#also he seems like the type to like feeling protected

[dntaed]

Jason’s known you for a year now, a year that’s turned his life into something brighter, something more than it ever was. It’s as if he’s a star, suddenly glowing with a light he didn’t know he had, basking in the warmth of it all.

But Jason’s family doesn’t know yet. He hasn’t told them about you. You’re tucked away from them, like the Polaroid he keeps of the two of you at the fair, hidden in his wallet. Like the black-and-white photo of you curled up next to him on the couch, cup in hand, dozing off—his home screen, a little secret he holds close.

Right now, in the manor’s kitchen, Jason angles his phone away from the one person who’s in the room—Alfred—as he hurriedly types a message to you. His fingers glide across the screen, almost too fast, as if he can’t get your words to him fast enough. But then, Alfred speaks, his voice soft yet pointed.

“How long have you known them?”

Jason looks up quickly, eyes meeting Alfred’s. The older man’s lips curl into a gentle, knowing smile, and it only deepens when he adds, “You smile at your phone whenever they text you. I also believe you’ve set a special ringtone just for them.”

Jason’s cheeks flush pink as he tries to hide his reaction, fumbling for words.

“A year,” he blurts, clearing his throat. “I’ve known them for a year. They asked me out. We’ve been together for a few months now.”

Alfred leans in a little, his curiosity piqued. “Mm? A year?” He raises an eyebrow, his smile widening.

Jason scratches the back of his neck awkwardly, eyes darting back to his phone. “Yeah, a year. And now we’re together.”

Alfred’s eyes soften. “Can I meet them?”

If Jason had been asked this before, his answer would’ve been a definite no—protective, defensive. You were his safe place, his home, and the thought of introducing you to his complicated family was terrifying. But now? With Alfred asking, it doesn’t feel so scary. It doesn’t feel scary at all.

The thought of you meeting one of the most important people in his life doesn’t seem nearly as daunting as it used to. In fact, it feels right.

Jason looks up, eyes meeting Alfred’s, and his answer is soft but certain.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

[cheeseceli]

Boyfriend Hobi

Pairing: Jung Hoseok × gn!reader

Genre: headcanons, fluff

Request: boyfriend hobi, perchance?!

Warnings: physical touch, mentions of food, he's an idol, mentions of fights

A/n: this one's a bit long I think lmao | daily click

Hobi ver. | Jimin ver. | Taehyung ver. | Jungkook ver.

This was probably a best friends to lovers thing

It took him a while to make a move because he was scared to mess up the relationship

So either you make the first move or you'll have to be very patient 😭

Oh this one is strong on physical touch btw

He likes to cuddle, he will always save a seat for you next to him, random hugs just because

And he will never let go of your hand

Trust me on this one

If you're walking around, better believe he WILL be holding your hand

And he also hugs you when you're cold to warm you up 🙂‍↕️

Your opinion is EXTREMELY important to him

Both on trivial matters, like what hat he should wear, and on more important things, like his job

You always receive spoilers to the tracks he's producing as well

Partner privileges

Talking about partner privileges

He takes such care of you

Always make sure you ate enough and on time

Drives you to your work/uni and then drives you home after

Insists on you taking an extra coat on cold days

Even massages you when you're too stressed or when you had a particularly rough day

Also loves to send you texts and voice messages throughout the day

If you can't see each other that day, he's gonna make sure to document EVERYTHING to you

He loves to have you near, even when it's not physically possible

He also smiles mid kiss 💔

He perceives everything as well

You're currently obsessed with a new series? He's already sending you videos about that

You're feeling kinda down? He is comforting you before you can barely understand what you're feeling

You want to go to some place? He's already cleaning his schedule so you can go asap

He's so observant

And if you're talking, his eyes are on you

The type of guy to put his full attention on you

He's a perfectionist, nothing new here

So if you guys ever fought it would probably be because of these details

And because he wanted the relationship to be so perfect, there would probably be a bit of accidental self sabotage

But with time this gets better

He also needs a bit of validation

I don't think he'd be very jealous (considering the perilla leaf debate)

But some validation is still nice lmao

Trusts you with his life

You know every single secret of his

You know where every precious possession of his is, and you can use all of them

You're his emergency call

He genuinely trusts you a lot

He's not jealous, but he is protective

If he senses you're feeling uncomfortable, he will step up with no hesitation

Sidewalk rule

He loves your smile

He has 649264 pictures of you smiling

And most of these pictures were taken secretly, when you were too focused on just enjoying life to notice the camera

Idk he also seems like he would want to have matching items with you

If English/Korean are not your mother tongue, he would LOVE to learn your language

He would learn a few words and suddenly that's all he's saying for the rest of the week

Overall, he's your safe place and you're his

He is your personal sunshine: cheer you up on sad days and make happy days even brighter

Confidents of each other

It would be a dream, honestly

Masterlist | you'll probably like: Fri(end)s

Reminder this is just fiction!! I'm not trying to portray real life and you shouldn't believe that this is how the members actually are. This is just for the vibe and the delulu!

Taglist (open!): @yuyubeans @butnotmontana @sheraayasherrecs

Dividers by @adornedwithlight | images 1, 2 and 3

[sasukekys]

naruto uzumaki doesn’t really understand love? a few times we are shown otherwise

another attempt of rewriting my own post that is lost forever under a read more. so let’s see if naruto uzumaki is really the type of character who doesn’t understand love, as a few people claim he is. i will not put this under a read more and risk to losing it, so it will be a long post.

1. land of waves

land of waves arc delivers such a good and clear storytelling, not only for the arc itself, but it sets the tone for the rest of the manga, many important messages have its roots in land of waves and it’s unfortunate that the manga didn’t keep this arc’s level of quality, but anyway.

the reason why land of waves is so impactful it’s because it not only questions what it is to be a ninja, but how and why you do it, and most importantly, is it possible to do it without losing yourself, your values, your heart?

in this arc’s storytelling, through mostly haku’s speech, but also naruto’s thoughts, the manga tells us that you are able to become a strong ninja when you have precious people, people you care about and want to protect.

naruto is not only able to understand what haku tells him, but also he can apply that to other people and, more importantly, to himself. land of waves establishes that iruka is a precious person to naruto and naruto is able to see that.

and what is interesting is that haku doesn’t necessarily uses the word love, but the way he describes how you feel towards a “precious person”, it doesn’t take a genius to understand it either.

and then again we have naruto being able to connect such a special feeling with iruka. that should be enough to show that he understands the feeling, but naruto goes beyond that.

this translation isn’t quite accurate, because the word naruto uses in the first panel isn’t mere “care about”, it denotes feelings of affection. when haku dies, naruto calls zabuza out for seeming heartless towards it and he describes the same feelings haku has described to him, he is able to see devotion, he is able to see self sacrifice, he is able to see and tell that haku loved zabuza. and his speech is enough to make zabuza cry.

so what we can take out of land of waves, at mere first glance, is that naruto is able to see love, not only when it comes to other people, but to his own reality, and he is even able to touch people with his understanding. on a deeper look, considering the entirety of the manga as well, naruto is able to link devotion, self sacrifice, desire to protect and become stronger for someone to love, but i will mention this later again.

2. sakura’s fake confession

in sakura’s fake confession, naruto looks stunned for only a brief moment, but he doesn’t buy it and right away starts questioning her. he understands that for someone who “loved” sasuke for so long, it doesn’t make any sense that she suddenly just started to like him. sakura’s confession mostly annoys naruto and he can quickly tell that she’s lying.

as if that’s not enough, in this confession sakura basically inflames all of naruto’s insecurities, by saying she likes him because she was able to see how he has grown to be a hero. in her speech, she puts herself in the same position as the other konoha citizens (“right now everyone loves you, i am simply one of them”). but in the following arc, this is shown to be badly received by naruto through the manifestation of his dark self. naruto resents this type of demonstration because he knows it isn’t genuine. in land of waves, naruto refuses to become a tool, and later we see that he kept this idea within him. it’s not meaningful to be loved only after he’s proved to be “useful” to the village.

and besides all that, when sakura brings that sasuke is a criminal, when everybody brings sasuke’s hatred on the table, naruto talks about the deep love sasuke felt for his family and why it’s so hard to forgive those who took that away from him.

what he can take out of sakura’s confession is that naruto is not only able to understand what love is, but he surely knows what love isn’t, and in this case, it’s specifically romantic love. later with dark naruto, we are also able to see that naruto is aware that the love people feel for him for being a hero isn’t genuine, and it sickens him.

3. when he meets his mother

another thing people say to discredit naruto’s emotional intelligence is that he can’t understand love because he grew up with none. that couldn’t be any further from the truth. naruto’s meeting with his mother is pretty self explanatory.

kushina just tells naruto right away that she loves him, and this is his cute reaction.

not only that, but he feels calm and happy. naruto grew up desperate for bonds, yet with dark naruto, we see that he distrusts people who don’t love him genuinely, that clearly isn’t the case with his mother. even though he grew up without her love, he is able to recognise it as soon as she tells him, and it makes him calm and happy, as if that desperation is immediately filled.

i guess it is pretty self explanatory, he had doubts but he knows now, he can tell he has always been loved, and again we see naruto taking the notion that love is self sacrificial.

