#and like I said Red could pull it off but he'd never put a hat over that carefully-styled hair 😭

[shepherds-of-haven]

Trouble should get a hat. Reason: the idea of Trouble touching the brim of his hat and saying "ma'am" is hot and seems like peak Trouble behavior

Honestly, hard agree. I also think he's the only one who could pull something like that off (other than Red) without sounding sarcastic glfdjgdgdf

[georgeweasleyslostearhq]

AHOY THERE!

Pairings: Eddie Munson x Harrington!Fem!reader Summary: Eddie's crush comes into scoops, and he tries Steve's pick-up lines on you Warnings: none? A/N- you can just pretend it's s4 and scoops and mall never burnt down or whatever floats your boat. also this is quite short

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

꙳•˚܀♡🍦♡܀˚•꙳

"when you greet them, all you have to do is say, ahoy ladies!" Steve tried explaining to Eddie who sat down in their break room, his feet up on the table as he listened boredly

"most of the time, they'll ask you for recommendations, this is where you say, you can try my flavour, and wink at them" Steve finished proudly with a smile.

"Steve that's fucking gross, Eddie don't listen to him, this guy hasn't picked up one girl since he's gotten here" Robin came in and rolled her eyes

"that is not true!" Steve fought, frowning like a kid

"oh yeah? when was the last time you had a date?" Robin chuckled, going to the table and sitting down

"hey, hey, hey. what do you think you're doing?" Steve pointed out to the door, motioning for her to get back out front

"i've been the only one scooping for 20 minutes now while you give terrible advice to Eddie, one of you two go out there for once!"

Eddie raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest, watching as the pair bicker in amusement

"it's good advice, Robin! you just don't understand. it's the stupid hat!" the Harrington boy huffed in frustration

Robin didn't need to say anything, instead, she pointed at the white board on the wall, smiling sarcastically "oh yeah? what does the board say, Steve?"

the bell out front rang a few times, although the pair continued to bicker. making Eddie sigh and stand up

"i'll get it" the munson boy said only to be ignored, making him chuckle and go to the front, ready to greet the customer

Eddie had gotten this job a few weeks ago, maybe about a month now for some extra cash, instead of just selling drugs.

He had talked about wanting an actual job and Steve had suggested Scoops Ahoy, as it was only him and Robin and they could use the help, so when they finally put up the hiring signs, Eddie was the first to put his application in, and it was an easy hire as Steve and Robin put in a good word.

Steve and Eddie weren't good friends then, but mutual due Dustin, so Steve did whatever to help a friend of a friend, due to the nagging of Dustin to help Eddie get the job.

but here Eddie was, actually becoming friends with 'King Steve' and woking with him

"hi, what can i get for you" Eddie put on a fake smile before looking up, his face dropping when Jason Carver and a few of his friends came to view

"aren't you supposed to say Ahoy?" Jason smirked cockily

Eddie tapped his foot and cleared his throat, not finding it funny

"say it freak!" One of his goons spat

Eddie knew if he fought back, he'd probably be fired, so when he looked back up at the jocks, he put a fake smile on his face and complied

"ahoy, what can i get for you"

the jocks laughed and ordered their ice creams, not bothering to leave a tip before they leave.

Eddie looks down, clicking his tongue in an unsurprised manner, expecting nothing less than the jocks to give him a hard time, ordering every flavour and telling him off to give them a bigger scoop

he sighed before looking up, jumping at the sight of you, on the other side of the counter, smiling gently up at him

"Ahoy there!" he almost yelled at you in fright, making you jump in surprise

"sorry, thought I'd give you a second" you looked up, trying not to laugh at the sight of him in the uniform.

it was unnatural for Eddie Munson to wear something so...bright and flashy, as he usually rocked ripped tanks of metal bands and ripped jeans, adorned in chains.

but no chain was in sight, no hues of black or dark red, no chunky rings adorning his slender, rough fingers, and his wild hair pulled back into a bun, frizzy strands coming out of the elastic as the hat on his head sits at a lopsided angle. he looked... odd. and not in the way he usually did, standing out like a sore thumb, it looked strange, and you preferred the way he dressed, at least it suited him

Eddie noticed you holding back a laugh and he was quick to take the hat off of his head, staring at you like a deer in front of headlights as he struggled to find words, embarrassed that you had to see him like this

you were so beautiful, especially to Eddie, quickly harbouring a crush on you as soon as you sent a kind smile to him in the halls on one of the first days of his 3rd senior year, the first person to ever do that, it was strange for him, to have someone- a girl- look at him with such kindness, so much so he looked back to make sure it was aimed at him. he couldn't believe it, you, a pretty girl amongst your friends, smiling at him as you walked past him.

he thought it was a cruel joke, that maybe it was out of pity from the beating he had gotten the period before lunch, maybe you were trying to hide your laugh as you looked at the bruises that decorated his face and body.

he had told himself it was that until you smiled at him again, looking at him from your locker a few lockers down from his own, a wide smile on your face before hiding behind the door as soon as he caught you- now that wasn't nothing, he thought to himself before hearing your locker shut as he continued putting his books away

he watched you walk towards him in the corner of his eye and his heart had skipped a beat when you mumbled a sweet 'Hi' as he turned to glance at you, he looked into his locker and double backed before almost yelling out a hello, a voice crack slipping from his throat.

he almost thought you didn't notice it, but when you looked back, wide eyes and a giggle leaving your plush lips, he blushed, turning away and shutting his locker, walking hastily in the opposite direction

he was brought back to reality as you looked back

"Jason and his goons giving you a hard time again?" you spoke sadly

Eddie frowned, looking over your shoulder as he saw Jason and his friends walk out and turn left

he had to think quick, because if he thinks to long about his words, he will stutter and speak gibberish and continue to embarrass himself Infront of you, and he couldn't do it to himself, not any more

"Eh, nothing I can't handle" he huffed, leaning against the table, trying to play it cool

you tilted your head, an upside-down smile making its way onto your lips as you spoke "well I'm glad their ice-cream didn't land on you, wouldn't want to ruin this amazing outfit you got on here" you joked, motioning to his uniform

he straightened his back, standing up, looking down at himself

"oh this? yeah. I reckon I look better in it than Steve back there" he motioned to the back room, where you can hear bickering

"better looking than King Steve? no one would dare say that if they want to live" you shook your head

the door behind Eddie flung open as Steve walked out

"I would kill him, but he does most of the work here ever since he got employed, wouldn't get much time off, would I?" he shrugged, patting Eddie on the back before hopping on the bench Infront of the tinted window, flipping his scooper in his hand

"ah, making the rookie do everything while you slack off? why aren't I surprised?" you smirked at Steve, watching him smile dumbly at him

"it's what I do" he winked before you gagged

you looked back at Eddie, frowning when he stood there staring at you.

"Eddie?" you waved your hand in front of his face, beaming when he blinked

"sorry, uh...what would you like?" he mumbled, picking up his scooper from the belt of his pants

"um...I'm not sure...what would you suggest, what's the best flavour in your opinion?" you asked

Eddie stopped himself before saying his favourite flavour, instead frowning, thinking back to what Steve had said.

there was no world where Eddie Munson would try out Steve Harrington's pick up lines, especially on you- because...well.. you're YOU.

well- expect for this world, as it seems the words slipped out of his mouth in a rush you could barely hear.

"You-could-try-my-flavour" he panted

Steve choked on the milkshake he was sipping on as Eddie spoke the words, he had so many times, every time leaving him with some sort of ice-cream on him

your eyes widened "what?"

"yeah, what?" Steve hopped off of the counter, standing beside Eddie to make sure he was ok

Eddie had found a confidence in himself he never felt before, looking at you in front of him, being so kind had given him the mindset that maybe there was a chance.

and maybe there was.

"you heard me" he gulped, licking his lips

you took a moment to process what had happened before you looked down, feeling the blush rise to your cheeks, embarrassment filling your body

"did you just use one of Steve's pick up lines on me?" you looked back up sheepishly, seeing him nod

"I did"

"you do know they never work. he hasn't got laid in months" you shook your head

before Steve could protest, Eddie pushed him away

"Somone's gotta prove that they work, even if it's not him" he raised his eyebrows, almost like it was a challenge

"so you want to prove Steve is bad at flirting by making them succeed on you?" you wondered, laughing loudly

"more or less, yeah" he nodded eagerly

"well...If I get to prove Steve wrong then I guess I have to, who would I be to refuse?" you stifled a laugh, taking one of the napkins and a pen on his side of the counter and writing down your home phone number

you slid it towards him with a grin on your face "how about you take me on a date first?"

he took the napkin and nodded, looking down at the love heart you had placed in the corner

"Y-yeah...I'll take you out... I'll call you" he blinked, watching you giggle.

you looked down and agreed

"I'll talk to you later then..." you bit your lip, trying to conceal how happy you are

"Yeah...tonight?" he asked, putting the napkin on the bench beside him, where Steve had just been sitting

"tonight sounds good" you nodded before giving him a shy wave, saying goodbye

"bye, Steve, say hi to Robin for me" you said before walking out of the shop

"bye!" Eddie had yelled out, his voice slightly cracking, blushing as you turned around and laughed

Eddie couldn't believe it, he had just landed a date with you, the girl he had had a crush on for so long now. and even more, made Steve look like an idiot.

Best. Day. Ever

the window opened as you had left the shop, Robin peeking out with the white board

"Eddie has you zero to one, Steve, how does that feel?" she smiled, putting a strike on a new collum titled 'Eddie'

"shut up" Steve huffed, crossing his arms across his chest, shaking his head

꙳•˚܀♡🍦♡܀˚•꙳

this has been in my drafts since April, there's over 30 drafts in my box that I've just left untouched for ages. should I finish and post them?

[cosmereplay]

🍬Veil and Adolin working together to help Shallan with her self-esteem

Oh that's a fun idea! Thanks for the ask! Have a sweet treat, rated General, gap year era, post-OB:

---

"I'm never going to be released from academic damnation," Shallan mourned, and Adolin cringed as he heard her forehead hit the desk.

"Jasnah is exacting, but she isn't tormenting you for the fun of it," Adolin said. "I'm sure you'll be released eventually."

Shallan rolled her head to look at him through red locks that had escaped from their braids. "She knows I'm not smart enough to graduate, so she can't release me. I'll never escape." She groaned as if in pain.

He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her at her desk. "Hey, don't worry, Shallan," he said, gently patting her back. "She picked you for a reason. You're smart and capable. She doesn't just pick anyone for a ward. She chose you as a ward because she wanted to. She saw something in you."

But as he spoke, he could feel her slipping away. Storms, what did he say wrong?

She sat up, smoothing her hair back, and he knew he'd lost her. He unclenched his jaw, trying to swallow his disappointment. At least he knew this was most definitely Veil. He was getting the hang of telling them apart.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me, handsome," she said, leaning back in the chair and crossing her legs casually. She looked over at him and flashed a grin. "I'm not doing her homework for her. You wanna go get a drink?"

"Sure, why not?" he said. It didn't seem like he was going to get Shallan back anytime soon.

...

"So, is Shallan ready to come out yet?" Adolin asked, hoping it wasn't too touchy a subject. They'd eaten dinner together and played ten rounds of Breakneck, which he'd lost. Of course. At least Veil seemed to be having a good time.

"Nope," Veil declared. "Whatever you said must've scared her pretty good. What did you say to her, anyway?"

"Well, she said she wasn't good enough to graduate her wardship, and I was trying to tell her that she is, and...I don't know. That's it."

Veil raised an eyebrow. "Well, at least it was one of Shallan's memories, not mine." She leaned back, putting her hands behind her head. She looked like she was looking nowhere in particular, but Adolin knew she was watching the winehouse patrons out of the corner of her eyes, cataloguing them. "Crazy that Shallan thinks she's not good enough, eh? After finding the lost city of Urithiru, even before the great Jasnah Kholin herself could do it?"

Adolin smiled. He could see where Veil was pointing. "Yeah. And she held off an entire army by herself. Jasnah only patched up a wall. Any labourer could've done that."

Veil grinned, nodding. "Not to mention her Unmade body count! Shallan's defeated two Unmade and Jasnah? Zero!"

