#and flawlessly sticks the landing

[lixenn]

Kurumi express delivery service! 3/10 package will arrive on time but it's condition is questionable at best and totally ruined at worst.

rest in pieces yui 💀👍✨

[thebunnednun]

Tempted to touch! Men of One piece x Fm! Reader (Multi Character fic) Part 2

Pairings: Zoro x Reader, Buggy x Reader, Law x Reader, Sanji x Reader, Sabo x Reader, Kidd x Reader, Corazon x Reader

Synopsis: Can someone write like a lil thing for Ace, Shanks, Mihawk, Crocodile and/or Smoker or any One Piece character (secretly) seeing their S/O being able to whine (dance) and having crazy waist control (being able to bounce their ass without movin anything else)? 🧍🏻‍♀️

A little something for @mororona who gave me the prompt.

Use these songs:

Tempted to Touch by Rupee Zoro, Buggy, Rosinante

Nina Sky - Move Ya Body Kidd, Sabo,

Aventura - La Novelita Sanji, Law, Sanji

Or use any song you want *Shrugs*

I'ma also tag @fanaticsnail I added two special someones for you!!~

In honor of me reaching 100 followers I have prepared many stories for you all. Thank you to everyone who supported me through my hiatus. <33 ╰(⸝⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝⸝)╯

On with the show!!~

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Zoro

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Thousand Sunny. The crew was scattered around the deck, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

Luffy and Usopp were engaged in a loud, animated conversation, while Nami and Robin sipped on drinks, sharing a quieter exchange. Sanji was in the kitchen, preparing a late-night snack for everyone, and Franky was tinkering with one of his inventions. Brook’s gentle strumming on his guitar added a serene backdrop to the scene.

Zoro, ever the loner, had retreated to a quiet corner of the deck. He leaned against the railing, one hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword, the other holding a half-empty bottle of sake. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be resting, but in truth, he was always alert, always ready.

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪ ~

As the night grew darker, a soft, rhythmic beat began to echo across the deck. Zoro opened one eye, scanning the area for the source of the sound. His gaze landed on you and Chopper, standing near the center of the deck, your eyes closed, lost in your own world. Brooks music seemed to flow through you, guiding your movements.

Zoro's interest piqued as he watched you start to move. You swayed your hips with a grace and fluidity that was mesmerizing. The rest of your body remained still, save for your waist, which moved with a hypnotic rhythm. It was a skillful dance, one that required incredible control and strength. You were whining,and you were doing it flawlessly.

You were completely unaware of your audience. The other crew members continued their activities, oblivious to your impromptu performance. Zoro, however, couldn’t take his eyes off you. There was something captivating about the way you moved, something almost primal. He felt a strange mix of emotions—pride, admiration, and an unfamiliar heat that stirred deep within him.

Zoro’s grip on his bottle tightened as you shifted your movements, your hips now bouncing in a way that defied logic. It was as if the rest of your body had frozen in time, leaving only your waist to express the rhythm of the music. He had seen many things in his travels, but this was new, this was different.

As the song reached its crescendo, you finished with a graceful spin, finally opening your eyes. Your gaze met Zoro’s, and you froze, realizing you had an audience.

"[Name]-chan, why did you stop?" The little reindeer whined, wanting to be spun in your arms again. However, he stopped seeing the flustered swordsman and you locked in a staring match.

A blush spread across your cheeks, but Zoro’s expression was unreadable. He took a swig from his bottle, his eyes never leaving yours.

“Didn’t know you could dance like that,” he said, his voice low and appreciative.

You laughed nervously, running a hand through your hair. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Moss-head.”

He smirked, pushing off the railing and walking towards you. “Guess I’ll have to stick around and find out, then.”

"Are you guys flirting?"

"NO!"

Chopper let out some little giggles as he tugged your hand into his smaller one and almost dragged you to Zoro. Shockingly, the moss-head put down his bottle and picked up Chopper, placing him on his shoulders before offering a hand to you.

"Would you dance with me?"

You looked quickly between him and his outstretched palm before nodding and grabbing on.

As Zoro closed the distance between you, you could see the intensity in his eyes. The night was far from over, and you had a feeling it would be one to remember.

Buggy

It was a late night in the Big Top, and Buggy found himself tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His mind swirled with the day’s frustrations and petty annoyances. Costumes not right, Alvida roasting him, Richie almost eating some of the audience members. He grumbled to himself, contemplating another sleepless night when the faint sound of music reached his ears. It was a soft, rhythmic melody, entirely out of place at this hour.

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪ ~

Annoyed, Buggy sat up and stomped towards the source of the disturbance. "Who the hell is playing music at this time?" he muttered under his breath, ready to bellow at whoever it was to, "Shut that damn music off!"

As he approached the main performance area, he stopped short. There, under the dim spotlight of the Big Top, he saw you, his shyest performer. Your back was to him, and you seemed completely absorbed in your dance, unaware of his presence. 

The Big Top, usually bustling with noise and activity, was eerily silent save for the music. The moonlight filtered through the tent’s small windows, casting a gentle glow on your figure. You moved with an ethereal grace, your body swaying to the rhythm. Buggy’s eyes widened as he watched you, mesmerized.

You had always been reserved, avoiding the spotlight and keeping to yourself. But here, in the privacy of the night, you had shed your inhibitions, revealing a side of yourself that was both captivating and unexpected. Your eyes were closed, and a serene smile played on your lips as you moved to the rhythm of the music.

Your hips moved with a hypnotic precision, swaying and bouncing in a way that seemed almost impossible. The rest of your body remained still, a testament to your incredible control. It was a captivating sight, one Buggy couldn’t look away from. 

You, the performer who always shied away from the spotlight, the one who would cry if pressed to the stage, were now the embodiment of confidence and skill. The music wrapped around you, each note guiding your movements. Your moments were so sure, rippling like water while you were completely lost in the flow of your craft. 

Buggy watched you dance, each movement more enthralling than the last. The world outside the Big Top faded away, leaving only the music, your dance, and the spellbinding atmosphere

He leaned against the stands, his initial annoyance long forgotten. There was something enchanting about watching you like this, seeing you so free and unrestrained. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, shy person he knew you to be during the day. Buggy felt a strange warmth in his chest, a mix of admiration and a newfound affection.

As you continued, Buggy found himself captivated not just by your skill, but by the raw emotion you poured into each step. Your usually reserved demeanor was gone, replaced by a vibrant, enchanting presence. It was as if you had shed all your inhibitions, revealing a side of yourself that was hidden beneath layers of shyness and restraint.

The music continued, wrapping around you like a gentle embrace, guiding your every step. Buggy marveled at your skill and the way you seemed to place your heart into each movement. It was as if you were sharing a part of yourself that no one else had seen, a secret side that only the night and the music could coax out.

‘Beautiful,’

Buggy’s heart pounded as he observed you, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He took a step back, careful not to make a sound. Buggy didn’t want to disturb this private moment, this secret display of your talent. The last thing he wanted was to break the spell you had unknowingly cast.

As the music slowly came to an end, you finished your dance with a final, graceful flourish. You stood there for a moment, breathing heavily but with a peaceful smile on your face, eyes closed. 

Buggy took another step back, he didn’t want you to know he had been watching, not yet.

With one last lingering glance at you, Buggy turned and walked away, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He knew he would never look at you the same way again. The shy little  performer he had thought he knew was gone, replaced by a captivating dancer with an irresistible charm.

That morning, Buggy carried the memory of your dance with him, a secret treasure he was happy to keep all to himself. It was a reminder that beneath the surface, there was always more to discover, and sometimes, the most beautiful things were found in the most unexpected places.

Law

It was late at night on the Polar Tang, and Law found himself unable to sleep. The day's events replayed in his mind, a mix of battles, research, and the endless responsibilities that came with being a captain. Frustrated, he rose from his bed, deciding to take a walk through the quiet corridors of his submarine.

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪ ~

As he wandered, he heard a faint sound of a melody drifting through the halls. It was an unusual sound at this hour, and Law's first instinct was to put a stop to it. His crew needed rest, and so did he. With a sigh, he followed the melody, preparing to tell whoever it was to shut it off.

As he neared the source, Law's sharp eyes caught sight of a figure moving gracefully in the dimly lit common room. He stopped in his tracks, his irritation melting away as he realized who it was. You, the bubbly and ever-optimistic member of his crew, were dancing, completely lost in the flow of your movements.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of a few scattered lights, casting long shadows that danced along with you. The gentle sway of the submarine did little to disturb your rhythm. Your body moved with a fluidity that left Law momentarily speechless. Your hips swayed and bounced with an effortless control, your waist moving independently from the rest of your body. It was a mesmerizing sight, one that Law couldn't look away from.

You had always been the opposite of him—confident, lively, and full of an infectious energy that endeared you to everyone. You brought light to the crew, a stark contrast to Law's often serious demeanor. But here, in the privacy of the night, you had shed your usual exuberance, revealing a side of yourself that was just as captivating and unexpected.

Your eyes were closed, a serene smile playing on your lips as you moved to the rhythm of the music. Law found himself drawn in, watching the way you danced with a mix of grace and passion. Each movement was precise, yet filled with an emotional depth that spoke of a deep connection to the music. You seemed completely unaware of his presence, lost in a world of your own creation.

He leaned against the doorway, his initial annoyance long forgotten. There was something enchanting about watching you like this, seeing you so free and unrestrained. Law felt a strange warmth crawling up his neck into his face and ears.

Just then, the music paused as the record player needed to be restarted. You opened your eyes and saw Law just standing there, causing you to jump and scream out, 

"AHHH!"

Startled, Law quickly looked behind him and then back to you, his eyes wide. "[Name]-ya! What's wrong?!" 

Realizing that he had scared you, Law quickly crossed the floor to you, wrapping his arms around you in a comforting embrace. "Hey, it's okay," he murmured into your hair, holding you close. "M’Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Your heart pounded in your chest as you buried your face in his shoulder, trying to calm down. "It’s okay, you just startled me, Law-san," you mumbled, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. You took a deep breath, inhaling his familiar scent, a mixture of antiseptic and something uniquely him. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your ear was soothing, gradually easing your surprise.

Law chuckled softly, his breath warm against your hair. He gently ran a hand down your back in a comforting gesture, the warmth of his touch grounding you. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice gentle. "But I have to say, I really like your dancing. You should dance more often."

You pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him, your cheeks still flushed. His usual stern expression had softened, and there was a genuine warmth in his eyes that made your heart flutter. "You really think so?" you asked, a shy smile tugging at your lips despite your usual confidence.

Law nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. I do."

Feeling a surge of affection for him, you grinned. "Well then, let's start now," you whispered with your own smile to match.

A warm smile spread across Law's face as he nodded. Without another word, he pulled you closer, and the two of you began to slow dance to the quiet hum of the Polar Tang. The world outside faded away, leaving only the gentle sway of your bodies and the comforting embrace you shared.

As you danced together in the dim light, a soft, contented silence settled over you both. The bubbly, sunshine-filled crew member and the stoic, grumpy captain, finding comfort and warmth in each other's arms, dancing to the silent music of the night.

SANJIIII

Late at night on the Thousand Sunny, Sanji found himself restless. Unable to sleep, he decided to check the kitchen, suspecting that the usual culprits—Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper—might be raiding the fridge again. With a lit cigarette in his mouth and a broom in hand, he made his way towards the kitchen, ready to shoo away the mischievous trio.

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪♩~

As he approached, he heard faint noises and peeked through the kitchen window. To his surprise, it wasn't the usual suspects. Instead, it was you, wearing his chef's apron, making a little snack for yourself.

The apron hugged your figure in a way that made his heart flutter. You were preparing a simple sandwich and a glass of water, moving gracefully around the kitchen.

Sanji's eyes softened as he watched you dance while you put everything together, a little hip wiggle accompanying your movements. He adored that wiggle, especially when you ate something delicious. It was the very reason he always tried to create dishes that would make you dance with joy.

You were somewhat of a picky eater, often opting for something like soup or a sandwich while the rest of the crew ate their hearty meals. It broke his heart a bit, thinking he couldn't satisfy your appetite despite his efforts. Yet, he continued to create new dishes, hoping to find something that would suit your palate.

Quietly, Sanji slipped into the kitchen, watching as you finished cleaning and putting away the dishes—another thing he loved about you. Your consideration for his meticulously clean kitchen warmed his heart. You took a bite of your sandwich and did that delightful hip wiggle again, bringing a soft chuckle from Sanji as he admired you.

Suddenly, you accidentally dropped your water glass, and it shattered on the floor. You squatted down to pick up the pieces, but before you could touch any, you felt a warm presence behind you. 

"Hold on now, love. You could hurt yourself," a gentle voice murmured.

You gasped as the smell of nicotine found its way to your nose and turned to find Sanji’s strong arms lifting you up and seating you on the kitchen counter. Now faced towards Sanji, he smiled up at you with such fondness as he crouched down that it made you blush. He carefully swept up the glass pieces, his eyes never leaving yours.

"Sanji, how long have you been here?" you asked, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth.

"Long enough to see that wonderful dance of yours," he answered honestly, a teasing smile on his lips. "You shouldn't be embarrassed. It was quite the beautiful sight to behold."

You nibbled on your sandwich, your cheeks flushing. "I'm sorry, Sanji. I didn't mean to wake you."

He sighed, his expression softening. "Don’t be ridiculous, I was already awake. I'm sorry I can't make dishes that agree with your tummy." He threw out the broken glass and set the broom back down before returning to you and adjusting the rolled up cuffs of his shirt before resting his hands on the counter. 

‘Yummy,’

You shook your head, blushing. "It's not your fault! I actually include different parts of the dinner you make for us in my soup and sandwiches." You opened your sandwich to show him the seasoned meat he had made for dinner that night.

Sanji's heart soared at the sight. "Really? That makes me so happy, [Name]."

You bit your lip, looking down and playing with your fingers. "There's another reason why I don't eat in front of you, Sanji."

He tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Why?"

You looked up, swinging your feet nervously. "I know acts of service are your love language, and I noticed you often just drink wine and eat a little bit while the crew has dinner.” You began to fidget with your fingers. “I would like it if you would sit with me during dinner and eat with me."

Sanji's cigarette slipped from his teeth, dropping to the floor. Quickly, he stomped it out, his mind raced before a smile spread across his face. He took your hands and pressed a gentle kiss to your knuckles. "I'd love that, [Name]."

You smiled brightly and tugged him into a hug, catching him by surprise. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around you. The two of you held each other for a while, basking in the warmth of the moment.

Sanji gently picked you up off the counter and set you down on the now clean, glass-free floor. "May I ask you a favor?"

You hummed in curiosity, looking up at him. "Of course, Sanji."

He took your hand and led you to the center of the kitchen. "Dance with me?"

Your face lit up with joy as you beamed at him. "I'd love to."

You placed your hand in his, and the two of you began to dance softly. One of his hands rested on your waist while your other hand rested on his shoulder. Slowly, you got closer, your bodies moving in perfect harmony. Both of his arms encircled your middle, and your arms wrapped around his neck. You gazed into each other's eyes, foreheads touching as you closed your eyes, enjoying the bliss of being together.

In the quiet of the kitchen, with the soft hum of the ship in the background, you danced together, finding solace and happiness in each other's embrace.

SABO

Sabo had managed to slip away from the Straw Hats during the festival, deftly navigating through the colorful crowds and festive stalls. The air was alive with the aroma of exotic foods and the joyous sounds of laughter and music. He had one mission in mind—to find you, the shyest Straw Hat, the half sea creature who usually kept away from the lively festivities. 

Following the winding paths that led away from the main celebration, Sabo made his way to your usual meeting spot, a secluded cove hidden away from the bustling energy of the festival. The trees and berry bushes provide security from prying eyes. 

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪♩~

As he approached, the distant strains of music reached his ears, carried on the gentle sea breeze. The soft glow of festival lights flickered in the distance, casting playful shadows along the path and adding to the enchanting atmosphere of the night.

Upon reaching the cove, Sabo paused, taking in the sight before him. There you were, bathed in the ethereal light of the moon, your scales catching the shimmering reflections from the sea. The soft, iridescent glow of your skin mesmerized him, each scale reflecting the hues of the festival lights like tiny jewels. They glimmered softly against your body, creating an otherworldly aura around you.

You stood at the edge of the cove, your movements fluid and graceful as you danced to the music only you could hear. The band playing nearby provided a rhythmic backdrop, guiding your movements with its upbeat tempo. Sabo watched, captivated by the way your body moved with such effortless grace, every sway of your hips and twist of your body a testament to your innate connection to the sea.

‘Motion in the Ocean~’

Unable to resist, Sabo stepped forward as you spun gracefully under the moonlight. With a boldness born of longing, he reached out and gently caught you in his arms. You gasped in surprise, your eyes meeting his with a mixture of astonishment and something deeper—a silent energy between you.

Without a word, Sabo began to move with you, his hands finding a natural place on your waist as he guided you in a dance that transcended words. The music enveloped you both, its melody weaving around your intertwined bodies like a delicate thread, binding you together in a shared moment of intimacy.

Your scales brushed against his hands, their texture smooth and cool to the touch, yet somehow soft and inviting. Sabo marveled at the contrast between your delicate scales and the warmth of your skin beneath, a sensation that sent a thrill through him with each fleeting touch.

As you danced, the distance between you melted away, leaving only the raw emotion and desire that had simmered beneath the surface for so long. Sabo's touch was tender yet firm, his gaze never leaving yours as he communicated his feelings through the language of movement and touch.

The song continued, each beat a heartbeat that echoed the rhythm of your shared dance. The festival lights twinkled in the background, casting a magical glow over your intertwined forms. The moonlight bathed you both in its soft, silvery light, highlighting the contours of your faces and the sparkle in your eyes.

As the final notes of the song drifted away, you both stood still, your hands clasped together, your breaths mingling in the cool night air. The intensity of the moment hung between you, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken feelings that had brought you together under the moonlit sky.

"Again?"

"Again!"

With that, you both moved together once more, the world around you fading into the background as you lost yourselves in the dance of passion and longing. The only language needed was your moving bodies and the shimmering magic of the night.

Kidd

Amidst the vibrant festival lights and the lively atmosphere, Eustass Kid found himself observing the festivities with a skeptical eye. The air was thick with the scent of food and excitement, and the sound of music echoed through the streets.

As he navigated through the crowd, his attention was unexpectedly drawn to a figure that stood out from the revelry—a figure he didn't immediately recognize.

There she was, the crewmate he knew as somewhat reserved and always covered, now dressed in a flowing blouse and a short ruffled skirt that was raised higher with every step she took. Her mask was absent, allowing her hair to cascade freely around her shoulders. This new sight of her, smiling, laughing, and dancing without a care in the world, captivated him instantly.

She had become the center of attention in a dance circle, her movements graceful and fluid, drawing the eyes of everyone around her. Her laughter mingled with the music, a melody of joy that echoed through the night. 

Kidd couldn't tear his eyes away from her—the way her eyes sparkled with mirth, her smile lighting up her face in a way he had never seen before.

Kidd was enraptured by this new side of her, so full of life and energy. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, reserved persona she usually displayed aboard the ship. He found himself drawn to her like a magnet, wanting to get closer without disrupting her dance.

Meanwhile, Killer, ever observant of his captain's moods and inclinations, noticed Kidd's fixed gaze and sharp interest. With a mischievous grin, he assumed Kidd wanted to join in on the fun and playfully slapped his back in encouragement, pushing him forward towards the dance circle with a hearty, "Go get 'em, Tiger!"

Startled by Killer's unexpected shove, Kidd stumbled forward and inadvertently bumped into the edge of the dance circle, drawing the attention of everyone, including you. At first, you looked surprised, momentarily pausing in your dance as you tried to place the interruption.

However, any annoyance quickly melted into amusement when you realized it was your captain who had stumbled into the midst of the dance. You giggled at the sight of him, his usual stern expression slightly awkward as he tried to move in sync with the music and the others around him.

Without missing a beat, you took matters into your own hands, quite literally. Grabbing Kidd's hands with a playful grin, you pulled him flush against you, guiding him through the steps of the dance with an infectious confidence. The music seemed to intensify around them, matching the fiery spirit of their impromptu dance.

Kidd, though initially caught off guard, soon found himself swept up in the rhythm of the dance and the energy radiating from you. Your touch was surprisingly gentle yet firm, leading him through the intricate steps with a natural grace that belied your usual reserved demeanor. He couldn't help but be drawn to your infectious enthusiasm and the way your laughter filled the air around them.

Each step and sway seemed to draw you closer, the rhythm syncing your movements in a sensual duet. The festival lights cast shifting patterns around you, accentuating the curve of your neck as you leaned into his touch, and the warmth of his hand on your waist, guiding you in the dance. Kidd's gaze held an intensity that sent shivers down your spine, his fingertips grazing lightly against your skin as you moved together. The air crackled with a palpable tension, charged with the electricity of desire. 

Your breath mingled in the space between you, the heat of the night matching the heat rising between your entwined forms. The world around you faded into a blur, leaving only the sensation of his strong frame pressed against yours, and the undeniable attraction that had ignited between you.

The festival lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors around them, accentuating their dance with a vibrant backdrop of swirling hues. The night seemed to bend around them, the music guiding their every twist and turn, until they were lost in their own world of rhythm and passion.

With each beat of the music, you surrendered to the allure of the dance, allowing yourselves to be carried away by the intoxicating rhythm and the lingering touches of his hand on your hips and waist sending a rush of warmth through you. 

At the end of the song, they stood together in the center of the circle, their hands still clasped, breaths mingling in the cool night air. Kidd couldn't suppress the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. The festival lights flickered around them, casting playful shadows over their faces as they caught their breath.

"Well, well," Kidd started, his voice low and teasing, "Who knew the prude one had such moves?" Kidd couldn't help but admire you in this liberated state, his usual gruff demeanor softened by the warmth of your smile.

Your cheeks flushed with a mixture of interest and amusement. "Surprised, Captain? I guess there's more to me than meets the eye," you replied, your tone playful yet tinged with challenge.

Kidd chuckled, a deep rumble that resonated in the night air. "Clearly," he remarked, his gaze locking with yours. "I never took you for someone who could command a dance floor."

You shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of mischief dancing in your eyes. "You never asked~," you quipped, stepping closer to him until your bodies were almost touching.

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of admiration crossing his features. "Maybe I should ask more often," he countered, his voice lowering to a husky murmur.

Your heart skipped a beat at the intensity in his gaze, your breath catching slightly. "Maybe you should," you shot back, a bratty challenge in your tone as you leaned closer to him, your faces mere inches apart.

For a moment, you stood there in the electric tension between you, the music and laughter of the festival fading into the background. It was just the two of you, caught in a dance of words and desires.

"Care to show me more of your hidden talents, then?" Kidd murmured, his voice a low, enticing growl.

A smirk played on your lips as you tilted your head, meeting his gaze head-on. "Depends," you teased, "Are ya up for the challenge?"

Kidd's eyes darkened with a mixture of amusement and something deeper, his hand tightening around yours. "Try me," he dared, a hint of a challenge in his voice.

With that, you pulled him back into the dance, your bodies moving together with a newfound power and intimacy. The festival continued around you, but in that moment, all that mattered was the fiery connection between you in the midst of the night's celebration.

As you danced, your banter continued, each teasing remark and playful touch fueling the chemistry that simmered between you. The festival lights illuminated your dance, casting a halo of warmth and desire around your figures as you moved in sync, drawn together by a magnetic pull that neither of you could resist.

At the end of the song, you paused once more, breathless and exhilarated from your dance. Your eyes locked, the air thick with unspoken promises and newfound understanding.

"Can you handle me?" you whispered, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

Kidd smirked, his gaze never leaving yours. "I’ll fuck around and find out," he agreed, pulling you closer as you both prepared to lose yourselves once more in the intoxicating rhythm of the night.

Corazon Rosinante <3

Rosinante joined the Straw Hats and Heart Pirates at a bustling club to celebrate their latest victory. The atmosphere was alive with pulsing music and laughter, drinks flowing freely as everyone reveled in the night's festivities. Amidst the animated crowd, Cora sat quietly at the bar, nursing a glass of water, his serene expression belying the chaos around him.

You, working behind the bar as a bartender, couldn't help but notice the lone figure amidst the revelry. Curiosity sparked, you approached Rosinante with a friendly smile, unaware that he couldn't speak. 

“Hey stranger, you enjoying yourself?” 

He looked a little startled by you. He hadn’t expected anyone to strike up a conversation with him tonight. Holding up a polite finger, he dug into his pocket for a moment, pulling out a notepad. He scribbled a cheerful greeting and slid it over to you, hoping to communicate with you. 

‘Hi! Thanks for asking. I’m doing fine.’

Unfortunately for him, his pencil broke. Cora let out a silent groan before reaching into his pockets to find another writing tool. Quiet giggles filled his ears before he looked up to see you pull a pencil from behind your ear and you scribble a cheerful greeting and before sliding it over to him.

‘No problem at all.’

Rosinante, caught off guard by your gesture, glanced at the note with surprise before returning your smile. You picked up a pen and offered it to him and he began to respond in kind, a playful doodle sketched on its surface. It depicted a tiny heart wearing a straw hat, accompanied by a speech bubble saying, "Quiet night?"

You looked up, surprised, then smiled warmly. He reached for the note and wrote underneath, "Not much for the noise. Enjoy watching them have fun."

