N stepped inside the ship, and her breath hitched at the sight before her. The Baratie was nothing short of magnificent, a unique blend of maritime charm and upscale elegance.

However, before Y/N could truly take in the grandeur of the Baratie's interior, her gaze locked onto the host near the entrance. Her back stiffened instinctively, and though she kept her composure, the small, well-concealed gills along her neck fluttered. They only did that when another sea creature was nearby.

He was a Fish-man.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and the air between them seemed to hum with a quiet, unspoken tension. He knew. Of course, he knew. The thing about Sirens—unique among sea creatures—was that no matter how perfectly they blended in with humans, their presence sang to others of the sea. It wasn’t something tangible, but like a melody carried on a current, it was impossible to ignore for those born of the ocean.

It wasn’t just recognition. It was history, unspoken and heavy, carried in their shared gaze. Sirens and other sea folk—whether Fish-men or Merfolk—had always harbored a quiet animosity toward one another. Sirens had something the others didn’t: choice. Sirens had a freedom that others of the sea could only dream of: the ability to seamlessly blend in with humans, to walk on land or dive into the ocean at will, and to choose when to wear a tail and when to shed it. It was a luxury that set them apart—and not always in a good way. Resentment had festered for centuries, compounded by the Sirens’ refusal to bend the knee to King Neptune’s rule.

They were a secretive, lone species.

Yet, in the aftermath of the near-massacre of her kin, these old grudges had softened, replaced by mutual, unspoken support among the remnants of the sea's diverse inhabitants.

The host's polite smile never wavered as he addressed her. "Is there anything I can help you with, madam?"

Y/N took a steadying breath, reminding herself of the fragile peace that now existed and the necessity of keeping her composure.

“My friends,” she began, her tone calm but deliberate, “they came in here just now. Uh—one of them had a straw hat—”

“Ah, yes,” the host interrupted smoothly, a faint trace of mockery curling the edges of his voice. “The ‘future king’ of the pirates.” His words dripped with wry amusement as he turned, gesturing toward a table at which her friends were currently occupying. “It’ll be right there, madam.”

Y/N sent him a polite smile, the corners of her lips curving just enough to convey gratitude. But her eyes held a subtle, knowing look—a quiet reminder of who and what she was.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice steady and composed, before making her way towards her friends

Y/N let out a quiet huff as she descended the stairs, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished wooden floor. Internally, she was fuming. Tallen, she thought with a simmering annoyance. After this meal, I’m slapping his dimples clean off for not mentioning the Fish-Men.

But in her mild frustration and distraction, she didn’t notice the waiter stepping out from the side with a tray balanced on one hand.

They collided.

The sudden impact caused her to stumble slightly, and she instinctively reached out to steady herself, her hand brushing against the waiter's arm. A soft clatter followed as a single glass wobbled on the tray, but before it could fall, the waiter caught it effortlessly, his reflexes as smooth as silk.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry,” Y/N blurted, her voice a mix of embarrassment and genuine apology, a faint flush dusting her cheeks.

"No need to apologize, mademoiselle," he said smoothly, turning to face her with a charming smile that she was sure he thought could probably disarm a shipful of pirates, "If anything, I should thank the heavens for allowing me to cross paths with such a captivating beauty."

Y/N blinked at him, caught momentarily off guard by his line, but only for a heartbeat. Oh, he's one of those. Her lips curved into a sly, confident smile as she straightened her dress, effortlessly slipping into her usual charm.

"Is that so?" she teased, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Well, if fate's handing out meetings, perhaps it's my lucky day to encounter a waiter with such impeccable reflexes and a silver tongue to match."

The waiter's eyes widened for a brief moment, her words catching him off guard, but his signature charm quickly returned. He straightened his posture, one hand adjusting his tie as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Ah, mademoiselle, you honor me,” he said smoothly, his voice rich and velvety. “But let me assure you, my reflexes pale in comparison to the elegance of your words. It seems fate isn’t just kind—it’s downright generous today.”

His gaze softened as he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. “And if this is your lucky day, then I’d consider it mine too. After all, it’s not every day I get to save a stunning woman from the perils of a wobbling glass.”

“Smooth,” she said and leaned in slightly, her expression mischievous, her voice dropping to a low, playful lilt. “But tell me, loverboy, is that line part of the menu, or is it just a special off-the-cuff dish you whip up for unsuspecting women?”

Sanji blinked, the faintest hint of pink dusting his cheeks, but he quickly tried to recover, clearing his throat. “I-"

Her eyes sparkled as she continued, barely giving him a chance to recover.

“Because if it’s the latter, I must say, it’s quite the treat. Though…” her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his breath hitch. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a soft, almost conspiratorial tone. “I can’t help but wonder if you’ve got something even better in your repertoire.”

Sanji blinked, momentarily at a loss, his cheeks dusted with a soft pink hue as he struggled to regain his composure. He adjusted his tie again, swallowing hard, his usual suave demeanor slipping under the weight of her effortless teasing.

“M-mademoiselle,” he stammered, his voice still coated with charm, though now tinged with genuine fluster. “I assure you, my repertoire has no limits, and I’d be honored to… to serve you something truly unforgettable.”

Y/N took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his.

"You know," she said softly, reaching up to straighten his slightly askew tie, "flattery will get you everywhere." Her fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary, her touch light and teasing.

The waiter's breath hitched, his composure slipping as a deep flush spread across his cheeks. "I-I... um..."

Y/N leaned in, faces ever so closely, she whispered, "But only if you can keep up." With that, she pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have friends waiting."

She turned on her heel and sauntered away, leaving the flustered waiter staring after her, his heart pounding in his chest. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Too easy.

Y/N made her way over to her friends, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She paused when she reached the table, her eyes scanning the group briefly before landing on Zoro, who was comfortably perched at the edge of the bench.

“Zoro,” she said, her tone light but teasing, “please stand up so I can sit next to Nami.”

Zoro raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unimpressed. “What’s wrong with sitting on the other side?”

Y/N tilted her head, her expression turning mock-serious as she placed a hand on her hip. “Because I prefer not to be in the splash zone when Luffy starts eating. You know how he gets.”

Zoro grumbled under his breath, muttering something about "drama queens," but he stood up anyway, shifting to another spot and letting Y/N slide gracefully into the seat next to Nami without a fuss.

She turned to him with a triumphant smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Thank you, my love. Your cooperation is, as always, greatly appreciated.”

"Yeah, yeah," Zoro muttered, settling into his new seat.

Nami chuckled softly beside Y/N. "Always know how to get your way, don't you?"

Y/N winked. "It's a gift, really."

The waiter approached their table with practiced ease, balancing a tray of beverages for the group. One by one, he placed the drinks in front of the others, his movements smooth and deliberate. Just as Y/N was about to ask for hers, he surprised her by setting a bottle of wine on the table in front of her with a small flourish.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued as she glanced up at him. His smirk was confident, almost playful, as he leaned slightly closer.

“A fine wine for a finer ladies,” he said smoothly, his tone dripping with charm.

The corner of Y/N’s lips curled into a sly smile as she leaned back in her chair, her arms crossing casually.

“Flattering,” she replied, tilting her head. “But I don’t remember ordering this."

Y/N turned to Nami faking curiosity, "Did you, pumpkin?"

"No, just water," Nami said as she picked up the glass of water.

"I see," Y/N turns to the waiter and tilts her head. "Does it come with the compliments of the establishment or the waiter?”

“Consider it a personal recommendation,” he said, straightening slightly, though there was now a faint hint of nervousness behind his confident demeanor. With practiced precision, he poured a bit of the wine into her glass, the rich liquid swirling smoothly as it settled.

“The food will be out shortly. Enjoy,” he added, flashing one last ever-so-charming smile before gracefully excusing himself.

Y/N watched him go with an amused smirk before raising her glass. “Well, salud,” she said, the word rolling off her tongue effortlessly as she took a sip. She paused for a moment, savoring the taste, then gave a small nod of approval.

“Not bad,” she remarked, her eyes twinkling as she placed the glass back on the table. “But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less after that performance.”

Nami rolled her eyes. “He’s got some nerve, doesn’t he?”

Y/N chuckled. “Oh, he’s got more than nerve—he’s got good taste in wine, at least.”

“So, who was your friend you were talking to?” Luffy asked, his voice muffled as he shoved another bread bun into his mouth without a care for table manners.

Usopp grinned, leaning forward with his eyebrows wiggling teasingly. “A boyfriend?”

“Gods, no,” Y/N said with a laugh, shaking her head as she took another sip of her wine. “Like I said, just an old friend. One I didn’t think I’d ever see again.”

“Why?” Nami chimed in, her tone laced with curiosity.

Y/N paused for a moment, swirling the wine in her glass as she felt their collective gazes on her. She glanced around the table, noting how everyone seemed genuinely interested—except Zoro, of course, who only looked vaguely curious in that nonchalant way of his.

“Well,” she began, her voice casual but carrying a note of fondness, “me and a few others used to travel together, performing and stuff, y’know.” She gestured vaguely with her free hand, her eyes flicking between them. “We were kind of like a troupe—dancers, musicians, storytellers. We’d go from town to town, putting on shows for whoever would watch.”

“Oh, were they your crew—” Luffy started, crumbs still falling from his mouth.

“No,” Y/N interrupted softly, her tone firmer this time, her gaze dropping to the glass in her hand. “They’re no crew. They’re family.”

She fidgeted slightly in her seat, swirling the wine in her glass before taking another sip as if it might steady her thoughts.

“They’re like an uh—” she began, then shook her head with a quiet laugh, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Like a shoal of fish or a covey of birds. Travelling from island to island letting the ocean take them as it wishes. Never staying in one spot long enough to leave footprints.”

“Why didn’t you stay with them?” Of course, it was Zoro who asked, his tone direct, his eyes focused on her like he was cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Y/N looked up at him, her lips parting slightly as if to answer, but then her gaze shifted to Nami, who was watching her just as intently, curiosity swimming in her eyes. Her fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass, and for a moment, the table felt far too quiet, far too heavy.

But as if the universe took pity on her, the food arrived at just the right moment, breaking the tension. Plates upon plates were placed on the table, filling the air with rich, mouthwatering aromas. Y/N let out a silent breath of relief, leaning back slightly as the waiter set down her dish.

She picked up her fork, her expression brightening ever so slightly as she joined in the excitement of the food.

“Finally, something to stop Luffy from eating the table itself,” she teased lightly, earning a laugh from Usopp and a grin from Nami.

The question lingered in the air, unspoken but not forgotten. But Y/N knew she wouldn’t let it resurface. The answer was too close, too raw. The past had no business here, at this table, at this moment. Not when she’d worked so hard to leave it behind.

The food was nothing short of spectacular, each bite bursting with flavor that left Y/N savoring every moment. It didn’t take long for the plates to clear—unsurprising, given Luffy and Usopp’s ravenous appetites. She barely had a chance to blink before half the dishes had vanished under their relentless enthusiasm.

Still, Y/N took her time, indulging in the meal like royalty. She filled herself to the brim, relishing every delicious bite until she leaned back in her chair, her stomach pleasantly full and her breaths coming slower. She could hardly move, but it was worth it. Every bite was a little slice of heaven, and she wasn’t about to let a single morsel go to waste.

As she leaned back in her chair, a hand resting on her overly full stomach, she let out a soft groan of satisfaction. “If I die tonight, tell the world it was the Baratie that did me in,”

I can’t eat another bite," Usopp moaned dramatically, staring longingly at the piece of cheese on his fork. "But it’s so good."

"Oh man, you said it," Zoro muttered, popping the cap off yet another beer like he was just getting started.

Nami sighed, leaning back in her chair with a hand on her stomach. "I’m not gonna be hungry for a week."

And then, of course, there was Luffy—completely unaffected. Still chewing on a massive steak, he looked up and, with the kind of unshakable enthusiasm only he could manage, asked, "Should we order dessert?"

"Yes," Y/N grunted, her voice muffled as she leaned back, trying to make room in her overstuffed stomach. She might have been at capacity, but her notorious sweet tooth wasn’t about to let her skip dessert. Priorities, she thought.

"I already got mine," Zoro said, lifting his beer meaningfully as if it was the only dessert he needed.

Luffy’s eyes lit up like fireworks, his hands clapping against the table as he finally set his steak down. "Mmm, that reminds me! We should make a toast. Come on, grab your glasses."

Y/N turned her head to look at Luffy, her expression somewhere between disbelief and amusement as she watched him grab his glass of milk. She sighed, unable to suppress a small smirk, and reached for her wine glass, holding it up lazily.

“To the best crew sailing on the sea and to our victory!” Luffy cheered, his grin stretching wide as he clinked his glass enthusiastically with Usopp’s.

“Yeah!” Usopp echoed, raising his mug like they’d just conquered the world.

Y/N, however, pursed her lips, quietly letting her glass go down. The memory of being so dangerously close to recapture by the Marines clung to her like a shadow, one she wasn’t ready to toast to. Victory wasn’t exactly how she’d describe that ordeal.

“No, I’m sorry,” Nami’s voice cut sharply through the celebration, her expression firm as she turned to Luffy. Her eyes narrowed. “What victory exactly?”

“Against the Marines,” Luffy said with unabashed excitement, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Our very first battle, and we crushed them!”

Nami shook her head, her frustration barely masked. “I don’t know how many naval battles you guys have been part of…”

“Two dozen, at least,” Usopp mumbled behind his beer.

“But that was a disaster,” Nami continued, her tone rising as her exasperation grew. “We were unprepared, uncoordinated. By all rights, we should be at the bottom of the sea right now.”

“We’re not, though. Luffy saved us,” Usopp chimed in, as if that single fact could erase the chaos of it all.

Y/N let out a slow, heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as she felt the tension brewing. She could already see where this conversation was heading.

"Are we really going to ignore the elephant in the room right now?" Nami deadpanned, her voice sharp enough to cut through the remaining chatter at the table.

"Nami, please..." Y/N said softly, trying to settle her down, though she already knew it was a losing battle.

"No, Y/N." Nami turned to her, her tone edged with irritation, then immediately shifted her focus to Luffy. "He didn’t think to mention that his grandfather was a Marine. And not just any Marine, a vice-admiral! I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sign up for that."

"You raided a Marine base," Zoro interjected, as if that explained everything. "Of course that’ll make you a target."

Nami swung her gaze to him, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. "If I’d stolen the map, no one would’ve even known I was there. As opposed to wrecking a base commander’s office."

