#actually it is a little reminiscent of ‘sunshine days’

[triple-ennui]

No what do you mean there's a movie that uses 90s television nostalgia as a metaphor for gender dysphoria/social ostracism 🥲 🙃

[tswhiisftteedr]

Memories ☆ One Shot

☆Merchant Husband!Jamil Viper x Fem!Yuu!Reader x Merchant Husband!Kalim Al-Asim:

After your student career at NCR, Crowley had yet to find you a way to bring you back to your world. But that didn’t matter anymore, you had by now found yourself a new home in Twisted Wonderland. A family of your own, two wonderful husbands and children. But despite always moving forward, it is sometimes nice to look back to sweet moments of the past..

Warnings: Mature Content, Swearing/Explicit Language, Reader gets called slutty one time but the rest is loving and fluffy. Not Proofread. READER & THE GUYS ARE ABOVE AGE AND MARRIED KEEP THAT IN MIND BEFORE ENGAGING.

Based on this ask:

So could you do a One-Short of Jamil x F!Reader x Kalim? In which the three, now adults and married, both rulers of Scalding Sands, after a day of work and putting the children to bed (Aisha the eldest, daughter of Jamil and Y/n, and Omar, son of Kalim and Y/n), Y/n was organizing the things when he finds a photo album from the time when the three of them studied at NRC, so the three of them start to remember from the time they met, to the moment they got married (while having flashbacks of those moments), remembering all the good and bad times they had, and at the end they have an intimate moment, let's say... 👉🏻��🏻, if you know what I mean😏

I kept imagining Kalim and Y/n laughing at Jamil, when they went to Scalding Sands for the fireworks festival, where they heard several embarrassing stories from him, including one (I made this one up) where when Jamil and Kalim met, Jamil mistook Kalim for a girl and was all in love about him

Notes: Since the al asim are a long line of wealthy merchans but not royals, I didn’t make them rulers(as in sultans) but high in the the contries hierarchy. Also I don’t know if I actually like that one, I’m not sure this fic is that good, sorry if you don’t like it.

Author Note: I have 15+ other request to work on after this one but I also have to study. About 5 are twst and rest are Hazbin hotel. I have gotten sub!vox x Succubus reader, zestmilla and a Velvette x autistic reader request, but those don’t follow my rules. Though I think I might do the Velvette one, because I hadn’t put in my rules that: I don’t think I have the writing abilities to fulfill a request like that one, when it was sent out. But I’m still not sure, it’s a maybe type of situation, anyways that’s me and my life. Lol anyways enjoy!

☆ more under the cut. ☆

It had been a long, tiring day, so much to do, and you swore to yourself more than once that you were surrounded by incompetent idiots. Being the wife of an old money merchant and a brilliant new money one was a difficult task, you were constantly on your feet, ordering around, signing off on shipments, formulating contracts and making phone calls.

Despite the discomfort and exhaustion that hard work brought you, it was inevitable that you would grow accustomed to it. Reminiscing no more about the world you had left behind, the scalding sands were your home, with your two husbands and your children.

Aisha and Omar, the light of your day. The sunshine they brought into any room they entered, that always made you smile.

Aisha resembled Jamil so much that no one could question where she had gotten her traits from, always calculating and good at keeping her emotions in check, she was truly the responsible elder daughter. Though, same could be said for Omar and Kalim. The two of them were like pees in a pot, the times they would fall to their endeavours you couldn’t help but wondered if one of them was really an adult.

But at last it was time for your little sunshines to go to bed, they had school tomorrow and you didn't want them to be sleepy in class. So after saying goodbye to their Nanny, Mrs.Miriam, you tucked them in. Sweet fairy tales and gentle lullabies to hold their hands on their journey to dreamland.

As you step out of the children’s bedroom you could help but notice the door to the storage room was croaked open, ‘must have been the kids’ you assume. After all, Aisha loved to wear your old dresses, even if they didn't fit. And have a tea party in them with her brother, Omar probably wore one of Jamil's many business suits, he loved to look professional during these play dates, even though the big fabric made him look somewhat ridiculous.

You stepped in to make sure everything was tidy, but much to your expectation and disappointment, the children had left the room a mess.

At that moment, you sincerely asked yourself why you didn't have a maid, ‘you were rich, so why were you the one who had to clean up?’ But no reason to lament on it for too long, being pissy wouldn’t clean the room.

So you reluctantly began to reorganize the chamber, despite your tired state. While doing so, you coincidentally happen to stumble onto a fancy-looking box, a rather large one at that. It had an inscription carved into it, 'Memories'. And upon opening it, you had discovered about 5 or so photo albums. Three of them belonged exclusively to Kalim and Jamil, one was dedicated to the three of you and the last one was just NRC memories in general.

Opening the album filled with shared emotions brought a delightful wave of nostalgia to your heart. Swiftly completing the room cleaning, you carried the box to the living room, eager to reminisce about high school days and enjoy glimpses of your husband's past.

After about 30 minutes of reviewing the photo albums, you had only reached halfway through the NCR one when you heard the sound of keys opening the front door.

Focusing on the voices, you recognized your husbands, you had been eagerly anticipated their return. Myriam had only prepared food for the children, so you had patiently waited for Jamil to arrive and treat you to his delicious cooking.

As the two men entered, shedding coats and shoes, you overheard Kalim sharing a laugh about his workday. At least one of you three found joy in the challenges of being successful merchants.

“Well hello there, what's a lovely lady like yourself doing all alone tonight?” Jamil greeted, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and planting a kiss on the crook of your neck.

‘Such a flirt,’ you mused to yourself, even after years of marriage, he still seized every opportunity to hit on you—an aspect not everyone would expect given his usual demeanor. “Nothing too special, my good sir. Just indulging in the pleasure of walking down memory lane,” you replied, gesturing to the open photo album on your lap.

"Mhm, I see," he responds, while your other husband explores the elegant box. Pulling out one of the albums that you didn't contribute to, he opens it and flips to the first page. Sporting a broad grin, he exclaims, "Man, this brings me back!"

After giving a glance at which album Kalim had chosen, Jamil nods in agreement. "Sure does, though I did hate you when those pictures were taken."

"That's so mean, Jamil!" Kalim protests.

"What can I say? You were quite the annoying and demanding kid. I'm glad Omar didn't completely take after you with that one." He sneakers and Kalim whines as a responds. Though it ends with both of them lightly laughing.

It's true that Jamil and Kalim once had a conflicting relationship, but after working through their dynamics, they became good friends and, subsequently, lovers.

It all began as a sort of love triangle after the winter break of your first and their second year. Kalim confessed to Jamil that he had fallen for you, not realizing that Jamil had been harboring feelings for you for quite some time. But instead of brushing off his emotions for the sake of the Al-Asim family as he had previously done, Jamil candidly admitted to Kalim that he also liked you and wouldn't back down just because Kalim felt the same.

A friendly competition ensued, as they vied for your attention by outdoing each other whenever you were present. ‘You had trouble with a certain topic in class? Jamil would help you out.’ (1 point for Jamil). ‘You wanted new stationary because the ones Crowley had provided were on their last lives, Kalim would get them for you, gold or silver encrusted? Your pick.’ (1 point for Kalim). And so on.

However, it did happen that the ever-clumsy Kalim would unintentionally disrupted Jamil's plans, such as on the before Halloween night. Jamil had prepared meticulously to ask you to the Halloween dance, crafting a special gift.

With the assisted by the ‘unexpectedly benevolent at that moment’ Professor Crewel, he concocted a bouquet of everlasting sparkling flowers. Perfecting the potion applied to the plants, creating a handcrafted card, and embroidering a sweet message on the ribbon that would tie it all up, took considerable time. Considering his responsibilities as vice housewarden, club duties, and student work, he may or may not have sacrificed a significant amount of sleep for those flowers, but despite the sleepless nights that took some toll on his health, he believed it was worth it for the girl he loved. Because ‘Hey, what’s a couple hours of missed beauty sleep when we’re taking about making happy the future love of you life!’

Everything was set to be flawless – he was impeccably dressed in his uniform, almost done with his hair, just a bouquet delivery away from asking you out. ‘Simple, right?’

However, what Jamil hadn't anticipated was that, despite Kalim growing up surrounded by gold and precious gems, he still acted like a magpie drawn to anything shiny. Walking through the scarabia hallways, Kalim noticed the slightly ajar door to Jamil's room and, feeling the urge to close it, approached. ‘He didn’t want people going in to his friend jamil’s room with his consent!’ after all.

Though, his concern for people entering Jamil's room without his agreement didn't seem to extend to himself. After seeing light reflect on something through the door’s opening, he entered, consequently spotting the beautiful sparkling bouquet on the vice housewarden's desk and couldn't resist getting a closer look.

As Jamil returned to the room, Kalim, in a reflex, hid the flowers behind himself to cover the fact that he had touched something he shouldn't have.

Obviously, Jamil immediately noticed the bouquet behind the white-haired boy; with around 100 flowers, it couldn't be easily concealed. As he was about to ask for the flowers, Jamil took a noticed to something in peculiar – Kalim was remarkably close to the desk, espagnol with the flowers behind his back. That's when it dawned on him: Kalim was currently crushing the flowers.

Seizing Kalim by the shoulder and reclaiming the flowers, Jamil couldn't help but observe the crushed petals that now marred the majority of the bouquet. As Kalim acknowledged the dire state of the plants, he looked at Jamil with a face full of guilt.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to get a better look, and then you surprised me-" Kalim began.

"Oh, so now it's my fault? My fault you came into my room without asking, and it's my fault you touched something that didn't belong to you? Do you even know what these were for? I worked so hard to make them look that way! But now they're ruined!" Jamil emphasized, throwing the bouquet on the ground.

Now grabbing Kalim by his collar, Jamil continued, "They were for me to ask Y/N to the dance. I spent so much time trying to make them look perfect, something you wouldn't understand since you probably would've just bought something instead of taking the time to make it. You just ruin everything. Shit, you make me so fucking angry!"

The sudden yank on Kalim's collar caused him to stumble backward, landing on the edge of the desk, his legs still firmly planted on the ground. He yelped softly in surprise as he felt Jamil's breath hot against his neck, and a shiver ran down his spine at the combination of anger and... something else? Maybe it was just the closeness that made him tremble.

"L-Look I’m sorry," he managed to choke out between ragged breaths. "Please forgive Jamil, I-I didn’t mean too."

However, Jamil's grip tightened further, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush against each other. Their faces were mere centimeters apart now, and Jamil's eyes bore into Kalim's like daggers. Despite his rage, there was an underlying heat burning brightly in his eyes, threatening to consume both of them.

Without warning, Jamil leaned forward, crushing their lips together full of madness. His tongue forced its way past Kalim's surprised lips, seeking entry into his mouth. His hands moved up to cup Kalim's face, holding him in place as he deepened the kiss.

Finally breaking the kiss, “What the hell,”Tsk, “Shit! I don’t know what came over me, I was just so mad and-“ Jamil began rambling but is cut off when an audibles “fuck” came out of Kamil’s lips.

“Did you just say fuck?” Jamil question,

“You just kissed me and that’s what you’re worried about!” Kalim retorts.

“You’re right, sorry, I’m sorry. Let’s just forget about this and never speak of it a-“ Jamil starts again,

“Wanna do it again?” Kalim cuts off once more.

Meanwhile you patiently waited at the location Jamil had texted you, but after 45 minutes of silence and Jamil not responding to your texts, you decided to take matters into your own hands.

You weren't about to get stood up, no matter how pretty the motherfucker was. Heading straight to Scarabia ready for any excuse or so you thought. What you didn't anticipate was walking into both of your crushes making out on Jamil's bed.

They were so absorbed in each other that they hadn't noticed your presence in the room. To break their entrancement, you casually remarked, "Hot." Seeing the two guys you admire in appearance and personality, kissing and grabbing at each other was an undeniably attractive sight.

However, that your words did break their moment. Pulling away, Jamil spoke from under Kalim, "Um, hey, how's it going, Y/N?"

"Don't 'Y/N' me, Jamil. You texted me to meet you in front of the Seven's statues because you had something important to tell me. Then you don't show up and ignore all my texts. Now, if you want to continue your make-out session with Kalim, I'd suggest you promptly spit out what you wanted to tell me," you sternly replied, perhaps a bit too harsh. Despite your initial reaction, you quickly faced the reality that if they liked each other, you couldn't be with either of them and that hurt you. Or so you thought until their next words.

"Oh, well, the thing was that I wanted to ask you to the dance, but the bouquet I made for you kinda went south," he said, looking at the smushed gift on the floor. Following his gaze, you discovered the beautifully sparkling yet crushed flowers at your feet.

"So wait—why are you making out with Kalim if you were going to ask me out? I get the idea of going as friends, but the bouquet is a bit over the top for situations like that." You point out.

"No, it's not. Shit, it's hard to explain," he paused and collected himself, with Kalim now seated beside him.

"So, what happened is that I was going to ask you out as my date, in a romantic type of way. But Kalim accidentally ruined my gift, and that got me so angry, then we kind of just started making out. So I guess I also like Kalim in addition to you," Jamil explained.

"I'm confused as fuck... so let me get this clear, you like me, but you also like Kalim, and he's okay with it," you remarked.

"Yeah, I mean, I also like you. So it's kinda better if he also does," Kalim replied.

"Wait— You also like me?" you questioned.

"I'm sorry, Y/N, I know this is sort of really weird, and it's totally fine if you don't reciprocate our feelings. I totally get it. You are in no obligation to do so," Jamil says to you.

"You're right, I'm not obligated to do so," you paused, making their hearts stop. The rollercoaster of emotions from anger and anxiety to hot and bother to finally feeling rejected was a bit too much to handle in such a short amount of time. But your next words brought peace to their hearts and minds. "But, would it be weird if I were to admit that I also liked the two of you?"

"At this point, not at all," Jamil replied.

"So is it okay if I join your make-out sesh?" you asked.

"Of course!" Kalim exclaimed, grabbing your wrist and, consequently, throwing you onto the bed with the two of them.

And that's how the three of you began your relationship.

Now back to the present,

The three of you had migrated to your Shaftland(Alaskan) king-sized bed, with you positioned between the two. You were all in pyjamas by now, you in shorts and a t-shirt. Currently, you were flipping through the album Kalim had picked up.

"Oh, and this was the first picture we took after I realized you were a guy," Kalim said, pointing at a photo of the two of them studying as children.

"Wait, you thought Jamil was a girl?" you questioned.

"Well, I did at first. He was really pretty as a kid and had nice long hair, though, I guess he still is," he said with a giggle. You looked at your other husband for confirmation, half-expecting Kalim to be playfully trying to confuse you. However, Jamil nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, apparently he did for the longest time. We got introduced at four, and during the span of 6 years, he thought I was a chick," he explained.

“So how did he find out you weren't?" you asked.