You chuckled softly, replying with another doodle, this time of a heart holding a pen, writing, "I get that. Sometimes it's nice just to watch."

Rosinante grinned at your doodle, appreciating the whimsy in your communication. Before he could respond, a commotion broke out nearby.

Your coworker, a spirited woman named Maya, known for her contagious enthusiasm (and for getting so hammered with the clients she would dance on the bar), had spotted you at your station. With a mischievous wink, Maya grabbed your hand, urging you to join her on the dance floor.

At first, you resisted, shaking your head with a playful protest. But Maya wasn't easily deterred. She pulled you gently but persistently, whispering, "Come on, just this once! It's your song!"

~ ♩♪♩♬   ♬♩♪♩~

The DJ, sensing the moment, began to cue up your favorite track, its familiar beats filling the air. Initially hesitant, you laughed and shook your head, trying to resist her playful insistence. But Maya wasn't one to take no for an answer. With a playful pout and a persuasive sway, she coaxed you onto the dance floor amidst cheers and encouragement from those nearby. 

“Fine! Just for one song!” You finally relented, stepping onto the dance floor. Caught up in the moment, you began to move, your body responding naturally to the music. Your dance was a display of precise waist control and confident grace, drawing all eyes towards you.

The music enveloped you, with you effortlessly weaving through the crowd with dance moves that showcased your skillful waist control and playful charisma. The club erupted in cheers, friends and strangers alike clapping along to the rhythm, captivated by your impromptu performance.

Meanwhile, Rosinante watched in awe seated at the bar. He couldn't help but watch with rapt attention. His cheeks flushed as he observed your skillful movements and the joyous energy you exuded. He hadn’t expected this tonight, he hadn’t expected you tonight—so vibrant and alive, captivating everyone around you.

The club erupted in applause and cheers, celebrating your impromptu performance. Maya danced alongside you, matching your energy with her own infectious spirit, creating a scene of pure revelry and joy.

Rosinante, mesmerized by your dance, felt a warmth spread through him. He couldn't look away, feeling admiration and perhaps a hint of a crush stirring within him as he watched you shine in the spotlight of the dance floor. His heart pounding in his ears along with the music's beat. 

Meanwhile, Luffy and Zoro noticed Rosinante's fixed gaze on you. With mischievous grins, they nudged Law, who was quietly sipping his drink nearby. Law, ever the strategist, decided to intervene in his own unique way.

"Cora-san seems to need a little nudge," Law remarked casually to Luffy and Zoro.

"I'll help him find it."

Before Rosinante could react, Law had already grasped his hand, feigning concern as he led Rosinante away from the bar. "Let's checkout the DJ booth," Law suggested, his tone masking his true intentions.

Confused but compliant, Rosinante allowed himself to be led towards where you were dancing. Suddenly, Law released his hand, leaving Rosinante standing awkwardly behind you. Flustered, Rosinante attempted to move out of the way, his taller frame proving a challenge in the crowded club.

“Looks like we got a challenger folks!” The DJ boomed over the music leading you to turn around and crank your neck up, up, up at the now standing silent customer.

“Oh it’s you!”

Cora, unsure of what was happening, allowed himself to be led, his mind racing with thoughts of how to gracefully excuse himself from the situation. Just as he was about to attempt to leave, you noticed him and gently grabbed the back of his shirt, preventing his escape.

The music pounded around you as you shouted over the noise, "Hey! Dance with me!"

Startled, Rosinante fumbled for his notepad to write a response, but you took it gently from his hand and pocketed it with a knowing smile. Sensing his hesitation, you hopped up onto a nearby table, waving him forward. Your eyes met his, and he could see the playful challenge in your expression.

“This should be okay, right?”

With a shy nod and a blush coloring his cheeks, Rosinante tentatively joined you at the table. It had been years since he last danced, but with your encouragement and the pulsing beat of the music, he quickly found his rhythm again. His movements were graceful yet tentative at first, but as the song progressed, confidence surged through him.

The dance became a playful exchange of steps and spins, laughter ringing out between you. Rosinante surprised himself with how easily he moved, his tall frame gracefully accommodating your playful gestures. As the music reached a crescendo, he swept you into his arms, one hand securely under your thighs and the other clasping yours. You held onto his waist with your legs and together, you spun in sync, the joy evident on both your faces.

The club erupted into thunderous cheers and applause, celebrating your spontaneous and captivating dance. Even Law, watching from the sidelines with a rare smile, couldn't help but be impressed by Rosinante's unexpected grace and the dorky cuteness between you both.

For Rosinante, this unexpected dance had not only brought him closer to you but also rediscovered a part of himself he thought he had long forgotten. And as the club around him faded, amidst the laughter and celebration, he found himself very grateful for the playful twist of fate that had brought him to your side.

As the song ended, you both took a bow, and the crowd clapped enthusiastically. However, in his attempt to stand tall and bow gracefully, Rosinante rolled his ankle and stumbled, causing a collective gasp from the onlookers.

“Ah shit.”

“There Cora-san goes again!”

“Have you tried drinking some milk?”

Quick to react, Law stepped forward, helping you guide Corazon to a nearby chair. He swiftly retrieved some ice from the bar and placed it gently in a bag on Rosinante's ankle, muttering about the clumsiness under his breath.

Rosinante winced slightly but managed a sheepish smile as he gestured for you to come closer. With a touch of embarrassment, he handed you a note. You gasped in surprise, feeling your pockets and realizing that Rosinante had discreetly taken back his notepad without your notice.

The note was a simple yet heartfelt message, thanking you for the best time he'd had in years with a smiley face that had hearts on both cheeks. You beamed warmly at him, feeling a rush of affection for this gentle-hearted man who had ventured out of his comfort zone for you.

"Can I give you a hug?" you asked softly, seeking permission.

Rosinante's shy eyes widened, and he nodded eagerly, opening his arms. Without hesitation, you dove into his embrace, feeling the warmth and sincerity in his gesture. He felt so fucking good to hug.Even the scent of his cologne, mixed with the subtle aroma of the club and the faint trace of sweat from dancing wasn’t bad at all. 

He was so tall you actually could almost climb into his lap if you wanted. But that would be going pretty far for a first meeting. Instead, you tucked your head into his neck and closed your eyes. His heart was pounding against yours, the rhythm syncing with the lingering excitement of the dance.

‘He’s so fucking cute!~’

In that moment, amidst the music and the crowd, you realized that you weren't the only one feeling a "little" flustered. 

Suddenly, the DJ's voice blasted over the speakers, giving you both a shoutout. "Let's hear it for the cutest couple out here tonight!"

You and Rosinante's cheeks flushed crimson as you snapped your necks to the DJ before shyly looking back at each other. As he sat back in the chair, trying to process the unexpected attention. In his flustered state, he tipped backwards, taking you with him in a gentle fall. Before you could react, his strong arms instinctively wrapped around you, protecting you from the fall. 

You cringed at the echo of the chair slapping against the concrete floor as you ended up in the handsome stranger's lap and pressed up into his chest and neck. 

"Sorry!" he whispered in your ear softly, his voice so warm and soothing that it sent a shiver down your spine. It was then that you realized—he could talk, and his voice was incredibly nice.

The crew members of both the Straw Hats and the Heart Pirates, along with your coworkers and even your manager, let out collective "awes" at the sight of you both, wrapped up in each other's arms. The moment, filled with laughter and warmth, seemed to freeze in time, a perfect tableau of the unexpected

As your coworkers and Law helped you both back up from the chair, the warmth of the moment lingered between you and Rosinante. Despite the stumble, you found yourselves chatting easily, laughter punctuating the conversation as you exchanged stories and shared moments from the night.

Eventually, the festivities began to wind down, and one by one, your friends and colleagues bid their farewells, heading home for the night. Rosinante lingered for a moment, his gaze meeting yours with a soft smile.

Before he left, he waved goodbye and then gestured towards his pocket. Confused, you looked down and discovered a note tucked neatly into your pocket. With a flutter of anticipation, you unfolded it and read the words written in his neat handwriting.

–

My tiny dancer,

Thank you for the most wonderful evening I've had in years. Your smile lit up the room, and dancing with you was a joy I'll cherish. I hope we can do it again soon! (But hopefully without the ‘accidents’.)

Take care, 

Rosinante

Phone number: XXX- (555) -4567

–

Heart racing with excitement, you looked up to find Corazon already halfway out the door, his shy smile lighting up his face. With a rush of gratitude and newfound connection, you tucked the note safely away, 

You nodded at him, conveying your appreciation and eagerness to see him again, and then playfully blew him a kiss.

Corazon's cheeks flushed crimson once more as he, in a moment of playful realization, pretended to catch the blown kiss, but his attention was momentarily diverted. With a soft thud, he accidentally banged his head against the metal door frame, a mix of embarrassment and amusement crossing his features. You cringed a little bit from the impact and gestured to his forehead. He gave you a thumbs up and your heart relaxed a bit. 

Meanwhile, the other characters in the club had been watching the scene unfold with amused affection. Maya clapped her hands together with a gleeful laugh, thoroughly enjoying the romantic interlude she had inadvertently helped create. Law, who stood nearby, nudged Corazon along, “Come on, you’ll see her again soon,” a rare smile playing on his lips as he observed Corazon's departure.

Outside, the night air was cool and refreshing as Corazon walked away from the club, a smile lingering on his lips. He couldn't shake the butterflies of excitement and anticipation, grateful for the unexpected turn of events that had brought him to you.

Back inside, the club gradually quieted down as patrons began to disperse, each carrying with them memories of a lively celebration and the heartwarming sight of two unlikely dancers. Maya and your other coworkers exchanged knowing glances, silently agreeing to tease you about this later and hound you for updates once you’d texted the clumsy cutie. 

You were a little more smiley as you closed up your section. Standing amidst the remnants of the evening's joy, you felt a sense of possibility and newfound happiness knowing that this night had brought something special into your life—a gentle-hearted man named Corazon, who had danced and rolled his way into your heart. 

You reached for your phone to take a picture of the note. Just in case you lost it. Tucking Corazon's note safely into your pocket, you knew that this was just the beginning of a romance with a gentle-hearted giant named Corazon.

Bonus:

Later that night, as you settled in at home, you reached into your pocket and pulled out Corazon's note once more. With a smile, you carefully unfolded it and read the words again, feeling a flutter of excitement in your chest. You decided to send him a text, wanting to talk to him again.

----

Unknown: Hi Corazon! It's [Name] from the club. I made it home safely. Thank you for the lovely note. 😊

----

Meanwhile, across town, Corazon lay in a hospital bed with his head bandaged and his ankle elevated, the result of an unexpected mishap on his way home. While walking back to his car with his friends, Cora was lost in thoughts of you and the evening's enchantment. So he had stumbled into an uncovered manhole, resulting in a tumble that miraculously left him only bruised and slightly battered.

----

Rosinante: Hi [Name]! I'm glad you made it home safely. Sorry for the delay—I had a little accident on my way back. Nothing serious, just a reminder to pay more attention. 😅 How are you?

----

You settle back into your cozy spot on the couch, phone in hand, waiting for his response. The moments stretch out as you imagine the possible scenarios, your mind filled with concern for the endearing, clumsy man who had captured your heart so unexpectedly.

Your phone dings again, and you quickly read his reply.

––––

Oh no! What happened? Are you okay? :You

Rosinante: I was daydreaming about you and didn't notice an uncovered manhole. I fell in and sprained my ankle and bumped my head. I'm in the hospital now, but it's nothing serious. Just a bit embarrassed. 😳

–––––

“Oh Dearest Pie, he falls down a freaking manhole and still asks me how I’m doing.”

Your heart melts at his candid confession, a mixture of concern and affection welling up within you. You can't help but laugh softly, picturing the tall, awkward sweetheart stumbling into a manhole because he was thinking of you.

–––––

Tiny Dancer: Oh no, Rosinante! I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you're not in too much pain. If it helps, I'm flattered that I was on your mind. 😊

–––––

A shy smile tugs at his lips as he lies in his hospital bed. His reply comes quickly, the playful tone lifting your spirits.

–––––

Rosinante: It does help, actually! Your smile is a pretty nice distraction. 😊

–––––

You feel a blush creep up your cheeks as you continue the conversation, sharing stories and laughter, bridging the distance between you with every message. The night grows late, but neither of you seems to notice, too engrossed in the blossoming feelings between you.

––––

I wish I could be there to keep you company. :You

Rosinante: Just knowing you're thinking of me is enough. But maybe we can meet up again soon please? I promise to avoid any manholes this time! 😅

––––

“Fuck he’s too cute.”

––––

I'd like that very much. Rest up, okay? :You

And thank you for making tonight so special. :You 

Rosinante: Thank you, too. Goodnight, Tiny Dancer.

Goodnight, Gentle Giant. :You

––––

Despite the mishap, Rosinante couldn't help but smile as he typed out the message. The memory of your smile and the warmth of your presence lingered with him, easing the discomfort of his minor injuries. He eagerly began to look up other dance clubs he could take you to, his heart thankful for the continuation of this unexpected and delightful chance of meeting you.

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

Link to part 1.

Let this serve as the official kick off to the summer!

Taglist: @orange-milky @xxsliverwolfxx @mochiclouds

I own none of the images or art!!

I wanna add more characters later, Lemme know what characters you want! DM's are always open.

Posted on the ao3 account soon.

Be sure to check out my other works and leave likes and comments, they really help. I have a fic for almost everyone here in the master list. Drop a follow as well if you please. Don’t be shy to leave me a little reblog if you want.

I promise I bite~

See you soon my loves!!

(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡ And thank you guys again for 100 followers!!

[fandomnerd9602]

Scarlet Delivery

a Scarlet Webs story

Wanda Maximoff x Spider-Man!Reader

Wanda was hyperventilating. Her cell phone was buzzing just waiting for you to pick it up.

“Hello?” You manage to answer.

“Detka, where are you?!” She managed to say in between her hyperventilating breaths.

“Currently…rush hour” you said sticking to the front of a police car. The perp was Mac Gargan. “You shouldn’t worry, baby. I’ll be there.”

“Promise?” Wanda said, tears streaming down her cheek.

“I promise.” A gunshot went off. You narrowly dodged a bullet, “gotta go. Hey! Can’t you see I was taking a phone call!?”

And with that you had to hang up and jump back into the fray. You hated having to do patrol without Wanda. But circumstances had changed the flow and now you were solo again. Nothing changes when you’re the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Meanwhile, Wanda’s tears were still flowing as a portal opened behind her. And out of the portal comes this universe’s Doctor Stephen Strange.

“It’s time,” he says gesturing for your lovey witch to follow. She does so, all the while hoping that you’d keep your promise.

You land on the hood of Mac Gargan’s stolen vehicle. “License and registration, sir?”

Blam! Another shot goes off, you jump onto the roof of the car. A couple more shots ring out. You dodge each bullet flawlessly.

“Can we wrap this up?” You mockingly whine, “I have prior engagements!”

You web up Mac and yank him out the car, webbing him to a nearby streetlight. The car barrels towards a nearby crosswalk where a little old lady with a Walker is currently trying to cross.

“Of all the times!” You jump onto the hood and spray it with various webs before jumping onto the back and yanking the car back with all your might, bringing the car to a dead halt mere inches from the elderly lady.

You give a quick salute and swing off. You knew the location. You knew where Wanda was gonna be. It was all a piece of cake right?

Well then came the Vulture. He tries to slice at you once, twice. “Not now Toomes! I have some place to be.”

“Yes. The morgue!” He tries slicing at you again. You swing thru Times Square and web the winged foe in a giant spider web.

“Yo! Spidey!” A citizen calls out to you.

“Yeah?”

“Where’s your lady? The Witch?”

“I’m trying to get to her now!” You call out before swinging off again into the city. Why did it have to be on the other end of New York?

You land on a rooftop. You quickly web a couple silk lines to your suit, forming a makeshift pair of wings.

“I’m coming Wanda,” you shoot out two web lines and slingshot yourself across the city. Catching a wind current, you sail thru the open air of the city.

You see your destination: the Sanctum Sanctorum. You dive bomb and land right in front of the building. Wong quickly answers the door.

“How far?” You ask.

“You made it just in time.” He smiles and leads the way. You nearly run the way to the little room.

You run in to find Wanda in a relaxed position, still hyperventilating. Nine months pregnant and she still looked beautiful as ever. Dr Strange was readying his medical scrubs.

“Detka!” Wanda exclaims, tears of joy streaming down her face. You run up to her, kissing her gently.

“I promised I’d be here, right?” You ask with a little smirk. Wanda giggles and kisses you again.

“Okay Wanda,” Strange intones, “it’s time. Now push.”

“Sure you got this, Doc?” You ask.

“It’s not surgery. I’m just catching the babies. I won’t drop them.”

“Drop them and I will kill you” Wanda say through gritted teeth.

“I believe you” Strange answers back. “Now focus and push.”

It ended up taking the rest of the day and into the night but Wanda delivered two healthy baby boys. You and her were so excited.

“My boys,” Wanda said with fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. “Billy. Tommy.”

“They’re amazing,” you kiss the top of Wanda’s head, “thank you baby.”

“Thank you. I love them so much already,” Wanda let out a little tired laugh. She actually had her boys in her arms. This wasn’t some conjured up version of them. This wasn’t some other universe’s version of them. This was them, flesh and blood. She had a loving spouse, two handsome little babies, a nice little home in Queens.

Wanda finally had the life she always wanted. And best yet, she got to have it with you, her Spider Monkey.

Tags: @tokufighter @ma1egamer @jacelion @lifespectator @aloneodi @holiday-house-of-m @family-house-of-m @multi-fandom-enjoyer @iamnicodemus @rroyale-109 @scarletquake-n7 @moonpheus

[zosan-secondchances]

The Pirate King of the North: Part 11

With Initial Concepts of Sanji's Skypiea Outfit

Main Themes: V̴i̵l̴l̸a̶i̸n̷ ̴S̵a̴n̴j̵i̷, Alternate Universe, Zosan Ship

Warning: Long post ahead and some One Piece spoilers. Contains strong language and explicit content.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Law asked to play judge in the first round so he can properly gauge what he's up against. Sanji gladly entertained this to keep him interested and took the step forward to make the first move of their little game.

He positions himself ten metres away from a nearby tree that's angled over the edge of the riverbank. After warming up a couple of times by jumping on the spot, he runs up to it, extends the claws of his gauntlet then begins to use all fours to gradually increase his speed as he clambered up, twisting around the trunk several times, defying gravity, before leaping off the very top–his movements barely seen but the trail of stripped leaves and bark that he leaves behind. Mid-air, he does a series of impressive twirls and flips before landing flawlessly with a roll on the other side of the river. Standing upright, he takes a small bow then raises a hand to gesture over Zoro to take his turn in a challenging way.

Law claps slowly. The sound echoes across. He's not looking too impressed.

The swordsman cups a hand over his mouth and shouts.

Zoro

BOO! SEEN IT!

Sanji

ACK–! I was trying to show Law an example of what we can do!

Law

It's pretty standard even for you.

I'll give you basic points for ordinary.

Sanji gasps sharply. He throws a hand over his cheek like he'd just been slapped in the face, feeling offended.

Sanji

B–BASIC?!

Let's see you do better then, moss for brains!

“Standard”.... “Ordinary”....

The blonde grumbles the last couple of words grumpily as he kicks pebbles and sticks on the ground.

Zoro smirks at his reaction then calmly approaches a different tree. This one, unsurprisingly, has long vines dangling over it. He begins to climb it without a rush.

Law

Oh, here we go….

Sanji

What's with him and swinging…?

When the swordsman reaches the topmost branch that he can stand on, he reaches for a thick vine hanging in front of him and gives it a couple of strong tugs to test its durability. Confident it can take his weight, he clears his throat and grips the vine with both hands.

Sanji and Law both look at the swordsman in anticipation, expecting that he'll do something extraordinary given that the man had wanted to swing since the moment they arrived on the island.

After a pregnant pause, Zoro leaps off the branch, bellowing out loud booming noises projected from the back of his throat. There was nothing fancy in his swing. It was all just long guttural singing that echoed through the jungle. When he finally lets go and lands in front of Sanji, he looks absolutely pleased with himself, placing his hands on his hips.

Sanji

That's… that's it?

Zoro

Told ya it was good.

Sanji

After all that, that's all you got?

Law teleports, appearing in an instant between them.

Law

Zoro takes the round.

Sanji

WHAT?!?

Zoro

Hah!

Sanji

But why?!

Law

Points for… the unexpected.

Sanji throws his hands up in the air in frustration as Zoro raises a clenched fist in the air in victory.

—

They trudge through a particularly lush terrain. Zoro walked ahead, slicing long shrubs and leaves out of the way as the two followed behind him. Law has a snobbish look on his face.

Law

Not a good start, Pirate King-ya. Are you sure you played this game before?

It was Sanji's turn to look like he wanted to smack the man in the head. He takes a long drag of his smoke to compose himself before stomping on the leftover cigarette butt.

Zoro

I've seen him do crazy shit but that was just sad.

The blonde snaps and grabs the swordsman at the back of his collar to pull him face to face.

Sanji

Cocky shitty swordsman aren't you? You're supposed to be supportive of me!

Zoro didn't look surprised, fully remembering that Sanji has a certain temper whenever his ego gets damaged. He shrugs his shoulders.

Zoro

Hey, you set the stakes high. I can't let either one of you take advantage of my Warlord status.

And if you know Traffy, he has a certain love for spontaneity.

Still feeling pissed, Sanji lets go of the man. He walks ahead and lights another smoke.

Sanji

What does that even mean?

Zoro and Law follow him. The swordsman sheaths his sword, yawns then rests his hands at the back of his head.

Zoro

I mean, I wasn't too surprised when Luffy told me he's seeing him. At first, I thought it was just a once off–

Law

Zoro-ya!

Zoro

What? Was it supposed to be a secret?

Sure made that clear when you made out drunk in the middle of The Sunny–

Law

Enough already!

Sanji spins, walking backwards. His face lit up.

Sanji

No–tell me more! Traffy, I rarely hear anything about you and the Straw Hat!

Law pockets his hands, looking smaller with his hunched shoulders while grumbling to himself. There’s a tint of pink in his ears.

 Sanji

Trafalgar D. Water Law…

Law

WHAT?

Sanji

You’re in love!

Zoro grins widely.

Law

ACK–

Sanji mirrored the swordsman’s smile. He teasingly prods.

Sanji

So…? Tell us how it happened….

Law

No.

Zoro

But he is, though.

Law

Shut up or I’ll slice your head off and keep it in a bag for the rest of the trip.

Sanji

Ohohoho! You’re cute when you’re defensive.

Zoro

Careful, the first time I met Traffy, I saw him behead a bunch of Marines. Left them alive too.

Sanji

Huh! What a useful power.

Sanji turns around to walk forwards. He dips his head down so his face is hidden behind his fringe, nursing the cigarette between his lips.

Sanji

Still, I don’t think you should be ashamed when you’re in love with someone.

Zoro and Law quietly observe him, detecting some sadness in his tone of voice. The swordsman considers his statement very carefully, suddenly having doubts if the man shares the same feelings as he does, or if there’s something that he did wrong.

Law

I have a feeling you’ll like him.

The blonde’s head tilts slightly towards him, listening closely.

Law

He…has this…effect on people. Even animals. He brightens up the room wherever he goes….

There is a moment of silence as the other two process that comment. 

Zoro

I miss him too, Traffy.

Law averts his gaze to the side, trying to hide a smile and the ever reddening state of his face.

Sanji

I’d like to meet him one day. I keep hearing good things about the guy.

Zoro

He’s one of a kind. You’d know it when you see him.

After this, if you like, I can–

Sanji suddenly stops. He holds his arm out, signalling everyone to halt.

Law follows his instruction but Zoro accidentally bumps into his back.

Law

What is it?

Sanji

I believe I found our next obstacle.

Come on then! And be careful where you step.

The blonde steps aside and pulls back the shrubs to give way for the two to walk through. When they do, they find themselves on a cliffside with a rickety old bridge in front of them that connects their end of the island to the next. It’s barely holding itself together with most of the planks already rotted from weather and age. 

Zoro

Huh. I knew we’d been ascending but I didn’t realise how high up we were already.

Sanji gives one of the support ropes a shake. The bridge wobbles, causing certain planks across the span of the bridge to give away and fall into the White Sea far below.

Law

Zoro-ya, you and me. Let’s do this.

Sanji

So keen! What’s got you all fired up?

Zoro

He’s just sore because he’s still shy about the whole Luffy thing.

Law

Am not!

I’ll kick your ass. You’ll see.

Sanji

Hold on, I want to watch from that side.

The blonde takes off his shoes and jumps on the rope that he’d been shaking. Effortlessly, he balances himself with one leg with his other raised up to his chest. He begins walking on the bridge with ease, still smoking his cigarette with one hand and holding his shoes with the other. He spreads out his arms now and then to shift his weight when gusts of wind cause the bridge to wobble slightly.

Zoro and Law watch his nerve-wrecking tightrope act as he makes his way over the White Sea. Both watching him nervously but also in silent amazement. Feeling that he had eyes on him, Sanji stops on his tracks and turns.

Sanji

What?

Zoro

How are you doing that?

Law

You remind me of one of those circus acts.

Sanji scoffs at that and breathes out smoke. He looked almost angry at the topic mentioned.

Sanji

I was part of one, when I was younger. I was taken in by a pirate troupe before they sold me to…you know what? I-it’s a long story.

