#Nursing Pinning Ceremony

[divineaura]

I did it!

Thank you God 🙏🏾

[poomprints]

Congratulations to all nursing graduates!

[prettyyxprincess]

pink nurse graduation inspo 😍🎀

one month until graduation!! as president of the nursing club i get to speak at our pinning ceremony and i am beyond excited. what a journey it’s been 💕

[indigosunsetao3]

Chest Candy

Another submission for for @glitterypirateduck‘s ‘SoapItUp’ challenge.

Title: Chest Candy

Pairing: Soap/Ghost (first time writing this pairing)

Warning: None. Canon typical violence. Fluff?

Summary: What if Soap lived after that fateful shot and Simon still felt the need to protect him?

Inspiration: This piece of artwork by @wombywoo

Prompts: "I won't let anything happen to you" (had to change the tense on the won't) "It's more than that" "Was this your plan the entire time?"

Word Count: 2.2k

How long had it been since he had seen his hair like this? All uniformly cropped to his head and not a single piece out of place; it was too short to be anything but tidy. Still though, Soap ran a soft bristle brush over it, smoothing it a bit and attempting in vain to cover the newest scar in his collection near his left temple. He didn't like looking at it, it made that close call too real and he wasn't ready to unpack that fucking mess yet.

A soft knock on the door pulled Soap out of his revere in the mirror and he looked over his shoulder. Reaching out he grabbed the beret from the counter and fitted it over his head, shifting it to the left a bit so the edge blocked some of the scar. Today was all about the 141, and him specifically, and he hated the thought. It was his last official day in service, the injury too debilitating to allow him in the field thanks to the memory issues and the way his hands shook. Price had promised him desk work, that he wouldn’t be shunted to the side, but Soap knew not being in the thick of things would be its own sort of slow death.

“Sorry, need in?” Soap asked as he opened the door with a forced smile to find Ghost, Simon, standing there. The sight caught him off guard for a moment, taking in his Lieutenant in dress uniform instead of the usual jeans and a jacket. He had all of his medals pinned in neat rows and a ceremonial cross strap across his front and back. But what drew Soap’s eye instantly was the clear face underneath Simon’s solid black half mask.

Soap had seen him cleaned up before, but this felt different. There wasn’t a hint of eye black in the crinkles beside his eyes, no dirt smudged in his eyebrows and most of all he looked content. There were no dark circles from sleeplessness and his brown eyes seemed to be shining with relief and pride.

“I’ve been ready,” Simon said as he took in Soap. “Price is rounding up Gaz who hasn’t left his mirror for over an hour,” he smirked a bit. “Sergeants and their preening,” he teased before reaching a hand out to Soap without hesitation to fix his beret. It was cocked and he gently shifted it on his head, noticing how the man stiffened at the touch. “If I don’t fix it Price will,” Simon said quickly to cover up what he had just done. He pulled his hands back swiftly and Soap saw the embarrassed wince on his face.

Ever since the incident Soap had found Simon lingering around more and more. It was subtle at first, waking up in the hospital to find the man half dead himself at his bedside. Soap chalked it up to a Lieutenant looking out for his charge when the nurses told him he hadn’t left him the whole time. Then when Soap was recovering at home Simon checked in more via texting or even a sporadic phone call. It was quick and to the point but Soap noticed he heard from him more than anyone else on the team, hell even his family. Again, he figured there may have been some guilt there and Price was too busy to check on him and Simon was the next in line. But now that he was fully recovered, well as much as he could be, Simon was still present. It was more than he had ever been before and Soap had caught him just watching him a few times when he thought Soap was distracted.

“Thanks Lt,” Soap said quietly, his hand moving to feel the more exposed scar absentmindedly. “I was hoping no one would notice,” he forced a bigger grin then dropped his hand causing the medals on his chest to rattle lightly. “But I guess that’s the whole point of today. May as well show off the trophy,” he continued trying to make light of it.

“Stand on my right,” Simon said quietly as he stepped back to give space between them again. “No one will see it,” he continued knowing full well what it was like to want to hide scars. How he himself wore a mask to hide his face and gloves at all times to keep his hands hidden. Even today when it was out of regulation, he donned a mask and gloves.

Soap gave Ghost a questioning look, he wasn’t sure how no one would notice the still pink ridge that was so dangerously close to his temple. How the line was a groove into his scalp where no hair would ever grow in again and he’d always see the mark. But there was no time to discuss, Price and Gaz were there and they were shunted off to the ceremony without much fuss.

The stage wasn’t overly large, just enough for a podium and a few chairs for older people to sit while they waited to give their speeches. The 141 was to stay lined up in the back off to the side, standing in parade rest while they waited for their turn. For their ‘chest candy’ as Ghost liked to call it. Another mission, another war adverted, and another wounded soldier’s story to tell the world.

Soap was antsy as they walked out onto the stage for the start of the ceremony. He had usually liked being the center of attention, enjoyed making people look at him and getting recognition for the job he had done. But not today. His hands were fidgeting at his sides as he walked up behind Ghost, Gaz behind him with Price leading the way. He could feel the tremor start as the anxiety rose and he cursed slightly as he turned heel and set his feet, moving his hands to lock his thumbs behind his back. He couldn’t get them together and he clenched and unclenched his fingers a few times to try and get them to relax so he could at least lock in.

“Fucking hell,” Soap muttered as he shut his eyes and took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves down. The doctors said the tremors would hopefully fade over time but to avoid any sort of stress or anxiety while he recouped.

“What?” Came Ghost’s voice quietly without looking over at Soap as he stood at attention, eyes scanning the room.

“Nothing,” Soap answered as he rolled his neck and attempted to lock his hands back behind him again. “My hands are fucked,” he finally added after a moment, “I’m shaking like a wee bairn and people staring are not helping,” he finished as he cut his eyes across the room. Even if no one was watching him yet Soap felt like all eyes were on him as people filed into their seats.

“Deep breath,” Ghost said simply, “close your eyes and regroup.” He finally looked over and slightly down at Soap and saw the wide-eyed look of panic as well as frustration on the man's face. “Do it,” he added more sternly.

With a huff through his nose Soap closed his eyes and tried the counting technique his doctor had given him to calm himself. It was frustrating and he felt stupid doing it but he did it anyway, starting backward from twenty as he rolled his wrists out to try and relax. He made it all the way to fourteen when he felt Ghost shift next to him and he heard Price mutter something but he kept his eyes shut and kept counting down. His fingers were no longer tingling when he made it to seven and when he got to one he was able to interlock his thumbs.

“Better,” Soap said after a moment and opened his eyes. Someone was walking up to the podium and he dared a glance up at Ghost and what he saw nearly knocked him back. In the moments his eyes were closed Ghost had removed his mask and tucked it away somewhere. The scars on his face were in full view and Soap could see people staring at him, and not Soap any longer. Their faces portrayed expressions of shock, curiosity, and even a dose of fear at the white lines that crisscrossed over Simon’s chin and cheek, a large white gash running straight through both of his lips.

“Eyes front,” Simon said simply as he continued to stare ahead at a fixed point across the room. Even with the reveal, something hardly anyone ever saw, Simon seemed perfectly at ease as he ignored everyone in the room.

Soap stared forward as well, not taking in anything that was being said or done as he tried to figure out just what the hell was going on. Simon never removed the mask, ever. Hell Soap had found him asleep in his own barrack with it on before and he’d wear it into the bathroom shower stalls and have it back on his face before he ever came out. The ceremony seemed to drag on for hours as Soap itched to ask Ghost just what the hell he was thinking and he could tell Gaz and Price were just as shocked. But the trick had worked because even as Soap stood front and center to get his medal, most eyes were still on Simon.

“What the hell was that?” Soap asked after they exited the stage to a backroom as Price and Gaz paused for a conversation with someone. He was fairly certain that Price had stopped Gaz on purpose so he and Simon could talk. “You didn’t have to do that. I could have handled it just fine,” Soap nearly snapped, though he was still grateful. “I don’t need charity.”

“My job,” Ghost said simply as he looked at Soap with his hands in his pockets, his face still uncovered. “I swore I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. And it did. So I'm doing my job now and protecting you the only way I know how, ” he started but Soap interrupted him.

“That’s part of it, Ghost. I knew what I signed up for. You did your job just fine and we all walked away,” Soap answered simply. He wasn’t going to let Ghost eat himself alive for the guilt over what happened. Soap was lamenting it enough without anyone’s help.

“It’s more than that,” Simon replied, though the calm demeanor he had before was starting to crumble. Soap could see him swallow once, twice, and his eyes gave off an air of nerves.

“What more is there to it?” Soap asked as he tapped the medal on his chest. “The Government was satisfied with our work, they’ll use my story for years to come as bolstering antidotes for their little parties,” he scoffed. “They got what they wanted; it’s done. I’m done. I’m going off into the sunset while you lot continue on without me.” And there was the worst truth of it, the ugly thought he had been trying to ignore for weeks. He was going to be left behind, not be around the men he saw as his true family and the man he had secretly pined for but had tucked away with many other painful issues he chose to ignore.

He was getting worked up again and he could feel the shakes start; he needed to go. Needed to walk and move around, standing in this small room was not helping. He reached for the door to wrench it open before Simon’s hand shot out and shut it firmly as he leaned against it.

“Fuck this was supposed to go differently,” Simon finally breathed out as he looked down at Soap who he had effectively pinned between himself and the door. “Listen, Johnny, there’s something we need to discuss and I didn’t want to do it here,” he reached his other hand up to grab at Soap’s collar, “but you aren’t giving me much choice.”

“What?” Soap asked feeling trapped though it wasn’t in a panicked sort of way. He was more intrigued by how Ghost was nervously looking around. How Simon’s fingers curled tightly into the starch pressed collar of his uniform and the arm that was holding the door shut slid to cage him in more to the wall. “Spit it out then LT. You’ve got me cornered and I’m not up for fighting you,” Soap prompted as he tilted his head back to look into his eyes better.

“Shut up, Johnny,” Simon said simply before he yanked hard on his collar to pull him into a crushing kiss. His hand on the wall moved to grab Soap’s jaw to tilt his head further back and he felt Soap sigh into the kiss, his hands moving to grip at the back of Simon’s head letting his fingers tangle in the short hair.

“That wasn’t much of a discussion,” Soap finally breathed minutes, hours, days, later as Simon rested his forehead against his. “Was this your plan the entire time?”

“I had actually planned dinner,” Simon answered before he leaned back and smoothed out his own shirt before turning the collar back down on Soap’s. “But you’re too impatient.”

[lyarra-of-house-stark]

❁✿❀ IF IT’S MAKE BELIEVE, WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE A VOW? ❁✿❀

(Starter with @josswesterling)

It felt like a fairytale. Years—so many wasted years spent drifting through life like a ghost, haunting the empty corridors of her own existence. All the while, her moon remained within reach, waiting, ready to pull her back into his orbit. Lyarra repeated it to herself until the words became her truth, a mantra woven into her very soul.

She was almost restless as the maids pinned up her hair, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Breakfast lay mostly untouched, her nerves churning with restless energy.

“Isn’t the morning lovely?” Lyarra beamed, her eyes alight. “It’s like a promise that anything is possible!”

The others didn’t share her enthusiasm. Across from her, Cregan, Rhaenya, and Benjen were nursing the consequences of last night’s tavern adventure—at Benjen’s insistence, if you believed Cregan.

“Could you possibly love the morning a little more quietly, dear sister?” Cregan muttered, rubbing his temples to stave off his headache. Rhaenya leaned into his shoulder, clutching a pastry like it was salvation itself, while Benjen had simply given up and was snoring softly against the back of his chair.

“Let her be—she’s practically glowing.” Rhaenya peeked up, eyeing Lyarra’s gown. “And you look stunning, truly.”

By the time the ceremony began, the trio looked more presentable—and awake. Northern resilience and tight braids had worked wonders.

For once, Lyarra didn’t want to melt into the crowd, didn’t seek out the safe shadows of the room. She left her book tucked away in her pocket and mingled among the nobles, a smile ready on her lips. For the first time, Lyarra wanted to be seen.

Among the gathered lords, her thoughts kept circling back to one in particular—the boy she remembered, the one who’d worn that half-moon mask. She wondered if he’d grown tall, if his eyes had deepened, if he still wore his hair long or if he kept it neatly cut.

Memory came rushing in, thick and heady—his laughter, his touch, the way he’d looked at her with that smoldering intensity. Lyarra thought she’d left longing behind, but her heart was a stubborn thing.

As she twirled and wove through the crowd, lost in her imaginings, she barely noticed the soft patter of rain outside. Her brother Cregan liked to joke she had a knack for finding people in need, just when they needed her most. And as her instincts tingled, she noticed a man, tugging at his collar with a pained, panicked expression. Without thinking, her feet carried her toward him. She followed the man’s stumbling steps until he disappeared into the library, the door left ajar. Quietly, she peered in.

“My lord?” she called softly, her voice gentle. “Are you alright?”

The man was crouched under a desk, his breath labored, hands clamped over his ears, looking for all the world like one of her cats during a northern thunderstorm. Lyarra knew propriety dictated she shouldn’t be alone with him, but how could she abandon someone so clearly distressed?

She slipped into the room, the floorboards murmuring under her feet, one step at a time until she was close enough to crouch before him. She reached out, touching his heart—his pulse fluttered like a trapped bird against her fingertips. Slowly, she took his trembling hand, guiding it to her own chest, where her heartbeat was steady, sure.

“Breathe,” she whispered, her voice as steady as her pulse.

[marcothephoenixhusband]

Kiba Hospital

Marco X F!Reader

AU Modern Day Japan

NSFW🔞18+

Very Long Story

Warnings: Gore, Evil Twin, Anaphylaxis Shock, Fluff, Near Death Experiences, Slow Burn, BIG Slice Of Life, Segmented Story, Sexy Time, Oral Giving and Receiving, Woman Stalker, Engagement, Marriage💒 Honeymoon Sex

(Third POV)

Three years spent to make it here. It was graduation day (N)(L) this thirty eight year old, versus this younger generation. Little did she know that was the day everything would change in her life.

~Back Stage The Auditorium~

*whispers*"Lets prank (N) shes too old to be a nurse much less a Doctor."

*whispers*

"Okay we like worked really hard we deserve to get in." The two young girls giggle as the guest doctor named Marco Phoenix overhears and sees that the two young girls hide (N)s diploma in the bottom rung of the podium.

~Back in the Auditorium~

The ceremony begins and then ends without (N) hearing her name. She had sworn she had gotten accepted to the number one hospital in Japan, Tokyo she did recieve the congratulations letter.

"Ladies and gentlemen it seems a prank was pulled. We have one more accepty. Please welcome (N)(L) to Kiba medical hospital along with your crew except. You two. Yoi" Marco points to the two girls who pulled the prank and continues.

"Dont be like these two (-) and (-). They deliberately were going to let one of their own suffer just to get ahead. That could have been the difference between life and death today. Yoi."

"Were very sorry" the girls respond on stage as (N) our main character walks up on stage slipping behind them along with her graduating group.

"Sorry, doesnt save lives. That is why I have decided to reject your applications to Kiba. We need doctors like (N) who want to be good doctors who do the right things not step on others. Yoi" Marco then allows the school board to continue their announcements as they agree with him to save face as everyone knows hes the number one doctor at the number one hospital in the country. The two girls go back to their seats semi crying knowing all their hard work was flushed down the toilet now they must tell their parents what they've done.

~First Day Of Training (N) POV~

You walk in to Kiba hospital after your thirty minute length trip on the train from the flatlands where your apartment is and meet up with your group.

"Allright since everyones here. Lets start with introductions. After everyone else has gone it was your turn

"Hello im (N)(L) I hope we can all be friends" you say nervously chipper for the sake of it, then the group moved from room to room as it was touring day. At a short break you go to the vending machines and grab an iced coffee. Then you see your supervisor Marco or Mr. Phoenix to you, grabs the same coffee.

"Looks like we like the same coffee. And whats that? Yoi" he points closely near your heart to you golden Phoenix feather pin on your staff lanyard.

"Oh this, it was a specialty item there were only two hundred in the world made. Its from Uno Piece the anime and manga. Mines engraved it was from my father" you say excitedly. He leans over the smallish table to show you.

"I have one too, not engraved but also the ultra rare enamel pin of him in the anime Yoi" Mr. Phoenix says.

"Oh wow thats so cool Mr. Phoenix" you say politely geeking out with him drinking coffee. After half a day you felt the urge to use the bathroom once done it seems your group has passed on. Seeing a nearby doctor you ask.

"Excuse me do you know where Group A went? I stepped out for a second now their gone." You ask politely and he nudges you two feet over to see down the hall.

"Sure you go straight then a left the straight-" right before you can react a gaint tools bucket fell from the ceiling of the hospital cracking the doctors skull but he was still breathing.

In shock but able to function you call for help while trying to keep him conscious.

"Can you hear me blink once for yes twice for no" he blinks once. Suddenly You see Mr. Phoenix running with the group.

"Stay back wait all of you! Yoi" He yells as your on your hands and knees trying to keep the doctor conscious. Mr. Phoenix runs to you and the doctor.

"(N) did you see what happened? Go to the wall and wait! Yoi" He calls on his radio for emergency code red.

"I saw what happened I was right there!" You say loudly to him. Now everythings in slow motion the doctor and the emergency team roll him away to emergency surgery. Your looking at the wall hands on top of your (C) hair while your bright purple scrubs were soaked in red blood. While all that happened, you take time to calm down breathing in and out. Once they take the doctor away Mr. Phoenix walks over to you to recount the tale.