4. sasuke

like i said before, land of waves is the origin of many important messages of the manga. what haku says about “precious people” also applies to sasuke. in many instances, naruto makes sure to put sasuke and iruka in this same special group of people that were able to change his heart… because they showed love for him first. when i say land of waves sets the tone of the manga, it’s because the same way naruto calls zabuza out for seeming heartless, he refuses to act the same towards sasuke. so much of what he sees in haku is applied to how he feels towards sasuke, the devotion, the desire to protect and become stronger for that person, the self sacrifice (that is also learned from iruka and his parents), and naruto understood that that was love, it is established in land of waves that naruto understands those notions and that they are linked to love. it is established that naruto understands sasuke feels the same. even though naruto doesn’t immediately understands it, even though he says he can’t exactly put it into words, how he feels about sasuke, he is able to describe it. not being able to put a name to it isn’t the same as not understanding, and the narrative and storytelling has shown us what it is.

does he have to repeat himself? do you still not understand it? it’s almost like he is speaking to the audience.

and these are just a few instances, there are many more showing naruto isn’t emotionally inept, he is actually complex and displays a lot of emotional intelligence. it’s disrespectful to his character to say he doesn’t understand or doesn’t know what love is, that’s not what the writing shows us. if you need to believe a movie that contradicts what was written in the manga because the manga didn’t give you the love story you wanted, if you need to butcher naruto’s character like that in order to defend a ship, maybe the problem isn’t with naruto and his understanding of love, but with the ship that can’t rely on his very evident understanding. let’s not simplify a beloved character like naruto that way.

[funpoire]

Yuu after a overblot

note: mention of scars, blood and broken bones. headcanon maybe occ. If you want more post like that you can send request.

To me, book 6 and Rollo overblot were very violent overblot (the other too but for my yuu sake it will be these two). The thing is that every time there is an overblot it seems no one is hurt (let’s close our eyes to Lilia's situation). There is so much potential to make some angst or hurt/comfort and make your character get hurt. I know Yuu can’t be very useful during the fight. They don’t have magic but could still find a way to be useful. Also in book 6, it’s pretty hard not to get involved in the battle.

I think for Book 6:

When Yuu come back they look like they came back from hell. Messy hair, bag under eyes, hurt, puffy eyes because they cried a lot or maybe got hit, maybe both.

Let Yuu have a break. Can’t feel any of there muscles especially legs after they had to run and walk for a day straight.

Will get a scar because of grim attack.

Will probably spend a few days in the infirmary and or in a isolated room in Pomefiore.

Have bruises everywhere. With the amount of attack it’s hard to not get involved but also because the styx solider wasn’t very gentle when they attacked.

If Yuu was hurt to the point they had to go to the hospital I like to think Idia would pay for it because of guilt.

Eat like there is no tomorrow. I think it has been said but the food in Styx wasn’t a 5-star meal and after all the emotion Yuu was hungry.

Even if Yuu is not from Pomefiore doesn't mean they can eat anything. Get ready for a full mean made for Yuu to heal faster. Full of protein and veggies.

Free food for Yuu. All the snacks they want will be delivered. Just don't let Vil know.

After this there is no way Yuu is not been seen as on of the coolest guy of the school. What do you mean you had no magic and you survive styx and overblot ghost ?

To get better Yuu gets a t-shirt saying “I survived Styx (and 6 overblot)” Everyone finds it funny except Idia.

If Yuu get hurt to the point to get a caster everyone will doodle or write on it. Word of encouragement and thanking.

Princess is treated by Adeuce after going back home. They tough Yuu was gone or worse and when they came back they were looking like a zombie.

Yeah, Ace is not letting this slide. Yuu get ready for Ace being a total ass because he was super worried.

Ace and Deuce don't want to let Yuu go. If Deuce will said it's because he is worried and only want their good. Ace will deny about being worried and talk about how he don't want Yuu to cause more trouble.

In a way, Adeuceyuu gets closer to this experience. All of them being worried and yuu getting hurt make them more true to their feeling.

Could also make them hurry to confess if you want. At the same time, I also think this is not the best moment to confess. But it's a good moment to realize your feelings. If you get what I mean.

For my Yuu he tried to get grim who was falling and hurt his should by falling down. shoulder dislocation or something like that. Maybe less painful but still something that hurt.

A very traumatic moment in your life mean a new look. For my Yuu he end up by shaving his hair. Yes, the buzz cut got him.

Finish by getting traumatized by the event.

I think for Rollo overblot :

Rollo overblot is him on fire. What could make more sense is to get burn scars. Not too bad but enough to keep a mark.

The type of fight where Rollo trying to protect the magicless finish by hurting them.

I forgot the event i be honest so maybe it was in the event in the first place but Yuu got trapped in the other side of the school. Rollo wanted to only hurt the mage and since Yuu is a magicless he decided to put them in some room. He is like “Yeah don’t worry we need to fix something on your costume stay here for a moment”. Then lock the door.

See to get out of this situation only two scenarios: 1) jump out of the window (hope it’s not a very tall jump) and 2) break the door.

Yulanda could have tried to fight it, trying to get Rollo back to his normal self and end up getting hurt, hard.

Yulanda would choose the first option. She doesn’t think rationally under pressure. Also, she would sound cooler if she said she got out by the window than by the door.

She will be finished by being slightly burned and with probably a broken bone but she rings the bell so that’s fine for her. She finishes in the infirmary with pride.

see also :

yuusei - yulanda - more overblot talk

I think I reach every twst topics in 2 weeks and already feel like my blog has grown. I still struggle to reach 10 notes in an hour but it takes time you know. This post is also rambling, not my fav but I need to get this out of my head.

[chunibyo-x-sorcerer]

"I know, but you're the type of guy who's very responsible, unlike me. Plus, you set strict rules for a good reason." Kisho tells him. THen he heard Miko set a second rule, adding to the ally rule.

You can't harm anyone of the curses spirits lingering around." she said speaking of Wilson, Anaconda, Dennis, etc. "Or demons that come here if they are our friends. That includes, Mr Sukuna and Miss Kinie and others we know. I can tell or feel your curious.." she asked yet Raito thinks to sigh.

"Nice one, Miko!" Hana smiles, supporting that rule. Kisho nods in agreement. The rule seems fair and reasonable. They can't let Raito exorcise any curse without exceptions. So, with certain curses and demons being allies, they don't have to worry about it.

Then Raito goes to give his own rule. A third rule.

"I'll be sure to protect you if he is not present. Even if I am a summoning god under his oath, I'm also to watch over you. So..think of it as having a third ally. And for him a second one. I can teach you magic and other things that will help you later in the future like to him as well."

Just like Miko, Kisho is surprised to hear this. "Wait...really?! You're serious?!" Kisho can't help but smile now. Despite this minor mishap, maybe this is a good thing for everyone here.

"Of course. If he summons me I can help him if or when he needs me or if he wishes, I can stay with you in some way to help aid you if possible.. Maybe leaving an little ally with you that is just as dangerous as me. "Though I am bonded to him, I'm also bonded to you too." "Third rule accepted!" Kisho grins. Okay, that's three rules. "Megumi...what do you think?"

"Uh...." Kisho had that look. He took a look of pause with a smile on his face. Taz blinks. "Uh....Kisho, you're okay."

"Err...well..." Kisho laughs, "Give me a moment, would you?" He excuses himself and walks over to Megumi. He placed his hands on his shoulders. "Hey, Megumi. I need help in setting down rules! Can you help me out here?"

"Yeah, I can help you Kisho....It's not that hard to think of some rules just simple ones." he said.

The others blink to see this but Raito said nothing confused to what was going on. However, Miko sighed. "Question ummm Raito? Can I set a rule too?" she asked .

"Since your the closest to the summon of course. What is your rule?" he asked.

"......Well I wanted to set ally rule. You can't harm anyone of the curses spirits lingering around." she said speaking of Wilson, Anaconda, Dennis, etc. "Or demons that come here if they are our friends. That includes, Mr Sukuna and Miss Kinie and others we know. I can tell or feel your curious.." she asked yet Raito thinks to sigh.

"I understand but don't worry. I couldn't do that even if I was forced to. I already knew the dangers of many lingering here. I won't attack unless they are a threat. Second, it goes for other demons in different areas. I remember one Azure phoenix that is within or out of NYC that is a friend. So I won't harm anyone that is your ally or friend." he said understanding the second rule.

"Wait...your friend?" she asked.

"Yes. She is another demon phoenix that that is the watcher over the demon one named Willow Phoenix. As I stated, I am the god of all the phoenixes....including her and others out of japan to America or all over the world. I figure you know that.."

"So wait..you mean you know about the demons in NYC?" Yuji asked.

"I do.....In and out of NYC or all over the world. I figure Vanity said something about that..or the other demons but seems not." he said.

"..O..Oh.."

"Though, since your making a rule, I'll add a third one.." he said lowering his head that Raito looks or faces Miko. "I'll be sure to protect you if he is not present. Even if I am a summoning god under his oath, I'm also to watch over you. So..think of it as having a third ally. And for him a second one. I can teach you magic and other things that will help you later in the future like to him as well." he said.

"You...You can?" Miko asked with a sweatdrop.

"Of course. If he summons me I can help him if or when he needs me or if he wishes, I can stay with you in some way to help aid you if possible.. Maybe leaving an little ally with you that is just as dangerous as me." he said. "Though I am bonded to him, I'm also bonded to you too." he explains.

