#I had the SUDDEN URGE to make a ship mood board like i used to back in the day and since jowi is my main ship on this blog

[hxpelessnurse]

"Remember the sound that could wake the dead? But nobody woke up at all. Somebody died for this Somebody died for Just One Kiss..."

S1lver-Bullet Hxpelessnurse Jowi Tycho && Mikan Tsumiki Indie MHA OC Indie Canon SDR2 Rules Rules

[thefandomdirtymind]

I would love to see a story where reader and sanji were dating until he left to go with the straw hat pirates and a year or two passes and they meet again but reader seems more interested in zoro and so we get some jealous sanji but reader still loves sanji and so they make up 🗣️🗣️

A/N IMPORTANT:  First of all Thank you for your request anon, second i'm so sorry it take me so long ! Due to my job schedule I have only few time to write and my request list was kinda long. So thank you also for the wait. I have fun with the drama and jealousy in this one as well at throwing some Zoro and Sanji Fan Service. I hope you will like it !

You left me

OPLA - Sanji

Sanji / OPLA Masterlist and Coming Soon

* English is not my first language, I tried really hard to correct myself but, I hope you will excuse me if some mistakes are still there.

-----

The morning air, that day, was fresh and crisp.The perfect day for sailing. As you were watching by the second floor window, you saw Sanji, a foot on the boarding plank, looking behind, clearly searching for something or someone in the small crowd of the Baratie employer. But he will not find you there, he made a choice and you did yours.

“...You said yesterday that you were not leaving…that Zeff needed you, that it was where we are...” You said, watching him throw his clothes in his travel bag. 

“Well the old man seems to say he doesn't want me here anymore he wants me to go” Sanji harshly replied, the argument with his mentor still burning.

“And what’s that mean for me…for us” You enquire, afraid to already know the answer. 

“ Come with me, think of all the things we will see and live together!” He simply replied, small hope coloring his voice. 

“Becoming a pirate? I can’t Sanji…My parents need that money to take back the bakery, I need that money “ You protest, guilt, anxiety and sadness starting twisting your guts. 

“ Y/N we are talking about finding the All Blue!” Sanji replied, putting the last items in his bags.  

“ Yes, your dream is important, but us, our future, were all you told me were empty promises? “ You asked, seeing that said future of running the Baratie side by side, getting old together and love each others more and more crumble before your eyes. 

“ No but Zeff is right, staying here will not help me find the All Blue…” The tall blond says, defeat, seeing himself the realization of the inevitable situation rolling up in front of his eyes. 

“Then leave” You whispered, shock slowly flooding your system. 

“Y/N” He pleaded, trying sadly to reach for you. 

“ Leave !  “You suddenly shout, taking him by surprise. 

It was still only after he had closed the door behind him that you let yourself fall on your knees, crying, as your broken heart seemed to be aspired to by an black hole.  

You knew that things could have been taken differently, should have taken at least a more compromise turn. But everything had been so sudden and you had become so quickly frustrated that he didn’t understand the situation he was putting you in, that you didn’t want to try to be rational, he had chosen adventure and a mystical part of the ocean full of fishes, you had chosen your family. Still, as you watched him disappear in that ship, you couldn’t stop the burning tears from running down your cheeks. 

Two years later 

Sanji almost wished he had stayed on the ship. The atmosphere in the tavern was too loud for his current mood, the drink either not cold enough to be enjoyable or badly mixed and the food was so blank he had to fight the urge to enter the kitchen and throw the faulty chef out. But, Luffy had insisted on going out with everyone and nobody could resist their idiot but joyful captain.

That part of the year was always kinda bittersweet for him. Even with all the happy or more hard events that had followed his departure from the famous floating restaurant. The best cook of the east blue couldn’t help himself from missing his old man, keeping as a reminder, a small jar of oregano at his eye level in his kitchen. But it was you that he was missing the most, your tender eyes on him as he was talking about a new recipe, your humor finding a way to make him laugh or smile, your lips soft under his, your body warm and fitting perfectly between his arms. 

The guilt of your last conversation had frequently haunt him, during those years, your eyes full of tears, a recurrent memory of how badly he had handled the delicate situation. With time, the culpability had little by little given him some rest as the realization that it had been indeed one of those impossible cases nobody could have gone out without dommage. Yet, you were still a souvenir tormenting his heart he didn’t feel the need to share with his crew members. 

“ Nami, how far are we from the next group of islands?” Zoro asked, coming back from the bar, new bottles of alcohol in his hands. 

“ Few days, maybe a week, why ?” The navigator answered, trying to see behind the tall form of the swordsman. 

“ I would ask for a temporary place on your ship if it’s possible” A feminine voice answered, making Sanji lift his head and knock down his glass, spilling the mediocre liquor across the table,surprising everyone. 

If the tall blond was honest with himself, he would admit that for the most part of the first year, he had searched for you in every crowd he had crossed, stupidly hoping that you had a change of heart and had finally decided to go with him. But everytime he had believed seeing you, he had ended up with some cruel deception.

However, this time, he couldn’t make a mistake.Standing at the side of Zoro, in an elegant but simple dress he never saw, your hair pinned in a way Zeff would never admit in the kitchen, you were absolutely stunning and real. As real as your surprise but shock, gaze on him. 

“ I found her talking to the barman about a way to travel to the next water, I thought of catching her before Luffy somehow tried to recruit her.” The green haired man said, letting you sit before taking himself a seat.  

“ Y/N.. ? “ Sanji asked, himself shocked to see you in front of him, so far from the restaurant.

“ Do you already know each other ? “ Usopp asked, his eyes traveling between you and the cook, clearly reading with Nami a tension the others didn’t already catch. 

“ Hello Sanji. Yes, we had worked together at the Baratie under Zeff command “ You replied, trying to avoid his hypnotizing blue eyes, cursing the universe for reuniting you. 

“ What, what are you doing here ? “ Sanji asked, cleaning the table with a rag a waitress had brought. 

Looking at the straw hat crew, somehow embarrassed to be so suddenly the center of attention, you adjust your dress, preparing yourself ,like if you doing a difficult task, to answer Sanji, trying to raise as far as you can the barrier around your heart. 

“ Well, my parents died so I had to get back home for the funeral yesterday. “ You replied. 

A vague sympathy and condolences enveloped you as you tried to not again be submerged by the emotions of the devastating event. You casually start to play with the discarded paper of a straw. 

“So you will take back the bakery “ The blond asked, wondering why you weren't already there instead of trying to buy yourself a passage for some island. 

“ I sadly have nothing to take back, the bakery was the cause of my parents death. A fire had caught in the middle of the night, they didn’t wake up in time. The neighbors tried to help but it was too late. “ You confess, taking a deep breath as the hand of Sanji advances to press your hand in sign of reconfort. 

But, it was the hand of the swordsman giving you one of his beers who reached you first, before tapping uncomfortably your shoulder in an essay of recomfort. As you gave a look to Sanji, his hand still half-way, you realize that you never saw  what seemed like blue flame in his eyes before.

Offering a thank you smile to the clearly well-intentioned but more reserved man, noticing for the second time of the night that he too, has some really fine features. You face every member of the crew. 

“ I can pay for my transport, name me the amount of Berries and it’s yours. So, will you accept me on board ? “ You asked as Luffy exploded in an exclamation of joy despite his already mouth full of food and Nami’s smile enlarge at the mention of Berries.

—

His hands gripping the rope, showing the strong muscles of his forearms while sweat was sticking on his naked back and torso . Zoro was keeping at a comfortable height one of the heavy stabilizers, letting Usopp do his carpenter magic, while you were sitting with Nami, in one of the chairs in the upper deck, clearly enjoying the show. 

Well, at least of what Sanji could see. He was as well on the lower deck, trying to avoid the many discard tools while collecting fresh tangerine for one of his dessert idea, ideas who had recently start flowing again since your two path have cross again Yet, even if his hands could blindly and with ease found the perfectly ripe tangerine, his gaze alway seem to linger to you, drooling on that moron of a mosshead.

Like if it wasn’t enough of a torture for him to having you so close but at the same time so far, since you was barely talk to him except for the polite minimum. He had now to watch you fall for a pile of muscle with no brain, who already thought he was better in combat than him. No, he couldn’t tolerate it. For four days, he had already endured enough of your smiles toward him, or your genius question about his show off three swords and the sweet way you had answered his observation about your knife technique. For god sake, Sanji was the one who had shown you and helped you perfect that skill, he should have been the one complimenting you about it. His blood boiling in his veins at the thought, pulling too harshly a very ripe fruit, he felt it crush in his hand, staining his shirt with the sugary juices. 

“ Merde! “ The cook exclaimed, extending his arm to avoid spilling more of the citrus liquid on himself. * Shit

Abandoning the basket behind, his mind full of french curses addressed to the damn swordsman, who clearly wasn’t aware of the ultimate luck he has to have caught your attention, Sanji slammed the door of the kitchen behind him, letting go of the smashed fruit in a small bowl before discarding his now dirty shirt.

“ Oh…sorry you had forgotten your basket...I just wanted to...” You said, stopping in your tracks as your eyes fell on his shirtless frame.

It wasn’t the first time you saw the bare chest of Sanji. In fact, you had often joked that you knew his form so well that you could easily draw a map of his naked torso with your eyes closed. However, as you admired the sun highlighting new muscle lines on his shoulder and chest, you couldn’t deny that the life at sea had given him some benefit and had turned your previous mental map of him almost useless. Trying to keep your head cold and not ruin four days of hard effort in the salt water, you bite your lips and gently put the basket on the kitchen island. 

“ See you later “ You simply said, counting your breath, adding mentally some bricks to the crumbling fence around your heart. 

“ What’s the rush, it’s not like you didn’t already see me like that. Or the spectacle of Moss head outside is more memorable. “ Sanji bitterly said, holding his shirt in his fist, mouth half open in a sarcastic smirk.  

“ What are you talking about ? “ You asked, confused. 

“ I’m talking about you and Zoro. Look I get it, I left you behind to accomplish my dream to find the All Blue and you have all the right to resent me for it. But, that man didn’t deserve even half of the perfection that you are.” He said, frustration blooming in his chest. “ I see you for days now trying to flirt with him, look at him with your beautiful eyes like if he was your favorite pastry. I know him for two years mon coeur, and I swear it he isn't made for you “ 

“ And you are ? “ You asked, old anger slowly rising to the surface.

You knew, after two years, that the situation of your break up was meant to happen. But the pain of being abandoned by who you thought was the love of your life, was still an open wound you had hoped would close with time. 

“ You know that I am, but you still drool with Nami on that imbecile !” He exclaimed, throwing his shirt on the counter.

“ Drooling ?!…I was talking to Nami about our last relationship ! We were looking at you ! “ You shout. “ You have left me alone for the last two years in a restaurant haunted by our memories ! “ 

“ And I regret it everyday ! I was haunted too !  I saw you everywhere, smelled the ghost of your perfume on my skin, and heard you call my name every time I was trying to move on and talk to another girl. You were there without being there ! I missed you so much“ He replied, tears filling his eyes as your heart arches in front of his now vulnerable state. 

You had tried to keep your heart safe from him. But at the minute your feet step by themselves to meet him, you knew it was a lost cause. You were tired to fight your feelings, tired to pretend you could forget him.  

Taking his face in your hands, brushing off the few tears running down his cheeks. You lifted yourself on your toe, kissing him gently, the soft sensation of his lips against yours tried to bring you back in your memories. But, as you felt his arms close around you, holding you like if he would never let you go again, you decided that new choices have to be made, and this time, you both choose each other.

Bonus : 

Few weeks later

“ Sanji, I will go pick some tangerine outside,don’t be jealous, Zoro his training shirtless so I will try to not slip when I will drool “ You tease your boyfriend, laughing when he abandons his new recipe to try to catch you before you leave.

Easily pinning you against the door, kissing you breathless, his laugh caressing gently your lips, you smile against his mouth, letting your body take his place against him.

“ I love you “ He whispered, stealing another kiss. 

“ I love you too” You replied, more happy than ever. 

-----

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[littlesniggy]

Savior

Anon: IT‘S OPEN AGAIN! 🎉 im the Anon who asked for the Sakazuki request at the 100 followers event. Would you do a scenario where he takes female readers virginity ? I just can’t imagine him being the best choice for it but maybe you have a different take on it! Love your work so much and thank you!!! 💖

Sakazuki taking reader‘s virginity Anon here! I’d say maybe reader is not in a relationship with him but if you can’t come up with a scenario where this could be the case then can also be in a relationship. It’s up to you! Thank you so much !

Well...this is rather long and I apologize. I couldn't come up with a scenario where he would take reader's virginity without them being in a relationship except for this one. It has a lot of story in the beginning so feel free to skip to the dirty part if it's too long....anyways, I hope you like it and let me know!

Warning: 18+, nsfw, masturbation, superior x subordinate

Parining: Sakazuki x female reader

Word count: 4.1k

He had saved you when you were a child; kidnapped by pirates and to be sold off to god knows where. He, a Vice Admiral at the time, and his men caught the pirates off guard like a sudden storm, the outlaws not having anywhere to run. You watched him from afar, barking orders at his men and not paying you any attention. He scared you more than the pirates did, with his cold eyes and his unapproachable aura.

You joined the marines when you were old enough, wanting to stop piracy and the suffering pirates caused to innocent citizens. Oddly enough, Sakazuki became like a role model to you in his consequent behavior even though you had no interactions whatsoever. It was also no surprise to you when he was promoted to be an admiral. You admired him, wanting to climb the ranks like him and in the process became somewhat ruthless in your pursuit of pirates as well though not to the extend he was.

He came to the base you were stationed at, ordered by Sengoku to help catch the rising numbers of pirates sighted in this area. Apparently, he was not amused about it, thinking all of you had done a terrible job of letting this happen. First thing he did was give an angry speech to everyone, scolding you for the lack of effort in catching the pirates. The Vice Admiral’s got an even bigger scolding; everyone leaving the meeting room smaller than before.

You were called into his office a couple of days later. One of your superiors had recommended you to become Sakazuki’s assistant for the time he was here, not wanting to do it himself. You felt excited to be even thought of, wanting to see the admiral in action. So, you knocked on his door, waiting for him to call you in.

“Hello, Sir. I’m-“

“You’re late, marine.” His voice was harsh and annoyed, his eyes boring into yours, making you swallow. To say he was intimidating would’ve been an understatement – he was terrifying! You were taken back to more than ten years ago when you first saw him. You felt like a small child that did something wrong and was to be scolded by their parent.

“Sit down.” He ordered you, gesturing to the empty chair in front of the desk. You nodded, hurrying over and sitting down, not wanting to let him wait any longer. Your enthusiasm had dropped significantly; you weren’t even able to look him in the face, your hands fidgeting in your lap. You felt his eyes mustering you in irritation and it made you even more uncomfortable.

“I’ve heard you were the right one for the job but when I look at you I’m wondering what kind of marines work here when you’re the best they can offer as an assistant.” His words stabbed you like a knife in the heart. But he was right? The moment you entered the room you felt so nervous, not even a kid would take you seriously. Taking all your courage, you looked up and right at his face, feeling the need to look away immediately but pushing this urge away.

“Don’t you have anything to say, marine?” he got more irritated by your silence and you could understand; you were not making a good impression on him. “I’m sorry I was late, Sir. It won’t happen again.” You finally managed to say, trying to sound more confident than you actually felt. “That’s what to be expected of a marine. I don’t need any half-assed assistant who I can’t even rely on being punctual. Next time this happens you’ll be punished.” He said, meaning every word he said. You swallowed again, nodding at him. “Understood, Sir.”

From then on you spent a lot of time together. You were mostly ordered to run from A to B to collect reports or documents for him and being yelled at when you did the smallest mistakes. The first time you boarded a ship with Sakazuki, however, was the most exciting moment in your life so far. Over the last three weeks you’ve been his assistant for you have gotten used to him and somewhat could anticipate which mood he was in (most of the time not in a good one). Your admiration for him never really wavered; just the respect you had for this man grew even more.

“Y/n, is everything ready for departure?” he asked, standing at the bow of the marine ship, arms crossed in front of his chest. “Yes, Sir. Everything is set and we will leave any moment.” You informed him. Akainu simply nodded, turning around and walking towards a Vice Admiral, talking to him. While he was gone you were following your own train of thought. You never told him that he was the one who saved you and you doubted he actually remembered. You wouldn’t even know how to address it, never finding the right moment. You also doubted he actually cared enough to listen to what you had to tell him so you made the decision to not mention it at all. At least at the moment.

“The admiral wants the reports from today. Bring them to him.” Your Vice Admiral told you, handing you the reports his subordinates had written over the day. You nodded, making your way over to Sakazuki’s office. Cold wind blew inside the small room when you entered, closing the door behind you.

“Do you have the reports, Y/n?” he asked, not looking up from his desk. “Yes, Sir. They’re all here.” You replied, handing them over to your boss. He nodded, not acknowledging your presence any further. You were about to leave when his deep voice caught you off guard. “Have I told you to leave?” he asked, still not looking up. You were confused, stopping in your tracks. “No, Sir.”

“I want you to take a look at this an tell me if you find anything suspicious.” He said, holding a piece of paper up. You nodded, still confused but took it and sat on the other chair, starting to read. You felt his eyes on you, watching you while you read and it made you feel nervous. It was hard for you to concentrate, your eyes looking up at him from time to time, needing to find where you had left before and taking unnecessarily long. Of course, he noticed.

“Is there a reason why you stop reading all the time?” he wanted to know, a scowl on his face. “N-no, Sir. It’s just difficult to concentrate.” You mumbled, pressing your lips shut after realizing you said it out loud. The admiral raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?” he insisted. You shook your head, trying to let the topic drop. “It’s nothing, Sir.”

“I want to know why my assistant is getting distracted when I gave her an order. It must be something very important when it takes up your mind this much.” He narrowed his eyes and you knew you had to tell him something believable. But coming up with a lie was rather difficult with his intense stare so your only option was the truth. “I-it’s just a little distracting when you….look at me like this. It makes me feel nervous.” You admitted.

Sakazuki was silent for a moment, making the whole situation even more unnerving for you. Then he huffed, leaning back in his chair. You looked up at him again, his stare now even more intense than before and with a blush you lowered your gaze again. “If I make you nervous I suggest you get used to it.” He just said. “I guess so, Sir.” You mumbled, trying so hard to focus on the sheet in front of you.

Out of the corner of your eyes you saw him get up from his chair and walk around the small room, waiting for you to finish reading. You felt his presence behind you, your body tensing unconsciously. You imagined his eyes wandering over you back up to your neck, creating small goosebumps on your skin. You wondered what he was thinking about. Your mind all of a sudden went crazy, the most bizarre scenarios played in your head and you lost your focus completely.

Your face as beet red at the thought of him possibly considering you attractive, him thinking about seducing you, him thinking about touching you – all those thoughts and you didn’t know if they were actually true. Your mind was playing tricks on you; the time you’ve spent together apparently had you develop feelings towards this man behind you and you caught yourself more often than not imagining being intimate with him.

There was this one time where you accidentally saw him shirtless in his office, after he had spilled something on his shirt (he denied it of course) and was changing into a new one. That night you had your first wet dream about him but you tried to play it down, telling yourself it was just the close proximity you two were sharing that naturally made you feel sexually attracted to him. But it never stopped. Soon, you actively fanaticized about him and you felt ashamed about it.

“Are you done, Y/n?” he brought you back to reality and you slowly shook your head no. “I-I’m sorry, Sir. I don’t seem to be able to concentrate. I think I might be too tired.” You said, hoping he believed you. You didn’t dare to turn around and look at him but you put the paper down on the desk in front of you, showing him that you were being honest. Akainu huffed. You heard footsteps coming closer to you until you saw his shoes next to your chair.

You looked up at him unsettled, anticipating his scolding.

“You seem awfully tense around me the for the past week. Is there something you need to tell me? If not, I suggest you get over it and take your job seriously. I don’t need someone who gets distracted so easily.” You couldn’t possibly tell him that you were thinking about him being naked and between your legs!

“I just wanted to say how thankful I am for getting this opportunity serving under you, Sir.” God! This sounded wrong! What if he thinks I want to have sex with him? Well, technically I do but he mustn’t know!

Sakazuki didn’t know what was going on in your head but just nodded. You were sure he didn’t believe you but also knew you wouldn’t tell him. So, he left it at that. “If you can’t do a better job tomorrow, I will replace you.”

You were ordered to stay on the ship today for whatever reason. The admiral was probably still not pleased with your performance yesterday that he wanted to punish you for it since he kind of knew how much you wanted to fight. Besides you there were a handful of other marines still on the ship but it was quiet over all. You had the order to organize the various reports in his office.

When you couldn’t find one you were sure you had seen yesterday you looked for it in his entire office. When you still couldn’t find it you thought that he might’ve taken it with him last night to his room. You were not allowed to enter his room but maybe this was an exception? Plus, he wasn’t here yet and it probably wouldn’t take long. But when it was gone, he would know that someone was in his office. But maybe he wouldn’t be too mad…

Before you knew it you had opened his door (surprisingly it wasn’t locked) and stepped inside his room. It was dark and you needed to turn on the lamp. The dim light barely illuminated the room but you could see enough to find your way around. On the nightstand you saw them – the five missing reports. You hurried over and picked them up, you were almost out the door when a thought hit you. You stopped dead in your tracks and turned around, looking at his neatly made bed. It was huge.

You slowly walked back, stopping in front of it and contemplating with yourself. You should just leave and never come back here! But you really wanted to lay down in his bed – just once – and see how he was sleeping. Without thinking twice you laid down on his big bed on your stomach and pressed your face into his pillow, closing your eyes. It smelled like him; he had this distinct smell of musk and a hint of cologne that made your knees go weak every time you were close to him.

Unconsciously, you let your hand wander down and between your legs, pushing pat the restraints of your uniform pants and panties. You felt your sex getting wet the more you smelled the pillow, your finger starting to rub against your folds, spreading your slick on your cunt. You moaned into the pillow, imagining it being his hand stoking you, his weight pressing down on you and his hot breath tickling your neck.

Your fingers entered your core, moving in and out, imagining his thick dick taking you as he pressed your head into the pillow. Another moan, this time a little louder, when you entered a second finger, spreading them inside of you. You’ve never had sex but you liked to imagine what it would feel like. His dick going deeper and deeper, taking your virginity as he praised you how good you were making him feel.

You turned on your back, pulling down your pants, spreading your legs, and taking the pillow from under your head, pressing it to your face with one hand while the other one entered your core again, thrusting inside of you. Your mind was in a frenzy, now imagining how he would take you like this, his cold eyes looking down at you with this cold gaze. You shivered, your fingers thrusting in and out faster.

