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whimsicalwritingsandmore · 10 months

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Want You Back | ateez x reader

Pairing: werewolf!ot8!ateez x werewolf!reader

Genre: fluff mostly, romance, poly, a little angst?

Warnings for this chapter: none

Word Count: 2702 words

a/n: hello!! so I was able to edit a lot today. :') I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by Sunday! Let me know what you think about this chapter, I would love to hear your thoughts on this one! Happy reading! <3

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Chapter 4

You felt off all day.

It was something you couldn’t explain. Out of nowhere that morning, you woke up with a slight headache and a sudden uneasy feeling that refused to go away until late in the afternoon. It was Friday, and you decided to close early due to your bizarre state. You planned a night-in with some warm tea, hearty soup and a marathon of a new series you started.

Currently, while finishing up cleaning the tables and organising the chairs, you paid no attention to anything and swayed mindlessly to the soft music in your headphones with the fresh scent of lavender filling the room which you were using to wipe the tables down. Your friends had already left for the evening and the skyline of Seoul provided a composed and serene atmosphere, one which you were very grateful for at this time.

You pondered the cause for your sudden headache and a spike in anxiety. Werewolves rarely got sick, the main reason may be because of exhaustion, but as far as you could recall, you weren’t over-exerting or pushing yourself too hard. While the beginning of your journey was far from effortless, you paced yourself when it came to facing challenges. Because you knew if you overworked yourself, especially since you were still recovering at the time, Jisung wouldn’t hesitate to tell Chan and Minho. You could handle Chan but you were afraid of an angry Minho.

As you continued to lose yourself in your thoughts and music, you didn't hear the bell of your cafe ring. However, you felt your emotions suddenly shift and there was a rapid electric rush through your body. Following it was a pull you knew all too well.

It couldn’t be?

You spun around and halted at the figure in front of you. He was still slightly dripping wet, his hair damp and his clothes stuck to him but his face glowed beautifully. His eyes sparkled and he panted with a slight smile beginning to form as he looked at you in awe and admiration.

Song Mingi, your soulmate, and one of the loves of your life stood in front of you in the flesh. It had been six months since you last saw him and the last time you saw him was during the worst times of your life, one that took a lot of therapy to start unpacking. Luckily, Chan knew someone who helped you immensely in deconstructing all the walls you had built.

You thought a lot about this moment, coming face to face with one of your soulmates and unravelling all the feelings and emotions that had been buried inside you for so long. There were times when you wracked your brain with so many different scenarios, playing out what you would say, how you would act and your responses when they responded. You hoped to prepare yourself for the imminent confrontation but truthfully, you were far from well-prepared.

As Mingi approached you cautiously, you were stumped. So many questions began to flood your mind. What are you supposed to do? Should you be aloof and standoffish? Should you start yelling? Should you run away, let Chan handle it and never look back?

The main question you had was, did you harbour any hate towards Mingi? Hate was a very strong word and you couldn’t begin to fathom hating one of your mates. Yes, you were hurt, angry and disappointed in them but part of you didn’t want to throw in the towel just yet. If there was any possibility for reconciliation, you were willing to try, albeit you wouldn’t go easy on them.

Something you learnt in therapy was that relationships are a work in progress. It’ll never be perfect like you were told growing up and it didn’t necessarily have to be set in stone with you not having a choice about it. You did in fact have a choice, and while you still believed fate had a role in bringing people together, a real relationship requires showing up, learning from mistakes, taking accountability and trying again if both parties truly care for each other. If not, you knew you had to face the harsh reality of walking away even if it broke you.

You wanted to make it work with your soulmates, and Mingi was the one out of your eight mates who you were closest to after Hongjoong. He was the second one you had bonded with and spent a lot of time together before meeting everyone else. You would describe him as your tall alpha with a soft heart and sweet personality. He wore his heart on his sleeve, he’s a tenderheart and big softie who would seek you out to share his snacks with because he didn't like to eat alone. He struggled with his self-esteem because being the middle child had him being forgotten a lot. You were there along with the boys to give him comfort and show him his worth. Song Mingi is the tenderest, sweetest and softest person out of the entire pack.

"Mingi..." you murmured.

"Y-Y/N..." his voice broke out in a raspy tone.

The moment he spoke snapped you out of your daze. You just wanted to hug him, embrace him and feel his warmth again. As your finger grazed his hand, he pulled you into a bone-crushing hug, stroking your hair and kissing the top of your head repeatedly.

"It's you! It's really you!" He cried.

That’s all it took for you to break your facade and you broke down in his embrace, sniffles and sobs racking your body. Mingi just pulled you closer.

"Don't cry, don't cry angel. I know I have a lot to apologise for. I-I can't even b-begin to explain it. There are no e-excuses for my actions. I'll make it up to y-you. No matter what, I won't ever hurt you like that again."

You felt the sincerity in his words. You knew he was being sincerely honest. You weren't ready to forgive him - you both still had to have a proper conversation about everything. But for now, you wanted to have this moment with him, after so long you finally had your Mingi again.

It took a while to peel Mingi off you because he kept refusing. He was taller than you and much stronger so it took a lot of convincing that you weren’t going to vanish into thin air once he let you go. He wouldn't even sit if you didn't. When you placed him in a chair and moved away to give him a blanket, some tea and maybe a change of clothes, he bolted upright and grabbed your hand, holding onto it for dear life.

Your apartment was right above the café. You had a few oversized jerseys in your closet as you were currently experimenting with your style that could fit him but it seemed to be futile on retrieving anything.

Mingi refused to part with you so instead he followed you foot to foot behind the counter as you pulled out one of the blankets from under the counter that you had for safekeeping for the colder days. He stood close by as you made him some tea.

Suddenly, your phone went off signalling a message. Mingi was confused by the sound and intrigued by the device you pulled out of your pocket. As you quickly checked to see who it was, Mingi quickly snatched it from you to see what it was.

"Hey—Mingi!"

Your shouts went unanswered as Mingi stared at the screen. He was confused by the interface. Who is Jisung? Somehow he exited out of that app and managed to click on Instagram. Your profile was the first page when he opened the app and his brows pinched in even more confusion.

"Is that you?" he asked

You tried to get your phone back so you could explain things to him but Mingi is taller than you.

He pressed on the picture with you and Chan. It was a harmless picture that was taken during Chan’s birthday party with the two of you posing with big smiles as you both leaned against the kitchen counter watching Seungmin and Hyunjin fight over something. Your caption was simple: Happy birthday to my best friend. However, Mingi’s instincts kicked in seeing the two of you standing in close proximity. He felt a low growl wanting to erupt from his throat, his protective senses coming in. But he noticed your smile. You hadn't smiled like that in a long time. It was only with them and the last time was probably when…he couldn’t remember the last time.

You were able to grab back your phone after accidentally stepping on his foot.

“Ow!” he cried.

“Finally.” you sighed.

"Who is that?" You could hear the pain that was evident in his voice. Even if you did want to be cold towards him, you didn’t have the heart to. It was difficult to remain aloof.

"He's my friend," you answered, "His name is Chan and he was the one who found me in the lake and brought me back with him."

"The lake? You came through the lake?”

You nodded, “Yeah, I don’t know how, all I remember is jumping in and then everything went dark. Then next thing I knew I was here.”

“That's why we couldn't find you. You were in this realm all the time?"

You hummed and nodded.

"Yeah, I…I didn't want to come home…” you stuttered, “I-I couldn't..." you trailed off.

Truth be told, you weren’t 100% certain what to expect from Mingi. There was so much heaviness weighing on your shoulders and in the air, that you couldn’t read what was going through Mingi’s mind or predict his next move.

Was he going to snap at you, ridicule you or berate you?

Mingi felt your uncertainty as the spark of your bond started to drop and he brought you into an immediate hug.

"I can't blame you,” he started, “We left you with a lot of broken promises, we didn't take care of you like we are supposed to. It hurts to hear that you didn’t want to come back to us but…you were also hurting a lot more than we were."

You didn’t realise the tears cascading down your face. For so long, you just wanted to be heard, understood and comforted.

"Mingi, we have to talk about all that…”

“Let’s talk now then. At least cover some bases?”

You agreed and brought the tea to a table in the far corner away from the window. You sat opposite Mingi with great effort as he was still uneasy not being able to feel your touch, you saw the way he never took his eyes off you.

You cleared your throat holding the teacup securely in your hand.

“First of all, I’m really, really, really, really sorry for not realising sooner the damage we were doing to you. I know an apology isn’t even enough. The fact that it had to take you being separated from us, for us to recognise the severity is inexcusable.” he began.

You listened intently, anxious at what he had to say.

“When I discovered how damaged our bond became, it felt like an entire collapse of my world. I don’t even know how to explain it, it was as if the one thing that kept me going was stripped away and I was operating on autopilot with no clear way ahead,” he paused, “My birthday wasn’t the same. It wasn’t a celebration, there was more grief than anything. I always told you how much you meant to me and you going missing showed me just how important you are to me Y/N. You’re my entire world and I can’t bear the thought of living without you. I hate it and I don’t want to live like that. I should have noticed my treatment towards you, I should have told the boys, I should have supported you and been there for you. I’m so sorry for failing you.”

“Mingi…”

“Hit me, yell at me, tell me as it is. Don’t hold back Y/N but please…don’t give up on me. Please give me a chance to make it up to you.”

“I…I appreciate your honesty Mingi. You seem to be sincere. I thought I would never be understood. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of my feelings. Everyday I prayed one of you would wrap your arms around me and end the nightmare I was living in. All my life…I was taught how to be a perfect mate and to consider your mate as your whole world, but when your mate forgets you, your world falls apart and you’re left stranded in a dark void with no real direction to follow. When I was running from those rogues, it came to my mind that you all were on the other side of town with Lila…”

Mingi grimaced at that realisation. You were in danger and they were so far away from you. He held your hands that were still wrapped around the teacup, rubbing soothing circles to comfort and help you gather your thoughts.

“I always thought it was my fault,” you cried, “I wanted to call out for you through the bond but I couldn’t even focus. I felt like a failure, I thought I failed at being a Luna, and so many questions plagued my mind every day and night. What does Lila have that I don’t? Why am I always a second choice? Why does Mrs Kim hate me? What’s wrong with me?”

Your voice broke as you spoke. Mingi wanted to kick himself for doing this to you. He finally saw the way you had been broken. You questioned your self worth, they made you question your worthiness. You didn’t know how you were so important, you were a precious gem to him, you were priceless.

“Nothing’s wrong you angel, if anything, something is clearly wrong with the rest of us because we’re plain idiots for making you think you’re unworthy. You deserved to be loved, adored and respected.” he answered.

“It hurts Mingi. All I ever wanted was to be someone's favourite person growing up. I wanted to be the one, you could come to for anything. I wanted to help in any way I could. I just wanted to be loved.”

“And you are loved, my love. I love you so deeply and truly, I really do. I will never let you feel that way again. As long as I live, you’d be showered unconditionally with love and respect.”

You closed your eyes and regulated your breathing to compose yourself.

“I’m willing to work things out Mingi. But you should know, I’m not sure if I trust you right now. So many thoughts come in, what if it happens again? What if -”

“It won’t. It will never happen again, angel. I know that seems like an empty promise. But it isn't! I promise you, I will make you trust me again.”

You looked at Mingi with some uncertainty. You never considered love would be like this, you always thought it would be easy. You didn’t know what was going to happen next but at least for now, this was a start.

“Tiny steps. Let’s take tiny steps then. I’ll introduce you to Chan tomorrow, he’ll help you get in contact with the others. Let them know you’re safe.”

Even after all the hurt they gave you, Mingi was in awe at the way you cared so deeply for them.

“Let’s head upstairs,” you said tiredly.

As you both made your way to the apartment, Mingi thought about everything. It pained him deeply to know the hurt they caused you. He made a silent promise to himself that he’ll be better for you.

That night, he couldn’t sleep. You’re the best thing that ever happened to him and you deserve unconditional and unwavering love. In no way, shape or form were you ever a second choice. You could never be second - you were and will always be first.

He’ll make things right again. He promised.

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Tag list: @eastleighsblog , @sehun096rainbow

#ateez x reader #ot8 ateez x reader #poly ateez x reader #poly!ateez #ateez series #ateez fluff #ateez fanfic

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wren-kitchens · 11 months

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guess who forgot they can post writing on tumblr againnn anyway this was bribery so stiff would watch rtc HKFHD

(this is part of the sniflins au! idk if it’s canon or not but it takes place in that world! the sniflins is an au by myself, @angeart @loveroped and @stiffyck !)

jimmy can feel scar smiling against his neck, nuzzling closer every so often, and his stomach fills with butterflies. his chest is filled with a fuzzy glow—a wonderful mix of both his own and scar’s happiness. he can no longer tell what emotion belongs to who, and it’s wonderful. under the lazy warmth of the afternoon sun, it’s as if there’s no one else in the world aside from them, and jimmy couldn’t be happier.

that idea is very abruptly disputed, as joel snores loudly from across the picnic blanket. jimmy stifles a laugh, and he can hear scar giggling quietly in his ear (which, for the record, might just be the best sound ever).

both grian and joel fell asleep a good ten minutes ago—grian almost fell face first into a cupcake, and joel dozed off midway through insisting that he was not going to fall asleep at all. scar and he have since concluded that it was the sniffer traits that made them so sleepy in comparison to them, and that they will never let either of them live this down.

“ruins the moment a bit, doesn’t it?” jimmy jokes quietly, if only to hear scar’s laugh again.

scar hums, the sound vibrating against jimmy’s skin. “well, I don’t know. doesn’t make you any less beautiful.”

jimmy feels his face burn in a way that is entirely unrelated to the sun. “oh my gosh.” he buries his head in his hands.

scar is laughing again, sitting up with the sole intention of making jimmy even more flustered, it seems. “oh, but you are! look at you!”

“I will hit you.” jimmy says, muffled through his palms.

“I don’t believe you.” scar teases, sing-song. “you love me too much.”

“I absolutely don’t.” jimmy says. even to his own ears, it sounds laughably false. but right now, he’s proving a point, so.. shut up.

scar presses a kiss to jimmy’s neck, and jimmy feels his face grow impossibly warmer. “oh yeah? now, unless our soulbound broke in the last few seconds, i’m fairly certain you do, sweetheart.”

and- whilst jimmy may not usually be the most forward person in the world, desperate times call for desperate measures. the desperate times in question being his immense flusteredness, and the desperate measures- well..

jimmy takes his hands away from his face, shifts to face scar, grabs his collar and pulls him into a kiss. scar is surprised initially, but melts into it almost immediately—that wonderful glow growing in jimmy’s chest.

and- wow. jimmy somehow manages to forget just how happy scar makes him—not that he’s complaining; it’s something of a fantastic surprise every time he remembers again. like right now, for instance. because scar’s hands are at jimmy’s waist and cupping his cheek, and he’s leaning ever further into the kiss, and jimmy can feel the thin scar that runs through scar’s bottom lips and it’s bliss.

they pull away to catch their breath, giggling breathlessly all the while, and jimmy takes the opportunity for payback. he peppers scar’s face in kisses, delighting as he laughs, and occasionally giving scar’s lips a teasing peck.

“point- point proven!” scar is saying, despite the fact that jimmy has considered stopping at least twice and each time scar whined until he kissed him again.

“mm, no, I don’t think it has.” jimmy grins. “I think I might have to kiss you forever, actually.”

“I mean-“ scar says, and jimmy cackles at the abrupt shift in his tone. “I wouldn’t object, per say-“

“you’re an idiot.” jimmy says, fond as anything. god, he loves this man so much.

scar beams, as if he knows exactly what jimmy is thinking. “I know.”

#god no wonder I don’t post here the formatting is a fucking nightmare #it’s not my fault that the indentations are messy blame tumblr #trafficshipping #scaridarity #therss another one i’m so sure #solidaritimes #THATS IT #snifflins au #jimmy solidarity #gtw scar #gtws #wren writes

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dreamcubed · 1 year

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daylight | harry potter x reader

song; daylight [taylor swift] pairing; harry potter x ministry worker!single mother!fem!hufflepuff!reader genre; s2l, fluff, angst word count; 4,4k timeline; post-second wizarding war warnings; references to abusive ex (verbal, emotional, baby-trapping), y/n has trust issues, references to poverty summary; after providing for yourself and your two sons alone for so long, you were foreign to the concept of help, and the last person you expected to receive it from was the infamous boy who lived

masterlist

"i once believed love would be burning red, but it's golden."