[diminuel]

I have an unshakable fear that in reality Dragon would 10000% be the type of person to spend too much time on snitter (snail twitter) and say things like “UM WELL ACTUALLY YOU SHOULDN’T BLAME WORLD GOVERNMENT CITIZENS ABOUT [insert pirate-related political talking point] BECAUSE MARINE-BASED EDUCATION IS VERY LIMITED AND DOESN’T TEACH ABOUT [basic pirate concept]” like constantly and how people shouldn’t say they “hate” Marines blankly because a lot of them are just pressured into it for financial reasons and because Marine propaganda is super duper powerful

And then Ivankov has to text him like 8 hours later to shut up

*lol* I actually don't think he would take the side of the Marines considering how angry he was in his 30s. I don't think he's got a lot of empathy at that point and Vegapunk preached to him that there are good people within the World Government (but who knows if Dragon took that criticism to heart.)

Maybe he wouldn't go posting Cross Guild marine bounty posters (well, maybe he'd take a picture of Garp's but that's personal) but I don't think he'd be particularly protective of Marine's and maybe also the average citizen's sensibilities X'D Though if he's too much of a dick that might not really help the RA's popularity, some diplomacy might be needed.

The one - to me - annoying thing I could see him going on some rants on is that monarchy is actually not a completely flawed system. Seeing how Cobra's death was celebrated as a win for the RA and led to a lot of follow up rebellions against kings he probably should keep his mouth shut about his personal opinions on Cobra having been a good king. X'D

(But then again the whole "The World Government isn't our enemy, it's just the Tenryubito" comment from Koala is kinda irritating to me because that and the whole "there are good kings actually" idea (which I might just be interpreting into Dragon's anger about Cobra) don't seem very revolutionary to me. But we don't know if Dragon shares Koala's sentiment. I feel that man could burn everything down if Iva wasn't there to do impulse control *lol*)

[quckity]

was stalking the quackity tag and found your post.. so I'll take the opportunity to be the first request!

could you write something with an inexperienced alex learning how to kiss and things a little too hot (๑'ᴗ')ゞ

OMG!!! thank you so much for your request ㅤ♡︎⊂(･ω･⊂) inexperienced babygirl alex is just so….

take my innocence away

SYNOPSIS : [ prompt in the ask ]

PAIRING : alexis quackity x f!reader

TAGS / CONTENT : actually not very nasty, just a friends with benefits type of thing. a lot of kissing (duh!) and suggestive stuff

ㅤYou have fun with Alexis.

No, really! You really do have fun together. It's always been like this, the two of you cultivating this precious friendship in every way. From conversations to games, or even comfortable silence between the two of you. You always have fun. Everything that rules you comes in the position of protection. It's so beautiful how things tend to flow. You connect in a unique way, this genuine friendship that blossoms between you makes you genuinely happy. Having him by your side is like a blessing.

However, Alex's request scares you a little at first.

Can you teach me how to kiss?

I mean, fuck? Yes. You know how inexperienced Alexis is when it comes to girls and physical touch. You think it's cute and often tease him about it.

There you are, facing each other. It fascinates you how you had to teach Alex the basics, from where to put his hand to how to approach.

The first kiss was awkward.

It came too hard and his lips felt rough. If he had kissed anyone else, they would definitely consider it an awful kiss.

You wouldn't do that, ever.

You look into Alexis' puppy eyes and stroke his cheek in consolation. That way, he seemed so pure and helpless. His lack of experience with kissing is so adorable and genuine. It awakens an urge you've always suppressed, the urge to kiss him again and again.

Well, now, for the sake of the experiment, you don't have to you don't have to hold back his will. But you do need to be a gentle tutor and guide him in a didactic way.

“Can we try something different?” You ask in the midst of caresses. Alex nods, staring at your lips, curious about the next step "It's not difficult. It might seem a bit strange, but just trust me." You finish the theoretical instruction and kiss him differently.

Now you just kiss his lower lip, this time with your mouth ajar. You kiss, suck - giving a little tug - and release. It's terribly sensual. Alex lets out a sly “Mhm...!” when he feels it.

“Come with me.” You whisper between kisses.

Little by little, you both open your mouths wider, go faster and, consequently, consume more of each other. Before you knew it, you had already introduced your tongue.

It took a while for Alexis to understand how not to make her tongue too soft or too hard, but it was so good! feeling them touch caused an indescribable shiver. Sometimes you tried something more daring, like biting his lower lip.

For the sake of the experiment, of course!

Kissing Alex is something indescribable, the way that charismatic, talkative boy now seems like a needy little girl gives you such a good feeling. You felt so in control. And you liked it.

You liked being the one to guide and teach him, to show him the way. It made you feel powerful, in a way. But it also made you feel something else. Something deeper.

[maria-chwan]

When you hold a gun (Sanji fanfic feat Fem!Reader)

(Contains: Straw hat crew fanfic with focus on Sanji, Usopp and Nami interacting with reader, with special focus on relationship between Sanji and reader, Sanji and reader have a close non-romantic relationship and they will not ever date in this fic, Sanji adores women so much that this friendship with a Fem!Reader is super passionate, fun and dramatic interactions, reader is opposed to guns and then gives guns a chance, this fanfic contains guns and shooting with guns, characters are not wearing eye- or ear protection even though they should, I'm not an expert on gun safety so don't do in real life what these characters do in this fanfic, I don't encourage gun ownership, I haven't fact checked which groups in one piece use which type of guns so my depictions might not be accurate, also this fic contains Animal Death, Blood, Injury, Guns, not proof read yet but I will do it soon)

One afternoon Usopp was enthusiastically going through a pile of weapons on the deck. He seemed more excited than usual when he was doing this kind of activity.

You were leaning against a mast nearby. You watched Usopp fiddle with his weapons. You felt a little unsure about the guns, but you couldn't help but feel just as curious.

You remembered a conversation you'd had with Sanji one time in the past.

Usopp had prepared a new gun for the crew. It was a long bazooka that you could hold on your shoulder. The gun was filled with exploding bullets that could blast somebody's body to shreads if the bullets hit them.

Usopp had let the crew try the bazooka. Franky, Robin, Luffy and Chopper had gathered in excitement around the bazooka close to the railing. Usopp had thrown them scrap pieces of wood so that they could practice their aim towards the ocean.

"Don't you wanna try the bazooka, (Y/n)-chan?" Sanji had asked as he had sat on the grass next to you.

"Nah. I don't wanna use guns", you had said.

"Really?" Sanji had asked, sounding like he was fascinated by your refusal and was interested to hear more.

"Yeah. I think that nobody should have guns. It's way too easy to kill a person with a gun. The existence of guns means more death", you had said calmly.

Sanji had looked at you, stunned by how far ahead you had thought about how the world could be improved.

"I hadn't thought about that", Sanji had said. "You would make all the guns disappear if you could?"

"Yeah", you had answered.

"That's a very big thing to say", Sanji had said. "I'm amazed, (Y/n)-chan."

You had felt seen. You had smiled happily, knowing that Sanji was looking at you. You could imagine the cheerful smile on his face forming after he had seen that he had managed to make you happy.

You had sat together in sweet silence. Then Sanji had thought of something and said it out loud.

"I don't mean to disagree, but I think that guns might also balance how powerful people are compared to each other. An otherwise defenseless woman from a town is usually completely vulnerable against the attack of a violent criminal who has Devil-Fruit-powers, but if she has a gun and an opportunity she has a chance to kill the criminal as self-defense and save herself from a cruel fate", Sanji had said.

"I guess that's true. But that doesn't mean that guns don't cause unnecessary violence", you had answered.

"Agreed. Does that mean that people would fight with just their fists, swords and Devil-Fruit-powers in a world without guns?" Sanji had asked.

"Yeah. Devil-Fruit-powers would still be overpowered, but with fists and swords the fighting would become so intimate and scary that most of the people wouldn't want to take part in it", you had said.

Sanji had chuckled whole-heartedly and leaned back to lie on the deck. Not in a dismissive way. He had been absolutely delighted to have an interesting conversation with someone.

"Your idea is wonderful, (Y/n)-chan. I would support it wholeheartedly if I wasn't so worried about all the beautiful and vulnerable ladies of the world not being able to defend themselves."

"Okay, yeah... I guess it's not realistic that everyone would pick up hand-to-hand combat to handle those situations", you had said, accepting the flaws in your plan and leaning down on the deck next to Sanji.

"I like your idea of a better world, (Y/n)-chan", Sanji had said as the clouds had traveled above you both. "It's so practical and cool at the same time. And you thought about it all by yourself. I want to think about this idea tonight before I fall asleep. Can I?"

You had felt your heart grow in size. It had felt all warm and happy inside.

"Of course Sanji", you had said, smiling brightly. "Do you mind telling me why? I think I know, but I would love to hear it from you."

"Sure, (Y/n)-chan", Sanji had said warmly. "I want to think about your idea tonight before I fall asleep because it was your idea, all conjured up by you, and I adore you. My (Y/n)-chan."

You had sighed with overwhelming sense of happiness and security.

You hadn't seen Sanji's expression, but you had been able to feel his radiant dependable charisma laying next you on the deck.

You pulled yourself back in the present moment. You had told Sanji a long time ago that you opposed guns. And here you were, getting curious about Usopp's weapon arsenal.