"One day, he dragged me out in the rain to play a game of ball. I tried to tell him that we couldn't, but he wouldn't budge. After about half an hour, I finally convinced him to come back in to avoid both of us getting a cold. I had prepared a bath for both of us to use, but, of course, it had to be kept a secret. I couldn't let anyone know I might have let Kalim get sick. So once the bath was ready, I began to strip. My shirt was halfway off when he started rambling about taking responsibility as the honorable son of the Al-Asim family and marrying me after seeing me indecently. I just stared at him for a couple of minutes, in shock, and then corrected him about my gender. The looks he gave me were like I had just turned his whole world upside down," Jamil explained.

"Well, it felt like you did back then," Kalim commented with a huff.

"I guess props to Kalim for wanting to do the 'decent thing' and marry you," you said with a snicker.

"Ha, ha, really funny," Jamil replied sarcastically.

"In the end, it did happen, though," Kalim said, somewhat of a marvel in his eyes.

"True, maybe 10-year-old Kalim had fortune-telling abilities. You never know," you said.

"For some reason, I strongly doubt that," Jamil retorted.

You soon turned to the album filled with pictures of the three of you. As you examined the images, a hint of insecurity crept in.

"I wish I still looked like that, being 16 and beautiful," you expressed, but that didn't sit well with your husbands, not at all.

"Babes, what are you talking about! You're literally so beautiful, like really beautiful. I mean it," Kalim reassured.

"Yes, he's right. You’ll always be gorgeous," agreed Jamil, wrapping his arm around your frame.

"And besides, nobody could ever compare to you," added Kalim with a wink.

Your face gets warmer at their compliments, feeling a little better but still you couldn't shake off the nagging doubt in your mind. You knew they meant well, but sometimes it was hard not to compare yourself to your younger self or to other woman in general.

"Thanks you two, really, I appreciate it," you managed to say softly, trying to sound more confident than you actually were.

Kalim leaned in closer, nuzzling his nose into your neck and whispering hot breath against your sensitive skin. "I love how you smell so sweet," he muttered before trailing kisses down your neckline, leaving marks along the way.

Jamil followed suit, nipping at your earlobes and sucking lightly on them before moving downwards towards your cleavage. His hands traced slow circles around your waist, teasingly brushing against your sensitive flesh.

You gasp softly, arching your back into their touch, unable to resist their advances. Your heart raced faster than usual, thumping wildly against your chest as anticipation built up inside of you.

You felt your shorts being unfastened one by one, exposing your body to your husband’s hungry gazes. You closed your eyes, savoring the anticipation building up inside. Your breath hitched as you felt Kalim's warm fingertips teasingly tracing along your thighs, brushing against against sensitive flesh before dipping slightly lower towards your wet panties.

Lifting your shirt, his tongue traced circles around your nipples, sucking and licking each one until they stood erect and hardened.

Jamil's hands moved higher up your body, cupping your breasts in his large palms, massaging them roughly yet tenderly. His thumb played with your nipples, teasing them mercilessly while his lips found yours, claiming their own passionate kiss. Their tongues tangled together, exploring every crevice of each other's mouths as he continued to fondle your chest.

As things escalated further, both men began to undress themselves, revealing their cocks straining against their boxers. You could feel your pussy growing increasingly hotter and more lubricated at the sight of their hardened members, yearning for the moment they would finally fuck you. You moaned, your voice trembling with desire and need.

Kalim moved between your legs, spreading them wider apart before leaning down to nibble on your sensitive inner thighs. His hot breath fanned across your wet pussy lips, making goosebumps rise on your sensitive skin. "I want to taste you," he croaked against your panties, his hands gripping tightly onto your thighs. He did become ‘pushy’ then his usual self when it came to sex.

Before you could respond, he yanked down your underwear, exposing your pussy to his hungry mouth. He groaned deeply, savoring the scent of your arousal filling his nose. His tongue darted out, tracing slow circles around your entrance before exploring your hole, lapping up every drop of your dripping arousal. You cried out in pleasure, your body trembling as waves of pleasure washed over your.

Jamil stop you momentarily to change the position, now under you, with your back against his chest, hands spreading your thighs, his member now pressing against your entrance. With one swift motion, he thrust himself inside her tight hole, stretching her walls wide open. You gasped at the feeling, meanwhile Kalim returned to devouring your pretty pussy.

"You taste so fucking good, baby," Kalim muttered hoarsely between licks and sucks, his tongue darting in and out of your wet entrance. His fingers continued to tease your sensitive spots, finding just the right rhythm to send shockwaves of pleasure coursing through your body.

Jamil grunted deeply, thrusting faster now, his cock stretching your tight channel even further, filling you up completely. He reached down to play with one of your nipples, pinching it gently before twisting it roughly. "That's it, take all of me, my slutty little wife"

Your moans turned into high-pitched whimpers as they both relentlessly attacked every inch of your body. Your walls clamped tightly around Jamil's cock, milking him for more while you ended up squirting onto Kalim's face. The mixed flavors of their combined arousal only served to fuel their lustful hunger.

“Oh god, yes," you moaned, your voice breaking with pleasure. You felt so full, yet so empty at the same time. Your pussy clenched tightly around his thick shaft, milking him as he began to move faster and harder, slamming into your core repeatedly. Meanwhile Kalim had broke away to focus on his own erection, soon placing himself in your mouth and facefucking you. You didn’t protest, he had been so good to you, ‘so why not let him have his fun?’

"Shit, you’re so beautiful Y/N," stated Jamil, his hips moving in sync with Kalim's thrusting rhythm. You could feel yourself nearing orgasm once more, your body trembling in anticipation of release.

"Fuck, ‘it’s to much!" you cried out against your husband’s cock, though it came out as a mumble, in addition your voice was already hoarse from their passionate lovemaking. Your pleasing noises only served to fuel their lust even more, pushing them closer to climax together. You and Jamil being the first to finish, he slightly thrusted into to ride out your high.

Kalim was watching the two of you like a hawk, throwing his head back in ecstasy as he relished in the sounds you made. He soon reached his own breaking point, moving back to his original position to finish on your pussy and stomach.

After a couple minutes of heavy breathing,

"This was fantastic," Kalim remarks between breaths.

"Yeah, it was. By the way, are you still taking the pill?" Jamil asks, turning to face you.

"Oh, no. I forgot I was on a break from it," you say, a bit alarmed.

"Well, looks like Aisha and Omar might have some potential siblings on the way," Kalim says with a giggle.

"Ha ha, real funny," you respond sarcastically.

"I mean, it's not that bad of an idea," Jamil suggests.

"Okay, less thinking about more kids, and more thinking of showering now. I am beat and sweaty," you say.

"Yes, ma'am," the two of them say in unison.

And that’s how your night ended.

Thanks @Selena_Twisted_Wonderland on AO3 for requesting!

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[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

Lightning Makes The Roots Grow Deep

Basil Stilt x afab!Reader • Rating: 18+ pals Masterlist• ao3• want to be tagged? | request info • Kinktober 2024 Masterlist • Kinktober 2023 Masterlist • Day 19: Voyeurism

Summary: There's something watching in the woods.

A/N: This was meant to be for kinktober 2023 (I'm so sorry). I don't know how this became what it is.

Warnings: sort of magical realism, Basil becoming a sort of Green Man, plants growing out of people, cut to black sexy times, please let me know if I have missed a warning!

Word Count: 1101

It had started when leaves began to grow from the scar tissue along Basil’s face. It wasn’t painful, just odd. But then again most things had been strange in the last few days… months? How long had it actually been? 

He often woke with berries on his eyelashes, the small red fruits falling when he first opened his eyes to the new day. 

He ate less. Began to just sit for hours by the window to soak up the sunshine. On rainy days he opened them, hung out bowls and cups on string to catch the rainwater and drink it down. There was nothing else like it. No other food or liquid, even tap water sustained him in the same way, nothing else quenched the deep ache in his chest. 

After a long time, when the vines from his skin had begun to twist and creep down along his arms and across his chest he had left. Finally. 

He wasn’t sure where the energy had come from, the drive. He just simply walked out of his flat in the dead of night. 

His car, the poor thing had sat dormant for years, started the second he got in and put his hands on the wheel even though his keys were still somewhere upstairs in the reminiscence of his old home. 

He drove for a long time. Out of the city and further still. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but something pulled at his nerves, an urge he could not deny. 

Basil didn’t know the name of the place when he arrived, surely a national forest of some sort. But it was the right place. 

As he walked further into the trees his muscles relaxed, the cobwebs in his lungs cleared. He was home. 

. 

“Are you sure there’s no bears?” Elizabeth asked sincerely, and Barry laughed. 

“No fucking bears, I promise.” He grinned. 

Elizabeth didn’t look so reassured. “Are you 100% on that?” 

Jamie, her boyfriend wrapped his arms around her. “No bears.” 

“Hmm.” She didn’t look so impressed. 

“I wouldn’t be here if there were.” You say, trying to comfort her. 

She gave you a brilliant smile. “Okay, you I trust.” 

You laugh, all four of you saying goodnight as you went to your respective tents. Elizabeth and Jamie shared, Barry to another, and the last was yours. 

Part of you was sure that this whole trip was secretly Jamie’s and Elizabeth’s attempt to set you up with Barry. He was nice but there was something you couldn’t put your finger on. Something just didn’t seem right. 

It’s difficult to sleep. You’d expected the cold and had packed well for it. It was the noise that was getting to you. This forest seemed louder than any you’d ever been to before. Busy. As if it was teaming with life ten times the usual amount. 

Somehow you manage to get to sleep for a while. A little after 2am you wake, needing to pee. 

You sigh and pull yourself out of your sleeping bag and grab your torch. Even though you were just going to duck behind a tree didn’t mean you weren’t going to get lost. People who got lost were people who thought they couldn’t get lost. 

You stepped as quietly as you could, not wanting to wake the others and walked around the back of a large tree and peed quickly. 

You’d just finished disinfecting your hands when there was a snap from the distance. You jolted, looking up in the direction quickly and shining your light. There was something there. Between the nearest outcrop. Like… light? Soft glowing orbs of dark pink and red. They floated like bubbles, a seemingly high pitched soft sound emanating from them. 

You don’t remember following them, one moment you were there by the campsite and the next you were deep in the undergrowth, mud high up on your jogging bottoms from your journey. 

“What?” You frown, blinking hard and trying to shift the wave of dizziness that floats next to your eyes. 

Panic doesn’t grip you, doesn’t sink in despite you not knowing where the hell you are. Instead, you feel sort of… warm. 

There’s a faint light blue glow up ahead filtering through the trees. A ranger’s station or something. You walk further in, closer to the light and…

You stop in your tracks. 

The forest is glowing. All manner of plants, flora you have never even seen in a textbook cover the clearing. Soft moss lines the floor. You lightly touch the bark of the closest tree, it’s warm. Not uncomfortably, not in a way that would make your skin crawl. It’s nice, soothing. 

It’s only then that you notice the figure in the middle of the clearing. You pause, swallowing as he looks at you. 

He says your name softly.

“How… how do you know…?”

“I’ve been watching,” he pauses, turning his head so you can see the leaves growing from his face. He moves closer, seeming to float across the moss. “You… and the others.” Lightly he touches your cheek, you can feel the vines that run along his fingertips. 

“What… are you?” You breathe, unable to take your eyes away from his skin, how the ivy twists in his hair and the moon seems to glow in one eye, his other dark like the night itself. 

He leans forward, pressing his lips to yours and opening your mouth with his own. You moan, shiver as his hand trails down your neck, his hand resting just above your heart. 

You pull him closer when he licks into your mouth. He tastes like fruit, sweet and heady and when you pull back small flowers have budded and bloom along the side of his face. 

He places his hand on your hip and minuscule vines grow and slip under your clothes, pushing them from your body and tearing them away with small thorns that do not touch your skin.

You gasp, heat rising to your skin. 

“It’s alright,” he whispers, kissing your cheek and jaw. “You’re safe. I promise.” 

“I…” You swallow, words escaping you as he sucks a love bite into your skin, pulling you flush against him while he traces his hand down and lightly teases your nipple. 

When your mouth opens in a soft moan he groans, letting his fingers sink further down your body and stroke along your centre. You can feel the vines from his hand run along your skin, start to twist and stroke along your thighs. 

He licks into your mouth the same moment he sinks his fingers inside of you.

Thank you for reading!

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@queerponc @twwcs @Spnwhore2430 @mari-thesimp @ominoose

@ierofrnkk @have-you-seen-my-sanity

If you'd like to be taken off the tag list please let me know here

[dramaticpandabear]

I have never written fan fiction before, but I got so inspired by this song that I just had to write something. So, this is my first one and I hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think! It’s Hancock x f!sole survivor.

God Only Knows

“You’re still messing with that thing?” said Hancock, watching with amusement as his vault-dwelling companion kept turning the dials on a beat-up radio. They were holed up in an abandoned, yet cozy, Red Rocket in front of Sanctuary Hills. The vault-dweller insisted on going to her “little hideaway” before Preston could bombard her with another settlement that needed helping.

And so, the two of them sat with a reprieve they seldom ever get, relishing it before they have to get going once more. The machine in her hands switched from a chorus of static to classical music to Travis’ stuttering and back to static once again.

“I swear it exists,” exclaimed his companion. “I heard it playing when I found an abandoned cabin not too far from Sanctuary. Apparently it’s called the “Old Gold” radio, and it plays music from before the war. Reminds me of when Nate and I--” She paused.

Opting to distract herself than deal with her grief, she directed her attention to the radio in front of her, turning the dials every which way hoping to find the elusive station. Every day she spent around Hancock it became easier to let those memories slip, but even she couldn’t bring herself to finish that sentence. Perhaps someday, but not today.

She could feel the ghoul’s eyes on her. The more they travel together, the better he gets at reading her every thought. Nevertheless, he decided not to push it as they fell into a comfortable silence.

Suddenly, the eclectic sound of an accordion mixed with a hypnotic beat starts blaring through the radio’s speakers. Hancock jolted for a moment -- he’s only ever heard Magnolia’s songs and the music Travis was able to salvage for his radio. But this, this was something else entirely.

“Finally! See, I told you it was real,” she exclaimed as he turned towards her. He saw her misty eyes, squinting nostalgically as though she could see the actual sound waves projecting from the radio in her hands. The sound of sweet, dulcet voices filled the air as they sang:

I may not always love you, but long as there stars above you…

Hancock took in a breath, and was about to ask, when she beat him to it. “It’s the Beach Boys,” she said in a daze, mesmerized as though she couldn’t believe she was hearing a song from before the world burned before her.

…You never need to doubt it, I’ll make you so sure about it…

“God, I haven’t heard this song in years!” he smirked but just before he could make a quip, she hit his shoulder playfully. Although he could read her thoughts pretty well, she easily did the same for him.

“Don’t you start with that crap. I may be 210 years old, but at least I don’t have any wrinkles, unlike some people,” she started as she shot a mischievous look his way.