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Now both your sons were in school, you were finally able to take on a full-time job and bring more money in. It had been immensely difficult being limited to only a low-paying part time job for the last five years, but you had needed flexible hours due to your lack of support system when it came to raising your boys. They were a year apart, at four and five, and their father hadn't been in the picture since the third trimester of the youngest's pregnancy.

Your family had turned their backs to you after you fell pregnant so young, out of wedlock, and without a decent job. And Merlin knows your baby daddy's family wanted absolutely nothing to do with you.

It was a shame, because your academics were good, and you had received excellent scores in both your OWLs and NEWTs, originally having big plans for your career. Then your boyfriend at the time baby-trapped you, just to abandon you anyway.

But now your sons were both old enough to enrol in muggle primary school, which was unusual for magic families to do, but it gave you the opportunity to get a better job and create a better life for the both of them. Merlin knows you were too busy to adequately homeschool them in the years before Hogwarts, anyway.

"Well, Miss L/N, you seem more than qualified," the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Ministry of Magic said to you, "Typically we only have freshly graduated applicants for such positions, though."

"Does that dampen by chances?"

"Not at all," she shook her head, "I see no reason not to hire you, unless there's something you need to tell me?"

You bit your tongue, deciding to not let her on to the fact you had two sons to take care of all by yourself. "No, ma'am."

"Well, perfect. Your hours would be from 8am til 5pm with forty-five minutes paid lunch break that you can take between noon and 2pm."

The hours were long, but you had already signed up your sons for their school's breakfast club every morning, as well as a different extra-curricular after school every day. Thankfully apparition would likely mean you would only be a minute or two late for pick-up.

"When can you start?"

"Immediately," you smiled.

***

While you worked in the department responsible for aurors, you would not be out in the field yourself at any point. You were simply responsible for distributing tasks and filling out and filing the reports after missions. Once upon a time you had wanted to be an auror, but now you had sons who would have no one else if something were to happen to you. You simply couldn't endanger yourself in any way.

The pay of your job was good: good enough to support a family of three and move you out of the one bedroom flat you lived in. You would wait a couple months until you were settled into the job, though, as you still needed to pay off the boys' uniforms and school lunches.

You were sat at your desk on the second day of your job, busy filling out forms for a small mission that had taken place earlier that morning. Ever since Voldemort's demise, there hadn't been any large scale missions. You supposed that was a good thing.

"Oh, you're new."

You looked up in surprise to see the Boy Who Lived stood before you, evidently having just returned from a mission as an auror.

He gave you an awkward smile, "Harry Potter."

You nodded mindlessly with your mouth slightly agape, before coming to your senses and saying, "Y/N. Y/N L/N."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"How long have you worked here?"

"It's my second day."

"Wow, so you're, like, brand new?"

"I... I guess?"

"Let me know if you need anythi-"

"Potter," your supervisor's voice rang out, "My office."

"Shit, sorry, I have a mission debrief to give, we'll talk later?" he said, somewhat hopefully.

"Yeah, later..." you trailed off, staring after him as he walked to the office.

***

It was the end of the day, and you were packing up your belongings ready for your departure at exactly five o'clock.

"Y/N," a person called.

You turned around to see Harry Potter stood before you once more.

"Sorry I didn't have a chance to catch up with you after earlier," he said, "But, uh, do you think... do you think maybe we could go for a drink? It's important to have friends at work, after all."

You were in shock, but still answered, "I'd love to, really - but I have places to be today, I'm afraid."

"Tomorrow night, then?"

"I'm busy then too," you said apologetically.

"Okay, then when are you free?"

Great, now you were going to sound like a massive dick. "Rarely, unfortunately, I have a... chaotic family, you see."

"Right, well... see you tomorrow then."

Yep. He definitely thought you were making up excuses.

***

"I'm not too late, am I?" you asked the teacher that had been supervising the football club your sons had been attending.

"No, the other last kid just left moments ago," he smiled at you.

"Oh, thank Helga," you said without thinking.

The man frowned at your exclamation, but didn't say anything about it.

"Matty, Eric, are you boys ready to go?" you turned to your sons, who both nodded tiredly at you. Your heart dropped at how much the long day wore them out.

You led them around the corner from the primary school until you were out of sight from others, where you apparated to outside your small apartment. Upon entering, you gazed at the cramped space: you couldn't wait to upgrade to a bigger one.

"What's for dinner, mama?" your youngest, Eric, asked.

"I'll cook some pasta, yeah? And then I'll read you a story."

You couldn't fail them. They had to have a different life to you.

***

You didn't see Harry Potter at work again for the next two weeks, as he had been sent on a slightly larger auror mission abroad. But, when he did return, you ran into him almost instantly.

"How was the mission?" you asked immediately.

"Fine," he said dismissively, "Look, I'm sorry for asking you for drinks last time, you clearly didn't want to-"

"No, it's not that I don't want to," you said quickly.

"You don't have to lie to be nice, I shouldn't have asked something like that so soon after meeting you."

You sighed, "I'm not lying, I really am just an exceptionally busy person."

"Busy with what exactly?"

"I- I can't talk about it."

"You-"

That was when the ringing of your mobile phone cut through the air, making you jump slightly. You took the tiny flip phone out of your pocket and exhaled harshly at the sight of who it was. This was exactly why you had bothered getting a phone as a witch, you had just hoped it wouldn't happen so soon

"Sorry, I have to take this."

You began walking away as you answered.

"Hello, Y/N L/N speaking."

"Hello, this is Emily from St Andrew's Primary School," the woman on the other end spoke, "I'm calling on behalf of your son, Eric."

"What happened?"

"He... exhibited peculiar behaviour during a lesson today."

"Why? What did he do?"

"He made a classmate float in the air."

Your breath hitched, "That's not possible."

"I assure you, I'm being quite honest."

"Is this a prank call?" you asked. You knew it wasn't.

You didn't want the Ministry to find out you had enrolled wizards into muggle school. It was advised against for a reason, as they had enough on their plates when it came to dealing with the chaos muggle-borns caused. But, they would have already detected the use of improper magic and sent people to deal with it.

"I-"

"Y/N L/N," a man to your left said.

"If you excuse me," you spoke to the caller, hanging up. They would just think you still thought them a prankster. "Yes?"

"Simon Periwink of the Improper Use of Magic sector, can you come with me please?"

You sighed, "Is this regarding my son?"

He nodded.

"Lead the way."

***

"So as you seem to know, your son, Eric L/N, has caused a bit of a conundrum in a muggle school," Simon said, sat behind his desk with crescent moon glasses perched on his nose, "Now, he is a child, so obviously he will not be facing any consequences for this action. However, I am obliged to ask, why is he in a muggle school?"

"I don't have a choice, sir."

"Just Simon is fine- elaborate, please."

"I'm a single mother to two boys. My family abandoned me after my first pregnancy and my boyfriend upped and left during my second," you explained, although you didn't want to talk about it, "I can't afford childcare - muggle school is free and my only option."

Simon hummed, flicking through pieces of parchment, "I see. Well, I won't prevent this then - thanks to muggle-borns, we're well equipped to deal with these situations. Please, though, talk to your sons about this."

"Yes, sir- Simon. Thank you."

"We also have many support systems in place in the ministry to aid people in similar situations to yourself. Please consider looking into them."

"I will, thank you again."

"No worries - I suppose you should go and pick up your son for now."

You nodded.

***

By the time you arrived at the primary school, you saw that members of the ministry were already there - and, to your horror, Harry Potter.

He quickly spotted you, and raised a confused eyebrow.

"Y/N, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of y-"

"Mama!" your son, evidently in tears, called out. He ran from the ministry member that was comforting him into your arms; you didn't hesitate to pick up your son.

Harry watched as the situation unfolded, piecing everything together in his head, before saying, "They were a member short in the improper use department, so I offered to fill in. Is this your son?"

You hummed, rocking the sobbing boy about.

"I didn't know you were-" he cut himself off, "If I had, I wouldn't have asked you out."

You sighed, "I am single."

"Oh."

"Sorry for hurting your feelings, but I think I need to go pick my other son up too," you said, "Please don't mention this to anyone."

He showed his agreement through an absent-minded nod.

"Bye."

He stared after you as you walked away.

***

After a long chat with both of your sons about resorting to muggle methods in the face of problems instead of magic methods, you reluctantly returned to work the next day, dreading the next interaction between you and Harry Potter. Why was a literal celebrity even working a normal day job anyway?

Taking in a deep breath, you sat down at your desk to begin working your way through the stack of paperwork your manager had already left for you. Just when you had almost forgotten about the man who now knew your biggest work secret, you heard a cough for attention coming from in front of you.

You looked up and saw the exact person you didn't want to see.

"Hey, I just wanted to check up on you after... yesterday."

"Why?"

He seemed taken aback by your response, "Well, you know, I... care about you?"

"You hardly know me," you said pointedly.

"And I would like to change that."

"Potter!" a voice called from the hallway, "Where are you?"

"Coming!" he replied, giving a lingering glance to you but realising you were already focused on your work again.

You felt mean, and you thought he was cute, you just didn't want him to get attached to the mess that you were.

***

"L/N, I need you to stay late today to discuss your progress," your manager said to you later that day, "Don't worry, it's nothing negative."

"Late? Respectfully, I can't do overtime."

"It's hardly overtime. Half an hour, maximum."

"Yes, but-"

"What plans do you have that are so important you must leave exactly at five o'clock?" she raised an eyebrow at you.

"I-" you froze. Should you be honest?

"Y/N," Harry Potter.

You turned away from your manager to the man, pleased at the distraction.

"I can take care of the errand you need to run," he said simply, "It's no bother."

"You can't-"

"Well, it's settled then," your manager smiled, "See you at five in my office."

Once she had walked away, you turned to Harry with a scowl.

"I could've handled that myself!"

"You clearly don't want to admit to the situation," he shrugged, "I'll go pick up your boys, don't worry."

You sighed, "I'll have to call the school to let them know."

"No worries, where should I take them? Back to yours?"

"No!" you quickly said, a little too quickly.

"I'm not gonna judge your living quarters, Y/N."

"Just- I... fine. Fine. Take them back to mine. I'll write down the address for you."

As you handed the paper over, you admitted defeat.

"Thank you, Harry, for this."

"It's my pleasure."

***

You were severely hoping that you hadn't made a stupid decision in trusting Harry with your most prized jewels. He had to be trustworthy, you reasoned, he risked his own life to save the entire world from a horrible and cruel man, after all. As you reached the door to your flat, you took a deep breath before knocking twice. You had given the key to Harry earlier on.

The door quickly flung open to reveal the Boy Who Lived with Eric on his shoulders, who was giggling in a manner you had never seen him before.

"Mama!" he exclaimed, along with his brother, who was by Harry's leg.

"I must admit, I'm normally bad with children," he said as you hugged Matty in greeting.

"Coulda fooled me," you replied, entering the flat.

"Right, I'll get going then-"

Your boys both began complaining, Matty even running from your arms to cling on to Harry's leg again.

You sighed, looking up at the man, "Stay for dinner?"

***

Somewhere along the way, after helping you put your sons to bed, an old bottle of fire whiskey in the back of your cupboard had been cracked open and you were sat on the sofa with Harry Potter, drunker than him because you hadn't had the chance to drink in years.

"Do you really do this all by yourself?" he eventually asked, after a laughing fit from the both of you.

"Do what?"

"Everything. Work, chores, raising your sons. Do you have no help at all?"

You shook your head, "Their father took off during my second pregnancy, haven't heard from him since. As you can tell, I was young when I first fell pregnant, so neither of our families wanted anything to do with us."

"But- no friends?"

"I used to have friends," you sighed, "But I kinda lost them when I started dating Derran. He isolated me a lot. Never had the chance to remake them."

He hummed, "I'm sorry that happened to you - really. I'm happy to be your first friend."

You smiled.

"And more, if you'll let me."

"Really? Thing One and Thing Two haven't put you off?"

He chuckled, "No, not yet, they haven't."

"I don't know if I have the time for dating," you said, picking at your fingernails, "I'm struggling to keep all my plates spinning as it is."

"I understand that dating you would mean a lot of time with the boys."

"Really? Do you? We'd have no date nights."

"I'm prepared to make that sacrifice."

"I don't think you are," you said simply, "Anyway, this has been fun, but I should really get to bed. Are you good to get home or should I-"

"I'm fine to get home, don't worry about me," he said, standing up.

And as you showed him out the door, shutting it behind him, he paused and turned back to look at the spot where he just saw you, meanwhile you rested your back against the wooden frame on the other side, feeling a painful longing in your chest.

***

Saturday morning started like it normally did: a later start with both your boys waking up in your arms. It was as routine up until you all entered the main room ready for breakfast.

A knock arrived on the door.

You frowned, and told the boys to sit at the table before heading over and peering through the peephole. To your surprise, you saw Harry stood patiently outside. Opening the door, you questioned his presence with a simple furrowing of your eyebrows, when you caught sight of the bags he was holding either side of him.

"I hope I'm not here too early," he said, taking in your pyjama-clad presence.

"No- no... we just weren't expecting you," you replied, allowing him in.

"Harry!" your boys called, running over to cling to his legs.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," he shrugged, placing the bags on the kitchen counter, "Hello, Eric, Matty."

"A surprise?"

He hummed, "I brought some basic foods- including ingredients for chocolate chip pancakes."

Eric and Matty cheered.

"That's sweet but- but we don't need handouts."

"Then don't think of it as one," he said simply, "This is simply a man doing something for the woman he has romantic interest in."

You sighed, unable to stop a smile from creeping on to your face.

"Are you our new dad?" Eric asked, making you snap your head in his direction.

Harry was evidently at a loss for words.

"I've always wanted a dad," Matty added. Despite having been alive for when your ex-boyfriend was still around, he had no memory of him. Not that the memories would have been good ones, anyway.

"It depends if your mum lets me date her or not," Harry stated.

"Mama, please!"

"Please, mama!"

"I don't think you know us well enough to make a commitment," you said to Harry, ignoring your sons for the time being.

"Yeah, because you won't let me get to know you," he argued, but without malice, "Is it so hard to believe I genuinely want this?"

"Yeah, it is," you said, "After-" you nodded your head towards the boys, communicating your reference to their father.

"Let me prove it to you," Harry said, to both you and the boys, "What say after breakfast, we head to Diagon Alley and make a day of it?"

The boys began cheering, though you knew all too well they had no idea what Diagon Alley was.

You pulled Harry aside and began whispering, "I've never taken them there. I don't want to get their hopes up by seeing all the things in the shops and not being able to get any of it."

"I'm paying," he reassured you, "For anything they want- that you approve of, of course."

"But-"

"No buts. I told you, I'm proving this to you."

You sighed, admitting defeat, "Okay. Fine."

"Now, let's get the pancakes on," he announced loudly.

***

You watched your sons excitedly run around Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, unable to take the smile off your face. Part of you was overjoyed that they were finally getting some experience of a normal wizardly childhood; the other part of you was upset that it wasn't really you that had provided the experience.

"I think they like the place," Harry said from his place next to you, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"I've never seen them so happy."

"Don't think you're a failure as a mother or anything," he added, "You're far from it."

You smiled, "I know I'm doing my best, but they deserve more."

He didn't reply to that statement, instead wrapping his arm around your shoulder in a comforting gesture.

Maybe, just maybe, you should let him in.

***

After that day, things fell into a new routine. Any day that Harry wasn't on an auror mission, he would show up at your flat with dinner ingredients not long after you had gotten home with your sons. Together, you would cook the meal, and then sit and eat. On Saturdays, he would take you and the boys somewhere for the day, always insisting on paying if there was an associated cost. He had even on one Sunday insisted that he babysit the boys so you could get your first bit of lone time in years. You had treated yourself to some rest and relaxation in a spa.

You had become very comfortable with his presence, but at there same time there was this constant tension between the two of you, like something was going to snap at any given moment. You almost wanted it to.

It was after dinner one night, and you were putting Eric and Matty to bed with Harry, just having finished reading their bedtime story.