Currently you didn't feel stressed or worried about the pile of guns on the deck. You felt relaxed, looking to do something fun during this afternoon. Maybe something fun could have something to do with guns. After all they were just objects. Objects that you would have to be very careful with, but they were still just objects.

Pushing away your embarrassment, you continued to watch Usopp.

You watched Usopp lift up an unusual weapon from the pile. Suddenly you realized that these were not weapons that Usopp had owned for a long time. These were brand new weapons.

"That looks kind of intimidating. What's that?" you asked Usopp in a subtle manner, approaching him with your hands in your pockets like a cool secret accomplice.

Usopp turned to look at you and grinned, holding a black gun in his hand.

"This is one of the guns that the Cipher Pol agents use. This one is an all-black pistol with 9 mm bullets. It is pretty intimidating, I agree", he said.

The gun reminded you of the time you were rescuing Robin from Enies Lobby. That had been the first time you had faced a group of men that wore black suits, black hats and carried pistols.

They were Cipher Pol agents. They were not enthusiastic or heroic like the marines. Cipher Pol agents were cold and quiet. They killed people who "knew too much" or "had angered the wrong people".

These efficient and calculated agents carried different guns than the marines. Pistols that were quick to shoot with. Marines used muskets.

There was something scary about a pistol that you could hide under your jacket. A gun that you could shoot with only one hand. The victim could be dead in a second and they might not even notice the agent pulling out the loaded gun.

"It is intimidating", you agreed in a thoughtful voice, leaning down to look closer at the gun. "It really is an all-black gun. It makes it even more scary."

"Couldn't agree more. I'd like to think that my slingshot is scary, but there is something about the guns that Cipher Pol agents use that just feels... too efficient. It feels cold-blooded", Usopp said, looking a bit tense.

"For real", you agreed.

"But I know a lot about guns, so I usually inspect and analyze the new guns I collect pretty easily. I'm analyzing these new guns and their ammunition so that I can make better weapons for myself", Usopp said, smiling excitedly as he looked at the pile of weapons in front of him.

"Do you have the guns and ammunitions separated?" you asked Usopp.

"Yeah. None of these guns are loaded", Usopp said, glancing at you. "We don't have to look at the all-black pistol anymore if it makes you nervous."

"No, it's cool. I feel intrigued", you told him. "I can't help but want to try it out myself."

"Try shooting? With this?" Usopp asked, wearing a shocked expression as he held up the all-black gun.

You lowered your voice, making it sound deeper but still subtle, as you urged Usopp to help you.

"I don't know anything about shooting... But if we go close to the railing of the ship..." you said, tilting your head towards the place you were talking about. "... and point the gun towards the ocean, it should be okay, right?"

Usopp looked at you, then at the black gun in his hand. A spark of excitement seemed to light up in his eyes. Then he looked into your eyes.

"I can trust you to be careful and follow my instructions, right?" he asked.

"Yes", you said, focusing on him.

Usopp stood up, grabbing everything he needed for the gun before he quickly walked to the railing with you.

Usopp showed you how to hold the pistol. He warned you not to put your finger in the hole were the trigger was before shooting the gun. You followed his instructions closely, feeling a sense of seriousness. You admitted to yourself that the thrill was delicious.

You were holding the gun. You didn't let your focus waver for a second. You were holding a dangerous weapon. You let your mind become calm, but at the same time you kept focusing on what Usopp was saying. As long as you didn't point the gun at anywhere else than towards the ocean, you were fine.

"Okay, now the gun is loaded", Usopp said after taking the gun away from you for a second and loading it for you. "I showed you how to aim. Do you remember what to do?"

"Yes", you said, looking through the front and rear sights of the gun towards the ocean.

"Remember this type of a gun is going to push back after you shoot. It's going to feel like a kick. Don't forget that it will kick you in the face if you hold it too close", Usopp warned.

You held the gun at an appropriate distance away from your face.

"Okay, don't shoot yet. There is going to be a loud sound from the gun so let me just shout Nami a warning. I think she is up in the tangerine garden reading", Usopp said.

You nodded, lowering the gun but still keeping it pointed towards the ocean.

"Hey Nami! Just a warning, there is going to be a loud sound in a second!" Usopp shouted.

"Okay!" Nami shouted back.

Suddenly you heard a seagull scream.

"Hey!! Leave my croissant alone!!" Nami yelled. "Argh! Usopp, there is a seagull in here! It stole my croissant! Can you do something?!"

"Hold on (Y/n). I'm gonna take care of this", Usopp told you in a normal voice before he started shouting again. "Sure, Nami! I can see the seagull! Give me a second!"

You heard the sound of Usopp pulling back the string of his slingshot.

"Let's see how you like water balloons, you thief!" Usopp yelled and released the string.

You heard a splash of water and a sound of seagull screaming in surprise.

"Ha! Take that!" Nami cheered.

"Bullseye!" Usopp celebrated.

You waited for Usopp to focus on you again. You were eager to shoot, but there was no way you would shoot before Usopp gave you permission. You could hear the seagull flying around the ship and screaming every so often. It was disturbing, but you took it as a challenge to keep your cool.

Soon Nami and Usopp calmed down. Usopp turned his attention back to you.

"Okay, are you ready?" Usopp asked.

"Yes", you said, lifting your gun and keeping it pointed towards the horizon.

"Alright, now you can shoot three times towards the ocean. There is three bullets in the gun. Shoot at your own pace, there is no hurry", Usopp said.

You breathed in and out. After aiming for a moment, you were ready. Feeling thrilled, you put your finger on the trigger.

You weren't sure how the other crew members would react after you would shoot the gun. They would probably scold you for scaring them with the sound. It was time to find out.

You pulled on the trigger.

The sound of the gunshot was LOUD. You blinked quickly. You felt like you been blasted by the sound like somebody had just screamed into your ear, except that the gunshot was more loud than that. The sound of the had cut harshly through the sound of the waves and everybody on the ship had probably heard it. You stood in silence, feeling like you just declared war on something.

"Oh wow..." you heard Usopp say. It sounded like he was in a shocked daze.

"Yeah..." you said, feeling just as shocked as Usopp.

You had definitely felt the kick of the gun. It had been a mean kick, but you had prepared yourself for worse. And the gun hadn't kicked you in the face, you thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment that felt a little soothing. You grasped your fingers around the gun, holding it better.

The gunshot had been louder than normal. It was different to shoot on a quiet ship compared to shooting on a chaotic battlefield, but none of the Usopp's old guns had made a sound that was that loud. Remembering this, you felt that the black gun was even more intimidating than before.

You were starting to feel thrilled again. Still, you needed to confirm with Usopp that this was safe.

"Can I shoot again?" you asked Usopp.

"Oh- yeah, sure, go ahead-", Usopp said. He seemed to be in control and aware of the situation despite his shock, so you prepared to shoot again with his permission.

"What the heck was that sound!?"

You heard Sanji's voice.

Sanji climbed on the deck in the back of the ship, alerted by a loud sound that resembled a gunshot. It could have been an enemy attacking a ship or something else dangerous, so Sanji felt worried and ready to fight.

When he arrived in the place where he had heard the gunshot, he saw what was actually going on. Usopp and (Y/n) were standing together near the railing and Sanji saw a glimpse of a weapon. Sanji's first instinct was to think that Usopp was probably shooting something for fun and (Y/n) was watching.

"Hey Usopp, was that you-", Sanji asked, but his words died in his throat as he saw that (Y/n) was the one pointing the gun over the railing.

Sanji's eyes widened. (Y/n) was holding a pistol. It wasn't a gun meant for hunting. It was an actual weapon meant for fighting.

And not just any weapon. It was the black weapon of the Cipher Pol agents. The coldest gun Sanji had ever seen.

(Y/n) didn't look at him. She was staring forward, holding the gun in her hands, pointing it fiercely over the railing.

Sanji remembered their conversation from before. The images of current (Y/n) and past (Y/n) clashed in front of his eyes.

Sanji felt shocked.

He realized that (Y/n) had heard him arrive to the scene.

But she didn't spare him a look.

She was focused on aiming the gun. Hungry. Cold. Calculated.

Taking what she wanted.

Sanji's heart roared like a passionate wounded beast, crushed beautifully under the understanding that (Y/n) was standing proudly, holding her desires in her fist.

Doing so she momentarily ignored Sanji out of embarrassment of her conversation in the past with him.

The fact that (Y/n) was embarrassed made Sanji's heart sing opera dramatically. His friend, his sweet (Y/n), was embarrassed? Sanji hadn't felt so passionate as he was feeling now for a long time.

Oh how sweet! Oh how tragic! Not to mention that (Y/n) was ignoring him in such a cold manner, pointing the gun in such a calculated fierceness. Sanji could feel his own feelings cool down out of embarrassment of being ignored and at the same time his heart beat louder out of passion.

All of this Sanji felt in two seconds after he realized (Y/n) was holding the gun.

"What in the hell was that sound?! It was so loud!!" Nami yelled from the upper level.

Just after Nami yelled, there was a piercing scream.

The seagull.

The seagull from before flapped its wings in fury and flew straight towards Usopp from the sea. It had circled the ship for awhile and now it was ready to get revenge.