“You’re right on that one Sunshine,” he replied with a raspy laugh on his lips. “I guess being frozen for all that time works wonders on the skin.”

“Oh absolutely, dermatologists hate me,” she quipped as he lightly chuckled despite not knowing what the fuck a dermatologist is. Turning back to listen to the music before her, she steeled herself with a deep sigh. “Last time I heard this was the night before Nate was deployed to Alaska. He asked me if I could dance with him.”

As she spoke, Hancock looked at her -- really looked at her. Somehow the sun shined just right as it hit her chestnut hair, casting a golden glow as she faced the radio. Although her eyes dulled with melancholy as she reminisced, he still caught the way her body swayed ever so slightly to the music, almost as if she were living inside that memory.

For a while now, they’ve been dancing around each other, both knowing they were beyond friendship at this point. Hancock knew she missed her husband dearly, but she expressed long ago that she’s ready to move on. And yet, neither of them has made the first move towards something more.

As the song entered into a (from what he considered) quirky instrumental section, Hancock figured that it was either now or never. He stood from the couch and approached her with his hand extended.

“I don’t come close to the man he was, but, if you don’t mind this ghoul before you,” and the way his black eyes gazed so tenderly into hers almost made her heart burst, rendering her speechless. “May I have this dance?”

Blinking up at him, all she could do was nod as she placed her hand in his. They began to lightly sway, coming closer as instruments were joined by carefree voices. As the music swelled, Hancock twirled her around as more words surrounded them.

…God only knows what I’d be without you. If you should ever leave me…

He spun her around so that her back was pressed against his as they continued to sway. He listened closely to these words as he looked down at her pensively. Her eyes were closed, basked in that gorgeous glow of sunlight. She looked like pure sunshine -- his sunshine.

…The world could show nothing to me, so what good would living do me…

This enchanting song was echoing the words he held deep in his heart. Words he wished he could say to her, but never felt he could. After all, who would want to spend their lives loving a ghoul such as him?

And yet, here she was -- his sunshine nestled warmly in his arms. Dancing in this abandoned Red Rocket as though it were a slice of Heaven on Earth and that the Commonwealth’s troubles didn’t exist. Hancock never thought he deserved such bliss, and as he spun her to face him, her soft voice nearly swept him off his feet as he heard her singing along with the music:

…God only knows what I’d be without you…

Hancock basked in the sight before him. Her lidded eyes were peering right into his, and he could feel her light breath as she whispered those words. Now, he’s never sang in his life, but something about this moment gave him the confidence he needed to sing these lyrics that echoed the words in his heart. As the song slowed, he gave the main melody a try with a raspy voice that was slightly off-key. But every word echoed his sincere feelings for her, pure and utter devotion poured out for her. And it was music to her ears.

…God only knows what I’d be without you.”

The chorus of voices repeated these words, blurring together as the music surrounded them in a haze. Hancock slowly inched his face closer to hers until they finally met in the middle. Never did he taste such a kiss so sweet that it made Sugar Bombs sour by comparison.

As they embraced the music continued to swell around them as if it was the sound of their own hearts singing to each other. Hancock wasn’t even sure if he deserved her, but in his mind he was silently thanking these so-called “Beach Boys” for giving him the chance to finally have her in his arms. Their kiss grew deeper as he felt an ecstasy that no chem could come close to achieving.

Even as the song made its eventual end, the pair made no effort to stop as the radio played another melody. Who knew they could ever reach perfection in the middle of a wasteland?

[hongthoven]

Okay, hi my love <3

I can´t stop thinking about Yuyu and Mingi and my brain is like, CRAVING for fluff. Just cuddling or going on a walk and all that stinking cute, tooth rottingly cute fluff. imagine the reader beind shorter and them just being her protectors and best friends or boyfriends and them just showing her how important she is for them!

I´m alreay tearing up at the thought of them (or any of ateez for that matter) proposing to them in the cutest ways and i´m just... yeah, i´m sobbing. it´s a neeed <3

LOVE YOUUUUUU <3

i hope you´ll have an amazing day, my cutie patootie <3

Hi Kittykat ♥

I didn't think this through and fluff isn't my typical comfort zone so I'm sorry if that's terrible, but here's my attempt at fulfiling your needs for some cute comforting moment with Mingi.

Slight angst at the beginning, if that calls for a tw.

Love you ♥ @bethelighthalazia

I doesn’t take more than this for Mingi to immediately call you, cutting the texting short so he can hear your voice, looking for any sign of a breakdown. He knows every crack, every change in your tone and years of friendship have given him the luxury of anticipating that kind of conversations.

« Is it about that jerk again ? » Mingi’s voice is a little hoarse but soft as ever and you can’t help but sigh as soon as it wraps you up into an invisible blanket. While he has been trying his best to keep your mind off of your ex boyfriend, Mingi knows just how much you can get into your own thoughts sometimes, digging your own grave.

You’ve been laying in bed for hours now, spiraling into your darkest thoughts, hating yourself for the most and reminiscing the last time you have felt truly loved and desired, failing to pinpoint the exact moment. It is definitely « one of those days » you typically brush off, unwilling to make a big deal out of it but sadly settling into a pathetic routine.

A pity party you never asked for but still seem to secretely crave.

« No, it’s not » only half a lie. You have been thinking about him, but not quite as much lately.

« I was just wondering why no one ever loves me enough to stay, that’s all » while you’re aware of just how sad you must sound right now, there’s a sense of comfort and safety in your friendship with Mingi that makes i tokay for you to just blurt out anything coming to your mind, including your deepest secrets.

« What about me ? What about Yunho ? »

« I love you both dearly but… you’re my best-friends »

« And ? You don’t feel loved around us ? »

« God, Mingi… You just don’t get it… Nevermind » you sigh, a little hurt not to hear precisely what you need from him at that exact moment. Of course, your childhood best-friend being the stubborn man he is now, isn’t keen on giving up that easily.

« Why don’t you explain it to me then ? »

There’s a knock on the door and you’re suddenly aware of your current state. Hair messily wrapped into a bun, rotting in your pjs and you’re pretty sure your face looks like it hasn’t seen a ray of sunshine in days but still, nothing compares to the absolute shock of seeing Mingi standing in front of your door as soon as you reluctantly fling it open.

« I was in the neighborhood » he shrugs with a smile, ending the call as you stare at him in disbelief with your phone still tapped to your ear. You had noticed the traffic sound in the background earlier and while you could perfectly picture your best-friend walking around the city, heading to god-knows-where as he tried his best to cheer you up, you were nowhere near prepared to have him showing up at your door within ten minutes.

« So what is this all about ? » he adds as you remain with your back against the door for a while, nervous to put some actual words on your insecurities. But as Mingi walks closer to you with his typical gummy smile, his dimple digging into the flesh of his cheek as a reminder of the safe place you have found in this man, nothing seems too unbearable anymore.

« I just… don’t feel desirable lately… »

« That’s bullshit »

« Excuse me ? »

« You are desirable »

« Oh yeah, says who ? »

« I just said so, didn’t I »

« That’s not… »

« The same ? Yeah I know » he adds, his arms pulling you into a hug as you almost face plant into his chest. Sometimes, you tend to forget just how much taller he actually is, and though it’s not that obvious when you two are heading out while you perch yourself on some nice heels, today is quite the opposite. Standing on your tippy toes, you fail to even reach his shoulder and settle for the warmth of his chest against your cheek.

« You know you’re beautiful, right ? »

You nod, not entirely convinced but still appreciative of Mingi’s efforts to boost your confidence through his typical praises. You’ve been here before, seeking shelter into his arms while he tries his absolute best to cheer you up and though you would never admit it, there’s something about the way he looks at you, the intensity of his gaze almost burning through your skin, like there’s nothing left around for him to see but you, that makes you feel a little too special. More than you intend to be.

The sun has been replaced by a pitch black sky outside and the late hours of the night only occurs to you when you wake up, dizzy still, into the heated comfort of Mingi’s embrace. With his arm around you, your leg snaked around his hip as he rests lazily on the couch, the arm that isn’t keeping you safe simply settled behind his head as an extra pillow, Mingi only seems half-absorbed with the movie playing on tv, his attention caught with the very first flinch of your body against his.

« Well hello there, sleeping beauty » he smirks, immediately pressing his lips to your hair and you hate the way your skin reacts to a simple touch, shivers running down your spine as the warmth of his breath hits the back of your neck.

« How do you feel ? Any better ? » Mingi’s eyes are filled with a mix of worry and adoration, his palm reaching for your cheek to stroke it softly.

« Much better » you pause, reminiscing your prior breakdown « sorry ‘bout that ».

« Don’t you dare apologizing » his thumb hooks under your chin, forcing you to tilt your head upwards to meet his gaze, the intimacy of a simple gesture sending mixed signals to your brain though you decide to ignore those.

« I love you, don’t you ever doubt it » his lips find yours through a quick peck, nothing you haven’t done before but today, you feel him linger for a bit longer than usual, his fingers almost pushing into the plush flesh of your cheeks as you close your eyes to bask in the moment.

[nerdieforpedro]

Cadet Gray

For Jo's Birthday Bash @undercoverpena

Tim Rockford x GN plus size reader

Summary: The weather is fairly somber, but there's still quite a bit to celebrate.

Warnings: Angst, silliness in an office, allusion to implied smut, two pinches, a few tears and sunshine ☀️

Word Count: 700+

Notes: Originally, I was going to write something with Javi G, but it just wasn't working. Then I was talking it out aloud with @soft-persephone mentioned Javi P, suits and sheets. Then made it over to Tim, still unsure how the dots connected. 🤭

Main Masterlist/ Tim Rockford Masterlist

Everything is coated in chases of gray. The sky has patches of white with periodic specks of blue. It’s not the type of day anyone would say that they were happy about being out and about it, but you happen to be. You’d been a bit sneaky with your plan, slowly gathering your information and numbers. The only snag in your entire plot was getting your own ducks in a row, surprised at the actual measurement of said ducks. It was difficult to accept but necessary since this was a special occasion after all. 

Detective Rockford is of course located in his office, behind his desk, surveying which pile of files to start on. At least, that’s how he is usually, but today he’s looking through his notebook. Going over any details that might shed more light on any number of cases. 

You’re not here for that today though. It’s noon and he promised to be out of here by one in the afternoon so you two wouldn’t be late. They would never forgive you. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, he greets you with a smile and squints at the large garment bag you have in plastic. Rockford knows very well what today is and is not looking forward to trying on this suit for the fourth time. It seemed despite going to two different tailors, it never fit quite right around the inseam or his waist. He was about ready to just show up in a tracksuit and throw in a wet towel. He got the sense that you enjoyed dressing him up a bit since he normally did the same for you. Picking out an outfit or two for you to wear, only to peel it off of you later that evening so he could get at those curves or yours. Might have been a time or two that a reservation was missed.

On top of his files, you laid his garment bag and told him to put it on, promising that this one would be the right fit. It was the same person who did your dress after all, they can be trusted. Shrugging, Tim gives your cheek a kiss, your rump a squeeze and closes the door and blinds to his office allowing for privacy. The two of you change into your matching gray attire. Yours fits you like a glove and he’s already thinking how to get it off of you this evening. The glint in his eyes has you pinching the bridge of his nose in jest. His crisp white button down fits like a second skin, with enough stretch that it moves with him. His gray slacks sit just right on his waist with the help of a charcoal belt to keep them in place. His tie matches his belt and shoes while the suit jacket is the same light gray of your outfit and his pants.Tim remarks how comfortable everything feels and that he might in fact stick around at the event a bit longer than planned. 

The precinct claps for the two of you as you leave, giving little waves to play along with their bit. On the way over to the venue, Tim is a little watery eyed, the normally stoic man is reminiscing of younger days full of small moments he holds dear. You pat his shoulder and tell him that it’s alright, he’s not really losing anything truly. Consider it a new phase of life for everyone involved.

Finally parked, little details are added like flowers and handkerchiefs. You sit on the bride’s side of the aisle near the front behind her brothers and sisters. The heavens still keep their steely color as the music ramps up and everyone stands. The bride makes her entrance in a beautiful white dress accompanied by a flushed faced Tim brimming with pride arm in arm. He was ambivalent about walking his daughter down the aisle, unsure if he was ready to fully let her go, but he finally reconciled it’s not about him but her and the new family she’s starting. 

You swear that even the wide expanse above agrees by having some sunlight shine on the newlyweds while they finish their vows. Tim appears at your side with an arm around you and a quick peck to your neck.

“Thank you sweetheart. Turns out it was a great fit all around.”

Tim’s Tailors 👀: @megamindsecretlair @sin-djarin @readingiskeepingmegoing @survivingandenduring @morallyinept

@inept-the-magnificent @maggiemayhemnj @secretelephanttattoo @goodwithcheese @trulybetty

@angelofsmalldeath-codeine @604to647 @magpiepills @pascalsanctuary

[miguelswifey04]

What if bubbly!reader passes away but Miguel still has to go to work but breaks down every few hours because he’s reminded of of something she did like bring him lunch or go hang out and cuddle with him while he worked and Peter b and everyone else helps comfort him yet that still reminds him of reader

you’re gonna make me break my own heart 😕 actually this gonna be the first time i write a death of a character, so let’s get into it 💔💔

miguel o’hara x bubbly! reader

warnings: reader’s death; angst

just like the wind comes and goes, you left behind a precious family, your friends, your loved ones, and miguel. you were a ray of sunshine for miguel’s darkest hours now his darkest hours had turned into his darkest days where you were no longer around to keep him going. if you are gone how is miguel supposed to live? how is he supposed to move on?

miguel had lost every little thing he could not hold onto, including you. what were you supposed to do when someone you truly loved dies? was miguel supposed to cope? was miguel to pretend to keep it going even if you weren’t by his side cheering him on and being supportive? these were the kind of questions everyone thought when they saw a melancholic miguel. a part of him died that day when you slipped away through his fingers. he couldn’t save you just like he couldn’t save his own daughter. now, surely that’ll eat him alive—his own heartbreak would be his own cause of death.

everywhere miguel goes, every smell and every thought connected to a song reminds him of you. no matter how hard he tries to be himself, no matter how hard he tries to cope—he cannot be the same person he was when you were alive, as if he can never be the same again. he tries to carry the burdens of the world on his shoulders but he finds himself cracking at the seams. he breaks down as he reminisces on the memories of you. the way you shined so brightly like a star high in the sky…or the way your smiled so big that made his heart ache that he can no longer appreciate that. the simple acts of kindness from yours truly, like you bringing him lunch or proving him that comfort and love he needed. the way you reassured him that he would never be alone.

“miguel, as long as you have me you’ll never be alone..i promise i won’t ever leave you..”

words were left empty, and promises left unfulfilled. how dare you slip away and not stay by his side, and grow old together…how dare the universe punish miguel when he himself is trying to save it..

