#I thought about like. On the ship and in the cabins in general you always sleep with a buddy at night

[hajihiko]

a family of ex-terrorists splitting their time between living on a ship and living on a deserted island, their complicated polycule structure, and their teenage girl ghost that follows them everywhere

[chuthulhu-plays]

I generally watch LPs of horror games bc I'm too anxious to actually play them but a lot of them have FANTASTIC stories, so sometimes I just binge-watch KrinxTV for background noise. Been watching a lot of playthroughs of Still Wakes The Deep because it's such a delight to hear Scottish voice actors get work and I thought I'd address some questions I keep seeing Let's Players ask:

--Adair is a member of the National Front as you can find out from posters in his cabin, a Neo-Fascist British political party that’s been going since the sixties. While it often preaches British ethnic unity, in practice that often means “everybody in the UK should be exactly like East End Londerners” and features plentiful disdain for Scottish, Irish, and Welsh folk, alongside those perceived as “not British”. No wonder the wanker eats alone in the canteen.

--Neeps and Tatties=turnips and potatoes, mashed, drenched in butter or sauce. Fills your belly, keeps you warm, probably makes you sink like a stone because it’s so heavy.

--Cranachan=a dessert made of raspberries, honey, cream and oats, absolutely delicious

--Rennick calls Caz a “wee ned prick”. Ned is apocryphally said to stand for “non-educated delinquent” and is basically just a way of calling someone an uneducated, lower-class criminal

--A lot of things said by and about Roy indicate that he’s a teetotaller who went through AA and specifically became Catholic and is making an effort at converting Caz.

--I think it’s entertaining how Scottish nicknames often follow a pattern of shortening/rejiggering that I also see a lot with Australian nicknames—Cameron becomes Caz, Rafferty becomes Raffs, etc. Trots is an unusual one but is almost certainly a reference to him being a communist, presumably a Trotskyist. Gibbo is also an unusual one in that it’s just very silly. There’s a kind of indignity implied in being killed by a guy called Gibbo.

--A few times on the radio you hear the Shipping Forecast, a type of weather report aimed at specifically reporting weather conditions out on the ocean, and is also famous for the report being read in such a calm, soothing tone that some folk use it as a sleep aid.

--All the yellow paint for interactable things is very video gamey, yes, but is also in line with old British health and safety standards, and yellow paint on things like emergency ladders or on the edges of stairs that are trip hazards is a thing ou can still see in some older buildings.

--Caz keeps saying he’s “good with the leccy”; leccy=electricity. Caz is implied to be quite a wee guy who can get through a lot of tight spaces, and my uncle swears blind that electricians used to refuse to take on apprentices over a certain size because they only wanted to train wee guys who could get up into the tight spaces that a lot of older buildings are full of. On that note, “wee man” is a term of endearment, generally, and isn’t exclusively applied to short guys.

--Finlay saying of Gibbo that “he’s no right” is INCREDIBLY OMINOUS. It sounds mild but “he’s no right, that boy” is what older folk say about a child who’s been found disembowelling cats for fun or someone they strongly suspect is a pedophile. It’s not something you’d say about a friend who’s just acting a bit unusually.

– “Great minds united over a Buckie”--Buckfast, or Buckie, is a caffienated tonic wine that’s cheap, widely accessible, and is a bit like rocket fuel for bad decisions.

– “Ya roaster” tbh I don’t really know where it comes from, calling someone a roaster, but I’ve always felt like it has a vibe of telling them they’re huffing their own farts.

--Scunnert/scunnered--buggered, screwed, utterly fucked, etc

– “You’re the jammiest bastart on this rig” Someone who is jammy is someone who has incredible luck that is implied to be related to their sheer confidence or willingness to engage in risky behaviour. Walking along the street and finding a pound coin isn’t jammy; crossing the road confident that the cars won’t hit you and stopping in the middle to pick up a pound coin before making it unscathed to the other side is jammy as all hell.

--Barlinnie is the biggest prison in Scotland, and largely hosts violent offenders—it’s where Caz would definitely go for hospitalizing a man.

--Weans are children (contraction of wee yins/wee ones). I thought this one was contextually obvious but apparently not.

SPOILERS BELOW

--”One spark and the whole thing’ll go up”—this is referring to the wee spark of flame in the lighter used to blow up the rig, but is also kind of a pun because electricians are often called sparks or sparkies, and in the end it’s Caz who blows up the rig.

[pallysuune]

Summary: You have been at the Lion's side since he first walked onto Camarth and remembered who he was. Whatever else anyone says about him, you've seen how human he can be, and try to help him in an equally human way.

Pairing: Fem!Reader/Lion El'Jonson

Warnings: spoilers for The Lion: Son of the Forest, I guess. Some good ol' fashioned fluffy smut. No beta we die like fanfic writers.

A/N: I love how different the Lion is in Son of the Forest, how much more mature and respectful he is. I've got a soft spot for the old man. This, uh, may have gotten a little out of hand.

The Protectorate was nearing a state where it would be self sufficient. Where Lion could step away without fear that 'his people' would once more fall to the predation of chaos. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking most of the time, but everyone near him could tell that he was affected by that notion. How he was affected was up to debate, though. His Risen were of the opinion that he was anticipating his return to the Imperium at large, maybe even excited for it in his own way. But you thought there was more to it than that.

Not anxiety, exactly, but something adjacent to it.

While the majority of the Lion Guard would remain in the Protectorate, there was a small number who would be joining him and his sons in their travels. You were one of them. It wasn't much of a surprise, if you were being honest. While you weren't the captain of the Lion Guard, or any other named rank, you served as close to an equerry as he currently had. You'd dare even say you were close to him. Closer than most.

The ship that would carry you all away from the Protectorate wasn't one many would call worthy of a Primarch, but Lion himself had seemed nothing but satisfied with it, thanking the tech priests and engineers who had gotten it in working order with a sincerity that had left them flustered and star struck. It was still, in fact, a little small for someone like him, especially in the private cabins, which was what necessitated him sitting cross-legged on the floor as he currently was.

He'd been sitting there for so long with his eyes closed, you thought he was meditating, or that he'd fallen asleep, when he spoke suddenly.

"You know you don't need to be here all the time."

You fixed him with a flat look, even if he wasn't able to see it currently. "The last time we were on a ship, you took a walk in the middle of the warp and none of us knew what happened to you," you reminded him, in a sharp tone you only dared to use in private.

He opened his eyes and looked up at you. You blushed a little. He didn't intend it, you were pretty sure, but his attention was always so intense that it got to you every time.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile. "My sons were quite upset with me about that," he conceded.

He motioned toward a chair, offering for you to sit, and, in a way, accepting the fact that you were going to be staying there. Triumphantly, you sat down.

Silence fell between the two of you for a moment, before you cleared your throat softly. "Can I ask you something, Lord Lion?" He looked over at you again. For how calm he could be, he still didn't like to be kept waiting, so you went on quickly. "Why did you bring the Lion Guard with you? Not just now, but when you first brought us with you from Camarth. You... don't really need us. Especially now that more of your sons have joined your side. So why...?"

He didn't answer immediately, glancing away instead, his eyes lowering to the floor as he thought about it. "I do need the Lion Guard. I cannot protect these planets alone, nor can I traverse the stars to rejoin my father's imperium alone. Even a Primarch is nothing without people who are willing to trust and follow them."

He looked meaningfully at you.

"In truth, I need you just as much as you needed me. I am still human."

You knew he meant 'you' in a general sense, but your heart still skipped a beat all the same.

His gaze seemed just a little more focused on you, and you suddenly recalled a rumor you had heard once that he could hear so well he could even hear a person's pulse. Was it true? Could he hear how yours was suddenly fluttering in your chest?

"Don't you ever get tired, sir?"

He arched a brow at you. "I slept for ten thousand years," he said, his voice so dry you couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"That isn't what I meant," you huffed, flustered.

His expression softened ever so slightly. "I do. But there is too much to do to give in to it."

You hesitated again, looking at him. Your heart was beating so fast, you were almost sure it would break out of your rib cage and fly away. "Would you... permit me to help you with that?"

His expression closed off, becoming more guarded, and for a moment, he just looked at you. And then, slowly, he nodded.

You took a deep breath and rose from your seat. After one last second of hesitation - you could stop this before it started, your brain said, pretend it never happened, and go back to serving him as normal - before you slipped into his lap, sitting lightly on his thighs. This close, you could so clearly see the lines at the corner of his eyes, the silver in his blond hair and beard. He didn't move in the slightest, and his eyes never left yours. Slowly, you reached up, fingertips brushing his cheek, before you leaned in and pressed your lips to his.

He didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around you. He was gentle, almost achingly, as if he was afraid of hurting you. His broad, warm form enveloped you. He kissed you back, slowly, and you could practically feel the tension release in his shoulders as he let himself let go and accept the affection and comfort you were giving him. His fingers slid into your hair, his hand cradling the back of your head.

You had seen the Lion fight before. To think that the same hands you had seen kill daemons with such ease could be so gentle when touching you made your heart ache.

The kiss grew deeper, his tongue slipping past your lips, sweeping into your mouth and gliding over yours. You moaned softly.

He smoothed one large hand down the curve of your back, letting it settle low, where the edge of your shirt had ridden up ever so slightly. He slid one calloused finger beneath, drawing over your skin. "Do you wish to continue?"

You realized it was a genuine question. He would not stop you or blame you if you didn't wish to go any further. That, just as much as the warmth of his body and the way he had responded to your kiss, urged you on.

"I do."

The Lion kissed you again softly, beginning to pull your shirt up. He's wearing a shirt that buttons down the front, something made for him on Avalus to wear when he's not in his armor. You fumble with the buttons, fingers slipping on them in your eager haste. You felt the quirk of his lips in a smirk of amusement, and felt heat rise to your cheeks. When he pulls away to draw your shirt over your head, you take the opportunity to undo the buttons since you could see them. You pushed his shirt back off his shoulders.

He was a broad man, muscular and strong, his skin pale, with the ghosts of freckles dusting his shoulders, waiting for the kiss of the sun to bring them out. Scars mark his body, a long with the metal ports where his armor interfaced with his body. It was strange how different it was and yet how recognizably human. You ran your hand down his chest, marveling at him.

He said nothing, watching you silently as you looked over his upper body. When you glanced up, you met his his eyes. That intense forest green gaze. You flushed.

He leaned in and kissed you again.

Lion lifted you with ease, making quick work of the rest of your clothes before removing his own. Naked, he drew you back into his lap. Your breath hitched at the feeling of skin against skin, his cock resting against your sex. His hands roamed over your body as he held you close and kissed you, in utterly no hurry. He trailed kisses down your neck and over your shoulder. He lavished your body with kisses and touches until you were squirming in his lap, panting softly.

It was only then that he laid you back onto the floor, shifting over you. One large hand guided your leg around his waist. His lips pressed softly to your breast. His beard scratched your skin lightly. His mouth was hot as he took your nipple into it to suck lightly on it. His fingers brushed along your folds. Heat and pleasure rushed through you. You were slick and hot under his hand as he circled your clit and pressed a finger into you.

You whimpered softly, your hips arching up into the movement of his hand.

"Patience," he murmured against your chest.

You wasn't sure how he could expect you to be patient when he was slowly fucking you with one thick finger. But you bit your lip, trying to keep from squirming too much.

"Good girl."

His voice alone was enough to make you whine again.

Lion took his time, patient and thorough, fingering you and playing with your clit until you were practically dripping for him, your arousal slickening your thighs. You were nearly delirious with need when he drew back, slipping his finger from you. He raised it to his mouth, and you watched through lidded eyes as he sucked your essence from his fingers.

"A man could lose himself between your thighs," he rumbled, green eyes locked with yours.

"Lion," you breathed.

He pursed his lips, and you were sure it was to hide a smile, and leaned back down over you. He guided your legs around his waist again. You felt the press of his length against your slit. Slowly, he rolled his hips forward, pressing into you, stretching you, filling you. Your back arched, your hips rocking up to meet his. A long, low moan slipped from your lips.

He groaned softly before his lips met yours. He kissed you deeply. You wrapped your arms around his neck, fingers threading in his hair. He was the only thing that existed to you in that moment. You clung to him, grounding yourself in the strength of his body. And you let yourself get lost in the push and pull of your bodies, in the pleasure that seared through your veins. Nothing else mattered.

He began to move faster, chasing the high both of you so desperately needed. His fingers found your clit once more and you keened, pushed over the edge. Your pussy tightened around him, your juices dripping down your thighs as he continued to fuck you through your release. Everything was a haze of sensation, highlighted with the sound of deep, masculine groans in your ear, as your body began to tread that line between pleasure and pain, too much and not enough. You trembled in his arm. He continued fucking you.

He bucked into you and stopped, filling you completely. You could feel the throb of his manhood in you as he pumped you full of his seed.

For a moment, you both remained like that, twined together. You were panting. He was breathing a little hard, too, his face pressed into the crook of your neck. He pressed a kiss there before finally pulling himself up.

You expected him to pull away, get dressed, and return to his meditation. Instead, he drew you close to him again, back into his lap as he shifted to lean back against the wall. He took his shirt and draped it over you. You hadn't anticipated cuddling but, well, you certainly going to turn down the opportunity. You let yourself lay across his chest as his arms came to settle around you again.

Lion didn't speak. But as you began to fall asleep, you could have sworn you felt the touch of his cheek against the top of your head.

[lostfirefly]

I will lay it at your feet, and I won't hold back anything, 'cause what you are is all, what you are is all of me

I dedicate this fic to everyone! But this is also my little gift to my manager @gingernut1314 :) She reblogs every chapter of my story with Buggy and OC and supports my crazy ideas in writing fanfiction! English is not my native language, errors may occur. As always, feel free to share your thoughts :)

Buggy and Fem.Reader (also fits for GN reader) - Masterlist is here.