Before the tension could thicken, Sanji—the waiter, as Y/N now knew him—appeared at the table with his usual calm and charm. "Your bill, sir,"

“Ah,” Luffy replied with his trademark carefree smile which took a moment to appear. He took the bill, scribbled something on it without a second thought, and handed it back. “Thank you, my good man.”

Y/N’s frown deepened as she sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing on the exchange. Her mind shot back to Shell’s Town, to when Luffy ate at Food Foo. She had a bad feeling about this.

"Luffy..." Y/N said cautiously, her voice slower now, but he didn’t seem to hear her.

Sanji glanced at the bill, and a peculiar smile spread across his face—a smile that sent a shiver down Y/N’s spine.

"No, sir. Thank you," Sanji said smoothly, his tone almost... too pleasant.

Oh, gods. As a former waitress, she recognized that smile. That was the you’re-about-to-regret-this smile. She glanced around at her friends to see if anyone else had caught on. Was she seriously the only one who understood what was about to happen?

She tried again, her voice firmer this time. "Luffy—"

But Luffy, ever oblivious, kept going, raising his voice slightly in what he probably thought was an inspirational tone. "I’m not saying it’s good that the Marines are on our tail, but we showed them they can’t just roll over us!"

Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose as her suspicions grew. Luffy, please, stop talking.

"This crew, our crew, can handle anything!" Luffy declared with a triumphant grin.

And as if fate itself couldn’t resist the opportunity for drama, a booming voice cut through the restaurant, rattling the walls and silencing the entire room.

"WHO THE HELL IS MONKEY D. LUFFY?"

Y/N groaned, her head falling into her hands. "Here we go." She looked up just in time to see Luffy look back at the head chef and raise his hand.

"Here!" Luffy called out, completely unfazed.

Y/N slumped back into her seat, muttering under her breath. "Oh, stars,"

Zeff's scowl deepened as he strode over, the crowd parting in his wake.

"You seem to be confused about the rules of the house, but Baratie doesn’t offer credit," He stopped beside their table, towering over them, glaring at Luffy, who was calmly drinking his milk. "You eat, you pay."

Luffy looked up, unfazed. "I think you’re confused."

Y/N groaned, hiding her face in her hands as she anticipated Luffy's explanation.

"The meal has already been paid for. I just haven’t given you the money yet," Luffy continued confidently.

Zeff's eyebrow twitched. "Yeah, and how’s that?"

"You can add it to my treasure tab," Luffy said with a grin.

"And what, pray tell, is that?" Zeff asked, his tone flat.

"I may not look like a big deal yet, but you’re talking with the future King of the Pirates," Luffy declared, as if that would make it all go better. "And as soon as I find the One Piece, I’m gonna come back, pay this bill in full, and with interest."

The chef let out a low chuckle. “I’ve got a better idea.”

And just like that, Luffy was unceremoniously hauled off toward the kitchens.

Y/N leaned back in her chair, exhaling a long breath of resignation as her gaze drifted off into nothingness. She made no effort to intervene—it wasn’t worth it.

“I need a drink,” Nami muttered, rubbing her temple.

“Yeah, something stronger would be nice,” Y/N sighed, her tone weary.

The four made their way to the bar located in the mouth of the fish, settling into a quiet corner. Zoro was already on his third beer, Nami and Usopp on their first, while Y/N was still trying to decide what to order. Her deliberation was interrupted when a bartender approached and set a large cocktail down in front of her.

Y/N blinked, looking up at the bartender with confusion. “Uh... sorry, I didn’t—”

“No, he bought it for you,” the bartender cut in, nodding toward an older man perched at the bar. The man raised his glass and winked at her with a grin that sent a chill down her spine.

“Oh, goodie,” Y/N muttered under her breath, though she still managed to force a polite smile in the man’s direction. She turned back to the bartender quickly. “You can take it back. I—”

Before she could finish, Usopp reached over, snatching the drink with a grin. “No, I’ll take it!” he said cheerfully, taking a big sip. His face lit up almost immediately.

“Oh, this is good!” he said, waving enthusiastically at the older man. “THANK YOU!”

Y/N stared at him, half-exasperated, half-amused, as she sighed and leaned back in her chair. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

Nami leaned back in her chair. “You’ve got some admirers, Y/N.”

“Admirers I don’t want,” Y/N shot back, glaring playfully at Usopp as he continued to sip the drink. “Thanks for taking one for the team, Usopp.”

“Hey, waste not, want not.” He took another big sip, completely unbothered, while Nami rolled her eyes and Zoro chuckled into his beer.

"Speaking of waste not," Y/N said with a sly smirk, reaching over to grab Usopp's barely-touched beer. "I’ll take that off your hands, champ."

Usopp, completely absorbed in savouring the oversized cocktail, simply hummed in agreement, nodding absentmindedly as he took another enthusiastic sip.

“Thanks, generous as always,” Y/N chuckled, raising the glass to her lips, watching as Usopp continued to obliviously inhale the cocktail, none the wiser.

That was until Zoro, in an uncharacteristic act of charity, warned the boy, “Pace yourself.”

Usopp paused mid-sip, looking down at the drink with a skeptical expression. “I don’t even think there’s liquor in this. It tastes just like candy.”

Y/N tilted her head thoughtfully, a teasing hum escaping her lips. “Wouldn’t be so sure,”

Zoro took a swig of his beer and added dryly, “Yeah, last time I said that, I woke up face down under a table.”

Y/N burst out laughing, her grin wide and teasing. "Oh, I would’ve paid good berry to see that."

“Yeah, I bet you would’ve,” Zoro scoffed, his gaze shifting to Nami, who was staring intently at her glass, lost in thought. He raised an eyebrow before looking away. “That glass have gold on the bottom or what?"

Nami blinked, snapping out of her trance. “Hmm?”

“You haven’t stopped staring at it,” Zoro pointed out, his tone blunt as usual.

Nami sighed, clearly debating something, before finally caving and looking between Zoro and Y/N. “You seriously don’t think what Luffy did is messed up?”

Y/N’s teasing grin faded as she glanced down at her own drink. She could understand where Nami was coming from. Truly, she did. But who was she to demand someone to share their secrets? To dig up secrets or memories that Luffy clearly wanted to leave buried? That wasn’t her place.

“Yeah, he should’ve told us,” Zoro admitted, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. He leaned back in his chair before adding, “But in case you didn’t notice, we’ve been making enemies everywhere we go. Psycho clowns, killer butlers… what’s a vice-admiral gonna do to us that’s any worse?”

Y/N lifted her glass, her voice quieter but steady. “And who are we to demand something like that out of him? I’m sure he has his reasons for keeping it to himself.”

Nami shook her head, her frustration barely contained. “No, you don’t get it. I can’t get caught. Not when I’m so close…”

Her words trailed off abruptly as if she realized she had said too much. Her lips pressed together tightly, and Y/N made no effort to pry. She wouldn’t judge—she understood the weight of secrets all too well.

After a tense moment, Nami placed her beer down and forced a casual look. “Uh, who’s ready for another drink? My treat.”

Zoro grunted in approval, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “My favorite kind of drink.”

Y/N nodded with a smile, “Can’t say no to that.”

With that, Nami swiftly stood up and headed to the bar, leaving the trio behind at the table. The moment she was out of earshot, Usopp leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a whisper as he said, “She’s hiding something.”

Y/N chuckled softly, tipping back the last of her beer. She set the empty glass down with a gentle clink and met Usopp’s wide-eyed gaze with a knowing look.

“Aren’t we all?” she replied, her tone light but laced with truth.

Zoro glanced at her but said nothing, his expression unreadable as he took another sip of his beer.

Suddenly, Y/N felt two strong hands grab her from behind, lifting her right out of her chair with a jolt. Her heart nearly skipped a beat, but the instinct to panic vanished as soon as she recognized the culprit. Only one person would do something so ridiculous.

“But look at you!!” Ren exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement as he hugged her tightly and started walking away from the table, carrying her like a sack of potatoes.

Y/N groaned but couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of her.

“Ren, put me down!” she demanded, half-laughing, half-protesting.

When he finally set her down, Y/N turned and froze, her eyes lighting up as she saw Tallen, Lyan, and Kiku standing nearby, all grinning from ear to ear.

For a moment, she just stared at them, taking it all in—the familiar faces, the warmth in their smiles, the wave of nostalgia and relief that washed over her. Then, without hesitation, she let out a shriek of pure joy and jumped forward, wrapping them in a tight hug.

“Oh gods, I can’t believe this!” she exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly from the overwhelming emotion. Hugging them again felt like coming home, like a missing piece of herself had been returned. The weight of everything she’d been carrying seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

They laughed as they hugged her back, each one holding her tightly as if to make up for lost time. Tallen stood to the side, his arms crossed and a big grin plastered across his face as he watched the reunion.

“I told you she’d be here,” Tallen said smugly, glancing at the others.

Y/N pulled back slightly, her hands still on Kiku's and Lyan’s shoulders, her smile wide and genuine. “Gods, I miss you all."

“We missed you more!” Ren grinned, squeezing her back tightly.

Kiku laughed softly, her voice warm. “We thought we’d never see you again.”

Lyan, ever the quiet one, simply smiled, his eyes crinkling with the emotion he didn’t need to say out loud.

"Tallen told us you’ll be playing with us tonight…" Kiku said, her voice lilting with both curiosity and excitement as she looked at Y/N with a hopeful smile.

Y/N blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before arching an eyebrow at Tallen, who was standing nearby, grinning like he’d just pulled off the biggest scheme of the century.

“Did he now?” Y/N asked, her tone teasing as she folded her arms, giving Tallen a mock glare. "Funny, because Tallen didn’t ask me about that.”

Tallen chuckled, holding up his hands defensively. “Come on, Y/N, it’s just like old times! One night, one set—think of it as a reunion gig.”

“A reunion gig?” Y/N repeated, raising both eyebrows now. “You mean the kind where you spring it on me last second and I have no time to prepare?”

“Oh, please,” Ren chimed in, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “You could do this in your sleep. You’re Y/N—you’re never not ready.”

She sighed, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile as she crossed her arms. “You guys really don’t give me a choice, do you?”

“Not even a little,” Lyan chimed in with a laugh, nudging her playfully. “Come on, Y/N. It’ll be just like old times.”

Kiku clasped her hands together, her smile widening. “We’ve missed this, and we’ve missed you.”

Y/N sighed, looking around at their expectant faces, her faux-annoyance melting into a small smile.

“You all are impossible, you know that?” she said, shaking her head. “Fine. But only because I am amazing and don’t need prep time.”

The group burst into cheers, Kiku clapping her hands in delight. “I knew you wouldn’t say no!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Y/N said, waving them off but unable to keep the grin off her face. “But don’t blame me if I upstage all of you tonight.”

Tallen smirked. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

After a few drinks—just enough for Y/N to feel a pleasant buzz warming her cheeks—and some planning for tonight's performance, the nostalgia began to creep in. The laughter, the easy camaraderie of old friends… it felt like slipping back into a part of herself she hadn’t touched in a long time.

Soon, the time for the show finally came. Excusing herself with a grin, Y/N made her way to the Going Merry to grab her guitar. When she returned, the bar was alive with excitement, the anticipation practically crackling in the air.

Tallen, ever the showman, was already commanding the attention of the crowd with his infectious energy and booming voice. He stood center of the makeshift stage, Den Den Mushi in hand, hyping up the room like a seasoned entertainer. When his eyes landed on Y/N stepping into view, he broke into a wide grin, his charisma cranked up to full volume.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Pirates, sailors, and scallywags alike!” he called out, his voice booming through the Den Den Mushi. “Prepare yourselves for a treat like no other! She’s sailed with the best, dazzled the rest, and left a trail of awestruck audiences in her wake! The one, the only, the songbird of the seas—give it up for Y/N!”

The audience erupted into whistles, cheers, and applause as Tallen stepped aside, his grin as wide as ever while he gestured grandly for her to take the stage. Y/N couldn’t help but roll her eyes with a playful laugh, shaking her head at his theatrics. Adjusting the strap of her guitar, she made her way to the centre of the stage with a light skip to her step and a twist that made her skirt flare just slightly, adding her own bit of signature flair to the entrance.

Her smile widened as she took in the energy of the crowd, the cheers lifting her spirits even higher. She gave a mock curtsy, her guitar still slung across her shoulder and leaned into the Den Den with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Alright, alright,” she said, her voice warm but teasing as the applause began to settle. “No need to go overboard—Tallen already made me sound like I’m the second coming of Gold Roger.”

The audience chuckled, and Tallen shot her wink. "Just saying it as I see it, my dear."

“Alright, folks, let me be honest with you—Tallen hyped me up so much that even I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually that good,” Y/N said, grinning. “But hey, if I mess up, just remember—you paid for the drinks, not the talent.”

She let the crowd laugh again, her timing impeccable as she adjusted her guitar. “But in all seriousness, thank you for having me tonight. I don’t usually play in restaurants shaped like fish—it’s a very niche market—but hey, there’s a first for everything.”

A few people cheered in agreement, and Y/N gave a casual shrug. “Now, let’s get to the part where I make you forget how much you spent on tonight’s drinks. If I pull that off, I’m expecting a hefty tip.”

The crowd roared with laughter, and Y/N’s smile widened as her fingers brushed the strings lightly in preparation. “Alright, enough chatter. You’ve got drinks in hand, I’ve got a guitar, and we’ve got a whole night ahead of us. Let’s make it count.”

The performance began with Y/N leading the charge, her guitar striking bright, rhythmic chords that immediately set an upbeat tone. Lyan joined in, the lively jingle of his tambourine adding a playful, danceable cadence. The two played off each other seamlessly, their chemistry sparking an infectious energy that had the crowd tapping their feet.

With a quick nod from Y/N, the rest of the group jumped in. Tallen’s mandolin brought a sharp, vibrant melody, Ren’s drums added a driving, steady beat, and Kiku’s violin soared with a celebratory tone that tied everything together. The room came alive as the music burst into full swing, blending into a rich, layered sound.

The energy in the room shifted, the crowd coming alive with movement as the song picked up speed.

"I thought this path was ours to tread, But now it feels like we’ve been misled, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore. Your reasons crash like waves at sea, Still, here you are, still here with me, On this lonely, lonely, endless shore."

When the chorus hit, the energy exploded. The band’s instruments blended into a dynamic symphony, each member adding their unique flair. The crowd clapped along, swept up in the fast-paced rhythm. Y/N almost laughed mid-strum when her eyes landed on a drunk Usopp, who had claimed a tiny patch of open floor as his personal dance stage. With exaggerated movements and questionable rhythm, he twirled and stomped.