“i love you so much, and you’re such a hardworking man. please never feel as if you have to shoulder these burdens alone. your burdens are mine to share.”

the pain had become unbearable. and it had become difficult for miguel to find solace in his daily routine. peter b and the others, observe miguel’s struggles and offer him support in their own ways.

“hey miguel? i’m sorry about them..i know how much they meant to you.” the same sentence gutted miguel and ripped his heart to shreds. they’d offer listening ears and comforting words, even sharing their own stories and memories of you. while their efforts bring miguel some comfort, they also intensify his grief, as they serve as constant reminders of the one he lost.

though time slowly passes, miguel has seemed to forgot the memories of your face..it’s not longer etched in his mind, and the way your voice sounded was now just but a distant memory. maybe, it was for the best for miguel to forgot about you and move on. maybe just maybe it may have been what you wanted. now, you’re a soul lingering in the vast universe with no memory of what your last life was, and maybe in another universe you could have had your happily ever after with miguel.

-yours truly

tags 🏷️!! @kairiscorner @meeom @sabcandoit @emiemiemiii @obi-mom-kenobi

[eventinelysplayground]

This is my second entry for @violettduchess and @lorei-writes Sunshine & Starlight challenge. Did I write this rather then finishing my other wip that I really need to...maybe lol. I'd honestly been toying with the very basic idea of this for a very long time but could never think of anything to really do with it then this idea came into my head and I ran with it. I used the sunshine prompt watching clouds and the starlight prompt constellations. Two friends spend time reminiscing and hoping that the other is safe and happy. Pure fluff WC approx 1155.

Across Time

Mitsuki lay outside on a blanket watching the clouds as they floated by on a summer breeze.

“Look Arthur, that one looks like a star.”

“Well spotted luv, that one there looks like a necktie.”

“Oh that one looks like Vic!”

Mitsuki pointed to a grouping of vaguely lump shaped clouds and Arthur laughed.

“I think Vic would disagree with you on that.”

Mitsuki looked over at Arthur and couldn't help but laugh.

“Hey it's the best I could do, blame the clouds.”

They continued laughing and talking about what clouds looked like for some time.

“That one looks like a teddy bear.”

Mitsuki stopped laughing and grew unusually quiet.

“Are you alright luv?”

“Hmmm?”

“You'd gone quiet on me.”

“Sorry.”

Mitsuki turned her head to look at Arthur briefly before turning her attention back to the clouds.

“What you said just made me think of a friend of mine who I hadn't thought about in awhile.”

Mitsuki felt Arthur's fingers glide over her cheek.

“Sorry luv, I didn't mean to upset you.”

Mitsuki shook her head.

“No, it's all right. I'm actually kind of hopeful now.”

Mitsuki sat up and drew her knees up to her chest while Arthur turned onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow.

“We met in school and became fast friends. We used to be inseparable when we were younger and did everything together. Even through high school we were really close. She made me a dress once, it was so pretty and I loved it so much!”

A bright smile lit up Mitsukis face before she furrowed her eyebrows together.

“After school we grew apart, our lives just went in different directions. We still made time to see eachother every so often but…”

Mitsuki's voice trailed off her eyes following the teddy bear shaped cloud.

“But then something happened to her? Something that meant you never saw her again?”

Mitsuki nodded.

“The last time I saw her she showed me a teddy bear she made, Bersace.”

Mitsuki turned to face Arthur and she had a small smile on her face.

“She was going for an interview in two days for her dream job. She made it to the interview but then she went missing. I was worried about her but even after a few months we hadn't heard anything and the police found no traces of her or foul play, it was like she just vanished.”

“Sounds likely that's also what the police would have said about you.”

“Exactly!”

“I suppose it's possible.”

“You don't think it's silly of me?”

“Not one bit.”

Arthur sat up and took Mitsukis hands.

“There's nothing wrong with you wanting your friend to have traveled through a door somewhere, gone back in time or forwards even and found an incredibly handsome man who she's fallen madly in love with. Course he'd never be as dashing or clever as I am but-”

Mitsuki let out a laugh.

“Of course not!"

She squeezed his hands lightly before he leaned in and quickly kissed her.

“Thank you Arthur.”

“Anytime love.”

While Mitsuki and Arthur spent the afternoon gazing at the clouds, a different scene was unfolding across oceans and time itself.

“There you are my little mouse.”

Mai turned her head in the direction of her husband's familiar voice and smiled.

“Welcome back.”

Mai craned her neck upwards as Mitsuhide bent down towards her, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss.

“Were you having difficulty sleeping again?”

Mai nodded as Mitsuhide ran a hand over her extended belly.

“They insisted on exercising instead of sleeping so I came out here to look at the stars and constellations.”

“And did you find anything interesting amongst the stars?”

“Not really, astronomy was never a strong point for me so I've just been making up my own designs with them.”

“How entertaining that sounds, come here my wife”

Mai smiled at Mitsuhide who had sat across from her and opened his arms wide for her. She slowly and carefully shuffled herself across the veranda and leaned against Mitsuhide’s firm chest his arms closing securely around her and enfolding her in his warmth.

“See those stars there, they look like a tree. And those over there look like a dog.”

Mai moved her finger pointing to different groupings of stars and excitedly describing to Mitsuhide what they looked like.

“Oh that one looks like an airplane!”

Mai's expression deflated and she brought her hand to rest on Mitsuhide's arm.

“You're troubled, something about this air-plain disturbs you.”

Mai shook her head.

“No not really, it just made me think of a friend of mine back in the future.”

“Oh?”

“Remember when I first arrived here, and I told you about my dream of making clothes for people?”

“Yes, you were inspired by your friend's happiness at what you made them.”

“Well that friend, she writes a travel blog and she travels all around the world.”

“Using this air-plain?”

“Yes! Not her own of course they're too expensive but…”

Mai trailed off for a moment, becoming lost in her thoughts which Mitsuhide watched as they played across her face. After a while he kissed her softly on her ear.

“I’m certain your friend would not want you to become sad while thinking of her.”

“Probably not, I saw her just before everything happened. We went to lunch and I told her all about my interview and introduced her to Bersace, she told me all about a trip to Paris she had just planned for a few months from then.”

Mai smiled at the memory of lunch with her friend but the concern she felt showed through her eyes.

“There is no need to worry about your friend, she is most likely safe in the future enjoying herself.”

“I hope you're right.”

“And that a worm hole hole did not follow her to Paris.”

Mai laughed as Mitsuhide placed a kiss on her neck.

“Yes that too. If a wormhole did follow her though, I hope she’s happy and that she found someone she loves there.”

“Another warlord perhaps?”

“No. Maybe just a nice regular guy like a florist, or a doctor, or an artist oh, or maybe a wealthy aristocrat or his prim and proper butler!”

“I thought you said you wanted your friend to be happy?”

Mai turned and gave Mitsuhide a quizzical look.

“Those options all sound incredibly boring.”

“Haha, you would think that! Well as long as she doesn't fall for somebody who's super serious or a clean freak, or worse a flirtatious playboy or even worse yet a kitsune who can read her mind and likes to tease her.”

Mai smiled teasingly at Mitsuhide.

“That last one does sound like quite a lot of fun but they are in short supply, so I'm afraid your friend would have to settle for the flirtatious playboy.”

Mai shook her head and began to laugh before Mitsuhide sealed it away with a kiss.

[in-the-moodboard]

Young Justice Core Four fanfic recommendations

Cassie Sandsmark - pieces and pages by Anonymous

General Audiences - Cassie Sandsmark/Rose Wilson

When Rose was alone with Cassie, she wouldn’t want to change a thing. It was when other people were there that she would change. Cassie tore herself away from Rose, her eyes wide. She took a few steps back to lean against the wall on the other side of the hallway. “Someone’s coming.” "Oh."

Tim Drake - Gotham Knights vs. Gotham Nights by TeviTevi

Not Rated - Bernard Dowd/Tim Drake; Darla Aquista & Bernard Dowd & Tim Drake; Bernard Dowd & Tim Drake; Tim Drake & Lonnie Machin; Bruce Wayne & Lonnie Machin

In which Tim Drake, in a universe where he was never Robin, still managed to be a precocious little genius. Tim Drake and Bernard Dowd have a fairly popular YouTube channel, where the two of them run around Gotham and discuss its heroes and villains. Getting the attention of the Bats of Gotham themselves technically wasn't on the list of objectives, but hey, Tim and Bernard will take any chance for a good video. They knew they weren't supposed to be in a recent Rogue hideout, but rules mean nothing in Gotham, especially not to a pair of plucky young clout chasers. Meanwhile, most of the Bats are wondering who exactly these kids are, and why one of them knows their names.

Bart Allen - Sunshine in the Rearview Mirror by SleepySpeedster

Teen And Up Audiences - Bart Allen/Preston Lindsay

Set three years after the conclusion of Impulse, it's summer in Manchester, Alabama once again. Preston Lindsay, now eighteen years old and enjoying his last summer before college begins, finds himself once again reminiscing on the past and on Bart Allen. Three years and there's been no word from his best friend. But one day he reappears and neither Preston or Bart are the same again. The voice drew him back. It drew him back in time, way waaaaaaaaaay back. Just like Alice finding her way to Wonderland, his mind followed a brown hare down the rabbit hole as he was pulled back to junior high, back to when the sun shined brighter, when each day meant a new adventure with his best friend with his funny quirks and ways. He heard his voice and knew it shouldn’t have been possible. His hand trembled the slightest. His mouth felt dry. He didn’t want to lower his camera and be disappointed that his ears were tricking him. He didn’t want to know that he had just misheard the voice, but he could have sworn he heard him, he heard.... “Bart?”

Kon-El - a timeline can be a haunted house by connerdrakewayne (chaoxfix)

General Audiences - Bart Allen & Kon-El | Conner Kent; Bart Allen/Kon-El | Conner Kent; Bart Allen & Tim Drake & Kon-El | Conner Kent & Cassie Sandsmark

In the cosmic joke that is Kon-El's life, the universe pulled one final prank. The multiverse had itself a do-over, and decided to reset itself without Kon-El. It reset, and everyone he loved now lived a whole life without him. They remember a world where he never existed, never made an impact in their lives. It all would have been fine and dandy, too, if the universe had actually done the thing properly. But Kon's still here, somehow. A ghost in the machine, carrying all the ghosts of his old timeline with him. Maybe it would be easier if he stayed away from all the people wearing his friends faces. ...Kon's taking the universe reset just fine, why do you ask?

🫒

[squishy-lombax]

I don't care what anyone says, I actually really enjoyed the movie and thought it was good. I recommend watching the movie for yourself and making your own opinions before watching any reviews or jumping on bandwagons.

My unhinged rant under the cut:

It was simple, sweet, and magical. Very reminiscent of Disney's classic movies like Snow White or Cinderella (not to be confused with the Renaissance era). This movie features almost everything everyone has been asking for in a Disney film for years, and surprised me with a few things I didn't even know I wanted (like the movie opening on a storybook). Although I will agree the story needed a solid romance, and various other things could have been handled better; it genuinely was not as bad as I thought it'd be. I feel like this movie is a prime example of getting criticism confused with hate, and people's inability to enjoy movies anymore. Disney has been making a lot of horrible decisions lately regarding their movies. Especially when it comes to soulless remakes and lackluster sequels. However, I don't feel like this movie deserves all the hate it's getting. This movie is a MASSIVE step in the right direction for the studio, and I worry people don't understand the consequences of not supporting this film. We can cry all day about wanting originals stories, unique art styles, genuine villains, and classic fairytales. However, money speaks volumes in this industry, and if this movie bombs, we most likely will never get a movie like this again in a very, VERY, long time from Disney. The studio will likely be more willing to embrace themes featured in this film more heavily in the future if this film does well. Was this movie not up to the ungodly standards being held to it? yes. However, was it the worst film ever released in the history of ever? absolutely not. This movie lands in a pretty happy medium when it comes to classic and modern Disney standards. If we want Disney to lean more into the classics, this movie must succeed. Do you want more soulless remakes of your favorite classics? Or do you want more original fairytales? Unfortunately, one is making more money than the other. Disney is a money-hungry company. Always has been and always will be. If soulless remakes make more money, maybe that's what the general public actually wants. At some point, you will have to make up your minds and support films you actually want to see more of. ALSO THIS MOVIE WAS GOOD! It wasn't hyper "woke," lazily made, or uninspiring. Wish spoke to my inner child and reminded me of what made me love Disney movies to begin with. I feel like you have to have fallen pretty far down the cynical rabbit hole to not enjoy this movie even a little bit. I will admit, I've also been in that hole for a very long time, but I at least peek my head out every once and awhile and enjoy the sunshine. Let's agree to learn to enjoy movies again, have guilty pleasures, release our inner child, and like movies only because they comfort us. It's okay to do that, ya know?

[auspicioustidings]

Wine Talking

Lil 400 word drabbl-ey Ghoap fluff because I am a delicate little mess today who deserves this actually.

You know if you had told Simon Riley 25 years ago he would be enjoying a lazy evening watching the sunset on a Mexican vineyard, he would likely have made some morbid joke about never making it far enough for retirement. 

As he always did on these visits, he had spent the whole day lazing, eating good food and sipping at even better wine, sitting on the porch in the sunshine laughing and reminiscing. His sense of humour was still, to him, as sharp as ever - here meaning that it was still all terrible puns and half a dogs. It was strange really, the ways that he had stayed the same. Stranger still the ways he had changed.

Retirement suited him, the layer of fat from the comfort of peace suited him, the unmasked face with scars faded with age to silvery lines suited him. Even the greys starting to pull through the blonde suited him. But most of all, contentment suited Simon Riley. The contentment of a decade of happiness.

If you had told John MacTavish 25 years ago he would be watching Simon Riley enjoying a lazy evening watching the sunset on a Mexican vineyard, he would only have grinned and agreed. Even as a reckless youth one thing had been consistently certain for him, that Simon would never be rid of him. 

They had turned from team mates to friends to enemies after that whole fake death double agent debacle. But even though it took years to really earn his forgiveness for that one, Simon never did complain about Johnny staying by his side. And then it was enemies, to sort of friends again. And then it was friends who retired together because they were so used to being together at that point that it made sense to stay together. At one point John kissed Simon in the morning at breakfast like it was the most natural thing in the world and Simon accepted the change with no comment at all. Lovers didn’t seem the right word, it felt too small to really encompass all that they were. 

Husbands had happened right here on this vineyard. Close friends, family really, only. Fathers followed not long after completely by accident, it was a long story. 

“Ye’r still the prettiest thing I ever saw” Johnny said, the sunset not as compelling as watching the light of it on Simon’s face. 

Simon only laughed gruffly and rolled his eyes, sliding them away from the horizon to meet Johnny’s with a lazy smile. 

“That the wine talking love?”

