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eureka-its-zico · 1 year ago

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Chaos in Their Bones

Ongoing Series

Synopsis: All your life you’d listened to your friend, Usopp spin wild tales about pirates and adventure. Pirates weren’t a thing that came often to Syrup Village, but one straw hat pirate and his crew changed all that the day they arrived. Now, you aren’t so sure if your sleepy little village was always pirate-free or if no one had been paying attention.

Pairing: Roronoa Zoro x Reader

Genre: friends to lovers, frienemies to lovers, slow burn (I hope y’all like aching) eventual smut

Words: 5k+

A/N: I told myself I wasn’t going to do this, so naturally I did it anyway. This is the first chapter in a planned series with a reader insert following the events of the OPLA universe. I sincerely hope that this is a story you all love as this is my first initial time writing for one of my beloved anime. But let’s be real, after seeing Mackenyu play Zoro (my fav) I knew I was going to be whipped from the start. The reader will go by “Doc” in this story at times, and later a nickname by Zoro himself. As always, I hope you enjoy this. Much love, Jenn. Also, thank you @thegreatesttttttttt for indulging me.

The ringing of the bell thundered through the sky above. An upcoming warning of four words that would echo through the street's moments later.

“The pirates are coming!”

You could practically hear the rest of the town groan with a sigh. Their annoyance stunk up the streets as Usopp sounded the imaginary alarm as he usually did every day around this time. Maybe it was because you considered Usopp a friend that his tall tales and wild imagination didn’t bother you.

Instead, a sly smile tilted your lips as you continued to grind the seeds deep into the mortar. Mr. Edison’s gruff voice from outside your window reminded Usopp for the millionth time that he needed to stop as he sprinted past.

“What is that boy going on about?” Naan huffed.

You sent a quick glance behind your shoulder at the older woman who was currently folding the recently washed linens. All of them are used with a purpose to either staunch bloody wounds or for the simple purpose of relieving colds. Naan’s linens, like her home, were used for a multitude of healing services, with the only payment she accepted was that of the kindness of others around her.

“You already know, Naan,” you replied, your smile evident in your words. “It’s the usual afternoon reminder to stay on your toes.”

A deep chuckle came from behind you followed by the soft cough that came after.

“These toes can’t do very much standing. So, maybe tell your friend to give me a day of rest soon.”

“Usopp has done this every day for seven years. I don’t think anything anyone will ever say will make him stop.”

Even if you could get Usopp to stop, you wouldn’t be the one to make him. You weren’t sure how many people in town knew who his father was - or that he’d been a pirate. A father by suggestion, Usopp’s wild imagination could only recall small things from the stories his mother had been willing to share, and from those stories, even greater ones grew.

While everyone else may have found Usopp’s stories as an ever-present headache you knew they held a deeper meaning. They were the only thing he knew of a man he never got to know.

The sound of chair legs creaking across the floor cut you out of your thoughts. Just in time from the looks of the seed putty you’d created. A heavy thud on the boards informed you Naan grabbed her cane and the heavier shuffling of her feet that she was heading in your direction.

“What are you so intently making over here, child?”

Settling down the pestle, you reached over your workstation to grab a pot. You were going to need to fetch some water to bring everything to a bowl before you strained it into a jar.

“Water. I need to go get some water,” you murmured as you brought the pot down in front of you.

“Am I talking to myself?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Naan. Did you say something?”

This time you did dare to look at her. Her deep-set wrinkles set impossibly deeper as she regarded your work from over your shoulder.

“Oh, I only asked what you were making that was stinking up my kitchen.”

Your eyes flew open wide as you took a deep breath in. You were sure the only thing you’d put in that maybe - maybe - smelled was the slippery elm, but you hadn’t even steeped it in the water yet. Naan must have read your panic before it began to stitch your brow together. Your eyes still helplessly peeled to the job in front of you instead of the chuckling woman behind you.

“It’s fine, child. I’m just teasing you.”

All your panic rushed out in a huff of air as your body finally turned to greet her. Your eyes instantly took in the very tired look of hers.

“You should get some rest, Naan.”

The two of you knew you meant well. You would never try and make Naan feel older than she already felt, except you didn’t give a damn about her feelings when you could easily spot the sweat on her upper lip. The way her body leaned more into the cane that supported her. She batted your concern away with a swat of her free hand. As if it would be enough to make whatever fear that gripped at your heart magically disappear.

“Don’t patronize me. I’m fine.”

“You are not fine. You're wheezing with every breath now-“

“I said I’m fine. Leave me alone and start worrying about whatever it is you’re making.”

“Well, if you would stop interrupting me, maybe I could finish it!”

The irritation in your voice wasn’t hard to miss. Naan heard it too no doubt with the way her brow cocked as if begging you to repeat it.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between you. Naan wouldn’t even look at you - probably too scared to see your eyes pleading, full of worry for her to just go lay down.

Why must you always be so stubborn?

The question sat on your tongue and made your words form like molasses. You weren’t a child anymore. So, it begged the question of why you were still afraid to speak to her like an adult. It didn’t matter if what you said hurt her old feelings. Not when the thought of her not being around made your chest begin to spread wide like an aching chasm.

“You never did say what you were making.”

You pressed your tongue against your cheek while you debated if it would be worth it to try and argue with her. Of course, you were always the first one to relent and push it under the metaphorical rug.

“It’s a gift for Miss Kaya. Usopp told me her cough hadn’t changed and asked if I would make something for her.”

“Hmm,” Naan hummed in thought. “That boy is strange, but he is kind.”

“Not as strange as Kaya having an unknown illness the last few years and never seeking any aid from the town's doctor,” you grumbled.

Naan’s hand lightly clasped your shoulder in comfort - comfort you didn’t want to accept. Not only were thoughts of Naan being sick plaguing every ounce of free space in your brain but now so was Kaya. You’d only met her once when you were younger with Usopp and after her parents died that odd butler, Klahadore, kept her under strict observation.

In all the years you’d been with Naan, learning everything she could teach about healing, you’d found it odd that the staff never came to ask for help. You couldn’t recall a time when Sham or Buchi ever came down requesting any tonics or medicines from Naan, or for her to come with them to examine Kaya in the first place.

I wasn’t aware they were waitstaff and doctors.

You knew these thoughts would only dampen your mood until it turned completely sour. You just couldn’t stop the runaway train that was your thoughts from slipping back into questioning everything with the universe never giving you any new answers.

“How many times have I told you, child, we can’t make people get help. They have to seek it themselves and that- that is when the real healing begins.”

You were already bitter and that bitterness responded to Naan’s words in the form of an eye roll. One you were lucky the older woman didn’t see.

“It’s just not right.”

“Right or not, it’s not our place to go butting in.”

She stood behind you for a few more minutes waiting for a reply you didn’t give. You were done talking. Done trying to get her to understand that she was sick too and that all those years of molding words and actions to help others were what drove you to help her. To help Kaya. Only Usopp seemed to notice that something in her grand home wasn’t right.

Frustration drew tight across your chest causing your hands to seek support against the counter. For a split second, you imagined yourself splitting open and becoming two separate people. One being the doctor Naan trained you to be and the other something less controlled. Someone who was tired of listening but never being heard.

You listened as Naan began to retreat back to her table where the rest of the linens waited to be folded. You listened as another terrible cough violently shook itself free from her lungs as you focused on your work.

If you couldn’t help Naan you were just going to settle for helping Miss Kaya. Once you finished making Usopp’s requested medicine you were going to be sure he delivered it to her.

It was time a doctor paid a visit.

————

The shipyard.

Of course, Usopp was going to be here. Why you hadn't thought to come here first felt like a mystery all on its own.

In all the years you’d known him, Usopp’s routine hardly ever changed. He usually performed his usual pirate ritual just before he started his day in the shipyard. He was hired to care for and clean all of the ships housed within, however, and upon no real surprise to you, Usopp cleaned and polished the Going Merry daily.

So, it didn’t surprise you to find him already on the ship. What did surprise you were the three people standing with him steps away from the Going Merry, herself.

You didn’t feel alarmed in any way. Usopp was good with people - he enjoyed talking to anyone willing to listen. The man with the straw hat, who was grinning wildly in the direction of Usopp and then to his friends, seemed happy to listen. He was giving Usopp his full attention and whatever your friend was saying was exactly what Straw Hat wanted to hear.

The other two people beside him, however, didn’t seem to share in the excitement. Sure, the pretty woman with the orange hair was giving all the perfect signaling queues of a smile and nod to make it believable that she was interested in anything Usopp had to say. Did she probably care about whatever was being said? Probably not, but at least she didn’t look as sour as the moss-hair-colored guy-

Holy shit

Your feet stopped working. Your knees seemed to refuse to bend, to make any movement forward for the last few feet to close the distance to the group. For what reason? There had to be a perfectly good reason-

Nope. Thoughts gone. Head empty.

That was the best way to describe what was currently happening as your eyes stayed glued to the three-sword-wielding swordsman standing next to the woman.

Three swords? You wondered. Where does the other one go?

Maybe you would ask him if you ever summed up the courage to do just that. If you could just get your legs to function again.

In all the time you’d lived on Shell Island you were more than positive you’d never seen someone that looked close to him. Especially someone carrying around three swords or standing with so much purpose. Even as your eyes took him in you could tell he was pretending to be relaxed, but after years of mending bodies, you noticed the tightness between his shoulder blades. The ease he tried to display with a hand resting on the hilt of the sword wasn’t actually resting. Even relaxed, this man was ready to unsheathe those blades and use them at a moment's notice.

While the idea made you consider him a great swordsman, your heart also ached at the thought of feeling trapped and weary of others' intentions.

Your thoughts would’ve continued to run wild as you embarrassingly gawked at this stranger and his friends. All of that was ruined, however, when Usopp caught a glimpse of you between orange and green hair.

“Doc!”

Usopp’s excitement translated to a crazy arm wave and immediately caused all three of his newfound friends to face you. God, this meant you had to get your legs working. You had to physically move closer. You could do that. No problem.