“What do you think you’re doing there, Y/n?” You stopped dead in your tracks, your body tensing at the sound of his voice. Why was he back yet? He wasn’t supposed to be back for at least another hour! You were frozen in place, not being able to move, not wanting to pull the pillow aside and look at the man that was standing in the room, watching you fuck yourself on your fingers in his bed.

“I asked you a question.” You could hear his footsteps coming closer and soon after the pillow on your face was being lifted, making you look at your superior. “Are you having fun?” he asked, his harsh eyes staring right at you. He’s gonna kill me! Your mind screamed. A huge lump had formed inside your throat, making it impossible for you to answer. He let the pillow fall next to you on the bed, his eyes not leaving your face.

“If you need to masturbate this badly, why don’t you do it in your own bed, Y/n?” You couldn’t reply, shock was written all over your face. His gaze now wandered down your body to where your fingers were still buried in your went cunt. You didn’t know what he was thinking, his face this unreadable mask. He didn’t sound mad but he didn’t sound pleased either. But maybe this was a good sign.

“Don’t you have to say anything to your defense? Nothing like ‘Oh, my bed is broken so I used yours, Sir’?” Your face turned red and you slowly pulled your fingers out, his eyes following the motion. “I…..” you started but didn’t know what to say. “I should throw you out just like this, making everybody see what you’ve been doing in here.” He mused.

“P-please, don’t do this.” You found your voice, horrified at the possibility of him going through with this thought. “And why shouldn’t I?”

“I-it was a mistake, Sir! I was just….I wasn’t thinking!” Akainu huffed and amusement, his eyes finding yours again. “Is that so. What made you think it was acceptable to masturbate in your superior’s bed? Does it give you some kind of kick?” You shook your head and were about to pull your pants up but his next words stopped you.

“Were you thinking about me while you fucked yourself on your fingers?” mortified, you looked at him. “Were you thinking about how it was me fucking you?” you didn’t know what to say, too horrified to answer. “What makes you think you could handle me, Y/n?” still, no answer.

Sakazuki tilted his head to the side, watching you in slight amusement. “Take the rest of your clothes off.” His order caught you off guard. “S-Sir?”

“Did you hear me stutter? I said, take the rest of your clothes off.” His tone was harsher, leaving no room to argue.

With shaky hands you sat up and unbuttoned your uniform blouse, revealing your bra which followed soon after. You weren’t sure what he wanted to do; maybe he would throw you out like this, completely naked and humiliated. But you weren’t prepared for what came next. The admiral unbuttoned his shirt as well, revealing his muscular chest and more of his tattoo. Your eyes grew wide in disbelief. What was going on.

“I take it if I fuck you now you’ll become more focused on your tasks again, right?” he asked while opening his pants, pulling out his still soft member. You were afraid of your eyes popping out at the sight, inching away from him by instinct. He kneeled down on the mattress, towering over you.

Your heart was hammering in your chest when he positioned himself between your legs, pulling you closer to him. His hand started stroking himself. You watched in amazement as his dick turned harder and harder until it laid heavy in his hand. “Let’s get it done and over with, shall we?” he made it sound like a transaction at a crowded supermarket where he just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

“W-wait! I…You…you shouldn’t…” but he pressed a hand over your mouth, shutting you up. “What I should and shouldn’t do is none of your concern.” He positioned himself at your wet entrance, sliding his dick over your folds, making you mewl in response. He took his hand away and put it right next to your head, kneeling over you completely. When he was about to enter you, you inched away, looking at him scared.

“P-please….be gentle….” You pressed out, realizing that his dick was way bigger than you had imagined. It would hurt, you were sure of it. Akainu pulled you closer again; you could feel his thick mushroom head at your entrance again. “Please…! I….I’ve never had….I’ve never done it before…” you stuttered, averting your eyes. The admiral’s eyes narrowed in response, looking your body up and down again.

He didn’t answer, you only felt his weight press against your entrance, his dick slowly but surely sliding inside your body. Your whole body tensed up, pain filling your core as he pushed further and further. You grabbed his arm next to your head with you hand, clawing at his skin in discomfort. “S-Sir! Please…give me some time!” you pleaded, eyes tightly shut.

You could hear his slightly uneven breathing and felt his big member slowly fill your up. The stretch was more than uncomfortable and your body tried to move away from him with every new inch he added. You felt a hand come up to your breasts, playing with them and squeezing them. You opened your eyes a little, looking up at his stern face. You looked down, seeing your hips raised to meet his dick, ass hanging in the air. You saw his dick not even buried half inside of you and it made your heart skip a beat in fear. This was never going to fit completely!

He pulled out a little before moving back in. “Ungh!” you gasped, your grip on his arm tightening at the feeling. He repeated the movement, each time pushing in a little further. His hand moved down from your breast and between your legs, finding your clit and circling it lazily with his thumb. You legs twitched at the feeling and you wanted to close your legs but he wouldn’t let you; his hips were in your way so you had to let him do.

“S-sir…..this feels kind of good…” you panted, trying to concentrate on his thumb on your clit. “Just because it’s your first time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be this kind.” His words made your stomach tingle inside. So, he at least cared a little about you. Your legs slowly wrapped around his hips as good as possible and you pulled him a little closer, looking him in the eyes while you did it.

Sakazuki grinned a little, starting to pick up his pace. His thrusts became deeper and deeper, filling you out more and more. His thumb pressed down in your clit, adding a little bit of heat, making you moan out in pleasure. “S-sir!” you panted, grabbing at his wrist. “You want me to stop playing with you clit?” he asked, about to pull his hand away. “N-no! Please, keep doing this!” you begged, looking at him desperately. “Then let go of my wrist.” He replied.

You let your hand lay next to your head while the other one was still grabbing the arm right next to your head. Akainu’s thrusts became harder, the fabric of his pants scratching at the back of your thighs and his heavy balls slapping against your ass. He was filling you out all the way, your cunt pressed flush against his pelvis.

Your moans got louder, the uncomfortable feeling already pushed to the back of your head thanks to his thumb on your clit, adding heat from time to time. You saw your tits wiggle at his thrusts, you back arched when he hit a special sweet spot inside of you. The admiral groaned above you, slamming his dick inside of you without mercy.

He put his hand that was next to your head on your hip and hold you in place, panting heavily while he fucked you without any hesitation. Since you needed a new source of support to grab on you reached over your head to head of the bed, grabbing the the mattress and clawing your fingers into it.

Sakazuki closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of your tight cunt squeezing him with every thrust, ready to milk him. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to make you cum, being it your first time but he was honestly more fixated on his own at the moment. His hips snapped back and forth, your moans filling his room your writhing body underneath his – it all was really appealing to the older male. He wouldn’t say it out loud but when he found you lying here on his bed with your legs spread he would’ve loved to take you at once but his self-control was stronger than his instincts.

“I…I think I’m gonna…I’m gonna cum, Sir!” you moaned, raising your hips more to meet his thrusts, your legs pressing him closer to you to feel him even deeper. He watched you trow your head back, your small body tensed underneath him before your muscles spasmed around his dick, clenching and unclenching as you came with a loud moan, your back arching, you tits bouncing a little.

The admiral huffed and groaned deeply, joining you in your orgasm soon after. Before he came he pulled out though, mind not clouded enough that he might forget it. His slick semen was covering your stomach, his hand stroking himself eagerly to let every drop of his seed come down on your body.

You were panting heavily, watching thick ribbons of cum cover your stomach. You reach out, collecting some of it on your finger and licking it up, tasting him on your tongue. It was salty and bitter, nothing like you expected but it was somewhat good nonetheless. You bit your lip at his stare, feeling so shameless and dirty to just taste his cum like some whore but you simply couldn’t help.

“Are you gonna be able to focus on your tasks from now on, Y/n?” he asked while he pulled out, inspecting the mess you two have made. Blushing you nodded shyly, pulling your legs to your body and closing them. “Good. We wouldn’t want this small incident to repeat itself, now would we?” you blushed even deeper at his smirk, knowing this probably wasn’t the last time. After all, this mission would take at least another month.

[alovesongshewrote]

Almost A Thousand Years - Wizard Underground | Hisirdoux Casperan

Plot:  You’ve known Hisirdoux Casperan for almost a thousand years.  You’ve hated him for almost a thousand years.  And for almost a thousand years, you’ve been cursed to feel each others pain.  But somewhere in that time, things changed.  [Hisirdoux Casperan x Mostly Gender Neutral but Probably Female Presenting Based on How Historical Men Treat Them!Reader]

Word Count:  7,579

Warnings: Canonical Character Death!! (and torture) 

A/N:  buckle up kiddos, it’s about to get angsty.  the gif does not match the energy at all, but it’s from the episode so,  yeeeeet

Taglist:  @furblrwurblr @rainningdoom @fluffydmonkey @blondie0458 @sitherin-mxschief @jinxedleo @lawlesshedgehog @einahpetsyarcip @dolphincommander @sorrels-scribbling @anxious-stitcher @alive-and-afraid @animedweeb333 @douxiesdamsel @saroski05 @justarandomhoman @tales-of-hisirdoux​ @blixeon​​ @yagirlcheesely​

When the green cleared, the sky looked more or less the same.  Dark, stars, clouds.  It was clear you were home though, both from Douxie saying so and the immediate urge you had to murder him.  Well, you couldn’t say you weren’t expecting it, but it still sucked.  The drive to end Douxie’s life was always a real mood killer whether or not you were expecting it.

“Welcome back to the twenty-first century!”

“Ah!  Sweet pollution!  How I missed you!”  Steve choked as he inhaled a lungful of said filthy air.  Normally, that wouldn’t be a great thing, but you were sort of thankful for it this time.  It distracted Douxie from the whimper that left your lips, from the way you sank to the ground, clinging to the railings, struggling against yourself.  This was Not Fun.

Steve, however, was still having a wonderful time, “Heh!  And reception!!  Hot dang!  So many messages.”

From the high-pitched chimes that rang out through the air, you could only guess that Steve was looking at his phone.  You couldn’t really see at the moment due to the sudden and blinding pain in your stomach.  That was new!  You weren’t really sure why that was happening, or how Douxie didn’t feel it, but it probably had to do with the Arcane Order and your lack of homicide!

Across the ship, Jim let out a scream, the shard in his chest glowing red and sinking deeper.  Fucking lovely.  That was two of you in shard related pain.  What was next, you losing control and killing not only Douxie but everyone on this damn ship?  Another wave of pain rolled through you, which brought an end to your sarcastic thinking.  At this rate, that outcome looked less and less insane by the minute.  You bit your lip in a silent prayer that nothing else would go wrong.  Then Camelot fell out of the sky.

“Oh, shit.”

Douxie’s words shocked you enough for you to open your eyes and look at him.

“D-Douxie, you-”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m sorry, hang on tight, love!”

You did as instructed as your wizard flew the ship towards the falling castle, pulling up right beside it at what appeared to be the perfect time.

“Need a lift?”

“Douxie!” you could hear Toby’s voice, but you couldn’t see him.  The momentary release granted to you by shock had worn off, and now all you had left was the pain.  You shut your eyes and kept them closed, focusing on not passing out, or committing murder, or passing away.  Actually, that last one might not have been so bad.  At least it would end your suffering and the threat you were to others.  That wasn’t going to happen though.

You could hear Archie now, the familiar’s voice was… well, familiar, and it was comforting to you, in an odd way, “But you’re trapped in the past!”

“Not anymore!”

“Took you long enough.  We have much to talk about.  Like- them?”  you didn’t have to see Merlin to know he was talking about you, and in your current state, you were indeed worthy of conversation.  You were curled into a ball, shoved against the rails of the ship and trying your damnedest not to cry.  You felt like shit, you probably looked like shit, and Merlin didn't even like you in the first place, so yeah, you were something worth mentioning.

“D-don’t worry,” you choked out, “I’m fine.  Focus- on Jim.”

Douxie did not want to focus on Jim.  He didn’t want to focus on anything except for you at that exact moment.  What was happening to you?  Why was the love of his life doubled over and in obvious pain when he barely felt a thing?  More than anything Douxie wanted to help you.  He wanted to make the pain stop, and he wanted to hold you close and make sure you were okay, but Jim, unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the pov, had perfect dramatic timing.  

The poor boy let out a groan, the shard glowing red once again, and causing everyone more concern.  You knew there was no way in hell he could have heard what you said, and the groan was probably because Aarrrgh, Toby and Blinky had all boarded the ship which made it move a bit, but you liked to think he was on your side.  

You could hear Toby scream something that sounded like a question, and you knew that Merlin replied, but there was only one voice that mattered to you.  He said your name, sounding scared and anxious.  It broke your heart, but you said nothing.  You didn’t want him to notice you any more than he already had, because if he did, he would try to help, and that meant getting close to you, and if he did that he’d probably receive a broken neck for his troubles.  Nobody wanted that. Least of all you.

“I-I’m getting everyone home safe, as promised.”

Merlin said something else, and you felt another shift as something, or rather, someone, landed on the ship.  A small squeak left you, you couldn’t help it.  Everything just hurt so bad, and you honestly didn’t know how Douxie wasn’t feeling it.  You were thankful for that, of course, you’d never wish for him to be in pain, ever, but this was just so intense!  You could barely function, you just had to keep breathing, hoping that the next inhale would somehow end the pain.  

Another series of squeaks and gasps escaped you as Douxie maneuvered the ship through a field of castle-shaped debris.  In any other situation, you’d have complimented him, but at that moment, you were trying to avoid causing anyone any bodily harm.  It was difficult while you were flying, but as soon as you landed, things got wayyyy harder.

Douxie approached you cautiously, not wanting to hurt you and not wanting to trigger anything that might make you hurt him.  The rest of the squad had jumped off the ship, so for it was just you and your wizard.  For all intents and purposes, you were alone with the person you’d been sent to kill.  There was nothing stopping you.  His hands were raised in surrender for god’s sake.  Why was he making this so difficult?

“Douxie, you need to go.”

“I- no, I’m not leaving you, we have to go, we have to get somewhere safe-”

“No, you need to- just get off the ship, I’ll join you in a second.”  

That was a total lie, of course, but he didn’t need to know that.  He didn’t seem to register it, either.  He just looked at you sadly before taking a step back.

“We’ll fix this.  I promise you, we’ll fix this.  I’m not going to let anything else hurt you.”

You tried to laugh, but the attempt was pathetic, “I know.”

And then he was gone.  You could hear Jim screaming somewhere in the night.  The sound drowned everything out, submerging you in a sea of guilt.  That kid had suffered through so much, and now this.  You knew his pain.  He didn’t deserve this, and there was nothing you could do to save him.

Douxie was going through the same motions.  You were in pain, you didn’t deserve it, and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.  Not yet, anyway.  He was bound and determined to help you, to end the nightmare you were living in.  And it was indeed, your nightmare.  He couldn’t feel a thing, even after centuries of sharing your pain.  Even now, he could still feel the ache of your cracked ribs, but there was nothing beyond that.  He didn’t know what was happening to you, or why, but he knew it terrified him.  If this, whatever it was, took you from him, he didn’t know what he would do.  He couldn’t stand to lose you.  Not after all of this.  Even as he spoke with Merlin, his thoughts never left you.  The image of you curled around yourself, face contorted with pain, lips bleeding as you bit them to stay silent, would haunt him for the rest of his days.

You, however, were haunted by something else.

“Nari, come back to us and finish the work you have begun!”

“You misunderstand our grand vision.”

Oh, fuck.  

You pulled yourself up, desperately clinging to the rail, pausing every time your vision went white.  You weren’t sure yet whether you were going to run away or fight, but the first thing you needed to do was hide.  If you chose to run, they couldn’t see you.  If they did, they would chase you, capture you, and torture you again.  If you chose to fight, you wanted the element of surprise.  So, yeah.  Hiding was a good plan.  

You threw yourself over the edge of the ship.  It was not graceful in the slightest, but no one saw, so it worked out well enough.  Your plan was going according to plan, even if everything hurt and you longed for the sweet release of death.  You let yourself lean on the ship for a second, closing your eyes against the pain.  The cold metal stung where it met your skin.  It sucked.  Everything sucked.  This whole Order ordeal sucked.  You wanted to go home.  But where even was home?  Right, it was the black-haired wizard boy with the shitty dye job who you’d loved for years.  

A green light flashed on the other side of the ship, and you knew you had to make a choice.  Either run, and keep running, the same thing you’d been doing since you escaped your life as a spy, or stay and fight.  Run or go back to the start of your story and change the meaning.  To fight, not for Gunmar and an eternal night, but to protect the people you loved, the town you lived in, and the punk wizard who owned your heart.  Yeah, no.  That choice was already made for you.  It had been for almost a thousand years.

Without a sound, you dragged yourself around the ship and waited for the right moment.  It came faster than you’d expected, but that wasn’t a huge deal.  You snuck behind the green Knight, and when he demanded surrender, you struck him with your sword.  He stumbled forward for a second, and that was it.  The only solid hit you made in that fight.  Ah, the element of surprise, everyone’s favourite element.

You ducked as the Knight's sword sliced at your throat.  Your movements were delayed by a few seconds, but you couldn’t focus on that right now.  You just had to keep going.  

Your sword clashed with his, once, twice, a third time, and on that third, you were sent flying back.  You scrambled to your feet just in time for another attack, this one accompanied by words.  Whether it was a monologue or a taunt you couldn’t tell.  Your brain was focused on not dying.  You heard him call you a traitor, and a servant before he declared that your soul was his.  You didn’t have a smart response for that, so you just kept fighting.

Up, down, side, dodge, sweep the leg, parry, twist left, over and over again.  You were almost on autopilot, one hand still clutching your busted ribs, the other doing its best to keep you alive.  There was no coherent thought, just adrenaline and movement.  Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, select start.  Jeep, dodge, ram him with your face, or whatever the hell else kept you alive.  There was nothing left but basic instinct and training that you’d never forgotten.  This was your fight.  And you weren’t actually that bad for someone who was half-dead.  At least, you weren’t until the Green Knight knocked the sword from your hand and grabbed you by the throat.  

Everything went numb.  Your vision was lighter as if a filter covered the world making everything bright and hard to look at.  You heard everything and nothing at the same time.  It was all… dull.  Like you were hearing the battle from somewhere far away.  Douxie screamed something that you couldn’t make out, there was a muffled guitar riff, another scream, someone calling you a traitor, and- wait.  What in the fresh hell was that?  Did someone just fucking roar?

You were dropped, and you rolled out of the way just in time to see a troll you’d never met charge at the Knight.  You sat still for a minute, struck dumb by this turn of events.  Then you felt yourself freeze, ice creeping into your veins as you realized what was going on.  You couldn’t hear Jim screaming anymore.  You looked back to the ship.  He wasn’t there.  That left one, probably unreasonable explanation.  The new troll was Jim.  Fuck.

Pulling yourself to your knees, you took another look at your friends, gathered by the ship.  It looked, for a moment, like Douxie or Claire would run into the fight.  You couldn’t let that happen.  So, you did the one thing you could think of, the one thing that would keep them out of this.  You stabbed yourself in the leg.  It wasn’t a big stab, just a little one.  Just enough to convince Douxie that you’d lost control and were now out for his blood.  It didn’t work as well as you’d hoped.  You could see your wizard fall to one knee.  His eyes met yours, and for one second, everything was still.  He was there, and you were here, and you were both alive, but on opposite sides of this battle.  That’s how it had always been.  Maybe that’s how it was always supposed to be.  You were back at the start again.  A scared kid on the wrong side, clinging to what little light you had left.  There were tears in your eyes.  You don’t know how they got there.  Maybe it was the stab wound, but you didn’t really believe that.  Taking a deep breath, you shook your head.  He saw you.  He stood.  And then they were gone.

You smiled, for a second, despite the tears streaming down your face.  They were safe, for now.  They had a chance.  Your momentary peace didn’t last long.  Holding his sword above him, the Knight took control of Jim, the red light that ran through his veins turned green, leaving the troll on his hands and knees.  At the same time, the pain in your stomach subsided, allowing you to stand, finally.  You readied your own blade, but before anything could be accomplished, the Knight turned to you.  For once, you could hear what he was saying.

“Attack and the beast dies.”

There was no other choice.  You couldn’t let anything bad happen to Jim.  You lowered your weapon just as Bellroc jumped from the castle and landed in front of you.

“Take them with us,” you flinched back at their voice.  That sound only brought back memories that you would rather forget.  Fear took you, and you allowed the Green Knight to grab your shoulder and guide you back to the castle.  This was not going to be fun.

Speaking of things that weren’t fun, Douxie was having the worst possible time right now.  After hiding in an alley, making his way to Hex Tech, and dealing with a less than pleased Zoe (which involved explaining that he had found you, found out exactly why you left, and lost you again,) he was more than a little bit tired, which was fair.  To make matters worse, his leg stopped hurting somewhere between the field and the alleyway.  You were on the Order’s ship.  They had you, and god knows what they could do to you without him knowing.  Quite honestly, Douxie was beyond terrified at this point.  He wasn’t really sure what he was.  In any other circumstance, he may have been paralyzed by pure fear and anxiety, but someone had to keep Claire from murdering Merlin, so paralysis was a no go.  He was sure he’d have time for a nice mental breakdown later, after you were safe.  For now, he would focus on keeping the peace, making sure nothing got broken, and forming a plan to get you and Jim home.

You were playing the same game with a different set of pieces.  You stayed silent and obedient, making yourself as small as possible to avoid taking up space and pissing off your captors.  No matter how panicked you were, you maintained an aura of calm for both your sake and Jim’s.  You couldn’t let your emotions slip.  Not here, not now.  Not that any of your efforts were doing much good.  You still flinched with every quick movement, bit your lip whenever someone got too loud.  This was not a good situation, and you were straight-up not having a good time.  It only got worse with the resurrection of Morgana.  It was all too loud, too bright, too- too familiar.  This was too close to what happened the last time you were here, and you were terrified.  

Your hands were cold.  You tried to focus on that, but for the life of you, you couldn't stop thinking about every bad thing that happened to you within these walls.  Someone was yelling, someone else screaming, and you couldn’t tell whether it was real, or if it was a memory.  You didn’t even care that the Green Knight was the old king.  You just wanted to leave, but for now, against all odds, you had to stay calm.  It was not working.  At all.  Especially when the room turned on you.

