#a cockroach touched my foot

[ulalalune]

Just suffered horrible things today. NOT a good day AT ALL...

[driftingballoons]

I don’t think I have that phobia lol

[greynatomy]

confessions and accidental meetings

ona batlle x reader

prequel to soft launch. requested here

———

Arriving at your favorite coffee shop, you swing the door open only to feel some resistance on the other side.

“Oh my god! I am so sorry!” You’ve not even looked at the person, but grabbed as many napkins as you could to start wiping her down. “I am such a klutz.”

What you don’t notice is the person smiling widely at you, entertained at how you’re wiping her down and apologizing nonstop. She reaches out to grab one of your wrists to stop your panick.

“It is okay.” She tells you once your eyes reach hers.

You swear you could’ve melted right there and there. The hand she isn’t holding is stilled on her shirt over her stomach where you were absolutely sure you felt some indentations.

You couldn’t look away, opting to just nod as words aren’t able to properly come out of your mouth.

Ona was loving every second of this interaction, loving how you melt to her touch, a complete stranger’s.

Despite being soaking wet, Ona sat down with you at a table, attentively listening to to whatever you had to say. It was a bit difficult to understand, but all she knew was that she didn’t want to stop talking to you.

“Can-can I get your, uh, number?”

You gave it to her without hesitation, telling her that you’d be her tour guide of Manchester. You brought her to your favorite places, Ona making a mental note about everything you’ve said and shown her.

In the three months since you’ve met, your jobs never came up, relishing in the bubble you two have built around yourselves. There was an understanding that you both very much liked each other more than friend’s, it was just a matter of who has the guts to take it to the next level.

Seeing as you weren’t going to do it, Ona dragged you out of your apartment, taking you to all of your favorite places. You loved how she remembered everything you’ve told her, everything being highlighted on this day.

Last but not least, you’ve both made it to the coffee shop you’ve both met at, always feeling nostalgic whenever you step foot in it.

“I, uh, wanted to ask you something and I thought it’s good to come back here to do it.” You nod, telling her to continue. Ona squirmed in her seat, avoiding eye contact, she stammered, “Um, so, I’ve been thinking… I mean not-not that I think about this all the time, but uh.”

You raise an eyebrow, curiosity peaked. “It’s just me Ona. Spill it.”

Ona took a deep breath, “Well, when we are together, I-I have this weird feeling in my stomach. Not like, not like a tummy ache, but what is it people say? Cockroaches?”

“Butterflies?” You correct her.

“Yes! Uh, yes, butterflies. And I-I like you. More than a friend.”

You blinked, trying to process her words, then broke into a bright smile. “That was the most awkward and adorable thing I have ever experienced. And I also have butterflies in my stomach whenever we hang out. How could I not?”

“Really? Uh, wow.”

“Well, first, let’s stop being awkward and acknowledge that we both like each other. And then… maybe you could come over here and kiss me.”

Ona, seemingly getting all her confidence back, walks around the table to where you sat. Hands cupping both sides of your face, she dips her head down, pulling you into a passionate kiss.

You’ve been together for a good six months now and everyday has been full of laughs, adventure and comfortability. When she found out who your sister was though, she looked like she’s seen a ghost.

“You don’t have to be scared of her, baby. She’s just a big giant teddy bear.”

“She could probably beat me up.”

“Don’t say that! She’s all soft and cuddly.”

Ona didn’t believe you. She’s played against Lucy before and it’s safe to say your sister scares her a bit.

One day, Ona had just finished training and decided to go and surprise you after not seeing each other for a week with both of your busy schedules. She picked up your favorite flowers and favorite take away and made the journey to you apartment.

She doesn’t bother to knock, using the spare key you’ve given her.

“Mi amore!” She calls out, taking her shoes off by the front door. walking further into the apartment, she’s met with one Lucy Bronze sitting on your couch. “Uh, hello.”

“Ah. So you’re the one my sister is seeing.” Lucy gets up from where she sat, stalking closer to Ona.

“Uh, sí. It is nice to meet you.” Ona gulps, nervous say how Lucy was looking down at her.

“You’re technically the enemy, so I wouldn’t say this is anything but nice.”

They were both staring down at each other, unaware that you’ve walked back into the living room.

“What are you guys doing?”

They whip their head towards you, like they’ve been caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.

“Just getting acquainted with your girlfriend here.” Lucy says, placing a hand on Ona’s shoulder, squeezing a bit making Ona wince, but tries to hide.

“Lucy, don’t scare my girlfriend please.” You grab Ona’s arm, pulling her away from your sister. “I would like to keep her alive forever.”

“Fine. But just know, I’m keeping a close eye on you. Hurt my sister and I hurt you.” Lucy flexes her bicep, making you let out a laugh.

“You are always flexing, I swear.”

“I promise to not hurt your sister, at least intentionally.” Ona pulls you close, placing a kiss on the side of your head.

“Good. Good. Now, what kind of take out did you bring? I’m hungry.”

[haecien]

SEVENTEENS reaction to their s/o being scared/screaming about bugs.

Note: I have no idea who is & is not scare of bugs in svt... this is just my interpretation!! If there is a video/post about this tell me!!! also fun fact, a Cockroach was roaming around my room while writing

Warning: mentions of killing, the word die😭 all of this is jokes, none of these are real! slight cursing!

Genre: fluff, jst fluff

766 words 3,883 characters

C.SC -

At first he thought you were dying when he heard your blood curtailing scream, turns out there was a fly just roaming around and it happen to just touch your face.

Now he has learned to carry at least 1 tiny can of bug spray just for you, it gives him a heart attack over your screams. He finds it a bit cute whenever you clung to him after seeing a bug near you.

Y.JH -

Same reaction for the first time of coups. But.... instead of comforting he just... almost teased you to death/j

He'd secretly hide those fake toys of bugs ALL around your shared house/apartment/...idk any living place lmao

You'd almost kill him for doing that, still gets you everytime. Ofc he made it up to you, he is still your boyfriend after all

" Hey... come on I'm sorry! I forgot to remove itt"

*silent treatment*

H.JS -

He would try to calm you down at first, if you were still wailing about the bug he would try and kill it or carefully place it outside.

He would endlessly caress you and tell you that you're alright

(Bro im giggling)

"Joshua i swear ill love you til I die" " Then die😊🤭" /j

(If ykyk)

W.JH-

Who knows he'll eat the bug, jk. He would prob scream with you, he'll act up like " I'll protect you! " then comes running back to you terrified

" YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS THAT BIG " " WAAAHAA I KNOW... "

Eventually he sucked it up and very "bravely" shoo shoo away the bug. BEGONE! " You know! I was just acting, I wasn't really scared... " " Totally.... "

K.SY-

" AAAAAAAAA " Wow is HE more scared than YOU? Yes, a matter of fact he is.... " You know i've seen tigers beat bigger enemies... yet you're scared of a single bug?? I guess you're not really a tiger. "

Those exact words, they made him furious and he quickly got a broom and vigorously whacked the bug away! In times of need you just made him question his identity as a tiger.