Description: You haven't seen Buggy for several days, he's throwing you a candlelit dinner. Fluffy fluff!

WC: 1619

Taglist: @gingernut1314, @operationroots

The title is taken from “All of Me” by Ashes Remain.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

You hardly saw Buggy for several days. About the fact that he generally appears in your shared cabin, you understood when in the middle of the night his tired body fell onto the bed, the mattress sagged under his weight, and you instantly rolled into his arms. In the morning, you woke up, but saw only an empty bed and his scattered things. 

“Someday he’ll learn to put his socks away,” you mumbled, standing in your pajamas in the middle of your shared bedroom, looking around the floor. “At least it’s clear that he was here.” You chuckled, picking up your socks and tossing them on the chair.

You went into the kitchen to pour yourself some coffee and sat down at the table. Suddenly, Mohji rushed into the kitchen to get a basket of apples for Richie.

“Hey, Mohji! Stop!” You called out to him. He stopped abruptly, and several apples fell out of the basket.

“Yes, Y/N.” He asked, picking up apples from the floor.

“Have you seen Buggy today? I’ve hardly seen him for four days. I understand he’s busy with his captain’s things, but I don’t even see him in the kitchen. Or hanging upside down somewhere in the mast area.” You giggled, imagining this picture, and took a sip of coffee.

Mohji, finally collected all the apples, tightly clutching the basket, came up to you. “I didn't see him.” He winked.

"What was that?" You asked, narrowing one eye. "You winked. Do you know where he is? Have you seen him?"

“I didn't wink. And I don't know where he is.” He winked again.

“There! You did it again! Do you know where he is? Tell me. I won't tell him it was you. I just.. I don't know. I miss him.” You became sad and began to twirl the cup in your hands.

From the moment you fell in love with Captain Buggy and stayed with him on the ship, you and Mohji became very close friends and sometimes spent time chatting. You told him how to communicate with girls, he helped you make friends with Richie.

“Sorry, Y/N, I don’t know where he is.” He winked again.

“Oh, go to hell! I hope Richie eats you this morning.” You waved your hand at Mohji.

But still? Where's Buggy? Maybe while you're waiting for him, he's hugging one of the girls on his team right now. No, no. He can't do that. You decided to wait for him tonight at all costs.

In the evening, while the team was having dinner, Captain Buggy did not appear again. You were about to open a bottle of wine, but suddenly grabbed it in your hands and walked along the deck.

“Fuck this! I’ll find him and tell him everything.” You muttered under your breath. As you walked past his office cabin, you noticed Buggy's shadow. “Gotcha!” You looked out the small window. You raised your hand to knock, but Mohji stopped you.

“You can't go there!” He said in a half whisper.

“Why?” You asked in surprise. “Does he have someone there? God, does he have someone there?” You felt like your head was spinning

“Don’t talk nonsense, Y/N, since you appeared in his life, he has no one. And you know it very well!” He hissed at you.

“What's all the noise here?” A deep voice was heard next to your ear. You and Mohji slowly turned your heads. Buggy's head was sticking out from behind the slightly open door.

“I.. I’m sorry, Captain! It’s Y/N’s fault!” Mohji lowered his head in shame and pointed his finger at you.

“Bastard!” You muttered through your teeth. 

Buggy left the cabinet and closed the door behind him. “Get out!!” He barked at Mohji and he quickly disappeared.

“Well, Y/N.” Buggy crossed his arms. “What's all the commotion? Is someone attacking us?” He asked rather dryly.

“What? No! I just.. Just. I haven’t seen you for several days. I miss you. See, I even brought wine with me. Let's consider this an apology gift.” You raised the bottle higher and smiled.

“You could have waited another hour and not started a race all over the ship.” Buggy smiled back, cracked the door to the cabin, looked in and closed it again. “Alright, okay. What difference does it make... Everything is ready. Close your eyes.”

You looked at him with round eyes. “What?”

“Oh my God, Y/N, my marshmallow, close your eyes. Is that too much to ask?” He growled. 

“OK.” You shrugged and closed your eyes.

“And so that you don't peep.” Buggy stood up behind you and covered your eyes with his palm.  “Let's go. Carefully. Step one. Step two. Step one. Step two. See, we're almost dancing.”

“Yeah, but where are we dancing? You'll feed me to the sharks for my curiosity, right?” You put your hand on his hand.

“What? Of course not! If I feed you to the sharks, who will I warm at night?” Buggy carefully led you somewhere and removed his hand from your eyes. “Now, my marshmallow, you can open your eyes!”

You opened one eye, then the other. “What is this?”

In the middle of the cabin, in the twilight, there was a round table covered with a red and white striped tablecloth. Candles, wine, snacks and two chairs.

“This? This's the table.” Buggy answered calmly and shrugged, not understanding your question.

“I understand that this is the table, Buggy. But that’s all. What's this?” You pointed your finger at snacks and wine. 

“Oh! I was preparing a surprise for you. For several days in a row, I sent someone from the crew to the nearest island to buy all the ingredients for your favorite dishes, and then made Cabaji cook it all.” Buggy put his hand on your back and gently walked you to the chair. “Sit down.” He pulled out the chair and helped you sit down.

“Really? Did you make Cabaji cook?” You started laughing, placing the bottle of wine on the table.

“I’m the captain of this ship, Y/N. I can force whoever I want to cook. I walk where I want, I order what I want. And now I order you to enjoy the evening.” Buggy took the wine you brought and easily opened the bottle, pouring the drink into your glass. “We drink to you, my marshmallow!”

“To me?” You were surprised, making yourself more comfortable in your chair. “Why?”

He blushed under all his clown makeup. “Well... You came into my life by chance…”

“Yeah, crashing into you with a bike was weird.” You took a sip of wine and crossed your legs.

“Hey! Not only did you crash, you also wanted to steal my money! No one dares steal from Buggy the Clown.”

“I wasn’t trying to steal. My hand just slipped under your coat, Buggy.” You shrugged one shoulder and narrowed your eyes.

“Liar!” He put some snacks for you. “So. I'm glad you came into my life.” Buggy blushed with every word he uttered and was already becoming like a beetroot.

You finished your wine and set the empty glass on the table, Buggy moved it toward you to refill it. “So, Captain. You cooked all this for me? Why didn't you just say so? I was honestly starting to think that you were... Well, uh... Cheated on me with someone.”

He froze and spilled wine on the tablecloth. “What?” He asked in surprise. “What did you think?”

“Buggy, the table! You spilled the wine.” You grabbed the napkins and quickly wiped up the drink residue.

“Fuck the table and fuck the wine. How could you even think that?” He froze with the bottle in his hand.

“I don't know. I'm with your team and on your ship not too long ago. How long? A month? So I was wondering.... I'm sorry.” You started running your finger across the table.

"A month and four days." He muttered quietly.

"What? Are you counting?" You asked in surprise.

“No. My memory's good.” Buggy blushed even more under his makeup and set the bottle on the table. “But Y/N, my marshmallow.” He took your hand and pulled you into his lap. “You have nothing to worry about.”

You immediately wrapped your arms around his neck. Buggy immediately put his arms around your waist. 

“I actually...this whole dinner thing. Well. I did. To say. Well. I love you.” He looked into your eyes. 

You froze for a second, feeling a slight chill run through your entire body. “You what?” You asked, starting to stroke his bandana.

“Damn. It's early, right? I said it too soon. I knew it. That's it, forget it. I don't love you. I was joking. I'm the clown. Clowns always make jokes.” Buggy became nervous. 

“What? No!” You kissed his red nose. “I just didn't expect that I wasn't the only one. You know… Who has feelings.” You said, looking intently into his green eyes.

He looked at you blankly.

“For those who don’t understand, Buggy the Clown. I love you too. Since I saw you for the first time. A fucking pot-bellied naked kid named Cupid hit my heart with a blue arrow.” You giggled and took his bandana off. “Here, it’s much better with your hair down.”

“So, we both love each other, right?” He asked, looking into your eyes and stroking your arm.

“Well, it turns out like this.” You shrugged and slowly brought your lips closer to his.

“Say it again.” He whispered against your lips.

You smashed your lips to his the moment he stopped talking. “I.” Kiss. “Love.” Kiss. “You.” You kissed him again.

[wordy-little-witch]

•°♤°• Ghost Roger and Rouge are just so cute especially with their grand babies!

What about Rayleigh tho?

Im sure Rayleigh would, at one point meet the seraphim. One time would be accidently because he was visiting Karai Bari to go see Buggy but then runs into two little seraphim. Then all chaos descends when he hears the words "Ma/Pa". Bet Ghost Roger is laughing his ass off.

Tbh, I love the the pairing of Rogue/Roger, but really love the pairing of Rogue/Rayleigh/Roger (What are your thoughts on it? I won't attack you if you say you do not ship it, I just want to know your personal opinion on it 👀)

So honestly?? Depends. I have... mixed feelings on Rayleigh? I love him and also kinda don't at the same time. I think it's a ME issue though and not a character issue lmao ((He reminds me of my sister for some reason and that's.. a can of worms I'm not gonna open rn))

As for Roger/Rouge/Rayleigh - I think that's!! So!! Cute!!!!!! For the ghost AU the general idea is that Rouge never met the cabin boys initially before death, but I also like the idea of the polycule and Rouge being a staple of their lives. I dunno really. Cute ship!!!!!

As for grandpa Rayleigh-

I think him visiting Karai Bari would be really mixed by way of responses. On the one hand, That's One Of Buggy's Dads. On the other.... that's one of the people that abandoned Buggy when he needed them most. I think the initial meet would probably be ripe with tears, screaming, demands for him to get lost, while Rayleigh is trying so hard to damage control with a lackadaisical smile and flippant ease.

And that would of course be prime real estate for Birdie, Angel and Atlas to inject themselves into the exchange. Mama Bug cries a lot but these are Bad Tears and Nobody Makes Mama Bug Sad Like That.

While Angel and Birdie are sort of the front line of cutting in, Atlas I think would kind of glue himself to Buggy - both to comfort him and to get comfort due to the echoes of genetic memory. And when the older seraphim realize Buggy AND Atlas are upset, ooooh it's on like Donkey Kong.

The initial meeting is.... less than stellar lmao.

I think once tempers cool, discussions are had and boundaries are established, Rayleigh would be a pretty good grandpa. He's like the Cool Jiji, sneaking snacks and spoiling the kids but also letting them explore the world. It's rocky since Rayleigh's pretty lenient on rules, but once the structure is given, it's overall pretty good.

((Bonus points, Roger and Rouge spend the whole time with Rayleigh when he's with the kids - initially bc they're nervous about it, then bc it's just.... it's bittersweet. This could have been them. It's as close as they'll get now.))

((Extra bonus, Rayleigh often forgets how Strange Buggy's Haki is - Atlas reminds him frequently. And when the other boys respond to the same things, he's curious. He asks. He's.... oh. Oh man. What????

Perona brings out the board. Croc and Hawk take the kids. Buggy sits across from Rayleigh, and Roger and Rouge sit on either side of their living lover.

Rayleigh cries.))

((I think all in all, Buggy would really struggle with it. Rayleigh has changed so much, and he's good with the kids, he really is! But he wasn't always good with kids in general. He's a better grandfather than he ever was a dad, and it hurts. He confesses this to Mihawk and Crocodile one night, or maybe to Shanks over a denden, and he sort of breaks. If Rayleigh was always capable of change, then that just means that Buggy was never a big enough priority for him TO change. And that's the crux of it all, isn't it? Buggy's never as important to others as they are to him. He's a side character in the bigger picture and it aches, it throbs, it burns. He's so happy their kids are happy and loved and safe, because Buggy wants to give them the world and make sure they never hurt like this, but he's almost jealous and he hates himself for it.

It takes some time for him to heal, for him to forgive himself for it. He loves so much, too much, and sometimes the love sits there and rots within, infects his lungs and veins. He's not perfect, he not even okay, but he does his best and he's not alone anymore. He's making improvements, slowly but surely, and accepting the past, while agonizing, is possible. He's got support now in places he never anticipated having it. And he's got people who need him to be there, who need him to be better, who just... need him. It's jarring. It's dizzying. It's overwhelming. It's empowering.

Buggy may be broken, but he'll turn his jagged shards into knives, his chips into jewels to wear proudly to defend the ones he loves. He's a coward but he's a fighter - he's a god damned pirate, and he'll force the world to remember that.))

[mama-qwerty]

Dark Mirror

Behold, what grabbed me to write last night and today.

Okay, this came out WAY different than it started in my head. It was supposed to be one of those "What if this character were EVIL??" kinda things, but morphed into . . . this.

I still like how it came out but it's surprising how different it is from what it started as in my head.