"If I follow you to the blue, And let my heart drift back to you, Will you stay with me forever, Or disappear like fading beams? If I give my soul to the restless tide, And let its rhythm be our guide, Will it hold us close together, Or wash away our dreams?"

As the band transitioned into the second verse, the room buzzed with vibrant energy. Y/N’s voice carried the emotional weight of the lyrics, weaving effortlessly into the lively rhythm of the instruments. The crowd was fully engaged—some clapped along, others swayed to the music and a few near the bar cheered, their laughter mingling with the lively tune. Even the more reserved patrons couldn’t resist tapping their feet or nodding along.

"You chose a path I couldn’t take, Now here we stand, the ground could break, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore.

Take my hand, don’t let it fall, Where does it end, if anywhere at all, Walking this lonely, lonely, endless shore."

The band played with seamless harmony—Y/N’s steady guitar leading, Kiku’s violin soaring, Ren’s drums driving the rhythm, and Tallen’s mandolin adding a playful melody, all tied together by Lyan’s tambourine. The crowd fed off their energy, with a few pirates dancing along with Usopp, turning a small patch of the floor into thier personal, chaotic dance stage.

Y/N caught herself smiling as she glanced over at her friends. Nami was bopping her head in time with the rhythm, a grin spread across her face as if she couldn’t help but get caught up in the energy of the song. Zoro, ever the stoic one, sat back with his usual indifference, but Y/N noticed the slight tap of his foot in time with the beat, betraying his enjoyment. Her fingers moved fluidly over the strings, effortlessly keeping pace with the upbeat rhythm, her smile widening as the song carried on to the last verse.

"I’m just a shadow in your light, A fleeting trace in the starless night. The ocean holds your broken vow, A love you couldn’t cherish now. I know, I know, it’s hard to bear, I lost you here, it’s just not fair. I know, I know, the tide won’t stay, It sweeps our dreams, it pulls away. I know, I know, it’s all too real, I lost you here, I’ll never heal."

With one final strum of the guitar and a unified flourish from the band, the music ended in a crescendo, leaving the crowd cheering, whistling, and stomping their approval. The energy in the room was electric, the upbeat ending turning what could have been a somber farewell into a celebration of persistence, love, and life’s tides.

Y/N laughed breathlessly, taking a small bow as the applause roared around her. Turning to her bandmates, she exchanged a wide grin with them, all of them clearly riding the high of the performance.

“Alright, drinks on you guys, yeah?” Y/N teased, her voice light and playful, carrying easily over the cheers and laughter that filled the room.

Tallen, grinned as he turned to her, his hand dramatically pressed over his heart.

“Oh, sweet Y/N,” Tallen said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity, the perfect blend of theatrical and heartfelt, “just one more ballad, yeah? Promise.”

“Oh, I don’t know, T." Y/N tilted her head, leaning back slightly as if the weight of his words was just too much to bear. "Carrying this whole show on my back is exhausting, you know.”

The crowd laughed, and Tallen didn’t miss a beat. He turned sharply to face the audience, his charisma cranked up to full volume, arms spread wide like a ringmaster addressing his adoring crowd.

“Come on, folks,” he called out, his grin dazzling and infectious. “Don’t you want to hear more? You’re not tired of her yet, are you?”

The room erupted with a thunderous cheer, whistles and applause filling the air as people shouted their agreement. Y/N raised an eyebrow, glancing at Tallen with a playful smirk as the crowd roared around them.

Leaning toward the Den Den, she gave him a mock glare, her voice dripping with teasing charm. “You really are shameless, aren’t you? Riding my coattails like this,”

Tallen shrugged dramatically, his grin widening. “What can I say? They love you, darling. I’m just the hype man making sure the masses get what they want.”

“And here I thought I was the show-off,” Her grin widened as she addressed the laughing audience, her tone light but commanding, filled with charm.

“Alright, alright, you win. Let’s give them something they’ll be singing in their sleep.” She threw Tallen a cheeky glance. “And don’t think you’re off the hook, T. I’m watching you.”

With that, the band launched into the next song, the instruments bursting to life in perfect harmony. The room came alive once more, and the audience swept up in the rhythm, completely enthralled by the magic of the performance.

Soon, the show came to an end, much to Y/N’s dismay. The applause was deafening as she strummed the final chord, giving the crowd one last radiant smile and a playful wave. “You’ve been amazing—don’t forget to tip your bartenders!” she called, earning another round of laughter and cheers before stepping down from the stage.

She was immediately met by a wave of smiling patrons, each vying for a moment of her time. Compliments poured in, one after another—people singing her praises, declaring her the highlight of their night. Some handed her Berry as tokens of appreciation, while others offered bottles of liquor, which she accepted with a bright grin and a playful “You sure know how to spoil a girl.” A few even declared their undying love, and Y/N laughed, placing a hand over her heart. “Flattered, truly. I’ll consider proposals after my second bottle.”

Her natural charm and ease kept the interactions lively, but eventually, she managed to slip away, the bottle of rum in her hand clinking softly as she met up with Tallen. Together, they wandered off to a quieter, more secluded part of the fish-ship, near the docks. The sounds of the lively restaurant faded into the background as they sat down at the edge, letting their feet dangle over the water.

“Been too long,” Tallen said, breaking the silence as he gazed out over the gently rippling water.

Y/N nodded, her fingers idly tapping the neck of the bottle. “Yeah, it has. I missed this. Missed you.”

He grinned, though it was softer than his usual showmanship, the kind of smile that reached his eyes. “You’ve done good, you know. I can tell.”

She laughed lightly, leaning back on her hands. “Still figuring it out. You know me—one chaotic day at a time, which these days seems more often than not.”

Tallen smirks in curiosity, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Earlier today, you saw the people I was with, well..."

They passed the bottle back and forth, the hum of the distant crowd fading into the background as they talked. This wasn’t the idle chatter from before—it was real, honest catching up, the kind of conversation only old friends could have. They laughed about shared memories, exchanged stories of where they’d been, and filled in the gaps that time and distance had left.

Y/N leaned back on her hands, staring up at the stars as Tallen told her a particularly ridiculous story about his recent travels. She laughed, the sound light and genuine, and nudged his shoulder with her own.

“You’re still as full of it as ever,” she teased, though her eyes gleamed with fondness.

“And you’re still the queen of stealing the spotlight,” Tallen retorted, taking another swig of rum and shooting her a teasing grin. “But damn, it’s good to see you out here again. Just like old times.”

Y/N chuckled softly, her fingers brushing the edge of the dock as her gaze drifted to the water.

“Yeah,” she murmured, her voice quieter now. “It’s good to see you too.”

For a moment, they let the silence settle between them, the kind of peaceful, unspoken understanding that only old friends could share. The gentle lapping of the waves against the ship filled the spaces between their breaths, and for a brief while, the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future didn’t matter.

But, of course, Tallen couldn’t leave it there.

“So,” he began, his tone mischievous as always, “tell me… what happened with that boy? The one you left us for? You know, the one who made you think settling down was a good idea, all doe-eyed and dreamy?

The question hit her like a splash of cold water. Memories rushed back, unbidden, vivid and sharp. That boy. The boy. She could still see his face, hear his laugh, and feel how easy it had been to let her guard down with him. And she remembered just as vividly how that had been her downfall. The trust she’d given so freely, the love she’d thought was unshakable—it had all come apart like a house of cards in a storm.

She didn’t respond right away, instead reaching for the bottle of rum and taking a long swig, letting the burn of the alcohol drown out the ache that wanted to settle in her chest. Only when she’d numbed it enough did she hand the bottle back to Tallen.

“He was a pirate,” she said simply, her voice steady but laced with a bitterness she couldn’t quite hide.

Tallen took the bottle from her, his brow furrowing slightly as he took his own drink. He let the silence hang for a beat before muttering, “Fucking pirates.”

Y/N let out a soft, humorless laugh, her lips quirking upward just slightly. “Yeah. Fucking Pirates.”

The two fell quiet again, the weight of her words settling between them. Tallen didn’t press further—he didn’t need to. They both knew there were some stories better left in the past, especially on a night like this...

Y/N kept her gaze fixed on the water as it slipped and swirled around her feet, her toes wiggling absently in the cool waves. A quiet sigh escaped her as her thoughts drifted to a time when seeing her toes had been a rare occurrence—back when she didn’t need feet at all. The memory tugged at her, bittersweet and heavy.

“Do you ever miss… swimming?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a subtle edge, as though the question itself might shatter the fragile peace of the moment. But that wasn’t really what she wanted to ask. What she meant to say was, Do you ever miss your tail?

Tallen glanced at her, the unspoken meaning behind her words not lost on him. His fingers idly traced the rim of the bottle, his eyes flickered to the water. He didn’t answer immediately. For a moment, the ever-present charm and humor he wore like armor fell away, revealing something quieter, something raw.

“Of course I do,” he said at last, his voice low but steady. “It’s part of who I am. No matter how much I try to forget it—or hide it. I miss it every damn day.”

The words hit Y/N harder than she expected, though they echoed her own thoughts. She nodded faintly, her fingers brushing the edge of the dock as if trying to touch the memories she’d buried beneath the waves.

“Sometimes, I dream about it,” she admitted, her voice almost a whisper. “The feeling of the current, the water rushing past me. It’s like… I can still feel it, but when I wake up, it’s gone. And I realize it’s been gone for a long time.”

Tallen let out a low sigh, opening another bottle and taking a gulp before setting it down between them.

“We didn’t have a choice,” he said, his voice heavier now, laced with something darker. “They left us no choice. Staying in the water… staying as we were… it was a death sentence. Out here, at least, we have a chance. Even if it’s not the life we wanted.”

Y/N swallowed hard, her throat tightening as memories surged forward—the fear, the endless swimming, the loss of those who couldn’t escape. The oceans, once their sanctuary, had become a hunting ground, a place where survival meant running and hiding. Becoming human hadn’t been freedom; it had been desperation.

“I hate it sometimes,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “I hate that we had to choose this... to give up what we were just to live. I hate that I don’t feel safe, not here, not in the water. Nowhere.”

Tallen’s gaze softened, and he reached out, his hand resting gently on hers. “We didn’t choose this, Y/N. I know it's not the life we knew, but it’s a life we can make ours. Even if we have to fight for it every step of the way.”

Y/N took another long drink from the bottle, letting the burn of the rum cut through the ache in her chest. She handed it back to him with a faint, tired smile. “It’s not fair,”

“No, it’s not,” Tallen agreed quietly, his voice tinged with a sadness he rarely let show. “But we’re still here. They didn’t get us. And as long as we’re still breathing, there’s a chance. Maybe not now, maybe not soon, but one day… one day, we’ll stop running.”

Y/N let his words sink in, her toes wiggling again as if testing the water beneath them. She wanted to believe him, to believe there was a day when the fear would fade and they could slip back into the waves without a second thought.

The two bottles of rum were emptied far too quickly, its warmth fading as the night deepened. The distant hum of the restaurant voices grew softer, replaced by the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the ship. The world seemed quieter, heavier, as though the night itself was reluctant to let them go.

Y/N let her feet dip deeper into the water, as if the sea itself could somehow anchor her to this moment, to Tallen, to the sense of familiarity and belonging she always felt in his presence. But reality was already creeping back in, tugging at the edges of her mind.

Tallen stretched his legs, giving the empty bottle a casual toss to the side of the dock, his usual bravado masking the heaviness in the air. “

Guess that’s it, huh?” he said, his tone light, but his eyes betrayed the same reluctance she felt.

“Yeah,” Y/N replied softly, her gaze fixed on the water below. She didn’t want to move, didn’t want to face the inevitability of parting ways again. But she knew she couldn’t stay. Neither of them could. “Out of rum, out of time,”

They sat there for a moment longer, both pretending they didn’t know what was coming next. But the truth was impossible to ignore. This wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a question they’d both have to carry if fate allowed them another meeting: Are they still alive?

Tallen finally stood, brushing his hands on his pants before offering one to Y/N to help her up.

“Guess we should leave it here,” he said, his voice steady but strained. “For now.”

Y/N took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. She met his gaze, her own eyes shining with unspoken words.

“For now,” she echoed softly, her lips quirking into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

He slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a brief, tight hug. “Take care of yourself, alright?” he said, his tone firm, almost commanding. “And don’t get into too much trouble.”

Y/N chuckled weakly, patting his chest as she pulled back. “You know me. Trouble follows, I just try to be faster.”

Tallen smirked, but it faded quickly. He hesitated for a moment, then turned toward the docks, his footsteps heavy as he began to walk away. Y/N stayed behind, watching his silhouette disappear into the shadows of the fish-ship.

She took a deep breath, letting the sea air fill her lungs, then exhaled slowly. The weight of the question lingered in her chest as she turned back toward the Going Merry. She didn’t know when—or if—she’d see him again. But for now, she had to keep moving. Because life didn’t allow for anything else.

Sirens, as creatures of the sea, naturally possess a higher tolerance for alcohol compared to humans. Their bodies, adapted to handle the intoxicating effects of fermented underwater plants and other potent marine brews, metabolize alcohol far more efficiently. That said, even a Siren wasn’t immune to the occasional tipsy stumble after two entire bottles of rum.

Y/N didn’t realize how tipsy she actually was until she began her walk back to the Going Merry, her steps wobbling as if the ground beneath her were swaying like the ocean waves. Each step was a battle to steady herself, but instead of frustration, she giggled to herself and began humming a tune, one she hadn’t even realized she’d made up on the spot.

By some miracle (or sheer luck), she managed to make it to the Going Merry without falling into the water.

“Absolutely magnifico!” she declared with a dramatic flourish as she boarded the ship.

With a triumphant grin, Y/N made her way inside, her mind now fixated on finding something sweet to snack on. Her thoughts were a delightful jumble of candy, cookies, and maybe even fruit if it was sugary enough. But before she could raid the pantry, she collided headlong into Nami, who looked positively furious.

“Woah! You okay, pumpkin?” Y/N slurred, placing a hand on Nami’s arm with a warm, lopsided smile.

Nami shoved her hand off, glaring at her with a sharpness that sobered Y/N just slightly. “Where the hell were you, Y/N?”

Blinking in surprise, Y/N tilted her head, her hazy mind trying to process the sudden shift in tone. “I… uh… wait, what happened?”