“And as for you, treasonous witch,” y’know, that wasn’t a very original take coming from a primordial ice god.  You were honestly a little disappointed.  In terms of torture, Skrael had always been a bit more creative.  Perhaps, subconsciously, you’d expected that to carry over.  It didn’t.  In any other situation, you would’ve told him to get some new material, but Bellroc swiftly prevented that by throwing you into the center of the room.  You hit the ground hard.  Hard enough to blur your vision and clear your mind, but there was no time to process the pain.

“You have failed us,” the flaming demigod’s voice darted from high tones to low ones, sending a chill down your spine.  If Bellroc was angry enough to lose control of their voice, you were beyond screwed.

Both demigods drew nearer to you, looming over your damaged figure, “You will pay for this.”

You winced, preparing for the burn of ice or fire on your skin, but no impact came.  Instead, you felt a harsh tug on your hair as Bellroc forced you to face them.  Both demigods looked way too calm, though you could feel their anger, a flaming riot beneath their skin despite their icy exteriors.  Their rage alone was almost enough to hurt, but what came next was worse.

“You are much too fond of that wizard apprentice… we will make sure he suffers for all of your mistakes.”

You felt yourself shaking as Skrael rasped out the threat, but you didn’t have much more time to react before you were thrown into a wall.  That was where their fun began.

Douxie was having a significantly better time than you, but that didn’t mean he was enjoying himself. Over the sounds of Blinky cursing autocorrect, Merlin and Claire were having a battle of ideologies right in front of my metaphorical salad.  The audacity.  This, of course, was not easy on your wizard.  His friend wanted to find a way to save her boyfriend.  His mentor wanted to move forward and run away.  Douxie also wanted to save Jim and you, but Merlin made a good argument about the fate of the universe and how if they didn’t leave now everyone would die.  That argument, however, was not enough to erase the memory of your face from his mind.  He still saw that image, you, distorted with pain and struggle every time he closed his eyes.  The fighting only made things worse; especially when Merlin decided to put that face on screens around the room, side by side with Jim’s new troll form.  I don’t know why he thought that was a good idea, but it was Not helping Douxie.

“James Lake and (Y/N) (L/N) are corrupted, gone!  They cannot be brought back!”

“Or you’re just too stubborn to try!”

“Please, you both have solid points!”  he could hear the stress and fear in his own voice.  Good.  Maybe it would make the universe feel bad for him and it would just… throw you through a window at him or something.  He didn’t know or care at that point.  He was too tired for this and too awake for it at the same time.  His eyes hurt.  His jaw hurt.  Everything hurt except his leg which was just another reminder of how much he missed you.  God, he was having an awful day, and it was going to get worse.

“I will not jeopardize the mortal plane for one troll and one wayward witch!”

“It’s what they’d do for us!”

“And look where that got them!” This outburst from his former Master frustrated Douxie enough to make him slam his head into the nearest flat surface and keep it there.

“What!?” Claire exclaimed, the screens around the room went black, your face and Jim’s hidden from view.  It would’ve been a relief if Douxie had looked up to see it. “Come on, back me up here.  Anybody?  Archie?  Douxie?”

He heard the question in her voice.  Will you stand up for your significant other, Casperan?  Or will you fail them again?  He let out a strangled groan to answer the question.

Archie’s answer was more dignified, “Don’t look at me, cats don’t have the right to vote.  Neither do dragons.  Yet.”

The familiar’s body glowed gold for a minute as he changed forms.  It was only a second of shining light, but it was enough to give Douxie an idea.

“Wait a tick.  I know a way we can rescue Jim and (Y/N) without risking the world!”

“Is that so?”

“How?”

“If it works, it will be quite the little magic trick.”

And it would indeed be quite the little magic trick.  Risking life and limb to save you and Jim would be one hell of a feat, but if there was anyone who could pull it off, it was this specific team.  At least, that’s what Douxie told himself.  He had to.  He had to pretend there was hope and focus on the plan.  If he didn’t, his thoughts drifted to you, to what the Order could be doing to you, and that persistent question in his mind, the one that asked if you were alive at all.  You had to be.  You had to.  There wasn’t another option, though Douxie found, as he boarded the small ship, that fear was building in his chest.  A sense of dread surrounding what exactly they would find, lying still on the floor of the Order’s base.

Douxie was shaken from the hell in his head when Merlin spoke, something about being concerned with the plan and heading into a lion’s den.  Your wizard was growing tired of this.

“You gave me a staff because you trusted me, right?  So, trust me.”

“Very well.  I stand by your decision… wizard.”

The comment was shrugged off by its intended audience, “Everyone knows what they need to do.  If we pull this off, we’ll get our friends back.”

In his head, Douxie begged whatever godly forces were out there (that were Not Arcane Order aligned) that they would get their friends back in once piece, safe and sound; though as the lights of the Order’s ship shone in his face, blinding him, he knew that wouldn’t be the case.  Oh well.

“Arcane Order!” the ship shifted to face him, a sign that someone was listening, “We’re here to barter!”

The skull moved down through the air, clicking and groaning as it’s jaw dropped to form an entrance, or at least something close to one.  Douxie cast a glance back to his comrades, “And that means, ‘Come in.’”

“Wait, we’re flying into the bitey devil castle?” Steve asked incredulously, pointing at said bitey devil castle.  Douxie nodded and flew them into the bitey devil castle.  Bitey devil castle.  I want one.

Steve, however, would not agree with that sentiment.  Fear crossed over the teen’s face as their ship drew nearer to the larger craft.  He shook so much while exiting the boat that he just fell over.  Douxie, Merlin and Not-Nari failed to notice or maybe failed to care.  Either way, Steve had an opinion on all of this.  He did not like it, “Uh, this is supes dumb.  Like, even I know it’s dumb and we’re still gonna go inside?”

If you had been in your right mind and entering the skull with them, you would have agreed, 100%.  Unfortunately, you were not that.  Instead, you were deeper inside the horror-show palace, writhing with pain and unable to think clearly.  That sucked for you, but honestly, you were starting to get used to it.

 Douxie, however, was not used to nor prepared for the sudden pain that hit him like a wall of bricks as soon as he entered the Order’s den.  It started off intense, matching the pain you felt exactly, but it faded fast until it was a dull throb in the back of his mind.  They’d hurt you.  They’d hurt and maybe killed you because you didn’t kill him fast enough.  That thought, that fact was going to haunt him for the rest of his days.  He could already feel his breath coming faster, his chest rising and falling rapidly and leading him to disaster if he didn’t control it.  To avoid having a panic attack, your wizard took in his surroundings.  

The lair was, as many good evil lairs are, made of stone and lit light blue with moonlight.  It was quiet, empty, so much so that Douxie had to mention the overwhelming silence just to hear something.  Merlin did not respond.  At least, not to him.

“Good evening, Skrael.”

The ice demigod appeared in a twister of ice and sleet.  If he was anything other than an ice demigod, it would have been very uncomfortable, but alas, Skrael’s gotta Skrael, and that included monologuing in his chilling and creepy voice, “Surrendering already?  I was hoping for a little more cat and mouse.”

Douxie was suddenly very uncomfortable knowing that this was the company you were trapped with during your ten-year absence.  That this was all you’d heard for a decade.  Douxie wondered, for a moment, against his will, what exactly they’d said to you in the past ten years.  What horrors had you heard?  

The wondering only got worse when Bellroc decided to jump in with a threat of their own.  It was a classic, “You will be rewarded with a quick and painful death,” but Bellroc’s intimidating and ever-changing voice added a new level to the threat, something that most other villains lack.  The Green Knight didn’t even make a threat, he just growled like a basic bitch.  

Merlin didn’t care though.  Basic bitches or otherwise, he got straight to business, “A fight here will end poorly for all of us.  We seek a truce,” the old wizard turned to his apprentice and nodded.  It was time for someone who did care about basic bitches.

“Good evening, doers of evil and ancient terrors.  We have a proposal: a trade.  One of yours for one of ours,” Douxie moved forwards and back again, his lanky-ass limbs swishing through the air, trying to illustrate his point.  It was super effective.

“Our missing third in exchange for your troll mongrel?”

“You would give up your only advantage?  What does this gain you?”  both Bellroc and Skrael sounded confused, the perfect conditions for a lengthy explanation that would hopefully buy Claire all the time she needed to get Jim and you out safely. 

Douxie took a short breath, “Yes, well, an excellent question, one that requires a long, thoughtful, time-consuming answer.  Come on, Claire.”

Somewhere above your friends, your pain began to subside.  It wasn’t much, but it was enough for you to stand and make your way over to Jim.  You knew that it wasn’t really your boy, and you knew that he wouldn’t respond, but you made an attempt to speak with him anyway.  You owed him that much.

“Hey there, kid.”

He grunted and moved away from you, retreating into the darkness, “Woah, woah, woah, easy buddy, just- try and stay in one spot for me-” your voice caught in your throat as another wave of agony rolled through you.  If you didn’t know any better, you’d say the face of your old friend almost looked concerned.

You brought yourself back up, and a little gasp escaped you as the pain subsided.  You were okay for the moment, but you didn’t know how long that would last.  It was time to talk as fast as you could.

“Jim, honey, I need you to listen to me.  I know how hard this is.  I know what it’s like, trust me.  But we- we have to fight this.  You have a life to live, kiddo.  You need to get back to Claire, to Toby and the rest of them, and I-” you cut yourself off before you could say you needed to get home, to get to Douxie.  As much as you loved Jim, he was under the Order’s control.  They’d already threatened your wizard’s life, you didn’t need them knowing exactly how much he meant to you.  However, magic be damned, you had to get through to the boy inside this monstrous shell, “I know it’s hard, Jim, but I’m fighting this with you.  Neither of us are alone.”

He growled at you but didn’t respond outside of that.  It was time to be persistent. 

“I know.  But I need you to come back.  I need-” once again, you couldn’t say what you were thinking.  You couldn’t tell him that you needed proof, something to believe in that could maybe restore the last of your faith.  You needed to know that there was hope, that you could come back from this.  Jim Lake was one of the bravest and strongest kids you knew.  He’d been through so much, and in comparison to your age, he was just a baby.  If anyone could fight this, it would be him, and if he couldn’t, you weren’t sure if you could.  You drew a shaky breath before you continued, “I need you to come back, for Claire, Toby, your mom, for yourself.  You deserve better than this.”

He growled again, burrowing deeper into his hiding place.  You bit your lip, thinking of what to say next, but you were interrupted.  Someone was coming.  Now you needed to hide.

It wasn’t a member of the Order as you’d suspected.  Instead, Claire portaled into the room.  You had no idea how she got in here, but seeing her was better than seeing the alternative.  You stayed hidden while she spoke to Jim, almost feeling like you were intruding.  At least he actually talked to her.  You watched, hidden in shadows while she tried to coax him into leaving with her.  You stayed silent, which became a little more difficult when a sharp pain shot up your side.  You bit your lip to avoid crying out, but nothing could prevent the gasp that escaped you when you realized exactly where that pain had come from.  If it wasn’t yours, then that meant it was Douxie’s.  Douxie was somewhere in the castle.  

That thought drove a deep, unyielding fear straight into your heart.  You had to get to him, to protect him from the Order, curses and shards be damned.  You jumped from your hiding place, causing the briefest of distractions to Claire, Jim, and Morgana, who had joined the fray while you weren’t watching.  You paid them no mind, though.  Claire could portal out of here, Morgana could more than take care of herself, and Jim was Bellroc and Skrael’s new favourite weapon.  They would be okay.  But you?  If the sudden sharp pain in your back meant anything, you had somewhere else to be.

The first thing you saw was Jim, clinging to the ceiling above your wizard, ready to pounce.  You would have attacked him if your vision hadn’t gone green.  At first, you thought it was Merlin, trying in vain to protect Douxie, but then you realized exactly what was happening to you.  And that was much worse. 

Here, in close quarters with both the Green Knight and Douxie, the drive to kill your love had increased exponentially.  Your mind clouded with bloodlust, your hands seized your sword.  Before your eyes, you saw vivid flashes of green and red.  It didn’t take you long to realize that the red was his blood.  Or, it was supposed to be.  At any other time, these visions would have destroyed you, but at the moment they only added fuel to a raging fire; one that had gone out long ago but somehow burned anew in your chest.  For a moment, there was nothing but hate and rage towards the person you loved the most in this world.  For a moment, you feed yourself.

And it only got worse from there.  You leapt clear across the room, grabbing Douxie and putting your blade to his throat.  At the same time, Jim jumped down from the corner of the roof he’d been hiding in and collected Archie and Merlin, holding them at bay.  Out of all the things you’d been through, you decided that this was probably the worst.  You were so close, so close to killing him.  To ending his life, wiping his existence from this earth.  You could see the horror on Archie’s face, and on Merlin’s, for that matter.  You couldn’t see Douxie, but you could feel what he felt.  Betrayal, heartbreak, and fear.  So much fear.   He was afraid of you.  

If you went through with this, no one would ever forgive you, and you couldn’t blame them, but their scorn would be nothing compared to what you’d do to yourself.

You were vaguely aware of your surroundings.  Of Clarie and Steve getting themselves frozen, and of the ultimatum offered to Merlin.

“We propose new terms,” Bellroc said, their voice much calmer now that they were in control.

“Give us Nari, or he dies,” Skrael pointed towards you.  You could hear Archie yowling, Merlin yelling something and Douxie apologizing.  In any other situation, you would wonder what he was apologizing for.  Was it for trusting you?  For what, in his opinion, must've been failing his mentor and Master?  You had so many questions, but the answers didn’t matter.  You weren’t in any other situation.  You were there, in the Order’s castle faced with an ultimatum of your own.  Kill Douxie, the love of your life and the person you trusted more than anything, or fight to save him.  The answer to that question was clear.  You closed your eyes.  

The visions didn’t stop.  You tried to stop everything your body was doing, to drop your sword and free him, but you couldn’t seem to let go.  You bit your lip, tearing your skin with the effort, tears already coming to your eyes.

That’s when it started to hurt.  

Excruciating, agonizing white-hot pain spread across your body from deep inside your core.  You’d been hurt before, hell, you’d been tortured not much earlier, but this was beyond anything you had ever suffered through.  You dug your nails into Douxie’s shoulder, whimpering, slightly.  Your hand was clenched around the hilt of your blade, knuckles white, hands shaking.  It was all you could do to keep from screaming.  Your entire body felt like it was burning and freezing all at once.  The smell of blood and acid hung in the air.  The taste of metal stung your mouth.  Your muscles seized and relaxed in waves.  Tears collected in the corners of your eyes as your poor body battled against itself.  You strained against yourself, whispering apologies into the back of Douxie’s hoodie.  Your words, however, twisted into a mixed groan and scream.  Your mind went blank, and for a moment, you were nothing.  

The world was a void.  A painful, painful void.  You couldn’t focus on anything.  You ignored Merlin, his fight for Douxie’s life and his escape from Jim.  You paid no mind to the blasts of green magic and Bellroc’s frustrated screaming.  You couldn’t give any of it a second thought.  Instead, you kept going, locked in a battle of your own.  You had to keep breathing through the pain, to take back control.  And Douxie noticed.

“(Y/N),” his voice was low, and maybe a little broken, “(Y/N), I know you’re in there.  You don’t want to do this, you won’t- you can fight this.  You have to fight this.  Please, come back to me.” 

A gasp escaped you as the pain heightened, reaching a brand new peak.  You were 90% sure you were about to die.  You dropped your sword, and stumbled back, falling away from your wizard.  

For a second, there was nothing.  Then you opened your eyes.

And you felt everything.

For that second, for that one moment, you felt the world sink into place.  The pain was gone, and you didn’t want to kill any of your loved ones, and you were okay.  All you saw were hazel eyes.  It was all you needed to see.

But it was just a moment.  It didn’t last.  You felt a tug somewhere in you, within your magic, and you turned just in time to watch Merlin get stabbed.  

You’d never been close to the old wizard.  It was just how things turned out.  You were a spy and traitor and he was, well, Merlin.  There weren’t too many opportunities for bonding between you.  But you had to admit to yourself, you did care for the old fool.  He’d taken you on as an apprentice all those years ago, and even if you didn’t count it as a ‘real’ apprenticeship, it was.  He taught you about a side of magic you’d never known before, and for that, you had to be thankful.  And Douxie.  Oh, god, Douxie.  You knew how much the old wizard meant to him.  Merlin was his teacher, his mentor, the man who’d saved his life all those years ago and, in a sense, saved yours.  Almost a thousand years ago, Merlin had bonded you to that boy and given you the best thing in your life.  The two of you had your differences, but you would be forever in his debt.

Which is why you screamed as the blade tore through him.  You found yourself reaching out as he was thrown back to the earth, as if you could do anything to stop it.  You felt yourself go numb.  Douxie had a slightly more emotional reaction.

You braced yourself against a storm of blue magic, radiating from your wizard.  You stood, still as stone, while Jim, the Order, the Knight and Morgana (who’d joined the party at the most dramatic time possible) were blown back.  As soon as they were out of commission, you grabbed Archie, scooping the familiar into your arms.  In any other situation, the cat would have been fine with this, but at that moment, he struggled.  Archie frantically tried to escape your hold, motivated by an intense drive to get to Douxie’s side, to support him in whatever way he could.  You felt the same way.  

You took a step towards your wizard, but before you could get to him, he turned.  His eyes were glowing.  Blue.  He yelled for you to run, to get away from there, but you were frozen in place by a force you couldn’t name.  The difference in his magic, in his soul, could not go unnoticed.  He was stronger, somehow, and it stopped you.  The light behind his eyes sent a shock through your system.  Douxie was never one to use offensive spells on you outside of a full-on fight, but he was out of time and out of options.  He threw you and Archie towards the others, calling out another “Get out of here!” before breaking a window and flying out of it.  You didn’t even have time to process that.  You just did as you were told, jumping through a shadow portal without a second thought. 

Earth was colder than you remembered it.  

But then again, maybe that was just a side-effect of travelling by shadow portal.

The most likely option, though, was that it had something to do with the scene before you.

Merlin was on the ground.  He looked smaller, weaker than you’d ever seen him before.  That thought on its own was horrifying.  Merlin was the definitive master wizard.  He was the strongest of your kind, your leader, in a sense.  He was everything a good wizard was supposed to be.  And you could feel him dying.

You weren’t the only one.

“-Hold still.  I can fix this, I-I-I can fix this-”

I can fix this.

I can fix this.

You’d heard that one before.   

You’d heard that one a lot, actually.  If Douxie had a catchphrase outside of kid-friendly swears, it would probably be “I can fix this.”

He was always so determined to keep everyone safe and to prove himself.  Every mess he found himself in, he’d insist that he could fix it.  He could fix time.  He could fix your broken heart.  He could fix the world one day if he wanted to.

But you weren’t sure he could actually fix this.  

You took a small step forward, releasing Archie from your hold.  Douxie said nothing, at least not to you.  He kept repeating those words, over and over again.  You could hear him start to lose hope.

“Douxie-”

“(Y/N), help me, please.  You have to help me save him- we can fix this.  I can-”

“Stop, Hisirdoux,”  Merlin’s voice brought your attention back to him, “No one can.  Do not blame yourself.”

You took a few more steps forward before kneeling at Merlin’s other side.  The part of you that was trained in medicine, a part of you that you were almost surprised to still possess after today, took in Merlin’s injuries.  You hated to admit it, but he was right.  There was no hope here.  Dread settled in your stomach as you realized these wounds, and therefore this death, were, in some way, your fault.

 “I’m sorry.  I should have listened to-” you stole a quick glance at Douxie.  He was doing as well as one might expect.

“No, no.  I’m sorry,” the old wizard winced and you put a hand on his shoulder, using what little power you had left to ease his pain.  It would not save him, but it might make passing a little more peaceful.  He nodded at you, the most approval you’d ever received from the old man, before he continued, “I spent a lifetime serving the wrong master, trying to save this world.”

“You can’t!  You’re Merlin, the greatest wizard of all time!”  Douxie collapsed onto Merlin, and you could tell from the small tremors that ran through him that he was crying.  The old wizard put a hand on his back, trying to comfort him.  You felt tears spring to your own eyes.  You could feel his pain.  You’d known it yourself, centuries ago.  Merlin offered a hand to you.  You took it.

“Merlin- master, I’m so sorry,”  you were only whispering, but you know he heard.  They both did.

“I saw a glimmer of greatness, of what you could become,” he moved his hand to Douxie’s face, “And the greatest thing I ever accomplished was saving you,” he brought the hand holding yours to hold Douxie’s.  You felt your wizard take a shaky breath.

“I’ll try and make you proud.”

“You already have… son.”

And he was gone.  Merlin was… gone.

You hadn’t realized you were crying until then.

“No, no, no, you can’t go!” you pulled back as your wizard cried out, your hands covering your mouth, catching your tears as he pulled his mentor closer to him.  His voice lowered to a whisper, “No, please.  I’m not ready.”

And then Merlin was ash, dust in the wind, a pattern dispersed.

“Douxie, I’m so sorry,” Claire said as she, Steve and Archie crossed the clearing you’d landed in.  Claire went to Douxie’s side, Steve went to yours.  It wasn’t much, but it was some comfort in this uncertain world.

“I-I can’t believe he’s gone,” Archie nudged a little closer to Douxie as he spoke. 

And he was right.  With a final gust of wind, Merlin left you, leaving behind a thick, leather-bound book.  His grimoire.  Your last hope.

“What is that?”  Steve asked as Douxie picked up the book, clutching it to his chest.

“It’s all we have left to guide us,” he stood, “Other than that… we’re on our own.”

He was right.  You were more alone than you realized.  More than you had been for the last few hundred years.

[ceealaina]

Title: Who Do You Want Me to Be? Collaborator Name: ceealaina Card: TSB - 4008 IHB - 2007 Link: AO3 Square Filled: TSB A1 - Tony Stark/James Rhodes IHB G3 - Guilt Ship: IronHusbands Rating: Explicit Major Tags: Friends to Lovers, Pining, Pre-Iron Man 1 Summary: It's the early 90s and Rhodey's just returned stateside with a shiny new promotion. So of course Tony turns up like a one-man USO troupe to help him celebrate. And all of a sudden Rhodey's seeing Tony in a whole new light. Word Count: 7908

Rhodey sighed and rolled his neck, trying to stave off the headache he could feel building in his skull as he listened to the hold music. After he’d come back from Kuwait there had been medals, and ceremonies, and promotions, and now he was halfway through his extended leave. He’d been excited about having three straight weeks off when they’d first offered it to him, but his family had only been able to get time off for about a week, leaving him to entertain himself for the rest of the time. Some of his Air Force buddies were here too, and the hotel they’d been put up in was really nice, and he wasn’t… not having fun, exactly. But he’d been feeling antsy and unsettled and maybe a little lonely -- especially when all his friends had brought their girlfriends along to stay. 