Taking in a deep breath, you allowed a genuine smile to raise your lips in welcome. Luckily, your feet didn’t betray you as you moved the last few feet. You made a mental note as you got closer that the straw hat was meeting your smile with his own, while the other two regarded you with lackluster enthusiasm.

Great. They were the grumpy types of people.

“There you are Usopp,” you began cheerfully. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“You know, Usopp?” Asked straw hat.

You felt your brow crease in question as your smile wilted at the corners.

“I would hope so. We’ve known each other since we’ve lived here.”

“Impressive,” mumbled the woman.

Okay, maybe she wasn’t as friendly as you originally thought, but she was still definitely friendlier than moss hair. Who currently felt like he was drilling holes into your chest.

“Ugh, Doc I was just going to take these guys to visit, Kaya,” Usopp interjected.

He was still smiling - always smiling. His eyes darted to the three new faces before landing back at you.

“Why would you take them to see, Kaya?”

“She owns the shipyard and we-“Straw hat interjected, “Are in need of a ship. That beautiful ship behind us, to be exact.”

You glanced behind him to the Going Merry. Kaya’s family ship.

You shot Usopp a questioning glance that you weren’t surprised to see him ignore. He was up to something there was no doubting that. The issue was you weren’t sure what angle he was trying to play.

“Good luck with that.”

You did mean it. You didn’t think he was going to get it no matter how good-natured he seemed. That was still a family memory you weren’t sure Kaya would be willing to part with.

“Thanks!”

“Doc, before I take them over there do you by chance have what I asked for?”

You patted your satchel for good measure before you replied, “That’s why I was looking for you. I have it right here.”

Usopp took a step towards you, his hand outstretched in waiting for you to deposit the bottle. When you didn’t comply with his request he shot you a look of worry.

“You do have it right?”

“Yes, Usopp I told you I did. I just want to come with you to check on her myself.”

A look of worry dimmed the mirth in his eyes for one second. If you didn’t know what to look for you would have missed it entirely. You knew he’d been asking you for months to sneak in with him to visit Kaya. His own suspicions began to outweigh the doubt that plagued his heart with every heavy decision that needed to be made.

Deep down, Usopp knew if you were finally going to answer his request of sneaking in with him, it must be serious. A concept Usopp himself purposely tried to run from often.

“Wait, you’re a doctor? That is so cool!”

You needed to learn Straw Hat’s name because he was growing on you fast.

“I’m no-“

“She’s actually one of the best doctors in the whole East Blue,” Usopp beamed. “She’s cured this small village of at least two possible plague outbreaks twice already.”

You were willing to bet your eyes were the size of saucers. There was no way any of them would believe that kind of nonsense. There was absolutely no way-

“Wow, now that is really impressive! Sounds just like somebody who should be a part of my crew-“

“No!”

“We are not a crew!”

The absolute verbal whiplash you just experienced left your head reeling to pick up on every conversation. Straw Hat was practically turning into pure sunshine in front of you, while the other two were glaring like you’d sprouted three heads.

Geez, what a tough crowd.

“Ok, wait what?”

“It’s nothing he doesn’t mean anything by it,” the woman replied, a tight smile thinning out her lips.

“We don’t need someone pretending to play medicine woman to join us.”

Your eyes narrowed in on the now green-haired monster. He met your cold glance with his own. Whoever - whatever - he experienced in his life meant he didn’t find you the least bit threatening. He regarded you like an annoyance and you found yourself wondering why the universe made all the grumpy ones the most attractive.

If his lips pouted any harder he was going to have to rent a kissing booth.

“For your information, I’m not a pretend doctor.”

Whatever he was going to reply with was cut off by Straw hat who quickly pointed at himself. “I’m Luffy, and these are my companions Nami and Zoro.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Luffy,” you beamed letting them know your name in response. “But most people just refer to me as Doc because of Usopp.”

Nami clapped her hands together to bring you both back to the matter at hand. Kaya’s medicine. Their boat.

“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, can we get going? We really should stop by and pay her a visit.”

“Oh yeah! Come on guys, I can show you the fastest way there.”

Usopp tossed down his rag and skipped backward to the crate where his own satchel sat.

“Great! If you guys will kindly follow me this way I can show you something really awesome.”

You wanted to smack some sense into him. Usopp always wanted to be liked - for people to spend time with him and enjoy it. Besides Kaya and you who humored him with his opulent imagination and ability to spin fables like cotton candy. These people, Luffy excluded, did not deserve his endearing desire for friendship. They were both giving off major chip on their shoulder vibes and you vowed to become an even bigger pain in the ass if they were unnecessarily rude to him.

They didn’t wait to know if you were joining them or even behind them. They all moved forward to follow Usopp, who was spit-firing a conversation at Luffy who easily seemed to match it with his own charisma. Nami and Zoro trudged behind them both and you brought up the rear.

You’d hoped at some point Luffy or Usopp would drag you into the conversation. Anything that would keep your wandering eyes from constantly burrowing holes between Zoro’s sculpted shoulders. If you didn’t locate some form of self-control soon, you were positive your brain would be sent spinning into a tangent about how martial arts training with weapons was a godsend. So, looking at your feet for the next few miles would have to suffice.

It was strange how the world between poverty and the rich was such an overwhelming force. The farther you ventured out past the town and into the privacy of the landscape that kept Kaya’s family home hidden, it was a wonder that anyone would know it was there.

There were endless strawberry fields that farmers planted on one side and potatoes on the other. Dozens of workers tended to their growth with their hard work and sweat until a wall of bamboo cut off any view. All you could see was an endless path swallowed in bamboo branches making the path more foreboding than you thought necessary.

When you finally came in through the front gates, their iron and mortar was a welcomed sight. The one thing that wasn’t was that stupid Well you’d grown to hate ever since you almost fell in looking over the side as a child.

“I’ve never seen a house this big before.”

Luffy’s admission sent your eyes up from your feet to the large garden entrance. And that damned well that sat like a mockery in the middle of the walkway to the front.

“It’s impressive, right? Kaya’s given me an open invitation to stop by anytime I want.”

Your eyes darted over to Usopp who was practically skipping with excitement as he and Luffy made their way over to the well. You wanted him to look at you, but you knew he wouldn’t. If he did, Usopp would only find you looking at him - full of questions - with a look calling him a liar. You would never want him to feel bad. It was never your intention, however, it was going to be more embarrassing if you all got caught and thrown out on your ass than just being honest.

“Wow. That’s pretty awesome,” Luffy breathed. His face was full of wonder as he continued to take in the large space. “All of this is just for one person?”

“Well…she lives here with a few other staff.”

“Yeah. A bunch of asshole staff,” you grumbled under your breath.

By the way, Luffy and Usopp were hanging over the side of the well - ick - neither of them had heard you. Unfortunately, your fellow rear buddies did.

“You don’t seem to be a fan of the staff?” Nami ventured.

You eyed her carefully. She came off friendly enough, but she wasn’t giving anything else away. The small smile on her lips wasn’t reaching her eyes. Instead, they were calculating and waiting for you to give her any information you were willing or unwilling to give.

Nami was incredibly smart and equally dangerous because of it.

“They do a lot of suspicious things,” you replied slowly, unsure of how much sharing was too much.

“I’m sure butlers don’t come harboring life-threatening secrets,” Zoro countered.

His hand shoved in a pocket while the other still rested on the sword. He regarded you the way adults do children making up fairytales. The way the townspeople looked at Usopp like a silly child always crying wolf. They both thought you were being silly, and you wish you could say their disregard didn’t make your chest cave in just a bit, but you never were a good liar.

“No, maybe butlers don’t,” you countered, “but people do.”

When neither of them showed signs of continuing on with the conversation you started forward following Usopp and Luffy. You didn’t care about whatever conversation Zoro or Nami were having behind you. They could’ve been discussing robbing the place blind for all you could care about.

You were worried more about the people than the objects inside.

“If you have an invitation, why are we going through the back way?”

Just tell them, Usopp.

“Oh, well I never go through the front entrance. This is more of a VIP entrance.”

“This guy is full of shit.”

“Yeah, but if he gets us inside who cares.”

Why was Luffy the only member of this merry band of misfits who weren’t incredibly grumpy?

“Usopp,” you called out to him in a warning.

He gave you a glance over his shoulder before he made his way over the giant lily pads without a reply.

Little shit, you thought as you realized he was very much choosing to ignore your existence. Did you blame him? Not really. You couldn’t remember the last time anyone had humored him this long and you were debating on if you should be the one to crush his newfound hopes and dreams.

Fortunately for you, you weren’t going to have to be the bad guy in that scenario. One already seemed to exist.

Just as Usopp reached the second lily pad, you knew something was wrong. The hiccup of an, “Oh,” that came out of him registering as panic. He was already turning back to stop Luffy from coming closer, almost begging him to go to another entrance - an extra special one - when he was interrupted by a knife plunging into the lily pad between his feet.

A very sharp knife. One you knew could’ve easily severed flesh or nicked an artery. Your blood boiled as you pushed past Luffy, your eyes darting wildly as Buchi stalked towards Usopp who stuttered past a greeting.

“What the hell are you doing here, Usopp?” He snapped as his hands lurched in to grasp the leather of Usopp’s top. “You know you aren’t welcome here.”

“I know nothing of the sort. I came to give Kaya an extra-special gift.”

You practically glided past the last lily pad when a sharp hiss cut the air. You didn’t necessarily need to look to see if it was Sham. You knew it was. She stood just off the first step from where they’d been disemboweling the hog, mop at the ready, and her teeth bared directly at you.

“He’s brought the doctor,” she hissed.

Buchi finally seemed to register your presence from behind Usopp and bared his own teeth in warning.

“You are definitely not welcome here.”

“A rather odd thing to say to a healer when your mistress seems to be suffering a mysterious illness.”

“An illness we are more than capable of handling.”

“I find that highly doubtful.”

With his hands still holding onto Usopp, Buchi leaned forward to growl - literally growl - in your face like a rabid dog. You wanted to poke him in the eye and were incredibly tempted to do so when a soft voice cut through the tension.