"Goodnight, my loves," you said, kissing each of their heads, and tucking them in, "I'll be here to join you shortly."

"Night, mama."

"Goodnight, mama."

"Goodnight, boys," Harry said, "I should hopefully be here again tomorrow."

"Goodnight," your eldest, Matty, said tiredly.

"Night night, dad," your youngest, Eric, mumbled.

You stilled in shock, but didn't say anything since he was drifting off to sleep, instead glancing at Harry to gage his reaction. He had a slight smile on his face, which admittedly filled you with a sense of warmth. Nonetheless, when you were back in the kitchen charming the dishes to begin washing, you decided to talk about it.

"Thank you, Harry."

"For what?"

"Everything you have done for us the last few weeks," you said, "And I'm sorry Eric called you dad."

"I don't mind," he quickly said, "But I understand if you mind."

"I don't mind... but I don't want them to get hurt."

Next thing you knew, Harry's hand was on yours, "I'm not leaving."

"That's an easy thing to say."

"Y/N, I-" he cut himself off, pausing for a moment to think, "Have dinner at my house on Saturday - bring the boys, obviously."

You frowned, "Are you sure?"

"I'm always sure."

You couldn't help but chuckle at that, "Okay, we'll be there."

***

On Saturday evening, you apparated outside Harry's cottage in Godric's Hollow with your sons holding a hand either side of you. This was your first time seeing his house, and it was absolutely gorgeous: large, too. From what he had told you, he had been born in this house, but it was also where his parents had died tragically.

You let Eric and Matty run ahead to knock on the front door, which was a classic medieval-style shape. All too quickly, it swung open to reveal Harry dressed up in dress trousers and a button up shirt, with the top button left undone. You were glad that you had opted for a more dressed up look yourself - you had gotten the feeling that this was a fancier occasion than usual.

"Hello, boys," he greeted your sons, hugging both of them before standing up straight, "And, hello, Y/N." He seemed even more awkward than normal, making you confused.

He beckoned you all in and through to the dining room, where a delicious spread was billowing steam throughout the room.

"I wish I could take full credit- Molly helped quite a bit," you knew Molly to be his best friend's mother, "But I wanted this to be perfect."

"Why?" you asked, "I mean- it is, but why?"

"Because it's for you," he said.

You held prolonged and tension-filled eye contact with him for a few moments, before your attention was diverted by your boys jumping about excitedly.

"I think they're hungry," Harry laughed, "Sit down, sit down."

You all sat around the table, and you scolded your sons for not showing good manners and trying to dig in right away.

"Not to make you wait too much longer, boys, but I would like to say something first," Harry said, taking in a deep breath, "When I first met you, Y/N, I thought you wanted nothing to do with me- because you rejected me."

You chuckled.

"And that was quite a blow to my ego, so it was certainly relieving to learn that it wasn't me that was the problem- not that there really was a problem. You are simply an amazingly independent woman who didn't want people to know about her two incredible sons, for some insane reason," he said with a grin, making your cheeks heat up, "And I know it's hard for you to accept that I genuinely do want to be with you given everything you've been through."

You started to get a feeling of what was about to happen.

"And I know that being with you means being with your sons as well," he continued, "But I need you to know that it's far from a chore for me to take them in as my own - so, I have to ask, even though it may seem too soon, will you marry me?"

Tears pricked at your eyes as Matty and Eric gasped, them both being old enough to understand what marriage meant.

"You'll be our dad?" Eric asked, his eyes shining hopefully.

"Well, if your mum says yes."

"Mama, please say yes!" your youngest begged.

His older brother joined in, "Please, mama!"

"Okay," you said, sniffling, "I'll marry you, Harry Potter."

It was then, as Matty and Eric were cheering about having a dad, that Harry pushed a small velvet box across the table, and you opened it to reveal a yellow gold band with a ruby stone set in the centre.

"It's- it's beautiful."

Harry beamed at you as you put it on and admired its place on your ring finger.

"Can we eat now?" Matty asked.

"Yes, yes, we can eat," you said through happy sobs.

"And, after dinner, you two can pick your new bedrooms."

Your eyes widened in shock as Matty exclaimed, "We get our own bedrooms?!"

—————————————————

masterlist

written; 01/05/2023 —> 05/06/2023 published; 06/06/2023 edited; —/—/——

taglist ; @workinatdapyramid @iluvweasleys

#harry potter #harry potter x reader #harry potter x you #harry potter x y/n #hp #harry potter fanfic #hp fanfic #hp oneshot #harry potter oneshot #angst #fluff #strangers to lovers #fanfic #feminine pronouns #single mother reader #hufflepuff reader

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rainforestakiie · 1 month

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before they get together Omega Adam bending down to pick up flowers, while Omega Lucifer standing behind him . His nails digging into his hands, as he tries to control himself for jumping on the first man .

Adam: Look how many pretty flowers !

Lucifer: 👁️👁️ "heavy breathing while staring at that sweet ass"

ahhhh! i love this soooo muchhhhh!!!!

let me know if this comes up alright! i wrote it on my phone not my laptop! it is a bit harder to figure out how to post it!

(also to all the wonderful anons who have sent me messages about my imp Adam au! it is coming! i am writing a oneshot it is on my list! but i am also writing little ideas for your messages!)

Nest of the Damned (Omegaverse Omega/Omega) Part 01. Part 02. Part 03. Part 04. Part 05. Extra 01.

Full Version

It was a perfect day in Eden, the kind of day that whispered of paradise itself. The air was a gentle caress, neither too warm nor too cool, just the right blend of comfort and delight. The flowers, in full bloom, seemed to blush in the soft light, their colors as vivid as the emotions they stirred. Birds sang sweet melodies, their songs weaving through the golden rays of sunlight that bathed the world below. The sky was an endless canvas of blue, unmarred by even the slightest wisp of cloud, as if painted by the most loving hand.

In moments like these, Lucifer often found himself enchanted by Gabriel’s handiwork. His younger brother, with an artist's heart, took immense pride in crafting the universe's beauty. Once, the sky had blushed in shades of pink and yellow, but Adam had confessed to Lucifer that the vibrant hues made him dizzy. Ever the doting brother, Lucifer had gently persuaded Gabriel to alter the sky’s palette. Now, it wore a soothing blue by day and glittered like a sea of stars by night—a change that Adam adored.

“Adam~” Lucifer purred, his wings spreading wide as he descended behind the human with effortless grace.

Startled, Adam spun around, his emerald eyes wide with surprise. The sight of his Archangel filled him with such joy that he couldn’t contain a delighted squeal. In a heartbeat, he launched himself at Lucifer, his happiness as bright as the morning sun.

“Luci! You’re back!”

Lucifer’s grin was warm as he wrapped his arms around the human, returning the embrace with tender affection. “Aw, were you lonely without me, my sweet Addie?”

“I’m always lonely without you,” Adam murmured, his voice soft and honeyed. The scent of lemon and mint clung to him, a fragrance so intoxicating it made Lucifer’s wings flutter involuntarily. “I missed you so much! Lilith doesn’t share my excitement when I talk about the new things I discover in the garden.”

With a teasing smile, Lucifer cupped Adam’s face, a gentle purr rumbling in his chest. “Oh, my darling, did you find something new? Show me, if you wish.”

“Would you really want to see?” Adam asked, his voice filled with sweet uncertainty.

“Of course,” Lucifer replied, his smile widening. “I’d love nothing more. Have you given them names yet?”

Adam shook his head, pulling back slightly but not letting go of Lucifer’s hand. The angel entwined their fingers, his heart swelling as he watched Adam’s excitement build. The human was utterly adorable, his vibrant energy palpable as he practically buzzed with anticipation. Those mesmerizing emerald eyes, flecked with gold, never failed to captivate Lucifer. He often lost himself counting the flecks, a pastime as soothing as it was intimate. Adam’s cherry-red lips curved into a crooked smile as he tugged Lucifer toward a nearby hill, eager to share his latest discovery.

To Lucifer, Eden hadn’t changed much over the eons. The trees, the grass, the flowers—everything seemed just as it had always been. Yet, something had captured Adam’s attention so deeply, and Lucifer found himself falling even more helplessly in love with the human. The urge to wrap Adam in his wings, to shield him from the world and keep him close forever, surged within him.

But in the back of his mind, Lucifer could almost hear the disapproving voices of Seraphiel and Michael, their stern lectures about Adam’s delayed presentation echoing in his thoughts. Lilith had presented as an Alpha nearly two summers ago, while Adam had only just begun showing signs of becoming an Omega. Sera was thrilled, and Michael had sighed in relief, but Lucifer couldn’t help but worry. He had noticed Lilith’s growing interest in Adam, something that made his protective instincts flare.

Lilith had once ignored Adam, dismissing him as insignificant, and Lucifer had found solace in that indifference. It meant he didn’t have to worry about the Alpha tainting his precious Omega. The one comfort Lucifer still clung to was Adam’s clear disdain for the woman. For now, at least, Adam was still his, and Lucifer intended to keep it that way.

"Look at these, Luci! They just appeared out of nowhere!" Adam’s voice bubbled with excitement as he pointed to the delicate blooms nestled beside their beloved red roses. "I was admiring our roses—I adore them so much—and suddenly, I noticed these new flowers blooming right next to them!"

Lucifer’s eyes widened in surprise. A new flower growing among his roses? Those red roses were more than just flowers; they were one of the few treasures Lucifer had secretly brought into Eden, a passionate gift for Adam, laden with deep, unspoken meanings that had blossomed alongside their growing bond.

"I haven’t named them yet, but look, they’re the same color as our roses! Red!" Adam’s voice was almost a song, his green and gold eyes sparkling with curiosity. In that moment, with the sun casting a tender glow on his face, Lucifer found him breathtakingly beautiful. "Remember what you taught me?"

Adam gasped, placing a hand over his chest, his cheeks flushing a lovely pink. "Red roses are a powerful symbol of love and passion. They’re the ultimate flower of romance, expressing the deepest emotions."

"Exactly," Lucifer murmured, brushing a soft feather along Adam’s side, delighting in the way his human blushed at the touch. "Red roses are the quintessential emblem of romantic love. They convey intense feelings and are often given to someone with whom one shares a deep, abiding connection." His voice was a warm whisper, each word woven with affection. "The vivid red speaks of passion, making these roses the perfect expression of desire and attraction."

"But they mean even more than that," Lucifer continued, his tone growing slightly more serious. "Red roses also symbolize respect and deep admiration. They can represent enduring love and commitment, often marking significant anniversaries or milestones in a relationship."

Adam listened, entranced, nodding as he absorbed each word. "Red roses are our flower. They represent us."

"Good boy, such a clever Omega," Lucifer teased, his eyes gleaming with pride. Adam beamed, his heart swelling at the praise, the warmth of Lucifer’s love enveloping him like the softest embrace.

With eager anticipation, Adam led Lucifer to their cherished patch of red roses—a secret sanctuary where the two Omegas could tend to their garden and enjoy each other’s company without the interference of other Archangels or the prying eyes of Lilith. As they approached the vibrant blooms, Adam’s face lit up with pure joy, his happiness as radiant as the sun that bathed them.

"They’re always blooming, never withering," Adam sighed, his voice soft with contentment as his smile deepened, brimming with sweetness, affection, and unmistakable love. "I really love our roses."

Lucifer couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride swell within him. He longed to nuzzle against Adam, to scent him and claim him as his own, but he restrained himself. He was an Archangel, and Adam was the first human—barriers that kept them apart, no matter how much his heart wished otherwise. Besides, they were both Omegas, and Omegas weren’t supposed to be together... but oh, how Lucifer wished the world had been different.

"Look, these are the new flowers," Adam said with a bright smile, bending down to examine the tiny blossoms nestled among the roses. "They’re red too, just like the roses. They’re so pretty and smell so lovely. They remind me of you—they smell like you."

Lucifer’s gaze softened as he peered at the delicate flowers. They carried his scent? And Adam cherished them because of that? His heart fluttered with a quiet, joyful tremor at the thought. Stepping closer to inspect them, Lucifer’s focus shifted abruptly as something else entirely caught his attention.

Oh.

Oh, heavens.

Adam was fully bent over, his position offering Lucifer an unintended yet utterly irresistible view. The sunlight danced across his skin, highlighting the soft freckles on his buttocks. Lucifer’s breath hitched as he found himself entranced, wondering just how many freckles adorned Adam’s tender flesh. A shiver ran up his spine as desire coiled tight within him, making his fingers clench until his nails dug into his palms, the sting a necessary anchor to reality.

No, he couldn’t allow himself to look, to give in to the temptation of Adam’s adorably exposed behind. Adam wasn’t his—not yet. He should be, but in this moment, he wasn’t.

Lucifer’s mouth went dry, and he swallowed hard, tugging at the collar of his robes in an attempt to regain some semblance of control. "Um… y-you should pick a name for them…"

"Really?" Adam hummed, oblivious to the effect he was having on the Archangel, wiggling his hips slightly as he shifted on the balls of his feet. The innocent gesture sent a surge of heat through Lucifer, nearly undoing him. Adam tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Oh! I’ve got it! Carnations! Red Carnations! Another beautiful flower that represents us!"

Lucifer squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to maintain his composure. The urge to reach out and touch Adam’s perfect, freckled skin was overwhelming, almost unbearable.

"T-That’s great! So great!" he stammered, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.

He was hopelessly, irretrievably smitten

#fanfic #hazbin hotel #au #adamsapple #a03 #lucifer x adam #fanficiton #guitarduck #non traditional omegaverse #omegaverse #omega x omega #omega adam #omega lucifer #omega pair

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rainbowmoonstonestories · 8 months

Text

Why The Caged Bird Sings | Chapter 3

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: One Piece (Liveaction) Rating: Explicit Relationships Vinsmoke Sanji x F!Reader Characters: Vinsmoke Sanji, Patty, Red Leg Zeff, Original Characters, Strawhat crew. Warnings: 18+ content (minors DNI), explicit sexual content, minor POV switching. Summary: One night, you were brought to the luxurious Baratie Restaurant Ship, renowned for its exceptional cuisine that your family had been intrigued to sample. A particular blond and comely waiter captured your attention with his charming smile and gentle eyes, but while your beauty and sophistication intrigued him, Sanji also observed the profound nervousness that caused your jaw and body muscles to tense whenever your fiancé made contact with your hand or your parents delivered a humiliating criticism towards you. One dinner at the Baratie soon turned into a recurring event, and then more. As your friendship with Sanji slowly evolved into something that burned from within, you strove to make your longstanding dream come true; freeing yourself from a constricting existence. ------------------------- As Sanji looked at you curiously, the gentle smile never leaving his face, you asked him, "Do you know why the caged bird sings?" He thought about it for a moment before answering, "Because it has a song to give?" You chuckled at his response and shook your head. "You're not entirely wrong, but no."

Divider by firefly-graphics

Feel free to read this on AO3 if it is more comfortable for you due to its length. I only ask to support me with a like and reblog if you enjoy my work. ☺️

Note: This chapter took me some time because I wanted it to be just right, being focused on the forming bond between Sanji and the Reader before the next part. I do not plan to make a long story out of this, but the chapters might all be quite big and detailed.

Over the next hour, you wrestled with your pounding heart, striving to push away the notion of remaining on the Baratie ship till the next day. Sanji, with an air of casualness, mentioned that a room was already set and ready for your use, extending the offer without a hint of complication.

When Sanji inquired if you wished for him to accompany you, you swiftly declined, asserting that you weren't weary enough to call it a night yet. Instead, you proposed to enjoy a rejuvenating drink at the bar, an idea to which Sanji cheerfully concurred, flashing one of his charming (and irresistible) smiles.

The sky was captivating, filled with infinite stars that seemed too numerous to count. The evening air was cool against your skin, but there was a noticeable uptick in humidity. The lounge area inside the fish's mouth was near deserted, with only a handful of patrons left, lost in their intoxication and slumped over the bar counter.

Sanji escorted you to the round grouping of couches situated against the mouth of the ship, skillfully uncorking a bottle of blueberry-lemonade rum. You had never considered yourself much of a drinker, rarely finding pleasure in the taste of alcohol and turning to it only when your emotions plunged into a pit of despair. However, given the heightened stress you had endured that night and your present state of restlessness, you felt that a touch of rum was more than justified.