The hold music clicked off then and a moment later there was a soft, feminine voice on the line. “Stark Industries, Tony Stark’s office. How may I direct your call?” 

Rhodey rolled his eyes a little -- not at her, just at the idea of his dumbass former roommate having a personal assistant. “I’m calling for Tony, please.” (Obviously, he resisted the urge to add. Why else would he be calling Tony Stark’s office.)

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid Mr. Stane has asked that all Mr. Stark’s calls be held today. May I take a message?” 

“Oh, uh…” Rhodey fought back a sigh. “It’s Captain Rhodes, calling for Tony please.” 

“Oh, of course!” she said, her tone changing. “I’ll put you right through. And if I may, congratulations on your promotion, Captain.” 

“Thanks,” Rhodey told her genuinely, grinning despite himself as he imagined Tony going around telling everybody in the office, down to his damn secretary. The hold music came back on but it was just a few seconds before it clicked off again. 

“Hey handsome,” Tony’s voice drawled down the line. “How’s your leave going? Partying it up? Knock anyone up yet??”

“Jesus,” Rhodey muttered, laughing a little as he flopped back on his bed and scrubbed a hand over his hair. “You never stop, do you?” 

“Don’t lie, you love it.” 

Maybe it was Rhodey’s imagination, or maybe he was projecting, but he thought Tony sounded tired. 

“Yeah, I do,” he agreed, unable to keep back a little sigh at the admission. 

“Hey, you alright?” Tony’s tone was teasing. “You’re sounding awfully maudlin for somehow who just got about a metric shit ton of commendations from the Air Force.”

Rhodey huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, I’m good,” he promised, scratching at his chin; he’d skipped shaving the last few days. And then, because he’d had just enough beer with dinner to keep him honest, “It feels weird celebrating without you here, man.” 

“Hey, you know I’d be there if I could, right?” Tony sounded agonized, and Rhodey felt his stomach sour with guilt. Tony’s parents had barely died a year ago, and he had a ton on his plate. Rhodey should have been checking in on him more, not making him feel guilty for not dropping everything to fly across the country and keep Rhodey company. “I’m really sorry.” Tony gave a little laugh but it sounded forced and even more exhausted than before. “I’d much, much rather be there, believe me. This is… Well it’s just that there are these deadlines looming, and Obie’s been really pushing me to come up with the next great thing, and since my parents--,” He choked on the word, cleared his throat, tried again. “Since dad died the board’s been on my ass, and everyone’s got ideas about what I should be doing and saying and how I should be behaving. I just couldn’t get away.” 

“Hey, no, come on.” Rhodey shook his head, even though Tony couldn’t see him. The other man still sounded pained, like he was letting Rhodey down and it killed him, and Rhodey was gonna shut that idea down fast. “It’s totally fine, Tones, I promise. I miss you, but I can still survive without you, you twerp.” 

Tony snorted. “You sure about that?” 

“I’ll get by. And hey, when things settle down I’m sure I can get a couple days off. We’ll live it up like it’s 1985.” 

“So… Cheap beer and terrible videos?” 

“You know it baby.” 

“Yeah, alright.” Tony hummed. “I miss that,” he admitted quietly. “No stakes. And I miss you too, Honeybear.” 

“Obviously,” Rhodey told him. “I’m a goddamn gift, Stark.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Tony told him. And then his voice shifted, obviously talking to someone. “Yeah, I know. No, I didn’t forget Obie, I just had something come up. I’ll be right there, I promise… Just let me finish this call.” 

There was a long moment of silence, long enough that Rhodey wondered if Obie hadn’t let it go, if Tony had had to hang up on him. 

“Sorry,” Tony finally said, just as Rhodey was wondering if he should hang up too. He sounded completely deflated, all traces of good mood evaporated. “Board meeting. Guess I better go.” 

“Man, I thought CEO meant you’d have more freedom,” Rhodey teased, trying to make Tony a little brighter. But there was no trace of humour in Tony’s voice when he replied. 

“Yeah. Me too.” There was a shuffling of papers. “Shit, okay, I really better go. Obie’s gonna be pissed if he has to come back to get me again. Have, like, an entire bottle of champagne for me, yeah?” 

Rhodey smiled despite himself. “Sure, Tones,” he agreed. “Don’t work too hard.”

The line was dead before he finished the words. 

***

Despite everything, Rhodey woke up feeling better the next morning; talking to Tony always seemed to have that effect, even if he was a chaotic disaster child. He was still lonely -- especially after watching Mikey literally feeding his girlfriend waffles at brunch the next morning -- but it felt more tolerable after that. 

And then, just as a group of them were making plans to do something for the afternoon, he heard a low whistle from behind him. “Hey sailors,” an extremely familiar voice drawled. “Enjoying your leave?” 

Rhodey whipped around so fast it was a miracle he didn’t injure himself, watching as Tony sauntered into the room, wearing his sunglasses inside like a complete asshole. “I know you know it's the Air Force, you absolute jackass,” he told him, grinning wide. 

Tony just shrugged, his smile just as bright, and Rhodey got up to give him a huge hug -- no delicate ‘bro’ hugs for them. He could feel Tony sink into it the way he always did when he got a proper hug and Rhodey squeezed him a little tighter, letting go just before it got weird. 

“What are you doing here, man? I thought you were in LA.” 

Tony rolled his eyes. “Dude, I’ve got like a fleet of private jets. What’s the point of being CEO if I don’t get to fly them at my whim.” 

Rhodey just gave him a pointed look and Tony shrugged again.

“I don’t know, you sounded bummed on the phone, and I don’t trust the US of Army to be showing you boys a proper good time, so I snuck out.” 

“Again, it’s Air Force, and you know that.” Rhodey was still grinning. “It’s good to see you, Tones.” He cleared his throat then, realizing he’d been staring at Tony, and steered him towards his friends. “Come on, come meet everyone.” 

Tony, of course, immediately charmed everyone, making the rounds and introducing himself and laughing like they were all old friends before pulling up a chair at the table and stealing the rest of Rhodey’s waffles like he couldn’t afford his own. It felt nice, right, the way things were supposed to be. He was maybe a little worried about the sudden decision to just take off, but it wasn’t like Tony’s relationship to spontaneity was a new one. It was probably his version of sticking it to the man, or just his best friend being his normal over-the-top self when it came to showing his affection for their friendship. 

Or maybe, Rhodey reconsidered when he saw the activities Tony had booked for them, he was working out his 'I'm-as-good-as-Captain-America-right-Dad?' issues. 

“Jesus man,” he said, laughing as he read over a copy of itinerary that Tony’d had his secretary print out and fucking laminate for everyone. “You’ve got helicopter tours of the city on here. What are you, the one-man USO girl troupe?” 

Tony just looked over from where he’d been writing down the contact info for some exclusive wedding venue for Matt’s fiancée. “That’s for later, baby,” he purred with a ridiculous, lascivious wink that had Rhodey busting out laughing. The whole thing was insane and over-the-top and ninety million percent Tony, and everyone seemed onboard so Rhodey figured, why not?

And the day was a blast. Overdone it might have been, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a great time. Tony had won everyone over in about five seconds flat, and the more ridiculous his antics the more they seemed to like him -- not that Rhodey was surprised, since that described their entire relationship. And he loved having Tony there with him, hadn’t even realized just how much he’d missed having him by his side. 

Tony had, apparently, planned some big dinner and party for them all at the hotel, so after a packed day everyone had gone back to their rooms to rest and get ready. Rhodey had had just enough time to dump his wallet and keys and strip off his shirt before there was a knock on his door. He wasn’t even surprised when he opened it and found Tony on the other side, leaning coquettishly against the frame. Rhodey snorted but didn’t acknowledge his positioning further, just left the door open and turned back into the room. He could practically hear Tony pouting at his lack of response, but he followed him in anyway, flinging himself across Rhodey’s bed. 

“Hey handsome,” he purred, dragging his eyes up and down Rhodey’s bare chest. 

“You’re hopeless,” Rhodey told him, throwing his t-shirt at Tony’s face. 

“Wow,” Tony mumbled, words muffled from underneath the fabric. “Rude.” 

Rhodey laughed, grabbing a dress shirt from the closest. “Hey,” he said, sitting on the side of the bed and smacking Tony’s leg. “How’re you doing, man? Like really. Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you even doing here? You okay?” 

“Huh?” Tony pulled the shirt off his face, giving Rhodey a borderline-manic smile. “Fine, great, excellent.” He sat up fluttering his eyelashes at Rhodey. “Why do you ask?” 

Rhodey rolled his eyes at him. “Don’t do that, Tones. Come on.” 

Tony shrugged, suddenly fascinated by an invisible stray thread on his pants. “I don’t know,” he mumbled, like he was five. He looked back up at Rhodey, his eyes suddenly tired. “I’m running the company. It’s busy.”

“Busy,” Rhodey replied dryly. 

Tony rolled his eyes at him. “There’s… It’s a lot. And Obie’s, I don’t know… Different, I guess, when I’m the CEO, and… I don’t know. It’s weird not having you around, and you know me, I don’t think things through so I just figured, why not? And now I’m here.”

“Mmm,” Rhodey considered this a moment and then turned to Tony with a bright grin. “Are you saying I’m your happy place, Stark?” 

“You know it, Honeybear,” Tony retorted, and he was obviously going for dry and sarcastic, but there was something a little too sincere in his voice, a shy little smile unwillingly teasing across his lips. 

“Hey, it’s okay, baby,” Rhodey told him. “I’ll be your happy place. I make you feel all warm and safe and squishy inside, that’s totally fine with me, man. I’m very comfortable in my masculinity.” 

“You’re very stupid, is what you are,” Tony retorted, but that little smile had turned into a full-fledged grin, and the stress lines around his eyes were fading a little. 

Rhodey flicked Tony’s nipple, just for the strangled wheezing noise he made and the way he clapped his hand to his chest, staring at Rhodes like he had some kind of virtue to protect. “Takes one to know one,” Rhodey informed him childishly before sobering a little. “Seriously, Tones, don’t overdo it though, alright?”

Tony blinked back at him innocently. “Overdo it? Me?” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know, that’s your middle name or whatever. I mean it, though. You need a break, take it. Not that I don’t appreciate it, but this is a lot. We’ll survive without a round of helicopter paintball or whatever you have planned next.” He rolled his eyes at the look on Tony's face. “No, that’s not a suggestion.” 

Tony pouted a little before he relented. “Rhodey, honey, I promise, this is a break for me. I’m having a blast.” 

“Yeah, alright.” Rhodey smacked his leg. “Come on then, Captain Overdo It. Somebody said something about a party downstairs. You wanna borrow my shower? Maybe a fresh shirt? You stink, dude.” 

“I don’t stink,” Tony scoffed. “I’ll have you know my cologne is imported, and very expensive.” He made a show of sniffling his own armpit and then wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, okay, maybe I’ll grab a quick shower,” he said before suddenly sitting upright so fast he nearly gave Rhodey whiplash. “Oh, no wait, I just remembered! I, uh… Left something in my room. I’ll shower there. Meet you downstairs?”  

He was gone before Rhodey could actually give him an answer, leaving him shaking his head as the door fell shut behind him. “Whatever, weirdo.” 

***

Rhodey occupied himself with his Air Force buddies, drinking and shooting the shit while he waited for whatever crazy surprise Tony had cooked up now. He was upstairs long enough that Rhodey was just considering going up to make sure he hadn’t gotten trapped in the shower curtain or something when Mikey’s jaw dropped, eyes going wide. “Oh my god,” he muttered as the room erupted into jeers and catcalls. 

Rhodey spun around and nearly fell off his stool as Tony sauntered into the room in a vintage Captain America USO girl costume, complete with halter top, red and white flared miniskirt, and a pair of ridiculous starry blue heels. “Oh my god,” Rhodey echoed, completely able to look away. 

Tony stopped a few feet away and cocked his hip, the heels and the angle making his ass even more gorgeous than usual. “Hey sailor,” he purred with a ridiculous, over-the-top wink, and Rhodey couldn’t even find it in himself to remind Tony once again that they were Air Force, not Navy. Tony just smirked at him. “Told you I was going to show you boys a good time.” He stilled then, waiting for some kind of a reaction, and there was the slightest bit of hesitation creeping into his smile. 

“Jesus Christ,” Rhodey finally managed, shaking his head and laughing, and Tony relaxed again. “You are an absolute idiot.” 

Tony shrugged. “That’s not what the shareholders say,” he answered, and without skipping a beat he closed the distance between them and plopped himself in Rhodey’s lap, sitting sideways and stealing Rhodey’s beer. 

“Yeah, sure, help yourself,” Rhodey grumbled, signalling the laughing waitress for another. He let his hand settle on Tony’s leg since there wasn’t much room anywhere else, especially now that Tony had gotten past his skinny twink phase. The fabric was a little stiff beneath his fingers, and he peered more closely at Tony’s costume. “Wait, is this an actual USO costume?” 

Tony shrugged, unphased as he stole Jake’s fries. “Dad had some weird shit in his Captain America collection. ‘S mine now.” He shot Rhodey a bright smile over his shoulder as he popped another fry in his mouth, winking at him in the process. 

“Jesus,” Rhodey muttered. He shifted his legs a little, the left one starting to go to sleep. “You’re fucking heavy, man. Is there something wrong with the chairs?” 

Tony just squirmed his ass a little harder on Rhodey’s thighs. “Well, you know. You’re the only one here without a girlfriend, so I figured I’d step in.” 

“Just helpin’ out, huh?” Rhodey asked dryly. 

“Exactly.” Tony agreed. “Just helping out.” 

Rhodey shrugged and resigned himself to spending the evening like this, shifting into a slightly more comfortable position and then pinching Tony’s side hard for good measure. He yelped, loudly, and Rhodey cracked up, nearly dumping Tony on the floor in the process. He looked up a second later in time to catch the end of a look shared between Mikey and Jake and frowned a little. “What?” 

“Nothing!” Mikey said quickly, Jake holding up his hands innocently. “Just, you know… This explains so much.” 

“Explains what?” Rhodey asked suspiciously. 

“Well, I mean… You’re very…” He trailed off, looking for the right word, and Jake snickered. 

“Uptight?” he offered. 

“And this explains that,” Mikey said.

Rhodey blinked back at them, not following, and Jake gestured toward Tony, distracted with talking to somebody else. 

“You left all your stupid at home.” 

Immediately Tony whipped around to face them. “You calling me stupid?” he asked, face lighting up. “Awesome.” 

“You are stupid,” Rhodey told him.

“Awww. Love you too, Honeybear.” 

The thing was, Rhodey was so used to Tony being Tony that he didn’t even give his behaviour a second thought. The constant flirting, the sexual innuendos, the way he strutted around in those ridiculous heels like he wore them every day, arching his back in ways that seemed strategically designed to draw Rhodey’s eyes to his ass… It was all the same Tony he’d known every day since he met him. And sure, as the night went on and the booze flowed his eyes drifted to Tony’s ass even without Tony’s doing everything he could to draw attention to it, but that was nothing new either. It was just… How they were. 

Tony was back in his lap again, his weight oddly comforting. Rhodey hadn’t even noticed his hand snaking around Tony’s waist until it was suddenly vibrating beneath him. 

“What the hell?” Rhodey yelped, voice way too high. He snatched his hand back like something had bit him and Tony nearly laughed himself sick. 

“Sorry, sorry,” he said, pulling out a monster of a cell phone. He wiggled the ringing device. “Top of the line,” he told him before he glanced down at the caller id and his face fell a little. Rhodey felt his heart clench sympathetically as Tony blew out a deep sigh. “It’s Obie,” he said. “I, uh… I should take this.” He gave Rhodey a smile, but even in his half drunk state, Rhodey could tell it was a little forced. “Back in a flash.” 

With Tony gone, Rhodey leaned back and let the voices and music and laughter and general sounds of the party wash over him as he sipped at his beer. He was vaguely aware of Jake wandering off too, and Mikey sliding over to the seat beside him, and he grinned when Mikey clapped him on the shoulder. 

“Having a good time?” 

“Uh, yeah,” Mikey agreed, gazing around at the light show and DJ that Tony had brought in from somewhere. “This is insane.” 

Rhodey shrugged, vaguely aware that he was grinning. “That’s Tony.” 

“Yeah…” Mikey glanced around and shifted a little closer. “Hey, Captain?” 

“Mmm?” 

“I’m not asking, and you’re not telling, but please god, kiss your boyfriend he explodes.” He grinned then, and while Rhodey was left blinking back at him, he gave him a wink and wandered off after Jake. 

“No,” Rhodey said weakly, even though Mikey was far enough away that he never would have heard him even without the noise of the party. “He’s… I’m… We’re not…” 

But the thing was, why weren’t they? If he was really, truly honest with himself, in the way that only came with a bit of a buzz, there’d always been something there, an extra side to their friendship that they’d never quite touched on. The flirting, the grand gestures… They’d been dancing around each other for years, really, and apparently hadn’t even been that subtle about it. 

Abruptly, Rhodey shoved his chair back from the table he was sitting at, looking around the room for Tony. He had no idea what he was going to do or say to him, but now that it had been pointed out, he couldn’t stand another second of letting this hang over them without doing something about it. 

There was no sign of Tony in the bar, probably still on the phone, but Rhodey noticed a promising looking side door, half propped open. Slipping through found him in a concrete back hallway of the hotel where, more importantly, he could hear Tony’s voice bouncing off the walls. He followed the sound, and found him around a corner further down the hall. He was still on the phone with Obie, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed and a pinched, tired look on his face that Rhodey didn’t like at all. He didn’t appear to have heard Rhodey, though through some trick of acoustics Rhodey could hear Obie’s voice filtering through the tinny speakers of the phone, demanding to know when Tony was going to be back from his distraction of a vacation. 

Rhodey wasn’t wasted by any means, but he was just drunk enough for it to seem like a good idea to step forward and take the phone out of Tony’s hand. Tony’s eyes snapped open, and Rhodey had the brief thought that they really were gorgeous, even when looking confused, before he held the phone up to his own ear. 

“Hey Obadiah?” he said down the line, not even stumbling over the name as he cut off whatever the other man was saying. “Fuck off.” 

Tony’s eyes went even wider as Rhodey punched the off button. “Rhodey… What?” His tongue flicked out against his lower lip, a nervous tic that he’d had for years, but Rhodey’s eyes focused on his lips with the motion.

Rather than speaking, he let his arm drop to his side and stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His other hand came up, curling around the back of Tony’s neck, and Tony inhaled sharply, lips parting. Rhodey couldn’t resist then, leaning in to kiss him. 

It was soft and sweet at first; he’d meant it to just be soft and sweet. But then Tony made a soft noise, his hands curling in Rhodey’s shirt, and without quite meaning to Rhodey deepened the kiss. The phone dropped to the floor with a loud clatter as he pushed Tony up against the wall, having just enough presence of mind to cradle his head so it didn’t smash into the concrete. His other hand dropped to Tony’s thigh and he moaned softly into his mouth at the brush of bare skin beneath the fabric of the short skirt, pressing his own thick thigh up between Tony’s legs. 

And then the press of Tony’s hands against his chest changed and he was shoving instead, enough force behind it that Rhodey staggered backwards. His balance was off and when he regained his footing Tony was staring at him, a slightly shaking hand clapped over his mouth. Rhodey couldn’t quite find the words to ask what was going on and Tony regained his composure, drawing in a deep breath before he lowered his hand again. 

“What the fuck are you doing, Rhodes?” he asked, and his voice was low and cold but there was hurt in his expression, not anger. 

“I mean…” Rhodey shrugged helplessly because he’d thought it was kind of obvious, but that didn’t seem to make Tony feel better, hiding his face as he stooped to pick up his phone. 

“I’m not your drunk, pity, gay experiment, Rhodey,” he said quietly, before turning and striding off down the long corridor. 

Rhodey sighed, and thumped his head against the wall.

His first instinct was to take off after Tony, to try and explain what he’d been thinking. But while he wasn’t drunk drunk, he clearly wasn’t sober enough to not be a total moron, and the truth was that he hadn’t been thinking, he’d just… Wanted. So instead of going after Tony, or going back to the party, he wandered through the confusing back halls until he found an exit, slipping outside into the night air. 

It was cold out, but it was refreshing after the sweltering heat of the party and Rhodey’s head felt clearer almost as soon as he was outside. Still, he wandered around for a while, trying to get his thoughts together before he ambushed Tony again. Suddenly kissing him after years of supposedly being straight probably hadn’t been the best way to handle this.

He was shivering in his shirtsleeves by the time he made it back into the lobby. The party still seemed to be going strong, but he ignored it in favour of the elevators, heading up to Tony’s room on the top floor -- penthouse, of course. He drew a deep breath before knocking, and there was a long moment of silence on the other side of the door, long enough that he was worried Tony was going to ignore him entirely, before his voice finally filtered through the thick wooden door. 

“It’s open.” 

Rhodey let himself in, locking the door behind him, and followed the faint sounds of splashing water to the bathroom. He found Tony stretched out in the bathtub, up to his neck in a thick layer of bubbles. He was focused intently on the faucet, although his eyes flicked briefly over to Rhodey at his appearance. Not wanting to corner him, Rhodey leaned against the bathroom door frame, hands in his pockets.

“Rich guy like you leaving your hotel room unlocked while you’re in the tub? Doesn’t seem like the safest idea.”

Tony just shrugged, still not meeting his eyes, and flicked at some bubbles. “Think I’m safe. They’re supposed to have pretty good security here. Although I guess they’re letting just anyone up here now,” he added, the words void of their usual snark. Rhodey sighed. 

“Hey, so, I’m an idiot.”

Tony snorted. 

“First of all, are you okay? Second of all, I think I’m missing something here. Third of all, why are you hanging out in this whirlpool. You have something approaching Olympic-sized at home, I know you do.” 

Tony finally looked over at him then. His hair was soft and curling from the steam and he shoved a stray strand impatiently out of his eye. “Well, you’re definitely missing something. But I guess I like this tub because it’s here.” 

“Right. That makes sense.” 

“... Where you are.” 

“Oh.” Rhodey felt his stomach swoop. “Oh.” 

“Yeah.” Tony let his eyes cut away again. “Guess we’re both idiots, huh?” 

Rhodey huffed out a laugh. Tony’s cheeks were flushed, and he was pretty sure it wasn’t just because of the heat of the water. “So all of this was…?” 

“For you? Yep,” Tony confirmed dryly. “You know how I am with self control.” 