J.WW-

Honestly, would be kinda chill. He carefully took a piece of paper and a glass and scooped up the bug and placed it outside.

He asked if you wanted to play with him to help you calm down, you said yes NEVER wanting to set a foot outside right now. (Ok now imagine resting your head on his broad ass shoulders while playing and he'd run his fingers through your hair)

L.JH-

Same reaction as Wonwoo, BUT It would take him awhile to come down from his room😭the time he came down you'd almost started thinking of burning this entire house to the ground. (No reason, i keep thinking about the fluffy hair jihoon with THE black turtleneck shirt that's kinda tight)

X.MH-

So... Fuck it he's letting you take care of it/j yeah he's gnna flame that bug, BURN THE WITCH! If he mocks you about this you would bring up the thing with him and frogs😭(if you don't know I remember seeing a video of seeing minghao being scared of irl frogs but not animated ones ex: keroppi)

K.MG-

Hes a big boy... but he's just a puppy tbh, LITTERALLY LOOK (I got off track sorry HAJSJSK Free gyu pics ig HAHA)

Deff is also scared of the bugs too, poor baby just stood there frozen while the bug flew on his face. Prob had to call a friend to help you HAHA

L.SK-

You know he's gnna hit those high notes, who's going to help you both in this state oh my god. "YOU'RE THE MAN. GO GET IT. " the bug flew away before you both could even do anything " Sunshine i drove it away!! " ".... YaaYyyy.... " *dies*

H.VC-

" HANSOL... " he looked at you confused literally deadass holding the now DEAD bug in his hands " what do I do with it? Throw it o-- " "NO! " bitch I thought you were scared of it " ... ill just do whatever "

B.SK-

He gets scared easily too so... hajimalago/j would be sassy about it " Why don't you get it! You saw it first " kind of guy you'd end up bickering with him too much that the bug decided to just dip out

L.CN-

The only guy who actually protected you HELP, you'd move to another room and let him take care of it. He'd keep reassuring you that you were fine and that the bug was gone, no more bugs will bother you anymore

[issysh3ll]

i woke up and a cockroach was on my floor

and it touched my foot.

Aww did you name it?

[anonficwriter]

No Safe Port

Izzy needs more than one hug, whether he wants to admit it or not, and Fang is happy to give him another - whether he deserves it or not.

“You don’t have to go in there, you know, Izzy?”

Fang’s voice was just about the last thing--

not really the last, is it, but I can’t think of that, I’ll break again

-- Izzy had wanted to hear again, after spending an entire day avoiding the crew as a whole after that-- shameful-- bullshit below deck that morning. One thing he’d learned early in life was that there is always a steep price to pay for weakness, and he’d kept that well in mind since.

Only that now he was unable to get a firm grip on himself once again; every part of him felt like the splintered piece of a ship that had taken far too much cannon fire, ready to come apart and drown the bastard at the helm desperately trying to steer the heap of broken wooden planks towards a safe port that may not exist. 

Not that he was steering a lot. He could barely hold onto the helm to keep standing.

Which was why Fang had found him there, standing in front of his cabin, unable to make himself step in - wondering if sleeping with his boots on would be enough to spare him more pain, or if it would only put him at risk of losing a finger instead. He was considering the idea of not sleeping at all - not too difficult, surely, with his left foot throbbing painfully with each heartbeat and no alcohol in his system to take the edge off the pain - when Fang had suddenly spoken up from behind him.

Izzy worked his jaw a moment, and turned with a glare. “Where else am I supposed to fucking sleep?” he snapped, with what hoped was sufficient venom to get the idiot to back off. Except that it didn’t work. His voice sounded weak to his own ears, and he hated it. He was not weak, could not afford to be weak. If Fang tried to hug him again, he’d bite his fucking throat out. 

That thought had to show on his face, and Fang made no attempt to step closer; he just held up his hands, as though to show he wasn’t trying to touch him, and spoke again. “My bunk, I was thinking,” he said.

Izzy stared. Opened his mouth. Closed it. Stared some more. 

“What the fuck made you think I’d want to sleep in your bunk?”

“Well, it’s in the cargo hold, and I figure that if-- someone gets in a bad mood tonight, hypothetically, he wouldn’t look for you there. It’s safer. Well, safe-ish. If I get in the bunk too, you know, I’m big. I think I could hide you pretty well. No one coming in would see you. If anyone does come in.”

Hide. Is this what he thought of him? Is this what the crew now thought Israel Hands did when things got tough - hide behind a crew man, flattened against the wall like a cockroach?

“Get the fuck out of my si--” Izzy began, taking a step towards Fang, and it was a mistake. It was supposed to be a menacing step, but in his anger he didn’t put the foot down carefully enough and pain shot up his leg like lightning - up his spine, to his brain - and the knee gave in. 

There was a grunt coming from his own mouth, the pathetic noise of a dog who just got a kick in the ribs, and he didn’t even try to regain his footing. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact with the floor, hoping that it would hurt less than putting weight on his foot again.

But the impact didn’t happen. Fang grabbed him before he fell, and picked him up like he weighed nothing. Izzy would have made good on his promise to rip out his fucking throat with his teeth, if not for the fact his foot was a mangled mass of a pain and he could think of nothing other than please please make it end.

“Got you, I got you,” Fang was saying just above him, and Izzy let out a low, guttural noise, head rolling against something solid that he’d assume, later, was Fang’s shoulder. Next thing he knew for certain was that he was being leaned on what someone very charitable could call a bed, the wave of pain slowly diminishing enough for him to take in his surroundings. He was in the cargo hold, sure enough, where Fang slept whenever the weather made sleeping on hammocks on deck less than pleasant. 

“Sorry, I’m sorry-- if you really don’t wanna stay I’ll take you back to your cabin. Just, you scared me half to death-- you want me to get Roach, to take a look at--” Fang didn’t try to reach for his boot as much as he gestured towards it, but it was enough to make Izzy sit up with a start.

“No,” he gritted out. There were bandages beneath the boot, of course, but he’d die before he let anyone see those either. “No. No. No one fucking looks.”

“All right, all right--”

“Don’t call anyone!”

“I won’t.”

Izzy let himself drop back on the pillow, breathing fast and drenched with sweat. Something rested on his forehead. 

“You’re warm, Izzy.”

“Fuck o--” Izzy began, but then he heard something - steps on the deck above. 