The bird was mad with anger, but Usopp, Sanji and Nami had barely any time to notice it before-

*KRACK!*

Sanji was looking at (Y/n) the whole time. His eyes widened when he saw (Y/n)'s finger move to touch the trigger and then pull it. There was a flash of white in the corner of Sanji's vision, a bird screaming angrily-

And then the bird was knocked back, stopping as if it had been shot.

And it had. By the gun that (Y/n) was holding. A small flurry of feathers burst out and scattered in the air, Sanji could see a splash of red appear on the birds' body and then the small animal fell down, down, down to the sea.

The sound of the gunshot had been harsh and loud, splitting the air. Now it left behind an empty space.

Shocked silence.

Then (Y/n) looked at Sanji.

She was smiling with wide and shocked eyes, intense surprise on her face.

Sanji was too shocked to smile. But the way his friend smiled, oh he would he thinking about that in his bed later, counting the radiant moments of his life.

"You hit the bird", Usopp said, looking flabbergasted. "You hit the bird!"

(Y/n) turned to look at him, still with her eyes wide as two full moons and smiling in disbelief.

She seemed to catch herself and breathed deeply, calming herself down.

"I did", she whispered, looking overjoyed but staying calmly still and taking care that her gun was still pointing towards the ocean.

"You actually hit a bird! How did you do that?" Usopp gushed in excitement, gesturing wildly. His reaction seemed to finally make Nami and Sanji wake up from their shock.

"You are a master shooter (Y/n)-chan!! You are brilliant! Absolutely unmatched!" Sanji cheered loudly, looking disheveled with joy. He was smiling from ear to ear and lifted his arms up in celebration.

"That was glorious, (Y/n)!" Nami shouted from the upper level.

"Oh wow, thank you..." (Y/n) said, smiling wholeheartedly while Sanji and Nami were still cheering. She seemed to be getting slightly drained by all the thrilling action. "That was crazy. The poor bird is dead now I guess. I didn't expect that this would happen at all. Holy shit."

"Don't worry about it too much. I'm grateful you did that. The bird was trying to attack me after all", Usopp said.

"That was the best shot I have seen in a long time!" Nami exclaimed, grinning.

"(Y/n)-chan definitely knows how to handle guns", Sanji said, smiling knowingly. "She is both careful and skillful with them."

"Have you seen her shoot before?" Nami asked in confusion.

"Never", Sanji answered, still smiling.

You looked at Sanji in mix of being grateful and in disbelief. The clash of past Sanji and current Sanji left you feeling stunned.

But right now you had something more urgent to do.

"There is one more bullet left", you said, trying to calm every part of your body down in case you would be shooting again soon.

You were feeling more emotionally affected than you would have liked and nervous about enduring the shock that would follow the last bullet, but it made you stubborn to just get this thing over with. "Do you mind if I shoot it or is it too much? Those last two were pretty intense so I don't blame you if you want me to stop here."

The athmosphere was still a bit nervous after the last two gunshots. Usopp, Nami and Sanji seemed to think about their answers seriously for a second. In the end they all said that yes, they were okay and they wanted you to shoot the last bullet.

"You might want to cover your ears. Based on the last two, I think you are a lot more comfortable that way", you said.

"Would you like me to cover your ears, (Y/n)-chan?" Sanji asked.

"That would be great, thanks!" you said gratefully, already soothed by Sanji's presence. "But then who will cover your ears?"

"I'm fine, (Y/n)-chan. I can handle it", Sanji said, smiling warmly before he pressed his hands on your ears.

You accepted his answer, feeling too tired to think of another solution.

"Can I shoot?" you asked Usopp.

"Yes", Usopp said, covering his own ears.

You took a deep breath and lifted the gun on your eye level, pointing it towards the horizon.

You aimed the gun and moved your finger to the trigger.

You were aware of Sanji's hands that were pressed on your ears. They felt warm and secure against your head.

You cherished the feeling, closing your eyes for a moment.

You opened them back up. Aimed again.

You made the decision to shoot and pulled the trigger.

[bizzxis]

This guy will act like a victim just so he can get head-pats and kisses from you.

[cent-scratchnsniff]

it was just going to be a few warmup doodles but then she infected the rest of the page like the ever eternal and spreading spores. hod!!! hod. hod :)

[bhaalsdeepbat]

i think astarion is going to always have a natural lust for power. like i think his vampiric nature will just forever cause certain desires, but spawn ending kinda reasserts that he has the power to resist AND shows he has people he can rely on to talk him down if he needs it.

[kagedbird]

Continuation from this Kaidan: How in Oblivion did he get Folsterhan to laugh?! Bastard has never smiled at us once, save Inigo. Inigo: That was only because some of my fur made his nose tickle. Lucien: I mean, I don't think he'll be so pleased once he finds out about his past, but… *glances at Allora who made them swear to not bring it up* Allora: *giggling with Bren and Taliesin, stirring some food she's making for everyone* Kaidan: *grumpily huffs, getting up to check on the food in the oven for her* Whatever… Inigo: What do you think Mr. Bren likes about Taliesin, Lucien? Lucien: I didn't want to say it before but I think they're bonding over Kaidan being rude and making fun of him for it. Inigo: Hehe. Want to go join them? Lucien: Hm… do you think he's out of earshot? Inigo: He won't be for long. *hurries over to the other two, grinning* Would you two like to hear a story about Kaidan losing his pants once during training? Taliesin: Oh this I must hear. Do tell. Allora: *groans, covering her face* Nooo! Taliesin: Now I definitely need to hear it. Inigo: Hehe. Allora had been practicing with the bow with myself for a while. Lucien was training with Kaidan not too far away. Unfortunately, an Elk stopped by during the practice and startled Allora, making her move her bow last minute to avoid hitting it. It zipped past and just nicked Kaidan's trousers perfectly to make them fall to his ankles. Bren: *chuckles, nudging Allora's shoulder* Good one. Taliesin: *covers his eyes, laughing heavily* Oh gods, I wish I could have seen his face! How on Nirn did you not injure him? Allora: I don't know!! I'm glad I didn't- I would feel so bad! I all ready feel bad enough for basically pants-ing the guy! *whines, pulling up her hood to hide* Bren: Ah-ah. None of that. You're in my house. Hood off. Allora: *whines more* Bren! Bren: *gently pulls of her hood and taps her nose* He'll live. You'll live. I wish I could have been there. Allora: *grumbles, leaning into his hand as he fixes her hair* I'm lucky I know how to sew… Lucien: More like he's lucky, I think. Don't know if he would have been up to roaming around Skyrim without his pants. Allora: *huffs and refocuses on her cooking, trying to ignore the blush on her cheeks from embarrassment*

Bren: Didn't have any issues on the way up here, did you? With those Thalmor?

Allora: Erm… there was one instance, but Taliesin protected me. *gives him a small smile over her shoulder* But by the time we got your letter, and the Companions, we were rather close all ready. Nothing since. Bren: *glowers a bit, frowning* Hn. Allora: *rolls her eyes at the familiar sound* Yeah, yeah. You don't like that they're doing that. Guess you don't want to come to the dinner they're having tomorrow with me. Bren: You're going? Allora: *shrugs awkwardly* I mean, we made it in time, they've been keeping you protected and safe, took the time to send me letters… Taliesin: *glancing between Bren's increasing angry expression and Allora's uncomfortable body language* I'm afraid I don't know much about the details of why you're dissatisfied with the Companions, my good fellow, but if it's for her safety, I can promise you I will go to keep an eye on her. Bren: *raises an eyebrow at Taliesin, looking him up and down* Hm… Allora: I don't need a baby sitter. rolls her eyes They're friends. Bren: They're untrustworthy, is what they are. *turns to Taliesin, giving him a sharp stare* Any of them try to take her somewhere private, you bring her back here immediately. Taliesin: *bows his head* You have my word. Kaidan: *pokes his head out* Why the fuck don't you ever trust us with her? He's the only one that wasn't prophesized by the Gods to protect her. Bren: *glares at him* Maybe that's a good reason enough. Lucien: It's not as though the gods are talking to us, though… Inigo: *pats Lucien's shoulder* It is okay. We will just have to work harder.

[felidthing]

i just had a very long complicated dream about some very ooc homestuck kids. jade might be rooted in some form of fanon at least but i dunno

[moe-broey]

LIKE..

[thebarneschronicles]

Closer to Home

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Synopsis: As you settle into your new role as the team’s “girl in the chair,” helping Sam and Bucky with their missions, you find yourself increasingly drawn to Bucky's intense presence. His brooding silence is matched only by his watchful eyes, and despite his gruff exterior, your kindness begins to chip away at his walls. When Bucky insists on walking you home one night, clyou chalk it up to his old-fashioned sense of duty and think nothing of it. But as the night unfolds, you realize there’s far more behind his actions than just good manners, and your growing feelings for him may not be as hidden as you think.

A/N: This was supposed to be something else ENTIRELY. But it just unravelled and here we are! Please, feel free to let me know your thoughts about it! B xx

Closer To Home Masterlist

--

Your relationship with Bucky hadn’t started with fireworks or dramatic confessions—it began like any other normal relationship: after drinks and a movie.

It was a quiet evening, the kind that felt heavier after long hours at your desk. You were finally wrapping up for the night, shrugging on your coat and slinging your purse over a shoulder. The clock had just ticked past 10 p.m., though it hardly felt late to you. Still, your shoulders sagged under the tension of the day—hours spent poring over intel, trying to uncover scraps of information that might help Sam and Bucky on their next mission.