“Usopp! What a wonderful surprise!”

Everyone’s attention shifted as Kaya made her entrance on the arm of Klahadore. You took a step back and away from the two just so Usopp could twist himself free and walk towards the waiting mistress of the estate.

“I wouldn’t miss today of all days. Happy birthday, Kaya.”

“You remembered.”

My god, she was practically swooning and Usopp was eating it up.

“I could never forget.”

This feels awkward.

They acted like they didn’t have a captive audience watching them look at each other like two lovestruck teenagers.

It wasn’t hard to notice how Kaya beamed at him or how that attention brought happiness to Usopp. For as long as you can remember, even as children, Usopp always liked her. Sure, he would play it off as if they were just friends. There was no way she could see him that way, but when Kaya’s parents passed away three years ago what was between them seemed to change. Their feelings became something saturated in an understanding of loss. Usopp knew what Kaya needed because it was something he himself had never truly received.

So, did it bother you that she actually hadn’t greeted you yet? Not really. What did bother you, however, was the way Klahadore’s eyes slithered over to you. It made you feel like you were going to be sick.

“Usopp. Did you bring the doctor with you?”

Please, let me crawl into a hole and die.

There was something off about Klahadore. It wasn’t just because he made your skin want to completely crawl off your body. It was the way he sounded every alarm bell in your brain. The way your heart speeds up triggering the fight or flight response that was ingrained in your body's defense system. The way he continued to look at you as if you were a bug that needed to be squashed, only drove the feeling home.

“Oh, yeah. Kaya, I had Doc make you something for your cough. I figured it might be worth a try.”

God, he looked so happy. He was completely oblivious to how Klahadore seemed ready to smite you both where you stood.

You closed your eyes, taking in a deep breath. Maybe when you opened them he wouldn’t be staring daggers into your face.

Nope. No such luck.

“Oh, that is so incredibly sweet,” Kaya beamed.

Klahadore slowly set his hand out in front of him. The cold obsidian of his eyes never left your face as he spoke. “Please hand over whatever tonic you’ve acquired for Miss Kaya.”

You weren’t aware your hand was already in the satchel. Your fingers wrapped protectively tight against the cool glass of the bottle as you continued to stare at one another.

“Hand it over. Please.”

“No-“

Usopp’s hand on your shoulder stopped you cold. Your teeth ground tightly to stop your next words. You didn’t want to hand that asshole anything. Not when Kaya looked so damn pale.

Something is wrong.

The thought wormed its way into your brain until it gnawed at all other thoughts until it consumed every available spot. It was all you could think as your eyes continued to look over her frail frame.

Naan taught you that as a doctor, and as a healer, it was your job to fight for your patients. To always do what you could and what was best for their care. Was giving the medicine you made for Kaya to Klahadore best for her care.

No. No, it sure as shit didn’t feel like it.

Maybe that was why it felt like such a betrayal to take the medicine from your bag and drop it inside his gloved hand. You watched as his disgusting white fingers wrapped around the gray bottle and brought it up to rest closely to his chest.

“Now, Usopp we’ve had this discussion about coming here unannounced - and this time with a doctor.”

“Nonsense, Klahadore,” Kaya interjected. “They are my friends. What a sweet gesture it was, Doc to try and make me something. Usopp, did you come to tell me more stories about your adventures?”

“I can do you one better. I brought some of my crew.”

With a sweep of his arm, Usopp introduced Luffy, Nami, and Zoro who registered this gesture with sheer disbelief. Well, disbelief would be putting it mildly.

“Is he talking about us?”

Luffy sounded as confused as you felt.

“I’m sorry, but we do not have any room for any extra guests tonight, I’m afraid.”

“Oh please, Klahadore couldn’t they at least stay for dinner? It is my birthday.”

You hated how Kaya had to beg to have company that wasn’t her staff. You could vaguely remember the butler who was in charge before Klahadore had arrived. Mr. Thorburr had been an absolute delight and genuinely seemed to care about Kaya and her family’s wellbeing. If he was still in charge, you were positive he would’ve believed in letting Kaya outside to enjoy the garden or have friends stop by, even unannounced, to visit.

One day he was just gone and slowly the only staff that was left were these three assholes. It all felt awfully convenient or maybe you were just being petty because you disliked them.

The way Klahadore looked at her made your stomach turn.

“Anything for you, Miss Kaya.”

You wondered if he choked a little over each word as they traveled up his throat.

“Great!” Luffy shouted. “When do we eat?”

“You don’t. Not dressed like that. You will change and bathe before dinner. No exceptions.”

Everyone was willing to accept the invitation. The premise of a bath seemed enough to make Nami practically skip forward to be led inside by Sham. Your feet, however, refused to move. Usopp, Luffy, and Nami practically took the small stairs up to the patio in one giant leap. Your earlier dread from the day was back and something dark borrowed its way into your chest.

Something is wrong.

You were about to turn tail and run when you noticed Zoro stop at the edge of the stairs. His body turned slightly to eye Klahadore one last time before he turned to follow after his crew. It was small and barely lasted a second, but it was enough.

Zoro noticed something wasn’t right either and maybe, just maybe, he’d be the one to believe you. All you had to do was join him inside the house to talk to him. No biggie.

Taking in a deep breath you finally moved to follow behind Kaya and Klahadore. Your eyes intently following a particular green-haired swordsman and wondering how you were going to get him alone.

The showers seemed like a great place to start.

_______________________

As always, thank you for reading. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

3K notes · View notes

travelingthief · 1 month ago

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Hecate Devotional Acts and Offerings

Devotional Acts

Magic/Sorcery/Spells

Write/cast spells

Daily practical magic

Practice divination

Bonecasting

Scrying

Make a talisman

Protection magic around your home

Have a book of shadows

Learn the history of witchcraft

Learn astrology

Learn herbology

Study the occult

Astral projection

Keep a dream journal

Moon/Night

Follow the moon cycles

Make moon water

Practice moon magic

Take a nighttime walk

Star/moon gaze

Sit in the dark and ponder your existence

Ghosts/Demons/The Dead

Leave offerings for the dead

Honor ancestors

Clean graves (PROPERLY!!!)

Visit graveyards

Leave flowers at graves

Learn local ghost stories

Tell ghost stories

Go ghost hunting

Learn demonology

Protection magic against the dead/demons

Miscellaneous

Stand/meditate at crossroads

Keep secrets entrusted to you

Walk dogs

Light candles

Shadow work

Journal

Take a walk

Offerings

Moon water

Moon imagery

Moonstone/selenite

Keys

Locks

Herbs/plants/poisonous plants (safely)

Lighters/matches

Snake imagery

Snakeskins

Ghost imagery

Grimoires

Pentacles

Essential oils

Dark alcohol

Books about magic, herbs, crystals, etc.

Tarot/oracle decks

Divination tools

Bones

Ouija boards/planchettes

Crow imagery

Crow feathers

Bat imagery

Dog fur

Potion bottles

Ashes

Wands

Mementos of the dead

Urns

Grave rubbings

Iron

Crossroads dirt

Cauldrons

Mortar and pestles

Pillar candles

Coffee grounds

Black teas

Garlic!!

Veils

Talismans

Birth charts

Daggers/athames

#hecate #witchblr #paganism #hecate offerings #hekate #hellenic polytheism #helpol #hekate offerings #hecate devotions #witchcraft #witchcraft 101

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pinkflamingosims · 5 months ago

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Flamingo’s Faves IV, Kitchen Clutter (part one?)

I was making a collection file for my kitchen stuff and couldn't stop myself from taking some pretty pictures.

1. Cutting Boards, Vintage Crockery 4t2 by @moocha-muses, original by @leaf-motif. 2. Paper towels. 4t2 by Veranka. So boring, yet so useful. 3. Spice of Life Rack, Home Chef Hustle 4t2 by @lordcrumps and @tvickiesims. I have a love/hate relationship with this pack. 4. Teapot, Tiny Living 4t2 by @linacheries. 5. Mortar and Pestle, Home Chef Hustle 4t2 by @lordcrumps and @tvickiesims. 6. Storage Stuff by tsld. Sits next to every second coffee maker in my game. 7. Basket Bowls, 4t2 For Rent by @lordcrumps and @platinumaspiration. This pack has so many great bits and we got every last one of them for TS2! 8. Porcelain Tray by @pforestsims (pssst, this is not a kitchen item, it's from the Chateau Bathroom) 9. Small tray, @pforestsims again, comes with tasty treats. 10. One Dining Bowls, 3t2 by Veranka, original by linegud. 11. Decorative Collectible Plate,, Parenthood 4t2 by earlypleasantview. 12. Cambria Fruit Bowl, by Veranka. 13. Banana Peel and Apple Core, 4t2 from Get To Work by @sims-influence. Is this even kitchen clutter? 14. Storage Jars, Buggybooz. A classic, but I always forget how nice all of the recolors are. Peas!

1. Hanging Utensils. From Veranka's 3t2 New Vintage Kitchen, original by Gosik. These don't work on mac, unfortunately. 2. Positronic Pro Magnetic Knife Rack, 4t2 base also by @veranka-downloads. 3. Anti-Donkey Knife Set, 4t2 Cool Kitchen by @kayleigh-83. 4. Pro-Quality Knife Block Set, 4t2 Base Game by Veranka (same as 2). 5. Tom Berry Knife Block, Home Chef Hustle 4t2 by @lordcrumps and @tvickiesims. The japanese steel texture on these is so so pretty and I think I need to have a Tom Berry in my game. 6. Utensils , 4t2 by Veranka. 7. Utensils Bucket, 4t2 by Limonaire, original by @litttlecakes. 8. Utensils Holder, 4t2 kbb's retro vintage vibe by @neosimi. I see now that I only picked the red swatch from this set in all the pictures, but the others are so great, too! There is a cute whimsical vintage style and a cool retro one. 9. Trusty Maxis Utenils Holder, Recolor by luasims. 10. Utensils Holder, Vanilla Kitchen 4t2 by @thimblesims, original by @aira-cc.