"Jasnah's tied with Danlan in that regard. Oh, and every other living scholar we know of."

"I'm pretty sure Hessi herself hasn't defeated any Unmade. Jasnah can't ignore that fact."

"Shallan is just that amazing. She's that knowledgeable. That brave."

Suddenly Shallan removed Veil's hat and shook her head, letting go the illusion. "Alright guys, that's more than enough flattery," she smiled, and Adolin could see she had flushed from her neck to her forehead. It was adorable.

"Is it even flattery if it's all perfectly true?" Adolin grinned. I should really revise my opinion about Veil. Maybe she was just what Shallan needed.

---

For my Halloween ask game

[whatiwishfanfiction]

Over the Garden Wall Novelization Chpt 1

(A very rough draft of a novel I might finish later for Ao3, depending on people's interest. I was thinking about the day I also almost got hit by a train and the police thought we died).

Chapter One: Into the Frog Pond

When Wirt had told his younger brother that he was too busy to look for frogs, that didn't mean he'd wanted Greg to get run over by a train. 

He also hadn't meant that he'd wanted to get hit by the train himself. Who would have expected they'd both have to dive off the tracks just in time for the big black blur to rumble over them, and that they'd be plunged into the river's icy October waters to drown?

That was the kind of thing that happened whenever you had to babysit Greg. 

It all started on Halloween when Wirt had to take him trick or treating.

Greg was a short, fat five-year-old, currently wearing an upside-down teapot on his head. "I'm an elephant," he said, spinning around. "The spout is the trunk!"

Never in a million years would Wirt have understood this, if his brother hadn't pointed it out. But he couldn't say much, since his own costume was just as bad. He held onto the tall red dunce cap meant to be a wizard hat that kept blowing off in the wind—it's a lesson we all must learn that Halloween costumes never cooperate as well as we hope.

The sound of crunching leaves grew louder underfoot as they approached the graveyard gate: a few rusted iron bars with spikes. Beyond it, the gravestones were pale shapes in the dark. Somewhere in the distance, a frog croaked, a low, drawn-out sound echoing off the stones.

"Come on!" said Greg, pushing the gate open. "Me and Dad saw a big one in the duck pond."

"Okay," Wirt said. "I just don't want to get my costume wet." He brushed off some mud and pulled his blue cape tighter as they crept inside.

Kerrrrok, kerrrrok, kerrrok

"I think it's the giant bullfrog," said Greg. "Me and Dad see him whenever we go fishing." 

Greg jumped over flat graves as if they were no more than hopscotch squares.

Wirt stood still, watching his breath mingle with the mist before following. "Careful, don't slip," he said. "After all… we all croak in the dark."

"Maybe you should just hop to it!" Greg scolded, waving him over.

Kerrrrrrrrrrrok, kerrrrrrrrrrrok, kerrrrrrrrrrrrok

"Shh! I think I hear the frog... over there!" Greg froze.

Wirt's eyes followed Greg's pointing finger to the edge of the graveyard. A rickety fence in the distance barely kept overgrown grass from spilling out of the railroad enclosure beyond.

They approached the thin chain-linked gate, the likes of which might be found in a backyard and easily jumped. The only thing that signified danger was the fact that on the other side there was a steep incline crowded with bramble and thorns—unkempt in faith they'd do what the half-hearted gate could not. 

And yet, if one looked hard enough, there were some clear paths up the slope writhing between the bushes—perfectly good for reaching the top should the desire burn deeply enough in their heart.

Greg was already putting one foot in front of the other, as Wirt slowly slung his own legs over.

Kerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrok, kerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrok, kerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrok

The frog's cries were desperate now, seeming to say "Catch me! Hurry! What's taking so long?"

The scratchy ascent would have been a hard enough wrestling match without a cape, but somehow Wirt made it through. Greg reached the top first with burrs stuck to his overalls, and was skipping back and forth over the rails.

"Hey, I've never got to walk on a train track before," he said, putting his hands on his hips and doing a twirl.

Wirt had never been on one either. Unfortunately it was getting really dark now, so it was hard to appreciate the fine details of craftsmanship. Under moonlight, the most that could be observed were the two steel rails stretching like sinews, the sleepers spaced with precision, and if he squinted, a few fish bolts coming loose.

A dark speck appeared in the distance.

When Wirt looked back on the incident years later, he could never remember the train making a sound until it was right in front of them.

"Trains are dangerous," adults always said. "Even if you think they're far away, they can appear in the blink of an eye. Even if you're not standing close to them, the pressure can suck you under. You'll instantly be killed."

Well, after that night, Wirt could safely say which of these things were and weren't true. The train took its time coming—too much time, if he was honest. He and Greg sat indian-style on the track watching it calmly for a minute, not fully convinced the shape really was a train because of how slow it was going.

There was no sound for a long time, and when the lights and rushing noise finally grew, there was plenty of time to dive away. No, it was only because Wirt's cape got caught on one of the fish bolts that he was jerked back into the wood chips.

Even then, nobody got sucked under. In fact, Wirt rolled the opposite way when he finally tore himself free.

And Greg… Well…

"GREG!"

CRRRRAAAAAASH-CLAAANG-TCHOOOM-SHRREEEEEEEECH-KLUNK-KLUNK-RUMBLE-RATTLE-CLACKA-CLACKA-CLACKA-VOOOOOM-KRASHHH-CHUGGA-CHUGGA-THRUMMMM-WOOOOOOOO-SPLAANG!

Coldness punched Wirt in the chest. 

A force pressed hard from every side, so his limbs were too heavy to move. He was yanked downward through blackness as his hands grasped empty water.

Wirt had fallen into the river after his brother. Now both of them were dying.

Greg. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not while he was babysitting. "GREEEEEEEEG!"

CLACKA-CLACKA-OOOOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Coldness. 

Blackness. 

Sinking. 

Fog enveloped everything.

~*~

The moment Wirt’s shoes hit the mud, he felt the ground give way beneath him. His arms shot out, grasping for anything to hold. 

The frog's croaking grew deafening, as if every amphibian in the pond had joined into a chant. 

"Wirt! It’s deeper than I thought!"

Wirt tried to speak, but his words were swallowed by water. Then the current stopped abruptly, and pushed him the other direction in a way that seemed conscious and purposeful for a river.

“Wirt, hold on!” 

Fingers brushed his arm as the frogs sang louder. Wirt clasped Greg's hand as his younger brother pulled him up. Wirt coughed and blinked the water from his eyes.

They were in a brown pond. The algae had torn into a jagged circle where they'd surfaced. Though it was still dark, the chill had died, being replaced with warmer air, as if it were late summer instead of mid fall.

Wirt shook himself off, and the water slid from his clothes easily, more like slime than liquid.

"A…are you okay…?" He stared at Greg, who was smiling and dancing knee-deep in the mud.

"Yeah! That was fun! I got my bullfrog, see?" He held the biggest, fattest frog Wirt had ever seen over his head, and stuffed it under his teapot.

Kerrok, it said sorrowfully, making Wirt's heart twinge a bit.

At first he wasn't sure why something about his brother looked off. Then he realized the implausibility of the teapot still being on his head after being swept downstream.

"Huh? Hey, did you realize—How do we still have our hats?" Wirt took his own from his head and held it out to examine. It hadn't been nearly so stable in the graveyard.

A sound cut through the air—a man's voice chanting:

O, we took a left when the map said right,

Now we're driftin' off where day is night.

The sign said "Destination," but I reckon it lied,

We're here in the void, where the stars've died.

There was a heavy crunch, like footsteps on brittle leaves. Wirt’s breath caught, and he turned to see a figure moving through the fog, a tall shape in a dark coat, carrying something long and heavy.

The compass points north, or was it west?

We might've failed, but we did our best.

We lost the plot when we took a fall,

Now it seems we're nowhere at all.

“Hello!” Greg called, waving. “Do you know the way back to the railroad we were trespassing on?”

"Shut up!" hissed Wirt, certain Greg was going to get them arrested.

The figure stopped. Wirt could see him more clearly now—a man, tall and broad, with a weathered face and eyes sunken deeply into their sockets. He carried an axe, the blade dark and stained. Most likely a Halloween costume, but wasn't it a little dangerous to be using a real axe if that was the case?

When the man raised a lantern to light his pale face, a chill returned to the air, but not due to the temperature. Wirt grabbed Greg’s shoulder and pulled him back.

The man’s bloodshot eyes settled on them, and his voice was a low rumble. “You two are lost.”

Wirt swallowed. “Yeah... We fell into the river, and now we’re... Well, we don’t know where we are. What city is this?"

The man just stared. Then he let out a dry laugh. “You two are more lost than you realize," he said. "Both are a bit young to be dead, I would think."

Wirt didn't know what to say to this, so he said nothing. He didn't know who this man was, but decided to wait for him to go away.

Greg, unfortunately, was too dumb to be shy. "Hey, are you gonna kill us with that axe? You look like a bad guy. Are you wearing a costume?"

"Greg!" Wirt kicked his ankle.

But the man didn't look offended. His expression was blank. Too blank. For a moment, it looked like he was broken.

"It's out of my hands to decide who lives and dies," he said finally. "Such are the whims of fate."

"Wirt, do you think that man has any candy for us?" Greg said loudly, as if the man wasn't standing right there. "Hey!" he turned and yelled. "TRICK OR TREAT!"

The man shook his head slowly. "There are no treats for you out here, boy. And I suggest you keep your voice down if you don't want to attract the beast." His eyes fell upon Wirt. "You should keep an eye on your brother. Goodnight to you." He turned to continue on his way. As he trudged off, Wirt saw a bundle of wood strapped to his back.

 AW-ROOH! AWWWW-ROOOOH!

Wirt and Greg both splashed backward at a howl that sounded all too near.

"It's the beast!" yelled Wirt. "We have to get out of here! Come on!"

He and Greg dashed out of the water. There was a slurping sound as Wirt's shoe was pulled off by quicksand. He didn't stop, keeping his pace the same as Greg's. Greg was at the age of being too heavy to carry, but slow enough that the best you could do was watch his back and pray he went fast enough.

"Quick! Over here!" said a voice.

Wirt and Greg turned through a grove to see a big broken-down house with a waterwheel looming before them. Hopefully inside would be safe. Safer, at least, then outside with a beast, at the bottom of a river, in the middle of a train track, or any of the other places they'd been that night.

[mytheoristavenue]

Day 3: Chopper + Tree Decorating

Summary: You stay up late with Chopper to set up the Christmas tree, in order to surprise the others in the morning.

Warnings: Platonic/Sibling!Chopper, pure fluff, very slight Usopp x reader at the end

You both giggled to each other mischievously, pretending to be asleep. You held Chopper in your lap as he dramatically snored in your arms, while your head was tilted back onto the back of the sofa, snoozing with drool dribbling down the side of your cheek. You peaked your eye open to watch Zoro get up from where he'd been napping, before he made his way down the hall towards the boys' bedroom.

"C'mon, Chooper, it's time!" you whispered, patting his tummy as he hopped up and off of your lap.

"I'm so excited!" his giggled, pulling your hand along to where he'd hidden an artificial Christmas tree. you'd help him buy and hide it over a week ago. This plan had been all month in the making. You set the box containing the tree to the side, as he continued to pass you bins of ornaments, some store bought, some hand made, followed by a plethora of beautifully wrapped gifts to go under.

-----

Quietly, you both worked together to build and place the tree, positioning it in the corner of the lounge. "Put this one on first!" he chirped, handing you a dainty little straw hat on a string, that he'd tied a red ribbon around.

You cooed at the ornament, turning it over in your hands as you surveyed it. "Awe, this is so cute! Is it for Luffy?"

"Mhm!" he nodded, digging through though a specific box. "I found it in a toyshop on the last island we end to. I think it's actually for dolls, but I don't think he'll mind." You couldn't help but marvel at his tenderness as you hung the small hat on a mid level branch. "I actually made an ornament for everyone!" he added. "But they're surprises, so don't tell anyone." You swore yourself to secrecy as he handed you the next one.