What if Dread and Scarlett had both been taken by Harper all those years ago?

~~~~~

Jonas Flynt, captain of the Devil’s Chariot, wanted on half the continent, and one of the most feared pirates on the seas of No Place, knelt on the hard wood floor of an unsuspecting cabin nestled in the outskirts of the thick jungle on the isle of Dragon’s Fang.

Actually, ‘cabin’ was a generous term for this dwelling—as far as Flynt could tell, there was only this single room. The only light casting long shadows across the floor was from two lanterns mounted to the back wall. Their wicks were turned low, throwing the barest amount of light across the dark wood surrounding him.

He’d been ushered in and ordered to kneel by a large purple cat, one who stood almost his height. Not a small feat when comparing humans to the non-human species that shared this pathetic planet. Normally humans like him towered over these sapient animals. There were only the select few species who could come close in size.

Always on alert, Flynt took in the size, shape, and layout of the room. No furniture. No other doors he could see. He’d gotten a quick glimpse before the door closed behind him, delving the room into the almost black only marred by those two lanterns.

A single figure stood between those two lanterns, and the flickering yellow light cast it into mostly shadow. It stood still, the silhouette seeming to sway as the light on either side danced and moved.

“You tried to pass without payment.”

The figure spoke, her voice low and sharp. Each consonant was pronounced clearly, crisply. Like ice cracking in a glass.

Flynt kept his expression hard. “Big ocean. Hard to place a toll on open waters.”

Her head tilted to the side. “When you come to my island, you are no longer in open waters, Captain.”

The man shrugged. Flynt was a man who didn’t take kindly to being told what to do. Never had been. “Don’t see your name on the place, lass. Not sure why I should do anything more than run my blade across your pretty little throat and be on my way.”

A deep growl sounded from one of the dark corners behind him, and he turned in time to see another figure move from the black shadows. He’d never even known there was anyone else in the room. This figure was stockier, and moved as though it wasn’t used to walking upright.

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He’d heard rumors about this place, but thought they were exaggerated, as most stories were when passed around in pubs and taverns once sailors had had one too many pints. Words like ‘haunted’ and ‘cursed’ and ‘deathtrap’ were sprinkled around, like spice in a stew. Always good to embellish a story, and make even the most benign place seem like the stuff of nightmares.

But right now it seemed as though the tales were true. That Dragon’s Fang was under the control of a pair of demons that required payment for passage, and if an agreeable deal wasn’t met, your ship was sent to the bottom of the sea before you could fire a single cannonball in return.

Still, he’d been around enough to know that some tales, as true as they may seem, were merely tricks and misdirection.

The second figure came closer, leaning in to growl in Flynt’s ear.

“Watch yer tongue.” The words hit his ear like hot gravel. “Else I’ll rip it out an’ feed it t’ ye.”

Flynt didn’t move. Didn’t so much as flare his nostrils.

“Attacking me is neither advised, nor possible, considering your weapons were confiscated before you entered here,” the female said, and stepped closer. Her hands were clasped behind her back, and Flynt’s eyes flicked to the cutlass strapped to her hip. “And should you decide to try anyway, well, my Dread can be a little . . . overprotective.”

The second figure, Dread, growled again in Flynt’s ear, before retreating back to the shadows.

Steady, Jonas. You’ve faced worse foes before.

“What do you want?” His voice came out steady, though not as strong as he would have liked.

The figure before him lowered her head slightly. “Two thousand gold coin and half your food supply.”

“Fuck off.”

It was out of his mouth before he realized it, and before he could blink a large hand grabbed him by the throat. He could feel the power in that grip, the tension. The fingers squeezed just enough to make him hold his breath.

“I don’t give second warnings, mate.”

Flynt flicked his eyes to the side and came face to face with a creature that shouldn’t exist.

The second figure, this ‘Dread’, was an echidna. An honest to gods echidna, a species that had long been thought died out. They were a dangerous and formidable people, with stories of their atrocities going back generations. The last had been seen back when Jonas’ grandfather was just a boy of eight, but here was another, in the fur and flesh, staring at him, grinning with its sharp teeth, and blowing its rank breath into his face.

Speaking of breathing, Flynt would very much like to keep doing that.

“Dread.”

The single word fell like ice from the female’s lips, and the echidna reacted instantly. Its grin faltered, and it flicked its purple eyes toward the other. Rather reluctantly, it withdrew its hand from Flynt’s throat, and Flynt sucked in a breath as quietly and with as much dignity as he could muster.

“I won’t stop him again, so you’d do well to mind your manners.”

Flynt cleared his throat, swallowing hard and wisely keeping his mouth shut.

“That is your required payment for safe passage through Dragon’s Pass. If you do not wish to pay, you are free to sail around the bluffs that surround us and take your chances with both the jagged rocks and reef below the water, as well as the remains of past ships that also did not agree to my terms.”

Dread gave a huff that was more of a snort.

She continued. “Some have made it. Not many. But some. You may be lucky.”

The captain contemplated his options. “And what would happen if I decide to go through your pass without paying?”

Another huff from the echidna. Only this time it sounded more like an amused little laugh.

The female didn’t laugh. When she spoke again, her voice was cold, hard, and low.

“You will die.”

It was Flynt’s turn to snort out a laugh. “The Chariot isn’t exactly defenseless, lass. We’ve taken down tougher foes than your little island, here.”

“Then try it.”

Something about the way she challenged him set Flynt’s teeth on edge. There was no fear in her voice. No warble or hint that she were bluffing. No edge to indicate a threat.

It was an invitation. A gentle command, given as one would offer a glass of water to a thirsty man. A meal to one who was starving.

An offer of something that seemed so simple, so wanted. Yet was laced with poison. With danger.

It was possible she simply had a very good poker face . . . or voice, as it were. He still couldn’t make out her face in the dark room.

He’d heard the tales of this place. Told in hushed, frightened tones over mugs of ale and rum. If the price isn’t paid, and the ship tries to pass anyway, it seems as though the very waters themselves seek vengeance. The sea boils. The crew falls, one by one, until only the captain remains. And then he is hunted by the beast held under the witch’s control.

The echidna was likely the beast of those stories. But Flynt didn’t think this woman was a witch.

“Captain. Your answer, if you please.”

Jonas Flynt stared at the shadowed figure before him, his mind working quickly to consider his options. The Chariot was fast, there was a possibility they could get through the Pass before whatever trickery this woman possessed could touch them.

Going the long way around was also an option, but one that didn’t sit well with Flynt. It seemed the coward’s way, and Flynt was no coward.

His eyes flicked to the cutlass on the woman’s hip once again. If he was fast enough, he could steal it from her and strike her down before her beast came near. Or at least hold her hostage until his ship was through.

Movement to his right, and the echidna came around to take a protective stance near the female.

Its fists were massive. Muzzle pulled into a snarl, showing fang. Eyes narrowed.

“You would be dead before you hit the floor.”

The echidna growled as if in agreement, but she sounded almost bored. As though this were something she’d said countless times before.

“Try if you must. I’ll simply call for your first mate to continue negotiations.”

Flynt looked between the beast and shadow.

He could try anyway. He was human, taller than either of these creatures. His height could give him an advantage.

The echidna moved to place itself squarely between Flynt and the woman. Fists clenched, quills bristling, hackles raised.

It was almost daring him to make a move.

Dragon’s Pass was the only way to avoid the treacherous waters surrounding the Devil’s Lighthouse. The straits of Dragon’s Fang were calm and offered a direct conduit to the isle, where the Lighthouse’s own traps awaited. But the treasure that sat atop that mountain promised legendary rewards, and many a pirate had made for it at least once in their lives. For some, it was the last thing they’d ever done. Others had lost their ships and crew in their pursuit of it.

To seek it was to court death.

To have it was to gain everlasting life.

Flynt took in a breath.

“I agree to your terms.”

He grimaced as he spoke, the words feeling bitter as they fell off his tongue. Jonas Flynt had never given in before. Never simply agreed to terms that didn’t give him an advantage, or leave him the victor in the interaction. This made the bile burn his throat.

“A wise move, Captain.” The female nodded, and stepped back to stand where she’d been in the beginning. “You will be given instructions on where to bring your offering. A pleasure doing business with you.”

The door behind him immediately opened, bathing the interior of the room in blinding light. The purple cat was back, and lifted Flynt to his feet as he was escorted from the room.

This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

~X~X~X~

Dread watched as Catfish led the bastard out. This one had been one of the more stubborn captains they’d dealt with, and the whole encounter left him feeling antsy and frustrated.

He straightened to his full height, giving his shoulders a roll. Moving hunched over like that increased the intimidation factor, but left his back grumbling for a while after. A quick turn of his torso gave a loud pop as his spine slipped back into place.

Dread turned, his pupils dilating in the low light to make out the manx cat, standing near the back of the room.

“Ye shoulda let me kill ‘im,” he growled, moving closer. “Didn’t like the way he spoke t’ ye.”

Her lip curled in a little smile, and she shook her head. “You’re too sensitive.”

A little frustrated huff left him at that, followed by a soft amused hum. He stopped before her, hands on hips. “Aye, I’ll remember that next time ye need me t’ bash someone’s head in, Scar.”

She snickered. “Business before pleasure, Dee. He saw reason. That’s what’s important.”

“First mate woulda prob’ly saw reason, too. Dunno why we had t’ keep him alive.”

“Because, my love,” Scarlett said, reaching up to rest a gentle hand on his chest. “Jonas Flynt is a powerful man. A feared man. If he were to talk about what he saw here today, the scary witch and her beast, those words would carry more weight than those of a dozen others. And the more afraid people are of us, the more they’ll either leave us be, or agree to our terms without batting an eye.”

Dread leaned into her touch automatically, and raised his own hand to rub her muzzle with this thumb. “Always thinkin’, ain’t ya?”

She turned her blind eyes up to him. The scar Harper had given her, when he’d dragged his blade across her face and taken her sight, glared at him even in the low light of the room.

“One of us has to.”

Dread snickered as he leaned down to nuzzle against her temple. “Ye she-devil.”

A soft purr reached his ears, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. They were all they had, for so many years. The only thing they could trust and rely on, as they suffered under the hands of Captain Benjamin Harper and his equally cutthroat crew.

They’d both been taken by that bastard when they were children—just snatched off the streets at six years old.

If life had been hard before that, it turned absolutely hellish after.

Put to work on the ship. Beaten. Starved. Tortured for the amusement of the crew. They stuck together, even through that hell. But they were only children, and there were times they were forcibly separated, and Scarlett dragged below deck. Her screams sometimes still haunted his nightmares.

Scarlett had only been a child of twelve when Harper took her sight. She had accidentally seen something she shouldn’t have, some deal between him and another captain, and as punishment, Harper blinded her.

She was different after that.

Colder. Silent to all but him.

He couldn’t help her. Couldn’t save her.

His anger grew. So did his strength. When he injured a crew member during a sparring match, the captain ordered his knuckle spurs filed down. He’d passed out from the pain, and when he awoke, Scarlett was tending to him.

“They’re afraid of you,” she’d whispered as she wrapped his shaking hands. “I heard them talking. They think this will make you more controllable. Less dangerous to them.”

Dread had stared at his hands, the pain radiating up from those gaping wounds.

“They be wrong.”

“You can’t fight them. There are too many. Too loyal to Harper. They’ll kill you.”

“Let them try.” He grit his teeth, trying to force back the tears from the pain. “I don’t need me spurs t’ be dangerous. They’ll see.”

Silence settled for a moment, and when she spoke next, she sounded resigned. “I’m a danger to you.”

He startled. “What?”

“I’m your weakness. If you start getting out of line, they’ll just use me to control you. You’ll never get off this damn ship as long as I’m around. I’m . . .” She paused, lowering her head. “I’m a liability to you.”

“No.” The word was out of his mouth before he could think. “Scar, ye’re talkin’ nonsense.”

She pulled her lips tight, ears flicking back. “I should throw myself overboard so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Dread’s chest tightened at that, and he lifted a bandaged hand it to gently nudge her face up so he could look at her fully. The scar Harper had given her months ago was still healing, an angry red stripe across her face. His heart twisted at the sight.

“Listen t’ me, lass, and listen well,” he said, his voice soft and firm. “The only thing that’ll happen if ye toss yer fool self overboard is I’ll be right behind ye t’ haul yer arse back aboard. An’ then I’ll be givin’ ye an earful ‘bout it.”

A little smile ghosted her lips, and she flicked her ears forward.

“Ye be the only thing that keeps me fr’m losin’ me mind. It be ye an’ me against the world, aye?” He gave her a little brush on her muzzle with the back of his trembling fingers. “Aye?”

Scarlett pulled in a deep breath, letting it out in a shaky exhale. “Yeah.”

He nodded, and leaned forward to press their foreheads together.

“I’ll get ye outta here,” he whispered, and his heart clenched when she let out a little sniffle. “I swear t’ ye, by all the gods above and below. I will get us out o’ here, if I have t’ kill each an’ every one o’ those bastards with me own hands.”

She nodded against him, but the tears were already falling. He pulled her to him the best he could, and she wrapped her arms around him in return. They had held each other for a long time, the reality of their situation weighing heavily on their minds.

It had taken the better part of ten years before they could escape. Dread grew stronger and stronger, but Scarlett had told him to keep it secret so the others wouldn’t realize the extent of his power.

Everything came to a head when Harper decided to sell Scarlett. He’d declared her ‘a drain’ to them, and thought it more worthwhile to sell her for a quick coin the next time they made port.

Dread killed him that very night. Then he’d gathered Scarlett and as many supplies they could fit in a lifeboat, and set the ship on fire, with the rest of the crew trapped in their cabins. The two had sat in the water nearby as the ship sank, the screams of those who’d tortured and ruined them fading into the black night.

That had been five years ago. Since then they’d made a new life for themselves, but the scars of the past still remained.

Now Dread gathered Scarlett into his arms, holding her close to him as he nuzzled against her neck.

“What was that ye said?” he purred, his lips brushing against her. “Somethin’ about business b’fore pleasure?” He growled out a little laugh, gently nipping. “Think business be done, aye?”

She hummed, an amused sound as she wrapped her own arms around him. “It would seem so.”

He gave a deep chuckle, and walked her backwards until she was flat against the wall.

“Ye an’ me against the world.” His nose nuzzled into her fur, inhaling her scent.

“Always,” she whispered, nuzzling him back. “Forever.”

Dread growled, his chest rumbling with a deep satisfaction, as he brought their lips together.

~X~X~X~