"Are you allrigh-"

"(N) your bleeding too on your forehead. Yoi" he says.

"Most of it is his blood. It should have been me" you say lip quivering.

"What? What do you mean? Yoi" He asks.

"I came out of the bathroom asked him where the group had gone and he nudged me over from the spot that would have hit me. Then the bucket fell right where I was supposed to be. I looked up and saw the construction worker but hes gone now he was wearing overalls and a flash yellow long sleeve shirt and yellow hat." You explain.

"Listen its not your fault its like the butterfly effect things happen. Go have that bandaged up while I deal with the police. Yoi"

~After Awhile~

'So I ended up having to get stiches oh well. I wonder how that doctor is doing hopefully alive its been hours' then you hear a familiar voice.

"Gather round Group A! Yoi" Mr. Phoenix says. As everyone gathers he says

"Everyone we will convene tomorrow. (N) I need to talk with you. Yoi" as everyone leaves Mr. Phoenix goes over to you and asks.

"How are you doing? (N)? Yoi"

"What? Im fine just tired. How is he?" You say calmly.

"Their still operating on him. And well your strangely calm do you feel -,-,-,-,or -? Yoi" He asks a series of questions about being in shock to which you respond no to all.

"Why are you so calm? Yoi" he asks worriedly.

"My parents are dead and my adoptive dad is dead I grew up and saw some people die in front of me not knowing but knowing. Its just me now, its why I wanted to be a doctor one day to help people like me get and feel better at least." You long windedly say. He raises an eyebrow.

"In other words you have the experience that all these new bees dont have. Its really hard but valuable. You know Soji threw up after seeing all that blood. Yoi" he states.

"I suppose. And really? I only do that or faint when I see my own blood" You reply.

"Why dont you take a shower before heading home? Ill have Sui show you the womens showers and give you a change of clothes. Yoi" he suggests.

"Thank you Mr. Phoenix" you say respectfully.

"Please just Marco I never liked formalities. Its gonna be okay. Yoi" he finishes saying then shows you to Sui who showed you the shower then gave you new clothes.

~Six Months Later (Third) POV~

The doctor had survived but had to retire due to his injuries. (N) and Marco like to have breaks chating about the Uno Piece universe which has all different characters. Over the months (N) has developed some feelings for her supervisor but squash them because its illegal. Little did she know that he may feel the same.

~One Day At Work (N) POV~

Walking into work you felt sluggish today.

'Marco isn't in yet, strange, hes always on time' you think as you go to your station and clock in. After five minutes you spy Marco walk into the building. The same blonde hair lidded eyes and tallness. Doing paperwork for doctors you continue your pace not interfering since that would be over the line. On your break you head to the vending machine you got your normal coffee but Marco got juice.

'Strange he never got juice not once in all the time ive been here but maybe hes changing it up?' You think.

"Whatsup with the juice? Trying something new today Marco?" You politely ask as he looks at you then slowly sits at your table across from you.

"Yea decided to try something new" he replys back.

'Okay somethings off' you got the chills as you ask

"Hey wheres your pin?"

"Pen? Haha you mean this pen?" He pulls out a golden pen.

"Um no,... pin see we have match limited edition ones remember? Dont tell me you lost it?!" You say a little loudly as you hear the receptionist say

"Marco? But your right there next to (N)"

You look at his eyes and suddenly feel shaken. You hear the door open to the hospital and Marco on the phone then hung up and is now talking to the receptionist about security. As you look at Marco then flash back to the man in front of you. You couldnt move it was a deer in headlights kindave feeling.

"Your not Marco..." you say as he nods as the man clasps his hands together finishing the juice with a straw.

You could hear the real Marco calling your name to get away

"(N) get away from him Yoi" but you couldnt move the mans icey glare held you down in place.

"Sharp miss (n)" the man says quietly. Finally Marco reached you and grabbed your arm getting you to stand up as he put himself inbetween you and the man.

"Juzo what are you doing here?! Yoi" Marco asks loudly as you could hear the faintness of security Marco still holding your arm and you behind him.

"I knew you seemed too happy last visit to mom and dad. Got yourself a little bird there?" Juzo said raising an eyebrow.

"That is none of your concern im calling the police and our parents to let them know you broke the restraining order Yoi" Marco slightly yells loosing his cool causing some people to look. Marco gets his phone out and calls the police telling them the whole situation as Juzo starts walking out of the building.

"Hes leaving the building you can find him at Taizo Medical his work." Marco talks to the police.

'Taizo Medical is the second best hospital in Japan. So Marco has a twin brother?' You think as you start to put it together. After he gets off of the phone with the police he says

"(N) are you okay? Oh sorry about your arm... Yoi" he says and lets go of your arm.

"I knew something wasnt right!" You say as he raises an eyebrow

"And how did you know he wasnt me no one could ever tell us apart" He questions staring at you. You were caught. Blushing slightly you admit

"Well he got juice instead of coffee and he didnt have your pins. He didnt talk like you either. He didnt chat like we usually do. When I said pen he pulled out a golden writing pen not the Phoenix feather pin." You explain. You could see a small blush creep up on his face as he says

"Sharp as always (N) Yoi" and turns to call his parents.

"Hello father Juzo came to my hospital today and broke the agreement just thought you should know ---- yes I called the police-------allright goodbye." *click*

He turns to you and asks

"What did he say to you? Anything? Yoi"

"Um not much but I asked him about the juice and pin now he knows about the pin at least if hes a problem then here lets trade pins, mines engraved so if it happens again we can identify you" he looks shocked as you undo your pin and hold it out for him. He puts his phone away and takes his pin off and trades you. He looks at the engraving then puts it on.

"Thank you (N) ill keep it safe. Yoi" he smiles wide then chuckles putting a hand on the back of his head says

"Sorry to cause a scene Yoi"

"Its fine but I didnt know you had a twin he gave me the shivers totally not you" you say pondering. As security come up to Marco your break ends you say goodbye to Marco as hes telling the security to check his badge from now on.

~Four Months Later~

You and Marco grow somewhat closer having nicknames now due to the anime and manga Uno Piece.

Your oblivious to his advances like him saying,

"Maybe the crew should get together and eat out sometime? Yoi" but you are always polite and decline and make him fall flat. At least your following company policies but he still tries to advance regardless, trying to find out more about you. In turn you find out more about him too like how his favorite fruit is pineapple and his birthday is October fifth.

Your writing up papers as you glance up to your water bottle you swore Marco was staring at you.

'Its just my imagination theres no way anyone knows what today is for me' you drink some water and notice Marco glance at you again as you continue to do paperwork. Once break time, you head to the vending machine only to see

"Oh hey Marco your early today" you say as you put your ¥ into the machine and *clank* drops the iced coffee. You pick it up and sit across from him, you both smiling.

"Whatsup big bird?" You ask taking a sip of your coffee. He says

"I found out its someones birthday today Yoi!" He says excitedly bring out a chocolate cupcake with a candle on top. Your eyes widen.

"Theres no way you just <found out> about my birthday" you say.

"For certain obvious reasons we can't light the candle but happy birthday welcome to thirty nine Yoi" he says as he also places something in front of you.

"Welcome to? What how old are you Marco?" You question quizzically.

"Me oh im forty four now Yoi" he smiles. Looking down you realize its the extremely rare main character pin from a even more limited release of Uno Piece.

"Awee I cant accept this I know how much these go for!" You say blushing as he chuckles and smiles.

"Haha I insist that way we both have two pins of him Yoi" you could see a very light blush on Marcos face as he continues smiling with lidded eyes.

"Happy birthday (N) Yoi" you look up meeting his eyes yours all sparkly

"Thank you so much Marco I suppose I can accept it then, ill take extra good care of it!" He blushes slightly drinking his coffee as he seems to try and not to blush.

'Hes so cute when he tries not to blush- wait! Hes just being friendly this is just what friends do. Hes my superior. I better get him something on his birthday too' you think as you pin the enamel pin on your lanyard.

~Two Months Later~

You and Marco are quiet fond of eachother you both have eachothers numbers now. And text out of work mainly about animes, about work, likes, dislikes etc. Over the year you went from timid and quiet to happy and peppy kindave like Marco or is it because of Marco?

~At Work~

"Allright gather round everyone! Yoi" Marco yells after our small section.

"Everyone here good. Were doing our yearly dine out and karaoke to celebrate those who have become nurses! Everyone is invited let me know whose going and whose not to make a reservation Yoi"

"Sui is a yes, Soji is a yes. What about you (N) coming out with us this time? Yoi" he asks seemingly expecting a no but you respond.

"Sure Marco sounds fun!" You smile at him making him double take chuckling.

"Well look at who bloomed over this year. You going out now excellent! Good for you. Yoi" Marco says as Sui says to you

"Yay finally (N)s coming out with us!" Sui chirps.

"Its about time (N). Allright I gotta get back to my wife and baby" Soji says.

"Okay see you all later I gotta cetch the trains goodnight everyone!" You wave to everyone and Marco seeing him with a wide smile on his face.

~Once Off The Train Viewing Your Apartment~

You see a very tall, blonde hair, man in a doctors coat.

'But Marco left after me. Does he have a car? I better call him to see' you think as you wait at the station across the street from your apartment.

*ring ring* *ring ring* *click*

"Hello (N) is everything oka-" you cut Marco off.

"Are you by chance standing at my apartment door right now Marco?" Panicked he replies.

"No call the police! And give me your address right now ill come there! Try and stay hidden. Yoi"

"Im thirty minutes away hes sure to notice me just sitting at an empty station" you say upset.

"Just send me your address now! Yoi" *click* you quickly type your address in link form so he can google maps it as you wait at the train station and call the police and explain whats going on.

'Okay the police will get here after Marco does. I just hope Juzo doesnt recognize me first' you think as you see after 18 minutes he notices you and it takes a couple minutes for him to walk over as he staggers a little. He approaches you.

"Hey there, Marcos sharp little bird~" Juzo sings as you get a whiff of booze off him.

"What do you want Juzo? Why do you smell of booze aren't you a doctor?" You question him, having no way to defend yourself.

"I want to take that happy smile off Marcos face starting with you. I lost my job due to malpractice so what? Hes always first at everything! Ever since we were children! Hes always gotten the best everything, while I was cast aside!" He grabs your wrists with his strong hands and starts pulling you to towards your apartment as you resist. He uses one hand to subdue both of your hands and pulls out a taser as you hear a fast approaching car and a screech to a stop you felt a rush of electricity in your neck as your body convulses then falls limp as you hear a car door.

~Marcos POV~

You screech the car to a stop eject the key as you see in the dimly lit parking lot a spark of electricity that is unnaturally blue. Getting out of your car you see Juzo and (n)s body fall limp as he lets her fall on the concrete of her apartment complex carpark. You chase Juzo down and tackle him punching him in the gut then hand locking him as you hear the sirens of the police. Once the police arrived you let them take Juzo as he had the weapon and you explained the situation.

~(N) POV~

You come too realizing your in an ambulance you say

"Dont take me I cant afford it!" You slightly raise your voice to the paramedics as they sigh and help you out of the ambulance. You see Marco and Juzo who, you assume is in the police car. Walking over to who you assume is Marco and the police

"Miss are you allright? Can you identify this man" the policemen ask.

"Im alive. I was tazed by Juzo Phoenix. Umm let me see your pin?" You say to the policemen and assumedly Marco takes off his pin and hands his to you. You smile at the engraving and give it back.

"He is definitely Marco Phoenix. The one in the police car is Juzo Phoenix who tazed me, hes way over the alchohol limit as well." You say as you cross your arms.

"Miss please explain everything that happened as you remember it for the record" the police say and you explain everything.

"Allright do you want to press charges miss? We can grant a rush restraining order as well due to the violence of this crime." You bite your lip as you and Marco both say at the same time

"Id/shed like to press charges Yoi" you both look at eachother then back to the policemen.

"All right fill out these forms miss (N)(L)" filling out the forms you could only think

'How much is this gonna cost me? I dont have that much saved up' After you finish filling out the paperwork they take Juzo and the ambulance away.

"Sorry about this Marco..." you suddenly burst into tears. As he immediately hugs you rubbing your back.

"Shh its not your fault (N), come on lets get you inside so you can let it out. Im just glad I got here in time. Yoi" Marco comforts you as he *beep beeps* his car locked. He side hugged you all the way to your door helped you unlock it then you slip off both your shoes and sit on the couch as Marco lets you cry into his chest, hands resting around his waist feeling his abs, until you could cry no more.

"(N) im so sorry about Juzo. I understand if you dont want to be friends anymor- yoi" you cut Marco off for once and say

"Its not your fault either your brothers an asshole! I dont wanna stop being friends I like you Marco" you blabber out as you readjust yourself and sniffle your tears seemingly have stopped as you sit up.

"Thank you for letting me cry it out" you say as you both sit there.

"I like you too (n) probably more than I should. And your very welcome. Yoi" You hear Marco whisper looking at the table in front of you both.

"Huh? What do you mean Marco?" You question him. He blushes fidgeting a bit.

"Nows probably the worst time for this but, I mean I like like you (N). I have for a while now, and my brother could tell thats why he went after you... Yoi" He finishes saying as he blushes more looking into your eyes. You completely stopped crying before he said that. You look at him thinking

'I cant believe he likes me'

"Well say something please Yoi" Marcos blush deepens as he fidgets more uncomfortably.

"I like like you too Marco" you managed to say as he looks shocked.

"God woman your so hard to read sometimes. Yoi" he sighs loudly seemingly relieved.

"Here let me make us some food while we talk." You stand going to your kitchen in your tiny apartment. You prepare ingredients for sushi as you have fresh salmon and tuna.

"Tuna or salmon?" You ask him.

"Hm salmon please Yoi" he replys politely.

"Oh thats right your brother was going on and on about something that now makes sense" you say as you cut cucumber. What you said must have peaked his intrest as he asks

"What all did he say? Yoi"

"<I want to take that happy smile off Marcos face starting with you. I lost my job due to malpractice so what? Hes always first at everything! Ever since we were children! Hes always gotten the best everything while I was cast aside!> Thats what he told me drunkenly." You repeat what Juzo told you to Marco.

"Id prefer if you just called him by name not my brother. Hes got a screw loose all right. Again im so sorry. Yoi" Marco says as you blush and look at Marco whose looking at you.

"I didnt realize before that you liked me!" You say somewhat loudly blazing across what Marco had said. As you roll the sushi and top the two rolls what he asks next cetches you off gaurd completely.

"I know this isnt the right time but I wont have the balls to ask any other time. (N) will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend please? Yoi" Marco looks at you as your looking at him. You finish dinner thinking to yourself and place everything on the table. With a blushing Marco fidgeting with your couch the entire time. Then you speak.

"What about the hospital policies?" You ask as you go to look in your fridge for drinks. Marco seems to understand your hesitation and replies.

"As long at theres no PDA or going over the line at work we would be fine. After all Sojis wife is a doctor and Sojis still a practitioner nurse and they make it work. Yoi"

"Sorry theres only water and Dr. Pepper here" You ask in a statement.

"Dr. Pepper is fine thanks Yoi" he says as you grab two D.Ps and walk back around the table setting the drinks down.

"But Sojis wife works at Taizo so they dont even see eachother. Do you think we would really be okay Marco?" Before eating or drinking Marco replys with a chuckle.

"Yes it would be fine just act normal silly Yoi" you both open your cans of Dr.Pepper.

"So would you please become my girlfriend miss (N)? Yoi" he reiterated. As you ponder you finally reply

"As long as we wont get in trouble. I'd love to be your girlfriend Marco" you stare into his eyes smiling. He grows a gaint smile then hugs you under your arms as you hug around his neck smelling his scent it was musky and clean. You brush a hand through his hair as he says

"Hmm feels good Yoi" after a soild couple minutes he lets you go.

"I promise to treat your heart with the upmost care, doctors honor Yoi" he says and kisses your forehead making you blush deep red at the realization. He chuckles and says

"Itadakimasu Yoi"

"Itadakimasu" you say also as you turn on the TV to Uno Piece, and you both eat and drink. After finishing you clean up.

"Thank you very much (n) it was delicious Yoi" Marco says with a huge smile on his face.

"Oh dont you have to tell your family what happened tonight?" You ask him. He looks at you displeased but answers.

"Yea ill have to do it tomorrow. Unless Juzo allready called to complain to them drunkenly but they know im always right so its fine whenever I call. Cant believe he lost his job though cant imagine what for if hes willing to taze you Yoi"

"How are you doing by the way? We sort have gotten side tracked Yoi"

"Well im glad we got side tracked otherwise I would have never known that you liked me hehe" you giggle as he pets your head and you sit there taking it then lean on him cuddling some what. He wraps his left arm around you as you wrap your arms back around his waist and lean your head on his chest watching TV.

"This is-"

"Nice? Yoi" Marco adds cutting you off blushing deep red but so are you.

"Yea it is nice" you agree feeling slightly off about cuddleing with your superior but loving having someone to hold especially your crush.

"I have to get going in a couple hours Yoi" he says as hes rubbing your shoulder with his thumb. You get up and say

"I have to use the bathroom ill be back" he replys

"All right Yoi" he removes his arm from your side.

~Marcos POV~

Once you heard the bathroom click you looked at the prescriptions on the table in front of you where you had just ate.