You held the object delicately, turning it over in your hands. It was a grouping of three popsicle sticks, all conjoined at one end and fanning out at the other. It took you a moment to recognize them, and you were about to ask for clarification, before you noticed the dainty painting on one side. You smiled to yourself. "Zoro's swords?"

He beamed at your identification, giggling like a little girl. "Yeah! Here, try to guess this one!" He said excitedly, shoving another into your hands before you'd even hung up the pervious.

"It's an orange." You immediately said, spinning the namesake colored ball in your hands. It had a few darker spots in groupings around it, and a small green leaf made of what seemed to be felt glued to the facet that held the hanger on. "From Nami, right?"

"How'd you know?!" he squealed, squishing his cheeks.

"It was a little obvious," you laughed nervously. "What's next?"

"You'll never guess this one," he snickered with an evil grin, delicately passing over a green ball with pink spots and a wicked grin painted on the front. It reminded you a bit of a torpedo. You scratched your head a bit, stymied by what it could possibly be.

"I guess you're right. You might have to clue me in on this one." you confessed, admitting defeat, much to his delight.

"It's a pop green!" he announced, taking it and placing it where he wanted on the tree. "It's Green Star: Devil!"

"Ohh," you replied, remembering the many times you'd seen Usopp give life to the carnivorous vine. "Chopper that's so creative, I would've never thought of that for Usopp!" you praised, effectively flustering him as he waved your compliments away.

-----

Nearly an hour passed of him handing you ornaments, and asking you to guess whom the represented, when he came to the last one in the box. "Now, you have to shut your eyes for this one, 'cuz it's a surprise." he ordered, and you obliged with a small laugh. You opened them when you felt a round weight in your hands, heavier that most of the other decorations he's showed you.

The ornament in question instant brought tears to your eyes as you hiccupped at it. "Hey, hey, don't cry! Don't you like it?" he worried, skittering closer to give you a meek hug.

"No, Chopper, I adore it." You wept lightly, holding it close to your chest.

"Then why are you crying...?" You withdrew the item from your embrace and studied it, noting the work it must have taken to manufacture it. The object itself was a glass Christmas ball, a contrast to the others, which had been plastic. Inside it was water and glitter, with a small figurine that you recognized immediately as the ballet dancer that had once called your late mother's musical jewelry box home.

"How...how did you...?" you trailed, having so many questions about the dear thing.

"Usopp gave it to me," he clarified. "He said you gave it to him to fix a long time ago, but it was beyond repair and he never had the hear to tell you. So he gave me the doll from it and helped me put it in the snow globe!" You remained silent, processing the information, very much wishing the sniper had simply told you. "I'm sorry, (Y/N)...I thought you would like it. I should have asked first."

Suddenly, you reached out for him, engulfing him in a tight hug, stifling a sob. "No, Chopper I love it, really." you cried. "I just...I'm just surprised its all. Thank you for giving it a new life."

"You're welcome..." he whispered, uncertain as you released him in order to wipe away tears. "Are you sure you like it?"

"I do, I promise. This was very thoughtful of you." You truthfully did like the ornament, there was just so much emotion attached to it, and you weren't sure how to convey that to someone as young as Chopper, so you simply chose not to. "These are joyful tears, I swear."

Suddenly, both of you jumped, startled by oncoming footsteps down the hall. You froze in your emotional state, while the reindeer tried to jump in front of the tree, to protect the modesty of the surprise with all three feet of his height.

"What are you guys doing up so late- woah." Usopp yawned, irritated rubbing sleep from his eyes, before stopping to see the mess you'd been making decorating you'd been doing. "Yeah, what are you doing?"

Without a word, you stood up, gently setting the snow globe into Chopper's dainty hooves, before marching up to the sniper and enveloping him in your arms. He sputtered, taken aback at your sudden affection. The deer giggled behind you, watching the scene unfold.

"Thank you, Usopp." you whispered with a sniffle. His dark, tired eyes darted over to Chopper, and more specifically, what he held, before his eyes softened a bit. A pink hue dusted his cheeks as you snuggled against him.

"Y-Yeah, um," he gulped, wrapping his arms around your torso and hugging you back. "No problem. Merry Christmas."

Taglist:

@imamonsterfucker-sorry @killmewithafanfic @elii0 @starblazer124

[apple-stims80]

So this is Love? (5/?)

Eddie woke up from the sunlight hitting his face, he looked down seeing he had wrapped his arms around Frank in his sleep making him turn into a blushing mess. He wanted to let go and stop since that seemed what was the right thing to do but he didn't want Frank waking up from the chance he might be a light sleeper, Eddie sighed placing his chin on Franks head he could smell Frank's shampoo it smelled like roses and he finally could feel how soft it was he'd been dying to touch it since he saw Frank. Eddie smiled bringing the smaller puppet closer to him holding onto him tight, he never wanted this moment to end but after a few minutes he could feel Frank start to stir in his sleep making Eddie pull away from him a little a bit and let go. Frank muttered something before turning over on his side making the taller one smile to himself before he got out bed, just as he was going to leave he planted a kiss on Frank's forehead.

"My, my, spending the night are we? " Eddie heard behind him as he closed the front door making him jump before relaxing seeing that it was Wally, Wally was the only one who knew Eddie's feelings yet it was a mystery on how he knew him and Eddie weren't really that close nor was Eddie that close to anyone besides Frank possibly. "Don't do that again" Eddie said dropping his hand off his chest "so sorry" Wally said before looking Eddie up and down until he landed on his eyes making the much taller one shudder a little from Wally's black emotionless void known as his eyes "did you at least take him to dinner? " he asked making Eddie confused before meeting him at his thoughts "oh, oh no we didn't-i didn't" Eddie said blushing trying to keep his words right "ha, ha, ha I'm only joking" once he heard that monotone laugh it sent a shiver up his spine. Wally was the only neighbor that had to be taught how to laugh but yet he never got it right leading to something unexplainable "oh, right" Eddie said awkwardly staring back at the much smaller's eyes, after a few seconds of awkward silence Eddie finally broke it "well I best be going back to my post office and change before my runs start" he said smiling or at least trying his hardest to. He walked past the smaller one feeling his eyes still staring holes into the back of him making him happy to leave, he didn't know what changed but recently Wally made him very uncomfortable something had changed in his manor.

Eddie's day went on normally for the rest of it, other than little talks with Wally he didn't know why but he had seen him more today then he ever did it's like Wally would go out of his way to meet the mailman. Once the clock hit 5pm Eddie got his bag and filled it with the evening mail and placing a small red letter in it smiling, he had spent his afternoon break making sure that this letter was the best yet from the envelope to the quality of paper to the wax color for the stamp. He whistled(I only have eyes for you) walking down the street stopping once he noticed that Barnaby hadn't gotten his morning, and afternoon mail, Eddie grew confused 'maybe he was out of town for the day' he thought placing one little letter in his mailbox before walking away no matter what he thought he couldn't help but feel worried 'he'll be back by the morning'. He smiled to himself once he reached the insect loving man he started whistling as he placed the mail into the light green and yellow mailbox with butterflies painted on them, smiling ear to ear once he put the little red letter in. He was about to leave before he heard "oh, Eddie" Frank said stepping out his garden "are you feeling better? " he asked meeting the mailman "yeah, thank you I'll have to make it up to you one day" Eddie said tipping his hat before waving as he walked away.

Frank smiled to himself watching the other walk away before opening his mailbox blushing once he saw the red one. Walking back to his house he opened it once he unfolded it little paper butterflies flew out of it, they were pink and purple with little red hearts on the wings, Frank smiled blushing at them before looking down at the letter.

~My Dearest Frank,

I've seen the way you look at insects and how your eyes light up when you one worth documenting.

I've seen how careful you are with them and how delicate you are catching them and how much care you put into your sketches of them.

I saw a craft for flying paper butterflies and thought his much you'd like them, I really hope you did I wish I could've seen your reaction.

Love,

Your Secret Admirer~

[chromotps]

#saw this and thought it’d be up your alley^^#very star crossed vibes haha

oh!! tbh i don't know if i've ever gotten a submission before haha i hope this works right

[steeples my hands] this is up my alley... the poetry... ace acknowledging luffy and even sabo are somehow different from him... the idea that ace is in the echoes around luffy all the time......

but also. I am a big soft depressed weenie (especially after getting off work lmaO) so i have to make ace happy eventually—EDIT: I got a second wind and wanted to stretch my writing muscles, so... Have a wild drabble!!

Even as it set, the sun's light washed over Luffy like honey: rich and copious. It was something Ace couldn't lift from his brother's skin no matter how hard he imagined. Luffy was meant to be like this, golden.

Ace knew it was an odd thought, but he couldn't help it. They were sharing a rare quiet moment at the hill where they'd wept for Sabo. Now, with Ace's departure drawing near, he found his mind meandering down strange, overly sentimental paths, especially when it came to his brother.

Breaking himself out of the pattern, Ace unwound a hand from where it'd been wrapped around his knees, and gave a cursory yank—tugging on the tattered, too-big hat resting against Luffy's back.

"You don't really need this thing, do you?" he said. "You never get burnt."

Luffy, interrupted from idly pulling at the grass around him, looked up with an affronted expression. "Of course I need it! It was a gift from—"

"From Red-Hair, yeah, yeah, I know." Ace sighed. "I'm not saying it's not important to you, relax. Just that you don't need it—the sun doesn't bother you."

Luffy tilted his head, goofy preteen face squinting at the clarification. As if he had to think of everything in concrete terms, Luffy pulled the hat off his back, holding it in his hands so he could contemplate it.

A grin spread across his face. "I guess you're right! I'm still glad I have it, though." His smile was dazzling; Ace didn't look away, but his heart suffered a pang for the lack of action.

"It's a part of my dream, like you said." Luffy nodded. "As long as I have this, I'll know I'm on my way to becoming the most amazing pirate ever!" He looked at Ace then, grin turning impish. He'd probably been swept up by another one of his dumb ideas.

"Hey, Ace, you should start calling me 'Captain Luffy.' It'll help me get ready!"

"Pfft." Ace grabbed the hat from Luffy, and stuffed it back over his brother's head. Luffy couldn't see his fond smile, whining like he was from beneath the wide brim.

Ace held the smile while he spoke over Luffy's whine. "As if. Try that again when you've actually got a crew to boss around, and your own ship."

"Aww. C'mon," Luffy sighed. He sounded put-out, but he didn't refuse Ace's next unspoken offer: the older teen knelt, facing away from Luffy, arms lifted back to accept his brother's weight.

He didn't need to say anything at this point, the two of them so used to the tradition. Ace would carry Luffy, piggy-back, to Dadan's at the end of the day. Luffy climbed into his hold easily, chin resting over Ace's shoulder, childish pout still in place.

"I'm gonna do it some day, you know." So petulant.

"Sure," Ace said. It sounded dismissive, but he didn't actually have any doubt in his mind. He knew he'd lose Luffy to that dream eventually.

His brother might be right here in his arms, and they'd wake up tomorrow close enough to touch, like always. But Ace knew he'd never really belong at Luffy's side. He didn't belong at Sabo's, or his mother's, or Dadan's; but he especially wasn't meant for Luffy's.

They entered the forest, everything dimming in the earthy shade. Luffy was drowsy at his back. Ace's overactive brain thought that only made sense. The sun would naturally retreat, with night coming on.

Twilight gave way to dusk; a branch snapped somewhere in their vicinity, and Luffy tensed ever so slightly against Ace's back.

Well, Ace couldn't have that. And so he hummed. If nothing else, he could do this for the brother he couldn't keep. He'd make sure Luffy stayed safe and grew up strong. That way, if he ever faced something dark on the path to his dreams, he'd have a song in his heart instead of fear.

"S'not even that sunny," Luffy mumbled. Ace paused, turning his head slightly, but it wasn't like he could get a clear look at Luffy right now.

He kept on walking, but asked, "What was that?"

Luffy sighed. His tired, warm voice drifted by Ace's ear. "I don't really need the hat, 'cause we spend most of our time together here. In the forest... Right?"