1. Wish in a Dish Wall Plates, 4t2 by @lordcrumps. 2. Hanging Pots, 4t2 base by @veranka-downloads. 3. The King's Cookware, 4t2 Country Kitchen by delonariel. 4. Casserole, by buggybooz, must have like everything else in this set. 5. Granny's Cozy Casserole Dish, 4t2 Country Kitchen by delonariel. 6. Conspiracy Mugs, 4t2 by Pixelry, original by @litttlecakes. 7. Retro Dishes, 4t2 kbb's retro vintage vibe by @neosimi. 8. Stacked Pots. 4t2 by TSLD. Fits sinks perfectly. 9. Modern Plates, Home Chef Hustle 4t2 by @lordcrumps and @tvickiesims. 10. Paper Plates, recolor of Veranka's Cambria Plates by @2fingerswhiskey. Comes with red solo cups! 11. Mugs. 4t2 Everyday Clutter by @lordcrumps. The inspiration for this must have been my someone's real life desk. 12. Pitcher, again 4t2 Cottage Living by delonariel. I was really surprised by the modern swatches.

1. Main Squeeze Cannisters, Cottage Living 4t2 by Delonariel. These also have cool modern color options! 2. Deja Brew Coffee Jars, 4t2 by @kayleigh-83, original by @ravasheencc. I love that these are sorted in appliances. 3. and 4. Heritage Flour Tin, and Rustic Kitchen Tin, Country Kitchen 4t2 by Delonariel . 5. Bread Box, Kitchen of tomorrow 4t2 by @kestrelteens, original by @surely-sims. 6. Spicebox Duo, DIne Out 4t2 by Deelee. 7. Heritage Bread Box, Country Kitchen 4t2 by Delonariel. 8. Bread Box, 4t2 kkb’s my cherish things by @neosimi. The colors are soo good!. 9. Storage Box, 4t2 kkb’s retro vintage vibe by @neosimi. 10. Cookie jar, 4t2 by TSLD. 11. Bread Box of Holding, Parenthood 4t2 by earlypleasantview.

#ts2 #the sims 2 #flamingo's faves

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illyrian-lady-of-the-night · 5 months ago

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Monster Trio Preferences- Where they like to kiss you

I got carried away with Zoro's sorry i'm not sorry. Not edited

MONKEY D. LUFFY

Luffy loves to kiss your nose. His favorite thing to do is catch you by suprise because it makes you laugh everytime.

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You sit at the table waiting for lunch talking to Sanji. The door slams open hitting the wall and your captain walks in.

"God dammit Luffy your going to put a hole in my wall," Sanji said clearly irritated. "And I told you I'd come get you when lunch was ready," Luffy ignored him and kept his eyes on you. Before you could ask him what he wanted Luffy sprints full speed up to you, grabbing your face he turns your head and places a gental kiss on your nose. You giggle giving him a playful shove, "Geez Cap I thought something was wrong,"

Luffy wraps his arms around your shoulders and looks at Sanji. "I'm not here for food i'm here for (Y/N)"

He picks you up and brings you to the figure head where you both sit and Luffy talks about his day. You chime in now and then but when Luffy is on a roll, to catch him off guard you kiss him on the nose. He stops mid sentence surprised at your action.

“Hey that’s my job he says’” kissing you back. This goes on for a while you two going back and forth kissing each others noses.

———————————————————————

“How long do you think they will do that for” Nami asks Usopp who is standing next her.

“Probably until one headbutts the other on accident,”

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RORONOA ZORO

Zoro's favorite place to kiss you is the top of your head. He loves how small you are compared to him and he likes to smell your hair, but he'd rather land on his own sword then tell you that.

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Living on the 1000 Sunny was always fun, the boys were loud and something was always happening. Today however your anxiety was through the roof and you just wanted piece and quiet and to be alone. You tried to hide in the girls dorm but Nami was practicing with her Clima-tact. You went to the baths to try and relax, but Brooke was in there practicing his singing because 'it has the best accoustics on board.' All you wanted was Zoro but he was training in the crows nest and just looking up at made your stomach turn with anxiety.

Sighing you go to Chopper, knocking before you enter his office. "Come in," Opening the door you feel your shoulders relax seeing that he was the only one there. Chopper smile fell as he saw you, knowing something was wrong as you didn't great him as your normal cheery self.

"Hey Chopper," you say laying down on the bed "Do you have anything for anxiety?"

Chopper's face lightens when he understands what going on. He smiles softly going over to his cabniet. He pulls out different herbs and starts to use his mortar and pestle.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks quietly making sure not to be too loud. You look at your hands in your lap holding them together so they don't shake. There's nothing to talk about, you've been anxious all your life living fine with it. However today was the worst you've felt in months.

"I just woke up with this weight on my chest and a pit in my stomach and nothing has help," you say tearing up. "And all I want is my Roro but I look at the crows nest and want to throw up,"

You let the tears fall not worrying about Chopper seeing you he's seen you worse. He walks over to you handing a steaming cup of tea.

"Lavender, Chamomile, and Valerian for your anxiety it also might make you sleepy, do you want me to go get Zoro for you?" Chopper asked, there was a reason why everyone loved the doctor he would do anything to make you feel better physically and mentally.

You nod staring into your tea. "Thank you Chopper,"

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Zoro walked into the office his presence taking up room. When you see him you immediatly bawl from all of the emotions in your system. He rushes over to you not noticing Chopper shut the door to give you guys privacy.

"Hey, hey doll what's going on," Zoro says softly wrapping his sweaty body around you kissing the crown of your head. You tell him about how you felt waking up and your search for your own space all day. How when ever you looked at the crows nest you were nauseas.

"And all I wanted was you, but it's ok I have you now," you say sniffly. Zoro kisses your head agin resting his lips there for a moment. He stands up taking you with him.

"What are you doing?" you ask him as you plant your feet on the floor your face in his chest.

"Chopper said that you need deep presure for anxiety," Zoro said in a matter of fact tone wrapping his arms around you holding you tight. "And I can kiss the top of your head this way," he says breathing in your shampoo.

VINSMOKE SANJI

Sanji's favorite place to kiss you is your pussy neck. He loves when you try and squirm saying his name in a giggle.

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Sanji had been making dinner for hours and for a good reason it was your birthday and you only deserved the best. When he asked you what you wanted to eat for dinner your request was anything but simple sea king sushi.

Luffy and Usopp have been fishing all day waiting for one that was Sanji aprove. Once they had caught one that had a good meat to fat ratio Zoro cut it into managable pieces. Now Sanji was locked by himself in the kitchen with a 'Screw Off' sign on the door.

———————————————————————

You were anything but lonely partying with the crew but you still missed Sanji, maybe you should have chosen something diffent. You should've known Sanji would put 110% into anything he does for you.

You lean back in your chair by the fire Usopp had started, the sun was setting on the horizon it was beautiful. Letting out a content sigh you take a drink your sake.

Suddenly you feel the tickle of Sanji's stubble on your neck before he kisses you. Scrunching up your shoulder you let out a giggle.

"Sanji your back," A smile spreads across your face.

“(Y/N)-swan I will always come back you don’t have to worry,” he said kissed you ok the other side of your neck.

Sanji stood up clearing his throat. “Now who’s hungry,”

Before he could finish what he was saying Luffy’s arms were on the inside of the door frame ready to launch himself into the kitchen, Zoro, Sanji, and Frankie had to hold him back so you could sit down first.

#one piece #roronoa zoro #zoro roronoa x reader #one piece fanfiction #one piece preferences #monkey d. luffy #luffy x reader #vinsmoke sanji #vinsmoke sanji x reader

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jgoddesstarot · 1 year ago

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Shared Interests - What Hobbies or Activities Will You & Your Future Spouse Enjoy Doing Together

Left-to-Right: Pile 1, Pile 2, Pile 3

👑Check out my masterlist to see all of my pick-a-card readings😊

🔮How this works: Close your eyes and take deep breaths, pick the pile you are most drawn to. If you aren’t drawn to any pile then that’s okay, these messages aren’t for you at this time.

🔮Disclaimer: This reading is for entertainment purposes only. Tarot readings are based upon my intuitive interpretation of the cards and about possibilities based on your current energy. Energy is forever changing and nothing is set in stone. Always remember, you have your own free will to make whatever decision you feel is best.

Pile 1

Tarot Cards: Queen of Cups, High Priestess, 6 of Cups, Ace of Pentacles, The Hanged Man

Hey there, my Pile 1's! Let's have some fun and guess what hobbies and activities you and your future partner might bond over. Think of these as the special ingredients that will spice up your love life.

Firstly, let's dive into the world of emotions and intuition. You both might love exploring mysteries and having deep chats. Perhaps you'll find happiness in spiritual stuff or maybe something artsy. These shared passions will be like your GPS, guiding you through life's ups and downs.

Next, picture yourselves reminiscing old times and making new memories. You'll enjoy simple things that bring joy and evoke childhood memories. It could be playing board games, strolling down memory lane, or starting a collection of old-school items. These will be the special moments that make your life together extra sweet.

Now, let's talk about building a strong future. You both will be practical and focus on financial security. You might love planning your dream house, working on DIY projects, or exploring nature. These activities will be like the bricks and mortar, building a solid base for your love.

Finally, imagine taking some quiet time for self-reflection. You'll both enjoy time to think and grow. This could be trying out meditation, yoga, or volunteering for a good cause. These contemplative moments will be like a refreshing break from your hectic lives.

To wrap it up, my Pile 1's, your shared hobbies will be the threads writing your love story. They'll range from the mysterious to the nostalgic, the practical to the reflective. Together, you'll build a life filled with deep connections and thrilling adventures. These shared interests are the special bond that will make your journey together stand out and memorable.