The jungle burned around him.

He should have killed Flynt when he had the chance. Should have snapped the bastard’s neck. Should have crushed his chest. Should have popped that smug head right off his shoulders and punted it across the island.

But he hadn’t. Because Scarlett had been thinking ahead, planning and plotting. Seeing the bigger picture.

Except she hadn’t known just how ruthless Flynt actually was.

Dread looked down, adjusting his grip on the body in his arms.

Scarlett stared up at him. Blind eyes open wide. The gash across her throat gaping at him like a crooked smile.

Blood covered her. Covered him. It invaded is nostrils and he had to breathe through his mouth to keep from gagging.

Her blood. Spilled all over the ground.

He should have expected this. Should have seen it coming.

Flynt had ambushed them. He’d come from his ship, carrying the agreed upon payment, before pulling a pistol and shooting Dread. The shot had gone wide and only caught him in the shoulder, but it was enough to put him out of sorts for the split second it took Flynt to get to Scarlett, and run his blade across her throat.

Dread stood still for a second, his brain not wanting to accept what he was seeing.

Scarlett, his Scarlett, on the ground, bleeding out. He’d run to her, gathering her in his arms and talking to her, telling her he was there, he had her, she was going to be okay, all the while whimpering prayers to any god listening.

Holding her tight as she gasped and shook.

Holding her as she faded.

Holding her when she finally went still.

He gently ran a hand down her cheek as Flynt and his men attacked the little settlement he and Scarlett had set up here. Their crew fought hard—Catfish and Sails and Black Rose and Batten. But Flynt’s men were just as ruthless as their captain. They fell, one by one.

And Dread saw red.

He attacked Flynt, killing any who got in his way.

He didn’t hold back his strength.

He didn’t hold back his anger.

Blood soaked into the ground of the little island paradise they’d found all those years ago. He was covered with it, the stench urging him on. The crewmen tried to run, tried to get away, but Dread was faster. Stronger.

Flynt was the last to fall, and Dread took great pleasure in making sure the human’s last moments were as painful as possible.

For Scarlett.

Always, for Scarlett.

His mission done, Dread returned to his lost love and pulled her back into his lap. He sat there for a long time, stroking her muzzle, pulling her hand into his.

Ye an’ me against the world.

Now it was just him.

He turned, looking back over the jungle, where he could see the Devil’s Lighthouse standing above the trees. See the swirling storm of color from the gem that perched atop that rocky spire.

Him against the world.

Dread looked back to Scarlett, and leaned down to plant a soft kiss against her forehead. He closed her eyes, and lifted her to bury her in a spot where they loved to sit and relax. To just be together.

Once she was laid to rest, Dread had a trip to make. He’d get to the Devil’s Lighthouse, and he’d get that Beauty on top.

And the world would regret making Dread its enemy.

The world would burn.

[thefrogdalorian]

Dincember Day 6: Gifts

Word Count: 2050 Rating: General Summary: It's Life Day and time for you and Din exchange gifts. You love sharing in the joy of seeing others surprised with your gifts, but nothing surprises you more than the incredibly thoughtful gift Din gives to you. Content Warnings: Tiny little mention of grieving parents but other than that, fluff! Author's note: This was just so soft and I once again made myself emo... need to hug Din Djarin like rn IT'S SICK.

You had explained to Din that swapping gifts was a Life Day tradition that you enjoyed and, while you obviously enjoyed receiving presents, giving gifts to others brought you the most joy. You wanted Din to know that he did not have to get you anything flashy or expensive as you had everything you had ever dreamed about in him and Grogu, plus the little cabin you shared on Nevarro. You knew how generous Din could be, how he always made sure that you wanted for nothing. A life with him meant you had everything you needed. Plus, whenever the two of you enjoyed a trip together, Din always ensured that you stayed in the most luxurious lodgings available.

But Din was not exactly an easy person to buy presents for. You really wanted to spoil him, but what could you buy the man who always wore the same thing? Who had a perfectly functional ship, a well furnished cabin and who had a dizzying array of weapons already? You knew the best way to spoil Din was to buy gifts for Grogu, so while you pondered what you would buy for your incredible Mandalorian partner, that was exactly what you did. You had only meant to visit the market to buy Grogu a Loth-cat plush from a familiar vendor on Nevarro. You came away with several plushies, some new clothes and plenty of traditional candies that would be eaten at this time of year. You knew the way to Grogu's heart was through food and he would make short work of the sweet treats.

You felt somewhat guilty that ideas for what to buy Din were not coming easily to you. You loved buying gifts for others, loved the look on their faces and their excitable reactions to the surprise of the gift, which to you, of course, was no surprise at all. But there was one thing that you knew Din desperately needed, something that would make your nights more tolerable if your gift stopped him complaining about the temperature of his feet.

So, with that in mind, you ventured to the latest market on Nevarro, to head for the vendor you knew would stock exactly what you needed. You were shopping for his gifts in plenty of time, which was fortunate, because while you were shopping for one part of his present at the tailor, an idea struck you.

"If I gave you the name of a planet, would you be able to source traditional garments from there?" You asked curiously, admiring the enormous variety of materials the elderly woman stocked.

"No promises," She said, flashing you a gap-toothed grin, "But I will endeavour to do my best."

You were grateful that you had been so organised shopping for Din's gifts as to leave enough time for the vendor to attempt to source the materials from the planet you knew would hold enormous sentimentality for Din. You headed back to your cabin with your heart soaring as you imagined Din’s reaction to the gifts you would exchange with him.

The big day arrived, and you were practically bursting with excitement to finally give Din and Grogu the gifts that you had sourced for them. You were equally excited to see what Din had in store for you. You were sure whatever it was, that it would be incredibly thoughtful. Although Din did not have the years of experience in exchanging presents with loved ones as you did, you knew that he confronted everything in his life with nothing less than one hundred per cent enthusiasm, especially when it came to his loved ones.

The first order of business was naturally to give Grogu his gifts. You knew scant details about his life before Din, as Din himself did. But what you did know had broken your heart, the little guy had been through so much loss and fear over his life. So, you did not feel too bad if you were spoiling him just a little bit.

With Grogu happily occupied by the new plushies and making headway into the festive candy you had bought for him – you thought that you had bought enough that it might actually take him several hours to gobble it all up, but it seemed that the treats would not see the light of day for too much longer – you couldn’t wait any longer to give Din the gifts that you had bought for him.

“Okay, so, the first gift I bought you is something I believe you really need because I’m constantly having to hear you complain about it at night.” You babbled excitedly, always eager to explain the gifts that you had bought for the recipients to them, whether they wanted to hear it or not.

“Alright…” Din said cautiously, as he accepted the neatly wrapped package that you handed to him from your position on the floor, where you had just helped Grogu unwrap his presents. 

You squealed with delight as Din began to unwrap your present, excited to see his reaction. When he had finally torn through the shimmering paper, he lifted the woolly garments off his lap and held them in the air, regarding them curiously. 

“Socks?” Din said, raising an eyebrow curiously. 

“They’re made from Tauntaun fur! I bought them from a vendor at the market,” You explained enthusiastically. “I know you’re always complaining about having cold feet at night, so this will take care of that.”

“Thank you cyare, that’s very thoughtful of you,” Din said, appreciatively, as he felt the warmth of the fur by placing his hand in the socks. 

“You’re welcome,” You smiled as you handed Din the next parcel. “This is your main present. It took some time for me to arrange this, and I'm not entirely sure that it is authentic, but the vendor assured me she did her best."

You waited with bated breath, as Din unwrapped the paper and pulled out the cloth. You knew instantly, from his reaction, that he recognised the distinctive red material.

“How did you get this?” Din said quietly, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I… I haven’t seen this shade for so many years.”

“I asked the same vendor at the market that I bought your socks from, whether she could source rare materials for me. I gave her the name of your home planet, she said to leave it with her.” You nodded. “I picked it up a few days ago. I hope you like it.”

“It’s Aq Vetina Carmine… right here before my eyes. Cyare, I don’t…” Din shut his eyes again, clearly fighting hard against his emotions. “I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.” 

“You can do whatever you’d like with it. I was thinking perhaps of a new cape, considering how your current one has certainly seen better days. Or some other clothes, or a blanket…” You trailed off quietly. “Really, whatever you like.” Your enthusiastic babbling seemed inappropriate once you had realised how emotional your present had made Din.

“Thank you,” Din said quietly. He sat there and cradled the fabric between his fingers, no doubt thinking of his much-missed parents and home world. Din a few moments to compose himself. You glanced over to Grogu, who had taken a pause from his assault on the sugary treats to look at his father with concerned big, brown eyes. 

You sat there silently for a few more moments, fearing that perhaps you had slightly soured the mood by giving Din such an emotional gift on a day that was meant to be filled with joy. But then Din shook his head, regained his composure and placed the fabric carefully on the arm of the couch. 

“My turn,” Din smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. You knew that your present had deeply moved him. But you also knew that the excitement to give you whatever it was he had for your present had overridden any upsetting emotions that the gift of Aq Vetina Carmine had provoked in him.

“I can’t wait,” You smiled, leaning forward on your knees in anticipation.

“This is something that I’ve been meaning to give you for a while now,” Din said quietly. If you weren’t mistaken, there was a sudden shyness that had come over him. You wondered what could possibly be inside the little pouch that he had just pulled out of his pocket. “It may not look like much, but it has a deep meaning in Mandalorian culture.”

The cloth of the pouch was soft in your palm. Inside, you could feel a small, hard weight. It did not feel particularly heavy and you wondered why such a small thing could be making Din so visibly anxious. You took a deep breath, as you pulled on the strings of the cloth pouch with trembling fingers. You reached your thumb and forefinger inside and felt the cool metal, which appeared to be of a similar composure as the Beskar which Din’s armour was made out of.

You pulled the mystery object out of the cloth pouch, but what greeted you did not answer any of your questions. It was a metallic shape, it looked to be a skull of some kind with two tusks protruding from it. There was a thin, black leather strap that the pendant was attached to. The craftsmanship on it was stunning. Whatever it was, it looked beautiful.

You looked at Din, with curious eyes, visibly confused about the meaning behind his gift. “It’s gorgeous Din, what is it?” You asked, curiously.

“It’s a Mythosaur, the sacred, ancient symbol that belongs to all Mandalorians,” Din said, gesturing towards the pendant that you still clutched tightly in your fingers. “It’s made out of Beskar, the same steel that my armour is forged from.”

“It’s stunning, Din,” You breathed, deeply touched that he was sharing a part of the traditions of his people with you, an outsider. 

“And when given to another…” Din shut his eyes and took a deep breath, clearly attempting to steady his nerves before he completed what he needed to tell you. “It means, if you’d like to be, you would be a part of my Clan, alongside Grogu. Wherever you are in the galaxy, even if we are no longer together, even if I’m… no longer alive, you can show that necklace to any Mandalorian, any covert and give them my name. You will always have protection and a safe place to go.”

“Oh Din,” You whispered shakily as tears began to stream down your cheeks. You pushed yourself up from the floor where you sat and sat on the couch next to him, throwing your arms around his neck. “I love you, so so much.”

“I love you too, cyare,” Din said into your hair, as he buried his face into the side of your neck.

You could barely speak, the gesture had left you feeling so emotional. Not just the thought of Din no longer being around, but the fact that he cared for you so deeply that he wanted you to be a part of his Clan. Din had introduced you to some Mandalorian customs throughout your relationship, sharing the way of life that was such an important part of the man that he was, but it had never been anything as deep, nor as profound, as the gift of the Mythosaur necklace. 

“Thank you,” You said, pulling back from the embrace and cupping his stubbly chin with your hand gently, “It’s the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”

“I could say the same about you,” Din said, as he brought his plush, warm lips to yours for a gentle kiss. 

“Beats socks, too,” You said, giggling, as Grogu leapt onto Din’s lap, clearly feeling abandoned on the floor.

“Nonsense, never having to worry about cold feet ever again is a win in my eyes,” Din said, his brown eyes shining from the multicoloured lights that still twinkled in the main room of the cabin. 

You stayed there, cuddled up warm with the two Mandalorians who had just officially become your Clan, grateful for having such an incredible man in your life, your heart full from exchanging such sentimental gifts.

[thefuzzzz]

Ranking Nico Di Angelo ships as a multishipper with a crazy imagination, a Nico hyperfixation of 3 years, and the willpower of a god:

1. Solangelo - 8/10 I love them!! I adore Will in TSATS and he’s easily one of my favorite characters. I wish Rick had let us get to know Will separately before he was immediately made Nico’s boyfriend, but I love him anyway. I think they’re good for each other and very supportive. I think I spend too much time consuming media of them than their actual book interactions, because in media I hate their fanon portrayals, but I adore them in cannon. I only had the chance to read half of TSATS, but I thought it was cute!

2. Jasico - 10/10 I love them for the same reasons I love Solangelo, but Jason got character development and Will didn’t. Also, they had a cool moment with Cupid that I think about once a week at least. Jason is constantly someone Nico trusts and (I may be wrong) hugs at some point in the series. The only people Nico has shown direct physical affection to within the series (to my knowledge) are Will, Jason, Hazel, and Reyna. This proves how much Nico trusts Jason, even after Cupid. Also they’re silly and dumb and I love them so I’m right always

3. Nico x Conner - 10/10 I FUCKING LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Lemme explain. So when Nico came to camp he stayed with the Hermes cabin, but Luke was already fucked off (I think) so Conner and Travis were probably in charge of the cabin. Conner’s age changes several times, so I headcannon him to be just a tad older than Nico. I think since he knew Nico when he was a kid he can make present day Nico less doom and gloom and know when he’s truly happy. Also, Nico went to a notably strict military school before coming to camp, yk what they say, strict conditions raise sneaky kids. Thats right, these two are fucking nuts. They are little thieves. And I don’t even wanna mention the implications of Conner’s dad (Lin Manuel Miranda) being the god of travelers and Nico essentially being an eternal traveller. They make me so sick I love them