He sniffed sleepily and then continued, "The sun doesn't really reach us here. N... Nothin' does." In what seemed like a total leap in logic, Luffy then said, "You don't really have to call me 'Captain.' When it's just you 'n' me..." Luffy yawned. "...none of that other stuff matters, 'kay? I'm just Luffy, and you're just Ace. S'all there is."

Ace blinked.

He squeezed Luffy's leg in his grip, and kept walking.

[braveclementine]

October 9: Uniform Sex (Bucky Barnes) 💚

Warnings: 18+ readers only, Uniform sex, Bucky Barnes hotness alert, brat, blowjob, pet name, sergeant kink

Copyright: As much as I wish I owned him, I do not own Bucky Barnes or other mentioned Marvel characters (heh). I also do not condone this being copied anywhere else.

"Ready to go doll?" Bucky asked outside the door.

You had just finished putting the last touches to your nurse uniform for the Halloween party that Tony was throwing tonight.

You sighed. You didn't want to go to the party. You wanted to go to bed early with Bucky and fool around for a couple of hours. "Yeah, I guess so."

You walked out the door, in your skimpy skirt and tight blouse. The nurse cap was placed precariously on top of your head. You had used that bright red lipstick that they always had in the vintage posters, and had even curled your hair.

Yeah, a lot of effort to look good for a party you didn't care about. But you always wanted to look your best around Bucky.

Your jaw almost dropped when you saw how delicious Bucky looked in his uniform. He had alerted you that he was going to dress like the Sergeant that he had been in the war, which had been what inspired you to go as a 1940's vintage poster nurse.

But you hadn't expected him to look so dashing. The uniform was a light brown, almost olive-green colour. He was wearing a dark green shirt underneath complete with a tie. His hat was also topped rather precariously on his head.

He looked so handsome, so sexy, that you felt you could've cummed on the spot just looking at him.

He'd even cut his hair for it, looking so young and just so. . . handsome. Godlike. How were you lucky enough to have this man?

"You look adorable." Bucky said appreciatively, looking you over.

"That's it." You stated, "We're going to bed. Now."

He chuckled, "Is the uniform really that great."

"Yes. I want you to fuck me in it." You spit out before you could take it back. You were never so bold, but the words were tumbling out of your mouth before you could stop them.

"Someone's feeling bold tonight." Bucky leered with a grin, "You ought to watch that pretty little mouth of yours doll. Steve'll tell you off if he hears anything bad coming from it and I'll have to punish you."

You whined, pulling his arm. You were being a brat, but you really, really wanted him. You had never felt so needy before, and his words were just making your clit throb for his attention.

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around you, dragging you down the hall, away from the bedroom.

"No, Bucky!" You whined. "Wanna go back to bed."

"To bad doll. We have to go to the party first. You know Tony will never let us hear the end of it if we don't show up for a few minutes."

"Five minutes. That's it." You tried to negotiate.

This got another laugh out of Bucky, "All dolled up only to let people see you for five minutes. At least an hour or two."

You nearly started to cry. One hundred and twenty whole minutes! You were going to die.

God you were going to cry over nothing? Maybe you should check the calendar and see when your period was supposed to start. The last time you had cried over something ridiculous was when Natasha told you it was to cold to eat Ice-cream in February.

Bucky was a bit of a comfort though, his flesh arm wrapped around you waist, letting you snuggle into his chest as he dropped sweet kisses on your cheeks, forehead, and nose. Finally, just as the elevator doors opened, he kissed your lips before pulling you along to the ballroom where the party was already in full swing.

You sulked as Bucky got himself a drink. "You want anything doll?" He asked, a small smirk on his face.

"You!" You whined, "Please Bucky, we've been here long enough."

"You haven't even been here for a minute." Sam said, coming up from behind you. "What's go you so desperate and needy?"

Bucky chuckled at Sam's teasing, though a hand came around you waist possessively. "Apparently she likes the uniform."

"Doesn't he look so sexy?" You asked Sam, your voice still sounded like a whine.

Sam raised an eyebrow, a smile coming over his face. He poked your forehead with one finger and asked, "Where's the real Y/N? She's never this bold."

Steve came over at that moment, "Nice outfit Buck."

Steve and several of the other Avengers had entered a draw of sorts. Steve had gotten Doctor Strange and was dressed like him. He looked utterly ridiculous, but Stephen looked just as ridiculous trying to be dressed as Hawkeye. Clint meanwhile, was laughing his ass off. He had managed to pull off dressing like Nick Fury. Just white. And not bald.

"Isn't he?" You asked dreamily. "I just want to take him back to bed and-"

Steve choked on his drink before you could say anything else, making Bucky and Sam laugh.

"Y-Y/N don't say that so loudly and in such a public place." Steve sputtered out, putting his alcohol down on the counter.

"Okay, how long has it been?" You asked Bucky.

"Twelve minutes." He said, trying not to laugh.

"It's been an eternity. We can leave now." You declared cheerfully.

Bucky sat down, pulling you onto his lap. "What a needy little baby you are tonight."

Steve took one look at the position the two of you were in and blushed furiously. "Bucky! Not in public!"

Bucky grinned, "See, you're embarrassing the Captain."

You knew if you opened your mouth, you would end up saying something you'd regret later like 'well if he got laid he wouldn't care'.

So instead, you just kissed Bucky passionately. You could taste the alcohol and lime on his lips. You didn't really care to much for the alcohol, but one Bucky it was addictive.

"And now they're kissing." Sam teased Steve.

"I'm not looking." Steve muttered.

Sam snickered.

You really tried to be patient, limiting yourself to asking only every five minutes if it was time to go.

Finally, finally Bucky said the two of you could go. Now you were the one dragging him around, trying to get him to move faster towards the bedroom. You swore he was dragging his heels in. So you did the one thing that would make him move faster- you goaded him.

Giving him the puppy eyes, you asked, "Bucky, aren't you excited? It's almost like you don't want to sleep with me."

It worked like a charm.

His eyes flashed at the thought that you thought he might not want to be with you.

"Of course I do doll." He said, before grabbing your wrist, yanking you forward, and smashing his lips to yours. The kiss got more heated before he knocked your legs out from underneath you, taking long strides to his bedroom. Shouldering the door open, he hurried inside the bedroom, closing the door behind him with his foot.

You were quick to yank the short skirt down before he literally ripped the blouse from your body. He unclasped the bra- reluctantly but you'd told him off a few times about ripping them and they were expensive- to let it join the skirt and blouse scraps on the floor.

"You've been such a needy little brat tonight, hmm?" Bucky asked as he popped open the button his army pants. "Using that mouth so much tonight, begging to come back here. Well open up doll, I've got something else for your mouth to do."

You eagerly got on your knees, opening your mouth and Bucky thrusted into you. He was trying hard to be gentle, knowing that with the serum, he was both longer, thicker, and stronger than most.

You licked the tip eagerly, in pure bliss now that you were doing what you had been wanting to do all night. Serving your Sergeant.

He did his best to let you take over for this part, keeping his hands steadily in your hair, but not using you- not yet anyways.

You bopped your head up and down well enough without him, using your tongue to wrap around and lick his thick cock, laying heavily on your tongue.

"What a good girl." He praised as you sucked at him hard, slowly pulling off before deep throated him to hit the back of your throat. Your efforts were rewarded with grunts and praises that spilled graciously off his lips.

Finally, you could feel him twitching and he slowly pulled from your lips, wanting to finish off inside of you.

He laid you back down on the bed, sticking two fingers in your mouth. You swirled your tongue around them quickly, the way you had around his cock only moments earlier. He watched you with a smirk before he moved his fingers, sticking them straight into your leaking core.

You let out a pleasured moan, now that all of the tension that had built up tonight was releasing slowly. You kept your eyes open, staring up at him as he grinned. You kept taking in how fit he was in his lovely sergeant uniform.

"I should wear this more, shouldn't I?" He smirked, speeding his fingers up.

"Y-Yes!" You gasped, toes clenching, fingers grasping the sheets beneath you. "S-Sergeant! I-"

"Cum for me doll." Bucky said in a raspy voice, his voice catching in his throat when you called him his title.

You released hard over his fingers. He pulled them out after the aftershocks were over, licking his fingers clean, before he leaned down, licking a bold stripe through your pussy.

It took every conscious effort not to close your legs. They had jerked reflexively before you pinned them down with sheer will.

He didn't stay down there long, moving upwards to kiss you. You kissed back, tongues swirling, tasing yourself on your lips. It wasn't a particularly pleasant taste, but you would gladly take whatever Bucky gave you on his lips. Boiled cauliflower could probably taste good off Bucky's lips.

Maybe.

"You ready doll?" He asked. You always loved this about Bucky. The consent, even if you were together, even if you'd already had sex before, even if you were halfway through having sex, he always wanted consent.

"Sergeant, just- please!" You begged. Even if you loved the consent, sometimes it annoyed the hell out of you, especially if you really wanted to be fucked. And especially when he obviously knew you wanted it.

He grinned his cocky smile before he bottomed out in you within a few seconds. You moaned at the lovely feeling. The coarseness from his pants was different, creating a friction against your thighs. You untucked his tie from his shirt, grabbing it to pull him down to kiss you as he started to gently move inside of you.

"Bucky." you moaned against his lips. "I love you so damn much."

His lips smirked against yours. "Love you too doll. So. Freaking. Much." Each word accented with a hard thrust. Your eyes glazed over as you started to babble, wanting to cum. "Go ahead doll. I'm close."

Your orgasm sent you to cloud nine, and also triggered Bucky's he held you close to his chest as he spilled into you, before slowly moving a little bit to calm the both of you down. He kissed your cheeks softly to get you back from your high.

When you finally refocused your eyes on him, that was when he slowly pulled out. Somehow, despite everything, he'd managed to keep that hat on his head.

"Bucky," you mumbled, "You need to wear that uniform more."

He grinned before removing the articles of clothing you were loving so much, "It's just so damn hot in them."

Indeed, his face was flushed and he was sweating terribly. But in a very sexy way. "You stay here doll." He said, kissing your nose sweetly. "Fall asleep even if you have to. I'll take care of you."

You smiled weakly before falling asleep before he even got the washcloth. 

[seas-storyarchive]

Hatching - what if

Note: in which Alastor gets attached and is named an the Uncle of Eggz.

The egg boi that was left behind, missed snuggling up with Pentious and his egg bros. So, he sneaks into Alastor's room, as the man played Boss once.

"Hm? Whatever are you doing in here, little creature?" Asked the man, on his back, facing the door, hopped up on pain medication and unable to sleep. Was he annoyed the little creature was in here? Shockingly no, he couldn't sleep and didn't feel like scaring him off

"I miss Boss." The egg said.

"Hm.." Alastor nodded, his eyes glowing in the dark, "tell me, little creature.. what exactly.. are you?"

"An egg." The creature answered.

"Hm.. what kind of egg? Chicken? Snake? Alligator? Fish?" Alastor listed off.

"Just an egg." The boi said. "Named Frank."

Alastor let an annoyed groan. "Okay.. a blankslate egg.." he pushed himself up, growling.

"Hey, hey! Don't get up, I'll come to you!" Frank scrambled (not literally) over to the bed and climbing up it to sit beside Alastor's head.

"Have.. any of you.. hatched?" Alastor panted, holding himself wiping his brow. What in the world was this fucking wound?

"No. Oh! Here!" Frank poured him a bit of water from the pitcher into the glass and handing it to him.

"Thank you." Alastor said softly, taking the glass and drinking from it before putting it back on the table and patting the egg on the top of it's shell.

"No problem, Boss.." the little egg said, before he began crying.

Alastor, unable to be around crying, pulled the egg into an awkward hug due to his injuries. "There, there.. the pain will become less, over time. It will never leave, it will always be there, but remember the times of good and bad, happy and sad. And all will be mended, you will be fine." Words he'd heard from everyone in his neighborhood after his mother died, so he sympathized with this little boy.. a little boy who lost his only parent.

Alastor and Frank fell asleep, his arm wrapped around him, still in comfort.

--

Pentious watched from heaven, through the seeing orb with the other eggs that had hatched into fluffy chickens.

"Boss? Is he gonna be okay?"