Pile 2

Tarot Cards: 2 of Cups, Ace of Wands, King of Cups, 4 of Pentacles, 5 of Wands

Hi there, my Pile 2's, let's chat about the hobbies you and your future spouse will love doing together. These shared interests will be the magic that keeps your bond strong. First, imagine a deep emotional and between you both. It's like you both understand each other's emotions perfectly. In terms of hobbies, this means you'll find joy in activities that bring you both closer emotionally. Think sweet dinner dates, heart-to-heart talks, or just enjoying quiet moments together. These will be the special moments that keep your relationship strong.

Next, picture a burst of creativity in your life. This creative spark will lead you to fun adventures and new hobbies. Your future spouse will bring new exciting energy into your life, and you'll both love trying new things together. It could be exploring the outdoors, starting a new art project, or just having fun trying something new. Your shared adventures will be full of passion and excitement.

Then, the King of Cups suggests that you both are empathetic and emotionally mature. You'll both love activities that help others or make a positive impact. It could be volunteering together, doing charity work, or even caring for animals. Your shared compassion will make your relationship even stronger.

Now, think of moments of peace and comfort. These will be the stable moments in your relationship. It's not all about excitement all the time; you'll also appreciate quieter moments together. You might love spending cozy nights at home, gardening, or cooking delicious meals together. These simple moments will be your safe haven, giving you a sense of security.

Finally, a bit of healthy competition comes into play. This suggests you'll love activities that involve a bit of friendly rivalry. It could be playing sports, board games, or even challenging each other intellectually. It might get competitive, but it's all just for fun and to keep the relationship exciting.

In the end, your shared interests will be the threads that write your love story. They include emotional connections, adventures, compassion, stability, and a bit of playful competition. Embrace these interests as the things that will bring you closer, create lasting memories, and make your journey together even more exciting. Your relationship promises a beautiful mix of intimacy, adventure, empathy, comfort, and fun. These shared interests are the glue that will keep your bond strong and your love story captivating.

Pile 3

Tarot Cards: Ace of Swords, 6 of Pentacles, 10 of Cups, 8 of Wands, Tower

Hey, friends of Pile 3, let's chat about the cool stuff you and your future partner will love doing together. Think of these shared hobbies as the secret sauce that'll make your bond even stronger.

First off, let's talk about brainy activities. You know, like solving puzzles, having deep conversations, or picking up new skills together. This kind of mental gymnastics will keep your relationship interesting and keep you both on your toes.

Next, let's think about the feel-good factor of giving back. You both might love lending a hand in your neighborhood or championing causes close to your heart. It's a solid way to build a relationship based on kindness and mutual values.

Now, let's imagine a life filled with laughter and love. Your shared hobbies will focus on building a warm family and spending quality time with friends. Picture laid-back family nights, hosting fun parties, and celebrating your love. These are the moments that'll make your journey together really special.

Then, picture a life full of energy and thrill. You guys will love new experiences, traveling to new places, and making spontaneous decisions together. It's all about keeping the spark alive and keeping things exciting.

Finally, let's remember that change is part of life. Your hobbies will change as your relationship grows, and that's a good thing. Welcome new experiences and don't shy away from surprises. Changes can lead to growth and fresh starts in your shared activities.

In a nutshell, your future together is all about shared hobbies that keep your minds active, foster kindness, create joy, fuel adventure, and welcome change. Embrace these interests as opportunities to grow, have fun, and deepen your bond. Your journey together is promising - it's full of happiness, kindness, excitement, adaptability, and transformation. Shared hobbies are the keys to a fulfilling life full of love and adventure, and they'll shape your beautiful story together.

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#tarot community #j goddess tarot #tarot reading #pick a card #intuitive tarot reader #future spouse readings #tarot pick a card #pick a pile #jgoddess tarot #pick a card reading #future spouse pick a card #future partner pac #future spouse #future spouse reading #love pick a card reading #love pick a card #love tarot reading #future spouse tarot

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sophie-hatter-jenkins · 3 months ago

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Auburn

A microfic written for Day 1 of Jily Week 2024, run by the very lovely @sunshinemarauder and @kay-elle-cee, and inspired by the theme Love is in the Hair - one of those iconic 'wow' moments!

647 words

Rated G

A flash of red catches James Potter’s eye for the very first time.

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

James Potter was twelve years old the first time he really noticed Lily Evans’s hair. Obviously, he’d seen it plenty of times before, just like he’d seen Sirius’s hair or his Mum’s hair. The difference was that he hadn’t ever looked at it properly before.

The day it happened, he and Sirius were in their usual seats in the Potions classroom, at the bench in the back right corner; the one that was least visible from Slughorn’s desk and therefore offered the most potential for messing about.

Sluggie had finished his opening lecture on the topic of Swelling Solution - or at least that was what James assumed he’d been talking about, since that was what was written on the board, but he honestly hadn’t heard a word; he’d been too busy scribbling notes to Sirius. In fairness, Swelling Solutions did sound like they could be quite entertaining, and the idea of slipping some into the pumpkin juice at the Slytherin table convinced him that it might be worth actually putting a bit of effort in for once.

He and Sirius played Spell, Shield, Serpent to decide who had to go and get their ingredients from the supply cupboard. Sirius lost, and made a rude gesture at James as he scraped his stool back along the stone floor. James smirked at him, then started to flick through his textbook looking for the right page, when a flash of red caught his attention; Evans, sitting next to that greasy loser Snape at the bench immediately in front of him, had flipped her hair back over her shoulders.

Her hair, he noticed, was remarkably thick and shiny, and James idly considered asking what Sleekeazy products she used. It was a very unusual colour, too. Auburn, he thought it was called; not an obnoxiously bright red, like the Prewett twins, but a darker, richer shade altogether. It seemed to change as she moved her head, the lamplight creating rose gold highlights and purple-plum shadows amidst the rich chestnut.

As he watched, she picked up three sections from near the front, and began to weave them together, nimble fingers dancing a fascinating waltz down her head. She deftly pulled more and more strands into the pattern as she went, and the repetitive movement was oddly hypnotic. It left James entranced.

She’d just reached the nape of her neck when Sirius returned.

“How the hell is she doing that?” he muttered.

“How is who doing what?” asked Sirius, dismissively.

“Evans.” He nodded towards her. “Doing that with her hair, behind her head, without a mirror or a charm or anything.”

“Oh. I dunno. Oi, Evans!” called Sirius. “James wants to know what you’re doing?”

Quite unexpectedly, James felt his skin heat with embarrassment at the thought that Evans might know he’d been looking at her. It was the strangest feeling, one that was completely unfamiliar. James decided that he didn’t like it, not at all.

Lily shot them a disdainful look as she secured the tail of her hair with a band. “I’m plaiting my hair, obviously. You know, so it doesn’t get in the way while I’m brewing.” She looked pointedly at Sirius’s collar length locks. “Maybe I should teach you?”

Sirius looked horrified. “What? Like a girl? No way!”

Evans rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the ingredients on the bench in front of her.

“Why are you so interested in Evan’s hair all of a sudden?” asked Sirius, curiously.

“I’m not,” huffed James.

And he wasn’t. He had far more important things to think about after all, like Quidditch trials, for instance, and how he and Sirius were going to sneak their Swelling Solution out of the classroom without Sluggie noticing. Resolute, he started measuring out dried nettles to add to his mortar. He wasn’t going to think about Evans’s hair ever again; he was sure of it.

#jily week 2024 #jily #james potter #lily evans #missing moment #jple

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milliesfishes · 3 months ago

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౨ৎ𓆝 𓆡⋆Seaweed Ribbons𓆝 𓆡⋆౨ৎ

[fem reader] contains: fluff :) pairing: billy the kid x fem reader summary: pirate billy x mermaid reader author’s note: based on my love @francixoxoxo 's pirate billy au- leaving the tag below. Pinterest Board Spotify Playlist

It was always the details of you that Billy noticed, the pieces swirling into your mosaic. He could practically see you on the cover of a storybook, a thick volume about a mermaid who fell in love with a human like a tragic fairy tale. Only Billy would seize the pen before it could even deign to write you an ending that was anything short of magical.

Your laugh rang like the brass bell shelled in the brick-and-mortar church at the center of the town square, a heavenly sound. While Billy had never been a particularly religious man, he found God with you. Over and over again, enough to make him into a believer. Every touch of your skin was a miracle, not suited for the likes of him. Pirates were superstitious, but hardly ever in a good way.

He hated that he was counted among their numbers- ruthless, reckless men roughened by a life of dishonesty. And yet, it was the only thing he knew how to do. Billy supposed he could have made a life as a sailor, but he knew at this point no man would hire him for such work. The grimace that came along with the name piracy gifted to him was the worst thing in the world, second only to any notion of losing you

You didn't seem to care about any of it, promising Billy that he was a good man, good as they come. Many a night he spent nearly buried in the sand with you sitting contently across his thighs, tail flickering lazily like the flame of a candle as you hugged him around the neck, pressing gentle kisses there.

He fingered your necklace, crafted from delicate seashells shiny as sunbeams on water. You made all your own jewelry, he knew, and he adored it just like he adored everything about you. Every new thing he learned only advanced your beauty, just when he wasn't sure his heart could take any more.

Billy let his hand settle on your lower back, drawing infinities into your skin warmed from the sun. The first time you'd come onto land with him he'd been worried you'd dry out, wither away like a leaf in the fall. There had to be some catch to this. Some catch to a man like him getting to hold a woman like you. But here you were, sand coating your drying tail like a second skin for the hundredth time since the first, head on his chest, fingers skirting the neckline of his shirt.

He always found himself playing with your hair, as long and silky as it was. You always did something pretty with it, whether it be a clasp of pearls or an intricate braid he couldn't wrap his head around. Today it was half tied back on each side with seaweed ribbons of emerald green, the tails lost in your strands.

You propped your chin up on his chest, letting your cheek lean to the side. One of your hands came up to trace along his stubbly jaw, a ring with a single pearl like a teardrop circled around one finger. He watched you fascinatedly like always, tangled in your net with no hope or want of escaping.

"I wish you could come down with me," you murmured, ringed finger finding the slope of his nose and drawing a line up and down. "I want to show you so many things."