And it could have been anyone, absolutely anyone out of the entire crew, but it was enough to make words die on his lips, the snarl turning into a sharp intake of breath. It was Blackbeard, of course it was, heading to his cabin to claim more of him. And he should be glad, shouldn’t he? He’d been glad the first time, thinking that someone he’d known long ago was finally back. A single toe had seemed a fair price to pay for that.

Blackbeard is my captain, he had told him, and not too long ago he thought he’d been prepared to give anything, everything, all of him to his captain. No higher pride than being Captain Blackbeard’s First Mate. I serve Blackbeard, he had said.

But this was not the man he’d known, either. This was not how things were before. And the more he lost, the more terrified he grew of how much more would be taken next. His pride was all he could cling to, and even that had taken a blow.

It’s what I get. I did this. I made my own fucking bed and I should get up and got to fucking lie in it like a man, instead of hiding like a-- a--

The steps faded, and Izzy gave a shaky exhale, keeping still. The wooden boards above his head turned blurry; if Fang noticed, he said nothing of it and just blew out the candle. The blurry boards disappeared, and Izzy closed his eyes. He did his utmost to ignore the wet, warm something going down his temples.

“... You all right if I get in, Izzy? I’ll be careful.”

As long as you don’t fucking hug me again, Izzy should have snapped, but he didn’t make a sound and barely moved his head to nod. There would be shame in it come morning, no doubt, but at the moment he felt nothing but a desperate desire to go to sleep, rest, and awaken in the morning safe and whole. Or as close to whole as he could be now.

“You good?”

Fang was leaning down next to him and probably halfway off the bunk, since he was giving Izzy most of the space… which probably defeated the entire idea of hiding him from sight. A long breath, and Izzy shifted against the wall.

“You’re not hiding a fucking thing like that. Come on,” he muttered, waving goodbye to the last tattered leftover of his dignity. To his relief, Fang didn’t comment; he just shifted onto the bunk to lean on his side, his solid mass against Izzy’s arm, surely more than enough to conceal him from sight should anyone have a look inside. But if said someone came over…

“... The fuck are you planning to do if he really comes in? If he doesn't stop at the door and comes in looking and finds me?” Izzy found himself asking, but it was a stupid question if there ever was one. He’d give him up, of course he would. Anyone in the crew would. He would, in their shoes.

A few moments of silence, and he felt Fang shrug. A blanket was pulled over both of them. “Well, if it happens, we’ll see. But I don’t think it will. The crew agreed to try and keep him, uh, distracted, if it looks like he might come this way.”

“You’re a bunch of fucking idiots.”

“Heard that a few times.”

“You don’t make any fucking sense. Risk your lives for-- you tried to throw me off board with an anchor weeks ago.”

“Try to get some sleep, Izzy.”

Easier said than done, that: for a long time Izzy lay awake in the dark, mouth dry, aware of nothing but the creaks and groans of the ship as well as the slowly dulling pain in his foot. But little by little, as no sound of steps reached his ears, something in his chest began to ease. The pain grew duller, his eyelids heavy, and he found himself listening to Fang’s slow, steady breathing instead. Finally, he closed his eyes and turned on his side. 

His forehead rested against Fang’s shoulder, and Izzy quickly found out he was not asleep at all when he felt a hand rubbing his back. He squeezed his eyes shut with a shaky breath. “You won’t tell a fucking soul about this,” he choked out.

“Course not. Want a hug?”

“Don’t make me say it,” Izzy managed, and thank fuck he didn’t. 

Izzy didn’t struggle this time. He remained limp and still, letting Fang give him the fucking hug and hold onto him. With the lights off and no one else there to see, it was easier to fight back shame. Tears, on the other hand, were quicker to come without shame to keep them at bay; terror of being heard helped him keep it quiet, at least. 

Any and all noises that did escape him were muffled against Fang’s shirt, and the idiot was rocking him and it was fucking stupid - but if he let go of him now, Izzy knew, the splintered ship would come apart and leave him to drown at sea. He gripped that shirt with both hands, knowing that there was no safe port for him, but Fang was the closest thing to one that he could turn to and fuck it, he needed it, he needed to rest, he needed help.

Fang seemed to get the message, and kept holding on. “Get some sleep, yes? It will be alright.”

Nothing is fucking right, Izzy wanted to say, but slowly the crying subsided and left him on the edge of sleep or unconsciousness, whatever the fuck one wanted to call it. He was parched, his foot still throbbed dully, but most of all he was exhausted. Sleep claimed him with his face still burrowed against Fang’s chest, a hand rubbing slowly up and down his spine while the ship rolled gently on the waves.

It was no safe port yet but maybe, just maybe, the respite would give him the strength he needed to hang on until he found one.

[moonpiepig]

Love-struck - Chapter 7

“Who are you and how do you know my mother?” Y/N demanded, standing her ground and ignoring her muscles screaming for escape. 

The mayor laughed darkly. “Oh, I think you know the answer to that, little devil slayer.” He turned his back to her and ran his hand along a bookcase, stopping at a slim, red, leatherbound book and pushing it further into the bookshelf with a flourish. The bookcase clicked and swung inwards, revealing a life sized statue of a man with a large tome in each hand. Black candles were stood at the foot of the statue, morphing and twisting Zeref’s sharp, stone features in the flickering light. “I was the one who found your traitor mother’s body.” 

A spark of recognition lit in Y/N’s mind. A younger man with chestnut hair instead of white, wrinkles less deep and two arms instead of one, called and beckoned her smiling father to work in her memory. A man who had sat across from her at the dinner table, carving a roast chicken her mother had made while her father dished out vegetables. Her mother packing a suitcase and rushing out the door. This man dragging her inside her home, bloodied, after she had been found. “Why aren’t you at the village?”

“These past few years have been especially rough,” he spat and touched his shoulder where his sleeve was carefully pinned. “After your mother’s efforts to thwart our plans, more and more cockroaches crawled out from the floorboards trying to put a stop to everything we worked hard for. We had to split up into smaller groups to gather more followers and raise an army for Lord Zeref.”

“The eggs…”

“Exactly. I was going to raise and train the beasts until that monster burnt everything I built to ashes. I was hoping you would have a similar fate…” The mayor closed the hidden room abruptly and took a step closer to Y/N. “But no matter. I can deal with you instead!” 

Y/N launched herself backwards as black clouds formed around the mayor, splayed her palms and sent dark, crackling energy towards him, just as the door sprung open and Laxus sprinted inside, shouting her name and bracing for a fight. The dark lightning hit his chest at full force and he crashed into the desk, sending everything on top flying, and crying out in pain. Papers floated to the ground and a brandy glass shattered upon impact. Y/N scanned the room but the mayor was nowhere to be seen. She rushed over to Laxus, her heart pounding in her ears and her stomach lurched once she took in the scene before her. Laxus was breathing jaggedly and a large piece of broken wood had pierced through his chest. Blood ran down from the wound, soaking into his t-shirt and dripping into a pool on the floor. Y/N fell to her knees and pressed hard around the wood, desperately trying stop the flow and choking back stinging tears.