The snake wiped his eyes. "Yessss, my boyssss. Your Uncle Alassssstor is taking good care of him."

--

Following that night of comfort, Frank followed Alastor exclusively.

And had Alastor gotten attached? Well, hard to tell. He acted around Frank the same way he acted around Niffty.

And then, things.. changed.

--

Pentious could feel that it was coming. Frank was due to hatch, and he couldn't wait to see what he would become.

--

Alastor awake that morning, bright and early, expecting to feel the little egg creature havng taken residence on his legs as per the norm. But, after a moment, something felt wrong. He got up, only to hear and feel a CRUNCH beneath his feet. Egg shells.

"F- Franklin.." what the hell was this feeling? Had he become attached? Had something in him, not wanting that, killed the little creature in his sleep? Had-

His shadow caught his attention, pointing to a spot on the bed under the pillow bedside the one he slept on.

"Hm?" Alastor pulled up the pillow to see-

A little red and gray speckled alligator, wearing the little egg's hat.

"F- Franklin?"

The little gator woke up, rubbing it's eyes. "Morning Boss." He saw Alastor looking at him with wide eyes and worry. "What?" The little gator made a surprised noise when Alastor hugged him.

"Look at you! Oh, you bright little creature!"

--

"Look at Frank!" One of the chickens hopped up and down.

"Wow! He has scales!" Another joined him.

"He looks to cool!" The rest of the chickens jumped about.

Pentious wiped his eye. "Oh, my boi.."

"Boss! Can we go see Frank and Uncle Alastor?"

"Well.." Pentious looked at the chickens.

"Uncle Alastor! Uncle Alastor!"

--

"Come, small alligator creature! I hunger for some swine!" Alastor grabbed a hunting rifle.

"Okay Boss!" The little gator followed him without question.

[decadentpandawasteland]

Hi, here is the next part of my Revenge Series. Please feel free to leave any and all feedback, and as always, thanks for reading :)

---------------------------------------------------

Everything was dark. Everything hurt. It felt like he'd been run over by a caravan.

“What… what happened?” Nicolas thought to himself. He opened his eyes only to be met with the exact same darkness as when they were closed. He could tell he was on a bed. Nicolas moved his arms and legs. They weren't shackled, but they hurt a lot. The last thing he remembered was, what? Arguing with Master Quin. Following that pull that took him…

Nicolas shot up in bed. Every muscle in his body tensed, and he immediately regretted the sudden motion. Ragnar. The chalice. The pulses. Suddenly a ring of light appeared around him, rushing out on all sides of him. It created a wave of light, giving him a few precious seconds to take in his surroundings. He was in an old section of whatever place the pull had taken him to, maybe a dungeon that had been converted into living quarters?

Nicolas tried to send out another pulse of light. It came and went more quickly than the last one. He tried again and again, each time slowly getting pieces of the puzzle together. A thought occurred to him. The ring of light always came out through his torso, spreading outward in all directions. Instead of pushing it through, he tried to hold the light in place. To his utter astonishment, it had worked.

“Good…” an ominous voice called in his mind. It was deep and gravely, like how a mountain would sound if it could speak. It was an alien thought.

“Who are you?” Nicolas asked out loud. His voice was so harsh it almost didn't sound human. The voice gave no reply. The only door in the room opened, someone drawn to the noise.

A man entered the room. He was dressed in crimson robes with a long hat that almost caught the on the door frame. There was a familiar crest on his robes. A black dragon with a person in one claw and grains of wheat in the other. The Brood.

“Finally, you've awoken,” the man said through red stained lips. Ragnar.

“What did you do to me?” Nicolas asked. He remembered pieces of it, but couldn't put them together. It was as if the memories themselves had been cut and mixed together.

“Me? I did nothing to you child. You chose of your own volition to partake in the drinking of the holy relic. A gift for us mortals by our Great One,” Ragnar said simply.

“And what exactly was this holy relic?” Nicolas asked, frustration in his voice. It reminded him of Master Quin. Always beating around the bush. Always hedging or even just flat out ignoring him. He wanted the power to make them listen. No, he needed it.

Power. That's right. That's what he had been searching for.

“Child, it is a gift for us. From hi-” Ragnar was cut off. The light encircling Nicolas shot outward, passing through Ragnar. Suddenly, Nicolas could feel it. A feeling that he had only felt within himself before, but thanks to his study of astral magic he knew exactly what this was, Ragnar's soul.

“The soul is like water. It takes the shape of whatever vessel it is housed in. The concentration of where the soul mostly resides will tell you your magic affinity. In theory, if the soul takes on a human form, pieces may be torn from the whole…” Nicolas remembered from his studies.

“So you're going to do this too?” He asked, suddenly seething. “You're all the same, thinking only about yourselves, never daning to teach, just barking orders and expecting me to follow. No. Not anymore,” he said, lifting his arm up, palm towards Ragnar.

“Do it. Strike back against those who hold you back. They are afraid of you. They will stop at nothing to keep you from your goal,” the Voice said. It was stoking the flames of violence.

“I'll make them all listen,” he thought. He closed his hand into a tight fist. He could feel it now, Ragnar's soul. It was old and tainted, almost feeling greasy. Nicolas pulled hard, feeling the tension of Ragnar's soul attempting to stay attached to his left arm.

“Do it.”

He pulled harder, his muscles felt shredded, his joints filled with glass. He didn't care.

“Take what's yours.”

Niclas used his other hand now, too. Pulling desperately as Ragnar screamed.

“Make them suffer.”

Nicolas felt part of Ragnar's soul rip. An inhuman screech filled the dank dungeon, echoing off of the stone walls. It was something so horrendous it would stay within the stone walls until the end of time.

Grunting with effort and through clenched teeth, Nicolas grunted out the words.

“You! Will! Listen!”

Just like that the soul residing within Ragnar's left arm was torn away at the shoulder. Nicolas was screaming. Ragnar was screaming. The Voice roared. Something within Nicolas came forth. A carnal hunger for power. He felt the presence greedily devour the segment of soul, savoring it. The pain within his body lessened. He could feel it now. Power flowed through him, an unstoppable wave rushing through his very existence.

Nicolas stood and walked over to the whimpering man who laid on the ground. Nicolas created light again and was surprised. He could move it now from his torso to his left hand. Nicolas could only see part of Ragnar's left hand. It was shriveled and blackened.

“Now I'm going to ask again. What did I drink?”

[innytoes]

Winter/X-mas Prompts #27: “Have you been good this year?” - “I only got arrested once.” Willex

"Why are you dressed like Santa?" was the first thing out of Willie's mouth when he got home. Which was fair. Alex didn't usually go around dressed in a fat suit with a beard and festive red hat.

"Because I can't say no to Julie," he sighed. Because Julie's puppy eyes were lethal. And she'd insisted he was the only one tall enough to fit the suit for their charity thing, after her dad had come down with the flu.

"Besides, you're the drummer, nobody is going to recognise you," Luke had said.

He'd spent half of the party telling small children that Luke Patterson was on the naughty list for not eating his vegetables. He'd been very confused why kids kept trying to force baby carrots onto him.

"It's kind of hot," Willie said. "Glad to know I married a guy who can pull off a curly white beard. You should grow one. It'd be hot and probably give Reggie a complex, you know, because you'd be all Zaddy."

"Please stop talking," Alex said, pulling down the beard and flopping onto the couch. It was itchy, okay, not hot. Though now he kind of was debating if he should grow a beard, if only to make Luke jealous when Reggie inevitably was distracted by it.

"Sorry, Santa," Willie grinned, before plopping down on his lap. Alex rolled his eyes, but Willie just beamed and looked at him expectantly. He sighed.

"Have you been good this year?" he asked, in his Santa Voice. Willie laughed a little at it, wriggling on his lap.

"I only got arrested once," he told Alex earnestly. Which Alex knew, because he'd been the one who'd had to come bail him out. (And Luke. And Reggie. It was the last time those three had been allowed to go somewhere unsupervised this year.)

"Well, that's very good, with your track record," Alex said. "And do you have anything specific you want to ask Santa this year?" Even though he'd finished his Christmas shopping in September, it never hurt to have... more ideas. Just in case.

Except what Willie whispered in his ear was decidedly not something he could wrap and put under the tree. But he was more than happy to follow Willie to the bedroom and make his request come true anyway.

[shippingsince20015]

Buddie in the Disney-verse

"That's How You Know", a Disney song about love and how you show it.

I based this on the video above, but changed some of the pronouns in correlation to the person I put singing the line, as well as how I want the message to be sung. I will be making a part two for this, maybe not right away but it will be on my story board.

Please enjoy!

The grocery store was somewhat packed, on Wednesday night,  not that Buck minded much. He was shopping for dinner that night, he would be spending it with Eddie, although Chris wasn’t coming. He probably canceled at the last minute or something, so it would just be them too. 

"Hey! Psst, hello?" Buck glanced to his side.

"My bad, need me to get something, or…?"

"Ah no! I wanted to read your fortune!" The girl in front of him smiles.

"My fortune?"

"Yep! Or more, like, reading your string!"

"Uh," Buck really couldn't find it in himself to actually care. "Sure."

She grabs his right hand, and begins rubbing his pinkie. Humming every 3 seconds, Buck didn’t know whether or not to be weirded out.

“So… you see, my bad, read anything?”

"Your crush is mutual, and with a little push, he'd make his move to prove it too you soon! Isn't that exciting?"

This time Buck did laugh. Eddie Diaz? Master of hidden emotions and meanings? Asking him out? Utter fantasy. And he must have said it out loud, because the girl backed up a few spaces.

"Are you, do you really think that?" She huffs. Why were they speaking again? 

"Well, if I said that, wouldn't I?" He walks off.

The girl frowns.

  :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"All right Bobby, I'm off!" Eddie shouts. He had just finished his speedy after-work-shower, obviously excited for his plan tonight.

"Alright Edmundo thank you  for coming in today. Tell Buck we said hi!" The captain shouts. Eddie flashes a grin at the captain’s back, before continuing to his car.

Yes, yes, he knows he is acting like some high schooler, excited to talk to his crush and whatever. And yes, he knows that at this rate, Buck would probably notice his feelings before he finished his speech tonight. But all of that doesn't matter when he could stay by his side!

… Now he feels old…

                                                    Abuelita Favorita

[Hola Edmundo, can you do me a favor?]

                                                                          [Sure, whats up?]

[Mind running to Bruno's flower 

shop real quick to grab those cute 

flower hats?]

[It's for Bingo night.]

Eddie holds back a laugh. This reminds him of a meme Buck shared with him…

                                                                           [Ofc I dont mind]

He turns at the red light instead of continuing straight. He pulls in the appropriate parking lot minutes later, rushing a bit so he could head home faster.

“Hello? Bruno?” He doesn’t get an answer, but it is fine, he knows what he is looking for.

“Hi!” A girl shouts. Eddie whirls around, swearing under his breath.

“Sorry, I didn't see you there. Are you a new worker or…?”

“Nope! I just realized you need help! So I am here to help!”

“Help? With what?” He walks around her to grab the ten pack flower hats. When he turns around again, she is still there. 

“Confessing your love!” Eddie pales.

“And why would I need help? I’m like, 90% sure they already know anyway. Confessing isn’t even that hard!”

“Ah,  but that's the thing,they don’t.”After zig-zagging through the aisle to distract her, he finally gives up, and faces her once more. Where is that Bruno?

“Uhm, no, they don’t. He is smart like that.”

“How do you know he knows then?” Evelyn asks.

“Because, well, it's obvious?”

“It never is obvious.” She sighs. She grabs his basket, and guides Eddie towards the front desk of the flower shop. 

“Ah, can I help you?” Bruno asks. He finally walks up to the front, and brightens when he recognizes him. “Edmundo!”

“Hey! So-” Eddie starts, trying to push Evelyn away. (Start!)

“How does he know, you love him?” She sings. “How does he know, he’s yours?”

“Wait wait wait.” Eddie laughs. He could not believe she was singing right now. 

“How does he know that you love him? How do you show him you love him?” Bruno joins in. Did he just pull out a drum from under him? 