You found comfort in the enveloping silence as you both settled on the couch, close enough to feel the heat radiating from each other. The alcohol successfully soothed your mind and, even though your heart continued to flutter in response to his aroma permeating your senses, you felt more serene and less tense.

You looked up, gently pressing your lips against the glass, and found yourself spellbound by the immense, dark blue spectacle stretching out before your eyes.

"This feels good," you commented aloud. "I can't recall the last time I took a moment for myself.”

Sanji gazed at you, his smile never fading. "A beautiful woman like you should be pampered all day.”

With your head nestled against the back of the couch, you subtly turned your neck to face him. His smile broadened even further in response, and after a fleeting moment of thought, you broke into a tender chuckle. Sanji chimed in, his shoulders easing as he swirled his glass in his hand.

"You certainly have a way with words when it comes to charming a lady, don't you?" you asked playfully.

"And you haven't seen the best of me yet," he replied with a wink.

Raising an eyebrow, you moved to the side, supporting yourself with your elbow on the couch. "A man of great confidence, I see.”

He snickered, adjusting his position and tilting his head slightly. "That marine was clueless about the treasure he possessed," he remarked.

You couldn't keep track of the number of times your heart had skipped a beat in his presence.

Casting your eyes downward, a blush of embarrassment mixed with appreciation tinged your cheeks. "I'm no treasure, Sanji. I'm merely a woman who's been treated like a puppet for far too long. And I let that happen without putting up any fight," you confessed.

"I wouldn't call your actions tonight 'any fight',” he declared.

You tightened your lips together. "It certainly took me quite a while, didn't it?”

"I'm not in a position to judge. And I would never do that to you.”

Your eyes shimmered, a warmth akin to molten honey spread throughout your chest, and a swarm of butterflies fluttered in your belly.

"Honestly, the things you say... they might be the kindest words I’ve ever heard.”

His expression mellowed, transforming into one of sorrow. "How could anyone be cruel to someone like you?”

"You should ask that to my family.”

"I witnessed enough two weeks ago.”

"Right. My father put on quite a show, didn't he?”

"He wasn’t as bad as your fiancé.”

You shuddered. "I really detest that word. I mean, he wasn't exactly my fiancé. Not in my eyes.”

"Not in mine either.”

At that, you laughed once more, and unconsciously, you found yourself inching even closer to the cook.

"Thank you for what you did. Seeing him getting a good kick in the butt for once was absolutely priceless.”

Sanji took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and stretching his arm out to set the half-drunk glass on the table in front of the couch. “I can’t deny that I enjoyed it.”

"Oh, you were certainly invested in it. Your moves were rather impressive.”

He allowed himself to sink back onto the softness of the seat, staring at his hands as he began to absentmindedly fiddle with his ring.

"I couldn't bear to watch him hit and threaten you as he did," he said, his jaw tightening at the memory.

You responded with a sincere smile. "He was known for having an anger problem, but... well.”

Sanji's attention moved to your cheek, and you had to exert control over your reactions as he gently swept his thumb across your skin to inspect it.

"Is it causing pain?”

As his finger traced the irritated spot, all you felt was a comforting caress.

“No, it isn’t.”

"The swelling has gone down.”

"Thankfully you happened to have that salmon available.”

It was quite astonishing to see how both of you couldn't contain your laughter while conversing with each other. When he drew back, the absence of his touch left you feeling instantly hollow. Something in his mouth reflected the soft glow of the lanterns, causing you to notice he might have a piercing situated just beneath his tongue.

When you noticed that you were zoning out as your thoughts momentarily derailed, you cleared your throat and shifted your focus back to the stars. Sanji stayed quiet, a satisfied look on his face as he turned his gaze skyward. From his pocket, he retrieved a cigarette and a lighter, sparking it into life and savoring the nicotine-filled inhalation. As he breathed out, a cloud of smoke ascended, dissipating gradually into the darkened atmosphere.

Remaining there, in silence, with a man you were just getting to know yet felt inexplicably at ease with, you discovered the therapeutic potential of simply sitting in good company. Sanji was chivalrous, respectful, affable, and empathetic. His flirting occasionally teetered on the edge of being excessive, yet his attentions, though most likely extended to the opposite sex in general, didn't bother you in the slightest.

With your drink now fully consumed, your eyelids started to droop. His voice, calling out your name, seemed distant as you found yourself slowly giving in to the lull of sleep right in your current spot.

"Y/N," he gently repeated. "Come on, beautiful, you can’t keep your eyes open.”

"Mh..? What? Oh." After a moment of disorientation, you rubbed your temple and sat up straight, all while he took the glass from your hand, placed it next to his own on the table, and rose to his feet.

When he offered his hand to you, you accepted it, allowing him to aid you in standing up. His closeness made you feel self-aware, especially considering how his lips were now mere inches from your forehead.

"I'll take you to your room.”

You nodded, mirroring his movements as he pivoted and headed towards the entrance. His steps were unhurried and confident, and all you could do was marvel once more at the outline of his broad shoulders and expansive back.

The Baratie was practically empty, and you trailed behind him through the dining hall, along a corridor, and up a flight of wooden stairs. There was an incredibly calming quality to the sounds produced by the ship, as the planks creaked in a gentle rhythm.

Upon arriving at your destination, Sanji pushed open the door and ushered you into a cozy cabin. As he lit the lantern situated on the bedside table, your eyes began to sweep across the room, absorbing the diverse array of objects. The cabin was neat and orderly, with maps, and notes decorating the table positioned beneath the window. You could discern a few cookbooks, an ashtray, and a packet of cigarettes that looked very familiar.

In that moment, it dawned on you that the room he was offering wasn't just a spare one kept for potential guests or new recruits. The cabin had an overwhelming sense of him, exuding an immediate assurance that it was indeed his personal space.

"Wait, Sanji.”

When you pivoted on your heels to face him, you caught the slightly bashful expression on his face. "Apologies, love. The other cabins are currently being used for storage.”

"I see... but-"

"This one is yours for the night."

Your eyes widened in surprise. "What about you?”

"Don't worry about me, I'll manage.”

"Sanji, no," you moved a step closer, gently touching his forearm. "I can't inconvenience you further after everything you've done for me.”

"Nah, you're not an inconvenience at all. Besides, I can't let you sleep on the kitchen floor.”

"I could sleep on the couch outside. It's comfortable enough," you suggested.

"I can't allow you to do that.”

You opened your mouth to argue, but found yourself at a loss for words. His disarming smile made it impossible for you to decline his offer. The orange hue emanating from the lantern cast a spectacular light against his perfect jaw.

"I guess I owe you another one.”

"You don't owe me anything.”

"Yes, I do.”

He chuckled softly under his breath, glancing downward and swallowing subtly in response to the sudden intimacy.

"Good night, Y/N," he said, pulling away from you and reaching for the door handle.

You wished you could have said more, but a lump in your throat held back your words. "Good night, Sanji," was all you could master.

As he stepped out of the cabin, carefully closing the door behind him, you released a long, deep breath you hadn't realized you had been holding.

Another man might have exploited such a situation. You were there, alone with him, nowhere else but in his very own quarters. He had saved you from Christopher's onslaught, cooked a delectable meal for you, and even relinquished his bed for your convenience. Given your insistence on repaying him, there was just one thing he could have requested from you.

Because, as a matter of fact, that's what they all wanted.

Everyone, except for him.

For a fleeting moment, you contemplated whether you should have allowed him to stay.

Despite your extreme fatigue, sleep seemed elusive. Perhaps it was the knowledge that you were in Sanji's bed, coupled with the realization that he was spending the night elsewhere, stripped of his usual comforts because of you. Alternatively, it might have been the fear of what awaited you upon your return home, grappling with the reality that, sooner or later, you would have to confront the repercussions of your defiance.

When you awoke, dawn had already bathed the ship in its golden hues. The makeup around your eyes felt uncomfortably dry, and you were eager to shed your current attire in favor of something more fitting. With a reluctant push, you forced yourself to sit up, attempting to tame your bed hair with your fingers and smooth out the creases in your dress. You voiced a grunt of disapproval, regarding the heels positioned in front of the bed with a look of distaste.

You abandoned the comfort of the mattress and traversed the lukewarm floor barefoot, your vision trained on the ocean beyond as you squinted against the intense sunlight. Not far away, you noticed a small ship that was immediately recognizable, and a smile played on your lips as you watched it sail closer to the Baratie. Mari and the others had arrived.

Immediately, you ensured the bed was neatly made, quickly slipped into your shoes, and hurried towards the door. Carefully avoiding any missteps, you descended the staircase, retracing your path from the previous night in reverse. You entered the serene dining hall, with the sounds of chopping and boiling echoing from the kitchen. Sanji was notably absent, and although seeing his face first thing in the morning would have been pleasant, the discomfort of wearing the same clothes from the previous day was too bothersome to disregard.

As you stepped outside, the sea-salted air filled your lungs. A shroud of morning fog masked the horizon, but the outline of your friends' ship, now almost docked, remained visible.

When the ship came to a standstill, Mari surfaced from the lower deck, her face lighting up. She agilely hopped down, dashing towards you with her arms outstretched. You had to brace yourself as she crashed into you, wrapping your shoulders in a firm embrace.

"Y/N! I'm so incredibly proud of you!”

You laughed in surprise, "Come on, I didn't really do that much.”

"Are you kidding me?" She retorted, "You finally managed to get rid of Nutty after all this time.”

"But it's not over yet.”

"Yes, it is. Because I won't let you get near him ever again.”

With a sigh, a wave of gratitude washed over you for her unfaltering support and protection. Marlo, Rory, and Rubio also made their appearance, waving at you from the bow of the ship.

"I brought you some clothes. I can't stand seeing you in that skimpy dress and those stilettos. How do you even manage to walk?”

You grinned. "You eventually get used to it. But, I admit my feet are really aching now.”

Mari made a sound of disgust, seizing your hand and pulling you aboard their vessel. “Honestly, what would you even do without me?”

“I’d be lost as hell.”

Her determination over the smallest details was both amusing and inspiring. She behaved like a true bodyguard, prepared to confront anything that might obstruct your path.

The moment you set foot onto the main deck, Rubio engulfed you in a bone-crushing hug, Rory clapped her hands in celebration of your successful outcome, and Marlo gave you such a hearty pat on the shoulder that it almost sent you teetering to the other side. Damn him for being a muscular giant.

The affection they demonstrated was something you would cherish for the rest of your life.

"I hate to come off as a freeloader, but would you guys mind if I take a quick bath? I feel like all the food they cooked in there has seeped into me.”

"Ah, so you are the source of this delightful steak aroma," Marlo observed, rubbing his stomach in anticipation and punctuating it with a suggestive lick of his lips.

“Screw you.”

As their jubilant cries reverberated through the ship, you maneuvered your way to the wooden tub, shaking your head in amusement.

The area designated for personal hygiene was quite compact, with a modest collection of rugs and towels, meticulously folded and stacked on a stool. While the tub could only accommodate one person at a time, it proved ample for washing away the sea salt and lingering kitchen odors from your skin. As amazing as the Baratie's cooking was, carrying its scent was not part of your agenda.

You let the dress drop onto the floor before unceremoniously tossing it into your personal clothes box. You picked out one of the outfits that Mari had discreetly tucked away in your hidden storage, preparing it and setting it aside for later use. Evidently, Mari had anticipated your needs and had already filled the tub for you with suitably warmed water. None of your friends expressed any complain, giving you the freedom to luxuriate in it for as long as you desired.

And so, you took your time, employing a coarse sponge to scrub away any lingering traces of oil and food that might have resulted from Christopher's tumultuous outburst. The warmth enveloping your body was comforting, and the entire room was now filled with steam.

The moment you slipped into your trousers, a sigh of relief escaped your lips. The comfort of casual daily wear far surpassed that of any sophisticated dress and high-heeled shoes. Even your hair boasted a different style now, and the shirt you opted for allowed for better movement. The leather jacket added that touch of edginess you were seeking - a look your family would never wish to see on you.

When you finally converged with your friends in the kitchen cabin, they were astonished at how distinct, yet improved, you looked in your characteristic appearance. Feeling rejuvenated and more comfortable with yourself, you settled into a seat and accepted the cup of coffee they had set aside for you.

Mari didn’t waste any time and immediately inquired about the juicy details of your night at the Baratie, as well as how things with your now ex-fiancé took such a dramatic turn. By the end of your tale, Marlo was laughing so hard that he was brought to tears at the mental picture of Christopher being forcefully kicked by a waiter (not a waiter - a cook, you corrected him), while Rory squealed in excitement. Rubio conveyed his deepest solidarity concerning your immediate refusal, but Mari was staring at you in total disbelief.

"Wait, Y/N. Please tell me you didn't do it,” she said.

"Huh? Didn't do what? You already knew that I rejected him.”

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant.”

"What did you mean, then?”

She scoffed. "Did you seriously spend the night into that cook’s bed… without inviting him to stay with you? For real?”

You raised an eyebrow. "Mari, don't go there.”

"Oh, come on! After all he's done for you, you didn't even give him a kiss? If I were in your place, I would have certainly made a move, straight to his d-”

“Mari!”

A collective bout of laughter erupted once again, and you facepalmed so hard that you nearly struck yourself in the process.

"What's wrong with that? How long has it been since you last hooked up with a decent man?”

You rolled your eyes. "Too long ago to remember. And I don't think it was with anyone decent.”

"She has a point," Marlo chimed in. "He was such a skinny loser."

"Pretty sure that wasn't the reason why I dumped him," you clarified. "Stop thinking like the muscular beast that you are."

He responded with a toothy grin, playfully flaunting the size of his bicep.

"Seriously though, I'm impressed he didn't actually try to sleep with you," Mari persisted. "And from what you've told us about this Sanji, I believe you might have stumbled upon a rare gem this time.”

"Isn't he just toying around, though?" Rory inquired. "He's a gentleman alright, but what if he does this with every attractive lady he comes across?”

"Without even trying to put his hands on her? No, it's clear he took her situation to heart," Mari concluded. "He kicked her fiancé in the butt without hesitation, in his own workplace.”

"Well, either way, all this talk about him just made me want to meet the guy in person," Marlo declared.

"Oh, I agree," Rory interjected.

“Good thing we don't have to wait for that.”

Confused, you turned to Mari again, giving her a questioning look.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? Oopsie.”

Judging by her joyful expression, you realized that she was scheming something behind your back. “Mari. What are you talking about?”

A grin of absolute satisfaction spread across her face. "You see, we managed to book a table for brunch today.”

“…at the Baratie.”

“Yes, at the Baratie. Where else?”

Silence descended upon the room as you blinked a few times. “Wait. That must be a joke. There’s no way you could find a spot so easily.”

Mari proudly flicked her red hair off her shoulder. "Y/N, who do you think you're talking to? You know I have means to get what I want.”

Your jaw dropped in utter disbelief.

"Don't ask her. Not even we know the details," Marlo whispered into your ear, stifling another fit of laughter at your reaction.

Eventually, you let it go, as arguing with someone like Mari was as futile as trying to converse with a wall.

"You guys are insane.”

Rory stood up, darting towards you and wrapping her arms around your neck, pressing her warm cheek against yours. "And you love us this way!”

Indeed, you absolutely wouldn't have them any differently.

Entering the Baratie was becoming a routine for you. The grandeur of its elegant dining room, with its polished aesthetics and sophisticated ambiance, was now incredibly familiar. The tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen had become a sensory marker you eagerly anticipated. Even seeing the fishman's face at the entrance had become a delightful and comforting sight.

Brunch time was as bustling as dinner typically was. The number of people flocking to the floating restaurant was astounding, with an influx of ships docking alongside your friends', seemingly materializing out of nowhere. The fact that Mari secured a reservation so quickly was still a shock to you, but you chose to heed Marlo's advice and simply savour the good fortune you had received.

As you were led to your table, your eyes inadvertently drifted to a corner adjacent to the kitchen. The blonde cook was right there, and his mere presence in your peripheral sight was enough to cause your heart to flutter.

Caught in a moment of starstruck awe, you remained rooted to the spot in the middle of the dining room, motionless as your friends continued ahead.

"Y/N, what's the hold-up?" Mari questioned, halting halfway.

Barely shifting your gaze towards her, you raised your hand in acknowledgment. "Sorry, I'll join you in a moment.”