'Hmm Clindamycin and Rifampin heavy antibiotics at 300mg, Vraylar 4.5mgs for MDD Major Depressive disorder or bi polar one, oh shit shes done' you try and hurry and put back the bottles but notice you put them back wrong.

'Will she notice?' *gulp*

'Thats what I get for being snoopy.' You think as you hear footsteps.

~(N) POV~

You walk back into the living room and immediately notice the prescriptions out of order. You giggle slightly and he looks at you about to say something but you cut him off.

"Shh.. what do you want to know my dear boyfriend?" You blush at the thought and he blushes hes been caught.

"I was just worried about your health seeing so many bottles." He admits.

You laugh and sit down next to him.

"How many did you get through?" You ask.

"Two...." he winces looking at your facial expressions.

"Okay well next ones Diazepam 5mg four daily for anxiety, next ones Trazodone 100mg once every night for sleep, next is Bupropion XL 150mg for depression once a day, then theres birth control which ive been on for years. The antibiotics are for Hidradenitis Suppurativa a disease which can eat away at skin and muscles and makes holes in the skin and muscles it has active and dormat phases. Its in dormat phase right now and its non passable. Then I have Fibromyalgia, major Depressive disorder, Bi polar type two, and an anxiety disorder. Im allergic to penicillin and extremely allergic to ants ill get anaphylaxis shock. *big breath in* does that satisfy your curiosity big bird?" You smile at him. And he looks shocked.

"Ill admit ive never gotten this far with a woman before Juzo always scared them off but your different, your strong willed (N) Yoi" he admits.

"Awee thanks? Soo.. is this your way of saying your a virgin?" You question poking a tad fun of him.

"Virgin unfortunately no I wished id saved myself for that right person, but I do have experience because of it all, so its bittersweet Yoi" Marco.

"Well were in the same boat there big bird" you say as he looks at your wall clock.

"Its all ready that time? It doesnt even feel like we did much well I mean besides what all happened. Youll probably get a call tomorrow knowing my family, about the restraining order. Theyll probably disown him this time. Yoi" he says.

"Well I should get going my sweet little bird Yoi" he says as you look up at him sitting up all the way as he was slouched down, you both were nose to nose. Hot breath, racing hearts, he closed the distance, as your lips met his, and bliss followed. Him cupping your cheek you wrap your arms around his neck your hand flowing through his hair. Intertwining tounges, making out you flick your tounge bar around his tounge making him very very softly moan as you softly moan as well. Breaking for air both huffing slightly cherry red covering both your faces.

"Do you have to go?" You whisper to him face inches from his.

"I know I should go but I really dont want to Yoi" he says holding your cheek as you pet his hair.

"You could stay if you wanted and leave in the morning? Its really however you feel" You gauging how he feels.

"Well what do you want? I dont mind whenever. But I want to go at your pace......Your scent is intoxicating (N)... Yoi" Marco seems conflicted as tonight was very eventful. Still in the same position you go in for the killer kiss leaning into him as he reciprocates. He slides your legs over his lap feeling his bulge as he picks you up bridal style and breaks for air.

"Wheres your room? Yoi" he asks huskily.

"Across from the bathroom over there that closed door careful of the door frame" he walked you into you neat room that was decorted with anime merch and a king sized lust red sheets bed. He gently tosses you on the bed as you both start discarding articles of clothing between kisses once in your bra and panties and him in his boxers your blush darkened as he looks like a greek statue. You take down his boxers to reveal a huge erection for you he leans over he a bit to undo your bra with one hand which was a turn on.

"Oh a tounge bar and nipple piercings and a navel your full of surprises (n) Yoi" he says in his husky voice.

"Ill show you a surprise" you say as Marco raises an eybrow. You stoop where his cock is an give it a kiss as you lead him to switch with you.

"Let me treat you good" you say as he lays down on your temper pedic mattress. As you gently grab with both hands his cock you rim lick his tip slowly as he gives a soft moan.

"When was your last time Marco?" You question then plunge his tip into your mouth slowly at first as he moans and answer's

"It was over ten years ago (n)" he struggles to stay quiet. You bob your head in and out a bit and swirl your tounge bar in the crevasse of his mushroom head

"How ah long for you? Yoi" he asks stifling moans. You take a breath to say

"Same for me but our good doctor deserves a good time" you say as you go back to slideing in and not all the way out then in again using your tounge bar to rib the bottom of his cock in and semi-out causing him to grip the sheets saying

"Fuckkk (n) your so good at that ahh Yoi" he moans out as you just keep going deeper and deeper ribbing the bottom of his cock starting to hum as well. He looks down at you and makes eye contact to which you speed up. Humming making him huff alot. You start deep throating him making him moan your name.

"Ahh yesss (N)! This has to be a dream!" Marco moans loudly. You go at it for less than thirty minutes then he yells.

"(N) you-r gonna ma-ke me cum! Yoi"

"(N) you do-nt hav-e t-o do t-his Yoi" he protests but you just mumble loudly while sucking him off causing him to grab the sheets you could tell he was struggling to not cum so you took it up a notch and heard him yell

"(N) im gonna cum ahh!!! Yoi!" You kept your pace. More thrusts and

"(N) I ca-nt ta-ke it any-more ahhh im cumming!!!" He yells as you keep thrusting your head swallowing his cum down your throat he moans

"Ahh yess!!!Yoi!!" As you keep thrusting through his sex high then slowly come to a stop, he moans your name.

"(Nnn) Yoi" hes huffing and puffing as you get off your knees staring at him smirking. Him a mess trying to collect himself.

"What was that about being experienced?" You chimed.

"Well I certainly wasnt expecting that Yoi" he huffs as he gets up grabs your shoulders and says

"Thank you very much for that but now its your turn (N) on the bed now" he says in an authoritative voice as you roll onto the bed he slips your panties off and throws them on the floor as he gets on his knees now.

"What are yo- Marco!" He goes down spreads your legs then starts sucking using his tounge to go through your folds making you moan

"Marco!" He seemed pleased by your sounds

"Ahh that feels so good ahh!!" He goes to your button of your clit and swirls around and around up and down sucking up your wet leaking juices as he sticks his tounge inside of you. And you cant help but moan a sultry moan

"Oh Marco!~" he retracks his tounge as you hear a slurping noise then one of his fingers enter you smoothly as he sucks around his finger thats slowly pumping into and out of you.

"Big bird!!~ That feels so good~" you moan loudly as he adds a second degit you gasp as he sucks and now plays with your clits button and pumps in and out. Your legs start to twitch wanting to close but he uses his elbows to push them apart. Adding a third degit you could feel yourself welling up with that feeling deep down

"Ahh Marco your gonna make me cum!!!" You yell as he flicks his tounge, and pumps curving his fingers thrusting into your natural ridges making you huff and moan his name all red in the face gripping the sheets

"MarcOO!!!!~~" some more thrust later and

"Ma-rco!! Im cum-ming!!! Ahh!!!" He kept it up through your sex high sucking your new juices that were leaking out as he removed his fingers and stuck his tounge back in making you cry out

"Ahhhh!!! Yesss!!! Marco!!!!"

Huffing loudly he slows down to a stop. Wiping his face he crawls ontop of you kissing you fiercely as your back arches your breasts touching his abs and chest. Kissing him back just as fierce even nipping at his tounge both of you moaning as he places his cock at your entrance. He slides it up and down getting his dick wet again while pumping precum again. This time not letting you break for air so you had to breath through your nose he slowly inserts the tip of his cock into you. He raised your legs around his pelvis pulling your whole body closer as he nips your tounge he slowly thrusts in and not all the way out then back in as you both moan through makingout. While he pumps into you, he tries to find your g spot as he hits your cervix making you moan more. Finally breaking for actual air as now hes thrusting making you both huff for air

"Ahh!!! Marco!!!! Yess!!!! Oh god!! Dont stop!!!"

"Looks like ive found your g spot (n) and your mine now! say it! Yoi" he moans in an authoritative sexy way.

"Yes sir!! Marco!! Im yours!!! only yours!!!"

"Ahh!!!(N) your soo tight fuck! Yoi" Marco curses and moans. He bent his elbows down in pushup position and started sucking on your nipple rings making you moan even more apparently turning him on even more as his dick twiches inside of you. You snake your arms around his neck and run your hands through his hair.

"Fuck yes!!! MARCO!! You know your mine too!! Ahh fuckkk!!!" You could feel him smiling while sucking on your other nipple ring playing with it as he pounds your g spot making you see stars. Making you into a babbling mess.

"Mar-cOo!!!!~" you manage to get out.

"Your gon-na ma-ke me cu-mmm fuckkk!!!" He stops playing with your nipples then asked

"Your gonna make me cum too (n)!!! Where should I cum?!! Yoi!!" He moans out

"Cum? Cum in me Marco!" He looks shocked but doesnt question it since you are on birth control.

"I cant ho-ld it any-more Mar-cOO!!!"

"Im gonna cum too my little bird!!! Cum with me now!! Yoi" he yells as you let your body constrict his cock

"Im cumming Marco!!!" You moan out

"Im cumming too (N)!!! Yoi" moaning he keeps thrusting through both of your sex highs making you drool a little and see speckles. Clutching around his neck you feel his hot cum fill you up.

"Ahh!! Im filling you up (N) Yoi" you feel his sweat drip onto you as you perspire. Your walls constrict around his cock forceing more cum into you.

'Damn he has such big loads ahhh!!! Yes!!!' You think.

"Aghh!! God yess!!! You feel so fucking good! (N)!! Yoi" he semi yells/grunts as he slowly comes to a stop. Both of you huffing but looking into eachothers eyes smiling. Taking at least five minutes to cetch his breath he hovers over you and nuzzles your neck kissing and nipping at it softly as you gently moan. After youve both calmed down he says

"Hang on to me Yoi" you obey and tighten your grip around his neck and tighten your twitching legs as he picks you up by your thighs effortlessly due to his muscles. Goes into the bathroom you turn the lightswitch on. He steps into the shower with you holding you with one arm and he turns on the water then stands up supporting your back.

"Im gonna pull out now (N) Yoi"

You nod and say

"Okay im ready cutie~" saying making him blush slightly as he held onto both your thighs and gently pulled you away from himself.

"Ahh god your so big Marco" as he slides himself all the way out you gasp as he sets you down but you hang on to his waist, legs still twitching quite a bit and shaking like a newly born deer. He chuckles and says

"Looks like I did a good job Yoi" as your both looking down you see mainly his cum come out of you. He soaps you and him up and reaches down to clean your pussy for you, him inserting a finger with soap swirling it around then letting the water clean you both off. He holds you close until you can stand which was until the water went cold. You turned the water off then grabbed a towel.

"Let me get another towel" you say as he squeezes the water out of his hair in the shower. You find the biggest fluffy towel you have

"Here ya go" you say to him as he gladly takes it and starts drying off. After you both are dry you both find your clothes and pick them up he puts on his boxers as you change panties.

"Make sure to set your alarm for earlier" you say to Marco who is allready on it.

"You too (N) Yoi" he says with a wide smile and lidded eyes. As you both set your alarms he picks you up and lays you in the bed. You handing your phone to him and him putting it on the charger.

"No put yours on the charger you need it more than me for tomorrow youve got patients to see. Cant have a dead battery. Ill bring an extra cord for mine"

"Okay thank you (N) Yoi" he swaps the phones and puts his on the charger. He puts his glasses on your nightstand.

"Allright come here im cuddle deprived Yoi" he says making you giggle as he slips into your bed with you slipping his right arms under your head while pulling up the sheets and comforter. He wraps his left arm around your waist and pulls you close to him. You wrap your right arm around his muscular waist.

"Goodnight my boyfriend hehe" you giggle as he kisses you and says

"Goodnight my girlfriend. Ill always keep you safe Yoi" he says. Listening to his heartbeat and breathing lulled you to sleep.

~In The Morning~

*ring ring ring ring* you open your eyes to see Marco in your bed. Then remember what happened last night and blush deep red. You realize his phone alarm is going off but he looks so peaceful sleeping. You untangle your right arm from his and brush your hand through his hair

'So hes a heavy sleeper or maybe its just because he did a lot of <work> last night hehe' you think as your snapped from your thoughts he stirs.

"Marco~ Marco~" you cup his cheek with you hand and start kissing his face.

"Marco~ Wakey Wakey~" so you kiss his neck and nip at it as he stirs.

"(N)... Yoi" you giggle as he mumbles in his sleep. So you lick his neck. He stirs slowly waking up.

"...(n).. that... tickles..." he mumbles as you gently shake him.

"Marco its time to wake up" saying as you kiss his neck and he finally opens an eye. He breathes heavy then yawns. He opens his eyes rubbing them he pulls you onto his chest your pierced breasts touching him. He looks at you as you smile at him.

"Hello there boyfriend remember what happened last night?" He blushes deep red and then seems to think then says

"Yes I do now, I thought it was all a dream Yoi" you look down at his morning wood and say

"I could tell hehe" giggling he says

"Oh well its there now Yoi" suddenly he must have heard his alarm as he untangles with you and swipes his phone inputting a code then turning off the alarm. He picks up his glasses and puts them on then gives your forehead a kiss and slides out of bed.

"I have to get going. Have to go home and change so no ones suspicious. Yoi" he says as he puts on his pants and v neck shirt and socks. You get out of bed and lean up to him as he notices he leans down cupping your cheek kissing you. Breaking for air you say

"Thank you for everything Marco" he smiles and embraces you in a gentle yet close hug.

"Anytime my sweet dear girlfriend (N)" he says as he lets you go but flicks your pierced nipple upwards causing you to gasp as he chuckles. You got to your bathroom real quick to do the necessities then come out.

"Sounds just as sweet as last night. Walk out your dear boyfriend? Yoi" he asks as you are already putting on your uniform, lanyard and socks on. And follow him as his coat is flipped over hanging from his arm. He puts his phone and keys in his pocket as you follow him out putting your phone in your pocket grabbing your apartment keys and charging cord, following him out of your apartment locking it then walking to his car. In the early rays of Japan.

"Thanks for rushing over last night my hero" you say as he holds your hand to his car which was about forty feet from your apartment.

"Of course my sweet little bird Yoi" he hugs you close then leans down and kisses you gently cupping your cheek.

"Ill see you at work my little bird Yoi" he says with a huge smile and pats your head.

"Okay please drive safe" you hug him one last time as he gets in his car its definitely a nice car like a doctor could afford. *rev rev* he rolls down his window and says

"Its bittersweet but I have the day after today off what about you? Yoi" he asks as his car warms up.

"Hmm yea I have that day off too" you reply and he says

"Lets go do something together Ill pick you up we can talk more about it after work that day. Yoi" he replys

"Yay okay cutie! hehe sleepover?" You ask and he replys

"Ill bring spare clothes this time Yoi" he chuckles and says

"I really have to go now see you later my little bird remember act normal. Yoi" and you nod and wave as he pulls out of the parking lot and you walk to the station.

~At Work At Beginning Of Break~

"Oh I know that look, Marco who is it?" You over hear the receptionist ask and he replied

"Well she certainly is someone but not telling sorry Yoi" you see Marco smile extra wide.

"Well whoever she is has cast a spell on our favorite doctor your glowing today keep up the good work" you overhear and blush at their conversation then images of you and Marco doing the naughty arise from last night making you blush even more.

*ring ring ring ring* *click* you pick up your phone.

"Hello?"

<hello is this (N)(L)? Were with the Tokyo police department>

"This is her"

<We have received your granted permanent restraining order against Juzo Phoenix. We were calling to let you know and to transfer the funds of --------¥>

You face must have shown the shock because Marco was walking to break and noticed but didnt say anything.

<Hello miss (N)??>

"Yes.. ill transfer the funds now, card number ----,----,---- security code --- name date expiration"

<Your approved have a great rest of your day miss (N)> *Click*

You slowly walk to Marcos table.

"--------¥ to do that restraining order and press charges" you whisper to Marco whose sitting at your guys table as you grab an iced coffee and sit across from him.

"Did that put you out now? Yoi" he asks as he sips his coffee.

"Yea.. I always save enough for an EpiPen just in case but I guess its fine I havent needed one for years it should be fine." You nervously laugh. He didnt look too happy to hear it but he gave a small smile.

"Im sure itll be fine you will save up the money again. And if it happens ill pay for it Yoi" Marco says as he almost grabs your hand but you retract it quickly and he does the same and sips his coffee.

"Well youve already saved my life more than once I owe you so much Marco."

"Its okay let others help you every once in a while Yoi" and with that your breaks ended.

"Itll be okay (N) keep your head up Yoi" Marco says as he leaves to go to more patients and you go back to work.

~Tomorrow After Work~

"Everyone else from our shift has left, are you ready now? Yoi" Marco says as you both walk out of Kiba Hospital.

"Heck yea im ready! Thisll be a great sleepover!" You somewhat yell to him as you jump up and down a bit making him chuckle.

"Here get in Yoi" he *beeps* the car unlocking it as you get in. He takes off his doctors coat and places it in the trunk. Then gets in the drivers seat.

"Im feeling pizza what about you? Yoi" he says and you just say

"I can make dinner"

"But I dont want you to have to make dinner babe Yoi" Marco says sweetly.

"Its your money I dont care what we eat to be honest" you reply kindly and smile.