“How does he know that you really, really, truly love him? How does he know that you love him? How do you show him you love him? How does he know that you really, really, truly love him?” Evelyn and Bruno sing harmonically. Then Bruno, who is like, 70, jumps onto the counter, and continues the beat.

“Guys, what? Is this some rehearsal? Am I dreaming? We aren’t in a Disney movie, you know.”

“Shhh, relax.” Evelyn says. She gently takes the basket from his hands, and guides him to the suddenly open space in the store. “And listen.”

“It’s not enough to take the one you love for granted.” Bruno sings. “You must remind him or he’ll be inclined to say~”

“‘How do I know he loves me? How do I know he’s mine?’” Evelyn prances past him, holding a new basket.

“Buck.. knows though?” Eddie stutters. Both people turn to look at him, making him doubt his own thoughts.

“Well, do you leave a little note to tell him  he is  on his mind? Send him yellow flowers when the sky is gray?” A bouquet of Sunflowers were pushed into his face, making it hard for him to see.

“No, but,-” He was hushed with “tsk tsk”s from Bruno, while Evelyn continued.

“You’ll find a new way to show him! A little bit everyday! Cause that's how he’ll know, that's how he’ll know he is your love.” 

“Here is a pen, amigo. You should write it right away!” Bruno hands him one, and gestures to Evelyn. “And those flowers definitely give off the innocent love type! How about this, these’ll be in the house, and your Abuelita’s flowers will only come out to 15$. How's that?” Eddie blanches, finished writing a (rather straightforward) note.

“No no it's fine I-”

“It’s wonderful! He will be back to see if all this was successful! Which, trust me, it will be!” She takes the note from Eddie’s grasps, and attaches it to the flowers. “Please, dear friends, send this to the man who needs to see!” A few birds, a mixture between pigeons and crows, take the bouquet from her, and start to fly. 

“How do they know which way to go?” Eddie calls out. He just finished paying for his grandmother’s stuff, and placed it in a bag.

“Magic, of course.” Eddie just sighed in exasperation. “Now let's go!”

“Bye you two! And good luck!” Bruno waves.

The two of them head out to his car, and the moment Eddie places the bag down, Evelyn tugs at him again. He barely managed to close and lock his car before they were entering a park.

“You got to show him you need him, don't treat him like a mind reader!” A man sings. He twirls his date around, before pulling them close. “ Each day do something to lead him to believe you love him!”

“That’s right! Everybody wants to live happily ever after!” She gestures towards the church, where a newly wed couple exits. “Everybody wants to know their true love is true!”

“ How do you know he loves you?” The bride sings. “How do you know he's yours?”

“Well do you take her out dancing just so you can hold her close?” The two are surrounded by a group of dancers, all swaying to seemingly the same song. A pair on the right lean gracefully into the other’s space, presenting three tickets to a formal family event. Evelyn thanks them, and passes them to Eddie, who examines them. “Dedicate a song with words meant just for her, ooo? You’ll find your own way to tell him, with the little things you’ll do!”

“And that’s how he’ll know!” The crowd joins. “That’s how he’ll know! He’s your love~”

“So if I do all these things, will he finally understand?” The two of them collapse on a park bench a couple of paces down from the crowd. 

“Yep! It’s clear to me he is more of a verbal affirmation type. Maybe touch is his love language, or verbal assurance. Something like that.”

“Wait, you are speaking as if you met him?” 

“Anyway,” She continued.``That’s how he’ll know you love him!” Eddie narrowed his eyes at the obvious transition. “That’s how he’ll know its true!”

“Because they’ll wear your favorite color just so they could match your eyes!” A little girl blushes. Her, also young, date kneels in front of her, holding a ring pop out like a wedding ring. “Plan a private picnic by the fire’s glow, oh!”

“Their hearts will be yours forever! And Something everyday will show! Cause that’s how you know! That's how you know!” The crowd chants. Evelyn turns to Eddie expectantly. “That's how you know! That's how you know! That's how you know! That's how you know!”

“… he’s your love.” Eddie finally finishes. He barely managed to roll his eyes at her antics before she dragged him back towards the crowd, in the direction of his vehicle.

“That's how they’ll know that you love them!” The little girl and boy sing.

“That's how you show her you love her!” The dancing couple adds twirling for good measure.

“You’ve got to show her you need her!” The bride smiles at the love of her life.

“Don’t treat her like a mind reader!”The man sings.

“That’s how he knows that you love him, that’s how you know that you love him!” Eddie joins. It was plain to see how he finally understood the whole message of this wonderful song. Evelyn couldn’t be more proud.

“It’s not enough to take the one you love for granted!”

Eddie jumps into his car, slamming his door shut. To say he was motivated was an understatement. He felt as if his nerves were on fire, driving was almost painful because of it.

“Good luck!”

[kilannad]

As the Stars Burn On Chapter 26

Masterlist. Ao3.

Enies Lobby

Enies Lobby wasn't called the endless day island for nothing. While the ocean roiled and stormed there was nothing but clear, bright skies over the Judicial Island. Soldiers took up their posts, gossiping about the returning Cipher Pole agents that had just been escorted to the Tower of Justice. While the island was, ultimately, a military base, it also boasted a city for the families of the soldiers, made of red brick and white stone. As far as military outposts went, Enies Lobby was often considered a vacation spot by the soldiers; after all, who would dare to attack one of the three strongholds of the World Government? In all eight hundred years of its existence, not a single person had ever dared, not even the Emperors or the Pirate King himself. Every marine and soldier—which were indeed two different groups—was glad for the peace and relaxation they could enjoy with only a minimal care in the world.

This peace was utterly and completely destroyed with one swift, piercing train whistle. In a black blur of movement, two forms caught the edge of the fencing surrounding the entrance to the island and, with herculean strength, pulled down just enough to turn what was once a blockade into a ramp. Jumping up so that they might catch a ride, the two figures grinned malevolently as a second, unheard of sea train came rumbling off the tracks and straight over their precious gate of white and green stone.

There were few dates that would be marked down in history against the World Government's will; the day that the Straw Hat Pirates invaded Enies Lobby would be one.

☉

For the first time in five long years, CP9 gathered completely. Their chief's office was set at the top of the Tower of Law with a wide sweeping view of the city below. Privately, Kaku had always thought this had more to do with his ego than anything else, but he knew better than to say anything. Spandam was not the sort of man who took questioning his authority lightly and, while the agents themselves all held far more loyalty to Lucci, they were at the end of the day obedient above all else.

Animals on leashes, Kaku thought, then bit his cheek hard enough to bleed. He used to be so good at pressing down his thoughts, especially those leaning towards treason. Yet something about this mission, end in sight and so, so close to putting it all behind him, had put him on the wrong foot. All he could remember was the look on Paulie's face when Kalifa had run out, tears streaming down her face, declaring she'd just seen Nico Robin leave Iceburg's room and now he was dead.

(The worst part of that memory was that he didn't know how much Kalifa was acting. He knew that she liked that job; she didn't have to sleep with anyone, or get hit on, or deal with sleezes of any sort. She was appreciated for her brain and competency and treated decently for it, which was more than could be said for most of her missions. How much was she questioning her place in this, the blood on their hands that Lucci had so easily spilled?)

“Finally!” Spandam laughed, grabbing Franky's face and holding it close. The cyborg struggled, but Blueno kept a hard grip on him. They'd never hear the end of it if Spandam got hit. “Do you remember me, boy? You'll be handing over those blueprints.”

Franky, unsurprisingly, spit in his face.

Spandam kicked him, then proceeded to hop on one foot as he realized he'd just kicked a solid mass of steel. Cursing, he stormed back to his desk to drink his coffee, spilling it in the meantime.

Jabra rolled his eyes, and though Kaku agreed with the sentiment, he had enough control to hide his reaction. Kumadori and Fukurou were muttering their usual nonsense, but Kaku ignored that too, meeting Kalifa's eyes again. Seven CP9 agents and their Chief, holding the last two keys to Pluton; a glorious day of victory for the World Government, and yet he felt ill.

“Nevermind him,” Spandam spat. “Wake up Nico Robin, I want her to witness this.”

“Chief, she's a flight risk,” Kaku dared to point out. They'd had a hell of a time getting her under control long enough to sedate her, nevermind waking her up.

“She's in our hold, there's nothing she can do. Wake her up.”

Kaku hid a frown in the high collar of his jacket, standing fluidly as he pulled out the antidote. He'd never liked Spandam, but he'd at least never put them in active danger outside of mission parameters. This however, was plain stupidity. Nico had managed to escape every marine and soldier she'd ever run into in the last twenties years, and if it wasn't for her being unconscious during the ride, he was certain she would've thrown herself into the sea to get away from them.

She'd been cuffed in seastone back on Water 7, and Kaku had been carrying her during her transfer. She was a tall woman, but light; her fighting style didn't depend on strength, and she was more dexterous than muscled. Gently, he lifted her arm up and slid the needle into her vein, carefully wiping away the spot of blood when he was done. He hovered over where she laid on the ground for the few minutes it took for her to struggle awake.

“Easy, Nico. You're in the Tower of Law; don't cause us any trouble.” Kaku helped her sit up, placing her against the wall, before he retreated back to his spot by the door. There was a crawling sensation under his skin, and he couldn't tell if it was coming from the Devil Fruit he'd been gifted after arriving or something else.

“Nico Robin,” Spandam cackled. “How I've longed for the day for you to be in my grasp.”

☉

Ten thousand soldiers and marines; a wall, an army, standing between them and Robin.

They didn't stand a chance.

In the distance, so gargantuan they took up the entire horizon, the Gates of Justice loomed in a mockery of the time limit they faced. The Franky Family was a furious cavalry charge, smashing into the first, scrambling together lines of defense with all the power of a wrecking ball and all the fury of a family scorned. The first gate was nothing to them, and they charged over the thin bridge that held the second. The island floated in the air, a hole cut into the ocean with an all-consuming waterfall leading into the pit of hell itself.

Lucy kept to her whip and close-combat training, conserving as much magic as she possibly could. There was a good chance she'd face stronger opponents and she dared not overextend herself. Luffy had long since rocketed himself forward, and deeper behind enemy lines, leaving the remaining Straw Hats to hold the rear while the Franky Family secured them a path forward. It didn't take long for them to hit the second, inner gate, high on victory and prepared to stampede their way forward. The sounds of battle were deafening, steel clashing on steel, people screaming and falling. It was like Alabasta but so much worse at the same time. So bad that they didn't hear Laxus's warning until it was too late.

They came from above with a thunderous landing that sent the world spinning and shaking. Usopp screamed, but for once it sounded more excited than pants-wetting terrified as, with a rumble of laughter, two giants descended in front of the gates. The Franky Family skittered back, several dozen knocked away in one fell swoop.

“It's the middle of the night, Oimo,” one of them whined.

“You're right, Kashi. Let's finish this quick and go back to bed.”

They were humongous, Lucy realized, heart rabbit quick in her chest. Larger than Gramps got, and quick to boot. It was no wonder that giants were called the strongest race; they began decimating their front lines, the half-giants the Franky Family had absolutely nothing in the face of the genuine article.

Oimo lunged forward, going for Sodom, one of the giant yagaras; an explosion to his face interrupted him, sending him rearing back. Kashi paused in his assault to whirl towards his partner. “Oimo!” An explosion caught him at his wrist, and his ax dropped heavily to the ground. The Franky Family took the opportunity, closing in using their yagaras to wrestle him down.

Lucy looked around, catching sight of Usopp standing on top of where the Rocketman had crashed landed, biting his lip as he fired shot after shot. Oimo roared in fury, only to choke on a tabasco star; Kashi nearly got up, just to get tied down in an explosion of netting. Usopp wasn't using his regular sling-shot, but rather a long handled version, with a far bigger projectile pocket than his previous one. With Usopp providing cover, it didn't take long for the Franky Family to get the giants under control and restrained on the ground.

“No!” Kashi screamed, struggling. The rope must have been reinforced, because it didn't so much as budge. Mozu and Kiwi charged into the gatehouses on either side, unlocking the door so that the three half-giants could begin pushing the door open; Oimo began crying.