“It’ll be okay,” she croaked. “We’ll get you to the infirmary and you’ll get fixed up in no time.”

He shook his head slowly, frowning with effort. She felt his large, warm hand envelop hers, pulling it away from the wound and up to his lips. He smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach his shining eyes. “I’m glad you came back,” he whispered and took his last breath. 

The world stopped and fell silent and Y/N stared at Laxus’ serene face, willing him to move. And then two year’s worth of unspoken words crashed down on top of her and her lungs exploded with painful sobs as she held his face in her hands, kissing him gently and begging him to wake up. Eventually, exhaustion took over and she sat on the floor, cradling him in her arms, tears dried up. Brandy had mixed with Laxus’ blood and the fragments of glass lay nearby. 

A thought struck Y/N like a match supporting a tiny flame of hope. She scrambled to her feet, grabbed the largest piece of glass and held it up to the light. The glass was dull and reflected coloured lights that did not exist, omitting her reflection completely. She dropped the shard and examined her surroundings carefully. Everything appeared exactly as she remembered it from the last time she was there. Movement caught her eye from a corner of the room, a dark, floating mist, barely visible. She whipped around to face it, summoning dark sparks from deep within her that coursed down through her arms and balled in her palms. She raised her hands and the lightning shot towards the mist, forcing the mayor’s form to appear as it hurt him. Laxus’ body faded into nothing and the desk looked untouched. 

“Well done,” the mayor said, slightly breathless with pain. “You broke the illusion much quicker than last time.”

“You were the guy at the farm?!” She lunged at him, swinging her right arm towards his face. He dodged and the breath was knocked out of her as his fist connected with her stomach. She stumbled back and grabbed a large tome from a shelf and slammed it into the side of his head, sending him crashing into a bookcase. Y/N rushed forward, dark energy coursing through her and brought her arm down into him, but just before she reached him, he vanished and the lightning cracked the ground, tearing up the stone floor and leaving a large crater. Anger welled up, burning her from the inside and she frantically searched for the black mist revealing his location. “NO MORE TRICKS!” she yelled into the empty space. 

“Fine.” He appeared behind her, grabbing a fistfull of her hair and bringing her to her knees. “You have caused me more trouble than you are worth, girl. You and your bitch mother.”

Black spots danced before her and fury numbed her pain. Darkness blossomed from her elbow down to her fingertip and the energy around her grew. Her mum’s smiling faces appeared in her mind. A cold pew. Mumbled verses. Burning sage. A warm hug. Her mum’s perfume. Her body crumpled and motionless in the grass. “How dare you bad mouth her,” she shouted. “She saw right through your motives. She died trying to fix things. Zeref will destroy us all!”

The current grew stronger, dancing around her limbs and distorting menacing shadows writhing along the walls. She twisted and jerked her elbow backwards until it found it’s soft target and the mayor doubled over, spewing curses at her. His grip on her hair loosened just enough for her to shake herself free and shoulder him to the ground. 

“You think you’ve figured it all out just like your mother did.” The man flailed, grabbed a small knife concealed beneath his jacket and swung it at her legs, grazing her skin enough to draw blood. “You stand there and blame the village for her death-”

“She tried to escape! She wanted to leave but you all trapped her,” Y/N yelled. “You gave her no choice but to… but to…” The memories of that day, alone in the bathroom with nothing but a candle and a book came flooding back. Bane particles had swarmed around her, infecting her as it was absorbed into her body and turned into a dark kind of magic. She saw a demon in the dark, unsure if he was real or not, watching with glee as she writhed in pain. The feeling of betrayal still left a bitter taste in her mouth as the echoes of her screams for her parents rang out. 

“Well, I should at least thank you for killing her,” the mayor sneered. “It made my job a lot easier that day.” He leaped forward, grabbed the brandy glass from the desk and hurled it at her face before attempting to disappear behind another illusion. Y/N’s vision went blurry as the glass collided with her forehead, slicing a deep gash above her eye. Blinded by the blood trickling down her face and rage, she let the lightning course through her and then splayed her palms once more, sending a massive blast of darkness into the mayor’s back. He screamed as it hit him and he crashed through the entrance to the office. There was a sickening crack as he slammed against the corridor wall and collapsed to the ground, unconscious but twitching from the current flowing through him. 

Y/N stepped out into the corridor to find Laxus sprinting closer. She saw his steps falter once he observed her face slick with blood and the black marks of devil slayer magic painted on her arm mixing brilliantly with the red welts and scrapes already blossoming into bruises. She forced a deep breath, feeling the air fill her lungs, and watched the black marks slowly begin to fade. Laxus pulled her into a hug and her muscles relaxed and the adrenaline and anger waned, leaving her exhausted.

“What happened?” Laxus asked, his voice muffled in her hair. 

“He…” Y/N swallowed her words. She knew if Laxus found out that he was the person behind her torture during their time apart, he would want revenge. No amount of pain inflicted on the man could bring enough satisfaction for either of them and Laxus would only be burdened by this knowledge, just as she was. “He knew my parents,” she mumbled, and felt him nod with understanding. She had told him about her past when they were teenagers and he had accepted her then, just as she had always accepted him and all that hid behind his mask of strength. Laxus knew she was a murderer capable of hurting those she held close but still, he was here, holding her tightly as if she might fade away, tethering her to the shore whenever her guilt almost drowned her.  

“Now I definitely think our job here is done, Y/N,” he said softly, unwrapping his arms from around her and offering one to escort her back to their room. She agreed and let herself be led away without looking back at the unconscious old man. 

Y/N awoke to the sound of Laxus triumphantly waving a rather large pouch of coins by the entrance. “That’ll last us a good few weeks,” she remarked, slowly propping herself up and wincing from the pain pulsing deep in her muscles. 

“Not with the plans I have in mind,” Laxus smirked, bounding up to the bed to sit by her side. 

“Oh yeah? And what exactly are those plans?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” he chuckled, grinning widely and resting one hand on her leg. His eyes softened suddenly and he tilted her chin up towards him, hesitating slightly before closing his eyes and gently pressing his warm lips against hers. The uncomfortable barrier between them shattered as the familiarity of the kiss brought them closer. Laxus drew back, eyebrows raised in question and she answered with a smile. He cupped her face and kissed her deeper, more urgently, searching for the memories of each other that had been lost. She could feel her heart pounding as she reached inside his shirt and traced the lines of his body, slowly making her way down until - Laxus moaned softly and hoisted her up onto his lap. He undressed her, careful not to injure her further, and kissed her down past the nape of her neck to the curve of her breast, teasing with a flick of his tongue across her nipple. She fumbled with his zip and they fell into an old routine, moving mechanically and enjoying the thrill of discovering each other again until they lay wrapped up in each others arms, exhausted.