You then turned and walked away, striding purposefully towards Sanji. He appeared to be engrossed in folding napkins and arranging food and drinks on a silver tray, dressed in his chef's uniform and casually flicking his hair away from his face with a slight toss of his head.

It didn't take long for him to notice you. The moment his gaze locked with yours, his face lit up, and the smile you cherished so much spread widely across his lips.

"Hey you," you greeted him, mirroring his joy with equal fervor.

"Hey! I'm surprised to see you're still here. You look... different," he commented, appraising you from head to toe. "Undeniably gorgeous.”

You grinned in response, by now accustomed to his compliments and playful flirtations, but still appreciating every bit of it. "Between you and me, I don't usually like wearing dresses. This is the real me.”

"Honestly, sweetheart, you could even wear a bag and still look beautiful in it.”

You let out a laugh. "Oh, stop it. I wanted to thank you for letting me stay in your room. I hope I didn't inconvenience you to the extent of sleeping somewhere uncomfortable.”

“I managed just fine. And you’re very welcome.”

For an instant, it seemed as though the atmosphere around you had charged with electricity. An unbroken silence descended upon the two of you as your eyes stayed intertwined. There was something extraordinary about Sanji, something more profound than mere attraction towards the opposite sex. You noticed the passion in his mannerisms when he had prepared a meal for you the previous night, and the tangible rage etched on his features when Christopher posed a threat to you. His talks about Zeff and the hurdles he was encountering, the mournful twinkle you spotted in his eyes when he confessed that standing up to the man was a complex ordeal.

Sanji was more than just a good-looking cook playing the role of Prince Charming. The more you observed him, the stronger grew your desire to unravel his enigma.

The booming voice of Mari, beckoning you from the table, abruptly pulled you back to the present moment. As you pivoted, you caught sight of your friends watching you, their faces illuminated with wide grins of satisfaction.

"Are you with them?" Sanji inquired.

"Yes, they're here to pick me up. My friend over there somehow reserved a table without even informing me. I have no idea how she pulled it off.”

Sanji let out a chuckle. "Well, it seems that you're in good hands today.”

"I am. Uhm... I should go join them now. Will we meet again later?”

You didn't want to seem excessively clingy, but the moment you voiced that question, a part of you plummeted into a pit of embarrassment.

Yet, your words only served to widen his smile even more. "Absolutely, sweetheart.”

As you nodded and retreated a step, you were convinced that your cheeks were flaming. You observed him lift the tray and take it to the closest table, all the while you ambled away, caught up in your whimsical thoughts.

The moment you sat down, you immediately sensed four pairs of piercing eyes fixated on you.

"Okay, I have to admit it," Mari started, "That guy is attractive as fuck.”

“He’s definitely a handsome one, good shot Y/N!” Rory exclaimed.

"More handsome than me?" Marlo queried, "Come on, I'm way more appealing than him.”

"Oh, don't be jealous now. Of course, you're the best.”

Marlo wasn't entirely convinced, but he draped a muscular arm around Rory’s shoulder, wearing a smug expression.

"I mean, as a man, I can't exactly be objective about his appearance,” Rubio started, "But he was practically devouring you with his eyes alone.”

You cleared your throat. "Was he really?”

"Honestly, Y/N, how clueless can you get?” Mari groaned. “That cook would be all over you if he could.”

"That's not true.”

"Actually, my dear, she's quite right," Marlo chimed in.

“Guys, seriously! You've barely seen him for two minutes from here. He’s not like that.”

"Yeah, what sets him apart at least, is that he seems to respect your boundaries.”

Rory, Marlo, and Rubio all nodded in unison.

You sighed. "Whatever. Can we change the topic, please?”

"Oh wow, look at how flushed your face is!”

"Awww, how adorable. Our dear Y/N has a crush.”

"Shhh, lower your voices!”

When they burst into another round of snickers, you shook your head, suppressing a smirk that was beginning to form. It was extraordinary how different and comfortable you felt with them, compared to the other times you had found yourself in that very same room. Just the night before, you had been wishing to escape as soon as you arrived, and now, you desired nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with your friends, savoring the most delectable cuisine that could be found in all of East Blue (and perhaps, in the entire world).

If anything, this only solidified that you were perilously close to completely upending your life, and the prospect of returning home invoked the most dreadful sense of fear you could ever experience.

You all ate to such an extent that you felt on the verge of bursting. Rory was almost moved to tears, thrilled by the outstanding cuisine, while Marlo consumed everything he had ordered with astonishing eagerness. Rubio was making a determined effort to relish his dessert, wishing it would never end, while Mari was so delighted with her meal that she would have licked her plate clean if it wasn't considered as such an indiscretion.

Throughout your brunch, Sanji had surfaced at your table, meticulously detailing each dish with commendable sentiment. Rory and Mari, both remarkably beautiful, didn't elude the cook's attention, and he lavished them with a cascade of compliments and charming banter. However, the exchange of smiles and whispered words between you and Sanji seemed to single you out, making you feel distinctively special. At one juncture, he slipped out of the kitchen with a dish he didn't want Zeff to see, placing it before you with a gentle touch on your shoulder as he whispered into your ear. You blushed continuously for ten minutes when your friends began to tease you affectionately about the gesture.

As lunchtime passed and the early afternoon sun began to shift its position, the dining room slowly started to empty. You could hear the music emanating from the bar outside, coupled with the increasing volume of your friends' voices echoing throughout the space. The tranquility of the instance felt entirely dreamlike, a stark contrast to the habitual family turmoil and incessant demands you were accustomed to.

You had been seated there for a few hours, yet, there was not a single moment where you felt an urge to leave the table.

Only when your stomachs were satiated and your meals entirely consumed, did your friends place the necessary quantity of Berries on the silver tray accompanying the bill. You had proposed to reimburse them later with the funds from your private storage, but they remained unyielding in their decision to indulge you.

You were so immersed in your complaint, that Mari's exit from the group escaped your attention. Only upon sensing her missing presence beside you, did you scan the surroundings in an attempt to locate your friend. The instant you did, all color drained from your face.

"Guys...? What is she up to?”

Marlo was already breaking into muted chuckles, while Rory dismissed it nonchalantly with a wave of her hand. Rubio slung an arm around your shoulder as your attention fixated on Mari, who was engaging in a cheerful conversation with none other than Sanji himself, who had emerged from the kitchen to gather the settled bills.

You managed to hear Mari expressing her gratitude aloud before she spun on her heels and returned, and you scarcely registered Sanji's smile aimed in your direction when she did.

"Mari," your voice came out stern and low. "What was that?”

"Relax! I was merely engaging his services for the day.”

"Wait, you did what?”

"Considering it will take us a while to return, I thought we could take advantage of his culinary expertise. Nothing overly extravagant, just a packed dinner for our journey.”

“Oh, you’re brilliant!”

“Indeed, good thinking Mari!”

You rubbed your temple, taking deep breaths to soothe your frayed nerves. Given the amount of food your group consumed, it seemed highly unlikely that any of you would feel sufficiently hungry to partake in dinner by day's end. Mari's move was merely a pretext to invite Sanji aboard their ship, observe him closely and, without a doubt, provide an opportunity for you to spend additional time with him away from his usual environment.

"Did he agree?" You asked her.

“Oh yes.”

Well, shit.

You were torn between feeling grateful, or extremely anxious. The mere notion of having him so near to you and your soul family, without Zeff, Patty, or any other colleague on standby to yank him away, caused your entire face to be flushed with a deep shade of crimson once more.

Yet, deep within, your mind was silently shrieking with exhilaration.

As you waited for Sanji aboard your friends' ship, your heart was racing so fast that you felt like a teenager on her first date. Even though it wasn't intended to be a private encounter between the two of you, with Mari and the others around, you knew that privacy was not an option anyway.

And yet, the anticipation was killing you.

Upon Sanji's arrival, it came to your attention that he had discarded his chef's uniform, not even opting for his signature black jacket. The sight of his button-down shirt, tightly embracing his upper body, and the visible flex of his lower arm muscles as he lugged kitchen supplies and utensils, only intensified your emotional unrest.

Mari led him to the stove, and without hesitation, he settled in, rolling his sleeves up even further. Rubio, who had recently taken a fond interest in cooking, attempted to glean some useful instructions from the chef. Despite his playful refusal to reveal his culinary secrets, Sanji still provided a few practical pointers that your friend eagerly jotted down.

A smile found its way onto your face as you relaxed your shoulders and comfortably leaned against the dining table. Your smile wasn't particularly intended for Sanji, yet the moment he caught sight of it, he responded with a radiant grin of his own, one that became increasingly endearing to you with each passing moment.

Clearing your throat, you approached him, fully aware of your friends' attentive eyes watching your every move. "Can I assist you with anything?”

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You're not expected to do the work.”

You shook your head. "Still, please. Let me help you.”

"Yes, she's quite good actually. She's been dedicating a lot of time to practice.”

You shot Marlo a stern look, silently urging him to drop the subject. Unfortunately, your friends showed no signs of letting up.

"Oh right, she did! If you two join forces, I have no doubt it's going to result in the best dinner we've ever had!”

Rory's enthusiasm was so overwhelming that you almost felt the urge to scream and bolt. Sanji regarded you with a curious expression and a raised eyebrow, a look you quickly tried to dismiss. "It's not like that. I was forced to... I mean.... just, may I?”

Recognizing your growing desperation, Sanji didn't have the heart to turn you down.

"All right, love. Could you chop the carrots for me?”

Somewhat shyly, you nodded, washing your hands and picking up the knife from the table. Mari's barely suppressed giggle could be heard, and she met your playfully threatening glare with an innocent look.

"So, Sanji. How long have you been a cook?" Rubio asked, watching as you began to slice the vegetable.

His voice echoed with delight and pride as he replied, "I've been training since I was a child.”

"Impressive. It runs in your blood, then. Can you cook, like, anything?”

“I can make anything.”

“Now I’m jealous!”

The atmosphere became noticeably lighter and more carefree. Your friends were at ease, engaging in leisurely conversation and warmly interacting with the man who had clearly piqued your interest. The more you collaborated with the cook, the more your deep, meaningful glances with him became frequent.

Convinced that it was best to leave the two of you to your own tasks, Mari stood up and stretched her arms. "I believe it's time for a little rest. I've eaten so much that I'm starting to feel drowsy. What do you say, guys? Shall we let them finish the preparations?”

Immediately catching on, they all nodded in agreement and vacated their seats with lightning speed.

"Looks like the kitchen is in capable hands, catch you later," Marlo announced as he departed, throwing you a playful wink.

As they all withdrew, an awkward silence seemed to descend upon you, punctuated only by the rhythmic sound of a knife chopping and water boiling. Alone with Sanji again, you could feel the warmth radiating from his shoulder, so close to yours that they were almost touching.

Swallowing nervously, you apologized, "I'm sorry for their behavior. I hope they didn't make you feel uncomfortable.”

"Not at all. They seem like nice people.”

You allowed the freshly cut carrots to tumble into the simmering pot. "They truly are. I honestly don't know what I'd do without them.”

"You seem happier when you're with them," he observed.

"I am. We've been together since our childhood days. My parents never really approved of them, so I always had to come up with an excuse to sneak out and meet them.”

Your hand grazed against his as you handed him the ladle.

"Life hasn't been easy for you, has it?”

"No, not really.”

You watched him with admiration as he skillfully stirred the contents in the pot. The tantalizing aroma of the stew wafted up, tickling your nostrils and igniting your appetite once again.

"So, what's this about you training in cooking?" He inquired.

“It’s not what you think,” you replied, a chuckle escaping your lips. "My family wanted me to become the ideal wife, so they sort of nudged me into the kitchen to prepare meals suitable for a husband. I like cooking, but my skills are quite avarage, really.”

“You’re actually doing well.”

"All I'm doing is chopping vegetables, sprinkling some seasoning, and staring as you do all the heavy lifting.”

Your attention was more drawn to his arms and hands for entirely different reasons, but that was a piece of information he didn't need to know.

"It's not every day I get the opportunity to cook alongside a woman as pretty and intelligent as you.”

It was difficult to hold back your blush.

"I'm not that clever. If I were, I wouldn't have ended up here with that guy in the first place.”

Sanji's smile faltered only for a fleeting moment, before returning just as bright as before. "You certainly didn't deserve any of that, but… I'm glad it led to our paths crossing.”

In that moment, your mind was swarming with doubts and questions. Did he extend this level of kindness to any attractive woman he encountered at the Baratie? Were you developing feelings for the wrong man, someone who showered you with compliments while possibly having a multitude of women waiting in the wings?

The more you mulled it over, the less fearful you became as your impressions of him persisted. Could someone as gentle and courteous as he seemingly was, be the flirtatious player as Rory had insinuated?

Admittedly, your limited experience wasn't much to draw from, especially considering the sparse past relationships you had managed to keep concealed from your family. And yet, in Sanji's presence, you felt a sense of freedom and security that not even Mari and the others could provide.

"It might seem like an obvious thing to say, but I'm glad too.”

Underneath his hair, you could see his lips curling into a confident grin. And before you could utter another word, he turned towards you, a spoon filled with warm stew in his hand, gently pressing it against your lips.

"Would you mind tasting this for me, beautiful? It might be a bit hot, so be careful.”

Using the counter for support as your knees seemed to weaken, you held one hand under the spoon and gently blew on it to cool the meat down. The moment you brought your lips to it and allowed the stew to slide into your mouth, it instantly melted on your tongue, causing your taste buds to burst with joy.

"Oh, wow," you exclaimed. "This is delicious. But honestly, everything you make is perfect.”

"I had a good assistant.”

"You did most of it.”

"You have a precise knack for chopping, an acute sense of smell, and an excellent eye for seasoning. You're more talented than you give yourself credit for.”

You shrugged. "I never considered it to be something praise-worthy, but thank you.”

With the stew fully prepared, Sanji ladled generous portions into different bowls, sealing them with tinfoil to retain their warmth and prevent any foreign substances from contaminating the food. Between moments of laughter and diverse talks that allowed you to get to know each other a little better, you spent the afternoon preparing a variety of dishes, ranging from your friends' favorites to some of his specialties. By the time you finished, you estimated there would be enough food to last even through the next day, if not longer.

YYou had never experienced this much joy while preparing a meal before.

As you cleaned your hands with a towel, you looked at him with uncertainty, feeling a question bubbling up within you but hesitant to put it into words. Finally, having settled down next to him with a glass of water, you decided to take a leap of faith and speak your mind.

"Hey Sanji, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything you want,” he responded gently.

"So, I assure you I didn't rummage through your things, but I couldn't help noticing a few notes and maps on your desk. This place, the Baratie, it's not really where you want to be, is it?”

While his smile didn't fade, it was evident that your question had struck a chord.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer tha-”

"Have you ever heard of the All Blue?”

His question took you by surprise, but as it was a name you faintly recognized, it still had you deep in thought. No, it wasn't new at all. You were absolutely certain that you had come across it at some point. Perhaps it was mentioned in a story during one of your tedious dinners with Marines and notable figures. Or maybe it was something you found in a novel of some sort.

You searched your memory until something finally clicked. "I think I have. Isn't it a sea of legend, said to be the only place in the world where the North Blue, South Blue, East Blue, and West Blue seas intersect?”

Sanji looked at you with a surprised, yet pleased look.

You chuckled. "Yeah, I’m a bookworm.”

"Beautiful, intelligent, and impressively well-informed.”

"Oh, come on, really. Is this All Blue what you're searching for?”

Sanji's face turned solemn, tinged with a melancholic air. "There are fish from each of the four seas. It’s the ultimate dream of every chef.”

You nodded understandingly. "I can see why.”

"The All Blue is rumored to be located somewhere in the Grand Line. Yet, no one has ever found it.”

"And you believe it's not real?”

Sanji lifted his eyes from the table. "What about you?”

You didn't need to think it over. "I don't see why it shouldn't be. Whether it's legendary or not, the fact that it's known suggests there's some element of truth to it.”

Once again, his lips widened into the most beautiful of smiles, leaving you momentarily breathless.

"I know it's real. It has to be.”

"So... are you planning on setting out soon?”

Sanji let out a heavy sigh. "No.”

"But... I don't understand. I thought you wanted to find it?”