Their group began rushing through, running past the giants even as they continued to scream and struggle. Lucy hesitated, but in the end went when Nami pulled her along. Only Usopp hung back.

☉

It had been months since he'd last seen a giant up close, but Usopp hadn't forgotten how big a shadow they cast. There were days when all he could think about were Dorry and Brogy on Little Garden and the stories they'd told of Elbaf. An entire island filled with nothing but warriors who lived their lives with honor and bravery; it was his dream. Yet here, brought low by his amunition—he brought down giants, holyshit, what the fuck—were two of their members weeping openly.

“H-hey!” Usopp called up, waving his hands at one of them.

Oimo's face, wet with tears and snot, twisted into an ugly grimace. “If you're here to laugh-”

“I would never!” Usopp denied. “I could never mock warriors for fighting their best.” It seemed to calm the giant some, as he sniffled. Kashi, nearby, used what remaining strength he had to reach out and grab Oimo's hand.

“We've failed,” Kashi wailed. “Oh, Chiefs, forgive us! We've failed you and God Elbaf!”

“You're from Elbaf, right?!” Usopp demanded. “Then why are you here?”

“We made a deal,” Oimo admitted. “We were pirates, see, but a hundred years ago our chiefs challenged each other to an honor duel and we all split up. Fifty years passed, but they never came back. When Kashi and I were captured looking for them, we found out that the marines had captured them. We were promised that if we guarded these gates for one hundred years they'd be set free.”

Usopp stared blankly at him, puzzle pieces lying at his feet and rapidly painting a picture he couldn't stand. “That's a lie,” he breathed. Then, louder, “That's a filthy lie!”

“How dare you call us liars!”

“Not you. Your chiefs, it's Dorry and Brogy right?”

“How did you...”

“Because I met them! They aren't captured; for the last hundred years they've been fighting honorably on Little Garden! The marines are nothing but filthy liars!”

☉

There were so many people, Luffy had to admit to himself. And worse? Most of them were weaklings that did no damage but slow him down. He couldn't afford to be slow; Lucy and Nami had been very clear that they were on a time limit to get Robin back and he'd be a vegetarian before he lost her for good.

☉

“Lily!” Gajeel called. The giant cat sent one man flying, then a whole row of them, but twitched his ears back to show he was listening. “Head forward and find Luffy! He needs to be conserving his strength, not dealing with these small fries.”

In a swift movement of magic, Lily shrunk and sped into the air, faster than the eye could track as he vanished deeper into the city. The city was a mess of tight streets and tall stone buildings, packed full with enemies. The Franky Family had taken Gamora and gone storming down the main street straight for the courthouse, while the Straw Hats scattered among the back alleys. So far, Laxus's plan was working perfectly; it made Gajeel paranoid. In his experience, the better a plan went in the beginning, the more fucked it would get at the end.

In time, though, he rendezvoused with everyone in the courthouse, faced with a three headed-judge and a dozen massive criminals, each carrying a literal ball and chain. On the bright side, the giant frog Yokozuna they'd once tried to eat was fighting alongside them.

“Just once,” he muttered, “I want to go somewhere and fight normal enemies.”

“Stop your bitching,” Laxus snipped. “Luffy and Lily are on the roof. And they aren't alone.”

☉

Outside, marines and soldiers cheered as Oimo and Kashi, famous for their strength, stood up once more.

Then they all started screaming when it became very clear that they were terminating their employment, effective immediately.

☉

Luffy eyed the tower on the other side of the gaping chasm. It was a fair distance, so far he wasn't fully sure he could rocket his way over. It wasn't really a choice though; Robin was somewhere on the other side.

Instinct, more than anything, had him dodge to the side as a door in the air opened and a figure lunged out, finger fist. Pantherlily, six feet tall and Bustermarm at full size seemed to materialize out of nowhere; the two jewels in its hilt glowed red as he blocked Blueno, the following explosion sending him flying back and across the long, flat roof of the courthouse.

“The others are on their way up,” Lily told Luffy. “Let me handle him, Captain.”

“Shishishi, okay!”

“You must be the living weapon that escaped Navarone,” Blueno noted. “A Devil Fruit user, I presume.”

“No,” Lily told him honestly. “A Straw Hat Pirate.” He shifted his stance, preparing to attack. “And we'll be taking our archaeologist back.”

“I'm afraid I can't allow that.”

Blueno disappeared, the air opening and folding around him again. Lily didn't twitch, senses alert. He'd faced teleportation magic before, and this wasn't so different. The lacrima in his sword were dull, but brightening every moment.

The air displaced and Lily pivoted, sword swinging down and around, coming back up in a crosscut that would make Erza proud. Blueno froze in place, body locking up; Bustermarm bounced off his skin. Lily barely brought it up enough to block the following kick of razor wind.

“Sanji mentioned your martial arts abilities,” he noted idly.

“The six powers can turn any master into a superhuman weapon,” Blueno said. “My Iron Body is impenetrable.”

Lily rolled his wrist, staring him down. In a flurry of blows, he closed the distance. Blueno weaved through them like a stalk of grass, letting his body bend as it would. Rolling back to put distance and reevaluate, Lily miscalculated Blueno's speed. As fast as any aera an exceed could produce, he was in front of him again, finger piercing out. It caught Lily's shoulder, blood blooming as Blueno's leg came back around. Instinct took over, and Lily let his body bend back. Bustermarm came around, but Blueno was already gone.

“Ah,” Lily breathed. “So that's how it works.” His ears picked up the sound of the crew running upstairs. It was about time they finished this.

“What?” Blueno asked, but it was already too late. Aera pulsing through his body, increasing his speed to a mockery of shave, Lily moved. Blueno brought up his Iron Body, bracing himself fully; Lily appeared from above, muscles in his arms locking up, blood pumping quicker and turning his strength monstrous as Bustermarm came down, shattering through Blueno's Iron Body. Blood scattered against the roof; the lacrima reached bright, full red.

Blueno fell into one of his air doors, gasping as he reoriented himself and pressed a hand to the gaping flesh of his chest. Tiny holes in the air appeared, just big enough for his fingers to dart through. Lily bent out of the way of each, managing to avoid being perforated by a hair each time. Cursing vividly in his pocket dimension, Blueno shifted position. In a rush, he opened a door at Lily's back, kicking out in a swift tempest kick.

With a fluid spin, Lily turned and knocked the bladed air away, spinning his sword and coming back up as Zoro had been teaching him for weeks. The air sharpened, narrowed; Blueno didn't have time to close the air door. He gasped wetly as the attack hit, sending him flying out as his power collapsed, his body slumping against the ground.

“That's one down,” Gajeel announced as he broke out, the rest of the crew close behind him. Pantherlily took the hand to his shoulder gratefully, knocking his head against Gajeel's in solidarity.

“Guys,” Laxus called. “We're about to have company.”

☉

It was easy enough to recapture Franky and Nico. The latter seemed to be in some state of shock, and Kaku kept a firm hold on her cuffed hands. He told himself it was to prevent her from trying to escape, and had nothing to do with her injuries—she hadn't been bleeding and bruised when he'd left her alone with Spandam earlier. Why they hadn't simply killed her yet when they had Franky in their hold he couldn't guess. Clean kills were always preferable.

Fukurou had his foot pressing down on Franky, the shattered glass scattered at their feet as they all settled on the balcony. Below and across, standing atop the courthouse, the entire Straw Hat crew spread out. Not counting Nico Robin, there were ten of them; the two animal warriors, the four with bounties, one long nosed sniper, the smoking chef from the train, and a blonde woman that had fought Kalifa on Water 7. They lined up at the edge of the roof, faces drawn tight in fierce determination. Ten rookie pirates against six master killers; it should've been hilarious. Yet Kaku couldn't bring himself to laugh. The fact they'd gotten all the way through Enies Lobby spoke more of their strength than any previous interaction he'd had with them.

“No,” Robin whispered. Then, louder, “Why would you come?! You should've abandoned me here; just let me die!”

Spandam cackled. “Oh yes. Don't worry, Nico Robin. You'll be dying when we're finished with you.” Straw Hat's face twisted in rage, but Spandam was still talking. Where Thunder God stood by the blonde woman, the air crackled with lightning. “Do you see that flag, pirates?” Above, the five circles of the World Government cross flew high and proud. Kaku couldn't think of a single person in the world who didn't know the symbol. “That represents over 170 countries; it's the world itself! Do you understand? The world wants Nico Robin dead, and I'll be the one to deliver her! Hahaha! There is nothing you can do.”

Kaku didn't deny it, even to himself. He'd grown up on an island made for training orphans. For over two decades, he'd borne witness to the strength of the world and the destiny of those who defied it. He delivered Justice and knew it was all consuming. Not even the Emperors would stand against it for long; even now, they kept to their one sea, staying away from where they dared not go.

“Yeah,” Monkey D. 'Straw Hat' Luffy agreed. “I understand. Usopp!” He lifted a hand up, pointing a single, damning finger at the symbol of the world itself. “Burn down that flag.”

And he did it. He did it. There were no words to express the shock and horror that rippled out, the sheer, mind boggling terror that someone would attack a flag of the World. In one swift, beautifully horrible movement, Usopp pulled back his massive slingshot and fired. A red bird of flame burst into life, swallowing the flag whole and scattering its ashes to the wind.

Flags were sacred, personal things. They were symbols to rally behind and swear to. They were the end all, be all, of loyalty. To merely touch one was a great insult; to burn one?

“War,” Kaku couldn't help but breathe. “They've just declared war.”

“Robin!” Luffy bellowed in the sudden, unending silence Enies Lobby, the entire world, had been cast into. “Tell me you want to live!”

In his arms, her breath hitched, her whole body tensed. Then she lunged forward, and only years of training let Kaku reboot his brain enough to hold her back. “I want to live! Take me away from here, take me back to sea with you!”

“You fools!” Spandam screeched. “Do you understand what you've done?! You can't declare war on the whole world!”

“Yeah? I think I just did.”

[soulofgenocide]

Feathery Decree

The threaded Soul was sitting in his front garden, digging a new hole for a batch of lilies that he'd bought now that it was warming up again. If he were in his human form perhaps this would look nice, but a thread monster with two glowing white eyes wearing a straw hat looked more bizarre than anything. He only looked up from his little flower friends when he heard the loud sound of wings flapping, and a rather vile but yet also familiar scent filling his.. nose even though this form doesn't have one.

"My oh my Saradiel, I never thought I'd see you again my friend, how long were you caged this time?"

Genocide brushed the dirt off of himself as the divine landed in front of him with a bit of a plop, clearly a bit rusty as he folded in his wings like a newborn. Saradiel was most certainly an Angel, but he was a 'Broken' and thus Genocide would never judge him for his origins, after all it is a forced change. Over the years the Broken had changed with his many returns to the cage, once having full long blond hair and bright blue eyes just to now have short black hair and a rather dull red looking back at Genocide, though with a smile on his face.

"Three years, after my last little stunt it was decided I should likely never be used again, but then a job of importance and great danger appeared."

The Angel spoke with a very deep voice, adjusting the ridiculous white uniform he had been given before being sent out by Heaven, wanting so badly to rip it off. It fit on him like a childs tee on a giant.

"I wonder what that may be."

"What you did in Hell is already fucking everywhere above, at least amongst the ones who matter, rumor is you'll come to Heaven next. Higher ups didn't like that idea, not one bit, so they pulled me out to send you a message. You're to come to Heaven only by request, any sudden visit and they'll declare you an enemy of Heaven, and send those higher than simple fodder to deal with you."

Truthfully that was a shock to Genocide, sure they were on bad terms always because of their past and unearned pride, but to make him into an enemy openly? Michael was the one who dealt with Genocide, gave him scoldings and kept everyone at peace so for this order to be passed down, it was truly from above him.

"A war with Heaven, Cut said they'd be too much of a pussy but to think they actually had the balls to make a stand against me. Did they forget what happened last time?"

"I don't know what their play is since I feel like they should be sucking on the left & right to make sure the peace stands. Michael seemed to agree even though he didn't speak the words, I could tell the look on his face was one of great concern. They were waking up a lot of Broken, Genocide, like more than I've ever seen before and even the truly old ones."