He tilted his chin up, pressing a kiss to your wrist. "Me too, angel."

The pet name never failed to get a smile out of you, and he watched joyfully as it lightened you like a sunburst. "It's so beautiful, Billy. I love it, and I want you to love it too."

"If you love it, I would," Billy promised, sitting up and holding you firmly by the waist so you wouldn't shift off of him with the motion.

You moved so you were sitting sideways between his spread legs, snuggling into his chest. "What do you love about the surface? I think I've told you everything I love about the water."

He hummed, getting lost in thoughts like a tangled ball of yarn. Billy never got tired of hearing about what you loved. You had such a wide-eyed, beautiful vision of the world, one that he could only wish to imitate. He wished he was a more eloquent man so he could pick out the things of the surface he thought you'd like and craft them into poetry only fit for your eyes.

"I..." his mind went blank. Billy was hardly capable of a thought that didn't pertain to how beautiful you were in your presence. "I like the stars, I s'pose. And flowers."

Your eyes brightened, and he felt a prick of pride for having said something that made them that way. "I like those too."

"Yeah?" Billy would pick every flower that sprouted from the earth, lasso each star and haul them from the sky to lay at your tail if it would make you smile. "I'll bring you some flowers next time, pretty."

"Really?" You reached up, kissing his cheek. Your lips left a burning spot, and he melted. You were a treasure no X on a map could ever amount to.

"'Course, baby." Billy stroked your back, an ocean of softened skin smoothed by saltwater. "It's only right a man does that for his sweetheart."

You giggled in delight, a babbling brook. "I want to bring you something pretty too."

"You bring yourself, don'tcha?"

"Billy."

He chuckled, lips finding your hair. A human would have to swallow stardust to glow as bright as you. "You're my girl. Ain't nothin' better than seein' my girl."

You gave him a fond look, wiggling a little in his arms. "I want to show you my treasures."

"Oh, baby I'd be honored to see your treasures." Billy reached up, catching your lips in a gentle kiss. You existed in a world of beautiful things, just how you deserved.

In words you'd described to him of the splendor of the sea, the way merpeople valued all that was good and lovely. Intricate carvings of pearl depicting wars of history, victory abound. Insides of clamshells ranging from the size of the palm of your hand to entire walls painted with artist's depictions of royalty. Seemingly ordinary rocks split down the middle, revealing crystallite insides. He couldn't have dreamt it up.

But as far as he was concerned, you were the most ethereal thing created by the world of mermaids.

You were pleased by his answer, rewarding him with warm kisses peppered to his cheeks. Billy could have sworn there was sugar rather than blood on your insides, given how cripplingly sweet you were.

He'd succumb to your spell every time.

Had Billy searched the catacombs of the earth like a man possessed, he never would have found what you were showing him right now.

To say he'd been surprised when you had announced you were taking him to your treasure grove had been an understatement. But the next thing he knew, he was holding onto you as you swam, head above water, faster than he knew was physically possible.

An island had been your destination, one swallowed by the sea, nearly. The greenery was lush and full, but you led him to the gaping mouth of a cavern, studded with crystals of every fathomable color. He'd been in awe, convinced your treasures were a place. But deeper into the hallowed halls of your special spot, he saw the reason you'd brought him.

It was very nearly a temple, held by columns of stone crawling with moss, the sea kissing the base a shallow pool with water lilies floating leisurely. Billy's eyes widened as he took it in. It was a relic, a forgotten wonder of the world. And you had found it, of course you'd found it.

Vines twirled the arches like a strand of hair around a finger, light seeping in through the cracks of the ceiling. The walls were lightened with faded color, the salt air chipping away at paint. He turned to you, heaving himself out of the water to sit on the edge of the pool. His shirt and pants were clinging to him, boots abandoned at shore. "What is this place?"

"It's my treasure chest," you said simply, arms folded on his knees, chin atop. "Nobody know about it, really. So I keep the things I find in here."

"The things you find?" Upon his question, you turned your head to the side, and he followed your gaze.

There, on the edge of the cavern, a collection of items laid lined up like soldiers on the stony surface. He shuffled over to examine them closely. Your collection ranged from chipped teacups to strings of pearls. There were shells of an inexhaustible variety, starfish and scales all scattered in the mix. But what struck him was the sheer amount of human things.

Pale figurines of nude women, an intricate silver hand mirror. A tube of lipstick, the lid missing, a bottle of perfume likely only filled with ocean now. A brooch the color of the sky on a sunny day, a silhouette stone faced depicted. There was a book with stiff looking pages at the center of it all, embossed with gold in a language Billy didn't know.

He turned to you, awe clouding his senses. "You found all of this?"

A shy little smile crept up your lips. "My treasures."

"Angel." Billy reached down, lifting you under your arms to come sit on his lap, the fins of your tail dipping into the water still. He pressed three kisses to your face; your cheek, nose, and mouth. You were too good for this world, too bright and glimmering for anyone to deserve.

Today your hair was loose, miniscule braids interwoven between strands. It wasn't uncommon for him to find broken pieces of seashell tangled in between, and even in the muted light of the cavern, they shone like bits of sunshine, the light catching them just right. Billy tucked your hair behind your ear, catching the pearls hanging from them, dripping with ocean. "It's beautiful. You're a sweetheart for showin' me."

You wrapped your arms around his neck, breasts flattening against his chest. "You like it?"

"It's like you're showin' me a piece of your heart," he said, relishing in the sparkle of your eyes. He shifted to the side, facing your collection again. "Will you tell me 'bout 'em?"

Billy could practically feel the excitement bubbling up inside you as you began to explain the origins of each find, voice a melody in his ear. He listened, savoring every detail to imprint on his memory. If his identity became a man in love with you, he'd die happier than most.

Your love enchanted him, consumed him like the impossibly high waves of a typhoon, swirling and tossing him back and forth against the walls of your heart. He was drowning in it all, engulfed in every salty wave that pulled him under.

Only here he would never come up for air.

#billy the kid #billy the kid x reader #billy the kid fanfiction #billy the kid x you #william h bonney x reader #billy the kid 2022 #william h bonney fanfiction #william h bonney x you #billy the kid imagine #tom blyth x reader #billy the kid fic #billy the kid fluff #billy the kid tom blyth #william h bonney #william h bonney imagine #william bonney #tom blyth #milliesfishes billy #billy the kid pirate au

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dreaming-medium · 3 months ago

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Animals Without Direction

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Four Hundred and Thirteen

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Masterlist

Four hundred and thirteen.

That’s the amount of stones you were able to count on the floor of the cell you’re being held in.

Four hundred and thirteen.

Some of them are split in half with a large crack running down the middle. In fact, some are in more pieces than that. The bigger cracks would spiderweb into smaller ones. There’s one stone right under the window that's completely shattered. Should you count it as more than one, then?

No.

No, it’s still just one.

It started as one stone. You can tell by the mortar around the outer perimeter of the stone that it started as one. If it started as one, then it will always be one , right?

Right.

Just like you.

You came into this cell as one person. One person with two arms with two hands, two legs with two feet, five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. Who knows what you’re going to have once you leave.

If you ever leave.

Well, you’ll “leave” eventually. But, who knows if you’ll be alive.

You may just be a lump of limbs and organs at that point.

There’s already so much of your blood on those four hundred and thirteen stones. How much more can you take? There’s only so much that a body can handle before it just… gives up. But you, stubborn you, are hanging in there much longer than anyone could have expected.

You and the mage chained to the wall opposite of you. He may be the only bastard in Olera that is just as stubborn to die as you.

Erbus knows torture the way the birds know how to fly. It’s instinctual to them. They know everything about how to make it hurt, sure. But, physical pain you can take. It’s the mental torture that’s fucking killer.

The window in the wall was completely boarded up within the first day after the battle, depriving you of any and all sunlight. Because of this, you have absolutely no clue how long you’ve been chained here. It could be days or even weeks since the battle. You have no idea.

The only sense of time passing you have is how emaciated your body looks. You’re able to see each of your knuckles perfectly in your fingers, it’s getting so hard to bend them at all. Soon enough you’re not going to be able to lift your arm to even look at your hand.

The metal cuffs around your wrists feel like they get heavier every single hour.

All of those muscles that you worked so hard for have started to grow thin; the muscles that Changbin helped you grow.

How long does that take? A few days of starvation is when the body begins to eat the muscles.

It’s not even like you can depend on your body’s natural rhythm either; the guards make sure to wake you up every hour, slamming their weapons into the metal bars that cage the two of you in the room.

And if you pass out from exhaustion, smelling salts are put directly under your nose to spike your adrenal system and wake you right back up.

Your body used to tremble from the utter exhaustion you felt, but you’re past that point now.

They haven’t even started the real physical torture yet, that you’re absolutely sure of. There’s no way that a few punches to the jaw, depriving you of adequate food and water, and keeping your arms chained to the wall are the only plans that these monsters have in store for you.

Gods, you can only imagine how gaunt your face looks.

Especially if it's anything like Hyunjin’s. His eyes are sunken into his skull, those beautiful cheekbones seem to be the only thing keeping his skin on his face. Dark circles surround his eyes and even darker patches rest on his cheeks.

Both of you have lost the energy to speak to one another.

It’s not that you don’t want to talk to him, it’s quite the opposite, you desperately want to speak to him, but your body just physically cannot come up with the energy to even open your mouth.

When he first opened his eyes after the battle, the two of you were already locked up in your current positions. He was a mess of questions and apologies.

As time went on, the conversations would range about anything and everything. From childhood memories to battle tips. Soon enough, the dialogue between the two of you got shorter and shorter and eventually faded into nothing.

Some words were thrown around every so often.

But eventually, it all faded to silence.

The only noise that fills the cell is your rumbling stomachs that are beginning to eat themselves. That and the pained whines and whimpers the two of you let out every once in a while.

Every so often, a chunk of molded bread is thrown into the cell. Two cups of murky, brown water are placed in front of you just when you think you might die. Sometimes they’re slid along the stone. You’re lucky if they don’t tip over and spill.