"I have responsibilities here, sweetheart. I can't just abandon Zeff.”

Your hands came together on the table. "So this is what you were referring to when you mentioned things were complicated?”

"Yeah.”

Despite your belief that he had every right to pursue the All Blue, you held back voicing your opinion on the matter. After all, you knew very little about his relationship with Zeff, and the fact that he was willing to sacrifice his dream for this man suggested their bond was far deeper than you initially perceived.

As if sensing your internal deliberation, Sanji continued speaking.

"He saved me, Y/N. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. I owe him my life.”

As he delved deeper into the story, and as much as you wished to know more, his explanation was enough for you to fully grasp his standpoint.

"And you?”

“Me?”

“Is there anything that you want to do?”

In that moment, you knew that he was asking about your dreams, wondering if you had one so intense that you'd consider setting sail into the open sea.

For the first time, as no one had ever asked you such a question, you found yourself at a loss.

"I'm not really sure," you replied. "The only thing I've ever wanted was to break free from the strict rules and impositions of my family. I've never really paused to consider what else could be out there for me.”

"I would call that a dream. One that you've just managed to fulfill.”

"Not really, no.” You absentmindedly fiddled with your fingers. "Perhaps in part, but there's still so much left to do. I'll never truly be free as long as they continue to expect my return.”

Sanji seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then he nudged his chair a bit closer to you, just enough to be able to place his hand on yours.

"Then don't.”

Without any hint of embarrassment, you affectionately squeezed his wrist. "I have to. Otherwise, I'll just be hiding, and that's not what I want. I need closure.”

He pursed his lips together, nodding in silence, but maintaining his comforting grip on you. His touch was gentle yet firm, so incredibly grounding that you wished it could last forever.

Sadly, as the kitchen door swung open, you had to abruptly pull back and move slightly further from him.

"How's it going, guys? This room smells heavenly!”

You glanced down and ran your fingers across your forehead, while Sanji subtly cleared his throat into his hand. Mari looked at you, her smile broad and knowing, her eyebrows raised so high they seemed to touch the sky.

"It's all ready," Sanji responded, his voice slightly hoarse.

Unable to resist, Marlo immediately approached the covered stew, peeling back part of the tinfoil to take in its scent. "Holy cow, man. You're incredible.”

"Y/N deserves just as much praise.”

"Oh, I'm sure," Mari said, draping her arms around your shoulders from behind and squeezing a bit too tightly for comfort. "I want the deets later," she whispered into your ear.

Rubio stepped forward, giving Sanji's back a friendly pat and expressing his gratitude for the remarkable service. As dusk approached, it dawned on you how much time you both had devoted in that isolated chamber, and how rapidly the hours had slipped away in his company.

For the second time that day, your friends refused to allow you to dip into your savings, even though you were more than ready to compensate Sanji for all his efforts. Every single one of them.

But in the end, would money even suffice? You still felt a lingering indebtedness towards him, and you made a solemn vow to yourself that one day, somehow, you would reciprocate his kindness in a much grander, more significant way.

Mari persisted for a solid fifteen minutes, trying to convince him to accept the payment. Sanji was adamant that he didn't require any compensation, asserting that his joy stemmed from ensuring all of you were content and well-prepared for your journey home. However, no one could ever win against Mari’s obstinacy, and he was compelled to accept the payment with a slight reverance as he reluctantly took their Berries.

The mere idea of returning to your hometown felt like a weight on your heart, and the prospect of bidding farewell was agonizingly painful.

Recognizing that he needed to return to his duties at the Baratie, you proposed walking with him, not wanting him to endure Zeff's criticism for his extended absence. Naturally, Mari and the rest didn't oppose, silently motivating you to seize this chance.

Thus, both of you disembarked from the ship, strolling side by side down the wooden pier. The sea breeze brought a pleasant salty touch to your skin, and you were at a loss for words, unable to interrupt the serene quiet.

In the end, he was the one to shatter it.

"Will you be all right, love? Truly?”

His concern was moving, and it only made you want to stay and never leave.

"Yes," you replied with assurance. "Truly.”

“You do realize that you're stronger than you think, right?”

You smiled. "I do now, thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

You stopped, pivoting to face him and sweeping your hair away from your face. "You did a lot, actually. Maybe you don't even recognize it, but the way you speak has a way of calming a lady's heart. It certainly worked with me.”

He tucked his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Believe me. With you, it’s natural.”

"If that's the case, I'm flattered.”

You resumed your walk, moving forward until the entrance to the Baratie stood directly in front of you. A part of you longed to grip onto him and beseech him to let you stay, to grant you employment at the restaurant, to protect you from any potential danger you might face at home.

Because, at the end of the day, you never learned how to stand on your own two feet. The reason it took you such a long time to finally break free from your family's control was that you had spent your entire life craving their love and approval. You sought validation, a confirmation that you were enough. But all you were met with were cruel words and expectations that shaped you into a person you didn't identify with, nor you wanted to be.

Sanji helped you understand that you weren't someone to be despised. You were deserving of protection and care, and your true value far surpassed the worth your family had ascribed to you.

"Will I see you again?" He asked, resting a hand on the door without pushing it open.

"As if I could go on without ever tasting your cooking again.”

You both shared another bout of laughter, trading one last look before you retreated a step. "Take care, Sanji. I'll see you soon.”

Without awaiting his reply, you turned and initiated your departure, taking a few steps along the pier as more ships began to approach.

But as you forced yourself to reach your friends, your body seemed to resist, decelerating until you came to a complete standstill, unsure of your subsequent action.

"Oh, come on! After all he's done for you, you didn't even give him a kiss?”

Mari's words reverberated in your mind, and although you had initially cast aside the notion as dreadfully improper, now your hands quivered with the urge that was overtaking you.

You swiveled your head, sneaking a look back at Sanji who had stayed exactly where you left him, motionless, observing as you walked away. Summoning a spontaneous burst of bravery, you made long strides to return to his side. His lips began to part to say something, but you halted him by resting your hand on his chest and pressing a modest, tender kiss onto his cheek.

It was cautious, as gentle as the touch of a feather. But the way he traced his fingers along your arm to grasp your wrist was an unmistakable indication of his appreciation for your gesture.

You barely locked eyes with him as you pulled back, your cheeks blushing at the sight of them. You didn't even stop to consider what you had just done, turning and darting off, making a beeline for your cabin with the intent to confine yourself and never come out. Only when you reached the main deck did you dare to look at the Baratie, realizing that the door was fully open and Sanji was nowhere in sight.

Throughout your voyage, your friends teased about the palpable tension and electric atmosphere that seemed to spark whenever you and Sanji were near each other. They highlighted the unmistakable mutual attraction, causing your cheeks to heat up even more. It was now impossible to deny that there was some form of connection between the two of you, but with the unresolved situation back home looming over you, you opted to shelf those thoughts as there were more pressing matters at hand.

The feeling was sickening, excruciating, and completely daunting. As you stared at the town materializing in the distance with a cup of coffee in your shaking hand, you promised yourself that this time, regardless of the potential fallout, you would stand up for your own welfare.

Now, unlike ever before, you knew exactly what to do. And for the first time, you had a clear objective to accomplish - you desired to see Sanji's face again above all else in the world.

Final note: I didn't fully describe my OCs because I thought it would be fun for the readers to come up with their own vision and interpretation, so you are free to see them however you please, only using my little details as an indication.

Also, people have speculated that Sanji has a piercing just below his tongue, considering that something shiny seems to show up there in a couple of scenes. Someone confirmed that Taz Skylar, Sanji's actor, actually has one irl, so I thought it would be nice to include it here! 😆

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 (currently reading) Go to Chapter 4 ->

#one piece liveaction #opla sanji #opla sanji x reader #sanji vinsmoke #sanji x reader #sanji vinsmoke x reader

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halcyon-autumn · 5 months

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Fantasy High Characters and the song I think they'd listen to the most off the new Taylor Swift album

Kristen: okay early Trackerbees Kristen would listen to But Daddy I Love Him SO much and probably post lyrics on instagram. Judgemental small town with religious overtones opposed to a relationship? Just like her fr. Post-breakup Kristen blasts So Long London SO LOUD that the rest of Mordred Manor starts to have weird pavlovian responses to any song with the same chords.

Sandra Lynn: Sandra Lynn would not make it past Fortnight on the album I fear she would hear one song about an affair and turn off her phone. Sorry Sandra Lynn I love you queen but she would not have a good emotional time with this ablum

Jawbone: Jawbone WOULD love Fortnight but he doesn't pay attention to anything but the chorus and sort of assumes it's about the game. Occupational hazard of working with youths.

Riz: I truly beleive Riz was a Dateline kid and he'd like a cool song about going to Florida because you murdered someone. It's got burying bodies in swamps and stuff! Florence + The Machine is there! Great song for murder-obsessed teens.

Fig: I Can Do It With a Broken Heart because, she claims, "it's got a great beat!" (she misses Ayda)

Sklonda: Just pick whatever song you think people would listen to during sex and put it here. We know next to nothing about Sklonda/Gorthalax but I assume the sex is good so fill in the blank.

Kipperlilly: Kipperlilly was actually listening to Who's Afraid of Little Old Me on airpods when she stabbed Buddy Dawn and Brennan just didn't mention it. She's like 'oh an angry song for a short person that people don't want at parties? that's me.' Yes good question she WOULD sing the asylum lyric without any irony

Rueben: Rueben HATES Taylor Swift he DETESTS her no one can bring her up around him or he will go on a RANT but catch him crying to loml and thinking about Wanda Childa

Tracker: Nara walks on in her listening to How Did It End? and is like "oh why are you crying???" and Tracker has to lie REAL FAST and say she's thinking about Gallicea (sorry Nara)

Gorgug: All of the Bad Kids band together to keep him from hearing a single song off this album so that he doesn't think about Zelda and start crying.

Aelwyn: imgonnagetyouback because she loves to sing about violence

Adaine: Adaine listens to the first eight seconds of The Prophecy over and over against her will because Aelwyn keeps sending it to her under various guises being like "did this happen? did you see this? is this what the old elven people want?" it's like Elven Oracle rickrolling. To be clear - Adaine hates this song.

Fabian: I think Fabian would hear ONE sad song, think about the immense loneliness he feels every day, and throw his special edition vinyl out the window like a frisbee.

Gilear: Gilear accidentally downloaded an Enya album

Arthur Aguefort: this one is hard to explain but I think Aguefort would choose Clara Bow as a karaoke song despite it being one of the worst potential karaoke songs on the album. This is deliberate on his part. Also I think he'd be a real Stevie Nicks girlie.

Feel free to comment/argue/tell me your thoughts!

#important it's not the song they like the most it's the one they listen to the most #sandra lynn faeth #jawbone o'shaughnessey #Kipperlilly Copperkettle #fabian seacaster #kristen apple #tracker o'shaughnessey #aelwyn abernant #fantasy high #fhjy #fantasy high junior year #taylor swift #for anyone who has it blocked

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sitp-recs · 1 year

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Happy birthday to the one and only @writcraft! I know you probably feel this year hasn’t been as productive as you’d like fandom-wise, so this is both a reminder and a token of appreciation, a short rec list that hopes to highlight a little bit of your immense contribution to fandom. This is ofc 100% self-indulgent and my picks might be a bit too obvious - I doubt that anyone who’s been around for a while hasn’t heard of these classics before, but those who are new to the fandom (or just new to Writ’s works - I’m so jealous!) might enjoy this “starter pack” with my personal selection of must-reads.

There’s a little bit of everything: Drarry, Snarry, femslash, dark fic, kinky fic, angst with a happy ending, romcom, hurt/comfort. No matter the tone or trope, they’re not only perfectly thought out and executed but they also deliver profound human experiences that resonates within, and thought-provoking explorations of romance, queerness and hope. I have often wondered how Writ could be so prolific over the years, always impressing me with such flawless depth of characterization across different ships. Now I realize this comes from the amount of passion and research they pour into their work. Writ commits to fandom - and to writing - both intellectually and emotionally, bringing together their creative, fannish, militant and intellectual sides like nobody else can do. This combination breathes life and heart into every love story they create, making them all bright and unique, inspiring universal emotions while remaining deeply personal.

Writ, I cannot thank you enough for being such a kind, witty and welcoming friend, always up to discuss fandom meta, gritty fic plots, old and new ship obsessions, dog parenting, queer & pop culture references! I learn so much from you and it’s a privilege (and a delight) to have someone to share both silly and deep, insightful convos with. Becoming friends with you - an author I’ve been admiring and looking up to for so many years now - still feels a bit surreal but it’s easily one of the best parts of 2022/2023 for me. I hope you enjoy your day to the fullest, and have an amazing time celebrating with yours. Happy birthday my friend! 💜

🎵 True Colors (E, 6k) - Harry/Teddy

Teddy spent the last year running away from his feelings for Harry. Now it’s time to come home.

🧵 Independent Love Song (E, 6k) - Ginny/Millie

Millicent Bulstrode is a tailor and Ginny is losing her mind over a woman in a tweed blazer and burgundy brogues.

🪞 Doppelganger (M, 7k) - Drarry, Romione

It was just a silly dare, but one ill-advised trip into the Forbidden Forest changes Harry’s life forever.

🎼 Hopelessly Devoted To You (E, 10k) - Harry/George

Harry and George watch a lot of musicals and accidentally fall in love.

🗞️ Potterzine (E, 11k) - Snarry

When Severus Snape finds a fanzine with a picture of Professor Potter in a compromising position with Draco Malfoy on the cover, he confronts Potter about the offending literature.

🪩 An Aching Soul (M, 14k) - Drarry

Draco Malfoy escapes to the Muggle world to avoid his parents, memories of the war and Harry Potter. However, some things prove harder to escape than others as Draco realises when his favourite Muggle haunt is rudely invaded by a post-war Harry who is struggling to cope with grief, growing up and the battle with his inner demons.

⛓️ Dirty Little Secret (E, 22k) - Drarry

When someone threatens Harry’s life, Kingsley decides to send him to a safe house with only Draco Malfoy for company. As the two men are forced together, memories of the past resurface and secrets are discovered.

🥐 A Life Worth Remembering (E, 23k) - Drarry + Snape

Severus Snape wakes in St Mungo’s, to discover that a potions accident has wiped the last forty years from his body and mind. Just twenty-five years old, Severus is reliant on Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, now both in their forties, to help him fill in the missing decades.

🚘 Harry Potter and The Bisexual Awakening (E, 23k) - Drarry

Harry is perfectly content being single, heterosexual and living in Godric's Hollow with his very clingy rescue dog, Snitch. When Draco Malfoy turns up on Harry's doorstep demanding that Harry teach him how to drive, things quickly become a lot more complicated.

⌛️ Collapse Amongst the Dying Stars (M, 26k) - Drarry

After the final battle nothing is quite as Harry expected. Death Eaters remain unaccounted for, Malfoy is in prison and there is something rotten in Azkaban.

💋 The Beating of This Fragile Heart (E, 33k) - Snarry

After the war, the last thing Severus Snape needs is the memory of a fleeting wartime kiss and a very persistent Harry Potter thwarting his plans to live a peaceful and solitary life.

📸 Expecto Patronum (E, 35k) - Drarry

As Draco Malfoy negotiates his feelings for the wizarding world's brightest star, he becomes increasingly attached to Harry and unravels the secrets he keeps hidden from the rest of the world.

🗽How We Were Warriors (E, 51k) - Snarry

A homophobic attack in London’s Soho brings Harry to New York City to discover more about the past. Still haunted by love and loss in the eighties, Severus just wants to forget.

🥃 The Beauty of Thestrals and Other Unseen Things (E, 63k) - Drarry

Harry has terrific friends, an amazing girlfriend and his job as Head Auror enables him to work on challenging cases and Ministry reform. He just wishes he could work out why he’s been so out of sorts.

🏳️‍🌈 Little Compton Street verse (E, 150k) - Drarry, Sirius/James, Minerva/Will

Draco is lonely, Harry hates the press and it won’t stop raining in London. Harry discovers a magical street that’s close to disappearing forever and Draco realises he’s one rainy night in Soho away from finding everything he’s been searching for.