I’ll meet you on the other side!

Sanji sounded like he didn't mean to reveal those details out loud. He spins and continues his way across.

Zoro and Law share a look, intrigued by the hint of the blonde's not very well known past which clearly caused a sudden shift in the man's demeanour. The swordsman continued to eye him, but now, more worriedly. He makes a point to make sure he checks in on him later as he knew he didn’t like talking about his history surrounding his life as a slave. He wonders if talking about Luffy had somehow triggered memories.

When Sanji gets to the other side, he vaults down on land and gives them a wave, signalling to go.

Law

So, Zoro-ya?

You did win the last round after all. Do you want to go first?

Zoro

No, I… I need to think.

Law

Don’t hurt yourself.

Zoro

Tch.

Law flicks his wrist and casts his Room ability.

Law

Tact!

Zoro jumps back to give the man some space, fully aware of what comes next.

The ground directly beneath the doctor floats up, shaped like a miniature island enough to hold his weight. It parts itself away from the main earth to carry him midair. Adjacent to the extracted ground, more mini islands pop up and begin to follow the one he’s standing on. They begin to spin around him as he flies towards the other side of the cliff.

The swordsman watches Law make an impressive show of his flight to Sanji. He should be focused on thinking of different ways that he could win the round so he can get two points ahead of everyone. Instead, he finds that he has his mind set on something else.

When he sees Law finish with a spectacular landing with his Tact ability, Zoro walks behind the nearest and tallest tree he could find. With one smooth swipe of Wado, the tree tips forward. The tall end of it crashes loudly on the other side, creating his very own bridge. He jumps up and speedily walks through.

On the other side, he’s met with Sanji’s bright blue eyes and wide grin–a sight that will never get old in his opinion. 

Sanji

Again, with the little-to-no-effort attempt? You realise that I like it when people make a show of–mmph!

Zoro wraps a hand around the blonde’s hair and the other around the small of his back, yanking him into a sudden kiss. He tips the man backwards, lowering him towards the ground. He didn’t hesitate to push his tongue into the man’s mouth to pleasure him, causing surprised moans from the blonde in reaction. Sanji wraps his arms around his neck while his leg hooks around his back.

Law

OH, COME ON! THIS IS NOT FAIR!

Law spins around swiftly, walking the opposite direction to avoid seeing the couple in action.

The swordsman pulls back to look at Sanji eye to eye. He receives fluttering eyelids and a flustered face in return. The blonde reaches out to caress his face tenderly as they breathe in each other’s air for a moment. Right there and then, Zoro felt the utmost need to confess his love to him but decided against it because of the doctor’s presence. He wants him to know. He needs him to know.

The blonde giggles and licks his lips seductively.

Sanji

Aren’t you full of surprises today?

I believe I’ve reached a verdict….

Zoro straightens them both up. Sanji runs his hands over his open robe, fixing the crumpled fabric, then takes a step back.

Sanji

Law wins the round.

Law turns back rapidly. Zoro’s mouth is agape.

Zoro and Law

EHH?!?

Sanji shrugs, raising his hands as if to surrender.

Sanji

You made a great point earlier–the stakes are high. I can’t be biased just because we’re fucking. And I did say that I like it when people make a show of things. And Law's was just flashier. Nice try, but you can’t buy me like that.

Zoro felt hurt. Not because he didn’t win the round but because it didn't sound like he made much of an impact judging on the blonde’s tone of voice. He now has more doubts if his feelings for the man are reciprocated or felt at all. He considers the fact that the blonde is still allied with Doflamingo. Sanji had made it clear that they have had prior history together but he’s never specifically stated where they stand or what his intentions are with the other Warlord since getting together with him. He remembers Niji’s warning to him that he’s just a phase, making him even more worried.

Speechless, he watches the blonde walk off to the dirt path ahead.

—

They approach a waterfall in front of them. While they see a safer way around by following the path, Zoro suggests that they climb it instead as their next obstacle. The other two agreed and named him the next judge for the round.

Law

Think you can handle this, basic man?

Sanji lights up a cigarette and takes a long drag of smoke before exhaling.

Sanji

Tch. Bring it, mediocre doctor.

Zoro speedily runs up the rockface until he reaches the top of the waterfall so he could watch from above. He peeks over the edge and gives the two contenders a wave to signal them to go.

Law doesn't give the blonde a chance to make the first move. He takes a deep breath, then withdraws his sword and slices a nearby boulder at its base, detaching it from the ground. Following his swing, he swipes his blade upwards, slicing the boulder into smaller pieces and sending them up high. An aura of blue surrounds the area almost immediately, in which the doctor begins to make a series of teleportation and aerobatic jump maneuvers to climb his way up–zigzagging in the air, swapping places with the stones that he'd sent flying. At the very tip of the cliff, he lands gracefully on his feet, exhaling the air he'd been holding in his lungs. He gives Zoro a casual tip of his hat, making everything that he's just done look effortless.

Zoro nods back and raises an impressed brow as if to say “not bad”.

Out of nowhere, the grounds start shaking, and a giant Sky Shark bursts out from downstream the waterfall. Zoro and Law had to jump back to avoid the eventual drop as the giant creature lands in a huge crash by the riverbank. It raises its head up in the sky, roaring an earthshaking cry before it collapses dead on the ground in front of the two. Sanji pulls out his bloody claws from the back of its head and straightens up, his face full of pride from the successful hunt. Law presumed that he'd controlled the shark’s movements using its nervous system to swim up the cloud stream somehow.

Zoro looks between Sanji and Law, unsure with the decision. A sweatdrop flows down his brow. After some hesitation, he opens his mouth to say something but gets interrupted.

Sanji

Who's hungry? I believe it's dinner time.

Zoro and Law blink at him, then gaze towards the sky. They'd been so focused on the game that they didn't even realise the time. The sun is a couple of hours away from sinking.

Law

SHIT!

Law shuffles through his coat pockets in panic. He pulls out the Skypiea map and scans through it, his eyes shifting left and right rapidly. He lets out a pained groan and slaps his forehead, almost knocking his cap off his head.

Law

Fuck! We've been going the wrong way for at least three hours!!!

Zoro

…I think we're having way too much fun with this.

Sanji hops down from the shark's head and gives that devilish smile of his.

Sanji

But you are… having fun…aren't you?

Zoro takes his time admiring the man's features before smirking back at him.

Zoro

I don't know about Tra-guy, but I am.

Law crosses his arms. Sanji can't help but notice that he's slightly pouting.

Law

I can't say I'm not, I suppose.

Sanji grins at them playfully.

—

Sanji cringes at the way Zoro gutted the giant Sky Shark. Granted, they had limited tools to prepare a proper meal, bringing only what’s necessary that can be used for multiple purposes. One of them is apparently the man’s katana which he thought was overkill. He’d at least hoped that the man would be more efficient with pulling the meat out of the creature.

Zoro had used his swords to cut it open like a mad brute he is. He jerks his sword from its flesh, causing its guts to messily splatter on the ground. Afterwards, he turns his attention to the fins, slicing them clean off before tossing them aside out of his way. Before they fall onto the ground, Sanji catches them one by one.

Sanji

Err…Marimo, you know we can use these right?

Zoro

Hah? But the big chunk of meat isn't in them.

Sanji

While the body should give us enough to last us for at least a week, we can use these to stretch it longer, maybe even another week. These still have some good stuff in it.

Zoro

That’s good–I didn’t know that. Why don’t you prep those for cooking then? I’ll keep at this.

The swordsman begins to slice the shark’s skin open with his katana, tearing the perfect meat that Sanji knew was inside them.

Sanji

H-hey! I uh…why don't we just trade jobs and find us some firewood instead hmm? Maybe set up the fire too while you’re at it.

Zoro

But I got a big sword. This is a big fish.

The blonde carefully lays the giant fins on a pile of large leaves that he had put aside earlier. He rummages through his pack to pull out a leather scroll containing various kitchen knives that he'd borrowed from the Polar Tang. He spreads it out on their makeshift table.

Sanji

I got it covered.

Impressed and surprised with his collection, Zoro follows his instructions and walks off. The sound of trees being felled is heard from a distance.

Law returns to their dedicated campsite with an armful of various herbs and crops. He drops them unceremoniously next to the shark fins. Sanji recognises most of them, much to his relief, but some look alien to him.

Sanji

Thanks. Uh… are those edible?

Law

Most of them. Some I need for medicinal purposes.

Sanji

Why did you mix it all in–?

Law

Is this good to go?

The doctor grabs one of the fins he’s set aside and settles himself on the makeshift table. He begins to cover the meat with some of the herbs he'd collected but the blonde notices that some of the weird-looking ones had been mixed up.

Sanji

They still need to be peeled and cleaned–AHH! DON'T!

D-doctor…why don't you fetch us some water instead?

Law

Hah? Why don’t you do it? I'm already in the middle of this.

Sanji

You're butchering it…. Just–just–

Zoro

Oi, Traffy! I just got a fire going!

Law

Perfect. Let's get to it.

Law grabs a random stick from the ground and skewers the fin messily, bits of loose meat and herbs fall off on the ground. He walks towards Zoro but then a hand grabs onto his coat and pulls him back.

Sanji

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Seriously, how are you two still alive?!

Zoro and Law

Hah?!

Law

It's just food.

Sanji

Not in that state, it's not!

What's this–? Traffy, did you shove an entire garlic inside it?!

Zoro

I thought you don't give a shit about good food?

Sanji

I care about it being edible!

Sanji yanks the doctor backwards and swipes the skewered fin off his hands.

Sanji

You–get some water. And come back with some more of those vegetables but DON’T just dump them all in a mixed pile with your doctor crap. Sort them out!

And you–clean up this mess! Don't you go camping? If we leave food out it'll attract unwanted creatures while we sleep!

Zoro

Why do I get to clean?

Sanji

You make the mess, you clean it up!

Zoro and Law watch the grumpy man take charge of the whole thing, effectively shooing them away from their made up kitchen station.

—

By nightfall they settled around the fire to feed themselves with Sanji's cooking. They also have extra food that the blonde has portioned and set aside which should last them a couple of weeks. Upon realising that they have to pack them up and carry them for the road, Zoro clears his bag to make way for the food. He starts pulling out bottles of booze that he'd stolen from the Polar Tang which Law wasn't too happy with.

Sanji

Nothing goes to waste.

After giving Law his portion, he winks at Zoro as he hands him his bowl of stir-fry Sky Shark with rice and native produce. Grabbing a bowl for himself, he settles himself next to the swordsman by the fire.

Sanji

The same goes with the booze. We better drink it all up.

Zoro

You read my mind.

Zoro leans over and kisses his cheek lightly.

Zoro

Thanks for the meal, Curlybrows.

Sanji

It's nothing.

Law

Yes, thank you, Mr. Prince-ya. It’s much appreciated.

Sanji

What, are you going to give me a kiss too?

I don’t think Marimo would appreciate that.

Law

Go to hell.

Sitting at the opposite side of the fire, Law takes a bite and audibly groans out loud in pleasure, causing the two to look at him curiously.

The doctor notices them staring and closes his eyes, trying to ignore them.

Law

What? It's good.

Zoro blinks at that and takes a bite himself. He pauses for a second as his eye widens. Suddenly, he begins to chow down on the food as fast as he can.

Zoro

YO ROIGHT! ISH SHO GOOD!!!

Sanji

Slow down or else you'll choke–

The swordsman does. He repeatedly punches his chest to clear out the blockage. Sanji gives his back a couple of good whacks, causing the man to cough. Finally, Zoro takes a big gulp and downs the rest with the help of his drink.

When they finished their meals and each had at least a couple of bottles of booze to themselves, they sat around the fire to unwind, fully satisfied from their fill of food and tipsy from all the drinking. Zoro was first to spill his thoughts from his loosened tongue.

Zoro

You lied to me.

Sanji blows smoke from his lungs then tosses the spent cigarette into the fire. He looks at him curiously.

Sanji

What about? I personally thought that I've been good recently.

Zoro tilts his head slightly towards him.

Zoro

You have. But I thought you told me one time that you don't give a shit about good food?

That was one of the best meals I've ever had.

Law

I agree. Seems like there's a lot we don't know about you, Mr. Prince-ya.

Sanji's face goes red from the flattery. He hugs his knees to his chest and rests his chin on them. He sighs.

Sanji

When I was young, I used to cook for my sick mother. It was around the time when my father had just locked me away. I kept begging the guards to bring me recipe books and ingredients to cook with. Some of the kind ones obliged. I really wanted to get good at it. Maybe, I thought, it would help heal her somehow…. That's when I read about the All Blue. I uh…even wanted to find it. It was a childish dream.

The blonde takes a swill from his bottle. He smacks his lips then leans back with a hand on the ground behind him for support, looking up to the clear skies above them.

Sanji

When she died, I tried to keep it up to get some semblance of joy out of…something. But being in isolation for so long and having my siblings beat me down for trying, it just led to nothing good…I don't know…. Over time, I lost interest, along with my will to live. I think the old me died right there and then, in that old dark cell where my father kept me. Along with any dreams I had.

Eventually, because I stopped asking the guards to bring me anything, I was forgotten. Starved. I had to go without any food for months before someone would remember and bring me their scraps out of pity.

Sanji gestures at the pile of food that they had bundled up sitting near their packs.

Sanji

So yeah, I don't give a shit about good food. But I won't let any go to waste in my watch. There's so much you can do to even the smallest parts of an ingredient.

Zoro and Law look at him sadly. The doctor sighs, then stretches his legs on the ground outwards, trying to warm his feet in front of the fire.

Law

Well, I thought your food was delicious. What you learned from those recipe books must have stuck with you. Clearly you have a natural talent for it. Imagine what you can do now if you get back to it…if that's something you want to do that is.

Sanji doesn't look at him, but he gives his statement a long good thought.

Sanji

Thanks…Traffy.

Zoro gazes between the two of them. He stretches his arm out with an open palm, asking if he can share some of Sanji's drink. The blonde obliges and hands the bottle over. The swordsman gratefully takes and drinks from it. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand before staring up at the sky, watching a couple of falling stars fly by.

Zoro

Kuina.

Sanji and Law look at him curiously.

Zoro

She was my goal. She's one of the reasons why I wanted to be the world's greatest swordsman.

We both made a promise to each other…but one day, she just suddenly passed. Some unfortunate accident with a flight of steps. It happens, I suppose. But now I carry our shared dream with me, and I intend to fulfill it, no matter what it takes.

Sanji

She sounds special to you. Is that why you're so keen on defeating Mihawk?

Zoro chuckles lightly.

Zoro

Yes, partly. But then…you happened.

Sanji

Oh…but–

Zoro

You're not a swordsman, I know. But defeating you became my goal. How can I top Mihawk when I can't even beat you?

The blonde looks down at the fire, thinking hard. He's unsure on what can be done to rectify this, or what to do with the information that Zoro had thought of him in this way for so many years without him knowing. He certainly doesn't want to get back to their old ways just so the man can fulfil his dreams.

Law

Have you tried to face Mihawk recently, Zoro-ya? Surely fighting the Pirate King of the North for a couple of decades would have given you a lot more experience than just your normal training regimen.

Zoro's brows shoot up at that realisation.

Zoro

No…. I haven't challenged him since I was nineteen.

…Why didn't I think of that?

Sanji lays down on the ground, resting his hands behind his head.

Sanji

I'm not saying that you're better than me in a fight…but you did kill me that one time. If not for my siblings, I would have been a goner for good.

The swordsman laughs out loud. He slaps his forehead with a hand as he leant backwards.

Zoro

That's true! I have beaten you!!!

Sanji

That was one round! We had many more battles afterwards. Don't let it go to your huge moss head!

Zoro

Uh-huh. How does it feel to have the silver medal?

Sanji

Shut up. Keep that up and I'll show you who's really on top here.

Zoro stops laughing but smirks at the man. Sanji returns his smile with his own.

Zoro

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Sanji

Guess I'll just have to show you….

The swordsman leans over and plants a soft kiss on the corner of his lips, lingering there for a moment as they both take in each other's breaths.

Law rolls his eyes and looks away. It seems like there's going to be more of this and the day is barely out. At the corner of his eye, he sees the bottle being offered to him by the swordsman. Reluctantly, he takes it.

The doctor looks down at the bottom of the bottle through its mouth. He purses his lips, hesitant to talk. After a while, he takes a swill and hugs his knees to his chest. He stares sorrowfully at the campfire in front of them as he speaks weakly.

Law

I think Cora-san is well and truly dead.

Sanji sits up and both him and the swordsman look at him in disbelief.

Law keeps his gaze averted, feeling ashamed. From his coat pockets, he pulls out the stack of letters that he'd collected throughout his journey prior to the two joining him.

Law

I don't know when and how…but he left all these for me to find. I'm guessing it's whenever he was away from home while he was still undercover. I think he left me these as a gift. Like he's trying to show me something.

I…I didn't want to admit it to anyone else. I haven't told the rest of my crew either. I was afraid no one would want to come along if they knew the truth.

Zoro looked shocked but Sanji wore an impassive face. He waits until he sees Law looks at him eye to eye before he speaks.

Sanji

How do you know he's truly dead? What if he's waiting for you right at the end?

Law

I saw his corpse, Mr. Prince-ya.

I wanted to believe that it was possible for him to be alive when I first found his letters…but I just kept remembering his dead body right before my eyes….

He looks down at the tattoos on his hand.

Law

My knowledge as a trained surgeon only solidified the fact that there was no way for him to survive all that.

Sanji sighs, but doesn't prod any further. Instead, he resides in returning his gaze to the stars above.

Sanji

I'm sorry. That must have been hard.

Zoro

I agree. That's rough, Traffy.

Law

Wait, you two aren't mad or upset? You're not just going to bail from all this?

Zoro

I agreed to come along because we're friends. And I intend to stick around. Plus I know that I won't hear the end of it from Luffy if I don't help. 

So…what's keeping you, Curls?

Sanji raises his brows at the two of them, feeling surprised at being questioned.

Sanji

If you had told me all this earlier, I may have left, that much is true.

Law

And…now?

The blonde smiles at the doctor then scoops out Zoro's hand and places a kiss on the palm of his hand. The swordsman's eye softens as they hold hands.

Sanji

Unfortunately for you, I’ve grown fond of you lot. Guess you're stuck with me for a while.

Suddenly, all of Zoro's doubts from earlier in the day washed away, almost like there was no trace of it. He'd never been more sure about what he wants for the rest of his life.

Sanji shifts on his side and props himself on his elbow, resting his cheek on the palm of his hand.

Sanji

So, Marimo-kun? Your final verdict for this round?

Law blinks dumbfoundedly at that, then his eyes widen and mouth drops open at the slow realisation.

Law

THE FOOD AND ALL THIS WAS PART OF YOUR STUNT, YOU BASTARD?!

Zoro grins widely.

Zoro

Curls wins this round by a long shot. Sorry, Traffy.

Sanji laughs heartily.

—

The dim light from the campfire shone through Zoro and Sanji's shared tent. It was dark but they had just enough light for them to see their silhouettes.

The swordsman loomed over the other on their sheets, pounding hard into him at a slow pace.

Sanji arches his back and tries to move his own hips. He grips the sheets behind his head to get a better angle.

Sanji

M-Marimo…I need–ah–I need…more–

The swordsman indulges him and thrusts faster, pulling the man's hip upwards as he pushes down to penetrate deeper. He hears the man under him let out a stifled moan from the new angle.

Zoro

Fuck…you're so tight. You fit me so well….

His movements become erratic as he approaches his peak.

With desperate eyes and a flushed face, Sanji speaks through broken breaths.

Sanji

Ah–I want you to…f-fill me up…and m-make a mess of me...

Zoro groans at that. He pulls out suddenly to flip the man onto his stomach and pin him to the ground. He grabs his hips up to reinsert himself in one smooth motion.

Sanji

AHH! R–right there!! Fuck!

The swordsman starts a brutal unrelenting thrusts to give Sanji exactly what he asked for.

Repeatedly feeling Zoro hit his sweet spot and the friction of his own dick on the ground quickly takes Sanji over the edge. His eyes roll at the back of his head in pure bliss and, with a cry, he spills over their sheets. The swordsman follows almost immediately, filling him with a generous load.

They both take a moment to catch their breaths and recover from the high. With a grunt, Zoro pulls out and collapses next to his companion. He buries his face into the other's blonde hair to nuzzle the back of his neck with his nose, not seeming to get enough of his scent.

Sanji reaches out behind him to grab the swordsman's hand. He brings it over his shoulder to plant a kiss on his hand.

Sanji

For the record…I liked your swinging earlier today.

Zoro chuckles at that.

Zoro

Yeah? I'm glad you enjoyed the show.

Sanji

And then the way you suddenly kissed me after that other, poor attempt of a stunt–was so hot.

Being showered with compliments left the swordsman speechless. Instead of speaking, he wraps his arms around the blonde's waist to pull him in a tight embrace, smooching the back of his head in appreciation. He kicks himself for having any sort of doubts about the man earlier in the day.

After a short rest, Sanji turns his head to face Zoro. He gives a light peck on his nose, his fingers slide up to play with his earrings.

Sanji

Think you can handle round three?

He starts pecking him under his jaw, moving his way down. He gives him a small bite at the nook of his neck.

Zoro chuckles lightly, still trying to catch his breath as he gets pushed to lay on his back.

Zoro

In a moment. You drive me crazy, do you know that?

Sanji lets out a pleasurable moan in response and mounts him, giving him a barrage of kisses from his neck down to his chest, earning him a deep sigh in satisfaction.

Zoro

Fuck, you're gorgeous.

The swordsman cups his face and pulls him up gently to get a proper look at him, then slides his hands up and down the man's front, eyeing him up and down.

Mouth agape, Sanji grinds his dick over the other's already growing semi.

Zoro

F-fuck…

Zoro props himself on an elbow then sits up to wrap his arms around the blonde's waist. He buries his face on his neck, under the cover of his disheveled hair. He takes a long whiff of his scent as he slides his hands up and down his back.

Sanji

Sorry, I can't wait. I just can't get enough of you.

Sanji tilts his head to claim his mouth. His hands travel up to tangle his fingers in his hair. He pulls him closer to deepen the kiss.

Zoro groans out loud as his mouth gets penetrated and explored with the blonde's experienced tongue. He welcomes him, leaving his mouth agape as the other makes a mess out of him.

They stay like this for a while until Sanji pulls himself to look at the swordsman who tips slightly forward to follow the momentum, craving for more.

Sanji

What's on your mind?

Zoro

Hmm?

Zoro's eye flutters open, looking into the other’s wide diluted blue eyes.

Sanji

You've got something in your mind…. I can tell. Are you okay?

Zoro

I…y-yeah….

Sanji caresses his face with the back of his hand.

Sanji

You know, we don't have to go for another round if you don't feel like it. You know that you can say no, right?

Zoro

No, no, I do want to. It's just….

Zoro leans forwards until their foreheads touch together.

Zoro

I'm just thinking how much you mean to me. And how much I've fallen for you. I'm crazy for you, and I hope you know that. I don't want to ever let you go.

Sanji's eyebrows shoot up, then his expression softens, feeling his face go red. He gives him a warm smile.

Sanji

Zoro… you know that I lo–

Out of nowhere, blood bursts out of the blonde’s nose, spilling over Zoro’s chest. It continues to twinkle down his chin.

Sanji

Not again!

Sanji pinches the bridge of his nose and tilts his head back as he lifts himself off the swordsman to sit back on his heels.

Zoro

Hold on, let me get my old robe.

Sanji

Don’t be silly. It’ll stain. I’ll grab some rags from outside.

There's something that I've always wanted to tell you too…. Don't go anywhere.

Sanji gives him one final wink before grabbing his cloak and wraps himself in it.

Zoro smiles sweetly at that, feeling excited especially after getting a hint of what the blonde had wanted to say.

Zoro

A-alright. I’ll be here.

The blonde gives his hand a reassuring squeeze then steps out into the chill of the night.

He makes his way past their campfire towards their packs where he finds the old cloth that he had in mind. He cleans his face quickly with it before grabbing a fresh one for Zoro. He spins to return to their shared tent but comes to a halt when he feels a tingle at the back of his neck.

His observation haki kicked in but he wasn’t fast enough, only just managing to raise his arms just in time to stop sharp strings wrap around his neck. They coil around his wrists, binding them.

Sanji

ZO–!

A hand from behind covers his mouth and he disappears from the campsite in an instant, leaving a small trail of leaves twisting upwards.

Sanji didn’t return to their tent that night. No sounds can be heard but the crackling of fire.

----------

There are no visible scars on Sanji's body in the concept art as I wanted to focus on the overall shapes of the outfit designs. I haven't picked a variant to go with yet but maybe I'll have something ready by next chapter!

[bamfaholic]

From Eden to Sit at Your Door | Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2| Part 3|

AO3 here! ❤

TW for assault! Viewer discretion advised!!!

A/N: It's getting hot in here! Very juicy part imo

Kurt Wagner is in for it when you get your hands on him. This little disappearing act is growing stale; he needs to refresh his routine. You scramble out of the bed, at least making it — unlike a fuzzball we know — and changing into the spare clothes he brought.

The revelation you are a mutant had you think a little differently. You found yourself really focusing on what you could hear. Any whispers that could be useful to you. There was plenty of deafening ambience, just like last night. You ball your fists. Just… Just focus. Focus on one thing.