The Mercy Division is doing the bare minimum to keep you alive. Not a day goes by that the irony of their title doesn’t slip through you.

And you just know the worst is yet to come. They’re breaking you mentally, day by day, and then they’re going to strike you even harder.

Deep down, you don’t know if you’re mentally prepared for that.

When a door slams open, your eyes instinctually snap open. When you look over at Hyunjin, you see him do the same. His eyes are unfocused and out of it, but they’re open.

Heavy boots come marching down the hallway, metal clinking against armor.

The sound used to send your heart into your throat, but anymore you’re just numb to it.

WIth shallow, slow breaths, you keep your gaze down on the floor, counting and recounting those four hundred and thirteen stones over and over again.

The boots stop and a loud clang of metal smashing together rockets through the air, jolting your heart. It’s a miracle it hasn’t completely stopped yet.

“Wake up, rats,” the guard barks into the cell. Both you and Hyunjin don’t seem to move fast enough for his liking since he slams his shield into the metal bars of the cell once more, further shocking your heart back into an uneasy rhythm.

Lifting your head, you look up through the bars and stare directly into the eyes of the Mercy Division soldier on the other side.

There’s a usual rotation of about three of them; each of them are nasty in their own ways. But this one is particularly cruel. The last time he brought you a cup of water, he ‘accidentally’ spilled half of it onto the floor just out of your reach.

You couldn’t even crawl onto the cobblestone and attempt to lick it up, it was just too far away. The entire time, he only laughed in your face, slinging nasty words in your direction.

This time he stands on the other side of your cage with a sick grin on his evil face. The corners of his lips seem to twist upwards in an unnatural way that makes your empty stomach do backflips.

“Today is the day, rats,” he says to the two of you. Why does he seem so excited? “The boss is coming here today to talk to the two of you. And guess what, I heard something about a friend comin’ with him.”

Neither of you respond, not that you even want to. What’s there to say to a demon? There’s nothing you could say that wouldn’t result in a swift punch to the jaw.

Slowly, you blink your eyes and let them droop back down to the floor. It takes way too much out of you to keep them on his face.

“Aw, why the long faces, rats? Scared? Hungry? Ah, I bet you are exhausted , aye?” A chuckle bubbles from his chest. “Perfect.”

With one last, loud clang of his shield against the jail bars, he walks away from the cell.

You guess this means no food or water for now.

A long bout of silence sits between you and Hyunjin.

A sharp pain twists at your stomach and you’re not sure if it’s from hunger, sickness, exhaustion, or anxiety. Or it could be a combination of all of them– it probably is.

“Y/N.” Your name comes out of Hyunjin’s mouth as a dry croak that nearly shatters your heart. He sounds so utterly broken.

With great effort, you lift your chin to look over at him.

Both of you are in soiled, tattered clothes. Potato sacks are a higher quality fabric than this. If it wasn’t for the fires lit in the sconces on the walls, you probably would have lost your limbs to hypothermia by now.

Genuinely, you don’t even feel the cold anymore, though. It’s the dead of winter and yet, you barely even notice the air around you. Is it cold? Is it sweltering? You don’t know anymore.

Hyunjin’s hair is everywhere. It’s greasy and unkempt. The strands are practically matted to his head. You’ve never seen him look anywhere near as disheveled as he is now.

He looks like he’s five steps from the Void.

There’s no shine to his eyes anymore. They’re dull and lifeless. Yours probably are too.

When you make eye contact, he swallows thickly. His Adam’s Apple bobs with his attempt to create any saliva in his mouth.

“Do you–” He has to stop to cough. “What do you think this means?”

Your body shifts against the wall, the chains connecting your wrists to the stone clink with each movement. Gods, they’re so heavy.

You know exactly what this means, you just don’t have the heart to tell him. Deep down, you know he knows too.

“It means we prepare for the worst,” you answer thickly, your throat feels like sandpaper. When the words come out of your mouth it makes your head throb.

“As I feared,” he responds.

His tone is quiet and weak, just completely hollow.

By the Six, how long have you been here?

Exhaustion burns at the back of your eyes and you don’t even have the strength to fight against it anymore. Your eyes droop shut, your head falls back against the wall.

Maybe you can get a few minutes of rest. Just a few. May the Six have mercy, please just allow a few minutes of rest.

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

The door down the hall creaks open and your eyes immediately snap awake as a reflex. The sensation sends an ache right through your skull.

How long were you asleep? Was it five minutes? Fifteen? Fifty? It doesn’t matter, your body is still screaming regardless.

Just like usual, you see Hyunjin’s head snap up too. Both of you are conditioned like dogs to get up when that damned door opens.

“And now I bring you to our two favorite lab rats.” Gods, you hate his fucking voice. His slimy, evil, malicious voice.

Three sets of boots stop in front of your cell. You can’t even lift your head to look up, you only have enough energy to keep your eyes open and staring down at the stone floor.

“We’ve been keepin’ ‘em nice and broken since the battle. Some of the boys are takin’ bets on how long until they croak.” You don’t even have the energy to roll your eyes. “Serves ‘em right. Dirty Elves.”

There’s a long moment of silence.

Why isn’t anyone speaking?

“Huh.”

A shockwave goes down your spine. A simple huff of air sends your feeble mind reeling. No…

“I never would have guessed that my little mouse was a rat the whole time.”

No, there’s no way. No. You… you thought he was dead. He’s supposed to be dead! It’s a hallucination. It has to be.

There’s no way he can really be here. You have to be imagining it in some near death delusion.

Even with your muscles screaming in exhaustion and borderline atrophying, you manage to lift your chin up to look directly into the very pair of eyes that you used to find never ending comfort in. The eyes that you used to think of as a protective guardian– a brother, a father, and a mentor all wrapped up in one handsome package.

The age lines on his face don’t change his beautiful appearance one bit. His dark hair is graying a little around the roots, but he has it pulled back in the same bun that you remember. The scruff on his face has some lighter patches around the chin.

“Allerick…” you croak out weakly. He only stares back at you with a nasty smirk on his face.

The man who taught you everything you know about fighting– every block, every pary, every combination attack you know– is glaring at you from the other side of prison cell bars; he’s looking at you like you’re worth no more than the dirt on the bottom of his shoe.

What was he…? No… He works for the Mercy Division? He’s in the Mercy Division? He’s the boss? He’s in charge?

Your mind is reeling. None of the gears seem to be catching on one another to turn.

Despite the dehydration, you feel tears start welling up in your eyes as you stare at his smug smile.

All these years since he disappeared from the Fighter’s Guild… he’s been working for the very people that kill your kind for sport? The man who became your make-shift guardian is now one of the men who killed your real father.

“I always wondered if our paths were going to cross again. I never thought it would be like this,” he adds with a condescending tone. One of his hands comes up and he knocks on one of the metal bars with his knuckle. He clears his throat after he speaks.

You can’t even focus your eyes enough to read into his expression too much, the cocky smirk is the only thing you’re able to make out.

When your vision blurs, you drop your eyes back down to the floor. Your head drops to hang from your shoulders.

Allerick huffs once more. “Brebor, when you said they were broken, I was not expecting it to be this bad.”

So that’s the demon’s name, Brebor.

“We did not want them usin’ their magic on us to escape!” Brebor defends himself with a whiny voice.

“They are an inch from death, fool. How are we supposed to interrogate them if they cannot even look us in the eye for more than ten seconds?”

He has a point.

“Give them water. Let them sleep. That’s it,” Allerick commands.

Thank the Six. You know it’s not mercy, but it certainly feels like it. You’re not sure what you’re more excited about, sleeping or drinking water.

“What say you, Skye?”

What?

You try so hard to lift your head, but you just can’t. You can’t pick your head up no matter how hard you try. But you need to know, you have to know if he’s really here.

“I agree. And make sure it is clean water. We do not need them getting sick and dying from infection before we get anything out of them.”

Oh, god it is.

Kim Seungmin. Kim Seungmin is here. He’s here and standing in front of you. Your Seungmin. Your rogue. The other side of your coin.

You muster all the strength you possibly can and lift your head one last time.

There he is. In all his lanky, broad shouldered glory.

He’s standing right there on the other side of the cell bars.

Don’t react, Y/N, do not react. Obviously, he’s here as a spy. He’s here blending in. Act normal, just don’t move, Y/N.

It takes everything inside you not to cry out in desperation and relief. You’re sure that Hyunjin must be feeling the same way.

Seungmin makes direct eye contact with you. You can read him entirely too well; he’s trying so hard not to show his emotions. His jaw clenches and his eyebrows twitch as he desperately attempts to keep them still.

At his sides, his fingers twitch, just itching to get you out of this prison.

His throat moves as he swallows thickly. You can see right through him, he’s trying so hard to cover up the pain he’s feeling inside.

But he can’t react right now. He can’t risk that.

“Fine,” Brebor states begrudgingly. “Water and sleep. I’ll have Vin bring water and bread down in a little bit.”

“Nay,” Seungmin says firmly, keeping his eyes on you. “Now. That one is seconds from dying.” He juts his chin in your direction.

By the Six, do you really look that terrible?

Brebor scoffs. “That one? Nay, she’s been nothin’ but trouble since the battle. She was the last one standin’ in the fort. She probably took out an entire battalion by herself before we finally got ‘er. Maybe even two.” Seungmin swallows again. You can see in his eyes that it’s taking every ounce of self control not to lash out and kill the man.

Brebor continues. “She can survive for a little while before we show ‘er a bit of mercy.” He slams his boot into the cell bars. The noise sends a jolt through your system.

As soon as your muscles move, a bolt of pain goes through your system and you let out a pitiful whine. Your eyes shut on their own and it takes everything within your body not to choke up with dry tears. The headache behind your eyes makes your brain feel like it’s melting.

“I got three hundred gold on her kickin’ the bucket within the next week.” He lifts his foot to kick the bars again. All of your muscles tense.