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Saturday lovely Fandom :) We’ve reached my favorite episode of the season. I explained in detail to that ask I received about my fav eps why I love it so much. Great follow up to the previous episode. So much good content in this one. Married moments galore, growth, all the goodies. The name on this one is apt. Makes me breakdown every time I watch it. Let's get going.

4x09 Breakdown

First off imma need more Lucy/Genny scenes in S6. Their banter and bonding makes me so happy. Idk what Tim was expecting with these two together again. Of course they were going to bond more and chat. Get off track while doing so. Genny trying to reminisce about the house. Asking Tim if he remembers their mom used to make them pose for pics by that window? Lucy jumps in because why wouldn’t she? Joining in saying her mom did the same thing. The smile on Genny's face. She clearly enjoys Lucy's company. Probably thinking why isn't Tim dating her?

Tim doesn’t look amused by this at all. Even huffing a little bit. They continue on like he isn’t there. Talking about wrist corsages they had to wear. Genny saying 'Why was that ever a thing?' Tim cuts off memory lane. Stating they’re just here to fix this place up and sell it. That’s it. Lucy therapy mode is activated by this comment of course. Stating they’re closing an important chapter in their lives. They need closure by doing things like this. Reminiscing and such.

Tim being so very over this turns on the saw. Trying to drown her out saying ‘What? LOL Such a little shit ha I love him so much though. (So does Lucy heh) Lucy screams 'You need closure!' again despite him trying to drown her out. He screams again 'What?! 'She is so flirty when calls him an idiot. Mixture of exasperated and flirty. Like he’s her idiot and I love it sfm. Also let’s note this is clearly Lucy’s day off. How is she spending it?

Renovating Tim’s childhood home and bonding with his sister some more. Not soulmate behavior at all… It’s crazy just like in S2 you forget he’s dating Rachel. It’s the same in S4 only their bond is even stronger now. Where is Ashley is all this? Not here... Their married vibes are insanely high in this moment.

Tim’s exasperated face when she calls him an idiot haha Epitome of Sunshine x Grumpy. All in front to Genny too. Like Grey I’m sure she also knew long before they did. If you needed a future depiction of their marriage this is it. Sister in-law and all in the mix. This is so domestic I cannot stand it.

As they continue to tear down the wall Lucy is telling them how much she wanted a sibling. She begged her parents for one. Instead they got her a turtle ha. Not really the same thing... Saying it was cute but a little smelly. Then Genny comes in with the hilarious sibling slam. 'Cute and smelly sums up Tim’s teenage years' LOL Saying she didn’t miss much at all. Tim returns the sass in full above. The cute family bonding getting me all in my feels. Lucy is so happy to be apart of this.

Written all over her face. Future sister-in law bonding as well it’s so great. Unfortunately while they’re tearing down the wall they find a gun. Tim goes from light-hearted and fun to serious at the drop of a hat. Genny asks how long that could’ve been in there? Tim isn’t sure. That it’s hard to say. He shows Lucy that the serial number has been filed off. Lucy says they need to run ballistics. Tim nods agreeing with her completely. They're so damn in-sync and just a well oiled machine with work stuff. Just comes together so seamlessly.

Genny panics a little. Says they don’t actually think it was used in a crime do they? Tim lets her know it’s THEIR job to find out. Not just him THEIR. I love it. Genny is upset they’re leaving. Wondering if anyone else can handle this? Tim promises they’ll be back as soon as they can. Genny scoffs and says she knew he’d find an excuse to leave. Tim tells her this is serious. They have to go.

Genny doesn’t fight him and tells him to just go. Lucy’s face when Tim exits the room. She’s torn between comforting Genny and rushing after Tim. Naturally she goes after Tim. He needs her more and is clearly so upset. She’s worried about him so he takes precedence. It’s like an instinctual pull to him in that gif above.

You can tell she wants to stay to help Genny but Tim needs her more. Before we delve any further. Let’s talk about seeing Tim in jeans during this. Phew lord. Tall drink of sexy in tight blue jeans. I am here for it. Break me off a piece. Those biceps in that t-shirt too. Trying to kill me good sir. This man can make the simplest outfits sexy af. How does he do it? It's not fair to be this attractive.

Once Lucy catches up to him she says Genny has a point. He could call someone else to handle this. That he still can. Tim gives her a good company line. Saying 'How a good Sergeant doesn’t create work for his officers. Even on his day off.' Lucy of course isn’t buying what he’s selling. Knows this man better than anyone else. Asks if 'It’s not at all about the emotions this house is stirring up?'

Tim not wanting to deal with his emotions says ‘It’s just a house…’ How you acted all of 4x08 would contradict that statement my love. *sigh* Oh my poor Tim. Lucy hit the nail on the head and he doesn’t want to face it let alone deal with it. Lucy doesn’t press him any further. She knows her boundaries with him. That doesn’t erase the massive worry on her face though. If she could hug him right now she would.

We rejoin them at that station. First off how can two people exude so much chemistry just walking next to each other? Tall/Smol gloriousness. The little to no space between them as they walk together. Personal space? Never heard of her. That word is foreign to them and it makes me giddy. How Tim is drawn to her as they move. Looking like he’s reading the file. When really he’s just magnetically drawn to her. He physically can’t help it at this point.

I can’t get over Tim being in street clothes in the station. Mmm. Not only that but being in jeans plus his badge showing? My god I’m a puddle. This man is my undoing and I welcome it. *Ahem* Their dialogue here is married af. It’s so god damn natural I cannot stand it. Lucy being on it with ballistics. Saying she got it already. Tim comments that was fast. Lucy stating above how she achieved said fast results.

Forever love that silent communication they do. He doesn’t even need to say thank you. That cute little smile does it for him in the second gif. It’s his thank you and she reads it loud and clear. Her buying cookies just to expedite this case? Tell me your ship is in love without telling me they’re in love. Gah this ep is doing things to me. It’s like when you see a cute puppy and are overcome with cute aggression. I’m overcome with amazing cute ship aggression LMAO

Lucy gives him the details she has from the report. Saying the ballistics match a 25 year old murder. Someone named Frank Ochoa. Tim freezes and says he lived down the street from them. He also mentions he was 14 when he was murdered. Lucy continues on and says the investigation resulted in a botched home invasion. Tim replies they can rule that out now that they found the gun in their wall.

Lucy asks Tim if he remembers anything from that night? Tim tells her he had football game. His mom took him and Genny. When they got back it was crawling with cops. That his dad hated Frank. Lucy tells him he had an alibi. Frank’s wife. This incites Tim’s anger even more. Saying he was having an affair with her. She was no alibi.

His mom didn’t know but he did. Ugh. Poor Tim having to live with that. To protect his mother’s feelings by living with it. You can see the hurt on his face. The anger welling up inside of him. So much so when Lucy tries to theorize with him he just says I don’t know. So overcome with emotions of his past. I wanna hug him this entire episode.

This next section we see protective/worried Lucy come out. Honestly she’s present most of this episode tbh. She finds Tim in the hallway headed towards interrogation. Asking what he’s doing? Tim lets her know Monica Ochoa is in interrogation. That he’s going to get to the bottom of this. Lucy stops him right away. Knowing he will go in there like a raging bull full of emotions. Tim shoots back she’s his father’s alibi.

She has the answer to whether it was her or his dad that killed Frank. He's so antsy to have answers. His anxiety coming off him in massive waves. Luckily Lucy is well versed in the ways of Tim Bradford. Knows exactly how to handle this. She agrees but says he can’t be the one to question her. That he will have an immediate bias towards her. Lucy does what she does best. Tells him what he needs to hear. Saying he can’t be the one to do this.

They need to do this the right way if they're gonna tackle this together. The best part is he agrees and hands the file over to her. No fight in him at all. My damn heart. I'm bursting. The immense amount of growth in this man. Seeing her reasoning right away, handing it over knowing she’s right and trusts her to interrogate Monica. The levels of growth for them and Tim as a person are off the charts. I adore him pointing to her then handing the file right over. Not giving it a second thought that she is right. Not only is he trusting her to do this correctly. It’s a family matter he’s letting her handle.

I cannot emphasize enough how huge this is. How far we’ve come from where we started. It’s moments like this where we truly get to reap the reward of all the build up. How Tim ‘I don’t talk about my personal life’ Bradford is handing over the most personal thing he could to Lucy. Saying you’re right, I trust you, let’s do this. To have this guarded man hand the reins over to Lucy is colossal. That wall of his with her is in damn near ruin at this point.

Tim watches from observation as Lucy handles questioning. Monica is defensive right off the bat. Dodging all of Lucy’s questions. Lucy gets her back on track though. Has her recite what happened that night. She says she was over with Tom (Tim's father) doing her taxes. He was a CPA so she went to him for help. When she got home their house has been broken into. Found Frank’s body in kitchen. Lucy tries to poke at the affair a bit more. Trying to get her to admit to it.

Asking if she was with the Bradford’s a lot? If so we're the kids there? Did Tom leave the house at any point while helping her? Monica gets even more defensive and gets up to leave. Lucy isn’t able to keep her in the room much longer. Suspicious af behavior. Tim can’t stand her up and leaving. He confronts her in the hallway. It goes about as well as you’d expect. If you think she was defensive with Lucy amplify that by ten with Tim.

When she takes off Tim says she’s covering for him. Lucy says maybe…but they can’t prove that. For first time he’s not looking at something with cop eyes. Thankfully he has Lucy who is. He’s so determined to see this the way he wants to. To nail his dad for something. If he does it’ll be cathartic for him. Almost likes forcing his father to atone for all his sins with this one crime.

Tim goes to see his father and it’s hard to watch. Tim has tears in his eyes from the moment he steps into that room. All his pent up emotions barreling out of him. He tries to keep himself in check and it gets the best of him. You can hear the hurt in his voice as he speaks to his father. I know that hurt well. His father joking the nurses love him. But not enough to give him a shot of patron. Tim is so irritated with him. Annoyed he always finds people to take care of his even when he doesn’t deserve it. Tom asks him if has something on his mind?

Tim brings up finding the gun, Frank Ochoa, his wife. His father denies knowing her cause he’s awful. Tim letting him know he knew about the affair. He tries to deny it further and Tim lets him know he caught them when he was 13. His father finally giving in with an 'Oh crap.' Then Tim says something that breaks my heart. ‘For some reason I still don’t understand. I lied for you. Lied to mom.’ You can see how that ate at him to do so. He was too young for such a burden.

I think the reason he doesn't understand is he wanted his dad to be proud of him. It sounds messed up but I get it. Wanted him to praise him for something. Anything. Give him an 'Atta Boy.' I so understand that. You’d think the relationship I have my own parents their opinion would mean nothing. Now it does less so than it used to. But there’s still something deep down inside me wants them to be proud of me. Praise me. Say I did a good job. Instead of being disappointed.

It’s some crazy DNA thing with your parents. Where even if you’re on bad terms there is still part of you that wants that acceptance. When really it should be the other way around. Tim wanted his dad to recognize what he had done for him. Even now he wanted that and all he got was emotional abuse as his reply. Belittling him and calling him ‘Poor little Tim-Tim’ I bet you Tim was a very emotional sensitive child like me and he was shut down constantly like I was. Hence that nickname. Ugh. I hate his father so much. Tim asks why he did it? Ruining one family wasn’t enough for him?

His father gets out of bed. Tim tells him to get back in. His father being defiant knowing Tim won’t lay a hand. Says ‘Make me.’ Tim can’t even look him in the eye and his father tacks on ‘That’s what I thought.’ This hurts my soul watch. Feels like a glimpse into how things were for him growing up. Anytime Tim stood up for himself or Genny. This was probably the reaction he got. Him goading him into a reaction. Then when he didn’t get it belittling Tim was the next step for not doing so. *sigh* Seeing the emotional abuse in action is hard to swallow. I hate seeing Tim shrink like he does in his father's presence.

That strong confident man we’re all used to reduced in an instant due to his father. Breaks my damn heart. His father confesses to killing Frank. Goes after Tim some more and says screw him. Calling Tim mockingly a ‘big man’ for dragging him away from his death bed. Tim tells him ' This isn't over..' tears threatening to spill from his beautiful eyes. I wanna hug him so much. His father tells him to get the hell out. *heart clutch* When a parent cuts you down like that and you’re too stunned to really reply. It's a helpless feeling. The rage I feel is a culmination for him and what I’ve dealt with myself.

We return to Tim at the station. Ready to write his father up. Man on a mission really. Lucy comes over to talk to him. Tim word vomits all over her. Coming out faster than Lucy can get a word in. Asking her a favor and getting the DA contacted for him. Lucy finally is able to tell him to stop. Let’s him know she brought Monica back in while he was away. Tim is confused and asks why?

One of the two things I adore about this scene is Lucy’s initiative here. She knew from very jump how emotionally compromised he was. He only saw one narrative and ran with it. Blinding him to any other possibilities this case had. Lucy was the one with cop eyes for him. Brought Monica back in knowing she could get more out of her solo.

The second thing I love is once again is the personal growth from Tim. He doesn’t question her doing this. Isn't mad about it. Hears her logic and her telling him like it is like she does best. Letting him know his judgement was clouded. That Tim couldn't see past the version he wanted. Tim doesn’t disagree. At all. She took charge of this case and he’s not upset in the least. Just curious and asks her what she’s found? I’m just so proud of him. It’s not easy to work on yourself and he has so very much. It shows so much in moments like this.

We cut to Tim back at his dad’s room. There is a finality in the air as he walks in. Gives his dad that shot of patron he has been wanting. Like Tim is giving him little something to gain passage into talking him. To say how he’s really feeling. Calls his dad out on what really happened. What he learned from Lucy. Frank was beating Monica. She lost it one night and killed him. Ran to Tom cause she was terrified. He helped her stage the house.

His father goes off saying she deserves a medal for what she did. That he was an abusive brutal bastard. This where Eric should win all the awards. He is so masterful in his inflections, The emotion in his voice, The tears in his eyes, His facial expressions, Everything. How he calls his father out for being the exact same thing. His reaction is the same as my mother is anytime I bring up something from our childhood. Defensive saying they’re nothing like what you’re bringing up.

Being defensive because they know it’s true. Or so deluded they truly think they did no wrong. Not sure which one is worse tbh. Tom trying to take credit for who Tim became. That he turned him into a man. His reply is so so good. The deep emotion’s in his voice as he tells him off. Saying he became who he was despite him. Yeah you did babe. As did I with my parents. His final words an amazing slap to his father's face. ‘Goodbye dad. I hope it hurts.' I hope it does too.

I would like to say first I adore her coming to hospice with him. Knowing he would need it after confronting his father. Knowing him so well. He would never ask for her support directly. Lucy recognizing this and coming for this reason. He needed her and she knew it. She watches him emerge from his father’s room so distraught. Immediately asking if he’s ok? Lucy looks like she wants to cry the minute she see's him. He looks so broken and sad. Melissa and Eric are just incredible in this scene. That look of intense worry on her face. my heart.