You picture Kurt, his smile, his radiant eyes. Your cheeks burn. Yet… There it is. Ever so faintly, the familiar sound of his breathing, the tip of his tail cutting through the air.

So, you’ve managed to hear him, but that doesn’t narrow down where he is. You aren’t aware of the limitations to your abilities just yet, your radius could be 50 feet or 50 miles for all you knew.

You huff, crossing your arms over your chest. You figure you might as well use context clues to decipher his motives. After some fumbling around in the dim room, you find the box of matches. A strike later, and the match roars to life. You make your way around, lighting the few candles, until the match burns to a nub singing your fingertips.

You yelp in surprise, dropping the remains on the floor. It’s nothing, not even a true burn, the shock is what rocked you the most. Once you recollect yourself, the first thing to draw your attention is the open manilla envelope on the bench.

You snoop, flipping through the pages. Everything is written in English. You kick yourself for not paying better attention in class, as so many words are too complex and foreign. Beginner English you pick up on, and the few cognates. In defeat, you flip back to the front, seeing a photo of a woman. Blue, angled cheeks, sleek vivid red hair. Surprisingly, her eyes match Kurt’s in color, but in addition they have slit-shaped pupils. Just how common are blue mutants?

You slip the photo in your pocket. Not much of a plan, you realize, but you can at least make it so Kurt can’t deny the existence of the folder. You leave it on the bench, trading it for your white cane, and make the voyage out of the spare room.

You swear you get lost in the claustrophobic corridors at least twice, and it doesn’t help when you realize you’re in the basement. You avoid anywhere that grows too dark for your comfort. You aren’t sure how long it takes you, just that the sun is up when you finally make it to the sanctuary.

“Wow…” It’s completely different from last night, like you stepped through a portal. The sheets are gone, dust eliminated, warm candles illuminate the gorgeous stained glass and adorned ceiling.

It looks inviting, like its excitedly awaiting the next congregation. Kurt is hung by his tail, upside down, wiping down a beam with a rag. He softly hums a hymn to himself as he does so. It’s a cute sight, his nappy hair suspended midair. He’s still wearing his tank, now trying to slip off his toned body due to gravity, and his light-colored shorts.

He releases the grip with his tail, flipping himself upright, and lands flawlessly on his feet in just a few seconds. Hands on his hips, he admires his handiwork.

You tip toe across the aisle to stand behind him. “Good morning, Kurt.”

“Ah!” He jumps, launching the dirty rag across the room, his tail sticking straight up like a cat. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Schatz?”

You snicker, unable to help yourself. “Sorry, sorry. It was too easy.” You get on your tip toes to ruffle his hair, only now you realize how tall he is.

He gruffs, but you see the grin threatening to peak through. “Apology accepted, but I won’t be so nice next time.”

“How so?” You cock your head to the side.

“Like this!” He lunges towards you; his hands making their way under your arms and tickling you. You shriek out before crumbling into a ball of laughter. Once he’s wrecked enough havoc, he sets you free as you gasp for air. “That’ll show you.”

Your chest noticeably rises and falls. “R-Right. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t spook you again.”

“Damn right,” he says with a laugh, helping you back up to your feet. “did you sleep well?”

“Uh, yeah. I did.” You nervously run circles into the back of your neck, too ashamed to admit it was the best sleep of your life. “So what are you up to?”

“Oh, well someone very sneezy said I should dust,” Mischief flickers in his eyes, “And I should honor God , what better way than to clean His home?”

“I suppose you have a point.”

“Aye, friend, I do!” He hops on top of a pew, crouching like before, in your flat.

“But what now?” You look around the room, unsure what he could do next. You rub your fingers together with the photo between them in your pocket. You aren’t quite sure how or when to bring up the file.

“Head to the market, probably.” His tail happily sways behind him. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Right on cue, your stomach loudly proclaims its emptiness. Kurt only laughs, hopping back down to his feet. You now note how active he is, he can’t seem to sit still. He pats your back before spinning around, throwing on his coat and hat. “I’ll be off, don’t answer the door.”

“What? You’re going alone?” You’re stunned, but he continues on, heading to the front door.

“Ja, you’ve already been hurt Schatz. I can’t… I cannot allow it again. I will not.”

You don’t know what to say to that. His tone sharply switching grim, serious. It was strange to see him this way.

“Well, I’ll be seeing you. Ciao!” Kurt opened the door, his trademark grin back, and right as he took a step out the door lightning crackled down, striking a few blocks away. Thunder tumbles over your heads, rain pouring from above.

“Shit.” He swears under his breath. “There goes that.” He sighs, putting his coat back on the hanger. “The church will flood and I can’t let it be ruined more than it already is. I’m its only protector now…”

Kurt briskly saunters past you, and you can already see what he means. So much water slowly drips from the ceiling, but a few spots have proper holes causing the downpour no difficulty.

You fiddle with your hands, not sure what to do to help. Kurt has already dipped into some corridor. He is hard to track, hard to spot. It isn’t hard to see why he was so surprised you caught him in your apartment yesterday.

Slowly, you walk back down the aisle of the sanctuary, running a hand along each pew. Some are pristine, but most are cracked. Some have their upholstery torn up, most likely from mold and water damage. There remains a handful of bibles in the shelves, none of them in great condition. The pages are puffed up, discolored, and wavy. A few flames have died out from the rainwater, shifting the ambience cooler. A hole in the roof creates a spotlight on Christ’s face. His peaceful expression, eyes casted downward to onlookers below. Holes in his wrists and ankles, oozing marble blood.

It sends a shiver down your spine.

The bible at the altar is open, and with the thick layer of dust it’s evident it hasn’t been touched in quite some time. Why was this the one thing Kurt didn’t touch? You wonder.

It’s open to the book of Mathew, and some of the phrases are familiar. Lines you’ve heard incessantly in your life, such as: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” You never understood the seeming hypocrisy, what it really meant.

Your eyes are drawn to a specific line thickly underlined:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There’s a thin scratch in the dust layer, like a nail digging through. You reach out to touch, to read more, maybe this will give you a glimpse into Kurt. This entire adventure had you forget why you even interacted with the man in the first place: your book.

You hear a crash and a commotion, like tons of metal falling to the ground. “Kurt!” you shout, rushing to his direction, but his blue-self pops out from a hallway.

“Ja?” He says, chipper as ever.

Kurt comes back with pots, bowls, and buckets. He strategically sets them up, before seating himself at the altar. He lights two candles before mumbling to himself, clasping his hands in prayer.

You carefully seat yourself beside him, enjoying the beauty. The candles are warm, comforting. They remind you of last night. You never cared for church, hated it in fact, but were happy it gave Kurt peace.

“Amen.” He finishes, raising his head and glancing to you.

“Why do you believe?” You spit out.

His glimmering eyes examine you, “Why don’t you? There is no proof to swing you one way or another.” He leans back, propping himself up with both of his hands.

“Well, it’s just… You’ve been through an awful lot. Not many would be thanking God for that.”

Kurt throws his head back in a laugh, his hand mere inches from yours. “I suppose not, but that is what makes me different. God destined me for these trials, these… Tribulations. I will prove myself as much as He needs me to.” His other hand moves up to feverishly clutch the rosary adorning his neck.

You click your tongue, not one to be religious. “I just don’t think it’s fair.”

“Aye, well, nothing is fair, friend.” He gently pats your head. “We would be puppets if not for the first sin, if our mother and father Adam and Eve hadn’t listened to the serpent. It was the cost of our autonomy.”

You hold your tongue, not comfortable in fighting his beliefs. At least he isn’t forcing it upon you. “Your rosary is beautiful.” You point to it. “Where did you get it?”

“That…” He peers down his chest. “The nunnery that raised me claims they found me with it, so I’d assume my mother.”

“You don’t know her? You grew up in a nunnery?”

He winces, slightly. You’ve accidentally opened an old wound. “In a sense, no. She… She abandoned me, for even I was too monstrous for her. So God led me to the sisters. I am ever grateful.”

You don’t think as you make your move, gently placing your hand on top of his. “Well, this mother of yours, she doesn’t deserve to know the kind of man you’ve become. You’re better than she will ever be.”

He chuckles, cheeks flushing. “You flatter me, Schatz.” He turns to look at you, his smile melting you into a puddle. “I’m so happy you think so.”

Thunder rolls above again, lightning cracking and snapping outside, yet you two are focused on no one else. The tension is thick, and you hear his heart fluttering.

“I’m so happy I met you, friend.” His brilliant glow is blinding.

You nervously swallow. “M-Me too.” You glance away, your face so hot it feels like it’s melting.

“And…” He gives your hand a squeeze. “I am no saint, friend. I am very much a dirty sinner.” He drops his voice to a whisper, leaning in close to you.

His mouth is slightly parted, breath hot. You can see the tips of his fangs threatening to poke out. His grip is a little tighter. You forget to breathe.

“Will you sin, with me?”

Your heart does cartwheels before lodging in your throat. Unable to speak, you just nod.

His eyes slowly close, his head slightly askew. He’s leaning closer to you, his breath warms and tickles the tips of your ears.

Blood is rushing through you, digging your nails into your palms just to stay grounded. This feels so soon, way too soon, but you can’t help it and comply.

You allow yourself to melt, leaning in, pressing your lips together. Fireworks burst between you, his lips so soft and gentle. Your skin is electrified. He’s so warm, and he smells sweet like a doughy pastry.

A hand of his slides up your back, cradling your neck. He pulls you into his lap, enveloping you in intoxicating warmth and desire. You raise a shaky hand to run through his hair. This all feels like a dream, a magnificent dream.

He bites down on your lower lip, hard. Its as if ice cold water is thrown on you. You inhale sharply in distress, the taste of blood filling your mouth. You try to yelp as you open your eyes but find yourself staring at someone else. Their features melt and realign, but the golden sclera remain. It’s the woman from before, the mutant Kurt was after.

She wipes your blood from her lips with her thumb, licking it away. You open your mouth to scream something, anything.  “Ah ah ah~,” She tuts, jamming a large metal device in your gut.

Electricity burns your skin, your muscles convulse and fight against your senses. You fall backward, to the harsh unforgiving floor. She rises to her feet, heels of her boots clicking on the stone.

She speaks in English, just barely out of your view. All you can see is her blurry blue silhouette. The footsteps circle themselves, before she comes back straight to you. She stretches up in height, her skin forming metal plates, and in a blink she’s a broad man made of metal.

She heaves you over her shoulder, and out the front doors of the church. The icy rain beats down on your back, soaking you completely while you still fight the convulsions. You’re hurled into an armed vehicle with English lettering on the side.

Inside, you’re completely surrounded. Soldiers, just like the ones from your flat. They pay you no mind, one of them slapping jagged, strange looking handcuffs on your wrists.

The truck squeals before it begins to move, and you’re jostled by every bump and turn. Rain drops down from your hair, and you watch the puddles grow at your feet. The despair in your heart is soul crushing. Again and again, you’re left like this: helpless. When will it end?

You close your eyes, the lack of visuals comforting. Something you were accustomed to, something you knew you couldn’t rely on. Maybe Kurt was someone you never knew, stringing you along. Maybe he was this horrible woman all along. You couldn’t be certain, and you didn’t know if you ever could be.

For now, it didn’t appear to be in the cards for you to know anytime soon. Instead, like a lamb being led to the slaughter, you quietly await your future in the dim back of the truck; blood from your split lip dribbling and mixing with your tears.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 (WIP)

Banners by @/cafekitsune

[frost-queen]

Sibling's sport (Teen!Reader & Glenn Rhee ft. Maggie)

Requested by: anon ,Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex–awesome–22 @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine, @panhoeofmanyfandoms, @venomsvl, @the-uncoordinated-house-cat, @rosecentury,  @imagines-by-her,  @evilcr0ne, @vviolynn

Summary: You are Maggie's teen sister. One day you ran away from Alexandria to explore. When coming face to face with Glenn you nearly shoot him, thinking he was a walker. When Glenn starts scolding you, you call him an asshole as he can't help it but comment back to it. Bickering and toying around like siblings all the way back to Alexandria where Maggie has the laugh of her life, upon seeing you and Glenn.

A window slit open in the morning glow. The sudden sound sending a flock of birds flying that had been nestling on the roof for a morning rest. A backpack got send through, falling with a thud on the grass. Then a foot, up to a leg and half a posture. Grabbing onto the top of the window, you kept your balance. Sticking your other leg out to join them together. Setting your hands down you changed position. Slowly lowering yourself to decrease the fall height. Arms stretched out holding on to the railing, you let do, falling down. You landed down on the grass beside your backpack.

Gravity having pushed you down and knocked you off balance down below. Getting half up, you dragged your backpack closer to you over the grass. With one sweep it was over your shoulder. Set and ready, you took a run for it. Alexandria as quiet as ever. Everyone still fast asleep. You went towards the back avoiding being spotted by Daryl, who was sometimes an early bird too. If he saw you, he’d question where you would be going. He’d either tell your sister Maggie or decide to tag along. You liked Daryl but this was something you loved doing on your own.

Running up to the fence, you started to follow it down the line. Searching for that spot to easily get over it. There it was. You smiled in delight running up to it. All was left to do was climb over it. Seeing the garbage can nearby, you dragged it closer to the fence. Crawling on top of it, you got over the fence, landing down, sinking to your knees once over. Dusting your hands off, you started to run for it. Leaving Alexandria for what it was to explore. You kept running till you got to a clearing. Slowing down. You pulled out your knife, keeping it close for when you needed to use it.

Nearing the danger zone. The woods were a dangerous place for walkers to roam. Easily for them to sneak up on you and catch you by surprise. In the distance you spotted a walker walking mindlessly, their head slightly tilted to the side, close to their shoulder. They were far enough to not see you. Without making any sounds, you kept a close eye on them, going a different way. They got out of sight as you neared a creak. Taking a leap. Jumping over flawlessly. The sudden sound of walker’s snarling caught your attention.

Turning your head instantly out of instinct, you exhaled loud. The tension slowly leaving your stiff posture. Not far from you was a walker tangled up between some wires. Their legs dangling in the cold water. You walked over to it holding your knife out. It began to snarl louder and squirm in your presence. Wanting to have a bite as it hungered for it. Kneeling down you grabbed a hold of it’s head. Their jaw violently snapping your way. A few teeth already missing. – “I give you mercy.” – you whispered before jamming your knife deep down it’s skull.

It pierced easily through the skull as the walker went silent. Jaw hanging loose as you retracted your knife from it. The blood on it dark and smelly. Their brain must have been rotten for a while now. Getting back up, you continued your way. Finding peace in solitude. After a while you looked up. Seeing how the sky was pure blue. Not a cloud in sight. You thought back of Alexandria and how everyone must have already woken up.

Shaking your head you didn’t want to think longer about them. The trees cleared way, fewer trees standing tall as you neared a small town. Mushy leaves made way for hard streets. Cars parked carelessly around. You rounded a car leaping back when a walker thudded their head against the glass. Aware of your sudden presence. They kept bumping their head against the thick glass, hands gripping wildly before them, held back by the belt. You backed away. Walking in the middle of the road to avoid the cars.

Who knew what was hiding behind them or in them. You went over to a convenience store. The windows dusted, some broken. Nearing the broken window, you took a peek inside. Not seeing anything at first sight. Kneeling down you removed your backpack. Unzipping it to search it. Taking out a pebble, you moved your backpack over your shoulder again. Throwing the pebble through the broken window you heard it clatter against the ground. Waiting and watching carefully for any walkers. Whispering the counts till you rounded at thirty and still nothing had surprised you.

Finding it secure enough you broke the window more to crawl inside. With a thud you landed on your feet, broken glass underneath your boots. Moving your backpack to the front, you kept it open to stuff useful supplies in it. The first shelves were empty. Plundered. You went down each row looking for something useful. By the middle you found some interesting things. For some reason a wooden spoon. You bagged it, thinking Carol could find use for it. Some canned food that still looked worth consuming. Further down the back you found a dusted bunny.

Already missing an eye and a rip in the side where the filling was coming out a bit. You thought off Judy and how she would loved it. There must be some needles and thread back at Alexandria to patch it up for her. You carefully pushed some filling back into the bunny before putting it in your backpack. There was some more canned food and some dry snacks. You also took every medicine you came across. Who knew when you needed it. Going back outside you looked around the deserted town. Something about this silence making you feel small yet grand as well. You went to sit on the hood of a car, taking out a snack.

The city’s was yours. An overwhelming loneliness. Time seemingly standing still as everything around it began to dust. The glory of the town long gone. Now but a shimmer of it’s former glory. Something in the distance made you narrow your eyes. A walker dragging her feet between some cars. You set your snack aside taking out your gun. Pointing it at firm at her. Deciding whether to shoot her in the head from up here. The shot could alarm others. Sighing loud you knew you had to get up and knife her. She disappeared behind some cars out of vision as you waited for her to reappear again.

Yet she didn’t. You kept waiting finding it odd you hadn’t seen her walk by. She must have. It started to alarm you that you hadn’t seen her walk past. Grabbing your things, you jumped off the hood. Gun in the ready you went over to the car. Wanting to see for yourself what happened. Did she find someone to feed on? Did she get stuck. Trip? Got killed? A thousand alarm sirens were going off in your head. Slightly frightening you. Holding your gun out, you neared the car. Going round you expected to find her. There was no one. Till you spotted her on the ground. Blood staining the street as she’s been stabbed in the head. It meant someone was out here with you.

Having a sudden sense, you spun around ready to shoot. Glenn shot his hands up at the sight of your gun pointing at him. – “Glenn!” – you called out. – “Are you insane I could’ve killed you!” – you lowered your gun. – “What the hell are you doing here by yourself?” – he shouted back lowering his hands. – “It’s dangerous to go out on your own. What were you thinking. You could’ve blown my head off with how jumpy you are!” – He called out. – “Then don’t sneak up on people asshole!” – you replied angered that he was threating you like a little child. – “Wow.” – Glenn breathed out with half a smile.

“I’m the asshole when you’re the one who pointed a gun at me.” – he answered. You rolled with your eyes, putting your gun away. – “Hey! Did you just roll your eyes at me!” – Glenn shouted as you walked away from him. His cheeks bloated with frustration that you’d just walk away carelessly. – “Y/n!” – Glenn said coming after you. – “Maggie was worried sick.” – he called out trying to catch up with you. You blabbed some annoying words out, using your hand to show him he was nagging. Glenn came to your side blabbering mockingly at you. It made you look bothered at him. – “How mature.” – you told him. – “I’m just mimicking you.” – he teased back with a sneer.

“You want an applause for that?” – you replied sarcastically. Glenn laughed annoyingly to let you know he found you ridiculous. You slapped him annoyed against his shoulder. Glenn narrowed his glare slapping you right back. It only angered you more as you slapped him right back against his shoulder. Glenn slapped you back as well. – “I can do this all day!” – he told you. – “So can I!” – you answered giving him a slap against the back of his head.

Nothing too hard, just a playful slap. Glenn and you were making your way back to Alexandria as he moved his leg up to bump it against your bottom. It made you stumble a bit forwards. As a response you gave him a nudge. Glenn nudged you right back. You wanted to nudge him back as Glenn’s expression hardened. He grabbed you by your wrist, pulling you closer to him. You stumbled forwards, lowering your head a bit when he moved his gun over your head. Firing twice to send a walker down. – “I could’ve gotten it.” – you told him. Glenn laughed loud. – “I didn’t know you had eyes on the back of your head.”

“Didn’t you know Glenny I do.” – you had crossed your arms, throwing him a teasing smile. – “Then I suppose you see this coming.” – he spoke tapping the back of your head. – “Hey!” – you called out as he took a run for it. You started to run after him. You wanted to push him as he grabbed your hands keeping you on a distance. – “Not close enough.” – he responded pushing you away. He jogged away as you went after him.

He darted away from your attempts to push him. Like a cat and a mouse playing around. The two of you neared the gates of Alexandria still playing around. Bickering and toying around like siblings would do. Maggie was waiting at the gate’s seeing Glenn give you a little nudge. It made you stumble a bit to the side as you nudged him right back. Maggie smiling at how she saw the two of you get along. Laughing as it reminded her of when they were younger and teasing each other.

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

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!  

[nesaluvstherecoms]

𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱.

ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍ ᴄᴏʟᴏɴᴇʟ ᴍɪʟᴇꜱ Qᴜᴀʀɪᴛᴄʜ x ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍ ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ꜰᴇᴍ. ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: Extreme mental strain, mentions of male masturbation.

ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ ʟɪɴᴋ

。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒: 𝐒𝐒𝐃𝐃

The sound of light solid taps is the only thing that can be heard through the dark office. Y/N’s breathing is soft, steady, calm, as it accompanies the sounds of the electronic pen writing on the screen of her touchpad. The lights of her spacious office are off, letting only the dim light from outside penetrate through the large glass-panel windows behind her and illuminate her surroundings. It’s almost eclipse.

Y/N’s sharp eyes follow the tip of her pen as she writes, summarizing her team’s new report for General Ardmore. The tip of her tail sways softly at her side, draped over the right arm of her expensive, cushioned desk chair. It’s the end of the week and she has been in her office all day, reviewing reports. It has been a good week overall. Her team have been able to eliminate multiple Na’vi groups and take over their territories, allowing the troops to start treating the land to set new grounds for the RDA. Captain Keller, Lieutenant Álvarez and Lieutenant Jones have led multiple units to success, almost flawlessly even in this new environment, Sergeant Davis has adapted his ability to plan attacks in said environment perfectly, and the rest of her team have been outstanding as well. Ardmore is happy, the contractors are happy, and most importantly, her team seems to be happy. She should be proud of them, she really should, and she is. But since day one, she can’t help but feel a weird weight in the bottom of her gut. She tells herself it’s just because she isn’t used to this, and she agrees. It will take some time to adapt, but she’ll get there.

With a final tap, she finishes the report and quickly puts her elegant signature at the bottom. Putting the electronic pen aside, she lets its magnetic side stick to the right side of her touchpad. Y/N pushes her desk chair slightly back and reaches upwards, stretching her elegant body and cracking her spine and tail. With a sigh of relief, she turns her chair around and leans back, resting her body comfortably on the thick cushioned lining. Her eyes immediately fall on the landscape outside, well not much of a landscape but it’s still better than looking at reports for hours. The dull colors outside don’t do much for the eye but Y/N doesn’t mind. Her eyes move to the sky, watching aimlessly as her mind continues its train of thought again. One report however, had not been to her liking. Three high-value prisoners free, a high-value target on the run and five Recombinants dead.

Y/N clenches her jaw. It’s been only two months and already five Recoms have been KIAd. A shiver runs down her spine. Recoms. Just like her. Just like her squad. How? How could this have happened? She watches as the eclipse happens in the sky, blocking the rest of the light rays, plunging the world outside into darkness. Bridgehead turns on its night lights, illuminating the city as some vehicles stop moving, the workers wrapping up their workdays as others come out to start their night shifts.

A knock on her office door brings her out of her thoughts. She turns around to press a button from the control panel on her desk and the door slides open. The comforting figure of her Captain steps into her office, stopping a few steps away from her desk and saluting her.

“General.” John acknowledges softly but firmly. Y/N nods, smiling softly.

“John.” She greets. “At ease.”

Captain Keller lowers his arm, giving her a friendly smile as he shuffles once on his feet.

“I apologize if I am disturbing ma’am, but General Ardmore requests your presence in the Neurolab.”

Y/N raises her brows. The Neurolab? That’s a bit of an odd location for Ardmore to be in.

“I see. Is there a problem?” She asks, as she stands up from her desk. John looks at her, as she makes her way around her desk to stand in front of him, looking up at him from her side. He purses his lips slightly before responding in his deep and raspy tone.

“Turns out Colonel Quaritch did not lose all of his captives after all.”

Y/N has gotten used to the eyes following her everywhere she walks by now. Her high rank, her demeanor and her intimidating size attract attention everywhere she goes. But this kind of attention has been following her her whole life, even before waking up as a Recom, with people staring at her; some in admiration, some in judgement, some in curiosity and some in just lust. By now, it doesn’t bother her, and if it wasn’t for the way she has been conditioned to pay attention to everything around her, she wouldn’t even notice. So now, as she walks through the corridors of the Ops center, with John following behind her and towering over the humans walking around, she ignores the multiple pairs of eyes that follow their moving figures. They turn a corner to a corridor with less people and Y/N turns her head towards her team Captain.

“So, about this prisoner. Tell me more.” She says as they keep on walking together towards the designated place. John takes a sip of carbon dioxide, letting his lungs fill up nicely, before responding to his General.

“It’s a human boy. Raised mostly in the wild by the resistance and the natives. Deceased Colonel Quaritch’s son.” He replies, watching as Y/N raises a brow disapprovingly.

“Son? He had a child?” She asks, her cropped ears folding back slightly. John nods.

“Yes ma’am. He got one of his scorpion pilots pregnant when he was still alive, resulting in the boy. The mother died in the war and the kid was left with the resistance.” He informs her. Y/N scoffs in amusement, shaking her head, and her tail swings a couple of times behind her.

“So not only did he give leverage to the traitor for months, but he was fraternizing with his own pilots too? Talk about populating Pandora.” She comments and John chuckles, shaking his head. Y/N brings the mask of her Recom Breather up to her face and takes a filling sip of carbon dioxide, before lowering it and talking to John again.

“How come the boy was not sent back to Earth, like everyone else?”