Nami’s glare intensified, her voice rising with frustration. “What happened is that Zoro is a massive idiot and is going to get himself killed!”

Before Y/N could fully process what Nami had just said, the navigator spun on her heel and stormed off, her footsteps echoing down the hall as she headed to her room.

Y/N stood there, swaying slightly as she tried to make sense of what she’d just heard.

“What…?” she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with confusion as she rubbed her temple. “What did I miss now?”

Y/N made her way into the kitchen, her footsteps lighter than usual thanks to her still tipsy state. The room was quieter than expected, and as her eyes adjusted, she took in the scene: a not-so-smiley Luffy—weird— Usopp, drunk yet clearly worried. And then there was the star of the night—Zoro—calmly cleaning his swords at the table, his expression as unreadable as ever.

As she walked in, all eyes turned to her. Well, almost all eyes. Luffy and Usopp looked at her directly, but Zoro merely spared her a quick glance before returning to polishing one of his blades.

“Y/N—” Luffy began, his voice unusually low, but she cut him off before he could finish.

“What’s this I heard about you getting yourself killed, hotshot?” she asked, her tone a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity as she made her way to the pantry, her mission for something sweet still very much a priority.

For a moment, the kitchen was silent, save for the faint sound of Zoro’s whetstone sliding against his sword. And then, as if it were nothing more than casual conversation, Zoro answered, his tone calm and steady: “I challenged Dracule Mihawk to a duel to the death. I’ll defeat him and become the greatest swordsman in the world.”

Y/N froze mid-reach, her hand hovering over a jar of honey. Slowly, she turned her head toward him, blinking as if she couldn’t quite believe what she’d just heard. That name—Dracule Mihawk—was familiar. Too familiar. The kind of name you didn’t just forget. Wasn’t he…? No, it couldn’t be. She must’ve heard wrong. Surely, she must have.

So, she laughed. A loud, disbelieving tipsy laugh, grinning as though he’d just told her the best joke of the year.

“Oh, that’s funny,” she said, straightening up and giving Zoro a bemused grin. “For a second there, I thought you said Dracule Mihawk. You know, the Mihawk, Warlord of the Sea."

Zoro didn’t even flinch. He continued cleaning his sword, his face completely devoid of humor as he replied, “Yeah, that one.”

Y/N continued to chuckle, shaking her head as she pulled the jar of honey from the pantry. “No, it’s not,”

“It is,” Usopp mumbled, his words slurred with worry.

Y/N stopped mid-motion, the jar of honey held loosely in her hands. She blinked, her tipsy mind still not fully processing the weight of the situation. Turning to Zoro, she found him looking at her, his expression unreadable, saying nothing. That, more than anything, made her stomach tighten.

With a sharp exhale, she marched to the table and all but slapped the jar of honey down, the sound sharp enough to make Usopp flinch. In that single second, the remnants of her drunken haze evaporated. Sobriety hit her like a wave, and her playful grin was gone.

She stared at Zoro with a hard, unyielding glare, the kind that could cut through stone.

“You’re joking,” she said flatly, her voice carrying the kind of edge that dared him to confirm her hopes. When he didn’t respond, her eyes narrowed as she took a step closer. “Please tell me you’re fucking joking, Zoro.”

Luffy, of all people, chimed in, his tone oddly serious—too serious for someone who is usually a ray of walking sunshine.

Y/N blinked, looking between Luffy and Zoro, trying to wrap her head around what was being said.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she started, raising a hand as if trying to stop the flood of insanity pouring into the room. “You’re telling me you actually challenged Dracule Mihawk? As in the Warlord of the Sea? The guy who could probably split this fucking sodding ship in half just for fun?”

Zoro glanced up at her briefly, his gaze calm but resolute.

“It’s what I have to do,” he said simply, his tone devoid of fear or hesitation. “If I want to be the greatest swordsman in the world, I have to beat him. That’s the only way.”

Y/N stared at him in stunned silence, her lips parted as she tried to find the words. Her anger faltered for a moment, replaced by something deeper—concern, frustration, maybe even fear.

“Zoro, you can’t just—” she started, but her voice faltered. She straightened up, running a hand through her hair as she stepped back. Her gaze flicked to Luffy and Usopp, searching for some semblance of support. Luffy, however, remained silent, his eyes distant, while Usopp looked sick.

Finally, Y/N let out a frustrated laugh, though there was no humor in it. “Unbelievable. You’re all just going to let him go through with this? No one’s going to stop him?”

“Can’t stop him,” Luffy said simply, his tone carrying a note of quiet acceptance. “This is his dream.”

Y/N’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she stared at Zoro again, disbelief and frustration radiating off her in waves. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. As someone who had always fought tooth and nail for survival, it was utterly maddening to see someone willingly dive headfirst into danger like this.

“Zoro, please,” she said, her tone softer now, though the tension in her voice was clear. “Think about it for a second. I know you want this—I know how much it means to you—but this is insane. You’re already an amazing swordsman—”

“But not the best,” Zoro interrupted, his voice calm but resolute. His focus on his blade never wavered as he continued polishing it. “Not yet. Not until I defeat Mihawk.”

Y/N blinked, her chest tightening as his words sank in. She shook her head in disbelief, her voice rising slightly as she took a step closer. “Are you seriously so willing to throw your life away over a title? Is that all this is to you? Just a damn title?”

Zoro finally looked up, his gaze meeting hers with unyielding determination. “It’s not just a title. It’s everything I’ve trained for. Everything I’ve worked for. If I don’t take this chance, then what’s the point?”

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. She searched his expression for any hint of hesitation, of doubt, but found none. He wasn’t going to change his mind. She knew that, even before she asked.

“You’re... not changing your mind, are you?” she asked, her voice quieter now, almost defeated.

“You already know the answer to that,” Zoro replied simply.

“Fine,” she said, her voice cold and clipped, her tone like a sharp edge. "Go get yourself fucked up."

Zoro didn’t flinch, his focus already back on his blade. “Noted,”

Y/N scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she grabbed the jar of honey. She cast one last glare at the back of Zoro’s head, her frustration boiling just beneath the surface, before spinning on her heel and leaving the room without another word.

The jar of honey felt heavier in her hand than it should have, and as she made her way back to her corner of the ship, she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “Unbelievable. Reckless, stubborn fool...”

But no matter how angry she was, a part of her couldn’t shake the worry that gnawed at the edges of her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, she cared. And that made this all the more infuriating.

Hours passed, the tension on the Going Merry as thick as the salty sea air around it. Y/N had spent most of that time pacing, her nerves fraying with every passing minute. And now, much to her growing nervousness—and, if she were honest with herself, outright unhappiness—she found herself walking alongside Zoro to the docks of the Baratie with Luffy and Usopp, Nami was nowhere to be found and Y/N had no mind for that the moment.

The swordsman, as usual, was calm and steady, his expression unreadable, as if he were merely heading to run a simple errand rather than walking straight into a duel with one of the most dangerous men alive. Y/N, on the other hand, was barely keeping it together. Despite her earlier words, despite knowing Zoro’s mind was set, she couldn’t help herself.

“Zoro,” she said, her tone tinged with desperation, as she hurried to match his stride. “This doesn’t have to be today, you know. You could wait. Train more. Build yourself up first. Mihawk’s not going anywhere—he’ll still be terrifying tomorrow, or next week, or next year!”

“I’ve waited long enough,” he said simply, his tone steady and resolute.

Y/N groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. “You’re impossible! You know that, right? Utterly impossible. It’s like you’ve got a death wish baked into that stubborn head of yours.”

He didn’t respond, his focus already ahead, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of one of his swords. His silence only fueled her exasperation.

“Zoro, listen,” she pressed, her voice softer now as she stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. “You have nothing to prove. Not to me, not to the crew, not to anyone. You’re already one of the best I’ve ever seen—no one would blame you for waiting until the odds were... I don’t know, less suicidal?”

Zoro looked down at her, his dark eyes meeting hers, and for a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze. But it wasn’t doubt or hesitation—it was determination, pure and unwavering.

“I didn’t come this far to stop now,” he said firmly. “If I can’t face him, then I don’t deserve to be the best.”

Y/N stared at him, her mouth opening to argue, but the words caught in her throat. What could she say to that? What could she say to someone who was so determined to chase their dream, even if it killed them?

Y/N rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath as they reached the docks. The sight of the Baratie's empty deck and the looming presence of the infamous Dracule Mihawk in the distance made her stomach twist. She didn’t say anything else as they walked, but the tension in her chest only grew heavier with every step.

"Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk drawled, his deep voice carrying easily over the sound of the waves. Y/N blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting to the warlord as he kept his piercing eyes locked on the boy. She followed Mihawk's line of sight, landing on Luffy, who—of course—was smiling. Smiling? Y/N thought in disbelief. She could never understand him. If a Warlord of the Sea so much as glanced in her direction, she’d have been halfway across the ocean by now.

“I’m surprised the Marines would require my services for such a small package,” Mihawk continued, his tone tinged with a subtle mockery that sent chills down Y/N’s spine. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes lingering on the Straw Hat. “Though I do like your hat…”

“Enough,” Zoro cut him off, his voice steady as he stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the warlord with unwavering resolve. “Let’s begin.”

Y/N gulped, her stomach twisting into knots as she watched Mihawk calmly remove the cross-shaped pendant from around his neck. For a moment, she was confused—was this some kind of pre-duel ritual?—but her confusion turned to disbelief when the man revealed the pendant to be a hidden blade. A tiny hidden blade.

Mihawk pulled the long part free, revealing a small knife, barely larger than a dagger. Y/N’s jaw nearly dropped. What the hell was that? She wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“What is that? I’m here for a sword fight,” Zoro deadpanned, his tone flat but edged with disbelief as he took in the Warlord’s weapon.

Mihawk didn’t flinch, his expression unreadable save for the faintest glint of amusement in his golden eyes.

“I don’t hunt rabbits with a cannon,” he replied almost mockingly, holding the tiny blade with an air of casual confidence.

Zoro, however, remained unshaken. He pulled out his two swords, their blades gleaming in the sunlight as he took a defensive stance. His voice was steady, firm, and filled with resolve. “I’m no rabbit.”

Mihawk pointed his small blade at Zoro, the move almost lazy in its precision. “That remains to be seen,” he said smoothly.

The tension between them hung thick in the air, a moment so charged that Y/N felt like she could hardly breathe. The world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them, predator and challenger, locked in an unspoken battle of wills before a single strike had even been made.

And then, Zoro moved.

With a burst of speed, he ran straight toward the Warlord, his swords raised and his expression fierce with determination. The fight had begun.

The fight was a blur for Y/N, but one thing was painfully clear—Mihawk had the upper hand from the very start. Every move Zoro made was effortlessly countered, every strike easily dodged or deflected as though the Warlord was swatting away a pesky fly.

Y/N’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a shriek when Mihawk drove the small dagger into Zoro’s chest. Her fingers dug into Luffy’s arm as she squeezed tightly, her own breath catching at the sheer ruthlessness of the moment. When Mihawk finally unsheathed his massive blade, Yoru, Y/N grimaced, her stomach twisting with dread.

And then, as Zoro’s swords crumbled under the sheer power of Mihawk’s strike, Y/N couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped her lips. Her eyes widened in shock as Zoro, instead of backing down, willingly let himself be slashed across the chest, standing tall even in defeat. The scene left her frozen, torn between awe at his resolve and fear for his life.

"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, his voice raw with emotion as the green-haired swordsman collapsed to the ground.

Without a second thought, Y/N bolted toward him, her heart pounding in her chest. She dropped to her knees beside Zoro, her hands hovering over him, unsure of where to even start.

There it was—a massive, long, bloodied slash stretching across his chest, from one shoulder to the opposite side. The sight of it made her stomach drop. Her breath hitched as she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth.

"Oh, shit… Zoro," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.

Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk called out, his voice laced with a faint trace of curiosity. His sharp gaze settled on the boy, as if measuring him. "What’s your goal?"

"I’m going to become the King of the Pirates," Luffy replied, his tone uncharacteristically serious, his eyes unwavering.

"King of the Pirates, hmm?" Mihawk repeated, a flicker of intrigue crossing his otherwise stoic expression. "That’s a far more perilous path than even defeating me."

Luffy didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned to glare at the Warlord, his resolve shining through. "I don’t care," he said firmly. "It’s what I’m going to do."

Mihawk regarded him in silence for a moment, as though he were assessing something beyond words. Then, with a faint hum of approval, he nodded slightly.

"Maybe you will at that," he said, his tone carrying an unusual note of respect, "This world could use a few more wild cards."

Mihawk turned his piercing gaze away from Luffy, letting it fall to the green-haired swordsman lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. “Roronoa Zoro,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “It’s too soon for you to die. Grow strong and come find me. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, and much to Y/N’s immense relief, Dracule Mihawk turned and walked away, disappearing into the distance.

Usopp hurried to kneel next to Y/N and Luffy, his face pale as he took in the sheer amount of blood pouring from Zoro’s chest.

“He’s losing so much blood,” Usopp said, his voice shaking with panic.

“He’s gonna be okay,” Luffy said firmly, though the determination in his voice couldn’t quite mask the crack of worry underneath.

“Hey, Zoro,” Y/N leaned closer, her voice trembling but insistent as she gently touched his cheek. “Can you hear me? Come on, hotshot, don’t do this.”

Luffy’s voice was softer now, he was smiling but his voice was filled with quiet resolve. “He said it’s too soon for you to die."

Zoro, lying in a pool of his own blood, let out a groan, his voice strained and heavy with pain. Every word sounded like it hurt to speak, but still, he forced them out. "Luffy... if I fail to become the world’s greatest swordsman… you’ll be disappointed. Right?"

Luffy immediately shook his head, his voice firm and unwavering. "You could never fail me,"

"Never… again. From now… until I beat him…" Summoning his last reserves of energy, Zoro gritted his teeth and unsheathed Wado Ichimonji, the sword trembling in his bloodied hand. He raised it weakly, his arm barely steady. "To become the greatest swordsman… I will never lose again!"

Y/N pursed her lips, worry etched into every line of her face as she watched Zoro’s arm falter. The sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground as his body went limp. He was out.

"Zoro?" Luffy’s voice broke slightly as he leaned closer, shaking the unconscious swordsman. "Zoro?! Zoro!"

"Luffy, stop!" Y/N grabbed Luffy’s arm, her voice sharp but tinged with worry. Her grip was firm, her eyes locking onto his with a quiet urgency. "Shaking him won’t help."