“We should shower and get going soon,” Laxus murmured into her shoulder. “We have a train to catch.”  

[the-down-upside-finch]

OC vs. Cockroach

Thank you for the tag, @tabswrites!

Rules: Rate your OCs on how well they’d fare against a cockroach

I've been working on Minding Q’s a lot lately, so I'll do this with these characters:

Celain: 5/10 She’s okay with bugs, but she doesn’t like them. If she saw a cockroach in the house, she would make Izzie get it and put it outside. She could probably drop a cup over it by herself, but then she would just sit and watch it to make sure it doesn’t escape before someone else can save her from it.

Sterling: -100000/10 PLEASE NO!!! We cannot do this to my boy. If he saw a cockroach outside, he would literally never set foot outside again. (I'm only half-joking.) If he saw one in the house, he would never feel safe at home again. (Completely serious about that.)

Katelyn: 8/10 She would have the easiest time ignoring it. If she saw a cockroach disappear under the couch, that’s a problem for later. She would definitely be able to catch it and release it outside, but she would rather not touch it if she doesn’t have to.

Max: 8/10 He would probably have the easiest time smashing/otherwise obliterating a cockroach, but he definitely wouldn’t enjoy doing it (especially the reveal of the remains/clean-up part).

Izzie: 10/10 They were a bug kid back in elementary school, and not much has changed since. Would gently pick up a cockroach with their bare hands and put it in the bushes outside.

▪︎

Gently tagging @my-cursed-prince, @k-v-briarwood, @planets-and-prose, @the-grim-and-sanguine, @athenswrites, @lordcatwich, and leaving the tag open for anyone else that wants to do this!

[spishidden]

Rambling about Mutant Mayhem

Overall: AWESOME MOVIE! The animation and art style is to die for. If they release an art book I am preordering that shit asap. I was laughing so much throughout the entire thing. The emotional moments hit too (if yk yk). And the FIGHT SCENES. DAMN. The animators understood the assignment fr.

(Btw, there is a mid-credit scene that is veryyy important for the future of this universe. Don’t miss it.)

Highly recommend giving it a watch. Turtles fan or not

Spoilers under the cut:

LEO MY BOY ILYSM AKSHKSJS

He is so cringefail and lowkey pathetic (rizzless Leo is canon)

But at the end when he pulled through and he got all excited AAAA it was adorable

They comment a lot on how Raph is always angry, but he wasn’t rlly? It was more enthusiasm and aggression, not outright anger. Not a complaint just an observation

This guy can throw hands fr. Don’t mess with this Raph aksjsn

Mikey and Mondo are bestie goals you can pry these two from my cold dead hands

KPOP DONNIE IS REAL KPOP DONNIE IS REAL AKSHSKSH

The boys(tm) aren’t traumatized yet enjoy it while it lasts

These voices are THE SHIT! Perfect cast for the turtles muah!

I have so many positive thoughts about the dialogue +dialogue delivery in this movie it needs its own separate post

I did not expect them to actually get milked. I thought it was a throw-away line but they COMMITTED TO THE BIT. RESPECT.

April is awesome. Just amazing. Took all the best aspects of previous April’s and combined them together. (That throwing up scene was not for me tho no ty)

I also was not expecting attack on titan to be crucial to the plot but here we are

Donnie’s weeb-ness saved the say

If there’s one rule that every reboot of turtles has to follow is that no matter what Splinter always solos. They understood the assignment

About Splinter, I rlly enjoyed his storyline. It’s made rlly clear how much he loves the turtles and how hard he’s trying. But the movie actively called out his behavior without making him a villain. Bravo.

Speaking of villains, Superfly slapped. Mans was intimidating, cool, smart. Rlly liked his and Splinter’s parallel arcs

The mutant crew rlly were just silly guys aksjsjhs

Kinda iffy on the whole ‘they learned ninjitsu through media’ thing.

I hope that in the show they can touch on that. Maybe show that they’re training is incomplete and have them improve their skills with a proper teacher

But yea that didn’t rlly land with me.

I think my only other nitpick is that the other mutants don’t have enough moments to shine. They def make do with the time they have and it works, but I would’ve liked more ( Bebop and Rocksteady specifically)

Splinter making out with a mutant cockroach was not on my 2023 bingo card

I had tons of mixed feelings about that ending. But the mid-credit scene saved it

I think the turtles being “normal” kids has potential to be explored. I’m not against it

They’re still ninjas thank god

I thought when the mask came off they were leaving it behind

BUT NOPE they still kicking ass

That was my only problem with ending pre mid-credit scene

SHREDDER IS REAL SHREDDER IS REAL

FOOT CLAN IS REAL FOOT CLAN IS REAL

Wonder what they’re origins are gonna be aksjsj i crave new content

Does Hamato Yoshi not exist in this universe? Are they hiding him and are gonna do a dramatic reveal?? Questions questions questions

Also, Utrom?? KRANG??

Love the idea of all these mutants living in the same space

In Donnie’s clip, did that look like the purple dragons to anyone or was that just me?

Are we just not gonna mention that the TCRI technically has some mutagen blood from Raph and Donnie? No? Okay

Now lets talk about April and Leo

It’s not explicitly stated to be canon. April going to prom with Leo felt like it was framed to be a casual, just friends thing. And I rlly hope that’s what they were going for.

Do I ship it? No.

I’m glad that Leo and April didn’t rlly end up together. Because it would’ve been super unnecessary and forced. Nothing I got from the narrative or message suggests that a romantic pairing helps the plot. I despise the ‘girl is clearly not interested but ends up with guy anyways’ trope and I’m glad that it kinda wasn’t there?? Again, it wasn’t super clear. But nothing romantic between them was shown at the prom or anywhere else so I’m going to choose to believe it’s not canon.

IF THAT WERE TO CHANGE depends on the upcoming show.

If the show has a well written, healthy, and developed relationship. I’d be all for it.

Just please do not pull a 2012 again. I saw that meet-cute ik what you’re trying to pull writers you better tread carefully.

And speaking of 2012; when you’re gonna introduce Casey Jones (i say when because yes), if you’re going to try the whole April love triangle thing again, at least make it funny. You managed to make rizzless Leo entertaining I’m sure you can do the same here. Just don’t make it as annoying as Capritello was in 2012 learn from your mistakes

Better yet, pull a Spiderverse and subvert expectations by making Casey an absolute bro to Leo. Idk, be creative with it.

That’s everything for now. I’m optimistic for the future of this universe. Looking forward to that show even tho it could be effected by the writer’s strike but I don’t wanna think about that possibility rn please get ur shit together and pay writers and actors what they deserve

I’m gonna go make a Kpop playlist for Donnie. Ask box is open if anyone wants to add on or ramble about the movie. Have a good day!