#happy bday writ 🌈#hp recs #Drarry #rare pairs

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yanderecyberpunkimagines · 8 months

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Love your blog,got one suggestion

Yandere Kerry Eurodine

He 100% gives off some obsessive vibes

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And I totally agree. I have the feeling that, from the second it was hinted that he was being pressured by the lack of recent creativity and some things that followed after that, he seemed to me like the type who would try to keep his obsession as close to him as he can to battle that, if you get what I mean.

These are general headcanons of what he'd roughly be like as a yandere from my perspective.

-----------

Kerry Eurodyne

* Due to his checkered past, keeping the parts in mind which also includes his ex-wife, it may take Kerry a bit of time to fall for you. Especially when you are a civilian. But once he does, he falls hard.

* Kerry's struggles with keeping solid relationships actually intensify his obsession. He longs for genuine connection, and finds solace in none other than you, seeing you as the key to filling the void left by his fractured family life and disconnected friendships.

* Kerry's obsession is deeply rooted in his quest to escape Johnny Silverhand's shadow as well. He fixates solely on you as a symbol of breaking free from the past and establishing his own identity- made evident of how he tries so hard to prove himself worthy of you in any way that he can. On that note, his fear of losing you instead also makes him vulnerable. Kerry's possessiveness stems from a deep-seated insecurity, fearing that without you, he’ll regress back into the void.

* His obsessive tendencies manifest strongly in his music as he finally finds a source of inspiration. He pens songs that subtly reference his need for control and the fear of being overshadowed, using his lyrics as his form of a rather manipulative confession. Yet, longing is also subtly woven through the melodies as well, and his fans won’t realize the underlying intensity of his emotions that may be ebbing through the cracks.

* His fame becomes a bit more of a blessing to him once he manages to get to you. Kerry will use his celebrity status to control aspects of your life, trying to isolate you to maintain his perceived grip on your supposed relationship. This control extends effortlessly due to the sophisticated security measures in and around his villa, including a bot keeping an eye on you when he’s not around. Should you manage to escape, he’ll simply utilize the right contacts to swiftly get you to be returned to him. In the face of such actions, Kerry doesn't exactly react with anger, but with immense disappointment. His sense of betrayal emerges not as rage, but as a profound letdown in your perceived lack of understanding. You may think so otherwise.

* He needs constant validation. He’ll fixate on you as a source of emotional stability and completeness, unable to accept any form of rejection or separation. Really. Do not even think about it. Because if you do, his obsession will blur the lines between right and wrong. He’ll justify his resulting actions as necessary steps to protecting you and what he perceives as his salvation from a life shadowed by regret and missed opportunities.

* Despite his fame and success, Kerry still battles with feelings of inadequacy. His obsession with you often hinges on your admiration for him, seeking constant praise to solidify his worth.

* A yandere who could actually be saved from himself. Genuine acceptance and love from you could potentially offer Kerry a path to healing, allowing him to confront his past and embrace a healthier mindset.

#reader insert #yandere #cp2077 #cyberpunk 2077 #kerry eurodyne

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naffeclipse · 1 year

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Naff! Naff! I finally read the last chapter of Song Fish!! Let me just start with saying that I am not normal about this chapter, not at all. There's so many things happening here that make me go INSANE in the BEST WAY!!!

Enjoy my essay!! XD

(Sorry, it gets a little gory at one point)

I HATE (hate-love you know~) how Circus forcefully gives y/n air and then drag them underwater again. She's so insanely cruel. Treating y/n like they're nothing more than a tool. I love how you made her into just a villain. Part of me for some reason thought that she would be some kind of anti-villian who didn't wanna just straight up kill you for personal gain, but man I was so wrong! Djfkfjhfjr

The dread and hopelessness we're immediately thrusted into and have to endure through the first half of the chapter is so well done and sets the tone so well! The glimpses of hope through the living nightmare y/n is going through keeps both y/n and the reader hoping for all this to end, it was hard to breathe sometimes and I could imagine the absolute darkness so vividly.

The absolute terror of being stuck in a sunken ship at the bottom of the sea.. that's the most terrifying place to be. It's like being stranded in space. Y/n really got the iron lung experience huh..

The visual I got whenever Circus was in the air pocket was striking. The way she lights up the entire space and water below in red is terrifying and in ways beautiful. Her giant green eyes have been seared into my mind and retinas somehow, I can visualize them so clearly against the red glow of her body.

Her tentacles snatching up y/n, squeezing and tossing them around in this already claustrophobic space sounds like literal hell and how y/n tries desperately to wipe the slick slime from Circus' tentacles away after she's let them go makes me cry :'0

It's terrifying how she can manipulate and control y/n so easily. Mers have all the control over their humans, knowing that fact makes me melt more over how sweet and caring Sun, Moon and Freddy are (and also Eclipse♥️). Just thinking back to Vanessa now and how Glitch controlled her like a puppet... I'm glad Circus never got that far with y/n..

Freddy saves the day!!! Aw Freddy, he's so sweet c': and oh my god Gregory what the hell are you doing out there with so many broken bones! I appreciate your help immensely but DAMN!!

Oh man and here's the fight! HERE'S THE FIGHT!!!

No no!! It's not fair, Sun stands no chance even when fighting back! Circus is a coward for forcing y/n to tell Sun not to fight,, she has the power to make it easier for herself yes and it's smart of her to use that power, but man it's cruel...

I feel like I say the same thing every time, but the way you write fight scenes between monsters is always so spectacular, bloody and filled with so much anger and heavy emotions. I'm blown away every time!!

When Circus's jaws opened up and her face pealed back I had to stop and celebrate! I'm so happy you kept that terrifying feature of hers and used it exactly like I did with my drawings of her! I'm just over the moon that my weird design turned out to be accurate to the fic! XD

She's terrifying! I love her! And hate her!

The tearing and slashing and biting AAAAA!!!! Oh god poor y/n having to feel what ALL THREE are feeling,,

Thank god for Freddy being there to stop Circus. The glimpses of fright finally being felt from her is SO SATISFYING! She screwed up majorly by messing with this group of mers and humans, and finally she's feeling that regret and fear for what she's brought upon herself.

They tore her head off!!?!!? Absolute BEASTS!!!!

I try to imagine how much that'd hurt but it's impossible. To Circus the pain stopped once her neck broke apart, but for y/n it persists. To feel every nerve snap, the skin tear, muscles rip and spine break and then the fading of consciousness on top of it all. And have all that pain stay after you're supposed to have died from it.. yeah I have no way to describe it and no way of imagining how that must feel. ....I'm not surprised y/n fainted.. though I do believe it was something more than just a faint..

*Deep inhale*

THEM!!!! FISHER AND ECLIPSE!!! IT'S THEM!!!!!!!

Oh I am not normal over our two y/ns meeting each other!! I screamed and cheered and nearly cried I was so happy to see those two again!!!

The way fisher is there to greet y/n and help guide them is PERFECT! And Eclipse being there too in his full glory, his beautiful red and orange colors against the bright white sky and dark star dotted ocean is striking. Absolute eye candy (which is funny to say cause it's writing, but you paint everything up so well so I can visualize it without any problems!)

I love this afterlife, or in-between life and death you've created, it sounds so peaceful and otherworldly.

Excuse me for a second as I scream into my pillow. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THEY TURNED INTO YOUNG VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES BEFORE THEY LEFT!!!! AAAAAAA MY HEART!!!!! I'M CRYING!!!!!! I love them so much,, fisher and Eclipse are so precious to me and I'm SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!!

I love how you've tied these two stories together and how one of them even effects the other. I really wanna reread Deep Dreams, it's soon been a whole year since I first read it!

Fisher and mer Eclipse hold a special place in my heart. I'm so happy you brought them back for this conclusion, it's a beautiful conclusion to their story too ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I wonder how much Sun and Moon could feel when y/n was under. Could they sense the presence of another great mer near their human or see what y/n was seeing? Or did they feel nothing, nothing at all, and for a moment thought they had lost the person they live for? My brain goes brrrrrrrrrr when I think about it~

They're like cats! Since when were they like cats!? They're licking each other's wounds!! AAAAA SWEETIES!!!

Can I ask again what kind of sailboat this new one is?? Aaaa they're painting it so prettyyyy!!! :'D

YES GO TO THE ABANDONED SHACK!! YEEES FIND THE SEASHELL!!! YEEEEES PUT IT WITH THE OTHERS WHERE IT BELONGS!!!! I'm not normal pdkdjdkd

Naff oh my god!! I loved this so much!!! NAFF I'M RATTLING YOU!!!! Thank you for this wonderful story, I enjoyed it immensely all the way through♥️

I hope you enjoyed my many thoughts pdjddskdj and I hope you're doing well! Remember to take care of yourself a little extra now when you're stretched thin between responsibilities and school stuff. Remember to stretch, hydrate and get plenty of rest~

Until next time I scream in your inbox, take care! I love you! ♥️♥️♥️

Meep, I am enjoying your essay wholeheartedly, you have no idea!!!

Oh my gosh, Y/N is getting the iron lung experience ;-; Too many terrifying situations under the oceans these days!

Yup, that's what poor Vanessa went through! Fisher Y/N thankfully never had to find out what a terrible mer could do with such a bond, but I wanted to explore that concept more, and who better than our fearful little Y/N trying to do their best?

BABE I'M SO HAPPY YOU LIKE THE RETURN OF ECLIPSE AND FISHER Y/N!!! It was one of my favorite scenes to write!

As for what the boys felt when Y/N was gone, it was a stark emptiness. The strict feeling of something needing to be there but wasn't. It was so out of place and terrifying. The boys were truly scared that they had lost their little seashell.

The next sailboat is a sloop as well! Y/N got pretty attached to that type hehe

Ahhh, I'm rattling you in return!!! I'm so glad you'll tell me your thoughts on it and I'm even happier that you enjoyed it all!!!

I'm doing good, thank you! I hope you are, too, and make sure you take it easy on yourself ♥ I love you, too!!!

#themeeplord #i am smooching your sweet little forehead #mwah #song fish amid the stars spoilers #compliments #moots

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married-2-the-music · 10 months

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K-pop Discography Deep Dives: Dreamcatcher (Part TWO)

A Disclaimer: I was planning, when I first started Tumblr, to be a lurker, but then I began an office job and needed something to listen to to keep myself occupied. And then, I started going through entire K-pop groups�� repertoires, album by album, and jotting down my thoughts. And then, I stumbled into K-pop tumblr and decided, you know what, there’s at least four people on this hell site who would read in depth rants about these discographies and at least five who wouldn’t read it and then get mad because it’s kind of our job as K-pop fans. My lukewarm takes should be taken with an entire silo of salt and the knowledge that this is completely for fun and occupying my very bored, very neurodivergent brain. All this to say, for the love of god, I’m a sleep-deprived student and I don’t have time for internet hate, so don’t kill me. With that being said, enjoy!

Here are my credentials: I’m a huge fan of Dreamcatcher, and have been an Insomnia since mid-2021 or so, just after the release of BEcause. They were actually the first concert I’ve ever been to, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for that. They totally gave their all for those two hours and I ended up loving them even more afterward. I’m even considering going again if they have another tour.

So, we left off after the end of their nightmare arc and a few special singles. Scream begins their next work, the dystopia trilogy, focused on hate speech and cyberbullying. This was the first DC song I heard, and god what a starting point. Those flashes of angry guitar and drums that pound like a heartbeat lead into a soft pre-chorus that lulls you into a false sense of security before that chorus just destroys you. The song is just so done, fitting for a person driven evil by cruelty because they simply couldn’t take it anymore, and its expansive string section adds layers of drama, especially with the distorted (kind of demonic) voice that echoes throughout the post-choruses. Overall, one of their best, though I wish that Handong (who, as mentioned before, was on hiatus during 2020) was there too,

The Tree Of Language is their first full album, and it’s so tough to pick a hidden gem. I know a lot of people love Red Sun but it’s a bit too vibey and meandering for me; it’s never been my favorite. Sahara is a total head-banger and I hope that they take its harsher rock for a title track again sometime. Black or White has some great Michael Jackson energy with its sharp moves and equally sharp chorus, letting the rock take a backseat. Jazz Bar is softer than I expected, with the jazz being more of an undertone and a nice backdrop with the dancy piano for the “I think I love you, oh I love you.”

Paradise is the last song on the album and is a solo for Siyeon, which makes sense given that she’s their main vocalist. It’s a bit calmer of a ballad than usual for DC, who often favor power ballads, but her vocals bring some great depth and emotion to what could be an average b-side. Also, shout-outs to the distorted strings in In The Frozen and the great energy in Tension.

BOCA is part two of the trilogy, and focuses more on the cyberbullying part than the hate speech as Scream does. It’s probably their most popular song overall, breaking into a k-pop market that, in 2020, was much more willing to accept rock than it had been at their debut. BOCA starts muted with a common-for-the-time tropical house beat, which should feel out of place but doesn’t. It then begins to build, as all their best work does, to a power ballad above an insistent electric guitar. It wasn’t one of my favorites at the beginning, but there’s no denying that it’s grown on me in the years since. Coming right on the heels of two tragic suicides in the k-pop industry (Sulli and Hara), which were partially due to immense amounts of online bullying, the lines of “Why do you fill your precious time with hate?” and especially the soul-piercing belt after “Too many angels dying now, I’m gonna change your mind” never fail to get me emotional.

From Lose Myself, despite the sweetness of fan-song Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind, I can’t think of a better hidden gem than Break The Wall. In K-pop, it’s common to decry “ugh this should’ve been a single”, but this should’ve been screamed from every rooftop in the galaxy. From start to finish, it’s a full-on alt-rock anthem that riles up its audience to stand together, rise up, and break the walls of prejudice with all of their strength. Seeing this in concert and screaming the words with thousands of teenage girls and the assorted parents, partners, and siblings that they dragged along (who ended up loving it) was what I might call a transcendent experience. For a couple moments, one would be forgiven for thinking that we could’ve really saved the world.

Odd Eye is the final part of the trilogy, and the return of Handong! It’s a great song, especially in its building pre-chorus, its cathartic bridge, and its distorted background mixed with traditional rock elements, but it’s never been one of my favorites. Unlike with You & I, where I had a very specific reason for feeling meh? about it, I don’t really know why I’ve never connected with this one. Even so, I do love how it ends the series, with the phrase: “in the end, the Dreamcatchers couldn’t find the Utopia they were looking for”, a surprisingly dark finish. When asked about this, member JiU said that they were trying to communicate that a perfect world doesn’t exist, but that the imperfect one we have is still worth fighting for. So, I have to give the song massive props for that.

From Road To Utopia, my hidden gem was Wind Blows. It maintains Dreamcatcher’s essential energy, but both slows it down for a hand-clapping pre-chorus and then ratchets it forward with an EDM-driven chorus that decides to end with a chant-filled post-chorus (that I don’t hate? I know, shocking). I also liked Poison Love, although a lot of that is due to the absolute hilarity of its music video, which is basically a 4-minute soap opera. New Days returns to their early years’ anime soundtrack energy, which is always appreciated.

BEcause is a special single in between the Dystopia and Apocalypse trilogies. It’s technically a love song, but I really like how it plays into many k-pop cliches—cutesiness, love, doll-like aesthetics—but in keeping with DC’s dark concepts, it’s actually about a stalker. The verses are understated, quite upbeat, and poppy, before the pre-chorus figuratively (and literally, in the music video) turns that calm feeling completely upside-down. The vocalizing and the “Be…cause I like you” in the chorus is chilling, and the song goes from 0 to 100 so quickly but so well, as you immediately get the sense that something is very, very wrong.

This EP is, hilariously enough, called Summer Holiday, as though the title track wasn’t one of their most horrifying. It does have some very upbeat tracks that are a rarity in DC’s discography, most notably Whistle, which turns its namesake into a recurring underscore and makes a quite catchy hook. Overall, though, this isn’t one of my favorite albums of theirs.

MAISON is both the beginning of the Apocalypse trilogy and my first Dreamcatcher comeback as an Insomnia (since BEcause came out when I was just becoming a fan and I wasn’t really “aware” of it at the time). Full disclosure, this was the song that made me buy tickets to their concert, and in hindsight, I’m not surprised. Unlike many of DC’s songs, it comes out of the gate swinging. There’s no slow first verse, no ballad to be found, and no way of reading its message as anything other than it is: a vicious criticism of the leaders who stand there doing nothing while climate change ravages the earth (“Oh no, you can’t fool me anymore. It’s weirdly warm, right? The planet, and your conscience drying up”), (“Pretending not to know, you can’t make it disappear”). It ends with only a simple plea: “Please, someone fight for us.” This song remains, to this day, my mom’s favorite Dreamcatcher song. (Hi, mom).