John takes a sip from his mask as well before speaking.

“He was too young. Babies cannot be put in cryo sleep.”

Y/N hums, turning her line of vision away for a moment before looking back at him.

“And he is important to us how exactly?”

“He’s been with Sully’s family for years, grown up with the kids. He knows every single Na’vi operation, the location of their main base, everything. If the science department manage to force this information out of him then we have hit the jackpot.” John replies. Y/N nods slowly, grabbing her mask again and moving it up to her face. New thoughts start roaming her mind, processing the new information.

“I see.”

。。。

Miles’ head is in multiple places at once. Firstly, his team’s encounter in the forest still has him and his troopers shaken. Five of their own are dead, gone in a matter of seconds. He believes his team will get over their deaths soon, they are soldiers after all, they have lost people before. But what bothers him the most is the human boy he never thought he would see again. Young Miles. Quaritch’s steps are firm as he walks through the corridors of the Ops center, with Wainfleet following close behind. Miles’ tail moves slowly behind him, as him and his Lieutenant move towards the Neurolab, both Recoms silent. Lyle’s eyes remain on the back of Miles’ head, trying to figure out the current mood of his Colonel. After all, they have just found his predecessor’s son. That must be shocking even to Miles himself. But up until now, the Colonel has shown no emotions towards the situation. As soon as they returned to base, he handed the boy in Ardmore’s troops’ hands like he was as valuable as any other prisoner. But a few moments ago, as soon as he had heard that the boy would be strapped to the DPF’s NeuroSect E7.2T scanner, he was immediately on his feet and out the door, with Lyle following behind. So Wainfleet cannot make out exactly what the Colonel is feeling. He tries to read his body language, watching his tail and his ears but they do not show any sign of his emotions either. With his eyes still on his Colonel, Lyle brings the Recom Breather mask up to his face and takes a sip of carbon dioxide. Well, he’s about to figure out what Miles is thinking, as they are now heading straight for the Neurolab down the corridor.

。。。

As Y/N and John turn the corner to finally be in front of the Neurolab, he is suddenly pulled back and pressed against the wall, put out of sight from the entrance. His first instinct is to fight and then react but the one who has pulled him back is Y/N.

“General?” He questions as Y/N presses herself against the wall as well. She shushes him, her eyes carefully inspecting the front of the Neurolab. John follows her line of vision and a few moments later, two pairs of heavy combat boots echo through the corridor. What he can only assume is Colonel Quaritch and his Lieutenant, as far as John remembers from the holograms shown to him and Y/N in the Holofloor the first day they arrived, pass through and wait for the door of the Neurolab to open. The metal doors slide open and Wainfleet is the first to move a step inside, but Quaritch doesn’t move. Instead his head is raised slightly up and he’s looking around, his tail now swinging faster behind him. His brows furrow in concentration as he seems to be searching around for something. Wainfleet, who has now stepped a foot in the lab, turns to his commander with a raised eyebrow.

“Colonel?”

Quaritch looks around for a bit more, amber eyes searching for whatever has suddenly caught his attention, but when he doesn’t find it, he shakes his head with a displeased expression on his face and heads inside the Neurolab. The doors slide closed after him and Wainfleet walk in, and Y/N removes herself from the wall. John turns his head towards her, giving her a questioning look.

“What was that for?” He asks. Y/N doesn’t answer, instead she looks thoughtfully at a blank spot on the floor for a moment, before she raises her head again and turns to him.

“We best not make our presence known. I want to see how this unfolds.”

“Where is Jake Sully?”

“I don’t know!” Screams the boy in fear, his voice cracking from the strain he puts on his exhausted throat. The DPF’s NeuroSect E7.2T scanner where he is strapped on, spins in flashing green lights, with a whirring sound that fills the Neurolab.

“We know that you know.” Ardmore presses.

Quaritch watches intently, leaning with one arm on the glass panel of the Neurolab’s brain imaging booth.

“I don’t know!” The boy screams again.

“Just form a picture in your mind.” Ardmore says nonchalantly, lowering her head briefly to check the screen of the scanner. “Is it one of the floating mountains?”

“Let me out of here!” He replies back.

Inside the brain imaging booth, Wainfleet bends down to check the holo display of the boy’s brain, watching as different colors highlight the different brain states that he is going through, with the scanner feeding it visual memories in real time. The corporate man next to Quaritch turns around towards one of the scientists analyzing the hologram.

“Hey, he’s fighting this.” He states as Quaritch turns around as well, grabbing the mask of his Recom Breather and bringing it up to his face.

“Give us a minute.” The scientist replies, walking closer to the woman scientist analyzing the brain with him. Meanwhile, the boy continues to scream in the background.

“I don’t know!”

Ardmore purses her lips, slowly starting to get annoyed as she stares him down.

“Just form a thought.” She says while shaking her head, her voice starting to get laced in irritation. “And we will see it.”

“I don’t know!”

Quaritch slowly moves behind the holo display of the boy’s brain. His cropped ears raise up as he stares at it in curiosity. He shifts in place, brows slowly furrowing the more he looks at it.

“Look, I don’t like this any more than you do!” Ardmore says, finally raising her voice and showing her frustration. It’s been forty minutes, she has shit to do, but instead she’s stuck here interrogating this filthy kid who somehow isn’t budging. And where is L/N, she asked for her fifty minutes ago! The boy screams in pain as a sharp throb stabs down the center of his brain.

“Which clans would be harboring him?” Ardmore presses.

“I don’t know!” He screams yet again in pain, this time faster. “You’re gonna have to kill me!”

At that last sentence Miles’ eyes narrow down dangerously. His ears fold back and he glares at the hologram, before a displeased expression plasters on his face, his upper lip twitching upwards once. He bends down just like Wainfleet did, to get a closer look at the pulsing electric waves that run through the neurons of the hologram brain in a neon orange color. The boy’s screams continue in the background.

“Watch this, you’re peaking all over the prefrontal.” The male scientist who spoke earlier tells the female scientist as she scrambles with a datapad that analyzes the boy’s brain further.

“It’s not gonna stop until you give us something. Where is he?!” Ardmore continues, this time irritation showing fully through the tone of her voice. The boy screams more, his body now starting to shake against the scanner.

“I don’t know you assholes, okay?! I don’t know!” He screams harder, his voice cracking again through the sentence. Quaritch has had enough.

With fast, heavy steps he moves swiftly to the control panel outside of the brain imaging booth, pressing his palm down on the red shut off button. The whirring sound of the scanner slowls down and the spinning panels slow down with it until they stop moving completely and the sound that has been filling the Neurolab for almost fifty minutes stops, plunging the room in silence. Ardmore turns around, snapping her head back to get a look of the person who just shut off the scanner. Miles removes his massive hand from the control panel and straightens his posture, looking back at the General with the tip of his tail slightly raised while Wainfleet walks out of the booth and stands a few feet away from his Colonel. The boy pants heavily, eyes now half lidded and blood leaking out of his left nostril. With slow and soft strides, trying to approach the situation carefully, Quaritch gets closer to the General. His vision falls on the boy for a bit before he turns his back to him and moves his head closer to Ardmore. Maintaining reassuring eye contact with her, he speaks.

“General, let me… try the personal angle.” He says with a nod and ears folded back, voice raspy and firm. Ardmore stares intensively into his eyes, disbelief plastered on her face. She snaps her head towards the boy before turning to look at Quaritch with her mouth slightly agape in irritation.

“He’s not your son.” She tells him, glaring into his eyes warningly. Quaritch knows that there’s a hint of threat in her tone, and he doesn’t say anything but maintain the eye contact. Ardmore purses her lips and gives him one last stare before turning her head forward and walking down the steps of the scanner. Quaritch’s eyes follow her, turning his head towards her form until she steps on the floor of the Neurolab. Without any more words she strides off. Wainfleet steps out of her way and gives her a respectful head nod as she leaves and Quaritch turns his head towards the boy still strapped on the scanner. He reaches in and unstraps him, yanking the leads off of him. Two strong, muscled arms reach towards the boy’s figure and pull him out of the scanner. With exhausted and half lidded eyes he stares up at the Recombinant that is now carrying his weak body in his arms. Quaritch chuckles.

“Tough guy, huh? How’s that workin’ out for you?” He says softly to the kid before wiping his bloody nose with his thumb. He turns around and with heavy strides, starts making his way towards the door. Wainfleet watches him before following behind, as scientists and personnel watch them with wide eyes. Right as the two Recoms are about to exit, yet again Quaritch stops. With a curious stare he turns around, eyes frantically searching again for something that has caught his attention. Wainfleet raises a brow again, trying to figure out what is up with his Colonel today, but before he can start thinking too much of it, Quaritch has turned back towards the exit and has now stepped out. Wainfleet follows, the two pairs of combat boots thudding heavily on the metal floors, before the doors slide closed behind them.

。。。

Miles clenches his jaw as they walk through the hallway. That scent. That mind numbing scent. That scent that he smelled again. Just like the one that was lingering around the entrance of the Neurolab when he arrived. Similar to the one he fisted his cock to in the ISV Vindicator. She’s around here somewhere. He knows it.

。。。

In the second story of the Neurolab, Y/N and Captain Keller slowly get closer to the rail that lets them look down upon the brain imaging booth and the scanner. Y/N brings her Recom Breather mask up to her face and takes a deep sip, filling her lungs with the much needed carbon dioxide. John chuckles in disbelief, his amber eyes staring at the now empty scanner, before he turns his head towards her.

“Did you see that, General?” He asks, his raspy voice clearly displaying disapproval. Y/N’s stare onto the scanner is hard and filled with distaste. She removes the mask from her face and her cropped ears fold back slightly before speaking in a serious tone.

“Damn right I saw.”

After attending some important matters, Ardmore heads towards her office to review a few reports and then finish work for the day. After all, eclipse has fallen long ago and everyone has already wrapped up their shifts. But being the RDA’s Expeditionary Force Commander, she cannot rest so easily like the rest of the people on base, as the future of humanity is ultimately upon her shoulders. These thoughts roam her mind as she walks through the now dead and quiet corridors, her footsteps echoing through the hallways. After a few seconds, she arrives in front of her office door, pressing her keycard to the scanner on the right side. The door slides open and she takes a step inside before her senses heighten alarmingly as her eyes fall on the large blue figure in her office. Instinctively, her hand flies to her handgun but a further look at the Na’vi and she sighs, releasing her grip on the firearm.

“For fucks sake, L/N.”

Y/N gives her a grin, sat on one of the couches in Ardmore’s office with her legs one over the other on top of the coffee table in front of the piece of furniture.

“Apologies for my unannounced presence, General.” She replies, fidgeting with a combat knife as she continues sitting comfortably on the couch. Ardmore frowns at her once before stepping into the office, the door sliding closed behind her. She walks to her desk and takes off the holster along with the gun, placing it on top of the surface before turning away.

“Not only did you not attend to my side when I asked you to today, but you also made yourself comfortable in my office without my permission, after the work day nonetheless. Care to explain yourself?” She asks coldly, walking to the coffee machine in the corner of her office and turning it on.

“Ah, apologies, I plead guilty for the second charge. Not for the first one though.” Y/N says with a chuckle, running her elegant blue fingers over the black blade. “Coffee at night, General? I thought you were the healthy type.”

Ardmore huffs once in amusement, grabbing a standard-issue RDA coffee mug from a cupboard nearby and putting it under the coffee dispenser.

“When the fate of humanity is on your shoulders, you’ve thrown health out the window a long time ago.” She replies, turning around to lean against the table that the coffee machine and a few other assortments are on, and facing Y/N. Ardmore crosses her arms over her chest as the machine starts buzzing.

“So, why are you here?” She presses. Y/N’s eyes fall on her before she lowers her feet from the coffee table and sits up on the couch. She tucks the knife into its sheath on her gear and places her elbows on top of her knees, leaning forward.

“I was there today. In the Neurolab. Captain Keller informed me as you requested and I complied. However, as I was about to enter the lab, Colonel Quaritch and his Lieutenant approached the lab as well. I did not want to make my presence known so I stayed out of sight. But I was there. I attempted to catch up to you after but your assistant informed me that you were occupied with some important matters. So I came over here and waited.”

Ardmore raises a brow, looking back at Y/N, expecting something more. Y/N catches on to her expression and sighs, reaching into one of the pockets of her tactical pants to pull out a small metal card with a magnetic strip. She puts it on top of the coffee table like she’s making a peace offering and places her elbow on top of her knee again.

“Yes, I did steal the keycard that unlocks the door to your office from your assistant. But to my defense, I did not know when you’d be returning. Besides, I don’t think he has noticed yet.” Y/N says, giving Ardmore a mischievous smile. Ardmore sighs heavily, turning around to press a button on the coffee machine and with a whirring buzz, it starts dispensing the hot drink into the mug below.

“Get to the point.” She says shortly, the tiredness from the day’s events catching up to her as she reaches for a packet of sugar on the table. Y/N nods slowly and looks away briefly. Her eyes fall on Ardmore’s pistol on top of the desk and she runs her vision over it for a while.

“What do you think of Quaritch’s actions today?” She asks after a brief moment of silence. Ardmore stops her movements for a few seconds, before pouring the contents of the packet into the coffee and grabbing a small spoon from a container next to the sugar packets.

“Are you trying to hint at something?” She responds, not replying to Y/N’s question. Y/N’s ears fold back and she shifts briefly in place.

“Come on, General. I saw your suspicion and disapproval as he shut off the scanner and asked to interrogate the boy himself. You can’t tell me you don’t think that he’s onto something.” Y/N finally presses, watching the back of Ardmore’s head carefully. Ardmore stirs her coffee slowly, grabbing the mug by the handle and turning towards Y/N again. She continues stirring her drink as she looks over at the Recom whose eyes are now flashing in a dangerous glint.

“I know what you’re trying to say. Yes, his actions seemed questionable to me because of the link the boy holds to the original Miles Quaritch. However, I don’t think anything is going on. If the scanner can’t get the information out of the prisoner then the personal approach that Quaritch will be attempting tomorrow might lead us to something.” She replies. Y/N clenches her jaw, swallowing down the saliva in her mouth before trying again.

“With all due respect, ma’am, I think you’re overlooking something that can turn into a problem later on. He’s clearly fond of the kid. He did not turn the scanner off to try and suggest interrogating the boy, he did it to save his life. I know desperation when I see it. A few more minutes in the scanner and the kid’s brain would have been leaking out of his ears. No commanding officer saves a prisoner of war like that just for the purpose of an interrogation. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to risk having an officer in my ranks who has a soft spot for a prisoner who serves our enemy.” Y/N says, looking carefully at Ardmore who has now stopped stirring and is looking back at her with a thoughtful expression. She then inhales deeply and looks away for a brief moment, before raising the mug up to her lips and taking a sip.

“I appreciate your concern, L/N. But for now, I think you’re being a bit too paranoid. However, I will be watching Quaritch more carefully, if that puts your mind at ease. For now, focus on your own team and your missions, and let me do my job and deal with my own personnel.”

Y/N clenches her jaw again, clearly disappointed at the reply she received. She thinks about it but she does not argue. Instead, with a deep sigh, she leans back onto the couch, defeated.

“As you wish, ma’am.” She replies with a bored tone, turning her vision to the handgun on the desk again.

Ardmore walks to her desk and sits down, putting the coffee mug on top of the wood surface. Y/N slowly reaches forward for the pistol, her size allowing her to do so and she takes the firearm into her hands. With a pleased expression, she starts inspecting it while Ardmore turns on her personal datapad to take a look at some reports.

“A .40 caliber United Ballistics Zarkov-33, huh. Not bad, some of my troopers use the Recom version of this too. Powerful firearm. I see why it’s our standard. Though, I’d expect you to have something more personalized, General.” Y/N comments, inspecting the tactical light-laser and rangefinder on top of the muzzle of the gun.

“Yeah? Like this?” Ardmore replies nonchalantly, her eyes still on the datapad as she reaches down and pulls out her high magazine MIL-SPEC 502. Y/N’s eyes sparkle like a kid as she sees the sidearm being put on top of the desk and she puts the Z-33 Pistol next to the keycard on top of the coffee table and immediately reaches for the new gun. She inspects it carefully from the harness system to the grip and the 16 round magazine, muttering a little “damn” under her breath as she admires the weapon with her tail swinging side to side behind her. Ardmore slowly takes another sip of her coffee, before putting the mug down and speaking to her with her eyes still on the report.

“Now please get out of my office.”

Y/N’s ears fold back as she realizes that she’s been playing with a gun like a cat with a yarn ball while occupying her commander’s office.

“Right.” She replies, putting the second gun down on the coffee table as well and standing up.

“Good night, General.” She says in a firm tone, saluting Ardmore respectfully before turning around and heading out. As the door slides closed behind her, Ardmore sighs and takes another sip of her coffee. This is going to be a long night.

“Can you believe this? They’re helpless. Absolutely fuckin’ helpless.” Riley huffs out, raspy voice laced with irritation as he moves with his usual heavy steps and hands clasped behind his back. Y/N stands between him and Scott, the three of them walking through the training fields as soldiers run around under the sun, doing their daily drills. A bit further away, aircrafts take off and land, trains and vehicles move relentlessly, creating a noisy and busy atmosphere around them as Bridgehead city buzzes in activity as always.

“I’ve seen fuckin’ pigs more coordinated than this.”

Scott hums, raising a brow at Riley’s last comment.

“Oh com’ on LT. They jus’ stepped foot hier. Give ‘em a break, will ya?” He replies, looking at Riley who in return turns to stare at him.

“A fuckin’ break?! What do you think we’re doing here, playing nanny? We’re at war for fuck’s sake. Pull your head out of your arse.”

Y/N sighs, as Scott and Riley start going at it once again. Riley has recently been put in charge of training new recruits into enforcing the protection of Bridgehead city, seeing that Y/N and ALPHA have now taken over a good amount of Na’vi land territories, putting Bridgehead into the center of the natives’ attention. And as you might imagine, the man is not happy with his new troops’ level of skills. Not in the slightest bit. He’s been training them relentlessly, to the point that multiple recruits have passed out or thrown their guts up on the training field, for which in both cases they have gotten harsh punishment. Scott has disagreed to this for weeks now, arguing that these are the only soldiers they have available at the moment and if Riley continues like this he’ll kill them in no time, besides, the recruits that arrive on Bridgehead are already trained and what Riley is doing is unnecessary. He persistently repeats that they cannot afford to loose troops, skilled or not, because human capital is sacred on Pandora.

Y/N raises a gloved hand, stopping their argument on the spot, as they both give each other one last glare and fall quiet, turning to look at their commander.

“Riley is correct. We cannot have recruits this undertrained, especially during a time of uprising tensions. I’ll have a chat with General Ardmore about this. It seems that we need to establish new requirements for who can board on Pandora as a trooper.”

And with that both men nod and the argument is wrapped up.

“Hahaha she still pacifies you both. Better start calling her mommy.”

The three of them turn towards Lieutenant Álvarez and Captain Keller who are walking towards them, with John chuckling at Fernando’s comment. Riley scowls and Scott grins as the two higher ranking officers approach with lazy, heavy strides, hands clasped behind their carrier plates.

“I’m not listening to the comments of a man who got shot on his ass by the cartel.” Riley replies which makes Scott burst in laughter.

“Oh I forgot ‘bout tha’.” He says in between laughs as Fernando and John are now standing with them on the training ground. “Ye literally ran around the battlefield with a bullet up yer ass.”

Y/N hides a smile at Scott’s last comment as Riley and John laugh, with Fernando cracking a smile as well. After they all finish laughing he turns his head towards the recruits training some meters away from them. His tail flicks behind him in curiosity and he speaks to Riley without moving his eyes from the soldiers.

“I see you’re still not going easy on them.” He says as he watches the exhausted men and women try to not break down in the middle of the exercises.

“Yeah, it’s fuckin’ embarrassing. These are the people we’re supposed to colonize with. Pathetic.” Riley replies as all five of them are now watching the recruits. A few seconds later one of the men stops running, absolutely exhausted to the point that his body cannot move anymore and he remains behind while the group that is running laps continues. This only feeds into Riley’s irritation and with a booming voice, he yells.

“AY PRIVATE! WHAT THE FUCK?! SO WE JUST STANDING AROUND PLAYING WITH COCKS NOW?!”

His voice booms throughout the training field and multiple recruits flinch at the sound, staring up at the Recom in horror for a brief second before continuing their exercises. The poor recruit, a young man, flinches at the yelling, and stares at Riley in shock and fear.

“MOVE YER FUCKIN’ ARSE! STOP STARING AT ME LIKE YER WAITING FOR ME TO BLOW A DAMN LOAD ON YOUR FACE!” The Recombinant yells again. The terrified recruit gathers all of the strength he has left and scrams away, trying to hide in the line of the group running laps. Riley sighs in frustration, bringing his gloved hand up to rub the flat bridge of his nose as the rest of the Recoms chuckle.

“This looks like fun. I might be the one training them one of these days.” Y/N comments, crossing her arms as she watches the recruits in amusement and Riley scoffs in reply.

“Be my guest, General.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

The Recoms turn around to see Sergeant Herrera approaching them, walking with her usual swaying hips and cocky demeanor, tail moving slowly behind her. The rest give her a friendly nod as they see her walk closer and she smiles.

“General. Captain. Lieutenants. Sergeant.” She greets them all accordingly before turning to Y/N.

“General, Sergeant Davis has made another strategic plan for taking over the west forest area above the border, and he wants you to go over it. He’s currently with the science department, in the main labs, consulting them on a few details. When you have the time, your presence would be appreciated.”

Y/N hums, uncrossing her arms and turning to her.

“Thank you, Maria. Well, I’ll see you later then gentlemen. I hope the training goes well, Lieutenant Jones. I’ll speak to Ardmore tomorrow about the whole thing.”

“Yes ma’am.” They reply in unison.

The men nod, saluting her respectfully and without further ado, Y/N turns and walks away, leaving them and Maria alone on the training field. As she moves away, they all turn towards watching the recruits again, with Riley’s irritation back in check.

“NOW DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME FIFTY, MOTHERFUCKERS!”

Y/N doesn’t particularly hate the science department. But she doesn’t like them either. They’re just there, existing in the same space as her and her troops, and she pays them no mind. The only person from her team that interacts with them on a regular is Henry Davis. Being the Master Gunnery Sergeant, he is the one responsible for coming up with new strategies, tactics and plans. That includes constantly consulting the science department on Pandora’s flora and fauna, so every possibility in a mission can be accounted for. And up until now, he has done amazing. Not only have his strategies never failed once, but he has managed to learn a vast amount of information about Pandora in an incredibly short time. To say that Y/N is very proud would be an understatement.

This is what she’s thinking as she walks through the corridors to get to the science department building. Her steps are lazy as she is in no rush, taking her time and looking around here and there. She takes a turn to a larger corridor that connects the main labs to the headquarters of the department, a spacious tunnel that also connects other parts of the building to each other. As she sets her eyes on the doors of the labs, something pounces at the corner of her vision. In a flash, Y/N has already drawn out her most powerful handgun, pointing the muzzle at the thing that now looks up at her with its yellow eyes. A viperwolf. Y/N’s senses are now fully alarmed and locked in on the creature that has stopped moving and lowered its body closer to the floor in caution, with its six limbs bent. Creatures like this have attacked her forces before. They are extremely hostile and lethal to humans. So how the fuck did an animal like this get in here? Breathing getting faster, she keeps the gun pointed at it and sensing the danger, the viperwolf clenches its snake like jaw and bares its obsidian teeth at her, growling warningly at the Recom. Y/N pulls back the slide of her gun, ready to shoot the thing dead if it tries anything. The animal growls harder, moving one clawed hand forward, and just as Y/N is about to pull the trigger-

“DON’T SHOOT HIM!”

At the sound of the feminine voice, the viperwolf runs away towards it. Y/N scowls, snapping back towards the voice to try and get a peak of the person who has let this thing loose. Her breath catches right in her throat.

Standing a few feet away from her, is the most beautiful woman that Y/N has ever laid eyes on. Flowing long locks of black hair with a few interlocked braids fall on her shoulders, bringing forth her gorgeous, beautiful face with big amber eyes that look at Y/N carefully. She is dressed in a dark blue and black uniform that Y/N has never seen before, but it has the RDA’s logo. It’s tight fitting to her thin, elegant Na’vi body, the top cropped right above her cleavage, showing a pair of firm collarbones. Her tail moves slowly behind her, still cautious at the possibility that Y/N might shoot the animal which is now hiding behind her long, elegant legs. Are all Na’vi women so breathtaking beautiful? Realizing that she’s ogling, Y/N clears her throat and relaxes her posture, putting the handgun back in its holster.

“Care to explain why you have a wild animal, nevertheless a viperwolf, running around base?” She speaks, regaining her commander voice as her ears fold back and she pins the woman with a stare. The girl’s eyes take in Y/N from head to toe, before they fall on her tail which is moving side to side behind her, betraying her hardened soldier composure. A playful smile falls on her lips and she turns her doe eyes to Y/N’s face.

“He is not a wild animal, ma’am. He is my friend. I raised him since he was a tiny cub. You’re the one who drew her weapon at an unprovoked animal.” She replies, crossing her toned arms over her chest. The woman’s soothing voice prickles goosebumps on Y/N’s skin, soft and tranquil to the ear. But Y/N is a master at hiding emotions. She scowls at the girl, raising a brow disapprovingly as she stares her judgmentally up and down.