“You shouldn’t be walking home alone.”

You looked up to find Bucky leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed. His voice was gruff but not unkind, his blue eyes shadowed but steady.

“It’s just a few blocks,” you replied, already bracing for the argument.

His jaw tightened—a subtle shift, but one you’d come to recognize as the start of his infamous stubborn streak. “Doesn’t matter. My ma would haunt me if I let you.”

That earned him a laugh. “Your 'ma' sounds like quite the character.”

“She was,” he said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. It disappeared as quickly as it came. “C’mon, grab your stuff. I’ll walk you.”

You didn’t argue further, mostly because you were too tired to win, and partly because there was something oddly comforting about his protectiveness, even if it came wrapped in brooding silences and sharp glances.

Being around Bucky had taken some getting used to. You knew about him, of course—who didn’t? But nothing had prepared you for the sheer intensity of James Buchanan Barnes up close. His unrelenting stares, his quiet presence that somehow filled a room, and the way he seemed to carry the weight of entire worlds on his shoulders.

When you’d first joined their team as the “girl in the chair” (a term Sam insisted on despite your repeated protests that you were, in fact, a woman), you hadn’t known what to expect. Your days as a research journalist had been left behind in favor of a role that felt more like a sidekick to two superheroes. Never the hero, always the support.

“It’s not nothing, though,” Sam had told you once, catching you mid-eye-roll during a particularly grueling debrief. “You’re saving lives too, y’know. Every name, every address you dig up? That’s someone else’s tomorrow you’re protecting.”

Still, the job came with its own toll: exhaustion, migraines, and a constant ache in your wrists from hours of typing. But it also came with a quiet sense of purpose—and Bucky’s occasional company.

At first, his silences had been intimidating, his brooding presence almost oppressive. But you met him with unwavering kindness—bringing him coffee when he looked like he needed it, or letting him retreat into your office to escape Sam’s chatter. Slowly, the silences grew shorter, and the stares softened into something more watchful.

Now, walking beside him under the soft glow of streetlights, the quiet felt less like distance and more like understanding.

“So,” you said, breaking the silence, “is this a one-time chivalry thing, or do I get an official escort service from now on?”

Bucky snorted. “You’re assuming I’m doing this for you.”

“Oh, really?” you teased, grinning. “Who else is benefitting from my safe arrival home?”

He glanced at you, a spark of humor flickering in his eyes. “Sam’ll never let me hear the end of it if something happens to you. Man loves his lectures.”

“Ah,” you said, mock-serious. “So I’m saving you from Sam’s wrath. Got it.”

He didn’t answer right away, but his pace slowed slightly, his hand brushing the base of your spine as you turned a corner, like he was directing towards home. “Maybe I just like making sure you’re okay,” he muttered.

Your heart stuttered at his words, a quiet ache blooming in your chest, but you didn’t dare press him further. Hope was a dangerous thing, a fragile spark that had burned you one too many times before. It was safer to tuck it away, to pretend his words meant nothing more than what he’d said—a simple gesture of kindness, nothing deeper.

You were friends, after all... right? Or at least, friendly. He was kind to you, yes, but Bucky Barnes was kind in a way that felt carefully measured, like a soldier fulfilling his duty. He was a gentleman through and through, the kind who’d been raised to believe it was his responsibility to make sure no lady faced the dangers of the night alone.

“His mah would’ve expected nothing less,” you thought wryly, your lips tugging into a faint smile.

He was a man out of time, after all. Decades removed from the era he was born into, yet somehow still anchored there, even now. You wouldn’t have been surprised if the rules he followed were the same ones ingrained into him all those years ago. And maybe, just maybe, it was easier to believe that than to let yourself hope he cared for any reason beyond habit or honor.

“Almost there,” he said, his voice breaking through your thoughts. His hand hovered near your elbow, steady and sure, as if ready to catch you should you stumble.

The steps to your door loomed far too quickly for your aching heart, bringing an abrupt end to your time with the brooding soldier. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if your body was reluctant to leave his quiet, steady presence.

You paused on the final step, its height almost eliminating the difference between you and Bucky. It gave you just enough courage to look up at him, your fingers nervously twisting around the strap of your purse.

“Thank you, Bucky,” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

He dipped his head in a single nod, his icy blue eyes flickering down to meet yours. His expression, as always, was unreadable, cast in shadows under the dim streetlamp. “Anytime.”

The simplicity of his reply made your chest tighten. You nodded in return, swallowing hard as your heart hammered in your throat. Turning away from him, you fixed your gaze on your front door, willing yourself to move forward, to end the moment before it unraveled you completely.

Friends. That’s all this was. It had to be.

So why did it feel so wrong to turn your back on him? Why did it feel like you were forcing yourself to betray something deeper, something unspoken, simply by walking away?

Your hand was on the doorknob before you realized you’d stopped moving, the quiet war between your heart and your mind reaching a fever pitch. You squeezed your eyes shut, battling the urge that rose in you like a wave.

Don’t do it. Just go inside. Let him leave.

But the battle was already lost. Before you could stop yourself—before logic could wrestle control away from the reckless beating of your heart—you turned. Your feet moved without permission, carrying you back down the steps toward him.

It wasn’t a decision so much as a pull, steady and undeniable, the words slipping from your lips as if carried on a tide of longing you couldn’t resist.

“Would you like to come up for a drink?”

The words tumbled out unbidden, your voice trembling just enough to betray how desperately you wanted him to say yes.

His reaction couldn’t have been more Bucky if he tried. His eyes shifted, and you swore you could see every emotion flash through them—surprise, hesitation, something a lot like longing—before they settled back into the stoic mask he always wore. Quiet. Unimpressed. Broody. And yet…

“I wouldn’t mind a beer.”

A laugh bubbled up in your chest, shaky with relief, and you motioned toward your door. “Well, come on then. I’ve got a six-pack that’s been waiting for some company.”

His presence filled the small apartment in a way that made your breath catch, the air somehow heavier, more electric. How many times had your silly, stubborn heart conjured up this exact scenario? Late at night, Bucky standing just inside your door, peeling off his worn leather jacket and tugging off the gloves that shielded both metal and flesh. Then, as if he’d done it a thousand times, he’d settle into a corner of your couch, legs spread, shoulders sinking back into the soft fabric like he belonged there.

“There's Heineken, Bud, and Corona,” you said, your voice only slightly betraying your nerves as you toed off your shoes and dropped your keys and purse by the door. “I think I might even have some whiskey stashed away somewhere. What’s your poison?”

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze trailing lazily around the room before settling back on you. “I’ll have what you’re having.”

Your stomach flipped, and you nodded, biting back the grin threatening to stretch across your face. “Sure thing,” you said casually, though you were certain the flush creeping up your neck gave you away.

You turned toward the kitchen, your heart doing an embarrassing little leap as you busied yourself rummaging through the fridge and cabinets. The clink of bottles felt absurdly loud in the quiet apartment, every moment stretching with the weight of his presence just beyond your line of sight.

“Nice place,” he called from the living room, his tone casual but laced with something warmer.

“Thanks,” you replied, grabbing two beers and popping the caps off with practiced ease. “I’d say make yourself at home, but it looks like you’ve already got that covered.”

When you re-entered the room, there he was—exactly as you’d imagined so many times before. His jacket was draped over the back of the couch, his gloves neatly set beside it, and Bucky himself sprawled out comfortably. His metal hand rested casually on his knee, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips as his eyes met yours.

“Here you go, Mr. Barnes,” you said, forcing a steady smile as you handed him the green bottle.

“To your first visit,” you began, raising your own bottle in a toast. You couldn’t help the way your gaze lingered, taking in the sight of his broad frame on your couch, the casual way he sat, the sheer presence of him filling the space. Warmth pooled low in your belly, and before you could stop yourself, you added, “May it be the first of many.”

His smirk deepened at that, a flicker of amusement flashing across his features. He raised his bottle silently, going for a sip—but you stopped him, your hand darting out to rest on his.

“Wait!” you blurted, your palm lightly pressing against his larger one.

His frown was slight, his gaze shifting between your hands before settling on your face. “Why?”

“You have to look at me when we cheers,” you explained, your voice a little breathless, a little unsure of what you were doing but too far in to back out now.

His brow arched. “And why’s that?”

“Bad luck if you don’t. Years of it.” You shrugged, suddenly feeling the ridiculousness of your own words but refusing to back down. “I mean, I can’t even count how many years... Probably best not to risk it.”

For a second, you thought he might argue. But then he chuckled, a soft sound that sent a flutter straight to your chest. “God knows I’ve had enough of that already, haven’t I?”

You giggled, your laughter bubbling out, light and carefree. The fact that he played along felt like a victory, a small but monumental crack in his stoic armor.

With a glint of something softer in his eyes, he tilted his head toward you, his gaze locking with yours. “Alright, doll,” he said, his voice quieter now, warmer. “Let’s do it properly.”

Eyes steady on yours, he clinked his bottle against yours, the sound sharp and satisfying in the quiet room. And then, he didn’t look away—not for a second—as he took a slow sip.

You followed suit, the contact between your eyes and his making your heart race so fast you thought it might burst. The heat in his gaze was steady, grounding, and yet it sent a thrilling, electric charge through you that made your knees nearly buckle.

“Better?” he asked, his voice low, the faintest curve to his lips as he lowered his bottle.