Apocalypse: Save Us is another full album, and has a lot of great songs (some we’ll get more into in a minute). I particularly liked the fun, boppy synths of Starlight, the choppy jazz-meets-alt-rock energy of Locked Inside A Door, and the very sweet Always, which is a song written for fans that they performed near the end of the concert.

Apocalypse: Save Us also contains a solo song for each member, which each of them got to write, and I was lucky enough to see them perform a medley at the concert I attended. First is JiU with the bouncy, retro Cherry, which is a love song written for JiU’s pomeranian Cherry. Yes really. It’s utterly delightful. Second is SuA with the EDM No Dot, which totally fits her role as main dancer because she performs the hell out of it. Third is Siyeon’s traditional Entrancing, which is quite soft and lovely, and makes the best of her excellent vocals.

Fourth is Handong’s quiet Winter, which is a fairly standard k-pop ballad but gives Handong a chance to sing a short a-capella section in her native Mandarin, which, as a linguistics major, I really loved. Fifth is Yoohyeon’s smoothly jazzy love song For, which is the rare k-pop song in English that I don’t mind. Sixth is Dami’s pop-punk Beauty Full, which has some great 2000’s energy and always gets me head-banging. And seventh is Gahyeon’s upbeat and youthful Playground, which is about holding onto childhood. These are all good songs and reflect their own styles well, but my favorite would either have to be Beauty Full or Cherry. I’m a huge fan of artists writing their own tracks so I’m so glad they got to do this!

After that slight digression, next up is Vision, the second song in the Apocalypse series. This one builds on what Maison began, but is resolved to take a far more involved position and not simply wait around for someone else to save them. Instead, Dreamcatcher leads the charge, giving Vision a militaristic feel with its insistent drumline, very present electric guitars, salutes, and flags. It’s a call to action if ever there was one, and features a breaking point just as Scream does, but this time it’s for good. “For your bright tomorrow, and this beautiful place,” JiU announces on the microphone, “For ourselves, give it up tonight! March! Raise your flag and fight again!” And Siyeon’s power note at the end? Excellent.

From Vision’s EP, Follow Us, I liked the synth-pop-meets-chill-rock of Fairytale, which works way better than I thought it would. It’s a sweet love song, and honestly would have made a great single for them if their singles weren’t set on storytelling. It’s very Dreamcatcher while tying that rock to another genre, which is part of the reason why DC’s work always sounds both fresh and true to their core. Some Love is more straightforward rock and EDM, and the Outro is peaceful, steering us into the next song quite well.

Bon Voyage wraps up the Apocalypse trilogy, and begins in the exact opposite way to Maison. Its first minute sounds like a classic love song, and in a way it is one, to the Earth, but I was left slightly baffled. And then, of course, that pre-chorus takes off and we’re back to classic Dreamcatcher in its excellent guitar riffs and power ballading to the stars. The bridge strikes a middle ground, keeping up the energy as the song barrels to its conclusion in what may be Siyeon’s most incredible high note yet. It may be a love song, but it’s also a promise to keep fighting for the Earth, until the day we have to say goodbye.

From the From Us EP, I had trouble choosing between Propose & Demian. Propose at first seems to be this album’s obligatory ballad, but the background crackles with an odd sound and suddenly pulls away with the “Don’t run away, you can’t escape my love,” and I got flashed back to BEcause’s stalking concept. Propose takes that and runs with it, delivering what can either be read as a creepily obsessive song or a power ballad in the name of love. Demian, meanwhile, is very disjointed, going from a usual Dreamcatcher b-side to Dami’s scream-talk sections, sharper raps, and a full-throated run into metal with a guitar breakdown that they haven’t really reached since No More. (And, as a lover of Break The Wall, I of course appreciated the shout-out.)

Reason is a special single for DC’s 6th anniversary, and starts out delightfully sappy: “Because of Insomnia, Dreamcatcher exists”. Overlaid on adorable footage of DC’s journey throughout their years in the industry is a song that somehow manages to be both a rock-metal anthem and an incredibly sweet tribute both to each other and their fans. “I will go far away, I spread out my wings to fly, I have to go on…because you are the reason.” No, I’m totally not crying right now. What are you talking about? (Cue me blubbering into a handkerchief).

OOTD came out less than a week ago, and I admit I was a little wary with its teasers. And it turns out I was right to worry. The song starts with a good EDM smash and some great vocalizing right away, and its pre-chorus’ build reminds me of Vision. I’m intrigued by its choppier editing and its commentary on the fashion industry. Overall, though I think the song has some great ideas (the nu-metal mixed with hip-hop), it goes far too into sing-talk for me and I don’t like the chorus. Honestly, the most accurate thing I could say is it doesn’t sound like Dreamcatcher. It’s not a bad song, so perhaps it’ll grow on me, but for now…I’m afraid not. I think this is the first track of theirs (in an almost 7-year-career) that I haven’t liked to some level, and as long as the issues I had with it don’t continue into other releases, I’m willing to overlook it, like I did with Birthday by Red Velvet, as a “you can’t win them all”.

Versus Villain, the EP, is thankfully as strong as always. Rising carries that great alt rock energy and DC’s signature encouragement to keep going (“raise your arms up, with all your strength, shout!”), which is always nice to hear. I loved this one from the first chorus, and immediately wondered, why on earth was this not the title, guys? It would’ve been perfect!

This may be the most fun I’ve had in my reviews so far! Besides having an excellent discography in just sound alone, they’ve covered trauma, cyberbullying, stalking, climate change, depression, hate speech, love, and hope in under 100 tracks, all while waving pride flags on stage, writing special tracks about loving their dogs, and working their way up in the k-pop world from a tiny company. Their work reminds us all that it’s okay to have bad days but that one day, we will have the strength to accept ourselves, wake up from our nightmares, and start changing the world. And really, what’s more empowering than that?

My Top 5 songs are Break The Wall, What, Deja Vu, Bon Voyage, and Maison, with Wake Up and Fairytale as honorable mentions. Dreamcatcher gets a 10 out of 10 from me, which is no surprise. I can’t really think of anything I would change about what they’ve done, and even though I have my tiny gripes here and there, none of them are enough to make me change my mind. Maybe I’ll be eating my words in a few months, so we’ll see how this ages, but for now I don’t think that there’s any group out there whose work I would rate higher. For now, I’ll end by saying that I’m very proud to be an Insomnia.

Next time, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming with another boy group of the week, this one one that I barely even know, so I’m looking forward to it! Tschüss!

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mysteriouslover1516 · 2 years

Text

Moon (Richy x MC) 3

Based on Jonah Kagen's song Moon. Read Part 1 and Part 2 first if not already done so.

I’ve got demons, you’ve got scars

But all the bumps and bruises take us the place we are

The smell of smoke and gasoline hit MC with a vengeance as the light in the distance grew closer, making her soon come to a startling realization. The light wasn’t a lantern, nor was it a flashlight…..it was actual flames. Faint coughing reached her ears as she picked up on the sound of crackling, roaring flames; the fire hungrily sapping up fuel.

We’ve been through heaven and then we fell

And you might think it’s over

“Hello?” MC called out hesitantly, debating whether or not to turn the corner, knowing she would then be vulnerable and out in the open. Who would she come face to face with? Michael? Richy? Shaking her head, she took a deep breath, the smell of fumes making her mind spin and eyes burn. She couldn’t be afraid, not now, he needed her, Richy needed her.

But the story’s ours to tell

Just know that I will be with you

Richy opened his eyes, his mind whirling. Was he hallucinating? Were the fumes getting to his head? He could have sworn he heard a voice, he heard her voice. But that was impossible…..she had sent Alan in her place. Alan had rescued Hannah, left the mine with her clasping tightly to his arm. He had watched them exit the Grimstone, then he shut the trap door behind them, making sure no one else could venture back inside. He couldn’t put anyone else’s life back in danger, not again, not anymore. As the smoke started to fill his lungs, his chest ached, his body quickly succumbing to an immense coughing fit, eyes closing once more.

Just keep looking for the moon and I’ll be here

While you’re searching for your life out in the dark

Stepping out of the shadows and into the blazing light casted by the dancing flames, MC’s thoughts slowly came to a stand still. All too familiar messy, blonde hair; those ocean blue eyes she had come to adore hidden behind closed lids; the slight dimples; staring straight back at her. Was he dead? “Richy?!” Her eyes flickered away from his face, gaze falling on his upper body. The navy blue hoodie he wore was coated with dirt and grime, a once-white wrapping barely clinging on to his right arm, stained crimson red. No, this wasn’t happening. No.

Looking for the moon, you’ll see it clear

Cause it shines the same wherever you are

The mechanic’s eyes snapped open as he heard his name being spoken, his eyes locking with those of the girl before him. Her face was pale, her hands shaking, he noticed the slight biting of her bottom lip, oh god. The red glow of the roaring flames mirrored themselves in her sad, beautiful eyes; tears starting to cascade down her cheeks and glisten in the mocking scarlet and maroon lighting. “MC.”

Let it guide you, don’t look behind you

If you stay within the light, I’ll always find you

In that moment, MC’s world fell apart, it felt like her heart was shattering into a thousand billion pieces. Pieces that she would never be able to recover, that were impossible to glue together without cutting herself on the sharp shards. Pieces she wasn’t even sure she wanted to face ever again, pieces to relive. Jake was right…… oh god, he was right. It was Richy, it was Richy all along.

Looking for the moon, and I’ll be here

If you don’t ever have to feel alone

“MC,” The blonde’s voice cracked as he watched her resolve fade. In that moment he was sure he had lost her, he had seen it, leaving him looking into a sad, desolate wasteland of racing emotions.

Cause I will be with you

“It was you.” MC barely recognized her own voice, the quietness of it startling her. “You.” More tears started to rapidly fall from her eyes, “Richy, how could you? How could you do this to Hannah, to your friends, to Jessy. How could you do this to ME?” She choked as she remembered the video call where he faked his death, the pain she had experienced then was nothing compared to what she felt now. “I loved you, Richy! When you….when I thought you died…..I cried so hard for you, I cried myself to sleep! Do you even care?!”

I will be with you

Keep looking for the moon

I will be with you

“Of course I cared!” Richy pleaded, struggling to his feet, a groan escaping his lips as his arm screamed its dismay at the sudden movement. “It killed me to do that to you! To know what kind of an effect it would have on you, what toll it would take! I-”

In my letters and in my songs

It’s the thought of you that fills them up

And keeps me feeling strong

“Then why would you do it?!” MC cried, barely registering the mechanic closing the gap between them. “Why Richy? You said you cared for me, and then you-”

I don’t regret it, I know it’s hard

But I know that we are greater than the sum of our hearts

Just know that I will be with you

Ignoring the flames enclosing around them, his head growing numb to the pain in his shoulder, he reached his injured arm up to MC’s cheek, gently brushing away her tears with his thumb. “MC, I’m so sorry. I swear, I didn’t mean for it to go this far. Please, you have to believe me, I didn’t want this, MC! I never wanted this! Just give me a chance, a chance to explain, please, just give me another chance!”

Just keep looking for the moon and I’ll be here

While you’re searching for your life out in the dark

“You don’t deserve another chance, Richy!” MC cried, hating the way she felt herself leaning into his touch, the way her body was ultimately betraying her. “You deserve what’s happening to you, you deserve that gunshot wound in your shoulder! You deserve to die, Richy! You’re a monster! I-” her mouth struggled to form the words, the words that were echoing inside her head. I hate you.

Looking for the moon, you’ll see it clear

Cause it shines the same wherever you are

“MC, no,” Tear-filled blue eyes shone in the light of the flames. “Don’t say that, please. MC, I can’t lose you, god I can’t lose you! I know I deserve your hatred, I deserve you to despise me and wish me dead, but MC, I’m begging you, please, just don’t!” He subconsciously found his arms around her waist, pulling her close to his chest, noting her breath hitch at the closeness.

Let it guide you, don’t look behind you

If you stay within the light, I’ll always find you

“I don’t know you,” MC whispered as she looked up into his eyes. “The man I thought you were, it was all a lie, an act. I……..I don’t know you, and I don’t want to.” Her voice began to raise as the tears came more rapidly, suddenly trying to pull herself away from Richy’s arms. “You’re not the man I fell in love with, that guy was apparently just a figment of my imagination, he didn’t exist, he NEVER existed. You lied to me, deceived me! And I hate you, Richy! I hate you for what you did to me, for what you did to us, to Hannah. I HATE you and I hate that it’s killing me! I hate that I still find myself loving you, when all I want to feel towards you is hatred!”

Looking for the moon, and I’ll be here

Cause you don’t ever have to feel alone

“You have every right to hate me, I know.” Richy hung his head, fighting the urge to let go, instead he held her fighting and squirming in his arms. “But please, I’m begging you, don’t. I know I hurt you, I hurt you so so much. I know I took advantage of your feelings for me, I deceived you, lied to you about who I was. But you have to believe me, the affection I felt for you was all real. The feelings I shared with you, when I told you I liked you, I meant it. I know I lied to you about nearly everything, but if there is one thing you can believe me on, believe me when I say I still love you. Because MC, I still love you, and I never stopped and I never will until my dying breath! And I know you probably still hate my guts and think I’m once again trying to lead you astray with my words, but I promise, I mean it all with my whole heart!”

Cause I will be with you

I will be with you

“How am I supposed to believe you, Richy?” MC said weakly, finally resting in his hold, breath shaking. “After all you did, after so many lies, how am I supposed to believe you now? Because…….if you truly loved me, you wouldn’t have gone this far, right? If you truly loved any of us, any of your friends, you wouldn’t have allowed everything to happen. It’s hard to trust you, no matter how much my heart wants me to forgive and forget, my head screams no, my instincts say to run and not look back. To leave you to your demise, let the others believe it was Michael all along, not their friend, not their beloved mechanic, not Richy Rogers, the man who always smiled and always had a joke for them.”

And I know how it feels to be lonely and lie awake on your own (I will be with you)

And I know how it hurts when you hide

That your heart is barely holding on (I will be with you)

“I know, MC, I know.” Richy sighs as his gaze shifted from her eyes, and then to her lips. “It would be crazy of you to forgive me, to simply act as I never did anything at all to hurt you, to forget.” He opened his mouth up as if to speak some more, but no sound came out, he was truly at a loss for words. There was nothing he could say that could reverse the past, excuse his actions. Nothing.

But if you think that I’ll forget you

Then you must be crazy

Suddenly a smoldering beam fell from the mine ceiling, jarring them both back to their present circumstances, the environment mimicking a raging furnace. “Richy, we need to get you out.”

Cause honestly it’s not only you that needs saving

I will be with you

“I don’t deserve it,” The blonde shook his head. “I don’t deserve you, MC.”

"Richy, don't, please-"

Just keep looking for the moon and I’ll be here

While you’re searching for your life out in the dark

“You said so yourself, MC. I’m a monster, I deserve to die, I deserve what is happening to me. I did this to myself and now it’s time to reap the consequences.” His lips screwed into a small, bitter smirk. “As my father used to say, you made your bed now lie in it.” A hollow chuckle escaped him, here he was literally laughing at danger, at death himself.

Looking for the moon, you’ll see it clear

Cause it shines the same wherever you are

“You want another chance, right?” MC asked seriously, eyes searching his ocean blue ones, the ones she found herself once more drowning in the more she stared. “Another chance for us?”

Keep looking for the moon

I will be with you (I will be with you)

“More than anything, MC.” More tears started to cascade down Richy’s cheeks, “But I don’t want to hurt you, I don’t want to burn you. I don’t deserve to take your hand, to walk out of this mine with you by my side. You deserve life, I deserve death. MC, I can’t-”

Keep looking for the moon

I will be with you

Cause I will be with you

MC cut him off by pressing her lips to his, “Save it for later,” she breathed out as she pulled away. “A the moment, we need to focus on escaping. And now.”

Hey lovelies! Thanks for sticking with me on this journey! Please like or comment, I love to hear from all of you! <3 <3 Part 4 is on its way.........

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