“ Enough .” Seungmin’s voice is stern. It sends a different type of shiver down your spine. Brebor’s boot stops mid-air before he can kick the bars once more. “Get her– both of them – food and water. Now.”

“You heard him,” Allerick adds.

The edges of your vision are already starting to fade inwards.The sudden spike in your heart rate had caused your adrenaline to skyrocket and then drop off a cliff.

So badly, you want to cry. You want to sob and let your emotions pour out of your body and let them drip down your face.

But you can’t.

It would take too much energy– energy that you don’t have left.

You don’t even know which emotion to focus on to release anyway. It’s like you’ve gotten two stabs right into your chest. Allerick and Seungmin. The two of them are standing side by side right in front of your eyes and it feels like you can’t even breathe.

There’s a shuffle of chains on the other side of your cell.

“You stay still, rat!” Brebor barks at Hyunjin. The chains immediately stop and a loud whine follows it.

“Did we not just say to let them rest?” Allerick snaps at Brebor who just grumbles in response.

“The two of you are showin’ too much mercy to these scum, I tell ya. They killed so many of our men. Between the two of them they do not deserve any more compassion than you would give a spider on the wall.”

“ We will decide what is too much mercy, not you, soldier,” Seungmin hisses in response. Armor clinks softly as the two of them seem to move around a bit. “Show me to the food and water, I will bring it to them myself if I have to.”

“Right this way,” Brebor grumbles.

More and more your eyelids droop, your breathing is so shallow, you’re not sure if your chest is even rising and falling visibly anymore. Are your eyes open or is your vision blacked out?

Boots shuffle outside of the cell. Seungmin seems to hiss more orders at Brebor as they walk away.

The quieter his voice gets, the more your sadness settles in further and further.

One particular set of boots remains right on the other side of the metal bars. You don’t even need to try and lift your head to know who it is.

“Rest up, little mouse. You are going to need it.”

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

“Y/N.” Your name is hissed quietly into the cell. “Hyunjin. Y/N, wake up, please.”

Achingly, you attempt wrestle your own eyelids to open. How much longer can you continue to do this?

But you know this voice. This voice is gentle and sweet. It’s talking to you with a kindness you haven’t heard in so long, not even in your own mind.

“Please, you two,” it calls again. The cell doors open very slowly, you barely even hear it. The chains on the other wall clink around for a bit.

There’s some murmuring off to the side for a few moments before boots scrape and thud along the floor in your direction.

Before you can open your eyes fully, you feel a presence right in front of you.

That sends a large wave of fear through your body. Your entire heart kickstarts and you gasp, your body shrinking away from them with a quiet whine.

“Nay, nay, Y/N, nay, it is okay, I am here, I am right here,” the voice continues to whisper.

Two large warm hands place themselves on your shoulders and you have to fight the scream that bubbles in your throat.

Still, your body naturally backpedals backwards into the wall even more, your back pressed firmly against the stone.

“Please, Y/N, it’s Seungmin, please, mercenary, open your eyes.”

Your mind is so foggy. But his voice breaks through the fog and what feels like a safety blanket is placed over your fears.

“Seung…” you croak, your eyes wincing a few times as you try to open them.

“Yes, yes, it is me,” he reassures you quietly. “Stay quiet, sweet thing, please, you must stay quiet.”

He sounds just as broken as you.

Eventually, your eyes flutter open and you look up at him. When your eyes come into focus, he’s watching you closely.

He looks exactly the same as when you left for Fort Mire, except maybe his hair has gotten a little longer. A haircut might suit him.

“Seung,” you repeat, looking right up at him. “You are here…”

He shushes you again, his hand moving from your shoulder to the side of your head, brushing the matted strands out of your face. The rogue’s eyes flit all over your features, taking in every since bit of damage.

“Oh, you poor thing,” he says thickly. His eyes are getting glassier by the second. “I am so sorry, Y/N, I am so, so sorry.”

He reaches one hand down and grabs a mug, bringing it up to your lips quickly. “Drink, it’s water, drink, mercenary.”

As he tilts the mug back, you greedily gulp down every drop of water that flows out of the mug. Some of it rushes down the sides of your mouth and down your chin.

Once the mug is empty, Seungmin brings it down from your face and places it on the floor. With gentle, warm hands, he reaches up and wipes the water off your face with the sleeve of his tunic. All the while, those deep brown eyes are scanning over every feature on your face.

The muscles in your arm twitch as you try to lift your hand to touch him, but your limbs just feel too heavy at the moment.

Seungmin’s eyes drop down to watch your arm attempt to come up but the weight of the chains brings it back down. You can see his entire face contort like he’s sharing your pain. His other hand comes down to grab yours and bring your hand up to cup his cheek.

He feels so warm. His skin is so soft compared to yours now.

Weakly, your thumb brushes back and forth across his cheek, just taking in the sensation.

A cough rips from your chest and you can’t fight it. Seungmin winces with you and strokes the side of your hair through it.

“The entire court is beside themselves over this,” he whispers to you. “Not a day goes by where I do not hear Jisung and Felix sobbing quietly to themselves in their rooms. And do not even get me started on Chan and Minho.”

Seungmin shakes his head. “Chan was about to storm Fort Mire himself to bring the two of you home. Minho had to physically stop him from doing something reckless. About an hour of plotting led me to the situation we are in currently.”

“How long?” you ask softly.

“It has been about five weeks since your attack on Fort Mire.”

Your body visibly deflates. Five weeks?! It’s been five weeks of this?!

“I am so sorry, mercenary. It took too long to pull strings to get here,” he explains. “I had been floating around within Erbus’ inner court for months but had no direct ties to get here, it took a lot of convincing.”

“Allerick…” you murmur.

Again, Seungmin’s face twists. “He told me he knew you once we left yesterday, he only told me a small bit of your history, but it was enough.” He takes a breath. “Allerick became the commander of the Mercy Division about ten years ago.”

A long, uneven breath is stolen from your lungs and your eyes shut while you desperately try to reign in your emotions.

He doesn’t just work for these devils, he leads them. He tells them what to do. Allerick of the Fighter’s Guild commands his men to skin Elves and have their sick fun with their bodies.

Your mouth quivers and your eyebrows twitch. Seungmin’s hand on your head comes up to cup your cheek completely.

“I do not have a lot of time, Y/N. I am not even supposed to be down here,” he says with a new tone of urgency. Your eyes reopen and you stare up at him.

Pain is written clearly across his face.

“I am here under the guise of being an expert in torture and the extraction of information.”

You blink at him a few times. Is he saying what you think he’s saying?

“These next few days are not going to be easy, Y/N. But– But you need to trust me.”

Your head feels like it's submerged under water. The shallow rise and fall of your chest as you breathe begins to pick up as panic takes a hold of your soul.

“I need you to come up with false information that you can ‘admit to’ while I am performing these methods. Please, Y/N. I do not believe my heart can withstand torturing you.” He searches your face desperately.

The hand that’s holding yours to his cheek tightens.

“Seung–”

“Listen to me, Y/N,” he interrupts you gently, yet firmly. “I am going to have to do things to you that will plague my nightmares for the next ten years but it is the only way I can be here and feed information back to Chan at the same time.”

Your entire body trembles, your heart is screaming.

He’s… he’s going to torture you?

Kim Seungmin is the one that will be torturing information out of you? Your rogue? Your other half?

“You have to trust me, Y/N.” His hand holding your face shakes you slightly. Desperation claws its way up his throat more and more by the second. “You have to hang on only for the next few days, I swear to you.”

Clenching your jaw, your eyes burn with tears that want to form. You do trust him. You trust him with your entire life. But that does nothing to quell the fear within you.

You can take a faceless nobody, a devil, an executioner with a hood over his head. But to be told that the one issuing the worst forms of pain you’ll ever experience is one of the men whom your heart belongs to… it’s almost like it’s just another form of torture.

“Both you and Hyunjin–”

“Not him.” A dry croak comes out of your mouth. “Not him. Just me.”

Seungmin shakes his head. “Y/N, your body is frailer than his right now.”

“I can take it, Y/N,” Hyunjin calls from the other side of the cell. “Do not martyr yourself once more.”

“No.” Your voice is firmer than you thought possible. “I will take it.”

“Listen to me, Y/N.” The Rogue shakes your head again. “You are not thinking clearly right now. You cannot take all of it. I have to–” he breaks off and his voice cracks.

It takes Seungmin a few solid moments to regain himself.

“I have to do things to you that I would never do to anyone in my wildest imagination, do you understand? You need to come up with agreed upon false information to give to me so I can quit my torture.”

You shake your head in disbelief. “LIke what?”

“I will be asking you for war plans, fort locations, secrets about Chan, anything. You need to think of what to tell me. It will cease my actions.”

“But I do not know any battle plans anymore.”

“Think of something. You need to be able to tell me something.”

“Seungmin–”

There’s a few thuds from outside the door down the hall and Seungmin’s head snaps over in that direction.

“I have to go,” he says suddenly and then looks back down at you with unfiltered desperation on his face. “Think of something, Y/N, anything. I beseech you, please.”

Seungmin takes a long few moments to stare at your face. His warm eyes look deeply into yours with anguish behind them.

If he says to trust him, then you trust him. You trust him and the entirety of Miroh’s court. To the end of the line, you trust him.

“I will try,” you whisper in response.

A tiny breath of relief comes from his chest and he nods quickly. He takes one last look at your face before standing up slowly, making sure to grab the empty water mug from before and taking it with him.

Just as quickly as he entered, Seungmin leaves the cell, locking the cell doors behind him.

A few soldiers come down the hallway, all of them looking inside the cell and then over at Seungmin.

“Getting to know your subjects?” One of the soldiers teases.

“Sure,” Seungmin replies. “Something like that.”

#skz x reader #stray kids x reader #bang chan x reader #lee know x reader #seo changbin x reader #changbin x reader #hyunjin x reader #hwang hyunjin x reader #han jisung x reader #han x reader #lee felix x reader #felix x reader #seungmin x reader #kim seungmin x reader #i.n x reader #yang jeongin x reader #animals without direction #skz fantasy au

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