“Much,” you replied, somehow managing to keep your voice steady, even as your pulse thundered in your ears.

The air between you seemed to shift then, heavier but no less comforting—a new tension that simmered beneath the surface. If Bucky noticed the way your gaze lingered on him, the way your breath hitched every time his hand grazed your knee as he reached for another beer, he never said a thing.

He was the perfect gentleman, as always. Even when you slid closer on the couch, settling beside him on the plush cushions - even though there were a whole three other seats available to you. Even when you turned toward him, resting your head on your palm, your eyes tracing the strong lines of his face while you rambled about the mission reports piling up on your desk. He didn’t even glance at your neckline when you leaned over him to grab the remote, though you couldn’t help but steal a quiet inhale of his scent—clean, warm, unmistakably him.

“Alright,” you said, breaking the quiet. “I feel like I’m torturing you by making you listen to all this. Do you feel like watching something?” Your tone was cheery, light, but your heart raced at the thought of sharing something as simple and intimate as watching a film together.

With your eyes fixed on the TV, you missed the brief hesitation in his expression—the flicker of doubt that crossed his face and quickly vanished. Yet, neither the guilt, the fear, nor the pain that lingered in his soul seemed strong enough to stop him from embracing what you offered so openly: a chance to simply be. For the first time in what felt like forever, Bucky seemed just a little less burdened by the shadows of his past, a ghost of his old self and a lot of his new one urging him to give in.

“What’s on Netflix?” he asked, his voice low and casual.

Your head whipped around so quickly you nearly gave yourself whiplash. “How do you know what Netflix is?”

His lips quirked into a rare, genuinely amused smile, the kind that made your stomach flip. “I’m old, but I’m not that old, doll.”

“You’re 106,” you shot back, arching a brow.

“And yet, I still know what streaming is,” he countered, the smile growing. “I’m not living under a rock.”

“Well, I am impressed, Mr. Barnes,” you teased, settling back into the cushions. “What else do you know about modern technology? Please tell me you’ve at least heard of TikTok.”

His expression shifted into something closer to a scowl, but the playful glint in his eye betrayed him. “I know about TikTok,” he said, sounding almost offended. “And dating apps. God, the horrors,” he added, shaking his head dramatically as he glanced at his phone like it was some sort of ancient relic.

You couldn’t help but laugh, the sound warm and genuine, filling the cozy space between you. But beneath the humor, your stomach twisted with an unexpected knot. Dating apps?

“What about dating apps?” you asked, trying to sound casual, but the curiosity in your voice was hard to hide.

Bucky groaned, slouching deeper into the couch as though the thought of them physically pained him. “I don’t know, doll. They just seem... unnatural. All these profiles and swiping left or right, like you’re picking a product instead of a person. Not my thing.” His voice held a certain distaste, and the casual way he said it made you wonder if he was speaking from experience—or just his own strong sense of principle.

You bit your lip, trying to suppress the questions bubbling up inside you. Had he ever used them? Was he speaking from personal experience, or just from watching the chaos unfold around him? Your thoughts shifted uncomfortably, and you tried to steer the conversation back to safer waters.

“I get it,” you said, trying to sound nonchalant. “It’s... kind of weird, honestly. It’s like shopping for a date, but with less... quality control.” You shot him a teasing grin, but the tightness in your chest was hard to ignore.

Bucky chuckled, the sound a low rumble that was soothing, even though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Exactly. I mean, if I’m gonna meet someone, I’d rather it be... I don’t know, real? Not behind a screen.”

For some reason, his comment made your heart stumble, a traitorous beat skipping out of rhythm. You quickly dropped your gaze to your beer, hoping the reaction wasn’t written all over your face. Was he hinting that he preferred real, in-person connections? That he’d rather... meet someone like that?

You cleared your throat, feigning casual interest to mask the swarm of uncertainty rising inside. “So, how would you go about it? Finding a date, I mean. Is Sam your wingman?”

Bucky nearly choked on his beer, shaking his head vehemently. “God, no! Can you imagine? He’s too busy being Captain America to care about my love life... except when he’s accusing me of flirting with his sister.”

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk, and your chest tightened with something sharp and unwelcome. Jealousy. You bit down on your bottom lip, trying to chase it away. “I didn’t know you liked Sarah,” you said, and to your horror, the disappointment in your voice was impossible to hide.

Bucky raised an eyebrow, clearly catching the shift in your tone. “She’s great,” he said with a thoughtful nod. Then his lips curved knowingly. “But not like that.”

The heat crawling up your neck to your cheeks was impossible to ignore, and Bucky’s sly grin told you he’d noticed. Your relief collided with your curiosity, the two tangling into a dangerous need to know more. “Oh,” you started hesitantly. “So... if not her, then who?”

He took another sip of his beer, the pause deliberate. “Had one date with the waitress from that Asian place we always order from. It… didn’t go well.”

Your brows furrowed. “And you haven’t tried again since then?”

“Not really.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair, the movement deceptively casual. “You know how it is these days—apps, algorithms, everyone judging you by a couple of photos and a bio. And who’s lining up to date a former assassin, huh? People know too much, too soon. Real connections don’t happen that way.”

The self-deprecating edge in his voice made your heart ache. You tilted your head, studying the way his vibranium fingers tapped lightly against the beer bottle. “Maybe,” you said softly, your voice steady despite the nervous thrum beneath your skin, “you’re looking in the wrong places.”

His gaze snapped to yours, sharp and searching. “Oh yeah?” he asked, voice low, almost daring. “And where do you think I should look?”

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his question, his attention. “Maybe a little closer to home,” you murmured, eyes resolutely fixed on the beer bottle in your own hands.

The silence that followed was electric, charged with unspoken possibilities that hung in the air like static. His gaze lingered on you, steady and intense, and you could feel it even without looking up. It made your pulse race in a way you didn’t dare acknowledge.

The truth was, you weren’t sure if you were just caught up in the moment—or if there was something more lingering in his words, in the way he was looking at you now.

You wanted to ask. The question burned on the tip of your tongue, begging to be spoken. But a part of you hesitated, afraid of the answer. What if this was nothing more than friendly banter? What if pushing further shattered the comfortable connection you’d built?

“Closer to home, huh?” Bucky’s voice was a low rumble, breaking the silence but not the tension. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, and for a moment, it felt like he was closing the space between you. “And what does that mean, exactly? You got someone in mind for me, doll?”

There it was—that nickname. The one you pretended to hate but secretly adored. It sent a shiver down your spine, and you could feel the corner of your mouth twitch, betraying the smile you tried to suppress. His voice was so close it warmed you from head to toe. “I’m just saying,” you replied, forcing your tone to stay neutral, “maybe you’re overthinking it. Sometimes the best things are right in front of you.”

His lips quirked, his expression softening as if he’d caught onto something unsaid. “You think so?” Bucky asked, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.

You dared to turn your head and glance at him, and the way his blue eyes locked onto yours stole whatever breath you had left. “Yeah,” you said, your voice barely more than a whisper. “I know so.”

The moment stretched between you, fragile and heavy with unspoken words. You swore he was leaning closer, his gaze flickering briefly to your lips before returning to your eyes. And suddenly, the question burning in your chest felt inevitable.

“Bucky…” you began, voice trembling slightly, unsure of what you were about to say—or what he might say back.

“Yeah, doll?” Bucky’s voice was gentle, a thread of warmth in the charged air between you.

You hesitated, but the weight of your emotions was too much to carry any longer. “Is this a date?” you finally blurted, the words tumbling out before you could second-guess yourself.

For a moment, his expression didn’t change, and then he shook his head slowly. “It’s not,” he said, his voice steady but quiet.

Your chest tightened, and the disappointment hit hard, like a blow you hadn’t braced for. You tried to mask it, but your face betrayed you, your shoulders sagging under the weight of the rejection. The ache in your heart grew with every second of silence that followed, the room feeling colder with each passing beat.

What you missed was the storm raging behind his steel-blue eyes—the internal battle he fought against his demons, the ones that screamed he wasn’t good enough for you. Wasn’t good enough for anyone. He’d carried those ghosts for too long to ignore them now. But he wasn’t blind.

He’d noticed the way your smile softened when it was meant for him, brighter and warmer than it ever was for anyone else. He’d seen how you fretted over him after missions, your hands fluttering with concern even at the smallest scratch on his skin. And he’d felt the hope radiating from you tonight when you’d invited him over, your words laced with a vulnerability you rarely showed.

Bucky knew. He’d known for a while. And that knowledge both terrified and thrilled him. Love, in any form, was fragile—he’d learned that the hard way. But tonight, sitting here with you, he realized he couldn’t keep running from the possibility of it.

He wanted you. Your laughter, your kindness, your stubbornness, your touch. He craved all of it. And maybe he didn’t deserve it, but for once in his long life, he wanted to try.

Bucky set his beer down, his movements deliberate, and leaned closer. His flesh hand brushed against the back of your arm and the touch sent a shiver up your arm. 

“It’s not a date,” he repeated, voice low but filled with a quiet resolve that made your breath catch, hurt twisting at your heart.

Your brow furrowed, the downturn of your lips impossible to hide. “Heard you the first time…”

“This isn’t a date,” he pressed on. Then, with a small, almost shy smile, he added, “But it could be.”