(Tagging my bestie) @enlighten3d

[polyhexian]

One of my favourite parts of dragula is getting to the extermination challenge at the end of each episode and deciding if I could do it or not

Basically if it's bugs, no. If it's pain, yes.

Could I drink a chalice of blood? Yes. I already know that. Could I drink a chunky slimy milkshake of organs and mealworms and stuff? No. Could I drink a chalice of spiders? No. Could I be tied to a bed and covered in domestic rats? Yes. Could I stand in a room full of hissing cockroaches for 60 seconds? No. Could I handle having an electric machine give me birthing contractions? Yes. Could i jump out of a plane? Maybe. You're tied to a person right? Can I just have them jump? Could I hike five miles in the dark in drag? Yeah I've basically already done that. On a broken foot, too.

Bugs? No. Gross food? No. Blood? Yes. Pain? Yes. Fear? Mmmaybe. Touch and go. Ive got an extremely powerful phobia of heights but I've managed to force myself to confront it before.

Now. Could I do the actual drag part? No I have stage fright

[obsoleteozymandias]

Hi! I saw your requests are open so I was wondering if I could get a matchup for Resident Evil, any character if fine with me. Sorry if mines a bit long. Feel free to detail or take your time with it.

Nonbinary, She/They, Bi-oriented demi romantic gray ace

INFP 4w5

In short: A shy, informed of being too empathic, depressed, and autistic college student, studying at the moment radiology, but works as a freelance journalist and occasional host on different podcasts with a focus on bettering society through education. Has a record for chronically getting in over their head, but has emerged a jack of many trades due to that. Comically experienced best example was when I got onto a podcast hosted by experts in a bunch of fields and I just graduated hs but was able to discuss topics ranging from development of ai to causes of cultural polarization, with me and the psychologist bouncing off each other in discussion quite a bit, for a couple hours with them.

Personality: Quiet and shy, only really opening up as I work, see someone needing help, or notice a common interest. I have been called mom by many people due to how deep running my older sibling instincts are. I have a mask of confidence due to often working with people years older to hide a fear of rejection. My work as a journalist has led me to see some of the worst in people, so I can come off a bit tired but I try to use my experiences to help others. I tend to speak with a large degree of candor and I’ll spring off whenever I hear someone say to make a joke or affectionately poke fun at something. I’m also known as the cockroach because of my sheer tenacity to survive situations that would bring a lot of people down. While I don’t seem like the sort to take charge, I will if I see things go downhill with efficiency to make sure everything that needs to be done gets done.

Appearance: 5 foot 6 inches and gonna say this since I saw you know TWST is the fact I basically look like a shorter Malleus with brown eyes and glasses like Azul. I tend to dress in sweater vests, waistcoats, and button ups but I do love my leather jacket. Some days, I’ll look more feminine other days I’ll wear my binder. Additionally, I also sometimes wear a brace on my elbow due to an injury I got due to the amount of desk work I do.

Likes: Coffee, having time for a nap, going down random rabbit holes of research, media analysis, writing, working on my novel, making different drinks and food, punk, and rock.

Dislikes: Bigots, loud crowds, unrealistic expectations, conformity, people that have a simmering anger, and environments that leave people on the edge.

Me in a relationship: Very much more of an unspoken affection sort of person, I’ll make small changes to things or add steps in my daily routine to help my partner. I also am a bit cuddly, though only after people gain my trust, as I’m a tad touch starved. Cooking is another thing that I will do, especially with trying to figure out things that bring happy memories and such.

What I look for: Someone who can make me laugh and is willing to listen. Doesn’t cause feeling walking on eggshells constantly. People that care for others and are empathic. Able to deal with some distance at times due to needing time to mentally sort things. Acceptance of flaws and quirks but willing to help each other grow.

Have a good day, night, whichever is applicable to you, and thank you for your time.

Not that it matters because wikis exist, but I feel like I should mention that the last ResE game I played was the original 4 back when I was young. Everything else is just fandom osmosis if I’m being real, so if anyone reads this and is like “yeah Oz you dink it’s obvious” I apologize. 

Hope you enjoy!

== Resident Evil==>

I match you up with…

Rebecca Chambers 

Rebecca is the epitome of caring and empathetic, not to mention extremely intelligent and capable. She’ll keep up with you like few others can. 

As such, she’ll understand when you need space. And she’ll need it herself - she’s a busy gal. 

I imagine this is somewhat of an unspoken relationship - where the things you need to say are communicated with loving looks and gestures, and where it feels like you two may even be psychically connected. 

You also share a passion for activism. She’s been through hell, and so her dedication to making the world a better place is on par with yours. 

When you first meet, she’s the kind of person who you find yourself talking to for hours, completely out of nowhere. She’s easy to like, and what's more, she likes you, and likes hearing what you have to say. 

She’s also someone who you can feel comfortable around given her younger age. 

You both have the same way of behaving due to having to be around those who are alot older than you. 

She’ll be a stable figure in your life when you two start dating (which I imagine would be after a long few years of friendship under which romantic feelings simmer unsaid). She’s there when you need her, and even when you don’t, and she won’t hesitate to step in or help you. 

At the end of the day, it can sometimes feel like it’s you and her against the world. But maybe, together, you two can change that. 

[ghostycore]

hi hello!! i’m blue ( 21+, s/h ) & this is sunset's very own losergirl mu danyi! she's a recent addition to sunset, running the listening elle kiosk where she doles out questionable horoscope predictions & untrue fortunes. i’ve only got her profile up, but below the cut is a tldr on her & some plots ♡ pls like to plot or add me on dc ( pomelos. ) & i'll be there, u know it!

tldr

bgm to set the vibes while u read ♡ let's go!!

all u need to know about danyi is that she's a psychic who doesn't believe in any of it lol

her mum is an actual shaman ( like somebody / the glory, powers are as ‘real’ as u believe them to be ). she is not but the tiktok girlies are popping off so she’s making bank by using her family’s actual temple in her videos for that special touch of authenticity

she gives fake divinations & charges a whole lot. just reads the fortune slips & lets confirmation bias do the rest, sometimes good at reading people to help her out with this. her business started on tiktok but she had an in with sunset through the lamest nepo connections ever to set up a kiosk when she's really not qualified for it!

has been known to lie about what the bones say. #bonegate or something ready to go tbh

her tiktok user & kiosk are both @ listening elle, goes by elle online bc she's pretending she has overseas cred to appeal to the hoity toits but she's never stepped foot outside of korea. the kiosk in sunset runs on her time, danyi sets up whenever she finally wakes up & goes home when she wants to. boss can't catch her slacking if she's the boss!