“So why’d you run away when I kissed you, then?” 

Tony looked over at him with an arched eyebrow. “Because you were drunk.”

“Not that drunk.”

“And I didn’t want you to regret it when you sobered up,” Tony continued, ignoring Rhodey’s interruption. “And… And… Maybe I was panicking a little. Like sure, I guess I did all this to show you I liked you but then I started thinking what if you only like me because I did all this? I wanna bang you like a screen door in a hurricane, but I never expected you to know about it, you know?” 

Rhodey couldn’t help it, he started to laugh, and Tony groaned, burying his face in his wet hands, soap suds dripping down his arms. 

“You wanna bang me like a screen door in a hurricane, huh?” 

Tony groaned louder. “Shut up,” he grumbled, words muffled by his hands. 

Rhodey ignored him, moving across the room to sit on the side of the tub and pull Tony’s hands away from his face. “That all you wanna do?” he asked softly. 

Tony blinked up at him with those ridiculously wide, beautiful eyes before he shook his head. “No,” he admitted hoarsely. “I want to take you out to nice dinners, and galas, and watch movies like we used to but with cuddling and making out and… I want to be the one you come home to when you’re on leave, I want to be your home and… And…” He faltered, trailing off, and shrugged. “I want it all.”

Rhodey grinned down at him. “Definitely both idiots,” he agreed. “Because I want all of that, too. I just didn’t realize how much until now.” 

Tony’s breath caught and he shifted a little closer. “Yeah?” he asked, licking his lower lip. “You promise you’re not drunk?” 

Rhodey planted a hand over his chest. “I swear it.” 

“Good,” Tony breathed and then his wet hands were fisting in Rhodey’s dress shirt, yanking him in for a rough kiss. Rhodey yelped against his mouth as he nearly lost his balance, felt Tony’s lips curl into a smile against his before they found their rhythm, the kiss even better than the one in the hallway downstairs. 

 “Shit,” Rhodey breathed when they pulled back again, lips brushing against Tony’s with the motion. Tony laughed softly in return. 

“Shit,” he agreed. “Is this even real?” he added, sounding absolutely delighted by the fact. Rhodey immediately reached up to pinch him hard in the arm, and Tony cried out, swatting at him in return. “What the fuck, Rhodes?”

“You asked!” Rhodey said, grinning, and got a faceful of water splashed in his face for his trouble. He had to splash Tony back in turn and the two of them ended up splashing and smacking at each other until Rhodey did lose his balance, slipping into the tub with his legs still hooked over the side. Tony nearly drowned himself, he was laughing so hard, slipping under the water and sloshing it all up over the side and onto the bathroom floor. “Stop laughing,” Rhodey grumbled, although he was laughing too. He smacked Tony’s leg under the water as he bumped up against him. 

“Sorry,” Tony said, not sounding it at all. His eyes were sparkling as he pulled himself upright a little, leaning into Rhodey’s shoulder. “Guess we should get you out of those wet clothes, honey,” he added, barely getting the words out before he was snorting with laughter again, draping himself across Rhodey. 

“You’re hopeless,” Rhodey told him, snaking his arm around Tony’s waist. “Don’t know what I see in you.”

“Too late,” Tony told him. “You already said you like me. Can’t take it back now.” He stilled then, suddenly very interested in the button on Rhodey’s cuff. “Uhh, you do, right? Like me, I mean? I mean, I know you’re my best friend but… This isn’t just a sex thing for you, right?” 

“Tony…” Rhodey just shook his head. “You're hopeless,” he repeated, waiting for Tony to look up at him again. “It’s not just a sex thing,” he promised. “I like you, Tony. I really like you. Even more than as my best friend. I might actually be a little bit in love with you, I just haven’t had enough time to process it yet, but…” He trailed off, pretending to consider. “Yep, I’m definitely at least a little bit in love with you.” 

Tony’s eyes were shining, and he cleared his throat. “I’m maybe a little in love with you too, Honeybear.” 

Rhodey gazed at him a few minutes longer, his own throat feeling a little thick before he patted Tony’s leg again. “Well, if we’re all on the same page then I think that demands a celebration party.”

Tony’s nose wrinkled. “You want to go back downstairs?” 

“I was thinking more along the lines of room service? Pizza, champagne, movies on TV… I think I was promised cuddles and making out?”

Tony gave him a slow, sweet smile, leaning forward to kiss him again. “Yeah,” he said, grinning against Rhodey’s lips. “That sounds perfect.” 

It was a little longer before they managed to extricate themselves from the cooling water of the tub, and get dried off and dressed -- since naked cuddling seemed a little weird, when they hadn’t done anything more than kiss. Rhodey borrowed some sweats while Tony ordered the room service, which meant they ended up with the most expensive champagne the hotel had on offer. 

By the time Tony was pouring a second glass for them, Rhodey was feeling loose and bubbly, partly from the champagne but mostly just from how right everything felt. They hadn’t done anything, were just sitting side by side, watching Lethal Weapon like any number of nights at MIT, but it still felt like he’d found something he hadn't even known he was missing. So when Tony passed him the refilled glass, he set it on the nightstand instead, turning back to Tony and curling a hand around his neck, drawing him in for a slow kiss. 

“Oh.” Tony hummed happily against his lips, squirming closer as he kissed him back, and when they pulled apart again that flush was back on his cheeks, along with a pleased smile. “Hey.” 

Rhodey snorted, kissed him again. “Hey.” 

Stretched out and reclining against the pillows as they were, it wasn’t long before they shifted lower, until they were lying on their sides, facing each other. Their kissing picked up, less exploring and more intent, and Rhodey was hyper aware of everything about Tony, the way he was panting into his mouth, the soft, needy little whines that occasionally slipped past his lips, the way his ankle was rubbing between Rhodey’s own, a poor replica of what he really wanted. Tony’s ratty old t-shirt had rucked up and Rhodey’s free hand had settled on his hip, stroking over the warm skin until Tony was shivering against him. 

Tony pulled back suddenly, his hair even more fluffed up and falling into his eyes. Rhodey couldn’t resist brushing it out of his face and Tony’s nose wrinkled, like he thought he could hide how pleased he was by the action. 

“You’re such a sap,” he whispered, leaning in to suck at Rhodey’s lower lip. It was Rhodey’s turn to shiver, doubly so when Tony slid a hand up under his t-shirt and dragged short nails down his chest. Tony smirked and moved closer until they were pressed together head to toe. Rhodey could feel him hot and hard against his hip, and Tony moaned when the sensation had him twitching against Tony’s tip in turn. “Are we, um…” His voice was hoarse and he gave Rhodey a crooked grin. “Are we doing this?” 

“Are we doing this?” Rhodey repeated, laughing when Tony groaned and ducked his head against his neck. “Is that the famous Stark charm you’re always bragging about? Christ, how do you ever get laid?” 

“I hate you,” Tony grumbled, but Rhodey could feel him shaking with laughter against him. He took advantage of Tony being distracted to roll them, easily flipping Tony onto his back so he could straddle his waist and lean over him. Tony stopped laughing, staring up at him with wide, soft eyes, and swallowed hard. 

Rhodey grinned, grinding down against Tony a little and grinning at the near-gasp that slipped past his lips at the sensation. “So what do you want to do?”

Tony groaned and his hands slipped down, clutching and squeezing at Rhodey’s sides. “Christ, Rhodes,” he grumbled. “You’re gonna fucking melt my brain here. I want… I want…” Suddenly his mouth dropped open, expression changing into one of disbelief. “Oh, fuck me.” 

“I mean, that was what I was getting at,” Rhodey teased, laughing when Tony swatted at his shoulder blade. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, come on. What’s wrong? You’re in a hotel room with a gorgeous man between your thighs. What more could you want?” 

“Lube,” Tony muttered, sounding distraught, and Rhodey blinked. 

“What?” 

“I don’t have any lube,” Tony whined, his cheeks flushed again. Rhodey had never seen him blush this much in his life, and he was kind of enjoying it. This may have been an unfortunate turn, but he couldn’t help laughing anyway. 

“Are you sure you’re really Tony Stark? Aren’t you some kind of self-proclaimed sex god?”

Tony huffed and squirmed. “It’s not… I didn’t… I had some, but then I… I came here to see you, asshole. I wasn’t planning to hook up.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t I just see you in a vintage USO costume with the express intent of hooking up with me?” 

“I didn’t expect that to work!” Tony wailed, burying his face in his hands. “Please hand me a pillow. I need to smother myself.” 

“Hey, no, come on.” Since Tony was still hiding his face, Rhodey ducked down to kiss over his neck, tonguing at a tendon that had Tony moaning. “I’m sure we can figure out something to do instead.” 

“Yeah?” Tony asked, voice coming out breathy. His hand moved to scratch over the back of Rhodey’s head, and his hips rocked up against him. “You want me to put the skirt back on?” 

Rhodey laughed into his skin. “Maybe later,” he hummed, lifting his head again to give Tony a wink. “Besides, it was the heels that really did it for me. Your ass is incredible, man.” 

“Finally,” Tony huffed. “You know how many squats I’ve been doing, waiting for you to notice?” 

Rhodey rolled his eyes. “Of course you have,” he muttered, kissing him again. Tony melted against him -- so easy -- and Rhodey took advantage to wrangle his arm between their bodies, cupping Tony’s cock through his pants. He was hot and thick even under the fabric and Tony moaned at the touch, legs falling a little further open. 

“Christ,” he gasped. “Little warning.” 

“Aww. Where’s the fun in that?” Rhodey asked, squeezing and then stroking up his length with his thumb.

“Fuck,” Tony choked out. “You’re a goddamn menace.” He squirmed and wriggled underneath Rhodey, hauling on his t-shirt. “Come on, I wanna see you.” 

Rhodey grinned and sat back on Tony’s thighs, pulling his t-shirt off over his head. Tony made a soft, pleased, humming sound at the sight, eyes fixated somewhere around Rhodey pecs before dragging over to his biceps, and Rhodey preened at his obvious appreciation. He waited a moment before arching an eyebrow at Tony. “You gonna reciprocate there, hot shot?” he asked, flicking Tony’s nipple again. Tony made the same, hilarious sound, but this time it was followed by his eyelashes fluttering and a low moan, his hips arching up. 

“Every time,” he muttered, sounding breathless. His eyes were heavy lidded and he grinned up at Rhodey from under thick eyelashes. “Every time you do that it goes right to my cock, jackass.” 

Rhodey felt his cock twitch at the thought, at the idea of Tony, trying to hide how affected he was. He pulled Tony up off the mattress to kiss him again, wrestling with his shirt in the process. It took a few tries but he got it off, letting Tony fall back against the mattress again before following him down. Tony whined when their bare chests pressed together, wriggling around until he could get a leg on either side of Rhodey’s, grinding up against his hip. 

“Shit, Rhodey,” he gasped. “You’re killing me. I’m gonna lose it here.” 

“Yeah?” Rhodey ground down against him, doing his best to ignore the way his own cock was throbbing in his pants in favour of teasing Tony. “You that close already?” 

Tony shrugged, utterly shameless. “You’re hitting all my buttons here, Honeybear. And, you know… I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. Fantasies come true. You…” His eyes fluttered again when Rhodey rubbed over his nipple. “You know how it is.” 

“Mmm,” Rhodey hummed, groaning softly when Tony’s fingers scraped over a sensitive spot on his hip. “Yeah, I do.” 

He kissed Tony again and wriggled his hand further down between them, shifting and pressing at the waistband of Tony’s sweats until they were sliding down over his hips, his cock popping free. Rhodey rocked back on his elbows far enough to get a look at him. He’d never really thought about men like this before, but Tony was gorgeous. 

“What?” he asked, teasing him instead of saying it outloud. “No thong?” 

Tony was panting, but he still managed to give Rhodey a smirk. “Maybe next time. Let’s see how good you are first.” 

Rhodey narrowed his eyes and then he was curling his hand around Tony’s cock, turning whatever he’d been going to say next into a low whine. Tony rocked his hips up into Rhodey’s grip, and his hands moved to grip tightly at his biceps, hard enough that Rhodey was pretty sure he’d have little fingerprint bruises left behind. The thought turned him on more than he expected and he squeezed around Tony’s cock again, rocking down against him. There was precome beading at the tip and Rhodey dragged his thumb through it, using it to slick Tony up more and filing away the noise he made at the touch for future reference. 

“Christ,” he groaned, out of breath himself now as he buried his face in Tony’s shoulder, teasing his skin with his teeth. Tony groaned. “You’re so fucking hot.” 

“Could… Say the same to you,” Tony gasped, fingers squeezing harder at his arms. “Fucking come on, Rhodes.” 

Rhodey pried his spare hand away from where he’d been clutching Tony’s side, reaching down to shove lopsidedly at the waist of his own pants. Tony picked up on what Rhodey was doing, sliding his hands down over his ass until they’d gotten his sweats pushed down too. He pulled his hand away briefly, ignoring Tony’s petulant whine at the loss, and spit in his hand, curling his hand around both their cocks, pressing them tight together. Tony gave a full body shudder at the feeling, one hand gripping hard at Rhodey’s ass, the other scrabbling over the back of his neck. Rhodey could feel him twitch against him, the feeling almost setting him off, and he closed his fist a little tighter, jerking them off hard and fast. He’d thought it might be a little weird, being with a guy -- he’d never touched a dick that wasn’t his own before. But it wasn’t weird at all, it was just… Tony. They’d always done their best to help each other feel good. This was just taking that to another level. 

And it felt really good. 

Tony’s body was hot against his, wound tight as he arched into Rhodey’s grip. They’d given up kissing, panting against each other’s mouth as everything spiralled higher, and Tony was making occasional little high-pitched whines that made Rhodey want to lay him out, pin him down and take his time exploring his entire body, finding every little spot that made him make that sound again. 

Later, though. For all his teasing of Tony, he wasn’t going to last that much longer himself. He could feel his balls drawing up tight, Tony’s thighs tensing on either side of his hips. He moved his free hand back to Tony’s chest, more of a rough drag than the sensual slide he’d been going for, but Tony didn’t seem to mind when he pinched his nipple again, making him cry out. 

“Come on, baby,” Rhodey panted against his lips. “Wanna see you come.” 

Tony moaned loudly and then his back was arching, mouth falling open as he spilled over their cocks. One of his hands moved to close over Rhodey’s, squeezing tight around the two of them, and Rhodey nearly choked as he came too, the force of it taking him by surprise. 

It was a long moment before he felt like he could breathe again, before he became aware of Tony panting and cursing softly beneath him. Pushing himself up on shaking arms, Rhodey pulled back far enough to collapse on his back beside Tony, sprawled out and panting. He wasn’t even surprised when Tony immediately squirmed around to cuddle up against him, head pillowed under his shoulder. Grinning, Rhodey let his arm curl around Tony, running his fingers absently over his skin.

“Shit,” Tony muttered, turning his head to place an absent kiss on Rhodey’s pec. “That was fucking…” 

He trailed off, apparently out of words for the first time, and Rhodey snorted. “Technically, I haven’t fucked you yet.” 

Tony made a pained noise. “Do you think there’s a 24-hour pharmacy around here somewhere?” he asked, moving like he was going to sit up, though he settled right back in when Rhodey’s hand closed over his arm.

“Jesus, Tones. Give me a chance to catch my breath, huh?” 

“What, are you old?” Tony teased, though he seemed happy enough to just stay there, snuggling. They’d never turned the TV off, and whatever movie was on now was a comforting buzz in the background. 

“Yup,” Rhodey agreed. “So ancient. Anyway, I think I’ve got a better idea.” 

Tony shifted a little more, turning enough that he could see Rhodey’s face. “Yeah? What’s that?” 

Rhodey cleared his throat, feeling absurdly nervous despite everything they’d just done. “You’re going back to California tomorrow, right?” 

Tony sighed, long and tired. “Yeah,” he admitted. 

“Well, I’ve got another week’s vacation left…” 

He trailed off, leaving it hanging, but Tony knew exactly where he was going, pushing himself up on his elbow to grin down at him. “Yeah? Really? You wanna come with me?” 

“I mean, if you’ll have me…” 

“If I’ll have you, he says,” Tony was still beaming, even as he rolled his eyes, then put on his best affected ‘East Coast Wealthy’ accent. “Yes, Captain Rhodes, I would love to have you join me at the California home for the next week.” Then he waggled his eyebrows at him. “You’re on vacation? You can be my kept man.” 

“I’m regretting this already.”

Tony ignored that, flopping back down onto the pillow. “I’ll get you a silk robe, you can spend your days lounging around, making yourself pretty, sunbathing in the nude… Have dinner waiting for me when I get home from the office.”

He was giggling now, and Rhodey smacked him without looking, catching him somewhere around his stomach. “I ain’t cooking for you, man.” 

“That’s fine!” Tony assured him, rolling up onto his side to flutter his eyelashes. “We can order in. I am very rich. Just as long as you’re in your best heels and pearls.” He gave Rhodey a ridiculous, over-the-top wink. “Other clothing is optional.” 

He looked ridiculous, and so absolutely pleased with himself, and Rhodey couldn’t believe it had taken him this long to realize he was in love with the man. 

But he hadn’t gone this long without knowing that if he encouraged Tony he’d never stopped, so instead of telling him how in love with him he was, Rhodey shoved him onto his back again and kissed him until he stopped giggling. 

(In retrospect, that probably didn’t have quite the dissuading effect he was going for, but Rhodey couldn’t find it in him to mind all that much.)

@tonystarkbingo @ironhusbandsbingo

[jinmindeulle]

valtameri | jwy (1)

the zeemeermin and the piraat

word count: 2.4k

pairing: jung wooyoung x reader

genre: pirate au, mermaid au, pirate!wooyoung x mermaid!reader ∣ angst, fluff

warnings: none that i had noticed?

a/n: here i am once more! lately i’ve been obsessed with ateez as pirates and mermaids so i came up with his one at 2:52 in the morning hehe! as always thanks for your support, especially to my beautiful @myghibli for creating these amazing banners ♥

a/n 2: if you wish to be part of my tag list for future updates please do not hesitate and let me know! i’ll happily add you! ♥

i highly recommend you to read the introductions first, as the story will make more sense for you with that information! read here:

ATEEZ crew

the mermaid world

link to valtameri’s masterlist here

happy reading!  

A full moon was adorning the night skies, sprinkled with shining stars and no clouds in sight. The sea was calmer than it had been in months. A warm breeze caressed her wet skin, making her sigh in contentment. Those were the nights when she felt truly happy, slightly forgetting about her life deep down the blue ocean.

Leaning on the same rock as every night but still keeping her body inside the water, she fixated her eyes in the direction of the pirate ship she wished to spend the rest of her life in. Daydreaming for a moment, she imagined herself on board of the Destiny, standing on the edge of its forecastle deck, feeling the wind through her dark blue long locks while smelling the ocean breeze.

The small smile that had appeared on her lips suddenly faded away, because the tough reality hit her in the form of a green-lilac mermaid tail. Warm tears welled her eyes and slowly went down her face. However, she tried hard not to let more out when the soft sound of running water reached her ears.

That wooden little boat was making its way towards her.

She used the back of her hands to erase any sign of fallen tears on her cheeks, and the smile that she had previously plastered on her face made its way back.

“Sorry for the delay, zeemeermin. Captain needed me to set the sails properly before going to sleep.”

“It’s okay, piraat. I was just enjoying the calm water. It’s been days since the sea was this nice.”

“I know, right? Your father must be in a good mood tonight.”

His soft laugh never failed to mesmerize her. The mere sound of his voice sent chills down her spine, but his high-pitched laugh made her feel joyful. Made her feel alive. His bright eyes reflected the moonlight and looked like two big lanterns with the ability of guiding her all the way home through the wide deep ocean. However, she knew she would never need those, because his eyes were her home. His perfect plump lips formed the big bright smile that she was so used to seeing every night. That didn’t make her immune, though. By just looking at his lips, she felt the urge to feel them closer and caress them with her own. She was sure that if she dared to just touch them with her fingertips, her heart wasn’t going to be able to take it.

Even if she felt like her world was falling apart right in front of her eyes, meeting him at the same rock every night was keeping her from falling as well. The way he kept eagerly meeting her there, always bringing a new story to tell her and make her feel better — even if he didn’t know that — made her feel good. Worthy. Loved.

“Did I tell you about that time when Yunho hyung replaced me at weighing the anchor because I had back pain and fell into the ocean?” his high-pitched chuckles made a comeback as he abandoned the safety of the boat just to sit down on the huge rock. The new proximity made her take deep breaths to try and slow down her sudden rapid heartbeat, but they didn’t help as he took her hand in his and started giving it soft caresses. He kept going on and on about the hilarious happening, his eyes so scrunched up and teary while recalling that story that she had to laugh at his expression, slightly forgetting about the skin to skin contact.

“Yunho seems like someone who would do that” she laughs, enjoying the precious moment.

“I still don’t get why he insisted in doing it when all of us know that San hyung is the best at replacing me.”

“But just at your job, piraat.”

His deep brown eyes looked at her own with a glimmer that she had never seen before. They seemed to reflect surprise, happiness and a little bit of relief.

“Right” he muttered, a content grin on his lips that reached his beautiful eyes. She felt how he squeezed her hand with his, and her heart felt like it was being crushed with it.

“Do you know when is it that you’re going back to sailing in the open sea?”

She internally cursed. Why did she have to bring that up? Was it necessary to keep reminding them of their inevitable parting every time?

“Probably in two or three nights, according to Captain.”

His demeanor quickly changed, just as it did each and every time she asked him that exact same question. His eyes were now fixated in their interlocked hands, no longer looking at her with that longing expression on his breathtakingly gorgeous face.

“I wish I could go with you.” She let out a sorrowed sigh, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes once again.

“I wish you could too.” At his confession, sadness overcame her soft pretty features, making both of their hearts ache. That’s when the pirate decided that that topic of conversation had to end there. “Are you coming tomorrow with your father?”

She used her free hand to wash away the tears that clung to her eyelashes and took a glance at the pirate ship that slowly swayed far away by their side. “I think so. He told me he needed to meet up with your Captain before you leave for some exchange of gold, or something like that.”

“Yeah, Captain informed Mingi hyung about that over dinner. Is that Arnav coming too?”

That last question was thrown at her face with such distaste, that she had to look up, smiling at his disgusted expression.

“He’s father’s second hand so yeah, he is.” She grinned, pinching his cheek at his cute pouting face.

“I don’t like him. Neither does Captain or any of my crewmembers.”

“I know. I hate him too, Wooyoungie.”