Luffy froze, his hands trembling as he pulled back slightly. Y/N turned to Nami, who was hovering just behind them, her face pale with concern and her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"We need to get him inside," Y/N said, her tone steady but urgent as she glanced between Nami, Usopp and Luffy. She pressed her lips together, her mind racing. "Now!"

They all nodded quickly, their hands moving instinctively to help as they began the careful process of lifting Zoro, doing everything they could to keep him stable. The tension in the air was palpable, but Y/N’s focus remained on the task at hand, suppressing the storm of worry swirling in her chest.

They couldn’t lose him. Not here. Not like this.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Lots of love. Be safe.

Also, tell me if you want to get tagged.

Divider by @cafekitsune

Tags: @weirdowithaphone

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bywonyo · 8 months ago

Text

SAD GIRL

(a jakehoon drabble)

𝓟RECIS ⌇You had a healthy marriage with Sunghoon, or so you thought. After finding out that Sunghoon has been planning to divorce you, you seek revenge by being with his arch-nemesis, Jake. Now the question is, who's trying to kill you, and who's trying to make you the queen of the world?

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𝓘NCLUES⌇Rich CEO Husband! Sunghoon x fem reader x Rich CEO! Jake, love triangle, dark romance, angst, tension, somewhat cheating, secrets, impossible love, other persons lover, mentions of murder

𝓣HEME SONGS ⌇Sad Girl by Lana del Rey

(betrayer will be revealed in part two)

“Come to me, darling..” As you stood before Sunghoon, his gaze met yours with a softness that seemed almost otherworldly. His eyes held a certain power, a mesmerizing quality that could make anyone feel like putty in his hands.

In a tense situation, you found yourself enveloped in Jake's arms, with a loaded gun pointed directly at Sunghoon who stood across from the two of you. Sunghoon raised his arms in surrender, convincing you to choose him.

“C’mon, you’re gonna throw all of this away?” Jake felt a sudden sense of danger as Sunghoon's lips twisted into a sinister smirk. He instinctively held you tighter, as if to protect you from whatever evil intentions lay behind that wicked expression.

You were married to Sunghoon for three years, and while it wasn't necessarily a terrible marriage, it also wasn't particularly fulfilling or happy.

Sunghoon and Jake have a long-standing rivalry, consistently trying to outdo each other to become the top company in their industry.

But the company wasn't what they were fighting about, it was you.

After hearing that Sunghoon wants to end your marriage, you felt really angry and frustrated. It sucks that he wants to throw away all the time you spent together without even considering how you feel.

The situation was intense as you sought revenge for what Sunghoon had done to you. You ended up sleeping with his enemy, Jake, but the consequences were not worth it. The regret was overwhelming as Sunghoon found out about your actions, and you were left feeling lost and confused. In the midst of it all, you found yourself in Jake's arms. However, Sunghoon was determined to convince you to come back to his side, leaving you torn between two conflicting emotions.

As Sunghoon persisted in pleading with you, your body trembled with a strong desire to be near him. Despite your inner conflict, the pull towards him grew stronger. Your heart yearned to reach out and bridge the distance between you, unable to resist his magnetic presence.

“Don’t make me do it, c’mon..”

Despite not knowing if Sunghoon might not be entirely truthful, you couldn't help but feel a strong love for him. You noticed that his sweet eyes were possibly just a facade, but you still see a slight care in his eyes, you couldn't resist falling for his charming demeanor and alluring presence.

As you gazed at Sunghoon and Jake, you suddenly noticed Sunghoon reaching for something in his pocket. In a split second, he pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Jake. The tension in the air was palpable, and you were left frozen in shock, unsure of what to do next.

“If you go to him, i’ll shoot myself,” Jake said with a menacing look in his eyes, Jake tightened his grip around the gun as he directed his gaze towards Sunghoon. "I won't hesitate to use this," he said in a cold, calculated tone, his words dripping with a sense of danger and malice.

“If you keep letting Jake hold you, I’ll do the same.”

As you stood there, heart-wrenched and helpless, you knew that the fate of one of the two men you held so close to your heart will be out of your hands. With tears streaming down your face, you took a deep breath, bracing yourself for the inevitable pain that was to come. You couldn't bear the thought of losing either of them, but you knew that only one would emerge from the fray, and the knowledge was almost too much to bear.

You have a gut feeling that one of the people around you is not being truthful and secretly desires to harm you. However, you are clueless about who that person could be, leaving you feeling apprehensive and on edge.

Your body trembles in terror as tears stream down your face, while the two men prepare their guns. Fear grips you as you watch them ready themselves for whatever comes next. Helpless and afraid, you think of who to choose.

@cholexc @yyawnjun @allforhee @dimplewonie

#. 吻 ✧ 𝖽𝗈𝗇’𝗍 𝗆𝗂𝐬𝗌 #sim jaeyun #sim jake #jake #jaeyun #enha jake #jake suggestive #jake x reader #enhypen jake #jake angst #jake fic #park sunghoon #sunghoon #sunghoon x reader #sunghoon angst #sunghoon x you #sunghoon fic #𝓅oèmes / ( ˶ˆ꒳ˆ˵ )🌺. d’𝒶mour

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thedroneranger · 1 year ago

Text

Need a Favor

Rhett Abbott

Synopsis: Rhett does more than hurt his shoulder when he's bucked off a bull during competition. While his wellbeing is in question, your biggest hurdles are his family and his pesky ex that constantly call you into question.

Notes: My first foray outside Top Gun. I've had this kicking around for quite a while and finally got the inspiration to finish it. It felt Rhett-Outer Range coded, so here we are! Influenced by the Jelly Roll song Need a Favor.

Warnings: Bull riding, religion; religious inaccuracies; medical inaccuracies; mentions of blood.

Word count: 5.3k.

The arena was electric. The cheers of the crowd, the clattering of the chutes, the grunts of the bulls. There had to be more people in this arena than in all of Wyoming.

Then it died.

The silence was deafening. My eyes never left his slumped form as I charged down the stands. People parted like the Red Sea, allowing me the most direct route. My legs were gracious, bracing me as I dropped the eight feet into the arena and then sprinted toward him.

The medics had yet to arrive and the wranglers stood back as I approached. I dropped to my knees at Rhett’s side. His body was contorted in an unnatural position. His hat on the ground beside him—crumpled. Blood trickled from his hairline.

It would be a miracle if he didn’t break his back. “Rhett? Baby?” My fingers trembled as I reached out to touch his shoulder. He didn’t move. My vision began to blur, and I did my best to contain the tears threatening at my waterline. Still shaking, I pressed two fingers on his neck just below his jaw. My entire body untensed as I felt a thready pulse. “He has a pulse,” I stated to myself.

Then I saw it.

A sizable puddle of blood. Panicked, I pushed him over to find the stain on his shirt blossoming near the bottom edge of his vest. Without a second thought, I shoved my hand between his vest and shirt until I felt a tear in the fabric and then jagged flesh the wound.

The medics arrived and pulled me out of the way. One of the chute hands held me by the elbows as we watched Rhett be braced and loaded onto a stretcher. Then she handed me off to a paramedic who helped me into the ambulance.

I sat quietly and watched the medic fuss over Rhett. He was stable—for now. “Do you want to hold his hand?” The man offered. All I could do was stare at him as I balled my hand—the drying blood pulling at my skin. Clad in rubber gloves, the medic tucked Rhett’s hand in mine.

Sitting in the ambulance, clutching his hand, my vision began to blur again. Warm streaks painted my cheeks, and I felt the droplets as they leapt from my jaw. Tears dotted my jeans.

The medic was doing his best to soothe me while monitoring Rhett. His voice was white noise as I gazed at Rhett. He hadn’t moved. His mouth didn’t twitch. His eyes didn’t dart behind his lids. He didn’t squeeze my hand.

Thankfully they had slowed the bleeding, but he was steadily soaking through gauze.

It all felt surreal as we arrived at the hospital, exited the ambulance, and I stood in the hallway as his gurney disappeared through the emergency surgery doors.

A breath left my body I had no idea I had been holding. Feeling was returning to my fingers and toes—reality setting in. All that was left was to wait. Wait to hear if Rhett made it out of surgery. Wait to hear if or how this would alter Rhett’s life.

Remembering I had a hand caked in blood, I looked for the nurses station. One of the nurses kindly took me to a bathroom and helped me scrub clean. She also pilfered me a scrub top. We put my stained shirt into the biohazard bin.

Back in the waiting room, still shaky, I dug my cell phone out of my pocket. Just as I was heading to find a seat, I heard a familiar voice. “Hey! Hold on!” I turned to see the medic hurrying toward me. I kept eye contact as he approached. “I wanted to make sure you got these.”

At his side, Rhett’s vest hung in one hand and my rosary sat in the palm of his other. Once it registered it was my rosary, my eyes widened. I looked between him and his palm. Then I then held out mine and he deposited the beads into it. “Thank you.” I had the smallest smile.

“You’re welcome.” He nodded, handed me the vest, and then continued back to his rig.

I clutched the beads as I turned to continue further into the waiting room. Finding a somewhat secluded corner, I tucked the vest beside my chair and pulled out my phone. My eyes trained on my screen, scanned the list of Abbotts in my contacts. Ultimately, I decided to call the house in hopes Cecilia would pick up.

My heart rate increased with each ring, and then…voicemail. Quickly, I punched the end button before dropping my phone in my lap. I plopped my rosary on top of it, and used both hands to rub my temples.

What was my next move?

Coffee.

Coffee was the next move. Then maybe I would have the gumption, and the gusto, to try Cecilia again—or call Royal.

This hospital was too small and too archaic for those fancy coffee vending machines. So I headed to the nurses station where the charge nurse pointed me in the direction of the cafeteria.

Nearing 10 p.m., the cafeteria was sparsely populated. A doctor here and there trying to conceal themselves, hoping for 15 minutes alone. A few workers were in the serving area, refreshing the limited offerings. A smile pulled my lips as I spotted the coffee.

While I paid for my drink, I heard the rain. Not just a light drizzle but a steady drumming of water. I stepped into the dining area and noticed the far end was a solarium. The rain streaked down the glass, distorting the view. Soothed by the sound, I walked over.

Sipping my coffee, I stared into the distance. I bet on a sunny day, it was a beautiful garden. Patients milling around with their visitors or their therapists coaching them through their post-op movement quota.

Maybe Rhett would be out there soon. Wobbling around with a cane or a walker under the watchful eye of a nurse or PT. Cussing under his breath because he “doesn’t need any help” but too polite to say anything aloud. I chuckled to myself as I turned to head back to the waiting room. The coffee was helping, but I still didn’t want to talk to Rhett’s family.

Somehow Cecilia was the least threatening Abbott. Hilarious, considering the first time I came to meet the Abbotts and have dinner Cecilia wouldn’t let me into the house. She and Rhett had a standoff—whisper bickering on the front porch and all. It was only when her granddaughter Amy grabbed my hand that she, begrudgingly, let me in.

The Abbotts didn’t strike me as overly religious. There were the usual hints here and there—a crucifix on the wall in the dining room, a bible in the end table drawer beside the couch.

Cecilia proved to be the most faithful Abbott. She clearly believed in good and evil. Heaven and Hell. And to her, I was the devil. Brought into the Abbotts’ lives to test Rhett—lead him astray.

If I were to succeed, Rhett might move off the ranch. Maybe leave Wabang, entirely. Desert the family. Lord knows if he could stay healthy, he’d be one hell of a bull rider.

No matter what Cecilia thought of me, I needed to get a hold of her. Looking around the empty hallway, I stopped and pulled out my phone to try the house again. Still no answer. That woman really needed to get with the times and carry a cell phone.

Royal and I didn’t see eye-to-eye much, but Rhett was his son. I tapped his name and put the phone to my ear. I did my best to remain calm when he answered. Not wanting to waste anyone’s time, I first made sure he hadn’t already been contacted by the event staff or hospital.

Of course, Royal made a point to remind me Maria was listed as Rhett’s emergency contact and ask where she was in all this. I never knew how Maria managed to fly under the radar with the Abbotts. After all, we wanted the same things for Rhett. We both knew he could be doing so much more than mending fences and getting into bar fights.

Hell, the thought even crossed my mind to call Maria, but I couldn’t stomach her being here at the same time as the rest of the Abbotts and them doting on her. Plus, Rhett got quite warm under the collar when his family pitted us against one another.

Still unsure who would appear at the hospital, I was just glad that some of the Abbotts were en route. Feeling a little more at ease, I sipped my coffee as I pocketed my phone and wandered back to the waiting room.

My butt hadn’t even hit the cushion when someone was calling Rhett’s name. Immediately, I stood back up and made eye contact with whom I presumed to be the surgeon. “I’m here for Rhett Abbott!” I nearly tripped as I scrambled to the doctor.

“Next of kin?”

“Fiancée.” The lie rolled off my tongue so naturally. I backed it by giving my full name.

My heart felt like it was in my throat as I stared at the surgeon, waiting for him to continue. “That bull really did a number.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and crossed my arms.

I did my best to listen as the surgeon explained. They were following concussion protocol since Rhett bashed heads with the bull and packed dirt. And getting gored how Rhett did was a freak accident—competition bull horns were always filed blunt.

Overall, the damage to his internal organs appeared minimal. The bruising pain would take longer to subside than for the abrasions to heal. The only hiccup was Rhett still losing blood, so a vascular surgeon scrubbed in to assess him.

Willing myself to be more hopeful than disappointed as the trauma surgeon disappeared, I sighed and shuffled back to my seat.

It felt like an eternity as I finished my coffee and then stared into the bottom of the cup. Still no sign of the Abbotts, I decided to occupy myself by trekking back to the cafeteria.

The rain was still pounding as I, again, took time to fantasize out the window. As I turned to leave, I nearly bumped into an older man. We exchanged pleasantries as he profusely apologized.

“Coffee wouldn’t be the worst thing I wore today.” I tried to lighten the mood.

He eyed my scrub top and chuckled as he knelt on the floor for a second. “Does this belong to you?” He opened his palm to reveal my rosary. I shook my head as he deposited it into my hand.

“How many Hail Marys to forgive dropping it on the floor.”

“Well, that’s not my rodeo. I usually phone a friend.” I laughed softly at his response and thumbed the beads. “There’s a chapel on your way out if you want a few minutes to yourself. Or, if you want company, I’m happy to join you.” He paused. “I can also phone that friend.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a genuine smile. “I think I’ll spend some time one-on-one.” He nodded as we parted ways.