Your heart skipped, his words hanging in the air like a lifeline. “Bucky…”

Cutting through your hesitation, his gaze locked onto yours, unflinching, steady. “If you want this… if you want me, I’m yours. I want to try.”

The vulnerability in his voice left you breathless, stealing any coherent thought you might have had. For the first time in what felt like forever, hope blossomed in your chest, warm and radiant. You didn’t hesitate this time, your lips curving into a soft, trembling smile.

“Is this because you’re afraid of the apps?” you teased, the quip breaking the intensity just enough for you to breathe. But your voice wavered slightly, and your eyes glistened with the tears threatening to spill. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal your virtue?”

Bucky chuckled, low and genuine, the sound sending warmth curling in your chest. “I’m not a damsel in distress, doll,” he said, his tone playful as his fingers brushed a strand of hair away from your face. The simple touch sent shivers down your spine, and you leaned into it instinctively.

“And you’re also not the big bad wolf you think you are,” you countered softly, your voice tinged with both affection and defiance.

“Well, technically…” His lips quirked into a lopsided grin. “I am the White Wolf.”

You rolled your eyes, the tension breaking into something lighter, something safe. “He jokes,” you said, shaking your head. “He could be kissing instead…”

His grin softened, and for a beat, he just looked at you, his hand still lingering near your face. Then, as if your words had given him permission, he leaned in, closing the space between you in a way that felt both inevitable and extraordinary.

“Guess I’ll take your advice for once, doll,” he murmured, his breath brushing against your lips.

The moment his lips touched yours, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of you. His kiss was gentle at first, a question rather than an assumption, as though he wanted to be sure this was what you truly wanted. His warm hand cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing softly against your cheekbone, while his vibranium hand rested lightly on your knee, grounding him in the moment.

You sighed into the kiss, your hand instinctively reaching up to thread through the short hair at the nape of his neck. The movement drew him closer, and he obliged, deepening the kiss with a soft groan that sent a shiver down your spine. His lips were soft yet firm, moving against yours in a way that spoke of patience and restrained hunger, like he was savoring every second of this moment.

His vibranium hand finally moved, finding your waist with surprising tenderness. The cool metal was a stark contrast to the heat of his other hand through the fabric of your shirt, but it pulled you to the reality of him—both the man he was and the one he’d fought so hard to become.

When you parted briefly for air, his forehead rested against yours, his breaths mingling with yours in the small space between you. His eyes fluttered open, heavy-lidded and brimming with emotions he didn’t have to say out loud.

“Doll…” he whispered, his voice rough and full of awe, like he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened.

But you weren’t done. You weren’t ready to let the moment slip away. Sliding your hand from his neck to his jaw, you tilted his face back toward yours, brushing your lips against his again, slower this time, savoring the taste of him. He responded immediately, his grip on your waist tightening as his mouth moved against yours with more certainty, more passion.

The kiss deepened, growing warmer, more insistent. Your bodies angled closer together, his presence consuming your senses. You could feel his heartbeat against yours, steady and strong, and the faint rasp of his stubble as it brushed against your skin only made the experience more intoxicating.

You weren’t sure how it happened—one moment you were pressed against the back of your couch, his hands and lips demanding your full attention, and the next, you were straddling his thighs. Your arms wrapped tightly around his neck as your harsh breaths mingled, the taste of his tongue intoxicating and impossible to resist.

For all his claims of being a man out of his time, Bucky Barnes knew exactly how to touch a woman. His hands were a perfect dichotomy: one warm and strong, the other cool and unyielding, but both equally firm and commanding. His touch left no room for doubt or hesitation, responding to every unspoken plea you hadn’t yet found the words for.

And his kiss? God, his kiss. You could write sonnets about the way his lips moved against yours, the way his tongue teased and claimed you, coaxing a need from you that you hadn’t known you were capable of. None of your wildest fantasies could compare to the reality of him, his body pressed against yours, solid and capable. The things it could do—what it was doing, what it promised to do—set your whole body alight with yearning.

You kissed him harder, deeper, needier, your hips moving instinctively against his. His groan rumbled low in his chest, a sound that only made you crave him more. But just as your movements grew more desperate, his vibranium hand clamped firmly on your hips, halting your rhythm. His flesh hand cupped your jaw, gentle but insistent, forcing you to break the kiss.

“Doll…” His voice was rough, laced with a warning that sent a delicious shiver down your spine.

You blinked at him, still dazed, heat crawling under your skin as you realized what you’d done. “Yes, I’m sorry, I know—I’m sorry,” you stammered, your cheeks burning with embarrassment.

His breaths came heavy, his chest rising and falling against yours as his steel-blue eyes bore into yours. The hunger there mirrored your own, and the restraint in his grip only made you want him more.

Your lips quirked into a small, teasing smile, your own need warring with the desire to break the tension. “Seems like I really am trying to steal your virtue, huh?” you joked, your voice light but shaky as you turned your head to press a soft kiss to his palm.

His lips twitched, the faintest hint of amusement breaking through the hunger. “You’re gonna be the death of me,” he muttered, his hand slipping from your jaw to trail gently along your cheek, his thumb brushing over your kiss-swollen lips.

Your free hand wrapped around his vibranium one, your thumb tracing the grooves of the metal. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” you murmured, your voice soft but laced with promise as you leaned in, resting your forehead against his.

For a moment, neither of you moved, the charged silence stretching as his hands anchored you, holding you steady but never pushing. His restraint was palpable, and you knew without a doubt—if you wanted more, he would give it to you willingly. But only if you asked.

You wouldn’t, though. Not tonight.

Instead, you leaned in, brushing soft, sweet kisses against his lips, your movements unhurried and tender. Each kiss felt like a promise, an unspoken assurance that there was no rush, no need for anything more than this moment. It took superhuman strength—the kind he had—not to let it escalate.

When you finally pulled back, both of you were breathless, your lips tingling and your cheeks warm. His eyes searched yours, and the way he looked at you—like you were the most precious thing in the world—made your heart swell. His thumb grazed your cheek, his smile soft and genuine.

“How about that movie?” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, though his eyes betrayed a depth of emotion that made your breath catch.

You laughed, the sound breaking the last remnants of tension and filling the cozy space around you. “Alright, fine. Let’s find something to watch, then. Any preferences?”

“Anything but those baking shows Sam keeps trying to get me into,” he muttered, his lips quirking in faint exasperation.

A giggle bubbled out of you at the mental image of Sam dragging Bucky into a world of frosting, sprinkles, and delicate pastries. The idea was so absurd yet so perfectly Sam that you couldn’t help yourself. Leaning in, you pressed a soft kiss to his jaw, your lips lingering just long enough to feel the faint rasp of stubble. “Deal. No baking shows.”

As the two of you settled back onto the couch, scrolling through movie options, the tension between you shifted again—this time, it was softer, lighter, wrapped in a warmth that felt safe and steady.

Bucky stretched his arm along the back of the couch, his fingers absently brushing against your shoulder as you leaned into him, your body naturally seeking his. And for the first time in a long time, you noticed something different about him. The shadows that usually haunted his expression seemed to have lifted, replaced by something quieter, something calmer.

Here, with you, Bucky wasn’t the broken soldier or the ex-assassin haunted by his past. He was just… himself. And in that moment, you realized that’s all you’d ever wanted him to be.

[mothman-etd]

I have talked a few times about Psychological Operations or psyops on here, but I would like to point out a real world example of a PO Operation that was found out recently by the Department of Justice.

Before that though, If you would like to read more about the actual position of a PO soldier, you can look no further then the PO benefits page on the US Army special operations recruitment website (https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/PO/).

Personally I feel like many people still believe psyops to be some kind of conspiracy theory instead of a fairly standard military division in almost all modern militaries, anyways onto the example.

The US Department of Justice is going after (indicting) two RT (Russian state media) employees for committing fraud and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Basically they created a front "media" company in Tennessee, translated russian propaganda videos into english, then paid right-wing influencers to promote (reblog/retweet/talk about on streams) said videos.

Three of the named influencers that I could find were Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson.

I honestly have no idea who these three are, but supposedly their platforms have millions of followers. Also, some of these influencers were paid up too $100,000 a week to promote their videos and messaging.

So to summarize, Russia setup a fake company to pay American influencers to repeat their lies so that their followers would interpret those lies as legitimate since their were coming from a source they trust.

When people talk about election interference this is what we are talking about.

$100K a week is insane money for most, I am sure many people would be hard pressed to not sell their soul for that much money. Many of the videos from this media company were lies about the Ukraine war, and looking into Tim Pool it seems he also has a very anti-Ukraine stance (Audio from one of this podcasts https://v.redd.it/41xgvuri0vmd1/DASH_AUDIO_128.mp4)

I generally do not talk about my job on here, but corporations used to pay me to run seminars to help train their employees on spotting these types of attacks--mainly targeted psyops attacks from nation states to hack into their company via end user interaction.

Or in layman's terms, to help companies protect themselves from Russian Ransomware Thieves and Chinese Intellectual Property/Information collectors. Both of these being extensions of the Psychological Operations military divisions of each country.

I am really not sure how to end this post other than I am just trying to show people how real it is that the militaries of the world are spending obscene amounts of money in trying to influence your opinions and day to day life via your internet consumption.

Surf responsibility, be very wary of anyone telling you not to vote and don't believe everything you see/hear on TikTok/youtube/twitter/Insta etc etc