4. Nico x Clovis - 7/10 they were mentioned as friends MAYBE once and I took that shit and ran with it tbh. I don’t even remember if it’s cannon. I just love them. I THINK it was mentioned that Clovis helps Nico with his nightmares, but atp this shit might just be my imagination or a fic I read once. Anyways, Nico is noted as a very anxious person, and Clovis is very laid back. I really like that duo and the idea that Clovis can help to ground him a lot and help him relax

5. Valdengelo - 6/10 while I do adore them, they have hardly any time together or any bonding moments at all (Note: I am a hypocrite over Clovis let’s fight abt it) I do love media about them and consume it at rates not comprehendible by mankind though. Aside from no time together, I think they’re epic. Nico experiences a lot of the same things as Leo, such as losing his mother and general sadness, but they cope in wildly different ways (neither of which are healthy). Also, Nico grew up in the lotus casino. I’m sick of us all acting like he doesn’t understand technology. Let them be engineer boyfriends PLEASE

6. Pernico. - 0/10 I don’t care at all if other people ship them, since it’s fandom and you can do whatever you want. I just personally don’t enjoy their chemistry and see them more as brothers. You do you tho.

Keep in mind this is just my opinion please don’t take anything too personal!! I love all ships (almost.) equally and if you have any fic recommendations for any of these please give them to me I’m desperate

(Also, this doesn’t represent my FAVORITE Nico ship, just a ranking based on how much I giggle when I see them. It does not take many logistics into account)

[cc--2224]

Comfort

Pairing: Tech x Reader

Summary: You planned the perfect Life Day trip for yourself and Tech, positive that everything will go perfectly. When it doesn't, Tech is able to cheer you up and comfort you.

Warnings: Perhaps a touch of angst but it's generally all fluff

Notes: This was written for the Life Day Fic exchange @cloneficgiftexchange for @clone-anon HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Prompts: I tried to use them all as best as I could but as requested - first life day together || stuck in a storm and forehead kisses || "wait, please don't go" || one bed trope next morning with "is it weird I'm comfortable"

Word Count: ~1.9k

Read on AO3 Here

Taglist: None, let me know if you'd like to be added!

Masterlist

You always loved to celebrate the holidays with your friends and loved ones and knowing that this would be your first Life Day with Tech made you even more excited. You had a tendency to go a little overboard with preparations, but one of the first things Tech noticed about you was how much fun you had making plans; whether it was briefing before a mission, or even something as small as going to the best markets for supplies and rations. He began to love how much thought you’d put into everything you did.

But when you approached him about spending the holidays together, he was a little apprehensive. He and his brothers had never done anything for Life Day, it wasn't something the Kaminoans ever observed, and during the war it was the last thing on anyone’s mind, so he wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to do. He relaxed when you had told him that you would handle everything, and eventually agreed.

The first thing you decided on was renting out a small cabin. You decided on a room with two beds, making sure there would be plenty of room for both of you to be comfortable. You hadn't been together very long, there was the occasional hug or kiss on the cheek, but you hadn't quite been able to broach the topic of cuddling with a man who was very protective over his space, so for a first Life Day, this was a better option.

The activities were next. You always loved spending the day before Life Day venturing out and looking at the decorations people had. Festive string lights, standees or statues of Wookiees in red robes, holiday candies, you loved when people went all out, and you always enjoyed being able to share that with the people you love. Even if it was cold, snow was always welcome, a gentle snowfall always made this time extra special. And then when you'd get home after seeing all the beautiful decorations, you'd always put on a holofilm to enjoy with your loved ones as a relaxing way to end the day.

You also made sure that, while it wasn't necessary, you had a gift for Tech. It was difficult to shop for him, but you knew it was worth it. The market stalls you visited didn't seem to have much that really stood out, not for Tech anyway. You wanted his gift to be special. He seemed like the type of person who, if you were to ask what to get him, he would list things he needed to make repairs to the Marauder, and while you'd happily buy them for him if that's what he truly wanted, it didn't seem like a good enough gift. He deserved something to use for himself rather than to use to work on the ship. You had soon passed by a shop with some newer devices, including a datapad that had just become commercially available. You knew Tech had always been fiddling with his, and you'd heard him complain about it more than once, so in your indecision of what to get him, you decided to at least start there. It seemed easier to buy something for the others than it was for Tech; a Loth cat stuffy for Wrecker, a new knife for Hunter, and a seemingly endless box of toothpicks for Crosshair.

But, with all of that out of the way, you could really focus on finalizing your plans for your time with Tech, and when Life Day finally rolled around, you felt completely prepared for it, and your excitement was palpable. Even Tech seemed excited, though you weren't sure how much of it was excitement rather than curiosity.

The morning of your reservation at the cabin, the others dropped you and Tech off, sending you with their best wishes and reminding you to comm them when you wanted to be picked up.

Before you left the ship, Hunter pulled you aside. "Something seems off today. It feels like a storm's coming. I hope it doesn't mess up your plans, but... just be careful, and comm us when you want us to come get you."

You tried not to take his warning to heart, you knew he was probably right, but you didn't want to think about anything getting in the way of your plans. With a quick nod and reassuring smile, you left the Marauder with Tech following behind you.

Hunter's warning was only the first of your problems. The second was the cabin itself.

It was a beautiful location, and when you opened the door, it seemed welcoming and comfortable, but perhaps a little too cozy.

Heat flooded your cheeks as you noticed the lack of a second bed, and panic began setting in at the thought of making Tech uncomfortable.

"I swear, I requested two beds! I even double checked when they confirmed it I-"

Tech shrugged. "It must have been a mistake on their part. Or perhaps, they had assumed any couple reserving a place to stay would only want one bed."

"I promise I will fix this, I'm so sorry." You couldn't begin to express your embarrassment. Tech didn't seem to notice, he just walked in and set his bags down before exploring the rest of the cabin.

He turned back to you, "I really do not mind, it is likely a busy time for them. You don't have to apologize."

He offered you a small smile before walking back toward you.

You returned the smile, but you began to feel crushed that your plans had already begun to fall apart.

Tech had never been great at recognizing your emotions, or his own for that matter, but this once he could see that you were genuinely upset. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to his chest.

“It is okay, Mesh’la, I promise.”

You sighed against his chest and returned the hug, feeling as though your worries were melting away from you, when you suddenly remembered that you had bought a present for him.

He looked down at you when he heard you gasp, and you grinned and ran to your bag to pull out a box wrapped to near perfection in bright paper.

“What is this?” He asked when you held the box out to him.

“Your present!”

His smile faded, “Present? But I... I did not get anything for you in return.”

“That’s not important, you’re here, and that’s all I wanted. Now open it!” Your last statement, as demanding as it sounded, pulled his smile back as he meticulously fiddled with the paper, trying not to tear it.

You watched on in amusement, incredibly aware that this was likely the first Life Day present he’d ever received, just by the way he was pulling at the paper. When he finally freed the box from its wrapping, he opened it and peered inside briefly before pulling the datapad out.

“Well...?” You asked. “Is it okay?”

He examined the datapad closely, his expression unreadable. You could feel your anxiety slowly starting to return when he finally spoke.

“It will need to be re-programmed to be compatible with my equipment and the Marauder, however, this is a wonderful present. Re-programming it will be no trouble at all.”

You breathed out a sigh, “I’m glad. You’re remarkably difficult to shop for, I hope you know that.”

He smiled slightly, “You did not need to get me anything at all, just to spend this time with you is satisfactory. May I ask what else you have planned?”

“Well, one thing that I always liked to do with my family was to go out and look at the decorations, so maybe while the weather is still nice, we could--” You cut yourself off as you turned toward the window. You could hardly see to the end of the lane through all the snow, whatever it was like when you arrived only a short time ago had done a complete 180. The winds had nearly blown over the trees outside, and the sky seemed to have turned completely white with snow.

“I suppose this means we will stay indoors.” Tech suggested.

The disappointment you had felt when you arrived crept back into your chest. Nearly everything you had planned fell apart. Hunter had warned you that a storm was coming, but you tried not to believe him. You felt Tech’s arm drape around your shoulders, and you leaned into him.

“I’m sorry...” You mumbled, still looking out the window.

“You needn’t apologize, nothing that has happened has been your fault.”

You didn’t say anything back, instead you began to walk away, not wanting to look at the blizzard outside, and not wanting to wait around to see if Tech was disappointed. Before you could leave the room, you felt him grab your hand.

“Wait, please don’t go.”

“I just... I wanted this to be perfect, and now almost everything I planned has fallen through.” You looked down, disappointed. “I’ll just comm Hunter and ask him to pick us up.”

Tech pulled you toward him once more with your back against his chest, resting his head atop yours. “We do not need to leave yet. I am not the best person to speak on this matter, but not every single one of our plans needs to be perfect. You put the effort into making this a good experience, and I for one am just happy to be spending the time with you.” When you didn’t answer him, he turned you to face him, and he gently kissed your forehead. “I assure you; I am perfectly content to just be here right now.”

“Thank you, Tech...” You finally replied. “I’m sorry for getting upset.”

“You have nothing to apologize for” He reminded you once more. “Now, seeing as how we are snowed into this cabin, perhaps we can find a holofilm to watch and we can just relax for now.”

You nodded and nestled into his chest. “That sounds wonderful.”

Tech picked up the datapad he had just received and began finding something to watch as you made yourself comfortable on the bed, still making sure that there would be plenty of room between you. When he finally joined you, he looked at you expectantly, then lifted his arm as an invitation for you to come closer to him.

“Are you sure?” You asked, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

“Just come here.” He answered with a smile.

You scooted over to him and leaned into his chest, feeling his arm drape over your shoulders again. His warmth and the steadiness of his breath instantly comforted you. The film played, projected at the end of the bed, and before you knew it, you felt yourself drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, you opened your eyes, not even aware you had fallen asleep.

“Happy Life Day.” You heard from beside you. Tech’s goggles were off, and his tone sounded as though he had just woken up as well. His arms were still around you and he kissed you on the forehead again. When you tried to get up, his arms tightened around you.

“Let’s just lie in for a little longer. Perhaps it’s strange, but I am quite comfortable.”

While your trip had started out a little rockier than you anticipated, it had ended perfectly. Without asking, Tech had become almost a beacon of comfort to you, and all you could think about was how much you were looking forward to spending future holidays with him – only this time ensuring you had back-up plans.

[auspicioustidings]

Satin and Lace

Summary: You have been abducted by pirates under the command of Captain Philip Graves.

Word Count: 2.4k

CW: None I don't think other than this being a complete crackfic AU

Captain Graves winked at you after making some lewd comment on the swordplay of his crew and it made you huff and point your nose up. It was like you had learned nothing in the last 3 weeks on this ship because immediately boisterous laughter rose up at your attitude. 

"Apologies darlin', forgot we were in the presence of such an esteemed lady" Graves purred.

You found the man insufferable. When you first met he had swept you out of your manor and onto his ship and you had been scared of him. Now? You don't know if the feeling really held. It was clear that his crew loved him and he loved them. He took time out of his day to teach the cabin boys proper sword form, would help in the galley when the sea was calm and it was decided there would be a 'family dinner' with all the crew getting double rations, gave any crew member that came within reach a loving bop on the shoulder or head which they always smiled at. 

So you wouldn't say you were scared of the man as such, if anything you wished he would do something to be more, well, pirate-y. Since stealing you away in the night neither he nor any of his crew had laid a finger on you. They would try to include you in banter sometimes, only laugh when you haughtily refused. But the laughter didn't feel mean. It made some twisted part of you comfortable, like you were being welcomed in to this crew. And that just would not do. 

Pirates were not to be befriended and a lady of your breeding could not simply roll over and let them charm you like this. It was such a temptation though. You hated your life in general, parents both dead, fortune and cold, empty manor left to their only child. There was immense pressure coming from every corner to marry, but the thought of letting some man only after your title and fortune stamp his last name on you before climbing inside your skin made you nauseous. It got worse with every caller, each of them thinking you stupider and weaker than the last. 

You knew you had garnered somewhat of a reputation now. The nickname whispered around the social circles had made you see red the first time you had heard it, but you had kept composure as always. 'The Unplucked Rose'. Reduced to a beautiful thing to be picked by those vultures, tittering away about how your thorns were only for show but your petals would surely be soft and delicate for any man to touch. The worst part of the whole thing was that they said it as a compliment, as if being beautiful for men was the greatest thing you could ever aspire to be. As if wilting with age before being plucked would be some tragedy. 

Here though? On this ship? Not one of the Shadow crew had ever made you feel the way high society had. They viewed your carefully composed airs and graces with humour, as if it was easy for them to see right through you to your heart that yearned to be able to relax for once, not always be poised. 

You had thought to be difficult for the Captain when you first set foot on the ship, demanding the best cabin if they were going to abduct you. He had only affirmed that of course you would get the best of everything and given you his cabin, provided ample dresses, made sure him and Oz always served you the best food the galley could provide. You thought that meant he would sleep with you, but he moved his sleeping arrangements to be with his men. It was confusing everything you knew about pirates.

Maybe you could relax, just a little. Nothing world shattering, but would it be so terrible to try and at least enjoy what you could of captivity? You weren't even sure how long you would be here or where they were taking you, this could all end tomorrow and then wouldn't you feel silly for choosing to be miserable the whole time?

"Oh I don't know Captain, with the way Oz and Lerch are holding those swords it seems you have always had a number of ladies on this ship."

The look that Graves gave you was as close to sin as you had ever seen. The slow smile at finally catching sight of you, the real you, not the creature of satin and lace that you constantly had to hide under, made butterflies erupt in your stomach. 