The chaplain wasn’t kidding when he said the chapel was hidden. The door was the same color as the sterile hospital wall. The only giveaway was the stained glass window, which read as a painting if you weren’t paying attention.

It was quaint. The front of the room was the focal point with a trio of stained glass panels. Raindrops ricocheted off the panes. I slid into the middle pew of the five rows. Still fiddling with my rosary, I stared at the windows.

Clutching my beads, I folded my hands in the back of the pew in front of me. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about Rhett.

“Religion is more Ma’s thing, but the Sundays she does get me to church, it doesn’t seem to matter how you worship.” Oh, Rhett. The thought of his voice was comforting.

Suddenly a tear hit my wrist and I sucked in a breath. “Please don't let me lose him.” I mumbled between sobs. My forehead rested on the backs of my thumbs as I let my tears freely fall.

Once I felt empty, I sat back on the bench and slid each bead between my index and middle finger as I said the corresponding prayer. It was amazing what you could remember when it was beaten into you. A smile curled my lips as I thought about the first time Rhett realized the scarring across my knuckles and wrists were from rulers.

A single tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about the tenderness he showed as he kissed each of my knuckles and then my wrists. He made his way up my arms as he pulled me into his lap. Eventually my lips were on his with my arms wrapped around his neck.

“Fuck,” I said as tipped my head and rolled my eyes to keep the tears from continuing.

Just then, I heard the door. I turned to see Cecilia, of all people. It took all my might not to let loose a barking laugh.

I was more shocked when she slid into the pew beside me, leaving just a few inches of space between us. “Surprised it’s still standing? The altar isn’t on fire?” I joked.

She eyed the beads in my hands. “Isn’t that Rhett’s necklace?”

“It’s mine.” I paused for a second. “And it’s not a necklace, it’s a rosary. And I lent them to Rhett to protect him when he rides,” I added. She turned her head to look directly at me. “Blessed at the Vatican.” Her eyebrow jutted up the faintest bit.

I leaned slightly over toward her. “It’s the fallen ones that need a savior most, isn’t it?” I listened to the rain for a few seconds before continuing. “And we only talk to God when we need favors?” Rhett would hate that I was needling his mother but also be proud I was standing up for myself.

Cecilia broke eye contact as she thought about how to respond. Instead of words, she placed her hand over mine that was holding my rosary. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Some of our prayers are the same.” She squeezed my hand as we bowed our heads. I followed her lead as we softly recited a prayer aloud.

We were through our first set of Hail Marys when Royal walked in. “There’s news.” We jumped up, hand-in-hand. Royal noticed our physical attachment but he didn’t say anything as he turned to lead us out.

Perry and Amy were standing in the waiting room with the surgeon I spoke to earlier. Royal had to support Cecilia as the surgeon delivered cautiously optimistic news. Instinctively, I squeezed the beads in my hand. “When can we see him?” I blurted out.

“He hasn’t woken up, but you can visit him one at a time.” Amy bounced on the balls of her feet. “You can go accompanied by an adult,” the surgeon added, looking at her with a smile. He then turned to look at me. “Fiancée first?” All the Abbotts exchanged looks but no one challenged the title.

“Yes,”I said quickly and then herded the surgeon away.

A hand on the door knob, he looked at me. “Are you ready?” Silently, I nodded. Then he pushed the door open, allowing me through first.

The room was soft lit and the only sound was Rhett’s heart monitor. Slowly, I walked to the bed. He looked peaceful. Tired but peaceful.

Taken with Rhett, I didn’t even realize the surgeon let himself out. Quietly, I walked to the bedside. Rhett didn’t move, except for the rise and fall of his chest. His breaths were deep and even.

They did their best to clean up his face. When he collided with the bull, it was face first so he ended up with a broken nose. The bruising was already apparent under his eyes. The stitches at his hairline were hardly noticeable.

After a few minutes, I softly sat on the edge of his bed and gently tucked a curl behind his ear. His eye twitched and my hand stilled. He didn’t respond further, so I slipped my hand into his and rubbed the back with my thumb.

I sighed, continuing to watch his face. Selfishly, I wanted to stay here all night with him. However, at the very least, his mother and Amy needed to see him.

With one last squeeze, I gently got off the bed and headed for the door. I looked back one more time before leaving.

After everyone had a chance to see Rhett, Royal and Perry decided to drive over and get Rhett’s truck from the arena.

Amy and I stayed in the waiting room while Cecilia sat with her son. Amy was in good spirits, although Rhett had yet to wake up. She succumbed to curiosity and asked a million questions about Rhett. I did my best to answer every one.

Finally, Perry and Royal returned. Trailing behind them was Maria. I stood as Amy ran over to greet her father. “I figured you would turn up here,” I said coldly to Maria as she stood directly in front of me.

She shrugged. “Well, they called me directly, so I figured I should stop by and check in.”

“Where’d you come from? The moon? How are you just arriving if you were the first call?” I asked. “Did you even bother to call the Abbotts?”

“Of course, I called Cecilia,” she explained. “But she wasn’t home, and Royal didn’t pick up.”

“And Perry?” I pressed her.

She lowered her voice. “I don’t call that piece of shit for anything.” She glared in his direction. “Isn’t it kind of weird Rhett hasn’t changed his emergency contact?” She looked back at me. “Maybe he wants to make sure it’s someone he can trust.” She smirked.

Before I could say anything, Perry approached us. He dropped Rhet’s truck keys in my hand. “Assuming you’re going to want to stay, being his fiancée and all.” I could feel the heat in my cheeks as he winked at me.

She tried not to appear obvious, but Maria’s eyes widened slightly and her gaze dropped to my hand. I could see her relax when she realized I wasn’t wearing a ring.

Just then, Royal, who had excused himself to say good night to Rhett and collect his wife, returned with Cecilia. “Maria!” Cecilia opened her arms to embrace her.

However, Cecilia was focused on me during the interaction. “You’ll update us as soon as you hear?” Royal held out Cecilia’s coat, coaxing her to part with Maria.

“Of course.” I nodded.

“We’ll plan to come back tomorrow afternoon,” Royal stated.

“I’ll swing by, too,” Maria added.

“Ooh! We can come together!” Cecilia added.

“Perfect.” Maria smiled.

It took all my energy to not roll my eyes. My attention was diverted when Amy threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. I smiled and hugged her back, kissing the top of her head.

I waited for them to disappear through the doors, and then made my way to Rhett’s room. Light was beginning to peek through his blinds. He was still sound asleep. I tried my best to be quiet as I pushed the little cushioned sitting chair as close as possible to his bedside. Once seated, I sipped my coffee and told him about the night with his family.

Eventually, I moved onto reminiscing about some of our shared memories. Feeling a little stiff, I changed positions, folding my legs under me in the chair and leaning forward so my stacked arms rested on the edge of his bed. With my chin resting on top of them, I watched him.

Just being there gave me a sense of peace. The adrenaline was wearing off. My eyelids felt so heavy, which reminded me that I was coming up on 24 hours without sleep. It wouldn’t hurt to rest my eyes…

Rhett and I were laying in one of the pastures on the Abbott ranch. A beautiful day, the sun was warm on our faces. The back of Rhett’s fingers stroked my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. He kept saying my name as we looked at each other.

My eyes darted around behind my eyelids, and then shot open to see Rhett staring at me—he really was stroking my cheek and saying my name. Basking in his touch, I leaned into his fingers. The tiniest smile pulled a corner of his mouth.

“Rhett.” I sounded groggy. He rasped my name in response. Leaning into his fingers one more time, I pulled away to get him his water cup beside his bed.

After a few timid sips, he was damn near chugging. “Whoa, slow down. It’s not going anywhere.” He smiled as I put his cup back on the bedside table and sat down. Rhett brushed his finger along mine. In response, I put my hand over his.

I could feel the tears building. “I’m so glad you’re ok.” I leaned down and kissed the back of his palm.

“Me, too.” He did his best to hold my hand. After a minute he said, “What’d I miss?” Clearly, his sarcasm hadn’t been broken. I couldn’t help but smile.

We enjoyed each other’s company until a nurse came to check his vitals and realized he was awake. Then I stood beside his bed and held his hand while nurses and doctors poked and prodded and questioned him. Rhett remained calm throughout the entire process—might’ve been the morphine.

Once the doctor was satisfied, the nurses continued to work, so I stepped out to get another coffee and call Cecilia, as promised. Again hoping to reach her directly, I called the house line. She answered on the first ring. She was holding back tears as I updated her. It was the first time I heard sheer happiness in the woman’s voice.

I soaked in every minute I could alone with Rhett. I was torn between giving Rhett a heads up about Maria or letting him find out when she sashayed into his room. “Rhett?” I was cross-legged in the chair, leaning against the side of his bed and holding his hand.

He looked at me, waiting for me to continue. “Maria is coming to see you.”

“What?” Surprise was evident in his voice.

I took a deep breath before continuing. “She’s still listed as your emergency contact, so she got a phone call to notify her you were injured,” I explained. “She showed up last night well after visiting hours.” He scoffed. “And Cecilia invited her back today.”

Rhett groaned and shifted a little. “I can’t believe her.”

My thumb soothed the back of his palm. “Maria is always trying to win you back.”

“I’m talking about my mother. She has to cut this shit out.” Rhett’s voice was tense, and I could feel it in his fingers.

“Don’t worry about them, Rhett.” We locked eyes. “It’ll be fine. I only mentioned it so that you weren’t completely caught off guard.”

“Thank you,” he said quietly. A smile pulled the one corner of my mouth as I placed my free hand over our clasped ones.

We sat in silence until Amy bound through the door. “Uncle Rhett!” Both their faces lit up as she ran over. She hugged me after she came around the bed. Amy was small enough, I hoisted her onto Rhett’s bed to carefully hug him and then hold his hand.

She was chattering a mile a minute when Cecilia and Royal came in. After greeting them, I excused myself to get a coffee.

As luck would have it, Maria was arriving. “Too scared to be in a room with me?” she asked.

“Mhmm, I don’t like the smell of trash.”

She audibly laughed. “Your insults mean nothing” We held eye contact. “The Abbotts love me. And I know them like the back of hand. I can play ‘em like fiddles.” She scanned my face for a reaction—I remained stoic.

“Cecilia thinks you’re the devil,” she continued. “Trying to lure her baby off the ranch.”

“And what exactly is it that she thinks you’re doing?” I retorted.

Maria smiled and shrugged. “I had my heyday. I wouldn’t possibly want to move away now. I’m ready to find a husband and settle down. I know there’s no place like Wabang.” Sarcasm colored her tone.

I laughed. “That’s for damn sure.”

“Good luck overcoming that.” She huffed and bumped my shoulder as she passed.

Just as she was about to cross the threshold into Rhett’s room, Cecilia popped out the door. It felt like slow motion as they collided. The lid popped off Maria’s coffee and scalding brown liquid dyed her baby pink blouse.

“Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry!” Cecilia cried. “Let’s get you cleaned up!” Cecilia took Maria by the elbow down the hall in the direction of the restrooms. Maria held the fabric away from skin as Cecilia muled her along.

A shake of my head, I continued to the cafeteria for my own beverage.

On my way back, I stopped in the almost hidden chapel. During my previous visit, I’d noticed the bowl of holy water and wanted to splash some on my rosary to cleanse it before giving it back to Rhett. It was the best I could do without a priest.

When I returned to Rhett’s room, Cecilia was sitting at his bedside. They were whispering in harsh tones. They immediately stopped as I entered. “I can leave.” I pointed a thumb over my shoulder.

“No, no!” A smidge of desperation in Rhett’s voice. “Ma was just leaving.” Cecilia stood and leaned down to place a chaste kiss on Rhett’s forehead.

She looked at me as she left. Her expression felt softer somehow. I waited until she completely exited the room before venturing over to my usual seat. Rhett immediately extended his hand.

“I have something for you.” His interest was piqued. “Hold out your hand.” He did as he was told and I dropped the beads into it.

“I was getting ready to ask the nurse about this.” He rubbed his thumb over the beads and closed his hand, bringing it to his heart.

“The EMT saved them,” I added.

“I think they saved me.” Rhett looked at me.

“I think modern medicine saved you.”

“Don’t go all evolution over creation on me, now,” he shot back. “You gave these to me for a reason.” He was right. I rolled my eyes and moved to press my lips to his. “Mhmm, you shut me up like that more often,” he said as we parted.

“Based on how hard you’re roasting me, it feels like you’ll be discharged any minute.”

Sure enough, by the end of the day, Rhett was being wheeled to the passenger door of his truck.

Once he was home, Cecilia became his caretaker. She and I did come to an understanding that included me pre-cooking meals for Rhett. I was skeptical when she extended the use of their kitchen to prepare them. However, I gladly accepted, and the very next night, we all sat down to a meal I cooked for everyone as a thank you.

“Before we dig in, how about we say grace?” Cecilia looked at Royal, who nodded in agreement. Everyone folded their hands around the table and bowed their heads. Cecilia called my name, and I looked up to meet her gaze. “Would you do the honors, since you made this meal?”

Rhett’s hand settled on my thigh. I could feel his eyes on me. “Of course,” I agreed with a small smile, which Cecilia returned. We all bowed our heads as I said grace. Amy was the first to join me, then Rhett and the rest of the Abbotts.

“Amen.” We all said in unison.

“Thank you.” Cecilia looked at me with a genuine smile.

“You’re welcome,” I replied. Rhett squeezed my thigh as we exchanged looks.

Dinner felt like a dream. Or a trap. Although I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, I felt oddly comfortable. Standing beside Cecilia washing dishes while she dried them seemed natural. As if we had been doing this for years.

I was wiping down the empty sink when I saw a vehicle approaching the house. There it was: the trap springing closed. Silently, I took a deep breath to brace myself. I didn’t say a word to Cecilia. Besides, she was likely expecting Maria.

Knocking rang through the house. Cecilia poked her head out of the kitchen as Amy shouted, “I’ll get it!” and ran toward the door. Everyone seemed surprised by Maria’s presence, but Royal politely invited her to stay and enjoy the dessert she brought.

“Let me slice it up!” I waited for Maria to catch sight of me. “Oh, you are here.” The light left her face as she sat a pie on the table.

“Doing your best to suck up to Cece and Royal?” she added as she walked toward me. I didn’t move as she got in my personal space and reached around me for a pie server. “Excuse my reach.” She withdrew, tool in hand, and walked back to the table.