"Of course, why risk their perfect little pigeons when they can use the soldiers with the souls they twisted and broke worse than Hell ever could accomplish. They put a hit on my human life, sent one of their own to make sure it was done, sent them when my city was falling to kill me, and now.. their arrogance never ends."

"What do you want me to tell them?"

"I don't want you to tell them shit, don't go back to the goddamn cage they'll throw you in since you've served your purpose. However, word does need to reach their ears so I'll give you a Curler to sneak in. Once you've done your job give it a little squeeze, you'll be back here in no time, maybe I'll even let you have one of the nicer apartments.''

"Not even a house? So cruel friend. So, what is the word you speak of?"

"Become good little birds, and follow my request. Otherwise the next time I step foot in Heaven, and I will, what I did twenty years ago will look like an infant's acts."

Saradiel nodded to the Soul, who then turned back to return to his flowers, an aura of bloodlust seeping from his body as the thought stirred in his mind.

War.

Blood.

Genocide.

The Soul let out an almost erotic sigh as he dreamed of the ecstasy.

[fairykukla]

Steampunk, initially was intensely DIY. We made our gear out of whatever we could find. There were some extraordinary artists out there hand crafting props and costumes and home decor.

I went to my father and explained to him what the movement was all about and asked if he had anything he could give me. Papa read a lot of science fiction but never participated in the culture. I mentioned Anubis Gate by Tim Powers and a few other early steampunk novels (many on the earlier list weren't published yet).

He ruminated on that for a bit, then said, "So... Wild Wild West?" It was a rare TV show that he had watched.

"Yeah! The thing I really need is goggles."

Papa dug out an old footlocker. Not actually a steamer trunk, but close. He gave me vintage black rubber gloves that went to the elbow, band-collared shirts, a vintage coverall, and an engineer's hat. He pulled something big and heavy out of a closet; it was part of a German U-boat; some kind of binocular device.

He handed me a pair of goggles fitted with welding lenses. The iconic bakelite ones. They were *red*. They had a marvelous patina on them, from having been actually used as welding goggles. He'd replaced the elastic in the most unusual, DIY way ever; the band off a pair of underwear. "I may need these back," he said.

"I'll trade you for a fancy new pair you can wear over your glasses!" I replied with great excitement. I had just bought a couple of pairs of those cheap green welding goggles with the flip up welding lenses. He still has them, and freaking loves them.

I still have his goggles, and they've earned the name "butt-goggles" due to the elastic, despite the fact that I replaced that first. I only ever found another red pair once, and bought them. The new pair turns out to be an inferior, more recent, plastic copy.

I never once bought a "Steampunk Costume." Every one of my costumes were lovingly put together or made from scratch by me. And yeah, I embroidered gears on stuff. I have a hat with a copper metallic vinyl hatband I made from cartoon vinyl scraps that has "Also some gears on it, and make it steampunk," because I have a sense of humor.

I hosted the first steampunk event at my regional convention the year that we hosted NASFiC, and the Mad Scientists Tea Party for like 15 years after that until Covid hit. And trust me, our events were punk as fuck. We had a submarine sub theme one year: 20,000 Leagues Under The Tea. I had local artists create porthole projects to make the hotel ballroom look like a submersible. I had a gang of artists making table centerpieces out of found objects and art projects. We served food and teas in the convention's space, which the hotels hate because they want you to use their catering. We argued that if the caterer was willing to serve my menu, we would be delighted to pay for their service, and won the right to have the event. Being in the American Midwest, they couldn't provide scones and cucumber sandwiches and teas from around the world, much less the handcrafted goodies we provided every year.

I ran the first local steampunk meet-up group. We flash-mobbed all kinds of places from going to the mall to view the cinematograph presentation of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and ride the carousel, to bombing a local borders to take photos amongst the stacks, to picnics in the local Victorian pleasure park with hydraulic armaments and aquiferous ammunition. (Water gun war.)

I ran the premier Steampunque Burlesque performance group which was designed more like the EARLY Burlesque houses with silly musical parodies and funny sketches performed mostly by ladies. (My Celebrity Jeopardy sketch called "Peril" was a SCREAM!)

Oh, I've got your PUNK right here.

Now I can buy goggles for $5 at the Halloween shop. I went to the Steampunk Festival in Hannibal and so many people were wearing gear that was just straight up purchased online. There are still DIYers out there, and the Diesel punks are doing really interesting things lately. There are still plenty of artists hand crafting individual pieces and trying to sell them. But it's not a counter culture anymore.

i never understood what made steampunk punk. romanticizing georgian era england and industrial revolutions are some of the least punk things ever. youre putting gears on a top hat

[thehollowwriter]

may i req pink petal and grey cloud with the octatrio for the event?

@asterpop Of course! Ooo good of fashioned red string of fate! I will be doing them one at a time tho so it's Azul first for now.

Please do leave reblogs and comments, I would love to hear your feedback! <3

Also no beta we die like robins and Riddle patience

Warnings: Mentions of bullying, flashbacks, slight oocness at the end

(Pls reblog and leave a comment ❤)

One Pink Petal And One Grey Cloud

▪Azul Ashengrotto didn't care about soulmates

▪At least, that's what he tries to tell himself

▪Much to his own chagrin, he would find himself staring at the red string attached to his pinky more often than not, following its length and gazing wordlessly as it stretched into the distance

▪Sometimes Azul doubted there was actually someone on the other end

▪Maybe it was drifting off into nothing

▪Maybe his destiny was loneliness

▪ "No one will ever love you"

▪When the twins arrived in his life, a flicker of hope started up. If they were willing to stick by him (well, as long as he stayed interesting) then just maybe he had a chance

▪However, one Azul began his time at Night Raven College, he banished all thoughts of Soulmates to the back of his mind. This school was competitive, and he needed to focus and make sure everything was business as usual

▪But even then, his eyes would stray from his work to stare at the string, and he would be lost in thought

▪It made him angry at himself for getting distracted so easily

▪He was better than this

▪Chances were he'd never meet his soulmate, so be might as well forget it

▪Then one day the string went taut

▪It took a few seconds for Azul to process, but he quickly realised his soulmate was at Mostro Lounge

▪Fate loved to fool with him, didn't it?

Azul stared at his stiff red string with wide eyes, and his breath hitched. He looked at the at the door, then at the string, and back again.

You were here.

You were at his restaurant being served by his staff in his dorm whole possibly seated right now at one of his tables.

This was... this was... this was perfect.

Azul stood up so abruptly he knocked over his chair. Unbothered, he put on his hat, pulled on his coat, and placed a million madol smile on his face.

He had faced rejection before. When he was worthless. But now he was powerful. Successful. Turning heads on both land and sea. He may he inexperienced romantically (and platonically too to be honest), but Seven be damned if his achievements didn't leave you in awe.

Azul opened his office door and strutted right into the lounge, following his string until it led right to you.

You, seated all by your lonesome, had not seen him yet. You were staring at your string and fidgeting uncomfortably. You looked so nervous. Azul could handle nervous.

By the time he got near your table, you had seemingly decided what to order and pulled out your wallet. This struck Azul as the perfect chance to rope some extra money out of you, but as he was comtemplating how go about it, words from deep in the past rang loud in his mind.

"You. With a soulmate? Nobody would love a stupid, worthless, fat octopus like you !"

A second distant memory, from after he first began his deals, followed after.

"Well even if they DID somehow even remotely like you, you'd scam them out of every penny or make them your slave and they'd hate you forever!"

Azul scowled. He would show them. He looked down at you, gnashing his teeth.

"You don't have to pay for that." He said pleasantly . "It's on the house."

Your eyes widened and you stiffened in surpise. You looked at him to protest, but stopped when you saw his end of the string. "Huh- w-what- you- you're-"

"Your soulmate. Correct. And since I own this place, I feel I should treat you to something. Tell me your order. As I said said, it's on the house." He shook his head when you protested and smiled. "I insist."

You stuttered uselessly before giving up and nodding. "Okay, fine. What's... What's this going to cost me?"

Azul chuckled. "Nothing but your time my dear." It was not a lie. He was not going to scam you. Oh no, he was going to sweep you off your feet.

He may not care about you, but he was going to prove to those bastards that Azul Ashengrotto could win over his soulmate in a heartbeat.

***

A year and a half later, only two words were bouncing around in Azul's mind.

"Oh shit."

Azul never intended to fall truly and utterly head over heels for you. He succeeded in getting you to date him, but he never thought he of all people would succumb to the fluffy, pink lovebug.

He was using your presence to boost his own ego, but now he was greedy for you. Greedy for your love.

However during his first attempt at a proper confession, the fact that he had never truly cared about you before now hit you like a ton of bricks.

Contrary to what he had believed would happen, the only thing Azul got out of that conversation was a slap to the face and a lot of crude curses and bitter insults sent his way

You then proceeded storm off and leave him standing there, holding his cheek in his hand in shock.

At first he was pissed at you. But that faded fast when he realised you wer very much in the right.

Then he got depressed. He smiled a lot less, he was an utter mess on the inside and somewhat unpleasant to be around. But after some self reflection (and a couple of talks with his parents and even the twins), he finally decided to pull his shit together.

Now... Now he has to find a way to make it up to you.

He knew an act a of grandeur would not affect you anymore. You were too distrusting of him. He needed to open up to you. He needed to do something small but heartfelt. He needed to do better. He needed to be better. For you.

He started out by getting your favourite flowers and casting a spell on them to keep them perfect. Then he organised a little picnic for the both of you. He had never done this before. He had refused to have a date with you outside on the ground no matter how much you begged. But that was going to change.

He was nervous when he went to your dorm and knocked at your door. He was sad at how your angry glare pierced his heart. He was emotional when he asked you to give him one more chance. Just one more chance. His voice cracked all the way through.

You had stared him down before reluctantly agreeing, saying you were only doing this because he looked pathetic.

The slight hurt at that jab went away the moment Azul saw how your eyes brightened at the sight of the picnic spread.

When you both sat down to begin your meal, he briefly wondered why he had been so opposed to this. This was pleasant. He enjoyed it. His reasons for not doing this had faded from his memory. Probably proof that they were ridiculous in the first place.

Azul cleared his throat and looked you in the eyes, trying to fight the tears of emotion threatening to build.

"Listen I..." He sucked in a breath. "At first you were a tool to better myself. I am sorry. I am so so sorry. And I know I told you this already, but I didn't finish. S/O I... I love you. I don't know what happened but I have fallen so hopelessly in love with you that there are no words in existence that can describe how I feel. You're so wonderful and smart and unique and and and-"

The urge to insult himself was strong. But this wasn't about him. This was about you.

"I know I don't deserve you. And I understand if you want nothing to do with me. But I promise you this. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and provide you with anything you could possibly want or need. I... I love you so much that I will give it all to you even if you don't love me back."

Your neutral expression exchanged itself for a surpised widening of the eyes before going back to normal as you considered his words.

Before this, even while you where dating, Azul had been... distant and closed off. Never really outright saying he cared for you or loved you. You had assumed that's just how he was at the time but now... now you could see.

This was the Azul that was in love with you.

This was the Azul that was willing to do the unthinkable (for him) for you.

But while you were grateful, you would not be as naive as you were before.

"Okay." You said, exhaling. "I... won't except your apology unless." You put emphasis on the word at Azul's crestfallen face. "You can prove to me that you mean it." You held up two fingers. "Two months. He can have a test relationship for two months. Then we'll see. Understood?"

Azul's breath hitched and he nodded. "Thank you." He choked out. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

You patted him on the shoulder. "I'm sure. Now let's pack up, it's getting cold."

Azul nodded again, but not before squeezing your hand in yours.

"Thank you." He repeated. "For giving me another chance. I swear to the Seven I will be everything you will ever need."

You smiled at him, and his shoulders shook.

This was the first time you had smiled at him in months.

-END

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A/N: Holy carp this took say longer than it should've I'm so sorry. School writer's block and being sick habe decide to triple team me. Anyways here have some angst and fluff(?)

@sanctum-of-ramshackle I think I did good with this one

@honey-milk-depresso your husband has arrived~