personality wise she's a liar but a bad liar, lies as easily as she breathes, never keeps track of them so she alw gets caught. florida girl energy, occasionally w a streak of weakness ( feeling bad 4 ppl so she ends up being nicer to them than she planned. immediate regret bc she overcompensates ). loves fooling around & not being serious, would d word if she tried introspection. also loves herself too much, spills over to people she cares for too

in danyi fashion idk horoscopes but here's my attempt: she's a libra sun ( indecisive, flighty, full of shit but charming enough to hide it ) scorpio moon ( sneaky, ambitious ) aries rising ( paris hilton )

plots

outwardly the calm to her chaos, but secretly crazier than anyone expects. you think danyi could mastermind half the pranks she pulls? no she can’t!!

a jason & eleanor (tgp) type of friendship.. just two dumbasses with 12yo boy humor

cutie she hooks up with, except it's for ur working hot water & impossibly soft bed. also she might have sticky fingers so ur stuff keeps going missing </3

she scammed u / ur friend / ur mom :p with her fake fortunes i’m so sorry

or she threw out a rando prophecy at u & it turned out to be true & now ur in awe & believe in every word she says

accomplice in scamming who helps her set up extra spooky vibes around her kiosk

someone who's been skiving off by chilling at the always empty stall, it's a great place to hide from bosses B)

if u work at a food related establishment she has a suspiciously high rate of cockroach in food incidents pls don't investigate

someone's gotten into ur stash of weed / drinks / xpixel tokens, who could it be!?

she’s a luver of trash & charity she’ll sleep with anyone who looks sad & pathetic!

can’t keep a relationship to save her life so maybe she broke ur heart & has no remorse ( or maybe so much remorse she’s naruto running away if she sees u... you broke her heart )

u hire her as ur fake gf to scare ur parents for $$$ but hey, now they'll be happy to see ur future s/os that aren't danyi

[songstress-of-dreams]

Teehee I just like answering questions

My blahaj

at least 5'6

brown with blonde highlights

I'm scared of like mouths that open wider than they should

yepp

yeah

Sanrio

Idkakmdammn I have a lot

Words of affirmation and physical touch

not much but I'm on anxiety medication lmao

Yep

French or Spanish

Anywhere not america

I can fully turn my foot backwards

Last night

Last summer?

nopepejrns I want them tho on my arm

I drowned in a pool and when I woke up I actually wasn't breathing

Actor

Aquarium dateeee

uhhhhh pull someone

France or Canada

Raine and Jo

Unfortunately....

Halloween!

I don't wanna sayyakxkam

Pearl!

Singing

yep!

Unfortunately

who am I dating?

dry texter

Culinary!

uhhhh 5

I try once a week but I get tired

All the timeeeekfnqn mainly abt my ocs

My room

My dad

uhhh idk, don't be shit ig

My friend Lucas's

I'm gay for Aubrey Plaza

Kiss a girl

Dated them

Yep! i believe in a form of reincarnation

dependsss

Fall

Night

yesss! I have a stuffed rabbit named Tweak!

Likeee all the time

A cross-stitch that I never did

yepp

Hmm I don't remeber the name :(

My ex, Kiri

Gay people are cool af

Pjsk, Sims 4, Fnaf, DTI zoxnqnnd i cant decideee

when I almost drowned

noppee

No lmao

VERY different

For the most part!

yeah

games like cod, I just don't like them

YESS STILL AM

Aidkjjdqjjdjajxkqjfjq

Pet names, and just being really really nice

I mean I believe it exists?

Maybe?

Yesss!

Naur

AGATHA X RIO

So many to pick....rn tho Sailor song by gigi Perez

Depends if I have my ear buds or not

......maybeeeee

menacingly

Yeahhhh

sometimes

A snake and a dog!

Blue

My health

nope

Cockroaches

Math...

I have a few!

YESSMDMMW

KKANDSMND YEAH

10th

I have about 4 bracelets I wear everyday!

tumblr, tiktok, Pintrest

61?

6am

HEHE I DO RN AND I CUT THEM MYSELF AND I LOVE THEM

Nikes and anything middle school boys enjoy

my bluey tank top or my denim mini skirt!

YES

idgaffff

6am

sometimes!

regular I HATE Military time

I went until I was 13

very much so teehee

ask game

1. whats your favorite thing in your room?

2. how tall do you wish you were?

3. what color is your hair?

4. whats a rare fear that you have?

5. are you single?

6. has your heart ever been broken?

7. what was your favorite thing as a kid?

8. favorite coping mechanism?

9. whats your favorite love language?

10. how often do you get nervous?

11. if you had three wishes, would you use them?

12. if you could be fluent in any language which one would it be?

13. where do you wish to live?

14. what’s something surprising about you?

15. when did you last shower?

16. when did you first join tumblr?

17. do you want any tattoos? if so, where, what, and why?

18. whats the most prominent dream youve had?

19. whats your dream job?

20. whats your ideal date?

21. what do you wish you could do better?

22. what country would you live in if you could?

23. whos the best person you know?

24. have you ever walked into something you shouldnt have?

25. whats your favorite holiday?

26. when have you been most embarrassed?

27. whats your favorite halloween costume?

28. what are you best at?

29. do you know how to tie your shoes?

30. do you have siblings?

31. if you could know one thing about the future what do you wanna know?

32. whats a dealbreaker for you?

33. whats your favorite current class?

34. how many people have you dated?

35. how often do you wash your hair?

36. do you daydream? what about?

37. where do you go to be alone?

38. which parent do you like more?

39. whats the one standard you hold yourself to?

40. whos voice do you enjoy?

41. if you could announce one thing to the world what would it be?

42. whats one thing you wanna do but havent yet?

43. what do you wish you never did?

44. do you believe in life after death?

45. do you prefer book over movie?

46. whats your favorite season?

47. whats your favorite time of day

48. do you have a beloved stuffed animal?

49. whens a time you wish you acted differently?

50. what’s something you wish that you never bought?

51. do you have your own room?

52. whats your favorite book?

53. who’s someone you hate?

54. whats your best hottake?

55. whats your favorite game?

56. whens a time you felt real genuine fear?

57. are you a morning person?

58. do you drink enough water?

59. how different are you from the little kid you used to be?

60. do you enjoy tumblr?

61. have you ever had a tumblr experience that made you wanna delete the app?

62. whats your least favorite game?

63. were you a markiplier fan?

64. how do you respond to compliments?

65. whats something that would make you fall in love?

66. do you believe in marriage?

67. do you have a crush on someone?

68. do you like tumblr?

69. were you a voltron stan?

70. whats your favorite ship?

71. whats your favorite song?

72. do you like loud crowds?

73. have you ever created conflict on purpose?

74. how do you sleep?

75. do you bite your lips?

76. do you use chapstick?

77. do you have any pets?

78. what color are your eyes?