Tim telling her right away he sure as hell isn’t. Divulging his feelings and showing how deeply hurt he is. That his father protected Monica. The way his voice breaks as he tells Lucy this. How his father never did anything to protect him and Genny. All he ever did was tear them down. Physically hurt Tim on top of emotionally damaging him for life. The pre-tears in his eyes when he says but he didn’t think twice for his mistress. Broke half a dozen laws for her...

His reply a mixture of incredible anger and deep hurt. Lucy updates him saying Monica is being processed now. That they probably won’t go after his father. Since he’s on his death bed. Tim is so drained and resigned at this point. Says 'It doesn’t matter. He will get judged soon enough..' The worry is still coming off Lucy in waves. She knows he’s holding something else back. Something that is still hurting him. She is just waiting for him to share it.

Lucy is pleading him with her eyes above to share it. It comes shortly after this. The line that circles us back to the one Lucy said toward the end of 4x08. The 'Tim Test' line she let slip. One that has been eating at him ever since. A thought that no doubt was destroying his mental health further. Adding to his overall anxiety about the connection between him and his father. Worried Lucy viewed him the same way as his father. That she associated his tests with training to the abuse his father put him through. It’s heartbreaking to watch Tim say this to her. Almost begging Lucy to relieve him of his hurt. His deep seated anxiety about this.

To alleviate him of the bottomless worry that she’s made an association between how he was abused and she was trained. NEEDING her to let him know they’re not the same. Because if they are it’ll destroy him. To think he hurt one of his favorite people because he was just like his father. It's not a thought he can handle. The fear in his eyes thinking he had done to her what his father had done to him is breaking him. Tim is unraveling at this point.

It’s the way his body language is defense and guarded as he speaks his lines above. Like he’s bracing for impact. Waiting for her to give into his deepest fears. He’s expecting the absolute worst due to his damaged past. Lucy with all the empathy in the world splayed across her face says ‘I know. You’re nothing like him…I...’ Too stunned to finish her sentence. She's hurting right along with him. Because she is seeing the load he's been carrying and wanting to relieve him of it so badly. She truly believe's he isn't like him. Needs him to know this.

I mean back in 1x04 when she defended Tim to Nolan. When she was at the height of her tests. She said he was 'Calculating not cruel.' Lucy not once believed that of him. Always saw his good heart from day one. You can see Tim take a step back from her in the first gif. His body innately trying to protect himself. He looks so broken I wanna cry. He so desperately wants her to assuage him of his fears.

Yet when she does he can’t believe the grace she is extending to him in this moment. The way he steps back instinctively. Like he isn’t sure he can trust this. That last bit of his wall holding him back in this moment. His gut instinct to retreat from having any emotions. Especially this openly with someone. Lucy can’t stand him pushing away when he’s hurting this badly. Doesn’t waste anymore time and encases him in her arms.

Rushing to not only reassure him but to comfort Tim on a physical level. Giving him the solace he didn’t even know he needed. She does this because if she doesn't she'll start crying herself. She has never seen him this vulnerable. This open and its making her emotional too. Lucy is wanting to absorb his pain, his fears and most of all put him back together. She does so with this beautiful embrace. His beautiful sunshine human wrapping him up in her arms is just what he needed. Pushing away his dark clouds with this hug. He is stiff at first with the initial contact then gives in fully below.

Hands down my favorite hug of all time because of the emotions that go with it. She then reassures him once again. 'You're nothing like him.' We watch Tim melt into her arms fully giving into the comfort she is providing. That wall she’s been chipping at since S1. That’s gone now. Utter rubble after this moment. Lucy validating him is everything his soul truly needed. His person confirming he was a good man. Tim’s body finally surrendering and sinking into her embrace once she spoke those words again. Reaffirming it for him.

Her opinion mattering the most. This moment screaming that in every way. Hearing this from her was EVERYTHING to him. Absolutely everything. I remember when I first watched this moment I was in awe of it. How perfectly he fit into the crook of her neck. Once again they fit together like a perfect puzzle piece. I also knew we were headed towards our endgame. This was our pre-getting together season. The emotional depth out of this episode alone I felt it. The hug solidified that gut feeling.

One of the many reasons why this is my favorite episode of the season. These are the moments I love so much because they’re developing emotionally, as characters and their relationship as a whole. It’s why they work so well in S5 when it finally happens. The bond, the growth, the things they went through together before they got together. It’s what created this amazing base they’re standing on now in s5 and what we will get in s6. I love their journey so much. Wouldn’t trade a single thing in this slow burn. Not one.

Tim shows back up at the house. Looks like Genny has done a lot do work solo. You see the guilt splayed all over his face. He apologizes for not helping out more. Genny tells him she’s used to cleaning up messes by herself…Tim apologizes again for that and says he knows she is. He wants to be a better big brother. Genny compliments him says he’s not that bad. When he’s around....

Tim tells her that’s all gonna change. He’s going to visit for every holiday and call twice a week, and he’ll handle fixing and selling this house. That she should get home to her family. Genny replies sweetly and says he’s her family too. I do love their scenes a lot. I need more of this in s6.

She has them make a deal. That they’ll do this together and be done with it. All of it. I love this so much. There is a lot I don’t love about my childhood. But the one thing I’m eternally grateful for is the relationship with my baby sister. You can’t beat that bond. I am so happy for Tim to have it. Her asking about the gun was too funny LOL I imagine he would tell her even if it’s awkward af.

Side Notes-Non Chenford

Gonna be honest didn’t care about anything else in this ep. Other than Tamara owning Smitty’s ass repeatedly in this ep haha

Thank you forever and always to those who like, comment and reblog these reviews. Makes my heart happy. Shall see you all Monday with 4x10 :)

[mymelodymia]

Hey how u doing? I’m in love with your fics btw they’re like my bedtime stories🥰

I saw that you haven’t written morgan much in ur fics so i have some ideas of a fic (or fics) you might like where y/n & morgan bonding with tony through the years. They’re a lot you can do them as parts or oneshots or one big oneshot it’s up to u really. y/n can be she/her or gn.

-12yo y/n asking tony to hold newborn morgan and he obliged, tears in his eyes watching his firstborn holding his newborn🥹

-4yo morgan & 16yo y/n in morgan’s room having tea party or dressing-up party (or whatever kid-friendly games lol) tony then join them and play along. pepper coming to get them for dinner and see her little family having fun (or one to put makeup on tony and the other style his hair and it’s getting messy haha)

-since pepper out of country for business, tony remains to watch his little troublemakers. But he had a bad day that the house label it ‘daddy’s bad day’. y/n noticed this and telling morgan to draw something to him and give him her best morgan cure ever (hugs). y/n did last remaining assignment as morgan finishes her masterpiece then goes to make hot chocolate for them 3. tony gets emotional about morgan’s drawing and more sappy when she hugs him tight telling him “it’s okay daddy. I love you” *sobs in 3000😭*, y/n sit beside him and hug them both (i mean them on the couch being cuddly comforting their dad🥹) then ends the day with a movie night.

-tony teaching dance to y/n for prom in their living room, morgan busting into them and the 3 dance together with an upbeat music, then morgan asks y/n to dance with her, and tony getting emotional again he’s so proud dad (FRIDAY caught him on 4k crying and sent the footage to pepper and rhodey lol)

-the stark family having an outing after y/n’s graduation, tony reminiscing the old times when y/n was just a baby and being taken care of (tony telling embarrassing toddler y/n moments to morgan. pepper in her Protective Mum Mode telling her kids embarrassing stories about their dad as kind of revenge for her embarrassed eldest *go pep!*)

-y/n being there for morgan’s first school day. morgan being there in y/n’s dorm room putting down boxes. this concept might work as a parallel yk.

one day at night morgan called y/n crying ‘cause she missed her sibling and y/n trying to comfort her😭

-years after all these scenes, the stark family expands with y/n’s little newborn. 12yo morgan asks y/n to hold the baby and tony (the sappy daddy he is) having flashbacks to when y/n holding morgan🥹😭

Yeah, that was a lot lol! idk if you’re busy or smth but if you do pls take your time. and pls tag me on your fics if u don’t mind ofc.

Good times Stark family x stark!reader

Pt 1/5

Summary: all the fun times you had with your little sunshine...morgan

Warnings:

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

You woke up at around 10:17 a.m. you went downstairs and no one was there, you expected your parents to still be sleeping given that pepper was pregnant and tony well...he's tony.

You gobbled down a bowl of cereal and went upstairs to check on your parents, passing by the nursery, you saw all of the pink and white, and the smidgen of grey in there too.

You smiled, picturing your baby sister laying in her crib, or on the changing table, or even just playing with her toys. You were so excited to meet morgan. The baby sister you'd always wanted.

You peeked around the corner into your parents bedroom. But no one was there, you checked the bathrooms, the dining room, the kitchen, the living room, heck you'd even checked the garage. But no one was there.

"Friday? Where is everyone?" You asked the AI, starting to panic. "Pepper has gone into labor and is at the hospital with tony." She stated calmly. "What!? Why didn't they get me up!?" You asked her. And she said....

"Actually, tony has left a message for you explaining this" she said as she played it. "Hey kid, i hope your doing alright. It is your first time home alone, but peps in labor and i didn't want to wake you so happy will pick you up when the time comes. And dont worry, youll be here for the birth. Love you baby" you heard your father tell you from on the voice message, he sounded like he was driving and pepper was maybe holding the phone up so it could hear him properly.

"Well tell happy to come get me! I dont wanna miss my sisters birth!" You said running out as Friday contacted happy, you were putting together a comfy outfit. Making sure your sweatshirt was fluffy so that when you held her, she would feel it. You threw on your sneakers and was out the door.

Happy picked you up, and stepped on it. Which made you think you were in a hurry and might miss it, but luckily, you didn't.

You ran into the hospital room, immediately being greeted with tony and peppers soft eyes. You ran over to pepper, taking her hand in yours. "Hey mamuh, you doing alright?" You asked her, gently caressing her arm.

"Yes, thank you munchkin" that was peppers nickname for you, she loved saying it, and you were determined to pass it down to morgan and possibly your children some day.

"How dilated is she?" You asked looking up at tony. "Shes currently 8 centimeters dilated"

"What?? Oh thank god i didn't hit the snooze button." Everybody chuckled at your joke.

After a while, she was fully dilated and ready to push. The nurses and doctors instructed her on what to do, while you and tony were at her sides cheering her on and comforting her.

"You got this mamuh, there you go! Come on." You and tony kept repeating these words until morgan was officially born <33333333

It took another few minutes for you and tony to be able to hold her though. But when tony held his second daughter on his chest, the man was crying with joy.

Though he was iron man, and acted like he was the Is toughest guy on the planet, he was actually a very delicate flower.

You tapped his shoulder, getting his attention. "Daddy, can i hold her now?" He immediately gave little Mo to pep and folded your arms in the correct way. After he finished this task, he took his baby and placed her gently in her big sisters arms.

You looked down at her and she looked up at you. You both stared into each others eyes for a while. Tonys eyebrows fell back, he felt a tear run down his cheek. He quickly whipped out his phone, holding it sideways he recorded you both for at least 5 minutes straight.

You smiled at her, letting out a small giggle in awe, and she cooed at you. Making you smile bigger, which made her smile, and all of this reminded tony of his first moments with you, as if you were him and she was you, it flashed before his eyes on how fast his little girl was growing up.

He didn't want the same for morgan, he wanted for both of you to stay like this forever. He wasn't going to let the first few months of little Mo's life off of his mind for a long time. He made the mistake with you, and when time went by so fast, he wanted to go back and not mess it up this time. He took an oath to remember these moments with morgan, it didn't matter if he was soothing her cries, or feeding her, or even bathing her. He wasn't going to let any of it go. Ever.

You looked up at tony, who was balling his eyes out. You giggled and leaned to the side to hug him. He began sobbing into you, holding you tight, pep definitely snapped a photo of this >:) she's gonna show it to everyone ehehhehehehehe

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

You came into Morgans room, the baby pink walls were covered in her drawings and photos. You sat down at the table that was seven times too small for you.

She was having a tea party with her stuffed animals, her ginormous panda bear plush sat in a chair, along with a elephant pep had gotten her, and a lion you had got for her.

"May i join the tea party m'lady?" You asked her in a strong British accent, "of course madam" she responded, trying her best to recreate the accent. Pretending to pour some tea in a cup in front of you.

you took a plastic cup she just "filled". Making a loud slurping sound. She giggled at this. (I wanna hear it so bad)

She eventually talked you into wearing a giant pink hoop skirt. (Even though she simply asked and you did it because you cant resist those big beautiful little eyes of hers) Which she had a smaller version for her.

after a while, tony walked in and paused seeing his both his daughters on the floor, in giant hoop skirts, having a tea party. A smile danced on his lips.

Morgan ran behind him and shut the door, locking it in the process 😈😈😈

"Wacha doing, and why did morgan just lock the door....wait who taught you to do that?" He said turning to morgan, who had her arms behind her back innocently "i did." You said raising your hand.

Tony eventually joined in on this tea party. And after begging for like 10 minutes, he put on a hoop skirt as well, and you ran out of the bedroom, getting caught on the locked door. And returned with makeup. "Uh-no." He said pointing a finger at you. You gave him puppy dog eyes, and so did morgan "....fine." you and her cheered before high-fiving.

While morgan did his hair in very odd shapes and styles, you did his makeup, badly....like, INTENSE blush. And bright blue eyeshadow. And red lipstick, you know.

Then pepper walked in to inform her family that it was dinner time. But saw all of you in giant skirts, and tony in a the best ponytail you can do with three inches of hair, and a tiara of course 😄 and you doing his makeup.

She chuckled at this, and especially tonys vulnerability to his girls. "Dinners ready, come on" she said before leaving the room. "Dont worry dad you look amazing"

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

You had noticed that your father had a pretty bad day at work, and decided to help him out a bit with the help from Morgan.

"Hey mo. Daddy had a rough day at work, and he misses mommy, lets call it 'daddys bad day' and i want you to draw him something with all of your skill, and then give him the best bad day cure ever! hugs" you whispered that last bit to make it more dramatic for her.

She ran across her bedroom to grab her crayons and a few papers, and immediately got to work, creating her best piece yet!

You looked at it, then back at her and high-fived her for her amazing drawing skills. You had the milk on the stove and the chocolate in the microwave being melted. (You really think that you would make him instant hot cocoa on daddys bad day? Didn't think so)

You watched as tony came downstairs from his hot shower, that was long as well. And watched him immediately plop down on the couch, putting his hands over his face.

Morgan climbed onto the couch and tapped his shoulder getting him to look over at her, his hands floating midair.

"I made you something daddy" she said handing him the paper. He took one look at it and immediately smiled, looking back at morgan he saw she was handing him another paper. "And this ones you and mommy" she said pointing at the two people hugging underneath a rainbow in a meadow of flowers.