"Okay so pizza it is!" He waits to turn on the car as he makes the pizza call

"Yes one large pineapple and pepperoni pizza for pick up for Marco Phoenix <---> yes ive got the card right here. -----------, security code --- month day and were good thanks see you soon" *click* Then he turns on the car and pulls out of his doctors spot then drives off about ten to fifteen minutes later you both get to the pizza place as he says

"Wait here my little bird im going to lock it Yoi" he says as you retort

"Yes sir! Hehe" you giggle which makes him smile. You wait patiently then you spy him return with the pizza and *beep beep* opens the car and car door, handing you the pizza and you take it hovering it over your thighs as he got in. Once driving again you stare out the window of the car as Marco still needs google maps to get to your place.

"Your quiet what happened? I thought you were excited? Yoi" you hear Marco ask. Turning your attention to him you say

"I am, but outside is so pretty with the lights when I dont have to take the train. It must be nice to have a car."

"Well it can be nice to have a car but you have to have a place to park it and the price of insurance is through the roof" He explains as he turns into your carpark and parks in your apartment number. After gathering your key, and his spare clothes from the trunk you go up to your apartment and open it turning on the lights inside. You go to your small living room and make space for the pizza. Turning on the TV to the specific channel. As you go in your room to change, you feel arms around you behind you slip off your lanyard then your shirt and then your pants. Giggling you take off your pants with your feet and take out your wallet and charger from your pockets.

"If your trying to suduce me it must wait hehe the Uno Piece movie is about to start Marco you devil" he takes off his shirt and folds it placing it on your desk taking off his belt next placing it on his shirt as he just wears pants showing off his glorious abs and chest.

"Your right lets go Yoi" He says then you look at him like awee.

"Dont give me that look you chose your fate haha Yoi" he chuckles as he leaves the room to the living room and you put on a long shirt that curves around your ass. You follow Marco to the living room but remember you need drinks so you grab some Dr.Peppers and place them on the table. Then sit next to Marco on the couch as the movie starts and you both eat some of the pizza. During the movie you yawn loudly as you cuddle into Marcos bare chest.

"Awee is someone tired? Were only halfway through the movie. Yoi" you look up to him meeting his eyes and say

"Sorry big bird probably only cuddles tonight" he chuckles and replys by kissing your forehead.

"Thats perfectly fine by me (N) Yoi" both of you continue the movie and by the credits your asleep.

~Marcos POV~

You look to (n) whose asleep in your lap basically so you unwrap her hold on you and lay her gently on the couch as you clean up being the good boyfriend you are. After that you pick her up bridal style and go to her room and lay her in her bed. Getting off your pants folding them and placing them with the rest of your things. You slid into bed with her and intertwine yourself with her as she instinctively cuddles you back.

"Goodnight my love (N) Yoi" you say as you kiss her cheek and slowly fall asleep.

~The Next Morning (N) POV~

"You want me to meet your parents?" You say as you and Marco eat breakfast.

"More like they demand to meet you today, so there goes our plans Yoi" he says somewhat quietly.

"Oh right I have to get them presents I forgot its been so long ughhh so what do they like?"

"Well unless you have a half dollar thats the year 1960 from the USA he probably wont like you, he has a collecti-"

"And what if I have that coin?" You go to you room and dig out your old coins and grab it. Bringing it to Marco you hand it to him. His mouth is somewhat agape.

"Well I dont know what hell say now..but my mom always goes with whatever he says. My mom likes gold flowers so shes easy. Yoi"

"So what your saying is were fine?" You question.

"Yea ill help you pick out the flower well shit hes been looking for that coin for years to complete his collection I really dont know what hell say hes the strict one Yoi" Marco says as you both finish up breakfast he goes to use the bathroom and you decide what to wear. A nice length black dress with shoulders. You put on your bra and switch into the dress. Marco walks into your room dressed in his next day outfit. As he looks you up and down seeing how the dress forms to you.

"Too sexy Yoi" Marco says. As you turn around and say

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Yoi" he chuckles.

"Im just messing with you babe haha your fine Yoi" he jokes as you puff out your cheeks and put your hands on your hips. He pokes your cheeks deflating them as you giggle.

"That tickles!" You laugh as he hugs you close now.

"So you never told me how your parents found out about me?" You question. He looks at you and says.

"Juzo did call them that night and told them id been seeing someone" he admits.

"Oh joy" you reply.

~At Marcos Parents House~

Marco drove you both here to his parents house as earlier he told them a time for today. Marco had taken you to get a present for his mother and helped pick it out but you refused to let him pay. Now your both at the front steps of his parents mansion.

"Just so you know I have no idea what theyll say" he whispers to you as you whisper back

"Great" and knock on the door. First to open was his mother it seems

"Why hello (N) and hello my wonderful boy Marco! Please come in." You obey and take off your shoes as you follow her to the tea room where his dad was sitting drinking. As you all get seated a maid comes and places tea in front of you.

"I uh got these gifts for you both. I do hope you enjoy them" you say as his father tchs at the sentence. First giving over a golden orchid to his mother which she didnt have.

"Oh my is beautiful thank you" then placing down in a square envelope the coin in front of his father. Cetching his fathers eye he opens it and his eyes widen.

"This is the half dollar 1960 coin thats alluded me for years my whered you find it?!" He asks as you reply.

"I have a coin collection as well it came from my collection sir" you say politely. His mother had grey hair and she was short while you could tell where Marco got his height from, his dad who had a white gaint mustache and fine white hair with a gaze like ice. After awhile of chatting they bring up the topic.

"So weve called you here today to discuss your relationship. It breaks your companies policy Marco and (N)." His mother talks then his father.

"But seeing as youve brought home such a lovely lady we have decided to give you six months to decide." You look to Marco who looks at you then his father.

"Six months for?" Marco questions.

"Why six months to determine if youll marry, to avoid a scandal at both your work." You both taken back by his words then his mother chimes in

"Your both not getting any younger either" you both nod then Marco says

"We havent even discussed that yet but we will later now haha" Marco chuckles sipping his tea. Nearing the end of the visit his father says.

"Well you both better think on it. Also we would need to meet your parents as well (N)." His father says to you as you reply

"Im afraid that wont be possible" you say and he asks

"Well why not child?"

"Everyone on my side is deceased." And his parents both say

"Our condolences we didnt know"

"It is fine. Thank you" you reply. They leave it at

"You have six months before our blessing expires. We hope you both have a good rest of your day" they say as everyone stands his father moving his IV drip to shake your hand. As you get into the car they wave you off.

"Well that went better than expected Yoi"

"I guess. Is your dad threatening you with the six months???" You question as Marco drives.

"No no its just the way he talks Yoi" Marco explains.

~One Month Later At The Company Dinner & Karaoke~

"Itadakimasu!" Everyone says as they dig into the feast presented. Everyone was merry drinking as you drank your Dp.Pepper there was only four of you who graduated and became nurses minus the two girls who had pranked you. You thanked god that Marco didnt drink besides socially hes been working on his second beer tonight slowly. Hes your ride home along for Sui and Kiwi though they live in the city your the last drop off but little does everyone know the good doctor isnt going home tonight. Everyone talks about how the year went for them.

"Id put a gold star for every one of you Yoi" Marco says loud enough for everyone to hear which makes Kiwi go

"Awee we couldnt have done all this with out the best doctor cheers for Marco!" Everyone including you cheers

"To Marco Phoenix!" Sui and Kiwi drank and are tipsy while Soji is getting drunk slowly. Soon everyone is finished eating and drinking at the restaurant and move on to Karaoke which is right across the street.

~At The Karaoke Bar~

At this point Soji would have to call a Uber or Lyft just to get home as he had one too many and Kiwi was trying to get him to drink water. At this point everyone including Marco had sung a song badly but hell they sang. Marco was so far the best singer but that was probably because he held his liquor very well.

"(N)! (N)! (N)! Your next!" Everyone cheers in unison.

Being peer pressured into singing you pick the song Paradisio - Bailando and when you start singing everyones mouths drop as you sing every beat, high and low note perfectly in another language.

Then you pick Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics as you get out the keyboard and sing everyone is clapping and cheering you on.

"I got next Yoi" Marco says as your song ends he picks I Was Made For Lovin' - KISS as he looks at you, you pick up a guitar and play while he sings then it turned into both of you singing into everyone singing the song. At a break Soji is drunk he says

"You and (N) look good together Marco why not get together?" He must have thought he was being quiet but the whole room heard.

"Yea you guys are like so close we wont tell" Kiwi says tipsy.

You just giggle but stop as Marco says

"We are already dating haha Yoi" he admits as you almost spat out your drink.

"Wahhhh!!!!!" The whole room goes.

"When did this start?!" Sui yells a bit tipsy as well.

"Recently Yoi" he blushes making you blush too.

"This is a secret and it stays here. I mean it for everyone! Yoi" Marco says authoritatively.

"We wont tell Marco and (N)" Sui, Kiwi, and Soji say all under the influence.

"You both are so cute together! Im so happy for you both!" Sui yells hugging you, you almost spilling your drink.

"My drink! Sui your so tipsy!" You say laughing as Marco smiles wide at you both.

"You both kept us out of the loop so well, your like spys" Kiwi says slurring her words.

"Hey (N) why dont you have a drink too unless oh god are you pregnant?!" He yells drunk. You turn red as a tomato and yell.

"I am not! God!"

"Shes allergic to alcohol! Yoi" Marco yells at Soji as Soji yells back

"Oh sorry!!" Soji yells.

"I think its time we all called it a night everyone Yoi" Marco says.

"Aweee!!!! One more song! One more song! You and (N)!" Everyone yells as now they all realize they should drink water or have a terrible hangover tomorrow.

"(N) our audience awaits Yoi" Marco chuckles as he offers his hand out to you. You take his hand and get on a guitar. Marco chooses Rebal Yell - Billy Idol as you both sing you play the guitar as his husky voice is perfect for Billys comparison. After the song Marco goes and pays for everything.

"So tell us (N) how'd it happen?" The three of them looked to you as you nervously giggle at your coworkers.

"His brother caused me trouble at my apartment. Marco came right in time to save me. Then he asked me out in my apartment. But you guys better not tell, you could get him in trouble!" You yelled the last part.

"We promise!" Everyone says either tipsy or drunk.

~Four Months Later~

You and Marco have been going steady. He said I love you first at your place. You still have yet to go over to his place. But you didnt mind for now.

~One Month Later~

Its been five months now his birthday is this month which you gave him a super limited enamel pin for his lanyard. Now you both were at work about to hit break.

~At Break At Work~

You got there first grabbing a iced coffee and sitting down, you notice someone left their food on the table so you just ignore it and sip your coffee as Marco comes round the corner grabs a coffee too and sits across from you. Your both wrapped up in a conversation as you begin to itch all over your right leg and arm. Looking down you see ants crawling all over you as you jolt up and start to panic feeling your throat swell as you tried to wipe them off. Marco stands immediately going to the receptionist and slapping his card down saying

"Im paying for and EpiPen hurry! Yoi" he yells as he looks back at you, whose on the floor now. Gasping for breath as your throat swells completely shut and you pass out. After what felt like an eternity you awake in a hospital bed in a gown. Your bpm machine spikes as you remember what had happened then slows as you realize your alive. You hear a familiar voice as you sit up

"Ah (N) your awake now thank god Yoi" you hear your boyfriend say as he stepped into your curtain room and asks

"How are you feeling? I had Sui and Kiwi give you a shower to get all the ants off and change you. Yoi" you just look at him like the fuck.

"Apparently the custodian for our section called off today and hince is why their was food left over. I already talked to the guy who left the food out Yoi" you giggle and he raises an eyebrow.

"Meaning you chewed him out?" You question as Marco replys with a chuckle and nods.

"Well im assuming you payed for the EpiPen cause I couldnt?" You quizzically ask and he nods.

"Cant have one of my nurses dieing on me haha at least your in the right place (N) Yoi" he chuckles and smiles probably that your alive.

"So when can I get discharged? I still have to work" you say as he hands you paperwork you look it over and say

"I was out almost my whole shift?! Ugh okay" you sign and hand him back the papers. He hands you a bag of your clothes.

"I had them washed and dried, ant free now Yoi" Marco says handing you the bag of clothes "Ill let you change now Yoi" he says and walks out of your curtain room into another room. You got changed and walked out of the room grabbing all your stuff then checking your clock out

'Kiwi probably clocked me out ill have to thank her' you think as you see her right now.

"Oh (N) I clocked you out since your had your attack. How are you feeling now?" She asks.

"Thanks a bunch im feeling okay now thanks to Marco i didnt die again haha" you laugh nervously.

"He would do it for any of his nurses I bet" she says and smiles and you nod

"Yea he would hes such a wonderful doctor. Well my shift just ended I might as well go home now." You say as she nods.

"Make sure to drinks lots of water and get plenty of rest" she says

"I will thank you!" You say as you go to the vending machine the ants were cleaned up now. You decided

'Might as well grab one for the road you inputted your ¥ and out pops an iced coffee. You sit at the other table as you sip your coffee. Then pops Marco from behind the wall.

"(N)? I thought you went home? Yoi"

"Another near death experience kinda makes ya wanna take it slow. I see the ants are cleaned up. That your doing too?" He chuckles lightly and replys

"Yes you caught me I had a custodian clean them up. Im off work now too if you want a ride home. Yoi" Marco says softly as you nod.

"That would be nice thanks Marco" you say as you finish your coffee and throw it away.

~Half A Month Later~

Marco wants to take you out on a date for your and his day off. You were expecting him to propose but you were still unsure if he would even though his parents deadline was coming up.

~At The Dinner Date~

It was set outside. He had driven you both there and the sun was setting as you got your food. You both had been chatting about Uno piece and maybe cosplaying together as you ate.

"Ah come on Marco youd be perfect as him and I could cosplay as her!" You giggle and he chuckles as you finish your food. Your wearing a red short dress and have your black heart shaped purse on your shoulder as Marco was dressed in black jeans and a blue v neck. Being full you were about to stand but Marco motioned for you to stay sitting. He gets up then down on one knee in front of the sushi bar outside in front cetching some eyes but he was only looking at you. He pulls out a small black box and opens it addressing you

"(N)(L) would you do me the honor of being my wife Ms. (N) Phoenix? Yoi" he asks with a gulp and a blush looking into your eyes as you stare into his. You dont even look at the ring.

"Of course Id love that Marco!" you say and he seems relieved and takes the ring and places it onto your finger.

"It fits perfectly" you say as you raise and eyebrow at Marco while people clap about you both.

He stands and pays for the food as you stand and now examine the ring its a gold metal with a sapphire heart shaped ring. You step on your tippy toes to kiss him as he leans down to kiss you.

"I swear I didnt measure your finger in your sleep haha" he chuckles and you laugh.

"I dont mind silly" you hold his hand with your ringed finger.

"Oh that reminds me when will i ever get to see your home its been awhile and youve only been to mine" you question.

"Okay well hear me out. Yoi" he says as you nod. He stops at the car and unlocks it for you both. As you both get in he says

"Remember I said my last one night stand was over ten years ago?" You nod confused.

"Well she was a stalker it turns out and moved right next door to me haha Yoi" he chuckles scratching the back of his head.

"Oh is that all? I know how to deal with stalkers dont worry babe" You say nonchalantly.

"Thats why youve never invited me over before?" You ask.

"Shes out there, scared off many girls." He says

"Well im not a girl now am I?" You say sternly.

"Your my woman thats what Yoi" he says happily.

"You should probably call your mom or dad Marco" you state as he gets out his phone.

*ring ring* *click speaker*

<Hello my sweet boy Marco whatsup?>

"Hi mom just wanted to let you know she said yes!" Marco smiles from ear to ear as his mom replys

<Oh wow! Thats great news see I told you, you would find someone!>

"Anyways I have to go now but just wanted to let you both know" he says.

<Alright honey have a good rest of your day and say hi to (N) for me> *click*

"Were close by, do you want to see where I live? Yoi" he asks as you nod like yea duh.

"I have to warn you she comes out every time I get home or leave. Yoi" he says as you just nod as he drives to his place.

"Have you told her about me at all?" You question.

"Of course babe she doesnt listen" he says as you respond.

"Maybe its cause youve never brought me round hmmm I wonder" you say sarcastically.

"Okay I deserve that one Yoi" he says while driving.

"Has she ever been inside your apartment?" You question.

"No this was before I moved there I havent had anyone in this apartment well besides you now Yoi" he responds. Then he comes to a stop at a gated complex with a gaurd. The gaurd comes up to the window as Marco rolls down the window and has his ID ready the gaurd reads the ID and says

"Welcome home Mr. Phoenix and who is this with you?" The gaurd asks.

"This is (N)(L) my fiance put her on the permanent list please Yoi"

"Yes sir done have a good day"

"You too Yoi" Marco says as the gaurd opens the gate and Marco parks in his apartment number. You both get out and he comes round and intertwines his hand in yours guiding you up to the elevator third floor him walking past the second door quickly to the third door getting his key out then you both hear a door open and a girl walk out looking at you both.

"Oh Marco whose this? Ive never seen her before." The mid to late thirties looking girl asks trying to act nice but trying to get under your skin luckily you have thick skin.

As you let go of Marcos hand you walk up to her and reach your hand out to shake it as she shakes your ringed hand you look her directly in her eyes.

"Hello miss one night stand im (N) his fiance. So glad to finally meet you. I hope well get along since ill be seeing more of you from now on" you say in a smile hearing a *click* to Marcos door you and Marco see her mouth drop as you turn around and say

"Oh I hope we wont disturb you too much bye now" you make sure to wave with your ringed hand so she knows your not bluffing and smile. Then you follow Marco into his apartment and he shuts the door not even acknowledging her.