His pouting lips instantly turned into a wide smile, white teeth showing from side to side. The truth is that her calling him Wooyoungie rarely happened. They were so used to referring to each other as those mysterious Dutch terms that he sometimes forgot about the joyful feeling of hearing his nickname leave her lips.

The following hour was filled with stories, laughter and slight skin to skin contact. Neither of them had dared to go further than that, even though they both were fully aware of what was going on between them. The reason behind their nightly escapades was what kept them functioning during the day, wishing deep inside that sleep time arrived soon so that they could go out of their pole opposite worlds and meet up for a couple of hours.

Sadly, the parting hour quickly arrived, and with downhearted expressions on their faces, they said their goodbyes.

“At least we get to see each other two times tomorrow” he breathed out, leaving a soft sloppy kiss on her hand. She thanked the night skies for the darkness that covered her reddened cheeks, and with a content sigh, she nodded.

“Not the same as at night but at least it’s something. Have a good night, piraat.” She muttered, watching him go back to the wooden boat. Once he was positioned, hands over the rowing sticks, he sent her one of those beautiful, heartwarming smiles and whispered “You too, y/n”, only to start rowing his way back to the pirate ship.

She stayed there, leaning in that meaningful rock until all she could see was a little dark dot climbing back to deck. As he disappeared, she decided that it was about time to go back as well.

Looking at the bright stars one last time and wishing to see them again the following night in the presence of her favorite human being, she dove all the way down the wide deep ocean to what her fellow mermaids and mermen called home. At that moment, and just like every time she thought of the term home, she came to the conclusion that her definition of that word was nothing like theirs.

The sun was up once again, reflecting over the ocean and giving it a turquoise glimmer. Far away and deep down, y/n was quietly murmuring her favorite song, sadness visible over her features. Her mother had sung it for her each and every night to lull her to sleep, especially when she was having trouble to find her way towards Morpheus’ arms. She had never felt such grief and misfortune in her entire life — even when she thought of her desire to become a pirate — than when she lost the most important being for her. Her mother got her in a way that no one had; she had held her when she felt like her mermaid body had her real self trapped inside, and had given her advice when her father declared her the next in line for ruler of the seas.

After meeting Wooyoung, y/n felt like a part of her that had long ago died with her mother was reviving, was blossoming in a new way. That pirate was giving her hope through his loving glances, warm caresses, fond smiles and reassuring words. She was sure that she was never going to be happy if she had to live like that for the rest of her life, hiding her encounters with the pirate from everyone and merely being with him for a couple of hours at night. But at least it was something. Something to which she could cling to until the string was cut off.

“Father wants us in the meeting room now.”

Her younger sister, Gali, was fluttering in front of her, a tough look in her features. Her mid-long mahogany hair floated around her head, making her look even more intimidating. When they went to the surface together, she actually seemed like a cute little mermaid, but down the sea, she could pass like a siren merely by her harsh features — which only softened when being around her crush, Arnav. Y/n had always wondered what she had done to her sister for her to hate her so much. Even after their mother’s passing, Gali had never given her a fond look or a hug. If she had doubted her mother’s fidelity to her father, she would surely believe that there was no way they could be sisters.

Gali didn’t wait for y/n’s response and just swam her way out to the meeting room. The older sister fluttered still for a couple of minutes, until she snapped out of her bubble and began swimming to the point of meeting. While she passed by all of the different buildings, she wondered if that was what humans experienced everyday on land. She had a vague idea of how life was there thanks to Wooyoung, who had showed her plenty of books with pictures and illustrations of some of the nearby islands. He had also mentioned that some people believed that deep down the ocean, a lost city called Atlantis existed. The illustrations that she had seen were actually pretty accurate, although her “city” was nowhere near that utopian society that held enough wisdom to bring world peace.

Without realizing, she reached the meeting room. Bowing to the merman guards that fluttered by the main door, she made her way inside.

Her sister was already in front of their father, using her hands to comb through her hair. Right, Arnav was there as well. The big muscular merman was discussing something with the King of the Seas, paying no attention at all to the younger mermaid who had fully blushed by just being near him. Y/n didn’t get why Gali was so deeply in love with that arrogant being. Only his worked-out torso could have made her fall for him, because his face was nothing like Wooyoung’s, and his long tail was an ugly mixture of black and green scales. Disgusting.

“Oh, good. Y/n is here”

Her father looked at her with serious blue eyes that surely took after the ocean he was born into. While staring at them, she realized that her father had never looked at her like her mother used to. Was he only able to love just his wife? Not even his daughters?

“This is going to be quick as we must go up for our meeting and exchange with the ATEEZ crew.” He stated, deep low voice resonating in every wall of the room. “You both know it by now, but you may be realizing that I am getting old and I will not be able to continue my ruling properly. As I told you years ago, y/n is to follow the linage and will be replacing me soon.” He prompted his wrinkled, large hand to Arnav’s direction and kept on talking. “However, I do not wish for her to rule alone.”

Oh, no.

Y/n’s world was already falling apart, but it just never seemed to stop.

“You may marry Arnav in the next few weeks and take my place right after the union is consummated.”

She felt like throwing up. A gasp went out of her mouth, pure disbelief, grief and desperation taking over her. She felt her tail go numb, barely holding up. The mermaid was not able to hear anything around her. Her sight was blurred, a huge lump forming in her throat.

“Ar… are you…?” y/n muttered, trying to recompose. “Are you forcing me to marry him?”

As she recovered her hearing, and although the voices still resonated far away from her, she could hear Gali crying like a baby by her side, making a fuss like she was the one condemned to a life full of lies and misfortune.

“I am not forcing you, y/n. I am looking out for you.”

Y/n felt like her whole existence was a joke, life and destiny laughing at her with joyful tears in their eyes. Tears that she would never feel if she ever married that stupid creature and stayed the rest of her life under the sea.

“Right” she let out a sarcastic laugh and waiting no response, swam away and out of her disgrace.

With full speed, one that surely was propelled by her anger, y/n made her way towards the only place she knew somebody was going to actually listen to her and help her out. That dark cave was her only way out.

next  ↬ chapter ii — union

tag list ♥ @peterparkerismybae​ 

[coffeecomicsgalore]

Chasing Feelings

Summary:

Ao3

Day 7: Reveal

“Ready?” Adrien said softly to Marinette.

“Ready.”  

Marinette and Adrien walked in to class holding hands. It wasn’t any different than the previous day so no one made a fuss, but when Adrien guided her to her seat, he leaned down to give her a simple peck to her lips before sliding into his own seat. Marinette smiled and Adrien winked ready for what would happen next.  

Three... Two... One.  

Alya’s eyes were ready to fly out of her head and a loud squeal erupted from her chest. Nino’s eyes were just as wide, but instead he just yelled “Dude!” and slapped Adrien’s back. Chloe, still reeling from yesterday’s fiasco, chose to ignore it as best she could, but everyone could still see her stewing with her arms crossed and nose stuck up in the air. The rest of the girls – Mylene, Alix, Juleka, Rose, and even Sabrina – all squealed in happiness. Lila sat in the back and scowled, not saying a word.

Adrien and Marinette looked to each other and shrugged. “We have no idea what you guys are implying. We’re just friends.” Adrien said with a straight face.

Alya’s jaw dropped while chaos ensued everywhere else. They all surrounded the pair, trying to figure out what was going on, mainly asking about the kiss.

“Doesn’t everyone kiss their friends? I mean, we are French. Is that not normal?”

Marinette tried to hold back a laugh and straightened her face to respond. “I know you guys have been wanting to hear this for a long time.” She reached out and grabbed Adrien’s hand that was draped over her desk. “We upgraded our relationship and made it official.” This prompted a gasp from the girls. “We are now best friends!”

Alya almost fainted. “What the heck! This is not what I meant when I wanted this ship to sail.” She turned to Adrien. “Yes, we are French, but we kiss each other on the cheeks, NOT the lips. That’s strictly relationships.”

“But Alya,” Adrien whined, “we are in a relationship. We are the best of friends! And best friends have an amazing friendship! We love each other like family. It’s okay to kiss family like that, right?”

So many groans filled the room. Ms. Bustier walked in and brought the attention back to order. Marinette and Adrien shared a giggle with each other before Adrien cleared his throat and faced the teacher. Marinette could feel the heavy glare coming from her best friend. She turned to her and shrugged her shoulders, placing her index finger to her lips to ‘shush’ her and promptly watched the board like a model student.  

----

At lunch, Marinette and Adrien found each other in the courtyard and gave each other the biggest, gaudiest hug that anyone had ever seen.  

“BEST FRIEND!” They said in unison as they embraced.

The groans could be heard around the school, making this entire thing so much more worthwhile. Earlier that morning, as they walked into the school together, Marinette explained that the class has been waiting for this moment ‘for like ever’. Adrien – as Marinette had found out, enjoys being a bit mischievous – brought up the idea to play a prank on the class. Intrigued by the idea, Adrien continued and mentioned that they should make a show of their “friendship” throughout the day, then reveal their relationship the next morning. The plan was working and it just amused to two of them to no end.  

Really, the real reason they needed to wait to announce to the class was because they needed to tell their families before news spread around quickly. With Adrien being famous, their relationship was bound to be on the front page of some sleezy newspaper and he didn’t want to defend their relationship to his Father. It was important that he tell him the news himself first.  

As soon as their friends left the courtyard, Adrien wrapped his arm around Marinette’s shoulders and kissed her temple. “I’ll come back as soon as I can so we can hang out before classes start.”

“I’ll wait for you. Text me when your close?”

Adrien led the two to a discreet little corner of the entryway of the school. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss to her lips, relishing in the softness. “I’ll see you soon.”

----

Lunch at Marinette’s went well. Telling her parents the great news only ignited a celebratory passion in Tom’s belly. Sabine had to bring him back down into the world of Paris, and insisted she bring Adrien over after classes were complete so they could give the young man a hug and a cake of his choice. Marinette asked if they were buying Adrien’s love with food, allowing Tom to agree with another bakery pun. A quick text of a thumb’s up emoji to Adrien and she enjoyed the rest of her lunch in peace.

Adrien’s lunch was quiet, per usual. It took some time to coax Nathalie to request Gabriel’s attention for an important announcement that needed to be had before he went back to school. Nathalie was able to find five minutes of his time, which Adrien hoped would be enough to state his case on having a relationship with Marinette. It took some convincing, a little back and forth badgering, but then Gabriel obliged. Happily, Adrien responded back to Marinette’s text with a thumb’s up emoji and a heart.

Only forty minutes more to go before he could see her again.

-------

The afternoon brought in an early summer storm, but that did not stop the two superheroes with their weekly patrol. Ladybug and Chat Noir walked by the Notre Dame Cathedral huddled under an umbrella to save them from the rain.  

It was late in the evening by the time they were almost finished with patrol, with only a few Parisians out faring the crummy weather. They waved sweetly to the children, but were left mostly alone to each other’s company. Even with the slight chill in the air, the mood was delightful.

Ladybug could not contain her giddiness; Chat was in an extremely adorable mood. He was whistling as he walked and Ladybug could see that his nerves could not contain his excitement any longer. Every so often, he bounced on the balls of his feet, waiting to spill his happy secret, but he wanted to wait until his Lady asked him first.

Ladybug was just as distracted but could not contain her enjoyment for the cat’s antics. She shook her head and gave in to his excitement. “Alright Chat.” Chat’s ears perked up. “What has gotten you so happy all of a sudden?”

Chat was titillated that she took the bait. “Well, Milady, since you asked so nicely, I have some purr-fect news! I have a girlfriend now!”

Ladybug felt a twinge of jealousy, but it was short lived. Honestly, if anything, she was excited for him. He deserved to have someone who loved him the way he should be loved. “Is this one of your silly games to get me jealous again?” She teased.

“No, not at all! I have been thinking about this girl for a while now. After a simple misunderstanding, this night-in-shining armor asked his princess out on a date and to be his girlfriend.”  

“Chat, that’s great!” She hid the confusion behind her fringe. He used to call me princess. But she continued. “And I assume that with all your bouncing around that she said yes?”  

“Yup!” He cheered, popping the p. “She was so happy she let me kiss her. It was seriously amazing.”

Ladybug smiled as she played with the handle of the umbrella. “I guess I should share my news too then. It seems like you’re not the only to start a relationship.”  

Chat looked at her with the softest kitten eyes and waited for her to continue. “Do you remember that boy I’ve been pining over the last year?”

“You mean the one that I called a dummy for not seeing you for who you are since day one?”

She pouted at him. “Yes, Chat. That boy.” She lightly slapped his arm. “And don’t call him a dummy!” He chuckled as he feigned hurt. “Well, after our own misunderstanding, he asked me out on a proper date.”

“That’s awesome, LB. I’m so happy for you. What are the odds that we would both be with someone on the same day?”  

“Yeah, what a coincidence.” Ladybug added. She heard a laugh coming from her partner and Ladybug just had to inquire. “All right Chat. What is so funny?”

“I was just thinking about my day. Actually, my girlfriend told me something interesting, and because I am such a mischievous kitten, I asked her if she was willing to pull a prank on our class.”

Ladybug stopped in her tracks and turned to him. This was becoming awfully familiar. The conversations between Tikki and Wayzz over the last few weeks were starting to make sense. She swallowed thickly and decided to ask. “Did you happen to prank your class that you and your girlfriend were best friends instead of being in a relationship?”

Chat looked at her with his eyes wide in shock. “Ye- yeah?”

A few seconds passed in silence before they broke it in a whisper-yell.

“Adrien?”

“Marinette?”

Their expressions went from shock, to happiness, to an overwhelming feeling of amusement.

“We’ve seriously been pranking everyone all day all to end with us being the biggest clowns of our lives.” Chat said in astonishment.

Ladybug could only nod her head in agreement. “I’ve had this feeling for weeks. Tikki and Wayzz have been urging me to have us reveal ourselves and now I know why.” She dragged her hand down her face. “You have no idea how crazy I was over both sides of you! I have been in love with your civilian self for over a year and I recently fell in love with this version of you. Having to choose between the two of you was one of the most awful things I had ever had to experience.”

Chat let out a boisterous laugh. “Oh my gods. You know I’ve been in love with you for over a year! I fell in love with your civilian self over the last couple of weeks.” Chat then realized what she had just said. “Wait, you have been in love with me for over a year?” Ladybug nodded bashfully. “I cannot believe we have been chasing our tails over the last year only for us to fall in love with each other two times over.”

“I’m so glad I don’t have to choose. I’m so happy that I get to have both sides of you.”

Chat pulled her into a hug. “You just said you loved me.”

“Yup.”

“And you love all of me.”

“Every single side of you, mon minou.” She thumbed his cheek. “And I believe you just said you loved both sides of me, too.”

“Mhmm.” He hummed sweetly in her ear as he nuzzled his nose in her hair. “And I will tell you this again and again until the day I die. I. Love. You. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“And I love you, Adrien Agreste.”

They stood there under the umbrella, thunder rolling in the skies above them, falling deeper in love with each other just like she did that faithful day over a year ago. They fell into their heavenly gaze, soaking in the love and compassion that radiated from their souls, intertwining them together as soulmates so often do.  

Adrien cupped her cheek and leaned his forehead against hers, nuzzling his nose with hers in an endless supply of eskimo kisses to fill his heart. An adoring smile spread upon his lips before pulling her into a slow, but passionate kiss. Pulling back slightly to see the light blush on her cheeks, he relished in the thought that he was lucky enough that both sides of her would always be a huge part of his life.

And if the look of desire in her eyes had anything to tell, she felt just as lucky as he did.  

[presidentlauraroslin]

Types of kisses prompts: 16. Chrisjen/Cotyar, 33. Bobbie/Cotyar, 42. Bobbie/Chrisjen (I'm not even gonna bother putting any "or's" between these anymore)

So, shocker, I did do all of them. Behind a cut, because otherwise it would be a hella long post. 

16.Chrisjen/Cotyar - One person pouting, only to have it removed by a kiss fromthe other person.

Therewas something oddly satisfying in watching Chrisjen be out of her element.Cotyar didn’t necessarily enjoy seeing her be this uncomfortable, but she wasthe kind of person who could walk into any situation and own it, made it play out exactly the way she wanted it. To see her brow furrowed, her lips pursed and practicallyjump out of her chair as soon as they had gotten the all clear that the dropshiphad docked and leave the cramped area was new and it was interesting. Althoughprobably not a good thing to have her in this nervous of a mindset if they weregoing to deal with Mao.

He leftthe marine to fend for herself and followed Chrisjen to a small private areawhere he found her pacing, the click of her heels muffled against the carpet.She shot him a dirty look as he closed the door behind him. Oh good, she wasstill in a terrible mood. “If you mention that we’re walking into a trap onemore goddamn time, I will have you tossed out of this fucking ship.”

“I wouldn’tdream of it.” The look in her eyes could have melted the hull of the ship andit said that she knew he would definitely dream of it. For now he would keepthose comments to himself. He never was sure when she was serious with herthreats to do grievous bodily harm. But the amusement he felt at watching herbe uncomfortable was starting to fade and he sighed, watching her walk thelength of the space. “You need to breathe.”

“I amfucking breathing,” she snapped and stopped pacing. Cotyar raised his hands insurrender and carefully approached her, glad to see that she was letting him.He could see that she was breathing, but it was a little shallow and irregular.It made sense in a way. She could fight any battle, take on any enemy, but thiswasn’t a fight. This was fear, or at least a huge discomfort, and she wasn’t goodat fighting herself.

“No, youneed to breathe, properly.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and ignoredthe incredulous expression on her face. “I’m afraid your heart will give outand I would hate to blame your death on the Martian back there.”

Chrisjengave him a spectacular eyeroll, but he spotted the smallest hint of a smile inthe corner of her mouth and there wasn’t any anger behind her next curse as herhands lightly landed on his hips. “Motherfucker.”

“Youalright?” he asked a little more seriously. As much as he had smirked when shehad been seemed a little scared, even though he knew her fear was justifiedafter the transport from Pallas incident, but he kind of needed her to bealright. Chrisjen looked up at him and he immediately realized he shouldn’thave asked her that. He shook his head slightly and squeezed her shoulders. “Stupidquestion.”

“It was.I just fucking hate space and space travel and everything associated with it.” Thegrip on his hips tightened and she looked almost more defeated than she didannoyed. She was even pouting, even though he had learned to not point that outanymore, because she always vehemently denied it. It was endearing and theallure of her bottom lip was too much to resist. Giving her plenty of time toshove him away, he leaned closer until there was only a hair’s breadth betweenthem.

When shedidn’t stop him, he closed even that small distance, kissing her softly,capturing her bottom lip between his own. He actually felt some of the tensionin her shoulders disappear as she kissed him back. It made him wish they hadmore time, that there wasn’t a Martian marine on board whom he still didn’tquite trust. He wanted to be on Earth with a bed so he could give her what sheneeded, what they both wanted. But for now a kiss would have to do, until thismess was resolved.

“Wasthat supposed to be distracting?” she asked, arching an eyebrow, her lipsticksomehow still perfect. Cotyar shrugged, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb.

“Yep.”It had been as much a distracting move as it had been something he had wantedto do before they reached Mao’s ship. It was a trap they were flying into and atrap he wasn’t sure he was prepared for, could prepare for. But Cotyar didn’twant to tell her that, even though he suspected Chrisjen already knew. Sheusually did.

“It didn’twork.” She raised her chin defiantly. Her pout was gone, so was the worry inher eyes and tension she had carried. Kissing her had worked, but he wouldgladly play along to make this moment last longer. Her hands moved from hiships to underneath his jacket, her palms warm through the fabric of his shirtagainst his lower back.

“I cantry again.”

“I thinkyou should.” Chrisjen met him halfway when he leaned down to kiss her again.

33.Bobbie/Cotyar - An unexpected kiss that shocks the one receiving it.

Cotyarfelt nervous which was a strange sensation that he hadn’t felt quite like thisin years. By some miracle he had survived getting off Mao’s ship, had beenpicked up by the UNN, had a gut wound healed and then had managed to get to vacsuit before the protomolecule had reached him. And now here he was, on JamesHolden’s ship with Chrisjen, who had slapped him squarely across the facebefore wrapping her arms around him and cursing him into the next century. 

Theremay have also been some kisses which would have ended up in some desperate sexif they hadn’t gotten the message that Holden was coming back with a bunch ofkids and more importantly, an injured Draper. He had watched her being carriedin by the pilot, limping, every inch of her bruised. She had given him an emptylook before the drugs kicked in and she had passed out, which was probably forthe better.

So nowhere he sat, watching her heartbeat, waiting for Chrisjen to return or for thedrugs to slowly stop working, whichever happened first. It turned out it was the latterwhen Bobbie’s heartrate increased a little and her eyes began to flutter open.Cotyar immediately moved to her side, carefully taking her hand, wanting to bean anchor for her as she returned to reality.

“HeyMarine,” he whispered. It took a moment for Bobbie’s eyes to focus on him andthen another for her to realize who she was looking at. When it finally clickedshe gave him a groggy smile and squeezed his fingers. He felt a warmth settlein his stomach as he looked at her.

“Spy.You made it.” Her skin was still more bruise than its original shade, but therewas no mistaking that accent or that tone. This was Bobbie Draper and she washere and she was alive. He had to resist the sudden urge to hug her as reliefcoursed through his veins. She was a marine, she was supposed to risky, stupidshit, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t been scared when Chrisjen had told himwhat she had done.

“Barely.You look worse though.” What was gunshot wound and a little protomoleculecompared to going one on one with a hybrid and living to tell the tale? Bobbietried to smile.

“Ah, youshould see the other guy.” It was probably for the best that he couldn’t. The Rocinantehad nuked the site of the lab, destroying all evidence of the protomoleculethere, including Bobbie’s hybrid. But the big mechanic had already told himBobbie had done quite a number on him, emptying her gun into its head.

“Youkilled your dragon, huh?” Bobbie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Whenshe opened them again, there were tears in her eyes and Cotyar felt his heartbreak a little. She was so strong and powerful, had saved his ass and Chrisjen’s,had destroyed something that was impossible to destroy, but she was stillhuman. Carefully he wiped away a tear that nearly rolled into her hairline,letting his thumb rest against her cheekbone.

“I did.”She didn’t sound proud or victorious. She sounded tired, like it hadn’t beenthe catharsis she had sought. He could have told her that slaying your dragonsdoesn’t give you the peace you seek, but she wouldn’t have listened. At leastnow she knew.