“I’m sorry, did you say “friend”? I knew you science department chicks had a few screws loose but I didn’t think it was this bad.” She replies with a condescending tone. But instead of getting offended, the girl chuckles. That catches Y/N off guard briefly, and she looks at her with a questioning expression. The woman turns her eyes to Y/N’s, looking into them through her long lashes with an amused smile and she starts walking towards the General. Y/N can’t help but stare as even her walk is attention catching, so elegant yet humble, her long tail swinging playfully side to side. The viperwolf follows behind her, staying close to her long and toned legs and rubbing its body on her calves. She stops in front of Y/N, careful to not get into her personal space, and brings her right hand forward for a handshake.

“Name’s Toddy. I’ve heard quite a lot about you, General. You have a feared reputation ‘round ‘ere. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She says with a smile, waiting for Y/N to engage in the handshake. Y/N can’t help but notice a faint southern drawl in her way of speaking, and she looks down at her hand, admiring the elegant veins on it for a second, before clasping it with her own. Five fingers. Thankfully not a native.

“Recombinant?” Y/N asks as they shake hands, noticing how her palm is pleasantly warm. Toddy shakes her head.

“Avatar.” She replies as they end the handshake. “Though I wish I could maintain a Na’vi body permanently.”

Y/N chuckles, crossing her arms.

“It’s not a blessing. Trust me. Try sleeping with a tail and a neural whip. Nine times out of ten you’ll crush them with your body or an elbow and you’ll wake up hissing in pain.” She replies and Toddy giggles, her tail moving behind her in delight.

“If I could have this body forever, I’d take my chances. So, what brings you to these parts of base, General? Here for Sergeant Davis I assume?”

Y/N nods once as she lightly shifts in place, with her cropped ears slightly folding back in approval. Toddy notices them and her eyes narrow for a split second, before she gives Y/N a smile.

“Well then, follow me.”

。。。

Toddy brings Y/N to one of the main labs, probably the biggest one. The viperwolf follows behind them, staying close to Toddy and occasionally looking around. The lab is noisy and filled with personnel, people running around with datapads, samples and lab equipment, some of them in white coats some others in corporate attire. Everyone seems to be deep in work, not lifting their heads from what they’re doing and deep in conversations with each other. Y/N turns to Toddy as they both walk amongst them.

“It’s quite busy in here. The scientists who we see in our parts of base aren’t usually this erratic in work. Is everyday like this?” She asks, looking at the woman next to her. Toddy shakes her head.

“Not usually. It’s often quite chill in here, people mind their own research in their labs. But since that prisoner that Colonel Quaritch brought in resisted the DPF’s NeuroSect E7.2T scanner yesterday, everyone has been scrambling to figure out a way for it to not happen again. No one has been able to understand what went wrong until now, and that’s a big problem.” She explains, looking back at Y/N. “The scanner is an extremely important tool not only for the department, but for the entire mission. It is the primary way of how we figure out different things about Pandora from the memories of the native’s, avatar’s and our own people, without having to go outside and risk our lives to gain information. If a human boy can fight it then it raises a huge uncertainty if we can use it again in the future.”

Y/N looks away in thought, watching the people around them as they make way for the two larger women and the animal to pass through the human sized facility. She then turns back to Toddy.

“So, what’s your specialization? Some fancy zoology shit?” She asks as she gives the viperwolf a glance at that last sentence and Toddy chuckles, shaking her head.

“Oh? Is the General interested in me?” She says, tilting her head teasingly with a smile and Y/N scoffs, furrowing her brows like a nine year old who has been told that her playground buddy has a crush on her. That makes Toddy chuckle.

“I’m not a scientist. I’m a scout.” She then replies, turning her head to look forward as to not bump into any humans.

“A scout? What’s that? Like the rangers we have in our department?” Y/N asks with a raised brow, moving away a female scientist that nearly walks into her.

“No, not really. Your rangers are responsible for surprise raids on the Na’vi in the forest. My job on the other hand is to go into the wild to gather the samples that the scientists and the medics require for their research or other uses.” Toddy replies, turning her hips slightly to show Y/N the sample storing bag secured on her belt. “I wouldn’t be considered a scientist since I don’t do research, but I am very well informed about the ecosystems of Pandora, as well as all of its species. At least the ones humanity has been able to discover and research up until now.”

Y/N nods once, looking slightly intrigued.

“So I’m assuming you know your way around the forest then.” She says, tilting her head slightly. Toddy grins.

“Like the back of my hand.”

They have now arrived to a spacious lab room where a bunch of specialists in white coats are talking to the large male Recom amongst them, wearing ALPHA’s casual uniform. Y/N watches momentarily as Henry continues to converse with them, before turning to the beautiful woman next to her who has been eyeing Y/N’s pretty face for a few seconds now.

“This is where we part then.”

Toddy smiles, watching Y/N through her lashes with her doe eyes before reaching for a final handshake.

“Maybe I could show you ‘round the forest sometime, General. Without the uniform and the high caliber destructive weapons.” She replies, her long ears slightly raising up as she says the last sentence to Y/N. The General grasps her hand, giving it a firm shake before letting go.

“I’ll think about it, Toddy.”

“Well alright then.”

And with that, Toddy gives Y/N one final beautiful smile before turning around and walking away. Her steps are calm and her posture is relaxed as she walks, taking her time to move her hips to her own rhythm and leisure while her tail moves side to side behind her. The viperwolf follows behind, with the paddled end of its tail wagging behind it. Y/N now notices the collar on its neck, dark blue and black that match its owner’s uniform, the dark colors almost making it blend completely to the black skin of its neck. She shakes her head and turns towards the room where Henry has now noticed his General, before walking inside.

Title explanation:

SSDD - Same Shit, Different Day.

ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ

[imahinatjon]

Can you write something about a reader who only focuses on what they did wrong. Like for example, they had a mission that they succeeded flawlessly in, and they know that. But they only focus on the small mistakes and how to perfect them. And after some time, Fyodor, who has started to fall in love with them, grows irritated at their unhealthy habit and decides to teach them a lesson, by overstimulating them. No worries if you don't want to write something like this

It has been WAYYY too long. I am so sorry for not getting to this sooner. But hey! Its done now. Been a busy month and my hands are killing me lol.

Anyway, here it is. Overstimulation with fyodor. Maybe out of character.

How much more?

Fyodor x Reader 18+ 💋

This was... oh THIS was irritating. Fyodor didn't send you out often, in his opinion you were too good for the lowly, mediocre jobs, so he'd wait for a better and more Important mission to send you on- he trusted you'd get the job done.

Not that he'd ever told you that.

So of course, you assume your kept behind so often because your not good enough to go on missions - without even realising that the ones you DO get assigned are the more important ones.

But how were you to know that they were important to him? You'd never seen a 'normal' job.

No normal person would ever be caught complaining to Fyodor in such a way. The only person who spoke to him so familiarly was you.

And it was ovbious he had some sort of feeling towards you, to everyone but yourself. Your colleagues weren't sure if they should worry for you or be glad you'd be somewhat protected.

Aha! But, none of that is the point, not really. The focus of this is what your doing right now - complaining again to Fyodor. Telling him all about your last mission. An astounding success it was! But... well, that one guard? He managed to spot you and alert a few other guys of your infiltration, all because you were a little too loud. I mean, you did take them down, but you have a rather nasty scratch on your arm. Only a scratch, but it hurt, and hindered the rest of your mission. Maybe if not for that first mistake. It would have gone a little more smoothly.

Fyodor really didn't care. You did the job, and you made sure it was a success, all the little details were inconsequential.

But he listened to you. Patting your head as your frowned deeply when you sat beside him.

He wanted to fix the problem. Somehow. Your constant complaining DID get annoying at times. Besides, you were seriously underselling yourself on a regular basis.

Then he had an idea.

In hindsight, a stupid idea which didn't make much sense, and wouldn't do anything to fix things in the long run, but it'd be a temporary fix.

...

That and he just really wanted to eat you out.

This little thought of his, an impulse he'd never have acted on if he wasn't already a little ticked is what landed you on your back, sprawled over a sofa, fyodor gently massaging your genitalia, ghosting gently over all your most sensitive parts with his cold hands.

Occasionally he'd hit that one spot, making you flinch with a cold shiver up your spine and your hips twitch.

You sighed quietly, he was slow, and it was relaxing, blissful, and then you felt something warm fan over you.

Opening your eyes you spied his mouth closing in on you, ready to take in your essence.

"W-wait!" You yelped

Fyodor stopped and looked up, expectantly, he wanted an explanation

"Its not... I'm... what if it doesn't... it won't taste... Good?" You weren't sure hoe exactly it should he said. You were sure whatever he wanted to do would feel heavenly, and you desperately wanted him to continue, but doubts persisted.

He sighed.

"Any more complaining and I'm not letting you come"

'What?' You thought to yourself. He was harsh, and you were sure he would stick to his word should you complain again, but, his hand squeezed yor thight gently. A subtle message 'its okay'

And he was soon back between your legs, tongue working wonders, one hand over your stomach, arm keeping you still, the other toying where his mouth was absent.

He moved around a lot, switching his attention to various parts of your body, bringing you closer and closer to an edge you would soon reach.

You felt your muscles tighten, his hair run between your fingers, and you were sure you must have called his name at some point as your mouth was open and throat a little dry.

You needed some water.

But something was stopping you after your climax. A sensation that slightly ached, made you wince and look down. Fyodor was still going. He has to know you've already come right? Surely...?

Of course he knew.

But you hadn't much time to entertain his intentions as your next orgasm was ready to crash down upon you like a tidle wave, more intense than the previous.

He shifted, leaning up over you.

"Think you can come again..."

You wanted to shake your head no...

But... the I

Thoughts of what he could do to you... this was a change you didn't get everyday.

All you could do was weakly nod. Even if all your insides all felt tight, even if it ached slightly, even if you grew tired... you wanted to take everything he would give to you.

Just like another mission. How much could you take?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good?

[gretavanlace]

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Jake Kiszka x reader

18+ only! Minors do not interact!

Warnings: graphic sexual content, language, alcohol consumption, flirting, light impact play, dirty talk, oral (fem rec), etc

Inspired by this gorgeous little bit and this one, too. You’re all evil geniuses ❤️💋

“Seriously, what is wrong with you three?” Danny grabs the pool stick out of Sam’s hand and shoves him aside. “Is being a shitty pool player a prerequisite for being a Kiszka?”

“In fact, it is!” Josh sounds off, leaning against the table, finger idly dragging over the kelly green felt. “They pull us all aside in the hospital directly after birth, and say…hmm, I’ve forgotten, it seems. Samuel?”

Sammy takes a long chug of his fruity pink drink around a nod. “They say,” he gestures grandly, so much like his eldest sibling at the moment. “Be as useless as possible if you ever get your hands on a pool stick. Fuck every play up royally, for this…this is your duty. It’s all very dramatic.”

“Ah yes,” Josh raises his glass in thanks. “That’s it, little brother. Good man, better memory.”

“Idiots.” Danny shakes his head, and sinks three striped balls before scratching and turning in your direction. “Jake, you’re up.”

Jake rises from his stool beside you where he’s been watching the scene unfold with a gentle hand on your bare thigh.

“My time to shine, kitty cat.” He plunks his neat whiskey down and swaggers away, calling over his shoulder. “Prepare to witness mediocrity at its finest.”

“Mediocre would be a compliment.” Danny adds with another shake of his head that sends his mane of curls swaying.

“Hey,” Jake points a lazy finger at him, “you chose me as your partner.”

“Only because the other two are even worse, somehow.”

He sounds baffled by it, and you suppose that makes sense. Normally, the brothers Kiszka float through life with seemingly endless layers of talent. It’s more than fun for the both of you — strangers to such endless grace — to witness their struggle.

Danny hurries to your side, so that you might enjoy the moment together, falling into you as you both dissolve into a fit of half-drunken laughter when Jake flawlessly (and accidentally) sinks the 8 ball.

“Tired of this, is all.” He shrugs, lying his ass off. “We never do anything real. Let’s do something real.”

“I’m real,” You taunt jokingly after a swig of the whiskey he’s left you in charge of, “you could do me.”

“Don’t be cheeky.” He scolds half-heartedly, with a wavering point your way.

“I love it when you talk ‘shitty british accent to’ me, jakey.” You wink with another pull on his glass, draining it to the dredges.

Daniel tries an accent of his own on for size, mimicking his band mate. “Name’s Jacob, love.” He reaches forward to kiss your hand, and you allow it with a giggle and a blush Jake pretends not to see. “I’m terrible at pool…and that’s not the only stick I don’t know how to wield.”

The brothers erupt into laughter as you roll your eyes affectionately.

“Laugh it up, pricks.” Jake sounds unbothered in the sexiest way…it takes a bulldozer to get under his skin.

“Aw, that’s alright, you gorgeous thing, you,” Josh allows his stare to fall dark upon you after a conspiratorial wink. “If my perpetually stupid twin wants to waste opportunities, I’ll allow it and take care of you myself.”

“Sounds perfect, josh…” you lend a breathy tone to your words. “Upstairs in your room or right here on the pool table?”

He pretends to think it over, “I’d say table, but look at all the balls left on the felt. That doesn’t exactly scream comfort. If only Jake could actually sink one or two.”

“Yeah,” you nod with a solemn sigh, “such a shame. Upstairs then.”

“Me?” Jake sloshes more whiskey into his glass and slides it away from you while miming a kiss so you’ll know he realizes this is all in good fun. “You didn’t land a single fuckin’ ball, Josh. Why do you even have this?” He raps his knuckles quickly against the shiny wood framing the table.

“I happen to enjoy telling people I have a billiard room.” Josh smooths his shirt flippantly. “It makes me sound refined.”

“Yeah,” Sammy speaks up from the bar where he is chaotically preparing himself a refill. “Break out the brandy and Tchaikovsky, already. I’m not feeling cultured enough.”

“It makes you sound stupid, because this isn’t even a billiard table.” Jake points out. “Totally different game.”

In reply, Josh sends a square of chalk sailing through the air directly at his head. His twin ducks at the last minute, avoiding impact. “You’re just mad because your girl wants me to take her upstairs.”

“Is that true, kitty cat?” His stare lands on you with mischief glittering there. “You wanna go upstairs with the sun, or stay down here in the darkness where you like it best?”

He saunters forward and pulls you in close, lips soft against your pulse point…but for a split second, you can’t help the way your line of sight lingers, locked with Josh’s.

Jake’s knee slides between your thighs, just high enough to be a little inappropriate. He’s claiming you. Reminding the room to whom you belong, though it isn’t necessary…the whole world can see you’re his.

It’s all right there in the way you look at him. In the way you move with him like a devoted magnet. In the way your body comes alive with electric love when he walks into a room.

Yes, you’re his. Implicitly. But sometimes…..

Shoving the thought away, you push him aside as well, with an embarrassed swat. “Quit it.”

“See?” Josh teases, never one to shy away from giving his brother hell. “She’s ready for the superior twin. Aren’t you, pretty?”

He sends another wink flying in your direction. “And who could blame her? She’s seen me in a jumpsuit or two.”

“Here we fucking go.” Sam groans loudly. “If you’re going to start in on a big dick monologue, I’m calling an Uber.”

“I’ll split it with you.” Danny concurs.

“Ah, fuck off,” Josh waves a hand in the air wildly, dismissing them both “jealous bastards.”

He moves to grab his drink, drifting through the room with that careless elegance that follows him around like a shadow, and you find yourself unable to look away the way you sometimes fall victim to when he’s owning one stage or another.

At times, Josh is like a song you can’t get out of your head. You don’t want to sing it, you don’t want to listen, but there it is all the same…dominating your attention.

You shake it off, but when your eyes reluctantly abandon him, you find Jake’s gaze, narrowed and knowing, tracking and all seeing. It burns into you, lighting a tortuous flame of shame, and something else, within you.

It’s an unsteady feeling. Unsure. Mostly because you can feel emotion radiating off of him like wandering hands reaching out to stroke over your skin. He’s live-wire-alert, thrumming with galvanic energy, but he isn’t angry. Far from it.

It’s analytical, this look he has fixed upon you. It’s hot, there’s no questioning that…but it also boasts a peculiarity. He’s honed in on something you’ve tried very hard to keep hidden, and he doesn’t necessarily hate it.

Brushing away what can only be labeled as intrusive thoughts - he can’t have seen through you that easily - you watch as Dan and Sam begin a game of darts, squabbling over who should throw first.

The night drifts by languidly, becoming a little fuzzier and more dream-like with each trip to the bar to top up.

Jake has disappeared, but that’s nothing new. He tends to wander when inebriated. Likes the quiet. You’ll catch up with him sooner or later. Or perhaps you’ll find him curled up in the guest room that has been unceremoniously reserved for the two of you each time Josh hosts.

You’ve fought it as long as you can, ignoring the nagging ache in your bladder, unwilling to readily ‘break the seal’ that will render you popping off to the bathroom every ten minutes.

Josh is contemplating a song that has been trekking about in his mind, remaining hidden away despite begging to be written.

You nod sympathetically, offering up a squeeze of his hand in solidarity. “Hold that thought,” you smile, tripping on your slurred words so mildly no one but yourself would ever notice. “Off to the ladies room.”

“The ladies room?” He laughs, trotting out that barking belly laugh that is nothing short of infectious. “You make my home sound like an Applebees.”

“Applebees?” You hear Sam pipe up as you ascend the basement stairs “Are you ordering? ‘Cause they’ve got that queso I like.”

Danny’s reply comes muffled as you slip onto the main floor. “Applebees is fuckin’ disgusting, and anyway…”

Hands washed, and a smudge of eyeliner wiped away, you emerge from the bathroom, ready to rejoin the party when a hand slithers out in the dark, quick as a striking snake, to pull you into the spare bedroom.

“Hello, kitty cat.” Jake’s voice comes smoothly in the dark.

“Jake,” you’re working hard to quiet your hammering heart as your eyes fight to adjust in the darkness. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“I’d tell you I’m sorry, but I’m not.” You can nearly hear the smirk in his tone.

“Have you been hiding up here all this time?” You ask, as he holds tight to your hands, barring you from actually being able to touch him.

“Yes. Kept myself busy by going through my brother’s things.” He whispers, licking a soft trail along the side of your pinky. “Did you know he owns a vibrator? Wonder what he uses that for?”

“Probably the same thing you use mine for.” You breathe back in the pitch black of the room, picturing the way he sometimes holds it against his cock for you when you feel like watching. “Stop teasing your poor twin. And you shouldn’t go through other people’s things, Jacob. Naughty.”

“Oh? Shouldn’t I?” His lips skate across your own as he leans in. “I wouldn’t have found this if I hadn’t.”

He has timed his moment perfectly, and as the light flips on, the ability to form truly coherent thoughts becomes unattainable.

A completely self-assured expression warms his features as you stare on with parted lips and softly panting breaths.

Josh’s jumpsuit, stark white and swimming with mermaids and winking glitter, hugs his body like a second skin. It renders the tan of his complexion even more pronounced, leaving him standing before you like a sun-kissed god.

His hair is pulled back in a loose, low slung bun. It’s lazy and effortless. Obviously not executed before a mirror, and that makes it all the more right.

“Fuck, I…” you falter, unable to find the words for your thoughts. Probably for the best, lest you come off as some fucked out ninny in a poorly scripted porno.

“Will this do?” He bites down on his lip, hiding away a flash of insecurity that you spot anyway. It’s gone as fast as it came. Replaced quickly by that cocky smirk that makes your cunt ache for his touch. “Or should I go and gather my brother?”

“Jake…”

Your eyes are fixed on his cock, half-hard and deliciously on display behind the suit. So very much like his twin.

“What?” He yanks you in close and ghosts his mouth up along your pounding jugular until his lips are pressed against the shell of your ear. “I see the way you watch him sometimes. You look so pretty when you stare. Do you want to fuck him? Because you can. If you want him that badly, that is. You can have him.“

A moan in the negative is all you can hope for in the moment.

“No?” He’s got you up against the door now, grinding his fully hard cock against your clit, inching his fingertips up along the outsides of your thighs, higher and higher under your skirt. “You’ll settle for me, dressed up in the emperor’s clothes?”

“You’re the fucking emperor.” You correct, burying your hands in his hair, further loosening his haphazard bun. “I just like to think about it now and then.”

Oh, where did that little bit of honesty come from? Some things are better left unsaid.

“You like to think about fucking my brothers?” He couldn’t be further from angry if he tried. You can hear it. Territorial, perhaps…but that will do perfectly.

“Never said brothers,” you gasp, clinging to his bare shoulders for dear life when his fingers curl into the sides of your panties. “Just Josh.”

“Why?” He’s beginning to shine with sweat and need.

“I like his mouth…oh, fuck…” you whine when he slips your underwear down, mid-thigh. “It’s pretty. And the way he moves his tongue sometimes…”

“Alright, shut up…” he lands a harsh crack of a smack against your swollen clit. “That’s enough.”

“Jealous?” You smile, taunting him just a little before leaning in to dip your tongue into his warm mouth. He tastes of liquor, and cinnamon, and Jake.

“Maybe.” He smiles into your kiss.

“You’ve given me permission to fuck him, but you can’t handle listening to me talk about it?” You’re taunting him mercilessly, but he loves it and you both know it.

“Maybe you’re just needy.” He teases right back, easing two fingers snug into your warmth without warning. “Yeah? Maybe you’re just feeling slutty because you need to cum. Is that it, baby? Do I need to pet my pretty kitty cat a little?”

“Please…” you’re begging, and much too loudly given that there’s an audience one floor below, but you can’t find a fuck to give.

“Mouth or cock?” He curls into you, pressing perfectly inside your silken walls as you arch away from the door.

“Mouth.” You whimper, sounding as pathetic as you feel in your desperation.

It’s the correct answer. Had you said cock, he’d have worked himself into a frenzy thinking about the way you spoke of Josh’s mouth but didn’t ask for his.

He drops to his knees, without a word, eyes on yours until he disappears beneath your skirt, beautiful features now cloaked and hidden away.

You blush under the scrutiny of no one in the empty room when you hear him draw in a deep, lingering, lungful of you with his mouth on your dampened thighs.

“Pink and pretty,” his voice rasps from between your legs. “She’s just a little messy right now. Don’t worry, kitty cat…I’m gonna kiss her all better.”

A feral sound chokes out of you as you yank his face in close, burying him in your cunt.

At first, he’s louder than you are. Murmuring hungry little grunts and moans against your slick skin…sucking at you ravenously until the room is stifled up, full and hot, with the wet sounds of your cunt and his mouth.

Soon, though, you grow hotter, and lose yourself little by little, fucking against his face as he loves on your clit obscenely. Lapping at it, nibbling delicately, drawing it into his kiss tenderly as his fingers delve deeper inside.

He fucks you slowly, nudging you along as you whine and beg above him.

“Shh…” he warns around your pulsing bundle of nerves. “Or do you want him to hear you?”

“Only you.” You promise, rocking your hips frantically to meet him. “It’s all for you. Don’t stop.”

“Not gonna stop.” He swears, licking away at you like the sweetest lollipop is playing over his tongue.

It’s intrusive and definitely not called upon, but when the picture begins to tumble about in your mind on loop— both of them nestled between your legs at once with those gorgeous mouths of theirs, you’re cumming hard and fast…pouring over his fingers, likely ruining the front of a jumpsuit neither of you can claim ownership of.

Its blissful and for a moment, your soul is robbed from it’s earthly confines, spending a suspended breath ruminating with the universe.

“God damn…” Jake’s winded response scratches out of him as he peeks out from under your skirt, eager to get a look at your flushed face.

He’s covered in you. Glistening and catching the light in your release. “You came everywhere.”

His observation is beyond pleased, but when your eyes slide away, he presses you for answers while still on his knees. “What? Tell me.”

“It’s nothing.” You smile, stroking a bead of sweat away from his temple.

“Liar.” He grins lazily, licking the taste of you off his plush lips. “Tell me what got you off so hard.”

It takes a massive amount of charm on his end, but eventually, you admit that you’d been thinking about them both.

The look in his eyes is nothing short of devious when he goes to speak, only to be quieted by a soft knock on the door.

Your eyes meet in panicked anticipation when a familiar voice breeches the wooden barrier. “It isn’t nice to talk about someone behind their back, you know?”

Taglist: @gretasintrees @greta-van-chaos @celestialfauna @s0livagant @groggyvanfleet @kiszkathecook @brokenbellz @llightmyllovee @doodle417 @seventieswhore @jake-kiszkas-smirk @weightofdreams-gvf @imdepressedaf1996 @greta-flanveet-admin @alisonwonderland29 @gretavanfleas @gretavangroove @sparrowofthedawn @xserenax-13 @tbagggvf @obetrolncocktails @tripthelightjaketastic @jakeslovehandles @poofyloofy @70sgroupielovr @heatmyfleet @age-of-nyahh @agirlwithmanytastes @sammiboo162 @spicedandicedtea @jakekiszkasleftnutsack @saoirsemaeve @mywickeddivinity @dvrkblooms @paintmyhouse @tripthelightfandomtastic @mckenna4 @tripthelight-fanfic @sarakay-gvf @theweightofjake @joshsmama @sammysvanfeet @rhythm-of-space @highladyofasgard @jordierama @calumspretty

[snexy-the-snail]

Well That's New

Losing Castor had left a hole in his entire being that Dionysus could not ignore. Losing children always felt like divine energy being wretched from his being, like a knife being twisted and dragged into his skin. It hadn't been Percy's fault, he knew that, but the loss still ached. It had been seconds for him, a flash in his life, and it didn't hurt any less.   He taps his fingers on the chair he had been sitting in before standing. He still had Pollux. The boy was still safe within the camp, most likely practicing his swordsmanship with the sea brat right now. The stupid, self-sacrificing boy who managed to drag himself into trouble every single summer felt like it. Younger than his own son. Whispered into his mind, causing his chest to clench.  