"Damn babe you can hold your own, that was harsh Yoi" he says as you shrug

"Dont want stalkers, be harsh"

"Let me guess your too sweet to be harsh with girls or women?" You question him.

And he shrugs and nods. You get out your phone and call a contact as Marco looks at you curiously.

"Hey Miko its (N). Im gonna call in that favor you owe me. Haha yea its been awhile yea lets go out when im free and cetch up. Haha actually im engaged now. To who?" You look over to Marco who gives you a thumbs up to say who.

"Uh do you know a Marco Phoenix? Yea the number one doctor at Kiba hospital. But ill be a doctor one day too you know. I hope your doing well Haha yea okay ill talk to you later. Bye" seemingly curious Marco asks

"Who was that ive never heard you say a Miko before"

"You may be a fantastic doctor Marco but I have friends in high places. Miko is one of my long term friends we made a bet and I won he always says never make a bet with me unless you know you can win because I always win. Anyways Miko is one of the supreme judges of Japan." His jaw drops and he asks

"You mean THE Miko Shiba like who you always see on the news? Yoi" and you nod

"The very same dear I can clear up your stalker problem real quick. Just give me evidence or we can collect evidence."

~The Court Hearing~

You had explained the entire situation to Miko so you had been recording everytime you went to Marcos place while planning the wedding with his mother and father and moving into Marcos place which wasnt hard but the more stuff you brought over the more aggravated she became which was good for your case. She had even threatened to kill you and make it look like you fell. Which was very good for your case. You had also expressed to Miko that privacy is absolutely necessary.

"All rise! For Miko Shiba"

"I will announce the verdict" Miko announces

"On counts of stalking and harassment you are guilty. On counts of death threats against (N) (L) and Marco Phoenix you are guilty. (N)(L) and Marco Phoenix I hearby grant you restraining orders against her. Also she must vacate her place of residence to elsewhere effective immediately. I will be keeping up with this case so make sure to follow the rules all of you court dismissed." Miko finishes as you and Marco smile and she starts yelling about how youll never love him like her. Miko had her forcefully removed from court and sentenced to jail time for disrupting court even though it was over. You had invited Miko to the wedding which he accepted.

~The Wedding~

Kiwi and Sui were your bridemaids while Soji and another doctor you didnt know was Marcos groomsmen. On your side we dignified judges and officals you had made friends with over the years who were mingling and networking while Marcos side was other doctors and friends he had made over the years.

As the ceremony began Sui offered to walk you down the isle.

"Are you ready?! The music has allready begun dont make him wait!" Sui yells at you as you spray mint in your mouth.

"Okay im ready now lets go" you hook arms with her then begin walking slowly down the isle and smile from ear to ear when you see Marco at the altar.

'Hes grinning so wide I cant wait to marry him' you think as everyone looks at you. As you reach the altar you break off with Sui and stand before Marco. The counselor starts talking and eventually gets to the parts.

"Do you Marco Phoenix take (N)(L) as your lawful wedded wife in sickness and in health?" The counselor asks.

"I do Yoi" Marco says a bit loudly.

"And do you (N)(L) take Marco Phoenix to be your lawful wedded husband in sickness and in health?"

"I do" you say somewhat loudly as well.

"The rings please" the counselor says as Kiwi brings out Marcos ring and Soji brings out your ring. You slide on Marcos ring as he slides on your ring.

"You may now kiss the bride" as you look at Marco he lifts your veil to see your beautiful eyes and you to see his handsome face as you kiss for two seconds then depart. Everyone cheers as the wedding reception starts and the cake cutting starts. You both hold hands as you cut two small pieces hook arms then eat a bite of cake and unlink. Then mingling together you hook your arm through his as you eventually talk to everyone. You sneek some tuna sushi as you snack on the food you split with Marco so you can talk to different people.

"Miko glad you could make it!" You shake hands and say

"Thanks for oweing me that favor haha you wanna bet again? Just kidding how are you and Ms. Shiba hello how are you?" You say as he replys

"Im glad we could be here ill admit when you said Marco Phoenix I double taked haha also no problem by the way that girl moved out to the country so no worries anymore for you both"

"Ive heard so much about you what an extraordinary woman you are going to become a doctor one day also like Mr. Phoenix" his wife says as you nod.

"Thank you both. And ahh I always wondered where she went. And yes Ms. Shiba im learning everything I can from Marco."

"Excuse me I have more guests to attend too." You excuse yourself and after talking to everyone you need too, you sit down and wait for the first dance. Your feet hurting somewhat. The dj is playing both your favorite songs as people sit waiting for the dance to start after mingling. You made sure the dj made a special thanks to Marcos parents for the event. Now the first dance is going to begin as Marco finds his way back to you you both take the stage and hold a pose hooked together as the music starts. Swirling you around and dancing together you both smile as everyone could tell you two belonged together. As the music stopped and you both finish your dance everyone claps. As the floor is free for others to dance on. Eventually Marco makes his way back to you and whispers in your ear

"Do you wanna get out of here and start the honeymoon? Yoi" you look at him

"Your parents paid a lot for this Marco but I know I have work the day after tomorrow." You say as he replies.

"Babe their both hammered they just hide it, im sure itll be fine Yoi" you look at him shocked like what and he nods as he takes your hand and you follow him to his car as you both get in. Both your phones and personal items are in the car. Your giggling like mad as he looks over to you chuckling.

"Hey we did everything and took pictures with nearly everyone. I think were allowed to ditch our own wedding at this point Yoi" he says as he buckles in and you do the same.

"Lets goo!!" You yell giggling as he drives off back to your apartment. Once there the guard greets you both.

"Ahh I see hello Mr. and Ms. Phoenix welcome home"

Marco had you added to the lease but he didnt make you have to pay for rent he just kept paying it. So you save a whole lot but it doesnt really matter since you joined bank account's. He also had another key made up for you to the apartment. He parks the car as you both grab your stuff and go to the elevator. Third floor third door no crazy stalker. You could feel his relief. So much so that he grabs your hand brings you in close outside your guys door and kisses you deeply. Him unlocking the door at the same time then breaking for air guiding you inside. Locking the door. You guys had sacrificed your honeymoon spot for everyone too attend the wedding so this was your honeymoon at your guys apartment but you both didnt care. He starts by undoing your tight wedding dress making it fall around your legs revealing white lingerie from your breasts to your waist to your legs to your feet.

"Wow your beautiful (N) just like always Ms. Phoenix Yoi" Marco says saving himself

"Thats right and your handsome just like always Mr. Phoenix" you reach up to kiss him as he leans down you slowly undress him starting with his bowtie then each button for his vest then his shirt and pants making out breathing hard him leading you to his king sized bed seeing rose petals everywhere on the floor and bed with them on the bed as well.

"What do you think? Yoi" he says as you kick off your shoes and he does the same. His lips meet yours as he checks your wetness. Breaking for air

"Dam you want me that bad huh my little bird Yoi" he whispers in your ear making your shiver. He softly pushes you on the bed as he rips your panties off of you uncliping the garter in the process. He crawls on top of you leaning down kissing your neck and playing with your breasts. He kisses then starts sucking on your breasts leaving hickey's making you moan

"Marco!"

"That was hot" you whisper in his ear nipping at his earlobe as he doesnt hesitate to go down on you as he abandons that quest for now and pushes your legs apart licking at your folds then your button staying on it as you pant and huff and moan his name

"Marco yes! That feels so good!!"

'Im so glad the second apartment is still vacant' you think as you moan loudly. His hands feeling up your white fishnet tights. Him shoving his tounge into your entrance tasting your juices flicking around making your legs twitch uncontrollably.

"Ahh Marco your gonna make me cum already!!!" You yell as he doesnt stop he firmly has your thighs spread wide with his hands forcing them open.

"Fuckkk!! Im cumming big bird!!!" Yelling he laps up your juices. With a lust in your groin and in your eyes you stare at him running a hand through his hair saying

"I got next ahh yess!" He pulls up and wipes his face as you push him onto the bed sitting on his legs you go down on him rimming the head of his gaint cock making him moan and his cock twitch dripping with precum as you swallow his tip ribbing down his shaft making him moan

"Fuckk yes (N) Yoi!" You suck as you salivate drooling somewhat but sucking it up and edging him on by thrusting then stopping then starting.

"Ah come on dont tease me not today Yoi!!" He yells as you pound your throat into his cock making him moan

"Ahh fuck yes just like that Yoi!!" Yelling he locks eyes with you as you start head banging his cock in your mouth then deep throating him humming and growling as you thrust your face into his cock harder and faster making him moan all kinds of sounds and gripping the sheets hard.

"Fuckkkk!! Yess! (N) Do it like that un huh un huh un huh!!! Yoi" keeping your pace you could feel him swell up as you face fucked his cock for what felt like awhile then he yells

"Fuckk I cant hold it your too good at that babe!!! Yoi" you speed up as you fill him release

"Shit im cumming little bird Yoi" he stares at you as you use one hand to pump his cock and swallow and the other hand to cradel his balls. You thrust through his sex high as he rips you from sucking him off to throwing you on the bed and making out with you tasting his sweet cum he flicks your tounge bar as he uses one hand to pump his cock and the other hand to insert a degit into your entrance making you moan but him stifling it with his tounge as he inserts a second degit quicker than usual he stretches you out and starts thrusting his fingers inside you while making out breathing hard through your noses you could feel his cock against your thigh as he drips precum again stiff as a board. He breaks for air as you both are red in the face as he drags your pussy to the edge of the bed he rolls you on your side and lifts one leg above his shoulder as he gets on his knees on the bed he places his cock at your entrance then slips the tip in making you moan loudly

"Ahh MarcoOO!! Your so big!!!" You yell as he thrusts in and not all the way out slowly filling you up your slick providing the perfect lube.

"Your not leaving this bed tonight Yoi" he says at you as you moan his name

"Yes sir Marco!! Fuckkk!!! I love you!!" You yell as you grip the sheets feeling him go deeper and deeper until he hit your wall, your cervix. Making you see speckles at this angle he had you at

"Its called the pretzel dip *huff huff*" he pounds you deeply as he picks up a great rhythm you follow his paceing as you grind with him feel his hand on your stomach feeling his cock inside you from the outside as he thrusts into you.

"Fuckk Marco!! Your gonna make me cum!!"

"Cum baby!! but im not stopping until you cant walk!! Yoi" he yells as he keeps his pacing huffing for air as he thrusting like a marathon.

"Fuckkk!! Marco im cumming!!" You yell almost screaming. You felt your walls constrict as you squeezed that part of your pussy that you had control over making him moan

"Fuckk!! (N) your so fucking tight!! Are you trying to get me to cum? Ahh!! You naughty woman you!! Yoi" he slaps your ass hard locking eyes with you as you moan

"Yes give it to me!!! Fuck me senseless!!! Im yours!!!" As he fucks you through your high you both huffing as your legs are twitching but he still thrusts. Once he knows your done cumming he says

"On all fours now!! Yoi" he pulls out as you get on all fours, legs shaking violently he stands then shoves his cock back in you as you get on all fours. Making you see stars moaning

"Ahhh yess!! MARCO!!! FUCKK!!!" As he thrusts back at his relentless pace for what seems like at least half an hour. You drool as he grabs your thighs slamming your pussy onto his cock relentlessly thrusting.

"AHHH!!!! Just like that!!!"

"Fuckkk!!! Your gonna make me cum again Marco!!!"

"I allready told you little bird cum!! Your not gonna be able to walk straight for the next couple days!!! Yoi" he yells still thrusting as you see spots in your vision.

"Big bird!!! Im cumming!!!!" Your pussy sucks in his cock again as you start twitching in your arms now too. He thrusts through your sex high as he pulls out then flips you over him grabbing your waist moving you up as he pushes your legs above his shoulders as he enters you at the same pace finding your g spot really easily you cry out

"Fuckkkk!!!!! Mar-CO!!! Your eyes lock onto his as he likes this angle you could tell since his cock was twitching a lot inside of you. You squeeze his cock with your pussy muscle as he continues to pound you.

"AH shit!! Im clo-se now!!! Yoi"

"Cu-m! In me!! Ma-rco!!!" You yell just begging him to cum in you.

"Pl-ease!!! Cum in me!!!" You yell as he continuously pounds you.

"Oh I plan too!!! Yoi" he yells as you hear his balls slapping against your asshole turning you on even more

"MAR-co!!!! YE-s!!!!!!" He pins your hands down as he moans

"Fuckk!! Get ready Babe!!!" Your face is already lewd, tounge out huffing for air him continuing to thrust harder making you faze out into bliss.

"Fuckkk! Im gonna cum (N)!!! Yoi"

"Cum with me!!! Im gonna cum too!!" You yell.

"Im cumming!!! Im filling you up my little bird Yoi"

"Ahhh!!!! You made me cumm!!" You felt his hot seed burst into your cervix as you both cum at the same time. Your walls clamp down on his cock as he continues to thrusts through both your sex highs. Pumping still he was fast at first then slows down and eventually comes to a stop. Huffing very hard as he lets go of your hands and slowly lets your legs down being very gentle with you after that fuck session. You huffing for air after fifteen minuts of just breathing he looks you in the eyes and asks

"How was that? Yoi" you whole body is twitching, everything is so sensitive.

"Un huh well im not walking anywhere" you say giggling as he pulls out slowly. With a pop cum immediately drips out of you as he admires his work of your whole body twitching. He gets up and grabs a whole tissue box as he wipes you up.

"Why can you stand and I cant?" You ask as he is the best doctor in the country.

"Try and sit up for me dear. And its because your insides have thousands if not millions of more nerve endings causing overstimulation. Yoi" he says as you sit up more cum flows out of you as he uses tissue to cetch it all. Once your not leaking anymore you plop back down still twitching as he cleans himself up. You manage to get under the covers as hes done he grabs both of your phones and checks the time.

"What a way to blow four hours well cant go back to the wedding haha Yoi" he chuckles as he slides into bed with you. You squirm your way over to him now cold. He pulls you to him, lets you rest your head on his chest, and intertwines your legs with his.

"I love you Ms. Phoenix Yoi" he says cupping your cheek kissing you as you giggle then retort

"I love you too Mr. Phoenix~"

-Happy End-

[dirtyvulture]

😎 So I have had a really weird thought/ realization ………. like a really, really weird thought / realization so please bear with me. Wolverine R is Femreader meaning most likely AFAB ( Assigned Female At Birth) and that means our dear lovely R gets a period very single month. Now in cannon Wolverine’s healing factor are so OP that they can regenerate from a single drop of blood ( not the point that I am trying to make but now that I think about it , imagine how crazy that would be that R could regenerate entirely from a single drop of blood from her period. Like she has a whole host to choose from and a lot of opportunities every month) . Wolvie ( I have noticed you calling both R and Logan that and that is so cute and I am going to put a pin in that ) can come back and regenerate very single thing in her body ( including possibly all her eggs that sheds and all the other  “wonderful”things that goes into having a period ) and I am sure you can see where this is going . Wolverine was born in the late Nineteen century ( Like 1832 in one account or in some accounts 1882 / 1885) and we don’t know as of yet when our Wolvie has been born and how old she is exactly. Or hell if she is Canadian or something else.

But imagine if Wolvie has been born in the late nineteenth century ( in one of those years listed above) , the girl has had periods for literally almost two centuries and a shit load happened before pads and tampons , just that type of hygiene as we know it now . The pads that we know today weren’t invented until WW1 when nurses were trying to find ways to stop the soldiers from bleeding.Tampons wasn’t invented until 1931 and it was a cardboard applicator with tightly bound strip of dense cotton , In the 1800s it was a DYI situation up until 1880s and that was a disposable napkin. Damn all of this really made me do actual research because my Nerospicy  brain wouldn’t let this go. Anyway Wolvie has seen all of this and gone through the evaluation of monthly hygiene products but because of her healing factor she is just going to keep going through this hell forever .

People looked at the X-ray scene in Wolverine( you literally see how the bones are forced to move and shift around when the claws come out)and how wolverine says it “ Hurts every time they come out” . They are like no wonder he is so angry and violent , he is in a lot of pain very time he fights. Even when he is protecting people. I rise you one better for why fem Wolvie is like that . Fuck I am on my period right now ( yes I am a cisgender woman) and if I had to endure that for ever I would be ✨Staby ✨ too , especially to those who fuck around and find out. It also gets better because of Wolverine’s canonical  resistance to illicit substances ( i. e not really able to get drunk) I don’t think she would be able to take pain medication for her cramps so she has to deal with that all on her own.

Thank you for bearing with me down this weird ass rabbit hole of thoughts, research and  realization.

Also R would totally 💯 percent would go off to a store and get like a whole bunch of candies, chocolate, pads ( I personally CANNOT DO tampons , just Nooooo) and pain killers( these are specifically for Nat as they don’t work for R) Everything that one would need at a time like this and she made sure that she got enough for Nat just in case ( R knows about the “ graduation” ceremony but is unsure if Nat undergone it) . R isn’t going to broach the subject but gets Nat to see the supplies and keeps her nose out for smelling blood ( remember R has heighten senses and can smell blood) . But if Nat had undergone the ceremony than R would still give her candy and the pain medication and other relievers when needed ( and one can still used pads to stop bleeding wounds ) .

R 💯 percent goes and just slash up trees ( her x marking ) and things like that while screaming as an outlet for the really bad cramps. R also gets a bit stab/ slash happy too.