“Youscared her, Marine. You scared me when I heard what you did.” He had no doubtChrisjen would tell her all about how terrified she had been in a less thansubtle way, but he wanted to say it as well. He got wanting to get revenge, butnot at the near cost of one’s own life. The tired expression on Bobbie’s facewas changed into of sadness as if it suddenly hit her that she had people whocared about her on this ship.

On animpulse, on the feeling that he didn’t want to lose her, Cotyar leaned down andpressed a soft kiss to her lips. Bobbie inhaled sharply, but after a moment aher lips started moving against his, the grip she had on his fingers tighteninguntil it hurt. Cotyar smiled and pulled back, kissing her forehead beforelooking down at her. “Don’t scare us again.”

Bobbielooked thoroughly confused and speechless, pressing her lips together as if shecouldn’t quite believe what had just happened. Somehow he could barely believeit himself. “I – what?”

“We’lltalk about it later. Just rest and heal.”

42.Bobbie/Chrisjen - Distracting kisses from someone that are meant to stop theother person from finishing their work, and give them kisses instead.

Chrisjenhad the talent of firing orders at people faster than any PDC could. Bobbie wasa little awestruck watching her as Chrisjen walked into the apartment in the UNbuilding, talking to one of her assistants no doubt. Bobbie almost felt sorryfor who was on the other end and she hoped they were recording thisconversation. Confirming appointments there, canceling them somewhere else,blacklisting one motherfucking idiot and inviting another to dinner.

As shepoured herself a drink, Chrisjen smiled at her, rolled her eyes and continuedtalking. Bobbie smiled back as she muted the television, smiling wider when shewas handed a glass of whiskey most Martians could only dream of. She caughtChrisjen’s wrist before she could walk away and brushed her lips against theinside of her palm, looking up to watch Chrisjen’s lips part and the tip of hertongue flick out to wet her bottom lip.

“Fuck…No,not you. Where was I?” Bobbie felt an immense of amount of pride that such a smallgesture had managed to momentarily distract Chrisjen. Chrisjen caressed hercheek and walked away, gesturing to open the door to the small outside area.She looked so beautiful today, draped in gold and blue that moved like it wasliquid. She looked like royalty from centuries ago and it just made Bobbierealize that she had barely spent any time together.

Abandoningthe whiskey without ever taking a sip, she decided to take advantage of the factthat Chrisjen was on an audio-only call. Bobbie walked up behind her and trailedher fingers down her arm before wrapping her arms around Chrisjen’s waist andresting her chin on her shoulder, breathing in the fresh air, even as thecomforting sound of Chrisjen voice continued to hurl orders.

WhenChrisjen didn’t stop, even though she had once stated she preferred to do aslittle work as possible at home (before grumbling that this fucking apartmentwould never be home), Bobbie turned her head. The line from her neck the edgeof her shoulder was bare, except for a necklace. Smirking, she kissed justbehind Chrisjen’s ear, knowing it would make it shiver. She wasn’t disappointedwhen she could her stiffen in her arms.

Sadly,she barely faltered in her fairly one-sided conversation, so Bobbie moved tokiss her neck, barely there kisses at first, slowly building up the pressure,until she was just shy of leaving a mark, nipping at the sensitive skin withher teeth as Chrisjen seemed to lose her train of thought several times andcovered Bobbie’s hands with her own, seemingly to steady herself. Bobbie smiledagainst her neck and bit softly just above the necklace.

Withoutwarning, Chrisjen muted her earpiece and spun around her arms. She was a littleflushed, her eyes were dark and she looked a slightly heated. Good. That hadbeen exactly what she wanted.

“Bobbie…”Chrisjen tried to sound exasperated, but Bobbie could see straight through that.She was turned on and it wouldn’t take much to have her put down work for thenight. She missed her and she wanted her.

“Yes, ma’am?”she tried innocently.

“Don’t ‘ma’am’me. You know exactly what you’re doing.” Chrisjen actually poked her in thechest with her finger and Bobbie smiled. It was cute when she was pretending tobe annoyed with her.

“And I’mnot gonna stop. Earth will continue spinning if you stop working for a moment.Send that poor girl home and spend some time with me.” Chrisjen narrowed hereyes, but Bobbie didn’t budge. She just held her close, looking down at her,waiting for her to give in already. Thankfully, that didn’t take long when Chrisjensuddenly sighed.

“Fuck,fine.” She unceremoniously hung up on her assistant and tossed her earpiece onthe table. “You have my full attention.”

Bobbiedidn’t bother responding. She simply picked Chrisjen up and kissed her properlyas she walked her over to the bed.

[flamingo-writes]

New Recruit - [Portgas D Ace x Reader]

Summary: Ace was recently taken to the Moby Dick against his will. And during the countless times he attempted to kill Whitebeard, he always ended up in the infirmary. There, he eventually grew fond if the same nurse who took care of his wounds, as she slowly tried to change his mind and make him join the crew.

A/N: This started out as a drabble. Got carried away as I usually do. Embrace the fluff.

Words: 1.2K

Warnings: implied sex, no smut (You can find the smut fragment to this here).

Almost every single day, Ace's shameful face showed up in the infirmary, his feet dragging him defeated. In the beginning you felt bad for him, however, you'd find this more and more amusing over time. As well as his constant presence seemed to lift your spirits.

"I was wondering when were you coming again" You joked noticing how his feet splatted, leaving behind a trace of water as all of him seemed to be dripping, soaked.

"Shut up" he hissed and sat on one of the beds.

"What have you got for me today? I can see you're not bleeding. So that's good..."

"I hurt my wrist" He murmured as you grabbed a chair and sat in front of him.

"What happened?"

"That old man threw me across the ship. I almost fell off board and when I held from the edge, my wrist crached, it hurt and I fell to the sea..."

"Okay...First, I need you to change and dry yourself..."

You stood up from the stool and looked for something at one of the closets.

"I don't have any other clothes..." he answered ashamed.

"Here" you handed him some scrubs. "These are Marco's. I don't think he minds you wearing them while your clothes dry up" you handed him a towel as well as he grabbed everything and went to the bathroom.

In the few minutes he took, you gathered everything you thought you were gonna need. Bandages, ointment, painkillers. And once he got out, you checked his wrist, and patched him up.

"Ace, you should stop it..." Your voices echoed gently, looking at him as he avoided eye contact.

"I won't"

"You keep getting hurt. You don't even let yourself heal before you get new wounds. I worry about you, Ace!"

"Why do you worry about people who aren't your crew mates, anyways?"

"I'm a nurse, I heal people, I like to help others. Besides, I like you. You're a nice guy, you should take more care of yourself, you'll end up dead one of these days"

"I'm a pirate, I'm not a nice guy"

"You are indeed a pirate. And you are a nice guy. You're nice to me, at least. You make me laugh, you let me take care of you, you're one of my best patients. You don't complain about pain, and you actually listen to me"

"You're the most decent person here" His voice as bitter as his entire mood actually felt like a punch in your guts.

"Ouch, Ace. That hurt" you growled, making Ace realise how much of a jerk he sounded.

He immediately regretted it. After all, you were his only friend on board. And actually, your soft smile and gentle touch was the only thing that brought him comfort in his every day life ever since he was brought to the Moby Dick.

"I-I'm...I'm sorry..." he whispered.

"Yeah, whatever. Maybe you're not so nice after all..." the sourness in your voice only hurt him more, making him feel bitter and self aware.

"Awh come on, I said I was sorry. I meant that. You're actually pretty nice yourself. You take care of me, patch me up, and listen to my never ending complaints...I'm sorry, [Name]" it was the way his voice purred your name that made you think he was being honest.

"Alright, Ace. Apology taken..." you sighed loudly. "Dinner should be almost be ready. Are you finally joining us today?"

"I think I'll pass..." he said lying in the bed he was sitting. "Can I stay here? This beds are very comfortable"

"Stubborn as always, aren't you? Fell free to do as you like. Just don't break anything please" you answered. "I will go to the kitchen to see if dinner's ready. I am starving"

Ace was beginning to doze off. The smell of the infirmary reminded him of clean new clothes Makino brought him and his brothers back when they were kids. Also, the fact that the beds were comfortable, and the loose scrubs. For the first time, Ace felt comfortable there.

The creek of the wooden door made him flinch and sit up straight waking up instantly.

"I'm sorry!" You squeaked in a whisper. "Were you asleep? I'm so sorry!"

"Its..." Ace began noticing you were carrying two trays with food "its alright"

"Here" you said handing him one of the small bowls filled with rice and a couple of panko pork chops on top. "I also snuck out some extra dessert" From one of the pockets of your scrubs you grabbed four small chocolates wrapped in fancy paper. "These are for special occasions, so, please acknowledge my effort while trying to steal these from the kitchen"

Ace chuckled as he grabbed the chocolates and put them on the small nightstand besides the table.

"Thank you, [Name]" Ace said, now sitting in the bed and patting the free space next to him.

You sat next to him as the two of you proceeded to eat. At first, quietly. Until eventually a conversation sparked between you two. A rather nice and long conversation where you got to know more about the infamous Fire Fist Ace. Only to reinforce your opinion that he was, indeed, a nice guy.

Once you finished, you took the dishes back to the kitchen and went back. Surprised that Ace was still there, the two of you ate the stolen chocolates.

"Thanks" Ace began.

"For what?"

"Everything. Being nice, taking care of me, stealing fancy chocolate for me..." You chuckled, not noticing his gentle stare on your lips. "Can I kiss you?"

It wasn't until his question that you realized the sweetness melting from his eyes. Has he always looked at me that way? You wondered. However, you didn't answer. Eyeing his lips, possessed by a sudden urge, you leaned closer to him, pressing your lips on the corner of his mouth.

Cupping your cheek in his bandaged hand, he brought your face closer, so your lips were fully on his. Locking his lips with yours at once, you first kissed awkwardly. Trying to figure out each other's rhythm.

The kiss was just the beginning. It soon heated up, and the desire to explore each other grew eager and eager. Finally consumed by a needy fire trapped between you. The two of you guided each other into what you enjoyed the most. Culminating in pants and moans, and skin painted with blush and love bites. Disclosing the repressed feelings you had for each other.

Tangled in each other's embrace, the two of you slept peacefully. The first good night sleep Ace had in a long time. His heart now full and contempt that someone, in this decrepit ship, actually cared for him.

The next morning, Marco went to the infirmary, since it was basically his workplace as much as it was yours.

Such was his surprise when he found the two of you asleep, snuggled next to each other, clothes scattered on the floor. The whole scene screaming what had happened the night before. He smiled and walked put of the infirmary, closing the door behind him.

From the beginning, Marco knew the new guy was going to like you. You had this natural charisma and always charmed those around you.

What he didn't expect was you falling for the new recruit. He felt happy for Ace. Despite him refusing to join the crew, Marco thought maybe you could snap some sense into the young guy's head. Specially now that the undeniable chemistry between you was now clear to the both of you.

"Why so dreamy, Marco?" His friend a Thatch noticed the way Marco was smiling to himself.

"Nothing..." Marco answered.

[ilcuoreardendo-fic]

Lies We Tell (QuiObi)

#21 QuiObi was requested from this prompt list. It didn’t quite get to a resolution or closure because...well, sometimes life doesn’t.

I still have one or two more prompts from that list to fill and another prompt from the Fictional Kiss prompt list.

I will fill them. Just letting you know. I’m slow, but I eventually get there.

Now, here’s some Jedi melodrama.

_________

“Obi-Wan, did you and Master Qui-Gon break up?” Anakin’s question came out in so quick a rush a breath that Obi-Wan strained to follow it.  

From the moment Obi-Wan retrieved Anakin from Qui-Gon’s quarters to spend the day together (a monthly promised he kept when on Coruscant and off duty), he’d known Anakin had wanted to ask him something.  

That was the last question Obi-Wan expected.

Obi-Wan set aside the gentle chastisement that Jedi did not “date” as the outside world did.

“Why do you ask that?”

Anakin’s eyes grew wide. “Ummmm.”

“Anakin?”

“It’s just…. Master Qui-Gon and Knight Rolene have been eating dinner together a lot. And Master Qui-Gon usually eats in a big group of Knights and Masters or alone with Master Windu when you’re not around and I just thought—I don’t know.”

“Master Qui-Gon is free to spend his time with whomever he wishes,” Obi-Wan said. He knew Knight Rolene. 15 years Obi-Wan’s senior, he was a friend of Qui-Gon’s and one of his former star pupils in a series of diplomacy and negotiation courses Qui-Gon taught.

Anakin frowned. “I guess so.”

They continued their walk toward the public gardens. Anakin soon caught onto another topic, but Obi-Wan kept returning to Anakin’s question. It caused something to clench and coil in his belly as he thought back over his last few layovers on Coruscant. They had been short and Qui-Gon had been brief with him. Obi-Wan chalked it up to his reticent master’s usual sick-but-healing moods; his recovery from the incident on Naboo was slow. Yet, something in the back of his head—a tiny, niggling thought that he’d been loathe to pay attention to—connected with another.

# # #

“Force,” Obi-Wan whispered as he collapsed onto the mattress, sticky, sweaty, sated. He turned his face toward his lover. Qui-Gon lay down beside him, grinning, stretching the length of his body like a giant cat, firm thighs and just-beginning-to-soften belly catching Obi-Wan’s attention and pulling it up to the puckered scar over his master’s sternum.

“You’re on medical leave for how much longer?” he asked.

Qui-Gon laughed softly. “Until I pass the barrage of tests they set me. They estimate a few more weeks. I’m afraid sexual endurance is not one of those tests,” he finished, with an arch look at Obi-Wan.

“I’d be happy to provide testimony to your vigor.”

“Appreciated, but unnecessary. Besides, running after Anakin is an assigned part of my physical therapy. Tell me, what’s on the docket for your next mission?”

They talked about Obi-Wan. Where he’d been, where he was going, his adventures navigating the Council now that he was on his own as a Knight, his day with Anakin.

“He misses you.”

“I wish I were here more often.”

“The first year is always busy for a new Knight,” Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan detected and undercurrent of wistfulness. “What will you be doing until you get your next screening?”

“I’m taking each day as it comes.”

“I know. Live in the moment. But you must have some plans?”

“There’s a Saffa exhibit I’m thinking of going to,” Qui-Gon said.

“Since when were you interested in Saffa? You always told me it was an overrated period.”

“With all the time on my hands, I find myself reconsidering some old opinions.”

“When is it?”

“Thursday afternoon.”

“I ship out that morning. I would have liked to come with you.”

“Next time.”  

# # #

It was a lie. It had come to Obi-Wan in the moment, tangling sinuously around the vision of Qui-Gon’s lunches with Knight Rolene and Anakin’s question.

Obi-Wan’s transport didn’t leave until late evening on Thursday. He looked up the Saffa exhibit, found a single ticket worth several of his monthly stipends.

He was there, just inside the gift shop, dressed in colorful civilian clothes, when Qui-Gon arrived.

Obi-Wan had muted the bond on his end. It didn’t take much. It had been weak since Naboo. The intervening weeks where they were able to spend time together after Qui-Gon’s release from the healer’s ward had only just begun to mend it as they explored their newly confessed feelings.

As Obi-Wan watched Qui-Gon smile at tall, lithe Knight Rolene and take him by the elbow to lead him into the exhibit, Obi-Wan wondered about those feelings.

He tracked them carefully through the museum, blending in with the crowd.

They were decorous. As good Jedi should be. But their body language, the way they leaned toward one another, tucking their heads close to murmur about a particular piece, or guiding one another to different displays, or the way they stood, shoulder to shoulder, but not quite touching. It all spoke of a familiar intimacy that made Obi-Wan’s stomach tighten.

Over an hour later, he watched them slip into a cab to head back to the Temple.

He followed shortly after. Standing outside of Qui-Gon’s rooms, he considered the lock. It was engaged. The light indicated the quarters were occupied. He thought about knocking, thought about unlocking the door (Qui-Gon had never removed his print from the panel).

He placed his palm on the center of the door, closed his eyes.

A moment later he turned and half stumbled away from the door before he caught his breath, straightened his spine. He went to his assigned Knight’s quarters, retrieved his already packed bag and headed for the temple garages.

He was about to get into a speeder when a voice stopped him.

“Running, you are.”

The hum of the repulsor chair had alerted him to Master Yoda’s presence, but the words still caused him to wince. “I have an assignment.”

“Hmmph. Face your fear you must or follow you it will.”

“I think I’m not the only one that needs to face his fear,” Obi-Wan said.

“Know this well, I do. Qui-Gon… Difficult padawan he was. Not much has changed as Master. But one's perspective nearly becoming one with the Force always changes.”

Obi-Wan half turned. “Maybe it’s too much change too soon.”  It had taken some time to admit that he’d been thinking that since Qui-Gon woke up on Naboo, since he’d taken Obi-Wan’s hand in the bed in the medical wing and hadn’t let go.

Master Yoda’s eyes softened, his ears twitched. “Perhaps.  On your mission go, Obi-Wan. Come back prepared.”

Obi-Wan gave a shallow bow before slipping into the car and heading toward the mooring tower.  By the time he boarded his off world transport, the impression of two Force signatures twined around one another was fading into the back of his mind.

# # #

A few weeks later, Obi-Wan returned to Coruscant, having completed his mission ahead of schedule. He sent his report to the Council en route and arrived in the middle of the night, so there was nowhere for him to be, no distractions to be had and only so much time he could spend in his quarters unpacking those things that needed cleaning or mending.

It wasn’t much later that he found himself, once again, outside Qui-Gon’s quarters. He put his hand to the lockplate and the door slid open.

Qui-Gon was awake, in a sleeping robe, sitting on the sofa. He looked up when Obi-Wan came in, a flicker of surprise at the corners of his eyes. His mouth twitched into a smile, but it faded as Obi-Wan met his eyes.

There were two glasses on the long table and the scent of good whiskey lingered in the air, along with something subtle that was headier, muskier. Qui-Gon’s scent mixing with another’s. Obi-Wan pulled his shields tighter around him but the look in Qui-Gon’s eyes told him that their bond was humming with the hurt that had settled deep in his belly.

“Well,” he said. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Nothing you don’t already know,” Qui-Gon said evenly.

“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?” Obi-Wan half scoffed. “How long?”

Qui-Gon hesitated. “About a month after our return to Coruscant.”

“And when were you planning to tell me – ah – you weren’t. You weren’t.” Obi-Wan turned, paced into the small kitchenette and back again. “I’m used to you keeping things close to the chest, but I wouldn’t have expected this of you. But perhaps I should start. You seem to do your damnedest to always do the unexpected, professionally and personally.”

“Obi-Wan—“

“We could have talked, Qui-Gon. Don’t you think this change has been a weight on my mind as well? One moment you’re dismissing me in front of the Council, the next dying in my arms and then confessing your inappropriately long-held feelings for me. Too much change, too soon.”

“You’re right. We can talk now.” Qui-Gon was quiet, voice calm. So calm that it almost left Obi-Wan speechless as his own heart seemed to want to rise into his throat.

“I just have one question. Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes,” Qui-Gon said.  

To anyone else, the answer might have seemed decisive, solid as durasteel. But Obi-Wan felt the pause between question and answer. Barely the space of a heartbeat, but it was there, emphasized all at once by the bond they shared. A hesitation resulting in a sudden gap between them that yawned wide as the greater Crystal Canyon.

Feeling as though the air had rushed out of the room, Obi-Wan resisted the urge the wrap his arms around himself.

“This…is obviously something I should give you space to think about,” he said.

He didn’t know what he expected as he walked out the door. For Qui-Gon to cry out, apologize, plead for him to stay.

But Qui-Gon made no sound.

And as the door shut behind him, Obi-Wan clenched his teeth to avoid making any himself.

[queenbethbdb]

Royal Desire

Wrath: Let's go, my man. George, find Beth. [George's collar jingled with each step, the 4-legged male eager to be on the move after the hours of being cooped up in my office following the series of news bombs regarding Lash and my shellan, the lockdown, and the talk with Lassiter.

My bonded male demanded black blood, preferably Lash's and the Omega's more than ever. Lash had been close enough to Beth to kill her, or worse, be could have tortured her like Bella had been. I refused to go there with what the angel had been through; Beth would not have survived that.

The need to check on Beth made me a male on a mission and I was /not/ seeing or talking to anyone else until I did. The wake of my bonding scent would warn a stray body to keep away, and if that didn't work I'd gladly rip off a head or two.

A soft whine and wiggling body at the end of the harness drew my attention. As did the scent of my shellan. Night blooming roses. My fangs lengthened as I homed in on her scent.]

Leelan…

Beth:  *Gliding down the stairs with as much elegant grace as I possessed, I came to a sudden halt.  Wrath’s scent reached me before George could, and I was already smiling when I saw Wrath.  The past few days had been slow and agonizing after the shopping fiasco with Lash.  I still felt nauseated.  The only two people in the world that could calm my nerves were Wrath and Little Wrath.  One was with Nalla and Bella, swimming and having fun with the water guns I bought them.  

The other was standing in front of me, looking fiercer than I wanted him to.  He seemed upset and relieved at the same time.  Without a heartbeat’s hesitation, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his neck*  I’m here, Wrath.  Are you done for the day?

Wrath:  [Biting off a growl, my arms wrapped around my shellan, pulling her against me as my mouth found the side of her neck.] I am, and I think it’s time we had some privacy, Leelan. [The few days that had gone by we spent passing like ships in the night, but now that the Brothers were handling things and the manse was locked down, I needed to reassure my female, and myself, that she was safe.]

Is the rest of your day free, mine Beth? [This time I didn’t hide the possessive growl, and I should have from the whine at my leg followed with a bump of a head. George was just as sensitive to my moods as Beth was.] I’ll get Fritz to take George out for a long walk…

Beth:  *The instant Wrath’s arms enveloped me, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.  I’d held it all together since that night and I didn’t admit to anyone what if felt like.  Right now, I knew I didn’t have to say anything to Wrath.  He already knew. And the warmth and safety I felt in his arms was all I ever needed. I rested my head against his broad chest, closing my eyes and  took a long, deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling the stress leave my body and my next breath was all about my man.  Breathing him in and needing him more than I’d ever needed him before.  His words barely registered and all I did was nod, not trusting my voice to be stable enough to speak.  We walked together and found Fritz in the kitchen, giving George off to him before making our way in silence back to the royal suite*

Wrath: [Beth's tension slowly gave way, her body melting into mine and damn if I didn't feel like a motherfucker for allowing shit to go so far that she bottled up the tension. I held her for a few moments  before reluctantly loosening my arms around her and heading to find Fritz.

The walk to the suite was without a word spoken between us, and that silence continued once we were behind closed doors. And it bothered me like an itch you couldn't scratch. Fuck.]