"Kitten finally gets her claws out!" Oz laughed and when you looked over you saw he had changed too. He was clearly delighted with this little surrender on your part, coming over to ruffle your hair. 

You immediately started to smack his hand away, ending up in somewhat of a play fight as he continued to try and ruffle. 

"Watch out, they say that cats hiss before they attack" Lerch laughed, making colour rise to your cheeks at the realisation you were practically hissing at the the First Mate. Then you were laughing too. God, you were laughing and it felt wonderful.

You were sure that you forgot how to breathe when a steady hand landed on your waist, pulling you gently away from Oz. Graves was so close to you now, smiling easily as if holding you like this wasn't absolutely scandalous in your eyes. God, you were not even allowed alone in the same room as a man never mind having one close enough that you could smell the gunpowder off of his skin. 

"Now now, leave our little lady be. Not her fault she's got eyes enough to see how bad y'all are with swordplay."

The others laughed and the Captain escorted you back to your quarters, crooking a finger under your chin to tilt your head to him.

"You be careful darlin' or I'm liable to do something foolish" he whispered, his voice booth husky and somehow smooth in your ears.

When his thumb brushed your bottom lip you found yourself wide eyed and leaning towards him. He smiled at you. He smiled at you and not that creature of satin and lace. When was the last time you had felt seen by anyone? This pirate was going to kiss you and oh how you yearned for it. 

But he only firmly pressed his thumb and finger to make your head tilt back down and pressed his lips to your forehead before fixing your hair, hand eventually settling to caress the side of your face.

"Your to be husband would have my head if he knew how I felt about you" he said with a wry smile, "if he knew I got to hear that beautiful laugh of yours. Got to know how you like the colour blue because it reminds you of the sea, how I could tell because you always pick the blue dresses when it's storming outside and you can't go on deck and look out. Think he'd not be inclined to forgive me seeing that pretty blush of yours when we're hauling ropes and you think we ain't looking. The pretty blush you have now."

You were entirely certain your heartbeat must be visible now with how it thumped against your ribcage like a wild bird thrashing to get out. 

"Husband?" you asked, voice barely a breath at this point. 

Graves' smile took on some taste of melancholy you did not care for at all as his hand dropped from your cheek before he took a step back.

"Rightfully should have been with him a week or more ago, but seems my Shadows have been coming up with all sorts of ways to delay the voyage. Galley saying they need provisions, bosun telling me we need maintenance, First Mate insisting we go around the weather. You'll get to meet him in two days if the weather holds. He heard about you, apparently you are all anyone talks about on land. Don't look so scared darlin', he's not a bad man. Worked with him for a time actually, back before I was a Captain. He traded in a life of piracy for something more legitimate, practically owns the whole island we're dropping you off at."

You knew that tears were threatening to spill from your eyes and you hated it. You wanted to scream and rage. This was why you had been on this ship for 3 weeks? Someone had bought you, paid Graves to pick you up and deliver you.  Composure, always composure. You shut the door, he would not see you cry.

--

You knew that cannons were supposed to be loud, but this was deafening. You were aware something was happening from the ringing of the bell and the fact that Velikan had thrown open the door to the cabin to make sure you were inside and then promptly locked himself in with you, standing ready by the door with his sword. You had always found the man in the demon mask fascinating, he didn't talk but he had carved a little bird and given it to you during your first week on the ship. Right now he was terrifying. 

He wouldn't even acknowledge you when you tried to ask what was going on, and then the cannon fire had started and you were thrown out of the bed. The wooden floor was not kind to you and you knew you would have bruises if you made it out of this alive. A short bark of laughter erupted from you at the thought that you may die in the bedroom of a pirate Captain in nothing but your night gown.

When another blow rocked the ship the noise suddenly intensified and you felt your stomach lurch as gravity fell away. There was envelopment in a deep cold, your name being screamed, and then nothing.

--

"Jesus bonnie, gave us a right fright! There ye are, yer ok."

You didn't feel ok, you felt like you were about to hack up a lung. When you shot up to do so you smashed into the head of the man that was leaning over you, him giving a short howl of pain before sitting back and laughing. You didn't have your wits fully about you to try and figure out what was going on, the only thing you could do was have a massive coughing fit, eased somewhat by a warm hand rubbing your back. 

"Hey it's ok. You're safe. My name is Kyle Garrick, I'm Royal Navy. And don't worry about Soap over there, most of the girls he kisses head butt him" said the man rubbing at your back. Soap had added a 'sort of, not really' after he had said Royal Navy. 

Looking around the deck of the new ship you were now on they at least did look more like officers and less like pirates if you ignored the one in a full one skull mask. You found it didn't really scare you having gotten used to men in masks over the past few weeks.

As Kyle sat you up he draped a blanket around you which you politely thanked him for through chattering teeth. Oh if only high society could see you now, night gown soaked through and clinging to your skin in a way that hid nothing.

"Captain Price" said a handsome man, going to a knee and shaking your hand with a steady smile that felt comforting. He was older than you, but young to be a Captain you thought. Then again, so was Graves. "You've had quite the ordeal. Given where the Shadows were heading, we think they were taking you to Kortac. It's an island about a days sail from here, but you don't have to worry. We'll get you home."

When the Captain went to stand you felt a sudden rush of something. A dam breaking. You leapt after him, grabbing his arm as tightly as you could. 

"I don't want to go home" you cried. After that you couldn't stop the tears, couldn't do anything about the words spilling out. You hated home. You wanted to stay on the sea where people saw you as more than what you had to pretend to be. You could not go back and attend parties and laugh politely when the insidious gossips made suggestions about what you may have experienced on a pirate ship. You thought you might die if the assumption that you were impure by their standards emboldened men to touch you without your permission. You wanted to be able to laugh again.

But you knew it was a lost battle. They said they were Royal Navy, they were hardly going to do anything but take you back to your manor. For what felt like hours the only sounds were the gentle lapping of the waves, the creaking of the ship and your sobs.

"The only people who know she's here are us, the Shadows and once they tell him König" said the man with the skull mask.

"Aye. The big man'll come for her. And I saw Phil's face when she went in the water, he'll come for her too. If it hadnae been me diving in there and pulling her onboard think he wouldnae have ran. He'd have stayed and fought even if it meant losing his ship and everyone on it."

You held the blanket tight around you, still on your knees and looking at the four men on the deck above you trying to figure out what they were suggesting. The Captain looked at you with a furrowed brow, some emotion you couldn't pinpoint passing over his face before he nodded and then looked to the skull mask man, the two of them walking off into the ship. 

You were confused as Kyle helped you to your feet with a grin.

"You'll need to wear some of my clothes until we can stop at a port and get you something better" he said.

"And dinae worry, we'll teach ye swordplay. That way when König and Graves come, ye can show them a thing or two" Soap added with a grin of his own.

When it hit you that you were staying you couldn't help but throw yourself at them in a tight embrace. Time to find out who the real you was.

[hannahbarberra162]

Struck Twice By Lightning, Chapter 4

On Ao3

Chapter 4 - The Smell of a Memory

As a general rule, you tried to be honest with yourself. There was no sense in lying to yourself, it would only cause problems down the line. You tried to hold an honest mirror to yourself and see what it reflected. You thought back to your days with Shanks and the Red Haired Pirates many times, reminiscing about the good and bad times you’d had with them. You had missed the feelings of freedom and adventure, like the only thing stopping you was your own limitations. You missed the salty sea air, the sound of the waves, and the gentle rocking of the boat. You missed the camaraderie, the friendships, the sense of belonging. On a few occasions, you had even admitted you missed Shanks. 

But one thing you had never ever missed was the stench of the Red Force. Yes, it was the flagship of one of the four Emperors. Yes, seeing it struck terror into the hearts of many. But the fact remained that the ship absolutely reeked. Stepping foot onto the deck, you were hit by the smell of stale alcohol, stale piss, and stale air. You pinched your nose. It didn’t help.

“Some things never change, I guess,” you said dryly to Shanks, who was still near you.

“Like your beauty,” he said with a cheesy smile.

Resisting the urge to punch him, you headed towards the captain’s quarters. You opened the door, and immediately went to open the windows. Shanks’s cabin was the rule, not the exception to the odor on the ship. You started to put away your things, and Shanks came to lean in the doorway.

“So, what were you saying about not cuddling?” Shanks said with a smirk.

“Hmmm?,” you said looking up. “Oh, I’m staying here. There’s no women’s quarters and there’s no way I’m sleeping in that funk cavern down below. I don’t care where you stay, but I’m staying here. Maybe Benn will take you.”

“Absolutely not!” yelled out Benn from the deck. “It’s like sleeping next to a sea king!”

“Well, looks like you’re bunking with your men,” you said with a shrug. “Good for building relationships and community.”

“I thought you said you didn’t care where I stayed!” Shanks said, sounding dismayed. “And wait! - I get to stay in my own room! I spent years getting the most comfortable mattress on the Grand Line. I returned 14 different mattresses before I found the perfect one. I’ve got the sheets with the highest thread count of any captain on these seas!” He jutted his hip and put his arm akimbo.

Despite yourself, you laughed. He was so indignant, so serious, about something so trivial. You actually didn’t care where he stayed, but you certainly cared where you did. You were both adults, you could share a room for a month. 

“And how would you know what other captains have on their beds?” you said, continuing to put your things away. “You been sleeping between their sheets?” 

Shanks huffed and you laughed again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day passed quickly for you. You were among old friends, and caught up with them. They told you what they’d been up to, funny stories, and interesting tidbits of the last few years. Hongo told you gross medical stories, which was always a source of fascination. Yasopp showed you some new tricks he’d learned, all of which were very impressive. They showed you their new scars, new battle wounds, and pictures of their new loves. It was like a show and tell of the last several years.

You told them about how you got into making sake and how you’d been. It wasn’t as exciting as their stories, but they’d enjoyed listening. Lime Juice and Bonk Punch begged you to make some sake on the ship during your stay. You allowed them to sway you, and said that you’d look for the tools and ingredients at the next island. 

Once the ship was in the open water, you started working the odd jobs you had done all those years before. When you were a crewmate, you mostly did whatever Benn asked you to do, but you also did the dishes, cleaned (had no one done that since you left?), helped Lucky Roux when needed. You started swabbing the deck since it looked like only spilled alcohol had been used previously. You were taking your time and enjoying the fine afternoon weather, watching the sea. There was so much you missed about sailing, you were happy for a small adventure on the seas. And, ever honest with yourself, you reluctantly admitted you were happy to have this small adventure with Shanks, too.

[leventart-den]

I'm here with another silly idea for ZoSan, dear Strawhearts. And you know what? I love cliches. Because for me it is always so much fun to take something that is very well-known and predictable and think how it can be turned around and changed. So, of course, when I see the "f*ck or die" tag on AO3, my brain immediately starts to work and think what I can do with it. I'm writing this in a very subdued and non-descriptive manner (because I'm just sharing a general idea), but I think you can fill in the blanks given the topic.

So what if this happened and during another battle with an enemy ship, Sanji was somehow drugged.

And now this is a ten times worse version of Sanji, and not only regarding girls. And since it's ZoSan, of course Zoro is the one who finds Sanji in the kitchen and notices that something is wrong with the shitty cook. They fight as usual, but in the end it ends with Sanji admitting that he needs help. He tells Zoro that he trusts him, that he is strong enough to watch over him and not let him out of the kitchen so that Sanji doesn't do things to others that he will later regret. 

So now they're stuck in the kitchen alone with Zoro shooing everyone away from the door who comes to find out what's going on. Although later they still had to move down to another cabin because Luffy couldn’t live without food and was ready to break inside. Sanji, in turn, is holding up adequately for now, but over time things are getting worse. Zoro can tell that the cook is burning like a furnace even sitting a few steps away from him.

Over time, Zoro begins to talk to Sanji to distract him. Somehow they manage to talk to each other without the usual fighting and insults. This is probably because Sanji is too out of it and just doesn't have the strength. And Zoro, despite the impression of an idiot that he sometimes creates, is actually very smart and attentive and senses the situation enough to react adequately. Because you can't be the best swordsman if you can't read your enemies and people in general as a consequence. And Sanji is not just a crew member, he has always been his rival. Zoro is able to read Sanji better than anyone to this point. So he understands when "it's not the right time". 

Although, as a few more hours pass, everything begins to slide even further down the slope. Zoro begins to think that the shitty cook has bitten more than he can chew. And if Zoro is completely frank, he himself has been having “strange” thoughts for some time now, which he stubbornly refuses to name. He suggests turning to Chopper for medical help, but Sanji categorically refuses. Chopper is too young and there is no way in hell that Sanji would allow him to be exposed to “such things in life” even as a doctor.

More time passes and when at some point Sanji stops responding to Zoro and he realizes that Curly blacked out Zoro thinks that he had enough.

He manages to bring Sanji back to consciousness and angrily (because he’s worried, although he won’t admit it) says that the cook is an idiot and instead of being stubborn and enduring and possibly dying, Zoro could help him. They could solve this problem. And in general it’s not even a problem, there’s nothing “special” about it, they’ll just forget about it after that and that’s it. However, despite his clouded consciousness, Sanji watched him very carefully and maybe he would have believed Zoro that “there is nothing special about this” if he had not been red as a tomato and his hands had not trembled so much, despite how tightly they were squeezing the collar of his shirt. 

So after a moment of silence, he carefully removed Zoro's hands, never taking his eyes off Zoro.

"Marimo. If you want to help me, help me. Stay with me. Make sure I don't do anything stupid. Restart my heart if it stops. Help me breathe if I can't anymore. But don't fucking ever offer me this solution again. That won't happen, not in circumstances like these. Not under pressure. I don't want to hear this. I'd rather fucking die than let anything control me and influence my actions. I am my own man, this is my body and only I can decide what and how."