  With each year, he swore the boy aged his father by centuries. Then again, the boy did that to any god fond of him. He sighs heavily as he starts making his way through camp towards the training area, and just as he expected, there Percy was, clashing swords with his son. Both focus intently on the sound of metal filling the air. The bitter feeling that had been bubbling all morning twisted in his chest with each slash and falter, whether it was his son or Percy. Now, that was a new development. For the past few weeks, he focused a tad more on the little whirlpool. Maybe it was because Percy had the same carefree tendencies as Castor, the same playful attitude.    

He watches each of them carefully, wincing when Pollux lands a good hit, blood oozing from the cut. Percy throws his son back after blocking another strike, sword pointed at his throat once the boy hits the ground, a forced surrender. The tense moment didn't last long, Percy capping the bronze sword and offering a hand, hauling Pollux off the ground.    "Good hit."  "Come on, you let me have that. Don't even pretend it was good." Pollux laughs, brushing his hand back. Neither of them had noticed him, and it was strangely satisfying seeing them interact. Percy had a way of just flawlessly integrating himself into other cabins, nearly acting like another sibling. "It was pretty good. I barely had to block it."     Dionysus couldn't help but crack a smile. After the wars, seeing such a carefree attitude was a breath of fresh air. He watched as Pollux stretched, sticking the sword in the dirt to adjust his breastplate. "Mmhm sure, which is why two seconds later, I was on my ass, kid."   "Ugh, don't call me kid; I'm only like two years younger than you."  "Still younger," Pollux says with a shit-eating grin, nudging Percy. They acted so at ease with each other, so painfully similar to how the twins had been. Castor and Percy would've gotten along together even better.    Pollux seemed to have noticed him; however, his smile was brightening. That warmed his ichor when the boy grabbed his sword and made his way over, Percy following shortly after, already undoing his armor. Dionysus's fingers itched to do it himself rather than seeing the teen struggle.  

  "Have fun; I'm gonna, I don't know, offend the Hephaestus kids trying to make another metal abomination," Percy says with a smirk, giving Pollux a mock salute, the other boy groaning. "You suck," he grumbles, crossing as Dionysus ruffles his hair. The curls do not settle one bit.

  "Actually, Jackson, you'll be joining him."    The silence settles over the three before Pollux starts to cackle, a wide grin on his face nearly doubled over. Percy's face slackened as he stared at the god as if he were trying to figure out whether it was a joke. "What? You- I mean...what?" He trips over his words, taking a step back.   

Dionysus scoffs, raising a brow. The idea did seem...slightly ridiculous, though he didn't think it too odd. "Are your ears not working?" He prompts. The bitter feeling eased as Pollux stepped closer to him. As much as he tried not to get attached to any camper, he couldn't help but feel a fondness for them all, yes, even Percy.   "Nope, heard you loud and clear, I think; how about no." The boy says, clasping his hands together, turning, and going to no doubt walk back towards the cabins.  "I'm sorry. Did that sound like a choice? Pollux, did I offer it as a choice?" He asks, glancing at his son before approaching the sea child, resting a hand on his shoulder. He didn't miss how the boy flinched at his touch before relaxing. "No sir, not at all." his boy answers in a sweet tone. Sarcasm is a beautiful thing humans use.

"Yeah, well, I'm not doing that, thank you." Percy shoots back with no hesitation, though he doesn't shove his hand away. Everyone knew about the Apollo incident as well, and he had a good laugh about the sun god being bitten. Either way, if Percy was against it, he would know.  

  "Telling a god No never goes well for it, does it Jackson?" He muses, adjusting his height. The larger he grew, the lighter he made his touch on the boy's shoulder.  With practice ease, he loosens the straps of the breastplate, allowing the armor to hit the ground with a dull thud. "I've made it this far, haven't I?" Percy shoots back with a grumble, turning so his gaze settles on Dionysus. "To be fair, half the time ends up with them cursing you." Pollux points out. The idea didn't sit well with Dionysus either, a sense of bitterness settling more in his chest. Ugh, he truly had gotten attached to the little sea brat, hadn't he?  "Shut it, Pollux." However, there was no heat really behind the boy's grumble. Dionysus chuckles, wrapping his hand around Percy's waist. The boy was still skinny, no doubt from his trip..there. That protective feeling flared up again, demanding that he shield the boy from the suffering. "Be polite." He scolds, lifting the boy.

  "Or what? You're already eating me."    

"Do not call it that. I am not eating you." The idea was laughable, honestly. Yes, there was a similar process, but the thought of harming any demigod in such a manner made his stomach revolt. "It's holding."   

"Gods, you and Dad. Get off your high horse. It's totally- hey! Hey, easy!" Percy shrieks, wriggling in his grasp when he lifts the boy, slipping him in face first into his waiting jaws. Pollux cackled as he saw kicking legs. Even with all the movement, not once did he allow any of his teeth to graze the boy. He wasn't sure he could handle an accident harming a demigod when doing something meant to keep them safe. "Hey! Hey, come on- Really head first?" the boy continues to complain, Dionysus chuckling as the complaints continue. Saltwater taffy came to mind as the boy's taste seeped into his tongue. A stark contrast to the soft grape taste he was used to with his own son. "Not his fault, you're being a brat, is it!" Pollux calls out, waiting a few feet away. Dionysus hums in agreement, easing Percy in, not even giving him a chance to answer before swallowing. The feeling was familiar, comforting almost as he followed the movements, slipping the boy's shoes off as his legs were pulled into his mouth. He brings his other hand to his throat, tracing the descent as he swallows again, following the progress down until the demigod's body slips past his collarbone.   

Percy scrunches his face up as he meets open air, then unceremoniously slips face-first into the organ. "You ass!" He calls out, scowling when he just gets a chuckle in response. The warm scent of grapes curled around him. He squirms around, gritting his teeth as he tries to right himself, finding it hard against the rippling surface. "oh, come on-" He hisses out. His cheeks go red when he feels Mr.D pressing in from the outside, helping him into a more seated position. "Need some help there?" the smug voice rumbled around him.   "You suck." He mumbles, shifting a bit more. "It's funny you think I care." Percy rolls his eyes, jabbing the muscle. There was swaying, causing him to press against the front of the stomach..so was the god bending over? Why would he be doing that? "Are  you ready, Pollux?"  Oh  Oh, absolutely not! 

  "There's no way you're going to eat him too!" He says, very much not squealing. Thank you. "There's no room- come on, you can't be serious!" His pleas went unanswered. Instead, a swallow sounded from above him. It was weird hearing swallowing and feeling the stomach churn around him as Pollux obviously was making his way to him. "This is so freaky," Percy murmurs, trying to get used to the dim lighting surrounding him. He had to admit it was a tad odd seeing hands splay out from the top of the stomach, followed by Pollux's head, the elder boy grinning widely. "Hey, Perc, how's it going." The boy grins, laughing as another swallow had him intruding more on Percy's space.  "This is literally so weird." He grumbles, awkwardly reaching up to help avoid being crushed by the older boy; it worked sorta, a bunch of wriggling from both parties until Percy ended up pressed against Pollux's side."Really? I think it's weird when it's just me- like there's too much space." Sharing the space sounded atrocious, actually. There was no way to have any room to yourself, practically being tucked against the other boy's side. Pollux moved a bit before sneaking his arm across Percy's shoulder.

  "You know I'm supposed to teach the Hermes cabin after this, right?" Percy points out, jabbing a stomach wall. The scent of grapes was nearly dizzying and comforting at the same time. A scoff was his reply, accompanied by a slight jostling as the god started to move. Probably back to the big house. "There are other capable trainers, available brat." came the reply, a soft touch accompanying, letting Percy know the god was more than fine with subbing out sword training for the day. "It's nap time either way."  

"Do you seriously have mandated nap times?" He looks to Pollux, the boy shrugging. "What can I say? It's a perfect excuse to skip out on lame activities," he says before stretching out, pressing Percy more into his side, an arm still around his shoulder. "Plus, it's time with dad."  Right. It was easy to forget that Mr.D was a parent. "You're like an adult." Percy points out with a huff, closing his eyes still. It wasn't like he could see much anyway. It always weirded him out when the stomach didn't glow. He was so used to Triton and his dad's soft blueish glow, hell, even Apollo's weird golden sun-like glow. He guessed Hermes was dark, too. "Yeah? Still a demigod, so I'm basically just a toddler in Dad's eyes." Pollux answers without hesitation. Huh, he never really thought about it that way. Would they always be considered young to their godly parents?   "are you going to keep yapping, or will I get to enjoy my magazines?"   

Percy cracked his eye open just long enough to see Pollux roll his eyes, a fond smile on the boy's face. "That's code for taking a nap already." He stage whispers. A grumbling rumbling all around them. Maybe Mr. D wasn't as grumpy as he first thought. Then again, half the time he met with the gods, some crisis had been happening. The prophecy, various other incidents, and a lot, really. Granted, he did help on some quests, even if it didn't seem like it at the time.  "I can keep yapping; some people say it's my specialty." He shoots back with a light grin. A soft pressure from the outside ghosts against his back. The touches were always weird, but Percy couldn't help but find them comforting. No matter how close the gods were able to get them, there were always touches. Always. Hermes did it, and so did Apollo, his brother, and his dad. He had a feeling the others would, too, but he didn't exactly want to test that theory out. "Hush or I can make you." Mr.D grumbles though the fondness in his tone took the danger out of the threat. Percy rolls his eyes before closing them, resting a bit more against Pollux, the elder boy patting his shoulder. The organ gurgles around them, and the soft flesh presses into them rhythmically.  It wasn't much longer under Percy found himself slipping into sleep.   

[greeniery]

cartwheels across your dash and i put on a pair of sunglasses midair and my shoes catch on fire from the sheer velocity and force of my awesomeness but the flames extinguish as i stick the landing flawlessly and an Agent Orange song starts playing as i walk away doin a peace sign

[morningstargirl666]

WIP WEDNESDAY

How's everyone's holidays going? Here's an excerpt from my new edit of tbbw's chapter 5:

“How’s the makeover going? Finn clawed your eyes out yet?” she called out to Elijah in greeting, striding into the room with her manicurist in tow.

The brothers all turned at their sisters voice, all in different states of dress - Finn had only just finished buttoning his shirt, while Kol was currently fumbling with his bow tie, Elijah quickly moving over to bat away his hands and tie the fabric for him. Finn’s gaze met Rebekah’s first.

She stopped in her tracks, pressing her lips together, clearly trying to smother a laugh as her eyes raked up and down Finn’s new appearance. “Well, you look…”

“Don’t say a word,” Finn ground out, glaring down at the dress shoes he had just been handed with particular vehemence.

Rebekah pressed her lips harder together, ducking her head down to quickly hide the smile she couldn’t smother as she moved away. “I was going to say dashing.”

Finn glared at the back of her head as she sat down on one of the sofas, turning her back on them as her manicurist dropped her kit box to the floor, starting to set up in preparation for her manicure.

Not waiting for Elijah to finish straightening his bow tie, Kol weaselled his way out of his grip and jogged over to Rebekah, coming around the back of the sofa and leaping over it, landing on the cushions beside her.

“Ah, sweet, sweet sister… Finally joining us, I see,” he began in greeting, one arm thrown over the back while the other poked her shoulder. “Where’s your seamstress?”

“I already had my deep dive into 21st century fashion weeks ago, Kol. My seamstress already knows all my measurements.” Rebekah sniffed delicately, laying her hand flat on the arm of the sofa as her manicurist knelt down in front of her, raising a file to her nails. “So I thought, wouldn’t it be fun, if I had my manicure while watching you two in crisis instead?”

She turned in Kol’s direction with a saccharine smile, ponytail flying behind her. Kol leaned away, grin dropping into a scowl.

“I was daggered in 1919, not the dark ages. From what I can tell, not much has changed for men’s formal attire.”

“And yet, your shirt has been sticking out of your zipper for the past five minutes.”

“Bollocks,” Kol hissed, hurriedly standing to his feet to tuck his shirt away and zip his pants up, struggling with the more modern mechanism, too used to simple buttons and ties. Rebekah’s smile settled into a smirk, admiring her manicurist’s work while her brother cursed under his breath.

Meanwhile, Finn, having not seen Elijah help Kol with his bow tie, was currently attempting to thread his own through the belt loops on his trousers.

“Sir!” one of the tailors cried out in alarm, “Might I ask what on earth you plan on doing with that?”

Everyone froze, including Finn, who stared at the strip of fabric in his hands that was the exact width to snugly fit between the belt loops.

“It is not a belt? To hold these breeches in place?”

“Yes,” Kol proclaimed gleefully, grin widening, “Yes, it most certainly is.”

“Ignore him,” Elijah snapped immediately, striding over to help Finn. He grabbed the black bow tie out of his hands before Finn could attempt to use it as anything else. “It is most certainly not a belt.”

Finn blinked, utterly lost. “Then what is used for?”

“It’s called a tie, brother,” Elijah explained, throwing the fabric around Finn’s neck, already beginning to weave it into a bow, the process flawlessly refined from years of muscle memory. “You tie it around the neck, like this:”

Finn pushed his chin down, craning his head trying to see the emerging bow tie decorating his neck. “Why? What purpose does that pose?”

“It keeps your shirt closed and adds a splash of colour. When they first came into fashion in the french court, slightly different back then of course, they were a sign of wealth and stature.”

Elijah finished straightening the bow, stepping back to take Finn’s appearance in. His older brother shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the fabric now secured around his neck.

“I feel like I’m about to be hanged,” he announced, not impressed.

“I dread to think how you would have fared in a corset,” Rebekah remarked dryly, watching as her manicurist filed down her nails. Turning around to face a full length mirror, Kol snickered.

Finn frowned. “Why, what is a corset?”

Elijah’s brows furrowed, stepping forward to adjust Finn’s tie again, finding some imperfection the others couldn’t see. “Unless you plan on cross-dressing for the other gender, brother, you need not know.” “Of course,” Kol called out from in front of the mirror, “if that is your desire, I’m sure Rebekah has plenty of dresses for you to adjust to your size in storage.”

[rowretro]

✧𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍✧

WARNINGS: drugs, harassment(?), blood, gory violence descriptions

HAPPY NEW YEAR YALLZ!!!!

✧CHAPTER 2✧

Sunghoon waited patiently for the girl to get ready. Y/n was always so precise with her makeup, loving to go for an artistic style, she wore a pretty short, white dress, that was very y2k, the pretty laces that made her seem so delicate. her eye-makeup done accordingly, glittery, and white, which made her long lashes stand out. His eyes then landed on her lips, god, the prettiest part of her, was that jawline and most certainly her lips, reminds of how much he wanted to kiss them, the pink-ish nude shade of lipstick, making them look so plush.

y/n smiled at him as she wore her high heels "ready to go?" y/n asked "woah woah woah woah wait there young lady! why is your dress so short?!" Heeseung asked as Y/n groaned rolling her eyes "Ugh why do you have to be like mom?! it's not even that short!" y/n whined as Heeseung glared at her "Sunghoon, Im trusting you with my babysister, you know wearing insanely short dresses like that to parties is how little girls get killed." Heeseung remarked as y/n pouted.

"It's good bro... let's go y/n" Sunghoon said as the girl followed him to his car. Upon arriving at the party, Sunghoon knew he had to stick closely to the girl. Drugs, alcohol, pretty boys. And worst of all, Jooyeon. He knew, 5 seconds of y/n just talking to him, she'll be having his tongue down her throat all night. Sunghoon smirked, coming up with an idea, he had paid some random drunk girl to go make out with Jooyeon, right in front of y/n earlier.

Heck as soon as Y/n saw that girl practically fuck him with his clothes on, she was infuriated. "Y/n... are you alright?" Sunghoon asked with that twinge of fake concern, the girl turned to him nodding "Im glad I broke up with him first... I-I mean... first loves aren't meant to be right?" the girl asked. She walked off to the bar, ordering drinks already. Sunghoon sat beside her, watching as she flawlessly gulped down up to 3 bottles of different spirits, raw, smoking a little weed on the side. Before she could even get to her second roll up, Sunghoon smacked her hand away gently "Don't do it." He sternly warned.

The girl whined as she turned to one of the dealers, Sunghoon, pat her head, taking the roll up out of her hold, He went over to a few dealers to give a kind warning. By the time he got back, his angel was nowhere there. Panic took over as he roamed the mansion, searching for the girl. There, in one of the bedrooms, 5 boys were surrounding her. The girl cluelessly giggling "Wah Sunghoon since when did you get a beard and get so ugly? why are there 5 not so pretty versions of you???" the girl asked, high and drunk out of her mind..

As one of the males slapped her, the other yanking her back her hair as another choked her, spitting vulgar words at her. Sunghoon locked the door behind him as he approached the group. Oh those boys did not know what they were up against. Sunghoon towered over them, his eyes growing red, as he noticed the glossy tears and that tiny little drip of blood that stained her skin. Sunghoon snapped the hand of the man who had slapped his darling.

His wings spurting out as he his hands wrapped around the neck of the man who choked y/n, his grip visually tightening, as the man's veins popped torturously. Oh he wasn't done with these filth bags. He ripped off every hair of the male who had yanked y/n's hair, his hands smashing a bottle and stabbing the man nonstop. 3 dead, 2 more to kill... Smirking, he slipped off one of y/n's high heels, puncturing the men all over. Once he was done, he took his time to tamper with the crime scene, making it look like the 5 men had fought and killed themselves.

Once clearing off all the blood, and gently slipping y/n's high heel on, he carried her, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist as she sniffled "Sunghoon scaryyy... Sunghoon kill bad people... Sunghoon pretty wings!" She mumbled drunkenly, the man's hoon disappeared as he carried her out, knowing very well he will forget everything by tomorrow...

✧𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍✧

[ask-thebrothers-kaiba]

FIX receiver fixes something in sender’s appearance (hair, tie, button, etc) for the first time - @modeinthemiddle

It had happened during Seto's latest public appearance. He'd flung himself from wherever, fallen from the sky like some kind of hallowed savior, and had only slightly - but still unceremoniously - caught a cuff link on the way down. No one had noticed, but it bugged him incessantly that he didn't stick that landing with perfection, and this was one of his favorite suits. Not just anyone would do for a repair, and another one so flawlessly formed to his figure could not be remade so simply. Big guns in the industry were in order to fix the cuff link, mend the tear, and that was one name: Mode.

He'd never met the woman a day in his life, but his team assured him she was perfect for the job. Not only would this repair job be unnoticed by others, he'd barely see it himself, they said. Fine.

Seto waited for her in his office, the otherwise unmarred, crisp white shirt laid neatly across his desk. When she had arrived, Seto stood, and nodded his head.

"Welcome. Your job's right here. I trust you'll make this quick; your reputation precedes you."

[th3sp4rr0w]

Day Nine

A03 Link <- Starts at Chapter/Day One for those just joining us :))

Prompts For Day Nine Scar Reveal/Interrogation/Presumed Dead 

Alt. Prompt For Day Nine Forced Feeding

Prompts Used for Day Nine All

Tw's; Medical Talk, Dubious Medical Accuracy, Slight Pregnancy Termination Mention (It Did Not Happen)

Chapter Nine under the cut :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving at the island was like a breath of fresh air. It was like having hope for the first time since he had done what he did.  

Talia landed the plane flawlessly. Jason’s heart rate leveled out on the plane ride there. There were no bleeds, spikes, drops, nothing.  

He’d hovered over his boy the entire time. He deserved to have someone looking out for him even if it was too late .  

The bat unhooked the monitors and oxygen. The I.V.’s and nasogastric tube stayed in place as he wheeled him out of the plane. Talia lead the way as they walked through this island’s base doors, leading him to where the Lazarus pit had formed.  

Talia could tell he wasn’t himself. She didn’t see how he could be; though he hadn’t officially lost him, she couldn’t imagine having to deal with Damian in that condition for this long.  

It was like it was her own kid lying on the cot. How else could she have felt? He was still so young, had been through so much at his tender age. She pretended she didn’t see the irony as she thought of her own son, the weapons he always kept on him, acting like a shield. As a teenager, even well into her adulthood, she’d never thought of how small children really were. How fragile. How vulnerable. It wasn’t even having her son that had woken her up.  

It took her beloved’s child getting so, so very broken and bruised for her to realize. She imagined any of the moments that her child’s life had been in danger. She wondered what she would’ve done if she didn’t have the pits to rely on. It made her chest tighten.  

She knew if she tried to hide him away, she’d never rest. The moment he was conceived he was doomed to have an abnormal life. It was utterly pathetic. She was constantly scolding Bruce for being too weak; she wondered if her own lack of strength had caused her child pain. Somewhere deep inside her, she knew the answer.  

Their reliance on the pits had been a mistake. Without it, they were nothing.  

The walk had been both longer and shorter than they anticipated. Bruce’s impatience had shown through, the grunts and hums present in his normal vocabulary upped to a ridiculous level. In a way, she understood.  

We all had things that kept us sane when things fell apart.  

The green sludge bubbled. Bruce stood there, staring at it for a moment before pulling a syringe from one of his infinite pockets. She watched in muted... astonishment? Horror? As he removed the cap.  

She watched him kneel down in front of the pit, sticking the needle in the sea of green. She folded her arms behind her to keep herself from reacting as he pulled on the plunger. Green liquid flowed into the barrel of the syringe in perfect synch with the rubber stopper. She watched him tap the syringe to get the air bubbles at the top, placing two fingers on the finger flange and his thumb on the rest to push out the air. He only stopped when there was a small spurt of green.  

He walked over to the cot.  

At first, she thought he was going to inject it all at once into his vein. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from speaking. This was what he wanted; it didn’t matter that it was incredibly idiotic -  

He grabbed the primary I.V. bag , pulling it towards him while it was still on the hook. He took a hold of the secondary tubing. He inserted the needle into the small opening. He pressed gently on the plunger.  

Her insides felt cold. How was this better than dunking the poor boy into the pits?  

The green bloomed outwards as it was added to the bag. She watched as it curled and spread, infecting the clear bag with a radioactive glow. She’d always known the pits would emit its own light, beautiful and deadly, but this truly put it into perspective. The bag now positively glowed like it was full of kryptonite. She could see when it started going into the tube attached to the boy’s arm. Bruce agitated the bag to mix it up and within minutes, Jason’s small face was lit up with the green glow. Seeing it like this made it feel every bit as dangerous as it was. She had always known the pits weren’t to be messed with, but it truly sunk in at that moment.  

They both watched him. At some points, the horror of what he’d just done washed over her and she couldn’t stand seeing the boy with the glowing vein where it had started to pour into his body. She found her eyes trailing over the zebra plush Bruce had carefully tucked beneath his arm.  

Over the next few minutes, they could see some improvements. Wounds began to close and scab. She could swear if she looked too long at his exposed legs she could see nerve and muscle stitch itself together. She never had questioned how it did that, but watching it like this? The slow process demanded patience as they stood, waiting for answers. Talia was certain this might’ve been the most reckless thing the bat had ever done.  

Somewhere in her, she knew she should probably be concerned about the near-manic, desperate look on Bruce’s usually stoic and expressionless face. If this didn’t work, she feared it might break him. He was already on the cliffs edge, wandering toes curling off and begging to freefall as it was.  

It took an hour for the I.V. to nearly empty into Jason’s veins. Neither said anything during the process. Bruce worked silently, prepping another bag in advance. This time, he gently shook it until it was one homogenous glow. He attached it to a new I.V. line, unscrewing his old one from the extension set. Once the new one was in place, he allowed it to creep into Jason’s body.  

She couldn’t believe it was working. She had been here for a long time, and she had never seen anything like this in her life. Never had someone thought of injecting the pits into their veins, not even her father. She supposed that a parent would do or try anything for their kid. It was what made her certain that her boy would be safe when he went to live with Bruce.  

They were almost finished with the new bag when it happened.  

His body had mostly, miraculously, healed. She suspected he’d been dosing the boy with sleeping medications to keep him asleep for the entire infusion. She had been staring at him, the constant rise and fall of his chest, counting his breaths. His breathing had been gradually slowing down before it stopped all at once.  

She hadn’t had to alert Bruce. He swore loudly and rushed into action, checking his pulse and starting CPR. Talia counted the minutes in her head, knowing he would never do it. Never know when to call it.  

Each pump of the boy’s chest left her more on edge. Any damage done would be another injury to add to the list. Another thing that they’d have to heal. She watched Bruce desperately attempt to revive his son. It... it was a fruitless effort.  

They both knew it when the bat leaned away. There was no choice now.  

“Beloved, give him here,” she said softly. “We’ll see if the pit-”  

“Shut up,” he said softly. He never took his eyes off him.  

“Beloved-”  

“You wanted this to happen.”  

She reeled back as if she was struck. “Excuse me?”  