79. what’s something you wish you could change about yourself?

80. have you ever had surgery?

81. whats your least favorite animal?

82. whats something that youre really bad at?

83. do you have an sqishmellows?

84. do you enjoy fast food?

85. do you like soda?

86. what grade are you in?

87. do you wear any jewelry?

88. what socials do you use?

89. whats your lowest grade in school right now?

90. whats the latest youve stayed up till?

91. did you ever have bangs?

92. what trends did you hate?

93. whats your favorite item of clothing?

94. do you like dinosaurs?

95. whats your opinion on body hair?

96. whats your least favorite time?

97. do you make a wish at 11:11?

98. do you have your phone on military or regular?

99. have you ever been to church?

100. are you lgbtq?

[psychic-winged-turtle]

Cockroach crawling on my foot while I’m on the toilet

Normally I save them and throw them outside, but you touch me you die

[casspurrjoybell-21]

Pirate Chains - Volume 1 - Strong Tides

*Warning Adult Content*

Chapter 38 - Sweet Revenge - Part 1

Ace

It was well past dinnertime, the sun sinking low on the horizon, casting a fiery red hue that stretched across the sky. The moon had already claimed its place, high above. Just when the crew thought they had evaded the captain's attention for the night, he emerged from his cabin. Some of the crew members who desired a drink under the moon scattered, finding solace in the hull or farther away on the quarterdeck. I took a step forward, accompanied by a handful of brave souls... Nash, Lou, Jayy, Yeagar, Baril and a couple others.

We stood ready to carry out his commands, prepared to unleash havoc upon his order. Higher up, Maren perched in the crow's nest, gripping onto a rope. He was poised and alert, not yet willing to leap into the unknown chaos unless summoned. As I passed the cabin with its door still ajar, I cast a glance inside and caught sight of Nyx lying covered on the bed. Most likely fast asleep, for I doubted he would lie awake with the bedsheets only covering his middle. I also noticed that the cloth I had carefully wrapped around his wound was now bloodier and looser. I suppose he had... well, put some strain on his foot.

If he kept risking to open those stitches, I'll be more than happy to have the needle torture him again. I sighed, realizing I had no reason to feel angry. Their relationship had never been a secret to me from the beginning. I wanted to inquire about Nyx's well-being. Then the image of Agenor kissing him flashed in my mind. I shook my head inwardly. Damn, I could use a drink right about now... Taking a step closer to the captain, I spoke...

"I wasn't certain if you were still awake, so we held off on serving dinner."

His response came in the form of an impatient, angry nod. I could sense the tension on the deck, no one enjoyed his silence. He was undoubtedly furious, yet remarkably composed given the circumstances. He stood there silently, arms half-folded on his sides. His posture remained erect and his breath were heavy. His gaze swept slowly across the surroundings, a glare that refused to settle on faces or objects.

We all stood motionless, holding our breath. The crew could feel the rage swirling within him, aware that he was deep in thought, perhaps struggling to maintain control. It wasn't entirely surprising, someone had dared to touch what belonged to him, yet he hadn't exacted his revenge. Today, something extraordinary occurred, almost like a miracle... lives were spared. As much as we relished witnessing a satisfying revenge, it always unsettled us when one of our own became the target.

The spectacle didn't hold the same appeal if we knew the unfortunate soul on the receiving end. On the Martina, a range of emotions filled the air. Some crew members rejoiced at the sight of their comrades still alive. Others lamented either the spectacle or the loss of a certain bet. And then there were those of us who desired nothing more than for the captain to remain as he always had been and always would be, the personification of the devil. Unbound by any earthly constraints, he ruled above our feeble human laws.

I counted myself among them, standing faithfully by his side, driven by the ambition to witness his dominion and glory expand. I felt a mix of relief and unease that those wretched cockroaches still drew a breath. Against all odds, Nyx's actions had somehow managed to touch the hearts of even the most callous wolves aboard this ship. It brought a sense of joy to witness my friend caring for something beyond fame and wealth. With his abundance of both, I had often wondered what else could satisfy his insatiable hunger.

Now, it seemed he had found an anchor that would keep him rooted among us. In the presence of Nyx, Agenor appeared calmer and more at ease... not weakened but undeniably happier. My thoughts were interrupted by Nash's quiet nudge, his sword's pommel gently prodding me. I glanced at him and he furrowed his brow with concern, silently inquiring about the captain's intentions. How the hell would I know? I ignored him and redirected my focus to the captain.

The truth was, we all knew that revenge would eventually be exacted by Agenor, though we couldn't predict who would bear the brunt of it. That was one of the reasons why, despite our admiration for Nyx's actions, there was a part of us that wished he had stayed out of it. But we had come to realize that it was impossible to ask such restraint from the audacious little daredevil. A chuckle nearly escaped me.

'Damn, what's gotten into me today? I definitely need a drink.'

Once again, I studied the captain's features. Still simmering, huh? I guess only time would reveal the extent of Nyx's influence. After what felt like an eternity, a low snarl shattered the silence. Agenor turned and strode with purposeful strides. Unfortunate Amos happened to be standing directly in front of the entry to the hull. Startled by the approaching devil, he leaped in surprise but managed to suppress the instinct to flee. He held his head high, feigning a confrontation at eye level but his trembling hands and gaping mouth exposed his burgeoning fear.

"A... A... Agenor..."

Noticing the relentless beast closing in without slowing down, the fool finally unfroze and took two steps back. Just moments before the collision, his legs buckled, causing him to drop to the ground, his head shaking slowly in a mix of terror and disbelief. Amos's eyes blinked stupidly. A drop of sweat slid from his bald scalp and his shoulders slumped.

Agenor had walked past him without even sparing him a glace or bothering to change the course of his stride to avoid stepping on his hand. Still in shock, butt on the floor, new captain my ass. This worthless pirate was never meaningful enough to Agenor to cause him such anger. Hell, my friend even found him pathetically amusing while watching him sneaking around thinking he was discrete and trying to gather foolish votes to try and win.

'Seriously?'

Votes were probably important on other ships as set by the pirate code but not on the Martina. We used to do the vote every year like all other crews. But with time it was obvious for all or at least the strongest amongst us, that we could no longer settle for less than the devil himself. So this worm wouldn't interest Agenor in the least, maybe the only moment he deemed him an opponent was when he foolishly touched the highborn. I followed behind Agenor into the hull then down to the cells where laid the main reason for his fury.

Behind me, I left a crew picking on Amos. Especially that monkey who lost no time in finding funny pathetic names to call him with. Few discrete laughs broke behind us mirroring the relief that blew on the deck, for we all knew that we were most probably spared being the devil's target in this bloody night.

[somanywips]

Unrelated but I was laying on my bed with my feet still touching the floor and a cockroach touched my foot and I was a little ready to draft a suicide letter