There was something left unsaid. Something Zoro doesn't know yet about the cook's past. But he understands that it is important enough not to try to propose this solution anymore.

Silence fell after that, interrupted only by Sanji's heavy breathing and muffled wheezes of pain. Each of them with their own thoughts. Curly is strong, Zoro knows he will get through, but despite this, for some reason it’s hard to hear his pain. Zoro's hand twitches to reach out to him and somehow bring comfort. But he doesn't do that, he just sits next to him.

It becomes dark, night falls over the sea and a sudden thought comes to Zoro.

“You said that you don’t want it to happen under such circumstances.. Does that mean that under different..”

"Shut up shitty Marimo."

"..you would make out with me?"

Zoro doesn't see Sanji's face, he doesn't answer. But the silence is so loud that Zoro begins to think that he is about to suffocate. He wasn't prepared for how hard it would hit him.

They don't speak after that. It's deep into the night when Zoro hears that Sanji's breathing has become measured, he seems to have fallen asleep. The drug has worn off. Zoro sighs, feeling suddenly very tired and as if sobered up. This is an unpleasant and strange feeling. It was as if it suddenly became colder. He feels nervous and angry. And the worst thing is he understands why.

He is afraid of losing what he doesn't have. What he didn't know he needed. Something he didn't notice.

Sanji shifts in his sleep and Zoro feels a growl forming in his throat.

He doesn't sleep that night.

He guards.

[rosesradio]

I've been having so many thoughts about Lukethan recently omg.... I don't even know who else to send this ask to because I've never seen anyone else really post about the ship, so I'll send it to you. xD Sorry if it's kinda spam mail.

Anyway, nonsensical headcanon time!

So, Ethan was in the Hermes Cabin for a while, right? Annabeth says at some point that she recognizes him as one of the unclaimed kids there.

I was thinking- because both Luke and Ethan clearly wanted to leave camp- they were probably scheming for a while against the gods before either of them had a concrete plan. I can imagine them sneaking upstairs while most of the other kids in the cabin are asleep and just venting to each other, talking about their issues with camp and with the higher ups and saying that they wished they could do something about it.

Perhaps they even start to become a team of sorts, helping the kids in the Hermes cabin together. Luke as the cabin leader and Ethan as a sort of intermediary whenever there are arguments or disagreements... because he knows what is fair and what is balanced. The kids love them- it feels good to have some sort of structure (even if it is annoying if one is trying to steal one's brother's socks. *ahem* Stoll brothers. *ahem*).

Maybe over time the two get closer and closer from just being two people who don't like the gods, and they start imagining something bigger. Something with substance. Something that would actually accomplish their wishes so they could be free at last. (Because as long as you're a half-blood you're only a plaything of the gods.)

But as the idea forms, Luke starts to get more and more radical. He starts talking about Kronos and getting contact with the titans, and then eventually about the plan for Kronos to take his body. This whole time, though, Ethan has been gradually falling for him. While Luke was imagining destroying the gods once and for all, Ethan was imagining the life after that. The life of peace where they could be together. But if Luke is taken by Kronos, they can't have that.

Still, what is he to do?

Ethan probably helped Luke sneak in the pit scorpion and the other monsters- probably helped along the way to try to confuse Percy and the others on the quest. The whole while, something inside him is saying that this is wrong (something about it is off-balance, but he isn't sure what). Still, Luke's dove head first in so Ethan has no choice to follow him.

When Luke's betrayal is revealed and he has to flee, Ethan finds out too late to follow. He knows where Luke is going next, though, at least in general. He knows about Kronos and about the plan for Luke to sacrifice his body.

He has to follow, too, because he has to protect Luke even if he knows the end goal isn't pretty. And then, in the middle of the night, he slips away. He's the first demigod other than Luke to desert in the Titan War, but no one pays any mind to it. He's just an unclaimed kid, a monster probably got him or something. It doesn't matter.

The Hermes Cabin remembers Luke and Ethan's closeness, though, and they can almost sense the war on the horizon.

Anyway yeah, something like that. Idk. Sorry for the long ask ToT

ughhh i love this so much, you're so eloquent in describing this concept & i'm just sitting here like 🧍 but i love this so much

i see an alternative in that ethan definitely crushed on luke during their camp days, though luke didn't really register ethan as a person (not to get into Age Gap Disk Horse, though i believe ethan's five years younger than luke? richard wouldn't know lol). just for my comfort level, i think luke would only start to see ethan as like a love interest potential once they're older in the TA, which goes along with what you're saying. he's so jaded, he only wants to bring down the gods, nothing more.

but ethan is always balanced. there's the Before, with the gods & their injustice & all the unclaimed kids. then there's the Middle, the war, justice being served. and then there's the After. & thought of the After is the only thing keeping ethan going sometimes, though he can't help but feel drained from luke's lack of interest. when asked, luke would say something along the lines of "let's worry about getting through the war first". he has no time to even envision the world of equality he's striving so hard to create.

i had this idea of ethan being just like every other unclaimed kid in the hermes cabin. he's like 14, no one glances towards him, no one cares that he's there. he's taking up space. and goddamnit, he just wants attention.

he's not sure if that's balanced. he's not sure if he deserves attention.

ethan would sneak out of the overcrowded cabin one night, making his way to the lake. he heard the new kid, percy, only had a talent for rowing a canoe on the lake. that probably meant he was going to take up space in the hermes cabin as Unclaimed Numero Uno Million, though ethan was too jaded to care at this point. he just wanted some space and open air to think.

when the cleaning harpies would inevitably find him, ethan wouldn't care. he would ponder the balance of them killing him for sneaking out. he would ponder the balance of his death in relation to the new kid staying.

then luke would approach, telling the harpies to stand down. luke is the only camper they actually take a moment to listen to. he tells them he's going to take a moment with ethan before getting him back to the cabin (ethan didn't think luke knew his name). he tells them that if they try to attack, luke will send them back to tartarus in moments.

the harpies, surprisingly, listen, though not without their fair share of squaking. they tell them luke has a few minutes, no more.

luke comes to sit down next to ethan. he slides off his sandals and dips his feet in the lake, just the same as ethan.

and he asks ethan what's going on, voice gentle as if he knows ethan. but he doesn't. he knows nothing besides ethan's name. he's just another body in head count before dinner. another duck to keep in line.

shattering the balance of composure, of dignity, ethan breaks down. he becomes putty in luke's hands, a child in need of comfort, forcing luke into that role if he wants it or not.

but luke takes it well. he wrapps his arms around ethan, running his fingers through ethan's hair as he sobs into luke's chest.

ethan's shaking. he wants to explode. he doesn't want to exist anymore. his whole life throws things off the balance for the things he wants.

he tells luke this, all of this and so much more. the things he's saying are treason, though he doesn't care. he rambles on as if decending into madness, grasping luke's arms to an almost painful extent, as if that would get him to understand.

but he does. thank the gods—thank something more honest—he does. he tells ethan that he knows, and he feels the same. but he has to stay in line for everyone. he loves them too much to do anything about it. he loves them so much, he has to let them suffer instead of risk them being killed.

he tells them that they have to keep their views a secret. it was the only way to keep them both safe.

ethan's sense of balance is skewed as the tears dry on his cheeks. everything is in tangled knots, and nothing makes sense. but still, in the name of order, he nods. he thanks luke for comforting him. he wants him to stay and care for him more. the moment is too fleeting before luke comes to a stand. he offers ethan his hand, and the two head back to the hermes cabin.

ethan tries to approach luke again, though nothing comes of it. he's always busy, which may or may not be true. he seems to make time for each and every other individual in his cabin and others.

he's avoiding him.

ethan's pissed about it, of course. the one time he's shown someone gives a shit about him, and they avoid him. perhaps he was too much, flying too close to the sun, to the epiphany.

still, he can't help but think of luke's low, comforting voice. the way his touch felt. he smelled nice, too, and when he looked at him...his gaze was gentle. caring.

ethan wants to punch him for giving him the cold shoulder. he wants to be allowed to expand upon his ideas, because gods-literally-forbid he think his own thoughts.

he wants to kiss luke. he wants to form the future alongside him.

as soon as ethan can even notice this pattern within luke, he's gone.

he left a note in ethan's sleeping bag. ethan didn't know luke even registered where he slept.

come with me if you really want to make a change. tell no one, unless you trust they will be useful to the cause.

he left a few drachmas with the note for iris-messaging. that's probably the eqivalent of a boy giving you his phone number, right?

of course, ethan goes after him, with a little time to enjoy the freedom of the mortal world first (as he doesn't officially join up until botl). he wouldn't want luke to think he was too desperate for his affections, of course.

[wheels-of-despair]

Live A Little | A Worth It AU | Ralph Penbury x You | Masterlist

In This Edition: You and Ralph venture out of your cabin! Words: 1.3k

You wake to the sound of angry whispers.

"It's not proper!"

"Those kids have been through Hell together!"

"They're not married!"

Ralph's eyes open. You hold your breath and listen closely, watching each other beneath the covers and not daring to move a muscle.

"And?"

"And it's despicable! Having to share a room with… with…"

"With my niece, and the boy who saved her life?"

"I thought you said his sister was on board! Send him there, or back to the lounge!"

"My girl wouldn't leave that boy to get on a boat and save her own life, and you think she's going to let him go because you said so?"

A proud smile spreads across your face. You knew Aunt Molly would always be on your side.

"Ugh!" The other woman groans in frustration, and you hear the door open.

"If you think for one minute that I'm--" Molly shuts the door, and your eavesdropping is abruptly cut off.

"She's got it wrong," Ralph whispers. "You're the one who saved me."

"Aunt Molly is never wrong," you smile.

"Then perhaps we'll have to agree to disagree."

"That won't do," you argue, reaching out to cup the side of his face. "Because we saved each other."

You're already close, but you both move your faces forward just a tiny bit for a kiss.

The door closes again.

"Food's here, kids! I let you sleep through dinner last night, but I draw the line at missing breakfast."

Aunt Molly sits on her bed and tells you about how the other survivors are being treated by the generous crew and passengers of the Carpathia while you eat, but you find it hard to concentrate. You do notice that she makes no mention of the argument with her roommate… whose few possessions have disappeared.

Molly leaves again when you've finished eating, and you and Ralph return to bed. You've never been so exhausted in your life. You're grateful for your tiny bed, and the boy you're sharing it with.

There are no windows in your cabin. The only marker of time is whispered words on well-timed bouts of consciousness with Ralph. You remember getting up to eat once more, and to visit the lavatory. You have a vague memory of Molly suggesting that you switch beds, now that Hettie had found other accommodations, and guiding you and Ralph to the slightly larger mattress.

You'd continue to sleep inches apart anyhow.

"Should we go find Victoria?" you ask, during one of those rare occasions you're both awake at the same time.

"No," Ralph sighs. "I don't want to see her."

"I don't want to see anyone but you," you breathe.

"Likewise," he says.

And then you both drift off again.

"I can't stop dreaming about it," Ralph admits another time.

You know exactly what he's talking about. It haunts you too.

"What would you like to dream about?" you ask.

"You," he answers.

"Perhaps if we concentrate on happier things, we'll dream about them?"

"It's worth a try," Ralph sighs. "I want to see snow. Real snow, not just a flurry. I want to be in a warm house, with you, looking out the window at the falling snow. At Christmastime."

"That sounds wonderful," you smile, closing your eyes and trying to picture it. "I'll make us hot cocoa... we can bake cookies… maybe it'll be so hot, we'll have to take our clothes off…"

"Mm…" Ralph hums.

You both drift off again, hoping to experience the romantic scene you've set instead of the horrifying vision of the sea swallowing an unsinkable ship.

It's not until after dinner, delivered by Molly, that you feel truly awake again. Your aches have subsided. Your brain isn't foggy anymore. Your body still wants to remain in bed, however, so you lie there on your back next to Ralph, looking at the ceiling.

"I think I'll enjoy being on solid ground again," you muse.

Ralph doesn't respond. You turn your head to see a worried expression on his face.

"Ralph? Are you alright?"

"Do you still want to marry me?

His question makes your heart stop. Is he having second thoughts? You turn your gaze back to the ceiling, rather than stare at him in fear.

"Of course I do, Ralph. Do you still want to marry me?"

"Absolutely, but… do you think your parents will allow it?"

"I'd like to see them try and stop us," you respond without even having to think about it.

Ralph looks taken aback by your comment.

"I love you, Ralph Penbury," you smile, squeezing his hand and gazing at him in adoration. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Whether it's an hour or a lifetime, I want it to be with you. And I don't give a damn what anyone else has to say about it."

Ralph's eyes begin to water. He leans over for a kiss. It starts sweet, but soon turns desperate. Passionate. Something you haven't felt up to in days.

"I'm so happy I met you," he breathes.

"So am I," you smile, cupping his jaw and staring into his beautiful eyes. You can't imagine spending another day without him.

"Let's do it," you suggest.

"Do what?"

"Let's get married."

"Have we not just established we're going to?" he asks.

"Now."

"Now?"

"Let's get married now," you clarify. "They can't object if it's already done."

"Do you mean it?"

You nod.

"But… weddings take months to plan."

"Do you want to wait months, Ralph?"

His brow furrows, and you can see him weighing his options.

"You'd be willing to forego the dress, and the flowers, and the church? Your family being present? All those traditions? For me?"

"I don't need any of that, Ralph," you smile. "All I need is you."

"Are you sure?"

"Ralph, please don't think that I'm trying to pressure you into this. We don't have to do this if you don't want to. We're both tired and hazy still. If you want to--"

"No," he interrupts. "Are you sure you want me?"

The unsure look on his face pains you. How can he not see that he's your entire world? You lean forward for a deep kiss.

"Now who's mad?" you ask, pulling back with a smile. You cradle his face in your hands. "Of course I want you, Ralph. You're the only one I've ever wanted. And I'll still want you tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that. We don't have to do this now, if you're not ready. I'll wait forever for you."

Ralph stares at you for a moment, then laughs.

"I love you," he says, leaning over to pepper your face with kisses.

"I love you too, Ralph," you giggle, lying helplessly under his attack.

"Well, my love, shall we find ourselves a minister?" he asks when he finishes.

You grin and roll out of bed. You visit the lavatories and fix yourselves up the best you can, and set off in search of a holy man. A steward directs you to the person you're looking for.