“You wanted to have credit for saving him,” he breathed. “You know the pits do nothing for those already dead-”  

“He still has time,” she insisted. “Just let me-”  

“No!” he shouted, finally turning to look towards her. “YOU wanted credit for saving him! YOU admitted you had something to tell me one day! YOU were the one to suggest this and now-”  

“I did no such thing,” her voice was dangerous. “I thought you could handle this. I was willing to let you do it your way, and this is how-”  

“Please, you just wanted to gloat about-”  

“Shut it,” she hissed. If he wanted a fight?  

“If I had my way, I’d have taken Jason here without you.”  

She’d give him one.   

“I would have dropped him off like nothing had ever happened. I changed my mind because I thought you’d want to be here for your child; instead, you took over things you had no business to be taking over,” her voice was stiff as she continued, “Clearly, I should have stepped in a long time ago. You did this to him, Bruce. You did.”  

Bruce’s eyes were hard. She was certain if it wasn’t for their history that she’d be lying on the floor. “You don’t have kids. Do you have any idea what it’s like to worry about them? To see them hurt like this?!” his voice was raised. His words felt like a slap in the face.  

“Shut up, Bruce. You don’t deserve them-”  

“Oh, and you do?”  

“Do not put words in my mouth,” she barked, “This is your mistake. Now let me fix-”  

“No! No, this wasn’t a mistake, Talia. You did this to him! He’s only fifteen , for gods’ sake!”  

“I am well aware of how old he is-”  

“You don’t know anything about him!”  

“And you do?”  

The fight carried on, raised voices covering the soft noises that had started coming from the boy.  

He wheezed and coughed. He tried to sit up and that’s when Talia noticed him.  

The “J” on his cheek glowed green. The scars on his hands and legs looked smooth but were a noticeably different color. He was still wheezing. She had to do something.  

It had to be her because Bruce had just collapsed to his knees. It had to be her and it had to be quick because his too-blue eyes were beginning to roll into the back of his head, think, Talia, think-  

In a stroke of genius, she remembered one of the decorative vases they had laying near the entrance of the room. She ran for it, coming back and scooping up the green waters. She carried the cup of bubbling liquid to Jason’s cot and coaxed him to drink, forcing it into his mouth and making him swallow.  

A chunk of his bangs turned white. She barely noticed as she continued to make him drink.  

His breathing evened out. The green glows in his body faded, though the scars looked positively irritated. She couldn’t imagine it was comfortable, but unless Bruce wanted to hook him up to another I.V. bag she didn’t think they’d be fading anytime soon.  

The zebra had fallen wayside in the heat of the moment. To do anything but stare at each other in shock, she picked it up from the floor and dusted it off. She carefully placed it in his lap and backed away slowly.  

He reached for it, looking at it for a moment. A keening sound came from his throat. “Papa?”  

The bat had been silent and wide-eyed on the floor until that moment. He stood up and fussed over his son, cupping his cheeks gently, whispering to him and reassuring him when he began crying that he’d lied and hid things and-  

Talia felt like she shouldn’t be there, especially after the way they had screamed at each other. She did her job; he was healed. He would survive. She doubted he’d like that scar, but there were cosmetic fixes they could probably look into if he wanted. It definitely wasn’t as good of a job as it would be if she’d been allowed to just dunk the boy, but-  

“Talia?” she heard his small voice ask. “Papa? What happened?”  

Bruce took a deep breath. “You... you got hurt, Jason. Really hurt,” he said.  

She refrained from scoffing. There was no sense in lying to the child; he was fine now, wasn’t he? It’s not as if he was still at risk of passing-  

“Don’t lie,” he said, voice small. He played with the mane of the zebra.  

Watching them interact made her heart ache. She was sick of revelations and hurt; she wanted to get this over with so she could deal with these pesky thoughts and emotions on her own time. Or, better yet, overbook herself so she didn’t have to deal with them at all. An Al Ghul should not be allowing themselves to have such weaknesses, after all.  

She spoke before Bruce got another chance. “I heard of what happened. The rumors were that Robin was barely alive after an encounter with your so-called ‘Crime Prince’. I decided I needed to check on you myself.”  

She wanted to tell him everything. The injury logs she had helped herself to, the report Bruce had typed up, his seizure, that terrifying moment when they thought him to be deceased. She had always been taught to give every detail; every shred of information as to learn from their mistakes. Second chances were hardly given out; in her world, you were lucky to get a chance to begin with. Understanding your failings was imperative to ensuring they never happened again.  

She looked at him and saw the terrified look in his eye. Bruce had crawled onto the cot to cradle him in his arms, kissing his temple. He had smoothed his features to not look as stoic. He was leaving it up to her. Her eyes trailed back to the zebra Jason was clutching in his lap.  

“I found you near comatose. After offering my help to Bruce, he agreed we’d take you to the pits. Your father did not want to dunk you in fully, as he feared that would be too traumatic. Instead, we administered small doses at a time through an intravenous fluids line. When you awoke, you had not fully healed yet. It was a risk, but I feared causing you more harm if nothing was done. I poured some of the waters down your throat.”  

Jason nodded. “I almost died,” he whispered.  

“Yes,” Talia saw no need to correct him, “But you did not. Welcome back, habibi.”  

It was likely the most tender thing she had ever done. She felt the act had been appreciated when Bruce looked at her and mouthed ‘thank you’.  

She nodded and turned to leave.  

“Talia?” his small voice asked.  

“Yes?”  

“Why did you help me?”  

Anger bubbled up in her. She attempted to deny it. She turned and walked to the cot, putting a gentle hand on the cheek that had been swollen before. “You deserved it,” she said. “You deserved to be helped because you did not deserve what happened to you.”  

He began crying again. She wiped his tears in a way she had never done for her own son.  

“Why’d she do that to me,” he sobbed. “She- she could’ve left me al-o-one,” he hiccupped.  

She barely spared a glance towards Bruce as she climbed onto the cot with them, pressing him into her. Bruce was at his back. He tried to cling to both at the same time. She never thought she’d see the day one of Bruce’s kids looked to her for comfort.  

She couldn’t help but to compare it to her own.  

“Habibi,” she murmured, “Do not think of it. You did not deserve that, and she was wrong for it.”  

“Did she live?”  

She hushed him. “No more of that. Do not burden yourself thinking of the well-being of others over your own, especially when those you are caring for do not value you in the same way. She did not value you, Jason. You will not spare another thought to her.”  

He nodded.  

This was the comfort she had never given to, or gotten from, another being. The crying child ruined her shirt, yet she could not seem to find it in her to care for it. All she wanted was to soothe him.  

Although it was unbecoming of an Al Ghul to do so, she thought of what could’ve been if she hadn’t kept the secrets she had. She had never questioned her choice to side with her father. She had never needed to. She had had her life planned from the moment she was conceived, and she had been content to fill the role. The boundaries she pushed were never truly tested to their limits, and she knew it. She had never stopped to wonder what could’ve been.  

If she had been soothed like this when she was much younger. What could’ve happened if training hadn’t been survival. She wondered if she’d be a better warrior for it. She wondered if she could’ve been a better mother.  

Her child was five. She remembered what it had been like to be pregnant, her father attempting to insist she terminate in the early stages since she’d be out of commission so long. She had just barely managed to convince him it was a good opportunity.  

She remembered every detail of the birth, how he felt in her arms and his soft, milky breath puffing out over her cheeks. He’d been put into training nearly immediately. She’d never questioned it. Even knowing her father would kill him if given the chance. Knowing he’d likely already be dead if it weren’t for the pits.  

It would take time. It would take effort. It would take work. But sitting here, softly rubbing down the back of someone else’s crying child, she swore she would do better for herself and her boy. She wasn’t sure if she would ever earn it, but he at the very least deserved it. It would take cunning, wit, and the courage she had never had the guts to conjure up.  

She thought of his little face, still full of baby fat. The scars that already marred his once perfect skin.  

It would be difficult but he was worth it. It would take time, but he was worth every second. She would spend the rest of her life in regret for not coming to her senses sooner, but right here, in this very moment, she was swearing to do better for him. Only for him.  

If Bruce fit into that picture, great. If he did not, that was fine too.  

She steeled herself, taking her vow.  

After all, above all, and Ah Ghul always gets what they want. Talia wanted this would every fiber of her being.  

So have it she shall.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finding a kid on the rooftop was the last thing Nightwing had been expecting.  

Agent A had contacted him through the coms to let him know Batman had a breakdown and took Robin on an impromptu tour to go see the world’s most radioactive pool with an Al Ghul, so that was so nice. He swore he was going to beat that man black and blue someday-  

He was pretty sure Bruce wouldn’t be stupid enough to actually go through with it. He could be incredibly selfish, and impulsive, and sometimes he thought he knew everything and ignored facts. After everything they’d been through, everything they’d done to make sure Jason pulled through this, he better not throw it away trying to find a miracle cure. The thought made his blood pressure rise.  

He’d been pissed, looking for a couple more criminals to bust before he called it a night. He was in Gotham this week to be closer to Robin, but also to make sure the Bat didn’t go too far. He’d been pushing it a couple of times this week and he wasn’t sure what all that was about.  

Babs had been helping them, of course, but she had college work to do and she was only one person. It took at least three at a time to handle Bruce on a good day.  

When he saw two people on the rooftop, he’d been suspicious. He hadn’t crept close enough to hear what was being said, but he knew they were there.  

Looking at them hurt, like they were beings mortals were never supposed to see. They were otherworldly and felt so out of reach. That rarely spelled out good news for the world, so he stuck around.  

When one of them left, he could immediately feel most of the awe he’d been full of leaving his body. He looked at the remaining being. White hair with a black suit; he’d assumed it was a new villain. He’d spotted a couple people walking around in white suits, and as far as he knew that was nobody's trademark around here; he assumed a new rogue was moving in.  

It hadn’t gone as planned. It was a kid, he thought. He was scared and had powers, maybe a new meta? He’d thrown something that scorched the building and Nightwing had let his anger for the bat take a hold of him, breeding impulsive decisions. He’d branded his escrima sticks, turned on, electricity crackling between them beautifully.  

He’d caused this kid to have a panic attack. He had one himself when he started picking out features of his baby brother in the boy.  

They had the same nose. They had the same eye shape and chin. The only difference between them was the hair, his eyes, and the fangs. Though, it explained it perfectly if Jason had... passed away.  

Yeah. Batgirl was more than earning her cookies tonight, talking him down gently and allowing him to carry the child after he had just gotten his gross feelings all over this case.  

… Maybe they shouldn’t have taken the mysterious child to the cave. In his defense, he was pretty sure he was going to get another brother with the way Alfred was looking at him as he walked around in silent awe was anything to go by. Plus, Batman wasn’t here to say no. See, this is why you shouldn’t take flights to only god knows where in the middle of the night without informing people. They get back at you by doing things they know you wouldn’t want them doing, often in your own house.  

He vaguely wondered if Alfred would help him convince Bruce the boy had been here the whole time. It would be hilarious.  

Alfred walked over, holding a tray of sandwiches. He was already in his own domino after he and Batgirl warned him they were coming home with an extra.  

See how nice it is when you have a warning? You can prepare-  

“Good evening, young sir,” he started out, ever formal. “I am called Agent A. I must admit I was shocked when Nightwing informed me you were going to be joining us tonight, but I have managed to prepare sandwiches. There are other things cooking as we speak and leftovers in the fridge I can heat up if you are interested. Would you by chance be willing to partake in them with us? Or tell us your name?”  

The boy blinked. He looked like he was having trouble remembering how to speak. “I... I’m Phantom,” he said slowly.  

It was more than they’d been able to get out of him.  

Alfred smiled. “Phantom it is. Now, are there any allergies or preferences before we get started?”  

“I’m vegetarian,” his voice was still low, like he was afraid of speaking too loudly. “S-, uh, Black Dahlia would probably kill me again if I go back on my word.”  

… Well that was odd. They filed the information away for later; they didn’t want to push their luck as of right now.  

“Very well,” Alfred replied without missing a beat. He started pointing to different sandwiches, “This one is cucumber. It’s one of my personal favorites to make, and is quite delicious. If that isn’t your preference, these are egg salad, assuming you are not vegan-” he paused to look at the child.  

“Egg and stuff is fine. Just no meat,” he said lowly.  

Alfred smiled. “Good. Now, these-”  

He kept explaining different sandwiches before leaving the platter on the table he’d made Bruce shove down there years ago. He excused himself before he went upstairs.  

Knowing Alfred, he was baking cookies right now. Bless that man.  

“Phantom,” Batgirl said, “do you, uh, know who we are?”  

He gulped a bit. “I always assumed the Gotham vigilantes were, uh, fake,” he coughed. “I should probably stop assuming things. I’m always wrong,” he muttered.  

“What do you mean?” she asked gently.  

He froze. “I met bigfoot,” he blurted out. “He was a ghost. Kind of, uh, puts things into perspective.”  

That... hadn’t been what they were expecting.  

“Okay,” he said cheerily instead. He could bullshit his way through anything for at least five minutes. “Was he nice at least?”  

He snorted. “He tried to kill me and my friends.”  

“Well that’s not good,” he replied. The kid gave no indication he was fucking with them. Given what he saw earlier, he had doubts he was.  

“No.”  

“I’m Nightwing, by the way,” he stuck out his hand.  

He grinned. “Phantom, though I’m sure you already heard,” he took it.  

“I’m Batgirl,” she decided to jump in before this conversation could get any weirder. “It’s nice to meet you, Phantom.”  

He turned his boyish grin to her. Nothing like Jason’s. It was as soothing as it was uncanny.  

“Nice to meet you too, Batgirl,” he said.  

“So, Phantom,” she asked, “Where are you from?”  

He fidgeted in his seat. “Um...”  

“You don’t have to answer,” Nightwing jumped in. He could see she was trying her best to be subtle, but they really did need answers. “We just want to understand what happened back there a little better. You seemed pretty out of it.”  

“... Yeah.”  

He didn’t speak further on it.  

They dropped it easily, trying to extract information a different way.  

They asked if he went to school. Who his friends were. He kept giving answers like “Pharaoh” and “Black Dahlia”. Most of them made little sense.  

They let him ask questions, too. They tried not to show concern as he asked how Agent A got the food to taste so good and casually dropped that his parents reanimated everything in their fridge often enough that he thought about keeping dry food and snacks in the house to eat??  

They were either being fucked with, and this kid was incredible at sticking to the bit, or this was an actual ongoing occurrence.  

They weren’t sure which option they preferred.  

By the time Alfred had gotten down with the cookies, he’d had a medical kit with him.  

“Now, Phantom,” he greeted, “I noticed you had a nasty bruise on your head. I would like to take a look at it and any other injuries you may have, if that’s alright.”  

He looked back at Nightwing and Batgirl.  

“Agent A has been doing most of my medical maintenance since I was nine,” he reassured. “I promise you’ll be okay.” He dropped his voice, cupping his hand over his mouth conspiratorially before whispering, “He even lets you have an extra cookie if you stay still.”  

Phantom laughed a bit before agreeing to let the older man take a look.  

“How’d you get such a nasty thing?” Alfred asked.  

He fidgeted. “I... someone hit me in the head with a bat,” he said.  

“Oh?” Alfred raised an eyebrow. “Why would someone do that?”  

He was quiet for a moment. “I still don’t know why,” he said in a whisper.  

Nightwing glanced at Alfred’s face as he glanced at his. They nodded and looked at Babs. She also nodded subtly, pretending it was because she was enjoying a cookie.  

“Mmm,” she hummed while making the motion and swallowed before saying, “These are really good, Agent A. Would you like one, Phantom?”  

“What kind?”  

“White chocolate chunk raspberry with macadamia nut,” she responded.  

He whistled and winced when Alfred pressed gently against the bruise. “Sure!”  

“After his exam, I presume?” He looked up at Babs, eyebrow raised.  

She blushed. “Of course, Agent A.”  

He nodded. “Very well,” he said. “It looks to be healing nicely. There’s been no nausea? No headaches, tiredness...?”  

“No, sir,” he replied.  

“Oh, nonsense, call me Agent A,” he said, looking the boy over. “You can get that cookie now, as long as you answer one thing.”  

He looked up at Alfred. This expression reminded Nightwing of Jason; his chest ached.  

“What is it?” he asked tentatively.  

“What is that on your hand?”  

He made a small ‘oh’ before holding his hand out for Alfred to see. “It’s a Lichtenburg scar,” he said softly.  

Alfred took his hand gently. “My word, how does someone get one of these in such a peculiar place? Where does it end?” he asked.  

Phantom took a deep breath. “I, um... live wire,” he said dismissively as if he didn’t just make alarm bells ring. He began peeling himself partially out of his suit to uncover a mass of scarring going up his left arm and across his shoulder.  

Some of it creeped towards his neck, but most of it traveled along the curves of his chest and back. Dick was almost certain those were the same patterns of nerves and blood vessels in that area, all ending right where his heart should be.  

The adults were silent for a few seconds. “Oh my,” Alfred said before catching himself. “That’s quite a serious wound. It looks like it’s healed alright, you’ve had no pain? No nerve damage?”  

“It’s better some days than others,” the boy admitted, already pulling the suit back on. “It really only bugs me when I overuse my hand. Play too many video games, write too long, stuff like that,” he answered.  

“Very well,” Alfred replied. “I believe you’ve earned your cookie. Which one would you like to start with?” he asked.  

“Um,” he said softly and looked at Babs. “What was the one you had earlier?”  

“This one,” she said, tapping the plate.  

He grabbed the napkin Alfred offered him and took one, taking a careful bite before humming in surprise. “This is really good!” he said after he swallowed.  

“I do try,” the butler replied humbly, because he was just like that.  

All of the information they were getting was starting to paint a very concerning picture. They hadn’t been able to extract a hometown or a legal name from the child, but it was clear he was very nervous and jumpy. He looked one wrong word away from bolting, even with them pulling all the stops to try and prevent it.  

The longer he studied him, the more sure he was that he had been some sort of vigilante in his area. The suit, the persona, the way he carried himself and talked before he caught what he was doing and adjusted his behavior? Something was wrong.  

The boy also made his heart ache. He didn’t have the same mannerisms as Jason, and the scarring on his left hand was enough to prove he wasn’t, but he looked enough like him for it to be jarring. From the glances Alfred and Babs through his way when Phantom wasn’t looking, he could tell they thought the same. It was nice knowing he wasn’t completely out of line on the rooftop, but he’d really thought for a moment...  

It was stupid. Bruce... Bruce promised he’d make it. He was really clinging to that, ignoring the little voice that whispered that it was Bruce’s fault he was in that position to begin with.  

He remembered when he found Jason’s phone sitting on his desk. The boy had never seen the need for a passcode and had never set one. He picked it up. He’d turned it on.  

He didn’t go through any of his private messages with his friends. Didn’t even really look at those; he couldn’t recall a single name he’d seen except for hers. He’d read through every email on the account, seeing the way she’d manipulated and used him. He hadn’t given the phone to the bat; hadn’t mentioned the emails. If Jason wanted to tell him if- when he woke up, that was his business.  

He didn’t care what kind of condition his brother was in. If Batman got hold of his phone now, he’d leave nothing unchecked. Any sort of private conversation his brother was having would be between him, the person he was having it, and the bat. He would turn into a tyrant and start bugging devices again; he didn’t want that for Jason, and he was pretty damn sure Bruce would bug his phone again. He sure as hell didn’t want another awkward talk from Bruce about internet safety. He’s 18, he can make his own decisions, and also, that was completely on Bruce for bugging his fucking phone .  

He was willing to admit that it was a little selfish, but what was done was already done. Showing Bruce the emails wouldn’t do any good now. He would have a conversation with Jason himself about it.  

His thoughts snapped back to reality as he heard Phantom’s voice.  

“I’m sorry,” he said, “What was that? I got a bit distracted.”  

“I asked if you were okay,” he said softly.  

It hurt. He treated Jason so badly when he first arrived. They had really only just been getting along; and now, he was...  

He smiled. “I’m okay.”  

Alfred raised an eyebrow. He ignored him.  

Batgirl glared at him. He ignored her.  

“So!” he clapped his hands, “Phantom, what’s your favorite tv show?”  

He jumped, but recovered quickly. “I, um...”  

He held back a sigh. He got an idea.  

“Hey...” he whispered. “Did you know that Batman-” he leaned forwards, glancing around for dramatic effect- “Is deathly afraid of bats?”  

He could hear Alfred groan softly. Babs giggled into her hand. Phantom himself snorted and choked out, “Really?!”  

Dick himself let out a chuckle. That had blown his mind when he was little; he assumed Bruce loved bats. He had insisted they get bat-themed everything any time they could get away with it for that very reason (now he just did it because it was funny).   

“Yup,” he said. “I was just as shocked as you were. I was pretty young when he took me in, and he never told me he was deathly afraid of the things. One night, when I was a little younger than you are now, I found a few of these little bats that were hurt,” he started. Babs was already stifling laughter and, although he’d deny it if called out, he could see Alfred’s shoulders shaking with mirth. He had already began cracking up himself.  

“I uh,” his shoulders shook, “I was really concerned about them, right? They fit in the palm of my hand and...” he trailed off. “They were badly hurt. I think a cat got a hold of them or something,” he continued.  

Phantom hadn’t noticed his switch in mood. Babs and Alfred definitely had.  

“I did what any teenage-something would do; I put them in a box and brought them to Batman. Surely he liked bats, right?”  

They were back to restrained laughter, but it wasn’t the happy thing it had been. Phantom had caught on to what was about to happen, his own shoulders shaking with laughter.  

Dick slammed a hand on the table. “I feel like he didn’t appreciate it enough!”  

“Certainly not, sir,” Alfred sniffed, “Can’t imagine why a man who dresses up as a bat wouldn’t want to have bats in his home. In his room. On his bed,” he smirked a bit. “I haven’t the faintest idea as to why he would run out of the room screaming.”  

There wasn’t a hope in the world to get Dick and Babs under control in the next few minutes.  

Phantom was no better, mouth muffled and shoulders shaking. “On his bed?!” he wheezed.  

“I-” he was interrupted by his own breathless laughter, “I thought they’d get co- cold.”  

Babs grabbed the table. “He-he had to call my dad,” she forced out, “To come get them!”  

And maybe things weren’t perfect. They certainly weren't okay. The underlying tension was like waiting for a balloon to finally pop.  

But Nightwing was a big brother. This may not be his baby brother, and he wasn’t very good at this yet, but he couldn’t just let him... stay like this. He looked so sad.  

This kid wasn’t his baby brother, but he was someone’s baby brother. He’d do his best.  

He just hoped his best would be good enough.  

[gemglyph]

(LU Martyr) Skyloft Culture Analysis: Sword Forms

By Me (Apple/Glyph)

SWORD FORMS MY BELOVED!!!!!!!

In the times of Skyloft these were actual dances! I think it would be interesting if dances were part of a few festivals and really old Skyloftian traditions. There are Goddess Dances and then there are others, but I hadn’t gotten around to naming those so I’ll stick to the ones I have actually worked out! 

I based the Goddess Dances off of the creation story given by the Great Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time. Din’s Red Earth. Nayru’s Laws. Farore’s Blessing. You have to know the Dance of Din to perform the Dance of Nayru. To perform the Dance of Farore you have to know both Nayru and Din’s dances. The Dance of Farore is the hardest dance. This is because Farore built upon the Red Earth of Din and the Laws of Nayru. Granting the world to become full of life.

On Skyloft the knights academy would sometimes use the Goddess Dances for fighting, but it was more rare because there are easier dances (I don’t have names for them). Sword Fighting on Skyloft was definitely more dancing and like an art instead of outright battling like would be seen in the future.

Sky is the only one who can flawlessly do the Dance of Farore (Chosen Hero). The reason that the Goddess Dances became a battle technique is because Sky chose to use them that way after visiting the Surface.

The Dance of Hylia - A beginners dance! Easygoing and fun. Usually performed at festivals in large groups (which is how this later becomes a type of military formation haha). This is usually the first dance performed at festivals because even kids can do this dance and everyone should get to have fun!

The Dance of Din - Power. Behind each movement is strength. Flaming as the Red Earth.

This dance sometimes has fire involved! Performed on Skyloft this dance is traditionally performed in a group with a lot of clapping, heavy feet movement, and drums.

In battle, this dance is meant to be sturdy and create strong, powerful strikes behind each swing. Could probably be used to cleave a monster in two. Would also be good for defensive strategies and tanking hits from opponents.

The Dance of Nayru - Wisdom. Fluid, yet decisive. Like the Law Nayru graced upon the lands of the Red Earth.

This dance can be performed in a group, but is more about fluid movements. If it is a group, there is decent spacing involved. I imagine more woodwind instruments or a harp would be involved here.

This dance is perfect for using the opponent against theirself. Be it weight or strategy. Good for counter movements and dodging. Fluid footwork would make for a hard target, which provides time to think of a strategy.

The Dance of Farore - Courage. Assurance, finality, but creative. The Dance of Life. The beings to uphold the laws of Nayru.

On Skyloft, The Dance of Farore is the balance between Power and Wisdom to create something more. Very few can do this Dance and even less can fully master it. This is a solo dance until about midway through where you can pull people in to join you.

Against any opponent this dance is deadly. Lethal speed and strength. Sky mastered this dance and proceeded to use it to kill the Demon King, Demise.

Extra Content:

There are two extra dances that Sky knows Separately because they were taught to him by Fi during his adventure. The dances are from the Skyview Spring and the Earth Spring.