He was already quite emotional from his hard day, he felt his eyes water. Little Mo noticed this and wrapped her small arms around his neck, squeezing him as hard as she could,

"Its okay daddy...i love you" he let out a small sob and threw his arms around her waist. "I love you too, my sweet girl".

You walked over and sat down on the couch on his opposite side. Setting all three drinks down on the coffee table in front of you. You leaned into him, you and morgan both squeezed the life out of him.

You turned on a movie, and after you finished your drinks, you and morgan passed out in your fathers caring arms.

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

A/N: AAAAAAAAAAA! I love writing for morgan so fricking muchhhhh 💕🥰😘🩷 and I'm trying to tag you I swear, it's not workingggg 😭😭😭 this has happened before just give it a few days maybe 🙃

tags

@animealways // @white-wolf-buckaroo // @tonystark-au // @zebralover //

[the-bar-sinister]

Deicide: Red Shift (17726 words) by VickytheSnake, thesavagesabretooth Chapters: 5/?

Summary: A mysterious signal is drawing ships across the Grand Line to a place called Elegia for the first ever concert by the rising star singer, Uta. Following the signal are Cross Guild and fallen emperor Shanks, the Charlotte family, the Donquixote Pirates and the shattered remnants of Law's crew, and Kid's crew, and Cavendish and Bartolomeo.

And the Straw Hats and their captain Luffy, who hasn't seen Uta since they were both little children at their idol Shanks' knee.

Perhaps this meeting was ordained by fate. Perhaps, in the end, there was only ever one tragic outcome possible.

But Luffy has other plans.

catch up here

-

Shanks was certainly not fully recovered from the emotional and physical beating that he'd been through, but at the very least he wasn't crying and drinking himself to death anymore. Croccy had gone out of his way to try and convince him to put the bottle down, somehow walking away with Shanks drinking less, at least. It was a baby step, and a testament to how convincing Crocodile could be, but Buggy didn't expect much more than a slow series of baby steps since the moment they fished the depressed Emperor from the sea.

They'd made up, at least enough that Shanks had taken to clinging to him nigh-constantly as the two of them readjusted to having one another in any sort of proximity. Cross Guild had taken to him, no surprise given another of his ex-boyfriends was a founding member, and the gaggle of them had— well. Buggy wouldn't kiss and tell.

When the signal for the Uta concert came filtering through, Shanks had gotten actually animated for the first time in days. Not just 'sniffling and cuddling while they reminisced', but full on desperation at the radio animated.

It turned out the Grand Line Idol Uta was Shanks' daughter. Shanks had a daughter. Buggy's mind was fucking blown when he'd heard that, and the general reaction to those in the room told him that he wasn't the only one.

Shanks' daughter— Uta the fucking superstar. And now they were diverting course to make sure the kid was doing alright. Because Shanks hadn't seen her in over a decade.

Something Buggy was preeeeetty sure was one of Shanks' old terrible ideas that would inevitably come back to haunt him. 

"I don't think it'll make a difference, captain," Cabaji murmured when Buggy expressed that concern to him. "And Crocodile seems hellbent on investigating the signal anyway."

Buggy ran his hand through his blue hair, feeling it falling back over his shoulders as he sighed. 

"I mean, that's fair. I'm kinda hellbent on checking it out too. I'm an entertainer. I'd be remiss if I missed the biggest illegal music festival ever held. But I'm not expecting Shanks' daughter to be all sunshine and rainbows if he hasn't seen her most of her life." 

"No, uh, no, that seems like she's gonna be pissed," he agreed. He brushed Buggy's hair out of the way and slipped his arm around his shoulder. "If it were me I'd sure be pissed… But I mean I guess avoiding her's not going to help?"

"I was pissed when it was me he was doing the same thing to me. So I can't blame her if she is either." He laughed loudly, though his heart wasn't in it. He'd been heartbroken when Shanks had left, leaving all his ambitions behind him. He could only imagine it felt the same way for the kid. "....but probably not. And hell, her music's pretty flashy ain't it?" 

"I mean it's not my usual taste, captain, but it definitely has a real hook to it," he nodded. "It's an earworm."

Cabaji's tone was casual, but the way he looked at him, Buggy knew his first mate could tell there was more on his mind.

"Sure is ain't it? It gets stuck in your head for hours. I'm kind of excited to see her stage presence for myself."

He did have more on his mind, of course. A lot more. Shanks, the fact he had a daughter– a DAUGHTER that he'd never talked about. With who? When? The eternal mystery of 'just what has Shanks even been doing except I guess paving the way for a god' played out behind Buggy's ears. 

"I wouldn't worry. I'm sure yours is more imposing," Cabaji grinned at him. "But what about this whole Shanks angle?"

Buggy knew how Cabaji felt about Shanks. Dubious. Very dubious. He in fact seemed very protective of Buggy and had offered— and occasionally threatened— to kill the fallen emperor for him more than once.

Buggy basically all but begged his best man to 'please don't off my— ex…current? —Boyfriend' on multiple occasions.

It did mean that Cabaji knew how fraught the whole thing was. "It's a lot. I didn't know he even had a daughter. News never mentioned it. He never mentioned her either. And she finally shows her face and she's the mystery singer who's taken the world by storm?" 

Cabaji shook his head. "Seems like classic Shanks from what you've told me. How old is she? Who's her mom? Have you asked at all, or is it still… awkward?"

"It's a bit awkward—I haven't asked yet but it's eatin' me, you know? I can't stop about it," Buggy murmured as he squinted out at the ocean. "she can't be older than twenty somethin' right?"

"She's– she's not yours, right, captain?" Cabaji asked, raising his chin curiously. "I don't like to ask what people have going on downstairs, but Shanks, uh?"

"................." Buggy's eyes bugged out of his head as he sputtered and slapped his hands on the guardrail. "He's got a prick, Cabaji!!! Trust me, I reconfirmed a few days ago! And I think I'd REMEMBER if I'd been pregnant before! Or—" 

He paused. "Wait, that revolutionary army fella in Impel Down was giving out sex reassignment like it was candy, maybe—NO! No, I'd remember that." 

Cabaji held his hands up. "I just thought it was worth asking, captain. You know. In case she'd be mad at you, too."

Buggy was glad for the greasepaint that hid his flush. 

"I don't even know the girl. She ain't gonna be mad at me unless she's pissed at everyone." He grinned awkwardly. "And I'm Buggy the Flashy Clown! People love me! It'll be fine." 

Cabaji nodded, and pulled him close. "Yeah captain. You'll be fine."

Of course. Right?

-

It'd been only a few days since Pudding and Katakuri had found themselves back with the family they'd fled from after her 'failure' to kill her fiance and the Vinsmokes. Mother's wrath, after all, was often deadly to the children who fell from her favor.

But fate had other plans. Mama had fallen to her own devil fruit's power and been rendered utterly harmless to them, and Smoothie and Perospero had enacted their plan to make sure their large and guidance-starved family didn't fall apart.

One short and surreal adventure with the Vinsmokes later, and they were back with the family and heading towards the first thing to spark the excitement in Pudding's heart since she realized she actually did… kinda sorta… like Sanji Vinsmoke. A little bit.

And now they were on their way to the Uta Concert. Uta! Pudding's absolute most favorite and beloved pop star! She just GOT It. Backlight was her favorite song, that anthem to owning your painful past and making your burning stand…

Gosh, she just got her. SO much. It was her laying there and listening to her tone dial of it for the hundredth time that Katakuri walked in on. 

Katakuri folded himself quietly into the chair next to the cabin's bed and glanced over at Pudding. The two of them had spent a lot of time together in the month or so since the ill fated wedding and honestly her older brother being there for her meant the world to her since their great exodus.

Her heart still panged for her fiance, as sudden and frustrating as that was, and the fear of her failure and mama's wrath was something she was SURE she would have crumpled under if she was alone. But Katakuri—wonderful, caring, handsome Katakuri— had fled with her and let her support him as much as he supported her! She'd always looked up to him, but felt so distant with his status in the family and Mama's particular hangups with her. The past few weeks had been a chance to actually get to know the real Katakuri hidden behind his mystique and his scarf.

She half turned, leaning on her hand as she slipped the headphones from her ears, the faint sound of the music leaking into the air as she smiled at him.

"Hey big bro." 

He didn't say anything immediately, just watching her while she was listening to her music.

Finally he nodded to her. "Hey. You seem excited."

She sat up, offering the headphones to him with a broad smile. "I mean, how could I not be? It's Uta! You've heard Backlight, right? The fact that she's holding a concert is a miracle."

He scooted in close and took the offered headphones, putting it to his ear. He nodded. "You played it for me before. I like it. I'm not sure I'd call it a miracle exactly, but it's definitely… surprising."

"She's been underground for years, I mean—we've seen her face because she did a couple of transponder snail recordings, but she's been a notorious recluse other than that." Pudding felt her heart racing as she leaned up against her brother to listen in while he listened, her weight against his much larger side.

"People didn't think she'd ever show her face, and-–I mean, let's be honest it's kinda hard for people to organize this kinda thing on the Grand Line!" 

"Hence the illegal signal. I can't imagine the government's happy." Katakuri leaned down, slumping carefully to get closer to her. Gently, he put his arm around his sister's shoulders.

Katakuri had been a great source of comfort on their journey away from home, alright. Pudding snuggled closer with a warm and comfortable smile. 

"No, they're going to be furious. They might even send a ship to stop her, which is why I want the family to attend! We can save her if things go south!" 

"You're thinking of trying to set her up with Cracker." Katakuri chuckled warmly behind his scarf. When their brother had heard about the concert, he'd insisted on being brought on board to attend, despite having been back at home.

"Welllll—" Pudding pursed her lips as she nuzzled affectionately against his side. "My wedding's been postponed for a while until I can find Sanji again…, and Cracker seemed excited about the concert, so I thought 'well, my favorite singer would be pretty fun to have as a sister in law', you know?" 

"I can't argue. And it would be a family novelty to actually pick an engagement." He tugged his sister's hair teasingly, though his warm, thoughtful expression didn't change. "And a rescue does set the mood."

She giggled softly, biting her lip in thought. It would be a family novelty. For as long as Pudding had been alive, it'd always been 'you take what mother gives you'. You take the name she gave you, the devil fruit she chose for you, the position in her Totto Land, and you ABSOLUTELY married who she told you to so you could secure her alliances and steps towards her dream.

Her marriage and assassination with Sanji was all her mother's plan, even if the man had started to win her over—even if she fell in love. Everyone in the Charlotte family danced along with mama's whims, but not anymore, huh?

"A family novelty—you're not wrong. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll become more of a thing? And a rescue does suit the mood, we didn't exactly get the chance to do anything like that before the family came back together." 

"No. It's been a rough month for everyone. Things are changing." It was hard to say just from Katakuri's tone of voice how he felt about that. But Pudding knew that despite his loyalty to their mother there was some definitive measure of relief that there were no orders left to come.

Pudding nuzzled against his side with a thin smile.

 "At least big brother Pero and big sis Smoothie seem to have a plan for helping them change as gently as they can, right?"

She was relieved too. Mother had been so far gone by the time she'd been born, all she'd ever seen was her worst parts. The snide derision at her 'hideous deformity' despite the fact that mother had given birth to her specifically for her third eye and the ability to read the poneglyphs, her violent mood swings and her dead brothers and sisters…

And of course the endless demands and the loss of anything even close to a will or dreams of her own. 

Katakuri stroked his fingers through Pudding's hair gently. "At least. The family's in good hands, I think. Pero and Smoothie are much more… stable than mom has been the last few…" he broke off and shook his head. "The family's in good hands."

Pudding looked up at him with her wide eyes— all three of them as her hair fell away from her third eye. "It's going to change a lot, big bro." 

"Think the concert will take your mind off it for a little bit?"

Pudding bit her lip as she leaned into his touch, letting him pet her hair with a soft coo. "I think so, at least a little bit right? It's hard to be worried about how things are gonna change when there's a massive concert with the world's BEST idol, right?"

She had to believe it. Anything to get her mind off the uncertainty of anything. "besides~ a big concert like this? Maybe my fiance'll be there." 

Katakuri perked up, his eyes widening thoughtfully. "The Straw Hats might be there. You're right."

"Ohh hoooo!" Pudding practically crawled up into his lap to look up at him with a mischievous grin. "Now that got your attention, didn't it?" 

He glanced away bashfully, but Pudding could tell he was thinking of running into Luffy just as much as she was thinking of running into her fiance.

-

Law could smell the festival scent— the mix of popcorn, and frying grease, and the press of humanity— on the breeze as they approached the out of the way little island.

He stood with his hand on his hip and his eyebrow raised as he peered out at the large, almost ribcage like structures rising out of the center of the island that stood tall and visible for miles. The scent tickled his nose, causing him to huff "....hell of a party. Uta really commands a hell of an audience, especially for a fucking illegal concert." 

"Wonder why she did it like this, anyway, with the illegal signal," Bepo murmured, leaning on the rail nearby. "Instead of having the concert on an island that's easier to get to?"

"That's the question, isn't it?" Doffy's warm voice cut into the conversation and Law heard his footsteps, and another pair approach from behind.

Law looked over his shoulder at Doffy with a wry smile. "One we don't have the answer to. Admittedly, it might be just that she doesn't like or trust the World Government. Elegia isn't part of it, after all. It's an independent island."

It was still surreal to him sometimes to be so casual with Doflamingo. He'd been his enemy for over a decade, fighting against him every day on his quest to avenge Rosi—and now here he was, Doflamingo's third Corazon getting dragged to his boss' favorite idol's big concert.

Lucky him, his first mate was a big fan too. 

"Puts her in a hell of a position if she doesn't like the world government," Doffy purred. He stepped up beside him opposite Bepo and slipped his arm around Law's shoulders, "makes me like her even more."

Law flushed and leaned into his side "sure does, doesn't it? Hell, it impresses me, too. This whole thing's a ballsy move."

He suddenly became aware of the stare that was boring its way into his back, glancing over his shoulder to see the diminutive form of Sugar staring up at him. After a moment she turned to Bepo.

"Can you pick me up? I want to see Uta's venue." she said, her voice low and deadpan. That meant it must have been Sugar talking. 

"Here, let me." It was Bepo who answered, turning around and picking the doll-like little woman up in his furry arms.

That seemed to put an even bigger smile on Doffy's face.

Sugar gave a subtle smile for a moment and a murmured 'thanks' before she looked out at the island. "Monet's excited. I'm excited too. Uta is a great singer—I sent her a few tone dials while she was with Caesar."

She seemed to blink vacantly for a moment before her tone changed and a smile bloomed on her pale, porcelain-like face. "I used to play them while we were working in the lab. Even Caesar couldn't complain."

To the outside, Law knew it'd be absolutely insane to watch Sugar have a seeming conversation with herself—but as he'd recently found out through the use of his power, Sugar wasn't alone.

Somehow her sister's spirit had carried from Punk Hazard to Dressrosa and taken up residence inside her, tangible to his power as separate from her own spirit. A 'will', the soul of Monet of the Donquixotes persisting beyond death. 