You had no idea a wedding could happen so quickly. All the ones you'd attended back home had taken months to plan, like Ralph said. Hundreds of guests, many of whom the bride and groom probably didn't even like. Thousands spent on venues and decorations and dinner for hundreds. So much commotion, the people it was for barely had time to speak to each other.

And then there was this. A quiet ceremony in a dark corner of a ship's library, days after an event that would surely be one for the history books. In the clothes you'd been wearing for days. No fanfare at all; just you, the man you love, and the man reading scripture who would happily sign the necessary papers for a young couple who chose love in the face of tragedy.

It was perfect.

[racingliners]

Fic Writer Interview

tagged by @monacotrophywife and @alpinelogy tysm Lima & Erika!!!! 💚

How many works do you have on AO3?

27! Mostly F1 fics with some Star Trek ones too.

What's your total word count?

581,636. Let it be known that I do enjoy going off on one.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

The Rules of Strategy (153)

the og version of Life In The Fast Lane (144)

This Must Be a Mistake (116)

I Guess You Are Right (86)

No Mistakes With You (77)

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I always try my best to! Mainly because I feel like the only way to acknowledge a comment on ao3 is to reply to it, and it's a nice space to talk about my thought process for a scene or bit of dialogue if someone mentions a part that they liked!

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

I make it a point to keep the angst to a minimum because I'm just too soft dbhdbshbh

I guess the closest I have to an angsty ending is I'll Be Okay, Someday which has an open ending (though with a hopeful vibe)

What's the fic you've written with the happiest ending?

Definitely No Mistakes With You - nothing like kissing the love of your life on your wedding day in the bright summer sunshine (I was very much going for maximum fluff in that one)

Do you write crossovers?

Yes! Discretion Is The Better Part of Valour is my beloved Shovson Star Trek AU that I wrote for the hypersoft fest and set (roughly) during Star Trek Discovery. I'm actually in the process of writing a prequel for it (but in prose format) which is v exciting!!!

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Thankfully no (pretty sure it would make me want to stop writing forever)

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I'm very much a hand-wavy, fade to black smut writer (the closest I've got to writing smut was in Depths) only because I think it's really hard to write good smut (there is so much good smut out there like oh my god) and I know that as a writer I'm not at the point where I want to try so for now I'll leave it to the experts until I'm brave enough.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Thankfully not that I know of.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but I'd definitely be open to it!

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Not in the official sense. DITBPOV which I mentioned above was a collab with @shovson (he drew the most stunning art for it!) and when we were planning everything we bounced a load of ideas back and forth, a good few of which ended up in the final work.

I have absolutely no idea how the process of co-writing a fic even works but if the stars aligned I like to think I'd be down for it!

What's your all-time favourite ship?

For Star Trek it's a tie between Trip/T'Pol from Star Trek Enterprise or Michael/Book from Star Trek Discovery.

For F1 I think Sewis has definitely barged its way into my heart (the 2022 drivers dinner was what sealed it for me), but Shovson has definitely jumped up the list recently.

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

Not gonna lie friends I am so worried that my re-written version of Life In The Fast Lane is going to be in WIP hell forever 😭. Partially because I hit a bit of a road block with it a few months ago but also because I grossly underestimated how big a project it would be (past me did not leave a lot to work with so a lot of the Season 1/2023 chapters was written from scratch).

I love it so so dearly, it's the fic that got me back into writing for F1 and fic writing in general so I'll always love and adore it for that. Maybe if I just lock myself in a cabin in the woods with no distractions I might be able to pick it up again, I want to finish it because I put so much effort into being able to make it an original work with all the worldbuilding and planning, but my inspiration for it has just sadly ran very dry :(

What are your writing strengths?

Setting descriptions I think. When I'm picturing things in my head it's always quite vivid so I like to write that down for the reader's benefit. I'm also very detail orientated so it just goes hand in hand I feel.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I wouldn't call it a weakness but I definitely feel the least confident in writing dialogue. I constantly have the fear of someone going "they would not fucking say that" in the back of my mind and it's definitely to my detriment. And also because I'm autistic I struggle writing humour and banter because I find it difficult to understand IRL.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I think if you're gonna do it you have to do it a) for a proper meaning and b) execute it properly. I can definitely see the appeal for a realism point of view, but as I can only speak English I'll only ever do single words or very short phrases that I am fairly certain will be accurate if I put them into a translator, anything longer or a full conversation and I'll just say what language the characters are speaking in.

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

F1! the og LITFL was my gateway into fic writing (hence why I wanted to re-write it in the first place, it has a lot of places for improvement)

What's a fandom/ship you haven't written for yet but want to?

I've mentioned this before but I definitely want to write some Jenson/Lewis. idk what but it's just niggling there in the back of my mind, I feel like there's a lot of potential.

Also every few months I get the idea to write a Tennis AU but I very quickly talk myself out of it because I just do not have the headspace for it right now.

What's your favourite fic you've written?

Also going to do a list bc it's my house

The Rules of Strategy - they say you should write what you want to read and writing Merc Engineer Seb just brings me a stupid amount of joy (writing Lewis winning is also v v nice)

Discretion Is The Better Part of Valour - I had the most fun planning this with Synth, but I also loved playing around with the screenplay format too! And also just merging my interests was so fun

Life In The Fast Lane (original work version) - as mentioned above, my baby!!! I just love my little gaggle of OCs so so much and I really do think about this fic allllllllllllllll the time. It just refuses to translate to typing words into the word doc at the moment.

Sister - Hands down my favourite Star Trek fic I've written, just for getting to write my own interpretation of Kelvinverse!Michael and Spock's relationship.

tagging (as usual, absolutely zero pressure!): @hungriestheidi, @seafoampearlygirl, @kaossbells, @brawngp2009 and @avida-heidia-5

[okay-j-hannah]

Lovey Dovey

Pirates of the Caribbean : Fic

Will Turner x Reader

Word Count: 1541

Warnings: Hilarious sibling banter... Will be a king treating his woman like a queen 👑 swashbuckling pirate swears

Request: “This is me absolutely begging and foaming at the mouth for you to write a Will Turner x reader. I’m fine with fluff or smut lmao. I have a couple ideas if you also want to write multiple (or blend them into 1), you totally don’t have to though. 3. Being Jack Sparrow’s (sister/close relationship) and dating Will - First of all,THE C H A O S Jack constantly bugging you about being all “lovey dovey” on his ship (even if it’s not a significant amount). Jack also always complaining in general lmao. I think this is cute because Jack being over protective of you dating Will just seems so precious to me. PLEASE INCLUDE SOME FORM OF SIBLING BANTER 🙏🏻. Having accurate sibling teasing or banter is so important when writing relationships like these! Plus Sharing a hammock below deck” @gingerdissapointment​

A/N: Jack has never been overjoyed at the thought of you and your boyfriend - especially when you’re kissing on his ship

The skies were a rich coastal blue between the clouds. The gulls gave their cries as they flew overhead, pestering the inhabitants below for a morsel to eat. The sea was gentle as it rocked the ship.

Rocked the ship and the first mate.

(Y/N) was clearly taking her position on the ship very seriously as she lay across the edge of the starboard side. Her hat drawn to keep the sun off her face, she looked as a cat might just before a long nap.

Until the captain, laden with beads and braided scarves, came from his quarters. The black, heavy lids of his eyes fell into a squint as he spotted his first mate. She did enjoy testing his authority.

Sucking on a gold tooth, Captain Jack Sparrow sauntered over, slamming a hand onto the weathered wood beneath her. “I say, man! Hoist the sails, pull anchor, and undock this ship before I find another to replace yer useless, sleepy arse.”

She barely flinched as he bombarded her beginnings of sleep. A heavily ringed hand lifted to tilt her hat back, shooting the captain a look. It clearly spoke of how disappointing his efforts had become in motivating her.

“Go back to your Tortugan women and let me doze.”

“For your information, missy – we’re not on Tortuga anymore.”

“And you’re telling me you haven’t kept a few pretties in your cabin?”

Jack chewed the inside of his cheek, speaking lowly, “You know Gibbs will cause a mutiny if he sees any woman on this ship but you.”

“Yes, and being unable to escape your persistent stupidity, I’d thought challenging Gibbs would make smuggling barmaids all the more fun.”

Hat back over her face, (Y/N) couldn’t see the way Jack flailed his arms in a pitiful attempt to express his frustration. “If I hadn’t promised mum…”

“If you hadn’t promised mum what?” she suddenly sat up, swinging her legs so she was facing him.

His expression was dry, “If I hadn’t promised to watch over you aboard this ship – I would push you off this instant – to hell with the plank.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she smirked.

In a flash, Jack shoved her shoulder, just enough that she was caught off balance. And the fear that flashed across her face, however short lived, made him smile. “You should be kinder to your captain.”

He went for the wheel, fishing for his compass. (Y/N) slid from her spot, stomping after him, “You really would let me fall in?”

“You can swim.”

She punched his shoulder and he winced.

“You wouldn’t last a week on the seas without me.”

It was the usual bickering between the captain and the first mate. And many of the crew had to dodge as buckets of water and empty rum bottles flew at each other. There was rarely a voice of reason between the two – Gibbs had given up after an incident with a sea turtle and a peg leg – making only one option for a mediator.

“Mr. Will Turner,” Gibbs laughed gruffly, “’Bout time you came aboard.”

Will raised his eyebrows, stepping off the boarding plank, “Are things really so severe without me here?”

A wooden chair came flying from the captain’s quarters, splintering against the wheel. A second later (Y/N) came bounding out, a small chest in her hands, and ran to hold it over the side of the ship.

Jack cried after her, flailing his arms and tripping over the broken chair along the way, “DO NOT toss that treasure overboard.”

“What does it matter? You’re a pirate – go find some more!”

“Yes, but that chest is particularly valuable to me, and I would sorely miss it’s contents. So kindly return it before I tie you to the mast and let the seagulls shit down your pretty face.”

Will coughed obnoxiously and both siblings turned to face him. “What’s so important about the chest?”

(Y/N) grinned, “Will!” She let go of the treasure chest and ran for him. Jack yelled as he dove for the chest, catching it just before it fell over the edge.

“Why must you pester your brother?” Will asked, hugging her tight and kissing her cheek, “I would rather he be reasonable when I visit – he’s not overly fond of me.”

She grabbed his face and gave him a proper kiss, “I don’t care what my brother thinks.” She kissed him hard, losing balance.

A retching could be heard from behind them, “I’d sooner battle the kraken than watch you two swabbing tongues.” Jack sauntered back to his cabin, “We’re leaving in an hour.”

“He’s just jealous the longest he’s ever had a partner was overnight.”

Will snickered, taking her hand, “Best leave him be. I want you all to myself tonight.”

Jack poked his head out of the door, “And if I catch any lovey dovey nonsense on my ship, you can walk the plank and get your quota of kisses from the sharks!”

(Y/N) bit her lip, dragging Will by the hand and below deck.

“Did you hear me?” Jack cried almost desperately, “You keep that hand a safe distance from her!”

“I don’t care how much you fight,” Will said as they descended the stairs, “Jack loves you.”

“He’s protective, is all,” (Y/N) sighed, “I wish he showed he cared in other ways. Like letting me have first pick in a treasure hoard.”

They laughed and kissed all the way to the hammocks used for sleeping while sailing the seas. (Y/N) pushed him into one and jumped on top of him. The hammock swung from the jump, their tangled limbs fitting snug into a cocoon. (Y/N) wrapped herself around him, feeling safe and warm and vulnerable next to him.

“I want to tell you something,” Will whispered to her, running his fingers lightly down her arm.

She squirmed at the tickling, “What is it?”

“I’ve been meeting with the Port Royal banks, building a line of credit with them.”

(Y/N) became very still, her thumb trailing down his ribs, “Why do that? You already own the smithery.”

“I sold it.”

She sat up, hand against his chest, “Why do that? You’re an excellent blacksmith.”

His eyes were shining in the dim light, “I’m buying you a ship. A ship for us.”

“What?” There was a smile on her lips like she didn’t believe him, “A real ship?”

“I’m doing it the right way,” he mumbled, “It takes longer, but… We’ll have a home on the sea.”

She giggled, “A real ship? With a crew?”

“If you want.”

“And you’ll be the captain and I’ll be the first mate,” she grinned, running a hand up his neck to hold his cheek.

Will smiled fondly, “You will be captain. And I’ll be your first mate.”

(Y/N) marveled at him, getting quiet when she said, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” And he tilted his head to catch her lips, gripping her tight by the waist.

She kept ahold of his cheek, giggling as he tickled her sides. They were too preoccupied to hear a set of footsteps tromping down the stairs.

“Oh, God! Damned Davy Jones. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

(Y/N) fell into Will’s shoulder, sighing, “What does it look like we’re doing?”

“Not on my ship, missy. Not. On. My. Ship.”

“Oh, sod off,” (Y/N) yelled, “Grab your rum and go.”

“I’m going to be honest with you, mate,” Jack pointed a wavering finger, “If you don’t get your sticky paws off my sister, I’m going to chain you to a cannonball and throw you overboard for the kraken to eat.”

(Y/N) toppled out of the hammock, “Jack you’re taking it a little far. Will’s been nothing but good to me since we’ve known him. I don’t understand this vendetta you have against him.”

“He’s… well, there’s something about him.” Jack twiddled his fingers, “And I promised – I swore to mum that I’d…” He suddenly became quiet, “That I’d look after you.”

Her heart softened, “And you’ve done a pretty damn good job so far.” She knew he needed to hear it, “And I’m not asking you to stop looking after me. I’m asking that you let someone else help. Someone good and kind. And a partner for me – I’m sorry captain, but that’s not something you can give me.” She tried at a smile.

And Jack did have the slightest crack of his lips, “You were always going to outgrow me.”

Will came up behind (Y/N) and placed an arm around her shoulders. Surprisingly Jack didn’t retort, “You’re not the only one that cares about her.”

“I’m still not a fan of the lovey dovey nonsense.”

“That’s fine,” (Y/N) laughed, “We’re gonna do it anyway.”

Jack laughed too, taking a step back and making for the stairs. He snatched a bottle of rum from the stores as he said, “Put a sock on the cabin door next time. I already have enough trauma without seeing whatever you two do alone.”

And that was about as close as Jack was going to get in saying he accepted his sister dating. Will gripped her side and whispered jovially in her ear.

“You want to get all lovey dovey?”

“Let me grab a sock first.”

~~~

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