“Just making sure Rhett gets fed during recovery.” I leaned against the sink with my arms crossed. We briefly made eye contact as she made the first incision. It was silent as she put monstrous portions on each plate.

“Oh!” Maria feigned surprise as she looked at the empty tin. “I wasn't expecting you to be here.” She loaded pie plates on her arms and disappeared into the dining room.

Maria came back and grabbed the final plate. “If there is any left, you can have my sloppy seconds.” She winked and turned to head into the dining room.

As she spun around, there was Cecilia. Before she knew what hit her, she was covered in pie. “My goodness, Maria!” Cecilia looked her up and down, and then motioned for me to pass a kitchen towel. In no rush, I tossed one in their direction.

Cecilia fussed over Maria and tried to clean her up but really just smeared it more into her shirt. “Well, looks like you have to settle for crumbs!” Cecilia added as she dropped some pie bits into the waste bin.

Maria’s eyes narrowed as she looked between us. “I said I wasn’t going to stay long, and this feels like a sign that I really should get going.”

“I’m sure we’ll see you next time we’re at the bank!” Cecilia ushered her out. While she was herding Maria to the door, I found the broom and finished cleaning.

Cecilia came back as I was emptying the dust pan. When I turned around there were two plates of pie on the table. “She practically served that pie in quarters.”

“Thank you,” I said as I came toward the table.

“Finding the snakes in the garden can be tough,” she responded and handed me a plate. “You can call me Cece.”

“Ok, Cece.” I tested it out as we made our way to the dining room. Rhett pulled my chair close to his as I sat down. Cecilia watched us as she folded her napkin on her lap.

She cast an unnoticed glance at my hand as we ate—a reminder to make sure he knew where she kept his maternal grandmother’s wedding band so he could get it resized when he was ready.

Royal ran his finger along Cece’s, pulling her back to the present moment. Her mind ran from wedding rings to homesteads. Then she had a moment where she thought about having two daughters-in-law. “Please don’t let me lose her,” she whispered under her breath.

With that favor, she returned her attention to those around the table.

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Tagging a few friends I've seen interact with Rhett content: @cherrycola27 @roosterforme @beyondthesefourwalls @mak-32 @attapullman @withahappyrefrain @sunlightmurdock @ereardon @bobfloydsbabe @sebsxphia

#rhett abbott #outer ranger #rhett abbott x reader #religion #need a favor #jelly roll #Spotify

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ohdorothea · 1 month ago

Text

This tournament is being run by and for queer fans so please keep that in mind! Homophobes will be blocked on sight <3 More polls here and more info here! Lyrics for the songs and FAQ under the cut!

Mine lyrics

You were in college working part-time waiting tables

Left a small town, and never looked back

I was a flight risk with a fear of falling

Wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts

I say, "Can you believe it?"

As we're lying on the couch

The moment I could see it

Yes, yes, I can see it now

Do you remember, we were sitting there by the water?

You put your arm around me for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Flash forward and we're taking on the world together

And there's a drawer of my things at your place

You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded

You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes

But we got bills to pay

We got nothing figured out

When it was hard to take

Yes, yes, this is what I thought about

Do you remember, we were sitting there by the water?

You put your arm around me for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Do you remember all the city lights on the water?

You saw me start to believe for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

And I remember that fight

Two-thirty AM

As everything was slipping right out of our hands

I ran out crying and you followed me out into the street

Braced myself for the "Goodbye"

'Cause that's all I've ever known

Then you took me by surprise

You said, "I'll never leave you alone."

You said, "I remember how we felt sitting by the water

And every time I look at you, it's like the first time

I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter

She is the best thing that's ever been mine."

Hold on, make it last

Hold on, never turn back

(Hold on)

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

(Hold on)

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

(Hold on)

Yeah, yeah

Do you believe it?

(Hold on)

We're gonna make it now

(Hold on)

And I can see it

(Yes, yes)

I can see it now (see it now, see it now)

🫶🫶🫶

Ours lyrics

Elevator buttons and morning air

Strangers' silence makes me want to take the stairs

If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares

But right now, my time is theirs

Seems like there's always someone who disapproves

They'll judge it like they know about me and you

And the verdict comes from those with nothing else to do

The jury's out, but my choice is you

So don't you worry your pretty little mind

People throw rocks at things that shine

And life makes love look hard

The stakes are high, the water's rough

But this love is ours

You never know what people have up their sleeves

Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me

Lurking in the shadows with their lip gloss smiles

But I don't care, 'cause right now, you're mine

And you'll say

Don't you worry your pretty little mind

People throw rocks at things that shine

And life makes love look hard

The stakes are high, the water's rough

But this love is ours

And it's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong and

Your hands are tough, but they are where mine belong and

I'll fight their doubt and give you faith with this song for you

'Cause I love the gap between your teeth

And I love the riddles that you speak

And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos

Will be ignored, 'cause my heart is yours

So don't you worry your pretty little mind

People throw rocks at things that shine

And life makes love look hard

Don't you worry your pretty little mind

People throw rocks at things that shine

But they can't take what's ours

They can't take what's ours

The stakes are high, the water's rough

But this love is ours

🫶🫶🫶

The question is which song is queerer to you! Queerer can mean whatever you want it to mean; you might consider a song queer because you think it was written that way, or because of Swiftian lore. It might be queer to you because of how you relate it to your own life. Maybe you think from a purely literary standpoint the lyrics have queer themes; maybe you're just thinking about vibes!!!

#tsqst

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hawkinsindiana · 1 year ago

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here's 5.1k of the first time you see steve cry, some absolutely delicious hurt/comfort courtesy of madame @stevebabey and myself >:) PLS ENJOY

canon to almost paradise, pre s3

—

steve doesn’t know what to do.

his quads are starting to burn; he’s been crouched outside your window for the past couple minutes, but there’s no sign of you. not physically at least — he can hear the faint thump of some pop song echoing through the radio and an open notebook on your desk. you were here.

he should’ve just called. this is stupid. you could be gone for another ten minutes, maybe you’re not even home anymore. he’s drumming his fingers against the sill, praying that none of your neighbors see him as he debates whether to leave or stay. he wants to stay. he needs to see you.

thirty seconds pass before steve spots movement from inside — you enter your room with a cookie wedged between your teeth and another three clasped in your hand. steve can’t help but smile; it’s ridiculous how fond he is of you.

fond… that word doesn’t feel large enough to hold all his feelings for you, but the obvious one seems too damning—

the thought ends abruptly; the treat in your mouth helps to muffle a panicked yelp as you spot steve perched on the other side of your window. steve grimaces even though you’re beginning to laugh and you eat the entire cookie in one bite. he mouths a ‘sorry’ as you start to stride over, setting the other desserts onto your desk before lifting the window up. a burst of chilled, early march air sends a shiver down your spine. you still have crumbs on your lip.

but your smile is wide as you greet him, your posture awkwardly bent over so you can address him eye to eye, “we have to come up with a better system than this. you end up scaring me like… seven times out of ten.”

your teasing warms steve in a way that makes him never want to leave your side. he thinks you’d let him stay there, too.

before steve gets a chance to reply, you’re offering him one of your cookies. it looks like something that your mother made and knowing claudia henderson, he’s pretty confident that means it’s extra sweet.

“want one?”

your voice is just above a whisper, a quiet tone that won’t be overheard by the others inside. given his fragile mental state, steve has to resist withdrawing from your affection. the thoughts in the back of his mind are screaming at him; you’re so happy to love him and share your dessert, meanwhile you’re stuck with him — someone who can’t think about saying that word to you without feeling nauseous. not because of you, but because of what could come after.

maybe some part of what his father said has some truth to it.

but despite all of that, steve still can’t say no to you. he swallows his emotions as he takes your offering with a gracious smile — your eyes sparkle just a little bit more.

“you know i could never turn down a mrs. henderson special,” steve says with his classic charm. he sinks his teeth into the doughy cookie and nearly groans aloud; it’s still warm. this batch must be fresh. steve feels a pang in his chest thinking of your home, lively and bustling — someone’s baking, someone’s studying, music and noise in every room. it’s so starkly different from where he’s just come from.

the sweetness on his tongue isn’t enough to distract him completely from the reason he’s here, his heart desperately seeking you out. you push your window up a little more, just high enough so steve can climb through and he shoves the cookie in his mouth. bracing his hands on the sill to hoist himself up and over, he lands with a loud thump.

“shhh,” you hush, even though you still have that entirely enamored smile on. it’s impossible not to feel a little gooey whenever he does these things, no matter how much you try to contain yourself. your boyfriend sneaking through your window is just so normal and, embarrassingly, something you thought you might never get.

you smother down a laugh at steve’s crouched position, pausing like his quietness will make up for his previous landing. when there’s no reaction, he straightens and dusts off his jacket before eating the rest of the cookie.

“oh my god,” he says, or tries to. it comes out muffled as he chews. he swallows, taking a second to run his hand through his hair before he properly turns to you, “thank god for your mom’s baking, honestly.”

you agree with a quiet hum as your smile grows more smitten. you weren’t expecting to spend any time with him tonight, much to your dismay, so this is a very welcome surprise. cupping steve’s face in between your palms, you take a moment to greet him with a kiss that he graciously returns. the chill that had seeped into his skin is quickly banished with your touch; his ears flush a bright red at how sweet and effortless your affection is. he’s so glad he came to see you.

“hey,” steve mumbles when you pull away, your eyes twinkling upon seeing his blush.

“hey yourself,” you reply, feeling your own face heat up.

you take a couple steps backwards until your thighs hit the edge of your mattress. as you sit down, you continue playfully, “so… what did i do to deserve a visit?”

it’s an easy way to ask. not that steve ever really needs a reason to come see you — you’re that sweet on each other. but something churns uncomfortably in your gut; steve’s not the type of guy to show up without a phone call first. with your words, steve’s face darkens and it’s definitely not the last time you’re going to be disappointed about being right.

it’s now that you realize how he’s dressed. a crisp white collared shirt sits beneath his jacket and a pair of dark slacks hang from his hips. he’s forgone his usual sneakers for some dress shoes. as far as you know, he didn’t have anything this fancy after tonight’s basketball practice. your brow shifts into a minuscule furrow, small enough that it goes unnoticed — so where was he?

steve clears his throat, shoving away the tightness that formed with your question, “my, uh, my dad’s back in town.”

“that’s a surprise,” you say, shifting on top of the comforter, “i thought he wasn’t coming back until next month.”

steve doesn’t speak, but instead acknowledges the similar confusion he had felt with an annoyed expression. you cross your ankles, “and your mom?”

biting his lip, your boyfriend shakes his head.

oh.

steve’s father is not known for being an overwhelmingly caring parent, but rather on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. he’s extremely authoritarian and blunt, with a healthy scoop of entitlement on the side. while you’ve only met him a handful of times, that man has always left you with an aching feeling inside your chest and a wrinkle between your brow; you can’t imagine how steve feels. and considering his mother isn’t here, you know his father’s abrasiveness will be ten times worse, not that her presence has ever stopped him before.

you pray that steve’s night went better than expected, but you can already tell that thought is in vain. there’s a defeated look in his eyes and a familiar weariness in his posture. he looks lost.

like a flashlight in the dark, you extend your hands out to him, beckoning steve to come closer still. he slides his palms into yours almost instantaneously, as if waiting another second would’ve been too difficult for him to bear. he swears the place where your skin meets glows like the evening sun, golden and overwhelmingly warm — a feeling that grows as you gently guide him to your bed. you offer a small and comforting smile as the mattress dips under his added weight; he keeps one of your hands in his.

steve knows you don’t expect him to say anything — he could sit here in silence and you’d gladly indulge him. but he decides that’s not the reason why he came here.

“he was in a rush when i got home. he made dinner reservations for tonight and barely got here in time after his flight,” steve begins, regretfully pulling his eyes from you to focus blankly on the floor, “think i had maybe ten minutes to shower and get dressed.”

he sighs, dragging his hand down his face as he tries to focus on your warmth beside him, “he was just… worse. angrier, louder, more…”

he pauses to try and think of another word to describe his father’s demeanor but finds himself distracted by your grip on his hand, soft yet firm. constant. he gives up, moving his free hand through the air in a dejected motion but you understand perfectly — more of everything.

you tut softly, using your fingers to brush some hair behind his ear before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“i’m sorry, steve,” you pout, “that sounds awful.”

steve hums a thank you, relishing in the combination of your touch and soft words. having you in his life has made such a difference; it’s hard to imagine what it’d be like without you. the loneliness he would feel… he can barely comprehend it.

you know steve well. there’s a restrained rage that hides just underneath his skin. he’s not telling you everything.

“how…” you trip over your words a little as your fury begins to build. not because of him, but because of how insistent steve’s father is with being cruel. he’s the one who taught steve to doubt himself. it makes you blood boil to think the fire may’ve been stoked tonight.

“how was it? did he say something to you?”

there it is again — the tickle in the back of steve’s throat that he can’t seem to get rid of no matter how hard he tries. it grows after hearing the concern in your tone, the anger on his behalf. he nods once, voice far weaker and wobblier than he would like, “yeah.”

the word sinks into your chest, a deep claw right between your ribs. it aches, all from the way he says it. you’ve seen steve upset before but this… this is something bigger than that. this is a deep wound, one that isn’t easily healed.

but you’re willing to try. you’ll do anything to help him.

giving your palm a quick squeeze, steve reaches for his collar with his free hand as he tries to get his thoughts in order. it’s something you’ve seen him do a thousand times when he’s growing uncomfortable or upset — fiddling with the neckline to give him space to breathe. but it’s only when he tugs on something else do you notice he’s also wearing a tie.

it’s twisted and messy and you wonder if he’s been yanking on it all night. as he tries to work the fabric free, it’s fruitless, his rough motions only succeeding in rubbing the fabric cruelly against his neck. steve grows more frustrated every second, his voice low, “god, fuck—this stupid thing, fuck—”

“hey, hey. here, let me help,” you interrupt, grabbing his wrist to rescue himself from his futile efforts. he’s far too worked up and his fussing is only tightening the knot. steve huffs loudly and surrenders, emotions still running too high and you guide his hand away.

his focus turns to you and steve visibly softens, his shoulders slumping enough that he shrinks a whole inch. he blinks rapidly, his eyes turning away from you again; you decide to focus on the tie.

it’s twisted up, you realize, because it hasn’t been tied properly in the first place. steve knows how to knot a tie — you’d seen him do it many times before. you ignore the worry this fills you with and steel yourself. it’s a fickle thing but you manage, pulling at the tie until the knot finally comes free. the fabric slithers down his chest and you follow it with your palm, a soothing touch.

when your eyes drift back up to his pout, you watch as a single tear falls onto the swell of his cheek. your hand reaches for his face before he gets a chance to move; the tear is quickly removed by the pad of your thumb without a second thought. steve bows his head, hoping to obscure some of this emotion from you, but you won’t let him. you shift as well, eyes desperately searching his face.