"Even Caesar liked her, huh?" Doffy chuckled. "And here I thought he'd only be playing bombastic old operas in the lab. Glad to know it was a little cheerier than that."

Monet snorted softly with Sugar's voice. "Oh trust me, he listened to so many old operas. But I wore him down!" 

Bepo was looking out at the island as he held Sugar (and Monet). "It's a big crowd," he observed quietly. "I wonder if we'll run into anyone."

She leaned on Bepo curiously, peering out on the sea "it's a huge crowd—you expecting to see anyone, Beps?"

Law slung his arm around Doflamingo, thoughtful. "We probably don't need to worry about running into Straw Hat yet, which is good. I ain't ready to explain this to him. But we might run into some of the Cross Guild folks." 

Law and Luffy had started falling into a strange rapport ever since their bizarre alliance on Punk Hazard. From the mess in Dressrosa, to Wano—he'd found himself increasingly fond of the absolute maniac. Even back in Sabaody and when he'd saved his life during the Marineford mess, he had the idea that Luffy was something special.

Yeah. They'd gotten kinda romantic. And that wasn't likely to change, Law certainly didn't wanna lose him and Luffy was a clingy bastard when he decided he liked you.

But Luffy absolutely hated Doflamingo. The last time he'd seen Doffy he'd punched his face through the floor and toppled everything Doffy had built to free Dressrosa partially on Law's own request and the hopes and dreams of Rebecca Riku, the old king's granddaughter.

When Luffy decided he hated you, he REALLY hated you. It wasn't going to be an easy sell to say 'hey , Doffy and I patched shit up and we're also fuckin' now'...

"Cross guild without a doubt," Doffy nodded. "Transpondered with Croccy the other day. They're coming around to check out what the hells going on. He'll probably try to be a buzzkill— but I won't let that happen."

"Crocodile's coming to see the Uta concert," Law snickered under his breath, "that should be somethin'. Who's he bringing with him? Mihawk,no doubt."

Sugar— it was audibly Sugar again— poked Bepo's arm. "Is there anyone you guys hope to see?" 

Bepo, cradling her in the crook of his arm, scratched his head with his free hand. "Unless some of the crew miraculously washed up there, I can't think of anyone…"

He gave a dark eyed glance over at Law, who got the impression he was asking if he was forgetting anyone.

Law glanced over. "If we're lucky we'll run into Kid again. Him and his crew. Honestly, I've been wondering how they're holding up. Better than the Heart Pirates, I'd bet."

"Kid…?" Sugar blinked before wryly joking. "What, is it a crew of children?" 

Doffy laughed and slapped the rail. "Half the supernovas are crews of children, aren't they?" he teased. "I didn't know you were in bed with Kid too, Law."

Doffy probably meant "in bed with" in terms of alliance. Probably. But knowing him it was also every chance he meant it entirely literally and was assuming Kid and Law had slept together.

He was right, on both counts and the fact that he knew it was driving Law to mild distraction. He tried to keep the reaction off his face anyway.

"Yeah. After Wano we started a kind of loose 'rivalry alliance'..." he didn't answer about the other part. 

"Loose, huh? Corazon, don't set me up for jokes like that." Doffy snickered and slapped him across the back.

Monet started cackling to his side, lightly slapping Bepo's arm with Sugar's tiny hand as Law went a steady shade of crimson.

"............" he sputtered until he growled out. "Oh, eat my ass, Doffy! You know what I meant."

Doffy's cheeks puffed as he held in a snicker– before it burst out as his usual giggling laugh. "Later, alright?"

Law got to watch Bepo put his head in his hand, ears going red.

As the laughter of Monet and Doflamingo surrounded them, Law couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh of his own. His head shook, as he leaned on the bannister of Doffy's massive ship.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah—why don't you two save some of that energy for the concert. Fuck knows you're going to be chomping at the bit over Uta, so stop teasin' me and get pumped for that." 

He gestured out towards the waiting Elegia.

[elizaditton]

Too Small To Be Afraid (Chapter 1)

Here’s the first chapter of my story, “Too Small To Be Afraid”! I hope you enjoy!

Book Summary: Kaylin, a human living on Perthea, would much rather stay in the undercities where the towering pertheans she’s afraid of can’t go. But when she’s unexpectedly sent to a deskmate school, a school where humans and pertheans share desks, she must figure out how to navigate a relationship with her new deskmate in spite of her fear of him.

Links:

Cover / Master Post / Next Chapter

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A sheet of gray blankets the sky above, blocking out even the smallest ray of sunshine. Having come from the undercity, a gray ceiling is all too familiar to me. I'm not so thrilled that the sky isn't as cheery as I had hoped it would be, but I guess a cheery sky wouldn't exactly be fitting for Dad and I today.

Dad knows where he's going. He keeps stopping to reminisce about the "good old days," before I came around, back when he and my mom met at this school.

"See this?" Dad points to the same worn, wooden bench he points out to me every year. "Your mom and I had our first study date here." He stops for a moment and laughs to himself. "Our first date, actually... I was so nervous that I made myself late. She was packing up to go when I got here," he says, turning to me with a smile. "Good thing she didn't stay mad for long."

Dad looks the bench over and heaves a sigh. After a moment, we continue walking. Somewhere behind me, footsteps louder than I'm used to hearing pound the ground. I snap my head down, shifting my attention to the bouquet of pansies in my hands. Must I constantly be reminded why I can't stand being above ground?

I glance quickly behind me. While the source of the footsteps is nowhere to be seen, what is perhaps the largest glass door I've ever laid eyes on slowly begins to close a few hundred feet away. I glue my eyes back to the pansies as the sight grips my gut. Why did I do that? Why did I have to look back?

"This is it!" Dad's words catch me by surprise and bring me back to the present. "This is the spot. She would read and study here all the time." He pats the stone planter as he looks beside it. "Right here, on the floor against the building and this bench. Almost like she was hiding." He puts his pansies on Mom's designated spot, and I follow suit.

I look back to Dad, his hand covering his mouth and his brows furrowed in thought. He crouches down closer to the ground, another sigh escaping him. I can only imagine what could be going through his mind right now.

Our annual trip to Maedri Northwest University has long-since been ingrained into my mind as routine. This is the part where, when I was little, I'd crouch down right next to Dad. He'd pull me in for a hug, and we'd talk about Mom. This time, for whatever reason, is different. Dad looks up at me as I remain in place, neither of us uttering a word.

"Your mom wanted a garden full of these things," Dad says, breaking the silence. He stands up and gestures to the flowers we bought. "Can't really grow a garden in an apartment, but that never stopped her from trying."

I stuff my chilly hands in my jacket pockets and nod along to Dad's ramblings. He goes on for a while, retelling the same stories he tells me every year. How it took a while before my mom would even give him a second glance, how she always had her nose in a book, how he tried to get her to go to parties with him... He runs his hands through his hair, a few shades lighter than my red hair. What would I call that, exactly? Coral, maybe?

"Aren't you going to say anything?" he asks, reigning in my focus. Shoot, how long has he been staring at me?

"I, um," I start, not that I have anywhere to go. "I don't really have anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." I pause, letting my mind go to the past. It's as if I've been grasping at straws these past few years when it comes to memories of Mom. She died when I was only six, and the older I get, the more I'm finding that my memories of her are becoming fewer and farther between.

I shift in place. "Yeah, I don't really have anything. I think you already covered everything I could think to say."

Dad looks down, placing a hand on the back of his head. He looks back up at me. "Nothing at all?" he asks.

"Dad, it's been a really long time since..." I begin to twiddle my thumbs. "Well, you know. I was so young at the time, so I just don't remember much."

He folds his arms and gazes up at the nearly endless stack of massive white bricks making up the wall of the university, which are halted only by a black, metal awning.

"I see," he finally manages to say. "Do you want to talk about... that day?"

"What day?"

"You know," he tilts his head to the side to look back at me. "The day she died?"

"No!" I shout as blood rushes to my face. "I-I mean..." I fold my arms as my eyes turn to the floor. "I'd rather not go there. Besides, I'm not even sure if I remember it, and I don't really want to find out."

"It's okay," Dad says, turning to face me and pushing up his glasses. "It was just a suggestion, no need to get upset."

He shoves his hands into his jean pockets and fixates on Mom's spot again. "I'm going to miss coming here," he utters under his breath.

I know this final trip has to be hard for him. Once we're settled in Chancelor, it's not likely our annual trips to Mom's resting place will continue as usual. Such a move would be drastic for pertheans, let alone humans like us. It makes me wonder why Dad wanted to leave his hometown to go to this university in the first place.

The wind picks up a bit, so I zip up my jacket and rub my arms in an attempt to relieve myself of the chill. I guess I underestimated how cold it was going to be above ground this time of year. With spring having started over New Year's, I thought it would be warmer up here. As frigid as it is, though, I want to make sure Dad has all the time he needs here. I'm only here for his sake.

A pitter patter somewhere around us catches my attention. With hesitation, I look above to the awning, which seems to be the source of the noise. It sounds like something is up there, perhaps a flock of birds wandering around? I turn to look around at the park surrounding the university. The area is being pelted by water droplets as numerous as the blades of grass on the ground, and an earthy scent begins to fill the moistening air. I've seen rain before in movies, but I didn't think I'd ever get to see it for myself. The droplets are no bigger than tennis balls. I can't help but wonder if it would hurt for a human like me to stand in it. My shoulders drop as I stand utterly transfixed on the sight in front of me. Who knows if I'll ever get to see something like this again?

The enormous glass door opens again, pulling me away from this phenomenon and back into reality. My muscles tense up, and I try my hardest to focus on the sound of the rain to distract myself from the sound of yet another perthean's footsteps passing by. I turn to Dad, who is crouching down in front of that spot just as he had been when I looked at him last. I wrap my arms around myself. It's getting colder. It's too cold for me out here.

"Dad," I whisper. "It's raining."

Dad gets up again and turns around. "Hm, so it is." He stands there, with a hand on his chin as he looks around at the falling droplets. "You know, the sight almost makes you want to run right through it even though you'd get completely soaked." He chuckles. "I did that in high school once, and my mom didn't let me off easy for it. One or two drops was enough to do it."

We stand around for a little while longer, listening to the raindrops beat against the awning above. By now, it's freezing out here. I rub my numbing arms as if to start a fire. Man, I should have brought something warmer than this paper-thin jacket.

Dad looks down. "Well, I guess we should finish packing up."

I nod. We turn around, and Dad runs his fingers along the stone planter one last time. He sniffles as one of his arms shoots up to rub his eyes. His gaze returns to the pansies. "I just wish you could have known her," he whispers.

He wraps one arm around me, and we start on our way back to the undercity.

[justoneofthoseghosts]

He doesn’t know what makes him do it.  Maybe it was the incredibly long shift he just had or maybe it was because he found one of her sweaters in the washing machine, the blue one she once wore when she accompanied him to Med.

Or maybe it was simply because he was missing her really, really bad that night and he couldn’t call to tell her that.

So he does the next best thing and takes out the notepad.  He begins to write and it just all flows out - how he wished things were different, how he hoped that their stars would in fact align one day, how he wanted her to be happy always.

He tells her that he doesn’t blame her for breaking it off.  He did move away after all and even with all the reassurances that nothing would change, they did.  A lot of distance would do that.

It becomes a regular occurrence.  

He writes her a letter on random occasions - sleepless nights on shift worrying about the next summer wildfire, moments stolen while fishing with Ben and Griffin wishing she could be there, early mornings reminiscing about sunshine and endless laughter.

It was like what he used to do during the start of their long distance relationship but instead of mailing the letters, he tucks them away in the same drawer he keeps the ring he bought a year ago.

Somehow, it brings him some comfort and maybe a tiny bit of peace too.

Little did he know, 2,000 miles ago, Sylvie was doing the exact same thing.

Well, she didn’t have a diamond ring in her drawer nor did she keep her letters in a drawer.  She placed them in the same box as his things that she never mailed back to him.

It starts out a week after they broke up.  It’s therapeutic and maybe healing too.  She tells him things she hasn’t told him in person or over the phone - how months she spent in Portland were great but how it was never ever permanent, a glimpse of a future that wasn’t real.  She continues pouring her heart on a piece of paper time and time again - tired after a double shift, the night of her first date with a new guy, when he flew into Chicago like a hurricane leaving her confused and bewildered, the day after Julia was born.

It becomes easy - like talking to a friend who simply listened.

Matt mostly forgets about the letters until one night on Sylvie’s couch.  Julia was asleep in the bedroom and Sylvie begins asking him to tell her about everything she had missed while they were apart. The TV was on in the background and they were half way through a bottle of red wine, a celebration of sorts since Julia started sleeping through the night.  It had only been a week since Matt came home.  They were both still trying to figure out this new family dynamic.

He opens his mouth but remembers the letters he brought back from Portland, safely tucked in his suitcase.  He asks Sylvie for a moment and walks into the bedroom.  He comes back a few minutes later carrying with him  fat stack of envelopes.  When Sylvie asks what they were, he shrugs, stating they were letters to her, ones he wrote after they had broken up.

She gasps before making her own way into the bedroom, leaving Matt slightly confused.  When she returns, he lets out a startled bit of laughter.  In her hands was her own fat stack of envelopes.

She jokes about how great minds thought alike.

They exchange envelopes and she retreats into the bedroom.  He takes it as his cue to begin reading so he gets comfortable on the couch. opening the first envelope and unfolding the letter, smiling at Sylvie’s neat, even handwriting.

She finds him some thirty minutes later, eyes slightly teary.  He’s gotten through around seven of her letters by that point.  She sits next to him and he draws her closer as she rests her head on his shoulder.  He wraps an arm around her.

She whispers how she just read the letter he wrote after his visit.  He vaguely remembers it as the one where he confessed about his lie - that he wasn’t actually dating anyone new because deep down, he still loved her very much.  Coincidentally, he had just read how difficult it had been for her to move on even if she was the one who made the choice - how much she agonized about the idea of going on a date with someone new, someone who wasn’t him.

“I want to tell you everything from now on,” she says.

Something hangs in the air between them, as if she was saying that she wished she had done that in the first place - maybe they never would have fell apart in the first place.

“Me too,” he agrees, kissing the top of her head, “you’re stuck with me for life, Sylvie Brett.”

She smiles, glancing down at her left hand, the diamond gleaming in the dim light of the room. She interlaces her fingers with his.

“No one I would rather be stuck with.”

They were here now - another chance to try, to another opportunity to grow stronger together and he wasn’t ever going to let that go.  

Neither was she.

A/N: hi, it’s me. Just a little short something that’s been occupying my brain so I decided to just write it out. Haven’t written in months and I’m still a (semi) retired fic author but probs needed to celebrate Brettsey again before I jump back into the riveting world of excel spreadsheets hehe. Catch you later! 🩵