Leelan, talk to me.. [Pulling my shellan against my chest, I gently cupped her face, silently cursing my blindness that prevented me from gazing upon my female. I knew what she looked like, in all her emotions, bless the Virgin  Scribe I had had that privilege before my sight was completely gone. But I'd never wished for it back more so than right now. My lips met Beth's forehead, then her nose and settled in a gentle kiss on her sweet lips.]

Beth:  *I didn’t have the words to describe what I felt right now.  I knew they would find me once I’d allowed myself to relax and refocus, but right here and now Wrath wasn’t going to get what he was asking for.  I didn’t have it in me.  All I wanted was his arms around me and some quiet time for us without interruptions.

I loved my son and my family, but once in a blue moon, the only one I needed was Wrath.  A soft groan slipped past my lips when our lips touched and I used the opportunity to deepen the kiss and take his mind off the talking part of this experience.  And it worked as well as I expected it would.    

My hands slid under his shirt, lifting the black material over his head and tossing it on the floor.  Every move intentional.  Every touch a reflection of my desire*

Wrath: [Beth's kiss was anything but soft, earning her a low possessive growl. Wrapping my arms around my female and pulling her flush against me, fuck talking, my female needed more than words and I was wholly on board with complying with her demand.

Her taste and touch set my body and mind on fire,  Beth's hands under my shirt made the damn thing restrictive along with my leathers. In a quick move I lifted my shellan, urging her legs to wrap around my waist and spun around to pin her to the door of our chambers with my hips grinding against hers. Licking into her mouth my fangs lengthened, catching the corner of her lip and tasting her sweet blood.

That tiny taste sent more than a rush through every cell, flooding the room with dark spices and the need to mark and reclaim my female. Hands tore at my leathers, a demand to be free pushing the limits of my zipper as my mouth worked down Beth's neck, scraping fangs along her flesh.]

Beth:  *My male was all consuming and attentive at the same time.I felt the tension in my neck and shoulders ease with every touch of his talented hands, and every brush of his warm, smooth lips against my now heated flesh.  

My legs and heels dug into his ass and thighs, to support my body as I started moving against him, groaning at the barrier my jeans provided as I felt him free his length. My core aching  to be filled and my breasts thrust up against his hard chest.  My head falling back with a soft moan as his bonding scent enveloped me. The familiar scent of his dark spices sending me into spiral I knew I wouldn’t break free from until we were both sated and unable to move*

Wrath:  [The way my female moved against me told me all I needed to know: that she needed me as much as I needed her. Growling low with a final hard push of my hips into hers, I slid my hands to cup her ass and turned again, making progress toward the oversized King bed.

I didn't need to count the steps as instinct took over and I was laying my shellan down over the velvety bedding. Swift hands made short work of removing her clothes, placing a kiss as each slip of her flesh was revealed to my touch. Beth's moans told me, as if I needed eyes to see, where and how she needed touched. In the slower frenzy managed to get my shitkickers off and strip without breaking contact.

Once flesh to flesh, I felt mine female cup my face and take off my wraparounds. She was the only being I'd ever allowed that kind of intimacy, my sightless eyes envisioning the beautiful creature that had stolen my heart and sealed my fate to hers until I was called to the Fade.

This time was about us, for us. And time stood still in that moment. In one powerful stroke I sheathed myself in her embrace, roaring out her name over and over again as we upped the tempo, giving everything I was to Beth.]

#SL #RoyalDesire  #BondedBrothers 

[ayuyikes]

Siren

I totally forgot I promised @maniacmaniac-19 to post the fic I worked on during vacation so I’m trying out if I can add breaks again

Here goes:

A lousy pirate. That’s how she felt as she aimlessly drifted over open waters in a small rowboat. The sky was cloudy, there was barely any wind, and she was stranded, most likely to die of thirst here while surrounded by water.

She had given up rowing a day ago: with no land in sight and no map to navigate to, how would she ever reach solid ground? She figured she might save her energy for other things, like fish, if they ever came around.

She lied down and closed her eyes for a minute. This was never supposed to happen. She had been so close already. How could this happen, especially now?

Her eyes shot open when she heard faint singing. Singing meant people. People meant land.

It was a man’s voice: not bad, but not very good either. She tried to look around and place where the sound was coming from, but saw nothing, just water. All she could figure out was its direction.

Alarm bells started ringing in her mind. It could be a siren. Uh. Do male sirens exist? In any case, she figured she had to be careful. She patted her hip to ensure herself her saber was still there, then paddled in the direction of the voice, straining her neck to, from time to time, look where she was headed.

After half an hour of rowing (god her shoulders were starting to hurt) the bow hit something and she was thrown backwards, and the singing stopped suddenly. She crawled up, and locked eyes with a startled young man, who stuck up from the water shoulders up just beside her boat. His hair was wet and a fierce shade of red, and his eyes were a bright shade of green, like sunlit grass.

When she turned around, she could see her boat had hit a rock: no damage, luckily.

The boy finally spoke. “I, uh, didn’t expect anyone to come.”

She looked him in the eye, taking in his sheepish expression. He did not seem to move much in the shifting water.

“Were you the one who was singing?” She decided to ask, although the answer was probably obvious.

“Uhh, yeah, I was practicing,” he answered, but started to look smug. “Did you come here because of me?”

She threw him a sceptic look back. “Why the surprise? Do you see anything else around here?” A thought hit her. “Or are you a lousy siren who never attracts people? Is that why you’re surprised?”

He gaped offendedly. “Wh- of course not! I’ve drowned my fair share of sailors!”

His reaction was funny to her. She had a hard time keeping her laugh in. “Uhuh. You’re very convincing, Mr. ‘I Didn’t Expect Anyone To Come’.”

He rolled his eyes in response. “Well, what are you doing here anyway? Who in their right mind leaves their vessel to row to shallow waters to follow a voice? Isn’t that, like, Pirating 101: don’t follow any singing?”

She snarled. “I didn’t have much of a choice. My crew mutinied and threw me off board on this tender.”

He snorted, arms crossed. “Some pirate are you then.”

“Right back at you,” she smirked. “Aren’t you supposed to be trying to drown me?”

“Eh,” he shrugged. “You’re kind of sucking the joy out of that right now.” He placed his hands on the top of the edge, then pushed himself up, out of the water, and the boat shook by the force. She quickly climbed to the other side of the rim to balance him out. He sat himself on the edge, his amber scaled tail hanging outside the boat into the water. She was startled by his sudden closeness; he seemed unbothered. “So,” he resumed, “Why did they rebel anyway?”

She needed a moment before realizing they were back to talking about her. “Well,” she started, “They found my leadership insufficient.”

“I figured,” he replied with a blank face. “But what was it exactly?”

She fiddled with her hands briefly. “I had found this map that was supposed to lead us to a great treasure hoard, but the outlay was complicated and it took very long to decipher. Even then, not everything made sense, and because the men grew impatient I let my first mate convince me to set out to a probable location.”

Now that she looked up from her hands she could see he actually seemed curious to know what happened. He waved to urge her on. “And?”

She relaxed and set herself down on the board that was set abeam to provide seating. She continued, “After a not so successful trip to that location it was back to the drawing board for me. But the men could only see the expenses we had wasted. As soon as we were met with a storm, they blamed me for their misfortune and put me on this boat to die.”

“That’s harsh,” he remarked with a sober voice.

“Even then they were generous,” she answered. “They left me with my sword so that I had the choice whether to die of thirst or by my own blade.”

“That’s cruel!”

“Dying of thirst is also not a very pretty thing, you know,” she argued with no bite. “Also, they left the peddles. I could’ve tried to peddle back to shore...” she trailed off, and sighed and shifted to lay down on her back. The gray clouds overhead were looking right back at her.

“But as captain,” she resumed with a tired voice, “our last position I was able to see on the map was five days from land. I have no map nor stars, there is no way I will make it back in time.”

She gestured towards his general direction without looking. “Then I heard you. I figured it might be worth checking out, in case it was something like land or another ship.”

“And you found a siren instead.”

She let her arms sink to her sides. “And now I’m talking to one. I never imagined I’d meet one and not die after five minutes.”

“The world is surprising sometimes,” he said nonchalantly.

She laughed. “At least I got back at them, you know.”

His head appeared in view, and she felt seawater drip on her forehead. “How?”

She sat up, unbuttoned the top three buttons from her blouse, then pulled a roll of paper from her oversized tunic. She unrolled it for his eyes with a big grin. “The map is right here. They thought I left it in my cabin.”

His eyes went wide. “So that means...”

“I can get to the treasure myself. At least...” she sighed deeply, a sudden melancholy setting over her. “I could have, but I have no clean water. I’ll dry out before I could even get anywhere.”

The shift in topic changed the atmosphere to gloomy. She tried to laugh to lighten the mood. “But, you know, if I’m going to die, you might as well eat me.”

“Are you stupid or what,” he spat, a frown setting on his face. “Like I’m gonna do that after all this.”

She shrugged. “It’s not like I’ll know after I’ve died, you know.”

He seemed still bothered. It came as a surprise to her.

“What’s your name?”

He looked up at that. “Why would you ask for that?”

“Making conversation,” she mused. “At least I’m not alone right now.”

He hesitated before he decided to answer. “They call me Tiro. After the Tyrrhenian sea.”

“That’s Italian waters, right?”He hummed in agreement. He shifted his arm to sit more comfortably, leaning a bit more to the side. The slow rocking of the boat didn’t affect his balance. “Yeah, that’s where my parents came from. What about you?”

“I’m Ayuya. Ayuya Campbell,” she introduced herself. “From the, uh, Celtic sea.”

“Irish?” He decided to ask.She seemed confused. “Oh, no, uh, from the Sargasso sea. Sorry. I’m Scottish.”

“I’ve heard more Scottish sailors but I don’t hear the accent on you,” he admitted.

“Well,” she explained with a grimace, “I’ve been around American waters too long. The accent grows on you.”

She tried to stifle a yawn. He raised a brow.

“Tired?”

“A little,” she rubbed her eyes. “No food or water for two days drains your energy.”

“Sleep then.”

“And let you drown me in my sleep? I don’t think so.”

He sent her a irritated glare. “I already told you, I’m not gonna drown you.”

“Uh huh.” She hummed and laid herself down again, this time on the bottom panelling, the now gentle rocking of the boat already starting to lull her to sleep. “You know what,” she yawned again, tilting her head to see him sitting there, with his gold tail and sharp eyes, watching her closely. She stopped talking, taking him in for a moment: seeing him sitting there, keeping her company, felt like a fever dream. She’s probably hallucinating by the lack of water, or whatever happens when you’re dried out. She’s accepted her fate a day ago. She might as well do whatever she wanted.

“What?” he said in a monotone voice when he caught on she was staring at him. “Finish your thought-“

“Could you sing for me?”

He stared at her for a solid minute.“What?”

“Could you sing for me? That song you were practicing earlier?”

“Yeah I heard you,” he ruffled his wet hair. “But why?”

“I think it was pretty good,” she closed her eyes. “Sing me to sleep.”

“What if I drown you in your sleep,” was his low voice, and she heard creaking and rustling closing in. She figured he moved to the plank she previously sat on. “What if I get you to sleep then take advantage of your vulnerability to eat you?”

“I’ll just have to trust you on it,” she mused. “So far you’ve kept me company and haven’t flipped my boat yet; plus I’m a dead man walking anyway. I’ll take what I can get.”

She heard him scoff. “So you’re saying hearing me sing is your last wish?”

She folded her arms under her head. “I mean, I can’t magically wish myself to some island where I can survive, so I guess it is.”

A deep sigh could be heard just over the rustling of waves. “I mean, I guess.”

Some silence engulfed them and for a moment she thought he had vanished, but then she heard the first verse softly start and she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

His voice was a little rough around the edges sometimes, and the language he sung in was new to her ears, but the melody and the surrounding sounds made it sound so peaceful and beautiful she enjoyed every minute of it. She could hear his imperfections but found it charming he was trying hard, for her nonetheless, and slowly but surely, she found herself drifting off to sleep, and the last thing she pictured was a blue sea with an amber tail swimming through it.​

[sapiomorph]

The Spice of Life

Obiyuki Bingo, tile One; Space Opera Or my attempt at one anyway!

"And this is the last one!" Yuzuri huffed, heaving the metal crate onto the counter. "One-hundred pounds of spicy goodness. Altogether, that's three kegs of Ova Powder, eight bushels of Mako Grass, and four crates of Zilatian Spice Root. What in the wide stars do you do with it all?!"

Shirayuki smiled at the K'yaran botanist. Her fluffy ears and cat-like appearance were adorable, but her insatiable drive for success and infectious energy made Shirayuki love her all the more. They'd been fast friends for many cycles now, ever since they'd first met. Yuzuri's herb shop in the Lyrias Quadrant had the widest collection of herbs and spices compared to anywhere else Shirayuki had found, not to mention that they were in the best condition! The YuzuSuzu Herb Emporium was always a fun and safe place to come back to.

She shrugged, straightening her gloves before reaching for the crate of spice root.

"You know how the Tanbarun markets can be. They can never get enough of it!"

"Yes, that's true." Yuzuri sighed, watching the human pull the crate off the counter. The tips of her twin tails twitched.

"Do you still use an alias?"

Shirayuki paused in pulling out her wallet before giving her a sad smile. "Yes, I'm afraid so. Nothing wrong with being careful."

"But it's not fair!" Yuzuri's furry face was scrunched up in frustration, her tails lashing about. K'yaran were also similar to cats in how most of the time, they're moods and intentions showed through body language. Other K'yaran Shirayuki had met were reserved, almost gracefully emotionless, while Yuzuri was...

"You shouldn't have to hide yourself like this! It's just not right!"

"I know, but Raj is literally royalty. There's not much you can do against a spoiled Prince who can't take no for an answer." She was resigned to how her life had changed, but her friend's outrage on her behalf warmed her heart.

"I know, but--"

Shirayuki felt a tug somewhere in the literal back of her mind, and she checked her watch.

"Oh shoot, we're running behind!" She quickly placed the credits on the counter before grabbing the crate again. "I need to go. I'll call you when this shipment is done, ok?"

"Alright. Bye 'Yuki." Yuzuri replied, still a bit upset, but understanding. She waved her hand in a circular motion to wish her human friend safe travels. It was a K'yaran custom she always performed for Shirayuki, and the warmth in her heart strengthened.

As Shirayuki started to leave the shop, she heard Yuzuri suddenly shout.

"Oh, and tell me about any potential partners you meet! Specifically males!"

Shirayuki rolled her eyes as she made her way to her ship, The Scarlet Lion. It was an old traders shuttle she’d inherited from her grandparents. From the faded colors, to the outdated hull, to the stubborn whine of the hatch door that refused to be fixed, the age of the ship showed.

And she loved it with all her heart, flying through the stars with the memories of her family.

The tug came again, and she sighed, quickning her steps to place the last of the spices down in the cargo hold.

"Ryuu, you know you can just tell me to hurry, right?" She asked, entering the cockpit and sitting down in the pilot's seat.

On the shuttle's dash, a turquoise figure flickered into view, a small boy in an oversized hoodie sitting on the accelerator.

"...I didn't want to interrupt." He said quietly.

The AI named Ryuu had been terrified when Shirayuki had first found him, hiding in the coding of an ancient server she'd been struggling to hack. It had taken a long time to convince him that she wasn't an enemy, that she was trying to run from someone too. Eventually, she'd earned his trust, and he'd gingerly settled down in her implants, more skittish than a Galtese deer. It had taken a cycle or so before Ryuu got used to Shirayuki and the companionship she offered, but now he was a dear friend who monitored both the ship's health as well as her own.

"I'm sure Yuzuri would love to meet you, you know."

"Mmm..."

Getting him to open up to anyone else however...was still a work in progress.

"Alright." Shirayuki said, gently giving him a mental nudge that equated to a hug. "So, what's our schedule looking like?"

"If we hurry, we can make it to the Nebula Straightway within an hour and warp from there. And if we loosly follow speed protocols after that, we just might make it to Tanbarun before the trade routes get too cluttered."

"Roger." Shirayuki nodded, starting up the Lion and memorizing the route Ryuu laid out for her on the ship's HUD. The shuttle creaked and groaned as thrusters came to life, lifting the ship into the air and out of the port's hangar. She hummed a ditty as the Lion cleared the atmosphere, blue skies melting into inky space scattered with stars.

"Um...shall I do it now?"

Shirayuki blinked. Ryuu wasn't on the dash anymore, retreating into the ship's systems the moment they took off, but she could feel him through her implants, his worry when he tentatively asked the question.

She sighed again, running her fingers through her bright red hair. The Tanbarun System had once been her home, until Prince Raj decided that he wanted her, wanted her hair, to show off like some decoration or exotic pet. She rejected him harshly and, unfortunately, publicly, and now she hadn't returned home in...so long. All the wanted signs for her had only made things harder, had sent her scurrying off into the farthest corners of the systems, desperate for a plan.

"Yes, you might as well. Thank you Ryuu."

Shirayuki watched her reflection in the glass as the color of her hair rippled from red to a pale lavender, green eyes changing to silver, 'Shirayuki' being replaced by 'Maris'.

On the other hand, disguise programs run by an AI can work miracles, and the spice trader smiled, already eager to see her home system once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I swear I'll never understand how Clarinese security works." 'Maris' grumbled, wearily leaning against The Scarlet Lion's hull. Four months ago, passing in and out of the Clarines system was a breeze, a simple matter of showing a (mostly) legal permit to trade, and going on your way.

Now, it had taken an extra hour and a half to even land in the market port. Security had suddenly tightened, with identity checks, extended permit examinations, and even a full ship scan to search for anything that wasn't promised to be on board. It had been a tense moment, and she thanked the stars for Ryuu's quick thinking, his intervention preventing her fake identity from falling apart.

They were late getting into the market port, but thankfully, everyone else was well. It was a usual day of business and trade, but guards patrolled the markets constantly, and whispers inbetween deals spoke of a dangerous escaped convict.

Not to mention the occasional neon wanted signs, which were everywhere. They depicted a fierce-looking humanoid with dark hair. Nanaki: Wanted Dead or Alive!

A convict is a convict Shirayuki. This is no petty thief or...or loiterer. The reward for his capture is easily three times higher than yours.

Shirayuki rubbed her forehead, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Ryuu was right, as usual, but his logic did nothing to lessen her irritation. Climbing into the Lion, she deposited most of the credits she'd earned today into a safebox, counting the growing pile of bills. There wasn't any major project she was saving up for, outside of upkeep for the Lion. But, sometimes she thought about moving to Lyrias, partnering up with Yuzuri and her friend Suzu, stopping for just a moment...

Shaking her head, she shuffled into the cockpit, the rush of the day catching up to her.

"Where do we head next again?" she asked Ryuu, the Lion falling in line with the other ships waiting to be cleared to leave Clarines. Through bleary eyes, she saw scans and lists of the Scarlet Lion's status flick across the screen as Ryuu set to work.

"Algatan. Your contact has a shipment of the Anis Sprouts you wanted, and she's given you a time limit before she offers it up for anyone el--"

Ryuu abruptly cut himself off, and the sudden silence was enough to put Shirayuki on edge. She sat up straight in her chair, tiredness forgotten and looking around in worry. Nothing in the systems looked wrong, but what was--?

"--se. So we need to hurry for that. Anis Sprouts are rare, as you know."

"What? Ryuu, what just--?"

Act natural. The scanners picked up something that shouldn't be here. Something or someone is on the ship. 

Ryuu whispered urgently into her mind. The proximity scan appeared on the HUD, and Shirayuki could now see that alongside the green triangle that represented her in the cockpit, a bright red square was pulsing in the cargo hold.

And moving closer.

"Wha--?!"

ACT. NATURAL.

The spice trader almost winced from the pressure of Ryuu's panic, and she forced herself to ignore the scan and pull up the message from her contact.

"Y-yeah. Anis is one of the, er, hardest plants to grow off-planet, so demand is pretty high..."

It's moving closer, obviously the intruder intends to come here and take over the ship. If you ambush from the other side of the door, you have a chance.

"Uh...s-so what kind of...instruments do you think they use for the Anis?" Shirayuki asked outloud, fumbling to think of some sort of code. The Lion wasn't exactly built with soundproof walls, nor was the shuttle that big. Thankfully, Ryuu easily understood the question she was trying to ask.

"There are any number of instruments or techniques anyone could use for cultivating Anis."

The battery starter. In the toolbox by the door. It should have enough power for an incapacitating shock.

"Well, thank you for that vague answer Ryuu." Shirayuki said, steadying her voice as Ryuu engaged the autopilot and she stood, quietly making her way to the door. The seconds of her trying to pull out the starter from the toolbox without making a sound were the most tense seconds of her life, even while she kept up the fake conversation with Ryuu.

"Botany isn't in my skillset. You know that."

"Yeah, but at the very least you could pretend to be interested?" Shirayuki pressed herself against the wall ajacent to the cockpit door, heart pounding in her throat as she waited.

"Very well. What instruments or techniques would you use for cultivating Anis Sprouts in foreign environments?"

"Well, soil examination is the first step, followed by weeding, and once that's done you--YAAAGH!"

The door slid open and Shirayuki whirled, the starter sparking with electricity as she turned it on and struck with all her might.

A hand stopped her attack, wrapping around her wrist in a vice-like grip, and Shirayuki stared up into a pair of piercing yellow eyes. The same eyes that had blazed above a reward for ninety-thousand credits, dead or alive.

"That was almost clever Miss, I'll give you that. But this ship is mine now, so why don't you--"

Shirayuki rushed him, using the element of surprise to push him backwards just as the hallway vents gave out a loud whine and flooded the small hallway with a thick, musty-smelling fog. The convict yelled, briefly letting go of her wrist to cover his eyes, and Shirayuki stabbed at him again with the starter.

Her aim was true, and she could feel his body jolt from the shock before a loud thump reached her ears. The smoke cleared as Ryuu vented the hallway, and Shirayuki was able to step forward and get a clear look at her dangerous stowaway.

Beneath the tight black clothing he wore, she could see lean, solid muscle spiraling down his back and over his forearms. Under the shock of dark hair, the tips of his slightly pointed ears poked into view. Shirayuki took another step forward, cautiously poking his shoulder with the tip of her shoe.

He didn't move.

The spice trader kept her distance, the battery starter still half raised as she called out to Ryuu.

"Is he dead? Ryuu, did I--?"

"Shirayuki, I'd love to tell you all of his vitals, but first we have to deal with the small issue of the Clarinese Security detail hailing us!"

"...oh no."