A...very interesting thought to have, anon. 😂

I never even thought about having to have a period every month if your body doesn't age. Poor R. 😭 But I would like to think that once she realizes she's going to live forever and face this once a month, she might have a hand in inventing some of the best feminine products we still use to this day. :) Just a random headcanon of mine now lol.

But yes. R would absolutely go out of her way to make sure Nat is comfortable if she does have a period. ❤️ Because she always wants to make sure Nat is taken care of and comfy. But yes, I agree that on her own period, R is probably seen running through the woods and cutting trees up with her claws lol.

[faerune]

my pinning ceremony was so amazing!!!! i can’t believe i did it i made it through nursing school im so excited to be a nurse guys

[transskywardsword]

Spider Meet Fly/Fly Meet Spider - Chapter Ten: Zelda and Sonia

Link and Rauru practice utilizing the secret stones, and things go downhill from there.

read the full story on ao3 here

Rauru was quiet when he and Link met together in the back gardens that morning. Link hadn’t slept much after the sparing… incident… earlier that night. That morning? Link thought the match had taken place a little after midnight. Morning, then?

Rauru didn’t seem angry, just tired, moving with slightly less than his usual grace as he pinned his mane away from his face and pulled off his robes to expose a no less ornate pair of loose trousers and undershirt. His biceps and broad shoulders were obvious like this, and while Link had long since come to terms with his smallness, the Zonai’s visible strength left him just the smallest bit jealous. Sitting a few meters away in a gazebo was Sonai, nursing a morning cup of tea, and, sitting across from her, tea cup looking laughable small in his hand, was Ganondorf, Twinrova slouched in their chairs beside him, looking incredibly bored, even through the masks.

Link could tell Rauru was uncomfortable having the Gerudo there, but where Link went Ganondorf went, and vice versa, and the sisters were pissy over being excluded from the argument last night, clinging to their brother and barring their teeth at anyone who got too close, their expressions clear ever through the golden metal.  

“Forgive them,” Sonia said to Twinrova after the guards at the door of the garden plaza had made snide remarks towards the heavy, glittering masks. Sonai was not deterred by Twinrova’s scoff. “The last great ruler of the Zonai Empire… he was assassinated by Hylian rebels who disguised themselves as Zonai priests, hiding their faces behind ceremonial masks and large false ears that they might enter the king’s quarters undisturbed. It was… far from a quick and merciful death. It may have been centuries ago, far outside of any living Hylian memory, but the paranoia has always remained, especially as Ra is one of the last pure-blood Zonai. Hiding faces in court has been a taboo since.”

“Please. If we wanted your king dead, he would be.” The blue sister said, and the red one laughed.

“Besides, hiding behind masks is a coward’s way of killing. An honorable warrior would strike him head-on.”

Sonia hid her discomfort at the comment well. Privately, Link thought that the constant harassment of Twinrova had less to do with taboos and more to do with making them feel othered and unwelcome, but he wasn’t sure if mentioning that would kill the almost-peace in the air. Link saw Ganondorf kick his sister under the table from the corner of his eye. It was a strangely childish action, and it felt bizarre coming from the looming man. She slinked further down in her chair, and Ganondorf rolled his eyes.

“Link!” Rauru called from outside the gazebo, “Come, stretch with me. Magic is hard on cold muscles.”

Link nodded, hand drifting to the Master Sword on his hip. She had been fluttery all morning, uneased ever since his conversation with Ganondorf. Fi kept whispering of danger, of a need to be on one’s guard, of deception, but Link, for once, was pointedly ignoring her. All way well, for now, more or less, and he would make sure things stayed that way. He didn’t need the Master Sword’s guidance in this; he could take care of himself.

“Pray tell why we’re up at the ass crack of dawn just to watch a spar?” One of Twinrova said with a yawn. Ganondorf kicked her under the table again, and Sonia smiled into her cup of tea.

“You’re in for a treat,” Sonai said, “Link—”

“Link has come into possession of a Zonai artifact,” Rauru said, bending his back unnaturally far. “You should feel honored to have the chance to see it up close. They are not often openly discussed.”

“Oh?”

Sonai’s hand went to her throat and the stone there. Ganondorf’s eyes lingered on the hollow of her neck where her secret stone hung, and something about the hardness of his gaze made Link uneasy.

“The light you used to decimate my swarm.” He said softly, and Rauru nodded, suddenly aware of the stiff discomfort in the air.

“…Yes,” He said hesitantly, and Sonia continued on.

“They’re stones,” Sonia said, clicking her nails against her amber stone. “They channel the innate power inside someone and convert it into physical, tangible magic.”

“A conduit?” Ganondorf said, voice soft. “How… interesting.”

“Yes. One isn’t given power by the stone; instead, it is amplified into something useful and useable.”

“Sonia…” Rauru said from the grass, but his wife continued.

“My sister-in-law, her stone amplifies her connection to her spirit and the spirits of the world around her. I can manipulate time, Ra can call upon light and banish darkness—”

“Sonia—”

“And Link’s… well, we’re still learning about his. We hope that doing so will help him with the problem he has been facing at home.”

“The mummy,” Ganondorf said, and Sonia nodded.

“He’s mentioned it to you?”

“Aye.”

“The Gerudo are known for their magic and gibdos—any chance you would know…?”

Ganondorf shook his head. “From what Link has said, it sounds far too intelligent to be a gibdo. As for a redead or other reanimated corpse—it is a possibility, but I’ve never heard of a redead with such power. I could research it, but without access to the Gerudo archives, that is impossible.”

Sonia brightened. “We have a section of Gerudo texts in the library, modern, classical, ancient, fiction, nonfiction, myth—”

“Sonia has always had a passion for literature,” a soft, husky voice said, and Ganondorf spun so fast in his chair that he nearly slipped off the too-small seat. Twinrova snickered, and Mineru paid them no mind.

“Rue!” Sonai said with a brilliant smile. “You made it! Rauru said you would be helping with the new construct bodies.”

The Zonai woman smiled that strange smile of hers, that spoke of kindness but an unfamiliarity with the shape.

“I figured I could be of use,” she said, sitting gracefully next to her sister-in-law. “Link. Ganondorf. Twinrova. A… pleasure.”

“Likewise,” Ganondorf rumbled, and Link couldn’t help but smile. They were getting along. They were all getting along! Maybe the whole fiasco of last night was proving to be a good thing; what was a little yelling if it meant they could all sit together civilly over a cup and tea and an early morning lesson?

Rauru cleared his throat. “Link. Let us begin.”

Link nodded. Rauru extended his biological hand and Link took it. “Here, look.”

The Zonai flexed his prosthetic fingers, making a fist, and then placed his flesh and blood hand, Link’s fingers still interlocked, over it. There was a sudden spark of… something… up Link’s fingertips and arm, and the pale stone in the back of Rauru’s hand came free.

“The only person I allow to touch this stone is Sonia, and, once, Mineru when she imbedded it in my arm. These stones are precious and dangerous. Used flippantly or in the wrong hand, they can cause devastating destruction—there is a reason there are so few Zonai. Greed and desperation are powerful, deadly things. I thought there were only seven left in the world until you arrived—my sister’s, my beloved’s, mine, and four stones kept deep below the castle where no one but I or Mineru can reach them. Now, you have provided us with an eight. I cannot allow you to continue to wield it without further knowledge; that is a recipe for disaster.”

Link gave a curt nod, turning over Rauru’s secret stone in his hand. It was identical to Link’s own, and a sudden chill ran down his spine.

He had been considering the murals from the mummy’s chamber as of late. The Zonai king and Hylian woman—he was positive they were Rauru and Sonia. And the hand…

The hand that had held the mummy down, that had bore the secret stone, had been Rauru’s hand. Link was sure of it. Somehow, Rauru would come to meet the mummy head-on, and something terrible would happen. Link just knew it. Unless…

Unless that was why he had been sent here. To change to the future, to save Rauru’s life, and to defeat the mummy before it even had the chance to strike, while it was still new and weak.

It made sense. It made perfect sense. But the thought of seeing the mummy again, even with allies beside him, was terrifying. Link didn’t like to admit being fearful of anything, but a creature who could shatter Fi with such ease… was a foe like no other. The Master Sword had been damaged by the hundred-year failure that was the rise of the Calamity but it was far from weak.

Link needed to speak with Rauru on this. The king needed to know, as scared as Link was to acknowledge it.

Could Zelda handle such a creature on her own? She had held back the Calamity for a century but… Link scolded himself. He was being silly. Zelda had held back Ganon, the Calamity, the Beast, the Destroyer of Worlds all by herself for a century! And her golden power had only grown over the past few years. Zelda might want nothing to do with Hylia, but the Goddess certainly wanted something to do with her, and as Zelda grew, so did her strength, the Triforce of Wisdom flooding through her veins. She was a force of nature, a supernatural beast of a woman in the best way possible, and she could save the world without him—she just needed the Master Sword beside her. That much Link was certain of; the Master Sword may have been created by the Chosen Hero, but it was made to protect the vessel of the Goddess and protect Zelda it would. He just needed to get home.

He would get home. It was not an option not to.

Rauru cupped his hands around Link’s, pushing them closed around the stone.

“What do you feel?”

Link frowned at the man and he flushed, or the closest Link thought a Zonai could come to flushing under all that fur.

“Of course. My apologies.”

Rauru drew back his hands, freeing up Link’s to speak.

Link closed his eyes, focusing on the weight of the stone in his hand. He returned it to Rauru and signed, “The surface is cold, almost chilly, like it’s been under cool water. But warmth radiates from it. An oxymoron. Hot and cold, mingling inside the stone. The surface… tingles?”

“Good, very good,” Rauru said with a smile. “The cold is the power of the stone, and the warmth is your own magic calling out and beckoning the power forward. The tingling… that’s something usually only noticed after years of work—it is how we communicate with our stones. That is a sign of great power or great insight. I’m impressed.”

“It feels like my sword.”

“Your sword is a weapon of light. I’m not surprised that your light power feels the same reflecting off of a secret stone. Now, let us truly begin. Take your stone in hand.” 

Link’s hand drifted to the Master Sword’s scabbard where his secret stone was inlaid. It took a bit of meddling, but eventually, it came free in his hand.

“Now, imagine a crystal prism. When white light goes through it, it is broken down into a rainbow by the prism. The prism refracts the light, shifting it. It is still the same light, just in a different form. The stone is the white light—you are the prism. Your innate power is what reforges the light into a myriad of colors, and that color interacts with the world around you.”

Link nodded slowly. That sort of made sense?

“Light magic is unpredictable. While time magic or spirit magic is useful for manipulating the world around you, we manipulate the power inside us to protect. We are defenders—champions.”

Link hair stood on end. He knew he was destined to take up the role of a knight—the knight—but hearing that his very innate essence was dedicated to protecting… well, it was an overwhelming thought. Champion. That’s what he was, what he’d always be. A Champion.

“Mineru—your constructs.”

“Of course.”

Mineru stood and brushed nonexistent dust from her dress, and the line of contructs around the garden Link had paid little attention to stood at attention.

“I am going to send a construct to try and pin you. Utilize the stone and take them down,” she said curtly, then added with a much softer voice, “You can do this. I believe in you.”

“Magic only,” Rauru said, and Link nodded. “Watch me first.”

Mineru whistled and a construct, an ugly thing with an L-shaped horn on its head, reared forward. It swung a glittering blue blade, and Rauru didn’t even try to dodge. Instead, he swept his hand up, his third eye flashing, and his stone glowed pale yellow-white, the light moving with the movement of his arm, before solidifying into a kind of shield. The blade stuttered where it met the shield, white-hot light moving up the construct’s arm, and it collapsed into a heap. A second charged, then a third, and Rauru sent them spiraling back with another swipe of his arm. A fourth crept closer and Rauru held out a palm—there was a sudden stillness, complete silence, as if the world around them was ringing with anticipation before light shot from his clawed prosthetic and ripped through the construct. It collapsed in a heap of parts.

Under the gazebo, Sonia clapped. Ganondorf’s face was unreadable, eyes somehow both far away and fixated on Rauru’s right arm. The prosthetic glowed, and even though Ganondorf was too far away to be touched by its light, shadows seemed to dance on his face.

Danger! Fi chimed at Link’s waist, Danger!

A Twinrova wolf-whistled, and the moment was broken.

‘Peace,’ Link sent down the mental link between him and the Master Sword. ‘Everything is fine. No danger.’

The sword seemed to grumble, almost petulant, but made no further comment.

“Are you ready?” Mineru called as Rauru rolled his shoulders back. The Zonai didn’t have a single hair out of place, not a single bead of sweat on his fur. The world around him flickered with a bright glow for a few moments before fizzling out, the stone losing its brightness.

“You can do this!” Sonia called from across the way, and Link flexed his fingers.

“Remember, you aren’t controlling it, you are channeling it. It already wants to move the same way you do, you just have to give it a way out. We’ll take it slow, alright?” Rauru said, and Link gave a nod that looked far more certain than he felt.

“Good. Now, Mineru, if you please.”

“Construct 2.87, move forward,” Mineru called.

A construct with a single, simple horn moved forward, brandishing a blue sword in one hand and a glowing shield in the other.

“Construct 2.87, proceed.”

Link breathed in, held the breath, and let it out. The construct surged forward, blade singing, and Link dove out of the way, circling the robot. It swung again, and again Link jumped back. Link was hyper-aware of the many pairs of eyes on his back. The construct gave up on its blind swinging and began to spin, pulling in its shield and lashing out with its sword in a sloppy spin attack. Link let it get closer, closer, before vaulting backward in a perfect backflip. The world slowed, the air becoming heavy around him as his back arched into a flurry rush, the stone growing impossibly cold and blindingly hot in his hand. His whole arm nearly vibrated with the power radiating from the stone. But he had no sword to draw. The Master Sword sang at his side, begging, demanding, to be held, but he couldn’t. No weapons. Just magic.

“Nice footwork!” One of TWinrova shouted from the gazebo. “Can we see some flashy lights, though?”

Link grit his teeth. Landing deftly on his feet, he thrust a hand out. He was a prism. The stone was the rainbow and he was making it light.

Nothing happened. Link didn’t manage to dodge the spin attack this time, behind hit full in the chest with the blade. It didn’t hurt, just a sizzle of electricity zapping his stomach, but it certainly didn’t feel good, and embarrassment crept up Link’s cheeks.

The construct stopped.

“Are you alright?” Rauru said softly, suddenly at Link’s side. Link nodded through his clenched jaw. “Good. Let’s take a break.”

"Again,” he signed, and Rauru frowned.

“Link—”

“Again!”

“Okay…” Rauru cleared his voice and straightened. “Very well. Prepare yourself. Construct 2.87, proceed.”

The construct reared back with surprising speed, and Link had to bumble out of its way to avoid another swipe of electricity. It swung, he dodged. It stabbed, he ducked—Fi screamed at his side, demanding to be drawn, chiming audibly this time, glowing an unstable, flickering blue that crackled with electricity and ozone.

Behind him, Ganondorf’s eyes were wide, fixated on the haywire glow of the sword, on its desperate chimes, which had grown in volume to near screams.

Draw me! Draw me!

Link dove under the construct, inches away from its electrical blade, the heat of it just missing his ear. The thing turned with wicked speed, and Link threw his hand forward. He envisioned light moving from the stone in his scabbard, up his chest, and out his arm, growing, growing, splintering into a kaleidoscope of color. Nothing. Link let out a frustrated growl, moving backward and swiping his hand across and in front of him as he had seen Rauru do. He was a prism. He was a prism. He was—

Fuck!

The construct caught his side and Link stumbled back, grabbing at the skin with a hiss.

“Link—” Link heard Rauru call, “I think we should take a break.”

Link shook his head vigorously. He could do this. He could do this.

The construct surged forward, and again Link rose up to meet it, hands thrust in front of him. Nothing. Just a flicker of electricity where the construct caught him, not enough to burn but surely enough to hurt. Link growled.

Draw me!

‘Stop it!’ He hissed through the mental link, ‘I can do this!’

The construct changed its tactic, pushing Link back with its shield, closer and closer to the gazebo and away from the open air of the gardens, making it harder and harder to dance around it. And then—then—

Then—

Its eye lit up, red and flashing. It gained speed, steadily, steadily, and Link suddenly couldn’t breathe.

(Link tastes blood. It coats his tongue, his teeth, his gums, and with each breath it threatens to drip down his chin in thick, gooey stands.)

The eye was flashing, and would beep and explode soon, Link just knew it—

(The pain from the arrowhead in his calf has faded at some point, overshadowed by everything else. He has broken ribs, he’s sure of it, likely from being thrown into a tree by the shrapnel of a guardian’s blast. They cut into his lungs, making each breath more painful than the last. He’s taken to short, shallow lungfuls of air, hoping to ease the pain. Oh, what he would give to breathe deeply.)

It would explode into a flash of white, burning light—

(Something is burnt. He can smell fired hair and flesh, and he thinks it might be somewhere on his back, but he isn’t sure. Link hasn’t exactly had the time to run down any injuries. His head thunders—he can’t focus his eyes, which was probably bad.

He can’t feel his left arm. He can’t move it. He knows that’s bad. A guardian had hit him in the side point blank and the arm had taken the brunt of the damage. The blood is so thick it is black, spiderwebbing through his Champion’s tunic, and it refuses to congeal.

Ha. Some Champion he turned out to be.)

It was going to kill them all.

(The Master Sword is limp in his right hand. He was never very good at fighting right-handed.