“what happened?” you whisper, a gentle coax to see if he wants to talk. if he shakes his head, you’ll leave it. your heart aches profusely as you watch a deep sadness work its way across his face but worst of all, you can tell he’s holding back. it’s almost like he can’t bear to look at you, as if seeing the worry in your expression would push him over the edge. you care about him so much it’s nearly overwhelming; steve can’t remember a time when he mattered this much to someone — where even the hint of a cry was met with an outpouring of love.

you return your hand to his, squeezing gently. your voice is so soft he can barely hear it, “it’s okay, steve. you can— you know i won’t…”

you drift off, struggling to find the most eloquent words. how do you tell your boyfriend he can cry around you without having to actually tell him that?

you swallow the lump in your throat and move your eyes to his hair, taking your fingers and running them through the brunette strands. suddenly, you feel quite nervous yourself.

“i’m still gonna love you.”

a whimper slips out of his throat.

a noise has never broken you so quickly. instantly, you’re kicking your feet up onto the bed to lean into him properly, winding an arm around him and resting your head on his shoulder.

as another tear falls, it seems like it’s followed by hundreds. years of anger and complicated emotions come pouring out into steve’s hands, his face buried in his palms. the only thing you can think to do is sit here and let him cry, a comforting touch placed on both his back and his thigh, reminding him that you’re still here with him. you’re not planning on going anywhere.

“he always says the same stuff so i’m used to it now,” he finally says, pulling his hands away from his face to see his skin wet and stained with tears. he shakes his head in disbelief, relishing in the feeling your warmth brings beside him, until it reminds him of something else. with a clenched jaw, he sniffles, completely defeated, “it’s the shit he said about you that just… pushed it over the edge. i mean—”

steve manages a small laugh, “it’s you. how… how could i not let that get to me? you’re everything and i—”

you try not to let his words affect you but there’s no helping the ripple that shudders across your face, a whirlwind of the worst of your ugly emotions. inside you, there’s a part that wonders constantly about just how much trouble you’re worth — first it was billy and all the shit he’s brought with him, and now steve’s father. you’re ashamed how strongly you feel that perhaps steve would be better off without you, no matter how much he swears it’s worth it, which he does even now as he sobs in your bedroom. the common theme of you, ill-fitted to be in his life, is beginning to wear down on your soul. tonight, it chafes particularly meanly.

but you’re tough. this moment isn’t about you. inhaling sharply, you swallow and it feels like it’s full of nails — the lump instantly regrows when you notice steve stopped speaking and watched your reaction closely. his wet eyes grow mistier and misery seeps into his face, a choked noise forcing its way up his throat. steve smothers it into his hand.

“i’m sorry,” he croaks.

your heart weeps. what is he sorry for? the hand on his back sweeps up, a gentle touch on his head. you brush back his hair, thumbing softly beneath his eyes to brush away the stray tears.

“what’re you apologizing for?” you say low and soft, willing away the wobble in your voice as steve searches your face almost desperately. his eyes look lost. his curled form resembles a child, awoken from a cruel night terror. you ache to help him, to ease the burden.

“s’not your fault,” you assure him in a whisper, pressing closer. your words have the opposite effect, worry hiking a mile high when steve crumbles again — he sags, burying his face in the curve of your neck.

“i’m sorry, i— i’m so sorry,” his words come out all hiccup-y, his breathing too fast and ragged. your arms are around him in an instant, grounding and safe as you pull him in closer. your chin rests on top of his head. steve’s arms shift, wrapping around your middle desperately — his fingers grip tight like you might slip away if he loosened his hold for even a moment. twisted together, steve cries and cries, an endless stream of apologies. you refuse to let it deter you; one hand settles on the back of his head, soothing the hair on the nape of his neck. the other rubs up and down his back, all while you murmur soft assurances for him to hear.

“s’okay, you’re okay,” you say over and over again, working diligently to sooth him, “i’m here, it’s okay.”

steve wishes he knew what he was apologizing for, but part of him understands he’s saying sorry for everything. i’m sorry for mentioning my father finds pleasure in despising you, the only thing that’s ever brought me true happiness. i’m sorry for arriving unannounced. i’m sorry i can’t say ‘i love you’ yet. for the rumors. for your nightmares. for being less than you deserve. for everything we’ve been through together. all of it — a culmination.

several minutes pass before steve’s breathing reaches a regular rhythm and the tears stop all together. his grip on you relaxes over time, slowly understanding that you stayed despite his outburst; his fingers unfurl from the fabric of your shirt. steve sniffles once more, now noticing how tear-stained your clothes have become — more guilt climbs up his throat. it never comes to fruition; instead, he finds himself focusing on the soothing pressure of your touch. the feeling melts away. you shift to press a kiss into the crown of his head. with your nose still buried in his hair, you speak.

“stay here tonight. please.”

your hold on him tightens a bit more, your eyes watering as you think of him returning to his father and away from any comfort you can bring him, “i don’t want you going back there. not tonight.”

somehow, steve manages to burrow deeper into your skin, his arms around you squeezing comfortably. more light blooms in him as the intention behind your words trickles down into his heart — you are his home now. he nods weakly, swallowing the pain for another time. right now, he simply feels like resting in your embrace.

“okay.”

“yeah?” you ask, slowly beginning to unfurl yourself from him; you want to see his face. with a bit of coaxing, you gently guide his head away from his hiding place and smile softly, wiping the leftover tears from his cheeks. upon seeing the care for him in your eyes, he can’t help but confirm, his hands smoothing down along your back in appreciation.

“yeah.”

he's beautiful, even when he's a mess. the tip of his nose is a ruddy red and it's running terribly. tears cling to his eyelashes, sparkling beneath the low-light lamp of your room. you press a quick kiss to his temple, same as you've done a thousand times before, and lean backward. your touch never leaves him as you locate your tissue box, steve sniffling loudly as you grab a dozen.

in an attempt to either make him smile or feel extra loved, you hold one in front of his nose and say, "blow?"

"gimme those," steve guffaws, his free hand coming up to snatch them from your grip. he blows his nose and it toots noisily like a trumpet, making you laugh. he sounds a bit nasally when he speaks again, his eyes fond as he looks at you.

"can blow my own nose, thank you."

you nod with a soft hum just to tease him. he blows his nose once again, clearing it all out and takes the other tissues when you offer them, scrubbing at his waterlogged face. he smiles gratefully at you and then heaves a great big sigh, shoulders rising and falling, before he slumps backwards to lie back on your bed.

"who knew crying was so exhausting?" he mumbles, the question meant more to himself.

you scoop up one of his feet and plant it in your lap, beginning to undo his laces. you can’t say you like his fancy shoes.

"i did," you jibe back. you poke his ankle, aiming for one of his moles, "why'd you think i'm always napping in your arms after i bawl my eyes out?"

steve watches your hands, sliding his shoe off and moving onto the other dutifully. you're making him more comfortable and you do it without even being asked. another wave of tears threatens him again because you love him like it's easy — steve has spent most of his life being told the exact opposite.

"thought that was more to do with my, y’know, rugged arms than the crying part..." he admits jokingly, thankful when it makes you giggle a bit. you shrug, faking indifference but it earns you a smile.

after you finish taking off his other shoe, you place his feet down so you can crawl up to him. you stop and settle with your chin on his chest and steve has to put a hand behind his head to prop himself up to properly see you. you're quietly in thought, staring at him intensely. steve feels his heart quiver — you're awfully good at reading him. at seeing him and knowing him.

"d'you wanna talk about it? what… what he said?" your words come out soft again, low as a whisper, even though it's just the two of you here.

another sigh leaves steve, your head on his chest moving with the exhale. he glances up to the ceiling as he contemplates whether or not he wants to continue this conversation. upon meeting your eyes, he knows you'll do nothing but listen. his free hand drops to your arm, fingers lovingly curling around your bicep.

"it was mostly the same shit, like i said," steve shrugs in both acceptance and defeat, "so usually i can just stay quiet. it doesn't get to me as much if i don't try to fight it, y'know?"

you hum softly in understanding, gaze still locked on his expression as he pauses to nibble on his bottom lip.

"except this time, he uh..." steve expels another deep breath as he thinks back on what was said and his reaction. he scoffs, "well, he's definitely figured out what we are, that's for sure."

he ends his sentence with a slight laugh and a squeeze to your muscle. adorably, you grin and roll your head to the side; steve swears he can feel you blush with your cheek pressed to his chest.

"that's one less person we gotta tell i guess."

steve chuckles and you do too, both of you happy to find some humor in this god awful circumstance. but the joy is short-lived as he recalls the dinner; the delight in his father's eyes at finally finding his son's breaking point, how steve's food grew cold as his appetite quickly left him. he could eat another ten of your mom's cookies. then the familiar anger begins to bubble up again — he clenches down on his teeth.

"i could've punched him, baby. i... fuck, i should've," he mutters, his head shaking slightly in disbelief, remembering the absolute fury that controlled him in those tense moments. it's just like it was that night at the byers — maybe worse than that, if it’s even possible.

first, there was a comment about how you’re his only friend now. it was said with such a disgusted tone that steve had to take offense — his father made it sound like befriending you was somehow affecting his reputation. apparently the henderson name doesn’t carry enough weight around town, and what it does carry isn’t something the harringtons should be associated with. as if it matters to steve — he’d rather be accepted by your family than anyone else in this stupid town.

but as steve finally fought back to defend you, it became clear what steve’s true feelings for you entail. he’s never defended anyone from his father’s wrath.

halfway through you being compared to nancy wheeler — “now she comes from a good american family” — steve realized that his father knows.

he’s not sure who told him or how much he heard, but it hit steve harder than billy’s punch did. one little comment about your ‘promiscuity’ was all he needed to confirm the suspicion. it took every ounce of willpower steve had in him to not choke out his father with the tablecloth.

something steve's learning is the intense grip you have on his emotions — both the positive and negative ones. he's sure that's not entirely healthy but he could care less. he never wants that passion for you to disappear.

steve continues, "and yeah, yeah, i know he's just trying to get a rise outta me but jesus christ..."

silence follows as he trails off, refusing to tell you any more. you don’t deserve to hear any of that repeated. you're still studying steve, eyes drifting along the slopes of his face to catch any sign of another tear. thankfully, he seems fairly composed this time around — frustration taking the place of his sadness. but when he meets your gaze again, it softens back into gratitude and affection. neither of you are able to look away.

steve's hand moves up to your face, his fingers deftly tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear; his voice is overflowing with fondness, "pretty sure you're my carbonite."

you, however, do not react as he expected. your face instantly wrinkles in confusion, propping yourself up as you try to decipher what he means. some mixture of a scoff and a laugh leaves your lips as you realize what he meant. he's lucky you find it endearing.

"steve, it's kryptonite, not carbonite."

"that's the same word."

you giggle again, “no it’s not—”

“they end with the same sound, it’s close enough,” steve bickers back, “besides, you understood what i said anyways.”

a sigh leaves your lips as you meet his eyes, your cheeks aching from how wide your grin is, “i did, but how about i be the one who makes the nerdy references in this relationship.”

steve raises his hands, “hey, you’re not gonna hear me complain’.”

another laugh from you. steve’s expression shifts back to one of affection, “i mean it though, y’know. you have this… hold on me that i’m still trying to figure out. it’s crazy. you know any non-nerdy words to describe that?”

you hum and nod, your smile wistful. your chest tightens.

“yeah, i think i do.”

the look in your eyes gives away the answer. steve swallows — his mouth suddenly feels extremely dry.

to combat any awkwardness before it begins, you immediately get up to grab the other cookies you’d forgotten about. you share them between you, careful not to get too many crumbs on your bed. while steve dutifully watches, you take another twenty minutes to finish your physics homework before you begin your typical bedtime routine.

coming back after your shower to see your boyfriend shirtless and comfortable beneath your blankets is not a sight you will be forgetting anytime soon. as you crawl into bed with him, it takes a ridiculous amount of self control not to stare at the thatch of chest hair that’s been growing over the past couple months. he’s so warm and has a pink tint in his cheeks that makes you swoon; you decide that he looks positively adorable.

as you settle in beside him after adjusting the pillows and turning out the light, you can’t help but pick at his thoughts.

“you gonna be okay?”

steve nods, his hair mussing against the pillow, “yeah, i don’t give a shit about what he says.”

now that his emotions are back to their regular balance, he’s much more indifferent. he can see it clearly and understands that none of it is his fault. there’s nothing steve can do to prevent how his father feels; that isn’t a burden he needs to carry.

he shifts beneath the covers, his leg finding yours. your feet are chilly. he smiles as he reaches out for you, tucking one of his arms beneath the pillows so he can pull you in closer. steve curls the other around your torso, his palm laying flat against your back while you tangle your legs together. it’s awfully snug and you’re sure he can feel your heart pounding.

“i’ll be alright as long as i have you,” he mumbles, taking a moment to let his eyes gently rove over your face. you force yourself to hold back your smile so you don’t look like a total dork, but it’s awfully difficult. you figure you probably look positively in-love regardless.

“well, it’s a good thing i’m not planning on going anywhere, hm?”

steve seals the sentiment with a kiss — the best way he knows to ensure you’re confident that he feels the same. he lets the tips of your noses touch after pulling away and brings his palm up to your face. his eyes are almost jet black in the dark; only a sliver of chocolate brown remains, thanks to the streetlight outside your window.

“thank you,” he whispers, “for everything.”

your body heats up from both his touch and his words. it’s almost too much for you to handle. but you answer him all the same and with a genuine smile, “of course. any time.”

with a final kiss to your forehead, steve properly cuddles you in close to him, his nose buried into your hair. as you curl your arm around him, inhaling the scent of his cologne, rest finds you both soon after.

#i had the best day of my life seeing taylor swift and then i immediately was like hey ruby i wanna make steve cry wanna join in?#and she said yes :)#ANYWAYS I HOPE THOSE OF YOU THAT VOTED FOR THIS LIKED IT OKAY ILY!!!!!!#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x henderson!reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington fanfiction #stranger things fanfiction #almost paradise #almost paradise blurbs

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