The Princess is speaking to him. He knows because he can see her mouth moving, her beautiful face speckled in blood, but Link cannot hear her voice. Just the ringing in his ears.

“Link, save yourself, go! I’ll be fine, I—I always am, please!”

Link steals himself at the sight of the sheer number of mechanical monsters glowing around them. He had hoped Fort Hateno would serve some safety after hearing the Citadel had fallen but the guardians had beat them there.

Three, seven, twelve… Link gives up counting. Red beams find his face. He knew he could die fighting Calamity Ganon, but he had always imagined actually dying to Calamity Ganon. Not a glowing machine. He raises his sword, forcing air through his nose---

“NO!”)

Link forced his eyes closed against the blinding light in front of him. It was golden and pure and perfect, and all he could see. His hip burned where the secret stone sat, glowing searing gold and green, the light growing, growing until it engulfed him. His hands ached from where he’d thrown them up, light pooling around him, drawing on his fear, on his longing.

Zelda. Was this how she felt, as she protected his charred, dying body?

Link lowered his hands, panting. Where the construct had once been was nothing but a pile of ash, and the gardens in front of him had been decimated. He could only hear the ringing in his ears, and Zelda’s voice, echoing from all those years ago.

Open your eyes. Open your—

Link squeezed his eyes shut and slowly opened them. There was no danger. There had never been any danger. The robot hadn’t been a guardian, it had been a construct, ultimately harmless. Everyone was fine.

Link dropped to his knees. There were hands on him, but he was too tired to shake them off. Someone was speaking softly to him, the voice gentle, and a hand wiped the sweat from his brow and held a cup of water out to him. Gingerly, Link took it.

“Slow sips, that’s it, slowly,” Sonai said softly, running a hand through his hair. “You overexerted yourself quite a bit. So much magic is unwise for someone who is new to the concept of stones.”

Link leaned into her hand, taking long, slow sips of water.

“There, how do you feel?”

 “Better,” Link lied, barely able to form the words with his shaky hands, and Sonai pursed her lips.

“Come, come, let’s sit,” She said, helping him to his feet and guiding him to the gazebo. “I will say, we weren’t expecting that!”

Link flushed and Sonia squeezed his hand. “I mean it kindly, dear.”

She pulled out a chair for him and helped him sit, and if Link hadn’t felt so exhausted, he would have been embarrassed. He didn’t have it in them to tell them that the exhaustion came just as much from the flashback as it did from the magic.

He didn’t like thinking about the day he died. But that flashing eye… it had looked all too similar. Link fought a shudder. He could taste blood in the back of his throat, the burn of his left arm, the piercing pain in each breath from his broken ribs.

He could hear Zelda’s begging for her failure of a Champion to live.

Link took a deep breath. That was behind him. That was far, far behind him. He needn’t dwell on such things.

Across from him, Ganondorf raised a red brow and Link gave him a shaky smile.

“I’m fine,” He mouthed, but Ganondorf didn’t look convinced.

“I guess we did ask for a light show,” one of Twinrova said, and the other one nodded with a low whistle.

“I think we’re done for the day,” Rauru said, and Link frowned.

“Link, if you think I’m going to let you try that again, you are sorely mistaken,” he said, not unkindly, and Ganondorf nodded.

“Making yourself sick helps no one, little one." He said, voice gruff but still surprisingly kind—even Twinrova glanced at him, their surprise almost hidden by their masks, and Sonia beamed at him.

“I shall go fetch some stamina elixir,” Mineru said, eyeing the ashen husk that had been the castle gardens.

“Yes, good. I think that will help splendidly,” Sonai said, and Rauru nodded.

“Twinrova, Ganondorf—would you be so kind as to join me?” Mineru said. The women looked up at her in surprise.

“I think it would be best for Link to have some space right now.”

Link’s hand shot out and grabbed Ganondorf’s sleeve. He shook his head, and Mineru raised an elegant eyebrow.

“Are you sure?”

Link nodded, and Mineru’s face was unreadable.

“Very well. Twinrove—”

“Go with her,” Ganondorf said.

“My Lord—” Twinrova started, their voices slipping into a single sound.

“Go, make yourself useful,” Ganondorf said, though there was a smile in his voice. Twinrova huffed, standing as one, and turned on their heels, marching after Mineru. Link slunk down in his chair.

“You didn’t have to send them away,” he signed, and Ganondorf laughed softly.

“They would have just pestered you, and I don’t think any of us want to listen to them gabber. You all haven’t had the pleasure of watching them finish each other’s sentences for hours on end. Just wait till they start speaking every other word for each other and talking in circles around everyone in the room. I swear, they do it just to annoy me…. But they are family. Family sticks beside each other, no matter what.”

Sonia nodded. At her prodding, Link took a lukewarm cup of tea and took a sip. It was sweet and floral, with an aftertaste that could only be described as ‘silver’, and Link’s heart dropped.

Silent princesses. It had been brewed with silent princesses, an extremely expensive, extremely rare tea that Zelda detested, saying it was atrocious to butcher an endangered species just for a beautifully smooth cup of tea. She preferred hyrulian herb, saying the common, economical plant and its bold flavor (which Link thought resembled a mouthful of grass more than anything) made it the perfect drink for an early morning of research.

Link suddenly felt nauseous, but he didn’t want to appear rude. He downed the tea in one go and pretended he couldn’t feel Zelda’s eyes on him, her lips pursed, her brows narrowed.

He longed to brush a strand of her hair, far shorter now than it had ever been, behind her ear and smooth out the crease between her brows with his thumb. He’d cut her hair himself after a particularly violent nightmare left his princess in hysterics in their bed, convinced she could feel Ganon’s malice on her skin, in her hair, in her blood. The tactile hallucinations weren’t common, only on the worst of nights, but once it became clear that, like the nightmares, they weren’t going anywhere soon, Link had done away with his bed downstairs and began sharing the one in the loft with Zelda. Sometimes, his presence was enough to soothe her, and he’d hold her and whisper to her and wash her face and brush her hair, searching the house’s shadows to prove they were alone, that they were safe—some nights, like that one, his actions weren’t enough.

She’d grabbed the knife he kept under his pillow and began hacking at handful after handful of hair, determined to get out the lingering malice. Link had to wrestle the knife out of her hand and hold her still, his princess crying and thrashing and demanding the Beast free her, that she would never let it win, that she would take it down with her, that she would kill them both.

By the time she calmed down and Link got her to sleep, blood and golden hair littered their sheets and the loft floor, and Link had prepared. When she woke, hours later, the bathwater was still warm, heated by a well-placed fire rod, and Link had the brushes and scissors ready.

“I’ll help you cut it.” He had whispered. She’d scrubbed her skin until it was red and stinging, the water pink from the shallow cuts from her nails and blind hacking the night before, then sat in the water with her head tilted back, neck presented to Link.

“Are you sure?” He asked, and she nodded.

“I want it off,” she said, “Like—like some sort of new beginning. A sign that the world is changing.”

Link shifted till he was behind her, and with careful hands made his first cut, right at the shoulders. Clumps of tangled blond hair fell to the ground and Zelda let out a tiny sound. He moved with steady hands and sliced through tangles until a pile of hair sat on the ground. He brushed the yellow strands off her bare shoulders. Blond hair brushed her cheekbones, curling by her chin, and Zelda twisted her head to smile at him.

“How do I look?”

“New.”

“Perfect.”

She had looked perfect. She was covered in sweat, bath water, and chopped hair, eyes dark from a fitful night’s sleep, and still Zelda had looked absolutely perfect.

Link’s body felt cold, an ache deep, deep in his ribcage, a Zelda-shaped hole that yearned to be filled. His grasp on the cup softened and the porcelain slipped through his fingers.

Shit!

Link dove for the cup but it hovered in the air, glowing gold. The sound of ticking filled the air, and then it rose backward and slotted itself back in his hand. Sonia reached forward and gently took it from him, placing it on the table in front of him.

“Link? Are you well?”

Link nodded. It was unconvincing.

“What troubles you?”

“Nothing.”

“Link…” The corner of Sonia’s lip quirked, and she squeezed his hand. “We’re all friends here.”

Link sighed.

“I’m sorry. Just… lost in my thoughts.”

“Oh?”

“I—I keep thinking of home.”

“Ah.” Sonia said, leaning back. “A heavy thought indeed.”

Link ran the edge of his finger along the lip of his cup. “You have such mastery over your powers, you and Rauru. If I could learn that kind of control…”

Rauru set a hand on Link’s shoulder. “It takes—”

“Time, yes, I know, but I don’t have time!”

“Link—”

“My home is in danger, Your Majesty! People could be dying, my partner could be dying, and I don’t even have a way to know what is happening—!”

“Link!” Ganondorf snapped, and Link’s hands froze. “Panicking will do no one any good, and it will certainly do your land no good at all. Calm yourself.”

Link swallowed.

“You are far from home. There are unknowns at every corner—it is the same for me. I know how you feel. You cannot let this best you.”

“Okay.” He signed, hands small. “Okay.”

“Here,” Sonia took Link’s hand and placed it on the edge of the cup. “With my magic… the secret is to think of drawing out the object’s memory. You ask where it came from, where it was, where it is in the present, and then gently ask it to return.”

Ganondorf leaned forward. “I didn’t realize different stones could act so differently.”

“No, the stones all work the same. It is the person that alters how they work. Ra’s power to banish darkness—that comes from within. Mineru’s control over spirits—that comes from within. My ability to manipulate time, and Link’s own protective light—all of it comes from within.”

“How would one know what their power is—just simple curiosity, of course?”  

“Not everyone has innate magic; some are born with strong magical ties, some can learn it, and some’s magical wells are dry.”

“Interesting,” Ganondorf said, leaning back in his chair. Rauru stayed behind Link, clawed hands on his shoulders. He seemed… uncomfortable with the conversation at hand, and while Sonia had obviously noticed, she didn’t seem to care.

“The stones are complicated to use, but their rules are simple. Power is channeled and amplified. Magic is performed. Repeat.”

Ganondorf nodded slowly. “I see. Are they always so difficult to use?”

Sonia made a so-so motion with her hands. “Depends on the bearer’s control over their own magic to begin with. I was always strongly connected to my magic, so the stone’s power came naturally to me. Ra struggled greatly when he was younger, or so Mineru tells me.”

“Sonia!” Rauru cried, and his wife laughed, throwing back her head.

“Peace, Ra, we’re among friends. Anyways, Link, I’m sure the magic will become second nature in time, and you will find your way home. Though, I’m sure you are missing more than just home.”

Link blinked. “What?”

Sonia’s smile grew. “The princess you spoke so highly to me about is waiting for you as well, is she not?”

“Oh? A princess? Your Zelda?” Rauru asked, smile clear in his voice, and Link buried his face in his hands. Rauru chuckled as Link’s ears burned.

“Yes, you must make it home to put her mind at ease,” Sonia said, leaning to pull Link’s hand from his face, squeezing them gently.

“That’s the woman you mentioned last night,” Ganondorf said, eyes bright, and Link groaned. “I thought you said there was nothing between you?”

“There isn’t!”

“Have you discussed this girl in depth with everyone but me?” Rauru’s tone was teasing, and Link wished the ground would swallow him up. “Go on!”

“Zelda is a... is my princess. I was originally assigned to her as her royal bodyguard many, many years ago, and I have served her since. She and I… she didn’t like me very much, at first. Her father was a terrible man, and he pushed his expectations onto her in a way that no one could handle, no matter how strong. But when a great Calamity attacked, she proved to be a formidable leader with a brilliant, holy power unlike anything I’ve ever seen. When I failed to stop the Beast, it ravaged the continent, destroying everything in its path. I was unable to stop it, and it fell to ruin—worse than ruin. But Zelda… she saved them all with her power, destroyed the Calamity once and for all. And she’s more than just her power… She’s intelligent, and creative, with a drive like no other. She’s a researcher more than a princess and is more at home in the wilds than she is with a crown, but she still leads brilliantly, with a kind, wise hand.

She’s dedicated, and determined, and would never back down from a challenge, even when there is nothing in it for her. She would never abandon someone in need, no matter the stakes of helping them. She’s faced a fate worse than death for her people before, and she would again in a heartbeat. It terrifies me.” Link sighed.

“She is very brave…” Link’s hands trailed off, his heart pounding in his chest. “And… and her heart is wise, and true…”

The gazebo was quiet. Sonia’s face was soft and open, her eyes sad, and Rauru squeezed Link’s shoulder, his touch grounding. Ganondorf’s face was completely unreadable, his eyes shadowed. He wasn’t looking at Link’s face, or his hands, instead his gaze trailing far, far away.

“You sound like you have complete faith in her,” Rauru said gently, and Link nodded. “Hearing you speak so highly of her, well, it makes me wish I could meet her as well.”

“You care deeply for her,” Ganondorf said finally, meeting Link’s eyes.

“Yes.”

“You would die for her.”

“… Yes.”

“Then why leave her to come to Hyrule?”

Link’s hands stuttered. “I…”

“Why come here? Why not fight your mummy beside her, sword be damned?”

“Ganondorf…” Rauru said warningly, and the Gerudo man ignored him.

“I was taken far away from her, forced to leave her behind.”

“Link, dear, you don’t owe anyone any explanation—” Sonia started, but Link cut her off.

“I didn’t have a choice! I didn’t want to go! I don’t want to be here! I want to go home!”  A lump had grown in Link’s throat, and much to his horror he found the Zelda-sized hole in his chest had filled itself with tears and begun to spill over, salt water filling his water line. “I want to go home!”

Ganondorf was quiet, face steeped in something unreadable as Sonia moved to Link’s side and pulled him close.

“Then go home,” Ganondorf said bluntly. “Sword be damned.”

“I can’t.” Link hissed. Rauru gave a full-bodied flinch at Link’s raspy, wet voice, eyes wide. It was the first the Zonai had heard it. “She’s centuries away. Millenium.”

“…What?” Ganondorf asked, brows far up on his forehead.

“Link, are you sure that is wise—” Rauru said, leaning closer, and Link shoved him and his wife off.

“I found the mummy under Hyrule Castle—my Hyrule Castle, millennium and millennium from now, far into the future. I found the stone and it brought me here, to the past, and I’m fucking stuck while Zelda is alone out there, saving Hyrule by herself again because I cannot be depended on!”

Link’s voice gave out, emotion too strong to keep his tongue moving, and Ganondorf’s eyes were wide.

“The… future?”

Link gave a bleary, tearful nod.

 Ganondorf was silent. “The future.”

“Ganondorf—” Rauru said warningly, “I will not have you—”

“No, no, I believe him. The sword, then, it’s more than just a sword, isn’t it?”

“It’s called the Master Sword.” Link mumbled. “The Blade of Evil’s Bane. A sword of pure light forged by a Chosen Hero.”

“Must not be that grand of a sword if a mummy can break it.”

“That’s why I must fix it before I can go back. I must.”

“You don’t even know how to get back to begin with, do you?”

Link’s cheeks burned as he nodded. “No. No, I don’t.”

“I think that’s more than enough,” Sonia said softly, pulling Link’s head to her breast.

“The Gerudo—what of them, all those years from now? Are we strong? Are we thriving?”

Link swallowed. “They’re surviving.”

“But not thriving?”

“The Calamity… it took a toll on everyone. No one is thriving.”

“The Calamity you failed to stop. The Beast you let ravish the continent.”

Link nodded numbly, ignoring Sonia’s and Rauru’s protests.

“What of the Chief?” Ganondorf continued.

“Riju is doing her best.”

“So, a Gerudo still sits on the throne? Is she a warrior, a magician?”

“She will be, one day.”

“What?”

“She’s a child.”

“… A… child.”

“Yes.”

“The Gerudo have fallen so far as to let a child rule?”

“These are desperate times! Riju is doing her best!”

“She shouldn’t be there at all!”

“Zelda is helping the best she can—”

“The Gerudo government is allied with your Hylian princess?”

“There isn’t really enough government to be allied with anyone.”

“What?”

“I mean, there’s Gerudo Town, and that’s it.”

Ganondorf reeled back. “One town? One damn, fucking town?”

“Times have been hard on everyone. No one was left unscathed from the Calamity.”

“The Calamity you were unsuccessful at defeating. That destroyed the continent—and my people—until your princess picked up your mess and saved the day?”

Link took in a sharp breath. “I— Yes.”

“So you admit it—that you were so inept, so incapable, that my people were demolished before your Zelda destroyed this Calamity?”

“We did our best!”

“It was not enough!” Ganondorf roared, and Link’s mouth shut with a click of his teeth.

“I think that is more than enough,” Sonia said, voice harder than Link had ever heard it. “Lord Ganondorf, my husband will escort you back to your sisters.”

Ganondorf stood, his massive body clattering the table as he did so.

“Very well.”

Rauru moved away from Link, instead stalking over to the Gerudo king and taking hold of his elbow. Link squeezed his eye shut. He didn’t want to see the man escorted away. There was a ruffle of fabric as Sonia knelt in front of him. She cupped his face with her hands.

“Are you there, little hero?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What, little? You are after all.”

“No. Hero.”

“Link—”

“You don’t know how badly I failed, Sonia. I died fighting the Calamity. I had to be brought back. I’m the reason Gerudo Town is a fucking town and not a sprawling civilization. I’m the reason a child is on the throne. It’s all my fault. No saving the day or sealing the Beast or carrying a fancy sword will fix that.”

Sonia clicked her tongue, running his fingers through his hair.

“I think that’s a bunch of poppycock. Utter nonsense. Link. Trust me when I say that no disaster is ever entirely one person’s fault, no matter how big or small. You did not create your Calamity. You defeated it, even if it took longer than one might hope—”

“A hundred years.”

“Wha--?”

“I took a hundred years.”

“O-oh. Well. You look very good for one hundred and twenty-something.”

Link snorted. “You should see my burn scars.”

“You’re still very handsome, scars and all.”

“I miss home,” Link said softly, all wet syllables and muddy vowels.

“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry. We’ll get you home.”

“I miss Zelda.”

“I’ll get you home to her somehow, little hero. I promise.”

Link let himself melt into her hold, and thought for a bitter moment that Sonia shouldn’t make promises she couldn’t keep.

---

Rage rumbled in Ganondorf’s chest like a bass drum, staccato and trembling, shaking with the power of the beats. The mighty tribe of the Gerudo, the massive civilization, decimated to a town led by a child by the weakness of those who were supposed to protect them.

Calamity? If Link and this Zelda were the massive powerhouses they claimed to be, then such a creature should have been handled long before it had the chance to annihilate his people!

Something had to be done. Link being here meant that Ganondorf had a head, had a glimpse at the future—had a chance to stop it. The Gerudo as they were now were strong but vulnerable. Hyrule loomed over them, hiding away an immeasurable power—multiple! Seven stones!—that could be used to secure his people’s place on the map.

The answer was clear. He needed a stone. He needed one, and if he had to pry it from Rauru’s dead claws, then, Din forgive him, he would. He would not let his people fall.

And then there was Link. Link, from the future. Link who had failed his people. Link, who was letting a child rebuild Ganondorf’s civilization. Link and his princess.

Link, who had a stone.

Ganondorf deserved that stone more than a sniveling failure. More than someone who would let his people be demolished. Let Link cry into his queen’s arms while he failed at basic magic. Let Link whine and moan about his princess and his home.

Ganondorf let Rauru lead him away, the bass drum in his chest pounding, pounding, pounding. Very well. Let Link see what a real magic user could do.

The Zonai secret stone would be his, and Ganondorf didn’t care how bloody he had to make his hands to get it.

[mercurygray]

same lil anon as before, i'm glad you haven't given up on them! i was wondering where they would land in the second season so it'll be interesting to see what you make of it :) and i'll definitely pop in on thursdays 👀

Introduction to Edith

three witnesses - Edith tells Godwin she saw Canute and Emma's wedding to look at me and think of conquest - Edith and Godwin discuss the plan to trick Aelfgifu a bird he meant to tame - Aelfgifu catches them in the corridor honest - Godwin discusses his feelings

Gonna think out loud a little bit here, Kind Anonymous Friend!

In the first series of drabbles, Godwin and Edith pretend to be lovers so that Edith can be a plausible source of inside information about Emma to feed to Aelfgifu. Edith wants to protect Emma - Godwin wants to help remove Aelfgifu so Canute will remain in his debt. These two don't initially like each other, but having to play at being in love means that over time they do eventually fall for each other. Both are from formerly disgraced noble houses, but while Godwin can parley that into positions of power, Edith still has very little she can count as hers - hardly a selling point for the always ambitious Godwin.

When Sven returns, he takes Aelfgifu away to Kattegat, leaving Emma to rule England in Canute's name alone, with the help of (still suspiciously helpful) Godwin.

This is where season 2 begins. HERE BE SPOILERS.

Godwin, in this short interval, has acquired a lover - one of Emma's ladies, Aelfwynn. Emma is always shown attended by two women, the other of whom is Gytha, Canute's niece, whom we met last season. We first see these women at mass, during which an eagle-eyed Godwin spots that the monk assisting with the eucharist has poisoned the bread meant for Emma. He saves the day, stopping the ceremony, pursing the man through town and later interrogating him, to no avail.

We later learn (or piece together) that Godwin engineered the assassination attempt - the monk was Aelfwynn's brother, and Godwin seduced Aelfwynn so he could later pin the suspicions around the plot on her. Emma, in her fervent desire to get to the truth, tortures the woman to death. Godwin, meanwhile, can now use the mask of a grieving lover and staunch supporter to guilt Canute into giving him the far greater prize of Gytha, putting him one step closer to the throne. (An argument can also be made that this is strategic on Canute's part.) Gytha, having listened to Aelfwynn's constant praise of Godwin, already loves him - but Emma's worked out what's going on and gives Gytha a ring from one of the other conspirators as a subtle warning to Godwin to watch his step.

So what to do with Edith? (The events of the second season are funny to me personally because the idea for Edith came from the second unnamed lady in waiting in Season 1 - and lo and behold, here is Godwin in Season 2 with her, albeit under a different name and wildly different circumstances. Several people messaged me about this. It was highly entertaining. )

As I mentioned, some time has elapsed between seasons 1 and 2, and Godwin needs time to get the wheels of his nefarious plan into motion. It doesn't seem outside his bounds to drop Edith in favor of a (younger? prettier?) Aelfwynn, and say (truthfully or no) that they had was always for pretend, and never meant anything. Edith is back where she started - hating Godwin, this time for abandoning her, and fiercely protective of Emma.

Agnarr is one of Emma's closest allies this season, so I could see Edith having a strong friendship with him. As Canute's closest lieutenant, Agnarr is predisposed to already be suspicious of Godwin, and this Edith business wouldn't help. I wonder if she'd pursue a new romantic entanglement, or leave that alone while still nursing her broken heart. She doesn't like Aelfwynn, for obvious reasons, but Aelfwynn, being new to court, probably doesn't know much about Edith's backstory with Godwin. Emma, of course, is as surprised as anyone to learn Edith is no longer in Godwin's favor.

That's all I've got, friend!

[jessjames]

Officially an Australian Registered Nurse | 14th December 2022

The photos above were taken during our pinning ceremony at the Australian Catholic University on the 12th of December 2022. This event marked the completion of my course, which is the Bachelor of Nursing. Two days later after the ceremony, I received the good news that my nursing registration has been finalised. Yaaasss!!! Your bestie is finally a registered nurse in Australia. 

There’s not enough words to describe how happy I am that I survived studying overseas. For context, I’ve done my first nursing course in the Philippines, but unfortunately it didn’t meet the Australian education standards. Hence, I took the long route and re-did my nursing in Australia. No regrets though. I know that we all have our own time and I personally think this is the path that was meant for me. 

Aggghhhhh I’m just filled with gratitude whilst writing this post, so I’ll share more about it on another post. I just wanted to post about this day so I have something to look back to whenever I doubt myself.  Just trust in the process.  J.

[tangian]

Medyo refreshing na makita na marami kumukuha ng nursing course ngayon. Magkadabay kasi posting ng Licensure examination result pati pinning ceremony ng mga nursing students sa newsfeed ko.

Habang sa Engineering field parang ramdam ko bumaba passing rate. Laging 30% lang, sobrang dami na sigurong inhinyero kasi ngayon tapos underpaid pa

Btw tried to fool myself ng kaonti , treat yoself night:

Tutal magshushutdown na yung planta mamaya para sa annual Preventive Maintenance na tatagal ng one month 😩

[passionate-heartstring]

ཐི༏ཋྀ󠀮 LETTER ⵌO6

Sent ; 2023, MAY 24th

FOR ; Leano, Jill Samantha

My Dearest, Samantha

Congratulations, Baby! I'm so happy na you're finally going to be capped and pinned! Whatever happens, I'll be there. I'm willing to sacrifice any event just to see you on that stage, and I'm glad I did. I'm writing this while I was on my way to your school, I didn't get any sleep because I was anxious that if I have slept, I would've missed it. I don't care kung gaano kalayo o gaano kahirap pumunta, pumila, o bumyahe—hinding hindi ako mawawala sa special day mo. I keep picturing you in your cap and I can't help but to have a teary eye kasi I know how hard you worked for this moment and I'm really proud of you, such a beautiful, graceful, and wonderful woman. This part, I'm writing while sitting at the ceremony. The moment I saw you there, with your pristine uniform and your pretty face, I held my tears. You look so good and I keep staring at you kahit na nakatalikod ka sakin kasi I can't help but to have second hand joy. I'm happy na I get to go to events like this and be with you on the most special day of your college year. My baby is officially capped and pinned! I didn't get to go with you on stage like I hoped but I'm so proud to see you with that cap. You look like a nurse, my nurse, and now I'm even more excited to attend your graduation and be with you on your journey to become a registered nurse! Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere and I'll be with you 'til that very day. Congratulations, Baby! I love you, with all that I am.

Forever Yours,

Cielo

[deargodsno]

CHURCH CREEK, Md. (AP) — Revered abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was the first woman to oversee an American military action during a time of war, was posthumously awarded the rank of general on Monday.

Dozens gathered on Veterans Day at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Maryland’s Dorcester County for a formal ceremony making Tubman a one-star brigadier general in the state’s National Guard.

Gov. Wes Moore called the occasion not just a great day for Tubman’s home state but for all of the U.S.

“Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran,” Moore said. “Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story.”

Tubman escaped slavery herself in 1849 and settled in Philadelphia. Intent on helping others achieve freedom, she established the Underground Railroad network and led other enslaved Black women and men to freedom. She then channeled those experiences as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, helping guide 150 Black soldiers on a gunboat raid in South Carolina.

Nobody would have judged Tubman had she chosen to remain in Philadelphia and coordinate abolitionist efforts from there, Moore said.

“She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lion’s den,” Moore siad. “She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do.”

The reading of the official order was followed by a symbolic pinning ceremony with Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt.

Wyatt hailed her aunt’s legacy of tenacity, generosity and faith and agreed Veterans Day applied to her as much as any other servicemember.

“Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally, she gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others,” Wyatt said. “She is a selfless person.”

Tubman’s status as an icon of history has only been further elevated within the last few years. The city of Philadelphia chose a Black artist to make a 14-foot (4.3-meter) bronze statue to go on display next year. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was renamed for Tubman, replacing the previous namesake, who had racist views. However, plans to put Tubman on the $20 bill have continued to stall.

[circledemptiness]

Once, I wanted to be the greatest

Chapter 1: Thats' unfortunate

Fandom: Batman (Arkham Knight) Pairing: Edward Nigma (The Riddler) x Reader ✦ Chapter index ✦ Read on AO3 – Older work (and it shows)

The sound of the heavy rain crashing against the windows of the Iceberg Lounge echoed in the imposing private room located on the last floor of the bar, where an important meeting was about to happen.

Only the most important figures of Gotham’s underbelly were expected. Oswald Cobblepot, the master of ceremonies, was patiently waiting, sitting on one of the large leather sofas, while discreet employees were running in and out of the room, bringing alcohol and food for the invaluable guests, and making sure that everything was perfect and welcoming.

Nursing his drink, Oswald nervously checked his watch, when one of the employees notified him of the presence of his first guest. A man in a familiarly green jacket, adorned with an infamous question mark pin on its lapel appeared at the door; Oswald flashed a faint grin before rubbing his hand on his shirt and extending it to the taller man.

“Nigma, always the first one.” Oswald stated.

“I value punctuality, Cobblepot.” Edward Nigma retorted before shaking his colleague’s hand. 

At these words, Oswald gestured at the sofa, inviting Edward to take place. The two men did not even have the time to exchange the usual pleasantries that two other criminals joined them.

As Oswald welcomed his guests personally, offering them a drink and a seat, Edward simply stared at his peers with an impenetrable look on his face. Frankly, he did not like these invitations; he did not care for any form of socialization, and preferred by far his own company. However, he was smart enough to know that such gatherings could potentially benefit him, and thus with the right amount of mental preparation he was capable of tolerating other people’s presence for a few hours.

Edward Nigma, the Riddler, was mostly lost in his thoughts. His remarkable mind was capable of simultaneously conceiving intricate plans for a death trap, imagining the most complex riddles and anticipating dozens of potential scenarios, preparing him for whatever could possibly happen tonight.

As the last rogues joined the group, Edward sighed. In truth, he was effectively bored and could not wait for the real intent of the event to start. He despised small talk, and correcting his peers and showing off his brilliant intellect with a clever statement was not enough to keep him captivated anymore.

One last person finally closed the door behind her, removing her drenched leather coat and politely greeting the assembly. Edward glared at her from head to toe, while she flattened her long skirt before sitting on the couch, right next to him. Feeling his stare burning the back of her skull, she sighed.

“Good evening, Mister Nigma” she calmly said, not looking at him.

“Miss (…)” he coldly answered.

It was no secret that the Riddler and (…) went along like oil and water. She despised his insufferable arrogance and never missed an opportunity to remind him how unimpressed she was; he absolutely loathed being disrespected by someone immensely intellectually inferior than him. More than once did their encounters end in a screaming contest, but most of the time they simply politely tore each other apart.

The last time they saw each other, Edward had placed particular emphasis on how academically disappointing she was, and the tension in the air tonight proved that she had not yet digested his colorful words. But tonight was not about the two of them, and so they both perfectly ignored each other while Oswald Cobblepot finally explained the meaning of his invitation.

In front of a somewhat focused group, the Penguin described the elaborate plan of an important heist in which everyone would have a crucial part to play. Edward listened carefully to the plan, while taking mental notes of all of its flaws –and there were a plethora of them. His body language however was not as subtle; a mocking grin here, a soft chuckle there, and a pair of rolling eyes was enough to show just how unimpressed he was. He could not wait for Oswald to finish his speech so that he could finally properly educate the assembly.

Birdy noticed Edward’s arrogant smile, and cocked a brow. Fully aware of the imminent narcissistic rent that was about to take place, she mentally prepared herself. Once it was Edward’s turn to speak, she calmly started counting to 10.

– Thank you, Cobblepot, for your remarkable attempt …

One .

– …while we can commend your efforts, the questionable quality of your plan…

Two .

– …you have provided an excellent opportunity for me to enlighten the group…

Three.

– …what you are trying to achieve is frankly amusing, but not even close to a mediocre idea I’m afraid…

– Dear God, Nigma, just get to the point and spare us your monologue, I have other things to do later tonight” she interrupted, incapable of hearing one more syllable from the man. 

Edward glared at her with gigantic eyes that reflected all the anger and fury he was feeling in this moment. In the otherwise silent room, an amused Harvey Dent quietly chuckled, while Oswald only sighed “here we go again”. 

She maintained eye contact, absolutely refusing to feel intimidated by the Riddler. How everyone else was putting up with his arrogance truly was a mystery to her, but she couldn't take it anymore. Admittedly, her patience grew thinner over the last two years they’ve known each other, and their last unresolved altercation did not help one bit. As she could see the rage glowing his eyes, she doubled down.

– Well? Your point?

– My point , my dear, is that this whole project is absolutely beneath me and destined for failure, unless you take my invaluable expertise into careful consideration.

– But can your “invaluable expertise” be fast and stick to facts only, please? If I hear you one more time insulting everyone’s intelligence, I might liquify right here and then.”

Edward chuckled, rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief, as if she just said the stupidest thing in the entire world. She did not like it one bit, and banged her fist on the table.

– Right here! This? This attitude? You are a sad and despicable man, Edward Nigma.

– Delightful! Now, I will give your little observation all the consideration it deserves, and end this conversation.”

She raised her hand, before slamming it on her thigh. She had enough, and refused to endure his presence one second longer. Leaving her seat, she flattened her skirt, adjusted her shirt, and took a deep breath. With all the grace and elegance that she was known for, she thanked Oswald for the invitation, bid farewell to everyone, and picked up her coat. 

– I will be present at the discussed location, and will do my part. If there is a change of plan, you have my number” she finally said to Oswald, who nodded at her in response. Edward glared at her, a proud and arrogant look on his face, and in a last attempt to show his superiority waved goodbye to her. She clenched her jaw, and quickly left the room.

Burning from a passionate anger, she exited the building at a fast pace, her mind replaying the scene over and over again, wondering what she could have told him to make him finally shut up. Edward was brilliant, she will give him that, and her wit was not as remarkable as his, which made their encounters even more unfair and frustrating. But she did not have to tolerate his behavior, and preferred removing herself from the situation than fight an hopeless fight.

Yet, the intense desire to humiliate him, put him in his place for once, was growing stronger inside of her. A part of her, however, regretted that she was unable to maintain her composure and ignore him instead. Every time they met ended in a fight, and every time she promised herself that it would be the last. 

Lost in her thoughts, she did not immediately notice the rain still pouring, nor that she forgot her umbrella at the Iceberg Lounge. Only when she was already drenched did she curse under her breath and grunt in frustration. She decided to take a taxi, go back home, and call it a night.

Her heart still pounding in her chest, she stared through the window of the car and observed the city at night. The stars were barely visible, even above all the light pollution that created Gotham. The soft purr of the engine, and the gentle rocking motion soon calmed her down slightly. She placed a strand of wet hair behind her ear and sighed.

Once at her apartment, she removed her coat and reached the bathroom, where she got out of her drenched clothes. Putting her hands on the white porcelain of the sink, she peaked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a wet mess, with her hair dripping on the floor, her mascara smudged, and her cheeks carmine red.

A few minutes later, she heard her phone vibrate, hidden somewhere in the pile of clothes on the tiled floor. Kneeling, she searched her pockets for her phone, and immediately felt a knot in her stomach. A now familiar and quite upsetting name was displayed on the screen, next to the notification of an unread message. At first, she debated the idea of even reading it, but curiosity got the best of her.

“What goes up when the rain comes down?”

Not even the noise of Gotham on a Saturday night could have possibly covered the frustrated scream she made that night.